Pallet with friction elements

Abstract

 The invention relates to a pallet (1) formed of a plastics material, the pallet (1) comprising a substantially planar deck (2) for carrying articles and support elements (4) for supporting the deck, friction elements (20) being mounted in openings in the deck (2) for increasing the friction between the pallet (1) and any prongs of a fork lift, wherein the friction elements (20) extend above the planar deck (2) and below the deck (2).

Description

Background

[0001] The present invention relates to a pallet with friction elements.

[0002] A pallet with friction element is disclosed in EP-1.440.893 from the current applicant. This pallet has friction elements which are positioned in openings in the deck for increasing friction between the pallet and prongs of a fork lift. The friction elements do not protrude above the top surface of the deck of the pallet.

Summary of the Invention

[0003] The invention aims to improve current pallets.

[0004] Another object of the invention is to improve the placement of objects on the pallet.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention this is realized with a pallet formed of a plastics material, the pallet comprising a substantially planar top deck for carrying articles and support elements for supporting the top deck, friction elements being mounted in openings in the top deck for increasing the friction between the pallet and any prongs of a fork lift, wherein the friction elements extend above the surface of the planar top deck and below the top deck.

[0006] According to a second aspect of the invention this is realized with an injection moulded pallet comprising a substantially planar top deck for carrying articles, support elements for supporting the top deck, and friction provisions integrally formed from injected plastic material of the pallet, wherein said top deck is constituted by a plurality of interconnected ribs, and said friction provisions comprise pointed extensions extending above the substantially planar deck and are formed at crossings of the interconnected ribs.

[0007] According to a third aspect of the invention this is realized with an injection moulded pallet comprising a substantially planar top deck providing an upper pallet surface for carrying articles, a substantially planar bottom deck for providing a bottom pallet surface, and support elements for supporting the top deck and coupling the top deck and bottom deck to one another, and friction provisions integrally formed from injected plastic material of the pallet, wherein said bottom deck is constituted by a plurality of interconnected ribs, and said friction provisions comprise pointed extensions extending from the bottom pallet surface and are formed at crossings of the interconnected ribs of the bottom deck.

[0008] According to a fourth aspect of the invention this is realized with a pallet formed of a plastics material, the pallet comprising a substantially planar top deck providing an upper pallet surface for carrying articles, a substantially planar bottom deck for providing a bottom pallet surface, and support elements for supporting the top deck and coupling the top deck and bottom deck, wherein the pallet comprises friction elements mounted in openings in the bottom deck extending from the bottom pallet surface.

[0009] The friction elements and friction provisions provide friction between the pallet and articles stacked on the pallet. In particular, these pallets are used for supporting stacks of bottle crates. To that end, the friction elements and friction provisions are provided on the one hand for securing the bottle crates on the surface of the pallet. On the other hand, the friction element on the bottom deck, for instance, is especially designed for also stabilising a pallet with bottle crates on top of an other pallet with bottle crates. To that end, the friction element on the bottom deck extends in such a way that it grips within the circumference of the rim of bottle crates stacked on a pallet below.

[0010] The friction element in the bottom deck further provide a wear-resistant part, for preventing wear on the bottom pallet surface.

[0011] In an embodiment, the friction elements inserted in the openings in the top deck comprise an upper collar, a lower collar and a middle portion, the opening comprising a central part and the diameter of the collars being larger that the diameter of the central part near said collars.

[0012] In an embodiment, a friction surface of the friction elements in the top deck or the bottom deck is provided with grooves for carrying away water, in an embodiment one or both surfaces being provided with a profiled surface for carrying away water when attained between the surface and a surface resting on it, like a prong surface.

[0013] In an embodiment the friction provisions have a pyramid shape, in an embodiment having a rectangular base plane with sides running parallel to the ribs, in an embodiment the friction provisions having a height of between about 1.5-10 mm.

[0014] In an embodiment, the friction elements in the bottom deck extend beyond the bottom pallet surface.

[0015] In an embodiment, the pallet is substantially rectangular and is provided with the friction elements at or near its corners.

[0016] In an embodiment, for instance one of the aspects of the invention, a pallet has a central hole running through the top deck and the complete pallet, in an embodiment the hole having a diameter of about 10-20 cm.

[0017] A combination of the features of the aspects of the invention provides a pallet which has friction elements and friction provisions which together secure bottle crates on the pallet, even in case of a shock or a sloped position of a pallet. It furthermore stabilizes a stack of several pallets all loaded with bottle crates. The bottle crates can also be stacked in different patterns on the pallets.

[0018] The invention further pertains to a pallet or parts thereof comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings, and/or a method comprising one or more of the characterising features described in the description and/or shown in the attached drawings.

[0019] The various aspects discussed in this patent can be combined in order to provide additional advantages, and/or these aspects can form a basis for a divisional patent application.

Description of the Drawings

[0020] The invention will be further elucidated referring to an embodiment of a pallet shown in the attached drawings, showing in:

Figure 1 schematically in perspective the top surface of an embodiment of a pallet;

Figure 2 schematically in perspective the bottom surface of an embodiment of the pallet of figure 1;

Figure 3 a detail of a friction element;

Figure 4 a detail of an opening in the upper deck for a friction element;

Figure 5 a detail of a friction element is the opening of figure 4;

Figure 6 an example of a friction element;

Figure 7 an example showing the openings and other friction provisions on the upper deck, and

Figure 8 an example showing a detail of a friction element provided on the lower deck.

Detailed Description of Embodiments

[0021] The pallet 1 shown merely by way of non-limiting example in Figs. 1 and 2 in perspective view from above and in perspective view from below (as well as subsequent embodiments according to the present invention) is preferably formed of a thermoplastic or other polymeric material and is preferably, but not necessarily, formed by an injection moulding process. Engineered materials may be used, as well as a synthetic resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene with a filler added to stiffen the resin. It is contemplated that the pallet disclosed herein may be manufactured by various other moulding techniques and manufacturing processes applicable to the design and material selected, including but not limited to blow moulding, thermoforming, vacuum moulding, etc. It is further contemplated that the material from which the pallet according to the present invention is formed may include materials other than plastics and polymer blends, and may include metallic materials, such as aluminium or tin. The pallets have technical aspects and features which form part of the current patent description. Furthermore, the depicted pallet and parts thereof can have design features and/or a specific shape which can be the subject of design protection rights.

[0022] As illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2, pallet 1 includes a top deck 2 and a bottom deck 3 which both have an upper surface and a lower surface. The top deck 2 provides an upper pallet surface and bottom deck 3 provides a bottom pallet surface. The decks 2 and 3 preferably have a rectangular shape with rounded corners, but may also take other shapes, including but not limited to a square, circular, triangular or other shapes as desired or required by the use and application. Pallet 1 generally is symmetrical about at least one centreline. The upper surface of top deck 2 is preferably a substantially planar surface on which articles (not shown) can be carried. Top deck 2 and bottom deck 3 are connected by support elements 4, which preferably are integral with both decks. Between the support elements 4 apertures 8 are capable of accepting the prongs of a forklift or similar device.

[0023] As can be seen, the upper surface of top deck 2 is constituted by a structure of interconnected ribs 30, see also figs. 3 and 4 in detail. This provides an open structure which is very strong yet light. In addition, the open structure allows the pallet 1 to be thoroughly cleansed. The pallet 1 may further be provided with a label (not shown).

[0024] The pallet is further provided with friction elements 20 in the top deck 2, which will be discussed further below.

[0025] In the centre of the pallet 1, a through hole or open space 9 may be provided, as shown in this embodiment. This hole 9 can have the following function. Bottle crates can be stacked in pallet 1 in such a way that the central opening 9 is left free. Thus, a free central shaft (in the sense of a chute or tube) remains open. Thus, when several packed pallets are stacked on top of one another, this leaves a free shaft running from top to bottom. The shaft allows material which may get on top of a loaded pallet to fall through and thus not remain on top of the loaded pallet.

[0026] In accordance with the present invention, openings 10 are provided in the (top) deck. Friction elements 20, which will further be explained below with reference to Figs. 3-6, can be accommodated in these openings 10 so as to increase the friction between the pallet 1 and the prongs of a forklift. The increased friction prevents that the pallet moves during transport on a forklift or even slips off the prongs. As can be seen, the openings 10 are in the embodiment shown defined by tubular elements (Fig. 4) which are integral with the top deck 2. The friction elements protrude above these tubular elements, that is, above the top deck. The openings 10 are arranged in rows which form an acute angle (in the embodiment shown of approximately 45 degrees) relative to the prongs. In this way, the friction elements can be contacted from two substantially orthogonal directions.

[0027] It is noted that a similar arrangement of openings and friction elements could be made in the lower deck 3. This, however, is generally not necessary.

[0028] The exemplary friction element 20 shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6 has a top portion forming an upper collar 21, a bottom portion forming a lower collar 22 and a relatively narrow middle portion 23. The upper collar 21 is accommodated in a widened portion 11 of a respective opening 10 and extends above the top surface of the deck 2. The upper collar 21 rests with its rim 25 on a flange 12 provided in the opening 10. The friction element 20 is preferably substantially cylindrical, that is, it preferably has a substantially circular cross-section. However, a rectangular, hexagonal or other cross-section would also be feasible.

[0029] As can be seen, the top portion of the friction element 10 extends beyond the opening 10 or above the top surface of the deck, thus helping to prevent sliding or shifting of articles, like bottle crates, stacked on the pallet 1.

[0030] The lower collar 22 of the friction element 20 rests against bottom surface of the deck 2, the bottom portion of the friction element being located beyond, that is below, the opening 10. By resting with its rim 26 against flange 13 in the bottom surface of the deck, the risk of the friction element 20 being pushed into the opening 10 and thus becoming less effective is significantly reduced.

[0031] In the embodiment shown, the lower collar 22 is wider than the upper collar 21. This is advantageous in that the lower collar of the friction element assists in supporting the deck on the prongs and should therefore be relatively large. The upper collar serves to prevent shifting to for instance bottle crates stacked onto the pallet 1. It will be understood, however, that the lower collar and the upper collar could have a substantially equal width, or that the upper collar may even be wider than the lower collar.

[0032] Having a relatively narrow upper collar, however, assists in the insertion of the friction element into the opening 10 from underneath the deck 10. This insertion from underneath, which may be carried out with robot arms or by hand, is particularly suitable for friction elements having a relatively wide bottom portion. To further facilitate said insertion, the (top part of the) friction element may be provided with a layer of grease or soap. In fact, the diameter of the upper collar 21 in an embodiment shown in fig. 6 is almost equal to the diameter of the tapered middle portion 23 near the lower collar 22. Thus, the friction element 20 can be inserted in opening 10 as illustrated in figs. 4 and 5 and stay positioned, even under heavy use.

[0033] The embodiment of the friction element shown in Fig. 6 is similar to the one of Fig. 5 with the exception of the grooves 24 provided in the friction surface provided for resting on the prongs. Thus, water which may be between the friction element 20 and a prong will not result in a slippery water film.

[0034] In the embodiment of the pallet according to the invention shown in Fig. 1, friction provisions 31 are provided on the top deck 2 so as to retain bottle crates on the surface of the top deck and prevent them from sliding.

[0035] The height of the friction provisions 31 may be adapted to the particular articles to be carried on the pallet. For example, the height of the friction provisions 31 may be approximately about 1.5-10 mm. In this embodiment, the friction provisions are pyramid shaped. This proved to provide a reasonable trade off between vulnerability and providing sufficient grip. The friction provisions are arranged at crossings of ribs 30. Thus, the provisions are ridged. They are integrally injection moulded with remaining pallet 1. Providing these friction provisions at such a regular spacing allows them to cooperate with different sizes of bottle crates stack on the pallet in different ways and in different patterns.

[0036] It is also possible to provide these friction provisions 31 on the bottom deck 3. Thus they can be provided in the same way as illustrated. Thus, the friction provisions 31 extend beyond the bottom pallet surface. It then adds in securing a pallet on top of a lower pallet stacked with bottle crates.

[0037] A further friction provision is shown in fig. 8. In this embodiment, at the corners of the rectangular pallet 1 friction elements 40 are provided. These friction elements 40 are made from a rubbery material, like natural, or artificial rubber. It is also possible to make these friction elements 40 from another material. These materials prevent sliding of a pallet 1 on a surface. A part 41 of the friction element 40 extends beyond the bottom pallet surface of bottom deck 3. The friction elements 40 are usually separate elements which are snapped into place. They can be made similar to the friction elements 20. In another embodiment, they can be produced in a 2K moulding process, in a separate moulding step after moulding of the rest of the pallet. In another moulding process, the friction elements 40 are co-moulded in the same mould. An advantage of snapping or clamping the friction elements 40 in the bottom deck is that it is possible to replace them when they become worn. In fact, the friction elements 40 prevent wear due to abrasion of the bottom surface of pallet 1 against the street surface. Furthermore, the extending part is positioned to fall within the walls of a bottle crate stacked on an identical, lower pallet. Thus, a stack of packed pallets is more stabile.

[0038] It will also be clear that the above description and drawings are included to illustrate some embodiments of the invention, and not to limit the scope of protection. Starting from this disclosure, many more embodiments will be evident to a skilled person which are within the scope of protection and the essence of this invention and which are obvious combinations of prior art techniques and the disclosure of this patent.

Claims

1. A pallet formed of a plastics material, the pallet comprising a substantially planar top deck for carrying articles and support elements for supporting the top deck, friction elements being mounted in openings in the top deck for increasing the friction between the pallet and any prongs of a fork lift, wherein the friction elements extend above the surface of the planar top deck and below the top deck.

2. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the friction elements comprise an upper collar, a lower collar and a middle portion, the opening comprising a central part and the diameter of the collars being larger that the diameter of the central part near said collars.

3. The pallet of claim 1 of 2, wherein a friction surface of the friction elements is provided with grooves for carrying away water, in an embodiment one or both surfaces being provided with a profiled surface for carrying away water when attained between the surface and a surface resting on it, like a prong surface.

4. An injection moulded pallet comprising a substantially planar top deck for carrying articles, support elements for supporting the top deck, and friction provisions integrally formed from injected plastic material of the pallet, wherein said top deck is constituted by a plurality of interconnected ribs, and said friction provisions comprise pointed extensions extending above the substantially planar deck and are formed at crossings of the interconnected ribs.

5. An injection moulded pallet comprising a substantially planar top deck providing an upper pallet surface for carrying articles, a substantially planar bottom deck for providing a bottom pallet surface, and support elements for supporting the top deck and coupling the top deck and bottom deck to one another, and friction provisions integrally formed from injected plastic material of the pallet, wherein said bottom deck is constituted by a plurality of interconnected ribs, and said friction provisions comprise pointed extensions extending from the bottom pallet surface and are formed at crossings of the interconnected ribs of the bottom deck.

6. The injection moulded pallet of claim 4 or 5, wherein said friction provisions have a pyramid shape, in an embodiment having a rectangular base plane with sides running parallel to the ribs, in an embodiment the friction provisions having a height of between about 1.5-10 mm.

7. A pallet formed of a plastics material, the pallet comprising a substantially planar top deck providing an upper pallet surface for carrying articles, a substantially planar bottom deck for providing a bottom pallet surface, and support elements for supporting the top deck and coupling the top deck and bottom deck, wherein the pallet comprises friction elements mounted in openings in the bottom deck extending from the bottom pallet surface.

8. The pallet of claim 5, wherein said friction elements extend beyond the bottom pallet surface.

9. The pallet of claim 5 or 6, which is substantially rectangular and is provided with the friction elements at or near its corners.

10. The pallet of any one of the preceding claims, further having a central hole running through the top deck and the complete pallet, in an embodiment the central hole having a diameter of about 10-20 cm.

11. An injection moulded pallet comprising a substantially planar top deck providing an upper pallet surface for carrying articles, a substantially planar bottom deck for providing a bottom pallet surface, and support elements for supporting the top deck and coupling the top deck and bottom deck to one another at a spacing, and friction provisions integrally formed from injected plastic material of the pallet, wherein said bottom and bottom deck are constituted by a plurality of interconnected ribs, and said friction provisions comprise pointed extensions extending above the substantially planar top and bottom deck and are formed at crossings of the interconnected ribs, the top deck further comprising friction elements being mounted in openings in the top deck for increasing the friction between the pallet and any prongs of a fork lift, wherein the friction elements extend above the surface of the planar top deck and below the top deck, and bottom friction elements mounted in openings in the bottom deck extending from the bottom pallet surface.

Drawing