PLATFORM FOR LOADING UNIT

Abstract

 The present invention relates to a platform (1) for a load unit comprising a supporting face (2) intended to receive the load unit, and locking means (4) arranged on the supporting face (2) and configured to allow the load unit to be locked on the platform. The locking means (4) comprise a first (41) and second (42) element defining an aperture (3) intended to receive an edge region (14) of the load unit. The first element (41) protrudes from the supporting face (2) and comprises a first portion (41a) developing parallel thereto, and a second portion (42b) orthogonally connected to the supporting face (2) through an abutment surface (410). The second element (42) comprises a wall (42a) orthogonally protruding from the supporting face (2) and a protrusion (42b) developing below and parallel to the first portion (41a) of the first element (41). The first element (41) is shaped such that its first portion (41a) comprises a free end (413) inclined with respect to such first portion, opposite to the end connecting to the second portion (41b). This latter portion is in a position distal from the perimeter edge of the platform, while the free end (413) of the first portion is in a position proximal to the edge of the platform. On the contrary the second element (42) has a matching surface (44) facing the perimeter edge of the platform and is connected to the perimeter edge such to form therewith a seat (60) shaped like a channel following all the perimeter of the platform.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of supporting devices for load units.

[0002] Particularly, the invention relates to platforms, such as pallets, provided with means for locking load units, such as for example containers, display stands or the like.

[0003] The present invention particularly relates to a platform according to preamble of claim 1.

PRIOR ART

[0004] Currently it is known that pallets are a particular type of platforms that can be handled by forks of a pallet jack, that are used to transport goods from one to another position in a simple manner.

[0005] It is also known that some pallets are suitably configured to transport load units, for example cardboards or display stands fastened to the pallet such to improve their stability during transport and with the pallet in stationary condition. For example, think of display stands that are continuously touched and moved by people taking displayed goods.

[0006] In order to allow the load unit to be fastened to the pallet, it is known from German utility model DE9104762U1 and patent application WO2011060794A1, to provide seats in the pallet to accommodate edge regions of the load unit, for example shaped projections of the load unit.

[0007] Particularly DE9104762U1 discloses to provide the load unit with hook-bent protrusions fitting in suitable slots provided on the upper face of the pallet. Once protrusions are fitted in the slots, these cannot come out therefrom, since a backward movement thereof is prevented by the hook portion that is hindered by the edge region of the slot.

[0008] Document WO2011060794A1 on the contrary describes a kit for forming a display stand, which is fastened and mounted on a transport pallet. The kit comprises a plurality of walls composed of a sheet, preferably metal sheet, with bending lines having a plurality of foldable tabs, or protrusions, that are snap fitted and fastened into respective fitting areas obtained on the edge of the pallet below.

[0009] However such solutions do not guarantee a suitable stability of the attachment since tensile stresses of the load unit can easily weaken the locking means and can possibly cause the structure to yield.

[0010] In order to overcome such drawbacks, alternative solutions are known from patents IT1355235 and US5020674 that provide to use retaining elements, such as for example rivets or the like, fastening the load unit on the supporting face of a pallet.

[0011] However such solution is structurally complicated and leads to increase of the time necessary for assembling such loading system.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0012] It is the object of the present invention to overcome prior art drawbacks.

[0013] Particularly it is the object of the present invention to provide a platform guaranteeing a solid attachment for a load unit.

[0014] It is also the object of the present invention to provide a platform for load unit simple and cheap to be made.

[0015] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by a platform for load units embodying the characteristics of the annexed claims, which are an integral part of the present description.

[0016] In one embodiment, the platform for load units comprises a supporting face intended to receive the load unit, and locking means, arranged on the supporting face, and configured to allow the load unit to be locked on the platform.

[0017] Locking means comprise a first and second element defining an aperture intended to receive an edge region of a load unit. The first element protrudes from the supporting face and comprises a first portion developing parallel thereto, and a second portion orthogonally connected to the supporting face through an abutment surface. The second element comprises a wall orthogonally protruding from the supporting face and a protrusion developing below and parallel to the first portion of the first element.

[0018] The first and second element are intended to prevent, with the load unit in mounted condition, the edge region from slipping out along a direction orthogonal to the supporting face by the first portion and the protrusion and along a direction parallel to the supporting face by the abutment surface and the wall of the second element respectively.

[0019] Such solution allows the stability of the attachment of the load unit to the platform to improve, since locking means configured in this manner allow an edge region of the load unit to be inserted and locked in place, which, in the mounted condition, is substantially prevented from accomplishing any undesired movement along directions orthogonal and parallel to the supporting face.

[0020] Such solution, thanks to the lack of additional retaining elements, such as for example rivets, contemporaneously allows operations for mounting the load unit on the platform to be considerably simplified and it drastically reduces production costs.

[0021] Advantageously, in one embodiment, the first element is shaped such that its first portion comprises a free end inclined with respect to such first portion, opposite to the end connected to the second portion. The latter portion is in a position distal from the perimeter edge of the platform, while the free end of the first portion is in a position proximal to the edge of the platform. The second element, on the contrary, has a matching surface facing the perimeter edge of the platform and is connected to the perimeter edge such to form with the latter a seat shaped like a channel following all the perimeter of the platform.

[0022] Such solution is fit not only for firmly housing the load unit, but also for a possible cover packaging, of the type often used to transport loading systems composed of platform and load units.

[0023] The particular arrangement of the snap fitting between load unit and transport unit provides the highest holding effect against slipping out from the seat in the "fully loaded" condition, wherein vertical walls are forced to stay in a position under the retaining edge and therefore this makes the locking system more efficient.

[0024] Thanks to the particular arrangement of the fastening means, then a quick and efficient "disassembly" of the platform-load unit assembly is possible. Indeed, in order to achieve the aim it is sufficient to gently lift the counter corner and thus creating the conditions for a perfect disposal of the two components.

[0025] The present invention further relates to a kit for a loading system, and a relevant loading system, comprising a load unit, for example a display stand, and a platform of the type mentioned above and better described below.

[0026] Further advantageous features of the present invention will be more clear from the following description and from the annexed claims, which are an integral part of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] The invention will be described here below with reference to non-limitative examples provided by way of example and not as a limitation in the annexed drawings. These drawings show different aspects and embodiments of the present invention and, where appropriate, reference numbers showing like structures, components, materials and/or elements in different figures are denoted by like reference numbers.

Figure 1 is an overall view of a platform for load unit according to the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged detail of a first constructional detail - locking means - of the platform for load unit according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a side section of the locking means for the platform for load unit according to the invention.

Figures 4, 5, 6 and 7 are partial perspective views of a first, second, third and fourth steps for mounting a loading system comprising the platform according to the invention.

Figure 8 is a side section of the locking means with the load unit mounted on the platform according to the invention.

Figure 9 is a detail of the platform of figure 1 with in addition a detail of a package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0028] While the invention is susceptible of various modifications and alternative constructions, some non-limitative embodiments, provided by way of example, are described in details herein below.

[0029] It should be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the specific disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, the invention intends to cover all the modifications, alternative forms and equivalents that fall within the scope of the invention as defined in the claims.

[0030] Therefore, in the description below the use of "for example", "etc.", "or" denotes non-exclusive alternatives without limitation, unless otherwise noted; the use of "also" means "among which, but not limited to", unless otherwise defined; the use of "includes/comprises" means "includes/comprises, but not limited to", unless otherwise noted.

[0031] Figure 1 shows an overall view of a platform 1 for load units according to the invention. Although in the embodiment shown in figures, the platform 1 is a pallet equipped with supporting feet 5 suitably spaced apart such to handle the platform by forks, has a substantially rectangular geometry and is made of plastic material, such embodiment is only a constructional example and not a limitation of the invention.

[0032] Variant embodiments can provide a platform without supporting feet (the support can be guaranteed for example by a perimeter edge or directly by a bottom surface of the platform) or with supporting feet, but provided with side support skirts hiding the feet. The platform can have a plan with a shape different from the rectangular one, for example it may have any shape and can be made of materials different from plastic such as for example metal or light alloys.

[0033] Having said so, the platform 1, generally, has a supporting face 2 intended to receive a load unit (not shown in figure) and locking means 4, arranged on the supporting face 2, configured such that, with the load unit mounted on the platform 1, they allow the latter to be locked on the supporting face 2.

[0034] In the shown example, locking means 4 are shaped like flexible tabs intended to lock by interference fit an edge region of the load unit. In the embodiment described herein, such locking means 4 are symmetrically arranged two by two along the perimeter edges of the opposite sides of the supporting face 2 of the platform 1. A different number and different arrangements of locking means 4 are however possible, such for example by positioning them at the corners of the perimeter edges or also in central regions of the supporting face 2.

[0035] With reference to figures 2 and 3 the locking means 4 comprise a first 41 and second 42 element defining an aperture 3, intended to receive an edge region, for example a foldable tab of the load unit.

[0036] The first element 41 protrudes from the supporting face 2 and comprises a first substantially planar portion 41a developing parallel thereto.

[0037] The first element 41 further comprises a second portion 41b orthogonally connected to the supporting face 2 by an abutment surface 410.

[0038] Advantageously the first portion 41a further comprises a free end opposite to the end connecting to the second portion 41b, which is provided with a leading edge 413.

[0039] The leading edge 413 is inclined upwards (that is in the direction opposite to face 2) with respect to the first portion 41a, such to promote the insertion of the edge region of the unit load in the aperture 3.

[0040] As visible in the figures, the first portion 41a is provided with an inner surface 411 intended to face the edge region of the load unit and with an outer surface 412 that, in a preferred embodiment, is provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs 43.

[0041] Such ribs 43 are preferably made as one piece with the first portion 41a and placed parallel to one another.

[0042] Particularly, these develop along a direction orthogonal to the plane containing the abutment surface 410, thus giving to the first element 41 strength characteristics against shear/tensile stresses.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, and as can be seen in the examples shown in the figures, the second portion 41b of the first element 41 is in a position distal from the perimeter edge 6 of the platform 1. Such orientation of the locking means makes it possible for the free end of the first element 41 to be in a position proximal to the same edge.

[0044] Likewise, however, a different orientation (not shown in figures) of the locking means 4 is possible, by providing the second portion 41b to be in a position proximal to the perimeter edge of the platform 1, and as a result the free end in a position distal from the edge.

[0045] The second element 42 on the contrary comprises a wall 42a protruding orthogonally from the supporting face 2 and a protrusion 42b developing below and parallel to the fist portion 41a of the first element 41.

[0046] The wall 42a and the protrusion 42b are arranged at an angle from each other, forming a substantially right angle that, with the load unit mounted on the platform 1, is an area of contact with the edge region of the load unit. The protrusion 42b has an upper surface 420 lying in the same plane of the face 2, such that the load unit provided with a foldable edge can be fitted in the aperture 3, and rest partially on the face 2 and partially on the surface 420.

[0047] With reference to figures 4 to 7, they show some assembling steps of a loading system 100 comprising a platform 1, in these examples of the type described above, and a load unit 10.

[0048] In the example shown in figures, the load unit 10 comprises a folding body 11, for example obtained by die cutting a sheet made of plastic or cardboard. The body 11 comprises a plurality of side walls 12 at one end provided with lower tabs 14 having a size substantially equal to the distance between the wall 42a of the second element and the abutment surface 410 of the first element. Each wall is joined to a respective tab by a fold line 13 defining the line along which the tab has to be folded upon assembly.

[0049] The body 11 is preferably made of cardboard, but variants can provide different materials, such as for example polypropylene, corrugated plastic or plastic material in general.

[0050] Generally, for the purposes of the present invention, the load unit 10 can be a container to transport goods, a display stand or similar devices, for example made as a single piece or several modular pieces, but anyway it is provided with at least one edge region (for example tabs 14 of figure 4) intended to functionally cooperate with locking means 4 of the platform 1. Particularly the edge region of the load unit is shaped such to be fitted into a corresponding aperture 3 defined by the locking means 4.

[0051] With reference again to the figures, each tab 14 of each wall 12 is fitted into the aperture 3 underneath the first portion 41a of the first element 41.

[0052] In this embodiment, the locking means 4 are oriented such that the second portion 41b is in a position distal from the edge 6 of the platform 1, while the free end of the first element 41 is in a position proximal to the perimeter edge 6 of the platform 1.

[0053] With the load unit 10 mounted on the platform 1, how clearly visible in figure 8, therefore the first 41 and second 42 element cooperate preventing the edge region 14 from slipping out.

[0054] The movement thereof along a direction orthogonal to the supporting face 2, is prevented by means of the first portion 41a and by the surface 420 of the protrusion 42b; while its movement along a direction parallel to the supporting face 2 is hindered by the abutment surface 410 and by the wall 42a of the second element 42.

[0055] From the above description it is clear how the described device allows above objects to be achieved.

[0056] Therefore, it is clear for a person skilled in the art that it is possible to make changes and variants to the solution described with reference to above figures without for this reason departing from the scope of protection of the present patent as defined in the annexed claims.

[0057] For example, in one embodiment not shown, instead of or in addition to the tabs, the unit load is provided with an edge region comprising one or more slots with such a size to accommodate the first portion of the first element.

[0058] In this case the locking means are preferably oriented in a manner different from the example of figures 4-7. For example, the second portion 41b of the first element 41 is in a position proximal to the perimeter edge 6 of the platform 1, while the free end of the first element 41 is in a position distal from the perimeter edge 6 of the platform 1.

[0059] The load unit in this embodiment therefore is mounted on the platform by fitting the free end of the first element in the slot provided in the edge region of the load unit, while a portion of the edge region of the load unit, underneath the slot, is fitted into the aperture 3.

[0060] Moreover, it has to be intended that not all the elements and the features of the platform shown in figures 1 to 8 are mandatory or binding. For example, in the examples described above and as visible in figure 9, the second element 42 has a matching surface 44 facing the perimeter edge 6 of the platform 1.

[0061] The matching surface 44 is connected to the perimeter edge 6 such to form therewith a seat 60 shaped like a channel following all the perimeter of the platform 1 and that is placed underneath the supporting face 2. Such seat is intended to receive for example a lower edge of a cover package 7, possibly provided to cover the load unit.

[0062] The package 7 can be made of rigid, or semi-rigid or flexible material and, after being applied from above to wrap the load unit 10, it is usually strapped.

[0063] The perimeter channel 60 allows the edge of the package 7, that usually becomes weakened and ruined, to be well aligned, reinforced and pressure-resistant.

Claims

1. Platform (1) for a load unit comprising

- a supporting face (2) intended to receive said load unit,

- locking means (4) arranged on said supporting face (2) and configured to allow the load unit to be locked on said platform (1),

wherein the locking means (4) comprise a first (41) and second (42) element defining an aperture (3) intended to receive an edge region (14) of said load unit, wherein

the first element (41) protrudes from the supporting face (2) and comprises a first portion (41a) developing parallel thereto, and a second portion (42b) orthogonally connected to the supporting face (2) through an abutment surface (410) and wherein

the second element (42) comprises a wall (42a) connecting an edge of the aperture (3) to a protrusion (42b) developing below and parallel to the first portion (41a) of the first element (41),

said first (41) and second (42) element being intended to prevent, with the load unit in the mounted condition, the edge region (14) from slipping out along a direction orthogonal to the supporting face (2) by said first portion (41a) and said protrusion (42b) and along a direction parallel to the supporting face (2) by said abutment surface (410) and said wall (42a) of the second element (42) respectively,
characterized in that

said first portion (41a) comprises a free end opposite to the end connecting to said second portion (41b), said free end being provided with a leading edge (413) inclined with respect to the first portion (41a), such to promote the insertion of the edge region (14) of the load unit in the aperture (3),

said second portion (41b) is in a position distal from the perimeter edge of the platform (1), while the free end of the first portion (41a) is in a position proximal to the edge of the platform (1),

said second element (42) has a matching surface (44) facing the perimeter edge (6) of the platform (1) and is connected to the perimeter edge (6) such to form therewith a seat (60) shaped like a channel following all the perimeter of the platform (1).

2. Platform (1) according to claim 1, wherein said seat (60) is placed underneath the supporting face (2) of the platform (1).

3. Platform (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the protrusion (42) of the second element (42) has an upper surface (420) lying on the same plane of the supporting face (2).

4. Platform (1) according to claim 1 or 2 or 3, wherein said first portion (41a) comprises an inner surface (411) intended to face said edge region (14), and an outer surface (412) provided with a plurality of reinforcing ribs (43).

5. Platform (1) according to claim 4, wherein said reinforcing ribs (43) are made as one piece with the first portion (41a), are parallel one another and develop along a direction orthogonal to the plane containing the abutment surface (410).

6. Platform (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said locking means (4) are symmetrically arranged along the perimeter edges of the supporting face (2) of the platform (1).

7. Platform (1) according to any claims 1 to 6, wherein the second portion (41b) is in a position proximal to the perimeter edge of the platform (1), while the free end is in a position distal from the edge of the platform (1).

8. Kit for a loading system (100) comprising

- a platform (1) according to any of the preceding claims,

- a load unit (10) provided with an edge region (14) shaped such to be inserted in the aperture (3) of said locking means (4).

9. Kit according to claim 8, wherein said load unit (10) comprises a die-cut body (11) provided with fold lines (13) defining at least one folding tab of said edge region (14), said at least one tab being intended to be inserted in the aperture (3) under the first portion (41a) of the first element (41) and having a size substantially equal to the distance between the wall (42a) of the second element and the abutment surface (410) of the first element.

10. Kit according to claim 9, wherein the second portion (41b) of the first element (41) is in a position distal from the perimeter edge (6) of the platform (1), while the free end of the first portion (41a) is in a position proximal to the perimeter edge (6) of the platform (1).

11. Kit according to claim 10, wherein the edge region of the load unit comprises at least one slot, and wherein the first portion (41a) of said first element (41) is intended to be inserted in said slot.

12. Loading system (100) wherein the load unit and the platform of the kit for the loading system according to one or more of the claims 8 to 11 are mounted.

Drawing