A pallet

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a pallet, preferably a disposable pallet of the type comprising a base plate of corrugated cardboard and a plurality of block-shaped feet also of corrugated cardboard and situated on the bottom side of the base plate each block-shaped foot being made of a strong corrugated cardboard and being substantially solid as it consists of a substantially planar laminate having at least ten single layers of corrugated cardboard arranged substantially perpendicular to the base plate such that small channels of at least a part of the layers of corrugated cardboard of each block-shaped foot extend substantially perpendicular to the base plate.

[0002] It has been known for a long time to manufacture pallets of corrugated cardboard. Thus the US-PS No. 3,763,791 discloses a pallet comprising block-shaped feet formed by small box-shaped bodies of corrugated cardboard, the walls of said bodies including two layers of corrugated cardboard. The box-shaped bodies comprise projecting webs of corrugated cardboard, said webs allowing a securing of the bodies to the bottom side of the pallet base plate. These webs extend upwards through slots in the base plate and are bent on the top side of the base plate. Furthermore these block-shaped feet are rather high. The latter two features imply that this pallet is not quite satisfactory because a large inner cavity in the block-shaped foot makes said foot rather weak. As the block-shaped feet are rather high, they can work loose relatively easily from the base plate in case said base plate is subjected to a strong horizontal effect when the pallet is loaded with articles while situated on the ground. A further disadvantage of this known pallet is that it is rather complicated.

[0003] Another pallet of the initially described typed is disclosed in the GB-A-697 232. This known pallet having block-shaped feet constructed by the gluing together of multiple layers of double-faced corrugated cardboard comprises a base plate formed of two layers of double-faced corrugated cardboard secured together by wire-staples. The underside layer of the base plate is formed with a plurality of square recesses to receive the feet. The recesses are formed by marking the appropriate squares on the underside layer of the material, by means of score lines and making diagonal cuts across each square. After the layers have been stapled together, the triangular tabs formed by the cuts are bent outwardly at right angles to the panel to reveal the recesses. A disadvantage of this known pallet is that it is rather complicated. Further, as the block-shaped feet are rather high, they can work loose relatively easily from the base plate in case that the base plate is subjected to a strong horizontal effect when the pallet is loaded with articles while situated on the ground.

[0004] Further, the US-A-3 477 395 discloses a pallet leg structure. This leg structure is formed from sheets of double-faced corrugated board which have been slit scored to permit folding of the sheet. After folding the leg structure is glued on a pallet-face component to form conventional pallets.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to provide a pallet of the above type which is simpler and stronger than the previously known pallets, and which in addition is very compact.

[0006] To be compact is a very important feature because many pallets with articles piled thereon must be pileable atop one another in small compartments, such as in a container or a truck where the compartment is utilized to a maximum, i.e. including as little air as possible. This compact feature must be ensured at the same time as a safe handling of the pallets by means of a fork truck must be possible in an easy manner.

[0007] The pallet according to the invention is characterized in that the block-shaped feet are of a height (h) of approximately 15-35 mm, in that the corrugated cardboard used for the laminate of the block-shaped feet is of a type of a weight in the range 140-180 g/m², preferably 160 g/m², and in that the block-shaped feet are glued directly and exclusively onto the base plate by means of a single-component latex glue. As a result the pallet is extremely simple and strong and furthermore very inexpensive. The strength is ensured by the block-shaped feet comprising no weak interior and being made of corrugated cardboard of a type of a weight in the range 140-180 g/m², preferably 160 g/m². A single laminate including only a few layers of corrugated cardboard does not suffize. The laminate must include at least ten layers. As the block-shaped feet are very low on account of the large number of layers of corrugated cardboard and furthermore very broad, no risk exists of said feet working loose from the base plate at a lateral effect on the pallet when said pallet is being loaded with articles. Furthermore the pallet is very suited for transporting articles in containers or truck compartments where the compartments must be utilized to a maximum, and where a loading and unloading of the pallets by means of a fork truck is simultaneously desired. The very simple structure of the pallet ensures a particularly inexpensive manufacturing price, which allows a discarding of the pallet, said pallet thereby being a disposable pallet.

[0008] According to the invention the laminated block-shaped feet are glued onto the base plate by means of a single-component latex glue, which shortens the production time of the pallet.

[0009] According to the invention the small grooves of each layer of corrugated cardboard in each block-shaped foot may extend perpendicular to the base plate, whereby the carrying capacity of the foot is increased.

[0010] Furthermore according to the invention at least part of the pallet, preferably the block-shaped feet, is coated and/or impregnated with a water-repellent agent such as wax or plastics. As a result the pallet is stronger in a very simple manner than the known pallets even in case it is exposed to moisture because said moisture cannot weaken the block-shaped feet.

[0011] One or more very thin layers of plastic foam, preferably polyvinyl chloride may according to the invention form part of the laminate of the block-shaped feet, whereby each block-shaped foot is strengthened considerably.

[0012] Moreover, according to the invention the bottom side of the block-shaped feet may be covered by a cover face of for instance cardboard or corrugated cardboard, whereby it is ensured that water cannot by a capillary effect penetrate the small grooves in the vertical layers of corrugated cardboard. The maximum sectional dimension of these small grooves is about 4-5 mm.

[0013] Furthermore according to the invention one or more thin metal wires may extend around each block-shaped foot so as to hold together the layers of corrugated cardboard when said layers are loaded. As a result the layers of corrugated cardboard of each block-shaped foot are prevented from being pressed aside at great vertical loads. Consequently the block-shaped feet are considerably strengthened.

[0014] Finally according to the invention the layers of corrugated cardboard in each block-shaped foot may be crossed, the small grooves of each layer of corrugated cardboard being situated substantially perpendicular to the small grooves of the neighboring layer of corrugated cardboard.

[0015] The invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a pallet according to the invention, where the very low block-shaped feet of the pallet are situated on the bottom side of the pallet base plate and appear clearly,

Figure 2 is an inclined bottom view of a block-shaped foot,

Figure 3 illustrates a second embodiment of a block-shaped foot including a layer of plastic foam between the layers of corrugated cardboard,

Figure 4 illustrates a third embodiment of a block-shaped foot, where the bottom side of said foot is provided with a horizontal layer of corrugated cardboard,

Figure 5 illustrates a fourth embodiment of a block-shaped foot, where one or more circumferential metal wires are provided for holding together and strengthening all the layers of corrugated cardboard, and

Figure 6 illustrates a portion of a block-shaped foot comprising crossed layers of corrugated cardboard.

[0016] The pallet of Figure 1 is preferably a disposable pallet and comprises a base plate 1 of corrugated cardboard and a plurality of block-shaped feet 2 situated on the bottom side of the base plate. These feet are also made of corrugated cardboard. The base plate 1 comprises preferably a horizontal layer of corrugated cardboard, but may also comprise two or three such layers. Each block-shaped foot 2 comprises a substantially planar laminate, cf. Figure 2, which includes at least ten layers of corrugated cardboard 3a, 3b, 3c .... situated substantially perpendicular to the base plate 1. The block-shaped foot is substantially solid because no large cavities exist in the interior thereof. The corrugated cardboard used is of a strong type. The height h of each block-shaped foot is 15 - 25 mm and relatively small compared to the main dimension H of the pallet and is typically in the range 1,5 - 3,5 per cent of the dimension H. Typical values for the dimensions H and h are 1 meter and 15-35 mm respectively. Thus the block-shaped foot is very low which is an extremely important feature because the pallet and the articles piled thereon must take up as little space as possible when stored in for instance a container or a truck compartment. However, the block-shaped feet must be just so high that the forks of a fork truck can slip beneath the pallet so as to lift and handle said pallet.

[0017] The corrugated cardboard used is of the type "one-sided well" of a weight in the range 140-180 g/m², preferably 160 g/m².

[0018] In order to increase the resistance of the block-shaped feet to moisture, they may be coated and/or impregnated with a water-repellant agent, such as wax or plastics, preferably polyvinyl chloride.

[0019] As illustrated in Figure 3, the corrugated cardboard laminate of each block-shaped foot 2 may include one or more very thin layers of plastic foam as

[0020] indicated for instance at 4a, 4b, and 4c. These layers have a blocking effect and increase the resistance to compression of the block-shaped foot.

[0021] Each block-shaped foot 2 is glued onto the base plate 1 by means of a single-component latex glue.

[0022] Figure 2 is, as mentioned, an inclined bottom view of a block-shaped foot. It is noted that the small grooves 5a, 5b, 5c of each layer of corrugated cardboard extend perpendicular to the base plate 1.

[0023] As illustrated in Figure 4, the bottom side of each block-shaped foot 2 may be covered by a cover face 6 of for instance cardboard or corrugated cardboard, whereby moisture to a certain degree is prevented from seeping upwards into the small grooves 5a, 5b, 5c, cf. Figure 2, of the foot.

[0024] As illustrated in Figure 5 one or more thin metal wires 8', 8" may extend around each block-shaped foot 2 so as to increase the resistance to compression of the foot. The metal wires may optionally also extend between two succeeding layers of corrugated cardboard in the interior of the block-shaped foot. The layers of corrugated cardboard of each block-shaped foot 2 may be crossed, cf. Figure 6, whereby the small grooves 10a, 10b, 10c of the layer 10 are situated substantially perpendicular to the small grooves 11a, 11b of the layer 11.

Claims

1. A pallet preferably a disposable pallet of the type comprising a base plate (1) of corrugated cardboard and a plurality of block-shaped feet (2), also of corrugated cardboard and situated on the bottom side of the base plate, each block-shaped foot (2) being made of a strong corrugated cardboard and being substantially solid as it consists of a substantially planar laminate having at least ten single layers of corrugated cardboard (3a, 3b, 3c, ..) arranged substantially perpendicular to the base plate (1) such that small channels (5a, 5b, 5c) of at least a part of the layers of corrugated cardboard of each block-shaped foot (2) extend substantially perpendicular to the base plate (1),
characterized in that
the block-shaped feet are of a height (h) of approximately 15-35 mm, in that the corrugated cardboard used for the laminate (3a, 3b, 3c) of the block-shaped feet (2) is of a type of a weight in the range 140-180 g/m², preferably 160 g/m², and in that the block-shaped feet (2) are glued directly and exclusively onto the base plate (1) by means of a single-component latex glue.

2. A pallet as claimed in claim 1
characterized in that
the height (h) of the block-shaped foot (2) is 1,5 to 3,5 per cent of the main dimension (H) of the base plate (1).

3. A pallet as claimed in claims 1 or 2,
characterized in that
at least part of the pallet, preferably the block-shaped feet (2), is coated and/or impregnated with a water-repellent agent, such as wax or plastics.

4. A pallet as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3,
characterized in that
one or more very thin layers (4a, 4b, 4c) of plastic foam, preferably polyvinyl chloride (fig. 3) form(s) part of the laminate (3a, 3b, 3c, ..) of the block-shaped feet (2).

5. A pallet as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 4,
characterized in that
the bottom side of the block-shaped feet (2) is covered by a cover face (6) for instance cardboard or corrugated cardboard.

6. A pallet as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 5,
characterized in that
one or several thin metal wires (8', 8") extend around each block-shaped foot (2) so as to hold together the layers (3a, 3b, 3c, ..) of corrugated cardboard when said layers are loaded.

7. A pallet as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims 1 to 6,
characterized in that
the layers (10, 11) of corrugated cardboard in each block-shaped foot are crossed, the small grooves (10a, 10b, 10c) of each layer of corrugated board being situated substantially perpendicular to the small grooves (11a, 11b) of the neighboring layer (22) of corrugated cardboard.

Revendications

1. Palette, de préférence, une palette à usage unique, du type qui comprend une plaque de base (1) en carton ondulé et une pluralité de pieds (2) en forme de bloc, eux aussi en carton ondulé et situés sur la face inférieure de la plaque de base, chaque pied (2) en forme de bloc étant fait d'un carton ondulé fort et étant sensiblement massif du fait qu'il est composé d'un stratifié sensiblement plat possédant au moins dix couches simples (3a, 3b, 3c) de carton ondulé disposées sensiblement perpendiculairement à la plaque de base (1), de telle manière que les petites rainures (5a, 5b, 5c) d'au moins une partie des couches de carton ondulé de chaque pied (2) en forme de bloc s'étendent sensiblement perpendiculairement à la plaque de base (1),
caractérisée
en ce que les pieds en forme de bloc sont d'une hauteur (h) d'environ 15 à 35 mm, en ce que le carton ondulé utilisé pour le stratifié (3a, 3b, 3c) des pieds (2) en forme de bloc est d'un type possédant un poids de l'intervalle de 140 à 180 g/m², de préférence égal à 160 g/m², et en ce que les pieds (2) en forme de bloc sont collés directement et exclusivement à la plaque de base (1) à l'aide d'une colle au latex monocomposant.

2. Palette selon la revendication 1,
caractérisée
en ce que la hauteur (h) du pied (2) en forme de bloc est de 1,5 à 3,5 pour cent de la dimension principale (H) de la plaque de base (1).

3. Palette selon les revendications 1 ou 2,
caractérisée
en ce qu'au moins une partie de la palette, de préférence les pieds (2) en forme de bloc est revêtue et/ou imprégnée d'un agent hydrophobe tel qu'une cire ou une matière plastique.

4. Palette selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3,
caractérisée
en ce qu'une ou plusieurs très minces couches (4a, 4b, 4c) de mousse de matière plastique, de préférence de polychlorure de vinyle (figure 3) fait ou font partie du stratifié (3a, 3b, 3c, ...) des pieds (2) en forme de bloc.

5. Palette selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4 précédentes,
caractérisée
en ce que la face inférieure des pieds (2) en forme de bloc est revêtue d'une face de revêtement (6), par exemple de carton ou de carton ondulé.

6. Palette selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes 1 à 5,
caractérisé
en ce qu'un ou plusieurs fins fils métalliques (8', 8") entourent chaque pied (2) en forme de bloc de manière à maintenir les couches (3a, 3b, 3c, ...) de carton ondulé assemblées lorsque lesdites couches sont chargées.

7. Palette selon une ou plusieurs des revendications précédentes 1 à 6,
caractérisé
en ce que les couches (10, 11) de carton ondulé de chaque pied en forme de bloc sont croisées, les petites rainures (10a, 10b, 10c) de chaque couche de carton ondulé étant disposées sensiblement perpendiculairement aux petites rainures (11a, 11b) de la couche (22) adjacente de carton ondulé.

Ansprüche

1. Palette, vorzugsweise Wegwerfpalette umfassend eine Grundplatte (1) aus Wellpappe und mehrere blockförmige Füße (2), die ebenfalls aus Wellpappe sind und sich an der Unterseite der Grundplatte befinden, wobei jeder blockförmige Fuß (2) aus starker Wellpappe hergestellt und im wesentlichen fest ist, da dieser aus einem im wesentlichen ebenen Laminat mit mindestens zehn einzelnen Schichten aus Wellpappe (3a, 3b, 3c, ...) besteht, die im wesentlichen senkrecht zur Grundplatte (1) so angeordnet sind, daß kleine Kanäle (5a, 5b, 5c) von zumindest einem Teil der Schichten aus Wellpappe jedes blockförmigen Fußes (2) sich im wesentlichen senkrecht zur Grundplatte (1) erstrecken,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die blockförmigen Füße eine Höhe (h) von ca. 15-35 mm aufweisen, daß die für das Laminat (3a, 3b, 3c) der blockförmigen Füße (2) verwendete Wellpappe ein Gewicht im Bereich von 140-180 g/m², vorzugsweise 160 g/m² hat, und daß die blockförmigen Füße (2) mit Hilfe eines Einkomponenten-Latexklebers direkt und nur auf die Grundplatte (1) geklebt sind.

2. Palette nach Anspruch 1,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Höhe (h) der blockförmigen Füße (2) 1,5 - 3,5 Prozent der Hauptabmessung (H) der Grundplatte (1) beträgt.

3. Palette nach Anspruch 1 oder 2,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
zumindest ein Teil der Palette, vorzugsweise die blockförmigen Füße (2) mit einem wasserabweisenden Mittel, wie z.B. Wachs oder Kunststoff überzogen und/oder imprägniert sind.

4. Palette nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
eine oder mehrere dünne Schichten (4a, 4b, 4c) aus Plastikschaum, vorzugsweise Polyvinylchlorid (Fig. 3) einen Teil des Laminats (3a, 3b, 3c, ...) der blockförmigen Füße (2) bildet.

5. Palette nach einem oder mehreren der vorstehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 4,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Unterseite der blockförmigen Füße (2) von einer Abdeckung (6), z.B. Karton oder Wellpappe, abgedeckt ist.

6. Palette nach einem oder mehreren der vorstehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 5,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
einer oder mehrere dünne Metalldrähte (8', 8") um jeden blockförmigen Fuß (2) herum angeordnet sind, um die Schichten (3a, 3b, 3c, ...) aus Wellpappe zusammenzuhalten, wenn die Schichten belastet werden.

7. Palette nach einem oder mehreren der vorstehenden Ansprüche 1 bis 6,
dadurch gekennzeichnet, daß
die Schichten (10, 11) aus Wellpappe in jedem blockförmigen Fuß gekreuzt sind, wobei die kleinen Furchen (10a, 10b, 10c) jeder Schicht aus Wellpappe im wesentlichen senkrecht zu den kleinen Furchen (11a, 11b) der benachbarten Schicht (22) aus Wellpappe angeordnet sind.

Drawing