COVER

Abstract

A cover for covering an associated pallet of material wherein the associated pallet of material has a pallet length, a pallet width and a pallet height. The cover having a top panel with two parallel side edges and two parallel end edges that are transverse to the side edges. The cover further including a first side panel attached to one of the two parallel side edges and a second side panel attached to the other of the two parallel side edges and a first end panel attached to one of the two parallel end edges and a second end panel attached to the other of the two parallel end edges. The first and second side panels having side edges joined to the end panels such that the cover has a generally rectangular and downwardly facing opening shaped to receive the associated pallet of material.

Description

The invention of this application relates to covers and, more particularly, to covers used to protect palletized material that is used at a job site.

This application claims priority in Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/132,806 that was filed on Jun. 23, 2008 and in Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/128,488 that was filed on May 22, 2008, both of which are incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Covers made in a variety of shapes and sizes have been used for many years to cover a wide variety of objects. These covers have been made over the years out of whatever material was available at the time and based on the particular application or use. As can be appreciated, the different environments of use can dictate the type of material to be used for a cover. In this respect, covers used for indoor use can be made from cotton material or similar synthetic materials when these products are merely intended to prevent dust from settling on a particular object. However, other types of environments and/or types of applications require different materials to be used. For example, tarps used in outdoor applications need to protect the particular object from a variety of weather conditions including, but not limited to, rain, snow, sun and wind. While these tarps can be configured similar to those used in indoor or less harsh environments, they typically are made from waterproof or water resistant material as is known in the art.

Similarly, covers have been used to cover a wide range of objects so that these objects can be protected from a given environment which again includes outside weather conditions or even internal environments that produce conditions adverse to the particular material to be covered.

While covers have been used for a number of years, an effective cover for use in connection with job site applications has not been realized. More particularly, a job site can have a number of materials located thereat which are used in one way or another to complete a particular activity. For example only, a construction job site can need several raw materials including shingles, insulation, tar, plywood, lumber, insulation, miscellaneous coatings and adhesives, drywall, bricks, blocks, sand, or anything else that is needed at the job site. Typically, these raw materials arrive at the job site on a packing skid so that this material can be easily maneuvered by forklift trucks, cranes or any other loading device used in the art. In order to secure the particular material relative to the skid, a wide range of fastening systems can be used. This can include, but is not limited to, shrink wrapping, plastic wraps, and/or banding materials. However, while these fastening devices adequately secure the material relative to the skid, they provide no or at least minimal protection of the material on the stud against environmental contact.

In the past, the operators of the job site have used plastic sheet material to cover these pallets to prevent damage from the environment. While this method of covering the palletized material can be relatively effective, it is difficult and costly to apply and they produce a significant and adverse environmental impact in that the plastic material is discarded after its use. As can be appreciated, a large scale job site could include hundreds, if not thousands, of square yards of plastic sheet material which must be discarded after a single use. Typically, reuse of this material is difficult if not impossible due to the fact that it is easily damaged and is difficult to reuse once it has been removed from the rolled condition in which it is sold. This in part can be due to the material used and also is due to the methods in which the sheet material is secured to the particular palletized material. These prior art securing methods can include taping the material to the pallet or additional wrapping material being applied over top of the cover. In addition to the environmental impact and cost issues associated with the use of sheet materials, they often fail to provide the necessary protection from the elements in that the size of the sheet material does not necessarily correspond closely to the size of the palletized material but also due to the fact that the material is not UV resistant wherein sunlight can adversely impact the material to be protected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention of this application relates to a cover and; more particularly, to a cover for covering a pallet of material used at a jobsite.

According to one aspect of the invention of this application, the cover having a top panel with two parallel side edges and two parallel end edges that are transverse to the side edges. The cover further including a first side panel attached to one of the two parallel side edges and a second side panel attached to the other of the two parallel side edges and a first end panel attached to one of the two parallel end edges and a second end panel attached to the other of the two parallel end edges. The first and second side panels having side edges joined to the end panels such that the cover has a generally rectangular and downwardly facing opening shaped to receive the associated pallet of material.

According to another aspect of the present invention, the cover includes a top horizontal panel having peripheral edges with vertical panels extending downwardly from the peripheral edges such that each of the vertical panel is joined to an adjacent vertical panel at a vertical joint. The vertical panels having a height extending from the top panel to a downwardly facing opening shaped to receive the associated pallet of material and having an opening seam with a seam length extending about the opening. The seam including a means for securing the cover relative to the the pallet of material wherein the securing means reduces the seam length.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, provided is a method of covering a pallet of material using the cover of this application. This method is used at a jobsite to cover a pallet of material wherein this pallet is exposed to environmental conditions associated with the jobsite such as being exposed to weather. The method including the steps of:

providing a pallet of material that has a pallet length, a pallet width and a pallet height;

providing a cover according to one or more aspects of the invention of this application;

positioning the cover over the pallet of material such that the opening is facing down and the top panel is facing up; and,

securing the cover relative to the pallet.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing, and more, will in part be obvious in conjunction with a written description of the invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prior art pallet of material which includes plastic wrap;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the pallet shown in FIG. 1 with a cover according to one embodiment of the invention of this application;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the pallet and cover shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of one grommet shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another embodiment of the cover of this application;

FIG. 6 is a partially sectioned side view of the cover shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial view of a corner of the cover shown in FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of yet another embodiment of the cover of this application;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a further embodiment of the cover of this application; and,

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of a further embodiment of the cover of this application.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring now in greater detail to the drawings wherein the showings are for the purpose of illustrating preferred embodiments of the invention only, and not for the purpose of limiting the invention, FIG. 1 shows a prior art pallet of material PM which is a combination of a skid S and a load of material M. As is referenced above, material M can be a wide range of materials including, but not limited to, roofing shingles, bundles of insulation, tar, asphalt, miscellaneous coatings and adhesives, accessories such as roofing accessories, lumber, plywood, drywall, bricks, blocks, cement, concrete and sand which are products typically used at a job site. However, as can be appreciated, the cover of this application, which will be discussed in greater detail below, can also be used in connection with pallets of other materials such as pallets of grass seed, fertilizer, feed material for animals and even stack of pallets. However, it has been found that the cover of this application works particularly well in connection with materials used at a job site and thus will be discussed with particular reference thereto. However, the invention of this application is not to be limited thereto.

Further, the pallet of material PM can be configured as is known in the art including the skid configuration shown in FIG. 1 or any skid configuration known in the art including the skid configuration better shown in FIG. 6 wherein elongated structures, such as elongated lumber members can be banded to the material M of the pallet. This is also true dimensionally wherein the skid according to the invention of this application can be a wide range of sizes including skids having a general dimension of 4′×8′ and 4′×4′ wherein FIG. 1 shows a traditional 4′×4′ configuration pallet of material. Accordingly, skid S has a front side FS having a pallet length PL which in this case is approximately 4′ and, pallet PM has a pallet width or depth PW which is also 4′. Pallet PM further includes a pallet height PH which is an overall height or combination of skid height SH and material height MH.

This particular example of a palletized material shown in FIG. 1 is a pallet of cement bags B which are neatly packed on skid S. Bags B are maintained in a desired position by a stretch wrap material SW which is wrapped about bags B such that the bags do not move relative to one another or the skid. Further, the wrapping material SW can also be partially or fully wrapped about the peripheral edge of skid S as is known in the art. As is known in the art, stretch wrapping the bags of cement together provides a good means to secure the bags relative to the packing skids such that a forklift truck or similar material handling equipment can easily move this full skid of material without bags of cement falling from the skid. However, shrink wrap SW provides minimal protection of these bags wherein a minimal amount of exposure to the environment can significantly damage the cement bags. As is known in the art, cement bags must be kept dry or the material within the bags would begin to solidify. As a result, these bags must be maintained in a dry condition to preserve the quality of the material. Prior art covering techniques would then take this palletized skid of material and wrap it in sheet material to protect the cement bags from the environment whether this environment is an outdoor threat or even inside environments that can threaten the shelf life or quality of a particular product used at a job site.

With reference to FIGS. 2-4, shown is a first set of embodiments of the invention of this application. More particularly, shown is a cover 10 that is a generally square configured cover. While this square configuration, which will be discussed in greater detail below, is not required, it has been found that it works particularly well in connection with a large portion of the packing skids used for the palletized material at a job site. In this respect, skid S, as is discussed in greater detail in FIG. 1, is a square pallet and in this embodiment has generally a 4′×4′ footprint. Accordingly, cover 10 is sized to cover this 4′×4′ footprint which will also be discussed in greater detail below.

Cover 10 includes a top panel 12 having a peripheral edge 14 which, in this embodiment, is a square peripheral configuration including peripheral edges 20-23 having generally squared-off corners therebetween. Edges 20 and 22 are generally parallel to one another and are referenced for description only as first and second side edges respectively. Similarly, edges 23 and 21 are also parallel to one another and for description purposes only, are referenced as first and second end edges, respectively. Panel 12 is generally a horizontal panel; however, it follows the upwardly facing surface of material M which can have non-horizontal components and/or overall configurations. Nonetheless, for reference purposes only, panel 12 will be generally referred to as a horizontal panel.

Cover 10 further includes four downwardly extending side panels 30-33 that extend downwardly from edges 20-23, respectively. For reference purposes only, panel 20 will be generally referred to as a first side panel 30 and panel 32 will be referenced as a second side panel while panels 33 and 31 will be generally referred to as first and second end panels. As can be appreciated, the reference to side and/or end is arbitrary in that either of these sides or edges could be considered sides or ends without detracting from the invention of this application.

Panels 30-33 are joined to one another at vertically extending side edges or side joints 40-43. More particularly, panels 30 and 31 are joined at joint 40; panels 31 and 32 are joined by joint 41; panels 32 and 33 are joined by vertical joint 42; and, panels 33 and 30 are joined by joint 43. As with all joints, seams or other connecting points in the cover of the invention of this application, these elements can be formed by any means known in the art which include a region in which a single unified material transitions from one panel to another panel, a stitched joint between two individual panels, a glued joint or a thermally joined joint between two individual panels or even any one of those styles of joints which further include a separate reinforcing material which can be the addition of a similar sheet type material, an unrelated strengthening material or even the application of a fluid material which produces a desired physical property as it dries and/or cures. Generally, the joining of adjacent panels is not to be limited to any particular joining technique and can be any technique known in the art currently or in the future. Further, the panels and/or seams and joints of this application can be produced by any materials known in the field including the fields of tarps, tarpaulins, and polymer fields. Further, a wide range of natural fibers and/or man made fibers and/or materials can also be used in connection with the panels, seams and/or joints of the covers disclosed in this application. Further, the panels and/or seams can be made of combinations of these fibers and/or materials without detracting from the invention of this application. As can be appreciated, the panels therefore can be made from a wide range of materials including natural fiber and synthetic material. Further, the materials used for the covers of this application can be water proof materials, water resistant materials and/or materials that are rip resistant. For example only, it has been found that these panels and cover 10 can be formed of polypropylene and/or polyethylene.

While panels 30-33 are referenced to be vertically extending panels, these panels do not need to be exactly vertical and can include a taper wherein cover 10 can taper outwardly to make it easier to install over the palletized material PM which will be discussed in greater detail below. In greater detail, panels 30-33 extend downwardly to a bottom edge 50-53 respectively which collectively form a downwardly facing opening 60. As can be appreciated, downwardly extending opening 60 can have the same or substantially the same configuration as peripheral edge 14 of top panel 12 while this configuration is not required. Again, panels 30-33 can extend outwardly wherein opening 60 can be larger than peripheral edge 14 which produces a tapering effect allowing the tight fit between material M and the upper portion of cover 10 while allowing opening 60 to be easily positioned over the palletized material.

In one embodiment, opening 60 has generally the same configuration as peripheral edge 14 and is sized similarly thereto. In another embodiment, opening 60 is slightly larger than peripheral edge 14 and panel 12 thereby creating a tapering configuration for the downwardly extending panels. In another embodiment, this tapering configuration creates a bottom edge of the panels that is greater than the top edge of the particular panel. More particularly, in this embodiment, and for example only, edge 51 is longer than edge 21 or panel 31. The remaining panels can have the same or similar configuration or can have alternative configurations. For example, the end panels can have a different configuration than the side panels wherein the end panels have a taper to allow easy installation and removal of the cover while the side panels are configured to remain tightly fitted against the palletized material for aesthetic reasons which will also be discussed in greater detail below with respect to a method of using the cover of this application and also alternative embodiments relating to promotional material which can be affixed to or printed on a cover according to the invention of this application.

In one particular embodiment according to this particular feature, the bottom edge can be at least 0.5″ greater than the top edge. In yet other embodiments, it can be 1″-3″ or even 2″-4″ greater than the top edge. As can be appreciated, the configuration of the bottom edge can be adapted to cover different types of palletized materials which may have different physical characteristics causing the need for different cover configurations to smoothly fit thereover.

In yet other embodiments of the invention of this application, the entire cover can be designed to be slightly larger than the perceived or known size of the pallet and/or the palletized material PM. In this particular embodiment, the entire panel system is slightly oversized to help the cover be fitted over palletized material PM thereby making the cover easier to use in the field. In one particular embodiment, specifically referencing a 4′×4′ palletized material, the cover can be sized such that it has a general panel width and/or edge length of between 48.5″ and 50.5″. In another embodiment, these dimensions are between 49 and 50″. In yet other embodiments, the overall panel width or edge length is 0.5″ to 2″ greater than the perceived or known dimensions of the palletized material. As is discussed in other areas of this application, the invention of this application is not limited to 4′×4′ pallets. For example, and which will be reference in other figures in this application, for example only, the cover according to the invention of this application can also be used for 4′×8′ pallet configurations wherein these dimensional characteristics are adjusted accordingly to work in connection with the particular dimensional characteristics of palletized material PM.

As can be appreciated, configuring opening 60 to easily slip over palletized material PM can result in a loose fitting cover configuration which may not adequately remain in position in harsher environments. As referenced above, the covers of this application can be used in any environmental condition including an outside environment that can include wind which could dislodge cover 10 partially or fully from pallet PM thereby exposing material M to the outdoor environmental conditions. This can have adverse effects on these materials and would defeat the usefulness of a covering product such as the cover of this application.

In one embodiment, cover 10 includes an opening seam 70 which, as referenced above, can be any type of seam known in the art and should not be limited to a particular seam configuration. In this embodiment, seam 70 includes a flap-over configuration wherein seam 70 includes inward flap 72 extending about opening 60 and seam 70 includes a plurality of grommets 74 extending about seam 70 and thereby about opening 60. Grommets 74 can be any style grommets known in the art including, but not limited to, metal grommets, polymer grommets, brass grommets, and/or stainless steel grommets based on the intended use and/or structural requirements of the cover. As can be appreciated, harsher environments can require stronger grommets and/or grommets more resistant to environmental conditions such as outdoor environments where certain styles of grommets can rust and/or deteriorate. Further, these grommets can be coated with any coating known in the art including galvanized coatings and dipped coatings. Further, these grommets can be reinforced by any means known in the art to help prevent these grommets from tearing away from the cover. This can include, but is not limited to, extra material sewn into seam 60 or even multiple flaps 72 thereby increasing the tear resistance of the grommets relative to the cover system. With respect to grommet spacing, this can be based on the particular application. A standard 18″ grommet spacing can be used. Further, these grommets can be spaced further from one another and even do not need to be equally spaced about opening 60. In this respect, the grommets can be strategically placed about the opening to achieve a desired result and to reduce the cost and number of grommets used in connection with cover 10. In addition, opening 60 can further include other reinforcing materials such as rip stop 76 extending about the bottom edge of opening 60 to further reinforce the opening from damage during use. This rip stop 76 can be a generally U configured component extending about the bottom edge of the cover thereby strengthening this edge in that it will be constantly forced over top of a wide range of materials thereby increasing the longevity of this product thereby reducing the likelihood of this product being discarded and put in a landfill as is the case with prior art sheet covering systems.

In one embodiment, cover 10 includes a biasing member used as a means for securing the cover relative to the pallet of material. More particularly, cover 10 includes bias members 80 and 82 which are secured to adjacent grommets 74A & 74B and 74C & 74D, respectively, bias members 80 and 82 can be any style biasing member known in the art including, but not limited to, bungee cords sized to produce the necessary closing action for cover 10. More particularly, as was discussed in greater detail above, the opening can be sized larger than the material to be covered. Members 80 and 82 are then used to reduce the size of this opening. In greater detail, bias member 80 can have a length less than the spacing between grommets 74A & 74B wherein the securing of member 80 to grommets 74A & 74B can pull these two grommets together thereby reducing the length of seam 70 alongside panel 32. Similarly, bias member 82 can have a length less than the spacing between grommets 74C & 74D wherein mounting the biasing member between these grommets can thereby reduce the length of edge 51 of panel 32. In combination, this can reduce the size of opening 60 thereby securing the cover relative to the palletized material. While not shown, all sides can include the use of a biasing member as is needed to secure the cover relative to the load.

In another embodiment of the invention of this application, these biasing members can be positioned about a corner portion of the cover such as positioned between grommets 74E and 74F. In this particular configuration, the biasing member would reduce or compress the corner configuration of the bottom opening 60 which can produce two physical changes to opening 60. One of these modifications to the opening is reducing this opening in size and the other is the inward deformation of the corner section of the cover which, as will be discussed in greater detail below, can be used to lock the corner of the cover underneath a corner portion of the palletized material.

In yet another embodiment of the invention of this application, panels 30-33 can have a panel height 94 extending from top panel 12 to bottom or downwardly facing opening 60. This panel height 94 can be configured such that some or all of seam 70 is positioned below material M of palletized material PM. This arrangement can be used such that grommet 74 and the securing means such as biasing members 80 and 82 are below material M and engage skid S. In this particular embodiment, this can be configured such that seam 70 can be tightly secured to skid S thereby creating significant frictional engagements between these two components while loosely fitting over material M. This configuration has been found to work particularly well in connection with material that can be damaged as a result of the compressive forces being applied by the biasing members. Thus, the biasing members can be tightly locked to the packing skid which has little or no value for the construction job thereby further minimizing damages to these construction materials at the job site. Further, this can help the corner “locking” effect when members 80 or 82 are positioned on the cover's corners. In an embodiment that will be discussed below, this arrangement wherein the cover height is greater than the load height, this configuration can be used to wrap the cover below material M such that the opening dimension of cover 10 is smaller than the overall footprint of material M thereby virtually eliminating the ability of the cover being forcefully removed by environmental conditions such as wind.

In yet another embodiment of the invention of this application, cover 10 can include printed promotional material 90 which can be any printed material wherein cover 10 can be used as a promotional tool at a job site. As can be appreciated, many job sites can be very visible to passers by wherein promotional material emblazoned along the stacks of the palletized materials can be a powerful advertising tool. Accordingly, this promotional printing can be a trademark, a logo or any other type of promotional material including slogans and/or company names as an example which can be presented to passersby at the job site. These trademarks can be of the construction company working at the job site or can be promotional material for third parties such that the third party can be charged for the use of this promotional tool by the operator of the job site or by a company running the job site or even an advertising company. As a result, cover 10 has promotional value for promoting the goods and/or services of an operator associated with the job site or any third party interested in advertising.

Printed material 90 can be applied to cover 10 in any means known in the printing art. This includes direct silk screening to one or more of the panels of cover 10. As is shown, printed material 90 is on a panel 32 but the invention of this application should not be limited to this particular printing configuration or limited to single panel printing. As can be appreciated, multiple panel printing can maximize the marketing value of cover 10. In yet another embodiment of the invention of this application, printed material 90 can be a removable printed material such that the printed material is printed to a removable subpanel 92 which can be secured to the main panel 32 by any means known in the art. This can include, but is not limited to, the use of VELCRO hook and loop style fasteners applied to the respective panels thereby securing panel 92 relative to panel 32.

With special reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, yet other embodiments of the invention of this application are shown. In this respect, shown is a cover 110 which is also a rectangular covering system as is discussed above with respect to other embodiments of this application. However, this particular arrangement is configured to cover a traditional 4′×8′ pallet system. More particularly, shown is a pallet of material PM₂ and a cover 110 that is a generally rectangular in configuration. Again, this discussion is to be treated as illustrative and not as limiting since the cover of this application can be used to cover a wide range of pallet configurations and sizes. Cover 110 includes a top panel 112 having a peripheral edge 114 which includes peripheral edges 120-123 having generally squared-off corners therebetween. Edges 120 and 122 are generally parallel to one another and are referenced for description only as first and second side edges respectively. Similarly, edges 123 and 121 are also parallel to one another and for description purposes only, are referenced as first and second end edges, respectively. Panel 112 is again generally a horizontal panel but does not need to be horizontal.

Cover 110 further includes four downwardly extending side panels 130-133 that extend downwardly from edges 120-123, respectively. For reference purposes only, panel 120 will be generally referred to as a first side panel 130 and panel 132 will be referenced as a second side panel while panels 133 and 131 will be generally referred to as first and second end panels. As can be appreciated, the reference to side and/or end is arbitrary in that either of these sides or edges could be considered sides or ends without detracting from the invention of this application.

Panels 130-133 are joined to one another at vertically extending side edges or side joints 140-143. More particularly, panels 130 and 131 are joined at joint 140; panels 131 and 132 are joined by joint 141; panels 132 and 133 are joined by vertical joint 142; and, panels 133 and 130 are joined by joint 143.

In this embodiment, panels 130 and 132 are longer than panels 131 and 133. These panels can also be vertically extending panels or tapered panels as discussed above and panels 130-133 extend downwardly to bottom edges 150-153 respectively which collectively form a downwardly facing opening 160. As can be appreciated, downwardly extending opening 160 can have the same or substantially the same configuration as peripheral edge 114 of top panel 112 while this configuration is not required. Again, panels 130-133 can extend outwardly wherein opening 60 can be larger than peripheral edge 114 which produces a tapering effect allowing the tight fit between material M₂ and the upper portion of cover 110 while allowing opening 160 to be easily positioned over the palletized material.

In one embodiment, opening 160 has generally the same configuration as peripheral edge 114 and is sized similarly thereto. In another embodiment, opening 160 is slightly larger than peripheral edge 114 and panel 112 thereby creating a tapering configuration for the downwardly extending panels including the other embodiments discussed above with respect to cover 10.

In one particular embodiment according to this particular feature, the bottom edge can be at least 0.5″ greater than the top edge. In yet other embodiments, it can be 1″-3″ or even 2″-4″ greater than the top edge. As can be appreciated, the configuration of the bottom edge can be adapted to cover different types of palletized materials which may have different physical characteristics causing the need for different cover configurations to smoothly fit thereover.

Again, as discussed above in greater detail, the entire cover can be designed to be slightly larger than the perceived or known size of the pallet and/or the palletized material PM₂ to help the cover be fitted over palletized material PM₂ thereby making the cover easier to use in the field. This can include the overall panel width or edge length being 0.5″ to 2″ greater than the perceived or known dimensions of the palletized material.

As with the embodiment discussed above, cover 110 can include an opening seam 170 which, as referenced above, can be any type of seam known in the art and should not be limited to a particular seam configuration. In this embodiment, seam 170 includes a flap-over configuration wherein seam 170 includes inward flap 172 extending about opening 160 and seam 170 includes a plurality of grommets 174 extending about seam 170 and thereby about opening 160. Grommets 174 can be any style grommets known in the art.

In addition, opening 160 can further include other reinforcing materials such as rip stop as discussed above.

In another embodiment, cover can 110 include a biasing member, not shown as discussed above.

In yet other embodiments of the invention of this application, panels 130-133 can have a panel height 194 extending from top panel 112 to bottom or downwardly facing opening 160. This panel height 194 can be configured such that some or all of seam 170 is positioned below material M₂ of palletized material PM₂. This arrangement can be used such that grommet 174 and/or other securing means are below material M and engage skid S₂.

In yet other embodiments of the invention of this application, cover 110 can also include printed promotional material 90 as discussed above.

In one embodiment, one or more panels can include an opening slit to help the installation and/or removal of the cover from the palletized material. More particularly, and as is shown, panel 132 can include an opening slit 200 which can extend entirely between edge 122 and bottom edge 152 or can extend partially therebetween. Further, even if slit 200 is a partial slit, panel 122 can be formed by two separate panels, namely, 122A and 122B. Slit 200 is a selectively securable slit wherein it can be opened as is shown in FIG. 5 to help increase the size of bottom opening 160 which helps cover 110 be removed and/or installed on the palletized load PM₂. Then, once installed, it can be closed to closely fit the cover to pallet PM₂. Again, while this slit is only being shown with respect to the 4′×8′ configuration, it is not limited to this embodiment and can be used in connection with any palletized material configuration. Further, the slit arrangement is not limited to its use on panel 122. In yet another embodiment, slit 200 can also be included on another panel such as panel 120 which allows the entire end portion 210 to be pivoted open to allow the easy installation and removal of the cover relative to the palletized load while allowing tight fitting characteristics when in the closed position. Slit 200 includes a closing means 202 which can be any closing configuration known in the art. This can include, but is not limited to, hook and loop fasteners as is shown wherein slit 200 includes loop fasteners 204 and hooks 206. However, in addition, slit 200 can utilize a zipper arrangement, a snap arrangement, a button arrangement, a hook and ring arrangement, a magnetic clasp, the use of fasteners, grommets, locking push plugs, a wide range of clips, or even can be secured by biasing members such as bungee cords connected to any portion of the cover including grommet 74 as discussed in other embodiments in this application.

As can be appreciated, the use of slit 200 can change the dimensional needs of cover 110. In this respect, cover 110 can be more closely fitted to the palletized material since the slit arrangement can be used to increase the size of opening 160 to help removal and installation of the cover relative to the palletized material. However, this is not required and cover 110 can also include the oversize configuration without detracting from the invention of this application.

In particular and with respect to yet another embodiment of this application, the oversizing arrangement can be used to create an air channel 220 wherein air current A can be encouraged to circulate underneath cover 110 thereby reducing the likelihood of condensation forming between the cover and material M. As can be appreciated, in certain environments, a cover can cause unwanted moisture to be attracted to the inner surfaces thereof. Openings 220 can be used to help create current A underneath cover 110. More particularly, as the cover arrangement heats in the daytime sun, the air underneath cover 110 is heated wherein it begins to rise underneath the cover to produce current A. However, this air current would be short lived if it was trapped under the cover. Opening 222 allows this rising air to escape therethrough which in turn draws more dry air up underneath opening 60 as is shown by arrow 224. As can be appreciated, this is not limited to a particular point wherein arrow 224 is merely illustrative only. This arrangement creates a constant changing of air underneath the cover which can be used to reduce moisture formation and retention of the cover between the underside of the cover and material M which can further protect this material from environmental damages.

In order to prevent opening 222 from allowing moisture to enter cover 110, openings 222 can include an opening flap 230 having an opening 232 that is only a downwardly facing opening or substantially downwardly facing opening thereby allowing air A to pass out of opening 222 while not allowing rain or other moisture to enter opening 222 which further increases the drying effect of this opening system. Flap 230 can be joined to one or more panels 110 by any means known in the art including by stitching 234. Again, this joint can also be done by adhesive techniques, thermal joining techniques or any other technique known in the art. Further, these flaps can be selectively removable wherein 234 is a selectively releasable fastener such as a hook and loop fastener wherein flap 230 can be partially or fully removed at any time to help increase the airflow effect of openings 222. In one embodiment, a side edge and one top edge can include hook and loop fasteners while the remaining side edge is permanently affixed to the side panel. In this particular embodiment, the flap can be partially removed to fully expose opening 222; however, the flap will not be lost and will be permanently maintained relative to the opening on the cover.

In yet another embodiment, a rigid member can be used in connection with the opening or flap system to increase opening size 232 of the flap system.

As with the embodiments discussed above, seam 170 can include grommets 74 or can include other means for securing the opening relative to the palletized material. In this respect, shown is a strap arrangement 240 which can be sewn to seam 170 or can be joined to the grommets such as to grommets 74X and 74Y. In one embodiment, strap 240 is positioned at one or more corners and includes strap section 242 and 244 with a strap loop 246. As is shown, strap 240 includes a hook and loop fastening system wherein strap 242 can be and extend through buckle 246 and hooks 250 can engage loops 248 thereby securing strap 242 to strap 244 and cover 110 relative to palletized material PM₂. This strap arrangement can be any strap arrangement known in the art including a traditional belt style strap, a hook and loop style fastening system can be used in connection with these sections or even magnetic and/or other fastening arrangements as were referenced above in this application including the references with respect to slit 200.

While strap 240 is shown on each corner of cover 110, this is not required. As with other embodiments of the invention of this application, strap 242 can be used to reduce the opening size of opening 160 thereby securing the cover relative to the palletized material PM. Further, cover 110 can also include a panel height or cover height 194 which is greater than material height MH₂ such that the belt arrangement 240 can be positioned below material M₂ wherein again the securing force can be below the material to be secured thereby reducing damage thereto. In this particular arrangement, skid S2 is a multi component skid including skid rails S2A, S2B and S2C that extend parallel to one another and which are banded to material M₂ by bands BD1, BD2 and BD3. Skid sections S2 can be elongated members such as 4×4′s or 6×6′s which allow the material to be moved by a forklift and also spaces this material above ground surface G reducing the likelihood that material M₂ would be damaged by standing water on ground G. This gap formed therebetween can be the region in which strap arrangements 240 are tightened thereby reducing damage to material M₂ while securely fastening the cover relative to PM₂ even though the skid is spaced from the corners of cover 110. Furthermore, and as discussed above, adjustable strap 240 does not need to be on a corner region of cover 10 or 110. Furthermore, straps 242 and 244 can be a single strap 245 extending about the entire seam 270 wherein one strap can be used to adjust the entire bottom opening of the cover system. This strap can be held in place by any method known in the art including, but not limited to, sewing it to the panels, adhesively attaching it to the panels or even attaching strips 249 can be used to secure and/or reinforce the securing of the strap relative to the cover. As can be appreciated, a portion of this strap is not secured to the cover which allows the adjustability of this arrangement.

With particular reference to FIGS. 8-10, a wide range of strapping arrangements can be used for the cover of this application without detracting from the invention of this application. In this respect, seam 70 or 170 can include an elastic member 300 thereby allowing the bottom opening to contract and expand based on the forces produced by the elastic member. Similarly, rope arrangements 310 can be used which includes a rope or cord 312 extending partially or fully about seam 70 or 170 which can pass through a locking arrangement 320 having pushbutton lock 322. By depressing button 322, cord ends 326 and 328 can be pulled thereby tightening the cord system and reducing the size of the downwardly facing cover opening. As can be appreciated, if cord 312 does not need to extend about the entire seam, this cord can be two cord sections 312A and 312B that can be fixed to cover 10 or 110 by any means known in the art including but not limited to sewing, adhesive means, and/or thermal adhesion techniques.

While considerable emphasis has been placed on the preferred embodiments of the invention illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that other embodiments and/or equivalents thereof can be made and that many changes can be made in the preferred embodiments without departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly, it is to be distinctly understood that the foregoing descriptive matter is to be interpreted merely as illustrative of the invention and not as a limitation.

Claims

1. A cover for covering an associated pallet of material where in the associated pallet of material has a pallet length, a pallet width and a pallet height, said cover comprising a top panel having two parallel side edges and two parallel end edges that are transverse to said side edges, said cover further including a first side panel attached to one of said two parallel side edges and a second side panel attached to the other of said two parallel side edges, a first end panel attached to one of said two parallel end edges and a second end panel attached to the other of said two parallel end edges, said first and second side panels having side edges joined to said end panels such that said cover has a generally rectangular and downwardly facing opening shaped to receive the associated pallet of material.

2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said panels are all formed by a single sheet of material.

3. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said sheet of material is a water resistance material.

4. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said water resistance material is formed by one of a polypropylene and a polyethylene.

5. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the pallet length of the associated pallet of material i s approximately 48 inches and the pallet width of the associated pallet of material is approximately 48 inches, said first and second side panels having a width between 48.5 inches and 50.5 inches and said first and second end panels having a width between 48.5 inches and 50.5 inches.

6. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the pallet length of the associated pallet of material is approximately 48 inches and the pallet width of the associated pallet of material is approximately 48 inches, said first and second side panels having a width between 49 inches and 50 inches and said first and second end panels having a width between 49 inches and 50 inches.

7. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said first and second side panels have a width between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches greater than the pallet length of the associated pallet of material and said first and second end panels have a width between 0.5 inches and 2.0 inches greater than the pallet width of the associated pallet of material.

8. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said first and second side panels have a width approximately 1.0 inch greater than the pallet length of the associated pallet of material and said first and second end panels have a width approximately 1.0 inch greater than the pallet width of the associated pallet of material.

9. A cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said end panels and said side panels includes a vertically extending slit, said slit be selectively closable.

10. A cover according to claim 9, wherein said selectively closable slit includes a hook and loop style fastener.

11. A cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said end panels and said side panels includes an air flow opening to allow air circulation between said cover and the associated pallet of material.

12. A cover according to claim 11, wherein said air flow opening includes a downwardly extending flap substantially covering said opening while allowing said air flow through said opening.

13. A cover according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said end panels and said side panels includes printed material.

14. A cover according to claim 13, wherein said printed material includes one of a printed trademark, a printed logo and a printed promotional material.

15. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly facing opening includes an opening seam, said seam including a plurality of grommets.

16. A cover according to claim 15, wherein said downwardly facing opening further includes at least one biased member extending between two of said plurality of grommets, said biasing member urging said two grommets toward one another thereby urging said cover against the associated pallet of material.

17. A cover according to claim 16, wherein the associated pallet of material includes an associated skid and an associated load of material on the skid, the pallet height being a combination of a skid height for the associated skid and a load height for the associated load of material, said cover having a height greater than said load height such that said biased member extends horizontally below the associated load of material.

18. A cover according to claim 17, wherein said at least one biased member is at least two biased members.

19. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said downwardly facing opening includes an opening seam, said seam including a horizontally extending adjustable strap, said strap urging said cover against the associated pallet of material.

20. A cover according to claim 19, wherein said adjustable strap includes a hook and loop style fastener.

21. A cover according to claim 19, wherein said adjustable strap extends from one of said side panels and an adjacent one of said end panels.

22. A cover according to claim 21, wherein the associated pallet of material includes an associated skid and an associated load of material on the skid, the pallet height being a combination of a skid height for the associated skid and a load height for the associated load of material, said cover having a height greater than said load height such that said adjustable strap extends horizontally below the associated load of material.

23. A cover according to claim 22, wherein said adjustable strap is a first adjustable strap, said cover further including a second adjustable strap also extending horizontally below the associated load of material.

24. A cover for covering an associated pallet of material wherein the associated pallet of material includes a skid and a load of material on the skid, the associated pallet of material having a pallet height which is a combination of a skid height of the skid and a load height of the load of material, a pallet length, a pallet width and a pallet height, said cover comprising a top horizontal panel having peripheral edges with vertical panels extending downwardly from said peripheral edges such that each said vertical panel is joined to an adjacent vertical panel at a vertical joint, said vertical panels having a height extending from said top panel to a downwardly facing opening shaped to receive the associated pallet of material and having an opening seam with a seam length extending about said opening, said seam including a means for securing said cover relative to the associated said pallet of material wherein said securing means reduces said seam length.

26. A cover according to claim 24, wherein said vertical panel height is greater than said load height such that said securing means extends horizontally below the associated load of material.

27. A cover according to claim 24, wherein said securing means includes a plurality of grommets.

28. A cover according to claim 24, wherein said securing means includes a horizontally extending adjustable strap, said strap urging said cover against the associated pallet of material.

29. A cover according to claim 24, wherein one of said vertical panels includes printed material.

30. A cover according to claim 24, wherein one of said vertical panels includes a vertically extending slit, said slit be selectively closable.

31. A cover according to claim 24, wherein said cover is a rectangular cover and opposite vertical panels of said verticals panels are spaced from one another approximately 1.0 inch greater than the pallet width of the associated pallet of material.

32. A method of covering a pallet of material that is used at a jobsite wherein the pallet of material is exposed to environmental conditions associated with the jobsite such as weather, said method including the steps of:

providing a pallet of material that has a pallet length, a pallet width and a pallet height;

providing a cover including a top panel having two parallel side edges and two parallel end edges that are transverse to said side edges, said cover further including a first side panel attached to one of said two parallel side edges and a second side panel attached to the other of said two parallel side edges, a first end panel attached to one of said two parallel end edges and a second end panel attached to the other of said two parallel end edges, said first and second side panels having side edges joined to said end panels such that said cover has a generally rectangular and downwardly facing opening shaped to receive said pallet of material;

positioning said cover over said pallet of material such that said opening is facing down and said top panel is facing up; and,

securing said cover relative to said pallet.