PALLET AND PALLET SYSTEM
A pallet system (50b) is formed from a pallet (10) and a plurality of panels (54a, 54b, 54c, 54t and 56). The pallet (10) has a base (12) configured to receive members of a lifting apparatus to enable lifting of the pallet (10). The panels (54a, 54b, 54c, 54t and 56) are coupled to each other and the pallet (10) to enable the panels to be moved between a closed configuration and an open configuration. In the closed configuration the panels can surround and contain one or more articles on the pallet (10). In the open configuration one of the panels is positioned to provide an opening to enable transfer of an article through the opening onto or off of the pallet (10) in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the pallet (10).
A pallet and pallet system are disclosed. The pallet and pallet system may be used to store and transport articles and in particular, but not exclusively, articles comprising or containing hazardous waste. In an alternate application the pallet system may use as a point of sale goods transport, storage and display system.
BACKGROUND ARTArticles comprising or containing hazardous waste may be stored and transported on pallets. The pallets may be in the form of traditional wooden pallets, or bunded pallets made from plastics material. At times hazardous liquid leaks from the articles on the pallet. Also an article may fall from a pallet when being lifted or transported. This can also result in the leakage of hazardous waste.
The above references to the background art do not constitute an admission that the art forms are part of the common general knowledge of a person of ordinary skill in the art. The above references are also not intended to limit the application of the pallet system as disclosed herein.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSUREIn a first aspect there is disclosed a pallet comprising:
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- a base configured to receive members of a lifting apparatus enabling the pallet to be lifted by the base, the base having a receptacle into which liquid falling onto the pallet drains and a support grate overlying the receptacle.
In one embodiment the pallet is configured to support the grate to form a void in the receptacle below the grate.
In one embodiment an absorbent pad disposed in the void.
In one embodiment the absorbent pad comprises a material having properties to neutralize action of the liquid.
In one embodiment the support grate is demountably engaged in the base.
In a second aspect there is disclosed a pallet system comprising:
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- a pallet having a base configured to receive members of a lifting apparatus enabling the pallet to be lifted by the base; and
- a plurality of panels coupled to each other and the pallet in a manner to enable the panels be moved between a closed configuration where the panels can surround and contain one or more articles supported on the pallet, and a flat pack configuration the panels are moved to lay flat and overlie the pallet.
In a third aspect there is disclosed a pallet system comprising:
-
- a pallet having a base configured to receive members of a lifting apparatus enabling the pallet to be lifted by the base; and,
- a plurality of panels coupled to each other and the pallet in a manner to enable the panels be moved between a closed configuration where the panels can surround and contain one or more articles on the pallet, and an open configuration where one of the panels is positioned to provide an opening to enable transfer of an article through the opening onto or off of the pallet in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the pallet.
In one embodiment the pallet is a bunded pallet. This is the pallet may comprise a base having a receptacle into which liquid falling onto the pallet drains.
In one embodiment when the panels are in the open configuration the one panel is arranged to lie substantially parallel with and above a second of the panels.
In one embodiment when the panels are in the open configuration the one panel is arranged to lie substantially parallel with and overlie a third of the panels.
In one embodiment at least three of the panels are pivotally coupled together about mutually parallel pivot axes.
In one embodiment two of the at least three panels comprise the one panel and the second panel.
In one embodiment a further one of the at least three panels comprises the third panel.
In one embodiment when in the closed configuration the panels collectively form an enclosure that extends about and over the pallet.
In one embodiment when in the closed configuration the panels collectively form an enclosure that extends about and over the pallet, wherein the one panel is parallel with the third panel and the second panel is spaced from extends over the pallet.
In one embodiment the plurality of panels comprises a fourth panel and a fifth panel each of which is pivotally coupled to the pallet.
In one embodiment the panels are arranged to form a weatherproof enclosure when in the closed configuration to substantially prevent ingress of liquid onto the pallet.
In one embodiment the base comprises: a receptacle in which liquid falling onto the pallet drains, and wherein the pallet has a support grate overlying the receptacle; and, an absorbent pad disposed in the receptacle.
In one embodiment the panels are further arranged to enable them to be moved to a stack configuration wherein the one panel is positioned to provide an opening to enable transfer of an article through the opening onto or off of the pallet in direction substantially parallel to a plane of the pallet and wherein the one panel is behind another of the panels when viewed in a direction from the opening toward the pallet wherein a pallet of a second pallet system can be stacked on the pallet system.
In one embodiment at least one of the panels has a continuous surface to prevent liquid from passing through the panel.
In one embodiment at least one of the panels is made of a plastics material.
In one embodiment at least one of the panels comprises a metal frame.
In one embodiment of the third aspect the panels are further arranged to enable them to be moved to a flat pack configuration where the panels lay flat on and overlie the pallet.
In one embodiment when in the flat pack configuration the one panel is uppermost.
In a fourth aspect there is disclosed a pallet system comprising:
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- a pallet having a base configured to receive members of a lifting apparatus enabling the pallet to be lifted by the base; and a plurality of panels coupled to each other and the pallet, the panels being configurable in a plurality of relative juxtapositions without decoupling from the pallet, and wherein in one configuration the panels together with the pallet form an enclosed space in which articles supported on the pallet can be located.
In one embodiment a first of the panels is coupled to other panels in a manner to enable the first panel to form a gate or door that can be moved from a closed position that prevents access into the enclosed space and an open position in which the first panel is disposed above another of the panels and opens to enclosed spaced to enable transfer of an article through the opening onto or off of the pallet in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the pallet.
In one embodiment of each or any of the second to fourth aspects each panel is pivotally coupled to at least one of: (a) another panel; and (b) the pallet.
In a fifth aspect there is disclosed a pallet system comprising:
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- a pallet having a base configured to receive members of a lifting apparatus enabling the pallet to be lifted by the base; and,
- a fence demountably connectable to the pallet the fence comprising a plurality of panels, the fence having a closed state where the fence is able to extend wholly about a periphery of the pallet, and an open state where one of the panels is positioned to provide an opening in the fence to enable transfer of an article through the opening onto or off the pallet.
In one embodiment the pallet comprises one or more recesses for receiving the fence.
In one embodiment the one or more recesses comprise a plurality of holes and the fence comprises a plurality of elements configured to seat in the holes.
In one embodiment the one panel is arranged to engage and disengage remaining panels to close or open the opening by relative motion in a plane parallel to a plane of the gate.
In one embodiment the one panel is arranged to connect to a second panel in a position elevated with respect to the second panel when the fence is in the open state.
In one embodiment the second panel is opposite the opening when the fence is in the open state.
In one embodiment the one panel carries indicia relating to one or more of loading limits of the pallet or safe handling of articles on the pallet.
In one embodiment an inwardly facing surface of the fence comprises an electrically insulating material.
In one embodiment the plurality of panels are pivotally coupled to each other.
In one embodiment the base comprises one or more of channels configured to receive one or more times of a forklift truck.
In one embodiment the base comprises a receptacle in which liquid falling onto the pallet in an area surrounded by the fence drains, and wherein the pallet includes a support grate overlying the receptacle.
Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the pallet system as set forth in the Summary, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
A grate 24 having a matrix of openings 26 is demountably supported in the base 12 by sitting on the ledge 20. When the grate 24 is seated on the ledge 20, upper surface 30 of the grate 24 lies flush with an upper surface 32 of the sides 16.
Strengthening ribs 34 are formed integrally with a surface of the wall 22 outside of the receptacle 14. A plurality (in this instance nine) legs 36 are formed integrally with and depend from the matrix of ribs 34. The legs 36 themselves are arranged in a 3×3 matrix like pattern. Further, the legs 36 are mutually spaced apart to create channels 38 there between. The channels 38 are configured to enable the pallets 10 to be lifted by the base. For example this may be achieved by inserting or otherwise placing the tines of a forklift truck into respective parallel channels 38.
With reference to
When the grate 24 is seated on the ledge 20 a void 46 is created between the wall 22 and a facing underside of the grate 24. The void 46 corresponds to the space bound by the wall 22, inner surfaces 18 and diagonal surfaces 42 up to the ledge 20. An absorbent mat or pad 48 can be optionally provided to substantially fill the void 46. The pad 48 is made of a material which is able absorb and thereby contain liquid which drains into the receptacle 14. Thus, if the pallet 10 is dropped or held at an angle inclined to the horizontal, liquid in receptacle 22 which is absorbed by the pad 48 will be retained within the pad 48 and thus does not spill from the pallet 10. In some embodiments the pad 48 comprises or includes a material which is able to neutralize adverse effects or undesirable characteristics of liquid which may drain into receptacle 22. For example, when the pallet 10 is used to carry lead acid batteries, the pad 48 may contain a chemical to neutralize battery acid which may spill from the batteries into the receptacle 22.
Each panel 54 and the panel 56 comprise an outer frame 55 in the configuration of an inverted “U” with a straight and elongated bottom. Free ends of the frame 55 form the legs 58. Two spaced apart flat cross members 57 extend across the outer frame 55. A slat 59 extends perpendicular to and across the cross members 57 and to the outer frame 55. In one embodiment the outer frame 55, cross members 57 and slat 59 are made from a metal such as but not limited to aluminum.
The panels 54 and 56 can be coupled to each other and the pallet in a manner to enable the panels be moved between a closed configuration where the panels can surround and contain one or more articles on the pallet, and an open configuration where one of the panels is positioned to provide an opening to enable transfer of an article through the opening onto or off of the pallet in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the pallet. In the closed configuration the panel 56 is coupled between the panels 54a and 54c. The open configuration is shown in
Each of the panels 54a and 54c distant the panel 54b is provided with two aligned sleeves 62. The sleeves 62 may be generally aligned with the adjacent ends of the cross members 57. A single sleeve 64 is provided on opposite sides of the panel 54b at a location near opposite ends of its upper most cross member.
Two depending lower and upper fingers 66 and 68 respectively are fixed to each side of the panel 56. The fingers can engage with the sleeves 62 of panels 54a and 54c to close the opening 60. In this configuration the panels 54 and 56 together form a fence 52 that extends wholly about the periphery of (i.e. surrounds) the pallet 10. This prevents articles on the pallets 10 from falling from the pallet as may otherwise occur when pallet 10 is being transported, lifted or otherwise moved.
When it is desired to load articles onto or unload articles from the pallet system 50 the panel 56 can be moved by decoupling it from the sleeves 62 to thereby create the opening 60 and reconnected or engaged with the panel 54b by locating the fingers 66 in the sleeves 64. This can be performed by lifting then lowering of the panel 56 relative to the other panels 54 in a plane of the panels. When the panel 56 is engaged with the sleeves 64 is elevated with respect to the remaining panels 54 and can act as or can otherwise carry a sign. For example the panel 56 can be provided with a sign, indicia or markings 59 to provide information regarding loading limits of the pallet 10 or safe handling of articles on the pallet 10. The sign, indicia or markings 59 may also include hazardous waste warnings.
Inwardly facing surfaces 70 of the panels 54 and 56 may comprise an electrically insulating sheet 72 made from plastics material. The provision of the electrically insulating material is particularly beneficial when the system 50 is used for the collection and transport of lead acid batteries. In this regard, if a battery were to tip or to otherwise fall so that its terminals bear against the sheet 72, the terminals would be prevented from electrically shorting.
The pallet system 50a is very similar in structure and operation to the pallet system 50 with the significant differences being that in the pallet system 50a, an additional top panel 54t is coupled between the panel 56 and the back panel 54b; and each of the panels 54, 56 is coupled to at least either one other pallet, or the pallet 10. For example, panel 56 is coupled to panel 54t; panel 54c is coupled to the pallet 10, panel 54b is pivotally coupled to the pallet 10 and to panel 54t; and panel 54a is coupled to the pallet 10. As in the pallet system 50, in the pallet system 50a each panel 54, 56 is made of a metal frame and may carry insulating sheets 72. The pallet 10 in this embodiment need not, but if desired may, include the grate 24 or the pad 48 of the system 50. In this embodiment of the pallet system 50a which is being used for the purpose of waste management where the waste may comprise or contain a liquid the pallet 10 is illustrated as a bunded pallet so that it can contain a volume of liquid that may leak or spill. However if the pallet system 50a is being used for or as a point of sale device then the pallet 10 need not be a bunded pallet. Rather in that instance an unbunded or regular pallet can be used.
As in the first embodiment in the pallet system 50a, the panels 54, 56 are reconfigurable in a plurality of relative juxtapositions. One of these juxtapositions corresponds to the panels being in a closed configuration where the panels 54, 56 can surround and contain one or more articles on the pallet 10. This configuration is shown in
Each of panels 54a, 54b and 54c is pivotally coupled to the pallet 10. In this embodiment the pivot coupling is by way of a plurality of upright posts 80 formed or attached at each corner of the pallet 10 and respective pivot pins 84a, 84b, 84c (herein after referred to in general as “pivot pins 84”) shown in
In order to move the panels from the closed configuration to an open configuration, the panel 54t is pivoted upwardly about the pivot with panel 54b so as to in effect lift the panel 56 from the pallet 10. A transition state of the panels moving from the closed to the open configuration is shown in
The panels 54a, 54b and 54c are pivotally coupled by their respective pivot pins 84 at different heights to the respective posts 80 to enable the panels 54, 56 to lay flat. In particular, in this embodiment, panel 54a it is pivotally coupled to post 80 by pivot pins 84a (see
The pins 84b which are displaced at the greatest vertical distance from the panel 10 are nonetheless disposed inboard of the upper most ends 86 of the posts 80. Therefore when the panels 54, 56 are in the lay flat configuration shown in
The pallet system 50a is also provided with a plurality of catches or latches that enable the panels 54, 56 to be releasably engaged to each other in various relative juxtapositions. In one example, the latches/catches may be arranged to enable engagement and disengagement by way of resilient snap action.
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- (a) the closed configuration depicted in
FIG. 8 where the panel 54b is engaged with the panels 54a and 54c, and the panel 56 is engaged with the panels 54a and 54c. Further, stops 92 are provided in the posts 80 to seat bottom corners of the panel 56 when in the closed configuration; - (b) the open or display configuration shown in
FIG. 10 where each of panels 54a, 54b and 54c is upright and panel 56 is parallel with and above panel 54b; - (c) an unload or dump configuration where the where each of panels 54a, 54b and 54c is upright and both of panels 54t and 56 are folded back behind and mutually parallel with the panel 54b (in this configuration the pallet system 50a can be picked up for example with a forklift truck and tipped to enable dumping of articles on the pallet 10); and
- (d) a flat pack configuration where the panels 54, 56 are in the folded down configuration as depicted in
FIG. 12 .
- (a) the closed configuration depicted in
Each of the panels 54 and 56 of the pallet system 50b is formed with a continuous surface to prevent liquid from passing through the panels. Conveniently, this may be achieved by forming each of the panels 50, 56 from a plastics material. Further, the panels 54, 56 and the pallet 10 are formed so that when in the closed configuration together they define a substantially enclosed space that is also substantially weatherproof. This arises from relatively close fitting of the edges of the panels 54 and 56 when in the closed configuration.
With specific reference to
In one further variation the pallet 10 in the system 50b is not formed with an internal ledge 20. Rather, in this embodiment a grate (not shown) equivalent to the grate 24 is simply placed on the wall 22 and inside of the walls 16.
As an optional feature which is illustrated in
The panel 54a is not illustrated in detail but has a structure that is a mirror image of panel 54c.
In a minor variation, and as shown in
Whilst a number of specific embodiments have been described, it should be appreciated that the pallet and pallet system may be embodied in many other forms. For example the panels 54, 56 and indeed the pallet 10 may be made from materials other than metallic materials and plastics. For example these components may be made from composite materials including fiber glass reinforced plastic composites. The sheets 72 in the pallet system 50a may be configured to wholly overly their respective panel frames 55 rather than to leave gaps as currently shown in
In the claims which follow, and in the preceding description, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word “comprise” and variations such as “comprises” or “comprising” are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated feature but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the pallet and pallet system as disclosed herein.
Claims
1. A pallet system comprising:
- a pallet having a base configured to receive members of a lifting apparatus enabling the pallet to be lifted by the base; and
- a plurality of panels coupled to each other and to the pallet in a manner to enable the panels to be moved between a closed configuration which the panels are positioned to surround and contain one or more articles supported on the pallet, and a flat pack configuration in which the panels are moved to lay flat and overlie the pallet.
2. The pallet system according to claim 1 wherein:
- the panels are configured to be moved to an open configuration where a first of the panels is positioned to provide an opening to enable transfer of an article through the opening onto or off of the pallet in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the pallet.
3. The pallet system according to claim 2 wherein when the panels are in the open configuration the first panel is arranged to lie substantially parallel with and above a second of the panels.
4. The pallet system according to claim 3 wherein when the panels are in the open configuration the first panel is arranged to lie substantially parallel with and overlie a third of the panels.
5. The pallet system according to claim 1 wherein at least three of the panels are pivotally coupled together about mutually parallel pivot axes.
6-7. (canceled)
8. The pallet system according to claim 1 wherein when in the closed configuration the panels collectively form an enclosure that extends about and over the pallet.
9. The pallet system according to claim 4 wherein when in the closed configuration the panels collectively form an enclosure that extends about and over the pallet, wherein the first panel is parallel with the third panel and the second panel is spaced from extends over the pallet.
10. The pallet system according to claim 9 wherein the plurality of panels comprises a fourth panel and a fifth panel each of which is pivotally coupled to the pallet.
11. The pallet system according to claim 1 wherein the panels are arranged to form a weatherproof enclosure when in the closed configuration to substantially prevent ingress of liquid onto the pallet.
12. The pallet system according to claim 1 wherein the base comprises: a receptacle in which liquid falling onto the pallet drains.
13. The pallet system according to claim 1 wherein the panels are further configured to be moved to a stack configuration wherein the first panel is positioned to provide an opening to enable transfer of an article through the opening onto or off of the pallet in direction substantially parallel to a plane of the pallet and wherein the first panel is behind another of the panels when viewed in a direction from the opening toward the pallet wherein a pallet of a second pallet system can be stacked on the pallet system.
14-18. (canceled)
19. A pallet system comprising:
- a pallet having a base configured to receive members of a lifting apparatus enabling the pallet to be lifted by the base; and a plurality of panels coupled to each other and the pallet, the panels being configurable in a plurality of relative juxtapositions without decoupling from the pallet, and wherein in one configuration the panels together with the pallet form an enclosed space in which articles supported on the pallet can be located.
20. The panel system according to claim 19 wherein a first of the panels is coupled to other panels in a manner to enable the first panel to form a gate or door that can be moved from a closed position that prevents access into the enclosed space and an open position in which the first panel is disposed above another of the panels and opens to enclosed spaced to enable transfer of an article through the opening onto or off of the pallet in a direction substantially parallel to a plane of the pallet.
21. The panel system according to claim 1 wherein each panel is pivotally coupled to at least one of: (a) another panel; and (b) the pallet.
22. The pallet system according to claim 19 wherein the base comprises: a receptacle in which liquid falling onto the pallet drains.
23. The pallet system according claim 12 wherein the pallet comprises a support grate overlying the receptacle.
24. The pallet system according claim 23 comprising an absorbent pad disposed in the receptacle.
25. The pallet system according claim 22 wherein the pallet comprises a support grate overlying the receptacle.
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 26, 2013
Publication Date: Jan 29, 2015
Inventor: Earl Fenton Goddard (Como)
Application Number: 14/390,876
International Classification: B65D 19/06 (20060101); B65D 19/38 (20060101);