PALLET

Abstract

Pallet (1) comprised of at least one loading plane (2), on which goods or the like are placed during use of the pallet, and at least one pallet foot (3) or several pallet feet (3). The loading plane (2) is comprised of at least one first material layer (10) of corrugated fiberboard and at least one second material layer (11) of corrugated fiberboard and at least one third material layer (14) of corrugated fiberboard which are joined together by gluing. The adjacent material layers' corrugated mediums are twisted in relation to one another. The loading plane (2) is further comprised of at least one surrounding covering that encloses or essentially encloses the material layers and that the enclosing covering is comprised of at least one first shroud (8) and at least one second shroud (9) of water repellent or water resistant material. In alternative embodiments, the pallet is comprised of at least one pallet collar (4).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a pallet according to the claims.

TECHNICAL BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

In connection with transportation, different types of pallets and the like are used. Throughout the ages, a variety of types and variants of pallets have been developed. For example, pallets that can be used several times or once have been developed. Using pallets several times causes logistics problems because pallets need to be moved to the place they are to be used. Using pallets several times can also cause sanitation problems and the like. A further problem with existing pallets is that these are relatively expensive to produce.

One of the problems with existing pallets is that they are usually made of wood. The fact that the pallets are made of wood has led them to be relatively heavy in comparison with the pallet according to the present patent application. Another problem with existing wooden pallets are that these are expensive to manufacture. There is a need for a relatively lighter pallet which is relatively inexpensive to produce.

Disposable pallets are made in a wide variety of variants. For example, pallets of wood and plastic material are known. Despite the fact that several different variants of pallets have evolved, problems with existing types of single-use pallets still exist.

Several pallets have been developed to alleviate the mentioned problem. For example, pallets containing paper materials have been developed. Pallets comprised of paper of the fiberboard type are described, for example, in Swedish patent applications SE130079-9, SE1400326-3 and SE1100701-0. The structures according to the said patent applications differ to a substantial extent from the pallet according to the present patent application. For example, these have a relatively lower load bearing capacity than the pallet according to the present patent application. Another problem with the design according to the patents is that they are less resistant to moisture than the pallet according to the present patent application.

Using pallet feet which are connected to the loading plane or the like is previously known in a variety of variants. For example, pallet feet are described which can be connected to a load plane in Swedish patent application SE1100701-0. The design according to SE1100701-0 differs to a significant extent from the construction of the pallet in the present application. For example, said pallet feet are comprised attachment members which causes the assembly of the pallet feet to be time consuming.

FR2554087 and FR2765193 describe variants of loose pallet feet which are intended to be connected to the load plane or the like in a pallet. The design according to these patent applications differs to a considerable extent from the design of the pallet in the present patent application.

Pallet collars for pallets are previously known. Usually these are made of wood. The problem with existing pallet collars is that these are expensive. There is a need for pallet collars which are cheaper to manufacture.

The Purpose of the Present Invention

The purpose of the present patent application is to eliminate or substantially reduce any of the aforesaid, or any of the following in the description, described problems with existing types of pallets. The purpose is solved with a pallet according to the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In the following detailed description of the present invention, references and references to the following figures will be made. The figures are briefly described in the following figure list. Note that the figures are schematic and certain parts of the pallet are apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art of the invention and may be omitted in the figures and in the description, respectively.

FIG. 1A shows an exemplary pallet according to the present patent application.

FIG. 1B shows an exemplary pallet according to an alternative embodiment.

FIG. 2 shows in an exploded view an exemplary pallet of included parts.

FIG. 3 shows the pallet collar design in more detail.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the figures, a pallet 1 according to the present patent application will be described in more detail. The pallet 1 is comprised of at least one loading (load) plane 2 on which goods (not shown in the figures) or the like are placed when using the pallet 1. The pallet 1 is further comprised one or more pallet feet 3. In the exemplary embodiment the pallet is comprised of several pallet feet 3. The pallet feet 3 are connected to the loading plane 2 to create a distance between the loading plane 2 and the surface on which the pallet is resting on during use.

FIG. 1B shows a pallet 1 which is also comprised of at least one first pallet collar 4. In the exemplary pallet of FIG. 1B, it is comprised of at least one first pallet collar 4 and at least one second pallet collar 5. The number of pallet collars may vary within the inventive scope of the present pallet. In the exemplary embodiment, the pallet 1 is also comprised of at least one lid 6 or the like. The lid 6 is of prior art design and therefore it is not described in more detail in the present patent application.

The loading platform 2 of the pallet 1 is comprised of at least one surrounding covering layer 7, enclosing or the like. The enclosing encompassing layer, the enclosure, is comprised in the exemplary embodiment of at least one first shroud 8 and at least one second shroud 9. The first shroud 8 is in the exemplary embodiment of a lower shroud and the second shroud 9 is in the exemplary embodiment of an upper shroud. The first shroud 8 and the second shroud 9 preferably consist of at least one material layer of a water resistant or water repellent material. For example, the material may consist of any type of solid paper. In alternative embodiments, the material may be made of other suitable material.

In the preferred embodiment, the material of the shrouds 8 and 9 is preferably a paper material, cellulosic material or similar material. In alternative embodiments, the material in the shrouds 8 and 9 may be of another suitable material.

The loading plane 2 is comprised a first sheet-like material layer 10, at least one second sheet-like material layer 11 and at least one third sheet-like material layer 12. In the illustrated alternative embodiment, the present loading plane 2 is comprised of at least one fourth material layer 13.

In further embodiments, the loading plane also includes a fifth material layer (not shown in the figures). In further embodiments, the loading plane is comprised of more material layers than five. The number of layers of material is determined by the load bearing capacity of the load plane and pallet. The material layers are twisted so that the corrugated (wavy) materials are twisted together. Preferably, the corrugated (wavy) material layers (with associated channels) in adjacent material layers are rotated to each other about 90 degrees. In alternative embodiments, the angle between the waveform layers (with associated channels) may deviate from the 90 degrees.

When the material layers are joined to one another, the first shroud 8 and the second shroud 9 connect to each other and form a housing that encloses or substantially encloses the material layers.

Several pallet feet are suitable for attachment to the pallet. The pallet foot 3 may be of a previously known type of pallet foot, such as those of said patents. Preferably, the pallet feet 3 are connected to the lower shroud 8 and to at least one of the material layers 1. Each pallet foot 3 is comprised of at least one first part 14 which is connected to the underside of the load plane and at least one second part 15 which integrates with the material layers in the load plane 2. The first part 14 of the pallet foot 3 preferably includes at least one connecting member (attachment member) which passes through the shroud 8 and, if necessary, through at least one of the material layers and connects to at least one connecting member (attachment member) of the second part 15 of the pallet foot 3. The shape of the attachment members may vary within the scope of the present patent application.

Referring to FIG. 3, a pallet collar 4 is shown in more detail. The pallet collar 4 is comprised of at least one first material layer 16, at least one second material layer 17 and at least one third material layer 18. Preferably, the material layers 16, 17 and 18 consist of corrugated fiberboard. The fiberboard is upright in the material layers 17 and 18. Placing the corrugated fiberboard in the upright position increases the bearing load in the vertical direction. The layers of material are glued together. The material layers 18 are lying, i.e. twisted relative to the material layer 17. Preferably, the corrugated (wavy) material layers (with associated channels) in the material layers 18 are twisted about 90 degrees relative to the material layer 19. In alternative embodiments, the angle between the corrugated material layer (with associated channels) in the material layers 17 and 18 may deviate from said 90 degrees. In alternative embodiments, the pallet collar may include a sealing type of layer consisting of water repellent material.

In the detailed description of the present invention, details of the pallet may be omitted, which are apparent to those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention. Such obvious details are included to the extent required to obtain a satisfactory function for the present invention.

Although some preferred embodiments have been shown in more detail, variations and modifications of the device may be apparent to those skilled in the art within the scope of the invention. All such modifications and variants are considered to fall within the scope of the claims. It is further conceivable that the present invention is defined as a pallet system. It is conceivable that the pallet collar may be included in the pallet or defined as a separate pallet collar.

Advantages of the Invention

With the present invention, at least one of the above disadvantages of known constructions is eliminated or reduced.

Claims

1. Pallet (1) comprised of at least one loading plane (2), on which goods or the like are placed during use of the pallet, and at least one pallet foot (3) or several pallet feet (3) characterized in that the loading plane (2) is comprised of at least one first material layer (10) of corrugated fiberboard and at least one second material layer (11) of corrugated fiberboard and at least one third material layer (14) of corrugated fiberboard which are joined together by gluing, the adjacent material layers' corrugated mediums are twisted in relation to one another, and that the loading plane (2) is further comprised of at least one surrounding covering that encloses or essentially encloses the material layers and that the enclosing covering is comprised of at least one first shroud (8) and at least one second shroud (9) of water repellent or water resistant material.

2. Pallet (1) according to claim 1 characterized in that the pallet foot (3) is comprised of at least one first part (13) which is connected to the underside of the loading plane (2) and a second part (14) which is integrated with the material layers in the load plane (2).

3. Pallet (1) according to claim 2 characterized in that the first part (13) of the pallet foot (3) is comprised of at least one connecting member which passes through the shroud (8) and connects to the connecting member in the second part (14).

4. Pallet (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the pallet is comprised of at least one material layer of another material other than corrugated fiberboard.

5. Pallet (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the pallet is comprised of at least one lid.

6. Pallet (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the loading plane (2) is comprised of at least one fourth material layer.

7. Pallet (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the loading plane (2) is comprised of at least one fifth material layer.

8. Pallet (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the pallet is comprised of at least one attachable pallet collar (4).

9. Pallet (1) according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized in that the pallet collar (4) is comprised of at least one first material layer, at least one second material layer and at least one third layer of material whose first and second material layers are glued together with each other so that adjacent material layers are twisted in relation to each other.

10. Pallet (1) according to claim 9 characterized in that the pallet collar (4) is comprised of at least one third material layer which is attached offset to the second material layer.