FR2495109A1 - Multi-purpose cardboard transit pallet - uses two superimposed rectangular sheets with cut out flaps interlocking to form enveloped feet - Google Patents

Abstract

The cardboard pallet adapts to suit different products, comprising two superposed rectangular sheets (1,2). The sheets have cut-out flaps (2,11,37) for feet formation and the base sheet also has cut out flaps (25,55,60). The foot flaps on the respective sheets are at right angles to one another and interlock to secure the assembly. The top sheet may have feet-forming flaps of different types in the corners and at intermediate points, the former (2) folding into an inverted 'U' section, the latter (11) comprising a single leaf, with the folds aligning parallel to a long side of the sheet. The feet-forming elements (2,11) may have a trapezoidal shape, the double walled type being secured by a tab (8). The feet-forming flaps on the bottom sheet may be complementary with interlocking slot holes and notches.

Description

 The invention relates to a cardboard pallet, and in particular a cardboard pallet for transporting objects of variable dimensions.

 The technical field of transport pallets is well known and there are many types of pallets using cardboard. In general, these pallets comprise one or two sheets of cardboard capable of defining housings for the feet or the support studs, and in these housings are introduced mandrels or studs made of various materials, in particular wood, plastic or even in cardboard. Usually these studs are glued or screwed.

 These embodiments have a number of drawbacks. All ports on these pallets are made up of elements made of different materials, which poses problems of storage and manufacturing price due to the high cost of certain materials. Second, some of these materials are not recyclable. In addition, their size makes their storage more difficult. In addition, the diversity of existing formats makes inventory management more complex, and finally, in terms of safety, pallets containing wood are subject to criticism.

 One of the aims of the present invention is to provide a pallet avoiding the above drawbacks, and made entirely of cardboard from sheets which can be delivered flat.

 Another object of the invention is to provide a pallet adaptable to different formats of objects to be transported, without modifying the format of the sheets constituting the pallet.

 Yet another object of the invention is to provide a pallet capable of being easily assembled on site by personnel without special qualifications.

 The subject of the invention is a cardboard pallet of the type comprising two sheets of cardboard superimposed on a flat surface, characterized in that a first upper sheet has cutouts delimiting first foot elements, and a second lower sheet has cutouts delimiting second foot elements and foot e.nvelop, said first and second foot elements being respecti vonieilt perpendicular and cooperating once mounted.

According to other features of the invention
- The first sheet has, in the corners, first foot elements consisting of a face and a backing separated by a thick take-up strip, and in the transverse median zone of the first re-foot elements constituted by two lateral flaps and a central flap.

 - Each backing carries on its free edge a lock intended to cooperate with a light disposed along the hinge liana of the corresponding face.

 - The second sheet has, in the corners, second foot elements consisting of a face and a counterface separated by a thick take-up strip, and in the transverse median zone of the second foot elements constituted by two lateral flaps.

 - The second sheet has on each of its transverse sides a series of adjacent strips constituting an envelope of the feet arranged in the corners of the pallet.

 - The second sheet has in its longitudinal middle part two cutting lines each delimiting a series of adjacent strips constituting envelopes for the central foot of the pallet.

 - The sheets are made of corrugated cardboard and the direction of the grooves is, for each of the sheets, perpendicular to the articulation lines of the foot elements and foot envelopes.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawing on which one can see
Figure 1 a bottom view of a first sheet of cardboard cut and grooved to form the top of the pallet according to plin-vention
Figure 2, a bottom view of a second sheet of cardboard cut and grooved to form the underside of the pallet according to the invention;
Figure 3, a perspective view from below showing
part of the pallet according to the invention being
mounting
Figure 4, a partial vertical sectional view
along the longitudinal axis of Figure 2, showing the availability
sition of the central foot of the pallet, the pallet being
returned.

Referring to Figure 1, we see a first
cardboard sheet 1, obtained by cutting and creasing a
corrugated cardboard blank, for example of the double flute type
and double sided. In each corner of this first
sheet 1 are provided cutouts intended to delimit a
first support leg element of the pallet. Each of
these foot elements, designated by the general reference 2,
consists of a face 3 and a back 4 separated by a strip 5 of thickness compensation. Side 3 has a
isosceles trapezoidal shape, its large base being articulated
on the first sheet 1 along a line of articulation
6, and its small base being articulated on the fastening strip
thickness page 5. The back surface 4 has the same general shape as the face 3, its small base being articulated on the thickness take-up strip 5 and its large base constituting a free edge 7. The articulation line 6 is parallel to
the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the first sheet l.

On the free edge 7 of the back surface 4 is provided a lock 8 taken from the first sheet 1 and intended to coo
bead with a light 9 placed on the first sheet l,
along the line of articulation 6. The latch 8 and the light 9 are provided substantially on the axis of symmetry of the
face 3 and the counterface 4. Also on this axis is a cutout 10 extending over approximately half of the
height of the face 3 and of the back surface 4, and over the entire width of the strip 5.

For mounting the first foot element of the
pallet, side 3 is folded down to 900 below the
first sheet 1, carrying with it the back surface 4.

The back face 4 is then folded back to 1800 on the face 3, in
always folding in the same direction as for the first
drawdown to 90, and the lock 8 is introduced into the lu
miere 9. The assembly of the face 3 and the back surface 4 then constitutes a first vertical flat element 2 protruding under the first sheet 1; the plane of symmetry of this element 2 is parallel to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the pallet. The same is true in each of the four corners of the first sheet 1.

 In the transverse median zone of the first sheet 1 are provided three flaps 11, 12, 13, intended to constitute foot elements of the pallet, all three of isosceles trapezoidal shape, and articulated on three lines of articulation 14, 15, 16, respectively, parallel to each other and to the longitudinal axis of the first sheet 1.

These three flaps each have a notch at mid-height 17, 15, 19, respectively, on the side of their small base which constitutes a free edge0 In addition, the central flap 12 has a recess 20 at the end of its line of joint. The central flap 12 they two side flaps 11 and 13 are intended to be folded 900 at the bottom of the pallet.

In Figure 2, we see a second sheet of cardboard 21, of generally rectangular shape. It consists of a bottom 22, two longitudinal side flaps 23, 24, and two transverse side flaps 25 and 26o
These four lateral flaps are articulated respectively on the four edges of the bottom 27, 28 and 29, 30.

 The two longitudinal flaps 23 and 24 each consist of a series of adjacent strips 31 to 34 for example, starting from the edge 27 of the bottom 22.

 The transverse flaps 25 and 26 each consist of three strips such as 65, 66 and 67, intended to constitute the envelope of a foot element of the pallet, the strip 67 having a notch 35.

 In each of the corners of the bottom 22 are provided cutouts intended to delimit a second support leg element of the pallet. Each second element, designated by the general reference 36, is made up of a face 37 and a counterlace 38 separated by a thickness take-up strip 39.

The face 37 has an isosceles trapezoidal shape, its large base being articulated on the Pond 22 along an articulation zone 40, and its small base being articulated on the thickness take-up strip 39. The 3S counterface has the same general shape as the face 37, its small base being articulated on the take-up strip of thickness 39 and its large base constituting a free edge 41.

 The line of articulation 40 is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the second sheet 21, that is to say that after superposition of the two sheets 1 and 21 during assembly, it is perpendicular to the line of articulation 6 of the first foot element provided on the first sheet 1.

 The free edge 41 of the back face 30 has in the vicinity of its axis of symmetry a notch 42. Furthermore, the face 37 has a cutout 43 which extends on the bottom 22 to the edge 29 of the bottom. This cutout 43, as a notch 42, is halfway up the face 37 and the counter face 38.

 For mounting, the face 37 is folded down 900 to the bottom, carrying with it the back face 38, then the back face 35 is folded back to 1800 on the face 37, always in the same direction of folding. The assembly of the face 37 and the counterface 38 then constitutes a second vertical flat element 36 projecting under the second sheet 21; the plane of symmetry of this element 36 is perpendicular to the longitudinal plane of symmetry of the pallet. It is the same in each of the four corners of the second sheet 21.

 In addition, in line with each second foot element 36, a cutout is provided along the longitudinal edge of the bottom 22. This cutout 44 takes a little material from the first strip 31 of the longituclinal lateral flap 23.

In the transverse median zone of the second sheet 21 are provided two lateral flaps 49 and 46, of generally trapezoidal isosceles shape. Each of these flaps is articulated by its large base along a line 47, 45 respectively, perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the bottom 22. In the middle of its large base each flap 45, 46 has a cutout, 49, 50 respectively , which stete1ld at mid-height on the flap and extends on the bottom 22e
In the longitudinal central zone, the bottom has two cutting lines, 51 and 52 respectively, which delimit a first and a second central foot envelope, intended to cooperate with the central flap 12 of the first sheet.
The first cutting line 51 delimits four adjacent bands 53, 54, 55 and 5G, articulated on one another and further articulated on the split by the band 53 along a line of articulation 57. the strip 56 has a notch 58, extending to the middle of the strip 56 approximately. This notch is in the longitudinal axis of the second sheet 21.

 The strip 53 also has a notch 59 in the longitudinal base of the sheet 21, which extends approximately from the middle of the strip 53 to the articular line 57 and which extends over the bottom 22.

 The second cutting line 32 delimits three adjacent bands tV, 61, 62, hinged together and on the bottom along a hinge line 63. The free edge of the band 62 has a notch 64 in the longitudinal axis from the pallets The notch 59 extends on the bottom 22 to the articulation line 63.

 Figure 4 allows to locate the respective position of the different elements of the central leg. The first sheet 1 being reversed, the central flap 12 is raised to 900. The second sheet also being reversed, its bottom 22 is placed above the first sheet 1. The strip 53 is straightened to 900 and the bottom 22 is lowered against the sheet 1, the flap 12 passing through the notch 59, the end of which, at the bottom of the strip 53, cooperates with the bottom of the flap 18 of the flap; 2. The strips 54, 55 and 56 then feel folded down so that the strip 54 is horizontal bearing on the flap 12, the strip 55 vertical, and the strip 56 horizontal, bearing on the bottom 22 and under the recess 20 of the flap 12. LXeneoche 53 of the strip 56 cooperates with the base of the flap 12.

 The second series of strips 50 to 62 is then put in place the strip 60 vertically, the strip 61 horizontally bearing on the flap 12, and the strip 62 vertically, against the strip 53, the bottom of its notch 610 cooperating with the bottom of Irencoche 1 of the flap 12.

 A central leg has thus been formed in the form of two tubular sleeves of substantially square sections, held by a vertical flap 12 which cooperates with them to support the load of the pallet.

 The lateral feet of the transverse median zone consist of simple crosses resulting from the cooperation of the flaps 11, 13 of the first sheet 1 and the flaps 45, 46, respectively, of the second sheet 21 (FIG. 3).

 For the feet of angles of the pallet, figure 3 shows the respective positions of the elements. First of all, the first element 2 is shaped, then the second element 36, and then the second sheet 21 is applied to the first 1.

 The three strips 65, 66, 67 are then folded so that the strip 65 is vertical, the strip 66 horizontal resting on the elements 2 and 36 by means of their take-up strips of thickness 5 and 39 respectively, and finally the vertical strip 67, bearing against the face 37, its notch 35 coming to cooperate with the cutout 10 of the element 2. These three strips then constitute a tubular sleeve running all along the transverse side of the bottom.

 The bottom of the pallet thus presents two dextrénités sleeves along the transverse sides, each containing two feet located in the corners of the bottom, and a double central sleeve containing the central foot. In addition, it has two lateral feet in the transverse median zone, constituted by simple crosses.

 In order to ensure the maximum solidity of the pallet, it is important that the foot elements (flaps 11 or 45, and faces 3 or 37) have their grooves in the vertical direction.

 This is why the direction of the grooves is transverse for the first sheet 1, and longitudinal for the second sheet 21, that is to say that the directions of grooves of the two sheets are crossed.

 With the pallet mounted, the objects to be placed on it can have variable dimensions. This is why the longitudinal flaps 23 and 24 of the second sheet are provided. If the dimensions of the load do not exceed those of the bottom, the flaps 23, 24 are simply raised to constitute a lateral protection before strapping the load.

If the dimensions of the load more or less exceed those of the bottom, the side flaps 23, 24 are used partly to extend the bottom, and partly as lateral protection: this is why they are made up of adjacent bands hinged together others.

Note that the first sheet 1 can carry on its transverse edges flaps similar to the longitudinal flaps 23 and 24, to play the same roll
The pallet according to the invention has been described in the case of an embodiment allowing the pallet to be taken up by a forklift on only two longitudinal sides, as this is the general case. However, it is possible to provide for the pallet to be taken by the trans verse sides by arranging on the strips 65 and 67 openings between the two corner feet.

 As an indication, the dimensions of the feet of the pallet are of the order of 20 to 25 <of the width of the pallet.

Claims (11)

RI: VENDiCATi0NS  1.- Cardboard pallet of the type comprising two sheets of substantially rectangular cardboard superimposed flat, characterized in that a first upper sheet (1) has cutouts delimiting first foot elements (2, 11, 12, 13), and a second lower sheet (21) has cutouts delimiting second foot elements (36, 45, 46) and foot envelopes (65-67, 53-56, 60-62), said first and second foot elements being respectively perpendicular and cooperating once mounted.  2. A cardboard pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sheet has, in the corners, first foot elements (2) consisting of a face (3) and a back face (4) separated by a strip. thickness take-up (5), and in the transverse median zone of the first foot elements constituted by two lateral flaps (11, 13) and a central flap (12).  3. Pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the faces (3), counterfaces (4) and flaps (11-13) are articulated on lines parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pallet.  4. Pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that the faces (3), counterfaces (4) and flaps (11-13) have a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape and have a notch extending substantially halfway up from from their small base.  5. Pallet according to claim 2, characterized in that each counterface (4) carries on its free edge a lock (8) intended to cooperate with a light (9) disposed along the line of articulation of the face ( 3) corresponding.  6.- Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the second sheet has, in the corners, second foot elements (36) consisting of a face (37) and a counterface (38) separated by a take-up strip thick (39), and in the transverse median zone of the second foot elements constituted by two lateral flaps (45, 45) 0  g Pallet according to claim 6, characterized in that <read the faces (37) counterfaces (38) and flaps (45, -; 6) are articulated on lines perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the pallet.  8. Pallet according to claim 6, characterized in that the faces (37), counterfaces (33) and flaps (45, 46) have a substantially isosceles trapezoidal shape and have a stetendent notch substantially at mid-height from their great base.  9. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the second sheet (21) has on each of its transverse sides a series of adjacent strips (6567) constituting an envelope of the feet (2 + 36) arranged in the corners of the palette.  10.- Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the second sheet (21) has in its longitudinal central part two cutting lines (51 52) each delimiting a series of adjacent strips (53-562 60-62) constituting envelopes for the central foot of the pallet.  11. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the sheets are made of corrugated cardboard and the direction of the grooves is, for each of the sheets, perpendicular to the lines of articulation of the feet elements and of the foot envelopes.  12. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the second sheet (21) carries on its longitudinal sides lateral extensions (23, 24) each consisting of a series of adjacent strips (31, 34) to ensure both itadaptation from the pallet to the transport of objects of variable dimensions and the lateral protection of the objects transported  13. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the first sheet (1) carries on its transverse sides lateral extensions each consisting of a series of adjacent strips to ensure both the adaptation of the pallet to the transport of objects of dimensions variable and lateral protection of the transported objects.