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WO2006089173A2 - Palette a poutres croisees pouvant s'effondrer sous l'effet du feu - Google Patents

Palette a poutres croisees pouvant s'effondrer sous l'effet du feu Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2006089173A2
WO2006089173A2 PCT/US2006/005757 US2006005757W WO2006089173A2 WO 2006089173 A2 WO2006089173 A2 WO 2006089173A2 US 2006005757 W US2006005757 W US 2006005757W WO 2006089173 A2 WO2006089173 A2 WO 2006089173A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
pallet
thermoplastic
cross beam
accordance
fire
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Ceased
Application number
PCT/US2006/005757
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2006089173A3 (fr
Inventor
Roy E. Moore, Jr.
Ronald P. Brochu
Daniel J. Swistak
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Engineered Pallet Co LLC
Original Assignee
Engineered Pallet Co LLC
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Engineered Pallet Co LLC filed Critical Engineered Pallet Co LLC
Publication of WO2006089173A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006089173A2/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Publication of WO2006089173A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006089173A3/fr
Ceased legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D19/38—Details or accessories
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D19/0004—Rigid pallets without side walls
    • B65D19/0053—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element
    • B65D19/0055—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming a continuous plane contact surface
    • B65D19/0067—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of more than one element
    • B65D19/0071—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces
    • B65D19/0073—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of more than one element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of more than one element forming discontinuous or non-planar contact surfaces and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00014—Materials for the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00024—Metal
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
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    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
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    • B65D2519/00034—Plastic
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
    • B65D2519/00014—Materials for the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00044—Combination, e.g. different elements made of different materials, laminates
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
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    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
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    • B65D2519/00009—Materials
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
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    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00263—Overall construction of the pallet
    • B65D2519/00268—Overall construction of the pallet made of one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00263—Overall construction of the pallet
    • B65D2519/00273—Overall construction of the pallet made of more than one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00283—Overall construction of the load supporting surface
    • B65D2519/00288—Overall construction of the load supporting surface made of one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00318—Overall construction of the base surface made of one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00323—Overall construction of the base surface made of more than one piece
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00328—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base
    • B65D2519/00333—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base contact surface having a stringer-like shape
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00313—Overall construction of the base surface
    • B65D2519/00328—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base
    • B65D2519/00343—Overall construction of the base surface shape of the contact surface of the base contact surface being substantially in the form of a panel
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
    • B65D2519/00402—Integral, e.g. ribs
    • B65D2519/00407—Integral, e.g. ribs on the load supporting surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
    • B65D2519/00402—Integral, e.g. ribs
    • B65D2519/00412—Integral, e.g. ribs on the base surface
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
    • B65D2519/00398—Overall construction reinforcements
    • B65D2519/00432—Non-integral, e.g. inserts
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
    • B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
    • B65D2519/00547—Connections
    • B65D2519/00552—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer
    • B65D2519/00557—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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    • B65D2519/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
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    • B65D2519/00552—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer
    • B65D2519/00557—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements
    • B65D2519/00562—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
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    • B65D2519/00736—Details
    • B65D2519/0086—Protection against environmental hazards, e.g. humidity, bacteria, fire

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to plastic pallets, particularly those used for transporting miscellaneous industrial and commercial goods by means of forklift devices and the like, suitable for use within warehouses.
  • Plastic pallets have been in use for a long time, but have not gained wide acceptance due to the failure to satisfactorily meet a variety of criteria, including standards of Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA).
  • GMA Grocery Manufacturers of America
  • the criteria in the standard are that pallets have fire resistances, sufficient to not exceed the heat release set by Underwriters Lab Standard 2335 when intentionally set on fire in a test facility, to simulate a warehouse fire.
  • the pallet also must not be too heavy, must be strong enough to carry specified loads, and must be durable in resisting damage during use, as measured by certain tests and field use. So far, no pallet has been able to meet all these criteria. Indeed, the more fire retardant included in the plastics, the more fragile the plastic. Other problems include include excess weight, toxicity of the fire retardants, and cost. Thus, other approaches are sought.
  • Pallets are stored with and without goods in warehouses, typically in metal racks. Usually, when a fire occurs, many pallets will burn irrespective of the types and distribution of goods stored on the pallets. Where plastic pallets are utilized, and since such pallets may have a great deal of exposed plastic surface area, the heat and rate of combustion of the pallet will be high. A conflagration can result which overwhelms the sprinkler systems of the typical warehouse, particularly one which is designed for wood pallets (which evolve less heat with less rapidity).
  • United States Patent No. 6,705,237 "Plastic Pallet Design" of Moore et al. discloses a novel thermoplastic pallet comprising rectangular cross section hollow metal beams.
  • the beams may form a structural framework within the spaced apart planes of the bottom and or top parts of the pallet.
  • a pallet using the invention can meet the above-described load standards. Two beam arrays may be used, one near the deck when it is plastic and one near the base. If the deck is strong enough, as may be the case for some pallets, then the beams may be present only at the base.
  • United States Patent Application Publication No. US 2004/0216648 to Apps et al. discloses a thermoplastic pallet having a continuous metal beam running around the periphery of the pallet for strength; and, the beam is shaped and centered in the pallet so that the outer edges are inboard of the rails which support the pallet on a rack.
  • the construction and performance of the Apps et al. pallet are different from those of the present pallet, which has different beam structure.
  • thermoplastic pallet having reinforcing cross beams which preferentially fail.
  • Such pallet may be constructed such that the beams preferentially fail, so that when the pallet heats up in a fire, the pallet collapses and the amount of exposed plastic, and the amount of heat evolution is reduced.
  • the reinforcing beams for example metal beams, are embedded in plastic. The beams run parallel to the plane of a deck of the pallet, and transverse to the length of the pallet and associated storage rack rails which support the opposing sides of a stored pallet.
  • cross beams have lengths which are shorter than the spacing between the interior edges of the rails of a pallet rack.
  • one end of a cross beam is above the rail of a rack, while the other end is not, due to choice of length and side-to-side positioning of the beam within the pallet.
  • the beams may be uniformly offset to one side, or they may be staggered in their offsets.
  • a pallet has a beam with a composite structure; that is, the beam is reinforced, such as e.g., with metal, glass or graphite fiber, within a matrix, such as a thermoplastic.
  • the plastic matrix is designed to soften during a fire, so that the reinforcement is no longer held therein and so that the pallet collapses.
  • the beam comprises fibers of lamellae.
  • the beam comprises thin sheet metal pieces.
  • a cross beam comprises two pieces that are attached to each other by a thermoplastic connector.
  • FIGURES which are meant to be exemplary and not limiting:
  • FIGURE 1 shows a bottom side of an exemplary plastic pallet having an array of beams which are embedded in the bottom of the pallet;
  • FIGURE 2 shows a detail of the top cross section view of an exemplary pallet corner
  • FIGURE 3 is a vertical elevation end view of exemplary pallet supported in a warehouse rack along its opposing lengthwise ends;
  • FIGURE 4 is a front elevation view of an exemplary beam incorporated in a pallet
  • FIGURE 5 is a bottom view of a pallet incorporating a plurality of exemplary beams
  • FIGURE 6 is a bottom view of a pallet incorporating a plurlity of exemplary beams
  • FIGURE 7 is a bottom view of a pallet incorporating a plurlity of exemplary beams
  • FIGURE 8 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary tubular beam and connector.
  • FIGURE 9 is a cross sectional view of an exemplary tubular beam construction.
  • the presently disclosed fire collapsible beam pallet recognizes that when there is a warehouse fire involving molded plastic pallets which are stacked one above another in a warehouse rack, the rate of heat output will be mitigated if the surface area of plastic pallet material which is exposed to flames is reduced.
  • a pallet subjected to the heat of a fire desirably fails and falls from the rack. Such pallet may fall onto an underlying pallet and goods, or onto the floor. When multiple pallets sandwich together, the exposed surface area of burnable material will be reduced, and the access of oxygen bearing atmosphere is inhibited.
  • FIGURE 1 a bottom side of an exemplary plastic pallet 20 is illustrated, wherein an array of beams is embedded in the bottom of the pallet.
  • pallet 20 may be constructed in accord with the aforementioned commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,705,237 to Moore et al., the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
  • the embedded beams are represented in this and other figures by dashed lines.
  • the exemplary beam array comprises lengthwise beams 24 and cross beams 26. (Length and width are arbitrary in this disclosure, except that a pallet is considered to mount in a rack with its length parallel to the rails 30 of the rack.)
  • the beams are perforated steel box beams.
  • the beams run around the rectangular periphery of the pallet.
  • the beam ends are close to each other, but the beams are not structurally attached to each other.
  • FIGURE 2 a detail of the top cross section view of an exemplary pallet corner is illustrated.
  • the beams cross in the center of the pallet.
  • the beams may be in the base and top frame of the pallet and are generally parallel to the plane of the pallet, that is to the plane of the goods-carrying deck 34 at the top of the pallet.
  • the pallet has a metal deck.
  • beams are provided in the rails which comprise the base of the pallet. While the above describes exemplary metal reinforcing beams, beams made of other materials, for example composite plastic materials, such as graphite reinforced plastic, or some strong ceramic, may be used.
  • the beam is, in general terms, a member, partially or fully surrounded by the thermoplastic of the pallet (though not necessarily embedded therein), having substantially different properties, in particular, higher elastic modulus and tensile strength.
  • FIGURE 3 a vertical elevation end view of exemplary pallet 20 is illustrated as supported in a warehouse rack along its opposing lengthwise ends 36.
  • the opposing sides 36 of the pallet rest on opposing side lips of L-shape cross section rails 30 of an exemplary pallet storage rack.
  • the distance between the inner edges of the racks, RL is typically about 42 inches, to receive a typical pallet which is 48 inches wide.
  • the cross beams 26 have a length LB which is less than the spacing RL between the rails, and the beams are centered between the opposing lengthwise sides 36.
  • a gap G between the vertical extension of the ends of the beams and the vertical extension of the inner edges of the lips of the pallet rack.
  • a beam which is shorter than the width between the rack edges is called a "short beam".
  • the lengths of beams 26 are sufficiently short to accommodate the resultant play or possible shifting from side to side of a pallet mounted in the rack.
  • the end of a beam 26 will not be above the vertical extension of the innermost edge of the rail.
  • the length and/or position of the beams may chosen accordingly to anticipate shifting within the rack.
  • At least one beam 26A is offset (although all beams may be) from one lengthwise edge so that one end of the beam is vertically above the rack rail, but the other end is not.
  • the cross beams may be short beams, or they may have lengths which are equal or greater than the space between the rail inner edges.
  • lengthwise beams 24 run generally parallel to the rails and generally transverse to the cross beams. Lengthwise beams 24 need not have the features of the cross beams. Of course, if the pallet is intended also for mounting in racks which hold the pallet cross-wise, then beams 24 may have the same features as are described for cross beams 26. In a pallet having the desired cross beam features described herein, beams 24 may be displaced inwardly relative to the edges of the rails of the rack, as for example, shown in FIGURE 4 and FIGURE 7. Because, in this exemplary embodiment, the lengthwise beams are not structurally attached to the cross beams, the engineered pallet works even when both lengthwise beams lie vertically above the rack rail when the pallet is stored.
  • FIGURE 5 illustrates an exemplary configuration wherein beams 26 overlie one cross rail 30, but not another.
  • FIGURE 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment wherein cross beams 26 are staggered in their offset. Beams 26A are offset to the right, and beam 26B is offset to the left. So, in use two of the beam ends at one side of the pallet have a gap G3 relative to the rail 30L, while the other beam end has a gap G4 relative to rail 3OR.
  • FIGURE 7 illustrates an exemplary embodiment wherein cross beams 26 are all offset to one side of the pallet. That is, the ends are farther from one side than from the other side. Thus, in use all the beam ends will be farther from the rail 30L than from rail 30R. Lengthwise beams 24 are also incorporated into the pallet.
  • At least one cross beam incorporates the features described. If a pallet has a beam which fully spans the space between the opposing sides of the rack, when one or more of the other beams are configured as described above, in a fire, the pallet can be sufficiently weakened by the loss of support of the short or offset beams, such that it will tip around the one or more full length beams.
  • FIGURE 8 another exemplary embodiment, incorporates a metal cross beam 26D made of two pieces joined by a press-fit thermoplastic connector 32.
  • the connector is offset from the center of the beam length, so it is not under a column. In such embodiment, there will be less mass of plastic to provide thermal inertia and inhibit heating and softening during a fire.
  • the plastic of the connector may have the same or different properties, as compared to the plastic of the pallet. When there is a fire, the plastic of the connector 32 melts and fails, under the stresses imposed by the pallet weight and whatever load is on the pallet, and the pallet collapses.
  • the lengths of the cross beams may be short or of regular length.
  • the beam need not be a metal material, but may comprise other materials.
  • a beam is made of composite plastic material, for instance a strong fiber reinforcement, which beam in incorporated into a less strong matrix or molding compound.
  • the matrix is chosen so that it deteriorates when heated, so that the reinforcing material can no longer serve its purpose and the beam collapses.
  • the beam may comprise long strand glass fibers or graphite fibers contained in a thermoplastic matrix which may or may not be different from the thermoplastic material of the pallet. The matrix softens and yields when there is a fire. Thus, the fibers will be no longer firmly gripped, relative to one another.
  • the reinforcement may be glass or graphite or metal fiber and the matrix may be high density polyethylene HDPE, polypropylene PP, polysufone PSF, polyethersulfone PES, or analogous material
  • the beam comprises lamellae, such as strips of sheet metal or strands of wire.
  • the cross section of FIGURE 9 shows tubular beam 26F, comprising shaped pieces of light metal angles 34, held together using a thermoplastic or other heat degradable adhesive, or an injected encapsulating layer, as suggested by the dashed line 36 in the Figure.
  • the adhesive fails and the beams fails. While softening is the likely intentional failure mode of the plastics and matrixes here, other modes of failure due to heating may ensue.
  • the beam is described as embedded in plastic. It should also be recognized that simply placing the beam near such plastic may be sufficient, as long as melting of the plastic causes the beam to fail or displace.
  • suitable arrangements include placing the beam in a slot, wherein the beam may be partially exposed.
  • the principles of the invention may also be applied to other products where there is a static load or dynamic load on the product and the structure desirably loses its strength in event of a fire or other thermal excursion.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Pallets (AREA)

Abstract

Palette en plastique possédant des poudres de renforcement qui cèdent sous l'effet de la chaleur pendant un incendie, de sorte que la palette s'affaisse prématurément et que la vitesse de l'évolution du feu diminue suffisamment pour répondre aux normes d'incendie. Dans un mode de réalisation, les poutres métalliques noyées dans le plastique de la palette présentent des longueurs inférieures à l'étendue située entre les rails du rayonnage. Elles cèdent et provoquent l'affaissement de la palette quand le plastique environnant se ramollit ou fond. Dans un autre mode de réalisation, cette poutre est constituée par un thermoplastique composite renforcé par du métal, de la fibre de verre ou du graphite, qui perd de sa résistance quand la matrice ramollit ou cède. Dans encore un autre mode de réalisation, cette poutre possède deux parties métalliques accouplées par une garniture thermoplastique qui se ramollit et cède sous l'effet du feu.
PCT/US2006/005757 2005-02-18 2006-02-21 Palette a poutres croisees pouvant s'effondrer sous l'effet du feu Ceased WO2006089173A2 (fr)

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US65475905P 2005-02-18 2005-02-18
US60/654,759 2005-02-18

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WO2006089173A3 WO2006089173A3 (fr) 2007-10-25

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US20110233363A1 (en) * 2010-03-23 2011-09-29 Michael Chris Wold Structural composite glulam-steel rig mat

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US20060254475A1 (en) 2006-11-16
WO2006089173A3 (fr) 2007-10-25

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