EP2380817B1 - Pallet made of plastic material - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a plastic handling pallet.

Handling pallets are traditionally made of wood. Handling pallets made of plastic, generally obtained by molding, are also known. This type of pallet is for example described in French patents 2,070,367 , 2,172,412 and 2,259,023 , or in the European patent application 1,190,953 .

The present invention is more particularly a pallet, of the type sold by the applicant under the reference SF 800 NR. This embodiment comprises firstly a perforated plate, formed by two longitudinal areas of material. The latter are surrounded by peripheral walls, generally forming a rectangle, whose short sides are formed by front walls and the long sides by longitudinal walls.

In addition, this palette is equipped with feet, divided into three rows of three. There are thus rows of feet respectively "before" and "back", with reference to the longitudinal axis of the pallet, which are adjacent to one or the other of the front edges. Also referred to as "intermediate" feet, located between the aforementioned front and rear rows, which are consequently distant from the two front walls.

Due to the very structure of the pallet, each beach is separated, either from the beach which is adjacent to it, or from the walls of the enclosure, by an interspace. Joining areas in the form of a strip of rectilinear material extend through these interspaces at the level of the intermediate legs. Such areas therefore connect two by two the shelf areas and the walls of the enclosure.

This SF 800 NR pallet is generally satisfactory, which is also confirmed by the commercial success it enjoys. However, the present invention aims to further improve this palette, especially in terms of strength and rigidity.

• des parois périphériques d'enceinte, comprenant des parois longitudinales et des parois frontales,
• un plateau formé par au moins une plage s'étendant selon une direction longitudinale principale de la palette,
• des pieds comprenant au moins une rangée d'au moins deux pieds intermédiaires, distants des deux parois frontales,
• des zones de jonction situées au niveau de chaque pied intermédiaire, chaque zone de jonction s'étendant entre, soit deux plages adjacentes, soit une plage et la paroi longitudinale qui lui est adjacente,

caractérisée en ce que
au moins une zone de jonction comporte un tronçon s'étendant de façon oblique ou perpendiculaire par rapport à un axe transversal médian de cette zone.For this purpose, it relates to a plastic handling pallet, comprising:

• peripheral walls of the enclosure, comprising longitudinal walls and end walls,
• a plate formed by at least one beach extending in a main longitudinal direction of the pallet,
• feet comprising at least one row of at least two intermediate feet, spaced from the two end walls,
• junction areas located at each intermediate foot, each junction zone extending between, or two adjacent beaches, or a beach and the longitudinal wall adjacent thereto,

characterized in that
at least one junction zone comprises a section extending obliquely or perpendicularly with respect to a median transverse axis of this zone.

The idea underlying the invention is to provide a junction zone that does not extend rectilinearly along a transverse axis of the pallet. This makes it possible to better distribute, on either side of this transverse axis, the mechanical stresses that are exerted on the pallet.

• chaque zone de jonction est symétrique par rapport audit axe transversal médian.
• chaque zone de jonction comprend au moins un tronçon oblique ou perpendiculaire, en référence audit axe transversal médian.
• il est prévu un tronçon intermédiaire oblique ou perpendiculaire, prolongé par deux tronçons d'extrémité, assurant le raccordement avec une plage ou une paroi périphérique respective.
• le tronçon intermédiaire est longitudinal, alors que les deux tronçons d'extrémité sont transversaux.
• chaque zone de jonction comprend trois tronçons obliques.
• les points de raccordement de chaque zone de jonction, avec une plage ou une paroi périphérique respective, sont décalés l'un par rapport à l'autre en référence audit axe transversal médian.
• chaque pied intermédiaire comprend deux demi-coques et, en vue de dessus, la bande de jonction s'étend entre ces deux demi-coques.
• les pieds intermédiaires sont situés entre des pieds dit « avant » et des pieds dits « arrière » en référence à la direction longitudinale principale, ces pieds avant et arrière étant placés au niveau d'une paroi frontale respective.
• les pieds intermédiaires sont distants d'une première paroi frontale associée à une première rangée de pieds, et sont séparés de l'autre paroi frontale, qui n'est pas associée à une rangée de pieds, par une extension de matière.
• la ou chaque plage comprend une peau supérieure et une peau inférieure, cette plage étant creusée d'au moins une chambre débouchant à ses deux extrémités longitudinales.

The palette of the invention may have the following advantageous characteristics:

• each junction zone is symmetrical with respect to said median transverse axis.
• each junction zone comprises at least one oblique or perpendicular section, with reference to said median transverse axis.
• there is provided an oblique or perpendicular intermediate section, extended by two end sections, providing the connection with a beach or a respective peripheral wall.
• the intermediate section is longitudinal, while the two end sections are transverse.
• each junction zone comprises three oblique sections.
• the connection points of each junction zone, with a respective peripheral area or wall, are offset with respect to each other with respect to said median transverse axis.
• each intermediate foot comprises two half-shells and, in view from above, the joining strip extends between these two half-shells.
• the intermediate feet are located between so-called feet "front" and so-called feet "back" with reference to the main longitudinal direction, these front and rear feet being placed at a respective front wall.
• the intermediate legs are spaced apart from a first front wall associated with a first row of feet, and are separated from the other end wall, which is not associated with a row of feet, by an extension of material.
• the or each beach comprises an upper skin and a lower skin, this range being hollowed out of at least one chamber opening at its two longitudinal ends.

• La figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'une palette de manutention selon l'invention ;
• La figure 2 est une vue de côté de la palette illustrée à la figure 1 ;
• La figure 3 est une vue en bout de cette palette ;
• La figure 4 est une vue de dessus de cette palette ;
• La figure 5 est une vue en perspective, avec une coupe transversale selon la ligne V-V de la figure 1, illustrant plus particulièrement une zone de jonction de cette palette ;
• La figure 6 est une vue en perspective, avec une coupe longitudinale selon la ligne VI-VI de la figure 1, illustrant sous un autre angle cette zone de jonction ;
• La figure 7 est une vue en perspective, avec arrachement longitudinal comme sur la figure 6, illustrant l'emboîtement de deux palettes conformes à l'invention ;
• Les figures 8 à 11 sont des vues de dessus d'une partie de la palette, illustrant des zones de jonction conformes à différentes variantes de réalisation de l'invention ; et
• La figure 12 est une vue en perspective, illustrant une palette conforme à une variante supplémentaire de réalisation de l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description given below, given by way of non-limiting example of the invention, with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

• The figure 1 is a perspective view of a handling pallet according to the invention;
• The figure 2 is a side view of the pallet shown in the figure 1 ;
• The figure 3 is an end view of this palette;
• The figure 4 is a top view of this palette;
• The figure 5 is a perspective view, with a cross-section along the line VV of the figure 1 , illustrating more particularly a junction zone of this pallet;
• The figure 6 is a perspective view, with a longitudinal section along the line VI-VI of the figure 1 , illustrating from another angle this junction zone;
• The figure 7 is a perspective view, with longitudinal tearing as on the figure 6 illustrating the interlocking of two pallets according to the invention;
• The Figures 8 to 11 are top views of a portion of the pallet, illustrating junction zones according to different embodiments of the invention; and
• The figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating a pallet according to a further variant embodiment of the invention.

The handling pallet 1 according to the invention, which is illustrated with reference to the Figures 1 to 7 is made of plastic, for example high density polyethylene or polypropylene and, in general, any injectable plastic material. It is formed by any suitable method, in particular by high pressure or low pressure plastic injection. For purely illustrative purposes, it has a length L of 1200 mm, a width l of 800 mm and a height H of about 160 mm, this dimension may vary according to need.

This pallet firstly comprises peripheral enclosure walls, forming generally a rectangle in plan view. The longitudinal walls are thus designated by 10 and 10 'and the front walls 12' and 12 'respectively "front" and "rear" respectively corresponding to the long sides and the short sides of this rectangle.

The pallet is also provided with a goods receiving tray, which consists of two longitudinal areas of material 14 and 14 '. In other words, these ranges extend parallel to the walls 10. L denotes the longitudinal direction of the entire pallet, which direction is parallel to the main axis of each range.

The two beaches 14 and 14 'define a first interspace 20, called central. In addition, each band defines, with a longitudinal wall facing 10 or 10 ', two lateral spacer spaces 22 and 22'. Different feet of the pallet are formed at these interspaces.

More precisely, there are three rows with three feet each. With reference to the figure 1 there are front feet 30 ₁ to 30 ₃ and rear legs 32 ₁ to 32 ₃ , respectively adjacent to the front walls 12 and 12 '. Also referred to as 34 ₁ to 34 ₃ so-called "intermediate" feet, located between the front and rear feet, which are therefore remote from the two end walls 12 and 12 '. The different feet described above are hollow, to allow their interlocking with feet of an adjacent pallet. In lower part, the feet of the same line are connected in known manner by soles, of which only those ₁ are visible on the figure 1 .

In addition, each of the three intermediate feet 34 ₁ to 34 ₃ is divided into two shells 36 ₁ , 36 ₁ 'to 36 ₃ , 36 ₃ ', each pair of shells being separated by a median material strip 40 ₁ to 40 ₃ , forming junction area. More specifically, the band 40 ₁ connects the first longitudinal wall 10 and the first band 14, the band 40 ₂ interconnects the two pads 14 and 14 ', while the band 40 ₃ connects the second pad 14' and the pad. another longitudinal wall 10 '.

As illustrated particularly figure 7 each band 40 extends only over a portion of the height of the feet, so as not to interfere with the interlocking between pallets. In this figure, we find the pallet 1 above, above which is reported an identical pallet 51. The mechanical elements of the latter are assigned the same reference numbers as those of the pallet 1, increased by 50.

The different feet 80 of the upper pallet 51 penetrate into the interior volume of the hollow feet 30 of the lower pallet 1, with a view to their mutual interlocking. In addition, the lower part of each joining strip 90, belonging to the pallet 51, abuts against the wall opposite the lower connecting strip 40.

There is also a functional clearance between the facing surfaces of the two pallets, both along the longitudinal axis L and the transverse axis T, to promote this interlocking. The beaches 14 and 14 'are also supported with the pallet 51, to better distribute the mass of the upper pallet to prevent any deformation thereof.

We will now describe in more detail the profile of one 40 ₁ of these tapes, it being understood that the other two have an identical profile. We first note the transverse axis, ie perpendicular to that L above, which passes through the middle of this band.

With reference in particular to the figure 4 this strip is formed of three sections or branches, namely firstly two end sections 42 and 44, parallel to the transverse axis T. P42 and P44 are noted the respective connection points, the first section 42 on the longitudinal wall 10 and the second section 44 on the beach 14. Finally, these two sections are connected by an intermediate section 46, which is however parallel to the longitudinal axis L.

The strip thus has approximately one S or Z shape, being symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis T. This strip does not extend rectilinearly along the axis T. In other words this band 40 extends on either side of this axis T. Thus, the two connection points P42 and P44 are mutually offset, along the longitudinal axis L, namely that they are placed on both sides. other of the medial transverse axis T.

In what follows, we will now present various embodiments, with respect to the profile of the joining strip. As these variants are presented, the reference numbers used for the same mechanical elements will be increased by 100 each time.

So, at the figure 8 , the joining strip 140 also has a roughly S-shaped profile or Z. However, unlike the first mode, the various sections 142, 144 and 146 have a slightly rounded profile, and not strictly rectilinear.

To the figure 9 , there is a junction strip 240 formed by a main rectilinear section 246, extending obliquely to the axis T, without being perpendicular thereto. This section is extended by two flared zones 242 and 244, providing the connection respectively with the enclosure wall and the beach. This band 240 is also symmetrical with respect to the transverse axis T.

To the figure 10 , the joining strip 340 is formed by a median section 346, which extends obliquely with respect to the axis T, without being perpendicular thereto. This section is extended by two end sections 342 and 344, also oblique. Thus, this band 340 has approximately a Z or S shape, being symmetrical about the median axis T.

Finally, at the figure 11 , the joining strip 440 also has a roughly Z-shaped profile or S. However, unlike the mode of realization immediately above, the various sections 442, 444 and 446 have a slightly rounded profile, and not strictly rectilinear.

The figure 12 is a perspective view illustrating a pallet according to a further variant embodiment of the invention. In this figure, the mechanical elements similar to those of the pallet of the figure 1 there are assigned the same reference numbers, increased by 500.

The palette 501 of the figure 12 differs from that 1 shown in figure 1 , in particular in that it has smaller dimensions. Thus, it comprises only two rows, each composed of two feet. The two "rear" legs 532 ₁ and 532 ₂ are adjacent to the front wall 512 ', while the other end wall 512 is not associated with a row of feet.

Under these conditions, the two intermediate legs 534 ₁ and 534 ₂ are spaced apart, not only from the wall 512 ', but also from that 512 being separated from the latter by an extension of material 535. There is also a single range 514 forming the tray, which is provided with returns 514 ₁ extending towards the longitudinal walls 510 and 510 '.

As in the first embodiment the range 514 is connected to the walls 510 and 510 ', at the intermediate legs 534 ₁ and 534 ₂ , by respective junction areas 540 ₁ and 540 ₂ . These latter have a profile in S or Z, similar to that more particularly illustrated on the figure 4 . In this respect, the median transverse axis T has been reported on this figure 12 . Of course, one could predict that these junction zones affect the profile of one or the other of the variants, illustrated on the Figures 8 to 11 .

The fact of providing junction areas 540 ₁ and 540 ₂ , whose profile does not extend rectilinearly along the axis T, provides an advantage in terms of rigidity as explained above. In addition, this allows to better distribute the load that will receive the pallet and better balance. Thus the merchandise, especially of the tray or cardboard type, has improved support because it limits the size of the opening, delimited by the hollow intermediate foot.

The invention achieves the previously mentioned objectives.

It should first be noted that it is the merit of the plaintiff, to have identified that the weak zone of the former pallet SF 800 NR is located especially at the intermediate feet. Under these conditions, the fact of providing a junction zone, which extends on either side of a median transverse axis of the pallet, gives increased rigidity to the latter.

In fact, the profile of this junction zone makes it possible to better distribute, on either side of this transverse axis, the mechanical stresses that are exerted on the pallet. Under these conditions, depending on the use of the rack pallet, static or dynamic, the risk of breakage and / or deformation of the pallet, at this axis, are reduced. This advantage is also found in the case of a pallet whose intermediate legs are arranged according to the arrangement of the figure 12 .

The figure 3 illustrates an advantageous embodiment of the invention. Note that this variant can be implemented in combination with one or the other of the embodiments above, insofar as it contributes to increasing the overall strength of the pallet. However, as an alternative, it can be used for conventional pallets, such as SF 800 NR described above, whose junction area extends transversely and rectilinearly.

This figure illustrates the palette of the invention, end view. There are thus the three front feet 30 ₁ to 30 ₃ , and the front end of each beach 14 and 14 'forming the plate. As can be seen, these beaches have a relatively large thickness, and are dug chambers 16 and 16 'which extend over the entire length of these beaches.

These chambers, forming hollow bodies, define an upper skin 17, 17 'and a lower skin 18, 18' of the respective range 14, 14 '. This makes it possible to impart increased rigidity to these areas and, consequently, to the entire pallet.

In the illustrated example, each chamber 16 or 16 'has approximately a rectangular shape, delimiting a rib 19, 19' in the lower skin. However, it can be expected to use other forms, including round, oval, triangular, orthogonal, or hexagonal. In addition, in this example, there are two rooms per shelf beach. However, there may be provided in each beach, a single chamber or on the contrary several of them.

The invention is not limited to the examples described and shown.

Thus, it can be provided that the joining strips have a different profile from those illustrated in the figures. In particular, such an alternating profile may correspond to a symmetry, with respect to the median transverse axis, of one or the other of the profiles represented.

In addition, the invention finds application to pallets having a different number of feet, compared to those described above. Thus, more than three rows can be provided, in which case the pallet is equipped with at least two rows of so-called intermediate feet, within the meaning of the invention.

Moreover one can foresee, as on the figure 12 , that the tray is formed of a single beach, separated from the side walls opposite. In this case, the or each row consists of two intermediate legs, associated with two junction zones.

However, it can be expected that the plate comprises at least three parallel beaches between them. In this case, each row is formed of at least four intermediate feet, associated with a corresponding number of junction zones.

We can also provide, as on the figure 12 , that at least one range of the plate is extended by a return, extending towards a longitudinal wall opposite. In addition, the or each range of the tray can be perforated, in a manner known per se.

As is apparent from the above, the pallet according to the invention comprises at least two joining strips. Alternatively, it can be expected that only one or more of these joining strips has (s) a profile according to the invention, as described in the accompanying figures. In this case, the other band (s) present (s) a rectilinear profile, as in the prior art.

Finally, the pallet can be made from any suitable plastic material, using any suitable manufacturing process. In this respect, These include high-pressure plastic injection, low-pressure plastic injection, and thermoforming.

Claims (11)

1. A pallet (1) made of plastics material and comprising:

   • peripheral surrounding walls comprising longitudinal walls (10, 10'; 510, 510') and end walls (12, 12'; 512, 512');

   • a tray formed by at least one slab (14, 14'; 514) extending in a main longitudinal direction (L) of the pallet;

   • legs (30, 32, 34; 532, 534) comprising at least one row of at least two intermediate legs (34; 534) spaced apart from the two end walls (12, 12'; 512, 512');

   • junction zones (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540) situated at each intermediate leg, each junction zone extending either between two adjacent slabs (14, 14'), or between a slab (14, 14'; 514) and the longitudinal wall (10, 10'; 510, 510') that is adjacent thereto;

   the pallet being characterized in that at least one junction zone (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540) includes a segment extending obliquely or perpendicularly relative to a middle transverse axis (T) of said zone.
2. A pallet made of plastics material according to claim 1, wherein each junction zone (40; 140; 240; 340; 440, 540) is symmetrical relative to said middle transverse axis (T).
3. A pallet made of plastics material according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein each junction zone (40; 140; 240; 340; 440; 540) has at least one segment (46; 146; 246; 342, 344, 346; 442, 444, 446) that is oblique or perpendicular relative to said middle transverse axis.
4. A pallet made of plastics material according to claim 3, wherein an oblique or perpendicular intermediate segment (46; 146; 346; 446) is provided that is extended by two end segments (42, 44; 142, 144; 342, 344; 442, 444), providing the connection with a respective slab or peripheral wall.
5. A pallet made of plastics material according to claim 4, wherein the intermediate segment (46; 146) is longitudinal, while the two end segments (42, 44; 142, 144) are transverse.
6. A pallet made of plastics material according to claim 4, wherein each junction zone has three oblique segments (342, 344, 346; 442, 444, 446).
7. A pallet made of plastics material according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the connection points (P42, P44) of each junction zone (40) with a respective slab (14) or peripheral wall (10) are offset relative to each other with reference to said middle transverse axis (T).
8. A pallet made of plastics material according to any preceding claim, wherein each intermediate leg (34) comprises two half-shells (36) and, when seen from above, the junction strip (40) extends between these two half-shells.
9. A pallet made of plastics material according to any preceding claim, wherein the intermediate legs (34) are situated between so-called "front" legs (30) and so-called "rear" legs (32) with front and rear being with reference to the main longitudinal direction (L), each of these front and rear legs being placed level with a respective end wall (12, 12').
10. A pallet made of plastics material according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the intermediate legs (534) are spaced apart from a first end wall (512') associated with a first row of legs (532), and are separated by an extension of material (535) from the other end wall (512) that is not associated with a row of legs.
11. A pallet made of plastics material according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each slab (14, 14') has a top skin (17, 17') and a bottom skin (18, 18'), the slab being hollowed out by at least one chamber (16, 16') that is open at both of its longitudinal ends.

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