EP1851131B1 - Panel transport unit - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a transport unit, comprising a plurality of panels stacked on two or more stacks, supported by one or more support elements and wrapped by a common film.

Generally, for the transport of large quantities of materials, the materials are packaged, e.g. ex. on pallets, to facilitate their handling. Palletizing allows lifting and moving materials with p. eg pallet lifting devices or forklifts. Pallets of various sizes, typically made of wood or plastic, are known and used in a wide range of activities. Pallets are often heavy and usually have to be stored by the consignee until they can be collected by the supplier and returned to the producer. This involves pallet movement at the consignee and also requires additional storage space for empty pallets. In situations where materials are to be used in locations with limited access, eg. ex. inside buildings or on roofs, it is essential to have as little packaging material as possible. Empty pallets therefore represent an even thornier problem at such locations.

There is an attempt to solve this problem by the document DE4218354 , where the ordinary pallets are replaced by another type of support element which allows lifting the materials above the ground in a manner similar to the pallets and therefore allows handling with, for example. ex. pallet lifters or forklifts. Supporting elements are usually subject to the material by wrapping with film. These bearing elements are typically smaller and easier to handle than the pallets. Obviously, the number of support elements that is needed depends on the shape, size and packaging of the material to be transported. When transporting a single stack of panels, generally two support members are used, typically having the form of panels that extend under the stack over the entire depth thereof.

When transporting multiple stacks of panels in a single unit, problems arise when using separate support elements rather than pallets. It is difficult to obtain adequate support and stabilization of support-supported cells, and there is a risk that insufficiently stable batteries will overturn, putting the user at risk and causing problems.

A problem occurs particularly when the recipient of the batteries must be able to independently move separate batteries. This is very often necessary in, p. ex. construction sites, where a limited quantity of one unit must be used at one location. In this case each cell can be transported and stored in a stable manner, that is to say without risk, for example, that it spills.

There is an attempt to solve one of these problems by the document WO03 / 000567 which considers the positioning of all the piles on an intermediate layer and then the establishment of the support elements under this intermediate layer. In this way we obtain a good stability during transport, but in return it is then necessary to eliminate the support elements and the additional intermediate layer. These devices represent almost as much additional material as an ordinary palette. In addition it is very difficult, if not impossible, to lift and carry only one batteries separately, which is frequently necessary, as mentioned above. In short, it is not possible to insert a pallet lifting device or the fork of a forklift between the large panel and one of the batteries, since the batteries are placed directly above the panel.

Another attempt is made to solve the above problems by the document EP0946394 considering the use of three support elements for two stacks of panels. One of the support elements is placed under the partition between the two piles and parallel thereto, while the other two are placed closer to the edge, each under a stack and parallel to the central stack. Batteries and support elements are wrapped in a common film. This solution is, however, very sensitive to the displacement of the central support element. Such a move can make the batteries unstable and overturn them. These units create, in this way, a demand for greater accuracy at the production stage of the unit, which makes the task more difficult and more expensive. On the other hand, the separate separation and displacement of two cells gives rise to other problems, since only the nearest bearing member of the edge follows each stack after the separation. The battery is not stable when it is only resting on the support element placed closest to the edge and will overturn when it is placed. Obviously, this is both dangerous and impractical. It is possible to support each pile manually after separation and movement, but this requires the presence of support elements that could be used elsewhere and it also takes time. Other examples for transport units are disclosed by DE2145681 and DE3918311 .

As has been stated, none of the known methods solves the problems of handling or moving materials in a safe and efficient manner.

Generally, the recipients of the materials packaged on pallets or on other elements such as large storage facilities or construction sites. In both cases, these are workplaces where tasks must be carried out quickly and where there are already high risks involved in the use of machinery and the handling of materials. As a result, it is necessary that material handling be done in the most efficient way and with the least possible risk. Obviously, complicated procedures take time and therefore make the work more expensive. Lack of safety in the handling and movement of materials adds an additional risk to these already dangerous workplaces.

There is, as the foregoing demonstrates, a need for a new way of transporting materials, capable of solving the above problems.

In addition, there is also a need for a transport unit which leaves as little packaging material as possible to the recipient but which is at the same time stable and safe to use.

There is also a need for a transport unit that makes it possible to handle and move a single battery of a transport unit comprising several batteries simply and safely.

In addition, there is a need for a transport unit that can be produced simply and quickly.

The present invention aims to provide a transport unit that meets these needs and that effectively solves the problems mentioned above.

The novel and characteristic elements of the invention are that each of the two or more stacks is supported separately by said one or more support members, and that the film is a tube-shaped stretchable film with properties radial elastics and axial non-elastic properties, located horizontally around the stacks and said one or more supporting members to hold them together and provide stability of the transport unit during handling and transport.

Supported separately should mean in this case that each support element is placed only under a battery and is therefore not in contact with any space between the cells.

By placing the tube-shaped stretchable film horizontally around the stacks and said one or more supporting members, the stability of the transport unit is significantly enhanced and the number of support members is kind minimized. On the other hand, the cells and the support elements are held together by the pressure exerted by the stretch film. This pressure increases the friction between the batteries themselves and between the batteries and the support elements. In this way, the mutual displacement of the batteries and the support elements relative to the batteries is effectively avoided. This means that a smaller number of support elements can be used since the cells, because of friction, hold together. This results in increased stability and the possibility of using a smaller number of support elements without the need for further stabilization of the transport unit. Horizontal should in this case be interpreted as meaning essentially parallel with the upper and / or lower surfaces of the piles.

Preferably, the tube-shaped stretch film can be made of polyethylene, especially low-density polyethylene, with a radial direction and an axial direction and with elastic properties in the radial direction and non-elastic properties in the axial direction. The axial direction should in this case mean the direction that is parallel to the central axis that extends through the hole in the tube-shaped stretch film which comes out of both ends. The radial direction should mean the direction perpendicular to this central axis.

Preferably, the tubular stretch film has a thickness of about 30-200 μm, more preferably about 50-150 μm, and still more preferably about 80-130 μm.

The tubular stretchable film may preferably be stretched about 5-100% in the radial direction, more preferably about 10-70% and still more preferably about 15-50%.

These properties of the tube-shaped stretch film make it possible to choose a stretchable film having a circumference smaller than the circumference of the stacks and the element or associated support members. The stretchable film is radially stretched so that the stacks and the bearing member or members can be moved horizontally within the stretched film, and the stretchable film will subsequently be fitted tightly around the stacks and element or bearing elements of the finished transport unit.

Preferably, the panels may be based on material suitable for insulation functions, such as glass wool or rockwool. These materials are especially suitable for incorporation into the transport unit according to the present invention, since the friction between the insulation panels which are held together is considerable. This friction contributes to the stability of the transport unit.

In addition, the panels can be produced from other suitable materials for packaging in a transport unit of this type, e.g. ex. wood, plastic, fibrous material or rubber. These materials are all suitable for battery transport using the present invention.

Preferably, one or more of said support elements may be made of the same material as the panels. This is advantageous in that it is possible to use the support elements with the method in which the transported panels are used. In this way, the support elements are no longer considered as packaging materials and they no longer have to be disposed of in the usual way. Thus, the amount of waste that represents disadvantages and complications for the recipient of the panels is minimized.

On the other hand, one or more of said support members may be made of any solid material suitable for support and transportation, e.g. ex. wood, metal, fibrous material, etc. Solid material means in this case that the material does not tend to yield when it is stressed under a load. The essential point is that the support elements must not compress under the load, and the choice of material of the support elements should therefore be adapted to the weight of the batteries.

The at least one support member may be in the form of blocks, cubes, cylinders, or other geometric shapes.

Preferably, said one or more support members may have a width, a depth and a height substantially corresponding to fractions of the spatial dimensions of the panels such that a multiple of the support elements corresponds to one or more panels. This is advantageous because the support members can thus be easily handled in the work processes that are used for the handling of the panels.

Preferably, each stack may have a vertical gravity plane with each support member generally located on a vertical line relative to the vertical plane of gravity of the stack. Such a location of a support member with respect to a stack can render the handling and movement of a separate battery is simple and safe, since the battery can rest on the support element without the risk of overturning.

In this case, the vertical plane of gravity of a stack is assumed to mean the vertical plane passing through the center of gravity of the stack and perpendicular to the ends of the stack and the top and bottom surfaces and parallel to the sides. of the pile.

Preferably, a predetermined distance between a plurality of support members may be 500 mm or more. Such a distance ensures that the lifting arms, e.g. ex. forklift or pallet lifting device of a standard size can enter between the support members and therefore be able to lift the transport unit. By being adapted to other lifting methods or functions, the support elements can be located with any other advantageous distance between them which at the same time ensures the stability of the transported stacks and the transport unit in his outfit.

Preferably, the number of support members in a given transport unit may be greater than or equal to the number of stacks in a given transport unit. Having the smallest possible number of support elements ensures that the amount of packaging material is kept at a reduced level even with transport units having multiple stacks. In this way, a transport unit is, in the case where the support elements are made of a material other than the panels, all things being equal, advantageous with respect to a transport unit comprising a large number of elements. support, since the first leaves after use less packaging material in the form of support elements.

• la Fig. 1 est une vue de face d'une unité de transport constituée de deux piles et de deux éléments d'appui, et
• la Fig. 2 est une vue de dessous de deux unités de transport de charge comportant deux piles et quatre éléments d'appui.

The invention will be explained in detail below with reference to special preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which:

• the Fig. 1 is a front view of a transport unit consisting of two stacks and two support elements, and
• the Fig. 2 is a bottom view of two load transport units with two stacks and four support elements.

The two figures are schematic, they are not scaled and they only show the parts whose representation is necessary to explain the invention, while other parts are ignored or only indicated. Identical reference numbers are used in all figures for identical or equivalent parts.

The perspective view of the Fig. 1 shows a transport unit according to the invention 1 comprising panels 2, two stacks 3, support elements 4 and a stretchable film 5 disposed horizontally around the stacks and support elements.

The panels 2 which must constitute the transport unit 1 according to the invention may be, p. eg, wood, plastic, metal, glass, stone, fibrous material, rubber or a combination of these materials. Preferably, the panels according to the invention 2 can be made of a material that can be used for insulation functions, such as glass wool or rockwool.

Although the transport unit 1 of FIG. is represented with two batteries 3 of panels 2, it is possible according to the invention to use any other number of batteries 3, p. eg, three, four or more.

Moreover, the invention is not limited to the use of two support elements 4, but it also includes the use of three, four or more support elements. Preferably, the number of support members 4 may be greater than or equal to the number of stacks 3. A relatively small number of support members 4 compared to the number of stacks 3 will produce - all things being equal - a work process. facilitated during the production of the transport units and will produce at the same time a lower amount of packaging material in the form of support elements 4.

Said one or more support members 4 according to the invention can be made of solid material suitable for supporting and transporting loads, e.g. eg, wood, metal, fibrous material, etc. Preferably, said one or more support elements 4 may be made of identical material to that of the panels 2 of the transport unit 1. This is advantageous in that the user of the panels 2 will thus typically be able to using said one or more support elements 4 in the working process and thus avoid having to eliminate these elements in another way. This is particularly advantageous in cases where the transport of materials to and from the site is difficult or involves considerable expense, e.g. ex. on roofs or inside buildings.

In the Fig. 1 , the stretchable film 5 is placed horizontally around the stacks 3 and the support elements 4 and it can according to the invention be made of polyethylene, particularly low density polyethylene, with an axial direction and a radial direction and with elastic properties in the radial direction and non-elastic properties in the axial direction.

In a preferred embodiment the stretch film has a thickness of about 80-130 μm, but it is within the scope of the present invention to use a stretch film having other thicknesses, p. ex. 30-200 μm or about 50-150 μm. In one embodiment of the invention the stretch film 5 can be stretched about 15-50% in the radial direction, but it is within the scope of the invention to use a stretch film 5 with other radial elastic properties, e.g. ex. a possible stretch in the radial direction of about 5-100% or about 10-70%.

Although in the present invention a stretch film 5 which is inelastic in the axial direction is used, it could be envisaged that a stretch film 5 having certain elastic properties in the axial direction would be advantageous in other embodiments. .

Generally, the manufacture of the transport unit 1 takes place in such a way that the panels 2 are firstly stacked in one or more stacks 3. Subsequently, one or more support elements 4 are generally placed on the stack 3. that, the stacks 3 comprising said one or more supporting members 4 are, generally by means of a conveyor, conveyed to a unit which holds a radially stretched tube-shaped stretch film. Generally, the stretch film 5 is open at one end, but it can be opened at both ends. The stacks 3 having the support members 4 enter the tubular stretchable film 5 which is thus separated from the unit which previously held it and is thus placed tightly around the stacks 3 and said one or of said plurality of support elements 4. The stretch film 5 will, after being released from the unit that held it, contract strongly in the radial direction and thereby exert a force on the stacks 3 and the element or elements 4. This force holds the batteries 3 and the support element (s) 4 together and reinforces the friction between these elements. At the same time, the non-elastic axial properties of the stretchable film 5 ensure that the stacks 3 are held tightly together and the friction between the batteries 3 makes the transport unit 1 stable. Finally, the tube-shaped stretchable film 5 is closed, generally by welding, the transport unit 1 is rotated so that the support elements 4 face down and is then ready for collection or displacement.

Surprisingly, the transport unit 1 comprising two stacks 3 of panels 2 can be stably transported separately with only one support element 4 placed under each stack 3, without the need for a stabilization connection between the two stacks. 3, p. eg, in the form of a through panel, a common support element under the space, etc. Until now this was not a possible solution, since the minimum distance generally used between the support elements 4 of 500 mm, combined with the width of the panels 2 made the piles 3 turn towards the center which made the unit unstable. Firstly, the use of a transport unit 1 according to the present invention makes it possible to obtain the above stabilization, among other things, because of the unforeseen and surprising stabilizing effect of the tube-shaped stretch film 5.

The Fig. 2 is a bottom view of a transport unit 1 according to the invention, comprising panels 2, two stacks 3, four support elements 4 and a stretchable film 5.

In the Fig. 2 , the support elements 4 shown are rectangular, seen from below, but according to the invention the support elements 4 may have the shape of blocks, cubes, cylinders or other geometric shapes. Preferably, the support elements 4 have a width, a depth and a height which correspond essentially to fractions of the spatial dimensions of the panels 2. Generally, this means that a certain number of integral support elements 4 have the same outer dimensions one or more panels 2. For example, there may be four support elements 4 under two stacks 3 of panels 2, where each support element 4 is approximately ¼ of the dimension of the panel 2. In this way, the four support elements 4 can together occupy the same space as an entire panel 2 and can so easily be part of the handling at the user in question. However, the dimensions of the support members 4 are not limited to said examples of the preferred embodiment described above.

The support members 4 having a width, a depth and a height which essentially correspond to fractions of the spatial dimensions of the panels are particularly advantageous, if the support elements 4 are at the same time made of the same material as the 2. Typically, the support elements 4 can be used directly in the given work process.

In the Fig. 2 , the bearing elements 4 shown are positioned with a certain distance between them. The distance between the support elements 4 is defined as the length of the space between the support elements 4 measured along the edge of the lower panel (s) 2. This is the significant distance, since this is at this location that, for example, the lifting arms of a pallet lifter or the forks of a forklift can enter under the transport unit 1. With different ways of moving or lifting the transport unit 1, the distance between the support elements may be more or less important. Preferably, the support elements 4 may have a predetermined distance of 500 mm or more between them. 500 mm is the usual minimum width of the lifting arms of a pallet lifting device or forklift and therefore a particularly advantageous distance between the support elements 4, if the transport 1 must be handled with a pallet lifter or a forklift.

Moreover, it is clear from the embodiment shown in Fig. 2 that the transport unit 1 can advantageously be handled with a pallet lifting device or a forklift truck by all its sides, since the four support elements 4 are all located with these distances between them. In addition, this has the advantage that if the tube-shaped stretch film 5 is cut at the slot between the two stacks 3, the two stacks 3 can be transported separately and can be used at different locations.

Preferably, the support elements 4 can be located essentially in a vertical axis relative to the vertical plane of the center of gravity of at least one stack 3. Such a position reinforces the stability of each stack 3 and thus makes this stack 3 stable after a possible separation of the transport unit 1. It is therefore possible to move each stack 3 of a transport unit 1 without the risk that the batteries 3 do not overturn and endanger those present.

Although the above invention has been described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that several modifications and improvements are feasible without departing from the scope of the present invention. the invention as defined in the following claims.

For the purposes of the present description, panel means any volume of substantially parallelepiped shape and whose width is greater than its thickness by a factor of at least 2, or even 5 or even 10.

A panel according to the invention may consist of a single unit, typically an insulating panel of conventional dimensions, or a set of elementary units, individually in various forms and interconnected to form a unit. modular structure of the substantially parallelepipedal shape previously described. Such elementary units are, for example, rolls of insulation material, interconnected in the form of modules according to the packaging method described in the patent. EP 0 220 980 B1 .

Claims (12)

1. A transport unit (1) comprising a number of boards (2) stacked in two or more stacks (3), supported by one or more load carriers (4) and enclosed by a common film (5), characterized in that each of said two or more stacks (3) is supported separately by said one or more load carriers (4), and that the film is a tube shaped stretch film (5) with radial elastic properties, enabling a stretch of the film of around 5-100% in the radial direction, and axial non-elastic properties, located horizontally around the stacks (3) and said one or more load carriers (4) to hold these together and ensure stability of the transport unit (1) during handling and transport.
2. A transport unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the tube shaped stretch film (5) has a radial direction and an axial direction, is made of polyethylene, especially of low density polyethylene, and has elastic properties in the radial direction and non-elastic properties in the axial direction.
3. A transport unit (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tube shaped stretch film (5) has elastic properties in the axial direction enabling a stretch of the film of around 15-50% in the radial direction.
4. A transport unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the boards (2) are made of a material suited for insulation, such as glass wool or rock wool.
5. A transport unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the boards (2) are made of a material suited for packaging in a transport unit of the present type, e.g. wood, plastic material, fibre material or rubber.
6. A transport unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more load carriers (4) are made of the same material as the boards (2).
7. A transport unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more load carriers (4) are made of a solid material suited for support and transportation, e.g. wood, metal, fibre material, etc.
8. A transport unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said one or more load carriers (4) are shaped as blocks, cubes, cylinders or have other geometrical shapes.
9. A transport unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the boards (2) have spatial dimensions and that said one or more load carriers (4) have a width, a depth and a height and that the width, the depth as well as the height substantially correspond to fractions of the spatial dimensions of the boards (2).
10. A transport unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that each stack (3) has a vertical centre of gravity plane and that each of said load carriers (4) is located substantially in a vertical line with the vertical centre of gravity plane of the stack (3).
11. A transport unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of load carriers (4) located with a predetermined distance therebetween and that this predetermined distance is 500 mm or more.
12. A transport unit (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transport unit (1) comprises a number of stacks (3) and a number of load carriers (4) and that the number of load carriers (4) is equal to or larger than the number of stacks (3).

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