HK1080052B - A system and method for creation of load units - Google Patents

Description

System and method for forming load unit

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a system for forming load units and more particularly to a system based on the use of two or several stations for forming load units. Each load unit is formed by one or more discrete packages.

Background

It is common today to use brackets of various forms and sizes as a base for different load units. Wooden pallets (EUR pallets) known as EUR (european) are often used. Such carriers, which take up a relatively large area when stored, are heavy and can be cumbersome to handle. Furthermore, the EUR carriages are typically reused, which means that they are often returned empty. To avoid the disadvantages of the systems used in the past based on EUR trays or other types of trays, it has been suggested that two or more individual smaller loading members or loading ledges could be used in place of EUR trays or other trays.

Disclosure of Invention

With the increased use of loading ledges, the need for suitable systems and methods to form discrete loading units is felt.

The technical scheme of the invention is as follows:

according to the invention, there is provided a method for forming a load unit in two or more stations, characterized in that in a first station a plurality of packages are collected and placed to constitute a load unit; in the second station, at least two loading ledges are provided for the load unit constituted in the first station at opposite lower edges thereof; the number of loading ledges used and their arrangement is based on the size and shape of the packages used to constitute the load unit.

Preferably, in the third station, one or more strips and/or stretch wrap are wrapped around the load unit, including the loading ledges, in one or more turns.

Preferably, the final load unit is sent to a container, van, truck or other transport means.

Preferably, the size of the load unit is adapted to the size of the container, truck, van or the like, which is to be used for transporting the load unit.

Preferably, two or more stations are included, in which load units are formed, characterized in that one station has means for collecting a plurality of packages and placing them to form the desired load unit, and one station has means to equip two or more loading ledges onto the load unit at least two opposite lower edges of each load unit.

Preferably, the second station to equip each load unit with a loading ledge comprises a machine to place the loading ledge on the load unit.

Preferably, one station has means to equip each load unit with one or more straps and/or stretch wrap wound around the load unit, including the loading ledges, the outer face.

The system and method of forming a load cell preferably meets a number of requirements. It is therefore an object that the system and method should be relatively easy to adapt to different situations, taking into account both the level of automation and the form and size of the packages (packages) forming each load unit.

Another object is that the system and method should be capable of being constructed, operated and maintained at a reasonable cost.

It is also an object that the system and method should work with different vehicles.

A system for forming a load unit is established according to the invention. The system comprises two or several stations to form a load unit. A first station is used in the method of using the system to collect and place one or more packages to form a suitable load unit. Furthermore, at the preferred station, the loading ledges are placed on the load unit while one or more straps and/or stretch wrapping (stretch wrapping) are wound around the load unit.

Further objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art when reading the following presently preferred embodiments.

Drawings

The invention will be further described by way of an example and with reference to the included drawings. In the figure:

FIGS. 1a to 1i show different load units (load units) constructed by using the present invention;

FIG. 2 shows a portion of a system forming a load cell according to the present invention; and

figure 3 shows in a schematic way an embodiment of the system of the invention.

Detailed Description

The system and method of the invention are based on the idea of using packages 1 of different sizes and shapes to form the load unit 4. Even though the shown packages 1 are all generally rectangular, the skilled person will understand that packages having other general shapes may be used to form the load unit 4.

The invention is based on the use of several stations 8-10, in which the load units 4 are constructed in series. In the first station 8 one or more packages 1 are collected and placed in the form of each desired final load unit 4. At least one loading leg 2 is placed at each of two opposite lower edges of the load unit 4 in the second station 9. At a third and final station 10 the load unit 4 is surrounded by a strap 7 and/or a stretch wrap or the like, including the loading ledges 2, wound one or more turns.

The loading ledges 2 used are of the kind generally described in PCT/DK01/OO748 or any corresponding load members (load members). The loading ledges 2 have a substantially L-shaped cross-section. The loading ledges 2 are placed at the lower edge of the packages or the like in such a way that a part of each loading ledge 2 is placed under a package and a part along the side of said package. The part of the loading ledges 2 placed under the packages has a bulge in order to allow the lifting and/or transport means to slide under the packages.

If, for example, the load unit 4 is made up of several small packages 1, this may require additional stations. These further stations may thus comprise stations where subunits (sub-units) each provided with a loading ledge 2 are formed (see, for example, fig. 1c and 1 f). The subunit may be configured with straps, but is generally not required. Several subunits are then directed to a station for forming the final load unit 4. It is also possible to have different stations for the strapping 7 and stretch wrapping. If a large number of small packages 1 are formed into the loading unit 4 as shown in fig. 1g and 1h, a plate may be placed on the bottom surface of the loading unit 4.

The skilled person realizes that the packages 1 and the load units 4 are transported in different ways to and between the stations, respectively. Furthermore, the different stations may be operated manually and/or automatically, in whole or in part. The expression "fully automatic", as used in this description, means that all the actual handling processes of the packages 1 or load units 4 are carried out by machines, robots or the like, which on the other hand may be driven automatically or controlled by one person.

The packages 1 are normally stored in some kind of warehouse. The first station 8 is typically placed in or adjacent to a warehouse or the like. At said first station 8, a suitable number of packages 1 are collected to form a load unit. The load unit 4 of the invention may consist of a single package 1 or a plurality of packages 1. The required size of the final load unit 4 will determine the number of packages 1 for each individual load unit 4.

The packages 1 constituting the load unit 4 are collected on a conveyor 6 in the embodiment of fig. 2. By means of which conveyor 6 the load unit 4 is brought to the second station 9. In the second station 9 the load units 4 are received in a machine 5 in which each load unit 5 is provided with a loading ledge 2, in a more or less automated fashion. In another embodiment the loading ledges 2 are provided in a more manual way (not shown). The load unit 4 with the loading ledges 2 is then transported away from the machine 5 by means of a further conveyor 6. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the form of the conveyor may vary, for example, belts, rollers, wheels, etc. may be used. Furthermore, the skilled person realizes that the load unit 4 may be transported to the machine 5 and away from the machine 5 by means of any suitable means, such as industrial trucks, lifting devices, mobile platforms, etc. At a station 9 comprising a machine for attaching loading ledges 2, a suitable number of loading ledges 2 are attached to the load unit 4. In fig. 1 it is schematically shown that the number of loading ledges 2 on each side may vary and that the loading ledges may be placed at several different heights and widths in each load unit 4, depending on the size of the packages, the sensitivity of the contents, etc.

After the machine 5 has provided the load unit 4 with the loading ledges 2 the load unit 4 is brought to the third station 10. At said station 10 the load unit 4 is equipped with straps 7 and/or stretch wrap or the like. However, it is also possible to attach the strip 7, stretch wrap or the like in a more manual manner.

Claims (7)

1. A method for forming a load unit (4) in two or more stations (8-10), characterized in that in a first station (8) a number of packages (1) are collected and placed to constitute a load unit (4); in a second station (9), at least two loading ledges (2) are provided for the load unit (4) formed in the first station (8) at opposite lower edges thereof; the number of loading ledges (2) used and their arrangement is based on the size and shape of the packages (1) used to constitute the load unit (4).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that in the third station (10) one or more strips (7) are wound around the load unit (4), including the loading ledges (2), in one or more turns and/or stretch wrapped.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterised in that the final load unit (4) is sent to a container, lorry, truck or other transport means.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the size of the load unit (4) is adapted to the size of the container, truck, van or the like to be used for transporting the load unit (4).

5. A system for use in a method according to any one of claims 1-4, comprising two or more stations (8-10) in which load units (4) are formed, characterized in that one station (8) has means for collecting a plurality of packages (1) and placing the packages (1) to form a desired load unit (4), and one station (9) has means to equip two or more loading ledges (2) onto the load unit (4) at least two opposite lower edges of each load unit (4).

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the second station (9) for equipping the loading ledges (2) onto each load unit comprises a machine (5) for placing the loading ledges (2) on the load unit (4).

7. A system as claimed in claim 5, characterised in that one station (10) has means for equipping each load unit with one or more straps (7) and/or stretch wrap wound around the load unit (4), including the loading ledges (2), outside.