US20180141705A1

US20180141705A1 - Pallet for carrying goods

Info

Publication number: US20180141705A1
Application number: US15/811,676
Authority: US
Inventors: Won Sun ERM
Original assignee: Syspac Supply Chain Co Ltd
Current assignee: Syspac Supply Chain Co Ltd
Priority date: 2016-11-18
Filing date: 2017-11-14
Publication date: 2018-05-24
Also published as: JP2018079986A; EP3323749A1; CN108069103A

Abstract

A pallet for goods is provided. In detail, the pallet for goods improves use persistence while enhancing durability or impact resistance. Accordingly, the pallet for goods includes a pallet body portion including a honeycomb member and a panel for covering the honeycomb member, and an outer frame surrounding an external portion of the pallet body portion.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0154108, filed on Nov. 18, 2016, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0154148, filed on Nov. 18, 2016, Korean Patent Application No. 10-2016-0154166, filed on Nov. 18, 2016, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2017-0049306, filed on Apr. 17, 2017, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Apparatuses and methods consistent with the present disclosure relate to a pallet for goods, and more particularly, to a pallet for goods, having improved use persistence while having enhanced durability or impact resistance.

Description of the Related Art

In general, a box assembly for carrying goods is formed in such a way that a lower portion of a box is coupled to a support member of a pallet, etc. to be carried by a forklift, etc. The general box assembly for carrying goods is configured in such a way that a box and a pallet are integrally configured or are maintained in the form of a box and, thus, there is a problem in that the assembly takes up substantial space due to a large volume while being stored or moved, e.g., returning.
To overcome this problem, Korean Patent No. 10-1591857 discloses a foldable box assembly pallet system including pallet systems formed by attaching, to pallets, upper and lower portions of foldable box assemblies that are folded to reduce a volume thereof while being stored or moved, e.g., returning and, here, the pallet systems are stacked and, then, a fork of a forklift, etc. as a transport device is inserted between the pallets and is transferred, and the pallets are overlapped on each other and the box assemblies are folded, stacked, and returned after transport is completed.
In Korean Patent No. 10-1591857, generally, a pallet or an upper cover is integrally formed via injection molding using polypropylene (PP).
However, the integrally formed pallet or cover formed of such a resin material has a problem in that the pallet or the cover is frequently damaged when dropped on the floor or upon collision with a fork of a forklift or another pallet/cover.
That is, the pallet or the cover frequently cracks along an edge thereof or support legs frequently break.
In particular, there is a problem in that a damage frequency is very high at a low temperature, like in winter and, in the case of an integrally formed pallet or cover, even if they are partially damaged, the pallet or the cover needs to be entirely replaced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure overcome the above disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present disclosure is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure may not overcome any of the problems described above.
The present disclosure provides a pallet for goods, for enhancing durability and impact resistance.
The present disclosure also provides a pallet for goods, for allowing only a corresponding region to be replaced even if only a region breaks
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a pallet for goods includes a pallet body portion including a honeycomb member and a panel for covering the honeycomb member, an outer frame for surrounding an external portion of the pallet body portion, and a supporting leg installed below the pallet body portion, wherein the supporting leg includes a unit supporting leg with a cavity formed therein and a flange portion extending in a lateral direction, wherein a coupling member connects the flange portion and the outer frame, wherein the outer frame includes an edge frame coupled to an edge of the pallet body portion and a corner connection portion for connecting the edge frame and another adjacent edge frame and arranged at a corner portion of the pallet body portion, wherein the edge frame includes an external wall and a lower accommodation groove provided inward compared with the external wall to accommodate a box, wherein the corner connection portion includes an external wall of the corner connection portion, continuously connected to the external wall of the edge frame, and a lower accommodation groove of the corner connection portion, continuously connected to the lower accommodation groove of the edge frame, wherein the edge frame includes a space portion and a bottom wall of the space portion, and wherein the flange portion is arranged below the outer frame and the coupling member is coupled to the bottom wall of the space portion through the flange portion and connects the supporting leg and the outer frame.
The outer frame may include an insertion space into which an edge of the pallet body portion is inserted and accommodated.
The insertion space may be formed by an upper extension and a lower extension that are provided at upper and lower portions and accommodated on upper and lower surfaces of the pallet body portion, respectively.
One supporting leg may include a plurality of unit supporting legs that is separated from each other and a rib may be formed in the cavity of the unit supporting leg.
The edge frame may further include an internal wall spaced apart from the external wall, the bottom wall provided on a lower surface of the lower accommodation groove, and an inclination surface formed on the internal wall to guide a box to the lower accommodation groove, and the lower accommodation groove may be provided between the external wall and the internal wall.
A first space portion, a second space portion, and a separation rib for separating the first and second space portions may be provided in the internal wall; and the separation rib may include a fixation portion to which a coupling member coupled to a corner connection portion is inserted and fixed.
The corner connection portion may further include an internal wall spaced apart from the external wall, a protrusion coupled to the internal wall of the edge frame, and an inclination surface formed on the internal wall to guide a box to the lower accommodation groove, and the lower accommodation groove may be provided between the external wall and the internal wall.
The pallet for goods may further include insertion holes which are formed on the external wall and the internal wall, respectively, and into which a coupling member for coupling the corner connection portion and the edge frame is inserted, and a plurality of coupling members may be installed at one corner connection portion and has coupling paths that cross each other.
The panel for covering the honeycomb member may include an upper panel for covering an upper surface of the honeycomb member and including a through hole formed to correspond to a location of the cavity of the supporting leg, and a lower panel for covering a lower surface of the honeycomb member and including a through hole formed to correspond to the location of the cavity of the supporting leg.
The plurality of supporting legs may be provided below the pallet body portion, wherein the pallet body portion may include a through hole formed therein, and wherein the cavity provided in the supporting leg may be opened upward through the through hole.
The pallet body portion may include a through hole formed therein, and an upper portion of the supporting leg may extend upward compared with the flange portion and is inserted into the through hole.
The pallet for goods may further include a fixation member that is arranged around the through hole of the honeycomb member and to which a coupling member is inserted and fixed, the fixation member may be installed on the honeycomb member and the upper panel and the lower panel cover the fixation member and the honeycomb member, and the coupling member may be inserted into and may connect the flange portion, the lower panel, and the fixation member.
The fixation member may be shaped like a block to be inserted into separation spaces included in the honeycomb member.
The fixation member may be arranged as a continuous structure to be inserted into and fixed to a through hole of the honeycomb member along an internal edge of the through hole.
Some of the plurality of supporting legs may be coupled to the outer frame.
The flange portion of the supporting leg coupled to the outer frame may be coupled to an internal wall of the outer frame by a coupling member.
According to an aspect of the present disclosure, a pallet for goods including a corner bracket includes a pallet body portion, and an outer frame for surrounding an external portion of the pallet body portion, wherein the outer frame includes an edge frame and a corner connection portion for connecting the edge frame and another adjacent edge frame and arranged at a corner portion between the edge frame and the another adjacent edge frame, wherein the edge frame and the corner connection portion are continuously connected via surface to surface contact, wherein the edge frame includes an external wall and a lower accommodation groove provided inward compared with the external wall to accommodate a box, and wherein the corner connection portion includes an external wall of the corner connection portion, which is continuously connected to the external wall of the edge frame, and a lower accommodation groove of the corner connection portion, which is continuously connected to the lower accommodation groove of the edge frame.
The corner bracket may further include an internal wall spaced apart from the external wall, a lower accommodation groove provided between the external wall and the internal wall, an external insertion hole provided in the external wall and an internal insertion hole, with a coupling member being inserted thereinto and passing therethrough, and a protrusion provided on the internal wall to be inserted into an adjacent opposite structure.
The pallet for goods may further include an insertion guidance channel provided between the external insertion hole and the internal insertion hole and arranged on a bottom wall of a lower accommodation groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

The above and/or other aspects of the present disclosure will be more apparent by describing certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box assembly for delivery, viewed from above, according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a box assembly for delivery, viewed from below, according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a box assembly for delivery, according to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded perspective view showing a coupling portion between a pallet and a box and a coupling portion of the box in a box assembly for delivery in detail according to the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which a corner connection portion is coupled to the pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a state in which a corner connection portion is decoupled to the pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a pallet according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a pallet according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a pallet according to a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 10A and 10B are perspective views of an outer frame used in a pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 10C is a perspective view of a corner connection portion used in a pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 11A is a side view of a corner connection portion used in a pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 11B is a side view of an edge frame used in a pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a state in which a coupling member is coupled to a corner connection portion used in a pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a planar cross-sectional view of a state in which a coupling member is coupled to a corner connection portion used in a pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a supporting leg used in a pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view of a pallet according to the present invention;

FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of a cover member according to the present invention;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a cover member in detail according to the present invention;

FIG. 18A is an exploded side view showing a state in which a cover member is dissembled according to the present invention;

FIG. 18B is a side view of a coupling state of a cover member according to the present invention;

FIGS. 19A and 19B are perspective views showing a state in which pallets are stacked, according to the present invention;

FIGS. 20A and 20B are side views showing a state in which pallets are stacked;

FIG. 21 is an exploded perspective view of a state in which a box is folded in a box assembly for delivery according to the present invention; and

FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing a state in which a plurality of box assemblies for delivery are stacked for package according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

As the invention allows for various changes and numerous embodiments, particular embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and described in detail in the written description
However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to particular modes of practice, and it is to be appreciated that all changes, equivalents, and substitutes that do not depart from the spirit and technical scope of the present invention are encompassed in the present invention.
It will be understood that, although the terms first, second, third etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms.
These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another element.
For example, a first element may be termed a second element and a second element may be termed a first element without departing from the teachings of the present invention.
As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.
It will be understood that when an element is referred to as being “on”, “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it may be directly on, connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present.
In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there are no intervening elements present.
The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present invention.
Singular expressions in the present specification include the plural expressions unless clearly specified otherwise in context.
Terms such as “include” or “comprise” may be construed to denote a certain characteristic, number, step, operation, constituent element, or a combination thereof, but may not be construed to exclude the existence of or a possibility of addition of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, constituent elements, or combinations thereof.
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail by explaining exemplary embodiments of the invention with reference to the attached drawings. The same reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements, and a repeated explanation thereof will not be given.
As shown in FIG. 1, an embodiment of the present invention relates to a pallet for goods 100 (hereinafter referred to as the ‘pallet’) and a box assembly 1 (hereinafter, referred to as the ‘box assembly’) including the pallet 100.
The box assembly 1 may include a box 200 provided in a foldable form, the pallet 100 arranged below the box 200, and a cover member 300 installed on the box 200.
The cover member 300 may include a cover body portion 310 provided with a plate shape, an outer frame 320 that surrounds an external portion of the cover body portion 310, and a supporting leg support 350 installed on an upper surface of the cover body portion 310.
When the box assemblies 1 are stacked as a plurality of layers, a supporting leg 150 of the pallet 100 of the box assembly 1 at an uppermost layer may be inserted into the supporting leg support 350 installed on the cover member 300 of the box assembly 1 at a lowermost layer to fix a position of the supporting leg 150.
The outer frame 320 of the cover member 300 may include edge frames 3210 that are longitudinally arranged along an edge of the cover body portion 310 and corner connection portions 3220 that are arranged at intersection corner portions of the edge frames 3210 and connect the edge frames 3210 arranged to cross each other.
A detailed structure of the cover member 300 will be described below.
The foldable type box 200 may be provided below the cover member 300.
The box 200 may include a plurality of plate portions 210 and a plurality of frame portions 220 that surround an external portion of the plate.
Here, the frame portion 220 may include horizontal frames 221 and vertical frames 222.
A foldable frame 230 may be installed between the vertical frame 222 and the adjacent vertical frames 222 to fold the box 200.
A handle portion 240 may be provided on the plate portion 210 and, thus, a worker may grip the handle portion 240 and may hold the box assembly 1.
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the pallet 100 may be installed below the box assembly 1.
A lower edge of the box 200 is accommodated in an installation portion (not shown) installed on the pallet 100 and, thus, the box 200 may be installed and fixed on the pallet 100.
As shown in FIG. 2, the pallet 100 may include a pallet body portion 110, an outer frame 120 that surrounds an external portion of the pallet body portion 110, and the supporting leg 150 installed on a lower surface of the pallet body portion 110.
The supporting leg 150 may include a plurality of support legs that are spaced apart from each other on the lower surface of the pallet body portion 110.
Although FIG. 2 illustrates the case in which nine supporting legs are present, one leg is arranged in a central portion, and eight legs are arranged at edge portions, respectively, it would be understood that the number is changed according to the size of the box assembly 1 or the pallet 100.
Each of the supporting legs 150 may include a plurality of unit supporting legs 151 and a flange portion 152 that extends in an outward direction thereof.
One supporting leg 150 may be divided into the plurality of unit supporting legs 151 to distribute load and, even if one unit supporting leg 151 breaks and is not capable of functioning, the other intact unit supporting legs 151 may function as a support.
Conventionally, a supporting leg is provided with a single tube shape (a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape) and, thus, when the supporting leg breaks and does not function as a support due to shock, there is a problem in that a box assembly is crooked and is entirely inclined.
As such, when any one of supporting legs breaks and is not capable of functioning, an entire pallet needs to be replaced.
However, according to the present invention, the supporting leg 150 may include the plurality of unit supporting leg 151 and, thus, even if any one of the unit supporting legs 151 breaks, the other unit supporting legs 151 may function as a support.
The supporting leg is divided into a plurality of legs and, thus, load is appropriately distributed to support relatively heavy goods compared with the conventional supporting leg provided with a single tube shape.
In addition, the supporting leg 150 is coupled to the pallet body portion 110 rather than being integrated with the pallet body portion 110 and, thus, when one supporting leg 150 completely breaks and does not function as a support, only the corresponding portion may be advantageously replaced.
The supporting leg 150 may include the flange portion 152.
The flange portion 152 is a region with a coupling member (not shown) coupled thereto when the supporting leg 150 and the pallet body portion 110 are connected or the supporting leg 150 and the outer frame 120 are connected.
Accordingly, the flange portion 152 may be provided to surface-contact a lower surface of the pallet body portion 110 or a lower surface of the outer frame 120.
An extension length of the flange portion 152 may be changed according to a region of the pallet body portion 110, on which the supporting leg 150 is installed.
For example, in the case of the supporting leg 150 (150 a) installed on the center of the pallet body portion 110, an extension length of the flange portion 152 may be uniform in all directions.
When the supporting leg 150 (150 b) is positioned at a corner region of the pallet body portion 110, an extension length of the flange portion 152 in a direction toward two sides forming the corresponding corner may be greater than an extension length of the flange portion 152 in a direction toward other portions.
In addition, the flange portion 152 of the supporting leg 150 (150 c) installed on an intermediate portion of an edge of the pallet body portion 110 may extend with a relatively great length in an outer edge direction, i.e., in one direction and may extend with a relatively small length in the other three directions.
Ribs 1521 that are separated from each other may be formed on a lower surface of the flange portion 152 and, in this regard, the ribs 1521 may reduce a weight and ensure strength while maintaining a thickness of the flange portion 152 to some extent.
As shown in FIG. 3, the cover member 300, the box 200, and the pallet 100 may be detachably provided.
An edge of a lower surface of the cover member 300 may be accommodated in an edge of an upper surface of the box 200, and an edge of a lower surface of the box 200 is accommodated in an edge of an upper surface of the pallet 100 to complete assembly.
To this end, the outer frame 320 of the cover member 300 may include upper accommodation grooves 3213 and 3223 (refer to FIG. 17) into which an upper edge of the box 200 is inserted and accommodated and the outer frame 120 of the pallet 100 may also include lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 into which a lower edge of the box 200 is inserted and accommodated.
The foldable frames 230 of the box 200 may be provided and arranged at corners of the box 200 and front and rear portions of the box 200 with respect to FIG. 3, respectively. The handle portions 240 may be arranged at upper portions of opposite lateral surfaces of the box 200.
The supporting leg supports 350 formed on an upper surface of the cover member 300 may be arranged on a central portion, corners, and intermediate portions of an edge of the cover body portion 310, which may be changed according to the size of the box assembly 1.
An uppermost surface of the pallet body portion 110 of the pallet 100 may be formed in a planar shape, only portions of the pallet body portion 110, at which the supporting leg 150 is positioned, may be opened, and cavities 1511 in the supporting legs may be viewed through the opened portions.
The cavities 1511 are exposed upward and, thus, the plurality of pallets 100 may be accumulated and stacked.
The cavities 1511 may be formed in the unit supporting legs 151, respectively.
Coupling members (not shown) may be installed around the supporting leg 150 to couple the supporting leg 150 and the pallet body portion 110 and to couple the supporting leg 150 and the outer frame 120.
The supporting legs 150 installed on the pallet 100 may be arranged on a central portion, corners, and intermediate portions of an edge of the pallet body portion 110, which is changed according to the size of the box assembly 1.
Although the drawing illustrates a box assembly with a square plane of, for example, 1140 mm×1140 mm, it would be understood that a box assembly shaped like a square plane and a rectangular plane with a small or large size is within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a detailed diagram of an exploded perspective view shown in FIG. 3.
Here, the box 200 may include a plate portion 210 and a frame 220 that surrounds the plate portion 210.
The frame 220 may be re-divided into the vertical frame 222 and the horizontal frame 221.
The foldable frame 230 may be provided between the vertical frame 222 and the vertical frame 222 at a folded region of the box 200 and may connect neighboring vertical frames 222 coupled to the plate portions 210.
As shown in a right enlarged circle of FIG. 4 in detail, the foldable frame 230 that is arranged in a perpendicular direction may be installed between the vertical frame 222 installed on the left plate portion 210 and the vertical frame 222 installed on the right plate portion 210.
A side end of the vertical frame 222 may be slidably coupled to a side end of the foldable frame 230.
To this end, the side end of the vertical frame 222 and a side end of the foldable frame 230 may be embodied as male and female slide rails.
A left enlarged circle of FIG. 4 shows a state in which a lower edge of the box 200 is inserted into and accommodated in the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 provided in the outer frame 120 of the pallet 100.
All of the upper accommodation grooves 3213 and 3223 (refer to FIG. 17) of the cover member 300 or the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 of the pallet 100 may be provided in the form of a continuous groove along an edge and may be shaped to correspond to the shape of the box 200.
That is, the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 and the upper accommodation grooves 3213 and 3223 may form a continuous closed loop along sides and corners of upper surfaces of the outer frames 120 and 320.
As such, a box edge is inserted into and caught by the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 and the upper accommodation grooves 3213 and 3223 and, thus, the cover member 300 or the pallet 100 may be prevented from being separated from the box in a horizontal direction.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a state in which the pallet 100 is assembled.
As shown in FIG. 5, the outer frame 120 is installed at an edge of the pallet body portion 110.
The outer frame 120 may include edge frames 121 installed at sides of an edge of the pallet body portion 110 and a corner connection portion 122 that is positioned at a corner portion of the pallet 100 and connects the two edge frames 121 arranged to cross each other.
A first boundary region 121 a provided with an inclined shape and a second boundary region 121 b that is connected to the first boundary region 121 a and extends in an outward direction may be provided at an end of the edge frames 121.
The first boundary regions 121 a of the two edge frames 121 that are adjacent to each other and are perpendicularly arranged to each other may contact and face each other.
The second boundary regions 121 b of the two edge frames that are adjacent to each other and are perpendicularly arranged to each other may be spaced apart from each other and a corner space CS (refer to FIG. 6) may be formed between the second boundary regions 121 b.
As shown in FIG. 6, the corner connection portion 122 may be positioned in the corner space CS.
The edge frame 121 may include a lower accommodation groove 1213, an external wall 1211 positioned outside the lower accommodation groove 1213, an internal wall 1212 positioned inside the lower accommodation groove 1213, and a bottom wall 1214 positioned below the lower accommodation groove 1213.
In addition, the corner connection portion 122 may also include a lower accommodation groove 1223, an external wall 1221 positioned outside the lower accommodation groove 1223, an internal wall 1222 positioned inside the lower accommodation groove 1223, and a bottom wall 1224 positioned below the lower accommodation groove 1223.
The corner connection portion 122 may connect the edge frames 121 that are adjacent to each other.
Thereby, the lower accommodation groove 1213 of the edge frame 121 and the lower accommodation groove 1223 of the corner connection portion 122 may be connected to each other, the internal wall 1212 of the edge frame 121 and the internal wall 1222 of the corner connection portion 122 may be connected to each other, and the external wall 1211 of the edge frame 121 and the internal wall 1222 of the corner connection portion 122 may be connected to each other.
Accordingly, the box 200 may be stably accommodated in the lower accommodation groove 1213 of the edge frame 121 and the lower accommodation groove 1223 of the corner connection portion 122.
Space portions 1221 a, 1222 a, and 1222 b may be formed in each of the internal wall 1222 and the external wall 1221 of the edge frame 121 and a protrusion 1225 may be provided on the corner connection portion 122.
Accordingly, when the corner connection portion 122 is positioned in the corner space CS, the protrusion 1225 may be inserted into the space portions 1221 a, 1222 a, and 1222 b of the internal wall 1212 and the external wall 1211 of the edge frame 121.
Although not shown, a space portion may be formed in the corner connection portion 122 and a protrusion may be formed on the edge frame 121 or vice versa.
As such, in a state in which the edge frame 121 and the corner connection portion 122 are coupled, a coupling member 123 may be inserted in a direction toward the corner connection portion 122 and, then, is deeply inserted and is coupled in a direction toward the edge frame 121.
Thereby, the edge frame 121 and the corner connection portion 122 may be fixed to each other.
As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, an uppermost surface of the pallet 100 may be formed in a planar shape and only a portion of the pallet 100, at which the supporting leg 150 is installed, may be exposed through upper portions of the cavities 1511.
Here, an area ratio of the cavities 1511 may be small compared with an entire area of a pallet.
Accordingly, the possibility that most goods enter the cavities 1511 may be low and most goods may be stably positioned. In addition, the cavities 1511 are separated in equal number to the number of the unit supporting legs 151 and, thus, an area of an entrance is small compared with a cavity of a supporting leg provided with a single tube shape according to the related art.
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the pallet 100 according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
The pallet 100 may largely include the pallet body portion 110, the outer frame 120, and the supporting leg 150. For clear illustration, the supporting leg 150 and the coupling member 123 (refer to FIG. 6) for coupling the supporting leg 150 are omitted from the drawing.
According to the first embodiment of the pallet 100 shown in FIG. 7, the pallet body portion 110 may include a honeycomb member 111 at a central portion thereof, and an upper surface panel 112 and a lower surface panel 113 that are positioned on an upper surface and a lower surface of the honeycomb member 111 to cover the upper and lower surfaces.
The honeycomb member 111 may include a plurality of barrier ribs shaped like a honeycomb and spaces separated thereby and may be a member that is capable of withstanding upper and lower impacts or load.
The honeycomb member 111 may be formed of paper impregnated with aluminum, plastic, or resin but is not limited thereto.
The upper surface panel 112 and the lower surface panel 113 may be formed of a metallic plate, a plastic plate, or the like without being limited thereto.
A first through hole 111 a may be formed in a portion of the honeycomb member 111, on which a supporting leg is installed, to expose the cavities 1511 (refer to FIG. 5) of the supporting leg 150 (refer to FIG. 5) through the first through hole 111 a.
Objects corresponding to shapes of spaces divided from the honeycomb member 111 may be inserted and fixed around the first through hole 111 a.
The upper surface panel 112, the honeycomb member 111, and the lower surface panel 113 may be coupled to form the pallet body portion 110, the outer frame 120 may be installed outside the pallet body portion 110 and, then, the coupling member 163 (refer to FIG. 15) for fixing the supporting leg 150 (refer to FIG. 5) to the pallet body portion 110 and the outer frame 120 may be required.
The coupling member 163 (refer to FIG. 15) may include a screw, a rivet, or the like and objects corresponding to shapes of spaces divided from the honeycomb member 111 may be inserted and fixed around the first through hole 111 a to be coupled to the coupling member 163 and to function as a nut or a support.
This may be defined as a fixation member 170 a.
When spaces divided from the honeycomb member 111 are shaped like a hexagon, the fixation member 170 a may have a hexagonal shape. However, the fixation member 170 a may be provided with other shapes.
Through holes 111 a, 112 a, and 113 a may be installed to be spaced apart from each other in central portions and edge portions of the honeycomb member 111, the upper surface panel 112, and the lower surface panel 113.
For convenience of description, the through hole formed in the honeycomb member 111 is defined as the first through hole 111 a, the through hole formed in the upper surface panel 112 is defined as the second through hole 112 a, and the through hole formed in the lower surface panel 113 is defined as the third through hole 113 a.
A fixation member 170 a according to the first embodiment may be arranged around the first through hole 111 a.
For example, a minimum of four fixation members 170 a may be arranged along four sides of the first through hole 111 a around the first through hole 111 a at a central portion and a minimum of two fixation members 170 a may be arranged along two internal sides of the first through hole 111 a around the first through hole 111 a at a corner portion.
In addition, a minimum of three fixation members 170 a may be arranged along three internal sides of the first through hole 111 a around the first through hole 111 a at an intermediate portion of an outer edge of the honeycomb member 111.
A coupling guidance hole 113 b may be formed around the third through hole 113 a of the lower surface panel 113 to allow the coupling member 163 (refer to FIG. 15) to pass through the coupling guidance hole 113 b.
The fixation member 170 a may not be installed at two external sides around the first through hole 111 a at a corner portion and an external side of the first through hole 111 a at an intermediate portion of an outer edge of the honeycomb member 111.
In this case, the coupling member 163 may be coupled directly to the outer frame 120.
Although described below, an insertion space 1215 into which an outer edge of the honeycomb member 111 is inserted may be formed in the edge frame 121 included in the outer frame 120.
The insertion space 1215 may be formed by the internal wall 1212, an upper extension 1215 a that extends in an inward direction (in a direction toward an edge of a honeycomb member) from an upper surface of the internal wall 1212, and a lower extension 1215 b that extends in an inward direction (in a direction toward an edge of a honeycomb member) from a lower surface of the internal wall 1212.
Accordingly, an outer edge of the honeycomb member 111 may be inserted into and fixed to the insertion space 1215.
In this state, the corner connection portion 122 may be arranged in an intersection direction and arranged in a corner space between the two adjacent edge frames 121 to connect the two edge frames 121.
FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the pallet 100 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
The first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 are different from each other in that each fixation member 170 a is configured in a small block form to correspond to a divided space of the honeycomb member 111 according to the first embodiment but the fixation members 170 a are continuously arranged at an edge of a first through hole 111 b according to the second embodiment.
However, a configuration of a fixation member opposite to an outer edge of the honeycomb member 111 may be omitted because the coupling member 163 (refer to FIG. 15) is coupled directly to the outer frame 120.
For example, the ‘
’-shaped fixation member 170 b may be installed around the first through hole 111 b at a center.
The ‘
’ or ‘
’-shaped fixation member 170 b may be installed at four corner portions. In addition, the ‘
’-shaped fixation member 170 b may be installed at four intermediate portions of an outer edge.
Except for the above description, the second embodiment is the same as the first embodiment and, thus, a repeated description will be not given here.
FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the pallet 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
The first embodiment shown in FIG. 7 and the second embodiment shown in FIG. 8 are different from the third embodiment shown in FIG. 9 in that all fixation members 170 c are ‘
’-shaped and are arranged around first through holes 111 c, respectively.
In this case, all the fixation members 170 c are manufactured in the same shape to reduce manufacturing costs compared with in the second embodiment.
To this end, the honeycomb member 111 may be provided with a ‘#’-shape.
Except for the first through hole 111 c at a center, the first through holes 111 c at corner portions and the first through holes 111 c at intermediate portions of an edge may be opened in an outer direction.
When the fixation members 170 c are installed on the honeycomb member 111 and the outer frame 120 is coupled, portions of the fixation members 170 c at an edge of the honeycomb member 111 (which is an edge portion at which a fixation member is not installed) and corners and an intermediate portion of an edge of the honeycomb member 111 may be inserted and fixed to the insertion space 1215 of the outer frame 120.
Except for the above description, the third embodiment is the same as the first and second embodiments and, thus, a repeated description will be not given here.
FIGS. 10A to 10C are diagrams showing a configuration of the outer frame 120.
FIGS. 10A and 10B are diagrams showing a state in which the edge frame 121 and the corner connection portion 122 are coupled in the outer frame 120.
In a state in which the edge frame 121 and the corner connection portion 122 are coupled, the edge frames 121 and the corner connection portion 122 may be continuously connected via surface to surface contact.
That is, the lower accommodation groove 1213 of the edge frames 121 and the lower accommodation groove 1223 of the corner connection portion 122 are continuously connected, the external wall 1211 of the edge frames 121 and the external wall 1221 of the corner connection portion 122 are continuously connected, and the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 and the internal wall 1222 of the corner connection portion 122 are continuously connected.
Here, inclination surfaces 1212 f and 1222 f that are inclined toward the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223 may be formed at an upper edge of the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 and an upper edge of the internal wall 1222 of the corner connection portion 122.
When a lower edge of a box enters the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223, the lower edge may be in contact with the inclination surfaces 1212 f and 1222 f to be smoothly moved in a direction toward the lower accommodation grooves 1213 and 1223.
FIG. 10C is a perspective view of the corner connection portion 122.
The internal wall 1222 and the external wall 1221 of the corner connection portion 122 may be each bent in a shape of ‘
’ on a plane view and the lower accommodation groove 1223 between the internal wall 1222 and the external wall 1221 may also be bent in a shape of ‘
’ on a plane view.
The protrusion 1225 may be provided on an inner surface of the internal wall 1222 and may be a portion inserted into a lateral surface of the edge frame 121.
The protrusions 1225 may be arranged toward different parts to be coupled to the edge frames 121 in different directions, respectively.
Each of the protrusions 1225 may include a first protrusion 1225 a and a second protrusion 1225 b, an separation space 1225 c shaped like a slit may be formed between the first and second protrusions 1225 a and 1225 b, and a space portion 1225 d shaped like a circle may be formed at a center of the interval portion.
A height of the first protrusion 1225 a may be greater than a height of the second protrusion 1225 b and an upper lateral surface of the first protrusion 1225 a may be inclined to smoothly couple the first protrusion 1225 a and the second protrusion 1225 b to each other because an internal height of a first space portion 1212 a on the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 is higher than a height of a second space portion 1212 b and the upper lateral surface is inclined.
The separation space 1225 c between the first and second protrusions 1225 a and 1225 b may be a portion into which a separation rib 1212 c in the internal wall 1212 of a lateral surface of the edge frames 121 is inserted and the space portion 1225 d shaped like a circle (or shaped like a C) may be a portion into which the coupling member 123 (refer to FIG. 12) for coupling the edge frames 121 and the corner connection portion 122 is inserted.
For insertion of the coupling member 123, at different surfaces of the corner connection portion 122, an external insertion hole 1221 a may be formed in the external wall 1221, an internal insertion hole 1222 a may be formed in the internal wall 1222, and an insertion guidance channel 1223 a, a bottom of which is dug down, may be provided between the external insertion hole 1221 a and the internal insertion hole 1222 a.
The insertion guidance channel 1223 a may be formed in such a way that the bottom wall 1224 of the lower accommodation groove 1223 is slightly dug down.
In addition, the two insertion guidance channels 1223 a may be arranged to cross each other.
The internal insertion hole 1222 a may be connected to the aforementioned circular space portion 1225 d.
FIG. 11A is a side view of the corner connection portion 122 and FIG. 11B is a side view of the edge frame 121 coupled thereto.
As shown in FIG. 11A, the lower accommodation groove 1223 may be provided between an internal wall and the external wall 1221 of the corner connection portion 122 and the bottom wall 1224 may be provided below the lower accommodation groove 1223.
Space portions may be formed in the external wall 1221, the internal wall 1222, and the bottom wall 1224, respectively, to enhance strength and reduce weight.
The aforementioned inclination surface 1222 f may be formed on the upper edge of the internal wall 1222.
The separation space 1225 c may be formed between the first protrusion 1225 a and the second protrusion 1225 b and the space portion 1225 d shaped like a circle (or shaped like a C) may be formed in the separation space 1225 c.
As described above, the internal insertion hole 1222 a and the space portion 1225 d shaped like a circle (or shaped like a C) may be connected and, in this case, an internal diameter of the internal insertion hole 1222 a may be smaller than an internal diameter of the space portion 1225 d shaped like a circle (or shaped like a C).
This configuration may be used to catch a head portion 123 a of the coupling member 123 (refer to FIG. 12) that enters the internal insertion hole 1222 a through the external insertion hole 1221 a to prevent the coupling member 123 from entering inward any farther.
The edge frame 121 may also include the external wall 1211, the internal wall 1212, the lower accommodation groove 1213, and the bottom wall 1214 below the lower accommodation groove 1213.
The upper extension 1215 a and the lower extension 1215 b may extend in an inward direction (in a direction toward a honeycomb member) from upper and lower surfaces of the internal wall 1212.
The insertion space 1215 may be formed between the upper extension 1215 a and the lower extension 1215 b and an edge of the honeycomb member 111 (refer to FIG. 7) may be inserted into the insertion space 1215.
The inclination surface 1212 f may also be formed on an upper edge of the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 to form a downward inclination surface in a direction toward the lower accommodation groove 1213.
A space portion of the internal wall 1212 may be divided into the first space portion 1212 a and the second space portion 1212 b, and the first space portion 1212 a and the second space portion 1212 b may be separated by the separation rib 1212 c.
A fixation portion 1212 d to which a body portion 123 b of the coupling member 123 (refer to FIG. 12) passing through the corner connection portion 122 is inserted and fixed may have a C-shape in the separation rib 1212 c.
An internal height of the first space portion 1212 a in the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 may be higher than a height of the second space portion 1212 b.
The height of the second space portion 1212 b is smaller than the height of the first space portion 1212 a because a thickness of a bottom wall of the second space portion 1212 b is greater than a thickness of a bottom wall of the first space portion 1212 a.
As such, the thickness of the bottom wall of the second space portion 1212 b is thick to arrange the flange portion 152 of the supporting leg 150 below the second space portion 1212 b and to stably couple a body portion 163 b of the coupling member 163 (refer to FIG. 15) of the supporting leg 150 passing through the flange portion 152 to the bottom wall of the second space portion 1212 b in the future.
If the bottom wall of the second space portion 1212 b is thin like the bottom wall of the first space portion 1212 a, there is a problem in that the coupling member 163 is externally separated and, thus, supporting of the supporting leg 150 is released due to weak force of the coupling member 163 of the supporting leg 150, which attracts the body portion 163 b.
As shown in FIG. 12, in a state in which the corner connection portion 122 is inserted between the edge frames 121 arranged to cross each other, the coupling members 123 may be inserted.
The coupling members 123 may also be inserted to cross each other.
The coupling member 123 may connect the corner connection portion 122 and the edge frames 121 through the external insertion hole 1221 a, the insertion guidance channel 1223 a, and the internal insertion hole 1222 a of the corner connection portion 122.
In more detail, as shown in FIG. 13, one coupling member 123 may be moved toward the external insertion hole 1221 a, the insertion guidance channel 1223 a, and the internal insertion hole 1222 a
In particular, the body portion 123 b (a screw thread is formed on an outer circumferential surface of the body portion 123 b) of the coupling member 123 may pass through the internal insertion hole 1222 a and the circular space portion 1225 d shown in FIGS. 10 and 11 and, then, may be coupled to the fixation portion 1212 d on the internal wall 1212 of the edge frame 121 shown in FIG. 12.
However, a diameter of the head portion 123 a of the coupling member 123 is greater than that of the body portion 123 b and, thus, the head portion 123 a may be caught by an edge of the internal insertion hole 1222 a formed in the internal wall 1222 of the corner connection portion 122, may not enter any farther, and may be fixed at a current location.
When one coupling member 123 is completely coupled using the above method, another coupling member 123 that is inserted to cross the former coupling member 123 may be coupled in the same way.
Needless to say, although the two the coupling members 123 are coupled to cross each other, locations at which the coupling members 123 are completely coupled may be lastly spaced apart from each other without interfering with each other. This is because the internal insertion holes 1222 a formed in one corner connection portion 122 are adjacent to each other while being spaced apart from each other.
The first boundary regions 121 a of the two edge frames 121 may contact each other and the unit supporting leg 151 included in the supporting leg 150 may be arranged on the pallet body portion 110 to position the cavities 1511.
A rib 1512 may be formed in each of the cavities 1511 and portions of the rib 1512 may be provided to cross each other to enhance strength.
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing the supporting leg 150.
As described above, the supporting leg 150 may include a plurality of unit supporting legs 151 and the flange portion 152 that extends in a lateral direction of the supporting leg.
An uppermost portion of the supporting leg 150 may protrude slightly upward compared with the flange portion 152 to be inserted into through holes 110 a; 111 a, 112 a, and 113 a of the pallet body portion 110.
In addition, coupling holes 152 a may be formed in the flange portion 152 and, thus, the coupling members 163 (refer to FIG. 15) for coupling the supporting legs 150 and the pallet body portion 110 may be inserted into the coupling holes 152 a.
An upper surface of the flange portion 152 may be provided with a smooth plane shape and, as shown in FIG. 2, a lower surface of the flange portion 152 may be divided by the ribs 1521 (refer to FIG. 2).
An extension length of the flange portion 152 that extends from the supporting leg 150 (150 a) at a center may be uniform in all directions.
An extension length of the flange portion 152 that extends from the supporting leg 150 (150 b) at each corner portion may be longer than other portions to increase a supporting area.
The outer frame 120 needs to be coupled to a portion of the flange portion 152, which extends in a direction toward an edge, and, thus, a portion that extends in an edge direction needs to be wider than other portions to smoothen coupling and distribute load.
Viewed from above, a plurality of unit supporting legs 151 is separated and, thus, an entrance area of the cavity 1511 may also be reduced in equal number to the separated number.
Accordingly, goods except for goods with a smaller size than an entrance area of the cavity 1511 of the unit supporting leg 151 may be prevented from entering the cavity 1511.
Here, each of the unit supporting legs 151 may have a truncated quadrangular pyramid shape and a lateral corner 151 a may be shaped like an inclination surface or a chamfer.
FIG. 15 is a side view showing a state in which the pallet body portion 110, the outer frame 120, and the supporting leg 150 are coupled on the pallet 100.
The case in which the supporting leg 150 (150 b/150 c) arranged to be adjacent to an outer side, i.e., an edge side of the pallet body portion 110 is fixed will be described below.
A relatively long extension portion of the flange portion 152 of the supporting leg 150 may be closely attached to a lower surface of the outer frame 120 and a relatively short extension portion may be closely attached to a lower surface of the pallet body portion 110.
The coupling member 163 may be coupled to the fixation members 170; 170 a to 170 c that are each installed at the honeycomb member 111 and the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121 of the outer frame 120.
The coupling member 163 may be provided in the form of a screw and may include a head portion 163 a and the body portion 163 b with a screw thread formed on an outer circumferential surface thereof.
The coupling member 163 that is lastly fixed to the outer frame 120 may pass through the flange portion 152 of the supporting leg 150 and, then, may be installed through a bottom wall of the second space portion 1212 b of the internal wall 1212 of the edge frames 121.
In addition, the head portion 163 a may be caught by and fixed to a lower surface of the flange portion 152.
As described above, the bottom wall of the second space portion 1212 b is formed to be thicker than other parts to support the body portion 163 b of the coupling member 163 by a relatively wide area.
The coupling member 163 that is lastly fixed to the fixation members 170 installed on the honeycomb member 111 may be inserted into the lower surface panel 113 and the fixation members 170 through the flange portion 152.
The head portion 163 a may be caught by and the fixed to a lower surface of the flange portion 152.
In the case of the supporting leg 150 (150 a) installed at a center or inside the pallet body portion 110, all of the coupling members 163 may be lastly coupled and fixed to the fixation members 170 on the honeycomb member 111.
That is, the coupling member 163 for fixing the supporting leg 150 (150 a) installed at a center or inside the pallet body portion 110 may be inserted into the lower surface panel 113 and the fixation members 170 through the flange portion 152.
The head portion 163 a may be caught by and fixed to a lower surface of the flange portion 152.
All of the supporting legs 150 may be detachably fixed to the pallet body portion 110 and the outer frame 120 through the coupling member 163.
Accordingly, when some of the supporting legs 150 are seriously damaged and need to be replaced, the coupling member 163 connected to the damaged supporting legs 150 may be released, the damaged supporting legs 150 may be separated, and the new supporting legs 150 may be installed at a corresponding location.
The rib 1512 may be arranged at a bottom surface and an internal wall of the cavities 1511 in the unit supporting leg 151 and the plurality of ribs 1512 may be provided to be arranged in the form of ‘#’ as viewed from the above, as shown in FIG. 13.
The rib 1512 may enhance strength of the unit supporting leg 151 and may distribute load.
The flange portion 152 may be arranged on a lower surface of the outer frame 120 or may be arranged below a lower panel of the pallet body portion 110.
Accordingly, the lower surface of the outer frame 120 and the flange portion 152 may form a step difference and, also, the lower surface panel 113 of the pallet body portion 110 and the flange portion 152 may form a step difference.
When the pallets 100 that form a step difference are stacked to form layers, the pallet body portion 110 at an upper level and the pallet body portion 110 at a lower level may be spaced apart from each other, a fork of a forklift may enter this space or a worker may grip the pallets 100 to advantageously lift the pallet 100).
That is, in the case of a conventional cumulative pallet, when there is no step difference and pallets form a multilayer structure, there is no gap between pallet body portions or the interval is dense and, thus, a fork of a forklift is not capable of being inserted into the gap or the worker is not capable of gripping the pallet and the pallet is not capable of being easily lifted.
However, according to the present invention, such the gap may be formed to enhance workability for lifting a pallet.
FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the cover member 300.
The cover member 300 may include the cover body portion 310, the supporting leg support 350 arranged on a plurality of installation portions 311 of a lower surface of the cover body portion 310, and the outer frame 320 that surrounds an outer edge of the cover body portion 310.
Although the case in which the installation portions 311 are provided in the form of groove is illustrated, any structure may be used as long as the supporting leg support 350 is fixed and coupled (e.g., a protrusion, an uneven portion, and a coupling structure).
The outer frame 320 may include an edge frame 321 installed on an edge side of the cover body portion 310 and a corner connection portion 322 for connecting the edge frames 321 that are arranged in a perpendicular direction and installed at a corner portion of the cover body portion 310.
Here, structures of the edge frame 321 and the corner connection portion 322 are similar to structures of the edge frames 121 and the corner connection portion 122 of the aforementioned pallet except that the upper accommodation grooves 3213 and 3223 (refer to FIG. 17) are arranged downward.
The installation portions 311 formed on an upper surface of the cover body portion 310 may not completely penetrate in a vertical direction unlike the through holes 110 a; 111 a, 112 a, and 113 a of the pallet body portion 110 and a portion of an upper surface of the installation portions 311 may be dug down by a predetermined depth.
Accordingly, the depth of the installation portions 311 may be smaller than the thickness of the cover body portion 310.
When the supporting leg support 350 is arranged on the installation portion 311, a coupling member 173 may be inserted from below to fix the supporting leg support 350 to the cover body portion 310.
When box assembly structures are stacked as a multilayer structure, the supporting leg support 350 may support the supporting leg 150 of the pallet of the box assembly structure at an upper layer from shaking in right and left directions.
Accordingly, the supporting leg supports 350 may also be arranged along inner and outer edges of the cover body portion 310 according to arrangement of the supporting legs 150.
Like in the case in which one supporting leg 150 is divided into a plurality of unit supporting legs 151, one supporting leg support 350 may also be divided into a plurality of unit supporting portions 351 and each of the unit supporting portions 351 may be separated from each other by a separator 352.
Here, as a representative example, the unit supporting portion 351 may be configured in the form of a groove but any form (e.g., a protrusion or an uneven portion) other than a groove may be used as long as coupling with the unit supporting legs 151 or movement of the unit supporting leg 151 is limited.
Accordingly, the number of the unit supporting legs 151 included in one supporting leg 150 and the number of the unit supporting portions 351 included in one supporting leg support 350 may be the same.
Here, although the case in which the separator 352 is formed as a cross (+) is illustrated, the present invention is not limited thereto.
FIG. 17 is a more detailed exploded perspective view of FIG. 16.
The cover body portion 310 may be formed of a plurality of stacked sheets of plywood, wood plates, or plastic plates. However, the cover body portion 310 may be formed of staves and, also, may be formed of an upper and lower panel that covers a honeycomb member and upper and lower portions thereof like a pallet.
However, FIG. 17 shows the case in which a plurality of plates is stacked.
The installation portions 311 may be formed on an upper surface of the plates and, for example, one installation portion 311 may be installed at a center, four installation portions 311 may be installed at corner portions, and four installation portions 311 may be installed at intermediate portions of an edge.
This may be variably changed according to the size of a box assembly structure and the size of a cover member.
Insertion holes 312 may be formed in edge portions of the installation portions 311 and may be holes into which the coupling member 173 (refer to FIG. 16) for fixing the supporting leg support 350 is inserted, which will be described below in detail with reference to FIGS. 18A and 18B.
The edge frame 321 may be arranged at an outer edge of the cover body portion 310 and the corner connection portion 322 may be formed in a corner space between the edge frame 321 and the edge frame 321.
As described above, a structure of the edge frame 321 installed on the cover member 300 is similar to the edge frames 121 of a pallet and the corner connection portion 322 installed on a cover member is similar to a structure of the corner connection portion 122 of the pallet.
That is, the edge frame 321 may include an external wall 3211, an internal wall 3212, the upper accommodation groove 3213 formed between the external wall 3211 and the internal wall 3212, and an upper wall 3214 formed above the upper accommodation groove 3213.
The edge frame 321 may include an upper extension 3215 a and a lower extension 3215 b that extend inward (in a direction toward a cover body portion) from upper and lower surfaces of the internal wall 3212 and an insertion space 3215 into which an edge of the cover body portion 310 is inserted may be provided between the upper extension 3215 a and the lower extension 3215 b.
A first boundary region 321 a that is inclined (tapered) and a second boundary region 321 b connected to the first boundary region 321 a and arranged in a horizontal direction (in a direction perpendicular to an extension direction of an edge frame) may be provided at opposite end portions of the edge frame 321.
The first boundary regions 321 a of the edge frame 321 of the cover member 300, which are adjacent to each other, may contact each other like a connection structure of the edge frames 121 of the pallet 100
In the cover member 300, a space portion may also be formed in the external wall 3211 and the internal wall 3212 of the edge frame 321 and the space portion of the internal wall 3212 may include a first space portion and a second space portion which are separated by a separation rib.
A fixation portion into which a coupling member 183 for coupling the corner connection portion 322 and the edge frame 321 is inserted and fixed may be formed in the separation rib and the fixation portion may also have a C-shape like the fixation portion 1212 d of the edge frame 121 of the pallet 100 but the present invention is not limited thereto.
The corner connection portion 322 of the cover member 300 may also include an external wall 3221, an internal wall 3222, a lower installation portion 3223 between the external wall 3221 and the internal wall 3222, an upper wall 3224 above the installation portion 3223, and a protrusion 3225 formed on a lateral surface of the internal wall 3222 and coupled to a lateral surface of the edge frame 321.
An external insertion hole may be formed in the external wall 3221 and an internal insertion hole may be formed in the internal wall 3222, the coupling member 183 may be inserted into the external insertion hole and the internal insertion hole, and the corner connection portion 322 and the edge frame 321 may be lastly connected.
All the detailed configurations and coupling relations are the same as those of the corner connection portion 122 of the pallet 100 and the edge frames 121 of the pallet 100 shown in FIGS. 10 to 13 except that the upper accommodation groove 3223 of the corner connection portion 322 and the upper accommodation groove 3213 of the edge frame 321 are formed downward and, thus, a repeated description will not be given here.
FIG. 18A is an exploded side view showing a state in which the supporting leg support 350 is being installed on the cover body portion 310. FIG. 18B is a coupling side view showing a state in which the supporting leg support 350 is completely installed on the cover body portion 310.
A boss portion 353 into which a body portion 173 b of the coupling member 173 is inserted and coupled may be formed in a lower region of the supporting leg support 350 and a coupling hole 354 with a screw thread formed in an internal surface thereof may be formed in the boss portion 353.
The boss portion 353 may be arranged around the unit supporting portions 351 and may extend downward by a predetermined length.
In addition, the boss portion 353 may be arranged on the insertion holes 312 formed on the installation portions 311.
The insertion hole 312 may extend through a lower surface of the cover body portion 310 and may be formed as a two-step structure.
The insertion hole 312 may include a small diameter portion 312 b and a large diameter portion 312 a, the large diameter portion 312 a may be formed on a lower surface of the cover body portion 310, and the small diameter portion 312 b may be disposed on the large diameter portion 312 a and may extend to the installation portions 311.
In a state in which the supporting leg support 350 is placed on the installation portions 311, when the coupling member 173 is inserted from a lower surface of the cover body portion 310, the body portion 173 b of the coupling member 173 may be inserted into and fixed to the coupling hole 354 provided in the boss portion 353 through the large diameter portion 312 a and the small diameter portion 312 b of the insertion hole 312.
A head portion 173 a of the coupling member 173 may be caught by an entrance edge of the small diameter portion 312 b and may not enter an entrance any farther.
As such, the supporting leg support 350 and the cover body portion 310 may be coupled to each other and, thus, the coupling member 173 for fixing the supporting leg support 350 may not be exposed through an upper surface of the cover member 300.
In addition, the head portion 173 a of the coupling member 173 is positioned inward compared with the lower surface of the cover member 300 and, thus, the coupling member 173 may be externally exposed to prevent interference with goods in a box.
As shown in FIG. 18A, an edge of the cover body portion 310 may be inserted into and installed in the insertion space 3215 of the edge frame 321.
In this case, the upper extension 3215 a may be positioned above an upper surface of the cover body portion 310 and the lower extension 3215 b may be positioned below a lower surface of the cover body portion 310 to form a slight step difference structure.
FIGS. 19A and 19B are diagrams showing a state in which a plurality of pallets 100 is stacked.
FIG. 19A is a diagram showing a state in which the pallets are stacked and FIG. 19B is a diagram showing a state in which the pallets are completely stacked.
The pallet 100 according to the present invention may be one component of the assembly type of the box assembly 1 with the box 200 and the cover member 300 as described above and may be a part of a package but may be used as one independent commerce item.
Only the pallet 100 according to the present invention may be independently sold, and goods may be accumulated on the pallet 100 and lifted and moved by a fork of a forklift or lifted from the ground and stored.
In particular, as such, when an independent pallet is used, a consumed degree of a storage space may be an important factor when the pallet is stored at ordinary time.
In the case of the pallet 100 according to the present invention, when pallets 100 are stacked, an external surface of the supporting leg 150 of a pallet 1000 at an upper layer is inserted into the cavities 1511 in the supporting leg 150 of a pallet 100L at a lower layer and, thus, a storage height may be saved by as much as the inserted height.
When a pallet type is not such a nestable pallet, a stack height of two layers is an entire height of stacked pallets but, when a pallet type is a nestable pallet, the supporting leg 150 of the pallet 1000 at an upper layer and the supporting leg 150 of the pallet 100L at a lower layer may be inserted to lower an overlapping height, as described above.
In particular, in commercial and industrial fields that require several hundred pallets or several thousand pallets, reduction in the storage height may largely affect maximization of space efficiency of a warehouse.
As shown in FIG. 19A, to stack pallets, when the supporting leg 150 of the pallet 1000 that needs to be arranged at an upper layer may be positioned and inserted into the cavity 1511 of the supporting leg 150 of the pallet 100L at a lower layer, the pallets 100 may be stacked as shown in FIG. 19B.
FIG. 20A is a side view showing a state in which pallets are stacked. FIG. 20B is a side view showing a state in which pallets are completely stacked.
When pallets 100U/100M/100L are stacked, an external surface of the supporting leg 150 of the pallet 100U/100M at an upper layer may be inserted into the cavity 1511 in the supporting leg 150 of the pallet 100M/100L at a lower layer, as described above.
An external surface of a bottom surface of the supporting leg 150 of the pallet 100U/100M at an upper layer may be supported via contact with an upper end portion of the rib 1512 in the cavity 1511 in a supporting leg of the pallet 100M/100L at a lower layer.
A lower end portion of the flange portion 152 of the pallet 100U/100M at an upper layer the supporting leg 150 may be supported via contact with an upper surface of the pallet 100M/100L at a lower layer.
As such, according to the structures of the rib 1512 and the flange portion 152, a lower surface of the pallet body portion 110 of the pallet 100U/100M at an upper layer and an upper surface of the pallet body portion 110 of the pallet 100M/100L at a lower layer may be spaced apart from each other to form a space S.
As described above, a fork of a forklift may easily enter the space S or a user may put their fingers into the space S and the lift pallets.
Accordingly, in a state in which the plurality of pallets 100 is stacked and stored, a worker may advantageously insert the fork of the forklift into the space or may put their fingers into the space and may lift and move necessary pallets.
When the box assembly 1 for delivery is exploded and stored or packaged, a box, a cover member, and a pallet may be exploded, as shown in FIG. 21. In addition, the box may be folded.
As described, when the telescopic frame 230 provided with a hinge structure is provided in the box 200 to fold the box, the telescopic frame 230 may be folded to remarkably reduce a volume. That is, a three-dimensional (3D) structure may be changed to a two-dimensional (2D) structure.
When the plurality of box assemblies 1 is wrapped for delivery, as shown in FIG. 22, the plurality of pallets 100 is stacked using the method of FIGS. 19 and 20 and the box 200 may be folded and stacked thereon using the method of FIG. 21.
However, the plurality of cover members 300 may be stacked on the box 200 and, then, may be bonded and wrapped by a string or a band.
Accordingly, goods may be moved using the box assemblies 1 for delivery and, then, the box assemblies for delivery may be disassembled using the method of FIG. 21 and may be packaged and returned using the method of FIG. 22.
According to the diverse exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure, a pallet body portion includes a honeycomb member and, thus, load-bearing may be remarkably increased.
An upper panel and a lower panel may be arranged on an upper surface and a lower surface of a honeycomb member to smoothen most of an external surface, thereby stably supporting goods.
When a supporting leg is detachably arranged on a pallet body portion and a supporting leg breaks and does not perform its function any more, only the corresponding supporting leg may be replaced and a pallet may be continuously used.
A supporting leg includes unit supporting legs that are separated from each other and, thus, supporting force may be doubled due to load distribution. When some unit supporting legs break, the remaining unit supporting legs may function as a support and, thus, even if some supporting legs break, the other supporting legs may perform a stable supporting function.
Conventionally, a pallet manufactured via injection molding and a base board thereon are used. However, according to the present invention, a base board is omitted and an upper surface of a pallet functions as the base board and, thus, a structure of an assembly box structure may be simplified.
A flange of a supporting leg is supported by a lower surface of a pallet body portion and, thus, load may be distributed and a supporting leg flange and a fixation member in the pallet body portion may be coupled by a coupling member, thereby providing a stable coupling structure.
In particular, when the fixation member is a rigid fixation structure such as a metal insert, the coupling member may be more stably fixed.
Edge frames and a corner connection portion for connecting the edge frames are used at an edge of the pallet body portion, thereby preventing an edge portion of a pallet from breaking due to collision, etc.
An accommodation groove may be formed in an outer edge and a lower edge of a box may be inserted into the accommodation groove to allow the box to be more stably positioned on the pallet.
In addition, the corner connection portion may connect edge frames that cross each other to achieve entire structural stability of an outer frame and to enhance impact resistance.
In the case of a cover member, a supporting leg support may be arranged on an upper surface of the cover member and, thus, when box assemblies for delivery are arranged as a multilayer structure, a more stable state may be maintained.
In addition, a coupling member for coupling a supporting leg support of a cover member may not be externally exposed and, thus, interference between the coupling member and goods in the box may be completely prevented.
Edge frames and a corner connection portion for connecting the edge frames may be used at an edge of a cover body portion and, thus, a problem in that an outer portion of the cover member breaks due to collision, etc. may be overcome.
An accommodation groove may be formed in an outer edge and an edge of an upper surface of a box may be inserted into the accommodation groove to stably position the cover member in the box.
In addition, a corner connection portion may connect edge frames that cross each other to achieve entire structural stability of an outer frame and to enhance impact resistance.
The foregoing exemplary embodiments and advantages are merely exemplary and are not to be construed as limiting the present disclosure. The present teaching can be readily applied to other types of apparatuses. Also, the description of the exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure is intended to be illustrative, and not to limit the scope of the claims, and many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
Accordingly, the scope of the present invention may be determined from the technological spirit defined by the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A pallet for goods, comprising:

a pallet body portion comprising a honeycomb member and a panel for covering the honeycomb member;

an outer frame for surrounding an external portion of the pallet body portion; and

a supporting leg installed below the pallet body portion,

wherein the supporting leg comprises a unit supporting leg with a cavity formed therein and a flange portion extending in a lateral direction;

wherein a coupling member connects the flange portion and the outer frame;

wherein the outer frame comprises an edge frame coupled to an edge of the pallet body portion and a corner connection portion for connecting the edge frame and another adjacent edge frame and arranged at a corner portion of the pallet body portion;

wherein the edge frame comprises an external wall and a lower accommodation groove provided inward compared with the external wall to accommodate a box;

wherein the corner connection portion comprises an external wall of the corner connection portion, continuously connected to the external wall of the edge frame, and a lower accommodation groove of the corner connection portion, continuously connected to the lower accommodation groove of the edge frame;

wherein the edge frame comprises a space portion and a bottom wall of the space portion; and

wherein the flange portion is arranged below the outer frame and the coupling member is coupled to the bottom wall of the space portion through the flange portion and connects the supporting leg and the outer frame.

2. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the outer frame comprises an insertion space into which an edge of the pallet body portion is inserted and accommodated.

3. The pallet for goods of claim 2, wherein the insertion space is formed by an upper extension and a lower extension that are provided at upper and lower portions and accommodated on upper and lower surfaces of the pallet body portion, respectively.

4. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the the coupling member connects the flange portion and the pallet body portion.

5. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein one supporting leg comprises a plurality of unit supporting legs that is separated from each other and a rib is formed in the cavity of the unit supporting leg.

6. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the edge frame further comprises an internal wall spaced apart from the external wall, the bottom wall provided on a lower surface of the lower accommodation groove, and an inclination surface formed on the internal wall to guide a box to the lower accommodation groove; and

wherein the lower accommodation groove is provided between the external wall and the internal wall.

7. The pallet for goods of claim 6, wherein a first space portion, a second space portion, and a separation rib for separating the first and second space portions are provided in the internal wall; and

wherein the separation rib comprises a fixation portion to which a coupling member coupled to a corner connection portion is inserted and fixed.

8. The pallet for goods of claim 6, wherein the corner connection portion further comprises an internal wall spaced apart from the external wall, a protrusion coupled to the internal wall of the edge frame, and an inclination surface formed on the internal wall to guide a box to the lower accommodation groove; and

9. The pallet for goods of claim 8, further comprising insertion holes which are formed on the external wall and the internal wall, respectively, and into which a coupling member for coupling the corner connection portion and the edge frame is inserted; and

wherein a plurality of coupling members is installed at one corner connection portion and has coupling paths that cross each other.

10. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the panel for covering the honeycomb member comprises:

an upper panel for covering an upper surface of the honeycomb member and comprising a through hole formed to correspond to a location of the cavity of the supporting leg; and,

a lower panel for covering a lower surface of the honeycomb member and comprising a through hole formed to correspond to the location of the cavity of the supporting leg.

11. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein the plurality of supporting legs are provided below the pallet body portion;

wherein the pallet body portion comprises a through hole formed therein; and

wherein the cavity provided in the supporting leg is opened upward through the through hole.

12. The pallet for goods of claim 11, wherein the pallet body portion comprises a through hole formed therein; and

wherein an upper portion of the supporting leg extends upward compared with the flange portion and is inserted into the through hole.

13. The pallet for goods of claim 10, further comprising a fixation member that is arranged around the through hole of the honeycomb member and to which a coupling member is inserted and fixed;

wherein the fixation member is installed on the honeycomb member and the upper panel and the lower panel cover the fixation member and the honeycomb member; and

wherein the coupling member is inserted into and connects the flange portion, the lower panel, and the fixation member.

14. The pallet for goods of claim 13, wherein the fixation member is shaped like a block to be inserted into separation spaces included in the honeycomb member.

15. The pallet for goods of claim 13, wherein the fixation member is arranged as a continuous structure to be inserted into and fixed to a through hole of the honeycomb member along an internal edge of the through hole.

16. The pallet for goods of claim 1, wherein some of the plurality of supporting legs are coupled to the outer frame.

17. The pallet for goods of claim 16, wherein the flange portion of the supporting leg coupled to the outer frame is coupled to an internal wall of the outer frame by a coupling member.

18. A pallet for goods comprising a corner bracket, comprising:

a pallet body portion; and

an outer frame for surrounding an external portion of the pallet body portion,

wherein the outer frame includes an edge frame and a corner connection portion for connecting the edge frame and another adjacent edge frame and arranged at a corner portion between the edge frame and the another adjacent edge frame;

wherein the edge frame and the corner connection portion are continuously connected via surface to surface contact;

wherein the edge frame comprises an external wall and a lower accommodation groove provided inward compared with the external wall to accommodate a box; and

wherein the corner connection portion comprises an external wall of the corner connection portion, which is continuously connected to the external wall of the edge frame, and a lower accommodation groove of the corner connection portion, which is continuously connected to the lower accommodation groove of the edge frame.

19. The pallet for goods of claim 18, wherein the corner bracket further comprises:

an internal wall spaced apart from the external wall;

a lower accommodation groove provided between the external wall and the internal wall;

an external insertion hole provided in the external wall and an internal insertion hole, with a coupling member being inserted thereinto and passing therethrough; and

a protrusion provided on the internal wall to be inserted into an adjacent opposite structure.

20. The pallet for goods of claim 19, further comprising an insertion guidance channel provided between the external insertion hole and the internal insertion hole and arranged on a bottom wall of a lower accommodation groove.