WO1996009216A1 - Improved plastic pallet - Google Patents

Abstract

An improved plastic pallet including a tray (1) in the form of a double hollow shell with a lower surface (2) forming a central beam (6) that extends between two opposite edges of the tray and is at equal distances from an parallel to two other opposite edges (5) of the tray (1), wherein each end of said edges (5) comprises a broken edge defining an angled surface (7) converging on the longitudinal axis of the beam (6) and providing therewith positive guidance and centring of the prongs of a fork-lift truck beneath the tray (1). Said pallet is particularly suitable for transporting the tubs used in vineyards to collect bunches of grapes.

Description

 Advanced plastic pallet

The present invention relates to an improved plastic pallet usable in particular for the transport of containers filled with bunches of grapes collected during the harvest.

Wooden or plastic pallets have already been proposed for a long time allowing the transport of loads using a forklift fitted with a fork.

This is how plastic pallets are known, comprising, in general, a plate obtained by rotational molding and having the shape of a hollow double envelope provided with guide means protruding below the plate to guide the fork of the forklift when this fork is inserted under the platform.

However, the guidance of the fork under the plate remained somewhat random and not really positive during the entire stroke of introduction of the fork under the pallet. As a result, the free ends of the fork, during its introduction, sometimes deteriorate or even pierce the pallet by hitting a particular part of said pallet. Also, the washing of the pallet after use as well as the flow and evacuation of the washing water were far from perfect.

Also, the present invention aims to remedy these drawbacks in particular by proposing an improved palette whose structure is such that it allows positive guidance of the fork of the forklift. under the pallet so as to ensure, under all circumstances, correct loading of the pallet without risk of damaging it.

To this end, the invention relates to an improved plastic pallet for the transport of containers filled with various foodstuffs, such as in particular bunches of grapes, and of the type comprising a tray having the form of a hollow double envelope provided guide means projecting below the plate to guide the fork of a forklift or the like, characterized by a central beam which is formed in the underside of the plate and extends between two opposite edges of this plate, this central beam being equidistant from and parallel to two other opposite edges of the plate which have at each of their ends a downward angle defining a ramp or the like converging towards the longitudinal axis of the beam and cooperating with the latter to provide guidance and a positive centering of the fork under the plate.

According to another characteristic of this pallet, the upper wall of the plate has an elevation extending in line with the central beam and parallel to it to define on each side a receiving plane for the trays, said plane being provided with slots and alternating chimney-shaped holes, these slots and these holes extending substantially radially and symmetrically relative to the center of the plate.

This pallet is further characterized in that only the two aforementioned opposite edges of the plate between which the central beam extends each have two openings formed between said central beam and the aforementioned ramp for receiving the fork of the forklift.

It will also be specified here that the aforementioned openings each define, between the central beam and the ramp, a support bar on the ground of the pallet and in which is advantageously embedded a reinforcing reinforcement.

However, other advantages and characteristics of the invention will appear better in the detailed description which follows and refers to the appended drawings, given solely by way of example, and in which.

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a pallet according to this invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in vertical section along line II-II of FIG. 1.

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of the pallet.

According to an exemplary embodiment, an improved pallet according to this invention is produced by rotational molding and essentially comprises a substantially square plate 1 having the form of a hollow double envelope defining a wall or lower face 2 and a wall or upper face 3 joined to their periphery to form fallen edges and support of the pallet on the ground.

More precisely, these edges are four in number, namely two opposite and parallel edges 4 clearly visible in FIGS. 1 and 3, and, at right angles, two other opposite and parallel edges 5 which can be seen clearly in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3.

According to the invention, and as is clearly visible in Figures 2 and 3, a central beam 6 is formed in the face or lower wall 2 of the plate 1 and protrudes below this plate. This central beam extends from one end to the other of the plate between the two opposite edges 4, and it is preferably located equidistant from the other two opposite edges 5 of the pallet, being parallel to said other opposite edges.

It will be observed here that the central beam 6 has a somewhat pyramidal shape, as do the edges 4 and 5 of the pallet so as to make the pallets stackable, as is well known in itself.

The central beam 6 therefore allows positive guidance of each element of the fork of a forklift (not shown), and this from one end to the other of the pallet, as will be described in detail below.

The two opposite and parallel edges 5 of the plate 1 have at each of their ends a cut-down angle defining a ramp or the like 7 which extends convergently in the direction of the longitudinal axis XX 'of the central beam 6, as is can see well on the drawings. The four ramps 7 belong to the bottom wall 2 of the plate 1, while the external faces 5a of the edges 5 are rectilinear and parallel.

8 has been shown (FIGS. 1 and 2) an elevation made in the upper face 3 of the plate 1 and extending in line with the central beam 6, over all its length and parallel to it, so as to define on each side a plane P for receiving the bins (not shown), each plane being able for example to receive two bins separated from the other two bins by the elevation 8.

Each plane P constituting in part the upper wall 3 of the plate 1 is provided with a plurality of slots 9 and holes 10 in the form of a chimney which not only reinforce the rigidity of the plate 1 in the form of a double envelope, but also allow the immediate drainage of water for cleaning the pallet, or rainwater. These slots 9 and holes 10 are flared in the direction of the wall 2 from below the plate 1 of the pallet, as can be understood by referring to the figures, so as to avoid in particular the obstruction of these slots and holes by the earth for example.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, it can be seen that the slots 9 and the holes 10 in each plane P are alternated and extend along lines substantially radially and symmetrically with respect to the center O of the plate 1. It should be observed here that due to the radial arrangement of the slots 9, these can be longer and therefore ensure maximum evacuation of rainwater or washing water without thereby weakening the plate 1 which therefore retains its good qualities of rigidity to allow transporting heavy loads such as bins filled with bunches of grapes.

Only the two opposite and parallel edges 4 of the plate 1 between which extends, as described above, the central beam 6, each have two openings 11 formed between said central beam and a ramp 7 belonging to the bottom wall 2 of the plate 1, as can be seen in FIG. 2.

These openings 11, which allow the introduction and extraction of the fork of the forklift, each define, still between the central beam 6 and the ramps 7, a bar 12 supporting the ground of the pallet, said bars being clearly visible in Figure 2. In each bar 12 is embedded a reinforcing frame 13, for example of metal, which will give the bars 12 excellent rigidity advantageously preventing any possible deterioration of the opposite edges 4 of the pallet on the ground or when they are supported on rails.

It is therefore understood from the foregoing description that when the fork of the forklift is introduced into the openings 11, there will be, in a way, cooperation between the central beam 8 and the ramps 7 in order to provide guidance and centering positive from the fork under the pallet.

This means that in all circumstances and on any type of ground where the pallet will rest, the fork of the forklift will be correctly inserted under the pallet and from one end to the other, and this without risk. for the fork to be directed towards a corner or an angle of the pallet where it could get stuck and even pierce the double envelope that the plate 1 forms, precisely because of the existence of the angles cut down defining the ramps 7 converging towards the 'longitudinal axis XX' of the central beam 6.

Thus, according to the invention, a plastic pallet having excellent resistance was produced. mechanical and maximum guiding and centering qualities of the fork of a forklift without risk of damage to the pallet.

Of course, this invention is in no way limited to the embodiment described and illustrated which has been given only by way of example.

Thus a grid marked at 14 in Figure 3 can be provided on the underside 2 of the plate 1 to reduce the sliding of the pallet on the fork of the forklift during handling.

Claims

claims 1. Improved plastic pallet for transporting containers filled with various foodstuffs, such as in particular bunches of grapes, and of the type comprising a tray (1) having the form of a hollow double envelope provided with projecting guide means towards the bottom of the plate (1) to guide the fork of a forklift or the like, characterized by a central beam (6) which is formed in the lower face (2) of the plate (1) and extends between two opposite edges (4) of this plate, this central beam (6) being equidistant from and parallel to two other opposite edges (5) of the plate (1) which have at each of their ends a sharp angle defining a ramp or the like (7 ) converging in the direction of the longitudinal axis (XX ') of the beam (6) and cooperating with the latter to achieve positive guidance and centering of the fork under the plate (1). 2. Pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper wall (3) of the plate (1) has an elevation (8) extending in line with the central beam (6) and parallel to it to define on each side a plane (P) for receiving the bins, said plane being provided with alternating slots (9) and holes (10) in the form of a chimney, these slots and these holes extending substantially radially and symmetrically with respect to the center of the plate (1). 3. Pallet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that only the two aforementioned opposite edges (4) of the plate (1) between which extends the central beam (6) each have two openings (11) formed between said beam central and the aforementioned ramp (7). 4. Pallet according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the aforementioned openings (11) each define, between the central beam (6) and the ramp (7), a bar (12) supporting the ground of the pallet and in which is embedded a reinforcing reinforcement (13).