MODULAR PALLET ASSEMBLIES AND MODULAR PALLET ARCHITECTURES

Abstract

A modular pallet assembly formed of a plurality of physically interconnected pallet modules that are each configured to nest one within another. At least one of the pallet modules is designed as an active, primary pallet module including primary hardware configured to actively handle and manage at least one primary functionality of the entire pallet assembly. The remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, delegate the primary functionality to the primary pallet module. The remaining pallet modules may be passive, secondary pallet modules configured to supplement or enable part of the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to modular pallet assemblies and modular pallet architectures (or systems). The present invention also relates to uses thereof e.g. for freight logistics, warehousing, transport and/or shipment purposes or for intralogistics purposes. The invention further relates to a data collection and management system and to a process of collecting status data relating to a status of modular pallet assemblies.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modular pallet architectures are known as such in the art.

International (PCT) Publications Nos. WO 2020/141492 A1 and WO 2020/141494 A1 in the name of the present Applicant, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference, disclose such a modular pallet architecture allowing formation of nested pallet assemblies of varying sizes using a set of individual pallet modules of different dimensions, including e.g. a unit-size pallet module, a medium-size pallet module and a large-size pallet module. In one embodiment, all pallet modules may especially exhibit a generally square shape, the medium-size pallet module and large-size pallet module each having a size that is an integer multiple of the size of the unit-size pallet module. Other embodiments are however contemplated.

FIGS. 1A-B to 4 are illustrative of an assortment of pallet modules of different sizes as disclosed in International (PCT) Publications Nos. WO 2020/141492 A1 and WO 2020/141494 A1, each pallet module exhibiting a generally square shape. More specifically, FIGS. 1A-B are two perspective views, taken from different viewing angles, of a unit-size pallet module 10, FIGS. 2A-B are two perspective views, taken from different viewing angles, of a medium-size pallet module 20 having twice the size of the unit-size pallet module 10, and FIGS. 13A-B are two perspective views, taken from different viewing angles, of a large-size pallet module 30 having four times the size of the unit-size pallet module 10. All three pallet modules 10, 20, 30 form part of the same assortment of pallet modules and can selectively be assembled one with the other to form a pallet assembly.

The pallet modules 10, 20 and 30 share a substantial number of common features, including:

• • a main structural body 100, 200, resp. 300, exhibiting a generally quadrilateral peripheral border 100A, 200A, resp. 300A with first to fourth lateral sides 101-104, 201-204, resp. 301-304, extending between upper and lower sides 100B, 100C, 200B, 200C, resp. 300B, 300C, of the main structural body 100, 200, resp. 300;
  • first and second lateral flanges 110, 120, 210, 220, resp. 310, 320, extending outwardly from the peripheral border 100A, 200A, resp. 300A, of the main structural body 100, 200, resp. 300, along the first and second lateral sides 101, 102, 201, 202, resp. 301, 302;
  • first and second lateral grooves 130, 140, 230, 240, resp. 330, 340, extending inwardly from the peripheral border 100A, 200A, resp. 300A, of the main structural body 100, 200, resp. 300, along the third and fourth lateral sides 103, 104, 203, 204, resp. 303, 304;
  • a foot structure 90 disposed on the lower side 100C, 200C, resp. 300C, of the main structural body 100, 200, resp. 300;
  • first and second toggle latch components 51, 52 arranged in the vicinity of the first and second lateral sides 101, 102, 201, 202, resp. 301, 302; and
  • third and fourth toggle latch components 53, 54 arranged in the vicinity of the third and fourth lateral sides 103, 104, 203, 204, resp. 303, 304.

The first and second lateral flanges 110, 120, 210, 220, resp. 310, 320 form a first part of a mating system that is configured to allow nesting of multiple pallet modules within one another. The first and second lateral flanges 110, 120, 210, 220, resp. 310, 320 are in effect configured to cooperate and mate with the first and second lateral grooves 130, 140, 230, 240, resp. 330, 340, which form another corresponding part of the relevant mating system.

The first to fourth toggle latch components 51-54 are provided on the upper side 100B, 200B, resp. 300B, of the main structural body 100, 200, resp. 300, at least partly within corresponding recesses 151-154, 251-254, resp. 351-354, formed below the upper surface of the upper side 100B, 200B, resp. 300B, of the main structural body 100, 200, resp. 300.

The main structural bodies 100, 200, 300 of the unit-size pallet module 10, the medium-size pallet module 20 and the large-size pallet module 30, respectively, each exhibit a square shape. The length L2 of the main structural body 200 of the medium-size pallet module 20 is here twice the length (or “unit length”) L1 of the unit-size pallet module 10, while the length L3 of the main structural body 300 of the large-size pallet module 30 is four times the unit length L1. By way of illustration, the unit length L1 of the unit-size pallet module 10 is of approximately 287.5 mm, meaning that the length L2, resp. L3 of the medium-size pallet module 20 and of the large-size pallet module 30 is of 575 mm and 1′150 mm, respectively (other dimensions being contemplated).

The number of toggle latch components 51-54 along each side increases as a function of the increase in dimensions of the pallet module, namely from one per side for the unit-size pallet module 10, to two per side for the medium-size pallet module 20, and four per side for the large-size pallet module 30.

The first and second toggle latch components 51, 52 are each configured to cooperate and interlock with the third and fourth toggle latch components 53, 54, respectively, of another similar pallet module of the nested pallet assembly, to form releasable toggle latches 500 as shown in FIG. 4, allowing each pallet module 10, 20, 30 to be secured to or released from another pallet module of the assortment. As shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A, 3A and 4, each toggle latch component 51, 52 comprises a spring-loaded latch element with a moveable latch section 510 that extends outwardly to cooperate with the toggle latch component 53, 54 of another pallet module, each toggle latch component 53, 54 consisting here of a catch element comprising a catch section 550. The spring-loaded latch element is manually actuatable and further comprises a handle section 520 that is mechanically linked to the moveable latch section 510 to allow manual actuation of the latch element. Each releasable toggle latch 500 is thus formed of two connectable or disconnectable sections, one being provided on one pallet module of the pallet assembly, and the other on the other, adjacent pallet module of the pallet assembly.

The foot structure 90 consists in each case of a fixed foot structure comprising one or more foot elements 91 that are made integral with the main structural body 100, 200, resp. 300. Advantageously, as shown in FIGS. 1A, 2A and 3A, the main structural bodies 100, 200, 300 are structured to exhibit one or more corresponding depressions on the upper side 100B, 200B, resp. 300B allowing stacking of multiple pallet modules one on top of the other.

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a pallet assembly formed by combining multiple pallet modules in accordance with the aforementioned modular pallet architecture. More precisely, FIG. 5 shows a pallet assembly 1000 formed of five unit-size pallet modules 10 and one medium-size pallet module 20 that are assembled together to form a square-shaped pallet assembly. In this illustrative example, two cover elements 170 and 180 are located on the portions of the pallet assembly 1000 where the first and second lateral flanges 110, 120 of pallet modules 10, 20 would otherwise be exposed. Each cover element 170, 180 comprises at least one toggle latch component 71, resp. 81, configured to cooperate and interlock with a corresponding one of the first and second latch components 51, 52 of the pallet module 10, resp. 20 (or 30 as the case may be) to form a releasable toggle latch 500 allowing the cover element to be secured to or released from the relevant pallet module(s). While not specifically shown, each toggle latch component 71, 81 consists of a catch element comprising a catch section 550, identical to that of the third and fourth toggle latch components 53, 54, which catch element is located within a corresponding recess of the cover element.

The aforementioned modular pallet architecture provides unprecedented benefits, especially in terms of freight logistics and environmental sustainability. In particular, the underlying structure and concept of the aforementioned modular pallet structure is simple, yet provides substantial flexibility in the pallet assemblies that can be built on the basis of the relevant assortment of pallet modules. The dimensions and structure of the relevant pallet modules can be selected to boost efficiency and ease of use. The pallet modules can be assembled (and disassembled) very easily and quickly, and the dimensions thereof can be optimized to ensure that substantially all of the available shipment space can be exploited, thereby drastically reducing waste as well as packaging and shipment costs. In addition, the pallet modules are designed to be reused many times, thereby ensuring greater sustainability and reducing carbon footprint as a result compared to existing pallet solutions.

By way of preference, as further disclosed in International (PCT) Publications Nos. WO 2020/141492 A1 and WO 2020/141494 A1, the pallet modules may advantageously be configured to be compatible with and enable the so-called Physical Internet (PI) global logistics model, which is also referred to as the Physical Internet Initiative (see in particular “Towards a Physical Internet: Meeting the Global Logistics Sustainability Grand Challenge”, Benoit Montreuil, January 2011, CIRRELT-2011-03, which publication is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety). The Physical Internet encapsulates physical objects in physical packets or containers (referred to as “IT-containers”). The aforementioned modular pallet architecture is in effect a functional enabler of this encapsulation principle. “Encapsulation” is one of the three main requirements of the Physical Internet global logistics model; two additional requirements are “Protocols” and “Interfaces”. The aforementioned modular pallet architecture thus acts as an enabler to the implementation of these two additional requirements in that it allows for the standardization of pallet modules for different sizes and load requirements, and provides for added flexibility, enabling reorganization of the entire freight logistics at distribution centres (or nodes). In this context, each pallet module may further include a smart tag (based e.g. on RFID or GPS technology) providing identification and traceability of each pallet module, a further functional enabler of the Physical Internet global logistics model. This smart tag in particular helps ensuring the identification, integrity, routing, conditioning, monitoring, traceability and security of each IT-container and further enables distributed handling, storage and routing automation.

There remains a need to further improve such modular pallet architectures especially with a view to integrate and implement dedicated and added functionality and interoperability.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general aim of the present invention is to provide an improved solution for freight logistics and industrial packaging of goods.

More specifically, an aim of the invention is to provide an improved modular pallet assembly and modular pallet architecture, as well as a crate or box relying on such a modular solution.

Furthermore, an aim of the present invention is to provide such a solution that provides for a robust, efficient and cost-effective integration and implementation of dedicated and added functionality.

An aim of the present invention is especially to provide such a solution that fully enables the aforementioned Physical Internet (PI) global logistics model, namely such a solution that adequately enables the encapsulation principle and fulfils the requirement for an interconnected logistic system in a complex multi-model transport environment.

Yet another aim of the invention is to provide such a solution that is cost-efficient to implement, run and maintain.

A further aim of the invention is to provide such a solution that ensures flexibility in how pallet assemblies can be built and assembled.

Still another aim of the invention is to provide a solution that ensures long-range connectivity with each pallet assemblies.

Another aim of the invention is to ensure interconnectivity amongst the pallet modules of any given pallet assembly.

A further aim is to simplify the current freight logistics and industrial packaging processes and planning.

Yet another aim is to provide such a solution that allows reduction of the environmental footprint by reducing the amount of wood waste and inherent CO2 emissions resulting from the known packaging solutions that follow the traditional linear economy principle or that are based on a suboptimal circular economy principle.

These aims and others are achieved thanks to the solutions defined in the claims.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a modular pallet architecture according to claim 1, namely a modular pallet assembly formed of a plurality of physically interconnected pallet modules that are each configured to nest one within another. According to this first aspect of the invention, at least one of the pallet modules is designed as an active, primary pallet module comprising primary hardware configured to actively handle and manage at least one primary functionality of the entire pallet assembly, and the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, delegate the primary functionality to the primary pallet module.

In other words, a primary functionality of the pallet assembly is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware of the primary pallet module, which in effect acts as a master module (or “brain”) for the entire pallet assembly, and the other pallet modules forming the pallet assembly may in effect be pallet modules with no or limited hardware, thus optimizing and reducing overall costs. This ensures absolute flexibility in that a single primary pallet module is required to suitably manage and handle any given primary functionality, irrespective of the number of pallet modules forming the relevant pallet assembly. This further allows to combine multiple functionalities in an efficient and cost-effective manner, if desired, without compromising modularity.

By way of preference, the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, are passive, secondary pallet modules configured to supplement or enable part of the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware.

In accordance with one embodiment, the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware may especially include active control and/or monitoring of refrigeration. In this context, the primary hardware may in particular include hardware to provide a refrigerant, in which case each of the pallet modules forming the pallet assembly includes added thermal insulation designed to support refrigeration.

In accordance with a further embodiment, the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware may include active control and/or monitoring of humidity. In this context, each of the pallet modules forming the pallet assembly may include humidity insulation designed to assist humidity control.

By way of preference, the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes provision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station. In that context, wireless local interconnectivity amongst the pallet modules forming the pallet assembly can be ensured thanks to the primary hardware being further configured to provide wireless interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the nested pallet assembly and thanks to the secondary pallet modules comprising secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware. This latter aspect forms a second aspect of the present invention, which is claimed independently of the aforementioned first aspect, as discussed further below.

In accordance with another embodiment, the primary functionality of the entire pallet assembly is actively handled and managed exclusively by the primary hardware, and the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, are functionally inactive modules with no hardware or added functionality beyond the ability to physically interconnect with other pallet modules.

The pallet assembly of the invention may comprise more than one primary module each comprising primary hardware configured to actively handle and manage a dedicated primary functionality of the entire pallet assembly.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is further provided a modular pallet assembly according to independent claim 11, namely a modular pallet assembly formed of a plurality of physically interconnected pallet modules that are each configured to nest one within another. According to this second aspect of the invention, the pallet modules comprise hardware that is configured to provide the pallet assembly with wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station as well as wireless local interconnectivity amongst the pallet modules forming the pallet assembly.

In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment of this second aspect of the invention, the pallet assembly is designed as an active, primary pallet module comprising primary hardware configured to provide wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with the at least one remote station, as well as wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the pallet assembly, and the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, are passive, secondary pallet modules comprising secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware.

The primary hardware may in particular include at least:

• • a source of energy, such as a battery, to supply energy to the primary hardware;
  • a processing unit or controller configured to control operation of the primary hardware;
  • a long-range communication interface configured to communicate with the at least one remote station; and
  • a short-range wireless communication interface configured to establish a wireless local connection with the secondary hardware of one or more said secondary pallet modules.

In this latter context, the secondary hardware includes at least a short-range communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with the short-range wireless communication interface of the primary hardware over the wireless local connection.

The primary hardware may further include at least one geolocalization device configured to ascertain a geographical position of the primary pallet module, and thus of the nested pallet assembly comprising the said primary pallet module, which geolocalization device is preferably a satellite positioning device, such as a GPS device.

The aforementioned long-range communication interface may especially include a cellular transceiver configured to establish a connection with the remote station via a cellular network. By way of preference, this cellular transceiver is configured to establish a cellular connection with the cellular network based on a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) standard, such as the LTE-M (Long-Term Evolution for Machines) standard, the NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) standard, or the EC-GSM-IoT (Extended Coverage GSM Internet of Things) standard.

In accordance with a particularly advantageous embodiment, the short-range communication device is an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) device, or BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) device. In particular, the short-range communication device may be a passive RFID tag energized by a radio-frequency interrogating signal produced by the short-range wireless communication interface of the primary hardware, thus leading to a particular simple and cost-efficient implementation, as passive RFID tags can easily be attached to each pallet module, for instance by permanently embedding such tags in a structural body of each pallet module. The short-range communication device may further be interrogatable by means of an external reader device, thereby providing e.g. for the ability to carry out selective on-site interrogation of the relevant pallet modules in case of need.

The primary hardware may likewise be configured to allow an operator to establish a wireless local connection between the primary hardware and an external communication device, such as a smartphone, tablet or the like, preferably by means of Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology.

In accordance with another embodiment, the primary hardware may further include one or more sensors and/or one or more dedicated sensor interfaces connectable to sensors configured to sense at least one physical or environmental parameter such as temperature, pressure, humidity, acceleration, or inertial or angular momentum.

By way of preference, the secondary hardware is primarily configured to communicate a unique identifier to the primary hardware which uniquely identifies each secondary pallet module. In this particular context, the primary hardware may in particular be configured to periodically trigger the secondary hardware to communicate the unique identifier.

At least part of the aforementioned hardware may be embedded into a structural body of the associated pallet module.

By way of preference, each pallet module includes (i) a mating system configured to allow nesting of another pallet module to form the nested pallet assembly, and (ii) a securing system configured to allow the pallet module to be secured to or released from another pallet module of the nested pallet assembly.

The pallet modules may be pallet modules of different sizes.

In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, there is also claimed a modular pallet architecture the features of which are recited in independent claim 28, namely a modular pallet architecture comprised of a plurality of physically interconnectable pallet modules that are each configured to allow formation of a nested pallet assembly of at least two pallet modules, wherein the modular pallet architecture includes:

• • a first type of pallet modules, namely active, primary pallet modules comprising primary hardware configured to actively handle and manage at least one primary functionality of the nested pallet assembly; and
  • at least a second type of pallet modules, namely passive, secondary pallet modules configured to supplement or enable part of the primary functionality of the nested pallet assembly that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware.

The primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware may especially include:

• • active control and/or monitoring of refrigeration;
  • active control and/or monitoring of humidity; and/or
  • provision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station,
  • it being understood that more than one of the aforelisted functionalities may be implemented.

By way of preference, the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes provision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station, and the primary hardware is further configured to provide wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the nested pallet assembly, in which case the secondary pallet modules comprise secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware.

In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is also claimed a modular pallet architecture the features of which are recited in independent claim 31, namely a modular pallet architecture comprised of a plurality of physically interconnectable pallet modules that are each configured to allow formation of a nested pallet assembly of at least two pallet modules, wherein the pallet modules comprise hardware that is configured to provide the nested pallet assembly with wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station, as well as wireless local interconnectivity amongst the pallet modules forming the nested pallet assembly.

In this latter context, the modular pallet architecture may in particular include:

• • a first type of pallet modules, namely primary pallet modules comprising primary hardware configured to provide wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with the at least one remote station, as well as wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the nested pallet assembly; and
  • at least a second type of pallet modules, namely secondary pallet modules comprising secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware.

The aforementioned considerations and preferred features of the modular pallet assembly of the invention do again apply by analogy to the modular pallet architecture.

Also claimed is a pallet assembly built of multiple pallet modules in accordance with the modular pallet architecture of the invention, which pallet assembly includes at least one primary pallet module physically interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules wirelessly connected to the primary pallet module.

Further claimed is a pallet assembly built of multiple pallet modules in accordance with the modular pallet architecture of the invention, which pallet assembly includes at least one primary pallet module physically interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules and capable of establishing wireless connection to and long-range communication with at least one remote station.

There is also claimed a pallet assembly built of multiple pallet modules in accordance with the modular pallet architecture of the invention, which pallet assembly includes at least one primary pallet module physically as well as wirelessly interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules.

The modular pallet architecture or pallet assembly of the invention may especially be used for freight logistics, warehousing, transport and/or shipment purposes or for intralogistics purposes.

Also claimed is the use of the modular pallet architecture or pallet assembly of the invention as part of a modular crating or boxing system.

A crate or box comprising the pallet assembly of the invention physically interconnected with wall members and, preferably a top cover member, is further claimed.

Especially, one may provide for a closed box comprising a pallet assembly in accordance with the invention that is physically interconnected with wall members and closed by a top cover member. In this latter context, the pallet assembly may especially be a pallet assembly whose primary functionality is to control and/or monitor refrigeration and/or humidity. Preferably, the pallet assembly, wall members and top cover member are designed to maintain a controllable environment inside the closed box with respect to temperature and/or humidity.

The wall members and—if present-top cover member could each be configured to supplement or enable part of a primary functionality of the pallet assembly, much like the aforementioned secondary pallet modules. In that context, the wall members and—if present—the top cover member could each comprise dedicated hardware configured to interact with the hardware of the pallet assembly, especially with a view to supplement or enable part of the relevant primary functionality or functionalities of the pallet assembly.

Additionally claimed is a data collection and management system comprising a data collection and management server and a plurality of geographically-distributed pallet assemblies in accordance with the invention in long-range communication with the data collection and management server. The data collection and management server may in particular be a cloud-based server.

In accordance with one embodiment, the data collection and management system may especially be configured to collect data about and provide update regarding a status of the pallet assemblies including:

• • a load status indicative of whether each pallet assembly is fully or partially loaded with material or goods or fully unloaded;
  • a transit/storage status indicative of whether the pallet assembly is in transit or in a stored location; and
  • an assembly status indicative of whether the pallet assembly is assembled or disassembled.

The data collection and management system may further be configured to collect data about individual pallet modules and their assembly status.

Lastly, there is further claimed a process of collecting status data relating to a status of modular pallet assemblies each consisting of a plurality of physically interconnected pallet modules configured to nest one within another, including:

• • a load status indicative of whether each pallet assembly is fully or partially loaded with material or goods or fully unloaded;
  • a transit/storage status indicative of whether the pallet assembly is in transit or in a stored location; and
  • an assembly status indicative of whether the pallet assembly is assembled or disassembled.

In this context, the status data of any given pallet assembly are first collected locally in a dedicated pallet module of the pallet assembly and then communicated to a remote data collection system.

By way of preference, the dedicated pallet module is designed as an active, primary pallet module comprising primary hardware configured to provide wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with the remote data collection system, as well as wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the pallet assembly. Furthermore, the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, are passive, secondary pallet modules comprising secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware. In this context, status data relating to the secondary pallet modules is collected locally by the primary hardware for communication to the remote data collection system.

Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are discussed below.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the present invention will appear more clearly from reading the following detailed description of embodiments of the invention which are presented solely by way of non-restrictive examples and illustrated by the attached drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a unit-size pallet module, seen from an upper angle, in accordance with International (PCT) Publications Nos. WO 2020/141492 A1 and WO 2020/141494 A1;

FIG. 1B is a perspective view of the unit-size pallet module of FIG. 1B seen from a lower angle;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a medium-size pallet module, seen from an upper angle, in accordance with International (PCT) Publications Nos. WO 2020/141492 A1 and WO 2020/141494 A1, which medium-size pallet module forms part of the same assortment of pallet modules as the unit-size pallet module of FIGS. 1A-B;

FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the medium-size pallet module of FIG. 2A seen from a lower angle;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a large-size pallet module, seen from an upper angle, in accordance with International (PCT) Publications Nos. WO 2020/141492 A1 and WO 2020/141494 A1, which large-size pallet module forms part of the same assortment of pallet modules as the unit-size pallet module of FIGS. 1A-B and the medium-size pallet module of FIGS. 2A-B;

FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the large-size pallet module of FIG. 3A seen from a lower angle;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a releasable toggle latch as used for securing two adjacent pallet modules one to the other in accordance with International (PCT) Publications Nos. WO 2020/141492 A1 and WO 2020/141494 A1;

FIG. 5 is a schematic top view of a pallet assembly formed by combining multiple pallet modules of different sizes;

FIGS. 6A to 6D are various schematic illustrations of modular pallet assemblies in accordance with embodiments of the invention;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic illustrations of closed boxes including a modular pallet assembly in accordance with further embodiments of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a schematic view of a pallet assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the invention in wireless, long-range communication with a cloud-based server; and

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of hardware in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

The present invention will be described in relation to various illustrative embodiments. It shall be understood that the scope of the invention encompasses all combinations and sub-combinations of the features of the embodiments disclosed herein.

As described herein, when two or more parts or components are described as being connected, secured or coupled to one another, they can be so connected, secured or coupled directly to each other or through one or more intermediary parts.

In the context of the present invention, the expressions “pallet module” and “pallet assembly” are understood to refer to self-supporting platforms configured to allow the handling and transportation of goods, as used in particular for freight logistics, warehousing, transport and/or shipment purposes. Other similar purposes may also come into consideration, including e.g. intralogistics, namely the logistical handling of goods within the walls of a production or distribution center. More specifically, a pallet assembly according to the invention is built of multiple pallet modules which are nested within and interlock with one another to form a platform that is adapted in particular to support and allow transport and shipment of goods or equipment, be it by ground, sea or air transportation.

The invention will be described in relation to various embodiments of a modular pallet architecture (or modular pallet system) comprising a plurality of pallet modules that can selectively be assembled one with the other to form pallet assemblies of varying configurations and sizes. The modular pallet architecture disclosed herein is preferably based on the modular pallet concept disclosed in International (PCT) Publications Nos. WO 2020/141492 A1 and WO 2020/141494 A1, but it will be appreciated that the present invention is in effect applicable to any modular pallet architecture that would provide similar modularity and benefits.

As far as the configuration and physical interconnection of the pallet modules are concerned, one may accordingly refer to the previous discussion of FIGS. 1A-B to 5, which is of direct relevance, and to the full disclosure of International (PCT) Publications Nos. WO 2020/141492 A1 and WO 2020/141494 A1, which publications are incorporated herein by reference. Ideally, each pallet module includes, as shown e.g. in FIGS. 1A-B to 5, (i) a mating system configured to allow nesting of another pallet module to form the nested pallet assembly, and (ii) a securing system configured to allow the pallet module to be secured to or released from another pallet module of the nested pallet assembly. The interconnectable pallet modules may once again be of different sizes.

FIGS. 6A to 6D are various schematic illustrations of modular pallet assemblies, generally designated by reference numeral 1000, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. Each pallet assembly of the invention, including the illustrated pallet assemblies 1000, is in effect built of multiple pallet modules (e.g. pallet modules 10, 20, 30 generally having the configurations shown and discussed with reference to FIGS. 1A-B to 5). For the sake of illustration, all embodiments shown are based on a pallet assembly configuration that is similar to that of the pallet assembly 1000 shown in FIG. 5. That is, each of the pallet assemblies 1000 depicted in FIG. 6A-D is formed of five unit-size pallet modules 10 and one medium-size pallet module 20 that are assembled together to form a square-shaped pallet assembly. It is of course to be understood and appreciated that this is a purely illustrative assembly and that any other possible combination of pallet modules 10, 20 and/or 30 could be contemplated.

In accordance with the invention, at least two types of pallet modules are to be distinguished, namely so-called “primary pallet modules” and “secondary pallet modules”. These modules are also respectively called “active pallet modules” and “passive pallet modules”.

All embodiments of the pallet assembly 1000 depicted in FIGS. 6A-D share a common denominator, namely the fact that at least one of the pallet modules (highlighted in grey in FIGS. 6A-D) is designed as active, primary pallet module, designated by reference sign P (or P_A, P_B in FIG. 6D), which comprises primary hardware HW1 (or HW1A, HW1B in FIG. 6D) configured to actively handle and manage at least one primary functionality of the entire pallet assemble 1000. The primary pallet module P, P_A, resp. P_B, in effects acts as a master module (i.e. the “brain” of the relevant pallet assembly), and the remaining pallet modules forming the pallet assembly 1000 delegate the relevant primary functionality to the primary pallet module P, P_A, resp. P_B. In practice, each primary pallet module may be marked, coloured or differentiated in any other appropriate way to facilitate identification thereof and distinguish it from other, non-active pallet modules.

For instance, FIG. 6A schematically depicts an embodiment where the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware HW1 includes provision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station. In this first embodiment, the remaining five pallet modules are functionally inactive modules, designated by reference sign I, with no particular hardware or added functionality beyond the ability to physically interconnect with other pallet modules.

FIG. 6B schematically depicts another embodiment where the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware HW1 includes active control and/or monitoring of humidity, which may be necessitated in the event the goods or material to be loaded onto and shipped along with the pallet assembly 1000 require(s) humidity conditions to remain within acceptable tolerances. In this other embodiment, the remaining five pallet modules are passive, secondary pallet modules, designated by reference sign S, with no particular hardware but possibly added functionality designed to supplement or enable part of the active control and/or monitoring of humidity. In this context, each of the pallet modules P, S forming the pallet assembly 1000 may for instance include humidity insulation designed to assist humidity control, and prevent e.g. humidity from seeping through the pallet assembly. The primary hardware HW1 may in effect actively handle and manage any other primary functionality or combination of functionalities, including e.g active control and/or monitoring of refrigeration.

FIG. 6C schematically depicts a particularly advantageous embodiment where the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware HW1 includes provision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station, as well as wireless local interconnectivity amongst the pallet modules forming the pallet assembly 1000. In this case, the remaining five pallet modules are passive, secondary pallet modules S comprising secondary hardware HW2 configured to wirelessly interconnect with the primary hardware HW1 of the primary pallet module P. In this case also, the primary pallet module P acts as master module handling the aforementioned primary functionality of the entire pallet module 1000, while the secondary modules S supplement and enable part of this primary functionality, as this will be detailed hereafter.

One will once again appreciate and understand that the primary hardware HW1 may in effect actively handle and manage any desired combination of functionalities. Furthermore, any given pallet assembly may include more than one primary module each comprising primary hardware configured to actively handle and manage a dedicated primary functionality of the entire pallet assembly. FIG. 6D for instance schematically depicts an embodiment of a pallet assembly 1000 including two primary modules P_A, P_B each comprising hardware HW1_A, HW1_B handling a dedicated primary functionality, for instance active control and/or monitoring of humidity and, respectively, local as well as long-range wireless interconnectivity.

The modular pallet assembly of the invention may be used as part of a modular crating or boxing system. FIGS. 7A and 7B for instance schematically show two embodiments of a closed box comprising a pallet assembly 1000 in accordance with the invention physically interconnected with wall members W and a closed by a top cover member T.

More specifically, FIG. 7A schematically shows such a solution applied to a refrigerated closed box as used for instance for shipment of goods necessitating a cold chain. In this context, the primary hardware HW1 may include hardware to provide a refrigerant, in which case each of the pallet modules (as well as the wall members W and top cover member T) include added thermal insulation. For such an application, the pallet assembly 1000, wall members W and top cover member T are in effect designed to maintain a controllable environment inside the close box with respect to temperature (and possibility humidity). In the illustrated example, the primary hardware HW1 further handles and manages, in addition to refrigeration, wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station.

In the illustrated example, one will appreciate that the wall members W and top cover member T are each advantageously configured to supplement or enable part of the primary functionality (here refrigeration) of the pallet assembly 1000, much like the secondary pallet module S.

If necessary, the wall members W and top cover member T may further comprise dedicated hardware configured to interact with the hardware of the pallet assembly 1000, namely hardware HW1 of primary pallet module P.

It will be appreciated that monitoring of refrigeration does not necessarily require a close box configuration as shown in FIG. 7A. The pallet assembly 1000 itself may be stored inside a refrigerated container, in which case the primary hardware HW1 only requires means to monitor temperature and check that the cold chain has not been broken.

FIG. 7B schematically illustrates that the wall members W and top cover member T could likewise be constructed as modular elements to provide even greater flexibility as regards configuration of the box.

FIG. 8 is a schematic illustration of a data collection and management system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, comprising a data collection and management server SRV, preferably a cloud-based server, in wireless, long-range communication with a pallet assembly 1000. FIG. 8 further shows a workstation WRK in operative communication with the data collection and management server SRV, which workstation WRK may especially be configured to run suitable software to manage and process data collected by the data collection and management server SRV.

While only one pallet assembly 1000 is depicted in FIG. 8, it will be appreciated and understood that the data collection and management server SRV is in effect in long-range communication with a plurality of geographically distributed pallet assemblies.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 8, each pallet assembly includes a minimum of one primary pallet module P that is physically interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules S. In the illustrative example of FIG. 8, pallet assembly 1000 is shown as comprising one such primary pallet module P (highlighted in grey)—namely unit-size pallet module 10 in the upper left corner—and five such secondary pallet modules S-namely four unit-size pallet modules 10 and one medium-size pallet module 20.

The primary and secondary pallet modules P. S differ in terms of functionality and hardware. The primary pallet module P once again acts as master module (i.e. the “brain” of the relevant pallet assembly) and comprises primary hardware HW1 configured to actively handle and manage at least one primary functionality of the relevant nested pallet assembly of which it forms a part. By contrast, each secondary pallet module S comprises no hardware or limited hardware merely configured to supplement or enable part of the primary functionality of the pallet assembly that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware HW1.

In accordance with the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the secondary pallet modules S each comprise secondary hardware HW2 that is configured to supplement or enable part of the relevant primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware HW1.

In the illustration of FIG. 8, the primary functionality handled by the primary hardware HW1 includes provision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station (namely data collection server SRV and workstation WRK), as well as of wireless interconnectivity amongst the pallet modules forming the nested pallet assembly 1000. More specifically, the primary hardware HW1 is not only configured to establish a wireless connection to and long-range communication with the remote station SRV, resp. WRK, but further configured to provide wireless interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the nested pallet assembly 1000, namely the five secondary pallet modules S shown in FIG. 8. In this context, the secondary hardware HW2 supplements and enables the primary functionality of the nested pallet assembly 1000 by being configured to wirelessly interconnect with the primary hardware HW1.

In the illustrated embodiment, the sole purpose of the secondary hardware HW2 is to enable wireless local interconnectivity with the primary hardware HW1. The secondary hardware HW2 does not as such play a direct role in the wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with the remote server SRV, which functionality is handled by the primary hardware HW1 of the primary pallet module P.

By way of preference, wireless interconnection between the primary and secondary pallet modules P. S forming the nested pallet assembly 1000 is ensured by establishing a short-range communication between the primary hardware HW1 and secondary hardware HW2 using radio-frequency identification (RFID) or Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. RFID technology is preferred in that the secondary hardware HW2 may in essence simply consist of an active or semi-active RFID tag (including onboard battery) or passive RFID tag (without any onboard battery) energized by a radio-frequency interrogating signal produced by a short-range wireless communication interface (or RFID reader) forming part of the primary hardware HW1.

FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the hardware HW1, HW2 of FIG. 8 in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Primary hardware HW1 includes at least a source of energy 950, such as battery, to supply energy to the primary hardware HW1 and a processing unit or controller 900 configured to control operation of the primary hardware HW1. Primary hardware HW1 further includes a long-range communication interface 910 configured to communicate with a remote station (including e.g. the remote, cloud-based server SRV of FIG. 8) and a short-range wireless communication interface 920 configured to established a wireless local connection with the secondary hardware HW2.

In the illustrated example, the secondary hardware HW2 merely includes a short-range communication device 990 configured to wirelessly communicate with the short-range wireless communication interface 920 of the primary hardware HW1, which short-range communication device 990 consists of an RFID device, namely a passive RFID tag that is energized by a radio-frequency (RF) interrogating signal produced by the short-range wireless communication interface 920 of the primary hardware HW1. Three such RFID tags 990 are depicted in FIG. 9 for the sake of illustration, it being however understood that one RFID tag is in practice associated to each one of the secondary pallet modules S forming the relevant pallet assembly.

The short-range communication devices 990 could in effect be any suitable communication device capable of communicating with the wireless communication interface 920 over a short distance sufficient to cover the pallet assembly. Other technologies than RFID technology may therefore come under consideration, including e.g. Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology.

As already mentioned, each short-range communication device 990 may be selectively interrogatable by means of an external reader device, for instance by an operator to carry out e.g. selective on-site interrogation of the relevant pallet modules in case of need.

In the illustrated example, the secondary hardware HW2 is primarily configured to communicate a unique identifier to the primary hardware HW1 which uniquely identifies each secondary pallet module S. In other words, the primary hardware HW1 will receive and be able to process information identifying which pallet modules are constitutive of the relevant pallet assembly. The primary hardware HW1 may be configured to periodically trigger the secondary hardware HW2 to communicate the unique identifier.

Each primary module may similarly include some ability to establish a short-range communication channel with an external communication device, such as a smartphone, tablet or the like. Any appropriate technology may come under consideration, including e.g. Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology. NFC technology is favoured in that it allows fast and secure connection to the primary hardware HW1.

The long-range communication interface 910 preferably includes a cellular transceiver configured to establish a suitable connection with the remote station via a cellular network CN. The cellular transceiver 910 may in particular be configured to establish a cellular connection with the cellular network CN based on a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) standard, such as the LTE-M (Long-Term Evolution for Machines) standard (including the enhanced Machine Type Communication, or eMTC, standard), the NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) standard, or the EC-GSM-IoT (Extended Coverage GSM Internet of Things) standard. These LPWAN standards have been developed by the 3^rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP-www.3gpp.org) and are established standards for the Internet of Things (IoT). By adopting these standards, each primary pallet module P is in effect turned into an IoT-enabled pallet module which allows e.g. identification and tracking of each primary pallet module P and thus of each pallet assembly of which it forms a part.

As shown in FIG. 9, the primary hardware HW1 may further include at least one geolocalization device 930 configured to ascertain a geographical position of the primary pallet module P, and thus of the nested pallet assembly comprising the said primary pallet module P. This geolocalization device 930 may in particular be a satellite position device, such as a GPS device. The geographical position may be communicated back to the remote station via the aforementioned long-range communication link.

As a further refinement, the primary hardware HW1 may additionally include one or more sensors 940 and/or one or more dedicated sensor interfaces 945 connectable to sensors configured to sense at least one physical or environmental parameter, such as temperature, pressure, humidity, acceleration, or inertial or angular momentum. In other words, the primary functionality of the primary hardware HW1 may potentially be expanded to include and implement additional functionalities, such as e.g. temperature and/or humidity monitoring and/or control.

The data collection and management system of the invention may especially be configured to collect data about and provide update regarding a status of the pallet assemblies 1000 including:

• • a load status indicative of whether each pallet assembly 1000 is fully or partially loaded with material or goods or fully unloaded;
  • a transit/storage status indicative of whether the pallet assembly 1000 is in transit or in a stored location; and
  • an assembly status indicative of whether the pallet assembly 1000 is assembled or disassembled.

The data collection and management system may advantageously be further configured to collect data about individual pallet modules and their assembly status.

In other words, further layers of information are possibly contemplated, namely status information relating to the assembly status of each pallet assembly and, potentially, of each individual pallet module. This status information could be entered manually by an operator and stored in each relevant primary pallet module for communication to the remote station. In other embodiments, the assembly status could be compiled by each primary pallet module in a semi-automatic or automatic manner depending on which pallet modules are located in the immediate vicinity of the primary pallet module (which requires wireless local interconnectivity amongst the pallet modules forming the pallet assembly).

The invention further generally relates to a process of collecting status data relating to a status of modular pallet assemblies 1000 each consisting of a plurality of physically interconnected pallet modules configured to nest one within another, including:

• • a load status indicative of whether each pallet assembly 1000 is fully or partially loaded with material or goods or fully unloaded;
  • a transit/storage status indicative of whether the pallet assembly 1000 is in transit or in a stored location; and
  • an assembly status indicative of whether the pallet assembly 1000 is assembled or disassembled,

the status data of any given pallet assembly 1000 being first collected locally in a dedicated pallet module of the pallet assembly 1000 and then communicated to a remote data collection system (i.e. the aforementioned cloud-based server SRV and associated workstation WRK).

As already described hereabove, the dedicated pallet module may especially be designed as an active, primary pallet module P comprising primary hardware HW1 configured to provide wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with the remote data collection system, as well as wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the pallet assembly 1000. In such case, the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module P, are passive, secondary pallet modules S comprising secondary hardware HW2 configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware HW1, and status data relating to the secondary pallet modules S is collected locally by the primary hardware HW1 for communication to the remote data collection system.

At least part of the aforementioned hardware HW1, HW2 may be embedded into a structural body of the associated pallet module, including e.g. the structural body 100, 200, resp. 300, of the pallet modules 10, 20, resp. 30 shown in FIGS. 1A-B to 3A-B. Especially, passive RFID tags, acting as secondary hardware HW2, may be embedded into the structural body of the associated pallet module at the time of manufacture. By contrast, the primary hardware HW1 may simply be secured or attached to a suitable portion of the pallet module in such a way as to remain accessible and potentially exchangeable.

Various modifications and/or improvements may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

For instance, while not specifically shown, each primary pallet module may likewise be provided with an RFID tag (or like short-range communication device) to provide unique identification of the pallet module. Such RFID tag may be distinct from the primary hardware and embedded e.g. into a structural body of the pallet (much like the secondary hardware), in which case the RFID tag may be interrogated along with the other RFID tags. Alternatively, the RFID tag may be directly interfaced with the primary hardware or the functionality thereof be implemented directly into the primary hardware.

By analogy, dedicated hardware could also be incorporated into the wall members and—if present—the top cover member of crates or boxes comprising a pallet assembly in accordance with the invention, which dedicated hardware could interact with e.g. the primary hardware of the primary pallet module, much like the secondary hardware of the secondary pallet modules described above. In such case, additional status data could likewise be collected with respect to a status of relevant crates or boxes.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND SIGNS USED THEREIN

• • 10 (unit-size) pallet module
  • 100 main structural body of pallet module 10
  • 100A generally quadrilateral peripheral border of main structural body 100
  • 100B upper side of main structural body 100
  • 100C lower side of main structural body 100
  • 101 first lateral side of main structural body 100
  • 102 second lateral side of main structural body 100
  • 103 third lateral side of main structural body 100
  • 104 fourth lateral side of main structural body 100
  • 110 first lateral flange extending outwardly from peripheral border 100A of main structural body 100, along first lateral side 101
  • 120 second lateral flange extending outwardly from peripheral border 100A of main structural body 100, along second lateral side 102
  • 130 first lateral groove extending inwardly from peripheral border 100A of main structural body 100, along third lateral side 103
  • 140 second lateral groove extending inwardly from peripheral border 100A of main structural body 100, along fourth lateral side 104
  • 151 recess accommodating first toggle latch component 51
  • 152 recess accommodating second toggle latch component 52
  • 153 recess accommodating third toggle latch component 53
  • 154 recess accommodating third toggle latch component 54
  • 20 medium-size pallet module
  • 200 main structural body of pallet module 20
  • 200A generally quadrilateral peripheral border of main structural body 200
  • 200B upper side of main structural body 200
  • 200C lower side of main structural body 200
  • 201 first lateral side of main structural body 200
  • 202 second lateral side of main structural body 200
  • 203 third lateral side of main structural body 200
  • 204 fourth lateral side of main structural body 200
  • 210 first lateral flange extending outwardly from peripheral border 200A of main structural body 200, along first lateral side 201
  • 220 second lateral flange extending outwardly from peripheral border 200A of main structural body 200, along second lateral side 202
  • 230 first lateral groove extending inwardly from peripheral border 200A of main structural body 200, along third lateral side 203
  • 240 second lateral groove extending inwardly from peripheral border 200A of main structural body 200, along fourth lateral side 204
  • 251 recess accommodating first toggle latch component 51
  • 252 recess accommodating second toggle latch component 52
  • 253 recess accommodating third toggle latch component 53
  • 254 recess accommodating third toggle latch component 54
  • 30 large-size pallet module
  • 300 main structural body of pallet module 30
  • 300A generally quadrilateral peripheral border of main structural body 300
  • 300B upper side of main structural body 300
  • 300C lower side of main structural body 300
  • 301 first lateral side of main structural body 300
  • 302 second lateral side of main structural body 300
  • 303 third lateral side of main structural body 300
  • 304 fourth lateral side of main structural body 300
  • 310 first lateral flange extending outwardly from peripheral border 300A of main structural body 300, along first lateral side 301
  • 320 second lateral flange extending outwardly from peripheral border 300A of main structural body 300, along second lateral side 302
  • 330 first lateral groove extending inwardly from peripheral border 300A of main structural body 300, along third lateral side 303
  • 340 second lateral groove extending inwardly from peripheral border 300A of main structural body 300, along fourth lateral side 304
  • 351 recess accommodating first toggle latch component 51
  • 352 recess accommodating second toggle latch component 52
  • 353 recess accommodating third toggle latch component 53
  • 354 recess accommodating third toggle latch component 54
  • 51 first toggle latch component(s) arranged in the vicinity of the first lateral side 101, 201, resp. 301/spring-loaded latch element(s)
  • 52 second toggle latch component(s) arranged in the vicinity of the second lateral side 102, 202, resp. 302/spring-loaded latch element(s)
  • 53 third toggle latch component(s) arranged in the vicinity of the third lateral side 103, 203, resp. 303/catch element(s)
  • 54 fourth toggle latch component(s) arranged in the vicinity of the fourth lateral side 104, 204, resp. 304/catch element(s)
  • 500 releasable toggle latch
  • 510 moveable latch section of spring-loaded latch element 51, resp. 52
  • 520 handle section mechanically linked to moveable latch section 510
  • 550 catch section of catch element 53, 54, 71, resp. 81
  • 90 foot structure (releasable)
  • 91 releasable foot elements
  • 170 cover element configured to cover upper side of first lateral flange(s) 110, 210, resp. 310
  • 180 cover element configured to cover upper side of second lateral flange(s) 120, 220, resp. 320
  • 71 toggle latch component/catch element(s) provided on cover element 170
  • 81 toggle latch component/catch element(s) provided on cover element 180
  • L1 length (and width) of unit-size pallet module 10 (“unit length”)
  • L2 length (and width) of medium-size pallet module 20 L2
  • L3 length (and width) of large-size pallet module 30
  • 900 processing unit/controller (e.g. microcontroller)
  • 910 long-range communication interface (e.g. cellular transceiver)
  • 920 short-range wireless communication interface (e.g. RFID interrogator/reader)
  • 930 geolocalization device (e.g. GPS device)
  • 940 sensor(s) for sensing physical or environmental parameter such as temperature, pressure, humidity, acceleration, etc.
  • 945 sensor interface(s) connectable to sensor(s) for sensing physical or environmental parameter such as temperature, pressure, humidity, acceleration, etc.
  • 950 source of energy (e.g. battery)
  • 990 short-range communication device (e.g. RFID tag)
  • P, P_A, P_B primary pallet module(s)
  • S secondary pallet module(s)
  • HW1 primary hardware (hardware of primary pallet module P)
  • HW1_A primary hardware (hardware of primary pallet module P_A)
  • HW1_B primary hardware (hardware of primary pallet module P_B)
  • HW2 secondary hardware (hardware of secondary pallet module S)
  • W wall elements
  • T top cover member
  • CN cellular network
  • SRV remote station/server (e.g. cloud-based server)
  • WRK workstation

Claims

1.-53. (canceled)

54. A modular pallet assembly formed of a plurality of physically interconnected pallet modules that are each configured to nest one within another, wherein at least one of the pallet modules is designed as an active, primary pallet module comprising primary hardware configured to actively handle and manage at least one primary functionality of the entire pallet assembly,and wherein the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, delegate the primary functionality to the primary pallet module.

55. The pallet assembly according to claim 54, wherein the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, are passive, secondary pallet modules configured to supplement or enable part of the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware.

56. The pallet assembly according to claim 54, wherein the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes active control and/or monitoring of refrigeration.

57. The pallet assembly according to claim 55, wherein the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes active control and/or monitoring of refrigeration, wherein the primary hardware includes hardware to provide a refrigerant,and wherein each of the pallet modules forming the pallet assembly includes thermal insulation designed to support refrigeration.

58. The pallet assembly according to claim 54, wherein the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes active control and/or monitoring of humidity.

59. The pallet assembly according to claim 55, wherein the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes active control and/or monitoring of humidity, and wherein each of the pallet modules forming the pallet assembly includes humidity insulation designed to assist humidity control.

60. The pallet assembly according to claim 54, wherein the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes provision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station.

61. The pallet assembly according to claim 55, wherein the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes provision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station, wherein the primary hardware is further configured to provide wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the pallet assembly,and wherein the secondary pallet modules comprise secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware.

62. The pallet assembly according to claim 54, wherein the primary functionality of the entire pallet assembly is actively handled and managed exclusively by the primary hardware, and wherein the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, are functionally inactive modules with no hardware or added functionality beyond the ability to physically interconnect with other pallet modules.

63. The pallet assembly according to claim 54, comprising more than one primary module each comprising primary hardware configured to actively handle and manage a dedicated primary functionality of the entire pallet assembly.

64. A modular pallet assembly formed of a plurality of physically interconnected pallet modules that are each configured to nest one within another, wherein the pallet modules comprise hardware that is configured to provide the pallet assembly with wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station, as well as wireless local interconnectivity amongst the pallet modules forming the pallet assembly.

65. The pallet assembly according to claim 64, wherein one of the pallet modules is designed as an active, primary pallet module comprising primary hardware configured to provide wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with the at least one remote station, as well as wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the pallet assembly, and wherein the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, are passive, secondary pallet modules comprising secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware.

66. The pallet assembly according to claim 65, wherein the primary hardware includes at least: a source of energy, such as a battery, to supply energy to the primary hardware;a processing unit or controller configured to control operation of the primary hardware;a long-range communication interface configured to communicate with the at least one remote station; anda short-range wireless communication interface configured to establish a wireless local connection with the secondary hardware,and wherein the secondary hardware includes at least a short-range communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with the short-range wireless communication interface of the primary hardware over the wireless local connection.

67. The pallet assembly according to claim 66, wherein the primary hardware further includes at least one geolocalization device configured to ascertain a geographical position of the primary pallet module, and thus of the pallet assembly comprising the said primary pallet module.

68. The pallet assembly according to claim 67, wherein the geolocalization device is a satellite positioning device, such as a GPS device.

69. The pallet assembly according to claim 66, wherein the long-range communication interface includes a cellular transceiver configured to establish a connection with the remote station via a cellular network.

70. The pallet assembly according to claim 69, wherein the cellular transceiver is configured to establish a cellular connection with the cellular network based on a Low Power Wide Area Network (LPWAN) standard, such as the LTE-M (Long-Term Evolution for Machines) standard, the NB-IoT (Narrowband Internet of Things) standard, or the EC-GSM-IoT (Extended Coverage GSM Internet of Things) standard.

71. The pallet assembly according to claim 66, wherein the short-range communication device is an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) device or a BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) device.

72. The pallet assembly according to claim 71, wherein the short-range communication device is a passive RFID tag energized by a radio-frequency interrogating signal produced by the short-range wireless communication interface of the primary hardware.

73. The pallet assembly according to claim 66, wherein the short-range communication device is selectively interrogatable by an operator using an external reader device.

74. The pallet assembly according to claim 66, wherein the primary hardware is configured to allow an operator to establish a wireless local connection between the primary hardware and an external communication device, such as a smartphone or tablet, preferably by means of Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology.

75. The pallet assembly according to claim 66, wherein the primary hardware further includes one or more sensors and/or one or more dedicated sensor interfaces connectable to sensors configured to sense at least one physical or environmental parameter such as temperature, pressure, humidity, acceleration, or inertial or angular momentum.

76. The pallet assembly according to claim 65, wherein the secondary hardware is primarily configured to communicate a unique identifier to the primary hardware which uniquely identifies each secondary pallet module.

77. The pallet assembly according to claim 76, wherein the primary hardware is configured to periodically trigger the secondary hardware to communicate the unique identifier.

78. The pallet assembly according to claim 54, wherein at least part of the hardware is embedded into a structural body of the associated pallet module.

79. The pallet assembly according to claim 64, wherein at least part of the hardware is embedded into a structural body of the associated pallet module.

80. The pallet assembly according to claim 54, wherein each pallet module includes: a mating system configured to allow nesting of another pallet module to form the pallet assembly; anda securing system configured to allow the pallet module to be secured to or released from another pallet module of the pallet assembly.

81. The pallet assembly according to claim 64, wherein each pallet module includes: a mating system configured to allow nesting of another pallet module to form the pallet assembly; anda securing system configured to allow the pallet module to be secured to or released from another pallet module of the pallet assembly.

82. The pallet assembly according to claim 54, wherein the pallet modules are pallet modules of different sizes.

83. The pallet assembly according to claim 64, wherein the pallet modules are pallet modules of different sizes.

84. A modular pallet architecture comprised of a plurality of physically interconnectable pallet modules that are each configured to allow formation of a nested pallet assembly of at least two pallet modules, wherein the modular pallet architecture includes: a first type of pallet modules, namely active, primary pallet modules comprising primary hardware configured to actively handle and manage at least one primary functionality of the nested pallet assembly; andat least a second type of pallet modules, namely passive, secondary pallet modules configured to supplement or enable part of the primary functionality of the nested pallet assembly that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware.

85. The modular pallet architecture according to claim 84, wherein the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes: active control and/or monitoring of refrigeration;active control and/or monitoring of humidity; and/orprovision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station.

86. The modular pallet architecture according to claim 84, wherein the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes provision of wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station, wherein the primary hardware is further configured to provide wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the nested pallet assembly,and wherein the secondary pallet modules comprise secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware.

87. A modular pallet architecture comprised of a plurality of physically interconnectable pallet modules that are each configured to allow formation of a nested pallet assembly of at least two pallet modules, wherein the pallet modules comprise hardware that is configured to provide the nested pallet assembly with wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with at least one remote station, as well as wireless local interconnectivity amongst the pallet modules forming the nested pallet assembly.

88. The modular pallet architecture according to claim 87, including: a first type of pallet modules, namely primary pallet modules comprising primary hardware configured to provide wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with the at least one remote station, as well as wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the nested pallet assembly; andat least a second type of pallet modules, namely secondary pallet modules comprising secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware.

89. The modular pallet architecture according to claim 88, wherein the primary hardware includes at least: a source of energy, such as a battery, to supply energy to the primary hardware;a processing unit or controller configured to control operation of the primary hardware;a long-range communication interface configured to communicate with the at least one remote station; anda short-range wireless communication interface configured to establish a wireless local connection with the secondary hardware,and wherein the secondary hardware includes at least a short-range communication device configured to wirelessly communicate with the short-range wireless communication interface of the primary hardware over the wireless local connection.

90. A pallet assembly built of multiple pallet modules in accordance with the modular pallet architecture of claim 84, wherein the pallet assembly includes at least one primary pallet module physically interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules.

91. A pallet assembly built of multiple pallet modules in accordance with the modular pallet architecture of claim 87, wherein the pallet assembly includes at least one primary pallet module physically interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules.

92. A pallet assembly built of multiple pallet modules in accordance with the modular pallet architecture of claim 86, wherein the pallet assembly includes at least one primary pallet module physically interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules and capable of establishing wireless connection to and long-range communication with at least one remote station.

93. A pallet assembly built of multiple pallet modules in accordance with the modular pallet architecture of claim 87, wherein the pallet assembly includes at least one primary pallet module physically interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules and capable of establishing wireless connection to and long-range communication with at least one remote station.

94. A pallet assembly built of multiple pallet modules in accordance with the modular pallet architecture of claim 86, wherein the pallet assembly includes at least one primary pallet module physically as well as wirelessly interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules.

95. A pallet assembly built of multiple pallet modules in accordance with the modular pallet architecture of claim 87, wherein the pallet assembly includes at least one primary pallet module physically as well as wirelessly interconnected with one or more secondary pallet modules.

96. A crate or box comprising a pallet assembly in accordance with claim 54 physically interconnected with wall members.

97. A crate or box comprising a pallet assembly in accordance with claim 64 physically interconnected with wall members.

98. A closed box comprising a pallet assembly in accordance with claim 54 physically interconnected with wall members and closed by a top cover member.

99. A closed box comprising a pallet assembly in accordance with claim 64 physically interconnected with wall members and closed by a top cover member.

100. The closed box according to claim 98, wherein the primary functionality that is actively handled and managed by the primary hardware includes active control and/or monitoring of refrigeration and/or humidity, and wherein the pallet assembly, wall members and top cover member are designed to maintain a controllable environment inside the closed box with respect to temperature and/or humidity.

101. The closed box according to claim 98, wherein the wall members and the top cover member are each configured to supplement or enable part of the primary functionality of the pallet assembly.

102. The closed box according to claim 101, wherein the wall members and the top cover member each comprise dedicated hardware configured to interact with the hardware of the pallet assembly.

103. The closed box according to claim 98, wherein the wall members and top cover member are each constructed as modular elements.

104. A data collection and management system comprising: a data collection and management server; anda plurality of geographically distributed pallet assemblies in accordance with claim 61 in long-range communication with the data collection and management server.

105. The data collection and management system according to claim 104, wherein the data collection and management server is a cloud-based server.

106. The data collection and management system according to claim 104, configured to collect data about and provide update regarding a status of the pallet assemblies including: a load status indicative of whether each pallet assembly is fully or partially loaded with material or goods or fully unloaded;a transit/storage status indicative of whether the pallet assembly is in transit or in a stored location; andan assembly status indicative of whether the pallet assembly is assembled or disassembled.

107. The data collection and management system according to claim 106, further configured to collect data about individual pallet modules and their assembly status.

108. A process of collecting status data relating to a status of modular pallet assemblies each consisting of a plurality of physically interconnected pallet modules configured to nest one within another, including: a load status indicative of whether each pallet assembly is fully or partially loaded with material or goods or fully unloaded;a transit/storage status indicative of whether the pallet assembly is in transit or in a stored location; andan assembly status indicative of whether the pallet assembly is assembled or disassembled,wherein the status data of any given pallet assembly are first collected locally in a dedicated pallet module of the pallet assembly and then communicated to a remote data collection system.

109. The process according to claim 108, wherein the dedicated pallet module is designed as an active, primary pallet module comprising primary hardware configured to provide wireless connectivity to and long-range communication with the remote data collection system, as well as wireless local interconnectivity with other pallet modules of the pallet assembly, wherein the remaining pallet modules, beyond the primary pallet module, are passive, secondary pallet modules comprising secondary hardware configured to wirelessly interconnect with said primary hardware,and wherein status data relating to the secondary pallet modules is collected locally by the primary hardware for communication to the remote data collection system.