This invention relates in general to pallets wraps, and more specifically, to reusable pallet wraps.
Pallets, typically in the form of a boxlike structure and having a flat top and slots or openings in the sides for receiving forks from a forklift of similar lifting device, are used in a wide variety of industries for storage, stacking and for transportation of goods. By some estimates, over five hundred thousand new pallets are produced each year and more than 2 billion pallets are in circulation in the United States alone.
In order to secure the stacked goods relative to the pallet for shipping and/or storage, it is common to use a shrink wrap or a stretch wrap. In view of the large number of pallets that may be used for any given entity, the use of a shrink wrap or stretch wrap can be very time consuming. Furthermore, as neither the shrink wrap nor the stretch wrap can be easily reused, it can also be very expensive and wasteful for entities that ship a lot of goods. In addition, although the shrink wrap or stretch wrap may be wrapped around the pallet itself during application to help secure the goods to the pallet, this can often interfere with the ability to transport the pallets using forklifts and the like.
While in recent years, it has been known to use reusable wraps, because of the flexible nature of the wraps, it is often difficult for individuals, especially those working by themselves, to apply the wrap around goods. Furthermore, the known wraps have not provided a reliable and easy means for securing the goods relative to the pallet.
The present invention is an improvement over the prior pallet wrapping materials in the way that the pallet wrap is secured about the goods and to the pallet itself. In particular, one embodiment of the pallet wrap comprises a flexible wrap having a plurality of pockets adjacent its ends for receiving corresponding rods, and a plurality of hook and loop strap fasteners attached to one end of the wrap for engaging corresponding rings secured to the second end of the wrap to permit the straps to be folded back and attached to themselves to secure the wrap around the goods. Corner members may be attached to the bottom of the wrap to assist in securing the wrap to the pallet itself during use. Hook and loop straps may also be attached to the top of the wrap to extend across the top of the loaded goods. Identification and/or shipping information or materials may be placed in a clear vinyl pocket for easy access and viewing.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a new and improved reusable wrap for securing goods on a pallet.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a new and improved pallet wrap that is easy to use and operate.
Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed disclosure, taken in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts.
While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail several specific embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered merely an exemplification of the principles of the invention and the application is limited only to the appended claims. Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to
In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the wrap is sized and shaped to circumvent most of the load on a pallet, leaving a gap between the ends 104, 106 to permit the straps 112 to engage the corresponding rings 114, 116. As an example, a wrap for use with a standard 48″ by 40″ pallet may be fourteen feet long; however, it is appreciated that the length of the wrap may vary depending on the size of the pallet and the particular goods being stored or transported therein. For use with standard loaded goods, the height of the wrap may be from two to six feet, but it is appreciated that the height also may vary depending on the type of goods being stored or transported.
While the wrap may be made out of a variety of materials that are durable and resistant to tearing or punctures, one known material is a vinyl coated polyester mesh such as, but not limited to, one having an 11 count 840 Denier with a tongue tear of 60×50 pounds and a grab tensile of 250×225 pounds.
Referring again to
Straps 112 may be spaced along the first end 104 of the wrap and stitched to the wrap 102 using a nylon webbing, or attached thereto using other known means. In one embodiment, the straps are 2″ wide and 3′ long and include hook and loop fasteners. Rings 114 may be secured to the wrap 102 in positions proximate the second end 106 corresponding to the respective positions of the straps 112. Referring to
A second set of rings 116 may also be located spaced apart from the first set of rings 114 to provide for extra support for the straps 112, and to also allow for the wrap 102 to overlap, if necessary, for use with smaller sized pallet loads. As shown in
The pallet wrap 100 may also include a strap 122 stitched or otherwise attached to the wrap 102 using a nylon webbing or other known attaching means at the top of the wrap on one side. A corresponding attachment piece such as a strap 124 attached to the wrap 102 on the top of its other side permits the strap 122 to extend over the loaded goods and attach thereto during use to provide extra support and/or restraint for the goods.
A clear vinyl pocket 130 may be located in or on the wrap to allow shipping or identification information and materials to be easily stored and/or viewed during use. Private labels or emblems may also be attached or stitched into the wrap material for identification and marketing purposes.
Referring to
In operation, a user may align the wrap 102 so that the first webbing member 150 aligns with, and may be placed over, the first corner section 152 of the pallet 154. One operator may then grab the other end of the wrap and encircle the goods on the pallet. It is also appreciated that the webbing may be secured after encircling the goods, or not used at all, in which case the first end of the wrap would be held in place while the second end of the wrap is pulled around the loaded goods. Once the wrap has been placed about the goods, the straps may be inserted through the respective rings, pulled taut, and then folded back and attached to themselves. The top strap may then be extended over the top of the goods and secured to corresponding strap on the other side. Information regarding the shipping or contents may be placed within the clear vinyl pocket for easy access.
It will be understood that modifications and variations may be effected without departing from the scope of the novel concepts of the present invention, but it is understood that this application is limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
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Number | Date | Country |
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2008189354 | Aug 2008 | JP |
2010083584 | Apr 2010 | JP |
Entry |
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English Machine Translation of Kashika et al., Load Collapse Preventing Sheet, JP2010083584A, Published Apr. 15, 2010. |