Patent Application
20190031414
A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 37 CFR 1.71(d).
The following includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention(s). It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art, or material, to the presently described or claimed inventions, or that any publication or document that is specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
The present invention relates generally to the field of cargo wrap and more specifically relates to a wrapping apparatus for pallets.
Shrink wrap has considerable advantages over tarps, construction plastic sheeting and other types of covers that can move and chafe painted surfaces when covering loads being transported or stored. Shrink wrap protects against all weather damage; it is waterproof and can be sealed around entire units and goods stacked on pallets to eliminate any weather-related losses, including rain, snow, wind, sun. Unfortunately, it is a single-use product. After the goods are delivered, the wrap is removed and thrown away, becoming yet another plastic, non-biodegradable element that ends up in our landfills. It also takes time and energy to wrap freight for shipping, as workers must walk around the freight several times in order to cover its entire surface and then apply heat to shrink the plastic.
One of the modern problems with economies where a never ending stream of products are shipped in all directions across industrialized nations is the amount of waste products that are developed. For instance, boxes, cardboard, paper, and especially plastic is manufactured for containers and for wrapping pallets of multiple containers to keep them securely attached to the pallet. Plastic containers cast into landfills alone are developing into a huge environmental problem. Water bottles and milk jugs are discarded by the millions everyday and end up in landfills. Much of these plastics are not recyclable. An emerging problem is the amount of shrink wrap that is developed and tossed into landfills. While technology advances and new and better products are invented continuously, the problem of waste plastic in the environment tends to get overlooked. There may not be any one single solution to the problem, but solutions are needed just the same. An innovation that would help reduce the amount of waste would be welcomed.
Various attempts have been made to solve the above-mentioned problems such as those found in U.S. Pub. No. 2007/0289682 to Graham Young, U.S. Pub. No. 2016/0001922 to Evgeniy Sadykov, U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,894 to Kevin Temple, U.S. Pat. No. 5,226,544 to Gallucci et al., and U.S. Pat. No. 2003/0029984 to Paul Giampavolo. This art is representative of palletized cargo coverings. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the invention as claimed.
Ideally, shipping plastic wrap should provide multiple usages to reduce environmental waste, and yet, would operate reliably and be manufactured at a modest expense. Thus, a need exists for a reliable wrapping apparatus for pallets to avoid the above-mentioned problems.
In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known cargo wrap art, the present invention provides a novel wrapping apparatus for pallets. The general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide multiple usages to reduce environmental waste.
A wrapping apparatus for pallets preferably comprises a sheet of wrapping material adapted to be placed over and around material placed upon a pallet, a plurality of tightening strips each including an elongated body having a length and a releasable connector on opposite ends that is adapted to releasably connect with the pallet and thereby releasably hold the sheet of wrapping material securely thereto thereby covering and releasably holding the material upon the pallet. The tightening strips are attached to a top surface of the sheet of wrapping material along the length. Cross-tightening strips include an elongated body having a length and two opposite ends respectively connected to two of the tightening strips.
A tightening member is connected to a portion of the elongated body and is adapted to be rotated to increase tension within the cross-tightening strip and pull two of the tightening strips towards one another to thereby tighten the wrapping apparatus around the material placed upon the pallet and increase the tension within the tightening strips. In an installed condition, the device is able to more securely but releasably hold the material to the pallet via the releasable connectors.
The tightening member(s) is adapted to be rotated via a drill member and includes a releasable lock member adapted to hold said tightening member in a chosen rotated position. The tightening member is also adapted to be rotated in two directions, and when rotated in a clock-wise direction, the tension within the tightening member is increased. When rotated in a counter-clock-wise direction the tension within the tightening member is decreased.
The sheet of wrapping material is preferably formed from a plastic material to provide cost effectiveness and weather proofing for the cargo it covers. The tightening strips are formed from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of plastic, cotton, burlap, fiberglass, nylon, and rubber.
The releasable connectors are formed as hook members located at the corners of the rectangular shaped sheet of wrapping material. The tightening strips are attached to the top surface of the sheet of wrapping material in a crisscross configuration and may be formed into the wrapping material. The tightening strips may be attached to the top surface of the sheet of wrapping material in a crisscross configuration, such that the opposite ends are attached in proximity to each respective corner of the rectangular shape.
An improved pallet system may comprise a pallet member having a substantially flat top surface, a substantially flat bottom surface, and that is substantially rigid and formed having a rectangular shape with four corners. A wrapping apparatus that comprises a sheet of wrapping material adapted to be placed over and around cargo placed upon the pallet member and a plurality of tightening strips each including an elongated body having a length with a releasable connector at the opposite ends. Each releasable connector is adapted to releasably connect to the pallet member and thereby releasably hold the sheet of wrapping material securely thereto and thereby cover and releasably hold the material upon the pallet member.
The tightening strips may be attached to the top surface of the sheet of wrapping material along its length from corner to diagonally opposite corner and a cross-tightening strip may be horizontally attached between two opposite tightening strips on the same side of the pallet, each including an elongated body having a length and two opposite ends respectively connected to two of the tightening strips.
A tightening member is connected to a portion of the elongated body and is adapted to be rotated to thereby increase tension within the cross-tightening strip and pull the two tightening strips towards one another to thereby tighten the wrapping apparatus around the material placed upon the pallet member, increase tension on the plurality of tightening strips, and more securely and releasably hold the material to the pallet member via the releasable connectors.
The tightening member is adapted to be rotated via a drill member and includes a releasable lock member adapted to hold the tightening member in a chosen rotated position. The tightening member is adapted to be rotated in two directions. When rotated in a clock-wise direction the tension within the tightening member is increased, and when rotated in a counter-clock-wise direction the tension within the tightening member is decreased.
The sheet of wrapping material is formed from a plastic material. The plurality of tightening strips are formed from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of plastic, cotton, burlap, fiberglass, and rubber.
The releasable connectors are formed as hook members that are located at the corners of the rectangular shaped wrapping material and the tightening strips are attached to the hook members. The tightening strips are attached to the top surface of the sheet of wrapping material in a crisscross configuration. The plurality of tightening strips are attached to the top surface of the sheet of wrapping material in a crisscross configuration, such that the opposite ends thereof are attached in proximity to each respective corner of the rectangular shape.
The present invention holds significant improvements and serves as a wrapping apparatus for pallets. For purposes of summarizing the invention, certain aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention have been described herein. It is to be understood that not necessarily all such advantages may be achieved in accordance with any one particular embodiment of the invention. Thus, the invention may be embodied or carried out in a manner that achieves or optimizes one advantage or group of advantages as taught herein without necessarily achieving other advantages as may be taught or suggested herein. The features of the invention which are believed to be novel are particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings and detailed description.
The figures which accompany the written portion of this specification illustrate embodiments and method(s) of use for the present invention, wrapping apparatus for pallets, constructed and operative according to the teachings of the present invention.
The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.
As discussed above, embodiments of the present invention relate to cargo wrap and more particularly to a wrapping apparatus for pallets as used to improve the ease of use while reducing environmental waste.
Generally speaking, a wrapping apparatus for pallets is a sturdy plastic wrap for securing products on pallets that has criss-crossed straps with tightening devices that are operated using a cordless drill. The ends of the straps have hooks that attach to the corners of the pallet. As the disc shaped tighteners are turned clockwise, the straps are shortened tightening the straps and therefore tightening the plastic wrap over the cargo.
In greater detail now, referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in
Wrapping apparatus for pallets 100 preferably comprises sheet of wrapping material 102 adapted to be placed over and around material placed upon pallet 105, a plurality of tightening strips 110 each including elongated body 111 having a length and releasable connector 112 on opposite ends that is adapted to releasably connect with pallet 105 and thereby releasably hold sheet of wrapping material 102 securely thereto thereby covering and releasably holding the material upon pallet 105. Tightening strips 110 are attached to top surface 103 of sheet of wrapping material 102 along the length. Cross-tightening strip 115 includes elongated body 111 having a length and two opposite ends respectively connected to two of tightening strips 110.
Referring now to
Sheet of wrapping material 102 is preferably formed from a plastic material to provide cost effectiveness and weather proofing for cargo 140 it covers. Tightening strips 110 are formed from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of plastic, cotton, burlap, fiberglass, nylon, and rubber.
Releasable connector 112 are formed as hook members 135 located at corners 104 of the rectangular shaped sheet of wrapping material 102. Tightening strips 110 are attached to top surface 103 of sheet of wrapping material 102 in a crisscross configuration and may be formed into sheet of wrapping material 102. Tightening strips 110 may be attached to top surface 103 of sheet of wrapping material 102 in a crisscross configuration, such that the opposite ends are attached in proximity to each respective corner(s) of the rectangular shape.
Referring now to
Tightening member 120 is connected to a portion of elongated body 111 and is adapted to be rotated to increase tension within cross-tightening strip 115 and pull two of cross-tightening strips 115 towards one another to thereby tighten wrapping apparatus for pallets 100 around material 141 or cargo 140 placed upon pallet 105 and increase the tension within tightening strips 110. In an installed condition, wrapping apparatus for pallets 100 is able to more securely but releasably hold material 141 to pallet 105 via releasable connector 112.
Tightening member 120 is adapted to be rotated via drill member 125 and includes releasable lock member 130 adapted to hold tightening member 120 in a chosen rotated position. Tightening member 120 is also adapted to be rotated in two directions, and when rotated in a clock-wise direction, the tension within tightening member 120 is increased. When rotated in a counter-clock-wise direction the tension within tightening member 120 is decreased.
Referring now to
Improved pallet system 200 may comprise pallet member 202 having a substantially flat top surface 204, a substantially flat bottom surface 203, and that is substantially rigid and formed having a rectangular shape with four corners 205. Wrapping apparatus 206 that comprises sheet of wrapping material 210 adapted to be placed over and around cargo 140 placed upon pallet member 202 and a plurality of tightening strips 215 each including elongated body 216 having a length with releasable connector 217 at the opposite ends. Releasable connector 217 is adapted to releasably connect to pallet member 202 and thereby releasably hold sheet of wrapping material 210 securely thereto and thereby cover and releasably hold material 141 upon pallet member 202.
Referring now to
Tightening strips 215 may be attached to top surface 204 of sheet of wrapping material 210 along its length from corner(s) 205 to diagonally opposite corner(s) 205 and cross-tightening strip 220 may be horizontally attached between two opposite tightening strips 215 on the same side of pallet member 202, each including elongated body 216 having a length and two opposite ends respectively connected to two of tightening strips 215.
Sheet of wrapping material 210 is formed from a plastic material. The plurality of tightening strips 215 are formed from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of plastic, cotton, burlap, fiberglass, and rubber.
Releasable connectors 217 are formed hook members 218 that are located at corner(s) 205 of the rectangular shaped sheet of wrapping material 210 and tightening strips 215 are attached to hook members 218. Tightening strips 215 are attached to top surface 204 of sheet of wrapping material 210 in a crisscross configuration. The plurality of tightening strips 215 are attached to top surface 204 of sheet of wrapping material 210 in a crisscross configuration, such that the opposite ends thereof are attached in proximity to each respective corner(s) 205 of the rectangular shape.
Referring now to
Tightening member 225 is connected to a portion of elongated body 216 and is adapted to be rotated to thereby increase tension within cross-tightening strip 220 and pull the two tightening strips 215 towards one another to thereby tighten wrapping apparatus 206 around material 141 placed upon pallet member 202, increase tension on the plurality of tightening strips 215, and more securely and releasably hold material 141 to pallet member 202 via releasable connector(s) 217.
Tightening member 225 is adapted to be rotated via drill member 230 and includes releasable lock member 226 adapted to hold tightening member 225 in a chosen rotated position. Tightening member 225 is adapted to be rotated in two directions. When rotated in a clock-wise direction the tension within tightening member 225 is increased, and when rotated in a counter-clock-wise direction the tension within tightening member 225 is decreased.
Wrapping apparatus for pallets 100 may be manufactured and provided for sale in a wide variety of sizes and shapes for a wide assortment of applications. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other kit contents or arrangements such as, for example, including more or less components, customized parts, different color combinations, parts may be sold separately, etc., may be sufficient.
It should be noted that the steps described in the method of use can be carried out in many different orders according to user preference. If the use of the term “step of” is used, it should not be interpreted as “step for”, in the claims herein and is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. § 112, ¶ 6. Upon reading this specification, it should be appreciated that, under appropriate circumstances, considering such issues as design preference, user preferences, marketing preferences, cost, structural requirements, available materials, technological advances, etc., other methods of use arrangements such as, for example, different orders within above-mentioned list, elimination or addition of certain steps, including or excluding certain maintenance steps, etc., may be sufficient.
The embodiments of the invention described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, variations and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve substantially equivalent results, all of which are intended to be embraced within the spirit and scope of the invention. Further, the purpose of the foregoing abstract is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally, and especially the scientist, engineers and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application
