An assembly of stacked mattresses and a method for preparing such an assembly are provided. The assembly of stacked mattresses comprises a first pallet, a second pallet, a plurality of mattresses positioned between the first pallet and the second pallet and straps coupling the first pallet to the second pallet, the plurality of mattresses being in a compressed state between the first pallet and the second pallet and the straps restraining expansion of the plurality of mattresses. The second pallet is comprised of a supporting member and a plurality of elongated reinforcing members extending across the supporting member, at least some of the reinforcing members including respective strap guiding members extending longitudinally along the elongated reinforcing member. At least some of the straps engage respective ones of the strap guiding members of the plurality of elongated reinforcing member of the second pallet so that displacement of the straps is constrained by the strap guiding members. In accordance with another aspect, a pallet for using in shipping bedding products is provided.

An assembly of stacked mattresses and a method for preparing such an assembly are provided. The assembly of stacked mattresses comprises a first pallet, a second pallet, a plurality of mattresses positioned between the first pallet and the second pallet and straps coupling the first pallet to the second pallet, the plurality of mattresses being in a compressed state between the first pallet and the second pallet and the straps restraining expansion of the plurality of mattresses. The second pallet is comprised of a supporting member and a plurality of elongated reinforcing members extending across the supporting member, at least some of the reinforcing members including respective strap guiding members extending longitudinally along the elongated reinforcing member. At least some of the straps engage respective ones of the strap guiding members of the plurality of elongated reinforcing member of the second pallet so that displacement of the straps is constrained by the strap guiding members. In accordance with another aspect, a pallet for using in shipping bedding products is provided.

A transport container includes: a bottom member where the transported object is placed; left and right side members disposed beside the bottom member; a handle disposed above the bottom member; left and right lower connecting members interconnecting the bottom member and side members; and left and right upper connecting members interconnecting the side and the handle members, which are respectively interconnected via hinges. When the handle is not lifted, the side members are separated from the bottom member. When the handle is lifted, the side members laterally support the transported object. As for the transport method, with the transported object stacked in the up-down direction, the transport container is installed at an unloading location such that the lower and upper connecting members are laid to be non-parallel to the side member, and the transported object is taken out from the front or rear between the left and right side members.

A transport container includes: a bottom member where the transported object is placed; left and right side members disposed beside the bottom member; a handle disposed above the bottom member; left and right lower connecting members interconnecting the bottom member and side members; and left and right upper connecting members interconnecting the side and the handle members, which are respectively interconnected via hinges. When the handle is not lifted, the side members are separated from the bottom member. When the handle is lifted, the side members laterally support the transported object. As for the transport method, with the transported object stacked in the up-down direction, the transport container is installed at an unloading location such that the lower and upper connecting members are laid to be non-parallel to the side member, and the transported object is taken out from the front or rear between the left and right side members.

A system and method are provided for palletless shipment of gas cylinder arrays. A three-dimensional array of gas cylinders is formed from a plurality of vertically-stacked two-dimensional subarrays. First elongated voids extend through the array in a width direction at a first handle elevation. Second elongated voids extend through the array in a depth direction at a second handle elevation. The first and second elongated voids are bilaterally bounded by handle portions of adjacent gas cylinders, and vertically bounded by upper and lower surfaces of surrounding cylinders. Pairs of tunnel elements are disposed within respective elongated voids and are each configured to releasably receive a corresponding forklift tong. Vertically-disposed pillars may be provided to increase the rigidity and load distribution of the system. Flaps may radiate from the pillars to minimize impact and abrasion between adjacent cylinders during shipment. Key system components may be inexpensively formed from recyclable, lightweight materials.

A system and method are provided for palletless shipment of gas cylinder arrays. A three-dimensional array of gas cylinders is formed from a plurality of vertically-stacked two-dimensional subarrays. First elongated voids extend through the array in a width direction at a first handle elevation. Second elongated voids extend through the array in a depth direction at a second handle elevation. The first and second elongated voids are bilaterally bounded by handle portions of adjacent gas cylinders, and vertically bounded by upper and lower surfaces of surrounding cylinders. Pairs of tunnel elements are disposed within respective elongated voids and are each configured to releasably receive a corresponding forklift tong. Vertically-disposed pillars may be provided to increase the rigidity and load distribution of the system. Flaps may radiate from the pillars to minimize impact and abrasion between adjacent cylinders during shipment. Key system components may be inexpensively formed from recyclable, lightweight materials.

An angle protector for preventing damage to goods during transport and methods of use are provided. The angle protector includes a top end, base end, corner portion, top portion, and base portion. The corner portion includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The corner portion is positioned between the top end and the base end. The top portion extends between the corner portion and the top end. The top portion includes an arch and at least one fin. The arch includes a generally convex outside surface and a generally concave inside surface. The arch extends between the top end and the corner portion. The at least one fin extends at an angle toward the top end from the generally concave inside surface of the arch. The base portion includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The base portion extends between the corner portion and the base end.

An angle protector for preventing damage to goods during transport and methods of use are provided. The angle protector includes a top end, base end, corner portion, top portion, and base portion. The corner portion includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The corner portion is positioned between the top end and the base end. The top portion extends between the corner portion and the top end. The top portion includes an arch and at least one fin. The arch includes a generally convex outside surface and a generally concave inside surface. The arch extends between the top end and the corner portion. The at least one fin extends at an angle toward the top end from the generally concave inside surface of the arch. The base portion includes an inside surface and an outside surface. The base portion extends between the corner portion and the base end.

The invention concerns an elongated protective corner for the transport and/or packaging of products. The corner has at least two non-corrugated paperboard plies combined together to create two perpendicular wings and an apex The plies form multiple ply sections, and at least one of the ply sections of a given ply overlaps another ply section of the same ply. This overlapping arrangement gives the apex a resistance force of about 100 to about 500 lbs. The thickness of the corner can vary, with each wing being in the range of about 100 to about 250 points, and each ply is made from paperboard having a grammage of about 120 to about 380 g/m.sup.2. The resistance force can be determined by mounting the corner upon two blocks, and applying a force to the apex at a middle of the corner until a fracture is detected.

The invention concerns an elongated protective corner for the transport and/or packaging of products. The corner has at least two non-corrugated paperboard plies combined together to create two perpendicular wings and an apex The plies form multiple ply sections, and at least one of the ply sections of a given ply overlaps another ply section of the same ply. This overlapping arrangement gives the apex a resistance force of about 100 to about 500 lbs. The thickness of the corner can vary, with each wing being in the range of about 100 to about 250 points, and each ply is made from paperboard having a grammage of about 120 to about 380 g/m.sup.2. The resistance force can be determined by mounting the corner upon two blocks, and applying a force to the apex at a middle of the corner until a fracture is detected.