Recyclable Cardboard Pallet

Abstract

A recyclable cardboard pallet is disclosed herein. The pallet includes a top platform and a bottom platform formed by at least one layer of laminar components, wherein at least one of the layers of laminar components of each platform has openings, fastening components, and a frustoconical shape for inserting separators. The separators include outer tubular bodies with an inner diameter that is greater than or equal to a largest diameter of the openings, such that ends of the outer tubular body rest completely on the laminar elements between which it is located. The separators further include an inner tubular body concentric with and longer than the outer tubular body, the inner tubular body having an outer diameter configured relative to a smallest diameter of the openings, such that the outer diameter of the inner tubular body fits flush with laminar elements between which it is located.

Claims

1.-4. (canceled)

5. A recyclable cardboard pallet which comprises a top platform and a bottom platform, each platform comprising at least one layer of laminar elements, and the platforms arranged in parallel planes, wherein the at least one layer of laminar elements of each platform comprises openings configured for the insertion of separators comprising an outer tubular body and an inner tubular body concentric with the outer tubular body and having a greater length, wherein: the openings have a frustoconical configuration, the inner tubular body has an outer diameter of a dimension configured relative to a smallest diameter of the opening, such that the outer diameter of the inner tubular body fits flush with laminar elements between which it is located, the outer tubular body has an inner diameter of a dimension that is greater than or equal to a largest diameter of the opening, such that ends of the outer tubular body rest completely on laminar elements between which it is placed, a gap of the frustoconical configuration of the opening comprises fastening elements configured to provide a joint with a resistance.

6. The recyclable cardboard pallet according to claim 5, wherein the openings are configured as blind openings and/or through openings.

7. The recyclable cardboard pallet according to claim 6, wherein the fastening elements protrude from the opening and are further configured to enter an opening between the tubular bodies and join the outer tubular body and the inner tubular body.

8. The recyclable cardboard pallet, according to claim 5, wherein the fastening elements comprise a mounting adhesive.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0012] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pallet made according to the object of the present invention. It basically comprises a top platform and a bottom platform, each one made up of a single layer of laminar elements, joined by means of separators.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a pallet wherein the top platform comprises two layers of laminar elements.

[0014] FIG. 3 shows a view that is similar to that of the preceding figure wherein the layers of laminar elements of the top platform have a different configuration to the one shown in the preceding figure.

[0015] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a pallet wherein the top platform is made of a single laminar element that covers the entire top platform.

[0016] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a pallet with a separator formed by the two inner and outer tubular bodies, wherein the ends of the inner tubular body are embedded in blind openings of the top and bottom platforms.

[0017] FIG. 6 shows a similar view to the one shown in the preceding figure wherein an end of the inner tubular body is embedded in a through opening of the bottom platform, while the other end of the inner tubular body is embedded in a blind opening of the top platform.

[0018] FIG. 7 shows a similar view to the one shown in the preceding figures wherein the ends of the inner tubular body are embedded in through openings of the top and bottom platforms of the pallet.

[0019] FIG. 8 shows a view of a part of a pallet with protective flaps, showing a load.

[0020] A list of the reference numbers used in the figures is provided below:

[0021] 1a. Top platform.

[0022] 1b. Bottom platform.

[0023] 2. Separator.

[0024] 3. Inner tubular body.

[0025] 4. Outer tubular body.

[0026] 5. Openings.

[0027] 6. Fastening means.

[0028] 7. Load.

DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0029] Considering the numbering used in the figures, the recyclable pallet comprises a top platform (1a) and a bottom platform (1b), arranged in two parallel planes, distanced by means of a series of separators (2), which not only act as spacers but also as fastening elements for the assembly of the components of the pallet.

[0030] Both the top platform (1a) and the bottom platform (1b) can be made up of one or several layers of laminar elements.

[0031] The laminar elements, in turn, can be made up of a single element, of the size of the pallet, or by several longitudinal laminar elements. In the second case, the longitudinal laminar elements can be arranged parallel or perpendicular to one another in the different layers and with respect to the longitudinal laminar elements of the bottom platform (1b). This arrangement of the laminar elements is shown in FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0032] The separators (2) are formed by an outer tubular body (3) and an inner tubular body (4) of a greater length, which is placed concentrically, although with play, with respect to the outer tubular body (3).

[0033] Both the top platform (1a) and the bottom platform (1b) incorporate openings (5) for the insertion of the ends of the inner tubular bodies (4) of the separators (2) by means of which the pallet is configured.

[0034] In FIGS. 5 to 8 it may be seen that the openings (5) in the laminar elements are not cylindrical, but frustoconical, with the largest base in the area that is farthest inside the pallet once it is mounted. The smallest diameter of the opening (5) has a dimension similar to the outer diameter of the inner tubular body (4), which tightly fits into the same. On the other hand, the inner diameter of the outer tubular body (3) has a dimension that is greater than or equal to the largest diameter of the opening (5).

[0035] The arrangement of the laminar elements of the pallet is important given that the separators (2) are fitted flush with the same or in blind openings based on whether the platform (1a, 1b) is made of one layer of laminar elements or several layers of laminar elements, in the latter case the openings (5) being covered by a second layer of laminar elements. The different embodiments are shown in FIGS. 5 to 7.

[0036] This way, when mounting the inner tubular body (4), the triangular area of the transverse cross section of the frustoconical geometry of the opening (5) is filled with fastening means (6), such as, for example, mounting adhesive, providing the joint with a strong resistance. Additionally, the end of the inner tubular body (3) can incorporate mounting adhesive for the joining thereof to the laminar elements in the case that the platform (1a, 1b) incorporates several layers of laminar elements and the opening (5) is blind.

[0037] To finish the configuration of the separators (5), the outer tubular body is subsequently mounted, to which adhesive is preferably applied to the ends, since they will always be resting against laminar elements of the bottom platform (1a) and top platform (1b).

[0038] In any case, the fastening means (6) the pallet incorporates in the openings (5) can extend so that they protrude from the opening (5) and serve as a joint between the inner tubular bodies (3) and the outer tubular bodies (4), considerably increasing the joining effect of the two tubular bodies (3, 4) to one another and to the platforms (1a, 1b).

[0039] From the description of the present specification, it may be concluded that the novelty presented by the cardboard pallet of the invention is only focused on the area of the openings (5) and the separators (2), and as such it may be understood that the invention can be applied to any type of cardboard pallet, regardless of whether it incorporates additional elements for securing the load (7), as shown in FIG. 8, or any other type of alternative configuration with respect to the platforms (1a, 1b).

[0040] The present invention should not be limited to the embodiment herein described. Other arrangements may be carried out by those skilled in the art based on the present description. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.