Removable Metal Pallet Kit

Abstract

The demountable metal pallet kit is constructed from sections of a single type of profile or beam with an omega or truncated V appearance. These sections, arranged longitudinally and transversally, are joined together by their upper part or head using removable mounting elements.

An upper metal plate is placed on the longitudinal profiles, which includes perforations for attaching load securing elements or adjusting polyamide protection sheets for the load, especially during transportation when they may experience strong oscillations.

Claims

1. Disassemblable metal pallet kit as depicted in FIG. 1, characterized by including: longitudinal braces or profiles 10 and transverse braces or profiles 20, both of omega or truncated V appearance, mounting elements 30, and a metal sheet 40. Wherein said braces or profiles are characterized by longitudinally including in the folds of their heads 100 and legs 110, ribs 120; wherein the mounting elements 30 allow the fixing of the longitudinal braces or profiles 10 to the transverse braces or profiles 20 at the fixing points 10-20, and wherein the metal sheet 40 is fixed onto the longitudinal braces or profiles 10.

2. Disassemblable metal pallet kit of claim 1, characterized in that the mounting elements 30 are selected from stainless steel blind nuts screws, POP rivets, or adhesives compatible with the pharmaceutical and food industries.

3. Disassemblable metal pallet kit of claim 1, characterized in that the metal sheet 40 is linked to at least five longitudinal braces or profiles 10, POP rivets, or adhesives compatible with the pharmaceutical and food industries.

4. Disassemblable metal pallet kit of claim 1, characterized by including a metal sheet 40 with reinforced perforations 400 to facilitate the securing of the load interacting preferably with springs or tensioning devices 410.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF MULTIPLE DRAWINGS

[0013] FIG. 1. Perspective view of the assembled structure of a pallet kit and optionally without a top plate.

[0014] FIG. 2. Top view of the pallet kit showing longitudinal profiles or beams 10 assembled on the transverse profiles or beams 20.

[0015] FIG. 3. Side view of the assembled pallet kit.

[0016] FIG. 4. Front view of the assembled pallet kit.

[0017] FIG. 5. Front view of the longitudinal 10 and transverse profiles or beams, showing their omega or truncated V appearance, their head 100, legs 110 and ribs 120. The stacking capacity of the profiles or beams that make up the metal pallet kit can be seen.

[0018] FIG. 6. View of the upper plate 40, where the reinforced perforations 400 for the attachment of the limited extension springs or tensors 410 can be observed.

[0019] FIG. 7. View of the mounting elements 30 of the pallet kit, integrating polyamide coating to avoid galvanic corrosion.

[0020] FIG. 8. Description of metal alloys as a basis for calculation in implementation example 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] The main advantages of this kit or demountable pallet system respond to the shortcomings observed in the technique. They can be defined as a reduction in the total volume of the disassembled kit, more specifically in the order of one seventh of its assembled volume, low weight, simple and agile for its assembly and eventual repair, sterilizable with products compatible with the food and pharmaceutical industries without damaging the integrity of the pallet.

[0022] The proposed metal pallet kit allows to reduce freight costs from the factory, manufacturing times due to the low number of pieces, which has a positive impact on compensating the value of the materialsmetals and/or alloys that compose it, in comparison with traditional materials.

[0023] In short, it meets the previously mentioned objective, namely, reduction of the initial cost of metal pallets, reduction of the weight maintaining load capacity, resistance to chemical and climatic agents or negligence of operators.

[0024] This demountable metal pallet kit or system has been especially designed to enable the transfer to the customer who is at a considerable distance from the factory that produces them, to withstand their sanitization using substances at different temperatures, accepted or compatible with the food and pharmaceutical industries, especially without losing qualities or deteriorating in the treatment of their surfaces.

[0025] Likewise, the simplification of its components allows it to equal and even exceed the resistance of the pallets known in the technique, when subjected to horizontal and vertical forces or the buckling itself produced by the elastic torsion forces generated by the movement of the load they support.

[0026] Repairs and maintenance are extremely fast and economical, as the number of parts that make up the kit or system is reduced to a minimum.

[0027] The described demountable pallet kit may adopt different dimensions or proportions, but in the most common and traditional configuration it has a generally rectangular shape sized to suit, but not limited to, a particular container loading application.

[0028] In its preferred implementation, it comprises five (5) longitudinal profiles or beams with an omega or truncated V appearance, three (3) shorter transverse profiles or beams, with an omega or truncated V appearance, and a metal plate to be placed as a loading base for the goods or packages.

[0029] It is not excluded that due to industry needs the number of longitudinal or transverse profiles or beams may be greater, in the need to opt for whole pallets twice the length.

[0030] The dimensions and load capacity of this kit of assembled pallets respectively comply with ISO 6780 2003 and ISO 8611 2 2021 standards.

[0031] Following these guidelines, the size of the demounted pallet kit allows placing around 2,800 units in a forty (40)-feet-long container, while, if the assembled pallet kit is transported, the loading capacity in the same container will be only 480 units.

[0032] The stacking capacity of the profiles or beams (FIG. 5), coupled with the reduced number of pieces that make up the proposed pallet kit, provides significant benefits for maintaining stock in dealerships or distributors. This is because it reduces storage costs for the same number of pallets, thereby further minimizing the initial cost of a metal-made pallet.

[0033] To facilitate the assembly of the pallet, local dealers or distributors at the recipient's location are supplied with by the factory. Using these tools, an operator equipped with a simple portable electric screw driver can assemble 15 pallets per hour. Additionally, when the pallet kit is assembled with fixed or permanent fastening elements, a pneumatic riveting machine can be used to apply POP rivets.

[0034] Referring to the figures, where identical numbers denote corresponding parts across various views, a fully metal demountable pallet kit is typically depicted, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0035] The Kit includes longitudinal profiles or beams 10 and transverse profiles or beams 20. The assembled unit represents the superposition of these profiles or beams, with the former overlapping the latter. Both overlap in such a way that their closed surfaces or the head section 100 of the omega or truncated V shaped profile or beam come into contact in opposite directions, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0036] The longitudinal profiles or beams 10 are equipped with predetermined perforations or contact points for fixation, matching the number or quantity of transverse profiles or beams 20 onto which they will be attached. These are designated as fixing points 10-20.

[0037] In its preferred implementation, in accordance with the previously mentioned industry standards, five (5) longitudinal profiles or beams 10 are arranged on three (3) transverse profiles or beams 20. Three (3) fixing points 10-20 are established on the longitudinal profiles or 10 and five (5) fixing points 10-20 are established on the transverse profiles or 20, as depicted in FIGS. 2 to 5.

[0038] The assembly of the longitudinal 10 and transverse 20 profiles or beams is accomplished via the 10-20 fixing points. Preferably, this is done using 30 assembly elements, such as screws with blind nuts, POP type rivets, and optionally spot welding or adhesives for a permanent assembly of the kit or system.

[0039] The use of Belleville type washers is recommended for screwed joints. This guarantees the rigidity of the assembly when sterilized with steam or substances at temperatures of 130? C. or higher, due to the action of expansion factors of the assembly parts above said temperature.

[0040] The use of electrical insulating rings, made of polyamide or equivalent, in the contact of the mounting elements 30 at the fixing points 10-20, is highly beneficial. It helps to prevent galvanic corrosion between the aluminum and stainless steel of the screws, POP type rivets, as illustrated in FIG. 7.

[0041] When it becomes necessary to dismantle the described pallet in seasonal production situations, or for reasons such as space availability in warehouses or storage costs, in pharmaceutical labs or food product factories, stainless steel bolts with nuts are recommended as mounting elements 30.

[0042] FIG. 7 describes the assembly system for the mounting elements 30. This includes screws g, blind nuts f, and austenitic stainless steel washers c. Polyamide or similar insulating bushings a are used to prevent galvanic corrosion during sterilization with steam at 2.5 Bar. Additionally, Belleville DIN 6796 d martensitic stainless steel washers are used to maintain the rigid joint of the assembled pallet kit, during high temperature sterilization.

[0043] The assembled pallet kit features an upper section with a metal plate 40 fixed to longitudinal profiles or beams 10, designed to bear the weight of the goods. It also has a lower section, consisting of transverse profiles or beams 20. These profiles or beams make contact with the ground via their legs 110, providing stability. The frontal position of these profiles or allows easy access for the loading nails of the elevators, as depicted in FIG. 4.

[0044] As depicted in FIG. 6, the metal plate 40 is mounted onto the longitudinal profiles or beams 10. A rigid connection between the metal plate's surface and the legs 110 of the longitudinal profiles or beams 10 can be established using welding, mechanical interlocking or other suitable fixing methods. This ensures the demountable kit feature is fulfilled without compromising the integrity of its components.

[0045] In its ideal configuration, it consists of a kit with five (5) longitudinal profiles or beams 10. This setup results in ten (10) contact points or legs 110 extending across the full width of the metal plate 40. Adhesives compatible with the pharmaceutical and food industries are suggested for the fixation method.

[0046] The metal plate 40 is equipped with reinforced perforations 400 at its corners. These allow the load to be adjusted using ropes, flanges or polyamide canvas. As seen in FIG. 6, including springs or tensional devices 410 is recommended. These are beneficial for preventing load shifts and absorbing the torque forces generated by the load's movement during transport or storage. This design enables the load to be securely fastened, even at angles of up to 40?.

[0047] The historical use of this technique indicates that complex structures, forming tubes of various shapes, are primarily employed as profiles or beams. Their interlocking systems provide structural resistance, ensuring the system retains its overall strength even under pressure. However, damage to any component, can lead to a loss of the entire structure's integral strength rendering it unusable.

[0048] The pallet kit described here is distinguished by being based on a structure of metal profiles or beams typically produced by extrusion. This method allows for accurate calculations of resistance to deformation. The structure, configured as a single piece, offers increased resistance to impacts without compromising the strength of the assembled piece.

[0049] Furthermore, damage to one of the profiles or beams can be swiftly remedied with minimal material expense and work duration.

[0050] The longitudinal profiles or beams 10 and transverse profiles or beams 20 that make up the kit, appearing as omega or truncated V shapes, are produced in metal alloys, typically by extrusion. They need to meet construction requirements that enable them to withstand the pressure of the load and elastic movements without deforming.

[0051] The pallet kit's functionality largely depends on the ability of these metal profiles to resist deformation of their openings or concave mouths. Their legs 110 are attached to the metal plate 40 and maintain the assembled kit's contact with the ground. It is worth noting that the transverse profiles or 20 will be subjected to blows and pressure from the load lifting devices.

[0052] It is observed that the legs 110 and head 100 of the longitudinal profiles or beams 10 and transverse profiles or beams 20 incorporate ribs 120 within their folds. This design enhances the rigidity of their structure.

[0053] Example 1 shows the calculations carried out on the loads or forces to which the elements that make up the kit can be subjected, following the standards of the technique, where the longitudinal beams or profiles 10 and transverse beams or profiles 20 are made in accordance to the metal alloys indicated in FIG. 8.

Example 1

[0054]

TABLE-US-00001 LOAD TEST STANDARD ISO 8611 2 2021 2840 Kg. PALLET LENGTH 120 cm. PALLET WIDTH 100 cm. WING WIDTH 2.8 cm. NUMBER OF WINGS 8 LOAD BEARING SURFACE 2688 cm2 AVERAGE WING LOADING 1.057 Kg/cm2 OVERHEAD LOAD SURFACE OF ? 36.0 cm2 NUMBER OF HEADS 12 AVERAGE HEAD LOAD OF ? 6.6 Kg/cm2 LOAD SECTION ON SIDES OF EACH ? 2.4 cm2 COMPRESSION LOAD PER SIDE OF ? 118.3 Kg BUCKLING CALCULATION OF ? SIDEWALLS YIELD STRESS LIMIT ALLOY 6005A (MINIMUM) 2250 Kg/cm2 SIDEWALL COMPRESSION SAFETY COEFFICIENT 19 PROFILE THICKNESS 0.25 cm CALCULATION OF THE MOMENT OF INERTIA OF THE PROFILE SIDEWALL 0.000781 cm4 SIDEWALL HEIGHT 7.4 cm CALCULATION OF THE CRITICAL LATERAL BUCKLING LOAD OF THE PROFILE ? 388.6 Kg COLUMN SECTION AREA 1.5 cm2 BUCKLING SAFETY FACTOR 3.3

[0055] Implementation Example 1 illustrates that the kit or pallet is composed of rigid and lightweight materials, capable of supporting the load, usage, and sterilization without causing damage to the kit or system. The proposed profiles or beams, in terms of the quantity of material used, are cost-effective and advantageous due to the minimal number of components that make up the kit. This feature also leads to cost savings in the assembly and transportation process to and from customers. Notably, the disassembled kit occupies only one-seventh of the space required by the assembled kit-pallet.