WRAPPING APPARATUS FOR PALLETS

Abstract

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.

Claims

1. A wrapping apparatus for pallets comprising: a sheet of wrapping material; wherein said sheet of wrapping material is 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; a releasable connector on opposite ends thereof; wherein each said releasable connector is adapted to releasably connect with said pallet and thereby releasably hold said sheet of wrapping material securely thereto and thereby cover and releasably hold said material upon said pallet; wherein said plurality of tightening strips are attached to a top surface of said sheet of wrapping material along a length thereof; a cross-tightening strip including; an elongated body having a length and two opposite ends respectively connected to two of said plurality of tightening strips; and a tightening member; wherein said tightening member is connected to a portion of said elongated body and is adapted to be rotated to thereby increase tension within said cross-tightening strip and pull said two of said plurality of tightening strips towards one another to thereby tighten said wrapping apparatus around said material placed upon said pallet, increase tension within said plurality of tightening strips, and more securely releasably hold said material to said pallet via said releasable connectors.

2. The wrapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tightening member is adapted to be rotated via a drill member.

3. The wrapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tightening member includes a releasable lock member adapted to hold said tightening member in a chosen rotated position.

4. The wrapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said tightening member is adapted to be rotated in two directions; wherein when rotated in a clock-wise direction said tension within said tightening member is increased, and when rotated in a counter-clock-wise direction said tension within said tightening member is decreased.

5. The wrapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sheet of wrapping material is formed from a plastic material.

6. The wrapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tightening strips are formed from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of plastic, cotton, burlap, fiberglass, and rubber.

7. The wrapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said releasable connectors are formed as hook members.

8. The wrapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sheet of wrapping material is formed having a rectangular shape.

9. The wrapping apparatus of claim 1, wherein said plurality of tightening strips are attached to said top surface of said sheet of wrapping material in a crisscross configuration.

10. The wrapping apparatus of claim 8, wherein said plurality of tightening strips are attached to said top surface of said sheet of wrapping material in a crisscross configuration, such that said opposite ends thereof are attached in proximity to each respective corner of said rectangular shape.

11. An improved pallet system comprising: a pallet member including: a substantially flat top surface; a substantially flat bottom surface; and wherein said pallet member is substantially rigid and is formed having a rectangular shape having four corners; and a wrapping apparatus comprising: a sheet of wrapping material; wherein said sheet of wrapping material is adapted to be placed over and around material placed upon said pallet member; a plurality of tightening strips each including: an elongated body having a length; a releasable connector on opposite ends thereof; wherein each said releasable connector is adapted to releasably connect with said pallet member and thereby releasably hold said sheet of wrapping material securely thereto and thereby cover and releasably hold said material upon said pallet member; wherein said plurality of tightening strips are attached to a top surface of said sheet of wrapping material along a length thereof; a cross-tightening strip including; an elongated body having a length and two opposite ends respectively connected to two of said plurality of tightening strips; and a tightening member; wherein said tightening member is connected to a portion of said elongated body and is adapted to be rotated to thereby increase tension within said cross-tightening strip and pull said two of said plurality of tightening strips towards one another to thereby tighten said wrapping apparatus around said material placed upon said pallet member, increase tension within said plurality of tightening strips, and more securely releasably hold said material to said pallet member via said releasable connectors.

12. The improved pallet system of claim 11, wherein said tightening member is adapted to be rotated via a drill member.

13. The improved pallet system of claim 11, wherein said tightening member includes a releasable lock member adapted to hold said tightening member in a chosen rotated position.

14. The improved pallet system of claim 11, wherein said tightening member is adapted to be rotated in two directions; wherein when rotated in a clock-wise direction said tension within said tightening member is increased, and when rotated in a counter-clock-wise direction said tension within said tightening member is decreased.

15. The improved pallet system of claim 11, wherein said sheet of wrapping material is formed from a plastic material.

16. The improved pallet system of claim 11, wherein said plurality of tightening strips are formed from a material chosen from a group of materials consisting of plastic, cotton, burlap, fiberglass, and rubber.

17. The improved pallet system of claim 11, wherein said releasable connectors are formed as hook members.

18. The improved pallet system of claim 11, wherein said sheet of wrapping material is formed having a rectangular shape.

19. The improved pallet system of claim 11, wherein said plurality of tightening strips are attached to said top surface of said sheet of wrapping material in a crisscross configuration.

20. The improved pallet system of claim 18, wherein said plurality of tightening strips are attached to said top surface of said sheet of wrapping material in a crisscross configuration, such that said opposite ends thereof are attached in proximity to each respective corner of said rectangular shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] 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.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of a wrapping apparatus for pallets according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a non-tensioned condition of the wrapping apparatus for pallets according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the tightening member illustrating the wrapping apparatus for pallets according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of an improved pallet system according to an embodiment of the present invention. of FIG. 1.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a non-tensioned condition of the improved pallet system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1

[0027] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the tightening member illustrating the improved pallet system according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0028] The various embodiments of the present invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] 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.

[0030] 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.

[0031] In greater detail now, referring to the drawings by numerals of reference there is shown in FIG. 1, a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of wrapping apparatus for pallets 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0032] 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.

[0033] Referring now to FIG. 2, is a perspective view illustrating a non-tensioned condition of wrapping apparatus for pallets 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0034] 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.

[0035] 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.

[0036] Referring now to FIG. 3, is a perspective view of the tightening member illustrating wrapping apparatus for pallets 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0037] 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.

[0038] 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.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, shows a perspective view illustrating an in-use condition of improved pallet system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Of FIG. 1.

[0040] 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.

[0041] Referring now to FIG. 5, is a perspective view illustrating a non-tensioned condition of improved pallet system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0042] 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.

[0043] 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.

[0044] 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.

[0045] Referring now to FIG. 6, is a perspective view of the tightening member illustrating improved pallet system 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention of FIG. 1.

[0046] 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.

[0047] 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.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] 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