PALLET MANAGEMENT SYSTEM FOR MANAGING PALLETS

Abstract

A pallet management system for managing pallets includes a central data processing arrangement and a plurality of pallets for transporting items and a plurality of pallet monitoring arrangements. At least one of the pallet monitoring arrangements is arranged on each of the pallets. Each of the pallet monitoring arrangements includes a locating unit for at least intermittently locating the respective pallet and a communication unit for at least intermittently communicating with the central data processing arrangement and transmitting location data of the respective locating unit thereto. Furthermore, the pallet management system has pallet logistics for transporting the pallets to their respective destination.

Claims

1. A pallet management system for managing pallets , the pallet management system comprising: a) having a central data processing arrangement; a plurality of pallets for transporting items; c) having a plurality of pallet monitoring arrangements , wherein at least one of said pallet monitoring arrangements is arranged on each of said pallets , wherein each of said pallet monitoring arrangements comprises a locating unit (9) for locating the respective pallet at least intermittently, and a communication unit for at least intermittently com-municating with the central data processing arrangement and transmitting location data of the respective locating unit thereto; and a pallet logistics for transporting the pallets to their respective destinations.

2. The pallet management system according to claim 1, wherein each of the pallet monitoring arrangements comprises at least one energy source for at least intermittent energy supply.

3. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the pallet monitoring arrangements comprises an identifier for identifying the respective pallet .

4. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the pallet monitoring arrangements comprises at least one of the group comprising a pallet monitoring unit for at least intermittently monitoring the respective pallet and at least one item arranged thereon.

5. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the pallet monitoring arrangements is configured to detect at least partial damage to the respective pallet .

6. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein the central data processing arrangement knows a current employment state of each of the pallets .

7. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein the central data processing arrangement knows when each of the transported pallets arrives at its respective destination.

8. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein the central data processing arrangement is configured to match a supply of the free pallets and a demand for a transport of the pallets .

9. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein users are able to order free pallets for a transport to their respective destination via the central data processing arrangement .

10. The pallet management system according to claim 9, wherein the central data processing arrangement is configured to indicate to the pallet logistics ordered pallets and their respective destination.

11. The pallet management system according to claim 10, wherein the pallet logistics is configured to accept a transport of at least one ordered pallet .

12. The pallet management system according to claim 9 , wherein the users are able to see information about at least one of the group comprising each of the pallets being momentarily transported and at least one item placed on the pallets.

13. The pallet management system according to claim 9 , wherein the users are able to track each of the transported pallets .

14. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein empty pallet logistics units of the pallet logistics collect required empty pallets and transport them to users.

15. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the pallets comprises an electronic pallet transfer logging unit for logging a respective transfer of the respective pallet .

16. The pallet management system according to claim 1 , wherein each of the pallets comprises an electronic waybill unit (29).

17. The pallet, comprising a pallet monitoring arrangement (2) for at least intermittently monitoring at least one of the group comprising the respective pallet and at least one item arranged thereon.

18. A method for managing pallets by means of a pallet management system, the method comprising the steps of at least intermittently locating each pallet by means of a locating unit of at least one pallet monitoring arrangement arranged thereon, at least intermittently communicating with a central data processing arrangement by means of a communication unit of the respective pallet monitoring arrangement (2) and transmitting location data of the respective locating unit thereto, and transporting the pallets to their respective destinations by means of a pallet logistics .

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein empty pallets are indicated to empty pallet logistics units of the pallet logistics for transporting them to users.

20. The method according to claim 19, wherein ordered pallets are indicated to the pallet logistics for transporting them to their respective destination.

21. The method according to claim 18 , wherein each of the pallet monitoring arrangements transmits information about the respective pallet , as it is transported, to the central data processing arrangement .

22. The pallet according to claim 17, being a pallet for the pallet management system according to claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0078] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a pallet according to the invention,

[0079] FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of a pallet monitoring arrangement of the pallet shown in FIG. 1,

[0080] FIG. 3 shows a simplified representation which illustrates a communication between empty pallet logistics units and a central data processing arrangement for the transport of the pallet shown in FIG. 1,

[0081] FIG. 4 shows a simplified illustration which shows a communication between item pallet logistics units and the data processing arrangement for the transport of the pallet shown in FIG. 1, and

[0082] FIG. 5 shows a simplified flow chart of the pallet management method according to the invention for the transport of the pallets

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0083] Referring first of all to FIG. 1, a pallet 1 shown there in its entirety comprises a plurality of cover boards 2 arranged side by side and extending parallel to one another, and three cross boards 3 extending perpendicularly to the cover boards 2 and below them. Two cross boards 3 extend edge-to-edge with respect to the pallet 1, while the other cross board 3 extends centrally therebetween. The cover boards 2 are attached to the top of the cross boards 3. Further, the pallet 1 has nine blocks 4 which support the cross boards 3. The cross boards 3 are arranged on the blocks 4. Four blocks 4 are located in corner regions of the pallet 1. Between each two blocks 4 arranged in the corner regions, one block 4 is arranged centrally on the edge side with respect to the pallet 1. There is one further block 4 in a central region of the pallet. Furthermore, the pallet 1 comprises three bottom boards 5 which extend perpendicularly to the cross boards 3 and are arranged below the blocks 4. The bottom boards 5 and the blocks 4 are in fixed connection with each other. Two bottom boards 5 extend alongside edges of the pallet 1, while one bottom board 5 extends centrally between them. The cover boards 2 form a carrying surface, while the bottom boards 5 form a standing surface. Other configurations of the pallet 1 are alternatively possible.

[0084] A pallet monitoring arrangement 6 is arranged fixedly or immovably at the pallet 1. The pallet monitoring arrangement 6 is arranged externally, for example, at a cover board 2, cross board 3, block 4 or bottom board 5. Alternatively, a corresponding recess is formed in the pallet 1 for the pallet monitoring arrangement 6, such as in the cover board 2, cross board 3, block 4 or bottom board 5.

[0085] According to FIG. 1, there is an item 15 to be transported on the pallet 1, which is locally fixed for transport relative to the pallet 1.

[0086] As FIG. 2 shows, the pallet monitoring arrangement 6 has a computing unit 7, a power source 8, a locating unit 9, a communication unit 10, and a pallet monitoring unit 11. The pallet monitoring arrangement 6 preferably further has an electronic pallet transfer logging unit 28 and an electronic waybill unit 29. The power source 8 is at least intermittently in direct or indirect electrical connection with the computing unit 7, the locating unit 9, the communication unit 10, the pallet monitoring unit 11, the electronic pallet transfer logging unit 28 and the electronic waybill unit 29, if any, and is capable of supplying electrical power, such as electricity, thereto. The locating unit 9, communication unit 10, pallet monitoring unit 11, electronic pallet transfer logging unit 28, and electronic waybill unit 29, if any, are in direct or indirect signal connection with the computing unit 7 to provide corresponding signals thereto and/or to receive signals therefrom. The locating unit 9, pallet monitoring unit 11, and pallet transfer logging unit 28, if present, are in direct or indirect signal connection with the communication unit 10. The communication unit 10 receives corresponding signals from these. It is convenient if the locating unit 9, communication unit 10, electronic pallet monitoring unit 11, pallet transfer logging unit 28, electronic waybill unit 29, power source 8, computing unit 7 and/or a memory, if any, are arranged on at least one printed circuit board.

[0087] Alternative wiring arrangements are possible. For example, the locating unit 9 and the communication unit 10 as well as the pallet monitoring unit 11 are at least intermittently in signal connection only with the computing unit 7, which in turn is at least intermittently in electrically conductive connection only with the power source 8.

[0088] Despite the described separation of the locating unit 9, communication unit 10, pallet monitoring unit 11, computing unit 7, electronic pallet transfer logging unit 28, electronic waybill unit 29 and energy source 8, these components do not have to be arranged or designed strictly separately from one another. They can all or in smaller groups together be arranged or, in particular, integrated at any desired location.

[0089] The pallet monitoring arrangement 6 is capable of communicating with a remote central data processing arrangement 12 via its communication unit 10. The central data processing arrangement 12 is capable of receiving signals/data from the pallet monitoring arrangement 6 and thus also from the pallet 1. These data include current position data from the locating unit 9 and instantaneous data, such as condition data and/or environmental data, from the pallet monitoring unit 11.

[0090] The central data processing arrangement 12 is capable of processing these data. In particular, it is capable of processing data from a plurality of pallets 1 or pallet monitoring arrangements 6, such as preferably at least 5, preferably at least 100, preferably at least 1,000, pallets 1 or pallet monitoring arrangements 6. It is also capable of communicating with empty pallet logistics units 13 which are interested in transporting empty pallets 1 (FIG. 3). In particular, the central data processing arrangement 12 is capable of indicating to the empty pallet logistics units 13 that there are currently empty pallets 1 and where they are currently located. It is also indicated to the empty pallet logistics units 13 which user(s) currently need empty pallets 1 or where these are needed. This way, it is likewise indicated to the empty pallet logistics units 13 that the empty pallets 1 are to be fetched from a first location, for example, and transported to the respective user who is located at a distance from the first location.

[0091] Each empty pallet logistics unit 13 is capable of accepting a corresponding offer to transport at least one empty pallet 1 to at least one user.

[0092] As shown in FIG. 4, the central data processing arrangement 12 is capable of communicating with item pallet logistics units 14 which are interested in transporting loaded pallets 1. The item pallet logistics units 14 are capable of seeing and, if necessary, accepting ordered or currently occurring transports.

[0093] Once a loaded pallet 1 is transported by an item pallet logistics unit 14, the user is able to view information from the corresponding pallet monitoring arrangement 6.

[0094] A software and the pallet management system are provided to a plurality of users. An interface of the software forms, for example, a graphical support for the visualization of empty pallets 1 and/or pallets 1 to be transported. Search functions are preferably possible. The pallet management system is, for example, a central system of a transport and logistics company which is responsible for the transport of pallets 1. Data can also be forwarded to a central system of users or pallet logistics 13, 14.

[0095] In the following, with reference to FIG. 5, the sequence of the method is explained with reference to a pallet 1 and a user for the sake of simplicity, although in practice there are a plurality of pallets 1 and a plurality of users. The pallet 1 is later loaded with an item 15. In practice, the pallet 1 may then also be loaded with a plurality of items 15.

[0096] In a first step 15, a registered user or customer announces a need for a pallet 1 and its transport to a destination with the central data processing arrangement 12.

[0097] Subsequently, in a next step 16, the user receives information about the transport of the pallet 1, such as cost, start and/or duration, from the data processing arrangement 12.

[0098] In a next step 17, the user is able to accept the offer with the central data processing arrangement 12 to help himself to the pool of free pallets 1.

[0099] Upon acceptance of the offer, a commissioned empty pallet logistics unit 13 transports the empty pallet 1 to the user at a next step 18. A plurality of empty pallet logistics units 13 may take over partial distances.

[0100] The pallet 1 informs the central data processing arrangement 12 in a next step 19, for example based on the locating unit 9, when it has arrived at the user.

[0101] At a next step 20, the central data processing arrangement 12 knows when the pallet monitoring unit 11 is loaded with at least one item 15 and ready for pickup based on the pallet monitoring unit 11.

[0102] The central data processing arrangement 12 then, at a next step 21, indicates to registered item pallet logistics units 14 that a user’s transport order exists.

[0103] In a next step 22, an item pallet logistics unit 14 is capable of accepting the transport order.

[0104] The central data processing arrangement 12 then receives, if necessary in a next step 23, information, for example from the pallet monitoring arrangement 6, when the item pallet logistics unit 14 has taken over the pallet 1 and is transporting it to the desired destination. The user is also informed accordingly. He is informed by the pallet monitoring arrangement 6 about the current location of the pallet 1. He also receives further information about the pallet 1 and thus also about the loaded item(s) 15 originating from the pallet monitoring unit 11, such as a current temperature value, humidity value and/or concentration value of an environment of the pallet 1 or the item 15, a current motion value, acceleration value and/or alignment value of the pallet 1 or the item 15, a loading history value of the pallet 1 and/or a weight value/pressure value of the item 15.

[0105] To this end, the central data processing arrangement 12 sends corresponding information to the user in a next step 24. This information is preferably repeatedly communicated to the user to keep the user informed.

[0106] Subsequently, in a next step 25, the user is informed via the central data processing arrangement 12 when the pallet 1 has arrived at its desired destination. This information originates, for example, from the locating unit 9 and/or the pallet monitoring unit 11. Further information, in particular about the condition of the item 15, which originate from the pallet monitoring unit 11 are also communicated to the user by the central data processing arrangement 12. The recipient also receives corresponding information from the central data processing arrangement 12.

[0107] Subsequently, in a next step 26, the central data processing arrangement 12 is again informed that the pallet 1 is free again. This information originates, for example, from the pallet monitoring unit 11.

[0108] In a next step 27, the central data processing arrangement 12 again indicates to empty pallet logistics units 13 that an empty pallet 1 is present and ready for collection. The process virtually starts again from the beginning.