CA1197796A

CA1197796A - Collapsible, walled pallet

Info

Publication number: CA1197796A
Application number: CA000408975A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Theodore Ouellet; Denis Guibault; Leo Labelle
Original assignee: Canada Post Corp
Current assignee: Canada Post Corp
Priority date: 1982-08-09
Filing date: 1982-08-09
Publication date: 1985-12-10

Abstract

TITLE
A COLLAPSIBLE, WALLED PALLET

INVENTORS
Leo Labelle Denis Guibault Theodore Ouellet ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
A collapsible, walled pallet is provided comprising a base panel, two end panels and two side wall panels. The panels are all rotationally moulded to be hollow between two, integrally moulded side walls and have integral tubular ties connecting the walls around content inspection holes and preferably foamed plastic filling in the space between the side walls of the base panel. The end panels are hinged to the base panel to be collapsed on to it, while the side panels are in upper and lower halves which are hinged to each other, and the base panel to be collapsed inwardly onto the end panels. Each hinge comprises a series of hinge lugs disposed end-to-end along and between the panels hinged thereby, with adjacent hinge lugs each integrally moulded with a different one of the panels which are hinged thereby, and hinge pins extending through each series of hinge lugs. The end panels and upper and lower side panel portions are held together in the erected position by latches. Preferably, the panels are of a high density linear polyethylene and the base is provided with replaceable feet pads of a polyamide.

Description

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This invention relates to a collapsible, walled pallet.
It has already been proposed in Canadian Patent Number 817,777, dated July 15, 19699 t~ Collapsible Container Units Eor Goods Transport", H.J. Kennard~ to provide a collapsible, walled pallet container wherein S the two end walls comprise separate, upper and lower halves each attached by hinges to upper and lower halves of the side walls. The upper and lower halves of the side walls are attached by hinges and the lower halves of the side walls are attached by hinges to a base. The container is collapsed by first folding the upper and lower halves o~ the e~d walls against the inner surfaces of the upper and lower halves of the side walls, and then inwardly collapsing the upper and lower halves of the side walls on to the base.
While the pallet of H.J. Kem~ard is useful there is still a need for a collapsible, walled pallet which:
a) may be rotationally moulded to provide a base, end panels and side panels, each oE which is hollow between two walls, and tubular reinforcing ties connecting each pair of walls around pallet-content viewing holes distrîbuted over the whole of these walls, and b) has end panels and side panels which, because they are reinforced by ties, can be rotationally moulded with smooth surfaces.
According to the present invention, there is provided a collapsible, walled pallet comprising:
a) a hollow, moulded plastic base panel comprising two~ integrally moulded spaced base walls, the base walls having corresponding holes distributed over the whole of and extending through the base walls.
b) two first hollow, moulded plastic side panels capable of lying flat on the base panel, each first side panel comprising two, firs~, spaced, integrally moulded side walls having corresponding holes distributed over the whole of, and extending through, the first side walls, c) two second hollow, moulded plastic side panels, each second side panel comprising an upper panel half and a lower panel half, capable of being laid one upon another on the base panel to extend thereacross towards the other laid panel halves, each panel half comprising two second9 spaced, integrally moulcled side walls having corresponding iloles distributed over the whole of and extending through the second side walls, d) for each pair of corresponding holes in the base walls7 first side walls and the second side walls, an open ended, tubular, reinforcing tie moulded integrally with and extending between the wal]s, with each reinforcing tie tying portion of the walls together about that corresponding pair of holes therein, e) hinges attaching each upper panel half to the corresponding lower panel half so that each upper panel half can be collapsed from an erected positîon onto its lower panel half on the base panel, f) hinges attaching each first side panel and lower panel half to the base panel so that the first side panel and lower panel halves can be collapsed from an erected position onto the base panel, g) each hinge means (e) and (f) comprising a series of hinge lugs disposed end-to-end along and between the panels hinged thereby, with adjacent hinge lugs of each series integrally moulded with alternate panels which are hinged thereby, and hinge pins extending through each series of hinge lugsg h) feet pads attached to an underside of the base panel to raise the under side for accessibility thereto by the forks of a fork lift truck, and i) latching means for securing the first side panels to each of the panel halves in the erected position.
Preferably a foamed plastic filling is provided, filling the space between the base side walls of the base panel.
The first side panels may be provided with inner9 upwardly extending flanges and the upper panel halves and the lower panel halves have stepped end portions for locating the inner, upwardly extending flanges and folding them in the erected position against outward movement~
The feet pads may be removably secured by threaded portions thereon in screw threaded bores in the base panel.
Preferably all of the panels are of a high density linear polyethylene.
In the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 1 is a side view of a collapsible, walled pallet, Figure 2 is an end view of the pallet shown in figure 1, Figure 3 is a plan view of the pallet shown in figure 1, Figure ~ is an enlarged sectional side view along IV-IV, figure 3, of a base panel.

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Figure 5 ;s an enl~rged, sectional encl view along V-V, figure 1, of a portion of a lower panel. half, Figure 6 is an enlarged, sectional side view along VI-VI7 figure 2, of a portion of the base panel showillg a foot pad in full, Figure 7 is an enlarged plan of a latch shown in figure 2, Figure 8 is a plan view of the latch shown in figure 7, Figure 9 is an enlarged plan view of a catch shown in figure 2, and ~igure 10 :is a sectional side view along X-X, fi.gure g.
Referring now to Eigures 1 to lO, there is shown a collapsible, walled pallet 1, comprising:
a) a hollow, moulded plastic base panel 2 (figures 1, 2, 4 and 6) com-prising two, spaced, integrally moulded base walls 4 and 6 (Eigure 4) joined by walls, such as 8 and 10, and a foamed plastic filling 134 in the space between the base walls 4 and 6, the base walls 4 and 6 having corresponding holes, such as 12 and 14 (figure 4) distributed over the whole o~ and extending through the base walls, b) two first, hollow, moulded plastic side panels, in this embodiment, end panels 16 and 18, capable of lying flat on the base panel 2, each hollow end panel ].6 and 18 comprising two, spaced, integrally moulded end walls 20 and 22 joined around their edges by walls such as 24 and 26 (figure 3) and having corresponding holes, of the type shown and designated 12 and 14 (figure 4), distributed over the whole of, and extending through, the end walls 20 and 22, c) two second, hollow, mou].ded plastic, in this embodiment, side panels 28 and 30 (figures 1, 2 and 3), each side panel 28 and 30 comprisi.ng an upper panel. half 32 (figures 1 and 2) and a lower panel hl1f 34 (figures -I and 2), capable of being laid one upon another on the base panel 2 to extend there~cross towards the other laid panel halves 32 and 34, each panel half 32 or 34 comprising two, spaced, integrally moulded side walls 36 and 38 jo;ned around their edges by walls, such as 40 and 42, and havillg corresponding holes, of the type shown and designated 12 and 14 (figure 4), distributed over the whole of and extending through the side walls 36 and 38.
d) for each pair of corresponding holes, such as 12 and l.4 (Eigure 4), in the base walls 4 and 6, end walls 20 and 2~ ancl the si.de walls 36 and 38, an open ended, tubular, reinoL-cing tie, such as 44 (figure 4), ;` ?

moulded integrally wlth and extending between the walls, such as 4 and 6, with each reinforcing tie, such as 44, tyln~ portions of the walls, such as 4 and 69 togethcr about that corresponding pair oE hols 12 and l4 therein, e~ hinges 46 (figures l to 3) attaching each upper panel half to the corresponding lower panel half so that each upper panel half 32 can be collapsed from an erected positlon onto its lower panel half 34, f~ hinges 48 (figures l ~nd 2) attaching each end panel 16 and 18 and lower panel half 34 to the base panel 2 so that tl~e end panels 16 and 18 and lower panel halves 34 can be collapsed from an erected position onto the base panel 2, g) feet pads 50 (flgures 1, 2 and 6) attached to an underside 52 of the base panel ~ to ralse the underside 52 Eor accesslbillty thereto by the forks (not shown) of a fork lift truck (not shown), and h) latching means 54 (figures 1 and 2) for securing the end panels 24 and 26 to each of the panel halves 32 and 34 in the erected position.
The base panel 2 has tranverse V-grooves 56 (~igure 4) found the uppermost wall 6 to provide an undulatLng support wall 6.
Figure 4 shows that the series of hinge lugs 58 on one side of the base panel 2 hinge the end panel 16 (figure 3) to pivot at a higher level than that at which the series of hinge lugs 60 (figure 4) hinge the end panel 18 (figure 3), so that the end panel 16 can be collapsed after the end panel 18 to rest on the end panel 18 on the base panel 2.
As shown in figures 2 and 4, the series of hinge lugs 62 and 64 hinge the side panels 28 and 30, respectively, to pivot at the same level as one another, but at a higher level than the end panel 16, so that both of the side panels 28 and 30 can be collapsed onto the end panel 16.
Thus, first the end panel 18 is collapsed onto the base panel

2, then t-ne end panel 16 is collapsed onto the end panel 18, and then the side panels are folded inwardly and collapsed to lie flat on the end panel 16. It will be appreciated that in order for the side panels to both lie flat on the end panel 16, they must not overlap when folded inwardly.
The base panel 2 has corner legs 66 (figures 1, 2, 4 and 6), and intermediate legs 68, each of which has a screw threaded bore, such as screw threaded bores 70 (figures 4 and 6).

The base panel 2 also has dumper pin engagin~ holes 72 (figures 1 and 6) in order that the collapsible, walled pallet 1 can be raised and tilted to empty its contents, by a dumper (not shown).
The end panels 16 and 18 (figure 2) extend between the side panels 28 and 30 and have a series of hinge lugs 71, which together with the series of hinge lugs 60 and yins 73 form some of the hinges 48. The end panels 16 and 18 each have four latch slots 74. Each latch slot has two recessed bosses 76 and 78 and two latch supporting bosses 80 and 82.
The end panels 16 and 18 each have two finger slots 84 and 86 for use when the end panels are being collapsed onto the base panel 2.
The lower panel halves 34 have a series of hinge lugs 88 which together with the series of hinge lugs 60 and pins 90 form some of the hinges 48.
The upper panel halves 32 and lower panel halves 34 have a series of hinge lugs g2 and 94 (figure 1), respectively, which, together with pins 96 form hinges 46. It should be noted that the series of hinge lugs 92 and 94 project outwardly form the upper panel halves 32 and the lower panel halves 34, respectively, in order that these panel halves can be collapsed inwardly. To this end, the lower panel halves 34 have strengthening ribs 98 (figure 3) to provide extra strength for supporting the upper panel halves 32.
It should be noted that the hinge lugs 58, 60, 62 and 64, 71, 88, 92 and 94 of each series are disposed end-to-end along and between the panels hinged thereby, with adjacent hinge lugs of each series integrally moulded with alternate panels which are hinged thereby.
The upper panel halves 32 and lower panel halves 34 are each provided with two catches 100 (figures 1, 2, 9 and 10). As shown in Eigure 10, each catch 100 comprises a flange 102 extending across a slot 104 and having a slot 106 therethrcugh for a latch 107 (figures 7 and 8) and notches 108 and 110 for securing the latch in the locked position.
The upper panel halves 32 have beads 93 and 95 on each side which, when the walled pallet 1 is collapsed, locate the feet pads 50 of a urther, collapsed, walled pallet 1 stacked thereupon.
The lower panel halves 34 each have two finger slots 112 and 114 (figures 1 and 5) for use when the upper panel halves 32 and lower panel halves 34 are being collapsed onto the end panels 1~ and 18.

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It should be noted that tlle first side or end panels 16 and 18 (figure 3) have inner, upwardly extending flanges 116 which are located in stepped end portions 118 of the upper panel halves 32 and the lower panel halves 34 and hold them against outward movement. This imparts a greater bursting strengLh to the collapsible, walled pallet in the directions of the end panels 16 and 18.

` ~' It should be noted that the end pane].s 16 and 18 have protrusions 120 (figure 2) at thei:r latch slots 74 wllicll, in the erected positi.on, locate in recesses l22 in tile upper panel halves 32 and the lower panel halves 34. Thi.s rest-ricts any rela~ive movements S between the end panels 16 and 18, and the upper panel. halves 32 and the lower panel. halves, in a vertical direction.
In fi.gures 2 and 8, eacll latch 107 is shown comprising a catch 124 with a bulging end 1.25, and a lever 126. The catch 124 has its end pivotally mounted in flanges 123 on the level 126. The level 1.26 has two outwardly turned ends 128 and is made of springy metal.
The outwardly turned ends 128 of each lever 126 are pivotally l.ocLted in the recess (not shown) in the bosses 76 and 78 so that by locating the bulging end 125 of a ca~ch 124 i.n the notches 108 and 110 (figures 9 and 10) and then puslling the lever 126 through deacl centre onto the supporti.ng bosses 80 and 82 (figure 2) the upper panel halves 32 and the lower panel halves 34 are securely latched to the end panels 16 and 18.
As shown in figure 6, the feet pads 50 comprise pad portions 130 attached to screw thre~ded portions 132 which are screwed into the threaded bores 70 (figures 4 and 6).
A satisfactory collapsible, walled container of the type shown in figures 1 to 10 has been made lm wide x 1.25m long x 0.8m deep from a high density linear polyethylene by rotational moulding the panels.
The feet pads were moulded Erom a polyamide and the latches were made from steel. It was found that the strength of the base panel was enhanced by filling the space between the first side walls with the cellular plastic, for example, polyurethane foam 134 (figure 2). The polyurethane foam can be injection moulded into the cavity aEter the base panel has been integrally moulded by rotational moulding.
Other s~litable materials for the panels are polytetrafluoro-ethylene, polyamide and polypropylene.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A collapsible, walled pallet, comprising:
(a) a hollow, moulded plastic base panel comprising two, spaced, integrally moulded base walls, the base walls having corres-ponding holes distributed over the whole of and extending through the base walls, (b) two first, hollow, moulded plastic side panels capable of lying flat on the base panel, each first hollow side panel comprising two, first, spaced, integrally moulded side walls having corresponding holes distributed over the whole of, and extending through, the first side walls, (c) two second, hollow, moulded plastic side panels, each second side panel comprising an upper panel half and a lower panel half, capable of being laid one upon another on the base panel to extend thereacross towards the other laid panel halves, each panel half comprising two, second, spaced, integrally moulded side walls having corresponding holes distributed over the whole of and extending through the second side walls, (d) for each pair of corresponding holes in the base walls, first side walls and the second side walls, an open ended, tubular, reinforcing tie each moulded integrally with and extending between the walls, with each reinforcing tie tying portion of the walls together about that corresponding pair of holes therein, (e) hinge means attaching each upper panel half to the corresponding lower panel half so that each upper panel half can be collapsed from an erected position onto its lower panel half on the base panel, (f) hinge means attaching each first side panel and lower panel half to the base panel so that the first side panels and the lower panel halves can be collapsed from an erected position onto the base panel, (g) each hinge means (e) and (f) comprising a series of hinge lugs disposed end-to-end along and between the panels hinged thereby, with adjacent hinge lugs of each series integrally moulded with alternate panels which are hinged thereby, and hinge pins extending through each series of hinge lugs, CLAIMS (cont):

(h) feet pads attached to an underside of the base panel to raise the underside for accessibility thereto by the forks of a fork lift truck, and (i) latching means for securing the first side panels to each of the panel halves in the erected position.

2. A walled pallet according to claim 1, further comprising a foamed plastic filling the space between the base side walls of the base panel.