Shipping pallets for packaging units

Abstract

The present disclosure describes a transport pallet comprising a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve being configured to receive a substantially cylindrical container having a cylindrical container wall and a container bottom surface arranged perpendicular to the container wall. Each sleeve comprises a top opening, a bottom opening, a sleeve wall, and one or more support feet, the sleeve wall extending along a sleeve axis between the top opening and the bottom opening and being configured to abut at least a portion of the container wall of a corresponding container, the one or more support feet being adjacent to the bottom opening and extending from the sleeve wall toward the sleeve axis, wherein each support foot comprises a bottom surface and a top surface, the top surface being configured to abut the container bottom surface of a corresponding container such that a gap is formed between the support foot bottom surface and the container bottom surface along the sleeve axis. The one or more support feet comprise a thermally conductive polymer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a pallet for transporting packaging units. Background Art

[0002] In industrial environments, products are usually transported and sold in packaging units. A packaging unit may include a vial, cartridge, ampoule, bottle, or pre-filled syringe. In many industries, these different types of packaging units are collectively referred to as "primary packaging", i.e. packaging that comes into direct contact with the final product. The final product may be a food product, a cosmetic product, or a pharmaceutical product. The primary packaging may undergo many manufacturing processes before being filled with the final product. During these processes, the primary packaging is usually transported and processed in batches.

[0003] US 10,703,539 B2 describes a carrier in which a retaining projection arranged at the lower end of a hole or receptacle of a support structure projects inwardly into the hole or receptacle in a radial direction for supporting the vial in cooperation with a transition region or edge portion of the vial so that the bottom of the vial or more generally the lower end of the vial protrudes from the hole or receptacle and is thus freely accessible from the underside of the carrier.

[0004] US2018 / 0208377 A1 describes a support structure with an upper side or base plane, which is usually formed as a plate and whose circumferential edges are formed flat. In the upper side, a plurality of openings are formed, which are arranged in rows and columns extending perpendicularly to each other. The openings of adjacent rows or columns are staggered relative to each other, which enables a higher packing density of a hexagonal arrangement with peripheral ribs. A plurality of axial connecting ribs protrude vertically from the lower side of the support structure, which are connected to each other at their lower ends via circumferential bottom ribs.

[0005] WO 2014 / 130349 A1 describes a tray with receptacles configured to support vials in different ways during different processing stages. Each receptacle has a bottom opening defined at the bottom edge of the lower portion of a cylindrical wall, and an inwardly extending lip around each opening. The opening has an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the side wall of the vial, but slightly larger than the bottom wall, so that the inner edge of the lip contacts a portion of the curved lower edge connecting the side wall and the bottom wall. This configuration allows the vial to be supported by the tray when suspended, with the lower portion of the vial protruding downward from the bottom edge of the tray. Summary of the invention

[0006] Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to alleviating problems associated with known shipping pallets.

[0007] According to a general aspect of the present disclosure, a transport pallet includes a plurality of sleeves, each sleeve being configured to receive a substantially cylindrical container having a cylindrical container wall and a container bottom surface disposed perpendicular to the container wall. Each sleeve includes a top opening, a bottom opening, a sleeve wall, and one or more support feet, the sleeve wall extending along a sleeve axis between the top opening and the bottom opening and configured to abut at least a portion of the container wall of a corresponding container, the one or more support feet being adjacent to the bottom opening and extending from the sleeve wall toward the sleeve axis, wherein each support foot includes a bottom surface and a top surface, the top surface being configured to abut the container bottom surface of a corresponding container such that a gap is formed between the support foot bottom surface and the container bottom surface along the sleeve axis. The one or more support feet include a thermally conductive polymer.

[0008] In some cases, each sleeve can include a ring connecting one or more support feet to the bottom opening and including a thermally conductive polymer. Additionally, each sleeve can be a unitary structure including a thermally conductive polymer.

[0009] The entire transport pallet, except for the corresponding sleeve, may be a unitary structure comprising a thermally conductive polymer. For example, the transport pallet may be manufactured by injection molding a thermally conductive polymer.

[0010] The thermally conductive polymer may contain aluminum fillers, zinc fillers, or a combination thereof.

[0011] Each sleeve wall may comprise a closed cylinder surrounding the sleeve axis.

[0012] The top opening of each sleeve may be larger than the bottom opening such that the sleeve wall forms an angle greater than 0° with respect to the sleeve axis.

[0013] The transport pallet may include a plate portion connected to the top opening of each sleeve. The connecting portion may connect the sleeve walls of at least two adjacent sleeves to the plate portion. The plate portion may include a plurality of corner regions and a raised bumper arranged at each corner region. Such a raised bumper has a height greater than the thickness of the plate portion. Each raised bumper may include at least one protrusion extending outwardly from the periphery of the plate portion. The periphery of the plate portion may include a raised bumper and an edge portion having the same thickness as the plate portion arranged between each pair of adjacent raised bumpers.

[0014] These and other embodiments described herein can provide one or more of the following benefits. The transport pallet can be adapted to transfer heat to and from the packaging unit. For example, the transport pallet can be used in a freeze-drying process. At the same time, the transport pallet can firmly support the packaging unit in other processes (such as a direct filling process). In general, the transport pallet can reduce the need to handle individual packaging units during the manufacturing process. In addition, the design of the transport pallet can be compatible with existing equipment. The transport pallet can also prove to be sturdy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] Certain embodiments will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0016] Figure 1 A transport pallet according to the present disclosure is shown from above;

[0017] Figure 2 Shows Figure 1 A perspective view of a shipping pallet;

[0018] Figure 3 Shows Figure 1 A partial perspective view of the bottom of a shipping pallet;

[0019] Figure 4A and Figure 4B Shown through Figures 1 to 3 A cross-sectional view of a transport pallet;

[0020] Figure 5A and Figure 5B schematically illustrates a plurality of transport pallets placed adjacent to each other on a workbench; and

[0021] Figure 5C Shows Figure 2 A partial perspective view of a shipping pallet.

[0022] Like reference numbers and designations throughout the various drawings represent like elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Figure 1 A transport pallet 10 according to the present disclosure is shown from above. The transport pallet 10 includes a plate portion 12 and a plurality of sleeves 14. The sleeves 14 are each configured to receive a substantially cylindrical container 16 having a cylindrical container wall 18 and a container bottom surface 20 ( Figure 4A ). The container 16 can be used as a primary package for various types of final products. Although the expression "primary package" may include vials, cartridges, ampoules, bottles, and syringes, to name a few examples, the figures of the present disclosure show vials. For example, the shipping pallet 10 can be used to group and transport vials throughout different manufacturing processes.

[0024] like Figure 2 As shown in FIG. 1 , each sleeve 14 includes a top opening 22, a bottom opening 24, and a sleeve wall 26 extending along the sleeve axis between the top opening 22 and the bottom opening 24. Figure 2 With reference to the coordinate axes shown in , the sleeve axis of each sleeve 14 extends along the Z axis.

[0025] Figure 3 and Figure 4A and Figure 4B Shows Figure 1 and Figure 2 The transport pallet 10 has a plurality of containers 16 arranged in a sleeve 14. The containers 16 are arranged in the sleeve 14 so that the sleeve wall 26 faces the container wall 18 ( Figure 4A ). The container 16 includes an opening 17, which is arranged to face the top opening 22 of the sleeve 14, and the container bottom surface 20 is adjacent to the bottom opening 24 of the sleeve 14. Each sleeve 14 includes one or more support feet 28, which are adjacent to the bottom opening 24 and extend from the sleeve wall 26 toward the sleeve axis. Each support foot 28 includes a bottom surface 28a and a top surface 28b, and the top surface is configured to abut the container bottom surface 20 of the container 16 accommodated in the sleeve. The support foot 28 is designed so that a gap G is formed between the support foot bottom surface 28a and the container bottom surface 20 along the sleeve axis ( Figure 4B ).

[0026] Thus, the transport pallet 10 rests on the common support foot bottom surface 28a of each support foot 28, while each container bottom surface 20 rests entirely on the support foot top surface 28b of the support foot 28 in the corresponding sleeve 14. Figure 4A and 4B As shown in FIG, the container bottom surface 20 does not extend beyond the support feet 28. In other words, the container bottom surface 20 is separated from the surface on which the transport pallet 10 rests. In practice, this may mean that the support foot top surface 28b contacts the lowest point of the container bottom surface 20.

[0027] According to the present disclosure, one or more support feet 28 include a thermally conductive polymer. For example, one or more support feet 28 are formed as a single component, for example, formed from an injection molded plastic with a thermally conductive filler. Such support feet 28 can be attached to sleeve 14 using insert molding techniques. For example, the filler can include aluminum filler, zinc filler, or a combination thereof. In some cases, one or more support feet 28 can be attached to bottom opening 24 ( Figure 3). Ring 29 may also include a thermally conductive polymer. Ring 29 and one or more support feet 28 may be integrally formed, i.e., form a unitary structure. In some cases, the entire sleeve 14, or even the entire transport pallet 10, may be a unitary structure. For example, the transport pallet 10 may be manufactured by injection molding a thermally conductive polymer. As described above, the container bottom surface 20 rests on the support foot top surface 28b of each sleeve 14.

[0028] Since at least one or more of the support feet 28 include a thermally conductive polymer, the support feet 28 are able to transfer heat to or from the container bottom surface 20. Thus, the transport pallet 10 can be used with the container 16 held in the sleeve 14 during the freeze-drying process. Since the container bottom surface 20 does not protrude through the bottom opening 24 of the sleeve 14, the same transport pallet 10 can be used for other processes, such as a direct fill process. Therefore, the transport pallet 10 according to the present disclosure can contribute to the efficiency of the manufacturing process of the primary packaging.

[0029] The shipping pallet 10 may include any number of the following features that may improve the robustness and heat transfer of the shipping pallet 10 .

[0030] like Figure 3 As shown in , for example, each sleeve wall 26 can include a closed cylinder that completely surrounds the sleeve axis and thus surrounds a portion of the container wall 18. In the case where the entire sleeve 14 includes a thermally conductive polymer, this closed cylinder design can increase the amount of thermally conductive polymer surrounding the container wall 18 and improve heat transfer, such as during the freeze-drying process. At the same time, the closed cylinder can improve the robustness of the sleeve 14 and the transport pallet 10, respectively.

[0031] The top opening 22 of each sleeve 14 may be larger than the bottom opening 24, so that the sleeve wall forms an angle greater than 0° relative to the sleeve axis. This taper may make it easier to remove the container 16 from the sleeve 14 despite the closed cylinder design described above.

[0032] like Figure 4A As shown in , the shipping pallet 10 may include a connecting portion 30 that connects the sleeve walls 26 of at least two adjacent sleeves to the plate portion 12. The connecting portion 30 may also increase the volume of the thermally conductive polymer and thus increase heat transfer through the shipping pallet 10 and its overall robustness.

[0033] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5C An optional feature of the transport pallet 10 is shown which allows several transport pallets 10 to be neatly stacked adjacent to each other. Figure 5A As shown in FIG, first and second transport pallets 10 are each loaded with a plurality of containers 16 and placed adjacent to each other on a workbench 32. For example, the workbench 32 may be used in a freeze-drying process to rapidly cool the containers 16 and their contents.

[0034] like Figure 5A As shown in the enlarged part of , the plate parts 12 of each transport pallet 10 are arranged closely to each other without contact. This arrangement allows the maximum possible number of containers 16 to be placed on the workbench at one time. Figure 5B A situation is shown where adjacent transport pallets 10 have been placed so closely together that the plate portions 12 overlap. This overlap in the plate portions creates a gap 34 between the work table 32 and the transport pallet 10 on the right. This gap 34 may reduce the efficiency of heat transfer between the work table 32, the transport pallet 10, and the container 16.

[0035] To prevent Figure 5B In order to avoid the overlap shown in FIG. 1 , each corner region 36 of the panel portion 12 may be provided with one or more features that reduce the likelihood that adjacent transport pallets 10 will overlap one another. Figure 5C As shown in , each corner region 36 of the panel section 12 may include a raised bumper 38. In the context of the present disclosure, "raised" may mean that the height of the bumper 38 along the Z axis is greater than the thickness of the panel section 12 along the Z axis. When two transport pallets 10 are brought close together, the mating bumpers 38 may make contact and prevent the panel sections 12 from overlapping.

[0036] In some cases, raised bumper 38 may include first and second protrusions 40 that increase the stability of raised bumper 38. Figure 5C In the embodiment of the present invention, the first protrusion extends outwardly from the plate portion 12 along the X-axis, and the second protrusion extends outwardly from the plate portion 12 along the Y-axis.

[0037] The raised bumper 38 may include a strip of material that is continuously wrapped around the corner region 36 of the panel portion. Each end of the raised bumper 38 may abut an edge portion 42 of the panel portion 12 that does not have an increased thickness (see also FIG. Figure 2 ). In some cases, the combination of alternating raised bumpers 38 and edge portions 42 can improve airflow during injection molding of the shipping pallet 10. However, the raised bumpers 38 can also extend around the entire perimeter of the panel portion 12.

[0038] A number of embodiments have been described. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate many alternative embodiments within the scope of the claims. The embodiments currently described should not be considered to limit the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A transport pallet, comprising: a plurality of sleeves, wherein each sleeve is configured to receive a substantially cylindrical container having a cylindrical container wall and a container bottom surface disposed perpendicular to the container wall; Each sleeve includes: Top opening, Bottom opening, a sleeve wall extending along a sleeve axis between the top opening and the bottom opening and configured to abut at least a portion of the container wall of a corresponding container, and one or more support feet adjacent to the bottom opening and extending from the sleeve wall toward the sleeve axis, wherein each support foot comprises a bottom surface and a top surface, the top surface being configured to abut the container bottom surface of a corresponding container such that a gap is formed along the sleeve axis between the support foot bottom surface and the container bottom surface, and wherein the one or more support feet comprise a thermally conductive polymer, Wherein, the transport pallet further comprises: a plate portion connected to the top opening of each sleeve and including a plurality of corner areas; and a raised bumper disposed at least at each corner region of the panel sections, wherein the raised bumper has a height greater than the thickness of the panel sections and the height is configured such that when adjacent transport pallets are brought together, mating bumpers can make contact and prevent the panel sections from overlapping, and The raised bumper wraps around a corner region of the panel portion.

2. The shipping pallet of claim 1, wherein each sleeve further comprises a ring connecting the one or more support feet to the bottom opening, wherein the ring comprises a thermally conductive polymer.

3. The transport pallet according to claim 2, wherein: Each sleeve is a unitary structure comprising a thermally conductive polymer.

4. The transport pallet according to claim 3, wherein: The shipping pallet is a unitary structure comprising a thermally conductive polymer.

5. The transport pallet according to claim 4, wherein: The transport pallet is manufactured by injection molding a thermally conductive polymer.

6. The transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The thermally conductive polymer includes aluminum filler.

7. A transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The thermally conductive polymer includes a zinc filler.

8. The transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: Each sleeve wall comprises a closed cylinder surrounding the sleeve axis.

9. The transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein: The top opening of each sleeve is larger than the bottom opening such that the sleeve wall forms an angle greater than 0° with respect to the sleeve axis.

10. The transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising: A connecting portion connects the sleeve walls of at least two adjacent sleeves to the plate portion.

11. The transport pallet of claim 1, wherein: Each raised bumper includes at least one projection extending outwardly from a perimeter of the plate portion.

12. The transport pallet according to claim 1 or 11, wherein: The perimeter of the plate portion includes the raised bumpers and an edge portion having the same thickness as the plate portion disposed between each pair of adjacent raised bumpers.

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