Reusable package and method for packaging a tray

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a foldable, reusable and easy-to-use package (1) for protecting a transport tray (1000), the package comprising:-at least one first vertical strip (20; the invention relates to a packaging (1) comprising:-a plurality of horizontal belts (22, 22) fastened along a vertical edge (2) of the packaging,-an upper belt (10) fastened along an upper horizontal edge (3) of the packaging,-a lower belt (18) fastened along a lower horizontal edge (5) of the packaging,-a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal belts (12, 14, 16) fastened between the upper belt (10) and the lower belt (18), these belts comprising at least one tightening element for tensioning the edges of the packaging, the package further comprises a male-female foot attachment system (1111, 1113, 1115, 1117; 1117) for attaching the package to the at least one tray foot. And a male-female leg attachment system (111, 112) secured along the lower edge (5) of the package.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present description relates to the field of devices and methods for packaging articles or materials, and more particularly to reusable packaging devices and corresponding packing and unpacking methods for shipping pallets. Background Art

[0002] In the storage and transportation sector, pallets are commonly used for the safe storage and delivery of goods. These pallets are usually made of wood, plastic or metal, and the choice of pallet material and protective measures depends on the type of load to be transported and the working environment.

[0003] Goods are often transported on standard "Euro" pallets, i.e. pallets with at least four possible entrances for crane forks, including two longitudinal and two transverse entrances. Euro pallets weigh between 20 kg and 25 kg, are between 600 mm and 1200 mm long and have a width of 800 mm. Such pallets are designed to support items with a maximum load height of up to 220 cm, but preferably not more than 180 cm. Euro pallets can support loads of up to 1500 kg and are quick and easy to use due to their interchangeability. The choice of wood, a renewable and recyclable material, to manufacture these Euro pallets reduces their carbon footprint and contributes to the circular economy.

[0004] When handling these loaded pallets, it is important to protect the items they carry with the help of suitable covers or packaging so that they are not damaged by external conditions such as impacts, rain, wind or sunlight. It is important that these packaging can be adjusted to the volume of the different types of items placed on each pallet, in order to protect them as completely as possible while allowing quick and easy set-up.

[0005] For example, document CA 2 050 399 A1 relates to a device for the safe storage and transport of stacks of stacked objects, and more particularly to a combination of a pallet and a reusable pallet wrapper that can be secured around the stacked objects and to the pallet.

[0006] For example, document WO 2021 / 001843 A1 discloses a pallet packaging that reduces environmental waste generation by utilizing clean and green technologies. This packaging can be used to hold and protect loads of various sizes and dimensions loaded on such a pallet, thereby protecting the goods from external conditions and preventing them from falling off the pallet during transfer or storage.

[0007] Unfortunately, known packaging, while providing a high level of protection, is generally not reusable, difficult to adjust to the items to be transported on the pallet, and not easy to configure.

[0008] Known packaging materials also have the disadvantage of generating significant amounts of waste. Most packaging uses plastic film, which is discarded after the pallet and goods have been transported, increasing the carbon footprint with each delivery. It can be calculated that a typical supermarket in France generates an average of 2.7 tons of waste and emits 19 tons of CO2 equivalent annually from all deliveries, equivalent to a round-trip flight from Paris to New York approximately 19 times.

[0009] Furthermore, known packaging materials are often made of plastic or other non-recyclable materials, increasing their ecological footprint. Furthermore, the protection provided by these packaging and their installation and removal methods is often uneven and unevenly distributed around the items, whereas uniform protection of the pallet and its contents is more desirable.

[0010] Therefore, there is a need to improve existing systems and methods. Summary of the Invention

[0011] In order to solve this or these drawbacks, according to a first object herein, a foldable package for protecting a transport pallet is proposed, said package comprising:

[0012] at least one first vertical strap fastened along a first vertical edge of the package and adapted to be attached to at least one second vertical strap fastened between said first and second vertical edges of the package when the package is partially folded in half,

[0013] a first horizontal strap, called upper strap, fastened along the upper horizontal edge of the package, said upper strap comprising at least one upper tightening element adapted to pull said upper horizontal edge tight when the upper strap is tightened on itself,

[0014] a second horizontal strap, called lower strap, fastened along the lower horizontal edge of the package, said lower strap comprising at least one lower tightening element adapted to pull said lower horizontal edge taut when the lower strap itself is tightened,

[0015] a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps fastened between the upper and lower straps, the two ends of each intermediate horizontal strap being adapted to interlock with each other, and

[0016] - a male-female foot attachment system of said package to at least one pallet foot, said male-female foot attachment system being fastened along said lower edge of the package.

[0017] This makes it possible to provide a pallet wrap that can be reused and adapted as needed. Vertical and horizontal straps allow the coverage and protection provided by the wrap to be adjusted to the size of the goods on the pallet, ensuring a uniform fit. These straps are typically rectangular, with a length equal to or greater than the dimensions of the individual sides of the wrap.

[0018] Specifically, the relative arrangement of the horizontal straps allows the height of the packages mounted on the pallet to be adjusted according to a predetermined number of levels. When not in use, the package at the upper level can be folded inside the package at the previous level, making it easier to close and store the package. Once installed, the package is also extremely stable because its bottom is attached to the pallet feet.

[0019] In one embodiment, the male-female foot attachment system is fastened to the package at a lower horizontal band of the package, and the male-female foot attachment system also includes a plurality of female foot attachment elements fastened to a first side of the package, each of the female foot attachment elements being adapted for use with a corresponding one of the plurality of male foot attachment elements of the male-female foot attachment system, the male foot attachment elements being fastened to a second side of the package, the first side and the second side being opposite sides of the package.

[0020] According to another embodiment, at least one of the multiple female foot attachment elements includes a rectangular female "Velcro" strip (female side hook and loop) (velcro, hook and loop, magic tape), and the corresponding male foot attachment element suitable for use with the at least one female foot attachment element includes at least one rectangular male "Velcro" strip called male "Velcro" (male side hook and loop, male side magic tape) and suitable for use with the rectangular female "Velcro" strip called female "Velcro".

[0021] In another embodiment, the female and male Velcro strips are sewn together at the lower edge of the package, wherein the respective sides of the rectangular female and male Velcro strips form an angle of between 45° and 135°, preferably between 60° and 120°, for example, 90°. These particular orientations facilitate and, at an angle of approximately 90°, optimize the installation of the package on the pallet because the package (particularly its lower edge) is now in tension when placed on the pallet.

[0022] In another embodiment, the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal strips is three.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the package comprises:

[0024] - two sides, called the back and the front,

[0025] - a first female attachment element and a first male attachment element, respectively fastened on the back side at the level of the upper strap,

[0026] at least one second female attachment element or at least one second male attachment element, fastened on the back side at the level of the first of the three intermediate horizontal strips,

[0027] at least one third female attachment element or at least one third male attachment element, fastened on the back side at the level of the second of the three intermediate horizontal strips,

[0028] at least one fourth male attachment element or at least one fourth female attachment element, fastened on the back side at the level of the third of the three intermediate horizontal strips,

[0029] at least one fifth female attachment element or at least one fifth male attachment element, fastened on the front side at the level of the first of the three intermediate horizontal strips, and / or

[0030] - at least one sixth female attachment element or at least one sixth male attachment element fastened on the back side at the level of the second of the three intermediate horizontal strips.

[0031] According to another embodiment, the packaging is made of a polyethylene material or a polyamide material selected from rigid PA, filament PA, PA6, PA66, PA11 or PA12.

[0032] As used herein, PA materials are polyamide materials, which are polymers that include repeating amide groups as part of the polymer backbone.

[0033] The use of rigid or semi-rigid PA makes it possible to produce packaging with greater stiffness and strength. Advantageously, PA filaments can be used to produce packaging that is more flexible and easier to fold. One advantage of PA6 (also known as polyamide 6 or nylon 6) is that it provides a material with high tensile strength, high elasticity and high gloss. PA6 also has a high degree of wear resistance and chemical resistance. The use of PA66 or polyamide 66 to make packaging can improve recyclability and can form tear-resistant and flame-retardant fabrics. PA66 also has excellent impact resistance, heat resistance and oil resistance. PA11 is a biocompatible nylon material that has the advantage of being highly durable and flexible. The advantage of PA12 is that it has the lowest water absorption and is one of the lightest polyamides, thus providing an extremely lightweight thermoplastic polymer and facilitating a particularly economical and optimal air transport solution.

[0034] According to another embodiment, a first ratio of a first distance between the upper band and the lower band to a second distance between the upper band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the upper band is equal to six, and wherein a second ratio of this first distance to a third distance between the lower band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the lower band is equal to three.

[0035] According to another embodiment, the distance between the upper and lower belts is equal to 180 cm, the distance between the upper belt and the intermediate horizontal belt closest to the upper belt is equal to 30 cm, and the distance between the lower belt and the intermediate horizontal belt closest to the lower belt is equal to 60 cm.

[0036] In another embodiment, at least one upper fastening element comprises a "Velcro" strap adapted to form a closure on itself and comprises at least two metal buckles adapted to allow insertion, tightening and loosening of the upper strap, the lower strap and / or the intermediate horizontal strap.

[0037] According to another embodiment, at least one lower fastening element comprises a single metal buckle adapted to allow insertion, tightening and loosening of the lower strap, a portion of the lower strap comprising a male hooking element and a female hooking element adapted to cooperate with said male hooking element.

[0038] In order to solve the above-mentioned disadvantages, according to the second object, the present invention also proposes a method for installing a foldable package according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments around a transport pallet, the method comprising the following consecutive steps:

[0039] a) attaching at least one first vertical strap to a foot situated between two consecutive corners of the transport pallet, said foot being called the middle foot,

[0040] b) unfolding the package around the transport pallet to join the first vertical edge and the second vertical edge together at said intermediate foot,

[0041] c) tightening the lower horizontal edge of the package around the transport pallet using at least one lower tightening element, causing the lower strap to tighten itself,

[0042] d) hooking one end of at least one intermediate horizontal strap to at least one first vertical strap and / or hooking the two ends of the upper strap to each other by means of at least one upper tightening element, so that the upper strap tightens itself and pulls the upper horizontal edge taut, and

[0043] e) Applying a male-female foot attachment system around at least one other foot of the transport pallet, said at least one other foot being located at a corner of the transport pallet.

[0044] This makes the process of installing the package around the pallet and its contents extremely fast. Besides meeting the typical handling constraints of Euro pallets while being adjustable for varying heights, this installation is also extremely quick, typically taking less than two minutes or even 90 seconds. This installation can also be repeated numerous times, often over a hundred times, without compromising the integrity of the package.

[0045] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises, after the attaching step a), attaching at least one first vertical strap to another leg of the transport pallet, said another leg being located between two other consecutive corners of the transport pallet.

[0046] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises, during the hooking step d), hooking one end of each intermediate horizontal strap to at least one first vertical strap.

[0047] In order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, according to another object, a method for disassembling a foldable package according to any of the preceding embodiments, said package having previously been mounted around a transport pallet, is proposed, comprising the following successive steps:

[0048] i) untangling one end of at least one intermediate horizontal strap from at least one first vertical strap and / or untangling the two ends of the upper strap from each other by means of at least one upper tightening element, so that the upper strap loosens itself and the upper horizontal edge,

[0049] ii) removing the male-female foot attachment system from the feet of the shipping pallet, each of said feet being located at a corner of the shipping pallet,

[0050] iii) loosening the lower horizontal edge of the package around the transport pallet using at least one lower tightening element, causing the lower strap itself to loosen,

[0051] iv) detaching at least one first vertical strap from a foot situated between two consecutive corners of the transport pallet, said foot being called an intermediate foot, and

[0052] v) Folding the package in half around the shipping pallet to join the first vertical edge and the second vertical edge together.

[0053] This makes the process of removing the packaging from the pallet and its contents extremely fast. In addition to meeting the typical handling constraints of Euro pallets, this removal can also be achieved very quickly, typically in less than 30 seconds.

[0054] Furthermore, in order to solve this or these drawbacks, according to another object of the present disclosure, a foldable package for protecting a transport pallet is proposed, comprising a profile formed by an upper horizontal edge, a lower horizontal edge, a right vertical edge and a left vertical edge, the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge being opposite to each other, the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge being opposite to each other, and the foldable package further comprising:

[0055] at least one first upper band fastened to the foldable package along the right vertical edge and further fastened between the upper and lower horizontal edges and further fastened to a first face, called the front face, of the foldable package, the at least one first upper band being adapted to be attached to the at least one first intermediate band when the foldable package is partially folded in half,

[0056] at least one first middle belt fastened to the front face of the foldable package, the at least one first middle belt further fastened between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge, the at least one first middle belt further fastened at a horizontal center distance between the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge, the at least one first middle belt further comprising a tightening element adapted to tighten the at least one first upper belt when the at least one first upper belt is attached to the first middle belt, and

[0057] - at least two main male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable package to the pallet feet, said at least two main male-female foot attachment elements being fastened along the lower horizontal edge, each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements comprising two ends attachable to each other, and each of these two ends being fastened to a second face of the foldable package, referred to as the back face, which is opposite the front face of the foldable package.

[0058] As used herein, a "horizontal distance" is a distance measured parallel to the upper horizontal edge and / or parallel to the lower horizontal edge. As used herein, "at half the horizontal distance between a first vertical element and a second vertical element" (where the first vertical element is, for example, the right vertical edge and the second vertical element is, for example, the left vertical edge) means that the distance is approximately equal to half the distance between the two vertical elements. As used herein, "the distance is approximately equal to" means "the distance is equal to," but with an uncertainty margin of 20 centimeters.

[0059] As used herein, a "shipping pallet" may be a rectangular or square pallet provided that the pallet is provided with at least four access openings for crane forks, including two longitudinal access openings and two transverse access openings. The upper portion of the shipping pallet provides a support base for the contents to be loaded onto the pallet, and the lower portion includes at least eight legs, four of which are located at the corners of the pallet, where two sides of the pallet meet at each corner, and another four of which are located in the middle of each side of the pallet, i.e., between two consecutive corners of the pallet. Unless otherwise specified, a shipping pallet is generally considered to be rectangular, i.e., a shipping pallet has two parallel sides, each side being longer than the other two parallel sides.

[0060] Advantageously, fastening the at least one first intermediate band as centrally as possible between the right and left vertical edges ensures an optimal fit of the package around the pallet. If the fit is not ideal, tightening the at least one first upper band attached to the at least one first intermediate band can provide greater maneuvering space when installing the package around or on the pallet, in particular if the contents of the pallet are not uniform, for example if the contents of the pallet do not form a rectangular parallelepiped whose bottom is defined by the bottom of the pallet on which the contents are installed.

[0061] In one possible embodiment, the profile is a rectangular profile so that its four sides correspond to an upper horizontal edge, a lower horizontal edge, a right vertical edge and a left vertical edge, and the relevant terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left" and "right" correspond to directions and relative positions from the perspective of a user who is in a standing position relative to the ground and looking at the front of the package in front when the package is used and installed to protect a transport pallet.

[0062] In one possible embodiment, one of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements is fastened to the corner formed by the lower horizontal edge and the right vertical edge of the foldable package.

[0063] This makes it possible to define in an easy and quick manner a corner of the package which is intended to be attached to one of the legs situated between the two corners of the pallet and from which corner the mounting of the package is achieved.

[0064] Advantageously, the feet at the pallet's corners help align the package around the pallet and / or its contents. They help hold the sides of the package in place so that the cross straps are flush with the center of one side of the pallet, after which vertical tightening of at least one of the center straps allows the package to be lifted or hoisted onto the transport pallet. When homogenous contents are arranged on the pallet (e.g., boxes with their sides aligned with the sides of the pallet), the bottom of the package forms a square or rectangular shape with its sides also aligned with the sides of the pallet.

[0065] According to an advantageous embodiment, the foldable package comprises at least one intermediate horizontal band on the front face of the foldable package, the at least one intermediate horizontal band being situated between the upper and lower horizontal edges of the package and being further fastened to the at least one horizontal band.

[0066] As used herein, when the package is unfolded, the at least one middle horizontal band is substantially parallel to the upper and lower horizontal edges, wherein "substantially parallel" means "parallel" and having an amplitude of approximately 5 degrees.

[0067] This provides a means of lateral reinforcement in the horizontal direction and at the level of the intermediate horizontal strip, in particular where the packaging which has been installed around the contents of the pallet may be tightened.

[0068] This also provides a visual means of checking and adjusting the horizontal alignment of the package with the tray and its contents for user verification. According to one possible embodiment, the at least one intermediate horizontal band is positioned at a vertical distance of 30 cm, 60 cm, 90 cm, 100 cm, 105 cm or 135 cm from the lower horizontal edge.

[0069] According to an advantageous embodiment, the foldable package is made of a polyethylene material or a polyamide material selected from rigid PA, filament PA, PA6, PA66, PA11 or PA12.

[0070] As used herein, polyamide materials are polymers that include repeating amide groups that are part of the polymer backbone. The use of rigid or semi-rigid PAs allows for the production of packaging with increased stiffness and strength.

[0071] Polyethylene material provides solid protection for products due to its durability and impact resistance, while being lightweight and flexible, making it easier to handle. In addition, the use of recycled polyethylene promotes sustainable development, thereby reducing plastic waste and helping to preserve the environment.

[0072] According to an advantageous embodiment, the distance between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge is between 100 cm and 200 cm, and is preferably equal to 105 cm, 110 cm, 150 cm, 165 cm or 180 cm, and / or wherein the distance between the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge is between 55 cm and 450 cm, and is preferably equal to 65 cm, 105 cm, 165 cm, 200 cm, 250 cm, 305 cm or 400 cm.

[0073] The distances and lengths described herein are equal to the values ​​given in centimeters with an accuracy of 2 to 3 centimeters. This allows the packaging to be provided with an adjustable height, suitable for fitting around or on a Euro pallet, while maintaining optimal stability for the different types of loads placed thereon.

[0074] According to one advantageous embodiment, at least one of the first upper vertical straps and / or at least one of the first intermediate straps includes a tightening element adapted to cooperate with another tightening element of the foldable package. This allows for a modular and adjustable fastening system, wherein the tightening elements present on the upper and intermediate vertical straps can be adjustably coupled to other tightening elements of the foldable package. This also allows for precise control over the tightening of the straps, ensuring a customized tightening according to the nature and size of the transported load.

[0075] According to a preferred embodiment, one of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements, referred to as the first main foot attachment element, is fastened close to the right vertical edge of the foldable package, and / or another of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements, referred to as the second main foot attachment element, is fastened at the horizontal center distance between the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge of the foldable package.

[0076] In this document, "nearby" means a distance of less than or equal to 20 cm.

[0077] This allows the package to fit evenly around the sides of the pallet and its contents, and achieves balanced stress distribution.

[0078] In one possible embodiment, one of the at least two first primary male-female foot attachment elements is designed to attach the package to a foot located between two corners of a pallet having a generally square bottom. Positioning the first primary foot attachment element and / or the other of the at least two first primary male-female foot attachment elements in this manner also reduces local stress on the pallet after the package is mounted on it and its contents, and minimizes the risk of deformation or damage, particularly when the contents are arranged uniformly on the pallet, for example, to form a cuboid whose bottom is formed by the bottom of the pallet.

[0079] In this example, the attachment of one of the at least two first male-female primary foot attachment elements to the pallet foot enables the pallet foot to serve as a fastening point for not only unfolding the foldable package around the pallet, but also unfolding the foldable package across its full height, because the foot is aligned with the at least one first vertical strap and / or the at least one first intermediate strap. At least one vertical strap extends around the contents and packages of the pallet at a central location on one side of the pallet, thereby ensuring that the packages are evenly distributed around the contents.

[0080] According to an advantageous embodiment, the foldable package comprises:

[0081] at least one second upper band, referred to as second vertical band, fastened on the front face of the foldable package between the upper and lower horizontal edges and also fastened at the horizontal center distance between the left vertical edge and the fastening point of the at least one first intermediate band, the at least one second vertical band also being adapted to be attached to the at least one second intermediate band when the foldable package is partially folded in half, and

[0082] - at least one second intermediate band, which is fastened on the front side of the foldable package between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge and is also fastened at the horizontal center distance between the right vertical edge and the fastening point of the at least one first intermediate band, or is fastened at the horizontal center distance between the left vertical edge and the fastening point of the at least one first intermediate band.

[0083] By connecting the vertical and intermediate straps, the structural stability of the foldable package and the contents it protects is increased, thereby not only improving its resistance to external conditions but also making it easier and safer to install the foldable package with a lower horizontal edge due to a stronger fastening to the pallet.

[0084] According to an advantageous embodiment, the foldable package further comprises at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable package attached to at least one other foot of the tray (1000), each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements being different from each of the at least two primary male-female foot attachment elements, each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements being fastened along a lower horizontal edge of the foldable package, each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements comprising two ends attachable to each other, and each of the two ends being fastened to the front face of the foldable package, and wherein:

[0085] - one of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements, referred to as the first secondary foot attachment element, is fixed in a central position between the left vertical edge of the foldable package and the attachment point of the at least one first intermediate strip, and

[0086] The other of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements, referred to as the second secondary foot attachment element, is fastened at a horizontal center distance between the right vertical edge and the fastening point of the at least one second intermediate strip.

[0087] This provides at least two additional ways to attach the package to the pallet feet during installation. Specifically, the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements provide at least two additional attachment points at the other pallet center feet because the relative fastening positions of these at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements with respect to the at least two primary male-female foot attachment elements provide a total of at least four package attachment points at the four pallet center feet.

[0088] According to a preferred embodiment, the foldable package further comprises a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal bands fastened to the front face of the foldable package, the intermediate horizontal bands being fastened between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge on the front face of the foldable package, the two corresponding ends of each intermediate horizontal band being adapted to be integrally interlocked by means of male-female attachment elements.

[0089] This allows a method of closing and possibly tightening the package laterally when the package is folded in half around the tray, in particular when the left and right vertical edges meet so that the package forms a closed envelope.

[0090] It should be understood herein that a male-female attachment element comprises a male component and a female component, wherein the male component is located at a first end of the intermediate horizontal band and the female component is located at a second end opposite the first end. As used herein or in one possible variation, a female-male attachment element can be substituted for a male-female attachment element, as the male and female components of the same intermediate horizontal band are interchangeable.

[0091] In one possible embodiment, the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps is equal to 6. Surprisingly, this allows for optimal lateral tightening of the packaging after the Euro-pallet has been mounted, while limiting the number of operations required to attach or detach the intermediate horizontal straps.

[0092] According to an advantageous embodiment, the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal bands is greater than or equal to two, and wherein the ratio of a first distance between the upper horizontal edge and one intermediate horizontal band (referred to as the first intermediate horizontal band) to a second distance between the intermediate horizontal band and another intermediate horizontal band (referred to as the second intermediate horizontal band) is equal to 0.16, 0.2, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

[0093] This distributes the horizontal or lateral tension on the package as it is mounted on the pallet, causing the package to tighten evenly along evenly spaced horizontal lines.

[0094] In one possible embodiment, the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal bands is greater than or equal to two, and a ratio of a third distance between the lower horizontal edge and one intermediate horizontal band (referred to as the third intermediate horizontal band) to a fourth distance between the third intermediate horizontal band and another intermediate horizontal band (referred to as the fourth intermediate horizontal band) is equal to 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

[0095] According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one intermediate horizontal band is fastened by sewing the at least one intermediate horizontal band to at least one vertical band which is fixed to the front side of the foldable package and extends from the lower horizontal edge to the upper horizontal edge of the foldable package.

[0096] This increases the strength of the one or more intermediate horizontal straps sewn together in this manner, thereby reducing the risk of tearing of the one or more intermediate horizontal straps when they are tightened during installation and / or folding of the package around a pallet. When a plurality of horizontal intermediate straps are sewn together in this manner, the risk of tearing is reduced in proportion to their number.

[0097] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sewing of at least one vertical strip applies a tension to at least one intermediate horizontal strip, this tension being evenly distributed by at least one triangular or semi-triangular reinforcement.

[0098] As used herein, "the relative arrangement of at least one intermediate horizontal strip with respect to at least one vertical strip" means that each intermediate horizontal strip forms a substantially right angle with respect to the vertical strip.

[0099] As used herein, a "substantially right angle" is an angle of 90°, within a range of approximately 1°, 2°, or 3°.

[0100] This creates a lateral tension evenly distributed on the side opposite the tip, i.e. a lateral pull.

[0101] As used herein, a "semi-triangular reinforcement" is defined as a strip, or alternatively, a band, connecting an intermediate horizontal band to a vertical band at an acute angle (eg, 30°, 45°, or 60°) relative to the vertical band.

[0102] As used herein, a "triangular reinforcement" is defined as being formed by two strips or two bands connecting a middle horizontal band to a vertical band, each of these strips or bands forming an acute angle relative to the vertical band, such as 30°, 45° or 60°. Advantageously, a 45° angle can optimize the reinforcing effect of the seam.

[0103] This further reduces the risk of tearing of the at least one intermediate horizontal strap or straps fastened or sewn to the package when the package is tightened during installation around the pallet and / or folding inwards, and also increases the stability of the pallet contents when the package is installed, in particular when the pallet is in motion.

[0104] In one possible embodiment, the intermediate horizontal band fastened to the upper or lower horizontal edge of the foldable package comprises a single semi-triangular reinforcement.

[0105] In order to solve the above shortcomings, according to another purpose, this document also proposes a method for installing a foldable package according to any of the above embodiments, the installation method comprising the following consecutive steps:

[0106] a) attaching a first of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable package to a first foot located between two consecutive corners of the pallet,

[0107] b) wrapping the foldable packaging around the bottom of the shipping pallet by folding the foldable packaging portion in half,

[0108] c) attaching a second of the at least two primary male-female foot attachment elements of the package to a second foot that is different from the first foot and that is located between two other consecutive corners of the pallet, the second foot being opposite the first foot,

[0109] d) Attaching the first vertical strap to the at least one first intermediate strap by tightening the tightening element to tighten the package over the entire height of the transport pallet.

[0110] Opposing corners of a pallet are defined herein as corners that do not share a side of the pallet.

[0111] As used herein, "shipping pallet height" refers to the vertical distance between the bottom of the pallet and the top of the contents on the pallet. This is not necessarily the vertical distance between the lower and upper horizontal edges of the package, such as when the height of the contents on the pallet is greater than the vertical distance between the lower and upper horizontal edges of the package because the vertical distance between the lower and upper horizontal edges of the package is smaller.

[0112] In one possible embodiment, step b) comprises unfolding the foldable package around the transport pallet to connect the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge together.

[0113] This enables a comprehensive and extremely fast installation process for fitting the package around the pallet and its contents. Besides meeting the typical handling constraints of Euro pallets and being adjustable to different heights, the reduced number of steps and components to be attached makes installation very quick and effortless, with setup typically taking less than 90 seconds or even 1 minute and 60 seconds. The installation process can also be repeated multiple times, in particular over 100 times, without compromising the integrity of the package or its components.

[0114] According to one embodiment, the mounting method further comprises, after step d) of attaching the first vertical strip of the foldable package to the at least one first intermediate strip, a step e) of integrally interlocking two respective ends of one or more of the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal strips.

[0115] This improves the uniformity and strength of the packaging cover of any contents placed on the shipping pallet.

[0116] In order to overcome the above-mentioned drawbacks, according to another object, a method for disassembling a foldable package according to any of the above-mentioned embodiments around a transport pallet, said package having previously been mounted around the transport pallet, is proposed herein, said disassembly method comprising the following successive steps:

[0117] i) if the first vertical straps were previously attached to the at least one first intermediate strap, detaching the first vertical straps from the at least one first intermediate strap, thereby loosening the packages over the entire height of the transport pallet, and / or

[0118] ii) if a second primary male-female foot attachment element of the at least two primary male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable package was previously attached to the second corner, detaching the second primary male-female foot attachment element from the foot located at the second corner of the pallet,

[0119] iii) if a first primary male-female foot attachment element of the at least two primary male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable package was previously attached to the first corner, detaching the first primary male-female foot attachment element from the foot located at the first corner of the pallet, and

[0120] iv) Optionally, fold the foldable package completely in half to join the right and left vertical edges together.

[0121] This allows for an extremely fast removal process for removing the packaging around the pallet and its contents. In addition to meeting the typical handling constraints of Euro pallets, the removal process can be performed very quickly, typically taking less than 30 seconds or even 20 seconds. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0122] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent from the following detailed description and analysis of the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0123] Figure 1 A first side, referred to as the front side, of a package according to one embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0124] Figure 2 Shown are upper and lower tensioning elements according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0125] Figure 3 A second side of the package according to one embodiment of the invention is shown, which is referred to as the back side and is opposite the front side.

[0126] Figure 4 A male-female foot attachment system including packaging according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown.

[0127] Figure 5 The packaging according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown mounted on one side of a pallet and at different heights.

[0128] Figure 6 A package according to one embodiment of the invention is shown mounted above and around a pallet.

[0129] Figure 7 A schematic diagram showing a package mounted on a shipping pallet to protect its contents.

[0130] Figure 8 A first side, referred to as the front side, of a package according to one embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0131] Figure 9 A second side of the package according to one embodiment of the invention is shown, which is referred to as the back side and is opposite the front side.

[0132] Figure 10 A first side, referred to as the front side, of a package according to one embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0133] Figure 11 A second side of the package according to one embodiment of the invention is shown, which is referred to as the back side and is opposite the front side.

[0134] Figure 12 A first side, referred to as the front side, of a package according to one embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0135] Figure 13 A second side of the package according to one embodiment of the invention is shown, which is referred to as the back side and is opposite the front side.

[0136] Unless otherwise noted, common or similar elements in several drawings have the same reference numerals and have the same or similar properties, so these common elements are generally not described again for simplicity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0137] Figure 1 The front of a package according to one possible embodiment is shown, corresponding to the visible side of the package when installed to protect a transport pallet 1000. Package 1 includes multiple horizontal straps and multiple vertical straps. Each strap can be made of nylon, polyester, or polyester-Dyneema to achieve an optimal balance between breaking strength and lightweight. In a preferred embodiment, package 1 includes five horizontal straps, including an upper horizontal strap 10, a lower horizontal strap 18, and three intermediate horizontal straps 12, 14, and 16 between these two straps. However, this number is not limiting, and any number of intermediate horizontal straps may be present between upper horizontal strap 10 and lower horizontal strap 18. In various embodiments, the front and back sides of package 1 are made of fabric and / or a polyamide material selected from rigid PA, filament PA, PA6, PA66, PA11, or PA12. The materials used in the manufacture of the various straps and bands of package 1 advantageously include polyamide 66 and steel.

[0138] In a preferred embodiment, the package 1 includes a first vertical strap 22 sewn to the front of the package 1 along a first vertical edge 2 of the package 1, and a second vertical strap 20 sewn to the front of the package 1 along a second vertical edge 4 at the other end of the package 1. The package 1 also includes a third intermediate vertical strap 24, or transverse strap, which is fastened to (and preferably sewn to) the front of the package and is preferably located centrally between the first vertical edge 2 and the second vertical edge 4 of the package 1. The package 1 also includes four male-female foot attachment systems, represented in the figures by element 111, which include four male-female foot attachment elements 1111, 1113, 1115, and 1117, which are fastened or sewn along the lower edge 5 of the package 1 at the lower horizontal strap 18 of the package.

[0139] In one embodiment, the first vertical belt 22 and the middle vertical belt 24 are double-layer fabric vertical belts, while the second vertical belt 20 is a single-layer fabric vertical belt.

[0140] In one embodiment, the package 1 further comprises a first horizontal band 10 , referred to as the upper band, sewn along the upper horizontal edge 3 of the package, and a second horizontal band 18 , referred to as the lower band, fastened along the lower horizontal edge 5 of the package 1 .

[0141] In one embodiment, the upper band 10 of the package 1 comprises at least one upper tightening element, which is here referred to as two elements 131 and 132 located on both sides and at the ends of the upper band 10. These elements are suitable for tightening the upper horizontal edge when the upper band itself is tightened, as will be described below.

[0142] In one embodiment, the lower strap 18 of the package 1 comprises at least one lower tightening element, here an element 151 located at one end of the lower strap 18, preferably at the end close to the first vertical edge 2. This element 151 is suitable for tightening the lower strap 18 and, therefore, the lower horizontal edge 5 of the package 1 when the lower strap itself is tightened.

[0143] In one embodiment, the ends of each intermediate horizontal strap 12, 14, and 16 are adapted to interlock with one another, for example, by means of a set of "Velcro" and / or buckles as described below. In one embodiment, each leg attachment element comprises a male leg attachment element 1111, 1113, 1115, and 1117, and a corresponding female leg attachment element 1121, 1123, 1125, and 1127 (not shown here), which are adapted to cooperate with one another. For example, the male and female leg attachment elements are male and female hinges, male and female clips, male and female threads, male and female ties, male and female snaps, or magnets that attract one another.

[0144] In one embodiment, the male foot attachment elements are fastened or sewn to the front side of the package 1 and the female foot attachment elements are attached or sewn to the back side of the package 1, or vice versa.

[0145] In different embodiments, the dimensions of the package 1 may vary, as long as they are still suitable for protecting a given type of pallet and load. Without limiting these dimensions, the different designs can be distinguished by defining the ratio of the distance between the middle horizontal band and the upper and lower bands.

[0146] For example, if the number of predetermined intermediate horizontal bands is equal to three, thereby enabling the height of the package 1 to be adjusted on three levels, as will be described below, the corresponding embodiment can be determined by defining, on the one hand, that the ratio (or fraction) of the first distance between the upper band and the lower band to the second distance between the upper band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the upper band is equal to six, and, on the other hand, that the ratio (or fraction) of the first distance to the third distance defined between the lower band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the lower band is equal to three. This makes it possible to define three similar levels for adjusting the height of the package when it is wrapped around the pallet.

[0147] For example, if, according to the definition of this ratio, the number of predetermined intermediate horizontal bands is equal to two, the corresponding embodiment can be determined by defining, on the one hand, the ratio (or fraction) of the first distance between the upper band and the lower band to the second distance between the upper band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the upper band is equal to four, and, on the other hand, the ratio (or fraction) of the first distance to the third distance defined between the lower band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the lower band is equal to two. This makes it possible to define two similar levels for adjusting the height of the packages when they are wrapped around the pallet.

[0148] For example, still according to this definition, if the number of predetermined intermediate horizontal bands is equal to four, the corresponding embodiment can be determined by defining that, on the one hand, the ratio (or fraction) of the first distance between the upper band and the lower band to the second distance between the upper band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the upper band is equal to eight, and, on the other hand, the ratio (or fraction) of the first distance to the third distance defined between the lower band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the lower band is equal to four. This makes it possible to define four similar levels for adjusting the height of the package when it is wrapped around the pallet.

[0149] In one embodiment, the two ends of each intermediate horizontal band are suitable for interlocking with each other, for example by means of male-female fasteners such as male and female Velcro. Advantageously, the end of at least one of these intermediate horizontal bands comprises at least one intermediate tightening element suitable for tightening the surface of the package situated at the level of the intermediate horizontal band when the intermediate horizontal band itself is tightened.

[0150] In various embodiments, the dimensions of the package 1 can be precisely defined. For example, in the case of a Euro pallet, the total length of the package 1 can be approximately 4 meters, i.e., within the range of 403 cm ± 30 cm. The total height of the package 1 can be approximately 2 meters, e.g., within the range of 180 cm ± 20 cm.

[0151] In one embodiment, the distance between the belts can be accurately defined. For example, the distance between the upper belt and the lower belt is within the range of 180 cm plus or minus 10 cm.

[0152] In the case of three horizontal intermediate bands, the distance between the upper band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the upper band is within the range of 30 cm plus or minus 5 cm, and the distance between the lower band and the intermediate horizontal band closest to the lower band is within the range of 60 cm plus or minus 10 cm.

[0153] Figure 2 Tightening elements for horizontal packaging straps are shown in various embodiments.

[0154] The upper illustration in the figure shows an example of an upper fastening element, in this case a “Velcro” strip 131 , which is adapted and therefore sufficiently flexible to form a closure on itself when arranged on the upper horizontal strip 3 .

[0155] Specifically, the Velcro strip 131 includes a rectangular male Velcro strip 1310 positioned near its end and separated by a gap from a female Velcro strip 1312. For example, the distance between the male strip 1310 and the female strip is 10 mm, and the end of the element 131 is separated by a distance of 10 mm from the male strip 1310. Thus, for example, the length of the male strip 1310 is 335 mm, while the length of the female strip 1312 is 295 mm.

[0156] The middle illustration of the figure shows an example of an attachment element, here two metal buckles 132, which are suitable for allowing the insertion, tightening and loosening of a "Velcro" strap 131. The "Velcro" strap 131 is designed to be fastened to the upper strap 3, but can alternatively also be designed to be fastened to the lower strap 18 and / or to at least one of the intermediate horizontal straps 12, 14 and 16.

[0157] Advantageously, the presence of at least two metal buckles on each horizontal strap of the package 1 allows for maximum adaptability.

[0158] The lower illustration in the figure shows an example of a lower tightening element 151 that can be used for the lower strap 18, wherein the tightening system is located at the bottom of the package 1 and is shorter due to the use of a single buckle 1513, which can be a plastic buckle, but is preferably a metal buckle to provide better fastening strength when the strap is in a tensioned state.

[0159] Thus, the metal buckle 1513 on the first end of the strap (on the left in the lower illustration) is adapted to mate with the second end, which includes a male attachment element 1510 and a female attachment element 1512, such as a male "Velcro" and a corresponding female "Velcro", which can mate with each other when the strap is passed through the buckle and folded back in half to interlock 1510 and 1512.

[0160] For example, the length of the buckle 1513 is 70 mm, the length of the male Velcro 1510 is 200 mm, and the length of the female Velcro 1512 is 180 mm, with a gap of 10 mm between them. Other sizes can be provided depending on the size of the pallet 1000 to be protected by the package 1, but it is advantageous to provide male and female Velcro of the same size on the lower belt 18.

[0161] Figure 3 Shown in Figure 1The back side of the package described in the possible embodiment of the invention corresponds to the non-visible side of the package when it is installed to protect the transport pallet 1000.

[0162] In a preferred embodiment, packaging 1 comprises a plurality of attachment elements on this back side, in particular male " Velcro " 150 and female " Velcro " 152, they are distributed equidistantly between vertical edge 2 and 4, and preferably along the horizontal band 10,12,14,16 and 18 that are positioned on the front side of packaging 1 and visible. Alternatively or additionally, the attachment elements can comprise male and female clips, male and female threaded parts, male and female snaps, or magnets that attract each other. The elements shown on this face provide a non-limiting example of the distribution of these fasteners, wherein, for each horizontal height, there is a single female " Velcro " 152 positioned near vertical edge 2, while the other fastener elements distributed on this same horizontal height are male " Velcro " 150 positioned at the same distance from each other.

[0163] In one embodiment, three female "Velcro" 152 positioned at the level of the upper band 10 on the back and front together define 143. One end 161 of the bottom tie is fixed or sewn to the lower left edge of the package 1, this bottom tie end being adapted to cooperate with another bottom tie end 162 fixed or sewn to the lower edge 5 of the package 1 on the back, this other bottom tie end being preferably at the same level as the transverse vertical band 24 situated on the other front side of the package 1 and being located in the middle of the package 1 in the horizontal direction, and therefore being at substantially equal distances from the vertical edge 2 and the other vertical edge 4.

[0164] In one embodiment, the bottom tie, including ends 161 and 162, is a thin strap, preferably having a thickness between 10 mm and 20 mm and comprising Velcro, thereby enabling a self-closing closure. The bottom tie is used to attach and / or secure the package 1 to the center leg of the pallet 1000, thereby subsequently allowing or facilitating the installation or removal of the package 1 from the pallet 1000 using the transverse vertical straps 24. Arranged as shown in the figures, the back of the package 1 also includes strap fasteners 141 and 142, and one or more closure elements 146. Also visible in the figures are the female leg attachment elements 1121, 1123, 1125, and 1127 of the leg attachment system 112, which correspond to the male leg attachment elements 1111, 1113, 1115, and 1117 described above.

[0165] Figure 4 A male-female foot attachment system is shown included in packaging according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0166] The male-female foot attachment system corresponds to element 111 visible on the front side of the packaging 1 and to element 112 visible on the rear side of the packaging 1 .

[0167] On the front side, element 111 comprises a strap 11111 which is fastened and preferably sewn to the package 1 near the lower edge on the same front side. The seam can be sewn at the same level as the lower horizontal strap 18 so that they are at a similar height. On the opposite side, element 112 comprises a female attachment element 11115 near the free end of the strap.

[0168] Preferably, the male-female leg attachment system is sewn at the lower belt 18 and / or at the intermediate horizontal belt 16 closest to the lower belt 18 , thereby defining a horizontal belt of a first level between the belt and the packaging fabric 1 .

[0169] The shape and length of the strap are designed to allow its free end to be wrapped around the pallet foot below the lower edge. After the strap is wrapped around the foot, the female attachment element 11115 at its free end is brought back to the level of the male attachment element 11113, which is fastened or sewn close to the strap attachment point 11111. The male and female attachment elements 11113, 11115, are designed to cooperate with each other (i.e., hook together), allowing the package 1 to be attached and secured to the pallet foot, not only allowing it to be placed in place, but also facilitating the attachment of other male-female foot attachment systems to other pallet bottoms.

[0170] In this way, the foot attachment system enables the package 1 to be fastened to at least four feet of the pallet 1000. While more male and female fasteners may be provided, four have been found to be sufficient for optimal installation and protection. Preferably, the male and female attachment elements are rectangular strips of male and female Velcro, respectively. Sewing these rectangular strips together at the lower edge of the package 1 is very easy, facilitating manufacturing.

[0171] Surprisingly, it has been found that installing the package 1 around the pallet 1000 to enclose the pallet is most convenient when the respective sides of the rectangular female and male Velcro strips form an angle close to 90° (i.e., a right angle), because this orientation keeps the package 1 in tension during installation. However, installation is quick and easy when the angle is between 60° and 120°, and to a lesser extent, between 45° and 135°.

[0172] Figure 5 Shown are packages mounted at different heights on the side of a pallet.

[0173] Specifically, package 1 is shown positioned at three different heights on and / or around pallet 1000. The left-hand illustration shows the installation at a maximum height, e.g., 1.8 meters, the middle illustration shows the installation at a medium height, e.g., 1.5 meters, and the right-hand illustration shows the installation at a minimum height, e.g., 1.2 meters. The aforementioned heights correspond to the selection of adjustable heights for a package having a size or one dimension of approximately 180 centimeters, which in this example defines the distance between the upper and lower straps of package 1.

[0174] As mentioned above, the front and rear sides of the package 1 are provided with various male attachment elements, in particular male Velcro 150, and various female attachment elements, in particular female Velcro 152, which are adapted to mate with each other. This mate ensures that the package 1 can adaptively protect the pallet 1000 at at least three different levels (i.e., at three different vertical heights).

[0175] This arrangement also allows multiple levels of straps to be secured together when the package is folded inwardly or along at least one of its sides, thereby facilitating storage and transport because the volume occupied by the package is reduced after it is removed from the pallet.

[0176] This makes it possible to adjust the height of the package 1 in at least three levels. If not in use, the package of the upper level is folded inside the package of the previous level, so as not to complicate the folding and therefore the folding of the package inwards.

[0177] In order to arrange a package 1 having a size of approximately 180 cm to protect a pallet 1000 and its contents at a maximum height of 1.8 m, as shown in the diagram on the left side of the drawing, one embodiment of the installation method thus comprises, for example:

[0178] 1) Attach the male-female foot attachment system 111, 112 to the first middle foot of the pallet 1000, i.e. the pallet foot located between two consecutive corners of the transport pallet,

[0179] 2) passing at least one of the vertical belts 20, 22 and 24 (preferably the transverse vertical belt 24) over the goods placed on the pallet 1000,

[0180] 3) unrolling the package 1 around the pallet 1000 to the other side, i.e. to the second pallet middle leg opposite the first middle leg to which the male-female leg attachment system 111, 112 has been attached,

[0181] 4) attaching the male-female leg attachment system to the second middle leg,

[0182] 5) attaching the vertical strap (here preferably strap 24) to itself to tighten the package, this can be achieved by snapping,

[0183] 6) unrolling the rest of the package 1 around the pallet 1000 and lowering it to the level of the first intermediate leg so that its vertical edges 2 and 4 meet on the same side (called the closed side),

[0184] 7) attaching the closing system of the package 1 together, in particular attaching together several or even all horizontal straps, by tightening the horizontal straps themselves by means of their respective ends and / or tightening elements, preferably from the lower edge to the upper edge of the package, i.e. from the bottom to the top, without including the lower tightening strap,

[0185] 8) Unfold the package 1 and fit it around the pallet until it is flush with the other side,

[0186] 9) attaching the second vertical strap 24 to itself, for example by means of "Velcro" 142 on the opposite side of the wrapping cross strap,

[0187] 10) Unfold the package 1 around the tray to the closed side and adjust as needed,

[0188] 11) Attach the remaining fasteners to the vertical strips, for example by attaching fasteners or "Velcro" 141, 142 and 143 to the closed side of the package 1,

[0189] 12) Attaching together the attachment elements included in the upper closure system 12 of the package 1 and, if necessary, tightening the horizontal straps in order to improve the uniformity of the package 1 when mounted around the pallet 1000,

[0190] 13) Attach the remaining snaps of the male-female foot attachment system to the feet of the pallet 1000, which are located at the corners of the pallet.

[0191] 14) Attach and tighten the lower strap 18 to tighten the bottom of the package 1 around the sides of the pallet.

[0192] In order to arrange a package 1 having a size of approximately 180 cm to protect a pallet 1000 and its contents at an intermediate height of 1.5 m, as shown in the middle diagram of the drawing, one embodiment of the installation method thus comprises, for example, continuing and replacing steps 8) to 14) of the installation method at a maximum height of 1.8 m:

[0193] 8') attaching together the attachment elements on the front side 121 and the back side 122 of the upper closure system 12 of the package 1, when the package is partially folded in half at the middle height, for example by using the male "Velcro" 150 on the side 121 to cooperate with the female "Velcro" 152 at the same height, which facilitates the installation of the package 1 around the pallet and adjusted to the middle height,

[0194] 9') Attach fasteners 143 and 144 to horizontal straps 12 and 14,

[0195] 10') attach the remaining horizontal straps of the package to themselves and tighten so that the bottom and sides of the package 1 are tightened around the pallet 1000,

[0196] 11') Attach the remaining fasteners of the male-female foot attachment system to the feet of the pallet 1000, which are located at the corners of the pallet,

[0197] 12') Attach the lower strap 18 to itself and tighten it to tighten the bottom of the package 1 around the sides of the pallet.

[0198] In order to arrange a package 1 having a size of approximately 180 cm to protect a pallet 1000 and its contents at a minimum height of 1.2 m, as shown in the diagram on the right side of the drawing, one embodiment of the installation method thus comprises, for example, continuing and replacing steps 8) to 14) of the installation method at a maximum height of 1.8 m:

[0199] 8”) attaching the attachment elements of the front side 121 of the upper closure 12 of the package 1 to the attachment elements of the rear and opposite side of the middle closure 123 of the package 1, when the package is partially folded inwards at the minimum height, for example by using the male “Velcro” 150 on the side 121 to cooperate with the female “Velcro” 152 at the same height on the opposite side of the middle closure system 123, which facilitates the installation of the package 1 around the pallet and is adjusted to the minimum height,

[0200] 9") Attach fasteners 143 and 144 to horizontal straps 14 and 16,

[0201] 10") attach the remaining horizontal straps of the package to itself and tighten so that the bottom and sides of the package 1 are tightened around the pallet 1000,

[0202] 11") Attach the remaining snaps of the male-female foot attachment system to the feet of the pallet 1000, which are located at the corners of the pallet.

[0203] 12") attach the lower strap 18 to itself and tighten to tighten the bottom of the package 1 around the sides of the pallet.

[0204] Removing the package 1 from the pallet 1000 can be accomplished by following one or more of the above steps, but in the reverse order, where the "attachment" step is then called the "detachment" step, the "unrolling" step then becomes the "rewinding" step, the "unrolling" step then becomes the "folding" step, and so on.

[0205] Figure 6 The use of so-called transverse straps to mount the packages around the sides of the pallet and at maximum height is shown.

[0206] As shown, the package 1 is mounted to cover all sides of the pallet 1000 and its contents. A plurality of male attachment elements 150 for fastening straps are provided on opposite sides of the package 1, in particular first strap fasteners 141 at an intermediate horizontal strap 12 or 14 below the upper strap, or at another intermediate horizontal strap 16 just above the lower strap.

[0207] The second belt fastener 142 is located on the opposite side of the package 1 and is located at the middle horizontal belt just above the lower belt. A belt line extending from this middle horizontal belt is also shown in the drawings and includes at least one female attachment element 152 such as female Velcro that is designed to cooperate with one or more male Velcros of the second belt fastener 142.

[0208] Also shown is a third tape fastener 143 on the front side of the package 1, along with a tape line corresponding to a transverse tape used to secure the package 1 in place. This transverse tape is located at the same level as the tape corresponding to the attachment 142, for example, at the level of the middle horizontal tape 16. From the front side of the package 1 to the end of the tape line, the tape line includes a first tape fastener 141 comprising a male Velcro 150, a third tape fastener 143 comprising a female Velcro 152, and a fourth tape fastener 144 comprising another female Velcro 152. The fourth tape fastener 144 is located at the same level as the middle horizontal tape directly above the lower tape of the package 1. The three female Velcros 152 shown on this tape line are intended to be used in conjunction with at least three male Velcros 150 located on the upper portion of the front side of the package 1.

[0209] Advantageously, the package 1 comprises a closing element 146, such as a male-female snap closing system, located on the front side of the package between the first fastener 141 and the second fastener 142, so as to be able to close the two vertical edges of the package 1, in particular after the package 1 is mounted around the tray 1000.

[0210] The transverse and / or intermediate horizontal straps 16 located just above the lower straps are used during installation of the package 1 and its positioning around the sides of the pallet 1000. In particular, these straps enable each layer to remain in place during installation.

[0211] A first strap fastener 141 is located on the front of the package 1 and allows for adjustment of the strap length. The first strap fastener is preferably sewn to the first vertical strap, for example, 50 mm, and then extends outwards to a free end. A male clip can be inserted at this end for use with the second strap fastener 142.

[0212] The second strap fastener 142 is located on the back of the package 1. The second strap fastener is preferably sewn to the first vertical strap, for example, 50 mm, and then a 40 mm free end is left. A female clip can be inserted at this end to cooperate with the male clip of the first strap fastener 141.

[0213] The third belt fastener 143 is located on the back of the packing 1 and comprises at least three of the above-mentioned " Velcro ", for fastening the packing 1 to the transverse belt at the middle horizontal belt place. As an option, additional male " Velcro " can be provided so that it can be stored after the packing 1 is removed.

[0214] The fourth strap fastener 144 is located on the front face of the package 1 and comprises at least two "velcros" for fastening the package 1 to the transverse straps when the package 1 is sized around the pallet 1000 to obtain an intermediate height.

[0215] Figure 7 A package consistent with various embodiments described herein is schematically shown mounted around a load to be transported.

[0216] In particular, an example of a package 600 is shown, which is mounted around the contents, which are not visible, and is arranged on a transport pallet 1000 in order to protect them. This transport pallet 1000 is, for example, a Euro pallet, i.e., a rectangular wooden pallet having at least eight legs 1001 to 1008, of which only legs 1001 to 1005 are visible in the figure. In the example of a Euro pallet, its length is equal to 1200 mm, its width is equal to 800 mm, and its height is equal to 144 mm, but other types of pallets and other dimensions are also conceivable.

[0217] Package 600 , or any other package described herein, comprises a front face and a back face (the back face being the face not visible in the drawings) formed by fabric distributed between an upper horizontal edge 3 and a lower horizontal edge 5 .

[0218] As shown, for example, the package 600 is unwound and mounted around the height of the tray 1000 to wrap the contents arranged thereon and is closed by having its vertical edges grip the ends of one or more intermediate horizontal straps, thereby pulling the contents taut, for example, by means of tightening elements.

[0219] As shown, for example, the bottom of the package 600 is attached to the pallet by means of a system of multiple foot attachment elements, currently a first primary foot attachment element 317 attached to the middle foot 1004 and an optional second foot attachment element 315 attached to the foot 1002. There may be at least one other primary foot attachment element and at least one other optional second foot attachment element, but they are not visible in the drawings. Center feet 1004 and 1008 (not visible in the drawings), preferably the middle feet of the short sides of the rectangular tray 1000, enable the first upper strap 17 to be positioned, which alone provides sufficient tension and stability to encircle the contents arranged on the tray 1000 and close the package 600 from the top, thereby also protecting these contents from above.

[0220] As shown, the upper portion of package 600 is held above the contents arranged on transport pallet 1000, for example, by attaching first upper belt 17 to first intermediate belt 13 (not visible in the figure). This hold can be enhanced by attaching second vertical belt 11 to second intermediate belt 15, both of which are optional.

[0221] As shown, for example and for reinforcement purposes, in addition to the left and right vertical edges of the package (which meet to close the package), there are two optional vertical straps 650a and 650b, each of which serves as an attachment point for a middle horizontal strap provided with a male attachment element (601b to 606b in the drawings) at one end and a female attachment element (601a to 606a in the drawings) at the other end, optionally with one or more corresponding tightening elements. These elements will be described in detail below.

[0222] Also shown is an optional transparent bag 610 for holding a sheet or panel identifying the non-visible contents of the interior of the installed package 600.

[0223] Preferably, first upper strap 17, and optionally at least one of first middle strap 13, second vertical strap 11, and / or second middle strap 15, are adjustable, so that package 600 can have different heights to protect the contents on pallet 1000, for example, 150 cm, 180 cm, or 210 cm, with each tightening ranging from approximately 15 cm. Advantageously, tightening one or more straps also allows for varying the fit of package 600 around and on top of the contents. However, even if the contents on the pallet are uneven on the sides or top, the tension of the fabric is sufficient to hold the contents together.

[0224] After the contents of the pallet are protected by the packaging 600 and the packaging has been closed and secured to the pallet 1000 , the pallet 1000 can be handled and transported, for example, by means of a motor vehicle equipped with forks that can fit into the opening in the bottom of the pallet 1000 .

[0225] Figure 8 The front side of the package 400 in one possible embodiment is shown, which corresponds to the visible side of the package when it is unfolded and in a vertical or upright position relative to the ground, wherein the tray to be protected is positioned at the rear of the package. Figure 9 The back side of the same package 400 is shown.

[0226] In this embodiment, as in the other embodiments, the package 400 preferably has a rectangular shape, with the shorter side of the rectangular shape being defined, for the right-hand side in the figure, by the right vertical edge 2, and for the left-hand side in the figure, by the left vertical edge 4. For the upper side in the figure, the longer side is defined by the upper horizontal edge 3, and for the lower side in the figure, the longer side is defined by the lower horizontal edge 5.

[0227] According to various possible embodiments, the upper horizontal edge 2 and / or the right vertical edge 3 comprise or consist of a tape having a width equal to 10 mm. In this embodiment, the package 400 comprises one or more vertical tapes, also referred to as upper tapes, but here, in a non-limiting manner, a single first upper tape 17 is shown fastened to the package 400 at the right vertical edge 2. This fastening can be achieved, for example, by means of stitching or a Velcro tape between the packaging fabric and the first upper tape 17, and is preferably achieved on the front side between the upper horizontal edge 3 and the lower horizontal edge 5, but further fastening on the back side is not excluded.

[0228] The package 400 also comprises one or more central strips, but here in a non-limiting manner the example of a single central strip 13 fastened to the front and middle of the package 400 is shown, in this particular example approximately midway between the two vertical edges 2 and 4. This fastening can be achieved, for example, by sewing.

[0229] The first upper strap 17 and / or the intermediate strap 13 comprise tightening elements, such as buckles, adapted to attach and tighten together the upper strap 17 and the intermediate strap 13. During installation, the tightening elements spread the packages 400 over the height of the transport pallet.

[0230] According to one possible embodiment, the first upper strap 17 is a 35 mm wide strap that, when attached and tightened, provides optimal tension during vertical mounting of the package at the height of the pallet 1000. The package 400 may also include a first horizontal strap 200, referred to as the center strap, which is sewn along the upper horizontal edge 3 of the package. The intermediate strap 13 may also be sewn partially attached to the first horizontal strap 200, but the latter is optional.

[0231] The package 400 includes at least two main male-female foot attachment elements 313 and 317, each of which enables the package 400 to be attached to a pallet foot. These elements 313 and 317 are arranged along the lower horizontal edge 5 and are fastened to the back of the package 400.

[0232] The strap of each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements 313 and 317 is designed to be passed around a pallet foot and then tied to secure the two ends together, thereby securing the package 400 to the corresponding foot.

[0233] According to various possible embodiments, at least one of the straps described herein includes a tightening element, such as a buckle or a spring hook, so that the length of the strap can be manually or automatically reduced by tightening the strap. For example, the strap of each of the at least two main male-female leg attachment elements 313 and 317 can include a combination of male or female fasteners that can cooperate with each other.

[0234] Optionally, at least one strap end of each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements 313 and 317 comprises at least one intermediate tightening element adapted to tighten the strap and thereby tighten the package close to the corresponding pallet foot.

[0235] According to various possible embodiments, at least one main male-female foot attachment element comprises at least four parts, a first part being a first strap provided with a female attachment element, the first strap being, for example, 20 mm wide, a second part being a corresponding male attachment element, such as a male snap or a pair of male-female snaps, a third part being a semi-rigid plastic tube, and a fourth part being another strap, also, for example, 20 mm wide, adapted to attach the package to the pallet foot. The semi-rigid plastic tube (which may be optional) enables a portion of the strap's length to be wrapped around the bottom of the pallet 1000 after the package has been mounted, in order to protect the pallet from friction or breakage, for example, when transporting the pallet by engaging a fork in the bottom of the pallet.

[0236] In other embodiments to be described later, at least one secondary male-female leg attachment element also includes these four components.

[0237] In this embodiment, the vertical straps 17 are preferably longer than the vertical straps 13, as the latter are intended to be passed over the pallet 1000 and its contents, joining the vertical straps 17 for attachment.

[0238] However, the number of bands described so far in this embodiment is not limiting, and any number of horizontal bands, vertical bands, and / or intermediate bands may be present on or in the package 400.

[0239] According to various possible embodiments, each strap, indeed any strap or attachment element of the embodiments described herein, may be made of nylon, polyester or polyester-dyneema material in order to achieve an optimal balance between its breaking strength and light weight.

[0240] For both package 400 and for the packages described in the various possible embodiments herein, the dimensions of these packages may vary, as long as they remain suitable for protecting a given type of pallet and the load placed thereon. Without limiting these dimensions, the different designs can be distinguished by defining the ratio of the distance between the middle horizontal band and the upper and lower bands.

[0241] In various embodiments, the dimensions of the package can be precisely defined. For example, in the case of a Euro pallet, the total length of the package (i.e., the length of the upper horizontal edge 3 or the lower horizontal edge 5) is approximately 4 meters, for example, within the range of 403 cm ± 30 cm. The total height of the package (i.e., the length of the left vertical edge 4 or the right vertical edge 2) is approximately 180 cm, for example, within the range of 165 cm ± 10 cm.

[0242] Figure 10 A front side of a package 500 in another possible embodiment is shown, which corresponds to the visible side of the package when it is unfolded and in an upright position relative to the floor, wherein the pallet to be protected is positioned at the rear of the package. Figure 11 The back side of the same package 500 is shown.

[0243] The package 500 in this embodiment includes at least the same elements as the package 400 in the previous embodiment.

[0244] Furthermore, the package comprises a second upper band 11, referred to as the second vertical band, which is fastened or sewn between the two horizontal edges on the front side of the package 500. This fastening or sewing is made horizontally approximately halfway between the left vertical edge and the point of attachment of the first middle band 13.

[0245] Similar to the first upper band 17, the second upper band 11 is adapted to be attached to another intermediate band, in this example a second intermediate band 15 spaced apart from the band 13, in particular when the foldable package 500 is partially folded in half.

[0246] According to one possible embodiment, and when the second upper strap 11 is present, it is preferably a 35 mm wide strap that, when attached and tightened, provides optimal tension when mounting the package on the lateral profile of the pallet 1000. Furthermore, preferably, the male-female attachment elements of the at least one second upper strap 11 are adapted to enable tightening of the contents to the pallet 1000 during mounting of the package. The package 500 in this embodiment further comprises at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements 311 and 315, which are similar to the primary male-female foot attachment elements 313 and 317, but differ in that the ends of these secondary male-female foot attachment elements can be attached to each other, fastened to the front face of the package 500, and fastened at different locations along the lower horizontal edge 5.

[0247] In this example, the secondary male-female leg attachment element 311 is secured at a predetermined distance from the left vertical edge 4 and, as shown, at a distance centered between that distance and the horizontal location of the center belt attachment point 13. In other words, the secondary male-female leg attachment element 311 is located at a distance from the left vertical edge 4 that is approximately one-quarter the length of the horizontal edges 3 and 5.

[0248] As with all straps described herein, the number of foot attachment elements is not limiting, and any number of foot attachment elements may be present at the lower horizontal edge 5, but the number of toe clip elements need not be greater than the number of feet on the transport pallet 1000. According to various possible embodiments, each end of the foot attachment element may include at least one attachment fastener, for example, an attachment fastener having a width of 20 mm or 35 mm. Alternatively, the fastener may be replaced by a snap hook having a width between 20 mm and 50 mm.

[0249] According to various possible embodiments, all male-female foot attachment elements 311, 313, 315 and 317 are formed from the same parts but are arranged in different ways, for example, two main elements are fastened to the front of the package and two secondary elements are fastened to the back of the package.

[0250] According to various possible embodiments, the length of the straps of the plurality of male-female foot attachment elements 311, 313, 315, and 317 may be adjustable or non-adjustable, in either case leaving a margin of a few centimeters, for example 5 centimeters, to allow flexibility in attaching them around one or more feet of the pallet 1000. The total length of the straps of the male-female foot attachment elements 311, 313, 315, and 317 is preferably greater than 45 centimeters.

[0251] Figure 12 The front side of the package 600 in one possible embodiment is shown, which corresponds to the visible side of the package when it is unfolded and in a vertical or upright position relative to the floor, wherein the pallet to be protected is positioned at the rear of the package. Figure 13 The back side of the same package 400 is shown.

[0252] The package 600 in this embodiment includes at least the same elements as the package 500 in the previous embodiment.

[0253] Furthermore, the package 600 comprises one or more intermediate horizontal straps 601 to 606 for enhancing lateral constriction of the contents arranged on the pallet around which the package 600 is mounted.

[0254] In the example shown, a predetermined number of six pairs of intermediate horizontal bands 601 to 606 are fastened to the front of the foldable package 600 , with the male parts 601 b to 606 b located close to the right vertical edge 2 and the female parts 601 a to 606 a located close to the left vertical edge 4 .

[0255] Each of these fastening points is formed between two horizontal edges 3 and 5 .

[0256] Each end of the intermediate horizontal strips 601 to 606 comprises a male or female attachment means. Specifically, the two respective ends 601a to 606a and 601b to 606b of each intermediate horizontal strip are adapted to achieve integral interlocking by means of male-female attachment elements.

[0257] In one possible embodiment, each of the corresponding male and female components of at least one of the intermediate horizontal straps 601 to 606 is attached proximate to the corresponding left or right vertical edge. Although the tightening elements for these intermediate horizontal straps may alternatively be included in the male components 601b to 606b of the straps 601 to 606, it will be assumed herein that the tightening elements are included in the female components 601a to 606a.

[0258] In one possible embodiment, each end of the intermediate horizontal straps 601 to 606 (which is not the end comprising the male or female part of the corresponding attachment or tightening element) is sewn to a nearby vertical strap 650a or 650b.

[0259] As shown, for the male components 601b to 606b of the intermediate straps 601 to 606 located on the right vertical edge 2 side, each end of the strap, excluding the male components, is attached to a vertical strap 650b, referred to as a right vertical strap. Similarly, for the female components 601a to 606a of the intermediate straps 601 to 606 located on the left vertical edge 4 side, each end of the strap, excluding the female components, is attached to another vertical strap 650a, referred to as a left vertical strap.

[0260] According to one possible embodiment, each of the vertical strips 650 a and 650 b is substantially parallel to the right vertical edge 2 and the left vertical edge, and connects the lower horizontal edge 5 to the upper horizontal edge 3 .

[0261] According to one possible embodiment, the left vertical band 650a is spaced approximately 10 to 15 centimeters from the left vertical edge 4 , and the right vertical band 650b is spaced approximately 50 to 60 centimeters from the right vertical edge 2 .

[0262] In one possible embodiment, and this embodiment can be implemented both for the female part relative to the left vertical band and for the male part relative to the right vertical band, the female parts 601a to 606a of the intermediate horizontal band are sewn to the vertical band 650a on the front side of the package 600. In particular, when these reinforcements are present, these seams can be formed using triangular or semi-triangular reinforcements.

[0263] According to a final possible embodiment, the triangular reinforcement of the female components 602a to 605a is attached to the left vertical edge by double stitching, with the first stitch located at the end of the triangle and the other stitch located at the level of the vertical strip 605a. The area between these two points is free, but maintains sufficient tension. This allows for sufficient clearance in each orientation of the female components when installing and securing the package on a given pallet.

[0264] In a similar manner, the semi-triangular reinforcement of the female part 606a, arranged near the lower horizontal edge 5 of the package 600, is attached to the left vertical edge by means of a single-needle stitch. Preferably, this semi-triangular reinforcement is double-layered, which strengthens it while preventing it from being disassembled or torn when the corresponding strap 606 is tightened.

[0265] In one possible embodiment, the triangular or semi-triangular reinforcements are made of 10 mm wide webbing. To achieve additional reinforcement, these reinforcements can be double-layered.

[0266] According to various possible embodiments, the at least one belt described herein is made of a polyethylene material or a polyamide material.

[0267] According to various possible designs, at least one strip is selected from strips having a width of 10 mm, 20 mm or 35 mm, and the at least one strip may be of single thickness or double thickness depending on the required strength level.

[0268] According to various possible embodiments, the intermediate strips 601 to 606 have a variable length, depending on the adjustment that the packages need to undergo in order to be mounted on the pallet 1000. As a non-limiting example, these intermediate strips have a length of 300 to 400 mm, adjustable in steps of 20 to 100 mm, preferably 340 mm, adjustable in steps of 50 mm, so that in the latter case the preferred total length is 390 mm.

[0269] For example, and in a non-limiting manner, starting from the left vertical edge 4 of the package 600, the female parts of the intermediate strips 601 to 606 can be sewn to the left vertical strip 650a, which is located at a distance of 13.5 centimeters from the left vertical edge 4. For example, the standard length of the female parts 601a to 606a can be between 10 centimeters and 20 centimeters, preferably 16 centimeters.

[0270] In various embodiments, one or more of the male parts 601b to 606b of the intermediate belts 601 to 606 are formed by 35 mm wide male snap fasteners, the intermediate belts 601 to 606 also being 35 mm wide for attachment to the female parts 601a to 606a with possible tightening.

[0271] According to various embodiments, the left vertical strap 650a and / or the right vertical strap 650b is formed of a strap having a width of 35 mm and a maximum length of 165 cm.

[0272] Optionally, on the front of the package 600, a bag 610 may be attached or sewn, such as a clear plastic bag, with three sides of the bag sewn to the front and the fourth side being open.

[0273] Advantageously, this allows for the insertion of a sheet of paper, cardboard, or plastic containing information relating to the contents (other than the tray 1000), which is not visible from the outside, while the tray is protected and wrapped in the packaging 600. The surface area of ​​the bag is between 150 square centimeters and 1300 square centimeters, for example 300 square centimeters. The surface area of ​​the bag can also be significantly greater than 156 square centimeters to accommodate A5 paper, significantly greater than 620 square centimeters to accommodate A4 paper, and significantly greater than 1250 square centimeters to accommodate A3 paper.

[0274] Various embodiments of the method for installing the described packages are possible. For example, a first possible solution for quickly wrapping one of the described packages around the contents placed on the transport pallet 1000 has the following steps:

[0275] The first main male-female foot attachment element 317 is attached to the first foot of the pallet 1000, which is located between two consecutive corners and therefore in the middle of the first side of the pallet, by wrapping the two ends of the strap included in the first main male-female foot attachment element 317 around the foot to attach them together on the same side, thereby ensuring a secure anchoring point.

[0276] The package 600 is unwound around the bottom of the tray 1000 to partially enclose the bottom of the tray.

[0277] Similar to step 1) above, a second primary male-female foot attachment element 313 is attached to a second foot of the pallet 1000, which is located along a second side of the pallet opposite and parallel to the first side, with the second foot thus being located in the middle of the second side. This provides two fastening points for securing the package 600 to the bottom of the pallet 1000, from which the package 600 can be unfastened or unfolded vertically along the height of the pallet and its contents.

[0278] The first vertical strap 17 is attached to the first intermediate strap 13 by tensioning, preferably at one corner of the pallet, while the first intermediate strap 13 is at the other corner of the pallet and located close to the second main male-female foot attachment element 313 .

[0279] By optionally tightening the attachment point of the first vertical belt 17 to the first intermediate belt 13, the attachment point of the first vertical belt 17 to the first intermediate belt 13 is lifted above the pallet 100 and its contents, thereby facilitating the package 600 to rise along the height of the pallet 1000 and be positioned above the contents placed on the pallet 1000.

[0280] The left vertical edge 4 is joined to the right vertical edge 2 over the corner of the tray 1000 and the package is unwound around the tray 1000 to close the package 650 laterally around the contents.

[0281] Optionally, and if present, the male and female parts of the intermediate belts 601 to 606 are tied together and, if equipped with tightening elements, are tightened so as to be pulled tight.

[0282] Optionally, and if present, another secure anchoring point is ensured by attaching at least a first secondary male-female foot attachment element 311 to a third foot of the pallet 1000 situated between two consecutive corners and therefore in the middle of the third side by wrapping the two ends of a corresponding strap around the third foot.

[0283] Optionally, and if present, at least a second secondary male-female leg attachment element 315 is attached to a fourth leg of the pallet 1000 located between two consecutive corners and therefore in the middle of the fourth side by wrapping the two ends of the corresponding strap around the fourth leg, thereby providing a further secure anchoring point.

[0284] Optionally, and if present, at least one second vertical belt 11 is attached to at least one second intermediate belt 15, which is preferably achieved by positioning the at least one second vertical belt above the contents placed on the pallet 1000, when the at least one second vertical belt 11 is located at the center of a first side of the pallet and the at least one second intermediate belt 15 is located at the center of a second side of the pallet, the second side being opposite the first side.

[0285] Various embodiments of the method for disassembling the above-described packaging are also possible.

[0286] For example, a first possible solution for quickly removing a package 600 and its contents from a transport pallet on which the package 600 is already mounted consists, for example, in first removing all the intermediate straps 601 to 606 from top to bottom or from bottom to top, in particular loosening the male and female parts of each intermediate strap, and then removing the upper straps 17 and 11 from the corresponding intermediate straps 13 and 15, here also loosening the male and female parts of each intermediate strap. The package 600 is now no longer held vertically but falls under its own weight to the level of the pallet feet, and any attached primary and secondary foot strap elements 311, 313, 315 and 317 can then be removed to enable the package 600 to be folded.

[0287] Continuing with the example, a second possible approach for gradually and safely removing the contents of a transport pallet with package 600 already installed is as follows: First, upper straps 17 and 11 are removed from their respective intermediate straps 13 and 15. Then, all intermediate straps 601 to 606 are removed sequentially from top to bottom, removing a portion of the pallet's contents each time a strap is untied. Package 600 is gradually lowered along the height of the pallet's contents until it gradually reaches the bottom. To completely remove package 600 from the pallet, only the attached primary and secondary leg attachment elements 311, 313, 315, and 317 (if any) are removed, allowing package 600 to be folded.

[0288] Furthermore, the present disclosure includes embodiments according to the following clauses A to O:

[0289] A. A foldable package for protecting a transport pallet (1000), the foldable package (400; 500; 600) comprising a profile formed by an upper horizontal edge (3), a lower horizontal edge (5), a right vertical edge (2) and a left vertical edge (4), the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) being opposite to each other, the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4) being opposite to each other, the foldable package (400; 500; 600) further comprising:

[0290] - at least one first upper band (17) attached to the foldable package (400; 500; 600) along the right vertical edge (2) and further fastened between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) and further fastened to a first face, called the front face, of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), the at least one first upper band (17) being adapted to be attached to at least one first intermediate band (13) when the foldable package (400; 500; 600) is partially folded inwards,

[0291] - the at least one first intermediate band (13) being fastened to the front face of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), the at least one first intermediate band (13) being further fastened between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), the at least one first intermediate band (13) being further fastened at a horizontal center distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4), the at least one first intermediate band (13) further comprising a tightening element adapted to tighten the at least one first upper band (17) when the at least one first upper band (17) is attached to the first intermediate band (13), and

[0292] - at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) of the foldable package (400; 500; 600) for attaching the feet to the pallet (1000), the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) being fastened along the lower horizontal edge (5), each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) comprising two ends that can be attached to each other, and each of these two ends being fastened to a second side of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), referred to as the back side, opposite to the first side of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), the second side being referred to as the back side, opposite to the front side of the foldable package (400; 500; 600).

[0293] B. The foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to item A comprises on the front side of the foldable package (400; 500; 600) at least one intermediate horizontal band (200) located between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), and the at least one first intermediate band (13) is further fastened to the at least one horizontal band.

[0294] C. A foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the foldable package (400; 500; 600) is made of a polyethylene material or a polyamide material, and the polyamide material is selected from rigid PA, filament PA, PA6, PA66, PA11 or PA12.

[0295] D. A foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the distance between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) is between 100 cm and 200 cm, and is preferably equal to 105 cm, 110 cm, 150 cm, 165 cm or 180 cm, and / or wherein the distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4) is between 55 cm and 450 cm, and is preferably equal to 65 cm, 105 cm, 165 cm, 200 cm, 250 cm, 307 cm or 403 cm.

[0296] E. A foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein the at least one first upper vertical belt (17) and / or the at least one first intermediate belt (13) comprises a tightening element suitable for use in conjunction with another tightening element of the foldable package (400; 500; 600).

[0297] F. A foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein:

[0298] - one of the at least two first primary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317), referred to as the first primary foot attachment element (317), is fastened close to the right vertical edge (2) of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), and / or

[0299] - The other of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317), referred to as the second main foot attachment element (313), is fastened at the horizontal center distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4) of the foldable package (400; 500; 600).

[0300] G. A foldable package (500; 600) according to any of the preceding clauses, comprising:

[0301] - at least one second upper band (11), referred to as the second vertical band, said at least one second vertical band (11) being fastened on the front face of said foldable package (500; 600) between said upper horizontal edge (3) and said lower horizontal edge (5) and further fastened at a horizontal center distance between the fastening point of said at least one first intermediate band (13) and said left vertical edge (4), said at least one second vertical band (11) being further adapted to be attached to at least one second intermediate band (15) when said foldable package (500; 600) is partially folded in half, and

[0302] - the at least one second intermediate band (15), which is fastened on the front side of the foldable package (500; 600) between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), and is also fastened at the horizontal center distance between the fastening point of the at least one first intermediate band (13) and the right vertical edge (2) or at the horizontal center distance between the fastening point of the at least one first intermediate band (13) and the left vertical edge (4).

[0303] H. A foldable package (500; 600) according to clause G, further comprising at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements (311, 315) of the foldable package (500; 600) attached to at least one other foot of the pallet (1000), each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) being different from each of the at least two primary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317), each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) being fastened along the lower horizontal edge (5) of the foldable package (500; 600), each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements comprising two ends attachable to each other, and each of the two ends being fastened to the front face of the foldable package (500; 600), and wherein:

[0304] - one of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements (311, 315), referred to as the first secondary foot attachment element (311), is fastened in a central position between the left vertical edge (4) of the foldable package (500, 600) and the fastening point of the at least one first intermediate strip (13), and

[0305] - The other of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements (311, 315), referred to as the second secondary foot attachment element (315), is fastened at the horizontal center distance between the fastening point of the at least one second intermediate strip (15) and the right vertical edge (2).

[0306] I. A foldable package (600) according to any one of the preceding clauses, further comprising a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal bands (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal bands being fastened to the front face of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), the intermediate horizontal bands (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) being fastened between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) on the front face of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), the two respective ends (601a, 601b; 602a, 602b; 603a, 603b; 604a, 604b; 605a, 605b; 606a, 606b) of each intermediate horizontal band being adapted to be integrally interlocked by means of male-female attachment elements.

[0307] J. A foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal bands (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) is greater than or equal to two, and wherein the ratio of a first distance between the upper horizontal edge (3) and one of the intermediate horizontal bands (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), referred to as a first intermediate horizontal band, to a second distance between the intermediate horizontal band and another of the intermediate horizontal bands (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), referred to as a second intermediate horizontal band, is equal to 0.16, 0.2, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

[0308] K. A foldable package (600) according to clause I or J, wherein the fastening of at least one intermediate horizontal band (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) is achieved by sewing the at least one intermediate horizontal band (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) to at least one vertical band (650a; 650b), wherein the at least one vertical band is attached to the front side of the foldable package (600), and the at least one vertical band (650a; 650b) extends from the lower horizontal edge (5) to the upper horizontal edge (3) of the foldable package (600).

[0309] L. A foldable package (600) according to clause K, wherein the sewing of the at least one vertical band (650a; 650b) applies tension to the at least one intermediate horizontal band (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), the tension being evenly distributed by at least one triangular or semi-triangular reinforcement.

[0310] M. A method for mounting a foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to any one of clauses A to L around a transport pallet (1000), the method comprising the following consecutive steps:

[0311] a) attaching a first primary male-female foot attachment element (317) of the at least two primary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) of the foldable package to a first foot, the first foot being located between two consecutive corners of the pallet (1000),

[0312] b) wrapping the foldable package (400; 500; 600) around the bottom of the transport pallet (1000) by partially folding the foldable package (400; 500; 600) in half,

[0313] c) attaching a second of the at least two primary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) of the package to a second foot, the second foot being different from the first foot and being located between two other consecutive corners of the pallet (1000), the second foot being opposite the first foot,

[0314] d) Attaching the first vertical belt (17) to the at least one first intermediate belt (13) by tightening the tightening element, tensioning the package over the entire height of the transport pallet (1000).

[0315] N. The installation method according to clause M which is subordinate to any one of clauses I to L, further comprising, after step d) of attaching the first vertical band (17) of the foldable package (600) to the at least one first intermediate band (13), performing step e): interlocking two corresponding ends of one or more intermediate horizontal bands (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) of a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal bands (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) of the at least one intermediate horizontal band (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) in an integral manner.

[0316] O. A method for disassembling a foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to any one of clauses A to L around a transport pallet (1000), the package having previously been mounted around the transport pallet (1000) and attached to at least two legs of the pallet (1000), the disassembly method comprising the following consecutive steps:

[0317] i) if the at least one first vertical belt (17) was previously attached to the at least one first intermediate belt (13), detaching the first vertical belt (17) from the first intermediate belt (13), thereby loosening the packages over the entire height of the transport pallet (1000),

[0318] ii) if one of the at least two primary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) has been previously attached to a pallet foot, detaching the primary female foot attachment element (313, 317) from the foot, and

[0319] iv) Optionally, folding the foldable package (400; 500; 600) in half to join the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4).

Claims

1. A foldable package (1) for protecting a transport pallet (1000), the package comprising: at least one first vertical strap (20; 22) fastened along a first vertical edge (2) of the package and adapted to be attached to at least one second vertical strap (24) fastened between the first and second vertical edges (4) of the package when the package is partially folded in half, a first horizontal strap, called upper strap (10), fastened along the upper horizontal edge (3) of the package, said upper strap comprising at least one upper tightening element (131, 132) adapted to tighten said upper horizontal edge when said upper strap itself is tightened, - a second horizontal strap, called lower strap (18), fastened along the lower horizontal edge (5) of the package, said lower strap comprising at least one lower tightening element (151) adapted to tighten said lower horizontal edge when said lower strap itself is tightened, a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps (12, 14, 16) fastened between the upper strap (10) and the lower strap (18), the two ends of each of the intermediate horizontal straps being adapted to interlock, and - a male-female foot attachment system (111, 112) of the package to at least one pallet foot, the male-female foot attachment system (111, 112) being fastened along the lower edge (5) of the package.

2. The packaging according to claim 1, wherein The male-female foot attachment system (111, 112) is fastened to the package at the lower horizontal band (18) of the package, and the male-female foot attachment system also includes a plurality of female foot attachment elements (1111, 1113, 1115, 1117) fastened to the first side of the package, each of the female foot attachment elements is suitable for use with a corresponding one of the plurality of male foot attachment elements (1121, 1123, 1125, 1127) of the male-female foot attachment system, and the male foot attachment element is fastened to the second side of the package, and the first side and the second side are opposite sides of the package.

3. The packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein At least one of the multiple female foot attachment elements (1111, 1113, 1115, 1117) includes a rectangular female "Velcro" strip, and the corresponding male foot attachment element (1121, 1123, 1125, 1127) suitable for use with the at least one female foot attachment element includes at least one rectangular male "Velcro" strip, and the at least one rectangular male "Velcro" strip is called male "Velcro" and is suitable for use with the rectangular female "Velcro" strip called female "Velcro".

4. The packaging (1) according to claim 3, wherein The female Velcro tape and the male Velcro tape are sewn together at the lower edge (5) of the package (1), and the corresponding side edges of the rectangular female Velcro tape (152) and the rectangular male Velcro tape (150) form an angle of between 45° and 135° with each other, preferably between 60° and 120°, for example 90°.

5. The packaging (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The predetermined number of intermediate horizontal strips (12, 14, 16) is equal to three.

6. The packaging (1) according to claim 5, wherein The package includes: - two sides, called the back and the front, - a first female attachment element (152) or a first male attachment element (150) fastened on the back face at the level of the upper strap (10), - at least one second female attachment element or at least one second male attachment element fastened on said back face at the level of a first intermediate horizontal band (12) of said three intermediate horizontal bands, said first intermediate horizontal band (12) being the intermediate horizontal band closest to said upper band (10), at least one third female attachment element or at least one third male attachment element fastened on the back face at the level of the second intermediate horizontal band (14) of the three intermediate horizontal bands, the second intermediate horizontal band (14) being situated between the first intermediate horizontal band (12) and the third intermediate horizontal band (16), the third intermediate horizontal band (16) being the intermediate horizontal band closest to the lower band (18), - at least one fourth male attachment element or at least one fourth female attachment element, fastened on said back face at the level of said third of said three intermediate horizontal strips (16), - at least one fifth female attachment element or at least one fifth male attachment element fastened on said front face at the level of said first of said three intermediate horizontal strips (12) and / or - at least one sixth female attachment element or at least one sixth male attachment element fastened on said back face at the level of said second of said three intermediate horizontal strips (14).

7. A package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The package (1) is made of polyethylene material or polyamide material, and the polyamide material is selected from rigid PA, filament PA, PA6, PA66, PA11 or PA12.

8. A package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein A first ratio of a first distance between the upper band (10) and the lower band (18) to a second distance between the upper band (10) and the intermediate horizontal band (12) closest to the upper band (10) is equal to six, and wherein a second ratio of the first distance to a third distance between the lower band (18) and the intermediate horizontal band (16) closest to the lower band (18) is equal to three.

9. A package (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The distance between the upper belt and the lower belt is equal to 180 cm, the distance between the upper belt (10) and the intermediate horizontal belt (12) closest to the upper belt is equal to 30 cm, and the distance between the lower belt (18) and the intermediate horizontal belt (16) closest to the lower belt (18) is equal to 60 cm.

10. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one upper tightening element (131, 132) comprises a "Velcro" strap (131) adapted to form a closure on itself and comprises at least two metal buckles (132) adapted to allow insertion, tightening and loosening of the upper strap, the lower strap and / or the intermediate horizontal strap.

11. A package according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein The at least one lower tensioning element (151) comprises a single metal buckle (1513) adapted to allow insertion, tightening and loosening of the lower strap, a portion of the lower strap comprising a male hooking element (1510) and a female hooking element (1512) adapted to cooperate with the male hooking element.

12. A method for mounting a package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 around a transport pallet (1000), the method comprising the following consecutive steps: a) attaching the at least one first vertical strap (20; 22) to a foot situated between two consecutive corners of the transport pallet, said foot being called the middle foot, b) unfolding the package around the transport pallet to join the first vertical edge (2) and the second vertical edge (4) together at the middle foot, c) tightening the lower horizontal edge of the package around the transport pallet using the at least one lower tightening element (151) so that the lower strap tightens itself, d) hooking one end of at least one intermediate horizontal belt (12, 14, 16) to the at least one first vertical belt, and / or by means of the at least one upper tightening element (131, 132) hooking the two ends of the upper belt (10) together so that the upper belt tightens itself and pulls the upper horizontal edge tight, and e) applying the male-female foot attachment system (111, 112) around at least one other foot of the transport pallet, the at least one other foot being located at a corner of the transport pallet.

13. The installation method according to claim 12, further comprising: After the attaching in step a), the at least one first vertical strap (20; 22) is further attached to another foot of the transport pallet, the other foot being located between two other consecutive corners of the transport pallet.

14. The installation method according to any one of claims 12 to 13, further comprising: During the interlocking step d), one end of each intermediate horizontal strap (12, 14, 16) is hooked to the at least one first vertical strap.

15. A method for disassembling a package (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, said package having previously been mounted around said transport pallet (1000), said method comprising the following successive steps: i) untying one end of at least one intermediate horizontal strap (12, 14, 16) from the at least one first vertical strap (20; 22) and / or untying the two ends of the upper strap (10) from each other by means of the at least one upper tightening element (131, 132) so as to loosen the upper strap itself and the upper horizontal edge, ii) removing the male-female foot attachment system (111, 112) from the feet of the transport pallet, each of the feet being located at a corner of the transport pallet, iii) loosening the lower horizontal edge (10) of the package around the transport pallet using the at least one lower tightening element (151), causing the lower strap itself to loosen, iv) detaching the at least one first vertical strap (20; 22) from a foot situated between two consecutive corners of the transport pallet, said foot being called an intermediate foot, and v) Folding the package inwardly around the transport pallet to join the first vertical edge (2) and the second vertical edge (4) together.

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