Metal profile, pallet and associated manufacturing process

Abstract

A metal profile (1, 1A, 1B, 1C) comprises a main body which forms a first major "dorsal" face (3) and a second major "ventral" face (5). The cross-sections of the profile (1, 1A, 1B, 1C) form two lateral edges (7, 9) and two tubular portions (11, 13), each of which has a maximum width (WTB) less than or equal to 0.3 times the overall length (WP) of the cross-sections of the profile (1) itself. Each tubular portion (11, 13) has a maximum height (HTB) substantially comprised between 0.5-1 times the maximum height (HP) of the cross-sections of the profile (1) itself. At or near their centreline, the cross-sections of the profile (1) form a central longitudinal groove (15) which extends over at least half of the overall height (HP) of the profile (1). The profile (1) allows to make metal pallets very resistant and easy to assemble.

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a metal profile obtainable by bending a metal sheet.

[0002] The profile is particularly suitable to produce pallets for packaging, transporting, and moving goods as well as to make for example traffic signs, enclosures, guard rails, frames of walls made of plasterboard, laminated wood or other composite walls or other metal carpentry structures.State of the art

[0003] In more or less recent times pallets, i.e., benches for transporting and moving goods, made of metal instead of the traditional wood of which they have been made for decades, have become widespread.

[0004] The main requirements a metal pallet must - or should - satisfy are low costs, ease of production, repair, recycle and disposal, strength.

[0005] The numerous versions of metal pallets conceived so far manage more or less well to satisfy these requirements, depending on the variation of pallet in question but not to such an extent to have led, until today, to a wide diffusion of these pallets compared to the wooden ones in transporting and distributing consumer goods and more generally of goods in the civil sector: to this day, the wooden pallets are - at least in Europe - the most common type overall.

[0006] Some examples of known metal pallets are shown for example in the Italian Patent Application PN2004A000037 or in the South-Korean utility model KR200417384 (Application No. KR20060002911U).

[0007] A further example of known metal pallet is disclosed in the Chinese utility model n° CN2509097Y. The pallet comprises metal profiles, each having tubular portions at its lateral edges, a central longitudinal groove at its centreline and several lateral longitudinal grooves.

[0008] An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks of the state of the art and in particular to provide a metal profile suitable to produce metal pallets, and a metal pallet obtained therefrom, which proves to be an improvement in comparison with known metal pallets.Summary of the invention

[0009] Such object is achieved, according to the present invention, with a profile having the features according to claim 1.

[0010] In a second aspect of the present invention, such object is achieved by a pallet having the features according to claim 14. In a third aspect of the present invention, such object is achieved by a process for manufacturing a metal profile having the features according to claim 18.

[0011] In a pallet according to a particular embodiment of the invention, at least part and preferably all the profile sections (1 , 1A , 1B , 1C ) are overall straight. In a pallet according to the invention, each lateral longitudinal groove (17 , 19 ) has the following features: a maximum width (WL ) comprised between 0.02-0.1 times the overall width (WP ) of the profile (1 ); a ratio (WL / HL ) between the maximum width (WL ) and the maximum depth (HL ) comprised between 0.3-1.7 times.

[0012] Further features of the invention are object of the dependent claims.

[0013] The advantages obtainable with the present invention will become clearer, for those skilled in the art, from the following detailed description of some particular exemplary embodiments of a non-limiting nature, illustrated with reference to the following schematic figures.List of the Figures

[0014] Figure 1 shows a first perspective view of a metal profile section according to a first particular embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail of the view of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a second perspective view of the section of Figure 1, observed according to a direction more longitudinal to the longitudinal axis AXP of the profile itself; Figures 3A and 3B show an enlarged detail of Figure 3; Figure 4 shows a perspective top view of a pallet obtained from the profile of Figure 1, according to a particular embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 shows a perspective bottom view of the pallet of Figure 4; Figure 6 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 4, depicting some elements in transparency; Figure 7 shows a perspective view of a connecting plinth of the pallet of Figure 4; Figure 8 shows a first perspective view of a metal profile section according to a second particular embodiment of the present invention; Figure 9 shows a cross-section of the profile of Figure 8 according to the ideal section plane IX-IX perpendicular to the axis of the profile itself; Figure 10 shows a plan view of the waived sheet layer or band from which the profile of Figure 8 is obtained; Figure 11 shows a detail of the section of Figure 9; Figure 12 shows an enlarged detail of Figure 8; Figure 13 shows a perspective view of a pallet according to a third particular embodiment of the invention; Figure 13A shows a perspective view of a detail of a plinth and of the ends of the portions of some profile sections of the pallet of Figure 13; Figure 14 shows an axial view of two dismounted and stacked profile sections, usable to mount the pallet of Figure 13; Figure 14A shows an enlarged detail of the two profile sections of Figure 14; Figure 15 shows a partially sectional perspective view of a plinth and of the ends of the portions of some profile sections of the pallet of Figure 13, according to a section plane parallel to the longitudinal axis of some profile sections of the pallet; Figure 16 shows a lateral view of two pallets of the type of Figure 13, stacked on top of each other; Figure 17 shows a perspective bottom view of a plinth and a profile section of the pallet of Figure 13. Detailed description

[0015] Figures 1-3, 3A, 3Bshow a metal profile according to a first particular embodiment of the present invention, denoted by the overall reference 1, 1A, 1B, 1C particularly suitable to make pallets - i.e., benches - for moving and transporting goods, pallets movable through forklift trucks.

[0016] The profile 1, 1', 1" can be further used to make for example enclosures, lofts, raised floors, reticular frames - such as for example the shelves of the pallet holders (so-called racks) or the perimetral frames of the pallets (so-called collars) - frames of walls made of plasterboard, laminated wood or other composite walls or other structures for example of metal carpentry, guard rails, or traffic sign.

[0017] The profile 1, 1', 1" is obtained by bending or otherwise cold deforming a metal sheet band, for example made of steel or aluminium alloys.

[0018] Such sheet can have thicknesses for example comprised between 0.2-2 millimetres, or between 0.3-1.5 millimetres, between 0.3-1.2 millimetres or between 0.45-0.6 millimetres.

[0019] Preferably, the profile 1, 1', 1" is obtained by cold deforming a single metal sheet band.

[0020] Such band can be deformed in a suitable roller machine, i.e., a roll forming machine, provided with a plurality of rollers which progressively bend or otherwise deform the band advancing along the roll forming machine itself.

[0021] The roller axes can be for example substantially perpendicular to the advancing direction of the band in the roll forming machine, which direction is parallel to the axis AXP of the profile 1.

[0022] The sheet band forms the so-called main body of the profile 1, 1', 1".

[0023] The main body of the profile 1, 1', 1" is bent so as to form a first major face conventionally referred to as "dorsal" 3 and a second major face 5 of the profile conventionally referred to as "ventral", wherein said major dorsal 3 and ventral 5 faces face two directions in space opposite to each other (Figure 3).

[0024] The profile 1, 1', 1" forms cross-sections substantially oblong in overall shape, wherein such cross-sections are related to ideal section planes perpendicular to the axis AXP of the profile 1, 1', 1".

[0025] Such cross-sections form two lateral edges 7, 9, each of which is placed at a respective end of these cross-sections (Figure 2, 3).

[0026] At or near the two lateral edges 7, 9 the profile 1, 1', 1" forms two respective tubular portions 11, 13, each of which is substantially tubular, hollow, in shape.

[0027] Each tubular portion 11, 13 is obtained by bending and folding on itself a strip of the sheet band so as to form closed cross-sections (Figure 2, 3), making the profile 1, 1', 1" particularly strength and resistant to deflection; for this purpose, such as for example in Figure 3, 3A, the longitudinal edges of the sheet band are folded on more internal portions of the same band so as to form tubular cross-sections.

[0028] The tubular portions 11, 13 make the outer edges of the profile 1, 1', 1" rounded, preventing them from exposing dangerous sharp sheet edges which might injure, even seriously, the staff handling the profile 1, 1', 1" or a pallet 30, 30" obtained therefrom, or from damaging surrounding objects.

[0029] Each tubular portion 11, 13 has a maximum width WTB substantially less than or equal to 0.3 times the overall length WP of the cross-sections of the profile 1 itself; in other words, in the profile 1 the ratio WTB / WP is preferably less than or equal to 0.3.

[0030] More preferably the ratio WTB / WP is comprised between 0.15-0.27 times, and more preferably comprised between 0.18-0.25 times, between 0.19-0.23 times or between 0.19-0.21 times or approximately equal to 0.20 times.

[0031] Preferably, the central groove 15 forms a central longitudinal rib 16 on the major dorsal face 3 of the profile 1, 1', 1" (Figure 3).

[0032] Preferably, the major dorsal face 3 forms at least one - and more preferably at least two - connecting recesses 18, each of which is located at one side of both a respective tubular portion 11, 13 and the central longitudinal rib 16.

[0033] More preferably each connecting recess 18 is placed between a respective tubular portion 11, 13 and the central longitudinal rib 16 (Figure 3).

[0034] For this purpose, each connecting recess 18 can be delimited by a side of a respective tubular portion 11, 13, by a side of the central rib 16 and by the connecting portion 21.

[0035] Advantageously each connecting recess 18 of a first profile 1, 1', 1" is arranged to accommodate at least part of the tubular portion 11, 13 of a second profile 1, 1', 1" which is overlapped to the first profile 1, 1', 1" facing the major dorsal faces 3 of the two profiles.

[0036] It is thus possible to catch and horizontally constrain several stacked pallets to each other, in which the profile sections 1, 1A point their major dorsal faces 3 to the outside of the pallet 30, 30" itself (Figure 4, 6, 16), thus making the pallet stack much more solid and stable.

[0037] Each tubular portion 11, 13 has a maximum height HTB substantially comprised between 0.5-1 times the maximum height HP of the cross-sections of the profile 1 itself; in other words in the profile 1 the ratio HTB / HP is preferably comprised between 0.5-1 times.

[0038] More preferably the ratio HTB / HP is comprised between 0.7-0.9 times, or between 0.80-0.85 times or between 0.83-0.84 times.

[0039] The cross-sections of the tubular portions 11, 13 are substantially oblong in shape, which extends longitudinal to the direction along which the relative overall cross-section of the profile 1 (Figure 3) extends.

[0040] For this purpose, the ratio WTB / HTB between the maximum height and length of each tubular portion 11, 13 is preferably comprised between 0.3-2 times, and more preferably comprised between 0.5-1.8 times, between 1.2-1.7 times, between 1.6-1.7 times or between 1.65-1.69 times.

[0041] Preferably, the ratio RDST / WT between the square root RDST of the cross-sectional area of each tubular portion 11, 13 and the overall width WP of the profile 1 is comprised between 0.1-0.2 times, and more preferably comprised between 0.14-0.15 times or between 0.141-0.143 times and preferably equal to about 0.141 times.

[0042] The ratio RDST / HP between the square root RDST of the cross-sectional area of each tubular portion 11, 13 and the maximum height HP of the profile 1 is preferably comprised between 0.8-1.3 times, and more preferably comprised between 0.9-0.97 times or between 0.95-0.96 times and preferably equal to about 0.958 times.

[0043] The ratio RDST / PRT between the square root RDST of the cross-sectional area of each tubular portion 11, 13 and the perimeter PRT of such tubular section 11, 13 is preferably comprised between 0.2-0.28 times, and more preferably comprised between 0.22-0.24 times or between 0.23-0.24 times and preferably equal to about 0.235 times.

[0044] Each tubular portion 11, 13 is obtained by folding on itself an edge or other strip of the sheet which forms the profile 1, for example by folding the sheet edge on one of the connecting portions 21 of the profile (Figure 3).

[0045] The two metal sheet layers are subsequently clinched together, giving particular strength and deflection to the profile 1; alternatively they can be for example rivetted, nailed, welded, brazed or screwed together.

[0046] The clinching points are preferably oblong in shape, for example in the form of straight lines.

[0047] At or near their centreline the cross-sections of the profile 1 form a central longitudinal groove 15 on the major dorsal 3 or ventral 5 face which extends over at least half of the overall height HP of the profile, and more preferably at least on three quarters, four fifths or nine tenths of the overall height HP.

[0048] The central longitudinal groove 15 as well as the lateral grooves 17, 19 extend parallel or otherwise longitudinal to the axis AXP of the profile 1.

[0049] As in the embodiment of Figure 1-3 the central groove 15 extends substantially over the entire height HP of the profile 1.

[0050] If formed around its centreline by a single sheet layer, obviously if the portion of the profile 1 forms a central groove on the major ventral face 5, it correspondingly forms a central longitudinal rib 16 on the major dorsal face 3 (Figure 3) and vice versa, if it forms a central longitudinal rib on the major ventral face 5 it correspondingly forms a central groove on the major dorsal face 3.

[0051] Preferably, the central groove 15 at its deepest and innermost portion has a width WS1 less than or equal to 0.2 times the overall width WP of the profile 1.

[0052] More preferably the ratio WS1 / WP is comprised between 0.15-0.3 times, or between 0.13-0.2 times, between 0.13-0.15 times or approximately equal to 0.12 times.

[0053] Such size of the width WS1 is more than enough to place the fixing plinths 33 thereon.

[0054] The deepest and innermost portion of the central groove 15 is preferably flat in shape (Figure 3).

[0055] Preferably, the central groove 15 at its outermost portion has a width WS2 greater than or equal to 0.2 times the overall width WP of the profile 1.

[0056] More preferably the ratio WS2 / WP is comprised between 0.2-0.3 times, or between 0.23-0.35 times, between 0.23-0.27 times, between 0.22-0.24 times or approximately equal to 0.23 times.

[0057] Preferably, the ratio WS2 / WS1 is comprised between 1-2.5 times, and more preferably between 1.5-2 times, between 1.8-2 times, between 1.9-1.93 times and for example equal to 1.92 times.

[0058] The central longitudinal groove 15 has sides substantially flared, tilted (Figure 3) or otherwise progressively widening ideally moving outwards from its deepest zone (Figure 3).

[0059] The sides of the central longitudinal groove 15 have a tilt α [alfa], with respect to the direction along which the cross-sections of the profile 1 extend overall, preferably comprised between 30-85° and more preferably between 40-70°, between 60-70°, between 63-68° or between 65°-68°.

[0060] Such tilts give the profile 1 a particular resistance to crushing.

[0061] Advantageously the profile 1 forms at least one lateral longitudinal groove 17, 19 which extends parallel or otherwise longitudinally to the longitudinal axis AXP of the profile 1 itself.

[0062] Each lateral longitudinal groove 17, 19 is arranged in one or more of the following positions: at one or more, or even all the tubular portions 11; in one or more, or even all the connecting portions 21 of the profile 1, where each connecting portion 21 extends between one of the tubular portions 11 and the central groove 15.

[0063] The sides of each lateral longitudinal groove 17, 19 have a tilt θ [theta], with respect to the direction along which the cross-sections of the profile 1 extend overall, preferably comprised between 30-85° and more preferably between 40-70°, between 50-70°, between 55-65° or between 60°-70° (Figure 3A).

[0064] Each lateral longitudinal groove 17, 19 has preferably substantially V-shaped cross-sections, along part or substantially along the entire length of the profile 1.

[0065] Each lateral longitudinal groove 17, 19 has a height HL comprised between 0.25-0.7 times the maximum height HP of the profile 1; in other words, the ratio HL / HP is preferably comprised between 0.25-0.7 times, and more preferably comprised between 0.3-0.5 times, between 0.3-0.4 times, between 0.36-0.38 times and for example approximately equal to 0.36 times.

[0066] Each lateral longitudinal groove 17, 19 has a width WL comprised between 0.02-0.1 times the overall width WP of the profile 1; in other words the ratio WL / WP is preferably comprised between 0.02-0.1 times, and more preferably comprised between 0.04-0.09 times, between 0.05-0.08 times, between 0.06-0.08 times and for example approximately equal to 0.07 times.

[0067] The ratio HL / HP is preferably comprised between 0.2-0.8 times, and more preferably comprised between 0.3-0.6 times, between 0.3-0.4 times, between 0.35-0.45 times and for example equal to 0.36 times.

[0068] The ratio WL / HL is comprised between 0.3-1.7 times, and more preferably comprised between 0.4-1.5 times, between 0.7-1.4 times, between 1.1-1.4 times or between 1.3-1.4 times and for example equal to 1.34 times.

[0069] The above-described lateral longitudinal grooves 17, 19 give the profile 1, 1', 1" particular strength in particular to compression and deflection when the pallet is loaded on its major faces; in addition to being particularly effective for this purpose, the V-shape of their cross-section and the above-described size ratios facilitate the stacking thereof - a significant advantage -, the forming simultaneously preventing the sheet from being excessively weakened and yielded during the forming itself.

[0070] Advantageously at least one lateral longitudinal groove 17, 19 is formed at each tubular portion 11, 13; preferably such lateral longitudinal groove 17, 19 protrudes inside a relative tubular portion 11, 13 (Figure 3).

[0071] Advantageously at least one, and more preferably at least two lateral longitudinal grooves 17, 19 open up to the major dorsal face 3 (Figure 3).

[0072] Advantageously at least one, and more preferably at least two lateral longitudinal grooves 17, 19 open up to the major ventral face 5 (Figure 3).

[0073] Preferably, the cross-sections of each tubular portion 11, 13 are substantially trapezoidal in shape (Figure 3).

[0074] For this purpose, the cross-section of each tubular portion 11, 13 is delimited by a proximal side 131 and a distal side 133 respectively arranged closer to and further from the central longitudinal groove 15 (Figure 3B).

[0075] The proximal 131 and distal 133 sides can extend in a direction overall perpendicular or transverse to the direction along which the relative cross-section of the profile 1 extends overall (Figure 3B), although the proximal 131 and distal 133 sides are not necessarily flat in shape.

[0076] The ratio HTPX / HTDX between the overall height HTPX of the proximal side 131 and the overall height HTDX of the distal side 133 is comprised between 1.5-2.5 times, and more preferably comprised between 1.7-2.3 times, between 1.8-2.2 times or between 1.9-2.0 times and for example approximately equal to 1.93 times.

[0077] Advantageously the portion of the profile which connects each tubular portion 11, 13 to the respective connecting portion 21 forms a step 23 or other longitudinal prominence further strengthening the profile 1, 1', 1" to deflecting, cutting, and compressing stresses in directions on the major dorsal 3 and ventral 5 faces; the steps or other longitudinal prominences 23 can be advantageously used to orderly stack (Figure 14, 14A), grasp and handle the profile with automatic and non-automatic production equipment, or to align it on, position it thereon or on templates or assembling jigs; in particular the steps or other longitudinal prominences 23 horizontally constrain pallets stacked on top of each other making the stack much more stable, safe and ordered.

[0078] The cross-sections of the profile 1 are preferably symmetrical with respect to a plane passing through the longitudinal axis AXP of the profile itself and preferably perpendicular to the direction along which the cross-sections of the profile 1 extend overall (Figure 2, 3).

[0079] The major dorsal 3 and ventral 5 faces can form different width bearing surfaces, for example the major dorsal face 3 can form a wider bearing surface than that formed by the major ventral face 5 (Figure 3).

[0080] Preferably, the sides and the surfaces of the profile 1 are as possible devoid of holes and sheared zones, however they can have for example holes required for assembling different sections thereof to each other or with other components, or other preferably small openings, so as for example not to excessively reduce the structural resistance of the profile 1.

[0081] The holes or other shears accommodating the nails, screws, or rivets or more generally serving to fix the various profile sections 1 composing the pallet 30, 30" described below have a maximum length, width or diameter preferably less than or equal to 20 millimetres, and more preferably less than or equal to 15 millimetres, 10 millimetres or 5 millimetres.

[0082] Figures 4-7 and 13-17 show respectively a first and a second examples of pallet - i.e., bench - obtainable with the profile 1.

[0083] Such pallet, denoted by the overall reference 30, 30" preferably comprises a plurality of profile sections 1 arranged so as to form several rows of sections parallel or otherwise placed side by side to each other.

[0084] The pallet 30, 30" preferably comprises an upper loading platform formed by a first row or other first group of profile sections 1, 1A arranged parallel or otherwise longitudinal to each other.

[0085] The upper loading platform preferably comprises a second row or other second group of profile sections 1, 1B arranged parallel or otherwise longitudinal to each other and preferably perpendicular or otherwise transverse to the group of the sections 1A.

[0086] Advantageously the profile sections 1, 1A point upwards, or more generally towards the outside of the pallet 30, 30", their major face which forms a wider bearing surface, for example the major dorsal face 3.

[0087] Preferably, the pallet 30, 30" further comprises a base comprising in turn a third row or other third group of profile sections 1, 1C arranged parallel or otherwise longitudinal to each other and preferably parallel or otherwise longitudinal to the group of the sections 1A.

[0088] The base preferably comprises a plurality of fixing plinths 33 obtained for example such as sheet boxes (Figure 7), squat tubular sheet sections (Figure 7) (or even blocks made of plastic, wood, or other non-metallic materials).

[0089] Each fixing plinth 33 can be for example substantially cubic, or otherwise preferably squat, in overall shape (Figure 7).

[0090] Each fixing plinth 33 can be obtained for example by bending and folding on itself a sheet layer suitably sheared or otherwise cut.

[0091] Each fixing plinth 33 can be made of a sheet of thickness greater than or equal to the sheet the sections 1A, 1B, 1C; 1A", 1B", 1C" are made of and for example comprised between 0.6-1 millimetres.

[0092] Preferably, for this purpose the sides of the fixing plinth 33 surround, or otherwise extend around, a main loading axis AXZ, which is, during the normal use, preferably substantially parallel to the vertical axis or otherwise to the main loading direction of the pallet or is substantially perpendicular to the surface in which the upper loading platform of the pallet 1, 1', 1" lies.

[0093] Advantageously the edges of the open ends of the fixing plinth 33 form a plurality of axial protrusions 330 and a plurality of axial recesses 331, which extend or otherwise lie in surfaces parallel or otherwise longitudinal to the main loading axis AXZ of the plinth 33.

[0094] Advantageously the edges of the open ends of the fixing plinth 33 form one or more fixing protrusions 332, each of which is arranged to be fixed - for example through riveting, gluing, or welding - to a profile section 1A, 1B and / or 1C.

[0095] Preferably, at least some of the fixing protrusions 332 extend or otherwise lie in surfaces substantially perpendicular or transverse to the main loading axis AXZ (Figure 7), allowing to place and firmly fix through rivets, screws or welding the profile sections 1A, 1B, 1C; 1A", 1B", 1C" thereon, increasing the resistance to vertical loads of the pallet.

[0096] Each fixing plinth 33 preferably fixes three different profile sections 1 pertaining to the three above-mentioned and different groups of sections: the group sections 1A, 1B and 1C; 1A", 1B" and 1C".

[0097] The profile sections 1A of the first group or the first row can for example rest on the profile sections 1B of the second group or the second row.

[0098] The profile sections 1A of the first group or the first row and / or the profile sections 1B of the second group or the second row can rest on a first end of the fixing plinths 33.

[0099] The profile sections 1C of the third group are preferably spaced apart from the sections 1A and 1B for example resting against a second end of the fixing plinths 33, so as to lift and move away from the ground, floor or moisture the goods placed on the upper loading platform of the pallet 30, preferably forming together with the sections 1C of the base suitable openings arranged to accommodate the forks of a lift truck, a crane, a mechanical arm or other lifting device.

[0100] The various profile sections 1A, 1B, 1C can be for example fixed together to each other and / or to the plinths 33 through screws, nails, rivets, welding, clinching, sheet metal flaps, welded or glued.

[0101] The pallet 30 is particularly simple and inexpensive to assemble, since it can be indeed assembled by simply sawing the sections 1A, 1B, 1C from longer bars and then fixing them together or to the plinths 30 through extremely simple and inexpensive techniques such as screwing, riveting, or welding.

[0102] Advantageously the profile sections 1A, 1B, 1C in the assembled and finished pallet 30 are substantially straight and are not particularly bent so as their axis AXP has different orientations and tilts in space in the various lines of the same section.

[0103] Therefore, it is very simple and inexpensive to make small workstations producing and assembling the pallet 30 near the final users thereof, i.e., the producers of the most different goods to be loaded and packed on the pallet 30, in order not to transport already finished bulky loads of pallets up to the final users, as well as it is also very inexpensive to set the workstations to assemble the pallets 30 directly in the production plants of the final users thereof.

[0104] Once cut by a simple sawing machine, the sections 1A, 1B, 1C can be easily hand-assembled, without the need for expensive equipment required for machine-bending more complex known-type profiles, being too laborious to bend them by hand especially in large quantities or with high production rate.

[0105] The pallet 30 is suitable to be produced both manually and by highly automatized and high-productivity plants.

[0106] The straight and otherwise very simple shape of the profile sections composing the pallet 30 and their assembling through nails, screws, rivets, clinching and other above-mentioned fixing systems allow to very easily and quickly repair the pallet 30 - in order to dismount it, dismounting nails, screws or rivets can be enough - allowing to reuse it many times remarkably extending the service life and thus the acquisition and operating costs thereof and remarkably reducing the environmental pollution.

[0107] Therefore, the pallet 30 described above satisfies very well the requirement of having easily repairable pallets; the extent to which this requirement is popular is proven by the way by the rich and thriving network of companies and laboratories collecting, repairing and reselling used wood pallets in Europe: it is a very active field which remarkably contributes to reduce the economic and ecologic costs of the logistic and transporting activities.

[0108] On the other hand, the difficulty of repair is a big drawback of plastic material pallets, mostly used in some fields, such as for example food or pharmaceutical industry, in which some of the advantages thereof, such as the ease of washing and disinfecting, become relevant such as to compensate the difficulty of repair.

[0109] When they can no longer be repaired, the pallets 30 can be for example remelted.

[0110] The above-described exemplary embodiments are subject to different modifications and variations while not departing from the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0111] For example, the central longitudinal groove 15 as well as the lateral grooves 17, 19 can have substantially V-shaped, U-shaped, M-shaped, or W-shaped cross-sections.

[0112] As for example in the embodiment of Figure 4, 5 the upper loading platform of the pallet 30 can comprise for example a first row or first group of five profile sections 1, 1A and three profile sections 1B of the second group; the base of the pallet 30 can further comprise for example three profile sections 1C of the third group or the third row; however, in not-shown embodiments of a pallet according to the invention, the loading platform and the base can also comprise numbers of profile sections 1A, 1B and 1C different from that of Figure 4, 5, for example two, three, four, six, seven, eight, nine, ten or even more sections.

[0113] The profile sections 1A, 1B and 1C can have an overall length, measured along the axis AXP, preferably comprised between 0.5-4 metres, or between 0.8-3 metres, between 0.8-2 metres, between 1-1.5 metres, between 1.1-1.2 metres.

[0114] The cross-sections of the tubular portions 11, 13 can be not only substantially trapezoidal, but also have other oblong shapes.

[0115] As for example in the embodiment of Figure 8 a profile 1' according to the invention can be obtained by bending - for example in a roll forming line - not only a substantially flat sheet layer or band but also sheet layers or bands from the ribbed surface or on which suitable embossments and cavities have been formed, for example through rolling and / or drawing and / or scuffing performed by a scuffing machine.

[0116] Advantageously the profile 1' can be obtained by the following operations: S.1 ) forming a plurality of ridges (900) extending parallel or otherwise substantially placed side by side to each other on a sheet, where at least part of the ridges (900) change direction forming on the sheet at least one first substantially acute angle (γ [gamma]); S.2 ) bending the sheet so as to form at least two lateral faces (500) and at least a corner fold (700) connecting the lateral faces (500) and being placed therebetween, so that: the corner fold (700) and the at least two lateral faces (5) extend longitudinally with respect to the profile (1'); the vertex of the at least one first substantially acute angle (γ [gamma]) is at least at one of the corner folds (700); the line of such ridges (900) closest to a corner fold (700) is oblique with respect to such corner fold (700), where such obliquity is referred to a second and third angles (ϕ, ψ [phi, psi]) the ridges (900) and the corner fold (700) form one of the lateral faces (500).

[0117] Preferably, the profile 1' is obtained by the following operations: S.3 ) forming a plurality of grooves (1100) on the sheet so that: the ridges (900) and the grooves (1100) extend parallel or otherwise substantially placed side by side to each other; a plurality of ridges (900) are flanked each on both sides by at least a pair of grooves (1100); a plurality of grooves (1100) are flanked each on both sides by at least a pair of ridges (900); at least part of the ridges (900) and of the grooves (1100 ) change direction also forming on the sheet at least the first substantially acute angle (γ [gamma]); S.4 ) bending the sheet so as to form the lateral edges (7, 9), the tubular portions (11, 13) and the central longitudinal groove (15).

[0118] The operation S.4 ) can be performed for example through the above-mentioned roller machine, i.e., scuffing machine.

[0119] Preferably, the first substantially acute angle (γ [gamma]) is less than or equal to 90°.

[0120] Preferably, at least one of the second and the third angles (ϕ, ψ [phi, psi]) is less than or equal to 45°, 35°, 30° and still more preferably comprised between 5°-25°.

[0121] Preferably, the first angle γ [gamma] formed by the ridges 900 before the operation S.4 ) is approximately equal to the sum of the second and third angles ϕ, ψ [phi, psi].

[0122] Preferably, the height HC of the ridges (900) measured with respect to the bottom of the two grooves (1100 ) adjacent thereto is comprised between 0.2-2 millimetres and / or between 0.5-4 times the thickness SL of the sheet.

[0123] Preferably, the pitch of the ridges PC is comprised between 2-40 millimetres and / or between 2-40 times the thickness SL of the sheet.

[0124] Preferably, the ridges (900) and the grooves (1100) follow V-shaped or zig-zag paths on the profile 1'.

[0125] Preferably, all the ridges 900 change direction forming on the sheet layer or band at least the first substantially acute angle γ [gamma].

[0126] Preferably, as shown in Figures 8-12, the profile 1' forms a plurality of substantially acute angles γ [gamma] whose vertexes are aligned on one or more rows preferably straight and parallel, or otherwise longitudinal to the profile 1' itself.

[0127] Advantageously the ends of the metal profile 1", 1A", 1B", 1C" form one or more check strips 25, 27, 29 preferably obtained by bending the sheet which forms the profile itself (Figure 13, 13A, 14, 14A).

[0128] In the mounted pallet 30" the check strips 25, 27, 29 are advantageously arranged to extend around and cover at least some lines of the edges of a respective fixing plinth 33 (Figure 13, 13A).

[0129] In the mounted pallet 30" the check strips 25, 27, 29 advantageously rest - or are arranged for this purpose - against one or more portions of the edges of a respective fixing plinth 33, more preferably against one or more axial protrusions 330 (Figure 13,13A).

[0130] Advantageously the check strips 25, 27, 29 are arranged to rest against the one or more axial protrusions 330 in a direction parallel and / or perpendicular - and more preferably in both said directions - to the surface in which such axial protrusions 330 substantially lie.

[0131] Advantageously the ends of the metal profile 1", 1A", 1B", 1C" form one or more recesses 250, 270 arranged to accommodate portions of the edges of a respective fixing plinth 33, accommodating transversally such edges of the plinth 33 so as to prevent or otherwise limit the deflections of such edges of the plinth 33 towards both the inside and the outside of the plinth 33 itself (Figure 13A).

[0132] Thereby, the ends of the metal profile sections 1A", 1B", 1C" almost eliminate, or otherwise remarkably limit the deflection deformations and the lateral protrusions of the check strips 25, 27, 29 and more generally of the lateral walls of the fixing plinths 33, causing the sheet of the plinths 33 to be mostly or otherwise largely compression-stressed and stiffening and thus remarkably increasing the resistance to compression of the plinths 33 and of the entire pallet 30"; in particular the sheet of the plinths 33 can be mostly or otherwise largely compression-stressed when transmitting the push of the floor on which the pallet 30 rests to the metal profile sections 1A", 1B", 1C", and vice versa when transmitting the pressure of the metal profile sections 1A", 1B", 1C" on the floor on which the pallet 30 rests.

[0133] Due to the above measures, the pallet 30" is able to support vertical compression and deflection loads, when lifted on the forks of a lift truck equal to equivalent much heavier wooden - for example so-called EPAL - or plastic pallets.

[0134] Indeed, it has been found that the pallet 30" can have a weight approximately equal to two thirds of the weight of a wooden pallet having the same resistance to compression and deflection, and approximately half the weight of a plastic material pallet having the same resistance to compression and deflection.

[0135] The values of resistance to compression and deflection of the pallet 30" and of the wooden and plastic material pallets have been obtained testing them according to UNI EN ISO 8611 norm and respectively correspond to the resistance to the static vertical load and to the ensured dynamic (vertical) load defined by such norm.

[0136] The check strips 25, 27, 29 remarkably reduce the sharp edges of both the metal profile sections 1A", 1B", 1C" and the fixing plinths 33 remarkably reducing the risk of injury by handling the pallet for the workers, equally facilitating and accelerating the moving of the pallet 30".

[0137] Advantageously the fixing plinth 33 is provided, in what is its bottom part during the normal use, with one or more fixing tabs 31 each of which is folded toward the inside of the plinth 33 itself and fixed for example by welding, one or more screws 35 or one or more rivets, at the sides of a metal profile section 1A", 1B", 1C" (Figure 13).

[0138] The tab 31 can be placed on a portion of a side of the profile section 1A", 1B", 1C".

[0139] Fixing the tab 31 avoids the sliding of the profile section 1A", 1B", 1C" with respect to the plinth 33 when the pallet 30" is deflection-stressed, for example in the dynamic resistance test according the above-mentioned UNI EN ISO 8611 norm, stiffening and remarkably increasing the resistance of the pallet 30"; remarkably strengthening the assembly of the two; the author of the present invention has been able to obtain up to 50% increases of the resistance to dynamic load and a comparable reduction, i.e., around 50%, of the deflection.

[0140] Each fixing tab 31 can be more or less wide and be fixed to the relative profile section 1A, 1B, 1C; 1"A, 1"B, 1"C through one or more rivets, one or more screws, one or more welding or gluing points or lines.

[0141] Preferably, the various fixing protrusions 332 of a plinth 33 allows the latter to be fixed at or near the lateral - i.e., longitudinal - edges of a metal profile section 1A", 1B", 1C", and more preferably through at least two - and more preferably at least three - screws, rivets 35 or welding ribbons or points for each lateral edge of the metal profile section 1A", 1B", 1C" (Figure 15, 17), contributing to remarkably strengthen the pallet 30".

[0142] The rivets facilitate the assembling automatization of the pallet 30" in addition to ensuring a better endurance of the connections.

[0143] Advantageously in the metal profile sections 1A, 1B, 1C; 1A", 1B", 1C" one or more drain holes 37 are formed to allow water, if any, to outflow preventing stagnation thereof (Figure 17). Preferably the drain holes 37 are arranged at the fixing plinths 33 so as to allow water to outflow from the inside of the plinths 33 (Figure 17).

[0144] Each reference in this disclosure to "an embodiment", "an exemplary embodiment" means that a particular feature or structure described in connection with such embodiment is comprised in at least one embodiment of the invention and in particular in a particular variation of the invention as defined in a main claim.

[0145] The fact that such expressions occur in various steps of the disclosure does not mean that they are necessarily referred only to the same embodiment.

[0146] Further, when a feature, element, or structure is described in connection with a particular embodiment, it is observed that applying such feature, element, or structure to other embodiments falls within the competence of those skilled in the art.

[0147] Numerical references differing only by different single quote marks, e.g., 21', 21", 21‴, when not otherwise specified denote different variations of an element referred to in the same manner.

[0148] Further, details are replaceable by technically equivalent elements.

[0149] For example, the materials used, as well as the size, can be any depending on the technical requirements.

[0150] It should be understood that an expression such as "A comprises B, C, D" or "A is formed by B, C, D" comprises and also describes the particular case wherein "A consists of B, C, D".

[0151] The expression "A comprises an element B" unless otherwise specified is to be understood as "A comprises one or more elements B".

[0152] References to a "first, second, third, ... nth entity" only aim to distinguish them from each other but the indication of the nth entity does not necessarily mean the existence of the first, second, ... (n-1 )th entity.

[0153] The examples and lists of possible variations of the present application are to be intended as non-exhaustive lists.

Claims

1. Metal profile (1, 1', 1") comprising a main body obtained by bending a metal sheet forming a first major face (3) conventionally referred to as "dorsal" and a second major face (5) of the profile conventionally referred to as "ventral", wherein said major dorsal (3) and ventral (5) faces face two directions in space opposite to each other, and wherein: - the profile (1, 1', 1") forms substantially oblong cross-sections which form two lateral edges (7, 9), each of which is placed at a respective end of these cross-sections; - at or near the two lateral edges (7, 9) the profile (1) forms two respective tubular portions (11, 13), each of which is substantially tubular in shape; - each tubular portion (11, 13) has a maximum width (WTB) less than or equal to 0.3 times the overall length (WP) of the cross-sections of the profile (1) itself; and / or - each tubular portion (11, 13) has a maximum height (HTB) substantially comprised between 0.5-1 times the maximum height (HP) of the cross-sections of the profile (1) itself; - each tubular portion (11, 13) is obtained by folding on itself an edge or other strip of the sheet which forms the profile (1), wherein the two metal sheet layers are subsequently clinched together or rivetted, nailed, welded, brazed or screwed together; and furthermore - at or near their centreline the cross-sections of the profile (1) form a central longitudinal groove (15) on the major dorsal (3) or ventral (5) face which extends over at least half of the overall height (HP) of the profile (1); wherein: F1) at least in some of its cross-sections at least one lateral longitudinal groove (17, 19) is formed which extends parallel or in any case longitudinally to the axis (AXP) of the profile (1) itself and is arranged in one or more of the following positions: - at least at one of the tubular portions (11, 13); - in at least one connecting portion (21) of the profile extending between one of the tubular portions (11, 13) and the central longitudinal groove (15); F2) the cross-sections of the tubular portions (11, 13) are substantially oblong in shape, which extends longitudinal to the direction along which the relative overall cross-section of the profile (1) extends; F3) each lateral longitudinal groove (17, 19) has a maximum depth (HL) comprised between 0.25-0.7 times the maximum height (HP) of the profile; and - a maximum width (WL) comprised between 0.02-0.1 times the overall width (WP) of the profile (1); and - a ratio (WL / HL) between the maximum width (WL) and the maximum depth (HL) comprised between 0.3-1.7 times; F4) the central longitudinal groove (15) has sides substantially flared, tilted or otherwise progressively widening ideally moving outwards from its deepest zone; F5) the cross-section of each tubular portion (11, 13) is delimited by a proximal side (131) and a distal side (133) respectively arranged closer to and further from the central longitudinal groove (15); F6) the ratio HTPX / HTDX between the overall height HTPX of the proximal side (131) and the overall height HTDX of the distal side (133) is comprised between 1.5-2.5 times.

2. Profile (1) according to claim 1, the cross-sections of which are substantially symmetrical with respect to an ideal plane passing through the longitudinal axis (AXP) of the profile (1) itself.

3. Profile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central longitudinal groove (15) extends over the entire overall height (HP) of the profile (1).

4. Profile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the maximum width (WTB) of each tubular portion (11, 13) is greater than or equal to 0.15 times the overall length (WP) of the cross-sections of the profile (1) itself.

5. Profile (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the central longitudinal groove (15) has one of the following cross-sections: substantially V-shaped, U-shaped, M-shaped, or W-shaped cross-sections.

6. Profile according to claim 1, wherein the lateral groove (17) arranged in at least one connecting portion (21) of the profile extending between one of the tubular portions (11, 13) and the central longitudinal groove (15) has one of the following cross-sections: a substantially V-shaped, U-shaped, M-shaped, or W-shaped cross-sections.

7. Profile according to claim 1, wherein the lateral groove (19) arranged at least at one of the tubular portions (11, 13) has one of the following cross-sections: a substantially V-shaped, U-shaped, M-shaped, or W-shaped cross-sections.

8. Profile according to claim 1, wherein the portion of the profile which connects each tubular portion (11, 13) to the respective connecting portion (21) forms a step (23) or other longitudinal prominence further strengthening the profile (1, 1', 1") to deflecting, cutting, and compressing stresses in directions on the major dorsal (3) and ventral (5) faces, wherein said step or other longitudinal prominence (23) is configured for one or more of the following uses: - for orderly stacking the profile (1, 1', 1") with automatic and non-automatic production equipment; - for aligning the profile (1, 1', 1") on automatic and non-automatic production equipment or on templates or assembling jigs; - for positioning the profile (1, 1', 1") on automatic and non-automatic production equipment or on templates or assembling jigs.

9. Profile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio (RDST / WT) between the square root (RDST) of the cross-sectional area of each tubular portion (11, 13) and the overall width (WP) of the profile 1 is comprised between 0.1-0.2 times.

10. Profile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio (RDST / WT) between the square root (RDST) of the cross-sectional area of each tubular portion (11, 13) and the overall width (WP) of the profile 1 is comprised between 0.141-0.143 times.

11. Profile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio (RDST / HP) between the square root (RDST) of the cross-sectional area of each tubular portion (11, 13) and the maximum height (HP) of the profile 1 is comprised between 0.8-1.3 times.

12. Profile according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ratio (RDST / HP) between the square root (RDST) of the cross-sectional area of each tubular portion (11, 13) and the maximum height (HP) of the profile 1 is comprised between 0.95-0.96 times.

13. Pallet (30, 30") for packaging, moving, and transporting goods comprising a plurality of sections of the profile (1) according to any one of claims 1-12.

14. Pallet (30, 30") according to claim 13, wherein the profile sections (1) form several rows and the sections (1) of each row are arranged substantially parallel or otherwise flanked to each other.

15. Pallet (30, 30") according to claim 13 or 14, wherein: - the profile sections (1) form at least three rows; - a first row of sections (1A) forms a loading platform on which to place the goods to be packaged, moved and / or transported; - a third row of sections (1C) forms a base through which the pallet (30) can rest on a floor, ground, shelf, or other support; - a second row of sections (1B) is placed between the first row (1A) and the third row of sections (1C); - the sections of one of the three rows are perpendicular or otherwise transverse to the sections of at least another of the three rows of sections.

16. Pallet (30, 30") according to any one of claims 13-15, comprising a plurality of fixing plinths (33) for fixing and connecting the plurality of profile sections (1, 1A, 1B, 1C) to each other, and the fixing plinths (33) are fixed to one or more profile sections (1, 1A, 1B, 1C) by one or more of the following systems: screws, screwing, rivets, nails, clinching, sheet metal flaps, gluing, welding, brazing, plastic co-moulding.

17. Process for manufacturing a metal profile (1, 1', 1"), according to any one of claims 1-12, comprising the step of obtaining said metal profile (1, 1', 1") through cold deforming a single metal sheet band in a roll forming machine or another suitable roller machine.

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