Reusable packaging and method for packaging a pallet

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to foldable, reusable and easily adaptable packaging (1) for protecting a transport pallet (1000), the packaging comprising: - at least one first vertical strap (20; 22) fastened along a vertical edge (2) of the packaging, - an upper strap (10) fastened along an upper horizontal edge (3) of the packaging, - a lower strap (18) fastened along a lower horizontal edge (5) of the packaging, - a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps (12, 14, 16) fastened between the upper strap (10) and the lower strap (18), the straps comprising at least one clamping element for tensioning the edges of the packaging, the packaging also comprising a male-female foot attachment system (1111, 1113, 1115, 1117; 112) for attaching the packaging to at least one foot of the pallet, the male-female foot attachment system (111, 112) being fastened along the lower edge (5) of the packaging.

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] Title of the invention: Reusable packaging and packaging method for pallet

[0003] Field of invention

[0004] This description relates to the field of devices and methods for packaging articles or materials, and more particularly to reusable packaging devices and a corresponding method of packaging and unpacking for a transport pallet.

[0005] Background of the invention

[0006] In the field of storage and transportation, pallets are commonly used for the safe storage and delivery of items. Often made of wood, plastic, or metal, the choice of materials and protective equipment for these pallets depends on the type of load being transported and the working environment.

[0007] It is common to transport items using a standardized "euro" pallet, i.e., a pallet with at least four possible entries for a crane fork, including two lengthwise entries and two widthwise entries. "Euro" pallets weigh between 20 and 25 kilograms and measure between 600 and 1200 millimeters in length and 800 millimeters in width. It is intended to place items on such pallets up to a maximum load height of 220 centimeters, although it is preferable not to exceed 180 centimeters. Able to support loads of up to 1500 kilograms, "euro" pallets are quick to use thanks to their exchangeability. The choice of wood, a renewable and recyclable material, to manufacture these "euro" pallets reduces their carbon footprint and contributes to the circular economy.

[0008] When moving these loaded pallets, it is important to protect the items they support by means of suitable covers or packaging so that these items are not damaged by external conditions such as shocks, rain, wind or sunlight. It is important that these packagings can adapt to the volume of different types of items placed on each pallet in order to protect them as completely as possible, while allowing easy and quick placement. Document CA2050399 A1 relates, for example, to devices allowing the safe storage and transport of a stack of stacked items and more particularly to the combination of a pallet and a reusable pallet wrapper, which can be fixed around the stacked items and on the pallet.

[0009] WO 2021 / 001843 A1, for example, discloses a pallet wrapper that reduces environmental waste through clean and green pallet wrapper technology. This wrapper can be used to hold and protect cargo of various sizes and dimensions loaded onto such pallets, so that the goods are protected from external conditions and do not fall off the pallet during transfers or storage.

[0010] Unfortunately, although they provide high protection, known packaging is generally not reusable, it is difficult to adapt it to the elements to be transported on the pallet, and it is difficult to put in place.

[0011] Conventional packaging also has the disadvantage of producing a large amount of waste. Most packaging uses plastic film, which is discarded at the end of the pallet and goods transport process, increasing the carbon footprint of each delivery. It can be calculated that for all deliveries made to an average supermarket in France, 2.7 tons of waste are produced annually and 19 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent are used, or about 19 round trips by a passenger from Paris to New York.

[0012] Furthermore, known packaging is often made of plastics or other materials that are not recyclable, and therefore increase their ecological footprint. In addition, the protection offered by these packages and their installation and removal methods are often heterogeneous and poorly distributed around the items, while homogeneous protection of the pallet and its contents is preferable.

[0013] There is therefore a need to improve known devices and methods.

[0014] Subject matter and summary of the invention

[0015] In order to address this or these drawbacks, there is proposed according to a first object of the present invention a foldable packaging for protecting a transport pallet, said packaging comprising: - at least one first vertical strap fixed along a first vertical edge of the packaging and adapted to be attached, when the packaging is partially folded on itself, to at least one second vertical strap fixed between said first vertical edge and a second vertical edge of the packaging, - a first horizontal strap, called upper strap, fixed along an upper horizontal edge of the packaging, said upper strap comprising at least one upper tightening element adapted to tension said upper horizontal edge when the upper strap is tightened on itself, - a second horizontal strap, called lower strap, fixed along a lower horizontal edge of the packaging,said lower strap comprising at least one lower tightening element adapted to tension said lower horizontal edge when the lower strap is tightened on itself, - a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps fixed between the upper strap and the lower strap, two of the ends of each intermediate horizontal strap being adapted to hook onto each other in a fixed manner, and - a male-female foot attachment system of said packaging to at least one foot of the pallet, said male-female foot attachment system being fixed along said lower edge of the packaging.,

[0016] This provides a reusable and adaptable pallet wrap. The vertical and horizontal straps allow the coverage and protection offered by the wrap to be adapted to the size of the goods placed on the pallet, ensuring a uniform installation. These straps are typically rectangular strips of lengths equal to or greater than the dimensions of the packaging faces.

[0017] In particular, the relative arrangements of horizontal straps allow the height of the packaging installed on the pallet to be adapted to a predetermined number of levels. The upper levels, if not in use, can be closed inside the previous level, making it easier to close and store the packaging. The packaging, once installed, is also extremely stable because its base is attached and secured to the feet of the pallet.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the male-female foot attachment system is attached to the packaging at the lower horizontal strap of the packaging, the male-female foot attachment system further comprising a plurality of female foot attachment elements attached to a first side of the packaging, each of said female foot attachment elements being adapted to cooperate with a corresponding male foot attachment from among a plurality of male foot attachment elements of the male-female foot attachment system, said male foot attachment elements being attached to a second side of the packaging, said first side and second side being opposite sides of the packaging.

[0019] According to another embodiment, at least one of the female foot attachment elements comprises a rectangular female “Velcro” strip, the corresponding male foot attachment element which is adapted to cooperate with said at least one female foot attachment element comprising at least one rectangular male “Velcro” strip, called male “Velcro”, and adapted to cooperate with said rectangular female “Velcro” strip, called female “Velcro”.

[0020] According to another embodiment, the female “Velcro” and the male “Velcro” are sewn at the lower edge of the packaging, the respective sides of the rectangular female “Velcro” strip and the male “Velcro” strip forming between them an angle of between 45° and 135°, said angle preferably being between 60° and 120°, for example 90°.

[0021] These specific orientations make it easier, and in the case of an angle of around 90%, to optimize the installation of the packaging on a pallet because the packaging, in particular its lower edge, is now under tension during the placement of the packaging on the pallet.

[0022] According to another embodiment, the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps is equal to three.

[0023] According to another embodiment, the packaging comprises: - two faces called the back face and the front face, - fixed, on said back face, at the level of the upper strap, a first female attachment element, respectively a first male attachment element, - fixed, on the back face, at the level of the first intermediate horizontal strap among the three, at least one second female attachment element, respectively at least one second male attachment element,

[0024] - fixed, on the back side, at the level of the second intermediate horizontal strap among the three, at least one third female attachment element, respectively at least one third male attachment element, - fixed, on the back side, of the third intermediate horizontal strap among the three, at least one fourth male attachment element, respectively at least one fourth female attachment element, - fixed, on the front side, at the level of the first intermediate horizontal strap among the three, at least one fifth female attachment element, respectively at least one fifth male attachment element, and / or - fixed, on the back side, at the level of the second intermediate horizontal strap among the three, at least one sixth female attachment element, respectively at least one sixth male attachment element.

[0025] According to another embodiment, the packaging is composed of a polyethylene material or a polyamide material, said polyamide material being selected from rigid PA, filamentary PA, PA6, PA66, PAU or PA12. Herein, a PA material is a polyamide material, a polyamide being a polymer comprising recurring amide groups, which are integral parts of the main chain of the polymer.

[0026] Using rigid or semi-rigid PA allows for the manufacture of packaging with increased hardness and strength. Advantageously, filament PA allows for the manufacture of more flexible and easily foldable packaging. An advantage of PA6, also known as polyamide 6, or Nylon 6, is that it provides a material with high tensile strength, elasticity, and shine. PA6 is also highly resistant to wear and chemicals. Manufacturing packaging with PA66, or polyamide 66, provides better recyclability, particularly for forming a flame-retardant, tear-resistant fabric. PA66 also has the advantage of providing excellent resistance to impact, heat, and oil. PAU is a biocompatible nylon material, with the advantage of being very durable and flexible.PA12 has the advantage of having the lowest water absorption and one of the lightest polyamides, thus providing an extremely light thermoplastic polymer and promoting particularly economical and optimal solutions for aeronautical transport.

[0027] According to another embodiment, a first ratio of a first distance between the upper strap and the lower strap to a second distance between the upper strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the upper strap is equal to six and wherein a second ratio of the first distance to a third distance between the lower strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the lower strap is equal to three.

[0028] According to another embodiment, a distance between the upper strap and the lower strap is equal to 180 centimeters, the distance between the upper strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the upper strap being equal to 30 centimeters and the distance between the lower strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the lower strap being equal to 60 centimeters.

[0029] According to another embodiment, the at least one upper tightening element comprises a “Velcro” strap adapted to close on itself and at least two metal buckles adapted to allow the insertion, tightening and loosening of the upper strap, the lower strap and / or an intermediate horizontal strap.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the at least one lower tightening element comprises a single metal loop 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.

[0031] In order to address the aforementioned drawbacks, there is also proposed according to a second object of the present invention a method of installing the foldable packaging according to any one of the preceding embodiments around the transport pallet, the method comprising the following successive steps: a) attaching the at least one first vertical strap to a foot located between two consecutive corners of the transport pallet, said foot being called the middle foot, b) unfolding the packaging around the transport pallet to join together the first vertical edge and the second vertical edge at said middle foot, c) stretching, with the at least one lower clamping element, the lower horizontal edge of the packaging around the transport pallet by tightening the lower strap on itself,d) hooking one end of at least one intermediate horizontal strap to the at least one first vertical strap and / or hooking two of the ends of the upper strap to each other by means of the at least one upper tightening element to tighten the upper strap on itself and tension the upper horizontal edge, and e) applying the 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.,

[0032] This provides an extremely fast installation process for the packaging around the pallet and the goods placed on it. In addition to meeting the typical operational constraints of "euro" pallets while being adaptable to different heights, the installation is implemented very quickly, typically in less than two minutes, or even 90 seconds. This installation is also repeatable a large number of times, in particular more than a hundred times, without affecting the integrity of the packaging.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the method further comprises, after step a) of attaching, further attaching the at least one first vertical strap to another leg of the transport pallet, said other leg being located between two other consecutive corners of the transport pallet.

[0034] According to another embodiment, the method further comprises, during the hooking step d), hooking one end of each intermediate horizontal strap to the at least one first vertical strap. In order to overcome the aforementioned drawbacks, there is also proposed according to another object of the present invention a method for uninstalling the foldable packaging according to any one of the preceding embodiments, said packaging having been previously installed around the transport pallet, the method comprising the following successive steps: i) unhooking, from the at least one first vertical strap, one end of at least one intermediate horizontal strap and / or unhooking the two ends of the upper strap from each other by means of the at least one upper tightening element to loosen the upper strap on itself and relax the upper horizontal edge, ii) unapplying the male-female foot attachment system from the feet of the transport pallet,each of said feet being located at a corner of the transport pallet, iii) relaxing, with the at least one lower clamping element, the lower horizontal edge of the packaging around the transport pallet by loosening the lower strap on itself, iv) detaching the at least one first vertical strap from a foot located between two consecutive corners of the transport pallet, said foot being called the middle foot, and v) folding the packaging on itself around the transport pallet to join together the first vertical edge and the second vertical edge.,

[0035] This provides an extremely fast unpacking process for the packaging around the pallet and the goods placed on it. In addition to meeting the typical operational constraints of "euro" pallets, this unpacking is implemented very quickly, typically in less than 30 seconds.

[0036] Also in order to address this or these drawbacks, there is proposed according to another object of the present invention a foldable packaging for protecting a transport pallet, said foldable packaging comprising a contour 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 each other, the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge being opposite each other, the foldable packaging further comprising:

[0037] - at least one first upper strap, the at least one first upper strap being fixed to the foldable packaging along the right vertical edge, and being further fixed between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge, and being further fixed to a first face of the foldable packaging, called the front face, the at least one first upper strap being adapted to be attached to at least one first intermediate strap when the foldable packaging is partially folded on itself,

[0038] - the at least one first intermediate strap, which is fixed on the front face of the foldable packaging, the at least one first intermediate strap being further fixed between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge, the at least one first intermediate strap being further fixed at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge, the at least one first intermediate strap further comprising a tightening element adapted to tension the at least one first upper strap when the at least one first upper strap is attached to the first intermediate strap, and

[0039] - at least two main male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable packaging to a foot of the pallet, said at least two main male-female foot attachment elements being fixed 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 fixed to a second face of the foldable packaging, called the back face, said back face being opposite the front face of the foldable packaging.

[0040] As used herein, a horizontal distance is a distance measured parallel to the upper horizontal edge and / or measured parallel to the lower horizontal edge. As used herein, "at a horizontal mid-distance between a first vertical element and a second vertical element", the first vertical element being for example the right vertical edge and the second vertical element being for example the left vertical edge, means at a distance approximately equal to half the distance separating the two aforementioned vertical elements. As used herein, a "distance approximately equal to" means a "distance equal to" with a margin of uncertainty equal to 20 centimeters.

[0041] As used herein, a transport pallet may be a rectangular or square pallet, as long as it is provided with at least four possible entrances for a crane fork, including two entrances along the length and two entrances across the width. The upper part of this transport pallet provides a support base for the contents to be loaded onto the pallet, and its lower part comprises at least eight legs, four of these legs being located at the corners of the pallet, two sides of the pallet meeting at each corner, and another four of these legs being located in the middle of each side of the pallet, that is, between two consecutive corners of the pallet. Unless otherwise specified, a transport pallet is generally considered to be rectangular, that is, it has two sides parallel to each other, each of greater length than its other two sides, parallel to each other.

[0042] Advantageously, fixing the at least one first intermediate strap as centrally as possible between the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge allows for optimal adjustment of the packaging around the pallet. When the adjustment is not optimal, the tightening obtained by the tension of the at least one first upper strap, the latter being attached to the at least one first intermediate strap, allows for greater room for maneuver when installing the packaging around or on the pallet, in particular when the contents of the pallet are not homogeneous, for example when they do not form a rectangular parallelepiped whose base is defined by the base of the pallet on which the contents are installed.

[0043] In one possible embodiment, the outline is a rectangular outline, so that its four sides correspond to the upper horizontal edge, the lower horizontal edge, the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge, the relative terms "horizontal", "vertical", "left" and "right" correspond to relative directions and positions when the packaging is used and installed to protect a transport pallet relative to the point of view of a user in a standing position relative to the ground and seeing the front face of the packaging in front of him.

[0044] In one possible embodiment, one of the at least two main male-female foot-fastener elements is attached to the corner formed by the lower horizontal edge and the right vertical edge of the foldable packaging.

[0045] This allows to define the corner of the packaging which is intended to be attached to one of the feet located between two corners of the pallet, and from which the installation of the packaging is implemented, in an easy and quick manner.

[0046] Advantageously, the feet located at the corners of the pallet play a role in helping to align the packaging around the pallet and / or the contents placed on the pallet. They help to hold the sides of the packaging in place so that the transverse strap is located at the middle of one side of the pallet, after which vertical tension of the at least one intermediate strap allows the packaging to be raised, or hoisted above the transport pallet. When homogeneous contents are placed on the pallet, for example crates whose sides are aligned with those of the pallet, the base of the packaging forms a square or a rectangle whose sides are also aligned with the sides of the pallet.

[0047] According to an advantageous embodiment, the foldable packaging comprises, on the front face of the foldable packaging, at least one intermediate horizontal strip located between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge of the packaging, the at least one first intermediate strap being further attached to said at least one horizontal strip.

[0048] Herein, the at least one intermediate horizontal stripe is substantially parallel to the top horizontal edge and the bottom horizontal edge when the package is unfolded, where "substantially parallel" means "parallel" within a margin of about 5 degrees.

[0049] This provides a means of lateral reinforcement along the horizontal direction and at the height of this intermediate horizontal strip, in particular with possible tightening of the packaging installed around the contents of the pallet.

[0050] This also provides a visual means for checking and adjusting the horizontal alignment of the packaging with the pallet and its contents, for a user to check. According to one possible embodiment, at least one intermediate horizontal strip is located at a vertical distance of 30, 60, 90, 100, 105, or 135 centimeters from the lower horizontal edge.

[0051] According to an advantageous embodiment, the foldable packaging is composed of a polyethylene material or a polyamide material, said polyamide material being chosen from rigid PA, filamentary PA, PA6, PA66, PAI 1 or PA12.

[0052] Herein, a polyamide material is a polymer comprising recurring amide groups, which are integral parts of the polymer's main chain. The use of rigid or semi-rigid PA makes it possible to manufacture packaging with increased hardness and strength.

[0053] A polyethylene material provides robust protection to products due to its durability and impact resistance, while also offering easy handling due to its lightness and flexibility. In addition, using recycled polyethylene promotes a sustainable approach by reducing plastic waste and contributing to the preservation of the environment. According to an advantageous embodiment, the distance between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge is between 100 and 200 centimeters, and preferably equal to 105, 110, 150, 165 or 180 centimeters and / or wherein the distance between the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge is between 55 and 450 centimeters, and preferably equal to 65, 105, 165, 200, 250, 305 or 400 centimeters.

[0054] Herein, distances and lengths described as being equal to a given value in centimeters are expressed with an accuracy of 2 to 3 centimeters.

[0055] This provides packaging of adjustable height suitable for installation around or on “euro” pallets while maintaining optimum stability for different types of loads placed on them.

[0056] According to an advantageous embodiment, the at least one first upper vertical strap and / or the at least one first intermediate strap comprises a tightening element adapted to cooperate with another tightening element of the foldable packaging. This makes it possible to create a modular and adaptable fastening system, where the tightening elements present on the upper and intermediate vertical strap(s) can be associated in an adjustably manner with other tightening elements of the foldable packaging. This also allows precise control over the tightening of the straps, ensuring a customizable fastening depending on the nature and size of the loads transported.

[0057] According to an advantageous embodiment, one of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements, called the first main foot attachment element, is fixed close to the right vertical edge of the foldable packaging, and / or another of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements, called the second main foot attachment element, is fixed at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge of the foldable packaging.

[0058] As used herein, “nearby” means at a distance of 20 centimeters or less.

[0059] This allows the packaging to be installed evenly around the sides of the pallet and its contents, with a balanced distribution of stresses.

[0060] In one possible embodiment, one of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements is intended to attach the packaging to a foot located between two corners of the pallet, the base of which generally has a square shape. Positioning the first main foot attachment element and / or another of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements in this way also makes it possible, following installation of the packaging on the pallet and its contents, to reduce localized stresses on the pallet, and to minimize the risks of deformation or damage, in particular when the contents are arranged on the pallet in a uniform manner, for example to form a rectangular parallelepiped whose base is formed by the base of the pallet.

[0061] Since, in the present case, the feet are aligned with the at least one first vertical strap and / or with the at least one first intermediate strap, the attachment of one of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements to a foot of the pallet allows the latter to be used as a fixing point for unfolding the foldable packaging not only around the pallet but also along its height. The at least one vertical strap goes around the contents of the pallet and the packaging at a midpoint on one side of the pallet, thus ensuring good distribution of the packaging around the contents.

[0062] According to an advantageous embodiment, the foldable packaging comprises: - at least one second upper strap, called second vertical strap, the at least one second vertical strap being fixed between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge, on the front face of the foldable packaging and furthermore at a horizontal mid-distance between the left vertical edge and the fixing of the at least one first intermediate strap, the at least one second vertical strap being further adapted to be attached, when the foldable packaging is partially folded on itself, to at least one second intermediate strap, and - the at least one second intermediate strap, which is fixed between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge,on the front side of the foldable packaging and furthermore at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge and the attachment of the at least one first intermediate strap or at a horizontal mid-distance between the left vertical edge and the attachment of the at least one first intermediate strap.,

[0063] This makes it possible to reinforce the structural stability of the foldable packaging and the contents it protects by connecting the vertical and intermediate straps, improving on the one hand its resistance to external conditions but also facilitating and securing the installation of the foldable packaging with the lower horizontal edge, given the more solid attachment with the pallet. According to an advantageous embodiment, the foldable packaging further comprises at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable packaging to at least one other foot of the pallet, each of said at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements being distinct from each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements, each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements being fixed along the lower horizontal edge of the foldable packaging,each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements comprising two ends attachable to each other and each of these two ends being fixed to the front face of the foldable packaging and in which: - one of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements, called the first secondary foot attachment element, is fixed halfway between the left vertical edge of the foldable packaging and the attachment of the at least one first intermediate strap, and - another of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements, called the second secondary foot attachment element, is fixed at a horizontal halfway between the right vertical edge and the attachment of the at least one second intermediate strap.,

[0064] This makes it possible to provide at least two additional means for attaching the packaging to feet of the pallet during its installation. In particular, the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements provide a minimum of two additional attachment points at other central feet of the pallet, since the relative position of attachment of these at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements with respect to the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements makes it possible to provide a total minimum of four attachment points for the packaging, at the four central feet of the pallet.

[0065] According to an advantageous embodiment, the foldable packaging further comprises a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps fixed to the front face of the foldable packaging, the fixing of the intermediate horizontal straps to the front face of the foldable packaging being carried out between the upper horizontal edge and the lower horizontal edge, two respective ends of each intermediate horizontal strap being adapted to hook onto each other and in a fixed manner by means of a male-female attachment element.

[0066] This provides a means of lateral closure and possibly lateral tightening of the packaging when it is folded back on itself around the pallet, in particular when the left vertical edge and the right vertical edge meet so that the packaging forms a closed envelope.

[0067] Herein, it is understood that a male-female attachment element comprises a male portion and a female portion, such that the male portion is located at a first end of said intermediate horizontal strap and the female portion is located at a second end opposite the first. Herein or according to a possible variant, a male-female attachment element is replaceable by a female-male attachment element, in the sense that the male portion and the female portion of the same intermediate horizontal strap can be interchanged.

[0068] In one possible embodiment, the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps is six. Surprisingly, this provides optimal lateral tightening of the packaging after its installation for a "euro" type pallet while limiting the number of manipulations required to attach or detach the intermediate horizontal straps.

[0069] According to an advantageous embodiment, the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps is greater than or equal to two, and in which a ratio of a first distance between the upper horizontal edge and one of the intermediate horizontal straps, called the first middle horizontal strap, by a second distance between the middle horizontal strap and another of the intermediate horizontal straps, called the second middle horizontal strap, is equal to 0.16, 0.2, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

[0070] This allows the horizontal or lateral tension of the packaging to be distributed when it is installed on a pallet, in order to uniformly tighten it along regularly spaced horizontal lines.

[0071] In one possible embodiment, the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps is greater than or equal to two, and a ratio of a third distance between the lower horizontal edge and one of the intermediate horizontal straps, called the third middle horizontal strap, to a fourth distance between the third middle horizontal strap and another of the intermediate horizontal straps, called the fourth middle horizontal strap, is equal to 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6. According to an advantageous embodiment, the fixing of at least one of the intermediate horizontal straps is implemented by means of a stitching of this at least one intermediate horizontal strap on at least one vertical strip fixed on the front face of the foldable packaging, the at least one vertical strip extending from the lower horizontal edge to the upper horizontal edge of the foldable packaging.

[0072] This reinforces the strength of the intermediate horizontal strap(s) thus sewn in order to reduce the risk of tearing when this or these intermediate horizontal strap(s) are stretched during installation and / or folding of the packaging on itself around the pallet. When several intermediate horizontal straps are sewn in this way, the risk of tearing is reduced proportionally to their number.

[0073] According to an advantageous embodiment, the sewing of the at least one vertical strip exerts tension on the at least one intermediate horizontal strap, this tension being distributed homogeneously by the at least one triangular or semi-triangular reinforcement.

[0074] Herein, the relative arrangement of the at least one intermediate horizontal strap relative to the at least one vertical strip causes each intermediate horizontal strap to form a substantially right angle with the vertical strip.

[0075] As used herein, a substantially right angle is an angle of 90° to within about 1°, 2° or 3°.

[0076] This allows for lateral tension, i.e. lateral pull, to be achieved which is uniform on the side opposite the tip.

[0077] Herein, a semi-triangular reinforcement is defined as a strip, or alternatively a strap, connecting the intermediate horizontal strap to the vertical strip at an acute angle with that vertical strip, for example 30°, 45° or 60°.

[0078] Herein, a triangular reinforcement is defined as consisting of two strips, or two straps, connecting the intermediate horizontal strap to the vertical strip, each of these strips or straps forming an acute angle with this vertical strip, for example 30°, 45° or 60°. Advantageously, an angle of 45° optimizes the reinforcement of the seam.

[0079] This further reduces the risk of tearing of the at least one intermediate horizontal strap attached or sewn to the packaging when this or these intermediate horizontal straps are tensioned during installation and / or folding of the packaging on itself around the pallet. The stability of the contents of the pallet is also increased when the packaging is installed, in particular when the pallet is in motion.

[0080] In one possible embodiment, an intermediate horizontal strap attached to the upper horizontal edge or the lower horizontal edge of the foldable packaging comprises a single semi-triangular reinforcement.

[0081] In order to address the aforementioned drawbacks, there is also proposed according to another object of the present invention a method of installing the foldable packaging according to any one of the preceding embodiments, said installation method comprising the following successive steps: a) attaching, to a first foot located between two consecutive corners of the pallet, a first main male-female foot attachment element among the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable packaging, b) surrounding a base of the transport pallet with the foldable packaging by partially folding the foldable packaging on itself, c) attaching, to a second foot distinct from the first foot and located between two other consecutive corners of the pallet, said second foot being opposite the first foot, a second of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements of the packaging,d) attaching the first vertical strap to the at least one first intermediate strap by tightening the tightening element to tension the packaging over a height of the transport pallet.,

[0082] As used herein, opposite corners of a pallet mean those corners which do not share a side of the pallet.

[0083] As used herein, "a height of the transport pallet" means a vertical distance separating the base of the pallet from the top of the contents arranged on the pallet. This is not necessarily the vertical distance separating the lower horizontal edge from the upper horizontal edge of the packaging, for example when the height of the contents arranged on the pallet is greater than this vertical distance between the lower horizontal edge and the upper horizontal edge of the packaging, since the latter is smaller. According to a possible embodiment, step b) comprises unfolding the foldable packaging around the transport pallet to join the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge together.

[0084] This provides a complete and extremely rapid installation process for the packaging around the pallet and the goods placed on it. In addition to meeting the typical operational constraints of "euro" pallets while being adaptable to different heights, the reduced number of steps and elements to be attached makes installation very rapid without significant effort being required, with set-up typically taking less than 90 seconds, or even 1 minute 60 seconds. This installation is also repeatable a large number of times, in particular more than a hundred times, without affecting the integrity of the packaging and its components.

[0085] According to one embodiment, said installation method further comprises, after step d) of attaching the first vertical strap of the foldable packaging to the at least one first intermediate strap, a step e) of attaching, to each other and in a fixed manner, the two respective ends of one or more intermediate horizontal straps from among the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps.

[0086] This improves the uniformity and strength of the covering, by the packaging, of any contents placed on the transport pallet.

[0087] In order to address the aforementioned drawbacks, there is also proposed according to another object of the present invention a method for uninstalling the foldable packaging according to any one of the embodiments around the transport pallet, said packaging having been previously installed around the transport pallet, said uninstalling method comprising the following successive steps: i) if the first vertical strap is previously attached to the at least one first intermediate strap, detaching the first vertical strap from the at least one first intermediate strap to relax the packaging over a height of the transport pallet, and / or ii) if the second main male-female foot attachment element among the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable packaging is previously attached to the second corner, detaching the second main male-female foot attachment element from the foot located at the second corner of the pallet,iii) if the first main male-female foot attachment element among the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements of the foldable packaging is previously attached to the first corner, detach the first main male-female foot attachment element from the foot located at the first corner of the pallet, and iv) optionally, fold the foldable packaging over itself to join the right vertical edge and the left vertical edge together.,

[0088] This provides an extremely fast unpacking process for the packaging around the pallet and the goods placed on it. In addition to meeting the typical operational constraints of "euro" pallets, this unpacking is implemented very quickly, typically in less than 30 seconds, or even 20 seconds.

[0089] Brief description of the figures

[0090] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent upon reading the detailed description below, and upon analyzing the attached drawings, in which:

[0091] [Fig 1], Figure 1, illustrates a first face, called the front face, of a package according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0092] [Fig 2] Figure 2 illustrates upper and lower clamping elements according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0093] [Fig 3], Figure 3, illustrates a second face, called the back face and which is opposite the front face, of a package according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0094] [Fig 4], Figure 4, illustrates a male-female foot attachment system that comprises a package according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0095] [Fig 5], Figure 5, illustrates an installation of the packaging on one side of a pallet and at different heights according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0096] [Fig 6] Figure 6 illustrates an installation of the packaging above and around a pallet according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0097] [Fig 7] Figure 7 shows a schematic view of a package installed on a transport pallet to protect its contents.

[0098] [Fig 8], Figure 8, illustrates a first face, called the front face, of a package according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0099] [Fig 9], Figure 9, illustrates a second face, called the back face and which is opposite the front face, of a package according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0100] [Fig 10], Figure 10, illustrates a first face, called the front face, of a package according to an embodiment of the invention. [Fig 11], Figure 11, illustrates a second face, called the back face and which is opposite the front face, of a package according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0101] [Fig 12], Figure 12, illustrates a first face, called the front face, of a package according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0102] [Fig 13], Figure 13, illustrates a second face, called the back face and which is opposite the front face, of a package according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0103] Unless otherwise indicated, elements common or similar to several figures bear the same reference signs and have identical or similar characteristics, so that these common elements are generally not described again for the sake of simplicity.

[0104] Description of the embodiments

[0105] Figure 1 represents a front face of a packaging according to a possible embodiment, this front face corresponding to its visible face when installed to protect a transport pallet 1000.

[0106] Package 1 includes a plurality of horizontal and vertical straps. Each of the straps can be made of nylon, polyester, or polyester-Dyneema material to provide an optimal compromise between their breaking strength and their lightness.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, the packaging 1 comprises five horizontal straps including an upper horizontal strap 10, a lower horizontal strap 18 and, between these two horizontal straps, three intermediate horizontal straps 12, 14 and 16. This number is however not limiting and any number of intermediate horizontal straps can be present between the upper 10 and lower 18 horizontal straps. In different possible embodiments, the front and back faces of the packaging 1 are made of fabric and / or with a polyamide material chosen from rigid PA, filament PA, PA6, PA66, PAU or PA12. The materials from which the different bands and straps of the packaging 1 are made advantageously comprise polyamide 66 and steel.

[0108] In a preferred embodiment, the package 1 comprises a first vertical strap 22 sewn onto the front face of the package 1 and along a first vertical edge 2 of the package 1 and a second vertical strap 20 sewn onto the front face of the package 1, along a second vertical edge 4, at the other end of the package 1. The package 1 further comprises a third intermediate vertical strap 24, or transverse strap, which is fixed, and preferably sewn, onto the front face of the package, preferably midway between the first vertical edge 2 and the second vertical edge 4 of the package 1. The package 1 further comprises four male-female foot attachment systems, visible in the figure as element 111, comprising four male-female foot attachment elements 1111, 1113, 1115 and 1117 fixed or sewn along the lower edge 5 of the packaging 1, at the level of the lower horizontal strap 18 of the packaging.

[0109] In one embodiment, the first vertical strap 22 and the intermediate vertical strap 24 are vertical strips of doubled webbing, while the second vertical strap 20 is a vertical strip of single webbing.

[0110] In one embodiment, the package 1 also comprises a first horizontal strap 10, called the upper strap, which is sewn along the upper horizontal edge 3 of the package, as well as a second horizontal strap 18, called the lower strap, fixed along a lower horizontal edge 5 of the package 1.

[0111] In one embodiment, the upper strap 10 of the packaging 1 comprises at least one upper tightening element, here two elements 131 and 132 located on either side of the upper strap 10 and at the ends thereof. These elements are adapted to tension said upper horizontal edge when the upper strap is tightened on itself, and will be described below.

[0112] In one embodiment, the lower strap 18 of the packaging 1 comprises at least one lower tightening element, here an element 151 located on one end of the lower strap 18, preferably on the end located near the first vertical edge 2. This element 151 is adapted to tension the lower strap 18, and therefore the lower horizontal edge 5 of the packaging 1, when the lower strap is tightened on itself.

[0113] In one embodiment, the ends of each of the intermediate horizontal straps 12, 14 and 16 are adapted to be attached to each other in a fixed manner, for example by means of a set of “Velcro”s and / or buckles as described below. In one embodiment, each foot attachment element comprises a male foot attachment element 1111, 1113, 1115 and 1117, and a respective female foot attachment element 1121, 1123, 1125 and 1127 (not shown here), these respective elements being adapted to cooperate with each other. For example, a male foot attachment and a female foot attachment are male and female hinges, male and female clip buckles, male and female screws, male and female cable ties, male and female snap fasteners, or magnets attracting each other.

[0114] In one embodiment, the male foot-clip elements are attached or sewn to the front side of the package 1 while the female foot-clip elements are attached or sewn to the back side of the package 1, or vice versa.

[0115] In different embodiments, the dimensions of the packaging 1 may vary as long as they remain suitable for the protection of a given type of pallet and the load provided thereon. Without limitation on these dimensions, these different embodiments can be distinguished according to definitions of ratios between the distances separating the intermediate horizontal straps from the upper and lower straps.

[0116] For example, if the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps is equal to three, thereby allowing the height of the packaging 1 to be adjusted in three levels as will be described below, the corresponding embodiment can be identified by defining, on the one hand, that the ratio (or fraction) of a first distance between the upper strap and the lower strap by a second distance between the upper strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the upper strap is equal to six and, on the other hand, that the ratio (or fraction) of the first distance by a third distance defined between the lower strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the lower strap is equal to three. This therefore makes it possible to define three similar levels for adapting the height of the packaging around a pallet.For example and following this definition of ratios, if the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps is equal to two, the corresponding realization can be identified by defining, on the one hand, that the ratio (or fraction) of a first distance between the upper strap and the lower strap by a second distance between the upper strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the upper strap is equal to four and, on the other hand, that the ratio (or fraction) of the first distance by a third distance defined between the lower strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the lower strap is equal to two. This makes it possible to define two similar levels to adapt the height of the packaging around a pallet.

[0117] For example, and still following this definition, if the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps is equal to four, the corresponding embodiment can be identified by defining, on the one hand, that the ratio (or fraction) of a first distance between the upper strap and the lower strap by a second distance between the upper strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the upper strap is equal to eight and, on the other hand, that the ratio (or fraction) of the first distance by a third distance defined between the lower strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the lower strap is equal to four. This makes it possible to define four similar levels to adapt the height of the packaging around a pallet.

[0118] According to one embodiment, the two ends of each intermediate horizontal strap are adapted to attach to each other in a fixed manner, for example by means of male-female fasteners such as male “Velcro”s and female “Velcro”s. Advantageously, the ends of at least one of these intermediate horizontal straps comprises at least one intermediate tightening element adapted to tension the surface of the packaging at the level of this intermediate horizontal strap when the latter is tightened on itself.

[0119] In various embodiments, the dimensions of the packaging 1 may be precisely defined. For example, in the case of “euro” type pallets, the total length of the packaging 1 may be approximately 4 meters, for example 403 centimeters, to within 30 centimeters. The total height of the packaging 1 may be approximately 2 meters, for example 180 centimeters, to within twenty centimeters.

[0120] In one embodiment, the distances between the straps can be precisely defined. For example, the distance between the upper strap and the lower strap is equal to 180 centimeters plus or minus 10 centimeters.

[0121] In the case of three horizontal intermediate straps, the distance between the upper strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the upper strap is 30 centimeters, plus or minus 5 centimeters, and the distance between the lower strap and the intermediate horizontal strap closest to the lower strap is 60 centimeters, plus or minus 10 centimeters.

[0122] Figure 2 illustrates clamping elements for horizontal straps of the packaging according to possible embodiments.

[0123] The upper diagram of this figure illustrates an example of an upper clamping element, here a “Velcro” strap 131, which is adapted and therefore sufficiently flexible to close on itself when arranged on the upper horizontal strap 3.

[0124] In particular, the “Velcro” strap 131 comprises a rectangular male “Velcro” strip 1310 located near its end and separated by a gap from a female “Velcro” strip 1312. For example, a gap between the male strip 1310 and the female strip is 10 millimeters while the end of the element 131 is separated from the male strip 1310 by a gap of 10 millimeters. Also for example, the length of the male strip 1310 is 335 millimeters while the length of the female strip 1310 is 295 millimeters.

[0125] The diagram in the middle of this figure illustrates an example of a fastening element, here two metal buckles 132 adapted to allow the insertion, tightening and loosening of the “Velcro” strap 131. The “Velcro” strap 131 is intended to be fixed on the upper strap 3, but can also optionally be provided to be fixed on the lower strap 18 and / or on at least one of the intermediate horizontal straps 12, 14 and 16.

[0126] Advantageously, the presence of at least two metal buckles on each of the horizontal straps of the packaging 1 allows maximum adaptability.

[0127] The lower diagram of the figure illustrates an example of a lower clamping element 151 usable for the lower strap 18, with a clamping system at the base of the package 1 which is shorter with the use of a single buckle 1513, which may be a plastic buckle but is preferably a metal buckle to provide improved strength of the fastener when the strap is under tension.

[0128] Thus, the metal loop 1513 on a first end (on the left in the lower diagram) of the strap is adapted to cooperate with the second end, the second end comprising a male attachment element 1510 and a female attachment element 1512, such as a male “Velcro” and a corresponding female “Velcro”, capable of cooperating with each other when the strap is passed through the loop and folded back on itself to cause 1510 and 1512 to hook together.

[0129] For example, the length of the loop 1513 is 70 millimeters, the length of the male “Velcro” 1510 is 200 millimeters and the length of the female “Velcro” 1512 is 180 millimeters, a space of 10 millimeters separating the two. Other dimensions can be provided depending on the dimensions of the pallet 1000 to be protected with the packaging 1, but it is advantageous to provide male and female “Velcro”s of the same dimensions on the lower strap 18.

[0130] Figure 3 represents the back face of the packaging described according to the possible embodiment of Figure 1, this back face corresponding to its non-visible face when installed to protect a transport pallet 1000. In a preferred embodiment, the packaging 1 comprises on this back face a plurality of fastening elements, in particular male “Velcro”s 150 and female “Velcro”s 152 distributed equidistantly between the vertical edges 2 and 4 and, preferably, aligned along the horizontal strips 10, 12, 14, 16 and 18 located and visible on the front face of the packaging 1. Alternatively or additionally, the fastening elements may comprise male and female clip buckles, male and female screws, male and female snap fasteners, or even magnets attracting each other.The elements shown on the face provide a non-limiting example of the distribution of these fasteners, with for each level a single female “Velcro” 152 located near the vertical edge 2 while the other fastening elements distributed on this same level are male “Velcro”s 150 located at the same distance from each other.

[0131] In one embodiment, the three female “Velcro”s 152 located on the back face and at the upper strip 10 on the front face together define a 143. At the lower left edge of the package 1 is fixed, or sewn, one end of a base fastener 161, this base fastener end being adapted to cooperate with another base fastener end 162 which is fixed to the back face, or sewn, at the lower edge 5 of the package 1, preferably at the same height as the transverse vertical strap 24 which is located on the other front face of the package 1, and horizontally in the middle of the package 1, therefore at a substantially equal distance from the vertical edge 2 and the other vertical edge 4.

[0132] In one embodiment, the base fastener comprising the ends 161 and 162 is a thin strap, preferably with a thickness of between 10 and 20 millimeters, and comprising a “Velcro” to allow it to close on itself. This base fastener makes it possible to attach and / or secure the fastener of the packaging 1 to a middle leg of the pallet 1000 to then allow or facilitate the use of the transverse vertical strap 24 for the installation or uninstallation of the packaging 1 on the pallet 1000.

[0133] Arranged as illustrated in the figure, the back face of the package 1 further comprises strap fasteners 141 and 142, as well as one or more closure elements 146. Also visible in the figure are the female foot-fastener elements 1121, 1123, 1125 and 1127 of the foot-fastener system 112, these female foot-fastener elements being respective of the male foot-fastener elements 1111, 1113, 1115 and 1117 previously described. Figure 4 illustrates a male-female foot-fastener system that a package comprises according to one embodiment of the invention.

[0134] The male-female foot attachment system corresponds to element 111 when visible on the front side of packaging 1 and to element 112 when visible on the back side of packaging 1.

[0135] On the front side, the element 111 comprises a strap 11111 fixed, and preferably sewn, to the packaging 1 and on the same front side, near its lower edge. The sewing can be carried out at the same level as the lower horizontal strap 18 in order to locate them at similar heights. On the back side, the element 112 comprises near the free end of the strap a female attachment element 11115.

[0136] The male-female foot attachment system is preferably sewn at the lower strap 18 and / or at the intermediate horizontal strap 16 closest to the lower strap 18, defining the first level of horizontal straps, between the strap and the fabric of the package 1.

[0137] The strap is of a shape and length adapted to allow its free end to be wrapped around a pallet foot located below the lower edge. Once the strap surrounds the foot, the female attachment element 11115 of its free end is brought back to the level of a male attachment element 11113 fixed or sewn near the attachment point of the strap 11111. Designed to cooperate with each other, the attachment of the male attachment element 11113 and the female attachment element 11115 makes it possible to attach and secure the packaging 1 to the foot of the pallet, not only allowing it to be put in place but also facilitating the attachment of the other male-female foot attachment systems to the other feet of the pallet.

[0138] Thus, this foot attachment system makes it possible to attach the packaging 1 to at least four feet of the pallet 1000. More male and female attachment elements can be provided but it has been found that four such elements are sufficient to allow optimal installation and protection. Preferably, the male and female attachment elements are male and female “Velcro”, respectively, forming rectangular Velcro strips. It is easy to sew such rectangles at the same time at the lower edge of the packaging 1, for the manufacture thereof.

[0139] Surprisingly, it was found that when the respective sides of the rectangular female “Velcro” strip and the male “Velcro” strip formed an angle close to 90°, therefore a right angle, the installation of the packaging 1 around the pallet 1000 to surround the latter was optimally facilitated because this orientation keeps the packaging 1 under tension during its installation. Installation nevertheless remains facilitated and made very rapid when the angle is between 60° and 120° and, to a lesser extent, between 45° and 135°.

[0140] Figure 5 illustrates an installation of the packaging on one side of a pallet and at different heights.

[0141] In particular, a package 1 is shown placed above and / or around a pallet 1000 according to three different height possibilities. The diagram on the left illustrates a placement at a maximum height, for example 1.8 meters, the diagram in the middle illustrates a placement at a median height, for example 1.5 meters and the diagram on the right illustrates a placement at a minimum height, for example 1.2 meters. The aforementioned heights correspond to adjustable height choices for a package whose size or one of the dimensions is of the order of 180 centimeters, 180 centimeters defining in this case the distance between the upper strap and the lower strap of the package 1.

[0142] As described above, the front and back sides of the packaging 1 are provided with various male fastening elements, in particular male “Velcro”s 150, as well as various female fastening elements, in particular female “Velcro”s 152, adapted to be configured with each other. This configuration ensures that the packaging 1 protects the pallet 1000 in an adaptable manner in at least three different levels, i.e. three different vertical heights.

[0143] This arrangement also allows, in the event of the packaging being folded on itself or at least one of its sides, to secure several of its levels and thus facilitate storage and transport, since the volume taken up by the packaging once removed from the pallet is thus reduced.

[0144] This therefore makes it possible to adapt the height of packaging 1 on at least three levels. The upper levels, if not used, close inside the previous level so as not to complicate the folding and therefore the closing of the packaging on itself.

[0145] To install a package 1 whose size is of the order of 180 centimeters so as to protect the pallet 1000 and its contents at a maximum height of 1.8 meters as illustrated in the diagram on the left of the figure, one embodiment of the installation method thus comprises for example 1) Attaching the male-female foot attachment system 111, 112 to a first middle foot of the pallet 1000, that is to say a foot of the pallet located between two consecutive corners of the transport pallet,

[0146] 2) Pass at least one vertical strap from among the straps 20, 22 and 24, preferably the transverse vertical strap 24 above the goods installed on the pallet 1000,

[0147] 3) Unroll the packaging 1 around the pallet 1000 up to the level of the opposite side, that is to say up to a second middle leg of the pallet which is opposite the first middle leg to which the male-female leg attachment system 111, 112 has been attached,

[0148] 4) Attach the male-female foot attachment system to this second middle foot,

[0149] 5) attach the vertical strap, here preferably strap 24, to itself so as to tighten the packaging, this attachment being able to be done by means of a clip,

[0150] 6) Unroll the rest of the packaging 1 around the pallet 1000 to bring it back to the level of the first middle leg so as to bring its vertical edges 2 and 4 together on the same side, called the closing side,

[0151] 7) Attach the closure system of the packaging 1, in particular attach several if not all of the horizontal straps by tightening them on themselves by means of their ends and / or their respective tightening elements, preferably from the lower edge of the packaging to the upper edge, therefore from the bottom to the top and not including the lower tightening strap,

[0152] 8) Unfold and adjust packaging 1 around the pallet to the level of the opposite side,

[0153] 9) Attach the second vertical strap 24 to itself, for example by means of the “Velcro” 142 located on the opposite side on the transverse strap of the packaging,

[0154] 10) Unfold and adjust if necessary packaging 1 again around the pallet up to the closing side

[0155] 11) Attach the remaining fastening elements to the vertical straps, for example by attaching the fastening elements or “Velcro”s 141, 142 and 143 to the closing side of the package 1,

[0156] 12) Attach the fastening elements that comprise the upper closing system 12 of the packaging 1 and, if necessary to improve the uniformity of the installation of the packaging 1 around the pallet 1000, tighten the horizontal straps,

[0157] 13) Attach the remaining fasteners of the male-female foot attachment system to the feet of the pallet 1000, these feet being located at the corners of the pallet, 14) Attach and tighten the lower strap 18 to itself in order to tighten the base of the packaging 1 around the sides of the pallet.

[0158] To install a package 1 whose size is of the order of 180 centimeters so as to protect the pallet 1000 and its contents at a median height of 1.5 meters as illustrated in the central diagram of the figure, an implementation of the installation method thus comprises, for example, in continuation and place of steps 8) to 14) of installation at the maximum height of 1.8 meters:

[0159] 8') Attach the fastening elements comprising the front side 121 and the back side 122 of the upper closure system 12 of the packaging 1 when the latter is partially folded back on itself at the level of the median height, for example by making a male “Velcro” 150 on the side 121 cooperate with a female “Velcro” 152 at the same height, with the advantage of obtaining a packaging 1 installed around the pallet, adapted to the median height,

[0160] 9') Attach the attachment elements 143 and 144 to the horizontal straps 12 and 14,

[0161] 10') Attach and tighten the remaining horizontal straps of the packaging to itself, in order to tighten the base and sides of the packaging 1 around the pallet 1000,

[0162] 11') Attach the remaining fasteners of the male-female foot attachment system to the feet of pallet 1000, these feet being located at the corners of the pallet,

[0163] 12') Attach and tighten the lower strap 18 to itself in order to tighten the base of the packaging 1 around the sides of the pallet.

[0164] To install a package 1 whose size is of the order of 180 centimeters so as to protect the pallet 1000 and its contents at a minimum height of 1.2 meters as illustrated in the diagram on the right of the figure, an implementation of the installation method thus comprises, for example, in continuation and place of steps 8) to 14) of installation at the maximum height of 1.8 meters:

[0165] 8”) Attach the fastening elements that comprise the front side 121 of the upper closure system 12 of the packaging 1 with those that comprise the back side and the back side of the middle closure system 123 of the packaging 1 when the latter is partially folded back on itself at the minimum height, for example by making a male “Velcro” 150 on the side 121 cooperate with a female “Velcro” 152 on the back side of the middle closure system 123 at the same height, with the advantage of obtaining a packaging 1 installed around the pallet, adapted to the minimum height,

[0166] 9”) Attach the attachment elements 143 and 144 to the horizontal straps 14 and 16,

[0167] 10”) Attach and tighten the remaining horizontal straps of the packaging to itself, in order to tighten the base and sides of packaging 1 around pallet 1000,

[0168] 11”) Attach the remaining fasteners of the male-female foot attachment system to the feet of pallet 1000, these feet being located at the corners of the pallet,

[0169] 12”) Attach and tighten the lower strap 18 to itself in order to tighten the base of the packaging 1 around the sides of the pallet.

[0170] The uninstallation of the packaging 1 from a pallet 1000 can be done by following one or more of the preceding steps but in reverse order, the “Attach” steps then being “Detach” steps, the “Unroll” steps then being “Roll” steps, the “Unfold” steps then being “Fold” steps, etc.

[0171] Figure 6 illustrates an installation of the packaging around the sides of a pallet and at a maximum height by means of a so-called transverse strap.

[0172] As illustrated, the packaging 1 is installed so as to cover all sides of the pallet 1000 and its contents. On two opposite sides of the packaging 1 there are a plurality of male fastening elements 150 useful for fixing the straps, in particular first strap fasteners 141 located either at an intermediate horizontal strap 12 or 14 below the upper strap, or at another intermediate horizontal strap 16 directly above the lower strap.

[0173] A second strap fastener 142 is located on the reverse side of the package 1 and at the intermediate horizontal strap which is directly above the lower strap. The strap line extending therefrom is also illustrated in the figure and comprises at least one female fastener element 152 such as a female “Velcro” intended to cooperate with one or more male “Velcro”s of the second strap fastener 142.

[0174] Also illustrated on the front side of the package 1 are third strap fasteners 143 and a strap line corresponding to the transverse strap used to position the package 1. This transverse strap is located at the same level as the strap corresponding to the fastener 142, for example at the intermediate horizontal strap 16. The strap line comprises, from the front side of the package 1 to the end of the strap line, a first strap fastener 141 comprising a male “Velcro” 150, a third strap fastener 143 comprising a female “Velcro” 152, and a fourth strap fastener 144 comprising another female “Velcro” 152. The fourth strap fastener 144 is located at the same level as the intermediate horizontal strap directly above the lower strap of the package 1.The three female “Velcro”s 152 illustrated on this strap line are intended to cooperate with at least the three male “Velcro”s 150 located on the upper part of the front side of the package 1.

[0175] Advantageously, the packaging 1 comprises a closing element 146, for example a male-female clip closing system, which is located on its front side and between the first and second fasteners 141 and 142, in order to be able to close the two vertical edges of the packaging 1, in particular once the packaging 1 is installed around the pallet 1000.

[0176] During the installation of the packaging 1 and for its placement around the sides of the pallet 1000, the transverse strap and / or the intermediate horizontal strap 16 located directly above the lower strap are used directly. In particular, these allow each level to be held in place during installation.

[0177] The first strap fastener 141 is placed on the front side of the package 1 and allows the length of the strap to be adjusted. It is preferably sewn at the level of the first vertical strap, for example over 50 millimeters, then is free. A male clip buckle can be inserted at the end to cooperate with the second strap fastener 142.

[0178] The second strap fastener 142 is placed on the reverse side of the package 1. It is preferably sewn at the level of the first vertical strap, for example over 50 millimeters, then is free over 40 millimeters. A female clip buckle can be inserted at the end to cooperate with the male clip buckle of the first strap fastener 141.

[0179] The third strap fastener 143 is placed on the reverse side of the package 1 and comprises at least three of the aforementioned “Velcro”s for securing the package 1 to the transverse strap at the intermediate horizontal straps. Optionally, an additional male “Velcro” may be present to allow the package 1 to be stored after its uninstallation.

[0180] The fourth strap fastener 144 is placed on the front side of the package 1 and comprises at least two “Velcro”s used to secure the package 1 to the transverse strap when the size of the package 1 is adapted around the pallet 1000 to obtain a median height. Figure 7 schematically illustrates a package according to several embodiments described herein, installed around a load to be transported.

[0181] In particular, an example of packaging 600 installed around non-visible content and arranged on a transport pallet 1000 is illustrated, in order to protect it. This transport pallet 1000 is, for example, a “euro” type pallet, that is to say a rectangular wooden pallet provided with at least eight feet 1001 to 1008, only the feet 1001 to 1005 being visible in the figure. In the example of a “euro” type pallet, its length is 1200 millimeters, its width is 800 millimeters and its height is 144 millimeters, although other types of pallets and other dimensions can be envisaged.

[0182] The package 600, or any other package described herein, comprises a front face and a back face (which is the face not visible in the figure), these faces being formed from a fabric which is distributed between an upper horizontal edge 3 and a lower horizontal edge 5.

[0183] As illustrated, for example, the packaging 600 is unrolled and installed around a height of the pallet 1000 to wrap the contents arranged thereon, and closed by joining its vertical edges at the ends of the intermediate horizontal strap(s), so that these are tensioned, for example by means of tightening elements.

[0184] As illustrated, for example, the base of the package 600 is attached to the pallet by means of a system of several leg attachment elements, presently a first main leg attachment element 317 which is attached to the middle leg 1004 and a secondary leg attachment element 315, which is optional and attached to the leg 1002. At least one other main leg attachment element and at least one other secondary and optional leg attachment element may be present, but are not visible in the figure. The central legs 1004 and 1008 (not visible in the figure), preferably the middle legs of the short sides of the rectangular pallet 1000, allow for the installation of the first upper strap 17 which alone provides sufficient tension and stability to surround the contents placed on the pallet 1000 and close the package 600 on its top, in order to also protect it from above.

[0185] As illustrated, for example, the upper portion of the package 600 is held atop the contents arranged on the transport pallet 1000 by means of attaching a first upper strap 17 to a first intermediate strap 13 (not visible in the figure). This holding can be reinforced by means of attaching a second vertical strap 11 to a second intermediate strap 15, both of which are optional.

[0186] As illustrated, for example and for reinforcement purposes, in addition to the left and right vertical edges of the package 600 which meet to allow the closure of the package, two optional vertical strips 650a and 650b are also present, each of these vertical strips serving as an attachment point for the intermediate horizontal straps provided at one end with a male attachment element (601b to 606b in the figure) and, at another end, with a female attachment element (601a to 606a in the figure), possibly with one or more respective tightening elements. These elements will be described later in detail.

[0187] Also illustrated is an optional transparent pouch 610 for containing a sheet or panel referencing the contents not visible within the installed package 600.

[0188] Preferably, the first upper strap 17 and, optionally, at least one of the first intermediate strap 13, the second vertical strap 11 and / or the second intermediate strap 15 is or are adaptable, the packaging 600 can have different heights for protecting the contents on the pallet 1000, for example a height of 150, 180 or 210 centimeters, to within about 15 centimeters per tightening. Advantageously, tightening one or more straps also allows for some variability in the adjustment of the packaging 600 around and at the top of the contents. However, and even in the case where the contents placed on the pallet are not flat on its sides or at its top, the tension of the fabric is sufficient to maintain the assembly.

[0189] Once the contents of the pallet are protected by the packaging 600 and the latter is closed and secured to the pallet 1000, the pallet 1000 can be moved and transported, for example by means of a motorized vehicle equipped with a fork adaptable to the openings in the base of the pallet 1000.

[0190] Figure 8 represents the front face of a package 400 according to a possible embodiment, this front face corresponding to its visible face when unfolded and in a vertical or upright position relative to the ground, the pallet to be protected being located behind the package. Figure 9 represents the back face of the same package 400.

[0191] In this embodiment, the packaging 400, as for the other embodiments, preferably has a rectangular shape whose sides of shorter length are defined, for the side on the right in this figure, by a right vertical edge 2 and, for the side on the left in this figure, by a left vertical edge 4. The sides of longer length are defined, for the upper side in this figure, by an upper horizontal edge 3 and, for the lower side in this figure, by a lower horizontal edge 5.

[0192] According to different possible embodiments, the upper horizontal edge 2 and / or the right vertical edge 3 comprises or is formed from a strap with a width equal to 10 millimeters.

[0193] In this embodiment, the packaging 400 comprises one or more vertical straps, also called upper straps, although the case of a single first upper strap 17 fixed to the packaging 400 at the right vertical edge 2 is illustrated here in a non-limiting manner. This fixing can be done for example by means of stitching or “Velcro” strips located between the fabric of the packaging and the first upper strap 17, and is preferably carried out between the upper horizontal edge 3 and the lower horizontal edge 5, on the front side, although another fixing on the back side is not excluded.

[0194] The packaging 400 further comprises one or more intermediate straps, although the case of a single intermediate strap 13 fixed to the front face and in the middle of the packaging 400 is illustrated here in a non-limiting manner, in this particular case approximately halfway between the two vertical edges 2 and 4. This fixing can be done for example by means of a seam.

[0195] The first upper strap 17 and / or the intermediate strap 13 comprises a tightening element, for example a belt buckle, which is compatible for attaching and tightening together the upper strap 17 and the intermediate strap 13. This tightening element makes it possible to distribute the packaging 400 over a height of the transport pallet during its installation.

[0196] According to a possible embodiment, the first upper strap 17 is a strap 35 millimeters wide allowing, when it is attached and tightened, optimal tension during the vertical installation of the packaging on the height of the pallet 1000. The packaging 400 may further comprise a first horizontal strap 200, called the central strap, which is sewn along the upper horizontal edge 3 of the packaging. The intermediate strap 13 may also be sewn to be partly attached to the first horizontal strap 200, although the latter is optional. The packaging 400 comprises at least two main male-female foot attachment elements 313 and 317, which each allow the packaging 400 to be attached to a foot of the pallet. These elements 313 and 317 are arranged along the lower horizontal edge 5 and fixed on the back face of the packaging 400.

[0197] The strap of each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements 313 and 317 is designed to be able to pass around a foot of the pallet and then be attached to attach the two ends to each other, and therefore the packaging 400 to the corresponding foot.

[0198] According to various possible embodiments, at least one strap described herein comprises a tightening element, for example a buckle or a carabiner for manually or automatically reducing the length of the strap by securing it. For example, the strap of each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements 313 and 317 may comprise a combination of male or female clips capable of cooperating with each other.

[0199] Optionally, at least one end of the strap 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 tension said strap, thereby tightening the packaging near the corresponding foot of the pallet.

[0200] 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 millimeters wide, a second part being a respective male attachment element, for example a male clip or a pair of male-female clips, a third part being a semi-rigid plastic tube and a fourth part being another strap, for example also 20 millimeters wide, and adapted to attach the packaging to a foot of a pallet. The semi-rigid plastic tube, which may be optional, makes it possible to surround a part of the length of the strap intended to pass under the base of the pallet 1000 when the packaging is installed, so as to protect it from friction or breakage, for example when a fork is engaged in the base of the pallet to transport it.

[0201] In other embodiments which will be described later, at least one secondary male-female foot attachment element also comprises these four parts.

[0202] In this embodiment, the vertical strap 17 is preferably longer than the vertical strap 13 because the latter is intended to go around the pallet 1000 and its contents from above the pallet 1000 and its contents, to join the vertical strap 17 in order to attach it.

[0203] The number of straps presently described in this embodiment is however not limiting and any number of horizontal, vertical and / or intermediate straps may be present on or in the packaging 400.

[0204] According to various possible embodiments, each of the straps, as well as any strap or fastening element of the embodiments described herein, can be manufactured with a nylon, polyester, or polyester-Dyneema material to provide an optimal compromise between their breaking strength and their lightness.

[0205] For both the packaging 400 and the packaging described in the various possible embodiments herein, the dimensions of these packagings may vary as long as they remain suitable for the protection of a given type of pallet and the load provided thereon. Without limitation on these dimensions, these various embodiments may be distinguished based on definitions of ratios between the distances separating the intermediate horizontal straps from the upper and lower straps.

[0206] In various possible embodiments, the dimensions of the packaging can be defined precisely. For example, in the case of "euro" type pallets, the total length of the packaging, i.e. the length of the upper horizontal edge 3 or the lower horizontal edge 5, is approximately 4 meters, for example 403 centimeters, to within 30 centimeters. The total height of the packaging, i.e. the length of the left vertical edge 4 or the right vertical edge 2, is approximately 180 centimeters, for example 165 centimeters, to within ten centimeters.

[0207] Figure 10 represents the front face of a package 500 according to another possible embodiment, this front face corresponding to its visible face when unfolded and in a vertical position relative to the ground, the pallet to be protected being located behind the package. Figure 11 represents the back face of the same package 500.

[0208] The package 500 of this embodiment comprises at least the same elements as the package 400 of the previous embodiment.

[0209] Furthermore, the package 500 comprises a second upper strap 11, called the second vertical strap, which is fixed or sewn onto the front face of the package 500 between the two horizontal edges. This fixing or sewing is made approximately halfway horizontally between the left vertical edge and the fixing of the first intermediate strap 13.

[0210] Similar to the first upper strap 17, the second upper strap 11 is adapted to be attached to another intermediate strap, here a second intermediate strap 15 distinct from the strap 13, in particular when the foldable packaging 500 is partially folded on itself.

[0211] According to a possible embodiment, and when present, the second upper strap 11 is preferably a strap with a width of 35 millimeters allowing, during its attachment and tightening, optimal tension during the installation of the packaging on the lateral contours of the pallet 1000. Preferably, in addition, a male-female attachment element of the at least one second upper strap 11 is adaptable to perform the tightening of the contents on the pallet 1000 during the installation of the packaging. The packaging 500 of this embodiment further comprises at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements 311 and 315, similar to the main male-female foot attachment elements 313 and 317 but distinct from them in that their ends, attachable to each other, are fixed on the front face of the packaging 500 and in different positions along the lower horizontal edge 5.

[0212] In the present case, the secondary male-female foot attachment element 311 is fixed at a predetermined distance from the left vertical edge 4 and, as illustrated, midway between this and the horizontal position of the intermediate strap attachment 13. In other words, the secondary male-female foot attachment element 311 is located at approximately a distance from the left vertical edge 4 of approximately one-quarter the length of the horizontal edges 3 and 5.

[0213] As with all straps described herein, the number of foot attachment elements is not limiting and any number may be present at the lower horizontal edge 5, although it is not necessarily useful to have more foot attachment elements than feet that the transport pallet 1000 has. According to various possible embodiments, the ends of a foot attachment element may each comprise at least one attachment clip, for example a attachment clip having a width of 20 or 35 millimeters. Alternatively, a clip may be replaced by a carabiner, the width of which is between 20 and 50 millimeters.

[0214] According to different possible embodiments, all the male-female foot attachment elements 311, 313, 315 and 317 are formed from identical parts, but placed differently, for example the two main elements fixed on the front face of the packaging and two secondary elements fixed on the back face of the packaging.

[0215] According to various possible embodiments, the length of the straps of several of the male-female foot attachment elements 311, 313, 315 and 317 may be adjustable or not, in both cases with a margin of several centimeters, for example 5 centimeters, in order to allow flexibility when 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.

[0216] Figure 12 represents the front face of a package 600 according to a possible embodiment, this front face corresponding to its visible face when unfolded and in a vertical or upright position relative to the ground, the pallet to be protected being located behind the package. Figure 13 represents the back face of the same package 400.

[0217] The package 600 of this embodiment comprises at least the same elements as the package 500 of the previous embodiment.

[0218] Furthermore, the packaging 600 comprises one or more intermediate horizontal straps 601 to 606 making it possible to reinforce the lateral tightening of contents placed on a pallet around which the packaging 600 is installed.

[0219] In the illustrated case, a predetermined number of six pairs of intermediate horizontal straps 601 to 606 are fixed on the front face of the foldable packaging 600, their male parts 601b to 606b being located near the right vertical edge 2 and their female parts 601a to 606a being located near the left vertical edge 4.

[0220] Each of their fixings is made between the two horizontal edges 3 and 5.

[0221] Each end of the intermediate horizontal straps 601 to 606 comprises a male or female attachment means. In particular, the two respective ends 601a to 606a and 601b to 606b of each intermediate horizontal strap is adapted to be attached to each other and in a fixed manner by means of a male-female attachment element.

[0222] According to one possible embodiment, each of the respective male and female portions of at least one of the intermediate horizontal straps 601 to 606 is attached proximate to the corresponding left or right vertical edge. Although a tightening element of these intermediate horizontal straps may alternatively be included in the male portions 601b to 606b of the straps 601 to 606, it will be assumed here that the tightening element is included in the female portions 601a to 606a. In one possible embodiment, each end of the intermediate horizontal straps 601 to 606 that is not the end comprising the male portion or the female portion of the corresponding fastening or tightening element is sewn to a vertical strip 650a or 650b located proximately.

[0223] As illustrated for the male parts 601b to 606b of the intermediate straps 601 to 606 located on the side of the right vertical edge 2, each end of the strap not including the male part is attached to a vertical strip 650b, called the right vertical strip. Similarly, for the female parts 601a to 606a of the intermediate straps 601 to 606 located on the side of the left vertical edge 4, each end of the strap not including the female part is attached to another vertical strip 650a, called the left vertical strip.

[0224] According to a possible embodiment, each of the vertical strips 650a and 650b is substantially parallel to the right vertical edge 2 and to the left vertical edge, and connects the lower horizontal edge 5 to the upper horizontal edge 3.

[0225] According to a possible embodiment, the left vertical strip 650a is approximately 10 to 15 centimeters away from the left vertical edge 4, and the right vertical strip 650b is approximately 50 to 60 centimeters away from the right vertical edge 2.

[0226] According to a possible embodiment, and this can be implemented both for the female parts with respect to the left vertical strip and for the male parts with respect to the right vertical strip, the sewing of the female parts 606a to 606a of the intermediate horizontal straps on the front face of the packaging 600 is done at the level of the vertical strip 650a. In particular, when these reinforcements are present, these seams can be made by means of triangular or semi-triangular reinforcements.

[0227] According to this last possible embodiment, the attachment of a triangular reinforcement of a female part 602a to 605a to the left vertical edge is done by means of a two-point seam, a first point located at the end of the triangle and the other point being at the level of the vertical strip 650a. The area between these two points is left free but maintains sufficient tension. This allows sufficient play to be left in the orientation of each female part during installation and fixing of the packaging on a given pallet.

[0228] Similarly, the attachment of a semi-triangular reinforcement of a female part 606a placed near the lower horizontal edge 5 of the packaging 600 is done by means of a single-stitch seam, on the left vertical edge. Preferably, the semi-triangular reinforcement is formed of a double thickness which makes it possible to reinforce it while avoiding detachment or tearing when tightening the corresponding strap 606.

[0229] In one possible embodiment, the triangular or semi-triangular reinforcements are made of 10 millimeter-wide straps. For additional reinforcement, these reinforcements can be double-thick.

[0230] According to various possible embodiments, at least one strap described herein is composed of a polyethylene material or a polyamide material.

[0231] According to various possible embodiments, at least one strap is chosen from a strap with a width of 10 millimeters, 20 millimeters or 35 millimeters, said at least one strap being able to have a single thickness or a double thickness depending on the desired level of strength.

[0232] According to different possible embodiments, the intermediate straps 601 to 606 are of variable length depending on the desired adaptability of the packaging to be installed on a pallet 1000. By way of non-limiting example, these intermediate straps have a length of 300 to 400 millimeters with an adjustment margin of 20 to 100 millimeters, preferably 340 millimeters with an adjustment margin of 50 millimeters, therefore in the latter case a preferred total length of 390 millimeters.

[0233] For example, and in a non-limiting manner, starting from the left vertical edge 4 of the packaging 600, the female part of an intermediate strap 601 to 606 can be sewn at the level of the left vertical strip 650a located at a distance of 13.5 centimeters from the left vertical edge 4. For example also, the female parts 601a to 606a can be of a standard length of between 10 and 20 centimeters, and preferably 16 centimeters.

[0234] According to various possible embodiments, one or more of the male parts 601b to 606b of the intermediate straps 601 to 606 are formed from a male clip with a width of 35 millimeters, the intermediate straps 601 to 606 also having a width of 35 millimeters, for attachment to the female parts 601a to 606a with possible tightening.

[0235] According to various possible embodiments, the left vertical strip 650a and / or the right vertical strip 650b is formed from a strap 35 millimeters wide and with a maximum length equal to 165 centimeters.

[0236] Optionally, and on the front side of the packaging 600, a pocket 610 may be attached or sewn, for example a transparent plastic pocket of which three sides are sewn on the front side while a fourth side is open. Advantageously, this makes it possible to insert a sheet of paper, cardboard or plastic comprising information relating to the contents of the pallet 1000 when the latter is protected and packaged by the packaging 600, these contents not being visible from the outside. The pocket has for example a surface area of ​​between 150 and 1300 square centimeters, for example 300 square centimeters. The surface area of ​​the pocket may also be substantially larger than 156 square centimeters to accommodate an A5 sheet, it may be substantially larger than 620 square centimeters to accommodate an A4 sheet, and it may be substantially larger than 1250 square centimeters to accommodate an A3 sheet.

[0237] Various embodiments of a method for installing the described packages are possible. By way of illustration, a first possibility for quickly wrapping one of the described packages around contents placed on a transport pallet 1000 provides for example the following steps:

[0238] Attach a first main male female foot attachment element 317 to a first foot of the pallet 1000 located between two consecutive corners and therefore in the middle of a first side thereof, by surrounding the latter with the two ends of the strap that the first main male female foot attachment element 317 comprises to attach them together on the same side, thus ensuring a secure anchoring point.

[0239] Unroll the 600 wrap around the base of the 1000 pallet to partially surround it.

[0240] Similar to step 1) above, attach the second main male-female foot attachment element 313 to a second foot of the pallet 1000, this second foot being located along a second side of the pallet which is opposite and parallel to the first side, this second foot therefore being located in the middle of the second side. This provides two points for attaching the packaging 600 to the base of the pallet 1000, from which a vertical unrolling or unfolding of the packaging 600 along the height of the pallet and its contents is achievable.

[0241] Attaching the first vertical strap 17 to the first intermediate strap 13 by tensioning it, the first vertical strap 17 being preferably located at one of the corners of the pallet, while the first intermediate strap 13 is located at another of the corners of the pallet and near the second main male-female foot attachment element 313. Raising the attachment of the first vertical strap 17 to the first intermediate strap 13 above the pallet 100 and its contents, by implementing an optional tightening of the first vertical strap 17 to the first intermediate strap 13 which makes it easier to raise the packaging 600 along the height of the pallet 1000 to position it above the contents arranged on the pallet 1000.

[0242] Join the left vertical edge 4 to the right vertical edge 2 above a corner of the pallet 1000 by unrolling the packaging around the pallet 1000, in order to laterally close the packaging 650 around the contents.

[0243] Optionally, and if present, attach together the male parts and the female parts of the intermediate straps 601 to 606, tightening them in order to tension them if they are provided with tightening elements.

[0244] Optionally, and if it or they are present, attach at least one first secondary male female foot attachment element 311 to a third foot of the pallet 1000 located between two consecutive corners and therefore in the middle of a third side thereof, by surrounding it with the two ends of the corresponding strap, thus ensuring another secure anchoring point.

[0245] Optionally, and if present, attach at least a second secondary male female foot attachment element 315 to a fourth foot of the pallet 1000 located between two consecutive corners and therefore in the middle of a fourth side thereof, by surrounding it with the two ends of the corresponding strap, thus ensuring yet another secure anchoring point.

[0246] Optionally, and if it or they are present, attach at least one second vertical strap 11 to at least one second intermediate strap 15, preferably by positioning them above the contents placed on the pallet 1000, the at least one second vertical strap 11 then being located at a middle of a first side of the pallet, and the at least one second intermediate strap 15 then being located at a middle of a second side of the pallet, the second side being opposite the first side.

[0247] Different implementations of a method of uninstalling the described packaging are possible.

[0248] By way of illustration, a first possibility for quickly extracting the packaging 600 and the contents from a transport pallet around which the packaging 600 has been installed provides for example to first detach all the intermediate straps 601 to 606 from top to bottom or from bottom to top, in particular by unclipping the male and female parts of each intermediate strap, then by detaching the upper straps 17 and 11 from the respective intermediate straps 13 and 15, here also by unclipping the male and female parts of each intermediate strap. The packaging 600 will then no longer be held in height and will fall to the level of the feet of the pallet under the effect of its own weight, and it is then sufficient to detach the main and secondary foot attachment elements 311, 313, 315 and 317 possibly attached to be able to fold the packaging 600.

[0249] Still by way of illustration, a second possibility for progressively and securely extracting the contents of a transport pallet around which the packaging 600 has been installed provides for example to first detach the upper straps 17 and 11 from the respective intermediate straps 13 and 15, then successively detaching all the intermediate straps 601 to 606 from top to bottom, a portion of the contents of the pallet being able to be extracted with each detachment of an intermediate strap. The packaging 600 will gradually descend along the height of the contents of the pallet, until it gradually reaches its base. To completely detach the packaging 600 from the pallet, it is then sufficient to detach the main and secondary foot-fastening elements 311, 313, 315 and 317 possibly attached to be able to fold the packaging 600.

[0250] In addition, this disclosure includes embodiments under the following clauses A through O:

[0251] A. Foldable packaging for protecting a transport pallet (1000), said foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) comprising a contour formed by an upper horizontal edge

[0252] (3), a bottom horizontal edge (5), a right vertical edge (2) and a left vertical edge

[0253] (4), the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) being opposite each other, the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4) being opposite each other, the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) further comprising:

[0254] - at least one first upper strap (17), the at least one first upper strap (17) being fixed to the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) along the right vertical edge (2), and being further fixed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), and being further fixed to a first face of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), called the front face, the at least one first upper strap (17) being adapted to be attached to at least one first intermediate strap (13) when the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) is partially folded on itself,

[0255] - the at least one first intermediate strap (13), which is fixed on the front face of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), the at least one first intermediate strap (13) being further fixed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), the at least one first intermediate strap (13) being further fixed at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4), the at least one first intermediate strap (13) further comprising a tightening element adapted to tension the at least one first upper strap (17) when the at least one first upper strap (17) is attached to the first intermediate strap (13), and

[0256] - at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) to a foot of the pallet (1000), said at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) being fixed along the lower horizontal edge (5), each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) comprising two ends attachable to each other and each of these two ends being fixed to a second face of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), called the back face, said back face being opposite the front face of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600).

[0257] B. Foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to clause A, comprising, on the front side of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) at least one intermediate horizontal strip (200) located between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), the at least one first intermediate strap (13) being further fixed to said at least one horizontal strip.

[0258] 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, said polyamide material being selected from rigid PA, filamentary PA, PA6, PA66, PAU or PA12. D. Foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the distance between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) is between 100 and 200 centimeters, and preferably equal to 105, 110, 150, 165 or 180 centimeters and / or wherein the distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4) is between 55 and 450 centimeters, and preferably equal to 65, 105, 165, 200, 250, 307 or 403 centimeters.

[0259] E. Foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to any one of the preceding clauses, wherein the at least one first upper vertical strap (17) and / or the at least one first intermediate strap (13) comprises a clamping element adapted to cooperate with another clamping element of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600).

[0260] F. Foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to any of the preceding clauses, wherein:

[0261] - one of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317), called first main foot attachment element (317), is fixed near the right vertical edge (2) of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), and / or

[0262] - another of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317), called second main foot attachment element (313), is fixed at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4) of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600).

[0263] G. Foldable packaging (500; 600) according to any of the preceding clauses, comprising:

[0264] - at least one second upper strap (11), called second vertical strap, the at least one second vertical strap (11) being fixed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), on the front face of the foldable packaging (500; 600) and furthermore at a horizontal mid-distance between the left vertical edge (4) and the fixing of the at least one first intermediate strap (13), the at least one second vertical strap (11) being further adapted to be attached, when the foldable packaging (500; 600) is partially folded on itself, to at least one second intermediate strap (15), and

[0265] - the at least one second intermediate strap (15), which is fixed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), on the front side of the foldable packaging (500; 600) and furthermore at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the fixing of the at least one first intermediate strap (13) or at a horizontal mid-distance between the left vertical edge (4) and the fixing of the at least one first intermediate strap (13).

[0266] H. Foldable packaging (500; 600) according to clause G, further comprising at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements (311, 315) of the foldable packaging (500; 600) to at least one other foot of the pallet (1000), each of said at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) being distinct from each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317), each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) being fixed along the lower horizontal edge (5) of the foldable packaging (500; 600), each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements comprising two ends attachable to each other and each of these two ends being fixed on the front face of the foldable packaging (500; 600) and in which:

[0267] - one of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements (311, 315), called first secondary foot attachment element (311), is fixed halfway between the left vertical edge (4) of the foldable packaging (500; 600) and the fixing of the at least one first intermediate strap (13), and

[0268] - another of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements (311, 315), called second secondary foot attachment element (315), is fixed at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the fixing of the at least one second intermediate strap (15).

[0269] I. A foldable package (600) according to any one of the preceding clauses, further comprising a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) attached to the front face of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), the attachment of the intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) to the front face of the foldable package (400; 500; 600) being performed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), two respective ends (601a, 601b; 602a, 602b; 603a, 603b; 604a, 604b; 605a, 605b; 606a, 606b) of each intermediate horizontal strap being adapted to be attached to each other and in a fixed manner by means of a male-female attachment element. J.A foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to clause I, wherein the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) is greater than or equal to two, and wherein a ratio of a first distance between the upper horizontal edge (3) and one of the intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), called the first middle horizontal strap, to a second distance between the middle horizontal strap and another of the intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), called the second middle horizontal strap, is equal to 0.16, 0.2, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

[0270] K. Foldable packaging (600) according to clause I or J, wherein the attachment of at least one of the intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) is implemented by means of sewing this at least one intermediate horizontal strap (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) on at least one vertical strip (650a; 650b) attached to the front side of the foldable packaging (600), the at least one vertical strip (650a; 650b) extending from the lower horizontal edge (5) to the upper horizontal edge (3) of the foldable packaging (600).

[0271] L. Foldable packaging (600) according to clause K, in which the sewing of the at least one vertical strip (650a; 650b) exerts a tension of the at least one intermediate horizontal strap (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), this tension being distributed homogeneously by the at least one triangular or semi-triangular reinforcement.

[0272] M. Method of installing the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to any one of clauses A to L around the transport pallet (1000), said installation method comprising the following successive steps: a) attaching, to a first leg located between two consecutive corners of the pallet (1000), a first main male-female foot attachment element (317) among the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) of the foldable packaging, b) surrounding a base of the transport pallet (1000) with the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) by partially folding the foldable packaging (400; 500;600) on itself, c) attaching, to a second foot distinct from the first foot and located between two other consecutive corners of the pallet (1000), said second foot being opposite the first foot, a second of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) of the packaging, d) attaching the first vertical strap (17) to the at least one first intermediate strap (13) by tightening the tightening element to stretch the packaging over a height of the transport pallet (1000).;

[0273] N. Installation method according to clause M when clause M depends on any one of clauses I to L, said installation method further comprising, after step d) of attaching the first vertical strap (17) of the foldable packaging (600) to the at least one first intermediate strap (13), a step e) of attaching, to each other and in a fixed manner, the two respective ends of one or more intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) among the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606).

[0274] O. Method for uninstalling the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to any one of clauses A to L around the transport pallet (1000), said packaging having been previously installed around the transport pallet (1000) and attached to at least two legs of the pallet (1000), said uninstalling method comprising the following successive steps: i) if the at least one first vertical strap (17) is previously attached to the at least one first intermediate strap (13), detaching said first vertical strap (17) from said first intermediate strap (13) to relax the packaging over a height of the transport pallet (1000), ii) if at least one of the two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) is previously attached to a leg of the pallet, detaching said main male-female foot attachment element (313, 317) from said leg, and iv) optionally, folding the foldable packaging (400; 500;600) on itself to join together the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4).;

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on April 23, 2024 (23.04.2024) Claims

1. Foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) for protecting a transport pallet (1000), said foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) comprising a contour 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 each other, the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4) being opposite each other, the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) further comprising: - at least one first upper strap (17), the at least one first upper strap (17) being fixed to the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) along the right vertical edge (2), and being further fixed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), and being further fixed to a first face of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), called the front face, the at least one first upper strap (17) being adapted to be attached to at least one first intermediate strap (13) when the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) is partially folded on itself, - the at least one first intermediate strap (13), which is fixed on the front face of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), the at least one first intermediate strap (13) being further fixed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), the at least one first intermediate strap (13) being further fixed at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4), the at least one first intermediate strap (13) further comprising a tightening element adapted to tension the at least one first upper strap (17) when the at least one first upper strap (17) is attached to the first intermediate strap (13), and - at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) to a foot of the pallet (1000), said at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) being fixed along the lower horizontal edge (5), each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) comprising two ends attachable to each other and each of these two ends being fixed to a second face of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), called the back face, said back face being opposite the front face of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600).

2. Foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to claim 1, comprising, on the front face of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) at least one intermediate horizontal strip (200) located between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), the at least one first intermediate strap (13) being further fixed to said at least one horizontal strip. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

3. A foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to any preceding claim, wherein the foldable package (400; 500; 600) is made of a polyethylene material or a polyamide material, said polyamide material being selected from rigid PA, filamentary PA, PA6, PA66, PAI 1 or PA12.

4. Foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distance between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5) is between 100 and 200 centimeters, and preferably equal to 105, 110, 150, 165 or 180 centimeters and / or wherein the distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4) is between 55 and 450 centimeters, and preferably equal to 65, 105, 165, 200, 250, 307 or 403 centimeters.

5. Foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one first upper vertical strap (17) and / or the at least one first intermediate strap (13) comprises a clamping element adapted to cooperate with another clamping element of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600).

6. A foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to any preceding claim, wherein: - one of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317), called first main foot attachment element (317), is fixed near the right vertical edge (2) of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600), and / or - another of the at least two first main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317), called second main foot attachment element (313), is fixed at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4) of the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600). AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

7. A foldable package (500; 600) according to any preceding claim, comprising: - at least one second upper strap (11), called second vertical strap, the at least one second vertical strap (11) being fixed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), on the front face of the foldable packaging (500; 600) and furthermore at a horizontal mid-distance between the left vertical edge (4) and the fixing of the at least one first intermediate strap (13), the at least one second vertical strap (11) being further adapted to be attached, when the foldable packaging (500; 600) is partially folded on itself, to at least one second intermediate strap (15), and - the at least one second intermediate strap (15), which is fixed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), on the front side of the foldable packaging (500; 600) and furthermore at a horizontal mid-distance between the right vertical edge (2) and the fixing of the at least one first intermediate strap (13) or at a horizontal mid-distance between the left vertical edge (4) and the fixing of the at least one first intermediate strap (13).

8. Foldable packaging (500; 600) according to claim 7, further comprising at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements (311, 315) of the foldable packaging (500; 600) to at least one other foot of the pallet (1000), each of said at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) being distinct from each of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317), each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) being fixed along the lower horizontal edge (5) of the foldable packaging (500; 600), each of the at least two secondary male-female foot attachment elements comprising two ends attachable to each other and each of these two ends being fixed on the front face of the foldable packaging (500; 600) and in which: - one of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements (311, 315), called the first secondary foot attachment element (311), is fixed halfway between the left vertical edge (4) of the foldable packaging (500; 600) and the attachment of the at least one first intermediate strap (13), and - another of the at least two first secondary male-female foot attachment elements (311, 315), called second secondary foot attachment element (315), is fixed at a mid-distance AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) horizontal between the right vertical edge (2) and the attachment of the at least one second intermediate strap (15).

9. A foldable package (600) according to any preceding claim, further comprising a predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) attached to the front face of the foldable package (400; 500; 600), wherein the attachment of the intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) to the front face of the foldable package (400; 500; 600) is performed between the upper horizontal edge (3) and the lower horizontal edge (5), two respective ends (601a, 601b; 602a, 602b; 603a, 603b; 604a, 604b; 605a, 605b; 606a, 606b) of each intermediate horizontal strap being adapted to be attached to one another and in a secure manner by means of a male-female attachment element.

10. A foldable package (400; 500; 600) according to claim 9, wherein the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) is greater than or equal to two, and wherein a ratio of a first distance between the upper horizontal edge (3) and one of the intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), called the first middle horizontal strap, to a second distance between the middle horizontal strap and another of the intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), called the second middle horizontal strap, is equal to 0.16, 0.2, 0.25, 0.33, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6.

11. Foldable packaging (600) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the fixing of at least one of the intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) is implemented by means of a sewing of this at least one intermediate horizontal strap (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) on at least one vertical strip (650a; 650b) fixed on the front face of the foldable packaging (600), at least one vertical strip (650a; 650b) extending from the lower horizontal edge (5) to the upper horizontal edge (3) of the foldable packaging (600). AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

12. Foldable packaging (600) according to claim 11, wherein the sewing of the at least one vertical strip (650a; 650b) exerts a tension of the at least one intermediate horizontal strap (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606), this tension being distributed homogeneously by the at least one triangular or semi-triangular reinforcement.

13. A method of installing the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 around the transport pallet (1000), said installation method comprising the following successive steps: a) attaching, to a first foot located between two consecutive corners of the pallet (1000), a first main male-female foot attachment element (317) among the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) of the foldable packaging, b) surrounding a base of the transport pallet (1000) with the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) by partially folding the foldable packaging (400; 500;600) on itself, c) attaching, to a second foot distinct from the first foot and located between two other consecutive corners of the pallet (1000), said second foot being opposite the first foot, a second of the at least two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) of the packaging, d) attaching the first vertical strap (17) to at least one first intermediate strap (13) by tightening the tightening element to stretch the packaging over a height of the transport pallet (1000).;

14. An installation method according to claim 13 when claim 13 depends on any one of claims 9 to 12, said installation method further comprising, after step d) of attaching the first vertical strap (17) of the foldable packaging (600) to at least one first intermediate strap (13), a step e) of attaching, to one another and in a fixed manner, the two respective ends of one or more intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606) from among the predetermined number of intermediate horizontal straps (601; 602; 603; 604; 605; 606). AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

15. A method of uninstalling the foldable packaging (400; 500; 600) according to any one of claims 1 to 12 around the transport pallet (1000), said packaging having been previously installed around the transport pallet (1000) and attached to at least two legs of the pallet (1000), said uninstalling method comprising the following successive steps: i) if the at least one first vertical strap (17) is previously attached to the at least one first intermediate strap (13), detaching said first vertical strap (17) from said first intermediate strap (13) to relax the packaging over a height of the transport pallet (1000), ii) if at least one of the two main male-female foot attachment elements (313, 317) is previously attached to a leg of the pallet, detaching said main male-female foot attachment element (313, 317) from said leg, and iv) optionally, folding the foldable packaging (400; 500;600) on itself to join together the right vertical edge (2) and the left vertical edge (4).; AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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