System for securing boxes for transporting, storing and / or displaying goods to a pallet

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, which comprises a structure or base made of mouldable material and having an unlimited height, open at the lower part thereof, which has at least two straight perimeter areas coinciding with the format of the pallet, which has on its lower perimeter, on at least one of the sides thereof, a plurality of die-cut tear lines (4) arranged to be torn, said lines (4), some vertically and others horizontally, being arranged crosswise and, when torn, define ductile and malleable wings (5) which, in turn, when moved laterally, create windows in said lower perimeter, wherein these wings (5) rub against the platform of a pallet, surrounding at least one of the sides of the pallet block.

Description

Object of the Invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, which, due to its technical features, significantly improves the boxes and similar products existing in the state of the art and on the market.

[0002] Specifically, this innovation presents an innovative solution for securing the position of a closed or open box for transporting, storing or displaying various goods that is placed on a standardised pallet. This makes the joint movement of both elements -box and pallet- easier and at the same time ensures that the box remains immovably on the pallet during storage thereof and even when it is used as a means of displaying the goods for sale.Technical field

[0003] This invention belongs to the sector corresponding to various industrial techniques, in particular packaging techniques and more specifically transport boxes made of cellulosic material, which can be extended to other materials that are technically functional.Background of the invention and state of the art

[0004] In the scope of globalisation today, the transport of goods has surpassed all previous expectations, covering enormous distances and reaching an undeniable intercontinental connection. At the same time, transport, distribution and storage networks have grown exponentially and, as a consequence, the means of storing and protecting all kinds of products have been perfected.

[0005] However, these operations that directly involve the handling and movement of the goods still comprise two key elements: a box and a pallet, the box being a structure mainly made of cellulosic material that defines a plurality of sheets joined together by folds that allow them to be folded to delimit a space inside of which the goods are deposited, in a more or less orderly fashion, with its structure being variable. Thus, in its most common version, its inner space is closed, with an access opening provided with flaps as a closing lid. In other embodiments, especially when they are boxes that are also used as displays for the goods for sale, as in the case of large supermarkets with food products, cleaning products, etc. that are duly packaged and served as units (rice, milk, bleach, toilet paper, etc.), the boxes are usually die-cut to tear and can make the boxes open at the front so that the customer can take the goods. This use is very common due to the time saved by not having to take the goods out of the box and place them on the shelves in the shop.

[0006] In any case, the box in itself is usually an element that is difficult to handle, especially due to its weight and bulky size, which is why it is usually connected to a pallet, i.e., a rigid platform designed to be the support on which a number of boxes of goods are stacked homogeneously both in surface and in height based on the very size of the pallet or, where appropriate, a single box when it also acts as a display stand for the goods.

[0007] It is precisely this pallet that allows the boxes of goods to be moved by means of forklifts, equipped with arms on the lower level or base thereof that are introduced into the framework of the lower boards or slats of the pallet, separating it from the floor or the place where it rests and lifting it to move it from one place to another.

[0008] The pallet, as a support for boxes of goods and their subsequent handling, is perfectly functional, but it is conditioned by the correct stacking of the box on the base or lower platform of the pallet, since any erratic movement or, for example, a blow will cause the load they support (the box or boxes) to become unbalanced and fall and collapse, damaging the goods transported or displayed for sale. In addition, and as an added security measure, the box(es) are usually jointly covered with a stretchable plastic film that constrains them and limits their mobility.

[0009] Within the scope of industrial property, there are patents that propose different technical solutions for the transport of boxes on pallets, such as the case of file CN212557265U, which relates to a paper box, has a support mechanism provided with a support plate, a fixing slot and three groups of support components, wherein each group of support components is provided with three support blocks that are fixedly connected to the lower part of the plate. Patent CN210654111U discloses an integrated cardboard box with a honeycomb mechanism, has a lower box plate which lower surface is formed by four limiting slots, a tray which upper surface is fixedly connected to the lower surface of the base plate through an elastic device and a drying box fixed in a slot. File CN205652544U develops an assembled combined tray that has a plastic tray support with a holding and tracking device at one end and a plastic tray support. File ES1007082U discloses a pallet support for transporting boxes of slaughtered poultry, "consisting of a rectangular-shaped frame with two centred crosspieces, one transverse and the other longitudinal, all with U-shaped profiles open towards the lower face, and equipped with reinforcing ribs on the lower face, providing that they extend downwards at the corners to form legs with a truncated pyramid shape, staggered at mid-height, as well as at the junction of the transverse crosspiece with the centre of the larger side of the frame, making up a total of six legs, which have between them, in a transverse direction, two holes for the passage of the forks of a mechanical forklift, and there being protruding ridges on the smooth upper face, at the corners of the frame, to fit and hold the boxes that are placed on the support, without the possibility of slippage." Moreover, application ES1019881 develops an improved container, with its corresponding loading platform as a support base thereof, wherein "the corners of said platform, or in the vicinity of said corners, emerge short pilasters which, in the formation of the container, are encased by the lower portions of each of the corner columns of the container, ensuring the connection by screws; and a number of crosspieces are arranged between each pair of columns to form the side walls of the container and with the particularity that at least one of said side walls has an opening which can be closed by a vertically movable hatch on pairs of guides provided on two adjacent columns and which retention to the columns is ensured by pins."

[0010] There are also pallets on the market that are expressly designed to be connected to a particular type of box, which entails a significant cost, as well as an additional problem: the return of the pallet to the distributing entity, since its use with other types of boxes is not viable.

[0011] These technical solutions are, a priori, functional to achieve their objectives, but they involve varying degrees of technical complexity that entail significant costs and do not seem to definitively solve the problem outlined above, i.e., securing the position of the box(es) on the pallet.

[0012] The applicant is not aware of the existence in the current state of the art, in terms of industrial property or on the market of a system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, in which the box or a similar base has in its structure means to be anchored and secured to the pallet that transports it with the technical features of the embodiment of this invention.Description of the invention

[0013] The present invention relates to a system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet with the aim of securing their position on said pallet, preventing the collapse of the goods or the fall of a number of boxes under any circumstance that alters their balance if they have been stacked incorrectly or if, especially when the box is a display stand, a package of goods is removed from an area of complicated access that may cause the rest of the goods on display to collapse.

[0014] With regard to the box, it maintains its standardised configuration based on a laminar structure made of a mouldable cellulosic or plastic material or similar, which defines a plurality of sheets joined together by means of folds that allow them to be folded to delimit a laterally closed space with at least one access opening, either upper or lower, without defining weight and thickness, or the template or die that creates the number of sheets and / or flaps or the way in which they are folded, aspects which are neither significant nor relevant to this invention. For the purpose of the system being claimed, it makes no difference whether it is a closed box or whether it defines an open space at the front or even at the sides when it acts as a display stand at a point of sale.

[0015] It is significant that this box extends beyond the perimeter of the pallet, since the system considers that the box encases the pallet, so that said pallet remains inside the box. In fact, on a practical level, the system requires placing the pallet on the floor, ready to receive or place the goods on the platform thereof, while the box is installed on said pallet, surrounding it along the perimeter, so that said pallet, whether or not it has a runner, remains inside the box.

[0016] Regarding the pallet, it also maintains its standardised configuration as a support for boxes, with or without runners.

[0017] Innovatively, the claimed system provides a technically simple solution that allows the box to be immovably attached to the pallet, which facilitates the joint movement of both elements, reducing handling time and avoiding problems in the event of any unforeseen circumstance.

[0018] The system has two parts, the first being active and the second being passive. The first part consists of a structure or base, preferably cellulosic and having an unlimited height, which has die-cuts or tear lines at different points on its lower perimeter that allow various parts of said lower perimeter to be shaped like ductile and malleable wings that move laterally inwards to surround and embrace at least one of the sides of the pallet blocks, which is the passive part of the system. Each of these wings rubs against the pallet platform, runs along at least one of the sides of the block and remains on top of the pallet runners, if there are any, forming a palisade or frame that holds and immobilises the box placed on the pallet.

[0019] This base or structure, in its first embodiment, forms part of the box itself, i.e., it is implemented in the lower part thereof, forming a single body.

[0020] In a second embodiment, this die-cut base or structure is defined as an additional frame-like part with a lower base on which the box of goods is placed, i.e., the frame is attached to the pallet through the pallet blocks, it being an intermediate body between the pallet and the box. The height of this frame is adjusted to the proportions of the box it houses, being sufficient to ensure its stability.

[0021] In a third embodiment, this base or structure is defined as an additional band- or sash-like part, i.e., as a longitudinal strip that surrounds the bottom of the box along the perimeter, attached to the pallet blocks. This embodiment is particularly advantageous because it can be assembled with the box when said box, already containing the goods, is placed on the pallet for use once it has been assembled. The band can be closed, i.e., with the ends thereof joined together, or open, with both ends separated to facilitate placement.Description of the drawings

[0022] To better understand this specification, drawings are included, which should be analysed and considered only as an example and are non-limiting and non-restrictive. Figure 1.- Schematic perspective view of the box / pallet assembly Figure 2.- Schematic perspective view of the die-cut box with untorn tear lines in its original state Figure 3.- Schematic front view of the die-cut box with untorn tear lines Figure 4.- Schematic view of the die-cut box with the tear lines already torn Figure 5.- Schematic view of the die-cut box with the torn wings folded to cover the pallet blocks. Figures 6A and 6B.- Perspective views of the side of the box Figure 7A, 7B and 7C.- Perspective diagram of the box in different assembly phases Figure 8A, 8B and 8C.- Bottom perspective diagram of the box in different assembly phases Figure 9A, 9B and 9C.- Perspective diagram of the system applied to a band- or sash-like part Figure 10A, 10B and 10C.- Perspective diagram of the system applied to a band-like part with a side runner Figure 11.- Schematic view of the die-cut base or structure applied to an open box as a display stand Figure 12A, 12B and 12C.- Perspective diagram of the system applied to a box with a bottom in different assembly phases Figure 13A, 13B and 13C.- Perspective diagram of the system applied to a base-like part with a bottom in different assembly phases, intended to house a larger box Figure 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E.- Perspective diagram of the system applied to a box with the addition of a stop flange for the pallet Figure 15.- Detailed diagram of the stop flange for the pallet Figure 16.- Detailed diagram of the stop flange for the pallet Figure 17.- Detailed diagram of the wing and stop flange assembly for the pallet Figure 18.- Detailed diagram of the stop flange for the pallet in an embodiment in which said flange is longer Figure 19.- Inner view of the stop flange Figure 20.- Inner view of the stop flange in an embodiment in which said flange is longer Figure 21.- Perspective view of the box with the longer stop flange Figure 22.- Perspective view of the box with the taller stop flange and wing Figure 23.- Perspective view of the box with the shorter stop flange and wing

[0023] These figures detail the following 1. Box 2. Pallet 3. Pallet blocks 4. Box tear lines 5. Box wings 6. Display stand 7. Pallet runner 8. Band or sash 9. Box bottom laminar extension 10. Stop flange for the pallet 10a. Longer stop flange Description of a preferred embodiment

[0024] As shown in these figures, the invention develops a system that allows a transport, storage or display box for goods to be fixedly and securely attached to the pallet that supports it and which is, de facto, the necessary means for supporting and moving said box on its journey from its storage point to any required area by means of the relevant palletiser, as well as for securing its means of transport on the road.

[0025] This system comprises or involves two essential parts, one being active and the other being passive, which are made up of a structure or base made of mouldable material and a pallet, respectively. It should be noted that, when the structure or base made of mouldable material is a box, said box and the pallet are connected in a particular way. Unlike the traditional use in which the box already containing the goods is placed on the pallet, in this case, the box, empty and open at the bottom thereof, is encased on the pallet, which is smaller in size, and at this moment, once the pallet is in place, the goods are placed directly on the pallet, both box and pallet being attached to ensure the stability of the assembly.

[0026] Thus, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in particular in figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, the box (1), open at the lower part thereof, i.e., without a bottom, has on its lower perimeter, on at least one of the sides thereof, a plurality of die-cut lines (4) arranged to be torn, said lines, some vertically and others horizontally, arranged in such a way that when they cross each other and are torn, they define ductile and malleable wings (5) which, in turn, when moved laterally, create windows in said lower perimeter.

[0027] Advantageously, these wings (5), given the malleable properties of the box material, can be easily handled to surround at least one side of the side of the block (3) of the pallet (2) closest to them. As a result, the box (1) is secured and attached to the pallet (2) by at least two blocks (3), the number of fastening points being obviously greater in practical use.

[0028] Figures 6A and 6B show a side view of the box, in which the wings (5) intended to surround and embrace the blocks are defined, while the free space between the wings (5) is visible when the pallet has fewer blocks on its side. In this example, it should be noted that the box (1) is rectangular in shape, with the front and rear sides being shorter than the sides, with runners (7).

[0029] Figures 7A, 7B and 7C and figures 8A, 8B and 8C also show different perspectives of the process involving the system applied to a box in different phases of its attachment to the pallet, the tear or cut lines (4) and the wings (5) being visible, which are released and ready to be folded to surround the pallet block (3).

[0030] In figures 9A, 9B, 9C and 10A, 10B and 10C, the system is applied to a band- or sash-like part (8) dimensionally smaller than the box in height, with the tear or cut lines (4) and the wings (5) intended to fit and surround the pallet block being equally visible. In this case, the band or sash (8) surrounds the box and acts as an anchor to the pallet with its wings (5), so that the box is standardised. In figures 10A, 10B and 10C, unlike figures 9A, 9B and 9C, the pallet has a runner (7), the claimed system being equally effective.

[0031] Figure 11 shows an embodiment in which the box is a display stand (6) with the same technical features described in the lower perimeter area thereof.

[0032] In any of these embodiments, each of the wings described acts as connection means between the base structure, in its format as a box, frame or band, and pallet, and fulfils said function in two ways. The first, the one already shown, being moved to surround or embrace one of the pallet blocks. The second, equally effective, where said movement causes friction or rubbing with the direct contact of the upper edge thereof with the lower part of the pallet platform and / or with the direct contact of the lower edge thereof with the upper part of the pallet runner. As a result, the return of the wing to its initial position is impossible and the wing remains anchored in an active holding position.

[0033] Figures 12A, 12B and 12C and 13A, 13B and 13C show an optional embodiment of the system in which the box incorporates on at least one of the sides thereof a laminar extension or prolongation (9) with a folding line, intended to form the bottom of the box, compatible with the wings (5) already described for attachment to the pallet and which, advantageously, define a bottom for the box, so that the contents thereof rest on these extensions and not directly on the pallet. In figure 13, in particular, these laminar extensions (9) are shown in a base-like part having reduced height that is intended to house a larger box, in an embodiment similar to the frame that holds the box or, where appropriate, to the band or sash already described.

[0034] Figures 14A, 14B, 14C, 14D and 14E and the following show an embodiment of the system in which the aim is to protect the box from contact with the floor and against possible dirt or moisture that could damage the goods. This is especially relevant when the pallet does not have runners, which means that the box ends up deposited directly on the floor instead of resting on said runners. However, it is possible that, for various reasons and even with a pallet equipped with runners, it may be necessary for the box to be placed at a greater distance from the floor than that provided by the pallet and without being in contact with the runner. The technical solution applied consists of at least two die-cut flanges (10) on the longer sides of the box and / or on the front and rear sections that are folded inwards, in positions facing each other and each forming a horizontal ledge that defines a blocking point or stop for placing the pallet, which is located underneath them. In other words, this blocking flange, always located above the pallet platform, prevents said pallet from being inserted further into the box, thus securing both elements -box and pallet-.

[0035] In these figures, the flange (10) has been exemplified in an embodiment in which the base structure is a box, said flange being equally effective in the embodiment of the structure as a frame and / or band.

[0036] This system is effective because, as in other embodiments, the pallet remains inside the box, i.e., encased therein, the first step being to fold the flange (10) to form the ledge and then place the pallet underneath the box, so that it is positioned just under said shelf.

[0037] Figures 18, 20 and 21 show the same technical solution in an embodiment in which the flange is longer (10a), which means a larger blocking surface or stop for the pallet.

[0038] It should be noted that figures 22 and 23, in addition to the flange (10) described, show respective comparative views showing how the height of the wing (5) defines the distance of the box from the floor, so that the higher the height of the wing, the closer the box is to the floor, and the shorter the height of the wing, the farther the box is from the floor. This technical feature is independent of the presence or absence of the described stop flange.

[0039] In summary, the present invention is a novel system that quickly, easily and securely connects at least one base structure, which can be in the form of a box, frame or band, either closed or open at the front and / or at the sides, and without a predetermined height, to a pallet that supports it in order to simplify its transport, storage and display at points of sale. This implies a guarantee of fastening, being able to dispense with other fastening means such as straps, stretchable film or other added "external" elements, saving considerable time in handling the assembly and therefore economic cost, while at the same time entailing easy reuse of the pallet.

[0040] The system disclosed to attach the base structure and the pallet is functional, regardless of the shape and / or format of said structure and its embodiment as a box, base frame, as long as it has at least two straight sides opposite each other and coinciding with the structure of the pallet in order to allow the action of the described wings on the blocks thereof. This is the case, for example, in octabin-type boxes.

[0041] It should be noted that the band / sash, the frame and the box described are also functional and are made of plastic material, e.g., polyethylene, which allows them to be reused as they can be returned as a folded structure.

[0042] It is not considered necessary to further extend this description so that any person skilled in the art can understand the scope of the invention and the advantages derived from it. The materials, shape and size may vary as long as this does not alter the essential nature of the invention. The terms used in the wording of this specification should always be taken in a broad and non-limiting sense.

Claims

1. A system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, wherein the box is formed from a structure made of mouldable cellulosic or plastic material or similar that defines a plurality of sheets joined together by means of folds that allow the structure to be folded to delimit a laterally closed space with at least one access opening, either upper or lower, characterised in that this system comprises two parts, the first being active part and the second being passive part, the first consisting of a structure or base made of mouldable material and having an unlimited height, open at the lower part thereof, which has at least two straight perimeter areas matching the shape of the pallet, which has on its lower perimeter, on at least one of the sides thereof, a plurality of die-cut tear lines (4) arranged to be torn, said lines (4), some vertically and others horizontally, being arranged crosswise and, when torn, define ductile and malleable wings (5) which, in turn, when moved laterally, create windows in said lower perimeter, wherein these wings (5) rub against the platform of a pallet and surround and embrace at least one of the sides of the pallet block, this being the second part of the system.

2. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claim 1, characterised in that, once unfolded, the wings (5) are positioned between the pallet platform and the pallet runner, with the upper edge of each wing (5) being positioned in direct contact with the lower part of the pallet platform and / or the lower edge thereof being positioned in direct contact with the upper part of the pallet runner.

3. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claim 1, characterised in that the structure or base is shaped as a box (1), being implemented in the lower part thereof, forming a single-piece body.

4. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the bottom of the box (1) is the pallet (2) itself, which is entirely placed inside the box (1), peripherally surrounded by the lower part thereof.

5. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claim 1, characterised in that the die-cut structure or base is an additional frame-like part with a lower base on which the box of goods is placed, said frame being attached to the pallet by means of the blocks thereof, being an intermediate body between pallet and box, having a height adjusted to the proportions of the box it holds.

6. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claim 1, characterised in that the die-cut structure or base is an additional band- or sash-like part, i.e., a longitudinal strip intended peripherally surround the lower part of the box being attached to the pallet blocks by means of the wings (5).

7. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claim 6, characterised in that the ends of the band or sash are joined.

8. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claim 6, characterised in that the ends of the band or sash are separated.

9. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claim 3, characterised in that the box is a display stand.

10. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the box-like structure or base incorporates on at least one of the sides thereof a laminar extension or prolongation (9) with a fold line, compatible with the wings (5), which defines a bottom for the box.

11. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claims 1 and 3 or 5 or 6, characterised in that the box-, frame- or band-like structure or base incorporates on the longer sides and / or on the front and rear sections at least two die-cut tabs (10) that are folded inwards, in positions facing each other and forming a horizontal ledge that defines a blocking point or stop for placing the pallet, which is located underneath them.

12. The system for anchoring transport, storage and / or display boxes of goods to a pallet, according to claims 1 and 3, characterised in that the height of the wing (5) defines the distance of the box from the floor, such that the higher the height of the wing, the closer the box is to the floor, and the shorter the height of the wing, the farther the box is from the floor.

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