WOODEN TRANSPORT PALLET WITH BACKREST

Abstract

WOODEN TRANSPORT PALLET WITH BACKREST The invention relates to a transport pallet (100), made of wood, comprising: - a base (110) having a first face (111) defining a goods receiving surface, - a backrest (120) formed of first boards (121, 122), said backrest (120) being integral with said base (110) and extending perpendicularly to said first face (111), and - at least one support leg (130) formed of a second board (131) connecting said backrest (120) to said base (110). According to the invention, said first boards (121, 122) forming the backrest (120) are arranged in a single plane (P). [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: WOODEN TRANSPORT PALLET WITH BACKREST

[0001] 1. Technical field

[0002] The field of the invention is that of the design and use of wooden pallets dedicated to the transport of goods.

[0003] More particularly, the invention relates to such pallets equipped with backrests, intended essentially for the construction sector for the transport of joinery elements in particular, such as doors and windows.

[0004] 2. Prior art

[0005] Transport pallets are widely used for the transportation of retail goods. Such pallets are mainly made of wood, but can also be made of plastic.

[0006] Conventionally, such a pallet comprises an upper face defining a surface for receiving the goods to be transported. It also comprises a lower face, opposite the upper face, which supports a plurality of spacer blocks (or studs) defining a space between the tray, or set of slats, and the surface on which the blocks rest, typically the ground. This allows a handling vehicle, such as a forklift, to engage between spacer blocks and under the tray to lift the pallet. The spacer blocks may further be connected to each other by another plate or other slats on the side opposite the plate or slats securing the surface for receiving the goods.

[0007] However, such pallets do not allow for the handling of goods of significant weight and / or volume, such as joinery elements.

[0008] For handling such goods, it is known, for wooden pallets, to attach to them, by means of nails, a backsplash extending substantially perpendicular to the upper face defining the surface for receiving the goods. In addition to the conventional elements described above, defining a base, such a pallet with a backsplash therefore comprises a vertical portion for holding the goods.

[0009] Traditionally, such a backsplash has a parallelepiped shape and is formed from a plurality of crosspieces locally superimposed on uprights and fixed together using nails at the points where the boards overlap.

[0010] A pallet with a backsplash further comprises one, preferably two, struts which ensure the support of the backsplash. A strut is generally formed by a slat, arranged obliquely, connecting a portion of the backsplash, a amount for example, to the base of the pallet.

[0011] The most common backsplash pallets on the market are designed on the basis of 22mm thick wooden boards made of poplar, assembled together by nailing at the base, the backsplash and the struts.

[0012] Such pallets with backrests have numerous structural weaknesses which do not allow for efficient and secure handling of palletized products of significant weight and / or volume.

[0013] These pallets can therefore easily give way with the load of palletized products and therefore tilted and cause risks of accident for users and generate damage to the palletized and / or surrounding goods. In particular, the boards of the backsplash can become detached from each other.

[0014] The risks of deterioration of these pallets being relatively high, unless they are repaired between the different uses / rotations, they are difficult to reuse. To date, the number of rotations of one of these pallets is estimated at 1.5 rotations per life cycle. A replenishment of new and functional pallets must therefore be carried out regularly. This greatly harms the preservation of resources (wood in particular).

[0015] It is therefore still possible to improve transport pallets of this type, which constitutes an objective pursued by the invention.

[0016] 3. Objectives of the invention

[0017] The invention aims in particular to provide an effective solution to at least some of these different problems.

[0018] An objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to propose a pallet with a backrest, made of wood, having significant mechanical resistance.

[0019] In particular, an objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to propose a resistant backsplash structure.

[0020] More particularly, an objective of the invention is to propose such a solution which is durable or at least more durable than with conventional wooden pallets.

[0021] Another objective of the invention is, according to at least one embodiment, to provide a pallet with an easily identifiable and / or traceable backsplash.

[0022] Another objective of the invention is, in at least one embodiment, to provide a reusable and / or economical backsplash pallet in the long term.

[0023] 4. Presentation of the invention

[0024] The proposed technique relates to a transport pallet, made of wood, comprising: - a base having a first face defining a surface for receiving goods, - a backsplash formed from first boards, the backsplash being integral with the base and extending perpendicular to the first face, and - at least one strut formed from a second board connecting the backsplash to the base,

[0025] According to the invention, the first boards forming the backsplash are arranged in a single plane.

[0026] The proposed technique makes it possible to avoid local superpositions of the boards forming the frame of the backrest (defining two superimposed planes, the plane of the uprights and the plane of the crosspieces). Thus, unlike previous solutions presenting such superpositions, when assembling a pallet in accordance with the proposed technique, there is no risk of boards becoming detached, in particular the insertion of a fixing means in the gap located between two superimposed boards or untimely unsticking. The proposed technique therefore makes it possible in particular to guarantee the fixing of the struts on the backrest and effective joining of all the boards constituting the backrest. The solidity of the pallet is thus improved, and it is possible to reuse the pallet several times, and to avoid the waste of wood encountered with single-use pallets.This also allows the thickness of the backrest to be reduced, which limits the size of the pallet, which is a decisive aspect in the areas of transport, storage and handling in particular.

[0027] According to a particular characteristic of the pallet, the first boards forming the backsplash are assembled together by means of connectors located on at least one face of the plane and overlapping at least two adjacent first boards.

[0028] Such an arrangement makes it possible to increase the fixing surfaces between adjacent boards. This therefore results in an improvement in the mechanical strength of the pallet.

[0029] According to another particular characteristic of the pallet, certain connectors connect three or four adjacent first boards.

[0030] According to another particular characteristic of the pallet, each connector is formed by a plate having a plurality of points projecting from one face of the plate.

[0031] Such a connector makes it possible in particular to ensure rapid and efficient joining of adjacent boards.

[0032] According to another particular characteristic of the pallet, each connector is formed by a plate having a plurality of orifices configured to respectively receive a fixing screw.

[0033] Such a connector makes it possible, in particular, to simplify the replacement of a damaged board. This therefore translates into a simplification of the maintenance of the pallet and therefore an improvement in its life cycle.

[0034] According to another particular characteristic of the pallet, the base, the backrest and said at least one strut are assembled by means of fixing screws.

[0035] The implementation of such fixing screws makes it possible in particular to minimize the risk of tearing off different parts of the pallet during its use (handling, loading, unloading, etc.). This therefore results in an improvement in the mechanical strength of the pallet. The implementation of such fixing screws also makes it possible to improve the repairability of the pallet, by simplifying the replacement of a damaged board for example. This therefore simplifies the maintenance of the pallet.

[0036] According to another particular characteristic of the pallet, the base comprises a plurality of spacer wedges assembled by means of fixing screws.

[0037] The implementation of such fixing screws makes it possible in particular to minimize the risk of the spacers being torn off when handling the pallet. This therefore results in an improvement in the mechanical strength of the pallet.

[0038] According to another particular characteristic of the pallet, the first boards forming the backsplash respectively have a thickness of between 30 and 40 mm.

[0039] Such thicknesses, greater than those of the state-of-the-art solutions, make it possible to increase the mechanical strength of the backsplash, and by extension that of the pallet.

[0040] According to another particular characteristic of the pallet, the second board forming the strut has a thickness of between 30 and 35 mm.

[0041] Forming struts using boards of such thicknesses makes it possible to increase the positioning of the backrest, and by extension the mechanical strength of the pallet.

[0042] According to another particular characteristic of the pallet, it further comprises at least one item of identification data for the pallet, said at least one item of identification data being associated with at least one item of tracking data for the state of the pallet intended to be processed by a remote host.

[0043] The implementation of one or more identification data makes it possible in particular to improve the traceability of the pallet in accordance with the proposed technique. This therefore makes it possible to simplify its recovery and tracking with a view to subsequent reuse. This therefore results in an increase in the number of rotations of the pallet.

[0044] The pallet condition monitoring data makes it possible in particular to identify the most recurring maintenance and repair operations, and therefore possibly to review or improve the design of the pallet. Such pallet condition monitoring data therefore makes it possible to optimize the service life of the pallet.

[0045] 5. List of figures

[0046] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the following description of a particular embodiment, given as a simple illustrative and non-limiting example, and the appended drawings, among which: - [Fig.l]: [Fig.l] illustrates, in an elevated perspective view, an example of a wooden transport pallet with a backrest in accordance with the invention; - [Fig.2]: [Fig.2] illustrates, in a focused view, an example of an identification plate of the transport pallet of [Fig.l]; and - [Fig.3]: [Fig.3] is a flowchart of the main steps in using the transport pallet in [Fig.l].

[0047] 6. Detailed description of the invention

[0048] For the sake of clarity, the same elements are designated by the same references in the different figures. In addition, the terms orientation and positioning are used hereinafter, arbitrarily referring to a position of use of the pallet in which its goods receiving surface extends in a substantially horizontal plane parallel to the ground.

[0049] 6.1 General principle

[0050] The general principle of the proposed technique consists of a transport pallet, made of wood, equipped with a backrest of which at least the frame is formed of slats (or boards) arranged, without overlapping, in a single plane.

[0051] 6.2 Description of an illustrative embodiment

[0052] 6.2.1 Structural description

[0053] Figures 1 and 2 illustrate, in different views, an example of a wooden transport pallet with a backrest in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

[0054] More specifically, [Fig.l] is an overview of the wooden transport pallet. [Fig.2] is a view focused on a particularity of such a transport pallet.

[0055] The transport pallet 100, made of wood, comprises a base 110 for receiving goods (not shown), a backrest 120 for holding the goods and two struts 130 connecting the backrest 120 to the base 110.

[0056] The base 110 comprises several parallel slats (or boards) connected to each other. This set of slats has a first face 111, called the upper face, defining a surface for receiving the goods to be transported, and a second face (not visible), called the lower face, opposite the upper face.

[0057] The base 110 further comprises a plurality of spacer wedges 112, secured to the lower face, defining a space between the set of slats and the surface on which the wedges rest. Furthermore, certain spacer wedges 112 are connected to each other in order to improve their hold, and by extension the mechanical resistance of the pallet 1.

[0058] The backsplash 120, formed of first boards 121, 122, 123, extends perpendicularly to the upper face 111 of the base 110.

[0059] According to the invention, the first boards 121, 122, 123 forming the backsplash 120 are arranged in a single plane P.

[0060] In other words, in the absence of overlapping of the first boards 121, 122, 123, the backsplash 120 has a single thickness corresponding to the thickness of said first boards 121, 122, 123.

[0061] In this embodiment, the first boards 121, 122, 123 of the backrest 120 are arranged so as to define a reinforced frame, that is to say a frame, formed by two lateral uprights 121 connected substantially at their longitudinal ends by crosspieces 122, and reinforcements 123 coupled to the frame.

[0062] Furthermore, the first boards 121, 122, 123 forming the backsplash 120 are assembled together by means of connectors 124 located on either side of the single plane P, that is to say on the two faces of the backsplash 120, and overlap at least two adjacent first boards 121, 122, 123.

[0063] Such an arrangement allows in particular a better distribution of the goods against the backrest. This also makes it possible to reduce the size of the backrest 120 and therefore to simplify the stacking of empty pallets for example.

[0064] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the pallet 1 is assembled by screwing. The assembly of the base 110, the backrest 120 and the struts between them is therefore carried out by means of fixing screws.

[0065] Finally, the pallet 1 further comprises an identification plate 133 making it possible to ensure the traceability of the pallet 1 during its use, detailed later.

[0066] The identification data on this plate also allows the owner to monitor the life of the pallet, via a dedicated document and / or telephone application (life sheet). The data for monitoring the condition of the pallet includes, for example: its date of manufacture, its date of commissioning and / or the dates of maintenance and repair operations.

[0067] The a posteriori analysis of these life sheets makes it possible, for example, to identify the most recurring maintenance and repair operations, and therefore possibly to review or improve the design of the pallet (dimensioning of certain elements, means and / or number of fixings, etc.). The a posteriori analysis of the life sheets also allows the owner of the pallet to identify which goods, customers and / or carriers damage the pallet more than others.

[0068] Such pallet condition monitoring data therefore makes it possible to optimize the pallet's lifespan.

[0069] In the example illustrated, the backrest 120 is conventionally fixed to an edge of the base 110 and the struts 130, located on each side of the pallet 1, respectively connect an upper end of the backrest 120 to the diagonally opposite spacer 112.

[0070] In the backsplash 120 illustrated, the reinforcements 123 are arranged inside the frame and in the plane P thereof. The reinforcements 123 comprise a central post and two counter pins located on either side of this central post.

[0071] Furthermore, each connector 124 of the backsplash 120 is formed in this example by a plate having a plurality of points (not visible) projecting from one face of the plate. These points are configured to sink into the first boards 121, 122, 123 in order to secure them together.

[0072] Furthermore, in this example, the spacer wedges 112 of the base 110 are assembled to the slat assembly by means of fixing screws. This makes it possible to further improve the hold of the wedges on the slat assembly.

[0073] In the example illustrated, the wooden elements of the base 110 of pallet 1 are conventionally made of solid resinous wood C24 according to standard NF EN 338 of July 2016, for example poplar. The wooden elements of the base 110 therefore have a Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibers of approximately 10 N / mm2.

[0074] The wooden elements of the backrest 120 of pallet 1 are made of solid C30 resinous wood according to the NF EN 338 standard of July 2016, for example pine, fir, spruce. The wooden elements of the base 110 therefore have a Brinell hardness perpendicular to the fibers of approximately 14 N / mm2.

[0075] The use of such solid C30 resinous wood makes it possible to increase the mechanical resistance of the backsplash 120 and therefore to minimize the risks of deterioration thereof.

[0076] Furthermore, each first board 121, 122, 123, forming the backsplash 120, has a thickness of between 30 and 40mm, for example 36mm, and each second board 131, forming a strut 130, has a thickness of between 30 and 35mm, for example 32mm.

[0077] Such thicknesses, greater than those of the state-of-the-art solutions, make it possible to increase the mechanical strength of the backsplash, and by extension that of the pallet.

[0078] Finally, in this illustrative example, the identification plate 133 is screwed onto one of the struts 130 and includes the following data: - a unique identification number 1330 of pallet 1; - a barcode 1331 associated with the identification number 1330; - functional information 1332 of palette 1; and - an indication 1333 on the owner of pallet 1.

[0079] Obviously, the identification plate 133 can include other information and / or be secured elsewhere.

[0080] A transport pallet 1 conforming to the illustrated embodiment has a number of rotations of one of these pallets estimated at 5 rotations per life cycle, and this without repair.

[0081] 6.2.2 Functional description

[0082] [Fig. 3] is a flowchart of the main steps of traceability of a transport pallet in accordance with the invention.

[0083] In a first step SI, the transport pallet 1, whose unique pallet identification number 1330 is associated with its load, for example via the delivery note, is loaded with goods and delivered, by a carrier, to a customer.

[0084] In a second step S2, after having verified that the unique identification number 1330 of the delivered pallet 1 corresponds to that indicated in the associated delivery note, the customer confirms the receipt of goods, and by extension that of pallet 1. In doing so, in an approach of extended producer responsibility, the customer confirms the holding of the pallet within its walls and undertakes to make it available to the owner of the pallet when it is emptied.

[0085] In a third step S3, after having unloaded the goods from pallet 1, the customer keeps pallet 1 available in a space dedicated to its recovery and informs its owner.

[0086] In a fourth step S4, the owner sends a carrier to collect pallet 1 from the customer. After collecting pallet 1, the carrier has the customer sign, for example via a dedicated application installed on a smartphone, which releases him from possession of the pallet, which thus becomes the property of its owner again. Simultaneously, via the application, the owner is informed of the return of pallet 1.

[0087] In a fifth step S5, after returning the pallet to a warehouse of the owner, an inspection of the pallet is carried out. If the pallet is in good condition, it is put back into the circuit for a next customer. If the pallet is damaged, the necessary repairs are carried out and then put back into the circuit for a next customer. If the pallet is unusable, the parts that are still unusable are recovered to repair other damaged pallets.

[0088] Monitoring of each pallet can be set up to determine a reuse rate, the most frequent deteriorations, with a view to improving manufacturing, and complete traceability.

[0089] 6.3 Other embodiments and variants

[0090] In the illustrated embodiment, the upper face of the base is formed of several parallel slats (or boards) connected to each other. Alternatively, the upper face is formed by a single plate.

[0091] In the illustrated embodiment, the backsplash is formed from a frame and frame reinforcements. In another embodiment, not illustrated, the backsplash is without reinforcement. This makes it possible in particular to simplify the design of the backsplash and / or reduce the consumption of resources dedicated to the manufacture of a pallet conforming to the proposed technique.

[0092] In the illustrated embodiment, the reinforcements are arranged inside the frame and in the plane thereof. In another embodiment, not illustrated, all or part of the reinforcements overlap the frame of the backsplash (and are therefore located in a second plane, parallel to that of the frame). This makes it possible in particular to simplify the design of the backsplash and / or to adapt the structure / arrangement of the reinforcements according to the goods to be supported.

[0093] In the illustrated embodiment, the frame reinforcements comprise a central post and two counter-pins located on either side of this central post. Obviously, any other structure and / or arrangement of slats can be envisaged, in particular depending on the goods to be supported.

[0094] In the illustrated embodiment, the boards forming the backsplash are assembled together by means of connectors located on either side of the single plane and overlap at least two adjacent boards. In another embodiment, not illustrated, all or part of the connectors are located on a single face of the backsplash. This makes it possible in particular to simplify the design of the backsplash and / or to adapt more easily the structure and / or arrangement of the frame reinforcements.

[0095] In the illustrated embodiment, each connector for assembling the boards of the backsplash is a plate having a plurality of points projecting from one face of this plate. However, in another embodiment, not illustrated, each connector is formed by a plate having a plurality of holes configured to receive a fixing screw respectively. Such a connector makes it possible in particular to simplify the replacement of a damaged board. This therefore results in a simplification of the maintenance of the pallet and therefore an improvement in its life cycle.

[0096] In the illustrated embodiment, the pallet comprises an identification plate on which various data are written. In another embodiment, not illustrated, all or part of its data is written directly on a wooden element of the pallet. This makes it possible in particular to avoid a possible malicious act of removing the identification plate.

[0097] Obviously, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above and provided solely by way of example. It encompasses various modifications, alternative forms and other variants that may be envisaged by those skilled in the art within the framework of the present invention and in particular all combinations of the different embodiments described above, which may be taken separately or in association.

[0098] According to different aspects, the invention therefore presents all or part of the following advantages, depending on the embodiments chosen: - improve mechanical resistance; - guarantee significant longevity; - require limited maintenance; - guarantee easy maintenance; - guarantee traceability; - etc.

Claims

Claims

1. Transport pallet (100), made of wood, comprising: - a base (110) having a first face (111) defining a surface for receiving goods, - a backsplash (120) formed of first boards (121, 122), said backsplash (120) being integral with said base (110) and extending perpendicularly to said first face (111), and - at least one strut (130) formed of a second board (131) connecting said backsplash (120) to said base (110), characterized in that said first boards (121, 122) forming the backsplash (120) are arranged in a single plane (P).

2. Transport pallet (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that said first boards (121, 122) forming the backrest (120) are assembled together by means of connectors (124) located on at least one face of said plane (P) and overlapping at least two adjacent first boards (121, 122).

3. Transport pallet (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that certain connectors (124) connect three or four adjacent first boards (121, 122).

4. Transport pallet (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that each connector (124) is formed by a plate having a plurality of points projecting from one face of said plate.

5. Transport pallet (1) according to any one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that each connector (124) is formed by a plate having a plurality of orifices configured to respectively receive a fixing screw.

6. Transport pallet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base (110), said backrest (120) and said at least one strut (130) are assembled by means of fixing screws.

7. Transport pallet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said base (110) comprises a plurality of spacer wedges (112) assembled by means of fixing screws.

8. Transport pallet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said first boards (121, 122) forming said backsplash (120) respectively have a thickness between 30 and 40mm.

9. Transport pallet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said second board (130) forming said strut (130) has a thickness of between 30 and 35 mm.

10. Transport pallet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it further comprises at least one item of identification data (1330, 1331) of said pallet (1), said at least one item of identification data (1330, 1331) being associated with at least one item of data for monitoring the state of said pallet (1) intended to be processed by a remote host.

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