PALLET FOR TRANSPORTING A WHEEL OF CHEESE

Abstract

A transport pallet for a cylindrical cheese wheel, the pallet is made of plastic and comprises: - a circular platform (1) having an upper surface (10) for receiving the wheel, and a lower surface (11) opposite the upper surface (10), the upper surface (10) having a centrally located convex portion (100); - at least four feet (21-24) extending from the lower surface (11) and specifically distributed to support the load of the wheel and to allow the assembly to be loaded by the forks of a lifting device. Figure for the abbreviation: [Fig 2]

Description

Title of the invention: PALLET FOR TRANSPORTING A WHEEL OF CHEESE technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of transporting cheese wheels, such as wheels of cooked pressed cheese, such as Comté, Gruyère, Beaufort, Parmesan, etc.

[0002] In practice, the production of cheese, such as Comté, involves, after the wheels are formed in a cheese dairy, transporting these wheels to ripening cellars. Generally, production and ripening are carried out in separate and distant premises, so the transport of these wheels must comply with specific and well-defined hygiene requirements.

[0003] There are various solutions adapted to the transport of these cheese wheels.

[0004] A simple solution is to use handling pallets, of the pallet type EPAL®. These handling pallets can be made of wood, metal, or plastic. Wooden pallets, depending on their condition, can be susceptible to mold or harbor wood-boring insect larvae. Metal handling pallets, such as those made of stainless steel, are generally reserved for transporting machine tools due to their weight. Plastic handling pallets offer the advantage of limiting the risk of organic contamination and being lighter. These pallets are usually perforated to reduce weight and include a containment rim to secure the goods. However, all of these handling pallets are generally square or rectangular, resulting in wasted space due to their corners in the transport truck.

[0005] Another pallet structure for handling and transporting cheese wheels is described in document FR2359758A1. The pallet consists of diamond-shaped platforms arranged in tiers, on which the wheels are placed. In this solution, the platform on which the wheel is placed can deform over time due to the weight of the wheel. This deformation results in a concave shape of the platform, which promotes the accumulation and stagnation of water on the platform and can also lead to damage to the wheel if the platform is too flexible. Description of the invention

[0006] The present invention therefore aims to propose an alternative pallet structure for handling and transporting cylindrical cheese wheels, such as cooked pressed cheese wheels, of the Comté type for example.

[0007] The invention thus relates to a transport pallet for a cylindrical wheel of cheese; the pallet is made of plastic and comprises: - a circular plate having an upper surface for receiving the grinding wheel, and a lower surface opposite the upper surface, the upper surface having a centrally centered convex portion; - at least four feet or blocks mounted on the lower surface and specifically distributed to support the load of the grinding wheel and to allow the assembly to be loaded by the forks of a lifting device, such as a pallet truck.

[0008] In other words, the pallet of the invention is in the form of a freestanding platform for transporting cylindrical grinding wheels. The platform of the invention is circular, and only its upper surface has a raised bump or a general shape of a centered and convex spherical cap. Since the platform is free of holes or openings through its thickness, this raised bump in the center of the platform's upper surface is sized to allow water, for example, wash water, or any other liquid to drain from the platform, while ensuring that the grinding wheel remains securely in place. Furthermore, the circular shape of the platform corresponds to the shape of a grinding wheel and saves space when stored in the transport truck and on site.

[0009] In practice, the domed portion or spherical cap of the upper part may have the following characteristics: - diameter of the convex portion: between 60 and 120cm; - radius of curvature Ri of the curved portion between 0 and 25000 mm; - height of curvature Hi of the curved portion between 0 and 5mm.

[0010] In addition, the platform may have the following characteristics: - Tabletop thickness at the periphery: 4mm with and 23mm without rib; - Tabletop diameter: between 60 and 120cm.

[0011] In practice, the tray is sized to adapt to the type of cheese to be transported.

[0012] In practice, the upper surface of the tray may be provided with asperities, at least on the convex portion, these asperities being configured to prevent the cheese wheel from slipping on the tray during transport without external intervention. For example, the upper surface may be textured to prevent cheese wheels from slipping. These asperities are preferably sized to allow the cheese wheel to be positioned on the tray by sliding it through external intervention, for example, by a machine or a person. Therefore, the periphery of the upper surface may be free of any retaining barrier or The tray has a rim to contain the cheese, which facilitates loading and unloading by simply sliding the cheese wheels. In one version, the tray may have a rounded edge.

[0013] In addition to draining water from the plate, the slight curvature of the plate provides mechanical resistance to the plate, and limits the effect of the plate sagging due to the weight of the grinding wheel.

[0014] The lower surface of the platform is generally flat, and the use of a plastic transport pallet reduces its weight. However, to enable the platform to withstand the weight of the grinding wheel placed on the upper surface, lateral impacts, and the stresses exerted by the forks of lifting equipment, the platform may advantageously include reinforcing ribs projecting from its lower surface. These reinforcing ribs may be in the form of an openwork structure, for example, a mesh or grid.

[0015] According to one embodiment, each foot or lug extends longitudinally in a direction for the insertion of the forks of a lifting device. In practice, the four feet define a space and a direction for the insertion of the forks of the lifting device.

[0016] Advantageously, each foot can be fitted with a non-slip pad. Non-slip pads can also be arranged in spaces formed by the reinforcing ribs and are configured to prevent the platform from slipping on the forks of the lifting device. Each pad can be made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), for example, SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene).

[0017] In practice, all the elements of the tray are made of plastic intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. For example, the plastic may be based on a polyolefin such as polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) certified for food contact and recyclable. Brief description of the drawings

[0018] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description, made with reference to the accompanying drawings, given by way of non-limiting examples, in which:

[0019] Fig. 1 is a top view, in perspective of a transport pallet according to one embodiment.

[0020] Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the transport pallet of Fig. 1.

[0021] Fig. 3 is a side view of the pallet showing in an exaggerated manner the convex portion of the upper surface of the pallet tray of Fig. 1.

[0022] Figure 4 is a schematic representation of the convex portion shown in Figure 4. [Fig.3].

[0023] [Fig.5] is an enlarged view of area A of [Fig. 1], showing the edge of the upper surface of the tray according to one embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the transport pallet of Fig. 1 fitted with anti-slip pads. Detailed description

[0025] Structurally and functionally identical elements present on several distinct figures are assigned the same numeric or alphanumeric reference.

[0026] A transport pallet for a wheel of cheese according to one embodiment is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The transport pallet is made in one piece by injection molding and is entirely made of plastic material intended to come into contact with foodstuffs. The transport pallet comprises:

[0027] - a circular platform 1 having an upper surface 10 for receiving the grinding wheel, and a lower surface 11 opposite the upper surface; and - at least four feet 21-24 or pads mounted on the lower surface 11 and distributed specifically to support the load of the grinding wheel and to allow the assembly to be loaded by the forks of a pallet truck.

[0028] The diameter of the tray, which is in practice sized according to the type of cheese, can be between 70 and 80 cm, for example 75 cm, with a thickness at the periphery between 15 and 20 cm, for example 16 cm.

[0029] As illustrated in [Fig. 3], the upper surface 10 has a centered domed portion 100. This domed portion 100 is in the form of a centered, convex spherical cap. In practice, this cap shape is incorporated into the forming mold of the tray or pallet. This domed portion 100 is dimensioned to allow water or any other liquid to drain from the tray, while ensuring the mechanical strength of the pallet during handling and the stability of the grinding wheel on the tray. For example: - the diameter Di of the convex portion 100 can be between 60 and 120 cm; - the radius of curvature Ri of the curved portion 100 can be between 0 and 25000mm; - the curvature height Hi of the curved portion 100 can be between 0 and 5mm.

[0030] In addition, the tray may have the following characteristics: - Tabletop thickness at the periphery: 4mm with and 23mm without rib; - Tabletop diameter: between 60 and 120cm.

[0031] In practice, when the type of cheese requires it, the upper surface 10 of the tray may also have a grained area, for example on all or part of the convex portion 100, in order to provide some grip for the cheese wheel positioned on the tray to prevent it from slipping off the tray 1 during pallet handling. In one variant, the entire upper surface 10 can be textured.

[0032] Furthermore, to facilitate the loading of the grinding wheel onto the plate, as well as the unloading of the grinding wheel from the plate, by simply sliding the grinding wheel, the periphery of the upper surface 10 is free of a containment rim, and preferably has a rounded edge 101, as illustrated in [Fig.5].

[0033] The lower surface 11 of the plate is generally flat, and has reinforcing ribs 110 in projection, in the form of a mesh or a grid for example.

[0034] The four feet 21-24 of the platform 1 extend from the lower surface 11 and are advantageously distributed at the four cardinal points of the platform 1. In practice, each foot 21-24 extends substantially longitudinally in a direction F for the insertion of the forks of the lifting device ([Fig. 2]). Thus, the four feet 21-24 define spaces or entry points for the forks of a lifting device. In practice, the feet 21-24 are dimensioned to ensure the mechanical stability of the pallet when the grinding wheel is positioned on the platform. In the embodiment illustrated in [Fig. 2], two opposing feet 21, 24 may be substantially rectangular, and two other opposing feet 22, 23 may be substantially oval. In practice, their shape and dimensions facilitate handling, particularly the passage of the forks, while also supporting the upper platform.These feet are advantageously configured to increase impact resistance should the forks strike the feet.

[0035] To limit the pallet's slippage during storage, each foot can be fitted with a non-slip pad. In one embodiment, each foot is hollow and has at least one pad attachment slot. For example, as illustrated in [Fig. 6], the oval-shaped feet 22 and 23 each have three pad attachment slots 211-213, 241-243, and the rectangular feet 21 and 24 each have four pad attachment slots 221-224, 231-234.

[0036] In addition, anti-slip pads 111 can also be arranged in spaces formed by the reinforcing ribs, at the level of the positioning spaces of the forks of the lifting device, to prevent the platform from slipping on the forks.

[0037] A non-limiting example of the shape of the skate 3 is illustrated in [Fig. 7]. The skate 3 may consist of a non-slip sole 30 and a sleeve 31 intended to be inserted into a fixing housing of a leg of the platform 1. The sleeve 31 may be provided with means configured to ensure that the sleeve is held in the housing, for example in the form of grooves or lugs 32 as illustrated in [Fig. 7].

[0038] The presented transport pallet thus meets the various requirements of the food industry. Indeed, the plastic material combined with the domed shape of the upper surface of the tray provides a pallet that is easy to clean, lightweight, yet rigid enough to ensure the cheese wheel stays securely on the tray and prevents water from pooling. Its circular shape minimizes space loss during storage.

Claims

Demands

1. Transport pallet for a cylindrical cheese wheel, the pallet is made of plastic and comprises: - a circular platform (1) having an upper surface (10) for receiving the wheel, and a lower surface (11) opposite the upper surface (10), the upper surface (10) having a centrally centered convex portion (100); - at least four feet (21-24) extending from the lower surface (11) and distributed specifically to support the load of the wheel and to allow the assembly to be loaded by the forks of a lifting device.

2. Transport pallet according to claim 1, characterized in that the domed portion (100) has the following characteristics: - diameter of the domed portion: between 60 cm and 120 cm; - radius of doming Ri of the domed portion between 0 and 25,000 mm; - height of doming Hi of the domed portion between 0 and 5 mm.

3. Transport pallet according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the upper surface (10) of the platform (1) is provided with asperities at least on the convex portion (100), these asperities being configured to prevent the grinding wheel from sliding on the platform during transport.

4. Transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the upper surface (10) is free of a containment rim, and has a rounded edge (101).

5. Transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the platform (1) further comprises reinforcing ribs (110) projecting on the lower surface (11).

6. Transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that each foot (21-24) extends longitudinally in a direction (F) of introduction of the forks of a lifting device.

7. Transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that each foot is provided with an anti-slip pad.

8. Transport pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that anti-slip pads are arranged in spaces formed by the reinforcing ribs, and are configured to prevent the platform from slipping on the forks of the lifting device.

Images