Reinforcement system and method for supporting stacked boxes and containers
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- IL · IL
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- STANLEY CALVO ROBERTO TOMÁS
- Filing Date
- 2021-09-14
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-01
AI Technical Summary
Existing solutions for supporting stacked containers often require specific modifications to the containers and fail to maintain the structural integrity of multiple columns during transport, leading to potential damage from weight and displacement.
A reinforcement system comprising pillar, terminal shoulder, and optional intermediate shoulder elements with L-shaped cross sections, which are strategically placed to maintain vertical stability and prevent horizontal movement between containers, allowing for secure stacking without damaging the content or containers.
The system effectively distributes load across stacked containers, preventing damage and ensuring structural unity during transport, enabling the stacking of multiple columns without compromising the integrity of the containers or their contents.
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Abstract
Description
[0001] Reinforcement system and method for supporting stacked containers and boxes
[0002] SCOPE
[0003] The present invention relates to a reinforcement system and method for supporting boxes. Said reinforcement system and method are composed of a series of elements that interact together to collaboratively support the weight of the boxes' contents. The system reduces the need for containers made of more resistant materials.
[0004] BACKGROUND
[0005] One of the main stages involved in some industries is the transportation of packaged materials. Materials are frequently packaged in containers or boxes of various materials and dimensions, depending on their contents and the volume being transported. These containers or boxes are frequently transported stacked, which presents two main problems: damage to a container due to the weight of the containers placed on top of it, and the difficulty of transporting the containers while moving, as they can slide or shift from one another.
[0006] Thus, the prior art attempts to address these problems in a variety of ways. One such solution is disclosed in WO2017086501 A1 , which describes a packing case having an angle post for reinforcing a packing container integrally with a pallet. A pallet support is secured to the top edge of the pallet and has a plurality of securing holes on one side and a lateral securing slot for engaging the angle post; the angle post rests on a corner of the pallet support and comprises a reinforcing bar. Further disclosed is a container coupled to the angle post and defining an inner receiving portion with a wall surface; and a container lid covering the upper end of the container. The angle post comprises a bent portion provided at an upper end portion and having a grip portion for securing to the container.It also includes a corner member provided on the outer surface of the box. In addition, a vertical support is described, consisting of a U-shaped vertical plate and a horizontal plate connected to one side of the vertical plate and secured to the upper end of the pallet.
[0007] Another solution is that described in document KR101481638 B1 , which mentions a packaging box that allows assembly on site. The box comprises reinforcement and support structures arranged at the respective corners of the box, whose four outer wall surfaces are connected by the corners, composed of an inner support member and an outer support member. The inner support member and the outer support member are fixed to each other by a fixing clip that is a means that can be easily fixed to each corner of the rectangular box member. The fixing clip is inserted into the upper and lower portions of each corner of the box member in which the inner support member and the outer support member are arranged, and therefore the inner edge of each corner. The inner support member and the outer support member are configured to adhere to each corner.
[0008] These solutions attempt to improve the structure of the box to withstand greater stacking loads, while also providing means for securing one container to another. However, these solutions require the use of specific containers and are not applicable to containers that do not have built-in reinforcement elements.
[0009] In this sense, the market presents solutions that can be implemented on containers that are not necessarily modified, which are mainly related to the corner support of stacked containers, in particular, cardboard boxes (https: / / www.youtube.com / watch7v-Q8XZTX4 nss&t-29s), where an element is placed on an upper corner of a container, and has a base in the center that allows it to receive the corner of an upper container. The element also includes a clamp, which allows the element to be secured to the lower container, without the risk of slipping during transport. However, this type of solution does not allow stacking more than one column of stacked containers, since the structural unity of more than one column could not be maintained during transport.
[0010] Thus, there is a need to implement a reinforcement system and method to support boxes that maintain the structural unity of said stacked containers and, in turn, allow said containers to support the load of the rest of the containers, without suffering alterations that would damage their contents.
[0011] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention relates to a reinforcement system and method composed of a series of elements that interact together to collaboratively support the weight of their contents with containers or boxes. The system reduces the need for containers made of more resistant materials, as the system itself allows for better distribution of the load among the containers, thereby preventing damage from the weight of the stack and any shifting that may occur during transport.
[0013] The system is configured by three elements: a pillar element, a terminal shoulder element, and, optionally, an intermediate shoulder element. The pillar element is configured as an elongated profile with an L-shaped cross-section, intended to maintain the structural unity of the vertical corners of the stacked containers. The intermediate shoulder element is configured as a profile with an L-shaped cross-section, the interior part of which is symmetrically separated by a plane, arranged in the central part vertically to the internal surface of the profile. The terminal shoulder element is configured as a profile with an L-shaped cross-section, closed at one end.
[0014] The system works by placing end shoulders at the top and bottom corners of the stack of boxes or containers, and installing intermediate shoulders in the middle of the pier, if necessary. A pier measuring less than the sum of the box heights is also placed along one edge of the container stack between the end shoulders, so that the boxes absorb some of the load before the pier makes contact with the top end shoulder.
[0015] In one embodiment of the invention, when stacking more columns of boxes or containers is required, at least one interior column can be provided, which is arranged at the junction of four corners of boxes or containers. This junction comprises upper and lower end supports and at least one pillar, as described above. The end shoulder elements are formed by a flat base and four pieces with an L-shaped cross-section. Said four pieces are arranged vertically to the base, forming a cross-type structure with space between them, where said space is configured for the assembly of the pillars.
[0016] Finally, the step of strapping or tying the system and the containers can be incorporated, so that the portion of the container stack covered by the system remains fixed or joined, thus preventing the pillar elements from separating from the container stack.
[0017] In this way, the described system allows the absorption of loads resulting from the stacking of one or more stacks of containers, without resulting in damage to the contents or the containers themselves.
[0018] DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0019] Figure 1 represents a perspective view diagram of the reinforcement system for a container section, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0020] Figure 2 represents a perspective view diagram of the reinforcement system for at least two container sections, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0021] Figure 3 represents a partial view of the reinforcement system where intermediate shoulder elements and an intermediate support element can be seen, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0022] Figure 4 represents a view of an intermediate shoulder element, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0023] Figure 5 represents a view of an intermediate shoulder element arranged together with two pillar elements, upper and lower, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0024] Figure 6 shows a view of a terminal shoulder element, according to one embodiment of the invention. Figure 7 shows a view of a terminal shoulder element arranged at the top, together with a pillar element, according to one embodiment of the invention.
[0025] Figure 8 represents a view of a terminal shoulder element arranged at the bottom, together with a pillar element, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0026] Figure 9 represents a view of a set of boxes stacked in a column, supported by terminal shoulder elements and a pillar element, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0027] Figure 10 represents a view of a set of boxes stacked in six columns, supported by terminal shoulder elements, a pillar element and a terminal shoulder element, as an illustrative example, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0028] Figure 11 represents a view of an end support for an interior column, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0029] Figure 12 represents a view of a lower terminal support together with a pillar, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0030] Figure 13 represents a view of an interior column, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0031] Figure 14 represents a view of a set of boxes stacked in six columns, supported by terminal shoulder elements, a pillar element and an inner column, as an illustrative example, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0032] Figure 15 represents a view of an intermediate support element, according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0033] Figure 16 shows a view of an intermediate support element arranged together with two pillars, according to an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] As detailed below, the reinforcement system is made up of three elements: at least one pillar element (1), at least one terminal shoulder element (2) and, optionally, at least one intermediate shoulder element (3). These elements are configured together depending on the shape of the stacking of the containers. That is, the elements to be used and their quantity will depend on the number of sections that make up the stack, the number of sections being defined by the number of rows that make up the containers.
[0035] In this way, each element contributes to maintaining the structure of the container stack. The pillar element (1) maintains the structural unity of several sections of the container stack along the vertical edges defined by said stack. The terminal shoulder element (2) maintains the structural unity at the lower and upper ends of each of the corners of the container stack.
[0036] The intermediate shoulder element (3) allows structural unity to be maintained between consecutive container sections. Each intermediate shoulder element (3) is not necessarily installed in the space between consecutive sections, but may be installed in an intermediate portion of the container stack, depending on the requirement and size of said stack.
[0037] In one embodiment of the invention, the pillar element (1) is configured as an elongated profile with an L-shaped cross-section, the length of which depends on the size of the pile and where an intermediate shoulder element (3) is arranged.
[0038] The terminal shoulder element (2) is configured as a profile with an L-shaped cross-section, where one of its ends is open and the opposite end is closed by a closing plate (2a). On the inside of the terminal shoulder element (2) there is a holding element (2b) of the pillar element (1), which is formed as an L-shaped cross-section profile, the dimension of which is less than or equal to the longitudinal dimension of the terminal shoulder element (2), as shown in Figure 6. In this way, the pillar (1) is inserted between the inner wall of the terminal shoulder element (2) and the holding element (2b), thus maintaining the vertical position of the pillar element (1), as seen in Figures 7 and 8.
[0039] The terminal shoulder element (2) is arranged at each top and bottom corner of the container stack. In this way, the closing plate (2a) limits the vertical movement of the container at the bottom of the container stack and the container at the top of the container stack.
[0040] The intermediate shoulder element (3), as an optional element to be used, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, is configured as a profile with an L-shaped cross-section, the inner part of which is symmetrically separated by a plate (3a), arranged in the central part vertically to the inner surface of the profile, thus defining an upper portion (3b) and a lower portion (3c), such that the lower portion (3c) is placed on an upper corner of a container, resting on the plate (3a) and on the upper portion (3b) on a lower corner of a container, which rests on the upper part of the plate (3a). In this way, both consecutive containers are secured at the corners, to prevent relative horizontal movement with respect to each other.In the upper portion (3b) and the lower portion (3c) of the intermediate shoulder element (s) there is arranged a holding element (3d) of the pillar element (1), which is formed as an L-shaped cross-section profile, whose dimension is less than or equal to the longitudinal dimension of the intermediate shoulder element (3). In this way, the pillar (1) is inserted between the internal wall of the intermediate shoulder element (3) and the respective holding element (3d), both in the upper portion (3b) and lower portion (3c), thus maintaining the vertical position of the pillar element (1), as can be seen in Figure 5.
[0041] In order to assemble the system, as mentioned above, the number of sections or rows of containers to be stacked must be defined in order to determine whether the implementation of intermediate shoulder elements (3) is necessary. If this is the case, at least one intermediate shoulder element (3) is placed in intermediate zones, between two sections of containers. Then, the terminal shoulder elements (2) are installed in each of the corners, both at the top and at the bottom of the stack. Also, a pillar (1) of a smaller dimension, equal to the sum of the heights of the boxes, is placed along one edge of the stack of containers between the terminal shoulder elements (2), so that the boxes or containers absorb part of the load before the pillar (1) makes contact with the upper terminal shoulder (2) and with the intermediate shoulder (3).
[0042] In one embodiment of the invention, when it is required to stack more than one column of boxes or containers that make up the stack, an inner column (4) can be provided, which is arranged at the internal junction of four corners of boxes or containers. This inner column (4) comprises a lower terminal support (5), an upper terminal support (6) and at least one pillar (7), as shown in Figure 13. The terminal support elements (5, 6), as seen in Figure 11, are identical and are made up of a flat base (8) and at least four support pieces (9), preferably formed as profile pieces with an L-shaped cross section. Said four pieces are arranged vertically to the flat base (8), forming a cross-type structure, maintaining a space (10) between them, where said space (10) is configured for the assembly of the at least one pillar (7).In this way, at least one pillar (7), whose section is L-shaped, fits into the space (10) defined by the support pieces (9) of the flat base (9), as can be seen in the example illustrated in Figure 12.
[0043] In this last embodiment, for assembly, the lower terminal support (5) is placed, then the boxes are placed together with the at least one pillar (7), which is fitted into the respective space (10) defined by the support pieces (9), where said at least one pillar (7) rests on the flat base (8) of the lower terminal support (5). After the containers are placed together with the pillars, the upper terminal support (6) is inserted in the upper part, so that the at least one pillar (7) fits into the respective space (10) defined by the support pieces (6) of the upper terminal support. In one embodiment of the invention, in the case of more sections of containers that make up the stack, at least one intermediate support element (11) can be arranged in the inner column (4).The structure of the intermediate support element (11) is similar to the structure of the terminal support elements (5, 6), however, it has a symmetrical structure with respect to the cross structure. In this way, the intermediate support element is formed by an intermediate plate (11a), which acts as a plane of symmetry, where on each of the sides of said intermediate plate (11a) there are at least four support pieces (11 b), preferably formed as profile pieces with an L-shaped cross section. Said four support pieces (11 b) are arranged vertically to the intermediate plate (11a) forming a cross-type structure, maintaining a space (11c) between them, where said space (11c) is configured for the assembly of at least one pillar (7), as seen in Figure 15.In this way, the pillars (7), whose section is L-shaped, fit into the space (11c) defined by the support pieces (11), on both sides of the intermediate plate (11a) in a symmetrical manner, as can be seen in the example illustrated in Figure 16.
[0044] Finally, the step of strapping or tying the system and the containers can be incorporated, so that the portion of the container stack covered by the system remains fixed or joined, thus preventing the pillar elements from separating from the container stack.
[0045] In this way, the described system allows for the absorption of loads in a collaborative manner with the containers, resulting from the stacking of one or more stacks of containers, without resulting in damage to the contents or the containers themselves.
[0046] LIST OF REFERENCES
[0047] (1) Pillar element
[0048] (2) Terminal shoulder element
[0049] (2a) Closing plate
[0050] (2b) Pillar holding element
[0051] (3) Intermediate shoulder element
[0052] (3a) Plate
[0053] (3b) Upper portion
[0054] (3c) Lower portion
[0055] (3d) Pillar holding element
[0056] (4) Inner column
[0057] (5) Lower terminal support
[0058] (6) Upper terminal support
[0059] (7) Pillars (8) Flat base
[0060] (9) Support pieces
[0061] (10) Support space
[0062] (11 ) Intermediate support element (11a) Central plate
[0063] (11 b) Support pieces
[0064] (11 c) Support space
Claims
AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on May 20, 2022 (20.05.2022) Reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes without resulting in damage to the contents and the containers themselves, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises at least one pillar element (1) and at least one end shoulder element (2), wherein the at least one pillar element (1) is disposed at at least one corner of the stack formed by the containers, and wherein the at least one end shoulder element (2) is disposed at the lower and upper ends of each of the vertical corners of the stack of containers, wherein the pillar element (1) has a smaller dimension than the sum of the heights of the containers along a vertical corner of the stack of containers between the end shoulder elements (2), so that the boxes or containers absorb part of the load before the pillar element (1) makes contact with the upper end shoulder (2),and because it further comprises an inner column (4), which is arranged at the internal junction of four corners of boxes or containers, when the stack of containers comprises at least four columns of containers. The reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes, according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the pillar element (1) is configured as an elongated profile with an L-shaped cross-section. The reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the end shoulder element (2) is configured as a profile with an L-shaped cross-section, where one of its ends is open and the opposite end is closed by a closing plate (2a). The reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes, according to the, MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) Claim 2, CHARACTERIZED in that on the inside of the terminal shoulder element (2) there is a pillar support element (2b) of the pillar element (1), which is shaped as an L-shaped cross-section profile, the dimension of which is less than or equal to the longitudinal dimension of the terminal shoulder element (2).The reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises an intermediate shoulder element (3), which is configured as a profile with an L-shaped cross-section, the inner part of which is symmetrically separated by a plate (3a), arranged in the central part vertically to the inner surface of the profile, thus defining an upper portion (3b) and a lower portion (3c), such that the lower portion (3c) is placed on an upper corner of a container, supported by the plate (3a) and on the upper portion (3b) of a lower corner of a container, which is supported by the upper part of the plate (3a).The reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes, according to claim 5, CHARACTERIZED comprising a pillar-fastening element (3d) of the pillar element (1) arranged in the upper portion (3b) and the lower portion (3c), the dimension of which is less than or equal to the longitudinal dimension of the intermediate shoulder element (3). The reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the inner column (4) comprises a lower end support (5), an upper end support (6), and at least one pillar (7). MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) The reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the end supports (5, 6) are identical and are formed by a flat base (8) and by at least four support pieces (9), formed as profile pieces with an L-shaped cross-section. The reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes, according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that said four pieces are arranged vertically to the flat base (8), forming a cross-shaped structure, maintaining a space (10) between them, where said space (10) is configured for the mounting of at least one pillar (7), allowing said at least one pillar (7), whose cross-section is L-shaped, to fit into the space (10) defined by the support pieces (9) of the flat base (8).The reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that it further comprises at least one intermediate support element (11), formed by a central plate (11a), which acts as a plane of symmetry, wherein on each side of said central plate (11a) at least four support pieces (11b) are arranged, preferably formed as profile pieces with an L-shaped cross-section, wherein said four support pieces (11b) are arranged vertically to the central plate (11a) forming a cross-shaped structure, maintaining a space (11c) between them, wherein said space (11c) is configured for the mounting of at least one pillar (7). A method of mounting a reinforcement system for supporting stacked containers or boxes, without resulting in damage to the contents and the containers themselves. MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 22 CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises the steps of a. Placing at least one terminal shoulder element (2) at the corners of the lower part of the stack; b. Placing containers on said at least one terminal shoulder (2) placed at the lower part of the stack; c. Providing at least one pillar element (1) on the lower terminal shoulder (2), and at least one corner of the stack formed by the containers; and d.Placing at least one terminal shoulder element (2) at the corners of the top of the stack, where the pillar element (1) ends, where the pillar element (1) has a smaller dimension than the sum of the heights of the containers along a vertical corner of the container stack between the terminal shoulder elements (2), so that the boxes or containers absorb part of the load before the pillar element (1) makes contact with the upper terminal shoulder (2); and further comprising the step of placing an inner column (4), which is arranged at the internal junction of four corners of boxes or containers, when the container stack comprises at least four columns of containers.The method of assembling a reinforcement system according to claim 1, CHARACTERIZED in that the steps of placing the pillar element (1) in the respective terminal shoulder elements (2) comprise inserting the end of the pillar element into a pillar clamping element (2b) of the terminal shoulder element (2), which is shaped as an L-shaped cross-section profile, the dimension of which is less than or equal to the longitudinal dimension of the element. MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 23 terminal shoulder (2). The method of assembling a reinforcement system according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED further comprising the step of placing an intermediate shoulder element (3), which is configured as a profile with an L-shaped cross-section, the inner part of which is symmetrically separated by a plate (3a), arranged in the central part vertically to the inner surface of the profile, thus defining an upper portion (3b) and a lower portion (3c), such that the lower portion (3c) is placed on an upper corner of a container, supported by the plate (3a) and the upper portion (3b) on a lower corner of a container, which is supported by the upper part of the plate (3a). The method of assembling a reinforcement system according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the step of placing an inner column (4) comprises the following steps: a.a. Place a lower terminal support (5) at the bottom of the pile; b. Place at least one pillar (7) in a cross-shaped support space (10), defined by at least four support pieces (9) placed on a flat base (8) of the lower terminal support (5); and c. Place an upper terminal support (6) at the top of the pile, fitting the upper ends of the at least one pillar (7) into a cross-shaped space (10), defined by at least four support pieces (9) placed on a flat base (8) of the upper terminal support (6). The method of assembling a reinforcement system according to any of the. MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) 24 previous claims, CHARACTERIZED in that the step of placing an interior column (4) further comprises incorporating an intermediate support element (11), formed by a central plate (11a), which acts as a plane of symmetry, wherein on each of the sides of said central plate (11a) at least four support pieces (11b) are arranged, preferably formed as profile pieces with an L-shaped cross-section, wherein said four support pieces (11b) are arranged vertically to the central plate (11a) forming a cross-type structure, maintaining a support space (11c) between them, wherein said support space (11c) is configured for the mounting of at least one pillar (7), wherein the at least one pillar (7) fits into the support space (11c) defined by the support pieces (11b), on both sides of the central plate (11a) symmetrically.The method of assembling a reinforcement system according to any of the preceding claims, CHARACTERIZED in that it comprises the step of placing straps or tying the system and the containers, so that the portion of the container stack covered by the system is fixed or joined, and thus preventing the pillar elements from separating from the container stack. MODIFIED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)