L-Shaped Pallet Intermediary for Load Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for securing boxes on pallets during transit, such as plastic wrap and banding, are inadequate in preventing shifting and damage, especially due to the limited surface area contact and increased costs and labor, and can result in damage to sensitive goods like sterilized medical products.
Innovation Solution
An L-shaped structural member is designed to fit the sides of a pallet, with tabs that fit into gaps between deck boards to secure boxes in place, providing additional surface area for plastic wrap tension and reducing shifting, and can be made from various materials like cardboard, plastic, or metal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If plastic wrap is used to secure boxes on a pallet, then the boxes are bound together, but the combined group of boxes may shift on the pallet and damage boxes due to the weight of the combined boxes on certain boxes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary blocking member (such as a wooden block, plastic insert, or foam piece) placed between the pallet and the boxes. This intermediary element prevents direct contact and shifting between the boxes and pallet, thereby eliminating the harmful shifting and weight distribution problems while maintaining box stability during transit
2Stability of the object's composition
If banding is placed around the boxes to counter movement, then the boxes are secured, but the costs for shipments increase due to increased materials costs and time costs in securing the banding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the need for banding by using a simple blocking member that directly prevents box movement. This removal of the banding step reduces both material costs and the time required for securing boxes, while still achieving the same stability objective through the blocking member's physical presence between the pallet and boxes
3Stability of the object's composition
If banding is used to secure boxes, then the boxes are restrained from movement, but the tension placed on the banding can damage the boxes if the tension is not properly applied
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member serves as a mediator that distributes and eliminates the harmful tension forces. Instead of applying tight banding that creates damaging tension, the blocking member physically prevents movement through its presence between the pallet and boxes, thereby achieving stability without the harmful tension that would otherwise damage the boxes
4Stability of the object's composition
If shrink-wrap is used to bind boxes, then the boxes are secured together, but the surface area of the pallet is small compared with the total surface area of the shrink-wrap that comes in contact with the boxes
Solution Approach 1:
The blocking member acts as an intermediary that distributes the securing function across a larger effective surface area. By placing the blocking member between the pallet and boxes, it creates a distributed contact interface that improves stability without requiring excessive shrink-wrap surface area, thereby resolving the mismatch between pallet size and wrap contact area
Data Source
AI summary
In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for securing boxes on a pallet may a structural member sized to run a length or a width of a pallet, the structural member having a top side and a bottom side. The structural member may be L-shaped. The structural member allows for securing a load on the pallet. The structural member also provides additional surface area for plastic wrap to secure a load. The structural member may have tabs that fit within the recesses between planks of a pallet. In various embodiments, the structural member and tabs may be formed as a single composite structure.