Retaining Mesh With Elasticated Ribbing for Pallet Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for securing objects on pallets, such as wrapping with plastic film, are time-consuming, costly, and contribute to waste and the plastic crisis, as they require single-use materials and involve labor-intensive processes.
Innovation Solution
A retaining mesh with an upper entrance, tightening means, and elasticated ribbing is fixed to the pallet, providing vertical tension to secure items, with optional elasticated cords and ties for additional stability and adaptability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If plastic film wrapping is used to secure objects on pallets, then objects are secured and will not fall off, but the process is time-consuming and requires single-use materials that contribute to waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a mesh structure made of flexible material that can be stretched and contoured around the load, replacing the traditional plastic film wrapping approach while providing similar containment and security functions
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh incorporates elasticated ribbing that changes its physical state from compressed to expanded, allowing it to adapt to different load sizes and heights, providing a reusable alternative to single-use plastic film
2Reliability
If plastic film wrapping is used to secure objects on pallets, then objects are secured, but the plastic film needs to be cut open to access objects and is discarded after single use
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh is designed to be reusable and can be recovered after use, eliminating the need to discard single-use plastic film. The elasticated ribbing allows the mesh to be compressed for storage and reused across multiple loading cycles
Solution Approach 2:
The mesh structure serves multiple functions: securing objects during transport, providing containment, and allowing access to objects by simply opening the elasticated entrance, replacing the need for cutting and discarding plastic film
3Reliability
If a retaining mesh with elasticated ribbing is used to secure items on pallets, then items are secured with vertical tension and the mesh is reusable, but the mesh structure becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The mesh incorporates elasticated ribbing that dynamically adapts to different load heights and configurations, providing automatic tension adjustment without requiring complex mechanical fastening systems or multiple components
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The mesh effectively secures items on the pallet, reducing the risk of damage or harm, while being reusable and adaptable to varying stack heights, thus addressing the inefficiencies and environmental concerns of traditional methods.
Implementation Method 1
elasticated ribbing extends upright between the entrance and the pallet to provide a vertical tension on the mesh
Implementation Method 2
elasticated cord around its perimeter that is tensioned to bias the entrance towards a closed disposition
Implementation Method 3
horizontal elasticated cord around a lower end of the mesh that is tensioned to provide an inwards pressure on the pallet and/or item(s)
Data Source
AI summary
It is known to bind items to transport pallets by wrapping them in plastic film. However, this practice is time consuming, expensive and wasteful. It is an object of a preferred form of the invention to go at least some way towards addressing this. In the preferred embodiment there is a pallet containment mesh 2 wrapped around items stacked on a pallet 1, the mesh 2 comprising an upper entrance 4, a tightening mechanism 9 and elasticated ribs 8 extending from the entrance 4 to the pallet 1. The entrance can be tightened by the tightening mechanism to a substantially closed disposition so that items cannot be removed from the pallet and the elasticated ribs provide the stack with a stabilising tension.