U.S. patent application number 10/990365 was filed with the patent office on 2005-05-26 for system and method for creation of load units.
Invention is credited to Dickner, Allan.
Application Number | 20050108988 10/990365 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 20287981 |
Filed Date | 2005-05-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050108988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dickner, Allan |
May 26, 2005 |
System and method for creation of load units
Abstract
A system and a method for load creation is disclosed. The system
comprises two or more stations, in which the load units are formed.
In a first station, one or more packages are collected and placed
to form the load unit. In later stations loading ledges are added
to the load units, and straps and/or stretch wrapping is wound
around the load units.
Inventors: |
Dickner, Allan; (Almhult,
SE) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Steven S. Payne
Suite 1005
1101 17th Street N.W.
Washington
DC
20036
US
|
Family ID: |
20287981 |
Appl. No.: |
10/990365 |
Filed: |
November 18, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
53/399 ; 53/441;
53/447; 53/540; 53/556; 53/582 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 71/066 20130101;
B65B 35/50 20130101; B65D 71/04 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
053/393 |
International
Class: |
B65B 065/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 28, 2002 |
SE |
0201593-1 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A system for load unit creation, comprising at least two
stations in which the load units are formed.
13. The system according to claim 12, wherein one station has means
for collecting one or more packages and placing the packages to
form a desired load unit.
14. The system according to claim 12, wherein one station has means
to furnish the load unit with at least two loading ledges.
15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the number of loading
ledges used and their placement are based on the size and form of
the packages which are to form the load unit.
16. The system according to claim 14, wherein a second station
comprises a machine for placing the loading ledges at the load
units.
17. The system according to claim 12, wherein one station has means
to furnish each load unit with one or more straps and/or a stretch
wrapping wound around the outside of the load unit including the
loading ledges.
18. A method for forming a load unit, wherein in a first station,
at least one package is collected and placed to form a load
unit.
19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the load units formed
in the first station are furnished with at least two loading ledges
in a second station.
20. The method according to claim 19, wherein at least one strap
and/or stretch wrapping is wound at least one turn around the load
unit, including the loading ledges, in a third station.
21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the finished load
units are forwarded to a container, lorry, truck or other means of
transportation.
22. The method according to claim 18, wherein the size of the load
units are adapted to the size of a container, a truck, a lorry or
the like, by which the load units are to be shipped.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention concerns a system for load unit
creation, and more specifically a system based on two or more
stations used to form the load units. Each load unit is formed of
one or more separate packages.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Today it is common to use pallets of various forms and sizes
as a base for different load units. Often so called EUR pallets
made of wood are used. The pallets as such take up a relatively
large place in storing, are heavy and may be cumbersome to handle.
Furthermore, the EUR pallets are normally reused, which means that
they often are returned without carrying any load. In order to
avoid the drawbacks with the previously used systems based on EUR
pallets or other forms of pallets it has been suggested that two or
more smaller, separate loading members or loading ledges may be
used in stead of EUR pallets or other pallets.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] As the use of loading ledges has increased, the need of a
suitable system and method for creation of separate loading units
has been felt.
[0004] The system and method for creation of load units should
preferably fulfil a number of demands. Thus, one object is that the
system and method should be relatively easy to adapt to different
situations, both concerning the level of automation and the form
and size of the packages forming each load unit.
[0005] A further object is that the system and method should be
possible to form, to run and maintain at a reasonable cost.
[0006] Still a further object is that the system and method should
function with different transport means.
[0007] According to the present invention a system for load unit
creation is established. Said system comprises two or more stations
for forming the load units. In a method using said system a first
station is used to collect and place one or more packages to form a
suitable load unit. In further, at present preferred stations,
loading ledges are placed on the load units and one or more straps
and/or stretch wrapping are wound around the load units.
[0008] Further objects and advantages with the present invention
will be obvious for a person skilled in the art when reading the
detailed description below of presently preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] The invention will be described further below, by way of an
example and with reference to the enclosed drawings.
[0010] In the drawings:
[0011] FIGS. 1a to 1i show different load units formed by using the
present invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 shows a part of the system for creating load units
according to the present invention; and
[0013] FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of the system of the present
invention in a schematic way.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] The system and method of the present invention is based on
the presumption that packages 1 of different sizes and shapes are
used to form load units 4. Even tough the shown packages 1 all are
of a general rectangular form, a person skilled in the art realises
that it is possible to form load units 4 of packages having other
general forms.
[0015] The present invention is based on the use of several
stations 8-10, in which the load units 4 are successively formed.
In a first station 8 one or more packages 1 are collected and
placed in the form of each desired final load unit 4. In a second
station 9 at least one loading ledge 2 is placed at each of two
opposite lower edges of the load unit 4. In a third and final
station 10 straps 7 and/or stretch wrapping or the like are wound
one or more turns around the load unit 4, including the loading
ledges 2.
[0016] The loading ledges 2 used are normally of the kind described
in PCT/DK01/00748 or any corresponding load members. The loading
ledges 2 have a generally L-shaped cross section. The loading
ledges 2 are to be placed at a lower edge of a package or the like,
in such a way that one part of each loading ledge 2 is placed under
the package and one part along the side of said package. The part
of the loading ledge 2 to be placed under the packages has
protrusions to allow a lifting and/or transport means to be slid in
under the package.
[0017] If e.g. the load units 4 are to be formed of several small
packages 1, there may be a need for further stations. Thus, such
further stations may include stations where subunits each furnished
with loading ledges 2 are formed. (See e.g. FIGS. 1c and 1f.) The
subunits may be furnished with straps, but it is normally not
necessary. A number of subunits are then forward to a station for
forming of the final load units 4. It is also possible to have
different stations for straps 7 and stretch wrapping. As indicated
in FIGS. 1g and 1h a plate may be placed at the bottom of the load
unit 4, if a large number of small packages 1 form the load unit
4.
[0018] A person skilled in the art realises that the packages 1 and
load units, respectively, may be transported to and between said
stations in many different ways. Furthermore, the different
stations may be totally or partly manual and/or automatic. The
expression "totally automatic", as used in this description, means
that all actual handling of the packages 1 or load units 4 is done
by a machine, robot or the like, which on the other hand may be
driven automatically or be controlled by a person.
[0019] The packages 1 are normally stored in some kind of ware
house. The first station 8 is normally placed in or adjacent the
ware house or the like. In said first station 8 the appropriate
number of packages 1 to form a load unit are collected. The load
units 4 of the present invention may be formed of one single
package 1 or by many packages 1. The desired size of the finished
load units will govern the number of packages 1 used for each
separate load unit 4.
[0020] In the embodiment of FIG. 2 the packages 1 forming the load
unit 4 are collected on a conveyor 6. By means of the conveyor 6
the load units 4 are brought to the second station 9. In the second
station 9 the load units 4 are received in a machine 5, in which
each loading unit 4 is furnished with loading ledges 2, in a more
or less automatic fashion. In other embodiments the loading ledges
2 are furnished in a more manual way (not shown). The loading unit
4 with loading ledges 2 is then transported away from the machine
5, by means of a further conveyor 6. A person skilled in the art
realises that the form of the conveyors may vary, thus bands,
belts, rollers, wheels etc. may be used. Furthermore, a person
skilled in the art realises that the load units 4 may be
transported to and from the machine 5 by any other suitable means,
such as industrial trucks, cranes traverses etc.
[0021] In the station 9 comprising the machine for addition of
loading ledges 2, a suitable number of loading ledges 2 are added
to the load units 4. In FIG. 1 it is schematically shown that
depending on package size, the sensitivity of the contents etc. the
number of loading ledges 2 on each side may vary and loading ledges
may be placed on several different heights and widths in each
loading unit 4.
[0022] After the machine 5 furnishing the load units 4 with loading
ledges 2 the load units are brought to the third station 10. In
said station 10 the load units are furnished with straps 7 and/or
stretch wrapping or the like. Normally, a machine, well known in
the art, is used to furnish the load units 4 with straps 7, stretch
wrapping or the like. However, it is also possible to apply the
straps 7, stretch wrapping or the like in a more manual way.
[0023] When the load units 4 leave the third station 10, they are
ready for transport in any suitable way. Thus, the load units 4 are
forward to a container, lorry, truck or any other means of
transportation.
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