U.S. patent application number 11/720944 was filed with the patent office on 2009-09-03 for collapsible and stackable supporting device for shipping and storage of materials.
Invention is credited to Jacintho C. Manara.
Application Number | 20090218304 11/720944 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36097015 |
Filed Date | 2009-09-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090218304 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Manara; Jacintho C. |
September 3, 2009 |
COLLAPSIBLE AND STACKABLE SUPPORTING DEVICE FOR SHIPPING AND
STORAGE OF MATERIALS
Abstract
The present invention refers to a collapsible supporting device
used for shipment and storage of materials with or without a
supporting mandrel, using links (4), tongues (8) and sleeves (14)
in a system to engage and secure the assembly. The supporting
device includes a horizontal supporting strut (11) with a double
supporting system (12) and (13) which is used to provide support to
materials such as rolls having rolling axes (for example, tubes
made of iron, wood, etc) or directly supported tubular mandrels.
When disassembled, the supporting device may be compacted up to a
ratio of about 7.5 times compared to its assembled volume.
Inventors: |
Manara; Jacintho C.; (Sao
Paolo, BR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
3M INNOVATIVE PROPERTIES COMPANY
PO BOX 33427
ST. PAUL
MN
55133-3427
US
|
Family ID: |
36097015 |
Appl. No.: |
11/720944 |
Filed: |
December 16, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
December 16, 2005 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US05/45757 |
371 Date: |
June 6, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/195 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00606
20130101; B65D 2519/00975 20130101; B65D 2519/00985 20130101; B65D
19/12 20130101; B65D 2519/00661 20130101; B65D 2519/0082
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/195 |
International
Class: |
A47B 43/00 20060101
A47B043/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 27, 2004 |
BR |
PI0405860-7 |
Claims
1. A collapsible and stackable supporting device comprising a
rectangular base frame (A), two longitudinal struts (1) joined at
the ends thereof to two traverse bars (2) and two intermediate
traverse bars (3), two structures forming the side panel (B)
comprised by two risers (5) joined to two parallel longitudinal
bars (6), joined at the central portion thereof by a vertical bar
(7), two traverse struts (C) formed by a horizontal bar (11),
characterized by comprising a locking system comprised by links (4)
at the rectangular base frame (A), tongues (8) on the structures
that form the side panel (B), an engagement system comprised by
sleeves (14) intended to be fitted over and slide along the risers
(5) of the supporting device, and monolithic risers.
2. A collapsible and stackable supporting device, according to
claim 1, characterized by comprising a horizontal supporting bar
(11) including a double supporting alternative (12), provided on
one side for support of iron tubes.
3. A collapsible and stackable supporting device, according to
claim 1, characterized by comprising a horizontal supporting bar
(11) including a double supporting alternative (13), provided on
the other side for directly supporting the tubular mandrel.
4. A collapsible and stackable supporting device, according to
claim 1, characterized in that there are attached to the lower end
base of the risers (5) engagement sleeves (9) for stacking the
device and that at the upper end of each riser 5 there is attached
an engagement tip (10) that fits into the sleeves (9) allowing
thereby the stacking of the supporting devices upon assembly
thereof.
5. A collapsible and stackable supporting device, according to
claim 1, characterized by comprising a compaction ratio of about
7.5 to 1 when disassembled.
6. A collapsible and stackable supporting device, according to
claim 1, characterized in that at least five elements that use the
self-locking engagement system are independent.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a collapsible and
returnable rack.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] There are countless packaging solutions for the shipment of
materials in the form of rolls. Certain types of materials, due to
their characteristics, need to be transported suspended from the
roll core mandrel and do not allow any contact with the surface or
the edges of the roll.
[0003] In order to transport and handle such type of mechanically
sensitive materials there have been gradually developed packaging
solutions that provide an adequate protection. Some packages use
the disposable concept and materials are discarded at the end of
the cycle of transportation from the production to the final use
thereof. In this connection we might cite as examples of disposable
packages: plastic, wooden, or cardboard inserts that support the
roll inside cardboard boxes. One other example consists in the use
of wood laminate or agglomerate boards, with a round hole, attached
to both ends of the tube whereon the material is rolled, by means
of metallic or plastic plugs, keeping the reel suspended. Such
boards are supported on a wooden platform and the entire
arrangement is tied with metallic or plastic banding material. We
may also note the use of wooden crates designed to keep the reel
suspended, directly supported on the tubular mandrel whereon the
material is wound or by using a shaft passed through the tubular
mandrel and supported on the crate. We may also cite the use of
recycled plastic injection-formed plates that are fitted to the
ends of the reels and keep the rolls supported on a platform. These
are also tied with bands of metallic or synthetic material.
[0004] In addition to the previously described configurations, we
also have the use of supporting structures commonly named "racks"
that serve to support and protect articles wound in rolls. Some of
these supporting devices (racks) are built to be reused, and
therefore must be returned to their point of origin, however the
great majority is intended for single use; that is, they are
disposable and are not recovered or returned, thus generating waste
and degrading the environment.
[0005] With the purpose of reducing the amount of space taken on
return and storage when empty, some racks were designed with
features allowing the same to be folded, stacked, and disassembled.
Upon a detailed search of the existing supports and patents, we
have found some examples, which are described below, but that still
evidence some shortcomings.
[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 5,242,255 describes a supporting device
comprised of a rectangular base frame that incorporates the
supporting elements, joined by hinges to the two front panels that
rise forming a 90.degree. angle to receive the roll, which is
supported on the supporting elements located at the center of the
transverse struts. This feature of collapsing over its own base
gives the supporting device a characteristic of lesser space
requirement when it is being shipped back empty, however such
reduction is not altogether substantial and implies a high cost of
return and storage. The use of hinge features renders this
supporting device more fragile and compromises the safety and the
integrity of the cargo while it is being handled and transported,
in addition to not providing a very safe stacking of the device
when in its assembled state.
[0007] The same occurs with the supporting device described in U.S.
Pat. No. 5,228,821, which is comprised by a rectangular base frame
wherein are incorporated the supporting elements. The front panels
that form the supporting device are fitted to the base frame and
include hinge features allowing the same to fold in half on
disassembly and lay parallel to the base frame, thus reducing the
height of the assembly. This design with foldable panels that fit
into the base frame renders the structure fragile, susceptible to
eventual failure and unsafe for handling and in terms of
maintenance of the integrity of the cargo. This type of supporting
device does not allow the stacking of two or more layers
thereof.
[0008] U.S. Pat. No. 5,692,625 uses the same concept of a structure
with a rectangular base frame wherein are incorporated the
supporting elements and having the front panels structure joined to
the base by means of a pivot joint. These panels rise until at most
90.degree. and are locked, using pins, by two traverse struts that
keep the front panels in the upright position. The front panels
provide a "seat" to receive a roll in the longitudinal direction of
the supporting device. The longitudinal struts have a seat to
receive two rolls in the transverse direction. This supporting
device, when it is disassembled, folds the front panels over the
base frame and allows space reduction and stacking both when
assembled and when disassembled. In this case also, the use of
pivots and locking pins renders the structure fragile, susceptible
to failure and unsafe for handling and for ensuring the integrity
of the cargo, in addition to not being efficient in terms of saving
space when it is disassembled and stacked.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 6,279,763 describes a rectangular base frame
structure that incorporates the supporting elements joined to the
front panels by a pair of foldable posts that act as hinges. The
vertical posts of the front panels that complement the supporting
elements are engaged and locked with one another by means of pins.
This supporting device also folds its front panels over the base
frame and allows the stacking thereof, both when assembled and when
disassembled. In this case also, the use of hinges and pins renders
the structure fragile and unsafe for transportation and
handling.
SUMMARY
[0010] The present invention provides a supporting device (rack)
solution that may be disassembled and returned for shipment and
storage of materials such as rolls with or without a mandrel, which
does not make use of pins, locks, hinges, bolts and tools for
assembly and disassembly, is stackable both when assembled and when
disassembled, and is comprised of five easily assembled parts that
interlock with one another. These parts are: a rectangular base
frame with engagement links, two side panels wherein are
incorporated the supporting elements, with engagement devices that
connect to the base frame and two double support traverse struts
that fit, by means of sleeves, to the side panels and lock the
entire assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] The advantages and characteristics of the present invention
may be better understood by reference to the drawings, wherein:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the collapsible and
stackable supporting device for products with the use of a
tube;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the collapsible and
stackable supporting device for products with the use of a tubular
mandrel;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the rectangular base frame
A;
[0015] FIG. 3a is an enlarged side view showing a detail of the
engagement link for the base frame A;
[0016] FIG. 3b is a frontal side view showing in detail the
engagement link for the base frame A;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the side panel B;
[0018] FIG. 4a is an enlarged view showing a detail of the
engagement sleeve of side panel B;
[0019] FIG. 4b is an enlarged view of a detail of the tongue
attached to side panel B;
[0020] FIG. 4c is an enlarged side view of a detail of an
engagement tip attached to side panel B;
[0021] FIG. 4d is an enlarged side view of a detail of an
engagement tip attached to side panel B;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the traverse strut C showing
the support bearing for the tubular mandrel;
[0023] FIG. 5a is a front view showing the support bearing for the
tubular mandrel;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the traverse strut C showing
the support bearing for the tube; and
[0025] FIG. 6a is a front view showing the support bearing for the
tube.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0026] The present invention is comprised by five elements that use
a self-locking engagement system on assembly, and do not require
any fastening element such as bolts or screws, pins, nails or
locks.
[0027] The supporting frame 1 is comprised by five elements as
shown and depicted in detail in FIGS. 1 to 6 and described
below:
[0028] i) A rectangular base frame A, comprised of two longitudinal
struts 1 joined at the ends thereof to two traverse struts 2 and
two intermediate traverse struts 3. Four engagement links 4 are
attached to the inner face of the ends of the longitudinal struts
1.
[0029] ii) Two frames forming the side panels B, comprised by two
risers 5 joined by two parallel longitudinal bars 6, joined at the
central portion by a vertical bar 7. Two tongues 8 are attached to
the inner side of the end portions of the lower longitudinal bar 6,
these tongues being intended to fit into links 4 of the base frame.
Engagement sleeves for stacking the units are attached to the base
of the risers 5. On the upper part of each riser 5 there is
attached an engagement tip 10, which fits perfectly into the
sleeves 9, allowing the supporting frames to be stacked after
assembly.
[0030] iii) Two traverse struts C, formed by a horizontal bar 11,
and having a double supporting system consisting of double
supporting alternatives such that the horizontal bar 11 may be used
in any of two modes, depending on the side whereon it is mounted,
on one side supporting alternative 12 serving to support iron tubes
and on the other side supporting alternative 13 providing direct
support to the tubular mandrel. At the ends of the traverse struts
C there are provided sleeves 14 that will engage and slide along
the risers of the supporting frame 5 to a position near the base
frame thereof, locking the entire assembly. The plate 15 will
operate as a detent to the tubular mandrels and tubes, avoiding
that the same may fall outside the supporting region of the support
bearing.
[0031] The supporting device allows the use of rolls of various
diameters and widths, using a tube (FIG. 1) or a tubular mandrel
(FIG. 2) for support, and may be built of various materials (steel,
aluminum, iron, plastic, wood, fiber reinforced composites, and
other materials able to withstand the weight of the roll and
combinations thereof), depending on its intended use and
purpose.
[0032] When in the assembled state (FIG. 1 and FIG. 2), the
supporting device may be stacked in several layers, which number
will be dependent on the strength of the material used and the
weight of the roll to be carried and stored.
[0033] The most unique characteristics of this supporting device
consist in the easy assembly and disassembly thereof, which is
performed without the use of any parts, fixtures or tools, and the
small space taken thereby when disassembled. For example, the
compaction ratio; that is, the ratio of the space/volume taken in
the assembled and the disassembled states, can be as high as 7.5:1,
allowing the same to be stored and carried at a low cost and
justifying the return thereof both in small and long distances to
the point of origin.
[0034] The design of its base frame allows the safe access of cargo
handling equipment to the four sides thereof (four accesses) using
for such purpose, for example, any type of electric or fuel-powered
forklift trucks, pallet trucks and electrical or hydraulic loading
trolleys and the like, providing ample flexibility of operation to
the user.
[0035] Preferably the supporting device is designed to be carried
both in containers and in trucks and to optimize the vehicle's load
carrying capacity.
[0036] Preferably the weights of the parts that comprise the
supporting device do not exceed the recommended weight limit of 20
kg for handling by one person (individually), thus allowing the
assembly and disassembly thereof to be performed by only 1
operator, safely and without ergonomic overload.
* * * * *