Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a frame for a pallet, in particular to a frame for receiving a pallet therein and for providing retaining walls around a received pallet.

Background of the Invention

Pallets are used to facilitate handling and/or storage of goods. Typically, a pallet is structured to support goods received upon an item support surface whilst the pallet is lifted and moved, for example, by means of a pallet jack or a forklift truck. Different types of pallet are known. A pallet may take the form of a base upon which a load can be placed or stacked, or may take the form of a box into which items can be located. A pallet may be fabricated from different materials for example, wood, plastic or metal. Pallets are typically substantially rectangular, with a range of different dimensions being available. A pallet may be used with wet or dry goods.

It is known for a loaded base type pallet to be unitized by use of a wrapping, such as cardboard, stretch wrap film or shrink wrap film, to secure the load and the pallet into a unit load. A problem exists in that when the containing wrapping is removed, the goods received upon the item support surface may fall from the pallet, potentially resulting in undesirable wastage and the creation of a hazard. This problem is particularly prevalent in instances where the size and/or shape of items located upon the pallet causes instability in the free-standing load.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect there is provided a frame for receiving a pallet therein, said frame comprising a rear side, first and second opposed side walls and an opening between the front edges of said first and second side walls; said first and second side walls are pivotable about first and second axes of rotation respectively between: a pallet receiving condition in which the side wall extends at an angle that is inclined outwardly from the rear side of the frame, and a pallet received condition in which said side wall extends at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the rear side of the frame; and said frame is configured such that, when said pallet is inserted through said opening when said first and second side walls are in the pallet receiving condition, the pallet pushes, in a closing direction of rotation, the first and second side walls from the pallet receiving condition into the pallet received condition.

In an embodiment, the first and second side walls are independently pivotable. In an embodiment, the first and second side walls are biased towards the pallet receiving condition.

In an embodiment, the frame comprises a frame base element having a U- shape and comprising: a rear side portion and first and second side wall portions, a first support post extending from said first side wall portion, to which said first side wall is mounted, and a second support post extending from said second side wall portion, to which said second side wall is mounted.

In an embodiment, the frame further comprises a ground base element, and the frame base element is mountable to the ground base element. In an embodiment, the frame base element is mountable to the ground base element in a connected arrangement that allows the frame to move in a sideways direction relative to the ground base element.

Further advantageous or optional features of the frame are described in the claims.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for retaining goods on a pallet, comprising the steps of providing a frame as described in the first aspect above; and inserting a loaded pallet through the opening between the front edges of the first and second side walls of the frame so as to push the side walls into the pallet received condition of the frame, supporting the goods on the pallet. Brief Description of the Drawings

For a better understanding of the invention and to show how the same may be carried into effect, there will now be described by way of example only, specific embodiments, methods and processes according to the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a frame for a pallet embodying the present invention, and a pallet to be located within the frame;

Figure 2 is a top view of the frame of Figure 1 , and a pallet to be located within the frame;

Figure 3 is a top view of the frame of Figure 1 , ready to receive a pallet therein;

Figure 4 is a top view of the frame of Figure 1 , and a pallet partially inserted therein;

Figure 5 is a top view of the frame of Figure 1, with the pallet received therein; and

Figures 6 to 8 are top and perspective views showing further features of the frame of Figure 1. Detailed Description

There will now be described by way of example a specific mode contemplated by the inventors. In the following description numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding. It will be apparent however, to one skilled in the art, that the present invention may be practiced without limitation to these specific details. In other instances, well known methods and structures are not described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the description.

Figure 1

A frame 101 for a pallet is shown in Figure 1. The frame 101 is configured to receive a pallet P therein. The frame 101 comprises a rear side 102, first and second opposed side walls 103, 104 and an opening 105 between the front edges 106, 107 of the first and second side walls 103, 104. A pallet is insertable through the opening 106, into the frame 101.

As will be described in further detail, the first and second side walls 103, 104 are arranged to pivot about first and second axes of rotation 108, 109 respectively. The first and second side walls 103, 104 are pivotable between a pallet receiving condition, in which the side wall extends at an angle that is inclined outwardly from the rear side 102 of the frame 101 , and a pallet received condition, in which the side wall extends at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the rear side 102 of the frame 101.

The frame 101 is configured such that, when the pallet P is inserted through the opening 105 when the first and second side walls 103, 104 are in the pallet receiving condition, the pallet P pushes the first and second side walls 103, 104 from the pallet receiving condition into the pallet received condition. This feature of the frame 101 serves to facilitate proper location of the pallet P within the frame P.

In Figure 1, the first and second side walls 103, 104 are shown in the pallet receiving condition, in which the width of the opening 105 between the front edges 106, 107 of the first and second side walls 103, 104 is greater than the width 110 between the rear edges 111 , 112 of the first and second side walls 103, 104.

Figure 2

Further details of the frame 101 are shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the first and second side walls 103, 104 are shown in the pallet received condition, in which the width of the opening 105 between the front edges 106, 107 of the first and second side walls 103, 104 is the same as the width 110 between the rear edges 111 , 112 of the first and second side walls 103, 104.

The frame 101 comprises a frame base element 201. The frame base element 201 has a U-shape, and comprises a rear side portion 202 and first and second side wall portions 203, 204. A first support post 205 extends from the first side wall portion 203, and the first side wall 103 is mounted to the first support post 205. A second support post 206 extends from the second side wall portion 204, and the second side wall 104 is mounted to the first support post 206.

In this embodiment, the first and second side walls 103, 104 are mounted to the first and second support posts 205, 206 respectively by at least one bracket 207, 208 and a suitable fixing.

A rear wall 209 extends from the rear side portion 202 of the frame base element 201. In this embodiment, the rear wall 209 is a separate component that is mounted to the frame base element 201 by a suitable fixing.

The first side wall 103 is pivotable about the first axis of rotation 108, in a direction indicated by arrow A, and the second side wall 103 is pivotable about the second axis of rotation 109, in a direction indicated by arrow B.

In this shown embodiment, the first and second axes of rotation 108, 109 are located substantially centrally of the first and second side walls 103, 104 respectively. In this illustrated embodiment, the frame 101 and the frame base element 201 are substantially symmetrical about a centreline 2 0.

Frame 101 defines a pallet receiving zone Z between the rear side wall 209 and the first and second side walls 103, 104 when in the pallet received condition. The perimeter of the pallet receiving zone Z is shown with a dotted line. The pallet receiving zone Z has a shape and dimensions to complement the shape and dimensions of pallet P. The pallet receiving zone Z has a width ZW that is greater than the width PW of the pallet P. In this illustrated embodiment, the width ZW of the pallet receiving zone Z is only slightly larger than the width PW of the pallet P.

According to this illustrated embodiment, the first and second side walls

103, 104 of the frame 101 are biased towards the pallet receiving condition.

Each of the side walls 103, 104 and the rear wall 209 may be fabricated from any suitable material. The base frame element 201 may also be fabricated from any suitable material. It is to be appreciated that each component of the frame may be fabricated from any suitable material or combination of materials. Fiqures 3 to 5

Figures 3 to 5 show steps in the location of a pallet P with the frame 101. The pallet may be inserted into the frame by any suitable means, for example by the use of a pallet lift truck or fork lift truck.

Figure 3 shows the frame 101 ready to receive pallet P within the pallet receiving zone Z thereof. The first and second side walls 103, 104 of the frame 101 are shown in the pallet receiving condition. Each of the side walls 103, 104 extends at an angle that is inclined outwardly from the rear side 102 of the frame 101. In the shown arrangement, the front edges 106, 107 of the side walls 103, 104 are located outside of the pallet receiving zone Z and the rear edges 111 , 112 of the side walls 103, 104 are located inside the pallet receiving zone Z. It can be seen from this Figure that the width of the opening 105 between front edges 106, 107 of the side walls 103, 104 is wider than the width ZW of the pallet receiving zone Z. The opening 105, through which the pallet P will be inserted into the frame 101 , is therefore wider than the pallet P.

The extended width of the opening 105, and the inclined side walls 103, 104 provide a mouth into which the pallet P may be moved, in the direction indicated by arrow 301.

Figure 4 shows pallet P partially inserted in the pallet receiving zone Z of frame 101. The pallet P has been moved into the frame 101 , in the direction 301 , towards the rear side 102 of the frame. The first and second side walls 103, 104 of the frame 101 are shown still in the pallet receiving condition, with each of the side walls 103, 104 extending at an angle that is inclined outwardly from the rear side 102 of the frame 101. It can be seen in this Figure that the left and right leading corners 401 , 402 of the pallet P have been brought into contact with the first and second side walls 103, 104 at contact points 403, 404 respectively.

As the pallet P is moved further into the frame 101 in the direction 301 , the pallet P pushes the inclined side walls 103, 104 from the pallet receiving condition into the pallet received condition.

As the corners 401 , 402 of the pallet P advance into the pallet receiving zone Z of the frame 101 , the first side wall 103 pivots in the closing direction indicated by arrow 405, such that the rear edge 111 thereof moves outwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 406 and the front edge 106 thereof moves inwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 407, and the second side wall 104 pivots in the closing direction indicated by arrow 408, such that the rear edge 112 thereof moves outwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 409 and the front edge 106 thereof moves inwardly in the direction indicated by arrow 410.

The first and second side walls 103, 104 are opposed, such that the closing directions 405, 406 are opposite directions of rotation. As the first and second side walls 103, 104 are rotated from the pallet receiving condition into the pallet received condition, the front edges 106, 107 move towards one another and the rear edges 111 , 112 move away from one another. It is to be appreciated that the reverse, opening directions of the first and second side walls 103, 104, indicated by arrows 41 1 , 412 respectively, are also opposite directions of rotation.

As the first side wall 103 pivots in the opening direction 411 , the rear edge 111 thereof travels inwardly in the direction 409 and the front edge 106 thereof travels outwardly in the direction 410; and as the second side wall 104 pivots in the opening direction 412, the rear edge 112 thereof travels inwardly in the direction 406 and the front edge 107 thereof travels outwardly in the direction 407.

In Figure 5, the frame 101 is shown with the pallet P received therein. The first and second side walls 103, 104 of the frame are in the pallet received condition, in which the side walls 103, 104 extend at an angle that is substantially perpendicular to the rear side 102 of the frame 101. The first and second side walls 103, 104 of the frame are now substantially parallel with the other, and extend substantially at right angles to the rear wall 209 of the frame 101.

It can be seen that when the pallet P is fully inserted into the frame, the first and second side walls 103, 104 and the rear wall 209 of the frame 101 extend along the first and second sides 501 , 502 and the rear side 503 of the pallet P. The first and second side walls 103, 104 and the rear wall 209 of the frame 101 closely surround the first and second sides 501 , 502 and the rear side 503 of the pallet P. The first and second side walls 103, 104 and the rear wall 209 of the frame 101 now provide retaining walls for the first and second sides 501 , 502 and the rear side 503 of the pallet P.

As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the frame defines a pallet receiving zone that complements the shape and dimensions of a pallet to be received therein. When the first and second side walls of the frame are in the pallet receiving condition, an opening into the frame is presented that is wider than the pallet. This extended opening serves to tolerate a degree of inaccuracy of alignment between the pallet and the frame as the pallet is located between the first and second side walls for insertion into the frame. As the pallet is moved into the frame, with the first and second side walls in the pallet receiving condition, the pallet contacts the inclined side walls and pushes the first and second side walls into the pallet received condition; the straightening up of the inclined first and second side walls acting to guide the pallet into the frame as it the pallet is inserted further into the frame.

When the pallet P is to be moved elsewhere, such as when it has been unloaded, it may simply be removed from the frame 101 , in the direction indicated by arrow 504, by any suitable means, for example by the use of a pallet lift truck or fork lift truck.

The frame may be used in a warehouse or retail environment, and may be used with wet and/or dry goods. The frame advantageously provides retaining walls for a loaded pallet, to secure the pallet load within the frame. This beneficially serves to reduce spillage of load from the pallet, to reduce wastage and prevent a hazard. Figure 6

As illustrated in Figure 6, the frame 101 may comprise first and second biasing elements 601 , 602 for biasing the first and second side walls of the frame 103, 104 towards the pallet receiving condition.

In this illustrated example, the first biasing element 601 is located to act between the first side wall portion 203 of the base frame element 201 and the first side wall 103, and the second biasing element 602 is located to act between the second side wall portion 204 of the base frame element 201 and the second side wall 104. In this embodiment, the first and second biasing elements 601 , 602 are resiliently compressible rubber elements. The biasing elements may alternatively be springs or any other suitable biasing device. Each biasing element may be secured to one or both of the respective side wall portion of the base frame element and the respective side wall.

This Figure shows pallet P partially removed from the pallet receiving zone Z of frame 101. The pallet P has been moved from the frame 101 , in the direction 504, forwards from the rear side 102 of the frame, and the first and second side walls 103, 104 of the frame 101 have been pushed from the pallet received condition into the pallet receiving condition under the action of the biasing elements 601 , 602.

As the pallet P is moved further out of the frame 101 in the direction 504, the first side wall 103 pivots in the opening direction 411 , such that the rear edge 111 thereof travels inwardly in the direction 407 and the front edge 106 thereof travels outwardly in the direction 406; and as the second side wall 104 pivots in the opening direction 412, the rear edge 112 thereof travels inwardly in the direction 410 and the front edge 107 thereof travels outwardly in the direction 409.

As the first and second side walls 103, 104 are rotated from the pallet received condition into the pallet receiving condition, the front edges 106, 107 move away from one another and the rear edges 111 , 112 move towards one another.

The biasing elements 601 , 602 act to return the first and second side walls to the inclined pallet receiving condition, such that the frame 101 is ready to receive a pallet when pallet P has been removed therefrom.

Figure 7

As illustrated in Figure 7, the frame 101 may further comprise a ground base element 701 for attachment to the floor or other suitable support surface. ln this embodiment, the frame base element 201 is mountable to the ground base element 701 in a connected arrangement that allows the frame 101 to move in a sideways direction indicated by arrow 702 relative to the stationary ground base element 701.

In this Figure, the ground base element 701 is shown attached to the floor

703 by mechanical fixings 704, 705, and with the frame base element 201 attached to the ground base element 701 , by a suitable connector arrangement allowing sideways movement of the frame base element 201 relative to the ground base element 601.

A pallet P is shown being inserted into the frame 101 , in the direction 301 , towards the rear side 102 of the frame 101 , but off to one side of centreline 210 of the frame 101. The side walls 103, 104 are shown in the pallet receiving condition. As previously described, as the pallet P is inserted into the frame 101 , the side walls 103, 104 guide the pallet P into the frame 101. In addition, the frame 101 may move in a sideways direction 702. This feature also serves to guide the pallet P into the frame 101 , in an aligned condition within the frame 101.

Figure 8

As illustrated in Figure 8, each of the side walls 103, 104 of the frame 101 may be demountable from the base frame element 201.

In an embodiment, each of the first and second side wall portions of the base frame element 201 comprises a socket for receiving the lower end of the first and second support posts therein respectively. Thus, as shown in this Figure, the first side wall portion 203 of the base frame element 201 comprises a first socket 801 for receiving the lower end 802 of the first support post 205 of the first side wall 103 therein. The lower end 802 of the first support post 205 may simply be inserted into the first socket 801 , by lowering in a downward direction, as indicated by arrow 803. Thereafter, the lower end 802 of the first support post 205 may be conveniently removed from the first socket 80, through lifting in an upward direction, as indicated by arrow 804. The feature of demountable side walls provides for more convenient transport and assembly of the frame and allows a side wall to be replaced easily in the event of damage or exchange for another side wall of different dimensions or material properties. In addition, the side walls of the frame may carry a display, for example for instructional or advertising purposes, and the feature of demountable side walls enables side walls to be selected that provide a particular display, for example in a particular environment or for a particular pallet load.

In an embodiment, each of the side walls is fabricated from a twin wall sheet of plastics material. This type of material is advantageously lightweight, strong and waterproof. A metal, wood or plywood material may alternatively be used. In an embodiment, the base frame element is fabricated from a metal material, for example steel. This type of material may beneficially provide a sturdy base to the frame.

It is to be understood that the construction of a frame having the functionality as described above may vary between applications. For example, each side wall may be fixedly mounted to a respective support post, which is then rotatably mounted to the base frame element. Alternatively, each side wall may be rotatably mounted to a respective support post, which is then fixedly mounted to the base frame element. Regarding another aspect of the frame, a base frame element may be so fixedly mounted to a support surface as to resist sideways movement, or may allow an operative to select whether sideways movement is available. Concerning a further aspect, each side wall may be detachably mounted to the respective support post. Components of the frame may be a unitary component or may comprise a plurality of parts as appropriate.

It is be appreciated also that the dimensions of the frame may vary between different applications, for use with different shaped, sized and/or type of pallet.

The frame as described herein advantageously provides retaining walls for a received pallet, and is beneficially arranged to guide the pallet into the frame in an aligned condition within the frame.