NON-PALLET TYPE TRANSPORTATION OF A MULTI LAYERED STACK OF BAGGED SUBSTANCE

(2) BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The practice of forming unitised loads of bagged product on pallets as well as pallet-less unitised loads of bagged product to lift and handle a plurality of filled bags at once is well known. It is commonly known that unitised loads of bagged product on pallets can be uncovered or covered for protection against rain and other environmental conditions. To unitise a plurality of filled bags into a pallet-less multi-layer load typically comprises a bottom layer of reduced dimensions defining lateral spaces for gripping purposes. It is presently known to form pallet- less multi-layer loads from a plurality of filled bags stacked one layer onto the other so as to form a substantially parallel sided load assembly. These filled bags, which are not only, but typically bags filled with cement are grouped in superposed layers, each layer having a square or rectangular horizontal form. For forming a load without a pallet or "push-pull" type slip sheet to support and handle it with, a layer of reduced width is provided at the lower part of the load, during stacking, said "reduced layer" being constituted by fewer filled bags and defined by a smaller square or rectangular geometrical surface than the peripheral surface of the normal layers on top of that. Consequently, the reduced layer defines, with the normal layer under which it is formed, two lateral empty spaces parallel to each other and each in the form of a notch representing a right-angled dihedron. The vertical side of each dihedron opening is constituted by a lateral face of the reduced layer, whilst the horizontal side of each dihedron opening is formed by the portion of horizontal surface of the adjacent normal layer above the reduced layer.

The lateral spaces thus defined by the reduced layer are used to enable the load to be lifted and handled by a fork lift truck or by slings.

Once the load is thus formed with its layer of reduced dimensions, it is commonly known to make use of heat retractable or elastic stretchable film plastic to wrap and cover the load from the one end and then to turn the load around to wrap and cover the load from the other end to keep the load of filled bags together in the purposely formed geometry. To obtain adequate strength to keep the filled bags together in the formed geometry while handled once or repeatedly by a fork lift truck or slings, in practice it requires the addition of a reinforcing sheet and double wrapping with the heat retractable or elastic stretchable film plastic for acceptable strength and stability of the unitised load. Although double wrapping is a practical requirement for adequate strength it gives the advantage of a water tight cover. Customers do not always require a water tight cover on the loads and are not all willing to accept the additional financial expense or to handle and discard the considerable amount of plastic film associated with the known pallet-less solutions. Known solutions to form unitised loads that can be handled once or repeatedly with a forklift truck or other mechanised equipment, without a pallet or some kind of bottom support like a "push-pull" type slip sheet, cannot be formed without some kind of cover wrapping like the heat retractable or elastic stretchable film plastic that is used to hold the unitised filled bags together in the required geometry, and therefore the current pallet-less solutions for handling unitised filled bags are without an uncovered pallet-less option to customers.

To handle unitised loads on pallets, for example wooden pallets involve relative costly logistics to return and repair empty pallets and in many cases the use of pallets is to the dissatisfaction of customers. To handle unitised loads on the known "push-pull" type slip sheets require special push-pull attachments on forklifts which customers normally do not possess and therefore does not put the customer in a position to also handle the unitised loads pallet-less with forklifts having conventional lifting attachments. Furthermore, the current palletless solutions are handled with special forklift attachment and cannot be handled in a mechanised way by customers who only have forklifts with conventional attachments.

It is an objective of this invention to simplify the pallet-less handling of unitised loads of filled bags by way of conventional forklift attachments or the like.

(3) FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a method of forming a transportable stack of bagged substance that is transportable in response to a lifting action involving laterally spaced lifting elements and to a bagged substance supporter for use in supporting a stack of such bagged substance. While not so limited the invention finds particular use in the non-pallet type transportation of stacked bagged substance by way of a forklift or slings. (4) PRIOR ART DESCRIPTION

There are various commonly known methods to handle and transport unitized loads of filled bags, varying from on some form of pallet, typically wooden or plastic in conventional flat, castellated or specially shaped form; or on "push-pull" type slip sheets or pallet-less.

Leading manufacturers and suppliers of packaging and handling equipment for bagged products work continuously in developing and refining methods and equipment to handle bagged products with pallet-less stacks. At present it typically entails specialized unitizing- and wrapping equipment as well as special and expensive wrapping materials for effective heat retractable film plastic wrapping materials and elastic stretchable film plastic wrapping materials. The latest developments has moved from heat retractable film plastic, requiring dangerous gas heaters, to elastic stretchable film plastic solutions, requiring very special and expensive film plastic materials, still required in double wrapping format.

Leading suppliers and distributors of bagged products go to great expenses by installing and operating such specialized equipment and using special and advanced film plastic materials in order to offer bagged products in pallet-less unitized format to enable mechanized handling to customers.

Customers have the option to select from different packaging formats of bagged products, typically varying from hand handled bags to unitized loads on pallets or push-pull slip sheets or pallet-less unitized loads. Current palletless options are cumbersome and are accompanied by considerable amounts of waste material when unwrapped for use. Such options furthermore require special unitized stack handling equipment on both the side of the supplier and the customer for effective mechanized handling.

(5) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The invention is now described in more detail, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

Figure 1 shows one embodiment of a bagged substance stack supporter in the form of a slip limiting means incorporating sheet in three dimensional view, Figure 2 shows a variety of embodiments of the bagged substance stack supporter in the form of spaced lifting element accommodating and slip limiting means carrying sheets in side elevation,

Figure 3 shows the bagged substance stack supporter of the figure 1 embodiment as underlying a multi layered stack of pre-filled bags at the ready to be engaged by laterally spaced lifting elements in side elevation,

Figure 4 shows the bagged substance stack supporter in the form of a plain sheet of a size extending beyond the underside of a stack and enveloping stack layers along its lower reaches at the ready to be engaged by laterally spaced lifting elements, in side elevation,

Figure 5 shows the bagged substance stack supporter in its various figure 2 embodiments as underlying a multi layered stack of pre-filled bags at the ready to be engaged by laterally spaced lifting elements in side elevation,

Figure 6 shows the bagged substance stack supporter of one of the figure 2 embodiments in its appropriate figure 5 stack underlying condition as engaged by laterally spaced lifting elements in the form of the engaging arms of a forklift rendering the stack at the ready to be lifted, in side elevation,

Figure 7 shows the bagged substance stack supporter of one of the figure 2 embodiments in it appropriate figure 5 stack underlying condition as engaged by laterally spaced lifting elements in the form of slings, in side elevation, and Figure 8 shows the bagged substance stack supporter in the form of a stack lower reaches enveloping sheet corresponding to figure 4 as engaged by laterally spaced lifting elements in the form of the engaging arms of a forklift, in side elevation

(6) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Referring to figures 1 and 2 of the drawings and according to one aspect of the invention, a bagged substance stack supporter in the form of an at least one of spaced lifting element accommodating and slip limiting means associated bagged substance supporting sheet is generally indicated by reference numeral 10.

The stack supporter 10 comprises a supporter body in the form of a bagged substance supporting sheet 2 that is of flexible though non-stretchable material and of adequate strength to support a stack as constituted from a plurality of layers of bagged substance as overlappingly stacked in forming a unitised load, and at least one of spaced lifting element accommodating and slip limiting means as extending in appropriately spaced parallel relationship along the sheet 12, as discussed in detail below, in being snugly receivable along stack bottom region formed dihedral notches, also as discussed in detail below.

In referring to figure 1 and in one embodiment, in the case of only incorporating the slip limiting means, the latter is in the form of parallel strips of non-slip type substance 14 that is either integrally formed with the sheet 12 or applied thereto and extending along opposite end regions 16 of the sheet 12. While not shown, at least part of the surface of the sheet 12 facing away from the strips 14 can carry a layer of adhesive substance to promote the securing of the stack supporter 10 to the bottom of a stack of in the process of forming a multi layered transportable stack of bagged substance. Typically the areas mirroring the strips 14 can thus carry adhesive.

Operative positioning of the sheet 12 to a multi layered stack of bagged items depends on its way of formation. Positioning can be done prior to engaging such stack with lifting means by for example, while still in an upside down positioning, positioning the sheet 12 along the notch presenting ends of the stack where after the stack, as thus holding the supporter 10, becomes inverted. The stack can even be constructed above the supporter 10 in the process positioning it above the lowermost layer as thus forming the relevant notches. When the sheet is formed with a layer of adhesive substance the operative positioning will involve its adhesive securing to the stack. While not shown the multi layered stack of pre-filled bags can even be pre-strapped along its notches and opposite side regions for improved stack stability or straps or the like can be used to hold the supporter 10 in position prior to lateral lifting element engagement. Such straps can naturally fulfill both functions. In whichever way formed the supporter 10 will at the latest on lifting elements commencing with the lifting of the stack as thus supported be at the ready to perform its supporting function.

In the alternative and referring to figure 2 and in the supporter 10 at least incorporating spaced lifting element accommodating means the latter is in the form of stack extending notch snugly complementing spaced lifting element accommodating members 18 being able to take on a variety of forms. As discussed with reference to the figure 1 embodiment at least part the surface of the sheet 12 facing away from the elements 18 can again carry a layer of adhesive substance to promote the securing of the stack supporter 10 to the bottom of a stack in the process of forming a multi layered stack of pre-filled bags, as becoming adhered to the stack as already discussed. But again, the use of such layer of adhesive substance is not imperative often depending on the way a stack is constructed. In referring to figures 2(a) and 2(b) the members 18 are in on embodiment the form of angle incorporating L-shaped formations 20 that are secured in parallel to one another along the opposite edge regions 16 of the sheet 12. As already said the formations 20 are suitably spaced apart to be snugly receivable along stack bottom region formed notches 22 as shown in figure 2(b). The lifting element receiving faces 24 of the formations 20 are arranged against slippage of the lifting means thereto by being fitted with rubberised strips 26 as thus also incorporating the slippage limiting means.

In referring to figures 2(c) and 2(d) the L shaped formations 20 can incorporate taperedly formed slippage limiting strip incorporating inner sections 28 of which the apexes 30 face away from one another. This promotes the pre-tightening of the stack supporter 10 once a stack as thus underlain by the supporter 10 of this embodiment is exposed to a lifting action. The shape of the supporter 10 once fitting a stack is shown in figure 2(d).

In referring to figures 2(e) and 2(f) and in another embodiment the formations 20 can further be generally Z-shaped in also having lengths 32 extending some distance below the core supporting part of the stack once performing a stack supporting function, as shown in figure 2(f). The free ends 34 of the formation can conveniently be in the form of eyes to limit the possibility of sheet puncturing.

In another embodiment and referring to figures 2(g) and 2(h) the members 18 can even be of rectangular or square end profile forming enclosed lifting element channels of engagement. This is typically an arrangement where no layer of adhesive substance is required.

While a variety of spaced lifting element accommodating member configurations are discussed in figures 1 and 2 it will be appreciated that it is not so limited. The norm is its serving the objective of accommodating spaced lifting elements and preferably also limiting slip between a lifting element and the sheet 12 that may cause collapse of a multi layered transportable stack of bagged substance as supported by the stack supporter 10. In also referring to figures 3 to 5 the objective of the supporter 10 is thus to underlie a multi layered transportable stack of bagged substance 36 in preventing its collapse on being transported in response to a lifting action by way of laterally spaced lifting elements such as the arms of a forklift or slings. The bagged substance such as bagged cement 38 is conventionally overlappingly stacked while two opposing bottom edges 40 are formed defining the laterally extending notches 22. This is brought about by forming a bottom layer 44 along the stack 36 of reduced lateral dimensions.

In staying with figures 3 to 5 and in using the supporter 10 a transportable multi layered stack of bagged substance is formed once the stack 36 is underlain by the supporter 10. As discussed above the step in getting the stack 36 to become so underlain can be achieved in a variety of ways. In whichever way formed the stack 36 must at any rate be properly underlain just prior to the performance of a stack lifting action. As shown in figure 3 the stack 36 is thus underlain by the supporter 10 of the figure 2(a)/2(b) configuration once its end regions 46 are located within the notches 22 while the spaced lifting element accommodating members 18 (of this

embodiment or the strips of non-slip type substance 14 of the figure 1 embodiment) are held against the upper faces 48 within the notches 22, in some cases by the adhesive found along the inner faces of the sheet 12, again depending on the way the stack 36 is formed and the configuration of the supporter 10. In the case of for example the figures 5(e) to 5(h)

embodiments the layer of adhesive material can be dispensed with as the geometry of the members 8 already accommodates their maintenance within the notches 22.

Figure 5 shows the readying of the multi layered transportable stack of bagged substance 36 in being underlain by the supporter 12 as involving a variety of spaced lifting element

accommodating members 18. Figure 5(a) and 5(b) thus correspond with the spaced lifting element accommodating members 8 of figures 2(a) and 2(b), figures 5(c) and 5(d) with the members 18 of figures 2(c) and 2(d), figures 5(e) and 5(f) with the members 18 of figures 2(e) and 2(f) and figures 5(g) and 5(h) with the members 18 of figures 2(g) and 2(h).

In specifically referring to figure 4 and also referring to figure 8 the stack underlying action by means of the supporter 10 can also involve the wrapping of the sheet 12 about a number of bottom layers 50 along the multi layered stack of bagged substance 36. In such case the sheet 12 is naturally of appropriate size while its opposite end regions 52 are sandwiched between two layers 54 of bagged substance in the process enveloping the relevant bottom layers 50.

In referring to figures 6 to 8 the lifting of a stack 36 that is thus underlain by the supporter 10 is conventionally done by way of a forklift (figures 6 and 8) of which the arms 56 are passed along notches 22 below the slip limiting strips 14, as specifically shown, or generally within the notch held members 18, as discussed above, or slings 58 appropriately slung to achieve the same objective.

During the performance of a stack lifting action the sheet 12 is pinched up against the upper faces 48 of the notches 22 and the lifting means held against release via the strips of non-slip type substance 14 or the members 18, whichever the case, while in the case of enveloping the relevant bottom layers 50 the supporting action of the stack support is supplemented by a stack foundation forming effect. Owing to the strength of the sheet 12 and the pinching effect within the notches 22 the stack 36 as thus underlain is firmly held against any collapse for safe transportation.

It is an advantage of the invention as specifically described that the method of forming a multi layered transportable stack of bagged substance is attained by way of an uncomplicated action involving the stack supporter of unelaborate configuration.