More particularly, the invention provides a multi-ply carton panel usable as a pallet indoors or out.

Pallets are horizontal platforms able to support a load, the pallet comprising at least a base platform or framework which is supported by legs in a manner allowing the engagement of a fork lift truck or trolley. Pallets are widely used in industry, as the platform can be used for assembling, storing and transporting multiple items together to make up a unit load, bringing significant savings in materials handling costs.

Wood is probably the most common material in use for the construction of pallets. Other materials used are corrugated steel, wire mesh, aluminium, wood-metal combinations, plastics, fiberboard and carton.

The known construction of a pallet (all pallets) is basically a construction of a box (has 6 sides). The pallet according to the invention enables the construction of a durable pallet based on one plane only. Goods are often shipped together with the pallet providing support.

So far carton pallets have been used as one way pallet. This raises two requirements : 1. Pallets should be light weight and not bulky to minimize freight charges.

2. Pallets will not be returned, except if the sender and recipient of the goods are members of a"Pallet Pool". Assuming non-return, the requirement is that the cost of the pallet must be kept low relative to the value of the goods carried thereby.

The pallet according to the invention enables to return and multiple use of carton pallets. Carton pallets have been developed to meet these

requirements. Multi-ply carton is surprisingly strong, particularly if suitably supported. A pallet platform made of multi-layer carton 12-25mm thick can support a distributed load over 600 kg when supported proximate to opposing edges and along its center. Pallets of this type are commercially available from various suppliers. Other kinds of carton could also be used.

As is known, carton loses its strength when wet, and to some extent also under conditions of high humidity. Pallets however are likely to be used or stored outdoors as well as inside buildings. Even when carton pallets are used only inside buildings, they may be seriously damaged by accidental spills or wash-downs. At present, carton pallets are in use but are unprotected against the danger of collapse following contact with a liquid, typically rain water or wash-down sprays.

As liquids need to be kept away from carton articles, there is no convenient way of cleaning a dirty carton pallet. Cleaning may however be necessary in food and pharmaceutical manufacturing plants where hygiene is a priority.

A known method of moisture protection is the application of a coating of varnish or lacquer. Application of these liquids raises environmental concerns, and safety measures need to be taken during the evaporation of solvents, most of which are highly flammable and covers only two dimensions (only two sides).

Obiects of the Invention It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to obviate the disadvantages of prior art carton panels and to provide a panel which retains the low weight and low cost of carton while being protected against moisture.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pallet panel which is easily cleaned.

Yet a further object is to provide a carton panel which has enhanced load-carrying capabilities.

Finally, it is also an object to provide a carton panel which is protected from all sides.

Summary of the Invention The present invention achieves the above objects by providing a multi-layer carton panel configured for load-carrying purposes, enveloped in a plastic film for protection against moisture. In one embodiment the enveloping film is stressed to carry part of the load.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a carton panel wherein said film is adhesively attached to the carton on at least 50% of the area of one major face thereof.

In a most preferred embodiment of the present invention there is provided a carton panel with foot pads on one major surface to allow said panel to serve as a pallet.

Yet further embodiments of the invention will be described hereinafter.

In U. S. Patent No. 5,325,602 Nainis et al describe and claim a method for salvaging books which have been soaked by water. A holder referred to as a carton is provided for holding the wet books which are then entered into a freeze drying facility. However the holder referred to as a carton is in fact made of a high density polymer, which obviously is able to resist water, though the cost of such item is naturally much higher than the paper-based carton widely used.

In contradistinction thereto, the present invention utilizes the standard mass-produced carton which is universally available at low cost, or any other suitable carton.

Brief description of the drawings The invention will now be described further with reference to the accompanying drawings, which represent by example preferred embodiments of the invention. Structural details are shown only as far as necessary for a fundamental understanding thereof. The described examples, together with the

drawings, will make apparent to those skilled in the art how further forms of the invention may be realized.

In the Drawings : FIG. 1 is a perspective, fragmented view of a preferred embodiment of the panel according to the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a panel adapted for use as a pallet ; and FIG. 3 is an enlarged detail view of an embodiment wherein the film is attached by use of foot pad strips.

Detailed disclosure of the Invention There is seen in FIG. 1 a multi-layer and/or honeycomb carton panel 10 configured for load-carrying purposes, for example as the floor of a shipping container. The panel 10 shown comprises three layers 12,14,16 of carton, each attached to at least one flat sheet 18. The three layers 12,14,16 are glued together to form a panel at least 10 mm thick. Panels more than 10 mm thick are used where the anticipated load to be carried is high.

The carton is enveloped in a plastic film 20 for protection against moisture, and thus will not be weakened if exposed to wash-down fluids, fluid spills or rain.

Advantageously the film 20 is formulated with an ultraviolet stabilizer, so as to provide durability should the panel 10 be stored exposed to sunlight.

The preferred, though not the only method of film attachment is by use of an adhesive 22. The film 20 is adhesively attached at least to the upper carton layer 12 on at least 50% of the area of the major face thereof. Such attachment tends to prevent tearing of the film, and prevents an accidental small tear in the film extending too far.

A further method of attaching the film 20 to the carton is by preparing the film in the form of a sleeve, inserting the carton, and heat-shrinking the film or combination.

Advantageously the film 20 is an engineering film made of a material such as nylon 6, polyester, polyethelene, polyimide, polycarbonate, polypropylene or acrylic, and accepts a part of the tensile stresses occurring on the lower face of the panel when loaded. Thus the film 20 contributes to stiffening the panel 10 and allows the panel to carry a greater load than would be possible with a polyethylene film or a film which is not attached in a taut manner.

With reference to the rest of the figures, similar reference numerals have been used to identify similar parts.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is seen a film-enveloped carton panel 24 similar to 10 shown in FIG. 1. The panel 24 is further provided with foot pads 26 on one major surface to allow the panel to serve as a load-carrying pallet. In the shown embodiment 9 foot pads 26 are arranged in a 3 by 3 array to provide required support.

FIG. 3 illustrates a carton panel 28 provided with foot pad strips 30 extending the length of the panel. In the present embodiment the foot pad strip shown under the left edge 32 of the panel 28 serves to attach and seal the plastic film 34 to the carton 36, as well as supporting the panel 28 for use as a pallet.

Cardboard pallets are not intended to be stored in storage systems because of their limited rigidity. To allow such storage a runner (known also as "skid") which supports the pallet from bellow is attached to the underside of the pallet,-allowing up to one ton of freight. Specifically gives double reinforcement -once towards the upper plane and once towards the storage system with various attachment possibilities.

A further embodiment of a multi-layer board allows the use of recycled carton which is normally weaker-to replace virgin cartons. In order to enhance its strength, a cross lamination of multi layer cardboard and solid board (made of recycled paper) are used.

The scope of the described invention is intended to include all embodiments coming within the meaning of the following claims. The foregoing examples illustrate useful forms of the invention, but are not to be considered as limiting its scope, as those skilled in the art will readily be aware that additional variants and modifications of the invention can be formulated without departing from the meaning of the following claims.