DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a transportation unit for transporting a plurality of coils and an assembly comprising a plurality of the inventive transport units.

The present coils are coils of yarn or filament or thread or any other material strand used in textile industries. These coils may also be called bobbins. Specifically bobbins are also the spindles/ the cores on which the material strand is wound. In the present case the term coil and bobbin are used synonymously for the coiled strand unit unlike it is otherwise indicated.

An intermediate sheet which separates several layers of coils provided on spindles/cores is disclosed in DE 35 091 09 A1. The intermediate sheet is made of a plastic material and has recesses in which the spindle/cores are held. While the spindles are fixed in the recesses the lower side surfaces of the coils are supported by supporting surfaces formed in the intermediate sheet.

A plurality of different arrangements for transporting the coils are nowadays used. However as the coil itself is heavy and a plurality of coils are often transported together, there is a desire to provide an arrangement which is easy to handle and in which the transportation loads can be maximized.

This problem is solved with a transportation unit according to claim 1.

The transportation unit comprises a palette and a plurality of bags which are stacked in layers on the palette. The transportation unit is for transporting a plurality of coils which are contained in this unit. Each of the bags contains a plurality of coils wherein the coils in the bag are arranged in a first layer such that the center of the coils in the first layer are arranged parallel to each other such that an axial direction of the center of each coil in the first layer is approximately perpendicular to an extension direction of the palette. The extension direction of the palette may correspond to the horizontal direction of the palette, when the palette is standing on a ground surface.

Thus the bag provides a basically inflexible subunit or a subunit having a predetermined geometry. These subunits defined by each bag are stacked on top of each other onto the palette, for example in the direction such that the layers of the coils within the bags are parallel with respect to each.

This arrangement provides a certain self-supporting effect, while the respective bags are also easy to handle by a user.

It is beneficial that the bag holds the coils contained therein in a self-supported structure. E.g. the bag lies close against the coils inside the bag such that a stable bag assembly is provided, which holds the coils and has approximately a fixed geometry. As the coils are arranged in a flat layer wherein the peripheral surface thereof may contact each other, the respective coils can be fitted in one bag as a layer wherein the bag may provide a certain stabilization effect to fix the layered arrangement.

According to a further development between the respective adjacent layers of bags within one transportation unit which is constituted by a palette and a plurality of bags stacked in layers, no intermediate sheet is provided. It has an advantage that the adjacent bags stacked on top of each other on the palette make a direct contact with each other with their exterior surfaces. As the bag which confines a plurality of coils within at least the first layer provides a self-supporting effect, it is possible that the respective adjacent layers of bags can be packed on top of each other directly contacting each other.

According to a further development, an intermediate sheet may be provided on top of a final layer of a bag or bags of the transportation unit. This intermediate sheet may serve as a support surface for a further transportation unit (palette including a plurality of bags stacked in a layer of the palette) which is to be placed on top of the respective transportation unit.

It has been shown that it is advantageous when the bags are stacked in layers on the palette and that the assembly is fixed or held together by one or more fixation belts. The fixation belt may surround the respective transportation unit circumferentially in a direction approximately perpendicular to the extension direction of the palette. The fixation belt may be wrapped around the lower side of the palette, the respective bags arranged in layers on the palette and if present, the intermediate sheet placed on top of the final layer of bag or bags. Two or three or more fixation belts may be provided which are arranged adjacent and parallel to each other.

According to a further development, one or more, preferably all bags of the transportation unit may contain at least two layers of coils wherein each layer is constituted by a plurality of coils. The center of the coils of the first layer is arranged approximately coaxially to the respective center of the coils in the second layer. Two or three or four or five or more layers of coils may be provided within one/ each bag. The respective layers of coils within each bag provides a relatively inflexible structure such that a brick like configuration of the subunit formed by the bag is provided.

It is further beneficial that between the layers of the respective coils and/or within the bag no further support or separation layer is provided. That means the bag itself provides the self- supporting structure for the transportation unit.

It has been shown in a further option that more coils in the longitudinal direction of the bag compared to the transverse direction of the bag is provided in the first and/or second layer of coils within the bag. Thus, the bag including the coils defines when viewed from the top side a rectangle. The longitudinal direction of the bag has a longer length than the transversal direction of the bag. According to an example, 4 coils may be provided in the longitudinal direction in one layer of the coils and 3 coils in the transverse direction.

As a further variant, the bag has an opening on a side next to the side of the first layer and/or the second layer of coils such that the respective first and/or second layer can be fitted or be transferred into the bag from the respective opening side thereof such that the bag can be drawn over the respective layer/s of coils and can be closed at the respective side of the opening.

The bag may be closed at the end with the opening by rolling the bag end up and by roping up each of the respective corner ears of the bag in the region of the rolled up end. By doing so, a situation where the bag lies flat and is stretched to a certain extent around the exterior surface of the arrangement of the layer or layers of coils may be provided.

As alternative to the respective closing of the bag by rolling and roping the respective bag end it may be sealed by gluing or welding.

According to a further variant, the respective corner ears of the bag at which the bag is closed is adapted to be gripped by a user to remove the bag from the palette. Therefore when the bags are laying in the respective layers on the palette it is beneficial that the respective opening side at which the corner ears are provided are all laying on the same side of the transport unit such that the respective bag can be easily picked up by a user.

According to a further development, in one layer of the bags on the palette at least two rows of bags are provided wherein each row is constituted by at least one bag. Particularly two rows of bags are provided in one or each layer of bags and in each row of bags one single bag is provided. It is at least beneficial to provide more than two layers of bags wherein each layer has the same constitution. Therefore it is beneficial to have four layers in the stacking direction of the palette.

According to a further development, the palette is constituted by a planar bottom. Protrusions are provided at the lower surface of the planar bottom such that cavities are constituted between the lower surface of the bottom and the surface on which the palette is standing such that a fork of a fork lift can lift and transport the palette from one respective location to another.

According to a further development, one or more or all the protrusions of the palette may have an accordion like convolution such that the protrusion serving as pedestals are adapted to damp the weight of the coils stored on the palette.

The palette may be made of plastic material and/or may be made as a unitary body for example by injection molding.

The palette may have such a configuration that when it is stacked without the coils with another palette that the lower surface of the other palette lies flush against the upper surface of the palette and the respective protrusions of the other palette are protruding into a backside recess of the protrusion of the palette. This makes it possible to save space in the event that the palettes are not used for storing the coils.

The bags may be made from plastic material in particular they may be made of a woven plastic material. The bags may thus be reinforced. The bags may have a configuration that no dust or dirt or water can come into the bag and thus the coils are prevented from getting dirty or wet.

According to a further aspect, an assembly which comprises a plurality of the aforementioned transport units is also provided. The transport units may be provided in a row and at least two rows of the transport units are placed next to each other to constitute a first layer of transport units. On the first layer of transport units there may be provided a second layer of transport units having the same constitution as the first layer. This respective assembly may be provided within an interior cavity of a utility track or a shipping container. This respective assembly may also be provided on an open plate of a track.

Although in the aforementioned section it is described the transportation unit, and the assembly which comprises a plurality of the aforementioned transport units, it may also be provided a method for generating a transport unit with the aforementioned structure. E.g. coils are placed in a layer or layers in a bag, which is closed. The bag or bags are stacked in layers on the palette. All the aforementioned features of the transport unit and the assembly may thus also be provided in a method related formulation.

Further details of the invention will be explained in the following with respect to the figures. Herein: Figure 1a shows an open bag into which two layers of coils are fitted;

Figure 1b shows a view into the opening provided at the end of the bag such that the two layers of coils are visible;

Figures 1c, d and e show different side views of the bag which is closed such that there are provided respective corner ears;

Figures 3, 2a, b, c show different views of an example of a palette;

Figure 3 shows a stacked configuration of a plurality of palettes when they are not used to store the bags with the coils;

Figures 4a and b show different schematic side views on a respective transportation unit;

Figure 4c shows an example wherein one bag with coils is stored on the palette;

Figure 4d shows a top view of the arrangement of the coils in the bag;

Figures 4e shows a side view along the line dd in Figure 4d;

Figures 5a and b shows the situation wherein several transportation units are combined on a transporter for transporting it to a destination where the respective coils are needed;

Figures 6a, b and c show the schematic view of the situation shown in Figures 5a and 5b.

In the following, the present invention is described with the help of one particular embodiment. However the present invention is not delimited to this embodiment.

Although the respective numbers of coils in each bag, layers of coils in each bag, rows of coils in each bag, coils within one row in each bag, layers of bags on each palette, rows of bags on each palette, bags in each row on the palette number of units forming one transport arrangement have a specific number in said example, the respective numbers can be in the range of ±1, ±3, ±4, ±5, ±6, etc. compared to the shown example. That e.g. means that instead of two layers of coils in each bag also one or three or four layers may be chosen. It is also not necessary that each bag contains the same number of coils and rows and layers, and that each unit contains the same number of bags and rows of bags etc. However it is beneficial that each bag of one transportation unit has the same constitution at least in respect to the number of coils.

However the invention in the broadest sense is defined by the features in the claims. Any of the features defined in the claims and also of the features of the specific embodiment is not inextricably linked to other feature and thus may constitute an own invention.

Figure 1a shows a bag 1, within which in the particular example two layers 4, 4 ^' (e.g. Fig. 1b) of coils 3, 3 ^' are provided. The respective bag has an opening 2 only one side opposite to the bottom side through which the complete layers 4, 4 ^' and this particular case the first and the second layer of coils can be introduced as one coil assembly. During the insertion of the coil assembly the respective bag is stretched to a certain way onto the respective assembly of coils such that it provides a self-supporting structure.

Figure 1b shows a top view through the opening 2 into the bag 1. One can derive therefrom that two layers 4,4 ^' are provided wherein each layer is constituted by three coils in the transverse direction of the bag and four coils (not visible) in the longitudinal direction of the bag.

The longitudinal direction is the direction from the bottom of the bag to the opening side of the bag.

Each coil has their center opening 5 (E.g. Fig. 4c and Fig. 4d). The respective center openings 5 of the coils within one layer of coils are parallel in respect to each other and adjacent to each other wherein the respective center openings 5 of the coils of the subsequent layer are arranged coaxially to the respective center openings 5 of the coils of the first layer. The first layer has reference sign 4 while the second layer has reference sign 4 ^' in the present example.

The first layer is in this respective example the respective lower layer when the bag 1 is lying on the palette 7 while the respective second layer 4 ^' is the layer lying on the top of the first layer 4.

Within the bag 1 there is no further supporting sheet or material provided which supports the respective coils 3, 3 ^' . The coils 3, 3 ^' however may be each packed optionally in a separate plastic bag. The respective coils may also be contained in the bag wherein each of the coils is completely unpacked. The respective coil may have a central opening 5 in which a spindle or cylinder is contained around which the yarn is wound. The present coils are coils of yarn or filament or thread or any other material strand used in textile industries. These coils may also be called bobbins. Specifically bobbins are also the spindles/ the cores on which the material strand is wound. In the present case the term coil and bobbin are used synonymously for the coiled strand unit unlike it is otherwise indicated.

Figures 1c, d, e show that the respect bag 1 wherein the end of the bag at which the opening 2 has been provided has been rolled up such that the respective corner ears 6, 6 ^' are provided.

At this corner ears 6, 6 ^' the respective bag is knotted for being closed. This may be done by a separate element such as a cable tie like element or the respective corner ears may be knotted with their own material (not a separate element).

The palette 7 on which the respective bags 1 are stored is shown in figures 2a, 2b, 2c and figure 3. Figure 2a shows a top view on top on a bottom 8 of the palette 7. The bottom 8 has a top surface 9. Form a lower surface 10 of the bottom 8, protrusions 11 are protruding. The bottom 8 has an approximately tub shape with circumferentially erected edge walls 17, which provide a respective fixation /securing of the first layer of bags 1 provided directly on the top surface 9 of the palette 7. The protrusions 11 may serve as pedestals such that the palette may stand on a surface. Figure 2b shows a cross-section across the line bb in Figure 2a while figure 2c shows a cross-section along the line cc in figure 2a. The cross-section shown in figure 2c is a cross-section in the transversal direction of the palette 7 while the respective cross-section in figure 2b is at cross-section along the longitudinal direction of the palette 7. Each of the respective protrusions 11 has an accordion like convolution. This serves as a damping element which damps a load provided on the top surface 9 of the palette 7. The palette 7 may be rectangular and have the measure shown in fig. 2a, 2b. The measurements are given in millimeters (mm). Each of the respective dimensions can in further embodiments independently vary in the range of ±20%, ±10% of the given dimensions in said figures hence the respective dimension of the palette can constitute an invention as such.

In the present case there are nine protrusions 11 provided in total. At the longitudinal sides of the bottom 8, three oval first protrusions 11 ^' are provided having an ovalish shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the palette. On a line approximately in the middle of the palette 7 in the transversal direction three oval second protrusions 11 ^" are provided. Said second protrusions 11 ^' have a bigger cross-sectional area (see top vie in Fig. 2a) than the first protrusions 11 ^' .

In Figure 3 it is shown that a plurality of palettes 7 are stacked on each other when they are not loaded with certain goods. As it is shown in this figure the palette 7 is adapted when it is stacked without the coils 3, 3 ^' with another palette that the lower surface of the other palette lies flush against the upper surface of the palette 7 wherein the respective protrusions of the other palette are protruding unto a backside recess of the protrusion of the palette. Due to this characteristic of the palette it can be saved space when the palettes are not in use.

The palette itself has some reinforcement valleys 18. As shown in figure 2a this reinforcement valley serves for reinforcing the plastic material of which the palette is made. Any reinforcing feature can be provided. However in the present case the pallet is a unitary member including the protrusion and the reinforcing valleys.

The palette may be made of any plastic material in particular injection moldable plastic material namely.

As derivable from figure 4a, 4b and 4c several layers of bags 1 stacked from bottom to top are provided on each palette 7. Namely in figure 4a there is shown a situation wherein the transportation unit 15 is viewed from a transversal side of the palette 7 and thus a transversal side of the transport unit 15.

There is one bag stacked onto each other such that four layers of bags are provided.

As shown from the top view in figure 2c, wherein only one bag 1 is stored on the palette. Two of such bags 1 as shown in figure 1 can be stored adjacent to each other such that two rows each constituted of one bag define each one of the layers of bags. In the specific example there are provided two rows of bags in the base layer, two rows of bags in the second layer, two rows of bags in the third layer and rows of bags in the fourth layer. In particular it may be the case that the respective row in each layer of bags may have more than one bag. The respective number of layers of bags in the top-bottom direction may be higher than the respective number of rows of bags within one layer of bags.

On top of the respective assembly of the palette 7 and the four layers of bags there is provided a further intermediate sheet 14. This intermediate sheet 14 may be made of a plastic material. The intermediate sheet 14 may serve as a supporting surface for supporting an adjacent transportation unit which is placed on top of the transportation unit shown in figures 4a, b or c.

Figure 4d and e show the configuration of coils 3, 3 ^' within the bag 1. This configuration corresponds to the configuration shown in figure 1a to 1e. In total 24 coils are provided within one bag 1. Alternative arrangements may be the provision of any number between 12 and 48, wherein each of the respective number can serve as upper or respectively lower limit of a range of numbers which can be contained in one bag 1. In the present case two layers of coils, wherein each layer has three coils in the transverse direction of the bag 1 and four coils in the longitudinal direction of the bag 1 are provided. Alternative arrangements may be the provision of any number of layers between 1 and 9, wherein each of the respective number can serve as upper or respectively lower limit of a range of layers which can be contained in one bag 1.

The respective side of the bag with the opening may be placed such that at least in one transportation unit the respective side are arranged next to each other, such that a user does not have to change the side at which he stand with respect to the unit, for pulling the bags 7 at their respective corner ears 6, 6 ^' .

Figure 5a and b shows a situation wherein the respective transportation units 7 shown in figure 4 are placed on a track namely two rows of transportation units 7 are placed on the truck wherein each row on the truck contains 17 units. Two of these rows of 17 units constitutes one layer of units wherein on top of this one layer a second layer of units is provided. The lower layer of units in figure 5a appears to be thinner than the upper layer of units. This is due to the fact that, the side wall of the truck makes the lower two layers of the bags in the units invisible.

The cross-sectional view from a rear side of the truck in figure 5b shows that there are provided on transportation units 7; always two transportation units 7 next to each other in the horizontal direction and two transportation units 7 on top of the two transportation units 7 next to each other.

Figures 6a, b and c shows a schematic sketch of the situation of figure 5a and 5b.

Figure 6a shows a cross-section along a longitudinal direction of the truck and figure 6b shows a top view on the palettes 7 (when the layers of bags are not visible) which define (together with the bags stored thereon the respective assembly, an example of which is claimed in claim 16.

Figure 6a shows a cross-sectional view along the line aa in figure 6c while figure 6b shows a cross-section along the line aa and figure 6c.

Although a respective specific example has been described in the foregoing, the number of elements described (coils, bags ...) is not essential.

Generally the respective bag provides a self-supporting structure and it is easy to transport this arrangement. Due to the self-supporting functionality, the intermediate layers are not necessary to be provided, therefore in total a higher load of coil can be stored on the palette and one truck can transport more coils.

Further respective palettes maybe stored in a space saving manner when they are not in use. As the bags have the corner ears the respective bags can be easily taken by an operator from the respective palette. This arrangement provides an easy transportation and an easy to handle system wherein the respective load of coils which can be shipped can be increased.

Reference Sign List

1 Bag

2 Opening

3, 3 ^' Coils

4, 4 ^' Coil layer

5 Center opening

6, 6 ^' Corner ear

7 Palette

8 Bottom

9 Top surface

10 Lower surface

11 Protrusions

12 Accordion like convolution

14 Intermediate sheet

15 Transportation unit

16 Fixation belt

17 Edge Walls

18 Reinforcement valley