Abstract:
This disclosure provides a cement board bay comprising a skid, the cement boards and a cover to protect the boards from whether. The cover is of breathable water proof material and it has a skirt that elastically or otherwise tightens the cover over the boards. The cover is secured with closing devices. The upper surface of the cover may include ridges, convex portions or water absorbent areas to prevent water from standing on the bay. The cover sides may include flap openings for removing tapes holding the boards on place without removing the bay cover.

Description:
PRIORITY 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/675,895 filed on Jul. 26 2012, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The invention relates to transportation and storage of building materials, in particular, transportation and storage of siding boards such as fiber cement boards. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present invention relates to transportation and storage of building materials, in particular, transportation of siding boards such as fiber cement boards. The siding boards customarily come from a building supplier strapped on pallets and wrapped in plastic. Once the contractor opens the package it is not reusable but has to be removed and thrown away. Thus if all the elements are not used at once they are left loose and are probably be covered by a plastic sheet or equivalent that may not stay in place for example in windy conditions. 
         [0004]    The art of transporting materials includes various kinds of pallet wraps, however these systems are meant for cubic pallets. The present inventions addresses special needs of covering building materials such as longitudinal siding boards. Therefore the existing systems are not usable for protecting such materials during storage and transportation. Furthermore, the prior art does not provide solutions to specific features of transporting and storing siding boards, for example avoiding water collecting on covered pallets when they stand for days on the construction site. 
         [0005]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,934,894 discloses a reusable pallet wrap for securing lading on pallets. The system consists of an adjustable flexible wrap made from one rectangular shaped cloth and the system has hook and loop fasteners sewn on the ends. The ends run from top to bottom of the wrap. Squares of hook and loop fastener are secured to the bottom of the wrap that line up with each corner of the pallet. Sewn into these squares are straps that are passed under the pallet to connect the wrap to the pallet. Once this is done, the load is secured to the pallet. Two straps with hook and loop fastener ends are also sewn directly to the wrap that gives an added stability to load as well as to secure the wrap. Finally, a top cover can be added if load requires protection from the elements. 
         [0006]    U.S. Pat. No. 6,540,085 discloses a reusable bulk packaging comprising a plastics bag having an opening which is closable by means of a zip fastener attached to the body of the bag, typically by means of an adhesive or by welding. The plastics bag may be made out of bubble film, optionally laminated to aluminum foil. 
         [0007]    U.S. Pat. No. 4,871,063 discloses a pallet cover for protecting the upper surfaces of a load resting upon a pallet. The pallet cover is made of multiple layers that are laminated together. There are no staples or like materials used. The pallet cover is a one piece unit comprised of a horizontal upper surface, a bend, and for generally vertical flanges. The flanges are connected to the upper surface at the bend. The flanges are independently flexible along the bend. 
         [0008]    U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2008/0196304 discloses a lightweight, removable cover for harvested vegetative material, such as sod, stacked on a pallet. A cover includes a top panel with side and end panels extending downwardly from the top panel to form an envelope shaped to fit snugly over the stacked material. The stacked material is arranged in a shape of predetermined length, breadth and height, and the envelope is configured to have a corresponding shape. The envelope surrounds the stacked material without enclosing the pallet. The length and breadth of each panel of the envelope corresponds to a respective portion of the shape of the stacked material. In addition, each panel comprises a flexible material that is impervious to moisture. An outside surface of each panel is light and heat reflective to protect the covered material and an inside surface is non-reflective. One or more of the panels includes promotional and/or information indicia on an outside surface thereof. 
         [0009]    U.S. patent Ser. No. 5,423,428 discloses a palletized load cover. The cover includes at least one elastic strap which is held captive on the cover. Integral connectors are provided on each end of the strap and the connectors cooperate with a conventional pallet including at least two retractable belts which can be locked against further unwinding when unwound. Guides are provided on the cover to restrict lateral movement of the strap while permitting limited longitudinal movement of the strap. The connectors provided on each end of the elastic strap are operable to releasably lock with cooperating connectors provided on distal ends of the pallet belts. With the belt connectors locked to the strap connectors at each end of the strap, the belts are pulled so that the belt retracts and is locked against unwinding. The elasticity of the strap makes it possible, with conventional belt retractor mechanisms, to achieve an unprecedented level of strap tightness, thereby making a palletized load secured with a cover according to the invention significantly more secure than has been possible with prior art load covers. In addition, the strap connects belts from opposed sides of the pallet and maintains or restores equal tension in the two belts, continuously. In one embodiment, a single elastic strap, in the form of a closed loop, is provided on the cover and it is operable to equalize tension in four pallet belts secured to it. 
         [0010]    U.S. Pat. No. 7,958,995 discloses a palletized shipping container for bulk handling of liquids and fluent materials and has a collapsible inner bag enclosed in a flexible outer liner/bag having rigid stiffener panels in pocketed sides. The inner bag has a bung at its top end for filling or discharge and a valve fitment near the bottom for receiving a discharge valve. Tape tabs at upper ends of the inner bag and outer liner/bag attach to the top panel and/or stiffener panels to maintain the bags in an erect uncollapsed configuration. The stiffener panels prevent bulging of the inner bag and provide vertical support, but their lateral sides are spaced apart and form non-structural “floating corners” to maximize volume, minimize shock, vibration and abrasive forces on the inner bag, yet maintain impact and compression strength meeting international certification standards. The bung is disposed beneath the top panel after filling the bag to prevent access and provide a tamper resistant assembly. 
         [0011]    Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method to specifically protect building siding boards, such as cement board siding materials during storage and transportation. 
         [0012]    Embodiments of this invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and will be described in more detail herein below. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The invention of the present disclosure is distinguished over the prior art in general and particularly the instant disclosure solves the above flaws of the prior art. 
         [0014]    It is an object of this invention to provide easy to use protection system for storage and transport building siding boards such as fiber cement siding boards. 
         [0015]    It is another object of this invention to provide a water proof system to protect the boards against weather. 
         [0016]    A further object of this invention is to provide a protection system for storage and transportation of building siding boards that prevents water from collecting on top of the covered piles when materials are stored outside for extended periods of time. 
         [0017]    Yet another object of this invention is to provide a protection system for storage and transportation of building siding boards, where the protective cover allows cutting of the original straps or tapes holding the boards, without uncovering the bay. 
         [0018]    It is yet another object of this invention to provide a flexible system to adjust to protect variable number of the siding boards. 
         [0019]    It is still another object of this invention to provide light weight and reusable protection system for the siding boards. 
         [0020]    A further object of this invention is to provide a protection system for siding boards that can be easily assembled and removed when the boards are loaded on a truck or when the original plastic wrapping is opened at the construction site. 
         [0021]    It is an object of this invention to provide a waterproof cover for building material; said cover being longitudinal and rectangular in shape and having an upper surface, two side surfaces, two end surfaces, and a skirt portion, said skirt portion being connected to the two side surfaces and the two end surfaces; and at least two closing devices attached to the cover; wherein the cover is pulled over the building material loaded on a skid, and the skirt portion tightens the cover over the material, and the cover is secured with the closing devices. 
         [0022]    It is another object of this invention to provide a cement board bay comprising: a skid; said skid being a rectangular surface having two long sides and two short sides, a stack of cement boards loaded on the skid; a waterproof breathable cover; said cover having an upper surface, two side surfaces, two end surfaces, and a skirt portion being connected to the two side surfaces and the two end surfaces; and at least two closing devices attached to the cover; wherein the cover is pulled over the cement boards, and the skirt portion tightens the cover over the boards, and the cover is secured with the closing devices. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2 . is a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  a top view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is an end view of a preferred embodiment of the invention. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5 . is an elevated side view of bays piled on top of each other, where the covers include areas of water absorbing material. 
           [0028]      FIGS. 6A and 6B  are isometric views of preferred embodiments where the top side of the cover forms convex or ridge-like areas. 
           [0029]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show preferred embodiments for attachment of the straps.  FIG. 7A  also shows flap-structures. 
           [0030]      FIG. 8A and 8B  show bottom view of preferred embodiments of this invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0031]    The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to  FIG. 1-8  of the drawings. Identical elements in the various figures are identified with the same reference numerals. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of the cement board bay  100 . The figure shows a cover  200  having an upper surface  300 , two side surfaces  400 , and two end surfaces  500  and two closing devices  800 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a preferred embodiment showing one side surface  400  and two closing devices  800 . 
         [0034]      FIG. 3  is a top view of a preferred embodiment showing the upper surface  300  and the closing devices  800 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 4  is an end view of a preferred embodiment showing an end surface  500 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is an elevational side view of two cement board bays piled on top of each other. The figure shows the skids  700 , the covers  200 , and water absorbing areas  320  on the top surface  300  of the covers. 
         [0037]      FIG. 6A  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing two cement board bays piled on top of each other. The figure shows the skids  700 , the short side  720  and the long side  740  of the skids, the covers  200 , and a convex area  340  on the top surface of the covers. 
         [0038]      FIG. 6B  is an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the cover  200 , and a ridged area  360  on the top surface  300  of the cover. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7A  is an elevated side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the cement board bay  100 , the cover  200 , the upper surface  300 , the side surface  400 , the end surface  500 , two closing devices  800 , two double rings  840 , two flap openings  420  and two flap covers  440 . 
         [0040]      FIG. 7B  is an elevated side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention showing the cement board bay  100 , the cover  200 , the upper surface  300 , the side surface  400 , the end surface  500 , two closing devices  800 , two stitched areas  820  and two double rings  840 . 
         [0041]      FIG. 8A  shows a bottom view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, showing the skid  700 , the cover  200 , the open bottom  550  and a skirt portion  600 . 
         [0042]      FIG. 8B  shows a bottom view of another preferred embodiment of the invention showing the skid  700 , the cover  200 , the open bottom  550 , a skirt portion  600 , a string channel  620 , a pulling string  640 , two loose ends of the sting  645 , and a string opening  660 . 
         [0043]    The present invention is now further described by way of example only with reference to accompanying drawings. 
         [0044]    The cement siding boards are customarily loaded on skids (pallets) and covered with plastic that is bound together with plastic tape. The skids customarily have an elongated rectangular shape with long side being 10′ (3.05 m) to 15′ (4.57 m) long and the short side being between 40″ (1.02 m) and 60″ (1.52 m) wide. The skids are shown in  FIG. 6A  as element number  700 .  FIG. 6  A shows also the long  740  and the short  720  sides of the skid. 
         [0045]    When the contractor receives the pallets, the cement boards are usually bound together with tape or straps and covered with plastic. The contractor has to rip the plastic open and cut the tape to be able to use the cement boards. If he is not using all the boards at one time, he usually leaves the boards on the skid where they will be exposed to the weather. 
         [0046]    The invention according to this disclosure provides a cement board bay that includes a cover designed to protect the boards, prevents water standing on top of the bays and enables cutting of the original tapes or straps without removing the cover. 
         [0047]    Referring now to  FIGS. 1-4 , the cover  200  is longitudinal and rectangular in its form so as to cover the elongated rectangular stack of boards on the skid. The cover has an upper surface  300 , two side surfaces  400  and two end surfaces  500 . According to a preferred embodiment the length of the upper surface  300  and the side surfaces  400  is  5 ′ (1.52 m) to 20′ (6.10 m) , more preferably 12′ (3.65 m) to 13′ (3.96 m), and most preferably 12′6″ (3.81 m). The width of the end surfaces  500  is between 20″ (50.8 cm) and 60″ (1.52 m), more preferably between 50″ (1.27 m) and 55″(1.40 m), and most preferably 53″(1.35 m). The ratio of the width to the length of the cover is approximately between 1:2. and 1:4. According to the most preferred embodiment the ratio is 1:2.45. The height of the side surfaces varies between 12″ (30.5 cm) to 6′ (1.83 m). 
         [0048]    Once the cover  200  is set to cover the boards, the cement board bay  100  is secured with the closing devices  800 . The cover may be pulled over the skid as shown for example in  FIG. 8A , or it may be pulled to cover the boards only as is shown in  FIG. 6A  for example. 
         [0049]    Referring now to  FIG. 8A and 8B , the cover  200  is so designed that it can be easily pulled over the cement boards loaded on a skid  700 . This is enabled by the design on the bottom side of the cover. Namely, the cover  200  has an open bottom  550  surrounded by a skirt portion  600 . According to one preferred embodiment shown in  FIG. 8A  the skirt portion  600  is made of elastic material (hatched are in the figure). The elastic material may be rubber band, but other elastic materials may also be used. According to another preferred embodiment the skirt portion may include a string channel  620  as shown in  FIG. 8B . The string channel  620  may enclose a rubber band to tighten the cover  200  from the bottom side of the bay  100 . Alternatively, the string channel may enclose a pulling string  640  that has two loose ends  645  protruding from a string opening  660  and when the contractor wants to tighten the cover  200  on top of the cement boards, he simply pulls the string ends  645  to tighten the bottom side of the bay  100 . According to a simplified embodiment the cover is a rectangle surrounded by the string channel and once the rectangular cover is set on top of the bay pulling the loose ends of the string would tighten the cover on the bay. 
         [0050]    Now referring to  FIGS. 7  A and B, the closing devices  800  are preferably straps. The straps may not be attached to the cover  200 , but according to one preferred embodiment they are attached on the upper surface  300  with a stitched area  820  as shown in  FIG. 7B . The stitched area  820  may equally well locate on either one of the two side surfaces  400  of the cover. Instead of stitching, the straps may be attached to the cover with other feasible methods such as hoop and loop fastener, hooks, buttons or other means. 
         [0051]    The contractor will pull the straps around the bay  100  and according to one preferred embodiment the cover  200  includes double rings  840  through which the strap is slipped and tightened by pulling the straps as shown in  FIG. 8A . According to other preferred embodiments instead of a double ring, a single ring, or a hook may be used to tighten the straps and the straps may be secured to tightened position with hoop and loop fastener, such as Velcro®, buttons, press fasteners, or press studs. 
         [0052]    The straps may be made of any feasible material. They may be elastic or non elastic. 
         [0053]    Now referring to  FIGS. 5 ,  6 A and  6 B, the invention according to this disclosure also solves the problem of water standing on the bays  100 . The upper surface  300  may include areas with water absorbing material  320  as shown in  FIG. 5 . An example of such water absorbing material may be sponge, but other materials may also be used. The water absorbing material may be a unite area or it may include several separate areas as shown in  FIG. 5 . An alternative way to avoid water standing on the bays  100  is to include convex areas  340  as shown in  FIG. 6A  or ridged areas  360  as shown in  FIG. 6B  on the upper surface  300 . Such convex or ridged areas will prevent water from standing on the bay. The ridges or convex areas would not prevent piling several bays on top of each other as the skids customarily have empty space beneath them. 
         [0054]    When the contractor receives the cement boards he may not want to use them immediately but wants to cover them with the cover  200  because the original plastic is weak and can be ripped by wind. At the time he decides to use the boards, he still needs to cut the original tapes or straps that hold the boards in piles. With the current invention, he can cut the original tapes or straps through the flap openings  420  that are covered by flap cover  440  as shown in  FIG. 7A . The flap openings are so placed that they coincide with the original straps or tapes. Preferably there are at least 2 flap openings on each side surface of the cover. Once the contractor cuts the original tapes through the flap openings, he can remove part of the cover  200  and pull out the number of cement boards he needs and easily cover the rest of the boards by pulling the cover  200  back on its place. 
         [0055]    According to a preferred embodiment the cover  200  is made of breathing water resistant material. Such material may be woven or non woven. The cover may be made of natural or synthetic fabrics laminated or coated with waterproofing material such as rubber, polyvinyl chloride PVC, polyurethane PU, silicone elastomer, fluoropolymers or wax, but any other feasible material may also be used. 
         [0056]    According to one preferred embodiment the cover may contain advertisements, instructions or other information or promotional information. 
         [0057]    Although this invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of illustration and that numerous changes in the details of construction and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention.