Abstract:
A kit for covering a load ( 18 ) comprising: a cargo cover ( 10 ); a deployment means comprising a base sheet ( 2 ) for containing the cargo cover ( 10 ) prior to covering the load ( 18 ), the base sheet ( 2 ) comprising releasable securement means ( 4 ) for securing it around the cargo cover ( 10 ); and a plurality of cargo cover deployment straps ( 12, 14 ).

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to a kit for covering a load, a kit for deploying a cargo cover over a load, and to a method of covering a load, for example, for transportation of a palletised load by road, sea, or air. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    It is well-known to transport goods on pallets. A pallet net is generally used to secure the goods on to the pallet. Cargo covers are often used to provide additional protection to a load, such as fire containment, waterproofing, thermal insulation, environmental protection, explosion containment, or any other form of protection that is desired. Cargo covers may be secured to a pallet using a cargo net, or by any other suitable means, as is generally well-known in the industry. 
         [0003]    A problem associated with existing cargo covers is that they can be quite heavy, especially when they are sized to cover large loads, such as those generally used for air transportation. This can make them difficult to deploy over loads, and may require additional manpower or machinery for the loading process. 
         [0004]    It is an object of the present invention to overcome some of the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least to offer an alternative solution to the currently available products and methods. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit for covering a load comprising: a cargo cover; a deployment means comprising a base sheet for containing the cargo cover prior to covering the load, the base sheet comprising releasable securement means for securing it around the cargo cover; and a plurality of cargo cover deployment straps. 
         [0006]    Cargo covers generally comprise a rectangular roof panel and four wing panels extending from the edges of the roof panel. The wing panels are generally attached to adjacent wing panels such that the cargo cover defines five sides of a cube or cuboid shape. A problem with currently available cargo covers is that they can be large, heavy and unwieldy, and it is difficult for cargo handlers to deploy the cargo cover over the load. The present invention facilitates easier deployment of a cargo cover by containing it within a deployment means. The cargo cover can be neatly stored with the deployment means and then the deployment means is positioned on top of the load. Depending on the size of the load the deployment means can be lifted by cargo handlers, or it can be lifted on top of the load using a fork lift truck. Once the deployment means has been correctly position the deployment straps can be pulled, causing the releasable securement means to break open and the cargo cover to be deployed. 
         [0007]    In an embodiment of the invention the cargo cover deployment straps are connected to the cargo cover. 
         [0008]    In an alternative embodiment of the invention the cargo cover deployment straps are provided with means for releasably connecting them to the cargo cover. 
         [0009]    In an embodiment of the invention the base sheet comprises positioning straps for positioning the kit on the load. The positioning straps may be pulled by cargo handlers to position the kit on the load prior to the pulling of the deployment straps to deploy the cargo cover over the load. The positioning straps may conveniently be attached to the underside of the base sheet. The positioning straps may conveniently be provided in pairs, such that each member of the pair can be pulled from an opposite side of the load to aid positioning. 
         [0010]    In an embodiment of the invention the releasable securement means comprises hook and loop fastenings. In an embodiment of the invention the releasable securement means comprises press stud fastenings. In an embodiment of the invention the releasable securement means comprises quick release fastenings. In some embodiments of the invention the releasable securement means are configured such that they open when the deployment straps are pulled. In alternative embodiments of the invention at least some of the releasable securement means must be opened by a user prior to use. In yet further embodiments of the invention at least some of the releasable securement means may be lockable to prevent tampering or theft of the cargo cover during storage or transit. 
         [0011]    In an embodiment of the invention the positioning straps and the cargo cover deployment straps are provided with identification means. In an embodiment of the invention the identification means comprises coloured identification means. In an embodiment of the invention the identification means comprises straps having different characteristics. In an embodiment of the invention the positioning straps are formed from a braided material and the deployment straps are formed from a webbing material. In an embodiment of the invention the deployment straps are formed from a braided material and the positioning straps are formed from a webbing material. 
         [0012]    The identification means enables a user to distinguish between the deployment means and the positioning means, and can even be used to enable a user to distinguish between different ones of the deployment means or positioning means, for example, deployment means or positioning means intended to be located on one side of a load may be a different colour to deployment means or positioning means intended to be located on an opposite side of the load. The identification means can help to speed up loading time, which is important in cargo handling. 
         [0013]    In an embodiment of the invention the base sheet comprises pockets for storage of the cargo cover deployment straps and/or the positioning straps. The deployment straps and/or the positioning straps can be stored in the pockets when not in use, which can help to prevent damage and also ensure that the straps do not become separated from the base sheet in situations where they are not permanently connected. 
         [0014]    In an embodiment of the invention the base sheet is provided with carrying handles. The carrying handles may conveniently be made from loops of webbing material stitched to the base sheet, such that the kit can be carried, for example in the manner of a holdall bag, when not in use. The carrying handles may also function as lifting loops for lifting the kit into position. 
         [0015]    According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kit for deploying a cargo cover over a load comprising: a deployment means comprising a base sheet for containing the cargo cover prior to deployment, the base sheet comprising releasable securement means for securing it around the cargo cover; and a plurality of cargo cover deployment straps, the deployment straps being provided with means for connecting them to the cargo net. 
         [0016]    Additional features of this aspect of the invention are generally the same as those described with reference to the deployment means and deployment straps of the first aspect of the invention. 
         [0017]    According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of covering a load comprising the steps of: providing a cargo cover with deployment straps, the cargo cover being stored in a deployment means, the deployment means being releasably secured around the cargo cover; placing the cargo cover and deployment means on top of the load; and pulling the deployment straps to release the cargo cover from the deployment means. 
         [0018]    In an embodiment of the invention the deployment straps are releasably connectable to the cargo cover, and the method comprises the further step of attaching the deployment straps to the cargo cover. 
         [0019]    In an embodiment of the invention the method further comprises the step of continuing to pull the deployment straps to deploy the cargo cover over the load. 
         [0020]    In an embodiment of the invention the method further comprises the steps of: providing positioning straps attached to the deployment means; and pulling the positioning straps to position the cargo cover on top of the load. 
         [0021]    In an embodiment of the invention the method comprises the step of folding the cargo cover for storage in the deployment means prior to use. 
         [0022]    The present invention will now be described, purely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0023]      FIG. 1  shows a plan view base sheet of a deployment means; 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a folded cargo cover on the base sheet of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  shows a perspective view of the base sheet of  FIG. 1  deployed around the cargo cover; 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  shows a perspective view of the base sheet and cargo cover on top of a load; 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of the cargo cover in a partially deployed state; and 
           [0028]      FIG. 6  shows a perspective view of the load with the cargo cover fully deployed. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    Referring firstly to  FIG. 1 , this shows a plan view of a base sheet  2  of a deployment means. The base sheet  2  is made from a plastics material, such as polyethylene, which could be the same material as the material of a cargo cover it is intended to contain, or it could be a different material. The base sheet  2  can be single ply, double ply, or multi-ply, with insulation material provide between the layers if desired. Alternatively, the base sheet  2  can be formed from any suitable fabric material. The base sheet  2  will either be removed before transportation of the load, or it will sit under the cargo cover  10 . It does not need to meet any particular fire safety requirements. However, it is preferred that the base sheet  2  is made from a fire resistant material, so as not to contribute to a cargo fire, or to provide additional fire protection to the roof of a fire containment cover. The base sheet  2  is preferably made from a light-weight, durable material which is strong enough to contain the cargo cover  10  in normal usage, but does not substantially increase the weight of a load. 
         [0030]    The base sheet  2  is rectangular in shape, although other shapes are possible, as will be appreciated by the skilled person. The short sides of the base sheet  2  are each provided with one half of a releasable securement means  4 . The releasable securement means comprises a hook and loop fastening, with a hook member  4   a  being provided along an edge of one short side and a corresponding loop member  4   b  being provided along an edge of the opposite short side. The hook and loop fastening  4   a,    4   b  must be strong enough to secure the base sheet  2  around a cargo cover in normal use, but it must also be selected such that may be manually detached by a user, or users, when desired. In alternative embodiments of the invention additional securement means may be provided, e.g. quick release clips, which need to be manually undone prior to use. In yet further embodiments some of the securement means may be lockable to prevent theft or tampering during storage or transportation. 
         [0031]    Positioning straps  6 ,  8  are attached to the underside of the base sheet  2 . The positioning straps  6 ,  8  are formed from a webbing material of polyester or nylon, and are preferably made from a fire resistant material. The positioning straps  6 , 8  are permanently attached to the base sheet  2  by stitching  11 , or any other suitable means. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the positioning straps  6 ,  8  may be releasably connectable to the base sheet  2 , for example using snap hooks and complementary fittings on the base sheet  2 . The positioning straps  6 ,  8  are attached at attachment points, which are towards a centre line of the base sheet  2 , midway between the two short sides. The positioning straps  6 ,  8  are coloured coded to aid identification and prevent cross over of the positioning straps  6 ,  8  during use. The positioning straps  6   a,    8   a  on the left hand side of the base sheet  2  are differently coloured to the positioning straps  6   b  ,  8   b  on the right hand side. This enables quick and easy identification of the positioning straps  6 ,  8  by cargo handlers —which is particularly important on large loads where the cargo handlers may not be able to see the base sheet  2  when it is on top of the load. The use of the positioning straps  6 ,  8  will be described in more detail in relation to  FIGS. 2-6 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a cargo cover  10  loaded on to the base sheet  2 . The cargo cover  10  has been folded prior to loading on to the base sheet  2 . The cargo cover  10  can be folded in a variety of ways, but it is preferably folded in such a way that it can be easily deployed over a load when required. If the cargo cover  10  has a cargo net attached then it is preferably folded in such a way that the cargo net does not protrude from the folded cargo cover  10 . In order to fold the cargo cover  10  it is laid out as flat as possible and the bottom edges of the wing panels are folded inwards. Once the cargo cover  10  has been folded to a suitably small size, which depends on the size of the cargo cover  10 , the size of the base sheet  2  and the size of the load, it is loaded on to the base sheet  2 . The cargo cover  10  is made from a fire resistant material. 
         [0033]    Cargo cover deployment straps  12 ,  14  are releasably attached to the cargo cover  10 . The deployment straps  12 ,  14  are formed from a braided rope made from polyester or nylon which is attached to the cargo cover  10  by means of snap hooks (not shown). The cargo cover deployment straps  12 ,  14  are made from a fire resistant material. The snap hooks are attached to webbing loops at the bottom corners of the cargo cover  10 . Alternatively, the deployment straps  12 ,  14  could be attached to any suitable existing feature on the cargo cover  10 . Alternatively, in the case where the cargo cover  10  has an integral cargo net (as in the present case—see  FIG. 6 ), the deployment straps  12 ,  14  may be attached to a bottom edge of the cargo net. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention the deployment straps  12 ,  14  may be permanently attached to the cargo cover  10  or cargo net. 
         [0034]    The deployment straps  12 ,  14  are preferably attached to the cargo cover  10  prior to folding, and care must be taken to ensure that the deployment straps  12 ,  14  are kept free when the cargo cover  10  is folded. As with the positioning straps  6 ,  8 , the deployment straps  12 ,  14  are coloured coded to aid identification and prevent cross over during use. The deployment straps  12   a,    14   a  attached to the left hand side of the cargo cover are differently coloured to the deployment straps  12   b ,  14   b  on the right hand side. This enables quick and easy identification of the deployment straps  12 ,  14  by cargo handlers—which is particularly important on large loads where the cargo handlers may not be able to see the top of the load. 
         [0035]    As noted above, the positioning straps  6 ,  8  are formed from a webbing material and the deployment straps  12 ,  14  are formed from a braided material. This helps for identification purposes and enables cargo handlers to quickly and easily distinguish between the two different types of straps. As will be explained in more detail below, the positioning straps  6 ,  8  are generally pulled before the deployment straps  12 ,  14 , so it is important that cargo handlers are able to distinguish them easily. Forming the straps in this way is only one possible form of identification means, and it will be appreciated that other means are possible with in the scope of the present invention, for example, the straps could be differently coloured to aid identification. 
         [0036]    Once the cargo cover  10  has be folded and loaded on to the base sheet  2 , the base sheet  2  is folded around the cargo cover  10  and the two halves of the releasable securement means  4   a,    4   b  are brought together and secured, as can be seen in  FIG. 3 . Care must be taken when securing the base sheet  2  around the cargo cover  10  to ensure that the deployment straps  12 ,  14  extend out of the base sheet  2  and are freely accessible. As will be described in more detail below, the deployment straps  12 ,  14  are used to break open the open the releasable securement means  4  and aid deployment of the cargo cover  10 , so they are preferably fed though the join between the two short edges of the base sheet  2 . 
         [0037]    The outer surface of the base sheet  2  is provided with pockets  16  which can be used for storage of the positioning straps  6 ,  8  and deployment straps  12 ,  14  when not in use. This can help to prevent the straps from becoming separated from the base sheet  2 . 
         [0038]    When the base sheet  2  is folded around the cargo cover  10  it provides protection for the cargo cover, for example from abrasion, dirt, UV deterioration, water damage, vermin, or other contamination. This serves to prolong the life of the cargo cover, as it would limit the wear and tear of the cargo cover  10  during the loading process, during storage and when the kit is in transit, e.g. when the cargo cover is being sent to operators from the manufacturer, or distributed by airlines to hubs, or redistributed after use. The base sheet  2  also serves to keep the cargo cover  10  in a compact form, which aids in handling and saves space in the storage of the cargo cover  10 . 
         [0039]    The base sheet  2  containing the cargo cover  10  is then placed on top of a load  18 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . Depending on the size of the load  18 , particularly its height, and the combined weight of the base sheet  2  and cargo cover  10 , the base sheet  2  and cargo cover  10  can be manually placed on top of the load  18  by cargo handlers or, more commonly, the base sheet  2  and cargo cover  10  will be placed on top of the load  18  using a fork lift truck, or other suitable lifting device. 
         [0040]    While the base sheet  2  and cargo cover  10  are being lifted into position it is advisable for at least one cargo handler to take hold of the positioning straps  6 ,  8  and deployment straps  12 ,  14 . In fact, it is preferable for a cargo handler on one side of the load  18  to hold the positioning straps  6   a,    8   a  and deployment straps  12   a ,  14   a  for that side of the load  18  and another cargo handler, located on the opposite side of the load  18 , to hold the other positioning straps  6   b,    8   b  and deployment straps  12   b,    14   b  for that side of the load  18 . The positioning straps  6 ,  8  and deployment straps  12 ,  14  should be long enough to reach across the load  18  and hang down the side such that they can be grasped by a cargo handler standing on the ground. 
         [0041]    Once the base sheet  2  and cargo cover  10  have been placed on top of the load  18  the cargo handlers can pull the positioning straps  6 ,  8  to position the base sheet  2  in the desired position, which will generally be in the centre of the load. The positioning straps  6 ,  8  are attached to the base sheet  2  only, so they will permit movement of the base sheet  2  without causing the cargo cover  10  to be deployed. 
         [0042]    Once the base sheet  2  and cargo cover  10  have been moved to the desired position on top of the load  18  the cargo handlers can pull the deployment straps  12 ,  14  to deploy the cargo cover  10  over the load  18 . Ideally at least two cargo handlers—positioned on opposite sides of the load  18 —will pull the deployment straps  12 ,  14  simultaneously, and it is most preferred for four cargo handlers—located at the four corners of the load  18 —to pull the deployment straps  12 ,  14  simultaneously. When the deployment straps  12 ,  14  are pulled it exerts a force on the releasable securement means  4 , causing the two halves  4   a,    4   b  of said means to pull apart, and release the cargo cover  10  from within the base sheet  2 . As noted above, some embodiments may have releasable securement means which must be manually opened prior to use. Such securement means provide additional security and prevent the kit from accidentally opening. 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows a perspective view of a cargo cover  10  being deployed over the load  18  in the manner described. The cargo handler(s) continue to pull the deployment straps  12 ,  14 , which causes the cargo cover  10  to unfold from within the base sheet  2  and deploy over the load  18 , as can be seen in  FIG. 6 . Once the cargo cover  10  has been fully deployed over the load  18  it is secured to a pallet in the usual manner. As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , the cargo cover  10  is provided with an integral cargo net  20 . The present invention can be used with cargo covers  10  which are specifically adapted for the purpose, or it can be used with existing cargo covers. 
         [0044]    Once the cargo cover  10  has been fully deployed over the load  18  the cargo handlers can pull the positioning straps  6 ,  8  to remove the base sheet  2  from under the cargo cover  10 . Alternatively, the base sheet  2  can be left under the cargo cover  10  for transportation. One advantage of this is that the base sheet  2  will stay with the cargo cover  10  and it can be reused. If the base sheet  2  is removed from under the cargo cover  10  there is a possibility that it will become separated from the cargo cover  10 . This may or may not be desired. 
         [0045]    The present invention offers significant advantages for cargo handlers in terms of reduced loading time. This is important as a reduction in loading time means quicker turnarounds and an overall reduction in costs. By making the loading process easier for cargo handlers it also reduces the likelihood of cargo covers being inappropriately secured, which is clearly a danger in cargo transportation.