Method for storing building materials and product obtained with said method

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for storing building materials, particularly of the type constituted by putty and/or a compound of slaked lime mixed with water, and to the product obtained by the method. The method comprises a step of packaging the building materials in interconnected bags and/or containers (2); followed by a step of pre-scoring the region (3) that connects two of the bags and/or containers (2) that are adjacent; the bags and/or containers (2) are then divided into groups (4) constituted by at least two of the bags and/or containers (2); this is followed by a step in which two or more of the groups (4) are arranged side by side on a pallet (6), so as to form a first layer (7), above which a second layer (8), constituted by other groups arranged side by side, is arranged along an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the first layer (7); any further additional layers (9a,9b,9c,9d,9e,9f) of bags (2) are arranged along an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the axis of each underlying layer; this is followed by a last step that uses retention means (10) for temporarily retaining the layers on the underlying pallet (6).

Description: The present invention relates to a method for storing building materials, particularly of the type constituted by putty and/or by a composition of slaked lime mixed with water. Building materials, such as putty and/or slaked lime mixed with water, are currently packaged in individual and separate bags made of polyethylene, or another adapted material, by using packaging machines of the type with heat-sealing bars. The bags that are obtained are then stored in iron or wood containers for storage and remain therein also for the time required to ship them for delivery. The need to use containers arises from the instability that the bags have, since they contain products having no intrinsic rigidity. This known system for storing and shipping building products, however, has drawbacks; the containers must have dimensions that are adapted for the bags, and this entails a considerable problem for storing and managing said containers within the factory as well as a considerable initial investment to purchase them. Storing the containers, whether empty or filled with bags, requires the use of large specifically provided spaces, whereas transporting them within the factory entails the use of appropriate transport machines, both when the containers are made of iron and when they are made of wood. Another drawback is due to a high shipping cost, since it is necessary to take into account both the goods and the tare; furthermore, it is necessary to take into account the additional cost for collecting said containers after sale. Another drawback is due to the hindrance that the container causes to the user when he removes the bags placed on the bottom. Furthermore, the bags are arranged in a completely haphazard fashion in the containers, and this can of course lead to accidental breakages of said containers, causing the escape of the material contained therein. A principal aim of the present invention is to solve the above-described technical problems, eliminating the drawbacks of the mentioned prior art (see also US-A-2 197 845), providing a method for storing building products that allows to reduce initial investment costs. Within the scope of this aim, another object is to provide a method that allows to reduce the shipping cost of the products to be delivered. Another important object is to provide a method that allows optimum arrangement of the packaged product, reducing space occupation. Another object is to provide a method that allows the packaged product to have optimum stability throughout storage and transport. Another important object is to provide a method that is simple and safe to perform. Another important object is to provide a method that allows to achieve an optimum arrangement of the contained material, allowing it to be easily gripped by the user. Another object is to provide a method that can be obtained with low costs by using conventional machines and equipment. This aim, these objects, and others which will become apparent hereinafter are achieved by a method for storing building materials, particularly of the type constituted by putty and/or a compound of slaked lime mixed with water, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) packaging said building materials in mutually interconnected bags and/or containers; b) pre-scoring the region that connects two of said bags and/or containers that are adjacent; c) dividing said bags and/or containers into groups constituted by at least two of said bags and/or containers; d) arranging two or more of said groups side by side on a pallet, so as to form a first layer; e) arranging, above said first layer, along an axis that is approximately perpendicular thereto, a second layer constituted by two or more additional said groups arranged side by side; f) arranging optional additional layers, arranged along an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the axis of the underlying layer; and g) applying means for temporarily retaining said layers on said pallet. Further characteristics and advantages of the method will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment thereof, illustrated only by way of non-limitative example in the accompanying drawings, wherein: figure 1 is a lateral perspective view of a product produced with the method according to the present invention; figure 2 is a top view of a layer produced by means of two adjacent groups; figure 3 is a top view of a layer that is arranged so that its axis is at right angles to the axis of figure 2. With reference to the above figures, the reference numeral 1 designates a product obtained by virtue of the method, according to the present invention, for storing building materials, such as for example mortar or wet lime putty composed of slaked lime mixed with water. This method for obtaining the product 1 entails a first step of packaging said building material in individual bags and/or containers 2 that are interconnected by means of a connecting band or region 3 that is accordingly adapted to form a group 4 of two or three or more of said bags or containers 2 arranged along the same axis. Said connecting region 3 allows to perform, in a second step, a pre-scoring 5 adapted to facilitate, in the subsequent third step, the determination of the number of bags constituting the desired group 4. The number of bags or containers 2 that constitute each group 4 must be determined according to the specific storage and/or shipping requirements. In a fourth step, two groups 4, for example, are arranged side by side on a pallet 6 and are thus adapted to form a first layer 7. The pallet 6 is constituted by a flat footing, which is produced by arranging side by side boards that are generally made of wood; the footing is raised by means of appropriate spacers 6a and is adapted to allow the stacking of the products as well as easy transport thereof. In a fifth step of the method according to the present invention, a second layer 8, formed by arranging two groups 4 of bags and/or containers 2 side by side, is arranged above the first layer 7 along an axis that is approximately perpendicular to said first layer. Then, by means of a sixth step, it is possible to stack the bags and/or containers 2, arranged according to the preselected groups 4, forming successive layers, designated in the specific embodiment by the reference numerals 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d, 9e, and 9f, each whereof is arranged so that its axis is perpendicular to the axis of the underlying layer, as shown in figure 1. A seventh step entails associating the various layers thus obtained with the pallet 6 by using adapted retention means 10. Said retention means 10 are constituted by a shrink-wrap film arranged so as to fully wrap around the product 1; adapted straps can be used as an alternative. It has thus been observed that the described method has achieved the intended aim and objects, a product 1 having been provided which allows to reduce initial investment costs and delivery shipping costs, since a pallet 6 is used which is cheap and can be handled easily both for shipping and for storage. Furthermore, the arrangement of the groups 4 in layers 9 allows to reduce space occupation and at the same time allows the user to easily grip each bag and/or container 2. The retention of the layers on the pallet allows optimum stability for all the layers both during shipping and for storage. The invention is of course susceptible of numerous modifications and variations within the scope of the claims. The materials and the dimensions that constitute the individual components of the device may of course also be the most appropriate according to the specific requirements. Where technical features mentioned in any claim are followed by reference signs, those reference signs have been included for the sole purpose of increasing the intelligibility of the claims and accordingly, such reference signs do not have any limiting effect on the interpretation of each element identified by way of example by such reference signs.

Claims: A method for storing building materials, particularly of the type constituted by putty and/or a compound of slaked lime mixed with water, characterized in that it comprises the following steps: a) packaging said building materials in interconnected bags and/or containers; b) pre-scoring the region that connects two of said bags and/or containers that are adjacent; c) dividing said bags and/or containers into groups constituted by at least two of said bags and/or containers; d) arranging two or more of said groups side by side on a pallet, so as to form a first layer; e) arranging, above said first layer, along an axis that is approximately perpendicular thereto, a second layer constituted by two or more additional said groups arranged side by side; f) arranging optional additional layers, arranged along an axis that is approximately perpendicular to the axis of the underlying layer; and g) applying means for temporarily retaining said layers on said pallet. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a first step of packaging said building material in individual bags and/or containers that are interconnected by means of a connecting band or region adapted to form at least one group of two or three or more of said bags or containers arranged along the same axis. A method according to claim 2, characterized in that said second step entails, at said connecting region or band, at least one pre-scoring adapted to facilitate, during the subsequent third step, the separation and the determination of the number of said bags constituting the desired group. A method according to claim 3, characterized in that said group preferably provides for the side-by-side arrangement of three bags and/or containers. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that said means for temporarily retaining being constituted by a shrink-wrap film, arranged so as to fully wrap around said layers. A method according to claim 5, characterized in that said means for temporarily retaining are constituted by straps. A product obtained with the method as claimed in claims 1-6, characterized in that it is constituted by a pallet that supports two or more layers of two or more side-by-side groups of bags and/or containers for building materials, said two or more layers being arranged on top of each other and being orientated along axes that are rotated through approximately 90 o and being associated with said pallet by virtue of temporary retention means.

Inventors: MUSSATO FAUSTO, MUSSATO, FAUSTO
Applicants: FASSA S P A, FASSA S.P.A
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B65B27
IPC codes: B65G57, B65B27