Patent ID: 12246898

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 pallet, rows of bags on each pallet, bags in each row on the pallet 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.

FIG.1Ashows a bag1, within which in the particular example two layers4,4′ (e.g.FIG.1B) of coils3,3′ are provided. The respective bag has an opening2only one side opposite to the bottom side through which the complete layers4,4′ 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.

FIG.1Bshows a top view through the opening2into the bag1. One can derive therefrom that two layers4,4′ 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 opening5(E.g.FIG.4CandFIG.4D). The respective center openings5of the coils within one layer of coils are parallel in respect to each other and adjacent to each other wherein the respective center openings5of the coils of the subsequent layer are arranged coaxially to the respective center openings5of the coils of the first layer. The first layer has reference sign4while the second layer has reference sign4′ in the present example.

The first layer is in this respective example the respective lower layer when the bag1is lying on the pallet7while the respective second layer4′ is the layer lying on the top of the first layer4.

Within the bag1there is no further supporting sheet or material provided which supports the respective coils3,3′. The coils3,3′ 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 opening5in 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.

FIGS.1C,1D,1Eshow that the respect bag1wherein the end of the bag at which the opening2has been provided has been rolled up such that the respective corner ears6,6′ are provided.

At this corner ears6,6′ 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 pallet7on which the respective bags1are stored is shown inFIGS.2A,2B,2CandFIG.3.FIG.2Ashows a top view on top on a bottom8of the pallet7. The bottom8has a top surface9. Form a lower surface10of the bottom8, protrusions11are protruding. The bottom8has an approximately tub shape with circumferentially erected edge walls17, which provide a respective fixation/securing of the first layer of bags1provided directly on the top surface9of the pallet7. The protrusions11may serve as pedestals such that the pallet may stand on a surface.FIG.2Bshows a cross-section across the line bb inFIG.2AwhileFIG.2Cshows a cross-section along the line cc inFIG.2A. The cross-section shown inFIG.2Cis a cross-section in the transversal direction of the pallet7while the respective cross-section inFIG.2Bis at cross-section along the longitudinal direction of the pallet7. Each of the respective protrusions11has an accordion like convolution12. This serves as a damping element which damps a load provided on the top surface9of the pallet7. The pallet7may be rectangular and have the measurements shown in the table below. 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 pallet can constitute an invention as such.

Reference Number from FIG. 2A, 2B,Dimension2C, 4A, 4B, 4C, 6A, 6B, and 6C(millimeters)1017210233310333310472105781061001073771081001093771101001117811219611320011414511512011655117403118551194031205512112012296123121012481040180040212404031200404130040560406800407120060127506021360060327506042450605245060613600

In the present case there are nine protrusions11provided in total. At the longitudinal sides of the bottom8, three oval first protrusions11′ are provided having an ovalish shape extending in the longitudinal direction of the pallet. On a line approximately in the middle of the pallet7in the transversal direction three oval second protrusions11″ are provided. Said second protrusions11′ have a bigger cross-sectional area (see top vie inFIG.2A) than the first protrusions11′.

InFIG.3it is shown that a plurality of pallets7are stacked on each other when they are not loaded with certain goods. As it is shown in this figure the pallet7is adapted when it is stacked without the coils3,3′ with another pallet that the lower surface of the other pallet lies flush against the upper surface of the pallet7wherein the respective protrusions of the other pallet are protruding unto a backside recess of the protrusion of the pallet. Due to this characteristic of the pallet it can be saved space when the pallets are not in use.

The pallet itself has some reinforcement valleys18. As shown inFIG.2Athis reinforcement valley serves for reinforcing the plastic material of which the pallet 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 pallet may be made of any plastic material in particular injection moldable plastic material namely.

As derivable fromFIGS.4A,4B and4Cseveral layers of bags1stacked from bottom to top are provided on each pallet7. Namely inFIG.4Athere is shown a situation wherein the transportation unit15is viewed from a transversal side of the pallet7and thus a transversal side of the transport unit15.

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

As shown from the top view inFIG.2C, wherein only one bag1is stored on the pallet. Two of such bags1as shown inFIG.1Acan 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 pallet7and the four layers of bags there is provided a further intermediate sheet14. This intermediate sheet14may be made of a plastic material. The intermediate sheet14may serve as a supporting surface for supporting an adjacent transportation unit which is placed on top of the transportation unit shown inFIG.4A,4B or4C.

FIGS.4D and4Eshow the configuration of coils3,3′ within the bag1. This configuration corresponds to the configuration shown inFIG.1A to1E. In total 24 coils are provided within one bag1. 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 bag1.

In the present case two layers of coils, wherein each layer has three coils in the transverse direction of the bag1and four coils in the longitudinal direction of the bag1are 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 bag1.

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 bags7at their respective corner ears6,6′.

FIGS.5A and5Bshows a situation wherein the respective transportation units7shown inFIGS.4A-4Eare placed on a track namely two rows of transportation units7are 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 inFIG.5Aappears 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 inFIG.5Bshows that there are provided on transportation units7: always two transportation units7next to each other in the horizontal direction and two transportation units7on top of the two transportation units7next to each other.

FIGS.6A,6B and6Cshows a schematic sketch of the situation ofFIGS.5A and5B.

FIG.6Ashows a cross-section along a longitudinal direction of the truck andFIG.6Bshows a top view on the pallets7(when the layers of bags are not visible) which define (together with the bags stored thereon the respective assembly).

FIG.6Ashows a cross-sectional view along the line aa inFIG.6CwhileFIG.6Bshows a cross-sectional view along the line bb inFIG.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 pallet and one truck can transport more coils.

Further respective pallets may be 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 pallet. 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

1Bag2Opening3,3′ Coils4,4′ Coil layer5Center opening6,6′ Corner ear7Pallet8Bottom9Top surface10Lower surface11Protrusions12Accordion like convolution14Intermediate sheet15Transportation unit16Fixation belt17Edge Walls18Reinforcement valley