Low cost planar air pallet material handling system
US3948344A · kind A · utility
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 3, 1974 |
| Grant date | Apr 6, 1976 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 3, 1994 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB65D19/00
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A planar air pallet supports a load for frictionless transport relative to an underlying fixed support surface. A single sheet of flexible plastic film may underlie a stack of cartons forming the load with the edges sheet heat shrunk about the stack of cartons. Small diameter perforations are provided at least within that portion of the sheet underlying the lowermost tier of cartons to form a plenum chamber, preferably through air dispersion members between the flexible sheet and the carton load. The perforations unrestrictedly open directly to said plenum chamber. Pillowing of the sheet portion of the plenum chamber is controlled to permit jacking of the load sufficiently for a combination of surface irregularity for both the load support surface and the backing surface. The air pallet may also comprise a flexible film bag, which carries internally a rigid sheet which may be the load to control pillowing and provide air dispersion.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.