US-20260125168-A1 - PALLET WITH STRAP CHANNELS, STRAPPING MACHINE, AND METHODS OF STRAPPING A LOAD

US20260125168A1US 20260125168 A1US20260125168 A1US 20260125168A1US-20260125168-A1

Abstract

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of strapping a load, a strapping machine for strapping a load, and a pallet with strap channels.

Inventors

Adam HENRICKS
Michael Wolf
Kent Longardner

Assignees

SIGNODE INDUSTRIAL GROUP LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260507
Application Date: 20230929

Claims (20)

1 . A method of strapping a load, the method comprising: moving the load to a strapping area on a load supporter of a strapping machine, wherein the load comprises a pallet and goods supported by the pallet, wherein the pallet comprises a base and a top deck connected to the base and has opposing first and second ends and opposing first and second sides transverse to the first and second ends, wherein an underside of the base defines a first strap channel adjacent the first end of the pallet and a second strap channel adjacent the second end of the pallet, wherein the first and second strap channels extend from the first side to the second side; stopping the load in the strapping area so a strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the first strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the strap chute extending across the load supporter; feeding, via a strapping head of the strapping machine, strap from a strap supply through the strap chute along a strap path defined by the strap chute; retracting, via the strapping head, the strap from the strap chute and onto the load so part of the strap is received in the first strap channel; and tensioning, via the strapping head, the strap around the load.
2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein feeding the strap comprises: feeding, via the strapping head, the strap from the strap supply through the strap chute before the load stops at the strapping area.
3 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: moving the load to a second strapping area on the load supporter of the strapping machine; stopping the load in the second strapping area so the strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the second strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the strap chute extending across the load supporter; feeding, via the strapping head, strap from the strap supply through the strap chute along a strap path defined by the strap chute; retracting, via the strapping head, the strap from the strap chute and onto the load so part of the strap is received in the second strap channel; and tensioning, via the strapping head, the strap around the load.
4 . The method of claim 3 , wherein the underside of the base defines a third strap channel positioned at a center of the pallet, the method comprising: moving the load to a third strapping area on the load supporter of the strapping machine; stopping the load in the third strapping area so the strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the third strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the strap chute extending across the load supporter; feeding, via the strapping head, strap from the strap supply through the strap chute along a strap path defined by the strap chute; retracting, via the strapping head, the strap from the strap chute and onto the load so part of the strap is received in the third strap channel; and tensioning, via the strapping head, the strap around the load.
5 . The method of claim 1 , further comprising: moving the load to a second strapping area on a load supporter of a second strapping machine; stopping the load in the second strapping area so a strap chute of the second strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the second strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the strap chute extending across the load supporter; feeding, via a strapping head of the second strapping machine, strap from a strap supply of the second strapping machine through the strap chute along a strap path defined by the strap chute; retracting, via the strapping head of the second strapping machine, the strap from the strap chute and onto the load so part of the strap is received in the second strap channel; and tensioning, via the strapping head of the second strapping machine, the strap around the load.
6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the underside of the base defines a third strap channel positioned at a center of the pallet, the method comprising: moving the load to a third strapping area on a load supporter of a third strapping machine; stopping the load in the third strapping area so a strap chute of the third strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the third strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the strap chute extending across the load supporter; feeding, via a strapping head of the third strapping machine, strap from a strap supply of the third strapping machine through the strap chute along a strap path defined by the strap chute; retracting, via the strapping head of the third strapping machine, the strap from the strap chute and onto the load so part of the strap is received in the third strap channel; and tensioning, via the strapping head of the third strapping machine, the strap around the load.
7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein stopping the load in the strapping area comprises: stopping the load so a first strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the first strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the first strap chute extending across the load supporter and so a second strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the second strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the second strap chute extending across the load supporter.
8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the underside of the base comprises an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a back edge substantially parallel to the front edge, first and second side edges which are substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the first strap channel adjacent the first end of the pallet and the second strap channel adjacent the second end of the pallet extend from the first side to the second side.
9 . A strapping machine for strapping a load, the strapping machine comprising: a load supporter configured to support the load, wherein the load includes a pallet and goods supported by the pallet, wherein the pallet comprises a base and a top deck connected to the base and has opposing first and second ends and opposing first and second sides transverse to the first and second ends, wherein an underside of the base defines a first strap channel adjacent the first end of the pallet and a second strap channel adjacent the second end of the pallet, wherein the first and second strap channels extend from the first side to the second side; a strapping head; a strap chute defining a strap path and configured to receive strap from a strap supply; and a controller, wherein the controller is operably connected to the strapping head and configured to: move the load to a strapping area on the load supporter; stop the load in the strapping area so the strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the first strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the strap chute extending across the load supporter; feed, via a strapping head of the strapping machine, strap from a strap supply through the strap chute along a strap path defined by the strap chute; retract, via the strapping head, the strap from the strap chute and onto the load so part of the strap is received in the first strap channel; and tension, via the strapping head, the strap around the load.
10 . The strapping machine of claim 9 , wherein the controller is further configured to: move the load to a second strapping area on the load supporter; and stop the load in the second strapping area so the strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the second strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the strap chute extending across the load supporter.
11 . The strapping machine of claim 9 , wherein the strapping head comprises: a feed module configured to feed the strap; a tensioning module configured to tension the strap; and a sealing module configured to: hold a leading strap end of the strap; cut the strap from the strap supply to form a trailing strap end of the strap; and connect the leading strap end to the trailing strap end.
12 . The strapping machine of claim 11 , wherein the controller is further configured to: control the feed module to feed the strap from the strapping head through the strap chute along the strap path; control the tensioning module to tension the strap around the load; and control the sealing module to hold the leading strap end, form the trailing strap end, and connect the leading strap end to the trailing strap end to form a tensioned strap loop.
13 . The strapping machine of claim 9 , further comprising a second strap chute configured to receive strap from the strap supply.
14 . The strapping machine of claim 13 , wherein the controller is configured to: feed a first strap from the strap supply through the strap chute along a strap path defined by the strap chute; feed a second strap from the strap supply through the second strap chute along a second strap path defined by the second strap chute; and tension the first strap and the second strap around the load.
15 . The strapping machine of claim 14 , wherein the controller is further configured to: move the load to a strapping area on the load supporter; and stop the load in the strapping area so the strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the first strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the strap chute extending across the load supporter and so the second strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the second strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the second strap chute extending across the load supporter.
16 . The strapping machine of claim 9 , further comprising a plurality of strap chutes configured to receive strap from the strap supply.
17 . The strapping machine of claim 9 , wherein the strap chute comprises a first side and a second side such that the first side and the second side are hinged together at a hinge joint, and wherein the first side and the second side are configured to retain the strap supply until the first side and the second side are hinged apart at the hinge joint to release the strap supply.
18 . A pallet for supporting goods, the pallet comprising: a top deck; a base, wherein the base comprises a bottom deck having an upper surface, a lower surface, a front edge, a back edge substantially parallel to the front edge, first and second side edges which are substantially parallel to one another, and wherein the bottom deck comprises: two or more front strap channels configured to receive strap, wherein the two or more front strap channels extend from the front edge to the back edge, wherein a first side strap channel of the two or more front strap channels is adjacent to the first side edge, and wherein a second side channel of the two or more front strap channels is adjacent to the second side edge; and two or more side strap channels configured to receive strap, wherein the two or more side strap channels extend from the first side edge to the second side edge, wherein a front strap channel of the two or more side strap channels is adjacent to the front edge, and wherein a back strap channel of the two or more side strap channels is adjacent to the back edge; and a plurality of spacers extending substantially perpendicularly downward from the top deck to the base, wherein the plurality of spacers separate the top deck and the base.
19 . The pallet of claim 18 , wherein the top deck includes a plurality of openings.
20 . The pallet of claim 18 , the pallet further comprising a plurality of fork inlets, wherein each fork inlet is configured to receive a fork of a forklift.

Description

PRIORITY This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/413,234, filed Oct. 4, 2022, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference. FIELD The present disclosure relates to systems for strapping loads, and more particularly to a pallet with strap channels and a strapping machine for strapping the pallet. BACKGROUND A strapping machine forms a tensioned loop of plastic strap (such as polyester or polypropylene strap), metal strap (such as steel strap), or paper strap around a load. A typical strapping machine includes a support surface that supports the load, a strap chute that defines a strap path and circumscribes the support surface, a strapping head that forms the strap loop and is positioned in the strap path, a controller that controls the strapping head to strap the load, and a frame that supports these components. To strap the load, the strapping head first feeds strap (leading strap end first) from a strap supply into and through the strap chute (along the strap path) until the leading strap end returns to the strapping head. While holding the leading strap end, the strapping head retracts the strap to pull the strap out of the strap chute and onto the load and tensions the strap to a designated strap tension. The strapping head then cuts the strap from the strap supply to form a trailing strap end and attaches the leading and trailing strap ends to one another, thereby forming a tensioned strap loop around the load. Certain strapping machines have multiple strapping heads and respective strap chutes that define respective strap paths. These strapping machines are configured to simultaneously form multiple tensioned strap loops (using strap from separate respective strap supplies) around a load. Some loads include goods supported by a pallet. The pallet has a top deck supporting the load, a bottom deck, and spacers separating the top and bottom decks. The spacers are positioned so tine-receiving openings are defined through the pallet. The tine-receiving openings are sized and shaped to receive the tines of a forklift or a pallet jack to facilitate moving the load. One problem with some known strapping machines is that when they strap one of these loads of palletized goods, the strap is wrapped around the underside of the bottom deck of the pallet. This is problematic because the strap is exposed and is in contact with the floor or other support surface when the load is in storage or transit, increasing the likelihood of damaging the strap. Some strapping machines attempt to solve this problem by employing a deploy able strap guide—known as a pallet void feeding attachment in the industry—to strap loads of palletized goods. Specifically, the pallet void feeding attachment is extended through the tine-receiving opening of the pallet between the top and bottom decks and forms the bottom of the strap chute. The strapping machine then forms the tensioned strap loop, which is wrapped around the underside of the top deck of the pallet. The pallet void feeding attachment is then retracted. But using the pallet void feeding attachment gives rise to additional problems. The pallet void feeding attachment has to be extended and retracted for each strap cycle, which lengthens cycle time and increases throughput. It also introduces another set of mechanical components into the strapping machine that much be maintained and, eventually, repaired or replaced. Finally, although strap wrapped around the underside of the top deck of the pallet is kept off the floor, it may still be damaged by forklift of pallet jack tines introduced into the tine-receiving openings to move the load of palletized goods. SUMMARY Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a method of strapping a load, a strapping machine for strapping a load, and a pallet with strap channels. In one embodiment, a method of strapping a load includes strapping a pallet and goods supported by the pallet. The method comprises moving the load to a strapping area on a load supporter of a strapping machine. The pallet comprises a base and a top deck connected to the base and has opposing first and second ends and opposing first and second sides transverse to the first and second ends. Further, an underside of the base defines a first strap channel adjacent the first end of the pallet and a second strap channel adjacent the second end of the pallet that each extend from the first side to the second side. The method comprises stopping the load in the strapping area so a strap chute of the strapping machine circumscribes the load and so the first strap channel of the pallet is aligned with a portion of the strap chute extending across the load supporter. Further, the method comprises feeding, via a strapping head of the strapping machine, strap from a strap supply through the strap chute along a strap path defined by the strap chute, retracting, via the strapping head, the strap from the str