Method of forming a load for transportation

Abstract

A method of forming a load for transportation comprising the steps of: i) placing a base member on a flat surface, wherein the base member is wider than the intended width of the load; ii) forming a base layer of the load on the base member such that a side flap of the base member extends beyond each side of the base layer, wherein the base layer defines at least two channels for receiving forks of a forklift truck or other lifting device; iii) building a partial load, less than the intended maximum height, on top of the base layer iv) folding the side flaps of the base member around the partial load; v) building the remainder of the load on top of the folded base member; and vi) securing the completed load for transportation.

1 . A method of forming a load for transportation comprising the steps of:
 i) placing a base member on a flat surface, wherein the base member is wider than the intended width of the load;   ii) forming a base layer of the load on the base member such that a side flap of the base member extends beyond each side of the base layer, wherein the base layer defines at least two channels for receiving forks of a forklift truck or other lifting device;   iii) building a partial load, less than the intended maximum height, on top of the base layer;   iv) folding the side flaps of the base member around the partial load;   v) building the remainder of the load on top of the folded base member; and   vi) securing the completed load for transportation.   
   
   
       2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein step iv) comprises the further steps of:
 a) folding a first one of the side flaps around the partial load;   b) building a further portion of the load, less then the intended maximum, on top of the first side flap; and   c) folding a second one of the side flaps around the further portion of the load.   
   
   
       3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the step of folding the side flaps around the partial load comprises the steps of:
 i) folding the side flap across the width of the partial load;   ii) building a further layer of the partial load; and   iii) folding the side flap back across the partial load.   
   
   
       4 . A method according to  claim 2 , wherein an end of at least one of the side flaps is provided with an adhesive. 
   
   
       5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein a template is used to define the channels. 
   
   
       6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein the template defines a further at least two channels perpendicular to the first mentioned channels. 
   
   
       7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a resilient plastics material. 
   
   
       8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the resilient plastics material comprises one or more plastics selected from the group consisting of polyolefins, polyamides, polystyrenes and/or polyesters. 
   
   
       9 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein the plastics material comprises CaCO3. 
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the base member is a sheet. 
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of perforations. 
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the sheet comprises a plurality of openings. 
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , where the openings are die cut. 
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12 , as dependent on  claim 6 , wherein at least some of the openings are aligned with the further channels. 
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the base member is a net. 
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the base member comprises a plurality of strap members. 
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 16 , wherein the strap members comprise a plurality of perforations. 
   
   
       18 . A method according  claim 1 , wherein a load contacting surface of the base member has a tacky surface. 
   
   
       19 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the load contacting surface comprises a glued spray. 
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the load contacting surface comprises a hot melt adhesive coating. 
   
   
       21 . A method according to  claim 18 , wherein the load contacting surface comprises an extruded tackifier. 
   
   
       22 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the completed load is secured with stretch-wrapped film. 
   
   
       23 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the completed load is secured with strapping. 
   
   
       24 . A load secured by the method according to  claim 1 . 
   
   
       25 . A load comprising a plurality of items, wherein the load comprises a base member upon which the items are stacked and a base layer of the load is stacked on the base member and defines at least two channels for receiving forks of a fork lift truck. 
   
   
       26 . A load according to  claim 25 , wherein the base member has side flaps which extend beyond each side of the load and are folded around a portion of the load. 
   
   
       27 . A load according to  claim 25 , wherein the base layer of the load defines four channels. 
   
   
       28 . A load according to  claim 27 , wherein the load comprises two pairs of channels which are arranged perpendicular to each other.