Pallet bag

Abstract

A pallet bag for a palletized load includes a body portion having at least one panel, at least one restraining or tightening device, at least one fastening device, at least one identification device and at least one tamper-proof evident security device, so that the pallet bag provides covering for a palletized load in order to protect the contents of the load from exposure to external elements or to reduce the risk of tampering of the palletized load.

1 . A pallet bag for a palletized load, comprising: 
 a body portion including at least one panel;    at least one restraining and/or tightening means;    at least one fastening means;    at least one identification means; and,    at least one tamper-proof evident security means so that the pallet bag provides covering for a palletized load for protecting the contents of the load from exposure to external elements and for reducing risk of tampering of the palletized load.    
   
   
       2 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the body portion comprises five panels including a top panel, a front panel, a right and left side panel and a back panel.  
   
   
       3 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein each panel is able to be secured to each adjacent panel by a cohesive water-resistant seam or join achieved via a heat sealing process.  
   
   
       4 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pallet bag has a folded seam extending along the entire bottom edge of the body portion of the pallet bag.  
   
   
       5 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein a first tightening strap is positioned within or outside the folded seam.  
   
   
       6 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a second tightening strap is provided on the body portion on at least one of the panels.  
   
   
       7 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the identification means is a pocket or panel made of a transparent waterproof material, so that the content of the pocket or panel is visible from the outside.  
   
   
       8 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the pocket/panel has an opening on one or both side edges of the pocket/panel for enabling content to be inserted and removed.  
   
   
       9 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the content includes a label providing identification of the pallet contents, address details for the palletized load, instructions, manifest or packing lists.  
   
   
       10 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the pallet bag has two fasteners in the form of a closure zipper.  
   
   
       11 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein the closure zippers are positioned vertically on the front panel in close proximity to the side edges of the front panel of the pallet bag for allowing for access to the palletized load.  
   
   
       12 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a first tamper evident security means is in the form of at least one security locking tab on the folded seam of the pallet bag.  
   
   
       13 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the security locking tabs are provided with an eyelet at one end which is in line with the zipper ring so that a tamper-proof/evident security tag is able to be applied thereto for locking the closure zippers in place until the pallet has been delivered to the intended recipient.  
   
   
       14 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein two restraining straps are secured to the front panel and two restraining straps are secured to the back panel of the pallet bag.  
   
   
       15 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein an upper portion of the restraining straps is attached to the front panel or back panel of the pallet bag, while the free ends of the lower portion of the restraining straps allow for movement and adjustment of the restraining straps.  
   
   
       16 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the restraining straps are connected to each other via a securing means in the form of a fastening clip.  
   
   
       17 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the fastening clip has a complimentary male and female attachment portion for allowing the ends of the restraining straps to be interlaced through the fastening clip for securing the fastening clip to the straps.  
   
   
       18 . The pallet bag for a palletized load as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein a second tamper-proof evident security means is in the form of a tag for securing the complimentary male and female portions of the fastening dip together.