Separators for unitized loads

Abstract

A stacked shipping configuration useful for stacked upper and lower unitized loads of soft or flexible articles such as bales of natural rubber includes an upper unitized load stacked on top of a lower unitized load. An upper separator is associated with the upper unitized load and a lower separator associated with the lower unitized load. Each separator has a first leg and a second leg with the first legs of the separators disposed against each other between the unitized loads. The separators protect the unitized loads from damage when a lifting device is inserted between the loads to lift the upper load from the lower load.

1 . A stacked shipping configuration of two unitized loads; the configuration comprising: 
 upper and lower unitized loads; the upper unitized load being stacked on top of the lower unitized load;    an upper separator associated with the upper unitized load and a lower separator associated with the lower unitized load; and    each separator having a first leg and a second leg; the first legs of the separators disposed against each other between the unitized loads; the second legs extending away from each other.    
   
   
       2 . The configuration of  claim 1 , wherein the unitized loads are unitized bales of natural rubber.  
   
   
       3 . The configuration of  claim 1 , wherein the legs of the separators are equal length.  
   
   
       4 . The configuration of  claim 3 , wherein the legs are ten inches long.  
   
   
       5 . The configuration of  claim 4 , wherein the legs are ten inches wide.  
   
   
       6 . The configuration of  claim 1 , wherein the first leg of each separator is longer than the second leg of each separator.  
   
   
       7 . The configuration of  claim 6 , wherein the first leg is at least twice as long as the second leg.  
   
   
       8 . The configuration of  claim 7 , wherein the first leg is fifteen inches long and the second leg is five inches long.  
   
   
       9 . The configuration of  claim 8 , wherein the first leg is ten inches wide.  
   
   
       10 . The configuration of  claim 1 , wherein the separators are banded to the unitized loads.  
   
   
       11 . The configuration of  claim 1 , wherein each unitized load is stretch wrapped.  
   
   
       12 . The configuration of  claim 11 , wherein the second legs are disposed under the stretch wrap.  
   
   
       13 . The configuration of  claim 1 , wherein the separators define banding holes and wherein a packaging band is wrapped around one of the loads and through a separator banding hole.  
   
   
       14 . The configuration of  claim 13 , wherein each leg defines a single banding hole.  
   
   
       15 . The configuration of  claim 13 , wherein at least one leg of at least one separator defines a pair of banding holes.  
   
   
       16 . The configuration of  claim 15 , wherein at least one leg of at least one separator defines four banding holes.  
   
   
       17 . A stacked shipping configuration of two unitized loads of natural rubber bales; the configuration comprising: 
 upper and lower unitized loads of natural rubber bales; each unitized load being stretch wrapped with at least one layer of stretch wrap;    the lower unitized load including one of a slip sheet and a slip tray;    the upper unitized load including one of a slip sheet and a slip tray;    the upper unitized load being stacked on top of the lower unitized load;    first and second separators associated with the upper unitized load and third and fourth separators associated with the lower unitized load;    each separator having a first leg and a second leg;    the first legs of the first and third separators disposed against each other between the unitized loads;    the first legs of the second and fourth separators disposed against each other between the unitized loads; and    the second leg of each separator being secured to one of the unitized loads by at least one of a packaging band and the layer of stretch wrap.    
   
   
       18 . A separator for use with a unitized load of natural rubber bales; the separator comprising: 
 a body having a first leg and a second leg; the first and second legs defined an L configuration adapted to engage a front corner of the unitized load of natural rubber bales; and    the legs having a length, a width, and a thickness; the thickness of the legs being less than five percent of the width of the legs.    
   
   
       19 . The separator of  claim 18 , wherein the body is fabricated from a recyclable polymer material.  
   
   
       20 . The separator of  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the legs defines a banding hole.