Systems and methods for securement of cargo on a pallet

Abstract

Methods and systems are provided for securing cargo on a pallet using a series of interconnected inflatable members. The system is secured to the pallet using securement straps connected to a fastener. The system prevents cargo from damage or loss as a result of falls from the pallet or collisions with other objects in the environment. Walls of the system can be gradually raised or lowered as cargo is added or removed to provide access to the highest cargo in a stack while protecting the cargo in a lower part of the stack. In some embodiments, the inflatable members can be filled with heated or cooled liquids to improve environmental storage conditions of cargo on the pallet.

1 . An inflatable system for securing cargo on a pallet, comprising:
 a plurality of inflatable members configured to operatively couple to and extend about a perimeter of a pallet, the plurality of inflatable members configured to have an inflated state in which the plurality of inflatable members form a wall extending vertically from the perimeter of the pallet to surround cargo on the pallet and a deflated state in which the plurality of inflatable members are collapsed to provide lateral access to the cargo on the pallet, the plurality of inflatable members arranged in a stack having a vertical configuration and being fluidically connected by inlet passages and outlet passages;   an inlet port located on a lowest one of the plurality of inflatable members in the stack;   a pressure regulator located in each of the inlet passages, the pressure regulator preventing fluid from passing from lower to higher inflatable members in the stack through the inlet passage until a threshold pressure is reached in the lower inflatable member;   at least one check valve located in each outlet passage to facilitate ordered draining of fluid from the inflatable members; and   a securement strap attached to a fastener and at least one of the plurality of inflatable members to selectively secure the plurality of inflatable members to the pallet,   wherein inflation of the lowest inflatable member creates tension to secure the fastener to the pallet.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inflatable members in the stack are consecutively inflated in order from lowest to highest via the inlet port and the inlet passages. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of inflatable members in the stack are consecutively deflated in order from highest to lowest via a side port of each check valve. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a reinforcing wire ring at each intersection between inflatable members, the reinforcing wire ring providing lateral rigidity to the plurality of inflatable members, wherein a shape of a perimeter of the plurality of inflatable members conforms to a shape of the reinforcing wire ring. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a base that is laid over a cargo supporting surface of the pallet and is attached to the lowest inflatable member. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a hook or steel cleat configured to latch on to the pallet as the lowest one of the plurality of inflatable members is inflated. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the securement strap secures under a cargo supporting surface of the pallet. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is air. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the fluid is a chilled or heated liquid. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a vacuum source attachable to the inlet port to remove the fluid. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the inflatable members comprise rubber, silicone, or plastic. 
     
     
         12 . A method for securing cargo on a pallet, comprising:
 inflating a plurality of inflatable members to extend vertically from a pallet to surround cargo on the pallet, the inflatable members arranged in a stack having a vertical configuration and being fluidically connected by inlet passages and outlet passages, at least one check valve located in each outlet passage to facilitate draining of fluid from the inflatable members; and   securing the plurality of inflatable member to the pallet via a securement strap attached to a fastener and at least one of the inflatable members by inflating a lowest one of the plurality of inflatable member to create tension and selectively secure the fastener to the pallet,   wherein inflating the plurality of inflatable members includes introducing fluid into the lowest one of the plurality of inflatable members through an inlet port, the lowest one of the plurality of inflatable members being fluidically isolated from a next higher one of the plurality of inflatable members in the stack by a pressure regulator located in a first one of the inlet passages configured to fluidically connect the lowest one of the plurality of inflatable members to the next higher one of the plurality of inflatable members until a threshold pressure is reached in the lower inflatable member.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein inflating the plurality of inflatable members in the stack proceeds consecutively in order from lowest to highest via the inlet port and the inlet passages. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising deflating the plurality of inflatable members in the stack consecutively in order from highest to lowest via a side port of each check valve. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising providing a reinforcing wire ring at each intersection between inflatable members, the reinforcing wire ring providing lateral rigidity to the plurality of inflatable members, wherein a shape of a perimeter of the plurality of inflatable members conforms to a shape of the reinforcing wire ring. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the lowest inflatable member is attached to a base that is laid over a cargo supporting surface of the pallet. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fastener is a hook or steel cleat configured to latch on to the pallet as the lowest one of the plurality of inflatable members is inflated. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the securement strap secures under a cargo supporting surface of the pallet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid is air. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the fluid is a chilled or heated liquid. 
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising attaching a vacuum source to each check valve to remove the fluid. 
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the inflatable members comprise rubber, silicone, or plastic.