A Transport and Storage System

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of the transportation and storage of goods and to a transport and storage system and in particular, but not necessarily restricted thereto, a system for the transportation and storage of goods such as palletised goods and self-standing goods. The present invention seeks to provide a system that can enable goods to be securely and reliably horizontally, vertically and offset stacked, despite different sizes of goods and support members therefor, such as pallets, whereby wasted volumes arising from the presence of irregular loads, pallets or pallets of different levels or different load ratings in storage and transport can be minimized.

1 . A storage/transport assembly comprising first and second wall members and a cover;
 wherein the first and second wall members each comprise first, second and third panels, each adjacent pair of panels being hingedly arranged with respect to each other;   wherein the first and second wall members are capable of being flat packed when not in use;   wherein, in use, the first and second wall members provide upstanding walls about a generally rectangular cuboid storage/transport volume, the first and third panels of one wall member being arranged in facing relationship with third and first panels of the other wall member to define said storage/transport volume, the walls extending from feet operably in contact with a base support surface and rise to an uppermost lip operable to support a lower surface of said cover, at least one of the walls having at least one aperture to permit access for at least one tine of a lifting device; and,   wherein the cover is operable to provide a closure extending over the storage/transport volume the walls, the cover having engagement means to locate with the uppermost lip of the walls and enable secure lateral fitment therewith and is operable to provide an upper support surface.   
     
     
         2 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the engagement means of the cover comprises one or more downwardly directed channels which limit movement of the upstanding lip surfaces of the walls upon placement of the cover on the walls. 
     
     
         3 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper surface of the cover is provided with upwardly directed lips which can engage with the feet of an additional cylindrical transport/storage assembly. 
     
     
         4 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall members are fabricated from one or more types of panel including extruded polystyrene, polyurethane foam, expanded polystyrene, cardboard, corrugated cardboard, molded plastics, corrugated plastics panel, laminated polyurethane foam, laminated expanded polystyrene and plywood. 
     
     
         5 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall members comprises panels and hinges, wherein the hinges enable the panels to be substantially rigid. 
     
     
         6 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall members comprises panels and hinges, wherein the hinges enable the panels to be substantially rigid and wherein the substantially rigid panels comprise one of card, plywood, molded plastics, or sheet metal. 
     
     
         7 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall member is manufactured from cardboard being selected from single, double, triple or quadruple corrugated cardboard. 
     
     
         8 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall member is manufactured from cardboard being selected from single, double, triple or quadruple corrugated cardboard and wherein the cardboard is treated, by wax, resin, paint or other known waterproofing methods. 
     
     
         9 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall member is manufactured from cardboard being selected from single, double, triple or quadruple corrugated cardboard and wherein the corrugated cardboard having corrugation flutes is strengthened by the use of strengthening materials inserted into the corrugation flutes, comprising elongate support members or strengthening members, such as epoxy-resin or thermosetting resin, plastics rod, metal and wood. 
     
     
         10 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein at least one wall member is manufactured from corrugated plastics sheet. 
     
     
         11 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall members are dimensioned such that the first and third and the second panels of the walls, respectively are dimensioned such that they correspond at least in width and in length such that they can be placed about a pallet base when placed upon a support surface. 
     
     
         12 . A storage/transport assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the cover is manufactured from a thermo-formed plastics or resin impregnated fiber molded element. 
     
     
         13 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein in respect of the first and/or second wall members, one of or both of respective first and third panels have radiused corners between an upstanding edge and a top edge of each said panel. 
     
     
         14 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein an aperture or cut-out is defined within a wall panel of the wall members, to enable access within the assembly. 
     
     
         15 . An assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the base support surface comprises one of a ground surface, a floor associated with one of a support bench/storage-racking system associated a stores area, a workshop/office/storage area, a load floor of a transport vehicle and a cover of another cylindrical transport/storage assembly. 
     
     
         16 . A transport/storage assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein linking members are provided which can link adjacent assemblies other horizontally or vertically one with respect to the other, by means of coupling holes, straps and latches arranged along edge portions of the assemblies.