Double stacked pallet system for rolled sheet goods

Abstract

A system for handling rolled sheet goods includes at least two pallets with a box situated on each pallet, each box containing a plurality of rolls of sheet goods arrayed within each box so that an open central core of each roll is aligned perpendicular to the box bottom. A compression resistant member is situated adjacent to or within the open central core of some of the rolls, each compression resistant member extending from the box bottom to a plane above the roll top edge to contact a lower surface of the box top to resist vertical compression of the box that would damage the rolled sheet goods. At least one tension member can be used to couple the boxes and pallets of the system together in a vertical stack.

1 . A system for handling rolled sheet goods comprising: a pallet adapted for engagement by a fork lift, a box situated on the pallet having a bottom, sidewalls and a top, a plurality of rolls of sheet goods arrayed within the box, each roll having an open central core aligned perpendicular to the box bottom and a top edge, and a compression resistant member loosely situated within a central portion of some of the rolls, each compression resistant member extending from the box bottom to a plane above the roll top edge to contact a lower surface of the box top so as to resist vertical compression of the box that would damage the rolled sheet goods situated therein. 
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a divider situated within the box to separate adjacent rolls of sheet goods, the divider occupying only a lower portion of the box. 
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a tension band surrounding each of the rolls of sheet goods to prevent unrolling of the goods. 
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a partition line in the sidewalls of the box facilitating transformation of the box into a display by removal of a portion of the sidewalls and the top. 
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 4  wherein all the compression resistant members are removed upon transformation of the box into a display. 
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a second box secured under the pallet, the second box containing a plurality of rolls of sheet goods arrayed within the box, each roll having an open central core aligned perpendicular to the second box bottom, and a compression resistant member loosely situated within the open central core of some of the rolls within the second box, each compression resistant member extending from the second box bottom to contact a lower surface of the second box top so as to resist vertical compression of the second box that would damage the rolled sheet goods situated therein. 
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 6  further comprising a second pallet secured under the second box. 
   
   
       8 . The system of any of the forgoing claims wherein the compression resistant member comprises a generally planar corrugated member including at least one fold. 
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the compression resistant member includes a unitary sheet having plurality of folds, the compression resistant member being loosely situated with the core of some of the rolls of sheet goods. 
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 2  wherein the compression resistant members are situated between adjacent pairs of the rolls of sheet goods, the lower ends of the compression resistant members straddling the dividers located in the bottom of the box. 
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the compression resistant members comprise a plurality of L-shaped members. 
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein each of the compression resistant members comprises a plurality of tubular members tied together. 
   
   
       13 . A system for handling rolled sheet goods comprising: at least two pallets adapted for engagement by a fork lift, a box situated on each pallet, each box having a bottom, sidewalls and a top, a plurality of rolls of sheet goods arrayed within each box, each roll having an open central core aligned perpendicular to the box bottom and a top edge, and a compression resistant member loosely situated within the open central core of some of the rolls, each compression resistant member extending from the box bottom to a plane above the roll top edge to contact a lower surface of the box top so as to resist vertical compression of the box that would damage the rolled sheet goods situated therein, and at least one tension member coupling the boxes and pallets together in a vertical stack. 
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 13  wherein the tension member comprises at least one band of strapping surrounding the vertical stack of boxes and pallets.