Title of Invention	LOAD BEARING SEPARATORS
Abstract	An improved process of steel sheet packing suitable for use in storage handling and transhipment of steel sheets completely eliminating the use of wood by using bamboo for its high compression resistance and load bearing properties ensuring safety to manual handler at all stages of loading, unloading.

Full Text

-1- The invention relates to an improved load bearing separation for steel flats such as sheets, plates, coils packing suitable for use in storage, handling and transhipment of steel sheets and a process for the manufacture thereof. FIELD OF INVENTION In the existing practice, wooden blocks are used for this application as separators between stack of steel sheets to facilitate use of slings/wire ropes or other handling equipments. Indiscriminate use of wood has caused havoc with ecological balance and today the whole world Is expressing serious concern over this matter and efforts are afoot to minimise and wherever possible, eliminate use of wood. The primary object of this Invention Is to completely eliminate the use of wood In steel flats packing and this save consumption of wood which is used for packing. Another object of this invention is to replace wooden blocks as load bearing separators ensuring compression resistance for stacks of steel sheets In steel plants and other industries. Yet another object of this invention is that this packing ensures safety to the consignment intransit as it provides better grip to the load. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Hewn pieces of wood are used as separators between stacks of steel sheets - to facilitate use of slings and other handling equipments/for loading or unloading of consignments to/from railway wagons and lorries. The separators according to the Inventions are made of coir, jute, bamboo, etc. ft is an excellent replacement of wood for such applications. -2- DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The load-bearing separator according to the invention is named Coir Atlas, as is it a coir based product, capable of sustaining very high weight: load ratio. The separator according to the invention typically measuring 1290 mm (L) x 100 mm (w) x 112 mm (H) and weighing about five kgs. are able to sustain more than 40 mt. load, during shop floor trials. Subsequently, compression tests established the toad bearing capacity of the samples of approximately 350 x 100 x 100 mm dimension, at nearly 60 MT. The separators can be produced In various dimensional sizes, to suit application needs and cost. The salient features of the Invention are as under; Made of natural products viz. coir, jute, bamboo, etc. Eco-friendly Environment friendly Bio-degradable Waterproof Can withstand extreme high and low temperatures Provides better grip to the load, hence reduces chances of mishap while goods are In transit Use of vertically placed pieces of bamboo to achieve high load bearing and compression resistant traits Materials used in the manufacture of coir atlas: a. Coir mat b. Hessian (jute) cloth c. Jute strings d. Hard board (masonite) e. Plywood f. Cut pieces of bamboo g. Iron nails. -3- The process for the manufacture of the load-bearing separator involves the steps of: A. forming a top open box of desired size by holding three pcs. of hard board in place, by using two pieces of plywood at the opposite ends, by hammering nails; B. placing requisite number of cut pieces of bamboo in the formed box; C. typing the box with jute strings at four equidistant points; D. sewing the hessian cloth in a bag form - of desired size, and introducing the hessian bag (like socks) over the box containing cut pieces of bamboo and stitching its mouth with jute string; E. enveloping the hessian covered box by the coir mat, bringing all the sides of the mat closer and stitching firmly with jute strings. MODE OF OPERATION OF THE INVENTION Required numbers of separators (generally four) are placed on the ground at equal distance - keeping the overall size of the steel sheets in view. A bundle consisting of several steel sheets Is placed covering all the separators. On the top surface of the packet, coir atlases are placed at the same distance as the underneath ones. On top of this, another bundle of steel sheets is placed. A stack of bundles of steel sheets of desired height Is built up repeating the said process of placement of the separator and bundles of steel flats. -4- A further embodiment according to this invention provides eliminates the use of the box permanently in the load-bearing separator thus making it 100% eco-friendly and reduces the cost of manufacturing. Thus, according to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided an Improved load-bearing separator for steel sheets packing suitable for use In storage, handling and transhipment of steel sheets comprising hesslan cloth bag sewn in an elongated form containing plurality of bamboo pieces cut to uniform length and placed eye vertical In a single row and compact fitted inside said hesslan cloth bag, said hesslan cloth bag with the eye-vertical bamboo pieces Is enveloped in a coir mat with all sides of said coir mat brought closer and stitched firmly with twine with top surface of said coir atlas identified with a coloured strip longitudinally stitched on the coir atlas. The invention also relates to a process of manufacture of an improved coir atlas for steel sheets packing having the following process steps: 1. placing plurality of cut pieces of bamboo (2) inside a top and one end open box (3) of suitable dimension in a single row with clearance of atleast 1 mm all round In eye vertical fashion; 2, sewing a hessian cloth in the form of a bag (1) with one end open and with Inside dimension having sliding clearance over the box (3); 3. sliding the hessian bag (1) over the box (3) containing the cut pieces of bamboo (2) from the end open side of the box (3); 4, pulling out the box (3) leaving the cut pieces of bamboo inside the bag (1) and searing the bag with the jute twine; -5- 5. enveloping the Jute bag (1) containing the bamboo pieces in the coir mat (4). The nature of the invention, its objective and further advantages residing in the same will be apparent from the following description made with reference to nonlimiting exemplary embodiments of the Invention represented In the accompanying drawings. Fig. 1 shows the box with one end open; Fig. 2 shows the bamboo pieces placed vertically In a row In the top and one end open box of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows the hessian cloth bag in the process of being slid over the top and one end open box containing the bamboo pieces; Fig. 4 shows the finished coir atlas stitched with coir mat. Therefore, the box used for assembly of the coir atlas Is optional and may be taken out and does not form a part of it. It thus saves cost as the box can be repeatedly used for assembly of the separator. The various steps Involved in the Improvised manufacturing process are listed out as under: A. Requisite number of cut-pieces of bamboo (2) are placed Inside a top and one end open box (3) of suitable dimensions. The pieces of bamboo (2) are placed in the box (3) in eye vertical fashion. B. The hessian cloth is sewn In a bag 91) form, of desired dimention. The sewn bag (1) is introduced over the box containing cut pieces of bamboo (2), like a sock from the end open side of the box (3). The box is pulled out, leaving the cut pieces of bamboo (2) Inside the bag (1). The mouth of -6- the bag (1) is sewn with jute twine. Stitches are also taken around the bamboo pieces (2) to hold them firmly in their position. Use of the box (3) Is limited to smooth placement of bamboo pieces (2) only. Once the cut pieces of bamboo (2) are placed inside the jute bag (1), the box (3) is withdrawn and the same box (3) is used again - for the placing of bamboo pieces (2) fn the next jute bag (1). C. The jute bag (1) containing the eye vertical bamboo (2) pieces is enveloped In the coir mat of desired stze. All the sides of the coir mat are brought closer and stitched firmly with twine. D. The top of the coir atlas is identified with a coloured strip of coir. In accordance with an embodiment of the invention the coir mat may be replaced with a jute mat, cotton mat and the like. In accordance with yet another embodiment of the present Invention, Is provided load-bearing separators wherein bamboo strips are placed over the hessian cloth bag, to provide the required strength to the separators, to suit particular application needs. Further embodiments according to the invention provide separators wherein a layer of cushioning material such as husk, hay and the like Is added over the bamboo strips. The invention described herelnabove In relation to a non-limiting embodiment and as defined by the accompanying claims. -7-WE CLAIM 1. A load-bearing separator for steel flats packing suitable for use In storage, handling and transhipment of steel flats comprising a top and one end open box (3) containing plurality of bamboo (2) pieces cut to uniform length and placed eye vertical In a single row, a said box containing bamboo pieces compact fitted inside hesslan cloth bag, Optionally pulling out the box (3) and enveloping said hessian cloth bag (1) with the eye vertical bamboo pieces in a coir mat (4) with all sides of said coir mat brought closer and stitched firmly with twine with top surface of said coir atlas identified with a coloured strip longitudinally woven in the coir mat. 2. The separator for steel sheets packing as claimed in claim 1 wherein strips of bamboo are placed over the hessian cloth bag to strengthen the separators. 3. The separators as claimed in claim 2, wherein optionally, a layer of cushioning material such as husk, hay and the like Is added on the bamboo strips. 4. The separator for steel sheets packing as claimed in claim 1 wherein the top and one end open box (3) Is re-used for assembly of coir atlas. 5. The separator as claimed in claim 1, wherein coir mat is optionally replaced with jute mat, cotton mat and the like. 2. .8- 6. A process for the manufacture of a load-bearing separator as claimed in claim 1 comprising the steps of: (i) placing plurality of cut pieces of bamboo (2) inside a top and one end open box (3) of suitable dimensions in one row with clearance of atleast 1 mm all round In eye vertical fashion; (ii) sewing a hessian cloth in the form of a bag (1) with one end open and with Inside dimension having sliding clearance over the box (3); sliding the hessian bag (1) over the box (3) containing the cut pieces of bamboo (2) from the end open side of the box (3); (iv) optionally pulling out the box (3) leaving the cut pieces of bamboo inside the bag (1) which is then sewn with jute twine; (v) enveloping the jute bag (1) containing the 'eye vertical' bamboo pleces In the coir mat (4). 7. A load-bearing separator for steel flats packing suitable for use In storage, handling and transhipment of steel flats as herein described and illustrated with the accompanying drawings. 8. A process for the manufacture of a load-bearing separator for steel flats packing suitable for use in storage, handling and transhipment of steel Hats as herein described and illustrated with the accompanying drawings. 8. Dated this 3rd day of August, 2001. An improved process of steel sheet packing suitable for use in storage handling and transhipment of steel sheets completely eliminating the use of wood by using bamboo for its high compression resistance and load bearing properties ensuring safety to manual handler at all stages of loading, unloading.

Documents:

01529-cal-1997-abstract.pdf

01529-cal-1997-claims.pdf

01529-cal-1997-correspondence.pdf

01529-cal-1997-description(complete).pdf

01529-cal-1997-description(provisional).pdf

01529-cal-1997-drawings-1.1.pdf

01529-cal-1997-drawings.pdf

01529-cal-1997-form-1.pdf

01529-cal-1997-form-2-1.1.pdf

01529-cal-1997-form-2.pdf

01529-cal-1997-form-5.pdf

01529-cal-1997-p.a.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-abstract.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-claims.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-correspondence.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-description (complete).pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-drawings.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-examination report.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-form 1.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-form 2.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-form 5.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-letter patent.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-pa.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

1529-cal-1997-granted-specification.pdf