# US 2014/0190860 A1 · Separators for unitized loads > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0190860 A1 - Document ID: US20140190860A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/153,834 - Filed: 2014-01-13 - Published: 2014-07-10 - Earliest claimed: 2006-07-26 - Inventors: Howard J. Trickett - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140190860A1 ## CPC - B65D 5/005: {Separate or attached stacking elements} - B65D 71/0088: {Palletisable loads, i.e. loads intended to be transported by means of a fork-lift truck} - B65D 2571/00043: Intermediate plates or the like - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## 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. ## Claims ### Claim 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; each of the unitized loads having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides; one of a slip sheet and slip tray disposed between the upper and lower unitized loads and preventing a majority of the bottom of the upper unitized load from being in direct contact with the top of the lower unitized load; the one of the slip sheet and slip tray having a bottom surface; a pair of separators disposed on the top of the lower unitized load; the separators being spaced from one another along the same side of the lower unitized load; the separators providing a forklift operator a visual guide for the proper insertion of the forks of a forklift wherein the forks are to be inserted directly between the separators and the bottom surface of the one of the slip sheet and the slip tray; and each separator having a first leg and a second leg; the first legs of the separators disposed against the bottom surface of the one of the slip sheet and slip tray between the upper and lower unitized loads; the first legs also being disposed against the top of the lower unitized load; and the second legs extending down along the side of the lower unitized load. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The configuration of claim 1, wherein the unitized loads are unitized bales of natural rubber. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The configuration of claim 1, wherein the legs of the separators are equal length. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The configuration of claim 3, wherein the legs are ten inches long. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The configuration of claim 4, wherein the legs are ten inches wide. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The configuration of claim 1, wherein the first leg of each separator is longer than the second leg of each separator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The configuration of claim 6, wherein the first leg is at least twice as long as the second leg. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The configuration of claim 7, wherein the first leg is fifteen inches long and the second leg is five inches long. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The configuration of claim 8, wherein the first leg is ten inches wide. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The configuration of claim 1, wherein the separators are banded to the lower unitized load. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The configuration of claim 1, wherein each unitized load is stretch wrapped. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The configuration of claim 11, wherein the second legs are disposed under the stretch wrap. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The configuration of claim 1, wherein each leg defines a single banding hole. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The configuration of claim 1, wherein at least one leg of at least one separator defines a pair of banding holes. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The configuration of claim 1, wherein at least one leg of at least one separator defines four banding holes. ### Claim 16 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; each of the unitized loads having a top, a bottom, and a plurality of sides; one of a slip sheet and slip tray disposed between the upper and lower unitized loads; the one of the slip sheet and slip tray having a body that defines a bottom surface; the body extending entirely between the upper and lower unitized loads; a pair of upper separators disposed at the bottom of the upper unitized load and a pair of lower separators disposed at the top of the lower unitized load; the upper separators being spaced from one another along the same side of the upper unitized load; the lower separators being spaced from one another along the same side of the lower unitized load; the separators providing a forklift operator a visual guide for the proper insertion of the forks of a forklift wherein the forks are to be inserted directly between the upper and lower separators; and each separator having a first leg and a second leg; the first legs of the upper separators disposed against the first legs of the lower separators between the upper and lower unitized loads; the first legs of the upper separators disposed against the bottom surface of the body of the one of the slip sheet and slip tray; and the second legs extending along the sides of the unitized loads. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The configuration of claim 16, wherein the unitized loads are unitized bales of natural rubber. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The configuration of claim 16, wherein the first leg of each separator is longer than the second leg of each separator. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The configuration of claim 18, wherein the first leg is at least twice as long as the second leg. ### Claim 20 (depends on 16) The configuration of claim 16, wherein each separator defines at least one banding hole.