Unitised loads using Slip-sheets
Unitised cargo helps maximise the loads that a SeaCell2container can carry. These unitised loads usually consist of smaller loads packaged in carefully designed packing cartons, and stacked efficiently onto wooden pallets. Sometimes the cost of one way pallets can deter a shipper from ‘unitising loads’.
The weight of wooden pallets can also add a substantial amount of weight to the total load. However, in containers, the amount of space that wooden pallets take up presents the greatest source of inefficiency in the attempt to achieve optimum load density for products. Theoretically, if a material that does not take up as much space as wooden pallets is used, much higher load densities for products can be achieved, leading to savings in costs
In the USA and Europe each year tens of millions of slip-sheets (thin sheets of plastic or fibreboard, costing less than $1.00) are used instead of pallets.
It has been shown during the last decade that using slip-sheets in the place of wooden pallets has resulted in a much higher load density in the transportation of cargo.
The slip sheet is used as a unit load support device in vehicle delivery and transportation of products. When slip sheets are supported by a pallet board, roller conveyor surface, flat load carrying surface, or a cart or lift truck, the structural strength of the slip sheet supports the product loads weight [1]. With the slip sheet supported by one of these transportation devices the unit load can easily be transported both internally within a facility and externally between two facility locations [1]. The basic setup for lifting the slip sheet unit load is seen below (Fig. 1).
SLIP SHEET SIZES and TYPES:
Slip sheets are available to match all pallet sizes. There are several types of slip sheets that can be used for the transportation of a unit load depending upon the desired use of the sheet. The slip sheet is shaped and dimensioned to the size of the product or unit load. Normally the type of slip sheet varies depending on both the number of lip extensions and the material from which it is manufactured (Fig. 2)
Slip Sheet Advantages:
- Using slip sheets instead of wooden pallets allows for 12-15% more products in containers
- Slip sheets do not require maintenance, but can easily be replace
- Significant reduction in material handling costs
- Decreases loading/unloading time by up to 60%
- Weighs 20 times less than wooden pallets, saving shipping weight
- Can be customized to fit any size load
- Eliminates the need for pallet exchange
- Eliminates the cost of one way pallets.
- Not subject to Phytosanitary controls.
- Reusable and reliable
- Most are recyclable
- Is cost-effective
Inexpensive, hygienic, freely available & environmentally friendly, slip-sheets are ideal use in the SeaCell2 Container.