Kaysersberg Plastics, part of DS Smith Plastics, has developed what it claims is a modern way to unitise and stabilise pallet loads of empty cans, PET and glass bottles. UniFrame is said to be a safer, lighter, more durable and economical alternative to wooden top frames.
The plastics top frame, featuring reinforced polycarbonate boards and nylon 'corner keys', is said to be 'exceptionally resistant to the deflection forces imposed by strapping, even at high temperatures.'
A self-interlocking design gives stability when stacked, while bright coloured corners have a generous radius to minimise damage to other full pallets. This feature should also help prevent stretch wrap tearing.
Its modular design enables Kaysersberg to offer almost any length/width permutation to meet varied European size demands. The top frame is available in two formats: UniFrame C for use with food and beverage cans with a maximum recommended strapping tension of 75psi, and UniFrame HD – a heavy duty version for the glass container industry, able to take strapping tension up to 150psi. UniFrame is said to have 10 times the life span of its wooden counterparts, while weighing around 25% less.