Back to results
US 10,926,919 B2Granted
Cardboard pallet
AssigneeFlex Ltd.
InventorAlfonso Dominguez Guevara
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods, devices, and systems for assembling a pallet are provided. In particular, a pallet is provided that is made from multiple pieces that are bent from an initial planar shape to a final shape. In some embodiments, a transverse piece locks at least one longitudinal piece in the final shape without the use of fasteners or adhesives. The resulting pallet can be loaded with materials and then maneuvered and transported using a forklift. In addition, the pieces can be made from cardboard which significantly reduces the weight of the pallet.
Claims18
A pallet assembly, comprising:
- a first longitudinal piece and a second longitudinal piece, each of the first and second longitudinal pieces having:
- a plurality of bend lines, wherein each longitudinal piece is configured to bend along the plurality of bend lines from an initial shape to a final shape,
- at least one horizontal portion defined between two bend lines of the plurality of bend lines,
- at least one vertical portion defined between two bend lines of the plurality of bend lines, wherein one horizontal portion of the at least one horizontal portion extends further in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of bend lines than any vertical portion of the at least one vertical portion, and
- at least one transverse slot extending substantially parallel to the plurality of bend lines;
- and
- a transverse piece selectively connected to the at least one transverse slot of each of the first and second longitudinal pieces to secure each of the first and second longitudinal pieces in the final shape, wherein at least a portion of the transverse piece is perpendicular to the at least one horizontal portion and the at least one vertical portion of each of the first and second longitudinal pieces when each of the first and second longitudinal pieces is in the final shape.
4 more elements
A pallet system, comprising:
- a longitudinal piece having:
- a plurality of bend lines, wherein the longitudinal piece is configured to bend along the plurality of bend lines from an initial shape to a final shape,
- at least one horizontal portion defined between two bend lines of the plurality of bend lines,
- at least one vertical portion defined between two bend lines of the plurality of bend lines,
- at least one transverse slot, and
- at least one fork slot configured to form at least a portion of a fork aperture, wherein the fork aperture is positioned on only a vertical portion of the at least one vertical portion;
- a transverse piece having at least one recess, wherein the transverse piece selectively connects to the longitudinal piece at the at least one transverse slot to secure the longitudinal piece in the final shape, and the at least one recess engages the at least one vertical portion of the longitudinal piece, wherein at least a portion of the transverse piece is perpendicular to the at least one horizontal portion and the at least one vertical portion of the longitudinal piece;
- and
- a planar piece having a first end selectively connected to a planar slot in the longitudinal piece, and the planar piece having a second end selectively connected to an additional planar slot in the longitudinal piece, wherein the planar piece has a horizontal portion that is substanially parallel with the at least one horizontal portion of the longitudinal piece, and wherein tranverse slots of the at least one transverse slot extend further in a direction parallel to the plurality of bend lines than the planar slot.
6 more elements
A pallet assembly, comprising:
- a first longitudinal piece and a second longitudinal piece, each of the first and second longitudinal pieces having:
- a plurality of bend lines, wherein each of the first and second longitudinal pieces is configured to bend along the plurality of bend lines from an initial shape to a final shape,
- at least one horizontal portion defined between two bend lines of the plurality of bend lines,
- at least one vertical portion defined between two bend lines of the plurality of bend lines, wherein one horizontal portion of the at least one horizontal portion extends further in a direction perpendicular to the plurality of bend lines than any vertical portion of the at least one vertical portion, and
- at least one transverse slot;
- a transverse piece selectively connected to the at least one transverse slot of each of the first and second longitudinal pieces to secure each of the first and second longitudinal pieces in the final shape, wherein at least a portion of the transverse piece is perpendicular to the at least one horizontal portion and the at least one vertical portion of each of the first and second longitudinal pieces when each of the first and second longitudinal pieces is in the final shape;
- and
- a planar piece having a first end selectively connected to a planar slot in at least one of the first longitudinal piece and the second longitudinal piece, and the planar piece having a second end selectively connected to an additional planar slot in at least one of the first longitudinal piece and the second longitudinal piece, wherein the planar piece has a horizontal portion that is substantially parallel with the at least one horizontal portion of each of the first and second longitudinal pieces, and wherein the transverse slots of the at least one transverse slot extend further in a direction parallel to the plurality of bend lines than the planar slot.
5 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.