# US 11,305,913 B2 · Repairable plastic pallet with carvings in the top deck and associated methods > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,305,913 B2 - Document ID: US11305913B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 17/141,304 - Filed: 2021-01-05 - Published: 2021-05-13 - Granted: 2022-04-19 - Earliest claimed: 2018-05-31 - Assignees: CHEP Technology Pty Limited - Applicants: CHEP Technology Pty Limited - Inventors: Brandon Michael D'Emidio; Ricardo Martin Garcia; Daniel Aaron Gorsky; Paul J. Siebert; Robert G. States, III; Paul Barnswell; Joseph Adam Gainey - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11305913B2 ## CPC - B65D 19/0073: {and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape} - B65D 19/0016: {and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape} - H04L 63/08: {for authentication of entities (cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication H04L9/32)} - H04L 67/02: based on web technology, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol [HTTP] - H04L 67/10: in which an application is distributed across nodes in the network (software deployment G06F8/60; multiprogramming arrangements G06F9/46) - H04L 67/1097: for distributed storage of data in networks, e.g. transport arrangements for network file system [NFS], storage area networks [SAN] or network attached storage [NAS] - H04L 67/63: Routing a service request depending on the request content or context - B65D 2519/00034: Plastic - B65D 2519/00069: Plastic - B65D 2519/00104: Plastic - B65D 2519/00273: made of more than one piece - B65D 2519/00288: made of one piece - B65D 2519/00293: made of more than one piece - B65D 2519/00308: grid type, e.g. perforated plate - B65D 2519/00318: made of one piece - B65D 2519/00333: contact surface having a stringer-like shape - B65D 2519/00373: whereby at least one spacer is made of one piece - B65D 2519/00407: on the load supporting surface - B65D 2519/00412: on the base surface - B65D 2519/00417: on the non-integral separating spacer - B65D 2519/00437: on the load supporting surface - B65D 2519/00442: on the base surface - B65D 2519/00567: mechanical connection, e.g. snap-fitted - B65D 2519/00791: handles, handgrip holes - B65D 2519/00796: Guiding means for fork-lift - B65D 2519/0084: Separated elements, e.g. including in-moulded elements - B65D 2519/0099: single dismountable pallet element, e.g. for replacement - 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 - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) ## Abstract A pallet includes a top deck, a bottom deck, and spaced apart support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks and forming an opening therebetween for receiving a lifting member. The top deck includes at least one deck scoop area on an underside thereof. A thickness of the top deck is reduced in the at least one deck scoop area to reduce influence of top deck deflection on ability of the lifting member to pass through the opening between the top and bottom decks. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A pallet comprising: a top deck; a bottom deck; and a plurality of spaced apart support blocks coupled between said top and bottom decks and forming an opening therebetween for receiving a lifting member; said top deck comprising at least one deck scoop area having an elliptical or oval shape on an underside thereof, and including a hand grip opening having a varying thickness corresponding to a thickness of said at least one deck scoop area. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The pallet according to claim 1 wherein a thickness of said top deck is reduced in the at least one deck scoop area to reduce influence of top deck deflection on ability of the lifting member to pass through the opening between said top and bottom decks. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The pallet according to claim 1 wherein said top deck is divided into quadrants, with each quadrant including at least one deck scoop area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The pallet according to claim 3 wherein the at least one deck scoop area in each quadrant includes a hand grip opening. ### Claim 5 (depends on 3) The pallet according to claim 3 wherein the at least one deck scoop area in each quadrant includes spaced apart opening sections forming a grid pattern, with each opening section having a pattern of openings that is symmetrical to the pattern of openings in the other opening sections. ### Claim 6 (depends on 3) The pallet according to claim 3 wherein the at least one deck scoop area in each quadrant includes spaced apart first and second deck scoop areas. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The pallet according to claim 6 wherein each quadrant includes a transition area separating the first and second deck scoop areas, with the thickness of said top deck not being reduced in the transition area. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The pallet according to claim 1 wherein an underside of said deck comprises exposed ribs, with the at least one deck scoop area including the exposed ribs. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The pallet according to claim 1 wherein said top deck includes an outer perimeter area surrounding the at least one deck scoop area, with the thickness of said top deck not being reduced in the outer perimeter area. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The pallet according to claim 1 wherein said top deck, said bottom deck and each support block comprises plastic. ### Claim 11 A pallet comprising: a top deck divided into quadrants, with each quadrant comprising at least one deck scoop area having an elliptical or oval shape on an underside thereof, and including a hand grip opening having a varying thickness corresponding to a thickness of said at least one deck scoop area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The pallet according to claim 11 wherein a thickness of said top deck is reduced in the at least one deck scoop area to reduce influence of top deck deflection. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The pallet according to claim 11 wherein the at least one deck scoop area in each quadrant includes a hand grip opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The pallet according to claim 11 wherein the at least one deck scoop area in each quadrant includes spaced apart opening sections forming a grid pattern, with each opening section having a pattern of openings that is symmetrical to the pattern of openings in the other opening sections. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The pallet according to claim 11 wherein the at least one deck scoop area in each quadrant includes spaced apart first and second deck scoop areas. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The pallet according to claim 15 wherein each quadrant includes a transition area separating the first and second deck scoop areas, with the thickness of said top deck not being reduced in the transition area. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The pallet according to claim 11 wherein an underside of said deck comprises exposed ribs, with the at least one deck scoop area in each quadrant including the exposed ribs. ### Claim 18 (depends on 11) The pallet according to claim 11 wherein said top deck includes an outer perimeter area surrounding the at least one deck scoop areas in each quadrant, with the thickness of said top deck not being reduced in the outer perimeter area. ### Claim 19 (depends on 11) The pallet according to claim 11 wherein said top deck comprises plastic. ### Claim 20 A method for making a pallet comprising: forming a top deck; forming bottom deck; and coupling a plurality of spaced apart support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks and forming an opening therebetween for receiving a lifting member; the top deck comprising at least one deck scoop area having an elliptical or oval shape on an underside thereof, and including a hand grip opening having a varying thickness corresponding to a thickness of said at least one deck scoop area.