Pallet with alignment features
AssigneeRehrig Pacific Company
InventorsWilliam P. Apps, Sean T. Ogburn, William Mead, Ryan C. Meers
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A pallet according to one embodiment includes a deck and a plurality of columns extending downward from the deck. In order to increase the stability of the pallet on a fork, at least one alignment feature protrudes downward from the deck between the pair of columns. The alignment feature extends downwardly substantially less than the columns, such that the alignment feature does not contact the floor and does not significantly increase the weight of the pallet. In another feature, preformed foam inserts are inserted into the cavities of the columns and/or the alignment features.
Claims20
A pallet comprising:
- a deck including an upper sheet and a lower sheet;
- a first pair of columns extending downward from the deck along a first side of the deck, the deck not including any other columns extending downward from the deck between the first pair of columns;
- a second pair of columns extending downward from the deck along a second side of the deck, the deck not including any other columns extending downward from the deck between the second pair of columns;
- at least one first alignment feature protruding downward from the deck between the first pair of columns, the at least one first alignment feature protruding downward from the deck less than the first pair of columns;
- at least one second alignment feature protruding downward from the deck between the second pair of columns, the at least one second alignment feature protruding downward from the deck less than the second pair of columns;
- and
- a foam insert positioned within at least one of the first pair of columns and between the upper and lower sheets;
- wherein the first and second pair of columns are hollow and align with openings through the deck such that columns of a similar pallet are nestable with the first and second pair of columns.
A pallet comprising:
- a deck including an upper sheet and a lower sheet;
- a first pair of columns extending downward from the deck along a first side of the deck, the deck not including any other columns extending downward from the deck between the first pair of columns;
- a second pair of columns extending downward from the deck along a second side of the deck, the deck not including any other columns extending downward from the deck between the second pair of columns;
- at least one first alignment feature protruding downward from the deck between the first pair of columns, the at least one first alignment feature protruding downward from the deck less than the first pair of columns;
- at least one second alignment feature protruding downward from the deck between the second pair of columns, the at least one second alignment feature protruding downward from the deck less than the second pair of columns;
- wherein the first and second pair of columns are hollow and align with openings through the deck such that columns of a similar pallet are nestable with the first and second pair of columns;
- and
- a first foam insert positioned within the at least one first alignment feature and between the upper and lower sheets.
A pallet comprising:
- a deck;
- a plurality of columns extending downward from the deck;
- a plurality of separate foam inserts, each one of the plurality of separate foam inserts received in a respective one of the plurality of columns, wherein the plurality of foam inserts are formed of a polymer that is the same as a polymer of the plurality of columns;
- and
- wherein the plurality of foam inserts are preformed such that the plurality of foam inserts are formed prior to being received in the respective ones of the plurality of columns.
A method for assembling a pallet including the steps of:
- a) forming a deck;
- b) forming a plurality of projections extending downward from the deck;
- c) pre-forming a plurality of foam inserts, wherein the foam inserts are formed of a polymer that is the same as a polymer of the plurality of projections;
- and
- d) placing each of the plurality of pre-formed foam inserts into a different one of the plurality of projections after said step c).
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.