U.S. patent application number 10/340315 was filed with the patent office on 2004-07-15 for nestable pallet.
This patent application is currently assigned to Rehrig Pacific Company. Invention is credited to Aiken, Cynthia R., Apps, William P., Koefelda, Gerald R..
Application Number | 20040134390 10/340315 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32711302 |
Filed Date | 2004-07-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040134390 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Apps, William P. ; et
al. |
July 15, 2004 |
Nestable pallet
Abstract
A nestable pallet includes a deck having an upper panel, a lower
panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the
upper panel to the lower panel. The upper panel further includes a
plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet when
nested. The lower panel further includes a plurality of feet
extending downward from the deck, each foot having a cavity defined
therein lined within one of the plurality of openings in the upper
panel. Each cavity is configured to receive a foot from a similar
pallet when nested therein.
Inventors: |
Apps, William P.;
(Alpharetta, GA) ; Koefelda, Gerald R.; (Rowlett,
TX) ; Aiken, Cynthia R.; (Atlanta, GA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Konstantine J. Diamond
4010 E. 26th Street
Los Angeles
CA
90023
US
|
Assignee: |
Rehrig Pacific Company
Los Angeles
CA
|
Family ID: |
32711302 |
Appl. No.: |
10/340315 |
Filed: |
January 9, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/53.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00338
20130101; B65D 2519/00562 20130101; B65D 19/0018 20130101; B65D
2519/00034 20130101; B65D 2519/00303 20130101; Y10T 29/4998
20150115; B65D 2519/00557 20130101; B65D 2519/00069 20130101; B65D
2519/00412 20130101; B65D 2519/00407 20130101; B65D 2519/00273
20130101; B65D 19/38 20130101; B65D 2519/00318 20130101; B65D
2519/0094 20130101; B65D 2519/00288 20130101; B65D 2519/00308
20130101; Y10T 29/49826 20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/053.1 |
International
Class: |
B65D 019/38 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A nestable pallet comprising: a lower deck section including a
plurality of feet extending downwardly; an upper deck section
including a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar
pallet, each of the openings aligned with one of the plurality of
feet in the lower deck section; and a plurality of ribs extending
perpendicularly from the upper deck section to the lower deck
section to form at least one box beam section.
2. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein the feet comprise walls
defining a cavity through the upper deck section and the lower deck
section.
3. The nestable pallet of claim 2 wherein the upper deck section
and lower deck section form a plurality of box beam sections.
4. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein the feet are generally
tapered downward from the lower deck section.
5. The nestable pallet of claim 4 wherein the feet are integrally
molded with the lower deck section.
6. The nestable pallet of claim 5 wherein each of the feet
comprises a plurality of generally concentric sections with
cross-sectional areas that decrease in each succeeding downward
section.
7. The nestable pallet of claim 6 wherein the nestable pallet is a
first nestable pallet and further including a similar, second
nestable pallet nested in the first nestable pallet, the feet of
the second nestable pallet at least partially received within
cavities defined by the feet of the first nestable pallet.
8. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein the plurality of ribs
extend from a first wall forming a portion of a first foot of the
plurality of feet to a second wall forming a portion of a second
foot of the plurality of feet.
9. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein at least one of the
plurality of ribs extends between each adjacent pair of the
plurality of feet.
10. The nestable pallet of claim 9 wherein the feet comprise walls
extending from an upper panel of the upper deck section to a lower
panel of the lower deck section and downward from the lower panel
and wherein the ribs extend between the walls of each adjacent pair
of the plurality of feet.
11. The nestable pallet of claim 1 wherein at least two of the
plurality of ribs extend between each adjacent pair of the
plurality of feet.
12. A nestable pallet comprising: a deck including an upper panel,
a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly
from the upper panel to the lower panel, the upper panel including
a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet; and
a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck, each foot
having a cavity defined therein aligned with one of the plurality
of openings in the deck, each cavity configured to receive a foot
from a similar pallet when nested therein.
13. The nestable pallet of claim 12 wherein the feet are integrally
molded with the lower panel.
14. The nestable pallet of claim 13 wherein the feet are tapered
downward.
15. The nestable pallet of claim 14 wherein the nestable pallet is
a first nestable pallet and further including a similar, second
nestable pallet nested in the first nestable pallet, the feet of
the second nestable pallet at least partially received within the
cavities defined by the feet of the first nestable pallet.
16. The nestable pallet of claim 12 wherein each of the plurality
of ribs comprises an upper rib integrally molded with the upper
panel and secured to a lower rib integrally molded with the lower
panel.
17. The nestable pallet of claim 12 wherein at least one of the
plurality of ribs extends between each adjacent pair of the
plurality of feet.
18. The nestable pallet of claim 17 wherein the feet comprise walls
extending from the upper panel to the lower panel and downward from
the lower panel and wherein the ribs extend between the walls of
each adjacent pair of the plurality of feet.
19. A nestable pallet comprising: a deck including an upper panel,
a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly
from the upper panel to the lower panel to form a box beam section;
and a plurality of tapered feet extending downward from the deck,
the pallet including a plurality of cavities extending through the
deck and each of the feet, each cavity configured to receive a foot
from a similar pallet when nested therein.
20. The nestable pallet of claim 19 wherein the feet are integrally
molded with the lower panel.
21. The nestable pallet of claim 20 wherein the cavities are
partially defined by openings in the upper panel and by the ribs
extending from the upper panel to the lower panel adjacent the
openings.
22. A method for manufacturing a nestable pallet including the
steps of: a) aligning a plurality of upper ribs extending downward
from an upper panel with a plurality of lower ribs extending upward
from a lower panel; b) aligning each of a plurality of feet
extending downward from the lower panel with an opening in the
upper panel; and c) securing the upper ribs to the lower ribs to
form a box beam section with the upper panel, lower panel, upper
ribs and lower ribs.
23. The method of claim 22 wherein each opening in the upper panel
is sized to at least partially receive a foot from a similar
nestable pallet.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to a nestable pallet for storing or
transporting goods.
[0002] Pallets are often to used to store and transport goods. The
pallets maintain the goods at a distance above the floor such that
they can be readily lifted and moved by a fork of a lift truck.
Some pallets have stringers or double decks forming openings that
receive the forks of the lift truck. Other pallets are nestable
within one another to facilitate storage and transport when empty.
Generally, nestable pallets typically have openings in their upper
surface that receive corresponding shaped feet of a similar
nestable pallet. Thus, the nestable pallets are easier to store and
transport when empty. This design however may be weaker than a
stringer or double deck pallet due to the design and placement of
material in a nestable pallet.
[0003] Accordingly a pallet is desired which is able to achieve a
desired pallet strength and load capability, while being nestable,
and able to store and be transported in an efficient manner.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention provides the strength of box beam
technology in a nestable pallet. Generally, the nestable pallet
comprises a deck having an upper panel, a lower panel and a
plurality of ribs extending between the panels to form box beam
sections. The ribs may comprise upper rib sections extending from
the upper panel that are aligned with and secured to lower rib
sections extending from the lower panel. The lower panel also
includes a plurality of feet each aligned with an opening through
the upper panel and each having a cavity defined therein for
receiving a foot from a similar pallet when nested.
[0005] The nestable pallet of the present invention provides the
increased strength and durability of the box beam section in a
nestable pallet. Thus, the inventive pallet has increased strength
and durability in use and is also convenient to store and transport
when empty.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] Other advantages of the present invention will be readily
appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to
the following detailed description when considered in connection
with the accompanying drawings wherein:
[0007] FIG. 1 is a top view of a first embodiment of a nestable
pallet according to the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a quarter section
of the nestable pallet of FIG. 1.
[0009] FIG. 3a is a sectional view through the nestable pallet of
FIG. 1 along line a-a.
[0010] FIG. 3b is a sectional view of the pallet of FIG. 1 along
line b-b.
[0011] FIG. 4 is an end elevational view of the pallet of FIG.
1.
[0012] FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the pallet of FIG.
1.
[0013] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 1 nested
with a similar pallet.
[0014] FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.
[0015] FIG. 8 is a top view of a second embodiment of the nestable
pallet according to the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a section of the
nestable pallet of FIG. 8.
[0017] FIG. 10a is a sectional view through the nestable pallet of
FIG. 8 along line a-a.
[0018] FIG. 10b is a sectional view of the pallet of FIG. 8 along
line b-b.
[0019] FIG. 11 is an end elevational view of the pallet of FIG.
8.
[0020] FIG. 12 is a side elevational view of the pallet of FIG.
8.
[0021] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 8 nested
with a similar pallet.
[0022] FIG. 14 is a sectional view along the line 14-14 of FIG. 13
of the nested pallets.
[0023] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the nestable pallet of FIG.
8.
[0024] FIG. 16 is an exploded sectional view through a portion of a
third embodiment of a nestable pallet according to the present
invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] A top view of a nestable pallet 20 according to the present
invention is shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective
view of the nestable pallet 20. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the
nestable pallet 20 includes an upper deck section 21 comprising an
upper panel 22 having a plurality of openings 24 aligned with feet
26 extending downwardly from the pallet 20. The upper panel 22
further includes molded slots and drain holes. A plurality of upper
rib sections 28, including cross-ribbing, extend downwardly from
the upper panel 22. At least some of the upper rib sections 28
extend between each adjacent pair of feet 26.
[0026] Referring to FIG. 2, the lower deck section 29 includes a
lower panel 30 having a lip 32 about the periphery of the nestable
pallet for mating with a similar lip 34 of upper panel 22. A
plurality of lower rib sections 35, including cross-ribbing, extend
upward from the lower panel 30 in general alignment with
corresponding upper rib sections 28. Some of the upper and lower
rib sections 28a, 35a are aligned with and disposed on four sides
of each of the openings 24 in upper panel 22 to form a portion of
each of the feet 26. Each of the upper ribs sections 28 is joined
to a corresponding one of the lower rib sections 35, such as via
hot plate welding, or other methods known in the art. The lip 34 in
the upper panel 22 may be similarly joined to the lip 32 of the
lower panel 30.
[0027] FIGS. 3a and 3b are sectional views through lines a-a and
b-b, respectively, of FIG. 1. As can be seen in FIGS. 3a and 3b,
the lower rib sections 35 extend upward, generally perpendicularly
to lower panel 30. The lower rib sections 35 are aligned with and
mated to the upper ribs sections 28 in upper panel 22. The lower
rib sections 35, upper rib sections 28, upper panel 22 and lower
panel 29 together form a box beam cross section.
[0028] Again referring to FIGS. 3a and 3b, each of the feet 26 is
tapered downwardly. In particular, each of the feet 26 includes an
upper section 40, a middle section 42 and a lower section 44. Each
of the sections 40, 42, 44 is concentric and decreasing in
cross-sectional area with each succeeding downward section. The
upper rib sections 28a and lower rib sections 35a form the upper
section 40 of each of the feet 26 between upper panel 22 and lower
panel 30. Load on upper panel 22 is thus transferred directly to
each upper rib section 28a, then to an abutting lower rib section
35a, then to a middle section 42 of each foot 26 and then to each
lower section 44 of each foot 26, thus increasing the strength of
nestable pallet 20. Each opening 24 and foot 26 define a cavity 48
for receiving a corresponding foot 26 from another similar pallet
20.
[0029] FIGS. 4 and 5 show an end view and a side view of the
nestable pallet of FIG. 1. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the
nestable pallet 20 of FIGS. 1-5, with a similar pallet 20' nested
therein, while FIG. 7 is a sectional view along lines 7-7 of FIG.
6. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the feet 26' of the pallet 20' nest
within the feet 26 of the pallet 20, thus reducing the overall
height of the empty pallets 20, 20'.
[0030] FIGS. 8-15 show a second embodiment of a nestable pallet 120
of the present invention. The nestable pallet 120 is generally
similar to that shown in the previous Figures and will thus be
described more briefly. To the extent not described below or shown
in the drawings to be otherwise, the nestable pallet 120 has
similar structure, features and operation to those described and
shown above. Generally, structure in FIGS. 8-15 corresponding to
structure in FIGS. 1-7 will be referenced with the same reference
numeral with the numeral "1" prepended.
[0031] Referring to FIG. 8, the nestable pallet 120 includes an
upper deck section 121 comprising an upper panel 122 having a
plurality of openings 124 aligned with feet 126 extending
downwardly from the pallet 120. In this embodiment, the pallet 120
includes molded handle openings 125 through the deck sections.
[0032] FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the upper deck
section 121 and a corresponding lower deck section 129. The lower
deck section 129 includes a lower panel 130 having a lip 132 about
its periphery for mating with a similar lip 134 of upper panel 122.
The upper rib sections 128 extend downward from the upper panel
122. A plurality of lower rib sections 135 extend upward from the
lower panel 130 (some between each adjacent pair of feet 26) in
general alignment with corresponding upper rib sections 128. Some
of the upper and lower rib sections 128a, 135a are aligned with and
disposed about each of the openings 124 in upper panel 122 to form
a portion of each of the feet 126.
[0033] FIGS. 10a and 10b are sectional views through lines a-a and
b-b, respectively, of FIG. 9. As can be seen in FIGS. 10a and 10b,
each of the feet 126 is tapered downwardly constantly below the
lower rib sections 135a. Each opening 124 and corresponding foot
126 define a cavity 148 for receiving a corresponding foot 126 from
another similar pallet 120.
[0034] FIGS. 11 and 12 show an end view and a side view of the
nestable pallet of FIG. 8. FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the
nestable pallet 120 of FIGS. 1-5, with a similar pallet 120' nested
therein, while FIG. 14 is a sectional view along lines 14-14 of
FIG. 13. Referring to FIGS. 13 and 14, the feet 126' of the pallet
120' nest within the feet 126 of the pallet 120, thus reducing the
overall height of the empty pallets 120, 120'.
[0035] FIG. 16 is an exploded sectional view showing an alternate
foot portion 226 in a third embodiment nestable pallet 220 of the
present invention. In this pallet 220, the upper deck section 221
includes a downwardly projecting foot portion 227 extending from
the upper panel 222 and aligned with the foot portion 226 of the
lower deck section 229. The foot portion 227 of the upper deck
section 221 includes upper rib sections 228 aligned with and
mateable with lower rib sections extending upward from the foot
portion 226 of the lower deck section 221 to define box sections
therebetween.
[0036] The nestable pallets 20, 120, 220 of the present invention
provide the increased strength and durability of the box beam
section in a nestable pallet 20, 120, 220. Thus, the inventive
pallet 20, 120, 220 has increased strength and durability in use
and is also convenient to store and transport when empty.
[0037] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and
described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and
describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words
used in the specification are words of description rather than
limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made
without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. There
are many different configurations for plastic pallets and many
variations in design, many of which would benefit from the present
invention. For example, the upper and lower deck sections 21, 29,
121, 129 are preferably formed of polypropylene via an injection
molding process, but of course can be formed of any type of plastic
applicable for the desired use. The number and arrangement of
openings 24, 125, 224 and feet 26, 126, 226, 227 may vary according
to the size of the pallets 20, 120, 220 and the intended
application for the pallets 20, 120, 220.
[0038] WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
* * * * *