U.S. patent application number 10/950203 was filed with the patent office on 2006-03-30 for paper pallet.
Invention is credited to Fu-Mei Chen.
Application Number | 20060065168 10/950203 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36097570 |
Filed Date | 2006-03-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060065168 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chen; Fu-Mei |
March 30, 2006 |
Paper pallet
Abstract
A pallet includes a top plate, a bottom plate fixed below the
main plate, and a plurality of spaces mounted below a general plane
of the bottom plate. The top plate includes a main section and two
enveloping sections respectively on two sides of the main section
of the top plate. A protective folding section is provided between
each enveloping section and the main section of the top plate. At
least one reinforcing plate is sandwiched between the main section
of the top plate and the enveloping sections of the top plate. The
protective folding sections form front and rear edges of the
pallet, preventing damage to the pallet during use.
Inventors: |
Chen; Fu-Mei; (Taoyuan City,
TW) |
Correspondence
Address: |
PRO-TECHTOR INTERNATIONAL SERVICES
20775 Norada Court
Saratoga
CA
95070-3018
US
|
Family ID: |
36097570 |
Appl. No.: |
10/950203 |
Filed: |
September 24, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/51.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00318
20130101; B65D 2519/00089 20130101; B65D 2519/00019 20130101; B65D
2519/00557 20130101; B65D 2519/00124 20130101; B65D 2519/00562
20130101; B65D 19/0026 20130101; B65D 2519/00402 20130101; B65D
2519/00054 20130101; B65D 2519/00373 20130101; B65D 2519/00293
20130101; B65D 2519/00333 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/051.3 |
International
Class: |
B65D 19/00 20060101
B65D019/00 |
Claims
1. A pallet comprising: a top plate including a main section and
two enveloping sections respectively on two sides of the main
section of the top plate, a protective folding section being
provided between each said enveloping section and the main section
of the top plate, at least one reinforcing plate being sandwiched
between the main section of the top plate and the enveloping
sections of the top plate, the protective folding sections forming
front and rear edges of the pallet; a bottom plate fixed below the
main plate; and a plurality of spacers mounted below a general
plane of the bottom plate.
2. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, with the bottom plate
including a plurality of recessed sections, with the spacers being
mounted in the recessed sections, with the bottom plate including
two enveloping sections respectively on two sides thereof, and with
each said enveloping section of the bottom plate being folded
inward to cover an associated one of the recessed sections.
3. The pallet as claimed in claim 2, with each said enveloping
section of the bottom plate including an insertion section that is
inserted into the associated recessed section and sandwiched
between associated spacers and a sidewall of the associated
recessed section.
4. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, with the bottom plate
including a main section and two enveloping sections respectively
on two sides of the main section of the bottom plate, a protective
folding section being provided between each said enveloping section
and the main section of the bottom plate, the main section of the
bottom plate being mounted below the enveloping sections of the top
plate, each said enveloping section being sandwiched between said
at least one reinforcing plate and the main section of the top
plate, with the protective folding sections of the bottom plate
forming left and right edges of the pallet.
5. The pallet as claimed in claim 4, with the pallet further
including a plurality of moisture-proof members mounted below the
spacers.
6. The pallet as claimed in claim 5, with each said moisture-proof
member being a plate including a plurality of sections with a
plurality of rows of cutouts defined between each two adjacent
sections, allowing the plate to be folded along the rows of cutouts
to stack the sections.
7. The pallet as claimed in claim 5, with each said moisture-proof
member being parallelepiped.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a pallet. In particular,
the present invention relates to a paper pallet.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] Paper pallets are more widely used than conventional wooden
pallets and metal pallets, as the paper pallets are light,
inexpensive, and recyclable. FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a
typical paper pallet made of corrugated paper and comprising a top
plate 90 and a bottom plate 92 supporting the top plate. After
cargo is placed on the top plate 90, the cargo is tied up with a
strip made of, e.g., polyethylene. However, the strip in a
tightened state is apt to bite a front edge 91 and a rear edge of
the top plate 90, resulting in damage to the paper pallet and even
falling of the cargo. Further, the damaged front and rear edges 91
might cause injury to the workers.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] An objective of the present invention is to provide a pallet
that would not be damaged during use.
[0006] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, a
pallet comprises a top plate, a bottom plate fixed below the main
plate, and a plurality of spaces mounted below a general plane of
the bottom plate.
[0007] The top plate includes a main section and two enveloping
sections respectively on two sides of the main section of the top
plate. A protective folding section is provided between each
enveloping section and the main section of the top plate. At least
one reinforcing plate is sandwiched between the main section of the
top plate and the enveloping sections of the top plate. The
protective folding sections form front and rear edges of the
pallet, preventing damage to the pallet during use.
[0008] In an embodiment, the bottom plate includes a plurality of
recessed sections in which the spacers are mounted. The bottom
plate includes two enveloping sections respectively on two sides
thereof. Each enveloping section of the bottom plate is folded
inward to cover an associated recessed section. In another
embodiment, each enveloping section of the bottom plate includes an
insertion section that is inserted into the associated recessed
section and sandwiched between associated spacers and a sidewall of
the associated recessed section.
[0009] In a further embodiment, the bottom plate includes a main
section and two enveloping sections respectively on two sides of
the main section of the bottom plate. A protective folding section
is provided between each enveloping section and the main section of
the bottom plate. The main section of the bottom plate is mounted
below the enveloping sections of the top plate. Each enveloping
section is sandwiched between the reinforcing plate and the main
section of the top plate. The protective folding sections of the
bottom plate form left and right edges of the pallet, preventing
damage to the pallet during use.
[0010] The pallet may further include a plurality of moisture-proof
members mounted below the spacers. Each moisture-proof member is a
plate including a plurality of sections with a plurality of rows of
cutouts defined between each two adjacent sections, allowing the
plate to be folded along the rows of cutouts to stack the sections.
Each moisture-proof member may be parallelepiped.
[0011] Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will become more apparent from the following detailed
description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a conventional paper
pallet.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a pallet in accordance
with the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a top plate of the
pallet in accordance with the present invention.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating folding of the top
plate in FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of a bottom plate and
spacers of the pallet in accordance with the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 5, illustrating a modified
embodiment of the bottom plate.
[0018] FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a modified
embodiment of the pallet in accordance with the present
invention.
[0019] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a top portion of
the pallet in FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the top portion of the
pallet in FIG. 8.
[0021] FIG. 10 is a portion, partly cutaway, of the top portion of
the pallet in FIG. 7.
[0022] FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the top portion of the pallet
in FIG. 10.
[0023] FIG. 12 is a flattened view of a moisture-proof member of
the pallet in FIG. 7.
[0024] FIG. 13 is a perspective view illustrating folding of the
moisture-proof member in FIG. 12.
[0025] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of
the moisture-proof member.
[0026] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a modified
embodiment of a bottom plate in FIG. 8.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a pallet in accordance
with the present invention. The pallet comprises a top plate 10, a
bottom plate 20, and a plurality of spacers 30 mounted to a general
plane of an underside of the bottom plate 20. The illustrated
pallet is made of corrugated paper. It is, however, noted that the
pallet can be made of any other suitable material.
[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3, the top plate 10 comprises
a main section 11 forming a top side of the pallet. The top plate
10 further includes two enveloping sections 14 and 15 respectively
on two sides of the main section 11, with a protective folding
section 12, 13 being provided between each enveloping section 14,
15 and the main section 11.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the enveloping sections 14 and 15
are folded downward and inward, with at least one reinforcing plate
(two reinforcing plates 16 and 17 in this embodiment) being
sandwiched between the main section 11 and the enveloping sections
14 and 15. The protective folding sections 12 and 13 form front and
rear edge of the top plate 10 to prevent damage to the top plate 10
when a cargo is placed on the top plate 10 and tied up with a
strip.
[0030] Referring to FIG. 5, the bottom plate 20 includes a
plurality of recessed sections 21. The spacers 30 are
parallelepiped and bonded in the recessed sections 21. Further,
each of two sides of the bottom plate 20 includes an enveloping
section 22 that is folded inward to cover an associated recessed
section 21. FIG. 6 illustrates a modified embodiment of the bottom
plate 20, wherein each enveloping section 22 includes an insertion
section 23 that is folded downward and inserted into the associated
recessed section 22 and sandwiched between the associated spacers
30 and a sidewall of the associated recessed section 22.
[0031] FIG. 7 illustrates a modified embodiment of the pallet in
accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, the
pallet comprises a top plate 100, a bottom plate 40, and a
plurality of rows of spaced spacers 30 mounted to a general plane
of an underside of the bottom plate 40. The pallet is so
constructed that two forks (not shown) of a forklift (not shown)
can be extended through either a longitudinal direction of the
pallet or a transverse direction of the pallet, and the cargo can
be tied up along either the longitudinal direction or the
transverse direction of the pallet without causing damage to the
pallet.
[0032] In this embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 7 through 11,
the top plate 100 is substantially the same as the top plate 10 in
the embodiment shown in FIG. 2. More specifically, the top plate 10
comprises a main section 11 forming a top side of the pallet. The
top plate 10 further includes two enveloping sections 14 and 15
respectively on two sides of the main section 11, with a protective
folding section 12, 13 being provided between each enveloping
section 14, 15 and the main section 11.
[0033] The bottom plate 40 includes a main section 41 below the
enveloping sections 14 and 15 of the top plate 100. As illustrated
in FIGS. 8 and 9, the bottom plate 40 includes an enveloping
section 45 on each of two sides thereof, with a protective folding
section 43 being provided between each enveloping section 44, 45
and the main section 41. As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, the
bottom plate 40 extends along a direction parallel to the extending
direction of the folding sections 12 and 13 of the top plate 100.
Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, and 11, each enveloping section 44, 45
outside the main section 11 of the top plate 100 is folded upward
and inward to be inserted and sandwiched between the upper
reinforcing plate 16 and the main section 11 of the top plate 100.
The protective folding sections 43 of the bottom plate 40 form the
left and right edges of the pallet to prevent damage to the pallet
when the cargo is tied up along the transverse direction of the
pallet whereas the protective folding sections 12 and 13 forms the
front and rear edges of the pallet to prevent damage to the pallet
when the cargo is tied up along the longitudinal direction of the
pallet. Each enveloping section 44, 45 may include a folding line
to assist in insertion of the enveloping sections 44 and 45.
[0034] The pallet in FIG. 7 further includes a moisture-proof
members 50 attached to an underside of an associated row of spacers
30. As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13, each moisture-proof member
50 is a plate before folding. The plate includes a plurality of
sections 51 with a plurality of rows of cutouts 52 defined between
each two adjacent sections 51, allowing the plate to be folded
along the rows of cutouts 52 to stack the sections 51. The solid
portions 53 and 54 in each folding line along which the sections 51
are folded prevent falling off after glue is applied to the
plate.
[0035] FIG. 14 shows a modified embodiment of the moisture-proof
plate, wherein the moisture-proof plate 500 is parallelepiped after
folding. FIG. 15 illustrates a modified embodiment of the bottom
plate 100 in FIG. 8. In this embodiment, the enveloping sections
(now designated by 440 and 450) are longer to provide a larger
enveloping area.
[0036] Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and
described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible
without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of
the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.
* * * * *