U.S. patent application number 11/358274 was filed with the patent office on 2006-10-26 for fire sprinkler-friendly pallet.
Invention is credited to Ronald P. Brochu.
Application Number | 20060236900 11/358274 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 36917114 |
Filed Date | 2006-10-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060236900 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Brochu; Ronald P. |
October 26, 2006 |
Fire sprinkler-friendly pallet
Abstract
In one embodiment, a corrugated pallet deck has holes
selectively located along valleys of the corrugations, so sprinkler
water which falls onto racked or stacked pallets drops onto the
rails of the base of the pallet, and onto things below, to inhibit
their tendency to combust in a fire. In variations, the valleys of
the corrugations are sloped toward the holes, and the valleys are
cross connected. In other embodiments, the frame that supports the
deck has holes for water and a gutter shape top, so water runs
along the frame to the holes and then onto the the base. In other
embodiments, the base rails have and specially shaped tops and or
through holes, for better water flow onto the pallets below.
Inventors: |
Brochu; Ronald P.;
(Richmond, KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
CANTOR COLBURN LLP
55 Griffin Road South
Bloomfield
CT
06002
US
|
Family ID: |
36917114 |
Appl. No.: |
11/358274 |
Filed: |
February 21, 2006 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60654764 |
Feb 18, 2005 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/51.11 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00069
20130101; B65D 2519/00094 20130101; B65D 2519/00034 20130101; B65D
2519/00064 20130101; B65D 19/0046 20130101; B65D 2519/00348
20130101; B65D 2519/00024 20130101; B65D 2519/00104 20130101; B65D
2519/00273 20130101; B65D 2519/008 20130101; B65D 2519/00059
20130101; B65D 19/0036 20130101; B65D 2519/00099 20130101; B65D
2519/0086 20130101; B65D 19/0095 20130101; B65D 2519/00333
20130101; B65D 2519/00029 20130101; B65D 2519/00288 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/051.11 |
International
Class: |
B65D 19/00 20060101
B65D019/00 |
Claims
1. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet having a corrugated deck
supported over a base, the deck having at least one hole in a
valley of a corrugation, wherein the flow area of said at least one
hole is located over a part of the base of the pallet.
2. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 1,
wherein when said pallet rests on a level surface, said at least
one hole is located in a lower region of said corrugation, such
that water landing in another portion of said corrugation will tend
by gravity to run towards the portion of said corrugation
containing said hole.
3. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 1,
wherein a plurality of corrugations are interconnected.
4. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 3,
wherein said plurality of corrugations are interconnected via
staggered channels.
5. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 1,
wherein when said pallet rests on a level surface, an outer length
of said deck supporting frame is either higher than a hole in said
deck supporting frame or higher than said deck, such that water
will tend to flow toward said hole or toward said deck from said
outer length of said deck supporting frame rather than flowing over
the outer length of said deck supporting frame.
6. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 5,
wherein said deck supporting frame includes a plurality of holes,
which holes are provided in portions of said deck supporting frame
that are lower than an outer length of said deck supporting frame
and lower than portions of said deck, such that water will tend to
collect or flow between said plurality of holes in said deck
supporting frame.
7. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 6,
wherein a base portion below at least one hole in said deck
supporting frame or below at least one hole in said deck is
contoured to selectively direct water flow.
8. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 7,
wherein said base portion is angled or provided with a concave,
grooved or corrugated surface.
9. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 7,
wherein said base portion is provided with holes to drain
water.
10. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 6,
wherein said corrugation is interconnected with at least one hole
containing portion of said deck supporting frame by a channel.
11. A fire sprinker friendly pallet in accordance with claim 1,
wherein a plurality of holes are provided in valleys of a plurality
of corrugations, wherein the flow area of said plurality of holes
is located over parts of the base of the pallet.
12. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 11,
wherein when said pallet rests on a level surface, a plurality of
holes are located in lower regions of said corrugations, such that
water landing in another portion of said corrugations will tend by
gravity to run towards the portion of said corrugations containing
said plurality of holes located in lower regions of said
corrugations.
13. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 11,
wherein a plurality of said corrugations are interconnected.
14. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 13,
wherein said plurality of corrugations are interconnected via
staggered channels.
15. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 11,
wherein when said pallet rests on a level surface, an outer length
of said deck supporting frame is either higher than a hole in said
deck supporting frame or higher than said deck, such that water
will tend to flow toward said hole or toward said deck from said
outer length of said deck supporting frame rather than flowing over
the outer length of said deck supporting frame.
16. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 15,
wherein said deck supporting frame includes a plurality of holes,
which holes are provided in portions of said deck supporting frame
that are lower than an outer length of said deck supporting frame
and lower than portions of said deck, such that water will tend to
collect or flow between said plurality of holes in said deck
supporting frame.
17. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 16,
wherein a base portion below at least one hole in said deck
supporting frame or below at least one hole in said deck is
contoured to selectively direct water flow.
18. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said base portion is angled or provided with a concave,
grooved or corrugated surface.
19. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 17,
wherein said base portion is provided with holes to drain
water.
20. A fire sprinkler friendly pallet in accordance with claim 16,
wherein at least one corrugation in said deck is interconnected
with at least one hole containing portion of said deck supporting
frame by a channel.
21. A pallet in accordance with claim 11, wherein the deck, deck
supporting frame and base components comprise plastics, metals,
woods or combinations of the foregoing.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/654,764, filed Feb. 18, 2005,
entitled Fire Sprinkler-Friendly Pallet, the entire contents of
which are specifically incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates to improved, fire sprinkler
friendly pallets, which are used with forklifts for transporting
goods. These pallets serve as part of a system for storing goods in
warehouses and the like, which system also has sprinkler systems
for suppressing fires.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Pallets, both bearing goods and empty, are often stored on
racks in warehouses that are fitted with fire-fighting automatic
sprinkler systems. Plastic pallets may present particular challenge
for such systems, as compared to traditional wood pallets.
Specifically, in the event of a warehouse fire, particularly with
regard to a plurality of plastic pallets, the heat and rate of
combustion of, for example, a polyethylene or polypropylene pallet
material will be inherently high as compared to wood and the like.
Existing sprinkler systems designed for traditional wooden pallets
may become overwhelmed in the event of a bad conflagration. Adding
additional sprinkler systems, or having special areas for plastic
pallets, can be done, but involves substantial unwanted costs or
logistics problems.
[0004] Indeed, plastic pallets have not gained wide acceptance due
in large measure to the failure to satisfactorily meet fire
resistance criteria and structural and durability standards of
Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA). According to such criteria,
pallets should have fire resistance sufficient to not exceed the
heat release set by Underwriters Lab Standard 3435. Conforming
pallets must pass a simulated warehouse fire test in a test
facility, must be strong enough to carry specified loads, must not
be too heavy, and must be durable in resisting damage during use,
as measured by certain other tests simulating field use.
[0005] What is needed is an improved pallet, made from plastic,
metal, wood or combinations of the foregoing, having improved fire
resistance without compromising strength.
SUMMARY
[0006] The above mentioned problems are overcome by the presently
disclosed fire sprinkler friendly pallet, which pallet has a
corrugated deck including a plurality of holes in the valleys of
the corrugations. In an exemplary embodiment, the flow area of the
holes is located predominately over the rails of the base of the
pallet. In such case, water falling on the pallet falls onto the
plastic rails underneath the deck and inhibits burning during a
fire.
[0007] In exemplary embodiments, connector channels run between the
valleys so that water can be more evenly distributed amongst the
valleys and thus the rails of the base. In another embodiment, such
connector channels are arranged in staggered fashion. In another
embodiment, corrugation valleys are pitched along their lengths, so
that water runs toward the holes.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, the frame, which supports
the deck, has holes, so that water falling on the frame surface can
flow through the frame onto the base parts of the pallet below the
holes. In another embodiment, the frame top has a concave gutter
shape, so that water flows lengthwise along the frame to the
holes.
[0009] In another embodiment, the pallet has a base rail with a
surface which is sloped or crowned or corrugated and which has
holes for water to fall on portions below.
[0010] The above-described and other features will be appreciated
and understood by those skilled in the art from the following
detailed description, drawings and appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Referring now to the accompanying FIGURES, which are meant
to be exemplary and not limiting:
[0012] FIG. 1 is a semi-schematic elevation view illustrating
pallets stored on a rack in a warehouse having sprinklers;
[0013] FIG. 2 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of an
exemplary pallet including corrugations having holes;
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective cutaway view of an exemplary pallet
including corrugations having holes;
[0015] FIG. 4 is a perspective cutaway view of an exemplary pallet
having interconnected corrugations having holes;
[0016] FIG. 5 is a perspective cutaway view of an exemplary pallet
having corrugations interconnected with an angled deck supporting
frame having holes;
[0017] FIG. 6 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of an
exemplary pallet having contoured base portions;
[0018] FIG. 7 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of another
exemplary pallet having contoured base portions; and
[0019] FIG. 8 is a partial vertical cross-sectional view of another
exemplary pallet having contoured base portions.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] Referring now to FIG. 1, a semi-schematic elevation view
illustrates pallets stored on a rack in a warehouse having
sprinklers. Pallets 20C are illustrated as provided singly,
stacked, and loaded with goods 24, wherein the pallets are stored
on racks 22 which comprise opposing side columns 22L and 22R and
horizontal rails 34 which are spaced apart to receive the opposing
edges of the pallets. The ceiling 30 of the warehouse is fitted
with a firewater plumbing system comprising pressurized water pipes
28 and sprinkler heads 26. For typical sprinkler heads, when the
ceiling temperature rises above a predetermined design point,
established by selection of a low melting point metal that
restrains a spring-loaded water valve, the sprinkler heads open and
discharge a volume of water W in the form of sprays 32. The spray
water falls generally downwardly, to land on the stored pallets
below. The aim is to cool the burning objects below the point of
ignition, and to prevent non-burning objects from rising to such
point.
[0021] Referring now to FIG. 2, as illustrated by the partial
vertical cross section of a pallet 20, the pallet deck 46 of an
exemplary pallet 20 is corrugated for strength. Through-holes 40
receive water W within the valleys 45 of corrugations and pass
water W to structures 44C below the pallet deck 46, thus cooling
those structures below. The edge of a pallet 20 rests on the rail
34 of a rack 22L. It is to be understood that the term corrugation
or corrugated should encompass any surface topography that includes
at least one channel, groove, depression or valley along which
water can be channeled or contained. Additionally, the base of the
pallet includes any portions of the pallet below the top surface of
the pallet, which top surface may include the deck and the top
portions of the frame.
[0022] Referring now to FIG. 3, exemplary pallet deck 46, which may
comprise metal, metal alloy, plastic or other material, is attached
to rectangular plastic frame 48 of pallet 20. The frame 48 is
mounted on columns 42, 42C which run down to the base comprising
outer rails 44 shaped as a rectangle and cross rails 44C which run
to and from the midpoints of rails 44, crossing at center column
42C. Metal beams, not shown, or other reinforcing components may be
provided within the rails and frame 48 for strength as in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,705,347, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference. As in FIG. 2, the exemplary pallet deck 46 has a
multiplicity of corrugations for strength which comprise
depressions or valleys 45.
[0023] With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, through-holes 40 are
located at the bottom of valleys 45 of the deck. The holes are
selectively located over the rails 44C or whatever other structure
comprises a lower portion of the pallet. There may be other holes
which are not above rails or other bottom structure, for drainage.
For instance, if there is a corrugation depression which does not
lie above a rail, that corrugation could be fitted with a hole.
[0024] Thus, at least part of the water W which lands on the pallet
during a fire, either from sprinklers, or from another pallet
stacked above, flows through the specially-positioned holes 40, so
the water lands on a thermoplastic rails 44C or other structure
which comprise the base of the pallet, to suppress or prevent
burning. Improved performance has been seen in the aforementioned
Underwriter Laboratories tests. Should a pallet have a continuous
bottom deck construction, then holes can likewise be placed in the
bottom deck. The valleys 45 may be sloped slightly along their
length, so water runs downwardly toward the holes 40.
[0025] With reference to FIG. 4, another exemplary embodiment is
illustrated at 20A. At least some of the corrugations of the deck
are connected by connector channels 50, to help distribute the
water amongst the different valleys 45. Such configuration tends to
even water flow into holes 40, when the water falls unevenly on the
surface of the deck. The connectors 50 may also be staggered from
valley to valley, for best deck strength.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 5, part of an exemplary corner of a
pallet is illustrated. In one exemplary embodiment, frame 48A,
which supports deck 46, has through holes 52, which are configured
to drop water on the outer rails 44 of the base. In another
exemplary embodiment, the top surface of the outer part of the
frame is sloped inwardly toward the center at slight angle Z. In
such embodiment, water falling on outer portions of said deck
supporting frame will tend to run to inner portions of said deck
supporting frame. The top surface of the frame may also provide a
gutter 60, so water will flow lengthwise along the frame, as
suggested by the arrows. Water flows to the locations of holes 52
which are positioned above base rails 44, as they run between the
columns. The water drops onto the base rail 44, and from there onto
any pallet below. Thus water which lands on, or flows over typical
frame surface portion 56, which is over the corner column 42 (not
shown in FIG. 5), is usefully directed onto the base or other lower
portions of the pallet. In addition, peripheral connector channels
58 may be used to allow water in some of the valleys 45 to flow
onto the top of the frame and into the gutter.
[0027] In other exemplary embodiments, the top surface of rails 44,
44C may be usefully shaped to help fire resistance. Referring now
to FIG. 6, rail 44A is provided with a slope, which directs water
towards internal portions of the pallet or ensures that water will
flow through lower portions of the pallet to goods or additional
pallets below, rather than allowing water to possibly flow outward,
as when the rail 44a is flat or fully crowned. Referring now to
FIG. 7, exemplary rail 44B has a surface which is concave or
grooved, such that water flows through holes 62 provided in lower
portions of rail 44B and onto goods or additional pallets below,
rather than allowing water to possibly flow outward. Similarly,
FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary rail 44E having a corrugated
surface for the similar purpose. Such base portion surface
contouring, which contouring selectively directs water, may
similarly be applied to base portions provided underneath holes in
said deck.
[0028] It should be noted that the perforations in the deck and
other parts of the pallet need not be round. For example, slots,
among other configurations, may be used. At any location, more than
one hole may be placed. The holes may also be of various sizes. As
should be evident, the different features described can be combined
with each other. Pallet materials may comprise plastics, metals,
wood, and the like, as well as combinations of the foregoing.
[0029] Accordingly, the present disclosure provides a water flow
control system for a pallet, which selectively directs water
deposited on upper surfaces of a pallet by fire sprinkler systems
to lower portions of the pallet that may gain additional fire
resistance from exposure to such water.
[0030] While exemplary embodiments have been shown and described,
various modifications and substitutions may be made thereto without
departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is to be
understood that the present invention has been described by way of
illustration and not limitation.
* * * * *