U.S. patent application number 12/997546 was filed with the patent office on 2012-03-01 for pallet.
Invention is credited to Matthew Dunn, Andrew Toomer.
Application Number | 20120048154 12/997546 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41416275 |
Filed Date | 2012-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20120048154 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Toomer; Andrew ; et
al. |
March 1, 2012 |
PALLET
Abstract
A stackable pallet device for use in the transportation of goods
includes a flat body having an upper face and a lower face. The
upper face is open to a plurality of substantially hollow and
elongate support members depending from the lower face of the flat
body for forming the lower side of the pallet device. The elongate
support members are shaped so that stackable pallet devices can
nest one above another.
Inventors: |
Toomer; Andrew; (Victoria,
AU) ; Dunn; Matthew; (Victoria, AU) |
Family ID: |
41416275 |
Appl. No.: |
12/997546 |
Filed: |
June 10, 2009 |
PCT Filed: |
June 10, 2009 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/AU09/00724 |
371 Date: |
September 1, 2011 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
108/53.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/0094 20130101;
B65D 19/0018 20130101; B65D 2519/00432 20130101; B65D 2519/00268
20130101; B65D 2519/00338 20130101; B65D 2519/00412 20130101; B65D
2519/00069 20130101; B65D 2519/00945 20130101; B65D 2519/00288
20130101; B65D 2519/00318 20130101; B65D 2519/00129 20130101; B65D
2519/00437 20130101; B65D 2519/00034 20130101; B65D 2519/0096
20130101; B65D 2519/00407 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
108/53.3 |
International
Class: |
B65D 19/22 20060101
B65D019/22 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jun 10, 2008 |
AU |
2008902904 |
Claims
1-12. (canceled)
13. A stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods,
comprising: a flat body having an upper face and a lower face, said
upper face being open to a plurality of substantially hollow and
elongate support members depending from said lower face of said
flat body for forming a lower side of said stackable pallet device,
said elongate support members being shaped for permitting a first
said stackable pallet device to nest above a second said stackable
pallet device.
14. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods
according to claim 13, wherein said elongate support members are
situated adjacent a first side and a second side of said stackable
pallet device, said second side being an opposing side relative to
said first side, and with an additional elongate support member
being positioned parallel to, and between, said elongate support
members.
15. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods
according to claim 13, wherein a hollow part of each elongate
support member of said plurality of substantially hollow and
elongate support members depending from said lower face of said
flat body includes a central well component joined at each side to
an offset foot device by a hollow wall of approximately half a
depth of said central well for defining a gap through which fork
lift tines are passable.
16. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods
according to claim 15, wherein each said offset foot device is
offset to a side of said central well.
17. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods
according to claim 13, wherein said lower side of each of two
stackable pallet devices are inter-engageable.
18. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods
according to claim 17, wherein said two stackable pallet devices
are connected with additional connection means when
interengaged.
19. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods
according to claim 13, wherein said stackable pallet device is
attachable to a surface of an object so that said lower side of
said stackable pallet device is usable as an interengagement means
with the surface of the object.
20. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods
according to claim 13, wherein said stackable pallet device is made
of plastic.
21. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods
according to claim 13, further comprising means for reinforcing
structural integrity of said stackable pallet device.
22. The stackable pallet device for use in transporting goods
according to claim 21, wherein said means for reinforcing
structural integrity of said stackable pallet device includes
reinforcing said stackable pallet device with a metal band.
Description
AREA OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to the area of transport of goods
whether by land or sea or air where such goods are customarily
transported on pallets. In particular the invention relates to a
multi purpose pallet which can be used in relation to a plurality
of transport means and for a variety of applications.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
[0002] There are many pallets available of different designs for
stacking and transporting goods. These are generally flat topped
and are provided with support devices below to raise them above any
surface that may be placed on such that fork lift tines and the
like can be used to lift the pallets.
[0003] Different pallets have customarily been designed for
specific applications and as a result there is little uniformity of
design or dimensions. For example the pallet strength required for
certain goods may differ greatly from that required for others.
[0004] As a result goods during transit may have to be loaded and
unloaded from pallets suitable for shipping container travel to
ones suitable for trucking and so on.
[0005] In addition such pallets need to be returned to their place
of departure or, alternatively be destroyed as is often the case
with wooden pallets. The latter course is costly however wooden
pallets occupy a large volume when loaded for return and are costly
to transport unused. Another disadvantage with wooden pallets is
that they are prone to damage.
[0006] An alternative option is to use plastic pallets. These are
much more durable than wooden pallets but are more costly and have
the same disadvantages with respect to returning to their place of
origin as do the wooden pallets.
[0007] To some extent the latter problem can be ameliorated by the
provision of stackable pallets however those known in the art to
date tend to be provided with nested "leg" type supports which are
vulnerable to damage and prevent appropriate storage on racking as
fork tines cannot pass under the pallets of that type of
design.
OUTLINE OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of this invention to provide a pallet device
for use as a pallet in the transportation of goods which pallet
device can be stacked when not in use in a relatively compact
fashion such that a minimal volume is occupied during transport of
unloaded pallets.
[0009] It is also an object of the invention that the pallet device
of the invention be stackable but also be provided with
interlocking means both for use as a pallet and for other
applications.
[0010] It is a further object of the invention that the pallet
device of the invention have the requisite strength for carrying
most loads of a type customarily transported on pallets and be able
to be used for virtually all desired goods pallet transport
applications.
[0011] The invention is a stackable pallet device for use in the
transportation of goods said pallet device including a flat body
having an upper face and a lower face, the upper face being open to
a plurality of generally hollow and elongate support members
depending from the lower face of the pallet body to form the lower
side of the pallet device, the elongate support members being
shaped such that the pallet devices can nest one above the
other.
[0012] It is preferred that the generally elongate support members
be situated adjacent a first side and an opposing second side of
the pallet and that a third elongate support member be positioned
parallel to and between these members.
[0013] It is further preferred that the hollow part of each
elongate member depending from the lower face of the pallet include
a hollow central well component joined at each side to an offset
hollow foot device by a hollow wall of approximately half the depth
of the central well thereby defining a gap through which fork lift
tines may pass.
[0014] It is also preferred that each foot device be offset just to
a side of the well.
[0015] It is preferred that the undersides of two pallet devices
can interengage to form a unitary stronger pallet unit.
[0016] It is further preferred that this connection be effected by
interengagement of the elongate support members of two pallet
devices.
[0017] It may be further preferred that these pallet devices be
fastened together by connection means, the precise means not being
restricted in the invention.
[0018] It may also be preferred that the pallet devices be
attachable to other containers for use as removable connectors.
[0019] It is further preferred that the pallet device be provided
with additional reinforcement means where required.
[0020] It may be preferred that the periphery of the pallet device
be reinforced with a metal or other boundary.
[0021] It may also be preferred that reinforcement means be applied
to the base of the walls between the well and feet of the elongate
support members.
[0022] It is preferred that the pallet devices be manufactured from
a moulded plastic type material.
[0023] In order that the invention may be more readily understood
we shall describe by way of non limiting example a particular
embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
[0024] FIG. 1 Shows a perspective view of the lower side of the
pallet device of the invention;
[0025] FIG. 2 Shows a perspective view of the lower side of the
pallet device of the invention with skid devices provided on the
base of the elongate members;
[0026] FIG. 3 Shows an upper plan view of the pallet device;
[0027] FIG. 4 Shows two pallet devices, one inverted and rotated
through 180 degrees;
[0028] FIG. 5 The pallet devices of FIG. 4 when interengaged;
[0029] FIG. 6 The concept shown in FIG. 5 as applied to other
devices;
[0030] FIG. 7 Shows the compact stackibility of the pallet
devices;
[0031] FIG. 8 Shows the pallet devices stacked for rack
storage;
[0032] FIG. 9 Shows stacked paired pallet devices;
[0033] FIG. 10 Shows a perspective view of the pallet device of the
invention with various reinforcement means;
[0034] FIG. 11 Shows a plan view of the pallet device of the
invention with reinforcement means in situ;
[0035] FIG. 12 Shows a compressive means of fastening the
reinforcing means to the pallet device;
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
[0036] The invention provides a pallet device for use in the
transportation of goods which pallet is preferably dimensioned such
that it is able to be used for the entire journey of such goods
both within a country and internationally. The precise dimensions
of the pallet device are however not restricted in the
invention,
[0037] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the pallet device
is manufactured from a synthetic material such as a plastic which
is both stronger and lighter than pallets of other materials such
as a wood and less prone to environmental and other damage. An
important feature of the invention is the stackable nature of the
pallet devices which minimises the volume occupied by the pallet
devices when stacked for transport.
[0038] The preferred embodiment of the invention is a single pallet
device which functions as an improved pallet in yew of the prior
art and is used in the transportation of goods.
[0039] The pallet device 10 of the invention as shown in FIG. 1
includes a flat body 15 with periphery 14 having an upper face 16
and a lower face 17, the upper face 16 being open to a plurality of
generally hollow and elongate support members 20 depending from the
lower face 17 of the pallet body to form the lower side of the
pallet device, the elongate support members being shaped such that
the pallet devices can nest one above the other as shown in FIG.
7.
[0040] Although the number of elongate support members used is not
restricted in the invention It is preferred that one such member be
situated adjacent a first side and a second member be situated
along an opposing second side of the pallet with a third elongate
support member positioned parallel to and between these members as
shown in the accompanying Figures.
[0041] While the precise shape of each hollow elongate support
member is also not restricted in the invention it is preferred that
each member depending from the lower face of the pallet include a
hollow central well device 30 joined at each side to an offset
hollow foot device 50 by a hollow wall device 40 of approximately
half the depth of the central well thereby defining a gap 45
through which fork lift tines may pass.
[0042] While the support members are generally elongate as shown in
FIG. 3 each foot device is offset just to a side of the well such
that when one pallet device is inverted over the lower face 17 of a
pallet device and rotated through 180 degrees the lower faces of
these two pallet devices can interengage as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.
Provision for fastening these devices together is made using
reinforcing plates 60 and 65 with connection members 70 which in
this preferred embodiment of the invention are screw means although
the precise means is not restricted in the invention.
[0043] By this means two pallet devices can interengage to form a
unitary stronger pallet unit.
[0044] In a further embodiment of the invention the pallet devices
may be attached to other containers or devices for use as removable
connectors as shown in FIG. 6.
[0045] In addition, if required, the pallet device be provided with
additional reinforcement means as shown in FIG. 10. In particular
the periphery of the pallet device may be reinforced with a metal
peripheral support 80, or other preferred material, about its
boundary. An internal reinforcement means 90 in the form of a grid,
as shown in FIG. 10, is also provided as is a strengthening member
100 positioned in the base of the wall members.
[0046] Such reinforcement is not necessarily essential but may be
preferred for certain applications where additional strength is
required. This is demonstrated in FIG. 11 which shows a plan view
of part of the reinforcement system of the invention including
fastening means 110 for securing the reinforcing to the pallet by
compressive means as shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively the
reinforcing may be located in the pallet device during
moulding.
[0047] The invention provides a sturdy and versatile pallet device
which is not prone to the damage which can occur with wooden
pallets and the like and is highly transportable.
[0048] The invention described is not restricted as to the type of
materials used or the appearance and shape of its component parts
and while we have described herein one particular embodiment of the
invention it is to be understood that variations and modifications
in the materials used and the features described can still lie
within the scope of the invention.
* * * * *