Patents by Inventor Trenton M. Overholt
Trenton M. Overholt has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8056488Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 7918166Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2006Date of Patent: April 5, 2011Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 7694836Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base, and pairs of opposed side and end walls that are pivotally mounted on the base. When the side walls are pivoted to a raised position against inward flanges defined on the end walls, latch members on the side walls engage complementary shoulders defined on end wall flange projections to thereby lock the side walls relative to the end walls. Each latch member includes a base portion mounted proximate to a respective lateral edge of the side wall, a lever arm portion extending away from the side wall's lateral edge, and an intermediate portion having a camming surface and adjacent shoulder with which to engage the respective end wall flange projection. When raised, edge portions of each side wall are received in recessed shelves defined in the base while the side wall's inner face simultaneously engages cantilevered stop members defined in the base.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2005Date of Patent: April 13, 2010Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Gerald R. Koefelda
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Publication number: 20100083881Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2009Publication date: April 8, 2010Inventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 7661373Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: February 16, 2010Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 7640867Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. In one embodiment, the columns are snap-fit into the upper deck and the lower deck. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2004Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Sean T. Ogburn, William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 7252041Abstract: Polyolefin-based pallets capable of passing standard pallet flammability tests are prepared by molding the pallet or one or more subassemblies thereof, of a polyolefin molding resin containing a flame retardant package containing magnesium hydroxide, and optionally alumina trihydrate, and zinc borate. The flame retardants may be supplied as a master batch at a concentration higher than that desired in the pallet or subassembly, in a polyolefin-compatible polymer, and result in pallets having a significantly lower heat release rate.Type: GrantFiled: August 29, 2005Date of Patent: August 7, 2007Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Justin M. Smyers
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Patent number: 7128231Abstract: A collapsible container having a base with opposed edges, first and second pairs of side walls pivotably attached to opposed edges of the base, one pair of side walls having a lateral edge, and the other having a lateral flange inwardly depending therefrom, the lateral edge being selectively connected to the lateral flange by a latch, the latch including a latch member and at least one clip member.Type: GrantFiled: October 1, 2003Date of Patent: October 31, 2006Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 7086339Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2003Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 7086555Abstract: A wall structure for a container includes at least one band member which extends at least partially across the length of the wall structure proximate an upper surface of the wall structure and oriented substantially parallel thereto. The band member has a wave-like cross-section with a plurality of first peaks, adjacent and opposing second peaks, and inclined members extending between the plurality of first and second peaks. The plurality of first peaks of the wave defines a first surface of the wall structure, and the opposing second peaks of the wave defines a second surface of the wall structure.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: August 8, 2006Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Gerald R. Koefelda, Roger S. Hsu
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Patent number: 7063210Abstract: A crate is provided for holding and transporting products such as plastic milk containers. In accordance with one aspect, a tighter lateral tolerance or fit is provided to stabilize and strengthen telescopic stacking of crates by contouring an inner surface of the side walls to provide a smaller dimension in the opening of the crate, such as by selectively removing or reducing any outward taper or draft of the side walls. In accordance with another aspect, loading forces are directly transferred to a bottom drag rail by forming the side walls to position at least a portion of the side wall inner surface over the drag rail.Type: GrantFiled: August 3, 2001Date of Patent: June 20, 2006Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 7048135Abstract: A folding crate or container is provided having a translating hinge arrangement that allows a side wall of the crate to freely translate in a vertical direction when rotated into a folded position. By allowing opposing side walls to move vertically relative to a bottom component of the crate when folded, subsequent overlapping side walls will lay substantially flat and parallel to the bottom component when folded thereon. This in turn allows the overall height of the crate to be reduced when in the folded position without requiring a specific side wall folding sequence.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2002Date of Patent: May 23, 2006Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 7044319Abstract: A collapsible container including a base having a first pair of opposed upstanding members and a second pair of opposed upstanding members, and also including a first pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to the base and orientable between an assembled position and a second position. Each of the first pair of opposed side walls has a recess which mates with and receives a corresponding one of the first pair of opposed upstanding members when in the assembled position. The container further receive a second pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to a corresponding one of the second pair of opposed upstanding members and also orientable between an assembled position and a second position.Type: GrantFiled: June 3, 2002Date of Patent: May 16, 2006Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Trenton M. Overholt, William Patrick Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
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Patent number: 7017765Abstract: A container adapted for storing and transporting an item having a shape includes a flexible bottom panel which has an upper surface upon which the item is supported, and a lower surface having a plurality of parallel, spaced apart ribs with a relatively thin-walled section between each adjacent pair of ribs. The flexible bottom panel is adapted to conform to the shape of the item resting thereon.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2002Date of Patent: March 28, 2006Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: Trenton M. Overholt
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Patent number: 6998433Abstract: Polyolefin-based pallets capable of passing standard pallet flammability tests are prepared by molding the pallet or one or more subassemblies thereof, of a polyolefin molding resin containing a flame retardant package containing magnesium hydroxide, and optionally alumina trihydrate, and zinc borate. The flame retardants may be supplied as a master batch at a concentration higher than that desired in the pallet or subassembly, in a polyolefin-compatible polymer, and result in pallets having a significantly lower heat release rate.Type: GrantFiled: February 27, 2003Date of Patent: February 14, 2006Assignee: Rehig Pacific CompanyInventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Justin M. Smyers
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Patent number: 6918502Abstract: A collapsible container orientable between assembled and collapsed positions having a base, a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls. The base has a pair of opposing upstanding end flanges integral thereto defining a corner line at each end and a side face member perpendicular. A pair of opposing side edges lie in a plane parallel to and spaced inward from an adjacent co-planar pair of side face members and extending therebetween. Opposing side walls are pivotably attached to one of the opposing side edges, forming an extension of the base when the container is in assembled. Each side wall has a latch member at each lateral edge having upper and lower curved surfaces and a tooth at its distal end. Each end wall has a pair of flanges with an opening sized to slidingly receive a latching member in the assembled state and is securely held by a living hinge. The container is adapted to being nestable when in the collapsed position.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2000Date of Patent: July 19, 2005Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Trenton M. Overholt, William Patrick Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda
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Patent number: 6899242Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base, and pairs of opposed side and end walls that are pivotally mounted on the base. When the side walls are pivoted to a raised position against inward flanges defined on the end walls, latch members on the side walls engage complementary shoulders defined on end wall flange projections to thereby lock the side walls relative to the end walls. Each latch member includes a base portion mounted proximate to a respective lateral edge of the side wall, a lever arm portion extending away from the side wall's lateral edge, and an intermediate portion having a camming surface and adjacent shoulder with which to engage the respective end wall flange projection. When raised, edge portions of each side wall are received in recessed shelves defined in the base while the side wall's inner face simultaneously engages cantilevered stop members defined in the base.Type: GrantFiled: December 20, 2001Date of Patent: May 31, 2005Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventors: Trenton M. Overholt, Gerald R. Koefelda
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Patent number: 6849677Abstract: Polyolefin-based pallets capable of passing standard pallet flammability tests are prepared by molding the pallet or one or more subassemblies thereof, of a polyolefin molding resin containing a flame retardant package containing a halogenated organic flame retardant, alumina trihydrate, and antimony trioxide. The flame retardants are advantageously supplied as a master batch at a concentration higher than that desired in the pallet or subassembly, in a polyolefin-compatible polymer.Type: GrantFiled: September 17, 2002Date of Patent: February 1, 2005Assignee: Rehrig Pacific CompanyInventor: Trenton M. Overholt
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Publication number: 20040218276Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2003Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt
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Publication number: 20040216648Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a lower deck spaced by a plurality of columns. The weight of the pallet is reduced without significant reduction in strength by providing only a single cross beam in each of the upper and lower reinforcement members and orienting them perpendicular to one another. The reinforcement members are minimized for weight reduction and for improved performance in heat tests. The peripheral rail of the upper reinforcement member is reduced such that it rests on only an inwardly open recess on an inner corner of each of the corner columns. This reduces the size and weight of the upper reinforcement member, while still providing support to the upper deck. Additionally, the peripheral rails of both the upper and lower decks are reduced in length such that either ledge does not directly support them while the pallet is stored on a rack.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 29, 2003Publication date: November 4, 2004Inventors: William P. Apps, Justin M. Smyers, Trenton M. Overholt