Paper pallet

Abstract

A pallet includes a top plate and a bottom plate fixed below the top plate. The top plate includes a main section and four enveloping sections respectively on four sides of the main section of the top plate. A folding section is provided between each enveloping section and an associated side of the main section of the top plate. The main section of the top plate, the enveloping sections, and the folding sections together define a space in which at least one reinforcing plate is received. The enveloping sections are bonded to an underside of the at least one reinforcing plate.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/950,203 filed Sep. 24, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a pallet. In particular, the present invention relates to a paper pallet.

2. Description of the Related Art

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 90 made of corrugated paper and comprising a top plate 91 and a plurality of legs 92 supporting the top plate 91. After cargo is placed on the top plate 91, 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 and a rear edge of the top plate 91, resulting in damage to the paper pallet 90 and even falling of the cargo. Further, the damaged front and rear edges might cause injury to the workers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a pallet comprising a top plate with improved strength to avoid damage to the top plate and potential injury to workers during use.

In accordance with the present invention, a pallet comprises a top plate and a bottom plate fixed below the top plate. The top plate includes a main section and four enveloping sections respectively on four sides of the main section of the top plate. A folding section is provided between each enveloping section and an associated one of the sides of the main section of the top plate. The main section of the top plate, the enveloping sections, and the folding sections together define a space. At least one reinforcing plate is received in the space. The enveloping sections are bonded to an underside of the at least one reinforcing plate.

Preferably, the bottom plate defines a plurality of compartments and the pallet further comprises a plurality of legs mounted in the compartments.

Preferably, the pallet further comprises a plurality of legs bonded to an underside of the bottom plate.

Preferably, each enveloping section is trapezoidic or triangular and comprises two slant sides. Two of the slant slides respectively of two of the enveloping sections adjacent to each other adjoin each other.

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

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a conventional paper pallet.

FIG. 2 is a top perspective view of a pallet in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of a top plate of the pallet in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view illustrating the top plate in FIG. 3 in a flattened state.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view illustrating folding of the top plate of the pallet in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of a modified embodiment of the top plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of another modified embodiment of the top plate in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a modified embodiment of legs of the pallet in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating another modified embodiment of the legs of the pallet in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of a pallet in accordance with the present invention. The pallet comprises a top plate 10, a bottom plate 50, and a plurality of spaced legs (or supporting blocks) 51, 52, and 53. The bottom plate 50 defines a plurality of compartments (not labeled) for receiving the legs 51, 52, and 53. The illustrated pallet is made of corrugated paper or thick paper. It is, however, noted that the pallet can be made of any other suitable material. Cargo or the like is placed on a top side of the top plate 10 that is substantially square or rectangular.

Referring to FIG. 4, the top plate 10 comprises a substantially square or rectangular main section 20. The top plate 10 further includes four enveloping sections 25, 26, 27, and 28 respectively on four sides of the main section 20, with a folding section 21, 22, 23, and 24 being provided between each enveloping section 25, 26, 27, 28 and an associated one of the four sides of the main section 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, at least one reinforcing plate 30 (three in this embodiment) having an overall height the same as that of the folding sections 21, 22, 23, and 24 is placed on (and preferably bonded to) the underside of the main section 20, and the enveloping sections 25, 26, 27, and 28 are then folded inward and bonded to the underside of the outermost (bottommost) reinforcing plate 30. Thus, the reinforcing plates 30 are sandwiched between the main section 21 and the enveloping sections 25, 26, 27, and 28, as shown in FIG. 3. In other words, the main section 20, the enveloping sections 25, 26, 27, and 28, and the folding sections 21, 22, 23, and 24 together define a space for receiving the reinforcing plates 30. The bottom plate 50 and the legs 51, 52, and 53 are bonded to the underside of the resultant top plate 10.

When making the top plate 10, the folding sections 21, 22, 23, and 24 are folded to form four edges of the top plate 10 and reinforced by the reinforcing plates 30. The structural strength of the top plate 10 is improved, preventing the top plate 10 from being damaged when a cargo is placed on the top plate 10 and tied up with a strip.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, each enveloping section 25, 26, 27, 28 is substantially trapezoidic and includes two slant sides 29. Two slant sides 29 respectively of two adjacent enveloping sections 25-28 adjoin each other, best shown in FIG. 3. In a modified embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the enveloping sections 250 are larger to envelope more area of the underside of the outermost (bottommost) reinforcing plate 30. In another modified embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the underside of the outermost (bottommost) reinforcing plate 30 is completely enveloped by the enveloping sections 251 that are substantially triangular.

FIG. 8 illustrates a modified embodiment of the invention, wherein each leg 61, 62, 63 mounted in the bottom plate 60 includes a plurality of leg units (supporting blocks, not labeled).

FIG. 9 illustrates another embodiment of the invention, wherein the bottom plate (now designated by 40) is directly bonded to the top plate 10, and a plurality of legs 71, 72, and 73 are bonded to an underside of the bottom plate 40.

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.

Claims

1. A pallet comprising:

a top plate including a main section and four enveloping sections respectively on four sides of the main section of the top plate, a folding section being provided between each said enveloping section and an associated one of the sides of the main section of the top plate, the main section of the top plate, the enveloping sections, and the folding sections together defining a space, at least one reinforcing plate being received in the space, the enveloping sections being bonded to an underside of said at least one reinforcing plate; and

a bottom plate fixed below the top plate.

2. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, with the bottom plate defining a plurality of compartments, with the pallet further comprising a plurality of legs mounted in the compartments.

3. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, with the pallet further comprising a plurality of legs bonded to an underside of the bottom plate.

4. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, with each said enveloping section being trapezoidic and comprising two slant sides, and with two of the slant slides respectively of two of the enveloping sections adjacent to each other adjoining each other.

5. The pallet as claimed in claim 4, with the bottom plate defining a plurality of compartments, with the pallet further comprising a plurality of legs mounted in the compartments.

6. The pallet as claimed in claim 4, with the pallet further comprising a plurality of legs bonded to an underside of the bottom plate.

7. The pallet as claimed in claim 1, with each said enveloping section being triangular and comprising two slant sides, and with two of the slant slides respectively of two of the enveloping sections adjacent to each other adjoining each other.

8. The pallet as claimed in claim 7, with the bottom plate defining a plurality of compartments, with the pallet further comprising a plurality of legs mounted in the compartments.

9. The pallet as claimed in claim 7, with the pallet further comprising a plurality of legs bonded to an underside of the bottom plate.