Having Plastic Load-contacting Surface Patents (Class 108/57.25)
  • Patent number: 11912462
    Abstract: A platform including a top deck is configured to receive a pallet when stacked thereon. The top deck includes at least one integrally formed recessed support configured to receive a pallet support of the pallet. The at least one recessed support includes a perimeter recessed in the top deck and which defines a cavity configured to receive the pallet support.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: CHEP Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: Daniel Lopez Uran, Christophe Loiseau, Malcolm Charles Cant
  • Patent number: 11787598
    Abstract: A pallet top deck, a bottom deck, and spaced apart support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks. Each support block includes an inner wall surrounding an interior opening, an outer wall surrounding the inner wall, and a plurality of ribs extending between the inner and outer walls. First and second upper tabs extend outwards from upper surfaces of the inner wall, with each upper tab comprising an angled contact surface for engaging the top deck. The angled contact surfaces of the first and second upper tabs are oriented in a first direction. First and second lower tabs extend outwards from lower surfaces of the ribs, with each tab comprising an angled contact surface for engaging the bottom deck. The angled contact surfaces of the first and second lower tabs are oriented in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2023
    Assignee: CHEP TECHNOLOGY PTY LIMITED
    Inventors: Brandon Michael D'Emidio, Ricardo Martin Garcia, Daniel Aaron Gorsky, Paul J. Siebert, Robert G. States, III, Paul Barnswell, Joseph Adam Gainey
  • Patent number: 11725302
    Abstract: An insert fixture for use in the manufacture of a single crystal component by a hot isostatic pressing process. The insert fixture comprising: at least a lower plate separated from an upper plate by interconnecting members. The upper plate comprises at least a slot for the insertion of the single crystal component. The lower plate features a related engagement feature for engaging with the single crystal component. The insert fixture may be cast from a ceramic material. The insert fixture may be cast from an alumina ceramic or molybdenum alloy. The interconnecting members may be made from a molybdenum alloy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignees: ROLLS-ROYCE plc, ROLLS-ROYCE DEUTSCHLAND LTD & CO KG
    Inventors: Felix Biernot, Toma D Nikolov, Priyesh R Patel, Justin P M Tsang
  • Patent number: 11673709
    Abstract: A shipping container comprising a basket, a plurality of feet, and a plurality of removable corner columns. In some embodiments, the shipping container comprises a basket, a plurality of feet, and a plurality of foot pads. Further embodiments include foot pads with drill release locks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2023
    Assignee: MACRO PLASTICS, INC.
    Inventor: Todd T. Turner
  • Patent number: 11654640
    Abstract: Systems and methods of controlling outputs of infrared heaters used to join a first part to a second part, and a component made thereby. Upper and lower nests hold the first and second parts, respectively. A movable heating platen has infrared heaters on opposite surfaces. Imaging sensors have fields of view encompassing heated portions of the first and second parts, respectively, when the platen is retracted away from an area between the upper and lower nests. A controller causes the upper and lower nests to move while causing the platen to extend into and retract away from the area between the upper and lower nests. The first imaging sensor takes a first image of the heated portions of the first part, which causes an adjustment to be made to an output of the infrared heaters in a subsequent welding cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2023
    Assignee: Dukane IAS, LLC
    Inventors: Tyler James Wightman, Joshua Matthew Franklin, Christopher Lee James
  • Patent number: 11564493
    Abstract: A blow-molded plastic structure has a hollow interior portion formed during a blow-molding process, and includes first and second outer portions that are spaced apart from each other, with the hollow interior portion disposed there between. The structure includes a pattern of structural stiffening features that are integrally formed in the second outer portion. The pattern of structural stiffening features includes a plurality of tripodal depressions disposed in rows and columns and a plurality of convex regions disposed in rows and columns between the plurality of tripodal depressions. Each convex region has a maximum height between the first and second outer portions. Each of the tripodal depressions extends into the hollow interior portion, includes three indentations disposed adjacent the first outer portion, and includes an island spaced away from the first outer portion. The island has three sides, each of which is disposed adjacent one of the three indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: Dongguan Shichang Metals Factory Ltd.
    Inventor: Chen-Kang Lin
  • Patent number: 11554895
    Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck and pallet support legs coupled to the top deck. The top deck has a product support surface and an opposing underside, with the underside having snaps openings therein. Each pallet support leg includes a base extending across a width of the top deck, and a pair of outer leg supports extending from ends of the base. Each outer leg support includes at least one outwardly facing snap and at least one inwardly facing snap inserted into respective snap openings in the top deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: CHEP Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: Bradley Wayne Daubenspeck, Daniel Aaron Gorsky, Craig Rolland Norman
  • Patent number: 11420791
    Abstract: The invention relates to a plastic pallet having an underside provided with skids and an upper side, wherein one skid runs along the centre of the plastic pallet and the skid along the centre has a handle which may be gripped from the underside of the pallet. The handle is preferably arranged on the underside of the central skid preferably parallel to the surface of the upper side and preferably along the central longitudinal axis of the central skid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
    Inventor: Rüdiger Sostmann
  • Patent number: 11352169
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck having a first plurality of ribs and a second plurality of ribs. The first plurality of ribs each include a first opening therethrough that opens downward. The second plurality of ribs each include a second opening therethrough that opens upward. The first openings and the second openings aligned to define a channel. A reinforcement member is disposed in the channel A plurality of columns extend from the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2022
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 11312533
    Abstract: A structural element (10) for forming a panel, with an upper plane (12) and lower plane (14) which are parallel and deformed along their plane at intervals by pods (16) which extrude toward the opposing plane with their internal faces mating to one another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Gridesic Holdings Limited
    Inventor: Tristan Melland
  • Patent number: 11305913
    Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck, a bottom deck, and spaced apart support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks and forming an opening therebetween for receiving a lifting member. The top deck includes at least one deck scoop area on an underside thereof. A thickness of the top deck is reduced in the at least one deck scoop area to reduce influence of top deck deflection on ability of the lifting member to pass through the opening between the top and bottom decks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: CHEP Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: Brandon Michael D'Emidio, Ricardo Martin Garcia, Daniel Aaron Gorsky, Paul J. Siebert, Robert G. States, III, Paul Barnswell, Joseph Adam Gainey
  • Patent number: 11001412
    Abstract: Composite pallets and methods for making and using composite pallets are disclosed. An example composite pallet may include a plurality of base boards. The base boards may include a first resin material and a first fiber material. A plurality of support blocks may be coupled to the base boards. The support blocks may include a second resin material and an impact modifier. A plurality of intermediate boards may be coupled to the support blocks. The intermediate boards may include a third resin material and a second fiber material. One or more top end boards may be coupled to the intermediate boards. The one or more top end boards may include a fourth resin material and a third fiber material. One or more top boards may be disposed adjacent to at least one of the one or more top end boards. The one or more top boards may include a fifth resin material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: Integrated Composite Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Clare Hawley, Derek Joel Mazula, Robert John Wick
  • Patent number: 10926918
    Abstract: The present invention is to provide a plastic pallet with reinforcements with a great resistance to bending caused by the placing of mechanisms used for transport and storage thereof, such as those caused by racking load. Likewise, the present invention is to disclose a plastic pallet with reinforcements such as inserts, which support a larger load compared with the conventional pallets without substantially incrementing the total weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: Plásticos Técnicos Mexicanos, S.A. DE C.V.
    Inventors: Marshall Spencer White, Jose Ricardo Peña Zapata, Juan Pedro Baca Sänchez, Alejandro Gómez Caudillo
  • Patent number: 10882660
    Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck, a bottom deck, and spaced apart support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks and forming an opening therebetween for receiving a lifting member. The top deck includes at least one deck scoop area on an underside thereof. A thickness of the top deck is reduced in the at least one deck scoop area to reduce influence of top deck deflection on ability of the lifting member to pass through the opening between the top and bottom decks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Assignee: CHEP Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: Brandon Michael D'Emidio, Ricardo Martin Garcia, Daniel Aaron Gorsky, Paul J. Siebert, Robert G. States, III, Paul Barnswell, Joseph Adam Gainey
  • Patent number: 10710769
    Abstract: A pallet may include a base layer, an intermediate layer, two or more support blocks, and a top layer. The support blocks may be removably attached to the base layer and the intermediate layer such that the support blocks are positioned between the base layer and the intermediate layer. The base layer may include two or more base members, the intermediate layer may include two or more intermediate members and the top layer may include two top outside members, which all may be described as structural members. The structural members may include two or more ribs, may include fiber dispersed in a thermoplastic material, and may include a continuous fiber bundle within each rib.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: Integrated Composite Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald Clare Hawley, Derek Joel Mazula
  • Patent number: 10654615
    Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck, a bottom deck and spaced apart corner support blocks coupled between corners of the top and bottom decks and forming a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member. Each corner support block includes a single column aligned with one of the corners of the top and bottom decks, a lower ledge extending from a bottom end of the single column and defining a lower perimeter of the corner support block, and an upper ledge extending from a top end of the single column and defining an upper perimeter of the corner support block. Exposed side surfaces extend between the upper and lower ledges. The exposed side surfaces are recessed from the defined lower and upper perimeters of the corner support block so as to form a pocket for receiving an end of the lifting member to allow the pallet to be spun around.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: CHEP Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: John Thomas Storteboom, Jeffrey Ryan Chapin, Gregory Wolos, Kenneth Brandt, Daniel J Lantz, Oivind Brockmeier, Brandon Michael D'Emidio
  • Patent number: 10618688
    Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck having upper tower openings therein, and a bottom deck. Spaced apart support blocks are coupled between the top and bottom decks so as to form a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member. Each support block includes an outer wall enclosing a center area, a core structure within the center area, and an upper tower extending outwards from the core structure and into a corresponding upper tower opening in the top deck. This is to provide a shear load transfer during impact with the lifting member. First ribs are within an interior area of the upper tower.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: CHEP Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: John Thomas Storteboom, Jeffrey Ryan Chapin, Gregory Wolos, Kenneth Brandt, Daniel J Lantz, Oivind Brockmeier, Brandon Michael D'Emidio
  • Patent number: 10583959
    Abstract: A pallet moulded from plastics material for supporting a flexible intermediate bulk container. It has a generally planar central panel portion, a pair of parallel inverted open channels extending across the pallet to form a respective pair of open-ended tunnels each tunnel having an upper wall and two side walls, and a pair of edge panel portions generally co-planar with the central panel. An array of raised elongate hump portions bulges upwards from the upper walls of the tunnels, each hump portion extending laterally across an upper wall. The two ends of the hump portions abut respective buttresses which extend up the side walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: BULK HANDLING AUSTRALIA GROUP PTY LTD
    Inventors: Andrew Berry, Colin Waddell, Ian Andrew Shaw
  • Patent number: 10532852
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper portion including an upper deck and a plurality of upper column portions extending downward from the upper deck. A lower portion includes a plurality of lower column portions extending upward and a plurality of runners connecting the plurality of lower column portions. An upper reinforcement member is between an upper surface of the lower column portions and a lower surface of the upper deck. A lower reinforcement member between a lower surface of the upper column portions and an upper surface of the runners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Christopher N. Gab
  • Patent number: 10150566
    Abstract: Described are assemblies that include elements for forming at least a part of a core (140) or other interior portion of a tray table (112), such as for an aircraft or other passenger craft. The core (140) of the tray table can include multiple frames (142A, 142B, 142C) that can be connected together via engagement features (158A, 158B, 158C) in different configurations or modes to provide different widths of the core (140). Additionally or alternatively, the table body (114) may be provided with a slider assembly (156, 256) including a shaft (122) slidably received between one or more pairs of projections (244) that extend from a base (230) and curve inwardly to face one another. In some instances, the base (230) or another feature of the slider assembly (156, 256) may be integrally formed into a frame of the core (140) of the tray table (112).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventor: Edwin N. Kretzschmar
  • Patent number: 10017297
    Abstract: A degradable bearing pallet and a preparation method thereof. The pallet has an upper cover, a packing middle layer and a lower cover; a plurality of pallet support legs are disposed at the bottom of the lower cover; the lower cover is integrally molded with the plurality of pallet support legs; and the packing middle layer is filled in the lower cover and in the plurality of pallet support legs; the upper cover covers the packing middle layer and the lower cover. The middle part of the bottom of each of the pallet support legs is formed with a sunken groove; the pallet support legs in each of the rows are mutually connected through a connecting board; and each of the connecting boards is clamped in a corresponding one of the sunken grooves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Inventor: Ronghua Cai
  • Patent number: 9573506
    Abstract: Described are tray table assemblies that include an upper cover, a lower cover, and a support structure disposed between the upper cover and the lower cover. The support structure may include a plurality of upper protrusions extending toward an inner surface of the upper cover and a plurality of lower protrusions extending toward an inner surface of the lower cover such that the support structure provides structural rigidity to the tray table assembly. The plurality of upper protrusions may contact the inner surface of the upper cover, the plurality of lower protrusions may contact the inner surface of the lower cover, and the support structure may dissipate heat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: Zodiac Seats US LLC
    Inventors: Juan Hernandez, Raul Daniel Flores
  • Patent number: 9522760
    Abstract: The present invention provides a top frame made from a thermoset foam material. The top frame includes a pair of substantially parallel sides and a pair of substantially parallel ends connected to the sides to form a generally rectangular frame structure. The frame structure has an inner layer and outer surface defining a thickness. The thermoset foam material varies in density along the frame structure thickness such that the density of the thermoset foam material is greatest near the frame structure outer surface to form a hard outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: ORBIS Corporation
    Inventor: Jason Frankenberg
  • Patent number: 9452864
    Abstract: A pallet includes a deck having columns supporting the deck. The deck includes a plurality of ribs extending downwardly from an upper sheet. A reinforcement sheet is secured to lower ends of the ribs. The reinforcement sheet is a coextruded sheet having a first material selected to bond well with the ribs and a second material selected for other improved physical properties. In the example disclosed herein, the second material is chosen for improved fire retardant properties. As one example, the reinforcement sheet can be vibration welded or hot plate welded to the lower ends of the ribs, thereby providing a strong weld between the reinforcement sheet and the ribs, which provides increased performance of the upper deck while the fire retardant layer of the reinforcement sheet provides fire retardant properties to one of the largest surfaces on the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 9296512
    Abstract: The present invention provides a leader board unit for use with a four-way entry pallet, the pallet being of a type which includes a plurality of parallel transverse top boards supported by a plurality of upper support planks, the leader board unit including: a top leader board parallel to and of substantially the same length as the transverse top boards; a bottom leader board parallel to, spaced apart from, and of substantially the same length as the top leader board; a plurality of support members formed integrally with and perpendicular to the top and bottom leader boards and holding the two leader boards in their spaced-apart configuration, each support member including a protrusion for mounting a respective upper support plank, the leader boards and support members being structurally integral and formed of a plastics material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Inventor: Bede Whiteford
  • Patent number: 9038547
    Abstract: The present invention provides a leader board unit for use with a four-way entry pallet, the pallet being of a type which includes a plurality of parallel transverse top boards supported by a plurality of upper support planks, the leader board unit including: a top leader board parallel to and of substantially the same length as the transverse top boards; a bottom leader board parallel to, spaced apart from, and of substantially the same length as the top leader board; a plurality of support members formed integrally with and perpendicular to the top and bottom leader boards and holding the two leader boards in their spaced-apart configuration, each support member including a protrusion for mounting a respective upper support plank, the leader boards and support members being structurally integral and formed of a plastics material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Inventor: Bede Whiteford
  • Publication number: 20150059624
    Abstract: A pallet comprises a first carrier board and a plurality of support elements. The first carrier board includes a first surface and a second surface opposite to the first surface. The plurality of support elements is arranged on the first surface of the first carrier board. Each support element has at least one through-hole penetrating the support element along a first direction, and the first direction is parallel to the first surface of the first carrier board. The pallet of the present invention is fabricated in an extrusion-shaping method and has advantages of simple fabrication processes, mass production and inexpensiveness.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Publication date: March 5, 2015
    Inventor: Ching-Sung KUO
  • Patent number: 8967056
    Abstract: A nestable pallet includes a deck having an upper panel, a lower panel and a plurality of ribs extending perpendicularly from the upper panel to the lower panel. The upper panel further includes a plurality of openings for receiving feet of a similar pallet when nested. The lower panel further includes a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck, each foot having a cavity defined therein lined within one of the plurality of openings in the upper panel. Each cavity is configured to receive a foot from a similar pallet when nested therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Gerald R. Koefelda, Cynthia R. Meissen
  • Publication number: 20150040803
    Abstract: A pallet having a unique runner system where each runner opens into the upper deck of the pallet or opens away from the upper deck, and each runner is formed of a construction of z girts back to back resulting in a flattened “V” or “U”. Each runner may optionally include an elongated notch on its bottom surface or an opening to allow forklift tines to slide into for easy transport of the pallet. The pallet may also include cross runners of similar construction for additional strength. The pallet's construction allows the pallet to be made of plastic material, perhaps molded, providing lighter weight and longer durability than its wooden cousins.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventor: Ryan Burk
  • Patent number: 8950342
    Abstract: A plastic pallet has a top part and a bottom part and multiple runners and foot elements. The foot elements have multiple ribs which extend over the entire height of the foot elements. The foot elements of the top part and bottom part are fully insertable into each other and lockable by means of latching connections, wherein the joined foot elements have a double wall. The ribs of the foot elements have semicircular recesses for receiving reinforcement tubes, and projections for fixing the tubes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
    Inventor: Patrik Plattner
  • Publication number: 20150033991
    Abstract: Pallet (P) base (1) which comprises an internal honeycomb structure made of plastic (2) two metal sheets (3, 4) arranged on either side of the plastic internal structure (2) two outer sheets of plastic (5, 6) adjoined to the metal sheets (3, 4) wherein the ends of the joining edges (7) of the honeycomb cells overhang said cells, the metal sheets (3, 4) being provided with through-holes (8) for passage of the ends of said edges (7), in such a way that it is possible to closely bind said ends to the outer sheets of plastic (5, 6).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2012
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventor: Josep Ramon VIOLA TERÈS
  • Patent number: 8943981
    Abstract: A pallet including top and bottom decks supported in spaced apart relationship by a plurality of post assemblies. A reinforcement assembly is encapsulated within at least one of the top or bottom deck. The reinforcement assembly includes at least one reinforcement rod having opposed ends and a plurality of reinforcement caps. Each reinforcement cap has an outer member defining a closed end and an open end and an inner compensation structure within the outer member and defining a stop surface spaced from the outer member open end such that an initial open area is defined within the outer cap member. A respective rod end is received in the initial open area. The inner compensation structure is configured to deform to accommodate a relative position change between the cap member and the reinforcement rod end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Inventor: Daniel Kelly
  • Publication number: 20140251190
    Abstract: A reliable, light, inexpensive, and durable support shield for wooden pallets that protects the entry points of wooden pallets from the exterior pallet damage traditionally associated with pallet/forklift interaction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Publication date: September 11, 2014
    Applicant: GREEN LINE ARMOR LLC
    Inventor: Robert Kessler
  • Patent number: 8813660
    Abstract: A pallet construction including a plurality of elongate extending and inter-engaging members establishing three dimensional construction with an upper platform supporting surface and a spaced apart and bottom ground supporting surface. A plasticized and environmentally sealing spray overcoat is applied over the members. Additional variants include a plurality of three dimensional and rectangular shaped support elements sandwiched between a first upper plurality of elongated members and a second plurality of lower members. A plurality of inter-engaging and overlapping locations include at least one of reduced thickness or notched locations in order to assemble into a seamless and constant width manner. The members can further exhibit any specified shape and size and can be constructed of any of a wood, steel, aluminum, bamboo, composite plastic, cardboard, foam or concrete/silicate based material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Patent number: 8776698
    Abstract: An air cargo pallet with a central panel created from a plurality of sandwiched layers, including a foam core disposed between an upper skin layer having a resin and fiber combination and a lower skin layer having a resin and fiber combination. The central panel is reinforced with additional fibers extending through the lower skin layer, the foam core and the upper skin layer. An interface layer is disposed around the periphery of the foam core and bonded between the upper skin layer and the lower skin layer to complete the central panel. The pallet is then formed by snap fitting a plurality of rails around the circumference of the central panel by connection to the interface layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Composite Structures, LLC
    Inventor: Thomas R. Pherson
  • Patent number: 8770115
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper portion and a lower portion. The upper portion includes an upper deck for supporting items thereon and upper column portions extending downward from the upper deck. The upper column portions include a first upper column portion having a slot defined by a pair of slot walls. The lower portion includes a plurality of lower column portions including a first lower column portion. The first lower column portion includes a peripheral wall and a support structure having a pair of walls extending inward from the peripheral wall. One of the first upper column portion and the first lower column portion is received within the other, with the support structure received in the slot between the slot walls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: William P. Apps, Sean T. Ogburn
  • Publication number: 20140158025
    Abstract: A pallet includes a deck having columns supporting the deck. The deck includes a plurality of ribs extending downwardly from an upper sheet. A reinforcement sheet is secured to lower ends of the ribs. The reinforcement sheet is a coextruded sheet having a first material selected to bond well with the ribs and a second material selected for other improved physical properties. In the example disclosed herein, the second material is chosen for improved fire retardant properties. As one example, the reinforcement sheet can be vibration welded or hot plate welded to the lower ends of the ribs, thereby providing a strong weld between the reinforcement sheet and the ribs, which provides increased performance of the upper deck while the fire retardant layer of the reinforcement sheet provides fire retardant properties to one of the largest surfaces on the pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2013
    Publication date: June 12, 2014
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 8739706
    Abstract: A plastic pallet includes a hollow lower part provided with ribs and runners, and an upper part provided with ribs and welded to the lower part. The lower part has a recessed border and the upper part has an edge that is bent downwards, covering the edge of the lower part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
    Inventors: Jean-Marc Dubois, Yves Hug, Boris Schwab
  • Patent number: 8701571
    Abstract: A rectangular pallet that is symmetrical about its two major axes. The pallet comprises a first plastics shell and a second plastics shell. The first plastics shell is formed with a flat rim, nine or more ground engaging feet subtending below the level of the rim, the feet being arranged in respective parallel spaced apart beams extending from front to back. The first plastics shell also has plural channels running from side to side intersecting the beams running from front to back to define the feet. The second plastics shell is essentially flat and formed with a flat rim. An internal network of partitions extends between the first and second plastics shells. The rims of the first and second plastics shells are sealed to each other to form a clam and to enclose the network of partitions within the clam. In other aspects, the invention concerns a method and a system for forming the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Prime Pallets Pty Ltd
    Inventor: Albert Donald Grant
  • Patent number: 8695512
    Abstract: The present invention is a materials-handling pallet with a non-flat-deck, particularly for flexible cargo, which composed of any known pallet's construction, except that its upper deck is not flat. Moreover, the provided pallet can be reinforced by inserting or attaching reinforcing elements and can include a taut cable that prevents or reduces the declining of the upper deck when the pallet is loaded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: B.B.P. Technologies Ltd.
    Inventors: Shlomo Nevo, Rami Remez
  • Patent number: 8652612
    Abstract: The present invention provides a slipsheet and/or divider sheet and a method for making the same, the sheet having an imprint or an embossing that provides a raised planar surface. The raised planar surface preferably comprises a plurality of ridges, crowns or crests, which are preferably arranged in a pattern throughout an upper surface of the sheet. To make the sheet, a die can be etched to have protuberances or bumps, and the die is preferably pressed into a sheet of pliable thermoplastic material. The sheet thus made has a plurality of indentation formed by the protuberances or bumps on the die, and the sheet has a planar outer surface comprising a plurality of ridges, crowns and crests between the indentations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Fresh Pak Corp.
    Inventor: John Bazbaz
  • Patent number: 8651028
    Abstract: A shipping platform system may include a top deck, and a top block joined to the top deck. The system may also include a bottom deck, and a bottom block joined to the bottom deck. The system may further include a joint that yields under a predetermined load that joins the top block to the bottom block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Chep Technology Pty Limited
    Inventors: John Thomas Storteboom, Oivind Brockmeier, Brandon M. D'Emidio, Timothy R. Proulx, Gregory S. Burkett, Jeffrey R. Chapin, Kenneth M. Brandt
  • Patent number: 8622006
    Abstract: A pallet for storage and transport of goods consists of an upper deck that serves as a standing surface for the goods, standing feet that can be assembled onto the underside of the upper deck, and accommodation channels formed into the upper deck, for affixing at least one reinforcement strip. The upper deck is divided into at least two rectangular partial regions, and each partial region has an accommodation channel for a reinforcement strip, which is disposed in the diagonal of the partial region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
    Inventor: Jean-Marc Dubois
  • Patent number: 8567324
    Abstract: The embodiments describe various pallets and methods for constructing such pallets. An exemplary pallet may include a composite board having a foam core and a facer material coupled therewith. The composite board may define a roughly flat top surface that is configured to support one or more goods or other objects placed thereon. A plurality of composite blocks having a foam core and a facer material coupled therewith may be coupled with a bottom surface of the composite board to support the composite board above the ground. The plurality of composite blocks may also be arranged with respect to the bottom surface to allow forks of a fork lift to be positioned under the bottom surface of the composite board so that the pallet may be lifted and/or transported via the forklift.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Johns Manville
    Inventors: Duane Paradis, Thomas S. Calzavara, Shawn Brennan
  • Patent number: 8522694
    Abstract: A pallet having a three dimensional body exhibiting a generally planar upper surface and a plurality of depth extending underside portions defining a plurality of spaced apart forklift receiving apertures. A plurality of impact absorbing members are positioned at spaced locations about a perimeter of the body. A structural defining inner grid includes pluralities of spaced apart and crosswise extending ribs for supporting inner extending reinforcing members seating within pockets defined in said ribs and including at least one of lengthwise and diagonal extending members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Oria Collapsibles, LLC
    Inventor: Miguel A. Linares
  • Patent number: 8511239
    Abstract: A reinforced plastic pallet includes a modular platform having top and bottom major walls which respectively have left and right stacked and held segments confronting each other. The stacked and held segments respectively have depression and supported regions. A spacer extends downwardly from each of the supported regions to have a base region confronting the corresponding depression region. A hollow strut extends upwardly from the base region through the corresponding depression region, and has an open end joining with the corresponding depression region. With the hollow struts, the structural strength of the spacers can be increased so as to prevent deformation thereof when the plastic pallet is subjected to a heavy load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: King & Stress Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: I-Wen Lin
  • Patent number: 8499701
    Abstract: A plastic large load carrier has a base that accommodates the loads, support feet arranged at least at the corner regions of the underside of the base, and a double-walled frame surrounding the base. The inner wall and the outer wall of the frame are interconnected by vertical webs and strip-shaped protective profiled elements each being provided between two respective support feet in the lower frame area, wherein the rear of the protective profiled element is supported against the inner wall of the frame. The protective profiled element is a plastic part, on the one longitudinal edge of which an insertion strip for inserting into the gap between the inner wall and the outer wall of the frame is formed, and forms a unit with the profiled element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Georg Utz Holding AG
    Inventor: Axel Ritzberger
  • Publication number: 20130174762
    Abstract: The present application is directed to a reconfigurable load-bearing article (10) including a deck unit (12) and at least two supports (14) configured to be coupled to the deck unit, the supports including at least one spacer receiving member configured to receive and releasably engage a spacer (16). The load-bearing article is reconfigurable to form any suitable load- bearing article and may be used to provide a lightweight, durable, strong, multipurpose pallet having a four-way forklift entry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: NOVO FOAM PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: David Hedley, Thomas Bohan
  • Publication number: 20130160680
    Abstract: A plastic pallet described herein may have a plastic upper deck with an upper side on which goods can be stacked. Furthermore, a plurality of plastic skids are present, spaced apart from the upper deck and arranged substantially parallel to the upper deck. Plastic spacer blocks are located between the upper deck and the skids. The upper deck and the skids are manufactured as separate parts which in an assembled state are tightened together by tightening pins. The tightening pins each extend through a bore in each of the spacer blocks and corresponding holes in the upper deck and the skids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2011
    Publication date: June 27, 2013
    Applicant: MEPPP B.V.
    Inventor: Michaël Henricus Maria Ten Bok
  • Patent number: 8464647
    Abstract: A plastic pallet suitable for stacking firewood, camping gear, and the like, above a concrete floor or in the attic, includes at least two longitudinal stringers and a plurality of four-sided open-box slats, the sides of which taper outwardly from the upper surface to afford a stackable profile. The slats assemble to the stringers without the need of tools or independent fasteners. The ends of each stringer are formed with interlocking profiles which allow the length of the pallet to be extended, as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Inventor: Frank Chernek