Abstract: A pallet for use with a fork lift includes a top deck, a mid-top member and a base. The top deck has a plurality of ribs extending downwardly and a plurality of column-receiving recesses formed on the underside thereof. The base includes a plurality of columns projecting substantially vertically and received within the recesses of the top deck. Snap-tabs secure the columns to the deck. A generally planar mid-top member is secured to the plurality of ribs on the deck and has a plurality of openings into which are received the plurality of columns. The mid-top member is sandwiched between the ribs of the top deck and shoulders formed on the outer periphery of the columns.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A pallet has a top deck member and a bottom deck member. The top deck member has an upper surface, and a lower surface defined by a plurality of first cross-rib members. The bottom deck member has an upper portion and runners extending downwardly therefrom in a unitary construction. The upper portion has an upper surface defined by a plurality of second cross-rib members which correspond to the first cross-rib members and securely attached to mount the top and bottom decks to each other. The runners have a lower surface and extend transversely across the pallet in a parallel orientation, and also have a plurality of upright members and support members extending between the upright members and integrally formed therewith in a unitary construction. The plurality of second cross-rib members extend generally vertically from the top deck to the lower surface of the runners.

Abstract: A pallet includes a platform, having a substantially rectangular shape and is generally flat, an upper side face and an opposing underside face, and a plurality of supports that depend from said underside face. The supports are arranged in rows that extend both transversely and longitudinally across the surface of the underside face. The supports and the underside face are preferably covered by a generally rectangular shaped bottom sheet made, for example, of high impact polystyrene (HIPS) or high-density polyethylene (HDPE). A top sheet covers at least some of the upper side face. The supports are interconnected by a plurality of bridges that are spaced from the underside of the platform and which are adapted to provide support for the pallet when at least some of said bridges rest upon frame members of a rack.

Abstract: A pallet for a pallet container for storing and for transporting liquid contents has an upper deck made of profiled sheet steel and a substructure having a plurality of plastic feet or runners. The pallet is grounded electrically. In order to ensure a reliable electrical discharge (electrical grounding) of, for example, electrostatic charging, accompanied by the properties of a high resistance to mechanical loading, fewer than half the plastic feet or runners are made of plastic material which is electrically conductive and more than half the plastic feet or runners are made of plastic material which is not electrically conductive.

Abstract: A liftable support structure for a turf system, the support structure comprising a skeletal framework having an open based structure with upstanding sides and at least two parallel spaced cross beams, the framework defining open subsections, each subsection having a base defining a ledge structure, each subsection supporting a latticework panel that sits on the ledge structure, the framework having a plurality of spaced lifting points and the cross beams defining access to forklift tines. Also, a pallet for natural or artificial turf comprising a structure moulded in foamed plastics to have a closed planar top surface supported by a lattice work of mutually perpendicular walls defining a flexible open base, the structure defining a pair of elongate spaced parallel channels extending across each side to facilitate forklift tine entry.

Abstract: An industrial platform for material handling, such as a plastic pallet, is constructed of three scuffed thermoplastic sheets, including exterior intumescent polymeric surfaces for resisting the spread of combustion flames and insulating the interior surfaces from the high temperature of fire. The pallet is reinforced with optional rigidifying structures without article modification. Pallet members are joined with snap together features providing an assembled article. The pallet includes handles for ergonomic manipulation by worker, and is readily adapted to receive a number of unitization accessories for enhancing material handling operations.

Abstract: A halogen free fire resistant RF transparent polymer pallet has attenuated electrical resistance. A pallet body has a fire resistant layer and a substrate supporting the fire resistant layer. The fire resistant layer includes fire retardant materials, such as Al(OH)3, Mg(OH)2, intercalated graphite, zinc borate, and antimony oxide. The substrate is substantially free of the fire retardant materials to reduce the density and the electrical resistance of the pallet body. The fire resistant layer is substantially thinner than the substrate to lower RF distortion effects on RF transponder communications from additives and the conductive materials within an RF tracking system.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic pallet includes a load-supporting platform, four corner legs respectively adjacent to corner surfaces of the platform, and four side legs respectively adjacent to side edges, and two side reinforcing bars protruding downward from a bottom surface of the platform. Each leg has a hollow structure defined by a surrounding wall. An inner surface of the surrounding wall confines a hollow space and is formed with a plurality of ridges and troughs arranged alternately and angularly displaced from one another. Each side reinforcing bar defines a groove in a top surface of the platform, and extends into the hollow spaces. The structure of the whole plastic pallet can be strengthened.

Abstract: A liftable support structure for a turf system, the support structure comprising a skeletal framework having an open based structure with upstanding sides and at least two parallel spaced cross beams, the framework defining open subsections, each subsection having a base defining a ledge structure, each subsection supporting a latticework panel that sits on the ledge structure, the framework having a plurality of spaced lifting points and the cross beams defining access to forklift tines. A pallet for natural or artificial turf comprising a structure moulded in foamed plastics to have a closed planar top surface supported by a lattice work of mutually perpendicular walls defining a flexible open base, the structure defining a pair of elongate spaced parallel channels extending across each side to facilitate forklift tine entry.

Abstract: A pallet has a top deck member and a bottom deck member. The top deck member has an upper surface, and a lower surface defined by a plurality of first cross-rib members. The bottom deck member has an upper portion and runners extending downwardly therefrom in a unitary construction. The upper portion has an upper surface defined by a plurality of second cross-rib members which correspond to the first cross-rib members and securely attached to mount the top and bottom decks to each other. The runners have a lower surface and extend transversely across the pallet in a parallel orientation, and also have a plurality of upright members and support members extending between the upright members and integrally formed therewith in a unitary construction. The plurality of second cross-rib members extend generally vertically from the top deck to the lower surface of the runners.

Abstract: A deck (10) for mounting a load which may be thin and disposable or returnable. The edge (11) of the deck is adapted (by means of a concave section, for example) so as to engage with shrink or stretch or heat wrap plastic film whereby no plastic film need be wound around the underside of the deck. In this way the plastic film is kept out of contact with, for example, the roller of a roller conveyor.

Abstract: A pallet for the movement of goods includes several individual parts connected to one another, including a loading part, which comprises a loading surface and a reinforcement section. The goods to be transported are placed on the loading surface of the loading part, and the reinforcement section is positioned below the loading part, along with a frame section, comprising a frame center section and a frame floor section. The pallet may be formed from a fire retardant material and may include a transponder for locating the pallet.

Abstract: A pallet (10) of thermoplastic material is provided, as well as a method of making said pallet. The pallet (10) comprises a deck (12), a picture frame (30) spaced below the deck and interconnecting blocks (24,26,28) extending between the deck and the picture frame and the thermoplastic material of which the pallet (10) is made, is reinforced with fibres. The pallet (10) is a unitary moulding and is made by injection moulding in a single step. The method of making the pallet (10) includes compounding the thermoplastic material and fibres and leading the compounded material to an injection unit for injecting it directly into a mould cavity of the injection unit, without a pelletising step.

Abstract: A nestable pallet includes a deck from which a plurality of feet extend downwardly. Each foot has a corresponding opening through the deck leading into an interior of the foot so that the feet of a similar pallet stacked thereon can be received therein, thereby reducing stacking height when empty. An exterior wall of the foot is shared with a peripheral wall of the pallet, such that the exterior wall of the foot has an inner surface defining the interior of the foot and an outer surface, which is the outer most surface of the pallet.

Abstract: An industrial platform for material handling, such as a plastic pallet, is constructed of three scuffed thermoplastic sheets, including exterior intumescent polymeric surfaces for resisting the spread of combustion flames and insulating the interior surfaces from the high temperature of fire. The pallet is reinforced with optional rigidifying structures without article modification. Pallet members are joined with snap together features providing an assembled article. The pallet includes handles for ergonomic manipulation by workers and is readily adapted to receive a number of unitization accessories for enhancing material handling operations.

Abstract: An apparatus has a communications device associated therewith. In another aspect of the present invention, a pallet is made from thermoformed polymeric sheets with an attached communications device. A further aspect of the present invention provides a radio frequency identification device attached to an apparatus. In still another aspect of the present invention, a communications device is incorporated into one or more sheets of a pallet or other container prior to forming. Methods of making and using a thermoformed pallet and container, having a communications device, are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus has a communications device associated therewith. In another aspect of the present invention, a pallet is made from thermoformed polymeric sheets with an attached communications device. A further aspect of the present invention provides a radio frequency identification device attached to an apparatus. In still another aspect of the present invention, a communications device is incorporated into one or more sheets of a pallet or other container prior to forming. Methods of making and using a thermoformed pallet and container, having a communications device, are also provided.

Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a plurality of supports extending downward from the upper deck. A cap is secured in front of at least one of the supports to protect the support. The cap may be formed of a material different from the support, such as a higher density, tougher or harder material without increasing the cost of the materials for the supports and deck.

Abstract: A pallet for the movement of goods includes several individual parts connected to one another, including an upper section and a frame section. The upper section includes a plurality of openings, which are located in recesses formed in the underside of the upper section, which help the escape of heat through the pallet. The pallet may be formed from a fire retardant material and may be certified to comply with the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Standard 2335 “Fire Tests of Storage Pallets.” The pallet may include a transponder for locating the pallet.

Abstract: A pallet constructed substantially entirely of recycled corrugated cardboard and/or paperboard materials, having a top deck comprising a planar laminate of corrugated cardboard and/or paperboard materials, and a plurality of spacers affixed to the top deck and projecting downwardly from the bottom surface thereof. The spacers comprise part-cylindrical portions of wound multilayer paperboard tubes, i.e., wound multilayer paperboard tubes that have been cut along a plane passing through or parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the tube. The part-tubes are affixed to the top deck such that the outer cylindrical surfaces of the part-tubes engage the floor or ground on which the pallet is supported. The pallet has the part-tubes arranged in three straight rows parallel to a first direction lying in the plane of the top deck and spaced apart along a second direction lying in the plane of the top deck and perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a tube loading system suitable for rapidly loading, handing, manipulation and storing large numbers of tubes.

Abstract: An industrial platform, specifically, a pallet or a container, for storing and transporting articles with attached RFID tags includes an electronic communications device having components that are tracked to identify the location and status of the platform. The device also includes components to communicate with the RFID tags attached to the articles, as well as RF tags located within the distribution environment. A microprocessor with memory manages and stores the information obtained from the multiple tags and components. A portable wireless device transmits data within distributed wireless networks. A power supply provides for mobility and autonomous operation. The device is part of a condition responsive indicating system that tracks the platform and monitors its contents in real time.

Abstract: A pallet assembly includes an upper deck and a plurality of supports extending downward from the upper deck. A cap is secured in front of at least one of the supports to protect the support. The cap may be formed of a material different from the support, such as a higher density, tougher or harder material without increasing the cost of the materials for the supports and deck.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pallet which is provided with great dimensional stability and load-bearing capacity and is used for storing and transporting all types of goods. The invention is characterized in that the plastic parts of the pallet comprise reinforcement elements which extend below the base plate of the pallet, in the region of the legs and/or within the base plate of the pallet.

Abstract: Articles constructed of a plurality of scuffed sheets have improved sheet-to-sheet bond strength and surfaces with high coefficients of friction. Articles constructed out of three scuffed sheets include exterior intumescent polymeric surfaces resisting the spread of combustion flames and insulating the interior surfaces from the high temperature of fire. Articles include electronic apparatus sending an emergency 911 call to a remote monitoring station. Articles are advantageously reinforced with optional rigidifying structures without article modification. Members are joined with snap together features providing an assembled article. Articles include handles for ergonomic manipulation by workers. Articles include elements amenably receiving unitization accessories. The article improvements are demonstrated in the form of industrial platforms, particularly material handling pallets.

Abstract: A plastic pallet comprising an upper plastic sheet and a lower plastic sheet. The lower sheet has a generally rectangular configuration, including sidewalls and end walls, and includes a plurality of separate parallel upwardly opening longitudinally extending U-shaped grooves extending from end to end of the sheet and a plurality of downwardly opening U-shaped grooves interspersed between the upwardly opening grooves and opening in the end walls of the sheet. The upper sheet defines a top wall and a plurality of upwardly opening U-shaped protrusions extending downwardly from the top wall and sized to nest within the upwardly opening grooves of the lower sheet, whereby the sheets may be fused together to form double thickness U-shaped wall structures at the interfaces of the protrusions and the upwardly opening grooves. The pallet further includes a pair of longitudinally extending metallic beams positioned between the upper and lower sheets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a composite matrix material which has (a) polyurethane; (b) inorganic particles which have outer surfaces and an aspect ratio of from at least about 1.5 to about 30; and (c) a silane coupling agent; wherein at least a portion of outer surfaces of the inorganic particles are in contact with the silane coupling agent. Also provided is a composite in which a composite matrix material is a polymeric matrix core which has a surface, and a thermoset layer is bonded to at least a portion of the surface of the polymeric matrix core. The composite is a high strength, durable part that may be used, for example, in manufacturing pallets and building or construction materials such as deck boards and siding and roofing panels, etc.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a sheet material using fibreglass, such as glass fibres 802,803, fibre glass matting 801 and/or fibreglass webbing/tape 601, and polymer, such as polypropylene. The fibreglass is coated in liquid polymer and formed into sheet material 800, preferably by compression rollers 808,810. The material product is formed, by bending/folding, into desired shapes, such as box sections to form pallet/support platform sections. The formed sections can be fastened together, such as by elongate members passing through a series of aligned apertures between adjacent sections. The elongate members can be heat staked to the sections. Inserts can be used in the ends of the sections to provide additional rigidity and strength. Thus, a composite pallet/support platform can be manufactured in production line form.

Abstract: A support device for materials handling includes a plurality of leg members used to form a support structure. A deck member is mounted on the support structure to form the support device. In particular, the deck member comprises a plurality of recesses on a first side shaped to receive the plurality of leg members.

Abstract: Problem to be Solved The present invention is directed to providing a pallet having a large thickness, having inner ribs not easily broken formed therein, and having high bending strength. Solution A pallet 10 having a hollow double-walled structure formed by blow molding includes a first wall 13 on which a cargo is placed, a second wall 14 spaced apart from the first wall 13 by a predetermined distance, and inner ribs that connect the first wall 13 and the second wall 14. In the pallet 10, the inner ribs are respectively formed by continuously abutting and integrating end surfaces of first inner ribs 13a and 13b projecting from the first wall 13 toward a hollow portion and end surfaces of second inner ribs 14a and 14b projecting from the second wall 14 toward the hollow portion.

Abstract: A pallet according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a deck and a plurality of columns extending downward from the deck. In order to increase the stability of the pallet on a fork, at least one alignment feature protrudes downward from the deck between the pair of columns. The alignment feature extends downwardly substantially less than the columns, such that the alignment feature does not contact the floor and does not significantly increase the weight of the pallet. In another feature of the present invention, preformed foam inserts are inserted into the cavities of the columns and/or the alignment features.

Abstract: A skeletal substrate associated with a composite over spray or over molded article, such as a stackable pallet. The skeletal substrate includes a three dimensional article, such as a durable corrugated paperboard or other material, with a load supporting and planar upper surface and a recess configured and pallet fork receiving underside. The substrate incorporates a repeating pattern of cylindrical, polygonal, wave like or other shapes, such as which are coated in built up fashion with a polymeric material in order to provide insulating of the substrate from the environment as well as to provide additional strength.

Abstract: A lightweight turf pallet is formed of High Density Polyethylene and is formed by a twin-skin vacuum molding process under high pressure. The pallet has top and bottom faces each with an array of frustoconical cavities formed in rows on each face, the cavities on opposed faces being coaxial and joined at their apices to form a web therebetween. A system for constructing a recreation or sporting surface comprising such pallets, together with comer joiner members and surface pads is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A twin sheet plastic pallet comprising an upper plastic sheet and a lower plastic sheet. The upper plastic sheet has a generally planar configuration and includes an upper face defining a platform surface for the pallet and an underface. The lower plastic sheet includes a generally planar main body portion and a plurality of spaced raised portions each including a top wall elevated above the level of the main body portion and fused to the underface of the upper sheet and a plurality of spaced upstanding legs connecting the top wall to the main body portion and defining fork lift passages for the pallet. The lower sheet further includes a plurality of upstanding pillar portions spaced about the periphery of the main body portion and the upper sheet further includes a plurality of downstanding pillar portions spaced about the periphery of the upper sheet main body portion and fused to respective upstanding pillar portions of the lower sheet to form spaced pillar structures.

Abstract: A pallet includes a deck and support members extending from an underside of the deck. The deck has alignment recesses as well as lowered portions along both sides of the deck for receiving the feet and runners supporting the deck to achieve nesting when stacked. The support members include two runners with orifices extending there through and aligned to accommodate pallet jacks and forklifts. The orifices have straps extending underneath the orifices to provide structural support while allowing for insertion of pallet jacks and their wheels. The pallet has feet between the runners and spaced so that the underside of the deck is unobstructed in the area intermediate the orifices providing for four way insertion of pallet jack support units. The pallet has alignment sections machined into the sides of the pallet to provide for precise alignment with pallet handling equipment.

Abstract: A structurally reinforcing and three dimensional article, such as a pallet, having a structural insert of specified shape and size. A composite plasticized material is over-molded or otherwise applied upon the structural insert according to a selected thickness to encapsulate the insert. The pallets are stackable when not in use and may also include built in straps for securing cargo thereupon.

Abstract: An easily assembled and repairable plastic shipping pallet includes two or more plastic runner rails and multiple plastic cross boards secured perpendicularly to the top and bottom of the runner rails by pins and pin receiver/retainers. The pins engage and retain the cross boards by a slide and snap-in mechanism. This construction allows for rapid and easy repair of a pallet that may become damaged. The method of assembly includes placing pairs of holes of the slats over mating pairs of pegs in the proper orientation; and sliding each slat a short distance to engage each projection in its mating recess.

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.

Abstract: A pallet has an upper deck portion having an upper planar portion and a lower deck portion having a lower planar portion. Ribs extend from one of the planar portions and are vibration welded to the other planar portion. A peripheral lip extends downwardly from the upper deck portion around the periphery of the lower portion. In this manner, the entire upper deck portion, which includes the entire upper surface of the pallet, is vibration welded to the lower deck portion. Further, the peripheral lip of the upper deck portion hides any flash that might be generated by the vibration welding process.

Abstract: A combination plastic pallet includes a plurality of top deckboards each having a plurality of bottom plug rods, and a plurality of stringers each having a plurality of hollow columns that receive the. bottom plugs of the top deckboards respectively to have said top deckboards be supported on the stringers. Each bottom plug of each top deckboard has a split bottom tip and a barbed portion extending around the periphery of the split bottom tip. Each hollow column of each stringer has a stepped annular edge extending around the inside wall for engagement with the barbed portion of the associating bottom plug rod.

Abstract: A pallet has an upper deck and a lower deck. The upper deck and the lower deck are connected by a plurality of spaced apart columns. Fork insertion apertures are formed by the upper deck, the columns and the lower deck to all four sides of the pallet. The pallet includes at least an upper deck member and a lower deck member, at least the lower deck member includes a low density core and a surrounding shell of reinforced plastic. The pallet may be made using reaction injection moulding, with said plastic being predominantly polyurethane.

Abstract: Air cargo pallets having polycarbonate and other polymer and synthetic cores are disclosed herein. An air cargo pallet configured in accordance with an embodiment includes a structural panel having a cargo support surface extending between opposing edge portions. The structural panel can include a polymeric core sandwiched between first and second facesheets. In one embodiment, the polymeric core can include a first piece of polymeric material attached to a second piece of polymeric material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a heavy load support that is made of plastic and comprises at least a rectangular bottom part with a leg part into which the fork of a forklift engages and which is provided with props located at least in the four corner areas of the bottom part. Metallic U-shaped profiled rails that are open towards the outside are provided between the props along the bottom edge of the load support. The inventive heavy load support is characterized in that the props can be removably fixed to the bottom face of the bottom part of the load support and are provided with a support area for the corner areas of the bottom part of the load support as well as an edge which rises vertically from the support area and encloses the edges of the load support at a right angle, pegs being molded onto the free final leg surfaces of the edge in order to accommodate and fix the U-shaped profiled strips.

Abstract: A plastic pallet constructed of a synthetic resin material includes a top deck having an upper surface and a lower surface and a middle deck having an upper plate portion and a lower plate portion connected by a plurality of columns extending there between and integrally molded as a single piece. A bottom deck has an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface of the top deck is welded to the top surface of the upper plate portion and the bottom surface of the lower plate portion of the middle deck is welded to the upper surface of the bottom deck. Reinforcement members may be provided between the top deck and the middle deck and between the middle deck and the bottom deck.

Abstract: There is disclosed a reusable shipping pallet formed from plastic parts and a method of assembling the same.

Abstract: A pallet includes an upper and lower deck. The upper deck includes first joining members that project downwardly from the upper deck, with each first joining member including an outer sleeve. The lower deck includes second joining members that project upwardly from the lower deck, with second joining member including an inner sleeve. At least one of the upper and lower decks includes channels between top and bottom surfaces thereof, with each channel extending from a side edge to an opposing side edge of the corresponding deck. Sleeved reinforcing rods are in the channels. Each sleeved reinforcing rod includes a reinforcing rod having opposing ends and side surfaces therebetween, and a sleeve enclosing the side surfaces of the reinforcing rod, with there being relative movement between the sleeve and the reinforcing rod. The inner sleeves of the second joining members receive the outer sleeves of the first joining members to define a plurality of support blocks joining the upper and lower decks.

Abstract: A pallet includes an upper and lower deck. The upper deck includes snap-pin openings. First joining members project downwardly from the upper deck, with each first joining member including an outer sleeve surrounding a respective snap-pin opening. Second joining members project upwardly from the lower deck, with each second joining member including an inner sleeve and a snap-pin receiving cavity positioned therein. The inner sleeves receive the outer sleeves to define support blocks joining the upper and lower decks. Snap-pins are inserted into the snap-in openings in the upper deck. Each snap-pin includes a head for engaging a snap-pin opening, and spaced apart tips that extend through the snap-pin receiving cavity for engaging a backside of the inner sleeve associated therewith.

Abstract: A pallet for the movement of goods includes several individual parts connected to one another, including an upper section and a frame section. The upper section includes a plurality of openings, which are located in recesses formed in the underside of the upper section, which help the escape of heat through the pallet. The pallet may be formed from a fire retardant material and may be certified to comply with the Underwriters Laboratories, Inc. Standard 2335 “Fire Tests of Storage Pallets.” The pallet may include a transponder for locating the pallet.

Abstract: A pallet for storing and transporting goods by a load platform (2) supported by parallel supports (4), characterised in that:—the load platform (2) comprises a plurality of continuous parallel grooves (6),—the supports (4) are tubular and comprise parallel continuous grooves (16, 18) in their side walls (6) and base (14), in the upper edge of the side walls (16) they comprising recesses (20) complementary to the grooves (6) of the platform (2), the axis of said supports (4) being perpendicular to the grooves (6) of the load platform (2),—the supports (4) are provided with a plurality of internal baffles (26, 32),—cut-out holes (22) are provided in the side walls (12) of the tubular supports (4) for the passage of a fork of a lifting means, each cut-out hole being bounded lowerly and upperly by strips of the support side wall (12),—the lower surface of the platform (2) is provided with reinforcement elements positioned between said supports (4) and said platform (2) at said cut-out holes (22).