Synthetic Plastic Industrial Platform (e.g., Pallet, Etc.) Patents (Class 108/901)
  • Patent number: 7216592
    Abstract: A polymeric composition comprises a thermosetting resin and a polyolefin resin that cures to a semi-interpenetrating polymer network and is useful for producing plastic shipping and storage containers. The containers exhibit one or more friction surfaces, and can include fire resistance and other properties derived from property enhancing agents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2007
    Assignee: 3m Innovative Properties Company
    Inventors: John E. Krech, Paul D. Driscoll, James R. Harrison, Denis M. Miling, Domasius Nwabunma, Mario A. Perez, Donald F. Reuter
  • Patent number: 7188817
    Abstract: A plastic molded deck board provides a sturdy, durable, lightweight, economical, readily identifiable, and easily handled surface for supporting cargo on top of trailer load beams. The deck board defines a platform having a top face for supporting cargo, a bottom face and a plurality of side faces. The top face defines a plurality of protrusions having variable shapes and heights and rubber stoppers for providing surface friction. The bottom face defines a plurality of side walls, a plurality of angled cross walls, a first platform channel and optionally a second platform channel disposed between the plurality of angled cross walls for receiving a center load beam of a cargo trailer. The top face defines recessed slots for receiving the angled cross walls of another deck board such that two or more deck boards can be securely stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Henning
  • Patent number: 7182026
    Abstract: A pallet which is made from elongate steel members of arcuate cross section which are welded together to form a frame, and plastic slats which are engaged with a snap action with the steel members and which form a planar upper surface for the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: E-Dek Investments (Pty) Ltd.
    Inventor: Roland Anton Birkenmayer
  • Patent number: 7178468
    Abstract: A table may include a table top, a frame and one or more support members such as legs. Advantageously, the table top may include a generally planar upper surface and a generally planar lower surface. In particular, the lower surface of the table top may be substantially free of any downwardly extending projections such as a lip. Desirably, the table includes a frame and at least a portion of the frame is exposed and visible when the table is being used. In addition, the table may include one or more guard members that are sized and configured to protect portions of the table, such as the corners. Significantly, the guard members may be selectively connected to the table top or the frame, which may allow the guard members to be repaired or replaced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David C. Winter, Robert A. Astle, S. Curtis Nye, Kent Ashby, L. Curtis Strong
  • Patent number: 7111562
    Abstract: A cargo support device in the form of a pallet or a container includes a platform having a cargo support surface, at least one base member for ground support projecting from the platform, the at least one base member having a curved recess formed therein for external access thereto, the curved recess being defined by walls extending into the base member and defining a positioning surface, a receiving surface and a lifting surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2006
    Inventor: Roger Nolan
  • Patent number: 7004083
    Abstract: The collapsible shipping pallet incorporates a substantially planar deck with multiple stringers removably attached to the bottom of the deck. Shouldered holes arranged in linear spaced relation at predetermined stringer attachment locations on the deck engage resilient slotted pins extending from a top edge each stringer. Multiple slats, each extending perpendicularly to the stringers and removably received in a relief on a bottom edge of each stringer are attached to the stringers also using resilient slotted pins. The stringers support triangular jaws inserted in triangular recesses in an end portion of the stringer to receive and restrain pallet straps. An aperture in the side of the stringer allows insertion of a slotted crank to tension the pallet straps. The deck incorporates slots adapted to receive keys to extend above the surface of the deck engaging receiving slots in a first layer of stacking boxes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2006
    Inventors: Sergio Ramirez von Holle, Alfred Holzheu
  • Patent number: 6974140
    Abstract: A modular dolly moving system is shown, which is composed of one or more dollies connected together with connector rods. The dollies are capable of accepting industry-standard e-track connectors used with cargo belts, and the dollies can be fitted with a variety of cart bars and cart handles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventor: Timothy Neuman
  • Patent number: 6938558
    Abstract: A two-part, blow-molded plastic pallet includes slats which lock onto support stringers by sliding, dovetail engagement. The upper and lower surfaces of the stringer are flat to enhance load distribution. A vertical staking through the slat at a plurality of locations affords structural rigidity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2005
    Inventor: Victor L Peres
  • Patent number: 6910668
    Abstract: A plastic molded deck board provides a sturdy, durable, lightweight, economical, readily identifiable, and easily handled surface for supporting cargo on top of trailer load beams. The deck board defines a platform having a top face for supporting cargo, a bottom face and a plurality of side faces. The top face defines a plurality of protrusions having variable shapes and heights and rubber stoppers for providing surface friction. The bottom face defines a plurality of side walls, a plurality of angled cross walls, a first platform channel and optionally a second platform channel disposed between the plurality of angled cross walls for receiving a center load beam of a cargo trailer. The top face defines recessed slots for receiving the angled cross walls of another deck board such that two or more deck boards can be securely stacked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2005
    Assignee: Aero Industries, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven A. Henning
  • Patent number: 6849677
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2005
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Trenton M. Overholt
  • Patent number: 6840181
    Abstract: A pallet is provided which includes spaced upper and lower decks. A plurality of receiving areas are formed in one of the upper and lower decks, where each receiving area includes at least one latch member extending therefrom. A plurality of corresponding supports extend from the other of the upper and lower decks, where each support includes at least one latch receiver extending therefrom, each latch receiver having a plurality of spring arms. The latch receiver is adapted to receive the latch member such that engagement of the receiving areas and corresponding supports securely joins the upper and lower decks in an assembled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Justin M. Smyers
  • Patent number: 6826887
    Abstract: An improved plastic blow-molded panel structure is shown and described that is lightweight and provides superior resistance to sagging, warping and creeping under high stress loads, especially when used in a horizontal position. The disclosed panel structure includes a combination of transverse or lateral beams extending from the second panel towards the first panel and, in certain embodiments, a plurality of transverse ribs disposed within the lateral beams. The disclosed shelving units may be fabricated from conventional blow-molding processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2004
    Assignee: Rubbermaid Incorporated
    Inventor: Erik L. Skov
  • Patent number: 6807911
    Abstract: A one-piece, hollow, continuous wall pallet having a deck and underside structural features that function in conjunction with the deck for support and reinforcement when a load is placed on the pallet or when a side of the pallet is impacted. The structural features may include an arched bottom recess, side impact depressions, and kiss-off structures, in one of the legs or portion of the underside. The pallet deck may have a dual entry rib configuration. The pallet is preferably made using rotational molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Jeco Plastic Products, LLC
    Inventors: Craig Carson, Mark Bendit, Steven Turley
  • Patent number: 6807910
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a top deck having a top deck upper surface and a top deck lower surface and also having a first predetermined fire retardancy. A bottom deck having a bottom deck upper surface and a bottom deck lower surface, and also having a second predetermined fire retardancy. A column extending between the top deck and bottom deck, the column having an other fire retardancy lower than at least one of the first and second fire retardancies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 6786992
    Abstract: A dunnage platform is in the general shape of a rectangular slab with legs extending form one side. The dunnage platform is made from an expanded polystyrene core. A chemical combination process is used to chemically combine portion of the core proximal to its surface with high impact polystyrene. In a first of two parts of the combination process, the core is placed in a forming mold with one of its two sides and two thirds of its thickness extending therefrom. A heated sheet of high impact polystyrene is brought into contact with the portion of the core extending from the mold. In a similar manner, the other of the two sides of the core is made to extend from the forming mold for contact with a heated sheet of high impact polystyrene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Assignee: Airdex International, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurence W. Dummett
  • Publication number: 20040168617
    Abstract: A pallet which is made from elongate steel members of arcuate cross section which are welded together to form a frame, and plastic slats which are engaged with a snap action with the steel members and which form a planar upper surface for the pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 27, 2004
    Publication date: September 2, 2004
    Inventor: Roland Anton Birkenmayer
  • Patent number: 6784234
    Abstract: The invention relates to plastic pallets that pass the Underwriters Laboratory UL 2335 protocol for pallets wherein said pallets comprises at least one resin selected from the group consisting of: (a) polyphenylene ether resin and blends containing polyphenylene ether resin, (b) polycarbonate resin and blends containing polycarbonate resin, (c) vinyl aromatic graft copolymer resin; (d) polyetherimide resin and blends containing polyetherimide resin, and (e) thermosetting resins. In a preferred embodiment, the plastic pallet has an open deck design. The invention also relates to a method to make pallets that pass the UL 2335 protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Adeyinka Adedeji, Geoffrey Henry Riding, Bruce Marshall Torrey
  • Patent number: 6766749
    Abstract: Preformed modules for making pallets include basic crossbar profiles and additional long and short crossbar profiles, basic and additional board profiles, and connection fittings. Each crossbar profile includes a preformed body having a cross section with a framework of laminar baffles, which define a plurality of cells, a perimetric covering, and longitudinally extending engagement elements. Each of the basic and additional board profiles is laminated and includes a plurality of cells, a perimetric covering, and at least one longitudinal engagement element on the perimetric cover. The crossbar profiles support the board profiles by means of the connection fittings. A pallet includes some or all of the modules described above.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2004
    Assignee: Plaspalet S.A.
    Inventor: Carlos Fabricio Lacabanne
  • Publication number: 20030226480
    Abstract: A dunnage platform is in the general shape of a rectangular slab with legs extending form one side. The dunnage platform is made from an expanded polystyrene core. A chemical combination process is used to chemically combine portion of the core proximal to its surface with high impact polystyrene. In a first of two parts of the combination process, the core is placed in a forming mold with one of its two sides and two thirds of its thickness extending therefrom. A heated sheet of high impact polystyrene is brought into contact with the portion of the core extending from the mold. In a similar manner, the other of the two sides of the core is made to extend from the forming mold for contact with a heated sheet of high impact polystyrene.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2002
    Publication date: December 11, 2003
    Inventor: Laurence W. Dummett
  • Patent number: 6659019
    Abstract: A foldable device for facilitating the stacking of adjacent pairs of pallets loaded with container arrays includes a pair of pivotally-interconnected sections. Each section includes a generally flat bottom surface adapted to rest on a respective top layer of exposed container tops, and a top surface that include surface features whose uppermost portions cooperate to define a first reference plane. Each section includes a plurality of complementary hinge components defining a pivot axis that lies in a second reference plane located between the section's bottom surface and first reference plane, and further includes detents by which to maintain the bottom surfaces of each section pair in a substantially coplanar relationship when the hinged sections are spread open. Preferably, the surface features of each section pair are complementary such that, the assembly is folded about the resulting shared pivot axis, the bottom surfaces become generally parallel-spaced to facilitate device storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Robert V. Gruber, Trenton M. Overholt
  • Publication number: 20030213416
    Abstract: A table includes a support brace that interconnects the table top and the leg. The support brace includes a first end with an outwardly extending arm with an opening and a second end with an outwardly extending arm with an opening. A first bracket is attached to the leg and it includes a flange with a rounded end and an aperture. The rounded end of the flange is disposed within the opening in the outwardly extending arm and a portion of the outwardly extending arm extends through the aperture in the flange when the support brace is connected to the first bracket. A second bracket is attached to the table top and it includes a first end with an angled portion and an aperture. A portion of the angled portion is disposed within the opening in the outwardly extending arm and a portion of the outwardly extending arm extends through the aperture in the bracket when the support brace is connected to the second bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2003
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: L. Curtis Strong, David C. Winter
  • Patent number: 6622641
    Abstract: A pallet is provided which includes spaced upper and lower decks. A plurality of receiving areas are formed in one of the upper and lower decks, where each receiving area includes at least one latch member extending therefrom. A plurality of corresponding supports extend from the other of the upper and lower decks, where each support includes at least one latch receiver extending therefrom, each latch receiver having a plurality of spring arms. The latch receiver is adapted to receive the latch member such that engagement of the receiving areas and corresponding supports securely joins the upper and lower decks in an assembled configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Justin M. Smyers
  • Publication number: 20030136315
    Abstract: The present invention is related to a unified extrusion pallet that is completed by only one extrusion process. The unified extrusion pallet includes a fork insertion hole in which a fork of a forklift truck is inserted. The unified extrusion pallet includes a projected skid-proof protrusion formed at an upper plane of the pallet. The unified extrusion pallet includes a plurality of middle-sized holes, which are formed at sides of the fork insertion hole 10 and are to prevent a twist of the pallet. Each of the middle-sized holes includes a reinforcing slat having sections crossed diagonally. The unified extrusion pallet includes a plurality of small-sized holes. The fork insertion hole, the middle-sized holes, the projected skid-proof protrusion and the small-sized holes are constructed so as to form a single body. The fork insertion hole, the middle-sized holes, and the projected skid-proof protrusion are formed so as to be penetrated in a longitudinal direction where the pallet is extruded.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2002
    Publication date: July 24, 2003
    Inventor: Gun-Seok Kim
  • Publication number: 20030089285
    Abstract: A one-piece, hollow, continuous wall pallet having a deck and underside structural features that function in conjunction with the deck for support and reinforcement when a load is placed on the pallet or when a side of the pallet is impacted. The structural features may include an arched bottom recess, side impact depressions, and kiss-off structures, in one of the legs or portion of the underside. The pallet deck may have a dual entry rib configuration. The pallet is preferably made using rotational molding.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Publication date: May 15, 2003
    Inventors: Craig Carson, Mark Bendit, Steven Turley
  • Publication number: 20030075081
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a top deck having a top deck upper surface and a top deck lower surface and also having a first predetermined fire retardancy. A bottom deck having a bottom deck upper surface and a bottom deck lower surface, and also having a second predetermined fire retardancy. A column extending between the top deck and bottom deck, the column having an other fire retardancy lower than at least one of the first and second fire retardancies.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2001
    Publication date: April 24, 2003
    Applicant: REHRIG PACIFIC COMPANY
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 6550404
    Abstract: A pivotable folding utility table includes a table top having a pair of support pedestals pivotally attached thereto. A first pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the first support pedestal. A second pivotal support brace including a distal end and a proximal end attached to the second support pedestal. The distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces pivotally attached to a retaining assembly preferably mounted in relation to the table top. Specifically, the retaining assembly includes a cross-brace member operably disposed through openings formed in the distal ends of the first and second pivotal support braces, thus providing a pivotal engagement in relation to the table top.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Assignee: Lifetime Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Carl R. Stanford
  • Publication number: 20030061974
    Abstract: A pallet is provided which includes spaced upper and lower decks. A plurality of receiving areas are formed in one of the upper and lower decks, where each receiving area includes at least one latch member extending therefrom. A plurality of corresponding supports extend from the other of the upper and lower decks, where each support includes at least one latch receiver extending therefrom, each latch receiver having a plurality of spring arms. The latch receiver is adapted to receive the latch member such that engagement of the receiving areas and corresponding supports securely joins the upper and lower decks in an assembled configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Publication date: April 3, 2003
    Applicant: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Justin M. Smyers
  • Patent number: 6530476
    Abstract: The present invention provides an interface between stacked arrays of containers having container tops. The interface includes a pallet loaded with a stacked array of containers and a layer of exposed container tops adjacent the pallet. A plastic coupling member is positioned between the layer of exposed container tops and the pallet. The plastic coupling member includes a contoured surface configured with an array of indentations formed therein and properly spaced to mate with each of the layer of exposed container tops. The array of indentations is sufficiently deep to prevent relative lateral displacement of the coupling member with respect to the layer of exposed container tops. A method of vertically stacking crates using such an interface is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2003
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventor: Trenton M. Overholt
  • Patent number: 6524426
    Abstract: A plastic pallet assembly is formed from plastic lumber by melting sections of runners and cross members and contacting them to join said runners and said cross members to form a pallet. A machine having an assembly table, cross members for supporting and moving pallet runners in a vertical direction, a support table for a pallet cross member, hot plates moveable in a vertical direction and in a horizontal direction for insertion between the runners and the cross member, and a force bar moveable in a vertical direction for applying a force to the runners, hot plates and cross member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2003
    Assignee: Edison Welding Institute
    Inventors: Marc A. St. John, Kevin M. Hartke
  • Patent number: 6503585
    Abstract: A hollow-chamber lightweight component is described which at least comprises a shell-shaped housing part (1) made of high-strength material. a ribbed supporting structure (2) made of plastic, in particular of thermoplastic material, and at least one cover plate (4) or covering shell (20) made of a high-strength material which is, in particular. different from plastic and a method of producing the lightweight component is described. The supporting structure (2) is up against the inside of the housing part (1) and is joined, in particular. to the housing part (1). The cover plate (4) or covering shell (20) largely covers the space formed from housing part (1) and supporting structure (2) and is joined in its peripheral region at least with one part of the boundary (10) of the housing part (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2003
    Assignee: Bayer Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Joachim Wagenblast, Boris Koch, Hubert Goldbach
  • Publication number: 20020134284
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a top deck pallet portion and a bottom deck pallet portion which are mounted to each other and have a plurality of column portions extending therebetween. At least one of the top deck pallet portion and bottom deck pallet portion has a first surface with a plurality of cross-ribbed members projecting therefrom. The pallet assembly further includes at least one stiffening member securely mounted to the plurality of cross-ribbed members to define a plurality of box beam sections between the at least one stiffening member and the at least one of the top deck pallet portion and bottom deck pallet portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 20, 2002
    Publication date: September 26, 2002
    Applicant: REHRIG PACIFIC COMPANY
    Inventor: William P. Apps
  • Patent number: 6435108
    Abstract: A disposable and reusable spacer rack apparatus, for cooperating with a pallet to suppport a stack of thin sheets of printable stock thereon. A spacer rack apparatus includes a body member, having an upper surface and a substantially flat lower surface. The body member has a series of parallel spaced apart grooves formed in an upper portion thereof, defining a plurality of parallel spaced apart divider slats between the grooves. The body member is of a first height at the divider slats, and is of a second, reduced height in the area of the grooves. The grooves are provided for receiving support rods during a printing stock changeover process. Preferably, the spacer rack apparatus is integrally formed as a single unit, out of relatively inexpensive materials, such as cardboard, fiberboard, recycled plastic, or open-celled plastic foam. A method of using the spacer rack apparatus is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Inventor: David L. Braley
  • Publication number: 20020104465
    Abstract: An improved load bearing pallet includes an upper deck formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material with a load engaging surface and an opposing, substantially parallel lift engaging surface. Ridges, channels, depressions, and legs, are formed in the sheet with corresponding features being necessarily defined by the sheet on the opposite side. The pallet preferably includes a peripheral channel formed around a periphery of the upper deck and nine legs positioned in three rows of three creating two gaps on each side of the pallet for the tines of a fork lift to enter to lift the pallet. A plurality of strengthening ridges and channels are formed in the load bearing surface of the upper deck, with corresponding channels and ridges necessarily formed in the lifting surface of the upper deck, to resist bending and folding of the pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2001
    Publication date: August 8, 2002
    Inventor: Harout Ohanesian
  • Patent number: 6418861
    Abstract: A modular pallet construction allowing the formation of storage pallets of varying sizes and configurations. The pallet includes a top deck formed from a plurality of plate members interconnected to create a storage platform. The number and orientation of the plate members dictates the configuration of the top deck. The top deck is supported by beams which create a space beneath the top deck into which lift forks may be inserted to transport the pallet and its contents. In order to reduce the weight of the pallet yet provide ample strength, the plate members are formed with a core of high density expanded foam encapsulated in a rigid coating material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2002
    Assignee: Masco Corporation
    Inventor: Steve A. Flam
  • Patent number: 6389989
    Abstract: A pallet formed of a pair of thermoplastic sheets molded and fused together. The sheets have configurations that impart high stiffness and high strength, and the ability to be stacked on full pallets or nested on empty pallets. In particular, the molded configurations enable the sheets to be fused at a plurality of planes including mutually perpendicular planes for high strength union of the sheets. The pallet is especially suited for use with generally cubic milk crates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2002
    Assignee: PL Eagle, LLC
    Inventor: James P. Hagerty
  • Patent number: 6386118
    Abstract: A one-piece, hollow, continuous wall pallet having a deck and underside structural features that function in conjunction with the deck for support and reinforcement when a load is placed on the pallet or when a side of the pallet is impacted. The structural features include an arched bottom recess, side impact depressions, and kiss-off structures, in one of the legs or portion of the underside. The pallet is preferably made using rotational molding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: Jeco Plastic Products L.L.C.
    Inventors: Mark Bendit, Steven Turley, Craig Carson
  • Publication number: 20020050235
    Abstract: The present invention is a pallet made from a combination of recycled tire shreds and recycled plastic particles. In one embodiment, the pallet comprises a plurality of recycled tire shreds having different surface areas, a plurality of recycled plastic flakes having different surface areas, and a bonding agent coated about substantially all of the surfaces of the recycled tire shreds and the recycled plastic flakes. The combination of the recycled tire shreds having different surface areas, the recycled plastic particles having different surface and the bonding agent results in a stronger and durable pallet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Publication date: May 2, 2002
    Inventor: DAN R. RADKE,
  • Patent number: 6374753
    Abstract: The present invention is a pallet made from a combination of recycled tire shreds and recycled plastic particles. In one embodiment, the pallet comprises a plurality of recycled tire shreds having different surface areas, a plurality of recycled plastic flakes having different surface areas, and a bonding agent coated about substantially all of the surfaces of the recycled tire shreds and the recycled plastic flakes. The combination of the recycled tire shreds having different surface areas, the recycled plastic particles having different surface and the bonding agent results in a stronger and durable pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1996
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2002
    Inventor: Dan R. Radke, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6354230
    Abstract: A plastics material modular pallet, comprising a plurality of supporting elements operatively coupled to one another by at least a further element cross arranged with respect to the supporting elements. The pallet according to the invention can be fitted to a plurality of load requirements, which can be easily carried out by the pallet user. Further, the invention offers ease of production, low maintenance and low cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2002
    Inventor: Pietro Maschio
  • Patent number: 6349656
    Abstract: A containment tray for a hazardous material spill pallet for storage of hazardous material containing drums. The tray provides a raised support surface for the drums and a chamber for containing spilled or leaking material from the stored drums. Access for pallet lifting member is provided from all four directions of the pallet. The containment trays are nestable for stacking and peripheral edges are reinforced for more solid support when in use and when stacked. Multiple channels along the peripheral edge are provided for attachment of auxiliary devices such as a ramp for ease of placing and removing drums.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2002
    Assignee: Eagle Manufacturing Company
    Inventor: Donald J. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20010031807
    Abstract: The invention relates to plastic pallets that pass the Underwriters Laboratory UL 2335 protocol for pallets wherein said pallets comprises at least one resin selected from the group consisting of:
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Inventors: ADEYINKA ADEDEJI, GEOFFREY HENRY RIDING, BRUCE MARSHALL TORREY
  • Patent number: 6240854
    Abstract: A palletizing system for a wheeled item comprising an undercarriage and wheels extending from the undercarriage. The pallet includes a plurality of ramps on a base frame sloping from a support toward the base frame and the palletizing system includes at least one selectively removable bridging member for placement in one of the plurality of ramps for forming a track along which the wheels of the item can roll over the one of the plurality of ramps. The support and the plurality of ramps are structured and arranged so that when the bridging member is removed from the at least one of the plurality of ramps and the wheeled item is shifted on the wheels from the support surface along the plurality of ramps, the undercarriage of the wheeled item comes to rest on the support surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Burnham Service Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Julius F. Heil
  • Patent number: 6237509
    Abstract: A synthetic resin pallet capable of enhancing a strength against a bending force acting in a direction right-angled to a loading surface without an increase in weight of the whole pallet. The synthetic resin pallet is constructed such that pallet constructive members taking configurations of the pallet being divided into upper and lower members are formed by, e.g., injection molding, then set facing to each other and integrally welded. A reinforced tape using a fiber reinforced material which is bendable is attached for reinforcement by the heat welding inside a groove formed on a surface of any one or both of the pallet constructive members in order to resist a bending force acting in a direction orthogonal to the surface thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignees: Nippon Plastic Pallet Corporation, Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation, Dainippon Ink and Chemicals, Inc.
    Inventors: Satoshi Ishido, Yuzo Hayakawa, Isami Koyama
  • Patent number: 6230383
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing releasable joining together of spacers in pairs which are preferably formed by support blocks for pallets or support walls on pallets or other load carriers by joining the spacers by means of flexible straps or by means of other releasable joining means, like pins or clamps. Spacers which are unattached or which already are integral building units in a respective pallet, are fed forward by means of a hauling track compressed in pairs to a joining station after which they are joined together and clamped together tightly. The invention is also related to machines for performing the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventors: Johan Welleman, Sven Welleman
  • Patent number: 6199488
    Abstract: A reinforced plastic pallet is disclosed. The pallet is characterized in that it is formed of an upper deck, a lower deck, and reinforcing elements. The reinforcing elements are retained on the lower deck in a manner that allows relative movement between the reinforcements and the deck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2001
    Inventors: James Favaron, Robert Funk, Bruce Settergren
  • Patent number: 6173659
    Abstract: A load platform has telescoping feet which provide a variable height opening for insertion of material handling equipment forks. The pallet has a deck having a top and a bottom, and a number of legs which are formed extending downwardly from the deck. Feet connected by stringers are slidably connected to the legs providing a variable height opening defined by the deck bottom, stringer, and adjacent legs and feet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2001
    Assignee: Menasha Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher A. Danks, Randy H. Hafemeister, James W. Hammond, Ryan J. Andreae
  • Patent number: 6167817
    Abstract: An improved pallet structure having an upper pallet and a lower pallet. The upper pallet includes on its underside, a plurality of upper feet with a plurality of limiting members and slits. A plurality of upper channels are formed between every two neighboring upper feet. The upper channels include ribs with recesses in alignment with the slits of the upper feet. Rods are placed in the slits and the recesses and abut at their ends against the limiting members. The slits each allows for the engagement of an engaging member, to prevent the movement of the rods in any direction. Then the upper pallet is joined with the lower pallet. When yarn packages are loaded on the pallet, the center of gravity of the yarn packages is located directly above the rods in the pallet. The weight of the yarn packages is carried by the rods, and the pallet is not subjected to deformation and the life cycle of the pallet can be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2001
    Inventor: Ching-rong Liu
  • Patent number: 6164214
    Abstract: A pallet having a load-carrying surface (2) constructed of a substantially flat impervious material having a multiplicity of upstanding projections to prevent slippage on the surface while permitting cleaning of the surface. A ground-engaging part (8) of the pallet has at its underside an array of apertures so configured that when two like pallets are arranged in stacked configuration the projections on the load-carrying surface of a lower one of the pallets will engage within the apertures in the ground-engaging part of the upper of the two pallets to prevent slippage of the upper pallet relative to the lower pallet. Preferably, the ground engaging part of the pallet includes an array of substantially parallel reinforcing ribs (10) and the apertures are defined between adjacent ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2000
    Assignee: Vicfam Plastics Pty Ltd
    Inventors: Victor Smorgon, Lazer Berelovich
  • Patent number: 6135031
    Abstract: A reusable pallet for use with a reusable anchoring device for securing a load. The anchoring device comprises a strap and clamping mechanism for selectively receiving and clamping to the strap and, alternatively, releasing the strap. The pallet includes a base and one or more housings fixed to the base for receiving the clamping mechanism. Each housing has an opening for receiving the clamping mechanism and providing access to the clamping mechanism so that the clamping mechanism can be manipulated in the housing, and an aperture for receiving the strap, the aperture being sized to prevent the clamping mechanism from passing through the aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2000
    Assignee: Burnham Service Company
    Inventor: Julius F. Heil
  • Patent number: 6123032
    Abstract: An improved load bearing pallet formed of a thermoplastic material is provided. The pallet includes at least an upper deck formed from a sheet of thermoplastic material with a load engaging surface on one side of the sheet, and a lift engaging surface on the other. A number of features such as ridges, channels, depressions, and legs, are formed in the sheet with corresponding features being necessarily defined by the sheet on the opposite side. In particular, the pallet preferably includes a peripheral channel formed around a periphery of the upper deck and nine legs positioned in three rows of three creating two gaps on each side of the pallet for the tines of a fork lift to enter to lift the pallet. The pallet also preferably includes a plurality of strengthening ridges and channels on the load bearing surface of the upper deck, with corresponding channels and ridges necessarily formed in the lifting surface of the upper deck, to resist bending and folding of the pallet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2000
    Inventor: Harout Ohanesian