Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck having a rectangular shape, a bottom deck having a rectangular shape, and spaced apart corner support blocks and spaced apart intermediate support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks and forming a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member. Centerline markings are carried by at least one of the top deck, the bottom deck, and the corner and intermediate support blocks so as to provide a visual aid to an operator of the lifting member.

Abstract: A method of determining locations of tracking devices may include receiving a data ping from a tracking device, where the data ping may be sent in response to the tracking device detecting a predetermined sequence of movements indicating a logistic event from a plurality of predefined logistics events. The method may additionally include accessing a hierarchical logistics flow for the tracking device, where the hierarchical logistics flow may include an ordered sequential list of event sites through which the tracking device is likely to move. The method may further include assigning an event site from the ordered sequential list of event sites based on the logistic event and the hierarchical logistics flow.

Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck that includes a product support surface and an opposing underside, and with the product support surface including a pair of pallet support leg receiving areas. A pair of pallet support legs is on the underside of the top deck and aligned with the pallet support leg receiving areas. Each pallet support leg including a center leg section having a first end adjacent the underside of the top deck and a second end opposite the first end, and a pair of leg extensions extending outwards from the second end of the center leg section. An underside of the center leg section and the pair of leg extensions are configured to engage one of the pallet support leg receiving areas of an identical pallet when stacked thereon.

Abstract: A reconfigurable pallet/dolly platform includes a top deck that includes a product support surface and an opposing underside. The underside includes pallet support leg attachment areas for receiving pallet support legs when configured as a pallet, and dolly wheel attachment areas for receiving dolly wheels when configured as a dolly. The product support surface includes pallet support leg receiving areas aligned with the pallet support leg attachment areas and configured to engage the pallet support legs from an identical platform stacked thereon when configured as a pallet. The product support surface also includes dolly wheel receiving areas aligned with the dolly wheel wells and configured to engage the dolly wheels from an identical platform stacked thereon when configured as a dolly. Each dolly wheel receiving area partially overlaps with one of the pallet support leg receiving areas.

Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck divided into quadrants, and pallet support legs coupled to an underside of the top deck and forming an opening below the top deck for receiving a lifting member. The top deck includes at least one deck scoop area on an underside thereof in each quadrant. A thickness of the top deck is reduced in each deck scoop area to reduce influence of top deck deflection on ability of the lifting member to pass through the opening below the top deck.

Abstract: A reconfigurable pallet/dolly platform includes a top deck having a product support surface and an opposing underside. The product support surface has grommet openings extending therethrough. The underside includes pallet support leg attachment areas aligned with the grommet openings for receiving pallet support legs when configured as a pallet. Also, the underside includes dolly wheel attachment areas for receiving dolly wheels when configured as a dolly. The product support surface includes grommets inserted into the grommet openings. Each grommet includes an upper section that extends in height above the top deck to engage an underside of the pallet support legs from an identical platform stacked thereon when configured as a pallet. Also, the product support surface includes dolly wheel receiving areas aligned with the dolly wheel wells on the underside, and engage the dolly wheels from an identical platform stacked thereon when configured as a dolly.

Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck having a product support surface and an opposing underside. The product support surface has grommet openings extending therethrough, with each grommet opening including a recessed shelf. Grommets are inserted into the grommet openings. Each grommet includes an upper section comprising an upper lip resting on the recessed shelf, and an outer exposed surface of the upper section extends in height above the top deck. Pallet support legs are coupled to the underside of the top deck and are aligned with the grommets. Each pallet support leg includes a base extending across a width of the top deck. An underside of the base is configured to engage the upper sections of the grommets of an identical pallet when stacked thereon.

Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck that includes grommet openings extending therethrough, with each grommet opening including a recessed shelf. Pallet support legs are coupled to an underside of the top deck. Grommets are inserted into the grommet openings. Each grommet includes an upper section that includes an upper lip resting on the recessed shelf, and an outer exposed surface of the upper section extends in height above the top deck. At least one mid-section is adjacent the upper lip and extends from the upper section to an underside of the top deck. At least one lower section extends from the at least one mid-section, and includes a pair of spaced apart lower lips resting on the underside of the top deck. An outer exposed surface of the at least one lower section extends in height below the underside of the top deck.

Abstract: A method of determining locations of tracking devices may include receiving a data ping from a tracking device, where the data ping may be sent in response to the tracking device detecting a predetermined sequence of movements indicating a logistic event from a plurality of predefined logistics events. The method may additionally include accessing a hierarchical logistics flow for the tracking device, where the hierarchical logistics flow may include an ordered sequential list of event sites through which the tracking device is likely to move. The method may further include assigning an event site from the ordered sequential list of event sites based on the logistic event and the hierarchical logistics flow.

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.

Abstract: A pallet includes a top deck having an upper surface and an opposing lower surface. The top deck includes grommet openings extending therethrough, and grommets are inserted into the grommet openings. Each grommet includes an upper section having an outer exposed surface extending above the upper surface of the top deck, and at least one lower section having an outer exposed surface extending below the lower surface of the top deck.

Abstract: A wireless RF tracking system comprising a transmitter (tag) and a receiver, the transmitter having a motion sensor, an RF communication module and a processor. The system has an algorithm configured to send a data ping from the transmitter via the RF communication module to the receiver, the algorithm being a smart location algorithm including both event-based ping methodology and time-based ping methodology. The system additional utilizes a geofencing system to expand the area around the smart location.

Abstract: A dolly for transporting products thereon, the dolly comprising a top with a product support surface and an opposing underside, a plurality of casters provided on the underside, two of the casters being swivel casters configured to rotate relative to the product support surface; biasing means configured to bias a wheel of each swivel caster towards a first equilibrium position. A plurality of reinforcing ribs provided on the underside; wherein at least one of the reinforcing ribs is a curved reinforcing rib, and; the at least one curved reinforcing rib extends from a first caster mounting area to a second caster mounting area. Further including, a dolly carrier pallet comprising a pallet provided with a dolly receiving layer, wherein the dolly receiving layer is provided with generally rectangular wheel receiving recesses for receiving swivel casters and is provided with generally rectangular wheel receiving recesses for receiving fixed casters.

Abstract: A pallet includes a base layer and a cargo layer. The cargo layer includes a pair of spaced apart end deck boards, and intermediate deck boards between the pair of spaced apart end deck boards. Each end deck board and an immediately adjacent intermediate deck board are butted against one another. Spaced apart support blocks are coupled between the base and cargo layers and forming a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member.

Abstract: A pallet impact station includes a frame, at least one pendulum swing arm rotatably coupled to the frame, a carriage assembly carried by the at least one pendulum swing arm for impacting a pallet, and a latching mechanism extending between the frame and the at least one pendulum swing arm. The latching mechanism disengages the at least one pendulum swing arm at a raised position so that the carriage assembly impacts the pallet. A controller operates the latching mechanism to disengage the at least one pendulum swing arm.

Abstract: A method for operating a pallet positioning station for positioning a pallet to be impacted by a pallet impact station is provided. The pallet positioning station includes a frame adjacent the pallet impact station, a pallet lift assembly carried by the frame that includes a lift grate moveable between a retracted position and an extended position, and a pallet push arm assembly carried by the frame that includes a pallet push arm movable between a retracted position and a pallet positioning position. The method includes moving the pallet push arm and the lift grate to the retracted positions to receive the pallet for positioning, moving the lift grate to the extended position when the pallet is to be positioned for impact by the pallet impact station, and moving the pallet push arm to the pallet positioning position to position the pallet towards the pallet impact station until the pallet is aligned with an impact reference plane.

Abstract: A pallet positioning station for positioning a pallet to be impacted by a pallet impact station includes a frame, and a pallet lift assembly carried by the frame. The pallet lift assembly includes a lift grate moveable between a retracted position and an extended position. A pallet push arm assembly is carried by the frame and includes a pallet push arm movable between a retracted position and a pallet positioning position. A controller is configured to move the pallet push arm and the lift grate to the retracted positions to receive the pallet for positioning, and move the lift grate to the extended position when the pallet is to be positioned for impact by the pallet impact station. The controller is further configured to move the pallet push arm to the pallet positioning position to move the pallet towards the pallet impact station until the pallet is aligned with an impact reference plane.

Abstract: A wireless RF tracking system comprising a transmitter (tag) and a receiver, the transmitter having a motion sensor, an RF communication module and a processor. The system has an algorithm configured to send a data ping from the transmitter via the RF communication module to the receiver, the algorithm being a smart location algorithm including both event-based ping methodology and time-based ping methodology. The system additional utilizes a geofencing system to expand the area around the smart location.

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.