Abstract: An assembly and associated method for constructing a three dimensional article, such as a pallet, including a first station for feeding a sheet material in blank form, a second a second station for receiving and incising the blank, a third station for receiving the incised blank and which successively creases and folds the blank into an assembled article, and a fourth operator station for controlling each of said first, second and third stations. Also disclosed is a conveyor for removing the assembled article from the third station and transferring to a plastic coating operation.

Abstract: A structurally supporting shelf article having a body and a plasticized coating applied to at least an exterior of the article. The body further includes a planar shaped insert surrounded by a tubular frame. In a further variant, a structurally supporting pallet article includes a body incorporating a planar shaped upper supporting surface, the body further including rectangular shaped reinforcing brackets incorporated into a structurally supporting underside locations of the body and which are adapted to receive the inserting forks of a forklift device. A plasticized coating can be applied to at least an exterior of the body. In another variant, a reinforced and volume supporting paperboard article includes a four-sided box like structure assembleable upon a pallet-shaped base with a lid affixing to the assembled sides. The body may constitute a cardboard constructed barrel with reinforcing upper and lower tubular support portions, the lid affixing over an open top of the barrel.

Abstract: A process and assembly for mass producing a plasticized coated and structurally supporting insert including a first conveyor for advancing a plurality of lay-flat inserts and at least one lift and transfer mechanism for transferring the inserts between the first conveyor and a second overhead conveyor. A dual function robot is positioned aside the first conveyor and has a first numerically controlled gripping portion for engaging and raising a selected one of the lay flat supported inserts. The robot further has a second numerically controlled and articulating arm for spray coating a plasticized material upon the insert.

Abstract: A stackable and nest-able pallet construction including a rectangular shaped insert incorporating structurally supporting and reinforcing members. The insert has a specified thickness encapsulated within a plasticized material and includes a plurality of downwardly extending support feet. Either of edge or corner defined mating locations are established between upper and lower surfaces, such that a second identically configured pallet is capable of being seated in supporting fashion upon a first pallet. To facilitate multiple (non-use) stackability, inter-attracting magnets can be disposed in upper and lower surface proximate locations of each identically configured pallet.

Abstract: A structurally supporting pallet exhibiting a plurality of either individual or networked portions configured with or upon an upper base surface such that, upon placing a cargo load upon the body, it provides drainage or ventilation pathways extending to each of the four outer interconnecting edges of the body. In a first example, the cargo supporting surface is exhibited by a plurality of individual plateau defining portions, each of which exhibiting a plurality of perimeter defining and upwardly sloping edges extending from a base surface and merging into uppermost individual and coplanar defined plateaus. In a further example, a plurality of elongated recessed channels are configured in the base surface and extend between selected sides of the article. In each instance, the article includes a plastic coating which is configured into the desired pattern corresponding to the upper base surface. The plastic can include a grit entrained or textured surface to facilitate anti-slip properties.

Abstract: A structurally supporting pallet article including a rectangular shaped body having a specified thickness and a plurality of downwardly extending support locations. A processor controlled receiver is incorporated into the body for providing at least one of tracking and identification of cargo supported upon said body. Visual identification of a selected pallet article is facilitated by the inclusion of illuminating elements. A second embodiment discloses a pallet having a three dimensional shaped body. A sensor is integrated into the body for determining when the body is immersed in a body of water. A plurality of bladders are supported within the body in first retracted positions and which, upon being triggered by the sensor, are deployed in outwardly expanded fashion through openings along the body. A propulsion and steerage mechanism is integrated into an underside of the body.

Abstract: A ground supported and upwardly extensible firewall curtain, such as for use in containing fires. A plurality of ground anchored and elongated housing are arranged in end-to-end interconnected fashion, such as in an advance position of an approaching fire. Each housing assembly includes an interiorly stored and upwardly extended curtain constructed of a fire resistant material. The curtains are likewise interconnected in end-to-end and inter-structurally supported fashion and so that a continuous fire wall is created to prevent or retard the advance of the fire in a given direction, such as toward residential or other populated areas.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pallet construction having a body including a plurality of interconnected structural members defining at least an upper support surface, a bottom and a plurality of interconnecting sides. A plurality of stand-offs extend from underside projecting locations of the body in order to elevate the bottom an upward distance from a ground supporting location. A mesh or other sheer material is provided and exhibits durable load carrying and anti-tear properties. The mesh is applied over at least the upper support surface and, in additional variants, along each of the extending side surfaces such that the body establishes a three dimensional volume defining interior. In order to support the mesh, the body includes upper and lower vertically spaced and rectangular perimeter defining members separated by spaced apart and vertically interconnecting members.

Abstract: A reinforced pallet which is constructed of a generally planar surfaced body constructed of a corrugated material and including a plurality of partition defining members and a corrugated surface board material, such as a paperboard or plastic, applied over the body. A plurality of recessed notches are incorporated in the partition defining members for seating any number of skeletal inner reinforcing members, such as which may be arranged in any of crosswise or overlapping and grid defining fashion.

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.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a pallet construction having a body including a plurality of interconnected structural members defining at least an upper support, surface, a bottom and a plurality of interconnecting sides. A plurality of stand-offs extend from underside projecting locations of the body in order to elevate the bottom an upward distance from a ground supporting location. A mesh or other sheer material is provided and exhibits durable load carrying and anti-tear properties. The mesh is applied over at least the upper support surface and, in additional variants, along each of the extending side surfaces such that the body establishes a three dimensional volume defining interior. In order to support the mesh, the body includes upper and lower vertically spaced and rectangular perimeter defining members separated by spaced apart and vertically interconnecting members.

Abstract: A pallet exhibiting a three dimensional shaped and buoyant inducing body with enhanced load supporting capabilities. The body exhibits a rectangular profile and is constructed of at least one of a corrugated paperboard, plastic or composite material and coated with a plasticized spray. An inner core defined within a three dimensional interior of the body is constructed of any plural arrangement of inner extending, interconnected and frame defining components, at least one of the components and/or the outer surfaces being coated with a plasticized spray. The inner constructed core can further include any of a structural paperboard, bamboo, other tubular material, or structural foam. In a further variant, a standard pallet design of upper and lower cross pieces separated by spaced apart bridge pieces is provided, and in which the individual members are each configured with structurally defined inner cores according to any of the above constructions.

Abstract: A body having a buoyant inducing element for supporting upon a body of water. The buoyant inducing element includes a plurality of bladders deployable into an end-to-end perimeter extending arrangement relative to the body. In a further design, a pressurized tank is contained within the body and holds a volume of a compressed gas and in communication with the deployable bladders. The body may also include upper and lower vertically displaceable halves, with the elevation of the upper half causing one way air inlet valves disposed within a bottom surface of the lower halve to fill an expanded interior defined between the halves, via vacuum inlet pressure acting upon the one way valves.

Abstract: A structurally reinforcing pallet having an insert exhibiting a three dimensional shape with a top, sides and bottom. A plasticized material is applied over the insert according to a selected thickness and in order to encapsulate the insert. A first plurality of upper edge projecting and positional locating rim portions are exhibited about a periphery of an insert incorporated into a first pallet and, in combination with a second mating plurality of recessed underside edge extending locations exhibited about a periphery of a further insert incorporated into a second pallet, enable multiple stacking of pallets in laterally stabilized fashion.

Abstract: A reinforced pallet which is constructed of a generally planar surfaced body constructed of a corrugated material and including a plurality of partition defining members and a corrugated surface board material, such as a paperboard or plastic, applied over the body. A plurality of recessed notches are incorporated in the partition defining members for seating any number of skeletal inner reinforcing members, such as which may be arranged in any of crosswise or overlapping and grid defining fashion.

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.

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: A production assembly and associated process for mass producing such as a thermoplastic pallet and which utilizes a multiple insert supporting and continuously moving carousels inter-faceable with an input line upon which is transported a plurality of rigid and planar shaped inserts, as well as an output line a spaced relationship from the input line for removing, from the carousel, the resin coated articles. The invention further teaches a series of subset variants for spray applying a two part resin and hardener upon the insert according to a selected thickness, following which the inserts are cured and dried prior to transferring to the output line and in order to create a finished product.

Abstract: An assembly and related process for mass producing a resin coated article including an input line transporting a plurality of inserts and an output line removing the resin coated articles. One or more mold supporting and closed loop conveyor lines extend between the input and output lines, the conveyor line including a mold assembly line and an empty mold return line. A first lift and transfer mechanism communicates between the input line and mold assembly line for collecting, in succession, an insert and an upper mold half for installation with a lower mold half supported upon the assembly line. A mixing and dispensing station communicates with each mold in succession to fill an interior thereof with a viscous and curable resin material.

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.