Abstract: A substantially cylindrical drainage unit for use when buried in soil as part of a wastewater leach field comprises a first plastic aggregate mass that is contained within netting, with an optional central perforated pipe. A segmented quilt comprises the exterior surface of the drainage unit which is in contact with soil. Pebble aggregate that is smaller in particle size than the first aggregate is contained with the cavities of the quilt segments. Quilts having different segment shapes and sizes are manufactured by specialized apparatus which creates rectilinear or serpentine seams.

Abstract: A substantially cylindrical drainage unit for use when buried in soil as part of a wastewater leach field comprises a first plastic bead aggregate mass, optionally with a central perforated pipe, surrounded by a segmented-quilt exterior surface. Quilts are captured around the drainage unit by straps, a circumscribing netting sleeve, or by being themselves in the form of tubular sleeves. Preferred rectangular quilt segments contain a second pebble aggregate that is smaller than the first aggregate. Quilts are fabricated by mating two layers of geotextile and inserting the second aggregate into channels or cavities that are defined by seams that join the layers to each other.

Abstract: A pallet filled with foam includes foam injection holes selectively positioned at lower base surfaces of the pallet. Nubs extend downwardly from said injection holes to seal the holes. In additional embodiment, said nubs engage recesses at the top of a like pallet, to inhibit shifting of stacked pallets.

Abstract: A predominately thermoplastic pallet, for use with a fork lift device, is provided and includes a rectangular base including rails having metal reinforcing beams, eight spaced apart outer columns extending upwardly from the outer rails and one center column extending upwardly from the center of the base. The pallet also includes a top including a rectangular thermoplastic frame and a corrugated sheet metal deck, wherein the frame is attached, to the tops of the outer columns and wherein the deck is inset from the outer edge of the frame and wherein the pallet has dimensions and properties which include outside dimensions of about 40 inches by about 48 inches, two forklift device openings on each side of the pallet, each of which are at least 3.1 inches high and 12 inches wide and a pallet height or 5.56 inches or less.

Abstract: A pallet is described incorporating one or more lifting straps on an upper surface of the pallet. In one exemplary embodiment, a top surface of the pallet is substantially free from hand-sized or other similar orifices. In such embodiment, the at least one lifting strap provides a viable alternative to grasping the sides or edges of the pallet.

Abstract: A plastic pallet has reinforcing beams which fail during a fire due to the effects of heat, so the pallet prematurely collapses and thus the rate of heat evolution is diminished, sufficient to meet fire standards. In one embodiment metal beams embedded in the plastic of the pallet have lengths which are shorter than the span between the rails of a pallet rack. They drop down and cause pallet collapse, when the surrounding plastic softens or melts. In another embodiment, the beam is a metal, fiberglass or graphite reinforced composite thermoplastic, which loses strength when the matrix softens or otherwise fails. In another embodiment, a metal beam has two parts which are connected by a thermoplastic fitting which softens and the fails during a fire.

Abstract: The presently disclosed thermoplastic pallet advantageously incorporates fire resistance by virtue of one or more of the following aspects: a sprinkler friendly deck or frame; variable fire retardant or coating distributions; fire collapsible cross beams; foam filled or foam coated parts; and pallet design, including proportioning amounts of plastic and metal utilized in construction. Exemplary combinations of features enables the pallet to meet all the dimensional, mechanical behavior and burn test requirements. The use of metal components including a corrugated aluminum deck having specially position through holes for sprinkler water, and the engineered placement of hollows in the structural plastic parts enables a reduction in the amount of plastic, and the amount of fire retardant in what plastic there is and in the pallet as a whole.

Abstract: A thermoplastic pallet has a top frame which comprises bridge parts that span the openings between columns into which forks may be inserted for lifting. The plastic bridges are designed for absorbing horizontal impact loads. Each bridge has several lengthwise impact absorber zones of differing compliance to horizontal loads. The zones are comprised of vertical ribs which define open or closed cells. The edge of the pallet deck, which is preferably corrugated metal, is spaced apart from the outer edge of the bridge. It is alternatively fastened to the inner edge of the bridge or to a subframe which spaced apart from the inner edge of the frame.

Abstract: An arch shape cross section thermoplastic leaching chamber, having sidewall slot perforations which flare inwardly, is made using a mold comprised of a mold cavity part and an inwardly retractable mold core part. The core part has opposing side slides with projections that define the perforations; they are separated by a center block. The center block moves downwardly and the slides move inwardly, under action of slide rods built into the mold core, to enable a molded chamber to be removed from the mold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the pallet can comprise an upper deck and a lower deck. The upper deck can comprise ribs spaced parallel to each other, a cross beam positioned transverse to the rib, and a film disposed over the ribs and the cross beam. The lower deck can be disposed on a side of the upper deck opposite the film.

Abstract: In one embodiment, pallet substructure can comprise: a reinforcement structure disposed in a plane, a foot member, and a gusset. The gusset can be disposed in mechanical communication with the reinforcement structure and the foot member, wherein the gusset is configured to restrict movement in vertical directions when the substructure is oriented for use.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a collapsible pallet comprises: an upper deck, a foot member disposed on the upper deck, and a lower deck comprising the second foot half. The foot member comprises a first foot half disposed on the upper deck, the first foot half having a pin disposed thereon, and a second foot half, the second foot half having a hole disposed therein for receiving the pin.

Abstract: A leaching chamber has sidewall perforations which flare inwardly, so that the smallest perforation dimension is on the exterior surface of the sidewall. The basic axes of the perforations run downwardly toward the chamber base, as the axes run from the inside to outside of the chamber. Mold cores having inwardly retracting slides, and which move in complex ways, are used to form the chamber. Thus, perforations are present down near the base flange of the sidewall, even though the base flange has an upwardly extending fin.