Patents by Inventor John B. Zelek

John B. Zelek has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10377530
    Abstract: A pallet includes a deck supported by a central support and outer columns. Runners may connect lower ends of the outer columns to the central support. The deck, central support, outer columns and (optionally) runners may molded as a single piece of plastic. The outer columns are reinforced with reinforcement members so that the outer columns can be very thin (e.g. approximately 1 inch thick).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2019
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Kyle L. Baltz, John B. Zelek
  • Patent number: 10231538
    Abstract: A collapsible shelving unit includes a support base, a first side wall extending upwardly from one side of the base, and a second side wall extending upwardly from an opposite side of the base. Each of the first and second side walls are comprised of a plurality of rigid panels connected to each other with at least one hinge such that the rigid panels are moveable between a display position where the panels extend vertically to form the first and second side walls and a stowed position wherein at least two of the rigid panels at least partially overlap each other. A plurality of shelves are supported by the first and second side walls such that the shelves can be selectively removed therefrom.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: John B. Zelek, Suzanne Whitfield Clark, Ryan C. Meers
  • Publication number: 20180009567
    Abstract: A shelving system includes a plurality of collapsible containers stacked on one another and on a pallet or dolly. Each collapsible container includes a base and a pair of opposed side walls pivotably connected to the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. Each collapsible container further includes a rear wall pivotably connected to the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. The rear wall may include a pair of opposed flange portions with a lower central portion therebetween. A front wall is pivotably connected to the base opposite the rear wall and is movable between an upright position and a retracted position outward of the container. The pallet accommodates the stack of collapsible containers and has thin outer columns so that the shelving system can fit into existing store refrigerators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Kyle L. Baltz, John B. Zelek
  • Patent number: 9745100
    Abstract: A shelving system includes a plurality of collapsible containers stacked on one another and on a pallet or dolly. Each collapsible container includes a base and a pair of opposed side walls pivotably connected to the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. Each collapsible container further includes a rear wall pivotably connected to the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. The rear wall may include a pair of opposed flange portions with a lower central portion therebetween. A front wall is pivotably connected to the base opposite the rear wall and is movable between an upright position and a retracted position outward of the container. The pallet accommodates the stack of collapsible containers and has thin outer columns so that the shelving system can fit into existing store refrigerators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2017
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: Kyle L. Baltz, John B. Zelek
  • Publication number: 20160185486
    Abstract: A shelving system includes a plurality of collapsible containers stacked on one another and on a pallet or dolly. Each collapsible container includes a base and a pair of opposed side walls pivotably connected to the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. Each collapsible container further includes a rear wall pivotably connected to the base and movable between an upright position and a collapsed position on the base. The rear wall may include a pair of opposed flange portions with a lower central portion therebetween. A front wall is pivotably connected to the base opposite the rear wall and is movable between an upright position and a retracted position outward of the container. The pallet accommodates the stack of collapsible containers and has thin outer columns so that the shelving system can fit into existing store refrigerators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Kyle L. Baltz, John B. Zelek
  • Patent number: 9221580
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a support base including a support deck having a plurality of openings. A plurality of pallets each include a pallet deck having a plurality of feet extending downward therefrom. The plurality of pallets are arranged such that the plurality of feet are received in the plurality of openings in the support deck of the support base. In this manner, a plurality of smaller pallets can be handled as a single standard size pallet, including being stacked in a pallet rack.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 29, 2015
    Assignee: Rehrig Pacific Company
    Inventors: John B. Zelek, Jon P. Hassell
  • Publication number: 20150068436
    Abstract: A pallet assembly includes a support base including a support deck having a plurality of openings. A plurality of pallets each include a pallet deck having a plurality of feet extending downward therefrom. The plurality of pallets are arranged such that the plurality of feet are received in the plurality of openings in the support deck of the support base. In this manner, a plurality of smaller pallets can be handled as a single standard size pallet, including being stacked in a pallet rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventors: John B. Zelek, Jon P. Hassell
  • Publication number: 20150041420
    Abstract: A collapsible shelving unit includes a support base, a first side wall extending upwardly from one side of the base, and a second side wall extending upwardly from an opposite side of the base. Each of the first and second side walls are comprised of a plurality of rigid panels connected to each other with at least one hinge such that the rigid panels are moveable between a display position where the panels extend vertically to form the first and second side walls and a stowed position wherein at least two of the rigid panels at least partially overlap each other. A plurality of shelves are supported by the first and second side walls such that the shelves can be selectively removed therefrom.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2014
    Publication date: February 12, 2015
    Inventors: John B. Zelek, Suzanne Whitfield Clark, Ryan C. Meers