Abstract: The dolly-pallet of the present invention includes a load bearing deck that may be alternately supported by the retractable support skid or the wheel elements. Initial displacement of the skid during the retraction process is along an upward substantially vertical path. Once the retractable support skid is retracted such that the dolly-pallet is being supported by the wheel elements, the retractable support skid may be further displaced along an upward substantially arcuate path so as to move it away form the wheel elements, allowing them to swivel if they are so configured. In this way, the center of mass of the load is lowered vertically, thereby reducing stress on the displacement mechanism until the load is supported by the wheel elements.

Abstract: A container for transporting or storing raisins or other sticky produce features a flexible membrane secured within a container structure which has a base and four walls. The flexible membrane is secured within the container structure so as to overlie a major part of the base, such that, when the container is filled with sticky produce and inverted, the flexible membrane peels away from the sticky produce, thereby releasing the sticky produce while the flexible membrane itself remains secured within the container structure for subsequent use.

Abstract: A knock-down crate having a base associated with four sides. In a first embodiment, the base and the sides are hingedly interconnected. In alternative embodiments, the sides are detachably engageable with the base for deployment parallel to the length and breadth of the base. The upper surface of the base has an elongated recess extending most of the length and sized for receiving at least some of the sides. The sides can be deployed such that the base and four sides form a four-sided crate with the recess of the base contributing to the available volume of the crate. When not in use, at least some of the sides are received within the recess in the base for compact transportation.

Abstract: A storage systems for storing objects, a container for use in the storage system, and a method of storing and transporting objects are disclosed. According to some embodiments, the presently disclosed storage system includes at least one container maintained in an elevated position above a transportable base, such as a dolly base or a pallet base, where the base includes a load bearing deck. The weight of the at least one container is borne by at least one selectively deployable upright support. According to some embodiments, the container includes at least one channel substantially parallel to a depth dimension and configured so that the upright support at least partially traverses the channel to hold the container to the upright support. In some embodiments, the containers are stackable, and may be stacked on the load-bearing deck and transported with a load in the containers. In some embodiments, after the containers are removed from the upright support, they may be nested for storage.

Abstract: The dolly-pallet of the present invention includes a load bearing deck that may be alternately supported by the retractable support skid or the wheel elements. Initial displacement of the skid during the retraction process is along an upward substantially vertical path. Once the retractable support skid is retracted such that the dolly-pallet is being supported by the wheel elements, the retractable support skid may be further displaced along an upward substantially arcuate path so as to move it away form the wheel elements, allowing them to swivel if they are so configured. In this way, the center of mass of the load is lowered vertically, thereby reducing stress on the displacement mechanism until the load is supported by the wheel elements.

Abstract: A pallet with a deck element supported above skids by a number of spacers employs a self-aligning detachable joint to interconnect at least one of spacers with an adjacent region of either the skid or the deck element. The self-aligning detachable joint is made up from complementary parts of a snap-fit inter connection integrally formed with the spacer and the adjacent region of either the skid or the deck element, and an alignment pin extending from the adjacent region into a complementary channel formed in the spacer. The snap-fit interconnection is configured to separate non-destructively under excess separating force. The alignment pin and complementary channel allow separation of the snap-fit joint while maintaining alignment of the parts of the joint. This allows simple reengagement of the snap-fit interconnection to return the pallet to its normal operational configuration.

Abstract: A knock-down crate has a base and four sides detachably engageable with the base for deployment parallel to the length and breadth of the base. The upper surface of the base has an elongated recess extending most of the length and sized for receiving the sides. The sides can be engaged with the base to form a four-sided crate with the recess of the base contributing to the available volume of the crate. When not in use, the sides are received within the recess in the base for compact transportation.

Abstract: A knock-down crate having a base associated with four sides. In a first embodiment, the base and the sides are hingedly interconnected. In alternative embodiments, the sides are detachably engageable with the base for deployment parallel to the length and breadth of the base. The upper surface of the base has an elongated recess extending most of the length and sized for receiving at least some of the sides. The sides can be deployed such that the base and four sides form a four-sided crate with the recess of the base contributing to the available volume of the crate. When not in use, at least some of the sides are received within the recess in the base for compact transportation.

Abstract: The present invention is a pallet system that includes a plurality of deployable-wheel pallets for use with a specialized pallet dolly. The pallets are configured to be lifted from the ground and supported at one end by deployable wheels located in the pallet support pillars and at the other end of the pallet by the wheeled dolly. Once supported, the pallet may be moved as desired. The pallet is then lowered to the ground and the dolly removed for use with another such pallet.