Abstract: A continuous curve arch shape cross section leaching chamber made of molded thermoplastic has closely spaced corrugations and sidewalls, portions of which are perforated with horizontal slots. Either or both of the slot height and the local wall thickness which defines the slots may vary with slot elevation from the base, so that a perforated sidewall configuration is achieved which resists entry of surrounding soil.

Abstract: A deck, e.g., a metal deck, is bonded to the molded plastic frame of a pallet in sealing engagement, e.g., by one or more means including a coating on the deck, which is melted to adhere the deck to the frame, an adhesive provided within a recess of the frame, and injection molding aspects configured to bond the deck to the frame.

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 molded plastic pallet, connects opposing sides of the pallet bottom, has a cross rail that has a crowned surface. Thus, should the wheels of a pallet jack rest on the surface of the rail as the jack's fork prongs are inserted under the pallet, they will be urged to roll off the rail, to avoid damage to the pallet which could occur when the jack lifts the pallet.

Abstract: The parts of a pallet or other article have different tailored thermoplastic composition to provide fire resistance according to the shape, location and function of the part in the pallet. In one embodiment, the high surface area to volume deck has high fire retardant content, whereas the heavier portions of the pallet, such as the base and columns have lower content. In another embodiment, the periphery of the deck that is prone to impact damage has low retardant content, compared to the rest of the deck and or the rest of the pallet.

Abstract: A plastic pallet is described having a removable deck, which deck may be removed by operation or destruction of fasteners such as pins or integral flared-over nubs or spin welded posts, which attach the deck to a circumscribing frame, or by machined away portions of the deck from the rest of the frame.

Abstract: A pallet has a plastic pallet deck or other pallet plastic surface component including an anti-skid surface, which may be, for example, embossed, applied as a sheet during an extrusion process, applied by calendaring or applied with adhesive.

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: Improved structural parts of a thermoplastic plastic pallet include foam, provided within hollows of the structural component and/or upon the surfaces of the component to provide improved fire resistance.

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: A molded plastic rectangular pallet has a deck made of corrugated thin sheet material. A multiplicity of corrugations, and preferably all of them, run continuously across the deck and parallel to a line connecting the diagonally opposite corners of the deck. The pallet, when predominately plastic, preferably has a metal deck and a base comprised of rails having steel reinforcing beams. Eight columns extend upwardly from the rails for supporting a frame which forms the periphery of the top. The deck edge is preferably inset from the outer edge of the top of the pallet, and the deck has a flat flange which is attached to the frame or to a subframe mounted within the frame.

Abstract: A plastic pallet, for use with fork lift devices and which meets requirements associated with food handling, has a thermoplastic deck made of two sheets which are spaced part by rigid plastic foam. There are steel beams running in an x-pattern within the foam of the deck. The deck sheets each have a multiplicity of relatively large truncated conical depressions. Holes in the centers of the depressions provide water and air passageways through the deck. The deck sheets are welded together at the locations of the depressions and at their outer edges. The base rails are reinforced by steel beams which are sealed within.

Abstract: The top of a thermoplastic pallet has a rectangular frame to which the pallet deck is directly or indirectly attached. The edge of the deck is spaced apart from the outer edge of the frame. The frame comprises bridge parts which span the openings between columns into which forks may be inserted for lifting of the pallet. The plastic bridges are designed for absorbing horizontal impact loads. Each bridge has several lengthwise impact absorber zones of differing cell configuration and thus differing compliance to horizontal impact loads. A metal stay runs along the outer edge of each bridge, for distributing impact forces, and for improving the resistance of the pallet top to impact loads. A stay may be anchored by its ends at the opposing ends of a bridge, and or along its length by engagement of perforations in the stay with plastic features distributed along the length of the edge of the bridge.

Abstract: The top of a thermoplastic pallet for transporting goods is comprised of a frame which is mounted on columns extending upwardly from a base. A subframe is attached to brackets within the interior opening of the frame. The edges of corrugated metal deck is attached to the subframe and spaced apart inwardly from the inner edge of the frame. There are lengthwise spaces between the subframe and the bridge parts of the frame, which bridges span the fork opening spaces between the columns. When the bridges are horizontally impacted, they can deform elastically into the spaces without causing any damage to the deck. Preferably the bridges comprise lengthwise impact absorber zones for good compliance to horizontal impacts.

Abstract: A molded plastic pallet has a base comprised of steel beam-reinforced thermoplastic rails reinforced with steel beams, vertical columns, a frame on top of the columns, and a textured metal deck. The metal deck preferably comprises a flange which is attached to the frame or to a subframe which is within the opening of the frame. The edge of the deck is inset from the outer edge of the frame, and the periphery of the top of the frame is exposed. The frame preferably has one or more impact absorbing zones at the bridge portions of the frame, which span the fork openings between adjacent columns.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the method for recycling carpet can comprise decreasing an average size of the recycle carpet to form a processed carpet, wherein a bulk density of the recycle carpet is changed by less than or equal to about 15% during the decreasing. The processed carpet can be shear mixed and melted to form a melt ribbon which can be processed in a vented extruder to form an extrudate. Optionally, the extrudate can be pelletized.

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.