Abstract: A pallet is provided having spaced first and second decks and a plurality of opposed mating areas formed in each of the decks. Each mating area includes alternating projections and recesses, where the projections of the first deck are arranged to be received by the recesses of the second deck and the projections of the second deck are arranged to be received by the recesses of the first deck. Each mating area further includes at least one latch member extending therefrom, where the latch members of one deck are arranged to engage the projections of the other deck such that engagement of the mating areas of the first and second decks securely joins the decks in an assembled configuration.

Abstract: Polyolefin-based pallets capable of passing standard pallet flammability tests are prepared by molding the pallet or one or more subassemblies thereof, of a polyolefin molding resin containing a flame retardant package containing magnesium hydroxide, and optionally alumina trihydrate, and zinc borate. The flame retardants may be supplied as a master batch at a concentration higher than that desired in the pallet or subassembly, in a polyolefin-compatible polymer, and result in pallets having a significantly lower heat release rate.

Abstract: A collapsible container having a base with opposed edges, first and second pairs of side walls pivotably attached to opposed edges of the base, one pair of side walls having a lateral edge, and the other having a lateral flange inwardly depending therefrom, the lateral edge being selectively connected to the lateral flange by a latch, the latch including a latch member and at least one clip member.

Abstract: Polyolefin-based pallets capable of passing standard pallet flammability tests are prepared by molding the pallet or one or more subassemblies thereof, of a polyolefin molding resin containing a flame retardant package containing a halogenated organic flame retardant, alumina trihydrate, and antimony frioxide. The flame retardants are advantageously supplied as a master batch at a concentration higher than that desired in the pallet or subassembly, in a polyolefin-compatible polymer.

Abstract: A foldable device for facilitating the stacking of adjacent pairs of pallets loaded with container arrays includes a pair of pivotally-interconnected sections. Each section includes a generally flat bottom surface adapted to rest on a respective top layer of exposed container tops, and a top surface that include surface features whose uppermost portions cooperate to define a first reference plane. Each section includes a plurality of complementary hinge components defining a pivot axis that lies in a second reference plane located between the section's bottom surface and first reference plane, and further includes detents by which to maintain the bottom surfaces of each section pair in a substantially coplanar relationship when the hinged sections are spread open. Preferably, the surface features of each section pair are complementary such that, the assembly is folded about the resulting shared pivot axis, the bottom surfaces become generally parallel-spaced to facilitate device storage.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes a floor member having first and second pairs of opposed edges, a first pair of opposing side walls each pivotably attached to the first pair of opposed edges of the base, where each of the first pair of opposing side walls have a pair of lateral edges and a latch member extending therefrom. Also included is a second pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to a corresponding one of the second pair of opposed edges of the base, each of the second pair of opposed side walls have a pair of opposed lateral flanges inwardly depending therefrom and formed integrally therewith. Each lateral flange has an inner surface with a latch receiving portion formed therein, the latch receiving portion includes at least one clip member which has a spring portion flexible between a first position and a second position for accepting the latch member.

Abstract: A pallet is provided having spaced first and second decks and a plurality of opposed mating areas formed in each of the decks. Each mating area includes alternating projections and recesses, where the projections of the first deck are arranged to be received by the recesses of the second deck and the projections of the second deck are arranged to be received by the recesses of the first deck. Each mating area further includes at least one latch member extending therefrom, where the latch members of one deck are arranged to engage the projections of the other deck such that engagement of the mating areas of the first and second decks securely joins the decks in an assembled configuration.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes a base, and pairs of opposed side and end walls that are pivotally mounted on the base. When the side walls are pivoted to a raised position against inward flanges defined on the end walls, latch members on the side walls engage complementary shoulders defined on end wall flange projections to thereby lock the side walls relative to the end walls. Each latch member includes a base portion mounted proximate to a respective lateral edge of the side wall, a lever arm portion extending away from the side wall's lateral edge, and an intermediate portion having a camming surface and adjacent shoulder with which to engage the respective end wall flange projection. When raised, edge portions of each side wall are received in recessed shelves defined in the base while the side wall's inner face simultaneously engages cantilevered stop members defined in the base.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interface between stacked arrays of containers having container tops. The interface includes a pallet loaded with a stacked array of containers and a layer of exposed container tops adjacent the pallet. A plastic coupling member is positioned between the layer of exposed container tops and the pallet. The plastic coupling member includes a contoured surface configured with an array of indentations formed therein and properly spaced to mate with each of the layer of exposed container tops. The array of indentations is sufficiently deep to prevent relative lateral displacement of the coupling member with respect to the layer of exposed container tops. A method of vertically stacking crates using such an interface is also provided.

Abstract: A folding crate or container is provided having a translating hinge arrangement that allows a side wall of the crate to freely translate in a vertical direction when rotated into a folded position. By allowing opposing side walls to move vertically relative to a bottom component of the crate when folded, subsequent overlapping side walls will lay substantially flat and parallel to the bottom component when folded thereon. This in turn allows the overall height of the crate to be reduced when in the folded position without requiring a specific side wall folding sequence.

Abstract: A crate is provided for holding and transporting products such as plastic milk containers. In accordance with one aspect, a tighter lateral tolerance or fit is provided to stabilize and strengthen telescopic stacking of crates by contouring an inner surface of the side walls to provide a smaller dimension in the opening of the crate, such as by selectively removing or reducing any outward taper or draft of the side walls. In accordance with another aspect, loading forces are directly transferred to a bottom drag rail by forming the side walls to position at least a portion of the side wall inner surface over the drag rail.

Abstract: A foldable device for facilitating the stacking of adjacent pairs of pallets loaded with container arrays includes a pair of pivotally-interconnected sections. Each section includes a generally flat bottom surface adapted to rest on a respective top layer of exposed container tops, and a top surface that include surface features whose uppermost portions cooperate to define a first reference plane. Each section includes a plurality of complementary hinge components defining a pivot axis that lies in a second reference plane located between the section's bottom surface and first reference plane, and further includes detents by which to maintain the bottom surfaces of each section pair in a substantially coplanar relationship when the hinged sections are spread open. Preferably, the surface features of each section pair are complementary such that, the assembly is folded about the resulting shared pivot axis, the bottom surfaces become generally parallel-spaced to facilitate device storage.

Abstract: A collapsible container including a base having a first pair of opposed upstanding members and a second pair of opposed upstanding members, and also including a first pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to the base and orientable between an assembled position and a second position. Each of the first pair of opposed side walls has a recess which mates with and receives a corresponding one of the first pair of opposed upstanding members when in the assembled position. The container further receive a second pair of opposed side walls each pivotably attached to a corresponding one of the second pair of opposed upstanding members and also orientable between an assembled position and a second position.

Abstract: A wall structure for a container includes at least one band member which extends at least partially across the length of the wall structure proximate an upper surface of the wall structure and oriented substantially parallel thereto. The band member has a wave-like cross-section with a plurality of first peaks, adjacent and opposing second peaks, and inclined members extending between the plurality of first and second peaks. The plurality of first peaks of the wave defines a first surface of the wall structure, and the opposing second peaks of the wave defines a second surface of the wall structure.

Abstract: A folding crate or container is provided having a translating hinge arrangement that allows a side wall of the crate to freely translate in a vertical direction when rotated into a folded position. By allowing opposing side walls to move vertically relative to a bottom component of the crate when folded, subsequent overlapping side walls will lay substantially flat and parallel to the bottom component when folded thereon. This in turn allows the overall height of the crate to be reduced when in the folded position without requiring a specific side wall folding sequence.

Abstract: A container adapted for storing and transporting an item having a shape includes a flexible bottom panel which has an upper surface upon which the item is supported, and a lower surface having a plurality of parallel, spaced apart ribs with a relatively thin-walled section between each adjacent pair of ribs. The flexible bottom panel is adapted to conform to the shape of the item resting thereon.

Abstract: A wall structure for a container includes at least one band member which extends at least partially across the length of the wall structure proximate an upper surface of the wall structure and oriented substantially parallel thereto. The band member has a wave-like cross-section with a plurality of first peaks, adjacent and opposing second peaks, and inclined members extending between the plurality of first and second peaks. The plurality of first peaks of the wave defines a first surface of the wall structure, and the opposing second peaks of the wave defines a second surface of the wall structure.

Abstract: A collapsible container including a base member having a base edge portion and first detent portion and further including a wall member pivotably attached to the base edge portion and movable between an assembled and collapsed positions. The wall member includes a wall edge having a second detent portion for engaging the first detent portion when the wall moves between the assembled and collapsed positions. One of the first and second detent members includes a protrusion and an other of the first and second detent members includes an interference portion for engaging the protrusion when the wall member moves between the assembled and collapsed positions, thereby preventing the wall from falling freely to the collapsed position.