KEG PALLET

Abstract

A pallet includes a deck having a center portion and two outer portions spaced outward on either side of the center portion. A plurality of keg supports extend from each of the two outer portions to the center portion. A pair of concave outer keg recesses are defined partially in the plurality of keg supports and partially in the two outer portions. A center keg recess is formed in the center portion. A plurality of outer column portions protrude downward from the two outer portions and a plurality of center column portions protrude downward from the center portion of the deck. Each of the concave outer keg recesses and the center keg recess accommodates two slim ¼ barrel kegs or two ⅙ barrel kegs.

Description

BACKGROUND

Common keg sizes in North America include slim ¼ barrel kegs and ⅙ barrel kegs. The slim ¼ barrel kegs and the ⅙ barrel kegs each include an upper chime, a lower chime, and a body portion having a cylindrical wall therebetween. The cylindrical wall has a generally constant radius substantially equal to that of the upper chime and the lower chime. However, the body portion includes a pair of rings having an increased radius relative to the cylindrical wall.

SUMMARY

A pallet described herein accommodates both slim ¼ barrel kegs and ⅙ barrel kegs. Three keg recesses are formed in an upper deck of the pallet. Each of the keg recesses accommodates two kegs.

The pallet accommodates six kegs and may have notches for receiving the rings of both size kegs. The pallet may be symmetric vertically, i.e. it can be flipped vertically. This also provides stable stacking of the loaded pallet onto the kegs on another pallet. For example, up to nine layers of kegs can be stacked on pallets without need for stretch wrap or other securement methods. Kegs of both sizes can be accommodated in a single stack, with like kegs in each layer. Of course, the pallet could be used with kegs of just one of the sizes, or with some adaptation, with kegs of another size.

Optionally, the pallet may be formed in two identical halves which may be connected together to form “leg in leg” or double-walled columns.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a pallet.

FIG. 1A is a section view taken along line 1A-1A of FIG. 1.

FIG. 1B is a section view taken along line 1B-1B of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the pallet.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one end of the exploded pallet of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 shows the end of the pallet of FIG. 3 assembled.

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the pallet half.

FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the pallet half.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the pallet half.

FIG. 8 is an end view of the pallet half.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the pallet half.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of one quadrant of the pallet half of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 shows the pallet with six 1/6 barrel kegs stacked thereon.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the pallet and kegs of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 shows the pallet with six slim 1/4 barrel kegs stacked thereon.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the pallet and kegs of FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a stack of pallets loaded with slim ¼ barrel kegs and ⅙ barrel kegs.

FIG. 16 is an end view of the pallets and kegs of FIG. 15.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a pallet according to a second embodiment, with the pallet being broken away to provide an enlarged view.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the entire pallet of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A pallet 110 according to one embodiment is shown in FIG. 1. The pallet 110 is compatible with both slim ¼ barrel kegs and ⅙ barrel kegs. The pallet 110 in this example embodiment is injection-molded as two identical halves 111 that are mated together via the columns to provide “leg in leg” columns, i.e. double-wall thickness columns. One advantage of identical pallet halves 111 is that a single cavity mold can make a full pallet every two shots. However, the leg in leg columns are optional and other manufacturing techniques could be used.

The pallet 110 includes an upper deck 112, a lower deck 114 and columns 116 between the upper deck 112 and the lower deck 114. The upper deck 112 and the lower deck 114 in this embodiment are identical so that the pallet 110 is reversible and so that identical halves 111 can be made in the same mold.

The upper deck 112 includes a center portion 118 and two outer portions 120 spaced outward on either side of the center portion 118. The center portion 118 and the two outer portions 120 extend parallel to one another along a longitudinal axis of the pallet 110, which is the longest dimension of the pallet 110. The columns 116 extend downward from the center portion 118 and the two outer portions 120. Three keg supports 124 extend from each of the two outer portions 120 to the center portion 118.

The upper deck 112 includes a pair of concave outer keg recesses 122 that are parallel to one another and are elongated in a longitudinal direction (i.e. in the long dimension of the pallet 110). The outer keg recesses 122 may be partially cylindrical or have some other concave, curved shape. The outer keg recesses 122 are formed substantially in the two outer portions 120 and partially in the keg supports 124. The keg supports 124 each include an upper portion and an adjacent concave portion that partially defines the outer keg recesses 122. Large openings 125 are defined between each adjacent pair of keg supports 124.

A center keg recess 123 is formed in the center portion 118. The center keg recess 123 is between the outer keg recesses 122 and parallel to the outer keg recesses 122. The center keg recess 123 is concave, opening upwardly, and elongated in the longitudinal direction. The center keg recess 123 may be partially cylindrical or have some other concave, curved shape.

Elongated channels 140 are formed through the corner columns 116 and through each of the two outer portions 120 from one corner column 116 to the other. The elongated channels 140 extend in a direction parallel to the longest axis of the pallet 110. Optional elongated reinforcement members 142 are received in the elongated channels 140.

FIG. 1A is a section view taken along line 1A-1A of FIG. 1, i.e. longitudinally through the center keg recess 123. As shown, the ring recess portions 132 are recessed relative to the center keg recess 123. An optional rubber grommet 146 is secured in a aperture in the center keg recess 123. In this example, the optional grommet 146 is positioned in an apertured aligned in a center of the column 116 at the outer end of the center keg recess 123.

FIG. 1B is a section view taken along line 1B-1B of FIG. 1, i.e. longitudinally through one of the outer keg recesses 122. As shown, the ring recess portions 132 are recessed relative to the outer keg recess 122. Some of the optional grommets 146 are received in apertures in the outer keg recess 122. In this example, the optional grommets 146 are positioned just inward of the longitudinal centerline of the respective outer keg recess 122 and just inward of the corner column 116.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the pallet 110. The elongated reinforcement members 142 may be round, rectangular, or square in cross-section, but in the example shown they are round to eliminate any stress concentrations that would result from square or rectangular holes. Also, the round elongated reinforcement members 142 drain liquids through the pallet 110 more easily. The reinforcement is particularly beneficial because tines inserted between the columns 116 on the long side of the pallet 110 would lift the pallet 110 (and any kegs on the pallet 110 and any kegs/pallets stacked on the pallet 110) by contacting (in part) at or near the outer portions 120. For this reason, the four outer portions 120 (top and bottom) include four elongated reinforcement members 142 in this design. Optionally, elongated reinforcement members 142 could be placed in the center portions 118 as well. Optional grommets 146 (e.g. six) are also shown. The optional grommets 146 are secured to the upper deck 112 within the outer keg recesses 122 and center keg recess 123.

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of one end of the exploded pallet 110 of FIG. 2. As shown, the upper half 111 is rotated 180 degrees about its long axis relative to the lower half 111. Each half 111 includes outer male column portions 170 and complementary outer female column portions 172 along the long sides. The elongated channels 140 are aligned toward an outer edge of the outer male column portions 170 and the outer female column portions 172.

Along the longitudinal center line, a row of column sets each have a center male column portion 174 and a complementary center female column portion 176 offset on either side of the longitudinal center line. In this example, each center male column portion 174 is spaced away from the center female column portion 176.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, when the upper half 111 is rotated about the longitudinal centerline, the outer female column portions 172 of each half 111 are aligned with the outer male column portions 170 of the other half 111. Also, the center female column portions 176 of one half 111 are aligned with the center male column portions 174 of the other half 111.

As can also be seen in FIG. 3, the elongated channels 140 are defined by aligned apertures through the ribs that comprise the outer portions 120. Ring recess portions 132 are also formed in the outer keg recesses 122 and center keg recess 123. The ring recess portions 132 are concave portions of increased diameter relative to the outer keg recesses 122 and center keg recess 123.

As shown in FIG. 4, the halves 111 are connected to form the pallet 110 by inserting all of the outer male column portions 170 of one half 111 into the outer female column portions 172 of the other half and by inserting all of the center male column portions 174 into the center female column portions 176. The halves 111 may be secured together via a snap-fit connection, adhesive, hot plate welding, welding, fasteners, etc, or some combination thereof. FIG. 4 also shows the optional grommets 146 inserted into apertures through the keg supports 124.

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the pallet half 111. The arrangement of the outer male column portions 170, outer female column portions 172, center male column portions 174, and center female column portions 176 is more clearly shown in FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the pallet half 111. The outer male column portions 170, outer female column portions 172, center male column portions 174, and center female column portions 176 are all integrally molded with the deck as the pallet half 111. Each half 111 includes outer male column portions 170 and outer female column portions 172 along each long side. Other arrangements are possible, such as having all the outer male column portions 170 along one long side and all the outer female column portions 172 along the other long side.

In this example, the long sides of the pallet half 111 include alternating outer male column portions 170 and outer female column portions 172. One long side has two outer male column portions 170 in the corners with an outer female column portion 172 in between. The other long side has two outer female column portions 172 in the corners with an outer male column portion 170 in between.

In this example, there are three pairs of center male column portions 174 and center female column portions 176 along the longitudinal center line. There are two center male column portions 174 on one side of the longitudinal centerline, each with a corresponding center female column portion 176 on the opposite side of the longitudinal centerline. In the center of the pallet half 111, the male and female portions are swapped. Other arrangements could be used that would still permit two identical pallet halve 111 to be joined. Alternatively, other patterns could be used if using identical pallet halves 111 is not desired.

The outer male column portions 170 each have a rectangular peripheral wall with rounded corners that is elongated in the direction of the long dimension of the pallet half 111. Ribs inside the outer male column portions 170 provide reinforcement. The outer female column portions 172 each have a rectangular peripheral wall with rounded corners that is elongated in the direction of the long dimension of the pallet half 111.

Along the longitudinal center line, the center male column portions 174 are on one side of the longitudinal center line and the center female column portions 176 are on the other side of the longitudinal center line. Any or all of the male/female pairs could be flipped and they would still mate with an identical pallet half 111.

The center female column portions 176 each have a peripheral wall that is rectangular with round corners or they can be stadium-shaped or some similar shape. The inner portion of the peripheral wall is approximately half the height of the remainder of the peripheral wall. The inner portion of the peripheral wall of each of the center female column portions 176 is spaced away from an inner portion of a peripheral wall of the corresponding center male column portion 174. The peripheral wall of each center male column portion 174 is rectangular with round corners or stadium-shaped and has reinforcing ribs therein. Spacer ribs connect the inner portions of the peripheral walls of the center female column portions 176 to the inner portions of the peripheral walls of the center male column portions 174. The spacer ribs are approximately half the height of the center female column portions 176 and the center male column portions 174.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the pallet half 111 showing two outer male column portions 170 and one of the outer female column portions 172. FIG. 8 is an end view of the pallet half 111 showing one of the outer male column portions 170, one of the outer female column portions 172, one of the center male column portions 174 and one of the center female column portions 176.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the pallet half 111. FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of one quadrant of the pallet half of FIG. 10. The other quadrants would be symmetrical. There are two ring recess portions 132 in the outer keg recesses 122 in each quadrant.

FIG. 11 shows the pallet 110 with six ⅙ barrel kegs 50 stacked thereon, two in each outer keg recess 122 and two in center keg recess 123. Each ⅙ barrel keg 50 includes upper and lower chimes 52 and body portion including a cylindrical wall. The cylindrical wall has a generally constant radius substantially equal to the radius of the upper chime 52 and lower chime 52. The body portion also has areas of increased radius forming a pair of rings 54 protruding relative to the outer surface of the cylindrical wall. The rings 54 are received in the ring recess portions 132. The radius of the body portion of the ⅙ barrel kegs 50 is slightly smaller than the radius of the outer keg recesses 122 and the center keg recess 123. One of the upper chime 52 and the lower chime 52 of each of the ⅙ barrel kegs 50 contacts one of grommets 146, which assists in retaining the ⅙ barrel keg 50 in place.

FIG. 12 is an end view of the pallet 110 and ⅙ barrel kegs 50. The radius of the body portion of the ⅙ barrel kegs 50 is slightly less than the radius of the outer keg recesses 122 and the center keg recess 123.

FIG. 13 shows six slim ¼ barrel kegs 60 stacked on the pallet 110, two in each outer keg recess 122 and two in center keg recess 123. Each slim 1/4 barrel keg 60 includes a body portion between upper and lower chimes 62. The body portion includes a cylindrical wall and two spaced-apart rings 64 in which the radius is increased. The spaced-apart rings 64 are received in the ring recess portions 132 in the outer keg recesses 122 and in center keg recess 123. One of the upper chime 62 and the lower chime 62 of each of the ¼ barrel kegs 60 contacts one of grommets 146, which assists in retaining the ¼ barrel keg 60 in place.

FIG. 14 is an end view of the pallet 110 and ¼ barrel kegs 60 of FIG. 13. The radius of the body portion of the ¼ barrel kegs 60 is substantially equal to the radius of the outer keg recesses 122 and the center keg recess 123.

FIG. 15 shows a stack of pallets 110 and ⅙ barrel kegs 50 and ¼ barrel kegs 60, with each pallet 110 (other than the bottom pallet 110) stacked on the kegs below. In FIG. 15, both types of kegs are shown in a single stack. A plurality (six) of slim ¼ barrel kegs 60 are stacked on the lowermost pallet 110. The second pallet 110 is stacked on the slim ¼ barrel kegs 60 on the lowermost pallet 110. The upper surfaces of the slim ¼ barrel kegs 60 are received in the outer keg recesses 122 and center keg recess 123 on the underside of the pallet 110 stacked thereon. A plurality (six) of slim ¼ barrel kegs 60 are stacked on the second pallet 110. The third pallet 110 is stacked on the slim ¼ barrel kegs 60. In the example shown in FIG. 15, on the uppermost pallet 110 is stacked ⅙ barrel kegs 50. Upper surfaces of the ⅙ barrel kegs would receive a pallet 110 stacked thereon in a similar manner (received in the outer keg recesses 122 and center keg recess 123 on the underside of the pallet 110).

FIG. 16 is an end view of the pallets 110 and kegs 50, 60 of FIG. 15.

Referring to FIGS. 15 and 16, the recesses on the lower deck 114 receive the upper surfaces of the kegs 50, 60 in the same way as do the recesses on the upper deck 112 so that the pallets 110 stack stably on the ⅙ barrel kegs 50 and slim ¼ barrel kegs 60. The pallets 110 provide stable stacking of up to nine layers of kegs without need for stretch wrap or other securement methods. Kegs of both sizes can be accommodated in a single stack, with like-sized kegs in each layer. Of course, the pallet 110 could be used with kegs of just one of the sizes, or with some modification, with kegs of another size.

The pallet 110 can thus be used with both the ⅙ barrel kegs 50 and the slim ¼ barrel kegs 60 and is reversible. Each pallet half 111 is preferably injection molded of a suitable plastic although the elongated reinforcement members 142 may be steel or other metal. The columns 116 could be molded separately and snap-fit, welded or glued to the upper deck 112 and lower deck 114.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a pallet 210 according to a second embodiment, with the pallet being broken away to provide an enlarged view. The pallet 210 is identical to the pallet 110 of FIGS. 1-16 and would interact with the ⅙ barrel kegs 50 and slim ¼ barrel kegs 60 the same way with the exception of the location of the optional grommets 146. As shown in FIG. 17, the optional grommets 146 located in the center keg recess 223 are moved along the axis of the center keg recess 223 inward of a center of the column 216, but still aligned over the column 216. The optional grommets 146 located in the outer keg recesses 222 are positioned just inward (along the axis of the respective outer keg recess 222) of the ring recess portions 232, i.e. they are both between the ring recess portions 232. The optional grommets 146 in the outer keg recesses 222 are also moved to a position on the outboard side of the longitudinal centerline of the respective outer keg recess 222.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the entire pallet of FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is an exploded perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 18.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.

Claims

1. A pallet comprising:

a deck having a center portion and two outer portions spaced outward on either side of the center portion, a plurality of keg supports extending from each of the two outer portions to the center portion, a pair of concave outer keg recesses defined partially in the plurality of keg supports and partially in the two outer portions, a center keg recess formed in the center portion; and

a plurality of outer column portions protruding from the two outer portions and a plurality of center column portions protruding from the center portion of the deck.

2. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the pair of concave outer keg recesses extend over the plurality of outer column portions.

3. The pallet of claim 2 wherein the plurality of outer column portions includes a plurality of outer male column portions and a plurality of outer female column portions, and the plurality of center column portions includes a plurality of center male column portions and a plurality of center female column portions.

4. The pallet of claim 3 wherein the pallet includes a pallet half in which the plurality of outer column portions and the plurality of center column portions are molded integrally with the deck.

5. The pallet of claim 4 wherein the pallet half is a first pallet half, the pallet further including a second pallet half identical to the first pallet half, wherein the plurality of outer male column portions of the first pallet half are received in the plurality of outer female column portions of the second pallet half and the plurality of outer male column portions of the second pallet half are received in the plurality of outer female column portions of the first pallet half.

6. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the plurality of center column portions includes a plurality of center male column portions and a plurality of center female column portions extending from the center portion of the deck, wherein adjacent pairs of center male column portions and center female column portions are aligned on opposite sides of a longitudinal center line of the center portion.

7. The pallet of claim 1 further including a reinforcement member received in each outer portion.

8. The pallet of claim 1 further including a ring recess portion formed in each of the two outer portions adjacent one of the plurality of keg supports.

9. The pallet of claim 1 further including a pair of ring recess portions formed in each of the two outer portions, wherein one of the pair of ring recess portions is formed adjacent one of the plurality of keg supports.

10. The pallet of claim 9 in combination with a ⅙ barrel keg having an upper chime, a lower chime and a body portion between the upper chime and the lower chime, the body portion includes a cylindrical wall having a generally constant radius substantially equal to that of the upper chime and lower chime, the body portion has an increased radius to form a pair of rings on the cylindrical wall, wherein the upper chime and the lower chime of the ⅙ barrel keg are each received in one of the pair of concave outer keg recesses, wherein the pair of rings are received in the pair of ring recess portions.

11. The pallet of claim 9 in combination with a slim ¼ barrel keg having an upper chime, a lower chime and a body portion between the upper chime and the lower chime, the body portion including a cylindrical wall having a generally constant radius substantially equal to that of the upper chime and lower chime, the body portion having an increased radius to form a pair of rings on the cylindrical wall, wherein the upper chime and the lower chime of the slim ¼ barrel keg are each received in one of the pair of concave outer keg recesses, wherein the pair of rings are received in the pair of ring recess portions.

12. The combination of claim 11 wherein the pallet is a first pallet, the combination further including a second pallet identical to the first pallet, wherein the second pallet is stacked on the slim ¼ barrel keg.

13. A pallet half comprising:

a deck having a center portion and two outer portions spaced outward on either side of the center portion, the deck including three concave keg recesses formed in an upper surface thereof; and

a plurality of center male column portions and a plurality of center female column portions extending from the center portion of the deck, wherein each of the plurality of center male column portions and each of the plurality of center female column portions are elongated along a longitudinal center line of the deck, wherein adjacent pairs of center male column portions and center female column portions are spaced apart from one another and aligned on opposite sides of the longitudinal center line of the center portion, wherein the plurality of center male column portions and the plurality of center female column portions are integrally molded with the deck.

14. The pallet half of claim 13 further including a reinforcement member received in the two outer portions.

15. The pallet half of claim 13 wherein the pallet half is a first pallet half, the first pallet half in combination with a second pallet half identical to the first pallet half, wherein the plurality of center male column portions of the first pallet half are received in the plurality of center female column portions of the second pallet half and the plurality of center male column portions of the second pallet half are received in the plurality of center female column portions of the first pallet half.

16. A pallet including the first pallet half and the second pallet half of claim 15, wherein a plurality of outer male column portions extend from the outer portions of the first pallet half and are received in a plurality of outer female column portions extending from the outer portions of the second pallet half, and a plurality of outer male column portions extending from the outer portions of the second pallet half are received in a plurality of outer female column portions extending from the outer portions of the first pallet half.

17. The pallet of claim 16 further including a reinforcement member received in each the two outer portions of each of the first pallet half and the second pallet half.

18. A pallet comprising:

an upper deck and a lower deck;

a plurality of columns connecting the upper deck to the lower deck;

each of the upper deck and the lower deck having a center portion and two outer portions spaced outward on either side of the center portion, a plurality of keg supports extending from each of the two outer portions to the center portion, a pair of concave outer keg recesses defined partially in the plurality of keg supports and partially in the two outer portions, a center keg recess formed in the center portion.

19. The pallet of claim 18 wherein the upper deck and the lower deck are identical.

20. The pallet of claim 18 wherein each of the plurality of columns includes an upper column portion formed integrally with the upper deck and a lower column portion formed integrally with the lower deck.

21. The pallet of claim 18 in combination with a plurality of upper kegs received in the pair of concave outer keg recesses and the center keg recess of the upper deck, and a plurality of lower kegs received in the pair of concave outer keg recesses and the center keg recess of the lower deck.

22. The pallet of claim 21 wherein the plurality of upper kegs are a different size from the plurality of lower kegs.

23. The pallet of claim 22 wherein the plurality of upper kegs are slim ¼ barrel kegs and the plurality of lower kegs are ⅙ barrel kegs.