Patent Application
20240367852
This disclosure relates to transport structures or skids and components thereof, particularly, pallet assemblies for quick and efficient assembly, and for supporting goods in a stable fashion during transport from one destination to another destination. This disclosure also relates to components for a pallet assembly that can be easily transported and assembled on site, and methods of manufacturing and using the same.
A pallet (also called a skid) is a flat transport structure, which supports goods in a stable fashion while being lifted by a forklift, a pallet jack, a front loader, a jacking device, an erect crane, or any other piece of equipment for moving heavy or large objects.
A pallet is the structural foundation of a type of unit load and allows for handling and storage efficiencies. Goods in shipping containers are often placed on a pallet or other transport structure and secured with strapping, stretch-wrap, shrink-wrap, or equivalent. A unit load can be packed tightly into a warehouse rack, intermodal container, truck, boxcar, airplane, etc., yet can be easily broken apart at a distribution point, usually a distribution center, wholesaler, or retail store for sale to consumers or for use. Most consumer and industrial products move through the supply chain in a unit load for at least part of their transportation or distribution cycle. As such, unit loads make handling, storage, and distribution more efficient. They also help reduce handling costs and damage through bulk handling. About 2.0 billion unit loads are in daily use in the United States.
Pallets and other similar types of transport structures have dramatically supplanted older forms of transports structures like the wooden crate, box, or barrel. Pallets works well with modern packaging and transportation systems like corrugated boxes and intermodal containers commonly used for bulk shipping. In addition, pallet collars are commonly used to support and protect items shipped and stored on pallets. A typical pallet load might consist of corrugated fiberboard boxes stacked on a pallet or slip sheet and stabilized with stretch wrap, pressure-sensitive tape, strapping or shrink wrap.
While most pallets are wooden, pallets can also be made of plastic, metal, paper, and recycled materials. Wooden pallets typically include three or four stringers that support several deck boards or slats, on top of which the goods are placed, secured, and transported. In a pallet measurement, the first number is the stringer length and the second is the deck board or slat length.
Containerization for transport has spurred the use of pallets because shipping containers have the smooth, level surfaces needed for easy pallet movement and because pallets make it easier to move heavy stacks. Many pallets can handle a load of about 1,000.0 kilograms (kg) (about 2,200.0 pounds, lb.). Moreover, pallet loads can be hauled by forklift trucks of different sizes, or even by hand-pumped and hand-drawn pallet jacks. Some modern pallet standards are designed to allow the pallet load to pass through standard doorways. However, there are times when loads exceeding 1,000 kilograms may be necessary, and as such additional structural reinforcement or other materials may be required.
The lack of a single international standard for pallets causes substantial continuing expense in international trade. A single standard is difficult because of the wide variety of needs a standard pallet would have to satisfy. However, due to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), most pallets shipped across national borders must be made of materials that are incapable of being a carrier of invasive species of insects and plant diseases. Pallets made of raw, untreated wood for example are not considered phytosanitary complaint. To be compliant the pallets (or other wood packaging material) must meet debarked standards and must be treated by either of the following means under the supervision of an approved agency: the wood must be heated to achieve a minimum core temperature of about 56.0° C. (132.8° F.) for at least about 30.0 minutes; or the wood must be fumigated with methyl bromide.
Therefore, there is a long sought need to find alternative solutions to traditional wood pallets, as well as increasing the resiliency of pallets to environmental conditions, and improving operating specifications to handle increased load weight. Furthermore, there is a long sought need to make such alternative solutions environmentally friendly, and to allow failed components to be broken down and upcycled.
According to its major aspects and briefly recited, herein is disclosed a pallet assembly including a lineal engagement stringer, a lineal stringer, a lineal slat, and mechanical fasteners to securably fasten the first end of the lineal stringer to the lineal engagement stringer. The lineal engagement stringer has a profile comprising an internal space and a profile wall at least partially defining the internal space. The lineal stringer has a first end, a second end, a top wall defining a plurality of slots, and an internal screw boss. The lineal slat has a main wall and a leg configured to fit into a slot of the plurality of slots of the lineal stringer. Moreover, a portion of the main wall of the lineal slat is configured to sit on a portion of the top wall when the leg is pressed into the slot of the lineal stringer. Furthermore, the mechanical fastener traverses the profile wall of the lineal engagement stringer and engages with the internal screw boss of the lineal stringer. The lineal engagement stringer and/or the lineal stringer has one or more optional or non-optional target inserts that reinforce the lineal structure for loads and for lifting forces.
In some aspects, another pallet assembly is disclosed. The pallet assembly includes a lineal engagement stringer, a lineal stringer, a lineal slat, and mechanical fasteners to securably fasten the first end of the lineal stringer to the lineal engagement stringer. Each of the lineal engagement stringers, the lineal stringers, and the lineal slat includes an embedded multilayer composite strip or multiple embedded multilayer composite strips in order to provide increased strength and stiffness that reinforce the lineal structures for loads and for weight forces. The lineal engagement stringer also has a profile comprising an internal space and a profile wall at least partially defining the internal space. The lineal stringer has a first end, a second end, a top wall defining a plurality of slots, and an internal screw boss. The lineal slat has a main wall and a leg configured to fit into a slot of the plurality of slots of the lineal stringer. Moreover, a portion of the main wall of the lineal slat is configured to sit on a portion of the top wall when the leg is pressed into the slot of the lineal stringer. Furthermore, the mechanical fastener traverses the profile wall of the lineal engagement stringer and engages with the internal screw boss of the lineal stringer.
In some aspects, a method of assembling a pallet is provided. The method includes providing a lineal engagement stringer, a lineal stringer, a lineal slat, and providing a mechanical fastener. The method also includes securably fastening a first end of the lineal stringer to the lineal engagement stringer and pressing a leg of the lineal slat into a slot of the lineal stringer such that a portion of a main wall of the lineal slat sits on the portion of the top wall of the lineal stringer. The method also includes using the pallet components by stacking or nesting and transporting them or the assembled pallet. The method also includes the optional or non-optional step of placing a target insert within the internal space of the lineal engagement stringer (and/or the lineal stringer which also has an internal space partially defined by a profile wall) via a target, for example, along the length of the lineal structure, and/or mechanically fastening the target insert to the internal screw boss within the lineal structure.
These and other advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art based on the following disclosure.
Many aspects of the present disclosure will be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, with emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views. It should be recognized that these implementations and embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present disclosure. Therefore, in the drawings:
The presently disclosed subject matter now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter are shown. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. The presently disclosed subject matter may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Indeed, many modifications and other embodiments of the presently disclosed subject matter set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which the presently disclosed subject matter pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the presently disclosed subject matter is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.
Throughout this specification and the claims, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising” are used in a non-exclusive sense, except where the context requires otherwise. Likewise, the term “includes” and its grammatical variants are intended to be non-limiting, such that recitation of items in a list is not to the exclusion of other like items that can be substituted or added to the listed items.
The lack of a single international standard for pallets causes substantial continuing expense in international trade. A single standard is difficult because of the wide variety of needs a standard pallet would have to satisfy. However, due to the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC), most pallets shipped across national borders must be made of materials that are incapable of being a carrier of invasive species of insects and plant diseases. Pallets made of raw, untreated wood for example are not considered phytosanitary compliant. Moreover, wood pallets can pose serious bio-hazard risks as they are susceptible to bacterial and chemical contamination, such as E. coli problems in food and produce transportation, and even insect infestation.
To be phytosanitary compliant, wood pallets (or other wood packaging material) must meet debarked standards and must be treated by either of the following means under the supervision of an approved agency: heated to achieve a minimum core temperature of about 56.0° C. (132.8° F.) for at least 30 minutes; or fumigated with methyl bromide (except within all EU member states).
Pallets (also described as pallet assemblies herein) made of non-wood materials such as steel, aluminum, plastic, engineered wood products, such as plywood, oriented strand board, or corrugated fiberboard, or as shown and described herein do not need IPPC approval, and are considered to be exempt from certain phytosanitary regulations. Despite the above, the production of pallets accounts for about 43.0% of hardwood and about 15.0% of softwood usage in the U.S.
The reason for this is simple: the cheapest pallets are made of softwood and are often considered expendable, to be discarded as trash along with other wrapping elements, at the end of transport from one location to another. These pallets are simple stringer pallets, and able to be lifted from two sides.
Slightly more complex, hardwood block pallets, plastic pallets, and metal pallets can be lifted from all four sides. These costlier pallets usually require a deposit and are returned to the sender or resold as used. Many “four way” pallets are color-coded according to the loads they can bear, and other attributes.
Synthetic pallets are often made of synthetic or recycled materials. They are usually durable, long-lasting, chemically inert, and are typically weather, water, rot, and corrosion-resistant. However, they usually involve relatively complex and expensive manufacturing methods for mass production when compared to wood or semi-organic pallets for the same strength and stability.
As such, in at least one aspect, the disclosure herein is directed to improved transport structures or skids, in particular, to pallet assemblies and pallet components, and to improved methods of producing and assembling the same. In the same vein, the lessons and techniques disclosed herein are applicable to any transport structure or support structure.
In one aspect, the transport structure or skid according to the present disclosure is a multi-component system that allows for rapid assembly, use, and/or disassembly of the structure. The transport structure or skid, in one aspect, includes a plurality of extruded or pultruded components that are free of biological activity and exempt from phytosanitary regulations or equivalent (herein referred to as “inert”). These components can be easily transported (stacked or nested, for example) and assembled on site. In another aspect, the transport structure or skid is a pallet assembly of the stringer type, as is understood in the art. In another aspect, the pallet assembly is a block type pallet assembly, as is understood in the art, or any other type of pallet assembly (e.g., skid pallets, carrier pallet, flush pallet, perimeter base pallet, two-way or four-way) made possible with the inert, extrusion or pultrusion components according to the present disclosure.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly according to the present disclosure includes an inert frame and one or more inert support surfaces attached thereto. The pallet assembly, in one aspect, includes a frame formed by two, engagement structures (or “engagement stringers”, as referred to herein) having a plurality of perpendicular engagement structures or “stringers” therebetween and engaged, respectively, to each engagement stringer. The frame may be formed by block components or any other type(s) of components called for by the different types of pallet assemblies. Moreover, the frame or the frame components, in another aspect, may be further processed (e.g., cut, sheared, sawed, etched, chamfered, notched, bent, drilled, bored, built-up, chemically prepared, etc.) as need. Furthermore, the frame or the frame components may be further processed to include internal structures (embedded or removable/replaceable) or target inserts that are the same or a different material, for example, than the frame or the frame components. In one aspect, the one or more support surfaces are a plurality of deck boards or top slats supported and retained/held directly by the frame. The deck board(s) or top slats may include a structure that is complementary to a feature defined by the frame and that allows the deck board(s) or top slats to mate with and be held by the frame. In another aspect, the pallet assembly demands fasteners only for assembling the frame. In another aspect, the pallet assembly has optional or non-optional fasteners for attaching the deck board(s) or top slats to the frame for added rigidity and stability.
In one aspect, the stringers and the top slats are each lineal construction members produced from an extrusion or pultrusion manufacturing process using inert materials. The components for the pallet assembly in the form of lineal members may be made at least in part of polymeric materials or equivalent, e.g., low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (a chemically inert, flexible, insulator), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) (inert, thermally stable, tough and high tensile strength); polypropylene (resistant to acids and alkalis, high tensile strength); polyvinyl chloride (PVC) (insulator, flame retardant, chemically inert); polychlorotrifluoroethylene (PCTFE) (stable to heat and thermal, high tensile strength and non-wetting); polyamide (Nylon) (high melting point, excellent abrasion resistance); polyethylene terephthalate (PET) & (PETG) (High strength and stiffness, broad range of use temperatures, low gas permeability), etc. The components for the pallet assembly also may be made of recycled materials or may incorporate internal reinforcement such as embedded reinforcement fibers as is understood in the art or multilayer composite strips according to the present disclosure. The components for the pallet assembly, in another aspect, may be formed entirely of rolled metal, in particular, rolled steel or steel alloys or sheet metal. The components for the pallet assembly, in another aspect, may be formed of “color-blend” recycled plastics or polymers as is known in the art. The components for the pallet assembly, in another aspect, may be formed of scrap carbon fiber, and fiber glass and glass fibers, as well as any other polymers and/or any other natural (e.g., plant-based or plant derived) or non-natural fiber(s).
The engagement stringers, in one aspect, serve to receive and hold the only mechanical fasteners demanded by the pallet assembly (for securably attaching the stringers). In another aspect, the pallet assembly calls for mechanical fasteners for the top slats and/or any other component of the assembly (e.g., any other slats, the target inserts). In another aspect, the stringers define a slot(s) for receiving and holding the top slats. In another aspect, the components for the pallet assembly include bottom slats and the stringers also define a slot(s) for receiving and holding the bottom slats opposite the top slats. In another aspect, each of the stringers defines a targets to facilitate engagement of the pallet assembly with lift, move, and/or transport equipment.
In particular, in one aspect, each of the engagement stringers and/or each of the stringers includes a screw boss(es) to receive the assembly screws. In another aspect, the screw boss(es) and assembly screws help to securably attach each of the stingers, respectively, to each of the engagement stringers to form the frame. Importantly, assembly screws may be driven into the screw boss(es) that are exposed at the ends of the stringer. The assembly screws also may be driven (e.g., from the side(s) or from within at any point along the length of the stringer, for example, into the internal screw boss (the entire screw boss extending along a length of the stringer).
In one aspect, each of the slats is configured as a flat lineal platform having two legs. In this way, the cross-section of the slat along its length is generally II-shaped. Moreover, each of the legs of the slat is configured to fit (e.g., loosely fit, friction fit, press fit, snap fit, wedge fit) into each of the slots defined by the stringers. As such, the slats are supported and held directly by the stringers of the frame, and the slats provide a flat support surface for the pallet.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and/or the pallet component(s) incorporate or is made of a non-homogeneous composition of matter having both compressive strength and stiffness which enables it to be used as a substitute for wood in a wide variety of applications. In another aspect, the structural composite for the pallet component(s) according to the present disclosure can substitute for other materials with higher strength modulus than wood, such as aluminum. In another aspect, the pallet assembly and any of the pallet assembly component(s) described herein incorporate(s) one or more multilayer composite strip(s) that are made of or are inclusive of the non-homogenous composition of matter according to the present disclosure.
In particular, in one aspect, the pallet assembly and/or the pallet component(s) are engineered, meaning that its exterior shape and the choice of its external or internal features or components (e.g., screw boss(es), top guide(s), screw line(s)) and their locations and shapes are based at least in part on the demands as specified herein. The pallet assembly and/or the pallet component(s) may be extruded or pultruded lineal composite structures produced with embedded reinforcement(s) that are spaced away from the neutral axis, analogous to the flanges on and I-beam, or asymmetrically situated, in order to provide increased strength and stiffness in one or both axes perpendicular to the cross-section. Because such a structural composite may be designed for load-bearing, the composition is referred to herein as a structural composite.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and/or the pallet component(s) incorporate or is made of a structural polymeric composite including a stiffening layer(s). The composite may be manufacturing via a continuous extrusion pultrusion method in which the stiffening layer is pulled through a cross-head die as a polymer(s) is/are extruded over it. The stiffening layer may include a film or textile carrier, a filler of carbon fibers, fiberglass, and organic fibers or minerals forming a mat. A binder may be dispersed over the mat and a second carrier applied. The mat may be subjected to heat and pressure to soften the carriers and binder so they penetrate into the interstices of the filler and binds mechanically with them and the carriers and binder bind chemically with each other to form the stiffening layer. A polymer may then be extruded over the stiffening layer, which may be used flat, provided with holes or punches for composite action with the polymer, formed into profile, or segmented to provided spaced-apart stiffening layers.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and/or the pallet component(s) incorporate or is made of a structural polymeric composite including at least one stiffening layer that increases the stiffness of the finished structural composite. A stiffening layer is incorporated into a polymeric extrusion either by extruding the polymer onto the stiffening layer so that the stiffening layer is on one side and the polymer on the other and therefore the stiffening layer is visible from the exterior, or by extruding it so that the polymer partly or wholly surrounds the stiffening layer, in which case the stiffening layer may not be visible from the exterior.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and pallet component(s) incorporate a multilayer composite strip(s) having a first polymeric layer, a first mesh layer, a composite layer of shredded fibrous material (carbon fiber, bast fiber, etc) and polymeric material, and a second mesh layer, and a second polymeric layer. The multilayer composite strip is formed by heating, cooling, and/or compressing, including rolling and stretching to form a rigid composite strip that may be further mechanically or chemically bonded to other polymers or building materials so as to increase stiffness and restrain lateral movement. Such composite strip is often comprised of the first polymeric layer consisting of PET, and a vinyl or metal mesh layer, wherein the PET is melted into the mesh layer, and forms a receiving layer in which fibrous material such as chopped carbon fiber may be applied, and said second mesh layer and second polymeric layer covering the fibrous material, all of which is rolled and heated to form a composite strip that provides restraint in all directions and increased rigidity.
The multilayer composite strip may further provide impact resistance and crush resistance, and allows for strengthening and hardening the pallet assembly as disclosed herein. In one aspect, a pallet assembly may be utilized to move heavy metallic items such as ammunition, weapons, or other metallic items that would cause sag or creep in the components. Applying the multilayer composite strip helps to increase working capacities, and depending on the size of the multilayer composite strip, may double the working capacity of wooden pallets (1,000 kilograms).
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and pallet component(s) incorporate a multilayer composite strip(s) having a first polymeric layer with a layer height ranging from between about 0.23 mm to about 1.1 mm; a first mesh layer, wherein at least about 20.0 percent of the first mesh layer is a void region; a composite layer of shredded fibrous material and polymeric material, wherein the shredded fibrous material is of an average length between about 5.0 mm and about 50.0 mm, and the polymeric material has a granular size from between about 50.0 microns to about 2000.0 microns prior to heating; a second mesh layer, wherein at least about 20.0 percent of the second mesh layer is a void region; and a second polymeric layer with a layer height from between about 0.23 mm to about 1.1 mm.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and pallet component(s) incorporate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and/or recycled PVC.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and pallet component(s) incorporate polyamides.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and pallet component(s) incorporate a shredded fibrous material, for example, shredded carbon fiber.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and pallet component(s) incorporate a shredded fibrous material, for example, shredded fiberglass.
In one aspect, the pallet assembly and pallet component(s) incorporate a shredded fibrous material, for example, shredded bast fibre.
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporates a first polymeric layer and a second polymeric layer of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) or polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG).
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporates a first polymeric layer of PVC and/or recycled PVC.
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporates a first polymeric layer further including polyamides.
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporates a first mesh layer and a second mesh layer having a window size between 1 mm to 12 mm.
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporates a shredded fibrous material, for example, shredded carbon fiber.
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporates a shredded fibrous material, for example, shredded fiberglass.
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporates a shredded fibrous material, for example, shredded bast fibre.
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporates a third mesh layer, a second composite layer of the shredded fibrous material and the polymeric material, and a third polymeric layer, the second composite layer being of a different shredded fibrous material than the first composite layer.
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporated into pultruded or extruded pallet components, and wherein the multilayer composite strip(s) is/are between about 1.0 mm to about 20.0 mm in height and up to about 550.0 mm in width.
In some aspects, the multilayer composite described herein, wherein the first and second mesh layer have a tensile strength of 9,000.0 psi.
In some aspects, the multilayer composite described herein, wherein the multilayer composite is water resistant and noncorrosive.
In some aspects, the multilayer composite described herein, wherein the first polymeric layer, the first mesh layer, the composite layer, the second mesh layer, and the second polymeric layer are integrated to form a solid layer.
In one aspect, the multilayer composite incorporates a first polymeric layer with a layer height ranging from between about 0.23 mm to about 1.1 mm; a first mesh layer of fiberglass, wherein at least about 20.0 percent of the first mesh layer is a void region; a composite layer of shredded fibrous material and polymeric material, wherein the shredded fibrous material is of an average length between about 5.0 mm and about 50.0 mm, and the polymeric material has a granular size from between about 50.0 microns to 2000.0 microns prior to heating; a second mesh layer of fiberglass; and a second polymeric layer with a layer height from between about 0.23 mm to about 1.1 mm.
Referring to methods herein, in one aspect, a method of assembling a pallet is disclosed. In one aspect, the method comprises providing a lineal engagement stringer, a lineal stringer, a lineal slat, and providing a mechanical fastener. The method also comprises, in another aspect, securably fastening a first end of the lineal stringer to the lineal engagement stringer and pressing a leg of the lineal slat into a slot of the lineal stringer such that a portion of a main wall of the lineal slat sits on the portion of the top wall of the lineal stringer.
In one aspect, a method of using the pallet components is disclosed. In another aspect, the pallet components are stacked or nested and transported in a box. The stacked and/or nested pallet components conserve space and allow for ready and fast assembly on site.
U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 18/451,636, and 18/143,185 are assigned to the Applicant of the present application, and are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
The term “extruded” is used herein for convenience but engagement stringers, stringer, and slats may be formed in any way customary in the industry, for example, pultruded and co-extruded with other materials. Resin fusion and vacuum fusion methods are also envisioned.
The term “lineal” is used herein to refer to an extruded pallet component having a uniform cross section perpendicular to its major dimension which major dimension is much longer than its other two dimensions; that is, the plane of any cross section perpendicular to the major dimension of the pallet component is defined by a line parallel to the major dimension.
The term “non-homogeneous” as used herein means that at least some of the constituents are concentrated within the structural composite rather than being homogeneously dispersed.
The term “screw boss” is a physical structure that grips the threads of a screw being driven into it so that, once the screw has been inserted into or through the screw boss, the screw boss resists the removal of the screw more when the screw is pulled than when the screw is unscrewed.
An “insertable screw boss” is a screw boss that has been separately extruded, molded, cast, forged, or welded so that it can be inserted into a channel and is otherwise functionally the same as a screw boss extruded as an integral part of that channel, but allowing for further strengthening or reinforcing.
A “mechanical fastener” is a mechanism or structure that helps to fasten to items or two components together, and may include but is not limited to screws, nails, bolts, pegs, mating structures, snap or button mechanisms, etc.
Accordingly, a user, a business, a military contractor, and/or any of the armed services can affectively manufacture, stack/nest, assemble, use, disassemble, store, and/or recycle the pallet components for the pallet assembly based on the systems and methods of the present disclosure. The pallet components and the resulting pallet assemblies according to the present disclosure are lighter, stronger (i.e., can hold more total weight than a comparably structured stringer pallet, for example) and take up less space than conventional pallet components or pallet assemblies. The pallet components and the resulting pallet assemblies according to the present disclosure allow for ready and efficient transport of pallet components on site, as needed, and rapid assembly/disassembly and use of those components and resulting pallets. All these advantages made possible with readily-available and/or recycled inert materials that are not at risk for chemical or biological impregnation or infestation.
Referring now to
As illustrated in
Depending on the embodiment, additional stringers 110 may be part of the pallet assembly 100 and be similarly situated and engaged between the engagement stringers 102 (i.e., the engagement stringers 102 being longer and/or the spacing of the stringers 110 being different than that illustrated). Furthermore, depending on the embodiment, additional engagement stringers 102 (and/or longer mechanical fasteners 140, as discussed in greater detail herein; see
Returning to
Referring now to
Moreover, and with further specificity, each of the plurality of stringers 210a, 210b, 210c has a first end 211 and a second end 212, and each first end 211 of the stringers 210a, 210b, 210c is to be engaged to the first engagement stringer 202a (via the mechanical fasteners 240a) and each second end 212 of the stringers 210a, 210b, 210c is to be engaged to the second engagement stringer 202b (via the mechanical fasteners 240b) to form the frame 201. Each of the plurality of stringers 202, 210 also are processed to include a first cut-out target 214a and a second target 214b each configured to receive an injection molded target insert 250a, 250b to reinforce the stringers 202, 210 and to facilitate lifting of the resulting pallet assembly 200 by forklift. Each of the plurality of stringers 210 also is processed to include a plurality of slots 216 (best seen in
Returning generally to
Referring now to
Referring now to
More specifically, as shown in
As shown in
As shown in
In
Even more specifically, as shown in
Referring now to
Moreover, and with further specificity, the first end 411a of the first stringer 410a is to be engaged to the first engagement stringer 402a via the mechanical fasteners 440a, 440b to form a corner of a frame 401. As shown in
Referring now to
In particular, in
Moreover, and with further specificity, the first end 511a of the first stringer 510a is to be engaged to the first engagement stringer 502a via the mechanical fasteners 540 to form a corner of a frame 501. As shown in
Furthermore, with further specificity, the first end 511a of the first stringer 510a is processed to include a first cut-out target 514a (shown) and a second target 514b (not shown). The bottom wall 507 of the first stringer 510a may be cut and processed to expose an opening to the internal space 515 and to remove a portion of the internal screw boss 518b′.
Referring now to
In particular, in
Moreover, and with further specificity, the first end 611a of the first stringer 610a is engaged to the first engagement stringer 602a via the mechanical fasteners 640a, 640b to form a corner of a frame 601. As shown in
Certain implementations of systems and methods consistent with the present disclosure are provided as follows:
It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are merely possible examples of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantially from the spirit and principles of the disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 18/451,636, filed on Aug. 17, 2023, entitled PALLET ASSEMBLY AND COMPONENTS THEREOF UTILIZING RECYCLED MATERIALS, of which claims priority to U.S. Pat. No. 11,807,417, filed on May 4, 2023, entitled PALLET ASSEMBLY AND COMPONENTS THEREOF, AND METHODS OF MANUFACTURING AND USING THE SAME, the contents of which is hereby incorporated in the entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18143185 | May 2023 | US |
| Child | 18451636 | US |
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 18451636 | Aug 2023 | US |
| Child | 18523776 | US |
