Plastic pallet with support blocks having upper towers and associated methods

US10081453B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• CHEP Technology Pty Limited · AU

Inventors

• John Thomas Storteboom · Roswell, US
• Jeffrey Ryan Chapin · Cambridge, US
• Gregory Wolos · Cambridge, US
• Kenneth Brandt · Bedugul, ID
• Daniel J. Lantz · Orlando, US
• Oivind Brockmeier · Somerville, US
• Brandon Michael D'Emidio · Orlando, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 21, 2016
• Grant date: Sep 25, 2018
• Expiry date: Nov 22, 2036

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02W30/80
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A pallet includes a top deck and a bottom deck. The top deck has spaced apart upper and lower surfaces, with the lower surface having upper tower openings therein. Spaced apart support blocks are coupled between the top and bottom decks and forming a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member. Each support block includes an outer wall enclosing a center area, and a core structure having a rectangular shape within the center area, with upper surfaces of the core assembly and the outer wall being coplanar. An upper tower extends outwards from the core structure and into a corresponding upper tower opening in the top deck so as to provide a shear load transfer during impact with the lifting member. First ribs are between the outer wall and the core structure, and second ribs are within an interior area of the upper tower.