Plastic pallet with support blocks having inner and outer blocks and associated methods

US10093448B2 · 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: Oct 9, 2018
• Expiry date: Nov 23, 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, a bottom deck, and spaced apart support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks. Each support block includes an inner block and an outer block joined together. The outer block has an open top surface exposing an inner block receiving area therein, and includes a bottom surface, and first and second pairs of opposing outer block side surfaces between carried by the bottom surface. Each opposing outer block side surface has a pocket opening therein for also exposing the inner block receiving area. The inner block is inserted into the inner block receiving area of the outer block, and includes first and second pairs of opposing inner block side surfaces. Each opposing inner block side surface is aligned with a pocket opening in a corresponding outer block side surface so as to form a pocket by covering the pocket opening.