Plastic pallet with support blocks having pockets for pin wheeling and associated methods

US10654615B2 · 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: Sep 5, 2018
• Grant date: May 19, 2020
• Expiry date: Sep 5, 2038

Classification

• Technology area (CPC B): Performing Operations; Transporting
• CPC primary: B65D2519/0099
• WIPO field: Handling
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A pallet includes a top deck, a bottom deck and spaced apart corner support blocks coupled between corners of the top and bottom decks and forming a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member. Each corner support block includes a single column aligned with one of the corners of the top and bottom decks, a lower ledge extending from a bottom end of the single column and defining a lower perimeter of the corner support block, and an upper ledge extending from a top end of the single column and defining an upper perimeter of the corner support block. Exposed side surfaces extend between the upper and lower ledges. The exposed side surfaces are recessed from the defined lower and upper perimeters of the corner support block so as to form a pocket for receiving an end of the lifting member to allow the pallet to be spun around.