A shipping pallet apparatus (10) comprises an upper deck (12) comprising a plurality of corrugate sheets bonded in lamination to one another, a plurality of stringers (18) or blocks (19) adhesively secured to a lower surface of the upper deck (12), and a plurality of reinforcing plates (16) secured between adjacent corrugate sheets of the plurality of corrugate sheets, each reinforcing plate (16) of the plurality of reinforcing plates positioned between two stringers (18) or two blocks (19) of the plurality of stringers or blocks to define a medial gap (32) and a lateral gap (34), and each reinforcing plate (16) defining an impact edge aligned with an edge of the upper deck (12) to absorb a force from a tine.

Disclosed herein are embodiments of pallets and pallet components which can be formed from composite materials, such as composite polymer materials. The composites can include polymer-polymer composites as well as wood-polymer composites. Advantageously, the composite pallet components can be formed from recycled plastics, such as polypropylene and polyethylene, which can be acquired from used bottles.

A pallet top deck, a bottom deck, and spaced apart support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks. Each support block includes an inner wall surrounding an interior opening, an outer wall surrounding the inner wall, and a plurality of ribs extending between the inner and outer walls. First and second upper tabs extend outwards from upper surfaces of the inner wall, with each upper tab comprising an angled contact surface for engaging the top deck. The angled contact surfaces of the first and second upper tabs are oriented in a first direction. First and second lower tabs extend outwards from lower surfaces of the ribs, with each tab comprising an angled contact surface for engaging the bottom deck. The angled contact surfaces of the first and second lower tabs are oriented in a second direction that is orthogonal to the first direction.

A pallet includes a base layer and a cargo layer. The cargo layer includes a pair of spaced apart end deck boards, and intermediate deck boards between the pair of spaced apart end deck boards. Each end deck board and an immediately adjacent intermediate deck board are butted against one another. Spaced apart supports are coupled between the base and cargo layers and forming a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member.

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus for securing boxes on a pallet may a L-shaped structural member sized to run a length or a width of a pallet, the L-shaped structural member having a top side and a bottom side. The L-shaped structural member allows for securing a load on the pallet. The L-shaped structural member also provides additional surface area for plastic wrap to secure a load.

A block assembly for connecting a first section and a second section of a load bearing assembly includes a male fitting and a female fitting. The male fitting includes a male fitting body and a projection extending from the male fitting body. The female fitting includes a female fitting body and defines a fitting cavity extending within an interior of the female fitting body. The male fitting couples with the female fitting by inserting the male fitting body within the fitting cavity and moving the male fitting body toward a base of the female fitting. The projection on the male fitting interacts with an interlocking joint on the female fitting to resist detachment of the male fitting with respect to the female fitting.

A pallet reassembly system includes at least one block installation mechanism configured to install a block within a partially assembled pallet, at least one board installation mechanism configured to install a board within the partially assembled pallet, and at least one transport assembly for transporting the partially assembled pallet to each of the at least one block installation mechanisms and each of the at least one board installation mechanisms. The transport assemblies are arranged into a loop including at least two perpendicular arranged legs.

A system and technique has been developed to print graphics on a pallet. In one form, the graphics are printed on one of the decks of the pallet. The graphics in one variation are printed on a deck that is in the form of a flat, contiguous surface via a flatbed printer. The flatbed printer has a printer head that forms a gap that is able to accommodate the deck of the pallet. After printing, the deck is assembled with the rest of the pallet. The graphics can include text and images. In one form, the graphics include a packing template that shows how at least one packing layer should be packed on the pallet.

A pallet includes a top deck, a bottom deck, and spaced apart support blocks coupled between the top and bottom decks and forming an opening therebetween for receiving a lifting member. The top deck includes at least one deck scoop area on an underside thereof. A thickness of the top deck is reduced in the at least one deck scoop area to reduce influence of top deck deflection on ability of the lifting member to pass through the opening between the top and bottom decks.

A flowering plant growing system utilizes a flowering plant growth assembly that enables the limbs of a flowering plant to be retained and supported along a bud platform to spread the growth out in a planar configuration. This type of growth arrangement may stimulate the plant to produce buds that are distributed across the bud platform and may grow up from the bud platform toward a cover. The height of the bud platform and cover may be adjustable as they are secured to vertical supports by retainers.