A pallet includes a base layer, a cargo layer and spaced apart supports coupled between the base and cargo layers and forming a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member. The supports include outer corner supports each configured as a C-shaped bracket, and center supports each configured as a circular-shaped cylinder. Each center support including an outer wall having opposing ends, a center hub having opposing ends, and ribs extending between the center hub and the outer wall.

A cage can be positioned around a medical balloon, such as an angioplasty balloon, to assist in a medical procedure. The cage can include a plurality of strips, each extending between a set of rings including first and second rings. As the balloon expands, the first and second rings move closer together and allow the strips to expand outward. The cage may have wedge dissectors on the strips.

A bracket for securing a plurality of support members for a shipping crate assembly is also disclosed. The bracket forms a corner of the shipping crate assembly. The bracket includes first and second non-identical plates. The first and second non-identical plates are joined along a connection line. The first and second non-identical plates extend perpendicularly from each other. A foot is secured to the first and second non-identical plates, the foot being secured along the connection line.

A pallet, including a plurality of spaced apart stringers defining a pallet width and a plurality of slats extending lengthwise across the stringers corresponding to the pallet width. The slats have upper surfaces that are coplanar, and at least two of the slats have a length that is less than the pallet width and define undersized slats having upper surfaces that are coplanar with the upper surfaces of the slats to define a planar upper load support surface of the pallet. A slat splice connector bridges between adjacent ones of the undersized slats so that the undersized slats are spliced together to provide a spliced slat have a length corresponding to the pallet width. The slat splice connector has an elevated surface between and supported by a pair of spaced apart legs. The undersized slats of the spliced slat are supported by and attached to the legs of the slat splice connector, and the elevated surface of the slat splice connector is coplanar with the upper surfaces of the spliced slat.

The present disclosure includes a shipping pallet including an upper deck, a lower deck, and a plurality of pillars. The upper deck includes an upper exterior surface and an upper interior surface. The lower deck defines a lower exterior surface and a lower interior surface. The pillars are connected between the upper deck and the lower and the combination of the pillars, the upper deck, and the lower deck defines a space frame structure. Various components, such as the pillars, upper deck, and lower deck may be webbed-formed structures for enhanced rigidity.

The present invention relates to a portable barrel rack. The portable barrel rack allows for storage and transportation of multiple barrels with the weight of each barrel being supported by the rack. Racks have lower and upper rectangular frames of different construction, with posts therebetween, and with legs and matching contours so that racks can be stacked. Slats inserted into grooves can retain barrels contained within the racks.

A foldably constructed pallet includes a top member forming a top surface and includes a top perimeter edge and a plurality of upper edge supports extending from the top perimeter edge and perpendicular to the top surface. The foldably constructed pallet further includes a bottom member forming a bottom surface. The bottom member includes a bottom perimeter edge and a plurality of lower edge supports extending from the bottom perimeter edge and perpendicular to the bottom surface. The foldably constructed pallet further includes a plurality of structural inserts received between the top and bottom members and positioned adjacent to the plurality of upper edge supports and the plurality of lower edge supports.

A novel platform made of paper materials for the storage, stacking, handling and transportation of goods comprises a top deck comprising a plurality of top deck boards (20a-20e) and a plurality of support beam assemblies (30). The plurality of top deck boards (20a-20e) are attached at regular intervals and perpendicular to the plurality of support beam assemblies (30). In the platform, the top deck boards (20a-20e) and the support beam assemblies (30) are both constructed solely from a combination of a plurality of longitudinal elements having a L-section. The novel platform may further include a bottom deck (40a-40c) comprising a plurality of bottom deck boards which are also constructed solely from a combination of a plurality of longitudinal elements having a L-section.

In one embodiment, a maintainable pallet is provided with interchangeable support structures and sensors for identifying any damage that the interchangeable support structures may experience. The maintainable pallet may include two side supports, two end supports coupled to the two side supports end-to-end to form a rectangle, a central support position between the two side supports, a plurality of top transverse support fastened onto the two side supports to form a top loading surface and the central support with two-part releasable fasteners, and two bottom transverse supports fastened to the ends of the two side supports to form a bottom surface with two-part releasable fasteners. Sensors, in some embodiments, may be embedded in the two side supports to measure, for example, acceleration, location, or other logistic information. When a damaged piece is identified, the maintainable pallet can be disassembled by unfastening the two-part releasable fasteners to remove the damaged piece; and a new interchangeable piece will replace the damaged piece.

A combination that can be used as a pallet alone or modified to be used as a container. The combination includes a pallet and a container. The pallet rests on a horizontal surface and can be used as a pallet when used alone. The container has a bottom and selectively extends upwardly from the pallet. The pallet forms the bottom of the container when the pallet is modified to be used as the container. Further included are a method for constructing the pallet and a method for constructing the container.