A system for managing lifecycles of pallets remotely located from one or more servers has at least a first database defining information for managing the lifecycles of the plurality of pallets. Each of the plurality of pallets has a pallet monitoring device physically coupled thereto. The system includes one or more pallet management components communicatively coupled to, and remotely located from, the one or more servers, and each pallet management component manages, at least in part, a lifecycle of one or more of the plurality of pallets based at least in part on the information defined in the first database. At least one of the one or more pallet management components may be included in a pallet monitoring device physically coupled to the one or more pallets, and the pallet monitoring device may be in direct communication with at least one of the one or more servers.

A device for monitoring and managing a pallet includes one or more sensors for determining properties associated with a pallet, which may include a weight of a load of a pallet, and the presence, number and/or location of one or more load items on a pallet. The device may be physically coupled to a pallet, and may include a processing unit coupled to the one or more sensors, the processing unit having one or more interfaces to communicate with the one or more sensors, and one or more interfaces to communicate with one or more networks. The device may include one or more hydraulic mats including one or more pressure sensors, and RFID (UHF) and/or optical code readers for detecting and/or identifying load items. The device may include RFID (NFC) readers for exchange of payment and access information. The device also may include multiple layers, each of which may include one or more cavities for accommodating components of the device.

Three approaches for attaching tracking devices to pallets. In a first approach, one or more electronic components of a tracking device are disposed within a cavity of a block of a pallet. In a second approach, one or more electronic components of a tracking device are disposed within a strut that interfaces between two beams of a pallet. In a third approach, one or more electronic components of a tracking device are disposed within a cavity of a beam.

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 cavity is cut into a wooden structure (e.g., stringer, block, or deckboard) of a wood pallet such that an electronic tracking device can be embedded into the wooden structure for tracking the pallet. The cavity is shaped to allow for a sufficient thickness of remaining wood material surrounding the cavity to remain strong and also to allow for sufficient thinness so wireless signals can be reliably transmitted to/from electronics within the cavity. The remaining space within the cavity around the embedded tracking device is filled with a potting material to secure and protect the tracking device within the cavity. The tracking device monitors the location of the pallet and provides location data to a back-end system over a communication channel either directly or via a local hub. The back-end system performs analytics on the location data.

A recyclable cardboard pallet is described herein. The pallet includes a top platform and a bottom platform formed by at least one layer of laminar components, wherein at least one of the layers of laminar components of each platform has openings, fastening components, and a frustoconical shape for inserting separators. The separators include outer tubular bodies with an inner diameter that is greater than or equal to a largest diameter of the openings, such that ends of the outer tubular body rest completely on the laminar elements between which it is located. The separators further include an inner tubular body concentric with and longer than the outer tubular body, the inner tubular body having an outer diameter configured relative to a smallest diameter of the openings, such that the outer diameter of the inner tubular body fits flush with laminar elements between which it is located.

A convertible pallet assembly, and associated method of making the convertible pallet, includes a first, planar pallet surface, and a second, planar support surface spaced therefrom. First and second sidewalls extend in parallel relation between the pallet surface and the support surface from adjacent opposite sides thereof. The sidewalls include first and second wheels with respective rotational axes that extend perpendicular to the sidewalls. An actuation mechanism is associated with each sidewall. The actuation mechanism has (i) a first position that allows the first and second wheels on one side to move upwardly and downwardly relative to the sidewall in a non-load carrying condition, and (ii) a second position such that the first and second wheels on the one side project outwardly from the support surface in a load carrying condition whereby the assembly can be rolled on the wheels as a cart.

A dolly for transporting products thereon, the dolly comprising a top with a product support surface and an opposing underside, a plurality of casters provided on the underside, two of the casters being swivel casters configured to rotate relative to the product support surface; biasing means configured to bias a wheel of each swivel caster towards a first equilibrium position. A plurality of reinforcing ribs provided on the underside; wherein at least one of the reinforcing ribs is a curved reinforcing rib, and; the at least one curved reinforcing rib extends from a first caster mounting area to a second caster mounting area. Further including, a dolly carrier pallet comprising a pallet provided with a dolly receiving layer, wherein the dolly receiving layer is provided with generally rectangular wheel receiving recesses for receiving swivel casters and is provided with generally rectangular wheel receiving recesses for receiving fixed casters.

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 support blocks are coupled between the base and cargo layers and forming a gap therebetween for receiving a lifting member.

A method for making a pallet includes forming a base layer, forming a cargo layer, and forming wooden support blocks. The method further includes coating the wooden support blocks with a plastic layer to form plastic coated wooden support blocks. The base and cargo layers are coupled to the plastic coated wooden support blocks, with a gap being formed therebetween for receiving a lifting member.