ALL-IN-ONE PLASTIC PALLET

Abstract

An all-in-one plastic pallet is constructed as one, unitary piece of plastic material. The all-in-one plastic pallet is lightweight and is less expensive to manufacture than a typical wood pallet. The particular construction and configuration of the all-in-one plastic pallet makes the pallet nestable with other pallets of like construction, rackable for storage of the all-in-one plastic pallet in a conventional pallet storage rack, and stackable on top of products supported on a pallet of like construction without causing damage to the products.

Claims

1. A pallet comprising: a top perimeter surface on a top of the pallet, the top perimeter surface having a rectangular configuration, the top perimeter surface is a flat surface positioned in a single plane, the top perimeter surface is an outermost surface on the top of the pallet, the top perimeter surface is a topmost surface on the pallet, the top perimeter surface being a continuous surface that extends completely around a perimeter of the top of the pallet; a bottom perimeter surface on a bottom of the pallet, the bottom perimeter surface having a rectangular configuration, the bottom perimeter surface is a flat surface positioned in a single plane, the bottom perimeter surface is an outermost surface on the bottom of the pallet, the bottom perimeter surface is a bottommost surface on the pallet, the bottom perimeter surface being a continuous surface that extends completely around a perimeter of the bottom of the pallet; the pallet having a vertical height dimension between the top perimeter surface and the bottom perimeter surface, the vertical height dimension being larger than a height dimension of a blade of a forklift; a first central surface on the bottom of the pallet, the first central surface having opposite ends that intersect the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet on opposite sides of the pallet, the first central surface being a solid surface having an elongate, rectangular configuration that extends across the bottom of the pallet from one side of the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet to an opposite side of the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet, the first central surface is a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the bottom perimeter surface; a second central surface on the bottom of the pallet, the second central surface having opposite ends that intersect the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet on opposite sides of the pallet, the second central surface being a solid surface having an elongate, rectangular configuration that extends across the bottom of the pallet from one side of the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet to the opposite side of the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet, the second central surface is a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the bottom perimeter surface; and, the top perimeter surface and the bottom perimeter surface being integrally formed as a single piece of plastic material.

2. (canceled)

3. The pallet of claim 1, further comprising: the top perimeter surface and the bottom perimeter surface being parallel,

4. The pallet of claim 1, further comprising: a perimeter channel in the top of the pallet, the perimeter channel extending from the top perimeter surface into an interior of the pallet, the perimeter channel extending completely around the top of the pallet.

5. The pallet of claim 4, further comprising: the perimeter channel having a rectangular configuration; and, to enable nesting the pallet on to a second pallet having a like construction, the rectangular configuration of the bottom perimeter surface is dimensioned to be received in a perimeter channel recessed into a top surface of the second pallet when the pallet is stacked on top of the second pallet.

6. The pallet of claim 5, further comprising: the perimeter channel being positioned inside the top perimeter surface and adjacent the top perimeter surface.

7. The pallet of claim 5, further comprising: a first platform surface on the top of the pallet, the first platform surface being adjacent the perimeter channel and positioned inside the perimeter channel; and, a first chamber in the bottom of the pallet, the first chamber being a hollow void that extends from the bottom perimeter surface into the interior of the pallet, to enable nesting the pallet on to the second pallet having a like construction, the first chamber is dimensioned to receive in the first chamber a first platform surface of the second pallet when the pallet is stacked on top of the second pallet.

8. The pallet of claim 7, further comprising: the first platform surface being a flat surface positioned in a single plane with the top perimeter surface.

9. The pallet of claim 8, further comprising: a second platform surface on the top of the pallet, the second platform surface being adjacent the perimeter channel and positioned inside the perimeter channel; and, a second chamber in the bottom of the pallet, the second chamber being a hollow void that extends from the bottom perimeter surface into the interior of the pallet, to enable nesting the pallet on to the second pallet having a like construction, the second chamber is dimensioned to receive in the second chamber a second platform surface on the second pallet when the pallet is stacked on top of the second pallet.

10. The pallet of claim 9, further comprising: the second platform surface being a flat surface positioned in the single plane with the top perimeter surface.

11. The pallet of claim 10, further comprising: a center ridge surface on the top of the pallet, the center ridge surface being positioned on the top of the pallet between the first platform surface and the second platform surface; and, a third chamber in the bottom of the pallet, the third chamber is a hollow void that extends from the bottom perimeter surface into the interior of the pallet, to enable nesting the pallet on to the second pallet having a like construction, the third chamber is dimensioned to receive in the third chamber the center ridge surface of the second pallet when the pallet is stacked on top of the second pallet.

12. The pallet of claim 11, further comprising: the center ridge surface being a flat surface positioned in the single plane with the top perimeter surface.

13. A pallet comprising: a top perimeter surface on a top of the pallet, the top perimeter surface having a rectangular configuration, the top perimeter surface is a flat surface positioned in a single plane, the top perimeter surface is an outermost surface on the top of the pallet, the top perimeter surface is a topmost surface on the pallet, the top perimeter surface being a continuous surface that extends completely around a perimeter of the top of the pallet; a perimeter channel extending from the top perimeter surface into an interior of the pallet, the perimeter channel having a rectangular configuration, the perimeter channel extending completely around the top of the pallet; a bottom perimeter surface on a bottom of the pallet, the bottom perimeter surface having a rectangular configuration, the bottom perimeter surface is a flat surface positioned in a single plane, the bottom perimeter surface is an outermost surface on the bottom of the pallet, the bottom perimeter surface is a bottommost surface on the pallet, the bottom perimeter surface being a continuous surface that extends completely around a perimeter of the bottom of the pallet, the rectangular configuration of the bottom perimeter surface being dimensioned to be received in a perimeter channel recessed into a top surface of a second pallet when the pallet is stacked on top of the second pallet; a first central surface on the bottom of the pallet, the first central surface having opposite ends that intersect the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet on opposite sides of the pallet, the first central surface being a solid surface having an elongate, rectangular configuration that extends across the bottom of the pallet from one side of the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet to an opposite side of the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet, the first central surface is a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the bottom perimeter surface; a second central surface on the bottom of the pallet, the second central surface having opposite ends that intersect the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet on opposite sides of the pallet, the second central surface being a solid surface having an elongate, rectangular configuration that extends across the bottom of the pallet from one side of the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet to the opposite side of the bottom perimeter surface of the pallet, the second central surface is a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the bottom perimeter surface.

14. The pallet of claim 13, further comprising: the pallet consisting of a single unit of plastic material.

15. (canceled)

16. (canceled)

17. The pallet of claim 14, further comprising: the perimeter channel being positioned inside the top perimeter surface and adjacent the top perimeter surface.

18. The pallet of claim 13, further comprising: a first platform surface on the top of the pallet, the first platform surface being adjacent the perimeter channel and positioned inside of the perimeter channel, the first platform surface being a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the top perimeter surface; and, a first chamber in the bottom of the pallet, the first chamber being a hollow void that extends from the bottom perimeter surface into an interior of the pallet, the first chamber being dimensioned to receive in the first chamber a first platform surface of a second pallet on which the pallet is stacked on top of the second pallet.

19. The pallet of claim 18, further comprising: a second platform surface on the top of the pallet, the second platform surface being a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the top perimeter surface, the second platform surface being adjacent the perimeter channel and positioned inside the perimeter channel; and, a second chamber in the bottom of the pallet, the second chamber being a hollow void that extends from the bottom perimeter surface into the interior of the pallet, the second chamber being dimensioned to receive in the second chamber a second platform surface of a second pallet when the pallet is stacked on top of the second pallet.

20. The pallet of claim 19, further comprising: a center ridge surface on the top of the pallet, the center ridge surface being a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the top perimeter surface, the center ridge surface being positioned on the top of the pallet between the first platform surface and the second platform surface; and, a third chamber in the bottom of the pallet, the third chamber being a hollow void that extends from the bottom perimeter surface into the interior of the pallet, the third chamber being dimensioned to receive in the third chamber the center ridge surface of a second pallet when the pallet is stacked on top of the second pallet.

21. The pallet of claim 1, further comprising: the bottom perimeter surface, the first central surface and the second central surface on the bottom of the pallet together form a planar surface that is configured for positioning on and engaging on a three-dimensional arrangement of products supported on a second pallet of like construction without causing damage to the products.

22. The pallet of claim 13, further comprising: the bottom perimeter surface, the first central surface and the second central surface on the bottom of the pallet together form a planar surface that is configured for positioning on and engaging on a three-dimensional arrangement of products supported on a second pallet of like construction without causing damage to the products.

23. The pallet of claim 22, further comprising: the top perimeter surface, the first platform surface, the second platform surface and the central ridge surface together form a planar support surface having a surface area that is configured for supporting products arranged in a three-dimensional arrangement on the planar support surface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0020] Further features of the all-in-one plastic pallet are set forth in the following detailed description and in the drawing figures.

[0021] FIG. 1 is a representation of a top perspective view of a wood pallet.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a representation of a top perspective view of the all-in-one plastic pallet.

[0023] FIG. 3 is a representation of a bottom perspective view of the all-in-one plastic pallet.

[0024] FIG. 4 is a representation of a top plan view of the all-in-one plastic pallet.

[0025] FIG. 5 is a representation of a bottom plan view of the all-in-one plastic pallet.

[0026] FIG. 6 is a representation of a top plan view of a first pallet and second pallet that have been stacked and nested.

[0027] FIG. 7 is a representation of a cross-section view of the stacked and nested pallets of FIG. 6 along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

[0028] FIG. 8 is a representation of cross-section view of the stacked and nested pallets of FIG. 6 along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] FIG. 2 is a representation of a top perspective view of the all-in-one plastic pallet 20 of this disclosure. FIG. 3 is a representation of a bottom perspective view of the pallet 20. As stated earlier, the pallet 20 is constructed entirely of a plastic material and is constructed as an integrally formed, single piece of plastic material. The pallet 20 could be constructed of recycled plastic material, and is itself recyclable. The pallet 20 could be constructed of other equivalent types of material. The construction of the all-in-one plastic pallet 20 entirely eliminates wood from the pallet.

[0030] As represented in FIG. 2, the pallet 20 has a top perimeter surface 22 on a top of the pallet. The top perimeter surface 22 has a rectangular configuration similar to that of a picture frame. More specifically, the top perimeter surface 22 has a square configuration. The top perimeter surface 22 is a continuous surface that extends completely around a perimeter of the top of the pallet 20. The top perimeter surface 22 is a flat surface positioned in a single plane and is an outermost surface of the top of the pallet 20. The top perimeter surface 22 has a vertical height dimension when the pallet 20 is supported on a flat, horizontal surface that is the largest vertical height dimension of the pallet. No part of the pallet 20 extends vertically above the perimeter surface 22.

[0031] A perimeter channel 24 is recessed into the top of the pallet 20. The perimeter channel 24 extends from the top perimeter surface 22 into an interior of the pallet 20. Four, vertically oriented outer side walls 26 extend downwardly from the top perimeter surface 22 and surround the perimeter channel 24. The outer side walls 26 define the vertical height dimension of the pallet 20. Changing the vertical height dimension of the side walls 26 changes the vertical height dimension of the pallet 20. A pair of slots 28 are provided through each of the four outer side walls 26. The slots 28 are dimensioned to receive the blades of a forklift through the slots when lifting the pallet 20 with the forklift. The perimeter channel 24 has a rectangular configuration that extends completely around the top of the pallet 20. More specifically, the perimeter channel 24 has a square configuration. The perimeter channel 24 is positioned adjacent the top perimeter surface 22 and just inside of the top perimeter surface 22. No part of the top perimeter surface 22 extends across the top opening of the perimeter channel 29.

[0032] There is a first platform surface 32 on the top of the pallet 20. The first platform surface 32 is formed from a plurality of slats 34 that are integrally connected together to form the first platform surface 32. The plurality of slats 34 give the first platform surface 32 a rectangular configuration. The plurality of slats 34 are all positioned in a single plane and define a flat surface of the first platform surface 32. Four inner side walls 36 extend downwardly from the slats 34 and extend around the slats 34 of the first platform surface 32. The four inner side walls 36 integrally connect the slats 34. The four inner side walls 36 position the first platform surface 32 defined by the slats 34 in the single plane of the top perimeter surface 22. There are slots 38 through the inner side walls 36 that align with slots 28 through the outer side walls 26. The slots 38 through the inner side walls 36 are also dimensioned to receive the forks of a forklift through the slots. The four inner side walls 36 position the first platform surface 32 adjacent the perimeter channel 24 on an opposite side of the perimeter channel 24 from the top perimeter surface 22. The first platform surface 32 is positioned just inside of the perimeter channel 24 and the perimeter channel 24 extends completely around the first platform surface 32.

[0033] There is a second platform surface 42 on the top of the pallet 20. The second platform surface 42 has substantially the same construction as the first platform surface 32. The second platform surface 42 is formed from a plurality of slats 44 that are integrally connected together to form the second platform surface 42. The plurality of slats 44 give the second platform surface 42 a rectangular configuration. The plurality of slats 44 are all positioned in a single plane and define a flat surface of the second platform surface 42. Four inner side walls 46 extend downwardly from the slats 44 and extend around the slats 44 of the second platform surface 42. The four inner side walls 46 integrally connect the slats 44. The four inner side walls 46 position the second platform surface 42 defined by the slats 44 in the single plane of the top perimeter surface 22. There are slots 48 through the inner side walls 46 that align with slots 28 through the outer side walls 26. The slots 48 through the inner side walls 46 are also dimensioned to receive the forks of a forklift through the slots. The four inner side walls 46 position the second platform surface 42 adjacent the perimeter channel 24 on an opposite side of the perimeter channel 24 from the top perimeter surface 22. The second platform surface 42 is positioned just inside of the perimeter channel 24 and the perimeter channel 24 extends completely around the second platform surface 42. The second platform surface 42 is positioned adjacent the first platform surface 32 with the perimeter channel 24 extending completely around the first platform surface 32 and the second platform surface 42.

[0034] There is a center ridge surface 52 on the top of the pallet 20. The center ridge surface 52 is a solid surface with an elongate, rectangular configuration that extends across the top of the pallet from one side of the perimeter channel 24 to the opposite side of the perimeter channel 24. The center ridge surface 52 is positioned between the first platform surface 32 and the second platform surface 42. The center ridge surface 52 is a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the top perimeter surface 22, the first platform surface 32 and the second platform surface 42. Four center side walls 54 extend downwardly from the center ridge surface 52 and position the center ridge surface 52 in the single plane of the top perimeter surface 22, the first platform surface 32 and the second platform surface 42. There are slots 56 through the center side walls 54 adjacent the first platform surface 32 and the second platform surface 42. The slots 56 are dimensioned to receive blades of a forklift through the slots 56.

[0035] A first central channel 62 is recessed into the top of the pallet 20 and extends downwardly from the first platform surface 32 and from the center ridge surface 52 into the interior of the pallet 20. The first central channel 62 extends across the top of the pallet 20 with opposite ends of the first center channel 62 intersecting the perimeter channel 24 at opposite ends of the pallet 20. The first central channel 62 separates the first platform surface 32 from the central ridge surface 52.

[0036] A second central channel 64 is recessed into the top of the pallet 20 and extends downwardly from the second platform surface 42 and from the center ridge surface 52 into the interior of the pallet 20. The second central channel 64 extends across the top of the pallet 20 with opposite ends of the second center channel 64 intersecting the perimeter channel 24 at opposite ends of the pallet 20. The second central channel 64 separates the second platform surface 42 from the central ridge surface 52.

[0037] As represented in FIG. 3, the pallet 20 has a bottom perimeter surface 66 on a bottom of the pallet. The bottom perimeter surface 66 has a rectangular configuration similar to that of a picture frame, and is a continuous surface that extends completely around a perimeter of the bottom of the pallet 20. More specifically, the bottom perimeter surface 66 has a square configuration. The bottom perimeter surface 66 is a flat surface positioned in a single plane and is an outermost surface on the bottom of the pallet 20. The bottom perimeter surface 66 is positioned at the bottom of the perimeter channel 24 on the top of the pallet 20. The bottom perimeter surface 66 is integrally formed with the four outer side walls 26 at the bottoms of the side walls 26. The bottom perimeter surface 66 is also formed integrally with the bottom edges of the inner side walls 36 of the first platform surface 32 and the bottom edges of the inner side walls 46 of the second platform surface 42. The bottom perimeter surface 66 and the top perimeter surface 22 are parallel and they are separated by the vertical height dimension of the pallet 20 defined by the four outer side walls 26.

[0038] As represented in FIGS. 6-8, to enable nesting of the pallet 20 on to a second pallet 20 having a like construction, the bottom perimeter surface 66 is configured and dimensioned to be received in and fit into a perimeter channel 24 recessed into the top of the second pallet 20 in response to the pallet 20 being stacked on top of the second pallet 20 and nested into the perimeter channel 24 recessed into the top of the second pallet 20.

[0039] There is a first chamber 68 in the bottom of the pallet 20. The first chamber 68 is an empty, hollow void that extends upwardly from the bottom perimeter surface 66 into the interior of the pallet 20 to a first chamber surface 72. The first chamber surface 72 is opposite the first platform surface 32 on the top of the pallet 20. The first chamber 68 is inside the four inner side walls 36 of the first platform surface 32. The bottom perimeter surface 66 extends completely around the first chamber 68. As represented in FIGS. 6-8, to enable nesting of the pallet 20 on the second pallet 20 having a like construction, the first chamber 68 has a rectangular configuration that is dimensioned to receive in the first chamber 68 a first platform surface 32 of the second pallet 20 in response to the pallet 20 being stacked on and nested into the second pallet 20.

[0040] There is a second chamber 74 in the bottom of the pallet 20. The second chamber 74 is an empty, hollow void that extends upwardly from the bottom perimeter surface 66 into the interior of the pallet 20 to a second chamber surface 76. The second chamber surface 76 is opposite the second platform surface 42 on the top of the pallet 20. The second chamber 74 is inside the four inner side walls 46 of the second platform surface 42. The bottom perimeter surface 66 extends completely around the second chamber 74. As represented in FIGS. 6-8, to enable nesting of the pallet 20 on the second pallet 20 having a like construction, the second chamber 74 has a rectangular configuration that is dimensioned to receive in the second chamber 74 a second platform surface 42 of the second pallet 20 in response to the pallet 20 being stacked on and nested into the second pallet 20.

[0041] There is a third chamber 82 in the bottom of the pallet 20. The third chamber 82 is an empty, hollow void that extends upwardly from the bottom perimeter surface 66 into the interior of the pallet 20 to a third chamber surface 84. The third chamber surface 84 is opposite the center ridge surface 52 on the top of the pallet 20. The third chamber 82 is inside the center side walls 54 of the center ridge surface 52. The bottom perimeter surface 66 extends completely around the third chamber 82. As represented in FIGS. 6-8, to enable nesting of the pallet 20 on the second pallet 20 having a like construction, the third chamber 82 has a rectangular configuration that is dimensioned to receive in the third chamber 82 a center ridge surface 52 of the second pallet 20 in response to the pallet 20 being stacked on and nested into the second pallet 20.

[0042] A first central surface 86 extends across the bottom of the pallet 20. Opposite ends of the first central surface 86 intersect the bottom perimeter surface 66 on opposite sides of the pallet 20. The first central surface 86 is a solid surface with an elongate, rectangular configuration that extends across the bottom of the pallet from one side of the bottom perimeter surface 66 to the opposite side of the bottom perimeter surface 66. The first central surface 86 is a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the bottom perimeter surface 66. The first central surface 86 is positioned between the first chamber 68 and the third chamber 82. The first central surface 86 is formed integrally with a bottom edge of one of the inner side walls 36 of the first platform surface 32 and with the bottom edge of one of the center side walls 54 of the center ridge surface 52.

[0043] A second central surface 88 extends across the bottom of the pallet 20. Opposite ends of the second central surface 88 intersect the bottom perimeter surface 66 on opposite sides of the pallet 20. The second central surface 88 is a solid surface with an elongate, rectangular configuration that extends across the bottom of the pallet from one side of the bottom perimeter surface 66 to the opposite side of the bottom perimeter surface 66. The second central surface 88 is a flat surface positioned in the single plane of the bottom perimeter surface 66. The second central surface 88 is positioned between the second chamber 74 and the third chamber 82. The second central surface 88 is formed integrally with a bottom edge of one of the inner side walls 46 of the second platform surface 42 and with the bottom edge of one of the center side walls 54 of the center ridge surface 52.

[0044] The top perimeter surface 22 on the top of the pallet 20, the bottom perimeter surface 66 on the bottom of the pallet 20, the perimeter channel 24 in the top of the pallet 20, the first platform surface 32 on the top of the pallet 20, the second platform surface 42 on the top of the pallet 20, the center ridge surface 52 on the top of the pallet 20, the first chamber 68 in the bottom of the pallet 20, the second chamber 74 in the bottom of the pallet 20, the third chamber 82 in the bottom of the pallet 20, the first central surface 86 on the bottom of the pallet 20 and the second central surface 88 on the bottom of the pallet 20 are all integrally formed as a single piece or as a single unit of plastic material. The pallet 20 could be formed by injection molding, by compression molding, or by another equivalent method. Together the top perimeter surface 22, the first platform surface 32, the second platform surface 42 and the central ridge surface 52 form a planar support surface having a surface area that supports products arranged in a three dimensional arrangement on the top of the pallet 20, for example a three-dimensional arrangement of boxes, bulk bags, etc. Together the bottom perimeter surface 66, the first central surface 86 and the second central surface 88 on the bottom of the pallet 20 together form a planar surface that can be positioned on and engage on a three-dimensional arrangement of products supported on a second pallet of like construction without causing damage to the products. The all-in-one plastic pallet constructed entirely of plastic material as a single piece of plastic material is lightweight and is less expensive to manufacture than a typical wood pallet. The particular configuration and construction of the all-in-one plastic pallet 20 makes the pallet nestable with other pallets of like construction, rackable for storage of the all-in-one plastic pallet 20 in a conventional pallet storage rack, and makes the pallet 20 recyclable.

[0045] As various modifications could be made in the construction of the all-in-one plastic pallet and its method of operation herein described and illustrated without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the foregoing description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative rather than limiting. Thus, the breadth and scope of the present disclosure should not be limited by any of the above described exemplary embodiments, but should be defined only in accordance with the following claims appended hereto and their equivalents.