PLASTIC STACKING CRATES

Abstract

Plastic pallets including side walls are described, which can be used in place of wooden pallets to provide protection for goods during shipping or other uses. Parts of the pallet can be modular, allowing easy replacing and recycling in the case of damage. For example, the side walls can be removed, which can also allow easy access to the pallet's storage area. Retractable pegs can be included in the bottom of the pallet base, which can pair with recesses on the top of the side corners of the pallet. The use of the retractable pegs on the bottom of one pallet and recesses on the top of another pallet enable the pegs and recesses to pair for easy stacking, increasing stacking stability and limiting shifting of the pallets and goods in the storage areas during shipping.

Claims

1. A device comprising: a base including a horizontal platform for supporting goods, the horizontal platform having a width and a length, the base including one or more side openings sized, shaped, and positioned to receive forks of a forklift or pallet jack; four retractable pegs positioned within and extendable from a bottom of the base; and four side walls extending vertically from the horizontal platform and including a recess at each corner where two of the four side walls meet, each recess positioned at a top of a respective corner and sized, shaped, and positioned to receive a retractable peg, the four side walls and the horizontal platform defining a cavity for receiving and retaining goods; wherein the four retractable pegs are positioned to be received by four recesses of a second device to allow stacking of the device over a second device.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the recesses at each corner in the four side walls are positioned to receive four retractable pegs of the second device to allow stacking of the second device over the device.

3. The device of claim 1, wherein the four side walls are removably attached to the base.

4. The device of claim 1, further comprising four side corners extending vertically from the horizontal platform, wherein each recess is positioned at a top of a respective side corner.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the four side walls are each removably attached to and positioned between two respective corners.

6. The device of claim 4, wherein each side wall and each side corner includes two interlocking joints for removably attaching the side walls and side corners to each other.

7. The device of claim 4, wherein the horizontal platform and the four side corners comprise a unitary body.

8. The device of claim 1, wherein the side walls include one or more holes, channels, or openings through a horizontal thickness of the side walls.

9. The device of claim 8, wherein the side walls have a lattice structure including the one or more holes, channels, or openings.

10. The device of claim 8, wherein the side walls have a honeycomb structure including the one or more holes, channels, or openings.

11. The device of claim 1, wherein the base or the side walls comprise a recyclable material.

12. The device of claim 1, wherein the base or the side walls comprise plastic or aluminum.

13. The device of claim 1, wherein the length is from 12 inches to 50 inches and wherein the width is from 12 inches to 50 inches.

14. The device of claim 1, wherein a height of the base and the four side walls together is from 12 inches to 50 inches.

15. The device of claim 1, wherein the retractable pegs are retained by corresponding openings in the bottom of the base.

16. The device of claim 1, wherein the retractable pegs each engage a corresponding spring or resilient member in the base for forcing extension of the retractable pegs from the bottom of the base when not under a compressive load.

17. The device of claim 1, wherein an extendible length of the retractable pegs from the bottom of the base is from 2 inches to 8 inches.

18. The device of claim 1, wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the retractable pegs is from 1 inch to 3 inches, and wherein a cross-sectional dimension of the recess at each corner is from 1 inch to 3 inches.

19. The device of claim 1, wherein the one or more side openings of the base correspond to channels in the base extending length-wise or width-wise across the bottom of the base.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 provides a schematic perspective view of an example shipping device.

[0016] FIG. 2 provides a schematic overhead view of an example shipping device.

[0017] FIG. 3 provides a detailed schematic view of the stacking mechanism of an example shipping device.

[0018] FIG. 4 provides a schematic perspective view of an example shipping device with removable sides.

[0019] FIG. 5 provides a detailed schematic overhead view of a retaining mechanism used with removable sides and side corners of an example shipping device.

[0020] FIG. 6 provides a schematic perspective view of an example shipping device with removable sides including handles.

[0021] FIG. 7 provides a schematic illustration showing retractable pegs in retracted and extended positions.

[0022] FIG. 8 provides a schematic illustration showing retractable pegs in retracted and extended positions with a spring for forcing extension of the retractable peg.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] In general the terms and phrases used herein have their art-recognized meaning, which can be found by reference to standard texts, journal references, and contexts known to those skilled in the art.

[0024] FIG. 1 provides a schematic perspective view of a shipping device 100. Shipping device 100 includes a base 105 and four side walls 110, which are shown as unitary with base 105. At the top corners of the side walls 110, four recesses 115 are shown, which are positioned to receive retractable pegs of another shipping device, such as for stacking. Shipping device 100 includes four retractable pegs 120 at the bottom corners of the device, and a side opening 125 for receiving forks of a forklift or pallet jack, which allow the horizontal platform of the device 100 to be positioned above the ground.

[0025] The four side walls 110 of shipping device 100 include a lattice structure, illustrated as a honeycomb structure 130, to allow airflow through the side walls 110 and easy viewing of the inside of shipping device 100. Honeycomb structure 130 also allows the side walls 110 to be lighter in weight and use less materials than solid side walls, while still providing good structural rigidity.

[0026] In a specific example, shipping device 100 has a width of 45 inches, a length of 48 inches, and a total height of 12 inches, the side opening 125 can have a height of 4 inches, the retractable pegs 120 and recesses 115 can be 6 inches long and have a diameter of 2 inches, and the side walls can be 4 inches thick. These dimensions are intended to be exemplary only and are not limiting.

[0027] FIG. 2 provides a schematic overhead view of shipping device 100, showing the position of recesses 115 at the corners of the four side walls 110. The horizontal platform 135 is positioned at the bottom of the cavity or storage area. FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of the stacking mechanism of an example shipping device, where retractable pegs 120 fit into recesses 115. In some cases, the retractable pegs 120 can have a tapered shape and recesses 115 can be cylindrical.

[0028] FIG. 4 provides a schematic perspective view of another shipping device 400 with removable side walls 410 that can be separated from base 405. Base 405 includes side corners 407, which extend vertically upward from base 405 and include recesses 415, for receiving retractable pegs of another shipping device, such as for stacking. Shipping device 400 includes four retractable pegs 420 at the bottom corners of the device, and a side opening 425 for receiving forks of a forklift or pallet jack, which allow the horizontal platform 435 of the device 400 to be positioned above the ground. In FIG. 4, side walls 410 are shown with a square lattice 430 configuration.

[0029] In a specific example, shipping device 400 has a width of 40 inches, a length of 48 inches, and a total height of 40 inches from the bottom of base 405 to the top of side corners 407, the side opening 425 can have a height of 4 inches, the retractable pegs 420 and recesses 415 can be 6 inches long and have a diameter of 2 inches, and the side walls can be 4 inches thick. These dimensions are intended to be exemplary only and are not limiting. In the configuration shown, two of the four side walls 410 have the same dimensions as one another and can be interchanged with one another, but different dimensions as the other two side walls. The side walls can be inserted into the corresponding openings between side corners facing either direction (e.g., frontways or backways, such as rotated 180 degrees about the vertical direction).

[0030] FIG. 5 provides a detailed schematic view of side corners 407 and the edges of side walls 410, showing an interlocking joint with corresponding shaped components on side corners 407 and side walls 410 to allow them to fit together. Although the configuration illustrated for the interlocking joint shows an extension 412 on side corners 407 and a recess 413 on side walls 410, other configurations are contemplated, such as where an extension is included on side walls 410 and a recess is included on side corners 407 or where matching tongue and groove components are used on either or both side corners 407 or side walls 410.

[0031] FIG. 6 provides a schematic perspective view of another shipping device 600 with removable side walls 610 that can be separated from base 605 and that include handles 611, which can be constructed as recesses extending into the top of side walls 610 or openings that extend all the way through side walls 610. Base 605 includes side corners 607, which extend vertically upward from base 605 and include recesses 615, for receiving retractable pegs of another shipping device, such as for stacking. Shipping device 600 includes four retractable pegs 620 at the bottom corners of the device. Shipping device 600 is a four-way pallet type and includes two side opening 625 for receiving forks of a forklift or pallet jack. In FIG. 6, side walls 610 are shown with a square lattice 630 configuration.

[0032] In a specific example, shipping device 600 has square base, with a width of 48 inches, a length of 48 inches. Shipping device can have a total height of 40 inches from the bottom of base 605 to the top of side corners 607, the side opening 625 can have a height of 4 inches, the retractable pegs 620 and recesses 615 can be 6 inches long and have a diameter of 2 inches, and the side walls can be 4 inches thick. These dimensions are intended to be exemplary only and are not limiting. In such a configuration where the width and length are the same size, the four side walls 610 can all be equivalent and can be interchanged with one another, simplifying assembly and use. The side walls 610 can be inserted into the corresponding openings between side corners facing either direction (e.g., frontways or backways, such as rotated 180 degrees about the vertical direction), and embodiments are contemplated where side walls 610 are square shape and include appropriate interlocking joint components (e.g., recesses), and optionally handles, on all four sides, allowing the side walls 610 to be inserted into any opening between side corners 607 in almost any orientation (e.g., frontways, backways, rotated 90 degrees, etc.).

[0033] FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 provides schematic illustrations showing retractable pegs 620 in retracted and extended positions. In FIG. 7, retractable peg 620 is shown inside of base 605, with a shape where retractable peg 620 is wider at the top 621 than the bottom 622. This configuration can allow retractable peg 620 to be retained inside base 605 without falling out.

[0034] For example, bottom 622 can pass through an opening in the bottom of base 605, with the opening sized large enough to allow bottom 622 to pass but small enough to prevent top 621 from passing. When placed on the ground, retractable peg 620 can be retracted completely into base 605, but gravity can allow retractable peg 620 to drop down so that the bottom 622 is exposed. In the configuration shown in FIG. 8, a spring 627 is used to force retractable peg 620 to be exposed when base 605 is in any orientation and not rely on gravity, but still allows retractable peg to be retracted completely into base 605.

REFERENCES

[0035] U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,530,481, 3,327,654, 8,038,448.

[0036] U.S. patent Application Publication No. 2020/0277103.

STATEMENTS REGARDING INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE AND VARIATIONS

[0037] All references throughout this application, for example patent documents including issued or granted patents or equivalents; patent application publications; and non-patent literature documents or other source material; are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their entireties, as though individually incorporated by reference, to the extent each reference is at least partially not inconsistent with the disclosure in this application (for example, a reference that is partially inconsistent is incorporated by reference except for the partially inconsistent portion of the reference).

[0038] All patents and publications mentioned in the specification are indicative of the levels of skill of those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains. References cited herein are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety to indicate the state of the art, in some cases as of their filing date, and it is intended that this information can be employed herein, if needed, to exclude (for example, to disclaim) specific embodiments that are in the prior art.

[0039] When a Markush group or other grouping is used herein, all individual members of the group and all combinations and subcombinations possible of the group are intended to be individually included in the disclosure. As used herein, and/or means that one, all, or any combination of items in a list separated by and/or are included in the list; for example 1, 2 and/or 3 is equivalent to '1 or 2 or 3 or 1 and 2 or 1 and 3 or 2 and 3 or 1, 2 and 3.

[0040] Every formulation or combination of components described or exemplified can be used to practice the invention, unless otherwise stated. Specific names of materials or components are intended to be exemplary, as it is known that one of ordinary skill in the art can name the same material or components differently. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that methods, device elements, and materials, other than those specifically exemplified can be employed in the practice of the invention without resort to undue experimentation. All art-known functional equivalents, of any such methods, device elements, and materials are intended to be included in this invention. Whenever a range is given in the specification, for example, a distance range, all intermediate ranges and subranges, as well as all individual values included in the ranges given are intended to be included in the disclosure.

[0041] As used herein, comprising is synonymous with including, containing, or characterized by, and is inclusive or open-ended and does not exclude additional, unrecited elements or method steps. As used herein, consisting of excludes any element, step, or ingredient not specified in the claim element. As used herein, consisting essentially of does not exclude materials or steps that do not materially affect the basic and novel characteristics of the claim. Any recitation herein of the term comprising, particularly in a description of components of a composition or in a description of elements of a device, is understood to encompass those compositions and methods consisting essentially of and consisting of the recited components or elements. The aspects illustratively described herein suitably may be practiced in the absence of any element or elements, limitation or limitations which is or are not specifically disclosed herein.

[0042] The terms and expressions which have been employed are used as terms of description and not of limitation, and there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions of excluding any equivalents of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention claimed. Thus, it should be understood that although the present invention has been specifically disclosed by preferred embodiments and optional features, modification and variation of the concepts herein disclosed may be resorted to by those skilled in the art, and that such modifications and variations are considered to be within the scope of this invention as defined by the appended claims.