Patent ID: 6369342
Filing Date: 2002-04-09
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
A method of manufacture of a metal pallet comprising a deck member having a planar upper surface formed by the intersection of a plural number of rod members with a plural number of flat bar members, the flat bar members each having an elongated thin edge and positioned such that the elongated thin edge is the top surface of the flat bar members, where the rod members are embedded within the flat bar members such that the upper surface of the rod members are flush with the top surface of each of the elongated thin edges of the flat bar members in order to define the planar upper surface of the deck member, the method comprising the steps of:providing a pressure resistance welding apparatus comprising a platen to apply pressure and a base to support a plural number of said flat bar members; placing said flat bar members onto said base; placing one or more said rod members across said top surface of each of said flat bar members; attaching electrical leads to said flat bar members adjacent the intersections of said one or more rod members and said flat bar members; applying current to said flat bar members in sufficient amount to cause melting of said flat bar members at said intersections; moving said platen to apply pressure to said one or more rod members to force said rod members into the melted intersections of said flat bar members until said upper surface of said one or more rod members is flush with said top surface of each of said flat bar members.