Patent ID: 6626634
Filing Date: 2003-09-30
Classification: B60P,B62B,B65D,G06Q

Abstract:
A method for distributing beverages to account locations on a route from a truck utilizing mini-pallets of the type having a deck with two downwardly projecting rails spaced apart from one another, a downwardly projecting central support intermediate the two downwardly projecting rails, and a pocket coaxial with said central support adapted to receive at least a portion of a similarly shaped mini-pallet's central support when multiple mini-pallets are nested, said method consisting of the following steps:(a) loading each mini-pallet with beverages intended for a single account location to form a beverage stack on the mini-pallet at a warehouse location; (b) placing the mini-pallets loaded with beverages for account locations on the route on the truck; (c) a driver driving the truck to a first account location; (d) placing a tongue of a hand-truck under a mini-pallet loaded with beverages for the present account location, said tongue having a width less than the space between the rails and having a compatible recess adapted to receive the central support of said mini-pallet; (e) lifting the mini-pallet with the hand-truck; (f) the driver off-loading the mini-pallet and the hand-truck from the truck to the present account location; (g) unloading the beverage stack from the hand-truck; (h) repeating steps (d) through (g) for each mini-pallet loaded for the present account location; (i)driving the truck to the next location on the route; and (j)repeating steps (d) through (i) until the route is complete.