Abstract:
A pallet having a unique runner system where each runner opens into the upper deck of the pallet or opens away from the upper deck, and each runner is formed of a construction of z girts back to back resulting in a flattened “V” or “U”. Each runner may optionally include an elongated notch on its bottom surface or an opening to allow forklift tines to slide into for easy transport of the pallet. The pallet may also include cross runners of similar construction for additional strength. The pallet&#39;s construction allows the pallet to be made of plastic material, perhaps molded, providing lighter weight and longer durability than its wooden cousins.

Description:
PRIORITY STATEMENT 
       [0001]    This application a nonprovisional application based off provisional application No. 61/865,012, which was filed on Aug. 12, 2013 with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The transport of objects from one place to another has been a challenge since ancient times. Storage of multiple objects also poses challenges. In addition to specialized buildings, shelves, and cupboards for storage and bucket loaders, fork lifts, trucks, carts, planes and ships for transport, pallets have been created. 
         [0003]    Pallets can be thought of as a form of a moveable shelf or platform. Depending on the load to be moved, the construction of a pallet is critical to durability and performance. Further, it is desirable that a pallet be constructed such that a loaded pallet may be placed directly on the load of a pallet below without damaging the lower load. Some storage systems employ open racking of pallets which systems have additional requirements so that the pallets may be used in such a system. 
         [0004]    In certain industries such as the food industry, the use of untreated wood pallets provides an entry and/or growth medium for bacteria, mold, fungus and other biological organisms which pose threats to food safety and reduce the durability of the pallet. It is also desirable to employ pallets that may be easily cleaned and recycled. Therefore, it would be desirable to employ a pallet made of material not vulnerable to such invasion, and easy to clean. Further, wood pallets are not as durable as plastic or metal pallets, and will swell and contract with atmospheric or working conditions, causing issues in their use for automated packaging lines. 
         [0005]    In order to move the pallets and their loads, machines such as fork lifts need to be able to easily engage and lift the pallet and its load and easily disengage from the pallet after the pallet is positioned. Providing a pallet with features to provide ease of transport by forklift is, therefore, also desirable. 
         [0006]    A problem with the use of pallets for moving and storing materials is what to do with a pallet when empty. They often are stacked but take up quite a bit of space and the stack&#39;s height is limited in order to prevent shifting and the possibility of a stack of pallets falling on someone. Adding to the danger, many present pallet designs are heavy in order to accommodate their intended uses, making their empty-stage storage and transfer both cumbersome and expensive. 
         [0007]    Most present pallets bearing dynamic loads of 2,000 pounds or more are constructed of materials such as wood and/or metal. Others may be constructed of fiberglass and plastic. Although attempts have been made to use plastic pallets for similar loads, the designs of those pallets have been deficient in the amount of sag, and the pallet&#39;s durability and load-bearing capability. Those pallets that adequately address sag and bear adequate weight are often also heavier, requiring more materials to provide adequate functionality. 
         [0008]    What was needed was a lightweight pallet capable of bearing a dynamic load of about 2,000 pounds or more, especially a pallet that can span a 42 inch or 44 inch open pallet rack. The pallet needed to be durable and easily stored, transported, and nested with other such pallets. Preferably, such a pallet would be a relatively low cost pallet. Pallets of different dimensions having these features would also be desirable, And if such a pallet having all of these general features could be constructed to withstand more than 8 shipping cycles before repair or replacement, and made using mostly, if not all, recycled materials, the advantages could be multiplied and far outdistance the presently used wood pallet. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The present invention comprises a lightweight pallet which can be nested and stacked with other pallets. The pallet comprises a deck portion having a loading surface and a runner system. The deck and runner system are constructed to resist sag when a load is applied. 
         [0010]    In one embodiment the pallet is a unitary structure which may be the result of a molding process wherein the pallet is of one piece. A unitary structure is not critical to the pallet&#39;s design but lends itself well to simplifying both its construction and storage. If molded to provide a hollow or mostly hollow construction, the pallet can be relatively lightweight relative to its solid brethren. For example, some embodiments of the pallet range in weight between about 11 and about 20 pounds. Although not required, the pallet may be of plastic materials, or of composites that include plastic. The structure and material, combined, provides a stronger pallet than prior art pallets made of wood. The pallet of the present invention may be constructed to bear loads up to and including about 2000 pounds or more without undue sag, able to span a 42″ or 44″ inch open pallet rack or comprise differing dimensions, and are semi-stackable and nestable. 
         [0011]    In any case, the pallet of the present invention includes the runner system which has at least one runner, wherein each runner comprises a first end and a second end, a top or at least one top edge, a bottom and a generally “V/U/flattened V” profile when viewed from either said first or said second end. The V/U/flattened V profile is formed by a first angled (relative to vertical) generally planar surface having a first lip which serves as the first leg of the “V” or “U”, and a second angled generally planar surface having a second lip forming the second leg of the “V” or “U” wherein the two angled generally planar surfaces are angled toward one another to create, generally, a flat or rounded or pointed apex or juncture. 
         [0012]    In one embodiment, there is an open space between the first angled generally planar surface and the second angled generally planar surface. In an embodiment, the open space upwardly opens through the deck portion. In a similar embodiment the upward opening open space is covered by the deck portion, or may be partially covered by the deck portion. In another embodiment the open space opens downward and the deck portion is associated with the V/U/flattened V profile of the juncture between the first and second angled generally planar surfaces. In another embodiment the first and second angled generally planar surfaces are hollow bodies joined and in communication through the V/U/flattened V profile. In yet another embodiment, the open space between the first angled generally planar surface and the second angled generally planar surface includes at least one leg or one plate member spanning the open space and connecting the first and second angled generally planar surfaces. In another embodiment, the open space between the first angled generally planar surface and the second angled generally planar surface includes at least one protrusion, either generally planar and perpendicular to one of said angled generally planar surface of the runner or generally nonplanar. Said protrusion spans the open space only near the juncture between the first and second angled generally planar surfaces leaving an open space or, spans the open space near the top edge of the runner, leaving the open space otherwise between the first and second angled generally planar surfaces of the runner. 
         [0013]    A runner as described herein may span most of the distance between two portions of the deck surface, typically, substantially spanning the distance between two sides or edges. The deck portion may or may not include a lip covering the open space at an end of a runner between the first angled generally planar surface and the second angled generally planar surface, thereby sealing that end of the runner from water, debris, or pests. 
         [0014]    A runner may, alternatively, span a distance between two other runners providing cross support. The cross support runner may be oriented at right angle to the other runner, or may be at some other angle relative to the other runner. A cross support runner may run between runners, or between a runner and an edge of the deck surface. The open space of a cross runner may be formed to open into the open space of the other runner. 
         [0015]    The strength of each runner is accomplished by the use of Z-girts in its construction. Specifically, the first angled generally planar surface and the second angled generally planar surface are formed in a manner that provides the strength of two z-girts placed back-to-back. This shape then provides the advantages expected from the use of z-girts, and allows the load to be spanned to the first and second ends of the runner. Further, in one embodiment, the first lip and the second lip of each runner each forms an integral part of the deck portion. In one embodiment, one of said lips of each of the outermost two of said at least one runners forms an outer edge of said pallet. In an embodiment, each of the ends of each runner is provided with a third and fourth lip, respectively, which lip forms a portion of the outer edge of said pallet. In another embodiment, each lip can be at any one of many different angles from the adjoining angular surface of the “V” runner. For an example of embodiments of the present invention exhibiting these characteristics, see  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3 . 
         [0016]    The inventor does not intend to limit the invention to these embodiments but, rather, the invention is directed to the use of single or multiple runners as described herein, all uniform in a given pallet, or arranged in groupings of different numbers either between the outer edges of the pallet&#39;s deck or including some that form the edges of the deck of the pallet within or on the sides of a given pallet in accordance with its intended use and load requirements. The pallet of the present invention may or may not include cross runners having similar construction, oriented at angles to the runners to provide additional strength. 
         [0017]    The V/U/flattened V bottom of each said runner may be uniform on the runner or may further comprise contours which create at least one elongated notch, also having a V/U/flattened V bottom. Said notch allows a fork on a lift to slide between two loaded and stacked pallets and remove the upper pallet for transfer. When nested with another pallet, the whole stack may be lifted via the notch on the bottom pallet, or a single pallet may be lifted between runners. Devices other than a fork lift may be used. Several notches may be present and can be of dimensions selected for ease of transfer, depending on the machine anticipated to be used for such transfer. Alternatively, the runner may be formed to enclose an opening transverse to the runner&#39;s orientation through which a lifting device may be inserted. See  FIGS. 3 and 5  for examples of the contours where a pallet is intended to be used in an open rack, moveable by fork lift, and nestable with others of like design. 
         [0018]    In one embodiment, the V/U/flattened V includes open space between the first angled generally planar surface and the second angled generally planar surface, and the open space is not occluded by decking. Where this construction is present, a first pallet may be stacked and nested with another. When nested the V/U/flattened/V runner of an upper pallet is nested into the open space between the first angled generally planar surface and the second angled generally planar surface of a runner of a lower pallet. 
         [0019]    In another embodiment, at least one of said at least one runner is present in a runner unit. A runner unit comprises more than one runner, closely positioned together so that each said runner comprises a first angled generally planar surface, a second angled generally planar surface, and at least one joining lip. The joining lip is shared with an adjacent runner in the runner unit and is positioned between two neighboring runners. Each of said angled generally planar surface of each runner in the unit is formed in a manner such that the combined first and second surface of each runner provides the strength of two z-girts placed back-to-back. See  FIG. 7  which comprises a drawing showing the configuration of the Z girts relative to one another and the overall structure of the runner. It is possible that a plurality of more than two runners may be so associated in a runner unit. 
         [0020]    A cross runner, ribs, or solid decking may be employed to add strength and rigidity. In some embodiments, a cross runner or rib may run between and be associated with at least two runners. A cross runner may or may not comprise the V/U/flattened V construction. 
     
    
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0021]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of the pallet of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 3  depicts a third embodiment; 
           [0024]      FIG. 4  is a perspective of a single runner; 
           [0025]      FIG. 5  is a perspective of a double runner 
           [0026]      FIG. 6  is a drawing of an end view of a runner; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7  is a sketch showing the two z girts placed back to back for strength; 
           [0028]      FIG. 8  depicts a fourth embodiment comprising cross runners; 
           [0029]      FIG. 9  shows the underside of the fourth embodiment; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10  depicts a fifth embodiment with cross runners inverted from those in  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 11  shows the underside of the fifth embodiment. 
       
    
    
       [0000]    
       
           10  pallet 
           20  deck portion 
           22  first edge of deck portion 
           24  second edge of deck portion 
           30  runner system 
           32  first end of runner 
           34  second end of runner 
           35  runner 
           35   a  cross runner 
           36  top of runner 
           38  bottom of runner 
           40  depth of runner 
           40   a  depth of cross runner 
           42  V/U/flattened V profile, end view 
           44  first angled surface 
           46  first lip 
           48  second angled surface 
           50  second lip 
           52  apex or juncture 
           54  open space between first and second angled surface 
           56  elongated notch 
       
     
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0053]    While not wishing to be limited to the following characteristics, one exemplary embodiment comprises a pallet made by a molding process which may be one of several types including but not limited to structural foam molding and injection molding using thermo plastic polymers, said pallet having overall dimensions of between about 48″ to about 36″ length, about 48″ to 36″ width, and a runner depth (from deck to V/U/flattened V bottom) of between about 2.5″ and about 8″. The runner opening into the deck is preferably between about 1″ to 4″ wide but may be wider or narrower depending on the desired load capacity of the pallet and the specific runner system design. It is possible to mold the pallet of single layer construction, or to employ rotational molding and create a pallet that is double-walled construction and/or hollow at least in part. The thickness of material can be selected to provide strength as needed for the pallet&#39;s intended use. 
         [0054]    The pallet of the present invention is typically lighter but stronger than most similarly dimensioned wood pallets. The present invention ranges between about 11 pounds and about 20 pounds depending on its intended use. For example, a pallet comprising a runner system of the present invention weighing about 14 pounds will bear the same load, and be far more durable than a wood pallet of the same dimensions weighing 45 pounds. 
         [0055]    Finally, in many industries, such as the food industry, the present invention offers an advantage in that the pallet may be anti-microbial or, at least, impermeable to microbial materials. 
         [0056]    Pallet  10  comprises a first edge  22  and a second edge  24 , a runner system  30  and a deck portion  20 . In this embodiment, the runner system  30  comprises at least one runner  35  having a first end  23 , a second end  34 , a top  36 , a bottom  38 , a depth  40 , and an end profile  42 . The profile  42  may be described generally as a “V” or “U” or a flattened “V” and has a first angled surface  44 , a first lip  46 , a second angled surface  48 , a second lip  50 , an apex or juncture  52  where said first angled surface  44  and said second angled surface  48  come together, and an open space  54  between said first angled surface  44  and said second angled surface  48 . Each runner  35  of the runner system  30  preferably extends the length of the deck portion  20 . The bottom  38  of the runner  35  may include means to facilitate ease of transport  56 . Said means to facilitate transport may include an elongated notch or notches into which the tines of a forklift may be inserted. The notch or notches  56  on a first runner are aligned with the notch or notches  56  of a second runner  35  in a runner system  30  so that the tines of a forklift may be inserted through all aligned notches. The dimensions (width and depth) of means to facilitate transport may be selected when making the pallet  10  and correspond with its intended use. Said means may even take the form of openings, rather than notches, through which transportation means (including forklift and means other than forklifts) may be threaded. This same means to facilitate transportation may also serve as means for lashing several loaded pallets together, for example, by rope or cable. 
         [0057]    The means to facilitate transportation  56  on one runner  35  may not be the same as on another runner; further, the runners  35  on a single pallet  10  may not all be of equal depth  40 . These features provide multiple use and design possibilities, allowing flexibility and applicability in a multitude of uses. 
         [0058]    The runner system  30  typically comprises more than one runner  35 . Each runner  35  in the system  30  may be adjacent directly with another runner or runners  35 , perhaps connected by their respective first lips  46  and second lip  50 . A runner system  30  may or may not include one or more cross runners  35   a . A runner system  30  may be any of several patterns. Many functional runner systems  30  include a runner  35  with a first end  32  located at the pallet&#39;s deck portion first edge  22  and stretching to the pallet&#39;s deck portion opposite and second edge  24  where the second end  34  is located. In other words, a runner  35  may stretch generally across the pallet&#39;s dimension of the pallet of the present invention, but this extension is not required for acceptable functionality. Cross runner  35   a  may run between two runners  35  of the runner system  30  at any one of many angles to the runners  35  of the runner system  30 . A cross runner  35   a  provides additional strength and may be oriented with its open space  54  open the same direction as the runners  35  in the runner system  30  or may be oriented oppositely. The depth  40   a  of a cross runner may be less than the depth  40  of a runner  35 , to allow ease of nesting. The open space  54  of the cross runner  35   a  may open into the open space  54  of a runner  35 , or may not. The open space  54  of a cross runner  35   a  may or may not open into the deck portion. This structure, then, allows identical pallets to be nested when not in use; the bottom  38  of a runner  35  on a first pallet will fit into and align with the open space  54  of a runner  35  on a second pallet. It is also possible that the cross runners  35   a  may be nested with cross runners  35   a  of another pallet. Two pallets having identical runner systems  30  can, therefore, nest. A pallet having fewer runners in its system may also nest above a pallet with more runners, if the runners have correct and corresponding spacing. This nesting feature provides for storage of multiple pallets in far less space than required for conventional pallets. Where the pallets of made of plasticized material, the weight of each pallet is far less than an equal duty wood pallet. Further, the durability of the plastic pallet far outlasts that of a wooden pallet. And, lastly, the material may be selected to allow unitary structure via molding, and may offer antimicrobial features, or at least impermeability to microbial substances. 
         [0059]    The flattened “V” profile  42  formed at the bottom  52  of runner  35  by the meeting of the first angled surface  44  and the second angled surface  48  is key to the pallet&#39;s strength as well as its ability to nest. Referring now to  FIGS. 6 and 7 , specifically  FIG. 7 , it will be noted that a runner  35  is formed by z-girts placed back to back. The lower part of each z-girt becomes integral with the lower part of the other; the first angled surface  44  of the runner  35  comprises the first z-girt; the second angled surface  48  of the runner  35  comprises the second z-girt. This use and relative arrangement of integrated z-girts provides the superior strength of this pallet, allows the pallet to be of unitary structure, if desired, and provides its nesting capability. Alternatively, the runner  35  may be placed with the bottom  52  against the deck platform with the open space  54  opening downward. When the pallet is made of plastic material, the pallet provides superior strength, pound for pound, while also resisting infestation or contamination by biological organisms and materials. 
         [0060]    It should be appreciated that the runner system may include a variety of groupings of runners; that the pallet does not have to be of unitary structure, and is not required to be made of plastic material. The deck portion  20  on the pallet is shown as a web, although a web is not a critical requirement for the invention. If a web is used, or a partial web, the web pattern may be one of many including openings and angles selected to provide strength and functionality as needed for the pallet&#39;s desired and intended uses. Alternatively, the deck portion  20  may be solid without openings, contoured for specific uses, or planar. Rib structures rather than or in addition to cross runners  35   a  may also be employed to add rigidity and strength. Legs or walls or partial walls may also span the open space between the angled walls  44  and  48  for added strength and rigidity. Where such leg or partial wall is located near the juncture of the walls  44  and  48 , the nesting ability may be maintained. 
         [0061]    The present invention has been described in both specificity, and with generality. It is not intended to be limited except as the claims language requires. To that end, the material used to make the pallet may be of several blends of plastic, fiberglass, or combinations with wood or metal. The pallets may include a variety of means to secure one to another and may be of any general dimensions (width length) or of any shape. The runners are intended to include the open space between the legs for the purpose of nesting, but this may be accomplished in one of many ways. And nesting per se is not required.