Abstract:
A pallet and method for efficient transport of materials. The pallet provides a means for containing leaking, thawing or loose cargo and preventing loss of same. The pallet incorporates one or more retaining walls disposed around the pallet base, and one or more integral retention volumes disposed below the base.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to transportation of materials, and particularly to a recyclable pallet suitable for transportation of loose materials. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Pallets are used for transportation of cargo from one place to another. In general, the primary function of a pallet is to support the cargo off the floor so as to facilitate manipulation of the cargo by a forklift, pallet jack, or similar device. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The present disclosure provides a versatile apparatus for storing and delivering materials in a convenient and sanitary manner. 
         [0004]    The apparatus and method disclosed herein facilitates clean and sanitary transport of loose, frozen or moisture-saturated materials from an origin to a destination. The apparatus comprises a recyclable pallet operable to capture any material, including moisture, dust or loose cargo, that may leak, thaw or shake loose from a quantity of material to be transported on the pallet. In certain embodiments, the pallet may incorporate a retention chamber or volume to retain such material. 
         [0005]    Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    For a better understanding of the disclosure, and to show by way of example how the same may be carried into effect, reference is now made to the detailed description along with the accompanying figures in which corresponding numerals in the different figures refer to corresponding parts and in which: 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  depicts a top view of a pallet according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  depicts a front view of the pallet of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  depicts a side view of the pallet of  FIGS. 1 and 2 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  depicts a three-quarters view of the pallet of  FIGS. 1-3 ; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 5  is a flowchart showing a method of use of the pallet of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    While the making and using of various embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present disclosure provides many applicable inventive concepts, which can be embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The disclosure is primarily described and illustrated hereinafter in conjunction with various embodiments of the presently-described systems and methods. The specific embodiments discussed herein are, however, merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the disclosure and do not limit the scope of the disclosure. 
         [0013]      FIGS. 1-4  depict views of a pallet  100  suitable for transportation of materials. Pallet  100  comprises a generally-planar, generally-rectangular base  102  having an array of wall segments  104 - 118  extending upwardly therefrom and a pair of pallet skids  120 ,  122  extending downwardly therefrom. The dimensions of pallet  100  may vary from one embodiment to another. The embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4  is approximately 30% deeper than it is wide, but alternate embodiments may employ alternate proportions. 
         [0014]    Wall segments  104 - 118  comprise front wall segment  104 , rear wall segment  106 , left wall segment  108 , right wall segment  110 , front left wall segment  112 , front right wall segment  114 , right rear wall segment  116  and left rear wall segment  118 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , wall segments  104 - 118  are shown as being disposed orthogonally to the plane generally defined by base  102 . In alternate embodiments, wall segments  104  may be disposed at an angle to base  102 , either by being splayed out, tapered in, or some combination thereof. 
         [0015]    Wall segments  104  and  106  are shown disposed orthogonally to wall segments  108  and  110 . In alternate embodiments, wall segments  104 ,  106 ,  108  and  110  may be disposed at different angles to one another. Similarly, wall segments  112 ,  114 ,  116  and  118  are shown disposed generally at 45-degree angles to wall segments  104 - 110 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternate embodiments may employ wall segments disposed at alternate angles. 
         [0016]    Pallet skids  120  and  124  extend downwardly from base  102 , supporting base  102  above the floor, thereby facilitating movement, loading and unloading of pallet  100  using a forklift, pallet jack or other apparatus. Pallet skid  120  comprises an outer vertical wall  124 , a floor  126  and an inner vertical wall  128 . Pallet skid  122  comprises an outer vertical wall  130 , a floor  132  and an inner vertical wall  134 . In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , vertical walls are shown as being disposed orthogonally to pallet base  102 . Those of skill in the art will appreciate that alternate embodiments may employ pallet skid structures wherein the side walls of skids  120  and  122  may not be orthogonal to base  102 . 
         [0017]    In the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-4 , pallet skids  120  and  122  extend the entire length from walls  112  and  114  to walls  116  and  118 , respectively. In alternate embodiments, pallet skids  120  and  122  may extend only partially between the end walls, or may extend beyond the end walls. Similarly,  FIGS. 1-4  depict an embodiment wherein pallet skids  120  and  122  extend continuously as a single skid on each side. Alternate embodiments may employ two or more skids per side without departing from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. 
         [0018]    In certain embodiments, pallet skids  120  and  122  are open on top and sealed at the bottom, in order to securely catch and retain any moisture or other material that may leak, drip or thaw out from the cargo disposed on and within pallet  100 . As one example, pallet  100  may be employed effectively to transport products in the meatpacking industry. In this application, pallet skids  120  and  122  will capture and retain blood, water or other fluids that may thaw or seep out of the materials being transported. In one embodiment, the combined internal volume of pallet skids  120  and  122  is approximately one gallon, but alternate embodiments may have a larger or smaller volume, as appropriate to the application. 
         [0019]    As noted above, a wide variety of configurations may be encompassed within the general structure depicted in  FIGS. 1-4 . In addition to the configurations mentioned above, alternate configurations may employ chamfers, fillets or other angled or curved sections between the planar sections so as to facilitate cleaning and inspection of pallet  100  and provide additional structural integrity. In certain embodiments, additional ribs, bosses or corrugations may be introduced to the design in order to further improve the rigidity and strength of pallet  100 . 
         [0020]    Pallet  100  may be made of any suitable material, so long as the material is strong enough to maintain structural integrity carrying the payload for which it is designed and withstand the environment within which it will be used. Metals such as aluminum and steel, or any number of plastics may be used, depending on the application. Where caustic chemicals may be stored on or used to clean pallet  100 , stainless steel or polyethylene may be preferred. All of these variations are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. 
         [0021]      FIG. 5  depicts a flowchart showing one method of use of pallet  100 . According to the method, an empty pallet is first loaded ( 200 ), and the loaded pallet is then transported ( 202 ) to a destination. After delivery, the loaded pallet is unloaded ( 204 ). Subsequently, the unloaded pallet is cleaned and/or washed ( 206 ). Where the payload comprises materials likely to spoil, decay or accumulate pathogens, the cleaning / washing process ( 206 ) may include a sanitation or disinfection process, as well. After cleaning, the process may include an inspection process ( 208 ) to ensure that the pallet is safe and ready to be reused. 
         [0022]    Similar embellishments, and various combinations thereof, are all comprehended by the present disclosure. In fact, all embodiments described herein are presented for purposes of illustration and explanation only. The specific compositions, configurations, orientations and operations of various features, portions and members may be provided in a number of ways in accordance with the present disclosure. 
         [0023]    Although certain functionalities may have been represented herein by a single component for the sake of simplicity, those of skill in the art will recognize that the functions of a single component may be performed by multiple separate components in certain embodiments. Thus, the embodiments and examples set forth herein are presented to best explain the present disclosure and its practical application and to thereby enable those skilled in the art to make and utilize the disclosure. 
         [0024]    As previously explained, those skilled in the art will recognize that the foregoing description and examples have been presented for the purpose of illustration and example only. The description as set forth is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching without departing from the spirit and scope of the following claims.