Patent Document

TECHNICAL FIELD  
         [0001]    The present invention relates generally to pallet members, and more particularly to a pallet member that is constructed so that it includes an area that holds a number of unused boxes that are later used for storing articles that are placed on a load bearing surface of the pallet.  
         BACKGROUND  
         [0002]    There are a number of different pallet constructions that are commercially available for purchase. A pallet is basically designed as a load support member that is constructed to make it easier for transporting and/or storing bulk matter that is placed on a load bearing surface thereof. For example, industrial type pallets have features formed therein that permit a fork lift truck to carry a pallet that may contain a number of boxes or other types of containers (e.g., sacks) that are arranged in a predetermined pattern on the load bearing surface.  
           [0003]    Pallets are often made of wood. The weight and bulk of wooden pallets results in high costs for transporting, storing and disposal of the pallets. Another problem is handling and storing pallets after use. Often they must be transported for reuse or refurbishment, further adding to their cost. Often, they are destroyed after use, further adding to already overloaded landfill facilities.  
           [0004]    It is also known to construct a pallet of corrugated paperboard. Although use of corrugated paperboard is advantageous with respect to weight, bulk and recycling issues, new complications are introduced. The added complexity of corrugated pallets required to provide adequate stiffness and load support strength complicates use with lift apparatus such as fork lift trucks. Also, a large number of different pieces are often required to assemble the pallets, especially if used with different sized containers. Large numbers of parts adds to the cost of inventory and assembly costs of the pallets.  
           [0005]    In addition to industrial type pallets, pallets can be designed for applicability more in a residence or small office. More specifically, many people store items in boxes that are placed in a cellar or garage. While, the consumer can simply box such items and place them on the ground surface, this may lead to damage or destruction of the boxes themselves since paperboard boxes attract moisture and as the reader will appreciate, basement floors and garage floors tend to be damp. In addition, in areas that are prone to flooding and/or rodent infestation, it is advantageous to elevate the boxes off of the ground surface. By placing the boxes or containers on the pallet, the items are elevated from the ground surface.  
           [0006]    Because boxes are the most common way for the consumer to store articles, the consumer has to first purchase or construct a pallet and then purchase boxes. At the very least, this purchasing requirement means that the consumer has to make two selections (which could be in two distant aisles) and also the consumer has to carry two separate bulky articles both to his/her vehicle and then therefrom to a residence or office.  
           [0007]    It is therefore desirable to provide a pallet that is configured for a residential or small office type setting and which includes a feature that permits one stop shopping by incorporating a feature into the pallet such that a plurality of boxes can be retained and securely held within the pallet at least prior to the use thereof. In the art, the term “knocked down flat” (KDF) refers to a box that is in its flattened state.  
         SUMMARY  
         [0008]    The present invention pertains to a pallet and storage container combination for retail sale. The combination includes a pallet having a body including an outer surface for supporting a load and an inner surface. The pallet has a plurality of feet integral with the body and disposed below the inner surface for seating on a ground surface and supporting the pallet body. Each foot has a lower ground contacting edge. The combination also includes a plurality of boxes disposed on top of one another to form a stack. In other words, the stack is formed of a number of boxes, each in a KDF state. The stack is disposed within a pallet space defined between the feet and the pallet body. A retaining member is disposed around the pallet body and the stack so that the stack is securely held within the pallet space regardless of whether the pallet body is in a vertical standing position or a horizontal position.  
           [0009]    In another embodiment, a pallet and storage container combination for retail sale is provided and includes a pallet having a body including an outer surface for supporting a load and an inner surface. The pallet has a plurality of feet integral with the body and disposed below the inner surface for seating on a ground surface and supporting the pallet body. Each foot has a lower ground contacting edge, wherein at least one side of the pallet body has a longitudinal slot formed therein. A web is formed of at least two members that are integral to and extend between respective feet and each web member has a ground contacting surface when the feet seat upon the ground surface. The combination includes a plurality of boxes disposed on top of one another to form a stack, with the stack being disposed within a pallet space defined between the feet and the pallet body. The stack is dimensioned so that it and an individual box thereof can be received into and removed from the longitudinal slot even during use of the pallet. A retaining member is disposed around the pallet body and the stack so that the stack is securely held within the pallet space regardless of whether the pallet body is in a vertical standing position or a horizontal position, wherein removal of the retaining member permits one or more boxes to be removed through the longitudinal slot.  
           [0010]    Further aspects and features of the exemplary apparatus disclosed herein can be appreciated from the appended Figures and accompanying written description.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0011]    The invention will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings which are for illustrative purposes only:  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 is a top and side perspective view of a pallet in accordance with a first exemplary embodiment;  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 2 is a bottom and side perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 1 with a bundle of unused storage boxes being removed therefrom;  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 2 with the bundle of boxes being contained within a compartment thereof for easy storage and sale of the pallet assembly;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 4 is perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 2 in use with a plurality of boxes stacked thereon;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of a section of a foot formed as part of the pallet;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a corrugated box for use with the pallet of FIG. 1;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 7 is a top and side perspective view of a pallet in accordance with a second exemplary embodiment;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 8 is a bottom and side perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 7 with a bundle of unused storage boxes being removed therefrom;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 8 with the bundle of boxes being contained within a compartment thereof for easy storage and sale of the pallet assembly;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 10 is a top and side perspective view of a pallet in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 11 is a side elevational view of a section of a foot formed as part of the pallet and adapted to interlockingly receive a wheel member;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 12 is perspective view of the pallet of FIG. 10 in use with a plurality of boxes stacked thereon;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 13 is rear perspective view of a pallet in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 14 is a side elevational view, partially exploded, of the pallet of FIG. 13;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 15 is a rear perspective view of a pallet in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 16 is an exploded view of assorted items that are carried within the pallet of FIG. 15. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]    Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, a pallet  10  according to one exemplary embodiment is illustrated. The pallet  10  has a support body  12  that includes an upper support surface  14  and an opposing lower surface  16 . The illustrated pallet  10  is generally square shaped and therefore includes four sides  20  and four corner sections  22 . Each of the sides  20  includes a side wall  24  that extends between one corner  22  and another corner  22  and is integrally connected to the support body  12 . A plurality of feet  30  are formed as part of the body  12  with one foot  30  being arranged at each of the corners  22  of the body  12 .  
         [0029]    The feet  30  are formed as part of two adjacent and intersecting side walls  24  and they serve as the ground contact members such that when the pallet  10  is placed in a position of use, the feet  30  seat against a ground surface, such as a floor or the ground or the like and a space  40  is defined between the lower surface  16  and the ground surface. The height of the space  40  is dependent on the height of the feet  30  themselves since the height of the space  40  (distance D 1  in FIG. 5 as measured from the lower surface  16  to the ground surface) can be increased by increasing the height of the feet  30  and conversely, the opposite is true.  
         [0030]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 5 , each foot  30  is defined by a first section  32  that is formed as part of one side wall  24  of the pallet  10  and a second section  34  that is formed on the adjacent side wall  24  of the pallet  10  that is formed at a right angle to the one side wall  24 . Accordingly, the first and second sections  32 ,  34  are formed at a right angle with respect to one another. The first and second sections  32 ,  34  are generally a mirror image of one another and intersect one another so that a right angle is formed therebetween. As best shown in FIG. 5, the first section  32  and the rest of the sections of the feet each includes a planar lower edge  50  that contacts and seats against the ground surface. The lower edge  50  is parallel to both the lower surface  16  and the upper surface  14 . The first and second sections  32 ,  34  each includes an inclined edge  35  that extends from the lower edge  50  to a lower edge  25  of the respective side wall  24 . An upper edge  27  of the side wall  24  is integral with the lower surface  16  of the support body  12 .  
         [0031]    The first and second sections  32 ,  34  are joined together at a junction  36  with the inclined edges  35  being distally spaced from the junction  36 . Because the lower edges  25  of the side walls  24  are elevated relative to the ground surface when the lower edges  50  of the feet  30  seat against the ground surface, a plurality of spaces  60  are formed between the lower edges  25  and the ground surface in a region that lies between facing inclined edges  35  on one face (one side wall  24 ) of the pallet  10 . In FIG. 5, the distance between the lower edges  25  and the ground surface is indicated by D 2 , where D 2  is less than D 1 . Distance D 3  represents the distance from the upper support surface  14  to the ground surface and this is the distance that the articles which are stored on the upper support surface  14  are elevated from the ground surface.  
         [0032]    Preferably, the body  12  and the feet  30  are formed as a single integral body as for example, by a molding process. While the illustrated body  12  is formed as a solid member, it will be appreciated that the body  12  can have a number of openings or the like formed therein so long as the body  12  offers sufficient structural support for its intended application. The formation of these openings eliminates the amount of material that is needed to form the body  12 . Preferably, one or more handles  70  can be formed as part of the support body  12  proximate to one or more of the side walls  24 . The formation of at least one handle  70  permits the consumer to easily carry the pallet  10  when it is in its packaged state as will be described hereinafter and also permits easy movement or adjustment of the pallet  10 . In the illustrated embodiment, the support body  12  has four handles  70  that are arranged as two opposing pairs of handles  70 . The handle  70  can extend completely through the pallet body  12  or it can be formed so that is a recessed gripping channel that does extend completely therethrough.  
         [0033]    The support body  12  can have a number of surface modifying features formed as a part thereof. For example, the illustrated support body  12  has a plurality of intersecting raised ribs  72  that are arranged between the upper support surface  14  and the lower surface  16  such that upper edges of the ribs  72  lie within the same plane and define the upper support surface  14  that receives boxes and like when the pallet  10  is placed in use.  
         [0034]    While the dimensions of the pallet  10  are variable, there is a correlation between the dimensions of the space  40  and the dimensions of the pallet  10  in that the space  40  is dimensioned to receive a plurality of boxes  100  that are stacked or otherwise arranged in an unfolded state. For example, the boxes  100  can be corrugated boxes (FIG. 6) that come in any number of sizes and are initially provided in an unfolded state (KDF) from which the consumer constructs the box by folding the box  100  along a number of fold lines  103 . The corrugated nature of the boxes  100  is best illustrated in FIG. 2, where the boxes  100  are illustrated in their unfolded state. FIG. 4 illustrates the boxes  100  in their folded state where they are also supported on the upper surface  14  and are stacked relative to one another.  
         [0035]    In one exemplary embodiment, the corrugated, unfolded boxes  100  are stacked on top of one another to form a bundle  101  of boxes  100 . The bundle  101  has dimensions that permit it to be received within the space  40  and more specifically, the dimensions of the bundle  101  are such that it can be received between the feet  30  at the corners  22  of the support body  12 . Preferably, there is only a small amount of clearance between the peripheral edges of the bundle  101  and the structure of the pallet  10 . The bundle  101  thus has a complementary shape as the pallet  10  and more particularly, the bundle  101  preferably, has an identical shape as the support body  12 . The more clearance between the peripheral edges of the bundle  101  and the pallet  10 , the more room for the bundle  101  to move and shift relative to the pallet  10  and therefore, excessive clearance is not desired since this can lead to undesired movement (shifting) of the boxes  100  within the space  40  when the boxes  100  are disposed therein for storage. It will be appreciated that the boxes  100  can come already bundled into stack  101  or the boxes  100  can be loosely disposed one over another. Also, the stack  101  can be formed of boxes  100  of different sizes so long as the box  100  with the largest dimensions can be received in the space  40 . Further and as is know, one or more of the boxes  100  can be of the type that has score lines formed therein. The inclusion of score lines permits at least one dimension of the box to be variable. For example, score lines can be formed so that the height of the box is variable by simply folding the box along a given set of score lines as opposed to other score lines.  
         [0036]    In other words, the unfolded, corrugated boxes  100  are disposed, in their stacked form, against the lower surface  16  of the support body  12  with the corners of the bundle  101  being received in respective corners  22  of the pallet  10 . When the boxes  100  are disposed in the space  40 , the side walls  24  and the feet  30  prevent lateral movement of the boxes  100  and the only direction that the boxes  100  can easily move is a direction that is outwardly away (opposite) from the lower surface  16 . The boxes  100  disposed within this space  40  against the lower surface  16  by aligning the corners of the bundle  101  with the corners  22  of the support body  12  and then lowering the bundle  101  into place until the bundle  101  seats flush against the lower surface  16 . As can be seen by viewing FIGS. 2 and 4, the unfolded corrugated box  100  occupies a greater horizontal area as compared to the folded boxes  100  which occupy a greater vertical area. When the boxes  100  are stacked in bundle  101 , the height of bundle is about equal to or less than the distance D 1  so that when the bundle  101  is stored with the pallet  10 , the boxes  100  does not extend beyond the lower edge  50  of the  30 . This is shown in FIG. 3.  
         [0037]    It will therefore be appreciated that the pallet  10  is constructed so that the space  40  is of sufficient size to receive the bundle  101  in such a manner that the boxes  100  are substantially hidden from view and such arrangement permits the boxes  100  to packaged with the pallet  10  to offer a convenient package or combination that encourages the consumer to buy this particular product. The bundle  101  can be retained between the side walls  24  and the feet  30  by a rupturable band  200  that is preferably a paper product so that the consumer can easily tear, cut or otherwise separate the band  200 , thereby freeing the bundle  101  for removal. It will be appreciated that the boxes  100  that form the bundle  101  do not necessarily have to be attached to one another (e.g., as by a string or cord that is wrapped around the plurality of boxes  100  to create the bundle  101 ) but rather the boxes  100  can be stacked loosely on top of one another and then laid in place within the underside of the pallet  10  and subsequently, the band  200  is applied around the pallet  10  such that it securely holds the boxes  100  between the feet  30  and against the underside of the pallet  10 . As shown in FIG. 3, the band  200  can have one or more openings  202  formed therein, each of which aligns with one handle  70  to permit the consumer to grasp the pallet  10  and easily carry the pallet  10  and the boxes  100  retained therein. For sake of brevity, the pallet  10  with boxes  100  securely retained on its underside by band  200  is referred to hereinafter as a pallet package  300 .  
         [0038]    By constructing the pallet  10  such that it receives and carries the boxes  100 , a consumer is offered a much more attractive package since conventionally, the consumer had to first purchase or construct a pallet and then purchase boxes. At the very least, this purchasing requirement meant that the consumer had to make two selections (which could be in two distant aisles) and also the consumer had to carry two separate bulky articles both to his/her vehicle and then therefrom to a residence or office. In contrast, the pallet package  300  permits one stop shopping since the consumer simply needs to select the correct size pallet. It will be appreciated that a pallet  10  of one size can be packaged so that it has boxes  100  either of different size, construction and/or different number. While the pallet  10  is illustrated as having a square shape, it will be appreciated that the pallet  10  can be formed in any number of other shapes, such as rectangular, oblong, etc.  
         [0039]    In one exemplary embodiment, the pallet  10  is square shaped with each side being 37 inches long and the distance D 1  is 4 inches. This pallet  10  receives 8 corrugated boxes  100  in their unfolded (flattened) state with the dimensions of each box  100  being 36″×36″ in the flattened state (which produces an 18″×18″×18″ folded box). A bundle  101  of eight single wall boxes  100  that are stacked on top of one another has a height of about 3″ and therefore, when the bundle  100  is disposed between the feet  30  and against the underside of the support body  12 , there is a slight gap around the entire periphery of the bundle  101  and the side walls  24  and feet  30 . This clearance permits the consumer to easily place his/her hand between the bundle  101  and the surrounding pallet support structure to grasp and remove the bundle  101  from the pallet  10 . Further, because the height of the bundle  101  is less than the distance D 1 , the bundle  101  does not extend beyond the lower edge  50  of the feet  30 . It will be appreciated that the foregoing measurements are merely exemplary in nature and are not limiting since the size of the pallet  10  and/or boxes  100  can readily be changed depending upon the application.  
         [0040]    As previously mentioned, the exemplary pallet  10  is particularly intended for use in a personal setting, such as a basement location where it is undesirable for any of the boxes to be in contact with a damp or wet ground surface since such dampness and wetness can weaken and/or destroy the box  100 . There are a number of other reasons why a consumer may wish to elevate articles from the ground surface. For example, if the consumer lives in an area that is prone to flooding, the pallet  10  can be used to elevate the articles to protect against such flooding. Also, the ground surface may be excessively dirty and therefore the pallet  10  elevates articles stored in the boxes  100  off the ground surface. In addition, the pallet  10  finds particular utility in a public storage facility, such as a self storage facility, where the user can rent a space and purchase the present packaged pallet  10  in the rental office.  
         [0041]    FIGS.  7 - 9  illustrate a pallet  400  according to another embodiment. The pallet  400  has a similar construction as the pallet  10  (FIG. 1) since the pallet  400  is designed to perform the same intended function as the pallet  10 ; however, the pallet  400  has at least one side slot  410  that permits the consumer to store and freely retrieve unused (flattened) boxes  100  even when the pallet  400  is being used to support a load on its upper support surface  14 .  
         [0042]    In this embodiment, the pallet  400  preferably includes a web  420  or the like that extends between the side walls  24  and more specifically, the web  420  can be attached to the feet  30  at or near the lower edge  50 . The web  420  merely loosely defines a compartment  430  that is defined between the lower surface  16  (underside of support body  12 ) and the web  420  and which is intended to receive the bundle  101 . For example, the web  420  can be in the form of thin intersecting elongated plate members that extend between the side wall  24  (e.g., the web  420  can have a lattice like structure). Alternatively, the web  420  can be in the form of slats that are arranged parallel to one another and extend from one side to an opposing side, with the number of slats being sufficient to retain the plurality of boxes  100 .  
         [0043]    It will also be appreciated that the pallet  400  can have the simple construction illustrated in FIG. 8 in which the web  420  consists of a first rail  421  that extends from one corner to another corner of the pallet  400  and a second rail  423  that extends from one corner to another corner of the pallet  400  with the first and second rails  421 ,  423  being substantially parallel to one another. The side slot  410  can be either located in one side wall  24  that has one of the rails  421 ,  423  running along a length thereof or the side slot  410  can be located in one side wall  24  that does not have one of the rails  421 ,  423  running along a length thereof. Alternatively, the rails  421 ,  423  can be configured in an “x” shape (i.e., criss-cross).  
         [0044]    The at least one side slot  410  is formed relative to one side wall  24  and more specifically, the side slot  410  is defined by the lower edge  25  of the side wall  24  and also the web  420 . On the side wall  24  that has the side slot  410 , the respective feet  30  are modified so at to permit the consumer to always have access to retrieve and store the boxes  100  in their flattened state even when the pallet  400  is placed in use and supports a load on its upper surface  14 . Thus, the consumer does not have to remove all of the boxes  100  from the underside of the pallet  400  before it is used by placing the feet  30  on the ground and placing a load on it. As the consumer needs boxes, the consumer simply removes one or more box  100  through the side slot  410 . At the same time, the web  420  can be constructed so that the boxes  100  are not sitting on the ground surface. For example, the rails  421 ,  423  can include nubs or bosses (not shown) that are spaced therealong such that the boxes  100  seat thereon and therefore are even more elevated off the ground surface. While the rails  421 ,  423  are preferably integrally formed as part of the pallet  400 , it will be appreciated that the rails  421 ,  423  can be separate members that are attached to the pallet body using conventional means, such as an adhesive or fasteners.  
         [0045]    FIGS.  10 - 12  illustrate yet another embodiment where a pallet  500  is provided and has features that permit it to be converted from a pallet to a dolly. The pallet  500  is similar to the pallet  10  of FIG. 1 with the exception that each corner  22  of the pallet body  12  includes a recessed channel or slot  510  that releasably yet interlockingly receives a wheel member  520  (a caster). The wheel member  520  is of the type that is conventionally used with dolly type applications and includes a wheel  522  that is rotatable about a base  524 . The base  524  includes a shaft  526  that is received within and releasably interlocks in the slot  510  using conventional locking mechanisms. If the wheel members  520  are not used, the pallet  500  functions as a stationary pallet that does not move. Conversely, if the wheel members  520  are used, the pallet  500  functions more as a dolly that can carry a load from one location to another location. The wheel members  520  can be sold with the pallet  500  or they can be sold separately.  
         [0046]    The pallets  10  disclosed herein are constructed such that they each receive and carry the boxes  100  and therefore a consumer is offered a much more attractive package which permits one stop shopping since the consumer simply needs to select the correct size pallet.  
         [0047]    FIGS.  13 - 14  illustrate a pallet  600  according to yet another exemplary embodiment. The pallet  600  is similar to the earlier disclosed pallets and therefore not all of the details of the pallet  600  are described in detail. The pallet  600  is preferably an integral unit that is formed of a plastic material that is preferably moldable to permit the pallet  600  to be formed using a molding process, such as injection molding. The pallet  600  has a support body  602  that includes an upper support surface  604  and an opposing lower surface  606 . The illustrated pallet  600  is generally square shaped and therefore includes four sides  608  and four corner sections  610 . Each of the sides  608  includes a side wall  612  that extends between one corner  610  and another corner  610  and is integrally connected to the support body  602 . A plurality of feet  620  are formed as part of the body  602  with one foot  620  being arranged at each of the corners  610  of the body  602 .  
         [0048]    The feet  620  are formed as part of two adjacent and intersecting side walls  612  and they serve as the ground contact members such that when the pallet  600  is placed in a position of use, the feet  620  seat against a ground surface, such as a floor or the ground or the like and a space  622  is defined between the lower surface  606  and the ground surface. The side walls  612  at the corners  612  are angled downwardly so as to form the feet  620  and each foot  620  is also characterized by a base section  623  that in the illustrate embodiment has a rounded surface that faces the lower surface  606 . Each foot  620  also has a bore  625  formed therein and more specifically, the bore  625  is formed in the base section  623  and is open at a distal end  627  (ground contacting end) of the foot  620 .  
         [0049]    The pallet  600  includes at least one handle  630  that is formed through the support body  602  and in one exemplary embodiment, there are four handles  630  that are spaced apart from one another (e.g., one handle  630  is formed adjacent one side wall  612  so that there are two pairs of opposing handles  630 ). Each handle  630  can have a raised wall  631  formed therearound on the lower surface  606  which better defined the handle area and better secures and contains the user&#39;s hand when the user is carrying the pallet  600 .  
         [0050]    The lower surface  606  of the pallet  600  has a structural reinforcing element formed as part thereof. More specifically, one exemplary structural reinforcing element is a plurality of ribs or rails  640  that are integrally formed as part of the lower surface  606 . According to one exemplary embodiment, there are four rib sections  640  that are formed as part of the lower surface  606 . Each rib section  640  extends between one handle wall  631  and a boss  644  that is formed in a center of the lower surface  606 . The inclusion of ribs  640  increases the strength of the support body  602  since it serves as an additional strengthening element that bears and disperses the load. The illustrated ribs  640  have square or rectangular cross-sections and the boss  644  has a circular shape and has a bore  646  formed therein such that it is open at one end thereof.  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 14 shows a side elevational view of the pallet  600 . It will be appreciated that the pallet  600  has certain features that permit it to be turned easily into a dolly device. More specifically, the bores  625  in the feet  620  are configured to receive conventional the wheel members (casters)  520 . The casters  520  are inserted into the bores  625  so that a press fit or a snap fit results between the casters  520  and the feet  620  resulting in the casters  620  being securely attached to the feet  620  to permit movement of the pallet support body  602  (i.e., convert the pallet  600  into a dolly like structure). With respect to the boss  644  and the bore  646  formed therein, a center leg  650  is provided and engages the boss  644  in a snap fit manner such that the center leg  650  function as a center support structure and acts like another foot. The center leg  650  is also shown in detail in FIG. 16.  
         [0052]    One exemplary center leg  650  includes a base section  652  that has a first end  654  and a second end  656 . The illustrated base section  652  has a generally tubular structure with a bore  658  being formed at the first end  654  and a shaft or peg  660  protruding outwardly from the second end  656 . The center leg  650  also includes a number of support structures formed as part thereof and more specifically, the center leg  650  has a plurality of integral fins  662  that extend from the second end  656  to an intermediate point. One exemplary fin  662  has a triangular shape with the side wall of the triangle that is located closest to the second end  656  being planar with the second end  656 .  
         [0053]    The center leg  650  is securely attached (e.g., a releasable snap fit connection) to the boss  644  by inserting the shaft  660  into the bore  646  using a snap fit or other type of engagement. When the center leg  650  is attached to the boss  644 , the second end  656  and the planar portions of the fins  662  seat against the planar distal end of the boss  644  and the planar surfaces of the ribs  640 . One caster  520  is then inserted into the bore  658  so that a press fit or a snap fit results between the caster  520  and the center leg  650  resulting in the caster  620  being securely attached thereto to provide an additional point of movement of the pallet support body  602 . Because the center leg  650  and the caster  520  are attached to their various associated member in releasable manner, such as a snap fit, these components can be removed from their associated members, as when the pallet  600  is designed to seat stationary relative to the ground.  
         [0054]    [0054]FIG. 15 illustrates another aspect of the present invention. In FIG. 15, a pallet  700  is shown and this pallet  700  can be in the form of any of the previously disclosed pallets. In this embodiment, the stack  101  of boxes  100  is dimensioned so that the edges of the stack  101  do not extend completely to all four sides  20  (e.g., side walls  24 ). Instead, one edge of the stack  101  does not extend completely to a facing side  20  and therefore, a gap  710  is formed between this stack edge and the respective side  20 . The gap  710  in the illustrated embodiment has a generally rectangular shape and extends between two feet  620 . This gap  710  is intended to receive an assortment of articles. The assortment of articles can be packaged in a box or tray  720  or any other type of receptacle that is capable of holding the articles. For example, the receptacle  720  can be a styrofoam block that has a number of shaped recesses or depressions for receiving and securely only the articles that have particular utility in the use and set up of the pallet  700  and the boxes  100 . Exemplary articles includes the casters  520 , a roll of packing tape  722 , the center leg  650 , and a marker  724  and any number of other useful articles for the present application. There is not excessive space between the stack  101  and the receptacle  720  and the side wall  24  since it is not desirable for there to be excessive movement of either the boxes  101  or the receptacle  720  when the pallet  700  is assembled for sale using the band  200 , which, as illustrated, extends around the pallet  700  and the stack  101  and the receptacle  720 . The consumer thus gets a complete package at the point of sale and is therefore not required to purchase a number of separate products and transport the same home.  
         [0055]    While this invention has been particularly shown and described with references to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention encompassed by the appended claims.

Technology Category: 7