Thermoplastic pallet having foam-filled or foam-coated structural parts

• US 20060236903A1
• Filed: 03/01/2006
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 08/24/2000
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Engineered Pallet Company LLC
• Original Assignee: The Engineered Pallet Company LLC
• Inventors: Moore, Roy E. Jr.
• Application Number:
  US11/366,786
• Publication Number:
  US 20060236903A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/57.250
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/001 the base surface being made of a single element
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00039 Agglomerates, i.e. different materials mixed together
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00044 Combination, e.g. different elements made of different materials, laminates
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00074 Agglomerates, i.e. different materials mixed together
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00079 Combination, e.g. different elements made of different materials, laminates
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00104 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00109 Agglomerates, i.e. different materials mixed together
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00114 Combination, e.g. different elements made of different materials, laminates

Abstract

Improved structural parts of a thermoplastic plastic pallet include foam, provided within hollows of the structural component and/or upon the surfaces of the component to provide improved fire resistance.

Claims

1. A plastic pallet, comprising a thermoplastic structural pallet member including a foam thereon.

2. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the thermoplastic structural pallet member comprises polypropylene or high density polyethylene.

3. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structural pallet member is hollow and at least partially filled with foam.

4. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 3, wherein the structural pallet member is a pallet column.

5. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 3, wherein the structural pallet member is a deck.

6. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 3, wherein the amount of foam is varied between different parts of the structural pallet member.

7. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the amount of foam provided on the structural pallet member is varied along different parts of the structural pallet member.

8. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 3, wherein foam is provided at least partially within a hollow of the structural pallet member as well as on at least a portion of the exterior.

9. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the foam is a thermoset polymer foam.

10. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 9, wherein the foam is a polyurethane foam.

11. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 9, wherein the foam is a low density polyurethane foam.

12. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the foam is a ceramic or glass or expanded mineral foam.

13. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the foam further includes a fire retardant.

14. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 13, wherein the foam further includes 5-20 weight percent intumescent graphite .5-20 weight percent intumescent graphite.

15. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the foam covered section has a lower rate of heat release during a burn test, as compared the same section without foam.

16. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the foam covered section has a higher impact strength, as compared the same section without foam.

17. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the pallet comprises a metal deck and reinforcing beams in solid structural plastic portions.

18. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structural pallet member approximates the cross section shape of I, H, C, or O.

19. A plastic pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the structural pallet member includes lightening holes or filigree structure.

20. A method of improving the fire resistance of a structural plastic member of a pallet, comprising filling hollow portions of the structural members with polymer foam or adhering polymer foam to external surfaces of said structural members.