Pallets having multi-purpose nubs

• US 20070028814A1
• Filed: 02/21/2006
• Published: 02/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/18/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: The Engineered Pallet Company LLC
• Original Assignee: The Engineered Pallet Company LLC
• Inventors: Moore, Roy, Swistak, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US11/358,325
• Publication Number:
  US 20070028814A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/51.110
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0004 Rigid pallets without side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00024 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00059 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00139 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00338 contact surface having a discrete foot-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00348 contact surface of other form
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00432 Non-integral, e.g. inserts B65D2519/00462 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00955 stackable

Abstract

A pallet filled with foam includes foam injection holes selectively positioned at lower base surfaces of the pallet. Nubs extend downwardly from said injection holes to seal the holes. In additional embodiment, said nubs engage recesses at the top of a like pallet, to inhibit shifting of stacked pallets.

Claims

1. A pallet comprising:

At least one hollow interior portion filled with injected foam, wherein said at least one foam injection hole is selectively positioned at a bottom surface of said hollow interior portion; and

at least one nub provided in said at least one foam injection hole to seal said hole, such that said at least one nub projects downwardly from said at least one foam injection hole.

2. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one nub projects below other portions of said pallet.

3. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein said at least one foam injection hole is provided in a recess on a bottom surface of said hollow interior portion, and said nub projects downwardly from said at least one foam injection hole.

4. A pallet in accordance with claim 3, wherein a top portion of said head of said nub is flush with portions of the bottom portion of said hollow interior portion surrounding said recess.

5. A pallet in accordance with claim 2, wherein an upper portion of said pallet includes a recess configured to surround a head portion of a nub having a protruding geometry corresponding to the protruding geometry said at least one nub provided in said at least one foam injection hole.

6. A pallet in accordance with claim 3, wherein an upper portion of said pallet includes a recess configured to engage portions of said at least one nub and hollow interior portion projecting below said at least one foam injection hole.

7. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein a vent hole is provided on an upper surface of said hollow interior portion, and wherein said vent hole is covered by a non-slip seal configured to engage a nub or other portion of a pallet stacked thereon.

8. A pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the hollow interior portion comprises a molded plastic.