Pallet

• US 20080087203A1
• Filed: 08/08/2007
• Published: 04/17/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 08/10/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Company KG (Friedhelm Loh, PhD)
• Original Assignee: Rittal GmbH & Company KG (Friedhelm Loh, PhD)
• Inventors: Steinbrecher, Tina, Hartel, Marc, Harder, Deane, Speck, Thomas
• Granted Patent: US 7,637,219 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 108/57.31
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0012 forming a continuous plane contact surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0026 and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/04 with bodies moulded or otherwise fabricated in one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/40 Elements for spacing platforms from supporting surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00079 Combination, e.g. different elements made of different materials, laminates
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00114 Combination, e.g. different elements made of different materials, laminates
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00268 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00273 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00278 the load supporting surface and the base surface being identical
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00288 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00343 contact surface being substantially in the form of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00388 Cell type, e.g. honeycomb
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00666 Structures not intended to be disassembled

Abstract

A pallet for receiving and transporting loads, having an upper platform for receiving the loads and block-like or strip-like support elements which are attached to or can be attached to its underside by connecting sections. At least the support elements are made of plastic with fiber material embedded therein. Advantageous shock absorbing properties, along with an advantageous structure, are achieved because the fiber material consists of natural fibers.

Claims

1. A pallet (10) for receiving and transporting loads, having an upper platform (11) for receiving the loads and block-like or strip-like support elements (12) which are attachable to an underside by connecting sections (11.1, 12.1), wherein at least the support elements (12) are made of plastic with fiber material embedded therein, the pallet comprising:

the fiber material being of natural fibers.

2. The pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the material and the structure of at least the support elements with the embedded natural fibers have resilient and damping properties which are matched to weights to be absorbed.

3. The pallet in accordance with claim 2, wherein at least the support elements (12) have interior hollow spaces.

4. The pallet in accordance with claim 3, wherein the hollow spaces (12.5) are produced at least one of by pores in the plastic material and by shaping.

5. The pallet in accordance with claim 4, wherein the support elements (12) are designed as profiled strips.

6. The pallet in accordance with claim 5, wherein the plastic material is one of a polyurethane foam and a thermoplastic material, and the fiber material is of hemp fibers.

7. The pallet in accordance with claim 6, wherein supporting wall sections between the upper platform (11) and the substructure are, at least in sections, one of inclined in cross section with respect to a horizontal line and curved.

8. The pallet in accordance with claim 7, wherein the strip-like support elements (12) are hollow profiled sections.

9. The pallet in accordance with claim 8, wherein the supporting wall sections have one of an X-shaped, an S-shaped, a round and an oval structure.

10. The pallet in accordance with claim 9, wherein a moduli of elasticity of the fiber material and of the plastic material in which it is embedded gradually transition in order to minimize shear stresses.

11. The pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least the support elements (12) have interior hollow spaces.

12. The pallet in accordance with claim 11, wherein the hollow spaces (12.5) are produced at least one of by pores in the plastic material and by shaping.

13. The pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support elements (12) are designed as profiled strips.

14. The pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein the plastic material is one of a polyurethane foam and a thermoplastic material, and the fiber material is of hemp fibers.

15. The pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein supporting wall sections between the upper platform (11) and the substructure are, at least in sections, one of inclined in cross section with respect to a horizontal line and curved.

16. The pallet in accordance with claim 4, wherein the strip-like support elements (12) are hollow profiled sections.

17. The pallet in accordance with claim 7, wherein the supporting wall sections have one of an X-shaped, an S-shaped, a round and an oval structure.

18. The pallet in accordance with claim 1, wherein a moduli of elasticity of the fiber material and of the plastic material in which it is embedded gradually transition in order to minimize shear stresses.