Block and stringer type lift truck pallet

• US 4,509,432 A
• Filed: 04/14/1983
• Issued: 04/09/1985
• Est. Priority Date: 04/14/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Win, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Zugel, Francis K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Binder, Mark W.
• Application Number:
  US06/484,797
• Time in Patent Office: 726 Days
• Field of Search: 108/51.1, 108/52.1, 108/901, 108/56.1, 108/53.1, 108/55.1, 108/57.1, 206/386, 206/597
• US Class Current: 108/57.25
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0073 and each contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00024 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00029 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00044 Combination, e.g. different elements made of different materials, laminates
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00059 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00064 Wood
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00293 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00298 skeleton type
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00338 contact surface having a discrete foot-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00557 without separate auxiliary elements
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00572 with separate auxiliary element, e.g. screws, nails, bayonets
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 108/901 Synthetic plastic industrial platform, e.g. pallet

Abstract

Fork lift truck pallet having a load deck of a plastic stretch wrap film wrapped with tension about a pallet frame.

Claims

1. A lift truck pallet comprising in combination:

(a) a plurality of elongated narrow stringers arranged in parallel, spaced relationship;

(b) a plurality of elongated narrow runners arranged in parallel, spaced relation, substantially at right angles to the stringers so as to form the perimeter of a plurality of comparatively broad open spaces;

(c) spacer means defining lift truck fork openings in the sides of the pallet;

(d) fastening means securing the stringers and runners together; and

(e) said broad open spaces being tautly overwrapped with a plurality of layers of stretch wrap film in its tension-stretched condition, so as to form in cooperation with said stringers and runners, plastic film product-supporting surfaces for said open spaces of said pallet.

2. The pallet of claim 1 wherein said layers are cross-wrapped to yield a pallet having a plurality of plastic film product-supporting surfaces at right angles to one another.

3. The pallet of claim 1 wherein the several layers of film are continuous and include some diagonal change-of-direction layers.

4. The pallet of claim 1 wherein two or more layers cover said open spaces.

5. The pallet of claim 4 wherein said open spaces are rectangular in shape.

6. The pallet of claim 4 wherein said plastic film layer is continuous from one rectangle to the next to be covered.

7. A process for preparing a lift truck pallet comprising:

(a) arranging a plurality of elongated narrow stringers in parallel, spaced relation;

(b) arranging a plurality of elongated narrow runners in parallel, spaced relation substantially at right angles to said stringers so as to form the perimeter of a plurality of comparatively broad rectangles;

(c) providing spacer means defining lift truck fork openings in the sides of the pallet;

(d) fastening said stringers and runners together; and

(e) tautly overwrapping said plurality of comparatively broad open spaces framed by said stringers and runners with a plurality of layers of stretch wrap film by applying braking tension to said film so as to stretch the film and while stretched affixing it to the structure.

8. The process of claim 7 wherein said overwrapping includes some cross overwrapping.

9. The process of claim 7 wherein said stretch wrap film is a polyolefin film.