Shipping pallet and the like and method of forming same

• US 4,907,515 A
• Filed: 10/17/1984
• Issued: 03/13/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 10/17/1984
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Tenneco Plastics Company
• Original Assignee: Mobil Oil Corporation (Exxon Mobil Corporation)
• Inventors: Win, Michael M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Aschenbrenner, Peter A.
• Application Number:
  US06/661,984
• Time in Patent Office: 1,973 Days
• Field of Search: 108/51.1, 108/52.1, 108/56.1, 108/56.3, 108/901, 248/346, 248/678, 428/910, 206/497
• 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 2519/00567 mechanical connection, e.g. snap-fitted
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00572 with separate auxiliary element, e.g. screws, nails, bayonets

Abstract

A shipping pallet comprising a load deck of plastic shrink wrap film, wrapped about a pallet frame, said film being in its heat shrunk condition. The method of preparing the same comprising, after wrapping the plastic film with heat shrinkable oriented thermoplastic film, subjecting the arrangement to a temperature sufficient to heat shrink the film to a taut product supporting condition.

Claims

1. A process for preparing a shipping 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 fork lift openings in the sides of the pallet;

(d) overwrapping said plurality of comparatively broad open spaces framed by said stringers and runners with a plurality of layers of heat shrink wrap film; and

(e) subjecting said film to sufficient heat to shrink the same to a taut, product supporting condition.

2. The process of claim 1 wherein said overwrapping includes some cross overwrapping.