Fire blocking method and apparatus

• US 6,758,148 B2
• Filed: 10/26/2001
• Issued: 07/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/26/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Neil Schultz
• Original Assignee: Chep International, Inc.
• Inventors: Torrey, Bruce, Schultz, Neil
• Primary Examiner(s): Chen, Jose V.
• Application Number:
  US10/045,696
• Publication Number:
  US 20030079660A1
• Time in Patent Office: 984 Days
• Field of Search: 108/51.11, 108/901, 108/902, 108/57.25, 108/57.27, 108/57.28, 108/161
• US Class Current: 108/51.11
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0004 Rigid pallets without side walls
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/38 Details or accessories
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• 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 2519/00288 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00293 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00318 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00323 made of more than one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00562 chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/0086 Protection against environmental hazards, e.g. humidity, bacteria, fire
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/788 Of specified organic or carbon-based composition
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/833 Thermal property of nanomaterial, e.g. thermally conducting/insulating or exhibiting peltier or seebeck effect
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 977/902 Specified use of nanostructure

Abstract

A pallet assembly includes at least one pallet member having external surfaces and a flame retardant material affixed to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member. A pallet includes a container, tote bin, or any other suitable device used for the storage and transportation of items. In accordance with the invention, a method of fire blocking a pallet assembly includes the step of providing a pallet assembly that can include at least one pallet member having external surfaces. The method also can include affixing a flame retardant material to at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of the external surfaces of the pallet member.

Claims

1. A method of fire retarding a pallet assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a pallet assembly comprising at least one pallet member having external surfaces; and

affixing a flame retardant material to said at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member,

wherein said flame retardant material includes a flame retardant fabric comprising a blend of polymeric fibers.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said affixing step further provides preparing said flame retardant fabric adapted to dimensions of said pallet member.

3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of fabricating the individual components of said pallet member with said flame retardant fabric.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said flame retardant polymeric fibers comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.

4. A method of fire retarding a pallet assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a pallet assembly comprising at least one pallet member having external surfaces; and

affixing a flame retardant liquid comprising an intumescent material to said at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein said flame retardant liquid is applied to the external surfaces of the pallet member a form selected from the group consisting of an intumescent film, coating end foam.

7. A method of fire retarding a pallet assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a pallet assembly comprising at least one pallet member having external surfaces; and

affixing a flame retardant material including a flame retardant metal to said at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein said flame retardant metal is selected from the group consisting Of stainless steel, copper and aluminum.

9. A method of fire retarding a pallet assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a pallet assembly comprising at least one pallet member having external surfaces; and

affixing a flame retardant material composed of a nanocomposite comprised of a clay that includes a silicate derivative to said at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member.

10. A method of fire retarding a pallet assembly, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a pallet assembly comprising at least one a at member having external surfaces; and

affixing a flame retardant material composed of a nanocomposite comprising a polymer material integrated with a clay to said at least one pallet member so a to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member, said clay comprising between 0.1% and 20% weight of said nanocomposite.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said clay comprises between 0.1% and 10% weight of said nanocomposite.

12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said clay comprises between 10% and 20% weight of said nanocomposite.

13. A pallet assembly comprising:

at least one pallet member having external surfaces; and

a flame retardant material affixed to said at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member

wherein said flame retardant material includes a flame retardant fabric comprising a blend of polymeric fibers.

15. The pallet assembly of claim 13, wherein said flame retardant polymeric fibers comprise polytetrafluoroethylene.

14. A pallet assembly comprising:

at least one pallet member having external surfaces; and

a flame retardant material affixed to said at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member,

wherein said flame retardant material includes a flame retardant liquid comprising an intumescent material.

16. A pallet assembly comprising:

at least one pallet member having external surfaces; and

a flame retardant material including a flame retardant metal affixed to said at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member.

17. The pallet assembly of claim 16, wherein said flame retardant metal is selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, copper and aluminum.

18. A pallet assembly comprising:

at least one pallet member having external surfaces; and

a flame retardant material affixed to said at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member,

wherein said flame retardant material is composed of a nanocomposite comprised of a clay that includes a silicate derivative.

19. A pallet assembly comprising:

at least one pallet member having external surfaces; and

a flame retardant material affixed to said at least one pallet member so as to substantially cover all of said external surfaces of said pallet member,

wherein said flame retardant material is composed of a nanocomposite material comprising a polymer material integrated with a clay, said clay comprising between 0.1% and 20% weight of said nanocomposite.

20. The pallet assembly of claim 19, wherein said clay comprises between 0.1% and 10% weight of said nanocomposite.

21. The pallet assembly of claim 19, wherein said clay comprises between 10% and 20% weight of said nanocomposite.