Integrated reusable pallet having data collection devices and method for using shipping conveyances

• US 5,662,048 A
• Filed: 03/08/1993
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/08/1993
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Gary A. Upson, Nicholas L. Kralj
• Original Assignee: Gary A. Upson, Nicholas L. Kralj
• Inventors: Upson, Gary A., Kralj, Nicholas L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Cuomo, Peter M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Anderson, Gerald A.
• Application Number:
  US08/027,838
• Time in Patent Office: 1,639 Days
• Field of Search: 108/901, 108/51.1, 108/52.1, 108/56.1, 108/56.3, 206/386, 206/599
• US Class Current: 108/56.3
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/0012 forming a continuous plane contact surface
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 25/205 Means for the attachment of labels, cards, coupons or the like; cards or coupons for the other types of rigid or semi-rigid containers B65D25/36 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00024 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00039 Agglomerates, i.e. different materials mixed together
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00059 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00074 Agglomerates, i.e. different materials mixed together
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00094 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00104 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00109 Agglomerates, i.e. different materials mixed together
• 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 2519/00308 grid type, e.g. perforated plate
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00318 made of one piece
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00343 contact surface being substantially in the form of a panel
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00363 grid type, e.g. perforated plate
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00373 whereby at least one spacer is made of one piece
• 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 2519/0087 : collapsible pallet
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00985 : the pallet being not usable as a pallet after dismounting
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 : Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

A pallet assembly which is reusable and which is readily assembled and disassembled without the use of wedges, nails, rivets or other commonly used fasteners. The pallet is easily assembled into a hauling configuration for load transportation. The pallet may then be placed into a shipping configuration by disassembling the components and reassembling them into a more compressed configuration. As the shipping configuration has a height and volume which is substantially less than that of a typical pallet, a larger number of pallets may be stored in any given area. Shipment costs are thereby significantly reduced, making reuse of the pallet practical and economical.

A method for inventory and shipping control is also described. This method for inventory and shipping control allows for the tracking and control of reusable items having data storage devices by the storage and retrieval of data onto the data storage device of the reusable item. This method for inventory and shipping control is described as it relates to the tracking of pallets.

Claims

1. A pallet assembly comprising:

a first platform having a length and a first closed-ended channel formed therein, said first closed-ended channel having a length;

a second platform having a length and a second closed-ended channel formed therein, said second closed-ended channel having a length; and

a removable stabilization runner, said stabilization runner having a length, said length of said removable stabilization runner being less than said length of said first platform and less than said length of said second platform, said length of said first closed-ended channel being less than said length of said first platform such that said first closed-ended channel of said first platform is enclosed on both ends of said first closed-ended channel, said first closed-ended channel having a length greater than said length of said removable stabilization runner such that said removable stabilization runner may be placed into said first closed-ended channel of said first platform, said length of said second closed-ended channel of said second platform being less than said length of said second platform such that said second closed-ended channel of said second platform is enclosed on both ends of said second closed-ended channel, said second closed-ended channel of said second platform having a length greater than said length of said removable stabilization runner such that said removable stabilization runner may be placed into said second closed-ended channel of said second platform, said removable stabilization runner thereby securing said first platform to said second platform;

wherein said first platform has a cavity formed therein of sufficient size so as to at least partially contain said removable stabilization runner.

2. The pallet of claim 1 wherein said first platform further comprises a plurality of channels, and wherein said second platform further comprises a plurality of channels, said pallet including a plurality of runners having a plurality of flanges formed therein such that said flanges of said runners may be inserted into said channels of said first and second platform so as to secure said first platform to said second platform.

3. A pallet assembly comprising:

a first platform having a first area of substantial surface and having a first channel;

a second platform having a second area of substantial surface and having a second channel;

a removable runner having a first flange and a second flange, said first flange corresponding to said first channel and said second flange corresponding to said second channel, said removable runner connecting said first and said second platforms when said first flange is engaged in said first channel and said second flange is engaged in said second channel;

wherein said first platform opposes said second platform and has a cavity formed therein of sufficient size so as to as least partially contain said removable runner, wherein said first platform has a first length and said second platform has a second length and said removable runner has a third length, and wherein said third length is less than said first length and less than said second length, and wherein said pallet has a hauling configuration, a compressed configuration, a hauling configuration height, and a compressed configuration height, wherein said hauling configuration is formed when said removable runner connects said first and second platforms, and wherein said first and said second platforms may be attached so as to form said compressed configuration wherein said removable runner is placed in said cavity, wherein said hauling configuration has said hauling configuration height and said compressed configuration has said compressed configuration height being substantially less than said hauling configuration height.