Collapsible pallet system and methods

• US 8,316,779 B2
• Filed: 07/09/2009
• Issued: 11/27/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Norman H. Gordon
• Original Assignee: Norman H. Gordon
• Inventors: Gordon, Norman H.
• Primary Examiner(s): WILKENS, JANET MARIE
• Application Number:
  US12/459,878
• Publication Number:
  US 20100012000A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,237 Days
• Field of Search: 108/51.3, 108/51.11, 108/56.1, 108/57.29, 108/54.1, 206/386, 206/600, 206/736, 206/756, 206/774, 211/195, 211/72, 211/73, 312/258
• US Class Current: 108/51.3
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 19/20 made wholly or mainly of paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2203/10 Transponders
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00019 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00034 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00054 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00069 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00129 Metal
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00139 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00159 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00174 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00228 Paper
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00243 Plastic
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00333 contact surface having a stringer-like shape
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00432 Non-integral, e.g. inserts B65D2519/00462 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00597 integrally formed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00631 sidewalls not connected to each other, e.g. spaced apart frames
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00641 Structures intended to be disassembled
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00651 integrally formed
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00676 Structures intended to be disassembled
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2519/00925 with semi-detachable components, i.e. with some side walls hinged to each other or to a base panel and the other side walls being detachable to allow collapsing of the container

Abstract

Formable pallets that are easy to construct into a generally stably product receiving state and easy to collapse into a storage/transport state. The pallet includes one or more display elements which may be integrated with the supporting platform to achieve point of purchase objectives. The display element may be a separate component that is removeable from the pallet or the display element may be configurable from the pallet such as by unfolding and/or folding portions of the supporting platform.

Claims

1. A pallet, comprising:

a support element, wherein the support element includes two or more beams;

a platform including a first platform side and a second platform side, the first platform side being opposite the second platform side;

a first hinge element connecting the first platform side to the support element;

a second hinge element connecting the second platform side to the support element; and

a display element, wherein the display element is a separate component that is removable from the platform upon opening outward relative to the center of the pallet the first platform side from the first hinge and the second platform side from the second hinge, the display element includes a front sheet, a rear sheet, a first side sheet, a second side sheet, and one or more score line elements for folding and unfolding to erect the display element to create a bin display positionable on the platform, wherein the front sheet of the display element further comprises one or more extension sheets and the one or more extension sheets includes at least one fold line element such that the one or more extension sheets fold downwardly to conceal the support element.

2. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the display element further comprises display information.

3. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the first platform side includes a first score line element and the second platform side includes a second score line element.

4. The pallet according to claim 3, wherein a portion of the first platform side folds at the first score line element over the first side sheet of the display element and a portion of the second platform side folds at the second score line element over the second side sheet of the display element.

5. The pallet according to claim 4 further comprising one or more fastening components, wherein the one or more fastening components secure the first platform side to the first side sheet and the second platform side to the second side sheet.