Nestable Pallet

Abstract

A pallet includes a platform having a plurality of openings for carrying an object thereon, and a plurality of legs attached to the platform for supporting the platform above a surface. Each of the legs is positioned in a respective one of each of the platform openings and includes a cone having an upper end proximate the platform and a lower end for resting on the surface. The upper end has a diameter greater than a diameter of the lower end so that a second like pallet can be nested within the first pallet. Each leg can include a bull nose positioned proximate the lower end for providing a stop for the second like pallet nested within the first pallet in order to facilitate separation of the second pallet from the first pallet.

1 . A pallet comprising:
 (a) a platform having a plurality of openings for carrying an object thereon;   (b) a plurality of legs attached to the platform for supporting the platform above a surface, wherein each of the legs is positioned in a respective one of each of the platform openings and comprises:
 (i) a cone having an upper end proximate the platform and a lower end for resting on the surface, 
 (ii) the upper end having a diameter greater than a diameter of the lower end whereby a second like pallet can be nested within the first pallet, and 
 (iii) and further wherein the leg includes a bull nose positioned proximate the lower end for providing a stop for the second like pallet nested within the first pallet to facilitate separation of the second pallet from the first pallet. 
   
   
   
       2 . A pallet according to  claim 1 , wherein the platform comprises a plurality of foldable sections positioned proximate the platform openings for providing a surface area contacting the legs, wherein the legs are attached to the platform by an adhesive contacting the legs and the surface area of the foldable sections. 
   
   
       3 . A pallet comprising:
 (a) a platform having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a plurality of openings therethrough; and   (b) a plurality of legs attached to the platform for supporting the platform above a surface, wherein each of the plurality of legs is positioned in a respective one of the platform openings and comprises:
 (i) an outer cone having an upper end proximate the platform and a lower end for positioning on the surface, the upper end defining a diameter greater than a diameter defined by the lower end, and 
 (ii) an inner cone positioned within the outer cone and having an upper end proximate the platform and a lower end opposite the upper end, the upper end defining a diameter greater than a diameter defined by the lower end. 
   
   
   
       4 . A pallet according to  claim 3 , wherein each of the plurality of legs includes:
 (a) a first flared section proximate the upper end of the inner cone and attached to the upper surface of the platform;   (b) a second flared section proximate the upper end of the outer cone and attached to the lower surface of the platform; and   (c) wherein an area of the platform defining each of the plurality of openings is sandwiched between the first flared section and the second flared section of each of the legs.   
   
   
       5 . A pallet according to  claim 3 , wherein the lower end of the outer cone of each of the legs includes a bull nose defining an area that receives the lower section of the inner cone. 
   
   
       6 . A pallet according to  claim 3 , wherein the pallet is made of paper. 
   
   
       7 . A pallet according to  claim 3 , wherein the inner cone is sloped at an angle less than the outer cone. 
   
   
       8 . A pallet according to  claim 7 , wherein the inner cone is sloped at an angle of about eight degrees, and the outer cone is sloped at an angle of about ten degrees. 
   
   
       9 . A pallet according to  claim 7 , wherein the lower end of the outer cone of each of the legs includes a bull nose defining an area that receives the lower end of the inner cone. 
   
   
       10 . A pallet according to  claim 7 , wherein an outer surface of the inner cone is attached to an inner surface of the outer cone by an adhesive.