Pallet for bulk bags and the like

Abstract

A non-wood pallet includes a support sheet and at least a pair of channel members disposed on the support sheet for creating a pair of channels for receiving tines of a forklift. Each channel member is secured to the support sheet by at least one pair of tabs each formed by a generally U-shaped cut line extending through the support sheet. The cut line has spaced opposite ends between which a hinge line extends, the hinge line being formed by the support sheet being locally crushed, with resultant thickness reduction, along a path extending between the opposite ends of the cut line. Opposite ends of each cut line are curved away from each other so as to lengthen the hinge line. The tabs are fastened to the channel members by fastening devices such as elongate fastening members (e.g., adhesive tape), staples, adhesive, hook-and-loop fasteners, or the like.

1 . A pallet comprising:
 a support sheet having a thickness and lying generally in a plane;   a pair of channel members disposed on the support sheet, the channel members extending parallel to each other and being spaced apart, thus creating a pair of channels for receiving tines of a forklift; and   at least one pair of tabs for each said channel member, the tabs of each said pair being located adjacent laterally opposite sides of the respective channel member, each tab comprising an integral portion of the support sheet formed by a cut line of generally U-shaped configuration extending through the thickness of the support sheet, the cut line having spaced opposite ends between which a hinge line extends, the hinge line for each said tab being formed by the support sheet being locally crushed with resultant thickness reduction along a path extending between the opposite ends of the respective cut line, each tab being rotated about the respective hinge line such that the tab projects out of the plane of the support sheet;   the channel members being secured to the tabs so as to secure the channel members to the support sheet and generally prevent relative movement therebetween;   opposite ends of the cut line for each said tab being curved away from each other so as to lengthen the hinge line.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein each said tab is crushed such that a thickness of the tab is less than the thickness of the support sheet. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein each said tab has rounded corners at a side of the tab opposite from the hinge line. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet of  claim 1 , further comprising a finger hole for each said tab, the finger hole extending through the tab to allow a finger or tool to be inserted therein and pulled in order to rotate the tab about the hinge line. 
     
     
         5 . The pallet of  claim 4 , wherein the finger hole for each said tab straddles the cut line defining the tab such that the finger hole is partially formed in the tab and partially formed in a portion of the support sheet adjacent the tab. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet of  claim 1 , further comprising an elongate fastening member for each said pair of tabs, each said fastening member extending along an upper surface of the respective channel member and being secured to the respective tabs. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet of  claim 6 , wherein each said fastening member comprises an adhesive tape having a lower surface on which an adhesive is disposed, the adhesive being adhered to the upper surface of the respective channel member and to the respective tabs. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the hinge line of each said tab is free of any cutting of the material of the support sheet. 
     
     
         9 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the support sheet is formed of cardboard. 
     
     
         10 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the support sheet is formed of plastic. 
     
     
         11 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the support sheet is formed of plastic-coated paper. 
     
     
         12 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the channel members comprise half tubes formed by cutting a cylindrical tube in half lengthwise. 
     
     
         13 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the channel members comprise paperboard.