Pallets for the handling of goods, processes for manufacturing pallets and methods of using pallets in the handling of goods

Abstract

Processes, a pallet ( 10 ) and a pallet system are provided for the handling of goods. The pallet ( 10 ) includes a main body ( 12 ) defining a load deck ( 16 ) and feet ( 18 ) and the main body ( 12 ) is suitable to be used as a pallet for applications such as light duty, one-way transport of goods. The pallet ( 10 ) further includes a bottom accessory ( 14 ) that can be attached to the feet ( 18 ) of the main body ( 12 ) to form beams ( 44,46 ) extending between the feet ( 18 ) to convert the main body ( 12 ) into pallet ( 10 ) that is suitable for use in heavy duty applications such as in pallet pools. The main body ( 12 ) and bottom accessory ( 14 ) are each configured to allow them to be nested, when not attached to each other. The processes of the invention include using the main body ( 12 ) to transport goods from manufacturers and then attaching the bottom accessory ( 14 ) to the main body ( 12 ) to form a pallet ( 10 ) for use in a pallet pool. The pallet system includes a variety of attachments that can be attached to the main body ( 12 ) and/or the accessory ( 14 ) and can be removed, as necessary.

1 - 57 . (canceled) 
     
     
         58 . A pallet comprising a load deck with a generally planar load surface, said load deck defining a plurality of cavities and webs extending at least partly between adjacent cavities, said load deck having dimensions of about 40×48 inches, and a plurality of spaced-apart feet protruding from the load deck on a side that is opposite from the load surface, said feet being hollow and tapering, such that the feet of an upper such pallet are at partly receivable inside the feet of a lower such pallet in a nesting manner;
 wherein said pallet:
 (a) deflects by less than 20 mm when supported on opposing edges under a load of 2800 pounds; 
 (b) Is made of fibre reinforced material; and 
 (c) weighs less than 40 pounds 
 
 
     
     
         59 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein said pallet weighs less than 30 pounds. 
     
     
         60 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein said pallet includes an accessory extending between at least some the pallet's feet 
     
     
         61 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein each of said webs of the load deck has a cross sectional profile with a neutral axis, at least some of the webs extend at an obtuse angle relative to the load deck, and at least some of said webs define apertures between an upper edge and a lower edge of each such web, such that said apertures are in the vicinity of the neutral axis of the web. 
     
     
         62 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 61 , wherein the load deck defines an under surface that extends generally parallel to the load surface and the load deck includes flanges extending from upper edges of the webs, generally co-planar along the load surface; and flanges extending from lower edges of the webs, generally co-planar along the under surface; said flanges defining apertures in the load deck and the under surface, between adjacent webs. 
     
     
         63 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 62 , wherein at least some of said webs have one of said flanges extending from the upper edge of said web in one direction and one of said flanges extending from the lower edge of said web in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         64 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 58 , wherein said pallet includes inserts that are shaped to fit removably inside the hollow feet of the lower main body. 
     
     
         65 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 58 , which includes an accessory and wherein at least each corner foot defines at least one first attachment formation that is attachable to the accessory of the pallet, such that the accessory extends at least between the attachment formations of the corner feet, said accessory including a plurality of second attachment formations that are attachable to the first attachment formations on at least some of the feet and the accessory defining a plurality of accessory recesses in which the feet are receivable, at least in part, wherein said first attachment formations are defined at the bottoms of the feet and the second attachment formations are disposed inside the accessory recesses, where they are protected against damage. 
     
     
         66 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein the accessory defines at least one beam extending between at least some of the feet when the accessory is attached to the feet. 
     
     
         67 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 65 , wherein feet recesses are defined in undersides of the feet and accessory protuberances are defined on the accessory, the accessory protuberances being receivable in the feet recesses, at least in part and each of the accessory protuberances is of a hollow construction with tapering walls, such that the accessory protuberances of one such accessory are partly receivable inside the accessory protuberances of another such accessory in a nesting manner. 
     
     
         68 . A pallet as claimed in any one of  claim 65 , wherein the attachment formations are releasable. 
     
     
         69 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 68 , wherein the attachment formations include clip formations and wherein the pallet defines release apertures through which a release element can be inserted to release the clip formations. 
     
     
         70 . A pallet comprising a load deck with a generally planar load surface and a plurality of spaced-apart feet protruding from the load deck on a side that is opposite from the load surface, said feet being hollow and tapering such that the feet of an upper such pallet are partly receivable inside the feet of a lower such pallet in a nesting manner, wherein said pallet includes inserts that are shaped to fit removably inside the hollow feet of the lower pallet 
     
     
         71 . A pallet as claimed in  claims 70 , wherein said pallet includes a plurality of wheels that are releasably attachable to said pallet. 
     
     
         72 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 71 , wherein each of said wheels is rotatably supported in an adaptor, which is attachable to said pallet in a clipping manner. 
     
     
         73 . A load deck with a generally planar load surface, said load deck having an open construction defining a plurality of cavities and webs extending at least partly between adjacent cavities, each web having a cross sectional profile with a neutral axis;
 wherein at least some of the webs extend at an obtuse angle relative to the load deck and   at least some of said webs define apertures between an upper edge and a lower edge of each such web, such that said apertures are in the vicinity of the neutral axis of the web.   
     
     
         74 . A load deck as claimed in  claim 73 , wherein the load deck defines an under surface that extends generally parallel to the load surface and the load deck includes flanges extending from upper edges of the webs, generally co-planar along the load surface; and flanges extending from lower edges of the webs, generally co-planar along the under surface; said flanges defining apertures in the load deck and the under surface, between adjacent webs. 
     
     
         75 . A load deck as claimed in  claim 74 , wherein at least some of said webs have one of said flanges extending from the upper edge of said web in one direction and one of said flanges extending from the lower edge of said web in an opposite direction. 
     
     
         76 . A pallet comprising a load deck with a generally planar load surface and a plurality of spaced-apart feet protruding from the load deck on a side that is opposite from the load surface, said feet being hollow and tapering, such that the feet of an upper such pallet are at partly receivable inside the feet of a lower such pallet in a nesting manner;
 wherein releasable attachment formations are defined on the said load deck and feet, to which accessories are removably attachable.   
     
     
         77 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 76 , wherein said pallet includes at least one edge insert that is releasably attachable to said edge with grip formations gripping the edge, said edge insert including a protuberance that protrudes above said load deck. 
     
     
         78 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 77 , wherein said pallet includes at least one deck extension accessory that is releasably attachable to said edge with grip formations gripping the edge, said deck extension accessory extending in alignment with the load deck, from the edge of the load deck, when attached to said edge. 
     
     
         79 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 76 , wherein said pallet includes:
 a plurality of walls, each wall defining a first edge, which forms a top edge in use, a second edge, opposite from the first edge and which forms a bottom edge in use, and third and fourth edges that form lateral edges in use;   pivotal attachment means holding the lateral edges of adjacent walls together in a pivoting side-by-side arrangement, with a pivot axis extending generally along the attached lateral edges; and   wall attachment formations disposed along the bottom edges of the walls, said wall attachment formations being releasably attachable to the releasable attachment formations of the load deck.   
     
     
         80 . A pallet as claimed in any one of  claim 76 , wherein said releasable attachment formations include attachment formations disposed on the undersides of the feet of the pallet and said pallet includes a plurality of wheels that are releasably attachable to said attachment formations. 
     
     
         81 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 80 , wherein each of said wheels is rotatably supported in an adaptor, which is attachable to said pallet in a clipping manner. 
     
     
         82 . A pallet as claimed in any one of  claim 76 , wherein said pallet includes inserts that are shaped to fit removably inside the hollow feet of the pallet 
     
     
         83 . A pallet comprising a load deck with a generally planar load surface and a plurality of spaced-apart feet protruding from the load deck on a side that is opposite from the load surface wherein said pallet includes at least one sleeve that can be attached to a foot of pallet by extending around at least part of the foot. 
     
     
         84 . A pallet comprising a load deck with a generally planar load surface and a plurality of spaced-apart feet that can protrude from the load deck on a side that is opposite from the load surface wherein said feet are manufactured separately from the load deck and are attachable to the load deck and optionally to an accessory. 
     
     
         85 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 84 , wherein said feet are releasably attachable to the load deck. 
     
     
         86 . A pallet as claimed in  claim 84 , wherein said feet are made of different material from the load deck.