Composite pallet for concrete pipe

Abstract

A pallet includes a rigid body that supports a concrete product and a polymer layer that corresponds to a geometry of the concrete product within a predetermined tolerance. One or more flanges with apertures are provided with the rigid body for the polymer layer to attach thereto. The polymer lay can extend outward from the rigid body to form a portion of the dimensions for the concrete product within predefined tolerances.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A pallet for forming an end of a concrete product, the pallet comprising:
 a rigid body having an upward facing surface; and   a polymer layer molded to the upward facing surface of the rigid body.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid body further comprises, a first flange that extends horizontally outward with respect to a center of the rigid body and includes at least one aperture for the polymer layer to extend through to attach the polymer layer to the first flange. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet of  claim 2 , wherein the polymer layer includes a first portion that extends outward from the first flange. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet of  claim 3 , wherein the rigid body further comprises a second flange that extends horizontally inward with respect to a center of the rigid body and includes at least one aperture for the polymer layer to extend through to attach the polymer layer to the second flange. 
     
     
         5 . The pallet of  claim 4 , wherein the polymer layer includes a second portion that extends outward from the second flange toward the center of the rigid body. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet of  claim 5 , wherein the first portion of the polymer layer includes a bevel. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet of  claim 6 , wherein the second portion of the polymer layer includes a bevel. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid body supports the concrete product, and wherein a portion of the polymer layer corresponds to a geometry of the concrete product within a predetermined tolerance. 
     
     
         9 . A method for making a pallet for a concrete product, the method comprising:
 providing a mold having an outer shell with a first face and a second face positioned beneath the first face and a first sealing strip attached to the first face and a second sealing strip attached to the second face;   placing a rigid body into the mold;   injecting liquid polymer into the mold and filling an area between the first sealing strip and the second sealing strip; and   curing the liquid polymer.   
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , and further comprising removing the first sealing strip and the second sealing strip from the mold. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , and further comprising placing the rigid body into the mold and injecting liquid polymer into the mold and filling an area between the outer shell and where the first sealing strip was located with the liquid polymer. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11 , and further comprising injecting liquid polymer into the mold and filling an area between the outer shell and where the second sealing strip was located with the liquid polymer. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the liquid polymer comprises a low-friction element comprising one chosen from a group of Teflon, PTFE, and graphite. 
     
     
         14 . A pallet for a concrete product made in accordance with the method of  claim 9 . 
     
     
         15 . A pallet for a concrete product made in accordance with the method of  claim 12 . 
     
     
         16 . A pallet for forming an end of a concrete product, the pallet comprising:
 a rigid body having an upward facing surface; and   a polymer layer attached to the upward facing surface of the rigid body.   
     
     
         17 . The pallet of  claim 16 , wherein the polymer layer includes a first portion that extends outward from the first flange. 
     
     
         18 . The pallet of  claim 16 , and further comprising a ring on top of a portion of the polymer layer to attach the polymer layer to the rigid body. 
     
     
         19 . The pallet of  claim 18 , wherein the ring is attached to the rigid body by at least one fastener to hold the polymer layer to the rigid body. 
     
     
         20 . The pallet of  claim 16 , wherein the rigid body further comprises: a first flange that extends horizontally outward with respect to a center of the rigid body and includes at least one aperture for the polymer layer to extend through to attach the polymer layer to the first flange; wherein the rigid body further comprises a second flange that extends horizontally inward with respect to a center of the rigid body and includes at least one aperture for the polymer layer to extend through to attach the polymer layer to the second flange; wherein the polymer layer includes a second portion that extends outward from the second flange toward the center of the rigid body; wherein the first portion of the polymer layer includes a bevel; wherein the second portion of the polymer layer includes a bevel; and wherein the rigid body supports the concrete product, and wherein a portion of the polymer layer corresponds to a geometry of the concrete product within a predetermined tolerance.