Stackable pallet system

Abstract

A pallet stacking system for storing and transporting a load is disclosed. The pallet system may be utilized to store and transport a single level or two or more levels of drums. The pallet stacking system may include a base pallet and, in some embodiments, may further include one or more dividers that interpose and permit stacking of the load levels. The base pallet includes a top side having one or more recesses formed therein that receive a load such as a barrel such that the load is nested within the base pallet, as well as a bottom side with one or more elongated base legs that define gaps that may receive the forks of a forklift. The divider may include a top surface having a recess for receiving an upper level load therein such that the upper level load is nested within the divider, as well as a bottom surface having a bulge that is nested within a top of the lower level load.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A pallet stacking system for stacking, storing, and transporting a plurality of articles having an upper face and a bottom face, the pallet stacking system comprising:
 a base pallet having a body with a top side and a bottom side, the base pallet further comprising:
 a recess disposed on the top side for receiving the bottom face of a first article, and 
 a plurality of elongated legs extending downward from the bottom side to create a gap between a floor and the body of the base pallet, wherein the gap provides a space for receiving a fork. 
   
     
     
         2 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is circular. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is a round pocket formed into the top side of the body and extends below the bottom side of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 1 , wherein the recess is sized to receive the bottom face of the first article in a tight fitting fashion. 
     
     
         5 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 1 , wherein the base pallet includes a plurality of recesses, where a first group of the plurality of recesses are sized to receive the bottom face of the first article and a second group of the plurality of recesses are sized to receive a bottom face of a differently sized article. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 1 , wherein the base pallet includes four recesses. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 1 , wherein the base pallet includes at least two elongated legs, and wherein the elongated legs and a ceiling of the gap define at least one channel for receiving a fork. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 1 , wherein the base pallet includes a plurality of elongated pockets that each respectively correspond with the elongated legs. 
     
     
         9 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 1 , wherein the pallet stacking system further comprises a divider having a body with a top side and a bottom side, and the divider further comprises:
 a pocket disposed on the top side for receiving the bottom face of a second article that is arranged above the first article, and   a bulge disposed at the bottom side that nests into the top face of the first article.   
     
     
         10 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 9 , wherein the pocket is circular. 
     
     
         11 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 9 , wherein the pocket is a round recess formed into the top side of the divider and extends below the bottom side of the divider. 
     
     
         12 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 9 , wherein the pocket is sized to receive the bottom face of the second article in a tight fitting fashion. 
     
     
         13 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 9 , wherein the divider includes a plurality of pockets, where a first group of the plurality of pockets are sized to receive the bottom face of the second article and a second group of the plurality of pockets are sized to receive a bottom face of a differently sized article. 
     
     
         14 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 9 , wherein the bulge is a round protrusion extending from the bottom side of the divider. 
     
     
         15 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 9 , wherein the bulge is sized to receive the top face of the first article in a tight fitting fashion. 
     
     
         16 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 9 , the divider includes a sleeve extending down from bottom side of the divider, wherein the sleeve is sized to receive an outer circumference of the top face of the first article in a tight fitting fashion. 
     
     
         17 . A pallet stacking system for stacking, storing, and transporting a plurality of articles having an upper face and a bottom face, the pallet staking system comprising:
 a base pallet having a body with a top side and a bottom side, the base pallet further comprising:
 a recess disposed on the top side for receiving the bottom face of a first article, and 
 a plurality of elongated legs extending downward from the bottom side to create a gap between a floor and the body of the base pallet, wherein the gap provides a space for receiving a fork; and 
   a divider having a body with a top side and a bottom side, the divider comprising:
 a pocket disposed on the top side for receiving the bottom face of a second drum that is arranged above the first drum, and 
 a bulge disposed at the bottom side that nests into the top face of the first drum. 
   
     
     
         18 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 17 , wherein the recess and the pocket are circular. 
     
     
         19 . A pallet stacking system for stacking, storing, and transporting a plurality of articles having an upper face and a bottom face, the pallet staking system comprising:
 a base pallet having a body with a top side and a bottom side, the base pallet further comprising:
 a recess disposed on the top side for receiving the bottom face of a first article, and 
 a plurality of elongated legs extending downward from the bottom side to create a gap between a floor and the body of the base pallet, wherein the gap provides a space for receiving a fork; and 
   a divider having a body with a top side and a bottom side, the divider comprising:
 a pocket disposed on the top side for receiving the bottom face of a second drum that is arranged above the first drum, 
 a bulge disposed at the bottom side that nests into the top face of the first drum, and 
 a sleeve extending down from bottom side of the divider, wherein the sleeve is sized to receive an outer circumference of the top face of the first article in a tight fitting fashion. 
   
     
     
         20 . The pallet stacking system of  claim 19 , wherein the recess and the pocket are circular.