Wing pallet with product self-centering feature

Abstract

A wing pallet with product self-centering feature having a top surface with a lower middle portion is provided. The pallet includes an upper portion having an upper surface that is slightly bowed downwardly in the middle portion and a lower portion that supports the upper portion. The upper surface can be slightly concave or have planar portions that are inclined downward from the outer sides or edges. The contour of the upper surface cause the trays stacked on the upper surface to lean toward the middle of the pallet. Two sets of stacked trays will lean toward each and have no gap formed at the top of the stacks.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A pallet with product self-centering feature comprising:
 an upper support platform having a generally rectangular top support surface having a first side and an opposing second side, a first end perpendicular to the first side and the second side and a second opposing end perpendicular to the first side and the second side;   a plurality of legs extending downward from the upper support platform; and,   wherein the first side of the upper support platform has a first height, the second side of the upper support platform has the first height, and a middle portion of the upper support platform approximately mid-way between the first side and the second side has a second height less than the first height.   
     
     
         2 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the top surface slopes downward from the first side to the middle portion. 
     
     
         3 . The pallet of  claim 2  wherein the top surface slopes downward from the second side to the middle portion. 
     
     
         4 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the top surface has an upwardly concave contour. 
     
     
         5 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of legs includes a first set of legs proximate the first side of the upper support platform, a second set of legs proximate the second side of the upper support platform and a third set of legs proximate the middle portion of the upper support platform, wherein the third set of legs are smaller than the first set of legs and the second set of legs. 
     
     
         6 . The pallet of  claim 3  further comprising a plurality of runners extending between the plurality of legs. 
     
     
         7 . The pallet of  claim 1  further comprising a first tray supported on the top surface of the upper support platform and extending from the first side of the upper support platform to the middle portion of the upper support platform, and a second tray supported on the top surface of the upper support platform and extending from the second side of the upper support platform to the middle portion of the upper support platform wherein a portion of the first tray contacts a portion of the second tray proximate the middle portion of the upper support panel. 
     
     
         8 . The pallet of  claim 7  further comprising a first plurality of trays stacked on the first tray and a second plurality of trays stacked on the second tray wherein each one of the first plurality of trays contacts one of the second plurality of trays at the middle portion of the upper support panel. 
     
     
         9 . The pallet of  claim 1  wherein the pallet is formed from a molded plastic. 
     
     
         10 . The pallet of  claim 7  wherein the middle portion is approximately 0.18 inches lower than the first side and the second side and forms a gap between the upper surface and first tray and the second tray. 
     
     
         11 . A plastic pallet with a self-centering structure for supporting a plurality of trays comprising:
 an upper platform having a generally rectangular top support surface for supporting a plurality of trays, the top support surface having a middle portion lower than an outer portion of the top support surface; and,   a lower support structure for supporting the upper platform.   
     
     
         12 . The plastic pallet of  claim 11  wherein the top support surface slopes at a downward angle from a first side of the upper portion toward the middle portion of the top support surface. 
     
     
         13 . The plastic pallet of  claim 12  wherein the top support surface slopes at a downward angle from a second side of the upper portion toward the middle portion of the top support surface. 
     
     
         14 . The plastic pallet of  claim 11  wherein the top support surface has an upwardly concave shape. 
     
     
         15 . The plastic pallet of  claim 13  wherein the lower support structure includes a plurality of legs extending downward from the upper platform. 
     
     
         16 . The plastic pallet of  claim 14  wherein the plurality of legs includes a first set of legs proximate the first side, a second set of legs proximate the second side and a third set of legs proximate the middle portion. 
     
     
         17 . The plastic pallet of  claim 11  wherein the middle portion of the top support surface is approximately 0.18 inches lower than the outer portion of the top support surface. 
     
     
         18 . The plastic pallet of  claim 11  wherein the top support surface is configured to require sets of trays stacked on the top surface to lean into each other proximate the middle portion. 
     
     
         19 . The plastic pallet of  claim 11  wherein the upper platform has a width and a length, and the lower support structure has a width and a length less than the width and the length of the upper platform. 
     
     
         20 . The plastic pallet of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of runners extending between the plurality of legs.