WO2012009011A1 - Flex assembly of pallet base and deck - Google Patents
Flex assembly of pallet base and deck Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2012009011A1 WO2012009011A1 PCT/US2011/001225 US2011001225W WO2012009011A1 WO 2012009011 A1 WO2012009011 A1 WO 2012009011A1 US 2011001225 W US2011001225 W US 2011001225W WO 2012009011 A1 WO2012009011 A1 WO 2012009011A1
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- bodies
- interlocking
- interlock
- pallet
- members
- Prior art date
Links
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Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
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- B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D19/02—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets
- B65D19/06—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets with bodies formed by uniting or interconnecting two or more components
- B65D19/08—Rigid pallets with side walls, e.g. box pallets with bodies formed by uniting or interconnecting two or more components made wholly or mainly of metal
- B65D19/12—Collapsible pallets
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- B65D19/00—Pallets or like platforms, with or without side walls, for supporting loads to be lifted or lowered
- B65D19/0004—Rigid pallets without side walls
- B65D19/0006—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element
- B65D19/0008—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface
- B65D19/001—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of a single element
- B65D19/0012—Rigid pallets without side walls the load supporting surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface the base surface being made of a single element forming a continuous plane contact surface
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
- B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
- B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
- B29C65/56—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor using mechanical means or mechanical connections, e.g. form-fits
- B29C65/58—Snap connection
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- B65D7/24—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of metal characterised by wall construction or by connections between walls collapsible, e.g. with all parts detachable
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- B65D2519/00263—Overall construction of the pallet
- B65D2519/00273—Overall construction of the pallet made of more than one piece
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- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
- B65D2519/00258—Overall construction
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- B65D2519/00004—Details relating to pallets
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- B65D2519/00557—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements
- B65D2519/00562—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements chemical connection, e.g. glued, welded, sealed
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- B65D2519/00557—Structures connecting the constitutive elements of the pallet to each other, i.e. load supporting surface, base surface and/or separate spacer without separate auxiliary elements
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- B65D2519/00736—Details
- B65D2519/0098—Dismountable elements
- B65D2519/00985—Dismountable elements the pallet being not usable as a pallet after dismounting
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
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- Y10T29/49822—Disassembling by applying force
- Y10T29/49824—Disassembling by applying force to elastically deform work part or connector
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T29/00—Metal working
- Y10T29/49—Method of mechanical manufacture
- Y10T29/49826—Assembling or joining
- Y10T29/49863—Assembling or joining with prestressing of part
- Y10T29/49876—Assembling or joining with prestressing of part by snap fit
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10T—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION
- Y10T403/00—Joints and connections
- Y10T403/54—Flexible member is joint component
Definitions
- Certain embodiments especially provide multi-piece molded resin pallets and containers that are ruggedly interlocked, durable, and able to withstand abuses such as occur with forklifts and pallet jacks. Exemplary embodiments also reduce the expense of molded resin pallets while increasing their durability, so that molded pallets can compete successfully with wooden pallets.
- SUMMARY Flex assembly is a method of securely assembling and disassembling two or more bodies, comprising male and female inflexible locking features that interfere in their normal state by:
- Exemplary embodiments provide interlocks and interlocking methods that securely attach a pallet deck of a molded resin, or other suitable material, to a pallet base of molded resin, or other suitable material, without fasteners or glue while providing a stronger and more robust interlock than has previously been achieved.
- the improved interlock is also able to be assembled automatically, and to be disassembled when necessary to clean and/or replace parts or make repairs.
- the interlock includes positive male members and female members that are not inherently flexible, but are connected by flexible spans that can be bent or curved to enable the interlocks to be assembled. Bending or cambering the spans between the interlocks changes their separation distance and enables the male members or projections and female members to interlock in a way that becomes positive when the bending force is removed and the parts relax toward their original molded configuration.
- the bending or cambering of the flexible spans to accomplish the interlocks is preferably opposite to the effect of load forces normally applied to a pallet. Load forces on a pallet supported on its edges tend to make the pallet sag.
- the bending or cambering movement that enables the interlocks to be formed is an arching or doming movement preferably opposite to the sagging tendency produced by load force on the pallet. This results in the forces normally encountered by a pallet being unable to loosen or damage the positive interlocks. This makes pallets interlocked according to exemplary embodiments stronger and more robustly resistant to various accidents and abuses that pallets suffer.
- An exemplary embodiment of an interlock for joining bodies comprises (a) a first body including a plurality of first projections, at least two first projections including at least one first interlocking member; and (b) a second body including: (i) a plurality of second interlocking members located within the second body for receiving a respective first interlocking member, or (ii) a plurality of second projections, at least two of the second projections including at least one second interlocking member for receiving a respective first interlocking member; wherein: each first interlocking member is positioned to engage with a corresponding second interlocking member when the first and second bodies are interlocked, and wherein at least one of the first body and the second body's flexibility permits tilting outward a distal portion of the second body including the second interlocking member and tilting inward a distal portion of the first projection including the first interlocking member so that a plurality of first interlocking members engage a plurality of corresponding second interlocking members on opposing sides of the first and second bodies
- one of the first and second bodies is a base of a pallet and the other is a deck of a pallet.
- Another exemplary embodiment provides a method of interlocking bodies having interlocks to form a pallet comprising: (a) providing: (i) a first body including a plurality of first projections, at least two of the first projections including at least one first interlocking member; and (ii) a second body including a plurality of second projections, at least two of the second projections including at least one second interlocking member for receiving a respective first interlocking member; wherein: each second projection is positioned to engage with a corresponding first projection when the first and second bodies are interlocked, and at least one of the first body and the second body has flexibility permitting at least one of tilting outward a distal portion of the second projection including the second interlocking member and tilting inward a distal portion of the first projection including the first interlocking member so that a plurality of first interlocking members engage a plurality of corresponding second interlocking members on opposing sides of the first and second bodies, (b) flexing a bendable portion of at least one of the first
- one of the first and second bodies is a base of a pallet and the other is a deck of a pallet.
- Yet another exemplary embodiment provides a method of disassembling a plurality of bodies connected by interlocks comprising: (a) providing an assembly comprising a first body and a second body interconnected by an interlock, the assembly comprises: (i) a first body including a plurality of first projections positioned along a perimeter of the first body, at least two of the first projections including at least one first interlocking member; and (ii) a second body including a plurality of second projections, at least two of the second projections including at least one second interlocking member for receiving a respective first interlocking member; wherein: each second projection is positioned to engage with a
- Yet another exemplary embodiment provides an interlock for joining bodies comprising: a) at least a first body and a second body, wherein at least one of the first and second bodies are flexible to allow at least one first interlocking element on the first body to engage with at least one respective second interlocking element on the second body; b) wherein at least one of the first and second interlocking elements rotates inward or outward relative to the other interlock element to allow engagement of the first interlocking element on one of the bodies with the respective second interlocking element on the other of the bodies; c) wherein an interlock formed between the at least one first interlocking and second interlocking elements is maintained when e at least one of the bodies, after being flexed, is returned to an unflexed state; and d) wherein, when the at least one first interlocking and second interlocking elements are engaged, the first and second bodies form at least a portion of a pallet.
- one of the first and second bodies is a base of a pallet and the other is a deck of a pallet.
- Still another exemplary embodiment provides a method of interlocking bodies having interlocks to form a pallet, the method comprising: (a) providing: i) at least a first body and a second body, wherein at least one of the first body and the second body are flexible to allow at least one first interlocking element on the first body to engage with at least one respective second interlocking element on the second body; ii) wherein at least one of the first and second interlocking elements rotates inward or outward relative to the other interlocking element to allow engagement of the first interlocking element on one of the bodies with the respective second interlocking element on the other of the bodies; iii) wherein an interlock formed between the at least one first and second interlocking elements is maintained when at least one of the bodies, after being flexed, is returned to an unflexed state; and iv) wherein, when the at least one first and second interlocking elements are engaged, the first and second bodies form at least a portion of a pallet, (b) flexing
- one of the first and second bodies is a base of a pallet and the other is a deck of a pallet.
- a further exemplary embodiment provides a method of disassembling a plurality of bodies connected by an interlock, the method comprises: (a) providing an assembly comprising a first body and a second body interconnected by an interlock, the assembly comprising : i) at least a first body and a second body, wherein at least one of the first body and the second body are flexible to allow at least one first interlocking element on the first body to engage with at least one respective second interlocking element on the second body; ii) wherein at least one of the first and second interlocking elements rotates inward or outward relative to the other interlocking element to allow engagement of the first interlocking element with the respective second interlock element; iii) wherein an interlock formed between the at least one first and second interlocking elements is maintained when at least one of the bodies, after being flexed, is returned to an unflexed state; and iv) wherein, when the at least one first and second interlocking elements are engaged, the first and second bodies form at least a portion
- one of the first and second bodies is a base of a pallet and the other is a deck of a pallet.
- Figure 1 illustrates the location of a neutral axis in a straight and bent object.
- Figures 2-4 schematically illustrate a two-piece pallet interconnected according to an exemplary embodiment, with top and bottom pieces shown book-leaved in FIG. 2, cambered for assembly in FIG. 3, and assembled in FIG. 4.
- Figure 5 shows the relationship between the amount of engagement (in inches) and the pounds of force needed to deform or flex the element. This figure is an illustration of the relationship between the amount of force applied to deform or flex a body and the amount of engagement that results.
- Figures 6 through 9 schematically show the effects of bending the base in FIGS. 6 and 7 and the deck in FIGS. 8 and 9.
- Figure 10 schematically shows the domed effect of bending the sides and the ends simultaneously to achieve an interlock.
- Figure 11 schematically illustrates a center post assembly method for interlocking a center post between a pallet deck and base.
- Figure 12 illustrates the relationship between flex and engagement.
- Figure 13 illustrates the comparative results of a pallet pull-apart test of a pallet assembled by the flex assembly process and pallets assembled by other processes.
- Figure 14 illustrates an embodiment with a single flex using a dome deflection.
- Figure 15 illustrates an embodiment using an alternating flex.
- Figure 16 illustrates an embodiment using a 2 directional flex
- Figure 17 illustrates an embodiment with a bridging fork pocket.
- Figure 18 illustrates an embodiment with a multi-piece deck element.
- Figure 19 illustrates an embodiment with a deck having a living hinge.
- Figure 20 illustrates an embodiment with a deck having two pieces connected by a hinge.
- Figure 21 illustrates an embodiment with pallet having separate locking pieces.
- Figure 22 illustrates an embodiment with wall bodies having female lugs.
- Figure 23 illustrates an embodiment with wall bodies having male lugs.
- Figure 24 illustrates a cover using flex assembly.
- Figure 25 illustrates an embodiment of a pallet with various exemplary interlocking features along with snap locks.
- Figure 26 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a bayonet lock.
- DETAILED DESCRIPTION Flex assembly is a method of securely assembling and disassembling two or more bodies, comprising male and female inflexible locking features that interfere in their normal state by:
- an interlock for joining bodies comprises: (a) a first body including a plurality of first projections, each first projection including a male member; and (b) a second body including a plurality of second projections, each second projection including a female member for receiving a respective male member;
- each second projection is positioned to engage with a corresponding first projection when the first and second bodies are interlocked, and at least one of the first body and the second body optionally has a camber axis about which at least one of the first body and the second body flex for tilting outward a distal portion of the second projection including the female member and tilting inward a distal portion of the first projection including the male member so that a plurality of male members engage a plurality of corresponding female members on opposing sides of the first and second bodies. It may be recognized that reference to male or female
- interlocking elements on a body thought of as a first body, can also be referred to as a first interlocking element and/or member and that a corresponding female or male interlocking element on a second body, can also be referred to as a second interlocking element and/or member in each exemplary embodiment described in the application and the attached claims.
- each body can included male and/or female interlocking elements in various combinations, configurations and geometries. It is also possible for interlocking elements to have male and female interlocking features in which case the use of a "first" or "second" designation may be more appropriate.
- the first and second bodies are a base and a deck of a pallet.
- At least one of the first and second bodies further comprise at least one additional projection centrally located on the element.
- At least one of the first and second bodies are planar.
- both the first and second bodies are planar.
- one of the first and second bodies are planar and the other body is at least partially cambered.
- one of the first and second bodies are planar and the other body is domed.
- the male member is a tongue and the female member is a groove.
- first and second bodies are both cambered or domed.
- both the first planar body and the second planar body have a camber axis about which the first planar body and the second planar body flex for tilting outward a distal portion of the second projection including the female member and tilting inward a distal portion of the first projection including the male member so that a plurality of male members engage a plurality of corresponding female members on opposing sides of the first and second bodies.
- At least one of the first body and the second body has two camber axes about which at least one of the first body and the second body flex for tilting outward a distal portion of the second projection including the female member and tilting inward a distal portion of the first projection including the male member so that a plurality of male members engage a plurality of corresponding female members on opposing sides of the first and second bodies.
- both the first planar body and the second planar body have two camber axes about which the first planar body and the second planar body flex for tilting outward a distal portion of the second projection including the female member and tilting inward a distal portion of the first projection including the male member so that a plurality of male members engage a plurality of
- the second body includes a plurality of second projections positioned at the corners of the second element, and the female member for receiving a respective male member is angled.
- At least one of the first body and the second body comprises a living hinge or a hinge.
- At least one of the first body or the second body comprises a plurality of pieces.
- the plurality of pieces is connected by a hinge.
- the interlock allows the first and second bodies to be disconnected without damaging either the first or second element.
- a method of interlocking a pair of bodies having interlocks comprises: (a) providing: (i) a first body including a plurality of first projections optionally positioned along a perimeter or extremity of the first element, each first projection including a male member; and (ii) a second body including a plurality of second projections optionally positioned along a perimeter or extremity of the second element, each second projection including a female member for receiving a respective male member; wherein: each second projection is positioned to engage with a corresponding first projection when the first and second bodies are
- At least one of the first body and the second body has a camber axis about which at least one of the first body and the second body flex for tilting outward a distal portion of the second projection including the female member and tilting inward a distal portion of the first projection including the male member so that a plurality of male members engage a plurality of corresponding female members on opposing sides of the first and second bodies, (b) cambering at least one of the first body and the second body by placing force against the body to flex the body and form a camber axis, wherein at least one of the first body and the second body tilts outward a distal portion of the second projection including the female member and tilts inward a distal portion of the first projection including the male member, (c) applying sufficient force to allow a plurality of male members to engage a plurality of corresponding female members on opposing sides of the first and second bodies, (d) removing the force and allowing the first body and the second body to return to an unflexed state where
- a method of disassembling a plurality of bodies connected by interlocks comprises : (a) providing an assembly comprising a first body and a second body interconnected by an interlock, the assembly comprising : (i) a first body including a plurality of first projections optionally positioned along a perimeter or extremity of the first element, each first projection including at least one male member; and (ii) a second body including a plurality of second projections optionally positioned along a perimeter or extremity of the second element, each second projection including at least one female member for receiving a respective male member; where each second projection is positioned to engage with a corresponding first projection when the first and second bodies are interlocked, and at least one of the first body and the second body has a camber axis about which at least one of the first body and the second body flex for tilting outward a distal portion of the second projection including the female member and tilting inward a distal portion of the first projection including the male member so that a plurality of male members
- the step b of the above method of disassembling a plurality of bodies connected by interlocks comprises forming a camber of the first body and the second body by placing a force against the body to flex the body and form a camber axis wherein the first body and the second body tilts outward a distal portion of the second projection including the female member and tilts inward a distal portion of the first projection including the male member, wherein the amount of force applied allows a plurality of male members to disengage a plurality of corresponding female members on opposing sides of the first and second bodies.
- various materials can be used, including, but not limited to a resin, wood, metal, a composite, a blend, combinations thereof and the like.
- Figure 1 illustrates the location of a neutral axis in a straight and beht object.
- the neutral axis is an axis in the cross section of a beam or shaft along which there are no longitudinal stresses or strains. If the section is symmetric, isotropic and is not curved before a bend occurs, then the neutral axis is at the geometric centroid. Material on one side of the neutral axis is in a state of tension, while material on the opposite side of the axis is in compression.
- the neutral axis is shown as the axis X in FIG.1.
- the pallets and containers described herein are comprised of a plurality of bodies, such as a deck, base, wall and a top.
- a body can be flexed due to its natural flexibility or purposely designed to flex, such as with a living hinge or hinge. Flexing a body has the following geometric effects:
- Figure 2 schematically shows two bodies, a pallet base 20 and deck 25, positioned to fold together and interlock according to an embodiment of the invention.
- the usual strengthening ribs, gussets, and channels that are incorporated into resin pallets are eliminated from the schematic views in all of the figures to simplify the illustration and make the interlocking of the two pallet parts more easily understood.
- the interlocking elements shown in the various figures include male and female interlocking elements. These figures are shown as exemplary embodiments to illustrate possible configurations. In other embodiments, the male and female elements shown in the figures can be interchanged. In other embodiments, the male and female elements on a body can be replaced by a combination of male and female elements, and the second body will have a corresponding element.
- the various interlocking elements can be present in various combinations, configurations and geometries and can be comprised of the same or different materials than the body they are positioned on. Pallets are typically structured with a base 20 having upstanding pedestals or columns 21 arranged with three columns on each rectangular side of a pallet base.
- pedestal or “column” refers to a structural element that transmits the weight of the structure above the structural element to surfaces in contact with the bottom portion of the base.
- the shape and configuration of the pedestals or columns can be varied from those shown in the figures, provided that the interlocking male and female members described below are provided in the pedestals, columns or directly in the bodies
- a column is located approximately at each of the four corners of the base and a column is also located on each side of the base approximately between two corner columns. This provides for eight columns 21 located along the edges of the base.
- a central column 30 can also be centrally located on the base. The central column 30 can be formed differently from the peripheral columns.
- the top or deck of a pallet has eight corresponding columns 26 extending downward to meet an interlock with each of the corresponding base columns 21.
- the region where the base columns meet the deck columns are preferably provided with positive interlocks in the forms of male members and female members. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, female members 22 and 23 are formed in the base columns 21 , and male members 27 and 28 are formed in the decks columns 26, but this can be reversed.
- top or deck of a pallet can have a central column 31 that contacts the central column 30 in the base.
- FIGS. 2-4 show eight peripheral columns 21 extending upward from base 12, each column having an interlock in the form of a female member that can interlock with projections in corresponding columns 26, extending
- the male members 27 are angled and face the corner regions of the pallet deck 25, and linear male members 28 are arranged in the centers of each side of deck 25 and face the outer edge closest to the male member.
- Corresponding angled female members 22 in pallet base 20 are positioned to receive the angled male members 27, and linear female members 23 in the middle of each side of pallet base 20 receive linear male members 28 of pallet deck 25.
- the male members 27 and 28 and female members 22 and 23 that interlock at peripheral regions of the pallet base 20 and deck 25 are identical to the male members 27 and 28 and female members 22 and 23 that interlock at peripheral regions of the pallet base 20 and deck 25.
- the male members and female members proposed by exemplary embodiments are strong, durable, positive, and inflexible in their operation.
- rigid means that the material is not flexible and is not able to be bent or forced out of its normal shape.
- flexible means that the material is capable of being bent or flexed without breaking.
- the spans of resin, or other suitable material, such as steel, aluminum, composites or wood, that interconnect the confronting columns 21 and 26 of base 20 and deck 25 are flexible enough to allow bending of the base20 and/or deck 25 to cambered positions that allow the male members and female members to interlock.
- the base flexes to allow the male and female elements to engage, while the male and female elements are rigid. This is different from snap-tab engagement methods where an engagement element flexes and the body is relatively rigid. (However, in exemplary embodiments, snap-tabs or snap fittings can be used to provide further strength and/or rigidity. )This is best shown schematically in FIGS. 6 and 7, which uses base 20 as an example.
- Columns 21 extend upward from base 20 so that female members 22 extend above base 20 by an offset distance 24.
- the normal flat configuration of base 20 is illustrated in FIG. 6. In the flat configuration, the distant between the two columns 21 is referred to as the interlock distance.
- the structure of the elements changes shape as shown in FIG. 7. because the resin, or other suitable material, connecting columns 21 with the base 20 is flexible allowing base 20 to be bent into a camber.
- the distal portion of the column 21 moves outward relative to its position in the unflexed state, while the proximal portion of column 21 moves inward relative to its position in the unflexed state.
- the flexing of the base 20 causes the columns 21 to be positioned at an angle ⁇ , relative to its original angle in the unflexed position.
- the flexing of the base 20 causes the distance between the columns 21 to increase to a flex distance between the columns 21 as shown in FIG. 7. This spreads the columns apart slightly so that male members from a superposed pallet deck can fit into base female members 22.
- bending the base 20 makes the columns 21 spread apart as they angle so that a distance between female members 22 increases by a departure distance, which can be calculated as explained below.
- the amount of increased distance that can be produced between the columns is a function of several factors including the nature of the material in the body and the columns, the configuration of strengthening ribs, gussets, and channels that are incorporated into the body, the amount of force used to flex the body, and the shape and size of an object that can be pressed against the body to flex the body.
- the amount of bending required in a body can depend upon the orientation and configuration of the locking elements.
- the distance on the column from the base to the female member is an important factor in
- the amount of distance the opening between the columns must increase to allow the male and female members to engage This is possible because the bending produces an angle ⁇ to which the columns move. As the distance from the base to where the female member is located on the column increases, the greater the amount of separation that results from the same angle ⁇ .
- the sine of angle ⁇ times the offset distance 24 produces an increased spatial separation between female members 22.
- the bending of base 20 as shown in FIG. 7 may be adequate to assemble the deck projections male members 27 to be positioned directly into the base female members 22.
- the amount of bending required can be reduced by first inserting one set of male members located along one side of the body into the
- a pallet bottom can be more flexible than a top deck, and can place the interlocks above the middle of the columns extending between the top and bottom so that bending the base spreads base interlocks apart far enough to receive deck interlocks. It is also possible to design the base and the deck so that bending of each is required for an optimum interlock between the two.
- the right triangle shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 schematically exaggerates the bending angle necessary to assemble male members and female members of the interlock.
- the female members in the base columns have an offset distance 24 from the bendable span of the base.
- the right triangles show that the sine of the angle ⁇ bending the columns 21 can be multiplied by the offset distance to determine the increased flex or departure distance between female members 22 when base span 20 is cambered.
- triangles shown in FIG. 9 can use the sine of the angle ⁇ times the smaller offset distance 29 to show that the male members 27 of deck 25 move to a shorter flex distance when deck 25 is cambered to the position illustrated in FIG. 9. It is possible to assemble a pallet by bending only one of the bodies to receive the other. This would depend on which body has the taller columns with the longer offset distance. Bodies whose locking features are assembled substantially parallel to the neutral axis of bending most effectively use the convergence and divergence of points along the bodies to create assembly clearance for locking features. When two parallel bodies are flexed the same amount in the same direction their surfaces remain substantially parallel, as in the shingling of a stack of paper. This allows for the locking features to engage in a sliding motion. When only one of the bodies is flexed, the locking features can engage in a combined sliding/rotating motion. In certain embodiments, engagement of bodies can be achieved by horizontally sliding one body with respect to another (in a cambered or relaxed state) to allow
- interlocking element on the other body.
- Parallel bodies that are spaced a distance apart can effectively use projections away from the neutral axis of bending to amplify the geometric effect, providing greater lock engagement.
- Bodies whose locking features are assembled substantially perpendicular to the neutral axis of bending most effectively use the rotation angle to create assembly clearance for locking features.
- a preferred embodiment includes locking features located on the perimeters or extremities of the bodies.
- the locking features can be engaged without deforming the bodies. Sometimes the locking features must be engaged by flexing the bodies in a sequence of flexing steps, which can require secondary flexing to separate locking features not yet engaged. In some cases locking features can be engaged by flexing in a domed fashion. It is also possible to design the male members and female members of the interlock so that the interlock establishes a tension between the base and the deck. Such a tension can hold the base and the deck to very slightly cambered positions that flatten out when a load is applied to a pallet deck. This can ensure that an interlock force continuously urges the two pallet bodies into a tight interlock.
- the interlock tension preferably involves compression force on the deck interlocks and tension force on the base interlocks.
- detents that seat together in a home position of the interlock.
- the detents will result in a click sound when the interlocks are fully engaged with each other.
- the detents can also be structured so that the pallet assembles with somewhat less force than is necessary to disassemble it.
- Another factor in two-piece resin pallet design according to exemplary embodiments can be the physical and chemical properties of the materials involved. Stress, strain, creep, and other considerations can be used to ensure that the interlocks are strong and long-lived.
- the cambered bending of the base or deck of the pallet can also be done on two perpendicular axes simultaneously to result in a domed effect, as illustrated in FIG. 10.
- This can bend these parts not only from side-to-side, but from end-to-end, for example, to dome each of the pallet halves into positions where the male members and female members can all be fitted together simultaneously. All that is needed is a fixture to hold both sides and ends of the pallet parts 20 and 25 in contact together while a lifting force is applied in a central region of the pallet to bend the base and the deck into domed cambers. This moves the male members and female members to their flex distances, which allows them to interlock.
- the interlock secures them tightly together.
- the resulting assembly is especially strong and durable to resist breakage or separation during the rough life of pallets.
- the domed or cambered bending of the parts is also in an opposite direction to any movement that the pallet will experience in bearing loads.
- an interlock combination can comprise: mating male members and female members that do not flex; the male members and female members are disposed on bodies at least one of which is flexible in a span between the interlocks; the male members and female members are offset from the flexible body by an offset distance (od) so that flexure of the body angles the interlocks to an angle ⁇ and makes the interlocks depart from unflexed positions by a departure distance (dd); the departure distance (dd) of the interlocks equals the sine of the angle ⁇ times the offset distance (od) of the interlocks from the element; and the departure distance resulting from the flexure is sufficient to assemble the bodies into an interlock or disconnect the bodies from an interlock.
- connecting a pair of bodies in a combination can comprise: interlocks that are spaced apart on the bodies by an interlock distance; the bodies are flexible in spans between the interlocks so that flexing the bodies angles the interlocks by respective angles ⁇ ; the male members and female members of the interlocks are offset from the spans of the flexible bodies by respective offset distances (od); the interlocks move from the interlock distance by a respective departure distance (dd) when the bodies flex and angle the interlocks; the respective departure distance (dd) equals sine of each respective angle ⁇ x the respective offset distance (od); and moving the interlocks by a total of the respective departure distance enables the interlocks to be assembled or disassembled.
- connecting a base and a deck of pallet in a combination can also comprise: a span of the base spaces the interlocks apart; the span of the base is flexible enough to be bent into a camber which angles the interlocks apart; and angling the interlocks apart allows the male members and female members to interlock, which is not possible unless the interlocks are angled apart.
- a method of interlocking a pair of bodies having interlocks with rigid male members and female members can comprise: separating the interlocks by a flexible span of one of the bodies; offsetting the male members and female members of the interlocks from the flexible span of the element; flexing the body span to angle the interlocks to depart from unflexed positions; using the departure of the interlocks from flexure of the body span as the only
- a pair of bodies interconnected by interlocks can occur in a combination comprising: interlocks having rigid male members and female members that cannot be assembled in an original state of the bodies; wherein the interlocks on the bodies are disposed so that bending at least one of the bodies from the original state angles the interlocks to positions enabling the interlocks to be assembled and disassembled; and wherein when the interlocks are assembled, they cannot be disassembled without flexing the flexible element.
- Exemplary embodiments allow for parts to be assembled with flexing on numerous axes around the center pivot point.
- Possible flex axes can include the axis running across the narrow dimension of the pallet, across the wide dimension of the pallet, any diagonal axis through the center of the part or in all axes through the center of the part by flexing the parts in a dome shape with the center at the apex.
- a preferred embodiment involves flexing in a specific sequence, first along the narrow dimension axis to lock the center elements or members on the wide side of the pallet, then along the wide dimension of the pallet to lock the corner and center elements or members on the narrow side of the pallet simultaneously.
- Flex locks can be located within or outside each perimeter member or element and extend under the top deck of the pallet. In a preferred
- locks are extended from each member or element, of the pallet toward the center of the pallet in the direction of rotation for assembly.
- This geometry which can be anchored to the structure of the members or elements of the base of the pallet and cantilevered out under the top deck, substantially reduces the deflection of the pallet by reducing the effective span between the members or elements.
- male members and female members of the interlocks are rigid and are separated by flexible spans of the bodies so that flexing the body spans changes the separation of the interlocks and allows the interlocks to be assembled together in a way that is not possible unless the body spans are flexed.
- the equations on the following pages are provided for an exemplary two-piece pallet embodiment and show how a flex angle of one of the pallet bodies can determine the angle ⁇ shown in FIGS. 7 and 9 to calculate the length of an engagement available between male members and female members to achieve a tight interlock fit by opening the columns to allow the male members on both sides of a body to engage the corresponding female members.
- the distance (or angle to which) the columns are required to move can be reduced by first inserting one set of male members located along one side of the body into the corresponding " female members.
- Equations for the angle ⁇ are derived for the equation for Y and the differential of Y with respect to X is the slope of the deflection curve.
- an engagement range of about 0.125" to about 0.75" (the preferred range is about 0.25" to about 0.5") can be achieved by adjusting the flexible deflection to achieve the desired angle ⁇ .
- the offset distance (od) is limited to about 5" in a pallet, but can be significantly less for one pallet part.
- a deck and base can share the about 5" od, and the proportion of the sharing can relate to the stiffness of the respective bodies.
- the engagement of the male members and female members is also limited to the size of the column or foot that extends between the deck and the base.
- columns in resin pallets, and other suitable material are preferably in a range of the about 5-9" in footprint, this is far more than necessary for a preferred od engagement in the range of about 0.125 to about 0.75". (The preferred range is about 0.25" to about 0.5".
- a graph of a preferred result is shown in FIG. 12.
- the equations below illustrate the proportional stiffness to moment of inertia of top and bottom bodies of an exemplary embodiment of a two piece pallet.
- the top deck is calculated for a 1" thick beam and the base is calculated for a 0.5" beam.
- the total pallet height is established at 5". This information is applied to calculate a center of gravity, and finally a ratio of the increased stiffness obtained by fastening the deck and the base together securely with positively interacting male members and female members.
- the typical calculations shown in the equations put the ratio at about 65:1 increase in stiffness when the pallet deck and base are securely interlocked. A preferred range for such ratio runs from about 40 to about 80:1.
- FIG. 11 shows a way of interlocking a center post between a pallet base 20 and a deck 25.
- Base 20 is formed with an upstanding cylindrical center post 30, and pallet deck 25 is formed with a center post 40 that can telescope within post 30.
- Doming base 20, as illustrated in FIG. 11 elevates center post 30 upward so that post 40 of deck 25 can be extended down into center post 30.
- Either or both posts can be hollow, and the engagement between posts 30 and 40 is preferably snug, to eliminate places for dirt to deposit.
- Posts 30 and 40 can also have respective parts of a bayonet joint schematically illustrated in FIG. 11. This allows deck 25 to be angularly oriented relative to base 20 to allow post 40 to extend all the way into post 30. When deck 25 is rotated back to registry with base 20, the bayonet joint engages and locks posts 30 and 40 together. This adds additional locking strength between deck 25 and base 20, and also helps secure posts together to prevent any dirt collection.
- Pallets are subjected to substantial application forces acting to separate or pry apart the top and bottom of a 2 piece pallet assembly. These forces can often be applied with pallet jacks which fit under pallets and are jacked up to lift the pallet off the floor when the wheels of the pallet jack locate on the pallet strap of bottom piece of the pallet. Exemplary embodiments allow for substantially greater strength in resisting such forces relative to more common snap locks. This is a result of the fact that snap locks must be sufficiently weak and flexible to engage, limiting their strength in resisting disengagement, where the interlocking features using the flex assembly method can be as stiff and strong as the material and design permit, since they are engaging by sliding together.
- the geometry of the interlocking features can take many forms including, but not limited to, semi-circular, triangular, elliptical, rectangular contact areas, combinations thereof and the like.
- a preferred exemplary embodiment is a rectangular box with ribs extending from the locking surfaces along the axis of disengagement force and tied into elements of the overall part to create locks that can withstand forces such as those described above.
- the flex assembly facilitates disassembly by flexing in the direction opposite from the application force. In the case of a pallet, disengagement can be
- a preferred embodiment includes the use of snap locks that engage in the horizontal axis, parallel to the direction of interlock engagement to further keep parts together and resist disassembly force.
- These snap locks can be one-way snap locks that provide modest resistance to pallet assembly forces based on the angle of taper on the trailing surface of the snap fingers and prevent disengagement of pallets without failure of the snap fingers with a surface on the leading edge of the snap fingers which is perpendicular to the assembly direction.
- snap fingers can be tailored to allow disassembly without damage to both parts with an amount of force that is greater than the assembly force and would not otherwise be seen in the application.
- Exemplary embodiments can also be applied to other applications such as the base and walls of a bulk container where the application requires a stiff panel that can resist substantial force with minimum deflection, especially where the force is applied primarily in one direction perpendicular to the panel. This would be the case for the pallet base of any bulk container as well as the side walls of a bulk container for carrying loose loads that exert hydrostatic pressure outward.
- the flex assembly relies on the displacement of the 2 parts along the horizontal axis as the parts are flexed over a pivot point in the center. This displacement is a function of the flex angle and the distance from the pivot point.
- an alternative locking method is required. This can be done with no locking allowing parts to slide in and out in the vertical plane as well as using snap fits, fasteners, adhesives or welding , but a preferred embodiment uses a rotating or bayonet locking method. This locking is accomplished by first flexing the bottom part on all 4 sides to clear, bringing the top and bottom part together out of square, then rotating only the top part to engage locks and square up the parts.
- This locking mechanism offers similar advantages to the flex locks over other methods such as snap locks in that zero clearance gaps can be achieved and the locking geometry can be
- An additional benefit of exemplary embodiments in the application is the ability to design interlocking features with zero, or substantially zero, gap between parts in the assembled position.
- Snap locks require clearance to allow the lock to rotate out and back into place. The greater the engagement and the greater the length of the flex tab the more clearance is required. This clearance translates into a gap between parts when loaded and inefficiency in the transfer of load between the 2 parts which decreases the stiffness of the assembly.
- locks can be designed with zero, or substantially zero, clearance to eliminate gaps and facilitate optimum load transfer between parts. Minimizing the gap between parts is critical in applications such as food handling where gaps can translate into trapped contamination. Examples Pallet Pull-Apart Test
- the interlock can preferably be made by connecting the female and male members in a specific sequence.
- the sequences of connecting the female and male members can be described by considered a body as being a 3 x 3 matrix having the designations shown below.
- each body can be considered to be analogous to this matrix. Shown below is a body from Figure 15, an alternating flex embodiment.
- the portion of the body containing element 76 corresponds to block 1 in the matrix. Similarly, the portion of the body containing element 77A corresponds to block 2 in the matrix.
- the correspondence between the element numbers from Figure 15 and the matrix is shown below.
- Figure 14 depicts an exemplary Single Flex embodiment using a dome deflection.
- bodies 51 and 52 are engaged together to form a pallet. Engagement is achieved by flexing one of the bodies 51 , 52 in the form of a dome so that respective male and female members 52 and 53, 54 and 55, and 56 and 57 can be engaged and interlocked upon returning the flexed body 51 or 52 to an unflexed stated.
- Figure 15 depicts an exemplary Alternating Flex embodiment 60 including body members 61 and 62, which can be engaged to form a pallet.
- the body members 61 and 62 include respective male and female members to be engaged with each other and form an interlock. Engagement of the respective male and female members is achieved by doming at least one of the body 61 and 62 to engage male and female members 65 and 66, 78 and 79, 67 and 68, 77 and 77A, and 73 and 74 and then cupping at least one of the bodies 61 and 62 to engage the remaining male and respective female members 69 and 70, 75 and 76, 70 and 71 , and 63 and 64.
- Figure 16 depicts an exemplary Flex-in-2-directions embodiment 80 including respective pairs of male and female members to be engaged to form a pallet.
- engagement of the male and female members is achieved by flexing at least one of the bodies 81 and 82 to engage male and respective female members 97 and 98, 91 and 92, and 85 and 86 and then flexing at least one of the bodies 81 and 82 in another direction to engage male and respective female elements 95 and 96, 89 and 90, 83 and 84, 99 and 100, 93 and 94, and 87 ⁇ and 88.
- Figure 17 depicts an exemplary Bridging Fork Pocket embodiment 105 including bodies 106 and 107 to be engaged to form a pallet.
- the bodies 106 and 107 include respective male and female members to be engaged to connect bodies 106 and 107 to form a pallet.
- Engagement in this embodiment of the bodies 106 and 107 can be achieved by twisting to engage male and respective female members 117 and 116 and then respective male and female members 122 and 123 and 110 and 111 and then engaging elements 120 and 121 , 114 and 115, 108 and 109 and elements 124 and 125, 118 and 119, and 112 and 113. Tangs in the embodiments overhang the fork pockets to provide added rigidity.
- Flex locks can be located within each perimeter foot or outside of the feet and extending under the top deck of the pallet.
- locks are extended from each foot of the pallet toward the center of the pallet in the direction of rotation about the camber axis for assembly.
- This geometry which can be anchored to the structure of the base and cantilevered out under the top deck thus bridging the fork pockets, substantially reduces the deflection of the pallet by reducing the effective span between columns.
- Figure 18 depicts an exemplary Multi-piece Pallet embodiment, 140 including body members 141 and 142 that include respective male and female members to provide engagement of the bodies 141 and 142 to form a pallet.
- the multi-piece pallet embodiment is engaged using four cover pieces 143, 144, 145 and 146 that include various male members 143 A-D, 144 A-D, 145 A-D and 146 A-D to engage with respective female members. (Not separately numbered)
- Figure 19 depicts an exemplary Living Hinge embodiment 185 including bodies 186 and 187 with respective male and female members to provide
- the embodiment 185 also includes a living hinge 188 located on body 187 (although in other exemplary embodiments the living hinge may be on the other body member).
- the embodiment can be engaged in the same manner as the embodiment depicted in Figure 15 by flexing in two directions but also using living hinge 188 so that male and female members 203 and 204, 197 and 198, and 191 and 192 are engaged and then flexing in another direction to engage male and respective female members 201 and 202, 195 and 196, 189 and 190, 193 and 194, 199 and 200, and 205 and 206.
- Figure 20 depicts an exemplary Hinge embodiment of a pallet 250 including bodies 251 and 252 and hinge 253 located on body 252 (although in other exemplary embodiments the hinge may be positioned on the other body element 251).
- This embodiment can be engaged in the same manner as the exemplary embodiment depicted in Figure 15 by flexing in two directions and using hinge 253 so that male and respective female members 256 and 257, 262 and 263, and 268 and 269 are first engaged followed by engagement of the respective male and female members 266 and 267, 260 and 261 , 254 and 255, 258 and 259, 264 and 265, and 270 and 271.
- Figure 21 depicts and exemplary Separate Locking Piece embodiment 285 including bodies 286 and 287 with respective male and female members and separate locking pieces to be used therein to connect or engage bodies 286 and 287 to form a pallet.
- separate locking pieces are provided to provide engagement between the bodies.
- Engagement can be achieved in a manner similar to the embodiment depicted in Figure 15 by flexing at least one of the bodies 286 and 287 in different directions so that male and respective female elements 302 and 303, 303A and 296, 297 and 290, 291 and 291A can be engaged followed by engagement of elements 300 and 301 , 301 A and 294, 295 and 295A, 288 and 289, 289A and 304, 305 and 305A, 298 and 299, 299A and 292, and 293 and 293A.
- Figure 22 depicts an exemplary Wall Female Flex Assembly 350 including four walls 351 , 352, 353 and 354 wherein each wall has a set of male members 355 or female members 356 along an edge region so that a male member 355 can engage with a corresponding female member 356 to lock the wall members together at the corners.
- a wall member 351 can be engaged with a wall member 352 by flexing at least one of wall members 351 and 352 to allow a male member 355 to engage with a female member 356 so that the male member 355 and female member 356 are engaged and interlock when the at least one wall member 351 and 352 are unflexed.
- Figure 23 depicts an exemplary Wall Flex assembly 385 including walls 386, 387, 388 and 389 wherein the walls include a plurality of female engagement members 390 and corresponding male engagement members 391.
- the wall assembly can be assembled by flexing at least one of the wall elements such as, for example, wall element 386 to permit engagement between female engagement members 390 and male engagement members 391 on wall member 387 and 389 so that engagement between the wall members can be achieved and maintained upon returning wall member 386 to an unflexed state.
- Figure 24 depicts an exemplary Cover with Flex Assembly 400 having a cylindrically shaped body 402 with a round cover 401.
- Engagement of the cover 401 with body 402 can be achieved by obtaining engagement between male interlock members 404 on the top opening of the body 402 with female engagement members 403 located along the edge of the cover 401.
- the cover 401 can be flexed and/or cambered and/or the body 402 can be flexed and/or cambered so that engagement between the male engagement members 404 can be achieved with female engagement members 403 so that when the cover 401 and/or body 402 are returned to an unflexed state, the interlock between the male engagement member 404 and female engagement member 403 is maintained. While exemplary articles and methods have been described in detail with reference to specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made, and equivalents employed without departing from the scope of the pending claims.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
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- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Wood Science & Technology (AREA)
- Pallets (AREA)
- Prostheses (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Priority Applications (12)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA2805107A CA2805107C (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-07-13 | Flex assembly of pallet base and deck |
JP2013519650A JP6134981B2 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-07-13 | Flex assembly consisting of pallet base and deck |
US13/810,119 US20130180437A1 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-07-13 | Flex assembly of pallet base and deck |
AU2011279732A AU2011279732B2 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-07-13 | Flex assembly of pallet base and deck |
KR1020137003464A KR101817821B1 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-07-13 | Flex assembly of pallet base and deck |
MX2013000529A MX2013000529A (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-07-13 | Flex assembly of pallet base and deck. |
EP11807183.6A EP2593375B1 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-07-13 | Flex assembly of pallet base and deck |
CN201180041613.4A CN103124680B (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-07-13 | The flexure assembly be made up of bracket base and cover plate |
BR112013000965A BR112013000965B1 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2011-07-13 | locking for joining bodies, method of locking locking bodies to form a pallet and method of disassembling a plurality of locking bodies to form a pallet |
IL224187A IL224187B (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2013-01-13 | Pallet and method of interlocking bodies having interlocks to form a pallet |
ZA2013/00753A ZA201300753B (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2013-01-29 | Flex assembly of pallet base and deck |
US14/530,281 US9771178B2 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2014-10-31 | Flex assembly of pallet base and deck |
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US36395010P | 2010-07-13 | 2010-07-13 | |
US61/363,950 | 2010-07-13 |
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US14/530,281 Continuation US9771178B2 (en) | 2010-07-13 | 2014-10-31 | Flex assembly of pallet base and deck |
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WO2012009011A8 WO2012009011A8 (en) | 2013-02-21 |
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EP (1) | EP2593375B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP6134981B2 (en) |
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2011
- 2011-07-13 KR KR1020137003464A patent/KR101817821B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2011-07-13 CN CN201180041613.4A patent/CN103124680B/en active Active
- 2011-07-13 BR BR112013000965A patent/BR112013000965B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2011-07-13 JP JP2013519650A patent/JP6134981B2/en active Active
- 2011-07-13 AU AU2011279732A patent/AU2011279732B2/en active Active
- 2011-07-13 WO PCT/US2011/001225 patent/WO2012009011A1/en active Application Filing
- 2011-07-13 EP EP11807183.6A patent/EP2593375B1/en active Active
- 2011-07-13 US US13/810,119 patent/US20130180437A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-07-13 CA CA2805107A patent/CA2805107C/en active Active
- 2011-07-13 MX MX2013000529A patent/MX2013000529A/en active IP Right Grant
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2013
- 2013-01-11 CL CL2013000123A patent/CL2013000123A1/en unknown
- 2013-01-13 IL IL224187A patent/IL224187B/en active IP Right Grant
- 2013-01-29 ZA ZA2013/00753A patent/ZA201300753B/en unknown
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2014
- 2014-10-31 US US14/530,281 patent/US9771178B2/en active Active
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US4597338A (en) * | 1984-11-14 | 1986-07-01 | Pinckney Molded Plastics, Inc. | Pallet |
US5497709A (en) * | 1994-10-28 | 1996-03-12 | Larry Winget | Plastic pallet assembly |
US20040007164A1 (en) * | 2001-10-16 | 2004-01-15 | Herring Conrad C. | Load bearing structure for a shipping pallet |
US20070006782A1 (en) * | 2005-05-16 | 2007-01-11 | Illinois Tool Works Inc. | Combination knockdown pallet structure and article container |
US7438623B2 (en) * | 2005-09-06 | 2008-10-21 | Wen-Pin Lin | Geometric construction system |
Non-Patent Citations (1)
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Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP2629926B1 (en) * | 2010-10-22 | 2021-03-03 | Bayerische Motoren Werke Aktiengesellschaft | Connection between two component parts |
TWI576288B (en) * | 2016-07-19 | 2017-04-01 | Modular pallet device |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR101817821B1 (en) | 2018-01-11 |
EP2593375B1 (en) | 2016-12-07 |
CA2805107C (en) | 2018-01-16 |
US9771178B2 (en) | 2017-09-26 |
BR112013000965A2 (en) | 2016-05-24 |
EP2593375A1 (en) | 2013-05-22 |
JP6134981B2 (en) | 2017-05-31 |
US20130180437A1 (en) | 2013-07-18 |
JP2013530899A (en) | 2013-08-01 |
MX2013000529A (en) | 2013-06-05 |
BR112013000965B1 (en) | 2019-09-03 |
CL2013000123A1 (en) | 2013-07-19 |
WO2012009011A8 (en) | 2013-02-21 |
EP2593375A4 (en) | 2015-07-22 |
IL224187B (en) | 2018-03-29 |
AU2011279732B2 (en) | 2015-02-26 |
CA2805107A1 (en) | 2012-01-19 |
CN103124680B (en) | 2015-09-30 |
AU2011279732A1 (en) | 2013-02-21 |
CN103124680A (en) | 2013-05-29 |
KR20130052676A (en) | 2013-05-22 |
US20150147112A1 (en) | 2015-05-28 |
ZA201300753B (en) | 2014-03-26 |
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