阅读说明：本技术 混成托板 (Mixed supporting board ) 是由 马修·伍德 保罗·M·美利亚 丹尼尔·J·兰兹 于 2020-03-04 设计创作，主要内容包括：一种托板包括塑料顶板和竹质底板。该竹质底板包括由层叠在一起的竹条制成的竹板。在竹质底板与塑料顶板之间耦接支撑块,而且在竹质底板与塑料顶板之间形成间隙,用于接受举升件。(A pallet comprises a plastic top plate and a bamboo bottom plate. The bamboo bottom plate comprises a bamboo board made of bamboo strips which are laminated together. A support block is coupled between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate, and a gap is formed between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate for receiving the lifting member.)

1. A pallet, comprising:

a plastic top plate;

a bamboo base plate comprising a plurality of bamboo boards; and

a plurality of support blocks coupled between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate and forming a gap between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate for receiving a lifting member.

2. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each bamboo panel comprises a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together.

3. The pallet of claim 2, wherein each bamboo board further comprises a plastic composite added to the plurality of bamboo strands.

4. The pallet of claim 2, wherein the direction of each bamboo cane is orthogonal to the direction of an adjacent bamboo cane.

5. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each bamboo panel comprises:

a top portion comprising a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together and extending in a first direction;

a bottom portion including a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together and extending in the first direction; and

at least one middle portion between the top portion and the bottom portion, the at least one middle portion including a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together and extending in a second direction different from the first direction.

6. The pallet of claim 5, wherein the second direction is at least one of orthogonal and crosswise to the first direction.

7. The pallet of claim 1, wherein the bamboo bottom board comprises:

a pair of bamboo end decks;

a pair of bamboo connector boards extending between the pair of bamboo end decks; and

a middle bamboo connecting plate extending between the pair of bamboo end decks, and the middle bamboo connecting plate and the pair of bamboo connecting plates being orthogonal to the pair of bamboo end decks.

8. The pallet of claim 7, wherein the respective joints between the pair of bamboo end decks and the pair of bamboo connector boards are mitered joints.

9. The pallet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of support blocks comprises:

an upper surface;

a lower surface; and

a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides extending between the upper surface and the lower surface, and one of the sides having a recess formed therein for receiving an end of the lift to allow the pallet to spin.

10. The pallet of claim 9, further comprising at least one spike nail extending through one of the plurality of bamboo boards and into the groove in the at least one support block.

11. The pallet of claim 1, wherein at least one of the support blocks comprises:

an upper surface;

a lower surface;

a first pair of opposing sides extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and having first openings extending therethrough; and

a second pair of opposing sides extending between the upper surface and the lower surface and having a second opening extending through the second pair of opposing sides and intersecting the first opening.

12. The pallet of claim 11, further comprising at least one spike nail extending through one of the plurality of bamboo boards and into the first or second opening in the at least one support block.

13. The pallet of claim 1, wherein each support block comprises at least one of wood, plastic, wood and plastic composites, and metal.

14. The pallet of claim 1, wherein the plastic top deck comprises a single plastic top deck.

15. The pallet of claim 14, wherein the unitary plastic top plate includes a plurality of metal strips inserted therein for support, and each metal strip includes a perforation extending therethrough, and the perforations extend in a direction normal to an upper surface of the plastic top plate.

16. A method for manufacturing a pallet, comprising:

forming a plastic top plate;

forming a bamboo base plate comprising a plurality of bamboo boards;

forming a plurality of support blocks; and

the plurality of support blocks are coupled between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate, and a gap is formed between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate for receiving a lifting member.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein each bamboo panel comprises a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein each bamboo panel comprises:

a top portion comprising a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together and extending in a first direction;

a bottom portion including a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together and extending in the first direction; and

at least one middle portion between the top portion and the bottom portion, the at least one middle portion including a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together and extending in a second direction different from the first direction.

19. The method of claim 16, wherein forming the bamboo flooring comprises:

forming a pair of bamboo end decks;

forming a pair of bamboo tie plates extending between the pair of bamboo end decks; and

forming a middle bamboo web extending between the pair of bamboo end decks, and the middle bamboo web and the pair of bamboo webs are orthogonal to the pair of bamboo end decks.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the respective joints between the pair of bamboo end decks and the pair of bamboo connector boards are mitre joints.

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of pallet technology, and more particularly, to a hybrid pallet.

Background

Pallets are commonly used for transporting and storing goods. Pallets generally include a top plate and a bottom plate separated by a support block. Pallets are used to serve several purposes, including the loading of equipment and the stacking of items for transport and storage. To serve the specific purpose for which it is being used, the pallet needs to maintain durability.

Disclosure of Invention

A pallet comprises a plastic top plate and a bamboo bottom plate. The bamboo bottom plate comprises a plurality of bamboo boards. A plurality of support blocks are coupled between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate and form a gap between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate for receiving a lifting member.

Each bamboo panel may comprise a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together. Each bamboo panel may also include a plastic composite added to the plurality of bamboo strands. The direction of each bamboo strip may be orthogonal to the direction of adjacent bamboo strips.

In other embodiments, each bamboo panel may include a top portion, a bottom portion, and at least one intermediate portion between the top and bottom portions. The top portion may include a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together, with the plurality of bamboo strands extending in a first direction. Similarly, the base may include a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together, with the plurality of bamboo strands extending in the first direction. The at least one intermediate portion may include a plurality of bamboo strands laminated together and extending in a second direction different from the first direction. The second direction may be orthogonal or cross to the first direction.

The bamboo flooring may comprise: a pair of bamboo end decks; a pair of bamboo connector boards extending between the pair of end decks; and a middle bamboo web extending between the pair of bamboo end decks. The middle bamboo web and the bamboo web may be orthogonal to the bamboo end decks. The respective joints between the pair of bamboo end decks and the pair of bamboo web plates may be mitered joints.

At least one of the plurality of support blocks may comprise: an upper surface; a lower surface; and a first pair of opposing sides and a second pair of opposing sides extending between the upper surface and the lower surface. One of the sides may have a recess formed therein for receiving an end of a lift to allow the pallet to spin. At least one spike nail may extend through one of the plurality of bamboo boards and into a groove in the at least one support block.

At least one of the support blocks may include an upper surface and a lower surface. A first pair of opposing sides extends between the upper surface and the lower surface and may have a first opening extending through the first pair of opposing sides. The second pair of opposing sides extend between the upper surface and the lower surface and may have a second opening extending through the second pair of opposing sides and intersecting the first opening. At least one spike nail extends through one of the plurality of bamboo boards and into the first or second opening in the at least one support block.

Each support block may be wood, plastic, wood and plastic composites, or metal. The plastic top plate may be configured as a unitary plastic top plate. The unitary plastic top plate may include a plurality of metal strips inserted therein for support, and each metal strip includes a perforation extending therethrough. The perforations extend in a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the plastic top plate.

Another aspect is directed to a method for manufacturing a pallet as described above. The method comprises the following steps: forming a plastic top plate; forming a bamboo base plate comprising a plurality of bamboo boards; and forming a plurality of support blocks. The method further includes coupling a plurality of support blocks between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate and forming a gap between the bamboo bottom plate and the plastic top plate for receiving the lifting member.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a hybrid pallet according to the present disclosure.

Fig. 2 is a side view of the hybrid pallet shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end view of the hybrid pallet shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is an exploded view of the hybrid pallet shown in fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a partially exploded view of the top plate shown in fig. 1.

FIG. 6 is an upper perspective view of one of the larger size support blocks shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an upper perspective view of one of the smaller size support blocks shown in FIG. 1.

Fig. 8 is a flow chart of a method of manufacturing the hybrid pallet illustrated in fig. 1.

Detailed Description

The description makes reference to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate exemplary embodiments. However, many different embodiments may be used and, thus, the description should not be taken to be limited to the specific embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

Referring first to fig. 1-3, a hybrid pallet 20 includes: a top plate 30 formed of plastic; a bottom plate 40 formed of bamboo; and a plurality of spaced apart support blocks 50, 60 located between the top plate 30 and the bottom plate 40. The support blocks 50, 60 may be formed of wood, plastic, wood/plastic composite, or metal.

The support blocks 50, 60 form a gap between the top plate 30 and the bottom plate 40 for receiving the lift members. The lifting members may be metal tines of a fork lift (forklifts) or pallet jack (pallet jack). The top panel 30 is also referred to as a cargo layer and the bottom panel 40 is also referred to as a base layer.

An exploded view of the hybrid pallet 20 is provided in fig. 2. The top plate 30 is formed as one piece and includes a metal rod or strip 32 inserted therein for support. The one-piece top plate 30 may also be referred to as a single top plate.

The metal strip 32 is perforated with holes 34. The top plate 30 also includes perforations 36. The holes 34, 36 do not compromise the durability of the top plate 30. If no metal strip is added for support, the top plate needs to be thicker to provide the required support. The perforations 34 extend in a direction orthogonal to the upper surface of the top plate 30.

The base plate 40 includes a pair of spaced apart end decks 42 and a pair of spaced apart connector plates 44 extending between the end decks 42. The base plate 40 also includes an intermediate connector plate 46 extending between the end decks 42. The connector plates 44 and intermediate connector plates 46 are orthogonal to the end deck plates 42.

Each of the panels 42, 44, 46 in the bottom panel 40 comprises a laminated bamboo strip or batten cut from bamboo poles. The bamboo panels 42, 44, 46 are formed by pressing the laminated bamboo strips together. A plastic composite may be added to the laminated bamboo strands, the plastic composite and the laminated bamboo strands being pressed together under high pressure.

To improve durability, the bamboo panels 42, 44, 46 may be formed such that each bamboo strip is orthogonal to adjacent bamboo strips when stacked. Alternatively, the bamboo panels 42, 44, 46 may be formed as a layer of bamboo strands laminated together in sections. For example, the bamboo panels 42, 44, 46 have top and bottom portions and at least one intermediate portion, respectively, and the direction of the bamboo strands in the at least one intermediate portion may be criss-crossing or orthogonal to the direction of the bamboo strands in the top and bottom portions.

The engagement between the connector plates 44 and the end deck 42 may be standard or beveled. In standard engagement, the end of each connector plate 44 interfaces with the side of the end deck 42. Alternatively, the ends of end deck 42 interface with the sides of each connector plate 44. In a beveled joint, the ends of the connector plates 44 are joined at a 45 degree angle to the ends of the end deck 42. In addition, the engagement between the connector plates 44 and the end deck plates 42 may be stepped (i.e., notched) to further increase the durability of the base plate 40.

As described above, the support blocks 50, 60 may be formed of wood, plastic, wood/plastic composite, or metal. When formed of wood plastic composite, each of the support blocks 50, 60 comprises a mixture of wood fibers, plastic, and paper, for example. Exemplary composites are 20% wood fiber, 60% plastic, and 20% paper. This exemplary composite is for illustrative purposes, and is not limiting.

The wood, plastic or wood/plastic composite support blocks 50, 60 are all generally rectangular in shape. When the support blocks 50, 60 are formed of metal, each support block is generally C-shaped or U-shaped.

The support blocks 50 are in contact with either the end deck 42 and the connector plates 44 or the intermediate connector plates 46, while the support blocks 60 are in contact with only one of the connector plates 44 or the intermediate connector plates 46. The support block 50 is larger in size than the support block 60. In other embodiments, the support blocks 50, 60 may be equal in size.

Each illustrated support block 50 includes a groove or scoop (scoop) extending partially from one side 54 to an opposite side 56 of the plurality of sides 54 of the support block 50. More specifically, the support block 50 includes an upper surface, a lower surface, and first and second pairs of opposing sides extending between the upper and lower surfaces. The groove 52 is formed in one side 54 of the plurality of sides 54. The groove 52 does not extend all the way through to the opposite side 56. The groove 52 does not impair durability. The corners of each support block 50 may be curved or chamfered.

The side 54 in which the recess 52 is formed includes exposed walls surrounding the recess 52. The groove 52 includes a bottom surface and adjacent side surfaces, and the adjacent side surfaces are not orthogonal or angled to the exposed wall and the bottom surface. Alternatively, the adjacent side surfaces within the groove 52 may be orthogonal or perpendicular to the exposed walls and bottom surface.

An advantage of the support blocks 50 having the recesses 52 formed therein is that each recess 52 assists the forklift operator in rotating the composite pallet 20. The rotation of the blade is called pinwheel rotation (pin winding). To cause pinwheel rotation of the hybrid pallet 20, a forklift operator uses one of the sharp metal tines of the forklift to contact the groove 52 of one of the plurality of support blocks 50. The grooves 52 allow the tines to grip the hybrid pallet 20 to rotate it 90 degrees.

The support block 60 includes an opening 62 that does not compromise durability. Unlike the groove 52, the first opening 62 extends completely through the opposing side wall 64, while the second opening 63 extends completely through the opposing side wall 65. More specifically, the supporting block 60 includes: an upper surface; a lower surface; a first pair of opposing sides 64 extending between the upper and lower surfaces and having a first opening 62 extending through the first pair of opposing sides 64; and a second pair of opposing sides 65 extending between the upper and lower surfaces and having second openings 63 extending through the second pair of opposing sides 65 and intersecting the first openings 62. The corners of each support block 60 may be curved or chamfered.

Bolts may be used to secure the top plate 30 to the illustrated support blocks 50, 60. Nails may be used to secure the base plate 40 to the illustrated support blocks 50, 60. If the support blocks 50, 60 are made of metal, bolts are used to secure the base plate 40 to the metal support blocks.

The recess 52 in the support block 50 and the openings 62, 63 in the support block 60 allow the use of bent spike nails when the support blocks 50, 60 are made of wood, plastic or wood plastic composite. The nail gun is positioned so that a portion of the nail gun is below the base plate 40 and a portion of the nail gun is within the recess 52 or openings 62, 63 so that when the bent-tip nail is fired into the base plate 40, the tip of the bent-tip nail is exposed within the recess 52 or openings 62, 63 and then the exposed tip is bent into the support block 50, 60.

In an alternative embodiment, the pallet 20 may be configured such that the top plate 30 is formed of bamboo and the bottom plate 40 is formed of plastic. The support blocks 50, 60 are not limited to any particular material.

Referring now to fig. 8, a flow chart 100 illustrating a method for manufacturing the hybrid pallet 20 will be discussed. From the start (step 102), the method includes forming a plastic top sheet 30 at step 104 and forming a bamboo bottom sheet 40 at step 106, the bamboo bottom sheet 40 including a plurality of bamboo panels 42, 44, 46. At step 108, a plurality of support blocks 50, 60 are formed. The method further includes coupling 110 a plurality of support blocks 50, 60 between the bamboo bottom plate 40 and the plastic top plate 30. A gap for receiving a lifting member is formed between the bamboo bottom plate 40 and the plastic top plate 30. The method ends at step 112.

Most pallets are constructed primarily of materials such as wood and plastic. Wood pallets are advantageous in terms of cost, but can be relatively heavy in weight. Plastic pallets are easier to mold and are more durable and lighter weight than wood pallets. However, plastic pallets have the disadvantage of being more expensive than wood pallets. The hybrid pallet 20 as described above addresses these concerns.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.