US20100074721A1 - Display dolly - Google Patents
Display dolly Download PDFInfo
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- US20100074721A1 US20100074721A1 US12/236,672 US23667208A US2010074721A1 US 20100074721 A1 US20100074721 A1 US 20100074721A1 US 23667208 A US23667208 A US 23667208A US 2010074721 A1 US2010074721 A1 US 2010074721A1
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- Prior art keywords
- corrugations
- display
- dolly
- shell
- cup
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- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
- A47F3/14—Display trays or containers
- A47F3/142—Display trays to be placed on the floor, e.g. by means of legs or of integrated cabinets underneath
Definitions
- Display dollies can be shipped from a product manufacturer with the display already installed on the dolly.
- the dolly is held fixed in place on a pallet. Straps are used to secure the display and dolly to the pallet.
- the pallet, dolly, and display are then shipped as a single unit to a store. Once at the store, the straps are cut and a lifting device lifts the dolly and the display from the pallet.
- the dolly is then placed on a floor and the display is wheeled on the dolly to the desired location.
- a typical display dolly includes a support platform with wheels.
- the platform is formed from injection molded plastic and then the wheels are attached.
- the injection molding process is expensive and is not easily adaptable to providing different shapes for the platform.
- the present invention provides a dolly that movably supports a display.
- An example display dolly includes an upper shell and a lower shell that are formed by thermoforming first and second sheets of material.
- the upper and lower shells are formed and attached to each other using a twin-sheet thermoforming process that provides a hollow interior cavity between the shells.
- the upper shell provides an upper surface to support the display.
- the lower shell includes wheel mount interfaces that receive wheels to move the display dolly along with the display to a desired location.
- the upper shell includes a first plurality of corrugations or trenches and the lower shell includes a second plurality of corrugations or trenches.
- the first and second pluralities of corrugations are orientated to extend in different directions from each other.
- the wheel mount interfaces are formed as cup-shaped recesses within the lower shell.
- a corresponding cup shaped recess is formed within the upper shell.
- Each cup-shaped recess includes an opening formed in a bottom of the recess to receive a fastener.
- the cup-shaped recesses of the upper and lower shells are placed in an overlapping relationship and fasteners are inserted through the openings. The fasteners secure the wheels to the display dolly and also further secure the upper and lower shells together.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pallet, display dolly, and display.
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example of a display dolly on a pallet.
- FIG. 3 comprises an exploded view showing the display dolly of FIG. 1 being removed from the pallet.
- FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of the display dolly of FIG. 1 .
- FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the display dolly of FIG. 4 .
- FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the display dolly of FIG. 4 showing upper and lower shells.
- FIG. 7 is a top view of the upper shell.
- FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lower shell without wheels.
- FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the lower shell with the wheels installed.
- FIG. 10 is an end view of the display dolly of FIG. 4 with the display.
- FIG. 11 is an end view opposite of that of FIG. 10 .
- FIG. 12 is a sectioned view of a display dolly showing one example of a wheel mount interface.
- FIG. 13 is a sectioned view of a display dolly showing another example of a wheel mount interface.
- FIG. 14 is a sectioned view of a display dolly showing one example of a display mount interface.
- FIG. 15 is a top view of a display dolly showing one example of a raised support surface for the display.
- FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a platform incorporating the subject invention.
- FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the platform of FIG. 16 .
- FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a twin-sheet thermoforming process used to form the display dolly and platform.
- FIG. 1 shows a pallet 10 with a wheel retention feature 12 that receives wheels 14 of a dolly 16 .
- the dolly 16 provides a support surface 18 to support a display 20 .
- the wheel retention feature 12 comprises two pairs of upwardly extending rails 22 , with each pair of rails 22 being separated by a gap 24 that receives the wheels 14 .
- the rails 22 help prevent movement of the dolly 16 relative to the pallet 10 during shipping.
- Straps are also used to secure the display 20 and the dolly 16 to the pallet 10 .
- a strap retention feature 26 is formed within the dolly 16 at a location over the wheels 14 .
- the strap retention feature 26 in this example comprises a pair of corrugations or grooves 28 that extend across a width of the dolly 16 to receive the straps. Walls 30 of the groove 28 prevent the straps from moving in an axial direction corresponding to a side length of the dolly 16 .
- the straps are cut and a lifting device, such as a forklift for example, is used to lift the dolly 16 and display 20 ( FIG. 1 ) from the pallet 10 as shown in FIG. 3 .
- a lifting device such as a forklift for example
- blocks 32 are fixed to the pallet 10 to facilitate support of the dolly 16 and locating of the wheels 14 relative to the pallet 10 .
- the dolly 16 can be placed on the wheels 14 as shown in FIG. 4 such that the dolly 16 with the associated display 20 can be moved to a desired location.
- FIG. 4 shows that the dolly 16 is defined by a width W, a length L, and a height H.
- the wheels 14 are caster wheels that allow the dolly 16 to be easily moved in multiple directions. Other types of wheels could also be used.
- the dolly 16 is comprised of an upper shell 40 and a lower shell 42 as shown in FIG. 6 .
- the upper shell 40 comprises a first thermoformed sheet and the lower shell 42 comprises a second thermoformed sheet.
- the shells are formed and attached to each other using a twin-sheet thermoforming process. Thermoforming the shells 40 , 42 significantly reduces cost compared to prior injected molded dollies. Further, shapes of the shells can be more easily changed when a thermoforming process is used as opposed to injection molding.
- twin-sheet thermoforming process first and second heated plastic sheets of material are drawn against upper and lower female molds. The molds are then brought together and the heated sheets of material are compressed at joining areas defined by the molds. When the sheets cool, the desired hollow/double-walled shape is formed.
- the upper shell 40 includes a first plurality of discretely spaced grooves, trenches, or corrugations 44 .
- the corrugations 44 are linear formations that are orientated to extend in an axial direction across the width W of the dolly 16 .
- the corrugations 44 are spaced apart from each other in an axial direction across the length L of the dolly 16 .
- the corrugations 44 are separated from each other by generally flat areas 46 that form the support surface 18 to support the display 20 ( FIG. 1 ).
- the lower shell 42 includes a second plurality of discretely spaced grooves, trenches, or corrugations 48 .
- the corrugations 48 are linear formations that are orientated to extend in an axial direction across the width L of the dolly 16 .
- the corrugations 48 are spaced apart from each other in an axial direction across the length W of the dolly 16 .
- the corrugations 48 are separated from each other by generally flat areas 50 .
- the length of the corrugations 44 , 48 can be the same or varied as needed to adjust for purposes of strength, shape, or size constraints that could vary between different types of displays.
- the corrugations 44 in the upper shell 40 extend in one direction and the corrugations 48 in the lower shell 42 extend in a different direction.
- the corrugations 44 in the upper shell 40 are perpendicular to the corrugations 48 in the lower shell 42 . This orientation of the corrugations 44 , 48 provides increased structural rigidity for the dolly 16 .
- Wheel mount interfaces 52 are formed within the lower shell 42 as shown in FIG. 6 . Each wheel mount interface 52 receives one wheel 14 . Fasteners 54 are used to secure the wheels 14 to the dolly 16 .
- the upper shell 40 is formed as a box-shape with a first pair of opposing side edges 56 that are connected to each other by a second pair of opposing side edges 58 .
- the first pair of opposing side edges 56 defines the width W and the second pair of opposing side edges 58 defines the length L.
- Corrugations 60 are formed within the side edges 56 , 58 .
- additional pocket recesses 62 can be formed within the upper shell 40 .
- the corrugations 60 and pocket recesses 62 reduce the weight of the dolly 16 .
- corrugations 60 are shown as being formed on each of the edges 56 , 58 , corrugations could be utilized on only some or none of the edges.
- the upper shell 40 also includes upper wheel mount interfaces 64 that correspond to lower wheel mount interfaces 66 on the lower shell 42 as shown in FIG. 8 .
- the lower shell 42 is formed as a box-shape with a first pair of opposing side edges 68 that are connected to each other by a second pair of opposing side edges 70 .
- Corrugations 72 are formed within at least one of the side edges. While corrugations 72 are shown as being formed on only one set of the opposing side edges, corrugations could be utilized on all, some, or none of the edges.
- the lower wheel mount interfaces 66 each include a cross-shaped deformation 74 .
- the cross-shaped deformation comprises a pair of groves that intersect each other in a perpendicular relationship. This cross-shaped deformation 74 provides additional support for the wheels 14 as shown in FIG. 9 .
- FIGS. 10 and 11 show end views of the dolly 16 .
- FIG. 10 shows the side edges 58 that define the length L of the dolly 16 and
- FIG. 11 shows the side edges 56 that define the width W of the dolly 16 .
- FIG. 10 also shows the display 20 placed on top of the dolly 16 .
- FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the dolly 16 at the upper 64 and lower 66 wheel mount interfaces.
- Each lower wheel mount interface 66 comprises a cup-shaped recess having a bottom portion 76 having an opening 78 to receive the fastener 54 that is used to secure the wheel 14 to the dolly 16 .
- a wall portion 80 transitions upwardly from the bottom portion 76 to open to an upper surface 82 of the lower shell 42 .
- a raised boss 84 extends upwardly from the bottom portion 76 and includes the opening 78 .
- the bottom portion 76 is defined by a first diameter D 1 .
- Each upper wheel mount interface 64 comprises a corresponding cup shaped recess that has a bottom portion 86 having an opening 88 to receive the fastener 54 that is used to secure the wheel 14 to the dolly 16 .
- a wall portion 90 transitions upwardly from the bottom portion 86 to open to an upper surface 92 of the upper shell 40 .
- a boss portion 94 extends downwardly from the bottom portion 86 and includes the opening 88 .
- the bottom portion 86 is defined by a second diameter D 2 .
- the second diameter D 2 is greater than the first diameter D 1 .
- the lower shell 42 includes a recessed area 96 that receives the bottom portion 86 of the upper wheel mount interface 64 .
- the wall portion 80 of the lower wheel mount surface transitions into this recessed area 96 .
- the bottom portion 86 of the upper wheel mount interface 64 abuts or rests on the surface of the recessed area 96 .
- the openings 78 , 88 are aligned with each other to receive the fasteners 54 .
- Each fastener 54 is used to secure one wheel 14 to the dolly 16 .
- the fasteners 54 also serve to further secure the upper 40 and lower 42 shells together.
- the upper 40 and lower 42 shells are initially attached together during the twin-sheet thermoforming process to define an interior cavity 100 between the upper 40 and lower 42 shells as shown in FIG. 12 .
- FIG. 13 shows another example of an upper 102 and lower 104 wheel mount interface.
- each lower wheel mount interface 104 comprises a cup-shaped recess having a bottom portion 106 having an opening 108 to receive the fastener 54 that is used to secure the wheel 14 to the dolly 16 .
- a wall portion 110 transitions upwardly from the bottom portion 106 to open to an upper surface 112 of the lower shell 42 .
- the bottom portion 106 is defined by a first diameter D 1 .
- Each upper wheel mount interface 102 comprises a corresponding cup shaped recess that has a bottom portion 114 having an opening 116 to receive the fastener 54 that is used to secure the wheel 14 to the dolly 16 .
- a wall portion 118 transitions upwardly from the bottom portion 114 to open to an upper surface 120 of the upper shell 40 .
- the bottom portion 114 is defined by a second diameter D 2 . In the example shown in FIG. 13 , the first diameter D 1 is greater than the second diameter D 2 .
- the bottom portion 114 of the upper wheel mount interface 102 abuts or rests against the bottom portion 106 of the lower wheel mount interface 104 . Also, when the upper 102 and lower 104 wheel mount interfaces are positioned in an overlapping relationship, the openings 108 , 116 are aligned with each other to receive the fasteners 54 .
- FIG. 13 also shows that the corrugations 48 in the lower shell 42 form corresponding protrusions 122 that extend downwardly from a lower surface 124 of the lower shell 42 .
- Corrugations 44 in the upper shell 40 form corresponding protrusions 126 that extend downwardly from a lower surface 128 of the upper shell 40 as shown in FIG. 14 .
- the protrusions 126 from the upper shell 40 are non-parallel relative to the protrusions 122 from the lower shell 42 .
- bottom surfaces of the protrusions 126 in the upper shell 40 are spaced apart from the upper surface of the lower shell 42 when the shells 40 , 42 are attached to each other.
- FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken at a display mount area 130 .
- the upper shell 40 includes a first set of downwardly extending mount bosses 132 that face a second set of upwardly extending mount bosses 134 formed in the lower shell 42 .
- Each downwardly extending mount boss 132 includes an opening 136 to receive a fastener (not shown) and each upwardly extending mount boss 134 includes an opening 138 to receive the fastener.
- the openings 136 , 138 are aligned with each other once the upper 40 and lower 42 shells are secured together. Once aligned, fasteners are inserted into the openings 136 , 138 to secure the display 20 ( FIG. 1 ) to the dolly 16 .
- the upper shell 40 can also include raised corner areas 140 to provide additional support for the display 20 .
- the twin-sheet thermoforming process can also be used to form a support platform 200 as shown in FIGS. 16-17 that does not include wheels.
- the platform 200 includes an upper shell 202 and a lower shell 204 that are attached to each other during a twin-sheet thermoforming process to form an interior cavity as described above.
- the upper shell 202 includes a first plurality of grooves, trenches, or corrugations 206 that are spaced apart from each other by generally flat areas 208 . Each corrugation 206 is linear in formation and extends in a first axial direction.
- the lower shell 204 includes a second plurality of grooves, trenches, or corrugations 210 that are spaced apart from each other by generally flat areas 212 as shown in FIG. 17 .
- Each corrugation 210 is linear in formation and extends in a second axial direction that is different than the first axial direction.
- corrugations in the upper shell 202 are non-parallel to corrugations formed in the lower shell 204 .
- the first 206 and second 210 pluralities of corrugations are perpendicular to each other. Additional corrugations 214 could also be formed within side walls of the platform 200 similar to those discussed above.
- FIG. 18 shows a schematic representation of the twin-sheet thermoforming process that is used to make the dolly 16 and the platform 200 .
- a first mold 300 defines the upper shell with a first plurality of corrugations 302 .
- a second mold 304 defines the lower shell with a second plurality of corrugations 306 (only one is shown) that extend in a different direction than the first plurality of corrugations 302 .
- a vacuum source V draws a first heated sheet of plastic material 308 against the first mold 300 to form the upper shell.
- the vacuum source V draws a second heated sheet of plastic material 310 against the second mold 304 to form the lower shell.
- a press P then moves the heated sheets of plastic material 308 , 310 toward each other, as indicated by arrows 312 such that the shells are compressed together at joining areas.
- two sheets are thermally welded into a single part, i.e. a dolly or a platform, without having to use adhesives or fasteners.
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Abstract
Description
- Display dollies can be shipped from a product manufacturer with the display already installed on the dolly. The dolly is held fixed in place on a pallet. Straps are used to secure the display and dolly to the pallet. The pallet, dolly, and display are then shipped as a single unit to a store. Once at the store, the straps are cut and a lifting device lifts the dolly and the display from the pallet. The dolly is then placed on a floor and the display is wheeled on the dolly to the desired location.
- A typical display dolly includes a support platform with wheels. The platform is formed from injection molded plastic and then the wheels are attached. The injection molding process is expensive and is not easily adaptable to providing different shapes for the platform.
- The present invention provides a dolly that movably supports a display.
- An example display dolly includes an upper shell and a lower shell that are formed by thermoforming first and second sheets of material. The upper and lower shells are formed and attached to each other using a twin-sheet thermoforming process that provides a hollow interior cavity between the shells. The upper shell provides an upper surface to support the display. The lower shell includes wheel mount interfaces that receive wheels to move the display dolly along with the display to a desired location.
- In one example, the upper shell includes a first plurality of corrugations or trenches and the lower shell includes a second plurality of corrugations or trenches. The first and second pluralities of corrugations are orientated to extend in different directions from each other.
- In one example, the wheel mount interfaces are formed as cup-shaped recesses within the lower shell. For each wheel mount interface in the lower shell, a corresponding cup shaped recess is formed within the upper shell. Each cup-shaped recess includes an opening formed in a bottom of the recess to receive a fastener. The cup-shaped recesses of the upper and lower shells are placed in an overlapping relationship and fasteners are inserted through the openings. The fasteners secure the wheels to the display dolly and also further secure the upper and lower shells together.
- These and other features of the present invention can be best understood from the following specification and drawings, the following of which is a brief description.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pallet, display dolly, and display. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example of a display dolly on a pallet. -
FIG. 3 comprises an exploded view showing the display dolly ofFIG. 1 being removed from the pallet. -
FIG. 4 is a perspective top view of the display dolly ofFIG. 1 . -
FIG. 5 is a perspective bottom view of the display dolly ofFIG. 4 . -
FIG. 6 is an exploded view of the display dolly ofFIG. 4 showing upper and lower shells. -
FIG. 7 is a top view of the upper shell. -
FIG. 8 is a bottom view of the lower shell without wheels. -
FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the lower shell with the wheels installed. -
FIG. 10 is an end view of the display dolly ofFIG. 4 with the display. -
FIG. 11 is an end view opposite of that ofFIG. 10 . -
FIG. 12 is a sectioned view of a display dolly showing one example of a wheel mount interface. -
FIG. 13 is a sectioned view of a display dolly showing another example of a wheel mount interface. -
FIG. 14 is a sectioned view of a display dolly showing one example of a display mount interface. -
FIG. 15 is a top view of a display dolly showing one example of a raised support surface for the display. -
FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a platform incorporating the subject invention. -
FIG. 17 is a bottom view of the platform ofFIG. 16 . -
FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of a twin-sheet thermoforming process used to form the display dolly and platform. -
FIG. 1 shows apallet 10 with awheel retention feature 12 that receiveswheels 14 of adolly 16. Thedolly 16 provides asupport surface 18 to support adisplay 20. In the example shown, thewheel retention feature 12 comprises two pairs of upwardly extendingrails 22, with each pair ofrails 22 being separated by agap 24 that receives thewheels 14. Therails 22 help prevent movement of thedolly 16 relative to thepallet 10 during shipping. - Straps (not shown) are also used to secure the
display 20 and thedolly 16 to thepallet 10. In the example shown inFIG. 2 , astrap retention feature 26 is formed within thedolly 16 at a location over thewheels 14. The strap retention feature 26 in this example comprises a pair of corrugations orgrooves 28 that extend across a width of thedolly 16 to receive the straps.Walls 30 of thegroove 28 prevent the straps from moving in an axial direction corresponding to a side length of thedolly 16. - To remove the
dolly 16 from thepallet 10, the straps are cut and a lifting device, such as a forklift for example, is used to lift thedolly 16 and display 20 (FIG. 1 ) from thepallet 10 as shown inFIG. 3 . As shown,blocks 32 are fixed to thepallet 10 to facilitate support of thedolly 16 and locating of thewheels 14 relative to thepallet 10. Once thedolly 16 has been removed from thepallet 10, thedolly 16 can be placed on thewheels 14 as shown inFIG. 4 such that thedolly 16 with the associateddisplay 20 can be moved to a desired location.FIG. 4 shows that thedolly 16 is defined by a width W, a length L, and a height H. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , thewheels 14 are caster wheels that allow thedolly 16 to be easily moved in multiple directions. Other types of wheels could also be used. - The
dolly 16 is comprised of anupper shell 40 and alower shell 42 as shown inFIG. 6 . Theupper shell 40 comprises a first thermoformed sheet and thelower shell 42 comprises a second thermoformed sheet. The shells are formed and attached to each other using a twin-sheet thermoforming process. Thermoforming theshells - As shown in
FIG. 6 , theupper shell 40 includes a first plurality of discretely spaced grooves, trenches, orcorrugations 44. Thecorrugations 44 are linear formations that are orientated to extend in an axial direction across the width W of thedolly 16. Thecorrugations 44 are spaced apart from each other in an axial direction across the length L of thedolly 16. Thecorrugations 44 are separated from each other by generallyflat areas 46 that form thesupport surface 18 to support the display 20 (FIG. 1 ). - Also as shown in
FIG. 6 , thelower shell 42 includes a second plurality of discretely spaced grooves, trenches, orcorrugations 48. Thecorrugations 48 are linear formations that are orientated to extend in an axial direction across the width L of thedolly 16. Thecorrugations 48 are spaced apart from each other in an axial direction across the length W of thedolly 16. Thecorrugations 48 are separated from each other by generallyflat areas 50. The length of thecorrugations - Thus, the
corrugations 44 in theupper shell 40 extend in one direction and thecorrugations 48 in thelower shell 42 extend in a different direction. In one example, thecorrugations 44 in theupper shell 40 are perpendicular to thecorrugations 48 in thelower shell 42. This orientation of thecorrugations dolly 16. - Wheel mount interfaces 52 are formed within the
lower shell 42 as shown inFIG. 6 . Eachwheel mount interface 52 receives onewheel 14.Fasteners 54 are used to secure thewheels 14 to thedolly 16. - As shown in
FIG. 7 , theupper shell 40 is formed as a box-shape with a first pair of opposing side edges 56 that are connected to each other by a second pair of opposing side edges 58. The first pair of opposing side edges 56 defines the width W and the second pair of opposing side edges 58 defines thelength L. Corrugations 60 are formed within the side edges 56, 58. Also in addition to thecorrugations 44 andcorrugations 60, additional pocket recesses 62 can be formed within theupper shell 40. Thecorrugations 60 and pocket recesses 62 reduce the weight of thedolly 16. Further, while corrugations 60 are shown as being formed on each of theedges - The
upper shell 40 also includes upper wheel mount interfaces 64 that correspond to lower wheel mount interfaces 66 on thelower shell 42 as shown inFIG. 8 . Thelower shell 42 is formed as a box-shape with a first pair of opposing side edges 68 that are connected to each other by a second pair of opposing side edges 70.Corrugations 72 are formed within at least one of the side edges. Whilecorrugations 72 are shown as being formed on only one set of the opposing side edges, corrugations could be utilized on all, some, or none of the edges. - As shown in
FIG. 8 , the lower wheel mount interfaces 66 each include across-shaped deformation 74. In the example show, the cross-shaped deformation comprises a pair of groves that intersect each other in a perpendicular relationship. Thiscross-shaped deformation 74 provides additional support for thewheels 14 as shown inFIG. 9 . -
FIGS. 10 and 11 show end views of thedolly 16.FIG. 10 shows the side edges 58 that define the length L of thedolly 16 andFIG. 11 shows the side edges 56 that define the width W of thedolly 16.FIG. 10 also shows thedisplay 20 placed on top of thedolly 16. -
FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of thedolly 16 at the upper 64 and lower 66 wheel mount interfaces. Each lowerwheel mount interface 66 comprises a cup-shaped recess having abottom portion 76 having anopening 78 to receive thefastener 54 that is used to secure thewheel 14 to thedolly 16. Awall portion 80 transitions upwardly from thebottom portion 76 to open to anupper surface 82 of thelower shell 42. A raisedboss 84 extends upwardly from thebottom portion 76 and includes theopening 78. Thebottom portion 76 is defined by a first diameter D1. - Each upper
wheel mount interface 64 comprises a corresponding cup shaped recess that has abottom portion 86 having anopening 88 to receive thefastener 54 that is used to secure thewheel 14 to thedolly 16. Awall portion 90 transitions upwardly from thebottom portion 86 to open to an upper surface 92 of theupper shell 40. Aboss portion 94 extends downwardly from thebottom portion 86 and includes theopening 88. Thebottom portion 86 is defined by a second diameter D2. - In the example shown in
FIG. 12 , the second diameter D2 is greater than the first diameter D1. Thelower shell 42 includes a recessedarea 96 that receives thebottom portion 86 of the upperwheel mount interface 64. Thewall portion 80 of the lower wheel mount surface transitions into this recessedarea 96. As such, when the cup-shaped recesses of the upper 64 and lower 66 wheel mount interfaces are positioned in an overlapping relationship, thebottom portion 86 of the upperwheel mount interface 64 abuts or rests on the surface of the recessedarea 96. Also, when the upper 64 and lower 66 wheel mount interfaces are positioned in an overlapping relationship, theopenings fasteners 54. - Each
fastener 54 is used to secure onewheel 14 to thedolly 16. Thefasteners 54 also serve to further secure the upper 40 and lower 42 shells together. As discussed above, the upper 40 and lower 42 shells are initially attached together during the twin-sheet thermoforming process to define aninterior cavity 100 between the upper 40 and lower 42 shells as shown inFIG. 12 . -
FIG. 13 shows another example of an upper 102 and lower 104 wheel mount interface. In this example, each lowerwheel mount interface 104 comprises a cup-shaped recess having abottom portion 106 having anopening 108 to receive thefastener 54 that is used to secure thewheel 14 to thedolly 16. Awall portion 110 transitions upwardly from thebottom portion 106 to open to anupper surface 112 of thelower shell 42. Thebottom portion 106 is defined by a first diameter D1. - Each upper
wheel mount interface 102 comprises a corresponding cup shaped recess that has abottom portion 114 having anopening 116 to receive thefastener 54 that is used to secure thewheel 14 to thedolly 16. Awall portion 118 transitions upwardly from thebottom portion 114 to open to anupper surface 120 of theupper shell 40. Thebottom portion 114 is defined by a second diameter D2. In the example shown inFIG. 13 , the first diameter D1 is greater than the second diameter D2. - When the upper 102 and lower 104 wheel mount interfaces are positioned in an overlapping relationship, the
bottom portion 114 of the upperwheel mount interface 102 abuts or rests against thebottom portion 106 of the lowerwheel mount interface 104. Also, when the upper 102 and lower 104 wheel mount interfaces are positioned in an overlapping relationship, theopenings fasteners 54. -
FIG. 13 also shows that thecorrugations 48 in thelower shell 42form corresponding protrusions 122 that extend downwardly from alower surface 124 of thelower shell 42.Corrugations 44 in theupper shell 40form corresponding protrusions 126 that extend downwardly from alower surface 128 of theupper shell 40 as shown inFIG. 14 . Theprotrusions 126 from theupper shell 40 are non-parallel relative to theprotrusions 122 from thelower shell 42. Further, bottom surfaces of theprotrusions 126 in theupper shell 40 are spaced apart from the upper surface of thelower shell 42 when theshells -
FIG. 14 is a sectional view taken at adisplay mount area 130. Theupper shell 40 includes a first set of downwardly extendingmount bosses 132 that face a second set of upwardly extendingmount bosses 134 formed in thelower shell 42. Each downwardly extendingmount boss 132 includes anopening 136 to receive a fastener (not shown) and each upwardly extendingmount boss 134 includes anopening 138 to receive the fastener. Theopenings openings FIG. 1 ) to thedolly 16. - As shown in
FIGS. 14 and 15 , theupper shell 40 can also include raisedcorner areas 140 to provide additional support for thedisplay 20. - The twin-sheet thermoforming process can also be used to form a
support platform 200 as shown inFIGS. 16-17 that does not include wheels. Theplatform 200 includes anupper shell 202 and alower shell 204 that are attached to each other during a twin-sheet thermoforming process to form an interior cavity as described above. Theupper shell 202 includes a first plurality of grooves, trenches, orcorrugations 206 that are spaced apart from each other by generallyflat areas 208. Eachcorrugation 206 is linear in formation and extends in a first axial direction. - The
lower shell 204 includes a second plurality of grooves, trenches, orcorrugations 210 that are spaced apart from each other by generallyflat areas 212 as shown inFIG. 17 . Eachcorrugation 210 is linear in formation and extends in a second axial direction that is different than the first axial direction. In other words, corrugations in theupper shell 202 are non-parallel to corrugations formed in thelower shell 204. In the example shown, the first 206 and second 210 pluralities of corrugations are perpendicular to each other.Additional corrugations 214 could also be formed within side walls of theplatform 200 similar to those discussed above. -
FIG. 18 shows a schematic representation of the twin-sheet thermoforming process that is used to make thedolly 16 and theplatform 200. Afirst mold 300 defines the upper shell with a first plurality ofcorrugations 302. Asecond mold 304 defines the lower shell with a second plurality of corrugations 306 (only one is shown) that extend in a different direction than the first plurality ofcorrugations 302. A vacuum source V draws a first heated sheet ofplastic material 308 against thefirst mold 300 to form the upper shell. The vacuum source V draws a second heated sheet ofplastic material 310 against thesecond mold 304 to form the lower shell. A press P then moves the heated sheets ofplastic material arrows 312 such that the shells are compressed together at joining areas. As such, two sheets are thermally welded into a single part, i.e. a dolly or a platform, without having to use adhesives or fasteners. - Although a preferred embodiment of this invention has been disclosed, a worker of ordinary skill in this art would recognize that certain modifications would come within the scope of this invention. For that reason, the following claims should be studied to determine the true scope and content of this invention.
Claims (30)
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/236,672 US20100074721A1 (en) | 2008-09-24 | 2008-09-24 | Display dolly |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US12/236,672 US20100074721A1 (en) | 2008-09-24 | 2008-09-24 | Display dolly |
Publications (1)
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US20100074721A1 true US20100074721A1 (en) | 2010-03-25 |
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Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US12/236,672 Abandoned US20100074721A1 (en) | 2008-09-24 | 2008-09-24 | Display dolly |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20100074721A1 (en) |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160324336A1 (en) * | 2014-02-11 | 2016-11-10 | Classic Ice, LLC | Refrigerated merchandiser with removable floor |
US10780906B2 (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2020-09-22 | Chep Technology Pty Limited | Dolly for transporting products |
Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4428306A (en) * | 1981-10-09 | 1984-01-31 | Penda Corporation | Pallet |
US5408937A (en) * | 1992-12-10 | 1995-04-25 | The Fabri-Form Co. | Ventilated pallet |
US5813355A (en) * | 1995-08-15 | 1998-09-29 | Trienda Corporation | Twin-sheet thermoformed pallet with high stiffness deck |
US6018927A (en) * | 1998-04-17 | 2000-02-01 | Formall, Inc. | Thermoformed twin-sheet panel |
US7104553B2 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2006-09-12 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Tray and dolly assembly |
-
2008
- 2008-09-24 US US12/236,672 patent/US20100074721A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4428306A (en) * | 1981-10-09 | 1984-01-31 | Penda Corporation | Pallet |
US5408937A (en) * | 1992-12-10 | 1995-04-25 | The Fabri-Form Co. | Ventilated pallet |
US5813355A (en) * | 1995-08-15 | 1998-09-29 | Trienda Corporation | Twin-sheet thermoformed pallet with high stiffness deck |
US6018927A (en) * | 1998-04-17 | 2000-02-01 | Formall, Inc. | Thermoformed twin-sheet panel |
US7104553B2 (en) * | 2001-04-20 | 2006-09-12 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Tray and dolly assembly |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20160324336A1 (en) * | 2014-02-11 | 2016-11-10 | Classic Ice, LLC | Refrigerated merchandiser with removable floor |
US9795227B2 (en) * | 2014-02-11 | 2017-10-24 | Classic Ice, LLC | Refrigerated merchandiser with removable floor |
US10780906B2 (en) | 2016-01-28 | 2020-09-22 | Chep Technology Pty Limited | Dolly for transporting products |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: REHRIG PACIFIC COMPANY,CALIFORNIA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:MEERS, RYAN C.;REEL/FRAME:021578/0309 Effective date: 20080924 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: REHRIG PACIFIC COMPANY,CALIFORNIA Free format text: CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADDRESS FOR THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 021578 FRAME 0309. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE CHANGE "4010 ESAT 26TH STREET" TO READ AS "4010 EAST 26TH STREET";ASSIGNOR:MEERS, RYAN C.;REEL/FRAME:021721/0649 Effective date: 20080924 |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |