EP1755969A1

EP1755969A1 - Pallet

Info

Publication number: EP1755969A1
Application number: EP05719048A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emilio De Rossi
Original assignee: Emilio de Rossi Srl
Current assignee: Emilio de Rossi Srl
Priority date: 2004-03-23
Filing date: 2005-03-22
Publication date: 2007-02-28
Also published as: ITBS20040039A1; WO2005090176A1

Abstract

A pallet (1) comprises a loading plane (2) and two lateral supporting feet (100). Each lateral supporting foot (100) comprises at least one housing seat (110) engaged by at least one respective end portion (3a, 4a) of the loading plane (2). The end portions (3a, 4a) are defined by two opposed edges (3, 4) of the plane (2).

Description

DESCRIPTION PALLET

The present invention relates to a pallet, in particular to a pallet containing goods or loads and to be lifted by means of forklift trucks.

In said technical field, pallets are known to be carried out with a loading plane supported by supporting feet enabling said loading plane to be lifted with respect to the ground.

The fact that the loading plane should be provided with supporting feet derives from the need to lift the pallet by inserting lift forks under the loading plane and to prevent possible load contaminations by avoiding the direct contact of said load with the ground. For an easy introduction of the forks of the forklift trucks under the loading plane, the supporting feet are placed at a distance from one another and near the periphery of the loading plane .

Said feet can further be equipped with spans so as to insert forks also transversally, thus obtaining so- called "4-way" pallets.

Moreover, if the loading plane is quite large or if the load to be supported is particularly heavy, pallets are known to be equipped with further supporting feet, which are also..- located under the loading plane though in a central position with respect to said loading plane .

Loading planes of pallets according to the prior art comprise both continuous surfaces and grids made as one piece or obtained from overlapping beams with suitable orientation.

The supporting feet are made integral with the loading plane by means of different techniques depending on the type of material the pallet is made of. In particular, in wood pallets feet are usually nailed to the loading plane, in metal or plastic pallets feet are obtained as one piece with the loading plane, in paper pallets and in some plastic pallets, eventually, feet are glued under the loading plane.

The Applicant has found that pallets according to the prior art can be improved under several aspects. As a matter of_. fact, although pallets according to the prior art can be placed one over the other by laying the supporting feet of one pallet onto the loading plane of the underlying pallet, they require quite a large room to be stored.

Moreover, wood or metal pallets according to the prior art are quite heavy and cannot be used in applications in which weight should be minimized, such as for instance in goods transfers by air. Furthermore, when in order to obviate at least partially this latter drawback wood pallets are made with a loading plane consisting of a frame with crossed beams, pallets are little stiff and tend to deform during lifting, especially when goods weight is not uniformly distributed on the loading plane. Finally, pallets made of plastic have the drawbacks of a difficult recycling when they reach the . end of their operating life.

Under these circumstances, the main technical task of the present invention is to propose a pallet enabling to obviate the drawbacks of pallets according to the prior art .

In particular, an aim of the present ^' invention is to propose a pallet enabling to optimize storing size. A further aim of the present invention is to provide a pallet that is stiff and does not bend.

Still another aim of the present invention is to propose a ^' pallet that is lighter than pallets according to the prior art.

A further aim of the present invention is to provide a pallet that can be recycled at the end of its operating life.

The technical task and the aims referred to above are basically achieved by means of a .pallet comprising the technical features listed in the appended independent claims .

Further advantages and characteristics of the present invention will be more evident from the description given as a mere non-limiting example of a preferred though not exclusive embodiment of a pallet, as shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an exploded view of a pallet according to the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of a first structural component of the pallet of Figure 1 ; Figure 3 is an exploded view of the pallet of Figure 1 comprising a second structural component; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the second component of the pallet of Figure 3 ; Figure 5 is a plan view of a preform for making the component of Figure 2 ; Figure 6 is a perspective view of the preform of Figure 5 partially folded; -■ Figure 7 is a plan view of a preform for making the component of Figure 4 ; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the preform of Figure 7 partially folded. With reference to the accompanying figures, a pallet according to the., invention has been referred to with number 1 .

The pallet 1 comprises a basically flat loading plane 2. In the preferred embodiment, the plane 2 has a basically quadrangular plan development with four edges 3, 4, 5, 6, parallel and opposed two by two. The opposed edges 3, 4 of the plane 2 define corresponding end portions 3a, 4a for the plane 2. As can be seen in Figure 1, the pallet 1 further comprises at least one lateral supporting foot 100, which engages into at least one end portion 3a', 4a of the plane 2.

Preferably, there are two lateral supporting feet 100 engaged into two opposed end portions 3a, 4a of the plane 2.

More particularly, with reference to Figure 2, each lateral supporting foot 100 extends along at least one edge portion 3, 4, 5, 6 of the plane 2 corresponding to one of the end portions 3a, 4a.

Preferably, the foot 100 extends in a longitudinal direction along the whole development of an edge 3 of the plane 2 and comprises at least one flat resting surface 101 for said plane 2 to rest on. On the opposite side of the flat resting surface 101 and away from the plane 2, the foot 100 comprises a crossbar 102 designed to get in contact with the ground.

Connecting means 103 are active between the crossbar 102 and the flat resting surface 101 so as to join the latter firmly one to the other.

Said connecting means 103 comprise at least two box- shaped bodies 104.

Said at least two box-shaped bodies 104 are placed on the two opposite longitudinal ends of the foot 100, i.e. on the intersection between the edge 3 of the plane 2 along which the foot 100 develops and two adjacent edges.

Each box-shaped body 104 comprises a first 105, a second 106, a third 107 and a fourth 108 lateral wall, basically perpendicular one to the other, which develop between the flat resting surface 101 and the crossbar 102.

In the preferred embodiment , there are three box- shaped bodies 104, two of which are placed as described above and the third one placed basically in between the first two along the longitudinal development of the foot 100.

The box-shaped bodies 104 are further placed at a given distance one from the other, so that between two of them at least one span 109 is defined, which .en- ables to introduce a fork of a forklift truck (not shown) .

Advantageously, the foot 100 comprises at least one. housing seat 110 connected to the flat resting surface 101. Said housing seat 110 is designed to house at least partially an end portion 3a of the plane 2. In further detail, the housing seat 110 develops above the flat resting surface 101 and comprises a top wall 111 acting as abutment, together with said flat resting surface 101, for the end portion 3a of the plane 2.

The housing seat 110 further comprises a first lateral wall 112 acting as abutment for the edge 3 corresponding to the end portion 3a engaged into the housing seat 106.

The first lateral wall 112 is joined to the top wall 111 and extends beyond the flat resting surface 101 connecting to the crossbar 102.

Moreover, the first lateral wall 112 of the housing seat 110 comprises the first lateral walls 105 of each box-shaped body 104.

A second 113 and a third 114 lateral wall develop perpendicularly to the first lateral wall 112 and are joined to the top wall 111 and extend at least as far.'. as the flat resting surface 101.

Advantageously, the second 113 and third 114 lateral wall are connected, by gluing for instance, to the second lateral walls 106 of the box-shaped bodies 104 placed at the two longitudinal ends of the foot 100 and support the top wall 111.

Still advantageously, the end portion 3a of the plane 2 is fully contained inside the housing seat 110 and matches the latter, so that both the top wall 111 and the flat resting surface 101 are in direct contact with said end portion.

Moreover, the end portion 3a engaged into the housing seat 101 has a smaller cross section - with respect to the plane defined by the plane 2 - than the cross section of the rest of the plane 2. In other words, the plane 2 has a step 7 on the end portion 3a. Said step 7 is obtained for instance by applying a covering panel 3a with a small size onto the plane 2, which is designed to abut against the top wall 111 joining on the same plane the top wall 111 and the plane 2.

The foot 100 further comprises at least one flat reinforcing element 115 placed over the crossbar 102 and extending between two consecutive box-shaped bodies 104. The reinforcing element 115 acts on the lying plane of the crossbar 102.

Advantageously, the foot 100 comprises at least one supporting body 116 placed inside at least one of the box-shaped bodies 104.

Preferably, each box-shaped element 104 contains at least one of the supporting bodies 116.

Each supporting body 116 comprises a hollow cylinder 117 in contact with its bases with the flat resting surface 101 and the crossbar 102.

The foot 100 further comprises at least one reinforcing wing 118 applied to the flat resting surface 101 and developing below the latter, i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the housing seat 110. Each reinforcing wing 118 faces directly a corresponding span 109.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the pallet 1 further comprises at least one central supporting foot 200 placed below the plane 2, basically in between the lateral supporting feet 100.

More in particular, with reference to Figure 4, the central supporting foot 200 develops longitudinally between two edges 5 , 6 that are not engaged by the lateral supporting feet 100 and comprises at least one flat resting surface 201 for the plane 2 to rest on. On the opposite side with respect to the flat resting surface 201 and away from the plane 2, the foot 200 comprises a crossbar 202 designed to get in contact with the ground.

As for the lateral supporting foot 100, connecting means 203 are active between the crossbar 202 and the flat resting surface 201 so as to join the latter firmly one to the other.

Said connecting means 203 comprise at least two box- shaped bodies 204.

Said at least two box-shaped bodies 204 are placed on the two opposite longitudinal ends of the foot 200, i.e. on the two edges 5, 6 of the plane 2 that are engaged by the foot 200.

Each box-shaped body 204 comprises a first 205, a second 206, a third 207 and a fourth 208 lateral wall, basically perpendicular one to the other, which develop between the flat resting surface 201 and the crossbar 202.

In the preferred embodiment, there are three box- shaped bodies 204, two of which are placed as described' above and the third one placed basically in between the first two along the longitudinal development of the foot 200.

The box-shaped bodies 204 are further placed at a given distance one from the other, -so that between two of them at least one span 209 is defined, which enables to introduce a fork of a forklift truck (not shown) .

Advantageously, the foot 200 comprises at least one connecting extension 210 placed above the flat resting surface 201 so as to constrain at least one part 5b of an end portion 5a of the plane 2.

Preferably, the foot 200 has two connecting extensions 210 engaging into two corresponding parts 5b, 6b of the two end portions of the plane 5a, 6a engaged by the foot 200.

Each extension 210 comprises a top wall 211 extending at least partially on and above the flat resting surface 201, and a lateral joining wall 212 developing at least between the top wall 211 and the flat resting surface" 201.

In further detail, the top wall 211 acts as abutment - together with the flat resting surface 201 - for the part 5b of the end portion 5a of the plane 2, thus keeping the latter back.

The lateral joining wall 212 joins the top wall 211 to the crossbar 202, overlapping the second lateral wall 206 of the box-shaped body 204 placed in the corresponding longitudinal end of the body 200. The lateral joining wall 212 acts as -abutment for the edge 5 of the plane 2 engaged by the extension 210. Advantageously, each of the parts 5b and 6b of the end portions 5a and 6a comprises a groove 5c and 6c obtained in the plane 2 and matching the connecting extensions 210, more precisely matching the top wall 211. Moreover, said top wall 211 is glued to the plane 2 on the grooves 5c and 6c.

Advantageously, the foot 200 comprises at least one flat reinforcing element 213 placed over the crossbar 202 and extending between two consecutive box-shaped bodies 204. The reinforcing element 213 acts on the lying plane of the crossbar 202. The foot 200 comprises at least one supporting body

214 placed inside at least one of the box-shaped bodies 204. Preferably, each box-shaped element 204 contains at least one of the supporting bodies 214.

Each supporting body 214 comprises a hollow cylinder

215 in contact through its base surfaces with the flat resting surface 201 and the crossbar 202.

The foot 200 further comprises at least one reinforcing wing 216 applied to the flat resting surface 201 and developing below the latter, i.e. on the opposite side with respect to the top wall 211. Each reinforcing wing 216 faces directly a corresponding span 209. Advantageously, at least one between the lateral sup-_. porting foot 100, the central supporting foot 200 and the loading plane 2 comprises an electronic chip (not shown) designed to contain preferably rewritable information such as for instance date and place of manufacturing of the pallet or of the goods supported by said pallet, expiry date, shipping code, price and other data.

Still advantageously, the lateral supporting foot 100, the central supporting foot 200 and the loading plane 2 are made of the same flexible material . Said flexible material is a material with a low specific weight, such as for instance plastic or cardboard.

In the preferred embodiment, said flexible material is also recyclable, in particular it is corrugated cardboard.

Advantageously, the lateral supporting foot 100 and the central supporting foot 200 are made starting from corresponding flat preforms 300, 400, shown in Figures 5 and 7, which - when suitably folded as shown in Figures 6 and 8 - build the structures described above. With particular reference to Figure 5, the flat preform 300 of the lateral supporting foot 100 comprises a first panel 301 for defining the crossbar 102, and a second panel. '302 placed beside the first panel 301 for defining the third lateral walls 107 of each box- shaped body 104. The preform 300 further comprises a third panel 303 placed beside the second panel 302 for defining the flat resting surface 101, and a fourth panel 304 placed beside the first panel 301, on the opposite side with respect to the second panel 302, for defining the first lateral walls 105 of each box-shaped body 104.

A fifth panel 305 is further placed beside the fourth panel 304, for defining the top wall 111 extending above the flat resting surface 101.

Said five panels have a main longitudinal direction X of development coinciding with the longitudinal development of the foot 100, and are separated one from the other by respective longitudinal folding lines 306, 307, 308, 309.

Advantageously, the fourth panel 304 has an extension in a perpendicular direction with respect to the main direction of development of the panels 301, 302, 303, 304, 305, said extension being larger than the transversal extension of the second panel 302, so as to define the first lateral wall 112 joining the flat resting surface 101 and the top wall 111, thus enabling the latter to extend in elevation with respect to the flat resting surface 101. The fifth panel 305 comprises a transversal folding line 310 on each free end, i.e. on two transversal sides of the panel, so as to define the second 113 and the third 114 lateral wall of the housing seat 110. At least one between the second panel 302 and the fourth panel 304, preferably both of them, comprises at least two wings_.311, preferably four of them, defined by respective folding lines 312.

The wings 311 define the fourth lateral walls 108 of each box-shaped element 104. Moreover, when three-box- shaped bodies 104 are present, said wings 311, at least four of them, define for the central box-shaped body also the second lateral walls 106.

The second 302 and the fourth panel 304 have between two consecutive wings 311 and near the first panel 301 at least one area without material, which defines the span 109.

The first panel 301 comprises at least one auxiliary panel 313 divided from the first panel 301^' by^' means of a folding line 314.

Each auxiliary panel 313 is placed on at least one portion of each of the areas without material of at least one between the second 302 and the fourth 304 panel . In the preferred embodiment, the auxiliary panels 313 are placed on a portion of each of the areas without material of both the second 302 and the fourth 304 panel .

Each auxiliary panel 313 defines at least partially the reinforcing element 115 for the crossbar 102. Moreover, the fourth panel 304, preferably also the second panel 302, comprises at least one secondary panel 315 extending on at least one portion of each of the areas without material of said panel . Each secondary panel 315 defines a corresponding reinforcing wing 118.

Eventually, the first 301, the second 302, the third 303 and the fourth panel 304 comprise a transversal folding line 316 on each free end, i.e. on the transversal sides of each panel, so as to define the second lateral walls 106 of the terminal box-shaped bodies 104.

As for the preform 300 for making the lateral supporting foot 100. and with particular reference to Figure 7, the preform 400 for making the central supporting foot 200 comprises a first panel 401 for defining the crossbar 202, and a second panel 402 placed beside the first panel 401 for defining the third lateral walls 207 of each box-shaped body 204. The preform 400 further comprises a third panel 403 placed beside the second panel 402 for defining at least a first half-part of the flat resting surface 201, and a fourth panel 404 placed beside the first panel 401, on the opposite side with respect to the second panel 402, for defining the first lateral walls 205 of each box-shaped body 204. The preform 400 further comprises a fifth panel 405 placed beside the fourth panel 404 for defining a second half-part of the flat resting surface 201. Said five panels have a main longitudinal direction X of development coinciding with the longitudinal development of the foot 200, and are separated one from the other by a plurality of longitudinal folding lines 406, 407, 408, 409.

Advantageously, the first panel 401 comprises on at least one free end, preferably on both free ends or on the two transversal sides of the panel, at least a first 410 and a second 411 transversal folding line for defining the connecting extension 210. In particular, the first transversal folding line 410 defines the lateral joining wall 212, and the second folding line 411 defines the top wall 211. At least one between the second panel 402 and the fourth panel 404, preferably both of them, comprises at least two wings 412, preferably four of them, defined by respective folding lines 413.

The wings 412 define the fourth lateral walls 208 of each box-shaped element 204. Moreover, when three-box- shaped bodies 204 are present, said wings 412, at least four of them, define for the central box-shaped body also the second lateral walls 206.

The second 402 and the fourth ^"panel 404 have between two consecutive wings 412 and near the first panel 401 at least one area without material, which defines the span 209.

The first panel 401 comprises at least one auxiliary panel 414 divided from the first panel 401 by means of a folding line 415.

Each auxiliary panel 414 is placed on at least one portion of each of the areas without material of at least one between the second 402 and the fourth 404 panel .

In the preferred embodiment, the auxiliary panels 414 are placed on a portion of each of the areas without material of both the second 402 and the fourth 404 panel .

Each auxiliary panel 414 defines at least partly the reinforcing element 213 for the crossbar 202. Moreover, the fourth panel 404, preferably also the second panel 402, comprises at least one secondary panel 416 extending on at least one portion of each of the areas without material of said panel . Each secondary panel 416 defines a corresponding reinforcing wing 216. Eventually, the second 402, the third 403, the fourth 404 and the fifth panel 405 comprise a respective transversal folding line 417 on each free end, i.e. on the transversal sides of each panel, so ^■ as to define the second lateral walls 206 of the terminal box- shaped bodies 204.

In order to assemble the pallet 1 two opposed end portions 3a, 4a of the plane 2 should only be introduced into the housing seats 110 of a first and a second lateral supporting foot 100.

The present invention achieves the proposed aims . As a matter of fact, the connection between the lateral supporting foot and the plane of the pallet can be released.

Thus, when the pallet is not used, the lateral supporting feet can be easily separated from the loading plane, ^' enabling a maximum exploitation of the storing space.

Moreover, re-introducing the plane into the housing seats of the lateral, supporting foot, so as to obtain again a ready-to-use pallet, is an extremely simple and rapid operation and does not require any connecting means such as glues or nails. Furthermore, the pallet according to the invention is extremely stiff since the reinforcing elements for the crossbar of the supporting foot and the housing seat itself ensure the pallet a high stiffness to bending, whereas the hollow cylinders introduced into the box- shaped bodies and the box-shaped bodies themselves allow to support a high load.

Moreover, the use of a flexible material, cardboard in particular, for making the supporting feet and the plane as well as the structure of the supporting feet using components in which the ratio of supportable load to weight is maximized (hollow cylinders and box- shaped , bodies for instance) ensure a definitely low total pallet weight.

Eventually, the exclusive use of cardboard for making the whole pallet enables to recycle the pallet completely and easily at the end of its operating life. The present invention further enables to obtain important advantages .

As a matter of fact, the useful loading surface is maximized thanks to the fact that the pallet plane is connected on a flat surface to the lateral supporting feet, thus enabling to exploit the latter for receiving a load.

The spans of the supporting feet allow to connect the load to the pallet by means of cables, which get around the reinforcing wings without damaging the flat resting surface.

Furthermore, the electronic chip located inside the pallet enables to identify without mistakes the goods placed in the pallet and the pallet itself, avoiding that - especially in large storehouses - two or more pallets and their goods can be exchanged by mistakes. Finally, when required, the use of the central supporting foot enables to increase further the weight of the load the pallet can support .

Claims

1. A lateral supporting foot for a pallet, comprising at least one flat resting surface (101) , at least one crossbar (102) designed to get in contact with the ground, and connecting means (103) for connecting firmly one to the other said flat resting surface (101) and said crossbar (102) , characterized in that it comprises at least one housing seat (110) connected to said flat resting surface (101) so as to house at least partially an end portion (3a) of a loading plane (2) .

2. The lateral supporting foot according to claim 1, in which said housing seat comprises a top wall (111) parallel to and above said flat resting surface (101) and at least two lateral walls (113, 114) extending at least partially between said flat resting surface (101) and said top wall (111) so as to constrain in elevation said top wall (111) .

3. The lateral supporting foot according to claims 1 or 2 , in which said connecting means (103) comprise at least two box-shaped bodies (104) placed between said flat resting surface (101) and said crossbar (102) , said at least two box-shaped bodies (104) defining at least one span (109) designed to be engaged by a fork of a forklift truck.

4. The lateral supporting foot according to claim 3 , comprising at least a reinforcing element (115) opera- tively acting on said crossbar (102) and extending between two box-shaped bodies (104) .

5. The lateral supporting foot according to claims 3 or 4, comprising at least one supporting body (116) contained inside at least one of said box-shaped bodies (104) and acting between said flat resting surface (101) and said crossbar (102) .

6. The lateral supporting foot according to any of the claims 1 to 5, further comprising a reinforcing wing (118) placed on said flat resting surface (101) on the opposite side with respect to said housing seat (110) .

7. The lateral supporting foot according to any of the claims 1 to 6, in which the lateral supporting foot (100) is made of a flexible material.

8. A central supporting foot for a pallet, comprising at least one flat resting surface (201) , at least one crossbar (202) designed to get in contact with the ground, and connecting means (203) for connecting one to the other said flat resting surface (201) and said crossbar (202) , characterized in that it comprises at least one connecting extension (210) placed above said flat resting surface (201) so as to constrain at least one part (5b) of a loading plane.

9. The central supporting foot according to claim 8, in which said connecting extension (210) comprises a top wall (211) extending at least partially on and above said flat resting surface (201) and a lateral joining wall (212) extending at least between said flat resting surface (201) and said top wall (211) .

10. The central supporting foot according to claims 8 or 9, in which said connecting means (203) comprise at least two box- shaped bodies (204) placed between said flat resting surface (201) and said crossbar (202) , said at least two box-shaped bodies (204) defining at least one span (209) designed to be engaged by a fork of a forklift truck.

11. The central supporting foot according to claim 10, comprising at least a reinforcing element (213) operatively connected to said crossbar (202) and extending between two box-shaped bodies (204) .

12. The central supporting foot according to claims 10 or 11, comprising at least one supporting body (214) contained inside at least one of said box-shaped bodies (204) and acting between said flat resting surface (201) and said crossbar (202) .

13. The central supporting foot according to any of the claims 9 to .12, further comprising at least one reinforcing wing (216) placed on said flat resting surface (201) on the opposite side with respect to said top wall (211) .

14. The central supporting foot according to any of the claims 8 to 13, in which the central supporting foot (200) is made of a flexible material.

15. A pallet characterized in that it comprises one or more lateral supporting feet (100) according to claims 1 to 7.

16. The pallet according to claim 15, comprising a loading plane (2) having at least one end portion (3a) engaged into a housing seat (110) of said lateral supporting foot (100) .

17. The pallet according to claim 16, in which said end portion (3a) of the panel (2) matches said housing seat (110) and is completely contained inside said housing seat (110) .

18. The pallet according to one or more of the claims 15 to 17, further comprising one or more central supporting feet (200) according to claims 8 to 14.

19. The pallet according to claim 18, in which said plane (2) comprises at least a groove (5c) matching a top wall (211) of the lateral supporting foot (200) for engaging with a connecting extension (210) of the foot (200) .

20. The pallet according to one or more of the claims 15 to 19, further comprising an electronic chip placed in at least one between said plane (2) , lateral supporting foot (100) and central supporting foot (200) for containing at least one datum on the pallet .

21. The pallet according to one or more of the claims 15 to 20, in which said plane (2) is made of a flexible material .

22. A flat preform for making a central pallet foot (100) , comprising a first panel (301) for defining a crossbar (102) , a second panel (302) placed beside the first panel (301) for defining first lateral walls (105) of at least two box-shaped bodies (104) , and a third panel (303) placed beside the second panel (302) for defining a flat resting surface (101) , a fourth panel (304) placed beside the first panel (301) on the opposite side with respect to the second panel (302) for defining second lateral walls (106) of said at least two box-shaped bodies (104) , and a fifth panel (305) placed beside the fourth panel (304) for defining a top wall (111) extending above said flat resting surface (101), said five panels (301, 302, 303, 304, 305) having a main longitudinal direction (X) of development and being separated one from the other by respective longitudinal folding lines (306, 307, .308, 309) , the flat preform being characterized in that said fourth panel (304) has an extension in perpendicular direction with respect to the main direction of development of the panels (301, 302, 303, 304, 305) of the panel (302) so as to define a first lateral wall (112) joining the flat resting surface (101) with the top wall (111) .

23. The flat preform according to claim 22, in which said fifth panel (305) comprises a folding line (310) in perpendicular direction to the main direction (X) of development of the panel and on each free end of the panel, so as to define a second (113) and a third (114) lateral wall defining together with the top wall (111) a housing seat (110) .

24. The flat preform according to claim 22 or 23, in which at least one between said second panel (302) and fourth panel (304) comprises at least two wings (311) for defining third lateral walls (107) of said box- shaped bodies (104) .

25. The flat preform according to claim 24, in. which said second panel (302) and fourth panel (304) have between two consecutive wings (311) and near the first panel (301) at least one area without material, which defines a span (109) between said two box-shaped elements (104) .

26. The flat preform according to claim 25, in which said first panel (301) extends in at least one portion of said area wit out material so as to define at least an auxiliary panel (313) , said auxiliary panel (313) having at least one longitudinal folding line (314) and defining a reinforcing element (115) for said crossbar (102) .

27. The flat preform according to claim 25, in which at least said fourth panel (304) comprises at least one secondary panel (315) extending in at least one portion of said area without material so as to define at least one reinforcing wing (118) for said flat resting surface (101) .

28. The flat preform according to any of the claims 22 to 27, in which said first (301) , second (302) , third (303) and fourth (304) panel comprise on each free end at least one respective folding line (316) in a perpendicular direction with respect to the main direction (X) of development of the panels, so as to define fourth lateral walls (108) of said box-shaped body (104) .

29. The flat preform according to any of the claims 22 to 28, in which the preform (300) is made of cardboard.

30. A flat preform for making .a central pallet foot, comprising a first panel (401) for defining a crossbar (202) , a second panel (402) placed beside the first panel (401) for defining first lateral walls (205) of at least two box-shaped bodies (204) , and a third panel (403) placed beside the second panel (402) for defining at least a first portion of a flat resting surface (201) , a fourth panel (404) placed beside the first panel (401) on the opposite side with respect to the second panel (402) for defining second lateral walls (206) of said at least two box-shaped bodies (204), said four panels (401, 402, 403, 404) having a main longitudinal direction (X) of development and being separated one from the other by respective (406, 407, 408) longitudinal folding lines, characterized in that said first panel (401) comprises on at least one free end at least two folding lines (410, 411) in perpendicular direction with respect to the main direction (X) of development of the panel so as to define a connecting extension (210) extending above said flat resting surface (201) .

31. The flat preform according to claim 30 comprising a fifth panel (405) placed beside said fourth panel (404) so as to define a second portion of said flat resting surface (201) .

32. The f-lat preform according to claim 30 or 31, in which at least one between said second panel (402) and fourth panel (404) comprises at least two wings (212) for defining third lateral walls (207) of said box- shaped bodies (204) .

33. The flat preform according to claim 32, in which said second panel (402) and fourth panel (404) have between two consecutive wings (212) and near the first panel (401) at least one area without material, which defines a span (209) between said two box-shaped elements (204) .

34. The flat preform according to claim 33, in which said first panel (401) extends in at least one portion of said area without material so as to define at least an auxiliary panel (414) , said auxiliary panel (414) having at least one longitudinal folding line (415) and defining a reinforcing element (213) for said crossbar (202) .

35. The flat preform according to claim 33 or 34, in which at least said fourth panel (404) comprises at least one secondary panel (416) extending -in at least . one portion of said area without material so as to define at least one reinforcing wing (216) for said flat resting surface (201) .

36. The flat preform according to any of the ^'claims 30 to 35, in which said second (402), third (403), fourth (404) and fifth panel (405) comprise on each free end at least one respective folding line (417) in a perpendicular direction with respect to the main direction (X) of development of the panels, so as to define fourth lateral walls (208) of said box-shaped body (204) .

37. The flat preform according to any of the claims 30 to 36, in which the preform (400) is made of cardboard.

38. A method for making a pallet, characterized in that it comprises the steps of arranging a first and a second lateral supporting foot (100) having respective housing seats (110) according to one or more of the claims i to 6, of arranging a plane (2) having at least a first (3a) and a second end portion (4a) opposed one to the other, of introducing said first end portion (3a) into the housing seat (110) of said lateral supporting foot (100) , and of introducing said second end portion (4a) into the housing seat (110) of said second lateral supporting foot (100). '•'■;^*•'^' _.