NZ625133B2

NZ625133B2 - Pallet

Info

Publication number: NZ625133B2
Application number: NZ625133A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Matthew Dunn
Original assignee: 1 Pal Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2011-12-13
Filing date: 2012-12-07
Publication date: 2017-01-31

Abstract

stackable pallet (10) for use in transportation of goods and for stacking in a rotated stacking configuration with at least one second substantially same stackable pallet. The first-mentioned stackable pallet (10) includes a substantially planar body (12) having an upper face (14) and a lower face (16), a plurality of substantially parallel elongate support members (18) depending from the lower face (16) and a plurality of substantially parallel elongate slots (20), each slot open to at least the upper face (14). The stackable pallets may be stacked in a non-rotated configuration so that each pallet is stacked so that the support members (18) align with the elongate support members of the pallet below. The stackable pallets may be stacked in a rotated configuration so that each pallet is stacked so that the support members (18) align with the slots (20) of the pallet below. In the rotated configuration the pallets contain a small gap between adjacent stacked pallets so that the stack is compact. In the non-rotated configuration a larger gap is formed between pallets so that the forks of a forklift truck may pass between adjacent pallets. (16), a plurality of substantially parallel elongate support members (18) depending from the lower face (16) and a plurality of substantially parallel elongate slots (20), each slot open to at least the upper face (14). The stackable pallets may be stacked in a non-rotated configuration so that each pallet is stacked so that the support members (18) align with the elongate support members of the pallet below. The stackable pallets may be stacked in a rotated configuration so that each pallet is stacked so that the support members (18) align with the slots (20) of the pallet below. In the rotated configuration the pallets contain a small gap between adjacent stacked pallets so that the stack is compact. In the non-rotated configuration a larger gap is formed between pallets so that the forks of a forklift truck may pass between adjacent pallets.

Description

PALLET FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a pallet. The pallet may be particularly useful for transportation of goods by sea, land and/or air.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART Presently, pallets are used for transportation of goods by various forms of transport. There are many different designs for such pallets, and the designs are usually suited to a speciﬁc industry or commercial need. This has resulted in a number of different designs, types and dimensions for pallets used in the various industries.

. Typically, a pallet consists of two decks, one upper deck to carry the weight of the goods to be transported, and a lower deck, which es structural support. Such a pallet may also e beams located between the two decks for ﬁIrther strengthening the pallet.

Due to the iform design, with different shapes and sizes, there has been a problem with loading and/or unloading of pallets, along with problems in transportation and storage of the pallets and the transported goods. s with upper and lower decks cannot be efﬁciently transported in bulk when empty, due to bulkiness of the stacked pallets.

Further, many pallets (including wooden pallets) are designed to be used as one-way pallets, wherein such pallets are generally not returned to their point of origin. Such pallets are Often destroyed aﬂer being used for only a few trips to transport goods.

The ics of ing used s has become a cOncern in the transport industry. Using pallets once, or only a few times, is ient, wasteﬁIl and costly.

Furthermore, inefﬁcient handling ofpallets leads to further costs and wastage.

Plastic pallets have been used in order to overcome some of the associated problems. Such plastic pallets may have a longer life. Further, due to the large volumes of pallet movement within retail, fast moving er goods and export s, plastic pallets may provide or functionality when compared with other pallets (for example, wooden pallets). c pallets may mitigate inefﬁciencies and reduce costs associated with return logistics, whilst having the required functionality of a pallet for transporting goods.

It is an object of the present invention to OVercome, or at least ameliorate, one or more of the above-mentioned problems. The present invention may also overcome, or at least ameliorate, other problems in the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION .[0008] Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention provides a stackable pallet for use in transportation ofgoods and for stacking in a rotated stacking conﬁguration with at least one second substantially same stackable pallet, the ﬁrst-mentioned stackable pallet including, a substantially planar body having an upper face and a lower face, a plurality of ntially parallel elongate support members depending from the lower face, a plurality of substantially parallel te slots, each slot open to at least the upper face, wherein the longitudinal axis of the slots are substantially onal to the longitudinal axis of the support members, and wherein each slot is conﬁgured to receive a respective one of the plurality of support members of the second stackable pallet, such that, when ng the second pallet on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the rotated ng ration, the support members and slots of the second pallet are, respectively, substantially onal to the support members and slots of the entioned pallet.

In another aspect, the present invention es a methodof transporting goods, wherein. the goods are located on a stackable pallet, the pallet including a substantially planar body having an upper face and a lower face, a plurality of substantially parallel elongate support members depending from the lower face, a plurality of substantially parallel elongate slots, each slot open to at least the upper face, wherein the udinal axis of the slots are substantially onal to the longitudinal axis of the support members, and wherein each slot is conﬁgured to receive a respective one of the plurality of support members ofthe second stackable pallet, such that, when stacking the second pallet on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, the t members and slots of ‘ the second pallet are, respectively, substantially orthogonal to the support members and slots ofthe ﬁrst-mentioned pallet. . 3 SUMMARYOF OPTIONAL EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION In an ment, each slotis conﬁgured to allow substantially the whole of each of the plurality of support members, of the second stackable pallet'to pass through the upper face g of each tive slot‘when ng the second pallet on to the ﬁrst- mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, such that, when d, the lower face ofthe second pallet is adjacent or very near the upper face of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet.

In another embodiment, the slots are through the body, such that each slot is ﬁrrther open to the lower face, and wherein each slot is conﬁgured to allow a lower portion of each of the pluralityof support members of the second stackable pallet to pass through the lower face opening when stacking the second pallet on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking conﬁguration.

In a further embodiment, the pallet includes an upper recess corresponding to where each slot intersects with each support member, each upper recess located in an upper portion of the respective support member and being open to the respective slot, such that, when ng the second pallet on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking ' uratiOn, a part of the lower portion of the respective one of the ity of support members of thesecond ble pallet is received in a respective upper recess of the ﬁrst- mentioned pallet.

In yet another embodiment, the pallet includes a lower recess corresponding to where each slot intersects with each support member, each lower recess located in the lower portion of the respective support member and being open to a bottom face of the respective support member, such that, when stacking the second pallet on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, a part of an upper portion of the respective one of the plurality of support members ofthe ﬁrst-mentioned pallet is received in a respective lower recess of the second pallet.

In yet a further embodiment, the pallet includes a lower recess corresponding to each upper recess in the tive support member, and located below the corresponding upper recess, the lower recess located in the lower portion of the respective support member and being open to a bottom face of the respective support member, such that, when stacking 4 , 2012/001501 the second pallet on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking conﬁguratiou, an upper recess of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet and a respective lower recess of the second pallet receive each other.

In an optional embodiment, each support member includes hollow sections.

In another optional embodiment, at least some of the hollow sections are open to the upper face.

In a further optional embodiment at least some of the hollow sections are open to the bottom face of the respective t member.

In yet another optional embodiment, the support members are red such that tines of a fork lift device are able to be inserted beneath the lower face so as to be between and in a ﬁrst direction substantially parallel to the support members, and the tines , are not able to be inserted in a direction substantially other than the ﬁrst direction.

In yet a further optional embodiment, the pallet is adapted to be used with a ﬁrst type rack having parallel bars. with a ﬁrst separation n the bars, such that, when the pallet is located on the ﬁrst type rack, the support members are substantially onal to the bars and are conﬁgured such that a n of each support member is in contact with each bar.

In an embodiment, each support member has a height sufficient to allow tines of a fork liﬁ device to be inserted beneath the lower face when the pallet is located on the ﬁrst type rack.

In another embodiment, each section includes a rack recess in the respective support member, such that, when the pallet is located on the ﬁrst type rack, each bar inserts in to a plurality of respective rack recesses, such that the pallet is prevented ﬁ'om sliding orthogonally with respect to the bars.

In a further ment, each rack recess is sufﬁciently shallow to allow tines of a fork lift to be inserted beneath the lower face when the pallet is located on the ﬁrst type rack.

. * In yet another embodiment, each rack recess is at least partly co-located with a- lower recess.

In yet another embodiment, the pallet is adapted to be used with a second type ‘ rack having parallel bars with a second separation between the bars, such that, when the pallet is located on the second type rack, the support members are substantially el to the bars and parts of the lower face is in contact with each bar, each part being at or close to an ‘ edge of the body.

In yet a further ment, the ﬁrst separation is less than the second separation.

In an optional embodiment, the plurality of t members includes, adjacently, a ﬁrst, a second, a third and a fourth Support member.

In an ment, the ﬁrst and the fourth support members are d close ' to and parallel to respective outside edges of the body and the second and the third support member are located close to and parallel to a' centreline of the body, such that a ﬁrst and a second tine of a fork liﬁ device are able to be inserted, respectively, between the ﬁrst and second, and between the third and fourth support members.

In an optional embodiment, the pallet has a pallet height, wherein, when the second pallet is stacked on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, the stacked s have a sum height less than tivice the pallet height.) In an embodiment, the pallet further includes a plurality of substantially el elOngate channels in the upper face to allow for stacking in a non-rotated stacking conﬁguration, wherein the longitudinal axis of the channels are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the t members, and wherein each channel is conﬁgured to receive a respective one of a plurality of support members of the second stackable pallet, such that, when ng the second pallet on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the non-rotated stacking conﬁguration, the t members and channels ofthe second pallet are substantially parallel to the support members. and channels of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet.

In an optional embodiment, each support member is conﬁgured to be sufﬁciently high and each channel is conﬁgured to be sufﬁciently shallow, such‘lthat, when the second pallet is stacked on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the non—rotated stacking conﬁguration, tines of a fork lift device are allowed to be inserted between the lower face of the second pallet and the upper face of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet.

In yet another embodiment, each channel includes a plurality of channel sections, each l section separated from an adjacent channel section where the channel intersects a slot.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE GS One or more embodiments ofthe invention are described below with reference to the accompanying gs, which are incorporated in and tute a part of this speciﬁcation. In the drawings, is a top perspective view of a pallet according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG 2. is a bottom perspective view of the pallet as shown in FIG, 1; is a front elevation view of the pallet as shown in FIG 4. is a side elevation view of the pallet as shown in is a top plan view of the pallet as shown in is a bottom plan view of the pallet as shown in is a top perspective view of two pallets according to the embodiment shown in one pallet being stacked onto the other pallet in a rotated stacking conﬁguration; ' [0040] is a front elevation view (with respect to the bottom-most pallet) of the pallets being stacked in a d ng conﬁguration, as shown in _ 7 is atop perspective view of the s in FIGS. 7 and 8, showing the pallet when stacked in the rotated stacking conﬁguration; is a front elevation view (with respect to‘the bottom—most pallet) of the pallets when stacked in a rotated ng conﬁguration, as shown in shows a detail of ,.within the dotted and dashed circle B; ‘is a top perspective view of two pallets according to the embodiment shown in one pallet being stacked onto the other pallet in a non-rotated stacking conﬁguration; is a front elevation view of the non-rotated stacking, as shown in FIG. is a top perspective view of the pallets, as shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, when stacked in the non-rotated stacking conﬁguration, and wherein the stacking is complete; is a front elevation View of the stacked pallets, as shown in ; shows a'detail of marked within the dotted and dashed circle is a top ctive view of a pallet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the pallet resting on beams of a drive-in racking system (second type rack); is a front elevation view of the pallet 'on the g system as shown in ; . is a top perspective View of a pallet in accordance with an embodiment of the t invention, the pallet resting on a rd beam racking system (a ﬁrst type rack); FIG: 20 shows the pallet on the standard beam racking system, as shown in ', and is a top perspective view of a ft operating with a pallet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Referring to there is shown a top perspective view of a pallet 10 in accordance with an embodiment ofthe present invention. The pallet 10 has a planar body 12, the body having an upper face 14 and a lower face 16. The pallet has four elongate parallel support members 18, depending from the lower face 16 (the support members 18 are better shown in . '[0055] The pallet 10 also includes four el elongate slots 20, each slot being open to the upper face 14 and open to the lower face 16 of the body 12 of the pallet 10.

Each slot 20 is 'sized and shaped so as to be able to receive a corresponding support member 18a of a second pallet 10a, being substantially same as the pallet 10 shown in (refer to FIGS. 7 to 16 to view second substantially same ).

In the embodiment shown in due to the slots 20 having an opening 22 in the Supper face and an opening 24 in the lower face, support s 18a of the §econd pallet 10a are able to pass completely through a respective slot 20 in the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10.

The pallet 10 also includes ls 26, which run orthogonal to the slots 20, and parallel to the support members 18. Each channel 26 is locatedin the body 12 of the pallet 10 above a respective support member 18. The ls 26 are open to the upper face 14 of the pallet 10.

Due to the size and shape of the opening 34 of each channel 26 in the upper face 14, and due to the shape and size of each channel 26, support members 18a of the secOnd pallet 10a are able to ﬁt into a respective channel 26 in the pallet 10 (refer to FIGS. 7 to 16). , 9 2012/001501 When stacking a second pallet 10a on the ﬁrst mentioned pallet 10, there are two optional stacking conﬁgurations. A ﬁrst stacking conﬁguration (rotated stacking ration) is used when it is desired to stack the pallets so as to be lly compact.

When stacking the pallets 10,, 10a in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, the second pallet 10a is rotated around 90° with respect to the entioned pallet 10, suCh that the support members 18a of the second pallet 10a are inserted into the slots 20 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10.

In a second stacking conﬁguration (nonerotated ng conﬁguration), the pallets 10, 10a are stacked in a way which leaves at least a substantial gap between the pallets. In this non—rotated stacking conﬁguration, the s are not maximally compact when stacked, however, due to the gap between the pallets, a user can operate a g device, such as a forklift (refer to ) in order to lift the second pallet 10a from the ﬁrst- mentioned pallet 10.

In order to stack the second pallet 10a on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 in the non-rotated stacking conﬁguration, the second pallet‘is orientated in the same direction as the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet, such that support members 1851 of the second pallet 10a are parallel with support members 18 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10. The second pallet is lowered onto the ﬁrst pallet so that the t members 183 of the second pallet are inserted into the channels 26 of ﬁrst-mentioned pallet.

The Channels 26 are-sufﬁciently shallow so that the t members 18a of the second pallet 10a protrude above the upper surface 14 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10, when the second pallet is stacked in the non-rotated stacking conﬁguration on the ﬁrst— mentioned pallet.

Also shown in FIG. I, each t member 18 has four upper recesses 36, each upper recess located in an upper portion 40 of the respective support member 18. The upper recesses are located in positions corresponding to where the respective support member 18 intersects with one of the four slots 20, the four slots being orthogonal to the support members.

The upper recesses 36 are open through the body 12 of the pallet 10 to the upper face 14. When the second pallet 10a is stacked in the rotated stacking conﬁguration on the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10, the t s 18a of the second pallet 10a are inserted through the slots 20 of the ﬁrst—mentioned pallet 10, and each t member 18a is received into its four respective upper recesses 36, each of the four respective es being in one of the four support members 18 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10.

With respect to the pallet 10 is shown from a bottom perspective view, so as to be able to better see features on an underside of the pallet. As can be more clearly - seen in this view, each support member also includes four lower recesses 38. Each lower recess 38 corresponding with an upper recess 36, whereby the lower recess 38 is d below the tive upper recess 36 (of course, given is a bottom perspective view, in this drawing the lower recesses 38 are shown as being above the upper recesses 36).

The lower recesses 38 are located in a lower portion 42 of the support members 18. The lower recesses are conﬁgured such that, when stacking the second pallet 10a onto the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, the lower recesses 38a of the second pallet 10a and respective upper recesses 36 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 receive each other. , ‘is a front elevation View of the pallet 10. As can be more clearly seen in each support member 18 includes an upper portion 40 and a lower n 42.

Upper recesses 36 are located in the upper portion 40 and lower recesses 38 are located in the lower portion 42. ' is a side elevation View of the pallet 10. As can be more-clearly seen in there are four lower recesses 38, each ponding with an upper recess 36.

However, the two outer-most lower recesses are wider than the two inner-most lower recesses. The two outer-most recesses are wider so as to be able to rest on beams of a standard beam racking system (refer to FIGS. 19 and 20).

As can also be clearly seen in the lower recesses 38 are open to a bottom face of the Sapport member 18. shows a top plan view of the pallet 10. In this View, it can be seen that the channels 26 e ﬁve channel sections, 28, 29, 30, 31, and 32. Each channel section is separated from its adjacent channel section by intersection of the respective channel 26 with one of the four slots 20. In this way, each channel 26 includes two outer channel sections 28 and 32, the outer channel sections are d between the outer most slots and edges of the body 12 ofthe pallet 10. The centre channel section of each channel 26 is located between the two inner most slots 20. Further, intermediate channel ns 29, 31 of each channel 26 are located between a respective inner slot and outer slot 20. is a top plan view of the pallet 10.

FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11 show steps in the process of stacking two pallets, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, wherein the stacking is a rotated stacking ration. In thisregard, the pallets 10, 10a are rotated 90°. with respect to each other. In the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 is on the bottom of the stack and the second pallet 10a is stacked onto the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet. The black. arrows pointing downwardly show the direction of stacking the second pallet onto the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet.

The support members 18a of the second pallet 10a ﬁt into the slots 20 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10. In the shown embodiment, the slots are open to the lewer face 16 of pallet 10, such that the support members 18a of the second pallet 10a go through the slots When stacking the second pallet 10a onto the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 in the d stacking conﬁguration, the t s 18a and slots 20a of the second pallet 10a are, respectively, substantially orthogonal to the support members 18 and slots 20 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10.

- When the second pallet 10a is moved downwardly such that the support members 18a insert through the slots 20 of the entioned pallet 10, the lower recesses 38a of the second pallet and the upper recesses 36 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 receive each other. In this way, when the d stacking action is completed, the face of the lower recess 38a of the second pallet rests on the face of the upper recess 36 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet. In this way, when stacked, the second pallet is supported on the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet at 16 contact points.

Of course, it will be readily apparent to a person skilled in the art that it is possible to vary the number of support members, along with the number of slots. For example, it would be possible to have a pallet with six slots and support members, thus increasing the number of contact points for supporting a second pallet on top of a ﬁrst pallet in the rotated stacking‘conﬁguration.

It will alsobe Clear that it is possible to stack a number of s together.

Once the second pallet 1-0a is stacked in the rotated ng conﬁguration on top of the ﬁrst- mentioned pallet 10, it would then be possible to stack a further pallet (not shown) on top of the stacked entioned pallet 10 and second pallet 10a. The further pallet (not shown) would be rotated 90° with respect to the second pallet, and in this way would be oriented in the same direction as the entioned pallet. Support members ofthe further pallet would insert into slots 20a of the second pallet 1021. Such stacking using the rotated ng conﬁguration can Continue with even further pallets (also not shown), with each next stacked pallet being rotated 90° with respect to the pallet on which it is being stacked.

. ' FIGS. 9. 10 and 11 show the second pallet 10a- stacked onto the ﬁrst pallet 10 in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, where the stacking process is completed. As can be seen in each of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11, there is a small gap between the body 12a of the second pallet 10a and the body 12 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10. shows a detail ﬁom marked by the dotted and dashed circle B.

The gap between the bodies of the stacked pallets can be more clearly seen as a gap between the lower face 16a of the second pallet 10:: and the upper face 14 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet ' Also shown in more detail in is one ofthe lower recesses 38a of the second pallet 10a and one of the upper es 36 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 ing each other. The dotted line 39 in shows where the face ofthe lower recess 38a contacts the face of the upper recess 36.

. It is possible to form the slots 20 and the support members 18 ofeach pallet such that when stacking the pallets in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, at least a part of each support member ﬁts tightly into at least a part of each respective slot. Alternatively, it is possible to form the pallets such that at least a part of each support member ﬁts tightly into a respective upper recess of a pallet. In this way, such tight ﬁtting components of the pallets provide more stability for a stack of pallets when stacked in the rotated stacking conﬁguration.

As can be seen, perhaps best, in , when the s 10, 10a are stacked in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, the height of the d s is considerably less than twice the height of a. single pallet.‘ Of course, if the pallets were not stacked in the ' rotated stacking conﬁguration, and ,one pallet were to be merely stacked on top of the other, without any insertion of support members into slots, the sum height of the d pallets would be twice the height of a single pallet. Accordingly, using the rotated stacking conﬁguration ed by the present invention, enables a more compact stacking, which, in turn, allows for more efﬁcient transport of the pallets when not used far transporting goods.

Consequently, where there is a need or desire to return pallets to their origin, when such ' pallet are stacked in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, far less space will be required for such return transport.

FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 show' steps in a process of stacking the pallets 10 and 10a in a non-rotated ng conﬁguration. The non-rotated. stacking ration is less compact than the rotated stacking conﬁguration shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11, however, an advantage of the tated stacking conﬁguration is that a larger gap is left n the body 12a of the second pallet 10a and the body 12 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet . Such gap may be large enough so that tines of a forklift device can be inserted into the gap where it is needed or desired to lift the second pallet 10a from the entioned pallet . For e, if there were goods located on the second pallet 10a whilst the second pallet was stacked in the non-rotated conﬁguration onto the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10, the forklift deVice may be needed for moving the second pallet.

As can be seen in FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16, the second pallet 10a is oriented in the same direction as the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10, such that the longitudinal axis ’ 14 of the support members 18, 18a of both pallets 10, 10a are parallel to each other. Similarly, the slots 20, 20a of both pallets are parallel to each other.

When stacking the second pallet 10a onto the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 in the non-rotated stacking conﬁguration, the support members 18a ofthe second pallet are lowered into the channels 26 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet. Black arrows in FIGS.'12 and 13 show the direction ment of the second pallet 10a towards the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10.

The channels 26 of the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 each include ﬁve channel sections 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32. As can be seen in (and other Figures in the speciﬁcation), the support members 18a ofthe second pallet 10a have ﬁve bottom face sections, formed as a result of the lower recesses 38a‘being in the lower portion 42a of the second pallet 10a. Of course, the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet 10 is also conﬁgured this way.

The ﬁve sections of the bottom face of each support member rest on a respective l n of the channel 26. In this way, when the second pallet is stacked onto the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the tated stacking ration, there are twenty points of contact providing support for the second pallet on the entioned pallet. The number of support points allow for the second pallet to be loaded with goods when stacked on to the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet in the non-rotated ng conﬁguration, such that the goods are supported by the second pallet and, in turn, by the ﬁrst-mentioned pallet. . shows a detail from as marked by dotted and dashed circle A.

- Dotted line 41 in shows a point of contact wherein the bottom face of a support member 18a ofthe second pallet 10a rests on a face in the respective channel 26 of the ﬁrst- mentioned pallet 10.

In further possible embodiments, the channels and t members of the pallets may be formed such that, when stacked in the non-rotated stacking conﬁguration, at least a part of each support member of a top-most stacked ﬁts tightly into a respective channel of a bottom-most stacked pallet, such that the pallets are “locked” together. The locking of the pallets together can provide further stability when the s are d in the non-rotated stacking conﬁguration. 15 2012/001501 FIGS. 17 and 18 show a possible application of pallet 10, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, where such pallet is used with a in racking system 44. In drive-in racking systems, the ﬁrst beam 46 and the second beam 48 of the rack are separated by a distance such that,¥when placinga pallet on to the rack, the beams support the pallet at or close to opposite edges of the body 12 of the pallet 10. In this way, upper faces of the beams 46, 48 contact a part of the lower face 16, of the pallet 10. Further, support members 18, which are located towards the edges of the body 12 are, respectively, adjacent the rack beams 46 and 48.

It is possible to form the pallet 10 such that the two miter-most support members 1 8 substantially prevent or ameliorate movement of the pallet in a direction which is orthogonal with respect to the beams. By preventing or ameliorating such orthogonal nt, the positioning of the outer-most support members 18 may ensure that the pallet cannot be readily dismounted from the drive-in racking .

For the purposes of this speciﬁcation, the drive-in racking system may be described or deﬁned as a “second type rack”.

FIGS. 19 and 20 show an alternative racking system, mes known as a standard beam racking 50 (for the purposes of this speciﬁcation, the standard beam racking is mes described and/or deﬁned as a “ﬁrst type rack”).

The standard beam rack 50 includes a ﬁrst beam 52 and a second beam 54.

The separation between the ﬁrst and second beams 52, 54 is less than the separation in the drive-in g beams 46 and 48.

As can be seen, perhaps more clearly, in , when the pallet 10 is used with the standard beam racking 50, the support members 18 of the pallet rest on the beams 52 and 54. In the. embodiment of the present invention shown in , the support member 18 one of (which can be seen in ) includes two lower recesses 38, d toward opposite ends ofthe support member 18, where those lower es are wider than the inner- most lower recesses .38 in the support member. In this way, when the pallet 10 rests on the ﬁrst and second beams 52 and 54 ofthe standard beam rack 50, the beams are received in the wide lower recesses 38. Accordingly, as would be y understood by a person skilled in 2012/001501 ‘ 16 the art, movement of the pallet in a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the beams 52, 54 is substantially prevented or ameliorated. The substantial prevention or amelioration of orthogonal movement ensures that, when the pallet 10 is placed on the standard beam racking 50 the pallet will not readily slide off the rack.

Further, e the pallet 10 rests on the standard beam g 50 using the support members 18, it will be appreciated that there is a gap between the loWer face 16 of the pallet and the upper faces of the beams 52 and 54. It is possible to insert tines of a forklift device under the body 12 of the pallet 10 when the pallet is g on such standard beam racking 50. shows a forklift ing with an embodiment of the present invention. The forkliﬁ 56 has two forkliﬁ tines 58 which are inserted under the body 12 of the pallet 10. The forklift tines 58 ﬁt into gaps between each of the outermost support members 18 ofthe pallet 10 and the inner most support members 18 of the pallet. It will be appreciated that—the forklift 56 can operate with the pallet 10 when the pallet is loaded with goods for transportation, or when the pallet is empty.

In embodiments of the present invention, the pallet 10 may be formed such that, when stacking in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, there is a 3:2 ratio of the height of a single . In this regard, when three pallets are stacked in the rotated stacking conﬁguration, the height of thethree stacked pallets would be approximately equal to twice the height of a single pallet. In this way, the present invention may achieve return ics savings by minimising the use of the e transport space when re—locating empty pallets.

When using the non-rotated stacking conﬁguration, users and rs may operate the pallet in a manner similar to other prior art pallets, which have both upper and lower decks. In this way, users and handlers would» require relatively little retraining to use the pallets of the present invention. Further, by allowing the non-rotated stacking conﬁguration, the pallets should not require more load and unload time for forklift operators, as compared with use of prior art pallets.

In an embodiment, the pallet of the present invention may be used with various handling devices such that adjustable forklift tines, non-adjustable tines and various hand trolleys.

Moreover, the pallet may be produced so as to be light enough, when empty and not carrying goods, that the pallet may be stacked, or re-positioned by hand, without the use ofsuch s as forklifts.

In some embodiments, the pallet may be formed from plastic or wood. Where the pallet is formed from c, the pallet may alsoinclude hollow sections in the support members and/or the body, so as to reduce the amount of material used in creating the pallet, and also reducing the overall weight of the pallet.

It is envisaged that, where a pallet is created from wood, there would not be hollow section or voids in the body and/or support members of the pallet.

Further, a pallet in accordance with the present invention may be formed of other materials such as metal, again to reduce the amount ofmaterial used in making the pallet, and to lighten the pallet, where the pallet. is created from metal the body and/or the support members may include s or voids.

In the embodiment of the pallet described in the present cation, the pallet es four support members. When the pallet is used with a standard beam racking , system, the four t s provide eight contact points, which allows weight on the pallet to be distributed over those eight contact points.

Where the pallet is formed from plastic, and the support members include hollows or voids, such hollows or voids may also include ribbing to provide extra support and strength to the support s; The ribbing may extend ﬁom the bottom of the support member up to the top of the t member, where the support member joins with the lower face of the body of the pallet.

Further, where the pallet is conﬁgured as described in the present speciﬁcation, when resting on the ground, there are twenty contact points between the pallet and the ground, which provides strength, especially when the pallet is loaded with goods for transport.

A further feature of the present invention is that, when the pallet is used with drive-in racking, the support members provide reinforcement of the body of the pallet so as to prevent ng of the pallet whilst on the drive-in racking system.

The strengthened design of the pallet, using the support members, may assist in preventing or ameliorating morphage of the pallet and/or the pallet body, when the pallet is stacked or on racks for ed periods.

The pallet may also inClude “X"-shaped ribs on the lower face so as to provide- additional th to the body. [01,12] The t ion is susceptible to ions, modiﬁcations and/or” additionsother than those speciﬁcally described, and it is to be understood that the invention includes all such variations, modiﬁcations and/or additions which fall within the scope of the following claims.

» The reference to any prior art in this speciﬁcation is not and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge. ,[0114] ~ Throughout this speciﬁcation and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and ions such as "comprises" and "comprising",'will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of rs orsteps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. .

Claims

1. A stackable pallet for use in transportation of goods and for stacking in a rotated stacking configuration with at least one second substantially same stackable pallet, the first-mentioned ble pallet including: a substantially planar body having an upper face and a lower face; a plurality of substantially parallel elongate support members depending from the lower face; a plurality of substantially parallel elongate slots, each slot open to at least the upper face, wherein the udinal axis of the slots are substantially orthogonal to the udinal axis of the support members, and wherein each slot is configured to receive a respective one of the plurality of support s of the second stackable pallet, such that, when stacking the second pallet on to the first-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking configuration, the support members and slots of the second pallet are, respectively, substantially orthogonal to the support members and slots of the entioned pallet and wherein the slots are through the body, such that each slot is further open to the lower face, and wherein each slot is ured to allow a lower portion of each of the plurality of support members of the second stackable pallet to pass through the lower face opening when stacking the second pallet on to the first-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking configuration, 2887096v1 further including an upper recess corresponding to where each slot intersects with each t member, each upper recess located in an upper n of the respective t member and being open to the respective slot, such that, when stacking the second pallet on to the first-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking configuration, a part of the lower portion of the respective one of the plurality of support members of the second stackable pallet is received in a respective upper recess of the first-mentioned pallet.

2. A stackable pallet according to claim 1, n each slot is configured to allow substantially the whole of each of the plurality of support members of the second stackable pallet to pass through the upper face opening of each respective slot when stacking the second pallet on to the first-mentioned pallet in the d stacking configuration, such that, when stacked, the lower face of the second pallet is adjacent or very near the upper face of the first-mentioned pallet.

3. A stackable pallet ing to claim 1, further including a lower recess corresponding to where each slot intersects with each support member, each lower recess located in the lower portion of the respective support member and being open to a bottom face of the respective support member, such that, when stacking the second pallet on to the first-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking configuration, a part of an upper portion of the respective one of the plurality of support members of the first-mentioned pallet is received in a respective lower recess of the second pallet.

4. A stackable pallet according to claim 1, further including a lower recess corresponding to each upper recess in the tive support member, and d below the corresponding upper recess, the lower recess located in the lower portion of the respective support member and being open to a bottom face of the respective support member, such that, when stacking the second pallet on to the first-mentioned pallet in the rotated ng configuration, an upper recess of the first-mentioned pallet and a respective lower recess of the second pallet receive each other.

5. A stackable pallet according to any one of claim 1 to 4, wherein each support member includes hollow sections. 2887096v1

6. A stackable pallet according to claim 5, wherein at least some of the hollow sections are open to the upper face.

7. A stackable pallet according to either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein at least some of the hollow sections are open to the bottom face of the respective support member.

8. A stackable pallet according to any one of claim 1 to 7, wherein the support members are configured such that tines of a fork lift device are able to be inserted beneath the lower face so as to be n and in a first ion ntially parallel to the support members, and the tines are not able to be inserted in a ion substantially other than the first direction.

9. A stackable pallet according to any one of claim 1 to 8, wherein the pallet is adapted to be used with a first type rack having parallel bars with a first separation between the bars, such that, when the pallet is located on the first type rack, the support members are substantially orthogonal to the bars and are configured such that a section of each support member is in t with each bar.

10. A stackable pallet according to claim 9, wherein each support member has a height sufficient to allow tines of a fork lift device to be inserted beneath the lower face when the pallet is located on the first type rack.

11. A stackable pallet according to either claim 9 or claim 10, wherein each section includes a rack recess in the respective support member, such that, when the pallet is located on the first type rack, each bar inserts in to a plurality of respective rack recesses, such that the pallet is prevented from sliding orthogonally with t to the bars.

12. A stackable pallet according to claim 11, wherein each rack recess is iently shallow to allow tines of a fork lift to be inserted beneath the lower face when the pallet is located on the first type rack.

13. A stackable pallet ing to either claim 11 or claim 12, wherein each rack recess is at least partly co-located with a lower recess. 2887096v1

14. A stackable pallet ing to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the pallet is adapted to be used with a second type rack having parallel bars with a second separation between the bars, such that, when the pallet is located on the second type rack, the support members are substantially parallel to the bars and parts of the lower face is in contact with each bar, each part being at or close to an edge of the body.

15. A stackable pallet according to claim 14, wherein the first separation is less than the second separation.

16. A stackable pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the plurality of support members includes, adjacently, a first, a second, a third and a fourth support member.

17. A ble pallet according to claim 16, wherein the first and the fourth support members are located close to and parallel to respective outside edges of the body and the second and the third support member are located close to and parallel to a centre line of the body, such that a first and a second tine of a fork lift device are able to be inserted, respectively, between the first and second, and between the third and fourth support members.

18. A stackable pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 17, having a pallet , wherein, when the second pallet is d on to the first-mentioned pallet in the rotated stacking uration, the stacked pallets have a sum height less than twice the pallet height.

19. A stackable pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 18, further including a plurality of substantially parallel elongate channels in the upper face to allow for stacking in a non-rotated stacking configuration, wherein the udinal axis of the ls are substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the support s, and n each channel is configured to receive a respective one of a plurality of support members of the second stackable pallet, such that, when stacking the second pallet on to the firstmentioned pallet in the non-rotated stacking configuration, the support members and channels of the second pallet are substantially parallel to the support members and channels of the first-mentioned pallet. 2887096v1

20. A stackable pallet according to claim 19, wherein, each support member is configured to be sufficiently high and each channel is configured to be sufficiently shallow, such that, when the second pallet is d on to the first-mentioned pallet in the non-rotated stacking uration, tines of a fork lift device are allowed to be inserted between the lower face of the second pallet and the upper face of the first-mentioned pallet.

21. A stackable pallet according to claim 19, wherein each channel includes a plurality of channel sections, each channel section separated from an adjacent channel section where the channel intersects a slot.

22. A method of transporting goods, comprising the steps of: locating the goods on a pallet according to any one of claims 1 to 21; and orting the goods using the pallet.

23. A method of stacking a plurality of pallets, each pallet ing to any one of claims 1 to 21, comprising the steps of: stacking a first pallet; and stacking at least a second pallet relative to the first , wherein the pallets are stacked using the rotated stacking configuration.

24. A method of stacking a plurality of pallets, each pallet according to any one of claims 19 to 23, comprising the steps of: stacking a first pallet; and stacking at least a second pallet relative to the first , wherein the pallets are stacked using the non-rotated stacking uration. 2887096v1 WO 86560 INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE (Rule 20.6) RO/AU