Method of producing a pallet

Abstract

 There is disclosed a pallet comprising a deck (11) and ground engaging parts (12) separated by spaces (13). The deck (11) and preferably the other parts are moulded from a thermo-settable resin and fibrous material such as chipped wood.

Description

[0001] This invention concerns a pallet of the kind used for the storage and transport of goods comprising a load supporting surface, a ground engaging surface and a space therebetween for receiving lifting means.

[0002] Many kinds of pallet are known, such as those fabricated from timber, and more recently those formed as a one-piece moulding from a thermo-settable resin filled with a fibrous material such as of wood.

[0003] Pallets fabricated from timber are costly to produce both in terms of material and labour. The known moulded pallets essentially comprising a load bearing deck having integral hollow feet have a limited ground engaging surface rendering them prone to mechanical damage.

[0004] According to the present invention there is provided a pallet fabricated from a ground engaging part or parts and a load supporting deck separated by a plurality of spacers, at least said deck being comprised by a one-piece moulding of thermo-settable resin and fibrous material.

[0005] The ground engaging part or parts may comprise a plurality of spaced skid members, preferably three, or alternatively a plate-like member which may have apertures therein.

[0006] The skids may be formed with longitudinal corrugations for enhanced strength.

[0007] The load supporting deck may be formed with a pattern of ridges for enhanced strength.

[0008] The ground engaging part or parts and/or spacers may also be formed from mouldings of a thermo-settable resin and fibrous filler.

[0009] The fibrous filler may be chipped wood.

[0010] The load supporting deck and ground engaging skids may be produced simultaneously between a pair of mould parts acting to separate the different parts during the pressing operation.

[0011] The spacers may be glued between the load supporting deck and ground engaging part or parts whilst said deck and ground engaging part or parts remain heated from the moulding operation.

[0012] The invention will be further apparent from the following description with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing, which show, by way of example only, one form of pallet embodying same and the manner in which some of the parts thereof are moulded.

[0013] Of the drawings:-

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the pallet;

Figure 2 shows a plan view of four of the parts of the pallet of Figure 1 as they are taken from a mould; and

Figure 3 shows a cross-section on the line III-III of Figure 2.

[0014] Referring firstly to Figure 1, it will be seen that the pallet, which is generally indicated at 10 comprises a generally rectangular load supporting deck 11 mounted above three spaced parallel longitudinally extending ground engaging skids 12 by means of nine spacers 13.

[0015] The deck 11 is formed with a pattern of ridges 14 for enhanced strength whilst the skids 12 are formed with longitudinally extending corrugations 15 for like purpose.

[0016] The spacers 13 are of solid circular cross-section and have their opposed ends located in receiving sockets 16 and 17 formed in the deck 11 and skids 12 respectively.

[0017] All of the parts described are moulded from a mix of thermo-settable resin and fibrous filler preferably chipped wood.

[0018] The deck 11 and three skids 12 are moulded simultaneously in side-by-side relationship between mould halves which provide zero space between the adjacent parts so that they are separate when taken from mould.

[0019] The spacers 13 are glued between the skids 12 and deck 11 whilst these parts remain heated from the moulding operation.

[0020] It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof.

[0021] Thus, for example, the skids 12 may be replaced by a further rectangular plate which may be apertured in the areas between the spacers 13.

Claims

1. A pallet fabricated from a ground engaging part or parts and a load supporting deck separated by a plurality of spaces, at least said deck being comprised by a one-piece moulding of thermo-settable resin and fibrous material.

2. A pallet according to claim 1, wherein the ground engaging parts comprise a plurality of spaced skid members.

3. A pallet according to claim 2, wherein there are three skid members.

4. A pallet according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the skids are formed with longitudinal corrugations for enhanced strength.

5. A pallet according to claim 1, wherein said ground engaging part comprises a plate-like member.

6. A pallet according to any preceeding claim, wherein the load supporting deck is formed with a pattern of ridges for enchanced strength.

7. A pallet according to any preceeding claim, wherein the ground engaging parts are also formed from mouldings of a thermo-settable resin and fibrous filler.

8. A pallet according to any preceeding claim, wherein the fibrous filler is chipped wood.

9. A pallet according to any preceeding claim, wherein the spaces are of circular section.

10. A method of producing a pallet according to claim 7, wherein the load supporting deck and ground engaging part or parts are produced simultaneously between a pair of mould halves acting to separate the deck and the different parts during the pressing operation.

11. A method according to claim 8, wherein the spaces are glued between the load supporting deck and ground engaging parts whilst said deck and ground engaging part or parts remain heated from the moulding operation.

Drawing