Pallet apparatus

Abstract

A pallet apparatus 10 is provided comprising a pallet body 12 having a pallet top 14 and at least one support element 22 engaged with the pallet top 14, the pallet top 14 having an upper support surfa

Description

The present invention relates to a pallet apparatus which is particularly but not necessarily suited towards stacking and conveying in a warehouse or similar logistics facility. The invention further relates to a pallet insert component suitable for engagement with a pallet to provide improved anti-slip characteristics. The invention further relates to an automated warehousing system comprising a plurality of said pallet apparatuses. Pallets are used in a wide variety of industries for carrying loads thereon. Traditional pallets are formed from rough-sawn wood to form cost-effective platforms. However, wooden pallets are prone to chip, flake, and produce dust. Wooden pallets are also comparatively heavy, and are flammable. Plastic pallets are also known; however, they do have relatively poor strength-to-weight ratios, and are prone to warping, particularly under rapid temperature changes. This can make plastic pallets difficult to use in automated warehousing systems. Furthermore, plastic materials are prone to sliding against one another unless grip pads are glued to their external surfaces. Metal pallets can be used, but these are also quite heavy, and have the same propensity to slip and slide relative to one another when loaded as plastic pallets. It is an object of the present invention to reduce or substantially obviate the aforementioned problems. According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a pallet apparatus comprising: a pallet body having a pallet top and at least one support element engaged with the pallet top, the pallet top having an upper support surface for supporting loads thereon and a lower support surface in-use supportable by a forklift; and a plurality of anti-slip members engagable with the pallet body comprising: a plurality of pallet insert components engagable with the pallet top, each of the plurality of pallet insert components comprising an anti-slip layer; and / or a plurality of anti-slip feet components engagable with the at least one support element. It is known to provide integral grip portions on pallets of different material constructions. Typically, these are provided as rubber or textured strips, stuck onto the upper surface of the pallet. The present invention provides a means of integrating anti-slip functionality into the pallet itself, so that the relevant exposed surfaces gain anti-slip characteristics themselves without altering the overall support surface position. These can be provided in the form of inserts, engagable directly with the pallet body so that an anti-slip layer is formed so as to be flush or substantially flush with the upper or lower support surface, or as anti-slip feet provided on the support elements directly. By doing this, a pallet can be achieved which is easily repairable, due to the modular nature of the anti-slip components, which can avoid the detrimental qualities of wooden pallets, such as dust or chipping, and improves the ease with which the pallets can be stacked and transported in automated warehousing systems. Anti-slip feet components also provide resistance to movement on various floor types, including both rough and smooth concrete. Optionally, at least one of the upper and lower support surfaces may comprise a plurality of receivers, the plurality of pallet insert components being receivably engagable with the plurality of receivers. Providing receivers directly in the upper and / or lower support surfaces allows for insertion of the pallet insert components such that the anti-slip layer is automatically positioned at the respective surface during the installation process. Preferably, each of the upper and lower support surfaces may comprise a plurality of said receivers. Having a plurality of receivers allows the pallet insert components to be arranged in a manner which is best suited for the task. For instance, there may be different arrangements depending on which forklift is used in a warehouse. The receivers of the lower support surface may be positioned so as to be opposite to the receivers of the upper support surface. Opposed receivers allow multiple opposed pallet insert components to be connected using only a single fastener or connector. This may simplify assembly of the apparatus. Optionally, each of the receivers may comprise an aperture through the pallet top with which a fastener is engagable to retain a corresponding pallet insert component. A straight-bore aperture through the pallet top may enable several different modes of connection, including but not limited to screw-threaded nut and bolt type fasteners, as well as click-lock engagement. Optionally, at least one of the plurality of pallet insert components may be receivably engagable with a plurality of receivers simultaneously. Larger insert components may have the advantage of creating a large anti-slip area which is held in place securely by engagement with several receivers at once. Preferably, the plurality of pallet insert components may comprise at least one pallet insert component having an insert body having an anti-slip layer thereon, and a clicklock member for engaging with the pallet top. The provision of an insert body having a click-lock member means that the pallet insert component can be installed in a quick and toolless manner, whilst still being sufficiently stable to support loads thereon. The plurality of pallet insert components may comprise at least one pallet insert component having an insert body having an anti-slip layer thereon, and a bore through the insert body dimensioned to receive a threaded shaft of a fastener therethrough. An alternative arrangement of pallet insert component is provided having a bore, which allows for back-to-back connection of two pallet insert components on either side of the pallet top. Alternatively, the plurality of pallet insert components may comprise at least one pallet insert component having an insert body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a connecting wall member to engage with the upper and lower support surfaces simultaneously. The use of a side-engaging pallet insert component allows for both upper and lower support surfaces to be simultaneously engaged. The presence of the wall member also provides protection for the pallet body against collision with a forklift. Preferably, the plurality of pallet insert components may be interengagable through the pallet top. By making pallet insert components interengagable, the number of fasteners required is reduced, and the complexity of assembly of the apparatus is also reduced. Each of the plurality of pallet insert components may comprise a rigid insert body. The problem with pure rubber inserts, for instance, is that the deformable nature of the material means that the load carrying capabilities are reduced, and / or deformation may reduce the anti-slip characteristics overtime. As such, it is preferred that there be a rigid body which is capable of supporting the load on the pallet. Optionally, the insert body may comprise a reinforcement portion. Additional reinforcement of the insert body may improve the load capacity of the pallet insert component. The at least one support element may be modularly engagable with the pallet top. The pallet apparatus is designed to be constructed in a modular manner so as to allow for easy replacement of damaged or worn parts to ensure efficient processing of pallets in an automated warehousing system. In particular, the support elements are replaceable. Preferably, each of the plurality of anti-slip feet components may be receivably engagable with the at least one support element so as to be flush or substantially flush with a lower surface of the at least one support element. Flush positioning of the anti-slip feet components ensures that the overall height of the pallet apparatus is not unnecessarily increased by the integration of anti-slip characteristics therein. Optionally, the pallet top may be formed from a single or unitary piece of material. Structural strength of the pallet top may be provided by using a unitary piece of material, rather than, for example, welding discrete components together. Preferably, the anti-slip layers of the plurality of pallet insert components and / or the antislip feet components may comprise a material having a higher co-efficient of friction than the material from which the pallet body is constructed. Anti-slip, in this context, preferably means having a higher co-efficient of friction than the material from which the pallet body is constructed. Preferably, the plurality of pallet insert components may be arranged on the upper support surface at least in part around the perimeter of the pallet top. Perimetric positioning of the pallet insert components assist with preventing slippage of stacked pallets or loads, as well as improving engagement with a forklift. The plurality of pallet insert components may be arranged on the upper support surface at least in part in a pattern across a centre of the pallet top. Loads which span a pallet top may benefit from non-perimetric positioning of anti-slip members, and may also serve to retain a central support element of a stacked pallet apparatus. Optionally, the plurality of pallet insert components may be arranged on the lower support surface between blocks of the at least one support elements for engaging with forks of a forklift. It is highly desirable for the engagement of anti-slips members to be positioned in appropriate locations where a forklift might connect to the pallet. In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of support elements may be provided, and a plurality of anti-slip feet components may be provided on each of the plurality of support elements. Individual anti-slip feet components being engaged with support elements simplifies the ease of engagement thereof, avoiding having to provide anti-slip characteristics along the entire length of the support element. According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a pallet insert component engageable with a pallet having at least one receiver therein, the pallet insert component comprising a rigid insert body and an anti-slip layer thereon. Pallet insert components which add anti-slip characteristics, may not only serve to improve the function of the pallet apparatus as previously described, but may also be retrofittable to existing pallets having suitable receivers. According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an automated warehousing system comprising a plurality of pallet apparatuses in accordance with the first aspect of the invention. The present invention provides for an improved means of performing automated warehousing, through the provision of a lightweight yet strong and stable pallet system. For a better understanding of the present invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows an isometric representation from above of one embodiment of a pallet apparatus in accordance with the first aspect of the invention; Figure 2 shows an isometric representation from below of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows an isometric representation from above of a pallet system comprising three stacked pallet apparatuses of Figure 1, positioned on a chain drive conveyor, the block arrow showing a direction of travel; Figure 4 shows an isometric representation from below of the pallet system of Figure 3; Figure 5 shows an exploded representation from the side of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 6 shows an isometric exploded representation from above of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 7 shows an isometric exploded representation from below of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 8 shows a cross-sectional representation taken through A-A of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 9 shows a cross-sectional representation taken through B-B of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 10 shows an exploded representation of the pallet apparatus of Figure 9; Figure 11 shows an isometric representation from above of a first pallet insert component of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 12 shows an isometric representation from below of the first pallet insert component of Figure 11; Figure 13 shows an exploded representation from the side of the first pallet insert component of Figure 11; Figure 14 shows an exploded isometric representation from above of the first pallet insert component of Figure 11; Figure 15 shows an exploded isometric representation from below of the first pallet insert component of Figure 11; Figure 16 shows an isometric representation from above of a second pallet insert component of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1; Figure 17 shows an isometric representation from below of the second pallet insert component of Figure 16; Figure 18 shows an exploded representation from the side of the second pallet insert component of Figure 16; Figure 19 shows an exploded isometric representation from above of the second pallet insert component of Figure 16; Figure 20 shows an exploded isometric representation from below of the second pallet insert component of Figure 16; Figure 21 shows an isometric representation from above of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1, including a plurality of third pallet insert components; Figure 22 shows an isometric representation from above of a third pallet insert component of Figure 21; Figure 23 shows a cross-sectional representation through C-C of the pallet top of the pallet apparatus of Figure 21; Figure 24 shows an isometric representation from above of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1, including a plurality of fourth pallet insert components; Figure 25 shows an isometric representation from above of a fourth pallet insert component of Figure 24; Figure 26 shows a cross-sectional representation through D-D of the pallet top of the pallet apparatus of Figure 24; Figure 27 shows an isometric representation from above of the pallet apparatus of Figure 1, including a plurality of fourth and fifth pallet insert components; Figure 28 shows an isometric exploded representation from above of the pallet apparatus of Figure 27; Figure 29 shows an isometric representation from above of a fifth pallet insert component of the pallet apparatus of Figure 27; Figure 30 shows an isometric exploded representation from below of the fifth pallet insert component of Figure 29; and Figure 31 shows a cross-sectional representation through E-E of the pallet top of the pallet apparatus of Figure 27. Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a pallet apparatus, referenced globally at 10, which is suitable for loading items to be transported, typically via forklift. The pallet apparatus 10 comprises a pallet body 12 having a plurality of anti-slip members engaged therewith. The anti-slip members are engagable with the pallet body 12 in a modular fashion, so as to be releasably and selectably engagable with the pallet body 12. There are several different types of anti-slip member illustrated, and these are discussed in detail below. The pallet body 12 comprises a pallet top 14 which defines an upper support surface 16a in an in-use horizontal plane and a lower support surface 16b also in an in-use horizontal plane. The upper support surface 16a is provided for supporting loads on the pallet apparatus 10, whereas the lower support surface 16b is provided for engagement with the forks of a forklift. The pallet top 14 as indicated is formed as a continuous web, and is preferably formed from a single piece of material. The pallet top 14 comprises a plurality of receivers 18a, 18b, respectively in the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b. It will be appreciated that a pallet apparatus 10 could be provided with said receivers only in one or other of the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b. The receivers 18a, 18b are here provided in a grid-like pattern, covering the majority of the respective upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b. It will of course be feasible to provide receivers 18a, 18b only in locations on the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b where anti-slip contact is required. The receivers 18a, 18b are formed as substantially cuboidal wells, suitable for receiving substantially cuboidal inserts therein. There is an aperture 20 extending through each receiver 18a, 18b and which preferably interconnects opposite receivers 18a, 18b on the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b. The aperture 20 is dimensioned to receive a fastener therethrough. The pallet body 12 also includes a plurality of support elements 22, which are equivalent to the blocks or stringers and bottom deckboard of a traditional wooden pallet. Here, there are three support elements 22 which extend along a length of the pallet body 12, being uniformly spaced along the width so that a middle of the three support elements 22 is aligned to a centreline of the pallet body 14. Each of the support elements 22 comprises three blocks 24, uniformly spaced along the length of the pallet body 12, each block 24 within a support element 22 interconnected by an elongate board 26. Each support element 22 is preferably unitarily formed. The anti-slip members of the pallet apparatus 10 may be provided in various places to improve anti-slip characteristics, but in particular, it is desirable to provide anti-slip behaviour on the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b and on a lower surface 28 of the support elements 22. To this end, there are pallet insert components 30, 32 which receivably engage with the receivers 18a, 18b of the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b to provide anti-slip characteristics for the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b, and anti-slip feet components 34 which receivably engage with the support elements 22. Said anti-slip components may be formed from or comprise anti-slip material, being a high-friction material compared with steel or other plastics material, which the pallet body 12 may be formed from. Elastomeric or rubber-like materials may be suitable for this purpose. However, high friction can be achieved not only by the composition of the material itself, but also by the provision of surface texturing or structure; for instance, protrusions or surface roughness of a component could yield improved anti-slip characteristics. Such structure could be formed unitarily with the component, rather than being a layer provided thereon, but this is equivalent within the definition of the invention recited below. Figures 3 and 4 show a stacked arrangement of three such pallet apparatuses 10, forming a pallet system 100. When stacked, the anti-slip feet components 34 cause friction between the support elements 22 and the upper support surface 16a of the pallet apparatuses 10, as do the pallet insert components 30, 32 engaged with receivers 18a of the upper support surface 16a. The pallet insert components 30, 32 engaged with the receivers 18b of the lower support surface 16b provide engagement friction for forks of a forklift between the blocks 24 of the support elements 22. In Figure 3, the loading of the pallet system 100 can be seen on a representative chain drive conveyor 102, with chain drives 104 being movable to convey the pallet system 100 along. The anti-slip feet components 34 provide good engagement with the chain drives 104. Figures 5 to 7 show the engagement of the anti-slip members with the pallet body 12 more clearly. There are two discrete types of pallet insert components 30, 32 indicated. A first pallet insert component 30 may have a toolless engagement means, such as a click-lock engagement means for automatic coupling to the aperture 20 of a receiver 18a, 18b. Such a click-lock portion 36 of the first pallet insert component 30 is visible in Figure 5. This can be achieved from either of the upper or lower support surfaces 16a, 16b. A second pallet insert component 32 is connected via a screw-threaded fastener, such as a nut and bolt fastener 38 as shown in Figure 5 in particular. The absence of the clicklock portion 36 means that two second pallet insert components 32 can be positioned in opposite receivers 18a, 18b of the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b respectively. Said two second pallet insert components 32 can also be interconnected using the same fastener 38. The anti-slip feet components 34 are engaged with the lower surface 28 of the support elements 22, preferably so as to be flush or substantially flush with the said lower surface. This may be achieved by providing a slight recess in the lower surface 28 for receiving the anti-slip feet components 34. The support elements 22 include insert portions 39 which are receivable and fixed into the receivers 18b of the lower support surface 16b, and as such, the support elements 22 inclusive of the anti-slip feet components 34 can be considered as pallet insert components in their own right. Connection of the anti-slip feet components 34 with the support elements 22 may be performed using traditional fasteners such as bolts or rivets, though since the support elements 22 will typically be formed from a meltable plastic material, a thermal interconnection may be achieved. For instance, sacrificial meltable portions of the blocks 24 may be provided which can be melted to form an integral connector with a connector seat 25 of the anti-slip feet components 34 during assembly. Figure 6 shows the positions of the pallet insert components 30, 32 of the upper support surface 16a. Perimetric anti-slip members, formed by the pallet insert components 30, 32 are provided, as well as a substantially X-shaped pattern through the centre of the upper support surface 16a. This provides good grip characteristics for loads placed thereon, and in particular has pallet insert components 30, 32 in the correct places for stacking of pallet apparatuses 10 on top of one another as is shown in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 7 shows the positions of the pallet insert components 30, 32 of the lower support surface 16b, aligned to positions where forks of a forklift might be expected to engage therewith. Additionally, the positions of the anti-slip feet components 34 are also illustrated, uniformly spaced along the support elements 22 to form three rows of three anti-slip feet components 34. This not only forms a frictional engagement when the pallet apparatuses 10 are stacked, but this also aligns with traditional chain-driven pallet transit conveyors, where the chain drives are in the same arrangement as the support elements 22 disclosed. Figure 8 shows in more detail how the pallet insert components 30, 32 engage with the receivers 18a, 18b. The first pallet insert component 30 is insertable into a counterpart receiver 18a such that the click-lock portion 36 becomes secured in the aperture 20. The second pallet insert components 32 are sandwiched together back-to-back, secured strongly by a fastener 38 which couples them together. Figures 9 and 10 shows how second pallet insert components 32 may be engaged with the receivers 18a of the upper support surface 16a, where there is no counterpart receiver on the lower support surface 16b. Longer fasteners 38’ may be provided which can extend into a nut-receiver channel 40 extending up through the blocks 24 of the support elements 22. The first pallet insert component 30 is shown in Figures 11 to 15 in detail. The first pallet insert component 30 has a first insert body 42, having a planar or substantially planar upper surface 44, with which is engaged an anti-slip layer 46. The anti-slip layer 46 is preferably formed from a high-friction material, and the anti-slip layer is designed to be in-use flush or substantially flush with the upper or lower support surface 16a, 16b of the pallet body 12 once inserted into a receiver 18a, 18b. In the depicted embodiment, the anti-slip layer 46 projects marginally above the upper or lower support surface 16a, 16b in-use, preferably by not more than 1cm, and more preferably by not more than 1mm. A reinforcement portion 48 is provided below the upper surface 44 of the first insert body 42, and is here formed as a plurality of radiating webs extending from a centre of the insert body 42. The click-lock portion 36 of the first pallet insert component 30 is provided so as to depend from the upper surface 44 through a cylindrical central portion 50 of the reinforcement portion 48. The click-lock portion 36 comprises three deflectable tangs which can be pushed into an aperture 20 to lock the first pallet insert component 30 into a receiver 18a, 18b of the pallet apparatus 10. Whilst the anti-slip layer 46 is shown having a central hole 52, which here serves the purpose of allowing tooling access to the holes for the click-lock portion 36, it will be apparent that this is not necessary for the first pallet insert component 30; this feature is present to allow a single anti-slip layer design to be used for the second pallet insert component 32 as well. In practice, the anti-slip layer 46 shown may be injection moulded onto the insert body 42 so as to form a final unitary component. The second pallet insert component 32 is illustrated in detail in Figures 16 to 20. There is a second insert body 54 which has a similar structure to the first insert body 42, having a planar or substantially planar upper surface 56, with which is engaged an anti-slip layer 58. A reinforcement portion 60 is provided below the upper surface 56 of the first insert body 54, and is here formed as a plurality of radiating webs extending from a centre of the insert body 54. Rather than a wide cylindrical central portion however, there is a bore 62 dimensioned to receive a threaded shaft of a fastener 38, so that the fastener 38 can extend through the entire second pallet insert component 32 for connection to the pallet body 12. A well 64 is provided in the upper surface 56 to allow for countersinking of the head of the fastener 38 during connection, preventing the head from catching on loads on top of the pallet apparatus 10 in use. Figure 21 shows an alternative arrangement of the pallet apparatus 10 having a plurality of third pallet insert components 64 which are dimensioned so as to engage with a plurality of receivers 18a on the upper support surface 16a of the pallet body 12. The third pallet insert component 64, shown in detail in Figure 22, has an insert body 66 which spans four receivers 18a, having four reinforcement portions 68 positioned below the upper surface 70 which interconnects said four reinforcement portions 68 in a square configuration. A continuous anti-slip layer 72 is positioned so as to span the entire upper surface 70 of the pallet insert component 64. Figure 23 shows how the pallet insert components 64 may be engaged so as to span the pallet top 14 by engagement with opposite receivers 18a, 18b of the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b respectively. Fasteners 38 can be used to interconnect opposing pallet insert components 64 as previously described. Figure 24 shows another alternative arrangement of the pallet apparatus 10 having a plurality of fourth pallet insert components 74 which are dimensioned so as to engage with a plurality of receivers 18a on the upper support surface 16a of the pallet body 12. The fourth pallet insert component 74, shown in detail in Figure 25, has an elongate insert body 76 which spans a plurality of receivers 18a, here having a total of six reinforcement portions 78 positioned below the upper surface 80 which interconnects said six reinforcement portions 78 in a linear configuration. A continuous anti-slip layer 82 is positioned so as to span the entire upper surface 80 of the pallet insert component 74. Click-lock portions 84 are provided, showing that this elongate arrangement is capable of being used with the fastener-less installation mechanism. Figure 26 shows how this installation mechanism may be achieved. Figures 27 and 28 shows the pallet apparatus 10 of Figure 24 further including a plurality of fifth pallet insert components 86 also serving the function of forklift buffers. Said pallet insert components 86 are designed to wrap around an edge of the pallet top 14 at positions where a forklift might engage therewith. The pallet insert components 86 are introduced from the side, rather than from above or below, but interengage with both the upper and lower support surfaces 16a, 16b simultaneously. The pallet insert component 86 is shown in detail in Figures 29 and 30. The insert body 87 comprises upper and lower surfaces 88a, 88b which respectively engage with upper and lower anti-slip layers 90a, 90b, and the upper and lower surfaces 88a, 88b are interconnected by a connecting wall member 92. Two upper and two lower opposed reinforced portions 94 are provided to form the respective inserts for engaging with receivers 18a, 18b of the pallet top 14, as indicated in Figure 31. This arrangement is sufficiently wide to accommodate for different forklift dimensions and positioning. At least the wall member 92 is provided so as to be hinged, resilient, or flexible to permit engagement of the pallet insert component 86 with the pallet top 14. The unitary nature of this pallet insert component 86 allows for the use of, for instance, self-tapping fasteners 96 to be used, which are introducible through a receiving aperture 98 of the pallet insert component 86. Again, this improves the ease of installation of the pallet insert component 86. The pallet apparatus of the present invention is preferably formed from a plastics material, but may alternatively be formed from steel sheet or tubes to reduce the weight of the overall apparatus. It will, however, be possible to apply the teaching of the present invention to wood, or other metal or composite materials. Whilst square or substantially square receivers and pallet insert components are disclosed, it will be apparent that the critical feature is that the pallet insert components can be received and secured in the receivers themselves. Preferably, this will be via shape-matching, and triangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, or even circular shapes could be utilised, as could other regular or irregular geometric shapes. It is therefore possible to provide a modular system for interengaging components with a pallet which increase the anti-slip characteristics thereof, primarily with the goal of improving their utility within an automated warehousing system. The words ‘comprises / comprising’ and the words ‘having / including’ when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in 5 any suitable sub-combination. The embodiments described above are provided by way of example only, and various changes and modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A pallet apparatus comprising:a pallet body having a pallet top and at least one support element engaged with the pallet top, the pallet top having an upper support surface for supporting loads thereon and a lower support surface in-use supportable by a forklift; anda plurality of anti-slip members engagable with the pallet body comprising: a plurality of pallet insert components engagable with the pallet top, each of the plurality of pallet insert components comprising an anti-slip layer; and / or a plurality of anti-slip feet components engagable with the at least one support element.

2. A pallet apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the upper and lower support surfaces comprises a plurality of receivers, the plurality of pallet insert components being receivably engagable with the plurality of receivers.

3. A pallet apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein each of the upper and lower support surfaces comprise a plurality of said receivers.

4. A pallet apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the receivers of the lower support surface are positioned so as to be opposite to the receivers of the upper support surface.

5. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein each of the receivers comprises an aperture through the pallet top with which a fastener is engagable to retain a corresponding pallet insert component.

6. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein at least one of the plurality of pallet insert components is receivably engagable with a plurality of receivers simultaneously.

7. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of pallet insert components comprise at least one pallet insert component having an insert body having an anti-slip layer thereon, and a clicklock member for engaging with the pallet top.

8. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of pallet insert components comprise at least one pallet insert component having an insert body having an anti-slip layer thereon, and a bore through the insert body dimensioned to receive a threaded shaft of a fastener therethrough.

9. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of pallet insert components comprise at least one pallet insert component having an insert body having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a connecting wall member to engage with the upper and lower support surfaces simultaneously.

10. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of pallet insert components are interengagable through the pallet top.

11. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of pallet insert components each comprise a rigid insert body.

12. A pallet apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the insert body comprises a reinforcement portion.

13. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one support element is modularly engagable with the pallet top.

14. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein each of the plurality of anti-slip feet components is receivably engagable with the at least one support element so as to be flush or substantially flush with a lower surface of the at least one support element.

15. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the pallet top is formed from a single or unitary piece of material.

16. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the anti-slip layers of the plurality of pallet insert components and / or the anti-slip feet components comprise a material having a higher co-efficient of friction than the material from which the pallet body is constructed.

17. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of pallet insert components are arranged on the upper support surface at least in part around the perimeter of the pallet top.

18. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the 5 plurality of pallet insert components are arranged on the upper support surfaceat least in part in a pattern across a centre of the pallet top.

19. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of pallet insert components are arranged on the lower support surface between blocks of the at least one support elements for engaging with forks of a 10 forklift.

20. A pallet apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein a plurality of support elements is provided, and a plurality of anti-slip feet components is provided on each of the plurality of support elements.

21. A pallet insert component engageable with a pallet having at least one receiver 15 therein, the pallet insert component comprising a rigid insert body and an antislip layer thereon.

22. An automated warehousing system comprising a plurality of pallet apparatuses as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 20.19

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