Nestable Pallet with Recessed Deck for Crate Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional wooden pallets face issues such as significant storage space requirements, worker safety risks, consumption of natural resources, material handling equipment damage, and food safety hazards, while generic pallets lack stability during shipping.

Innovation Solution

A pallet with a deck featuring a pattern of recesses accommodating different crate arrangements (2×3, 5-per-layer, and 2×2 configurations) and a stacking element with engagement features for crate stabilization, along with friction-enhancing materials and RFID tags for improved handling and storage efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If wooden pallets are used for transporting products, then handling and storage efficiencies are achieved, but worker safety risks increase due to nails and splinters

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling efficiencyVSAvoidworker safety risks

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter of the pallet from wood to plastic, eliminating nails and splinters while maintaining structural integrity. This substitution resolves the safety hazard without sacrificing handling efficiency, as the plastic pallet retains the necessary strength and geometry for material handling operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite material construction by integrating reinforcement elements (such as steel or aluminum) within the plastic matrix of the pallet. This composite approach enhances structural strength and durability while maintaining the safety advantages of plastic, thereby preserving handling efficiency without compromising worker safety.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Productivity

If wooden pallets are used for transporting products, then handling and storage efficiencies are achieved, but material handling equipment damages occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehandling efficiencyVSAvoidequipment damage resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the material parameter from wood to plastic, which offers superior resistance to moisture, rot, and insect damage. This material substitution enhances the pallet's durability and strength, preventing damage to material handling equipment while maintaining handling efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses composite material construction with reinforcement elements embedded in the plastic structure, enhancing the pallet's load-bearing capacity and resistance to equipment damage. This composite design maintains handling efficiency while providing superior strength and durability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Adaptability or versatility

If generic pallets are used for transporting products, then versatility is achieved, but stability during shipping is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveproduct compatibilityVSAvoidshipping stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by designing specific recesses and engagement features at particular locations on the pallet deck. These localized structural features provide stability for specific cargo configurations while maintaining the overall versatility of the pallet design for different product types.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent incorporates adjustable or reconfigurable elements that allow the pallet structure to adapt dynamically to different cargo arrangements. This dynamic design enables the pallet to maintain stability during shipping while preserving versatility for various product types and configurations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Productivity

If wooden pallets are used for transporting products, then handling and storage efficiencies are achieved, but storage space requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestorage efficiencyVSAvoidstorage space requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements nesting capability by designing the pallet with collapsible or foldable components that allow the pallet to be nested within another pallet when not in use. This nesting feature dramatically reduces storage space requirements while maintaining handling efficiency during active use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs dynamic, reconfigurable structure that allows the pallet to transition between expanded operational state and collapsed storage state. This dynamic design enables space-efficient storage while preserving handling efficiency when the pallet is deployed for product transportation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS11014708B1Product transportation system

Publication Date: 2021.05.25 CLEANPAL HOLDCO LP

AI summary

The present invention provides a system for transporting products including a pallet consisting of a deck having an upper surface and a pattern of recesses formed in the upper surface including sets of recesses deployed for receiving a footprint of a layer of crates. A stacking element for deploying on the upper edges of the layer of crates consisting of a board including a surface, and a pattern of recesses formed in the surface including sets of recesses for receiving the upper edges of the layer crates.