Nestable Spill Pallet Structure for Multi-Drum Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing spill pallets are limited in their ability to support multiple drums, require specific lifting equipment, and inefficient in space utilization during storage and transportation.
Innovation Solution
A spill pallet made of structural foam with a continuous, unitary base and perforated grates that supports up to four 55-gallon drums, featuring wider fork channels for use with both forklifts and pallet jacks, and a sump for fluid retention, allowing for nestable bases and efficient stacking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If spill pallets are designed to support multiple drums, then the load-bearing capacity increases, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The spill pallet is divided into modular components: a base unit with sump and grate assembly, where grates are positioned to support multiple drums in various configurations. This segmentation allows the same modular unit to support 1, 2, 3, or 4 drums without requiring different structural designs, thus increasing load-bearing capacity while maintaining manageable complexity through standardization of parts.
2Ease of operation
If spill pallets are designed for specific lifting equipment only, then the lifting mechanism is simplified, but the adaptability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The base is designed with universal fork channels that accommodate both pallet jacks with fixed standard fork spacing and forklifts with adjustable fork spacing. The fork channels are dimensioned to receive standard forks, enabling the same spill pallet design to be operated by multiple types of lifting equipment without modification, thus achieving both ease of operation and broad adaptability.
3Volume of moving object
If spill pallets are stacked for storage and transportation, then the space utilization improves, but the structural integrity may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The spill pallets are designed to nest within each other during storage and transportation, with the grate assembly of one unit fitting into the base of another unit. This nesting configuration reduces the overall stacked height and maximizes space utilization in storage facilities and during shipping, while the structural design maintains integrity through proper load distribution and connection points.
Data Source
AI summary
A spill pallet including: a continuous, unitary, liftable sump-defining base having a bottom, side walls extending from and surrounding the bottom and terminating in an upper edge, a plurality of risers extending from the bottom, and a rim formed in the side walls below the upper edge; and at least one drum-supporting grate that is supportable on the plurality of risers and the rim of the base. Two fork channels that are accessible from a side of the base have a fork cavity height and a fork cavity width sufficient to permit the spill pallet to be lifted by a standard fork lift truck or by a standard pallet jack. The bases are configured such that they are stackable on and partially nestable within identical bases to form stacks, which can be shipped side-by-side as a partial load within a truck, trailer or container.