Pallet With Interlocking Feet And Grooves For Stacking Stability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pallets, especially quarter pallets, lack efficient stacking mechanisms and secure product retention features, leading to instability and inefficiencies in handling and transportation, particularly when used in automated systems.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a top with a product supporting surface, four feet with specific openings for stacking, and features like grooves for banding locations, hand access holes, and overwrap gripping members to enhance stability and secure product retention, allowing for improved stacking and handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If traditional pallet designs are used, then manufacturing simplicity is maintained, but stacking stability and product retention are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet is divided into distinct functional segments: the top plate for product support, four feet for stacking and stability, grooves for banding, and hand access holes for handling. Each segment performs a specific function that contributes to overall stacking stability without requiring complex integration between components.
Solution Approach 2:
The feet are designed with openings that allow the feet of pallets stacked below to extend through, creating a nested configuration where multiple pallets interlock vertically. This nesting arrangement enhances stacking stability while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Reliability
If basic pallet structure is used, then ease of manufacture is maintained, but product retention and handling efficiency are poor
Solution Approach 1:
Grooves are pre-formed on the top plate at specific locations where banding straps will be applied. These pre-positioned grooves ensure that product retention features are already in place before loading, improving reliability without adding manufacturing complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The top plate is designed with non-uniform features: grooves are located only at specific edges for banding, hand access holes are positioned at corners for handling, and the four feet are placed at specific locations for stacking. This local differentiation provides enhanced product retention and handling efficiency while maintaining overall manufacturing simplicity.
3Productivity
If automated handling systems are implemented, then productivity is improved, but requirements for precision and standardisation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The pallet design incorporates multiple standardised features that serve different functions: the four feet with openings enable both stacking and automated forklift insertion, the grooves accommodate banding straps for product retention, and the hand access holes facilitate manual handling. This multi-functionality with standardised dimensions allows the same pallet design to work across various handling systems without requiring tight tolerances.
Data Source
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AI summary
There is disclosed a pallet for transporting products thereon. The pallet comprises a top, four feet and at least four sides. The top has a product supporting surface and an opposing underside. The four feet each extend away from the underside of the top, and have a first opening facing out through the product supporting surface. The feet thus allow stacking of a plurality of such pallets with the feet of a first such pallet extending into the first openings of a second such pallet. One or more grooves (44) are provided on or within a T-shaped edge recess (32) disposed on one or more of the at least four sides.