Horizontal Keg Pallet

Keg pallets and divider sheets exist today to support compatibility with kegs in various sizes on various size pallets from a brewery to a distribution center. At the distribution center, the kegs are typically loaded loosely on trucks for delivery to the delivery locations (e.g. restaurant, bar, entertainment venue, etc). The kegs are moved into the delivery location by a hand truck or manually carrying them into the delivery location.

The present application provides interlock panels that can be used to adapt an existing half pallet such that it can be used to deliver kegs. The kegs can be placed on the interlock panel(s) and half pallet at a distribution center and remain there while on the delivery truck and while they are brought from the truck into the store (e.g. liquor store, restaurant, bar, etc). In disclosed embodiments, the interlock panels include a plurality of concave surfaces for receiving horizontally-oriented pallets thereon.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly including: a pallet including a deck and a plurality of feet extending downward from the deck; and an interlock panel on the deck having a plurality of concave surfaces formed thereon, each configured to receive a horizontally-oriented keg thereon.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the interlock panel includes a pair of side portions each having a plurality of supports, each of the plurality of supports including at least one of the plurality of concave surfaces.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the plurality of supports includes a center support, wherein the center support includes a first area between two second areas, wherein the first area is a concave first surface defined by a first radius from a first axis, wherein the second areas are concave second surfaces defined by a second radius from a second axis parallel to the first axis, wherein the second radius is larger than the first radius.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the plurality of supports further includes a pair of outer supports, wherein each of the pair of outer supports includes a third area adjacent a fourth area, wherein each third area is a concave third surface defined by a third radius from a third axis, wherein the third radius is equal to the first radius, wherein each fourth area is a concave fourth surface defined by a fourth radius from a fourth axis parallel to the third axis, wherein the fourth radius is equal to the second radius.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the plurality of supports includes a pair of intermediate supports each having a fifth area, wherein each fifth area is a concave surface defined by a fifth radius extending from a fifth axis parallel to the fourth axis.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the fifth radius is equal to the first radius.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the pallet is a half pallet.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the deck has a width between 18-24″ (inclusive) and a length between 36-48″ (inclusive).

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the pallet is molded as a single piece of plastic and wherein the interlock panel is molded as a single piece of plastic.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the side portions are spaced apart from one another to define openings therebetween.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the deck includes handle openings formed therethrough and wherein the interlock panel includes handle access openings aligned with the handle openings.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly in combination with a plurality of kegs, each received horizontally in one of the plurality of concave surfaces.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a combination wherein the interlock panel is a lower interlock panel, the combination further including an upper interlock panel on the plurality of kegs, the upper interlock panel including a lower surface having a plurality of concave surfaces thereon, wherein the plurality of kegs are received in the plurality of concave surfaces on the lower surface of the upper interlock panel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a combination wherein the plurality of kegs is a first plurality of kegs, the upper interlock panel further includes an upper surface having a plurality of concave surfaces each receiving one of a second plurality of kegs, wherein the second plurality of kegs are horizontally oriented in the plurality of concave surfaces on the upper surface of the upper interlock panel.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the plurality of supports includes a pair of outer supports, wherein each of the pair of outer supports includes a third area adjacent a fourth area, wherein each third area is a concave third surface defined by a third radius from a third axis, wherein each fourth area is a concave fourth surface defined by a fourth radius from a fourth axis parallel to the third axis.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an interlock panel including: a rectangular body portion including an upper surface having a plurality of concave surfaces each configured to receive a horizontally-oriented keg thereon.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an interlock panel wherein a lower surface of the rectangular body portion is configured to be received on a deck of a pallet.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an interlock panel wherein a lower surface of the rectangular body portion includes a plurality of concave surfaces each configured to receive an upper portion of a horizontally-oriented keg.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an interlock panel wherein the plurality of concave surfaces include a first concave surface defined by a first radius and a second concave surface defined by a second radius, wherein the second radius is larger than the first radius.

In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to an interlock panel further including a pair of side portions each having a plurality of supports, each of the plurality of supports including at least one of the plurality of concave surfaces, the plurality of supports including a center support, wherein the center support includes a first area between two second areas, wherein the first area is a concave first surface defined by the first radius from a first axis, wherein the second areas are concave second surfaces defined by the second radius from a second axis parallel to the first axis, the plurality of supports further including a pair of outer supports, wherein each of the pair of outer supports includes a third area adjacent a fourth area, wherein each third area is a concave third surface defined by a third radius from a third axis, wherein the third radius is equal to the first radius, wherein each fourth area is a concave fourth surface defined by a fourth radius from a fourth axis parallel to the third axis, wherein the fourth radius is equal to the second radius.

is an exploded upper perspective view of a pallet assemblyaccording to a first embodiment. The pallet assemblyincludes a palletand an interlock panel, each of which may be molded as a separate, single piece of plastic. The palletand the interlock panelmay optionally be subsequently joined, such as via fasteners, connectors, welding, adhesive, and/or clips (which may be integrally molded with one or both of the palletand the interlock panel). Preferably, but not essentially, the palletand interlock panelare detachably secured to one another, so that the palletcould be used without the interlock panelat times.

The palletis integrally molded as a single piece of plastic, such as by injection molding. Palletincludes a deckhaving an upper planar portion defining an upper support surface upon which goods can be supported. Feetor columns project downward from the deckto support the deckabove the floor. Openingsare formed in the upper planar portion of the deckabove each of the feet. The openingscan receive the feetof an identical palletstacked thereon and partially received in the deckfor stability. The deckfurther includes a peripheral wallextending downward from a periphery of the upper planar portion.

The example palletshown is a half pallet. The half pallet implementation facilitates moving the loaded pallet assemblyinto a store; however, most features described herein could also be used with a full-size pallet. If the pallet assemblyis implemented as a half pallet as shown, the deck has a width in the range of 18-24″ (inclusive) and a length in the range of 36-48″ (inclusive) and a pair of handle openingsmay be formed through the deckas shown.

The interlock panelincludes a pair of side portionsand a pair of end portionsforming a generally rectangular body portion configured to fit on top of the deckof the pallet. Each side portionincludes a center supportbetween a pair of intermediate supports. Each side portionfurther includes two outer supportsoutward of the two intermediate supports.

One outer supportis between one intermediate supportand one end portion. The center supportis between the two intermediate supports. The other outer supportis between the other intermediate supportand the other end portion.

The center supportand outer supportsare wider than the intermediate supports. A large recessed area (which could be a large opening) is defined between the center supportof one of the side portionsand the center supportof the other of the side portions. Large recessed areas (which could be large openings) are defined between the outer supportsof one of the side portionsand the outer supportsof the other of the side portions. Handle access openingsare formed through each of the two intermediate supportsand are configured to align with the handle openingsof the pallet.

is an enlarged perspective view of one half of the interlock panel. The other half is symmetrical. As shown, each side portionincludes the center supportbetween the two intermediate supportsand the two outer supportsoutward of the two intermediate supports. A peripheral wallextends upward and closes each end of each outer support, the center supportand each intermediate support.

is a section view taken along lineA-A of. Referring to, The center supportis a concave surface having a first areabetween two second areas. The first areais a concave surface having a first radius Rfrom an axis Aextending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel. The two second areasare concave surfaces defined by a second radius Rfrom a single axis Aextending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel. The second radius is larger than the first radius.

Each outer supportincludes a third area, which is a concave surface with a third radius Rfrom a third axis Aextending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel. The third radius is equal to the first radius of the center support. Each outer supportincludes a fourth areawhich is a concave surface defined by a fourth radius Rfrom a fourth axis Aextending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel. The fourth areais inward of the third area. The fourth areaand third areaform a contiguous concavity. The fourth radius is equal to the second radius of the center support, and the fourth radius is larger than the third radius.

Each of the intermediate supportshas a fifth area. The fifth area is a concave surface defined by a fifth radius Rfrom a fifth axis Aextending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel. The fifth radius of the two intermediate supportsis equal to the first radius of the first areaand the third area.

is a bottom perspective view of the interlock panel. The peripheral wallprojects downward at an outer periphery thereof. The underside of the interlock panelmay be flat as shown or include intersecting ribs projecting downward from the upper surface of the interlock panelto free ends forming a common plane. The peripheral wallprojects downward further to define a recess in which the deckof the palletcan be received.

is an upper perspective view of the interlock panelon the pallet. The peripheral wallof the interlock panelpartially receives the deckof the pallettherein to retain the deckon the pallet.

is a top view of the pallet assemblyshowing the arrangements of the center support, the outer supports, and the two intermediate supports. Indicia formed on each indicate the keg size(s) to be accommodated thereon (e.g. “½,” “¼,” “⅙”).

is a perspective view of the pallet assemblywith a half barrel straight kegreceived in a horizontal orientation in each of the center supportand the outer supportsof the interlock panel.

The pallet assemblyand three half barrel straight kegscould be placed on a truck at a distribution center with handling equipment having tines that enter either the side fork tine openings (on the long side of the pallet) or on the end fork tine openings (on the short side of the pallet). The pallet assemblyand three half barrel straight kegsare then transported to a store on a truck and may be transported from the truck into a store with handling equipment that preferably has tines that enter the end fork tine openings of the pallet, so that the pallet assemblyis easier to maneuver in the store. The three half barrel straight kegsmay be left in the store on the pallet assemblyor removed from the pallet assemblyat the store by the driver so that the pallet assemblycan be returned to the distribution center for reuse. Again, the features described herein could be implemented on a full-size pallet, but the half pallet facilitates bringing the pallet assemblyand kegs (of any size) directly into the store.

is a section view taken along linesA-A of. As shown, the half barrel straight kegsare received in the fourth areasof the two intermediate supportsand the second areasof the center support. The half barrel straight kegsare retained at their axial ends by the peripheral wall.

is a top view of the pallet assemblyand half barrel straight kegsof. Referring to, each half barrel straight kegincludes upper and lower ringswhich are received on the center supportand the outer supports. In particular, the upper and lower ringsare supported on the fourth areaof the outer supportsand the second areasof the center supportbecause the half barrel straight keghas a large radius. The radius of the half barrel straight kegmay be the same or approximately the same as the second radius of the second areasand fourth area.

is a perspective view of the pallet assemblywith a quarter barrel kegreceived in a horizontal orientation in the center supportand the outer supportsof the interlock panel.is a section view taken along lineA-A of. As shown, the quarter barrel kegsare received in the third areaof each of the outer supportsand the first areaof the center support. Again, the quarter barrel kegsare retained at axial ends by the peripheral wall.

is a top view of the pallet assemblyand quarter barrel kegsof. Each quarter barrel kegincludes upper and lower ringswhich are received on the center supportand the outer supports. In particular, the upper and lower ringsare supported on the first areaof the center supportand the third areaof the outer supports. The radius of the quarter barrel kegmay be the same or approximately the same as the first radius of the first areaof the center supportand the third areaof the outer supports. Again, the pallet assemblycan bring the three quarter barrel kegsall the way from the distribution center to the store as described above.

is a perspective view of the pallet assemblywith a sixth barrel kegreceived in a horizontal orientation in each of the center support, the outer supports, and the two intermediate supportsof the interlock panel. Each sixth barrel kegincludes upper and lower ringswhich are received on the center support, the outer supportsand the two intermediate supports.

is a section view taken along lineA-A of. In particular, the upper and lower ringsare supported on the first areaof the center support, the third areaof each outer supports, and the two intermediate supportsbecause the sixth barrel keghas a small radius. The radius of the sixth barrel kegmay be the same or approximately the same as the first radius of the first areaand the third area. The sixth barrel kegsare retained at axial ends by the peripheral wall. Again, the pallet assemblycan bring the five sixth barrel kegsall the way from the distribution center to the store as described above.

show the pallet assemblywith three quarter barrel kegsloaded thereon and a two-sided interlock panelstacked on the quarter barrel kegs. The two-sided interlock panelhas a pair of spaced apart side portionsand a pair of spaced apart end portions. The upper surface of the two-sided interlock panelis the same as the upper surface of the interlock panel. The bottom surface of the two-sided interlock panelis identical to the upper surface of the two-sided interlock panel.

The spaced apart side portionsof the two-sided interlock panelinclude a center support, which may be identical to the center supportof the interlock paneland includes a first areawhich is a concave surface defined by the first radius from a first axis parallel to the ends of the two-sided interlock paneland two second areaswhich are concave surfaces defined by the second radius from a second axis parallel to the ends of the two-sided interlock panel. The first areais between the second areas.

Outer supportseach include a third areawhich is a concave surface defined by a third radius from a third axis extending parallel to the ends of the two-sided interlock panel. The third radius is equal to the first radius of the center support. The outer supportsfurther each include a fourth areawhich is a concave surface defined by a fourth radius from a fourth axis extending parallel to the ends of the two-sided interlock panel. The fourth areasare between the third area. The fourth areasand third areaform a contiguous concavity. The fourth radius is equal to the second radius of the center support. The fourth radius is larger than the third radius. The fourth radius of the outer supportsis the same as the second radius of the center support.

Two intermediate supportseach have a fifth area. The fifth area is a concave surface having a fifth radius from a fifth axis extending parallel to the ends of the two-sided interlock panel. The fifth radius of the two intermediate supportsis equal to the first radius of the first areaand the third area.

A peripheral wallextends upward adjacent each axial end of the center support, intermediate supports, and outer supports.

The two-sided interlock panelhas identical upper and lower surfaces, such that the lower half of the two-sided interlock panelcan interlock on the quarter barrel kegsas shown (or on the half barrel straight kegsor on the sixth barrel kegsor on the three half barrel belly kegs). The two-sided interlock panelcan also be reversed (flipped).

shows the pallet assemblywith three half barrel belly kegsstacked thereon. The belly keghas a middle area that has a significantly larger diameter than the upper chime and lower chime. The middle area also has two spaced-apart small rings that increase the diameter a little further. The belly kegalso has an upper area and a lower area that each taper outward from the respective chime toward the middle area. The middle areas of the belly kegsare received in recesses between the side portionsof the interlock paneland between the spaced apart side portionsof the two-sided interlock panel(i.e. on the upper and lower surfaces of the two-sided interlock panel).