Pallet and pallet forming system and method

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to elongate pallet runners, pallets comprising a plurality of elongate pallet runners and methods, systems and apparatuses for forming said elongate pallet runners and pallets. The elongate pallet runners each comprise a plurality of panels, where each panel is bent relative to an adjacent panel to form a continuous spiral structure having a cross-sectional profile that is nested. Each panel has a planar surface that abuts against a planar surface of another panel.

1 . An elongate pallet runner comprising:
 a plurality of panels, each panel bent relative to an adjacent panel to form a continuous spiral structure having a cross-sectional profile that is nested, each panel having a planar surface that abuts against a planar surface of another panel.   
     
     
         2 . The elongate pallet runner of  claim 1 , wherein the cross-sectional profile comprises nested layers of bent panels, each nested layer having a same geometric shape. 
     
     
         3 . The elongate pallet runner of  claim 1 , wherein each panel is orientated perpendicular to its adjacent panel. 
     
     
         4 . The elongate pallet runner of  claim 1 , wherein each panel is separated from its adjacent panel by a respective fold line. 
     
     
         5 . The elongate pallet runner of  claim 4 , wherein each panel is folded relative to its adjacent panel about the respective fold line. 
     
     
         6 . The elongate pallet runner of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the abutting panels are adhered to each other by an adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The elongate pallet runner of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of adjacent panels are integrally formed. 
     
     
         8 . The elongate pallet runner of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate pallet runner has a rectangular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         9 . The elongate pallet runner of  claim 1 , wherein the elongate pallet runner is formed of corrugated cardboard. 
     
     
         10 . The elongate pallet runner of  claim 1 , wherein an innermost panel of the spiral structure includes a diagonal portion that does not abut against the planar surface of another panel. 
     
     
         11 . A pallet comprising a deck having a top side and a bottom side and a plurality of elongate pallet runners secured to the bottom side of the deck, wherein each of the plurality of elongate pallet runners comprises:
 a plurality of panels, each panel bent relative to an adjacent panel to form a continuous spiral structure having a cross-sectional profile that is nested, each panel having a planar surface that abuts against a planar surface of another panel.   
     
     
         12 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein the cross-sectional profile comprises nested layers of bent panels, each nested layer having a same geometric shape. 
     
     
         13 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein each panel is orientated perpendicular to its adjacent panel. 
     
     
         14 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein each panel is separated from its adjacent panel by a respective fold line. 
     
     
         15 . The pallet of  claim 14 , wherein each panel is folded relative to its adjacent panel about the respective fold line. 
     
     
         16 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein at least some of the abutting panels are adhered to each other by an adhesive. 
     
     
         17 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein the plurality of adjacent panels are integrally formed. 
     
     
         18 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein each elongate pallet runner has a rectangular cross-sectional profile. 
     
     
         19 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein each elongate pallet runner is formed of corrugated cardboard. 
     
     
         20 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein the pallet comprises three elongate pallet runners. 
     
     
         21 . The pallet of  claim 11 , wherein the deck and plurality of elongate pallet runners are made from corrugated cardboard. 
     
     
         22 . The corrugated pallet of  claim 11 , wherein the deck is a first deck and wherein the corrugated pallet further comprises a second deck having a top side and bottom side, wherein the plurality of elongate pallet runners are secured to the top side of the second deck. 
     
     
         23 . A method of forming a corrugated pallet, the method comprising affixing a plurality of elongate pallet runners to the same side of a deck, wherein each of the plurality of elongate pallet runners comprises:
 a plurality of panels, each panel bent relative to an adjacent panel to form a continuous spiral structure having a cross-sectional profile that is nested, each panel having a planar surface that abuts against a planar surface of another panel.