Method for assembling a foldably constructed pallet

Abstract

A method of assembling a pallet using a machine includes folding a first portion of a pallet support column to define a vertical support structure. The method further includes folding a second portion of the pallet support column to engage the vertical support structure. The method further includes gluing at least a portion of the second portion to the first portion. The method further includes coupling the pallet support column to at least one of a bottom member or a top member of the pallet.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of assembling a pallet, the method comprising:
 positioning a support column on an interior surface of a bottom blank;   folding a first wall of a first support structure of the bottom blank to engage the support column;   folding a first flap of the first support structure relative to the first wall to engage the support column, such that the first support structure wraps around a first corner of the support column; and   gluing each of the first wall and the first flap to the support column.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 folding a second wall of a second support structure of the bottom blank to engage the support column;   folding a second flap of the second support structure relative to the second wall to engage the support column, such that the second support structure wraps around a second corner of the support column; and   gluing each of the second wall and the second flap to the support column.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first corner and the second corner are adjacent corners of the support column. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the first flap and the second flap engage a same side of the support column. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 folding an outer flap of the bottom blank along a perimeter of the interior surface to engage the support column; and   gluing the outer flap to the support column.   
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the folding the first wall comprises folding the first wall to extend perpendicularly from the interior surface when folded. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the folding the first flap comprises folding the first flap to extend perpendicularly from the first wall when folded. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 folding a second flap of the first support structure relative to the first wall to engage the support column, such that the first support structure wraps around the first corner and a second corner of the support column; and   gluing the second flap to the support column.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first wall is pivotably connected to the interior surface. 
     
     
         10 . A method of assembling a pallet, the method comprising:
 positioning a support column on an interior surface of a pallet blank;   folding an outer flap of the bottom blank to engage the support column;   folding a first wall of a first support structure of the pallet blank to engage the support column;   folding a first flap of the first support structure relative to the first wall to engage the support column, such that the first support structure wraps around a first corner of the support column;   gluing each of the outer flap, the first wall, and the first flap to the support column.   
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the outer flap, the first wall, and the first flap engage a first, second, and third side of the support column. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 folding a second flap of the first support structure relative to the first wall to engage the support column, such that the first support structure wraps around the first corner and a second corner of the support column; and   gluing the second flap to the support column.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 folding a second wall of a second support structure of the bottom blank to engage the support column;   folding a second flap of the second support structure relative to the second wall to engage the support column, such that the second support structure wraps around a second corner of the support column; and   gluing each of the second wall and the second flap to the support column.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein:
 the outer flap engages a first side of the support column;   the first wall engages a second side of the support column;   the second wall engages a third side of the support column; and   the first flap and the second flap engage a fourth side of the support column.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein:
 the folding the outer flap comprises folding the outer flap along an outer perimeter of the interior surface   the folding the first wall comprises folding the first wall along an inner perimeter of the interior surface.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 positioning a second support column on the interior surface of the pallet blank;   folding a second outer flap of the bottom blank to engage the second support column;   folding a second wall of a second support structure of the pallet blank to engage the second support column;   folding a second flap of the second support structure relative to the second wall to engage the second support column, such that the second support structure wraps around a second corner of the second support column;   gluing each of the second outer flap, the second wall, and the second flap to the second support column.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the pallet blank is a bottom blank. 
     
     
         18 . A method of assembling a pallet, the method comprising:
 positioning a support column on an interior surface of a bottom blank;   folding a first wall of a first support structure of the bottom blank to engage the support column;   folding a first flap of the first support structure relative to the first wall to engage the support column, such that the first support structure wraps around a first corner of the support column;   folding a second flap of the first support structure relative to the first wall to engage the support column, such that the first support structure wraps around a second corner of the support column; and   gluing each of the first wall, the first flap, and the second flap to the support column.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 18 , further comprising:
 folding a second wall of a second support structure of the bottom blank to engage the support column;   folding a third flap of the second support structure relative to the second wall to engage the support column, such that the second support structure wraps around a third corner of the support column;   folding a fourth flap of the second support structure relative to the second wall to engage the support column, such that the second support structure wraps around a fourth corner of the support column; and   gluing at least one of the second wall, the third flap, and the fourth flap to the support column.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the gluing at least one of the second wall, the third flap, and the fourth flap comprises gluing the second wall, the third flap, and the fourth flap to the support column.