Pallet assembly

Claim 2

A spacer for supporting packages of meat and the like, comprising: a plurality of first metal channel members extending in a first direction, each including a pair of first lateral flanges defining a common central plane and further including a first web spaced from said central plane; a plurality of second metal channel members extending in a direction substantially normal to said first direction, each including a pair of second lateral flanges located on said central plane and further including a second web spaced from said central plane opposite said first webs, said first and second lateral flanges engaging one another at a plurality of intersections on said central plane, said first and second channels forming multiple interconnected passageways for communicating conditioned air therethrough; said first and second webs including support surfaces defining opposing planes spaced on either side of said central plane for supporting packages of meat and the like placed thereagainst so that said packages and spacer do not undesirably sag as said meat is cooled to a desired temperature, said channels having a structural strength permitting layers of said packages to be alternatingly stacked with said spacers to form a multi-layered arrangement to facilitate cooling, stacking, transportation and handling of said packages of meat; and joining means for interconnecting said first and second lateral flanges at said plurality of intersections so as to form a rigid unit from said first and second channel members, said joining means including a, section of material from one of said lateral flanges which is deformably pressed through said central plane and also through the thickness of an aligned section of the other of said lateral flanges, said sections being clinched together after being pressed therethrough to form a secure interconnection therebetween.

Claim 3

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first channels are spaced apart from each other as needed so that said first webs are adapted to match several of the edges of said packages of meat when in said multi-layered arrangement so as to provide support to prevent undesirable sagging of said packages of meat while at the same time minimizing the number of said first channels used, and said second channels are similarly spaced.

Claim 4

The apparatus as set forth in claim 2 wherein said first and second channels have an identical hat-like cross-sectional shape, and said spacer being substantially entirely made up of said channels.

Claim 5

The apparatus as set forth in claim 3 wherein said spacer is rectangular and defines a perimeter having four corners formed by several of said flanges, said four corners being radiused to increase safety by eliminating sharp corners at said four corners.

Claim 6

The apparatus as set forth in claim 4 wherein said first and second lateral flanges each include an outer edge, each of said outer edges being folded back on itself substantially along its entire length to form a hem which eliminates sharp edges therealong, increases the stiffness therealong, and forms a grip that permits an operator to pull one of said spacers apart from said multi-layered arrangement of spacers and packages of meat after cooling.

Claim 7

The apparatus as set forth in claim 5 wherein said first and second channels are made of a sheet of metal of less than about 0.060 inch thickness to minimize weight and maximize thermal conductivity.

Claim 8

The apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said metal is aluminum chosen for its thermal conductivity, strength, cleanability, sanitizability, and corrosion resistance.

Claim 9

The apparatus as set forth in claim 7 wherein said aluminum is a series 3000 aluminum alloy chosen for its strength and workability.

Claim 10

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second channels have an identical hat-like cross-sectional shape said spacer being entirely made up of said channels.

Claim 11

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said spacer is rectangular and defines a perimeter having four corners formed by several of said flanges, said four corners being radiused to increase safety by eliminating sharp corners at said four corners.

Claim 12

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second lateral flanges each include an outer edge, each of said outer edges being folded back on itself substantially along its entire length to form a hem which eliminates sharp edges therealong, increases the stiffness therealong, and forms a grip that permits an operator to pull one of said spacers apart from said multi-layered arrangement of spacers and packages of meat after cooling.

Claim 13

The apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said first and second channels are made of a sheet of series 3000 aluminum alloy of less than about 0.040 inch thickness to minimize weight and maximize thermal conductivity.

Claim 14

The apparatus as set forth in claim 12 wherein said aluminum is type 3005 aluminum chosen for its strength and workability.

Claim 15

A spacer for supporting packages of meat and the like, comprising: a plurality of first metal channel members extending in a first direction, each including a pair of first lateral flanges defining a common central plane and further including a first web spaced from said central plane; a plurality of second metal channel members extending in a direction substantially normal to said first direction, each including a pair of second lateral flanges located on said central plane and further including a second web spaced from said central plane opposite said first webs, said first and second lateral flanges engaging one another at a plurality of intersections on said central plane, said first and second channels forming multiple interconnected passageways for communicating conditioned air therethrough; said first and second webs including support surfaces defining opposing planes spaced on either side of said central plane for supporting packages of meat and the like placed thereagainst so that said packages do not undesirably sag as said meat is cooled to a desired temperature, said channels having a structural strength permitting layers of said packages to be alternatingly stacked with said spacers to form a multi-layered arrangement to facilitate cooling, stacking, transportation and handling of said packages of meat; said first and second lateral flanges each including an outer edge that is folded back substantially along its entire length to form a hem that eliminates sharp edges therealong, increases the stiffness therealong, and forms a grip that permits an operator to pull one of said spacers apart from said multi-layered arrangement of spacers and packages of meat after cooling; and joining means for interconnecting said first and second later flanges at said plurality of intersections so as to form a rigid unit from said first and second channel members.

Claim 16

A spacer for supporting packages of meat and the like, comprising: a plurality of first metal channel members extending in a first direction, each including a pair of first lateral flanges defining a common central plane and further including a first web spaced from said central plane; a plurality of second metal channel members extending in a direction substantially normal to said first direction, each including a pair of second lateral flanges located on said central plane and further including a second web spaced from said central plane opposite said first webs, said first and second lateral flanges engaging one another at a plurality of intersections on said central plane, said first and second channels forming multiple interconnected passageways for communicating conditioned air therethrough; said first and second webs including support surfaces defining opposing planes spaced on either side of said central plane for supporting packages of meat and the like placed thereagainst so that said packages do not undesirably sag as said meat is cooled to a desired temperature, said channels having a structural strength permitting layers of said packages to be alternatingly stacked with said spacers to form a multi-layered arrangement to facilitate cooling, stacking, transportation and handling of said packages of meat; said first and second lateral flanges each including an outer edge that is folded back substantially along its entire length to form a hem that eliminates sharp edges therealong, increases the stiffness therealong, and forms a grip that permits an operator to pull one of said spacers apart from said multi-layered arrangement of spacers and packages of meat after cooling; and joining means for interconnecting said first and second later flanges at said plurality of intersections so as to form a rigid unit from said first and second channel members.

Claim 17

The apparatus as set forth in claim 14 wherein said outer edge is folded tightly against said lateral flange to minimize areas where meat particles, blood, and related products can be entrapped.

Claim 18

The apparatus as set forth in claim 15 wherein said spacer is rectangular and defines a perimeter having four corners formed by several of said flanges, said four corners being radiused to increase safety by eliminating sharp corners at said four corners.

Claim 19

The apparatus as set forth in claim 16 wherein said aluminum is a series 3000 aluminum alloy chosen for its strength and workability.

Claim 20

The apparatus as set forth in claim 17 wherein said first and second channels have an identical hat-like cross-sectional shape, said spacer being entirely made up of said channels.

Claim 21

A spacer for supporting packages of meat and the like, comprising: a plurality of first metal channel members extending in a first direction, each including a pair of first lateral flanges defining a common central plane and further including a first web spaced from said central plane; a plurality of second metal channel members extending in a direction substantially normal to said first direction, each including a pair of second lateral flanges located on said central plane and further including a second web spaced from said central plane opposite said first webs, said first and second lateral flanges engaging one another at a plurality of intersections on said central plane, said first and second channels forming multiple interconnected passageways for communicating conditioned air therethrough; said first and second webs including support surfaces defining opposing planes spaced on either side of said central plane for supporting packages of meat and the like placed thereagainst so that said packages do not undesirably sag as said meat is cooled to a desired temperature, said channels having a structural strength permitting layers of said packages to be alternatingly stacked with said spacers to form a multi-layered arrangement to facilitate cooling, stacking, transportation and handling of said packages of meat; joining means for interconnecting said first and second lateral flanges at said plurality of intersections so as to form a rigid unit from said first and second channel members; and said first and second channels having an identical and continuous cross-sectional shape and being roll-formed from aluminum alloy sheeting that is about 0.040 inch thick or less.

Claim 22

A spacer for supporting packages of meat and the like, comprising: a plurality of first metal channel members extending in a first direction, each including a pair of first lateral flanges defining a common central plane and further including a first web spaced from said central plane; a plurality of second metal channel members extending in a direction substantially normal to said first direction, each including a pair of second lateral flanges located on said central plane and further including a second web spaced from said central plane opposite said first webs, said first and second lateral flanges engaging one another at a plurality of intersections on said central plane, said first and second channels forming multiple interconnected passageways for communicating conditioned air therethrough; said first and second webs including support surfaces defining opposing planes spaced on either side of said central plane for supporting packages of meat and the like placed thereagainst so that said packages do not undesirably sag as said meat is cooled to a desired temperature, said channels having a structural strength permitting layers of said packages to be alternatingly stacked with said spacers to form a multi-layered arrangement to facilitate cooling, stacking, transportation and handling of said packages of meat; joining means for interconnecting said first and second lateral flanges at said plurality of intersections so as to form a rigid unit from said first and second channel members; and said first and second channels having an identical and continuous cross-sectional shape and being roll-formed from aluminum alloy sheeting that is about 0.040 inch thick or less.

Claim 23

The apparatus as set forth in claim 19 wherein said aluminum is a series 3000 aluminum selected for its strength, low weight, thermal conductivity, and for its ability to be cleaned and sanitized by conventional methods.

Claim 24

The apparatus as set forth in claim 20 wherein said aluminum is a 3005 aluminum chosen to optimize the strength of said joining means.

Claim 25

A spacer for supporting packages of meat and the like to be cooled, comprising: a plurality of first metal channel members extending in a first direction, each including a pair of first lateral flanges defining a common central plane and further including a first web spaced from said central plane; plurality of second metal channel members extending in a direction substantially normal to said first direction, each including a pair of second lateral flanges located on said central plane and further including a second web spaced from said central plane opposite said first webs, said first and second lateral flanges engaging one another at a plurality of intersections on said central plane, said first and second channels forming multiple interconnected passageways for communicating conditioned air therethrough, said first and second channels having an identical and continuous cross-sectional shape and being made from metal sheeting that is about 0.040 inch thick or less, said first and second members forming an open matrix that can be readily cleaned and sanitized by conventional methods; said first and second webs including support surfaces defining opposing planes spaced on either side of said central plane for supporting packages of meat and the like placed thereagainst so that said packages do not undesirably sag as said meat is cooled to a desired temperature, said channels having a structural strength permitting layers of said packages to be alternatingly stacked with said spacers to form a multi-layered arrangement to facilitate cooling, stacking, and handling of said packages of meat; said first and second lateral flanges each including an outer edge, each of said outer edges being folded back on itself substantially along its entire length to form a hem that eliminates sharp edges therealong, increases the stiffness therealong, and forms a grip that permits an operator to pull one of said spacers apart from said multi-layered arrangement of spacers and packages of meat after cooling, said lateral flanges further including ends with radiused corners to minimize sharp corners at the ends of said channels; and joining means for interconnecting said first and second lateral flanges at said plurality of intersections so as to form a rigid unit from said first and second channel members, said joining means including a section of material from one of said lateral flanges deformably pressed through said central plane and also through the thickness of an aligned section of the other of said lateral flanges, said sections being clinched together after being pressed therethrough to form a secure interconnection therebetween.

Claim 26

A spacer for supporting packages of meat and the like to be cooled, comprising: a plurality of first metal channel members extending in a first direction, each including a pair of first lateral flanges defining a common central plane and further including a first web spaced from said central plane; plurality of second metal channel members extending in a direction substantially normal to said first direction, each including a pair of second lateral flanges located on said central plane and further including a second web spaced from said central plane opposite said first webs, said first and second lateral flanges engaging one another at a plurality of intersections on said central plane, said first and second channels forming multiple interconnected passageways for communicating conditioned air therethrough, said first and second channels having an identical and continuous cross-sectional shape and being made from metal sheeting that is about 0.040 inch thick or less, said first and second members forming an open matrix that can be readily cleaned and sanitized by conventional methods; said first and second webs including support surfaces defining opposing planes spaced on either side of said central plane for supporting packages of meat and the like placed thereagainst so that said packages do not undesirably sag as said meat is cooled to a desired temperature, said channels having a structural strength permitting layers of said packages to be alternatingly stacked with said spacers to form a multi-layered arrangement to facilitate cooling, stacking, and handling of said packages of meat; said first and second lateral flanges each including an outer edge, each of said outer edges being folded back on itself substantially along its entire length to form a hem that eliminates sharp edges therealong, increases the stiffness therealong, and forms a grip that permits an operator to pull one of said spacers apart from said multi-layered arrangement of spacers and packages of meat after cooling, said lateral flanges further including ends with radiused corners to minimize sharp corners at the ends of said channels; and joining means for interconnecting said first and second lateral flanges at said plurality of intersections so as to form a rigid unit from said first and second channel members, said joining means including a section of material from one of said lateral flanges deformably pressed through said central plane and also through the thickness of an aligned section of the other of said lateral flanges, said sections being clinched together after being pressed therethrough to form a secure interconnection therebetween.