HORIZONTAL KEG PALLET

BACKGROUND

[0001]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.

SUMMARY

[0002]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.

[0003]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.

[0004]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.

[0005]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.

[0006]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.

[0007]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.

[0008]In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the fifth radius is equal to the first radius.

[0009]In some aspects, the techniques described herein relate to a pallet assembly wherein the pallet is a half pallet.

[0010]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).

[0011]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.

[0012]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.

[0013]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.

[0014]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.

[0015]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.

[0016]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.

[0017]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.

[0018]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.

[0019]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.

[0020]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.

[0021]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.

[0022]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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 is an exploded upper perspective view of a pallet assembly according to a first embodiment.

[0024]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one half of the interlock panel.

[0025]FIG. 2A is a section view taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 1.

[0026]FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the interlock panel.

[0027]FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the interlock panel on the pallet.

[0028]FIG. 4 is a top view of the pallet assembly of FIG. 3.

[0029]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pallet assembly with three half barrel straight kegs received thereon.

[0030]FIG. 5A is a section view taken along lines 5A-5A of FIG. 5.

[0031]FIG. 6 is a top view of the pallet assembly and half barrel straight kegs of FIG. 5.

[0032]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pallet assembly of FIG. 3 with three quarter barrel kegs received thereon.

[0033]FIG. 7A is a section view taken along line 7A-7A of FIG. 7.

[0034]FIG. 8 is a top view of the pallet assembly and quarter barrel kegs of FIG. 7.

[0035]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pallet assembly with five sixth barrel kegs received thereon.

[0036]FIG. 9A is a section view taken along line 9A-9A of FIG. 9.

[0037]FIG. 10 is an upper perspective view of the pallet assembly with three quarter barrel kegs received thereon and a keg interlock stacker board stacked on the quarter barrel kegs.

[0038]FIG. 11 is a side view of the pallet assembly, kegs, and keg interlock stacker board of FIG. 10.

[0039]FIG. 12 shows the pallet assembly of FIG. 3 with three half barrel belly kegs received thereon, the keg interlock stacker board stacked on the kegs, and another three half barrel belly kegs received on the keg interlock stacker board.

[0040]FIG. 13 shows the keg interlock stacker board stacked on three half barrel belly kegs and five half barrel kegs received on the keg interlock stacker board.

[0041]FIG. 14 shows the pallet assembly of FIG. 3 with three half barrel belly kegs received thereon and five sixth barrel kegs stacked on the keg interlock stacker board.

[0042]FIG. 15 is a side view of three half barrel straight kegs on the pallet assembly and a keg interlock stacker board with three sixth barrel kegs and a half barrel straight keg stacked thereon.

[0043]FIG. 16 shows three sixth barrel kegs on the pallet assembly of FIG. 3 and five sixth barrel kegs on the keg interlock stacker board.

[0044]FIG. 17 shows three quarter barrel kegs on the pallet assembly of FIG. 3 and five sixth barrel kegs on the keg interlock stacker board.

[0045]FIG. 18 shows three quarter barrel kegs on the pallet assembly of FIG. 3 and five quarter barrel kegs on the keg interlock stacker board.

[0046]FIG. 19 a side view of three half barrel straight kegs on the pallet assembly of FIG. 3 and the keg interlock stacker board stacked thereon.

[0047]FIG. 20 shows a keg interlock stacker board according to another embodiment stacked on three half barrel belly kegs received on the pallet assembly of FIG. 3.

[0048]FIG. 21 is a bottom perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 20.

[0049]FIG. 22 shows a keg interlock stacker board according to another embodiment stacked on three half barrel belly kegs received on the pallet assembly of FIG. 3.

[0050]FIG. 22A is a section view taken along line 22A-22A of FIG. 22.

[0051]FIG. 23 is a bottom perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 22.

[0052]FIG. 24 shows the pallet assembly of FIG. 3 with an identical pallet assembly nested thereon.

[0053]FIG. 25 is a side view of the stacked pallet assemblies of FIG. 24.

[0054]FIG. 26 is an end view of the stacked pallet assemblies of FIG. 24.

[0055]FIG. 27 is a side view of the pallet assembly of FIG. 3 with the keg interlock stacker board stacked thereon.

[0056]FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the pallet assembly and keg interlock stacker board of FIG. 27.

[0057]FIG. 29 is a side view of the keg interlock stacker board of FIG. 22.

[0058]FIG. 30 is an end view of the keg interlock stacker board of FIG. 22.

[0059]FIG. 31 is a top view of the keg interlock stacker board of FIG. 22.

[0060]FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the keg interlock stacker board of FIG. 22.

[0061]FIG. 32A is a section view taken along line 32A-32A of FIG. 32.

[0062]FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective view of the keg interlock stacker board of FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063]FIG. 1 is an exploded upper perspective view of a pallet assembly 10 according to a first embodiment. The pallet assembly 10 includes a pallet 12 and an interlock panel 14, each of which may be molded as a separate, single piece of plastic. The pallet 12 and the interlock panel 14 may 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 pallet 12 and the interlock panel 14). Preferably, but not essentially, the pallet 12 and interlock panel 14 are detachably secured to one another, so that the pallet 12 could be used without the interlock panel 14 at times.

[0064]The pallet 12 is integrally molded as a single piece of plastic, such as by injection molding. Pallet 12 includes a deck 16 having an upper planar portion defining an upper support surface upon which goods can be supported. Feet 18 or columns project downward from the deck 16 to support the deck 16 above the floor. Openings 20 are formed in the upper planar portion of the deck 16 above each of the feet 18. The openings 20 can receive the feet 18 of an identical pallet 12 stacked thereon and partially received in the deck 16 for stability. The deck 16 further includes a peripheral wall 17 extending downward from a periphery of the upper planar portion.

[0065]The example pallet 12 shown is a half pallet. The half pallet implementation facilitates moving the loaded pallet assembly 10 into a store; however, most features described herein could also be used with a full-size pallet. If the pallet assembly 10 is 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 openings 22 may be formed through the deck 16 as shown.

[0066]The interlock panel 14 includes a pair of side portions 24 and a pair of end portions 26 forming a generally rectangular body portion configured to fit on top of the deck 16 of the pallet 12. Each side portion 24 includes a center support 30 between a pair of intermediate supports 28. Each side portion 24 further includes two outer supports 40 outward of the two intermediate supports 28.

[0067]One outer support 40 is between one intermediate support 28 and one end portion 26. The center support 30 is between the two intermediate supports 28. The other outer support 40 is between the other intermediate support 28 and the other end portion 26.

[0068]The center support 30 and outer supports 40 are wider than the intermediate supports 28. A large recessed area (which could be a large opening) is defined between the center support 30 of one of the side portions 24 and the center support 30 of the other of the side portions 24. Large recessed areas (which could be large openings) are defined between the outer supports 40 of one of the side portions 24 and the outer supports 40 of the other of the side portions 24. Handle access openings 38 are formed through each of the two intermediate supports 28 and are configured to align with the handle openings 22 of the pallet 12.

[0069]FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of one half of the interlock panel 14. The other half is symmetrical. As shown, each side portion 24 includes the center support 30 between the two intermediate supports 28 and the two outer supports 40 outward of the two intermediate supports 28. A peripheral wall 32 extends upward and closes each end of each outer support 40, the center support 30 and each intermediate support 28.

[0070]FIG. 2A is a section view taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 1. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 2A, The center support 30 is a concave surface having a first area 34 between two second areas 36. The first area 34 is a concave surface having a first radius R₁ from an axis A₁ extending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel 14. The two second areas 36 are concave surfaces defined by a second radius R₂ from a single axis A₂ extending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel 14. The second radius is larger than the first radius.

[0071]Each outer support 40 includes a third area 44, which is a concave surface with a third radius R₃ from a third axis A₃ extending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel 14. The third radius is equal to the first radius of the center support 30. Each outer support 40 includes a fourth area 46 which is a concave surface defined by a fourth radius R₄ from a fourth axis A₄ extending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel 14. The fourth area 46 is inward of the third area 44. The fourth area 46 and third area 44 form a contiguous concavity. The fourth radius is equal to the second radius of the center support 30, and the fourth radius is larger than the third radius.

[0072]Each of the intermediate supports 28 has a fifth area. The fifth area is a concave surface defined by a fifth radius R₅ from a fifth axis A₅ extending parallel to the ends of the interlock panel 14. The fifth radius of the two intermediate supports 28 is equal to the first radius of the first area 34 and the third area 44.

[0073]FIG. 2B is a bottom perspective view of the interlock panel 14. The peripheral wall 32 projects downward at an outer periphery thereof. The underside of the interlock panel 14 may be flat as shown or include intersecting ribs projecting downward from the upper surface of the interlock panel 14 to free ends forming a common plane. The peripheral wall 32 projects downward further to define a recess in which the deck 16 of the pallet 12 can be received.

[0074]FIG. 3 is an upper perspective view of the interlock panel 14 on the pallet 12. The peripheral wall 32 of the interlock panel 14 partially receives the deck 16 of the pallet 12 therein to retain the deck 16 on the pallet 12.

[0075]FIG. 4 is a top view of the pallet assembly 10 showing the arrangements of the center support 30, the outer supports 40, and the two intermediate supports 28. Indicia formed on each indicate the keg size(s) to be accommodated thereon (e.g. “½,” “¼,” “⅙”).

[0076]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the pallet assembly 10 with a half barrel straight keg 50 received in a horizontal orientation in each of the center support 30 and the outer supports 40 of the interlock panel 14.

[0077]The pallet assembly 10 and three half barrel straight kegs 50 could 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 12) or on the end fork tine openings (on the short side of the pallet 12). The pallet assembly 10 and three half barrel straight kegs 50 are 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 12, so that the pallet assembly 10 is easier to maneuver in the store. The three half barrel straight kegs 50 may be left in the store on the pallet assembly 10 or removed from the pallet assembly 10 at the store by the driver so that the pallet assembly 10 can 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 assembly 10 and kegs (of any size) directly into the store.

[0078]FIG. 5A is a section view taken along lines 5A-5A of FIG. 5. As shown, the half barrel straight kegs 50 are received in the fourth areas 46 of the two intermediate supports 28 and the second areas 36 of the center support 30. The half barrel straight kegs 50 are retained at their axial ends by the peripheral wall 32.

[0079]FIG. 6 is a top view of the pallet assembly 10 and half barrel straight kegs 50 of FIG. 5. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, each half barrel straight keg 50 includes upper and lower rings 52 which are received on the center support 30 and the outer supports 40. In particular, the upper and lower rings 52 are supported on the fourth area 46 of the outer supports 40 and the second areas 36 of the center support 30 because the half barrel straight keg 50 has a large radius. The radius of the half barrel straight keg 50 may be the same or approximately the same as the second radius of the second areas 36 and fourth area 46.

[0080]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the pallet assembly 10 with a quarter barrel keg 60 received in a horizontal orientation in the center support 30 and the outer supports 40 of the interlock panel 14. FIG. 7A is a section view taken along line 7A-7A of FIG. 7. As shown, the quarter barrel kegs 60 are received in the third area 44 of each of the outer supports 40 and the first area 34 of the center support 30. Again, the quarter barrel kegs 60 are retained at axial ends by the peripheral wall 32.

[0081]FIG. 8 is a top view of the pallet assembly 10 and quarter barrel kegs 60 of FIG. 7. Each quarter barrel keg 60 includes upper and lower rings 62 which are received on the center support 30 and the outer supports 40. In particular, the upper and lower rings 62 are supported on the first area 34 of the center support 30 and the third area 44 of the outer supports 40. The radius of the quarter barrel keg 60 may be the same or approximately the same as the first radius of the first area 34 of the center support 30 and the third area 44 of the outer supports 40. Again, the pallet assembly 10 can bring the three quarter barrel kegs 60 all the way from the distribution center to the store as described above.

[0082]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the pallet assembly 10 with a sixth barrel keg 70 received in a horizontal orientation in each of the center support 30, the outer supports 40, and the two intermediate supports 28 of the interlock panel 14. Each sixth barrel keg 70 includes upper and lower rings 72 which are received on the center support 30, the outer supports 40 and the two intermediate supports 28.

[0083]FIG. 9A is a section view taken along line 9A-9A of FIG. 9. In particular, the upper and lower rings 72 are supported on the first area 34 of the center support 30, the third area 44 of each outer supports 40, and the two intermediate supports 28 because the sixth barrel keg 70 has a small radius. The radius of the sixth barrel keg 70 may be the same or approximately the same as the first radius of the first area 34 and the third area 44. The sixth barrel kegs 70 are retained at axial ends by the peripheral wall 32. Again, the pallet assembly 10 can bring the five sixth barrel kegs 70 all the way from the distribution center to the store as described above.

[0084]FIGS. 10 and 11 show the pallet assembly 10 with three quarter barrel kegs 60 loaded thereon and a two-sided interlock panel 114 stacked on the quarter barrel kegs 60. The two-sided interlock panel 114 has a pair of spaced apart side portions 124 and a pair of spaced apart end portions 126. The upper surface of the two-sided interlock panel 114 is the same as the upper surface of the interlock panel 14. The bottom surface of the two-sided interlock panel 114 is identical to the upper surface of the two-sided interlock panel 114.

[0085]The spaced apart side portions 124 of the two-sided interlock panel 114 include a center support 130, which may be identical to the center support 30 of the interlock panel 14 and includes a first area 134 which is a concave surface defined by the first radius from a first axis parallel to the ends of the two-sided interlock panel 114 and two second areas 136 which are concave surfaces defined by the second radius from a second axis parallel to the ends of the two-sided interlock panel 114. The first area 134 is between the second areas 136.

[0086]Outer supports 140 each include a third area 144 which is a concave surface defined by a third radius from a third axis extending parallel to the ends of the two-sided interlock panel 114. The third radius is equal to the first radius of the center support 130. The outer supports 140 further each include a fourth area 146 which is a concave surface defined by a fourth radius from a fourth axis extending parallel to the ends of the two-sided interlock panel 114. The fourth areas 146 are between the third area 144. The fourth areas 146 and third area 144 form a contiguous concavity. The fourth radius is equal to the second radius of the center support 130. The fourth radius is larger than the third radius. The fourth radius of the outer supports 140 is the same as the second radius of the center support 130.

[0087]Two intermediate supports 128 each 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 114. The fifth radius of the two intermediate supports 128 is equal to the first radius of the first area 134 and the third area 144.

[0088]A peripheral wall 132 extends upward adjacent each axial end of the center support 130, intermediate supports 128, and outer supports 140.

[0089]The two-sided interlock panel 114 has identical upper and lower surfaces, such that the lower half of the two-sided interlock panel 114 can interlock on the quarter barrel kegs 60 as shown (or on the half barrel straight kegs 50 or on the sixth barrel kegs 70 or on the three half barrel belly kegs 54). The two-sided interlock panel 114 can also be reversed (flipped).

[0090]FIG. 12 shows the pallet assembly 10 with three half barrel belly kegs 54 stacked thereon. The belly keg 54 has 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 keg 54 also 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 kegs 54 are received in recesses between the side portions 24 of the interlock panel 14 and between the spaced apart side portions 124 of the two-sided interlock panel 114 (i.e. on the upper and lower surfaces of the two-sided interlock panel 114).

[0091]The two-sided interlock panel 114 is stacked on the three half barrel belly kegs 54 and three more half barrel belly kegs 54 are stacked on the on the two-sided interlock panel 114. As with the half barrel straight kegs 50, the half barrel belly kegs 54 are supported on second areas 36 and fourth areas 46 of the interlock panel 14 and on the second area 136 and fourth areas 146 of the two-sided interlock panel 114. Also, the second area 136 and fourth areas 146 of the lower half of the two-sided interlock panel 114 are supported on the half barrel belly kegs 54 on the pallet assembly 10. The interlock panel 14 and two-sided interlock panel 114 ensure that the half barrel belly kegs 54 are stable on the pallet 12.

[0092]It should be noted that the two-sided interlock panel 114 can be stably stacked on, or have stacked thereon, any of three half barrel straight kegs 50, three half barrel belly kegs 54, three quarter barrel kegs 60 or five sixth barrel kegs 70.

[0093]FIG. 13 shows the two-sided interlock panel 114 stacked on three half barrel straight kegs 50. Three quarter barrel kegs 60 are stacked on the two-sided interlock panel 114 and then two more quarter barrel kegs 60 are stacked on the three quarter barrel kegs 60.

[0094]As shown in FIG. 14, five sixth barrel kegs 70 could be stacked on the two-sided interlock panel 114 in a similar way.

[0095]FIG. 15 is a side view of three half barrel straight kegs 50 on the pallet assembly 10. The two-sided interlock panel 114 is stacked on the three half barrel straight kegs 50. Three sixth barrel kegs 70 are received on one of the outer supports 140, one of the intermediate supports 128, and the center support 130. A half barrel straight keg 50 is received on the other of the outer supports 140.

[0096]FIG. 16 shows three sixth barrel kegs 70 on the interlock panel 14 and five sixth barrel kegs 70 on the two-sided interlock panel 114.

[0097]FIG. 17 shows three quarter barrel kegs 60 on the interlock panel 14 and five sixth barrel kegs 70 on the two-sided interlock panel 114.

[0098]FIG. 18 shows three quarter barrel kegs 60 on the interlock panel 14 and five quarter barrel kegs 60 on the two-sided interlock panel 114.

[0099]FIG. 19 a side view of three half barrel straight kegs 50 stacked on the interlock panel 14 on the pallet 12. A two-sided interlock panel 114 is stacked on the three half barrel straight kegs 50.

[0100]FIGS. 20 and 21 show a interlock panel 214 according to another embodiment. The interlock panel 214 includes a flat upper support surface which can support other items, such as boxes or packages 80. The packages 80 could be packages of beverage containers, such as cases of beer. This permits packages 80 of beverages to be delivered together with the kegs. The lower surface is identical to that of the two-sided interlock panel 114. In FIGS. 20 and 21, the interlock panel 214 is stacked on three half barrel belly kegs 54 on the pallet assembly 10, but it could also be stacked on three half barrel straight kegs 50, three quarter barrel kegs 60, or five sixth barrel kegs 70, similar to the two-sided interlock panel 114.

[0101]FIGS. 22 and 23 show a interlock panel 314 according to another embodiment. FIG. 22A is a section view taken along line 22A-22A of FIG. 22. The interlock panel 314 again includes a flat upper support surface that can be used to support packages 80 thereon. The packages 80 could be packages of beverage containers, such as cases of beer. This permits packages 80 of beverages to be delivered together with the kegs. The interlock panel 314 also includes a lower surface with concave recesses for receiving the upper surfaces of the three half barrel belly kegs 54 (or three half barrel straight kegs 50, or three quarter barrel kegs 60, or five sixth barrel kegs 70). The lower surface of the interlock panel 314 also includes a pair of tine openings 329. Packages 80 can be stacked on the upper surface of the interlock panel 314. The interlock panel 314 can be lifted from the three half barrel belly kegs 54 or from the floor by fork tines inserted into the tine openings 329. The interlock panel 314 could also be stacked on top of kegs that are supported on the two-sided interlock panel 114 (e.g. FIG. 12).

[0102]As shown in FIGS. 24-26, the pallet assemblies 10 can be stacked in the same way that the pallets 12 would be stacked, with the feet 18 of the upper pallet 12 received through the interlock panel 14 and into the openings 20 of the lower pallet 12. This reduces the overall height of a stack of pallet assemblies 10.

[0103]As shown in FIGS. 27 and 28, the two-sided interlock panel 114 can be stacked on the empty pallet assembly 10 with the interlocking projections of the two-sided interlock panel 114 and pallet assembly 10 interlocking with one another to provide a stable stack.

[0104]FIG. 29 is a side view of the interlock panel 314 of FIGS. 22 and 23. The tine openings 329 extend through the interlock panel 314. FIG. 30 is an end view of the interlock panel 314. FIG. 31 is a top view of the interlock panel 314. The upper surface is flat for supporting packages or other objects thereon.

[0105]FIG. 32 is a bottom view of the interlock panel 314. FIG. 32A is a section view taken along line 32A-32A of FIG. 32. The interlock panel 314 includes a center support 330 and two outer supports 340. The center support 330 is concave and the two outer supports 340 are concave for receiving the upper surfaces of the three half barrel belly kegs 54 (or three half barrel straight kegs 50 or three quarter barrel kegs 60). FIG. 33 is a bottom perspective view of the interlock panel 314.

[0106]In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes and jurisprudence, exemplary configurations described above are considered to represent a preferred embodiment of the invention. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope.