초록 ▼

A pallet for shipping and displaying of packaged goods wherein the pallet comprises a plurality of stacking feet joined together by angled ribs to substantially prevent or inhibit spreading of the stacking feet due to high weight loads, a plurality of handles that include handle-strengthening areas

A pallet for shipping and displaying of packaged goods wherein the pallet comprises a plurality of stacking feet joined together by angled ribs to substantially prevent or inhibit spreading of the stacking feet due to high weight loads, a plurality of handles that include handle-strengthening areas and finger recesses to increase the strength and lifting ergonomics of the pallet, and an angled surface on the bottom of the stacking feet to facilitate transporting of the loaded pallet from a distribution vehicle to a retail location over certain obstacles. Accordingly, the packaged goods can comprise beverage trays filled or partially filled with beverage bottles, or any good and/or raw material for sale and/or use in manufacturing.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A pallet for use in transporting packaged goods, comprising: a front side wall, a right side wall, a rear side wall, and a left side wall, the pallet having a central longitudinal axis running from the left side wall to the right side wall; a base configured to support the pa

What is claimed is: 1. A pallet for use in transporting packaged goods, comprising: a front side wall, a right side wall, a rear side wall, and a left side wall, the pallet having a central longitudinal axis running from the left side wall to the right side wall; a base configured to support the packaged goods, the base being joined to each of the front side wall, right side wall, rear side wall, and left side wall such that each side wall is orthogonal to the base, the base including an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being substantially planar, and the lower surface including a first set of ribs substantially perpendicular and adjacent to the central longitudinal axis of the pallet; and a plurality of pairs of stacking feet configured to support the base of the pallet, wherein each stacking foot in each pair of stacking feet is substantially equidistant from the central longitudinal axis of the pallet, and further wherein, each rib in the first set of ribs is configured to join a respective pair of stacking feet together to substantially inhibit the respective pair of stacking feet from spreading when the pallet rests upon the stacking feet, and still further wherein each stacking foot further includes: a lower step, wherein the lower step is located at a lower-most and outer-most portion of said each stacking foot, and wherein the lower step is configured to increase stability of the pallet by providing additional surface area to carry, and to increase a width of the at least one or more stacking feet of the pallet, said lower step having a longitudinal length between about 80 percent and about 100 percent of a longitudinal length of a flat bottom of said each foot; and an upper step located above said lower step on said outermost portion of said each stacking foot, and configured to provide further surface area to carry weight, said upper step having a longitudinal length substantially equal to the longitudinal length of said lower step. 2. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein for each pair of stacking feet, a first stacking foot is located on a first side of the central longitudinal axis, and a second stacking foot is located on a second side of the central longitudinal axis, and wherein, the first stacking foot and the second stacking foot are each located substantially equidistant from the central longitudinal axis of the pallet. 3. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the first set of ribs comprises a plurality of substantially V-shaped ribs, wherein each of the substantially V-shaped ribs forms a V-shaped angle. 4. The pallet according to claim 3, wherein the V-shaped angle formed by each of the substantially V-shaped ribs measures between about 70° and about 110° . 5. The pallet according to claim 3, wherein the V-shaped angle formed by each of the substantially V-shaped ribs measures between about 80° and about 100° . 6. The pallet according to claim 3, wherein the V-shaped angle formed by each of the substantially V-shaped ribs measures about 90° . 7. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of pairs of stacking feet comprises three pairs of stacking feet. 8. The pallet according to claim 1, further comprising: a plurality of handles configured to enable a user to grasp the pallet, wherein each of the handles is positioned on the base. 9. The pallet according to claim 8, wherein the plurality of handles comprises: a left side wall handle located adjacent to the left side wall and wherein the left side wall handle is substantially symmetrically placed about the central longitudinal axis; a right side wall handle located adjacent to the right side wall and wherein the right side wall handle is substantially symmetrically placed about the central longitudinal axis; a pair of front side wall handles located adjacent to the front side wall; and a pair of rear side wall handles located adjacent to the rear side wall, wherein, each handle in each of the pair of front side wall handles and rear side wall handles are located substantially equidistant from an orthogonal longitudinal axis, wherein, the orthogonal longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, and is substantially equidistant from the left side wall and the right side wall. 10. The pallet according to claim 9, wherein, each of the left side wall handles and the right side wall handles comprises a plurality of handle strengthening ribs configured to strengthen the left side wall and right side wall respectively. 11. The pallet according to claim 9, wherein each of the left side wall handle and right side wall handle further comprises a plurality of finger recesses located on the left side wall and right side wall, respectively. 12. The pallet according to claim 1, further comprising: a left ledge located on the upper surface of the base over the left side wall; and a right ledge located on the upper surface of the base over the right side wall, wherein, the right ledge and the left ledge are configured to substantially prevent one or more of the packaged goods from sliding off the pallet. 13. The pallet according to claim 12, wherein each of the left ledge and the right ledge comprises a raised portion of the upper surface of the base in a semi-circular shape with a radius between about 0.120 and about 0.6 inches. 14. The pallet according to claim 13, wherein each of the left ledge and the right ledge comprises a raised portion of the upper surface of the base in a semi-circular shape with a radius of about 0.5 inches. 15. The pallet according to claim 1, further comprising the packaged goods which comprise a plurality of beverage trays. 16. The pallet according to claim 15, wherein each of the plurality of beverage trays is filled with one or more beverage bottles. 17. The pallet according to claim 1, further comprising: one or more recesses located on the upper surface of the base; and a tacky material positioned within the one or more recesses, wherein the tacky material is configured to substantially prevent one or more of the packaged goods from sliding off the pallet. 18. The pallet according to claim 1, wherein the upper step is located at about halfway between the lower-most portion of the stacking foot and a lower surface of the base of the pallet, and further wherein the upper step is configured to provide a recess area for the lower step when an upper substantially similar pallet is stacked and nested on a lower pallet, such that about 50% of a height of the substantially similar upper pallet is nested within the lower pallet. 19. A pallet for use in transporting packaged goods, comprising: a front side wall, a right side wall, a rear side wall, and a left side wall, the pallet having a central longitudinal axis running from the left side wall to the right side wall; a base configured to support the packaged goods, the base being joined to each of the front side wall, right side wall, rear side wall, and left side wall such that each side wall is orthogonal to the base, the base including an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being substantially planar, and the lower surface including a first set of ribs substantially perpendicular and adjacent to the central longitudinal axis of the pallet; and a plurality of pairs of stacking feet configured to support the base of the pallet, wherein a first pair of stacking feet are located adjacent the left side wall, a second pair of stacking feet are located adjacent the right side wall, and a third pair of stacking feet are located between the first pair of stacking feet and second pair of stacking feet, and wherein each of the stacking feet in the first pair of stacking feet includes a substantially horizontal floor portion and an angled portion originating from the substantially horizontal floor portion, and wherein, the angled portion is formed at an angle in the range of about 5° to about 20° with respect to a plane of the substantially horizontal portion of the first pair of stacking feet, such that a plane of the angled portion of the first pair of stacking feet intersects a plane of the base of the pallet, and further wherein each of the stacking feet in the second pair of stacking feet includes a substantially horizontal floor portion and an angled portion originating from the substantially horizontal floor portion, wherein, the angled portion is formed at an angle in the range of about 10° to about 20° with respect to a plane of the substantially horizontal portion of the second pair of stacking feet, such that a plane of the angled portion of the second pair of stacking feet intersects a plane of the base of the pallet, and further wherein, the angled portions of each of the first pair of stacking feet and second stacking feet are configured to enable the pallet to be transported over an inclined ramp without substantially interfering with the inclined ramp, and still further wherein each stacking foot further includes: a lower step, wherein the lower step is located at a lower-most and outer-most portion of said each stacking foot, and wherein the lower step is configured to increase stability of the pallet by providing additional surface area to carry weight, and to increase a width of the at least one or more stacking feet of the pallet, said lower step having a longitudinal length between about 80 percent and about 100 percent of a longitudinal length of a flat bottom of said each foot; and an upper step located above said lower step on said outermost portion of said each stacking foot, and configured to provide further surface area to carry weight, said upper step having a longitudinal length substantially equal to the longitudinal length of said lower step. 20. The pallet according to claim 19, wherein the angled portion of both the first pair of stacking feet and second pair of stacking feet is formed at an angle of about 15° . 21. The pallet according to claim 19, further comprising the packaged goods which comprise a plurality of beverage trays. 22. The pallet according to claim 21, wherein each of the plurality of beverage trays is filled with one or more beverage bottles. 23. The pallet according to claim 19, further comprising: a plurality of handles configured to enable a user to grasp the pallet, wherein each of the handles is positioned on the base. 24. The pallet according to claim 23, wherein the plurality of handles comprises: a left side wall handle located adjacent to the left side wall and wherein the left side wall handle is substantially symmetrically placed about the central longitudinal axis; a right side wall handle located adjacent to the right side wall and wherein the right side wall handle is substantially symmetrically placed about the central longitudinal axis; a pair of front side wall handles located adjacent to the front side wall; and a pair of rear side wall handles located adjacent to the rear side wall, wherein, each handle in each of the pair of front side wall handles and rear side wall handles are located substantially equidistant from an orthogonal longitudinal axis, wherein, the orthogonal longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, and is substantially equidistant from the left side wall and the right side wall. 25. The pallet according to claim 24, wherein, each of the left side wall handles and the right side wall handles comprises a plurality of handle strengthening ribs configured to strengthen the left side wall and right side wall respectively. 26. The pallet according to claim 24, wherein each of the left side wall handle and right side wall handle further comprises a plurality of finger recesses located on the left side wall and right side wall, respectively. 27. The pallet according to claim 19, further comprising: a left ledge located on the upper surface of the base over the left side wall; and a right ledge located on the upper surface of the base over the right side wall, wherein, the right ledge and the left ledge are configured to substantially prevent one or more of the packaged goods from sliding off the pallet. 28. The pallet according to claim 27, wherein each of the left ledge and the right ledge comprises a raised portion of the upper surface of the base in a semi-circular shape with a radius between about 0.120 and about 0.6 inches. 29. The pallet according to claim 27, wherein each of the left ledge and the right ledge comprises a raised portion of the upper surface of the base in a semi-circular shape with a radius of about 0.5 inches. 30. The pallet according to claim 19, further comprising the packaged goods which comprise a plurality of beverage trays. 31. The pallet according to claim 30, wherein each of the plurality of beverage trays is filled with one or more beverage bottles. 32. The pallet according to claim 19, further comprising: one or more recesses located on the upper surface of the base; and a tacky material positioned within the one or more recesses, wherein the tacky material is configured to substantially prevent one or more of the packaged goods from sliding off the pallet. 33. The pallet according to claim 19, further comprising a substantially identical upper pallet, and wherein each stacking foot in each pair of stacking feet of each pallet comprises: an interior portion configured to accept a corresponding stacking foot from the upper pallet, when the upper pallet is stacked upon said pallet, and wherein the interior portion comprises a plurality of ribs configured to substantially prevent the corresponding stacking foot from the upper pallet from becoming wedged into the interior portions of each corresponding stacking foot of said pallet, and further wherein, the ribs in the first pair of stacking feet and the second pair of stacking feet substantially support the substantially horizontal floor portion and the angled portion of each of the corresponding stacking feet of the upper pallet, such that bending of the upper pallet is substantially prevented about the first pair of stacking feet and second pair of stacking feet of the upper pallet, thereby substantially preventing premature failure of the upper pallet. 34. The pallet according to claim 19, wherein the upper step is located at about halfway between the lower-most portion of the stacking foot and a lower surface of the base of the pallet, and further wherein the upper step is configured to provide a recess area for the lower step when an upper substantially similar pallet is stacked and nested on a lower pallet, such that about 50% of a height of the substantially similar upper pallet is nested within the lower pallet. 35. A pallet for use in transporting packaged goods, comprising: a front side wall, a right side wall, a rear side wall, and a left side wall, the pallet having a central longitudinal axis running from the left side wall to the right side wall; a base configured to support the packaged goods, the base being joined to each of the front side wall, right side wall, rear side wall, and left side wall such that each side wall is orthogonal to the base, the base including an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being substantially planar, and the lower surface including a first set of ribs substantially perpendicular and adjacent to the central longitudinal axis of the pallet; and a plurality of pairs of stacking feet configured to support the base of the pallet, wherein each stacking foot in each pair of stacking feet is substantially equidistant from the central longitudinal axis of the pallet, thereby forming a set of front side wall stacking feet and a set of rear side wall stacking feet, and still further wherein each stacking foot further includes: a lower step, wherein the lower step is located at a lower-most and outer-most portion of said each stacking foot, and wherein the lower step is configured to increase stability of the pallet by providing additional surface area to carry weight, and to increase a width of the said each stacking foot of the pallet, said lower step having a longitudinal length between about 80 percent and about 100 percent of a longitudinal length of a flat bottom of said each foot; and an upper step located above said lower step on said outermost portion of said each stacking foot, and configured to provide further surface area to carry weight, said upper step having a longitudinal length substantially equal to the longitudinal length of said lower step, and further wherein, the set of front side wall stacking feet are located at a predetermined distance from the front side wall, and the set of rear side wall stacking feet are located at a predetermined distance from the rear side wall, such that a first tine from a lifting device can be located adjacent the set of front side wall stacking feet, and a second tine from a lifting device can be located adjacent the set of rear side wall stacking feet, such that each of the first tine and the second tine is substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the pallet, thereby further enabling the pallet to be lifted by the first and second tines. 36. The pallet according to claim 35, wherein the front and rear side wall stacking feet are configured to, when the pallet is lifted, enable the pallet to be transported with substantial stability when loaded with the packaged goods. 37. The pallet according to claim 35, further comprising a plurality of handles configured to enable a user to grasp the pallet, wherein each of the handles is positioned on the base. 38. The pallet according to claim 37, wherein the plurality of handles comprises: a left side wall handle located adjacent to the left side wall and wherein the left side wall handle is substantially symmetrically placed about the central longitudinal axis; a right side wall handle located adjacent to the right side wall and wherein the right side wall handle is substantially symmetrically placed about the central longitudinal axis; a pair of front side wall handles located adjacent to the front side wall; and a pair of rear side wall handles located adjacent to the rear side wall, wherein, each handle in each of the pair of front side wall handles and rear side wall handles are located substantially equidistant from an orthogonal longitudinal axis, wherein, the orthogonal longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, and is substantially equidistant from the left side wall and the right side wall. 39. The pallet according to claim 38, wherein, each of the left side wall handles and the right side wall handles comprises a plurality of handle strengthening ribs configured to strengthen the left side wall and right side wall respectively. 40. The pallet according to claim 39, wherein each of the left side wall handle and right side wall handle further comprises a plurality of finger recesses located on the left side wall and right side wall, respectively. 41. The pallet according to claim 35, further comprising: a left ledge located on the upper surface of the base over the left side wall; and a right ledge located on the upper surface of the base over the right side wall, wherein, the right ledge and the left ledge are configured to substantially prevent one or more of the packaged goods from sliding off the pallet. 42. The pallet according to claim 41, wherein each of the left ledge and the right ledge comprises a raised portion of the upper surface of the base in a semi-circular shape with a radius between about 0.120 and about 0.6 inches. 43. The pallet according to claim 42, wherein each of the left ledge and the right ledge comprises a raised portion of the upper surface of the base in a semi-circular shape with a radius of about 0.5 inches. 44. The pallet according to claim 35, further comprising the packaged goods which comprise a plurality of beverage trays. 45. The pallet according to claim 42, wherein each of the plurality of beverage trays is filled with one or more beverage bottles. 46. The pallet according to claim 35, further comprising: one or more recesses located on the upper surface of the base; and a tacky material positioned within the one or more recesses, wherein the tacky material is configured to substantially prevent one or more of the packaged goods from sliding off the pallet. 47. The pallet according to claim 35, wherein the upper step is located at about halfway between the lower-most portion of the stacking foot and a lower surface of the base of the pallet, and further wherein the upper step is configured to provide a recess area for the lower step when an upper substantially similar pallet is stacked and nested on a lower pallet, such that about 50% of a height of the substantially similar upper pallet is nested within the lower pallet. 48. A pallet for use in transporting packaged goods, comprising: a front side wall, a right side wall, a rear side wall, and a left side wall, the pallet having a central longitudinal axis running from the left side wall to the right side wall; a base configured to support the packaged goods, the base being joined to each of the front side wall, right side wall, rear side wall, and left side wall such that each side wall is orthogonal to the base; a plurality of pairs of stacking feet configured to support the base of the pallet, wherein each stacking foot in each pair of stacking feet is substantially equidistant from the central longitudinal axis of the pallet, and still further wherein each stacking foot further includes: a lower step, wherein the lower step is located at a lower-most and outer-most portion of said each stacking foot, and wherein the lower step is configured to increase stability of the pallet by providing additional surface area to carry weight of packaged goods, and to increase a width of said each stacking foot of the pallet, said lower step having a longitudinal length between about 80 percent and about 100 percent of a longitudinal length of a flat bottom of said each foot; and an upper step located above said lower step on said outermost portion of said each stacking foot, and configured to provide further surface area to carry weight, said upper step having a longitudinal length substantially equal to the longitudinal length of said lower step, and further wherein, the base including an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being substantially planar, and the lower surface including: a first set of ribs substantially perpendicular and adjacent to the central longitudinal axis of the pallet, a second set of ribs located within an area defined by an outer perimeter of the plurality of pairs of stacking feet but not where the first set of ribs are located, and a third set of ribs located outside the area of the first and second set of ribs, wherein each of the ribs of the first and second set of ribs are taller than each of the ribs of the third set of ribs. 49. The pallet according to claim 48, wherein, the each of the ribs of the first and second set of ribs is configured to support more weight than if each of the ribs of the first and second ribs were about the same lower height as the third set of ribs. 50. The pallet according to claim 45, further comprising a plurality of handles configured to enable a user to grasp the pallet, wherein each of the handles is positioned on the base. 51. The pallet according to claim 50, wherein the plurality of handles comprises: a left side wall handle located adjacent to the left side wall and wherein the left side wall handle is substantially symmetrically placed about the central longitudinal axis; a right side wall handle located adjacent to the right side wall and wherein the right side wall handle is substantially symmetrically placed about the central longitudinal axis; a pair of front side wall handles located adjacent to the front side wall; and a pair of rear side wall handles located adjacent to the rear side wall, wherein each handle in each of the pair of front side wall handles and rear side wall handles are located substantially equidistant from an orthogonal longitudinal axis, wherein the orthogonal longitudinal axis is substantially perpendicular to the central longitudinal axis, and is substantially equidistant from the left side wall and the right side wall. 52. The pallet according to claim 51, wherein, each of the left side wall handles and the right side wall handles comprises a plurality of handle strengthening ribs configured to strengthen the left side wall and right side wall respectively. 53. The pallet according to claim 51, wherein each of the left side wall handle and right side wall handle further comprises a plurality of finger recesses located on the left side wall and right side wall, respectively. 54. The pallet according to claim 48, further comprising: a left ledge located on the upper surface of the base over the left side wall; and a right ledge located on the upper surface of the base over the right side wall, wherein, the right ledge and the left ledge are configured to substantially prevent one or more of the packaged goods from sliding off the pallet. 55. The pallet according to claim 54, wherein each of the left ledge and the right ledge comprises a raised portion of the upper surface of the base in a semi-circular shape with a radius between about 0.120 and about 0.6 inches. 56. The pallet according to claim 52, wherein each of the left ledge and the right ledge comprises a raised portion of the upper surface of the base in a semi-circular shape with a radius of about 0.5 inches. 57. The pallet according to claim 45, further comprising the packaged goods which comprise a plurality of beverage trays. 58. The pallet according to claim 54, wherein each of the plurality of beverage trays is filled with one or more beverage bottles. 59. The pallet according to claim 45, wherein the upper step is located at about halfway between the lower-most portion of the stacking foot and a lower surface of the base of the pallet, and further wherein the upper step is configured to provide a recess area for the lower step when an upper substantially similar pallet is stacked and nested on a lower pallet, such that about 50% of a height of the substantially similar upper pallet is nested within the lower pallet. 60. A method for transporting packaged goods on a pallet from a first location to a second location, the pallet comprising (i) a base including an upper surface and a lower surface, (ii) a front side wall, a right side wall, a rear side wall, and a left side wall, (iii) a plurality of handles, and (iv) a plurality of stacking feet, the pallet having a central longitudinal axis running between the left side wall and the right side wall, and wherein each of the plurality of stacking feet is substantially equidistant from the central longitudinal axis, and wherein the plurality of stacking feet includes (iva) a first pair of stacking feet located adjacent to the left side wall of the pallet, and (ivb) a second pair of stacking feet located adjacent the right side wall, and wherein each stacking foot of the first and second pair of stacking feet includes an angled portion, and still further wherein said each stacking foot includes a lower step located at a lower-most and outer-most portion of said each stacking foot, and wherein the lower step is configured to increase stability of the pallet by providing additional surface area to carry weight, and to increase a width of said each stacking foot of the pallet, said lower step having a longitudinal length between about 80 percent and about 100 percent of a longitudinal length of a flat bottom of said each foot; and an upper step located above said lower step on said outermost portion of said each stacking foot, and configured to provide further surface area to carry weight, said upper step having a longitudinal length substantially equal to the longitudinal length of said lower step, the method comprising: loading the packaged goods onto the pallet; positioning a first tine of a lifting mechanism adjacent to the left side wall and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis and positioning a second tine of a lifting mechanism adjacent to the right side wall and substantially parallel to the central longitudinal axis; lifting the loaded pallet using the lifting mechanism; and transporting the lifted loaded pallet from a first area to a second area by traversing an inclined ramp between the first and second areas, wherein the angled portions of the respective stacking feet enable the pallet to traverse the ramp in a substantially unimpeded manner. 61. The method according to claim 60, wherein the first area comprises a parking lot and the second area comprises one of a sidewalk and an interior floor of a retail store. 62. The method according to claim 60, wherein the step of positioning further comprises: positioning the first tine of the lifting mechanism adjacent to an outer wall of each of the plurality of stacking feet located adjacent to the left side wall; and positioning the second tine of the lifting mechanism adjacent to an outer wall of each of the plurality of stacking feet located adjacent to the right side wall. 63. The method according to claim 60, wherein the step of loading further comprises wrapping a material around the loaded pallet such that the pallet and the packed goods are held substantially together by the wrapped material. 64. The method according to claim 63, wherein the wrapping material comprises a plastic material that shrinks when exposed to elevated temperatures. 65. The method according to claim 60, further comprising strapping the packaged goods loaded onto the pallet with a strap that is attached to the pallet jack. 66. The method according to claim 65 wherein the strap comprises a retractable strap. 67. The method according to claim 60, wherein the upper step is located at about halfway between the lower-most portion of the stacking foot and a lower surface of the base of the pallet, and further wherein the upper step is configured to provide a recess area for the lower step when an upper substantially similar pallet is stacked and nested on a lower pallet, such that about 50% of a height of the substantially similar upper pallet is nested within the lower pallet. 68. A pallet for use in transporting packaged goods, comprising: a front side wall, a right side wall, a rear side wall, and a left side wall, the pallet having a central longitudinal axis running from the left side wall to the right side wall; a base configured to hold the packaged goods, the base being joined to each of the front side wall, right side wall, rear side wall, and left side wall such that each side wall is orthogonal to the base, the base including an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface being substantially planar, and the lower surface including a first set of ribs substantially perpendicular and adjacent to the central longitudinal axis of the pallet; and a plurality of pairs of stacking feet configured to support the base of the pallet, wherein each stacking foot in each pair of stacking feet is substantially equidistant from the central longitudinal axis of the pallet, and still further wherein said each stacking foot further includes: a lower step, wherein the lower step is located at a lower-most and outer-most portion of said each stacking foot, and wherein the lower step is configured to increase stability of the pallet by providing additional surface area to carry weight, and to increase a width of said each stacking foot of the pallet, said lower step having a longitudinal length between about 80 percent and about 100 percent of a longitudinal length of a flat bottom of said each foot; and an upper step located above said lower step on said outermost portion of said each stacking foot, and configured to provide further surface area to carry weight, said upper step having a longitudinal length substantially equal to the longitudinal length of said lower step, and further wherein each rib in the first set of ribs is configured to join a respective pair of stacking feet together to substantially inhibit the respective pair of stacking feet from spreading when the pallet rests upon the stacking feet. 69. The pallet according to claim 68, wherein the upper step is located at about halfway between the lower-most portion of the stacking foot and a lower surface of the base of the pallet, and further wherein the upper step is configured to provide a recess area for the lower step when an upper substantially similar pallet is stacked and nested on a lower pallet, such that about 50% of a height of the substantially similar upper pallet is nested within the lower pallet.