Terminology
Assembled - A container is to be provided to the requester before the container is closed.
Annular Nail - Pallet nail with annular (circular ring) threads rolled onto the shank.
Assembly Fastener - A fastener such as a staple, nail or bolt, or a less conventional fastener that is used to complete the Assembly Process. Most often, Assembly Fasteners are not intended to be removed except in the event of rebuilding or repairing the container.
Assembly Process - The process of fastening various Panels together and/or fastening panels to the Base before and in preparation of loading Content into the container. Typically the last phase completed in a manufacturing plant if the container is to be shipped elsewhere before the Closure Process will occur.
Average Classification - Requires the oversight of a Packaging Engineer. A Packaging Engineer may be required to create and should verify the Design on behalf of the manufacturer.
Banding Notch - See Strap Slot
Base - The lower portion of the container on which the Content rests. Primarily comprised of the Deck and the Lower Assembly.
Batten Cleat - A Cleat primarily used to provide rigidity to lumber sheathed panels. Batten Cleats are oriented perpendicular to the lumber sheathing. Batten Cleat quantity and placement are controlled by Rules. See also: Rules.
Bin - Four-sided superstructure to be mounted on a pallet base, with or without a cover; also known as a box or container bin pallet.
Block Pallet - A type of pallet with blocks between the pallet decks or beneath the top deck.
Block -Rectangular, square or cylindrical deck spacer, often identified by its location within the pallet as corner block, end block, edge block, inner block, center or middle blocks.
Bottom Deck - Assembly of deckboards comprising the lower, load bearing surface of the pallet.
Butted Deckboard - An inner deckboard placed tightly against an adjacent lead deckboard during pallet assembly.
CAD - Computer-aided-design software that allows the design of the "right" pallet at the best value; see Pallet Design System© (PDS©)
Camouflage Classification - A painted finish should be applied as indicated by separate notation.
Cap - The five Panels (top, sides and ends) collectively. Explicitly excluding the Base.
Captive Pallet - A pallet intended for use within the confines of a single facility, system or ownership; not intended to be exchanged.
Chamfered Deckboards - Deckboards with edges of one or two faces beveled, either along the full or specified length of board or between the stringers of blocks, allowing easier entry of pallet jack wheels.
Classifications - The classifications listed here should not be confused with those used in published standards. Many standards have their own use of classifications. These classification options are being proposed to the industry as other uses of the terms are expected to
be changed and standardized.
Cleat - A plank material used to provide support to a container. Most commonly comprised of a single wood lumber but may be made from processed or synthetic materials.
Cleat Arrangement - A series of Support Cleats that span an Unsupported Area. May be divided by Support Cleats arranged perpendicularly or angularly to the subject arrangement.
Cleat Orientation - The direction a Cleat lays in reference to the container (not in reference to the panel).
Cleat Sequence - The sequence in which cleats are applied in relation to orientation of the subject cleat to other cleats.
Closed - The final process performed by the manufacturer of the container is the Closure Process. The Packing Process will not be performed by the manufacturer if the customer did not provide the manufacturer with Content, in which case any packing Materials that are included in the design will be delivered with the container.
Closed distribution system - Shipping system restricted to moving goods between specified plants and facilities.
Closed Panel - A panel that is comprised of solid or near solid sheathing and is not an Open Panel.
Closure Condition - Indicates the point at which the Assembly Process is completed. The panels that are not fastened to the majority of other panels are those that will be fastened to the Assembly during the Closure Process.
Closure Fastener - A fastener that may or may not be the same as an Assembly Fastener and is used to close a container after the Packing Process is complete. The closure fasteners used are often selected because of their reusability or because they facilitate easy opening of the container at the containers shipping destination.
Closure Process - The process of attaching any panels together and/or fastening panels to the Base after the Packing Process. After the Closure Process, the container is ready for transporting.
CO - Cap Off - The Cap is assembled separately from the base and is unattached or has been attached using a fastener that is different from the Assembly Fastener. Usually used to indicate how the Content will be loaded or unloaded from the container.
Collar - A framing structure that is placed around the sides and ends of the container and extending above the natural top to facilitate stable stacking of multiple containers.
Complexity - Provided to guide in the construction of the container and in identifying packing needs. If no Complexity Type is specified, the Complexity Type shall be Easy.
Component - One or more Material items of exact similarity in size, weight and composition to each other, that is a part of a container.
Component Dimensions - Dimensions of a Component
Component Length - Greatest of the remaining two dimensions after considering Component Thickness.
Component Thickness - Dimension as measured from inside to outside the container and measured from the Panel or Deck of which the Component is affixed to.
Component Width - Least of the remaining two dimensions after considering Component Thickness.
Construction Process - The process of attaching components to each other to result in a Panel or Base.
Content - An item or collection of items to be contained within the container or for which the container will be built. If more than one item of the same or of different description are intended to go into one container, those items will collectively be termed the Content and will be referred to singularly.
Content Dimensions - Measured as a product is oriented as it is intended to be packed within a container.
Content Height - The distance of a products surface from the lowest point to the highest point vertically. Also known as CDH.
Content Length - Greatest of the horizontal surface distances from left-to-right including any protrusions from a primary surface. Also known as CDL.
Content Width - Lesser of the horizontal surface distances from left-to-right including any protrusions from a primary surface. Also known as CDW
Cost-Pass-Through - A cost-share system where the partial cost of a pallet is passed-through from the purchaser to the receiver of the pallet
Cost-Per-Trip - Average cost of pallet use for a single one-way trip
Crating Process - A series of processes that begin with a design concept for crating Content and ending in the closing of a container around Content.
Cut - The container will be supplied to the requester as individual components, non fastened to one-another and will include all required fasteners.
Cutting Process - The process of cutting components to dimensions identified in a Design.
Deck - One or more boards or panels comprising the top or bottom surface of the pallet. Comprised of some or all of the following: Deckboards; Fillerboards; Broadboards; Loadboards and Cleats that are applied to the Base.
Deck Mat - Assembly of deckboards and stringerboards, forming the deck of a block pallet
Deck Surface - The highest point created by Deckboards, Fillerboards, Wideboards and/or Deck Panelboard explicitly excluding Headerboards. Primarily used to provide a reference for the Deck Thickness so as to determine the Outside Depth of the container.
Deck Thickness - The distance from the Deck Surface to the bottom of all components that make up the Deck Surface. This explicitly excludes Headerboards. Also, as a note, Skids and Rub Strips are not a part of the Deck. They are components of the Lower Assembly.
Deckboard - A Board that, when used, make up the major top surface area of a Base.
Deckboard Spacing - Distance between adjacent deckboards
Deckboard Span - Distance between deckboard supports (stringers, stringerboards or blocks)
Deflection - The amount of deformation or bending in a pallet or pallet component under load
Delivery Condition - The final process to be performed before transferring a Container through the supply chain.
Depth - The term Depth should not be used. If used erroneously, shall refer to Height.
Design - A collection of Style, Rules, Classifications, characteristics, Components, component sizes and component placement relative to other components. Any variation of a Design will result in the creation of a new Design.
Design Process - The process of identifying and documenting the appropriate Style, packing method, quantity and type of Materials including fasteners, and construction parameters to use in the process of safely crating Content.
Design Standard - A collection of rules and guidelines developed by scientific method and proven effective in a controlled test environment.
Diagonal Cleat - A cleat primarily used to add lateral support to a lumber sheathed panel. Often used in pairs pointing in opposing directions on the same panel, if a panel is not large enough, pointing in opposing directions on opposing panels. The angle of a Diagonal Cleat is dependent on the surface area available on a panel. Never oriented parallel to any panel edge. Diagonal Cleat quantity and placement are controlled by Rules. See also: Rules.
Difficult Classification - Requires a Packaging Engineer to design the container and to directly supervise the loading of the container.
Dimension - The term Dimension(s) shall not be used alone. Any reference to Dimension(s) should include the term Product, Inside, Outside, or other information to identify what dimension(s) is/are being referenced. In the event that the term Dimension(s) is erroneously used alone, it shall pertain to the dimension(s) of Content.
Dimensions - See Pallet Dimensions
Double-Face Pallet - A pallet with top and bottom decks
Double-Wing Pallet - A pallet with top and bottom deckboards extending beyond the edges of the stringers or stringerboards
Drive Screw Nail - Helically (continuous spiral) threaded pallet nail
Easy Classification - A packaging engineer is not required. Any individual with common packing experience can safely identify the packing requirements given standard industry guidelines.
Economic Life - Output from PDS© program which identifies the number of trips the pallet will make, provided it is properly repaired, which maximizes a return on investment
End Panels - Also known as Front-to-Aft Panels. The vertical panels that are not the Side Panels.
Engineered Standard - See Design Standard.
EO - End Off - The End Panel is unattached or has been attached using a fastener that is different from the Assembly Fastener. Usually used to indicate how the Content will be loaded or unloaded from the container.
Eradicated Classification - All wood members should be proven to be free of disallowed biological infestation as per requirements set forth by separate notation.
Exchange Pallet - A pallet intended for use among a designated group of shippers and receivers where ownership of the pallet is transferred with the ownership of the unit load; common pool pallet
Expendable Pallet - A pallet intended for a series of handlings during a single trip from shipper to receiver; it is then disposed; see Shipping Pallet
F-A Span - The span as viewed from Front-to-Aft on a Top Panel, on the End Panels or on a Deck.
Fastener - A mechanical device for joining pallet components such as nails, staples, bolts or screws
Fastener Shear Index - Relative measure of shear resistance of the pallet fastener
Fifthary Cleat(s) - The fifth Cleat Arrangement applied. Unique in it's orientation to the Primary Cleat(s), Secondary Cleat(s), Thirdary Cleat(s) and Fourthary Cleat(s).
Fillerboard - A Board that is narrower than and the same thickness as an adjacent Deckboard. Positioned alongside one or more Deckboards. Primarily used to reduce the amount of waste in a Deck. Also known as a Filler.
Fire Retardant Classification - A fire retardant should be applied to meet requirements indicated by separate notation.
Flush Pallet - A pallet with deckboards flush with the stringers, stringer-boards or blocks along the sides of the pallet
FO - Front Off - The Front Panel is unattached or has been attached using a fastener that is different from the Assembly Fastener. Usually used to indicate how the Content will be loaded or unloaded from the container.
Fork Entry - Opening between decks, beneath the top deck or beneath the stringer notch to admit forks
Fourthary Cleat(s) - The forth Cleat Arrangement applied. Unique in it's orientation to the Primary Cleat(s), Secondary Cleat(s) and Thirdary Cleat(s).
Four-Way Block Pallet - A pallet with openings at both pallet ends and along pallet sides sufficient to admit hand-pallet jacks; full four-way entry pallet
Frame Panel - A panel without any sheathing. It may be comprised of various types of cleat.
Framing Cleat - A cleat that is positioned at or near the edge of a panel with the intent of adding rigidity to that panel and intended to increase the surface area for fasteners. Primarily used to fasten one panel to another. The existence, size and orientation of a Framing Cleat is determined by Style. The term Cleat is used broadly in these definitions to include struts and other structural framing members. See also: Style.
Free Span - The distance between supports in a warehouse rack
Front-to-Aft - Any Cleat on the Base, Top or an End that is oriented from Front-to-Aft. Also known as a FA Cleat.
Gusset - A flat piece of panelboard used to provide support where multiple cleats join. Placed on the side of the cleats opposite the Sheathing.
Hand (Wheel) Jack Opening - Space provided in the bottom deck to allow pallet jack wheels to bear on the floor
Handling - A single pick-up, movement and set-down of a loaded or empty pallet
Hardened-Steel Nail - Heat-treated and tempered steel pallet nail with a MIBANT angle between 8 and 28 degrees
Hardwood - Wood from broad-leaved species of trees (not necessarily hard or dense)
Headerboard - A Board that, when used, is positioned at the inside surface of and near the bottom of End Panels. Used to strengthen the container for lifting and to provide strength against twisting. Positioned alongside of and displacing lumber Deckboards when used with a lumber deck. Also known as a Header.
Height - If used without reference shall refer to Content Height. Measured top-to-bottom. The term Depth should be avoided to avoid confusion with a front-to-aft measurement.
Helical Nail - Helically (continuous spiral) threaded pallet nail, see also Drive Screw Nail
Horizontal Joist Support - A lumber member that is placed inside the vertical panels of a container to prevent lateral movement of a Joist. Is often fastened to the inside surface of a Panel, parallel to a Joist. Four are used for each Joist when a Joist is not fastened to and made a part of the Top Panel.
Inner Deckboard - Any deckboard located between the end deckboards
Inside Dimensions - The Length, Width and Height of a Container measured from the inside surface of a Panel or the Deck Surface to the opposing surface.
Inside Framed - Framing Cleats are placed inside the container often resulting in a smooth sheathed surface on the outside.
Inside Height - Content Height + any desired gap + Joist thickness + thickness of packing materials. Also known as IDH. See Also: Joist which is newly defined from its use in MIL-C-104
Inside Length - Content Length + (any desired gap * 2) + thickness of packing materials + (Header thickness * 2). Also known as IDL.
Inside Width - Content Width + (any desired gap * 2) + thickness of packing materials + (Vertical Joist Support thickness * 2). Also known as IDW.
Joint - Intersection and connection of components, often identified by location within the pallet as the end joint, center joint and corner joint
Joist - A lumber member that supports the Top Panel from below the Top Panel OR from within the constraints of the Top Panel. Typically will run the shortest direction of the length or width of a container.
Joist Assembly - A collection of a single Joist, and adjoining Vertical Joist Supports and/or Horizontal Joist Supports. One container may and will typically include more than one Joist Assembly.
KD - Knocked Down - All panels and the Base are unattached to each other. Allows for minimum shipping size and cost if the container is intended to be transported empty.
Leading Cleat - The first Support Cleat applied to a panel in its given arrangement. Typically the leftmost or uppermost cleat when more than one cleat exists in an arrangement. When multiple cleats in an arrangement are identical in all ways including length and one of them is a Leading Cleat, they will all be termed Leading Cleats.
Left-to-Right - Any Cleat on the Base, the Top or a Side that is oriented from Left-to-Right. Also known as a LR Cleat.
Length - If used without reference shall refer to Content Length. Measured left-to-right while viewing the widest vertical surface.
Length - Refers to the stringer or stringerboard (in block pallets) length; also refers to the first dimension given to describe a pallet i.e., 48" x 40", where 48" is the pallet stringer/stringerboard length
Life To First Repair - Output from PDS© program which is equivalent to the number of trips the pallet will last before needing repair
Line Load - The weight of a unit load concentrated along a narrow area across the full length or width of the pallet
Load Bearing Surface - Actual area of material in contact with and supporting a unit load
Loadboard - Primarily used as a support to disperse weight from a product to deck components which in-turn, directly support weight down to the ground. Used to strengthen the container for lifting and to provide strength against twisting. Positioned intermixed with and displacing lumber Deckboards when used with a lumber deck. Typically positioned above panelboard when used with a panelboard deck. Formerly Load Bearing Members
Lower Assembly - The Skids, Rub Strips and any other component that are placed below the Deck.
L-R Span - Any span as viewed from Left-to-Right on a Top Panel, on Side Panels or on a Deck.
Lumber - Any Material that is primarily defined by its width and length and is selected based on those dimensions and where the Materials length is considerably less relative when considering its application. Typically solid wood but may consist of strips of panelboard or other synthetic or fabricated Materials so long as they are suitable for their application.
Lumber Sheathing - Lumber when used to provide a near solid surface area of a container. May also be spaced as in the construction of an Open Panel. When Lumber is used as part of a Base, it is referred to by other names. Either Panelboard Sheathing or Lumber Sheathing is required for any particular panel to enable that panel to exist.
Material - A tangible item that has not yet, and will become a Component.
Material Dimensions - Dimensions of a Material
Material Group - A collection of predetermined Materials used in a Design. For example; insect eradicated woods verses non-eradicated woods.
Material Length - Greatest of the Materials three dimensions
Material Thickness - Least of the Materials three dimensions
Material Width -Mid of the Materials three dimensions
MIBANT angle - The bend angle in a fastener shank when subjected to a MIBANT test
MIBANT Test - (Morgan Impact Bend Angle Nail Tester) - Standard impact nail tester used in the pallet and lumber industry as an indication of impact bend resistance of nails or staples
Middle Cleat(s) - The second Support Cleat applied to a panel in its given arrangement if one is applied. Only considered if the cleat in question is not identical in composition or dimension to the Leading Cleat. When multiple cleats in an arrangement are identical and one of them is a Middle Cleat, they will all be termed Middle Cleats.
Nail - Fastener made from endless wire by cutting a point and forming a head at the shank end opposite the point
Non-Reversible Pallet - A pallet with bottom deckboard configuration different from top deck
Notch - Cutout in lower portion of the stringer to allow entry for the fork tine, usually 9" in length, 1 1/2" in depth
Notched Stringer - A stringer with two notches spaced for fork-tine entry, (partial four-way entry)
One-Way - Intended for a single shipment in one direction. Damage to the container during opening should not be considered.
Open Panel - A panel that has a consistent space between Sheathboards. which is greater than that required for board expansion.
Opening Height - The vertical distance measured between decks, from the floor to the underside of the top deck, or from the floor to the top of the stringer notch
Other Classification - Other treatment as indicated by separate notation.
Outside Dimensions - The Length, Width or Height of a Container measured from the outermost surfaces.
Outside Framed - Framing Cleats are placed outside the container often resulting in a smooth sheathed surface on the inside.
Outside Height - Inside Height + Top Panel thickness + Deck Thickness + maximum thickness of any protruding hardware or Collar. Also known as ODH.
Outside Length - Inside Length + Left Panel thickness + Right Panel thickness + maximum thickness of any protruding hardware or Collar. Also known as ODL.
Outside Width - Inside Width + Front Panel thickness + Aft Panel thickness + maximum thickness of any protruding hardware or Collar. Also known as ODW.
Overall Height - The vertical distance measured from the floor to the top side of the top deck
Overhang - The distance the deck extends from the outer edge of the stringer or stringerboard; wing; lip; distance the unit load extends beyond the deck
Packing Process - The process of attaching or inserting any component inside the container other than joists or joist supports for the purpose of stabilizing or isolating Content. Also includes inserting Content inside the container.
Painted Classification - A painted finish should be applied as indicated by separate notation.
Pallet - A portable, horizontal, rigid platform used as a base for assembling, storing, stacking, handling and transporting goods as a unit load, often equipped with a superstructure
Pallet Design System© - (PDS©) - Reliability-based computer-aided design (CAD) program, for determining the safe load carrying capacity, performance, life and economy of wooden pallets
Pallet Dimensions - When specifying pallet size, the stringer or stringerboard (block pallet) length is always expressed first; for example, a 48" x 40" pallet has a 48" stringer or stringerboard and 40" deckboards
Pallet Jack - Hand-propelled wheeled platform, equipped with a lifting device for moving palletized unit loads
Pallet Life - The period during which the pallet remains useful, expressed in units of time or in the number of one-way trips
Panel - One of five (top, front, back, left or right) surface structures in a container comprised of lumber and/or panelboard sheathing, framing cleats and support cleats. Note: The base may be constructed similar to a Panel but should still be termed a 'Base'.
Panel Deck Pallet - Pallet constructed with composite or structural panel top deck
Panel Dimensions - Dimensions of a Panel as it is positioned on a container. Excludes any protrusions caused by Batten Cleats.
Panel Height - Pertains only to Side Panels and End Panels. The vertical dimension of the panel from the top to the bottom.
Panel Length - Pertains only to Side Panels and Top Panels. The horizontal dimension of the panel from the left to the right.
Panel Position - The position of a panel on a container as viewed from the front of the container.
Panel Thickness - The Panels dimension as measured from the inside facing surface to the outside facing surface. The lesser of the three dimensions.
Panel Type - A panel can be one of three general types.
Panel Width - Pertains only to End Panels and Top Panels. The horizontal dimension of the panel from the front to the aft.
Panelboard - Any sheeted panel Material including panelboard, particleboard, Oriented Strand Board or any other suitable Material. Typically identified as a Material with a physical thickness primarily relative to its application while its length and width are considerably less relative.
Panelboard Sheathing - Panelboard when used to provide a solid surface area to a container. Only used in reference to the Cap. When panelboard is used as part of the Base, it is referred to as Deckboard. Either Panelboard Sheathing or Lumber Sheathing is required for any particular panel to enable that panel to exist.
Partial Four-Way Stringer Pallet - A pallet with notched stringers
Performance Standard - A collection of rules and guidelines developed primarily as a result of industry use. The standard must be proven to be common and effective.
Post Pallet - A pallet fitted with posts or blocks between the decks or beneath the top deck; seeblock pallet
Preservative Classification - A standard grade commercial wood preservative should be applied.
Primary Cleat - The first Cleat Arrangement applied.
Quality - Consistent performance of a uniform product meeting the customer's needs for economy and function
Racked Across Deckboards - Output from PDS© program describing the maximum load carrying capacity and deflection of a pallet where the rack frame supports the pallet only at the ends of the deckboards
Racked Across Stringers - Output from the PDS© program describing the maximum load carrying capacity and deflection of a pallet where the rack frame supports the pallet only at the ends of the stringers or stringer boards
Range of Dimension - The range between the minimum value and the maximum value inclusive of the value referenced. Range of Dimension may be further expressed as Range of Length, Width, or Height.
Range of Weight - The range between the minimum weight and the maximum weight represented inclusive of the weights stated.
Recycling - A pallet, container or reel that has been used, discarded, salvaged, repaired and which passes through a cycle again
Rental Pallet - A pallet owned by a third party, different from the actual pallet user
Repair - To remake in order to use again
Repairable - The container is intended to be reused and should be constructed and assembled to allow for replacement of individual components and/or panels as required. The amount of repairability should be specified separately.
Returnable/Reusable Pallet - A pallet designed to be used for more than one trip
Reusable - The container is intended to be reused an unlimited number of times but only until it is no longer serviceable.
Reversible Pallet - A pallet with identical top and bottom decks
Rub Strips - Lumber and sometimes segmented wood members that are positioned below Skids or below a Sill to allow for fork lifting from the front or back of a container. May run perpendicular to skids or in the opposite direction. Also known as Rubbing Strips.
Secondary Cleat(s) - The second Cleat Arrangement applied. Unique in it's orientation to the Primary Cleat(s).
Setup - The container is completely closed during the Assembly Process.
Shipping Pallet - Pallet designed to be used for a single one-way trip from shipper to receiver; it is then disposed; see Expendable Pallet
Shook - Cut-to-size pallet parts to be assembled into pallets
Shook Grade - The classification of the quality of pallet parts relative to performance characteristics based on size and distribution of defects, independent of wood species
Side Panels - Also known as Left-to-Right Panels. The two of four lateral panels that most commonly create an entry point for lifting. Commonly the panels with the greatest horizontal span, however a Side Panel may have a lesser horizontal span than an End Panel. If Rub Strips and/or Skids are removed from a Style that designated their use resulting in a different entry point, the orientation of the container will not change.
Single-Wing Pallet - A pallet with the top deckboards extending beyond the edges of the stringers or stringer-boards with the bottom deckboards flush (if present)
Skid - A pallet having no bottom deck
Skid Crate - Lumber members that rest directly below the Base when Base Cleats are not used and directly below the Base Cleats when they are used. Used to provide support for the Base and to provide a common fastening surface for base components. Used to provide rigidity to the base and may allow for fork lifting of the container when Rub Strips are not used and when so designed.
Slave Pallet - Pallet, platform or single, thick panel used as a support base for a palletized load in rack-storage facilities or production systems
Sleeve - Sides and Ends are assembled to each other but not attached to the Top Panel or Base.
Soft Nail - Pallet nail with a MIBANT angle equal to or greater than 47 degrees
Softwood - Wood from coniferous or needle-bearing trees (not necessarily soft or low density)
Solid Deck Pallet - A pallet constructed with no spacing between deckboards
Span - The distance between stringer or block supports
Special - The Design or container shall be provided in a condition as separately noted.
Stevedore Pallet - A pallet designed for use on seaport shipping docks, normally of heavy-duty, double-wing construction
Stiff-Stock Steel Nail - Pallet nail made of medium-high carbon steel without heat treatment and tempering with MIBANT angle between 29 and 46 degrees
Strap Slot - Recess or cutout on the upper edge of the stringer or the bottom of the top deckboard to allow tie-down of a unit load to the pallet deck with strapping/banding, also called the banding notch
Strapping - Thin flat bands used to secure load to pallet
Stringer - Continuous, longitudinal, solid or notched beam-component of the pallet used to support deck components, often identified by location as the outside or center stringer
Stringerboard- In block pallets, continuous, solid board member extending for the full length of the pallet perpendicular to deckboard members and placed between deckboards and blocks
Support Cleat - A cleat that is positioned anywhere other than at the edge of a panel. When Framing Cleats are used, a Support Cleat will be positioned within the perimeter created by the Framing Cleats. Support Cleat quantity and placement are controlled by Rules. See also: Rules.
Take-It-Or-Leave-It Pallet - A pallet fitted with fixed cleats on the top deckboards to permit fork truck tines to pass beneath the unit load and remove it from the pallet
T-B Span - The span as viewed from Top-to-Base on the Side Panels or on the End Panels.
TEO - Top and End Off - The Top Panel and End Panel are unattached or have been attached using a fastener that is different from the Assembly Fastener. Usually used to indicate how the Content will be loaded or unloaded from the container.
TFO - Top and Front Off - The Top Panel and Front Panel are unattached or have been attached using a fastener that is different from the Assembly Fastener. Usually used to indicate how the Content will be loaded or unloaded from the container.
Thirdary Cleat(s) - The third Cleat Arrangement applied. Unique in it's orientation to the Primary Cleat(s) and Secondary Cleat(s).
TO - Top Off - The Top Panel is unattached or has been attached using a fastener that is different from the Assembly Fastener. Usually used to indicate how the Content will be loaded or unloaded from the container.
Top Cap - Panel to be placed on top of a unit load to allow for tight strapping without damaging the unit load
Top Panel - The panel on the upper surface of the container.
Top-Deck of the Pallet - The assembly of deckboards comprising the upper load-carrying surface of the pallet
Top-to-Base - Any Cleat on a Side or End that is oriented from Top-to-Base. Also known as a TB Cleat.
Trailing Cleat - The third Support Cleat applied to a panel in its given orientation if one is applied. Only considered if the cleat in question is not identical to the Leading Cleat or the Middle Cleat.
Treatment Classification - Multiple treatments and/or multiple applications of a treatment may be applied. If no treatment is specified, the treatment shall be Untreated.
Trip - Consists of four to six handlings of a pallet
Two-Way - Intended for round-trip shipment. Container should be usable for two shipments and reclosure one time should be considered. Addition and packing of extra nails or other closure fasteners as well as tools should be considered.
Two-Way Entry Pallet - A pallet with un-notched solid stringers allowing entry only from the ends
Unit Load - Assembly of goods on a pallet for handling, moving, storing and stacking as a single entity
Unsupported Area - The area created by two perpendicular Unsupported Spans. Each value is presented individually as a linear dimension. For example 48" x 36"
Unsupported Span - A distance from the inside edge of a cleat closest to the edge of a panel to the inside edge of a parallel cleat situated on the opposing edge on the same panel. If a panel edge is not cleated then the edge of the panel shall serve as the point of measurement.
Untreated Classification - No treatment applied.
Vertical Joist Support - A lumber member that is placed inside the vertical panels of a container and provides direct support to a Joist. Is often fastened to the inside surface of a Panel and is supported on the bottom by the Deck. Two are used for each Joist when a Joist is not supported by other means. The thickness of two Vertical Joist Supports are added to the Content Dimensions to determine the Inside Dimensions of a container.
Warehouse Pallet - A double-face multiple trip returnable pallet intended for general warehouse use.
Weight - The weight of Content in local units explicitly excluding the weight of the container and excluding the weight of any packing materials.
Wideboard - A Board that is wider than and the same thickness as an adjacent Deckboard. Primarily used to reduce the amount of waste in a Deck.
Width - If used without reference shall refer to Content Width. Measured front-to-aft while viewing the narrowest vertical surface.
Wing - Overhang of deckboard end from outside edge of stringer or stringer-board.
