A new and improved tier sheet comprises a three-layer laminated extrusion
comprising outer layers of a suitable polypropylene homopolymer, and an
inner core layer comprising a suitable polypropylene copolymer blended
with a suitable elastomer selected from the group comprising
SANTOPRENE.RTM., KRATON.RTM.; ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA), and a
thermoplastic olefin (TPO). By effectively incorporating the elastomer
into the inner core layer of the three-layer laminated extrusion, the
tier sheet is provided with the requisite amount of softness, elasticity,
and resiliency so as to not only permit the multiplicity of cans to, in
effect, form sufficiently deep impressions or depressions within the
upper and lower tier sheets as the different tiers or layers of tier
sheets and cans are disposed upon the transportation pallet within the
tiered array comprising the palletized load such that movement of the
individual cans with respect to the upper and lower tier sheets will
effectively be restricted and prevented but, in addition, the tier sheet
can dimensionally recover whereby the depressions and impressions will
effectively disappear so as to thereby enable each tier sheet to be
readied for use with respect to supporting and restraining new or
additional sets of cans in connection with the formation of subsequent
palletized loads. Furthermore, the outer layers will not readily
delaminate from the inner core layer, and still further, the extrusion
process results in the fact that the edge portions of the three-layer
laminate are effectively sealed such that the three-layer tier sheet
laminate will not readily absorb moisture.