Nesting And Stacking Container

Abstract

A nesting and stacking container provided with means to secure the containers together in stacked position. In a preferred embodiment, the container is also provided with means to prevent longitudinal and/or transverse movement when in stacked position.

Description

This invention relates to nesting and stacking containers.

Nestable and stackable containers are well known in the art. In general, such containers comprise an open top, commonly rectangular, container so constructed that in one position an upper container will nest within an identical lower container for storage purposes, and when said upper container is rotated to another position it will stack vertically on said lower container. Most commonly, such containers will stack upon being rotated through 180.degree.. A problem associated with the use of such containers is support of the stacked containers. It is desirable that a stack of stacked containers be stable in itself, e.g., the stack of containers does not require external support to prevent the stack from tipping over. Closely associated with said problem is the problem of locking or securing the containers together in stacked position so that two or more containers can be lifted simultaneously. Any locking or securing means provided for so securing the containers together must be positive in action, yet simple to unlock or release.

The present invention solves the above problems by providing a nesting and stacking container which is not subject to the above-described problems or limitations. The improved containers of the invention are provided with a positive-acting yet easily released, locking or securing means which firmly secures the containers together vertically. Furthermore, in a preferred embodiment, the improved containers of the invention are provided with means on the stacking surfaces thereof which prevents lateral and/or transverse movement of the stacked containers relative to each other.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved nesting and stacking container. Another object of the invention is to provide a nesting and stacking container which is provided with means for interlocking or securing the containers to each other in stacked position. Another object of the invention is to provide a nesting and stacking container with a positive-acting interlocking or securing means which will permit more than one container to be lifted vertically, yet which can be simply and easily released when desired. Another object of the invention is to provide an improved nesting and stacking container having means incorporated into the structure of the container to prevent lateral and/or transverse movement of the stacked containers relative to each other. Other aspects, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure.

Thus, according to the invention, there is provided a nesting and stacking container, nestable in a like container when placed therein, and stackable on a like container when turned end for end relative to said like container, said container comprising: a pair of upstanding opposed first walls sloping inwardly toward each other from top to bottom; a pair of upstanding opposed transverse second walls sloping inwardly toward each other from top to bottom and connected to said first walls along the upstanding edges thereof; a bottom connected to the lower edge portions of said first walls and the lower edge portions of said second walls to provide an open top structure; at least one outwardly extending wall portion formed in one of said first walls, extending from the top of said wall, terminating at a level intermediate the top and the bottom of is one first wall, and having an inwardly extending bead formed at with bottom thereof; at least two inwardly extending wall more formed in said one first wall, positioned with one on either side of said outwardly extending wall portion, and each having an outwardly extending bead formed at the top thereof; at least one inwardly extending wall portion formed in the other of said first walls, positioned opposite said outwardly extending wall portion of said one first wall, and having an outwardly extending bead formed at the top thereof; and at least two outwardly extending wall portions formed in said other first wall, positioned with one on either side of said inwardly extending wall portion therein and opposite said inwardly extending wall portions formed in said one first wall, extending from the top of said other first wall, terminating at a level intermediate the top and the bottom of said other first wall, and having an inwardly extending bead formed at the bottom thereof.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating one embodiment of a nesting and stacking container in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating another embodiment of a nesting and stacking container in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 4 is a view in cross section taken along the line 4--4 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a view in cross section illustrating two containers of FIG. 3 in nested relationship.

FIG. 6 is a view in cross section illustrating two containers of FIG. 3 in stacked relationship.

Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals have been employed to denote like elements, the invention will be more fully explained. In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a nesting and stacking container which is nestable in a like container when placed therein and stackable on a like container when turned end for end relative to said like container. Said container comprises a pair of upstanding first or end walls, designated generally by the reference numerals 10 and 10', which slope inwardly toward each other from top to bottom. A pair of upstanding opposed transverse second or sidewalls, denoted generally by the reference numerals 12 and 12', which also slope inwardly toward each other from top to bottom, are connected to said first walls along the upstanding edges thereof. A bottom wall is connected to the lower edge portions of said first walls and the lower edge portions of said second walls to provide an open top structure. Preferably said bottom wall comprises a gridwork structure. As illustrated in FIG. 1, said gridwork bottom comprises a plurality of intersecting generally T-shaped members 14.

As used hereinafter and in the claims, unless otherwise specified, the terms "outwardly extending" and "inwardly extending" are employed relatively. Thus, referring to FIG. 1, "outwardly extending" wall portion 16' extends outward relative to "inwardly extending" wall portion 20'. At least one outwardly extending wall portion 16 is formed in one of said first walls 10, extends from the top of said wall, and terminates at a level intermediate the top and bottom of said wall. An inwardly extending bead 18 is formed at the bottom of each of said outwardly extending wall portions (see FIG. 2).

At least two inwardly extending wall portions 20 are formed in said one first wall 10 and are positioned with one on either side of said outwardly extending wall portion 16. Each of said inwardly extending wall portions 20 has an outwardly extending bead 22 formed at the outer edge of the top thereof (see FIG. 2). At least one inwardly extending wall portion 20' is formed in the other of said first walls 10', is positioned opposite said outwardly extending wall portion 16 of said one first wall 10, and has an outwardly extending bead 22' formed at the outer edge of the top thereof. At least two outwardly extending wall portions 16' are formed in said other first wall 10', are positioned with one on either side of said inwardly extending wall portion 20', and opposite said inwardly extending wall portions 20 formed in said one first wall 10. Said outwardly extending wall portions 16' each terminate at a level intermediate the top and the bottom of said other first wall 10', and each has an inwardly extending bead 18' formed at the bottom thereof. Preferably, a shelf means 24 is formed in each of said first walls 10 and 10', and in each of said second walls 12 and 12'. Said shelf means 24 is formed at a level below the top of said walls and above the level at which said outwardly extending wall portions 16 and 16' terminate.

A generally horizontal ledge 26 connects the inner wall surface of each of said outwardly extending wall portions 16 and 16' to the lower portion of the container wall. Said ledge 26 can be continuous, but preferably is provided with open spaces 27 therein. The wall of said outwardly extending wall portions 16 and 16' extends to a level below said ledge 26, and said beads 18 and 18' are formed below the level of said ledge 26 at the end of said extended wall (see FIG. 2). At least one reinforcing gusset 28 is connected to the inner wall surface of each of said outwardly extending wall portions 16 and 16', and to the upper surface of each of said ledges 26.

If desired, the second walls 12 and 12' of the container of FIG. 1 can have outwardly extending wall portions and inwardly extending wall portions formed therein, similarly as in said first walls 10 and 10'. Thus, said second wall 12 can have at least one outwardly extending wall portion formed therein, which extends from the top thereof, and which terminates at a level intermediate the top and bottom of said wall portion. Said second wall 12 car have at least two inwardly extending wall portions formed therein, with one on either side of said outwardly extending wall portion formed therein. The other of said second walls 12' can have at least one inwardly extending wall portion formed therein opposite the outwardly extending wall portion formed in said one second wall 12. Said other second wall 12' can have at least two outwardly extending wall portions formed therein, positioned with one on either side of the inwardly extending wall portion formed therein, and positioned opposite the inwardly extending wall portions formed in said one second wall. As illustrated in FIG. 1, said second walls 12 and 12' each have a plurality of alternate outwardly extending wall portions and inwardly extending wall portions formed therein. However, it will be noted that the number of outwardly extending wall portions in wall 12 is on less than the number of outwardly extending wall portions in wall 12', and that the number of inwardly extending wall portions in wall 12 is one more than the number of inwardly extending wall portions in wall 12'. It will also be noted that no beads 18 or 18' are formed at the bottom of the outwardly extending wall portions which are formed in said walls 12 and 12', and that no outwardly extending beads 22 and 22' are formed at the outer edge of the top of the inwardly extending wall portions in said walls 12 and 12'. This feature of the container of the invention is discussed further hereinafter.

The container illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to the container illustrated in FIG. 1, and like reference numerals have been employed to denote elements like or similar to like-numbered elements in FIG. 1. However, it will be noted that the walls 10, 10', 12, and 12', in the container of FIG. 3, have been provided with a plurality of alternating outwardly extending portions and inwardly extending wall portions in each of said first walls 10 and 10', and in each of said second walls 12 and 12'. It will be noted, however, that the number of outwardly extending wall portions in said one first wall 10 is one less than the number of outwardly extending wall portions in the other first wall 10', and that the number of inwardly extending wall portions in said wall 10 is one more than the number of inwardly extending wall portions in wall 10'. It should also be noted that an outwardly extending wall portion is always disposed opposite an inwardly extending wall portion in the opposing or opposite upstanding container wall. Second walls 12 and 12' in the container of FIG. 3 can be described similarly as given above for second walls 12 and 12' in the container of FIG. 1.

The container illustrated in FIG. 3 is a frequently preferred embodiment of the invention because it is provided with means to prevent lateral and/or transverse movement of the containers when stacked, as well as preventing vertical movement. In the container illustrated in FIG. 3, at least some of the outwardly extending wall portions in each of the walls of the container is provided with at least one projection 36 thereon which extends above the level of the top of said outwardly extending wall portions and above the level of the top of the inwardly extending wall portions. When less than all of said outwardly extending wall portions is provided with said projections, it is preferred that said projections be symmetrically spaced apart around the container.

As illustrated in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the outwardly extending wall portions each comprise (a) an outwardly displaced wall section 30 which is generally parallel to the inwardly displaced wall section 32 of adjacent inwardly extending wall portions, and (b) two end wall sections 34 connecting said outwardly displaced wall section 30 to said inwardly displaced wall section 32. Each of said end wall sections 34 in FIG. 3 terminates at the top thereof and intermediate the ends thereof in a projection 36 which extends above the level of said outwardly displaced wall section and the level of said inwardly displaced wall section.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 5, and 6, it will be noted that the walls of the containers of FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 are the same in cross section except for the projection 36.

FIG. 5 illustrates the containers of the invention in nested position. It will be noted that in said nested position the outside bottom portion of shelf means 24 rests on top of the container wall of the lower container.

FIG. 6 illustrates the containers of the invention in stacked position. It will be noted that the inwardly extending beads 18 and 18' on the bottom of the outwardly extending wall portions positively interlock with the outwardly extending beads 22 and 22' formed at the outer edge of the top of the inwardly extending wall portions. Thus, when the containers of the invention are in stacked position, the cooperation of said beads 18 and 18' with said beads 22 and 22' provides a positive interlock which securely holds the containers together vertically. However, said interlock can be simply and readily released. This can be accomplished by lifting vertically on one or both of the side walls of the container which are not provided with said interlocking beads 18 and 18', and 22 and 22', e.g., walls 12 and 12'. Said vertical lifting provides a spring action and the beads readily disengage. However, the stacked containers can be readily lifted and carried about when lifted vertically by means of the sides or ends which are provided with said beads 18 and 18', and 22 and 22', e.g., walls 10 and 10'.

Containers fabricated in accordance with the invention possess a number of additional advantages over nesting and stacking containers of the prior art. The containers of the invention are of a durable, lightweight structure. This is an important consideration in the use of said containers. For example, said containers are particularly well adapted for transporting bakery goods, both within the baking shop and the delivery truck. The bakery goods can be placed in the containers and the containers then placed in racks which may be easily pushed around the shop. The containers can also be readily loaded onto racks in a delivery truck. The light weight of the containers is a distinct advantage that handling of the containers is not only less tiring for the personnel handling same, but also reduces the load on trucks. Thus, lighter weight trucks can be employed with obvious savings in operating expenses.

The containers of the invention can be fabricated from any suitable material in any suitable manner known to the art. Injection molding, for example, is one presently preferred method for fabricating said containers. High density polyethylenes are especially desirable materials from which to fabricate said containers. The high density polyethylene and other polyolefins prepared by the methods disclosed and claimed by J. P. Hogan et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 2,825,721 , issued March 4 , 1958 , are one group of presently preferred materials. Said containers can also be fabricated from butadiene-styrene copolymers, and other plastic materials. If desired, a reinforcing fibrous material, such as asbestos or glass fibers, can be incorporated in the plastic material. While the various plastics are presently preferred for the manufacture of said containers, it is within the scope of the invention to fabricate said containers from other materials, e.g., lightweight metals such as aluminum, reinforced pulp materials, etc.

As an example, one model of the container illustrated in FIG. 1 was fabricated with an overall length of about 17.5 inches, an overall width of about 13.1 inches, an overall height of about 2.5 inches, and an overall internal depth of about 2.1 inches. The remainder of the elements of the container were generally proportional in size. As a further example, one model of the container illustrated in FIG. 3 was fabricated with an overall length of about 26 inches, an overall width of about 22 inches, an overall height of about 2.5 inches, and an overall depth of about 2.1 inches. The remainder of the elements of the container were generally proportional in size. The above dimensions for both containers are given by way of example only, are not to be considered as limiting on the invention in any way, and all can be varied within the scope of the invention.

Herein and in the claims the word "rectangular" has been employed generically to include four-sided structures which are generally square and also four-sided structures wherein one pair of sides is longer than the other paid of sides.

While certain embodiments of the invention have been described for illustrative purposes, the invention is not limited thereto. Various other modifications of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of this disclosure. Such modifications are within the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

I claim:

1. A nesting and stacking container, nestable in a like container when placed therein, and stackable on a like container when turned end for end relative to said like container, said container comprising:

a pair of upstanding opposed first walls sloping inwardly toward each other from top to bottom;

a pair of upstanding opposed transverse second walls sloping inwardly toward each other from top to bottom and connected to said first walls along the upstanding edges thereof;

a bottom connected to the lower edge portions of said first walls and the lower edge portions of said second walls to provide an open top structure;

at least one outwardly extending wall portion formed in one of said first walls, extending from the top of said wall, terminating at a level intermediate the top and the bottom of said one first wall, and having an inwardly extending bead formed at the bottom thereof;

at least two inwardly extending wall portions formed in said one first wall, positioned with one on either side of said outwardly extending wall portion, and each having an outwardly extending bead formed at the top thereof;

at least one inwardly extending wall portion formed in the other of said first walls, positioned opposite said outwardly extending wall portion of said one first wall, and having an outwardly extending bead formed at the top thereof; and

least two outwardly extending wall portions formed in said other first wall, positioned with one on either side of said inwardly extending wall portion therein and opposite said inwardly extending wall portions formed in said one first wall, extending from the top of said other first wall, terminating at a level intermediate the top and the bottom of said other first wall, and having an inwardly extending bead formed at the bottom thereof.

2. A container according to clam 1 wherein a shelf means is formed in each of said first walls and in each of said second walls at a level below the top of said walls and above the level at which said outwardly extending wall portions terminate.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein: a generally horizontal ledge connects the inner surface of said outwardly extending wall portions and the lower portion of the container wall;

the wall of said outwardly extending wall portions extends to a level below said ledge; and

said bead is formed below the level of said ledge at the end of said extended wall.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein:

at least one reinforcing gusset is connected to the inner wall surface of each of said outwardly extending wall portions and the upper surface of each of said ledges.

5. A container according to claim 4 wherein:

a shelf means is formed in each of said first walls and in each of said second walls at a level below the top of said walls and above the level at which said outwardly extending wall portions terminate.

6. A container according to claim 1 wherein:

one of said second walls has at least one outwardly extending wall portion formed therein, which extends from the top thereof, and which terminates at a level intermediate the top and bottom thereof;

said one of said second walls has at least two inwardly extending wall portions formed therein, with one on either side of said outwardly extending wall portions formed therein;

the other of said second walls has at least one inwardly extending wall portion formed therein opposite said outwardly extending wall portion formed in said one second wall; and

said other of said second walls has at least two outwardly extending wall portions formed therein, positioned with one on either side of said inwardly extending wall portion therein, and positioned opposite said inwardly extending wall portions formed in said one second wall.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein:

at least some of said outwardly extending wall portions in each of said walls is provided with at least one projection thereon which extends above the level of the top of said outwardly extending wall portions and above the level of the top of said inwardly extending wall portions.

8. A container according to claim 2 wherein:

at least some of said outwardly extending wall portions in each of said walls is provided with at least one projection thereon which extends above the level of the top of said outwardly extending wall portion and above the level of the top of said inwardly extending wall portions.

9. A container according to claim 4 wherein:

at least some of said outwardly extending wall portions in each of said walls is provided with at least one projection thereon which extends above the level of the top of said outwardly extending wall portion and above the level of the top of said inwardly extending wall portions.

10. A container according to claim 6 wherein:

at least some of said outwardly extending wall portions in each of said walls is provided with at least one projection thereon which extends above the level of the top of said outwardly extending wall portion and above the level of the top of said inwardly extending wall portions.

11. A container according to claim 2 wherein:

Each of said first walls is provided with a plurality of said outwardly extending wall portions, with one of said first walls having one less of said outwardly extending wall portions than the other first wall; and

each of said first walls is also provided with a plurality of said inwardly extending wall portions, with said one of said first walls having one more of said inwardly extending wall portions than said other first wall.

12. A container according to claim 11 wherein:

each of said outwardly extending wall portions comprises (a) an outwardly displaced wall section which is generally parallel to the inwardly displaced wall sections of adjacent inwardly extending wall portions, and (b) two end wall sections connecting said outwardly displaced wall section to said inwardly displaced wall sections; and

each of said end wall sections terminates at the top thereof and intermediate the ends thereof in a projection which extends above the level of said outwardly displaced wall section and said inwardly displaced wall section.