Stackable Multi-Component Tote Having Locking Members

Abstract

A stackable tote may be stacked with other identical or similar totes and/or existing, prior tote designs. The tote is assembled from multiple sidewalls, locking members, a base and a top rail. When folded into the appropriate shape, a blank or blanks become the sidewalls of the tote. To reinforce the top and bottom edges of the tote, a channel shaped top rail extends around the top edge of the tote sidewalls and the bottom edge of the sidewalls is seated within a channel in the base. The top rail and base are secured to the sidewalls as the result of an inwardly extending hook in the associated channels which engages the locking members. One advantage of this invention is that a lightweight, stackable tote or container may be quickly and easily manufactured in a designed size or height. The tote of this invention may be stacked above or below the same or similar types of totes as well as existing tote designs.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/389,705 filed Mar. 27, 2006 entitled “Stackable Multi-Component Tote”, which is fully incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to totes and more particularly to totes made from foldable blanks with components to hold the blanks in an erected, assembled relationship for stacking.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A wide variety of container structures are used by manufacturers to store and ship a variety of different products. In the automobile industry for example, an assembly plant assembling a particular automobile might use a number of different parts from different manufacturers. These manufacturers ship their respective parts to the assembly plant in containers where the parts are then removed from the containers and assembled into a finished automobile. The containers are also used to store or transport the various parts within the assembly plant.

Containers are useful for the transportation, storage, and display of goods in manufacturing facilities. Such containers, commonly called totes, must be of sufficiently rigid construction to enable safe and damage free transport and storage of the goods contained therein. These totes are frequently designed so as to be stacked or mounted in a nesting relation for convenient transportation or storage.

Although such totes or containers have proven adequate, they have various drawbacks. First, the totes are typically injection molded and such containers are heavy, which makes shipping and handling more difficult, dangerous and expensive. Assembly line workers are often unable to move the heavy containers with ease. Often times, the weight of the injection molded container is far greater than the weight of the parts therein. In such situations, a more lightweight, but structurally sound, container would be desirable.

Another drawback to these containers is that the injection molded totes only are available in a limited number of sizes. The availability of different size containers is desired, but often limited by cost and manufacturing economies. It is expensive, difficult and time consuming, if possible at all, to provide such injection molded totes in a variety of sizes.

Another drawback to the use of these containers is that each manufacture of injection molded containers has a unique design which is adapted to only be stacked with similar containers. Again, however, they are not always compatible with containers made by other manufacturers. Therefore, a user may be limited to one container manufacturer if the user wishes to be able to stack these injection molded containers.

Accordingly, there is a need for a lightweight, sturdy tote or container which may be used in conjunction with existing totes for stacking purposes.

There is further a need for a such a container which may be quickly, easily and economically made to any desired height or size.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

These and other objectives of the invention have been attained by a stackable tote manufactured to be stacked with other similar totes and/or existing, prior tote designs.

This invention is directed to a tote which is assembled from at least one box blank, a base and a top rail. When folded into the appropriate shape, the blank results in the sidewalls of the tote. A single blank may be used alone or in combination with other blanks for the tote. The blanks may be corrugated plastic, paperboard or other suitable material and may be die cut to the appropriate configuration and desired height.

To hold the erected blank in an assembled relationship and to reinforce the edges of the tote, a channel shaped top rail extends around the top edge of the blanks and a base is mounted to the bottom edge of the blanks. The base and top rail both have an open channel formed between a pair of channel walls. In certain embodiments, the channels fit over a double thickness of the sidewalls formed from tabs or flaps extending upwardly or downwardly from the sidewalls of the blank. The top rail and base are locked onto the top edge and bottom edge, respectively, of the blank as the result of an inwardly extending hook on at least one channel wall which snaps onto the folded tabs on the upper and lower edges of the sidewalls.

The base and top rail are each, in certain embodiments, manufactured from a single piece of extruded plastic or aluminum and may be injection molded. Alternatively, the base and top rail may each be constructed of multiple pieces of material welded or otherwise joined together. The inwardly extending hooks or ledges on the channel wall engage the folded tab on the sidewalls thereby securing the top rail and base onto the edges of the sidewalls without the need for further fasteners such as screws, rivets, or staples. The configuration of the top rail and base enables nested stacking of additional totes. The base of each tote has a configuration which mates with the top rail to facilitate stacking.

One advantage of this invention is that a lightweight, stackable tote or container may be quickly and easily manufactured in a desired size or height. The tote of this invention may be stacked above or below the same or similar types of totes as well as existing tote designs. In this manner, the container may be integrated into an existing inventory of totes. The base and top rail configurations mate with each other and existing tote designs. Likewise, the base and top rail can be attached to blanks of a variety of heights based on user needs and not just the tote manufacturer's molding machinery specifications.

This invention provides a container which is lightweight enough that a worker may be able to easily move the container even when it is filled. Another advantage of this invention is that a stackable container of a desired size may be manufactured more quickly and less expensively than is presently possible with other such containers.

The tote can be used alone, in combination with one or more other totes or in combination with one or more existing containers. Because the blanks of the tote can be made in a variety of sizes which can be cut to suit, customized solutions are quickly realizable. The piecewise assembly of the components permits users to achieve a wide variety of container solutions to meet specific needs without necessarily having to maintain a large inventory of specific components. For example, the top rail and base may be reused with different blanks in alternative applications.

In alternative embodiments of the present invention, the top rail or the base or both may be secured to the sidewalls with a plurality of locking members engaged with the sidewalls at select locations, i.e. where there are openings in the sidewalls of the tote. In such an embodiment, one or multiple blanks may each be folded to form the sidewalls of the tote container. Each locking member may be a clip or other similar structure which may function in a similar manner to the tabs of the other embodiments described herein. Again in such embodiments, the top rail of the tote provides a generally horizontal stacking surface, inside which the base of another tote container made in accordance with the present invention may be quickly and easily nested for stacking purposes. Similarly, prior art injection molded totes may be stacked with these alternative embodiments of tote.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objectives and features of the present invention will become more readily apparent when the following detailed description of the drawings is taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a tote container according to this invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tote of FIG. 1 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4-6 are top plan views of alternative embodiments of blanks used in various embodiments of totes according to this invention;

FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tote container according to this invention;

FIGS. 8-10 are top plan views of blanks used to form the sidewalls of the tote of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a further alternative embodiment of a tote container according to this invention;

FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of a top rail for use on a tote according to this invention;

FIG. 13 is a bottom perspective view of one embodiment of a base for use on a tote according to this invention;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of portions of two totes according to this invention mated and being stacked one upon the other;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of portions of a tote according to this invention mate and being stacked upon a tote of another configuration;

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of a tool being inserted into the base of a tote according to this invention for releasing the sidewall from the base;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a tote container according to this invention;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the tote container of FIG. 17 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 19 is a view taken along the line 19-19 of FIG. 18; and

FIG. 20 is a top plan view of a blank used to make the tote container of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring to FIG. 1, the components of a tote 10 according to one embodiment of this invention are shown. The tote 10 is assembled from one or more blanks as seen in FIGS. 4-6 which are die cut or otherwise pre-cut from, preferably, corrugated plastic sheet. However, the blanks 12 and resulting tote may be made from any other suitable material. In one embodiment, each blank 12 is 5 millimeters thick and made from extruded corrugated plastic material. Depending upon the application, the blanks 12 may be other thicknesses or materials as well.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the tote 10 includes a number of sidewalls 14 formed from two blanks 12, a top rail 16, and a base 18. Each blank 12 is folded along fold lines to form a number of sidewalls 14 and associated corners 22 of the tote 10 as illustrated in FIG. 1. The tote 10 of FIG. 1 has four sidewalls 14 and each of the sidewalls 14 has a top edge 24 and a bottom edge 26. The tote 10 of FIGS. 1 and 2 utilizes a pair of blanks 12 as shown in FIG. 4. The lateral ends 28 of the blanks 12 abut one another to form a composite sidewall 14a. See FIGS. 1 and 2.

If desired, the tote sidewalls 14 may be formed from four blanks 12 like the one shown in FIG. 5 or one blank 12 like the one shown in FIG. 6.

In certain embodiments, each of a first pair 30 of opposed sidewalls 14 has an identical first length L1, and each of a second pair 32 of opposed sidewalls 14 has an identical length L2. In one embodiment of the present invention, the lengths L1, L2 of the sidewalls 14 are all identical, resulting in a square tote 10. However, for purposes of the present invention, the lengths may be different in order to create a rectangular tote 10 rather than a square tote 10. Furthermore, the tote 10 may have any number of sidewalls 14 and be in any configuration.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-6, the blanks 12 according to various embodiments of this invention each include a number of tabs 34 which project upwardly above the top edge 24 of the blank 12 and a number of tabs 34 which project downwardly below the bottom edge 26 of the blank 12. Each of the tabs 34 is joined to the blank 12 via a fold line 36 so that the tab 34 may be bent downwardly toward the associated sidewall 14 of the tote 10. Additionally, the blanks 12 each include a number of spaced slits 38 extending inwardly from the top edge 24 or a bottom edge 26 of the blank 12 and generally perpendicular thereto. These slits 38 are spaced and size so as to receive ribs or portions of the top rail 16 and base 18 of the tote 10 in a manner described below. A notch or cutout 40 may also included along the top edge 24 of selected sidewalls 14 of the blank 12. The purpose of the notch 40 will be described below. One or more of the sidewalls 14 may include printed indicia 41 on one or both faces to identify the tote 10, its intended contents, owner, manufacturer or the like.

One embodiment of the top rail 16 according to this invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2 and more specifically in FIGS. 3 and 12. The top rail 16 may be integrally molded from a plastic material or another material affording sturdy and rigid construction. Although one continuous, uniform configuration of top rail 16 is illustrated and described, the top rail 16 may assume other configurations as well. The top rail 16 includes a number of legs 42 which are joined together to form a profile of the top rail 16 which corresponds to the configuration of the tote 10 and the erected sidewalls 14 as shown generally in FIG. 1. The cross-sectional configuration of the top rail 16 is shown generally in FIG. 3 and includes a downwardly open channel 44 formed between a pair of spaced channel walls 46, 48. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the outer channel wall 46 is taller than the inner channel wall 48 and the inner channel wall 48 includes a outwardly directed detent or hook 50 projecting into the open channel 44. The hook 50 and channel 44 of the top rail 16 facilitate the mounting and attachment of the top rail 16 onto the top edge 24 of the sidewalls 14 as will be described later.

The channel 44 also includes a number of spaced ribs 52 which project generally perpendicularly between the channel walls 46, 48. The ribs 52 provide added strength and rigidity to the top rail 16 and may include a downwardly sloped terminal edge 54 as shown in FIG. 3. A number of spaced slots 56 are also provided in the top rail 16 and the slots 56 are spaced around the top rail 16 as shown generally in FIGS. 1 and 2. A rim 58 projects inwardly adjacent the top edge of the top rail 16. Handles 60 are provided along opposite legs 42 of the top rail 16 so that the erected, assembled and filled tote 10 can be easily and conveniently carried. As shown in FIG. 12, each handle 60 is joined to the associated leg 42 of the top rail 16 by a living hinge 62. Before the top rail 16 is mounted to the top edge 24 of the sidewalls 14, the handles 60 are pivoted outwardly in the direction of arrow A as shown in FIG. 12 to provide convenient access for a user of the tote 10. The notches 40 in the top edge 24 of the sidewalls 14 accommodate and provide clearance for the handles 60.

Another component of the tote 10 according to various embodiments of this invention is the base 18 which is shown generally in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 7 and 11 and, more specifically, in FIG. 13. The base 18 as shown herein is integrally molded to provide a sturdy and rigid support for the tote 10 and items contained therein. As such, the base 18 includes a perimeter channel 64 which is formed between inner and outer channel walls 66, 68, respectively as shown in cross section in FIG. 3. The outer channel wall 68 of the base 18 is taller than the inner channel wall 66 of the base 18. The inner channel wall 66 of the base 18 includes an outwardly directed hook or detent 70 projecting into the channel area 64. A generally planar upper support surface 72 of the base 18 is formed on the interior of the perimeter channel 64 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 14. The support surface 72 of the base 18 provides a smooth and uninterrupted floor for supporting the items contained in the tote 10 (not shown).

As best shown in FIG. 1, a number of spaced ribs 74 are provided in the base channel 64, each extending between the inner and outer channel walls 66, 68. The edge 76 of the ribs 74 may be sloped downwardly from the outer channel wall 68 toward the inner channel wall 66 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 13, a number of spaced slots 77 are provided in the base 18, the slots 77 being in communication with the base channel 64. The bottom surface 82 of the tote base 18, as shown in FIG. 13, may include a series of embossed, spaced panels 78. Each panel 78 as shown in FIG. 13 is generally rectangular and includes a web-like or lattice configuration 80 for added strength and support to the base 18 and assembled tote 10. The panels 78 project downwardly from a lower surface 82 of the base 18 and are offset from the outer perimeter edge of the base 18 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 13 for stacking purposes. The outermost corners of the panels 78 arranged on the bottom of the base 18 each include a corner boss 84 to assist in stacking the totes 10. Although one pattern of panels 78 is shown in FIG. 13, any other desired pattern may be incorporated into the base 18 to facilitate stacking.

To assemble the tote 10 from one or more blanks 12, each blank 12 is folded along fold lines 20 into a generally vertical orientation to create one or more sidewalls 14 of tote 10. As shown in FIG. 3, each of the sidewalls 14 has an outside surface 86 and inside surface 88. Once the sidewalls 14 are erected, each of the tabs 34 is folded along the fold line 36. The tabs 34 are folded inwardly toward the inside surface 88 of the respective sidewall 14 of which the tab 34 forms a part.

After the sidewalls 14 of the tote 10 are erected and the tabs 34 folded, the next steps in the assembly of the tote 10 are to mount, attach or secure the top rail 16 and base 18 onto the sidewalls 14. The top rail 16 is mounted over the top edge 24 of the erected sidewalls 14 and the base 18 onto the bottom edge 26 of the sidewalls 14. Once the tabs 34 are folded downwardly, the top rail 16 is snapped onto the top edge 24 of the sidewalls 14. The top rail channel 44 has an opening of a width at least twice the thickness of the blank 12. As seen in FIG. 3, the channel opening 44 is of sufficient width to accommodate the sidewall 14 and tab 34 folded thereon.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the outwardly extending hook or detent 50 is provided on a bottom edge of the inner channel wall 48. When the top rail 16 is snapped onto the erected sidewalls 14, the hook 50 engages a terminal edge 34a of the downwardly folded tab 34 thereby securing the top rail 16 on the erected sidewall 14 as shown in FIG. 3. The top rail 16 is pressed onto the top edge 24 of the tote 10 and the hooks 50 engage the downwardly folded tabs 34 of the sidewalls 14 without the benefit of mechanical fasteners, rivets, staples, or the like. While the tab 34 is illustrated in FIG. 3 as being folded downwardly on the inside 88 of the sidewall 14, it could just as well be folded downwardly on the outside 86 of this same wall 14 provided an appropriate hook is available on the outer wall 46 of the channel 44. Although FIG. 3 illustrates an outwardly extending hook 50 on a bottom edge of the inner channel wall 48, the hook 50 could be located at any desired location on the inner channel wall 48 of the top rail 16. Alternatively, only the outer channel wall 46 could have an inwardly extending hook or both channel walls 46, 48 could have a hook.

The notches 40 in the top edge 24 of the sidewalls 14 are aligned with the handles 60 in the top rail 16. Before the top rail 16 is mounted onto the top edge 24 of the blank or blanks 12, each handle 60 is pivoted outwardly along the living hinge 62 as shown generally in FIG. 12. The notches 40 provide appropriate clearance for the handles 60.

The base 18 is mounted to the bottom edge 26 of the sidewalls 14 of the blank 12 in a similar operation. Tabs 34 projecting downwardly below the bottom edge 26 of the blank 12 are folded along their respective fold lines 36 toward the inner face 88 of the sidewall 14. The bottom edge 26 of the sidewall 14 is then aligned with the upwardly open channel 64 in the base 18 and pushed downwardly into the channel 64. The bottom edge 26 of the sidewall, including the fold line 36 between the tabs 34 and the sidewall 14 where appropriate is seated in the bottom of the channel 64 as shown in FIG. 3. The tabs 34 are captured between the channel walls 66, 68 by the outwardly directed hook 70 thereby securing the base 18 to the sidewalls 14.

The ribs 74 in the base channel 64 and the ribs 52 in the top rail channel 44 are aligned with the slits 38 in the sidewalls 14 so that when the top rail 16 and base 18 are mated with the sidewalls 14, the interlocking relationship between the slits 38 and the ribs 52, 74 provides added strength and alignment between the respective components of the tote 10.

The blanks 12 of the tote 10 according to this invention may be in a variety of configurations as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4-6, for example. Likewise, the tabs 34 projecting from the top edge 24 and bottom edge 26 of the various blanks 12 may be sized and positioned in a variety of configurations within the scope of this invention. More specifically, the inventors have found that at least four tabs 34 spaced along at least two different sidewalls 14 adequately secure the top rail 16 to the sidewalls 14 of the tote 10 and at least four tabs 34 spaced along at least two different sidewalls 14 adequately secure the base 18 to the sidewalls 14. However, one of ordinary skill in the art should understand that any specific number, configuration or placement of the tabs 34 along the top edge or bottom edge of the blank is not a limitation on this invention. Moreover, the blank 12 may extend entirely around the tote 10 or multiple blanks may be utilized in combination to form the various sidewalls 14 of the tote 10. For example, the blanks 12 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 would be used in combination with other similar blanks to form the various sidewalls.

Advantageously, the blanks 12 may be die cut or otherwise formed in a variety of configurations and a variety of heights H thereby resulting in totes 10 which have the desired height H for a particular application. Prior art injection molded totes which have a defined sidewall height do not offer this advantage.

An alternative embodiment of tote 10a according to this invention is shown in FIGS. 7-10. The blanks 12a, 12b and 12C utilized to form the sidewalls 14a, 14b and 14c, respectively, in the tote 10a of FIG. 7 include corner blanks 12a (FIG. 10), handle sidewall blanks 12b (FIG. 8) and sidewall blanks 12C (FIG. 9). Tabs 34 projecting from the top edges 24 of the various blanks 12b and 12c are provided as well as notches 40 in the handle sidewall blanks 12b to accommodate the handle 60 in the top rail 16 as previously described. Corresponding tabs 34 are likewise provided along the bottom edge 26 of the blanks 12b and 12C shown in FIGS. 8-10 utilized to form the tote 10a in FIG. 7 although such are not shown in FIG. 7 because the base 18 is mated with the blanks 12a, 12b and 12c. One advantage of the multiple blank tote embodiment shown in FIG. 7 is that the corner blanks 12a may be made of a different material providing added strength and rigidity to the tote 10 and the complementary blanks 12b, 12C of the tote 10a could be of a still further different material allowing for economies of manufacture and supply.

Another embodiment of tote 10b according to this invention is shown in FIG. 11. The blanks 12 used to form sidewalls 14 shown in the tote embodiment of FIG. 11 do not include slits and the channels 44, 64 of the top rail 16 and base 18 do not include ribs 52, 74 in contrast to the tote embodiments previously discussed. In this embodiment, although the tabs 34 of blanks 12 are shown in specific locations, they may be located at desired locations and engage the top rail 16 and base 18.

All embodiments of tote according to this invention are designed and intended for stacking one upon another as shown generally in FIG. 14. The top rail 16 is sized and configured to nest with the base 18 of a similar tote 10 with the inwardly directed rim 58 projecting around the inner portion of the top rail 16 as shown in FIG. 14. The rim 58 provides a convenient surface and locating feature for the downwardly projecting panels 78 on the bottom surface 82 of the base 18 to nest within the open area defined by the top rail 16. The bosses 84 on the outer corners of the panels 78 likewise register with the rim 58 of the top rail 16 during stacking of the totes 10 as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 14. Advantageously, the weight of the upper tote 10 and its contents is supported around the top rail 16 of the lower tote 10 and vertically through the sidewalls 14 thereby providing a more rigid and stable stacking arrangement.

A further advantage of each embodiment of the tote according to this invention is that it may be stacked and nested with prior art totes 11 as shown in FIG. 15. The upper regions of the prior art tote 11 are shown generally in FIG. 15 and the base 18 as shown in FIG. 15 of a tote 10 according to this invention is compatible for stacking and nesting with the prior tote 11 design. Alternatively, a tote 10 according to this invention may be used to support a prior art tote 11 stacked on top of the top rail 16 of this invention (not shown). Accordingly, the user is not required to replace an entire inventory of existing totes 11 in an effort to realize the advantages and economies of the tote 10 according to this invention.

A further advantage of the tote according to various embodiments of this invention is that the base 18 and top rail 16 can be conveniently and easily removed from the sidewalls 14 for subsequent reuse, storage or shipping separate from an assembled tote configuration. As shown in FIG. 16, a simple tool 90 such as a screw driver, putty knife or other device can be inserted into the slots 77 provided in the base 18 to deflect the tab 34 outwardly toward the inner surface 88 of the associated sidewall 14 until the tab 34 clears the hook 70 in the channel 64. Once the tab 34 is forced outwardly against the sidewall 14, the base 18 may be dislodged from the sidewall 14 and pulled from the blank 12. Similarly, the tool 90 may be inserted through the slots 56 in the top rail 16 to manipulate the tabs 34 outwardly to provide clearance from the hook 50 in the top rail channel 44 and removal of the top rail 16 from the top edge 24 of the sidewalls 14. Naturally, the top rail, base and blanks can be reassembled as needed. Alternatively, a blank 12 of a different configuration or height H may be utilized with the base 18 and top rail 16 for subsequent applications.

Referring to FIG. 17, the components of a tote 10′ according to another embodiment of this invention are shown. As best illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the tote 10′ includes a number of sidewalls 14′ formed from two blanks 12′, a top rail 16, a base 18 and a plurality of locking members 92.

As shown in FIG. 20, blank 12′ is folded along fold lines 20′ to form a number of sidewalls 14′ and associated corners 22′ of the tote 10′ as illustrated in FIG. 17. The tote 10′ of FIG. 17 has four sidewalls 14′ and each of the sidewalls 14′ has a top edge 24′ and a bottom edge 26′. The tote 10′ of FIGS. 17 and 18 utilizes two blanks 12′ as shown in FIG. 20. The blank 12′ has a plurality of spaced generally rectangular openings 94 therethrough, as best shown in FIGS. 17 and 20. Such openings 94 are located proximate the top and bottom edges 24′, 26′, respectively, of the blank 12′. Although one configuration of opening 94 is illustrated, the openings 94 may be any desirable shape or configuration and may be located at any desired location on the blank 12′. The lateral ends 28′ of the blank 12′ abut one another to form a composite sidewall 14′. See FIGS. 17 and 20. The tote 10′ may be assembled from one or more blanks 12′ as seen in FIG. 20 which are die cut or otherwise pre-cut from corrugated plastic sheet. However, the blank 12′ of resulting tote 10′ may be made from any other suitable material of any desired thickness.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the tote 10′ further comprises a number of locking members or clips 92 which are adapted to be received and retained in openings 94 in the blank 12′. As best illustrated in FIG. 19, each locking member 92 has a first or closed portion 96, a second or middle portion 98 and a third or open portion 100. The closed portion 96 surrounds a portion of the blank 12′ or sidewall 14′, as shown in FIG. 19. The middle portion 98 is located inside the opening 94 in the blank 12′ or sidewall 14′. The open portion 100 comprises two legs 102 which are located on opposite sides of the blank 12′ or sidewall 14′. As shown in FIG. 19, a terminal edge 101 of the inner leg 102 abuts or contacts one of the hooks or detents 50 of the top rail 16 or one of the hooks or detents 70 of the base 18 to aid in securing either the top rail 16 or the base 18 to the sidewalls 14′ of tote 10′.

Although a specific configuration or shape of locking member 92 is illustrated, other configurations or shapes of locking members may be used in accordance with the present invention. Similarly, although a specific number of locking members 92 are illustrated, each locking member 92 corresponding to one of the openings 94 in the blank 12′, any number of locking members 92 and any number of openings 94 may be incorporated into the tote 10′ in accordance with the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 19, each blank 12′ according to this embodiment of the invention includes a number of spaced slits 38′ extending inwardly from the top and bottom edges 24′, 26′, respectively, of the blank 12′ and being generally perpendicular thereto. These slits 38′ are spaced and size so as to receive ribs or portions of the top rail 16 and base 18 of the tote 10′ in the same manner described above. A notch or cutout 40′ may also included along the top edge 24′ of the blank 12′ to receive or retain a handle 60. As with any of the embodiments of the present invention, one or more of the blanks 12′ may be a specific color or may include printed indicia 41 on one or both faces to identify the tote 10′, its intended contents, owner, manufacturer or the like. See FIG. 18.

Other components of the tote 10′ are the top rail 16 and base 18 shown in FIGS. 17 and 18 which are illustrated as being identical to the top rail 16 and base 18 described above and shown in the drawings. However, the top rail and base of this embodiment may be slightly different than top rail 16 and base 18 described above and shown in the drawings without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the top rail or base may lack ribs in which case, the blank or blanks may lack slits.

This embodiment of the present invention, like the other embodiments, may be easily stacked upon itself, the top rail 16 of one tote 10′ providing a supporting surface for abutting the lower surface 82 of the base 18 around the perimeter (outside panels 78) of the base 18 of another stackable tote 10′.

Although not specifically illustrated, tote 10′ like the other embodiments of tote described herein may be stacked above and below a prior art injection molded tote.

While I have described several preferred embodiments of the present invention, persons skilled in the art will appreciate changes and modifications which may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, although one configuration of a tote is illustrated and described, the present invention may be used with other configurations, such as a tote without a top rail and/or handles located in the sidewalls or base of the tote. For purposes of this document reference to tote 10 may include reference to totes 10a, 10b or 10′. Therefore, I intend to be limited only by the scope of the following claims and equivalents thereof:

Claims

1. A tote comprising:

a plurality of sidewalls, each having a top edge, a bottom edge and a plurality of openings between the top and the bottom edges, respectively;

a plurality of locking members engaged with the openings in the sidewalls;

a top rail mounted to the spacers, said top rail having a downwardly open channel adapted to receive therein the locking members to thereby secure the top rail to the sidewalls; and

a base secured to the sidewalls.

2. The tote of claim 1, said base having an upwardly open channel adapted to receive therein additional locking members to thereby secure the base to the sidewalls.

3. The tote of claim 1 wherein the base of a first tote as recited in claim 1 is adapted to mate with the top rail of a second tote as recited in claim 1 to thereby stack the first and second totes.

4. The tote of claim 1 wherein the base is a unitary structure and separate from the sidewalls until mounted thereto.

5. The tote of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of spaced ribs spanning the channel in the top rail; and

a plurality of slits extending generally perpendicularly from the top edge of the blank;

wherein the ribs are inserted into the slits when the top rail is secured to the blank.

6. The tote of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of spaced ribs spanning the channel in the base; and

a plurality of slits extending generally perpendicularly from the bottom edge of the blank;

wherein the ribs are inserted into the slits when the base is secured to the blank.

7. The tote of claim 1 wherein the sidewalls are made of corrugated plastic.

8. The tote of claim 1 wherein the sidewalls are made of plastic.

9. The tote of claim 1 wherein the downwardly open channel extends substantially entirely around the top rail and the upwardly open channel extends substantially entirely around the base.

10. The tote of claim 2 further comprising:

at least one ledge in the channel of the top rail; and

at least one ledge in the channel of the base;

wherein at least some of the ledges engage at least some of the locking members to secure the top rail and the base, respectively, to the sidewalls of the tote.

11. The tote of claim 1 wherein the top rail and the base are selectively removable from the sidewalls.

12. The tote of claim 1 further comprising:

a plurality of slots in the top rail in communication with the downwardly open channel;

a plurality of slots in the base in communication with the upwardly open channel;

wherein at least some of the slots in the top rail provide access to the locking members captured in the top rail channel and at least some of the slots in the base provide access to the locking members captured in the base channel so that the respective locking members can be manipulated to release the top rail from the sidewalls and the base from the sidewalls.

13. The tote of claim 1 wherein the sidewalls are formed from at least one blank.

14. A tote container comprising:

a plurality of sidewalls each having a top edge spaced from a bottom edge;

a plurality of locking members;

a top rail mounted to the top edge of the sidewalls with some of the locking members;

a downwardly open channel extending substantially entirely around the top rail and adapted to receive therein some of the locking members to thereby mount the top rail to the sidewalls;

a base mounted to the bottom edge of the sidewalls;

an upwardly open channel extending substantially entirely around the base and adapted to receive therein some of the locking members to thereby mount the base to the sidewalls;

hooks projecting into the channel of the top rail;

hooks projecting into the channel of the base;

wherein each of the hooks engages one of the locking members to retain the top rail and the base, respectively, onto the sidewalls of the tote;

wherein the base is adapted to mate with the top rail of a similar tote for stacking the totes.

15. The tote of claim 14 further comprising:

a plurality of spaced ribs spanning the channel in the top rail;

a plurality of slits extending generally perpendicularly from the top edge of select sidewalls;

wherein the ribs are inserted into the slits when the top rail is mounted to the top edge of the select sidewalls.

16. The tote of claim 14 further comprising:

a plurality of spaced ribs spanning the channel in the base;

a plurality of slits extending generally perpendicularly from the bottom edge of select sidewalls;

wherein the ribs are inserted into the slits when the base is mounted to the bottom edge of the select sidewalls.

17. The tote of claim 14 wherein the sidewalls are formed from at least one blank.

18. The tote of claim 14 wherein the sidewalls are formed from a plastic material.

19. The tote of claim 14 wherein the top rail and the base are selectively removable from the sidewalls.

20. A method of assembling a tote comprising the steps of:

erecting a plurality of sidewalls, each sidewall having a top edge spaced from a bottom edge;

securing locking members to the sidewalls;

mounting a top rail onto the top edge of the sidewalls;

engaging some of the locking members with the top rail to thereby retain the top rail on the top edge of the sidewalls;

mounting a base onto the bottom edge of the sidewalls; and

engaging some of the locking members with the base to thereby retain the base on the bottom edge of the sidewalls.

21. The method of claim 20 wherein securing locking members to the sidewalls comprises engaging said locking members in openings in at least some of the sidewalls.

22. The method of claim 20 wherein the top rail has a downwardly open channel and the mounting of the top rail step further comprises inserting the top edge and some of the locking members into the top rail channel, and the base has an upwardly open channel and the mounting of the base step further comprises inserting the bottom edge and some of the locking members into the base channel.

23. The method of claim 20 wherein the detent in the base and the detent in the top rail are each hooks projecting into the associated channel and the engaging steps each further comprise juxtaposing a terminal edge of one of the locking members against the associated hook.

24. The method of claim 20 wherein the top rail and the base are releasably mounted to top edge and bottom edge, respectively, of the sidewalls.

25. The method of claim 20 wherein the erecting step further comprises:

folding blanks into desired configurations to create the sidewalls.

26. The method of claim 22 further comprising:

inserting ribs in the base channel into slits projecting from the bottom edge of the sidewalls; and

inserting ribs in the top rail channel into slits projecting from the top edge of the sidewalls.