Abstract: A stacking pocket for disposing at a corner of a roof of a shipping container and for holding a caster wheel of an above-stacked shipping container. The pocket includes flat bars, a plate, and a wheel. The plate is triangular-shaped to substantially conform to the corner of the roof of the shipping container, attaches to the corner of the roof of the shipping container, and has a periphery. The flat bars are disposed in a truncated triangular configuration forming an open apex about the periphery of the plate, are attached to the plate, and hold the caster wheel of the above-stacked shipping container therebetween. The wheel is horizontally rotatably attached to the plate and is disposed at the open apex of the flat bars.

Abstract: A collapsible box with a pair of opposed, hinged sidewalls in which a lightweight frame structure holds the sidewall in a vertical orientation during assembly and provides load-bearing strength. The frame structure and sidewalls fold over one another, and lie substantially flat, when said box is collapsed.

Abstract: A stacking pocket for disposing at a corner of a roof of a shipping container and for holding a caster wheel of an above-stacked shipping container. The pocket includes flat bars, a plate, and a wheel. The plate is triangular-shaped to substantially conform to the corner of the roof of the shipping container, attaches to the corner of the roof of the shipping container, and has a periphery. The flat bars are disposed in a truncated triangular configuration forming an open apex about the periphery of the plate, are attached to the plate, and hold the caster wheel of the above-stacked shipping container therebetween. The wheel is horizontally rotatably attached to the plate and is disposed at the open apex of the flat bars.

Abstract: An improved tray or other packaging article having hinged tab portions for securing a vertical support post is provided. The hinged tab portions capture the vertically oriented post and hold it in place for easier assembly of a larger packaging unit.

Abstract: A sealable food container includes a base serving member such as a plate having a generally planar central portion, a sidewall extending generally upwardly and outwardly therefrom and a base outer flange portion extending outwardly from the sidewall. The sidewall defines a sealing area with an undercut annular sealing surface disposed between the substantially planar central portion of the base serving member and the base outer flange portion. The sidewall portion of the plate defines a base stop ridge adjacent the upper edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the sidewall as well as a laterally extending retaining shelf adjacent the lower edge of the undercut annular sealing surface of the base serving member.

Abstract: A set of cutlery includes a plurality of superimposable cutlery components, which are adapted to be releasably connected so as to form a transportable unit. In order to facilitate the handling of such cutlery, it is suggested that the cutlery components should be accommodated in a protective housing and that they should be releasably secured to the protective housing by a connection element.

Abstract: A palletizing system for stacking materials is provided. The system utilizes support members to minimize leaning of stacked materials. These support members are inserted through openings defined by one or more slip sheets. In particular, these openings are spaced about the perimeter of the slip sheet so that support members may be inserted therethrough. Thus, indentation or deformation of the outer edges of the materials is minimized.

Abstract: A passive interlock structure for use in containers (such as cartons and trays), particularly those fabricated from corrugated paperboard and the like, which permits the facilitated aligning of vertically stacked containers. The passive interlock structure feature includes recesses formed in the tops or bottoms of the containers, and corresponding complementary low planar projections in the bottoms or tops of the containers.

Abstract: A modular cage comprising first and second profiled elements connected by interlocking corner joints for reversible joining so as to constitute a supporting frame and grille-like wall elements connected to the frame to constitute the cage, with the corner joints comprising each a corner body from which tangs extend monolithically and at right angles, the tangs being provided with reversible locking devices which enter corresponding first longitudinally elongated seats formed in the profiled elements.

Abstract: A container configured to support a second identical container in a stacked relationship, comprising a base including a plurality of spaced apart members, the spaced apart members including at least one stacking member, and at least one container support member, wherein each of the at least one container support member is configured for engaging and supporting one of the at least one stacking member of the second identical container.

Abstract: A stackable display tray including a shell having a plurality of sides defined by an equal number of corners, a substantially closed bottom having bottom corners corresponding with the corners of the shell, and a top having top corners corresponding with the corners of said shell. The top includes at least two first openings each adjacent to an independent top corner, and the bottom includes at least two second openings each adjacent to an independent bottom corner. The display tray also includes a side panel member having at least two angular panels positioned within the shell adjacent at least two of the corners and including a tab projecting from the top of at least two of the angular panels. At least two of the first openings each receive the tab of one of the angular panels positioned within the shell and at least two of the second openings are each adapted to receive a tab of an angular panel of a side panel member which projects out from a top of an adjacent display tray positioned below the bottom.

Abstract: A container for transporting meat, produce, and other goods contains a bottom wall, side walls, and end walls. The end walls include hinged platform structures movable between a closed position and an open position. The closed position enables stable stacking of multiple containers and the open position allows easy access to the interior of the container for loading and unloading. The hinged platforms further add stability to the container walls when in the closed position.

Abstract: A tray for transporting products and a method for its manufacture, the tray being formed from a sheet of cardboard which is die cut and includes fold lines defining the bottom and sides of the tray. The tray includes a hollow corner column (5) into which a reinforcing element (6) is inserted.

Abstract: A wall-engageable pizza carton folded into a non-wall-engaged format and which (a) has thermal-legs for holding the bottom of the box above a table top, (b) has an improved hole-covering flap that can function as an inner panel interlock means, and (c) can be stacked in a level stack with other cartons even though it has thermal-legs and the cover front flap is projecting forward.

Abstract: A fluid tank assembly is designed for stacking with similar assemblies. The fluid tank assembly includes a base having a plurality of upright stacking legs, a tank having a liquid-receiving chamber received on and supported by the base, and couplers for connecting the tank to the stacking legs adjacent the upper ends of the latter. The couplers away be provided as fasteners such as bolts and receivers whereby the tank prevents the legs from spreading outwardly. Alternatively, the couplers may be provided as bosses molded into the tank which interfit with corresponding slots on the stacking legs. The tank is preferably permitted to shift relative to the base to accommodate movement during filling and emptying and shifting during transport. The couplers avoid the necessity of separate protective tops or other structure which joins the tops of the legs together, but rather uses the tank as a structural component without imparting significant vertical loads thereto.

Abstract: A returnable reusable container which may be quickly assembled to contain a product and quickly disassembled to a substantially flat condition for storage and return shipping when empty. The container has a rigid member extending around its upper perimeter to prevent twisting of the container. This member has locking means to hold the container in an assembled position, and which unlock to allow the disassembly of the container. The locking means when engaged restrains relative movement at the corners in all directions except the direction required to disengage the lock. When the flaps are fixed to the sides of the container, relative movement at the corners is restrained in all directions.

Abstract: This invention provides a stackable collapsible container 10 comprising a housing 11 which is constituted by side walls 12; end walls 14; cover panels 16; and a floor panel 18. The container 10 further includes four load bearing shafts 24 for connecting the side and end walls 12 and 14 to each other and for supporting the weight of the load bearing shafts of another superjacent like container, when the containers are stacked. The load bearing shafts 24 support the weight of superjacent containers and not the containers themselves, and the housing portion of the container 10 may therefore be manufactured from a relatively thin light plastics material.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes a substantially rectangular plastic base, a first plastic wall coupled by a first hinge to a first edge of the base, and a second plastic wall coupled by a second hinge to a second edge of the base opposite the first edge of the base. A first corrugated element is folded to form a first corrugated floor portion and a first corrugated wall portion, wherein the first corrugated floor portion is attached to the base so that the first corrugated wall portion is positioned between and adjacent to the first and second plastic walls. The first corrugated wall portion mates with a first lip of the first plastic wall and a first lip of the second plastic wall.

Abstract: Vertically stackable benches and pallets for holding three inch and four inch diameter planting pots, wherein the benches can be entirely formed from wire. Each of the benches has a center portion formed from a planar shaped wire grid. Support members on opposite ends of the wire grid allow the benches to be stacked on top of one another while maintaining an airspace therebetween. Each support member has an upper bent tip extending upwardly from the surface of the grid, and a lower legs that form a downwardly opening slot opening, the legs extending below the undersurface of the grid. The bent tips of a first bench interlock into the slot in the legs of a second bench that is stacked on top of the first bench. Airspaces between each of the stacked pallets allows for seedlings in the pots to grow regardless of whether the pots are arranged in every grid opening or in staggered grid openings.

Abstract: A container lid has a top wall with a series of recessed areas that include therewithin a plurality of geometrical projections and a bottom wall that displays a plurality of recesses complementary in shape to the projections of the top wall whereby identically shaped lids may be stacked or cross-stacked in nested condition with the projections of one lid being received in the corresponding recesses of a superposed lid. The lid is adapted to be affixed to a container having four side pieces and a bottom piece, the configuration of the lid allowing a stacking or cross-stacking arrangement of lid-covered containers with their side pieces in the erected position as well as the stacking or cross-stacking of lid-covered containers with their side pieces in an inwardly folded position.

Abstract: A structure of drawer type storage bin, includes a housing having four vertical rods positioned at the four corners thereof wherein the top end of each rod having a connection member with a tenon internally, a thin plate provided between every two connection members, a lid attached to the housing to form a half sealed cavity having an opening for receiving the drawer and having four slipping over portions positioned correspondently to those of the connection members to connect the latter, an engaging slot provided in each slipping over portion to engage a tenon, four peripheral clamping plates provided to form a clamping area with the peripheral edges of the lid to clamp the thin plates, the lid having at least a limiting plate which has near the said opening a limiting portion for limiting drawing of the drawer out of the housing. The structure is very firm after assembling and thus is practical.

Abstract: A storage container with self-retaining lid includes a lid and a storage container. The structure for attaching the lid can be molded on to the bottom of the storage container, molded to the top of the lid, or molded to the lid and the bottom of the storage container. There are several preferred embodiments of the self-retaining lid. In a first preferred embodiment, the lid has a rim with a recessed cavity for firmly receiving a lip of the storage container. In a second preferred embodiment, a bottom of the storage container has a lip which is sized to be firmly inserted into a sealing cavity of the lid. In a third preferred embodiment, a bottom of the storage container has a plurality of balls which are disposed to mate with a plurality of sockets on the lid. In a fourth preferred embodiment, a plurality of hooks are molded into at least two sides of the container and sized to receive the peripheral edge of the lid.

Abstract: A display stand for displaying at least two types of food items includes a lower and an upper display component, each for accommodating a plurality of soft-packaged items, and a tray component for receiving a plurality of hard-packaged items. Each lower and upper component has an opening through which the soft-packaged items are visible and removable. The tray component is located between the upper and lower components and has a front opening through which the hard-packaged items are visible and removable. The tray component has an extension projecting beyond the general outline of the display stand as defined by the peripheries of the lower and upper components.

Abstract: A cargo container has a frame (3) and a door (8,9) mounted on the frame. A support, preferably in the form of stacking plate (30), is mounted on the door so that when the door is closed and excessive loads applied externally to the container distort the container frame, the support (30) mounted on the door (8.9) engages the frame (3). The support and the door thereby together share the loading forces of the external load with the container frame. Conveniently, the support is spaced from an ISO lifting casting (26) constituting part of the frame (3) of a container, when there are no external loading forces applied to the container frame. Preferably, part of the support is provided by one (19) of two side members (19,20) of the door arranged to extend in a direction between upper and lower crossmembers of the container, in use.

Abstract: A container includes a cover secured on a base for receiving an insert and a casing disposed on one of the corners of the base for slidably receiving a knob. A latch is slidably engaged in the base for being biased to engage with the insert and for retaining the insert in place. The knob includes a tapered surface for disengaging the latch from the insert and for allowing the container to be operated with only one hand. The knob can be prevented from being depressed inward of the cover inadvertently when a number of containers are stacked with each other.

Abstract: A container having an anticontact cutout-structure around each corner is disclosed. The cutout-structure almost completely prevents a twist lock from unexpectedly coming into contact with the edge frames of each corner and allows the edge frames to be free from being crushed or broken by the twist lock. In order to form the anticontact cutout-structure, a top cutout is formed on each of the top edge frames at a position around each of the top corner castings, while a bottom cutout is formed on each of the bottom edge frames at a position around each of the bottom corner castings. Each of the top and bottom cutouts has a length and depth suitable for preventing each of the top and bottom edge frames from coming into contact with the twist lock. A metal panel is attached to the surface of each of the top and bottom cutouts, thus protecting each cutout from the twist lock.

Abstract: A container for liquids is configured for two-plane stacking with one or two similarly constructed containers; it comprises a body having a rectanguloid configuration with a top wall defining a recessed liquid pouring spout area and a raised handle area. The bottom wall has an underface included within a downwardly extending peripheral border defined by a series of spaced legs and pockets between the legs. The configurations of the top and bottom walls allow such containers to be stacked in two planes: one plane includes containers one directly above the other or one above the other but vertically offset thereto; a second plane includes containers in vertical planes 90.degree. to one anoother. The handle area has rectangular planar faces and a handle bar therebetween, both cooperating with the legs and pockets of one or two superposed containers to secure them in stacked relations.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite packing container which generally comprises a bottom bracket, a front, rear, left and right side panels which jointly define a box unit, and a cover which can be enveloped onto the box unit. Characterized in that the front and rear side panels have an identical configuration and the side panel is configured by a multi-layer corrugated paper board having mounted with a L-shape iron plate by a locking screw at both ends. The upper and bottom sides of the paper board are enclosed with an U-shape bar which also covers to the L-shape iron plate. The left and right side panels are configured with an identical configuration and similar to the front and rear side panels in general. The left and right side panels are provided with a 7-shape iron plate which is different to the front and rear side panels.

Abstract: A stackable and nestable container having a bottom surface, a first pair of opposed end walls integrally joined with the bottom surface and extending upwardly away therefrom, and a second pair of opposed side walls integrally joined with the bottom surface and extending upwardly away therefrom. The first and second pairs of opposed end walls and side walls are integrally joined with each other along common end surfaces thereof to form with the bottom surface a substantially rectangular open top container. Each of the end walls and side walls includes a pair of column sections, and each of the column sections includes a recessed portion, an inner shelf and a lower column support. Each of the end walls and side walls further includes a pair of stacking sections, and each of the stacking sections includes a stacking foot and a stacking shelf.

Abstract: A collapsible container system for flowable materials includes a collapsible bag for holding the materials and a collapsible frame for supporting and retaining the bag. The collapsible frame includes top and bottom portions and a plurality of spaced apart upright members extending therebetween. The upright members each include a removable support portion that normally extends in a generally vertical direction and in supporting relation between the top and bottom portions. When all of the support portions are removed from supporting relation between the top and bottom portions the frame is collapsible and its height is reduced.

Abstract: A portable plastic container has a tapered tongue on a lid top wall arranged for positioning within a tapered groove of a similar container bottom wall for vertically stacking a selected quantity of containers in an interlocking arrangement. Interlocking the containers permits opening of any container without the need foe rearranging and restacking. For interlocking one container to another, the bottom groove of one container is forced into the top tongue of a similar container. A snapping sound is heard as the tongue passes through a slightly smaller groove opening to its seated position within the groove, thus providing seating feedback and assurance to the user that the containers are properly interlocked.

Abstract: A stackable tray comprising a body formed of rigid plastics material and consisting of a bottom wall integrally formed with opposite side walls and opposite front and rear walls; the front wall, at least, defines an access area to allow removal of articles from the bottom wall when the tray is in a superposed stacked relationship with similarly constructed trays; the front wall has an upper edge defining an enclosed tubular section extending from side wall to side wall to reinforce the tray when in a stacked relationship with similarly constructed trays and to counteract sagging of the bottom wall due to weight of articles placed thereon.

Abstract: A portable container for golf balls including three elongated elements, each of the three elongated elements having a top end and a bottom end. The container includes a base having a top face, a bottom face, a front side, and a rear side; the base being secured to the bottom end of each of the three elongated elements. A top element having a top face, a bottom face, a front side, and a rear side is secured to the top end of each of the three elongated elements. A plurality of dimples and corresponding cavities are used for securing together a plurality of the portable containers for golf balls. A clip for fastening to a belt or other object may be secured to one of the three elongated elements for detachably securing the portable container for golf bails to an animate or inanimate object.

Abstract: A connector for detachably securing together stacked molded plastic trays, which connector has a resilient tab projecting from a lower tray which slides into a slot in the tray above. Each slot has a rib rising from the tray bottom along one edge of the slot and a leaf spring integrally molded with the tray side wall opposite the rib. When the tab is inserted in the slot, the spring urges the tab against the rib and a lip on the tab hooks over the top edge of the rib.

Abstract: A folding crate for holding packages includes a base having a substantially planar support surface for supporting packages and a plurality of side walls positioned along the sides of the base. A hinge pin member having a generally oval or elliptical cross-sectional shape is located along each side of the base. The hinge pin member is oriented in such a manner that the major axis of the cross-section is positioned substantially perpendicular to the plane of the support surface while the minor axis of the cross-section is located substantially parallel to the plane of the support surface. The bottom end of each of the side walls is provided with a knuckle for mounting the side walls on the base and a through hole is formed in each knuckle for loosely receiving one of the hinge pin members. The knuckle on each side wall also includes a slotted opening for allowing the side wall to be mounted on the hinge pin member.

Abstract: An agricultural container or fruit bin made of plastic has four vertical walls, triangular corner columns and a bottom element. The exteriors of the vertical walls and bottom element have rectangular rib patterns. Openings in the vertical walls and bottom allow for atmospheric circulation. The upper edges of the sides are bowed inward slightly, and the bottom element has a slight inward dome when the bin is empty.

Abstract: A container reinforcement that comprises a pair of interlockable members, at least one of which is movable with respect to the other. The interlockable members have cooperable lock portions that interfit with one another and can be used to manually, removably attach the reinforcement to a container. A container using such a reinforcement.

Abstract: A storage column structure includes multiple storage column elements that interlock together in a vertical stack to form a compact, unitary tower assembly. A power supply module is positioned as a base unit to provide stability for the tower assembly. Each of the remaining storage column elements is adapted to receive and hold a removable modular storage device, such as a disk drive mechanism. Storage column elements are electrically interconnected in the stack to provide for the storage modules held by the storage column elements electrical power and connection to preferably a SCSI bus. The storage column elements are secured together by manually turnable fasteners provided in each storage column element. With the exception of the base unit, each of the storage column elements includes a floor that supports a removable storage device module; therefore, a storage device can be inserted or removed without affecting the structural integrity of the assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to packaging crate for transport and storage of light vegetables, having the form of a slightly truncated rectangular parallelipiped open towards the top and including five walls delimiting the five other faces of the paralellipiped, and defining the bottom 1, and the four side 2, 3, 4, 5 walls of the cram, and provided with stacking and nesting means 7a, 8a, 9a, 10a.According to the present invention this packaging crate is made of the association of a rigid framework delimited by two lower 1a and upper 6a peripheral belts, joined by four angled spacer columns 7, 8, 9, 10 to filling pannels formed with spaced slats in a latticework structure with lower rigidity than the elements which constitute the aforementionel frame.

Abstract: A height extension for use on top of a crate having a wall structure which extends the height of the wall structure of the crate to more stably retain containers. The extension of the present invention can be used with nestable and stackable crates to increase the heights of the crates without expensive replacement of the crates. It is particularly well suited for use with crates holding taller or differently shaped bottles. The extension also does not interfere with the nesting and stacking capabilities of the crates so that handling is not effected in any way since crates equipped with extensions are compatible with existing crates.

Abstract: An integrated interbox connector to permit vertical stacking of cargo carriers includes a plate movably connected to the carrier and positionable between in a stored position situated within a wall of the carrier and a connecting position situated on top of the roof of the carrier, the plate carrying a lug for engaging interlocking apertures provided on the bottom of a vertically adjacent cargo carrier. The lug can be secured to the interlocking aperture by a pin engaging a hole in a fixed lug or by a tab causing rotation of a rotatable lug.

Abstract: A Plastic fruit bin having four vertical walls and a bottom joined to the walls. Two supporting elements extending along and attached to the bottom elements. An array of gas injection tubes disposed on the lower side of the bottom element and extending up the center of each of the vertical walls. The vertical walls are joined to each other at their sides by a triangular shaped column, each of said columns forming a corner of the bin, and the columns being stiffened internally with longitudinal ribs. A rectangular recess at the bottom of each corner, the depth of the recess rising to the level of the bottom element of the bin, the recess being partially closed by a triangular shelf having its apex at the inner corner of the rectangle, and being defined by two corners of the rectangle adjacent to the inner corner, with the edge of the shelf which extends between the two corners of the rectangle defining the lower end of a triangular passageway.

Abstract: A reusable plastic container and a method of cleaning and sterilizing the same is described. The plastic container can be collapsed for transportation and sterilization when not in use. The container includes structural end frames which are made from the same material from which the remainder of the container is made. A band can be used when it is in its erected position to hold the same in such position. When collapsed, a container is flat and all parts of the same are exposed for easy washing and sterilization.

Abstract: A corner brace for a tote box assembly, wherein the tote box assembly comprises a box portion foldable from a box blank having a bottom, two side walls, two end walls and four end flaps extending from the side walls. The end walls and end flaps bonded together and have apertures into which are receivable hand holds. Four rails each having a channel and is fitted over a top edge of each said side walls and end walls. Each corner brace comprises an outer panel for extending about a corner, an inner panel integrally extending inwardly from said outer panel presenting a stackable surface and a flap, and a fastener for fastening said corner braces to said side walls and end walls. The improvement comprises said inner panel sized to fit about and enclose an end region of said side rail and an end region of said end rail and said fastening means joins said inner panel to said outer panel below said rails, clamping said rails and walls together.

Abstract: A stackable container/storage bin combination is provided and includes at least one stackable container comprising an outer circumferential portion, a plurality of legs secured about the outer circumferential portion, each of the legs having a lower portion which extends below a lower edge of the circumferential portion for defining a notch with the lower edge, and an inner tray portion positioned within and secured to the circumferential portion, the inner tray portion defining at least one storage compartment with the outer circumferential portion, and at least one removable storage bin adapted to be received in at least one storage compartment.

Abstract: The present invention comprises a modular battery tray comprising a series of battery modular trays attached together, each tray comprising a back section and opposing side sections configured to provide access between the opposing side sections, at least one of the sections having battery compartments in which the battery is restrained from movement, as desired. In the preferred embodiment, a top cover and a front access door are included, as is a base so as to provide a battery cabinet assembly that may be readily moved and which restricts access.

Abstract: A collapsible bin has corner constructions that provides reinforcement at the corners thereof and joins the walls of the bin in a box configuration that may be collapsed. The collapsible corner construction includes a pair of casements joined together by an anchor pin. The anchor pin is received in T-slots within each of the casements. The anchor pin may be slipped or removed from the T-slots to release the casements from their joined condition, so that the walls of the container may be collapsed. An interlocking tab and slot configuration provides interlocking means for stacking one collapsible bin upon another.

Abstract: Apparatus for engaging interlocking apertures provided on the bottom of intermodal cargo containers to permit vertical stacking of the containers. The apparatus is in the form of integrated interbox connectors movably connected to the containers and positionable between in a stored position situated within the walls of the container and a connecting position situated on top of the roof of the container to engage the interlocking apertures of a vertically adjacent container. A pin is provided for securing the interbox connectors situated in the connecting position to said interlocking apertures provided on the bottom of said vertically adjacent container.

Abstract: A stackable, nestable, multi-level tray or basket useful for storing and transporting baked goods is provided which includes a floor and a pair of upstanding side walls configured for stacking identical trays as well as allowing the stacking of a tray with smaller, overall dimensions. The structure enables identical trays to slide on to each other in stacked or nested configurations. A multi-level tray includes sidewalls with a plurality of upright stacking posts extending from the floor to a vertical strip of material. Each stacking post flares out at its top end to a cantilevered, extending flat portion. Trays of smaller overall dimensions than the disclosed tray can be advantageously stacked on these extending flat portions.

Abstract: The packing container has an outer container shaped from a card blank (7) and an inner container deep drawn from a plastic sheet. The strong, but manually detachable connection between the outer and inner containers of the packing container takes place positively, in that during the deep drawing of the inner container bulges are formed in its wall, which penetrate cutouts (39 to 44) of the outer container. Thus, for separate waste disposal purposes, the outer container can be completely and easily separated again from the inner container.