A container includes a base and a plurality of walls extending upward from a periphery of the base. A pair of supports are movable between a nesting position and at least one stack position. In one embodiment, the container includes projections outwardly from opposed walls that can be supported on the supports of an identical container.

BACKGROUND

Some known containers are nestable with one another when empty. Supports are pivotably connected to the side walls and movable between a home/nest position and a stack position. In the home/nest position, another container of a similar type can be nested in the container. In the stack position, another container can be stacked on the supports of the lower container.

SUMMARY

The present invention provides several embodiments and several inventive features. Generally, the container includes a base, a pair of opposed end walls and a pair of opposed side walls. A support is movable mounted to the side walls adjacent each end wall. The support is movable between a nesting position and at least one stack position.

In one feature of the present invention, the walls include contact surfaces that can be supported on an identical container at a height higher than the nesting position, but with the base of the container disposed within the plurality of walls of the identical container and below the support of the identical container. In one embodiment, the contact surfaces can be supported on the support of the identical container in the stack position. In another embodiment, the contact surfaces can be supported on contact surfaces on the walls of the identical container. The contact surfaces may be provided by projections from the walls of the container.

In one embodiment, the support is movable to a high stack position on which the base of an identical container can be supported, or a low stack position on which the contact surfaces of the identical container can be supported.

In another embodiment, the contact surfaces are configured to contact a portion of the walls of the identical container to support the container at a first height when the container is oriented in a first orientation and wherein the container can nest in the identical container in a second orientation.

In another feature of the present invention, the support is movable between a stack position and the nesting position, and an upper surface of a support portion of the support faces upward in the stack position and the nesting position. In one embodiment, the upper surface of the support portion faces upward in a high stack position, low stack position and nesting position. In another embodiment, the support portion in the high stack position and the nesting position and the support portion in the low stack position is rotated approximately 90 degrees relative to the support portion in the high stack and nesting positions.

In another feature of the present invention, the pivot pins are toward the interior of the container relative to the support portion in the high stack position, low stack position and nesting position.

In another feature of the present invention, an identical container would nest in the container when the container and identical container are in a first relative orientation, and wherein the identical container stacks on support surfaces on two of the plurality of walls of the container when the container and identical container are in a second relative orientation that is 180 degrees relative to the first orientation. Thus the movable support can provide one stacking height, and the 180 degree rotation can provide another stacking height. Two of the walls include projections outwardly therefrom, the projections of the identical container can be stacked on the support surfaces of the two of the plurality of walls. In a disclosed example, the support surfaces are provided by bottom edges of openings through the two walls.

In another feature of the present invention, the support is movable to a low stack position and a high stack position, wherein the low stack position is closer to a center of the container in the low stack position than the high stack position. In one disclosed example, an upper surface of a support portion of the support faces upwardly in the nesting position and in the high stack position.

In another feature of the present invention, the support includes a support portion extending across the container between a pair of arms movably connected to the plurality of walls, wherein the support portion includes a tapered lower surface complementary to a tapered upper surface of an upper edge of a first wall of the plurality of walls on which the support portion of the support is received in the nesting position.

In another feature of the present invention, the support includes a support portion extending across the container between a pair of arms movably connected to the plurality of walls, wherein the pair of arms are each U-shaped.

In another feature of the present invention, wherein the support includes a support portion extending across the container between a pair of arms movably connected to a pair of opposed walls of the plurality of walls, a pin projecting from each of the arms into an opening in one of the opposed walls, wherein the opening is generally horizontal.

It should be noted that many of the features can be practiced independently from one another. Also, many of the features can be practiced in different combinations with one another.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1-14illustrate a container10according to a first embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 1is a perspective view of the container10. The container10includes opposed end walls14and opposed side walls16extending upwardly from a base12. The container10includes a pair of supports18mounted adjacent each end wall14. The supports18are pivotably and slidably mounted to opposite side walls16. InFIG. 1, the supports18are shown in the home or nest position. Each end wall14includes a plurality of projections52, which are typically used for stacking the container10crosswise on a container twice its size. In this embodiment, they are also used to provide a lower stacking position when stacked on a similar container.

FIG. 2is an enlarged view of the exterior of the nearest corner of the container10ofFIG. 1. The outer portion24of the side wall16includes an opening23through which the pin38of the support18is received. The opening23includes an upper, slanted portion40angling downward toward the end of the container10, and a generally vertical portion42having a lower surface44. In this embodiment, the slanted portion40of the opening23extends downward toward the end wall14from the top of the generally vertical portion42of the opening23. As shown, when the support18is in the home position, the pin38is in the slanted portion40. The pin38of the support18is pivotable and slidable within the opening23. The corner of the container10below the lip of the container10is curved outward to prevent shingling of adjacent containers10.

FIGS. 3 and 4show a tapered boss39at the end of the pin38and a tapered opening23. The complementary tapers on the boss39and the periphery of the opening23trap the support18to the container10.

FIG. 5is an interior view of the corner of the container10. The side wall16includes an inner wall portion26having an upper support surface28with an upward projection30adjacent thereto. A channel32is formed through the inner wall portion26adjacent to and toward the exterior of the upward projection30. The channel32is partially defined by a lower support surface34. Adjacent the channel32and toward the exterior thereof is an upward projection33. The support18includes a support portion20extending across the container from one side wall16to the other (not shown) and sitting on the end wall14(or alternatively could be adjacent end wall14). The support portion20is pivotably and slidably connected to the side walls16by arms22. In this embodiment, the arms22are U-shaped, opening downwardly when the support18is in the home position as shown. With the supports18in the retracted position, a similar container can be nested to a position in which the band of the upper container rests on the band of the lower container10(FIG. 14). In the disclosed embodiments, the supports are plastic, so the support portion has an oblong aspect ratio to increase the support strength and stiffness.

As shown inFIG. 6, the support portion20of the support18includes a tapered surface21interlocked with a complementary tapered surface15at the upper edge of the end wall14to keep the support18in the proper position.

FIGS. 7-9illustrate the support18in the upper support position. Referring toFIG. 7, the support18is supported on the upper support surface28of the inner wall portion26of the side wall16. In this position, the U-shaped arms22are inverted to open upwardly, such that the underside of the support portion20also faces upwardly to contact another container. Referring toFIG. 8, the pin38(and boss39) are slid forward in the slanted portion40of the opening23.

As shown inFIG. 9, when the supports18are in the upper support position, a similar container10′ can be stacked on the supports18. The support portions20of the supports18are received in channels on the underside of the base12′ of the upper container10′. This position provides the most room for goods stored in the lower container10.

FIGS. 10-13illustrate the container10with the support18in the lower support position. Referring toFIG. 11, the pin38is supported on the lower surface44in the vertical portion42of the opening23. The support18protrudes outward through an opening56through the side wall16below the band58of the container10and rests on a surface60of the side wall16. The opening56permits the support18to move to the lower position and provides additional support to the support18. The pin38of the support18is pivotable and slidable within the opening23to the lower-most position on the lower surface44of the channel42in the outer wall portion of the side wall16. The U-shaped arms22are again inverted (opening downwardly) in the lower support position, such that the upper surface of the support portion20of the support18faces upwardly.

When an upper container10′ is stacked on the lower container10with the support18in the lower support position as shown inFIG. 12, the projections52′ on the end walls14of the upper container10′ provide contact surfaces that are supported on the support portions20of the supports18, as shown inFIG. 13. This provides a lower stacking height of the upper container10′ on the lower container10. This provides more efficient stacking of the containers10for goods in the containers10that do not occupy all of the volume. This reduces the overall stacking height of the containers10,10′.

FIG. 14shows the containers10,10′ in a nested position in which the containers10,10′ occupy the least volume, such as for storage or shipping when empty.

FIGS. 15-23illustrate a container110according to a second embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 15is a perspective view of the container110. The container110includes opposed end walls114and opposed side walls116extending upwardly from a base112. The container110includes a pair of supports118mounted adjacent each end wall114. The supports118are pivotably and slidably mounted to opposite side walls116and include support portions120which extend across the container110. The end wall114includes a plurality of projections152, which are typically used for stacking the container110crosswise on a container twice its size. As explained below, in this embodiment, they can also be used to provide 180 degree stack/nest functionality. The end wall114further includes a plurality of tall elongated vertical windows162aligned with the projections and short elongated windows164between the projections152and spaced upwardly from the projections152. The opposite end wall114aincludes the minor image arrangement of the windows162,164and projections152of the end wall114.

FIG. 16is an enlarged view of the exterior of the nearest corner of the container110ofFIG. 15. The outer portion124of the side wall116includes an opening123through which the pin138of the support118is received. The opening123includes an upper, generally horizontal portion140and a generally vertical portion142having a lower surface144. In this embodiment, the horizontal portion140of the opening123extends away from the end wall114from the upper end of the generally vertical portion142of the opening123. The pin138of the support118is pivotable and slidable within the opening123.

InFIGS. 15-17and22, the supports118are shown in the retracted position on the end wall114.

FIG. 17is an interior view of the corner of the container110. The side wall116includes an inner wall portion126having an upper support surface128with an upward projection130adjacent thereto. The support118includes a support portion120extending across the container from one side wall116to the other side wall116and sitting on the end wall114(or alternatively could be adjacent end wall114). The support portion120is pivotably and slidably connected to the side walls116by arms122. As shown inFIG. 22, with the supports118in the retracted position, a similar container110′ can be nested therein to a position in which the band158′ of the upper container110′ rests on the band158of the lower container110.

By pivoting and sliding the support118relative to the side walls116, the supports118can be moved from the retracted position ofFIG. 17to the upper support position shown inFIG. 18-21. Referring toFIG. 19, the support118is supported on the upper support surface128of the side wall116. As shown inFIG. 20, in the upper support position, the pin138of the support118is slid to the inner end of the horizontal portion140of the opening123in the side wall116.

Referring toFIG. 21, with the support118in the upper support position, the upper container110′ is stacked on the lower container110at the greatest height, there providing the largest storage volume within the lower container110.

As shown inFIG. 22, when the containers110,110′ are oriented similarly and the supports118are in the nest or home position, the upper container110′ can be fully nested in the lower container110to occupy the least volume when empty for storage or shipping. InFIG. 22, the containers110are arranged with the similar end walls114a,114a′ aligned with one another. This permits the projections152a′ of the upper container110′ to be received in the tall vertical windows162aof the lower container110, which permits the upper container110′ to fully nest in the lower container110.

InFIG. 23, the upper container110′ is rotated 180 degrees, so that the end wall114′ is aligned with the end wall114a. This causes the projections152′ of the upper container110′ to be received in and the short vertical windows164aof the lower container110, where the lower contact surfaces of the projections152′ contact support surfaces on the lower edges of the short vertical windows164a. This provides a lower stacking height of the upper container110′ on the lower container110. This provides more efficient stacking of the containers110for goods in the containers110that do not occupy all of the volume. As shown inFIG. 23, this reduces the overall stacking height of the containers110.

It should be noted that although the container110is shown with a support118that only has two positions, the 180 degree stack/nest feature could be provided with a three (or more) position support118, such as the three-position supports disclosed in any of the other embodiments herein.

FIGS. 24-34illustrate a container210according to a third embodiment of the present invention.FIG. 24is a perspective view of the container210. The container210includes opposed end walls214and opposed side walls216extending upwardly from a base212. The container210includes a pair of supports218mounted adjacent each end wall214. The supports218are pivotably and slidably mounted to opposite side walls216. InFIG. 24, the supports218are shown in the home or nest position. Each end wall214includes a plurality of projections252, which are typically used for stacking the container210crosswise on a container twice its size.

FIG. 25is an interior view of the corner of the container210. The side wall216includes an inner wall portion226having an upper support surface228with an upward projection230adjacent thereto. A channel232is formed through the inner wall portion226adjacent to and toward the interior of the upward projection230. The channel232is partially defined by a lower support surface234. The support218includes a support portion220extending across the container from one side wall216to the other (not shown) and sitting on the end wall214(or alternatively could be adjacent end wall214). The support portion220is pivotably and slidably connected to the side walls216by arms222.

An outer portion224of the side wall216includes an opening223through which the pin238(FIG. 24) of the support218is received. The opening223includes an upper, slanted portion240angling downward toward the end of the container210, and a generally vertical portion242having a lower surface244. In this embodiment, the slanted portion240of the opening223extends downward toward the end wall214from the generally vertical portion242of the opening223. The pin238of the support218is pivotable and slidable within the opening223. Referring toFIG. 26, as before, with the supports218in the retracted position, a similar container210′ can be nested to a position in which the band258′ of the upper container210′ rests on the band258of the lower container210.

FIGS. 27-30illustrate the support218in the upper support position. Referring toFIGS. 28 and 29, the support218is supported on the upper support surface228of the side wall216. To bring the support218out of the home position (shown inFIG. 25), the support218is slid in the opening223. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the support portion220of the support218still faces upwardly in both the home (FIG. 25) and upper stack (FIG. 28) positions. As shown inFIG. 29, the pin238is inward of the support portion220in the upper stack position.

Referring toFIG. 30, in the upper stack position, the supports218can support another container210′ thereon. The base212′ of the upper container210′ is supported directly on the supports218. This provides the maximum space in the lower container210for goods.

FIGS. 30-34illustrate the container210with the support218in the lower support position. As shown inFIG. 32, the support218is supported on the lower support surface234in the channel232. The pin238(FIG. 33) of the support218is pivotable and slidable within the opening223to the lower-most position on the lower surface244of the channel242in the outer wall portion of the side wall216. The support218is rotated to where the support portion220is roughly ninety degrees relative to the upper stack and home positions, thereby presenting the broad side of the support portion220upwardly. As shown inFIG. 33, the end of the support218is also supported on a lower surface260of an opening256through the side wall216below the band258. This permits the support218to be lower in the container210.

Referring toFIG. 34, when the upper container210′ is stacked on the lower container210with the support218in the lower support position, base212′ of the upper container210′ is supported on the support portions220of the supports218. This provides more efficient stacking of the containers210for goods in the containers210that do not occupy all of the volume. This reduces the overall stacking height of the containers210.

Notably, in the embodiment ofFIGS. 24-34, the support portion220is toward the interior of the container210in the lower stack position relative to the support portion220in the upper stack position. Also notably, the upper surface of the support portion220faces upwardly in both the home/nest position and the upper stack position. Further, the support portion220in the lower stack position is in an orientation roughly ninety degrees relative to the upper stack position and home/nest position.

A container310according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 35-46.FIG. 35is a perspective view of the container310. The container310includes opposed end walls314and opposed side walls316extending upwardly from a base312. The container310includes a pair of supports318mounted adjacent each end wall314. The supports318are pivotably and slidably mounted to opposite side walls316. InFIGS. 35 and 36, the supports318are shown in the home or nest position. Each end wall314includes a plurality of projections352, which are typically used for stacking the container310crosswise on a container twice its size.

The outer portion324of the side wall316includes an opening323through which the pin338of the support318is received. The opening323includes an upper, slightly slanted portion340angling downward toward the interior of the container310, and a generally vertical portion342having a lower surface344. In this embodiment, the slanted portion340of the opening323extends downward away from the end wall314and the generally vertical portion342of the opening323extends downward from a mid-portion of the slanted portion340, forming a general “T” shape. A recess for receiving the pin338is formed adjacent the forward edge (nearest the end wall314) of the slanted portion340. As shown, when the support318is in the home position, the pin338is in the recess334. The pin338of the support318is pivotable and slidable within the opening323.

FIG. 36is an interior view of the corner of the container310. The side wall316includes an inner wall portion326having an upper support surface328with an upward projection330adjacent thereto. A channel332is formed through the inner wall portion326adjacent to and toward the exterior of the upward projection330. The channel332is partially defined by a lower support surface334. The support318includes a support portion320extending across the container from one side wall316to the other (not shown) and sitting on the end wall314(or alternatively could be adjacent end wall314). The support portion320is pivotably and slidably connected to the side walls316by arms322. As before, with the supports318in the retracted position, a similar container can be nested to a position in which the band of the upper container rests on the band of the lower container310, as shown inFIG. 37.

FIGS. 38-41illustrate the support318in the upper support position. Referring toFIG. 39, the support318is supported on the upper support surface328of the side wall316. Referring toFIG. 40, to bring the support318out of the home position (shown inFIG. 36), the support318is lifted a short height vertically (to bring pin338out of the recess), and then the support318is pushed toward the interior of the crate until the pin338is at the most interior edge of the opening323. During this movement, the support portion320is lifted over the projection330and set into the upper stack position. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the support portion320again faces upward, and the pin338is inward of the support portion320, in both the home/nest and upper stack positions. InFIG. 41, the base312′ of the upper container310′ is supported on the supports318to provide maximum space for products in the lower container310.

FIGS. 42-46illustrate the container310with the support318in the lower support position on the lower support surface334in the channel332. Referring toFIG. 44, the pin338of the support318is pivotable and slidable within the opening323to the lower-most position on the lower surface344of the channel342in the outer wall portion of the side wall316. For the lower position the pin338slid down the vertical channel342, and the support318is then rotated slightly to place the support318into the lower stack position.

InFIG. 45, the upper container318′ is stacked on the supports318of the lower container318′. As can be seen inFIG. 46, the lower contact surfaces of the projections352′ on the end walls314of the upper container310′ are supported on the support portions320of the supports318. This provides a lower stacking height of the upper container310′ on the lower container310. This provides more efficient stacking of the containers310for goods in the containers310that do not occupy all of the volume. This reduces the overall stacking height of the containers310.

A container410according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention is shown inFIGS. 47-59.FIG. 47is a perspective view of the container410. The container410includes opposed end walls414and opposed side walls416extending upwardly from a base412. The container410includes a pair of supports418mounted adjacent each end wall414. The supports418are pivotably and slidably mounted to opposite side walls416. InFIGS. 47-50, the supports418are shown in the home or nest position. Each end wall414includes a plurality of projections452, which are typically used for stacking the container410crosswise on a container twice its size.

FIG. 48is an interior view of a corner of the container410. The side wall416includes an inner wall portion426having an upper support surface428with an upward projection430adjacent thereto. A channel432is formed through the inner wall portion426adjacent to and toward the exterior of the upward projection430. The channel432is partially defined by a lower support surface434. The support418includes a support portion420extending across the container from one side wall416to the other (not shown) and sitting on the end wall414(or alternatively could be adjacent end wall414). The support portion420is pivotably and slidably connected to the side walls416by arms422.

Referring toFIG. 49, the outer portion424of the side wall416includes an opening423through which the pin438of the support418is received. The opening423is generally horizontal, which provides a simpler motion of the support418. A recess for receiving the pin438is formed near, but spaced away from, the forward edge (nearest the end wall414) of the opening423. As shown, when the support418is in the home position, the pin438is in the recess434. The pin438of the support418is pivotable and slidable within the opening423. As before, with the supports418in the retracted position, a similar container can be nested to a position in which the band458′ of the upper container rests on the band458of the lower container410, as shown inFIG. 50.

FIGS. 51-54illustrate the support418in the upper support position. Referring toFIG. 52, the support418is supported on the upper support surface428of the side wall416. To bring the support418out of the home position (shown inFIG. 48), the support418is lifted a short height vertically (to bring pin438out of the recess), and then the support418is pushed toward the interior of the crate until the pin438is at the most interior edge of the opening423. During this movement, the support portion420is lifted over the projection430and set into the upper stack position. In this embodiment, the upper surface of the support portion420again faces upward, and the pin438is inward of the support portion420, in both the home/nest and upper stack positions. InFIG. 54, the base412′ of the upper container410′ is supported on the supports418to provide maximum space for products in the lower container410.

FIGS. 55-59illustrate the container410with the support418in the lower support position on the lower support surface434in the channel432. Referring toFIG. 57, the pin438of the support418is pivotable and slidable within the opening423to the interior-most position in the opening423, and the support418is then rotated downward to place the support418into the lower stack position, as shown inFIG. 56.

InFIG. 58, the upper container418′ is stacked on the supports418of the lower container418′. As can be seen inFIG. 59, the lower contact surfaces of the projections452′ on the end walls414of the upper container410′ are supported on the support portions420of the supports418. This provides a lower stacking height of the upper container410′ on the lower container410. This provides more efficient stacking of the containers410for goods in the containers410that do not occupy all of the volume. This reduces the overall stacking height of the containers410.