Patent Publication Number: US-2007095844-A1

Title: Crate

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      (1) Field of the Invention  
      The present invention generally relates to a crate having sides with openings. In particular, the present invention is directed to a dairy crate having openings sized to prevent the insertion of a hook.  
      (2) Description of the Related Art  
      Crates are often used to transport dairy products such as milk. At dairies and in stores where the products are sold, grabbing tools such as hooks or similar instruments are often used to move the plastic crates. For crates that have solid sides with only a reinforced opening for a handle, the hooks are inserted through the handle opening. However, for crates that have both handle openings and other smaller openings on the side, the hooks are sometimes inserted through the smaller openings rather than the handle opening. However, smaller openings are typically not reinforced and tend to break when pulled on by a grabbing tool or instrument such as a hook.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      One aspect of the present invention is a crate including a bottom and a plurality of sides extending upwardly from the bottom. Each of the plurality of sides are joined with the bottom and the plurality of sides are joined with one another to define an open top in the crate. At least one of the plurality of sides includes a first opening defining a handle and a plurality of secondary openings. Each of the plurality of secondary openings is sized to prevent the insertion of a grabbing tool.  
      Another aspect of the invention is a crate including a bottom having an outer edge and a plurality of sides extending upwardly from the bottom. Each of the plurality of sides is joined with the bottom and the plurality of sides are joined with one another to define an open top in the crate. At least one of the plurality of sides includes a first opening defining a handle and a plurality of secondary openings. The crate also includes a plurality of ribs, which are each positioned within one of the plurality of secondary openings.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show a form of the invention that is presently preferred. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a front isometric view of a crate according to one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of partial section of the secondary openings in one embodiment of the present invention;  
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of a partial section of the secondary openings in one embodiment of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
      Referring now to the drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, and in particular to  FIGS. 1-4 , one aspect of the present invention is a crate  20 , which includes a plurality of sides  22  (referred to as sides  22  hereafter) that each have a plurality of secondary openings  24  (referred to as openings  24  hereafter) that are configured to prevent the insertion of a grabbing tool such as a hook (not shown).  
      Crate  20  also includes a bottom  26 , which is joined with sides  22 . Sides  22  extend upwardly from bottom  26 . Typically, crate  20  includes four of sides  22 . However, in other embodiments, other numbers of sides  22  are possible, e.g., three, five, or more. Sides  22  are joined with one another to define an open top  28  in crate  20 . Of course, in other embodiments, a lid (not shown) may also be includes. At least one of the plurality of sides includes a first opening  30  defining a handle. Each openings  24  is smaller than first opening  30 . Referring to  FIG. 2 , in one embodiment, each of openings  24  has a largest dimension that is less than or equal to 1 inch. Alternatively, openings  24  are sized according to the dimensions of a particular grabbing tool, e.g., hook or similar instrument.  
      As best shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in one embodiment, crate  20  includes a plurality of ribs  32  (referred to as ribs  32  hereafter), which are each positioned within one of openings  24 . Each of ribs  32  defines at least two smaller openings  34  (referred to as smaller openings  34  hereafter) in one openings  24 . Each of smaller openings  34  is sized to prevent the insertion of a hook (not shown) and is generally smaller than first opening  30 . Typically, each of smaller openings  30  has a largest dimension that is less than or equal to 1 inch. Alternatively, smaller openings  30  are sized according to the dimensions of a particular grabbing tool, e.g., hook or similar instrument.  
      Crate  20  is typically used as a dairy crate and is generally fabricated from a thermoplastic or the like, as sold by Norseman Plastics Ltd. of Ontario, Canada. Aspects of the present invention are not limited to a specific crate geometry, material, or use. Rather, it is contemplated that the present invention may be incorporated into any type of crate that is moved using a grabbing instrument such as a hook or similar device.  
      A crate according to the present invention offers advantages over prior art designs in that it reduces the damage caused to the crate by pulling on unreinforced openings on the sides of the crate inserting using grabbing tools such as hooks. Instead, a worker is forced to insert the hook into larger, reinforced openings, thereby reducing damage to the crate.  
      A crate according to the present invention that includes ribs offers additional reinforcement over prior art crates. The ribs help increase the strength of the crate sides thereby increasing the amount of stress they can withstand without failing.  
      Although the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the foregoing and various other changes, omissions and additions may be made therein and thereto, without parting from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.