Patent Publication Number: US-2016236808-A1

Title: Tote with recessed grooves

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present invention claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/115,382 filed Feb. 12, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     N/A 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a tote style container having recessed bottom grooves configured to fit over rails in a racking system. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A variety of tote style or type containers (i.e., totes) are used to transport goods as well as components and/or parts or materials. Many totes are utilized with automated equipment and conveyor systems, such as a racking system. Some of these systems include rails or other similar structure. 
     The present system provides an improved tote container for use in a system having rails. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a tote type container for use with a racking system having rails. The tote is provided with one or more recessed grooves (preferably two recessed grooves) configured to saddle over rails used in the racking system. The grooves are deep enough to hold the tote in place, but also allow the tote to be pushed in and out (i.e., on or off) the rails using automatic or robotic systems. The grooves can be provided with leading edge chamfers to initial the alignment onto the rails. The grooves stabilize the tote and keep it from sliding side to side while in the rack. The grooves also help to properly position the tote in the rack. 
     In accordance with one embodiment, a tote style container is provided with bottom grooves. The tote style container includes a container body having a bottom portion, a first side wall, an opposing second side wall, a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, the bottom portion including a first groove configured to accommodate a first rail of a racking system. 
     The container body is formed from a plastic material in a mold forming process. Each of the components of the container body are integrally formed together and connected. 
     The bottom portion of the container body can further include a second groove formed in the bottom portion spaced from the first groove. The second groove is configured to accommodate a second rail of the racking system. The bottom can include additional grooves depending on the size of the container and number of rails in the racking system. 
     The first groove is generally parallel to the second groove (or other grooves if present). The grooves can be formed to include a first wall and a second wall generally parallel to the first wall. However, the generally parallel first wall and second wall can diverge proximate the first end and the second end. 
     The bottom portion of the container can further comprise a central located indented portion. Additionally, or alternatively, the bottom portion can include a first interior wall and a second exterior wall spaded from the first interior wall. 
     The container can further comprise a lower rim around the container body. Similarly, the container can further comprise an upper rim around the container body. Each of the lower rim and upper rim can include one or more handle portions. 
     Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the Figures, and are described herein. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a tote container over partially depicted rails of a racking system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the bottom of the container of  FIG. 1  showing the partially depicted rails; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the bottom of the tote container of  FIG. 1  without the rails; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the bottom of the tote container of  FIG. 1  with the partially depicted rails; and, 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective cross-sectional view of the bottom of the tote container of  FIG. 1  without the partially depicted rails. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. 
     The present invention is directed to a tote type or style container that includes grooves that fit over rails of a racking system. The grooves hold the tote in place and provide stability while on the rails of the racking system. 
     In accordance with one embodiment of the invention,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show a container  10  on partially depicted rails of a rack system. The container  10  is preferably formed from plastic in a mold as a single piece with all of the components of the container  10  integrally connected. 
     The container  10  includes a generally rectangular container body  12  having an open top portion. In some instances a separate top (not shown) can be used with (or connected to) the container body  12  to cover the open top portion of the container body  12 . 
     The container  10  shown is typically referred to as a “tote” (the term “container” and “tote” may be used interchangeably herein). The body  12  of the tote  10  includes a first sidewall  14 , an opposing second sidewall  16 , a first end wall  18  and an opposing second end wall  20 . Each of the sidewalls  14 ,  16  and end walls  18 ,  20  extend upward from a rectangular bottom portion  22 . 
     The tote  10  is shown on a first rail  24  and a second rail  26  (both partially depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of a racking system. As discussed below, the bottom portion  22  of the tote  10  includes a first groove  28  and a second groove  30  configured to accommodate the first and second rails  24 ,  26 , respectively. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 5 , the first and second grooves  28 ,  30  are shown without the rails  24 ,  26 .  FIG. 3  shows each groove  28 ,  30  as indented strips having generally parallel, opposing walls  32 ,  34 . The walls  32 ,  34  flare out slightly (i.e., diverge from a parallel orientation) proximate each of the ends  18 ,  20  of the bottom portion  22 . 
       FIG. 3  also shows a central indented portion  36  between the grooves  28 ,  30 . The central indented portion  36  can add strength to the structure of the bottom portion  22 . Other types of indentation can also be used. 
     As shown in the cross-sections of  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the bottom portion  22  of the tote  10  can be of double walled construction. The bottom portion  22  includes a generally flat interior bottom wall  38  spaced from an outer, lowermost bottom wall  40  (containing the grooves  24 ,  26  and central indented portion  36 ). 
     The tote  10  also includes a lower rim structure  42  and an upper rim structure  44 . The rim structures  42 ,  44  can add strength to the tote and can be utilized with automated equipment. Handle portions  46  can be formed in the rim structures  42 ,  44 . 
     Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.