GB1146196A - Stackable and nestable container - Google Patents

Abstract

1,146,196. Crates &c. CONTAINER DEVELOPMENT CORP. 30 Oct., 1967 [22 May, 1967], No. 49271/67. Heading B8P. A crate or other container has a number of spaced vertical columns along its wall or walls with gaps between, so arranged that when two such crates &c. are similarly aligned the tops of the columns on a lower crate &c. receive the bottoms of the columns of a like crate &c. stacked upon it, but when the crates are e.g. turned through 180 degrees, the columns of the upper crate slide into the recesses between the columns of the lower crate &c. and the two are in nested relationship. In one form, a crate of foamed plastics has a base 2, Fig. 1, with rectangular columns 4 spaced by gaps 6 and connected to a top rim 3. When two such crates similarly orientated are stacked, the bottoms of the columns 4 of the top crate rest on the tops 7 of the columns of the lower crate, Fig. 4 (not shown). By rotating the crates through 180 degrees relatively to each other, the columns 4 of the top crate can slide down the gaps 6 between the columns of the lower crate, so that one is nested within the other, Fig. 5 (not shown). In the stacked position, the rim 3 of the lower crate prevents lateral sliding of the top crate. The rim 3 may alternatively not extend beyond the tops of the columns 4, lateral sliding then being prevented by interengaging bosses and recesses on the top &c. faces of the columns. The columns 4 may alternatively be of circular, oval &c. cross-section. The crate &c. may be of square &c. cross-section, so that crates have to be misorientated by 90 degrees, instead of 180 degrees, for nesting. Feet (5), Fig. 2 (not shown), are provided on the lower side of the base 2. In another form, a crate has solid walls 11, 12, Figs. 8, 9, in which are formed columns 13. The upper and lower sections 14, 15 of the walls are offset to provide a ledge 16. In the nested relationship, the bottoms of the columns 13 of the top crate rest on the ledge 16 of the lower crate, Fig. 11 (not shown). In the stacked relationship, the bottoms of the columns 13 of the top crate rest on the upper ends 17 of the columns 13 of the lower crate, Fig. 12 (not shown). The crate has hand-holes 12, and feet (10), Fig. 7 (not shown). Instead of the rectangular crates shown, a container having the columns of the invention may be of circular, oval &c. shape.