Stackable shelving system

• US 4,801,024 A
• Filed: 03/26/1987
• Issued: 01/31/1989
• Est. Priority Date: 12/09/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Paul Flum Ideas, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Paul Flum Ideas, Inc.
• Inventors: Bidwell, Christopher C., Flum, Paul L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Johnson, Blair M.
• Application Number:
  US07/031,409
• Time in Patent Office: 677 Days
• Field of Search: 211/59.4, 211/71, 211/72, 211/74, 211/188, 211/194, 108/55.1, 108/55.3, 108/53.1, 108/55.5, 108/51.1, 206/597
• US Class Current: 211/59.4
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 7/281 for vertically-stacked containers; Stabilising means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 71/70 Trays provided with projections or recesses in order to assemble multiple articles, e.g. intermediate elements for stacking

Abstract

A bulk packaging and display system for holding, storing, transporting, displaying and merchandising product containers in a pre-stacked arrangement thereon comprising a base member having means thereon to locate and support a stack of product containers and a plurality of shelf members each adapted to rest upon respective layers of the product containers, said shelf members having upper and/or lower surfaces shaped to engage the product containers adjacent thereto, a relatively rigid member positioned forming the top of the display, and means binding the base member and top member with the layers of product containers positioned therebetween into a sturdy assembly suitable for moving, storing, transporting and displaying.

Claims

1. A bulk packaging and display system for holding, transporting and displaying product containers in a stackable arrangement comprising a base member, a base shelf member adaptable to be supported on said base member, said base shelf member including a product supporting floor portion extending substantially the full length width thereof and a wall portion extending therearound, said floor portion including a plurality of adjacent product support areas extending substantially thereover, each of said product support areas including a cavity adaptable for receiving and holding at least one product container positioned therewithin, a plurality of additional shelf members each adaptable to rest upon and to be supported by the product containers positioned on a shelf member located therebelow, each of said plurality of additional shelf members including means located on the floor portion thereof for cooperatively engaging the upper portion of the product containers positioned therebelow, the product containers being stackably arranged on said base shelf member and on said plurality of additional shelf members thereabove to a predetermined height, one of said plurality of additional shelf members being positioned to engage the upper portion of each product container located in the uppermost layer of product containers, a relatively non-yieldable member positioned on top of the uppermost shelf member, and means engageable with the base member and with the non-yieldable member for fastening the system together into a unitary structure.

2. The bulk packaging and display system of claim 1 wherein the base member is formed of molded plastic.

3. The bulk packaging and display system of claim 1 wherein said base member has channels formed extending therethrough in positions to cooperatively receive the lifting tines of a fork lift device.

4. The bulk packaging and display system of claim 1 wherein the base member has channels extending therethrough for receiving straps that extend around the display in vertical orientation.

5. The bulk packaging and display system of claim 1 wherein the means engageable with the base member and the non-yieldable member includes flexible strap members surrounding the system.

6. The bulk packaging and display system of claim 1 wherein the means engageable with the base member and the non-yieldable member includes a bulk packaging wrap surrounding the system.

7. The bulk packaging and display system of claim 1 wherein the base member includes caster means for moving the entire system across a supporting surface from one location to another.

8. The bulk packaging and display system of claim 1 wherein the base member and the base shelf member are integrally formed as a one piece molded plastic base member having a peripheral edge portion and a plurality of adjacent product support areas extending substantially over the surface thereof.

9. The bulk packaging and display system of claim 1 wherein said additional shelf members are constructed and dimensioned to substantially conform to said base shelf member.

10. A bulk packaging and display system for holding, transporting and displaying product containers in a stackable arrangement comprising a base member, a base shelf member adaptable to be supported on said base member, said base shelf member including a product supporting floor portion extending substantially the full length and width thereof and a wall portion extending therearound, said floor portion including a plurality of spaced upstanding wall portions extending upwardly therefrom, said plurality of upstanding wall portions being arranged in a grid-like pattern and forming a plurality of adjacent product support areas adaptable for locating and supporting at least one product container positioned respectively thereon, a plurality of additional shelf members each adaptable to rest upon and to be supported by the product containers positioned on a shelf member located therebelow, each of said plurality of additional shelf members including means located on the floor portion thereof for cooperatively engaging the upper portion of the product containers positioned therebelow, the product containers being stackably arranged on said base shelf member and on said plurality of additional shelf members thereabove to a predetermined height, one of said plurality of additional shelf members being positioned to engage the upper portion of each product container located in the uppermost layer of product containers, a relatively non-yieldable member positioned on top of the uppermost shelf member, and means engageable with the base member and with the non-yieldable member for fastening the system together into a unitary structure.

11. A bulk packaging and display system for holding, transporting and displaying product containers in a stackable arrangement comprising a base member, a base shelf member adaptable to be supported on said base member, said base shelf member including a product supporting floor portion extending substantially the full length an width thereof and a wall portion extending therearound, said floor portion including a plurality of adjacent product support areas extending substantially thereover, each of said product support areas including a cavity adaptable for receiving and holding at least one product container positioned therewithin, a plurality of additional shelf members each adaptable to rest upon and to be supported by the product containers positioned on a shelf member located therebelow, each of said plurality of additional shelf members including means located on the floor portion thereof for cooperatively engaging the upper portion of the product containers positioned therebelow, the product containers being stackably arranged on said base shelf member and on said plurality of additional shelf members thereabove to a predetermined height, means including a relatively non-yieldable member positioned to engage the upper portion of the product containers located in the uppermost layer of product containers, and other means engageable with said base member and with said means engageable with the uppermost layer of product containers for fastening the system together into a unitary structure.

12. A bulk packaging and display system for holding, transporting and displaying product containers in a stackable arrangement comprising a base member, a base shelf member adaptable to be supported on said base member, said base shelf member including a product supporting floor portion extending substantially the full length and width thereof and a wall portion extending therearound, said floor portion including a plurality of spaced upstanding wall portions extending upwardly therefrom, said plurality of upstanding wall portions being arranged in a grid-like pattern and forming a plurality of adjacent product support areas adaptable for locating and supporting at least one product container positioned respectively thereon, a plurality of additional shelf members each adaptable to rest upon and to be supported by the product containers positioned on a shelf member located therebelow, each of said plurality of additional shelf members including means located on the floor portion thereof for cooperatively engaging the upper portion of the product containers positioned therebelow, the product containers being stackably arranged on said base shelf member and on said plurality of additional shelf members thereabove to a predetermined height, means including a relatively non-yieldable member positioned to engage the upper portion of the product containers located in the uppermost layer of product containers, and other means engageable with said base member and with said means engageable with the uppermost layer of product containers for fastening the system together into a unitary structure.