Reusable packaging, shipping and display system

• US 5,540,536 A
• Filed: 02/10/1994
• Issued: 07/30/1996
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ecopal Canada Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ecopal Canada Incorporated
• Inventors: Hoedl, Herbert K.
• Primary Examiner(s): Merritt, Karen B.
• Assistant Examiner(s): KRIZEK, JANICE LEE
• Application Number:
  US08/194,437
• Time in Patent Office: 901 Days
• Field of Search: 414/417, 414/786, 414/403, 220/4.34, 220/625, 206/815, 206/507
• US Class Current: 414/416.09
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 11/18 collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/00 Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/045 about 180° only
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/064 the movable parts being an attached or integral cover made of one or two pieces
• CPC Class Codes: Y02W 30/80 Packaging reuse or recycling, e.g. of multilayer packaging bio-packaging Y02W90/10

Abstract

A reusable and returnable container system for packaging, shipping and displaying goods comprises a tote having an opening in a bottom surface and an upper opening. The opening in the bottom surface has an abutment for supporting a tray inside the tote. The tote is preferably stackable and nestable with like totes. The tray is adapted to carry goods and is insertable into the tote for resting on the abutment. The tote is easily separated from the tray without first removing the goods. Each tray can be transferred to a shelf for displaying the goods for selection by consumers. After the tray has been emptied, each tray can be stored in a stack of nested totes for returning for re-use.

Claims

1. A reusable and returnable container system for packaging, shipping and displaying goods, said system comprising:

a tote having integral side walls presenting an open bottom and an upper opening, said integral side walls having abutment means for supporting a tray inside said tote;

said tray adapted to carry goods, said tray insertable into said tote for resting on said abutment means and substantially closing said open bottom;

a pedestal to extend through said open bottom of said tote and to support said tray;

whereby a tote containing a tray carrying goods is placeable over said pedestal and slidable relative thereto urging said tray out of the tote to rest upon said pedestal.

2. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said abutment means extends across said open bottom presenting a plurality of apertures and said system further comprises a plurality of said pedestals, each of said pedestals matched with a corresponding one of said apertures to project said tray out of said tote.

3. The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tote has stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes.

4. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a lid for covering said upper opening.

5. The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lid comprises a pair of hinged cover plates hingedly connected to said side walls on opposite sides thereof, said cover plates swingable between a closed condition to cover said upper opening and an open condition pivoted outwardly permitting like totes to nest.

6. The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when said like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said totes are alternated, said like totes stack.

7. A method of recirculating reusable containers, the method comprising the steps of:

depositing goods onto a tray,

placing said tray on an abutment means of a tote, said tote comprising side walls presenting an open bottom and an upper opening, said side walls having said abutment means for supporting said tray inside said tote;

stacking a plurality of totes onto a pallet for transporting said plurality of totes to a point of sale;

unloading each tote of said plurality of totes by placing each tote over a pedestal and sliding each tote relative thereto urging said tray out of the tote, said pedestal having a size to extend through said open bottom of said tote and adapted to support said tray;

nesting said plurality of totes, when in an unloaded condition, into a stack;

transferring each tray of said plurality of totes to a shelf for displaying said goods for selection by consumers;

loading each tray of said plurality of totes into an uppermost tote of said stack;

returning said stack and trays for re-use.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said tote has stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes.

9. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a lid for covering said upper opening.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said lid comprises a pair of hinged cover plates hingedly connected to said side walls on opposite sides thereof, said cover plates swingable between a closed condition to cover said upper opening and an open condition pivoted outwardly permitting like totes to nest.

11. The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said like totes are alternated, said like totes stack.

12. A reusable and returnable tote for packaging, shipping and displaying goods, said tote comprising integral side walls presenting an open bottom, an upper opening, a releasable tray and a plurality of locking pins slidably engaging said tote at a base area thereof, said locking pins slidable between a locked position to extend into the open bottom for supporting said tray inside said tote and an unlocked position to fully open the open bottom by releasing said tray;

said tote having stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable With like totes, said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said like totes are alternated said like totes stack.

13. A reusable and returnable tote for packaging, shipping and displaying goods, said tote comprising integral side walls presenting an open bottom and an upper opening and a tray, said side walls having abutment means for supporting said tray inside said tote, said tray substantially closing said open bottom when engaging said abutment means, said tote having stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes, said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a lid for covering said upper opening, said lid comprises a pair hinged cover plates hingedly connected to said side walls on opposite sides thereof, said cover plates swingable between a closed condition to cover said upper opening and an open condition pivoted outwardly permitting like totes to nest,

whereby said tray is removable from said tote by placing said tote over a pedestal and sliding said tote when said cover plates are in the open condition relative to the pedestal urging said tray out of the tote.

14. A reusable and returnable tote for packaging, shipping, and displaying goods, said tote comprising integral side walls presenting an open bottom and an upper opening and a tray, said side walls having abutment means for supporting said tray inside said tote, said tray substantially closing said open bottom when engaging said abutment means, said tote having stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes, said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said like totes are alternated, said like totes stack,

whereby said tray is removable from said tote by placing said tote over a pedestal and sliding said tote relative thereto urging said tray out of the tote.