Lightweight interlocking container

Abstract

A lightweight interlocking container includes a tray and a lid. The tray includes a base, two side panels connected along one edge to the base, and two end panels connected along one edge to the base and along one edge to each of the side panels. The lid is configured to engage the tray. The tray and the lid each include at least one of protrusions and recesses configured to restrict lateral movement of the lid of the container relative to the tray of another substantially identical container.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a tray having: 
 a base;  
 two side panels, each connected along one edge to the base; and  
 two end panels, each connected along one edge to the base and along one edge to each of the two side panels; and  
   a lid configured to engage the tray,    wherein the tray and the lid each include at least one of protrusions and recesses configured to restrict lateral movement of the lid of the container relative to the tray of another substantially identical container.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid includes protrusions and the tray includes recesses, the recesses configured to receive the protrusions.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the side panels and the end panels includes at least one outer corrugated surface.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the outer corrugated surface includes longitudinal corrugations angled relative to an edge of the at least one of the side panels and the end panels.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the side and end panels of the tray, when assembled taper from a distal surface inward toward the base, the tray being configured to nest within another identical tray.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 5 , further including nesting stops, configured to limit engagement of the tray of the container with the tray of another substantially identical container when nesting.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the tray is nestable in a first orientation relative to the other substantially identical tray and blocked from nesting in a second orientation, the second orientation being generally 180° rotated from the first orientation.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , further including a curved rim disposed along an upper outer periphery of the tray.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the curved rim includes a handle portion.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the handle portion forms a bar.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the handle portion is accessible from a top and a bottom direction relative to the base of the tray.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the curved rim is formed along the entire upper outer periphery of the tray.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1 , further including a label holder.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the label holder includes a recessed portion and retaining portions configured for snap-in retention of a label.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes one of protrusions and recesses and the lid includes the other of protrusions and recesses, the protrusions and recesses each having a pattern.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the pattern of the protrusions is identical to the pattern of the recesses.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the pattern includes multiple columns and multiple rows of protrusions.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein a spacing between the rows is equal to the spacing between the columns.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the protrusions and recesses have at least one of a round, square, triangular, L-shaped, or rectangular cross-section.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the tray and the lid include at least one strap retention channel.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a length of the base is longer than a width of the base.  
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container is made from a polyolefin material.  
   
   
       23 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the lid and the tray are made from at least one of a thermo-forming and a molding process.  
   
   
       24 . A method of stacking containers, comprising: 
 positioning a first layer of containers having a tray and a lid, the lid of the first layer of containers having one of protrusions and recesses;    positioning a second layer of containers on top of the first layer of containers, each of the second layer of containers having a tray and a lid, the tray of the second layer of containers having the other of protrusions and recesses,    wherein the other of protrusions and recesses of the second layer of containers engage the one of protrusions and recesses of the first layer of containers to restrict lateral movement of the second layer of containers relative to the first layer of containers.    
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein all of the containers of at least one of the first and second layers are longitudinally positioned in a single direction.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 24 , wherein at least one of the first and second layers include three rows of positioned containers, two rows being longitudinally aligned in a first direction and one row being longitudinally aligned in a second direction different from the first.  
   
   
       27 . A container comprising: 
 a tray having: 
 a base;  
 two side panels, each connected along one edge to the base; and  
 two end panels, each connected along one edge to the base and along one edge to each of the two side panels; and  
   a lid configured to engage the tray,    wherein the tray and the lid each include a means for restricting movement of the lid of the container relative to the tray of another substantially identical container.    
   
   
       28 . The container of  claim 27 , further including a means for strengthening the tray.  
   
   
       29 . The container of  claim 28 , wherein the means for strengthening includes longitudinal corrugations angled relative to an edge of the at least one of the side panels and the end panels.  
   
   
       30 . The container of  claim 27 , wherein the side and end panels of the tray taper from a distal surface inward toward the base, the tray configured to nest within another substantially identical tray.  
   
   
       31 . The container of  claim 30 , further including a means for limiting engagement of the tray of the container with the tray of another substantially identical container when nesting.  
   
   
       32 . The container of  claim 27 , further including a means for grasping the container.  
   
   
       33 . The container of  claim 32 , wherein the means for grasping is accessible from a top and a bottom direction relative to the base of the tray.  
   
   
       34 . The container of  claim 27 , further including a means for holding a label.  
   
   
       35 . The container of  claim 34 , wherein the means for holding is configured for snap-in placement of the label.  
   
   
       36 . The container of  claim 27 , further including a means for positioning straps around the container.  
   
   
       37 . The container of  claim 27 , wherein the means for restricting has a pattern.  
   
   
       38 . The container of  claim 37 , wherein the means for restricting includes a first means for restricting movement included in the tray and a second means for restricting movement included in the lid, the first means for restricting having a pattern identical to a pattern of the second means for restricting.