Reusable container

Abstract

A reusable container comprises a base comprising a pair of frame members, a pair of end pieces and a center section, wherein the base is provided with a plurality of tab slots, a lid provided with a plurality of tab slots, and at least one wall comprising a plurality of locking tabs formed as unitary extensions of the wall, wherein the plurality of locking tabs engage the plurality of tab slots, securing the to the base and to the lid. A back brace carrier having at least one rib formed as a unitary extension of the back brace carrier cooperates with a rib on the lid to removably captivate a back brace. The back brace provides support for the product. The walls may have a length and define a first plane, and have unitary exterior ribs running along the length. The walls also have unitary corner flanges formed at a right angle to the first plane.

1 . A reusable container for transporting a product comprising, in combination: 
 a base comprising a pair of frame members, a pair of end pieces and a center section;    a lid, comprising at least one lid wall; and    at least one wall having vertical ends, operatively connecting the base to the lid, mounted generally perpendicular to the base and to the lid in a first plane, the at least one wall comprising at least one unitary exterior rib offset from the first plane, and at least one unitary corner flange formed at about a right angle to the first plane at one of the vertical ends.    
   
   
       2 . The reusable container of  claim 1  further comprising locking tabs formed as unitary extensions of the at least one wall, and tab slots formed in the base and in the lid, wherein the locking tabs engage corresponding tab slots.  
   
   
       3 . The reusable container of  claim 2  wherein the tab slots are formed on the end pieces and on the center section.  
   
   
       4 . The reusable container of  claim 1  wherein the base, lid and at least one wall comprise a molded wood composite.  
   
   
       5 . The reusable container of  claim 1  comprising at least two walls, both mounted to the base and to the lid, wherein the walls are separate from one another.  
   
   
       6 . The reusable container of  claim 1  further comprising a plurality of clips and corresponding clip slots positioned on the base, at least one lid wall and at least one wall, wherein the clips operatively engage the clip slots, connecting the lid wall to the at least one wall and the base to the at least one wall.  
   
   
       7 . The reusable container of  claim 6  wherein the clip is formed with an acute angle of about 87 degrees.  
   
   
       8 . The reusable container of  claim 1  wherein the center section has a center pocket and unitary alignment flanges which cooperate to align the center section over the frame members.  
   
   
       9 . The reusable container of  claim 1  wherein the end pieces each have a trough defining an alignment flange which cooperates with a unitary alignment flange to align the end pieces over the frame members.  
   
   
       10 . The reusable container of  claim 1  further comprising two lid walls, each having a channel adapted to be wide enough to receive a corresponding frame member.  
   
   
       11 . The reusable container of  claim 1  further comprising four walls, wherein the walls are essentially identical.  
   
   
       12 . The reusable container of  claim 1  wherein the at least one wall has a length and the unitary exterior rib runs the length of the at least one wall.  
   
   
       13 . The reusable container of  claim 12  wherein the at least one wall further comprises a channel running less than the length of the at least one wall.  
   
   
       14 . A reusable container for transporting a product comprising, in combination: 
 a base comprising a pair of frame members, a pair of end pieces and a center section, wherein the base is provided with a plurality of tab slots;    a lid provided with a plurality of tab slots and comprising at least one lid wall; and    at least one wall comprising a plurality of locking tabs formed as unitary extensions of the wall, wherein the plurality of locking tabs engage the plurality of tab slots, securing the at least one wall to the base and to the lid.    
   
   
       15 . The reusable container of  claim 14  further comprising a plurality of clips and corresponding clip slots positioned on the base, at least one lid wall and at least one wall, wherein the clips operatively engage the clip slots, connecting the lid wall to the at least one wall and the base to the at least one wall.  
   
   
       16 . A reusable container for transporting a product comprising, in combination: 
 a base comprising a pair of frame members, a pair of end pieces and a center section;    a lid comprising a pair of lid walls, each lid wall comprising at least one rib formed as a unitary extension of the corresponding lid wall;    four walls operatively connecting the base and the lid;    a back brace carrier having at least one rib formed as a unitary extension of the back brace carrier    a back brace, adapted to be removably captivated between the at least one rib on the lid and the at least one rib on the back brace carrier and to provide a support for the product.    
   
   
       17 . The reusable container of  claim 16  wherein the back brace carrier and back brace comprise a molded wood composite.  
   
   
       18 . The reusable container of  claim 16  wherein the back brace carrier is formed separate from the base.  
   
   
       19 . The reusable container of  claim 18  wherein the center section defines a center pocket and the back brace carrier has a pocket which nests in the center pocket.  
   
   
       20 . The reusable container of  claim 16  further comprising banding holes formed in the wall, the back brace, back brace carrier and center section adapted to receive banding to secure the product against the back brace.