Nestable container

Abstract

A tray is nestable within identical trays when empty for efficient storage and shipping. A pair of supports or bails can be pivoted to a position over the floor of the tray so that a similar tray can be supported thereon. The supports are supported on multiple points on each side wall of the trays, so that the load is distributed more evenly to the side walls.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a base wall;   a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls extending upward from the base wall, the walls nestable within side walls and end walls of an identical container; and   a support having a support bar movable between a nesting position where the support bar is outward of the base wall to permit nesting and a stack position over the base wall to permit stacking, wherein the support includes a projecting portion supported on one of the side walls inward of the support bar when the support is in the stack position.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the support bar is supported on a support surface of the side wall when the support is in the stack position. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the support includes a pair of pivot pins pivotably and slidably connected to the side walls, wherein the pivot pins are outward of the support bar when the support is in the stack position. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the pivot pins are pivotable and slidable within elongated openings in the side walls, the elongated openings angled downward toward an interior of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the elongated openings are straight. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the support includes a pair of arms extending from the support bar, the pivot pins proximate one end of the arms and the support bar at an opposite end of the arms, wherein the projecting portion is a first projecting portion, the support further including a second projection portion, the first and second projecting portions projecting from at least one of the pair of arms between the pivot pin and the support bar. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the stack position is a high stack position, and wherein the support is moveable to a second stack position lower than the high stack position and wherein the second projecting portion contacts the one of the side walls in the second stack position. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the stack position is a high stack position, and wherein the support is moveable to a second stack position lower than the high stack position and wherein the support contacts the one of the side walls at three separate points including the support bar, a pivot pin and a contact surface on the support other than the support bar and the pivot pin. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8  wherein the second stack position is a mid-stack position, the support further including a low stack position lower than the high stack position and the mid-stack position, wherein the pivot pins are pivotable and slidable within elongated openings in the side walls, wherein the pivot pins are at one end of the elongated openings when the support is in the low stack position. 
     
     
         10 . A container comprising:
 a base wall, an elongated recess defined on a lower surface of the base wall, a first corner edge defined adjacent the elongated recess;   a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls extending upward from the base wall, the walls nestable within side walls and end walls of an identical container; and   at least one support having a support bar movable between a nesting position where the support bar is outward of the base wall to permit nesting and a stack position over the base wall to permit stacking, the support including a projection defining a first support recess between the projection and the support bar, one of the corner edges adjacent the elongated recess of an identical container receivable in the first support recess on the support bar when the identical container is stacked on the container.   
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the projection on the support also defines a second support recess between the projection and the support bar, wherein a second corner edge is defined adjacent the elongated recess opposite the first corner edge, and wherein the second corner edge adjacent the elongated recess of the base wall of the identical container is receivable in the second support recess. 
     
     
         12 . A container comprising:
 a base wall;   a pair of side walls and a pair of end walls extending upward from the base wall, the walls nestable within side walls and end walls of an identical container; and   a support having a support bar movable between a nesting position where the support bar is outward of the base wall to permit nesting, a first stack position over the base wall to permit stacking at a first height, and a second stack position over the base wall to permit stacking at a second height, wherein the support includes a pair of arms extending from the support bar at one end and having pivot pins at an opposite end, each arm including first and second projecting portions between the pivot pin and the support bar, wherein the first projecting portion of each arm is supported on the side walls when the support is in the first stack position, wherein the second projecting portion of each arm is supported on the side walls when the support is in the second stack position.