Tote with recessed grooves

Abstract

A tote style container having enhanced stability on a racking system is provided. The tote includes a container body having a bottom portion, a first side wall, an opposing second side wall, a first end wall and an opposing second end wall. The bottom portion is configured to include one or more grooves to accommodate one or more rails of a racking system. The groove(s) fit over the rail(s) and prevent slipping of the tote.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A tote style container comprising:
 a container body having a bottom portion, a first side wall, an opposing second side wall, a first end wall and an opposing second end wall, the bottom portion including a first groove configured to accommodate a first rail of a racking system.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container body is formed from a plastic material. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a second groove formed in the bottom portion spaced from the first groove, the second groove configured to accommodate a second rail of the racking system. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the first groove is generally parallel to the second groove. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first groove includes a first wall and a second wall generally parallel to the first wall. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5  wherein the generally parallel first wall and second wall diverge proximate the first end. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6  wherein the generally parallel first wall and second wall diverge proximate the second end. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the bottom portion further comprises a central located indented portion. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the bottom portion includes a first interior wall and a second exterior wall spaced from the first interior wall. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a lower rim around the container body. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10  further comprising an upper rim around the container body. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11  wherein the lower rim includes a first handle portion and a second handle portion. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12  wherein the upper rim includes a first handle portion and a second handle portion. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the bottom portion is generally rectangular. 
     
     
         15 . A tote style container for use with rails in a racking system comprising:
 a molded plastic container having a generally rectangular base, a first side wall extending upward from a first side of the base, a second side wall extending upward from a second side of the base, a first end wall extending upward from a first end of the base and a second end wall extending upward from a second end of the base, the base having a generally planar lower support surface, a first groove extending from the first end of the base to the second end of the base for accommodating a first rail of racking system, and a second groove extending from the first end of the base to the second end of the base and spaced from the first groove for accommodating a second rail of the racking system.   
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15  wherein the first groove includes a first wall and second wall generally parallel to the first wall and the second groove includes a first wall and second wall generally parallel to the first wall. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16  comprising a first flared wall segment connected to the first wall of the first groove proximate the first end and a second flared wall segment connected to the second wall of the first groove proximate the first end, and a first flared wall segment connected to the first wall of the second groove proximate the first end and a second flared wall segment connected to the second wall of the second groove proximate the first end. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17  comprising a first flared wall segment connected to the first wall of the first groove proximate the second end and a second flared wall segment connected to the second wall of the first groove proximate the second end, and a first flared wall segment connected to the first wall of the second groove proximate the second end and a second flared wall segment connected to the second wall of the second groove proximate the second end. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 15  wherein the container includes an interior bottom wall spaced from the base. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 15  further comprising a lower rim around the container body and an upper rim around the container body.