Hybrid stacking system for containers

Abstract

Universal wraps are used in the construction of a container centerbody. The wraps may take the form of a top and bottom wrap with complementary stacking patterns, in which the wraps create the centerbody. The wraps permit stacking of different-style containers regardless of which container is positioned as the bottom container. The universal wraps may include curved edge portions to seamlessly and aesthetically blend in with a side panel of the container. The stacking patterns of the wraps may take different forms with various shaped protuberances and recessed portions. Further, one or more of the wraps may have isolation features attached to or integrally formed with an interior surface of the wrap.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows: 
     
         1 . A wrap system for a container comprising:
 a first wrap having first wrap protuberances and first wrap recessed regions extending from a first wrap surface of a first wrap body, the first wrap protuberances and first wrap recessed regions arranged in a desired stacking pattern; and   a second wrap having second wrap protuberances and second wrap recessed regions extending from a second wrap surface of a second wrap body, the second wrap protuberances and second wrap recessed regions arranged to stackably cooperate with the desired stacking pattern.   
     
     
         2 . The wrap system of  claim 1 , wherein the first wrap protuberances include quadrilateral-shaped members. 
     
     
         3 . The wrap system of  claim 1 , wherein the first wrap recessed regions define at least a portion of the first wrap surface. 
     
     
         4 . The wrap system of  claim 1 , wherein the first wrap recessed regions are located between respective first wrap protuberances. 
     
     
         5 . The wrap system of  claim 1 , wherein the first wrap includes curved side members coupled to the first wrap body. 
     
     
         6 . The wrap system of  claim 5 , wherein the first wrap body and the curved side members are permanently attachable to the side panels to create a centerbody of the container. 
     
     
         7 . The wrap system of  claim 1 , wherein the second wrap protuberances include members selected from the group consisting of quadrilateral-shaped members, plus-shaped members, and T-shaped members. 
     
     
         8 . The wrap system of  claim 1 , wherein the second wrap recessed regions define at least a portion of the second wrap surface. 
     
     
         9 . The wrap system of  claim 1 , wherein the second wrap recessed regions are located between respective second wrap protuberances. 
     
     
         10 . The wrap system of  claim 1 , wherein the second wrap includes curved side members coupled to the second wrap body. 
     
     
         11 . The wrap system of  claim 10 , wherein the second wrap body and the curved side members are permanently attachable to side panels create a centerbody of the container. 
     
     
         12 . A container comprising:
 a container side panel;   a top wrap coupled to the container side panel, the top wrap having top wrap protuberances and top wrap recessed regions extending from a top wrap surface of a top wrap body, the top wrap protuberances and top wrap recessed regions arranged in a desired stacking pattern; and   a bottom wrap having bottom wrap protuberances and bottom wrap recessed regions extending from a bottom wrap surface of a bottom wrap body, the bottom wrap protuberances and bottom wrap recessed regions arranged to stackably cooperate with the desired stacking pattern.   
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the top wrap protuberances include quadrilateral-shaped members. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the top wrap recessed regions define at least a portion of the top wrap surface. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the top wrap recessed regions are located between respective top wrap protuberances. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the top wrap includes curved side members coupled to the top wrap body. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the top wrap body and the curved side members are permanently attached to the side panel. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the bottom wrap protuberances include members selected from the group consisting of quadrilateral-shaped members, plus-shaped members, and T-shaped members. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the bottom wrap recessed regions define at least a portion of the bottom wrap surface. 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein the bottom wrap recessed regions are located between respective bottom wrap protuberances.