Stacking efficient dry flow bin

Abstract

The invention is directed to a stacking efficient dry flow bin. The bin can be configured in a nested configuration for transport and in an expanded configuration for use in holding and dispensing a flowable material. The bin is configured to stack with other like bins so that a stack three bins high will fit in the compartment of a standard shipping truck.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A stacking efficient dry flow bin comprising:
 a base having four side walls and a lower opening, the base extending upward from a lower support structure;   an outer shell having fours side walls, the outer shell configured to surround and enclose the base when in a nested position and to extend upward from a top portion of the base in an expanded configuration for use in holding a flowable material; and,   a top cap connectable to the outer shell when in the nested position and having a top surface configured to mate with the lower support structure of the base, wherein the stacking bin is configured to be stackable with two other like bins and fit in an upright stacked position in a standard truck storage compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The dry flow bin of  claim 1  wherein the bin is designed to be stacked the two other like bins to a height of approximately 107 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The dry flow bin of  claim 1  wherein the bin is designed to enable a total of more than forty-four like bins to fit in the standard truck storage compartment. 
     
     
         4 . The dry flow bin of  claim 3  wherein the bin is designed to enable a total of sixty-six like bins to fit in the standard truck storage compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The dry flow bin of  claim 1  wherein the outer shell includes a first strut extending across an opening in the shell from a first side wall to an opposing second side wall proximate one end of the shell, and wherein the shell includes a first brace connected to the first side wall and an end of the first strut proximate the first side wall. 
     
     
         6 . The dry flow bin of  claim 5  wherein the shell includes a second brace connected to the first side wall and the end of the first strut proximate the first side wall. 
     
     
         7 . The dry flow bin of  claim 6  wherein the shell includes a third brace connected to the second side wall and an end of the first strut proximate the second side wall. 
     
     
         8 . The dry flow bin of  claim 7  further comprising a second strut extending from the first side wall to the second side wall. 
     
     
         9 . The dry flow bin of  claim 1  wherein the top cap includes a first plurality of outer ridge segments extending upward around a periphery of the top cap, each of the outer ridge segments of the first plurality of outer ridge segments including a first recess. 
     
     
         10 . The dry flow bin of  claim 9  wherein the first plurality of outer ridge segment includes a first L-shaped corner ridge segment. 
     
     
         11 . The dry flow bin of  claim 10  wherein the first L-shaped corner ridge segment includes a second recess. 
     
     
         12 . The dry flow bin of  claim 10  wherein the first plurality of outer ridge segments includes a second L-shaped corner ridge segment, a third L-shaped corner ridge segment, and a fourth L-shaped corner ridge segment, each of the second, third and fourth L-shaped outer ridge segments including a second recess. 
     
     
         13 . The dry flow bin of  claim 9  further including a second plurality of outer ridge segments extending upward around the periphery of the top cap, wherein each of the second plurality of outer ridge segments does not include a recess. 
     
     
         14 . The dry flow bin of  claim 9  wherein the top cap further includes an upwardly extending central portion proximate a middle of the top cap. 
     
     
         15 . The dry flow bin of  claim 14  wherein the central portion includes a first channel. 
     
     
         16 . The dry flow bin of  claim 15  wherein the central portion includes a second channel perpendicular to the first channel. 
     
     
         17 . The dry flow bin of  claim 1  wherein the base, shell and top cap are formed from plastic.