Stackable and nestable container

Abstract

A container (10) comprising a wall arrangement (20) defining an internal region (14). The container (10) further comprises a support arrangement (36) attached to the wall arrangement (20). The support arrangement (36) is arrangeable in a support position in which the support arrangement (36) extends across the internal region (14). The support arrangement (36) is also arrangeable in a non-support position in which the support arrangement (36) extends along the wall arrangement (20) within the internal region (14) in engagement with the wall arrangement (20). The support arrangement (36) is movable between the support and the non-support positions.

1 . A container comprising:
 a wall arrangement defining an internal region; and   a support arrangement attached to the wall arrangement;   the support arrangement being arrangeable in a support position in which the support arrangement extends across the internal region;   the support arrangement being arrangeable in a non-support position in which the support arrangement extends along the wall arrangement within the internal region in engagement with the wall arrangement; and   the support arrangement is movable between the non-support and the support positions.   
     
     
         2 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall arrangement includes a pivot point, and the support arrangement includes an attachment portion to attach the support arrangement to the wall arrangement at the pivot point. 
     
     
         3 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein the attachment portion has an actuating formation to enable the support arrangement to be moved between the support and non-support positions. 
     
     
         4 . A container according to  claim 3 , wherein the actuating formation comprises a socket to receive a tool for rotating the support arrangement. 
     
     
         5 . A container according to  claim 2 , wherein the support arrangement further comprises a connecting member to connect the attachment portion to the central portion, the connecting member extending transverse to the central portion. 
     
     
         6 . A container according to  claim 2 , including cooperating securing means to secure the support arrangement in the support position;
 the securing means comprising a securing projection on one of the support arrangement and the wall arrangement; and   the securing means further comprising a securing recess defined by the other of the support arrangement and the wall arrangement;   wherein the securing projection is received by the securing recess to secure the support arrangement in the support position.   
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A container according to  claim 6 , wherein the securing projection is provided on the wall arrangement;
 the securing recess being defined by the support arrangement, whereby when the securing projection is received by the securing recess, the securing projection engages the support arrangement within the securing recess.   
     
     
         9 . A container according to  claim 6 , wherein the connecting member defines the securing recess, whereby when the securing projection is received by the securing recess, the securing projection engages the connecting member within the securing recess. 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall arrangement defines a locating formation, and the support arrangement has a locating projection received in the locating formation when the support arrangement is in the non-support position. 
     
     
         12 . A container according to  claim 11 , wherein the wall arrangement has an upper edge, and the locating formation is a locating indentation open at the upper edge of the wall arrangement. 
     
     
         13 . A container according to  claim 11  or  12 , wherein the wall arrangement has a main shoulder within the internal region;
 the main shoulder providing a main receiving area defined by the wall arrangement; 
 whereby when the support arrangement is in the non-support position, the support arrangement is received in the main receiving area; and 
 when the locating projection is received in the locating formation, the support arrangement extends along the main receiving area thereby providing a load bearing portion along the wall arrangement. 
 
     
     
         14 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the wall arrangement comprises a pair of opposite first wall members and a pair of opposite second wall members, the pair of opposite first wall members extending transverse to the pair of opposite second wall members, and the support arrangement being attached to the first wall members adjacent one of the second wall members;
 the wall arrangement has a main shoulder within the internal region, the main shoulder providing a main receiving area defined by the wall arrangement;   the main receiving area is defined in one of the second wall members, the main receiving area extending from the upper edge of each second wall member to the respective main shoulder; and   a locating indentation is defined in the main receiving area, the locating indentation being open at the upper edge of the second wall member.   
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . A container according to  claim 1 , including a guide arrangement to guide the support arrangement between the support and non-support positions. 
     
     
         17 . A container according to  claim 26 , wherein the support arrangement includes the guide member to guide the support arrangement between the support and the non-support positions, and wherein the wall arrangement includes the guide track to interact with the guide members. 
     
     
         18 . A container according to  claim 26 , wherein the guide track comprises either a slot defined through the wall arrangement, or a guide shoulder on the wall arrangement. 
     
     
         19 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the support arrangement comprises a substantially planar support member. 
     
     
         20 . A container according to  claim 19 , wherein either: each of the second wall members defines a through hole, said through hole providing a handle to allow the container to be carried; or
 each of the second wall members includes a projection, said projection providing a handle to allow the container to be carried.   
     
     
         21 . A container according to  claim 19 , wherein the first wall members have opposite ends at which the second wall members are attached, and each first wall member comprising a subsidiary shoulder formation at each end, the subsidiary shoulder formations of each of the first wall members providing subsidiary receiving areas in which the connecting members and the attachment portions are received. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A container according to  claim 1 , wherein the support arrangement comprises an elongate, substantially planar central portion, and the container comprises a base from which the wall arrangement extends, whereby when the support arrangement is in the support position, the central portion extends substantially parallel to the base, and when the support arrangement is in the non-support position, the central portion extends transverse to the base. 
     
     
         24 . A container according to  claim 23 , wherein the wall arrangement comprises a pair of opposite first wall members and a pair of opposite second wall members, the pair of opposite first wall members extending transverse to the pair of opposite second wall members, and the support arrangement being attached to the first wall members adjacent one of the second wall members;
 wherein the base has a pair of opposite first edge regions and a pair of opposite second edge regions, the first wall members being provided on the first edge regions, and the second wall members being provided on the second edge regions; and   the base having an underside defining a respective concavity at each second end region, each concavity being configured to receive the locating projection of a support arrangement of a further container on which the container is stacked.   
     
     
         25 . (canceled) 
     
     
         26 . A container according to  claim 16 , wherein the guide arrangement comprises a guide member on one of the support arrangement and the wall arrangement; and
 the guide arrangement further comprising a guide track to interact with the guide member, the guide track being provided on the other of the support arrangement and the wall arrangement;   wherein the guide member is movable along the guide track to guide the support arrangement when the support arrangement moves between the support and the non-support positions.