Stackable and reusable containers and related methods

Abstract

Reusable, stackable containers for produce and the like, along with related methods. In some implementations, a method for folding a sheet into a container may comprise folding a first rollover panel against a first panel, wherein the first panel is configured to define a first sidewall of the container. The first rollover panel may further be configured to define a reinforced upper portion of the first sidewall of the container. A second rollover panel may be folded against a second panel, wherein the second panel is configured to define a second sidewall of the container opposite from the first sidewall. The second rollover panel may be configured to define a reinforced upper portion of the second sidewall of the container.

1 . A sheet for folding into a container, comprising:
 a first panel configured to define a sidewall of a container following a folding process;   a first rollover panel configured to be folded against the first panel to define a reinforced upper portion of the sidewall of the container;   a first slot formed in the first panel;   a first end flap positioned at a first end of the first rollover panel; and   a second slot formed in the first rollover panel, wherein the second slot is configured to be at least partially aligned with and adjacent to the first slot after the first rollover panel has been folded against the first panel, wherein the second slot is positioned and configured such that the second slot becomes at least partially aligned with the first slot only after the first rollover panel has been folded against the first panel, and wherein the aligned first and second slots are configured to receive a locking tab from an adjacent panel during the folding process.   
     
     
         2 . The sheet of  claim 1 , further comprising a bottom panel configured to define a bottom of the container following the folding process, wherein the bottom panel comprises a plurality of partial openings formed along each peripheral edge of the bottom panel, wherein each of the plurality of partial openings connects with a corresponding partial opening of an adjacent panel such that a plurality of stacking tab openings are formed along each edge of the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The sheet of  claim 2 , wherein each of the plurality of stacking tab openings is configured to receive a corresponding stacking tab of an adjacent container below such that the container can couple with an adjacent container using at least one stacking tab/stacking tab opening connection in either a column-stacked configuration or a cross-stacked configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the first rollover panel further comprises a locking flap configured to be folded through an opening in the first panel after the first rollover panel has been folded against the first panel to secure the first rollover panel against the first panel. 
     
     
         5 . The sheet of  claim 4 , wherein the opening in the first panel comprises an elongated carrying opening. 
     
     
         6 . The sheet of  claim 5 , wherein the locking flap is configured to be folded through the opening to define a handle that protrudes through the carrying opening. 
     
     
         7 . The sheet of  claim 1 , wherein the sheet is configured to be folded into a container comprising an open top lacking any upper walls or upper wall portions. 
     
     
         8 . A method for folding a sheet into a container, the method comprising the steps of:
 folding a first rollover panel against a first panel, wherein the first panel is configured to define a first sidewall of the container, and wherein the first rollover panel is configured to define a reinforced upper portion of the first sidewall of the container;   folding a second rollover panel against a second panel, wherein the second panel is configured to define a second sidewall of the container, the second sidewall being positioned opposite from the first sidewall, and wherein the second rollover panel is configured to define a reinforced upper portion of the second sidewall of the container;   folding up a pair of end flaps positioned on opposing ends of the first rollover panel,
 wherein a first pair of slots are formed along opposing ends of the first rollover panel adjacent to the pair of end flaps, 
 wherein a second pair of slots are formed in the first panel, and 
 wherein the step of folding the first rollover panel against the first panel results in a first slot of the first pair of slots being at least partially aligned with and adjacent to a first slot of the second pair of slots and a second slot of the first pair of slots being at least partially aligned with a second slot of the second pair of slots. 
   
     
     
         9 . (canceled) 
     
     
         10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising:
 inserting a first locking tab from a first adjacent panel through the first slot of the first pair of slots and the first slot of the second pair of slots; and   inserting a second locking tab from a second adjacent panel opposite the first adjacent panel through the second slot of the first pair of slots and the second slot of the second pair of slots.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the first locking tab extends from a third rollover panel, wherein the third rollover panel is configured to define a reinforced upper portion of a third sidewall of the container, and wherein the second locking tab extends from a fourth rollover panel, wherein the fourth rollover panel is configured to define a reinforced upper portion of a fourth sidewall of the container. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the sheet is configured to be folded into a container comprising an open top lacking any upper walls or upper wall portions. 
     
     
         15 . A reusable container, comprising:
 a bottom panel defining a bottom for the container;   a first pair of side panels defining, at least in part, a first pair of opposite sidewalls for the container;   a first pair of rollover panels folded directly against respective upper portions of the first pair of side panels such that each rollover panel of the first pair of rollover panels is positioned directly against a respective upper portion of a corresponding side panel of the first pair of side panels to define reinforced upper portions for the first pair of side panels;   a second pair of side panels defining, at least in part, a second pair of opposite sidewalls for the container; and   a second pair of rollover panels folded directly against respective upper portions of the second pair of side panels such that each rollover panel of the second pair of rollover panels is positioned directly against a respective upper portion of a corresponding side panel of the second pair of side panels to define reinforced upper portions for the second pair of side panels.   
     
     
         16 . The reusable container of  claim 15 , wherein the container comprises an open top lacking any upper walls or upper wall portions. 
     
     
         17 . The reusable container of  claim 16 , wherein the container comprises a plurality of stacking tab openings along each bottom edge of the container such that the container can couple with an adjacent identical container using at least one stacking tab/stacking tab opening connection in either a column-stacked configuration or a cross-stacked configuration. 
     
     
         18 . The reusable container of  claim 15 , further comprising a first pair of carrying openings defined by the first pair of side panels, wherein the first pair of carrying openings is configured to receive a corresponding pair of locking flaps foldably coupled with the first pair of rollover panels. 
     
     
         19 . The reusable container of  claim 18 , further comprising a second pair of carrying openings defined by the second pair of side panels. 
     
     
         20 . The reusable container of  claim 18 , wherein the pair of locking flaps defines a pair of handles protruding through the first pair of carrying openings.