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.

Description

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

N/A

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a tote style container having recessed bottom grooves configured to fit over rails in a racking system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of tote style or type containers (i.e., totes) are used to transport goods as well as components and/or parts or materials. Many totes are utilized with automated equipment and conveyor systems, such as a racking system. Some of these systems include rails or other similar structure.

The present system provides an improved tote container for use in a system having rails.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a tote type container for use with a racking system having rails. The tote is provided with one or more recessed grooves (preferably two recessed grooves) configured to saddle over rails used in the racking system. The grooves are deep enough to hold the tote in place, but also allow the tote to be pushed in and out (i.e., on or off) the rails using automatic or robotic systems. The grooves can be provided with leading edge chamfers to initial the alignment onto the rails. The grooves stabilize the tote and keep it from sliding side to side while in the rack. The grooves also help to properly position the tote in the rack.

In accordance with one embodiment, a tote style container is provided with bottom grooves. The tote style container 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 including a first groove configured to accommodate a first rail of a racking system.

The container body is formed from a plastic material in a mold forming process. Each of the components of the container body are integrally formed together and connected.

The bottom portion of the container body can further include a second groove formed in the bottom portion spaced from the first groove. The second groove is configured to accommodate a second rail of the racking system. The bottom can include additional grooves depending on the size of the container and number of rails in the racking system.

The first groove is generally parallel to the second groove (or other grooves if present). The grooves can be formed to include a first wall and a second wall generally parallel to the first wall. However, the generally parallel first wall and second wall can diverge proximate the first end and the second end.

The bottom portion of the container can further comprise a central located indented portion. Additionally, or alternatively, the bottom portion can include a first interior wall and a second exterior wall spaded from the first interior wall.

The container can further comprise a lower rim around the container body. Similarly, the container can further comprise an upper rim around the container body. Each of the lower rim and upper rim can include one or more handle portions.

Further aspects of the invention are disclosed in the Figures, and are described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a tote container over partially depicted rails of a racking system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the bottom of the container of FIG. 1 showing the partially depicted rails;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the bottom of the tote container of FIG. 1 without the rails;

FIG. 4 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the bottom of the tote container of FIG. 1 with the partially depicted rails; and,

FIG. 5 is a perspective cross-sectional view of the bottom of the tote container of FIG. 1 without the partially depicted rails.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings, and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

The present invention is directed to a tote type or style container that includes grooves that fit over rails of a racking system. The grooves hold the tote in place and provide stability while on the rails of the racking system.

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, FIGS. 1 and 2 show a container 10 on partially depicted rails of a rack system. The container 10 is preferably formed from plastic in a mold as a single piece with all of the components of the container 10 integrally connected.

The container 10 includes a generally rectangular container body 12 having an open top portion. In some instances a separate top (not shown) can be used with (or connected to) the container body 12 to cover the open top portion of the container body 12.

The container 10 shown is typically referred to as a “tote” (the term “container” and “tote” may be used interchangeably herein). The body 12 of the tote 10 includes a first sidewall 14, an opposing second sidewall 16, a first end wall 18 and an opposing second end wall 20. Each of the sidewalls 14, 16 and end walls 18, 20 extend upward from a rectangular bottom portion 22.

The tote 10 is shown on a first rail 24 and a second rail 26 (both partially depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2) of a racking system. As discussed below, the bottom portion 22 of the tote 10 includes a first groove 28 and a second groove 30 configured to accommodate the first and second rails 24, 26, respectively.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 5, the first and second grooves 28, 30 are shown without the rails 24, 26. FIG. 3 shows each groove 28, 30 as indented strips having generally parallel, opposing walls 32, 34. The walls 32, 34 flare out slightly (i.e., diverge from a parallel orientation) proximate each of the ends 18, 20 of the bottom portion 22.

FIG. 3 also shows a central indented portion 36 between the grooves 28, 30. The central indented portion 36 can add strength to the structure of the bottom portion 22. Other types of indentation can also be used.

As shown in the cross-sections of FIGS. 4 and 5, the bottom portion 22 of the tote 10 can be of double walled construction. The bottom portion 22 includes a generally flat interior bottom wall 38 spaced from an outer, lowermost bottom wall 40 (containing the grooves 24, 26 and central indented portion 36).

The tote 10 also includes a lower rim structure 42 and an upper rim structure 44. The rim structures 42, 44 can add strength to the tote and can be utilized with automated equipment. Handle portions 46 can be formed in the rim structures 42, 44.

Many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is, therefore, to be understood within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be protected otherwise than as specifically described.

Claims

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.