Reusable packaging, shipping and display system

Claim 2

A reusable and returnable container system for packaging, shipping and displaying goods, said system comprising: a tote having integral side walls presenting an open bottom and an upper opening, said integral side walls having abutment means for supporting a tray inside said tote; said tray adapted to carry goods, said tray insertable into said tote for resting on said abutment means and substantially closing said open bottom; a pedestal to extend through said open bottom of said tote and to support said tray; whereby a tote containing a tray carrying goods is placeable over said pedestal and slidable relative thereto urging said tray out of the tote to rest upon said pedestal.

Claim 3

The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said abutment means extends across said open bottom presenting a plurality of apertures and said system further comprises a plurality of said pedestals, each of said pedestals matched with a corresponding one of said apertures to project said tray out of said tote.

Claim 4

The system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said tote has stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes.

Claim 5

The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a lid for covering said upper opening.

Claim 6

The system as claimed in claim 4 wherein said lid comprises a pair of hinged cover plates hingedly connected to said side walls on opposite sides thereof, said cover plates swingable between a closed condition to cover said upper opening and an open condition pivoted outwardly permitting like totes to nest.

Claim 7

The system as claimed in claim 3 wherein said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when said like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said totes are alternated, said like totes stack.

Claim 10

The method as claimed in claim 7 wherein said tote has stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes.

Claim 11

The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a lid for covering said upper opening.

Claim 12

The method as claimed in claim 9 wherein said lid comprises a pair of hinged cover plates hingedly connected to said side walls on opposite sides thereof, said cover plates swingable between a closed condition to cover said upper opening and an open condition pivoted outwardly permitting like totes to nest.

Claim 13

The method as claimed in claim 8 wherein said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said like totes are alternated, said like totes stack.

Claim 14

A reusable and returnable tote for packaging, shipping and displaying goods, said tote comprising integral side walls presenting an open bottom, an upper opening, a releasable tray and a plurality of locking pins slidably engaging said tote at a base area thereof, said locking pins slidable between a locked position to extend into the open bottom for supporting said tray inside said tote and an unlocked position to fully open the open bottom by releasing said tray; said tote having stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable With like totes, said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said like totes are alternated said like totes stack.

Claim 15

A reusable and returnable tote for packaging, shipping and displaying goods, said tote comprising integral side walls presenting an open bottom, an upper opening, a releasable tray and a plurality of locking pins slidably engaging said tote at a base area thereof, said locking pins slidable between a locked position to extend into the open bottom for supporting said tray inside said tote and an unlocked position to fully open the open bottom by releasing said tray; said tote having stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable With like totes, said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said like totes are alternated said like totes stack.

Claim 16

A reusable and returnable tote for packaging, shipping and displaying goods, said tote comprising integral side walls presenting an open bottom and an upper opening and a tray, said side walls having abutment means for supporting said tray inside said tote, said tray substantially closing said open bottom when engaging said abutment means, said tote having stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes, said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a lid for covering said upper opening, said lid comprises a pair hinged cover plates hingedly connected to said side walls on opposite sides thereof, said cover plates swingable between a closed condition to cover said upper opening and an open condition pivoted outwardly permitting like totes to nest, whereby said tray is removable from said tote by placing said tote over a pedestal and sliding said tote when said cover plates are in the open condition relative to the pedestal urging said tray out of the tote.

Claim 17

A reusable and returnable tote for packaging, shipping and displaying goods, said tote comprising integral side walls presenting an open bottom and an upper opening and a tray, said side walls having abutment means for supporting said tray inside said tote, said tray substantially closing said open bottom when engaging said abutment means, said tote having stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes, said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a lid for covering said upper opening, said lid comprises a pair hinged cover plates hingedly connected to said side walls on opposite sides thereof, said cover plates swingable between a closed condition to cover said upper opening and an open condition pivoted outwardly permitting like totes to nest, whereby said tray is removable from said tote by placing said tote over a pedestal and sliding said tote when said cover plates are in the open condition relative to the pedestal urging said tray out of the tote.

Claim 18

A reusable and returnable tote for packaging, shipping, and displaying goods, said tote comprising integral side walls presenting an open bottom and an upper opening and a tray, said side walls having abutment means for supporting said tray inside said tote, said tray substantially closing said open bottom when engaging said abutment means, said tote having stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes, said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said like totes are alternated, said like totes stack, whereby said tray is removable from said tote by placing said tote over a pedestal and sliding said tote relative thereto urging said tray out of the tote.

Claim 19

A reusable and returnable tote for packaging, shipping, and displaying goods, said tote comprising integral side walls presenting an open bottom and an upper opening and a tray, said side walls having abutment means for supporting said tray inside said tote, said tray substantially closing said open bottom when engaging said abutment means, said tote having stacking and nesting means for adapting said tote to be stackable and nestable with like totes, said stacking and nesting means comprises said side walls being tapered outwardly for receiving a like tote in a nesting relation and a series of tabs on said side walls whereby when like totes are aligned said like totes nest and when said like totes are alternated, said like totes stack, whereby said tray is removable from said tote by placing said tote over a pedestal and sliding said tote relative thereto urging said tray out of the tote.