초록 ▼

A container has a drop gate and lids that open along hinge joints formed at the upper end of the side walls. The drop gate is formed in one end wall and the lids can also be opened half way from the end wall in which the drop gate is formed. In this way, access to the interior of the container can b

A container has a drop gate and lids that open along hinge joints formed at the upper end of the side walls. The drop gate is formed in one end wall and the lids can also be opened half way from the end wall in which the drop gate is formed. In this way, access to the interior of the container can be gained through the open drop gate and the open half of the lids so that the container can be used as a shelf box or hopper in a flow racking system. Further, when the lids are opened along their respective side wall hinge joints, the container can be used as a distribution tote. When the container is also used as a bulk shipper by vendors or suppliers, the container can perform three functions in a distribution system. Specifically, the container can be first used as a bulk shipper, then, without unpacking the goods, the container can be shelved on a flow racking system from which orders can be selected at a distribution center. Finally, the container can be used again for shipping the goods from the distribution center to retail outlets and returned to either the distribution center or suppliers in a nested stack.

대표청구항 ▼

A lidded container, comprising: said container having a bottom wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls, said side and end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall and terminating in upper end portions forming a perimeter around an open top of said container; opposed first and second lid

A lidded container, comprising: said container having a bottom wall, opposed side walls and opposed end walls, said side and end walls extending upwardly from said bottom wall and terminating in upper end portions forming a perimeter around an open top of said container; opposed first and second lid portions having respective hinged ends connected to said upper end portions of said side walls by first and second hinges, said first and second lid portions having free ends opposite said hinged ends; opposed third and fourth lid portions having respective hinged end portions connected to respective sides of said first and second lid portions, respectively, and along a hinge axis extending between said side walls by respective third and fourth hinges disposed approximately midway between said end walls so that said third and fourth lid portions swing between a first position wherein said third and fourth lid portions are substantially coplanar with said first and second lid portions and a second position wherein said third and fourth lid portions rotate about said hinge axis approximately 180°to overlay said first and second lid portions; and said third and fourth lid portions when in said first position further having free ends that together with said free ends of said first and second lid portions have means for engaging one another in a closed position for covering said open top of said container wherein both said third and fourth lid portions can be opened from one of said end walls and moved from said first position to said second position for opening approximately one half of said lidded container.