초록 ▼

A handle structure for a low depth case for holding containers is provided. The low depth case includes a bottom portion and a pair of opposing sidewalls. The handle structure is disposed in a side wall and is adapted for handling by a user in one of a palm-up or palm-down orientation. The handle st

A handle structure for a low depth case for holding containers is provided. The low depth case includes a bottom portion and a pair of opposing sidewalls. The handle structure is disposed in a side wall and is adapted for handling by a user in one of a palm-up or palm-down orientation. The handle structure includes an inner wall member and an outer wall member. The outer wall member is disposed in a corresponding one of the pair of opposing sidewalls. The outer wall is also attached to the inner wall member to define a finger receiving area therebetween. The outer wall member has an upper portion and a lower portion which has a lower edge. The lower portion and corresponding sidewall define a hand-opening area which extends into the low depth case.

대표청구항 ▼

What is claimed is: 1. A handle structure for a low depth case for holding containers, the low depth case having a bottom portion and a pair of opposing side walls attached thereto, the handle structure adapted for handling by a user in one of a palm-up or palm-down orientation, the handle structur

What is claimed is: 1. A handle structure for a low depth case for holding containers, the low depth case having a bottom portion and a pair of opposing side walls attached thereto, the handle structure adapted for handling by a user in one of a palm-up or palm-down orientation, the handle structure comprising: an inner wall member; and an outer wall member disposed in a corresponding one of the pair of opposing sidewalls and attached to the inner wall member to define a finger receiving area therebetween, the outer wall member having an upper portion and a recessed lower portion having a lower edge, the recessed lower portion and corresponding sidewall defining a hand-opening area extending into the low depth case, at least one ledge extending outwardly from at least one edge of the recessed portion, wherein in the palm-up orientation the user's fingers extend into the hand-opening area and so that the user's palm faces up such that when the user exerts force against the lower edge, the low depth case may be raised, and wherein in the palm-down orientation, the user's fingers wrap around the upper portion of the outer wall and extend into the finger receiving area, such that the user may maneuver the low depth case. 2. The handle structure of claim 1, further including an inwardly protruding ledge forming an outer finger resting area for positioning an additional finger therein when maneuvering the case in the palm-down orientation. 3. The handle structure of claim 1 wherein the at least one ledge extends horizontally at least substantially across the recessed portion. 4. The handle structure of claim 3 wherein the at least one ledge extends substantially perpendicularly outwardly from the recessed portion. 5. A handle structure for a low depth case for holding containers, the low depth case having a bottom portion and a pair of opposing side walls attached thereto, the handle structure adapted for handling by a user in one of a palm-up or palm-down orientation, the handle structure comprising: an inner wall member; an outer wall member disposed in a corresponding one of the pair of opposing sidewalls and attached to the inner wall member to define a finger receiving area therebetween, the outer wall member having an upper portion and a recessed lower portion having a lower edge, the recessed lower portion and corresponding sidewall defining a hand-opening area extending into the low depth case, at least one ledge extending outwardly from at least one edge of the recessed portion; and a stop member extending into the finger receiving area to limit the extension of the user's fingers into the finger receiving area in the palm-down orientation, wherein in the palm-up orientation the user's fingers extend into the hand-opening area and so that the user's palm faces up such that when the user exerts force against the lower edge, the low depth case may be raised, and wherein in the palm-down orientation, the user's fingers wrap around the upper portion of the outer wall and extend into the finger receiving area, such that the user may maneuver the low depth case. 6. A low depth case for holding containers and adapted for maneuvering by a user, the low depth case comprising: a bottom portion; a first and second pair of opposing side walls attached to the bottom portion and projecting upwardly therefrom; a plurality of central columns along a longitudinal centerline of the case, the central columns extending upwardly from the bottom portion between the first pair of opposing side walls and between the second pair of opposed side walls; and a handle structure including an outer wall member disposed in each of the first pair of opposing sidewalls and attached to an inner, single wall thickness wall member having an inner surface defining a container receiving pocket, a finger receiving area defined between an inner surface of the outer wall member and an outer surface of the inner wall member, the handle structure including a pair of ribs spaced inwardly from outermost edges of the outer wall member, the pair of ribs connecting the inner wall member to the outer wall member and defining outboard finger receiving areas, the handle structures disposed along the longitudinal centerline of the case, the outer wall member having a lower portion having a lower edge and an upper portion, the lower portion, bottom portion, and adjacent one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls defining a hand-opening area extending into the low depth case which is adapted for handling by a user in one of a palm-up or palm-down orientation, wherein in the palm-up orientation the user's fingers extend into the hand-opening area and so that the user's palm faces up such that when the user exerts force against the lower edge, the low depth case may be raised, and wherein in the palm-down orientation, the user's fingers wrap around the upper portion of the outer wall and extend into the finger receiving area, such that the user may maneuver the low depth case. 7. The low depth case of claim 6 wherein the inner wall member includes an upwardly projecting column portion which is substantially the same height as at least one of the central columns. 8. The low depth case of claim 6 wherein the inner wall member includes two curved surfaces for defining two container-retaining pockets. 9. The low depth case of claim 8 further including divider walls extending between each inner wall member and the plurality of central columns, the divider walls defining the container-retaining pockets. 10. A handle structure for a low depth case for holding containers, the low depth case having a bottom portion and a pair of opposing side walls attached thereto, the handle structure adapted for handling by a user in one of a palm-up or palm-down orientation, the handle structure comprising: an inner wall member; and an outer wall member disposed in a corresponding one of the pair of opposing sidewalls and attached to the inner wall member to define a finger receiving area therebetween, the outer wall member having an upper portion and a recessed lower portion having a lower edge, the recessed lower portion and corresponding sidewall defining a hand-opening area extending into the low depth case, an upper ledge extending outwardly from an upper edge of the recessed portion and a lower ledge extending outwardly from the lower edge of the recessed portion; wherein in the palm-up orientation the user's fingers extend into the hand-opening area and so that the user's palm faces up such that when the user exerts force against the lower edge, the low depth case may be raised, and wherein in the palm-down orientation, the user's fingers wrap around the upper portion of the outer wall and extend into the finger receiving area, such that the user may maneuver the low depth case. 11. A wall and handle structure assembly adapted for use in a crate for holding containers, the crate having an integrally formed bottom portion and wall structure defining a container-holding compartment therein, the wall structure including a first pair of opposed side walls and a second pair of opposed side walls, the wall and handle structure assembly comprising: a lower wall member, the lower wall member defining at least one of the first pair of opposed side walls; and a handle structure having an outer handle member and an inner handle member, the outer handle member integrally formed with the lower wall member, the outer handle member having an outer surface having a recess, the inner handle member having a single-wall thickness wall with an inner surface defining at least one container-receiving pocket, the inner handle member extending into said compartment and attached to the outer handle member, the outer handle member and an outer surface of the wall of the inner handle member defining a finger receiving area therebetween, the wall of the inner handle member extending upwardly a first distance above a point on the lower wall member, the outer handle member extending upwardly a second distance above the point on the lower wall member, the first distance greater than the second distance, the outer handle member further having a lower surface, wherein the lower wall member, the lower surface of the outer handle member, and the bottom portion define a hand-opening area extending into the compartment to allow for handling the crate. 12. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the inner handle member extends upwardly to a height substantially equal to that of the plurality of upwardly projecting columns. 13. The assembly of claim 11 wherein the wall of the inner handle member extends upwardly the first distance above the point on the lower wall member at a center point of the handle structure. 14. The assembly of claim 11, wherein a portion of the outer handle member is co-planar with the lower wall member. 15. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle structure is centrally disposed relative to the lower wall member. 16. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the inner handle member extends above an upper edge of the lower wall member. 17. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the outer handle member has an upper surface which extends above an upper edge of the lower wall member. 18. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle structure further includes a stop member extending into the finger receiving area to limit the extension a user's fingers therein. 19. The assembly of claim 11, wherein the handle structure further includes an inwardly extending ledge defining an outboard finger resting area oriented outwardly from the finger receiving area and adapted to receive one or more user's fingers therein. 20. A wall and handle structure assembly adapted for use in a crate for holding containers, the crate having an integrally formed bottom portion and wall structure defining a container-holding compartment therein, the wall structure including a first pair of opposed side walls and a second pair of opposed side walls, the wall and handle structure assembly comprising: a lower wall member, the lower wall member defining at least one of the first pair of opposed side walls; and a handle structure having an outer handle member and an inner handle member, the outer handle member integrally formed with the lower wall member, the inner handle member having a wall with an inner surface defining at least one container-receiving pocket, the outer handle member including a outer recess defined at least partially by the lower wall member and a ledge protruding outwardly from the outer wall member, the inner handle member extending into said compartment and attached to the outer handle member, the outer handle member and an outer surface of the wall of the inner handle member defining a finger receiving area therebetween, wherein the inner handle member extends continuously from one lateral edge of the outer handle member to an opposite lateral edge of the outer handle member, the inner handle member and outer handle member thereby circumscribing an opening through the wall and handle structure. 21. The assembly of claim 20 wherein the inner handle member extends continuously from one lateral edge of the outer handle member to the opposite lateral edge of the outer handle member in a plane above a plane defined by the lower wall member. 22. A wall and handle structure assembly adapted for use in a crate for holding containers, the crate having an integrally formed bottom portion and wall structure defining a container-holding compartment therein, the wall structure including a first pair of opposed side walls and a second pair of opposed side wails, the wall and handle structure assembly comprising: a lower wall member, the lower wall member defining at least one of the first pair of opposed side walls; and a handle structure having an outer handle member and an inner handle member, the outer handle member integrally formed with the lower wall member, wherein a portion of an outer surface of the outer handle member is recessed relative to an outer surface of the lower wall member, the inner handle member having a wall with an inner surface defining at least one container-receiving pocket, the inner handle member extending into said compartment and attached to the outer handle member, die outer handle member and an outer surface of the wall of the inner handle member defining a finger receiving area therebetween, the wall of the inner handle member extending upwardly a first distance above a point on the lower wall member, the outer handle member extending upwardly a second distance above the point on the lower wall member, the first distance greater than the second distance, the outer handle member further having a lower surface, wherein the lower wall member, the lower surface of the outer handle member, and the bottom portion define a hand-opening area extending into the compartment to allow for handling the crate. 23. A crate for holding containers having an integrally formed bottom floor portion and wall structure defining a compartment area therein, the crate comprising: a first and second pair of opposing side walls defining the wall structure and projecting upwardly from the bottom floor portion; a plurality of columns projecting upwardly from the bottom floor portion alone a longitudinal centerline of the crate; and a handle structure including an outer handle member attached to at least one of the first pair of opposing side walls, an inner handle member projecting into the compartment area and defining a finger-receiving opening with the outer handle member, a divider wall substantially perpendicular to the bottom floor portion and extending substantially perpendicularly into the compartment from the inner handle member, the outer handle member further having a lower edge portion, wherein the lower edge portion, the bottom floor portion, and the at least one of the first pair of opposing sidewalls define a hand-receiving area extending into the crate which is adapted for receiving a user's hand therein, a lower ledge projecting outwardly from the outer handle member. 24. The crate of claim 23, wherein a portion of an outer surface of the outer handle member is recessed relative to the at least one of the first pair of side walls. 25. The crate of claim 23, wherein a portion of the outer handle member is coplanar with the at least one of the first pair of side walls. 26. The crate of claim 23, wherein the handle structure is centrally disposed relative to the at least one of the first pair of side walls. 27. The crate of claim 23, wherein the inner handle member extends above an upper edge of the at least one of the first pair of side walls. 28. The crate of claim 23, wherein an upper surface of the outer handle member extends above an upper edge of the at least one of the first pair of side walls. 29. The crate of claim 23, wherein the handle structure further includes a stop member extending into the finger receiving area to limit the extension of a user's fingers therein. 30. A crate for holding containers, comprising: a bottom floor portion; a plurality of central columns extending upwardly from the bottom floor portion; and a wall structure attached to and surrounding the bottom floor portion and defining a container-holding compartment therein, the wall structure having a first and second pair of opposed lower side walls, the wall structure further including a centrally disposed outer handle member formed integrally with and extending upwardly from each of the first pair of opposed lower side walls, and an inner handle member extending into the container-holding compartment and attached to opposite lateral ends of the outer handle member to define a first hand-receiving area opening upwardly, the outer handle member including a recess on an outer surface, the outer handle member further including a lower edge portion, wherein the lower edge portion, the bottom floor portion, and an adjacent one of the first pair of opposed lower side walls define a second hand-receiving area extending into the compartment, wherein the inner handle member extends above an upper edge of the lower side wails at a laterally center area of the wall structure, generally aligned with the plurality of central columns, wherein the inner handle member extends higher than the outer handle member. 31. The crate of claim 30, further comprising a plurality of tapered pylons extending up from the bottom floor portion and above an upper edge of the lower side walls, the pylons spaced apart and defining spaces therebetween through which containers loaded in the crate are visible. 32. The crate of claim 31, wherein the outer handle member has an upper surface which extends above an upper edge of the lower side walls. 33. The crate of claim 31, wherein the outer handle member is defined by a first wall and the inner handle member is defined by a second wall spaced apart from the first wall. 34. The low depth case of claim 31 wherein the inner handle member includes an upwardly projecting column portion which is substantially the same height as at least one of the central columns. 35. The low depth case of claim 31 wherein the inner handle member includes two curved inner surfaces defining two container-retaining pockets and two curved outer surfaces defining the first hand-receiving area with the outer handle member. 36. The low depth case of claim 35 further including divider walls extending between each inner handle member and the plurality of central columns, the divider walls further defining the container-retaining pockets. 37. A crate for holding containers, comprising: a bottom floor portion; a plurality of central columns extending upwardly from the bottom floor portion generally alone a longitudinal centerline; and a wall structure attached to and surrounding the bottom floor portion and defining a container-holding compartment therein, the wall structure having a lower side wall including a centrally disposed outer handle member formed integrally therewith, the wall structure further including an inner handle member extending into the container-holding compartment and attached to opposite lateral ends of the outer handle member to define a first band-receiving area opening upwardly and a second hand-receiving area opening downwardly, the outer handle member including a horizontal ledge projecting outwardly therefrom, wherein the inner handle member extends above an upper edge of the lower side walls at a lateral center of the side wall, generally aligned laterally with the plurality of central columns, and wherein the inner handle member extends higher than the outer handle member. 38. The crate of claim 37, wherein the outer handle member has an upper surface which extends above an upper edge of the lower side wall. 39. The crate of claim 37, wherein the outer handle member is a first wall and the inner handle member is a second wall spaced inwardly from the first wall. 40. The low depth case of claim 39 wherein the inner handle member includes an upwardly projecting column portion which is substantially the same height as at least one of the central columns.