WO1998018687A1

WO1998018687A1 - Three-level stacking container

Info

Publication number: WO1998018687A1
Application number: PCT/US1997/019499
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Lloyd Stahl
Original assignee: P & E Inc.
Priority date: 1996-10-29
Filing date: 1997-10-29
Publication date: 1998-05-07
Also published as: CA2238503A1

Abstract

A three-level stacking container (20) is provided to stack with an additional container (20) of like construction in a nested level, an intermediate stack level, and a high stack level. Opposed first and second sidewall (26, 28) extend substantially vertically upward from a bottom (22) of the container. Each sidewall includes a bar member (44) pivotally connected thereto at pivot points disposed vertically below an upper rim of the sidewall. The bar member (44) are pivotable through an arc of about 25° to about 35° completely within the outside dimensions of the container.

Description

THREE-LEVEL STACKING CONTAINER

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a three- level stacking container. In a specific aspect, the present invention relates to a three-level stacking container that has a pair of moveable bar members.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Nesting and stacking containers are well known in the art . These containers or trays are commonly used in the storage and shipment of bakery products. Due to the nature of such use, it is desirable to provide a container which allows another container of like construction to nest within the container so as to reduce storage space of the containers when the containers are not being used to store and transport baked goods. In addition, it is desirable to provide for a container that affords a plurality of stacking heights so as to allow for the efficient storage and transportation of baked goods having different heights. Typically, a stacking container that affords three-levels of stacking is desirable.

Accordingly, traditional containers have been developed which provide three-levels of stacking: a nesting level, an intermediate stacking level and a high stacking level . Some of these traditional containers have utilized moveable bar members (also referred to as "bails" or "bailers") which are adjustable so as to afford the different stacking levels when these containers are stacked. These traditional containers require an excessive amount of movement of their bar members between positions in order to provide the different stacking levels. The excessive amount of movement of these bar members includes the pivoting of the bar members beyond the outside dimensions of the containers. See e.g., U.S. Patent No. 4,106,623 discussed below. The movement of the bar members beyond the outside dimensions of the container is undesirable. For example, the extension of a bar member beyond the outside dimensions of a container may cause interference with stacking, transporting and storage of the containers. Moreover, the exposed bar members can be inadvertently and undesirably pivoted between positions as a result of being contacted by objects external to the container. The exposed bar members can also be damaged as a result of contacting such objects. In addition, the exposed bar members may be improperly used as handles, which can also result in damage to the bar members.

U.S. Patent No. 4,643,310 provides a three-level stacking tray that includes a pair of bails. The tray can rotate 180° relative to another tray of like construction from a fully nested position so as to provide an intermediate stacking level without movement of the bails. The tray also provides a high stacking position by repositioning the bails. However, the bails of the ^λ 310 patent extend beyond the outside dimensions of the tray and pivot through an arc of 45°. In addition, the sidewalls of the tray extend outwardly and upwardly from the bottom of the tray. This structure of the tray necessitates the use of thicker sidewalls or the use of stronger material than would sidewalls which extend substantially vertically upwards from the bottom of the tray.

U.S. Patent No. 4,106,623 provides a three-level stacking container that includes a pair of bar members . The container can rotate 180° relative to another container of like construction from a fully nested position so as to provide an intermediate stacking level without movement of the bar members . The container provides a high stacking position by pivoting the bar members through an arc of 90°. The bar members pivot well beyond the outside dimensions of the container. In addition, the bar members are secured to the container at about the upper rims of the sidewalls.

These traditional containers do not provide a container that affords three-levels of stacking, that includes a pair of bar members, that allows for substantially vertical sidewalls so as to minimize the necessary thickness of the sidewalls of the container, and that allows for the movement of the bar members within the outside dimensions of the container while at the same time minimizing the degree of arc through which the bar members pivot .

Thus, there is a need in the art for a container which provides for three-levels of stacking, that includes a pair of bar members, that allows for substantially vertical sidewalls so as to minimize the necessary thickness of the sidewalls of the container and that allows for the movement of bar members within the outside dimensions of the container while at the same time minimizing the degree of arc through which the bar members pivot .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is a three-level stacking container that includes a pair of bar members. The container can be used to store and transport baked goods . The container is generally rectangular and is constructed for stacking at three different levels with another container of like construction. The container includes a generally horizontally disposed bottom and a pair of opposed sidewalls extending substantially vertically upward from the first and second sides of the bottom. The structure of the present invention allows for substantially vertical sidewalls so as to minimize the necessary thickness of the sidewalls of the container. The container also allows for the bar members to pivot through an arc of about 25° to about 35° completely within the outside dimensions of the container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a container in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a portion of a sidewall of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a portion of a sidewall of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an elevational view of a sidewall of the container of FIG. 1 having another container of like construction shown in phantom and stacked on the container at a nested level .

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIG.6 is an opposing elevational, cross-sectional view of the containers of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a sidewall of the container of FIG. 1 having another container of like construction shown in phantom and stacked on the container at an intermediate stacking level . FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is an opposing elevational, cross-sectional view of the containers of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is an elevational view of a sidewall of the container of FIG. 1 having another container of like construction shown in phantom and stacked on the container at a high stacking level .

FIG. 11 is a sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 10. FIG. 12 is an opposing elevational, cross-sectional view of the containers of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is an elevational view of a retaining wall of the container of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the FIGS., like reference numerals are employed to denote like elements. FIG. 1 depicts a top perspective view of a container 20 in accordance with the present invention. The container 20 has a generally rectangular shape and includes a generally rectangular bottom 22. The bottom 22 is disposed generally horizontally in FIG. 1 and the following description of the container 20 will be in reference to the container 20 having this orientation. However, the bottom 22 of the container 20 need not be disposed horizontally and can be disposed in any desired orientation. The bottom 22 is depicted as having a gridwork 24, however, it is to be understood that any other suitable gridwork design such as planar sheet, a perforated planar sheet, etc., can be used.

The container 20 includes a first sidewall 26 and a second sidewall 28. The first sidewall 26 is connected to a first side 30 of the bottom 22. The second sidewall 28 is connected to a second side 32 of the bottom 22. The first sidewall 26 and the second sidewall 28, together with the bottom 22, at least partially define a storage area which is generally denoted by the reference numeral 34. As will be demonstrated herein, the container 20 of the present invention allows for the storage and transport of goods (e.g., baked goods) having different vertical heights in the defined storage area 34. The first sidewall 26 and the second sidewall 28 both extend substantially vertically upward from the bottom 22. As used herein, the term "substantially vertically" includes completely vertical, i.e., the sidewalls 26 and 28 are disposed 90° with respect to the bottom 22, and includes the disposition of the sidewalls 26 and 28 at about 95° with respect to the bottom 22 as measured from the storage area 34 of the bottom 22.

The storage area 34 is disposed vertically above an upper surface 36 of the bottom 22. The bottom 22 also includes a lower surface 38 vertically oppositely disposed of the upper surface 36. Each of the sidewalls 26 and 28 extend vertically below the lower surface 38 of the bottom 22 such that the container 20, when placed horizontally upon a flat planar surface, would rest upon the sidewalls 26 and 28 rather than the lower surface 38 of the bottom 22.

Each of sidewalls 26 and 28 include an inner wall surface 40 and an outer wall surface 42. However, due to the orientation of the container 20 in FIG. 1, the view of the inner wall surface 40 of the first sidewall 26 and the view of the outer wall surface 42 of the second sidewall 28 are obstructed and therefore are not shown. The inner wall surfaces 40 of the sidewalls 26 and 28 face the storage area 34. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 1, the container 20 can have a plane of symmetry that bisects the bottom 22 and is generally parallel to the sidewalls 26 and 28 such that the sidewalls 26 and 28 are mirror images of one another.

As shown in FIG. 1, the container 20 includes a pair of bar members 44, also referred to as bails or bailers. Each of the sidewalls 26 and 28 have a bar member 44 pivotably connected thereto. Thus, the first sidewall 26 includes a bar member 44 pivotably connected thereto and the second sidewall 28 includes a bar member 44 pivotably connected thereto. Each bar member 44 can pivot between a first position 46 as shown on the first sidewall 26 and a second position 48 as shown on the second sidewall 28. Each bar member 44 can pivot between the first position 46 and the second position 48 completely within the outside dimensions of the container 20. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 1, the bar members 44 are rod-like, unitary pieces of metal having a circular cross-section. However, other non-metal, non-unitary, non-circular cross-section bar members 44 can be used.

When both of the bar members 44 of the container 20 are disposed in the first position 46 as shown on the first sidewall 26 in FIG. 1, another container of like construction can be disposed within the container 20 in a nested or in an intermediate stacking level . The design of the container 20, as will be more fully discussed below, allows for a container of like construction to be rotated

180° with respect to the container 20 from a nested level so as to be stacked in an intermediate stack level without pivoting the bar members 44 of the container 20 from the first position 46 to the second position 48. To allow the additional container of like construction to be stacked on the container 20 in a high stacking position, the bar members 44 are pivoted from their first position 46 to their second position 48. Thus, the container of the present invention allows another container of like construction to be stacked on the container 20 in three stacking levels: a nested level; an intermediate stacking level; and a high stacking level. The orientation of the container 20 with respect to an additional container of like construction in each of the three stacking levels will be illustrated and discussed in more detail below. As shown in FIG. 1, each sidewall 26 and 28 includes a shoulder 50, a plurality of saddles 52 and a plurality of stacking feet 54. The shoulder 50 and saddles 52 of the sidewalls 26 and 28 are disposed vertically between the stacking feet 54 and an upper rim 56 of each of the sidewalls 26 and 28. Each sidewall 26 and 28 also includes a plurality of ledges 58, a plurality of lower beams 60, and a plurality of upper beams 62. The ledges 58 of the sidewalls 26 and 28 extend from the inner wall surface 40 to the outer wall surface 42. The ledges 58 are disposed on each sidewall 26 and 28 vertically between the stacking feet 54 and the upper rim 56. The lower beams 60 are disposed on each sidewall 26 and 28 vertically between the ledges 58 and the stacking feet 54. The upper beams 62 are disposed vertically between the ledges 58 and the saddles 52.

The saddles 52 are shaped so as to complement the shape of the stacking feet 54. As shown in the FIGS., and specifically in FIG. 5, the saddles 52 preferably have a "U" shape. However, the saddles 52 can have any shape that allows the stacking feet 54 of another container of like construction to rest thereon in the intermediate stacking level which will be more fully described below.

The sidewalls 26 and 28 can also include at least one bar member positioning element 64 and at least one bar member retaining element 66. The bar member positioning element 64 is disposed on the inner wall surfaces 40 of the sidewalls 26 and 28 and is disposed vertically between the saddles 52 and the upper rim 56. The bar member positioning element 64 serves to position and support the bar member 44 when it is disposed in its second position 48. The bar member retaining element 66 is disposed on the inner wall surface 40 of the sidewalls 26 and 28 and is disposed vertically between the saddles 52 and the upper rim 56. The bar member retaining element 66 serves to retain the bar member 44 when it is disposed in its first position 46. Each end of each bar member 44 can be pivotally connected to its respective sidewall 26 or 28 in a pair of cavities 68. The cavities 68 are disposed on the inner wall surfaces 40 of the respective sidewalls 26 and 28.

The point within each cavity 68 about which the bar member 44 pivots is disposed vertically below the upper rim 56 and is generally referenced by the numeral 70. The bar members 44 of the present invention can pivot about respective pivot points 70 through an arc of about 25° to about 35°. Preferably, the bar members 44 pivot about 30° between their first positions 46 and their second positions 48. The location of the pivot point 70 of each bar member 44 can be determined by a pair of slots 72 on each sidewall 26 and 28. Each slot 72 can be disposed within a respective cavity 68. The slots 72 can be viewed on the outer wall surface 42 of the first sidewall 26 of the container 20 in FIG. 1. One of the slots 72 on the sidewall 26 is also depicted in FIG. 3.

The bar members 44 can be manually secured to the container 20 by forcing an end of a given bar member 44 into a cavity 68 such that a portion of the end of the bar member 44 is disposed within a slot 72, e.g., a slot 72 on the second sidewall 28. Likewise, the remaining end of the given bar member 44 can be secured to the container 20 in another slot 72 in the other cavity 68 which is oppositely disposed on the same sidewall, e.g., the second sidewall 28. Preferably and as indicated in the FIGS., the bar members 44 are "C" shaped. Each of the ends of the preferred "C" shaped bar members 44 which are disposed in a respective slot 72 can rotate about its axis so as to allow the bar member 44 to pivot with respect to the respective sidewall. It should be understood that the bar member 44 of the present invention can have other shapes which allow the bar member 44 to be pivoted with respect to a respective sidewall so as to allow for the high stacking level which will be more fully described below. For example, a straight rod shaped bar member 44 can be used in which case it can be secured within grooves in the container 20 such that the point about which the bar member 44 pivots with respect to the respective sidewall is not actually defined by the bar member 44. Thus, the pivot point 70 is simply a reference point below the upper rim 56 which allows for the assessment of the degree through which the bar member 44 pivots with respect to the respective sidewall .

Each cavity 68 is partially defined by a respective sidewall 26 or 28 and a respective retaining wall, i.e., a first retaining wall 74 or a second retaining wall 76. The retaining walls 74 and 76 also help to partially define the storage area 34. Preferably, the retaining walls 74 and 76 also extend substantially vertically upward from the bottom 22 of the container 20. Retaining walls 74 and 76 can have any desirable design such as a grid work 78. As shown in FIG. 1, the first retaining wall 74 connects the first sidewall 26 to the second sidewall 28. Likewise, the second retaining wall 76 connects the first sidewall 26 and the second sidewall 28.

FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a portion of the second sidewall 28 and a portion of the first retaining wall 74 of the container 20 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the bar member 44 is disposed in the second position 48 such that the bar member 44 is supported and is positioned by the bar member positioning element 64. The shape of the cavities 68 can also serve to position and support the bar member 44. The bar member retaining element 66 can also be seen in FIG. 2.

Preferably, and as is shown in FIG. 2, a pair 53 of the saddles 52 are disposed adjacent to the bar member positioning element 64 and vertically between one of the upper beams 62 and the bar member positioning element 64. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 2, a pair 55 of stacking feet 54 are disposed on the outer wall surface 42 of the side wall 28. Each of the sidewalls 26 and 28 can include a plurality of the pairs 53 of the saddles 52 and a plurality of the pairs 55 of the stacking feet 54.

It is preferred that the horizontal distance between each of the stacking feet 54 of the pair 55 and the horizontal distance between each of the saddles 52 of the pair 53, both as measured along the second sidewall 28, are about the same. This design aspect of the container 20 allows an additional container of like construction to be disposed upon the container 20 of FIG. 2 in an intermediate stacking position such that the pair 55 of the stacking feet 54 of the additional container of like construction will rest upon the pair 53 of the saddles 52 of the container 20 when the bar member 44 is disposed in the first position 46. It is preferred that the horizontal length of the ledges 58 of the second sidewall 28, as measured along the second sidewall 28, is greater than the horizontal length of the pair 55 of the stacking feet 54 so as to allow the pair 55 of the stacking feet 54 of an additional container of like construction to rest on the ledge 58 of the container 20 when the additional container of like construction and the container 20 are stacked at a nested level.

FIG. 3 depicts an elevational view of a portion of the first sidewall 26 and a portion of the first retaining wall 74 of the container 20 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 3, a pair 55 of stacking feet 54 are disposed on the outer wall surface 42 of the first sidewall 26. In addition, the shoulder 50 extends horizontally from the first sidewall 26. FIG. 3 also depicts a portion of the bar member 44 disposed within the slot 72.

As will be clear from the following discussion, FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 illustrate the container 20 and an additional container of like construction stacked in a nested level; FIGS. 7, 8 and 9 illustrate the container 20 and an additional container of like construction stacked in an intermediate level; and, FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the container 20 and an additional container of like construction stacked in a high stacking position.

FIG. 4 depicts the container 20 as shown in FIG. 1 and a container of like construction 80 shown in phantom. The container 80 need not be an exact replica of the container 20. However, for the sake of clarity, elements of the container 80 which correspond to elements of the container 20 are referenced using the corresponding reference numerals. The container 20 and the container 80 are disposed with respect to each other in a nested position or nested level wherein the shoulder 50 of the container 80 is disposed upon the upper rim 56 of the container 20. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 4, the stacking feet 54 of the container 20 are disposed vertically below the upper surface 36 of the bottom 22.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the containers shown in FIG. 4 taken along the line 5-5. As can be seen in FIG. 5 and as mentioned above, when the container 20 and the container 80 are stacked in a nested level, the bar member

44 of the container 20 is disposed in its first position 46. In the nested stacking position, the shoulder 50 of the container 80 rests on the upper rim 56 of the container 20. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 5, the stacking feet 54 of the container 80 can also rest upon the ledges 58 of the container 20 when the container 80 is stacked on the container 20 in a nested stacking level.

FIG. 6 is an opposing elevational, cross-sectional view of the containers shown in FIG. 4 as viewed from within the storage areas 34. The bottom 22 of the container 80 is not shown for the sake of clarity. As shown in FIG. 6, the container 80 is stacked upon the container 20 in a nested stacking level. The shoulder 50 of the container 80 rests upon the upper rim 56 of the container 20. The stacking feet 54 of the container 80 rest upon the ledges 58 of the container 20. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 6, the upper beams 62 of the container 80 can rest upon the bar member positioning elements 64 of the container 20. Thus, with respect to the container 20, the vertical distance between the upper rim 56 and the bar member positioning element 64 is about equal to or greater than the vertical distance between the shoulder 50 and the upper beam 62.

FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a sidewall of the container 20 shown in FIG. 1 and an additional container 80 of like construction shown in phantom. FIG. 7 depicts the containers 20 and 80 in an intermediate stacking level. FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the containers shown in FIG. 7 taken about the line 8-8 in FIG. 7.

Comparing FIG. 7 with respect to FIG. 4, the container 80 shown in phantom in FIG. 7 has been rotated 180° with respect to its position in FIG. 4. As shown in FIG. 8, the bar member 44 of the container 20 is maintained in its first position 46 and the stacking feet 54 of the container 80 are disposed upon the saddles 52 of the container 20.

FIG. 9 is an opposing elevational, cross-sectional view of the containers shown in FIG. 7 as viewed from within the storage areas 34. The bottom 22 of the container 80 is not shown for the sake of clarity.

As shown in FIG. 9, the stacking feet 54 of the container 80 are disposed upon the saddles 52 of the container 20. Preferably, and as shown in FIG. 9, the lower beams 60 of the container 80 can rest upon the bar member positioning elements 64 of the container 20. Thus, with respect to the container 20, it is preferred that the vertical distance between the bar member positioning element 64 and the saddles 52 is about equal to or less than the vertical distance between the lower beams 60 and the stacking feet 54.

FIG. 10 depicts the container 20 shown in FIG. 1 and an additional container 80 of like construction shown in phantom wherein the containers 20 and 80 are disposed in a high stacking level. The stacking feet 54 of the container 80 rest on the bar member 44 of the container 20. With respect to the containers in FIG. 7, it is not necessary that the container 80 be rotated 180° with respect to its original respective position in FIG. 7. Thus, the phantom container 80 can, but need not, be rotated 180° with respect to the container 20 as the containers are reconfigured from the intermediate stacking level shown in FIG. 7 to the high stacking level shown in FIG. 10.

FIG. 11 depicts a cross-sectional view of the containers shown in FIG. 10 taken about the line 11-11 in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 11 the bar member 44 has been pivoted such that the bar member 44 is in the second position 48. As shown in FIG. 11, the bar member 44 is positioned by the bar member positioning element 64. As shown in FIG. 10, and also in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 6, 7 and 9, a notch 82 can be included in the upper rim 56 of the sidewalls 26 and 28 of the container 20. The notch 82 can assist in the mechanical alteration of the position of the bar members 44 from their first position 46 to their second position 48 as a plurality of the containers 20 travel via conveyor belt (not shown) . As the containers 20 travel via a conveyor, an air actuated lever (not shown) can be used to pivot the bar members 44 of a given container 20 between positions . FIG. 12 is an opposing elevational cross-sectional view of the containers 20 and 80 shown in FIG. 10 as viewed from within the storage areas 34. The bottom 22 of the container 80 is not shown for the sake of clarity.

As shown in FIG. 12, the stacking feet 54 of the container 80 are disposed upon the bar member 44 of the container 20. When the container 80 is stacked upon the container 20 in the high stack position, the stacking feet 54 of the container 80 are disposed vertically below the upper rim 56 of the container 20.

FIG. 13 is a side elevational view depicting the second retaining wall 76 of the container 20 shown in FIG. 1. The retaining walls 74 and 76 both serve to help retain stored goods in the storage area 34. As shown in FIG. 13, one of the retaining walls, e.g., the second retaining wall 76, can include a plurality of ridges 84. The ridges 84 can serve to assist in the process of mechanically filling and stacking a multiplicity of the container 10 in accordance with the present invention. For example, an electronic sensing element (not shown) can be used to scan each container 20 as the multiplicity of containers travel via a conveyor. The electronic sensing element can identify the ridges 84 on the second retaining wall 76. This data can be used to determine the relative orientation of one container 20 to another. This information, in addition to information about the position of the bar members 44 can determine which level the containers 20 would stack if they are stacked in the order scanned. The ridges 84 can also be observed visually to help determine at which level a multiplicity of stacked containers 20 are stacked with respect to each other. A single column of a multiplicity of the container 20 may have some nested, some stacked at the intermediate level and others stacked at the high stacking level . The container 20 of the present invention allows for the quick configuration of a plurality of the containers 20 such that a plurality of the containers 20 can be readily stacked in varying stacking arrangements .

FIG. 13 depicts a pair of depending portions 86 which depend from the lower surface 38 of the bottom 22 of the container 20. The depending portions 86 preferably depend from the lower surface 38 about the same vertical distance as do the sidewalls 26 and 28 such that when the container 20 is disposed on a planar, generally horizontal surface, the container is supported by the depending portions 86 and the sidewalls 26 and 28.

FIG. 13 further depicts a pair of buttresses 88 which can be included in each of the retaining walls 74 and 76. It is preferred that the vertical height of the buttresses 88 be about equal to or less than the vertical height of the sidewalls 26 and 28. Furthermore, each retaining wall 74 and 76 can define a shoulder 90 that extends horizontally from the respective retaining wall away from the storage area 34. Referring back to FIG. 6, the shoulders 90 of the retaining walls 74 and 76 of the container 80 can rest upon the buttresses 88 of the retaining walls 74 and 76 of the container 20 when the containers are stacked at a nested level . When the container 80 is stacked upon the container 20 in a high stacking level as shown in FIGS. 10, 11 and 12, the depending portions 86 and the buttresses 88 serve to help maintain the container 80 upon the container 20. This occurs as a result of the extension of the depending portions 86 of the container 80 vertically below the buttresses 88 of the container 20 such that the stacking feet 54 of the container 80, which can have some horizontal freedom of movement on the bar members 44 of the container 20, do not slide on the bar members 44 of the container 20 so as to allow the container 80 to slide off the container 20.

Referring to FIG. 13, the gridwork 78 of the retaining walls 74 and 76 can include a plurality of ribs 92. The ribs 92 can be designed such that, when the containers 20 and 80 are stacked in a nested level as shown in FIGS. 4^', 5 and 6, the ribs 92 of the container 80 mate with the ribs 92 of the container 20 so as to afford a more secure nesting of the container 80 within the storage area 34 of the container 20.

The following claims are not limitative of the scope of the present invention.

Claims

I CLAIM :

1. A generally rectangular container adapted for stacking with another container of like construction at three different levels, said container having outside dimensions and comprising: a generally horizontally disposed bottom having a generally rectangular shape, said bottom having opposing first and second sides, an upper surface and a lower surface; first and second opposed sidewalls respectively extending substantially vertically upwardly from said first and second sides of said bottom, said first and second sidewalls at least partially defining a storage area vertically above said upper surface of said bottom, with each of said first and second sidewalls comprising: an inner wall surface facing said storage area, an outer wall surface oppositely disposed with respect to said inner wall surface, and an upper rim; a shoulder that extends generally horizontally from said outer wall surface such that the shoulder of another container of like construction can rest on said upper rim so as to allow the container of like construction to stack within said storage area of said container in a nested level; a plurality of stacking feet disposed on said outer wall surface; a plurality of saddles on said inner wall surface, said saddles being disposed vertically between said upper rim and said upper surface of said bottom such that the stacking feet of another container of like construction can stack on said saddles so as to afford an intermediate stacking level; a bar member pivotably connected to said inner wall surface of said sidewall, said bar member being pivotable between a first position and a second position within said outside dimensions of said container, said bar member being pivotable about a pivot point disposed on said inner wall surface of said sidewall, said pivot point being vertically between said upper rim of said sidewall and said upper surface of said bottom, said first position of said bar member being substantially vertical with respect to said bottom, said second position of said bar member being from about 25° to about 35° from said sidewall as measured about said pivot point, such that said bar member in said second position can support the stacking feet of another container of like construction so as to afford a high stacking level.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein said sidewalls extend vertically upward from said bottom.

3. The container of claim 1 wherein said bar member can pivot from said first position to said second position through an arc of about 30° as measured about said pivot point .

4. The container of Claim 1 wherein each of said first and second sidewalls further comprises a bar member retaining element that can loosely retain said bar member in said first position.

5. The container of claim 1 wherein said bottom further comprises an open grid.

6. The container of Claim 1 wherein said retaining walls at least partially define a plurality of cavities, each of said cavities having a slot to receive an end of one of said bar members to define said pivot point.

7. The container of Claim 1 wherein each of said first and second sidewalls further comprise a plurality of ledges that support the stacking feet of another container of like construction when the container of like construction is stacked on said container in a nested stacking level .

8. The container of claim 1 further comprising a pair of retaining walls oppositely connected to said bottom that extend substantially vertically upward from said bottom and that connect said first and second opposed sidewalls.

9. The container of claim 1 wherein said stacking feet are arranged in a plurality of groups wherein the horizontal distance between said stacking feet within each of said groups is the same as the horizontal distance between said saddles arranged in a plurality of groups such that the stacking feet of a container of like construction can be stacked on said container at an intermediate stacking level .

10. The container of Claim 1 wherein each of said first and second sidewalls further comprises at least one bar member positioning element, said bar member positioning element forming a part of said inner wall surface of said sidewall to position said bar member when said bar member is disposed in said second position so as to allow said container to afford said high stacking level.

11. The container of Claim 10 wherein each of said first and second sidewalls further comprise a plurality of upper beams, said upper beams of another container of like construction resting on a plurality of said bar member positioning elements when the container of like construction is stacked on said container in a nested stacking level.

12. The container of Claim 10 wherein each of said first and second sidewalls further comprise a plurality of lower beams, said lower beams of another container of like construction resting on a plurality of said bar member positioning elements when another container of like construction is stacked on said container in an intermediate stacking level .

13. A generally rectangular container adapted for stacking with another container of like construction at three different levels, said container having outside dimensions and comprising: a generally horizontally disposed bottom having a generally rectangular shape, said bottom having opposing first and second sides, an upper surface and a lower surface; first and second opposed sidewalls respectively extending vertically upwardly from said first and second sides of said bottom, said first and second sidewalls at least partially defining a storage area vertically above said upper surface of said bottom, with each of said first and second sidewalls comprising: an inner wall surface facing said storage area, an outer wall surface oppositely disposed with respect to said inner wall surface, and an upper rim; a shoulder that extends generally horizontally from said outer wall surface such that the shoulder of another container of like construction can rest on said upper rim so as to allow the container of like construction to stack within said storage area of said container in a nested level; a plurality of stacking feet disposed on said outer wall surface; a plurality of saddles on said inner wall surface, said saddles being disposed vertically between said upper rim and said upper surface of said bottom such that the stacking feet of another container of like construction can stack on said saddles so as to afford an intermediate stacking level; a bar member pivotably connected to said inner wall surface of said sidewall, said bar member being pivotable between a first position and a second position within said outside dimensions of said container, said bar member being pivotable about a pivot point disposed on said inner wall surface of said sidewall, said pivot point being vertically between said upper rim of said sidewall and said upper surface of said bottom, said first position of said bar member being substantially vertical with respect to said bottom, said second position of said bar member is about 30° from said sidewall as measured about said pivot point, such that said bar member in said second position can support the stacking feet of another container of like construction so as to afford a high stacking level .

14. The container of Claim 13 wherein each of said first and second sidewalls further comprises a bar member retaining element that can loosely retain said bar member in said first position.

15. The container of claim 13 wherein said bottom further comprises an open grid.

16. The container of Claim 13 wherein said retaining walls at least partially define a plurality of cavities, each of said cavities having a slot to receive an end of one of said bar members to define said pivot point.

17. The container of Claim 13 wherein each of said first and second sidewalls further comprise a plurality of ledges that support the stacking feet of another container of like construction when the container of like construction is stacked on said container in a nested stacking level.

18. The container of claim 13 further comprising a pair of retaining walls oppositely connected to said bottom that extend substantially vertically upward from said bottom and that connect said first and second opposed sidewalls.

19. The container of claim 13 wherein said stacking feet are arranged in a plurality of groups wherein the horizontal distance between said stacking feet within each of said groups is the same as the horizontal distance between said saddles arranged in a plurality of groups such that the stacking feet of a container of like construction can be stacked on said container at an intermediate stacking level .

20. The container of Claim 13 wherein each of said first and second sidewalls further comprises: a bar member positioning element, said bar member positioning element forming a part of said inner wall surface of said sidewall to position said bar member when said bar member is disposed in said second position so as to allow said container to afford said high stacking level; a plurality of upper beams, said upper beams of another container of like construction resting on a plurality of said bar member positioning elements when the container of like construction is stacked on said container in a nested stacking level; and, a plurality of lower beams, said lower beams of another container of like construction resting on a plurality of said bar member positioning elements when another container of like construction is stacked on said container in an intermediate stacking level .