Interlocking crate and shipping container system

摘要

A shipping container system comprises a bottom panel, a plurality of side panels, and a top panel, each with interlocking features. The side panels interlock with the bottom panel to assemble a self-supporting shipping container. A plurality of horizontally oriented slots are formed in an opposing pair of the side panels, and arranged at different heights between the bottom panel and a top edge of the side panels. A cross member is positioned at a selected height by insertion into an opposing pair of the slots, in order to restrain one or more shipping units against vertical motion inside the shipping container. The top panel interlocks with the side panels to cover the shipping container, and is spaced above the plurality of shipping units at a clearance maintained by the cross member.

主权项

1. A shipping container system comprising:
a bottom panel with interlocking features disposed about a perimeter thereof; a plurality of side panels with interlocking features disposed about perimeters thereof, the side panels interlocking with the bottom panel to assemble a self-supporting shipping container; a plurality of horizontally oriented slots formed in an opposing pair of the side panels, the slots arranged at different heights between the bottom panel and a top edge of the side panels; vertically oriented channels formed in the opposing pair of side panels, the vertically oriented channels extending along and adjoining the horizontally oriented slots; a cross member positioned at a selected one of the different heights by insertion into an opposing pair of the slots, the cross member configured to restrain one or more shipping units inside the shipping container against vertical motion with respect to the bottom panel; and a top panel with interlocking features disposed about a perimeter thereof, the top panel interlocking with the side panels to cover the shipping container, wherein the top panel is spaced above the one or more shipping units at a clearance maintained by the cross member, wherein the interlocking features are selected from a group consisting of complementary tongue-in-groove features, interlocking tabs, and castellations.