Transport container system for goods, especially for fruit and vegetables

Abstract

The invention relates to a transport container system which is especially suitable for transporting goods such as fruit and vegetables. Said system comprises a stackable crate that can be folded or not, and has a bottom part and four lateral wall parts that are structured in a pressure-resistant manner, and a top part for enlarging the volume of the transport container. Said top part is formed in such a way that it is complementary to the crate opening formed by the lateral wall parts of the crate, and can be placed on the upper side of said lateral wall parts. Said crate and said top part of the transport container system can be detachably engaged in such a way that the transport container system can be stacked.

1 .- 11 . (canceled)  
   
   
       12 . Transport container system, comprising 
 a non-foldable or foldable crate,    the crate comprising a rectangular bottom and four rigid lateral wall adjoining the bottom and defining a rectangular opening in a plane parallel to the bottom,    a unitary top for augmenting height of the lateral walls of the crate and thereby providing a transport container of a increased volumetric capacity,    the top being constituted of a natural material and comprising four rigid lateral walls of sufficient strength to permit transport container stacking and defining a rectangular opening conforming to the rectangular opening of the crate, and    fasteners for attaching the top when unfolded, to the crate at the opening thereof so that the lateral walls of the top augment height of the lateral walls of the crate.    
   
   
       13 . Transport container system according to  claim 12 , wherein 
 the top has respective fold lines at corners thereof whereby the top is foldable into a compact configuration when not in use.    
   
   
       14 . Transport container system according to  claim 12 , wherein 
 the top comprises wood or cardboard and is thereby suitable for disposal after single use.    
   
   
       15 . Transport container system according to  claim 12 , wherein 
 said fasteners are attached to either the top or the lateral walls of the crate and are releasably engageable with the lateral walls of the crate if attached to the top and are releasably engageable with the top if attached to the lateral of the crate.    
   
   
       16 . Transport container system according to  claim 12 , further comprising 
 corner stiffeners at corners of the top.    
   
   
       17 . Transport container system according to  claim 12 , wherein 
 the lateral walls of the crate each have an irregular lower edge below the crate bottom and    the lateral walls of the top each having an irregular edge for being received in mating engagement with the irregular lower edges of the crate thereby to provide stable stackability of a plurality of transport containers each comprised of a respective said crate and a respective said top.    
   
   
       18 . Top for a transport container system comprising a non-foldable or foldable crate which has a rectangular bottom and four rigid lateral walls adjoining the bottom and defining a rectangular opening in a plane parallel to the opening, the top comprising 
 four rigid lateral walls connected in the configuration of a rectangular frame of sufficient strength to permit transport container stacking and defining an opening matching the opening of the crate, whereby the top is configured for augmenting height of the crate thereby to increase volumetric capacity of the container system,    the top having a respective fold line at each corner thereof and being foldable along the fold lines into a compact configuration when not in use.    
   
   
       19 . Top according to  claim 18 , wherein 
 the top is dimensioned so as to fit on a crate of dimensions that fit a EURO palette.    
   
   
       20 . Top according to  claim 18 , wherein 
 the lateral walls of the top each have an irregular edge for being received in mating engagement with irregular edges of the lateral walls of the crate thereby to provide stable stackability of a plurality of transport containers.    
   
   
       21 . Transport container system comprising 
 a top according to  claim 18 , and    fasteners attached to the top for engagement with the lateral walls of the crate.    
   
   
       22 . Top according to  claim 18 , wherein 
 the lateral walls are comprised of cardboard and are 3 to 10 cm high.    
   
   
       23 . Top according to  claim 18 , wherein 
 the lateral walls are 3 to 6 cm high.