Nestable and stackable dunnage

Abstract

Dunnage for storing and handling parts, such as automotive steering wheels, comprises identical vacuum-formed dunnage sections having tapering walls enabling the sections to be nested in each other. Sections may also be stacked upon each other and are provided with parts receiving pockets whereby when the sections are stacked to form a closed container, the pocket in the stacked sections cooperatively hold the parts separated from each other, thereby avoiding damage to the parts. Two or more of the dunnage containers may be stacked on each other and projections and cavities on the stacked containers interfit to prevent lateral movement and collapse of the stack.

1 . Nestable and stackable dunnage for receiving and holding products for transport and storage comprising:
 a plurality of identical dunnage sections having opposed inwardly tapering side walls, opposed inwardly tapering end walls, and a bridging wall extending between the inwardly tapering ends of the side and end walls;   said walls having opposed product receiving pockets;   projections and cavities on said dunnage sections for engaging each other when one dunnage section is inverted and stacked on another, to hold the dunnage and in turn said pockets in registered alignment; and   when the dunnage sections are in said alignment, said pockets cooperate at spaced apart locations to hold products in said pockets out of contact with one another.   
   
   
       2 . The invention defined by  claim 1  wherein upon removal of products from the dunnage sections, one section may be inverted and placed within another section in nested relation. 
   
   
       3 . The invention defined by  claim 1  wherein there are projections and cavities on the bridging wall for holding dunnage sections in alignment when the sections are stacked with the bridging walls in immediate confronting relation. 
   
   
       4 . The invention defined by  claim 1  wherein there is a peripheral flange extending around the dunnage section at the wider end of said walls and there are cavities and projections in said flange at opposite sides of the dunnage section for cooperation with corresponding opposed flanges on another dunnage section when the sections are in stacked relation. 
   
   
       5 . Nestable and stackable dunnage for receiving and holding parts for transport and/or storage comprising:
 a plurality of identical dunnage sections having opposed inwardly tapering side walls, opposed inwardly tapering end walls, and a bridging wall extending between the inwardly tapering ends of the side and end walls;   said walls having opposed inwardly opening parts receiving pockets whereby, when one dunnage section is inverted and stacked on another dunnage section, product receiving pockets may embrace upper and lower portions of parts to be handled; and   projections and cavities on said dunnage sections for engaging each other when the sections are in the aforesaid stacked relation to hold the dunnage sections against relative movement.   
   
   
       6 . Nestable and stackable dunnage for receiving and holding parts for transport and storage comprising:
 a plurality of identical dunnage sections having opposed inwardly tapering side walls, opposed inwardly tapering end walls, and a bridging wall extending between the inwardly tapering ends of the side and end walls;   said side walls having opposed inwardly opening parts receiving pockets, whereby when one dunnage section is inverted and stacked on another dunnage section forming a parts receiving enclosure, the parts receiving pockets within the enclosure embrace spaced apart portions of the parts to be handled;   said bridging walls having projections and cavities for engagement with corresponding cavities and projections when one parts enclosure is stacked on another parts enclosure with the bridging walls in flush engagement; whereby said projections and cavities hold the dunnage sections against lateral movement; and   said dunnage sections being nestable, one within another, when one dunnage section is inverted and stacked within another dunnage section.   
   
   
       7 . Nestable and stackable dunnage for receiving and holding parts for transport and storage comprising:
 a plurality of identical dunnage sections having opposed inwardly tapering side walls, opposed inwardly tapering end walls, and a bridging wall extending between the inwardly tapering ends of the side and end walls;   said side walls having opposed inwardly opening parts receiving pockets, whereby when one dunnage section is inverted and stacked on another dunnage section forming a parts receiving enclosure, the parts receiving pockets within the enclosure embrace spaced apart portions of the parts to be handled; and   said dunnage sections being nestable one within another when one dunnage section is inverted and stacked within another dunnage section.