System for vertically stacking trays

Abstract

A system for vertically stacking trays of at least two standard types is disclosed. The system comprises a plurality of adapting elongate members which are vertically mountable between the trays. Each elongate member has a longitudinal axis; each elongate member has a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal has a taper head provided with at least two off-axis pins are oppositely disposed relative to the axis. The second terminal has at least one recess within a wall of the second terminal. Each tray of each type has a first side and a second side. Each tray is provided with matching sites such that the matching sites located on the first side are configured for receiving the heads of the first terminals and the matching sites located on the second side are configured for receiving the recess of the second terminals.

1 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . An open top container for loading, storing and shipping goods in bulk, said container comprising a rigid structure further comprising
 a. a rectangular frame  310  comprising at least four frame members defining a perimeter of said frame; and   b. four legs  300  extending from the four corners of said frame;   
       wherein said container is provided with a bag having a main portion  320  for accommodating said goods in bulk and a rim  330  of said bag; said bag rim is mechanically secured to said perimeter of said rectangular frame such that said portion for accommodating said goods is downwardly housed into said rectangular frame. 
     
     
         34 . The open top container according to  claim 33 , wherein legs are provided with stacking means comprising male and female connectors disposed at opposite terminals thereof. 
     
     
         35 . The open top container according to  claim 33 , wherein said bag is of a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         36 . The open top container according to  claim 33 , wherein said bag is of an enlarging cross-section from a bottom to said rim portion. 
     
     
         37 . The open top container according to  claim 33 , wherein said bag is secured to said frame by means selected from the group consisting of glue, clamps, welds, welts, heat welds, pressings, staples, clips, folds, sutures and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         38 . The open top container according to  claim 33 , wherein a material of said bag is selected from the group consisting of hessians, paper, polyethylene, polypropylene, polythene, polyamide, polyurethane and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         39 . The open top container according to  claim 33  vertically stackable into a stack together with containers differing from said open top container, said open top container is provided with a plurality of adapting members  100  which are vertically mountable between said trays; said members are of a hollow elongate configuration; each elongate member has a longitudinal axis; each elongate member has a first terminal  110  and a second terminal  120 ; said first terminal  110  has a taper head  130 ; said taper head is provided with at least two off-axis pins  150  oppositely disposed relative to said axis; said second terminal  120  has at least one recess  170  within a wall of said second terminal; each tray of each type has a first side and a second side; each tray is provided with matching sites such that said matching sites located on said first side are configured for receiving said heads of said first terminals and said matching sites located on said second side are configured for receiving said recess of said second terminals. 
     
     
         40 . An open top container for loading, storing and shipping goods in bulk, said container comprising a rigid structure further comprising
 a. a rectangular frame  310  comprising at least four frame members defining a perimeter of said frame; and   b. four legs  300  extending from the four corners of said frame;   
       wherein said container is provided with a bag having a main portion  320  for accommodating said goods in bulk and a rim portion  330  of said bag; said rim portion is bent over said perimeter and mechanically secured to outer surface of said main portion of said bag such that said portion for accommodating said goods is downwardly housed into said rectangular frame. 
     
     
         41 . The open top container according to  claim 40 , wherein legs are provided with stacking means comprising male and female connectors disposed at opposite terminals thereof. 
     
     
         42 . The open top container according to  claim 40 , wherein said bag is of a rectangular cross-section. 
     
     
         43 . The open top container according to  claim 40 , wherein said bag is of an enlarging cross-section from a bottom to said rim portion. 
     
     
         44 . The open top container according to  claim 40 , wherein said bag is secured to said frame by means selected from the group consisting of glue, clamps, sutures and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         45 . The open top container according to  claim 40 , wherein a material of said bag is selected from the group consisting of hessians, paper, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyurethane and any combination thereof. 
     
     
         46 . The open top container according to  claim 40  vertically stackable into a stack together with containers differing from said open top container, said open top container is provided with a plurality of adapting members  100  which are vertically mountable between said trays; said members are of a hollow elongate configuration; each elongate member has a longitudinal axis; each elongate member has a first terminal  110  and a second terminal  120 ; said first terminal  110  has a taper head  130 ; said taper head is provided with at least two off-axis pins  150  oppositely disposed relative to said axis; said second terminal  120  has at least one recess  170  within a wall of said second terminal; each tray of each type has a first side and a second side; each tray is provided with matching sites such that said matching sites located on said first side are configured for receiving said heads of said first terminals and said matching sites located on said second side are configured for receiving said recess of said second terminals. 
     
     
         47 . An open top container for loading, storing and shipping goods in bulk, said container comprising a rigid structure further comprising a rectangular frame  400  comprising at least four frame members defining a perimeter of said frame; wherein said container is provided with a sheet  410  of flexible material mechanically secured to said frame. 
     
     
         48 . The open top container according to  claim 47 , wherein at least one of the following is true:
 a. corners of said rectangular frame are provided with stacking means comprising male and female connectors disposed at opposite terminals thereof; and   b. a material of said bag is selected from the group consisting of hessians, paper, polyethylene, polypropylene and any combination thereof.   
     
     
         49 . The open top container according to  claim 47  vertically stackable into a stack together with containers differing from said open top container, said open top container is provided with a plurality of adapting members  100  which are vertically mountable between said trays; said members are of a hollow elongate configuration; each elongate member has a longitudinal axis; each elongate member has a first terminal  110  and a second terminal  120 ; said first terminal  110  has a taper head  130 ; said taper head is provided with at least two off-axis pins  150  oppositely disposed relative to said axis; said second terminal  120  has at least one recess  170  within a wall of said second terminal; each tray of each type has a first side and a second side; each tray is provided with matching sites such that said matching sites located on said first side are configured for receiving said heads of said first terminals and said matching sites located on said second side are configured for receiving said recess of said second terminals. 
     
     
         50 . A method of manufacturing an open top container configured for loading, storing and shipping goods in bulk; said method comprising the steps of
 a. providing a rigid structure further comprising
 i. a rectangular frame comprising at least four frame members defining a perimeter of said frame; and 
 ii. four legs extending from the four corners of said frame; 
   b. providing a bag having a main portion for accommodating said goods in bulk and a rim portion of said bag;   c. inserting said bag into said frame;   d. mechanically securing said bag rim said perimeter of said rectangular frame such that said portion for accommodating said goods is downwardly housed into said rectangular frame.   
     
     
         51 . A method of manufacturing an open top container configured for loading, storing and shipping goods in bulk; said method comprising the steps of
 a. providing a rigid structure further comprising
 i. a rectangular frame comprising at least four frame members defining a perimeter of said frame; and 
 ii. four legs extending from the four corners of said frame; 
   b. providing a bag having a main portion for accommodating said goods in bulk and a rim portion of said bag;   c. inserting said bag into said frame;   d. bending said rim portion over said perimeter;   e. mechanically securing said bag rim to outer surface of said main portion of said bag such that said portion for accommodating said goods is downwardly housed into said rectangular frame.   
     
     
         52 . A method of manufacturing an open top container configured for loading, storing and shipping goods in bulk; said method comprising the steps of
 a. providing a rigid structure further a rectangular frame comprising at least four frame members defining a perimeter of said frame   b. providing a sheet of flexible material mechanically secured to said frame; and   c. mechanically securing said sheet of flexible material to said frame.