Beverage Crate

Abstract

A beverage crate having a bottom portion and an upper band connected to the bottom portion by a plurality of columns. The upper band includes a plurality of inwardly facing flat surfaces positioned about a perimeter of the bottom portion, and a plurality of inwardly facing concave portions. The upper band does not extend into the interior of the crate as defined by the bottom portion. A portion of each column extends into the interior of the crate.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A beverage crate comprising:
 a bottom portion having an upper surface for supporting beverages having a generally rectangular outer perimeter;   an upper band positioned above the bottom portion and entirely outward from the outer perimeter of the bottom portion; and   a plurality of columns connecting the upper band to the bottom portion, wherein each of the plurality of columns includes a portion extending into an interior portion of the outer perimeter.   
     
     
         2 . The beverage crate of  claim 1  wherein the upper band includes a plurality of inwardly facing flat surfaces. 
     
     
         3 . The beverage crate of  claim 2  wherein the inwardly facing flat surfaces taper away from the interior of the crate. 
     
     
         4 . The beverage crate of  claim 2  wherein the upper band includes a plurality of inwardly concave surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The beverage crate of  claim 1  further comprising a first end having a first handle portion and a second end having a second handle portion. 
     
     
         6 . The beverage crate of  claim 5  wherein the bottom portion includes an upwardly curving portion at the first end, the upwardly curving portion extending to an edge. 
     
     
         7 . The beverage crate of  claim 6  wherein the upwardly curving portion includes a first concave section and a second concave section. 
     
     
         8 . The beverage crate of  claim 4  wherein the upper band includes a plurality of outwardly facing flat surfaces. 
     
     
         9 . The beverage crate of  claim 8  wherein each of the outwardly facing flat surfaces are connected to one of the inwardly facing flat surfaces at a top portion. 
     
     
         10 . The beverage crate of  claim 9  wherein the upper band includes a plurality of outwardly facing convex portions. 
     
     
         11 . The beverage crate of  claim 1  wherein the crate is formed from a plastic material. 
     
     
         12 . The beverage crate of  claim 5  wherein the first handle portion includes an upper portion having a plurality of ribs extending toward an interior of the crate, and the second handle portion includes an upper portion having a plurality of ribs extending toward the interior of the crate. 
     
     
         13 . The beverage crate of  claim 5  wherein the first handle portion includes a lower portion having a plurality of ribs extending toward an exterior of the crate, and the second handle portion includes a lower portion having a plurality of ribs extending toward the exterior of the crate. 
     
     
         14 . The beverage crate of  claim 1  wherein the bottom portion includes a plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         15 . The beverage crate of  claim 14  wherein the bottom portion include a plurality of openings extending through the bottom portion between the plurality of ribs. 
     
     
         16 . A beverage crate comprising:
 a generally rectangular bottom portion having an upper surface for supporting beverages and having an outer perimeter;   an upper band positioned above the bottom portion and entirely outward from the outer perimeter of the bottom portion, the upper band including a plurality of flat surfaces and a plurality of concave surface, wherein each of the plurality of flat surfaces is adjacent a concave surface; and   a plurality of columns connecting the upper band to the bottom portion.   
     
     
         17 . The beverage crate of  claim 16  wherein each of the plurality of columns includes a portion extending into an interior portion of the outer perimeter. 
     
     
         18 . The beverage crate of  claim 16  wherein each of the plurality of flat surfaces is perpendicular to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         19 . The beverage crate of  claim 16  wherein each of the plurality of flat surfaces taper away from an interior of the crate. 
     
     
         20 . The beverage crate of  claim 16  wherein each of the plurality of concave surfaces extend outward from the plurality of flat surfaces.