Interlocking Stackable Produce Containers And High-Density Packing System Using Same

Abstract

A container for produce adapted to house interlock with a lower and/or upper container while stacked. The produce containers have interlocking features such that the likelihood of lateral motion of a stacked container is greatly reduced. In some aspects, containers of different volumes may be adapted to stack together and interlock. The containers may have a plurality of vents.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A produce carrying container comprising:
 a bottom well, said bottom well substantially rectangular;   a top, said top comprising a raised internal portion, said top bendably attached to said bottom well along a first edge, said top adapted to be folded over said bottom well into a closed position;   a plurality of first stacking positioners on the top surface of said top; and   a plurality of second stacking positioners on the bottom surface of said bottom well,   wherein said first stacking positioners are sized such that they interlock with said second stacking positioners to provide lateral gripping between stacked produce carrying containers.   
     
     
         2 . The produce carrying container of  claim 1  wherein said first stacking positioners comprise features raised above the top surface of said top. 
     
     
         3 . The produce carrying container of  claim 2  wherein said second stacking positioners comprise features extending from the bottom of said bottom well. 
     
     
         4 . The produce carrying container of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of first stacking positioners comprise a stacking positioner at each corner of said top. 
     
     
         5 . The produce carrying container of  claim 4  wherein said plurality of first stacking positioners comprise a stacking positioner at each corner of said bottom well. 
     
     
         6 . The produce carrying container of  claim 3  wherein said plurality of first stacking positioners comprise a stacking positioner at each corner of said top. 
     
     
         7 . The produce carrying container of  claim 6  wherein said plurality of first stacking positioners comprise a stacking positioner at each corner of said bottom well. 
     
     
         8 . The produce carrying container of  claim 7  wherein said first stacking positioners comprise a raised feature, said raised feature comprising a first raised portion and a second raised portion, said first raised portion perpendicular to said second raised portion. 
     
     
         9 . The produce carrying container of  claim 8  wherein said second stacking positioners comprise a raised feature, said raised feature comprising a first raised portion and a second raised portion, said first raised portion perpendicular to said second raised portion.