Repairable bulk bin base or pallet

Abstract

A transport element having a bottom element connected to upper portions of the transport element by easily removable connections, and a method of removal are provided. The bottom element includes a snap-fit member having a central portion connected to the bottom element by a plurality of horizontal, radially extending ribs, and an opening for accessing such ribs. A hole saw is used to cut the ribs to enable removal of the bottom element. A standard side cutting tool is used to remove the remainder of the bottom snap-fit member from the upper portion of the receptacle.

I/we claim: 
     
         1 . A method of removing a bottom element of plastic transport receptacle comprising the steps of:
 providing a plastic transport receptacle having at least a first bottom element and at least a first upper element, wherein the bottom element includes a first generally cylindrical bottom snap-fit member connected to the bottom element by a plurality of ribs, and the upper element includes a first generally cylindrical upper snap-fit member configured to mate with the first bottom snap-fit member;   sawing through the ribs connecting the first bottom snap-fit member to the first bottom element with a hole saw;   removing the first bottom element from the first upper element; and,   cutting the first bottom snap-fit member from the first upper snap-fit member.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plastic receptacle is a pallet. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the plastic receptacle is a bulk bin container. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first bottom element is a runner. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first bottom element is a full stringer. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first bottom element is a foot cap. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first generally cylindrical bottom snap-fit member includes a plurality of male snap-fit fingers. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first generally cylindrical bottom snap-fit member includes a plurality of female snap-fit fingers. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first bottom element includes a circular opening for accessing the ribs connecting the first bottom snap-fit member to the first bottom element with the hole saw. 
     
     
         10 . The method of claim further comprising the step of connecting a second bottom element to the upper element of the transport receptacle. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the first bottom element includes a plurality of bottom snap-fit members connected to the bottom element by ribs, and the upper element includes a corresponding plurality of upper snap-fit elements. 
     
     
         12 . A bottom element connection for ease of removal comprising:
 a bottom element for use with a transport receptacle having an upper portion with a first upper snap-fit member;   a first bottom snap-fit member in the bottom element having a generally central portion connected to the bottom element by a plurality of horizontally extending ribs, the central portion having a plurality of upwardly extending fingers for engagement with the upper snap-fit member of the upper portion of the transport receptacle;   an opening in a lower surface of the bottom element providing access for a saw to the horizontal ribs.   
     
     
         13 . The bottom element of  claim 12  wherein the transport receptacle is a bulk bin container and the upper portion is a base of the bulk bin container. 
     
     
         14 . The bottom element of  claim 12  wherein the transport receptacle is a pallet. 
     
     
         15 . The bottom element of  claim 12  wherein the bottom element is a runner. 
     
     
         16 . The bottom element of  claim 12  wherein the bottom element is a stringer. 
     
     
         17 . The bottom element of  claim 12  wherein the bottom element is a foot. 
     
     
         18 . The bottom element of  claim 12  wherein the opening is circular. 
     
     
         19 . The bottom element of  claim 12  wherein the central portion of the bottom snap-fit member is cylindrical. 
     
     
         20 . The bottom element of  claim 12  wherein the bottom snap-fit member is male.