Tote system for facilitating retail pick-up orders

Abstract

A tote and tote system providing for more efficient retail order pick-ups is disclosed. In certain embodiments, a tote may comprise a bottom panel for supporting one or more retail items, a rear panel and a front panel, wherein the front panel comprises an opening for accessing the one or more retail items of the tote, a first and a second side panel, and one or more bale arms positioned across a top of the tote, wherein the one or more bale arms each comprise a substantially horizontal portion extending from the first side panel to the second side panel, such that the one or more bale arms are operable to support another tote stacked on top of the tote.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tote, comprising:
 a bottom panel for supporting one or more retail items;   a rear panel and a front panel, wherein the front panel comprises an opening for accessing the one or more retail items of the tote;   a first and a second side panel; and   one or more bale arms positioned across a top of the tote, wherein the one or more bale arms extend from the first side panel to the second side panel, such that the one or more bale arms are operable to support another tote stacked on top of the tote.   
     
     
         2 . The tote of  claim 1 , wherein the first side panel and the second side panel each comprise one or more slots along a top edge of the first and second side panels. 
     
     
         3 . The tote of  claim 2 , wherein the one or more bale arms are rotatable from a first position to a second position, wherein in the first position, the one or more bale arms are positioned in the one or more slots. 
     
     
         4 . The tote of  claim 3 , wherein in the second position, the one or more bale arms are not positioned across the top of the tote. 
     
     
         5 . The tote of  claim 1 , wherein the tote further comprises a nest stop positioned on a at least one of a side panel and a rear panel of the tote. 
     
     
         6 . The tote of  claim 1 , wherein the tote further comprises a lid. 
     
     
         7 . The tote of  claim 6 , wherein the lid comprises a first lid panel and a second lid panel, and wherein the first lid panel may be coupled to the second lid panel via one or more connectors. 
     
     
         8 . The tote of  claim 7 , wherein the lid may be positioned in an open position and a closed position, and wherein in a closed position, the first and second lid panels are supported by at least one bale arm and the rear panel. 
     
     
         9 . The tote of  claim 6 , wherein the lid comprises a key connector. 
     
     
         10 . The tote of  claim 9 , wherein the bottom panel comprises a key slot. 
     
     
         11 . The tote of  claim 6 , wherein the lid comprises an opening and at least one of the first and second side panels comprises a protrusion for coupling to the opening of the lid. 
     
     
         12 . The tote of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more bale arms are rotatable between a first position and a second position, and wherein the first position allows another tote to be stacked on top of the tote, and wherein the second position allows another tote to be nested within the tote. 
     
     
         13 . The tote of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch coupled to the rear panel, wherein the latch is operable to secure at least one bale arm against the rear panel. 
     
     
         14 . A tote system, comprising:
 two or more totes, wherein each of the two or more totes comprises one or more bale arms and a front panel comprising an opening for accessing one or more retail items;   wherein the one or more bale arms are rotatable between a first position and a second position;   wherein the two or more totes comprise a first tote and a second tote, and wherein the second tote is stacked on top of the one or more bale arms of the first tote when the one or more bale arms of the first tote are in a first position.   
     
     
         15 . The tote system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a third tote stacked on top of the one or more bale arms of the second tote when the one or more bale arms of the second tote are in a first position.   
     
     
         16 . The tote system of  claim 14 , further comprising a pallet, wherein the two or more totes are positioned on the pallet. 
     
     
         17 . A method of facilitating retail pick-up orders, comprising:
 stacking two or more totes in a first column of totes via one or more bale arms of the two or more totes, wherein each of the two or more totes in the first column has an opening such that an operator may place retail items in each of the two or more totes while the two or more totes are stacked, and wherein the one or more bale arms are rotatable between a first position and a second position; and   placing retail items in at least one of the two or more totes corresponding to one or more retail orders for fulfillment.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 removing one or more retail items from at least one of the two or more totes via the opening, wherein the one or more retail items correspond to one or more retail orders for customer pick-up.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 removing one or more retail items from the at least one of the two or more totes such that the at least one of the two or more totes is an empty tote;   rotating the one or more bale arms of the empty tote from a first position to a second position; and   nesting the empty tote in another empty tote.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 stacking two or more totes in a second column of totes via one or more bale arms of the two or more totes; and   positioning a second column of two or more totes adjacent to the first column of two or more totes.