Stackable container assembly

Abstract

A stackable container assembly includes a first container and a second container. The first container has an upper surface with first, second and third recessed areas parallel to one another. A lower surface of the first container includes first and second projecting areas that are dimensioned, shaped and oriented to align with the first and third recessed areas. The second container has an upper surface with first and second recessed areas parallel to one another and a lower surface with third and fourth projecting areas dimensioned, shaped and be oriented to aligned with the first and second recessed areas of the first container and align with the first and second recessed areas of the second container when stacked vertically.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A stackable container assembly, comprising
 a first container having an upper surface with first, second and third recessed areas and a lower surface with first and second projecting areas configured to couple with the first and third recessed areas; and   a second container having an upper surface with fourth and fifth recessed areas and a lower surface with third and fourth projecting areas configured to align with the first and second recessed areas of the first container and align with the fourth and fifth recessed areas of the second container.   
     
     
         2 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first recessed area and the second recessed area are spaced apart from one another by a first distance, and   the first recessed area and the third recessed area are spaced apart from one another by a second distance that is greater than the first distance.   
     
     
         3 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the first container includes a plurality of first containers that are stacked one on top of another with the first and second projecting area of an upper one of the plurality of first containers fitted into the first and third recessed areas on the upper surface of an adjacent lower one of the plurality of first containers limiting relative movement between the upper one of the plurality of first containers and the lower one of the plurality of first containers.   
     
     
         4 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein
 the second projecting area of the upper one of the plurality of first containers includes at least one concaved area within the second projecting area and the lower one of the plurality of first containers includes at least one projection dimensioned to fit into the concaved area within the second projecting area further limiting relative movement between the upper one of the plurality of first containers and the lower one of the plurality of first containers.   
     
     
         5 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the third and fourth projecting areas of the second container are dimensioned and shaped to fit into the first and second recessed areas of the first container such that the second container is stacked on top of the first container.   
     
     
         6 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 5 , wherein
 the first and second recessed areas of the first container include a pair of upwardly extending projections located proximate opposite ends of the first and second recessed areas, and   the third and fourth projecting areas of the second container are dimensioned such that when inserted into the first and second recessed areas of the first container, the second container is prevented from moving in a lengthwise direction of the first and second recessed areas of the first container by the upwardly extending projections.   
     
     
         7 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the first container has a first volume capacity and the second container has a second volume capacity, the first volume capacity being greater than the second volume capacity.   
     
     
         8 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the second container includes at least two of the second containers being stacked one on top of another with the third and fourth projecting areas of an upper one of the plurality of second containers being fitted into the fourth and fifth recessed areas on the upper surface of an adjacent lower one of the plurality of second containers limiting relative movement between the upper one of the plurality of second containers and the lower one of the plurality of second containers.   
     
     
         9 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the second container is stacked on top of the first container with the third and fourth projecting areas of the second containers being fitted into the first and second recessed areas on the upper surface of the first container limiting relative movement between the second container and the first containers.   
     
     
         10 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 1 , further comprising
 another first container identical to the first container, the another first container being stacked on top of the first container with the first and second projecting areas of the another first containers being fitted into the first and third recessed areas on the upper surface of the first container limiting relative movement between the another first container and the first containers.   
     
     
         11 . The stackable container assembly according to  claim 10 , further comprising
 the second container is stacked on top of the another first container with the fourth and fifth projecting areas of the second container being fitted into the first and second recessed areas on the upper surface of the another first container limiting relative movement between the another first container and the second container.