A structurally supporting shelf article having a body and a plasticized coating applied to at least an exterior of the article. The body further includes a planar shaped insert surrounded by a tubular frame. In a further variant, a structurally supporting pallet article includes a body incorporating a planar shaped upper supporting surface, the body further including rectangular shaped reinforcing brackets incorporated into a structurally supporting underside locations of the body and which are adapted to receive the inserting forks of a forklift device. A plasticized coating can be applied to at least an exterior of the body. In another variant, a reinforced and volume supporting paperboard article includes a four-sided box like structure assembleable upon a pallet-shaped base with a lid affixing to the assembled sides. The body may constitute a cardboard constructed barrel with reinforcing upper and lower tubular support portions, the lid affixing over an open top of the barrel. In a further application, the body is a cardboard box with upper extending flaps.

A hinge assembly is disclosed between two walls sections of a container which are pivotable relative to one another, with a hinge pin provided at a first wall section and a hinge pin attachment provided at a second wall section, the hinge pin fitting positively in the hinge pin attachment and being rotationally and translationally movable in such a way as to allow a parallel shift of the rotational axis of the hinge pin. A pair of guide contours are provided on the wall sections, in contact with one another and formed separately from the hinge pin and hinge pin attachment to define a simultaneous rotational and translational movement of the hinge pin in the hinge pin attachment.

The invention relates to a heavy load carrier comprising peripherally arranged side walls which in an upright position define an interior of the heavy load carrier with a base, at least one of the side walls having a flap which seals a flap in the side wall in a closed position, the flap comprising first locking elements which can be brought into at least two states together with or separately from the flap, in the closed position, in a locked state the first locking elements cooperating with second locking elements of the side wall, such that the flap cannot be opened by pressure on the flap from the interior of the heavy load carrier perpendicular to a flap plane, and in an unlocked state the flap being able to be opened by pressure on the flap from the interior of the heavy load carrier perpendicular to the flap plane.

Described herein are collapsible containers for transportation of cargo, and methods of using them. The containers may include textured bottom surfaces to facilitate positive engagement with a conveyor. In some embodiments, the containers include secure locking mechanisms that prevent inadvertent unlocking while also permitting one-handed operation. In some embodiments, the containers include adapters to facilitate discharge of liquid cargo.

Disclosed are systems, apparatus and methods for transporting a palletized stack of bottles or other similar bulk-produced containers using a unique pallet base and a unique set of side panels that may be engaged with the base and with each other in order to protect the stacks of bottles on the pallet base during shipping and transport. Embodiments of the invention dampen vibrations, protect the bottles from exterior contaminants, and allow the bottles to be viewed from the outside. Embodiments of the invention also provide reusable pallet systems that are easy to assemble and disassemble, and ship back for reuse.

A modular crate having side and bottom panels and a bracket system including brackets secured to the bottom panel with a fastening apparatus. Channels cut into the side panels allow the panels to fit into the brackets to secure the side and bottom panels.

A container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse has guides containing generally L-shaped slotted tracks having horizontal and vertical portions. A plurality of dunnage supports extend between the tracks. Dunnage is suspended by the dunnage supports. The dunnage supports have narrowed portions engaged with the slotted tracks.

The present invention provides a movable load bearing structure with a surface that includes antimicrobial agents capable of eliminating, preventing, retarding or minimizing the growth of microbes and also minimizing cross-contamination when the load bearing structure is being reused for cargos that differ from a previously transported cargo, for example, different food types, such as poultry, fresh vegetables, and fresh fruit. The load bearing structure may be a dunnage platform or a container for storing and/or shipping cargo.

A locket comprises a connection pin, a lock bracket and a lock rod. A first end of the connection pin is fixed to a first connection. A notch is provided on a sidewall of a second end of the connection pin. The lock bracket is fixed to a second connection. The lock rod is rotatable within the lock bracket between an open position and a closed position. A groove is provided on a sidewall of a first end of the lock rod. The groove of the lock rod accommodates the second end of the connection pin passing through the second connection when the lock rod is open, such that the connection pin is moveable in an axial direction. The first end of the lock rod is accommodated within the notch of the connection pin when the lock rod is closed to prevent the connection pin from moving axially.

A container for holding product therein during shipment and being returned for reuse has guides containing generally L-shaped slotted tracks having horizontal and vertical portions. A plurality of dunnage supports extend between the tracks. Dunnage is suspended by the dunnage supports. The dunnage supports have narrowed portions engaged with the slotted tracks.