Grape lug

Abstract

A stackable and nestable container is provided which comprises a bottom surface and two pairs of opposed side walls integrally joined with the bottom surface and each other to form a substantially rectangular open-top container. The uppermost surfaces of the side walls collectively form an upper container rim. A container lid is adapted to be received along the upper container rim. Ventilation apertures are formed in each of the side walls. Also, each side wall includes a pair of column sections. Each column section includes a recessed portion, an inner shelf, and a lower column support. The column sections form outer surfaces which project outwardly away from the side walls. By using the column section design, all the support geometry for the container is located in the corners of the container. The upper container rim comprises a double thickness of material around substantially its entire periphery. The upper container rim comprises a single thickness of material only along those surfaces located adjacent to the recessed portions of the column sections. With this design, the double thickness construction of substantially the entire upper container rim provides the container with sufficient high strength for stacking. Further, the single thickness recessed portions of the column sections provide suitable surfaces for a nesting configuration. However, the high strength of the container is maintained in potentially weak single thickness areas by the double thickness construction of the lower column supports. Also, with the double to single thickness design, the outer surfaces of the column sections are configured so as to closely abut the column sections of a similarly shaped container when the containers are juxtaposed.