Container nesting system

Abstract

A system 2 comprises a primary container 100, an adapter 300, and a plurality of secondary containers 200 each sized to nest within the primary container alongside each other. The adapter is securable

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention relate to a container nesting system. In particular, they relate to a container nesting system comprising a tote box, or walled tray, and a plurality of secondary containers. BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION Containers can come in various forms. Some containers are designed to be vertically stacked and nested, and some containers are designed to be connected edge to edge. Container designs are often proprietary, only being connectable to other containers of the same geometry. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a system comprising a primary container and a plurality of secondary containers each sized to nest within the primary container alongside each other, wherein the secondary containers comprise interlocking connectors to secure each secondary container to an adjacent one of the secondary containers and / or to an adapter, while the secondary containers are nested within the primary container alongside each other. The system may be described as a container nesting system. This provides the advantage that relative positioning of secondary containers within the primary container can be controlled, for maximising space utilisation in use cases such as automated warehouses. As the interlocking connectors connect the secondary containers to each other and / or to an adapter, rather than to the primary container, the primary container does not need to comprise interlocking connectors. This means that the secondary containers can be designed to retrofit existing primary container designs without requiring any modification, re-tooling, or replacement of the primary containers. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a secondary container comprising interlocking connectors to secure the secondary container to an adjacent one of the secondary container. The secondary container may further comprise any of the other features described herein. The interlocking connectors may provide a degree of freedom in a vertical lifting and lowering direction. The interlocking connectors may be vertically slotted to provide the degree of freedom. The interlocking connectors may be of dovetail form or of T-slot form. The interlocking connectors may be formed in rims of the secondary containers. The rims may comprise rolled lips. The interlocking connectors may be formed in the rolled lips. Rolled lips provide geometric reinforcement. The rolled lip of each secondary container may extend continuously or discontinuously around a plurality of or all sides of the secondary container. The rims may comprise webs and flanges. Each rolled lip may comprise a web and a flange. The web may be a lateral web. The flange may be a vertical flange. The webs may connect the flanges to different side walls of the secondary container. The webs may extend laterally outwardly, for example horizontally. The flanges may extend down in a base-ward direction. The interlocking connectors may be formed in the webs and flanges. An advantage is that greater stability is achieved by interconnecting the secondary containers at their tops rather than lower down. The secondary containers may have drafted side walls. The flanges may be more vertical than the drafted side walls. The interlocking connectors, formed in the flanges, may define vertical sliders. The interlocking connectors may comprise male connectors and female connectors. The male connectors may be located in recesses. The recesses may be formed in the flanges and may be open at the webs. The recesses reduce a lateral protruding distance of the male connectors, to minimise lateral dimensions of the secondary containers. The male connectors may protrude beyond depths of the recesses. The male connectors may be located centrally in the recesses. The female connectors may be disposed centrally between pairs of adjacent protrusions. The pairs of adjacent protrusions may be formed in the flanges. The pairs of adjacent protrusions may protrude by less than depths of the female connectors. The pairs of adjacent protrusions may be shaped to fit in the recesses. The female connectors may define vertical channels that are open at their top and bottom ends. This enables the secondary containers to be lifted and lowered into engagement in any order. The vertical channels may have a generally constant cross-section from end to end. The webs may be shaped to define top ends of the ends of the channels. The top ends may be defined by shapes of edges of the webs. The channels may be defined between the pairs of adjacent protrusions. The primary container may comprise a base and side walls connected to the base, defining a top opening. Each secondary container may comprise a base and side walls connected to the base, defining a top opening. The secondary containers may rest on the base of the primary container while secured to each other by the interlocking connectors. The primary container may be in the form of a tote box. When the secondary containers rest on the base of the primary container, the top openings of the secondary containers may be generally flush or substantially flush with the top opening of the primary container. Alternatively, the secondary containers may be at least 50% shorter in height than the primary container, and may be stackable into double-height arrays or more. Alternatively, the side walls of the primary container may be shorter than the side walls of the secondary containers such that the top opening of the primary container is below the top openings of the secondary containers. In this example, the primary container may be in the form of a walled tray. The primary container and secondary containers may be relatively sized to enable more than two of the secondary containers to nest within the primary container alongside each other. The primary container and the secondary containers may be relatively sized to enable a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of the secondary containers to nest within the primary container alongside each other. The interlocking connectors may enable each secondary container to be secured to a row and secured to a column. The interlocking connectors may be arranged to secure each secondary container to at least a pair of adjacent ones of the secondary containers. The interlocking connectors may be arranged along perpendicular sides of each secondary container. Therefore, each secondary container may be securable to a perpendicular pair of secondary containers. Each secondary container may have a plurality of sides. A plurality or each of the sides of each secondary container may include one of the interlocking connectors. Perpendicular sides of each secondary container may include one of the interlocking connectors. One or more or each of the sides of each secondary container may each comprise a pair of the interlocking connectors. Perpendicular sides of each secondary container may each include a pair of the interlocking connectors. The pairs of interlocking connectors may be proximal to different comers and / or different sides of the same secondary container. The pairs of interlocking connectors may comprise male-female pairs of the interlocking connectors. Opposite sides of the same secondary container may comprise male-female and female-male pairs of the interlocking connectors respectively, in that order. This means the secondary containers can be interconnected in a first orientation and in a second opposite orientation. The secondary containers may comprise anti-sliding restraints configured to interfere with the primary container. The anti-sliding restraints may be configured to interfere with projections inside the primary container. An advantage is that when the primary container is not full of secondary containers, the secondary containers are at least partially restrained from sliding around. The anti-sliding restraints may operate based on engagement of ribs with slots. The projections of the primary container may comprise upstanding ribs or teeth. The anti-sliding restraints may comprise slots sized to receive the projections to create interference against sliding in directions perpendicular to planes of the projections. The projections of the primary container may connect the base of the primary container to the side walls of the primary container. The slots may extend through base edges of the secondary containers to define corner slots. The anti-sliding restraints may be arranged along perpendicular sides of each secondary container. A perpendicular pair of the anti-sliding restraints may provide restraints in a pair of horizontal axes. The secondary containers may comprise end effector attachment points to enable automated lifting. The end effector attachment points may comprise apertures. The apertures may be formed in the rolled lips, for example in the webs. The secondary containers have the same plan view dimensions. Alternatively, a second of the secondary containers may have different plan view dimensions than a first of the secondary containers. The second secondary container may have a different aspect ratio and / or internal volume than the first secondary container. The plan view dimensions of the first secondary container may be 1 unit length to 1 unit width. The plan view dimensions of the second secondary container may be 2 units length to 1 unit width, or 1 unit length to 2 units width, or 2 units length to 2 units width. A 2-unit long side of the second secondary container may comprise enough of the interlocking connectors to connect with two of the first secondary containers. In some examples, the adapter is provided, to which the secondary containers are securable. The adapter may be securable to first connectors of the primary container. The adapter may therefore adapt existing connectors of the primary container to the different, interlocking connectors of the secondary containers. An advantage of the adapter is prevention of sliding of the secondary containers within the primary container. The adapter may be in the form of a frame. The frame may comprise a foursided frame where the primary container may be a four-sided container. The adapter may fit through a top opening of the primary container. The adapter may have an operating position. At the operating position, the adapter may be suspended above a base of the primary container. The adapter may not be in contact with the base of the primary container. At the operating position, the adapter may be at a horizontal orientation. At the operating position, a top of the adapter may be below or flush with the top opening of the primary container. An advantage of the suspended elevation of the adapter is that it is more effective at preventing tipping. The adapter may have a lower height than a base-to-top opening height of the primary container. The adapter at the operating position may be closer to the top opening of the primary container than the base of the primary container. The adapter at the operating position may be suspended above the base of the primary container by a greater distance than a height of the adapter. An advantage is that the adapter can have a lighter weight than using divider plates which would reach the base of the container and contact the base. The adapter may comprise second connectors securable to the first connectors of the primary container to define a plug-socket connection. The first connectors may be inboard-facing. The second connectors may be outboard-facing. An outboard side of the adapter may comprise the second connectors. Each side of the primary container may comprise one or more of the first connectors. Each side of the adapter may comprise one or more of the second connectors. The first connectors may be in the form of sockets. The sockets may be in the form of slots. The sockets may comprise T-slots. The first connectors may be formed in side walls of the primary container. The second connectors may be in the form of plugs. The plugs may be configured to fit in the T-slots. The plugs may be slidable vertically into the sockets when lowering the adapter into the primary container. Alternatively, the plugs and sockets may be reversed such that the primary container has the plugs and the adapter has the sockets. The adapter may further comprise the interlocking connectors, enabling the secondary containers to be secured to the adapter. The interlocking connectors may be inboard-facing. An inboard side of the adapter may comprise the interlocking connectors. Each secondary container may be connectable to at least one side of the adapter. Each side of the adapter may comprise the interlocking connectors. The adapter may comprise more of the interlocking connectors than the second connectors. Each side of the adapter may comprise more of the interlocking connectors than the second connectors. The first connectors may extend from the primary container’s top opening to a position proximal to the primary container’s base. The first connectors may be longer than the adapter’s height. The first connectors may be more than twice as long as the adapter’s height. The first connectors may be further compatible with other accessories than the adapter, such as divider plates that reach and contact the base of the container. An advantage is that the container can be reconfigured for different purposes. Another example is now defined, including an adapter. Apart from any differences stated below, the adapter and secondary containers may be as described in the preceding statements. The primary container may be as described in the preceding statements. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments of the invention there is provided a system comprising a primary container, an adapter, and a plurality of secondary containers each sized to nest within the primary container alongside each other, wherein the adapter is securable to first connectors of the primary container to an operating position, wherein at the operating position the adapter is at a suspended height above a base of the primary container or is on the base, and defines at least in part a plurality of frames each configured to receive and secure an individual one of the secondary containers within the primary container. This provides the advantage that relative positioning of secondary containers within the primary container can be controlled, preventing them from sliding. The suspended position of the adapter also helps to prevent tipping because it is above the centre of gravity of the secondary containers. A suspended adapter also enables weight saving due to a smaller adapter, because the adapter does not reach or contact the base of the container. The interlocking connectors may not be provided. Therefore, neither the adapter, the secondary containers, nor the primary container, may include the interlocking connectors. The frames may include a plurality of rows of the frames and a plurality of columns of the frames. Therefore, the adapter may include one or more longitudinal divider members separating the columns, and one or more transverse divider members separating the rows. The frames may be defined wholly by the adapter, or by a combination of the adapter and the primary container’s side walls. In examples where the frames are defined wholly by the adapter, the adapter may comprise perimeter members extending parallel to the side walls of the primary container. The perimeter members may define a four-sided frame, subdivided into rows and columns of smaller frames by the one or more longitudinal and / or lateral divider members. A first opposing pair of the perimeter members may be interconnected by the one or more longitudinal divider members. A second opposing pair of the perimeter members may be interconnected by the one or more transverse divider members. The perimeter members may comprise the second connectors defined earlier. Where the secondary containers may comprise rolled lips, the rolled lips of the secondary containers may be arranged to rest on or interfere with the adapter. For example, bottoms of the flanges of the rolled lips may rest on the adapter or not fit through the adapter. The rolled lips may rest on an upper surface of the adapter. The rolled lips may rest on the perimeter members and divider members of the adapter as defined above. The top of the adapter may therefore be below the top opening of the primary container so that the tops of the secondary containers are flush with the top opening of the primary container. The adapter may comprise one or more cantilevered divider members. At least one of the longitudinal divider members of the adapter may be a cantilevered divider member. At least one of the transverse divider members of the adapter may be a cantilevered divider member. An advantage of at least some divider members being cantilevered is firstly that weight is minimised, and secondly that different-sized secondary containers can be accommodated. Whereas a small secondary container can be seated in a single frame, a larger secondary container can be sized to seat in multiple frames. The larger secondary container may be provided with an upwards slot extending along one of its side walls, to prevent interference with a free end of the cantilevered divider member. The cantilevered divider member of the adapter may be connected at a first end to one of the perimeter members of the adapter or to one of the interconnecting divider members (that interconnects the opposing pair of the perimeter members). An opposite second end of the cantilevered divider member may be a free end. One or more of the perimeter members of the adapter may comprise one or more of the cantilevered divider members. The transverse divider member interconnecting the first opposing pair of the perimeter members may comprise one or more of the cantilevered longitudinal divider members along its span. The longitudinal divider member interconnecting the second opposing pair of the perimeter members may comprise one or more of the cantilevered transverse divider members along its span. The cantilevered divider member may define a corner of a first adjacent frame of the adapter and a corner of a neighbouring second adjacent frame of the adapter. The cantilevered divider member may be configured to support a corner of one of the secondary containers in the first adjacent frame while supporting a corner of another of the secondary containers in the second adjacent frame. The cantilevered divider member may extend in a first horizontal axis and may be configured to create an interference against translation of the secondary container in the first adjacent frame towards the cantilevered divider member in a second perpendicular horizontal axis. The cantilevered divider member may be further configured to create an interference against translation of the secondary container in the second adjacent frame towards the cantilevered divider member in the second perpendicular horizontal axis. A combination of two of the cantilevered divider members as longitudinal and transverse divider members of a same frame of the adapter may create interference against translation of the secondary container in a horizontal plane. The interference may be a side wall interference such that a side wall of the secondary container in the first adjacent frame abuts a first side of the cantilevered divider member as a result of the translation towards the cantilevered divider member in the second horizontal axis, and / or such that a side wall of the secondary container in the second adjacent frame abuts a second side of the cantilevered divider member as a result of the translation towards the cantilevered divider member in the second horizontal axis. In examples where the adapter is at the suspended height when in the operating position, the cantilevered divider member may be configured to support a rim of the secondary containers. The cantilevered divider member may have a span length in the first horizontal axis greater than a horizontal rim thickness of the secondary containers, to enable the abutment. The horizontal rim thickness may be the thickness of an overhanging portion of the rim of the secondary container from the side walls of the secondary container. The overhanging portion may be the rolled lip. In examples where the adapter is on the base of the primary container when in the operating position, the adapter may be in direct or indirect contact with the base. The cantilevered divider members may be configured to engage with lower comers of the secondary containers. The first side of the cantilevered divider member may comprise a first abutment surface to be abutted by the side wall of the secondary container in the first adjacent frame. The first abutment surface may be shaped to follow a draft angle of said side wall. This enables a snug fit or continuous abutment with the side wall, to minimise container vibration. The second side of the cantilevered divider member may comprise a second abutment surface to be abutted by the side wall of the secondary container in the second adjacent frame. The second abutment surface may be shaped to follow a draft angle of said side wall. This enables a snug fit or continuous abutment with the side wall, to minimise container vibration. The perimeter members and / or the interconnecting divider members may comprise inboard abutment surfaces shaped to follow a draft angle of the side walls of the secondary containers. This also enables a snug fit and / or continuous abutment with secondary container side walls. Where different-sized secondary containers may be accommodated, one of the secondary containers may be a multi-frame secondary container having a multiframe length and / or multi-frame width. This may be the larger ‘second secondary container’ as defined earlier. The multi-frame secondary container may comprise one or more multi-frame side walls each having a horizontal dimension spanning multiple ones of the frames. The multi-frame length may be equal to or greater than a length of the first frame plus a length of the second frame, along the second horizontal axis. The or each multi-frame side wall may comprise an upwards recess extending upwardly along the multi-frame side wall, such as an upwards slot. The upwards recess may be arranged to be aligned with the cantilevered divider member demarcating the first and second frames. Each multi-frame side wall may comprise an upwards recess arranged to be aligned with a respective one of the cantilevered divider members. The upwards recess may have a depth sized to prevent interference of the multi-frame secondary container with the free end of the cantilevered divider member as the multi-frame secondary container is fitted (e.g., lowered) onto the adapter. The span length of the cantilevered divider member in the first horizontal axis may be less than triple the horizontal rim thickness. An advantage is that this minimises the required depth of the upwards recess of the multi-frame secondary container. Another advantage is that weight is minimised. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of various examples of embodiments of the present invention reference will now be made by way of example only to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 illustrates a tote box containing a plurality of secondary containers; FIG. 2 illustrates an underside of the tote box; FIG. 3 illustrates a walled tray containing a plurality of secondary containers; FIG. 4 illustrates a detail perspective view of a secondary container; FIG. 5 illustrates a detail top view of a nested secondary container; FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a detail perspective views of projections in a primary container and anti-sliding restraints in a secondary container; FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of a system comprising a tote box, an adapter, and a secondary container; FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the tote box of FIG. 7 with a divider plate; FIG. 9 illustrates a perspective view of the system comprising a tote box, an alternative adapter, and various-sized secondary containers; FIG. 10 illustrates a detail view of a plug of the alternative adapter; FIG. 11 illustrates a cross-section view of the system of FIG. 9; and FIG. 12 illustrates a perspective view of the system comprising a walled tray, a further alternative adapter, and a secondary container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION The FIGS illustrate a system 1 comprising a primary container 100 and a plurality of secondary containers 200 each sized to nest within the primary container 100 alongside each other. As shown in FIGS. 1-3, the primary container 100 comprises a base 102 and an arrangement of four side walls 104. The side walls 104 extend up from the base 102 and are supported by the base 102. A side wall 104 is provided at each side (left, right, front, rear) of the primary container 100. The side walls 104 may be rectilinear in plan view. The primary container 100 has a top opening 106 defined by the side walls 104, through which articles can be placed. FIGS. 1-3 show that the primary container 100 may have capacity to nest up to eight secondary containers 200 within the primary container 100, alongside each other. Where the primary container 100 may be rectangular, the secondary containers 200 form more rows than columns, in this case a 4x2 array of rows and columns. In other examples, the primary container 100 may have a capacity for a different number of secondary containers 200. As best shown in FIG. 4, each secondary container 200 comprises a base 216 and an arrangement of four side walls 214. The side walls 214 extend up from the base 216 and are supported by the base 216. A side wall 214 is provided at each side (left, right, front, rear) of the secondary container 200. The side walls 214 may be rectilinear in plan view. The tops of the side walls 214 define a rim 204 which defines a top opening 218. FIG. 1 illustrates the primary container 100 in the form of a four-sided tote box, and the secondary containers 200 in the form of smaller four-sided tote boxes. The secondary containers 200 rest on the base 102 of the primary container 100 in contact with the base 102, and are dimensioned so that the top openings 218 of the secondary containers 200 are flush with the top opening 106 of the primary container 100. FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative example in which the primary container is a walled tray 100’. In this example, the side walls 104 of the walled tray 100’ are shorter, therefore, the top opening 106 of the walled tray 100’ is below the top openings 218 of the secondary containers 200. As shown in FIGS. 4-5, the secondary containers 200 further comprise interlocking connectors 202 to secure each side of each secondary container 200 to another adjacent secondary container 200. Applied to the examples of FIGS. 1 and 3, the interlocking connectors 202 enable each secondary container 200 to connect to at least one adjacent row and at least one adjacent column of the secondary containers 200. The interlocking connectors 202 of one secondary container 200 are now described in detail. This description applies to all the other secondary containers 200 which are assumed to be identical. Of course, the secondary containers 200 may differ from one another in various ways not falling outside the scope of this disclosure. The interlocking connectors 202 enable the four-sided secondary container 200 to connect to up to four other secondary containers 200 - one per side. The interlocking connectors 202 are located at the rim 204 of the secondary container 200, and protrude in a lateral direction (parallel to the base 216). The interlocking connectors 202 are vertically slotted to provide a degree of freedom in a vertical lifting and lowering direction, but prevent any lateral movement relative to another connected secondary container 200. To engage the interlocking connectors 202, the secondary container 200 is aligned with the intended adjacent secondary container 200 and lowered so that the corresponding interlocking connectors 202 slidably engage with one another. Disengagement comprises lifting the secondary container 200 away. The detail view of FIG. 5 illustrates that the interlocking connectors 202 may be of dovetail form. The interlocking connectors 202 are of recessed dovetail form, to limit how far they protrude in a lateral direction. In another example, the interlocking connectors 202 are of T-slot form. The secondary container 200 comprises both male connectors 202A and female connectors 202B, of the interlocking connectors 202. Each side (first sides) of the secondary container 200 can comprise a male-female pair of the interlocking connectors 202. The opposite side of the secondary container 200 can comprise a female-male pair of the interlocking connectors 202. The positions of the opposite female and male connectors 202A are swapped at the opposite sides so that the female connector 202B of an opposite side is opposite a male connector 202A of the first side, and the male connector 202A of the opposite side is opposite a female connector 202B of the first side. Further, the interlocking connectors 202 are proximal to the corners of the secondary container 200, to spread the loads. Where the secondary container 200 may be formed from a moulded plastics material, the interlocking connectors 202 may be integrally-moulded portions of the plastics material. The interlocking connectors 202 are formed in the rim 204 of the secondary container 200, at the tops of the side walls 214. Specifically, the rim 204 of the secondary container 200 comprises rolled lips 206. The rolled lips 206 refer to a lateral web 208 connected to a vertically hanging flange 210. As shown, the web 208 and / or the flange 210 may extend continuously around all the sides of the secondary container 200, including around corners. Therefore, the rim 204 of the secondary container 200 may be a continuous rolled lip 206. The interlocking connectors 202 are formed in the rolled lips 206. Specifically, the interlocking connectors 202 are formed in the flanges 210, defining vertical plugs / protrusions and vertical sockets / channels. Where the flanges 210 are more vertical than the side walls 214 of the secondary container 200 which taper at a draft angle, this enables the interlocking connectors 202 to provide accurately-vertical sliders. The detail views in FIG. 5 illustrate a male connector 202A and a female connector 202B in more detail. The illustrated male connector 202A is a plug, in this case a dovetail plug, being a protrusion 222 of the flange 210 and extending from the top edge of the flange 210 to the bottom edge of the flange 210. The male connector 202A defines a vertical elongate plug of constant cross-section, open at its top and bottom ends. The top end of the vertical elongate plug is formed in the top edge 226 of the flange 210 and the bottom end is formed in the bottom edge 227 of the flange 210. The top edge 226 of the flange 210 may connect the flange 210 to the web. To limit the lateral protrusion of the male connector 202A, the male connector 202A can be located in a recess 221 formed in the flange 210. The male connector 202A may nonetheless protrude beyond the depth of the recess 221. The male connector 202A is centrally located in the recess 221 such that the recess 221 to either side of the male connector 202A defines a pair of vertical channels 220 defining side edge portions of the male connector 202A and smaller in plan view area than the male connector 202A. The illustrated female connector 202B is a socket, in this case a dovetail socket, recessed into the flange 210 and extending from the top edge of the flange 210 to the bottom edge of the flange 210. The female connector 202B has the opposite shape than the male connector 202A and is sized so that the male connector 202A of another secondary container 200 can fit within the female connector 202B. The female connector 202B defines a vertical elongate channel 222 of constant cross-section, open at its top and bottom ends. The top end of the vertical channel is formed in the top edge 226 of the flange 210 and the bottom end of the vertical channel is formed in the bottom edge 227 of the flange 210. As shown, the female connector 202B can be located in a protrusion 222 formed in the flange 210, wherein the protrusion 222 is of the opposite form than the recess 221 and can be defined as an anti-recess. The protrusion 222 may have the same depth as the recess 221 in which the male connector 202A is located. The female connector 202B may have at least the same depth as the protruding distance of the male connector 202A from the recess 221. Therefore, the female connector 202B may be deeper than the protrusion 222 it is formed in. The female connector 202B is centrally located in the protrusion 222 such that the protrusion 222 to either side of the female connector 202B defines a pair of adjacent protrusions 224 defining side edge portions of the female connector and smaller in plan view area than the female connector 202B. The pair of protrusions 224 adjacent to the female connector 202B are shaped to fit within the pair of vertical channels 220 adjacent to the male connector 202A, while the male connector 202A fits within the female connector 202B. This defines a secure vertical sliding joint. The primary container 100 and secondary containers 200 may be relatively sized to enable more than two of the secondary containers 200 to nest within the primary container 100 alongside each other. The primary container 100 and the secondary containers 200 may be relatively sized to enable a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns of the secondary containers 200 to nest within the primary container 100 alongside each other. The interlocking connectors 202 may enable each secondary container 200 to be secured to a row and secured to a column. Although the interlocking connectors 202 prevent the secondary containers 200 from sliding relative to each other, they do not prevent a secondary container 200 or array of interconnected secondary containers 200 from sliding within the primary container 100, if the primary container 100 is not completely full of secondary containers 200. FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate a means to resist sliding of a secondary container 200 or array of interconnected secondary containers 200. Whereas FIG. 2 illustrates the base 102 having a generally planar underside, FIG. 6A illustrates the base 102 of a primary container 100’ having a ribbed upper side, including the annotated rib 108 which is a projection that protrudes slightly above floor level and further inboard than its neighbouring ribs. The rib 108 may be an existing feature of the primary container 100, 100’. As best shown in FIG. 6B, the secondary container 200 comprises one or more anti-sliding restraints 228 configured to engage with this type of upstanding rib 108 to limit horizontal sliding of the secondary container 200, and other secondary containers 200 connected to it, within the primary container 100. The anti-sliding restraints are in the form of base slots 228 formed in the base 216 of the secondary container 200. As shown in FIG. 6B, the base slots 228 of the secondary containers 200 are sized so that an upstanding rib 108 can fit within the base slot 228, creating an interference against lateral sliding in a direction perpendicular to the rib 108. In the specific example, the upstanding ribs 108 are edge ribs, located at the edges of the base 102 of the primary container 100, connecting the base 102 to the side walls 104 of the primary container 100. Therefore, the anti-sliding restraint can be a slot 228 extending through a base edge of the secondary container 200 into a side wall of the secondary container 200. The secondary container 200 may comprise one or more anti-sliding restraints at each side of the secondary container 200. Therefore, if a perpendicular pair of the anti-sliding restraints are engaged with upstanding ribs 108, the secondary container 200 is restrained from lateral movement in a horizontal / lateral plane in any direction. The secondary containers 200 comprise end effector attachment points in the form of multiple apertures 230, to enable automated lifting. The apertures 230 may be formed in the rolled edges. The end effector attachment points are shown as web holes in the web 208 or webs. In the preceding FIGS, the secondary containers 200 have the same plan view dimensions. In another example, a larger secondary container 200 can be provided with the system 1. The larger secondary container 200 may have ‘m’ times the length and / or ‘n’ times the width, where m and n is at least two. Long sides which are twice as long can have twice as many of the interlocking connectors 202, arranged to enable two of the smaller secondary containers 200 to be secured to the long side. FIG. 7 describes another example system 2 comprising an adapter 300, where no interlocking connectors 202 are used. The primary container 100 is a tote box having an existing slot or slots 110 (first connectors) in each of its side walls 104, for enabling the connection of existing divider plates 400 (not an adapter) as shown in FIG. 8. In the example of FIG. 7, an adapter 300 has been designed to fit these slots 110 without requiring modification of the primary container 100, wherein the adapter 300 is for receiving and stabilising secondary containers 200B. The adapter 300 comprises four perimeter members 302, 306 connected into a large four-sided rectangular frame, wherein each perimeter member 302, 306 extends parallel to a corresponding side wall 104 of the primary container 100. The perimeter members 302, 306 are interconnected by a plurality of divider members 304, 308, separating the adapter 300 into a plurality of smaller frames 312 arranged in rows and / or columns. Each frame 312 receives a corresponding one of the secondary containers 200B. To connect the adapter 300 to the primary container 100, the adapter 300 comprises a plurality of plugs 310 (second connectors) formed in the outboardfacing side of each perimeter member 302, 306, enabling it to be slidably connected to the slots 110 in the side walls 104 of the primary container 100. A T-slot connection type may be used. In the illustrated example, the divider members 304, 308 of the adapter 300 include a single longitudinal divider member 304 and three transverse divider members 308, together defining two columns and four rows of the frames 312. Therefore, the primary container 100 can receive up to eight of the secondary containers 200B. Each frame 312 is defined by the combination of a pair of members 308, 308 or 306, 308, and a perpendicular pair of members 304, 304 or 302, 304. In FIG. 7, the longitudinal divider member 304, the transverse divider members 308, and the perimeter members 302, 306 are interconnected as one part. The adapter 300 may be a moulded plastics part. In another implementation, the perimeter members 302, 306 are omitted, such that the divider members 304, 308 are connected directly to the slots 110. The adapter 300 is shown at its operating position, meaning it cannot be slid any further down into the primary container 100 and / or it is locked into place. The adapter 300 is suspended above the base 102 of the primary container 100, and as such is not in contact with the base 102 of the primary container 100. The adapter 300 is at a horizontal orientation, and a top of the adapter 300 is sub-flush (slightly below / proximal) to the top opening 106 of the primary container 100. The height of the adapter 300 is less than 40cm or another value less than half or less than a third of the height of the primary container 100. As the adapter 300 is suspended, the bottom of the adapter 300 is closer to the top opening 106 of the primary container 100 than to the base 102 of the primary container 100. Although the bases of the secondary containers 200B are not laterally restrained, the adapter 300 prevents the tops of the secondary containers 200B from sliding or tipping and therefore the secondary containers 200B stay in their required positions. By contrast, an existing divider plate 400 such as shown in FIG. 8 would rest on the base 102 of the primary container 100 and is larger and heavier. In use, the top openings 216 of the secondary containers 200B may be above the adapter 300. The bottoms of the flanges 210 of the rolled lips 206 of the secondary containers 200B may rest on or interfere with the top surfaces of the members of the adapter 300. This may be in addition to, or instead of, the secondary containers 200B resting on the base 102 of the primary container 100. In a further implementation (not shown), the adapter 300 is provided with the interlocking connectors 202 for use with the secondary containers 200 of FIGS. 1-6. The interlocking connectors 202 of the secondary containers 200 may connect to the adapter 300 in addition to, or instead of, connecting to other secondary containers 200B. This fully secures the secondary containers 200 to the primary container 100 and prevents sliding. The divider members 304, 308 may be optionally omitted in this implementation, without a loss of stability of the secondary containers 200. In some implementations, the existing divider plate 400 of FIG. 8 is provided as an accessory. The customer may swap between divider plates 400 when the secondary containers 200B aren’t used, and the adapter 300 when the secondary containers 200B are used. FIGS. 9-11 illustrate a variant of the system 2 having a different adapter 500 than the one shown in FIG. 7. According to this variant, cantilevered divider members 514 are provided, some of which may replace some of the middle divider members 304, 308. As will be described, this provides a more open frame construction that allows both single-frame-sized secondary containers 200C and multi-frame-sized secondary containers 200D to be installed. Each cantilevered divider member 514 has a fixed end and a free end separated by a short span length. The cantilevered divider members 514 each span / extend inboard (first horizontal axis). They may not increase the height of the adapter 500. FIG. 9 shows that the adapter 500 defines two large closed frames, each closed frame comprising a plurality of smaller open frames 312 defined by the cantilevered divider members 514. A closed frame is defined by an appropriate combination of the members 302, 304, 306, 308 that are interconnected at their ends so as to form closed frames. In FIG. 9, but not necessarily in all examples, each closed frame comprises a 2x2 set of smaller open frames 312. Within each closed frame, the members 302, 304, 306, 308 defining the boundaries of the closed frame each comprise a cantilevered divider member 514. Each cantilevered divider member 514 is located at the approximate mid-span of the closed frame, of the respective member 302, 304, 306, 308 to which the member 514 is fixed. The cantilevered divider member 514 spans in a transverse horizontal direction (first horizontal axis) to the horizontal direction (second horizontal axis) in which the respective member 302, 304, 306, 308 to which it is fixed extends. The transverse direction may be perpendicular. While eight open frames 312 are shown within two closed frames, the number of open frames 312 per closed frame may vary, being two or more open frames 312. The number of closed frames may also vary, being one or more closed frames. In further alternative examples, there are no closed frames, because at least some of the cantilevered divider members 514 could be separate parts that are separately connected to the primary container 100 without a need for at least some of the members 302, 304, 306, 308. Each cantilevered divider member 514 is shown as a corner rest on which the corners of a pair of secondary containers 200 in adjacent / neighbouring frames 312 can simultaneously rest. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 11, the rim 204 at the corner of the respective secondary container 200 rests on the upper surface of the cantilevered divider member 514. More specifically, where the rim 204 comprises rolled lips 206, a rolled lip 206 at the corner of the secondary container rests on the upper surface of the cantilevered divider member 514. More specifically, where the rolled lips 206 comprise a vertically hanging flange 210, the bottom edge of the flange 210 rests on the upper surface of the cantilevered divider member 514. The upper surface may be the top surface. The span length of each cantilevered divider member 514 is sufficiently long that, as shown in FIG. 11, an upper portion of a side wall 214 of the secondary container 200 contacts / abuts the side of the cantilevered divider member 514 at a location proximal to the corner of the secondary container 200. The span lengths are long enough to create a horizontal interference with the upper portions of the side walls 214 of the secondary container 200. Therefore, in a situation where only one secondary container 200C is installed, the secondary container 200C is not able to slide horizontally out of the frame 312. This means that the span length of each cantilevered divider member 514 is longer than the rim thickness / lip thickness measured proximal to the corner of the secondary container 200, said thickness being measured as the horizontal distance of the bottom of the flange 210 of the rolled lip 206 from the side wall 214 extending in the same direction as said flange 210, when measured at the elevation of the bottom of the flange 210. As shown in FIG. 11, the sides of the cantilevered divider member 514 are abutment surfaces 516, 518, and they spread apart from each other with decreasing elevation to follow a draft angle of the side walls 214 of the secondary containers 200. In other words, the sides of the cantilevered divider member 514 are drafted in the opposite direction than the side walls 214 of the secondary container 200, to be substantially parallel to the side walls 214. Therefore, the sides / abutment surfaces 516, 518 of the cantilevered divider member 514 extend substantially parallel to the side walls 214 of the secondary containers 200. This snug fit prevents any shifting of the secondary containers 200 in-use. Further, as shown in FIG. 11, the inboard sides of the perimeter members 302, 306 and divider members 304, 308 may also follow the draft angle of the side walls 214 of the secondary containers 200. These act as further abutment surfaces of the adapter 500. Optionally, the secondary container 200 may be supported on the adapter 500 wholly by the contact between its side walls 214 and the abutment surfaces of the adapter 500. The rim 204 may not rest on any part of the adapter 500 and may even be elevated above the adapter 500. In FIG. 9: - a first corner of the secondary container 200C will rest on the cantilevered divider member 514 extending from the perimeter member 306; - a second corner of the secondary container 200C will rest on the cantilevered divider member 514 extending from the perimeter member 302; - a third corner of the secondary container 200C will rest on the edge of the adapter 500 connecting the ends of the perimeter members 302, 306; and - a fourth corner of the secondary container 200C is cantilevered. Regarding the side walls 214: - a first side wall of the secondary container 200C, connecting the first and third corners, will abut an abutment surface of the perimeter member 306, while the section of rim 204 extending with the first side wall will rest on the perimeter member 306; - a second side wall of the secondary container 200C, connecting the third and second comers, will abut an abutment surface of the perimeter member 302, while the section of rim 204 extending with the second side wall will rest on the perimeter member 302; - a third side wall of the secondary container 200C, connecting the second and fourth corners, will abut the abutment surface 516 of the cantilevered divider member 514 fixed to the perimeter member 302, while the section of rim 204 extending with the third side wall will rest on said cantilevered divider member 514 and extends unsupported past the end of said cantilevered divider member 514 to the fourth corner; and - a fourth side wall of the secondary container 200C, connecting the fourth and first corners, will abut the abutment surface 518 of the cantilevered divider member 514 fixed to the perimeter member 306, while the section of rim 204 extending with said fourth side walls will rest on said cantilevered divider member 514 and extends unsupported past the end of said cantilevered divider member 514 to the fourth corner. Therefore, although one of the comers of the secondary container 200C is cantilevered and unsupported from below, all four of its side walls 214 and rim sections are supported by the adapter 500 for at least part of their lengths, so the secondary container 200C is stable against sliding and wobbling, and cannot slide horizontally out of the frame 312. FIG. 9 also shows a multi-frame sized secondary container 200D, which has multi-frame side walls 214B that are double the length of the corresponding side walls 214 of the secondary container 200C. The multi-frame secondary container 200D is sized to fit in a pair of the frames 312. In FIG. 9, two of the comers of the multi-frame secondary container 200D will rest on the cantilevered divider member 514 fixed to the perimeter member 306 and on the cantilevered divider member 514 fixed to the transverse divider member 308. The other two comers of the multi-frame secondary container 200D will rest on the corner between the perimeter members 306, 302, and on the corner between the members 302, 308. Therefore, the multi-frame secondary container 200D fills half of the closed frame I a pair of the open frames. In order to prevent interference between the cantilevered divider member 514 fixed to the perimeter member 302, and the multi-frame side wall 214B of the multi-frame secondary container 200D, a central region of the multi-frame side wall 214B of the multi-frame secondary container 200D comprises an upwards recess in the form of an upwards slot 232. The upwards slot 232 has an open end at the base of the multi-frame secondary container 200D and extends to at least the rim 204, or in this case all the way to the top opening of the multi-frame secondary container 200D. The upwards slot 232 may have a depth greater than or equal to a span of the cantilevered divider member 514. When the multi-frame secondary container 200D is lowered into the adapter 500, the open end of the upwards slot 232 is aligned with the free end of the cantilevered divider member 514, enabling the multi-frame secondary container 200D to be lowered onto the adapter 500 with the upwards slot 232 sliding along the free end of the cantilevered divider member 514 within the upwards slot 232. Each multi-frame side wall 214B of the multi-frame secondary container 200D may have one of the upwards slots 232. The upwards slot 232 may sacrifice some internal volume of the multi-frame secondary container 200D but enables the prevention of interference between the multi-frame secondary container 200D and the cantilevered divider member 514. To minimise the required depth of the upwards slot 232, the span length of the cantilevered divider members 514 is minimised. In the illustrated example, each cantilevered divider member 514 has a span length no longer than 1.2 times to three times greater than the rim thickness described above. In other examples, the upwards slot 232 may be replaced by another form of upwards recess, such as a concavity in the surface of the side wall 214B. The system 2 illustrated in FIGS. 9-11 provides flexibility over which secondary containers 200C, 200D are used, and the flexibility to select which frames 312 the secondary containers 200C, 200D are inserted into. The illustrated adapter 500 allows for up to four 2x1 multi-frame secondary containers 200D or up to eight single-frame secondary containers 200C, or up to two 2x2 multi-frame secondary containers. This flexibility allows the user to store various sizes of stored articles, to have control overweight distribution, and to have control over the relative locations of articles. FIG. 12 illustrates an alternative system 2B where the same adapter 500 (or 300) has been configured to rest on the base 102 of the container which is optionally a walled tray 100’. Now, instead of supporting the rim 204 of the secondary container 200, the members (302, 304, 306, 308, 514) of the adapter 500 (or 300) do not support the rim 204 of the secondary container 200, and lower portions of the side walls 214 are in contact with the members, rather than upper portions described earlier. In FIG. 12, cantilevered divider members 514 are configured to engage with the side walls 214 at the lower comers of the secondary container 200. The top of the adapter 500 is flush or below the top opening of the walled tray 1007primary container 100, but separated below the rim 204 of the secondary container 200 by a vertical gap. The bottom of the adapter 500 is in direct or indirect contact with the base 102 of the walled tray 100’. Alternatively, the adapter 500 can be suspended above the base 102 as per the previous examples, this time being much closer to the base 102 of the primary container 100 than to the rims 204 of the secondary containers 200. Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in the preceding paragraphs with reference to various examples, it should be appreciated that modifications to the examples given can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as claimed. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations 5 other than the combinations explicitly described. Although functions have been described with reference to certain features, those functions may be performable by other features whether described or not. 10 Although features have been described with reference to certain embodiments, those features may also be present in other embodiments whether described or not. Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those 15 features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and / or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

1. A system comprising a primary container, an adapter, and a plurality of secondary containers each sized to nest within the primary container alongside each other, wherein the adapter is securable to first connectors of the primary container to an operating position, wherein at the operating position the adapter is at a suspended height above a base of the primary container or is on the base, and defines at least in part a plurality of frames each configured to receive and secure an individual one of the secondary containers within the primary container.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the secondary containers comprise rolled lips, wherein the rolled lips of the secondary containers are arranged to rest on or interfere with the adapter.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the frames include a plurality of rows of the frames and a plurality of columns of the frames, wherein the adapter includes one or more longitudinal divider members separating the columns, and one or more transverse divider members separating the rows.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein the frames are defined wholly by the adapter, wherein the adapter comprises perimeter members extending parallel to side walls of the primary container.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein a first opposing pair of the perimeter members are interconnected by the one or more longitudinal divider members, and a second opposing pair of the perimeter members are interconnected by the one or more transverse divider members.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the adapter comprises a cantilevered divider member, wherein the cantilevered divider member is connected at a first end to one of the perimeter members of the adapter or to one of the interconnecting divider members, and wherein an opposite second end of the cantilevered divider member is a free end.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least one of the longitudinal divider members of the adapter is a cantilevered divider member, and at least one of the transverse divider members of the adapter is a cantilevered divider member.

8. The system of claim 6 or 7, wherein the cantilevered divider member defines a corner of a first adjacent frame of the adapter and a corner of a neighbouring second adjacent frame of the adapter, wherein the cantilevered divider member is configured to support a corner of one of the secondary containers in the first adjacent frame while supporting a corner of another of the secondary containers in the second adjacent frame.

9. The system of claim 6, 7, or 8, wherein the adapter is at the suspended height when in the operating position, and the cantilevered divider member is configured to support a rim of the secondary containers, orwherein the adapter is on the base of the primary container when in the operating position, and the cantilevered divider members are configured to engage with lower corners of the secondary containers.

10. The system of any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein a first side of the cantilevered divider member comprises a first abutment surface to be abutted by the side wall of the secondary container in a first adjacent frame, wherein the first abutment surface is shaped to follow a draft angle of said side wall.

11. The system of any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein a second side of the cantilevered divider member comprises a second abutment surface to be abutted by the side wall of the secondary container in a second adjacent frame, wherein the second abutment surface is shaped to follow a draft angle of said side wall.

12. The system of any one of claims 5 to 11, wherein the perimeter members and / or the interconnecting divider members comprise inboard abutment surfaces shaped to follow a draft angle of the side walls of the secondary containers.

13. A system comprising a primary container and a plurality of secondary containers each sized to nest within the primary container alongside each other, wherein the secondary containers comprise interlocking connectors to secure each secondary container to an adjacent one of the secondary containers and / or to an adapter, while the secondary containers are nested within the primary container alongside each other.

14. The system of claim 13, wherein the interlocking connectors provide a degree of freedom in a vertical lifting and lowering direction, wherein the interlocking connectors are vertically slotted to provide the degree of freedom, wherein the interlocking connectors are of dovetail form or of T-slot form.

15. The system of claim 13 or 14, wherein the interlocking connectors are formed in rims of the secondary containers, wherein the rims comprise rolled lips, wherein the interlocking connectors are formed in the rolled lips, wherein the rolled lips provide geometric reinforcement, and wherein the rolled lip of each secondary container extends continuously or discontinuously around a plurality of or all sides of the secondary container.

16. The system of claim 13, 14, or 15, wherein the interlocking connectors comprise male connectors and female connectors.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the male connectors are located in recesses, wherein the recesses reduce a lateral protruding distance of the male connectors, to minimise lateral dimensions of the secondary containers, wherein the female connectors are disposed centrally between adjacent protrusions, wherein the pairs of adjacent protrusions protrude by less than depths of the female connectors, and wherein the pairs of adjacent protrusions are shaped to fit in the recesses.

18. The system of any one of claims 13 to 17, wherein the primary container comprises a base and side walls connected to the base, defining a top opening, wherein each secondary container comprises a base and side walls connected to the base, defining a top opening, wherein the secondary containers rest on the base of the primary container while secured to each other by the interlocking connectors.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the primary container is in the form of a tote box, wherein when the secondary containers rest on the base of the primary container, the top openings of the secondary containers are generally flush or substantially flush with the top opening of the primary container,20. The system of claim 18, wherein the primary container is in the form of a walled tray, wherein the side walls of the primary container are shorter than the side walls of the secondary container such that the top opening of the primary container is below the top openings of the secondary containers.

21. The system of any one of claims 13 to 20, wherein the interlocking connectors are arranged to secure each secondary container to at least a pairof adjacent ones of the secondary containers, wherein the interlocking connectors are arranged along perpendicular sides of each secondary container.

22. The system of one of claims 13 to 21, wherein the secondary containers comprise anti-sliding restraints configured to interfere with the primary container, wherein the anti-sliding restraints are configured to interfere with projections inside the primary container.

23. The system of any one of claims 13 to 22, wherein the adapter has an operating position, wherein at the operating position, the adapter is suspended above a base of the primary container at a horizontal orientation.

24. The system of any one of claims 13 to 23, wherein the adapter comprises second connectors securable to first connectors of the primary containers to define a plug-socket connection, wherein the first connectors are inboardfacing, wherein the second connectors are outboard-facing, and wherein an outboard side of the adapter comprises the second connectors.

25. The system of any one of claims 13 to 24, wherein the adapter further comprises the interlocking connectors, enabling the secondary containers to be secured to the adapter.

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