Systainer

{{short description|Modular plastic containers for transporting power tools}}

{{Infobox tool

| name = Systainer

| image = File:Systainer-classic-makpac-festool-sys-mft-metaloc-t-loc-toolbox.jpg

| image size =

| caption = Plastic nubs around the base of each container enable stacking and inter-locking from multiple manufacturers.

| other_name = {{plainlist|

Berner Bera Clic/+
Hitachi Hit-Case
Makita MakPac
Metabo Metabox/MetaLoc
Mafell Max/T-Max
Starmix Starbox
Systra Modul

}}

| classification = Modular stacking tool box

| types = {{plainlist|

Classic
T-Loc
Tool Box
Systainer³

}}

| used_with = Power tools

| inventor = {{plainlist|

Martin Topel (de)
Herbert Pauser{{cite news|url= https://www.core77.com/posts/38167/Core77-Visits-Festool-Part-8-The-Wrap-Up|title=Core77 Visits Festool, Part 8: The Wrap-Up |first=Rain|last=Noe|date=18 June 2015|work=Core 77}}

}}

| manufacturer = {{plainlist|

Festo
Tanos

}}

| model =

| related = {{plainlist|

Euro container
Sortimo L-Boxx
Dewalt Tough System

}}

Systainers (from sys-tem con-tainers) are modular inter-stacking plastic containers used for transporting power tools. Boxes from different manufacturers are compatible and can be stacked and clipped together. A design using four joining clips was introduced by Festool Tooltechnic in 1993.{{cite news|url= https://www.protoolreviews.com/news/festool-t-loc-systainer/2854/|title=Festool T-LOC Updates Systainer Storage System|work=Pro Tool Reviews|date=21 October 2010|accessdate=12 July 2018|first= Clint|last=DeBoer|quote=in 1993, the Festool Systainer turned upside down the world of construction professionals, who by then was still mainly organized with boxes… Systainer is a composition of words Sys-tem and Con-tainer… first generation of Systainer… close and unlock four snaps, …new T-Loc system is backwards compatible with existing Systainers… T-Loc versions on top… T-shaped and Loc means close (Lock), open (Open) and connected (Connect).}} In 2010 the T-Loc variant was introduced using a rotating handle for connecting and locking of containers, in combination with redesigned feet.

To reduce plastic pollution, Festool designed the Systainer to first allow distribution of products, then be reused in stacking form as reusable packaging for tool transportation and storage.{{cite magazine|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=HAEBDlePp6YC&pg=PA128 |magazine= Popular Science |issn= 0161-7370|volume=245|number=3 |title= Euro Tools|first1= Michael |last1= Morris |first2= John B.|last2= Carnett |date= September 1994 |page= 84 |quote= Festo has also developed its own unique response to Germany's environmental challenge—by packaging its products in sturdy plastic crates call Systainers that later become a stackable, transportable storage system for tools and accessories.}}

Several power tool manufacturers use or offer Systainer-compatible variants.{{cite magazine |url= http://www.computerbild.de/artikel/cb-Tipps-Technik-Handkreissaege-kaufen-21635781.html |title= Handkreissäge kaufen: Das sind die beliebtesten Produkte |trans-title=Circular Saw shopping: these are the most popular products |first= Matthias|last=Meltzer|magazine= Computer Bild |date=7 May 2018 |accessdate= 12 July 2018|language=de |quote= Hersteller wie Festool, Mafell, Makita und Metabo liefern ihre Werkzeuge im Systainer von Tanos. Nur Bosch setzt bei den Geräten der Professional-Reihe auf die L Boxx von Sortimo.}} Other manufacturers use the alternative Sortimo L-BOXX design.

The term "Systainer" was trademarked in the United States in January 1994.{{cite journal|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=HAEBDlePp6YC&pg=PA128 |journal=Official Gazette of the United States Patent and Trademark Office |title=Trademarks|year=1995 |volume=1170|issue= 3|page=128|quote=SN 74-482,890, Festo KG, 7300 Esslingen Filed 1-25-1994… Systainer}}

Dimensions

{{Bar chart

| float = right

| title = Systainer height by type (without 7 mm feet){{cite report |url= http://caseit.dk/PDF%20brochure%20/TANOSmedical_Folder_EN.pdf |title= A short extract of our product range|work=Tanos Medical |page=6|date=7 April 2015|accessdate= 30 July 2018}}

| bar_width = 25

| width_units = em

| label_type = Type

| data_type = Stacking height increment (mm)

| label1 = I

| label2 = II

| label3 = III

| label4 = IV

| label5 = V

| label6 = Mini III

| label7 = Mini I

| label8 = Micro

| data1 = 105.0

| data2 = 157.5

| data3 = 210.0

| data4 = 315.0

| data5 = 420.0

| data6 = 142.0

| data7 = 71.0

| data8 = 31.5

| data_max = 440

| comment1 = 2 × 52.5 mm

| comment2 = 3 × 52.5 mm

| comment3 = 4 × 52.5 mm

| comment4 = 6 × 52.5 mm

| comment5 = 8 × 52.5 mm

}}

{{Bar chart

| float = right

| title = Systainer³ height by type (without 7 mm feet){{cite web|url= https://www.festool.de/kampagnen/microsites/mobility#FAQ|title=Gibt es eine Übersichtstabelle mit allen neuen Bezeichnungen, Größen und Höhen?|trans-title= Is there an overview table with all new names, sizes and heights?|department=Systainer³ verbindet Werkstatt und Baustelle|work=Festool Mobility|language=de|quote= Systainer³ (Höhe mit Fuß in mm): …SYS3 M 112; …SYS3 M 137 Neu… SYS3 M/L 187… SYS3 M/L 237… SYS3 M 337… SYS3 M 437}}

| bar_width = 25

| width_units = em

| label_type = Sys³

| data_type = Stacking height increment (mm)

| label1 = 89

| label2 = 112

| label3 = 137

| label4 = 187

| label5 = 237

| label6 = 337

| label7 = 437

| data1 =

| data2 = 105.0

| data3 = 130.0

| data4 = 180.0

| data5 = 230.0

| data6 = 330.0

| data7 = 430.0

| data_max = 440

| comment1 =

| comment2 = 2 × 52.5 mm + 0 mm — "4 inch"

| comment3 = 2 × 50 mm + 30 mm — "5 inch"

| comment4 = 3 × 50 mm + 30 mm — "7 inch"

| comment5 = 4 × 50 mm + 30 mm — "9 inch"

| comment6 = 6 × 50 mm + 30 mm — "13 inch"

| comment7 = 8 × 50 mm + 30 mm — "17 inch"

}}

class="wikitable" \|+ Systainer horizontal dimensions){{cite web\|url= http://www.pk-systainer.cz/content/files/2014/Flyer_systainer_2014_ENGL.pdf\|title=Systainer® product overview: A short extract \| publisher = Tanos\|date=8 April 2014 \|accessdate= 20 July 2018}} !rowspan="2"\| Type !rowspan="2"\| Nominal (mm) !rowspan="2"\| Actual (mm) !rowspan="2"\| Internal (mm) !colspan="2"\| Style
Classic ! T-Loc
Micro{{cite web\|url= https://www.kofferfunshop.de/en/systainer/micro-systainer-t-loc/micro-systainer-t-loc.html\|title=Micro-Systainer T-Loc\| publisher =Koffer Fun Shop\|accessdate=20 July 2018\|language= de}} \| \| 105×65 \| 100×60 \| \| {{yes}}
Mini \| \| 265×171 \| 254×154 \| {{yes}} \| {{yes}}
Normal \| 400×300 \| 396×296 \| 382×267 \| {{Yes}} \| {{yes}}
Midi \| 500×300 \| 496×296 \| 483×267 \| \| {{yes}}
Sys³ L \| 510×300 \| 508×296 \| \| \| {{yes}}
Maxi \| 600×400 \| 596×396 \| 545×330 \| {{yes}} \|
Sys³ XXL \| 800×300 \| 792×296 \| 786×279 \| \| {{yes}}

class="wikitable"

|+ Systainer horizontal dimensions){{cite web|url= http://www.pk-systainer.cz/content/files/2014/Flyer_systainer_2014_ENGL.pdf|title=Systainer® product overview: A short extract | publisher = Tanos|date=8 April 2014 |accessdate= 20 July 2018}}

!rowspan="2"| Type

!rowspan="2"| Nominal
(mm)

!rowspan="2"| Actual
(mm)

!rowspan="2"| Internal
(mm)

!colspan="2"| Style

Classic

! T-Loc

Micro{{cite web|url= https://www.kofferfunshop.de/en/systainer/micro-systainer-t-loc/micro-systainer-t-loc.html|title=Micro-Systainer T-Loc| publisher =Koffer Fun Shop|accessdate=20 July 2018|language= de}}

| 105×65

| 100×60

| {{yes}}

Mini

| 265×171

| 254×154

| {{yes}}

Normal

| 400×300

| 396×296

| 382×267

| {{Yes}}

| {{yes}}

Midi

| 500×300

| 496×296

| 483×267

| {{yes}}

Sys³ L

| 510×300

| 508×296

| {{yes}}

Maxi

| 600×400

| 596×396

| 545×330

| {{yes}}

Sys³ XXL

| 800×300

| 792×296

| 786×279

| {{yes}}

Variations

File:Metabo systainer.jpg

File:Cleantex Festool CTL 36 IMG 2485 antistatic vacuumcleaner (cropped).JPG dust extractor with attached systainer]]

In 2009, the design of Tanos' T-Loc stacking boxes was registered in the name of Timo Kuhls.{{cite patent|status= patent|country=US|number=D627967S1|inventor1-first= Timo|inventor1-last= Kuhls |assign= TTS Tooltechnic Systems |pridate= 2009-12-21 |fdate= 2010-03-05 |gdate= 2010-11-30 |title= Storage box |url= https://patents.google.com/patent/USD627967S1/en}}

In 2011, the design of Makita's Makpac stacking boxes was registered in the names of Yuji Yamamoto and Kiyozumi Kokawa.{{cite patent |status= patent |country= US|number=D668867S1|inventor1-first= Yuji|inventor1-last= Yamamoto |assign=Makita|fdate= 2011-01-25 |gdate=2012-10-16|title=Tool box |url= https://patents.google.com/patent/USD668867S1/en}}{{cite patent |status=patent|country=US|number= D668869S1 |inventor1-first=Yuji|inventor1-last= Yamamoto |inventor2-first= Kiyozumi |inventor2-last= Kokawa |assign= Makita |fdate=2012-04-10 |gdate= 2012-10-16 |title=Tool box|url= https://patents.google.com/patent/USD668869S1/en}}

In 2014, the design of Tanos' cantilever toolbox was registered in the name of Timo Kuhls.{{cite patent|status=patent|country=US|number=D731183S1|inventor1-first= Timo|inventor1-last= Kuhls |assign=TTS Tooltechnic Systems|fdate=2014-01-02|gdate=2015-06-09|title= Storage box|url= https://patents.google.com/patent/USD731183S1/en}}

Beginning in 2014, the students at the Heinrich-Hübsch wood-working college in Karlsruhe started making wooden containers for each students' tools. The "Woodbox" design is {{convert|210|mm|in}} high, with a transparent area for drill bits in the lid, and a T-Loc closing handle compatible with other systainer cases.{{cite news|url= https://www.bm-online.de/inspiration/projekte-wettbewerbe/praktisch-fuer-die-ewigkeit/|title=Ausgefallene Projektarbeit an der Berufsfachschule Karlsruhe: Praktisch für die Ewigkeit|trans-title=Unusual project at the Karlsruhe training college: Practically forever|date=11 June 2014|accessdate=25 July 2018|language=de|work=BM-Online}} In 2016 the teacher of the class, Peter Winklhofer, made the PDF plans available to enable other carpenters and students to build their own versions of the case.{{cite news|url= https://www.bm-online.de/aktuelles/markt-branche/praktisch-fuer-die-ewigkeit-werkzeugkiste-fuer-ihr-azubi-projekt/|title=Jetzt Woodbox-Baupläne herunterladen: Praktisch für die Ewigkeit: Werkzeugkiste für Ihr Azubi-Projekt|trans-title=Download Wood Box Blueprints now: Practically forever: Toolbox for your trainee project|date=24 June 2016|accessdate=25 July 2018|work=BM-Online|editor1-first=Christian|editor1-last= Närdemann|language=de}}

In 2015, the design of Hitachi's micro-sized Hit-Case stacking boxes was registered in the name of Yi-Hung Lin.{{cite patent|status=patent|country=US|number=9375835B1|fdate= 2015-07-29|gdate=2016-06-28|assign= Fairness Technology Group|inventor1-first= Yi-Hung|inventor1-last= Lin|title=Tool box assembly|url= https://patents.google.com/patent/US9375835B1/en}}

In mid-2019, Systainer³ was announced jointly by Festool, Bott, and Tanos. These containers have integrated slide rail slots for direct connection to van racking, and front handles, along with backward compatibility.{{cite magazine|url= https://probuildermag.co.uk/products/festool-to-launch-the-systainer3-tool-storage-system|first=Lucy|last=Dixon |magazine=Professional Builder UK|title= Festool to launch the Systainer3 tool storage system|date=2019-07-03 |accessdate= 2019-09-16 |quote=Systainer³ can be integrated into the Bott vario³ vehicle equipment… Systainer³ Organizer… in two different sizes and has a transparent cover… integrated mounting rails… number "3"… indicates the third generation of the Systainer, which has been established in the professional trade sector since 1993, …compatible with all older Systainer models… three low Systainer³ variants have a handy front carrying handle}}

=Stacking order=

class="wikitable"

|+ Stacking order/compatibility of different types

|{{diagonal split header |Lower|Upper}}

! Toolbox

! T-Loc

! Sys³

! {{abbr|Orga|Organiser}}

! Midi

! {{abbr|XXL|Extra Extra Large}}

! Classic

! Maxi

! Toolbox