Family of divider and transport containers in blue, red and grey

Medical transport totes are the containers that move between departments: the picked order that leaves central supply, the collection round, the repack of returned stock, the kit that has to arrive in one piece. Choosing them is mostly about three things — whether they stack loaded and nest empty, whether they need a lid that fastens, and what carries them. This page covers the published families, sizes and capacities. It sits under medical bins and containers.

Grey, white and blue stack and nest totes with snap on lids
9published stack and nest tote sizes
0.5-3.7 cu ftpublished tote capacity range
1,000 lbpublished dolly capacity
Freeroute, quantity and labelling planning

Stack and nest totes: the default

Stack loaded, nest empty. That single behaviour is what keeps a distribution route from filling up with air on the return leg.

The manufacturer publishes nine sizes with capacities from 0.50 to 3.70 cubic feet. The three most commonly ordered for hospital distribution are the 18 by 11 inch footprint at 6 and 9 inches high, the 19-1/2 by 15-1/2 inch footprint at 10 and 13 inches, and the 23-1/2 by 19-1/2 inch footprint at 10 and 13 inches. Snap-on lids are published per footprint and, as the manufacturer notes, can be fastened for added security once fitted.

Every size takes the same published 3 by 5 inch clear label holder, which attaches with or without the lid in place. Buy those at the same time as the totes: a route runs on labels, and hand-written tape does not survive a wash.

Grey stack and nest tote with rolled top rim
Model Published size (L x W x H) Published capacity Lid
snt180 18 x 11 x 6 in 0.50 cu ft LID181
snt185 18 x 11 x 9 in 0.76 cu ft LID181
snt190 19-1/2 x 15-1/2 x 10 in 1.20 cu ft LID191
snt195 19-1/2 x 15-1/2 x 13 in 1.70 cu ft LID191
snt225 23-1/2 x 19-1/2 x 10 in 2.00 cu ft LID231
snt230 23-1/2 x 19-1/2 x 13 in 2.60 cu ft LID231
snt300 29-1/2 x 19-1/2 x 15 in 3.70 cu ft LID301
Nine sizes are published in total; the table shows the seven we quote most. Every model number, dimension and finish on this page comes from the manufacturer’s current published literature or a live product page loaded on 5 August 2026, and is quoted as the manufacturer’s own figure. Where a configuration is not published we say so rather than estimating it.

When the lid has to stay with the tote

Attached-top containers keep the lid permanently on steel hinges, which is the right answer for anything that leaves the building or travels through a corridor the public uses. The manufacturer publishes nine sizes from 0.50 to 4.00 cubic feet, states published stack capacities per size — for example 45 lb when 7 are stacked at the smallest size and 100 lb when 4 are stacked at the largest — and describes a padlock eye that allows lids to be fastened or locked, a textured non-slip bottom, recessed lids and moulding from high-density FDA-approved polyethylene.

Latch containers take the same idea further with heavy-duty latches on each end. The published size is 21 by 15-7/8 by 7-3/4 inches at 7.03 gallons, and the manufacturer states these containers hold up to 75 lb and that once the latch is engaged the contents are protected from dirt and wet. Lids are published separately, in clear or solid.

Tubs and tub racks. A published nesting tub at 24-1/2 by 19 by 9-1/2 inches and 14.6 gallons is listed as holding up to 100 lb, with a rolled top rim and a drilled hole pattern for optional drainage or air flow. Matching racks are published from one to twelve tubs, on a 25-1/8 by 16 by 8-1/2 inch tub size — the same idea as the tub rack carts on our medical supply carts page.

Group of attached lid containers stacked and nested together

Moving them, and where they get used

Four wheel dolly with padded trim for moving loaded totesDollies for a stacked loadThe published dolly is listed at 1,000 lb capacity with a 30 by 18 inch platform and an optional 32 inch pull rod, which turns a stack of totes into one thing to move.
Mobile stand carrying a single grey tote at working heightSingle-tote stands and rack cartsOne tub at working height suits collection rounds and repack, because the contents stay reachable without lifting the tub down.

The three routes that use totes hardest are central supply distribution, sterile processing collection and return, and facilities and support areas where linen, stores and waste handling all compete for the same corridors. Sizing the tote to the shelf it lands on matters as much as sizing it to the load: a tote that will not fit the receiving shelving gets emptied onto the floor.

Specifying totes for a route

1Start at the destination shelfTote footprint should divide neatly into the shelf it lands on. Two totes across an 18 or 24 inch shelf is the usual target.
2Then check the carrierCart shelf, dolly platform or rack: the tote has to sit on it without overhanging. Published dolly and rack sizes make this a paper exercise.
3Decide lid behaviourLoose lid where totes are washed and stacked in bulk, attached top where the tote leaves the department, latch container where the contents must stay clean and closed.
4Count the loop, not the loadTotes in use, in transit, being emptied and in wash, plus a float. The float is what gets cut and then missed.
5Label the same way every timeOne published label holder fits every tote size, so the labelling standard can be identical across the whole fleet.

Estimated figures only. Quantities, footprints and capacities we produce during planning are estimates for discussion. Final specifications and dimensions are confirmed on the quote and field-verified before installation.

Labs USA is a supplier and project partner, not the manufacturer. We supply Quantum Medical storage products, help size and configure them for the room and the workflow, and coordinate delivery and installation.

Get the tote size right the first time

Send the shelf and cart dimensions, the items and the route. We will come back with tote sizes, lid choices, quantities for the whole loop and a quoted parts list. The Design Center holds the configurators and intake checklists.

Resources

Medical transport tote FAQ

What sizes do medical transport totes come in?
The stack and nest range is published in nine sizes with capacities from 0.50 to 3.70 cubic feet, on 18 by 11 inch, 19-1/2 by 15-1/2 inch, 19-1/2 by 13-1/2 inch, 23-1/2 by 19-1/2 inch, 23-1/2 by 15-1/2 inch and 29-1/2 by 19-1/2 inch footprints. Attached-top containers are published in nine sizes up to 4.00 cubic feet.
How much can a tote hold?
It depends on the family and the manufacturer publishes it per model. Examples from the current literature: up to 100 lb for the nesting tub, up to 75 lb for the latch container, and stack capacities on the attached-top range from 45 lb at seven stacked to 100 lb at four stacked. We quote the figure for the model you order rather than a general number.
What is the difference between a stack and nest tote and an attached top container?
A stack and nest tote stacks when loaded and nests inside another when empty, with an optional loose lid. An attached-top container keeps its lid on steel hinges, has a padlock eye and is the better choice when the container leaves the department or travels through public corridors.
Do the lids lock?
The manufacturer publishes a padlock eye on the attached-top range that allows lids to be fastened or locked, and snap-on lids on the stack and nest range that can be fastened once fitted. Any actual security requirement should be designed with your team; we supply the published hardware and nothing more.
Can totes be washed?
The manufacturer describes the material as high-density polyethylene or polypropylene depending on the family and describes the totes as easy to clean. We pass on those descriptions and design to the cleaning criteria your team provides; the protocol and the cleaning agents remain your facility’s decision.
What carries the totes?
A published dolly rated at 1,000 lb with a 30 by 18 inch platform and an optional 32 inch pull rod, tub racks from one to twelve tubs, or a cart. Which one depends on the route, the lift and where the load is parked.
How many totes do we need?
Count the whole loop: in use, in transit, being emptied, in wash, plus a float. We will do that count with you as part of the free planning work, and we check that the tote fits the receiving shelf before quoting anything.

Get a medical tote quote

Tell us the route, the receiving shelf size and what the totes carry. You get tote sizes, lid choices, dolly or rack recommendations, quantities for the whole loop and a quoted parts list at no charge.