These chests aren't usable. They're another material needed to craft epic recipes. For example, my profession is Blacksmithing, and to craft Tador's Benevolant Shield, I need a Functional Erudite Chest. So first I have to craft the simple erudite (white), then the next level (green) and then finally the 3rd level (blue).
Hope that makes sense. It's just another craft X before you can make Y.