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Title:
NESTABLE STORAGE CONTAINER HAVING AN INTEGRALLY HINGED LID
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2014/125489
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A plastic molded storage container (20), comprising circumferentially extending walls (36, 38) extending upwards from a base (22) towards a top edge (42, 44), constituting a storage space of the container, the container being configured with at least one lid (55, 57) extending at least from a part of the top edge of at least one side wall. The lid (55, 57) is integrally molded with the container and pivotally secured to the side wall along a living hinge (58). The container is nestably stackable within a like container and wherein at the nested position at least a portion of the at least one lid of a nested container is stacked over, at least partially overlapping and nested over a corresponding lid of the nesting container.

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Inventors:
DUVIGNEAU NIKOLAI (IL)
Application Number:
PCT/IL2014/050160
Publication Date:
August 21, 2014
Filing Date:
February 13, 2014
Export Citation:
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Assignee:
CURVER LUXEMBOURG SARL (LU)
DUVIGNEAU NIKOLAI (IL)
International Classes:
B65D21/06; B65D43/16
Domestic Patent References:
WO2012148903A22012-11-01
WO2012005575A12012-01-12
Foreign References:
US20120048874A12012-03-01
DE102007032382A12008-01-17
US4364489A1982-12-21
US5570856A1996-11-05
US5967322A1999-10-19
US6415947B12002-07-09
US20090223853A12009-09-10
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
REINHOLD COHN AND PARTNERS (62 Tel Aviv, IL)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS:

1. A storage container comprising circumferentially extending walls extending upwards from a base towards a top edge, constituting a storage space of the container and wherein the container is configured with at least one lid extending at least from a part of the top edge of at least one side wall, said at least one lid being integrally molded with the container and pivotally secured to the side wall along a living hinge, wherein at least one side wall of the container is tapering outwards from the base and wherein the container is nestably stackable within a-like container and wherein at the nested position at least a portion of the at least one lid of a nested container is stacked over, at least partially overlapping and nested over a corresponding lid of the nesting container.

2. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite top edges of opposite two side walls, said lids being integrally molded with the container and pivotally secured to the side walls along a living hinge and wherein free ends of the lids interlock at a closed position thereof.

3. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein the container is stackable over a closed lid of a-like container.

4. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite side walls, free edges of the lids are configured for flush mating one another.

5. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite side walls, free edges of the lids are configured for engagingly arresting one another.

6. A storage container in accordance with Claim 5, wherein engaging arrestment is configured by a plurality of projections extending from one lid and configured for engaging with corresponding arresting portions configured at the opposite lid.

7. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite side walls, one lid or both lids can be configured with an overlapping portion configured for bearing over a respective portion of the other lid, at the closed position.

8. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite side walls, the opposite lids are configured for interlocking with one another at their closed position.

9. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the container comprises two opposing lids extending from opposite side walls and wherein at least one lid is configured with one or more locking eyes for locking to a locking eye of an opposite lid.

10. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the at least one lid is configured with one or more locking eyes for locking to an edge of an opposite side wall.

11. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the at least one lid is composed of two or more integrated lid segments, pivotally integrated to one another about a living hinge.

12. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the living hinge of the lid can be continuous or interrupted.

13. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein a bottom surface of the base is configured with several protruding supports.

14. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the at least one lid is configured with an upwardly extending rim, extending at least about peripheral portions of the lid or a portion thereof.

15. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1 , wherein a peripheral edge of the at least one lid is configured with a groove for engaging respective top edge portions of the walls of the container.

16. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the at least one lid is configured with a snap-type arresting arrangement for engaging and arresting over a corresponding locking notch configured at a top edge of the container.

17. A storage container in accordance with Claim 1, wherein the at least one lid is displaceable between a closed position wherein it extends flush and snug over the top edges of the container, and a fully open position, where it bears outwards.

Description:
NESTABLE STORAGE CONTAINER HAVING AN INTEGRALLY HINGED LID

TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

The presently disclosed subject matter is in the field of storage containers and more particularly it is concerned with plastic molded storage containers.

BACKGROUND

There are known containers for storage of various products. These containers are provided with a container body and a lid member configured to cover the container body. The following are some example of such containers,

US6415947 is directed to a plastic, rectangular, airtight container for accommodating food items which comprising a rectangular by shaped container main body having four sides, a plurality locking projections provided on each of the four sides of the container main body, a lid provided with locking wings which are hinged along the periphery of the lid, each said locking wing provided with locking holes which accommodate the locking projections, and each said Socking wing provided with a flow intercepting hole disposed between the locking holes for forming channels therebetween so that the plastic molten liquid is induced to flow through said channels by bypassing the molten liquid flow intercepting hole.

US2009223853 is directed to an interlocking container that has a wing provided on the exterior wail of a container body containing contents and fixes the other container body interlocked above the container body by means of the wing. The interlocking container includes a container body that includes a projecting portion bent downward, which is provided at the circumference of an exterior wail, a first groove grooved at an upper end of the projecting portion in a predetermined depth, and a hill portion that is provided at an entrance of the first groove and projects from an upper end of the projecting portion; a wing that includes a pair of hinges projecting at one side of the exterior wall, a support body hinge -coupled with the hinge, and a fixation projecting piece projecting on one end of the support body to form a predetermined angle to the support body, which fits in the first groove through the fixation projecting piece; and a cover that includes the projecting portion provided at the circumference of the exterior wail and the hill portion provided on the top surface of the projecting portion, which covers the upper part of the container body. According to the present invention, fastening force between interlocked containers is unproved, contents stored in the container are prevented from being leaked to the outside, and a lifespan is also increased.

Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION

A storage container made of molded plastic material, and comprising walls extending upwards from a base towards a top edge, wherein the container is configured with at least one lid extending from the top edge of at least one side wall, said at least one lid being integrally molded with the container and pivotally secured to the side wall along a living hinge.

The term 'living hinge' (also referred to as an 'integral hinge'), as used herein in the specification and claims denotes a flexible hinge portion, made from the same material as the side wall and the lid articulated it connects thereto, and is typically thinned or cut to allow the rigid pieces to bend along the line of the hinge.

According to one particular embodiment, there is provided a storage container made of molded plastic material, and comprising walls extending upwards from a base towards a top edge, wherein the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite top edges, said lids being integrally molded with the container and pivotally secured to the side walls along a living hinge and wherein free ends of the lids interlock at a closed position thereof.

According to an embodiment, the disclosed subject matter is directed to a storage container comprising circumferentially extending walls extending upwards from a base towards a top edge, constituting a storage space of the container and wherein the container is configured with at least one lid extending at least from a part of the top edge of at least one side wall, said at least one lid being integrally molded with the container and pivotally secured to the side wall along a living hinge, wherein at least one side wall of the container is tapering outwards from the base and wherein the container is nestably stackable within a-like container and wherein at the nested position at least a portion of the at least one lid of a nested container is stacked over, at least partially overlapping and nested over a corresponding lid of the nesting container.

Any one or more of the following properties, designs, features and configurations can be associated with the storage container subject of the presently disclosed subject matter, separately or in combinations:

• The side walls of the container can be configured tapering outwards from the base;

• The container can be stacked over a closed lid of a-like container;

• An array of smaller containers can be stacked over the closed lid of the container;

• The container can be nested within a-like container;

• At the nested position the lid portion of a nested container can be nested over a lid portion of the nesting container;

• The at least one lid can be configured with one or more locking eyes for locking to a locking eye of an opposite lid or to an edge of a wall. Locking can be facilitated by a lock, a band, etc.;

• The container can be configured with transparent/translucent portions;

• The container can be configured with an one or more indication portions enabling marking thereon the contents of the container;

• At least one lid can be composed of two or more integrated lid segments, pivotally integrated to one another about a living hinge;

• The living hinge of the lid can be continuous or interrupted to thereby define resilience thereof;

• A bottom surface of the base can be configured with several protruding supports;

• The at least one lid can be configured with an upwardly extending rim, extending at least about peripheral portions of the lid or a portion thereof;

• Opposite walls of the container are configured with carrying handles. The handles can be configured at the side walls and/or front and rear walls of the container; • The carrying handles can be configured as openings or as protrusions;

• The carrying handles can be configured as openings extending near a top end of the respective wall, with a reinforced gripping portion;

• A peripheral edge of the at least one lid is configured with a groove for engaging respective top edge portions of the walls of the container. The groove can be continuous or interrupted;

• The at least one lid can be configured with a snap-type arresting arrangement for engaging and arresting over a corresponding locking notch configured at a top edge of the container;

• The at least one lid is displaceable between a closed position wherein it extends flush and snug over the top edges of the container, and a fully open position, where it bears outwards;

• Where the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite side walls, free edges of the lids are configured for flush mating one another;

• Where the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite side walls, free edges of the lids are configured for engaging arresting one another. This can be configured by a plurality of projections extending from one lid and configured for engaging with corresponding arresting portions configured at the opposite lid;

• Where the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite side walls, one lid or both lids can be configured with an overlapping portion configured for bearing over a respective portion of the other lid, at the closed position;

• Where the container is configured with two lids extending from opposite side walls, the opposite lids are configured for interlocking with one another at their closed position.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, an embodiment will now be described, by way of a non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a top perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the present disclosed subject matter, the container at a closed position thereof:

Fig. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 3 is a sectioned view taken along the plane of line III- III in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 4 is a sectioned view taken along the plane of line IV- IV in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 5A is an enlargement of the portion marked V in Fig. 4;

Fig. 5B is a bottom perspective view of Fig. 5 A;

Fig. 5C is an inside bottom perspective of Fig. 5B;

Fig. 5D is enlargement of the portion marked IV in Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 6 is a sectioned view taken along the plane of line VI- VI in Fig. 1 ;

Fig. 7 A is enlargement of the portion marked VI in Fig. 6;

Fig. 7B is a section along line VII- VII in fig. 7A;

Fig. 8 is a sectioned view taken along the plane of line VIII- VIII in Fig. 6 ;

Fig. 9 is a sectioned view taken along the plane of line IX-IX in Fig. 6;

Fig. 10 is enlargement of the portion marked X in Fig. 9, illustrating a locking arrangement of the lids;

Fig. 11 is a top perspective view of a container at an open position thereof;

Fig. 12A is an enlarged sectioned portion, taken along line XI-XI in Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 12B is an enlarged sectioned portion, taken along line XII-XII in Fig. 11 ;

Fig. 13 is a top perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 stacked over another such container;

Fig. 14 is a is a top perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 , with two smaller such containers stacked thereon;

Fig. 15 is a top perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 nested within another such container;

Fig. 16A is a sectioned view taken along the plane of line XV-XV in Fig. 15; and

Fig. 16B is a sectioned view taken along the plane of line XVI-XVI in Fig. 15. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Attention is made to the drawings illustrating a generally rectangular shaped container generally designated 20. The container is made of rigid molded plastic material, and can be configured at any of a variety of shapes, sizes and colors. For example, the container can be a storage container having nominal volume values of 10 to 70 liters, etc.

As seen in Fig. 2, the container 20 comprises a base 22 configured with rounded corners 24 and rounded edges 26, and a bottom face 28 configured with a reinforcing grid which in the particular example is in the form of hexagons forming together a honeycomb pattern, however with several hexagons 34 projecting from the surface and serving as supports for the container (seen in Fig. 3).

Extending upwards from the base 22 are two side walls 36, and a front wall and a rear wall both designated 38. The side walls 36 and the front and rear walls 38 tapper outwardly from the base and terminate at side top edges 42 and front/rear top edges 44, respectively. The side top edges 42 and front/rear top edges 44 substantially coextend and are leveled, apart for a depressed portion at the side top edges 42.

The side walls 36 are configured with a carrying handle in the form of an opening 50 and a reinforced portion 52 which as will be explained hereinafter in further detail serves also for arresting the lids at their closed position.

Each of the front and rear walls 38 is integrally formed with a lid 55 and 57, said lids being pivotally articulated over the respective front/rear top edges 44 by a living hinge 58. The living hinge 58 is interrupted and comprises a plurality of cutouts 60, thereby controlling elasticity of the integral hinge.

A top surface 61 of the lid articulated hinge portions 58 is inclined, and likewise a bottom surface 63 of the lid articulated hinge portions 58 is inclined, to thereby facilitate displacing the lids into their fully open position (Fig. 11), however without applying force to the living hinge portions 58, and whereby the lids 55 and 57 open to almost at a right angle. As can further be seen in Fig. 11 and Figs. 15-16B, the lids in their fully open position, open to an almost parallel, flush with the side walls 38 position.

As can be seen in the drawings, the top edges 42 and 44 of the side walls extends substantially parallely and fiat, whilst a periphery of the lids 55 and 57 is configured with a resting portion 68, partially extending in the form of a groove, and however fitted with a flat surface configured such that at the closed position the lids bear over and are supported by the walls of the container, namely the resting portions 68 bear over the respective top edges 42 and 44 of the walls, thereby imparting the container rigidity at its closed position.

It is further noted that the lids 55 and 57 are configured with a plurality of bulges 70 imparting the lids with rigidity. It is however appreciated that this can be achieved by other configurations, e.g. reinforcing ribs and the like. Such reinforcing ribs are provided in the illustrated container and extend along the lid, parallel to its outer edge 71, (the edge in parallel to the hinge), on the bottom side of the lids, in two rows designated 59A and 59B, and configured as outwardly projecting wall which extends to the height which substantially does not protrude over the highest portion of the lid edge. The reinforcing ribs 59A and 59B are in this example interconnected at their ends, however it will be appreciated that such ribs can be independent. Furthermore, the ribs are seen continuous although, interrupted ribs can also be formed. In addition, while the present example shows two rows of ribs in each lid portion, any number or such ribs can be formed. The reinforcing ribs 59A and 59B are provided towards the edge portion 71 of each lid, such that when two or more like containers are nested, the outermost edge of the lid of the nested container, rests on the elongated rib farthest from the edge of the nesting container, thus providing a predefined and controlled positioning of the lid (best seen in Figs. 15 and 16B) and assuring weight distribution, when a plurality of containers are nestably stacked. These ribs, 59A and 59B also provide for a rigidity of the lids so as to prevent sinking in of the lid surface into the container space when the lids are in the closed position. This allows having a relatively thin lid, while still withholding the structural integrity (in particular for containers designed for relatively larger volumes).

In addition, it is noted that the lids 55 and 57 are configured with laterally projecting handle flap portions 74 sized and shaped in conformity with the reinforced handle portion 52, so as to bear thereover at the closed position, and constitute a convenient part of the hand gripping portion. Each of the handle flap portions 74 is further configured with an inwardly projecting tongue 80 (best seen in Fig. 5D) configured for snap engaging with a corresponding shoulder portion 82 of the reinforced handle portion 52, so as to retain the lids 55 and 57 at their closed position and prevent their spontaneous opening.

Further closing arrangement is facilitated by the provision of a plurality of arresting flaps 88 projecting at the free end of lid 57 and configured for arresting at corresponding arresting locations under the free end of the mating lid 55, such that lid 55 should be opened before lid 57 can be opened. As seen, the lid 55 is configured with a concealing lip 90 extending over the flaps 88, whereby when both lids are closed, an eye pleasing sealed effect is obtained.

A finger grip portion generally designated 96 is configured at a mating central portion of the lids 55 and 57, whereby lid 57 is configured with a depression 98 and the respective lid 55 is configured with a finger grip flap 102 partially extending over said depression 98, whereby an individual can easily open the lid 55 by gripping the flap 102 and displace the lid 55 into its open position. It is appreciated that two finger grip portions can be configured, e.g. for large containers.

As can further be seen, the finger grip portion 96 is configured with a locking arrangement in the form of a locking eye 104 configured at the lid 55 and a corresponding locking eye 106 configured in register at the lid 57, whereby the lids can be secured to one another at the locked position e.g. by a pad lock with its shackle extending through the locking eyes 104 and 106) or using a cable tie and the like, not shown.

Whilst in the presently disclosed embodiment the container 20 is configured with two substantially equally sized lids 55 and 57, it is appreciated that other configurations can take place. According to one example, the container can be configured with one single lid (not shown) extending over the entire opening of the container, i.e. from one edge to the opposite edge. According to other configurations, the lids may be configured non-equal, i.e. rather than a 1/2 - 1/2 configuration in a configuration such as 1/3 - 2/3 or 1/4 - 3/4 etc.

According to still a configuration (not shown) one or both of the lids are composed with a two or more integrated lid segments, pivotally integrated to one another about a living hinge, typically extending parallel to the pivot edges of the container. Turning now to Fig. 13 of the drawings, there is illustrated a first container 20A (similar to container 20 disclosed in the earlier drawings) with a second such container 20B, stacked over the closed first container 20A, at the same orientation.

In Fig. 14 there is illustrated a first container 20A (similar to container 20 disclosed in the earlier drawings), with two second containers 21A and 21B, being substantially half size of the first container 20A, and disposed side by side over the first container, however disposed widthwise.

In Figs. 15 and 16 there is illustrated a first container 20 A (similar to container 20 disclosed in the earlier drawings) with a second such container 20B, nested within the first container 20A, at the same orientation. It is seen that the second container 20B is almost fully received within the first container 20A, and the lids 55B and 57B rest over the lids 55A and 57B, partially overlapping the same, stacked and nested thereover the lids placed over the lower lids do not project from the boundaries of the lower lids, and in particular the outermost edge of the lids (e.g. constituted in the illustrated example by the concealing lip 90 and the arresting flaps 88). Likewise, additional such containers can be further nested. Such a nested configuration allows minimizing transportation and storage space when the containers are not in use.




 
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