"A PORTABLE STORAGE CONTAINER"

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a portable storage container and relates particularly, though not exclusively, to such a storage container for carrying the types of equipment that may be used by a cleaner.

Background to the Invention

Many industries utilise portable storage containers for carrying and storing tools and other items. One such example is that of the cleaning industry, where cleaners are required to carry a number of products while working, including tools and cleaning implements of various types along with cleaning solutions in bottles, cans or other containers.

The present invention relates to a portable storage container particularly suited to carrying the types of equipment that may be used by a cleaner. It will be appreciated however that the container may also have uses in other industries.

References to prior art in this specification are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not to be taken as an admission that such prior art is part of the common general knowledge in Australia or elsewhere.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a portable storage container comprising:

a receptacle portion and a handle, the receptacle portion including an elongate storage compartment; and

a divider slidably mounted on the receptacle portion and extending transversely across the storage compartment, wherein the divider is slidable

relative to the receptacle portion to facilitate the carrying of objects of varying sizes in the storage compartment.

Typically the storage compartment is one of a plurality of storage compartments provided in the receptacle portion. Advantageously the divider is one of a plurality of dividers slidably mounted on the receptacle portion.

In a preferred embodiment, the receptacle portion is generally rectangular in shape and comprises first and second opposed side walls, first and second opposed end walls and a lower surface. Preferably the lower surface is provided with a raised central portion extending from the first end wall to the second end wall such that first and second storage compartments are defined between the raised central portion and the first and second side walls respectively. Preferably the handle extends upwardly from the central raised portion.

Preferably the dividers extend from an upper edge of the first and second side walls transversely across the respective adjacent first and second compartments. In one embodiment, each divider comprise a first portion having a recess received on a lip portion on the upper edge of the side wall and a second portion extending from the first portion across the adjacent compartment.

In a further embodiment, the second portion of each divider comprises an upper tray.

Advantageously, the raised central portion defines a storage space below the raised central portion. Preferably the storage space is bound on a lower side by a wall member attachable to the receptacle portion. The storage space may be accessible via openings in the first and second end walls.

In one embodiment, first and second lower storage trays are provided, the lower storage trays being received in the storage space below the raised central portion via the openings in the first and second side walls.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage container comprising a receptacle portion and a handle

extending from the receptacle portion wherein the handle includes a first vertically extending portion having a first elongate storage recess.

Preferably, the handle comprises first and second vertically extending portions extending from the central raised portion and a horizontally extending portion extending between upper ends of the first and second vertically extending portions. Preferably the first elongate storage recess is accessed by a hole in the upper end of the first vertically extending portion of the handle.

A second elongate storage recess may also be provided in the second vertically extending portion of the handle.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers. Likewise the word "preferably" or variations such as "preferred", will be understood to imply that a stated integer or group of integers is desirable but not essential to the working of the invention.

Brief Description of the Drawings

The nature of the invention will be better understood from the following detailed description of several specific embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an upper perspective view of a first embodiment of a storage container in accordance with the present invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the storage container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 is an upper perspective view of the storage container of Figure 1 showing the insertion of cleaning implements in the handle; Figure 4 is an upper perspective view of the storage container of

Figure 3 showing the cleaning implements in a stored position; t Figure 5(a) is a side cross-sectional view of the initial stage of attachment of a divider to the storage container;

- A -

Figure 5(b) is a side cross-sectional view of the divider during the process of attachment to the storage container;

Figure 5(c) is a side cross-sectional view of the divider attached to the storage container; Figure 5(d) is an enlargement of Figure 5(c);

Figure 6 is an upper perspective view of a second embodiment of a storage container in accordance with the present invention

Figure 7 is an exploded view of the storage container of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is top plan view of the storage container of Figure 6 showing movement of the storage trays;

Figure 9 is an upper perspective view of the storage container of , Figure 6 showing the insertion of some screw drivers in the handle;

Figure 10(a) is a side cross-sectional view of the initial stage of attachment of a tray to the storage container; Figure 10(b) is a side cross-sectional view of the tray during the process of attachment to the storage container;

Figure 10(c) is a side cross-sectional view of the tray or divider attached to the storage container; and

Figure 10(d) is an enlaregment of Figure 7c.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

An embodiment of a storage container 10 in accordance with the first aspect of the invention is illustrated in Figures 1 to 5. The storage container 10 comprises a receptacle portion 12 and a handle 14. The receptacle portion 12 is generally rectangular and includes first and second opposed side walls 16 and 17, first and second opposed end walls 18 and 19 and a lower surface 20.

The lower surface 20 includes a raised central portion 22 extending between the end walls 18 and 19. The raised central portion 22 is positioned generally centrally between the side walls 16 and 17 such that a first elongate compartment 24 is defined between the raised central portion 22 and the first side wall 16 and a second elongate compartment 25 is defined between the raised central portion 22 and the second side wall 17. The first and second

compartments 24 and 25 are sized to receive the types of tools or containers that may be required by the user of the storage container 10. In the case of a cleaner, the compartments 24 and 25 are sized to receive for example spray bottles 26 or other containers of cleaning fluids.

Each of the first and second compartments 24 and 25 may be provided with one or more transverse internal walls 28. The transverse internal walls 28 divide the compartments 24 and 25 into sub-compartments. The compartments 24 and 25 also each include one or more moveable dividers 30. Each of the dividers 30 include a first portion 32 connectable to an upper edge of the adjacent side wall 16 or 17 and a second portion 34 extending from the first portion 32 transversely across the adjacent compartment 24 or 25. The first portion 32 is connectable to the upper edge of the side wall 16 or 17 such that the first portion can slide along the upper edge of the side wall.

The upper edges of the side walls 16 and 17 are provided with a curved lip portion 36, as can be seen most clearly in Figure 5. The first portion 32 of the divider 30 includes a complementary shaped recess 38 having an in-turned edge 40 opposite to the second portion 34 of the divider 30 arranged to engage with the outer edge of the lip 36. A protrusion 42 is provided in the recess 38 adjacent the second portion 34 of the divider 30 which engages over a ridge 44 running along the inner surface of the side wall 16 or 17. The dividers 30 are attached to the side walls 16 and 17 with a snap-fit type engagement as can be seen in Figures 5 (b) to 5 (d). The dividers 30 can then slide along at least a portion of the length of the side walls 16 and 17 as shown in Figure 1. The dividers 30 can therefore be positioned appropriately for the contents of the compartments 24 and 25 to hold these contents in an upright position. As shown in Figure 1 , the dividers 30 may be slid up against the bottles 26 to hold the bottles 26 in place.

The raised central portion 22 of the container 10 also defines a storage space 46 below the central portion 22. The storage space 46 is accessible via openings 48 in the end walls 18 and 19 and extend the length of the container 10. As can be seen most clearly in Figure 2, the storage space 46 is bound on a lower side by a wall member 50 which is attachable to the container 10

such that the space is only accessible via the openings 48. A plurality of screws 51 are provided to attach the wall member 50 to the underside of the central portion 22 via a corresponding plurality of legs 53.

The raised central portion 22 is also provided with recesses 52 in the upper surface thereof. The recesses 52 provide additional storage spaces for small items that may be required by the user of the container 10.

The handle 14 extends upwardly from the central raised portion 22. The handle 14 is generally of an inverted U-shape arranged parallel to the raised portion 22. The handle 14 includes first and second upwardly extending portions 54 and 56 and a horizontally extending portion 58 extending between upper ends of the vertically extending portions 54 and 56. The horizontally extending portion 58 includes a grip 60 to be held when carrying the container 10. The handle 14 also includes a bar 76 extending horizontally between the first and second vertically extending portions 54 and 56. Items used by the user having a clip attachment or similar may be clipped on bar 76 for storage.

The container 10 includes a first elongate storage recess 62 in the handle 14 for storing a cleaning implement such as a duster 64 (see Figure 3). The first elongate storage recess 62 is accessible via a hole 66 at the upper end of the first vertically extending portion 54 of the handle 14. A duster 64 may be stored in a vertical position with the handle of the duster 64 uppermost (as shown in Figures 3 and 4). Storing in this manner allows easy access to the duster 64 when the container 10 is on the ground. The duster 64 may also be stored horizontally in the storage space 46.

The handle 14 also includes a second elongate storage recess 68 in the second vertically extending portion 56. The second elongate storage recess

68 is accessible via an aperture 70 at the upper end of the second vertically extending portion 56 of the handle 14. The second elongate storage recess

68 may be used to store another appropriate cleaning tool such as a toothbrush 65. The toothbrush 65 is also stored in a vertical position with the handle of the toothbrush received in the hollow interior of the storage recess

68 (as shown in Figures 3 and 4). In an alternative embodiment, (not illustrated), the storage recess provided in the second vertically extending

portion of the handle may be accessible via a pivotable cover. In order to store an implement in the storage recess, the pivotable cover is pivoted to an open position. The pivotable cover is returned to a closed position to enclose the implement in the storage recess.

The handle 14 is preferably provided as a separate element to the receptacle portion 12, as shown in Figure 2. The handle 14 is attachable to the receptacle portion 12 in a snap fit manner. The container 10 may therefore be sold in a more compact packaged form and assembled after purchase.

The embodiment of Figures 1 to 5 also includes two lower trays 74. Each of the lower trays 74 can be slid into the storage space 46 under the central raised portion 22. The lower trays 74 are received in the storage space 46 by sliding into the openings 48 in the end walls 18 and 19. The lower trays 74 rest on the wall member 50. Each of the lower trays 74 may also comprise a series of removable walls 76 for dividing the tray into a series of smaller compartments as shown in Figure 2.

Figures 6 to 10 illustrate an alternative embodiment of a storage container 10 in accordance with the second aspect of the present invention. The storage container 10 is similar to the container 10 of Figures 1 to 5 and like reference numerals are therefore used to denote similar parts. In the storage container 10 of Figures 6 to 10 the sliding dividers 30 comprise one or more sliding upper trays 72. The sliding upper trays 72 attach to the upper edges of the side walls 16 and 17 in the same manner as the dividers 30 (as shown in Figure 10). That is, the upper trays 72 each include a first portion 32 arranged to attach to the lip portion 36 on the upper edges of the side walls 16 and 17. The upper trays include a second portion 35 which comprises a relatively flat tray which can be used to store small articles. The upper trays 72 can be slid along the side wall 16 and 17 so that they can be positioned as desired and also act as dividers for the compartments 24 and 25, as shown in Figure 8.

The embodiment of Figures 6 to 10 also includes two lower trays 74 similar to that of the embodiment of Figures 1 to 5.

The storage container 10 of Figures 6 to 10 includes a shorter handle 14 to that of Figures 1 to 5. This is because it is designed as a tool box for tradesmen or for the home. It is not designed to hold bottles of cleaning solution and therefore the handle 14 does not need to be so high. However, with the previous embodiment, the handle 14 includes first and second elongate storage recesses 62 and 68 in the handle 14 for storing a tool such as a screwdriver 67 (see Figure 9). The first elongate storage recess 62 is accessible via a hole 66 at the upper end of the first vertically extending portion 54 of the handle 14. The second elongate storage recess 68 is accessible via a hole 70 at the upper end of the second vertically extending portion 56 of the handle 14. Screwdrivers 67 may be stored in a vertical position with the handle of the screwdrivers 67 uppermost (as shown in Figures 6 and 9). Storing in this manner allows easy access to the screwdrivers 67 when the container 10 is on the ground.

Now that several embodiments of the storage container have been described in detail it will be apparent that the embodiments provide some significant advantages, including the following:

(i) The storage container provides a readily accessible means of storing and carrying tools or implements for cleaners or other tradespeople.

(ii) The slidable dividers provide a convenient way of adjusting the space available in the storage compartment to facilitate the carrying of objects of varying sizes in the storage compartment.

(iii) The storage recesses provided in the handle provide a more accessible means for storing some implements.

It will be readily apparent to persons skilled in the relevant arts that various modifications and improvements may be made to the foregoing embodiments, in addition to those already described, without departing from the basic inventive concepts of the present invention. Therefore, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described.