HK1113775A - Storage container lid - Google Patents

Description

Storage container lid

Technical Field

This document relates generally to a lid for a storage container and, more particularly, to a lid having more than one way to access a storage area of a storage container.

Background

Storage containers are well known in the art. Such storage containers typically include a box portion and a lid portion. The cover is generally locked to the box portion to prevent stored contents from leaking out during the movement of the storage container or to protect the contents of the storage container from the external environment. These storage containers typically attach the lid to the box portion in one of two ways. One way of attaching the lid to the box portion is to have the lid receive the upper edge of the box in a snap-fit type configuration. Another way of attaching the lid to the box portion is to hinge the lid to the box portion along one edge of the lid and provide a catch along the other edge of the lid to releasably lock the lid to the box portion.

Some storage bins have included two-piece lids that allow partial access to the items stored within the bin without requiring full opening of the lid. However, the storage container must be placed on a surface before the lid is fully or partially opened. In summary, none of the known storage containers includes a lid that allows access to the contents of the container while the container is being handled.

Disclosure of Invention

There is described a storage container lid comprising a base portion with at least one through opening and a cover portion comprising a first plate, the cover portion being hinged to the base portion. The first plate is movable independently of the base portion to provide access to the at least one through opening; the at least one through opening is covered when the first plate is in the closed position.

Also described is a storage container comprising a lid having a base portion with at least one through opening and a cover portion comprising a first plate hinged to a second plate, the cover portion being connected to the base portion, and a box. The first and second plates are movable independently of each other to provide access to the at least one through opening and the at least one through opening is covered when one of the first and second plates is in the closed position. The box includes a floor, front and rear walls extending from the floor, and two side walls extending from the floor. A storage space is defined between the front, rear and side walls. A latch is movably connected to the base portion of the lid and the lid is hinged to the bin along one side. The latch releasably locks the lid to the box portion and, when the base portion of the lid is locked to the box in the closed position, the storage space is accessible through the at least one through opening.

Further details of the storage container lid of the present invention can be understood by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a storage container lid and storage container;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage container lid of FIG. 1 mounted on a storage container and in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage container lid of FIG. 1 mounted on a storage container and in an open position;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the storage container lid of FIG. 1 mounted on a storage container in another open position.

Detailed Description

FIG. 1 illustrates a storage container constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The storage container includes a case 20 and a lid 30. The lid 30 includes a base 32 and a cover 34. The cover 34 has a first plate 36 and a second plate 38. The first and second plates 36, 38 are hingedly connected to each other such that the first and second plates 36, 38 are substantially coplanar in one position. Also, the lid 30 includes a handle 40 and a latch 42. The handle 40 may include two mounting members 44 and a tubular connecting member 46.

The base 32 includes one or more openings 48, 50 therein. The openings 48, 50 may be through openings 48 (i.e., openings that allow access through the lid to the main compartment of the storage container) or tray openings 50 (i.e., openings that allow access to the sub-compartments or trays within the lid 30). A skirt 52 extends from the periphery of the base 32. The skirt 52 includes an arch 54 formed on one side thereof. The arch 54 partially receives and conceals the latch 42.

The first cover panel 36 includes cover skirts 56 on either side of a recessed edge 58. The recessed edge 58 receives the upper portion of the arch 54 and the cover skirt 56 mates with the top of the base 32 when the first cover panel 36 is in the closed position. The second cover panel 38 is connected to the first cover panel 36 along one side thereof via a hinge 60. The second cover panel 38 is sized to fit within the tray opening 50 in the base 32. The second cover panel 38 substantially covers the tray opening 50 in the closed position. The first and second cover panels 36, 38 are pivotally connected to the base 32 along a central support beam 62. The first and second cover panels 36 and 38 may be opened or closed independently of each other. In addition, the first and second cover panels 36, 38 may be opened while the lid 30 is in the closed and locked position on the case 20. The base plate 32 may include only one through opening 48 and one cover plate 36, if desired.

The handle 40 includes two mounting members 44 and a tubular connecting member 46. The mounting member 44 is generally "C" shaped with one end connected to the tubular connecting member 46 and the other end connected to the base 32 of the cap 30. The mounting member 44 may be adapted to fit any length of tubular connecting member 46, thereby allowing different sizes of handles 40 to be made simply by changing the length of the tubular connecting member 46.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the lid 30 of fig. 1 in a closed and locked position on the case 20. In the closed position, the lid 30 covers and protects the storage space of the case 20. Also, the latch 42 locks the lid 30 in place. In addition, the first and second cover openings 48 and 50 are covered by the first and second cover panels 36 and 38, respectively.

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the lid 30 of fig. 1 in an open position on the case 20. In the open position, the lid 30 is hinged to the case 20 along an edge opposite the latch 42, and the latch 42 is released from the case 20. The lid 30 is generally inclined with respect to the bottom panel of the box 20 so as to expose the storage space of the box 20. Furthermore, the first opening 48 and the second opening 50 are covered and secured by the first plate 36 and the second plate 38.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the lid 30 of fig. 1 in a closed position, but with the first panel 36 and the second panel 38 in an open position, exposing the storage space of the bin 20 through the first lid opening 48 and exposing the storage space of the tray through the second lid opening 50. Although both the first panel 36 and the second panel 38 are shown open in this figure, either panel may be opened independently of the other. This alternative closed position of the lid allows a user to access the storage space of the bin 20 or the storage space of the tray while the lid 30 is in the closed position. In other words, a user may access the storage space of the box through the first lid opening 48 while the storage container is supported by the handle 40.

Although the disclosed embodiments are generally made of molded plastic, the storage container can alternatively be constructed of virtually any suitable material. For example, the storage container may be constructed of materials including: polystyrene, polypropylene, polycarbonate, engineering grade plastic, ABS, TPE, thermoplastic, metal, wood, organic material, leather, glass, and/or any combination thereof.

Although certain storage containers have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the scope of the appended claims is not limited thereto. On the contrary, the claims cover all embodiments fairly falling within the scope of permissible equivalents under the teachings of the invention.

Claims (16)

1. A storage container lid comprising:

a base portion with at least one through opening; and

a cover portion including a first plate, the cover portion being hinged to the base portion;

wherein the first plate is movable independently of the base portion to provide access to the at least one through opening; the at least one through opening is covered when the first plate is in the closed position.

2. The storage container lid of claim 1, further comprising a handle connected to the base.

3. The storage container lid of claim 2, wherein the handle comprises two mounting segments and a tubular connecting segment.

4. The storage container lid of claim 2, wherein the base comprises a shelf along a portion of a perimeter of the base; the handle is stored on the shelf when not in use.

5. The storage container lid of claim 1, wherein the base portion comprises a second opening, the first panel is hinged to a second panel, and both the first panel and the second panel are hinged to the base portion.

6. The storage container lid of claim 5, wherein the first panel and the second panel are movable to provide access to the at least one through opening when the storage container is supported solely by the handle.

7. The storage container lid of claim 5, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second panel is translucent.

8. The storage container lid of claim 5, wherein the base comprises a tray portion.

9. The storage container lid of claim 8, wherein the first plate covers the at least one through opening and the second plate covers the tray portion.

10. A storage container, comprising:

a lid, the lid comprising:

a base portion with at least one through opening; and

a cover portion including a first plate, the cover portion being hinged to the base portion;

wherein the first plate is movable independently of the base portion to allow access to the at least one through opening; the at least one through opening is covered when the first plate is in the closed position;

a storage box, the storage box comprising:

a base plate;

front and rear walls extending from the floor;

two sidewalls extending from the base; and

a storage space defined between the front, rear and side walls;

a latch movably connected to the base portion of the lid;

wherein the lid is hinged to the storage compartment and the catch releasably locks the lid to the storage compartment; and, when the cover is locked to the storage box and in the closed position, the storage space is accessible through the at least one through opening.

11. The storage container of claim 10, comprising a handle disposed on the lid.

12. The storage container of claim 11, wherein the base portion includes a second opening, the first panel is hinged to a second panel, and both the first panel and the second panel are hinged to the base portion.

13. The storage container of claim 12, wherein at least one of the first panel and the second panel is movable when the storage container is supported solely by the handle.

14. The storage container of claim 12, wherein the base portion of the lid includes a tray portion.

15. The storage container of claim 13, wherein the first plate covers the at least one through opening and the second plate covers the tray portion.

16. The storage container of claim 15, wherein one of the storage space and the tray portion is accessible when the storage container is supported solely by the handle.