AU645008B2

AU645008B2 - Improvements in storage containers

Info

Publication number: AU645008B2
Application number: AU52923/90A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Alan Dumbrell
Original assignee: Kader Plastics Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Kader Plastics Pty Ltd
Priority date: 1989-04-03
Filing date: 1990-04-03
Publication date: 1994-01-06
Anticipated expiration: 2010-04-03
Also published as: AU5292390A

Description

AUSTRALIA

PATENI'S ACT 1952 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION Form

(ORIGINAL)

FOR OFFICE USE 645008 Short Title: Int. Cl: .Application Number: Lodged: .:C~mplete Specification Lodged: Accepted: Lapsed: Published: Priority: R~elated Art: S...0 *00 Name of Applicant

S

:Address of Applicant: Actual Inventors: Address for Service: TO BE COMIPLlETED BY APPLICANT KADER PLASTICS PTY. LTD.

Hume Highway, Craigieburn, Victoria 3064, Australia CALLINAN LAWRIE, Patent Trade Mark Attorney, 278 High Street, Kew, Victoria 3101, Australia, Complete Specification for the invention entitled: "IMPROVEMENTS IN STORAGE~ CONTAINERS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of pevformlng it known to me:of:17- 0 4 o9 0 The present invention relates, in general terms, to improvements in receptacles and relates more particularly, but not exclusively, to an improved form of receptacle or container. For ease of explanation, throughout the ensuing description reference will be made to a preferred embodiment of a receptacle or container in accordance with the invention, intended as it is for usage in the storage of perishable items. It should be realised, however, that under no circumstances should the invention be considered to be restricted to a container for such a usage. Indeed a container in accordance with the present invention lends S. itself to usage in a variety of contexts and, perhaps even more importantly, exhibits o the property of what might be termed "stackability". The invention also relates, therefore, to a means of allowing for "stacking", in both vertical and horizontal arrays, of a plurality of such containers. The invention furthermore relates to a means of allowing for releasable interconnection of a number of components of a container assembly in accordance with, the invention.

A5 Nowadays, with improvements in refrigeration and freezing capabilities or equipment, it has become the common practice in the household (and indeed in any other context) to utilise containers, preferably constructed from a suitable plastics material or the equivalent, for purposes of storage of perishable foodstuffs, Sas for example fruits of various types, vegetables of various types including lettuce, cabbage, carrots etc., and even meat and the like products. However, and with a view to maximizing storage capability of any given size or area, it has become the practice to utilise storage containers or canisters which are, preferably, stackable and which furthermore have the facility to allow for storage within the one overall area of a variety of different foodstuffs. By way of example only one form of container or canister in common usage takes the form of a combination of a first deeper, bowl-like container having a second, shallower member co-operable -2therewith, the second member in use constituting a closure means for the first member. It has also become the practice to employ at least a third tray-like member, to be interposed between the aforementioned first and second members, whereby to divide the overall assembly into separate storage spaces.

With known prior art arrangements of the aforementioned type problems have always existed in ensuring adequate sealing of the overall assembly, as would be expected when the aforementioned first and second members art brought into co-operation with the interposition of a third or intermediate, peferably tray-like, member. With a view to ensuring, first of all, adequate sealing and also, perhaps as an aside, to removing the possibility of unwanted separation of the respective first and second members, various means have been employed for S. releasably interconnecting the said first and second members. The prior art means for achieving such interconnection have almost invariably suffered from disadvantages in terms of their ease of operation installation and removal efficiency of sealing, etc.

The present invention therefore relates, first of all, to an improved form of container assembly for the storage of perishable items, having associated therewith means for releasably interconnecting the various members making up such an assembly, The invention seeks to provide an interconnecting means for 0 use with such a container assembly which lends itself to ready installation and removal, whereby to facilitate operation and use of the overall assembly.

Il Mu..d .l he-prfeser-kOtvemol-etherefr=ethee an improved form of container assembly for storage o ~iesTrerishable or otherwise, said container assembly in st or base member; a second or top member oi a s' gurationt substantially the same as said first member; ooo".o o-r o oo o '3- In accordance with the present invention, therefore, there is provided a container assembly for the storage of articles, perishable or otherwise, said container assembly including: a first or base member including, extending around at least part of the upper periphery thereof, a substantially T-shaped flange; a second or top member, of a size and configuration substantially the same as said first member and including, at the free end thereof, a peripheral flange; and at least one connecting member adapted, in use, to releasably interconnect said first and second members, wherein the or each said connecting member includes a main body or shank member having first and second projections extending angularly from respective free ends thereof, said first projection being adapted, in use, to releasably secure said connecting member relative to said base member said connecting member being adapted, in use, to selectively co-operate with said Tshaped flange of said first member and said peripheral flange of said second member, the arrangement being such as to allow for releasable interconnection of said first and second members, with or without the interposition of one or more intermediate members serving to divide the interior of the containel assembly into separate compartments for storage, the arrangement being such that, in use, said T-shaped flange of said first member acts as a seating for said peripheral flange of I said second member, with said connecting means then co-operating with both of said members whereby to releasably secure said members together.

0 0000 *000 0 0 0 -3a one or more intermediate members serving to divide the interior of f sontainer assembly into separate compartments for storage.

In accordance with the present inv n there is also provided a connecting member of the aforementio type, said connecting member being constructed of a pliable plasti aterial.

Again ccordance with the invention there is provided a means allowinL tacking of a plurality of container assemblies of the aforementioned -t e .1e a t o f diffgrent5 u 1 ealedisizs; In order that the invention may be more dearly understood and put into practical effect there shall now be described in detail a preferred embodiment of a container assembly in accordance with the present invention. The ensuing description is given by way of non-limitative example only and is with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is an exploded view of a container assembly in accordance with the present invention; Fig 2 is a top plan view of a container assembly in accordance with the invention, showing the so-called connecting members in their operating position; Fig. 3 is a side elevational view of the container assembly of Fis. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a front elevational view of the container assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is a bottom plan view of the container assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a side elevational view, in section, showing the interior of the container assembly of Fig. 1; Fig. 7 is a side elevational view of two container assemblies in accordance with the present invention, in a stacked configuration.

-4- Fig. 8 is an exploded view of a connecting member for use with a container assembly in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 9 is a perspective view, in isolation, of a stacking or storage system for use in conjunction with a plurality of container assemblies in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the stacking or storage system of Fig.

9, with a plurality of container assemblies of Fig. 1 disposed therewithin for storage; and Fig. 11 is a perspective view of an array, vertically aligned, of storage systems, intended to store both larger-and-smaller-dimensioned container assemblies.

As shown in particular in Fig. 1, a container assembly in accordance with the present invention generally includes a first or base member 1, of any given size and shape, preferably constructed of a suitable plastics material. It should be realised, however, that the actual material of construction is not of the essence of the invention. It should furthermore be realized that the size and shape of the overall container assembly can be readily adapted to satisfy differing use requirements. The base member 1 includes, around the top edge or periphery thereof, a substantially T-shaped flange-like protrusion 2, said protrusion 2 serving to assist, in a manner to be described hereinafter in more detail, in releasably retaining other components of the overall assembly in position relative to the base member 1.

Again as shown in Fig. 1 the assembly in accordance with the present invention includes a so-called top member, generally designated 3, and an intermediate member 4. In an especially preferred embodiment the members 3 and 4 exhibit a cross-sectional shape substantially identical to that of the base member 1 but are each slightly reduced in size, whereby to allow those members 3 and 4 to be located on or within base member 1 in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1, for example. Such an arrangement in effect then provides two separate spaces for storage, namely that within the base member 1 and that space formed within or between the members 3 and 4 when disposed in the manner illustrated in Fig. 1.

In a more practical vein, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, not illustrated, two or more scaled-down container assemblies could be disposed within the intermediate member 4, thereby in turn dividing the overall container assembly into at least three separate storage spaces or areas. Such a configuration would be especially suited for use on, for example, picnics, etc., where a number of different food products are desired to be stored, before, during and after use, in separate compartments. Preferably the members 3 and 4 are substantially identical in shape and dimensions, whereby to in effect be interchangeable as and if desired. In an especially preferred embodiment at least .JEi one of the members 3 and 4 can be constructed of a transparent material and can serve as a top or closure member for the assembly such that, when in place on or within the overall container assembly, it will be possible to physically examine the contents of that assembly without removing the top member therefrom.

With reference now to Fig. 8 there is illustrated therein a preferred embodiment of a means or member employed in accordance with the present invention for releasably securing together the various members making up the overall container assembly. As shown the base member 1 includes the substantially T-shaped protrusion or flange 2 projecting from the upper edge thereof. The upper or top member 3 includes, at the extremity thereof, a flange or flanged portion 5 of a length slightly less than the shank portion of the T-shaped flange 2 of the base member 1. The arrangement is such th.t, in use, the shank portion of .6the T-shaped flange 2 of the base member 1 constitutes a seating for the flange member 5 of the upper or top member q. It then remains to releasably affix the members 1 and 3, with or without the interposition of the intermediate member 4, whereby to provide effective sealing therebetween.

In the arrangement as illustrated in Fig. 8 a connecting member 6, again preferably constructed of or from a suitable plastics material and accordingly flexible, is employed for purposes of interconnecting members 3 and 1, with or without the interposition of an intermediate member 4. The member 6 is preferably of the shape illustrated and includes a shank portion 7 having a flanged portion 8 extending angularly therefrom. The member 6 is preferably of a substantial unitary construction. At the free end of the shank portion 7, in other words that end remote from the flanged portion 8, and preferably at each side thereof, there is provided a locating member 9 adapted, in use, to co-operate with a correspondingly shaped locating means 10 provided at the appropriate location on the base member 1. The locating member 9 takes the form of a curved lower arm portion 9a extending angularly from the shank portion 7 of the connecting member 6 and having a protrusion or projection 9b extending from the free end thereof.

The member 6 includes, at the free end of the flanged portion 8, a bead-like arrangement 11 extending longitudinally thereof, extending longitudinally 4 thereof, such bead-like arrangements 11 being adapted, in use, to co-operate with a protrusion 12 provided on the peripheral wall of the upper member 3, or indeed the member 4 if appropriate, to assist in fixing of that member 6 relative to the lower or base member 1, while at the same time serving to fixedly yet releasably interconnect members 1 and 3, with or without the interposition of intermediate member 4. The member 6 furthermore includes, at the juncture of the shank portion 7 and flanged portion 8, an expanded portion 13 which serves as a gripping means, to assist in location and removal of the member 6 in a manner to be described hereinafter in more detail.

As shown in Fig. 6 the member 6 serves, in use, to hold together in a substantially sealed configuration the overall container assembly made up of members 1, 3 and perhaps 4. Interaction between the mating portions of the member 6 and the upper and base members 3 and 1 assist in both location and fixing thereof. In order to separate the various components of the overall container assembly finger pressure may be applied to the expanded or enlarged portion 13 of the member 6 and, by virtue of the flexible nature of the overall member 6, this results in separation of the flanged portion 8 of that member 6 from the protrusion 12 of the upper member 3, thereby allowing for removal thereof and exposing the contents of the container assembly for usage.

00 As illustrated in Fig. 7 and Figs 9 to 11 inclusive, arrangements in accordance with the present invention lend themselves readily to stacking, thereby allowing for maximization of usage of available space. To assist in stacking the upper member 3 includes an upwardly projecting, and preferably peripheral, beaded portion 14 or the like which, in use, serves to co-operate with a corresponding projection 15 provided extending downwardly from the base of the S. lower member 1.

As illustrated in Figs. 9 to 11, a stacking or storage system for use in conjunction with a plurality of container assemblies of the aforementioned general type is made up from a pair of side members, generally designated 21, preferably constructed of a plastics material, each having a plurality of longitudinallyextending but vertically disposed slotted members 22 adapted, in use, to slidably receive and releasably retain a container assembly in accordance with the present invention, as best illustrated in Figs. 10 and 11i The side members 21, with slotted members 22, will preferably be of a unitary construction. Each side member 21 will include a plurality of blind bores 23 each adapted, in use, to re:eive and releasably retain one free end of a spacing element 24, said spacing elements 24 preferably being of a rod-like construction. As illustrated each side member 21 includes blind bores 23 extending outwardly from opposed faces thereof, whereby to allow for building up of a longitudinally extending array of stacking or storage systems to suit different use requirements.

The storage systems include means allowing for ready movement thereof, even when assembled and loaded. As illustrated such may be in the form of castors 25 or the like elements adapted to be received in apertured or blindbored extensions 26 provided in the bottom sides of the respective side members 21.

As shown in Fig. 11 a variable array of storage systems may be created to suit differing use requirements, or in other words dependent upon the actual dimensions of the container assemblies to be stored therewithin. This is conveniently achieved by using spacer elements 24 and 27 of different length dimensions. Lateral rigidity of the two lower storage systems can be achieved through the interposition of support elements 28 adapted, in use, to be releasably interconnected between adjacent racks. In like manner interconnection between respective vertically aligned racks may be achieved.

Finally, it is to be understood that the aforegoing description refers merely to preferred embodiments of the invention, and that variations and modifications will be possible thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the ambit of which is to be determined from the following claims.

-9-

Claims

1. A container assembly for the storage of articles, perishable or otherwise, said container assembly including: a first or base member including, extending around at least part of the upper periphery thereof, a substantially T-shaped flange; a second or top member, of a size and configuration substantially the same as said first member and including, at the free end thereof, a peripheral flange; and at lerat one connecting member adapted, in use, to releasably interconnect said first and second members, wherein the or each said connecting member includes a main body or shank member having first and second projections extending angularly from respective free ends thereof, said first projection being adapted, in u:e, to releasably secure said connecting member relative to said base member said connecting member being adapted, in use, to selectively co-operate with said T-shaped flange of said first member and said peripheral flange of said second member, the arrangement being such as to allow for releasable interconnection of said first and second members, with or without the interposition of one or more intermediate members serving to divide the interior of the container assembly into separate compartments for storage, the arrangement being S. such that, in use, said T-shaped flange of said first member acts as a seating for said peripheral flange of said second member, with said connecting means then co- operating with both of said members whereby to releasably secure said members together.

2. The assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first projection of said **too. S connecting member includes, at each end thereof, a substantially arcuate-shaped extension terminating in a substantially cylindrically-shaped protrusion adapted, in use, to co-operate with a complementary-shaped protrusion provided on the external side wall of said first member, within a lower arm of said T-shaped flange thereof, whereby to assist in positioning of said connecting member relative to both said firet and second members.

3. The assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said connecting member includes means facilitating removal thereof, said means being in the form of a knurled or enlarged portion at or in the vicinity of the junction of said shank member and said second projection whereby to enhance gripping thereof.

4. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein both said first and second members include means allowing for stacking, one on top of another, of a plurality of said container assemblies, said means being in the form of co-operating, complementary bead-like projections provided on the external surface of each of said members and extending around at least a substantial portion of the perimeter thereof. The assembly as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, constructed principally from a plastics material.

6. A container assembly, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 21st dayof October 1993. *PLASTICS PTY. LTD. S. 7. A plurality of container assemblies as claimed in claim 1, stacked either vertical and/or horizontal arrays, said container assemblies being either all the same 20 size or being of different sizes, substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. DATED this 21st day of October 1993. S.0 KADER PLASTICS PTY. LTD. I By their Patent Attorneys: CALLINAN LAWRBE 11 52923/90 7n m. so: tes" oe 0 6 6 S. S. 5 S C. 6 6* C. SO SO S S. C 0* i/i 555 6 3 14 S 0 SO SO 12 III' 9 Q~ 7 5 q ~7 1 S. Se S S S S S. S S S S.

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