GB2534947A

GB2534947A - Lockable storage container for personal property

Info

Publication number: GB2534947A
Application number: GB1508887.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Morris Peter
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-01-29
Filing date: 2015-05-26
Publication date: 2016-08-10
Anticipated expiration: 2035-05-26
Also published as: GB2534947B; GB201508887D0

Abstract

A lockable storage container for personal property comprises top and bottom parts 2 and 3, a door 4 with a lock mechanism 5. The top and bottom parts comprise identical thermoplastic mouldings which each have a rectangular main wall 6 with three wall sections 7,8,9 extending along three sides. The top and bottom parts 2 and 3 both have an engagement edge 10 which extends along the three wall sections with integral clip formations which enable the top and bottom parts to be conjoined and fixed together. The engagement edges 10 may also incorporate notches (24, figure 1) forming ventilation holes which can also be used for mounting an internal shelf. A further shelf may be supported within the bottom part. The container is particularly useful for sorting personal food items in a refrigerator.

Description

LOCKABLE STORAGE CONTAINER

FOR PERSONAL PROPERTY

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the secure and hygienic protection of personal property.

BACKGROUND

Protection of everyday items is often difficult to achieve without heavy or elaborate locking devices or safes. In shared accommodation, the family home and places of work the need for a low cost lockable personal storage container is especially relevant. One area in particular is in a refrigerator, as this is often a shared space and certain goods require storage in a chilled environment.

US 2010/0259139 Al discloses a lockable storage container for personal property having four rigid side wall structures, a rigid back wall structure and a rigid door structure with a locking mechanism that allows the container to be secured by its user. The wall and door structures are of open grate-like construction to -2 -allow substantial airflow into and through the container. Whilst such a multi-component container occupies a low volume prior to assembly and has low transportation costs, it would be very costly to manufacture due to the large number of complex moulded components. In addition, the container is not strong or secure due to the grate-like construction, and a large number of interconnections between the components introduces many potential weak points.

US 2010/0259139 Al discloses a lockable storage container which is designed to securely accommodate both beverage bottles and/or cans via two hinging panels in the top of the container. The container is again of grate-like construction which allows the container to be submerged in a cooler or water bath and be self-draining upon removal. When stored in a refrigerator, a retention lip around the base catches condensation from its contents, avoiding water damage to items stored within close proximity. In this case the container occupies an even larger volume before assembly which would increase transportation costs and shelf space at point of sale, and it would again be costly to manufacture due to the complexity of the moulded components. Furthermore, the container is not very strong or secure due to the grate-like construction and the presence of several potential weak points.

The present invention seeks to provide a lockable storage container for personal property which uses a minimum number of components, is quick and easy to assemble, and is also strong and -3 -secure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a lockable storage container for personal property which includes top and bottom parts, a door and a lock mechanism, wherein the top and bottom parts each comprise a thermoplastic moulding having a four-sided main wall with three wall sections extending along three sides thereof, and an engagement edge which extends along the three wall sections remote from the main wall, said engagement edge having an integral clip formation which enable the top and bottom parts to be conjoined and fixed together by the integral clip formations such that the top and bottom parts can be assembled with the door and lock mechanism to form a lockable storage container.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts which are identical thermoplastic mouldings.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having a door hingeably engaged with top and bottom parts by respective peg-and-socket arrangements.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts which include integral moulded stops which engage a door to define open and -4 -closed limits of the door during hinging movement thereof.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts with a main wall and three wall sections extending along three sides thereof, and the top and bottom parts include integral moulded flanges which extend along a fourth side of the main wall and two end edges of the wall sections to surround a door opening.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having a lock mechanism secured to a door and a latch plate which locates in a slot formed in side walls of conjoined top and bottom parts to secure the door in a closed position.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts with engagement edges which include integral locking projections which engage the opposing engagement edge.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts which include tabs with locking projections which engage behind flexible bridges.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts which include tabs with locking projections and flexible bridges, in which opposing faces of the locking projections and the bridges are outwardly -5 -inclined away from the direction of insertion of the tabs.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts with engagement edges which include notches which form ventilation holes leading from the exterior to the interior of the container when the top and bottom parts are conjoined.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts with engagement edges which include notches which are mutually opposed.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts with engagement edges which include notches which each have a ridge located between inner and outer portions of the notch.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts with engagement edges which include notches with an outer portion which is inclined to reduce ingress of liquids.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts with engagement edges which include notches and at least one shelf having support pegs which locate in the notches.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for -6 -personal property having top and bottom parts with engagement edges which include notches and at least one shelf having support pegs which locate in the notches, and the support pegs are configured such that the notches continue to provide ventilation when the pegs are received therein.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having at least one shelf having support pegs and a rib extending transverse to and adjacent to the support pegs.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts with engagement edges which include notches and at least one shelf having support pegs which locate in the notches, and the pegs are received in the inner portions of the notches.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts and at least one shelf and wall sections of the top and bottom parts have moulded spacer ridges which space the shelf away from the wall sections.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts and at least one lower shelf to be supported on a main wall of the bottom part.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts and at least one -7 -lower shelf which incorporates mutually spaced support ridges to support the shelf away from a main wall of the bottom part.

The invention also provides a lockable storage container for personal property having top and bottom parts and a main wall of the bottom part contains holes to receive fixings by which the container may be secured to a substrate.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description and the accompanying drawings referred to therein are included by way of non-limiting example in order to illustrate how the invention may be put into practice. In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general view of a lockable storage container for personal property in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is a general exploded view of the lockable storage container showing the top and bottom parts together with the door and its lock mechanism; Figure 3 is a general sectioned view of the lockable storage container showing the inside of the door; Figure 4 is a similar view to Fig. 3 but exploded slightly, and with the door in an open position; -8 -Figure 5 is a detail of the top and bottom parts showing the engagement edges with an integral clip formation; Figure 6 is section through the engagement edges and the integral clip formation; Figure 7 is a general sectioned view of the lockable storage container with upper and lower shelves; Figure 8 is another general exploded view of the lockable storage container with upper and lower shelves and shelf support ribs; Figure 9 is another exploded view of the lockable storage container with modified upper shelf supports; Figure 10 is a general view of the bottom part of the lockable storage container and the lower shelf; Figure 11 is a general sectioned view of the lockable storage container with the modified upper shelf supports; Figure 12 is a detail of the lockable storage container with a modification to the engagement edges, as viewed from the exterior of the container; -9 -Figure 13 is a further edge detail of the lockable storage container as viewed from the inside, showing part of the upper shelf and modified shelf supports; Figure 14 is another edge detail of the lockable storage container showing a modified clip formation; Figure 15 is section through the engagement edges and the modified clip formation; Figure 16 is a general view of the bottom part of the lockable storage container with a modified lower shelf; Figure 17 is a general top view of the modified lower shelf; and Figure 18 is a general bottom view of the modified lower shelf.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.s 1 and 2 show a lockable storage container 1 which can be used to hold personal property such as, for example, food which is to be kept in a shared refrigerator.

The container 1 includes top and bottom parts 2, 3 and a door 4 provided with a lock mechanism 5. The top and bottom parts 2, 3 -10 -and the door 4 each comprise a thermoplastic moulding of transparent or opaque material, typically having a wall thickness of about 2.5 mm. The top and bottom parts 2 and 3 are preferably identical thermoplastic mouldings each having a substantially rectangular four-sided main wall 6 (Fig. 2) with three side wall sections 7, 8 and 9 extending along three sides of the base wall 6. An engagement edge 10 extends along the three wall sections 7-9 remote from the main wall 6. The engagement edges 10 have integral clip formations (eight in this example) which enable the top and bottom parts 2 and 3 to be conjoined and fixed together without requiring additional fixings or tools. The container provides a solid and secure structure which limits ingress of spills and/or drips, with easily cleaned surfaces and moulded corner joints for good hygiene.

Open ends 11 of the interconnected top and bottom parts 2 and 3 form a door opening, and are both provided with integral moulded sockets 12 adjacent to the side wall sections 7 and 9 to receive aligned hinge pegs 13 formed at one edge of the door 4. As can be seen in Fig.s 3 and 4, the peg-and-socket arrangement holds the door in a hinge-like manner between the interconnected top and bottom parts 2 and 3. The door 4 has a moulded return flange 14 (Fig. 2) extending around its outer edge to provide rigidity. A logo panel 15 may also be moulded into the door. The door 4 also has an aperture 16 for mounting the lock 5, which may be of the kind which can be operated by key or combination mechanism to permit rotation of a latch plate 17. As can be seen in Fig. 3, the latch plate 17 locates in slot 18 which is integrally formed in the top and bottom parts 2 and 3 so that the door can be secured in a closed position. Adjacent to each of the sockets 12 there is a moulded stud 19 which act as stops for the door component 4 to define the fully open and fully closed positions of the door.

Referring back to Fig. 2, it will be seen that the container has an integral moulded lip or flange 20 which extends along the main wall 6 and the ends of the side walls 2 and 3, surrounding the door opening 11, to help retain liquid spillages or condensation within the bottom part 3. A complementary arrangement of plugs 22 and sockets 23 are integrally moulded on the external surfaces of the top and bottom walls 6 to allow firm stacking of the containers whilst maintaining full access to the front opening 11.

The opposing engagement edges 10 of the top and bottom parts 2 and 3 include a series of mutually opposed conjoined notches which provide ventilation holes 24 (Fig. 1) leading from the exterior to the interior of the container. These ventilation holes allow sufficient airflow whilst preventing tampering with the contents of the container. Typically there could be eleven 24 mm x 13 mm ventilation holes, although their number and size may vary. Two of the ventilation holes 24 are shown in Fig. 5 together with one of the integral clip formations 25 which interconnect the top and bottom parts 2 and 3. As best seen in the sectional view of Fig. 6, the integral clip formations 25 include flexible tabs 26 with locking projections 27, which are formed on one of the engagement edges 10. When the two parts 2 and 3 are brought together the tabs and locking projections engage behind flexible -12 -bridges 28 on the opposing edge 10 to prevent separation of the two parts 2 and 3. Since the top and bottom parts 2 and 3 are identical mouldings each part will generally have an equal number of tabs 26 and complementary bridges 28.

Referring to Fig.s 7 and 8, the lockable storage container includes at least one removable shelf, preferably at least an upper shelf 30 and a lower shelf 31. The wall sections 7-9 of the top and bottom parts 2 and 3 preferably have moulded spacer ridges 32 which may space the shelves away from the wall sections. In this embodiment the upper shelf 30 may be supported on the spacer ridges 32 which therefore act as support projections, and the lower shelf 31 is spaced away from the wall sections 7-9 by the spacer ridges 32.

Fig. 9 shows a lockable storage container in which the shelves are supported in a different manner. The container also has a wider lip or flange 20 (e.g. 8mm) on opposite sides of the front opening to increase rigidity. At leach level the shelves may be provided in two or more sections 30a, 30b and 31a, 31b allowing one or more of the sections to be omitted to increase the internal storage height. The lower shelf sections 31a, 31b sit within the spillage containment area on the main wall of the bottom part 3, as shown in Fig. 10. The upper shelf sections 30a and 30b are provided with integral shelf support pegs 34 which locate in the ventilation holes 24 as shown in Fig. 11.

Fig. 12 shows the conjoined notches 24 which are modified to -13 -receive the shelf support pegs 34 and reduce liquid penetration whilst still providing adequate ventilation. Each notch has a ridge 36 located between outer and inner portions 37 and 38 to act as a liquid barrier and reduce inward penetration of liquid droplets. In addition, the outer portions 37 of each notch may be inclined as shown such as to drain liquids away from the notches. As shown in Fig. 13, the support pegs 34 are received in the inner portions 38 of the notches 24 and are configured with a U-shape that the notches continue to provide ventilation when the pegs are received in the ventilation holes and to reduce shelf movement when in position. The shelf also has a rib 39 extending transverse to and adjacent to the support pegs 34 to keep the contents of the container away from ventilation holes.

As in the embodiment first described above, integral clip formations 25, shown in Fig.s 14 and 15, are formed with the engagement edges 10 to firmly interconnect the top and bottom parts 2 and 3. The integral clip formations 25 include flexible tabs 26 with locking projections 27, which are formed on one of the engagement edges 10. When the two parts 2 and 3 are brought together the tabs and locking projections engage behind flexible bridges 28 on the opposing edge 10 to prevent separation of the two parts 2 and 3. In this case the bridges 28 and locking projections 27 are modified to increase their locking strength. The opposing faces 27a and 28a of the locking projections and the bridges are both outwardly inclined away from the direction of insertion of the tabs.

-14 -The lower shelf sections 31a and 31b, shown in Fig.s 16 to 18, incorporate mutually spaced support ridges 41 to support the shelf off the main wall of the bottom part 3. When received in the bottom part 3 the shelf sections are butted up between the moulded door studs 19 and back wall 8 with a small gap (about 1mm) in-between the shelf sections to allow for easy fitting and removal. The bottom shelf sections have a hollow frame construction provided by a series of parallel shelf bars 42, and the support ridges 41 incorporate curved notches 43 to allow maximum liquid flow and air movement between the shelf bars. The curved notches 43 are moulded in alternating positions on adjacent ridges 41 to distribute the weak points which they introduce and maintain rigidity of the shelf.

The main wall of the bottom part 3 may contain holes to receive self-tapping screws or other fixings by which the container may be secured to a substrate.

Whilst the above description places emphasis on the areas which are believed to be new and addresses specific problems which have been identified, it is intended that the features disclosed herein may be used in any combination which is capable of providing a new and useful advance in the art.

Claims

-15 -CLAIMS1. A lockable storage container for personal property which includes top and bottom parts, a door and a lock mechanism, wherein the top and bottom parts each comprise a thermoplastic moulding having a four-sided main wall with three wall sections extending along three sides thereof, and an engagement edge which extends along the three wall sections remote from the main wall, said engagement edge having an integral clip formation which enable the top and bottom parts to be conjoined and fixed together by the integral clip formations such that the top and bottom parts can be assembled with the door and lock mechanism to form a lockable storage container.
2. A lockable storage container according to Claim 1 in which the top and bottom parts are identical thermoplastic mouldings.
3. A lockable storage container according to Claim 1 or 2 which the door is hingeably engaged with the top and bottom parts by respective peg-and-socket connections.
4. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the top and bottom parts include integral moulded stops which engage the door to define open and closed limits of the door during hinging movement thereof.

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5. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the top and bottom parts include integral moulded flanges which extend along a fourth side of the main wall and two end edges of the wall sections to surround a door opening.
6. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the lock mechanism is secured to the door and includes a latch plate which locates in a slot formed in the side walls of the conjoined top and bottom parts to secure the door in a closed position.
7. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the engagement edges of the top and bottom parts include integral locking projections which engage the opposing engagement edge.
8. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the integral clip formations include tabs with locking projections which engage behind flexible bridges.
9. A lockable storage container according to Claim 8 in which opposing faces of the locking projections and the bridges are outwardly inclined away from the direction of insertion of the tabs.
10. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the engagement edges of the top and bottom parts include notches which form ventilation holes leading from the -17 -exterior to the interior of the container when the top and bottom parts are conjoined.
11. A lockable storage container according to Claim 10 in which the two engagement edges of the conjoined top and bottom parts have notches which are mutually opposed.
12. A lockable storage container according to Claim 10 or 11 in which the notches each have a ridge located between inner and outer portions of the notch.
13. A lockable storage container according to Claim 12 in which the outer portion of each notch is inclined to reduce ingress of liquids.
14. A lockable storage container according to Claims 10 to 13 which includes at least one shelf having support pegs which locate in the notches.
15. A lockable storage container according to Claim 14 in which the support pegs are configured such that the notches continue to provide ventilation when the pegs are received therein.
16. A lockable storage container according to Claim 14 or 15 in which the shelf has a rib extending transverse to and adjacent to the support pegs.

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17. A lockable storage container according to Claims 12 and 14 in which the pegs are received in the inner portions of the notches.
18. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the wall sections of the top and bottom parts have moulded spacer ridges which space at least one shelf away from the wall sections.
19. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim which includes at least one lower shelf to be supported on the main wall of the bottom part.
20. A lockable storage container according to Claim 19 in which the lower shelf incorporates mutually spaced support ridges to support the shelf off the main wall of the bottom part.
21. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the main wall of the bottom part contains holes to receive fixings by which the container may be secured to a substrate.
22. A lockable storage container for personal property substantially as described with reference to the drawings.Amendments to the claims have been made as followsCLAIMS[Amended 17 July 2015] 1. A lockable storage container for personal property which includes top and bottom parts, a door and a lock mechanism, wherein the top and bottom parts each comprise a thermoplastic moulding having a four-sided main wall with three wall sections extending along three sides thereof, and an engagement edge which extends along the three wall sections remote from the main wall, whereby the top and bottom parts can be conjoined and fixed together at the engagement edges such that the top and bottom parts can be assembled with the door and lock mechanism to form a lockable storage container, CO characterised in that the engagement edges have clip formations integrally formed therewith, each of said clip CO formations including a flexible tab formed with one engagement edge and a flexible bridge formed with the other engagement edge, said flexible tabs being provided with locking projections which engage behind the flexible bridges when the top and bottom parts are mutually engaged in a direction substantially perpendicular to said engagement edges.2. A lockable storage container according to Claim 1 in which opposing faces of the locking projections and the bridges are outwardly inclined away from the direction of insertion of the tabs.3. A lockable storage container according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the top and bottom parts are identical thermoplastic mouldings.4. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the engagement edges of the top and bottom parts include notches which form ventilation holes leading from the exterior to the interior of the container when the top and bottom parts are conjoined. L.05. A lockable storage container according to Claim 4 in CO which the two engagement edges of the conjoined top and bottom parts have notches which are mutually opposed.COO 6. A lockable storage container according to Claim 4 or 5 in which the notches each have a ridge located between inner and outer portions of the notch.7. A lockable storage container according to Claim 6 in which the outer portion of each notch is inclined to reduce ingress of liquids.8. A lockable storage container according to Claims 4 to 7 which includes at least one shelf having support pegs which locate in the notches.9. A lockable storage container according to Claim 8 in which the support pegs are configured such that the notches continue to provide ventilation when the pegs are received therein.10. A lockable storage container according to Claim 8 or 9 in which the shelf has a rib extending transverse to and adjacent to the support pegs.11. A lockable storage container according to Claims 6 and 8 in which the pegs are received in the inner portions of the notches. L.012. A lockable storage container according to any preceding CO claim in which the wall sections of the top and bottom parts have moulded spacer ridges which space at least one shelf away from CO the wall sections.O13. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim which includes at least one lower shelf to be supported on the main wall of the bottom part.14. A lockable storage container according to Claim 13 in which the lower shelf incorporates mutually spaced support ridges to support the shelf off the main wall of the bottom part.15. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the main wall of the bottom part contains holes to receive fixings by which the container may be secured to a substrate.16. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim which the door is hingeably engaged with the top and bottom parts by respective peg-and-socket connections.17. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the top and bottom parts include integral moulded stops which engage the door to define open and closed limits of the door during hinging movement thereof.L.0 18. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the top and bottom parts include integral moulded CO flanges which extend along a fourth side of the main wall and two end edges of the wall sections to surround a door opening. CO O 19. A lockable storage container according to any preceding claim in which the lock mechanism is secured to the door and includes a latch plate which locates in a slot formed in the side walls of the conjoined top and bottom parts to secure the door in a closed position.20. A lockable storage container for personal property substantially as described with reference to the drawings.