US20110240505A1 - Nesting wreath container - Google Patents
Nesting wreath container Download PDFInfo
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- US20110240505A1 US20110240505A1 US13/045,466 US201113045466A US2011240505A1 US 20110240505 A1 US20110240505 A1 US 20110240505A1 US 201113045466 A US201113045466 A US 201113045466A US 2011240505 A1 US2011240505 A1 US 2011240505A1
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- storage container
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- side wall
- stand
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- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 7
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 4
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000007373 indentation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000001746 injection moulding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- -1 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000004698 Polyethylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920000573 polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000003856 thermoforming Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
- B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
- B65D11/1866—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected with detachable components
- B65D11/188—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected with detachable components the container being formed by two mating halves
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0233—Nestable containers
Definitions
- the present invention relates generally to containers and in particular to nestable storage containers that may be used to store annular objects such as Christmas wreaths and the like.
- Many storage containers are designed to have a bowl or a base that defines a storage space therein, and a separate lid that can be secured over a top opening of the base to seal contents within the space of the containers.
- One such storage container is disclosed within U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0136699 A1 to Carolyn M. McNeeley et al., published on Jul. 24, 2003.
- the disclosed storage container which is nestable and stackable, has a base with a bottom panel.
- the bottom panel has an upper side, a lower side, and a base perimeter.
- the base also has a cylindrical side wall extending generally upward from and around the base perimeter. The side wall terminates at a top edge and defines an open top.
- a lid has a top panel with a top side, a bottom side, and a lid perimeter.
- a nesting structure is provided at least in part on a portion of the base and at least in part on a portion of the lid. The nesting structure permits removably nesting the lower side of the base with the lid in either a standard lid orientation or an inverted lid orientation.
- U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0136699 A1 is incorporated herein by reference for at least the purpose of giving context to the present invention.
- U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0155267 A1 to Doug Mercier et al. published on Aug. 21, 2003 discloses a storage container which includes a container having a bottom surface, an opening, a top edge surrounding the opening, and an attachment mechanism provided on the bottom surface and a lid engageable with the top edge of the container to cover the opening.
- the lid may include an attachment mechanism provided on its inside surface that is engageable with the attachment mechanism of the bottom surface of the container.
- the lid is attachable to the bottom surface of the container in a nested state via engagement of the respective attachment mechanisms.
- Another attachment mechanism may be provided on the outside surface of the lid that is engageable with the attachment mechanism of the bottom surface of the container.
- the lid is attachable to the bottom surface of the container in a nested state and/or in an inverted state via engagement of the attachment mechanisms.
- a set of such container and lid combinations may be nested together.
- the base of the container of one container and lid combination may be attachable to the outside surface of the lid of another container and lid combination, to facilitate transporting of the container and lid combinations.
- the storage container includes a first member and a second member.
- the first member includes a bottom wall and a side wall defining a first central area for receipt and storage of a portion of an article therebetween.
- the side wall includes a top flange having a plurality of posts formed in a stand section opposite a handle section, relatively to the first central area.
- the second member includes a top wall and a side wall defining a second central area for receipt and storage of a portion of the article therebetween.
- the side wall of the second member includes a bottom flange having a plurality of holes formed in a stand section opposite a handle section relatively to the second central area.
- the plurality of posts In a closed state of the storage container when the second member is positioned in an opposite manner to the first member, the plurality of posts is fittingly engaged with the plurality of holes in a first direction. In a nesting state of the storage container when the second member is positioned in an inverted manner inside the first member, the plurality of posts is fittingly engaged with the plurality of holes in a second direction, opposite to the first position.
- a plurality of pairs of nested members is stacked by successively placing one pair of nested members inside another a pair of nested members.
- FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a storage container in accordance with the present invention in its closed orientation
- FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of the storage container of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom plan view of the storage container of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the storage container of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the storage container of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, a bottom plan view, a side view and a back view of the base or bottom of the storage container of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, a bottom plan view, a side view and a back view of the lid or top of the storage container of FIG. 1 ;
- FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a top view, a cross-sectional view of the handle along line A-A, a cross-sectional view of a latch along line Lock-Lock, and a cross-sectional view of a locator along line Locator-Locator, respectively, in accordance with the present invention.
- FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate a perspective view, a side view, a bottom view and a side cross-sectional view of four nested storage containers in accordance with the present invention.
- the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive.
- the use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality.
- a reference to “the” object or “a” and “an” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects.
- This present invention is directed to a container comprised of two mating members (base and lid) that are substantially similar in size and shape, both having a bottom wall, a side wall, and a top flange.
- base and lid When the two mating members are oppositely placed (the lid facing downward is placed on top of the base facing upwards), an internal volume is created for storage of items.
- the flanges have mating interlock features to orient or prevent the mating members from lateral misalignment.
- One of the mating members has movable latches that fasten and hold the opposing member for this storage use. The latches also serve a second purpose to couple the two members when the lid is placed into the base in a “nested” configuration.
- Container 10 includes a base or bottom member 12 and a lid or top member 14 .
- base member 12 includes a bottom wall 16 and an upstanding side wall 18 that defines a central area 20 .
- Side wall 18 has a generally curved and tapered shape.
- the bottom wall 16 has a circular raised portion 22 .
- a plurality of upstanding portions 24 extends from the raised portion 22 .
- Each of the upstanding portions 24 is a generally curved parallelogram but can have any other desirable shape, such as a circular shape.
- Side wall 18 includes an annular top flange 26 extending radially outward around the side wall 18 .
- the base member flange 26 extends into a “stand” section 28 and a handle section 30 , in opposite relationship to one another relative to the central area 20 .
- the “stand” section 28 which is a generally straight portion, includes a downwardly-extending vertical wall 29 .
- the handle section 30 is substantially half of a handle member, to be described in further detail below, for carrying the wreath storage container 10 .
- the “stand” section 28 includes a plurality of protruding posts 32 spaced apart longitudinally on a substantially flat portion 34 .
- the couple of posts 32 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , are shown to have a conical circular shape.
- the base member flange 26 further includes a raised edge or “tongue” 36 between the “stand” section 28 and the handle section 30 .
- the base member 12 further includes a plurality of latches 38 , each of which is rotationally flexible through a living hinge (not shown).
- a living hinge is typically a thin flexible hinge made from plastic that joins two rigid plastic parts together, allowing them to bend along the line of the hinge.
- the living hinge is typically manufactured in an injection molding operation that creates all three parts at one time as a single part, and is generally formed from polyethylene or polypropylene, which are considered to be the best resins for living hinges, due to their excellent fatigue resistance.
- posts 32 may protrude higher than both the tongue 36 and the latches 38 .
- the lid member 14 includes a top wall 40 and a side wall 42 defining a central area 44 .
- Side wall 42 has a generally curved and tapered shape.
- the top wall 40 has a circular raised portion 46 .
- Side wall 42 includes an annular top flange 46 extending radially outward around the side wall 42 .
- the lid member flange 46 extends into a “stand” section 48 and a handle section 50 , in opposite relationship to one another, relative to the central area 44 .
- the “stand” section 48 which is a generally straight portion, includes a downwardly-extending vertical wall 49 .
- the handle section 50 is substantially half of the handle member, to be described in further detail below, for carrying the wreath storage container 10 .
- the “stand” section 48 includes a plurality of holes 52 spaced apart longitudinally on a substantially flat portion 54 .
- the couple of holes 52 shown in FIGS. 7A-7C , can have a circular shape for frictionally engaging posts 32 when the lid member 14 is engaged with the base member 12 .
- the lid member flange 46 further includes a groove 56 between the “stand” section 48 and the handle section 50 , and a plurality of notches or indentations 58 made to discontinue the groove 56 .
- the base member flange 26 may include holes while the lid member flange 46 includes mating posts.
- the lid member 14 can be formed of a clear plastic to facilitate the viewing and identification of objects stored in the storage container 10 .
- FIG. 8A a top view of the assembled storage container 10 is shown.
- the storage container 10 is assembled by oppositely mating the lid member 14 with the base member 12 , thereby creating an internal volume therebetween for storage of items, like Christmas wreaths. That is, the lid member 14 is placed upside down or in an inverted state on the base member 12 .
- the storage container 10 has a substantially circular shape, but can have any other desirable shape with any number of sides.
- the posts 32 are placed in holes 52 and then the lid member 14 and the base member 12 are brought together, such that the base member flange 26 and the lid member flange 46 become engaged in a mating position via an interlocking of the tongue 36 with the groove 56 .
- the tongue 36 can include a plurality of notches or indentations (not shown) to establish a rotational orientation of the base member 12 with respect to the lid member 14 .
- the interlocking design of the tongue 36 and groove 56 enables the orientation of the center axes of the base member 12 and the lid member 14 , and assures that the plurality of latches 38 are aligned to the mating snap lock elements 60 of the lid member 12 , shown in FIG. 8C .
- the latches are rotated towards and snap locked onto the snap lock elements 60 . As shown in FIGS.
- each of the two posts 32 is fittingly engaged with a corresponding oppositely facing hole 52 , and the base member handle section 30 is brought together with to the lid member handle section 50 to form an ergonomic hand carry handle member 62 .
- the base member handle section 30 and the lid member handle section 50 are configured to abut against each other in a substantially seamless fashion to produce a smooth contact with a hand palm of a person carrying storage container 10 .
- the fitting engagement of the posts 32 and holes 52 assures the “stand” sections 28 and 48 are substantially abutting one another to form a stable standing base 64 , opposite the handle member 62 , which allows the assembled storage container 10 to stand upright.
- FIGS. 9A-9D a plurality of views illustrates a nesting of a plurality of storage containers 10 .
- the base member 14 and the lid member 12 are substantially similar in size and shape and have tapered side walls 18 and 42 , respectively, suitable for a nesting capability.
- the degree of tapering or draft and wall thickness of the base member 14 and the lid member 12 helps to determine the spacing between them in a nesting configuration.
- the latches 38 are also configured to couple the two members 12 and 14 when the lid member 12 is placed into the base member 14 in a “nested” configuration. As such, the latches have a dual use or purpose.
- latches 38 can be beneficially applied to many other storage containers.
- the latches can be located or integral to either on the lid member 12 or the base member 14 , the number of latches 38 can vary, and other latch types can be used as well.
- the “stand” sections 28 and 48 are configured to engage or mate at least partially with each other to further facilitate the nesting process of base member 14 with the lid member 12 .
- the pairs of posts 32 and holes 52 are configured to also fittingly engage each other in an opposite direction than when the two “stand” sections 28 and 48 abut against each other for the assembling of the container 10 in a storing mode, thereby providing another securing measure of the nested two members 12 and 14 .
- the nesting configuration and shape of the two members 12 and 14 further enables coupled nested pairs of the two members 12 and 14 to be nested into each other, thereby forming a stack of pairs of coupled nested members 12 and 14 . That is, a plurality of pairs of coupled nested members can be stacked by successively placing one pair of coupled nested members 12 and 14 inside another a pair of coupled nested members 12 and 14 .
- the equivalent or similar depth of the lid member 12 and of the base member 14 helps to minimize spacing between the coupled nested pairs, and their above discussed features facilitate the stacking of the coupled nested pairs.
- This efficient and space-minimizing stacking of coupled nested pairs can be a beneficial feature that enhances their presentation in a retail environment, as well as their transportation in a wholesale environment.
- the nested coupled pairs offer the consumer or client one unit containing the two correct members of the storage container.
- the described storage container 10 is made of a plastic material, and can be formed by a thermoforming process or an injection molding process. However, other materials and production processes can be used without deviating from the spirit and teachings of the present application. It should be appreciated that the storage containers constructed according to the concepts of the present invention, as described herein, provide a unique combination of features that facilitate their nesting and stacking and that are particularly useful for the storage of annular objects, such as Christmas wreaths.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Stackable Containers (AREA)
- Details Of Rigid Or Semi-Rigid Containers (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application is a non-provisional patent application of and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/313653, filed on Mar. 12, 2010, entitled “NESTING WREATH CONTAINER” is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
- The present invention relates generally to containers and in particular to nestable storage containers that may be used to store annular objects such as Christmas wreaths and the like.
- Many storage containers are designed to have a bowl or a base that defines a storage space therein, and a separate lid that can be secured over a top opening of the base to seal contents within the space of the containers. One such storage container is disclosed within U.S. Patent Application No. 2003/0136699 A1 to Carolyn M. McNeeley et al., published on Jul. 24, 2003. The disclosed storage container, which is nestable and stackable, has a base with a bottom panel. The bottom panel has an upper side, a lower side, and a base perimeter. The base also has a cylindrical side wall extending generally upward from and around the base perimeter. The side wall terminates at a top edge and defines an open top. A lid has a top panel with a top side, a bottom side, and a lid perimeter. A nesting structure is provided at least in part on a portion of the base and at least in part on a portion of the lid. The nesting structure permits removably nesting the lower side of the base with the lid in either a standard lid orientation or an inverted lid orientation. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0136699 A1 is incorporated herein by reference for at least the purpose of giving context to the present invention.
- U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0155267 A1 to Doug Mercier et al. published on Aug. 21, 2003, discloses a storage container which includes a container having a bottom surface, an opening, a top edge surrounding the opening, and an attachment mechanism provided on the bottom surface and a lid engageable with the top edge of the container to cover the opening. The lid may include an attachment mechanism provided on its inside surface that is engageable with the attachment mechanism of the bottom surface of the container. The lid is attachable to the bottom surface of the container in a nested state via engagement of the respective attachment mechanisms. Another attachment mechanism may be provided on the outside surface of the lid that is engageable with the attachment mechanism of the bottom surface of the container. The lid is attachable to the bottom surface of the container in a nested state and/or in an inverted state via engagement of the attachment mechanisms. A set of such container and lid combinations may be nested together. Furthermore, in a set of container and lid combinations, the base of the container of one container and lid combination may be attachable to the outside surface of the lid of another container and lid combination, to facilitate transporting of the container and lid combinations. U.S. Patent Publication No. 2003/0155267 A1 is incorporated herein by reference for at least the purpose of giving context to the present invention.
- However, these prior storage containers to be nestable require that a smaller base and lid assembly be received in larger base and lid assembly or that their bases are nested together separately from their lids. Thus, it is desirable that similar size containers be nestable, and that they stand on one of their sides. It is further desirable that such containers be light weight and easy to transport.
- The present invention is defined by the appended claims. This description summarizes some aspects of the present embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims.
- One embodiment of the present invention is directed to a storage container. The storage container includes a first member and a second member. The first member includes a bottom wall and a side wall defining a first central area for receipt and storage of a portion of an article therebetween. The side wall includes a top flange having a plurality of posts formed in a stand section opposite a handle section, relatively to the first central area. The second member includes a top wall and a side wall defining a second central area for receipt and storage of a portion of the article therebetween. The side wall of the second member includes a bottom flange having a plurality of holes formed in a stand section opposite a handle section relatively to the second central area. In a closed state of the storage container when the second member is positioned in an opposite manner to the first member, the plurality of posts is fittingly engaged with the plurality of holes in a first direction. In a nesting state of the storage container when the second member is positioned in an inverted manner inside the first member, the plurality of posts is fittingly engaged with the plurality of holes in a second direction, opposite to the first position.
- In one aspect of the invention, a plurality of pairs of nested members is stacked by successively placing one pair of nested members inside another a pair of nested members.
- To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a storage container in accordance with the present invention in its closed orientation; -
FIG. 2 illustrates a top plan view of the storage container ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 3 illustrates a bottom plan view of the storage container ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of the storage container ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the storage container ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 6A-6E illustrate a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, a bottom plan view, a side view and a back view of the base or bottom of the storage container ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 7A-7E illustrate a top perspective view, a bottom perspective view, a bottom plan view, a side view and a back view of the lid or top of the storage container ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIGS. 8A-8D illustrate a top view, a cross-sectional view of the handle along line A-A, a cross-sectional view of a latch along line Lock-Lock, and a cross-sectional view of a locator along line Locator-Locator, respectively, in accordance with the present invention; and -
FIGS. 9A-9D illustrate a perspective view, a side view, a bottom view and a side cross-sectional view of four nested storage containers in accordance with the present invention. - Illustrative and exemplary embodiments of the invention are described in further detail below with reference to and in conjunction with the figures.
- The present invention is defined by the appended claims. This description summarizes some aspects of the present embodiments and should not be used to limit the claims.
- While the present invention may be embodied in various forms, there is shown in the drawings and will hereinafter be described some exemplary and non-limiting embodiments, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments illustrated.
- In this application, the use of the disjunctive is intended to include the conjunctive. The use of definite or indefinite articles is not intended to indicate cardinality. In particular, a reference to “the” object or “a” and “an” object is intended to denote also one of a possible plurality of such objects.
- This present invention is directed to a container comprised of two mating members (base and lid) that are substantially similar in size and shape, both having a bottom wall, a side wall, and a top flange. When the two mating members are oppositely placed (the lid facing downward is placed on top of the base facing upwards), an internal volume is created for storage of items. The flanges have mating interlock features to orient or prevent the mating members from lateral misalignment. One of the mating members has movable latches that fasten and hold the opposing member for this storage use. The latches also serve a second purpose to couple the two members when the lid is placed into the base in a “nested” configuration.
- With reference to
FIGS. 1-9 , a storage container constructed in accordance with the invention is indicated generally by thereference numeral 10.Container 10 includes a base orbottom member 12 and a lid ortop member 14. - As shown in
FIGS. 1-5 and 6A-6E,base member 12 includes abottom wall 16 and anupstanding side wall 18 that defines acentral area 20.Side wall 18 has a generally curved and tapered shape. Thebottom wall 16 has a circular raisedportion 22. A plurality ofupstanding portions 24 extends from the raisedportion 22. Each of theupstanding portions 24 is a generally curved parallelogram but can have any other desirable shape, such as a circular shape.Side wall 18 includes an annulartop flange 26 extending radially outward around theside wall 18. Thebase member flange 26 extends into a “stand”section 28 and ahandle section 30, in opposite relationship to one another relative to thecentral area 20. The “stand”section 28, which is a generally straight portion, includes a downwardly-extendingvertical wall 29. Thehandle section 30 is substantially half of a handle member, to be described in further detail below, for carrying thewreath storage container 10. The “stand”section 28 includes a plurality of protrudingposts 32 spaced apart longitudinally on a substantially flat portion 34. The couple ofposts 32, shown inFIGS. 2 and 3 , are shown to have a conical circular shape. Thebase member flange 26 further includes a raised edge or “tongue” 36 between the “stand”section 28 and thehandle section 30. Thebase member 12 further includes a plurality oflatches 38, each of which is rotationally flexible through a living hinge (not shown). As known to one of ordinary skill in the art, a living hinge is typically a thin flexible hinge made from plastic that joins two rigid plastic parts together, allowing them to bend along the line of the hinge. The living hinge is typically manufactured in an injection molding operation that creates all three parts at one time as a single part, and is generally formed from polyethylene or polypropylene, which are considered to be the best resins for living hinges, due to their excellent fatigue resistance. In one embodiment, posts 32 may protrude higher than both thetongue 36 and thelatches 38. - Now referring to
FIGS. 1-5 and 7A-7E, thelid member 14 includes atop wall 40 and aside wall 42 defining acentral area 44.Side wall 42 has a generally curved and tapered shape. Thetop wall 40 has a circular raisedportion 46.Side wall 42 includes an annulartop flange 46 extending radially outward around theside wall 42. - The
lid member flange 46 extends into a “stand”section 48 and ahandle section 50, in opposite relationship to one another, relative to thecentral area 44. The “stand”section 48, which is a generally straight portion, includes a downwardly-extendingvertical wall 49. Thehandle section 50 is substantially half of the handle member, to be described in further detail below, for carrying thewreath storage container 10. The “stand”section 48 includes a plurality ofholes 52 spaced apart longitudinally on a substantially flat portion 54. The couple ofholes 52, shown inFIGS. 7A-7C , can have a circular shape for frictionally engagingposts 32 when thelid member 14 is engaged with thebase member 12. Thelid member flange 46 further includes a groove 56 between the “stand”section 48 and thehandle section 50, and a plurality of notches orindentations 58 made to discontinue the groove 56. Alternately, thebase member flange 26 may include holes while thelid member flange 46 includes mating posts. Moreover, thelid member 14 can be formed of a clear plastic to facilitate the viewing and identification of objects stored in thestorage container 10. - Now referring to
FIG. 8A , a top view of the assembledstorage container 10 is shown. Thestorage container 10 is assembled by oppositely mating thelid member 14 with thebase member 12, thereby creating an internal volume therebetween for storage of items, like Christmas wreaths. That is, thelid member 14 is placed upside down or in an inverted state on thebase member 12. As shown, thestorage container 10 has a substantially circular shape, but can have any other desirable shape with any number of sides. To easily assemble thestorage container 10, theposts 32 are placed inholes 52 and then thelid member 14 and thebase member 12 are brought together, such that thebase member flange 26 and thelid member flange 46 become engaged in a mating position via an interlocking of thetongue 36 with the groove 56. Similarly to the groove 56, thetongue 36 can include a plurality of notches or indentations (not shown) to establish a rotational orientation of thebase member 12 with respect to thelid member 14. Moreover, the interlocking design of thetongue 36 and groove 56 enables the orientation of the center axes of thebase member 12 and thelid member 14, and assures that the plurality oflatches 38 are aligned to the matingsnap lock elements 60 of thelid member 12, shown inFIG. 8C . To securely fasten and hold thebase member 14 to thelid member 12, once properly aligned, the latches are rotated towards and snap locked onto thesnap lock elements 60. As shown inFIGS. 8B and 8D , once thestorage container 10 is securely assembled, each of the twoposts 32 is fittingly engaged with a correspondingoppositely facing hole 52, and the basemember handle section 30 is brought together with to the lidmember handle section 50 to form an ergonomic hand carryhandle member 62. In one embodiment, the basemember handle section 30 and the lidmember handle section 50 are configured to abut against each other in a substantially seamless fashion to produce a smooth contact with a hand palm of a person carryingstorage container 10. The fitting engagement of theposts 32 and holes 52 assures the “stand”sections stable standing base 64, opposite thehandle member 62, which allows the assembledstorage container 10 to stand upright. - Now referring to
FIGS. 9A-9D , a plurality of views illustrates a nesting of a plurality ofstorage containers 10. As stated above, thebase member 14 and thelid member 12 are substantially similar in size and shape and have taperedside walls base member 14 and thelid member 12 helps to determine the spacing between them in a nesting configuration. Thelatches 38 are also configured to couple the twomembers lid member 12 is placed into thebase member 14 in a “nested” configuration. As such, the latches have a dual use or purpose. One purpose is to secure an assembledstorage container 10 and another purpose is to couple or to hold the nested twomembers latches 38 can be beneficially applied to many other storage containers. Moreover, the latches can be located or integral to either on thelid member 12 or thebase member 14, the number oflatches 38 can vary, and other latch types can be used as well. In addition, the “stand”sections base member 14 with thelid member 12. In this mating position of these two “stand”sections posts 32 and holes 52 are configured to also fittingly engage each other in an opposite direction than when the two “stand”sections container 10 in a storing mode, thereby providing another securing measure of the nested twomembers - As shown in
FIG. 9A , the nesting configuration and shape of the twomembers members members members members lid member 12 and of thebase member 14 helps to minimize spacing between the coupled nested pairs, and their above discussed features facilitate the stacking of the coupled nested pairs. This efficient and space-minimizing stacking of coupled nested pairs can be a beneficial feature that enhances their presentation in a retail environment, as well as their transportation in a wholesale environment. In addition to fitting more storage containers into a provided display space, the nested coupled pairs offer the consumer or client one unit containing the two correct members of the storage container. - The described
storage container 10 is made of a plastic material, and can be formed by a thermoforming process or an injection molding process. However, other materials and production processes can be used without deviating from the spirit and teachings of the present application. It should be appreciated that the storage containers constructed according to the concepts of the present invention, as described herein, provide a unique combination of features that facilitate their nesting and stacking and that are particularly useful for the storage of annular objects, such as Christmas wreaths. - While a preferred embodiment of the invention have been described in detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternatives to those details could be developed in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Accordingly, the particular features and arrangements disclosed are meant to be illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the invention which is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and any equivalent thereof.
Claims (10)
Priority Applications (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/045,466 US20110240505A1 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2011-03-10 | Nesting wreath container |
MX2011002721A MX2011002721A (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2011-03-11 | Nesting wreath container. |
CA 2733757 CA2733757A1 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2011-03-11 | Nesting wreath container |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US31365310P | 2010-03-12 | 2010-03-12 | |
US13/045,466 US20110240505A1 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2011-03-10 | Nesting wreath container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20110240505A1 true US20110240505A1 (en) | 2011-10-06 |
Family
ID=44708353
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/045,466 Abandoned US20110240505A1 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2011-03-10 | Nesting wreath container |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20110240505A1 (en) |
MX (1) | MX2011002721A (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120318788A1 (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2012-12-20 | Michael Austin | Mid-Section Separable and Nestable Bottle |
US8857610B1 (en) * | 2012-06-18 | 2014-10-14 | Shurtape Technologies, Llc | Self-standing container for packaging a product for retail display |
USD746058S1 (en) * | 2014-07-29 | 2015-12-29 | Secure Medication Systems, Llc | Locking container |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4712657A (en) * | 1986-02-12 | 1987-12-15 | Andiamo Inc. | Method and means for sealing a carrying case |
US5265725A (en) * | 1992-07-20 | 1993-11-30 | Curtis Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Multiple media storage container and system |
US5797507A (en) * | 1996-09-19 | 1998-08-25 | Kramer; Stanley | Nestable holiday container |
US6089366A (en) * | 1999-09-21 | 2000-07-18 | Cheng; Jackson | Bottle Box |
US20040089658A1 (en) * | 2002-11-07 | 2004-05-13 | Norton Sarnoff | Interchangeable disposable foil pan/lid |
US20050103656A1 (en) * | 2003-11-17 | 2005-05-19 | Michael Jaron | Storage container for a wreath |
-
2011
- 2011-03-10 US US13/045,466 patent/US20110240505A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2011-03-11 MX MX2011002721A patent/MX2011002721A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4712657A (en) * | 1986-02-12 | 1987-12-15 | Andiamo Inc. | Method and means for sealing a carrying case |
US5265725A (en) * | 1992-07-20 | 1993-11-30 | Curtis Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Multiple media storage container and system |
US5797507A (en) * | 1996-09-19 | 1998-08-25 | Kramer; Stanley | Nestable holiday container |
US6089366A (en) * | 1999-09-21 | 2000-07-18 | Cheng; Jackson | Bottle Box |
US20040089658A1 (en) * | 2002-11-07 | 2004-05-13 | Norton Sarnoff | Interchangeable disposable foil pan/lid |
US20050103656A1 (en) * | 2003-11-17 | 2005-05-19 | Michael Jaron | Storage container for a wreath |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20120318788A1 (en) * | 2011-06-17 | 2012-12-20 | Michael Austin | Mid-Section Separable and Nestable Bottle |
US8857610B1 (en) * | 2012-06-18 | 2014-10-14 | Shurtape Technologies, Llc | Self-standing container for packaging a product for retail display |
USD746058S1 (en) * | 2014-07-29 | 2015-12-29 | Secure Medication Systems, Llc | Locking container |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
MX2011002721A (en) | 2011-09-29 |
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