NESTING WREATH CONTAINER

Abstract

A storage container is provided which 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 at least a lower 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 at least an upper 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.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

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.

TECHNICAL FIELD

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.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

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.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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 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; 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.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 the reference numeral 10. Container 10 includes a base or bottom member 12 and a lid or top member 14.

As shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 6A-6E, 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). 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 the tongue 36 and the latches 38.

Now referring to FIGS. 1-5 and 7A-7E, 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. Alternately, the base member flange 26 may include holes while the lid member flange 46 includes mating posts. Moreover, 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.

Now referring to 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. As shown, the storage container 10 has a substantially circular shape, but can have any other desirable shape with any number of sides. To easily assemble the storage container 10, 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. Similarly to 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. Moreover, 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. To securely fasten and hold the base member 14 to the lid member 12, once properly aligned, the latches are rotated towards and snap locked onto the snap lock elements 60. As shown in FIGS. 8B and 8D, once the storage container 10 is securely assembled, 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. In one embodiment, 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.

Now referring to FIGS. 9A-9D, a plurality of views illustrates a nesting of a plurality of storage containers 10. As stated above, 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. One purpose is to secure an assembled storage container 10 and another purpose is to couple or to hold the nested two members 12 and 14 together. This unique dual purpose of the latches 38 can be beneficially applied to many other storage containers. Moreover, 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. In addition, 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. In this mating position of these two “stand” sections 28 and 48, 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.

As shown in FIG. 9A, 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. 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

1. A storage container, comprising;

a first member having 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 comprising a top flange having a plurality of posts formed in a stand section opposite a handle section, relatively to the first central area; and

a second member substantially similar in size and shape to the first member, the second member having a top wall and a side wall defining a second central area for receipt and storage of at portion of the article therebetween, the side wall comprising a bottom flange having a plurality of holes formed in a. stand section opposite a handle section relatively to the second central area,

wherein,

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, and

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.

2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein:

a plurality of pairs of nested first and second members can be stacked by successively placing one pair of nested first and second members on top of another pair of nested first and second members.

3. The storage container of claim 1, wherein in the closed state the fitting engagement of the plurality of posts with the plurality of holes enables the stand section of the first member to abut against the stand section of the second member, thereby forming a stable standing base.

4. The storage container of claim 1, wherein:

the top flange comprises a raised edge between the stand section and the handle section, and

the bottom flange comprises a groove between the stand section and the handle section.

5. The storage container of claim 4, wherein the raised edge and the groove are configured to interlock with each other when the storage container is in the closed state.

6. The storage container of claim 1, wherein:

the top flange includes a plurality of latches, and

the bottom flange includes a plurality of snap lock elements.

7. The storage container of claim 6, wherein:

each of the plurality of latches can be rotated towards a corresponding snap lock element to securely fasten the first member to the second member in the closed state of the storage container.

8. The storage container of claim 6, wherein:

the plurality of latches are configured to secure the second member to the first member when in the nesting state.

9. The storage container of claim 1, wherein:

the top flange includes another plurality of holes and the bottom flange includes an another plurality of mating posts, between their respective stand sections and handle sections, to properly orient the first and second members when putting the storage container in the closed state.

10. The storage container of claim 1, wherein:

in the closed state of the storage container, the first member handle section is brought together with to the second member handle section to form an ergonomic handle member.