Storage container for elongate articles

Abstract

A storage container has a container base with a bottom panel and an upstanding circumferentially contiguous base side wall. The side wall extends from and is connected to the bottom panel. The base side wall terminates at a top end that defines a base opening into a base interior. A container lid has a top panel and a lid rim. The lid can be installed on the base with the rim registered with the top end of the base side wall to form a storage enclosure defined within at least the base interior. A basket can be hung from the base top end either within the base interior or exterior to the base side wall when installed. The lid is configured to define at least a vertical portion of the storage enclosure. The lid can be configured having a depth sufficient to provide additional storage space when removed from the container and inverted.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The invention is generally related to storage containers, and more particularly to a versatile storage container for storing elongate articles.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Gift wrapping paper typically comes in elongate rolls with long sheets or webs of paper wound around an elongate paperboard tube. In many instances, the paper sheets or webs are quite wide, thus resulting in rolls or paper that are quite long. These rolls can be difficult for a user to store when not being used. Wrapping gifts generally also requires the use of tape, scissors, bows, ribbons, note cards, and other accessories. Storing these accessories together, and near the wrapping paper rolls, can also often be problematic. Consumers often may use some of the accessories for purposes other than gift wrapping. The accessories thus become misplaced and/or separated from the other accessories, making them difficult to find when needed for gift wrapping.

[0003] Many consumers simply store a plurality of rolls of such paper and the accessories separately from one another with the paper rolls standing in a corner of a closet or resting in a stack on a closet shelf and with the accessories such as scissors and tape stored elsewhere. When it comes time to use the wrapping paper and the accessories, the consumer must gather the desired wrapping paper and must also locate and gather the necessary accessories. This can result in a frustrating and time consuming procedure.

[0004] Containers have been devised to store many different products and articles. Gift wrapping paper rolls and other types of rolled paper, as well as the associated accessories are no exception. Examples of such containers and devices are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,006,502; 6,123,197; and 4,186,833. Various disadvantages and problems are associated with these prior known containers and devices.

[0005] For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,502 discloses a wrapping station system and method that can also be utilized as a storage container for these articles. The container has two halves that can be folded open to form a gift wrapping surface. Each of the halves of the container has a plurality of receptacles, some for storing rolls of paper and some for receiving storage drawers to hold the various accessories. One disadvantage of the disclosed device is that it includes numerous different components requiring elaborate, labor intensive manufacturing and assembly sequences, and resulting in relatively expensive fabrication, assembly, and finished product.

[0006] U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,197 discloses an upright container with a hinged flip open lid. The container has a plurality of dividers that can be adjusted to change the spacing between sub-compartments within the container. One or more of the compartments includes vertically arranged storage regions to store items such as scissors, tape, and ribbons. The device is also disclosed as having clips that are spring-biased and separately attachable to the exterior of the container so that bags and other articles can be hung or otherwise suspended from the container. The container disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 6,123,197 also has a lid latching mechanism and requires hinges for the lid. A tray is also disclosed that rests in the top opening of the container for storing tape, ribbons, and other objects. One disadvantage of this disclosed container is that when using the top tray, space below the tray is blocked from easy access. The tray must be removed in order to access the vertically stacked storage regions within the container. A further disadvantage is that the vertically arranged storage regions within the container are difficult to access and required awkwardly bending over to retrieve accessories from these regions. Another disadvantage is that, again, the device is elaborately constructed with numerous components and requires laborious and relatively expensive manufacturing and assembly processes.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 4,186,833 discloses a smaller storage box for storing gift wrapping accessories and folded sheets of gift wrapping paper. The container has a hinged lid with one or more dowel rods extending transversely across and under the lid. The rods are provided in the lid for storing ribbon rolls and the like. A bottom portion of the container includes one or more compartments for storing folded paper and other objects such as tape and scissors. One disadvantage of this disclosed device is that it cannot accommodate storing elongate rolls of paper. Another disadvantage is that it again includes a plurality of components including hinges, handles, compartment dividers, ribbon dowels, and the like which require separate manufacture and assembly, thus increasing the labor expense to produce the container and the relative product cost.

[0008] Other types of storage container products are known as WRAP'n Craft™ boxes and available from RUBBERMAID®. One example is a horizontal container with an elongate, shallow base that lies flat on a surface. A lid fits over the base. Elongate articles such as wrapping paper are stored lying horizontally in the base. One or more accessory trays can be fitted in the base and suspended from edges of the base. Another example is a vertical container with an elongate, tall base and a removable hood. The hood has a top lid that is hinged and can be opened to access an accessory tray suspended in the top part of the hood.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] An exemplary storage container in accordance with the teachings of the present invention is described and explained in greater detail below with the aid of the drawing figures in which:

[0010] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one example of a storage container constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention.

[0011] FIG. 2 is a side view in fragmentary cross section of the storage container shown in FIG. 1 and as assembled in one possible configuration.

[0012] FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the container shown in FIG. 2.

[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view in fragmentary cross section of the storage container shown in FIG. 1 and as assembled in another possible configuration.

[0014] FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the container shown in FIG. 4.

[0015] FIG. 6 is an elevational perspective view of the basket and container base in the configuration shown in FIG. 2.

[0016] FIG. 7 is an elevational perspective view of the basket and container base in the configuration shown in FIG. 4.

[0017] FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the basket of the storage container shown in FIG. 1.

[0018] FIG. 9 is an elevational perspective view of the storage container shown in FIG. 1 and in another possible configuration for storing the container.

[0019] FIG. 10 is an elevational perspective view of three stacked storage containers and in the configuration shown in FIG. 9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] An exemplary storage container for storing elongate articles such as large or jumbo rolls of wrapping paper is disclosed and described herein. The disclosed storage container is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and solves or improves upon the above noted problems and disadvantages in prior known containers and devices. The storage container can vertically store a plurality of rolls of wrapping paper or other elongate articles within the container. The container can also protect the articles stored therein. The container can also house and store accessories associated with the stored articles.

[0021] If gift wrapping paper is stored, the accessories may typically include scissors, tape, ribbons, bows, note cards, and other accessories. The storage container is versatile in that the accessories can either be stored interior to the container, space permitting, or can be stored exterior to the container. When not in use, one or more of the storage containers can be reconfigured to nest and stack in a stored configuration, reducing the size of the container for storage. When in use, the storage container provides a safe and secure environment for stored articles. The storage container also include only three parts and requires virtually no assembly. It is also very easy to manufacture.

[0022] Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of one example of a storage container 20 constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The container 20 generally has a container base 22, a container lid 24, and an accessory basket 26. The base 22, the lid 24, and the basket 26 are constructed so that the storage container is versatile and can be oriented and configured in a number of different ways, depending upon the intended use.

[0023] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 22 generally has a bottom panel 30 and a circumferentially contiguous upstanding side wall 32 extending upward from a perimeter of the bottom panel. In the disclosed example, the side wall 32 has a generally rectangular cylinder configuration. In this example, the contiguous side wall 32 is formed by four side panel segments 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. The four side panels 34a-34d are interconnected to one another along adjacent edges to form the contiguous side wall 32. The bottom panel 30 and side wall 32 generally define therein a vertically oriented base interior 36.

[0024] In the disclosed example, the side wall 32 terminates at a top end 38 disposed opposite the bottom panel 30. In this example, the top end 38 has a radially outwardly rolled lip 40 extending around the contiguous top end. The top end 38 also defines a base opening 42 providing access to the base interior 36. Also in this example, the rolled lip 40 includes a pair of opposed outwardly bulged sections that define handles 44a and 44c that are disposed central to the side panels 34a and 34c, respectively. The handles 44a and 44c extend radially outward further than the adjacent parts of the lip 40 relative to the respective side panels 34a and 34c to a distance sufficient to provide for finger space underneath the lip. The handles 44 permit a user to easily grasp and carry the container base and the entire assembled container.

[0025] As best shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7, the top end 38 of the base 22 also has a plurality of depressions 46 or recesses formed in the lip that accommodate attachment of the basket 26 as described in greater detail below. The depressions 46 can be provided on any one portion or multiple portions of the top end 38, as desired. In this example, each of the side panels 34 adjacent the top end 38 has a pair of the depressions 46 formed therein. For example, the lip 40 at the top end 38 of the side panel 34a includes a pair of the depressions 46a so that the basket 26 can be attached. Each other side panel and lip portion in this example is similarly constructed.

[0026] As generally illustrated in FIG. 1 and described in greater detail below, the disclosed basket 26 has a pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending hooks 50 that secure the basket to the base 22. The pair of hooks 50 are spaced to register in the corresponding depressions 46 adjacent one side panel 24 when the basket is installed on the base 22. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 7, the basket 26 can be installed either interior to the base 22 or exterior to the base. Similarly, the basket 26 can be installed in either the interior or exterior orientation, both when the lid 24 is installed on the base 22 or when the lid is removed.

[0027] Turning again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the lid 24 generally has a top panel 60 and a circumferentially contiguous lid side wall 62 extending from and connected with a perimeter of the top panel. As with the base 22, in this example, the contiguous side wall 62 defines a generally rectangular cylinder and has four interconnected lid side panels 64a, 64b, 64c, and 64d that coincide, when installed, with the base side panels 34a-34d, respectively. The lid side wall 62 terminates at a bottom lid end 66 disposed opposite the top panel 60. The lid end 66 in this example defines a lid opening 68 that opens into a lid space or interior 70. The lid end 66 includes a radially outwardly flared rim that, when installed, extends downward toward the base 22. The rim 72 is sized and configured to overlie and register with the base lip 40. Thus, in this example, the rim 72 also includes a pair of oppositely disposed bulge portions 74 that register with the bulging handles 44a and 44c in the lip 40.

[0028] Referring specifically to FIGS. 2-5, details of the rim 72, lip 40, depressions 46, basket hooks 50, and their several installed arrangement are now described. When the storage container 20 is configured for storing elongate articles within the container, the lid opening 68 and the base opening 42 are positioned adjacent and facing one another. The combined base interior 36 and lid interior 70 form an enclosure for storing articles within the container. In the installed configuration, the rim 72 overlays and closely follows the contour of the rolled lip 40. The rim 72 registers over the lip 40 to removably secure the lid in place. As shown in FIG. 3, the bulge portions 74 of the rim 72 overlie the respective handle portions 44 of the lip 40. When the disclosed lid and base are assembled, the lid height defines a significant portion of the enclosure size and the total enclosure length can be sized to accommodate quite lengthy articles. When the lid 24 is removed from the base 22, its height permits a significant portion of elongate articles to be exposed and, therefore, easily accessible.

[0029] FIGS. 3 and 5 also illustrate cross sections through one hook 50 of the basket 26 and one depression 46 when the basket and the lid 24 are both installed. In FIG. 3, the basket is installed in the interior of the base 22 and in FIG. 5, the basket is installed exterior to the base. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the hook 50 is contoured to extend upward from the basket 26 and then rearward from the basket before extending downward. The hook defines a space or gap between the depending portion 52 of the hook 50 and a rear wall 54 of the basket. The space for each hook 50 and the hook size and contour are configures so that each hook can nest within a selected 46 of the lip 40 on the base 22. In this arrangement, the basket 26 is positioned inside the base 22 and, thus, each hook depending portion 52 extends over the lip 40 within the depression 46 and into the base interior 36.

[0030] Similarly, FIG. 5 illustrates that the basket is hanging exterior to the base. Thus, each hook 50 is again received in the selected depression 46 and the depending portion 52 extends over the lip 40 and into the interior 36 of the container base 22. Again, the contour of the depression 46 in the lip 40 and the hook 50 preferably compliment one another. The rim 72 of the lid 24 closely follows the contour of the lip 40 and, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the region of the depressions 46 and hook 50, the rim 72 follows the contour of and nests with the hook 50.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 6 and 7, with the lid 24 removed from the base 22, contents such as elongate articles stored within the base are easily accessible. A user need not bend over to access elongate articles and also need not bend over very far to reach accessories stored in the basket. For example, one or more rolls of wrapping paper 80 (shown here only in phantom) extend far upward from the top end 38 of the base 22 when the lid 24 is removed. Contents within the basket 26 are easily accessible, regardless of whether the basket is installed interior to or exterior of the base. As shown in FIG. 4, if the basket 26 is stored exterior to the base 22, accessories in the basket are accessible without removing the lid 24. In this arrangement, a user can access, for example, scissors and tape within the basket for any reason without disturbing the articles stored in the storage container enclosure.

[0032] When working with wrapping paper and with the accessories stored in the basket 26, the basket can be installed as shown in FIG. 7 exterior to the base providing easy access for the user, even when working on a floor surface adjacent the base 22. Alternatively, the basket can simply be removed from the base and rested on a surface near the user as desired. As shown in FIG. 2, the basket can be positioned inside the base 22 and the lid can be installed. In this arrangement, the entire contents of the storage container 20 can be stored.

[0033] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of one example of the basket 26 in greater detail and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. As described above, the disclosed basket 26 has a pair of the hooks 50 extending upward and rearward of the back panel 54. The basket 26 also has a bottom panel 84, a front panel 86, and a pair of curved side panels 88 that interconnect the front and back panels. In this example, the front panel 86, side panels 88, and back panel 54 form a contiguous circumferential side wall 90 that is connected to and extends upward from a perimeter of the bottom panel 84. The basket 26 defines a basket space or interior 100 that is accessible through a top opening 102 for inserting and removing accessories.

[0034] The basket 26 includes another feature in this example, as is described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. A top edge 104 of the front panel 86 in this example has a serpentine contour defining a plurality of upwardly extending and integrally formed hangers or prongs 106 and 108. The prongs 106, in this example, are outwardly disposed nearer the side panels 88. The prong 108 is disposed centrally relative to the top edge 104 and is centered between a pair of recessed regions 110, rendering the center prong larger than the outward prongs 106. The protrusions 106 and 108 in this example are provided for hanging additional articles from the basket 26. It is known that paper bags often come with handles. The handles of these type of bags can be placed over selected ones of the protrusions 106 and 108 to hang the bags from the basket. Such a bag 112 is shown in FIG. 7 only in phantom.

[0035] As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the basket shape and configuration can vary considerably and yet fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, the size and shape of the various basket panels can be altered from the disclosed example. Similarly, the shape, size, and quantity of the hooks and prongs can be altered from that shown. Alternatively, the basket may have no prongs. The material and process used to form the basket can also vary. In one example, the basket can be molded from a plastic or thermoplastic material by a suitable process such as vacuum forming, rotation molding, injection molding, blow molding, or the like. Other processes can include cutting and fastening parts, stamping, weaving, or the like. The basket can alternatively be fabricated from many other different materials as desired and as suited for a particular use, such as, for example, wicker, coated paperboard, corrugated paperboard, cardboard, wood, metal, or the like. Also, the surfaces can be solid and relatively smooth as illustrated. However, the surfaces can also include decorative or structural ribbing and other contours, perforations, ventilation regions, or the like.

[0036] The basket, though shown having hooks that hook onto a lip of the base, can alternatively be removably attached in other ways to the container. For example, surface mounted hook and loop fasteners can be used and adhered to the basket and base. Also, pegs and holes or keys and ways can also be used if desired.

[0037] FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate additional versatility provided by the storage container 20 described herein. As shown in FIG. 9, the storage container 20 can be configured in an alternative manner for storing the container when not in use. In this configuration, the lid 24 is inverted and telescopically received in the base opening 42. The side panels 34a-34d of the base 22 can be tapered slightly outward, moving upward form the bottom panel 30 so that the base is wider at the top end 38 than at the bottom panel. The lid 24 can be similarly tapered so that it is wider at the lid opening 68 and narrower near the top panel 60. When so configured, the lid can be inverted and easily received within the base interior as shown in FIG. 9.

[0038] In the disclosed example, the lid includes four outwardly protruding corner regions 120 that extend radially outward further than the remaining panels 64a-64d near the lid end 66. The regions 120 as formed define an exposed stop surface 122 on a top side of each region facing toward the top panel 60. These regions 120 extend outward to a sufficient degree so that, when the lid is inverted, the stop surfaces 122 rest on the top end 38 of the base 22. The lid 24 is thus prevented from nesting too deep into the base interior 36. These regions 120 and surfaces 122 therefore suspend the lid 24 in the inverted configuration and yet prevent the lid from fully seating within the base 22 and from becoming lodged therein by static friction. In this arrangement, the lid 24 can be easily removed when needed. Also as shown in FIG. 9, the basket 26 can be sized so that it can be laid flat within the container interior 36 and resting on the bottom panel 30.

[0039] FIG. 10 illustrates a plurality of the container bases 22 nested within one another. A plurality of lids 24, also nested within one another, are shown inverted and received in the upper most base 22 of the stack. The tapered shape of the bases 22 and the lids 24 permit nesting and stacking of multiple bases 22 and lids 24. The lower most lid 24 of the inverted lid stack and the upper most base 22 of the base stack nest with one another as shown in FIG. 9. The remaining lids 24 and bases 22 nest with the adjacent lids and bases, respectively. Although not shown in FIG. 10, the bases 22 can also include outwardly extending regions along some portion of the panels 34, similar to the regions 120 of the lids 24, so that the bases nest only to a given depth.

[0040] In the example of FIG. 10, a basket 26 for each of the containers can be stored within the respective container base 22 resting on the corresponding bottom panel 30, as in the example of FIG. 9. In the alternative, a plurality of the baskets 26 can be stored in the upper most base 22 beneath the nested lid stack. Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of the baskets 26 can be stored in the upper most inverted lid 24.

[0041] The disclosed storage container offers a simple, easy to manufacture construction that is versatile when in use and can be stored in an alternative configuration. Similarly, multiple storage containers can be stored as shown in FIG. 10 both by a consumer and on display in a retail environment. When the container 20 is used, the enclosure defined within the installed lid 24 and base 22 is sufficiently large to accommodate multiple elongate articles and yet protect them from dust and damage. Additionally, the basket 26 can be mounted interior to the enclosure for storing accessories associated with the stored articles such as gift wrapping accessories. The basket 26 can also be stored installed on the base 22, but exterior to the container, so that items held within the basket are accessible without removing the lid 24 from the base 22. In this manner, accessories such as scissors and tape can be easily obtained for other uses and return to the basket 26 where they remain stored with the articles held in the enclosure of the storage container 20.

[0042] The storage container base 22 and lid 24 described herein are particularly well suited for fabrication as plastic molded parts. However, the lid and base can also be alternatively fabricated from many other different materials as desired and as suited for a particular use, such as, for example, wicker, coated paperboard, corrugated paperboard, cardboard, wood, metal, or the like. Also, the surfaces can be solid and relatively smooth as illustrated. However, the surfaces can also include decorative or structural ribbing, corrugations, or other contours, perforations, ventilation regions, or the like. Similarly, any suitable fabrication process can be used, depending on the selected container materials. If plastic lids and bases are to be fabricated, injection molding, blow molding, vacuum forming, rotation molding, or other suitable processes can be performed. Other processes can include cutting and fastening parts, stamping, weaving, or the like. The disclosed storage container is not to be limited by any particular material or fabrication process.

[0043] The lid height as shown in comparison to the base height comprises some proportion of the height of the storage enclosure. In one preferred example, the lid provides about one-third the enclosure height and the base provides about two-thirds the total height. By having the lid comprise some significant proportion of the enclosure height, the elongate articles stored therein are easily grasped and readily accessible when the lid is removed. Also, when the lid is removed, inverted, and rested on a surface, the lid can provide a temporary storage container useful for keeping various articles organized and within reach.

[0044] In an alternative example, the lid need only provide a small proportion of the storage enclosure height. In such an example, the basket can still hang from the lip either interior or exterior relative to the base. Also, the slight lid depth will expose at least very top ends of elongate articles stored in the base when the lid is removed.

[0045] Although a certain exemplary storage container has been disclosed and described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the invention fairly falling within the scope of the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.

Claims

1. A storage container comprising:

a container base having a bottom panel and an upstanding circumferentially contiguous base side wall extending from and connected to the bottom panel, the base side wall terminating at a top end that defines a base opening into a base interior;

a container lid having a top panel and a lid rim, wherein the lid can be installed on the base with the rim registered with the top end of the base side wall, wherein the lid defines at least a portion of a storage enclosure in conjunction with the base interior; and

a basket adapted to hang from the base top end either within the base interior or exterior to the base side wall when installed.

2. A storage container according to claim 1, wherein the basket is further adapted to hang from the base top end both when the lid is removed from the base and when the lid is installed on the base.

3. A storage container according to claim 1, wherein the basket further comprises:

a basket bottom; and

a circumferentially contiguous upstanding basket wall extending upward from and connected to the basket bottom, the basket wall terminating at a top end that defines a basket opening into a basket space.

4. A storage container according to claim 3, wherein the basket further comprises:

at least one hook extending upward from the basket top end and arching away from the basket opening, the hook adapted to hook over the top end of the base.

5. A storage container according to claim 4, wherein the top end of the base is a rolled lip extending radially outward from the base opening, and wherein the rolled lip has at least one depression into which the at least one basket hook nests when the basket is installed.

6. A storage container according to claim 1, wherein the top end of the base includes a plurality of depressions formed therein each adapted to register with a portion of the basket when the basket is installed.

7. A storage container according to claim 1, wherein the top end of the base is a rolled lip extending radially outward from the base opening.

8. A storage container according to claim 7, further comprising:

at least a pair of opposed radially outward bulging portions in the rolled lip, each bulging portion defining a handle for the storage container.

9. A storage container according to claim 6, wherein the lid rim has a radially outwardly flared portion adapted to register over the rolled lip when the lid is installed on the base.

10. A storage container according to claim 1, wherein the lid further comprises:

a circumferentially contiguous lid side wall extending from and connected to the top panel, the lid side wall terminating at the lid rim such that the lid rim defines a lid opening into a lid interior, wherein the storage enclosure is defined by both the lid and base interiors when the lid is installed.

11. A storage container according to claim 10, wherein the lid interior forms about one-third of the storage enclosure and the base interior forms about two-thirds of the storage enclosure.

12. A storage container according to claim 10, wherein the lid is adapted to nest at least partly within the base interior through the base opening when the lid is in an inverted orientation.

13. A storage container according to claim 12, wherein the lid has a plurality of radially outwardly extending stop surfaces that bear against the top end of the base when the lid is in the inverted orientation.

14. A storage container according to claim 1, wherein the lid is adapted to at least partly fit within the base interior when removed from the base.

15. A storage container according to claim 1, wherein the base interior defines substantially all of the storage enclosure.

16. A storage container according to claim 10, wherein the lid can be used as a separate storage container when removed from the base and inverted.

17. A storage container for storing elongate articles, the storage container comprising:

a container base having a top end defining a base top opening that opens into a vertically elongate base interior;

a container lid having a lid rim surrounding a lid opening that opens into a vertically elongate lid interior; and

a basket adapted to hang from the base top end either within the base interior or exterior to the base when installed,

wherein the lid can be installed on the base top end in an installed orientation such that the base and lid interiors together define an elongate storage enclosure or in an inverted orientation such that the lid at least partly nests into the base interior.

18. A storage container according to claim 17, wherein the base has a bottom panel and an upstanding circumferentially contiguous base side wall extending from and connected to the bottom panel, the base side wall terminating at the base top end.

19. A storage container according to claim 17, wherein the lid has a top panel and a circumferentially contiguous lid side wall extending from and connected to the top panel, the lid side wall terminating at the lid rim.

20. A storage container according to claim 17, wherein the lid rim registers with the base top end when in the installed orientation.

21. A storage container according to claim 20, wherein the lid rim is a radially outwardly extending flare the registers over the lid top end.

22. A storage container according to claim 17, wherein the basket has a pair of hooks that can be hooked over the base top end to support the basket on the base.

23. A storage container according to claim 17, wherein a plurality of the bases can be nested in series with one another to form a base stack, and wherein a plurality of the lids can be nested in series with one another to form a lid stack, and wherein the lid stack can be nested in the base stack in the inverted orientation.

24. A storage container according to claim 17, wherein the base and the lid are each molded from a thermoplastic material.

25. A storage container according to claim 17, wherein the basket can be selectively installed both within the interior of the base and exterior to the base without regard as to whether the lid is in the installed orientation, in the inverted orientation, or removed from the base.

26. A storage container according to claim 17, wherein the lid forms about one-third of the storage enclosure and the base interior forms about two-thirds of the storage enclosure.

27. A storage container according to claim 17, wherein the lid can be used as a separate storage container when removed from the base and inverted.