Storage bin

Abstract

A bin includes a wall structure, a first lid, a second lid, and a frame that supports the wall structure. The first lid and the second lid removably secure to the wall structure. The frame permits movement of the wall structure between a first storage position whereby the second lid forms a bottom of the bin and a second storage position whereby the first lid forms a bottom of the bin.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] The present invention relates to storage bins and, more particularly, but not by way of limitation, to a storage bin that simplifies cleaning as well as product redistribution.

[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art

[0004] Establishments that serve drinks to the public often store drinks in a bin located in a place where a customer may easily reach into the bin and retrieve a drink. The bin is typically filled with ice to maintain the drinks at a suitably reduced temperature. While such a bin offers convenience to customers, it does suffer certain disadvantages. Customers rarely retrieve drinks from the bottom the bin, resulting in the necessity of an establishment employee manually redistributing drinks within the bin to prevent a drink from remaining in the bin beyond its useful shelf life.

[0005] Further, an ice filled bin is subject to bacteria growth on its bottom. This growth is in the form of an unappealing slime that coats the bin as well as any drinks within the bin. The bin must be cleaned regularly to prevent this slime build-up; unfortunately, bin cleaning is tedious, as it first requires the draining of the bin and the removing of any drinks within the bin. As a result, bin cleaning is infrequent, and customers are expected to ignore the slime.

[0006] Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a bin that simplifies cleaning as well as drink redistribution.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0007] In accordance with the present invention, a bin includes a wall structure, a first lid, a second lid, and a frame that supports the wall structure. The first lid and the second lid removably secure to the wall structure via a plurality of latch assemblies. The frame permits movement of the wall structure between a first storage position whereby the second lid forms a bottom of the bin and a second storage position whereby the first lid forms a bottom of the bin.

[0008] The bin further includes a bracket assembly mounted to the wall structure and to the frame. The bracket assembly in an unlocked position permits movement of the wall structure between the first storage position and the second storage position. The bracket assembly in a locked position secures the wall structure to the frame.

[0009] The bin still further includes a bearing assembly mounted to the wall structure and to the frame. The bearing assembly facilitates rotational motion of the wall structure between the first storage position and the second storage position.

[0010] A bin is moved from the first storage position to the second storage position by first securing the first lid to the wall structure. The bracket assembly is released, and the wall structure is rotated about the bearing assembly until the first lid rotates to a location where the first lid forms a bottom of the bin. The bracket assembly is returned to a position securing the wall structure to the frame, and the second lid is removed from the wall structure of the bin.

[0011] A bin is moved from the second storage position to the first storage position by first securing the second lid to the wall structure. The bracket assembly is released, and the wall structure is rotated about the bearing assembly until the second lid rotates to a location where the second lid forms a bottom of the bin. The bracket assembly is returned to a position securing the wall structure to the frame, and the first lid is removed from the wall structure of the bin.

[0012] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a bin that simplifies cleaning as well as product redistribution

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bin movable between a first storage position and a second storage position.

[0014] Still other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become evident to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the following.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a bin according to the preferred embodiment.

[0016] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view illustrating the bin according to the preferred embodiment.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a bracket assembly of the bin according to the preferred embodiment.

[0018] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a latch assembly of the bin according to the preferred embodiment.

[0019] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view illustrating the bin according to the preferred embodiment.

[0020] FIG. 6 is a side elevation view illustrating movement of the bin according to the preferred embodiment between a first storage position and a second storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0021] As illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, a bin 10 includes a wall structure 17, a first lid 15, and a second lid 16. The wall structure 17 defines an enclosed area 18 adapted to receive drink containers and ice therein. Although in this preferred embodiment the wall structure 17 defines a single enclosed area 18, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the wall structure 17 may include interior walls to divide the enclosed area 18 into compartments.

[0022] The wall structure 17 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, or aluminum, and, in this preferred embodiment, includes sides 11-14. Each side 11-14 includes an interior surface and an exterior surface that define a space therebetween adapted to receive therein an insulating material, such as foam. The sides 11-14 may be formed integrally or may be secured together using any suitable means, such as welding or an adhesive. Although this preferred embodiment discloses the wall structure 17 as a box including sides 11-14, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the wall structure 17 may be any shape, such as circular.

[0023] The bin 10 includes a frame 19 that supports the wall structure 17 and permits movement of the bin 10 between a first storage position and a second storage position. The frame 19 includes a first leg 20 secured to the wall structure 17 via a bearing assembly 22 and a second leg 21 secured to the wall structure 17 via a bearing assembly 23. The bearing assembly 22 includes a coupling 24 attached to the wall structure 17 using any suitable means, such as bolts and a bearing 26 press fit into an aperture through the first leg 20. A shaft 25 rigidly secures to the coupling 24 and rotatably fits within the bearing 26 to connect the first leg to the wall structure 17. Similarly, the bearing assembly 23 includes a coupling 27 attached to the wall structure 17 using any suitable means, such as bolts and a bearing 29 press fit into an aperture through the second leg 21. A shaft 28 rigidly secures to the coupling 27 and rotatably fits within the bearing 29 to connect the second leg 21 to the wall structure 17. Although not required, the frame 19 may include wheels to permit easier movement of the bin 10.

[0024] The bin 10 includes a bracket assembly 30 and a bracket assembly 31 that lock the wall structure 17 respectively to the first leg 20 and the second leg 21 to prevent undesired movement of the bin 10. Referring specifically to FIGS. 2 and 3, the bracket assembly 30 includes a bracket arm 33 pivotally secured to the first leg 20 via a pin 34 and a first bracket 32 that includes a slot 35 adapted to receive therein the bracket arm 33 thereby locking the wall structure 17 to the first leg 20 when the bin 10 is positioned in its first storage position. The pin 34 permits rotation of the bracket arm 33 from a locked position within the slot 35 of the bracket 32 to an unlocked position removed from the slot 35. The bracket assembly 30 further includes a second bracket 36 with a slot 37 that receives the bracket arm 33 therein thereby locking the wall structure 17 to the first leg 20 when the bin 10 is positioned in its second storage position. The bracket assembly 31 is identical in structure and operation to the bracket assembly 30. The bracket assembly 31 accordingly will not be described more specifically herein.

[0025] The bin 10 includes the first lid 15 and the second lid 16 to alternately provide a bottom for the bin 10. In the first storage position, the first lid 15 is removed from the wall structure 17, while the second lid 16 is attached to the wall structure 17 to furnish the bottom of the bin 10. Alternatively, in the second storage position, the second lid 16 is removed from the wall structure 17, while the first lid 15 is attached to the wall structure 17 to furnish the bottom of the bin 10. The second lid 16 is identical in structure and operation to the first lid 15. The second lid 16 accordingly will not be described more specifically herein.

[0026] The first lid 15 may be constructed from any suitable material, such as plastic, metal, or aluminum, and, in this preferred embodiment, includes a top, bottom, and four sides that define a space therebetween adapted to receive therein an insulating material, such as foam. The top, bottom, and four sides may be formed integrally or may be secured together using any suitable means, such as welding or an adhesive. Although this preferred embodiment discloses the first lid 15 as four sided, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the first lid 15 may be any shape, such as circular.

[0027] The first lid 15 may include a gasket that provides a watertight seal between the first lid 15 and the wall structure 17. Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4, the first lid 15 may include a groove 41 that fits within a tongue 42 of the wall structure 17 to aid in the securing of the first lid 15 to the wall structure 17. The first lid 15 further includes a drain hole 38 that connects to a drain to permit water drainage from the bin 10.

[0028] The bin 10 includes latch assemblies 39 that permit the securing of the first lid 15 to the wall structure 17. Similarly, the bin 10 includes latch assemblies 40 that permit the securing of the second lid 16 to the wall structure 17. The latch assemblies 40 are identical in structure and operation to the latch assemblies 39. The latch assemblies 40 accordingly will not be described more specifically herein. As illustrated in FIG. 4, a latch assembly 39 includes a lever 43 pivotally mounted to the first lid 15 and a catch 44 mounted to the wall structure 17. The lever 43 engages the catch 44 to secure the first lid 15 to the wall structure 17.

[0029] In a first use of the bin 10 in its first storage position, the first lid 15 is removed from the wall structure 17, while the second lid 16 forms the bottom of the bin 10 via its attachment to the wall structure 17 by the latch assemblies 40. The drain hole of the second lid 16 connects to a drain to permit water drainage from the bin 10. The bin 10 is filled with ice and drink containers and is thus ready to supply customers with chilled drinks.

[0030] When it is time to clean and restock the bin 10, the bin 10 may simply be rotated from its first storage position to its second storage position. Particularly, the bin 10 is first filled with ice and drink containers. Second, the first lid 15 is placed over the wall structure 17 and secured thereto via latch assemblies 39. Third, the drain hole of the second lid 16 is disconnected from the drain. Fourth, the bracket arm 33 of the bracket assembly 30 is pivoted away from the first bracket 32 of the bracket assembly 30 thereby placing the bracket assembly 30 in its unlocked position. Similarly, the bracket arm of the bracket assembly 31 is pivoted away from the first bracket of the bracket assembly 31 thereby placing the bracket assembly 31 in its unlocked position. Fifth, the bin 10 is rotated via the bearing assembly 22 and the bearing assembly 23 as illustrated in FIG. 6 until the first lid 15 forms the bottom of the bin 10 thereby placing the bin 10 in its second storage position. Sixth, the bracket arm 33 of the bracket assembly 30 is pivoted to engage the second bracket 36 of the bracket assembly 30 thereby placing the bracket assembly 30 in its locked position. Similarly, the bracket arm of the bracket assembly 31 is pivoted to engage the second bracket of the bracket assembly 31 thereby placing the bracket assembly 31 in its locked position. Seventh, the drain hole 38 of the first lid 15 connects to the drain to permit water drainage from the bin 10. Finally, the second lid 16 is removed from the wall structure 17 thereby exposing the drinks in the bin 10 to customers. When it is again time to clean and restock the bin 10, the bin 10 may simply be rotated from its second storage position to its first storage position, which is accomplished in a manner similarly to that previously described.

[0031] In allowing movement between a first storage position and a second storage position, the bin 10 permits simplified redistribution of drink containers to ensure the oldest drinks are near the surface for customer consumption. Essentially, drink containers on the bottom of the bin 10 are transferred to the top of the bin 10 upon movement of the bin 10 to either its first or second storage position. Furthermore, the cleaning of the bin 10 is simplified because movement of the bin 10 to either its first storage position or its second storage position places the bottom portion of the bin 10 at the top portion. Thus, upon the removal of either the first lid 15 or the second lid 16 from the wall structure 17, the previous bottom of the bin 10 may be cleaned without the necessity of removing all the ice and drink containers from the bin 10. In addition, the top portion of the wall structure 17 may be cleaned as well.

[0032] Although the present invention has been described in terms of the foregoing preferred embodiment, such description has been for exemplary purposes only and, as will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, many alternatives, equivalents, and variations of varying degrees will fall within the scope of the present invention. That scope, accordingly, is not to be limited in any respect by the foregoing detailed description; rather, it is defined only by the claims that follow.

Claims

1. A bin, comprising:

a wall structure;

a first lid removably securable to the wall structure;

a second lid removably securable to the wall structure; and

a frame supporting the wall structure, wherein the frame permits movement of the wall structure between a first storage position whereby the second lid forms a bottom of the bin and a second storage position whereby the first lid forms a bottom of the bin.

2. The bin according to claim 1, further comprising a bracket assembly mounted to the wall structure and to the frame, whereby the bracket assembly in an unlocked position permits movement of the wall structure between the first storage position and the second storage position and the bracket assembly in a locked position secures the wall structure to the frame.

3. The bin according to claim 2, the bracket assembly, comprising:

a first bracket mounted at a first end of the wall structure;

a second bracket mounted at a second end of the wall structure; and

a bracket arm pivotably mounted to the frame and engageable with one of the first bracket and the second bracket.

4. The bin according to claim 1, further comprising a bearing assembly mounted to the wall structure and to the frame, whereby the bearing assembly facilitates rotational motion of the wall structure between the first storage position and the second storage position.

5. The bin according to claim 4, the bracket assembly, comprising:

a coupling mounted to the wall structure;

a bearing mounted to the frame; and

a shaft rigidly mounted to the coupling and rotatably mounted to the bearing.

6. The bin according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of latch assemblies mounted to the wall structure and to the first lid, whereby the plurality of latch assemblies secure the first lid to the wall structure.

7. The bin according to claim 6, the plurality of latch assemblies, comprising:

a lever pivotally mounted to the first lid; and

a catch mounted to the wall structure, whereby the lever engages the catch to secure the first lid to the wall structure.

8. The bin according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of latch assemblies mounted to the wall structure and to the second lid, whereby the plurality of latch assemblies secure the second lid to the wall structure.

9. The bin according to claim 8, the plurality of latch assemblies, comprising:

a lever pivotally mounted to the second lid; and

a catch mounted to the wall structure, whereby the lever engages the catch to secure the second lid to the wall structure.

10. The bin according to claim 1, the frame comprising a first leg and a second leg.

11. The bin according to claim 1, the frame including wheels.

12. The bin according to claim 1, the first lid including a drain hole.

13. The bin according to claim 1, the second lid including a drain hole.

14. A method of moving a bin between a first storage position and a second storage position, comprising:

securing a first lid to a wall structure of the bin;

releasing a bracket assembly securing the wall structure to a frame supporting the wall structure;

rotating the wall structure about a bearing assembly coupling the frame to the wall structure until the first lid rotates to a location where the first lid forms a bottom of the bin;

returning the bracket assembly to a position securing the wall structure to the frame; and

removing a second lid from the wall structure of the bin.

15. The method of moving a bin between a first storage position and a second storage position according to claim 14, further comprising coupling a drain hole of the first lid to a drain.

16. The method of moving a bin between a first storage position and a second storage position according to claim 14, further comprising:

securing the second lid to the wall structure of the bin;

releasing the bracket assembly securing the wall structure to the frame supporting the wall structure;

rotating the wall structure about the bearing assembly coupling the frame to the wall structure until the second lid rotates to a location where the second lid forms a bottom of the bin;

returning the bracket assembly to a position securing the wall structure to the frame; and

removing the first lid from the wall structure of the bin.

17. The method of moving a bin between a first storage position and a second storage position according to claim 16, further comprising coupling a drain hole of the second lid to a drain.