Storage container stacking structure

Abstract

A storage container stacking structure includes a plurality of supporting members curved in one of a variety of shapes and respectively symmetrically provided at the two opposite sidewalls of each storage container so that the supporting members of one storage container are respectively hooked on the topmost edge of each of the two opposite sidewalls of another storage container when multiple storage containers are arranged in a stack.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to storage containers and more specifically, to a storage container stacking structure, which enables a number of storage containers to be firmly arranged in a stack.

2. Description of the Related Art

A variety of storage containers are known for keeping small items and accessories. In order to save delivery space, storage containers are made collapsible. There is known a collapsible storage container, which comprises a hollow rectangular fabric container body, four horizontal top rods respectively fastened to the four peripheral sides of the fabric container body at the top, four horizontal bottom rods respectively fastened to the four peripheral sides of the fabric container body at the bottom, and four vertical rods respectively fastened to the four angles between each two peripheral sides of the fabric container body. The horizontal top rods, horizontal bottom rods and vertical rods of the collapsible storage container are kept away from one another. Further, each peripheral side of the fabric container body has crossed folding lines. By means of the crossed folding lines in each peripheral side of the fabric container body, the collapsible storage container can easily be collapsed into a flat condition by twisting. However, this design does not allow a number of storage containers be arranged in a stack. When put two storage containers in a stack, the downward pressure from the storage container at the top side may cause the storage container at the bottom side to collapse.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been accomplished under the circumstances in view. It is the main object of the present invention to provide a storage container stacking structure, which enables a number of collapsible storage containers to be firmly arranged in a stack. It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage container stacking structure, which is simple and easy to made. To achieve these and other objects of the present invention, the storage container stacking structure comprises a plurality of supporting members respectively symmetrically provided at the two opposite sidewalls of each storage container so that the supporting members of one storage container are respectively hooked on the topmost edge of each of the two opposite sidewalls of another storage container when multiple storage containers are arranged in a stack. The supporting members can be made having a H-shaped, inwardly curved -shaped, outwardly curved -shaped, or S-shaped profile.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of a storage container constructed according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows two storage containers arranged in a stack according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an elevational view of a storage container constructed according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows two storage containers arranged in a stack according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an elevational view of a storage container constructed according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 shows two storage containers arranged in a stack according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an elevational view of a H-shaped supporting member for a storage container stacking structure according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing H-shaped supporting members supported between storage containers according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an elevational view of a S-shaped supporting member having a downwardly arched positioning portion for a storage container stacking structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing S-shaped supporting members having a downwardly arched positioning portion supported between storage containers according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an elevational view of a S-shaped supporting member having an upwardly arched positioning portion for a storage container stacking structure according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view showing S-shaped supporting members having an upwardly arched positioning portion supported between storage containers according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic drawing showing flexible linking members connected between storage containers and the linked series of storage containers suspended from an overhead place.

FIG. 14 is a schematic drawing showing the folding status of one storage container according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a storage container 1 in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention is shown having two supporting members 2 symmetrically extended from the two opposite upright sidewalls near the bottom side. The supporting members 2 are preferably made of rigid material (for example, metal wire), having a shape fitting over the topmost edge of each of the two opposite upright sidewalls. When two storage containers 1 are arranged in a stack, the supporting members 2 of the storage container 1 at the top side are respectively capped on the topmost edge of each of the two opposite upright sidewalls of the storage container 1 at the bottom side, and therefore the two storage containers 1 are firmly held in a stack (see FIG. 2).

Referring to FIG. 2, a storage container 1 in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention is shown having a plurality of supporting members 2 symmetrically extended from the two opposite upright sidewalls near the bottom side. The supporting members 2 have a substantially -shaped cross section, and are respectively downwardly extended from the two opposite upright sidewalls of the storage container 1, and then turned outwards and then downwards. When two storage containers 1 are arranged in a stack, the supporting members 2 of the storage container 1 at the top side are respectively hooked on the topmost edge of each of the two opposite upright sidewalls of the storage container 1 at the bottom side, and therefore the two storage containers 1 are firmly held in a stack (see FIG. 4).

Referring to FIG. 5, a storage container 1 in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention is shown having a plurality of supporting members 2 symmetrically extended from the two opposite upright sidewalls near the bottom side. The supporting members 2 have a substantially N-shaped cross section, and are respectively downwardly extended from the two opposite upright sidewalls of the storage container 1, and then turned inwards and then downwards below the bottom side of the storage container 1. When two storage containers 1 are arranged in a stack, the supporting members 2 of the storage container 1 at the top side are respectively hooked on the topmost edge of each of the two opposite upright sidewalls of the storage container 1 at the bottom side, and therefore the two storage containers 1 are firmly held in a stack (see FIG. 6).

According to the fourth embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, H-shaped supporting members 5 are used to support two storage containers 1 in a stack. Each H-shaped supporting member 5 has two locating grooves 51 respectively formed in the top and bottom sides for receiving the topmost edge or bottom edge of one of the upright sidewalls of the storage containers 1.

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 9˜12, S-shaped supporting members 6 are used to support storage containers 1 in a stack. Each S-shaped supporting member 6 has one end fixedly fastened to one upright sidewall of one storage container 1 and the other end terminating in an arched positioning portion 61 for hooking on the topmost edge of the corresponding upright sidewall of another storage container 1. The arched positioning portion 61 may curve downwards (see FIGS. 9 and 10) or upwards (see FIGS. 11 and 12). The S-shaped supporting members 6 which have the respective arched positioning portions 61 curved downwards must be fastened to the upright sidewalls of the storage containers 1 near the bottom (see FIG. 10). The S-shaped supporting members 6 which have the respective arched positioning portions 61 curved upwards must be fastened to the topmost edge of each upright sidewall of each of the storage containers 1 (see FIG. 12).

According to the fifth embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, S-shaped supporting members 6 are used to support storage containers 1 in a stack. Each S-shaped supporting member 6 has one end fixedly fastened to one upright sidewall of one storage container 1 and the other end terminating in a downwardly curved and arched positioning portion 61 for hooking on the topmost edge of the corresponding upright sidewall of another storage container 1.

Referring to FIG. 13, flexible linking members 7 may be used to connect storage containers 1 in series, enabling the linked storage containers 1 to be suspended from an overhead place by ropes. The flexible linking members 7 each have the two distal ends respectively fastened to two storage containers 1 by snaps 71 or other fastening devices, for example, hook and loop materials.

The aforesaid storage containers 1 are folding collapsible. As illustrated FIG. 14, the storage container 1 has two vertical folding lines 11 respectively formed in the front and back sidewalls. By means of the vertical folding lines 11, the storage container 1 can conveniently be folded into a collapsed flat condition.

Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited except as by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A storage container stacking structure comprising a plurality of storage containers each having two opposite sidewalls, and a plurality of supporting members respectively symmetrically provided at the two opposite sidewalls of each of said storage containers for supporting said storage containers in a stack.

2. The storage container stacking structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting members are curved for capping on the topmost edge of one of the sidewalls of one of said storage container.

3. The storage container stacking structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting members have a -shaped cross section, and are respectively downwardly extended from the two opposite upright sidewalls of each of said storage containers and then turned outwards and then downwards.

4. The storage container stacking structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting members have a -shaped cross section, and are respectively downwardly extended from the two opposite upright sidewalls of each of said storage containers and then turned inwards and then downwards below each of said storage containers.

5. The storage container stacking structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting members are H-shaped supporting members each having a first locating groove formed in a top side thereof for receiving the lowest edge of one upright sidewall of one of said storage containers and a second locating groove formed in a bottom side thereof for receiving the topmost edge of one upright sidewall of one of said storage containers.

6. The storage container stacking structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting members are S-shaped supporting members each having a downwardly curved arched positioning portion for hooking on the topmost edge of one sidewall of one of said storage containers.

7. The storage container stacking structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting members are S-shaped supporting members each having an upwardly curved arched positioning portion for hooking on the lowest edge of one sidewall of one of said storage containers.

8. The storage container stacking structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein said supporting members each are comprised of a flexible links connected between two said storage containers.

9. The storage container stacking structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flexible links each have two ends respectively fastened to two said storage containers by snaps.

10. The storage container stacking structure as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flexible links each have two ends respectively fastened to two said storage containers by hook and loop materials.