Storage container

Abstract

A container is particularly adapted for storing and transporting books. The container includes a plastic base up from which extend integrally molded end walls and side walls. A divider snap-fits to the base and end walls to partition the container into two compartments. The end walls may include hooks integrally formed on an outer surface thereof, for interconnecting multiple containers. The container may include a reinforcement member to strengthen and stiffen the base. The reinforcement member is generally a sheet with a plurality of snap-tabs which snap-fit to the underside of the base.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/649,672, filed Feb. 1, 2005.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a storage container and more particularly to a container particularly adapted for storing and transporting books.

Libraries and book stores need containers for storing and handling large numbers of books. The containers must be sturdy enough to handle the weight of the books, yet preferably as light as possible. The spines of the books should be visible in the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a container that is particularly adapted for storing and transporting books.

The container includes a base up from which extend opposed end walls and opposed side walls. A divider snap-fits to the base and end walls to partition the container into two compartments. The divider may be corrugated in order to increase the stiffness of the container. The base, end walls and side walls are integrally molded as a single piece of plastic.

The end walls may include hooks integrally formed on an outer surface thereof, for interconnecting multiple containers. For example, by interconnecting multiple containers when stored, the containers can be pushed and pulled together to retrieve them from a deep shelf. The hooks may also be used by automated equipment for moving the containers.

The container may include a reinforcement member to strengthen and stiffen the base. The reinforcement member is generally a sheet with a plurality of snap-tabs which snap-fit to the underside of the base.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other advantages of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the present invention holding a plurality of books.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the container of FIG. 1, with its reinforcement member removed.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the reinforcement member of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the assembly of the container of FIG. 2 with the reinforcement member of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view showing the connection of one of the snap-tabs of the reinforcement member being connected to the container in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded perspective view of the container of FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged top view of adjacent interconnected end walls of two containers of the type shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of three stacked containers of the type shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the container.

FIG. 10 is a side view of the container.

FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the container.

FIG. 12 is a section view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a first end view of the container.

FIG. 14 is a second end view of the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A storage container 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The container 10 is particularly adapted for storing and transporting books 24, such as in a library or bookstore. The container 10 includes a base 12 up from which extend end walls 14, 16 and shorter side walls 18. A divider 20 connects the end walls 14, 16 and base 12 and divides the container 10 into two rows for the books 24. The divider 20 may be corrugated with horizontal corrugations as shown in order to increase the stiffness of the container. Each end wall 14, 16 includes a pair of integrally-molded hooks 22 extending from its exterior surface. The base 12, end walls 14, 16 and side walls 18 are preferably integrally injection molded as a single piece of plastic, such polypropylene or HDPE, or other suitable material. The divider 20 may be injection molded of such materials as a separate piece.

FIG. 2 is a bottom perspective view of the container 10 with a reinforcement member 26 (FIG. 3) removed to expose the base 12. The reinforcement member 26, shown separately in FIG. 3, includes a sheet 28 from which protrude a plurality of snap-tabs 30. The reinforcement member 26 is preferably injection molded of plastic, such as polypropylene or HDPE, but could be a composite or any suitable material. Referring to FIG. 4, the reinforcement member 26 is secured to the base 12 to increase the strength and stiffness of the base 12 so that the container 10 can support a full load of books and be stacked with similar loaded containers.

FIG. 5 illustrates how the reinforcement member 26 is secured to the base 12 of the container 10. The snap-tabs 30 of the reinforcement member 26 connect to complementary snap-tabs 34 in the base 12 to connect the reinforcement member 26 to the base 12.

FIG. 6 illustrates the assembly of the divider 20 into the container 10. The divider 20 includes a tapered perpendicular tab 36 that is receivable into a complementary recess 38 at a top exterior edge of the end wall 14. At the opposite end of the divider 20, a parallel tab 46 projects from the divider 20 and is receivable in the end wall 16. A plurality of L-tabs 48 extend from a bottom edge of the divider 20 and are receivable in apertures 50 in the base 12 of the container. For assembly, the divider 20 is slid down into the container 10 between the end walls 14, 16 such that the L-tabs 48 are inserted into the apertures 50 in the base. The divider 20 is then slid toward the end wall 16 so that the L-tabs 48 are locked in the base 12, the parallel tab 46 is received in the end wall 16 and the perpendicular tab 36 is received in the end wall 14. One or more of the tabs 36, 46 and 48 may provide a snap-fit connection to the container 10. A bar code 56 or other identifying indicia may be mounted on the container 10, such as on the end wall 14 as shown.

The assembled container 10 may be connected to a similar adjacent container 10′ via the hooks 22, 22′ as shown in FIG. 7. Reference numerals for components in the similar container 10′ that correspond to those in the container 10 are appended with a prime designation. The hooks 22, 22′ of the adjacent containers 10, 10′ interlock such that the containers 10, 10′ can be pulled from their storage locations together and subsequently easily detached by lifting one of the containers 10, 10′ relative to the other. As can be seen in FIG. 7, a portion of the divider 20 fits into a slot 35 through the end wall 14 so that the perpendicular tab 36 is received in the recess 38 on the exterior of the end wall 14. The opposite end 42′ of the divider 20′ is received in a vertically-extending recess 40′ on the interior of the end wall 16′.

The container 10 can be stacked on top of similar containers 10′, 10″ as shown in FIG. 8, loaded or empty.

FIG. 9 is a top view of the container 10. FIG. 10 is a side view of the container 10. FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the container 10. FIG. 12 is a section taken along lines A-A of FIG. 9 through the container 10. FIGS. 13 and 14 are end views of the container 10. As can be seen in FIG. 14, the parallel tab 46 projecting from the divider 20 extends into an opening 54 passing through the end wall 16.

While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it is not intended that these embodiments illustrate and describe all possible forms of the invention. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

a base;

a pair of end walls extending upwardly from ends of the base; and

a divider between the end walls, the divider generally transverse to the base and to the end walls.

2. The container of claim 1 wherein the divider snap-fits to the base and to the end walls.

3. The container according to claim 1 wherein the divider includes L-shaped tabs that interlock with the base.

4. The container according to claim 1 wherein the divider is corrugated.

5. The container according to claim 1 wherein the divider includes a perpendicular tab at one end that is generally perpendicular to the divider, the perpendicular tab interlocking with one of the end walls.

6. The container according to claim 1 wherein the base and end walls are integrally molded as a single piece of plastic.

7. The container according to claim 1 wherein the end walls each include at least one hook on an exterior surface thereof.

8. The container according to claim 1 further including a reinforcement member comprising a sheet having a plurality of snap-tabs snap-fit to an underside of the base.

9. The container according to claim 1 further including a pair of opposed side walls integrally molded with the base and end walls, the side walls extending upwardly from side edges of the base and connecting the end walls.

10. The container according to claim 9 further including a plurality of books stored between the divider and each of the side walls.

11. A container comprising:

a base;

a pair of end walls extending upwardly from ends of the base, the end walls integrally molded with the base;

a corrugated divider between the end walls, the divider generally transverse to the base and to the end walls, the divider including tabs interlocking with the base; and

a reinforcement member including a sheet secured to an underside of the base.

12. The container of claim 11 wherein the divider snap-fits to the base and to the end walls.

13. The container according to claim 11 wherein the divider includes L-shaped tabs that interlock with the base.

14. The container according to claim 11 wherein the divider includes a perpendicular tab at one end that is generally perpendicular to the divider, the perpendicular tab interlocking with one of the end walls.

15. The container according to claim 14 wherein the end walls each include at least one hook on an exterior surface thereof.

16. The container according to claim 11 wherein the reinforcement member includes a plurality of snap-tabs snap-fit to the underside of the base.

17. The container according to claim 11 further including a pair of opposed side walls integrally molded with the base and end walls, the side walls extending upwardly from side edges of the base and connecting the end walls.

18. The container according to claim 17 further including a plurality of books stored between the divider and each of the side walls.

19. A method for assembling a container including the steps of:

integrally molding a base with two opposed end walls;

sliding a divider between the two end walls; and

securing the divider to the base with a plurality of tabs.