Lid, container and system for storing documents

Abstract

A lid for a container includes at least one cup portion, and a locking mechanism for securing the lid to a body of the container, at least a portion of the locking mechanism being formed in the at least one cup portion.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a lid (e.g., a lid for a secure document container), container, and system for storing documents and, in particular a lid, container and system for storing documents which includes at least a portion of a locking mechanism which is formed in a cup portion of the lid.

2. Description of the Related Art

Conventional lids for secure document storage containers typically include some portions of a locking mechanism attached thereto.

One such conventional lid 10 is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 1. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the conventional lid 10 includes a lock 50 (e.g., a keyed lock) which includes a vertical rod 51 which extends vertically (e.g., several inches) into the container from the top of the lid 10. The lock 50 also includes two horizontal bars 52 which are connected to the vertical rod 51 and extend horizontally in opposite directions toward the sides of the lid 10. The horizontal bars 52 are retracted and extended by operating the lock 50.

The lock 50 also includes brackets 53 which are secured to the opposing sides of the lid 50. The brackets 53 may include an inner wall and an outer wall so that, when the lid 10 is closed on the container, the inner wall is disposed inside the top of the container wall and the outer wall of the bracket 53 is disposed outside of the top of the container wall. Further, the brackets 53 include a hole which is large enough to insert the horizontal bars 52 and which, when the lid is closed, should be aligned with a hole in the top of the container wall.

Thus, for example, to attempt to secure the lid 50 to the container, the user may rotate a key in the lock 50 which causes the rod 51 to rotate (e.g., counterclockwise from a direction looking up to a bottom side of the lid 10) such that the bars 52 may be extended into the inner wall of the brackets 53, the top of the container wall, and the outer wall of the brackets 53.

The conventional lid 10 also includes an anti-fish device 60 which is attached to the bottom of the lid 10 and which is near an opening in the lid 10 which may be used, for example, to deposit documents (e.g., documents which may be considered confidential by a governmental or business entity).

Such conventional lids, however, experience several problems. For example, the lock 50 (including the horizontal bars 52 and brackets 53) is relatively time consuming to install. Specifically, considerable time may be needed to arrange the bars 52 and brackets 53 to ensure that the bars 52 are properly aligned with the holes in the brackets 53 and the container, to ensure proper operation of the lock 50.

Further, the lock 50, including most of its moving parts (e.g., the rod 51, the horizontal bars 52, etc.), is almost entirely exposed. Thus, the lock 50 including the exposed parts may be easily damaged.

Further, the operation of the lock 50 depends on the bars 52 being aligned with the holes in the brackets 53 and the holes in the top of the container. Thus, operation of the lock 50 may be greatly and adversely affected by any damage to the bars 52.

Further, the size of the lock 50 depends on the size of the container. Thus, a large container (e.g., 64 gallon container) will require a large lock. The larger the lock 50, the larger the exposed moving parts (e.g., the longer the horizontal bars 52) and the more likely it is that the lock 50 may become damaged.

Further, the large lock 50 must occupy a large area on the bottom of the lid 10. As a result the lock 50 can only be formed, as a practical matter, on one end of the lid 10. Thus, it is difficult to secure the other end of the lid 10 (e.g., the end which is attached to the container by the hinge) by using such a lock 50.

Further, the anti-fish device 60 in the conventional lid is typically formed of a lightweight plastic which is attached by screws to the lid 10. This rather insecure construction makes it easy to thwart the anti-fish device 60 and therefore, jeopardizes the security of the container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing and other problems, disadvantages, and drawbacks of the aforementioned lids, containers and systems, it is a purpose of the exemplary aspects of the present invention to provide a lid (e.g., and container, system and method) which includes a robust, inexpensive and easily installable lock mechanism (e.g., a portion of a lock mechanism), and may be used to provide better security than conventional lids.

The exemplary aspects of the present invention include a lid for a container (e.g., a secure document storage container). The lid includes at least one cup portion, and a locking mechanism for securing the lid to a body of the container, at least a portion of the locking mechanism being formed in the cup portion.

The locking mechanism may include a main portion which is formed in the cup portion of the lid and attaches to a base portion formed on the container body, to secure the lid to the body. Further, the at least one cup portion of the lid may include an opening which is at least substantially aligned with an opening of the main portion of the locking mechanism, such that a projection on the base portion is insertable into the opening in the main portion of the locking mechanism through the opening in the at least one cup portion. Further, the cup portion may have a depth which is no greater than about 2 inches, and the main portion may have a height which is substantially equal to the depth of the cup portion. In addition, the at least one cup portion may be formed in a center region of a side of the lid.

The lid may also include a molded lid, such that the cup portion is integrally formed and molded with the lid. Further, the at least one cup portion may include a plurality of cup portions, one of the plurality of cup portions being formed in an end region of a side of the lid.

The exemplary aspects of the present invention also include a container (e.g., a secure document storage container) which includes a body including an opening, a lid for covering the opening, which is connected to the body and includes at least one cup portion, and a locking mechanism for securing the lid to the body, at least a portion of the locking mechanism being formed in the cup portion. The locking mechanism may include a main portion which is formed in the cup portion of the lid, and a base portion which is formed on the body and attaches to the main portion to secure the lid to the body.

Further, the base portion may include a projection which is insertable into an opening formed in the main portion of the locking mechanism. Further, the at least one cup portion of the lid may include an opening which is at least substantially aligned with the opening of the main portion of the locking mechanism, such that the projection is insertable into the opening formed in the main portion of the locking mechanism through the opening in the at least one cup portion.

In addition, the projection may include an upper portion and an engaging portion formed under the upper portion. Further, the main portion of the locking mechanism may further include a latch-pin which is spring-loaded and movably protrudes into the opening such that when the projection is inserted into the opening in the main portion, the latch-pin engages the engaging portion to restrict a movement of the projection in a direction out of the opening in the main portion.

The main portion of the locking mechanism may further include a spring which is operatively coupled to the latch-pin, such that the latch-pin is movable in a direction out of the opening in the main portion of the locking mechanism against a force of the spring. The latch-pin may protrude substantially perpendicularly into the opening of the main portion of the locking mechanism. The latch-pin may also include an angled end portion such that the latch-pin is displaceable by a force applied by the upper portion of the projection in a direction into the opening of the locking mechanism.

Further, when the lid is in a substantially closed position, a weight of the lid may provide sufficient force for the projection to cause the latch-pin to be displaced and the projection to be inserted into the opening in the main portion of the locking mechanism.

In addition, the locking mechanism may include a pin-and-tumbler type locking mechanism, the main portion of the locking mechanism comprising a key-hole formed on a key-entry side of the main portion which is opposite to the opening in the main portion of the locking mechanism. The key-entry side of the main portion of the locking mechanism may include a surface which is substantially co-planar with a surface of the lid.

The locking mechanism may further include a fastening member for fastening the main portion of the locking mechanism to the lid, the fastening member being inserted through a hole in the cup portion into another opening in the main portion of the lock mechanism.

The exemplary aspects of the present invention also include a system for storing documents (e.g., secure documents). The system includes a container having a body including an opening, a lid for covering the opening, which is connected to the body and comprises at least one cup portion, and a locking mechanism for securing the lid to the body. The locking mechanism includes a main portion which is formed in the cup portion of the lid, and a base portion which is formed on the body and attaches to the main portion to secure the lid to the body. The system further includes a securing member which is inserted in an opening formed in the base portion of the locking mechanism, for securing the container to a structure.

With its unique and novel features, the exemplary aspects of the present invention provide a lid (e.g., and container and system) which includes a robust, inexpensive and easily installable lock mechanism (e.g., a portion of a lock mechanism), and may be used to provide better security than conventional lids.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of the embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional container 10;

FIG. 2 illustrates a container 100 including a lid 20 according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a bottom view of a lid 20 including cup portions 21, according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the lid 20 including the lock mechanism 50 having a main portion 51 formed in the lid 20, according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 7A-7C illustrate a lock mechanism 50, according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention;

FIGS. 8-9 illustrate a container 100 having a base portion 52 (e.g., a peripheral plate-shaped base portion), according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention; and

FIG. 10 illustrates a system 1000 for storing documents (e.g., secure documents) according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIGS. 2-10 illustrate a lid 20, container 100 and system 1000 according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention.

All of the features illustrated herein, even though only in relation to one size or style of container, may be equally applicable to all styles and sizes disclosed in this application, and to other containers not shown according to the principles described herein. That is, the principles of the invention are not limited to any particular size container.

In addition, the term “container” is used in this application in the broad sense to refer to a container, cart, receptacle, etc., which is useful for receiving documents (e.g., classified or secure documents) and other waste, refuse or items for recycling. The particular embodiments disclosed in this application are suitable for the above purposes.

Specifically, FIG. 2 illustrates a lid 20 and container 100 which includes the lid 20 according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention. FIGS. 3-5 illustrate a bottom view of the lid 20 and FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of the lid 20 including the lock mechanism 50 including a main portion 51 formed in the lid 20.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2-6, the lid 20 for the container 100 (e.g., a secure document storage container), includes at least one cup portion 21, and a locking mechanism 50 for securing the lid to a body 150 of the container 100, at least a portion of the locking mechanism 50 being formed in the cup portion 21 of the lid 20.

The container 100 may be fabricated (e.g., injection molded) of a plastic resin (e.g., polypropylene, polyethylene, high density polyethylene, etc.). The container 100 may be a light weight and strong container.

The container 100 may include a body 150 and a lid 20. The body 150 may include an integrally-formed body, and may include a bottom wall, opposed side walls, a rear wall, and a front wall. The upper portion of the walls may include a rim 160 that may be formed around the periphery (e.g. substantially around the periphery) of the opening 155 in the container body 150. A lip 151 may also be formed on the container body 150 between the opening 155 and the rim 160. The volume enclosed by the container 100 may vary.

The walls may terminate to form the container opening 155 (e.g., mouth) which is covered by the lid 20 (e.g., a pivotal, hinged lid). Further, the container 100 may also include a handle support 156 which may be molded into the container body 100 adjacent the upper ends of the walls. The handle support 156 may be, for example, integrally-formed with (e.g., injection molded with) the container body 150.

The handle support 156 may also support a bar 157 (e.g., laterally-extending and integrally-formed cylindrical handle bar) which may also be injection molded. The lid 20 may be attached to bar 157 by a hinge (e.g., first and second hinges) which may extend outwardly from the rear side of lid 20. The hinges may be integrally-molded with the lid 20, and may extend into the lid 20 and provide reenforcement to lid 20.

The bottom of the rear wall may also include an integrally-formed axle journal which receives an axle on which is mounted wheels 159.

The bottom of container 100 may include plastic feet which protect the bottom of the front end of the container 100 from abrasion and other wear-related damage. The plastic feet may be positioned by a snap fit in small holes which are molded in the bottom during the molding of the container 100.

The opening 155 of the container 100 may be surrounded by (e.g., defined by) an upwardly-extending lip 151 which may help to correctly position the lid 20 onto the top of container body 150. The lip 151 may be a part of and lie in the plane of the respective walls of the container body 150.

The rim 160 (e.g., a reinforcing rim) may extend laterally outwardly from a position just below the lip 151. This rim 160 may be integrally formed with the container body 150. The rim 160 may extend around the periphery of container body 150. The rim 160 on the front wall may also be offset downwardly away from the opening 155 of the container body 150 to form a hand access area 159, so that a hand can be easily inserted up under rim 160.

The lid 20 may also include a slot 25 for depositing documents (e.g., secure documents) into the container body 150. In this case, the lid 20 may include an anti-fish device for inhibiting an individual from reaching into the container through the slot to access the documents stored inside the container.

However, unlike conventional lids, the lid 20 of the present invention may include an anti-fish device 29 (e.g., at least a portion of an anti-fish device) that is integrally-formed with the remainder of the lid (e.g., see FIG. 3). That is, if the lid 20 is formed, for example, by injection molding, the anti-fish device 29 (e.g., at least a portion of the anti-fish device) may be formed from the same mold used to form the remainder of the lid 20. Thus, the anti-fish device 29 in the lid 20 of the present invention may be seamless and provide more security than the anti-fish device of the conventional lids and containers.

Referring now to FIGS. 7A-7C, the lock mechanim 50 may include a main portion 51 which is formed in the cup portion 21 of the lid 20 and attaches to a base portion 52 formed on the container body 150 (e.g., the rim 160 of the container body), to secure the lid 20 to the body 150. Further, the at least one cup portion 21 of the lid may include an opening 22 (e.g., see FIG. 5) which may be at least substantially aligned with an opening 59 (e.g., see FIG. 7A) of the main portion of the locking mechanism, such that a projection 53 (e.g., see FIG. 7A) on the base portion 52 is insertable into the opening 59 in the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50 through the opening 22 in the at least one cup portion.

Further, the cup portion 21 may be only to be deep enough to contain the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50. For example, the cup portion 21 may have a depth which is no greater than about 2 inches. Further, the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50 may have a height of less than about 2 inches. In addition, the height of the main portion 51 may be substantially equal to the depth of the cup portion to help provide the upper surface of the lid 20 with a relatively smooth and level profile.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for example, the at least one cup portion 21 may project from the upper surface of the lid down toward the bottom surface of the lid 20. The at least one cup portion may be formed near the edge of the lid (e.g., in a center region of a side of the lid or at an end of a side so that the cup portion is formed in a corner region) where the lid meets the rim 160 of the container body 150.

The lid 20 may also include a molded lid, such that the cup portion 21 is integrally formed and molded (e.g., injection molded) with the lid 21. Further, although the drawings may illustrate a particular number of cup portions 21, the present invention should not be limited to the number of cup portions illustrated in the drawings. That is, the at least one cup portion 21 may include a plurality of cup portions 21.

Further, as illustrated, for example, in FIG. 2, the present invention also includes a container 100 which may include the lid 20 and a container body 150.

Specifically, the container 100 (e.g., a secure document storage container) may include the body 150 including an opening 155, the lid 20 for covering the opening, which is connected to the body 150 and includes the at least one cup portion 21, and a locking mechanism 50 for securing the lid 20 to the body 150, at least a portion of the locking mechanism 50 being formed in the at least one cup portion 21.

The locking mechanism 50 may have a function which is similar to that of a padlock. Specifically, as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7A-7C, the locking mechanism 50 may also include the main portion 51 which is formed in the cup portion 21 of the lid 20, and a base portion 52 which is formed on the body 150 (e.g., on the rim 160 of the body 150) and attaches to the main portion 51 to secure the lid 20 to the body 150. The locking mechanism 50 (e.g., a portion of the locking mechanism) may include for example a solid brass or hardened steel construction.

The base portion 52 may be secured to the container (e.g., the rim 160 of the container) using a fastener 61 (e.g., see FIG. 6) such as a screw or rivet. Further, the base portion 52 may include a projection 53 which is insertable into the opening 59 formed in the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 7B, the projection 53 may be attached to the base portion 52 (e.g., from the top of the base 52) using a fastener 62 (e.g., a screw) which is inserted into the projection 53 from the opposing side (e.g., from the bottom) of the base portion 52. As shown in FIG. 7C, the projection may alternatively include a flange 63 (e.g., at the bottom end), in which case the projection 53 may be inserted from the bottom of the base portion 52 and kept from advancing through the opening 64 of the base portion 52 by the flange 63.

Further, the locking mechanism may be designed so that the projection 53 does not have to be perfectly aligned with the opening 59 in the locking mechanism 50 to be able to insert the projection 53 into the opening 59. For example, the base portion 52 may be design so that the projection 53 may be slightly movable (e.g., movable a maximum of about 1/16th of an inch in any horizontal direction). For example, the opening 64 in the base portion 52 may be slightly larger than the projection 53 which may allow the projection to move slightly.

In addition, the projection 53 may include an upper portion 54 and an engaging portion 55 formed under the upper portion 54. The upper portion 54 may include a rounded end portion 54a to allow the projection 53 to easily slide into the opening 59 in the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50.

The main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50 may further include a cylinder 68 (e.g., a pin-and tumbler cylinder), a spring 57, a latch-pin 58, and a cam 69 which connects the cylinder 68 to the latch-pin 58. The latch-pin 58 is spring-loaded by the spring 57 and movably protrudes into the opening 59 such that when the projection 53 is inserted into the opening 59, the latch-pin 58 may engage the engaging portion 55 to restrict a movement of the projection 53 in a direction out of the opening 59.

The spring 57 may be operatively coupled to the latch-pin 58, such that the latch-pin 58 is movable in a direction out of the opening 59 against a force of the spring 57. The latch-pin 58 may protrude substantially perpendicularly into the opening 59. The latch-pin 58 may also include an angled end portion 58a such that the latch-pin 58 is displaceable by a force applied by the upper portion 54 of the projection 53 in a direction into the opening 59. Further, when the lid 20 is in a substantially closed position, a weight of the lid 20 may provide sufficient force for the projection 53 to cause the latch-pin 58 to be displaced and the projection 53 to be inserted into the opening 59. These features may help to ensure that the lid 20 is properly closed and latched and secured to the container body 150 with little effort.

In addition, the locking mechanism 50 may include a pin-and-tumbler type locking mechanism. Further, the main portion 50 of the locking mechanism may include a key-hole which is formed on a key-entry side of the main portion 50 which is a side opposite to the opening 59. As illustrated, for example, the key-entry side of the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50 may include a surface (e.g., an upper surface) which is substantially co-planar with a surface of the lid 20. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the cup portion 21 and lock mechanism 50 may be inset slightly into the lid 20.

Further, the same key may be used open each of the lock-mechanisms 50 on the container 100. Alternatively, for additional security, the lock mechanisms 50 on the container 100 may require different keys. Thus, for example, if the container 100 includes three lock mechanisms, three different keys may be required to open lock mechanisms 50 and thus, access the contents of the container 100.

Referring again to FIG. 5, the locking mechanism 50 may further include a fastening member 65 (e.g., screw, rivet, etc.) for fastening the main portion 51 of the locking mechanism to the lid 50 (e.g., to the cup portion 21). For example, the fastening member 65 may include a screw that is inserted through a hole in the cup portion (e.g., a bottom of the cup portion) into another opening 66 (e.g., see FIG. 7A) in the main portion 51 of the lock mechanism 50.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the lid 20 may be easily used on other similarly-sized container bodies without a significant cost to retrofit the container bodies. For example, a manufacturer, distributor or retailer having containers with other lids in inventory, or an owner (e.g., a secure document shredding company) which may own many containers having other lids, can easily retrofit the container bodies to include the lid 20 of the present invention. This may be accomplished, for example, by replacing the old lid with the lid 20 according to the present invention, and installing the base portion 52 of the lock mechanism 50 on the container body (e.g., on a rim of the container body). Thus, the security of containers having other lids to be easily improved at a low cost.

Further, the invention also includes an insert (e.g., a plastic insert such as a plastic cap) that has a shape similar to a shape of said main portion 51 of the locking mechanism 50. This insert may fit snugly into the cup portion 21 or alternatively, may be fixed in the cup portion 21 by the friction between the insert and walls of the cup portion, or by a fastener such as a screw, rivet, glue, etc.

The insert may be inserted into the cup portion for example, when a customer wants less locks than there are cup portions on the lid. For example, if the lid has three cup portions formed therein, but the customer only wants one locking mechanism, the inserts may be inserted into two of the cup portions. Thus, the inserts may be used to “hide” the two cup portions and provide the lid with a relatively uniform upper surface.

Further, one of the most vunerable portions of conventional security containers is the interface between the lid and the container. Typically, in such conventional containers the lock mechanism is formed on an end opposite to the hinge which rotatably secures the lid to the body of the container.

However, in the claimed invention, a locking mechanism 50 may be easily formed anywhere on the lid 20. Thus, for example, the lid 20 in the claimed invention may include a cup portion 21 formed near the hinge portion 27 of the lid 20 (e.g., see FIG. 8) (e.g., on the hinged side of the lid or on the corners near the hinged side of the lid, etc.). Thus, the lid 20 can provide much more security that a conventional lid.

Further, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the base portion 52 of the locking mechanism 50 may include a plate (e.g., a substantially flat plate) which may be formed substantially around the periphery of the container body opening 155. In this case, the base portion 52 may be relatively flat (e.g., having a thickness of no greater than 0.25 inches) and designed to fit just outside of the lip 151 on the rim 160 formed at the top of the walls of the container body 150, to help secure the base portion 52 to the container body 150. The peripheral plate-shaped base portion 52 can be fixed (e.g., using screws, rivets, etc.) to the rim 160 at several locations around the periphery of the base portion 52.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the lid 20 may be include several cup portions 21 (with lock mechanisms 50 formed therein) around the periphery of the lid 20 including near the hinge region 27 of the lid. A projection 53 can be easily added to the base portion 52 (e.g, by screwing a projection onto the base portion 52) at any of the locations around the periphery of the base portion 52 which corresponds with the location of cup portion 21 (e.g., more specifically, to an opening 59 in the main portion 51 of a lock mechanism 50).

Thus, for example, the lid 20 and container 100 of the present invention can be designed to easily accommodate no lock mechanisms, one lock mechanism or many lock mechanisms (e.g., one on every corner and in the middle of each side of the lid for a total of eight lock mechanisms). That is, the lid 20 may include, for example, cup portions 21 located at all of the positions indicated in FIG. 10 (e.g., one on every corner and in the middle of each side). For any of the cup portions 21 which is not to include a lock mechanism, the plastic insert can be inserted into the cup portion 21 to provide an aesthetically pleasing quality to the lid.

Moreover, this will allow owner of the container to easily improve the security of a container by purchasing more lock mechanisms 50 and replacing the inserts in the lid 20 with the purchased lock mechanisms. Thus, for example, if a purchaser purchases a container having a lid 20 with only one lock mechanism in the center of the front side of the lid 20, but later wants to improve the security of the container 100, the purchaser may, for example, purchase three more lock mechanisms (including three projections), replace the plastic inserts in the cup holders 21 (e.g., located at the center of the other three sides of the lid 20), and install the three projections 53 in the corresponding locations on the peripheral plate-shaped base portion (e.g., by screwing the projections onto the base portion) in order to inexpensively improve the security of the container 100.

It should be noted that although, FIG. 8 illustrates a base portion 52 which includes five projections, the base portion can include any number of base portions. Further, although FIG. 8 illustrates the lid 20 as including five cup portions 21, the lid 20 may include virtually any number of cup portions 21 around the rim 160 of the container.

FIG. 9 illustrates another aspect of the present invention which is similar to the aspect illustrated in FIG. 10. However, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the base portion 52 (e.g., a peripheral base portion) of the lock mechanism 50 may further include a region 910 (e.g., a wide region) which may be used to help secure the container to another structure, such as a building. Specifically, this portion may include an opening 920 which, when the lid 20 is closed on the container body 150, may be aligned with a corresponding opening 930 in the lid and an opening in the rim 160.

Thus, as illustrated in FIG. 10 the base portion 52 (e.g., peripheral-shaped base portion) may be attached to a container body 150 such that, when the lid 20 is closed, a chain 1010 or other object (e.g., a steel chain, steel cable, steel rod, etc.) can be inserted through the opening in the lid 20, base portion 52 and rim 160, to conveniently secure the container 100 to another structure 1120 such as a support in a wall of a building, etc.

Thus, the present invention not only may be used to increase the security of container 100 from the aspect of making it more difficult for a thief to enter the container body 150 by removing the lid 20, but also by making it more difficult for a thief to take the container 100 from its intended location.

Therefore, referring again to the Figures (e.g., FIG. 10), the exemplary aspects of the present invention also include a system 1000 for storing documents. The system 1000 includes a container 100 having a body including an opening 155, a lid 20 for covering the opening 155, which is connected to the body 150 and includes at least one cup portion 21, and a locking mechanism 50 for securing the lid 20 to the body 150. The locking mechanism 50 includes a main portion 51 which is formed in the cup portion 21 of the lid 20, and a base portion 52 (e.g., a peripheral plate-shaped base portion) which is formed on the body 150 and attaches to the main portion 51 to secure the lid 20 to the body 150. The system 1000 further includes a securing member 1110 which is inserted in an opening 920 formed in the base portion 52, for securing the container 100 to a structure 1120.

It should be noted that although FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate the opening 920 in the base portion 52 being formed on a side wall of the container, the opening 920 may include a plurality of openings, and may easily be formed at other locations on the rim 160. Specifically, the opening 920 may be formed on the rim 160 at the top of the rear wall of the container near the hinge which secures the lid 20 to the container body.

In addition, the present invention includes a method of fabricating a lid 20 including at least one cup portion 21 according to the exemplary aspects of the present invention. Specifically, the method may include providing a mold for forming the lid, injecting a plastic resin (e.g., high density polyethylene) into the mold, and curing the plastic resin to form the lid 20 including at least one cup portion 21 therein. That is, the lid 20 including the at least one cup portions 21 may be formed from a same mold, in a same injection step.

With its unique and novel features, the exemplary aspects of the present invention provide a lid (e.g., and container and system) which includes a robust, inexpensive and easily installable lock mechanism (e.g., a portion of a lock mechanism), and may be used to provide better security than conventional lids.

While the invention has been described in terms of one or more embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Specifically, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the drawings herein are meant to be illustrative, and the design of the inventive assembly is not limited to that disclosed herein but may be modified within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Further, Applicant's intent is to encompass the equivalents of all claim elements, and no amendment to any claim in the present application should be construed as a disclaimer of any interest in or right to an equivalent of any element or feature of the amended claim.

Claims

1. A lid for a container, comprising:

at least one cup portion; and

a locking mechanism for securing said lid to a body of said container, at least a portion of said locking mechanism being formed in said cup portion.

2. The lid of claim 1, wherein said locking mechanism comprises:

a main portion which is formed in said cup portion of said lid and attaches to a base portion formed on said container body, to secure said lid to said body.

3. The lid of claim 2, wherein said at least one cup portion of said lid comprises an opening which is at least substantially aligned with an opening in said main portion of said locking mechanism, such that a projection on said base portion is insertable into said opening in said main portion of said locking mechanism through said opening in said at least one cup portion.

4. The lid of claim 1, wherein said cup portion comprises a depth which is no greater than about 2 inches, and said main portion comprises a height which is substantially equal to said depth of said cup portion.

5. The lid of claim 1, wherein said at least one cup portion is formed in a center region of a side of said lid, and

wherein said lid comprises a molded lid, such that said cup portion is integrally formed and molded with said lid.

6. The lid of claim 1, wherein said at least one cup portion comprises a plurality of cup portions, one of said plurality of cup portions being formed in an end region of a side of said lid.

7. A container comprising:

a body comprising an opening;

a lid for covering said opening, which is connected to said body and comprises at least one cup portion; and

a locking mechanism for securing said lid to said body, at least a portion of said locking mechanism being formed in said cup portion.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein said locking mechanism comprises:

a main portion which is formed in said cup portion of said lid; and

a base portion which is formed on said body and attaches to said main portion to secure said lid to said body.

9. The container of claim 8, wherein said base portion comprises a projection which is insertable into an opening formed in said main portion of said locking mechanism.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein said at least one cup portion of said lid comprises an opening which is at least substantially aligned with said opening of said main portion of said locking mechanism, such that said projection is insertable into said opening formed in said main portion of said locking mechanism through said opening in said at least one cup portion.

11. The container of claim 9, wherein said projection comprises an upper portion and an engaging portion formed under said upper portion, and

wherein said main portion of said locking mechanism further comprises a latch-pin which is spring-loaded and movably protrudes into said opening such that when said projection is inserted into said opening in said main portion, said latch-pin engages said engaging portion to restrict a movement of said projection in a direction out of said opening in said main portion.

12. The container of claim 11, wherein said main portion of said locking mechanism further comprises a spring which is operatively coupled to said latch-pin, such that said latch-pin is movable in a direction out of said opening in said main portion of said locking mechanism against a force of said spring.

13. The container of claim 11, wherein said latch-pin protrudes substantially perpendicularly into said opening of said main portion of said locking mechanism.

14. The container of claim 11, wherein said latch-pin comprises an angled end portion such that said latch-pin is displaceable by a force applied by said upper portion of said projection in a direction into said opening of said locking mechanism.

15. The container of claim 11, wherein when said lid is in a substantially closed position, a weight of said lid provides sufficient force for said projection to cause said latch-pin to be displaced and said projection to be inserted into said opening in said main portion of said locking mechanism.

16. The container of claim 11, wherein said locking mechanism comprises a pin-and-tumbler type locking mechanism, said main portion of said locking mechanism comprising a key-hole formed on a key-entry side of said main portion which is opposite to said opening in said main portion of said locking mechanism.

17. The container of claim 10, wherein said key-entry side of said main portion of said locking mechanism comprises a surface which is substantially co-planar with a surface of said lid.

18. The container of claim 10, wherein said locking mechanism further comprises a fastening member for fastening said main portion of said locking mechanism to said lid, said fastening member being inserted through a hole in said cup portion into another opening in said main portion of said lock mechanism.

19. The container of claim 9, wherein said cup portion comprises a depth which is no greater than about 2 inches, and said main portion of the locking mechanism comprises a height which is substantially equal to said depth of said cup portion.

20. A system for storing documents, comprising:

a container comprising: a body comprising an opening; a lid for covering said opening, which is connected to said body and comprises at least one cup portion; and a locking mechanism for securing said lid to said body, comprising: a main portion which is formed in said cup portion of said lid; and a base portion which is formed on said body and attaches to said main portion to secure said lid to said body; and

a securing member which is inserted in an opening formed in said base portion of said locking mechanism, for securing said container to a structure.