CONTAINER WITH IMPROVED LOCKING PORTS

Abstract

A corrugated container having a open-ended box and lid for covering the open end, having grip openings on opposed end sides of the box, and grip openings on end panels of the lid that align with the grip openings of the box. A locking port opening disposed adjacent the grip opening of the box and the lid provides means for locking the lid to the box with a strap seal, to prevent tampering and unauthorized lifting of the lid and opening of the contents of the box.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides for containers and lids thereto, and a means for securing the lid closed onto the container.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Individuals and businesses across many industries use containers to store documents, materials, personal items, memorabilia, and the like. A common container for such use is a box having a lid, typically made of a corrugated paperboard or cardboard. Such file boxes are used in the hundreds of millions to hold and store any and all sorts of items that can fit within them. Typically, these boxes carry up to forty pounds or more of materials within them.

In such previously known boxes the standard, slit handles or grips found in the container portion are well known. Conventional corrugated paperboard boxes having a handle opening and a lid have seen few changes since the introduction of that style of box over seventy years ago.

There are numerous circumstances where the use of a container box may want to prevent or deter other persons from accessing the contents of the box, after documents or other articles are placed inside the container box and a lid is placed over the top opening of the container. The contents placed into the box may include documents, articles, devices, or other things, related to a business, medical, personal or legal matter, that are used in businesses, offices, homes, home offices, and file storage facilities, and which may be of a confidential, secret, sensitive, personal, or private nature. In some circumstances, the user might want to have such documents, articles, etc. in a container with a lid that is securely closed, and locked so that access by unauthorized persons is prevented, unless the lock or integrity of the box or lid is breached using a tool. However, in many situations, the user may want to deter access by an unauthorised person, or to provide some means of securing the lid in a closed position on the box that indicates tampering or breach of the securing means,

When a human user lifts and holds a commonly used and known corrugated box with handle or grip openings in the opposed sides, a number of changes Immediately occur to that person's body. When the user holds that known box (or other containers similar to it) with her arms extended, the top of the box and/or lid of the box will lie at an angle (from horizontal) against the legs or lower torso of the holder. Because the box is weighted, the human user's center of gravity is shifted from her natural position within her body, to a point outside of her body to compensate for the box's weight. This shift of the user's center of gravity shifts the user's naturally weighted stance from her heels to the front of her feet and along her toes. Such orientation can be painful and is not sustainable over time. This is true because lifting and/or holding a container or box engages muscles in the back, arms, shoulders, torso, core, hips and legs, it also puts the holder in an unbalanced position that can cause slips or rails as a holder holds the box and moves with it. When the holder's center of gravity is shifted, her body operates instantly to counteract such shift and to support the weight pulling upon the front of her body. Such weight pull is compensated by most of the user's major muscle groups and in particular those about her lower back and torso.

There remains a need for an improvement in box containers having a lid for using one or more grips coupled with the use of weighted items like a box that limits the shift of a box holder's center of gravity when the holder hits and/or holds a weighted item thus relieving undue physical stress on the holder's muscles and joints, improves the integrity of the securement of the lid to the top opening in the container, and reduces unauthorized access to the lid-secured box container,

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a locking system for securing a lid onto an open-topped container, and more particularly a lid onto a corrugated box. The locking system includes two, or more, lock openings disposed in each of a portion of a side panel of the lid and a side wall of the box, through which a locking means is inserted for securing the lid to the box. In an aspect of the invention one of the lock openings can be a grip opening in the box or lid, and the other lock opening(s) is a locking port.

In an aspect of the invention, the locking port is disposed in a raised position, including a position wherein the perimeter of the locking port is intersected by, or is disposed above, a horizontal line passing through the geometric center of the box grip opening. In another aspect of the invention, the locking ports are disposed in a raised position, wherein the perimeter of the locking port is positioned to an end of the grip opening, and substantially above at least fifty percent (50%) of the grip perimeter, including above at least seventy five percent (75%) of the grip perimeter.

The invention further provides for a container, including a box with an open top having a lid, which includes a means for securing the lid to the box to prevent removal of the lid and access to the contents of the box. The container box can have grip openings positioned about the container for lifting or holding the container, and one or more locking ports optimally positioned in relationship to the grip openings. More specifically, such grip openings and locking ports are constructed to maintain high structural integrity of the containers, the lids, and the containers and lids operating together, as well as to enable a person's ability to lift and hold such containers easily and without significant strain on a human's body resulting from physical stress of the container itself and/or a weighted load within the container. The container can also be any carryable item.

The invention also provides a locking system for securing a lid to a container box, the locking system including: a box grip opening disposed through an upper portion of an end wall of the box, and a box locking port having a perimeter, disposed proximate the box grip opening; and a lid grip opening disposed through a side panel of the lid, and a lid locking port having a perimeter, disposed proximate the lid grip opening. In an aspect of the invention, the perimeter of the box locking port is intersected by, or is disposed above, a horizontal line passing through the geometric center of the box grip opening. When the lid is positioned on the box, the lid grip opening registers with the box grip opening to form a grip through-opening and the lid locking port registers with the box locking port to form a locking through-port. One end of a locking means, such, as a locking strap, can be passed through the grip through-opening and the locking through-port, and connected or fixed to the other end including by locking to secure the lid to the box.

The lid can comprise a top surface that covers the box opening, and a first side panel for covering the upper portion of the end wall of the box, and in which the lid grip opening and the lid locking port are disposed.

The invention also provides a container comprising a box and a lid, the box comprising a pair of opposed sidewalls, a first end wall comprising an upper portion having a first grip opening having a geometric center and a first locking port having a perimeter, an opposed second end wall comprising an upper portion having a second grip opening having a geometric center and a second locking port having a perimeter, the sidewalls, the first end wall and the second end wall having upper edges defining a box top opening, and a floor joined to the bottom edges of the sidewalls, the first end wall, and the second end wall, and a lid comprising a top surface that covers the box opening, a first end panel for covering the upper portion of the first end wall and having a grip opening that aligns or registers with the first grip opening of the first end wall, and a locking port that aligns or registers with the first locking port of the first end wall, a second end panel for covering the upper portion of the second end wall and having a grip opening that aligns or registers with the second grip opening of the second end wall, and a locking port that aligns or registers with the second locking port of the second end wall.

In an aspect of the invention, the perimeters of the first locking port and the second locking port are intersected by, or are disposed above, a horizontal line passing through the geometric center of the respective first grip opening and the second grip opening.

In another aspect of the invention, the locking port is intersected by the horizontal line of the geometric center of the grip opening.

In another aspect of the invention, a horizontal projection of the opening area of the locking port intersects the geometric center of the grip opening.

In another aspect of the invention, the locking port is disposed vertically above the horizontal axis of the geometric center of the grip opening.

In a further aspect of the invention, a horizontal projection of the opening area of the locking port intersects at least a portion of the upper area of the grip opening.

In another aspect of the invention, a horizontal projection of the opening area of the locking port intersects the uppermost periphery of the grip opening.

In still another aspect of the invention, a horizontal projection of the opening area of the locking port is disposed vertically above the uppermost periphery of the grip opening.

In an aspect of the invention, the periphery of the opening area of the locking port can have a shape that includes circular, oval, elliptical, and polygonal, and wherein a major axis of an oval, elliptical or polygonal shape can be oriented in any direction, including horizontal, vertical, or any angle therebetween.

In another aspect of the invention, the lid optionally, though typically, includes, a pair of opposed side panels for covering the upper portions of the box sidewalls. The first and second end panels and the opposed side panels of the lid provide a skirt that extends downward from the top surface of the lid to cover the outer surface of the upper portions of the four contiguous walls of the box.

In another aspect of the invention, the first and second locking ports are formed through the sidewalls of the box, and can include a slit or an opening having a periphery, and is typically a locking port opening. The first and second grip openings in the respective end panels of the box have a periphery that includes an upper periphery and a lower periphery, the periphery (also referred to as a perimeter) defining an grip opening area having a geometric center, a horizontal axis passing through the geometric center parallel with the lid that the divides the grip opening area into an upper area and a lower area, and a vertical axis.

In another aspect of the invention, the grip opening provides access through a sidewall of the box for the fingers of a user for picking up and lifting the box. The grip opening can have any suitable shape, including but not limited to, oval, rectangular, and trapezoidal, curved peripheral shapes, and rectalinear peripheral shapes.

In another aspect of the invention, the lid can have a corresponding grip opening for registration with the grip opening of the box, to provide access through a side panel of the lid for the fingers of a user for picking up and lifting the box with the lid positioned over the top opening of the box. The grip opening of the lid typically has a complementary shape to the grip opening of the box, and likewise can have any suitable shape, including but not limited to, oval, rectangular, and trapezoidal, curved peripheral shapes, and rectilinear peripheral shapes. The grip opening in the lid can be a complete opening in which the whole periphery of the opening is formed in the side panel of the lid. The lid opening can also be formed into a lower edge of a side panel of the lid, wherein at least the upper periphery portion of the grip opening in the lid is formed into a portion of the lower edge of the side panel of the lid. The upper periphery of the grip opening is disposed between the lateral-most periphery portions. The upper periphery can also have a shape that includes linear and curved, and including an ergonomically-shaped curve as described herein after.

In another aspect of the invention, the grip opening of the invention can be selectively oriented so that a major axis that is horizontal and parallel with the top opening of the box, or is angled from horizontal. The anglature of the grip opening affects the manner of gripping and lifting the container, as described in detail hereinafter. The anglature of the grip opening also affects the positioning of a locking port as described herein after. The major axis for regular shapes such as rectangles, ovals and ellipses is well known and easily determined. In general, the major axis of a grip opening can be a straight line that approximates the alignment of the fingers of a user's hand when inserted into the grip opening for gripping and lifting the container, or as otherwise defined herein.

In another aspect of the invention, the angulature of a grip opening having an inwardly curved upper periphery can be determined as described herein.

In an aspect, of the invention, with the lid positioned over the top opening of the box, a locking device is manipulated through both the aligned locking ports of the box and the lid, and the aligned grip openings of the box and the lid. The locking device can include a strap having a means for locking one end of the strap to a portion of the other end, such as a cable tie or locking strap.

In another aspect of the invention, the periphery of the locking port is separated from the periphery of the grip opening by a distance of at least one-half of the minor axis of the locking port, or a distance of at least the minor axis of the locking port, and typically not more than about 2 inches (5.1 cm), more typically not more than about 1 inch (2.54 cm). This distance can be selected to allow a finger of a person using the locking port to manipulate a locking strap inserted through the aligned locking ports in the skirt and the end walls, and out through the grip openings.

In a further aspect of the invention, the locking port is disposed proximate a lateral-most periphery portion of the grip opening, and more typically a distance laterally from the lateral-most periphery portion of the grip opening. The lateral-most periphery portion of the grip opening can be the forward-most periphery portion, closer to the first or forward sidewall of the box, or the near-most periphery portion, closer to the second or near sidewall. The forward (or distal) sidewall is typically that surface of the box that is most forward or far from the person when carrying the box. The near (or proximal) sidewall is typically that surface of the box that is most near the person when carrying the box.

In another aspect of the invention, a locking port can include two or more locking ports in either or both end walls of the box and end panels of the lid.

In another aspect of the invention, the lid can be a distinct and separate element from the box, which can be placed over the top opening of the box and removed from the box. Alternatively, a side panel of the lid can be affixed to an upper portion of a sidewall of the box, or a side edge of the lid can be integral with a sidewall of the box, to provide the box with a hinged lid.

In another aspect of the invention, the vertical axis of the geometric center of the grip openings in the box and lid is disposed along the vertical-lateral, center plane through the end walls, providing a normal or un-biased grip position, with about 50% of the box mass disposed forward or distal of the vertical-lateral center plane, and the remaining 50% of the box mass disposed nearer or proximal of the vertical-lateral center plane (called a 50/50 unbiased position). Alternatively, the vertical axis of the geometric center of the grip openings in the box and lid can be biased forward of the vertical-lateral center plane, toward the first sidewall of the box, designated the forward or distal sidewall, and the corresponding first end panel in the lid, designated the forward or distal end panel, providing a biased grip position. So long as grip through-opening is biased forward in at least about a fifty-one percent to about a forty-nine ratio range, forward bias is achieved. One ratio for forward bias herein is between about fifty-one to about forty-nine. Preferred ratios herein are from about seventy to about thirty, from about sixty to about forty, and from about eighty to about twenty. Typically, the biasing can be to a position at least 5% the distance from the vertical-lateral center plane to the forward sidewall, such as at least 10%, at least 15%, at least 20% 60/40 forward biased position), at least 25%, at least 30%. at least 35%, at least 40% (70/30 forward biased position), at least 45%, or at least 50% (75/25 forward biased position), and up to 90%, such as up to 85%, up to 80% (90/10 forward biased position), up to 75%, up to 70%, up to 65%, up to 60% (80/20 forward/biased position), up to 55%, or up to 50% (75/25 forward biased position). Typically, a forward bias of between about 55/45 to about 65/35, such as 60/40, can be used. The forward-biased grip openings can cause the user's hands, when gripping the grips of the container, to extend snore forwardly (that is, away from the body) as compared to, for example, the user's gripping of a conventional container or box having grips are positioned in a 50/50 unbiased position.

In another aspect of the invention, the box and lid can be made from corrugate, including paperboard corrugate and plasticized corrugate, metal, composite materials, plastic, composites of all of the foregoing and nearly any material, suitable for use for forming a container for use as such, and laminates and composites of any the foregoing and other material suitable for use for forming a container for use as such. Persons of skill in the art are well versed in suitable material types, and the embodiments herein are limited in their material usage.

In a further aspect of the invention, a grip opening in a box and a grip opening in a lid have a periphery that includes an upper or hand-engaging periphery portion, the upper periphery portion has a concave profile, relative to the grip opening. The upper periphery portion can be a curved shape, and the curved shape can include a forward inflection point and a near inflection point disposed at opposite ends of the upper periphery portion, that transition, respectively, to a forward end periphery portion and a near end periphery portion, each of the forward and near end periphery portions having a convex profile. The curved upper gripping portion can substantially align to the natural curvature of bottom creases where the fingers join the hand when the fingers are inserted into the grip openings in the end walls of a container. A reference line passing through the forward inflection point and the near inflection point forms an upper grip angle relative to the horizontally disposed box and lid. The angle of the upper grip substantially can match the natural angle of the wrist when a user's arms are unburdened and at rest. By mimicking the wrists' natural angled position when at rest, the angled grips of the invention serve to cause much less stress to the hands, wrist, arms and upper and lower back when a user lifts, holds or moves with a weighted container or box. The angle of the upper grip can range from greater than about zero degrees to up to about ninety degrees from a horizontal axis, and more typically at least 5 degrees, such as at least 10 degrees, at least 15 degrees, at least 20 degrees, at least 25 degrees, and at least 30 degrees, and up to about 45 degrees, such as up to about 40 degrees, up to about 35 degrees, up to about 30 degrees, up to about 25 degrees, and up to about 20 degrees, such as 20 degrees.

In another aspect of the invention, the lid can be a separate lid that is removable from the top opening of the box and separable therefrom, or can be a hinged lid that is attached to or integral with a top edge of one of the sidewalls of the box, and is hingedly attached to and removable from the top opening of the box.

In a further aspect of the invention, a combination of the angle of the upper grip of the grip opening, the forward bias position of the grip openings, and the concave curvature of the upper periphery of the grip opening of the grips cooperate to align a user's center of gravity during when the user's lifting, holding Or moving with the weighted container or box, to a position closer to the user's neutral position. Each feature, operating independently, can provide a benefit, and the combination of two or more of the features provides an appreciable synergistic benefit.

In another aspect of the invention, a container item is provided having at least a pair of grips, comprising: a. a structure having a first surface, a second surface positioned oppositely to the first surface, a first grip positioned about the first surface and a second grip positioned about the second surface, a front surface, a rear surface positioned oppositely to the front surface, the front surface and the rear surface being perpendicularly connected to the first surface and the second surface, the structure being movable by use of the first grip and the second grip mechanism; and b. each grip of the at least pair of grips are preferably positioned a distance closer to the front surface-and a distance away from the rear surface, each grip has: i) a contoured outer portion having a grip perimeter, the contoured outer portion having (a) An upper gripping portion, that provides a preferably curved—otherwise un-curved—surface upon which at least one finger on a human hand may grasp to apply an upward force; and (b) a lower portion positioned oppositely to the gripping portion; ii) an opening positioned between the gripping portion and the lower portion, the opening providing clearance through which at least one finger on a human hand may grip the upper gripping portion of the grip perimeter; iii) a first grip end and a second grip end positioned substantially opposite to the first grip end, the first grip end and the second grip end connecting the upper gripping portion and the lower portion along the grip perimeter of the contoured outer portion; and c. at least one locking port having a lock port perimeter, said lock port perimeter being positioned adjacent to the second end of each grip and each locking port perimeter being positioned substantially above at least fifty percent of the grip perimeter, and preferably above at least sixty percent of the grip perimeter, and more preferably above at least seventy percent of the grip perimeter. When the upper gripping portion is curved, it substantially aligns to the natural curvature of human fingers when they hold the container or box by the upper gripping portion of each grip.

As noted hereinabove, each grip of the at least pair of grips are preferably positioned a distance closer to the front surface of the container and a distance away from the rear surface of the container. Such positioning of the grips is referred to herein as a bias forward of the grips on the container. In practice, when a user holds the container, preferably the box, the user's hands are extended more forwardly than with a, for example, a prior art container or box which handles are positioned in a fifty-fifty ratio between the front of the container or box and the back of the container or box.

Preferably, the first grip end of each grip is positioned above or higher than the second grip end. Such configuration causes the grip to be angled on the lid and on the container or box. Such anglature substantially matches the natural angle of the wrist when a user's arms are unburdened and at rest. By mimicking the wrists' natural angled position when at rest, the grips serve to cause much less stress to the hands, wrist, arms and upper and lower back when a user lifts, holds or moves with a container or box having the angled grips provided herein.

Thus, the combination of the preferred angled grips, the forward bias of the angled grips and the preferred curvature of the grips in a preferred embodiment herein, working together, all aid to re-align, a user's center of gravity closer to the user's neutral position when the user lifts, holds or moves with the container or box. Each feature, operating independently, provide a benefit to a user lifting, holding or moving with the container or box. However, there are appreciable synergistic effects when two are more features are combined in a container or box herein.

In such embodiment, each grip opening used for a container or box, or the upper grip periphery of the grip opening, can be positioned at an angle ranging from greater than about zero degrees to about ninety degrees from an x-axis. More preferably, that angle ranges from greater than about five degrees to about seventy-five degrees from an x-axis. Most preferably, that angle ranges from greater than about fifteen degrees to about fifty degrees from an x-axis.

An aspect of the invention includes a box comprising all of the following: a. a first panel having a top edge, a bottom edge positioned oppositely to the top edge, a first connecting edge and a second connecting edge positioned oppositely to the first connecting edge; b. a second panel having a top edge, a bottom edge positioned oppositely to the top edge, a first connecting edge and a second connecting edge positioned oppositely to the first connecting edge, the second panel being attached to the first panel along the first connecting edge of the second panel and the second connecting edge of the first panel; c. a third panel having a top edge, a bottom edge positioned oppositely to the top edge, a first connecting edge and a second connecting edge positioned oppositely to the first connecting edge, the third panel being attached to the second panel along the first connecting edge of the third panel and the second connecting edge of the second panel; d. a fourth panel having a top edge, a bottom edge positioned oppositely to the top edge, a first connecting edge and a second connecting edge positioned oppositely to the first connecting edge, the fourth panel being attached to the third panel along the first connecting edge of the fourth panel and the second connecting edge of the third panel, and connected to the first panel along the second connecting edge of the fourth panel and the first connecting edge of the first panel; e. a bottom panel of at least one panel connected to the bottom edges of the first panel, the second panel, the third panel and the fourth panel; f. an opening which is the box's inner volume formed from the top edges of the first panel, the second panel, the third panel and the fourth panel of the box; and g. at least a pair of grips of the same kind, type and configuration as noted hereinabove that have a first grip positioned through the first panel of the box and at least one locking port of the kind and type discussed hereinabove positioned through the first panel, and a second grip positioned oppositely to the first grip through the third panel of the box, and at least one locking port of the kind and type discussed hereinabove positioned through the third panel of the box.

In another aspect, the box comprises a lid. The lid comprises a top surface having a first edge connected to a second edge. The second edge is connected to a third edge. The third edge is connected to a fourth edge. The fourth edge is connected to the first edge. The lid has a skirt extending downwardly from the top surface of the lid. The skirt is connected to the lid at its first edge, second edge, third edge and fourth edge. The skirt has a first panel connected to the first edge, a second panel connected to the second edge, a third panel connected to the third edge and a fourth panel connected to the fourth edge. The lid further comprises a first lid grip positioned within the first panel of the skirt, and a second lid. grip positioned oppositely to the first grip and positioned within the third panel of the skirt. The first grip in the lid aligns with the first grip in the box, and the second grip in the lid aligns with the second grip in the box when the lid is placed fully onto the box thereby covering the opening or volume of the box. Similarly to the container noted hereinabove, the first grip in the box is positioned closer to the second connecting edge of the first panel of the box (i.e., the front of the box), and the second grip is positioned closer to the first connecting edge of the third panel of said box (i.e., the front of the box)—hence, the forward biasing of the grips on the box. Alternatively, the first grip in the box is positioned equidistant between the first connecting edge and the second connecting edge on the first panel of the box, and the second grip is positioned equidistant between the first connecting edge and the second connecting edge on the third panel of the box.

The invention also provides a container comprising a box and a lid, the box comprising a pair of opposed sidewalls, a first end wall comprising an upper portion having a first grip opening, an opposed second end wall comprising an upper portion having a second grip opening, the sidewalls and first and second end walls having upper edges defining a box opening, and a floor joined to the bottom edges of the sidewalls and end walls, and a lid comprising a top surface that covers the box opening, a first end panel for covering the upper portion of the first end wall and having a grip opening that aligns with the first grip opening, a second end panel for covering the upper portion of the second end wall the end panels and having a grip opening that aligns with the second grip opening. The lid optionally, though typically, includes a pair of opposed side panels for covering the upper portions of the sidewalls. The upper portion of each end wall of the box has a first locking port and a second locking port disposed adjacent to or proximate the first locking port, and separated by a bridging portion. The first locking port has a diameter or minor axis dimension of at least about a digit width, to permit the user to insert a finger into the first locking port to manipulate the locking device through both the first locking port and the second locking port.

In a second container of the present invention, a container having improved locking ports includes a box and a lid for the box, the box having a pair of locking ports through a sidewall of the box, and the lid having a pair of corresponding locking ports through a side panel of the lid, for securing the lid to the box. Typically, the container includes a box comprising a pair of opposed sidewalls having the locking ports, and a lid comprising a pair of opposed side panels having the locking ports.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the invention, it is believed that the embodiments set forth herein will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a box and lid having a grip opening and a locking port.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of FIG. 1 showing the lid removed from the top opening of the box.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the lid and box of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the box and lid of FIG. 1, illustrating a strap seal through the grip opening and the locking port.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the strap seal through the grip opening and the locking port through line 5-5 of FIG. 4.

FIGS. 6A through 6O are plan views of embodiments of a curved grip opening and a locking port.

FIGS. 7A through 7D are side elevation, views of a container box and lid having a curved grip opening and a locking port.

FIGS. 8A through 8L are side elevation views of a container box and lid showing various embodiments of a grip opening and a locking port, including curved, oval, rectangular and trapezoidal grip openings, and the grip openings oriented both horizontally and angularly.

FIGS. 9A through 9D are side elevation views of a container box and lid having the lid grip opening formed in the bottom edge of the lid.

FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a container box and lid having a pair of locking ports in opposed box sidewalls and lid side panels.

FIG. 11 shows an embodiment of a container wherein two locking ports are formed into adjacent sidewalls of the box proximate two opposed corners, and two locking ports through the corresponding adjacent panels of the lid at the same corners.

FIG. 12 shows a plan view of an ergonomic grip opening and a locking port.

FIG. 13 shows a user holding a container that employs an ergonomic grip opening with a locking port.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a container having a grip opening and locking port in the box, and a hinged lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

By the term, “center-of-gravity” if is meant herein that point within or outside of a human body at which the entire weight of a body may be considered to be concentrated.

The term “grip” is defined herein as a fixed or moveable, permanent or temporary handle or grip, observation, bole or opening, grip or any other opening or impression that could accommodate one or more figures of a human hand.

The term “ergonomic grip” is defined herein as a grip or grip system to lessen the stress on the human body and improve the balance of the load across the hand and fingers, and the entire body.

The terms “register” when describing the positioning of grip openings in both the box and the lid, means that the grip opening in the panel of the lid substantially coincides with the grip opening in the sidewall of the box, so as together to provide a unitary grip through-opening sufficient for inserting the finger or fingers into the ends of the box for grasping and lifting the container, and when describing, the positioning of locking ports in both the box and the panel of the lid, means that the opening of the locking port in the panel of the lid substantially coincides with the opening of the locking port in the sidewall of the box, so as together to provide a unitary locking through-port sufficient for inserting the locking means and securing the lid to the box. The term “aligned” with respect to overlapping locking ports and grip openings means “registered”.

By the term “carryable item” it is meant any item regardless of geometric configuration that may be carried by a human being.

By the term, “normal position” it is meant herein an axis corresponding to zero degrees.

By the term “horizontal” is meant an orientation, or direction that is parallel with the floor or base of the container box, and typically also parallel with the top opening of the container box. By the term “vertical” is meant an orientation or direction that is perpendicular to horizontal.

By the term “neutral position” it is meant herein that position of a standing, unburdened human in which that human's center of gravity is positioned within his body.

By the terms “bias forward”, “biased forward” or “biased position” it is meant herein the position of a grip is moved forward more closely to the front of container so that the front of the grip is closer to front panel than the back of the grip is to rear panel.

A first container with improved locking ports includes a lidded box having a grip opening and a locking port associated with the grip opening for securing the lid to the box.

FIGS. 1 through 4 show a container 5 that including an open-topped box 6 and a lid 7. A typical box is a file box of the kind well known by persons of skill in the art for use in business, offices, home offices, file storage facilities and the like, for file storage and record keeping. The box 6 also has grip openings 11 that are biased forward toward the box's front panel 16. Lid 7 is shown attached to box 6 and has corresponding grip openings 13 which can be lined up exactly with, to register with, grip openings 11 in box 6, thereby providing grip through-openings or handles through the lid 7 and box 6 together.

The box 6 includes four rectangularly-arranged, continuous sidewalls, including a forward sidewall 16, a near sidewall 18 and opposed end walls 19 disposed between the forward sidewall and the near sidewall. A floor 20 is joined to the bottom edges of the four sidewalls. The upper edges of the four sidewalls 16, 18 and 19 define the opening into the box.

The container 5 having the rectangular lid 7 disposed on the box 6 top opening has handle or grip through-openings 8 and locking through-ports 10. The lid 7 has a top surface 15 that registers with and covers the top opening of the box 6 when the lid 7 is fitted over the box 6. The lid has opposed side panels 17 that extend downward from the top surface 15, to cover the outer surface of the upper portions of the end walls 19 of the box. The lid also has forward panel 27 and near panel 28, disposed between the opposed side panels 17. The forward panel 27 and near panel 28 and the opposed side panels 17 are connected at adjacent side edges at corners to provide a four-sided skirt that extends downward from the top surface 15 of the lid 7.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the box 6 has a right-side grip opening 11 in an upper portion of the right side end wall 19, and a left side grip opening 12 in an upper portion of the left side end wall 19. The lid 7 has a right-side grip opening 13 in a right side panel 17 of the lid, and a left-side grip opening 14 in a left side panel 17. When the lid 7 is placed over the top opening of the box 6, the right-side grip opening 13 in the lid aligns with, and preferably registers with, the right-side grip opening 11 in the box 6 along or laterally relative to the vertical centerline Y1 through the right-side end wall 19, and the left-side grip opening 14 in the lid aligns with, and preferably registers with, the left-side grip opening 12 in the box 6 along or laterally relative to the vertical line Y2 through the left-side end wall 19. In the illustrated embodiment, the right side and left side grip openings are biased forward, such that the lateral center point (or geometric center point 9) of the grip openings are biased forward of the true center Y1,Y2 of the box end panels. A preferred distance ratio herein provides for geometric center point 9 of the grip through-opening 8 to be positioned at sixty (60) to forty (40) ratio between box near panel 18 and box forward panel 16. For example, if the distance from box near panel 18 to box front panel 16 is ten inches, and this is merely exemplary, then center point 9 of the grip through-opening 8, in a preferred embodiment herein, will be positioned six Inches away from box near panel 18 and four inches away from box front panel 16. In such bias forward placement of grip through-openings 8, more of the perimeter or periphery of the grip through-openings 8 is positioned closer to the forward panel 16 than to the near panel 18.

The alignment of right side box grip opening 11 with right side lid grip opening 13, and left side box grip opening 12 with left side lid grip opening 14, enables a user to hold, at the same time and in the same space, right side box grip opening 11 and right side lid grip opening 13 with the user's right hand, and to hold, at the same time and in the same space, left side box grip opening 12 and left side lid grip opening 14 with the user's left hand. A user may therefore hold container 5 using all four grip openings 11, 12, 13 and 14 such that the user's hands are positioned through lid 7. This is the preferred holding position for container 5.

The locking port can be disposed in an. upper portion of the end wall 19 that is covered by end side panel 17 of the lid. In an aspect of the invention, the locking port is in a raised position relative to the vertically-lowest portion of the periphery of the grip through-opening, or the grip opening in the box or lid. In another aspect, the locking port is in a lower position relative to the center point 9 of the grip-through opening, and either vertically below the open area of the grip opening, or along or outside the upper-more lateral end 11b of the grip opening. In another aspect of the invention, the locking port is in a raised position relative to the center point 9 of the grip through-opening, and of the grip opening in the box and lid, with at least some percentage or portion of the perimeter positioned above the center point 9. In another aspect of the invention, the locking port is in a raised position with at least seventy-five percent, and alternatively with all, of the perimeter positioned above the center point 9.

A right-side locking port 51 is disposed in an upper portion of the right side end wall 19, and a left side locking port 52 is disposed in an upper portion of the left side end wall 19. A right-side locking port 53 is disposed in a right side panel 17 of the lid 7, and a left-side locking port 54 is disposed in a left side panel 17. When the lid 7 is properly placed over the top opening of the box 6, a portion of the right-side locking port 53 in the lid aligns with, and preferably the right-side locking port 53 registers with, the right-side locking port 51 in the box 6, and a portion of the left-side locking port 54 in the lid aligns with, and preferably the left-side locking port registers with, the left-side locking port 52 in the box 6. As shown in FIG. 3, the right-side grip opening 11 and the right-side locking port 51 are disposed in the end wall 19 of the box 6, and their peripheries are separated by a bridging portion 22 of a distance sufficient to provide structural integrity of the corrugated material of the end wall 19 and the side panel 17. Similarly, the right side grip opening 13 and the right side locking port 56 are disposed in the side panel 17 of the lid 7, with the peripheries separated by a bridge portion 62.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show a strap seal 70 passed through the grip through-opening 8 and the locking through-port 10 to secure the side panel 17 of the lid 7 to the upper portion of the end wall 19 of the box 6. The grip through-opening 8 and the locking through-port 10 provide the container 5 with a means for locking the lid 7 to the box 6, employing a closable or lockable strap, including a strap seal 70. The seal strap 70 is illustrated as a nylon cable tie (also known as a zip tie) that includes an elongated strap member 71 having a distal end 72 and a proximal end 73 with an integrated open housing 74 having a ratchet 75. Cable ties are well known and used for numerous securement and tying needs. The cable tie 70 is inserted through the locking through-port and out the grip through-opening (pr visa versa), and the two ends of the cable tie 70 are mated and tightened across the bridging region 22 between the perimeter of the locking port and the lateral end of the grip opening. The strap member 71 has a rack of teeth 76 along its length. Pulling the distal end 72 of the cable tie 70 through the housing 74 and past the ratchet 75, prevents the strap member 71 from being pulled back out of the housing 74. The secured strap seal 70 encircles the bridging portion 22 in the box and the bridging portion 62 in the lid. Typically, loop of the strap seal 70 has to be cut to remove the cable tie and unlock the lid from the box. Cable ties are available from Leco Plastics, Inc. and Avery-Denison.

The cable tie is typically installed by inserting the distal end 72 in through the locking through-port 10, and manipulating the distal end 72 with a finger out through the larger opening of the grip through-opening 8. The distal end 72 is inserted into and pulled through the ratchet of the housing 74 until the bop of the strap member 71 encircles securely the bridge portions 22 and 62.

FIG. 6A shows an outline of a curved grip opening, illustrated as the right grip opening 11 in the box. Grip opening 11 has a perimeter 31. A grip opening in the lid may have the same or a different configuration as the grip opening in the box. Typically the upper periphery 35 of the box grip opening 11 is the same shape as, and registers with, the upper periphery 33 of the lid grip opening 13. Locking port 51 is shown in a vertical position relative to a horizontal line X3 passing through the geometric center point 9 of grip opening 11, near or proximate to the lower-most lateral end 11a of the grip opening, as also shown in FIG. 3. A vertically lower-most point 42 along the periphery 31 has a horizontal line X1 passing therethrough. A vertically upper-most point 41 along the periphery 31 has a horizontal line X4 passing therethrough. A horizontal line X3 passes through the geometric center 9 of the grip opening. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention in FIG. 6A, at least a portion of the locking port 51 in the box intersects the horizontal line X3 and the geometric center 39 of the grip opening 11. In the forward-biased positioning of the grip opening 11, the locking port 51 is disposed near, though not necessarily overlapping, the vertical center line Y1 of the box as shown in FIG. 2. At least some percentage or portion of perimeter 55 of locking port 51 is disposed, above grip center point 39. At least 10% of perimeter 55 of locking port 51 can reside above horizontal line X3, such as about 20% to about 50%, including about 50%, or about 50% to about 80%, or about 80% and up to 100%. In another embodiment, at least fifty percent of perimeter 55 of locking port 51 is positioned vertically above center point 39. In another embodiment; at least seventy-five percent of perimeter 55 of locking port 51 is positioned vertically above center point 39. In yet another embodiment, substantially all of perimeter 55 of locking port 51 is positioned vertically above center point 39.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 6B, 6C and 6D, and FIG. 7A, the locking port 51 of the box can be disposed proximate the upper-more lateral end 11b of the angular grip opening 11. In the forward-biased positioning of the grip opening 11, the locking port 51 is disposed forward and near to the forward panel 27 of lid 7. FIG. 6B and FIG. 7A show the locking port 51 disposed near and laterally outboard of the vertical line Y4 that passes through the forward-most position of the periphery 31 of the grip opening 11. At least some percentage or portion of perimeter 55 of locking port 51 is disposed above the horizontal line X3 through grip center point 39. At least 10% of perimeter 55 of locking port 51 can reside above horizontal line X3, such as about 20% to about 50%, or about 50% to about 80%, or about 80% and up to 100%. FIG. 6C shows the locking port 51 disposed above the horizontal line X1, and below the horizontal line X3 through grip center point 39. FIG. 6D shows the locking port 51 with at least some portion of the perimeter 55 disposed overlapping the horizontal line X1 through grip center point 39.

In general, the locking port can be disposed on either side of the grip opening, and in the illustrated embodiment above, adjacent or proximate to the lower-more lateral end 11a or the upper-more lateral end 11b.

FIGS. 6E, 6F, 6G and 7B shows an embodiment wherein the locking port 51 is disposed vertically above the horizontal line X3 of the grip opening 11, and below the horizontal line X4 (passing through the vertically upper-most point 41 along the periphery 31 of the grip opening). FIG. 6E also shows the locking port 51 disposed near or proximate to the lower-more lateral end 11a of the grip opening, typically laterally outboard nearwardly the vertical line Y3 (that passes through the near-most position of the periphery 31 of the grip opening 11). FIG. 6F shows the locking port 51 disposed vertically above the grip opening 11, between the vertical lines Y3 and Y4, and between the horizontal lines X3 and X4, This aspect of the invention can typically include a grip opening 11 that is more angled from horizontal between 30-60%. FIG. 6G and FIG. 7B show the locking port 51 disposed proximate the upper-more lateral end 11b of the grip opening 11, laterally outboard forwardly of the vertical line Y4 (that passes through, the forward-most position of the periphery 31 of the grip opening 11).

FIGS. 6H, 6I, 6J and 7C show an embodiment wherein a horizontal projection of at least a portion of the area of the locking port 51, or any portion of the periphery 55, intersects the horizontal line X4 passing through the vertically upper-most point 41 along the periphery 31 of the grip opening. FIG. 6H shows the locking port 51 disposed near or proximate to the lower-more lateral end 11a of the grip opening, typically laterally outboard of the vertical line Y3. FIG. 6I shows the locking port 51 disposed between the vertical lines Y3 and Y4, within the confines vertically of the grip opening 11. FIG. 6J and FIG. 7C show the locking port 51 disposed proximate the upper-more lateral end 11b of the grip opening 11, laterally outboard forwardly of the vertical line Y4.

FIGS. 6K, 6L, 6M, 6N and 7D show an embodiment wherein at least some portion, and typically all, of the periphery 55 of the locking port opening 51 is disposed vertically above the horizontal line X4 passing through the vertically upper-most point 41 along the periphery 31 of the grip opening. FIG. 6K shows at least, a portion of the periphery 55 of the locking port 51 disposed laterally outboard nearwardly of the vertical line Y3. FIG. 6M shows the periphery 55 of the locking port 51 disposed vertically above the grip opening 11, and typically vertically above the horizontal line X4, and between the vertical boundaries of the grip opening 11 defined by lines Y3 and Y4. FIG. 6N and FIG. 7D show the periphery 55 of the locking port 51 disposed laterally outboard forwardly of the vertical line Y4.

FIG. 6O shows the locking port 51 disposed below the horizontal line X1, and vertically below the grip opening 11, between the boundaries of the grip opening 11 defined by lines Y3 and Y4.

The periphery 55 of the area of the locking port 51 in the box can have a shape that includes circular, oval, elliptical, and polygonal, and wherein a major axis of an oval, elliptical or polygonal shape can be oriented in any direction, including horizontal, vertical, or any angle therebetween. The periphery or perimeter of the locking port preferably avoids angular corners to avoid stress concentration where tears can develop. The periphery 55 of the locking port is separated from the periphery 31 of the grip opening 11 by a distance of at least one-half of the diameter of a circular-shaped locking port, or at least one-half of a minor axis of a locking port 51, and up to 10 diameters or minor axis, or more, of the locking port. The distance can be at least the distance of the diameter or minor axis of the locking port 51, and up to three diameters or minor axis, including up to two diameters or minor axis. Typically, the separation distance across bridge portion 22 can be at least about 0.5 inches (1.3 cm), and not more than about 3 inches (7.6 cm), more typically not more than about 2 inch (5.1 cm). This distance can be selected to allow a finger of a person using the locking port to manipulate a locking strap inserted through the aligned locking ports in the skirt and the end walls, and out through the grip openings, as described herein.

Such positioning of locking through-port 10 marks a pronounced improvement over an embodiment disclosed and claimed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/441,434, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference in its entirety. When locking port 51 is positioned below center point 9, and particularly substantially below center point 9, undue stress forces can impact the bridging portion 22 between the locking port opening 10 and the grip opening 11, which can, under some circumstances, cause wearing, and ripping or tearing, and thus failure, of the lid 15. Preferably, by placing at least 50% of perimeter 32 of locking port opening 51 above grip center point 9, the region of lid 22 between locking port opening 51 and the lateral edge of grip opening 11 is less prone to weakening and failure due to lifting forces on the box or from compression forces positioned downwardly on the box when stacked.

Raising of the locking port 51 relative to the center point 39 also reduces the required height of the side panels 17 of the lid 7 into which the lid-side locking port 53 is formed, thereby reducing container material.

In the embodiments shown and described herein above pertaining to a grip opening and a locking port, the grip opening can be of other shapes, including oval, rectangular and trapezoidal, and oriented at other grip angles, including horizontal.

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a container having a grip opening and locking port in the box and a hinged lid. An edge 127 of the lid 7 is integral with to the top edge of the forward side wall 16 to provide a hinged joint 80 for pivoting the lid 7 onto and off of the top opening of the box 6. In the closed position shown in FIG. 15, the locking port 53 and grip opening 12 in the lid overlap and register with the locking port 51 and grip opening 11 of the box to form the locking through-port 10 and grip through-opening 8. The lid 7 can alternative be hinged to the nearward sidewall 18.

FIGS. 8A-8L show containers including a box and a lid having a grip opening and a locking port associated with other grip opening shapes, including oval, rectangular, and trapezoidal, at various grip opening angulatures. FIGS. 8A and 8B show including a box 6 having a oval-shaped grip opening 111a that has a major axis oriented horizontally, and a locking port 51 disposed along the horizontal line X3 passing through the geometric center point of the box grip opening 111a. A lid 7 has a grip opening 113a of a similar oval shape and horizontal orientation as the grip opening 111a of the box, and a locking port 53 disposed along the horizontal line X3 passing through the geometric center point of the lid grip opening 113a. The locking port can be disposed on the opposite side of the grip opening, and the grip opening can be biases forwardly or nearwardly, as needed or desired.

FIGS. 8C and 8D show including a box 6 and lid similar to that shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, where the grip openings 111b and 113b are rectangular shaped instead of oval shaped. Likewise, FIGS. 8E and 8F show including a box 6 and lid similar to that shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, where the grip openings 111c and 113c are trapezoidal shaped instead of oval shaped.

FIGS. 8G and 8H show a box 6 and lid 7 having the oval-shaped grip openings 111a and 113a similarly to those in FIGS. 8A and 8B, except that the grip opening has a major axis oriented at an angle relative to horizontal, as described early herein. Similarly, FIGS. 8I and 8J show a box 6 and lid 7 having the rectangular-shaped grip openings 111b and 113b similarly to those in FIGS. 8C and 8D, except that the grip opening has a major axis oriented at an angle relative to horizontal, and FIGS. 8K and 8L show a box 6 and lid 7 having the trapezoidal-shaped grip openings 111c and 113c similar to those in FIGS. 8E and 8F.

FIG. 9A-9D show containers including a box and a lid having a grip opening and a locking port, wherein lid opening is formed into the lower edge of the side panel of the lid, and the upper periphery portion of the grip opening in the lid forms a portion of the lower edge of the side panel of the lid. The locking port is shown proximate the upper-more (or right, or forward) lateral end 11b in FIGS. 9A and 9B, and is shown proximate the lower-more (or left, or near) lateral end 11a in FIGS. 9C and 9D.

A second container with improved locking ports includes a lidded box having a pair of locking port through a sidewall of the box for securing the lid to the box.

FIG. 10 shows a container of the present invention that includes a box and a lid that fits over the top opening of the box, and includes at least two locking ports formed into each of at least one of the sidewalls of the box, and the corresponding panel of the lid. Typically another set of at least two locking ports is formed into the opposite sidewall of the box and its corresponding panel of the lid.

In the illustrated embodiment, a larger locking port 71 is disposed in the upper portion of the forward sidewall 16 of the box, and a smaller locking port 72 is disposed near or proximate the larger locking port 71. An opposed larger locking port 73 is disposed in the upper portion of the near sidewall 18 of the box, and a smaller locking port 74 is disposed proximate or near the larger locking port 73. The pairs of locking ports 71 and 72, and 73 and 74 can be the same size and shape, or different. In the lid 7, a larger locking port 75 is disposed in the forward panel 27, and a smaller locking port 76 is disposed proximate or near the larger locking port 75. An opposed larger locking port 77 is disposed in the near panel 28, and a smaller locking port 78 is disposed proximate or near the larger locking port 77. Similarly, the pairs of larger and smaller locking ports can be disposed in the opposed end walls 19. The pairs of locking ports 75 and 76, and 77 and 78, can be the same size and shape, or different. The larger locking ports are typically sized to permit a finger to reach, inside to manipulate the end of a cable that has been inserted through the smaller locking port, out through the larger locking port. Penetration of the top surface 15 of the lid 7 by a locking means, such as a cable tie or other locking strap, is avoided, which prevents complications with snagging of the locking means when containers are stacked one on another, or when other objects are stacked or moved thereon.

FIG. 11 shows an alternative embodiment of the second container, wherein at least two locking ports are formed into adjacent sidewalls of the box proximate two opposed corners, and through the corresponding adjacent panels of the lid at the same corners. Typically another set of at least two locking ports is formed in. the opposite adjacent sidewalls of the box and panels of the lid. Specifically as illustrated, first box port 81 and second box port 82 are formed into the upper portion of forward sidewall 16 and adjacent right-side end wall 19, respectively. Corresponding first lid port 83 is formed in the forward panel 27, and second lid port 84 in the right-side end panel 17. Similar box and lid ports are formed in the opposite corner. The lid ports register with the box ports to form through-ports (through the lid and the box panels) when the lid is placed into position over the top opening of the box. A cable tie can be inserted through either of the through-ports and out the other through-port for securing the lid to the box. Penetration of the top surface 15 of the lid 7 is avoided to prevent complications with snagging of the lock means, such as the cable tie) when containers 5 are stacked one on another, or when other objects are stacked or moved thereon.

The second container can have a hinged lid as described and shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 that is attached to either box sidewall 16 or 18, or to an end wall 19.

An edge 127 of the lid 7 is integral with the top edge of the forward side wall 16 to provide a hinged joint 80 for pivoting the lid 7 onto and off of the top opening of the box 6. In the closed position shown in FIG. 15, the locking port 53 and grip opening 12 in the lid overlap and register with the locking port 51 and grip opening 11 of the box to form the locking through-port 10 and grip through-opening 8. The lid 7 can alternative be hinged to the nearward sidewall 18.

The features of the grip opening illustrated in the container boxes are now described.

A user holds the container 5 using the grip through openings 8 on the left and right sides of the container. The through-the-lid holding position of container 5 extends the coverage of the lid skirt down the sidewalls of the box, and provides improved lifting and carrying. By holding the container as described, a user secures both the body of the box 6 and the lid 7 together, which prevents separation of the lid from the box if the container 5 becomes jostled, and reinforces the grips opening.

Also shown in FIG. 12, the grip opening 11 in a box (and a corresponding grip opening in the lid) has a periphery 31 that includes an upper periphery 35 that has a concave profile, relative to the grip opening 11, which serves as a gripping surface for the fingers of the hand. The upper periphery portion 35 extends from an inflection point 45 along the periphery that transitions to a convex periphery portion 37, to an inflection point 46 along the periphery that transitions to a convex periphery portion 38. An ergonomically-shaped, concavely profiled upper periphery portion 35, substantially aligned to the natural curvature of bottom creases of the finger as described herein, is preferred, although other aspects of the invention can be practiced with an upper peripheral portion that is linear or curvilinear. A lower periphery portion 36 is illustrated also as having a concave profile, which extends from an inflection point 47 along the periphery that transitions to the convex periphery portion 37, to an inflection point 48 along the periphery that transitions to the convex periphery portion 38. The lower peripheral portion can be linear or curvilinear.

The grip opening has an upper grip angle that can be defined by the slant or slope of the upper periphery portion 36. FIG. 12 shows a grip opening 11 having an upper grip angle θ (theta) defined by a reference line X5, relative to the horizontally disposed box and lid, that passes through the forward inflection point 45 and the near inflection point 46. The angle θ of the upper grip substantially matches the natural angle of the wrist when a user's arms are unburdened and at rest. By mimicking the wrists' natural angled position when at rest, the angled grips of the invention serve to cause much less stress to the hands, wrist, arms and upper and lower back when a user lifts, holds or moves with a weighted container or box. The angle of the upper grip can range from greater than about zero degrees to up to about ninety degrees from a horizontal axis, and more typically at least 5 degrees, such as at least 10 degrees, at least 15 degrees, at least 20 degrees, at least 25 degrees, and at least 30 degrees, and up to about 45 degrees, such as up to about 40 degrees, up to about 35 degrees, up to about 30 degrees, up to about 25 degrees, and up to about 20 degrees, such as 20 degrees.

FIG. 13 shows a user 40 holding a container 5 that employs an angled ergonomic grip opening that is biased forward, as described herein above. The user's center of gravity is disposed a small distance D1 from the center of gravity of the container 5, resulting from 1) the forward bias of grip through-opening 8, 2) the curved nature of grip through-opening 8, and 3) the tilted angle at which grip through-opening 8. The three aforementioned benefits of the illustrated grip opening in the container operate synergistically to produce less movement of a user's center of gravity when such user is lifting, holding or moving with container. For example, use of grip through openings 8 for container 5 enables user 40 to retain much more of her weight on the heels of her feet instead toward the front of her feet. The center of gravity of container 5 shifts backwardly from the center of container 5 to the back thereof and toward user 40. Such center of gravity shift occurs at least in part because grip through-openings 8 are biased forward. Also aiding such center of gravity shift is the angled orientation of grip through-openings 8 as discussed previously hereinabove, such angled orientation matches or substantially matches a user's natural hand position at rest.

When the human body is in a standing position, such person's arms will hang to the sides of the person. Typically, in a normally functioning body, a human's hands will turn slightly inward toward the front of the body at between, about four degrees (4°) to about seven degrees (7°). The angled and curved nature of grip through-openings 8 substantially matches that of the human hand at a rest position thus allowing user 40, as shown, to let container 5 extend out at a user's natural arm length instead of user 40 applying an upward force to container 5, as shown in FIG. 13 by user 40 therein. Such application of an upward force by user 40 can apply stress to the joints at the wrist, elbow shoulder and back as wed as to all of the connecting muscle, tissue and tendons thereof. Such stress is not preferred and can be greatly alleviated by the new embodiments provided herein. In practice, container 5 with, grip through-openings 8 herein may be held by user 40 with the user's arms fully or nearly fully extended with much less physical stress incurred in comparison to that of prior art box 42. In such orientation, lid 15 is positioned parallel or substantially parallel with a flat surface upon which user 40 is standing. In such orientation of container 5, its center of gravity is shifted rearwardly toward human 40 without orientating container 5 at an angle whereby lid 7 would no longer be parallel to a flat surface upon which user 40 is standing. Instead, by such orientation container 5 may be held and subsequently carried at an orientation in which lid 7 is parallel or substantially parallel with a flat surface upon which user 40 is moving. This is important not only for reasons of correct posture but also because container 5 may now provide flat or flattened a carry surface (by use of lid 7) upon which other similar container 5 (or anything else) can sit and be carried by user 40 and/or become a carry surface for other non-box items (e.g., folded clothing, books and the like).

This written description uses illustrated examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use the invention. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims.

Claims

1. (canceled)

2. A locking system for securing a lid to a container box, the locking, system including: a box grip opening disposed through an upper portion of an end wall of the box, and a box locking port having a perimeter, disposed proximate the box grip opening; and a lid grip opening disposed through a side panel of the lid, and a lid locking port having a perimeter, disposed proximate the lid grip opening, wherein the perimeter of the box locking port is intersected by, or is disposed above, a horizontal axis passing through a geometric center of the box grip opening, and wherein when the lid is positioned on the box, the lid grip opening registers with the box grip opening to form a grip through-opening, and the lid locking port registers with the box locking port to form a locking through-port; and a locking means configured to pass through the grip through-opening and the locking through-port to secure the lid to the box.

3. A container comprising a box and a lid, the box. comprising a pair of opposed sidewalls, a first end wall comprising an upper portion having a first grip opening having a geometric center and a first locking port having a perimeter, an opposed second end wall comprising an upper portion having a second grip opening having a geometric center and a second locking port having a perimeter, the sidewalls, the first end wall and the second end wall having upper edges defining a box top opening, and a floor joined to the bottom edges of the sidewalls, the first end wall, and the second end wall, and the lid comprising a top surface that covers the box opening, a first end panel for covering the upper portion of the first end wall and having a grip opening that aligns with the first grip opening of the first end wall, and a locking port that aligns with the first locking port of the first end wall, a second end panel for covering the upper portion of the second end wall and having a grip opening that aligns with the second grip opening of the second end wall and a locking port that aligns with the second locking port of the second end wall, wherein the perimeters of the first locking port and the second locking port are intersected by, or are disposed above, a horizontal axis passing through the geometric center of the respective first grip opening and the second grip opening.

4. The locking system or container according to claim 2 wherein the locking port is disposed vertically above the horizontal axis of the geometric center of the grip opening.

5. The locking system or container according to claim 2 wherein a horizontal projection of the area of the locking port intersects at least a portion of the upper area of the grip opening.

6. The locking system or container according to claim 2 wherein a horizontal projection of the area of the locking port intersects the uppermost periphery of the grip opening.

7. The locking system or container according to claim 2 wherein a horizontal projection of the area of the locking port is disposed vertically above the uppermost periphery of the grip opening.

8. The locking system or container according to claim 2 wherein the periphery of the area of the locking port has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of circular, oval, elliptical, and polygonal.

9. The locking system or container according to claim 8 wherein a major axis of an oval, elliptical or polygonal shape can be oriented in any direction, including horizontal, vertical, or any angle therebetween.

10-11. (canceled)

12. The locking system or container according to claim 3 wherein the locking port is disposed vertically above the horizontal axis of the geometric center of the grip opening.

13. The locking system or container according to claim 3 wherein a horizontal projection of the area of the locking port Intersects at least a portion of the upper area of the grip opening.

14. The locking system or container according to claim 3 wherein a horizontal projection of the area of the locking port intersects the uppermost periphery of the grip opening.

15. The locking system or container according to claim 3 wherein a horizontal projection of the area of the locking port is disposed vertically above the uppermost periphery of the grip opening.

16. The locking system or container according to claim 3 wherein the periphery of the area of the locking port has a shape that is selected from the group consisting of circular, oval, elliptical, and polygonal.

17. The locking system or container according to claim 16 wherein a major axis of an oval, elliptical or polygonal shape can be oriented in any direction, including horizontal, vertical, or any angle therebetween.

18. A container comprising a box and a lid, the box comprising a pair of opposed sidewalls, a first end wall comprising an upper portion having a first grip opening and a first locking port having a perimeter disposed adjacent to the first grip opening, an opposed second end wall comprising an upper portion having a second grip opening and a second locking port having a perimeter disposed adjacent to the second grip opening, wherein the sidewalls, the first end wall and the second end wall having upper edges defining a box top opening, and a floor joined to the bottom edges of the sidewalls, the first end wall, and the second end wall, and the lid comprising a top surface that covers the box opening, a first end panel for covering the upper portion of the first end wall and having a grip opening that aligns with the first, grip opening of the first end wall when the lid is secured over the top opening of the box, and a locking port that aligns with the first locking port of the first end wall when the lid is secured over the top opening of the box, a second end panel for covering the upper portion of the second end wall and having a grip opening that aligns with the second grip opening of the second end wall when the lid is secured over the top opening of the box, and a locking port that aligns with the second locking port of the second end wall when the lid is secured over the top opening of the box.

19. The container according to claim 18, further including a plurality of locking means configured for insertion through each of the first grip opening and the adjacent first locking port of the box and lid, and the second grip opening and the adjacent second locking port of the box and lid, to secure the lid to the box.

20. The container according to claim 18, wherein the locking means comprises a cable tie.