WEATHERPROOF STORAGE TOTE

Abstract

The storage tote has a main body and a lid. The main body includes a bottom section, a plurality of sidewalls defining an open end, and a rim formed in the sidewalls adjacent the open end of the main body. The lid includes a base and a lip disposed adjacent the base, the lid adapted to cover the open end of the main body. The lip includes a plurality of latch receiving section, each of the latch receiving section includes at least one lock receiving section. A seal is disposed adjacent the lip of the lid and abuts the rim of the main body when the lid is covering the open end of the main body. The storage tote has at least one latch. The latch is connected to the main body of the storage tote and includes at least one locking mechanism.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/277,295, filed on Nov. 9, 2021. The entire disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to storage containers and, more particularly, to weatherproof storage totes.

INTRODUCTION

This section provides background information related to the present disclosure which is not necessarily prior art.

Storage totes are commonly used for commercial and residential applications. It is typical to store contents such as tools, recreational equipment, sporting and outdoor equipment, supplies, materials, and the like in storage totes. A lid covers an open end of the storage tote to secure and protect the contents contained within the tote. Some storage totes also include locking mechanisms for securing the lid to the storage tote.

Such storage totes may be stored or transported in various arrangements, such as by stacking the storage totes on top of or beneath other storage totes or other objects. However, certain storage totes may lack stability to support other totes or objects that may be stacked thereupon. Also, storage tote lids may not sufficiently secure other storage totes or objects that may be stacked thereupon.

Another issue relating to the use of storage totes for storing contents involves a lack of adequate weatherproof components. Many storage totes cannot keep the items stored within dry and moisture-free when stored outside during inclement weather. Components such as lids, seals, locks, latches, and hinges that are not waterproof may result in the spoiling or destruction of the contents within the storage tote and reduced user satisfaction.

Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a storage tote that is durable and that can be easily stored and stacked in combination with other storage totes. Desirably, the storage tote is constructed using weatherproof components such that the storage tote may safely store items outdoors during inclement weather.

SUMMARY

In concordance with the instant disclosure, a durable storage tote that can be easily stored and stacked in combination with other storage totes, and that is constructed using weatherproof components such that the storage tote may safely store items outdoors during inclement weather, has been surprisingly discovered.

In one embodiment, a storage tote, comprises a main body having a bottom section, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the bottom section defining an open end of the main body, and a rim extending from the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the open end of the main body; a lid having a base, a lip disposed adjacent the base, and a plurality of latch receiving sections formed in the lip, the lip configured to selectively receive the rim of the main body to position the lid over the open end of the main body; a plurality of latches, each latch rotatably connected to the main body and selectively engageable with one of the latch receiving sections of the lid, each latch including a detent configured to frictionally engage the one of the latch receiving sections of the lid; and a seal disposed on the lip of the lid, the seal configured to abut the rim of the main body to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the rim and the lip when the lip receives the rim.

In another embodiment, a storage tote, comprises: a main body, a lid, a plurality of latches, and a seal. The main body includes a bottom section, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the bottom section defining an open end of the main body, a rim extending from the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the open end of the main body, a handle formed in the rim, and a plurality of latch connectors, each latch connector including a latch receiving component to facilitate rotatably connecting one of the plurality of latches to the main body. The lid includes a base, a lip disposed adjacent the base, a recessed area in an exterior surface of the lid, a plurality of latch receiving sections formed in the lip, each of the latch receiving sections including a lock receiving section, a seal channel formed on an interior surface of the lip, the lip configured to selectively receive the rim of the main body to position the lid over the open end of the main body. Each latch includes a connecting means rotatably coupled to one of the latch receiving components of the plurality of latch connectors of the main body, a detent configured to frictionally engage the lock receiving section of the one of the latch receiving sections of the lid; and a releasing ridge formed on a top surface of the latch configured to facilitate a user rotating the latch with respect to the main body of the storage tote. The seal is disposed in the seal channel of the lid and configured to abut the rim of the main body to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the rim and the lip when the lip receives the rim.

In yet another embodiment, a method of using a storage tote, comprises providing a storage tote. The storage tote includes a main body having a bottom section, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the bottom section defining an open end of the main body, and a rim extending from the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the open end of the main body; a lid having a base, a lip disposed adjacent the base, and a plurality of latch receiving sections formed in the lip, the lip configured to selectively receive the rim of the main body to position the lid over the open end of the main body; a plurality of latches, each latch rotatably connected to the main body and selectively engageable with one of the latch receiving sections of the lid, each latch including at least one detent configured to frictionally engage the one of the latch receiving sections of the lid; and a seal disposed on the lip of the lid, the seal configured to abut the rim of the main body to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the rim and the lip when the lip receives the rim, and performing one of coupling the lid to the main body by receiving the rim of the main body using the lip of the lid, engaging one of the latches with one of the latch receiving sections of the lid, and stacking the storage tote atop another one of the storage tote.

The storage tote may have a main body including an upper surface (the upper surface alternatively referenced as a rim), a plurality of sidewalls, and a bottom section, and a lid including a base and a lip disposed adjacent the base. The lip includes at least one latch receiving section, and the latch receiving section includes at least one lock receiving section. The storage tote has at least one latch. The latch is connected to the main body of the storage tote and includes at least one locking mechanism, wherein for certain embodiments the locking mechanism of the latch may be referenced as a detent. The storage tote includes at least one handle.

In a more particular embodiment, the latch may have at least one connecting means for rotatably connecting the latch to the main body of the storage tote. In certain embodiments, the connecting means may be a cylindrical protrusion adapted to fit into the latch receiving component disposed on the recess (the recess alternatively referenced as a latch connector) of the main body of the storage tote. The latch may be substantially U-shaped and adapted to fit over the lip of the lid, thereby securing the lid to the main body of the storage tote.

In a more specific embodiment, the storage tote may have a first end latch and a second end latch. The first end latch may be rotatably connected to the front sidewall of the main body, and the second end latch may be rotatably connected to the rear sidewall of the main body. Each of the first end latch and the second end latch may have a first connecting means and a second connecting means. The first connecting means of the first end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to a first front side recess, and the second connecting means of the first end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to a second front side recess. Likewise, the first connecting means of the second end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to a first rear side recess, and the second connecting means of the second end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to a second rear side recess.

In yet another more particular embodiment, a plurality of side latches may be rotatably connected to one or both of the first sidewall of the main body and the second sidewall of the main body. Each side latch may include one or more connecting means for connecting to one or more sidewall recesses disposed on the first sidewall and the second sidewall.

The storage tote includes a main body and a lid. In certain embodiments, the lid may be removably secured to the main body using at least one latch. The storage tote may be constructed using any durable, water-resistant material. As one non-limiting example, plastic may be used. However, one skilled in the art may select any suitable material for fabricating the storage tote. The storage tote may be any suitable size and shape, as desired.

The main body may have a first sidewall, a second sidewall, a front sidewall, and a rear sidewall. The main body may also have a bottom section and an upper surface. In certain embodiments, the main body may include at least one handle. The handle may be formed as a recess disposed on the main body or as a protuberance extending outwardly from the main body, as non-limiting examples. The at least one handle may be disposed on the upper surface of the main body, according to certain embodiments.

In certain more particular embodiments, a first handle and a second handle may be disposed on opposite sides of the upper surface of the main body. As a non-limiting example, the first handle may be disposed on the upper surface adjacent the front sidewall, and the second handle may be disposed on the upper surface adjacent the rear sidewall. The first and second handles may be configured to provide an ergonomic location for a user to lift the main body of the storage tote. One skilled in the art may select any type of handle disposed on any portion of the storage tote, within the scope of the present disclosure.

One or more of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the front sidewall, and the rear sidewall may have support panels extending outwardly from the main body. The panels may provide additional storage space, as well as structural support for the storage tote.

The main body may include at least one recess. In certain embodiments, the recess may be disposed on the upper surface of the main body. In more particular embodiments, the recess may extend downwardly from the upper surface. In certain embodiments, the recess may be connected to both the upper surface of the main body and one or more of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the front sidewall, and the rear sidewall. The recess may have an inner surface defining a channel. The recess may have a latch receiving component for removably and rotatably connecting to the latch. The main body, according to certain embodiments, may further include at least one opening. The opening may be cylindrical in shape, as one non-limiting example. The opening may be a hollow channel without a bottom portion or may have a bottom portion, as desired.

The lid, according to certain embodiments, may have a base and a lip. In certain embodiments, the lip may form an outer perimeter or an outer peripheral edge of the lid. The lip may be adapted to fit around the upper surface of the main body, and the base may be recessed within the outer perimeter formed by the lip. At least one protuberance may extend downwardly from the lip of the lid. In certain embodiments, the protuberance may be adapted to fit in the opening of the main body. In certain embodiments, the protuberance may be cylindrical in shape, however, any suitable size and shape may be used, as desired. The protuberance may form a friction or other fit with the opening of the main body, as desired.

In certain embodiments, the lid may include at least one latch receiving section. The latch receiving section may be a recessed section disposed on the lip of the lid. The latch receiving section may have a shape adapted to direct the latch into position, and may include at least one lock receiving section. The lock receiving section may be an aperture disposed on the latch receiving section, according to certain embodiments. However, the lock receiving section may be any component capable of securing or locking the latch to the lid. The lid may include at least one support ridge disposed on an interior surface of the lip. In certain embodiments, the support ridge may be disposed on at least one corner section of the lid. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, at least one support flange may be disposed on the interior surface of the lip. In a more particular embodiment, the support ridge may be disposed on the corner section of the lid and the support flange may be disposed on a side section of the lid. Additional support components may be included on the lid, as determined by one of skill in the art. The additional support components may provide additional support to the lid with respect to the main body of the storage tote and with respect to other bins or items stacked on top of the storage tote.

The latch, according to certain embodiments, may be rotatably connected to the main body of the storage tote. In a more particular embodiment, the latch may have at least one connecting means for rotatably connecting the latch to the main body of the storage tote. In certain embodiments, the connecting means may be a cylindrical protrusion adapted to fit into the latch receiving component disposed on the recess of the main body of the storage tote. The latch may be substantially U-shaped and adapted to fit over the lip of the lid, thereby securing the lid to the main body of the storage tote. A skilled artisan may select any suitable size and shape for the latch, as well as any suitable means for connecting the latch to the main body and the lid.

The latch may further include a releasing ridge. In certain embodiments, the releasing ridge may be disposed on a top section of the latch. The releasing ridge, according to certain embodiments, may be a ridge extending upwardly from the top section of the latch. The releasing ridge may be adapted to allow a user to open and close the latch quickly and easily.

In certain embodiments, the latch may also include at least one locking mechanism. The locking mechanism may be disposed on an inner surface of the latch, according to certain embodiments. In a more particular embodiment, the locking mechanism may be one or more teeth or detents extending downwardly from the top section of the latch and may be adapted to form a friction or other fit with the lock receiving section of the lid. Additional latch support components may be disposed on the latch, as determined by one of skill in the art.

In a more specific embodiment, the storage tote may have a first end latch and a second end latch. The first end latch may be rotatably connected to the front sidewall of the main body, and the second end latch may be rotatably connected to the rear sidewall of the main body. Each of the first end latch and the second end latch may have a first connecting means and a second connecting means. The first connecting means of the first end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to a first front side recess, and the second connecting means of the first end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to a second front side recess. Likewise, the first connecting means of the second end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to a first rear side recess, and the second connecting means of the second end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to a second rear side recess. More specifically, the first connecting means of the first end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to the latch receiving component of the first front side recess, and the second connecting means of the first end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to the latch receiving component of the second front side recess. Likewise, the first connecting means of the second end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to the latch receiving component of the first rear side recess, and the second connecting means of the second end latch may be adapted to rotatably connect to the latch receiving component of the second rear side recess.

In another more particular embodiment, a plurality of side latches may be rotatably connected to one or both of the first sidewall of the main body and the second sidewall of the main body. Each side latch may include one or more connecting means for connecting to one or more sidewall recesses disposed on the first sidewall and the second sidewall. More specifically, each side latch may include one or more connecting means for connecting to the latch receiving components of the sidewall recesses disposed on the first sidewall and the second sidewall. In certain embodiments, the size and shape of the first and second end latches, and the size and shape of the side latches may be the same. In certain embodiments, the size and shape of the first and second end latches may be different from the size and shape of the side latches.

In certain embodiments, lid grooves formed in the outer perimeter of the lid and main body grooves formed in one or more of the first sidewall, the second sidewall, the front sidewall, and the rear sidewall, as well as in the bottom section of the main body, may be adapted to fit adjacent one another for improved stacking and stability when stacking more than one storage tote on or under another storage tote during use.

In a more particular embodiment, one or more main body corner sections on the bottom section of a first storage tote may be adapted to fit or nest within the lip of the lid of a second storage tote in a stacked arrangement. More specifically, in certain embodiments, the main body corner sections of the bottom section of the first storage tote may line up and nest within corresponding corner sections of the lid of the second storage tote. The main body corner sections of the bottom section in combination with the corner sections of the lid may improve stability when one or more of the storage totes are in a stacked arrangement.

In certain embodiments, one or more of the lid grooves, main body grooves, support panels, bottom section, lip, support ridges, support flanges, additional support components, main body corner sections, and corner sections of the lid increase the structural integrity of the storage tote and the stability of multiple storage totes in a stacked configuration.

In certain more particular embodiments, the first end latch, the second end latch, and the plurality of side latches, in combination with the main body of the storage tote and the lid, are adapted to form a weathertight seal for keeping the contents of the storage tote safe and dry.

Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

DRAWINGS

The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a weatherproof storage tote according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded top perspective view of the weatherproof storage tote illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the weatherproof storage tote illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of an inner surface of a latch for the weatherproof storage tote illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional elevational view of the latch taken at section line A-A in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view of the weatherproof storage tote taken at section line B-B in FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged cross-sectional elevational view of the weatherproof storage tote taken at section line C-C in FIG. 1; and

FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of two of the weatherproof storage totes illustrated in FIG. 1 showing one weatherproof storage tote vertically stacked on top of the second weatherproof storage tote.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description of technology is merely exemplary in nature of the subject matter, manufacture and use of one or more inventions, and is not intended to limit the scope, application, or uses of any specific invention claimed in this application or in such other applications as may be filed claiming priority to this application, or patents issuing therefrom. Regarding methods disclosed, the order of the steps presented is exemplary in nature, and thus, the order of the steps can be different in various embodiments, including where certain steps can be simultaneously performed, unless expressly stated otherwise. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible. Except where otherwise expressly indicated, all numerical quantities in this description are to be understood as modified by the word “about” and all geometric and spatial descriptors are to be understood as modified by the word “substantially” in describing the broadest scope of the technology. “About” when applied to numerical values indicates that the calculation or the measurement allows some slight imprecision in the value (with some approach to exactness in the value; approximately or reasonably close to the value; nearly). If, for some reason, the imprecision provided by “about” and/or “substantially” is not otherwise understood in the art with this ordinary meaning, then “about” and/or “substantially” as used herein indicates at least variations that may arise from ordinary methods of measuring or using such parameters.

Although the open-ended term “comprising,” as a synonym of non-restrictive terms such as including, containing, or having, is used herein to describe and claim embodiments of the present technology, embodiments may alternatively be described using more limiting terms such as “consisting of” or “consisting essentially of” Thus, for any given embodiment reciting materials, components, or process steps, the present technology also specifically includes embodiments consisting of, or consisting essentially of, such materials, components, or process steps excluding additional materials, components or processes (for consisting of) and excluding additional materials, components or processes affecting the significant properties of the embodiment (for consisting essentially of), even though such additional materials, components or processes are not explicitly recited in this application. For example, recitation of a composition or process reciting elements A, B and C specifically envisions embodiments consisting of, and consisting essentially of, A, B and C, excluding an element D that may be recited in the art, even though element D is not explicitly described as being excluded herein.

As referred to herein, disclosures of ranges are, unless specified otherwise, inclusive of endpoints and include all distinct values and further divided ranges within the entire range. Thus, for example, a range of “from A to B” or “from about A to about B” is inclusive of A and of B. Disclosure of values and ranges of values for specific parameters (such as amounts, weight percentages, etc.) are not exclusive of other values and ranges of values useful herein. It is envisioned that two or more specific exemplified values for a given parameter may define endpoints for a range of values that may be claimed for the parameter. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have value A and also exemplified to have value Z, it is envisioned that Parameter X may have a range of values from about A to about Z. Similarly, it is envisioned that disclosure of two or more ranges of values for a parameter (whether such ranges are nested, overlapping or distinct) subsume all possible combination of ranges for the value that might be claimed using endpoints of the disclosed ranges. For example, if Parameter X is exemplified herein to have values in the range of 1-10, or 2-9, or 3-8, it is also envisioned that Parameter X may have other ranges of values including 1-9,1-8,1-3,1-2,2-10,2-8,2-3,3-10,3-9, and so on.

When an element or layer is referred to as being “on,” “engaged to,” “connected to,” or “coupled to” another element or layer, it may be directly on, engaged, connected or coupled to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being “directly on,” “directly engaged to,” “directly connected to” or “directly coupled to” another element or layer, there may be no intervening elements or layers present. Other words used to describe the relationship between elements should be interpreted in a like fashion (e.g., “between” versus “directly between,” “adjacent” versus “directly adjacent,” etc.). As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” can encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

With reference now to FIGS. 1-8, the present technology is drawn to a storage tote 100 that includes a main body 102, a lid 104, a plurality of latches 106, and a seal 108. In certain embodiments, the lid 104 may be removably secured to the main body 102 using at least one of the plurality of latches 106. The seal 108 is adapted to cooperate with the main body 102 and the lid 104 to facilitate the formation of a substantially fluid tight seal therebetween when the lid 104 is placed over the main body 102. The storage tote 100 may be constructed using any durable, water-resistant material. As one non-limiting example, plastic may be used. However, one skilled in the art may select any suitable material for fabricating the storage tote 100. The storage tote 100 may be any suitable size and shape, as desired.

The main body 102 may have a plurality of sidewalls, including a first sidewall 110, a second sidewall 112, a front sidewall 114, and a rear sidewall 116. The main body 102 may also have a bottom section 118. The sidewalls 110, 112, 114, 116 may be integrally formed with and extending from the bottom section 118 to define an open end 120 of the main body 102. A rim 122 extends from the sidewalls 110, 112, 114, 116 adjacent the open end 120 of the main body 102. The rim 122 may include a plurality of rim supports 124 to strengthen the rim 122 and minimize a deflection of the rim 122 when subjected to loads and forces. A ridge 123 may be formed on an upper surface of the rim 122. The ridge 123 is adapted to cooperate with the seal 108 to facilitate forming the substantially fluid tight seal between the main body 102 and the lid 104 when the lid 104 is placed over the main body 102.

In certain embodiments, the main body 102 may include at least one handle 126. The at least one handle 126 may be formed in the rim 122 of the main body. As non-limiting examples, the at least one handle 126 may be a recess formed in the rim 122 of the main body 102 or may be a protuberance extending outwardly from the main body 102 or the rim 122 of the main body. In certain more particular embodiments, two of the handles 126 are provided and are disposed on opposite sides of the rim 122 of the main body 102. As a non-limiting example, one handle 126 may be disposed on the rim 122 adjacent the first sidewall 110, and another handle 126 may be disposed on the rim 122 adjacent the second sidewall 112. The handles 126 may be configured to provide an ergonomic location for a user to lift the main body 102 of the storage tote 100. One skilled in the art may select any type of handle 126 disposed on any portion of the storage tote 100, within the scope of the present disclosure.

One or more of the first sidewall 110, the second sidewall 112, the front sidewall 114, and the rear sidewall 116 may have support panels 130 extending outwardly from the main body 102. The support panels 130 may provide additional storage space, as well as structural support for the sidewalls 110, 112, 114, 116 and the overall storage tote 100.

The main body 102 may include a plurality of latch connectors 132. In certain embodiments, each latch connector 132 may be disposed on the rim 122 of the main body 102. In more particular embodiments, each latch connector 132 may extend downwardly from the rim 122. In certain embodiments, the plurality of latch connectors 132 may be connected to both the rim 122 of the main body 102 and one or more of the first sidewall 110, the second sidewall 112, the front sidewall 114, and the rear sidewall 116. Each latch connector 132 may have an inner surface 134 defining a channel 136, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. Each latch connector 132 may have a latch receiving component 138 for removably and rotatably receiving the latch 106. In the illustrated embodiment, two of the latch connectors 132 are employed for removably and rotatably receiving one of the latches 106.

The main body 102, according to certain embodiments, may further include at least one opening 140 having an opening ridge 141 circumscribing the at least one opening 140. It should be understood that the opening ridge 141 may be provided as one or more ridge members forming a non-continuous series of ridge members that substantially circumscribe the at least one opening 140. The at least one opening 140 may be cylindrical in shape, as one non-limiting example. It should be understood that other shapes may be selected for the at least one opening 140, as desired. The at least one opening 140 may be a hollow channel without a bottom portion or may have a bottom portion, as desired.

The lid 104, according to certain embodiments, may have a base 142 and a lip 144. In certain embodiments, the lip 144 may form an outer peripheral edge 146 of the lid 104. The lip 144 may be adapted to selectively receive the rim 122 of the main body 102 and position the lid 104 over and cover the open end 120 of the main body 102. The lip 144 may define a shape of the base 142 of the lid 104. The base 142 and the lip 144 may together define a recessed area 148 in an exterior surface 149 of the lid 104, wherein the base 142 is positioned below the outer peripheral edge 146 of the lip 144. In certain embodiments, the recessed area 148 is adapted for the bottom section 118 of the main body 102 to nest in the recessed area 148 of the lid 104. The nesting of the bottom section 118 of the main body 102 in the recessed area 148 of the lid 104 facilitates stacking and stability when stacking the storage tote 100 on top of another storage tote 100 during use. In the illustrated embodiment a depth of the recessed area 148 is provided to position the base 142 of one tote 100 below the rim 122 of the tote 100 upon which it is stacked to further facilitate the stability of a stack of the totes 100. It should be understood that the recessed area 148 may be provided at a depth as desired to facilitate the stacking of storage totes 100.

At least one protuberance 150 may extend downwardly from the lip 144 of the lid 104. In certain embodiments, the protuberance 150 may be adapted to fit in the at least one opening 140 of the rim 122 of main body 102. In certain embodiments, the protuberance 150 may be received with the ridge 141 of the at least one opening 140 and abut the upper surface of the rim 122. The protuberance 150 may form a friction fit or other fit with one or both of the at least one opening 140 and the opening ridge 141, as desired. In certain embodiments, the protuberance 150 may be cylindrical in shape, however, any suitable size and shape may be used, as desired. Furthermore, the protuberance 150 may be hollow, wherein the protuberance 150 and the opening 140 may be adapted to receive a lock, clip, cable tie, or other suitable means, for example, to militate against the lid 104 from being removed from the main body 102.

In certain embodiments, the lid 104 may include a plurality of latch receiving sections 152. Each latch receiving section 152 may be a recessed section disposed on the lip 144 of the lid 104. The latch receiving section 152 may have a shape adapted to direct the latch 106 into position, and may include at least one lock receiving section 154. The lock receiving section 154 may be an aperture disposed on the latch receiving section 152, according to certain embodiments. However, the lock receiving section 154 may be any component capable of securing or locking the latch 106 to the lid 104. The lid 104 may include at least one support ridge 156 disposed on an interior surface 158 of the lip 144. In certain embodiments, the support ridge 156 may be disposed on at least one corner section 160 of the lid 104. Additionally, according to certain embodiments, at least one support flange 162 may be disposed on the interior surface 158 of the lip 144. In a more particular embodiment, the support flange 162 may be disposed on a side section 164 of the lid 104. Additional support components 166 may be included on the lid 104, including the lip 144 of the lid 104, as determined by one of skill in the art. The support ridge 156, the support flange 162, and the additional support components 166 may provide additional strength and support to the lip 144 and the lid 104 with respect to the main body 102 of the storage tote 100 and with respect to other storage totes 100, bins, or items stacked on top of the lid 104 of the storage tote 100.

The lid 104 may include a seal channel 168 formed on the inner surface 158 of the lip 144. The seal channel 168 is adapted to receive the seal 108. The seal channel 168 may be a continuous channel encircling the base 142 of the lid 104 and formed adjacent to where the lip 144 meets the base 142. It should be understood that the seal channel 168 may include a protuberance or other member adapted to facilitate disposing and retaining the seal 108 in the channel 168.

According to certain embodiments, the latch 106, may be rotatably connected to the main body 102 of the storage tote 100. With reference to FIGS. 4 & 5, the latch 106 may have at least one connecting means 170 for rotatably coupling the latch 106 to the main body 102 of the storage tote 100. In certain embodiments, the at least one connecting means 170 may be a cylindrical protrusion adapted to fit into the latch receiving component 138 disposed on each of the latch connectors 132 of the main body 102 of the storage tote 100. The latch 106 may be substantially U-shaped and adapted to fit over the lip 144 of the lid 104, thereby securing the lid 104 to the main body 102 of the storage tote 100. A skilled artisan may select any suitable size and shape for the latch 106, as well as any suitable means for connecting the latch 106 to the main body 102 and the lid 104.

The latch 106 may further include a releasing ridge 172. In certain embodiments, the releasing ridge 172 may be disposed on a top section 174 of the latch 106. The releasing ridge 172, according to certain embodiments, may be a ridge extending upwardly from the top section 174 of the latch 106. The releasing ridge 172 may be adapted to allow a user to open and close the latch 106 quickly and easily. Furthermore, the latch 106 may include texturing, knurling, one or more protuberances, elastomeric members, and other means formed therein or disposed thereon to facilitate a user securely gripping the latch 106 to selectively engage the latch 106 to secure/unsecure the lid 104 relative to the main body 102.

In certain embodiments, the latch 106 may also include at least one detent 176. The detent 176 may be disposed on an inner surface 178 of the latch 106, according to certain embodiments. In a more particular embodiment, a plurality of the detents 176 may be provided, the plurality of detents 176, also referred to as teeth, wherein the detents 176 extend outwardly from the top section 174 of the latch 106 and may be adapted to form a friction fit or other fit with a respective lock receiving section 154 formed in each of the latch receiving sections 152 of the lid 104. Additional latch support components 180 configured to strengthen the latch 106 may be disposed on the latch 106, as determined by one of skill in the art, to strengthen the latch 106. For example, the additional support components 180 may be provided on the inner surface 178 of the latch 106 to strengthen the latch and at each of the connecting means 170 to strengthen each of the connecting means 170.

In a more specific embodiment, the plurality of latches 106 may include two end latches 106, one rotatably coupled to the first sidewall 110 of the storage tote 100 and another latch 106 rotatably coupled to the second sidewall 112. Additionally, the plurality of latches 106 may include at least four side latches 106, two rotatably coupled to the front sidewall 114 and two rotatably coupled to the rear sidewall 116. Each of the end latches 106 and the side latches 106 may be adapted to cooperate with a respective latch receiving section 152 of the lid 104. In certain embodiments, the dimensions of each of the latches 106 may be the same. In certain embodiments, the latches 106 may have different dimensions such as a length of one of the latches 106 may be shorter or longer than the length of another of the latches 106.

With reference to FIGS. 3, 6 & 7, the seal 108 is disposed in the seal channel 168 formed on the interior surface 158 of the lip 144 of the lid 104. When the lid 104 is positioned over the open end 120 of the main body 102, the seal 108 may abut the rim 122 of the main body 102 to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the rim 122 of the main body 102 and the lip 144 of the lid 104. Engaging one or more of the latches 106 with the respective latch receiving sections 152 may further facilitate forming the fluid tight seal between the rim 122 and the lip 144 when the lip 144 receives the rim 122. The seal 108 may be a continuous flexible seal forming a generally circle shape configured to be received in the seal channel 168 of the lid 104 and circumscribe the open end 120 of the main body 102 when the lip 144 receives the rim.122. In an alternative embodiment, the seal 108 may be provided having a predetermined length having opposing ends, wherein the opposing ends abut one another when the seal 138 is disposed in the seal channel 168. The seal 108 may be formed from an elastomeric material or any other suitable material for forming the substantially fluid tight seal between main body 102 and the lid 104. It should be understood that the seal 108 may be frictionally fit and retained within the seal channel 168. It should also be understood that an adhesive may be employed to facilitate retaining the seal 108 in the seal channel 168. In embodiments where the rim 122 includes the ridge 123, the ridge 123 can be configured in size and shape to cooperate with the seal 108 (e.g., compress the seal 108) to facilitate forming the substantially fluid tight seal between the main body 102 and the lid 104.

In certain embodiments, one or more of the support panels 130, bottom section 118 of the main body, and the base 142, lip 144, support ridges 156, corner sections 160, support flanges 162, and/or additional support components 166 of the lid 104, cooperate to increase the structural integrity of the main body 102, the lid 104, and the overall storage tote 100, as well as provide stability to multiple storage totes 100 in a stacked configuration. Optimized stability of the storage tote 100 in this way can minimize flexing, fatiguing, and cracking that may arise in other storage totes that do not incorporate the present technology.

In certain more particular embodiments, the plurality of latches 106, in combination with the main body 102, the lid 104, and the seal 108 are adapted to form a substantially fluid tight seal or weathertight seal between the rim 122 of the main body 102 and the lip 144 of the lid for keeping the contents of the storage tote 100 safe and dry.

In use, objects such as tools, construction materials, decorations, or collectables, for example, are placed in the main body 102 of the storage tote 100. The lid 104 is positioned over the open end 120 of the main body 102. The lid 104 is secured to the main body 102 by rotatably engaging the latches 106 with the respective latch receiving sections 152 of the lid 104. When the latches 106 are engaged with the respective latch receiving sections 152 of the lid 104, the seal 108 abuts the rim 122 of the main body 102 to form the substantially fluid tight or weather tight seal between the main body 102 and the lid 104. A user may employ multiple storage totes 100 to store a multitude of objects. As shown in FIG. 8, a user then may stack a second storage tote 100′ on top of a first storage tote 100, wherein the bottom section 118 of the second storage tote 100′ is nested in the recessed area 148 of the lid 104 of the first storage tote 100. The nesting facilitates a stability of the stack of totes 100, 100′. It should be understood that a stack of two or more of the storage totes 100 may be made by a user, wherein the bottom section 118 of each successive storage tote 100 in the stack is nested in the recessed area 148 of the tote 100 below.

Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions, and methods can be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.

Claims

1. A storage tote, comprising:

a main body having a bottom section, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the bottom section defining an open end of the main body, and a rim extending from the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the open end of the main body;

a lid having a base, a lip disposed adjacent the base, and a plurality of latch receiving sections formed in the lip, the lip configured to selectively receive the rim of the main body to position the lid over the open end of the main body;

a plurality of latches, each latch rotatably connected to the main body and selectively engageable with one of the latch receiving sections of the lid, each latch including a detent configured to frictionally engage the one of the latch receiving sections of the lid; and

a seal disposed on the lip of the lid, the seal configured to abut the rim of the main body to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the rim and the lip when the lip receives the rim.

2. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a handle.

3. The storage tote of claim 2, wherein the handle is formed in the rim of the main body.

4. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the main body includes a plurality of latch connectors, each latch connector including a latch receiving component to facilitate rotatably connecting one of the latches to the main body.

5. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein an opening is formed in the rim of the main body and an opening ridge is formed on an upper surface of the rim adjacent the opening.

6. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a recessed area in an exterior surface of the lid.

7. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein a protuberance is formed on the lip of the lid, the protuberance configured to be received by at least one of an opening formed in the rim of the main body and an opening ridge formed on an upper surface of the rim adjacent the opening.

8. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein each of the latch receiving sections of the lid includes a lock receiving section configured to engage the detent of one of the latches.

9. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a support ridge formed on an interior surface of the lip of the lid adjacent a corner section of the lid.

10. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a support flange formed on an interior surface of the lip of the lid adjacent a side section of the lid configured to strengthen the lip.

11. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the lid includes an additional support component formed on an interior surface of the lip of the lid adjacent an outer peripheral edge of the lid configured to strengthen the lip.

12. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein the lid includes a seal channel formed on an interior surface of the lip of the lid, the main body includes a ridge formed on an upper surface of the rim of the main body, where the seal, the seal channel, and the ridge cooperate to facilitate forming the substantially fluid tight seal between the rim and the lip when the lip receives the rim.

13. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein each latch includes a connecting means rotatably coupled to a latch receiving component disposed on a latch connector formed on the main body of the storage tote.

14. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein each latch includes a releasing ridge formed on a top surface of the latch configured to facilitate a user rotating the latch.

15. The storage tote of claim 1, wherein each latch includes a latch support component formed on an inner surface of the latch configured to strengthen the latch.

16. A storage tote, comprising: a main body, a lid, a plurality of latches, and a seal,

the main body including; a bottom section, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the bottom section defining an open end of the main body, a rim extending from the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the open end of the main body, a handle formed in the rim, and a plurality of latch connectors, each latch connector including a latch receiving component to facilitate rotatably connecting one of the plurality of latches to the main body;

the lid including; a base, a lip disposed adjacent the base, a recessed area in an exterior surface of the lid, a plurality of latch receiving sections formed in the lip, each of the latch receiving sections including a lock receiving section, a seal channel formed on an interior surface of the lip, the lip configured to selectively receive the rim of the main body to position the lid over the open end of the main body;

each latch including; a connecting means rotatably coupled to one of the latch receiving components of the plurality of latch connectors of the main body, a detent configured to frictionally engage the lock receiving section of the one of the latch receiving sections of the lid; and a releasing ridge formed on a top surface of the latch configured to facilitate a user rotating the latch with respect to the main body of the storage tote; and

the seal disposed in the seal channel of the lid and configured to abut the rim of the main body to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the rim and the lip when the lip receives the rim.

17. The storage tote of claim 16, wherein an opening is formed in the rim of the main body and an opening ridge is formed on an upper surface of the rim adjacent the opening, and a protuberance is formed on an inner surface of the lip of the lid, the protuberance configured to be received by at least one of the opening and the opening ridge.

18. The storage tote of claim 16, wherein the lid includes:

a support ridge formed on the interior surface of the lip adjacent a corner section of the lid;

a support flange formed on the interior surface of the lip adjacent a side section of the lid; and

an additional support component formed on the interior surface of the lip adjacent an outer peripheral edge of the lid, the support ridge, the support flange, and the additional support component each configured to strengthen the lid.

19. The storage tote of claim 16, wherein the seal is a continuous flexible seal forming a generally circle shape configured to be received in the seal channel of the lid and circumscribe the open end of the main body when the lip receives the rim.

20. A method of using a storage tote, comprising:

providing a storage tote including; a main body having a bottom section, a plurality of sidewalls extending from the bottom section defining an open end of the main body, and a rim extending from the plurality of sidewalls adjacent the open end of the main body; a lid having a base, a lip disposed adjacent the base, and a plurality of latch receiving sections formed in the lip, the lip configured to selectively receive the rim of the main body to position the lid over the open end of the main body; a plurality of latches, each latch rotatably connected to the main body and selectively engageable with one of the latch receiving sections of the lid, each latch including at least one detent configured to frictionally engage the one of the latch receiving sections of the lid; and a seal disposed on the lip of the lid, the seal configured to abut the rim of the main body to form a substantially fluid tight seal between the rim and the lip when the lip receives the rim;

performing one of: coupling the lid to the main body by receiving the rim of the main body using the lip of the lid; engaging one of the latches with one of the latch receiving sections of the lid; and stacking the storage tote atop another one of the storage tote.