Abstract:
A storage container is disclosed. The container includes a tub, a primary lid hinged to the tub, and a secondary lid hinged to the primary lid. There is a first seal on the primary lid for sealing against the tub when the primary lid is in a closed position and a second seal on the primary lid for sealing against the secondary lid when the secondary lid is in a closed position. A plurality of at least partially recessed landings are provided on the primary lid for receiving a plurality of feet of a second storage container and for restricting lateral movement thereof when the second storage container is stacked on the primary lid.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/911231 entitled “MODULAR STORAGE BIN,” filed Apr. 11, 2007, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to storage containers in general and, more specifically, to stackable storage containers. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The same consumer product will often be available in a number of sizes or quantities. Typically, the greater the amount of a product purchased, the lower the price per unit will be. Usually there is little difference in the quality of the packaging whether goods are purchased in smaller or larger quantities. Therefore the product packaging for large quantities will be no better equipped to keep the product fresh than the product packaging even for a single-use size. Although consumers would typically prefer to obtain the most volume per cost that is possible for a product or good, considerations of storage and freshness often come into play. This can result in a consumer buying a smaller amount of goods, and consequently paying more per unit for the goods than is desirable. 
         [0004]    In addition to consumers shying away from bulk purchases due to concerns with keeping the purchases product fresh until it has been consumed, there is also an issue of storage. Large amounts of product are typically accompanied by larger storage requirements. Nonuniformity of packaging across products exacerbates the problem. Additionally, when products are stacked together (e.g., in a garage or panty) accessing a quantity of a product that is in a lower container generally requires first removing the items or containers on top first. Therefore a large amount of time may be wasted simply keeping the boxes or other containers organized. 
         [0005]    What is need is an apparatus and system for addressing the above, and related, issues. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in one aspect thereof, comprises a storage container. The container includes a tub, a primary lid hinged to the tub, and a secondary lid hinged to the primary lid. There is a first seal on the primary lid for sealing against the tub when the primary lid is in a closed position and a second seal on the primary lid for sealing against the secondary lid when the secondary lid is in a closed position. A plurality of at least partially recessed landings are provided on the primary lid for receiving a plurality of feet of a second storage container and for restricting lateral movement thereof when the second storage container is stacked on the primary lid. 
         [0007]    The present invention disclosed and claimed herein, in another aspect thereof comprises a stackable container system. The system includes a plurality of containers. Each container comprises a tub having a plurality of feet and defining a recess proximate a lower portion thereof, and a primary lid hinged to the tub. The primary lid provides a plurality of landings thereon and has a secondary lid hinged thereto allowing selective access to the tub when the primary lid is in a closed position. When the plurality of containers are in a stacked configuration, the feet of one container cooperatively interface with the landings of a container immediately below in order to restrain lateral movement of the containers relative to one another, and the secondary lid is provided clearance to be selectively opened by the tub recess of a container immediately above, if present. The primarily lid defines a recess such that when the plurality of containers are nested, the lid recess of one container provides at least partial clearance for the open primary lid of a container immediately above. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]      FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of one embodiment of a modular storage container according the aspects of the present disclosure. 
           [0009]      FIG. 1B  is a partial cutaway view of the modular storage container of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  1 B of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a close-up perspective view of a portion of the storage container of  FIG. 1   
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the storage container of  FIG. 1  illustrating a large open lid. 
           [0012]      FIG. 4  is a side view of two storage containers of the present disclosure arranged in a stacked configuration. 
           [0013]      FIG. 5  is a side view of two storage containers of the present disclosure arranged in a nested configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0014]    The various drawings of the present disclosure illustrate an exemplary embodiment of a sealable, modular storage container. Such containers may be suitable for storing pet food, but are not so limited. Other items, perishable or otherwise, may be stored in the containers shown and described herein. Items stored in such containers may be sealed against spoilage while remaining substantially and easily accessible. 
         [0015]    Referring now to  FIG. 1A , a perspective view of one embodiment of a modular storage container according the aspects of the present disclosure is shown. The container  100  comprises a tub  102  and a primary lid  104 . In one embodiment, the primary lid  104  substantially covers the tub  102 . The tub  102  and primary lid  104  close via a hinge  106 . Tabs  108  may be provide on the tub  102  and interface with tabs  110  on the primary lid  104  to latch and securely fasten or close the primary lid  104  onto the tub  102 . An interference fit is contemplated by the tabs  108 ,  110  of the present embodiment but other closure means are possible. For example, latches, slides, cam locks or other implements are contemplated and may be used to securely close the lid  104  on the tub  102 . 
         [0016]    In the present embodiment, the tub  102  and primary lid  104  are formed from molded plastic. Other embodiments may provide other materials and methods of construction however. The hinge  106  may be integrally formed by the primary lid  104  and tub  102  or could be a separate component that is attached to the primary lid  104  and tub  102 . 
         [0017]    The tub  102  may also be molded or shaped to provide integral handles  112 . In the present embodiment, the tub  102  is also molded to provide a recess  114  in the body of the tub. One functionality of the recess  114  is to allow for the opening of a smaller, secondary lid  120  embedded within the primary lid  104  when multiple storage containers are stacked atop one another, as is explained in greater detail below. The terms “primary” and “secondary” when used in reference to the lids are only for reference and are not meant to imply that either of the lids are more important or have greater function or utility than the other. 
         [0018]    The primary lid  104  serves multiple functions in the present embodiment. As described, the lid  104  covers the tub  102 , along with any contest of the tub  102 . The lid  104  opens on hinge  106  and may be further secured to the tub  102  by latching tabs  110  over the tabs  108  of the tub  102 . The upper surface of the lid  104  may feature one or more lands  116 , which may be at least partially recessed into the lid  104  or may be otherwise at least partially bordered (e.g., by a border molded into the lid  104 ). In one embodiment, the lands  116  will be substantially flat, and sized and located to support the feet of another container. In this configuration a plurality of storage containers  100  may be stacked atop one another with the upper containers restrained against lateral movement by the interaction between the feet  402  and the lands  116 . 
         [0019]    The primary lid  104  may also have a slot or groove  118  molded therein. This may allow more compact nesting of containers  100  when not being utilized to store goods or materials. This concept may be more readily appreciable with reference to  FIG. 5 , which is described in greater detail below. 
         [0020]    Referring now to  FIG. 1B  a partial cutaway view of the modular storage container of  FIG. 1  taken along the line  1 B of  FIG. 1  is shown. It can be seen from this view that the primary lid  104  provides a seal  302  at the interface between the primary lid  104  and the tub  102 . The seal may be foam rubber, plastic, silicon, or another suitable material. The seal may provide a substantially water and/or airtight barrier to the container  100 . Thus, goods that are susceptible to spoilage or may be otherwise damaged if exposed too long to ambient air or moisture may be stored in the storage container  100 . The seal also prevents insects and other pests from gaining entry into the closed container  100 . In the present embodiment, the seal is retained by the primary lid  104  when it is raised but other configurations are possible. 
         [0021]    Referring now also to  FIG. 2 , a close up perspective view of a portion of the storage container of  FIG. 1  is shown. Here it can be seen that a smaller, secondary lid  120  may be provided within the primary lid  104 . In some embodiments, the secondary lid  120  will be substantially translucent in order to allow easy observation of any contents within the container  100 . The secondary lid  120  can be constructed using similar or different methods and materials as the primary lid  104  and the tub  102 . In one embodiment, the secondary lid  120  is hinged to the primary lid  104  and selectively closes an opening or access port in the primary lid  104 . A tab  122  may be provided on the secondary lid  120  which interacts with a tab  124  on the primary lid  104  to enable the secondary lid  120  to close securely against the primary lid  104 . Here again, a seal  202  is provided to prevent entry or exchange or air or moisture and to keep the contents of the containers from becoming infested by insects or other pests. 
         [0022]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , another perspective view of the storage container  100  is shown. Here the container  100  is shown with the primary lid  102  open. From this viewpoint it can be seen that in this embodiment the hinge  106  is offset to allow the primary lid  104  to swing clear of the tub  102  completely. It can also be seen that in the present embodiment the seal  302  is retained by the primary lid  104  when opened and that the seal  302  covers the entire perimeter of the primary lid  104  where it meets with the tub  102 . 
         [0023]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a side view of containers of the present disclosure arranged in a stacked configuration is shown. The stack  400  is shown with two containers  100  but it may be possible to stack more containers depending upon the strength of materials used in the construction and upon the weight of the contents of the containers  100 . The recess  114  is shown in dotted line here, as is the secondary lid  120 . It can be seen here that that the recess is sized and located to allow clearance of an open secondary lid  120  of the container  100  below. It can also be seen that the tub  102  may be provided with feet  402 . In some embodiments, the feet  402  will also be provided with a non slip surface on the bottom. The feet  402  of the top container  100  rest in the lands  116  of the primary lid  104  of the lower container  100 . As described, the lands  116  may be partially or wholly recessed or bordered. Thus the feet  402 , and consequently the upper container  100 , will be restrained from lateral movement relative to the lower container  100 . 
         [0024]    From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the containers  100  may be stacked while the contents of each of the containers  100  are accessible at least via the secondary lid  120 . The recess  114  is provided in the tub  102  to allow for the secondary lid  120  to open fully even when containers  100  are stacked. Further, in embodiments where the secondary lid is translucent, the recess  114  allows for easier visual inspection of the interior of any lower container  100 . The topmost container  100  may be accessible by the secondary lid  120  or by the primary lid  104  as shown. The hinge  106  allows for full access into the upper container  100  while keeping the primary lid  104  securely attached to the container  100 . It can also be seen that the offset of the hinge  106  allows the primary lid  104  to remain attached to the container  100  without significantly altering the footprint or space requirements of the stack  400 . 
         [0025]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a side view of two storage containers of the present disclosure arranged in a nested configuration is shown. Here it can be seen that in addition to stacking, a plurality of containers  100  can also be arranged in a nested stack  500  for compact storage. Again, two containers are shown in  FIG. 5  but it is possible to nest more containers  100 . The primary lid  104  of each container  100  may be provided with a groove  118  to accommodate an adjacent primary lid  104  when nested. The present embodiment utilizes the groove  118  molded into the primary lid  104  to provide additional clearance for the edge of an adjacent primary lid  104  in the nested stack  500 . Other embodiments may utilize other molded-in or integral reliefs, recesses, depressions, or cooperating structures to allow for compact nesting while the primary lids  104  remain hinged to the tubs  102 . It can also be seen that the hinges  106  are configured to provide a pivot point for the primary lids  104  that is somewhat displaced from the tub  102  to provide further clearance. 
         [0026]    In the embodiment of  FIG. 5 , it can be seen that not all of the primary lids  104  will hang completely vertical from the hinge  106 . However, depending upon the needs of the user and the degree to which the volume of the primary lid  104  is not needed for storage for the container  100 , the grooves  118  could be molded deeper to allow a substantially vertical hang of the primary lids  104  from the hinges  106 . This and/or the offset of the hinges  106  may provide adequate clearance for the lids  104  when the containers  100  are in a nested stack configuration  500  such that the lids  104  do not have to be removed from the tubs  102  for separate storage. It can also be seen in  FIG. 5  that when nested the handles  112  of the containers  100  remain accessible. Thus, the containers  100  may be easily separated from on another when nested.