Container assembly having removable exterior shelf structures

A container assembly (1) having a container body (11) and exterior shelf structures (41, 44) that are each reversibly attached to exterior surfaces (35, 38) of first (17) and second (20) sidewalls of the container body (11), is described. Each exterior shelf structure (41, 44) has a shelf base (47), and a forward shelf portion (56) and a rear shelf portion (62) that each extend upwardly from the shelf base (47). Each exterior shelf structure has a shelf space (77) that resides between and is defined in part by the forward (56) and rear (62) shelf portions. The forward shelf portion (56) of each exterior shelf structure (41, 44) has an open front or face (86) that is in communication with a recessed chamber (89) of the forward shelf portion (56). The exterior shelf structures (41, 44) may each be reversibly attached to the container body sidewalls (17, 20) by means of tabs (98) that are received within tab apertures (110) of the sidewalls. The exterior shelf structures (41, 44) may be removed from the container body sidewalls (17, 20) and stored within the container interior (32), allowing the container body to be compactly stored and/or shipped. The container assembly, including the container body and exterior shelf structures, may be used to store items, such as personal items, e.g., toys and/or clothing.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to container assemblies, that may be used as, for example, bins, such as toy bins and/or clothing bins. More particularly, the present invention relates to container assemblies that include removable exterior shelf structures, that may have the appearance of fork lift pockets.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Containers for use in storing items such as toys and/or clothing typically include a body, and a lid structure that is either removable or hingedly attached to the body. The body of the container may further include exterior handles or exterior recesses that allow the container to be manually lifted and moved. See, for example, Des. 359,618 and Des. 421,180.

It would be desirable to design new containers that allow for storage of items both within the container and on the exterior of the container. In addition, it would be desirable that such newly designed containers, may be easily modified so as to allow efficient and compact storage of the container itself.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a container assembly comprising:(a) a container body comprising, a container base, a first container sidewall, a second container sidewall, a front container wall and a rear container wall, said first container sidewall, said second container sidewall, said front container wall and said rear container wall each extending upwardly from said container base and together defining an open container top and a container interior,said first container sidewall and said second container sidewallbeing laterally spaced apart and opposed from each other and each having an exterior surface;(b) a first exterior shelf structure reversibly attached to said exterior surface of said first container sidewall; and(c) a second exterior shelf structure reversibly attached to said exterior surface of said second container sidewall,wherein said first exterior shelf structure and said second exterior shelf structure each comprise,a shelf base having an upper surface, a lower surface, a forward shelf portion having a rear surface, a rear shelf portion having a forward surface, and a shelf inner wall having a first surface and a second surface, said forward shelf portion, said rear shelf portion and said shelf inner wall, each extending upwardly from said shelf base,said forward shelf portion and said rear shelf portion being laterally spaced apart and opposed to each other, said rear surface of said forward shelf portion and said forward surface of said rear shelf portion being in facing opposition to each other,said upper surface of said shelf base, said rear surface of said forward shelf portion, said forward surface of said rear shelf portion and said first surface of said shelf inner wall together defining a shelf space, an open shelf top and an open shelf side, said open shelf top being opposed from said upper surface of said shelf base, and said open shelf side being opposed from said first surface of said shelf inner wall,said forward shelf portion having an open front that is in communication with a recessed chamber of said forward shelf portion,further wherein,at least a portion of said second surface of said shelf inner wall of said first exterior shelf structure, and a portion of said exterior surface of said first container sidewall abutting each other, andat least a portion of said second surface of said shelf inner wall of said second exterior shelf structure, and a portion of said exterior surface of said second container sidewall abutting each other.

The features that characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims, which are annexed to and form a part of this disclosure. These and other features of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects obtained by its use will be more fully understood from the following detailed description and accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated and described.

As used herein and in the claims, terms of orientation and position, such as “upper”, “lower”, “inner”, “outer”, “right”, “left”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, “top”, “bottom”, and similar terms, are used to describe the invention as oriented in the drawings. Unless otherwise indicated, the use of such terms is not intended to represent a limitation upon the scope of the invention, in that the invention may adopt alternative positions and orientations.

Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers or expressions, such as those expressing structural dimensions, quantities of ingredients, etc., as used in the specification and claims are understood as modified in all instances by the term “about”.

InFIGS. 1 through 21, like reference numerals designate the same components and structural features, unless otherwise indicated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 through 6and21of the drawings, a container assembly1according to the present invention is depicted. Container assembly1includes a container body11, that includes a container base14, a first container sidewall17, a second container sidewall20, a front container wall23and a rear container wall26. First container sidewall17, second container sidewall20, front container wall23and rear container wall26each extend upwardly from container base14and together define an open container top29and a container interior32. First container sidewall17and second container sidewall20are laterally spaced apart and opposed to each other, and each has an exterior surface: exterior surface35for first container sidewall17; and exterior surface38for second container sidewall20.

Container assembly1further includes a first exterior shelf structure41that is reversibly attached to exterior surface35of first container sidewall17. In addition, container assembly1also includes a second exterior shelf structure44that is reversibly attached to exterior surface38of second container sidewall20.

With reference toFIGS. 7 through 9, the first41and second44exterior shelf structures each include a shelf base47having an upper surface50and a lower surface53. Each exterior shelf structure (first41, second44) also includes a forward shelf portion56having a rear surface59, and a rear shelf portion62having a forward surface65. Each exterior shelf structure (first41, second44) further includes a shelf inner wall68having a first surface71and a second surface74. Forward shelf portion56, rear shelf portion62and shelf inner wall68each extend substantially upward from shelf base47.

The forward (56) and rear (62) shelf portions of each exterior shelf structure may have any suitable shape, such as, box-like shapes, oval shapes, round shapes or irregular shapes. As depicted in the drawings, the forward (56) and rear (62) shelf portions of each exterior shelf structure, each have box-like (e.g., rectatubular) shapes or structures.

For each exterior shelf structure (first41, second44), forward shelf portion56and rear shelf portion62are laterally spaced apart and opposed to each other. In addition, rear surface59of forward shelf portion56, and forward surface65of rear shelf portion62are in facing opposition to each other.

Each exterior shelf structure (first41, second44) includes a shelf space77that resides between forward shelf portion56and rear shelf portion62, an open shelf top80and an open shelf side83. More particularly, upper surface50of shelf base47, rear surface59of forward shelf portion56, forward surface65of rear shelf portion62and first surface71of shelf inner wall68together define shelf space77, open shelf top80and open shelf side83. Open shelf top80is opposed from upper surface50of shelf base47. Open shelf side83is opposed from first surface71of shelf inner wall68. See, for example,FIGS. 7,8and9.

The shelf space (e.g.,77) of each exterior shelf structure is typically independently dimensioned to allow storage of items, such as personal items (e.g., toys, books, utensils and/or tools) therein. Alternatively or in addition to allowing for the storage of items, such as personal items, each shelf space may be independently dimensioned to allow use thereof as a desk and/or as a seat.

The forward shelf portion56of each exterior shelf structure (first41, second44) has an open front (or face)86(e.g., an open forward face86) that is in communication with a recessed chamber89of the forward shelf portion56. See, for example,FIG. 7. Recessed chamber89is defined in part by a rear wall90, and as such does not extend all of the way through forward shelf portion56. See, for example,FIGS. 4,7and13. In an embodiment of the present invention the rear shelf portion62of each exterior shelf structure (first41, second44) has an open rear (or face)92(e.g., an open rear face92) that is in communication with a recessed chamber95of the rear shelf portion62. See, for example,FIG. 9. Recessed chamber95is defined in part by a rear wall96, and as such does not extend all of the way through rear shelf portion62. See, for example,FIGS. 9 and 18. The recessed chambers (89,95) of the forward (56) and rear (62) shelf portions may have any suitable shape, such as tubular shapes having sectional shapes selected from circular shapes, oval shapes, irregular shapes and/or polygonal shapes (e.g., triangular, square, rectangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, etc.). As depicted in the drawings, the recessed chambers (89,95) of the forward (56) and rear (62) shelf portions have substantially tubular shapes having rectangular sectional shapes (e.g., having rectatubular shapes). The recessed chambers (89,95) of the forward (56) and rear (62) shelf portions are typically dimensioned so as to allow storage of items, such as personal items (e.g., toys, books, utensils and/or tools) therein.

When attached to the container body11, at least a portion of second surface74of shelf inner wall68of first exterior shelf structure41, and a portion of exterior surface35of first container sidewall17abut each other. Similarly, when attached to container body11, at least a portion of second surface74of shelf inner wall68of second exterior shelf structure44, and a portion of exterior surface38of second container sidewall20abut each other.

In an embodiment of the present invention, for each of first exterior shelf structure41and second exterior shelf structure44, shelf inner wall68extends between and is connected to forward shelf portion56and rear shelf portion62.

The container body of the container assembly of the present invention may be formed by connecting two or more elements thereof (e.g., two or more of, the container base14, and the first17, second20, front23and rear26container walls) together. In an embodiment of the present invention, container body11is a substantially unitary (i.e., a substantially one-piece) container body (as depicted in the drawing figures), and the elements thereof (e.g., the container base14, and the first17, second20, front23and rear26container walls) are substantially continuous with each other.

The first and second exterior shelf structures (41,44) of the container assembly of the present invention may be formed by connecting two or more elements thereof (e.g., shelf base47, forward shelf portion56, rear shelf portion62and shelf inner wall68) together. In an embodiment of the present invention, the first exterior shelf structure is a substantially unitary first exterior shelf structure, and the second exterior shelf structure is a substantially unitary second exterior shelf structure (e.g., as depicted in the drawing figures with regard to first exterior shelf structure41and second exterior shelf structure44).

In an embodiment of the present invention, the exterior shelf structures are attached to the sidewalls of the container body by means of one or more tabs that are each received through an appropriately aligned and dimensioned tab aperture in the respective container sidewall. More particularly, for each of the first (41) and second (44) exterior shelf structures, second surface74of shelf inner wall68includes at least one tab98that extends outward from second surface74. Each tab98has a lower shoulder101and a lower tab portion104. Each lower tab portion104has an inner tab surface107(FIG. 8). Lower tab portion104extends below (or downward from/relative to) lower tab shoulder101and lower surface53of shelf base47. See, for example,FIGS. 8 and 9.

First container sidewall17includes at least one tab aperture110that is defined in part by a lower edge113. See, for example,FIGS. 2,10and11. Each tab98of first exterior shelf structure41is received through an appropriately aligned tab aperture110. With tab98received through tab aperture110, lower tab portion104extends below lower edge113of the tab aperture110. In addition, with tab98so received through tab aperture110, lower edge113of tab aperture110and lower tab shoulder101abut each other. In addition, inner tab surface107and a portion of an inner surface116of first container sidewall17abut each other (not visible in the drawings).

Second container sidewall20includes at least one tab aperture110that is defined in part by a lower edge113. Each tab98of second exterior shelf structure44is received through an appropriately aligned tab aperture110. With tab98received through tab aperture110, lower tab portion104extends below lower edge113of the tab aperture110. In addition, with tab98so received through tab aperture110, lower edge113of tab aperture110and lower tab shoulder101abut each other. In addition, inner tab surface107and a portion of an inner surface119of second container sidewall20abut each other. See, for example,FIG. 12. The relationship between the tabs98and the tab apertures110is more clearly depicted with reference toFIG. 12, which depiction is equivalently applicable to the tabs98of first exterior shelf structure41and tab apertures110of first sidewall17.

The exterior shelf structures each have at least one tab, and typically at least two tabs (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 tabs), and the respective sidewall of the container body typically has a equal number of appropriately aligned and dimensioned tab apertures (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 tab apertures). In an embodiment of the present invention, the first exterior shelf structure41and the second exterior shelf structure44each have two tabs98that are in each case laterally spaced from each other, as depicted in the drawing figures (e.g.,FIGS. 8 and 9). Accordingly the first container sidewall17and the second container sidewall20each have two tab apertures110that are laterally spaced apart, positioned and dimensioned (as depicted in the drawing figures) so as to each receive one tab98therein (e.g.,FIG. 2).

Alternatively or in addition to the tabs being received within the tab apertures, the exterior shelf structures may further include one or more (e.g., at least two) upwardly extending extensions that are fastened to the exterior surface of the respective container sidewall. In an embodiment, for each of the first exterior shelf structure41and the second exterior shelf structure44, the forward shelf portion56has a first extension122extending upwardly from an upper surface125of forward shelf portion56. First extension122has an aperture128extending there-through and a second surface131. For the first (41) and second (44) exterior shelf structures, the rear shelf portion62has a second extension134extending upwardly from an upper surface137of rear shelf portion62. Second extension137has an aperture140extending there-through and a second surface143. See, for example,FIGS. 7-9.

With first exterior shelf structure41reversibly attached to first sidewall17of container body11, second surface131of first extension122abuts exterior surface35of first container sidewall17, and aperture128of first extension122is aligned with a first aperture147of first container sidewall17. A first fastener150is received through aperture128of first extension122and first aperture147of first container sidewall17. Second surface143of second extension134abuts exterior surface35of first container sidewall17, and aperture140of second extension134is aligned with a second aperture153of first container sidewall17. A second fastener156is received through aperture140of second extension134and second aperture153of first container sidewall17. See, for example,FIGS. 1 and 2.

With second exterior shelf structure44reversibly attached to second sidewall20of container body11, second surface131of first extension122abuts exterior surface38of second container sidewall20, and aperture128of first extension122is aligned with a first aperture147of second container sidewall20. A first fastener150is received through aperture128of first extension122and first aperture147of second container sidewall20. Second surface143of second extension134abuts exterior surface38of second container sidewall20, and aperture140of second extension134is aligned with a second aperture153of second container sidewall20. A second fastener156is received through aperture140of second extension134and second aperture153of second container sidewall20. See, for example,FIGS. 1 and 2.

The fasteners (e.g.,150and156) used to connect the first and second exterior shelf structures to the exterior surfaces of the respective sidewalls, may be selected from art-recognized fasteners, such as nut and bolt combinations, rivets, screws and rods. As depicted in the drawing figures, the fasteners are in the form of nut and bolt combinations, which include nuts159and washers162.

In an embodiment, the container sidewalls may include an overhang that portions of the exterior shelf structures abut up under when attached to the exterior of the container sidewalls. The overhang may assist in aligning: apertures of the sidewalls with apertures of the extensions of the exterior shelf structures; and/or tab apertures of the sidewalls with tabs of the exterior shelf structures. The first container sidewall17and the second container sidewall20may each further include a container sidewall upper portion165and a container sidewall lower portion168. Container sidewall upper portion165extends outward relative to container sidewall lower portion168, and defines an overhang171having an exterior lower surface174. See, for example,FIG. 4.

A portion of upper surface125of forward shelf portion56of first exterior shelf structure41abuts a portion of exterior lower surface174of overhang171of first container sidewall17, and a portion of upper surface137of rear shelf portion62of first exterior shelf structure41abuts a portion of exterior lower surface174of overhang171of first container sidewall17. Similarly with second exterior shelf structure44, a portion of upper surface125of forward shelf portion56of second exterior shelf structure44abuts a portion of exterior lower surface174of overhang171of second container sidewall20, and a portion of upper surface137of rear shelf portion62of second exterior shelf structure44abuts a portion of exterior lower surface174of overhang171of second container sidewall20.

Alternatively or in addition to the upper surfaces of the forward and rear shelf portions abutting the exterior lower surface of the overhang, an upper edge of the shelf inner wall of each exterior shelf structure may abut a portion of the exterior lower surface of the overhang of the respective container sidewall, in an embodiment of the present invention. Such an alternative or additional abutting relationship may serve to better position the exterior shelf structures on the exterior surface of the container sidewalls. With this particular embodiment, an upper edge177of shelf inner wall68of first exterior shelf structure41abuts a portion of exterior lower surface174of overhang171of first container sidewall17. Similarly, an upper edge177of shelf inner wall68of second exterior shelf structure44abuts a portion of exterior lower surface174of overhang171of second container sidewall20.

The first and second exterior shelf structures may each further include a reversibly closeable lid that reversibly closes the shelf space. The reversibly closeable shelf lid typically has a first edge that is hingedly attached to the shelf inner wall. With reference toFIGS. 13 and 14, first exterior shelf structure41further includes a reversibly closeable shelf lid254that reversibly closes shelf space77. Shelf lid254has a first edge257that is hingedly attached to shelf inner wall68. First edge257of shelf lid254may be hingedly attached to any portion of shelf inner wall68. Typically, first edge257of shelf lid254is hingedly attached to upper edge177of shelf inner wall68, as depicted in the drawings.

In a further embodiment of the present invention, in addition to having a reversibly closeable shelf lid, the exterior shelf structures may each have an outer shelf wall having an upper edge. The outer shelf wall has a vertical height that is less than the vertical height of the shelf inner wall. The outer shelf wall allows items (e.g., personal items, such as small toys or books) to be more securely stowed within the shelf space. With further reference toFIGS. 13 and 14, first exterior shelf structure41has an outer shelf wall260having an upper edge263. Outer shelf wall260extends upwardly from base47of first exterior shelf structure41. Upper edge263of out shelf wall260has a vertical height266that is less than vertical height269of upper edge177of shelf inner wall68(in each case relative to lower surface53of shelf base47). Typically the vertical height266of outer shelf wall260is from 10 percent to 75 percent (e.g., from 25 to 60 percent, such as about 50 percent) of the vertical height269of shelf inner wall68. Reversibly closeable shelf lid254has a second edge272that abuts upper edge263of outer shelf wall260, when shelf lid254is closed.

Each shelf lid may include a handle and/or indentation (not shown) to assist with manual opening and closing of the shelf lid. Alternatively or in addition thereto, outer shelf wall260may include an indentation275that is in communication with upper edge263of outer shelf wall260. Indentation275provides access to second edge272of shelf lid254, so as to allow shelf lid254to be lifted and/or lowered (e.g., by means of a finger) relative to upper surface263of outer shelf wall260. The shelf lids may optionally be lockable when closed, by art-recognized locking means (not shown in the drawings).

The exterior shelf structures of the container assembly may be removed (e.g., detached) from the exterior surface of the sidewalls of the container body, and stored within the interior (e.g.,32) of the container body. Storing the exterior shelf structures within the interior of the container body reduces the width of the container assembly, and allows the container assembly itself (and more particularly the container body thereof) to be stored (and optionally shipped) in a smaller area than would be required if the exterior shelf structures were permanently attached to the sidewalls of the container body.

The container assembly of the present invention may further include a reversibly closeable lid. See, for example, FIGS.5and15-20. The lid may rest on an upper portion of the container body, or it may be hingedly attached to an upper portion of the container body. The hingedly attached lid (or lid components) may be reversibly removable, for example, by means of snap-fitting hinge components, such as hemispherical snap-fitting hinge components (not shown in the drawings). In an embodiment, container assembly1further includes a reversibly closeable lid180that is hingedly attached to an upper portion of container body11by means of hinge lugs183attached to the upper portion of container body11. See, for example,FIGS. 3 and 5. Lid180may be in the form of a single lid component, or may have a plurality of separate lid components (or elements) that are each reversibly closeable. As depicted in the drawings (e.g.,FIG. 5), lid180has two separate lid components184and185that are each hingedly attached to the upper portion of container body11by means of hinge lugs183, and which are each separately reversibly closeable.

The container assembly of the present invention may optionally include one or more removable interior containers that reside suspended within the interior of the container body. With reference toFIGS. 10 and 11, first container sidewall17, second container sidewall20, front container wall23and rear container wall26each have an upper wall portion (189,192,195and198respectively) and a lower wall portion (201,204,207and210respectively). In each case, the upper wall portion (189,192,195and198respectively) extends outward relative to the lower wall portion (201,204,207and210respectively), and together define a container overhang213having an exterior lower surface216and an interior upper surface219residing within container interior32.

In this embodiment, the container assembly further includes an interior container222having a base225having an upper surface228and a lower surface231, a sidewall structure234extending upwardly from base225, which defines an open top237thereof. Interior container222also has an upper lip240that extends laterally outward from an upper portion243of the sidewall structure234thereof. At least a portion of a lower surface246of upper lip240abuts at least a portion of interior upper surface219of container overhang213, thereby suspending lower surface231of base225of interior container222above an upper surface249of base14of container body11.

With reference toFIG. 11, the container assembly includes two interior containers223in the form of hampers, that are substantially as described with regard to interior container222ofFIG. 10. The sidewall structures234of each interior container223includes a plurality of apertures251.

The container assembly and the components thereof (e.g., container body, exterior shelf structures, one or more lid components, and one or more interior containers) may each be fabricated from any suitable material or materials, such as wood, metal (e.g., aluminum and/or steel), and/or plastic. In an embodiment the components of the container assembly, including the container body, first and second exterior shelf structures, and the lid component(s), are each independently fabricated from a plastic material selected independently from the group consisting of thermoset plastic materials, thermoplastic materials and combinations thereof.

As used herein and in the claims, the term “thermoset plastic material” and similar terms, such as “thermosetting or thermosetable plastic materials” means plastic materials having, or that form, a three dimensional crosslinked network resulting from the formation of covalent bonds between chemically reactive groups, e.g., active hydrogen groups and free isocyanate groups, or between unsaturated groups.

Thermoset plastic materials from which the plastic components of the container assembly (e.g., the container body, first and second exterior shelf structures, the lid component(s), and the one or more interior containers) may be fabricated, include those known to the skilled artisan, e.g., crosslinked polyurethanes, crosslinked polyepoxides, crosslinked polyesters and crosslinked polyunsaturated polymers. The use of thermosetting plastic materials typically involves the art-recognized process of reaction injection molding. Reaction injection molding typically involves, as is known to the skilled artisan, injecting separately, and preferably simultaneously, into a mold, for example: (i) an active hydrogen functional component (e.g., a polyol and/or polyamine); and (ii) an isocyanate functional component (e.g., a diisocyanate such as toluene diisocyanate, and/or dimers and trimers of a diisocyanate such as toluene diisocyanate). The filled mold may optionally be heated to ensure and/or hasten complete reaction of the injected components.

As used herein and in the claims, the term “thermoplastic material” and similar terms, means a plastic material that has a softening or melting point, and is substantially free of a three dimensional crosslinked network resulting from the formation of covalent bonds between chemically reactive groups, e.g., active hydrogen groups and free isocyanate groups. Examples of thermoplastic materials from which the plastic components of the container assembly (e.g., the container body, first and second exterior shelf structures, the lid component(s), and the one or more interior containers) may be fabricated include, but are not limited to, thermoplastic polyurethane, thermoplastic polyurea, thermoplastic polyimide, thermoplastic polyamide, thermoplastic polyamideimide, thermoplastic polyester, thermoplastic polycarbonate, thermoplastic polysulfone, thermoplastic polyketone, thermoplastic polyolefins, thermoplastic(meth)acrylates, thermoplastic acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, thermoplastic styrene-acrylonitrile, thermoplastic acrylonitrile-stryrene-acrylate and combinations thereof (e.g., blends and/or alloys of at least two thereof).

In an embodiment, the plastic components of the container assembly are each independently fabricated from one or more thermoplastic polyolefins, and in particular polyethylene. The various components of the container assembly may be fabricated by art-recognized plastic molding methods, such as injection molding, compression molding, rotational molding and blow molding. For example, the various components of the container assembly may be fabricated from rotational molding and/or blow molding methods using polyethylene resins, such as one or more SURPASS polyethylene resins, available commercially from NOVA Chemicals Inc.

The plastic material from which the plastic components of the container assembly (e.g., the container body, first and second exterior shelf structures, the lid component(s), and the one or more interior containers) may be fabricated, may optionally include a reinforcing material selected, for example, from glass fibers, glass beads, carbon fibers, metal flakes, metal fibers, polyamide fibers (e.g., KEVLAR polyamide fibers), cellulosic fibers, nanoparticulate clays, talc and mixtures thereof. If present, the reinforcing material is typically present in a reinforcing amount, e.g., in an amount of from 5 percent by weight to 60 or 70 percent by weight, based on the total weight of the component. The reinforcing fibers, and the glass fibers, in particular, may have sizings on their surfaces to improve miscibility and/or adhesion to the plastic materials into which they are incorporated, as is known to the skilled artisan.

In addition or alternatively to reinforcing material(s), the plastic materials of the plastic components of the container assembly (e.g., the container body, first and second exterior shelf structures, the lid component(s), and the one or more interior containers) may optionally include one or more additives. Additives that may be present in the plastic materials of the components of the container assembly include, but are not limited to, antioxidants, colorants, e.g., pigments and/or dyes, mold release agents, fillers, e.g., calcium carbonate, ultraviolet light absorbers, fire retardants and mixtures thereof. Additives may be present in the plastic material in functionally sufficient amounts, e.g., in amounts independently from 0.1 percent by weight to 10 percent by weight, based on total weight.

The container assembly of the present invention may have any suitable overall appearance and shape. For example, the container assembly may have an overall appearance and shape selected from box-like shapes, cylindrical shapes, sports ball shapes (e.g., baseballs, American footballs, rugby balls and soccer balls), sports helmet shapes (e.g., baseball batting helmets, American football helmets, hockey helmets, and bicycle helmets), or dumpster shapes. In a particular embodiment of the present invention, and as depicted in the drawings, container assembly1has a dumpster shape and appearance, and the removable exterior shelf structures thereof each have the appearance and shape of a fork lift pocket.