Abstract:
This invention relates to a stackable container adapted to be stacked with a second substantially identical container in two positions. The container comprises a container body; and an arm movably connected to the container body. The container body comprising a base and walls extending upwardly from the base. The walls define an interior space and an opening. The arm is movable between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the arm provides a support for the second substantially identical container wherein, when stacked, the second identical container is supported above the stackable container with at least part of the interior accessible. In the second position, the arm is positioned to allow the second identical container to nest within the stackable container with the interior space inaccessible.

Description:
FIELD 
       [0001]    This application relates to stackable containers and in particular to stackable containers for stacking on top of each other. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Society is becoming increasingly aware of a need to take care of the environment. There are a number of ways of reducing the impact of humans on the environment. An often spoken adage is the need to “Reduce-Reuse-Recycle”. The third “R”, recycling, poses a number of challenges. 
         [0003]    One of the challenges is that different materials are subject to different recycling processes at different recycling plants. This means that the materials need to be sorted. If the materials are sorted by the consumers, the need for a sorting plant may be reduced or eliminated. 
         [0004]    Many communities have systems in place to facilitate sorting by consumers. For example, many communities provide a “Blue Box” for plastics and metals, a “Black Box” for paper and cardboard, and a “Green Box” for compostable items. These programs may be for both residential areas and for businesses. However, these various boxes take up a significant amount of space. This is particularly the case in apartments, condominiums and office buildings where there is limited space for the various containers that would allow consumers to sort items and maximize what can be recycled. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    An aspect of embodiments disclosed herein relates to a stackable container adapted to be stacked as an upper container or as a lower container with a second substantially identical container in two positions, the stackable container comprising: a container body; and an arm movably connected to the container body; the container body comprising a base and walls extending upwardly from the base; the walls defining an interior space and an opening; wherein the arm is movable between (i) a first position in which the arm of the stackable container, when the stackable container is the lower container, provides a support for the upper container wherein, when stacked, the upper container is supported above the stackable container with at least part of an interior of the stackable container accessible; and (ii) a second position in which, when the stackable container is the lower container, the arm is positioned to allow the upper container to nest within the stackable container with the interior space of the stackable container inaccessible. 
         [0006]    In some embodiments, the arm is rotatably connected to the stackable container. 
         [0007]    In some embodiments, the arm is a handle. 
         [0008]    In some embodiments, the arm is movable to a third position for carrying the stackable container. 
         [0009]    In some embodiments, the stackable container and the arm are symmetrical and the arm is rotatably connected to the stackable container at two symmetrical points. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, in the first position, the arm does not cross the opening. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the arm is parallel to the base in both the first and second positions. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, a first wall of the walls defines a first contour shaped to rest on the arm of the lower container when the stackable container is the upper container and the stackable container is stacked on the lower container in the first position. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the first contour comprises a lower portion of the first wall being inset from the upper portion of the first wall to define a ledge for resting on the arm of the lower container when the stackable container is the upper container. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, a second wall of the walls defines a second contour shaped to rest on an upper end of a second wall of the lower container when the stackable container is the upper container and the stackable container is stacked on the lower container in the first position. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the upper end of the second wall of the stackable container defines a lip of the stackable container and the second contour of the stackable container rests on the lip of the lower container in the first position. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the second contour comprises a lower portion of the second wall being inset from an upper portion of the second wall to define a ledge for resting on the lower container. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the stackable container is offset forwardly from the upper container in the first position when the stackable container is the lower container. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the walls define a lip and the lip of the upper container rests on the lip of the lower container when stacked in the second position when the stackable container is the lower container. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the walls define an opening which is open on at least one side when the upper container is stacked on the lower container in the first position. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the opening is closed when the upper container is stacked on the lower container in the second position. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, the arm comprises at least one c-clamp and is rotatably connected to the stackable container by the at least one c-clamp, wherein the c-clamp is downwardly open in the second position. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, at least three of the walls are substantially planer. 
         [0023]    Another aspect of embodiments disclosed herein relates to a stackable container adapted to be stacked as an upper container or as a lower container with a second substantially identical container in two positions, the stackable container comprising: a container body; and a member movably connectable to the container body; the container body comprising a base and walls extending upwardly from the base; the walls defining an interior space and an opening; wherein movement of the member alone changes the stackable container from (i) a first position in which the member of the stackable container, when the stackable container is the lower container, provides a support for the upper container wherein, when stacked, the upper container is supported above the stackable container with at least part of an interior of the stackable container accessible; and (ii) a second position in which, when the stackable container is the lower container, the member is positioned to allow the upper container to nest within the stackable container with the interior space of the stackable container inaccessible. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the member is rotatably connected to the stackable container. 
         [0025]    Other aspects and features of the present invention will become apparent, to those ordinarily skilled in the art, upon review of the following description of the specific embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0026]    The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
           [0027]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a stackable container according to an embodiment of the invention with a handle in a rearward position; 
           [0028]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the stackable container of  FIG. 1  with a cross-section of the rear top; 
           [0029]      FIG. 3  is a front view of the stackable container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0030]      FIG. 4  is a top view of the stackable container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the stackable container of  FIG. 1  with the handle in an upright position; 
           [0032]      FIG. 6  is a front view of the stackable container of  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the stackable container of  FIG. 1  with the handle in a forward position; 
           [0034]      FIG. 8  is a front view of the stackable container of  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 9  is an exploded partial section view of a portion of a handle and extension of the stackable container of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of two of the stackable containers of  FIG. 1  stacked in a supported position; 
           [0037]      FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the containers of  FIG. 10 ; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 12  is a cross-sectional view of two of the stackable containers of  FIG. 1  stacked in a nested position. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0039]      FIGS. 1 to 8  show a container  10  according to an embodiment of the invention with a handle  12  in three different positions. In  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the handle  12  is in a rearward position, in  FIGS. 5 and 6  the handle  12  is in an upright position and in  FIGS. 7 and 8  the handle  12  is in a forward position. 
         [0040]    The container  10  has a base  14 , a front wall  16 , a rear wall  18 , and side walls  20  which together for a body of the container  10  having an interior space  11 . The container  10  has an opening  15  at the top. 
         [0041]    The front wall  16  of this embodiment extends upward at a slightly forward angle with an upper end  21  and a lower end  23 . The upper end  21  and the lower end  23  of the front wall  16  of this embodiment are substantially horizontal. The front wall  16  has a generally planer surface but has a contour  22  adjacent the lower end  23  (see  FIGS. 2 ,  5  and  7 ). In other embodiments, the front wall  16  may have other shapes and may have, for example, a rounded or semi-circular cross-section. The front wall  16  may also be completely upright or inwardly angled. 
         [0042]    The contour  22  divides the front wall  16  into a top section  24  and a bottom section  26 . The contour  22  curves inward across the width of the front wall  16  such that the bottom section  26  of the front wall  16  is inset from the top section  24  of the front wall  16 . The contour  22  thus forms a support ledge  28  across the front wall  16 . 
         [0043]    Although a specific type of outward discontinuity, namely the contour  22 , is described, it will be understood that the discontinuity may be formed in other ways. For example, the front wall  16  may be planer with one or more outward projections that may be permanent or may be slid, fitted or rotated outward when needed. The contour  22  may also be eliminated so that the front wall  16  has no contour, projection or discontinuity. 
         [0044]    The rear wall  18  of this embodiment extends upward at a slightly rearward angle with an upper end  31  and a lower end  33 . The upper end  31  and the lower end  33  of the rear wall  18  of this embodiment are substantially horizontal. The rear wall  18  has a generally planer surface but has a contour  32  adjacent the lower end  33 . In other embodiments, the rear wall  18  may have other shapes and may have, for example, rounded or semi-circular cross-section. The rear wall  18  may also be completely upright or inwardly angled. 
         [0045]    The contour  32  divides the rear wall  18  into a top section  34  and a bottom section  36 . The contour  32  curves inward across the width of the rear wall  18  such that the bottom section  36  of the rear wall  18  is inset from the top section  34  of the rear wall  18 . The contour  32  thus forms a support ledge  38  across the rear wall  18 . 
         [0046]    Although a specific type of outward discontinuity, namely the contour  32 , is described, it will be understood that the discontinuity may be formed in other ways. For example, the rear wall  18  may be planer with one or more outward projections that may be permanent or may be slid, fitted or rotated outward when needed. The contour  32  may also be eliminated so that the rear wall  18  has no contour, projection or discontinuity. 
         [0047]    In this embodiment the front wall  16  is shorter in height than the rear wall  18 . In other embodiments, the relative size and shape of the front wall  16  and the rear wall  18  may be different. For example, the front and rear walls  16  and  18  may be of equal heights and the front wall  16  and/or the rear wall  18  may have an opening through it. In this embodiment, the support ledge  38  of the rear wall  18  is closer to the lower end  33  of the rear wall  18  than the support ledge  32  of the front wall  16  is to the lower end  23  of the front wall  16 . The ledge  38  is therefore closer to the base  14  than the ledge  28 . In other embodiments, the relative positions of the ledges may differ. 
         [0048]    The container  10  also has two side walls  20 . The side walls  20  have an outer section  42  and an inner section  44 . The outer section  42  has an inverted “U” shape and extends along the front, across the top and down the back of the side walls  20 . The inner section  44  is surrounded on the front, back and top by the outer section  42 . In this embodiment, the inner section  44  is inset slightly from the outer section  42 . The inner section  44  and the outer section  42  are joined by a curved section  46 . Both the inner section  44  and the outer section  42  are generally planer and parallel to each other. In some embodiments, the inset adds strength and rigidity to the side walls  20 . 
         [0049]    The planar surfaces of the walls  16 ,  18  and  20  can provide multiple locations, up to four locations in this embodiment, for the presentation of information. For example, the identification of a municipality that supplies the container can be stamped on one or more of these relatively large planer surfaces. 
         [0050]    In this embodiment, the side walls  20  have a rear section top  48 , a front section top  50  and a lower end  51 . The rear section top  48  is substantially horizontal and extends along more than half the width of the side walls  20  from the rear wall  18  forward. However, at approximately midway along the top of side wall  20 , extending upward from the rear section top  48 , is an extension  49  (see  FIGS. 1 ,  6  and  8 ). In this embodiment, the extension  49  has a substantially semicircular cross-section. In other embodiments, the extension  49  may have other shapes or may be eliminated. 
         [0051]    The front section top  50  angles downward from the rear section top  48  towards the front wall  16 . In this embodiment, the angle is at about a 45° angle with a gradual decrease in angle adjacent the front wall  16 . In other embodiments, the curvature may be at a different angle, at a different location along the side walls  20 , or eliminated. In this embodiment, the side walls  20  do not have openings. In other embodiments, the side walls  20  may have one or more openings. 
         [0052]    The base  14  can best be seen in  FIG. 4 . The base  14  of this embodiment is substantially rectangular with an inner section  52  and an outer section  54 . The outer section  54  is lower than the inner section  52 . The outer section  54  is joined to the inner section  52  by a curved section  56 . In this embodiment, the outer section  54  has feet  58  at each of four corners. The feet  58  of this embodiment are rounded and downwardly protruding. The feet  58  may be eliminated and the base  14  may be planar. 
         [0053]    In this embodiment, the front wall  16  connects to the base  14  along the lower end  23  of the front wall  16 . The rear wall  18  connects to the base  14  along the lower end  33  of the rear wall  18 . The side walls  20  connect to the base  14  along the lower ends  51  of the side walls  20 . The front wall  16  connects to the side walls  20  along front corners  66 . The rear wall  18  connects to the side walls  20  along rear corners  68 . The lower ends  23 ,  33  and  51  and the corners  66  and  68  of this embodiment are outwardly rounded. The container  10  may also have square corners and/or ends or some or all of the corners may be eliminated if, for example, the container  10  is cylindrical. 
         [0054]    The container  10 , of the present embodiment, includes a lip  70  which extents around the entire top edge of the container  10 , which includes the upper edge  21  of the front wall  16 , the upper edge  31  of the rear wall  18 , and the rear section tops  48  and the front section tops  50  of the side walls  20 . 
         [0055]    The lip  70  includes a ledge  72  and a skirt  74 . The ledge  72  has an inside edge  78  and an outside edge  80  (see  FIGS. 3 ,  6  and  8 ). The ledge  72  connects to the upper ends  21 ,  31  of the front and rear walls  16 ,  18  and the front and rear section tops  48 ,  50  of the side walls  20  of the container  10  along the inside edge  78 . The ledge  72  connects to the skirt along the outside edge  80 . The ledge  72  extends outward from the container  10  and has a width approximately equal to the width of the handle  12  as will be discussed further below. The ledge  72  is substantially perpendicular to the walls  16 ,  18  and  20 . The skirt  74  extends downward from outside edge  80  of the ledge  72  of the lip  70 . The skirt  74  is substantially parallel to the front wall  16 , the rear wall  18  and the side walls  20  of the container  10 . 
         [0056]    In the present embodiment, there is a channel defined between the skirt  74  and the front wall  16 , the rear wall  18  and the side walls  20  of the container  10 . A number of reinforcing ribs may extend between the shirt  74 , the lip  70  and the front wall  16 , the rear wall  18  and the side walls  20  to strengthen the lip  70  to support a vertical load. For example, in the present embodiment there are two ribs  82  at the rear wall  18 , one rib (not shown) at each of the side walls  20  and two ribs  84  at the front wall  16 . 
         [0057]    The two ribs  84  are spaced apart symmetrically on the front wall  16 . In the present embodiment, the two ribs  84  extend down the front wall  16  a distance below the skirt  74 ; the ribs  82  and the ribs at the side walls  20  do not. The ribs  84  each have a bottom face  86 . In this embodiment, the bottom face  86  is horizontal and forms a support surface as will be described in further detail below. In other embodiments, there may be more of fewer ribs, at the same or other locations, extending downward below the skirt  74  or not. The lip  70  and the skirt  74  may also be omitted or extend less than around the entire top of the container  10 . 
         [0058]    In this embodiment, along the outside edge  80  of the lip  70  on the side walls  20  are extensions  88 . The extensions  88  of this embodiment are laterally aligned with the extensions  49  of the side walls  20 . In this embodiment, extending between each extension  49  and the corresponding extension  88  is a circular post  90  (see  FIG. 9 ). The circular posts  90  are located above the plane of the lip  70 . There is no lip  70  between the pairs of extensions  49  and  88 . 
         [0059]    The handle  12  of the container  10  has a generally inverted U-shape with an I-beam cross-section with rear contact edge  97  and forward contact edges  98  (see  FIGS. 2 and 9 ). The channels of the I-beam shape are open in the forward and rear directions when the handle  12  is in the upright position and in the upward and downward directions when the handle is in a horizontal position. The cross section of the handle  12  may vary and may, for example, be circular or square. The shape may also be other than U-shaped; for example, it may be rounded or J-shaped if connected on only one side. 
         [0060]    The handle  12  has gripping section  92 , linking sections  94  and rounded corners  96 . The gripping section  92  is at right angles to and connects the linking sections  94  through the rounded corners  96 . The handle  12  is generally the same width as the lip  70 . However, the ends of the linking sections  94 , which are away from the gripping section  92 , taper to narrower sections  98  which are narrower in width than the lip  70 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , in this embodiment, the narrow sections  98  have clamping ends  100 . The clamping ends  100  of the present embodiment are C-shaped each having an opening  101  and sized to snap fit around the posts  90 . The handle  12 , when fit to the posts  90 , is rotatable about the post  90 . The positioning of the opening  101  of the present embodiment allows for ease of assembly. In particular, for assembly, the handle  12  can be positioned in a rearward substantially horizontal position with the gripping section  92  resting on the lip  70  of the container  10  adjacent the rear wall  18 . The openings  101  in the clamping ends  100  are aligned with the post  90  such that a downward force on the clamping ends  100  will allow the clamping ends  100  to snap into position over the posts  90 . 
         [0061]    The positioning of the openings  101  in the present embodiment also facilitates retention of the handle  12  on the container  10 . In particular, when the handle  12  is in the rearward position, and the opening  101  is facing downward, the handle is not subject to an upward force. When the handle  12  is in the upward position, a portion of the clamping ends  100  are below the posts  90  to resist the posts  90  being pulled out of the clamping ends  100  by an upward force. When the handle  12  is in the forward position, again, a portion of the clamping ends  100  are below the posts  90  to resist the posts  90  being pulled out of the clamping ends  100  by an upward force. 
         [0062]    In other embodiments, other means of rotatably or otherwise movably connecting the handle  12  to the container  10  may be used. For example, the handle  12  may be connected on only one side of the container  10 . The handle  12  may also be replaced with another type of arm or member that is movable through other mechanisms such as ratcheting or through removal and reattachment in a different position. 
         [0063]    The handle  12  of the present embodiment is rotatable to three different positions of use. In the first position, shown in  FIGS. 1 to 4 , the handle  12  is the rearward position. In the rearward position, the handle  12  is parallel to the base and rests on the lip  70 . As can be seen in the cross-sectional cut out of the rear wall  18  in  FIG. 2 , the handle  12  has substantially the same width as the lip  70  and the rearward contact edges  97  of the handle  12  rest on the inside edge  78  and the outside edge  80  of the lip  70 . As best see in  FIG. 4 , the handle  12  rests on the lip  70  all along the upper edge  31  of the rear wall  18  and along the portion of rear section top  48  of the side walls  20  which is to the rear of the extension  49 . This gives a raised but uniform height to this section of the lip  70  as best seen in  FIG. 2 . However, in this position, the handle does not cross or in no way blocks the opening  15  of the container  10 . 
         [0064]    In the second position, shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the handle  12  is in the upright position. In this position, the linking sections  94  of the handle  12  are perpendicular to the base  14  and the gripping section  92  is parallel to the base  14  and above the opening  15  of the container  12 . As best see in  FIG. 6 , the handle  12  contacts the container  10  only by the C-clamp  100  connected to the post  90  between the extensions  49  and  88 . In this position, the handle  12  curves upward over the opening  15  of the container  10 . 
         [0065]    In the third position, shown in  FIGS. 7 and 8 , the handle  12  is the forward position. In the forward position, the handle  12  is parallel to the base and rests on a portion of the lip  70 . As best see in  FIG. 7 , the handle  12  rests on the lip  70  all along the portion of the rear section top  48  of the side walls  20  which is in front of the extensions  49 . This gives a raised but uniform height to this section of the lip  70 . In this position, the handle  12  overhangs a portion of the opening  15 . 
         [0066]      FIGS. 10 to 12  depict how two containers according to the invention can be stacked one on top of the other. In  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the same reference numbers are used as in  FIGS. 1 to 9  but an “A” has been added to denote parts of the upper container and a “B” has been added to denote parts of the lower container to facilitate the following explanation. 
         [0067]    In  FIGS. 10 to 12 , the positioning of the handle  12 B of the lower container  10 B determines the position of the upper container  10 A. 
         [0068]    In  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the handle  12 B of the lower container  10 B is in the forward position. The upper container  10 A is placed on top of the lower container  10 B. In this position, the support ledge  38 A of the rear wall  18 A of the upper container  10 A rests on the ledge  72 B of the lip  70 B of the lower container  10 B. The support ledge  28 A of the front wall  16 A of the upper container  10 A rests on the handle  12 B of the lower container  10 B. The container  10 A is supported above the container  10 B with a portion of the opening  15 B of the lower container  10 B accessible such that materials can be placed in both the upper container  10 A and the lower container  10 B in this position. The upper container  10 A is supported above the lower container  10 B by the ledges  28 A resting on the lower handle  12 B and the ledge  38 A resting on the lower container  10 B. 
         [0069]    A review of  FIG. 11  shows why the ledge  28 A is further from the base  14 A than the ledge  38 A. In particular, the ledge  28 A is further from the base  14 A by the width of the handle  12 B. This keeps the upper container  10 A level in this position since the edges  97 A of the handle  12 A on which the ledge  28 A of the container  10 A rests are higher by the width of the handle  12 B than the portion of the ledge  72 B of the lip  70 B on which the ledge  38 A of the upper container  10 A rests. 
         [0070]    It can also be noted that the containers  10 A and  10 B are not precisely vertically aligned since the rear wall  18 A of the upper container  10 A is offset rearwardly from the rear wall  18 B of the lower container  18 B. This offset allows a greater portion of the opening  15 B to be accessible than would be accessible if the containers  10 A and  10 B were precisely vertically aligned. 
         [0071]    In  FIG. 12 , the handle  12 B of the lower container  10 B is in the rearward position. The opening  15 B of the container  10 B is completely unobstructed and open such that the upper container  10 A can be nested into the lower container  10 B. In this position, lip  70 A of the rear wall  18 A of the upper container  10 A and the portion of the side walls  20 A to the rear of the extension  49 A, rests on the handle  12 B of the lower container  10 B. The lower faces  86 A of the ribs  84 A of the front wall  16 A rest on the lip  70 B of the front wall  16 B of the lower container  16 B. The container  10 A is nested into the container  10 B with walls  16 A,  18 A and  20 A in contact with the walls  16 B,  18 B and  20 B respectively such that the opening  15 B of the lower container  10 B is inaccessible. Materials can be placed in the upper container  10 A but not in the lower container  10 B in this position. 
         [0072]    A review of  FIG. 12  shows why the ribs  86 A extend below the skirt  74 A of the lip  70 A. In particular, the ribs  86 A extend below the skirt  74 A by the width of the handle  12 B. This keeps the upper container  10 A level in this position since the edges  99 A of the handle  12 B on which the container  10 A rests are higher by the width of the handle  12 B than the portion of the lip  70 B on which the ribs  86 A rest. 
         [0073]    It will be appreciated that the nested configuration of  FIG. 12  is more compact and may be useful for storage. 
         [0074]    Although  FIGS. 10 to 12  show only two containers  10 A and  10 B, it will be appreciated that more containers may be stacked in either configuration or a combination of both. 
         [0075]    The container  10  of the present embodiment may sit on the feet  58  or may be hung. For example, the container  10  may be hung from a wall by the lip  70 . 
         [0076]    The body of the container  10  may be moulded as a single plastic component in a variety of colors to identify what is intended to be placed in the container  10 . The container may also have additional openings, may have multiple parts and may have, for example, a mesh structure. 
         [0077]    It will be appreciated that the container  10  of the present embodiment can be changed from the nested position to the supporting position with the movement of a single member, namely the handle  12 . The handle  12  may be replaced with other single members that can be changed in position to move between the nested and support position. For example, an arm may be swung into and out of position. This may result in easier stackability. 
         [0078]    The embodiment disclosed herein is free of buttressing, vertical indents and ribs. Such a configuration may allow for greater area for hot stamping. It also can allow for a higher capacity, less material usage, a weight reduction, fewer areas in the interior where material can become trapped, and fewer sharp edges. 
         [0079]    The stackable container of the present invention may be used as a recycling bin. 
         [0080]    In this embodiment the container  10  is symmetrical about a vertical plane, front to rear, through the center of container  10 . In other embodiments, the container  10  may not be symmetrical. For example, the handle  12  may connected to only one side of the container  10  or may be connected at the rear. 
         [0081]    The designation of front, rear, top, bottom upward and downward in this description is for ease of reference and is not intended to be limiting. 
         [0082]    What has been described is merely illustrative of the application of the principles of the invention. Other arrangements and methods can be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.