Abstract:
A container having a base includes a bottom and four walls that are connected to the bottom and define a storage space having an opening. A lid is pivotally mounted on the base and covers at least a portion of the opening when in a closed position. A prop is arranged so that a first end of the lid prop is pivotally engaged to the lid and a second end of the lid prop is engaged in a slot in a plate that does not allow lid to travel beyond a certain limit and does not allow to close accidentally as an optional feature. The prop fits substantially inside a recess when the lid is in the closed position.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0002]     The present invention relates to a container, and more particularly, to an insulated container having a lid prop and/or a latch for the lid.  
         [0003]     2. Discussion of Related Art  
         [0004]     It is known in the art to provide insulated containers for shipping goods in a controlled thermal environment. Such a container is frequently a substantially parallelepiped structure made from rotationally molded, insulated walls. In one such structure, each of the dimensions is approximately between three and four feet, thus providing a structure having a cubic volume of between about twenty-seven cubic feet and sixty-four cubic feet. In such a container, the bottom, four legs, and four walls are typically either formed in one piece or permanently connected to form a unitary structure. The lid or top of the container is a separate piece and either fits securely against the top of the walls, or is hingeably connected to the walls. See, e.g., U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/778,210, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.  
         [0005]     One known use for such a described container is the shipping and/or storage of a variety of temperature controlled products. When using such a container, particularly a container having a dimension of at least four feet in height, it is not difficult to remove products from the container when the container is full and the products are near the top of the container. However, as the container is emptied, the user must lean over into the container to remove the products from the bottom of the container. Having to lean over to remove products from the bottom of the container places the user in an awkward position. As the user&#39;s hands are generally used to grasp the item being placed into or removed from the container, should the lid accidentally close, the user will be unable to use his or her hands to defend against a closing lid without releasing or dropping and possibly damaging the products. The alternative to releasing and dropping the gripped products is to accept the force from the lid on the upper part of the user&#39;s torso or head area.  
       OBJECTS AND SUMMARY  
       [0006]     Accordingly, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide an insulated container which includes a lid prop which is convenient to use and cheap to install and manufacture and lessens the chances of accidental closure of the lid.  
         [0007]     It is another object of another aspect of the present invention to provide an insulated container with a latch for securing the lid in a closed position.  
         [0008]     According to one embodiment of the invention, a container includes a body defining a storage space having an opening; a lid that is pivotally mounted to the body, the lid having a closed position wherein the lid prevents access to the storage space, and the lid having an open position wherein the lid provides access to the storage space; a recess arranged in a wall of the body; a plate partially covering the recess, the plate including a slot extending longitudinally through the plate; a lid prop comprising a longitudinally extending member, the lid prop being arranged so that a first end of the lid prop is pivotally engaged to the lid and a second end of the lid prop is engaged in the slot in the plate; wherein when the lid is in the open position the prop may be positioned against an end of the slot thereby preventing the lid from opening beyond a certain limit.  
         [0009]     According to another embodiment of the invention, a container includes a base having a bottom and four walls connected to the bottom defining a storage space having an opening at the top to provide a user access to the storage space, the opening being defined by a rim. A first recess having a first depth is formed in the rim and a second recess having a second depth less than the first depth is formed in the rim adjacent the first recess, the first and second recesses define a step between the two recesses. A lid is pivotally mounted to one of the walls and is adapted to fit onto the rim to close at least a portion of the opening. A prop has a first end and a second end and is arranged so that the first end is pivotally secured to the lid and the second end is capable of fitting slidably in the first recess and the second recess and to abut against the step between the first and the second recesses when the lid is in the open position, thereby preventing the lid from closing. The prop is adapted to fit substantially within the second recess when the lid is in the closed position.  
         [0010]     According to another embodiment of the invention, a container comprises a body defining a storage space having an opening, a lid that is pivotally mounted to the body and has a closed position wherein the lid prevents access to the storage space and an open position wherein the lid provides access to the storage space, a recess, and a stopper. A lid prop comprises a longitudinally extending member and is arranged so that when the lid is in the closed position the lid prop may be positioned substantially within the recessed area, and when the lid is in the open position the lid prop may be positioned against the stopper thereby discouraging the lid from closing.  
         [0011]     According to another embodiment of the present invention, a container comprises a body, a lid being pivotally mounted to the body and having an open position and a closed position, a groove being formed in the container and having a socket formed at a first end of the groove, an elastic having a first end and a second end, the second end of the elastic being fastened to the container, and an object fastened to the first end of the elastic and. The elastic is arranged so that during latching the elastic may be positioned inside the groove and the object positioned in the socket so that elastic tension applies force to the object and the lid thereby maintaining the lid in the closed position. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES  
       [0012]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a container according to the present invention.  
         [0013]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration.  
         [0014]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0015]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate alternative designs for the lid stop of the first preferred embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIG. 5  illustrates the lid stop of the first preferred embodiment in operation.  
         [0017]      FIG. 6  illustrates the lid stop of the first preferred embodiment in the closed position.  
         [0018]      FIG. 7  illustrates the lid of the first preferred embodiment.  
         [0019]      FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a container according to the present invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 8  in an open configuration.  
         [0021]      FIG. 10  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 8  in an open position.  
         [0022]      FIG. 11  is a perspective view of an enlarged portion of the container of  FIG. 8  in an open position identifying a lid prop used in a preferred embodiment of the container.  
         [0023]      FIG. 12  is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the lid prop.  
         [0024]      FIG. 13  is a perspective view of the portion of the container of  FIG. 12 , in a closed position.  
         [0025]      FIG. 14  is a front view of the container of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0026]      FIG. 15  is a side view of the container of  FIG. 8 .  
         [0027]      FIGS. 16A and 16B  are perspective views of a latching mechanism of a preferred embodiment of a container in a closed position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0028]      FIGS. 1-16  illustrate preferred embodiments of containers according to the present invention. In the illustrated preferred embodiments, the container is insulated and made from rotationally molded polyethylene plastic, with foamed urethane in the center of the walls to enhance the insulation thereof. However, the present invention is not limited to such construction, and insulated containers according to the present invention could be made from any suitable construction.  
         [0029]     A first preferred embodiment is illustrated in  FIGS. 1-7 .  
         [0030]     The container  100  includes a bottom  120  and four walls  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  118  having a substantially continuous rim  130 . The rim includes a flange  131  extending upward therefrom designed to accommodate a lid  123 . The lid  123  fits against the rim  130  and flange  131  defined by the four walls  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  118 .  
         [0031]     Preferably, the container  100  has four legs secured to the bottom  120  thereof, three of which (134, 136, 137) are visible in  FIG. 1 . The lid  123  includes four recesses  150  which are designed and arranged to accommodate the pads  134 ,  136 ,  137  of a similar container so that the similar container can be stacked on top of the container  100 .  
         [0032]     The lid  123  includes a flange  132  extending downwardly therefrom which is designed to accommodate the rim  130  and the flange  131 . Preferably, the lid flange  132  fits around the outside of the wall flange  131  when the lid is in the closed position, but alternatively, wall flange  131  can be on the outer edge of the rim  130  and the lid flange  132  can fit within the inside of the wall flange  131 . The walls  114 ,  115 ,  116 ,  118  and the lid  123  are designed such that the rim  130  and the lid flange  132  fit together in a matting configuration to enhance the insulation and stability of the container  100 .  
         [0033]     As best seen in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , a recessed portion  121  is formed in the wall  114 , behind a plate  111 , in order to provide an operating space for the a lid prop  160 .  
         [0034]     A first end  162  of the lid prop  160  is preferably located through a hole  125  in the lid  123  and is secured within the hole  125  with a push cap that is attached to the first end  162  of the lid prop  160 . Preferably, the hole  125  is located in the lid flange  132  which extends from the peripheral edge of the lid  123 .  
         [0035]     A second end  166  of the lid prop  160  is slidably secured within the slot  112  of the plate  111  to enable movement of the second end  166  from one end of the slot  112  to the other end.  
         [0036]     The plate  111  includes a slot extension  115 . Depending upon the particular desires of a customer, the plate  111  can be mounted in the position shown in  FIG. 3A , wherein the extension  115  is not utilized, or it can be mounted in the position shown in  FIG. 3B , wherein the extension  115  is at the rear end of the container. When the extension  115  is in the forward position, the second end  166  of the lid prop does not reach the extension  115 . See  FIG. 4 . However, when the extension  115  is mounted in the position illustrated in  FIG. 3B , the extension  1   1   5  can engage the second end  166  of the prop  160  thus locking the lid  123  in the open position. The lid  123  can be easily unlocked merely by lifting the lid prop  160  with one&#39;s hand prior to closing the container  100 . In either arrangement, the lid prop  160  can slide freely through the slot  112   
         [0037]      FIG. 5  illustrates the preferred embodiment in the process of opening the lid  123 , wherein the second end  166  of the lid prop is moving through the slot  112 .  
         [0038]     As can be seen in  FIG. 6 , when the lid  123  is in the closed position, the lid prop  160  is substantially hidden from view, except for the ends  162 ,  166 .  
         [0039]     Another feature of the present invention illustrated in  FIG. 7  is that the lid  123  can have a primary step  134  which engages with and seals on the top of the walls of the container  100 . In addition, the lid includes a recessed area  135 , wherein a gasket can be inserted for improving the seal of the lid  123  against the walls of the container  100 .  
         [0040]     A second preferred embodiment of the container is illustrated in  FIGS. 8-16 . The second embodiment is substantially the same as the first embodiment, except as described herein and in the drawings. The second embodiment includes a container  10  with a lid prop  60 . A first end  62  of the lid prop  60  is preferably located through a hole  25  in the lid  23  and is secured within the hole  25  with a washer  64  and a cotter pin  63  that is attached to the first end  62  of the lid prop  60 . Preferably, the hole  25  is located in the lid flange  32  which extends from the peripheral edge of the lid  23 .  
         [0041]     A first recess  70  is formed in the wall  14 , thereby forming a step  74 . See  FIGS. 11 and 12 . Preferably, a second recess  72  is also formed in the wall  14  and both preferably are located in the rim  30 . The first recess  70  has a first depth that is greater than the depth of the second recess  72 . Preferably the step  74  extends vertically as shown in  FIG. 1 . In the open position, the lid  23  and the lid prop  60  can be positioned so that the second end  66  of the prop  60  abuts the vertical step  74 , thereby preventing the lid  23  from closing.  
         [0042]     As seen in  FIGS. 11,12  and  13 , in the closed position, the lid  23  fits against the rim  30  thereby covering the opening  17  of the container  10 , and the prop  60  is positioned inside the second recess  72 . As seen in  FIG. 12 , the prop  60  fits slidingly within the first recess  72  thereby allowing movement of the lid  23 .  
         [0043]     It should be appreciated that, in an alternative embodiment, the first recess  70  could be formed in the wall  14  (as illustrated), and the second recess could be formed in the lid flange  32 , or that the container could function with only the first recess  70 .  
         [0044]     In the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 11 , a clip  68  is provided to engage the second end  66  of the lid prop  60  when the lid  23  is in the open position. The clip  68  is positioned such that there is sufficient space between the clip  68  and the step  74  to enable the second end  66  of the lid prop  60  to be released from the clip  68  by manually pulling the prop  60  out from under the clip  68 . The clip  68  functions so as to limit the extent to which the lid  23  can be opened, i.e., to prevent the lid  23  from being opened any further than illustrated in  FIGS. 9 and 11  (about 95 degrees).  
         [0045]     As seen in  FIGS. 8, 9 ,  14  and  16 , a preferred embodiment of the container includes a latching mechanism. An elastic cord  80  has a first end  86  which is attached to the front wall  12  of the container  10 . A clip  81  is used to form a loop  83  at the first end  86  of the cord  80 , and the loop is held to the front wall by a permanent clasp  11 . The cord  80  may be reinforced in the region held by the clasp  11  to minimize wear. A spherical object  82  is attached to a second end  84  of the elastic  80 , as best illustrated in  FIG. 16A . To latch the lid  23  in the closed position, the elastic cord  80  is stretched and located inside a groove  13  in the so that the object  82  is retained in a socket  14  at the end of the groove  13  farthest from the clasp  11 . As the smallest diameter of the spherical object  82  is larger than the largest diameter of the groove  13 , the spherical object  82  cannot fit through the groove  13  and the elastic force produced by the stretched elastic cord  80  maintains the lid  23  in the closed position.  
         [0046]     It should be appreciated that in alternate embodiments the groove  13  can be formed in the body of the container and the elastic  80  can be held to the lid by a clasp or other device.  
         [0047]     When filling the container  10 , the lid  23  is opened. In one embodiment, the container  10  is well suited for storing and shipping a variety of temperature controlled products. After the container  10  is filled, the lid  23  can be closed and latched as described herein and the container is ready for shipment.  
         [0048]     When unloading the contents of the container  10 , the lid  23  is moved to an open position. In the open position, the second end  66  of the lid prop  60  slides within the second recess  72  and passes the vertical step  74  into the first recess  70 . When the lid  23  is in the opened position, the second end of the prop  66  abuts against the vertical step  74  thereby preventing movement of the lid  23  toward the closed position. In a preferred embodiment of the container, hinges  52  are formed so as to prevent the lid  23  from opening more than approximately 95 degrees with respect to a plane defined by the opening  17 .  
         [0049]     In the illustrated embodiments, the lid prop  60  is pivotally mounted to the lid  23  and the rim  30  has the recesses  70 ,  72 . However, in an alternative embodiment, the lid prop  60  can be pivotally mounted to the rim  30  and recesses can be located in the lid  23 .  
         [0050]     In both embodiments, the lid prop can be arranged so that it neither protrudes into the interior of the container nor extends outwardly from the container walls. Such a design reduces the likelihood of damage to the lid prop and minimizes the influence of outside temperatures on the inside of the container.  
         [0051]     Although only preferred embodiments are specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention.