STACKABLE TOTE AND LID COMBINATION

Abstract

A stackable tote and lid combination has a lid with a main body and a rim. The rim has a wall with corner bodies, where the wall is spaced apart from a major surface. Each corner body has an upper surface with three outer side surfaces. Each first outer side surface is attached to a respective second outer side surface and each second outer side surface is attached to a respective third outer side surface. Each first, second, and third outer side surface is positioned between and connected to the upper surface of the respective corner body and the major surface of the main body. As a result, each first, second, and third outer side surface of respective corner bodies is configured to abut a hollow body of the stackable tote at three respective internal contact areas, and to removably hold the stackable tote.

Claims

1. A stackable tote configured for use with a lid, comprising: a hollow body having a base wall, an upper flange, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall connected to each of the base wall and the upper flange, the upper flange having at least one flange support depending therefrom; and at least one latch rotatably attached to the upper flange and configured to securely hold the lid to the upper flange of the hollow body, the at least one latch having a bottom surface, a side surface, and a top surface; wherein the at least one flange support has a length that extends below the bottom surface of the at least one latch.

2. The stackable tote of claim 1, wherein the at least one flange support includes a pair of intersecting support panels oriented in a substantially transverse configuration.

3. The stackable tote of claim 1, wherein the bottom surface of the at least one latch includes a channel.

4. The stackable tote of claim 3, wherein the channel has a protrusion, the protrusion extending downwardly toward the bottom surface of the at least one latch.

5. The stackable tote of claim 4, wherein a length of the protrusion is substantially the same as a length of the channel.

6. The stackable tote of claim 4, wherein the side surface of the at least one latch has an exterior surface marking configured to physically direct a user to the protrusion.

7. The stackable tote of claim 6, wherein the exterior surface marking includes a plurality of V-shaped markings.

8. The stackable tote of claim 1, wherein the top surface of the at least one latch is disposed at a height above the upper flange of the hollow body.

9. The stackable tote of claim 1, further comprising at least one beveled wall interposed between and connecting each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to the base wall, the at least one beveled wall configured to facilitate a positioning of a plurality of totes in a stacked arrangement.

10. A stacked arrangement of totes, each tote configured for use with a lid, comprising: a plurality of stackable totes, each of the stackable totes including: a hollow body having a base wall, an upper flange, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall connected to each of the base wall and the upper flange, the upper flange having at least one flange support depending therefrom, and at least one latch rotatably attached to the upper flange and configured to securely hold the lid to the upper flange of the hollow body, the at least one latch having a bottom surface, a side surface, and a top surface, wherein the at least one flange support has a length that extends below the bottom surface of the at least one latch; and wherein one stackable tote is positioned in a seated arrangement within the hollow body of another stackable tote.

11. The stacked arrangement of totes of claim 10, wherein the at least one flange support depending from the upper flange of the one stackable tote abuts the upper flange of the another stackable tote in the seated arrangement.

12. The stacked arrangement of totes of claim 11, wherein the at least one flange support of the one stackable tote further includes a length that extends below the latch of the upper stackable tote.

13. The stacked arrangement of totes of claim 12, wherein the length of the at least one flange support of the one stackable tote is sufficient to support the latch of the one stackable tote in a raised position in the seated arrangement.

14. The stacked arrangement of totes of claim 13, wherein the raised position of the latch of the one stackable tote provides a clearance between the latch of the one stackable tote and the latch of the another stackable tote.

15. The stacked arrangement of totes of claim 14, wherein the clearance between the latch of the one stackable tote and the latch of the another stackable tote is configured to allow a user to insert one or more fingers within the clearance between the latch of the one stackable tote and the latch of the another stackable tote.

16. The stacked arrangement of totes of claim 14, wherein the clearance between the latch of the one stackable tote and the latch of the another stackable tote includes a clearance of between 0.10 inches and 0.25 inches.

17. The stacked arrangement of totes of claim 14, wherein the clearance between the latch of the one stackable tote and the latch of the another stackable tote includes a clearance of between 0.15 inches and 0.20 inches.

18. The stacked arrangement of totes of claim 14, wherein the clearance between the latch of the one stackable tote and the latch of the another stackable tote includes a clearance about 0.17 inches.

19. The stacked arrangement of totes of claim 10, wherein the at least one latch has a bottom surface that includes a channel, wherein the channel is configured to provide an additional spacing between the latch of the one stackable tote and the latch of the another stackable tote in the seated arrangement.

20. A stackable tote configured for use with a lid, comprising: a hollow body having a base wall, an upper flange, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall, each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall are connected to each of the base wall and the upper flange, the hollow body further including at least one beveled wall interposed between and connecting each of the first sidewall and the second sidewall to the base wall, the at least one beveled wall configured to facilitate a positioning of a plurality of totes in a stacked arrangement, and the upper flange having at least one flange support depending therefrom, each of the at least one flange supports including a pair of intersecting support panels oriented in a substantially transverse configuration; and at least one latch rotatably attached to the upper flange and configured to securely hold the lid to the upper flange of the hollow body, the at least one latch having a bottom surface, a side surface, and a top surface, the at least one latch including a channel on the bottom surface thereof, the at least one flange support having a length that extends below the at least one latch, the channel having a protrusion extending downwardly toward the bottom surface of the at least one latch, a length of the protrusion being substantially the same as a length of the channel, and the at least one latch including an exterior surface marking configured to physically direct a user to the protrusion.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0027] The above, as well as other advantages of the present disclosure, will become clear to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, particularly when considered in the light of the drawings described hereafter.

[0028] FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of an upper tote with an attached upper lid stacked on a lower tote with an attached lower lid, according to one embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 2 is a first enlarged fragmentary top perspective view taken at call-out 2 of a left rear corner body of the upper lid of FIG. 1;

[0030] FIG. 3 is a second enlarged fragmentary top perspective view taken at call-out 2 of the left rear corner body of the upper lid of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom perspective view taken at call-out 2 of an underbody of the corner body of the upper lid of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the upper lid of FIG. 1;

[0033] FIG. 6 is an enlarged section view of the left rear corner body of the upper lid taken at section line 6-6 in FIG. 5;

[0034] FIG. 7 is an enlarged top perspective fragmentary view of a left front corner body of the upper tote without the upper lid of FIG. 1 disposed thereon;

[0035] FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary top perspective view of the front of the upper lid and upper tote of FIG. 1 with the upper lid connected to the upper tote by way of a latch;

[0036] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the upper tote seated within the lower tote in a stowed arrangement, where both the upper and lower totes have latches disposed thereon;

[0037] FIG. 9A is an enlarged front fragmentary view taken at call-out 9 of FIG. 9 and illustrating both upper and lower handles or latches; and

[0038] FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary bottom perspective view of a front right exterior corner body of the upper tote of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various embodiments of the invention. The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner.

[0040] FIG. 1 illustrates an upper combination 10 of an upper stackable tote 12 with upper lid 14 that is stacked on top of a lower combination 10 of a lower stackable tote 12 with lower lid 14. It is to be appreciated that the upper and lower combinations 10, 10 of the present disclosure are identical. Although the following description is primarily provided with respect to the upper combination 10, including the stackable tote 12 and the lid 14, it should be appreciated that the description equally applies to the lower combination 10, including the stackable tote 12 and the lid 14.

[0041] In a first embodiment, the lid 14 has a main body 16 having a major surface 18 and a raised rim 20. The raised rim 20 has an upper wall 22 and at least one corner body 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, where the upper wall 22 is spaced apart from the major surface 18. FIG. 2 shows the left rear corner body 24a with an upper surface 26, a first outer side surface 28, a second outer side surface 30, and a third outer side surface 32 connected thereto. The first outer side surface 28 intersects the second outer side surface 30, the second outer side surface 30 intersects the third outer side surface 32, and each of the first, second, and third outer side surfaces 28, 30, 32 are interposed between and connected to the upper surface 26 of the corner body 24a and the major surface 18 of the main body 16.

[0042] Thereby, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the first outer side surface 28, the second outer side surface 30, and the third outer side surface 32 of the corner body 24a are configured to abut a hollow body 34 of the stackable tote 12 at three respective internal contact areas 28a, 30a, 32a to removably hold the stackable tote 12. It has been found that this contacting at three distinct areas advantageously provides for a more stable connection between the upper and lower combinations 10, 10.

[0043] In a second embodiment, as seen in FIG. 2, the lid corner body 24a further includes a fourth outer side surface 36 that intersects the third outer side surface 32. The fourth outer side surface 36 is interposed between and connected to the upper surface 26 of the corner body 24a and the major surface 18 of the main body 16.

[0044] In a third embodiment, the rim 20 has a first section of inner wall 38 interposed between and connected to the upper wall 22 of the rim 20 and the major surface 18 of the main body 16, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The rim first section of inner wall 38 and an outer wall 40 depend from the upper wall 22 and have a free edge 42. The corner body 24a is interposed between a first section of the inner wall 38 and a second section of the inner wall 44.

[0045] As shown in FIG. 4, a fourth embodiment illustrates the corner body 24a having a lower surface 46 disposed opposite the corner body upper surface 26 that has at least one support pylon 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d disposed thereon, where the corner body 24a is attached to at least one inner side surface 28a, 30a, 32a of the corner body lower surface 46. The support pylons 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d are configured to enhance a rigidity of the corner body 24a. The support pylons 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d are shown as generally cylindrical in shape; however, one of ordinary skill in the art may also select other suitable shapes for the support pylons 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, as desired.

[0046] Also shown in FIG. 4 is a fifth embodiment where each of the support pylons 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d has a height (H) that is less than a depth (D) of an underside surface 19 of the major surface 18, relative to the upper wall 22 of the raised rim 20. Advantageously, the height (H) of the support pylons 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d being less than the depth (D) results in a supporting of the underside of the at least one corner body 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d of the lid 14 by the tote 12 where the lid 14 is disposed on the tote 12. Also, the height (H) of the support pylons 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d being less than the depth (D) allows for the multiples ones of the lid 14 to be stacked on one another, for example, in a stowed configuration on a store shelf or floor where space is at a premium, or while being transported, while also sufficiently supporting the at least one corner body 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d and militating against an undesirable warping or bending of the lid 14 in storage or transport.

[0047] In a sixth embodiment, the first inner side surface 28a is disposed opposite the first outer side surface 28, the second inner side surface 30a is disposed opposite the second outer side surface 30, and the third inner side surface 32a is disposed opposite the third outer side surface 32. Respectively to the three outer side surfaces 28a, 30a, 32a, there are disposed the first support pylon 48a, the second and third support pylons 48b, 48c, and the fourth support pylon 48d (see FIG. 4).

[0048] In a seventh embodiment, the first support pylon 48a is attached to the first inner side surface 28a with a first connecting rib 50a. Each of the second and third support pylons 48b, 48c is attached to the second inner side surface 30a with respective second connecting rib 50b, 50c. The fourth support pylon 48d is attached to the third inner side surface 32a with a third connecting rib 50d. It should be appreciated that the ribs 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d stabilize and make more robust the various support pylons 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d, in operation.

[0049] In an eighth embodiment, also shown in FIG. 4, the first support pylon 48a has a first support vane 52a connecting the first support pylon 48a to the lower surface 46, where the first support vane 52a is disposed opposite the first connecting rib 50a. Each of the second and third support pylons 48b, 48c has respective second and third support vanes 52b, 52c respectively connecting the second and third support pylons 48b, 48c to the lower surface 46. Each of the second and third support vanes 52b, 52c is disposed opposite the second and third connecting ribs 50b, 50c. The fourth support pylon 48d has a fourth support vane 52d connecting the fourth support pylon 48d to the lower surface 46. The fourth support vane 52d is disposed opposite the fourth connecting rib 50d. As with the ribs 50a, 50b, 50c, 50d, in operation, it should be appreciated that the support vanes 52a, 52b, 52c, 52d stabilize and make more robust the various support pylons 48a, 48b, 48c, 48d.

[0050] In a ninth embodiment, as further shown in FIG. 4, a thickness of the corner body 24a is defined by a distance between one of a) the first outer side surface 28 and the first inner side surface 28a, b) the second outer side surface 30 and the second inner side surface 30a, and c) the third outer side surface 32 and the third inner side surface 32a. Each of these distances defining the thickness of the respective area of the corner body 24a may be between about 0.050 inches and 0.100 inches, for example. One of ordinary skill in the art may also select other suitable thicknesses, as desired.

[0051] In a tenth embodiment, the main body 16 of the lid 14 and also the tote 12 is formed from one of polypropylene and polyethylene. However, one of ordinary skill in the art may also select other suitable materials for the main body 16 within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0052] In an eleventh embodiment, as applied to the corner body 24a, FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate that the major surface 18 of the main body 16 is disposed on a main plane P1. The outer side surface 32 is disposed on plane P4 that intersects the main plane P1 at an obtuse angle . It is to be appreciated that the outer side surfaces 28, 30 are respectively disposed on planes P2, P3 that intersect the main plane P1 at the same obtuse angle . Advantageously, the obtuse angle facilitates a guiding and insertion of a base of the tote 12 into the lid 14, for example, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0053] In a twelfth embodiment, shown in FIG. 6, the obtuse angle is greater than 90 degrees, more particularly between 90 degrees and 100 degrees, and most particularly about 95 degrees relative to the main plane P1 on which the major surface 18 of the main body 12 is disposed. However, a skilled artisan may select other suitable angles for the obtuse angle within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0054] In a thirteenth embodiment and as illustrated in FIG. 5, the main body 16 has a generally quadrilateral shape with four corners A-D. Each of the respective four corner bodies 24a-24d is included in respective corners A-D and disposed adjacent thereof the main body 16. It should be appreciated that other general shapes having more or fewer corners may also be employed, as desired.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 7, a fourteenth embodiment includes the stackable tote 12 with the hollow body 34 having a base wall 62, a first tote sidewall 64, a second tote sidewall 66, and a tote corner section 68. Each of the first sidewall 64, the second sidewall 66, and the corner section 68 is connected to the base wall 62. The one corner section 68 is interposed between and connected to the first and the second sidewalls 64, 66, and the one corner section 68 includes a first tote corner exterior surface 70, a second tote corner exterior surface 72, and a third tote corner exterior surface 74. Thereby, the first exterior surface 70, the second exterior surface 72, and the third exterior surface 74, of the corner section 68, are configured to contact the corner body 24d of the lid 14 for the stackable tote 12, at the three areas 28a, 30a, 32a of contact to removably hold the upper stackable tote 12 in the lower lid 14. It has been found that this contacting at three distinct areas advantageously provides for a more stable connection between the upper and lower combinations 10, 10.

[0056] In a fifteenth embodiment, the stackable tote 12 has an upper flange 76 connected to each of the first sidewall 64, the second sidewall 66, and the corner section 68.

[0057] In a sixteenth embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, the stackable tote 12 has at least one tote latch 78 rotatably attached to the tote upper flange 76. The at least one tote latch 78 is configured to securely hold the lid 14 on the upper flange 76 of the tote hollow body 34. For example, the at least one tote latch 78 may be selectively rotatable from a latched position (shown in FIGS. 8-9A) to an unlatched position (not shown), in operation.

[0058] In a seventeenth embodiment, and as illustrated in FIG. 9 and in call-out FIG. 9A, the tote upper flange 76 has at least one tote flange support 80 depending therefrom. Here the at least one flange support 80 is configured to abut an upper flange 76 of the lower stackable tote 12 when the two totes 12, 12 are in a seated arrangement 82, i.e., a stowed configuration that may be used for storage or transport of plurality of the totes 12, 12 and the lids 14, 14.

[0059] In an eighteenth embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 9A, a length (L) of the at least one flange support 80 is sufficient to support the latch 78 in a raised position while in the seated arrangement 82. This raised position provides a clearance (CL) between adjacent latches 78, 78 of the upper stackable tote 12 and the lower stackable tote 12 which are in the seated arrangement 82. As illustrated in FIG. 9A, an example of the clearance (CL) would be between 0.10 inches and 0.25 inches, more particularly between 0.15 inches and 0.20 inches, and most particularly about 0.17 inches. However, one of ordinary skill in the art may also select other suitable clearances (CL), and in particular suitable clearances (CL) that permit a user to comfortably grip the latch 78 with the user's fingers where the latch 78 is stacked adjacent to the other latch 78, as desired.

[0060] In a nineteenth embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 10, the upper stackable tote 12 has at least one upper beveled wall 84 interposed between and connected to the upper corner section 68 and the upper base wall 62. As described further hereinabove, and in association with the obtuse angle of the at least one corner body 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d walls, the at least one upper beveled wall 84 is configured to facilitate an insertion of the upper base wall 62 into the lower lid 14 (see FIG. 1).

[0061] In a twentieth embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 7, the stackable tote 12 includes the hollow body 34 that has the base wall 62, the first sidewall 64, the second sidewall 66, and the corner section 68. Each of the first sidewall 64, the second sidewall 66, and the corner section 68 are connected to the base wall 62. The at least one corner section 68 is interposed between and connected to the first sidewall 64 and the second sidewall 66. The at least one corner section 68 includes the first exterior surface 70, the second exterior surface 72, and a third exterior surface 74.

[0062] In a most particular embodiment, and where the upper combination 10 and the lower combination 10 are stack as shown in FIG. 1, it should be appreciated that the first exterior surface 70 abuts the first outer side surface 28 of the respective corner body 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, the second exterior surface 72 abuts the second outer side surface 30 of the respective corner body 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d, and the third exterior surface 74 abuts the third outer side surface 32 of the respective corner body 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d. The employment of these three areas of contact at each of the corner bodies 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d facilitates a more secure stacking and holding of the base wall 62 of the upper stackable tote 12 onto within the underlying lower lid 14.

[0063] It should be understood that the storage tote 12 and lid 14 combination 10, 10 described herein is lightweight, stackable, and resistant to toppling when stacked several totes high. Furthermore, the aforementioned combination 10, 10 facilitates both a latching and a stacking of the storage totes 12 in operation, and thus has certain advantages relative to tote and lid combinations of the prior art.

[0064] While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims.