Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02422329 2003-03-14
- STORAGE CONTAINER FOR ELONGATE ARTICLES
Field of the Invention
The invention is generally related to storage containers, and more
particularly to a versatile storage container for storing elongate articles.
Background of the Invention
Gift wrapping paper typically comes in elongate rolls with long sheets or
webs of paper wound around an elongate paperboard tube. In many instances, the
paper sheets or webs are quite wide, thus resulting in rolls or paper that are
quite
long. These rolls can be difficult for a user to store when not being used.
Wrapping gifts generally also requires the use of tape, scissors, bows,
ribbons, note
cards, and other accessories. Storing these accessories together, and near the
wrapping paper rolls, can also often be problematic. Consumers often may use
some of the accessories for purposes other than gift wrapping. The accessories
thus
become misplaced and/or separated from the other accessories, making them
difficult to find when needed for gift wrapping.
Many consumers simply store a plurality of rolls of such paper and the
accessories separately from one another with the pager rolls standing in a
corner of
a closet or resting in a stack on a closet shelf and with the accessories such
as
scissors and tape stored elsewhere. When in comes time to use the wrapping
paper
and the accessories, the consumer must gather the desired wrapping paper and
must
also locate and gather the necessary accessories. This can result in a
frustrating and
time consuming procedure.
Containers have been devised to store many different products and articles.
Gift wrapping paper rolls and other types of rolled paper, as well as the
associated
accessories are no exception. Examples of such containers and devices are
disclosed in, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 6,006,502; 6,123,197; and
4,186,833.
Various disadvantages and problems are associated with these prior known
containers and devices.
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- ' For example, U.S. Patent No. 6,006,502 discloses a wrapping station system
and method that can also be utilized as a storage container for. these
articles. The
container has two halves that can be folded open to form a gift wrapping
surface. .
Each of the halves of the container has a plurality of receptacles, some for
storing
rolls of paper and some for receiving storage drawers to hold the various
accessories. One disadvantage of the disclosed device is that it includes
numerous
different components requiring elaborate, tabor intensive manufacturing and
assembly sequences; and resulting in relatively expensive fabrication,
assembly, and
finished product.
U.S. Patent No. 6,123,197 discloses an upright container with a hinged flip
open lid. The container has a plurality of dividers that can be adjusted to
change the
spacing between sub-compartments within the container. One. or more of the
compartments includes vertically arranged storage regions to store items such
as
scissors, tape, and ribbons. The device is also disclosed as having clips that
are
spring-biased and separately attachable to the exterior of the container so
that bags
and other articles can be hung or otherwise suspended from the container. The
container disclosed in the 6,123,197 patent also has a lid latching mechanism
and
requires hinges for the lid. A tray is also disclosed that rests in the top
opening of
the container for stoning tape, ribbons, and other objects. One disadvantage
of this
disclosed container is that when using the top tray, space below the tray is
blocked
from easy access. The tray must be removed in order to access the vertically
stacked storage regions within the container. A further disadvantage is that
the
vertically arranged storage regions within the container are difficult to
access and
required awkwardly bending over to retrieve accessories from these regions.
Another disadvantage is that, again, the device is elaborately constructed
with
numerous components and requires laborious and relatively expensive
manufacturing and assembly processes.'
U.S. Patent No. 4, 186, 833 discloses a smaller storage box for storing gift
wrapping accessories and folded sheets of gift wrapping paper. The container
has a
hinged lid with one or more dowel rods extending transversely across and under
the
lid. The rods are provided in the lid for storing ribbon rolls and the like. A
bottom
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J
- portion of the container includes one or more compartments for storing
folded paper
and other objects such as tape and scissors. One disadvantage of this
disclosed
device is that it cannot accommodate storing elongate rolls of paper. Another
disadvantage is that it again includes a plurality of components including
hinges,
handles, compartment dividers, ribbon dowels, and the like which require
separate
manufacture and assembly, thus increasing the labor expense to produce the
container and the relative product cost.
Other types of storage container products are known as WRAP'n CraftT"
boxes and available from RUBBERMAID~. One example is a horizontal container
with an elongate, shallow base that lies flat on a surface. A lid fits over
the base.
Elongate articles such as wrapping paper are stored lying horizontally in the
base.
One or more accessory trays can be f tied in the base and suspended from edges
of
the base. Another example is a vertical container with an elongate, tall base
and a
removable hood. The hood has a top. lid that is hinged and can be opened to
access
an accessory tray suspended in the top part of the hood.
Brief Description of the Drawings
An exemplary storage container in accordance with the teachings of the
present invention is described and explained in greater detail below with the
aid of
the drawing figures in which:
FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of one example of a storage
container constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention.
FIG. 2 is a side view in fragmentary cross section of the storage container
shown in FIG. 1 and as assembled in one possible configuration.
2S FIG. 3 is .an enlarged view of a portion of the container shown in FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a side view in fragmentary cross section of the storage container
shown in FIG. 1 and as assembled in another possible configuration.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the container shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an elevational perspective view of the basket and container base in
the configuration shown in FIG. 2.
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- FIG. 7 is an elevational perspective view of the basket and container base
in
the configuration shown in FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged perspective view of the basket of the storage container
shown in FIG. 1.
FIG. 9 is an elevational perspective view of the storage container shown in
FIG. 1 and in another possible configuration for storing the container.
FIG. 10 is an elevational perspective view of three stacked storage containers
and in the configuration shown in FIG. 9.
Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments
An exemplary storage container for storing elongate articles such as large or
jumbo rolls of wrapping paper is disclosed and described herein. The disclosed
storage container is constructed in accordance with the teachings of the
present
~ invention and solves or improves upon the above noted problems and
disadvantages
in prior known containers and devices. The storage container can vertically
store a
plurality of rolls of wrapping paper or other elongate articles within the
container.
The container can also protect the articles stored therein. The container can
also
house and store accessories associated with the stored articles.
If gift wrapping paper is stored, the accessories may typically include
scissors, tape, ribbons, bows, note cards, and other accessories. The storage
container is versatile in that the accessories can either be stored interior
to the
container, space permitting, or can be stored exterior to the container. When
not in
use, one or more of the storage containers can be reconfigured to nest and
stack in a
stored configuration, reducing the size of the container for storage. When in
use,
the storage container provides a safe and secure environment for stored
articles.
The storage container also include only three parts and requires virtually no
assembly: It is also very easy to manufacture.
Turning now to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of one
example of a storage container 20 constructed in accordance with the teachings
of
the present invention. The container, 20 generally has a container base 22, a
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- container lid 24, and an accessory basket 26. The base 22, the lid 24, and
the
basket 26 are constructed so that the storage container is versatile and can
be
oriented and configured in a number. of different ways, depending upon the
intended
use.
With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the base 22 generally has a bottom panel
30 and a circumferentially contiguous upstanding side wall 32 extending upward
from a perimeter of the bottom panel. In the disclosed example, the side wall
32
has a generally rectangular cylinder configuration. In this example, the
contiguous
side wall 32 is formed by four side panel segments 34a, 34b, 34c, and 34d. The
four side panels 34a-34d are interconnected to one another along adjacent
edges to
form the contiguous side wall 32. The bottom panel 30 and side wall 32
generally
define therein a vertically oriented base interior 36.
In the disclosed example, the side wall 32 terminates at a top end 38
disposed opposite the bottom panel 30. In this example, the top end 38 has a
radially outwardly rolled lip 40 extending around the contiguous,top end. The
top
end 38 also defines a base opening 42 providing access to the base interior
36. Also
in this example, the rolled lip 40 includes a pair of opposed outwardly bulged
sections that define handles 44a and 44, c that are disposed central to the
side panels
34a and 34c, respectively. The handles 44a and 44c extend radially outward
further
than the adjacent parts of the lip 40 relative to the respective side panels
34a and 34c
to a distance sufficient to provide for finger space underneath the lip. The
handles
44 permit a user to easily grasp and carry the container' base and the entiie
assembled container.
As best shown in FIGS. 1, 6; and 7, the top end 38 of the base 22 also has a
plurality of depressions 46 or recesses formed in the lip that accommodate
attachment of the basket 26 as described in greater detail below. The
depressions 46
can be provided on any one portion or multiple portions of the top end 38, as
desired. In this example, each of the side panels 34 adjacent the top end 38
has a
pair of the depressions 46 formed therein. For example, the lip 40 at the top
end 38
of the side panel 34a includes a pair of the depressions 46a so that the
basket 26 can
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be attached. Each other side panel and lip portion in, this example is
similarly
constructed.
As generally illustrated in FIG. 1 and described in greater detail below, the
disclosed basket 26 has a pair of upwardly and rearwardly extending hooks 50
that
secure the basket to the base 22. The pair of hooks 50 are spaced to register
in the
corresponding depressions 46 adjacent one side panel 24 when the basket is
installed
on the base 22. As shown in FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 7; the basket 26 can be
installed
either interior to the base 22 or exterior to the base. Similarly, the basket
26 can be
installed in either the interior or exterior orientation, both when the lid 24
is
IO installed on the base 22 or when the lid is removed.
Turning again to FIGS: 1 and 2, the lid 24 generally has a top panel 60 and a
circumferentially contiguous lid side wall 62 extending from and connected
with a
perimeter of the top panel. As with the base 22, in this example, the
contiguous
side wall 62 defines a generally rectangular cylinder and has four
interconnected lid
side panels 64a, 64b,~ 64c, and 64d that coincide, when installed, with the
base side
panels 34a-34d, respectively: The lid side wall 62 terminates at a bottom lid
end 66
disposed opposite the top panel 60. The lid end 66 in this example defines a
lid
opening 68 that opens into a lid space or interior 70. The lid end 66 includes
a
radially outwardly flared rim that, when installed, extends downward toward
the
base 22. The rim 72 is sized and configured to overlie and register with the
base lip
40. Thus, in this example, the rim 72 also includes a pair of oppositely
disposed
bulge portions 74 that register with the bulging handles 44a and 44c in the
lip 40.
Referring specifically to FIGS. 2-5, details of the rim 72, lip 40,
depressions
46, basket hooks 50, and their several installed arrangement are now
described.
When the storage container 20 is configured for storing elongate articles
within the
container, the lid opening 68 and the base opening 42 are positioned adjacent
and
facing one another. The combined base interior 36 and lid interior 70 form an
enclosure for storing articles within the container. In the installed
configuration, the
rim 72 overlays and closely follows the contour of the rolled lip 40. The rim
72
registers over the lip 40 to removably secure the lid in place. As shown in
FIG. 3,
the bulge portions 74 of the rim 72 overlie the respective handle portions 44
of the
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lip 40.. When the disclosed lid and base are assembled, the lid height defines
a
significant portion of the enclosure size and the total enclosure length can
be sized
to accommodate quite lengthy articles. When the lid 24 is removed from the
base
22, its height permits a significant portion of elongate articles to be
exposed and,
therefore, easily accessible. '
FIGS. 3 and 5 also illustrate cross sections through one hook 50 of the
basket 26 and one depression 46 when the basket and the lid 24 are both
installed.
w ' In FIG. 3, the basket is installed in the interior of the base 22 and in
FIG. 5, the
basket is installed exterior to the base. As can be seen in FIG. 3, the hook
50 is
contoured to extend upward from the basket 26 and then rearward from the
basket
before extending downward. The hook defines a space or gap between the
depending portion 52 of the hook 50 and a rear wall 54 of the basket. The
space for
each hook 50 and the hook size and contour are configures so that each hook
can
nest within a selected 46 of the lip 40 on the base 22. In this arrangement,
the
basket 26 is positioned inside the base 22 and, thus, each hook depending
portion 52
extends over the lip 40 within the depression 46 and into the base interior
36.
Similarly, FIG. 5 illustrates that the basket is hanging exterior to the base.
Thus, each hook 50 is again received in the selected depression 4b and the
depending portion 52 extends over the lip 40 and into the interior 36 of the
container base 22. Again, the contour of the depression 46 in the lip 40 and
the
hook 50 preferably compliment one another. The rim 72 of the lid 24 closely
follows the contour of the lip 40 and, as can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, in the
region
of the depressions 46 and hook 50, the rim 72 follows the contour of and nests
with.
the hook 50.
As shown in FIG. 6 and 7, with the lid 24 removed from the base 22,
contents such as elongate articles stored within the base are easily
accessible. A
user need not bend over to access elongate articles and also need not bend
over very
far to reach accessories stored in the basket. For example, one or more rolls
of
wrapping paper 80 (shown here only in phantom) extend far upward frorri the
top
end 38 of the base 22 when the lid 24 is removed. Contents within the basket
26 are
easily accessible, regardless of whether the basket is installed interior to
or exterior
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_ g
- of the base. As shown in FIG. 4, if the basket 26 is stored exterior to the
base 22,
accessories in the basket are accessible without removing the lid 24. In this
arrangement, a user can access, for example, scissors and tape within the
basket for
any reason without disturbing the articles stored in the storage container
enclosure.
When working with wrapping paper and with the accessories stored in the
basket 26, the basket can be installed as shown in FIG. 7 exterior to the base
providing easy access for the user, even when working on a floor surface
adjacent
the base 22. Alternatively, the basket can simply be removed from the base and
rested on a surface near the user as desired. As shown in FIG. 2, the basket
can be
positioned inside the base 22 and the lid can be installed. In this
arrangement, the
entire contents of the storage container 20 can be stored.
FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of one example of the basket 26 in
greater detail and constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present
invention. As described above, the disclosed basket 26 has a pair of the hooks
50
extending upward and rearward of the back panel 54. The basket 26 also has a
bottom panel 84, a front panel 86, and a pair of curved side panels 88 that
interconnect the front and back panels. In this example, the front panel 86,
side
panels 88, and back panel 54 form a contiguous circumferential side wall 90
that is
connected to and extends upward from a perimeter of the bottom panel 84. The
basket 26 defines a basket space or interior 100 that is accessible through a
top
opening I02 for inserting and removing accessories.
The basket 26 i eludes another feature in this example, as is described with
reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. A top edge I04 of the front panel 86 in this
example
has a serpentine contour defzning a plurality of upwardly extending and
integrally
formed hangers or prongs 106 and 108. The prongs 106, in this example, are
outwardly disposed nearer the side panels 88. The prong 108 is disposed
centrally-
relative to the top edge 104 and is centered between a pair of recessed
regions 110,
rendering the center prong larger than the outward prongs 106. The protrusions
106 and 108 in this example are provided for hanging additional articles from
the
basket 26. It is known that paper bags often come with handles. The handles of
these type of bags can be placed over selected ones of the protrusions 106 and
I08
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- to hang the bags from the basket. Such a bag l I2 is shown in FIG. 7 only in
phantom.
As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the basket shape
and configuration can vary considerably and yet fall within the scope of the
present
invention. For example, the size and shape of the various basket panels.can be
altered from the disclosed example. Similarly, the shape, 'size, and quantity
of the
hooks and prongs can be altered from that shown.. Alternatively, the basket
may
have no prongs. The material and process used to form the basket can also
vary. In
one example, the basket can be molded from a plastic or thermoplastic
material.by a
suitable process such as vacuum forming, rotation molding, injection molding,
blow
molding, or the like. Other processes can include cutting and fastening
parts,,
stamping, weaving, or the like. The basket can alternatively be fabricated
from
many other different materials as desired and as suited fox a particular use,
such as,
for example, wicker, coated paperboard, corrugated paperboard, cardboard,
wood,
metal, or the Like. Also, the surfaces can be solid and relatively smooth as
illustrated. However, the surfaces can also include decorative or structural
ribbing
and other contours, perforations, ventilation regions, or the like.
The basket, though shown having hooks that hook onto a lip of the base, can
alternatively be removably attached in other ways to the container. For
example,
surface mounted hook and loop fasteners can be used and adhered to the basket
and
base. Also, pegs and holes or keys and ways can also be used if desired.
FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate additional versatility provided by the storage
container 20 described herein. As shown in FIG. 9, the storage container 20
can be
configured in an alternative manner for storing the container when not in use.
In
this configuration, the lid 24 is inverted and telescopically received in the
base
opening 42. The side panels 34a-34d of the base 22 can be tapered slightly
outward, moving upward form the bottom panel 30 so that the base is wider at
the
top end 38 than at the bottom panel. The lid 24 can be similarly tapered so
that it is
wider at the lid opening 68 and narrower near the top panel 60. When so
configured, the lid can be inverted and easily received within the base
interior as
shown in FIG. 9.
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I0-
- In the disclosed example, the lid includes four outwardly protruding corner
regions 120 that extend radially outward further than the remaining panels 64a-
64d
near the lid end 66. The regions 120 as formed define an exposed stop surface
122
on a top side of each region facing toward the top panel 60. These regions 120
extend outward to a sufficient degree so that, when the lid is inverted, the
stop
surfaces 122 rest on the top end 38 of the base 22. The lid 24 is thus
prevented
from nesting too deep into the base interior 36. These regions 120 and
surfaces 122
,:.
" therefore suspend the lid 24 in the inverted configuration and yet prevent
the lid
from fully seating within the base 22 and from becoming lodged therein by
static
IO friction. In this arrangement.,the lid 24 can be easily removed when
needed, Also
as shown in FIG. 9> the basket 26 can be sized so that it can be laid flat
within the
container interior 36 and resting on the bottom panel 30.
FIG. 10 illustrates a plurality of the container bases 22 nested within one
another. A plurality of lids 24, also nested within one another, are shown
inverted
and received in the upper most base 22 of the sfack. The tapered shape of the
bases
22 and the lids 24 permit nesting and stacking of multiple bases 22 and lids
24. The
lower most lid 24 of the inverted lid stack and the upper most base 22 of the
base
stack nest with one another as shown in FIG. 9. The remaining lids 24 and
bases 22
nest with the adjacent lids and bases, respectively. Although not shown in
FIG. 10,
the bases 22 can also include outwardly extending regions along some portion
of the
panels 34, similar to the regions 120 of the lids 24, so that the bases nest
only to a
given depth.
In the example of FIG. 10, a basket 26 for each of the containers can be
stored within the respective container base 22 resting on the corresponding
bottom
panel 30, as in the example of FIG. 9. In the alternative, a plurality of the
baskets
26 can be stored in the upper most base 22 beneath the nested lid stack.
Alternatively or additionally, a plurality of the baskets 26 can be stored in
the upper
most inverted lid 24.
The disclosed storage container offers a simple, easy to manufacture
construction that is versatile when in use and can be stored in an alternative
configuration. Similarly, multiple storage containers can be stored as shown
in
CA 02422329 2003-03-14
-11-
FIG. 10 both.by a consumer and on display in a retail environment. Whewthe
container 20 is used, the enclosure defined within the installed lid 24 and
base 22 is
sufficiently large to accommodate multiple elongate articles and yet protect
them
from dust and damage. Additionally; the basket 26 can be mounted interior to
the
enclosure for storing accessories associated with the stored articles such as
gift
wrapping accessories. The basket 26 can also be stored installed on the base
22, but
exterior to the container, so that items held within the basket are accessible
without
removing the lid 24 from the base 22. In this manner, accessories such as
scissors
and tape can be easily obtained for other uses and return to the basket 26
where they
remain stored with the articles held in the enclosure of the storage container
20.
The storage container base 22 and lid 24 described herein are particularly
well suited for fabrication as plastic molded parts. However, the lid and base
can
also be alternatively fabricated from many other different materials as
desired and as
suited for a particular use, such as, for example, wicker, coated paperboard,
corrugated paperboard, cardboard, wood, metal, or the like. Also, the surfaces
can
be solid and relatively smooth as illustrated. However, the surfaces can also
include
decorative or structural ribbing, corrugations, or other contours,
perforations,
ventilation regions, or the like. Similarly, any suitable fabrication process
can be
used, depending on the selected container materials. If plastic lids and bases
are to
be fabricated, injection molding, blow molding, vacuum forming, rotation
molding, '
or other suitable processes can be performed. Other processes can include
cutting
and fastening parts, stamping, weaving, or the like. The disclosed storage
container
is not to be limited by any particular material or fabrication process.
The lid height as shown in comparison to the base height comprises some
proportion of the height of the storage enclosure. In one preferred example,
the lid
provides about one-third the enclosure height and the base provides about two-
thirds
the total height. By having the lid comprise some significant proportion of
the
enclosure height, the elongate articles stored therein are easily grasped and
readily
accessible when the lid is removed. Also, when the lid is removed, inverted,
and
rested on a surface; the lid can provide a temporary storage container useful
for
keeping various articles organized and within reach.
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- 1~ -
In an alternative example, the lid need only provide a small proportion of the
storage enclosure height. In such an example, the basket can still hang from
the lip
either interior or exterior relative to the base. Also, the slight lid depth
will expose
at least very top ends of elongate articles stored in the base when the lid is
removed.
S ' Although a certain exemplary storage container has been disclosed and
described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present invention,
the scope
of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary; this
patent covers
all embodiments of the teachings of the invention fair Iy falling within the
scope of
the appended claims, either literally or under the doctrine of equivalents.
