BASKET WITH HANDLE

Abstract

A basket having a handle for organizing products on a shelf includes a solid base wall, a plurality of peripheral walls, and a handle. The plurality of peripheral walls extends upwardly from the base wall and define an upper rim of the basket and a recess therebetween. The handle has at least a first and a second part. The first part is substantially perpendicular to the second part and has an upper surface that is flush with the upper rim of the basket. The first part lies in a plane defined by the upper rim of the basket. The second part is spaced from an adjacent peripheral wall in order to fit a hand of a user between the peripheral wall and the second part. The second part extends downwardly from an end of the first part.

Description

FIELD

The present invention concerns a handy basket for use in storing supplies on a shelf, such as a pantry, cabinet, refrigerator, or freezer shelf. In particular, the invention relates to a basket that includes a handle that easily permits users to grasp the basket and remove it or move it on the shelf.

BACKGROUND

Compartments, such as pantries, kitchen cabinets, refrigerators, or freezers can have deep, fixed shelves and it may be difficult for a user to see what is on the shelf towards the rear of the shelf. In addition, these compartments can become chaotic and sloppy because multiple items can be positioned on top of one another, making it even more likely that items positioned towards the rear of the shelf will be missed. If food sits for too long in a compartment, it can spoil and/or attract bugs and vermin. With fixed shelves, it is often necessary to remove or shuffle around all the articles positioned in the front part of the shelf to see what is at the back of the shelf. It is also often necessary to move articles in the front part of the shelf in order to remove articles positioned at the back of the shelf, even if the user can see what is sitting at the back of the shelf.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example basket according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a right side view of the basket of FIG. 1, with the left side view being a mirror image thereof:

FIG. 3 is a front view of the basket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 if a rear view of the basket of FIG. 1:

FIG. 5 is a top view of the basket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the basket of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example basket according to the invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of one of the handles of the basket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of one of the handles of the basket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 10 is an exploded top view of one of the handles of the basket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 11 is an exploded bottom view of one of the handles of the basket of FIG. 7;

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another example basket according to the invention;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another example basket according to the invention;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another example basket according to the invention; and

FIG. 15 is a perspective front view of yet another example basket design, showing two transparent baskets stacked on top of each other;

FIG. 16 is a perspective side view of the stacked baskets shown in FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative example basket that is designed for use with spice jars; and

FIG. 18 is a top view of the example basket of FIG. 17.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Several different types of baskets 10 are shown according to the invention. FIGS. 1-6 depict a first example basket 10 that is rectangular and has two recesses or compartments 12. FIGS. 7-11 depict a second example basket 10 that is shallow and wider than the first example basket 10. As such, it includes two handles 14 positioned on one side of the basket 10. FIGS. 12 and 13 depict two different single recess 12 or compartment baskets 10 that are rectangular in shape and have a single handle 14 positioned at a front end 40 of each basket 10. FIG. 14 depicts yet another example basket 10 that has three compartments 12 in the basket 10, with the handle 14 positioned at a front end 40 of the basket 10. FIGS. 15 and 16 depict a basket 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 13, but with the baskets 10 being transparent and stacked on top of one another during storage of the baskets 10. FIGS. 17 and 18 depicts a long, thin, rectangular basket 10 that can be used for spice jars, or the like. The example baskets 10 are used on pantry, cabinet, refrigerator, or freezer shelves, or the like, and are designed to be easily removed or pulled from their resting spot in order to view all items in the basket 10 for ease of selection.

Each of the baskets 10 depicted has a base wall 16 and upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 that together define the outer boundaries of the basket 10, including an upper rim 20. A recess 12 is defined between the base wall 16 and the upwardly extending peripheral walls 18. The recess 12 is for receiving products or goods. The base wall 16 of each basket 10 is closed so that products do not readily slip through the bottom of the device. For example, the base wall 16 is shown as being a solid wall that covers the entire bottom of the basket 10.

The base wall 16 of the basket 10 is substantially solid such that objects, goods, or liquids cannot fall through the bottom of the basket 10. In one embodiment, the base wall 16 is solid and the bottom section 22 of each of the peripheral walls 18 is also solid so that the bottom part of the container can hold a liquid, if needed, so that the liquid does not escape. For example, if the basket 10 is housing juice boxes and one of them leaks, the basket 10 maintains any liquid in the bottom of the basket 10 so that the liquid does not escape and cause a mess on the cabinet, pantry, or refrigerator shelf. The base wall 16 of the basket 10 has a top surface 24 for contacting the goods or objects, which is shown as being smooth, and a bottom surface 26 that faces downwardly and engages a support surface, such as the cabinet shelf, pantry shelf, refrigerator shelf, or freezer shelf. The bottom surface 26 may include ribs 28 that extend downwardly in a pattern, such as longitudinally extending ribs 28. The ribs 28 can help to promote airflow around the basket 10 and can also be used to elevate the basket 10 above the surface that the basket seats on. Alternatively, the base wall 16 may be spaced from a surface that the basket 10 seats on by an outer extension 30 of the peripheral walls 18 that defines a flange (similar to feet) that extends around the periphery of the base wall 16. The outer extension 30 of the peripheral walls 18 extends downwardly and may partially or completely surround the bottom surface 26 of the base wall 16. The base wall 16 bottom surface 26 may also be untreated and flat, if desired.

The upper rim 20 of the basket 10 may be defined by a lip that bends outwardly relative to the top of the upwardly extending peripheral walls 18, as shown. This lip defines a top surface of the rim 20 of the basket 10 and is generally parallel to the base wall 16 of the basket 10. The lip is not required and, instead, the upper rim 20 of the basket 10 could simply be defined by the top surface of each of the peripheral walls 18.

The upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 may be completely solid, or may have holes 32 or a decorative pattern defined therethrough. In the examples shown, part of the peripheral walls 18 have a plurality of through holes 32 that are rectangular shaped. These openings 32 may be purely decorative or may permit air to circulate around the products or goods stored in each basket recess 12.

The peripheral walls 18 in the examples shown define a front wall 34, a rear wall 36, and two side walls 38. The front wall 34 defines the front end 40 of the basket 10 and the rear wall 36 defines the rear end of the basket 10. The front wall 34 is the wall that typically remains facing outwardly when the basket 10 is installed inside a cabinet or on a shelf. The front end 40 of the basket 10 is typically positioned in the front of the cabinet or pantry shelf, or near the opening of the refrigerator or freezer. The rear wall 36 is the wall that faces the back of the cabinet, shelf or compartment. The peripheral walls 18 are shown as being generally rectangular, with four outer walls being used. Other types of baskets 10 may be used, including those with fewer than or more than four (4) upstanding peripheral walls 18. When the basket 10 is rectangular, the front and rear walls 34, 36 are the same size and the side walls 38 are the same size. In addition, the basket 10 may include internal divider walls 42 that divide the recess 12 of the basket 10 into multiple recesses 12. The internal divider walls 42 may be inserts, may be sloped or may be perpendicular to the base wall 16.

Each of the baskets 10 has one or more handles 14 that extends from a front end 40 of the basket 10. When the basket 10 is wide, two or more handles 14 may be used, if desired. The handles 14 permit a user to easily grasp the basket 10 in order to remove or at least move the basket 10 forward (e.g., away from the back of the shelf or compartment). The handles 14 may also be used to help arrange the position of the baskets 10 within the cavity of the cabinet, pantry, or refrigerator/freezer.

Each handle 14 is cantilevered off of the adjacent upwardly extending wall 34 of the basket 10. In the embodiments shown, the handle 14 is coupled to the front wall 34 of the basket 10 adjacent the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. The handle 14 is depicted as being substantially L-shaped, with a first part 44 of the L-shape being parallel to the base wall 16 of the basket 10 and a second part 46 of the L-shape being angled downwardly at an angle A relative to the first part 44 of the handle 14 in a nearly or substantially perpendicular manner. The second part 46 may not be exactly perpendicular to the first part 44, but can be at an approximately 95-120 degree angle A relative to an upper surface 48 of the first part 44 of the handle 14. Alternatively, the second part 46 can be perpendicular to the first part 44. The first part 44 has an upper surface 48 and a lower surface 50. The upper surface 48 is substantially flat and planar, but could have other shapes. The first part 44 of the handle 14 has a first length LF and the second part 46 of the handle 14 has a second length LS, with the first length LF being about one-third to about one-half the length LS of the second part 46. Other lengths may alternatively be used.

The handle 14 is depicted in the figures as having substantially straight lines, but the handle 14 could be curved, if desired. One of the handle parts 44, 46 could be curved while the other part is straight. The handle 14 is designed so that the user's hand fits under the handle 14 in a non-tight manner in order to leverage the handle 14 relative to the basket 10 body. In particular, when a user positions their hand under the handle 14, the user's palm will grasp the second part 46 of the handle 14 while the forefinger abuts against the lower surface 50 of the first part 44. The user's thumb may also rest on the upper surface 48 of the first part 44 or may rest on the front side 52 of the handle 14 in order to assist in stabilizing the basket 10 and handle 14 during movement of the basket 10. The second part 46 of the handle 14 may have a semi-circular cross-section such that a depression 54 is formed on one side of the second part 46 of the handle 14. This depression 54 may extend along the entire length of the second part 46 or along part of the length of the second part 46 and can be used in order to more easily mate with a user's finger tips or thumb. The second part 46 of the handle 14 may have a curved cross-section along its length. The entire handle 14 may be curved instead of L-shaped, if desired.

The upper rim 20 that extends around the top of the basket 10 and the upper surface 48 of the handle 14 are contiguous and flush with one another. Alternatively, the upper surface 48 of the first part 44 could be positioned slightly below the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. The first part 44 of the handle 14 has a reinforcing section 56 that extends downwardly from the lower surface 50 of the first part 44. The reinforcing section 56 forms a wall between the rear surface 58 of the second part 46 and the adjacent surface on the front wall 34 of the body of the basket 10. This reinforcing section 56 may be solid so that it extends across the entire width of the first part 44 of the handle 14 and therefore defines a lower surface of the first part 44 of the handle 14.

Alternatively, the reinforcing section 56 may be a planar sheet of material that has a width that is equal to or less than the width of the first part 44. If the reinforcing section 56 is planar, more than one reinforcing section 56 may be positioned on each side of the first part 44 and extend downwardly from the first part 44 to box in a lower surface 50 of the first part 44. The reinforcing sections 56 couple the second part 46 to the front end 40 of the wall 34 under the first part 44. Additional reinforcements, such as ribs 60, may be provided in the boxed in section. The handle 14 may be positioned at other locations on the basket 10, if desired.

The first part 44 of the handle 14 could be longer or shorter and could be lower or higher than the rim 20 of the adjacent wall 34. One or more handles 14 could be used on a single wall. Multiple handles 14 could extend from the walls, if desired, including handles 14 extending from more than one wall. Differently proportioned handles 14 could also be used.

The baskets 10 are shown as having a rectangular shape with one, two or three recesses 12. Any number of recesses 12 may be utilized and is a function of the goods at issue. Any shape container may be used, if desired, including a basket 10 that is not rectangular.

The basket 10 is rigid enough to support the weight of items positioned in the recess 12 such that when the basket 10 is removed or partially removed from the shelf, the contents of the basket 10 can be easily moved, either on the shelf itself or to a different location. The example baskets 10 shown in the figures have a pattern of holes 32 provided on the side walls 38 of the basket 10. Rectangular holes 32 are shown, but any type of pattern may be utilized in any number of different shapes. The side walls 38 could also be solid, if desired. Since the basket 10 is easily removable from a shelf, it can be washed in a sink. In contrast, cabinet, pantry, refrigerator and freezer shelves are often not easily removed for cleaning purposes. Thus, the basket 10 helps to maintain the shelf in an overall cleaner state.

The example basket 10 also provides a means for aiding in organizing the shelf. For example, each basket 10 can be designated for a particular type or size of food. That way, the organization of the refrigerator or cabinet can be made more efficient. For example, condiments could be positioned in one basket 10 and meat and cheese products could be positioned in another basket 10. Canned goods could be positioned in one recess 12 of a basket 10 while crackers are positioned in another recess 12 of the basket 10. A user only needs to pull out one of the baskets 10 in order to find the product they are searching for, instead of having to pull out all the baskets 10.

The basket 10 has a height H, length L and width W that permits its use on a shelf. The peripheral walls 18 of the basket 10 may extend upwardly from the base wall 16 at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the base wall 16. Alternatively, the peripheral walls 18 may be angled at an angle A outwardly relative to the plane of the base wall 16.

The baskets 10 are dimensionally designed to accommodate and organize the top fifteen (15) high volume food groups. These food groups are the foods that are the highest volume nationally in the United States supermarket industry that are offered and sold in multiple flavors. Because the high volume food groups are sold in multiple flavors, it is often difficult to find the flavor of your choosing without out having to look through all the flavors. Examples include yogurt, canned vegetables and fruits, soda cans, soup cans, rice boxes, and breakfast bars, among other types of foods. Because different flavors of these items appear to be identical without close inspection, the example baskets 10 may be utilized to help to sort the various flavors so that a user is not required to spend significant time searching for a particular flavored item. The various baskets 10 may be provided in different colors in order to assist a user in finding a particular flavor. For example, an orange container could house orange soda, a yellow container could house lemon-lime drink, and a brown container could house a cola. Each basket 10 is designed and sized so that it can organize three (3) to seven (7) of these food groups. For example, the same basket 10 may accommodate 6 cans of soda or 18 breakfast bars.

Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a first multi-compartment basket 10 is shown that includes two recesses 12, including a front recess 12a and a rear recess 12b. The size of the recesses 12 of the baskets 10 may be designed taking into account the typical type of foods that could be positioned in the baskets 10. The basket 10 includes a base wall 16 and four peripheral upwardly extending walls 18 that surround the base wall 16. A rim 20 is provided around the top end of the peripheral walls 18 in order to define a top end of the basket 10. The dual recesses 12 are defined by upwardly extending projections 64 that extend upwardly from the base wall 16 at an angle AD relative to one another and meet at their top end to define a centrally disposed divider wall 42. A space 66 is provided between the upwardly extending projections 64. A rib or ribs 68 may be positioned between and under the projections 64 in order to strengthen the dividing wall 42 defined by the projections 64. The dividing wall 42 is shown recessed relative to the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. The base wall 16 is solid and free of holes. The dividing wall 42 could be at the same height as the rim 20, if desired, or lower or higher.

The upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 include a front wall 34, a rear wall 36, and two opposite side walls 38. The front and rear walls 34, 36 have a shorter length than the side walls 38. The centrally disposed divider wall 42 may be positioned in the center of the basket 10, or may be positioned closer to either the front end 40 or rear end of the basket 10. In the example shown in FIGS. 1-6, the centrally disposed divider wall 42 is positioned closer to the front wall 34. The centrally disposed divider wall 42 does not include any holes 32 therethrough, but could if desired. The peripheral walls 18 are shown as including a plurality of holes or openings 32 that extend through the walls 34, 36, 38. These openings 32 are square, but could be other shapes. The openings 32 are spaced from the base wall 16. The lower area 22 of the basket 10, directly adjacent the base wall 16, provides a recess 12 that can hold fluids and solid objects so that they will not leak from the basket 10 onto a shelf or other support structure. Strengthening members 62 are positioned at each corner of the basket 10 under the upper rim 20. Other types of strengthening members could be used, if desired.

The base wall 16 includes a generally smooth inner surface 24 and a ribbed outer surface 28. The ribbed outer surface 28 is the surface that seats against a shelf or other surface. The ribs 28 extend longitudinally and help to raise the base wall 16 above the shelf in order to permit air to flow under the basket 10.

The peripheral walls 18 are positioned at an angle A relative to the base wall 16. Alternatively, the peripheral walls 18 could be perpendicular to the base wall 16. The upper rim 20 is substantially planar.

A handle 14 extends from the front end 40 of the basket 10 and includes a first part 44 and a second part 46 that are integral with the basket 10. The first part 44 extends parallel to the base wall 16 and is cantilevered off the front end 40 of the basket 10. The first part 44 has a substantially planar upper surface 48 that is aligned with the plane that defines the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. The upper surface 48 of the first part 44 is flush with the upper rim 20 of the basket 10 where the first part 44 meets the basket body. The handle 14 has a width that is narrower than the width of the front wall 34 of the basket 10. The handle 14 is positioned substantially in the center of the front wall 34 of the basket 10.

The second part 46 of the handle 14 extends downwardly from an end of the first part 44. The second part 46 is spaced from the front wall 34. A space is defined between the front wall 34, the first part 44 and the second part 46 for receiving a hand of a user. The space is sized to permit any size hand to fit in the space. The second part 46 extends down at a non-perpendicular angle Al relative to the first part 44. For example, the second part 46 is angled about 95-120 degrees relative to the base wall 16. The second part 46 could be perpendicular to the first part 44 and base wall 16, or could be angled at a different angle, other than 95-120 degrees, if desired. The angle A1 of the second part 46 of the handle 14 helps to allow a user to leverage the handle 14 relative to the basket 10 in order to move the basket 10 around, even when the basket 10 is filled with a heavy item or items. A part of the front wall 34 of the basket 10 that is directly below the first part 44 of the handle 14 bows outward slightly. The second part 46 of the handle 14 has a semi-circular cross-section that is closed at the bottom end of the second part 46 and open at the top of the second part 46 to define a recess 54 in the side of the second part 46. This recess 54 may be used for receiving a thumb or fingers of a user in order to allow the user to properly grip the handle 14 and carry the contents of the basket 10. The user may also grasp the top of the first part 44 when lifting the basket 10 in order to provide leverage if the basket 10 contains heavy contents. In addition, the hand of the user may rest on the bottom side of the first part 44 and on the inner side of the second part 46 during lifting.

The front wall 34 has an outwardly curved or bowed section 72 that extends downwardly from the upper rim 20 to the base wall 16. This bowed section 72 is approximately the same width or slightly greater in width than the width of the first part 44 of the handle 14. This bowed section 72 helps to assist in strengthening the front wall 34 during lifting of the basket 10 using the handle 14.

FIGS. 7-11 depict another type of basket 10 that is shallow and includes two handles 14 on one end of the basket 10. A typical size for this type of basket 10 is 15 inches wide×15 inches long×2 inches tall. This type of basket 10 may be used as a shelf liner for a refrigerator in order to protect a shelf from spills and debris and to assist in organizing food items in a refrigerator. Other usages are also envisioned for this basket 10. Because the basket 10 is wider than the previously disclosed basket 10 and shorter in height, the handle 14 cannot have the same length as with the previous basket 10 because otherwise the handle 14 would interfere with the resting surface. Thus, two handles 14 are positioned on one side 34 of the basket 10 and the user uses both hands to lift the basket 10 up. The basket 10 is similar in other respects to the basket 10 disclosed in FIGS. 1-6, but doesn't have a centrally disposed divider 42. The basket 10 could have one or more dividers, if desired.

FIGS. 12 and 13 depict rectangular baskets 10. The first basket 10, depicted in FIG. 12, has a height H2, a width W2 and a length L2. The second basket 10 has a height H3, a width H3, and a length H3. The basket 10 of FIG. 12 has a greater height H2 than the height H3 of the basket 10 in FIG. 13. The basket 10 of FIG. 12 has a smaller width W2 than the width W3 of the basket 10 in FIG. 13. Taller baskets 10 permit more openings 32 in the peripheral walls 18 of the basket 10. Other features disclosed in connection with FIGS. 1-6 are applicable to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIGS. 12 and 13 do not include a centrally disposed divider 42, but could include one or more dividers, if desired.

FIG. 14 depicts a rectangular basket 10 that has a length L4, a width W4 and a height H4, and a front wall 34, rear wall 36 and side walls 38. The basket 10 has perpendicular centrally disposed dividing walls 42. A first dividing wall 42 is parallel to the front wall 34 of the basket 10 and the second dividing wall 42 is parallel to the side walls 38 of the basket 10. The dividing walls 42 are at a height that is lower than the upper rim 20 of the basket 10.

FIGS. 15 and 16 depict stacked baskets 10 that are similar to the baskets 10 shown in FIG. 13. The baskets 10 are transparent. Each handle 14 of the basket 10 extends from the upper rim 20 of the basket 10, as discussed in connection with FIGS. 1-6, but the handle 14 also has a strengthening portion that is a rib-like protrusion 70 that extends outwardly and is planar with the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. The protrusion 70 also has a width that is greater than the width of the first part 44 of the handle 14. The first and second parts 44, 46 of the handle 14 have a smooth transition between the first part 44 and second part 46 so that the handle 14 looks curved at the connection point. In this embodiment, the basket 10 does not have a bowed end wall 72 adjacent the handle 14. The strengthening portions 70 at the top of each handle 14 are used instead of the bowed end wall 72.

FIGS. 17 and 18 depict a long, thin basket 10. This basket 10 is used with spice jars and could also be used with certain smaller sized cans, or bottles, among other things. The basket 10 includes a length L5, a width W5 and a height H5. The handle 14 is similar to the handle 14 shown in FIGS. 1-6. The upper rim 20 of the basket 10 is slightly different from that shown in FIGS. 1-6 in that it includes both an upper part 74 of the lip that extends parallel to the base surface and a lower part 76 of the lip that is perpendicular to the base wall 16. The upper part 74 of the lip forms the upper rim 20 and the lower part 76 or perpendicular part of the lip extends down from an outer edge of the upper part 74 of the lip. Reinforcing ribs 78 are positioned in the recess defined between the upper part 74 of the lip, the perpendicular part 76 of the lip and the adjacent wall in order to strengthen the lip. The reinforcing ribs 78 are positioned adjacent each of the corners of the basket 10 on one of the peripheral walls 18 of the basket 10. The reinforcing ribs 78 couple the lower surface of the lip to the adjacent peripheral wall 18 and also serve to aid in stacking of the baskets 10 so that the base of one basket 10 is suspended about the base of another basket 10 when stacked. There are four reinforcing ribs 78 depicted in FIGS. 17 and 18. More or less reinforcing ribs 78 could be used. In addition, the lip could be more like the lip shown in FIGS. 1-6, if desires.

In addition, the basket 10 of FIGS. 17 and 18 has a different surface treatment on the lower surface of the base wall 16. In particular, the basket 10 has a flange 30 that extends all the way around the periphery of the base wall 16 and extends downwardly to meet the surface that the basket 10 seats upon. The basket 10 does not include ribs on the base wall 16, like with FIGS. 1-6. The flange 30 is shown positioned around the entire periphery of the base wall 16. Instead, if desired, the flange 30 could partially extend around the base wall 16, such as at both ends 34, 36 and on part of the sides 38. In this embodiment, the basket 10 does not have a bowed end wall 72 adjacent the handle 14.

The basket 10 may be made of a plastic material, such as polypropylene or acrylic, among other materials, as known by those of skill in the art. The material of the base and side walls 16, 34, 36, 38, is easily cleanable. The material of the basket 10 is preferably strong enough to hold a wide variety of products in the basket 10. The basket 10 may be made using an injection molding process, or any other known process.

Strengthening members 62 may be coupled to the outer corners of the basket 10 to aid in stability and to strengthen the basket 10. The strengthening members 62 may also or alternatively be used to permit separation of the baskets 10 when they are stacked upon each other during shipping or storage.

In one embodiment, a basket 10 having a handle 14 for organizing products on a shelf includes a solid base wall 16, a plurality of peripheral walls 18, and a handle 14. The peripheral walls 18 extend upwardly from the base wall 16 and define an upper rim 20 of the basket 10 and a recess therebetween. The handle 14 has at least a first and a second part 44, 46. The first part 44 is substantially perpendicular to the second part 46 and the first part 44 has an upper surface 48 that is flush with the upper rim 20 of the basket 10 and lies in a plane defined by the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. The second part 46 is coupled to the first part 44 and is spaced from an adjacent peripheral wall 18 in order to fit a hand of a user between the peripheral wall 18 and the second part 46. The second part 46 extends downwardly from an end of the first part 44.

The basket 10 may also include reinforcing members 56 positioned under and coupled to the first part 44 of the handle 14. The reinforcing members 56 extend between the adjacent peripheral wall 18 and the second part 46 of the handle 14.

The second part 46 of the handle 14 may be positioned at a substantially 90-120 or 95-120 degree angle A1 relative to a plane defined by the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. Other angles may also be used. The peripheral walls 18 may include a front wall 34, a rear wall 36, and two side walls 38. The handle 14 may be coupled to the front wall 34, with the front wall 34 being the part of the basket 10 that faces a user during normal use of the basket 10. The second part 46 has a length that is about double the length of the first part 44. The first and second parts 44, 46 are integral with one another and the basket 10.

The basket 10 may include at least one internal divider wall 42 positioned in the recess 12 that divides the recess 12 into multiple compartments. The internal wall 42 extends substantially perpendicular to the base wall 16. The internal wall 42 may be defined by a first upwardly standing projection 64 and a second upwardly standing projection 64 that both extend from the base wall 16 and meet at an upper point of the internal wall 42. The first and second upwardly standing projections 64 are angled at opposite angles relative to one another. An open space 66 is provided between the first and second upwardly standing projections 64 on a lower side thereof.

The second part 46 of the handle 14 may have a semi-circular cross-section on an outwardly facing surface thereof. The first part 44 of the handle 14 may have a substantially flat upper surface 48. One or more strengthening ribs 60 may be positioned under the first part 44.

The peripheral walls 18 may extend upwardly from the base wall 16 at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the base wall 16. A pattern of decorative openings 32 may be provided through the peripheral walls 18 of the basket 10. Strengthening portions 62 may be coupled to the corners of the basket 10 where the peripheral walls 18 meet one another. The strengthening portions 62 may serve a dual purpose of both strengthening the basket 10 and maintaining multiple baskets 10 that are stacked upon one another in spaced relation.

The basket 10 may be made of a plastic material, such as polypropylene. The material of the base and peripheral walls 16, 18 of the basket 10 should be easily cleanable.

A surface treatment 28, 30 may be applied to a bottom surface 26 of the base wall 16 in order to raise the bottom surface 26 of the base wall 16 above a surface that the basket 10 seats upon. The recess 12 of the basket 10 may be designed to accommodate three to seven different food group products, as derived from the top fifteen (15) high volume food groups in the United States supermarket industry, which may be interchangeably housed in the recess 12.

In another embodiment, a basket 10 having a handle 14 for use on a shelf includes a base wall 16, upwardly extending peripheral walls 18, and a handle 14. The base wall 16 is substantially flat. The upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 including a front wall 34, a rear wall 36, and at least a side wall 38. The base wall 16 and at least part of the upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 are closed in order to deter the movement of solids or fluids through the base wall 16. The handle 14 extends outwardly from the front wall 34 of the basket 10. The handle 14 has a first part 44 and a second part 46, with the first part 44 extending in a plane away from the front wall 34 and a second part 46 extending downwardly at an angle relative to the adjacent front wall 34 of the basket 10. A space is provided between a bottom surface of the first part 44 and a rear surface of the second part 46. The space is big enough to accommodate a hand of a user. The handle 14 has a strength sufficient to permit carrying of the basket 10 and its contents by a user without breaking the handle 14.

In another embodiment, a basket 10 having a handle 14 includes a basket body and at least one handle 14. The basket body includes a base wall 16, upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 positioned around the base wall 16, and an upper rim 20 positioned at the top of the peripheral walls 18 of the basket 10. The upper rim 20 may be defined by the upper end of the peripheral walls 18. The base wall 16 is closed in order to deter movement of fluids or objects through the base wall 16. The base wall 16 and upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 together define a recess 12 in the basket body. At least one handle 14 extends outwardly from one of the peripheral walls 18 of the basket body. The handle 14 has a first part 44 with an upper surface that is flush with the upper rim 20 of the basket 10 and a second part 46 that extends downwardly from the first part 44. A space is defined between the peripheral wall 18, the first part 44, and the second part 46 that is sized to fit a hand of a user. The basket 10 is sized based upon consideration of the fifteen (15) top high volume food groups that are experienced by the U.S. Supermarket industry. Different food groups will interchangeably fit in the recess of the basket 10 at different times.

While a basket 10 is described herein in connection with the invention, other types of containers may derive a benefit from the invention described herein. The invention is not limited to the baskets 10 shown.

The term “substantially,” as used herein, is a term of estimation.

While various features of the claimed invention are presented above, it should be understood that the features may be used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments depicted herein.

Further, it should be understood that variations and modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. The embodiments described herein are exemplary of the claimed invention. The disclosure may enable those skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative elements that likewise correspond to the elements of the invention recited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention may thus include other embodiments that do not differ or that insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A basket having a handle for organizing products on a shelf comprising:a solid base wall;a plurality of peripheral walls extending upwardly from the base wall and defining an upper rim of the basket and a recess therebetween; anda handle having at least a first and a second part cantilevered from a first of the peripheral walls, with the first part being substantially perpendicular to the second part and the first part having an upper surface that is flush with the upper rim of the basket and lying in a plane defined by the upper rim of the basket, and the second part being coupled to the first part and spaced from the first peripheral wall in order to fit a hand of a user between the first peripheral wall and the second part, with the second part extending substantially downwardly from an end of the first part,with the first peripheral wall having a bowed out portion where the handle attaches to the first peripheral wall.

2. The basket of claim 1, further comprising reinforcing members positioned under and coupled to the first part of the handle and extending between the adjacent peripheral wall and the second part of the handle, and closely spaced parallel ribs positioned on and extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the base wall in order to promote circulation under the base wall.

3. The basket of claim 1, wherein the second part is positioned at a substantially 90-120 degree angle relative to a plane defined by the upper rim of the basket.

4. The basket of claim 1, wherein the peripheral walls include a front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls, and the handle is coupled to the front wall, with the front wall being the part of the basket that faces a user during normal use of the basket.

5. The basket of claim 1, further comprising at least one internal divider wall positioned in the recess that divides the recess into multiple compartments, with the internal divider wall extending substantially perpendicular to the base wall.

6. The basket of claim 5, wherein the at least one internal divider wall is defined by a first upwardly standing projection and a second upwardly standing projection that both extend from the base wall and meet at an upper point of the internal wall, with the first and second upwardly standing projections being angled at opposite angles relative to one another and with an open space provided between the first and second upwardly standing projections.

7. The basket of claim 1, wherein the second part of the handle has a semi-circular cross-section on an outwardly facing surface thereof.

8. The basket of claim 1, wherein the first part has a substantially flat upper surface.

9. The basket of claim 1, further comprising an upper rib-like protrusion strengthening the upper rim of the basket on either side of the first part of the handle at the first peripheral wall.

10. (canceled)

11. The basket of claim 1, wherein the basket is made of a plastic material.

12. The basket of claim 1, wherein the material of the base and side walls is easily cleanable.

13. The basket of claim 1, wherein a pattern of decorative openings is provided through the peripheral walls.

14. The basket of claim 1, further comprising strengthening portions coupled to corners of the basket where the peripheral walls meet one another.

15. The basket of claim 14, wherein the strengthening portions serve a dual purpose of both strengthening the basket and maintaining multiple baskets that are stacked upon one another in spaced relation.

16. The basket of claim 1, further comprising a surface treatment applied to a bottom surface of the base wall in order to raise the bottom surface of the base wall above a surface that the basket seats upon, wherein the surface treatment comprises a plurality of parallel spaced ribs positioned on the base surface and extending downwardly therefrom.

17. The basket of claim 1, wherein the recess of the basket is designed to accommodate three to seven different products from the fifteen top high volume food categories of the U.S. Supermarket industry, which products may be interchangeably housed in the recess.

18. The basket of claim 1, wherein the second part has a length that is about double or triple the length of the first part, and the first and second parts are integral with one another and the basket.

19. A basket having a handle for use on a shelf comprising: a substantially flat base wall having upwardly extending walls positioned around an outer periphery thereof, said upwardly extending peripheral walls including a front wall, a rear wall, and at least a side wall, with the base wall and at least part of the upwardly extending peripheral walls being closed in order to deter the movement of solids or fluids through the base wall; anda handle extending outwardly from the front wall of the basket, said handle having a first part and a second part, with the first part extending in a plane away from the front wall and a second part extending downwardly at an angle relative to the adjacent front wall of the basket, with a space provided between a bottom surface of the first part and a rear surface of the second part, said space being big enough to accommodate a hand of a user, said handle being strengthened by the provision of a bowed out portion defined on the front wall in the vicinity where the handle mates with the front wall, said bowed out portion provided by a bumped out section of the front wall relative to the remainder of the front wall.

20. A basket having a handle comprising: a basket body including a base wall, upwardly extending peripheral walls positioned around the base wall, and an upper rim positioned at the top of the peripheral walls of the basket, with the base wall being closed in order to deter movement of fluids or objects through the base wall, and the base wall and upwardly extending peripheral walls together defining a recess in the basket body; andat least one handle extending outwardly from one of the peripheral walls of the basket body, said handle having a first part with an upper surface that is flush with the upper rim of the basket and a second part that extends downwardly from the first part, with a space being defined between the peripheral wall, the first part, and the second part that is sized to fit a hand of a user,wherein the basket is sized based upon consideration of the fifteen top high volume food groups of the U.S. supermarket industry such that each basket can organize about three to about seven of the high volume food groups and the about three to about seven high volume food groups interchangeably fit in the recess of the basket at different times, with the upper rim of the basket on the peripheral wall adjacent the first part of the handle being enlarged outwardly relative to the upper rim of the basket such that the rim of the basket remains parallel to the adjacent peripheral wall in order to strength the basket in the vicinity of the handle.