The present invention relates to the field of plastic storage bins. More particularly, this invention relates to storage bins that have an attachable label holder.
Plastic storage bins have been well known for many years. Plastic storage bins have a variety of commercial and home uses, such as their use as containers of supplies, clothing, tools, toys, and the like.
Current plastic storage bins do not have removable label holders. Therefore, the user of a bin does not have an easy means to identify the contents of the bin, unless the bin is transparent, the user is looking directly into the bin itself, or the user has affixed a label to the bin that describes the bin's contents. Because bins are often located on shelving, or in such other manner that prevents the user from looking directly into the bin, the user is unable to easily determine the bin's contents. Affixing a label to the bins by means of tape, glue or other adhesive material is cumbersome and requires the often-messy or time consuming effort to remove the affixed label when the contents of the bin are changed. Furthermore, tape, glue or some other adhesive material on a label is necessary in order to fully label the contents of the bin.
It is difficult to ascertain the contents of current plastic storage bins without looking directly into the bins. It is also difficult to label these prior plastic storage bins without using a separate adhesive, such as tape, glue or other adhesive label.
A storage bin with an attachable label holder is currently disclosed. Specifically, a storage bin preferably comprises a container (or similar chamber configured for storing) and a label holder configured to rotatably and detachably couple with the container. The label holder is designed to rotatably attach with the container and hold a card that describes the contents of the container. When assembled together, the container and the plastic label holder form a storage bin with a rotatably attachable label holder.
The storage bin is preferably uniformly formed from a homogenous plastic material. The homogenous material may comprise, but is not limited to, polymer resin, polypropylene, or liquid impervious plastic materials.
The storage bin may further comprise a lid configured to mate with the container so as to create a positive seal. In alternate embodiments, the lid further comprises a tab configured to facilitate removal of the lid from the apparatus. In alternate embodiments, the lid couples to the container through a locking structure that frictionally engages so as to create a positive seal. In yet other embodiments, the lid is configured to cooperatively engage with the container. In addition to the lid, the preferred storage bin further comprises one or more handles coupled to the container.
The container is preferably substantially rectangular and may be of any size. In alternate embodiments, the container is generally parallelepiped-shaped. The container comprises a hollow body (or any similar chamber configured for storing). Specifically, the container comprises an integrally formed inside and outside. The inside comprises the hollow body (or a similar chamber) configured for storing. The container also has a front end and a rear end. Preferably, the front end of the container further comprises a first securing structure (or in alternate embodiments, other means, such as a label securing means) configured to allow the label holder to detachably and rotatably couple with the container.
The preferred label holder is clear and is uniformly formed from a rigid plastic. Further, the preferred label holder is configured to hold and allow insertion and removal of a label. The label to be held is preferably a 3″×5″ card. Specifically, the 3″×5″ label is inserted into the clear label holder from an open top and is held in place and enclosed by the two sides and bottom. But, in alternate embodiments, the label holder may be configured to hold labels in various sizes. Further, in alternate embodiments, a label could be slightly bent and inserted into the label holder. In yet other embodiments, the label holder is configured to hold and allow insertion and removal of a label horizontally (via open sides, for example).
The means for detachably and rotatably coupling the label holder with the container may vary. For example, in the preferred embodiment of the current invention, the label holder comprises a plurality of protrusions, while the container comprises a plurality of apertures. Thus, the label holder is configured to rotatably and detachably couple with the label holder securing means by cooperatively engaging the plurality of protrusions with the plurality of apertures.
In another embodiment, the container would comprise a first securing structure and the label holder would comprise a second securing structure. The first and second securing structures are configured to mate and detachably secure the label holder with the container. In an alternate embodiment, the label holder is configured to slideably engage with the container. Further, in alternate embodiments, the apparatus comprises one or more guiding means configured to detachably couple with the outer walls of the container.
The present invention is a plastic storage bin with a rotatably attachable label holder that preferably allows a user to conveniently attach a 3″×5″ card listing the contents of the bin or information regarding the contents of the bin. The label holder is attachable to the plastic storage bin without utilizing any tools, or any glue, tape or other adhesives. While assembled, the plastic storage bin with the rotatably attachable label provides the user with an easy means to identify the contents of the bin without having to look directly into the bin or having to attach labels through the use of glue, tape, or other adhesives. Further, the label holder can be detached from the plastic storage without the use of tools or having to remove glue, tape, or other adhesives.
Specifically, the preferred storage bin comprises a container and a label holder. The label holder is configured to rotatably and detachably couple with the container. The storage bin further comprises a lid configured to mate with the container so as to create a positive seal. The label holder is designed to hold a card that describes or includes information about the contents of the container. When assembled together, the container and the plastic label holder form the storage bin with a rotatably attachable label holder. The storage bin is uniformly formed from a homogenous material, preferably plastic. However, the homogenous material may comprise, but is not limited to, polymer resin, polypropylene, or liquid impervious plastic materials.
The first securing structure 230 preferably further comprises a plurality of apertures 231. The first securing structure 230 is preferably centered on the front end 225 of the container 210. Further, the first securing structure 230 preferably measures approximately 2⅛″ down from the top of the container 210 and set ½″ away from the sides of the container 210. The plurality of apertures 231 of the first securing structure preferably comprise two paired holes (as shown in
In another embodiment, the container comprises a first securing structure and the label holder comprises a second securing structure. The first and second securing structures are configured to mate and detachably secure the label holder with the container. In an alternate embodiment, the label holder is configured to slideably engage with the container. Further, in alternate embodiments, the apparatus comprises one or more guiding means configured to detachably couple with the outer walls of the container.
When fully assembled together, the plastic storage bin with attachable label holder provides the user with an easy means to identify the contents of the bin without having to look directly into the bin or having to attach labels through the use of glue, tape or other adhesives. Attaching and detaching the label holder from the plastic storage bin is a convenient, simple process that is accomplished without any tools.
The present invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Specifically, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the device of the present invention could be implemented in several different ways and the embodiments disclosed above are only exemplary of the preferred embodiment and the alternate embodiments of the invention and is in no way a limitation. In particular, the rectangular plastic storage bin can be substituted by a square storage bin, or any appropriate shape. The clear plastic label holder can be substituted by glass or other transparent material allowing visibility though the label holder to view the 3″×5″ card inserted into the label holder. The 3″×5″ card label holder can be substituted by other sized label holders.
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Number | Date | Country |
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2242180 | Sep 1991 | GB |