Patent Application
20060124653
1. Field of the Disclosure
The present disclosure is generally directed to storage containers, and more particularly, to a storage bin and lid construction.
2. Description of Related Art
Existing storage bins are known that are useful as food or cooking ingredient bins. Some of these types of bins have a cover with a lid construction that can be opened either by sliding the lid rearward or by flipping or pivoting the lid upward. Problems with these types of bins are known to be in the durability and functionality of the existing lid configurations. Currently known bin lids tend to break where the lid pivots and slides. Once broken, the lid becomes very difficult to open and close in any manner.
In addition, a scoop is typically used to remove quantities of the ingredients or other matter stored in the bin. Convenient storage for the scoop is virtually non-existent in current storage bins of this type, except that a user may drop a scoop into the bin interior for the next use. The scoop can be difficult to retrieve from the bin because of the size of the lid opening and/or when the level of the stored material in the bin is low. Also, when the scoop is dropped into the contents of the bin, the handle of the scoop often contacts or sinks below the surface of the bin contents. Retrieval of the scoop often detrimentally results in the user's fingers or hands coming into contact with the bin contents as he or she reaches for the handle. Further, these bins typically do not offer a practical solution for identification (labeling) of the ingredients or material stored in the bin.
The lids of some of these known storage bins provide a user the option of pivoting or rotating the lid upward to an open position, or sliding the lid rearward to an open position. This dual function lid design has to date compromised both opening actions and resulted in lower consumer satisfaction with the products.
Some end users use pre-existing containers for ingredient and other material storage. For example, BRUTE® trash containers and used pickle buckets are often used by consumers to store food ingredients and the like. Also, rotational-molded containers are being sold and used as ingredient bins.
Objects, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:
The present disclosure includes two embodiments. In a first example of the disclosed storage bin, the lid does not pivot, but instead only slides rearward to the open position. Elimination of the pivot-open feature can enhance the sliding ability, function, and durability of the lid. Consumer research has found that a vast majority of users of such bins with dual function lids never employ or utilize the pivot-open lid function. In a second example of the disclosed storage bin, a bin lid includes both the pivoting and sliding functions, but has a robust slide a pivot construction.
As shown generally in
In the example of
In addition, a scoop (104) as shown in
To open the lid (103), the end user can grab a handle or upwardly extending flange (106) on the clear PC (polycarbonate) lid door (103). In this example, the lid (103) has a depending skirt that helps to seal the lid (103) over the opening in the cover (102). The lid (103) can be lifted, in this example, about one inch or less, until the skirt is clear of the cover rim. A slide or track (109) on the lid (103) can then engage the slide or track (105) in the cover (102) and then the user can slide the lid back until it engages a stop (107) on the back section of the cover, as shown in
The scoop (104) in this example is configured such that the scoop handle (113) tilts upward when hanging from the hook (108) as seen in
To clean the storage bin, the lid door (103) can be removed from the cover (102) and the cover (102) can be removed from the bin base (101). To remove the lid door (103) from the cover (102), the user can slide open the lid door (103) until it engages the stop (107). The user can then lift the tab (110) on the back of the lid door (103) and push the door (103) back to overcome the stop (107). This will allow the door (103) to slide off the back end of the lid (103). The process would be reversed to reinstall the lid door (103). To remove the cover (102), the end user can push in a tab (111) that is underneath a rim of the base (101) in the back of the storage bin as shown in
In this example, there is a flat area on the forward hook (112) on the cover (102) that may be used as a label area. One issue with conventional labels is that all current labels on storage bins are permanent, despite the fact that a bin is rarely used for the same ingredient throughout its life. This means the labels eventually will not represent the ingredients or materials stored in the bin. The flat area of the forward hook (112) of the storage bin of the present disclosure provides an opportunity to attach and selectively replace a semi-permanent label in this area as needed. In another embodiment, this label area can be provided with a surface, such as an in-molded blank dry-erase surface. The dry-erase surface can be marked with special dry-erase ink and erased and re-marked as often as needed by the end user. Alternatively, other special ink markers could be used to write on the integral plastic label area, whereby the marker ink could be readily erased and re-marked as needed. Special label stickers could also be provided along with the storage bins, if desired. As another alternative, the labeling location could be provided on the PC lid door (103) or on the bin base (101).
With regard to the scoop (104), the disclosed example has the complementary hook or lip (114) in order to hang from the cover (102). The lip or hook (114) is provided on a flange or dam (115) that helps to better safeguard the handle (113) from the material that is being scooped. This also advantageously reduces the contamination risk for the scoop (104). In addition, a thumb scoop and trigger notch (together as 116) are provided on the handle (113) for improved ergonomic form of the scoop (104) and handle (113).
In the second example of
The cover (219) in this example also has a different front attachment arrangement. In this example, the lid (217) pivots open leaving no other cover (218) part in the front area of the bin. When closed, the lid (217) can snap over a pair of tabs to secure the lid (217), and hence the cover (219), in place.
The disclosed products can in one example be injection molded from a plastic or from different plastic materials. The covers and/or lids can be made from PP (polypropylene), PE (polyethylene) or other materials as desired to reduce cost and to better facilitate a smooth slide. In the example of
The disclosed storage bins can also be made as a thermoformed product or a vacuum-formed product, if desired and suitable for the intended use of the bin. It is also possible to form the lids, covers, and/or bin base from different materials from one another, and also to form any or all of the components from other suitable materials such as stainless steel or the like.
The disclosed storage bins are quite suitable as food or ingredient storage containers or bins. The disclosed examples of a bin improve upon or solve problems with the known bins because the lids can slide open and be closed more easily without risk of binding or breaking. Also, the addition of the internal scoop storage is a significant improvement over prior known bins. Provision for change in labeling during the useful life of the disclosed bins is also an advantage over prior known bins. Also, in the second example, the dual opening function lid configuration is a very robust improvement over prior known designs where the lid can both pivot and slide.
Although certain storage bin constructions have been described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present disclosure, the scope of coverage of the appended claims is not limited thereto. On the contrary, the claims of this patent cover all embodiments of the teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.
This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/632,874, filed Dec. 3, 2004, as to all subject matter commonly disclosed therein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 60632874 | Dec 2004 | US |
