Stackable bins and storage media rack therefor

Abstract

Stackable bin including a case having a bottom wall, a top wall and a support mechanism for supporting the top wall at a distance from the bottom wall to thereby define a slot. A drawer is insertable into the slot and defines a receptacle capable of receiving objects for storage. A partitioning structure is also provided for selectively partitioning the receptacle into smaller compartments with several different configurations of the smaller compartments being possible. Instead of the partitioning structure, a storage media rack may be inserted into the receptacle in the drawer and is arranged to simultaneously receive different sizes and types of storage media.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to stackable cases or bins, and more particularly, to stackable cases or bins dimensioned to hold consumer articles, such as shoes. [0002] The present invention also relates to a storage media rack or tray insertable into a stackable bin and which enables different sizes and types of storage media to be simultaneously accommodated in the bin. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Stackable bins for holding articles are well known. For example, stackable bins have been proposed by the same inventor herein, and which are the subject matter of U.S. Pat. No. 5,593,037, issued Jan. 14, 1997, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,062,388, issued May 16, 2000, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. [0004] According to the '037 patent, a stackable bin is provided having reinforcing ribs that perform a two-fold function of reinforcing the walls while also supporting the bin in a stacked arrangement, and in which ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a stackable bin that enables variations in the size of object-containing receptacles defined by the bin.

[0010] It is another object of the present invention to provide a stackable bin that provides a reliable interlocking arrangement of the bins in a stacked configuration thereof In order to achieve one or more of these objects and other objects, one embodiment of a stackable bin in accordance with the invention comprises a case including a bottom wall, a top wall and a support mechanism for supporting the top wall at a distance from the bottom wall to thereby define a slot. A drawer is insertable into the slot and defines a receptacle capable of receiving objects for storage. A partitioning structure is also provided for partitioning the receptacle into smaller compartments.

[0012] To enable stacking of a plurality of the bins on top of one another, a peripheral rib is formed on a bottom surface of the bottom wall of the case and a peripheral rib formed on an upper surface of the top wall of the case and offset from the peripheral rib on the bottom wall. These peripheral ribs serve to align the bins in a vertical configuration to form a stable stack of bins.

Problems solved by technology

A problem occurs, however, if the bins have a small dimension without the central partition wall.

Specifically, inner pressure from the goods in a stacked bin may cause the front ends of the side walls of the bin to move outwardly.

This, in turn, can cause instability in the top bin, since the bottom of the top bin stacked thereon could fall down within the side walls of the lower bin.

The stackable bins in the '037 patent and the '388 patent generally do not enable easy variations in the size of the object-containing receptacle.

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