A storage container

Abstract

The present invention provides a storage container, including: a container body including a base, a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls joined at corners and extending upwardly from the base and terminating in an upper rim defining 5 an opening; a lid configured to fit over the opening, the lid being slidable relative to the container body between a partly open position and a closed position; a portion of the upper rim, corresponding to the opposed side walls, including a pair of opposed guide formations, with corresponding side edges of the lid including complementary guide formations, which are configured to engage with the pair of opposed guide formations in 10 a sliding fit; a stop formation extending downwardly from a lower surface of the lid, the stop formation configured to abut an inner face of one of the end walls of the storage container, thereby limiting travel of the lid in the partly open position; and a deformable detent formation extending from an edge of the lid to override a portion of the upper rim of a corresponding end wall of the container body and releasably detain the lid to the 15 container body in the closed position. 1003093017 2020204533 07 Jul 2020

Description

A storage container Field of the invention The present invention relates to a storage container. In particular, the invention relates to the interaction between a container body and lid of the storage container. Background of the invention Storage containers are known in the art, and often include a container body configured to store various contents therein. In order to retain the contents within the container body, a lid is provided to cover an opening in the container body. Storage containers often come in a range of sizes, whereby end-users select the containers considered most suitable for the contents they intend to store. Containers can be used to store many different types of items. For example, fasteners such as screws and nails are typically supplied in plastic containers with either a hinged lid or a separate (non-attached) lid. In the case of the separate lid, access to the contents in the box requires the lid to be fully removed from the container body. In the case of the hinged lid, the lid needs to be moved to an open position to access the contents. There are limitations associated with existing designs for storage containers, and in particular the compromise between accessibility and security. For example, many hinged and separate lids which are easy to open are not secure with the container body and can dislodge or open up during shipping, transport, or during the life cycle of the product after purchase by the end-user. This can lead to the contents of the storage container being inadvertently released or spilled. Those lids which are secure are often difficult to open to readily access the contents. A further limitation with both of the designs mentioned above is if the storage container should be dropped, the lid may open or come away from the container body, thereby leading to the contents of the storage container being released or spilled. Further, neither of the designs mentioned above allow for any form of controlled dispensation of the contents within the storage container. It is therefore desirable to provide a storage container that ameliorates at least one of the known limitations of existing storage container designs. Alternatively, it is desirable to provide a storage container that provides a useful alternative to the public. Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and / or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art. Summary of the invention In one aspect, the present invention provides a storage container, including: a container body including a base, a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls joined at corners and extending upwardly from the base and terminating in an upper rim defining an opening; a lid configured to fit over the opening, the lid being slidable relative to the container body between a partly open position and a closed position; a portion of the upper rim, corresponding to the opposed side walls, including a pair of opposed guide formations, with corresponding side edges of the lid including complementary guide formations, which are configured to engage with the pair of opposed guide formations in a sliding fit; a stop formation extending downwardly from a lower surface of the lid, the stop formation configured to abut an inner face of one of the end walls of the storage container, thereby limiting travel of the lid in the partly open position; and a resiliently deformable detent formation to releasably detain the lid on the container body in the closed position. The detent formation may extend from an edge of the lid to override a portion of the upper rim of a corresponding end wall of the container body to releasably detain the lid on the container body in the closed position. Advantageously, the present invention provides a storage container with a lid that is convenient for a user to open and close by utilising a sliding arrangement between the container body and the lid. A further advantage provided by the invention is that the deformable detent formation provides a locking function when the lid is in the closed position, thereby preventing inadvertent release of the contents therein. Thus, the present invention provides a storage container with a lid that has both a locking function with respect to the container body when the lid is in the closed position, and a sliding function between the container body and the lid. Further, the present invention enables the user to determine the size of the opening by sliding the lid between the closed position and the partly open position. The partly open position can refer to the position where the stop formation abuts the inner face of one of the end walls, or to any intermediate position between the closed position and the position when the stop formation abuts the inner face of one of the end walls. Further, with the present invention the user is not required to physically remove the lid from the container body in order to access the contents therein. In an embodiment, the guide formations of the container body are in the form of elongate rails, each elongate rail extending from and substantially parallel with the portion of the upper rim corresponding to each respective side wall. Each elongate rail may include a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of the first end or the second end of each elongate rail includes a tapered section. The tapered section allows for ease of engagement with the complementary guide formations of the lid. Preferably, the tapered section is substantially in the shape of an arrowhead, most preferably a blunted arrowhead. In an embodiment, the complementary guide formations of the lid are in the form of elongate channel members, each channel member extending from and substantially parallel with each respective side edge of the lid, each channel member defining a channel for receiving a corresponding guide formation of the container body. In one embodiment, the elongate rails of the container body are received within the channels of the channel members of the lid, with elongate rails configured to slide within the channels when the lid is moved between the closed and partly open positions. In an alternative embodiment, the guide formations of the container body may be in the form of one or more rollers, wherein the one or more rollers are sized to be received in the channels of the channel member and thereby facilitate sliding movement between the lid and the container body. In one example, the one or more rollers may be provided on the elongate rails, with the elongate rails and rollers forming an assembly configured to be received within the channels of the channel members. The channel member may be substantially in the shape of a structural C-channel. In particular, the channel member may include a pair of opposed flange portions (e.g. flange portions of the structural C-channel), which are joined by a web portion (e.g. web portion of the structural C-channel) extending between outer sides, relative to the centre of the lid, of the flange portions. When the lid and the container body are in engagement, the flange portions help to securely hold the lid against the container, particularly as the flange portions allow the storage container to resist vertical loads that may otherwise cause the lid of a prior art storage container to come away from the container body. However, because of the engagement between the guide formations of the container body and the complementary guide formations of the lid, e.g. between the channel members and elongate rails, vertical loading on the lid or container body is resisted by the flange portions of the channel member. The channel member may further include one or more re-entrant retention portions, the one or more re-entrant retention portions configured to laterally secure the guide formation of the container body in engagement with the complementary guide formation of the lid. This advantageously provides a further form of securement between the container body and the lid. In one example, the one or more re-entrant retention portions are disposed in opposed relation to the web portion, whereby the web portion and the one or more re-entrant retention portions laterally secure engagement between the channel member and the elongate rails. For example, one re-entrant retention portion may extend upwardly from a lowermost flange of the channel member. There may also be another re-entrant retention portion that extends downwardly from an uppermost flange of the channel member. However, the channel member may include opposed re-entrant retention portions (i.e. if the channel member is not in the form that includes the web portion described above). In an embodiment, the stop formation is configured to substantially provide unidirectional opening and closing movement between the lid and the container body. Advantageously, the stop formation allows for ease of assembly of the lid to the container body when the lid is detached therefrom. For example, the lid may be detached from the container body when the user is filling the storage container. When the user seeks to assemble the lid to the container body, the user aligns the guide formations of the container body and the complementary guide formations of the lid (for example, the elongate rails and channel members mentioned above), and then slides the lid relative to the container body, via the engagement between the guide formations of the container body and the complementary guide formations of the lid, in order to begin closing the opening of the container body. When the lid is being slid relative to the container body towards the closed position, the stop formation accommodates sliding between the lid and the container body when the stop formation contacts the upper rim of the container body. Conversely, when the lid is moved towards the partly open position, the stop formation abuts against the inner face of an end wall of the storage container, and limits further movement of the lid beyond the partly open position. In one embodiment, the stop formation may be substantially in the form of a wedge-shaped projection extending downwardly from the lower surface of the lid, the projection including a ramped surface facing away from the lid and an abutment surface facing in a direction of opening for the lid. After the lid is slideably fit with the container body (as described above), the lid can be moved relative to the container body in a closing direction towards the closed position. During this movement, the wedge-shaped projection, and specifically the ramped surface, will encounter a portion of the upper rim corresponding to one of the end walls. Continued movement of the lid towards the closed position will cause the portion of the upper rim corresponding to the one end wall to slide along the ramped surface, thereby urging the lid upwardly until a peak of the ramped surface is traversed. At such a point the lid will move downward and the abutment surface will now be directly adjacent the inner face of the end wall. Movement in the closing direction can be continued until the lid reaches the closed position. Movement of the lid in the opening direction is allowed until the abutment surface abuts the inner face of the end wall, at which point the storage container has reached its opening limit in normal operation and further movement in the opening direction of the lid is constrained. The stop formation may not necessarily be wedge-shaped and can be of any other suitable shape that provides an abutment surface configured to abut the inner face of one of the end walls. Such a stop formation may also provide a ramped or other form of sloping surface that allows further ease of assembly between the lid and the container body of the storage container. In an embodiment, the stop formation and / or the upper rim is at least partially deformable, thereby enabling a user to slide the lid beyond the partly open position after applying a predetermined amount of load in the opening direction. In other words, when the user applies a load greater or equal to the predetermined amount in the opening direction, the user can move the lid to a fully opened position, where the whole opening of the container body is accessible. The lid may also be detachable from the container body when the lid is moved to the fully opened position. Advantageously, such an embodiment affords access to the entire container body. This can be particularly useful if the storage container has contents within that are more easily removed from the storage container when the lid is no longer covering any of the opening. This can also be particularly useful when storing items in the storage container as the lid will not interfere with any items being placed within the container body. The stop formation and / or the upper rim in such an embodiment may be made of suitable deformable material that affords elastic deformation of the stop formation and / or the upper rim. In an embodiment, the detent formation includes an elongate curved lip, the lip extending substantially parallel to the edge of the lid from which it extends, and extending below the lower surface of the lid such that a lowermost point, such as a trough, of the curved lip is disposed below the lower surface of the lid. The lower surface of the lid is to be understood as being a lower surface of a main lid body. In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, the curved lip (which overrides the portion of the upper rim of the container body) acts as a resiliently deformable retention feature, to ameliorate inadvertent movement of the lid relative to the container body when the lid is in the closed position. When moving the lid in the closing direction and just before the lid reaches the closed position, the lip encounters one of the end walls of the container body. Upon applying sufficient force in the closing direction, the lip will deform slightly, urging the lip up and over the portion of the upper rim of the end wall. Once the lip passes over this portion, the lip will resiliently return to its pre-deformed position, i.e. move downward, and thereby override the portion of the upper rim of the end wall. In this position, the lip, effectively acting as a catch, will providing a locking function between the lid and the container body, thereby preventing inadvertent opening of the lid. In order to move the lid towards the partly open position, a load greater than or equal to a predetermined unlocking load is required in the opening direction. When such a sufficient load is applied in the opening direction, the lip will again deform slightly, being urged up and over the portion of the upper rim of the end wall. Once the lip passes over this portion, the lip will resiliently return to its pre-deformed position, i.e. move downward, and further movement of the lid in the opening direction is now freely enabled. In an embodiment, the lid includes one or more first stacking formations and the container body includes one or more second stacking formations, the first and second stacking formations configured to embrace one another in a nesting arrangement when brought together. Advantageously, stacking formations of the container body and the lid allow for enhanced stackability of multiple storage containers according to the present invention. Preferably, the one or more first stacking formations project from an upper surface of the lid. Preferably, the one or more second stacking formations of the container body project from the base and away from the container body. In an embodiment that includes such first and second stacking formations, an upper storage container (having the one or more second stacking formations on the base of the container body), can be placed upon a lower storage container (having the one or more first stacking formations on the upper surface of the lid), with the first and second stacking formations nesting together in order to provide a stable stacking arrangement. In another embodiment, the container body includes one or more standing formations projecting from one of the end walls of the container body. Advantageously, the standing formations enable stacking of the storage container on its ends. The one or more standing formation may be in the form of ribs. As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term "comprise" and variations of the term, such as "comprising", "comprises" and "comprised", are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps. Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Brief description of the drawings Figure 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a container body of a storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention: Figure 2 illustrates a side view of the container body of Figure 1; Figure 3 illustrates a section view along line A-A; Figure 4 illustrates a portion of Figure 3 that particularly shows a rail of the container body; Figure 5 illustrates a bottom view of the container body of Figure 1; Figure 6 illustrates a front perspective view of a lid of a storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention: Figure 7 illustrates a front view of the lid of Figure 6; Figure 8 illustrates a bottom view of the lid of Figure 6; Figure 9 illustrates a section view along line B-B; Figure 10 illustrates a side view of the lid of Figure 6; Figure 11 illustrates a front perspective view of a storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, with a lid of the storage container in a partly open position; Figure 12 illustrates a front perspective view of a storage container in accordance with another embodiment of the invention; and Figure 13 illustrates a rear view of the storage container of Figure 12. Detailed description of the embodiments Figures 1 to 5 illustrate a container body 10 of a storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The container body 10 includes a substantially rectangular, planar base 12 having rounded corners 17. A front end wall 14, a rear end wall 16 and a pair of opposed side walls 18 are joined at rounded corners and extend upwardly substantially perpendicularly from base 12. Extension of the front end wall 14, the rear end wall 16 and the pair of opposed side walls 18 terminate in an upper rim 20, which defines an opening 22 of the container body 10. Opening 22 provides entry into or exit out of container body 10 for contents that are to be stored in or removed from the container body 10. Extending from portions 23 of upper rim 20 corresponding to each side wall 18 is a rail 24. Each rail 24 extends outwardly from, and extends substantially parallel with, its respective side wall 18. In the depicted embodiment, rail 24 extends over a substantial length of its respective side wall 18. As best shown in figure 2, the ends of each rail 24 include tapered end-sections 19. The tapered end-sections 19 are shaped to substantially resemble a blunted arrowhead. Shaping of the tapered end sections 19 in this way affords easier initial engagement between rails 24 and the complementary guide formations of the storage container lid. As best shown in Figures 3 and 4, each rail 24 substantially resembles a “T" shape rotated by 90 degrees when viewed in section, with a connecting portion 25 representing the tail of the “T” and an engagement portion 26 representing the arms of the “T". Connecting portion 25 extends outwardly and substantially perpendicular from side wall 18, with engagement portion 26 extending perpendicular from the connecting portion 25. Rails 24, and particularly engagement portions 26, act as guide formations configured to engage with complementary guide formations of the lid of the storage container. Container body 10 also includes a plurality of thin L-shaped leg formations 27 (Figure 5) that can provide a landing surface for the container body 10 when it is seated on a surface. A further role of leg formations 27 will be described below. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that the container body 10 and guide formations of the container body 10 are exemplary. The container body may be of different shape or relative dimension to that depicted in this embodiment. The guide formations may also assume a different form, so long as they are complementary with corresponding guide formations on the lid in order to enable the sliding fit between the container body and lid. The entire container body 10 may be integrally formed, typically by injection moulding from a plastics material or polymer such as polypropylene, or HDPE, and may also be formed of separate joinable components. Reference is now made to Figures 6 and 7, which illustrates a lid 30 of the storage container. The lid 30 includes a lid body 32 of substantially planar form and of substantially rectangular shape. Lid 30 includes a raised, substantially rectangular shaped, round cornered central portion 31 projecting from an upper surface of lid body 32, as well as four curved, L-shaped portions 33 projecting from each corner of the upper surface of lid body 32. The lid 30 further includes a front end wall 34, a rear end wall 36 and a pair of opposed side walls 38 joined together at rounded corners. The lid 30 is sized to fit over and cover opening 22 of container body 10 when the lid 30 is assembled with the container body 10. The storage container of this embodiment is designed to enhance stackability of multiple storage containers on top of each other in a stable manner. This is achieved by the way the raised central portion 31 and L-shaped portions 33 of lid 30, and the base 12 and L-shaped leg formations 27 of container body 10 embrace each other. When container body 10 of an upper storage container is correctly aligned and rested upon the lid 30 of a lower storage container, L-shaped portions 33 embrace the rounded corners of base 12. Simultaneously, the L-shaped leg formations will rest upon the upper surface of lid 30, with an inner side of the L-shaped leg formations embracing the rounded corners of raised central portion 31. Thus, because of this double nested arrangement between lid 30 and the base of container body 10, multiple storage containers can be stacked on top of each other in a stable manner. It will be appreciated that the specific formations provided on the container body 10 and the lid 30 described above are only an example of suitable formations that improve the stackability of the storage containers. However, more or less formations may be provided and the formations may be of different shape. Ultimately, the formations are intended to provide enhanced stackability. Extending from each side wall 38 is a channel member 44. Channel member 44 extends outwardly from, and extends substantially parallel with, its respective side wall 38. In the depicted embodiment, channel member 44 extends over a substantial length of its respective side wall 38. Each channel member 44 is substantially in the shape of a structural C-channel, including a pair of opposed flange portions 46a, 46b joined by a web portion 48 extending between outer sides of the flange portions 46a, 46b, defining in combination an elongate channel 45 configured to receive complemental rails 24 in sliding engagement therewith. Lower flange portion 46b includes a re-entrant retention portion 50b that extends from an inner end thereof towards upper flange portion 46a and is substantially parallel to web portion 48. Similarly, upper flange portion 46a includes a re-entrant retention portion 50a that extends from an inner end thereof towards lower flange portion 46b and is substantially parallel to web portion 48. As best seen in Figure 6, re-entrant retention portions 50a and 50b do not meet, and re-entrant retention portion 50a may be formed with lid body 32. In fact, the entire lid 30 may be integrally formed by injection moulding or be formed of separate joinable components. The re-entrant retention portions 50a, 50b, in combination with web portion 48, help to securely retain engagement between the channel members 44 and the rails 24 when the lid 30 and container body 10 are brought into engagement. In other words, transverse loading on the rails 24 will not disengage or dislodge the rails 24 from the channel 45 of channel members 44. Further, vertical loading on the lid 30 or container body 10, whilst the lid 30 and container body 10 are in engagement, is resisted by the flange portions 46a, 46b of the channel member 44. Thus, a more secure engagement between the container body 10 and lid 30 is realised. Reference is now made to Figures 8 and 9 which show a wedged-shape stop 52 extending from a lower surface of lid body 32. Stop 52 includes a leading ramp or inclined surface 54 configured to aid assembly of the lid 30 to container body 10 as will be described in greater detail below. Extending between the apex of ramp surface 54 and the lower surface of lid body 32 is a trailing abutment surface 56. Abutment surface 56 is configured to abut against an inner face of rear end wall 16 as will be described in greater detail below. As is best shown in Figure 10, extending from lid front end wall 34 is a deformable catch 58. The catch 58 is in the form of an elongate curved lip, the lip extending substantially parallel to the edge of lid front end wall 34, and curving below the lower surface of the lid body 32 such that a lower curved surface 59 of the catch 58 is disposed below the lower surface of the lid body 32 (best shown in Figure 9). When lid 30 is brought into engagement with container body 10, and specifically when the lid 30 is in a closed position, the catch 58 overrides front end wall 14 of the container body 10. The function of catch 58 will be described in greater detail below. The assembly and function of the storage container 100 of the present invention will now be described with reference to Figure 11. When assembling the container body 10 with the lid 30, firstly the rails 24 of the container body 10 and the channel members 44 of the lid 30 are axially aligned. Specifically, front end wall 34 of lid 30 is placed adjacent rear end wall 16 of container body 10, with the channel members 44 and rails 24 appropriately aligned. Once so aligned, the lid 30 is slid relative to the container body 10 in a closing direction, i.e. from the rear end wall 16 of the container body towards the front end wall 14 of the container body 10. During this sliding, a portion 29 of upper rim 20 corresponding to rear end wall 16 of container body 10 will encounter stop 52, specifically the lower leading surface of ramp 54. Continued sliding of the lid 30 in the closing direction enables the ramp 54 to ride over portion 29 of upper rim 22, in turn causing lid 30 to be urged slightly upwardly in order for the lid to continue sliding relative to container body 10 until the trailing abutment surface 56 overrides the upper rim, with the slight upward force applied on the lid being released, causing lid 32 to move slightly downwardly, and the stop 52 now disposed within opening 22 of container body 10. At this point, abutment surface 56 is directly adjacent an inner face of rear end wall 16. As the user continues to move the lid 30 in the closing direction towards a closed position of the storage container, catch 58 will encounter a portion 21 of upper rim 22 corresponding to front end wall 14 of container body 10. Specifically, portion 21 of upper rim 22 will come into contact with a leading edge portion of catch 58 that is outboard of the lower curved surface 59 of the catch 58. Due to the specific shaping of lower curved surface of the catch 58 and the resilience of the catch, a sufficient amount of force is required in order for the catch 58 to traverse front end wall 14. Upon providing this sufficient force, the lower curved surface 59 of the catch 58 is resiliently deformed or deflected to ride over the portion 21 of upper rim 22. The lid 30 is moved slightly upwardly, until catch 58 traverses beyond portion 21 of upper rim 22, at which point lid 30 (and consequently catch 58) move slightly downwardly. This slight downward movement results in catch 58 overriding upper rim 22 and thus securely locking lid 30 to container body 10. When the user chooses to open the storage container 100 in order to retrieve contents therein, the user slides the lid 30 relative to the container body 10 in an opening direction, i.e. slides the lid 30 in a direction from the front end wall 14 of the container body towards the rear end wall 16 of the container body 10. A predetermined amount of force is required in the opening direction to overcome the locking function provided by catch 58. As will be appreciated, when the lid is moved in the opening direction, portion 21 of upper rim 22 will come into contact with a portion of catch 58 that is inboard of the curved surface 59 of the catch 58. Upon providing the predetermined amount of force, portion 21 of upper rim 22 can slide along the curved surface 59, slightly elastically deforming catch 58 in the process and moving the lid 30 slightly upwardly, until catch 58 traverses beyond portion 21 of upper rim 22, at which point lid 30 (and consequently catch 58) move slightly downwardly. Catch 58 is now disposed in opening 22, and the lid 30 is free to move in the opening direction. In accordance with the design of the storage container 100 of this embodiment, storage container 100 can be moved in normal operation to a partly open position. In other words, as the user moves lid 30 in the opening direction, this movement will ultimately be constrained so that the lid is prevented from reaching a fully open position. This constraint in the movement of lid 30 is afforded by stop 52. As the user moves lid 30 in the closing direction, eventually abutment surface 56 will abut against an inner face of rear end wall 16, and thereby prevent further movement of the lid 30 in the opening direction. In the partly open position, the user is able to retrieve the contents desired without having to remove lid 30 from container body 10, selectively sliding the lid open until the desired size of opening is achieved. This avoids the issue of potentially losing the lid, and also losing one of the means of securing lid 30 to container body 10. As will be evident, stop 52 acts as a unidirectional stop, as it allows for ease of assembly of the lid to the container during the assembly stage when the lid is moved in the closing direction because of sloping surface 54, but prevents movement of the lid in the opening direction because of abutment surface 56. The combination of stop 52 and catch 58 provide a dual locking mechanism to ensure that the lid 30 and container body 10 remain in engagement. In order to allow for complete removal of lid 30 from container body 10 after they have been engaged, stop 52 and / or the upper rim 20 may be deformable, thereby enabling the user, after the application of sufficient load in the opening direction, to slide lid 30 beyond the position governed by stop 52. The whole opening 22 of container body 10 would then be accessible. The lid can also be detached from the container body when the lid is moved to the fully opened position. The storage container 100 is preferably formed of a plastic or polymeric material, such as HDPE, polypropylene, polycarbonate. However, other suitable materials may be used (for example, other polymeric materials, metals, etc.). Preferably, lid 30 and container body 10 are formed of the same material, but this need not be the case. Reference is now made to Figures 12 and 13 which illustrate another embodiment of a storage container 100’. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that many of the features of the earlier embodiment are present in this embodiment, and thus these features require no further elaboration. Corresponding features will include an apostrophe to denote reference to this further embodiment. Unlike storage container 100, which was generally designed to be stackable by way of the nesting arrangement earlier described between base 12 and lid 30, storage container 100’ is designed to be stacked on its rear end wall by way of one or more, in the depicted example two, standing ribs 27’ which protrude outwardly from rear end wall 16’. Thus, when stacking multiple storage containers 100’, standing ribs 27’ of an upper storage container will rest upon the front end wall 14’ of a lower storage container. Whilst not depicted, the front end wall 14’ could be provided with formations, for example recesses, intended to complementarily mate with the standing ribs 27’. The rib and recess formations could similarly be provided on the side walls of the container. It will be appreciated that in this embodiment the term “base” is a relative term intended to define the lower wall of the container body as shown in the figures. It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that a storage container of the present invention may include a combination of the stacking formations of storage container 100 and 100’, thereby enabling a user to stack multiple containers in the manner desired. For example, to overcome storage volume constraints, the user can select to stack multiple storage containers of the invention either horizontally (i.e. lid to base) or side on side or vertically (i.e. end on end). As best shown in Figure 12, similar to lid 30, lid 30’ includes a wedge-shaped stop 52’ extending from a lower surface of lid body 32’. However, stop 52’ is formed from a portion of lid body 32’ that has been recessed towards container body 10’. The function of the stop 52' is otherwise identical to that of stop 52 in the earlier embodiment. It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A storage container, including: a container body including a base, a pair of opposed side walls and a pair of opposed end walls joined at corners and extending upwardly from the base and terminating in an upper rim defining an opening; a lid configured to fit over the opening, the lid being slidable relative to the container body between a partly open position and a closed position; a portion of the upper rim, corresponding to the opposed side walls, including a pair of opposed guide formations, with corresponding side edges of the lid including complementary guide formations, which are configured to engage with the pair of opposed guide formations in a sliding fit; a stop formation extending downwardly from a lower surface of the lid, the stop formation configured to abut an inner face of one of the end walls of the storage container, thereby limiting travel of the lid in the partly open position; and a resiliently deformable detent formation to detain the lid on the container body in the closed position.

2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the guide formations of the container body are in the form of elongate rails, wherein the complementary guide formations of the lid are in the form of elongate channel members, each channel member defining a channel for receiving a corresponding rail of the container body, and wherein the rails are configured to slide within the channels when the lid is moved between the closed and partly open positions.

3. The storage container of claim 2, wherein each rail includes a first end and a second end, wherein at least one of the first end or the second end of each rail includes a tapered section.

4. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the stop formation includes a leading inclined surface for one-way ease of sliding engagement between the lid and the container body, and a trailing abutment surface configured to abut the inner face of the one end wall of the storage container in the partly open position and to hold the lid in sliding engagement with the container body between the partly open and closed positions.

5. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the detent formation extends from an edge of the lid to override a portion of the upper rim of a corresponding end wall of the container body to detain the lid in the closed position.

6. The storage container of claim 5 wherein the detent formation includes an overhanging lip having a lower curved surface extending substantially parallel to the edge of the lid from which it extends, and extending below the lower surface of a main lid body such that a lowermost portion of the lip is disposed below the lower surface of the main lid body. / . The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the lid includes one or more first stacking formations and the container body includes one or more second stacking formations, the first and second stacking formations configured to embrace one another in a nesting arrangement when brought together.

8. The storage container of claim 7, wherein the one or more first stacking formations project from an upper surface of the lid and the one or more second stacking formations of the container body project from the base and away from the container body.

9. The storage container of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container body includes one or more standing ribs projecting from one of the side or end walls of the container body.

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