Container with cap with stopper

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container. More particularly, the present invention relates to a container comprising a lower portion having a base and a plurality of walls defining an interior space. The container further comprises a lid attached to one of the plurality of walls via a hinge and configured to move between a closed position in which access to the interior space is prohibited and a fully open position in which access to the interior space is permitted and the lid is angled (a) relative to the lower portion by greater than or equal to 90 degrees. The lid further comprises at least one stop block adjacent to the hinge and configured to engage a lip on the wall to which the lid is hinged and retain the lid in an intermediate open position in which access to the interior space is permitted and the lid is angled (b) relative to the lower portion by less than 90 degrees.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a container. More specifically, the present invention relates to a container having a lid with a stopper. BACKGROUND

[0002] The general concept of a container having a lid is well known. Such containers can be used in various situations for organizing and transporting goods. In a construction situation, such containers can be used for organizing and transporting tools or accessories, such as fasteners or drill bits. In such situations, a carpenter often needs to have constant access to the interior of the container. Therefore, there is a need for a container having a lid which can remain open without additional intervention of the operator. In the past, this problem has been overcome by containers which utilize a stand or legs which are able to support the lid in an open position. However, such stands are costly to manufacture. The present invention overcomes one or more of these drawbacks. SUMMARY

[0003] It is an object of the present disclosure to provide a cost-effective container having a lid which is movable between a fully closed position and a fully open position, and wherein the lid can also remain open in an intermediate open position without additional intervention of the operator.

[0004] To this end, a container is proposed. The container comprises a lower part having a bottom and a plurality of walls which together define an interior space. The container further comprises a lid which is attached to one of the plurality of walls via a hinge. The lid is configured to be movable between a closed position and a fully open position, wherein in said closed position access to the interior space is prohibited. In said fully open position, access to the interior space is allowed and the lid is at an angle (a) of more than or equal to 90 degrees with respect to the lower part. The container is characterized in that the lid comprises at least one stopper which is adjacent to the hinge and which is configured to engage with a lip on the wall to which the lid is hinged and to hold the lid in an intermediate open position. In this intermediate open position, access to the interior space is allowed and the lid is at an angle (b) of less than 90 degrees with respect to the lower part.

[0005] These and other objects, features, and characteristics of the present application, as well as the methods of operation and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate similar, but not necessarily the same components. In one embodiment of the application, the structural components illustrated herein are drawn to scale. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are for illustration purpose only and that the application is not limited to the illustrated embodiments. It should be understood that structural features illustrated in or described with respect to one embodiment can be used in other embodiments. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular form of "one," "a," and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0006] Features of tools in accordance with one or more embodiments are illustrated in the drawings wherein like reference numbers represent similar elements are shown in the drawings. The drawings constitute a part of this original disclosure wherein:

[0007] Figure 1 A perspective view of a container in accordance with the present disclosure is shown;

[0008] Figure 2 An exploded view of the container is shown;

[0009] Figure 3 A detailed view of a hinge of the container is shown;

[0010] Figure 4 A detailed view of a rotating portion of the hinge of the container is shown;

[0011] Figure 5 A detailed view of a hook portion of the hinge of the container is shown;

[0012] Figure 6 A first perspective cutaway view of the hinge of the container in a closed position is shown;

[0013] Figure 7 A second perspective cutaway view of the hinge of the container in a closed position is shown;

[0014] Figure 8 A first perspective cutaway view of the hinge of the container in an intermediate open position is shown;

[0015] Figure 9 A second perspective cutaway view of the hinge of the container in an intermediate open position is shown;

[0016] Figure 10 A first perspective cutaway view of the hinge of the container in a fully open position is shown;

[0017] Figure 11 a second perspective cut view of the hinge of the container in the fully open position; and

[0018] Figure 12A and Figure 12B a stress simulation of a portion of the cover plate without stopper is shown, Figure 12C and Figure 12D a stress simulation of a portion of the cover plate with stopper is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] Figure 1 and Figure 2 A container 10 of the present invention is shown. The container 10 includes a lower portion 12 having a bottom 14 and a plurality of walls 16 defining an interior space 18. The container also includes a lid 20 attached to one of the plurality of walls 16 by one or more hinges 22. The lid 20 is configured to move between a closed position and a fully open position (see Figures 10 to 11 ). In the closed position, the lid 20 prohibits access to the interior space 18. In the fully open position, access to the interior space 18 is permitted. Furthermore, in the fully open position, the lid is at an angle (a) greater than or equal to 90 degrees relative to the lower portion 12. The lid 20 includes at least one primary stopper 24 adjacent to the hinge 22 and configured to engage a lip 26 on the wall 16 to which the lid 20 is hinged. The stopper 24 is also configured to hold the lid 20 in an intermediate open position (as best shown in Figures 4 to 5 ) at which access to the interior space 18 is permitted and the lid 20 is at an angle (b) less than 90 degrees relative to the lower portion 12.

[0020] As best observed in Figures 3 to 5 , the hinge 22 of the container 10 includes a rotating portion 28 and a hook portion 30. The hook portion 30 is configured to engage and facilitate rotation of the rotating portion 28. In a preferred embodiment, the rotating portion 28 is integrated into the lid 20 and the hook portion 30 is integrated into the lower portion 12. Preferably, the rotating portion 28 includes a generally cylindrical horizontal bar 32. Preferably, the hook portion 30 includes a lower engagement portion 34 and an upper engagement portion 36. When constructed, the horizontal bar 32 is positioned between the lower engagement portion 34 and the upper engagement portion 36. Preferably, the inner surfaces 46, 48 of each of the lower engagement portion 34 and the upper engagement portion 36 are arcuate. The arcuate inner surfaces 46, 48 engage and facilitate rotation of the generally cylindrical horizontal bar 32.

[0021] In the preferred embodiment, the lid 20 further includes a secondary stop surface 38 proximate the hinge 22. Preferably, the secondary stop surface 38 is integrated into the rotating portion 28 of the hinge 22. The secondary stop surface 38 is configured to engage a retaining block 40 on the lower portion 12. When the secondary stop surface 38 engages the retaining block 40, the secondary stop surface 38 both retains the lid 20 in the fully open position and prevents the lid from falling to a fully open position at an angle (a) greater than 180 degrees.

[0022] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the container 10 can also include many of the same features as other containers, such as a closure device 42. The closure device 42 is configured to secure the lid 20 of the container 10 in its closed position. The closure device 42 can be a latch 44 or other standard closure device.

[0023] Industrial Applicability

[0024] In operation, the lid 20 of the container 10 of the present disclosure is selectively moved back and forth between the closed position and the fully open position. This movement will now be described. Beginning from the closed position as shown in Figure 1 , an operator wishing to access the interior space 18 disengages the closure device 42 and lifts the lid 20 away from the lower portion 12. Eventually, the lid 20 will reach a position just short of the intermediate open position. As best seen in Figure 8 and Figure 9 , when the lid reaches a position just short of the intermediate open position, the at least one stop block 24 first contacts the lip 26 on the wall to which the lid 20 is hinged. More specifically, the back surface 50 of the stop block 24 contacts the lip 26. If the operator wishes to quickly access the interior space 18, the operator can easily access the interior space 18 at this point. However, due to the weight of the cantilevered lid 20, if the operator releases the lid 20 at this point, the lid 20 will fall back to its closed position under the force of gravity.

[0025] However, if the operator wishes to keep the lid in the intermediate open position, the operator will simply apply pressure to the lid such that the lid moves from a position that is slightly less than the intermediate open position to a position that is just past the intermediate open position. When this occurs, the stop block 24 will rotate from the position where its back surface 50 is engaged with the lip 26 to a position where the stop block 24 is completely clear of the lip 26. When the lid 20 reaches this position, the operator can release the lid 20 and as the lid 20 falls back under the force of gravity to its closed position, the bottom surface 52 of the stop block 24 comes into contact with the lip 26. The at least one stop block 24 is sized such that when its bottom surface 52 is engaged with the lip 26, the stop block 24 can support the weight of the lid 20 such that the lid 20 will remain in the intermediate open position without falling to the closed position. See Figures 8 to 9 One skilled in the art will recognize that multiple stop blocks 24 can be used to help support the weight of the lid.

[0026] Turning now to Figures 9 to 10 When the operator wishes to move the lid 20 to its fully open position, the operator rotates the lid 20 from the intermediate open position to its fully open position. When the lid reaches its fully open position, the secondary stop surface 38 engages the retaining block 40. In this position, the operator can release the lid. However, because the lid 20 is at an obtuse angle relative to the lower portion 12, the lid will fall toward the fully open position forming an angle of 180 degrees or more rather than falling under the force of gravity toward the closed position. However, because of the position of the retaining block 40, the lid 20 is prevented from falling to a position forming an angle of 180° or more. Similar to the stop block 24, the portion of the lid 20 that includes the secondary stop surface is sized such that it can support the weight of the lid. One skilled in the art will recognize that one or more secondary stop surfaces 38 can be employed to help support the weight of the lid in the fully open position.

[0027] Finally, Figure 12A , Figure 12B , Figure 12C and Figure 12D A side-by-side comparison of stress simulations showing the improved strength of the lid of the present disclosure is shown. The at least one stop block 24 in position on the lid 20 and adjacent to the hinge 22 provides the lid 20 with the unexpected benefit of increased strength. Computer simulations show that the lid 20 can have one or more points of weakness 54 where the lid 20 can break. The one or more stop blocks 24 adjacent to these points of weakness provide the lid 20 with additional structural support. Computer simulations show that the stop blocks 24 increase the strength of the points of weakness and make them points of increased strength 56.

[0028] While various aspects of the present application have been described for purposes of illustration, and while various details have been given for purposes of providing a more thorough knowledge of the application, it will be understood that the application is not limited to these details, but rather can be practiced with variations of them. The application is defined by the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A container (10) comprising: a lower part (12) having a bottom (14) and a plurality of walls (16) defining an interior space (18); a lid (20) attached to one of the plurality of walls (16) via a hinge (22) and configured to move between a closed position in which access to the interior space (18) is prohibited and a fully open position in which access to the interior space (18) is permitted and the lid is at an angle (a) relative to the lower part (12) that is greater than or equal to 90 degrees; and characterized in that the lid (20) includes at least one stop (24) adjacent the hinge (22) and configured to engage a lip (26) on the wall (16) to which the lid (20) is hinged and to hold the lid (20) in an intermediate open position in which access to the interior space (18) is permitted and the lid (20) is at an angle (b) relative to the lower part (12) that is less than 90 degrees; wherein a back surface (50) of the stop (24) rotates from a position of engagement to a position of full disengagement from the lip (26) when the lid (20) is moved from a position just short of the intermediate open position to just past the intermediate open position. the hinge (22) includes a rotating portion (28) and a hook portion (30) configured to engage the rotating portion (28) and allow the rotating portion (28) to rotate, 2. The container (10) according to claim 1, wherein wherein when the lid (20) is released just past the intermediate open position, the lid (20) falls back under the force of gravity toward the closed position, a bottom surface (52) of the stop (24) engages the lip (26) to support the weight of the lid (20) and hold the lid (20) in the intermediate open position. the rotating portion (28) is integrated into the lid (20) and the hook portion (30) is integrated into the lower part (12); 3. The container (10) according to claim 2, wherein wherein the lid (20) has one or more weak points (54) that would cause the lid (20) to break if the stop (24) were not present, the stop (24) is adjacent the weak points (54) and provides structural support to the lid (20). the rotating portion (28) includes a generally cylindrical horizontal bar (32) and the hook portion (30) includes a lower engagement portion (34) and an upper engagement portion (36).

4. The container (10) according to claim 3, wherein the lid (20) further includes a secondary stop surface (38) adjacent the hinge (22) and configured to engage a retaining block (40) on the lower part (12) and both hold the lid (20) in a fully open position and prevent the lid (20) from falling to a fully open position that is greater than 180 degrees.

5. The container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein ​ 6. The container (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a closing device (42) configured to secure the lid (20) in the closed position.

7. The container (10) according to claim 6, wherein The closing device (42) comprises a latch (44).

8. The container (10) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein The stopper (24) is positioned on the lid (20) thereby providing additional structural support to the lid (20).

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