Dual access container

Abstract

The present disclosure concerns containers that comprise slidably displaceable drawers and a displaceable lid that has a closed, lockable position at which the lid bears over at least top edge portions of the body side walls, and an open position giving access to the main space, and at the retracted position of the drawer and the closed position of the lid, top edges of the walls of the drawer sealingly engage with a bottom face of the lid.

Description

[0001] DUAL ACCESS CONTAINER

[0002] TECHNOLOGICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure concerns containers, in particular dual access containers.

[0004] The term ‘ container" as used herein is used in its broad sense and denotes any portable container useful for carrying and storage of different items and goods. A container can be used, for example, as a toolbox, hobby box, sorting box, and the like.

[0005] BACKGROUND ART

[0006] References considered to be relevant as background to the presently disclosed subject matter are listed below:

[0007] - TWM584243U

[0008] - US2019039233

[0009] - US2011226003

[0010] - WO14125484

[0011] Acknowledgement of the above references herein is not to be inferred as meaning that these are in any way relevant to the patentability of the presently disclosed subject matter.

[0012] BACKGROUND

[0013] TWM584243U discloses a toolbox, which is a toolbox with both drawers and flip- up opening and closing, including a toolbox body, an upper protective cover and at least one drawer. The toolbox body has a first storage space opened through the upper protective cover, a second storage space located in front of the toolbox body for arranging the drawer, and the toolbox body is provided with a limiting baffle on each of the two side panels at the front to block the two sides of the drawer, which can effectively prevent the drawer from slipping out when the toolbox is carried.

[0014] US2019039233 discloses a toolbox including a casing, at least one drawer, and at least one latch. The casing has a chamber, and a side wall of the casing has at least one side opening communicating with the chamber. The drawer is movably provided in the casing and located in the chamber, and has a recess located at a position corresponding to the side opening of the side wall. The latch is pivotally provided on the side wall of the casing, and has at least one blocking portion. The latch can be operated to pivotally move between a first position and a second position. When the latch is located at the first position, the blocking portion extends into the chamber through the side opening, and enters the recess of the drawer. When the latch is located at the second position, the blocking portion is away from the recess of the drawer.

[0015] US2011226003 discloses a portable system for storing refrigerated or heated items. In some embodiments, the system includes an insulated housing and a drawer system slideably disposed therein. The insulated housing has a lid that is movable between an open position and a closed position. The drawer system has a storage cavity wherein the refrigerated or heated items are received and is movable relative to the insulated housing between a stowed position and an extended position. The storage cavity and the items stored therein are accessible when the lid is in the closed position and the drawer system is in the extended position.

[0016] WO14125484 discloses a toolbox comprising: a base member having base walls defining a base interior space; and a cover member having cover walls, said cover member being articulated to the base member by an articulation mechanism, the cover member being displaceable between a closed position in which the cover member extends over the base member, and an open position in which the cover member is displaced with respect to the base member so as to allow access to the base interior space. The cover member has at least one cover engagement element associated with at least one of the cover walls, and the base member having at least one base engagement element associated with at least one respective base wall and configured, in the closed position of the cover member, to engage the cover engagement element for arresting the cover member to the base member, so as to establish engagement between the cover member and the base member for transmitting between the cover member and the base member internal forces generated by external forces applied on at least one member of the toolbox, thereby substantially reducing or eliminating transmission of internal forces to the articulation mechanism.

[0017] GENERAL DESCRIPTION

[0018] The present disclosure concerns a container comprising a body member having a main space defined between a base body member, two body side walls and a rear body wall, and a lid; and a drawer comprising a drawer base, a front drawer wall, two drawer side walls and a rear drawer wall, defining therebetween a drawer space; wherein the drawer is slidably displaceable between a retracted position at which the drawer space is received within the main space and the front drawer wall engages front edges of the two body side walls, and an extended position in which the drawer is at least partially pulled out from the body member, giving access to the drawer space; wherein said lid is displaceable between a closed, lockable position at which the lid bears over at least top edge portions of the body side walls, and an open position giving access to the main space; and wherein at the retracted position of the drawer and the closed position of the lid, top edges of the walls of the drawer sealingly engage with a bottom face of the lid.

[0019] Sealing engagement of the drawer against the bottom face of the lid can be facilitated by a sealing member extending over one or both of at least portions of the top edges of walls of the drawer and portions of the bottom face of the lid.

[0020] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the bottom face of the lid and a top edge of the drawer side walls are equally inclined, wherein the rear wall of the drawer is shorter than the front wall of the drawer, and wherein a rear bottom face of the lid extends lower than a front bottom face of the lid (namely, wherein said bottom face of the lid and top edge of side walls of the drawer taper towards the rear), whereby at the retracted position of the drawer and the closed position of the lid, a top edge perimeter of the drawer sealingly engages with the inclined bottom face of the lid.

[0021] The arrangement is such that at the extended position of the drawer, top edges of the walls of the drawer are vertically, parallelly spaced apart below the bottom face of the lid at its closed position, whilst at the retracted position the top edges of the walls of the drawer bear against the bottom face of the of the lid at its closed position.

[0022] According to an embodiment of the disclosure, the container comprises a locking arrangement for simultaneous arresting the drawer at the retracted position and lid at the closed position.

[0023] According to a first embodiment, the locking arrangement comprises one or more locking latches articulated to one of a front portion of the lid and a top portion of the front drawer wall, and respective one or more latch arresting members at another one of the front portion of the lid and the top portion of the front drawer wall, whereby engaging the one or more locking latches with the one or more latch arresting members entails simultaneous arresting of the lid with the drawer, preventing retraction of the drawer and opening of the lid.

[0024] According to a specific arrangement of the first embodiment of the locking arrangement, the locking latches are pivotally articulated to a toggle lever at the front wall of the drawer, said locking latches being pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position; wherein at the locked position, the latch embraces a lid latch arresting member projecting at a front portion of the lid, and a drawer latch projecting at a top portion of the front wall of the drawer.

[0025] The arrangement is such that engaging the locking latch over the latch arresting members and toggling the toggle lever, entails simultaneous locking arresting of the lid with the drawer, preventing retraction of the drawer or opening of the lid, and applying pressure on the sealing member into deformation thereof for obtaining increased sealing of the drawer space from the main space.

[0026] According to yet an arrangement of the first embodiment of the locking arrangement, a drawer locking mechanism can be provided, for arresting the drawer at its retracted position, regardless of whether the locking latch is at the unlocked position.

[0027] According to a second embodiment, the locking arrangement comprises a drawer locking arrangement for arresting the drawer at the retracted position, and a lid locking arrangement for arresting the lid at its closed position, and wherein said drawer locking arrangement and said lid locking arrangement are independently operable of one another.

[0028] According to an application of the second embodiment of the locking arrangement, the drawer locking arrangement comprises at least one drawer locking latch disposed at the front wall of the drawer, said drawer locking latch being displaceable between a locked position at which it projects to engage a locking recess at a wall portion of the container, preventing extending of the drawer, and an unlocked position at which said at least one drawer locking lath is contracted to disengage from said locking recess. According to a particular example, the at least one drawer locking latch projects from a bottom edge of the front wall of the drawer, facilitating opening of the drawer.

[0029] According to an application of the second embodiment of the locking arrangement, the lid locking arrangement comprises at least one lid locking latch disposed at a front portion of the lid, said lid locking latch being displaceable between a locked position at which it projects to engage a locking recess at a wall portion of the container, preventing opening of the lid, and an unlocked position at which said at least one lid locking lath is contracted to disengage from said locking recess, facilitating opening of the lid.

[0030] According to another embodiment, the lid is lockable over the top edge portions of the side walls and rear wall of the body member by locking latches disposed at side walls of the body member.

[0031] According to a particular embodiment, the lid is pivotally articulated at a rear portion thereof, to a top portion of the rear wall of the base member. According to another embodiment, the lid is a removable lid.

[0032] Any one or more of the following features, designs and configurations can be associated with any one or more of the aspects of the present disclosure, individually or in various combinations thereof:

[0033] • A sealing gasket can be fitted over one or both of the top edges of walls of the drawer and the bottom face of the lid; the gasket can be a continuous closed loop element or made of one or more segments;

[0034] • The sealing gasket can be annular;

[0035] • The container can comprise, at one or more outside faces thereof, one or more coupling ports / modules for detachably attaching with utility modules, such as other containers, work tools, power tools, accessories, etc.;

[0036] • The drawer can occupy a major portion of the main space of the container (i.e. a footprint of drawer can occupy a majority of the footprint of the container);

[0037] • The drawer can occupy only a portion of the main space, giving rise to an auxiliary container storage space extending behind the drawer, said auxiliary container storage space accessible through a top opening of container, when the lid is at its open position;

[0038] • The container can comprise a top carrying handle provided at top face of the lid;

[0039] • The top carrying handle can be received within a depression formed at the top face of the lid;

[0040] • The container can comprise side carrying handles, extending from one or both of side walls of the body member and side portions of the lid;

[0041] • A locomoting handle can be articulated at a rear wall of the container or at a rear portion of the lid; • The locomoting handle can be a telescopic handle;

[0042] • The container can be wheeled;

[0043] • The drawer space can be sealed from the main space;

[0044] • The container can comprise one or more secondary compartments below the body member; said secondary compartments can comprise side walls integrally extending with the main body;

[0045] • The container can comprise one or more secondary compartments detachably attached below the base member of the body member;

[0046] • One or both of the first locking arrangement and the second locking arrangement can be a normally closed mechanism, whereby the drawer and / or the lid, respectively, can be slammed into the closed position, such that activating the respective locking arrangement is required only for unlocking thereof;

[0047] • The locking arrangement can apply sealing force over a sealing gasket fitted over one or both of the top edges of walls of the drawer and the bottom face of the lid;

[0048] • One or both of the first locking arrangement and the second locking arrangement can comprise a single manipulating handle for simultaneously activating one or more drawer locking latches and lid locking latches;

[0049] • The bottom face of the lid and a top edge perimeter of walls of the drawer are equally inclined at an angle a about a horizontal plane, wherein 2° < a < 5°;

[0050] • The seal can be a resilient gasket, having a grip portion embedded within a gasket arresting groove at one of the respective top edges of walls of the drawer and the bottom face of the lid;

[0051] • The container can be made of injection molded resin;

[0052] • The drawer can be slidingly displaceable over side rails / slides attached to an external face of side walls of the drawer, and an inside face of side walls of the container;

[0053] • The side rails / slides can be telescopic; the telescopic rails / slides can comprise three segments, of which one is articulated to an external drawer side wall, a second is articulated to an inside face of a container side wall, and a third is telescopically / slidingly displaceable between the two respective other ones; • The drawer can be slidable over rails / slides, omitting a bottom support face of the container;

[0054] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0055] In order to better understand the subject matter that is disclosed herein and to exemplify how it may be carried out in practice, embodiments will now be described, by way of non-limiting example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0056] Fig. 1A is a top perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the disclosure, at a fully closed position;

[0057] Fig. IB is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1A with a top lid pivotally open and the drawer retracted;

[0058] Fig. 1C is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 A with the lid closed and a drawer extended;

[0059] Fig. ID is a perspective view of the container of Fig. 1 A with the lid open and the drawer extended;

[0060] Fig. 2A is a section along line 2A - 2A in Fig. 1 A;

[0061] Fig. 2B is a planar side view of Fig. 2A;

[0062] Fig. 2C is a planar front view, sectioned along line 2C - 2C in Fig. 1 A;

[0063] Fig. 2D is a section along line 2D - 2D in Fig. IB;

[0064] Fig. 2E is a planar side view of Fig. 2D;

[0065] Fig. 2F is a section along line 2F - 2F in Fig. IB;

[0066] Fig. 2G is a section along line 2G - 2G in Fig. 1C;

[0067] Fig. 2H is a planar side view of Fig. 2G;

[0068] Fig. 3A is a left side perspective view of a drawer rail / slide used in a container according to an embodiment of the disclosure, at a retracted position;

[0069] Fig. 3B is a right side view of the slide of Fig. 3 A;

[0070] Fig. 3C is a section along line 3C - 3C in Fig. 3A;

[0071] Fig. 3D illustrates the slide of Fig. 3B at an extended position;

[0072] Fig. 4A is an enlargement of the portion marked 4A in Fig. 2B;

[0073] Fig. 4B is an enlargement of a local section along line 4B - 4B in Fig. 1 A;

[0074] Fig. 4C is an enlargement of the portion marked 4C in Fig. 2B;

[0075] Fig. 4D is an enlargement of a local section along line 4D - 4D in Fig. 1 A; Fig. 4E is an enlargement of the portion marked 4EW in Fig. 2H;

[0076] Fig- 5 is a planar left side view of the container of Fig. 1 A, with the drawer partially extended;

[0077] Fig. 6A is a schematic side sectioned view of the container, with the drawer at a retracted, closed position;

[0078] Fig. 6B is a schematic side sectioned view of the container at a partially extended position;

[0079] Fig. 7A is a local section along line 7A - 7A in Fig. 1A, through a locking arrangement according to an embodiment of the container, at its locked position;

[0080] Fig. 7B is an enlargement of the portion marked 7B in Fig. IB, showing the locking arrangement at its unlocked position;

[0081] Fig. 8A is a perspective view of a container according to another embodiment of the disclosure, at a fully closed position;

[0082] Fig. 8B is a section along line 8B - 8B in Fig. 8A;

[0083] Fig. 8C is a planar view of Fig. B;

[0084] Fig. 8D is an enlargement of the portion marked 8D in Fig. 8C;

[0085] Fig. 8E is an enlargement of the portion marked 8E in Fig. 8C;

[0086] Fig. 9A illustrates the container of Fig. 8A with the drawer at an extended, open position;

[0087] Fig. 9B illustrates the container of Fig. 8A with the drawer retracted and the lid at an open position;

[0088] Fig. 9C is a section along line 9C - 9C in Fig. 9A;

[0089] Fig. 9D is a planar view of Fig. 9C;

[0090] Fig. 9E is an enlargement of the portion marked 9E in Fig. 9D;

[0091] Fig. 10A is a section along line 10A - 10A in Fig. 9C, illustrating a locking arrangement according to another embodiment of the disclosure;

[0092] Fig. 10B is the same as Fig. 8A, wherein the drawer and the lid are made transparent for exposing the lid locking arrangement;

[0093] Fig. 10C illustrates the lid locking arrangement of Fig. 10B, isolated;

[0094] Fig. 10D is a planar side view of the locking arrangement Fig. 10C;

[0095] Fig. 11A is a local section along line 11 A - 11 A in Fig. 9B, illustrating the drawer locking arrangement at a locked position; Fig. 11B is the same as Fig. 11 A, illustrating the drawer locking arrangement at an unlocked position;

[0096] Fig. 12A is a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the drawer and the lid being closed;

[0097] Fig. 12B illustrates the container of Fig. 12A with the lid open;

[0098] Fig. 12C is a section along line 12C - 12C in Fig. 11 A; and

[0099] Fig. 12D is a section along line 12D - 12D in Fig. 1 IB.

[0100] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0101] Attention is first made to Figs. 1 A to 3D, directed to a container according to an embodiment of the disclosure, generally designated 10, said container being generally rectangle and, according to an embodiment, is injection molded out of resin.

[0102] Container 10 has a body member 12, that comprises a base member 14, two side walls 16 and a rear wall 18 upwardly extending from the base member 14. A lid 20 is pivotally articulated at its rear end about axis 22 at a top edge 24 of rear wall 18. The base member 14, together with side walls 16, rear wall 18 and the lid 20, define together a main space 25 (Fig. ID).

[0103] Slidably received within main space 25 of body 12 is a drawer, generally designated 30, comprising a base 31, a front wall 32, two side walls 34 and a rear wall 36, defining together a drawer space 40 having top edges 41. Drawer 30 is slidably displaceable between a retracted (closed) position (Figs. 1A, IB, 2A -2F) at which the drawer space 40 is received within the main space 25, with the front wall 32 engages front edges 28 of the two side walls 16; and an extended (open) position (Figs. 1C, ID, 2G, 2H) at which the drawer 30 is at least partially pulled out from the body member 12 (i.e. from main space 25), wherein at the extended position the drawer space 40 is accessible (albeit the closed lid 20).

[0104] Said lid 20 is pivotally displaceable between a closed position (Figs. 1 A, 2A - 2C, 2G, 2H) at which the lid 20 bears over at least top edges 19 of the side walls 16 and top edge 24 of the rear wall 18 of the body member 12; and an open position (Figs. IB, ID, 2D - 2F) giving access to the main space 25. When the drawer 30 is at the retracted (closed) position, the drawer space 40 is accessible through the top of the container, upon opening the lid 20. It is well noted that drawer 30 can be slidingly displaced between its respective retracted (closed) position and extended (open) position, regardless of the position of lid 20.

[0105] Also to be noted, the bottom face 21 of lid 20 is inclined (e.g. with respect to the bottom face of the container), such that the rear bottom face portion of lid 20 extends lower than a front bottom face portion of the lid (namely, wherein said bottom face 21 tapers towards the rear). Likewise, top side edges 41 of drawer 30 are equally inclined with the bottom face 21 (i.e. the rear wall 36 of the drawer 30 is shorter than the front wall 32, such that the top edged 41 of side walls of the drawer taper towards the rear). According to a particular example, the bottom face 21 of the lid and the top side edges 41 of the drawer are equally inclined at an angle a about a horizontal plane, wherein 2° < a < 5°.

[0106] Drawer 30 is slidably retained over a pair of telescopic side slides / rails 50 (seen isolated in Figs. 3A - 3D), said rails comprising three segments, namely segment 50C articulated to an inside face of the container’s side walls 16, segment 50D articulated to an outside face of the drawer’s side walls 34, and an intermediate segment 501 slidingly extending between segments 50C and 50D, rendering the drawer slidingly displaceable to an extent that at a fully extended position the rear wall 36 extends in proximity with the front edges 28 of the two side walls 16. Segments 50C and 50D of side slides / rails 50 are snapingly attached to the respective side walls 16 and 34 by tabs 54.

[0107] In the embodiment of Figs. 1 A to 7B, a resilient sealing gasket 60 is secured over the perimetric top edges 41 of the drawer 30, and is partially received within a groove 64 (best seen in Fig. 4B), with a top face of the gasket 60 projecting from the top edge face 41. It is noted that the gasket 60 can be a continuous closed loop element or made of one or more segments.

[0108] Noting the above, the arrangement is such that when the drawer 30 is at the fully retracted position (Figs.1 A, IB, 2A - 2E, 4A - 4D, 6A) the top edges 41 of the front wall 32, two side walls 34 and the rear wall 36 of the drawer 30 are in contact with the bottom face 21 of the lid 20, whereby top face of the gasket 60 sealingly bears against the said bottom face 21, such that the drawer space 40 is now sealed from the main space 25.

[0109] When the drawer 30 is slidingly withdrawn to an extended position, it displaces horizontally (i.e. base 31 of the drawer 30 displaces parallelly along the base member 14 of the body member 12), resulting in that the top edges 41 of the front wall 32, two side walls 34 and rear wall 36 of the drawer 30 gradually depart from the bottom face 21 of the body member 12, such that said top edges 41 of the drawer 30 remain parallel with said bottom face 21 along the entire sliding displacement, until reaching a maximum distance from one another (said distance D being normal to the plane of face 21 and a plane defined by the top edge 41 of drawer 30; best seen in Fig. 6B)

[0110] This arrangement provides tight sealing engagement of the top edges 41 of drawer 30 against the bottom face 21 of lid 20 (hence providing sealing engagement of the drawer space 40 from the main space 25, when the drawer 30 is at its fully retracted position), whilst while sliding displacing of the drawer to the extended position, the respective planes gradually depart from one another, disengaging sealing gasket 60 from the bottom face 21 of lid 20, namely ceasing friction between the sealing gasket 60 and the bottom face 21.

[0111] With further reference being made also tom Figs. 7A and 7B, there is illustrated a locking arrangement according to a first embodiment of the disclosure, generally designated 70, configurable for simultaneous locking for arresting the drawer 30 at the retracted position and lid 20 at the closed position.

[0112] Locking arrangement 70 comprises two locking latches 74, each pivotally articulated to a toggle lever 76 at a respective side portion of the front wall 32. The latches 74 are pivotable between a locked / closed position (Figs. 1A, 2A, 7A) and an unlocked / open position (Figs. IB, 1C, ID, 2E - 2H, 7B). At the locked position, the latches 74 embrace a lid latch arresting member 78 projecting at a front portion of the lid 20 and a drawer latch 84 projecting at the top portion of the front wall 32 of the drawer 30. The arrangement is such that engaging the locking latch 74 over the latch arresting members 78; 84 and toggling toggle lever 76, entails simultaneous locking arresting of the lid 20 with the drawer 30, preventing retraction of the drawer or opening of the lid, whilst applying pressure on the gasket 60 into deformation thereof, for obtaining increased sealing of the drawer space 31 from the main space 25.

[0113] It is appreciated that the container can comprise one or more locking arrangements, and further the locking arrangement can also comprise side locking members (not shown).

[0114] It is further seen that the container 10 comprises a carrying handle 80 pivotally secured at a depression 82 of lid 20, whereby the handle is pivotable between a carrying position (Fig. 2E) and a stowed position (Figs. 1 A, 2A, 2B) wherein the handle 80 is fully received within the depression 82 and does not project therefrom, so as not to interfere with stacking over the lid 20.

[0115] Lid 20 further comprises a pair of side handles 86, pivotally displaceable between a folded position at which they bear over a side wall of the lid 20 (e.g. Fig. 1A) and a carrying position (bot shown) at which the side handles 86 are pivotally displaced upwards, to project above the lid 20.

[0116] It is appreciated that the container can comprise one or more other carrying handles (not shown), for example, extending from side walls of the base member, or from the rear wall of the base member. According to yet an example (not shown), the container can comprise a telescopic handle assembly (typically at the back wall of the base member) and a set of wheels for locomotion of the container.

[0117] The container 10 further comprises over outside / top face of lid 20, several coupling ports / modules 90, for detachably attaching with utility modules, such as other containers, work tools, power tools, accessories, etc. (not shown). Whilst in the illustrated example a particular embodiment of coupling ports / modules is shown, it is however appreciated that other forms of coupling ports are available, and further wherein coupling ports can be positioned at different wall surfaces of the container (not shown).

[0118] In use, the container is operable in several options: a) At a fully closed position (e.g. Fig. 1 A; i.e. lid 20 closed and drawer 30 fully retracted), the container 10 can be used for storage and carrying of goods received in the drawer space 40; b) At a first dispensing position (e.g. Fig. IB; i.e. lid 20 is open and drawer 30 retracted), the contents of drawer space 40 is fully accessible, through a top opening once the lid is opened; c) At a second dispensing position (e.g. Fig. 1C; i.e. lid 20 is closed and drawer 30 is at least partially retracted / withdrawn), wherein the contents of drawer space 40 is accessible through top edges 41 of the drawer 30; d) At a fully open position (e.g. Fig. ID; wherein lid 20 is open and drawer 30 is at least partially retracted / withdrawn), wherein both the main space 25 and the drawer space 40 are accessible.

[0119] Further attention is now being made to Figs. 8A to 1 IB, illustrating a container according to another embodiment, the container generally designated 100, being a modification of the container 10. Container 100 differs from container 10 in two main aspects, namely the container’s locking arrangement and the drawer / lid sealing arrangement. Accordingly, some of the like elements will be designated with like reference numbers, shifted by 100.

[0120] Container 100, also made of injection molded resin, has a rectangle body member 112 comprising a base member 114, with two side walls 116 and a rear wall 118 upwardly extending from the base member 114. A lid 120 is pivotally articulated at its rear end, about axis 122 at a top edge 124 of rear wall 118, defining together a main space 125.

[0121] Slidably received within main space 125 of body 112 is a drawer, generally designated 130, that comprises a base 131, a front wall 132, two side walls 134 and a rear wall 136, defining together a drawer space 140 having top edges 141. Drawer 130 is slidably displaceable between a retracted (closed) position (Figs. 8A - 8C) at which the drawer space 140 is received within the main space 125, and at which the front wall 132 engages front edges of the two side walls 116; and an extended (open) position (Figs. 9A, 9C, 9D) at which the drawer 130 is at least partially pulled out from the body member 112 (i.e. from main space 125), wherein at the extended position the drawer space 140 is accessible (albeit the closed lid 120).

[0122] The lid 120 is pivotally displaceable between a closed position (e.g. Figs. 8A, 9A) at which the lid 120 bears over at least top edges of the body member 112; and an open position (Fig. 9B) giving access to the main space 125. When drawer 130 is at the retracted (closed) position, the drawer space 140 is accessible through the top of the container, upon opening the lid.

[0123] Like the previous embodiment, drawer 130 can be slidingly displaced between its respective retracted (closed) position and extended (open) position, regardless of the position of the lid 120.

[0124] A bottom face 121 of lid 120 is inclined (e.g. with respect to a bottom face of the container), such that the rear bottom face portion of the lid 120 extends lower than a front bottom face portion of the lid (namely, wherein said bottom face 121 tapers towards the rear). Likewise, top side edges 141 of walls of the drawer 130 are equally inclined with the bottom face 121 (i.e. rear wall 136 of drawer 130 is shorter than the front wall 132, such that the top edged 141 of side walls of the drawer taper towards the rear). According to a particular example, the bottom face 121 of the lid and the top side edges 141 of the drawer are equally inclined at an angle a about a horizontal plane, wherein 2° < a < 5°. Drawer 130 is slidably retained over a pair of telescopic side slides / rails 150, as discussed herein before in connection with rails 50 in Figs. 3 A - 3D.

[0125] In the present embodiment, a resilient sealing gasket 160 is secured to the bottom face 121 of lid 120, and is partially received within a groove 164, with a sealing face of the gasket 160 projecting from the face 121. It is noted that the gasket 160 can be a continuous closed loop element or made of one or more segments.

[0126] The arrangement is such that when the drawer 130 is at the fully retracted position (Figs.9A, 9C, 9D) the top edges 141 of the front wall 132, two side walls 134 and a rear wall 136 of the drawer 130 are in contact with the bottom face 121 of the lid 120, whereby the gasket 160 sealingly bears against the top edge 141 of the drawer 130 such that the drawer space 140 is sealed from the main space 125.

[0127] When the drawer 130 is slidingly withdrawn to an extended position, it displaces horizontally (i.e. the base 131 of the drawer 130 displaces parallel with respect to base 114 of the body member 112), resulting in that the top edges 141 of the drawer 130 gradually depart from the bottom face 121 of the body member 112, such that said top edges 141 of the drawer 130 remain parallel with said bottom face 121 along the entire sliding displacement, until reaching a maximum distance from one another as explained hereinabove in connection with Figs. 6A and 6B).

[0128] This arrangement provides tight sealing engagement of the top edges 141 of drawer 130 against the bottom face 121 of lid 120 (hence providing sealing engagement of the drawer space 140 from the main space 125, when the drawer 130 is at its fully retracted position), whilst while sliding displacing of the drawer to the extended position, the respective planes gradually depart from one another, disengaging sealing gasket 160 from the bottom face 121 of lid 120, namely ceasing friction between the sealing gasket 160 and the bottom face 121.

[0129] Unlike the previous embodiment, in the embodiment of Figs. 8A to 11B the container 120 comprises separate locking arrangements, namely a lid locking arrangement 171 for the lid 120, and a drawer locking arrangement 173 for the drawer 130, said locking arrangement 171 and 173 being operable irrespective of one another.

[0130] Turning first to the lid locking arrangement 171, the lid 120 comprises a locking rod 175 extending along a front end portion of the lid, with a pair of hook-shaped locking members 177 fixedly disposed at respective ends of the rod 175, each locking member 177 comprising a locking tongue 179 with a chamfered gliding section 180. Rod 175 is rotatable about its longitudinal axis L, between a normally locking position (Figs. 10A - 10D) and an open position, wherein biasing into said normally locking position is obtained by a pair of biasing springs 181, secured to the rod 175 and having an extension 183 bearing against the lid (schematically represented by dashed lines 120 in Fig. 10D), i.e. biasing the rod 175 into clockwise direction, in direction of arrow 178. At the (normally) locked position, the locking tongues 179 project downwards below the face 121 of the lid 120.

[0131] A pressing tab 179 is fixed to rod 175 and laterally projects so that it extends below a lever 184 of a rocking locking manipulator 185, received within a front portion of lid 120 and being pivotally secured to the lid at 185. Lever 184 of locking manipulator 185 extends above said pressing tab 179, rendering locking manipulator 185 to be normally biased in a counterclockwise direction, in direction of arrow 189 (Fig. 10D). Locking manipulator 185 has a handle portion 191 exposed at the front of the lid 120.

[0132] The arrangement is such that pivoting the locking manipulator 185 against the biassing effect of springs 181, results in pivotal displacement of locking members 177 in an opening motion, counter to direction of arrow 178.

[0133] Each of the side walls 116 of body member 112 comprises, at a front portion of the top edges of the side walls, a locking recess having a locking shoulder, and extending in register with a locking member 177.

[0134] The arrangement is such that locking the lid 120 can take place by simply slamming the lid or placing it over the body member and applying light closing pressure, whereby gliding section 180 of the locking tongues 179 encounters an edge of the locking recess, causing the locking tongues 179 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction (against the biassing effect of the springs 181), whereupon the lid 120 drops to rest over the top edges and whereby the locking tongue 179 engages below the shoulder of locking recess.

[0135] Unlocking lid 120 takes place by lifting / pivoting the front portion of the locking manipulator 185 (in a clockwise direction) against the biassing effect of springs 181, resulting in pivotal displacement of locking members 177 in an opening motion, counter to direction of arrow 178, whereby locking tongues 179 disengage from shoulder of locking recess, such that the lid 120 can be pivotally opened.

[0136] As already mentioned, the drawer 130 is manipulable in either direction regardless of the position of the lid 120 and the lid locking arrangement 171. Turning to drawer locking arrangement 173, it comprises a drawer locking latch slidingly embedded within a pocket 202 at the front wall 132 of the drawer 130, with a finger grip 204 at an opening of the front wall 132, said drawer locking latch 202 being displaceable between a locked position at which a locking tongue 206 projects from a bottom portion of the front wall 132, and an unlocked position at which the locking tongue 206 is retracted and does not project from the bottom portion of the front wall 132. The drawer locking latch 200 is normally biassed into said locked position by a biasing member (e.g. coil spring 208; Figs. 11 A, 1 IB) extending within pocket 202 between a wall portion 210 of the front wall and a wall portion 212 of the locking latch 202. Locking tongue 206 has a chamfered gliding surface 214 facing backwards.

[0137] A locking recess 219 is formed at a front portion of base member 114 of body member 112, in register with the locking latch 200 when the drawer 130 is at its fully retracted position.

[0138] The arrangement is such that at the retracted, locked position, the locking latch 200 of the drawer 130 normally projects to engage the locking recess 219 at the container base wall 114, preventing extending of the drawer 130. However, unlocking the drawer 130 takes place by sliding displacing the locking latch (by applying force upwards, at the finger grip 204, in direction of arrow 228; Fig. 1 IB), thereby disengaging locking tongue 206 from the locking recess 219.

[0139] Displacing the drawer 130 into its retracted, locked position, does not necessitate manual manipulating the locking latch, whereby the drawer 130 can be slammed closed, as the chamfered gliding surface 214 of the locking tongue 206 causes the locking latch to momentarily displace into its unlocked position, gliding over the front edge of the bottom wall 114 and the locking tongue 206 spontaneously displaces back into its normally projecting, locked position.

[0140] As already mentioned, the lid 120 is manipulable in either direction regardless of the position of the drawer 130 and the drawer locking arrangement 173.

[0141] It is appreciated that apart for the locking arrangement, container 100 operates functionally similar to the arrangement disclosed herein above in connection with container 10, whereby the container 100 is operable in same options a) to d) as discussed above.

[0142] Finally, attention is made to Figs. 12A to 12D of the drawings directed to a container 210 according to yet an embodiment of the disclosure. In fact, the container 210 is principally similar in its functionality with that disclosed in connection with container 10 disclosed hereinabove, and accordingly, like elements are designated like reference numbers, however shifted by 200.

[0143] Container 210 has a main space 225 (deeper than main space 25 of container 10), wherein said main space 225 is partitioned so as to comprise a drawer compartment 227 at a front portion of the body member 212, and an auxiliary storage space 229 at a rear portion of the main space 225, extending behind a partition wall 231. A drawer 230 slidingly occupies the drawer compartment 227, similarly to the arrangement disclosed in connection with the embodiment of container 10, i.e. wherein a front wall 232 of the container 210 compliments a front portion of the body member 212 when the drawer is at the retracted position. Accordingly, drawer 230 has a drawer space 235, with a slanting a top edge 241 (tapering backwards), with a sealing gasket 260 disposed over said top edge 241. Respectively, at least a front bottom face portion 223 of the pivotal lid 220 is inclined same as the top edge 241 of the drawer.

[0144] The arrangement is such that drawer 230 is slidingly displaceable between a retracted position and an extended position. At the retracted position, as in the drawings, the gasket 260 at top edge 241 of the drawer 230 sealingly bears against the front bottom face portion 223 of the lid, hence sealing the drawer space 235 from the drawer compartment 227. At the extended position (not illustrated), the top edge 241 disengages from the front bottom face portion 223, facilitating easy sliding displacement of the drawer, for accessing the drawer space 235.

[0145] According to yet an embodiment, not illustrated in the drawings, a drawer locking mechanism can be provided (e.g. of the type disclosed in connection with the embodiment disclosed in Figs. 11 A,1 IB), for arresting the drawer at its retracted position, regardless if the locking latch is at the unlocked / open position.

[0146] Noting the compartmented main space 225, the container 210 operates functionally similar to the arrangement disclosed hereinabove in connection with containers 10 and 100, with an additional operating option: e) A third dispensing position (e.g. Fig. 12; the lid 220 is open and the drawer 230 is retracted), wherein the contents the main space 225 (i.e. both the drawer compartment 227 and the storage space 229 are accessible through the open lid 220. The locking arrangement 270 of container 210 is the same as locking arrangement 70 of container 10, and reference is made thereto.

[0147] Whilst in the embodiments described and illustrated hereinabove the lid is pivotally articulated at a rear portion thereof, to a top portion of the rear wall of the base member, it should be noted that according to other embodiments (not illustrated), the lid is a removable lid, whereby is id displaceable between a closed position at which it rests over the top edges of the side walls and rear wall of the body member of the container, and an open position at which it is removed away, and whereby the lid is lockable to the container body by locking laches.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A container comprising a body member having a main space defined between a base body member, two body side walls and a rear body wall, and a lid; and a drawer comprising a drawer base, a front drawer wall, two drawer side walls and a rear drawer wall, defining therebetween a drawer space; wherein the drawer is slidably displaceable between a retracted position at which the drawer space is received within the main space and wherein the front drawer wall engages front edges of the two body side walls, and an extended position in which the drawer is at least partially pulled out from the body member, giving access to the drawer space; wherein said lid is displaceable between a closed, lockable position at which the lid bears over at least top edge portions of the body side walls, and an open position giving access to the main space; and wherein at the retracted position of the drawer and the closed position of the lid, top edges of the walls of the drawer sealingly engage with a bottom face of the lid.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein sealing engagement of the drawer against said bottom face of the lid is facilitated by a sealing member extending over one or both of at least portions of the top edges of walls of the drawer and portions of the bottom face of the lid.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the sealing member is a resilient gasket, having a grip portion embedded within a gasket arresting groove at one of the respective top edges of walls of the drawer and the bottom face of the lid.

4. The container of claim 2 or 3, wherein the container comprises a locking arrangement for simultaneous arresting the drawer at the retracted position and lid at the closed position.

5. The container of claim 4, wherein the locking arrangement comprises one or more locking latches, articulated to one of a front portion of the lid and a top portion of the front drawer wall, and respective one or more latch arresting members at another one of the front portion of the lid and the top portion of the front drawer wall, whereby engaging the one or more locking latches with the one or more latch arresting members entails simultaneous arresting of the lid with the drawer, preventing retraction of the drawer and opening of the lid.

6. The container of claim 5, wherein the one or more locking latches are pivotally articulated to a toggle lever at the front drawer wall, said locking latches being pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position; wherein at the locked position, each of the locking latches embraces a lid latch arresting member projecting at a front portion of the lid, and a drawer latch projecting at a top portion of the front drawer wall.

7. The container of claim 6, wherein engaging the locking latch over the latch arresting member and toggling the toggle lever, entails simultaneous locking arresting of the lid with the drawer, preventing retraction of the drawer or opening of the lid, and applying pressure on the sealing member into deformation thereof, for obtaining increased sealing of the drawer space from the main space.

8. The container of claim 6 or 7, comprising a drawer locking mechanism for arresting the drawer at its retracted position, regardless of whether the locking latch is at the unlocked position.

9. The container of claim 4, wherein the locking arrangement comprises a drawer locking arrangement for arresting the drawer at the retracted position, and a lid locking arrangement for arresting the lid at the closed position, and wherein said drawer locking arrangement and said lid locking arrangement are independently operable.

10. The container of claim 9, wherein the lid locking arrangement comprises at least one lid locking latch disposed at a front portion of the lid, said lid locking latch being displaceable between a locked position at which it projects to engage a locking recess at a wall portion of the container and preventing pivotal opening of the lid, and an unlocked position at which said at least one lid locking lath is contracted to disengage from said locking recess, facilitating opening of the lid.

11. The container of claim 9 or 10, wherein one or both of the lid locking arrangement and a drawer locking arrangement are normally closed, whereby when the drawer and / or the lid are slammed into the closed position, activating the respective locking arrangement is required only for unlocking thereof.

12. The container of claim 9 or 10, wherein one or both of the lid locking arrangement and the drawer locking arrangement comprises a single manipulating handle for simultaneously activating one or more drawer locking latches and lid locking latches.

13. The container of claim 4, wherein the locking arrangement comprises at least one drawer locking latch disposed at the front drawer wall, said drawer locking latch being displaceable between a locked position at which the drawer locking latch projects toengage a locking recess at a wall portion of the container and preventing extending of the drawer, and an unlocked position at which said at least one drawer locking lath is contracted to disengage from said locking recess.

14. The container of claim 13, wherein the at least one drawer locking latch projects from a bottom edge of the front drawer wall, facilitating opening of the drawer.

15. The container of claim 13 or 14, wherein the lid is lockable over the top edge portions of the body side walls and rear body wall by locking latches disposed at the body side walls.

16. The container of claim 4, wherein the locking arrangement applies sealing force over a sealing gasket fitted over one or both of the top edges of walls of the drawer and the bottom face of the lid.

17. The container of any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the bottom face of the lid and a top edge of the drawer side walls are equally inclined, wherein the rear drawer wall is shorter than the front drawer wall, and wherein the bottom face of the lid and top edge of the drawer side walls taper rearwardly, whereby at the retracted position of the drawer and the closed position of the lid, a top edge perimeter of the drawer sealingly engages with the inclined bottom face of the lid.

18. The container of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein at the extended position of the drawer, top edges of the walls of the drawer are vertically, parallelly spaced apart below the bottom face of the of the lid at the closed position thereof, whilst at the retracted position top edges of the walls of the drawer bear against the bottom face of the of the lid at its closed position.

19. The container of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein an annular sealing gasket is fitted over one or both of the top edges of walls of the drawer and the bottom face of the lid.

20. The container of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein the container comprises one or more coupling ports at one or more outside faces thereof, configured for detachably attaching with utility modules.

21. The container of any one of claims 1 to 20, wherein the drawer occupies a major portion of the main space of the container.

22. The container of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein the drawer occupies a portion of the main space, giving rise to an auxiliary container space extending behind the drawer,said auxiliary container space accessible through a top opening of container, when the lid is at its open position.

23. The container of any one of claims 1 to 22, wherein the container comprises a top carrying handle provided at a top face of the lid.

24. The container of claim 23, wherein the top carrying handle has a at a stowed position, in which the top carrying handle is received within a depression formed at the top face of the lid.

25. The container of any one of claims 1 to 24, wherein the container comprises side carrying handles, extending from one or both of the body side walls and side portions of the lid.

26. The container of any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the container comprises a locomoting handle articulated at a rear wall of the container or at a rear portion of the lid.

27. The container of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein the container is wheeled.

28. The container of any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the drawer space is sealed from the main space.

29. The container of any one of claims 1 to 28, wherein the container comprises one or more secondary compartments below the body member, said secondary compartments comprising side walls integrally extending with the main body.

30. The container of any one of claims 1 to 29, wherein the container comprises one or more secondary compartments detachably attachable below the base member of the body member.

31. The container of any one of claims 1 to 30, wherein the bottom face of the lid and a top edge perimeter of walls of the drawer are equally inclined.

32. The container of any one of claims 1 to 31, wherein the bottom face of the lid and a top edge perimeter of walls of the drawer are equally inclined at an angle a about a horizontal plane, wherein 2° < a < 5°.

33. The container of any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein the drawer is slidingly displaceable over side rails attached to an external face of side walls of the drawer, and an inside face of side walls of the container.

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