INTERLOCKING BIN

CROSS-REFERENCE AND PRIORITY CLAIM TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

[0001]This patent application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application 63/572,484, filed Apr. 1, 2024, and entitled “Interlocking Bin and Lid,” the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

FIELD

[0002]The present disclosure relates generally to bins and, more specifically, to interlocking bins with lids.

BACKGROUND

[0003]Containers with lids are commonly used for commercial or residential applications. It is typical to store articles such as tools, recreational equipment, supplies, materials, and the like in the containers. The lids cover an open end of the container to secure and protect the articles contained within the container.

[0004]The containers may be stored or transported in various arrangements such as by stacking the containers on top of or beneath other containers or other objects. The containers may be stored or transported in various arrangements such as by stacking the containers on top of or beneath other containers or other objects. However, conventional containers and lids may lack stability to support other containers or objects that may be stacked thereupon. Also, conventional container lids may not sufficiently secure other containers or objects that may be stacked thereupon.

[0005]It is also known to use cords, straps, or other devices to further secure the lid to the container, and stacked containers to each other. However, these means for securing the lid to the container may shift or become misaligned or loose over time. This undesirably permits the lid to become unsecured from the container and expose the contents of the container. This also makes the movement or transport of the conventional containers when stacked unwieldy and prone to accidents and spills.

[0006]Accordingly, there is a continuing need for a container bin and lid combination that permits for an interlocking of a plurality of containers when stacked. Desirably, the container bin and lid combination also facilitates a securing of the container bin to other types of containers and assembly with support structures or work stations.

SUMMARY

[0007]In accordance with the instant disclosure, a container bin and lid combination that permits for an interlocking of a plurality of containers when stacked, and which also facilitates a securing of the container bin to other types of containers and assembly with support structures or work stations, is surprisingly discovered.

[0008]In one embodiment, a stackable container bin has a main body with a bottom surface having a pair of spaced apart rails. Each of the rails may have an outwardly extending lip facing the other of the rails. The rails are configured to slidably interlock with a pair of grooves formed in a corresponding lid of the container bin and lid combination.

[0009]In one embodiment, an interlocking bin comprises a main body and a lid. The main body comprises a bottom surface and first and second rails that project downwardly from the bottom surface and extend longitudinally. The first rail has a first foot that extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface thereby defining a first rail cavity between the first foot and the bottom surface of the main body. The second rail has a second foot that extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface thereby defining a second rail cavity between the second foot and the bottom surface of the main body. The lid comprises first and second rail receiving grooves and first and second lips. The first rail receiving groove has a first upwardly facing surface. The second rail receiving groove has a second upwardly facing surface. The first lip is spaced from the first upwardly facing surface thereby defining a first groove cavity between the first lip and the first upwardly facing surface. The second lip is spaced from the second upwardly facing surface thereby defining a second groove cavity between the second lip and the second upwardly facing surface. The first and second rails are configured to be slidably received by the first and second rail receiving grooves, respectively, of a second bin in a stacked position, wherein the second bin is identical to the interlocking bin. In the stacked position, the first foot is configured to be received in a first grove cavity of the second bin, the second foot is configured to be received in a second groove cavity of the second bin, the first rail cavity of the interlocking bin is configured to receive a first lip of the identical second bin, and the second rail cavity of the interlocking bin is configured to receive a second lip of the identical second bin.

[0010]In another embodiment, an interlocking bin comprises a main body and a lid. The main body has a bottom surface and a rail projecting downwardly from the bottom surface and extends longitudinally. The rail has a foot that extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface. The lid has a rail receiving groove. The rail receiving groove has an upwardly facing surface. The rail is configured to be slidably received by the rail receiving groove of a second bin in a stacked position, the second bin being identical to the interlocking bin. When in the stacked position, a bottom-facing surface of the rail rests adjacent the upwardly facing surface of the rail receiving groove of the second to prevent downward movement of the interlocking bin relative to the second bin. In addition, the foot interacts with the rail receiving groove of the second bin to prevent lateral movement of the interlocking bin relative to the second bin.

[0011]In one embodiment, the lid has a length longer than a width. Each of the first and second rail receiving grooves extend the length of the lid.

[0012]In another embodiment, the bottom surface of the main body has a length longer than a width. Each of the first and second rails extend the length of the bottom surface.

[0013]In another embodiment, the main body further comprises a plurality of first and second rails projecting downwardly from the bottom surface. The plurality of first and second rails extend longitudinally.

[0014]In another embodiment, the interlocking bin comprises a latch on the main body. The latch is configured to couple the lid to the main body.

[0015]In another embodiment, the lid is hingedly coupled to the main body.

[0016]In a combination that comprises the interlocking bin and another bin of a size different from the interlocking bin, the lid of the interlocking bin is adapted to slidably couple with the another bin.

[0017]In another embodiment, the lid further comprises upwardly facing protrusions. The upwardly facing protrusions are adapted to couple with another item, including at least a compartment organizer.

[0018]In another embodiment, the interlocking bin further comprises a pair of wheels and a pull handle.

[0019]In another embodiment, the maid body and the lid of the interlocking bin are formed by injection molding.

[0020]Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. The description and specific examples in this summary are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021]FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of one embodiment of the interlocking bin.

[0022]FIG. 2 is a top view of the bin of FIG. 1.

[0023]FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the bin of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0024]FIG. 4 is a side view of the bin of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0025]FIG. 5 is a front view of the bin of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0026]FIG. 6 is a fragmented close up view of the bin of FIGS. 1 and 2 stacked atop an identical bin in interlocking arrangement.

[0027]FIG. 7 is a side view of the bin of FIG. 1 being slid onto a second bin, the second bin being another embodiment of an interlocking bin.

[0028]FIG. 8 is a front perspective view of the bins of FIG. 7 in a stacked position, a third interlocking bin stacked atop the bin of FIG. 1, and first and second compartment organizers stacked atop the third interlocking bin, the third interlocking bin being another embodiment of an interlocking bin, the first and second compartment organizers being identical to one another with each being another embodiment of an interlocking bin.

[0029]FIG. 9 is a front view of the third bin.

[0030]FIG. 10 is a top view of the third bin.

[0031]FIG. 11 is a bottom view of the third bin.

[0032]FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the first compartment organizer.

[0033]FIG. 13 is a side view of the first compartment organizer.

[0034]FIG. 14 is a bottom perspective view of the compartment organizer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035]The following detailed description and appended drawings describe and illustrate various exemplary embodiments of the invention.

[0036]With reference to FIGS. 1-5, an interlocking bin 102 comprises a main body 104 and a lid 106. The main body 104 has a bottom surface 108. The main body also has a first rail 110 and a second rail 112. Each of the first rail 110 and the second rail 112 project downwardly from the bottom surface 108 and extend longitudinally, as shown by reference number 114. In certain embodiments, the main body further comprises a plurality of first rails 110a and a plurality of second rails 112a. Similar to each of the first rail 110 and the second rail 112, each of the plurality of first rails 110a and second rails 112a may also project downwardly from the bottom surface and extend longitudinally along the bottom surface, and each of the plurality of first rails 110a and the plurality of second rails 112a may otherwise have the same characteristics as the first rail 110 and the second rail 112, respectively. While four first rails 110a and four second rails 112a are shown in FIG. 3, other quantities of first and second rails may be added, including two, three, five or more. Additionally, an embodiment may have a first rail 110 and a second rail 112 without the plurality of first rails 110a and the plurality of second rails 112a, so that the only two rails are a first rail 110 and a second rail 112. As further shown in FIG. 3, each of plurality of first rails 110a and second rails 112a may be broken into two or more pairs of rails disposed along the bottom surface 108. A first pair of first rails 110a and a first pair of second rails 112a each may be spaced a distance 116 from each other. A second pair of first rails 110a and a second pair of second rails 112a also may be spaced a distance 116 from each other. The distance between the first pair of first rails 110a and the second pair of first rails 110a may also be the distance 116, or may be a second distance 118. The distance between the first pair of second rails 112a and the second pair of second rails 112a also may be the distance 116, or may be a second distance 118. Preferably, each rail is either aligned with or parallel to the other rails. The main body 104 and the lid 106 may be of a single molder construction and may be of a polymer material, and the main body 104 and the lid 106 may be formed by injection molding.

[0037]Referring to FIG. 4, the first rail has a first foot 120 that extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface 108. Because the first foot 120 is spaced from the bottom surface 108 and extends laterally from the first rail 110, a first rail cavity 122 is formed between the first foot 120 and the bottom surface 108. The second rail 112 has a second foot 124 that extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface 108. Because the second foot 124 is spaced from the bottom surface 108 and extends laterally from the second rail 112, a second rail cavity 126 is formed between the second foot 124 and the bottom surface 108.

[0038]The lid 106 has a first rail receiving groove 128 and a second rail receiving groove 130. The first rail receiving groove 128 aligns with the first rail 110 on the bottom surface 108 when the lid 106 is secured to the main body 104, and the second rail receiving groove 130 aligns with the second rail 112 on the bottom surface 108 when the lid 106 is secured to the main body 104. The first rail receiving groove 128 has a first upwardly facing surface 132. The second rail receiving groove 103 has a second upwardly facing surface 134. The lid also has a first lip 136 and a second lip 138. The first lip 136 is spaced from the first upwardly receiving surface 132 thereby defining a first groove cavity 140 between the first lip 136 and the first upwardly facing surface 132. The second lip 138 is spaced from the second upwardly facing surface 134 thereby defining a second groove cavity 142 between the second lip 138 and the second upwardly facing surface 134.

[0039]The first rail 110 and the second rail 112 are configured to be slidably received by the first rail receiving groove 128 and the second rail receiving groove 130, respectively, of a second identical bin in a stacked position. In the stacked position, the first foot 120 of a first bin is configured to be received in the first groove cavity 140 of the second bin, and the second foot 126 of the first bin is configured to be received in the second groove cavity 142 of the second bin. At the same time, the first rail cavity 122 of the first bin is configured to receive the first lip 136 of the second bin, and the second rail cavity 126 of the first bin is configured to receive a second lip 138 of the second bin. The interlocking nature of the bins in the stacked position prevents downward and lateral movement of the first bin relative to the second bin, to prevent disconnection of the first bin from the second bin other than by slidably moving the first bin in the longitudinal direction relative to the second bin until each of the first foot 120 and second foot 124 are no longer in the first groove cavity 140 and the second groove cavity 142, respectively, of the second bin. The lid 106 further has a first stop 180 and a second stop 182. The first stop 180 is located at one end of the first rail receiving groove 128, and the second stop 182 is located at one end of the second rail receiving groove 130. The first stop 180 and the second stop 182 prevent longitudinal movement of the first bin relative to the second bin beyond a particular point when the bins are in a stacked position. For example, the first stop 180 and the second stop 182 prevent the first bin from sliding beyond the fully-aligned stacked position and off the lid. An example of the interlocking nature of the first foot 120 and the second foot 124 in the first groove cavity 140 and the second groove cavity 142, respectively, is shown in FIG. 6. In addition, an example of a first bin 102 slidably interlocking with a second bin 202 is shown in FIG. 7.

[0040]When in the stacked position, a bottom-facing surface 176 of the first rail 110 of the first bin may rest adjacent the first upwardly facing surface 132 of the second bin, and a bottom-facing surface 178 of the second rail 112 of the first bin may rest adjacent the second upwardly facing surface 134 of the second bin. In this formation, the first bin is prevented from downward movement relative to the second bin while in the stacked position. The first foot 110 of the first bin may interact with the first rail receiving groove 128 of the second bin, and the second foot 112 of the first bin may interact with the second rail receiving groove 128 of the second bin. In this formation, the first bin is prevented from moving laterally relative to the second bin. In some embodiments, there is enough clearance to easily slide the first bin on top of the second bin. In other embodiments, there is little clearance so as to provide even longitudinal resistance against sliding. Additionally in other embodiments, a single rail and a single rail receiving groove is utilized. Additionally, other numbers of rails and groove may be used.

[0041]As further shown in FIGS. 1-5, the lid 106 may have a longer length 144 than a width 146. In one embodiment, each of the first rail receiving groove 128 and the second rail receiving groove 130 may extend the length 144 of the lid 106. The bottom surface 108 may have a length 148 longer than a width 150. In one embodiment, each of the first rail 110 and the second rail 112 may extend the length 148 of the bottom surface 108.

[0042]The interlocking bin may further comprise a latch 152 or multiple latches 152 on the main body 104. The latch 152 is configured to couple the lid 106 to the main body 104. The latch 152 may be any latch known to one of skill in the art. Additionally, other known securing mechanisms may be used to secure the lid 106 to the main body 104. The lid 106 also may be hingedly coupled to the main body 104 via one or more hinge joints 154. The hinge joints 154 may be located on the main body 104 opposite the latch 152 to facilitate securing the non-hinged end of the lid 106 to the main body 104.

[0043]With reference to FIG. 8, a combination of bins and other components or items may be interlocked together via the lockable bin and lid combination. As shown in FIG. 8, an interlocking bin 102 is stacked onto a second bin 202. The second interlocking bin 202 is located at the bottom. The interlocking bin 102 is a different size from the second bin 202. However, the lid of the second bin 202 is configured and adapted to slidably couple with the interlocking bin 102 via the rails on the bottom surface of the interlocking bin 102, as described herein. Additionally, even smaller third interlocking bins 302 may be stacked atop the interlocking bin by slidably coupling to the lid of the interlocking bins 102. The third interlocking bin 302 may also be stacked atop the second bin 202 in a similar manner. The third interlocking bins 302 are another embodiment of an interlocking bin, and may be half the length of the interlocking bin 102, so that two third interlocking bins 302 may be slidably coupled with the lid of the interlocking bin 102. Further examples of the third interlocking bin embodiment shown as 302 are shown in FIGS. 9-11. As shown in FIG. 8, the second interlocking bin 202 may comprise a pair of wheels 256 generally located on one side of the bottom surface of the main body of the interlocking bin 202. Additionally, the interlocking bin 202 has a pull handle 258 on a side of the main body opposite the side with the pair of wheels 256. The rails of the second interlocking bin 202 are shaped and sized to mate with the grooves of the interlocking bin 102. The grooves of the second interlocking bin 202 are shaped and sized to mate with the rails of the interlocking bin 102. A first and second compartment organizer 402, each being identical to one another, are each another embodiment of an interlocking bin, and may be stacked atop one of the other bins.

[0044]As shown in FIGS. 9-11, an embodiment of a third interlocking bin 302 is shown. In the embodiment 302, the first rail 310 has a first foot 320 that extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface 308. Because the first foot 320 is spaced from the bottom surface 308 and extends laterally from the first rail 310, a first rail cavity 322 is formed between the first foot 320 and the bottom surface 308. The second rail 312 has a second foot 324 that extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface 308. Because the second foot 324 is spaced from the bottom surface 308 and extends laterally from the second rail 312, a second rail cavity 326 is formed between the second foot 324 and the bottom surface 308. The rails of the third interlocking bin 302 are shaped and sized to mate with the grooves of the interlocking bin 102. The grooves of the third interlocking bin 302 are shaped and sized to mate with the rails of the interlocking bin 102.

[0045]The lid 306 in the embodiment 302 has a first upwardly facing surface 332 and a second upwardly facing surface 334. The upwardly facing surfaces of each of the bin embodiments 102, 202 and 302 are shaped and sized to mate with the compartment organizer 402. The lid also has a first lip 336 and a second lip 338. The first lip 336 is spaced from the first upwardly receiving surface 332 thereby defining a first groove cavity 340 between the first lip 336 and the first upwardly facing surface 332. The second lip 338 is spaced from the second upwardly facing surface 334 thereby defining a second groove cavity 342 between the second lip 338 and the second upwardly facing surface 334.

[0046]The lid 106 shown in FIGS. 1-5 may also include upwardly facing protrusions 160. The upwardly facing protrusions 160 extend upward from the lid 106. The upwardly facing protrusions 160 may be configured in pairs, as shown in FIG. 2, wherein there is a first end 162 and a second end 164. A length 166 runs from the first end 162 to the second end 164. The upwardly facing protrusions 160, and specifically the length 166 between the first end 162 and the second end 164, are adapted to be coupled with another item. For example, as shown in FIGS. 12-14, a compartment organizer 402 may be adapted with a first downwardly facing protrusion 470 and a second downwardly facing protrusion 472. The compartment organizer 402 has a distance 474 between the first downwardly facing protrusion 470 and the second downwardly facing protrusion 472. The length 166 of the upwardly facing protrusions 160 is adapted to rest inside the distance 474 of the compartment organizer 402 so that the upwardly facing protrusions 160 and each of the first downwardly facing protrusion 470 and second downwardly facing protrusion 472 prevent lateral movement of the compartment organizer 402 when the compartment organizer 402 is stacked on the interlocking bin 102. Other embodiments of other items may be configured in a manner similar to the compartment organizer 402 in order to facilitate stacking on the interlocking bin 102. Similar upwardly facing protrusions 360 are shown in the embodiment 302.

[0047]Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms, and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail. Equivalent changes, modifications and variations of some embodiments, materials, compositions and methods may be made within the scope of the present technology, with substantially similar results.

[0048]In operation, two bins may be stacked in an interlocking relationship by sliding the foot of the rail of a first bin into the groove cavity of a second identical bin. The foot of the rail of the first bin would be prevented from downward movement by the lid of the second bin, and the foot of the rail of the first bin would be prevented from lateral movement by the groove of the second bin. The foot of the first bin would be prevented from upward movement by the lip of the lid of the second bin preventing upward movement of the foot of the first bin. The two bins may be removed from an interlocked stacking position by sliding the rail of the first bin in a longitudinal direction along the length of the groove of the lid of the second bin until the rail of the first bin is no longer in the groove of the lid of the second bin, and the foot of the rail of the first bin is no longer in the groove cavity of the lid of the second bin.

[0049]The description and drawings serve to enable one skilled in the art to make and use the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any manner. In respect of the methods disclosed, the steps presented are exemplary in nature and, thus, the order of the steps is not necessary or critical. “A” and “an” as used herein indicate “at least one” of the item is present; a plurality of such items may be present, when possible.

[0050]Although the terms first, second, third, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections, these elements, components, regions, layers and/or sections should not be limited by these terms. These terms may be only used to distinguish one element, component, region, layer or section from another region, layer or section. Terms such as “first,” “second,” and other numerical terms when used herein do not imply a sequence or order unless clearly indicated by the context. Thus, a first element, component, region, layer or section discussed below could be termed a second element, component, region, layer or section without departing from the teachings of the example embodiments.

[0051]Spatially relative terms, such as “inner,” “outer,” “beneath,” “below,” “lower,” “above,” “upper,” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “below” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the example term “below” may encompass both an orientation of above and below. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0052]While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes may be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure, which is further described in the following appended claims.