US20050103656A1

US20050103656A1 - Storage container for a wreath

Info

Publication number: US20050103656A1
Application number: US10/713,129
Authority: US
Inventors: Michael Jaron; Laura Morris; Tianzhu Wang
Original assignee: Home Products International Inc
Current assignee: Home Products International Inc
Priority date: 2003-11-17
Filing date: 2003-11-17
Publication date: 2005-05-19

Abstract

A container for storing annular articles, such as a Christmas wreath. The container includes a base member and a lid member pivotally attached thereto. The base member includes an upstanding portion spaced from a side wall portion thereof for receipt of a portion of an annular article therebetween. A latch member secures the lid member to the base member. A removable divider may be received in the base member for receipt of small objects.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers and in particular to containers that may be used to store annular objects such as Christmas wreaths and the like, and small objects or ornaments associated therewith.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to containers that are specifically designed for the storage of annular objects, such as Christmas wreaths. It is desirable that such containers be able to stand on one of its sides and be stackable one on top of the other. It is also desirable that such containers be able to store smaller objects, such as Christmas ornaments. It is further desirable that such containers be light weight and easy to transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is provided a -container for storing annular articles, such as a Christmas wreath, and smaller articles or ornaments associated therewith. The container includes a base member defining a central area for receipt and storage of a generally annular article, such as a Christmas wreath, and a lid member pivotally secured to the base member for movement between an open position allowing access to the central area of the base member and a closed position in covering relationship with the central area of the base member.
The base member includes a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall that defines a central area for receipt and storage of the generally annular article. The side wall includes a generally curved section and a generally flat section. The bottom wall includes an upstanding portion spaced from and in facing relationship with the generally curved section for receipt of the generally annular article therebetween.
The lid member preferably includes a top wall and a side wall defining a central area for receipt and storage of at least a portion of a generally annular article therebetween. The side wall has a generally curved section and a generally flat section. The generally flat section of the side wall of the lid member is pivotally attached to the flat section of the side wall of the base member so that the lid member is movable between an open position allowing access into the open area of the base member and a closed position in covering relationship with the central area of the base member, with the side wall of the base member in contact with the side wall of the lid member.
A latch member is provided for securing the lid member in its closed position. The latch member is preferably generally U-shaped in cross-section and includes a first leg portion pivotally attached to the curved section of the side wall of the base member and a second leg portion that is engageable with a ledge portion formed in the side wall of the lid member. The ledge portion includes at least one detent portion for engagement with the second leg portion of the latch member.
The bottom wall of the base member is preferably formed with at least two foot portions extending outwardly therefrom. The top wall of the lid member is preferably formed with corresponding recess portions into which the foot portions are received when two storage containers are stacked one on top of the other.
The storage container may be provided with a removable divider member that is received in the central area of the base member for receipt of small objects, such as Christmas ornaments and the like. The divider member is received between a plurality of retaining members formed in the base member.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a storage container in accordance with the present invention in its closed orientation;
FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the storage container of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 1 in its open orientation;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of two storage containers stacked one on top of the other;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view of two stacked containers taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;
FIG. 6 is a partial vertical sectional view taken along line 6-6 in FIG. 2 showing the latch portion of the container of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a partial vertical section taken through the hinge portion of the container of FIG. 1;
FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken through the latch portion of the container with the latch in its open position;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 with the latch about to move into its closed position;
FIG. 10 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 8 with the latch in its closed position;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the latch member and a portion of the base member, as viewed from the bottom;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view, partially broken away, showing the container of FIG. 1 hung from a nail in a vertical member;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 supported on a horizontal surface;
FIG. 14 is a top plan view of the base member showing an insert divider member positional therein; and
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the container being transported by a person indicated in dotted lines.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to FIGS. 1-15, a container constructed in accordance with the invention is indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. Container 10 includes a base member 12 and a lid member 14.
Base member 12 includes a bottom wall 16 and an upstanding side wall 18 that defines a central area 20. Side wall 18 includes a generally curved section 22 and a generally flat section 24 in facing relationship to the curved section 22. Sections 22 and 24 are connected together by side sections 26 and 28. Section 24 has a cut-out portion 30 formed therein. The central area 22 has a circular recessed portion 32 formed therein. An upstanding portion 34 extends from the recessed portion 32. Upstanding portion 34 is generally curved and spaced from section 22 of side wall 18. As best seen in FIG. 10, upstanding portion 34 is defined by a pair of recessed portions 36 formed in the bottom wall 16. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the height of side wall 18 decreases as it extends from section 24 to the middle of section 22.
The lid member 14 includes a top wall 36 and a side wall 38 defining a central area 40. Side wall 38 includes a generally curved section 42 and a generally flat section 44 in facing relationship to the curved section 42. Sections 42 and 44 are connected together by side sections 46 and 48. Section 44 is formed with a portion 52 that is dimensioned to be received in cut-out portion 30. The central area 40 has a circular recessed portion 50 that corresponds to the recessed portion 32. The height of the side wall 38 preferably increases as it extends from section 44 to section 42.
The lid member 14 is pivotally mounted to the base member 12 to permit the lid member to move between an open position allowing access into the central area 32 of the base member, and a closed position, in covering relationship with the central area of the base member, with the side wall of the base member in contact with the side wall of the lid member. The outer edge of portion 52 of section 44 that is received in cut-out portion 30 is pivotally attached to section 24 in a conventional manner. As seen in FIG. 1, the configuration of the lid member and the base member is such that the height of the container in its closed orientation is suitable for stacking.
The base member is provided with a latch member 54 for securing the lid member in its closed position. Referring to FIGS. 3, 6 and 8-11, section 22 of the side wall of the base member has an opening 56 through which latch member 54 extends. Latch member 54 is generally U-shaped in cross-section and has a first leg portion 58 that is pivotally received in openings 61 in section 22 (FIG. 11) and a second leg portion 60 for engagement with the lid member. Leg portion 60 is formed with a pair of spaced apart detent portions 62 which cooperate with a ledge portion 64 formed in a cut-out portion 66 of the lid member. Referring to FIGS. 8-10, As the latch member 58 pivots into its closed position, the detent portions 62 pass over the ledge portion 64 into a closed, retained position. In order to move the latch member from its closed position into its open position, the distal end of the leg portion 60 is lifted to release the detent portions 62 from the ledge portion 64.
The base member 12 is formed with a pair of spaced apart foot portions 67 that extend outward from the bottom surface thereof. The lid member 14 is formed with a pair of spaced apart recess portions 68 that are oriented and dimensioned to receive the foot portions 67 of an adjacent container that is stacked on top thereof. In the stacked orientation, the portion 32 of base member 12 is received in the portion 50 of lid member 14.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 12, the base member is formed with a key hole 70 for hanging the container from a hook or nail. As best seen in FIG. 15, the recessed portions 36 are configured to serve as a handle to facilitate the carrying of the container. Upstanding portion 34 serves to hold the annual articles in place.
The side walls of the base member and the lid member are configured so that a plurality of base members and a plurality of lid members may be nested one within the other.
Container 10 is designed for the storage of annular articles, such as a Christmas wreath. The wreath is positioned within the base member so that a portion thereof is located and supported between the upstanding portion 34 and the curved section 22 of the side wall of the base member.
In accordance with another feature of the invention, container 10 may also be utilized to store and organize small articles, such as Christmas ornaments and the like. Referring to FIG. 14, base member 12 is configured for receipt and retention of a divider member 72. Divider member 72 comprises a plurality of intersecting members 74 that define storage areas 76 therebetween. The storage areas may be of any desired size or shape. The base member is formed with a pair of spaced apart of angle shaped retaining members 74 adjacent curved section 22 and a pair of spaced apart channel members 80. The corners of the divider members 74 are received between the members 78 and the edges of the members 74 are received in the channel members 80.
It should be appreciated that a container constructed according to the concepts of the present invention, as described herein, provides a unique combination of features that are particular useful for the storage of annular objects, such as a Christmas wreath and the like and the storage of related smaller objects.
While the above sets forth the preferred embodiment of the invention, the invention is not to be so restricted. Other embodiments, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art and which use the teachings herein set forth, are intended to be within the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A storage container for the storage of wreaths and the like, comprising;

a base member having a bottom wall and an upstanding side wall defining a central area for receipt and storage of at least a portion of a generally annular article, said side wall having a generally curved section and a generally flat section, said bottom wall having an upstanding portion spaced from and in facing relationship to said generally curved section for receipt of a portion of a generally annular article therebetween, and

a lid member having a top wall and a side wall defining a central area for receipt and storage of at least a portion of a generally annular article therebetween, said side wall having a generally curved section and a generally flat section, said flat section of the side wall of said lid member being pivotally attached to said flat section of the side wall of said base member so that said lid member is movable between an open position allowing access into said central area of said base member and a closed position in covering relationship with said central area of said base member.

2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein said base member is provided with a latch member for latching engagement with a portion of said lid member when said lid member is in its closed position.

3. The storage container of claim 2, wherein said latch member is pivotally attached to a portion of the curved section of the side wall of said base member and said curved section of the side wall of said lid member is formed with a ledge portion for engagement with said latch member.

4. The storage container of claim 3, wherein said latch member is generally U-shaped in cross-section and has a first leg portion pivotally attached to said base member and a second leg portion engageable with at least one detent portion associated with said ledge portion, when the said latch member is in engagement with said ledge portion.

5. The storage container of claim 1, wherein said bottom member has at least two foot portions that extend outwardly therefrom and said top wall has corresponding recess portions into which said foot portions are received when two storage containers are stacked one on top of the other.

6. The storage container of claim 1, wherein said bottom wall has an opening formed for receipt of a hanging member therein to hang the storage member in a vertical orientation.

7. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the base members are nestable one within the other.

8. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the lid member are nestable one within the other.

9. The storage container of claim 1, wherein said upstanding portion of said bottom wall is formed as a recessed portion formed in the bottom wall that may function as a handle for holding the storage container.

10. The storage container of claim 9, wherein said recessed portion comprises at least two portions positioned adjacent one another.

11. The storage container of claim 1, wherein a divider member is removable received within said central area for receipt and storage of small objects.

12. The storage container of claim 11, wherein said insert member comprises a plurality of intersecting members that define storage areas therebetween.

13. The storage container of claim 11, wherein a plurality of retaining members are provided in said base member for receipt of said insert member there between.

14. The storage container of claim 11, wherein said retaining members include a pair of spaced apart angle members and a pair of spaced apart channel members.