Interlocking Bin

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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

With reference to, an interlocking bincomprises a main bodyand a lid. The main bodyhas a bottom surface. The main body also has a first railand a second rail. Each of the first railand the second railproject downwardly from the bottom surfaceand extend longitudinally, as shown by reference number. In certain embodiments, the main body further comprises a plurality of first railsand a plurality of second rails. Similar to each of the first railand the second rail, each of the plurality of first railsand second railsmay also project downwardly from the bottom surface and extend longitudinally along the bottom surface, and each of the plurality of first railsand the plurality of second railsmay otherwise have the same characteristics as the first railand the second rail, respectively. While four first railsand four second railsare shown in, other quantities of first and second rails may be added, including two, three, five or more. Additionally, an embodiment may have a first railand a second railwithout the plurality of first railsand the plurality of second rails, so that the only two rails are a first railand a second rail. As further shown in, each of plurality of first railsand second railsmay be broken into two or more pairs of rails disposed along the bottom surface. A first pair of first railsand a first pair of second railseach may be spaced a distancefrom each other. A second pair of first railsand a second pair of second railsalso may be spaced a distancefrom each other. The distance between the first pair of first railsand the second pair of first railsmay also be the distance, or may be a second distance. The distance between the first pair of second railsand the second pair of second railsalso may be the distance, or may be a second distance. Preferably, each rail is either aligned with or parallel to the other rails. The main bodyand the lidmay be of a single molder construction and may be of a polymer material, and the main bodyand the lidmay be formed by injection molding.

Referring to, the first rail has a first footthat extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface. Because the first footis spaced from the bottom surfaceand extends laterally from the first rail, a first rail cavityis formed between the first footand the bottom surface. The second railhas a second footthat extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface. Because the second footis spaced from the bottom surfaceand extends laterally from the second rail, a second rail cavityis formed between the second footand the bottom surface.

The lidhas a first rail receiving grooveand a second rail receiving groove. The first rail receiving groovealigns with the first railon the bottom surfacewhen the lidis secured to the main body, and the second rail receiving groovealigns with the second railon the bottom surfacewhen the lidis secured to the main body. The first rail receiving groovehas a first upwardly facing surface. The second rail receiving groovehas a second upwardly facing surface. The lid also has a first lipand a second lip. The first lipis spaced from the first upwardly receiving surfacethereby defining a first groove cavitybetween the first lipand the first upwardly facing surface. The second lipis spaced from the second upwardly facing surfacethereby defining a second groove cavitybetween the second lipand the second upwardly facing surface.

The first railand the second railare configured to be slidably received by the first rail receiving grooveand the second rail receiving groove, respectively, of a second identical bin in a stacked position. In the stacked position, the first footof a first bin is configured to be received in the first groove cavityof the second bin, and the second footof the first bin is configured to be received in the second groove cavityof the second bin. At the same time, the first rail cavityof the first bin is configured to receive the first lipof the second bin, and the second rail cavityof the first bin is configured to receive a second lipof 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 footand second footare no longer in the first groove cavityand the second groove cavity, respectively, of the second bin. The lidfurther has a first stopand a second stop. The first stopis located at one end of the first rail receiving groove, and the second stopis located at one end of the second rail receiving groove. The first stopand the second stopprevent 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 stopand the second stopprevent the first bin from sliding beyond the fully-aligned stacked position and off the lid. An example of the interlocking nature of the first footand the second footin the first groove cavityand the second groove cavity, respectively, is shown in. In addition, an example of a first binslidably interlocking with a second binis shown in.

When in the stacked position, a bottom-facing surfaceof the first railof the first bin may rest adjacent the first upwardly facing surfaceof the second bin, and a bottom-facing surfaceof the second railof the first bin may rest adjacent the second upwardly facing surfaceof 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 footof the first bin may interact with the first rail receiving grooveof the second bin, and the second footof the first bin may interact with the second rail receiving grooveof 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.

As further shown in, the lidmay have a longer lengththan a width. In one embodiment, each of the first rail receiving grooveand the second rail receiving groovemay extend the lengthof the lid. The bottom surfacemay have a lengthlonger than a width. In one embodiment, each of the first railand the second railmay extend the lengthof the bottom surface.

The interlocking bin may further comprise a latchor multiple latcheson the main body. The latchis configured to couple the lidto the main body. The latchmay be any latch known to one of skill in the art. Additionally, other known securing mechanisms may be used to secure the lidto the main body. The lidalso may be hingedly coupled to the main bodyvia one or more hinge joints. The hinge jointsmay be located on the main bodyopposite the latchto facilitate securing the non-hinged end of the lidto the main body.

With reference to, a combination of bins and other components or items may be interlocked together via the lockable bin and lid combination. As shown in, an interlocking binis stacked onto a second bin. The second interlocking binis located at the bottom. The interlocking binis a different size from the second bin. However, the lid of the second binis configured and adapted to slidably couple with the interlocking binvia the rails on the bottom surface of the interlocking bin, as described herein. Additionally, even smaller third interlocking binsmay be stacked atop the interlocking bin by slidably coupling to the lid of the interlocking bins. The third interlocking binmay also be stacked atop the second binin a similar manner. The third interlocking binsare another embodiment of an interlocking bin, and may be half the length of the interlocking bin, so that two third interlocking binsmay be slidably coupled with the lid of the interlocking bin. Further examples of the third interlocking bin embodiment shown asare shown in. As shown in, the second interlocking binmay comprise a pair of wheelsgenerally located on one side of the bottom surface of the main body of the interlocking bin. Additionally, the interlocking binhas a pull handleon a side of the main body opposite the side with the pair of wheels. The rails of the second interlocking binare shaped and sized to mate with the grooves of the interlocking bin. The grooves of the second interlocking binare shaped and sized to mate with the rails of the interlocking bin. A first and second compartment organizer, each being identical to one another, are each another embodiment of an interlocking bin, and may be stacked atop one of the other bins.

As shown in, an embodiment of a third interlocking binis shown. In the embodiment, the first railhas a first footthat extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface. Because the first footis spaced from the bottom surfaceand extends laterally from the first rail, a first rail cavityis formed between the first footand the bottom surface. The second railhas a second footthat extends laterally and is spaced from the bottom surface. Because the second footis spaced from the bottom surfaceand extends laterally from the second rail, a second rail cavityis formed between the second footand the bottom surface. The rails of the third interlocking binare shaped and sized to mate with the grooves of the interlocking bin. The grooves of the third interlocking binare shaped and sized to mate with the rails of the interlocking bin.

The lidin the embodimenthas a first upwardly facing surfaceand a second upwardly facing surface. The upwardly facing surfaces of each of the bin embodiments,andare shaped and sized to mate with the compartment organizer. The lid also has a first lipand a second lip. The first lipis spaced from the first upwardly receiving surfacethereby defining a first groove cavitybetween the first lipand the first upwardly facing surface. The second lipis spaced from the second upwardly facing surfacethereby defining a second groove cavitybetween the second lipand the second upwardly facing surface.

The lidshown inmay also include upwardly facing protrusions. The upwardly facing protrusionsextend upward from the lid. The upwardly facing protrusionsmay be configured in pairs, as shown in, wherein there is a first endand a second end. A lengthruns from the first endto the second end. The upwardly facing protrusions, and specifically the lengthbetween the first endand the second end, are adapted to be coupled with another item. For example, as shown in, a compartment organizermay be adapted with a first downwardly facing protrusionand a second downwardly facing protrusion. The compartment organizerhas a distancebetween the first downwardly facing protrusionand the second downwardly facing protrusion. The lengthof the upwardly facing protrusionsis adapted to rest inside the distanceof the compartment organizerso that the upwardly facing protrusionsand each of the first downwardly facing protrusionand second downwardly facing protrusionprevent lateral movement of the compartment organizerwhen the compartment organizeris stacked on the interlocking bin. Other embodiments of other items may be configured in a manner similar to the compartment organizerin order to facilitate stacking on the interlocking bin. Similar upwardly facing protrusionsare shown in the embodiment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.