Stackable container system

• US 5,312,011 A
• Filed: 08/13/1992
• Issued: 05/17/1994
• Est. Priority Date: 08/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Ultradent Products Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Ultradent Products Incorporated
• Inventors: Fischer, Dan E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Shoap, Allan N.
• Assistant Examiner(s): STUCKER, NOVA E
• Application Number:
  US07/930,018
• Time in Patent Office: 642 Days
• Field of Search: 220/4.27, 220/23.6, 220/23.83, 220/380, 220/529, 220/532, 220/542, 220/541, 220/375, 220/528, 220/306, 206/509, 206/511, 206/508
• US Class Current: 220/528
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/022 the bottom presenting projecting peripheral elements receiving or surrounding the closure or peripheral elements projecting therefrom B65D21/0222 and B65D21/0223 take precedence

Abstract

A stackable container system having a plurality of individual containers wherein each container is snapped onto and securely fastened to another similarly configured container. Each container has a lid securely tethered to the side of the container by an integrally molded strap such that the lids of the individual containers do not get lost or misplaced. The container lids are configured so as to securely engage the container sidewall by a snap-fit design having a conveniently placed thumb tab to facilitate the quick and easy release of the lid. A removable divider may be positioned within each container receptacle to compartmentalize the receptacle such that individual component parts can be stored in a single container and not become mixed or interspersed during storage. Each container of the stackable system may comprise a transparent material for the visual inspection of the contents contained therein prior to opening the container. The containers may be individually color coded so as to make for easier and quicker identification of any one container comprising the stackable system.

Claims

1. In a stackable container system wherein a plurality of containers are securable one to the other when stacked together, each said container comprising:

a generally cylindrical receptacle having an open top, a bottom and at least one sidewall, in which to store items;

a generally circular lid for selectively opening and closing the top of said receptacle, said lid comprising means for engaging said at lest one sidewall in a snap-fit engagement;

means for tethering the lid to the receptacle to provide permanent attachment thereto;

selectively removable means for dividing the interior of said receptacle into at least two separate compartments that are simultaneously accessible and visible, the selectively removable means comprising a substantially cylindrical base member conforming in shape to the cylindrical shape of the receptacle, the base member having a vertical divider wall attached thereto, and the base member with attached vertical divider wall fitting into the cylindrical receptacle, and the base member having means for securing the base member on top of the receptacle bottom with a snap-fit;

a male snap-fit member formed on one of either said lid and the bottom of the receptacle, and a female snap-fit member formed on the other of the lid and the bottom of the receptacle, such that each pair of containers can be stacked together by attachment of a male snap-fit member of one container to a female snap-fit member of another container; and

wherein the receptacle, lid, tethering means and the male and female snap-fit members are comprised of a single, integral molded material and wherein each said container is formed of material that is sufficiently transparent to permit visual inspection of the items without removing the lid and wherein a plurality of said containers are formed from material of differing colors.

2. A stackable container system as defined in claim 1, wherein said male member comprises a generally circular shelf, and said female member comprises a corresponding circular cavity.

3. A stackable container system as defined in claim 2, wherein said circular shelf is formed on said lid, and said circular cavity is formed on the bottom of said receptacle.

4. A stackable container system as defined in claim 2, wherein said circular shelf is formed on the bottom of said receptacle, and said circular cavity is formed on said lid.