U.S. patent application number 14/510489 was filed with the patent office on 2016-04-14 for basket with handle.
The applicant listed for this patent is Discovery, Inc.. Invention is credited to Mark W. Levie.
Application Number | 20160100699 14/510489 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55654569 |
Filed Date | 2016-04-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160100699 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Levie; Mark W. |
April 14, 2016 |
BASKET WITH HANDLE
Abstract
A basket having a handle for organizing products on a shelf
includes a solid base wall, a plurality of peripheral walls, and a
handle. The plurality of peripheral walls extends upwardly from the
base wall and define an upper rim of the basket and a recess
therebetween. The handle has at least a first and a second part.
The first part is substantially perpendicular to the second part
and has an upper surface that is flush with the upper rim of the
basket. The first part lies in a plane defined by the upper rim of
the basket. The second part is spaced from an adjacent peripheral
wall in order to fit a hand of a user between the peripheral wall
and the second part. The second part extends downwardly from an end
of the first part.
Inventors: |
Levie; Mark W.; (Corte
Madera, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Discovery, Inc. |
Ross |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
55654569 |
Appl. No.: |
14/510489 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/553 ;
220/755 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/2885 20130101;
A47F 5/0025 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47F 5/00 20060101
A47F005/00; B65D 85/00 20060101 B65D085/00; B65D 21/02 20060101
B65D021/02; B65D 25/04 20060101 B65D025/04; B65D 25/28 20060101
B65D025/28 |
Claims
1. A basket having a handle for organizing products on a shelf
comprising: a solid base wall; a plurality of peripheral walls
extending upwardly from the base wall and defining an upper rim of
the basket and a recess therebetween; and a handle having at least
a first and a second part cantilevered from a first of the
peripheral walls, with the first part being substantially
perpendicular to the second part and the first part having an upper
surface that is flush with the upper rim of the basket and lying in
a plane defined by the upper rim of the basket, and the second part
being coupled to the first part and spaced from the first
peripheral wall in order to fit a hand of a user between the first
peripheral wall and the second part, with the second part extending
substantially downwardly from an end of the first part, with the
first peripheral wall having a bowed out portion where the handle
attaches to the first peripheral wall.
2. The basket of claim 1, further comprising reinforcing members
positioned under and coupled to the first part of the handle and
extending between the adjacent peripheral wall and the second part
of the handle, and closely spaced parallel ribs positioned on and
extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the base wall in
order to promote circulation under the base wall.
3. The basket of claim 1, wherein the second part is positioned at
a substantially 90-120 degree angle relative to a plane defined by
the upper rim of the basket.
4. The basket of claim 1, wherein the peripheral walls include a
front wall, a rear wall, and two side walls, and the handle is
coupled to the front wall, with the front wall being the part of
the basket that faces a user during normal use of the basket.
5. The basket of claim 1, further comprising at least one internal
divider wall positioned in the recess that divides the recess into
multiple compartments, with the internal divider wall extending
substantially perpendicular to the base wall.
6. The basket of claim 5, wherein the at least one internal divider
wall is defined by a first upwardly standing projection and a
second upwardly standing projection that both extend from the base
wall and meet at an upper point of the internal wall, with the
first and second upwardly standing projections being angled at
opposite angles relative to one another and with an open space
provided between the first and second upwardly standing
projections.
7. The basket of claim 1, wherein the second part of the handle has
a semi-circular cross-section on an outwardly facing surface
thereof.
8. The basket of claim 1, wherein the first part has a
substantially flat upper surface.
9. The basket of claim 1, further comprising an upper rib-like
protrusion strengthening the upper rim of the basket on either side
of the first part of the handle at the first peripheral wall.
10. (canceled)
11. The basket of claim 1, wherein the basket is made of a plastic
material.
12. The basket of claim 1, wherein the material of the base and
side walls is easily cleanable.
13. The basket of claim 1, wherein a pattern of decorative openings
is provided through the peripheral walls.
14. The basket of claim 1, further comprising strengthening
portions coupled to corners of the basket where the peripheral
walls meet one another.
15. The basket of claim 14, wherein the strengthening portions
serve a dual purpose of both strengthening the basket and
maintaining multiple baskets that are stacked upon one another in
spaced relation.
16. The basket of claim 1, further comprising a surface treatment
applied to a bottom surface of the base wall in order to raise the
bottom surface of the base wall above a surface that the basket
seats upon, wherein the surface treatment comprises a plurality of
parallel spaced ribs positioned on the base surface and extending
downwardly therefrom.
17. The basket of claim 1, wherein the recess of the basket is
designed to accommodate three to seven different products from the
fifteen top high volume food categories of the U.S. Supermarket
industry, which products may be interchangeably housed in the
recess.
18. The basket of claim 1, wherein the second part has a length
that is about double or triple the length of the first part, and
the first and second parts are integral with one another and the
basket.
19. A basket having a handle for use on a shelf comprising: a
substantially flat base wall having upwardly extending walls
positioned around an outer periphery thereof, said upwardly
extending peripheral walls including a front wall, a rear wall, and
at least a side wall, with the base wall and at least part of the
upwardly extending peripheral walls being closed in order to deter
the movement of solids or fluids through the base wall; and a
handle extending outwardly from the front wall of the basket, said
handle having a first part and a second part, with the first part
extending in a plane away from the front wall and a second part
extending downwardly at an angle relative to the adjacent front
wall of the basket, with a space provided between a bottom surface
of the first part and a rear surface of the second part, said space
being big enough to accommodate a hand of a user, said handle being
strengthened by the provision of a bowed out portion defined on the
front wall in the vicinity where the handle mates with the front
wall, said bowed out portion provided by a bumped out section of
the front wall relative to the remainder of the front wall.
20. A basket having a handle comprising: a basket body including a
base wall, upwardly extending peripheral walls positioned around
the base wall, and an upper rim positioned at the top of the
peripheral walls of the basket, with the base wall being closed in
order to deter movement of fluids or objects through the base wall,
and the base wall and upwardly extending peripheral walls together
defining a recess in the basket body; and at least one handle
extending outwardly from one of the peripheral walls of the basket
body, said handle having a first part with an upper surface that is
flush with the upper rim of the basket and a second part that
extends downwardly from the first part, with a space being defined
between the peripheral wall, the first part, and the second part
that is sized to fit a hand of a user, wherein the basket is sized
based upon consideration of the fifteen top high volume food groups
of the U.S. supermarket industry such that each basket can organize
about three to about seven of the high volume food groups and the
about three to about seven high volume food groups interchangeably
fit in the recess of the basket at different times, with the upper
rim of the basket on the peripheral wall adjacent the first part of
the handle being enlarged outwardly relative to the upper rim of
the basket such that the rim of the basket remains parallel to the
adjacent peripheral wall in order to strength the basket in the
vicinity of the handle.
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention concerns a handy basket for use in
storing supplies on a shelf, such as a pantry, cabinet,
refrigerator, or freezer shelf. In particular, the invention
relates to a basket that includes a handle that easily permits
users to grasp the basket and remove it or move it on the
shelf.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Compartments, such as pantries, kitchen cabinets,
refrigerators, or freezers can have deep, fixed shelves and it may
be difficult for a user to see what is on the shelf towards the
rear of the shelf. In addition, these compartments can become
chaotic and sloppy because multiple items can be positioned on top
of one another, making it even more likely that items positioned
towards the rear of the shelf will be missed. If food sits for too
long in a compartment, it can spoil and/or attract bugs and vermin.
With fixed shelves, it is often necessary to remove or shuffle
around all the articles positioned in the front part of the shelf
to see what is at the back of the shelf. It is also often necessary
to move articles in the front part of the shelf in order to remove
articles positioned at the back of the shelf, even if the user can
see what is sitting at the back of the shelf.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0003] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example basket according
to the invention;
[0004] FIG. 2 is a right side view of the basket of FIG. 1, with
the left side view being a mirror image thereof:
[0005] FIG. 3 is a front view of the basket of FIG. 1;
[0006] FIG. 4 if a rear view of the basket of FIG. 1:
[0007] FIG. 5 is a top view of the basket of FIG. 1;
[0008] FIG. 6 is a bottom view of the basket of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another example basket
according to the invention;
[0010] FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view of one of the handles
of the basket of FIG. 7;
[0011] FIG. 9 is an exploded side view of one of the handles of the
basket of FIG. 7;
[0012] FIG. 10 is an exploded top view of one of the handles of the
basket of FIG. 7;
[0013] FIG. 11 is an exploded bottom view of one of the handles of
the basket of FIG. 7;
[0014] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of another example basket
according to the invention;
[0015] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of yet another example basket
according to the invention;
[0016] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of another example basket
according to the invention; and
[0017] FIG. 15 is a perspective front view of yet another example
basket design, showing two transparent baskets stacked on top of
each other;
[0018] FIG. 16 is a perspective side view of the stacked baskets
shown in FIG. 15;
[0019] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative example
basket that is designed for use with spice jars; and
[0020] FIG. 18 is a top view of the example basket of FIG. 17.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Several different types of baskets 10 are shown according to
the invention. FIGS. 1-6 depict a first example basket 10 that is
rectangular and has two recesses or compartments 12. FIGS. 7-11
depict a second example basket 10 that is shallow and wider than
the first example basket 10. As such, it includes two handles 14
positioned on one side of the basket 10. FIGS. 12 and 13 depict two
different single recess 12 or compartment baskets 10 that are
rectangular in shape and have a single handle 14 positioned at a
front end 40 of each basket 10. FIG. 14 depicts yet another example
basket 10 that has three compartments 12 in the basket 10, with the
handle 14 positioned at a front end 40 of the basket 10. FIGS. 15
and 16 depict a basket 10 similar to that shown in FIG. 13, but
with the baskets 10 being transparent and stacked on top of one
another during storage of the baskets 10. FIGS. 17 and 18 depicts a
long, thin, rectangular basket 10 that can be used for spice jars,
or the like. The example baskets 10 are used on pantry, cabinet,
refrigerator, or freezer shelves, or the like, and are designed to
be easily removed or pulled from their resting spot in order to
view all items in the basket 10 for ease of selection.
[0022] Each of the baskets 10 depicted has a base wall 16 and
upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 that together define the
outer boundaries of the basket 10, including an upper rim 20. A
recess 12 is defined between the base wall 16 and the upwardly
extending peripheral walls 18. The recess 12 is for receiving
products or goods. The base wall 16 of each basket 10 is closed so
that products do not readily slip through the bottom of the device.
For example, the base wall 16 is shown as being a solid wall that
covers the entire bottom of the basket 10.
[0023] The base wall 16 of the basket 10 is substantially solid
such that objects, goods, or liquids cannot fall through the bottom
of the basket 10. In one embodiment, the base wall 16 is solid and
the bottom section 22 of each of the peripheral walls 18 is also
solid so that the bottom part of the container can hold a liquid,
if needed, so that the liquid does not escape. For example, if the
basket 10 is housing juice boxes and one of them leaks, the basket
10 maintains any liquid in the bottom of the basket 10 so that the
liquid does not escape and cause a mess on the cabinet, pantry, or
refrigerator shelf. The base wall 16 of the basket 10 has a top
surface 24 for contacting the goods or objects, which is shown as
being smooth, and a bottom surface 26 that faces downwardly and
engages a support surface, such as the cabinet shelf, pantry shelf,
refrigerator shelf, or freezer shelf. The bottom surface 26 may
include ribs 28 that extend downwardly in a pattern, such as
longitudinally extending ribs 28. The ribs 28 can help to promote
airflow around the basket 10 and can also be used to elevate the
basket 10 above the surface that the basket seats on.
Alternatively, the base wall 16 may be spaced from a surface that
the basket 10 seats on by an outer extension 30 of the peripheral
walls 18 that defines a flange (similar to feet) that extends
around the periphery of the base wall 16. The outer extension 30 of
the peripheral walls 18 extends downwardly and may partially or
completely surround the bottom surface 26 of the base wall 16. The
base wall 16 bottom surface 26 may also be untreated and flat, if
desired.
[0024] The upper rim 20 of the basket 10 may be defined by a lip
that bends outwardly relative to the top of the upwardly extending
peripheral walls 18, as shown. This lip defines a top surface of
the rim 20 of the basket 10 and is generally parallel to the base
wall 16 of the basket 10. The lip is not required and, instead, the
upper rim 20 of the basket 10 could simply be defined by the top
surface of each of the peripheral walls 18.
[0025] The upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 may be completely
solid, or may have holes 32 or a decorative pattern defined
therethrough. In the examples shown, part of the peripheral walls
18 have a plurality of through holes 32 that are rectangular
shaped. These openings 32 may be purely decorative or may permit
air to circulate around the products or goods stored in each basket
recess 12.
[0026] The peripheral walls 18 in the examples shown define a front
wall 34, a rear wall 36, and two side walls 38. The front wall 34
defines the front end 40 of the basket 10 and the rear wall 36
defines the rear end of the basket 10. The front wall 34 is the
wall that typically remains facing outwardly when the basket 10 is
installed inside a cabinet or on a shelf. The front end 40 of the
basket 10 is typically positioned in the front of the cabinet or
pantry shelf, or near the opening of the refrigerator or freezer.
The rear wall 36 is the wall that faces the back of the cabinet,
shelf or compartment. The peripheral walls 18 are shown as being
generally rectangular, with four outer walls being used. Other
types of baskets 10 may be used, including those with fewer than or
more than four (4) upstanding peripheral walls 18. When the basket
10 is rectangular, the front and rear walls 34, 36 are the same
size and the side walls 38 are the same size. In addition, the
basket 10 may include internal divider walls 42 that divide the
recess 12 of the basket 10 into multiple recesses 12. The internal
divider walls 42 may be inserts, may be sloped or may be
perpendicular to the base wall 16.
[0027] Each of the baskets 10 has one or more handles 14 that
extends from a front end 40 of the basket 10. When the basket 10 is
wide, two or more handles 14 may be used, if desired. The handles
14 permit a user to easily grasp the basket 10 in order to remove
or at least move the basket 10 forward (e.g., away from the back of
the shelf or compartment). The handles 14 may also be used to help
arrange the position of the baskets 10 within the cavity of the
cabinet, pantry, or refrigerator/freezer.
[0028] Each handle 14 is cantilevered off of the adjacent upwardly
extending wall 34 of the basket 10. In the embodiments shown, the
handle 14 is coupled to the front wall 34 of the basket 10 adjacent
the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. The handle 14 is depicted as
being substantially L-shaped, with a first part 44 of the L-shape
being parallel to the base wall 16 of the basket 10 and a second
part 46 of the L-shape being angled downwardly at an angle A
relative to the first part 44 of the handle 14 in a nearly or
substantially perpendicular manner. The second part 46 may not be
exactly perpendicular to the first part 44, but can be at an
approximately 95-120 degree angle A relative to an upper surface 48
of the first part 44 of the handle 14. Alternatively, the second
part 46 can be perpendicular to the first part 44. The first part
44 has an upper surface 48 and a lower surface 50. The upper
surface 48 is substantially flat and planar, but could have other
shapes. The first part 44 of the handle 14 has a first length LF
and the second part 46 of the handle 14 has a second length LS,
with the first length LF being about one-third to about one-half
the length LS of the second part 46. Other lengths may
alternatively be used.
[0029] The handle 14 is depicted in the figures as having
substantially straight lines, but the handle 14 could be curved, if
desired. One of the handle parts 44, 46 could be curved while the
other part is straight. The handle 14 is designed so that the
user's hand fits under the handle 14 in a non-tight manner in order
to leverage the handle 14 relative to the basket 10 body. In
particular, when a user positions their hand under the handle 14,
the user's palm will grasp the second part 46 of the handle 14
while the forefinger abuts against the lower surface 50 of the
first part 44. The user's thumb may also rest on the upper surface
48 of the first part 44 or may rest on the front side 52 of the
handle 14 in order to assist in stabilizing the basket 10 and
handle 14 during movement of the basket 10. The second part 46 of
the handle 14 may have a semi-circular cross-section such that a
depression 54 is formed on one side of the second part 46 of the
handle 14. This depression 54 may extend along the entire length of
the second part 46 or along part of the length of the second part
46 and can be used in order to more easily mate with a user's
finger tips or thumb. The second part 46 of the handle 14 may have
a curved cross-section along its length. The entire handle 14 may
be curved instead of L-shaped, if desired.
[0030] The upper rim 20 that extends around the top of the basket
10 and the upper surface 48 of the handle 14 are contiguous and
flush with one another. Alternatively, the upper surface 48 of the
first part 44 could be positioned slightly below the upper rim 20
of the basket 10. The first part 44 of the handle 14 has a
reinforcing section 56 that extends downwardly from the lower
surface 50 of the first part 44. The reinforcing section 56 forms a
wall between the rear surface 58 of the second part 46 and the
adjacent surface on the front wall 34 of the body of the basket 10.
This reinforcing section 56 may be solid so that it extends across
the entire width of the first part 44 of the handle 14 and
therefore defines a lower surface of the first part 44 of the
handle 14.
[0031] Alternatively, the reinforcing section 56 may be a planar
sheet of material that has a width that is equal to or less than
the width of the first part 44. If the reinforcing section 56 is
planar, more than one reinforcing section 56 may be positioned on
each side of the first part 44 and extend downwardly from the first
part 44 to box in a lower surface 50 of the first part 44. The
reinforcing sections 56 couple the second part 46 to the front end
40 of the wall 34 under the first part 44. Additional
reinforcements, such as ribs 60, may be provided in the boxed in
section. The handle 14 may be positioned at other locations on the
basket 10, if desired.
[0032] The first part 44 of the handle 14 could be longer or
shorter and could be lower or higher than the rim 20 of the
adjacent wall 34. One or more handles 14 could be used on a single
wall. Multiple handles 14 could extend from the walls, if desired,
including handles 14 extending from more than one wall. Differently
proportioned handles 14 could also be used.
[0033] The baskets 10 are shown as having a rectangular shape with
one, two or three recesses 12. Any number of recesses 12 may be
utilized and is a function of the goods at issue. Any shape
container may be used, if desired, including a basket 10 that is
not rectangular.
[0034] The basket 10 is rigid enough to support the weight of items
positioned in the recess 12 such that when the basket 10 is removed
or partially removed from the shelf, the contents of the basket 10
can be easily moved, either on the shelf itself or to a different
location. The example baskets 10 shown in the figures have a
pattern of holes 32 provided on the side walls 38 of the basket 10.
Rectangular holes 32 are shown, but any type of pattern may be
utilized in any number of different shapes. The side walls 38 could
also be solid, if desired. Since the basket 10 is easily removable
from a shelf, it can be washed in a sink. In contrast, cabinet,
pantry, refrigerator and freezer shelves are often not easily
removed for cleaning purposes. Thus, the basket 10 helps to
maintain the shelf in an overall cleaner state.
[0035] The example basket 10 also provides a means for aiding in
organizing the shelf. For example, each basket 10 can be designated
for a particular type or size of food. That way, the organization
of the refrigerator or cabinet can be made more efficient. For
example, condiments could be positioned in one basket 10 and meat
and cheese products could be positioned in another basket 10.
Canned goods could be positioned in one recess 12 of a basket 10
while crackers are positioned in another recess 12 of the basket
10. A user only needs to pull out one of the baskets 10 in order to
find the product they are searching for, instead of having to pull
out all the baskets 10.
[0036] The basket 10 has a height H, length L and width W that
permits its use on a shelf. The peripheral walls 18 of the basket
10 may extend upwardly from the base wall 16 at a substantially
perpendicular angle relative to the base wall 16. Alternatively,
the peripheral walls 18 may be angled at an angle A outwardly
relative to the plane of the base wall 16.
[0037] The baskets 10 are dimensionally designed to accommodate and
organize the top fifteen (15) high volume food groups. These food
groups are the foods that are the highest volume nationally in the
United States supermarket industry that are offered and sold in
multiple flavors. Because the high volume food groups are sold in
multiple flavors, it is often difficult to find the flavor of your
choosing without out having to look through all the flavors.
Examples include yogurt, canned vegetables and fruits, soda cans,
soup cans, rice boxes, and breakfast bars, among other types of
foods. Because different flavors of these items appear to be
identical without close inspection, the example baskets 10 may be
utilized to help to sort the various flavors so that a user is not
required to spend significant time searching for a particular
flavored item. The various baskets 10 may be provided in different
colors in order to assist a user in finding a particular flavor.
For example, an orange container could house orange soda, a yellow
container could house lemon-lime drink, and a brown container could
house a cola. Each basket 10 is designed and sized so that it can
organize three (3) to seven (7) of these food groups. For example,
the same basket 10 may accommodate 6 cans of soda or 18 breakfast
bars.
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1-6, a first multi-compartment basket 10
is shown that includes two recesses 12, including a front recess
12a and a rear recess 12b. The size of the recesses 12 of the
baskets 10 may be designed taking into account the typical type of
foods that could be positioned in the baskets 10. The basket 10
includes a base wall 16 and four peripheral upwardly extending
walls 18 that surround the base wall 16. A rim 20 is provided
around the top end of the peripheral walls 18 in order to define a
top end of the basket 10. The dual recesses 12 are defined by
upwardly extending projections 64 that extend upwardly from the
base wall 16 at an angle AD relative to one another and meet at
their top end to define a centrally disposed divider wall 42. A
space 66 is provided between the upwardly extending projections 64.
A rib or ribs 68 may be positioned between and under the
projections 64 in order to strengthen the dividing wall 42 defined
by the projections 64. The dividing wall 42 is shown recessed
relative to the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. The base wall 16 is
solid and free of holes. The dividing wall 42 could be at the same
height as the rim 20, if desired, or lower or higher.
[0039] The upwardly extending peripheral walls 18 include a front
wall 34, a rear wall 36, and two opposite side walls 38. The front
and rear walls 34, 36 have a shorter length than the side walls 38.
The centrally disposed divider wall 42 may be positioned in the
center of the basket 10, or may be positioned closer to either the
front end 40 or rear end of the basket 10. In the example shown in
FIGS. 1-6, the centrally disposed divider wall 42 is positioned
closer to the front wall 34. The centrally disposed divider wall 42
does not include any holes 32 therethrough, but could if desired.
The peripheral walls 18 are shown as including a plurality of holes
or openings 32 that extend through the walls 34, 36, 38. These
openings 32 are square, but could be other shapes. The openings 32
are spaced from the base wall 16. The lower area 22 of the basket
10, directly adjacent the base wall 16, provides a recess 12 that
can hold fluids and solid objects so that they will not leak from
the basket 10 onto a shelf or other support structure.
Strengthening members 62 are positioned at each corner of the
basket 10 under the upper rim 20. Other types of strengthening
members could be used, if desired.
[0040] The base wall 16 includes a generally smooth inner surface
24 and a ribbed outer surface 28. The ribbed outer surface 28 is
the surface that seats against a shelf or other surface. The ribs
28 extend longitudinally and help to raise the base wall 16 above
the shelf in order to permit air to flow under the basket 10.
[0041] The peripheral walls 18 are positioned at an angle A
relative to the base wall 16. Alternatively, the peripheral walls
18 could be perpendicular to the base wall 16. The upper rim 20 is
substantially planar.
[0042] A handle 14 extends from the front end 40 of the basket 10
and includes a first part 44 and a second part 46 that are integral
with the basket 10. The first part 44 extends parallel to the base
wall 16 and is cantilevered off the front end 40 of the basket 10.
The first part 44 has a substantially planar upper surface 48 that
is aligned with the plane that defines the upper rim 20 of the
basket 10. The upper surface 48 of the first part 44 is flush with
the upper rim 20 of the basket 10 where the first part 44 meets the
basket body. The handle 14 has a width that is narrower than the
width of the front wall 34 of the basket 10. The handle 14 is
positioned substantially in the center of the front wall 34 of the
basket 10.
[0043] The second part 46 of the handle 14 extends downwardly from
an end of the first part 44. The second part 46 is spaced from the
front wall 34. A space is defined between the front wall 34, the
first part 44 and the second part 46 for receiving a hand of a
user. The space is sized to permit any size hand to fit in the
space. The second part 46 extends down at a non-perpendicular angle
Al relative to the first part 44. For example, the second part 46
is angled about 95-120 degrees relative to the base wall 16. The
second part 46 could be perpendicular to the first part 44 and base
wall 16, or could be angled at a different angle, other than 95-120
degrees, if desired. The angle A1 of the second part 46 of the
handle 14 helps to allow a user to leverage the handle 14 relative
to the basket 10 in order to move the basket 10 around, even when
the basket 10 is filled with a heavy item or items. A part of the
front wall 34 of the basket 10 that is directly below the first
part 44 of the handle 14 bows outward slightly. The second part 46
of the handle 14 has a semi-circular cross-section that is closed
at the bottom end of the second part 46 and open at the top of the
second part 46 to define a recess 54 in the side of the second part
46. This recess 54 may be used for receiving a thumb or fingers of
a user in order to allow the user to properly grip the handle 14
and carry the contents of the basket 10. The user may also grasp
the top of the first part 44 when lifting the basket 10 in order to
provide leverage if the basket 10 contains heavy contents. In
addition, the hand of the user may rest on the bottom side of the
first part 44 and on the inner side of the second part 46 during
lifting.
[0044] The front wall 34 has an outwardly curved or bowed section
72 that extends downwardly from the upper rim 20 to the base wall
16. This bowed section 72 is approximately the same width or
slightly greater in width than the width of the first part 44 of
the handle 14. This bowed section 72 helps to assist in
strengthening the front wall 34 during lifting of the basket 10
using the handle 14.
[0045] FIGS. 7-11 depict another type of basket 10 that is shallow
and includes two handles 14 on one end of the basket 10. A typical
size for this type of basket 10 is 15 inches wide.times.15 inches
long.times.2 inches tall. This type of basket 10 may be used as a
shelf liner for a refrigerator in order to protect a shelf from
spills and debris and to assist in organizing food items in a
refrigerator. Other usages are also envisioned for this basket 10.
Because the basket 10 is wider than the previously disclosed basket
10 and shorter in height, the handle 14 cannot have the same length
as with the previous basket 10 because otherwise the handle 14
would interfere with the resting surface. Thus, two handles 14 are
positioned on one side 34 of the basket 10 and the user uses both
hands to lift the basket 10 up. The basket 10 is similar in other
respects to the basket 10 disclosed in FIGS. 1-6, but doesn't have
a centrally disposed divider 42. The basket 10 could have one or
more dividers, if desired.
[0046] FIGS. 12 and 13 depict rectangular baskets 10. The first
basket 10, depicted in FIG. 12, has a height H2, a width W2 and a
length L2. The second basket 10 has a height H3, a width H3, and a
length H3. The basket 10 of FIG. 12 has a greater height H2 than
the height H3 of the basket 10 in FIG. 13. The basket 10 of FIG. 12
has a smaller width W2 than the width W3 of the basket 10 in FIG.
13. Taller baskets 10 permit more openings 32 in the peripheral
walls 18 of the basket 10. Other features disclosed in connection
with FIGS. 1-6 are applicable to FIGS. 12 and 13. FIGS. 12 and 13
do not include a centrally disposed divider 42, but could include
one or more dividers, if desired.
[0047] FIG. 14 depicts a rectangular basket 10 that has a length
L4, a width W4 and a height H4, and a front wall 34, rear wall 36
and side walls 38. The basket 10 has perpendicular centrally
disposed dividing walls 42. A first dividing wall 42 is parallel to
the front wall 34 of the basket 10 and the second dividing wall 42
is parallel to the side walls 38 of the basket 10. The dividing
walls 42 are at a height that is lower than the upper rim 20 of the
basket 10.
[0048] FIGS. 15 and 16 depict stacked baskets 10 that are similar
to the baskets 10 shown in FIG. 13. The baskets 10 are transparent.
Each handle 14 of the basket 10 extends from the upper rim 20 of
the basket 10, as discussed in connection with FIGS. 1-6, but the
handle 14 also has a strengthening portion that is a rib-like
protrusion 70 that extends outwardly and is planar with the upper
rim 20 of the basket 10. The protrusion 70 also has a width that is
greater than the width of the first part 44 of the handle 14. The
first and second parts 44, 46 of the handle 14 have a smooth
transition between the first part 44 and second part 46 so that the
handle 14 looks curved at the connection point. In this embodiment,
the basket 10 does not have a bowed end wall 72 adjacent the handle
14. The strengthening portions 70 at the top of each handle 14 are
used instead of the bowed end wall 72.
[0049] FIGS. 17 and 18 depict a long, thin basket 10. This basket
10 is used with spice jars and could also be used with certain
smaller sized cans, or bottles, among other things. The basket 10
includes a length L5, a width W5 and a height H5. The handle 14 is
similar to the handle 14 shown in FIGS. 1-6. The upper rim 20 of
the basket 10 is slightly different from that shown in FIGS. 1-6 in
that it includes both an upper part 74 of the lip that extends
parallel to the base surface and a lower part 76 of the lip that is
perpendicular to the base wall 16. The upper part 74 of the lip
forms the upper rim 20 and the lower part 76 or perpendicular part
of the lip extends down from an outer edge of the upper part 74 of
the lip. Reinforcing ribs 78 are positioned in the recess defined
between the upper part 74 of the lip, the perpendicular part 76 of
the lip and the adjacent wall in order to strengthen the lip. The
reinforcing ribs 78 are positioned adjacent each of the corners of
the basket 10 on one of the peripheral walls 18 of the basket 10.
The reinforcing ribs 78 couple the lower surface of the lip to the
adjacent peripheral wall 18 and also serve to aid in stacking of
the baskets 10 so that the base of one basket 10 is suspended about
the base of another basket 10 when stacked. There are four
reinforcing ribs 78 depicted in FIGS. 17 and 18. More or less
reinforcing ribs 78 could be used. In addition, the lip could be
more like the lip shown in FIGS. 1-6, if desires.
[0050] In addition, the basket 10 of FIGS. 17 and 18 has a
different surface treatment on the lower surface of the base wall
16. In particular, the basket 10 has a flange 30 that extends all
the way around the periphery of the base wall 16 and extends
downwardly to meet the surface that the basket 10 seats upon. The
basket 10 does not include ribs on the base wall 16, like with
FIGS. 1-6. The flange 30 is shown positioned around the entire
periphery of the base wall 16. Instead, if desired, the flange 30
could partially extend around the base wall 16, such as at both
ends 34, 36 and on part of the sides 38. In this embodiment, the
basket 10 does not have a bowed end wall 72 adjacent the handle
14.
[0051] The basket 10 may be made of a plastic material, such as
polypropylene or acrylic, among other materials, as known by those
of skill in the art. The material of the base and side walls 16,
34, 36, 38, is easily cleanable. The material of the basket 10 is
preferably strong enough to hold a wide variety of products in the
basket 10. The basket 10 may be made using an injection molding
process, or any other known process.
[0052] Strengthening members 62 may be coupled to the outer corners
of the basket 10 to aid in stability and to strengthen the basket
10. The strengthening members 62 may also or alternatively be used
to permit separation of the baskets 10 when they are stacked upon
each other during shipping or storage.
[0053] In one embodiment, a basket 10 having a handle 14 for
organizing products on a shelf includes a solid base wall 16, a
plurality of peripheral walls 18, and a handle 14. The peripheral
walls 18 extend upwardly from the base wall 16 and define an upper
rim 20 of the basket 10 and a recess therebetween. The handle 14
has at least a first and a second part 44, 46. The first part 44 is
substantially perpendicular to the second part 46 and the first
part 44 has an upper surface 48 that is flush with the upper rim 20
of the basket 10 and lies in a plane defined by the upper rim 20 of
the basket 10. The second part 46 is coupled to the first part 44
and is spaced from an adjacent peripheral wall 18 in order to fit a
hand of a user between the peripheral wall 18 and the second part
46. The second part 46 extends downwardly from an end of the first
part 44.
[0054] The basket 10 may also include reinforcing members 56
positioned under and coupled to the first part 44 of the handle 14.
The reinforcing members 56 extend between the adjacent peripheral
wall 18 and the second part 46 of the handle 14.
[0055] The second part 46 of the handle 14 may be positioned at a
substantially 90-120 or 95-120 degree angle A1 relative to a plane
defined by the upper rim 20 of the basket 10. Other angles may also
be used. The peripheral walls 18 may include a front wall 34, a
rear wall 36, and two side walls 38. The handle 14 may be coupled
to the front wall 34, with the front wall 34 being the part of the
basket 10 that faces a user during normal use of the basket 10. The
second part 46 has a length that is about double the length of the
first part 44. The first and second parts 44, 46 are integral with
one another and the basket 10.
[0056] The basket 10 may include at least one internal divider wall
42 positioned in the recess 12 that divides the recess 12 into
multiple compartments. The internal wall 42 extends substantially
perpendicular to the base wall 16. The internal wall 42 may be
defined by a first upwardly standing projection 64 and a second
upwardly standing projection 64 that both extend from the base wall
16 and meet at an upper point of the internal wall 42. The first
and second upwardly standing projections 64 are angled at opposite
angles relative to one another. An open space 66 is provided
between the first and second upwardly standing projections 64 on a
lower side thereof.
[0057] The second part 46 of the handle 14 may have a semi-circular
cross-section on an outwardly facing surface thereof. The first
part 44 of the handle 14 may have a substantially flat upper
surface 48. One or more strengthening ribs 60 may be positioned
under the first part 44.
[0058] The peripheral walls 18 may extend upwardly from the base
wall 16 at a substantially perpendicular angle relative to the base
wall 16. A pattern of decorative openings 32 may be provided
through the peripheral walls 18 of the basket 10. Strengthening
portions 62 may be coupled to the corners of the basket 10 where
the peripheral walls 18 meet one another. The strengthening
portions 62 may serve a dual purpose of both strengthening the
basket 10 and maintaining multiple baskets 10 that are stacked upon
one another in spaced relation.
[0059] The basket 10 may be made of a plastic material, such as
polypropylene. The material of the base and peripheral walls 16, 18
of the basket 10 should be easily cleanable.
[0060] A surface treatment 28, 30 may be applied to a bottom
surface 26 of the base wall 16 in order to raise the bottom surface
26 of the base wall 16 above a surface that the basket 10 seats
upon. The recess 12 of the basket 10 may be designed to accommodate
three to seven different food group products, as derived from the
top fifteen (15) high volume food groups in the United States
supermarket industry, which may be interchangeably housed in the
recess 12.
[0061] In another embodiment, a basket 10 having a handle 14 for
use on a shelf includes a base wall 16, upwardly extending
peripheral walls 18, and a handle 14. The base wall 16 is
substantially flat. The upwardly extending peripheral walls 18
including a front wall 34, a rear wall 36, and at least a side wall
38. The base wall 16 and at least part of the upwardly extending
peripheral walls 18 are closed in order to deter the movement of
solids or fluids through the base wall 16. The handle 14 extends
outwardly from the front wall 34 of the basket 10. The handle 14
has a first part 44 and a second part 46, with the first part 44
extending in a plane away from the front wall 34 and a second part
46 extending downwardly at an angle relative to the adjacent front
wall 34 of the basket 10. A space is provided between a bottom
surface of the first part 44 and a rear surface of the second part
46. The space is big enough to accommodate a hand of a user. The
handle 14 has a strength sufficient to permit carrying of the
basket 10 and its contents by a user without breaking the handle
14.
[0062] In another embodiment, a basket 10 having a handle 14
includes a basket body and at least one handle 14. The basket body
includes a base wall 16, upwardly extending peripheral walls 18
positioned around the base wall 16, and an upper rim 20 positioned
at the top of the peripheral walls 18 of the basket 10. The upper
rim 20 may be defined by the upper end of the peripheral walls 18.
The base wall 16 is closed in order to deter movement of fluids or
objects through the base wall 16. The base wall 16 and upwardly
extending peripheral walls 18 together define a recess 12 in the
basket body. At least one handle 14 extends outwardly from one of
the peripheral walls 18 of the basket body. The handle 14 has a
first part 44 with an upper surface that is flush with the upper
rim 20 of the basket 10 and a second part 46 that extends
downwardly from the first part 44. A space is defined between the
peripheral wall 18, the first part 44, and the second part 46 that
is sized to fit a hand of a user. The basket 10 is sized based upon
consideration of the fifteen (15) top high volume food groups that
are experienced by the U.S. Supermarket industry. Different food
groups will interchangeably fit in the recess of the basket 10 at
different times.
[0063] While a basket 10 is described herein in connection with the
invention, other types of containers may derive a benefit from the
invention described herein. The invention is not limited to the
baskets 10 shown.
[0064] The term "substantially," as used herein, is a term of
estimation.
[0065] While various features of the claimed invention are
presented above, it should be understood that the features may be
used singly or in any combination thereof. Therefore, the claimed
invention is not to be limited to only the specific embodiments
depicted herein.
[0066] Further, it should be understood that variations and
modifications may occur to those skilled in the art to which the
claimed invention pertains. The embodiments described herein are
exemplary of the claimed invention. The disclosure may enable those
skilled in the art to make and use embodiments having alternative
elements that likewise correspond to the elements of the invention
recited in the claims. The intended scope of the invention may thus
include other embodiments that do not differ or that
insubstantially differ from the literal language of the claims. The
scope of the present invention is accordingly defined as set forth
in the appended claims.
* * * * *