GB2192861A - Containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container e.g. for bottles 15 of milk or for other perishable goods has an open-topped enclosure 1, a lid 2 constructed from heat insulating material and a carrier 9 depending from the lid 2 by pivot pins 7. When the handle 5 of the lid 2 is raised the lid 2 can tilt back until buffers 13 abut against arms 8 of the carrier 9 to provide access to items held by the carrier 1. The carrier 9 may be used independently of the enclosure 1, which may be wall mounted, to transport the bottles 15. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Containers This invention is concerned with storage containers for retaining perishable goods and is particularly suited for the storage of milk bottles which are to be delivered to the outside of a dwelling. A completely open container leaves the contents open to the elements where they can be damaged by animals or may deteriorate due to sunlight.

According to the present invention there is provided a container for perishable goods comprising an open-topped enclosure and a lid for closing the opening, both the enclosure and the lid being constructed from heat insulating materials, the lid having a carrier depending therefrom. to extend into the enclosure and designed for support of bottles.

In use the carrier is removed together with the lid to enable goods to be inserted into the carrier, which is then replaced inside the enclosure. The contents within the container will then be protected and insulated from external ambient conditions.

It is preferred that the carrier should be mounted on the lid by a pivot arrangement.

This allows for the carrier to be removed only partially from the enclosure as the lid can be tilted out of the way as it is lifted. In this arrangement desirably the lid will have a carrying handle whose carrying axis is displaced from the axis of the pivot. Buffer members can be provided on the under-surface of the lid to limit the extent of pivoting of the lid with respect to the carrier in either or both directions.

In the preferred arrangement the carrier will comprise a lower retaining compartment from which extend support arms leading up to the points of attachment thereof to the lid. This compartment can be divided into sections by internal ribs. Ideally the outer face of the rear wall of the enclosure incorporates connecting means for mounting the container onto a support surface.

The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the container shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side view, partially in section, of a lid and carrier forming part of the container; Figure 4 is a front view, partly in crosssection, of the lid and carrier shown in Fig. 3; and Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the use of the container and its associated carrier.

The container shown in the drawings comprises an enclosure 1 provided with a lid 2 which closes off the interior of the enclosure.

The walls of the enclosure and lid are made from heat insulated materials. The rear wall of the enclosure 1 carries spacer ribs 3 which can be abutted against a support surface (such as the wall of a house) and secured there by a suitable fixing means 4.

Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the lid 2 is provided with a handle 5 which is set to one side on the top of the lid. Centrally of the under-surface of the lid 2 there are provided mounting lugs 6 providing support points for pivot pins 7 which carry arms 8 of a carrier 9. This carrier has a lower section 10 defining a compartment intended to receive milk bottles or the like. Internal ribs 11 divide the compartment into separate areas. Openings 12 are formed in the walls of the compartment to reduce weight and provide ventilation.

Buffers 13 and 14 project from the undersurface of the lid 2.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the container in use.

When the handle 5 is grasped and lifted the lid 2 is raised up from the enclosure 1, enabling the carrier 9 to be removed partially or entirely. Empty bottles 15 may then be removed and replaced by full bottles, whereupon the carrier is lowered back into the enclosure and the lid will close down automatically so that the full bottles are protected and insulated from the exterior. The householder may later remove the carrier 9 from the enclosure 1 and carry the carrier by the handle 5 to a place where the bottles are to be unloaded.

During such carrying the buffers 13 limit the extent to which the lid 2 can tilt with respect to the carrier 9. The front buffers 14 will rest against the arms 8 when the lid 2 is in the closed position with respect to the enclosure 1 and will also limit the extent of movement of the lid 2 in the forward direction when the carrier is free-standing outside the enclosure 1.

1. A container for perishable goods comprising an open-topped enclosure a lid for closing the opening, both the enclosure and the lid being constructed from heat insulating materials, the lid having a carrier depending therefrom to extend into the enclosure and designed for support of bottles.

2, A container according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is mounted on the lid by a pivot arrangement.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the lid has a carrying handle whose carrying axis is displaced from the axis of the pivot.

4. A container according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein buffer members are provided on the undersurface of the lid to limit the extent of pivoting of the lid with respect to the carrier in either or both directions.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (8)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Containers This invention is concerned with storage containers for retaining perishable goods and is particularly suited for the storage of milk bottles which are to be delivered to the outside of a dwelling. A completely open container leaves the contents open to the elements where they can be damaged by animals or may deteriorate due to sunlight. According to the present invention there is provided a container for perishable goods comprising an open-topped enclosure and a lid for closing the opening, both the enclosure and the lid being constructed from heat insulating materials, the lid having a carrier depending therefrom. to extend into the enclosure and designed for support of bottles. In use the carrier is removed together with the lid to enable goods to be inserted into the carrier, which is then replaced inside the enclosure. The contents within the container will then be protected and insulated from external ambient conditions. It is preferred that the carrier should be mounted on the lid by a pivot arrangement. This allows for the carrier to be removed only partially from the enclosure as the lid can be tilted out of the way as it is lifted. In this arrangement desirably the lid will have a carrying handle whose carrying axis is displaced from the axis of the pivot. Buffer members can be provided on the under-surface of the lid to limit the extent of pivoting of the lid with respect to the carrier in either or both directions. In the preferred arrangement the carrier will comprise a lower retaining compartment from which extend support arms leading up to the points of attachment thereof to the lid. This compartment can be divided into sections by internal ribs. Ideally the outer face of the rear wall of the enclosure incorporates connecting means for mounting the container onto a support surface. The invention may be performed in various ways and a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container constructed in accordance with this invention; Figure 2 is a rear view of the container shown in Fig. 1; Figure 3 is a side view, partially in section, of a lid and carrier forming part of the container; Figure 4 is a front view, partly in crosssection, of the lid and carrier shown in Fig. 3; and Figures 5 and 6 illustrate the use of the container and its associated carrier. The container shown in the drawings comprises an enclosure 1 provided with a lid 2 which closes off the interior of the enclosure. The walls of the enclosure and lid are made from heat insulated materials. The rear wall of the enclosure 1 carries spacer ribs 3 which can be abutted against a support surface (such as the wall of a house) and secured there by a suitable fixing means 4. Referring now more particularly to Figs. 3 and 4, it will be noted that the lid 2 is provided with a handle 5 which is set to one side on the top of the lid. Centrally of the under-surface of the lid 2 there are provided mounting lugs 6 providing support points for pivot pins 7 which carry arms 8 of a carrier 9. This carrier has a lower section 10 defining a compartment intended to receive milk bottles or the like. Internal ribs 11 divide the compartment into separate areas. Openings 12 are formed in the walls of the compartment to reduce weight and provide ventilation. Buffers 13 and 14 project from the undersurface of the lid 2. Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the container in use. When the handle 5 is grasped and lifted the lid 2 is raised up from the enclosure 1, enabling the carrier 9 to be removed partially or entirely. Empty bottles 15 may then be removed and replaced by full bottles, whereupon the carrier is lowered back into the enclosure and the lid will close down automatically so that the full bottles are protected and insulated from the exterior. The householder may later remove the carrier 9 from the enclosure 1 and carry the carrier by the handle 5 to a place where the bottles are to be unloaded. During such carrying the buffers 13 limit the extent to which the lid 2 can tilt with respect to the carrier 9. The front buffers 14 will rest against the arms 8 when the lid 2 is in the closed position with respect to the enclosure 1 and will also limit the extent of movement of the lid 2 in the forward direction when the carrier is free-standing outside the enclosure 1. CLAIMS

1. A container for perishable goods comprising an open-topped enclosure a lid for closing the opening, both the enclosure and the lid being constructed from heat insulating materials, the lid having a carrier depending therefrom to extend into the enclosure and designed for support of bottles.

2, A container according to claim 1, wherein the carrier is mounted on the lid by a pivot arrangement.

3. A container according to claim 2, wherein the lid has a carrying handle whose carrying axis is displaced from the axis of the pivot.

4. A container according to claim 2 or claim 3, wherein buffer members are provided on the undersurface of the lid to limit the extent of pivoting of the lid with respect to the carrier in either or both directions.

5. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the carrier comprises a lower retaining compartment from which extend support arms leading up to the points of attachment thereof to the lid.

6. A container according to claim 5, wherein the compartment is divided into sections by internai ribs.

7. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the outer face of the rear wall of the enclosure incorporates connecting means for mounting the container onto a support surface.

8. A container substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.