Drop-bin containers and holders for same

Abstract

A combination of at least two “drop-bin” units, each unit having at least several bins arranged to pivot outwardly about a generally horizontal axis, from a closed position where outer faces of the bins are generally aligned vertically with each other, to an open position where the outer surfaces angle outwardly from their closed positions. The bins are stacked one above another within a housing, and are connected together, for example via at least one gang bar, such that pivoting one bin outwardly causes all of the bins to pivot outwardly in unison. The housing has connection means configured to engage connection means of a housing of another container unit. The connection means preferably comprise male and female connectors arranged on opposite sides of the housing. The housing advantageously has a readily-disengageable flexible clip to engage a bin to hold the bins in the closed position. The housing further preferably has a tab extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof, the tab having an opening for hanging the container unit. The tab is either foldable against the upper surface or removable from the housing, so as not to interfere with the connection of the container unit with another container unit.

1 . A container unit, comprising a housing having opposing side walls, and a plurality of bins mounted between said side walls for rotation between closed and open positions, such that in said closed position, outer faces of said bins are generally coplanar, and in said open position, said outer faces each angle outwardly from said housing, thereby providing access into said bins, said bins being connected together for movement in unison, said outer faces occupying substantially all of a front portion of said housing, said housing having hanging means extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof, said hanging means having an opening for hanging said container unit.  
     
     
         2 . A container unit as recited in  claim 1 , wherein said hanging means is frangible, breakable or otherwise removable from said housing.  
     
     
         3 . A container unit as recited in  claim 1 , said housing further comprising connection means configured to engage connection means of a housing of another container unit.  
     
     
         4 . A container unit as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said connection means comprise male and female connectors arranged on opposite sides of said housing.  
     
     
         5 . A container unit as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said bins are connected for movement in unison by at least one gang bar arranged along a side of said bins, connected to said bins.  
     
     
         6 . A container unit as recited in  claim 3 , further comprising readily-disengageable clip means to engage a said bin to hold said bins in said closed position.  
     
     
         7 . A combination of at least two container units as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said container units are attached to each other via said connection means.  
     
     
         8 . A container unit as recited in  claim 3 , wherein said housing has a tab extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof, said tab having an opening for hanging said container unit.  
     
     
         9 . A container unit as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said tab is foldable against said upper surface so as not to interfere with the connection of said container unit with another container unit.  
     
     
         10 . A container unit as recited in  claim 8 , wherein said tab is removable from said housing so as not to interfere with the connection of said container unit with another container unit.  
     
     
         11 . A container unit as recited in  claim 3 , wherein a carrying handle is attachable to said connection means.  
     
     
         12 . A container unit, comprising a housing having opposing side walls, and a plurality of bins mounted between said side walls for rotation between closed and open positions, such that in said closed position, outer faces of said bins are generally coplanar, and in said open position, said outer faces each angle outwardly from said housing, thereby providing access into said bins, said bins being connected together for movement in unison, said outer faces occupying substantially all of a front portion of said housing, said housing further comprising connection means configured to engage connection means of a housing of another container unit.  
     
     
         13 . A container unit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said connection means comprise male and female connectors arranged on opposite sides of said housing.  
     
     
         14 . A container unit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said bins are connected for movement in unison by at least one gang bar arranged along a side of said bins, connected to said bins.  
     
     
         15 . A container unit as recited in  claim 12 , further comprising readily-disengageable clip means to engage a said bin to hold said bins in said closed position.  
     
     
         16 . A combination of at least two container units as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said container units are attached to each other via said connection means.  
     
     
         17 . A container unit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein said housing has a tab extending upwardly from an upper surface thereof, said tab having an opening for hanging said container unit.  
     
     
         18 . A container unit as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said tab is foldable against said upper surface so as not to interfere with the connection of said container unit with another container unit.  
     
     
         19 . A container unit as recited in  claim 17 , wherein said tab is removable from said housing so as not to interfere with the connection of said container unit with another container unit.  
     
     
         20 . A container unit as recited in  claim 12 , wherein a carrying handle is it attachable to said connection means.