Storage system

Abstract

A storage system includes a rack ( 300 ) having a plurality of uprights ( 306 ) rigidly connected together and at least one pair of parallel opposed rails ( 314 ). Holders ( 200 ) are slidably mounted on the rails and in use a container ( 100 ) is held by a holder. At least one fixing device ( 112 ) is located on the container and at least one fixing device ( 211 ) is located on the holder, in use, each said container fixing device co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the holder. The container and/or the holder include at least one arrangement ( 212, 214 ) for guiding the container into a position on the holder that enables the container and holder fixing devices to co-operate.

1 . A storage system including: 
 a container including a base, upstanding from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;    a holder including a base for supporting the container to lie substantially flat on the base of the holder;    at least one fixing device located on the container;    at least one fixing device located on the holder for co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the holder, and    the container and/or the holder including at least one arrangement for guiding the container, when it is lowered onto the holder, to a position that enables the container fixing device and the holder fixing device to co-operate.    
   
   
       2 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the holder further includes at least one end wall upstanding from the holder base and/or at least one side wall upstanding from the holder base.  
   
   
       3 . A storage system according to  claim 2 , wherein dimensions of the holder base are greater then dimensions of the container base such that, in use, a gap exists between at least one of the container walls and an adjacent said wall of the holder, with at least some of the container fixing devices and/or the holder fixing devices being at least partially located within the gap.  
   
   
       4 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the holder further includes at least one end wall upstanding from the holder base and at least one side wall upstanding from the holder base, and the guiding arrangement includes an element located in a corner formed between the holder side wall and the holder end wall, the element having an exposed slanted surface such that, in use, when an edge of the container is pushed against the slanted surface, the container is guided generally towards a middle portion of the holder end wall.  
   
   
       5 . A storage system according to  claim 4 , wherein the slanted corner element is located near top edges of the corner between the holder side wall and the holder end wall.  
   
   
       6 . A storage system according to  claim 2 , wherein the guiding arrangement includes at least one protrusion located on an external surface of a said container end wall and at least one corresponding element located on an internal surface of the end wall of the holder, the holder wall element being slanted downwards towards a middle portion of the holder end wall.  
   
   
       7 . A storage system according to  claim 2 , wherein each said container fixing device is located on an outer surface of a said side wall of the container and each said holder fixing device is located on an inner surface of a corresponding said side wall of the holder.  
   
   
       8 . A storage system according to  claim 6 , wherein the container fixing device includes a curved portion that forms a closed loop with a said container side wall and the holder fixing device includes a generally-hook shaped device that, in use, engages the loop to fix the container on the holder.  
   
   
       9 . A storage system according to  claim 8 , wherein the holder fixing device is spring-loaded to engage with the container fixing device in use.  
   
   
       10 . A storage system according to  claim 6 , wherein the holder fixing device includes at least one aperture on a said wall of the holder, the aperture positioned to correspond to the position of a corresponding said protrusion on the container then the base of the container is supported by the base of the holder.  
   
   
       11 . A storage system according to  claim 1 , wherein the container further include at least one handle for assisting with moving the container.  
   
   
       12 . A rack storage system including: 
 a rack including a plurality of uprights rigidly connected together and at least one pair of parallel opposed rails;    a container including a base, upstanding from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls, the holder being dimensioned to be supported on the rails of the rack;    a holder including a base for supporting the container to lie substantially flat on the base of the holder;    at least one fixing device located on the container;    at least one fixing device located on the holder, in use, each said container fixing device co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the holder, and    the container and/or the holder including at least one arrangement for guiding the container, when it is lowered onto the holder, to a position that enables the container fixing device and the holder fixing device to co-operate.    
   
   
       13 . A rack storage system according to  claim 12 , wherein the holder includes a set of wheels to facilitate travel on the rails.  
   
   
       14 . A rack storage system according to  claim 12 , wherein the holder and/or the rack includes a formation to limit travel of the holder on the rails.  
   
   
       15 . A rack storage system according to  claim 12 , wherein the rack and/or the holder includes a device for releasably fixing the holder in the rack.  
   
   
       16 . A rack storage system according to  claim 12 , wherein the rack is fitted with at least one hoop that assist with lifting the rack.  
   
   
       17 . A storage system including: 
 a container including a base, upstanding from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;    a holder including a base for supporting the container to lie substantially flat on the base of the holder, wherein upstanding from the holder base is at least one end wall and at least one side wall;    at least one fixing device located on the container;    at least one fixing device located on the holder for co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the holder, and    an element located in a corner formed between the holder side wall and the holder end wall, the element having an exposed slanted surface such that, in use, when an edge of the container is pushed against the slanted surface, the container is guided generally towards a middle portion of the holder end wall to enable the container fixing device and the holder fixing device to co-operate.    
   
   
       18 . A storage system including: 
 a container including a base, upstanding from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;    a holder including a base for supporting the container to lie substantially flat on the base of the holder, wherein upstanding from the holder base is at least one end wall;    at least one fixing device located on the container;    at least one fixing device located on the holder for co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the holder, and    at least one protrusion located on an external surface of a said container end wall and at least one corresponding element located on an internal surface of the end wall of the holder, the holder wall element being slanted downwards towards a middle portion of the holder end wall such that, in use, when the container is lowered onto the holder, the protrusion guides the container generally towards a middle portion of the holder end wall to enable the container fixing device and the holder fixing device to co-operate.    
   
   
       19 . A method of releaseably fixing a container on a holder in a storage system including: 
 a container having a base, upstanding from which are two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;    a holder including a base for supporting the container to lie substantially flat on the base of the holder, wherein upstanding from the holder base are two opposed end walls and two opposed side walls;    at least one fixing device located on the container, and at least one fixing device located on the holder for co-operating with a corresponding said holder fixing device to releasably fix the container on the holder, the method including steps of:    moving one end of the container towards a rear end of the holder, and    lowering the other end of the container onto the front end of the holder, such that the other end of the container contacts a guiding arrangement that guides the container to a position that enables the container fixing device and the holder fixing device to co-operate.    
   
   
       20 . A method according to  claim 19 , wherein when the one end of the container is moved towards the rear end of the holder, an edge of the container is pushed against a slanted surface located in a corner formed between the holder side wall and the holder end wall so that the container is guided towards a middle portion of the holder end wall.