Container for use with a securing device

Abstract

A container having an open top includes at least one handle. The handle includes a handle wall having an opening for receiving a securing device.

1 . A container for storing a product, said container comprising:
 at least one substantially vertical wall having a top edge defining an open top; and   at least one handle forming part of said wall, said handle including a handle wall having an opening for receiving a securing device.   
   
   
       2 . The container as in  claim 1 , including a cover covering said open top and a securing device received in said opening, said securing device securing said cover over said open top. 
   
   
       3 . The container as in  claim 2 , in which said securing device is a latch including a hook wrapping over a periphery edge of said cover. 
   
   
       4 . The container as in  claim 3 , in which said latch includes a body extension extending through said opening in said handle wall. 
   
   
       5 . The container as in  claim 4 , in which said body extension includes at least one barb engaging an inner surface of said handle wall. 
   
   
       6 . The container as in  claim 5 , in which said latch includes a ledge, and said handle wall is a top wall sandwiched between said ledge and said at least one barb. 
   
   
       7 . The container as in  claim 2 , in which said securing device is a shipping strap extending through said opening and over said top edge. 
   
   
       8 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said handle includes a side wall and said opening is a strap opening, and said securing device is a shipping strap extending through said strap opening and around a portion of a circumference of said container. 
   
   
       9 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said substantially vertical wall is cylindrical. 
   
   
       10 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said container includes more than one substantially vertical wall defining a polygonal shape. 
   
   
       11 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said opening has a shape selected from a group consisting of round, oval, and polygonal. 
   
   
       12 . The container, as claimed in  claim 1 , in which said latch is formed from a material selected from a group consisting of plastic, rubber, and metal. 
   
   
       13 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said container includes at least two of said handles and said at least two of said handles are bail handles, said container further including a bail having opposing ends, each end of said bail engaging one of said bail handles. 
   
   
       14 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said handle wall is a front wall. 
   
   
       15 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said handle wall is a side wall. 
   
   
       16 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said handle wall is a top wall. 
   
   
       17 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said securing device includes a weakened area which when broken provides evidence of tampering. 
   
   
       18 . The container as in  claim 1 , in which said securing device is formed from two parts joined by a fastener. 
   
   
       19 . The container as in  claim 18 , in which said fastener is a lock. 
   
   
       20 . A method of securing a cover over a container, said method comprising:
 providing a container having at least one handle, said handle including a handle wall having an opening for receiving a securing device;   feeding a securing device through said opening.   
   
   
       21 . The method as in  claim 20 , in which said container includes an open top, and said method includes placing a cover over said open top of said container and positioning at least a portion of said securing device over at least a portion of said cover to secure said cover over said open top. 
   
   
       22 . The method as in  claim 21 , in which said securing device is a latch including an attachment end for engaging said handle and a hook end for engaging said cover, and said method includes engaging said attachment end with said handle, and hooking said hook end over at least a portion of said cover. 
   
   
       23 . The method as in  claim 21 , in which said securing device is a shipping strap, and said method includes positioning said shipping strap over said cover. 
   
   
       24 . The method as in  claim 23 , in which said container is a top container of a number of stacked containers, at least one other container of said stacked containers including a handle having a handle wall with an opening, and said method includes feeding said shipping strap through said opening of said at least one other container.