Modular storage bin

Abstract

A storage container is disclosed. The container includes a tub, a primary lid hinged to the tub, and a secondary lid hinged to the primary lid. There is a first seal on the primary lid for sealing against the tub when the primary lid is in a closed position and a second seal on the primary lid for sealing against the secondary lid when the secondary lid is in a closed position. A plurality of at least partially recessed landings are provided on the primary lid for receiving a plurality of feet of a second storage container and for restricting lateral movement thereof when the second storage container is stacked on the primary lid.

1 . A storage container comprising:
 a tub;   a primary lid hinged to the tub;   a secondary lid hinged to the primary lid;   a first seal on the primary lid for sealing against the tub when the primary lid is in a closed position; and   a second seal on the primary lid for sealing against the secondary lid when the secondary lid is in a closed position;   wherein a plurality of at least partially recessed landings are provided on the primary lid for receiving a plurality of feet of a second storage container and for restricting lateral movement thereof when the second storage container is stacked on the primary lid.   
   
   
       2 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary lid is substantially translucent. 
   
   
       3 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the primary lid closes via an interference fit. 
   
   
       4 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein first seal is retained by the primary lid when the primary lid is in an open position. 
   
   
       5 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the second seal is retained by the primary lid when the secondary lid is in an open position. 
   
   
       6 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the tub defines a recess proximate a lower portion thereof, the recess being sized to provide clearance for a lid of a container stored under the storage container of  claim 1 . 
   
   
       7 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the primary lid is hinged to the tub by a hinge that is offset from the tub allowing the primary lid to hang substantially vertically from the hinge when in an open position. 
   
   
       8 . The storage container of  claim 1 , wherein the primary lid defines a groove providing at least partial clearance for a lid of the second container when the second container is nested in the tub and has its lid in an open position. 
   
   
       9 . A storage container comprising;
 a tub defining a recess and having a plurality of legs;   a primary lid hinged to the tub, the lid having an upper surface shaped to receive a plurality of legs of a second storage container such that when the second storage container is stacked on the lid, the legs of the second storage container and the upper surface of the lid cooperatively interface to restrain lateral movement between the primary lid and the second storage container; and   a secondary lid movably positioned in the primary lid and providing selectable coverage of an access port in the primary lid;   wherein the recess defined by the tub is sized and located to allow selective opening of a secondary lid of a supporting storage container.   
   
   
       10 . The storage container of  claim 9 , wherein the primary lid defines a recess providing at least partial clearance for a hinged lid of the second storage container when the second storage container is nested in the storage container of  claim 9 . 
   
   
       11 . The storage container of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first seal retained by the primary lid and positioned to seal the tub and primary lid when the primary lid is in a closed position; and   a second seal retained by the primary lid and positioned to seal the primary lid and secondary lid when the secondary lid is in a closed position.   
   
   
       12 . The storage container of  claim 9 , wherein the tub defines at least one carry handle. 
   
   
       13 . The storage container of  claim 9 , wherein the tub and primary lid close via an interference fit. 
   
   
       14 . The storage container of  claim 9 , wherein at least the secondary lid is substantially translucent. 
   
   
       15 . The storage container of  claim 9 , wherein the tub and the primary lid are formed of injection molded plastic. 
   
   
       16 . A stackable container system comprising:
 a plurality of containers, each container comprising:
 a tub having a plurality of feet and defining a recess proximate a lower portion thereof; and 
 a primary lid hinged to the tub, the primary lid providing a plurality of landings thereon and having a secondary lid hinged thereto allowing selective access to the tub when the primary lid is in a closed position; 
   wherein when the plurality of containers are in a stacked configuration, the feet of one container cooperatively interface with the landings of a container immediately below to restrain lateral movement of the containers relative to one another, and the secondary lid is provided clearance to be selectively opened by the tub recess of a container immediately above, if present; and   wherein the primarily lid defines a recess such that when the plurality of containers are in a nested configuration, the lid recess of one container provides at least partial clearance for the open primary lid of a container immediately above.   
   
   
       17 . The stackable container system of  claim 16 , wherein the containers each contain a first and second seal for sealing the primary and secondary lids, respectively. 
   
   
       18 . The stackable container system of  claim 16 , wherein the tubs of each container further define at least one handle, the at least one handle remaining substantially accessible when the containers are in the nested configuration. 
   
   
       19 . The stackable container system of  claim 16 , wherein each container further comprises a set of cooperating tabs on the primary lid and the tub for selectively securing closure of the primary lid. 
   
   
       20 . The stackable container system of  claim 16 , wherein the primary lid of each container is hinged to the corresponding tub of each container by a hinge that is offset from the tub such that the primary lid hangs in a substantially vertical position when open.