Stackable Storage Crate

Abstract

A stackable storage crate ( 10 ) comprising side elements ( 13, 14, 15, 16 ) and a base element ( 12 ) wherein at least one of said side elements ( 13, 14, 15, 16 ) is provided with an openable panel ( 30 ) providing access to storage space within said crate ( 10 ).

1 . A stackable storage receptacle comprising side elements and a base element wherein at least one of said side elements has an openable panel element hinged at or below the upper surface of the base element such that the opening is substantially flush with the upper surface of said base element and the opening also being substantially flush with the inner surfaces of the side elements. 
   
   
       2 . The stackable storage receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said openable panel element has an integrally moulded hinge. 
   
   
       3 . The stackable storage receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said side elements are attached at their lower ends to said base element. 
   
   
       4 . The stackable storage receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said side elements are attached at their upper ends to an upper perimeter frame. 
   
   
       5 . The storage receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said side elements, said base elements and said upper perimeter frame are separate components adapted for compaction as a flat-pack before assembly for use. 
   
   
       6 . The storage receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said openable panel element is adapted for rotation about said hinge between a vertical position and a substantially horizontal open position. 
   
   
       7 . The stackable storage receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said openable panel element opens to a stopped horizontal position substantially flush with the upper surface of the base element to extend base element area whilst openable panel element is in the open position. 
   
   
       8 . The storage receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said base element includes an upward facing perimeter channel sized to receive said side elements. 
   
   
       9 . The storage receptacle of  claim 1  wherein said upper and lower horizontal members of a side element perimeter frame of a first opposing pair of side elements comprise an “I-beam” section substantially extending the length of each said side element. 
   
   
       10 . The storage receptacle of  claim 9  wherein said upper and lower horizontal members of said side perimeter frame of a second pair of opposing side elements are provided with apertures adapted for engagement with projecting retaining elements of said base portion. 
   
   
       11 . The storage receptacle of  claim 9  wherein said channel section of said base element is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting retaining elements; said retaining elements adapted to engage with lower flanges of said “I-beam” section and said apertures of said lower members as snap-fits when said first pair and said second pair of opposing side elements are assembled to said base element. 
   
   
       12 . The storage receptacle of  claim 4  wherein said upper perimeter frame comprises an upper channel section open at an underside of said channel; said channel adapted to receive therein said upper horizontal members and upper ends of vertical corner members. 
   
   
       13 . The storage receptacle of  claim 4  wherein said upper channel section is provided with a plurality of inwardly projecting retaining elements; said retaining elements adapted to engage with said “I-beam” section and said apertures of said upper horizontal members when said upper perimeter frame is assembled to said first pair of opposing side elements. 
   
   
       14 . The storage receptacle of  claim 12  wherein said vertical corner members of each of said first opposing pair of side elements are adapted for nesting engagement with corresponding said vertical corner members of said second pair of opposing side elements. 
   
   
       15 . The storage receptacle of  claim 14  wherein each of said vertical corner members of a first pair of opposing side elements engages with a corresponding vertical corner member of said second pair of opposing side elements by means of notches and projecting lugs. 
   
   
       16 . The storage receptacle of  claim 4  wherein said opening panel is provided with a forwardly projecting flange at an upper edge of said panel; said flange adapted for engagement within a lower outer edge of said upper channel section of said upper perimeter frame when said opening panel is in said closed position; said engagement retaining said opening panel in a locked condition. 
   
   
       17 . The storage receptacle of  claim 4  wherein said upper perimeter frame is provided with cut-out portions exposing portions of said forwardly projecting flange when said opening panel is in said closed position; said cut-out portions adapted to allow a user to apply downward pressure on said forwardly projecting flange so as to deflect said flange sufficient to release said flange from said engagement. 
   
   
       18 . The storage receptacle of  claim 4  wherein said upper perimeter frame and said base perimeter frame are provided with peripheral tongue and groove like mating engaging elements; said engaging elements adapted to prevent lateral movement between two said receptacles when one is stacked on another. 
   
   
       19 . A method for assembly of the storage receptacle of  claim 1 , said receptacle provided with an openable panel in at least one side element of said receptacle; said method including the steps of:
 a) snap-fitting together into a nested assembly said vertical corner members of said first and second pair of opposing side elements,   b) inserting said lower horizontal member of said first and second pair of opposing side element into said channel section of said base element.   
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said method includes the further step of engaging an upper perimeter frame comprising a channel section with upper horizontal members of said perimeter frames of said first and second opposing pairs of side elements. 
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 19  wherein said openable panel is hingedly attached to a perimeter frame of said at least one of one said pair of opposing side elements. 
   
   
       22 . A method for accessing an interior of a storage receptacle when a plurality of said storage receptacles are arranged in a vertical stack; said method including the steps of:
 (a) providing an opening panel in at least one outward facing side element of said storage receptacles.   (b) unlatching said opening panel from a vertical closed position and pivotally rotating said opening panel down to a stop horizontal position to provide a shelf substantially flush with the interior upper surface of the base of the storage receptacle.   
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22  wherein said storage receptacle is comprised of a base element, first and second opposing pairs of side elements and an upper perimeter frame. 
   
   
       24 . (canceled) 
   
   
       25 . (canceled)