Container

Abstract

A container storage system having a plurality of containers to be connected together. The system includes at least a first container and a second container. The first container and the second container each has a cover and a container portion with an opening into an interior space in which articles to be transported can be stored. The latch member is movable between a latched and an unlatched position, or a first position and a second position. The latch member of the first container, when in the latched position, is positioned to a) secure the cover in the closed position and b) connect the container to the second container. Each container has a retaining member in the first position, the latch member engages the retaining member to inhibit movement of the latch member. The latch member, in the second position, is positioned to be able to engage with the least one other container to connect the containers.

1 . A container storage system comprising:
 a plurality of containers constructed and arranged to be connected together, the plurality of containers comprising at least a first container and a second container, the first container and the second container each comprising:   a container portion with an opening into an interior space in which articles to be transported can be stored;   a cover movable between closed and opened positions for closing and opening the opening;   a latch member movable between a latched position and an unlatched position;   wherein the latch member of the first container, when in the latched position, is positioned to a) secure the cover of the first container in the closed position and b) connect the first container to the second container.   
     
     
         2 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the latch member is pivotable between the latched position and the unlatched position. 
     
     
         3 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein each container comprises a latch mechanism to latch the cover to the container portion. 
     
     
         4 . The container storage system of  claim 3 , wherein the latch mechanism is removable from the container portion. 
     
     
         5 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is constructed and arranged to snap-on to the container portion. 
     
     
         6 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein each container further comprises a handle constructed and arranged to enable a user to lift the container. 
     
     
         7 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover is detachable from the container portion. 
     
     
         8 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover of each container is pivotally connected to the container portion by a hinge. 
     
     
         9 . The container storage system of  claim 8 , wherein the hinge is disconnectable so that the cover can be detached from the container portion. 
     
     
         10 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the interior space of each container is divided into compartments. 
     
     
         11 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the latch member is removable from the container portion. 
     
     
         12 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein each container comprises a latch receiving portion. 
     
     
         13 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the cover of each container comprises a latch receiving portion. 
     
     
         14 . The container storage system of  claim 1 , wherein the second container comprises a latch receiving portion constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member of the first container. 
     
     
         15 . The container storage system of  claim 14 , wherein the latch receiving portion of the second container comprises a projection constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member of the first container. 
     
     
         16 . The container storage system of  claim 14 , wherein the latch receiving portion of the second container comprises a recess constructed and arranged to receive a portion of the latch member of the first container. 
     
     
         17 . The container storage system of  claim 14 , wherein the cover of the first container comprises an engaging member constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member of the first container. 
     
     
         18 . The container storage system of  claim 17 , wherein the engaging member of the cover is aligned with the latch receiving portion of the second container such that the latch member of the first container, when in the latched position, is positioned to a) secure the cover of the first container in the closed position and b) connect the first container to the second container. 
     
     
         19 . A container constructed and arranged to be connected to at least one other container, the container comprising:
 a container portion with an opening into an interior space in which articles to be transported can be stored;   a cover movable between closed and opened positions for closing and opening the opening;   a latch member movable between a latched position and an unlatched position,   wherein the latch member, when in the latched position, is positioned to a) secure the cover in the closed position and b) connect the container to the at least one other container.   
     
     
         20 . A container storage system comprising:
 a plurality of containers constructed and arranged to be connected together, the plurality of containers comprising at least a first container and a second container, the first container and the second container each comprising:   a container portion with an opening into an interior space in which articles to be transported can be stored;   a cover for closing the opening;   a latch member movable between a first position and a second position;   a retaining member constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member, wherein in the first position the latch member engages the retaining member to inhibit movement of the latch member away from the first position;   wherein the latch member of the first container, when in the second position, engages with the second container to connect the first container to the second container.   
     
     
         21 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein the retaining member is located on a side portion of each container. 
     
     
         22 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein the latch member comprises a living hinge. 
     
     
         23 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein the latch member is attached to each container by a living hinge. 
     
     
         24 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein the latch member comprises a plurality of living hinges. 
     
     
         25 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein the first container and the second container each further comprises a second retaining member, wherein the latch member of the first container, when in the second position, engages with the second retaining member of the second container to connect the first container to the second container. 
     
     
         26 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein in the second position, the latch member of the first container engages with the retaining member of the second container to connect the first container to the second container. 
     
     
         27 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein each container comprises a latch receiving portion. 
     
     
         28 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein the second container comprises a latch receiving portion constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member of the first container when the latch member is in the second position. 
     
     
         29 . The container storage system of  claim 28 , wherein the latch receiving portion of the second container comprises a projection constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member of the first container. 
     
     
         30 . The container storage system of  claim 28 , wherein the latch receiving portion of the second container comprises a recess constructed and arranged to receive a portion of the latch member of the first container. 
     
     
         31 . The container storage system of  claim 28 , wherein the cover of the first container comprises an engaging member constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member of the first container. 
     
     
         32 . The container storage system of  claim 31 , wherein the engaging member of the cover is aligned with the latch receiving portion of the second container such that the latch member of the first container, when in the second position, is positioned to a) secure the cover of the first container in the closed position and b) connect the first container to the second container. 
     
     
         33 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein the cover of each container comprises an engaging member constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member of the same container when the latch member is in the second position. 
     
     
         34 . The container storage system of  claim 20 , wherein the retaining member of each container comprises a projection constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member. 
     
     
         35 . A container constructed and arranged to be connected to at least one other container, the container comprising:
 a container portion with an opening into an interior space in which articles to be transported can be stored;   a cover for closing the opening;   a latch member movable between a first position and a second position;   a retaining member constructed and arranged to engage with the latch member, wherein in the first position the latch member engages the retaining member to inhibit movement of the latch member away from the first position;   wherein the latch member, when in the second position, is positioned to be able to engage with the at least one other container to connect the container to the at least one other container.