Container With Adjustable Lift

Abstract

A container having an internal lift has a base at its lower end and an open top at its upper end. A continuous wall extends upward from the base. A retainer is disposed on the inner surface of the container. A lift inserted in the container has a tray at its lower end and an elongated member extends upward from the tray. A plurality of spaced apart retainer contacting segments are disposed along the length of the elongated member. Each retainer contacting segment is capable of cooperating with the retainer in order to suspend the tray above the base of the container at a number of different pre-set vertical positions. Each vertical position corresponds to the location of a different retainer contacting segment. Alternatively, the elongated member can be flexible to enable it to be bent over a top of the container or around the retainer and rigid enough to maintain the position when it is bent or straightened.

1 . A container for storing and dispensing goods, the container comprising a base at a lower end thereof and at least one wall surrounding the base and extending upward therefrom to a top of the container, the at least one wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the top having an opening therein, the container having a lift therein, the lift having a tray with an elongated member extending upward therefrom, the lift being movable independently of the container, the tray being capable of being raised above the base by releasably affixing a portion of the elongated member to a retainer located on the container at or near a top thereof, therebeing different portions of the elongated member that can be affixed to the retainer to achieve different heights of the tray above the base. 
     
     
         2 . A container for storing and dispensing goods, the container comprising a base at a lower end thereof and at least one wall surrounding the base and extending upward therefrom to a top of the container, the at least one wall having an inner surface and an outer surface, the top having an opening therein, the container having a lift therein, the lift having a tray with an elongated member extending upward therefrom, at least an upper portion of the elongated member being bendable but sufficiently rigid to remain in position when bent and when straightened, the tray being suspendable above the base of the container at infinite positions between the base and the top by bending a desired length of the elongated member around a retainer located at or near the top of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the elongated member is a wire. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the wire is embedded in a covering material. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 3  wherein the wire is surrounded by a sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the retention means is an upper surface of the top of the container with the elongated member being bent around the top in a generally inverted U-shaped configuration. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the elongated member is bendable along substantially along the entire length thereof. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the tray is sized to fit within the open top to enable it to be inserted into and remove from the container. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the container additionally comprises a cover for engaging with an upper lip of the at least wall in order to seal the top of the container. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the tray has a flat upper surface. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the tray is normal to the elongated member. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the perimeter of an upper surface of the trays is fitted with a continuous, upwardly extending flange portion for facilitating the containment of articles on the upper surface of the tray. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 2  wherein the elongated member has an upper end comprising a handle.