Work storage containers

Abstract

A container system that includes a container portion that has a base that defines a perimeter and a wall having a first end that is attached to the base, wherein the wall extends from the first end so that the base and the wall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second end of the wall defines an edge of an opening into the interior volume of space. The container system including a cover having a surface that is positioned to contact the edge and block the opening, wherein the cover releasably engages the container portion via a male/female attachment.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container system comprising:
 a container portion, comprising:
 a base that defines a perimeter; and 
 a wall comprising:
 a first end that is attached to said base; and 
 a male member, wherein said wall extends from said first end so that said base and said wall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second end of said wall defines an edge of an opening into said interior volume of space; and 
 
   a cover comprising:
 a surface that is positioned to contact the edge and block said opening; and 
 a female member, wherein said surface comprises a pattern of perforations that defines a weakened area of said surface that is surrounded by said pattern of perforations, and wherein said male member releasably engages said female member. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container system of  claim 1 , wherein said male member is in the shape of a trapezoid and has a free edge that extends exterior of said wall towards said base and said female member is a trapezoid-like indentation that receives said male member. 
     
     
         3 . The container system of  claim 2 , wherein said cover defines an opening that passes through said indentation so that said male member is accessible via said opening defined by said cover, wherein pressing of said male member through said opening defined by said cover releases said male member from said female member. 
     
     
         4 . The container system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pallet, wherein said pallet comprises:
 a support surface having a first side upon which said base lies; and   a skid attached to a second side of said support surface that is opposite to said first side, wherein said skid is made of a cardboard material.   
     
     
         5 . A container system comprising:
 a container portion, comprising:
 a base that defines a perimeter; and 
 a wall comprising a first end that is attached to said base, wherein said wall extends from said first end so that said base and said wall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second end of said wall defines an edge of an opening into said interior volume of space; 
   a cover comprising a surface that is positioned to contact the edge and block said opening, wherein said surface comprises a pattern of perforations that defines a weakened area of said surface that is surrounded by said pattern of perforations, and wherein said male member releasably engages said female member; and   a pallet comprising:
 a support surface having a first side upon which said base lies; and 
 a skid attached to a second side of said support surface that is opposite to said first side, wherein said skid is made of a cardboard material. 
   
     
     
         6 . A container system comprising:
 a container portion, comprising:
 a base that defines a perimeter; and 
 a wall comprising:
 a first end that is attached to said base; and 
 a male member, wherein said wall extends from said first end so that said base and said wall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second end of said wall defines an edge of an opening into said interior volume of space; and 
 
   a cover that is not integrally attached to said container portion, wherein said cover comprises:
 a surface that is positioned to contact the edge and block said opening; and 
 a female member, wherein said male member releasably engages said female member; 
   a strap that engages said wall and said cover so that a first end of said strap and a second end of said strap extend past said edge of said opening.   
     
     
         7 . The container system of  claim 6 , wherein said male member is in the shape of a trapezoid and has a free edge that extends exterior of said wall towards said base and said female member is a trapezoid-like indentation that receives said male member. 
     
     
         8 . The container system of  claim 7 , wherein said cover defines an opening that passes through said indentation so that said male member is accessible via said opening defined by said cover, wherein pressing of said male member through said opening defined by said cover releases said male member from said female member. 
     
     
         9 . The container system of  claim 6 , further comprising a pallet, wherein said pallet comprises:
 a support surface having a first side upon which said base lies; and   a skid attached to a second side of said support surface that is opposite to said first side, wherein said skid is made of a cardboard material.   
     
     
         10 . A container system comprising:
 a container portion, comprising:
 a base that defines a perimeter; and 
 a wall comprising a first end that is attached to said base, wherein said wall extends from said first end so that said base and said wall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second end of said wall defines an edge of an opening into said interior volume of space; 
   a cover comprising a surface that is positioned to contact the edge and block said opening, wherein said cover is not integrally attached to said container portion;   a strap that engages said wall and said cover so that a first end of said strap and a second end of said strap extend past said edge of said opening; and   a pallet, comprising:
 a support surface having a first side upon which said base lies; and 
 a skid attached to a second side of said support surface that is opposite to said first side, wherein said skid is made of a cardboard material. 
   
     
     
         11 . A container system comprising:
 a container portion, comprising:   a base that defines a perimeter; and   a wall comprising a first end that is attached to said base, wherein said wall extends from said first end so that said base and said wall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second end of said wall defines an edge of an opening into said interior volume of space;   a cover comprising a surface that is positioned to contact the edge and partially block said opening, wherein said cover defines a dispensing opening that is in fluid communication with said interior volume of space;   wire located within said interior volume of space, wherein an end of said wire extends through said dispensing opening; and   a pallet comprising:
 a support surface having a first side upon which said base lies; and 
 a skid attached to a second side of said support surface that is opposite to said first side, wherein said skid is made of a cardboard material. 
   
     
     
         12 . A cover for a container system comprising:
 a surface comprising a pattern of perforations that defines a weakened area of said surface that is surrounded by said pattern of perforations; and   a side piece that is attached to said surface at an angle, wherein said side piece comprises a female member.   
     
     
         13 . The cover of  claim 12 , wherein said female member is a trapezoid-like indentation. 
     
     
         14 . The cover of  claim 13 , wherein said side piece defines an opening that passes through said indentation. 
     
     
         15 . A container system comprising:
 a container portion, comprising:   a base that defines a perimeter; and   a wall comprising a first end that is attached to said base, wherein said wall extends from said first end so that said base and said wall define an interior volume of space and wherein a second end of said wall defines an edge of an opening into said interior volume of space;   a cover comprising a surface that is positioned to contact the edge and block said opening, wherein said cover releasably engages said container portion via a male/female attachment.   
     
     
         16 . The container system of  claim 15 , wherein said cover comprises a female member and said wall comprises a male member that engages said female member. 
     
     
         17 . The container system of  claim 16 , wherein said male member is in the shape of a trapezoid and has a free edge that extends exterior of said wall towards said base and said female member is a trapezoid-like indentation that receives said male member. 
     
     
         18 . The container system of  claim 17 , wherein said cover defines an opening that passes through said indentation so that said male member is accessible via said opening defined by said cover, wherein pressing of said male member through said opening defined by said cover releases said male member from said female member. 
     
     
         19 . The container system of  claim 15 , further comprising a strap that engages said wall so that a first end of said strap and a second end of said strap extend past said edge of said opening. 
     
     
         20 . The container system of  claim 19 , wherein said strap engages said cover. 
     
     
         21 . The container system of  claim 20 , wherein said wall comprises a first slot and a second slot and said cover comprises a third slot and a fourth slot; and
 wherein said first end of said strap is threaded in order said third slot, said first slot, said second slot and said fourth slot.   
     
     
         22 . The container system of  claim 15 , further comprising wire located within said interior volume of space, wherein an end of said wire extends through an opening formed in said surface of said cover.