Refillable storage container

Abstract

A refillable storage container such as for use with food products such as coffee, flour, sugar, spices, and the like, includes a container body, and upper and lower closure members. Access to the container contents is easily effected by removal of the upper closure member. To replenish the contents, the container can be inverted, with the upper closure member in place, and the lower closure member removed to permit new contents to be added to the container. The container is thereafter returned to its upright orientation, with older contents thus positioned toward the upper part of the container for use before the fresher contents are used from the lower part of the container.

1 . A refillable storage container, comprising:
 a container body including a container sidewall defining upper and lower openings;   an upper closure member releasably secured to said upper opening for selectively accessing the contents of said storage container; and   a lower closure member releasably secured to said lower opening, said lower closure member being removable when said storage container is in an inverted orientation, to thereby facilitate refilling of the contents of the storage container through said lower opening.   
     
     
         2 . A refillable storage container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said upper closure member is complementary with said lower closure member to facilitate stacking of plural ones of said storage container.   
     
     
         3 . A refillable storage container in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein
 said container sidewall has a generally rectangular cross-section.   
     
     
         4 . A refillable storage container in accordance with  claim 1 , including
 upper and lower gasket members respectively fitted between said upper and lower closure members and said upper and lower openings for sealing the interior of said storage container.   
     
     
         5 . A method of filling a storage container, comprising the steps of:
 providing a refillable storage container comprising a container body including a container sidewall defining upper and lower openings, an upper closure member releasably secured to said upper opening for selectively accessing the contents of said storage container, and a lower closure member releasably secured to said lower opening,   inverting said storage container from an upright orientation, wherein said upper closure member is accessible, to an inverted orientation, wherein said lower closure member is accessible;   removing said lower closure member from said lower opening;   placing a product in said container body through said lower opening;   replacing said lower closure member in said lower opening; and   re-inverting said storage container from said inverted orientation to said upright orientation, so that product within said storage container can be accessed by removal of said upper closure member.