Storage Box

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to storage boxes commonly used to organize and store items such as school-related supplies that may be carried by a student. The storage boxes generally include a lid and a base. The base includes a divider which provides for two or more storage portions within an interior of the base, while also acting as a functional grip on the outside of the box. A latch mechanism is provided which securely latches the lid and base together in a closed configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage box, comprising:
 a base with an open interior;   a lid attached to the base;   a closed configuration where the lid is closed against the base and an open configuration where the lid is moveable with respect to the base;   a divider which separates the interior of the base into two or more storage areas; and,   a recessed grip on an exterior surface of the base.   
     
     
         2 . The storage box of  claim 1 , wherein the divider is integrally formed with the base. 
     
     
         3 . The storage box of  claim 1 , wherein the grip is integrally formed with the base. 
     
     
         4 . The storage box of  claim 1 , wherein the divider is comprised of one or more ridges formed on a bottom wall of the base and an underside of the one or more ridges defines the recessed grip on the exterior surface of the base. 
     
     
         5 . The storage box of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed grip is comprised of one or more channels formed on a bottom wall of the base. 
     
     
         6 . The storage box of  claim 1 , further comprising a ruler disposed on the exterior surface of the base and adjacent a lower portion thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The storage box of  claim 6 , wherein the ruler is comprised of a plurality of indentations formed on the exterior surface of the base. 
     
     
         8 . The storage box of  claim 1 , further comprising a latch mechanism configured to secure the lid and base in the closed configuration, the latch mechanism including a resiliently biased member disposed on the lid and a flat rim disposed on the base. 
     
     
         9 . The storage box of  claim 1 , further comprising a hinge which connects at least one wall of the lid to at least one wall of the base. 
     
     
         10 . The storage box of  claim 1 , further comprising a stop wall disposed on the base and one or more retaining walls disposed on the lid, wherein the one or more retaining walls are configured to engage the stop wall and prevent the lid from over-extending past the base in the closed configuration. 
     
     
         11 . The storage box of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more stacking features configured to enable a stacked configuration of a plurality of storage boxes in the open configuration. 
     
     
         12 . The storage box of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more stacking features includes one or more apertures and one or more retaining walls located on the lid, wherein the one or more apertures on a lid of an upper storage box in the plurality of open configuration storage boxes is configured to receive the one or more retaining walls on a lid of a lower storage box in the plurality of open configuration storage boxes. 
     
     
         13 . The storage box of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more stacking features includes a ridge extending around at least a portion of a perimeter of the lid, wherein the ridge on a lid of an upper storage box in the plurality of open configuration storage boxes is configured to receive the ridge on a lid of a lower storage box in the plurality of open configuration storage boxes. 
     
     
         14 . The storage box of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more stacking features includes an indent and a barb disposed on the lid, wherein the indent on a lid of an upper storage box in the plurality of open configuration storage boxes is configured to receive the barb on a lid of a lower storage box in the plurality of open configuration storage boxes. 
     
     
         15 . A method of making a storage box, the method comprising:
 providing a base with an open interior and a lid attached to the base, wherein the lid is closed against the base in a closed configuration and the lid is moveable with respect to the base in an open configuration;   dividing the interior of the base into two or more storage areas by forming one or more ridges on a bottom wall of the base; and,   forming one or more channels on an exterior surface of the bottom wall of the base to provide a recessed grip.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 providing a plurality of storage boxes in a stacked configuration, wherein each storage box in the plurality is in the open configuration;   forming one or more stacking features on the lid of each storage box in the plurality of storage boxes.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising engaging the one or more stacking features on a lid of an upper box in the plurality of storage boxes with the one or more stacking features on a lid of a lower box in the plurality of storage boxes. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising selecting the one or more stacking features on each lid in the plurality of storage boxes from at least one of: an indent and a barb, one or more apertures and one or more retaining walls and/or a ridge extending around a perimeter portion of the lid. 
     
     
         19 . A storage box, comprising:
 a base with an open interior;   a lid attached to the base with a hinge;   a closed configuration where the lid is closed against the base and an open configuration where the lid is moveable with respect to the base;   a latch mechanism configured to secure the lid and base in the closed configuration;   one or more ridges formed in the base which divide the interior into two or more storage areas;   a recessed grip on an exterior surface of the base which is defined by an underside of the one or more ridges;   a ruler disposed on the exterior surface of the base, wherein the ruler is comprised of a plurality of indentations formed on the exterior surface of the base; and,   one or more stacking features formed on the lid.   
     
     
         20 . The storage box of  claim 19 , further comprising a plurality of storage boxes in a stacked configuration, wherein each storage box in the plurality is in the open configuration and wherein the one or more stacking features on each lid in the plurality of storage boxes are configured to engage with one another to maintain the stacked configuration of the plurality of storage boxes.