WO2014105962A1

WO2014105962A1 - Distribution container with hinged half-lids and hinged lid-pockets

Info

Publication number: WO2014105962A1
Application number: PCT/US2013/077826
Authority: WO
Inventors: Louis BORDERS; Stephen Derby; Gene ECKERT
Original assignee: MERCURY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
Current assignee: MERCURY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT LLC
Priority date: 2012-12-28
Filing date: 2013-12-26
Publication date: 2014-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2015-06-28

Abstract

The hinged lid-pockets of the container include a half lid and adjacent top portions of wails of the container that are selectively secured to the half-lids. The lid-pockets pivot open about pivot hinges away from an interior enclosure of the container and provide wailed pockets for temporary storage of delicate goods in the opened hinged-lid pockets while the container is being filled with durable goods. After ail of the goods ordered for the container are located within the enclosure or in the lid-pockets, the goods in the lid pockets are placed within the enclosure on top of the durable goods, and the lids are pivoted over a top of the container to close the container prior to transport. Lock mechanisms secure portions of the container to each other to vary between normal opening of only the half lids, and opening of the hinged lid pockets.

Description

DISTRIBUTION CONTAINER WITH HIHGED HALF-LIDS

MSB HINGED LID-POCKETS

Cross-Reference to Related Applications

[0001] This Application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial Number 61/848,241 that was filed on December 28, 2012 entitled "Dual Hinged Flip Tote Concept'' .

Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure relates to distribution containers utilized within manual and automated goods delivery systems found in automated warehouses for receiving a great variety of different types of goods and for delivering orders of selected goods, and in particula relates to an improved distribution container for receiving and transporting such different types of goods .

Background Art

[0003] in the field of automated storage, distribution and delivery of goods systems_t many efforts have been undertaken to minimize manual labor and increase efficiencies of warehouses that receive varying types of goods for storage, distribution and delivery. Such received goods are first broken down and distributed by size, type and other factors to locations on large storage racks within a warehouse, Upon receipt of an order or a variety of such stored goods , the goods must then foe withdrawn from the storage racks and transported to automated pick~and~pack conveyor stations to fill distribution containers that are often referred to in the art as *delivery totes" , These distribution containers move along the conveyor and are filled either manually or by automated piek-and-place robotic machinery with the goods specified in the order. The distribution containers are then transported to a shipping delivery station for out-of-warehouse distribution to a retail outlet or an end user consumer.

[0004] FIG. 1 shows a standard type of distribution container at reference numeral 2 that is well known in the art and is available from the Global Equipment Company, Inc. _f of ww.giofoalindustiral... com_., and is generally referred to as an attached lid distribution container. As is well known, such containers have pivoting half lids 4 that typically interleave with each other to orm a compression lock of the lids . Opening the lids , emptying the container and then pivoting half lids to extend downward adjacent the walls of the container and outside of the container 2 permits nesting of the container 2 withi other identical containers (not shown) to minimise storage requirements for empty containers 2. The known distribution containers 2 are also constructed with a perimeter ridge top 6 that is wider than a base 8 of the container to permit non- sliding stacking of a narrow base 8 of a first container 2 within the perimeter ridge 6 top o anothe container for efficiency in stacking filled containers for transport ,

[00053 Such attached lid distribution containers have substantial efficiencies and are becoming increasingly popular for distribution o goods to retail stores nd end-use consu ers. For example it is common that an automated warehouse will receive an order to restock a particular portion of an aisle of a large retail pharmacy chain store. The automated point-of-sale barcode scanning of sold goods informs the warehouse of exactly what type and quantity of goods are needed for a particular retail storage area. Unfortunately,, howeve , in picking and placing the ordered goods from storage trays into the distribution containers moving along a conveyor, there is no capacit for the distribution container to efficiently place delicat goods in saf locations within the containe relativ to heavy, durable goods. For example, an order for an end user of food may include heavy cans of sou , etc, and delicate parcels of fresh vegetable , fruit or eggs , The present distribution containers raise a risk of damage to such delicate goods, or present an inefficiency of requirimg sequencing of filling the containers with such delicate goods after placement of the more durable goods in the containers irs ,

[0006] Consequently, there is a need for an improved distribution container that overcomes deficiencies of knovm attached lid distribution containers .

Summary of the Disclosure

[0007] The disclosure is a distribution container having hinged hal -lid and hinged lid-pockets _* The hinged lid-pockets include a half lid and ad acent top portions of walls of the container that are selectively secured to the half-lids . The lid-pockets pivot open about pivot hinges away from an interior enclosure defined fe the containers and provide walled pockets for temporary storage of delicate goods in the container, but outside the enclosure of the container, while th container is being filled with durable goods. After all of the goods ordered for the container are manually or robotically located within the enclosure and the lid- pockets, the goods in the lid pockets are placed within the enclosure on top of the durable goods, and the lids are pivoted over a top of the container to close the container prior to transport, The disclosure includes lock mechanisms to selectively secure the pivoting half- lids to the top portions of the container walls, or instead, to selectively secure the to portions of the container walls to bottom portions o the walls, depending upon whether-or-not the lid-pockets are being used.

[0008] More speci ically, the distribution container with hinged half-lids and hinged lid-pockets includes a base, a front wall and an opposed feack wall, a first ide wall and an opposed second side wall. The walls are secured to perimeter edges of the base and the walls ascend abov the base to define the container enclosure ove the base, A first half-lid is secured by t lid hinge to a top edge of the first side wa l* and a second half-lid secured by a second lid hinge to a top edge of the opposed second side wall. The first and second half-lids are configured to pivot about lid hinges so that in a closed position the half-lids extend over and are secured adjacent top edges of the front and opposed back walls to enclose the enclosure. In an open positio the half-lids extend from the lid hinges outside of the enclosure and toward the base of the container about adjacen the side walls or he container,

[0009] The container also includes a first hinged lid-pocket that has a first top portion of the front wall, a top portion of the first side wall adjacent the first top portion of the front wall, an a first top portion o the back wall adjacent the top portion of the first side wall. A first pocket hing is pivotaliy secured between a bottom edge of the top portion of the irst side wall and a hinge edge of the first side wall , The first hinged lid-pocket also includes the first half- so that the lid cured in the closed position overlying top edges of the first top portion of the front wall, the top portion of the first side wall and the first top portion of the back wall, A second hinged lid- pocket i basically a mirror image of the first hinged lid-pocket and includes a second top portion of the front wall, a top portion of the second side wail adjacent the second top portion of the fron wail _f and a second top portion of the back wall adjacent the top portion o the second sid wall. A second pocket hinge is pivotally secured between a bottom edge of the top portion of the second side wall and a hinge edge of the second side wall. The second hinged lid-pocket also includes the second hal -lid secured in the closed position overlying and s cu d to top edges of the second top portio of the front wall, the top portion of the second side wail and the second to portion of the back wail .

[00103 The first and second hinged lid-pockets are configured to pivot about the first and second pocket hinges so that the top portion of the front and back walls and first and second side wails remain adjacent the first and second half lids and also pivot to extend from the pocket hinges outside of the enclosure in a direction w y from the enclosure and away from the hinge edges of the first and second side wall , and so that the first and second hinged lid-pockets form pockets for receiving and temporarily holding articles outside of the enclosure .

[00113 In another aspect of the disclosure, a first lock mechanism is secured to the first to portion of the front wall and to the first half-lid, The first lock mechanism selectively locks together, and unlocks to permit separation of, the first top portion of the front wall and the first half-lid. A second lock mechanism is secured to the second top portion of the front wall and to the second half-lid fo selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top portion of the front wail and the second half-lid. Ά third lock mechanism is secured to the first top portio of the fron wail and to the front wall fo selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the first top portion of the front wall and the front wall, A fourth lock mechanism is secured to the second top portion of the front wall and to the front wall for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, th second top portion of the front wall and the f o t wall ,

[00123 In an additional aspect, the disclosure includes a fifth lock mechanism that is secured to the first to portion of the back wall and to the first half- lid for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the first top portion of the back wall and the first half-lid. A sixth lock mechanism is secured to the second top portion o the back wall and to the second half-lid for selectively locking together, an unlocking to permi separation of, the second top portion of the back wall and the second half-lid, A seventh lock mechanism is secured to the first top portion of the back wall and to the back wall fo selectively locking together, and unlockin to permit separation of, the first top portion of the back wall and the back wall , An eighth lock mechanism is secured to the second top portion of the back wall and to the back wall for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top portion of the back wall and the back wall.

[0013] In another embodiment o the distribution ■container, at least one of the cojsbinations of the first lock mechanism and the third lock mechanism, th second lock mechanism and the fourth lock mechanism, the fifth lock mechanism and the seventh, lock mechanism, and the sixth lock mechanism and the eighth lock mechanism are in the form of a curved slot-slide lock. The curved slot- slide look includes a curved slot defined to extend from at least one of the first half-lid and the second half- lid, through at least one of the first top portion of the front wail, the second top portion of the ront wall , the first top portion of the back wail, the second top portion of the back wall, and into at least one of the front wall and the back wall. The curved slot-slide lock also includes a slide rod that is dimensioned to be slideably secured within the curved slot, to extend within the slot about one-half of a length of the curved slot, T slide rod is also configured to be secured within a first lock position wherein the slide rod is in a portion of the curved slo extending from at least on of the first half-lid and the second half-lid, through at least one of the first top portion of the front wall, the second top portion of the fron wall, the first top portion of the back wall, t e second top portion of the back wail. The slide d is also dimensioned to slide from the first lock position to a second lock position wherein the slide rod is in a portion of t e curved slot extending from at least on of the front wall and the back wall through at least one of the irst top portion of the f ont wall , the second top portion of the ront wall, the first to portion of the back wall, the second top portion of the back wall.

[0014] In another aspect of the disclosure, the carved slide-lock includes a first access opening at a first terminus of the curved slot, and also includes a second access opening at an opposed second terminus of the curved slot. The first and second access openings are defined between opposed ends of the slide rod and th first terminus and second terminus of the curved slot. The access openings facilitate sliding movement of the slide rod between the first lock position and the second lock position, such as for example permitting inserting and movement of a robotic finger, or a manual probe tool, such as a screwdriver, etc.

[0015] In a further aspect of the disclosure, the first side wall defines a height that is a shortest distance from the hinge edge of the first side wall to a bottom edge of the first side wall adjacent the base of the container . Additionally, the upper portion of the first side wall defines a height that is parallel to the height of the first side wall and extends a shortest distance between th bottom edge of th upper portion of the first side wall and ail tipper edge of he tipper portion o the first side wall . The height of the upper portion of the first side wall is less than one-third of the height of the first side wall .

[0016] Additionally* the distribution container may have the second side wall define a height that is a shortest distance from the hinge edge o the second side wall to a bottom edge of the second side wall adjacent the base of the container. The upper portion of the second side wall also has a height that is parallel to the height of the second side wall and extends a shortest distance between the bottom edge of the upper portion of the second side wall and an upper edge of the upper portion of the second side wall. As with the first side wall, the height of the upper portion of the second side wall is less than on -third of the height of the second side wall,

[0017] In a further embodimen , the distribution container with hinged half-lids May be configured to have only one hinged lid-pocke , In such an embodiment., the components of the container are the same as described above , but include only one hinged lid-pocket,

[0018] In yet further aspect of the disclosure, the, distribution container may be constructed so that at least one of the hinge edge of the first side wall and the bottom edge of the top portion of the first side wall includes a pivot stop configured to contact both the first side wall and the top portion of the first side wall and to thereby stop pivoting of the first hinged lid-pocket beyond a point wherein the hinge lid slopes downward toward the base of the container . At least one of the hinge edge of the second side wall and the bottom edge of til to portion of the first side wall m y also include a similar pivot stop.

[0019] Accordingly, it is a general purpose of this disclosure to provide a distribution container with hinged half-lids and hinged lid-pockets that overcomes deficiencies of the prior

[0020] It is a more specific purpose to provide a distributio container with hinged half-lids and hinged lid-pockets tha decreased risk to delicate goods positioned withi the container and that increase packing effi of loading the container with a mixed variety of delicate and durable goods .

[00213 These and other purposes and advantages of the present distribution container with hinged half-lids and hinged lid-pocket will become more readily apparent when the following description is read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,

Brief Description of the Drawings

[00223 Figure i is a raised perspective view or a prior art distribution container having hinged half-lids .

[0023] Figure 2 is a raised perspective view of a distribution container with hinged half-lids and hinged lid-pockets constructed in accordance with the present disclosure ,

[0024] Figure 3 is a rear plan view of the Figure distribution containe with hinged half-lids and hinged lid-pock ts .

[0025] Figure 4 is a front plan view of a distribution container with hinged half-lids and hinged lid-pockets of the present disclosure showing two lid pockets pivoted away from the enclosure of the container, whe ein the two hinge lid-pocket holding delicate goods .

[0026] Figure 5 is a front plan view of a curved slot-slide lock embodiment of the distribution container with inged half-lids and hinged lid-pockets and showing two curved slot-slide locks, wherein one of the curved slot-slide locks is in a first lock position and the other of the curved slot-slide locks is in a second lock positio .

[0027] Figure 6 is a fragmentary, ex and d section of the view circle portion of the Figure 5 distribution container, and showing the curved slot-slide lock in the first lock position in greater detail.

Preferred Embod men s of the Disclosure

[0028] Referring to the drawings in detail, FIG. 1 shows a prior art distribution container 2 with attached, pivotable half lids 4_f as described above.

[0029] distribution container with hinged half- lids and hinged lid-pockets constructed in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in FIG. 2, and is generally designated by the reference numeral 10. The distributio container 10 includes a base 12, a front wall 1 and an opposed back wall 16, a first side wail 18 and an opposed second side wall 20, The walls 14, 16 , 18, 20 are secured to perimeter edges 22 of the base 12 and the walls 14, 16, 18, 20 ascend above the base 12 to define the container enclosure 24 over the base 12. Ά first half-lid 26 is secured by a first lid hinge 28 or first lid hinge pair 28 to a top edge 30 of the first side wall 18, and a second half-lid 32 secured by a second lid hinge 34 or second lid hinge pair 34 to a top edge 36 of the opposed second side wall 0, The first and second half-lids 26, 32 are configured to pivot about their lid hinges 28 , 34 so that in a closed position {as shown in FIG. 2} the hal -lids 26, 32 extend over and are secured djacent top edges of the front and opposed baok. walls 14 , 16 to enclose the enclosure 24. In a open position {shown in FIG. 3 which is a back plan vi w showing the back wall 16 and not showing the front wall 14) the half-lids ext nd from the lid hinges 28, 34 outside of the enclosur 24 and toward the base 12 of the container 10 about adjacent the side walls 18, 20 o the container 10.

[0030] The container 10 also include a first hinged lid-pocket 40 that has a first top portion 4 of the fron wall 14, a to portion 44 of the first side wall 18 adjacent the first top portion 44 of the front wall 14 , and a first top portion 46 of the back wail 16 adjacent the top portion 44 of the first side wall 18. A first pocket hing 48 is pivotally secured betwee a bottom edge SO of the top portion 44 of the first side wall 18 and a hinge edge 52 of the first side wall 18. The first hinged lid-pocket 40 also includes the first half-lid 26 so that the lid 26 is secured in the closed position overlying top edges of th first top portion 42 of the front wall 14, the top portion 44 of the first side wall 18 and the first top portion 46 of the back wall 16_*

[0031] A second hinged lid-pocket 54 is basically a mirror image of the first hinged lid-pocket 40 and includes a second top portion 56 of the front wall 14, a top portion 58 of the second side wall 20 adjacent the second to portion 56 o the front wall 14, and a second top portion 60 of the back wall 16 adjacent the to portion 58 of the second side wall 20, A second pocket hinge 62 or second pocket hinge pair 62 is pivotally secured between a bottom edge 64 of the top portion 58 of the second side wall 20 and a hinge edge 66 of th second side wall 20 , The second hinged lid-pocket 54 also includes the second half-lid 32 secured in the closed positio overlying and secured to top edges of the second top portion 56 of the front wall 14 the top portion 58 of the second side wall 20 and th second top portion 60 of the back wall 16.

[0032] The first and second hinged lid-pockets 40, 54 are configured to pivot about the first and second pocket hinges 48, 62 so tha the top portions 56, 60 of the front and back walls 14, 16 and top portions 44, 58 of the first and second side walls 18, 20 remain adjacent th first and second half lids 26, 32 and also pivot to extend from the pocket hinges 48, 62 outside of the enclosur 24 in a direction away from the enclosure 24 and way from the hinge edges 52, 66 of the first and second side walls 18, 20, and so that the first and second hinged lid-pockets 40, 54 form a first pocket 68 and a second pocket 70 (show in FIG. 4} for receiving and temporarily holding delicate articles 72 otttside of the enclosure 2 „

[0033] In another aspect of the disclosure,, a first lock mechanisia 74 is secured to the first top portion 42 of the front wall 14 and to the first half-lid 26, The first lock mechanism 74 selectively locks together, and unlocks to permit separation of, the first top portion 42 of the front wall 14 and the first half- lid 26. {For purposed herein, the phrase ^ttlock mechanism" is to mean a lock means and/or latch means {hereinafter collectively referred to as ^¾a lock mechanism and/or a locking means"} for locking together and unlocking to permi separation of the named components , T e *lock mechanisms'" described herein may include any known locking apparatus for securing the described object, including for example and not by way of limitation, standard key or combination ^padlocks" passin through adjacent holed taps {not shown) of the lock mechanism locking cables passing through such holed tabs, cylindrical insertio locks for passing through aligned thro ghbore in th adjacent components, zip- ties" looping through aligned throughbores or holed tabs, spring-biased clips or clamps for holding tab protrusions; brief-case or luggage types of latches male-female compression plastic insertion latches, sliding bar lathes, spring latches, slam latches, cam lock , Morfoik latches , Su folk latches .

[0034] A second lock mechanis 76 is secured to the second top portion 56 of the front wall 14 and to th second hal -lid 32 for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top portion 56 o the front wall 14 and the second half-lid 32, Ά third lock mechanism 78 is secured to the first top portion 42 of the front wall 14 and to the front wall for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separatio of, the first top portion 42 of the front wall 1 and the f ont wail 14. A fourth lock mechanism 80 is secured to the second top portion 56 of the front wall 14 and to the front wall 14 for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top portion 56 of the front wall 14 and th front wall 14, The first:, second, third and fourth lock mechanisms 74, 76, 78, 80 are shown in FIG. 2 as box-like shaped indicating locations of the lock mechanisms ,

[0035] FIG, 3 shows that the present distribution container may include four additional lock mechanisms on the back wall 16 C gain FIG, 3 is a back plan view compared to the front perspective view of FIG. 2.) The disclosure therefor may also include a fifth lock mechanism 82 that is secured to the first top portion 46 of the back wall 16 and to the first hal -lid 26 for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the first top portion 46 of the back wall 16 and the first hal -lid 26, ¾ sixth lock mechanism 84 is secured to the second top portion 60 of the back wall 16 and to the second half-lid 32 for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top portion 60 of the back wall 16 and the second half-lid 32, It is noted that in FIG. 3 the fifth lock Mechanism 82 and the sixth lock mechanism 8 axe shown in an unlocked position so that the distribution container 10 has its half lids 26 and 32 opened without use of the first and second hinged lid pockets 40 _f 54, that are shown in us in FIG. 4. A seventh lock mechanism 86 is secured to the first top portion 4 of the back wail 16 and to the back wall 16 for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the first top portion 46 of the back wall 16 and the back wall 16, An eighth lock mechanism 88 is secured to the second top portion 60 of the back wall 16 and to the back wall 16 for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top portion 60 of the back wall 16 and the back wall 16. [0036] of the described eight lock mechanisms enables use o the distribution container a a standard container 10, as shown in FIG. 3, with the first, second, fifth and sixth lock mechanisms 7 , 76, 82, 84 unlocked and: with the third_? fourth, seveii and eigh look MechanisMS 78, 80, 86, 88 locked. To the half lids 26, 32 to the upper portions of the walls and open the irst and second hinged-lx pockets 40 , 5 , the first, second, fifth and sixth lock mechanisms 74 , 76, 82, 84 are locked, and the third, fourth, seven and eight lock mechanisms 76, 78, 86, 88 unlocked.

[0037] FIG. 5 shows another or curved slot-slide lock embodiment 90 of the distribution container 90 > in the curved slot-slide: lock container embodiment 90, at least one of the combination of the first lock mechanism 74 and the third lock mechanism 78, the second lock mechanism 76 and the fourth lock mechanism 80, the fift lock mechanism 82 and the seventh iock mechanism 86, and the sixt lock mechanism 84 and the eighth lock mechanism 88 are in the form of a first curved slot-slide lock 92 or a second curved slot-slide lock 94. he first curved slot-slide iock 92 includes a curved slot 96 defined to extend from at least one of a first half-lid 98 and a second hal -lid 100, through at least one of a first top portion 102 of a front wall 104, a second top portion 105 of the front wall 104, a first top portion of a back wall {not shown) , a second top portion {not shown) of the back wall, and into at least one of a front wail 106 and the back wall (not shown) ,

[0038] The first curved slot-slide lock 92 also includes a slide rod 106 that is dimensioned to be slideabiy secured within th curved slot 96, to extend within the slo 96 abou one-half of a length of the curved slot 36. The slide rod 106 is also configured to be secured within a firs lock position (shown in association with the first cu ved slot-slide lock 92 in FIG, 5) wherein the slide rod 106 is in a portion of the curved slo .96 ex ending from the first half-lid 98 and only into the first top portion 102 of the front wall 104. This position of the slide rod 106, because it is curved,, and secured in a tight- riction association wit the curved slot re uiring a force greater than gravity or any slight bumping o the container 30 to move the slide rod 106 i the curved slot, locks the half lid 98 to the first top portion 102 of the front wall 104, This permits the container 90 to form a hinged lid-pocket (not shown i FIG 5} upon the lifting up of the first half lid 98. In contrast, the second curved slot-slide lock 94 in FIG. 5 shows its slide rod 108 secured i second lock position, wherein the slide rod 108 is in a portion o the second curved slot-slide lock extending from the from front wall 104 and only into the second to portion 105 of the top wall 104. This effectively locks the second top portion 105 of the front wall 104 to the front wall 104 _f so that lifting of the second hal lid 100 opens the container 90 in the traditional manner and prevents formation of a hinged lid-pocket (not shown in FIG. 5.

[0039] FIG. 6 shows the view circle of FIG. 5 expanded in greater detail to better understand the curved slid -slot lock , wherein the slide rod 106 is deployed in the first lock position described above. The curved slide-slot lock embodiment 90 of the container 90 may also include a first access opening 110 at a first terminus 112 of the curved slot 96, and also includes a second access opening 114 at an opposed second terminus 116 of the curved slot 96, Th first and second access openings 110, 114 are defined between opposed ends of the slide rod 106 and the first terminus 112 and the second terminus 116 of the curved slot 96- The access openings 110, 114 facilitate sliding movement of the slide rod 106 between the first lock second lock positions, such as for example permitting inserting and movement of a robotic finger {not shown! , or a manual probe tool (not shown) , such as a screwdriver, etc. The first access opening 110 may be defined simply by having a first protrusion 118 extending into the slot 96 from the first terminus 112. Similarly, the second access opening 114 may also be simply defined by having a second protrusion 120 extending into the slot 96 from the second slot terminus 116. The protrusions 118 , 120 are narrower than a cross- section of the slot 96 , and thereby provide the openings 110 , 114 within the slot between the ends of the slide rod 106 and the first terminus 11.2 and second terminus 116 to facilitate insertion of a tool into the access openings 110_., 114 to move the slide rod 106 between the first lock position of th first curved slide-slot lock: 92 and th second lock position of the second curved slide-slot lock 94 of PIS. 5.

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 2 - 4 of the disclosure, the first side wall 18 defines a height that is a shortest distance from the hinge edge 52 of the first side wall 18 to a bottom edge 122 of the first side wall 18 adjacent the base 12 of the container. Additionally, the upper portion 44 of the first side wall 18 defines a height that is parallel to the height of the first sid wall 18 and extends a shortest distance bet en the bottom edge SO of the upper portion 44 of the first sxde wall 18 and an upper edge 124 of th upper portion 4 of the first side wall 18 « The height of the tapper portion of the first side wall 18 is less than one-third of the heigh of the first side wall 18.

[00413 Additionally, the distribution container 10 may have the second side wall 20 defxne a height that is a shortest distance from the hinge edge 66 of the second side wall 20 to a bottom edge 126 of the second side wall adjacent th base 12 of the container 10, The upper portion 58 of the second sid wall 20 also has a height that is parallel to the height of the second side 30 wall and extends a shortest distance between the bottom edge 64 of th mpper portion 58 of the second side wall 20 and an upper edge 128 of the upper portion 58 of the second side wall 20. As with the first side wail 18, the height of the uppe portion 58 of the second side wall 20 is leas than one-third of the height of the second side wall 20,

[00423 In an additional embodiment, the distribution container 10 with hinged half-lids 26, 32 may be configured to have only one hinged lid-pocket 40 adjacent the first side wall 18, while the second sid wall 20 has no hinged lid-pocket. I such an embodiment, the components of the container 10 are the same as described above, but include only the first hinged lid- pocket 40 ,

[0043] In yet a further aspect o the disclosure, the, distribution container may be constructed so that at least one of the hinge edge 52 of the first side wall 18 and the bottom edge 50 of the top portion 44 of the first side wall 18 includes a first pivot stop 130 configured to contact both the first side wall 18 and the top portion 44 of the first side wall 18 and to thereby stop pivoting of the first hinged lid-pocket 40 beyond a point wherein the hinge lid 26 of the pocket 40 slopes downward toward the base 12 o the container. A least one of the hinge edge 66 of the second side wall 20 and the bottom edge 64 of the to portion 58 of th second sid wall 18 may also include a similar second pivo stop 132. The pivot stops 130, 132 are also shown i FIG. 4. Alternatively, the first pocket hinge 48 or first pocket hinge pai 48, and the second pocket hinge 62 or second pocket hinge pair 62 may be in the form of integral pivot stops {not shown) wherein the hinges 48, 62 are configured to permit only limited pivoting to achieve the same function as the first and second pivot stops 130, 132.

[0044] While the present disclosure has been presented above with respect to the described and illustrated embodiments of the distribution container with hinged hal -lids and hinged lid-pockets 10, 90 i is to foe understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to those illustrations and described embodiments . Accordingly, reference should be made primarily to the following claim rather than the forgoing description to determine the scope of the. disclosure.

Claims

What is claimed is ;

1 « A distribution container with hinged half-lids and hinged lid-pockets, the container comprising:

a a base, a front wall and an opposed back wall, a first side wall and an opposed second side wall, the walls being secured to perimeter edges of the base and the walls ascending above the base to define an enclosure over the base; b a first hal -lid secured by a first lid hinge to a top edge of the firs side wall, and a second half-lid secured by a second lid hinge to a top edge of the opposed second side wall, the first and second half-lids being configured to pivot about the lid hinges so that in a closed position the half-lids extend over and are secured adjacent top edges of th front and opposed back walls to enclose the enclosure, and in a open position he half-lids extend from the lid hinges outside of the enclosure and toward the base of the container about adjacen the side walls;

a first hinged lid-pocket including a first top portion of the front wall, a top portio of the first side wall adjacent the first top portion of the front wall, a first top portion of the back wall adjacent the top portion of the first side wail, a first pocket hinge pivo ally secured between a bottom edge of the top portion of the first sid wall and a hinge edge of the first side wall, the first hinged lid- pocket also including the first half-lid secured in the closed position overlying top edges of the first top portion of the front wall,, the top portion of the first side wall and the first top portion of the back wall;

a second hinged lid-pocket including a second top portion of the front wall _r a top portion of the second side wall adjacent the second top portion of the fron wall,, a second top portion o the back, wall adjacent the top portion of the second side wall, a second pocket hinge pivotally secured between a bottom edg of the top portion of the second side wall and a hinge edge of the second side wall, the second hinged lid-pocket also including the second half-lid secured in the closed position overlying top edges of the second top portio of the front wall, the top portion of the second side wall and the second top portion of the back wall; and,

the first and second hinged lid-pockets being configured to pivot about the first and second pocket hinges so that the top portions of the front and back walls and first and second side walls remain adjacent the first and second half lids and also pivot to extend from the pocket hinges outside of the enclosure in a direction away from the enclosure and away from the hinge edges of the irst and second side walls , and so that the first and second hinged lid-pockets form pockets for receiving and temporarily holding articles outside of the enclosure. 2„ The distribution container of claim 1 , further comprising a firs lock mechanism secured to the first top portion of the front wall and to the first half-lid for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of* the first top portion of the fron wall and the first hal -lid, a second look mechanism secured to the second top portion o the front wall and to the second half-lid for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top portion of the front wall and the second half-lid, a third lock mechanism secured to the first top portion o the front wall and to the front wall for selectively locking together,, and unlocking to permit separation of, the first top portion of the front wall and the front wall,, and a fourth lock mechanism secured to the second top portion of the front wall and to the front wall for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top portion of the front wall and the front wall .

3. The distribution container of claim 2, further comprising a fifth lock mechanism secured to the first top portion of the back wall and to the first half-lid for selectively locking together? and unlocking to permit separation of, the first top portio of the back wall and the first balf~lid, a sixth look mechanism secured to the second top portion of the back wall and to the second half-lid for selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top portion of the back wall and the second hal -lid, a seventh lock mechanism secured to the first top portion of the back wall and to th back wall fo selectively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the irst to portion of the back wall nd the back wall , and an eighth lock mechanism secured to the second top portion of the back wall and to the back wall for selec ively locking together, and unlocking to permit separation of, the second top .portion o the back wall and the back ll_¬ _'s. The distribution container of claim 3, wherei at least one of th combinations of the first lock mechanism and the third lock mechanism, the second lock mechanism and the fourth lock mechanism, the fift lock mechanism and the seventh lock mechanism, and the sixth lock mechanism and the eighth lock mechanism furthe comprise a c rved slot-slide lock including a curved slot defined to extend from at least one of the first half-lid and the second hal -lid, through at least one of the first top portion of the front wall, the second top portion of th front wall, the first to portion of the back wall, the second top portion of the back wall, and into at least one of the front wail and the back wall, the curved slot- slide lock also including a slide rod dimensioned to foe slideabiy secured within th curved slot, to extend within the slot abotit one-half of a length of the curved slot, and configured to be secured within a first lock position wherein the slide rod is in a portion of the curved slot extending from at least one of the first half-lid and the second half-lid, through at least one of the first top portion of the front wall , the second top portion of the front wall, the first top portion of the back wall, the second top portion of the back wall, and wherein the slide rod is also dimensioned to slide from the firs lock position to a second lock position wherein the slide rod is in a portion of the curved slot extending from at least one of the front wall and th back wall through at leas one of the first top portion of the front wall, the second top portion, of the front wall, the firs to portion o the back wall, the second top portion of the back wall .

5. The distribution container of claim 4₁ wherein the cu vd slide-lock includes a first access opening at a first terminus of the curved slot, and includes a second access opening at an opposed second terminus of the curved slot, the first and second acces openings being defined between opposed ends of the slide rod and the first terminis and second terminus of the curved slo to facilitate sliding movement of th slide rod between the first lock position and the second lock position.

6, The distribution containe of claim I_f wherein the first side wall defines a height tha is a shortest distance from the hinge edge of the first side wail to a bottom edge of the first side wall adjacent the base of the container, the upper portion of the first side wall defines a height parallel to the height of the first side wall and extending a shortest distance between th bottom edge of the tipper portion of the first side wall and an upper edge of the upper portion of the first side wall, and the height o the upper portion of the first side wall being less than one- hird of the height of the first side wall.

7. The distribution container of claim 6_f wherein the second side wall defines a height that is a shortest distance from the hinge edge of the second side wall to a bottom edge of the second side wall adjacent the base of the container, and the upper portion of the second side wall has a height parallel to the height o the second side wall and extending a shortest distance between th bottom edge of the upper portio of the second side wall and an upper edge of the tapper portion o the second side wall, and the height of the upper portion of the second side wall being less than one-third of the height o the second sid wall.

8. The distribution container of claim 1 , wherein one of the hinge edge of th first side wall and the bottom edge of the top portion of the first side wall includes a first pivot stop configured to contact bot the first side wall and the top portion of the first side wall and to thereby stop pivoting of the first hinged lid-pocket beyond a. point wherein the hinge lid slopes downward toward the base of the container,

9. The distribution container of claiia 8, wherein one of the hinge edge f th second side wall and the bottom edge of the top portion of the second side wall includes a second pivot stop configured to contact both the second side wall and the top portion of the second side wall and to thereby stop pivoting of th second hinged lid-pocket beyond a point wherein the hinge lid slopes downward toward the base of the container. , A distribution container with kinged hal -lids and least one hinged lid- ocket, the container comprising: a, a base,, a front wall and an opposed back wall, a first side wall and an opposed second side wall, e walls being secured to perimete edges of the bas and the walls ascending above the base to define an enclosur over the base; b, a first hal -lid secured by a first lid hing to a top edge of the first side wall, and a second half-lid secured by a second lid hinge to a top edge of the opposed second side wall, the first and second half-lids being configure to pivot about the lid hinges so that in a closed position the half-lid extend over and are secured adjacent top edges of the front and opposed back walls to enclose the enclosure, and in an open position the half-lids extend from the lid hinges otitside o the enclosure and toward the base of the containe about adjacent the side wails;

c, at least one hinged lid-pocket including a top portion of the front wall, a top portion of the first side wall adjacent the top portion o the front wail, a top portion of the back wall adjacent the top portion of the firs side wall, a pocket hinge pivotally secured between a bottom edge f the top portion of the first side wail and a hinge edge of the first side wall, the at least one hinged lid-pocket also including the first half-lid secured in the closed position overlying top edges of the top portion of the front wall, th to portion of the first side wall and tile top portion of th back wall ;

d, the at least one hinged lid-pocket being configured to pivo about the pocket binge so that the top portions of the front and back walls and firs side wall remain adjacent the first half lid and wherein the at least one hinged lid-pocket also pivots to extend from the pocket hinge outside of the enclosure in a directio away f m the enclosure and away from the hinge edges of the irst side wall and so that the at least one hinged lid-pocket forms a pocket for receiving and temporarily holding articles outside of -the enclosure .

11. The distribution container of claim 10, further comprising a first lock mechanism secured to the top portion of the front wall and to the first half-lid for selectively locking togethe , and unlocking to permit separation of, the top portion of the front wail and the first half-lid; and further comprising an additional lock mechanism secured to the top portion of the front wall and to the front wail for selectively locking together,, and unlocking to permit separation of, the top portion of the front wall and the front wall.

12, The distribution containe of claim 11 _f wherein the combination of the first lock mechanis and the additional lock mechanism, further comprise a curved slot-slide lock including a curved slot defined to extend from the first half-lid through the top portion of the ront wall and into the ront wall , the curved slot-slide lock also including a slide rod dimensioned to be siideably secured within the cuv d slot, to extend within the slot about one-half of a length of the curved slot, and the slide rod being configured to be secured within a first lock, position wherein the slide rod is in a portion of the curved slot extending from the first half-lid and through the top portion of the front wall to thereby lock the first half lid and top portion of the front wall adjacent each other _r and wherein the slide rod is also dimensioned to slide from the first lock positio to a second lock position wherein the slide rod XS IB a portion of the curved slot extending from the front wall and through the to portion of the front wall to thereby lock the front wall and the top portion of the front wall adjacent each other.

13, The distribution containe of claim 12 _r wherein th curved slide-lock includes a first access opening at a first terminus of the curved slot, and includes a second access opening at an opposed second terminus of th curved slot , the first and second access openings being defined between opposed ends of the slide rod and the first terminus and second terminus of the curved slot to facilitate sliding movement of th slide rod between the first lock position and the second lock position,

1 , The distribution containe of claim 10 wherein the first side wall defines a height that is a shortest distance from the hinge edge of the first side wail to a bottom edge of the first side wall adjacent the base of the container, and the upper portion of the first side wall defines a height parallel to the height of the first side wall and extending a shortest distance between the bottom edge of the tipper portion o th first side wail and an -upper edge of the apper portion of the first side wall, and the height of t&e tipper portion of the first side wall being less than one-third; of the heig t of the first side wall.

15. The distribution container of claim 8_f wherei one o the hinge edge of t e first side wail and tJse bottom edge of the top portion of the first side wall inaindes a pivot stop configured to contact both the first side wall and the top portion of the firs side wall and to thereby sto pivoting of the first hinged lid-pocket beyond a point wherein the hinge lid slopes downward toward the base of the container.