US3791528A - Enclosure structure for modular system - Google Patents

Abstract

Unitary construction easy-access enclosure for handling, storing, transporting, and distributing articles throughout a modular system with self-seating and stabilizing interconnecting means for suspending the enclosure on an upright support, means for supporting the enclosure horizontally, and means for interlocked stable stacking of such enclosures. Means for dividing the enclosure internally and retaining carried articles, and dust cover means, are removably positioned by structural elements of the unitary-construction enclosures.

Description

- [75] Inventor:

United States Patent [191 Brendgord ENCLOSURE STRUCTURE FOR MODULAR SYSTEM Thomas Brendgord, Erie, Pa.

[73] Assignee: American Sterilizer Company, Erie,

221 Filed: Aug.7, 1972 [21] Appl. No: 278,362

[52] U.S. Cl. 2ll/88, 211/126, 220/97 F, 312/108 [51] Int. Cl. A47b 87/00, A47f 5/08 [58] Field of Search..... 312/107, 108,111,128,18; 220/42 A, 44 M, 82 A, 97 F; 211/88, 87, 7126;108/108,110

[56] References Cited -UNlTED STATES PATENTS 3,478,892 11/1969 Lockwood 211/126 3,347,394 10/1967 Gould 211/126 Feb. 12, 1974 3,534,866 10/1970 Asenbauer 211/126 3,563,394 2/1971 Joyce 211/126 3,212,646 10/1965 Propst 211/87 Primary ExaminerCasmir A. Nunberg Attorney, Agent, or FirmRaymond N. Baker; Shanley and ONeil [57] ABSTRACT Unitary construction easy-access enclosure for handling, storing, transporting, and distributing articles throughout a modular system with self-seating and stabilizing interconnecting means for suspending the enclosure on an upright support, means for supporting the enclosure horizontally, and means for interlocked stable stacking of such enclosures. Means for dividing the enclosure internally and retaining carried articles, and dust cover means, are removably positioned by structural elements of the unitary-construction enclosures.

22 Claims, 19 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBI 2:914

SHEET 1 [1? 5 PATENTEB FEB I 2 I974 saw a 0F 5PAIEN'IEUFEB 1 21924" I sum is BF 5 FIGJZ.

ENCLOSURE STRUCTURE FOR MODULAR SYSTEM This invention relates to an enclosure for handling, storing, transporting, and distributing articles throughout a modular system. A specific aspect of the invention relates to a container module of unitary construction with interconnecting means for cantilever suspension of the module. An easy-access container module is provided with internal support for articles being handled and enclosure cover means to maintain such articles dust-free.

In commercial establishments requiring handling of numerous small items, for example in hospitals, a need has existed for more efficient and more economic handling of supplies. A modular system for such need is de- I scribed in applicants copending application entitled Modular Storage, Transfer Handling, and Retrieval System, Ser. No. 278,360 filed Aug. 7, 1972. Important to a modular system as conceived by applicant is a'container module providing easy access, ease of stable mounting in vertical orientation, means for'level disposition on horizontal surfaces, stable stacking capabilities, light-weight, high carrying capacity with partitioning means for separation and holding of articles in fixed and distinct relationship, ease of washing and cleaning, easily operable cover means for protecting container contents, and economy in manufacture and use.

As a part of the inventive concept, a container module for use in a modular system should be capable of being readily suspended on vertically oriented support means by movement of the container module with article carrying surfaces horizontally oriented without need for tilting in any direction. Interconnecting means for coacting with the vertical support means should be located on the container module so as not to interfere with handling of such articles and to unobtrusively occupy a minimum amount of space; in other words, to

' maximize on carrying capacity and present no protrusions likely to interfere with handling of the container module or to break easily. Moreover, the interconnecting means should provide self-seating characteristics without need for manipulation of fastening or securing means to obtain stable mounting. The module should also provide for ease of application of cover means capable of maintaining enclosed articles in dust-free condition, means for stably'positioning internal partition means, and stacking capabilities to enable container modules to' be stably stacked independent of support structure while occupying minimum space.

The container module should be capable of use with, on, or in association with any structure wall, floor, or ceiling, i.e. horizontal or vertical surface area, or with apparatus such as carts, retrieval racks, elevators, and the like. In brief, a standardized article carrying module, universally usable throughout the modular system without need for selection as to size, shape, or support. t

The accompanying drawings present features for describing more specifically the inventive aspects and advantages of the invention. In these drawings:

FIG. 1 is afront elevational view of a container module mounted on vertically-oriented support means in accordance with the invention;

21 FIG. 2 is an'exploded perspective view of thernovel container module of FIG. 1 and cover means for the container module in side-b'y side relationship;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the structure of FIG. 2 with the cover means in dust sealing position on the container module;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the container module of FIG. l with front retaining bar means;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the container module of FIG. 1 with shelf and partition means;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of thecontainer module of FIG. 1 with wire basket means;

FIG. 7 is a perspective rear view of the container module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view in section taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view taken alongline 99 of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view in side elevation corresponding to FIG. 8 and showing the manner in which the container modules of this invention can be stacked one on the other; I

FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of the arrangement of FIGJIO.

FIG. 12.is a front view in elevation of the container module of FIG. I with portions broken away to show additional details;

FIG. '13 is an enlarged view in section taken along line 13-13 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a front retainer bar in accordance'with the invention;

FIG. 15 is a top plan'view of a shelf means in accordance with the invention;

. FIG. 16 is a bottom plan view of the shelf means of FIG. 15;

,FIG. 17 is a view in section taken along line 17-17 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a side view of a partition means removably mountable on the shelf of FIG. 15 in accordance with the invention, and

FIG. 19 is an end view of the partition of FIG. 18.

Container module 30 of FIG. 1 is mounted on support means 31. Such support means is vertically oriented and includes elongated horizontally-oriented slot means, such as 33, spaced longitudinally along the support means as described more particularly in applicant's copending application Ser. No. 278,360, filed Aug. 7, I972 entitled Modular Storage, Transfer Handling and Retrieval System. Support means 31 includes lateral side edge means 33, 34, e.g. lateral sidewalls.

Various features of and accessories for the container module of the invention are shown in general arrangement perspectives in FIGS. 2 through 7. As shown in FIG. 2,container 30 is generally rectilinear'in configuration, defining a substantially right-angled hexahedron enclosure, with full-open accessupper portion 37 and full-open front portion 38. Also shown in FIG. 2 is a transparent one-piece cover 39 which seats oncontainer 30 in the manner shown in FIG. 3 and seals the container against entry of dust as described in more detail in applicants copending application Ser. No. 278,361, filed Aug. 7, 1972 entitled Self-Seating Container Module Cover. In FIG. 4 a vertically-oriented retainer bar means 41 is positioned at the front of the container module to prevent articles on the bottom of the enclosure from rolling or sliding out. In FIG. 5 a

Y 3 horizontal shelf means 44, which can be provided with one or more vertical partition means, such as 45 is positioned within the container module. In place of the removable horizontal shelf means 44, the module can be provided with an open framework means, such asbottle rack 46, as shown in FIG. 6. Either the shelf means or open framework means can be used with a front retainer means.

FIG. 7 shows novel interface structure for stable cantilever suspension of the container on an upright support and one of the handgrip openings centrally located along the sides of the container module so that the module can be easily grasped and lifted froma planar horizontal surface.

I THE CONTAINER MODULE As shown in FIG. 2,container module 30 has bottom wall means 49, upright side wall means 50 and 51, and rear wall means 52 defining in combination an enclosure with open-access from above and front. At the front edge of bottom wall means 49, flange means 53 depends downwardly defining a vertically-oriented planar surface extending between lateral sides of the module. Side wall means 50, 51 include inwardly directedflanges 54 and 55, respectively. Each of these flanges has a substantially planar vertically-oriented surface; these flange surfaces are coplanar and define the front face of the container module. Such front face lies in a substantially vertical plane whencontainer module 30 is mounted on a support (FIG. 1) as well as when the container module is placed on a horizontal surface (FIG. 10).

A narrow surface is defined by the upper top edges of side wall means 50, 51 and rear wall means 52. This surface is generally horizontal when the container module is in its normal upright position. These edge surfaces are coplanar around the top of the side and rear walls. An exterior surface along each top edge of thewalls 50, 51, 52 is chamfered; e.g. contiguous totop edge 57 of side wall means 50 chamferedsurface 58 slopes outwardly from the narrow widthtop edge surface 57 to the full thickness of the side wall.

Four support posts 60, 61, 62, 63, seen in plan view in FIG. 9 and in various side views in FIGS. 8, 10 and 12, are distributed at respective interior corners ofcontainer module 30. These are provided for support of shelf means 44 or open framework means 46.Support post 61 at the front of the enclosure extends vertically on upright wall means 51 in contiguous relationship withupright flange 55. Preferably, spacing between support posts 61 andupright flange 55 is provided for supporting retainer bar means 41. Post on the opposite side wall means can be similarly spaced fromflange 54 on side wall means 50. Support posts 62 and 63 are located respectively at the rear comer junctions on the interior of the enclosure.

In accordance with the invention each of the support posts have means integrally formed on their upper ends for retaining, as well as supporting, shelf means 44, open framework means 46, or other similar structure.Projection 64 onpost 60 andprojection 66 onpost 61 extend upwardly to define slot means and 67, respectively, which extend in a direction parallel to the side walls. The rear corner posts 62 and 63nave retaining projections 68 and 69, respectively; which extend in angled relationship to the side walls to define curvilinear slot means 70 and 71 at these rear corner support stations.

The bottom wall means 49 ofcontainer module 30 includes contact surface means to position the container module in accordance with the invention when disposed on a horizontal surface. As shown in FIGS. 10 through 12, in the unitary construction provided, this means takes the form of a pair of support and reinforcingribs 73, 74- which support the container module onhorizontal surface 75. Each rib is elongated and originates at a location adjacent tofront flange 56 and terminates at a location contiguous torear wall 52.Ribs 73, 74 are preferably spaced from the front-to-rear (longitudinal) centerline of the container module to provide stability but disposed inwardly of therespective side walls 50 and 51. In addition to providing a stable support surface, these ribs provide structural stength for the bottom wall means while reducing the material and weight requirements of such means.

Additionally, a bottom skirt means is provided for the container module. As best seen in FIG. 7 the skirt means includes a front portion and arear portion 81 which extends around the curvilinear junction of the side and rear wall means and terminates contiguous to a rearwardly projecting stabilizing means to be described in detail later. The bottom skirt is interrupted along each side wall by a recess handgrip opening such as 47.

An important aspect of the present invention for operating with a modular system is the ability to readily suspend a container module in upright position on a container support. The interconnecting means provided should not interfere with the full-open access features of the invention nor with means for lifting or handling the container module. Further advantages provided by the present invention are self-seating characteristics which enable the container module to be moved horizontally while in an upright position, that is without tilting, toward a support means and to be stably suspended by merely placing the container module on the support means without manipulation of any fastening or securing means. The container module should be readily removable from the upright support in a similar manner, that is without tilting to disengage or move away from the support rail means.

Details of interconnecting means 82 formed integrally with the container module are shown in the rear view of FIG. 7.'The interconnecting means 82 includes a plurality of predeterminedly spaced elements which act to support the container module and stabilize the module against inadvertent dislodgement or lateral tilting when is suspended position.

The interconnecting means 82 includes elongated hanger means 84 extending horizontally across back wall means 52 at a location, selected for better stability to be above the lateral centerline, and preferably, contiguous to the chamfered edge of rear wall means 52. The elongated hanger means includes flange means 85 spaced from the rear wall means 52 byload support surface 86.

Stabilizingelements 88, 89 are in horizontally spaced locations selected to be below the lateral centerline for better stability, and preferably contiguous to the lower extremity of rear wall means 52.

Spacing between stabilizingelements 88, 89 is a distance greater than the length of the elongated hanger means 84 measured between internal confrontingsurfaces 90 and 91 which diverge in projecting outwardly from the rear container wall means52. Stabilizingelements 88 and 89 project in the same direction as the elongated hanger means 84 from the rear wall means 52. This horizontal spacing between the inward ends of the stabilizing elements, at a location contiguous to rear wall means 52, is substantiallyequal to the distance between thelateral edges 32 and 34 of upright support means 31 shown in FIG. 1.

These stabilizing elements prevent lateral tilting of the container module. Further lateral stability is added by the elongated hanger means 84 in thatside walls 92 and 93 of such hanger means, at a location contiguous to the rear wall means 52, are spaced substantially the same as side edges of the horizontally extended support slot means. Sides of the elongated hanger means 92, 93 taper toward each other in projecting outwardly from the rear wall means 52 to provide ease of insertion and, along with the stabilizingelements confronting surfaces 90, 91 help provide self-seating characteristics.

Rear wall means 52 includes reinforcing and surface contact means intermediate the hanger means 84 and stabilizingelements 88 and 89. These take the form ofupright ribs 94 and 95 andlateral rib 96. These elements present coplanar surfaces for-contacting the vertical upright support means so as to properly position thecontainer module 31 in suspendedposition. As best seen in FIG. 8, the contact surface of reinforcingleg 95 contacts theupright support 31 so that thecontainer module 30 is suspended in substantially upright position. The preferable construction of the container module when so positioned is to have the interior surface of bottom wall means 49 inclined slightly downwardly in approaching the rear wall means 52. Preferably the angle of inclination is about 2 and extends from a location contiguous to the forward side of the container module to the rear wall.

The reinforcing leg means 73, 74 forming part of the bottom wall means are disposed to have their contact surfaces act in a similar manner when the container means is set on a horizontal surface, that is the interior surface of the bottom wall is. inclined downwardly in approaching the rear of the container module.

Another important contribution of the invention results from the stable stacking features available with container modules as described. These include lateral and longitudinal stability stacking means. The stabilizingelements 88 and 89 of the unitary construction shown in FIG. 7 provide an interlocking feature for stability in the direction leading from front to back of the container module. For this purpose an inverted U- shaped recess, such as 97 on stabilizingelement 88, is provided at. the baseof each stabilizing element. The recess formed in each base of the stabilizing elements has an outwardly slopingrear surface 98 and aload bearing surface 99. The outwardlysloping surface 98 coacts with the chamfered surface on the top periphery of each container module and provides self-seating characteristics.

For lateral stability, stacking grooves are provided at the forward upper edges of the container module. Stackinggrooves 103 and 105 are best seen in FIG. 11.Projections 107 and 108 at the lower forward edge of a standard container module interfit withslots 103 and 105, respectively. These slots and projections are formed to have conforming configurations and selfseating characteristics.

Container module 30 is of unitary construction and is molded or cast from a plastic material such as structural foam. High density polyethylene, high-impact polystyrene, and polypropylene are suitable examples. A specific example is the NORYL type of structural foam available from General Electric Company, Plastics Department, Selkirk, New York. NORYL FN 2l5 is preferred for its fire safety chracteristics.-The plastic material is selected to have a high softening temperature so it can be cleaned and/or at least toxic gas sterilized without deteriorating. Comer junctions of the enclosure are rounded to avoid sharp inside and outside comers for ease of cleaning.

The rear wall means .52 of thecontainer module 30 has excellent beam strength as a result ofvertical ribs 94, 95 which project from rear wall means 52. Such rib means provide the-required strength while saving material and weight by permitting reduced wall thickness intermediate such ribs. The bottom wall means 49 is strengthened and made more rigid as a result of the beam strength obtained from support and reinforcingribs 73, 74.

THE COVER Cover means 39, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.is formed from a single sheet of transparent vinyl or polystyrene, 9 abqut 2.5 mil t i kness. to pr xies.t qu wqflex bili by known vacuum forming techniques. Cover means 39 includes a generally rectangularupper portion 110 and a generally rectangular front portion 111.Upper portion 110 includes aflat panel 1 12 borderedby arib wall 113 in angled relation to panel 112. Located peripherally torib wall 113 is narrow-width horizontallydisposed surface 114 extending around the full periphery ofupper cover portion 110. Depending from the peripheralhorizontal surface 114, along side wall and 7 rear wall portions, is downwardly inclined skirt means 1 15. This skirt means extends around side wall and rear edges ofupper cover portion 110. Abeading 116 can be added to the bottom edge ofskirt 115 to add strength to the skirt means.

Front cover portion 111 is joined to upper cover portion along unitary hinge juncture 117. The front cover portion 111 includes peripheral flange 118 which extends around recessedportion 119. Therecess portion 119 includes panel wall 120 joined to 'flange 118 by an inwardly projectingrib wall 121.

Centrally located along thelower flange portion 122 of the front cover means 111 is lift tab means 123 including an elongatedrectilinear recess 124. As shown in FIG. 13, the lower extremity offlange 56 ofcontainer module 30 is provided with an inverted L-shapednotch 125. On the cover means 39 theupper wall 126 oftab recess 124 has a projecting bead 127 at its inner end which snap locks into the inverted L-shapedrecess 125.

The coaction of cover means 39 andcontainer module 30 in closing and sealing the access openings are described in detail in applicants copending application entitled Self-Seating Container Module Cover." How ever briefly, a double seal arrangement is provided around all peripheries with horizontally disposedperipheral border 114 contacting the upperhorizontal surface 57 of the container module and the skirt means contacting the chamferedsurface 58 extending around the upper periphery of the-container module. 0n the front cover portion 111 of cover means 39 the planar border around side and bottom edges contacts theflanges 53, 54, and 55 around the front end of the container module.Rib wall 121 contacts an inwardly inclined edge along theside walls 54 and 55 and across the front of the bottom wall means 49.

To closecontainer module 30 with cover means 39 it is merely necessary to seat theupper cover portion 110 with self-seating characteristics being provided by the skirt means 115. When the front cover portion 111 is lowered and snapped into position a double seal is provided around all peripheries of the fully open accesses to the enclosure. Therib walls 113 and 121 add rigidity to the cover. means but other reinforcing lines can be used across the planar panel means without departingfrom the teachings of the invention.

THE RETAINING BAR The removable retaining means 41 of FIG. 4 is shown in greater detail in FIG. 14. Retaining means 41 in effect acts as a front partition and can be molded or cast in plastic. Preferably, retainer means 41 is fabricated from a single piece of sheet metal bent to provide atop wall 130 andside walls 131 and 132. Bottom edges ofside walls 131, 132 are spaced above the lower extremity of the retainer means 41. As shown,bottom edge 133 ofside wall 131 is inclined downwardly in approaching front wall 134 and facilitates insertion of the retainer means.

Top wall 130 projects from front wall 134 the same distance asside walls 131 and 132; these walls project a distance slightly less than the distance between the rear surfaces offlanges 54 and 55 (FIG. 8) and a front surface offront posts 60 and 61. This permits retaining means 41 to slide betweenflanges 54, 55 andposts 60 and 61 into the position shown at FIG. 8 and to be held firmly in upright position. FIGS. 4 and 8 also show that the retainingbar 41 has a vertical height less than the height of the shelf support posts. Shelf or basket means can be positioned above the retainer means 41.

SHELF AND PARTITION ARRANGEMENT The removable shelf means 44 of FIG. 5, is shown in greater detail in FIGS. through 17. Shelf means 44 is molded or cast from suitable plastic material or fabricated from a single sheet of sheet metal to provide a top wall 140, afront wall 141,side walls 142 and 143, arear wall 144, andrear corner tabs 145 and 146. Thesewalls and tabs each project perpendicularly from the edges of top wall 140.Tabs 145 and 146 are angled, at approximately 45, between rear wall. 144 andside walls 142, 143, respectively.Tabs 145 and 146 interlock with theslots 70, 71 (FIG. 9) formed byprojections 68, 69, on the rear corner support posts 62, 63.Side walls 142, 143 of the shelf means 44 interlock withslots 65, 67 formed byprojections 64, 66 on thefront 55 of the container module side wall means. All wallsdepend without forming enclosures to facilitate cleaning. Six pairs of spacedopenings 150 through (FIG. 15) provide a plurality of partitioning arrangements, e.g. in halves or thirds. Each opening is elongated in a direction parallel to side walls 142,143 and extends completely through the shelf means. The openings of therespective pairs 150, 151, 152 are offset towardrear wall 144 and theopenings 153,- 154, 155 are offset towardfront wall 141. The respective openings of each pair are aligned with each other in a fore and aft direction on the shelf.

The blank from which partition means 45 is formed is shown in FIG. 18.Blank 158 is generally rectangular and has a pair of lockingtabs 159 and 160 which project downwardly from abottom edge 161 of the partition. Lockingtabs 159 and 160 have the same height as stabilizinglegs 162 and 163. Stabilizinglegs 162 and 163 each have their respective end edges 164 and 165 in spaced relation to the tabs. Stabilizinglegs 162 and 163 are separated by arectangular slot 166. Stabilizingleg 162 is bent laterally along bend line 167 while stabilizingleg 163 is bent laterally in an opposite direction along bend .line 167. This provides the partition structure shown in FIGS. 5 and 19 whereleg 162 extends to the left ofbody 168 and perpendicular to the plane of the body andleg 163 extends to the right ofbody 168.

The length of each of thelatch tabs 159 and 160 where unitary with the main body portion of blank 168 is slightly less than the length of each shelf opening. The distance between arear edge 170 oftab 159 to thetip 171 oftab 160 is slightly greater than the length of the shelf openings 156 sotabs 159 and 160 enter aligned shelf openings in angled relationship to the horizontal to mount the partition on the shelf. The partition is preferably mounted on the shelf withtabs 159 and 160 facing towardrear wall 144 of the shelf; the partition is dimensioned so that after the tabs are inserted through a selected pair of aligned openings, the partition is then moved in a direction towardrear wall 144 of the shelf.Rear edge 172 of the partition is flush withrear wall 144 of the shelf and contiguous to rear wall means 52 of the container means which prevents accidental dislodgement of the partition. The distance between atop edge 174 andblank edge 161 is approximately the same as the thickness of the sheet metal of shelf means 44 so that the partition is rigidly held on the shelf means against up and down movement. In addition,legs 162 and 163 extending in opposite directions to engage the upper surface of top wall 140 of the shelf means prevents tilting and adds vertical and horizontal stability.

The principle of the partition support can be used on an apertured partition support at the rear wall. Such partition support includes a flange means which is positioned in slot means 70, 71 at the rear support posts 62, 63 and is held byprotrusions 68, 69. Vertically oriented partitioning blank means, extending parallel to side walls are attached to the rear wall located partition support. Such dividers can extend either the full height or a portion of the height of the enclosure. Lock tabs and stabilizing legs are located on the rear vertical leg of the partitioning means rather than along a bottom leg as in the shelf supported partition of FIG. 18 but operate in a substantially identical manner with tabs inserted in the slots and supports.

Wire basket 46 of FIG. 6 has a top rim which extends around three sides of the basket and which has a length along the respective walls of the container module which is only slightly less than the inside dimensions of the enclosure so the basket can be'supported in a manner similar to shelf means 44. Corner portions of the basket are open as shown in FIG. 6 to enable seat- UPRIGHT SUSPENSION Vertical support means 31 on whichcontainer module 30 is suspended in cantilever fashion is formed from sheet metal and is hung in an upright position on walls or mobile carriers, or pole mounted. Details of this structure and mounting are covered in applicants copending application entitled Modular Storage, Transfer Handling and Retrieval System." However,support 31 is generally rectangular in cross section and presents a plurality of horizontally elongated vertically aligned and spaced hanger slots such as 190 of FIG. 8. Openings such as 190 are formed in a vertically elongatedplanar surface 191. Along the bottom edge of each opening is a rearwardly benthorizontal legde 193 terminating at a downwardly bentvertical wall 194.Upright support 31 also hasside walls 33 and 34 (FIG. 9) along its lateral edges.

With container-module 30 positioned onsupport 31 as shownin FIGS. 8 and 9,hanger bar 84 extends throughopening 190 withflange 8 8 engaging rearvertical wall 194. Confronting faces 9th, 91 of stabilizingprojections 88, 89, respectively, are contiguous to the outsidesurfaces of therespective side walls 33 and 3 3 when therear surface ribs 94 and 95 are flat againstupright surface 191 of thesupport surface 31. Through the previously described interaction of hanger means 84 and stabilizingelements 88, 89,container module 30 is stably suspended on upright support 311 and held by gravity.

Changes in details of the container module or accessories described for the container for purposes of explaining the concept of the invention, and/or substitution of materials other than those specifically disclosed, can be resorted to without departing from the scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Container module of unitary construction comprising bottomwall means,

rear wall means, and

side wall means,

the bottom, rear, and side wall meansdefining a generally rectilinear configuration enclosure with fullopen access across upper and front portions of the defined enclosure,

the bottom, rear, and side wall means each having an external surface and an internal surface relative to the defined enclosure,

the bottom wall means including means on its external surface for supporting the container module on a flat surface with sidewall means substantially vertical,

the rear wall means including interconnecting means on its external surface for cantilever suspension of the container module on a vertically-oriented support means with sidewall means of the enclosure substantially vertical when the defined enclosure is in its upright position,

the interconnecting means projecting rearwardly from the external surface of the rear wall means, and including elongated hanger means and stabilizing means predeterminedly positioned on the rear wall means with the elongated hanger means being horizontallyoriented at a location spaced vertically from the stabilizing means,

such location for the hanger means being spaced upwardly from the stabilizing means when the container module is in its upright position,

the elongated hanger means including a downwardly depending flange means spaced from the external surface of the rear wall means by a downwardly facing load support surface,

the external surfaces of the rear and side wall means defining planes having a substantially right angled relationship.

2. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the internal surface of the bottom wall means is substantially planar and is inclined downwardly over a major portion of its area in extending from a location contiguous to its front edge to the rear wall means,

such' inclined downwardly disposition for the internal surface of the bottom'wall means existing when the container module is disposed on a horizontal surface and when suspended on vertical support means.

3. The container module ofclaim 2 in which the angle of inclination of such internal surface with a horizontal plane is approximately 2 4. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the means on the external surface of the bottom wall means for supporting the container module on a flat surface comprises reinforcing leg means extending in a direction parallel to the side wall means.

5. The container module. ofclaim 4 in which the reinforcing leg means are located inwardly of corner junctures between the side wall means and bottom wall means. I

6. The container module of claim 5 further including recessed handgrip means located contiguous to corner junctures between the side wall means and bottom wall means.

7. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the bottom wall means includes downwardly depending flange means at its front edge defining a substantially planar, vertically-oriented, surface extending between the side wall means.

8. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the elongated hanger means is a continuous hanger bar of predetermined length. 9. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the elongated hanger means is a continuous hange bar of predetermined length, and v the stabilizing means comprises a pair of projections predeterminedly spaced horizontally from each other.

10. The container module ofclaim 9 in which the pair of projections are spaced horizontally a distance greater than the horizontal length of the elongated hanger means.

11. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the location of the hanger means is vertically above a horizontal centerline of the rear wall means and the elongated hanger means is symmetrical with relation to a vertical centerline of the rear wall means. 12,. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the stabilizing means are located vertically below a horizontal centerline of the rear wall means. 13. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the stabilizing means comprises a pair of projections predeterminedly spaced horizontally from each other and, each of the pair of stabilizing projections include a confronting face defining a substantially planar vertically oriented surface,

suchconfronting face surfaces diverging with respect to each other in extending outwardly from the external surface of the rear wall means.

14. The container module of claim including a pair of vertically oriented rib means on the rear wall means interconnecting the elongated hanger means and the pair of stabilizing projections and defining therebetween coplanar external surfaces lying in a substantially vertical plane.

15. The container module ofclaim 1 in which the external surfaces of the rear wall and side wall means include a chamfered surface contiguous to upper peripheral edges of such wall means.

16. The container module of claim 7 in which the side wall means include flange means defining inwardly directed substantially planar vertically oriented surfaces,

such surfaces being coplanar with the substantially planar vertically oriented surface defined by the downwardly depending flange means at the front edge of the bottom wall means.

17. The container module of claim 16 in which the side wall flange means define slot means opening upwardly and located at upper peripheral edges of the side wall flange means.

18. The container module ofclaim 17 in which downwardly depending projections are defined contiguous to corner junctions of the side wall flange means and the bottom wall flange means,

such downwardly directed projections coacting with the upwardly opening slot means at the upper end of the side wall flange means when two container modules are placed in stacked relationship.

19. The container module ofclaim 9 in which base portions of the pair of stabilizing projections on the rear wall means of the container module define downwardly opening slot means for coacting with upper edge means of another container module when two container modules are placed in stacked relationship.

20. The container module of claim 19 in which the support post means at the front of the defined enclosure are located on the internal surfaces of the side wall means adjacent to the flange means of the side wall means and spaced from such flange means in the direction of the rear wall means to define therebetween vertically oriented slot means for holding retaining wall means extending across the front access of the enclosure between the side wall means.

21. The container module ofclaim 9 in combination with vertically oriented support rail means having a channel configuration in horizontal cross section and defining a substantially planar frontal surface extending between rearwardly projecting lateral side walls,

the frontal surface of the vertically oriented support rail means defining a plurality of horizontallyoriented elongated slots which are predeterminedly spaced vertically along the frontal surface and vertically aligned,

the predetermined length of the elongated hanger bar means of the container module at a location contiguous to the external surface of the rear wall means is selected to be substantially equal to the horizontal length of the horizontally-oriented elongated slots defined by the frontal surface of the verticallyoriented support rail means.

22. The container module of claim 21 in which the horizontal distance between the pair of spaced stabilizing projections measured at a location contiguous to the external surface of the rear wall means is selected to be substantially equal to the horizontal distance between external surfaces of the lateral side walls of the vertically-oriented support rail means.

Claims (22)

1. Container module of unitary construction comprising bottom wall means, rear wall means, and side wall means, the bottom, rear, and side wall means defining a generally rectilinear configuration enclosure with full-open access across upper and front portions of the defined enclosure, the bottom, rear, and side wall means each having an external surface and an internal surface relative to the defined enclosure, the bottom wall means including means on its external surface for supporting the container module on a flat surface with sidewall means substantially vertical, the rear wall means including interconnecting means on its external surface for cantilever suspension of the container module on a vertically-oriented support means with sidewall means of the enclosure substantially vertical when the defined enclosure is in its upright position, the interconnecting means projecting rearwardly from the external surface of the rear wall means, and including elongated hanger means and stabilizing means predeterminedly positioned on the rear wall means with the elongated hanger means being horizontally-oriented at a location spaced vertically from the stabilizing means, such location for the hanger means being spaced upwardly from the stabilizing means when the container module is in its upright position, the elongated hanger means including a downwardly depending flange means spaced from the external surface of the rear wall means by a downwardly facing load support surface, the external sUrfaces of the rear and side wall means defining planes having a substantially right angled relationship.

2. The container module of claim 1 in which the internal surface of the bottom wall means is substantially planar and is inclined downwardly over a major portion of its area in extending from a location contiguous to its front edge to the rear wall means, such inclined downwardly disposition for the internal surface of the bottom wall means existing when the container module is disposed on a horizontal surface and when suspended on vertical support means.

3. The container module of claim 2 in which the angle of inclination of such internal surface with a horizontal plane is approximately 2 .

4. The container module of claim 1 in which the means on the external surface of the bottom wall means for supporting the container module on a flat surface comprises reinforcing leg means extending in a direction parallel to the side wall means.

5. The container module of claim 4 in which the reinforcing leg means are located inwardly of corner junctures between the side wall means and bottom wall means.

6. The container module of claim 5 further including recessed handgrip means located contiguous to corner junctures between the side wall means and bottom wall means.

7. The container module of claim 1 in which the bottom wall means includes downwardly depending flange means at its front edge defining a substantially planar, vertically-oriented, surface extending between the side wall means.

8. The container module of claim 1 in which the elongated hanger means is a continuous hanger bar of predetermined length.

9. The container module of claim 1 in which the elongated hanger means is a continuous hanger bar of predetermined length, and the stabilizing means comprises a pair of projections predeterminedly spaced horizontally from each other.

10. The container module of claim 9 in which the pair of projections are spaced horizontally a distance greater than the horizontal length of the elongated hanger means.

11. The container module of claim 1 in which the location of the hanger means is vertically above a horizontal centerline of the rear wall means and the elongated hanger means is symmetrical with relation to a vertical centerline of the rear wall means.

12. The container module of claim 1 in which the stabilizing means are located vertically below a horizontal centerline of the rear wall means.

13. The container module of claim 1 in which the stabilizing means comprises a pair of projections predeterminedly spaced horizontally from each other and, each of the pair of stabilizing projections include a confronting face defining a substantially planar vertically oriented surface, such confronting face surfaces diverging with respect to each other in extending outwardly from the external surface of the rear wall means.

14. The container module of claim 10 including a pair of vertically oriented rib means on the rear wall means interconnecting the elongated hanger means and the pair of stabilizing projections and defining therebetween coplanar external surfaces lying in a substantially vertical plane.

15. The container module of claim 1 in which the external surfaces of the rear wall and side wall means include a chamfered surface contiguous to upper peripheral edges of such wall means.

16. The container module of claim 7 in which the side wall means include flange means defining inwardly directed substantially planar vertically oriented surfaces, such surfaces being coplanar with the substantially planar vertically oriented surface defined by the downwardly depending flange means at the front edge of the bottom wall means.

17. The container module of claim 16 in which the side wall flange means define slot means opening upwardly and located at upper peripheral edges of the side wall flange means.

18. The container module of claiM 17 in which downwardly depending projections are defined contiguous to corner junctions of the side wall flange means and the bottom wall flange means, such downwardly directed projections coacting with the upwardly opening slot means at the upper end of the side wall flange means when two container modules are placed in stacked relationship.

19. The container module of claim 9 in which base portions of the pair of stabilizing projections on the rear wall means of the container module define downwardly opening slot means for coacting with upper edge means of another container module when two container modules are placed in stacked relationship.

20. The container module of claim 19 in which the support post means at the front of the defined enclosure are located on the internal surfaces of the side wall means adjacent to the flange means of the side wall means and spaced from such flange means in the direction of the rear wall means to define therebetween vertically oriented slot means for holding retaining wall means extending across the front access of the enclosure between the side wall means.

21. The container module of claim 9 in combination with vertically oriented support rail means having a channel configuration in horizontal cross section and defining a substantially planar frontal surface extending between rearwardly projecting lateral side walls, the frontal surface of the vertically oriented support rail means defining a plurality of horizontally-oriented elongated slots which are predeterminedly spaced vertically along the frontal surface and vertically aligned, the predetermined length of the elongated hanger bar means of the container module at a location contiguous to the external surface of the rear wall means is selected to be substantially equal to the horizontal length of the horizontally-oriented elongated slots defined by the frontal surface of the vertically-oriented support rail means.

22. The container module of claim 21 in which the horizontal distance between the pair of spaced stabilizing projections measured at a location contiguous to the external surface of the rear wall means is selected to be substantially equal to the horizontal distance between external surfaces of the lateral side walls of the vertically-oriented support rail means.

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