Container rack with locking member

Abstract

A container rack with a locking member configured to hold one or more containers in a secure, transportable, and closed fashion. The rack includes a platform having a plurality of slots sized and shaped to accept containers of various sizes, with each slot having at least one locking member associated with it to form a locking groove. The locking member and platform form the locking groove which is adapted to secure a container in the rack in an upright and stable position. Advantageously, when containers having lids are in the locked position within the rack, the locking member makes contact with the lid to keep the lid in its closed position.

1 . A container rack comprising:
 a platform comprising one or more slots configured to accept one or more containers in an unlocked position; and   one or more locking members extending from the platform, each locking member positioned relative to the one or more slots to form a locking groove,   wherein movement of an unlocked container into engagement with in the locking groove transitions the container into a locked position.   
   
   
       2 . The container rack of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more slots are configured to accept containers of varying sizes and shapes which are capable of being placed in the locked position. 
   
   
       3 . The container rack of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more locking members are configured to provide a downward force against a lid of a container in the locked position. 
   
   
       4 . The container rack of  claim 1 , wherein a container in the locked position is maintained in a substantially upright position. 
   
   
       6 . The container rack of  claim 1 , wherein each of the one or more slots has a width which is less than the diameter of a container lid, such that the lid contacts the platform when in the unlocked and locked positions. 
   
   
       7 . The container rack of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more legs having a greater length than the one or more containers the rack is adapted to hold. 
   
   
       8 . The container rack of  claim 1 , wherein in the unlocked position the loaded container does not frictionally engage the locking member. 
   
   
       9 . The container rack of  claim 1 , further comprising a handle facilitating transport of the rack. 
   
   
       10 . The container rack of  claim 1 , wherein the locking member is configured to contact a top portion of a container in the locked position.