Container

Abstract

The invention provides a container for holding combat sport equipment. The container comprises: (a) a hollow body defined by four sidewalls that extend from a closed base to an open mouth; (b) a handle provided on one of the sidewalls of the hollow body, and (c) a lid having an inner surface that comprises a flat area, an outer surface, and four edges. The handle comprises a first elongate member and a second elongate member, wherein the first elongate member has an elongate axis that lies parallel to the plane of the closed base; and the second elongate member has an elongate axis that lies perpendicular to the plane of the closed base. One of the edges of the lid is pivotally connected to one of the sidewalls of the hollow body and the lid can pivot between an open position, in which the lid does not cover the open mouth and in which the flat area of the inner surface lies parallel to the plane of the closed base, and a closed position, in which the lid partly or completely covers the open mouth.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for holding combat sport equipment, wherein the container comprises:
 a hollow body defined by four sidewalls that extend from a closed base to an open mouth;   a handle provided on one of the sidewalls of the hollow body, the handle comprising a first elongate member and a second elongate member, wherein:
 the first elongate member has an elongate axis that lies parallel to the plane of the closed base; and 
 the second elongate member has an elongate axis that lies perpendicular to the plane of the closed base; and 
   a lid having an inner surface that comprises a flat area, an outer surface, and four edges, wherein one of the edges is pivotally connected to one of the sidewalls of the hollow body and wherein the lid can pivot between an open position, in which the lid does not cover the open mouth and in which the flat area of the inner surface lies parallel to the plane of the closed base, and a closed position, in which the lid partly or completely covers the open mouth.   
     
     
         2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is in a fixed position relative to the hollow body.  25   
     
     
         3 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the first elongate member of the handle is directly connected to the outer surface of a sidewall of the hollow body. 
     
     
         4 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the second elongate member of the handle is directly connected to the first elongate member. 
     
     
         5 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is rigid. 
     
     
         6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is provided with an additional handle and/or a strap. 
     
     
         7 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein 50% or more, preferably all, of the area of the inner surface of the lid forms a flat and substantially rigid work surface. 
     
     
         8 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein when the lid is in its open position, the inner surface is not parallel with the closed base, so as to provide a work surface that is raised off the ground. 
     
     
         9 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein in the closed position the lid only partly covers the open mouth, and wherein preferably the hollow body is divided into two or more compartments, with at least one of said compartments being covered by the lid in the closed position and with at least one of said compartments not being covered by the lid when in the closed position. 
     
     
         10 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is located substantially centrally with respect to the width of the sidewall and wherein preferably the handle is located substantially centrally or in the upper half with respect to the height of the sidewall. 
     
     
         11 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the closed base is rectangular and the handle is provided on a sidewall that extends from the width of the rectangular base rather than the length. 
     
     
         12 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the plane in which the closed base lies is closer to the second elongate member of the handle than the first elongate member of the handle. 
     
     
         13 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the handle is T-shaped, C-shaped or L-shaped. 
     
     
         14 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein in the closed position the lid covers from 25% to 100% of the length of the mouth. 
     
     
         15 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the lid is pivotally connected to the sidewall that is provided with the handle, and wherein preferably a stop is provided, to prevent the lid from pivoting past the open position. 
     
     
         16 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container includes one or more support members inside the container on which a removable receptacle can be placed, so as to engage with, and be supported on, said support members. 
     
     
         17 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is provided with movement aids, such as wheels, rollers or castors, on the outer surface of the closed base of the hollow body. 
     
     
         18 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the hollow body includes a fluid outlet. 
     
     
         19 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein one or more of the sidewalls includes a holder for presenting an advertising sign. 
     
     
         20 . A kit comprising:
 a container, and   a removable receptacle, such as insert tray and/or a storage box;   
       wherein the container comprises:
 a hollow body defined by four sidewalls that extend from a closed base to an open mouth; 
 a handle provided on one of the sidewalls of the hollow body, the handle comprising a first elongate member and a second elongate member, wherein:
 the first elongate member has an elongate axis that lies parallel to the plane of the closed base; and 
 the second elongate member has an elongate axis that lies perpendicular to the plane of the closed base; and 
 
 a lid having an inner surface that comprises a flat area, an outer surface, and four edges, wherein one of the edges is pivotally connected to one of the sidewalls of the hollow body and wherein the lid can pivot between an open position, in which the lid does not cover the open mouth and in which the flat area of the inner surface lies parallel to the plane of the closed base, and a closed position, in which the lid partly or completely covers the open mouth, and wherein the container is adapted to receive the removable receptacle.