Double-sided storage container

Abstract

A double-sided storage container includes an open-ended container body and a pair of cover assemblies. The open-ended container body includes side walls connected together at angles to one another and a pair of open ends. The pair of cover assemblies are positioned one at each of the open ends to permit a user to selectively open and close either of the open ends to access items positioned adjacent either of the open ends. Each of the cover assemblies includes a lip surrounding the perimeter of its corresponding open end and a lid that includes a planar body and a securing assembly detachably securing the planar body to the lip to cover its corresponding open end.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A double-sided storage container comprising:
 an open-ended container body comprising side walls connected together at angles to one another and a pair of open ends;   a pair of cover assemblies disposed one at each of said open ends to permit a user to selectively open and close either of said open ends to access items disposed adjacent either of said open ends, wherein each of said cover assemblies comprises:
 a lip surrounding the perimeter of its corresponding open end and extending from and transverse to said side walls to an outer lip edge; and 
 a lid comprising a planar body and a securing assembly detachably securing said planar body to said lip to cover its corresponding open end, wherein said securing assembly comprises a bracket configured to fit onto and under said lip and movable retaining clips configured to releasably lock said lid and said lip together. 
   
     
     
         2 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 1 , wherein said planar body extends to an outer body edge that essentially follows said outer lip edge to form an essentially flat support surface regardless of which of said open ends is oriented above the other. 
     
     
         3 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 2 , wherein said bracket comprises a first leg portion extending down past said outer lip edge and a second leg portion extending inwardly and engaging an inner side of said lip. 
     
     
         4 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 3 , wherein each of said retaining clips comprises a hinge pivotably attached to said outer body edge, a clip body extending downwardly from said hinge and past said outer lip edge, and a first mating member extending inwardly under said lip and releasably engaged with a second mating member disposed on said inner side of said lip. 
     
     
         5 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 4 , wherein said lip comprises four sides disposed at angles to one another. 
     
     
         6 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 5 , wherein said retaining bracket is disposed on one of said sides and three groups of said retaining clips are disposed on the other three of said sides. 
     
     
         7 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 5 , wherein the double-sided storage container comprises a pair of said retaining brackets disposed on a first pair of said sides and said retaining clips on a second pair of said sides. 
     
     
         8 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 7 , wherein said first pair of said sides are connected at a corner, and said pair of retaining brackets are connected together to form an angled retaining bracket. 
     
     
         9 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 5 , wherein the double-sided storage container comprises three of said retaining brackets disposed on three of said sides and said retaining clips are disposed on the other of said sides. 
     
     
         10 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 1 , wherein each of said cover assemblies comprises a seal assembly disposed between said lid and said lip. 
     
     
         11 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 10 , wherein said seal assembly comprises a recess disposed in one of said lip and said lid and a rubber gasket seated in said recess. 
     
     
         12 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 1 , wherein each of said container body and said lid comprises transparent material. 
     
     
         13 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 12 , wherein each of said container body, said lip, and said lid comprises high-strength plastic. 
     
     
         14 . The double-sided storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said container body is rectangular and has a height in the range of approximately 15-25 inches, a length in the range of approximately 26-38 inches, and a width in the range of approximately 15-25 inches. 
     
     
         15 . A method of using the double-sided storage container of  claim 1  comprising:
 placing a first lid over a first open end of said container body by sliding its bracket onto said lip and releasably locking its retaining clips; 
 turning over said container body and placing said first lid on a ground or floor surface; 
 placing items in said container body through a second open end of said container body; 
 placing a second lid over said second open end of said container body by sliding its bracket onto said lip and releasably locking its retaining clips; and 
 selectively turning up said first open end or said second open end to access the ones of said items disposed adjacent the selected one of said first open end or said second open end.