U.S. patent application number 11/177629 was filed with the patent office on 2007-01-11 for modular storage system.
Invention is credited to Saul Palder.
Application Number | 20070009343 11/177629 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37618449 |
Filed Date | 2007-01-11 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070009343 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Palder; Saul |
January 11, 2007 |
Modular storage system
Abstract
A carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nested
containers on a turntable sized to support three stacks of
containers and a stack of lids. The containers within each stack
may be of like size and different in size from the containers in
other stacks, but with all containers having like open end
dimensions. The lids are sized and shaped to close all
containers.
Inventors: |
Palder; Saul; (Hyde Park,
MA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WOLF GREENFIELD & SACKS, PC
FEDERAL RESERVE PLAZA
600 ATLANTIC AVENUE
BOSTON
MA
02210-2206
US
|
Family ID: |
37618449 |
Appl. No.: |
11/177629 |
Filed: |
July 8, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
414/22.66 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47G 19/23 20130101;
A47F 10/06 20130101; A47F 5/02 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
414/022.66 |
International
Class: |
E21B 19/00 20060101
E21B019/00 |
Claims
1. A carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nested
containers comprising a turntable, means supporting the turntable
for rotation relative to the base, a plurality of stack guides,
means securing the stack guides in spaced relation to one another
on the turntable, said stacked guides each comprising an elongated
cylinder having a portion of the cylinder conforming in shape to a
portion of the sidewall of a container, a center guide axially
located on the turntable and extending upwardly therefrom, said
center guide and stack guides defining a plurality of wells, each
shaped and sized to receive a stack of nested containers.
2. A carousel as set forth in claim 1, wherein an elongated
cylinder has an outer portion parallel to a segment of the
periphery of the turntable.
3. A carousel as set forth in claim 2 wherein finger grooves are
defined on the surface thereof intermediate the portion of the
elongated cylinder conforming in shape to the portion of the
sidewall and the outer portion.
4. A carousel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means securing
the stack guides on the turntable comprises an interlock mechanism
with a portion of the mechanism fixed to the turntable and engaging
the bottom of the stack guides.
5. A carousel as set forth in claim 4 wherein the mechanism
includes a member fixed to and extending upwardly from the
turntable with the member having a shape conforming with and
engaging the wall of the cylinder.
6. A carousel as set forth in claim 5 having engageable
interlocking elements on the member and on the lower end of the
cylinder.
7. A carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nestable
containers on a turntable comprising a center column axially
aligned with and extending upwardly from the turntable, and a
plurality of radially arranged columns spaced from the center
column, said center column and radially arranged columns formed of
hollow cylindrical members and defining a plurality of wells sized
and shaped to receive stacks of nested containers.
8. A carousel as set forth in claim 7 having means for removably
interlocking the columns to the turntable.
9. A carousel as set forth in claim 7 wherein at least one column
is formed with a finger grip on its outer surface for use in
rotating the carousel.
10. A carousel as set forth in claim 7 wherein the center column
has an outer surface with a plurality of vertically extending
concave surfaces defining in part wells for receiving stacks of
nested containers.
11. A carousel as set forth in claim 10 wherein the outer surface
has four concave surfaces.
12. A carousel as set forth in claim 7 wherein a radially arranged
column is formed with a finger gripping surface.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a carousel structure for
supporting containers and, in particular, a carousel for supporting
stacks of like containers.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0003] The recent commercial acceptance of carousels designed to
support stacks of like containers within kitchen cabinets and the
like has generated significant interest in creating improved
designs for this type of product. Heretofore, carousels have been
designed to support stacks of containers having sizes of a 1/2 pint
and 1 pint. The carousels that are commercially available are
essentially consistent with the structure shown in U.S. Letters
Pat. No. 6,585,119 incorporated herein by reference. Commercial
embodiments of these carousels have been primarily designed with
costs in mind for mass marketing, primarily through infomercial
sales. Although these carousels and the containers sold with them
have been phenomenally successful and service a substantial market,
there are potentials for improved and different designs intended
for different markets.
[0004] Thus, for example, carousels designed to support containers
of larger sizes should be more sturdy. Additionally, carousels
designed for commercial uses such as in restaurants or carousels
designed for upscale markets should preferably be capable of heavy
use, while at the same time providing an attractive appearance.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide an improved carousel for supporting stacks of like
containers and, in particular, carousels designed for supporting
containers of 1 quart, 1 pint and 1 cup capacity. A further object
of the present invention is to provide an improved carousel for
stacking containers that is easy to manufacture and ship, with
components designed to snap together for a knock-down, compact
shipping package. A further object of the present invention is to
provide an improved carousel with a stylized configuration, but
with a design that is sized to fit all standard kitchen cabinets. A
further object of the present invention is to provide a carousel
for storing stacked containers that is made of components that are
easy to clean and with containers, when used, may be stored in
freezers and the like.
[0006] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
carousel having components that are especially designed and shaped
to easily nest stacks of like containers in multiple stacks for
easy access.
[0007] A further object of the present invention is to provide a
carousel for like stacks of containers that is easy to rotate and
is otherwise easily accessible when positioned in a kitchen cabinet
or the like.
[0008] In the present invention there is provided a carousel for
supporting a plurality of stacks of nested containers on a
turntable sized to support a plurality and preferably at least
three stacks of containers with the containers within each stack of
like size and dimension. The turntables axially support a center
column that extends upwardly with a plurality of radially arranged
columns spaced from the center column. The center column and
radially arranged columns are preferably formed of hollow,
cylindrical members and define in combination a plurality of wells
sized and shaped to receive the stacks of nested containers.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to
scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical
component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by
a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be
labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:
[0010] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of
the present invention showing a carousel designed to hold three
stacks of nested containers, together with a stack of lids or
covers;
[0011] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1
with the stacks and lids removed and with one of the columns shown
partially removed and with the turntable and supporting base shown
in exploded arrangement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] This invention is not limited in its application to the
details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth
in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The
invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or
of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having," "containing," "involving," and
variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed
thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
[0013] The carousel shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a turntable 10
positioned over a base 20. The turntable 10 is pivotally supported
for rotation and for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the
base by the means generally illustrated in U.S. Letters Pat. No.
6,585,119 or by means hereafter described. A central column or
center guide 30 is positioned above and secured axial to the
turntable 10. A plurality of stack guides or column guides 40 are
radially arranged around the center column 30. The stack guides or
column guides 40 are removably secured to the turntable 10 by means
comprising an interlocking mechanism 50 (FIG. 2). A lower member 51
of the interlocking mechanism 50 is permanently secured to the
turntable. This lower mechanism includes a wall extending upwardly
from the turntable having a shape conforming with and engaging
preferably the inner wall 41 of the column 40. A pair of interlocks
53 and 54 forming part of the lower member 51 are shaped to engage
interlocks on the column 40. The interlocks 53 and 54 have
projecting barbs that engage a slot at the bottom of the column 40
with the slots aligned to receive the interlocks 53 and 54 in a
snap fit.
[0014] The columns 40 are radially arranged about the turntable in
spaced relation to the center column 30 and defined a plurality of
wells with three wells shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 shaped and
sized to receive stacked columns of containers while a fourth well
is shaped and sized to receive a stack of lids. Preferably, the
wells are all of the same size and dimension, since the containers
and lids all preferably have essentially the same shaped and sized
outer periphery. Each of the columns 40 are formed as essentially
elongated cylinders having an outer portion 43 parallel to a
segment of the periphery of the turntable with the outer portion 43
of the cylinder connected along either longitudinal edge to inner
concave section 44 by a section 46 defining an elongated finger
groove, with the finger grooves 46 on either side of an outer
portion 43.
[0015] The outer surface 31 on the central column 30 is formed with
a plurality of vertically extending concave surfaces defining in
part the wells previously described for receiving stacks of nested
containers or lids. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the center column 30
has essentially an x-shaped cross section, with the concave surface
portion of -the center column shaped and sized to receive the
innermost longitudinal edge of essentially rectangular shaped
nested containers. Adjacent columns 40 are shaped with a concave
surface to engage opposite edges of a nested stack of rectangular
containers or lids as illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0016] The lids or covers illustrated in FIG. 1 at 70 are shaped
and sized to engage the open edges of the containers 80 positioned
in the other wells of the carousel. The lids should be shaped and
sized to snap-fit over the open ends of each of the containers and
may be provided with improved features such as a depressed center
section that has a lightly textured surface 74 suitable for
writing. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the different
wells may receive stacks of containers having similarly dimensioned
open ends, but of greater depth so that the containers in one well
accommodate different volumes than the containers in a different
well. Thus, for example, one stack of containers may comprise
1-quart containers; the second 1-pint containers; and a third 1-cup
containers. Fewer containers may be accommodated in a particular
well if the container has greater volume capacity.
[0017] Having thus described several aspects of at least one
embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various
alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to
those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and
improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are
intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of
example only.
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