U.S. patent application number 11/804474 was filed with the patent office on 2008-11-20 for modular spice rack.
Invention is credited to Richard W. Evans, Richard J. Honigman.
Application Number | 20080283481 11/804474 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 40026444 |
Filed Date | 2008-11-20 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080283481 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Evans; Richard W. ; et
al. |
November 20, 2008 |
Modular spice rack
Abstract
A modular container organizer is presented. The organizer
includes a rack having a top, bottom, front, back and ends. The top
has one or more holes for receiving containers. The holes have a
depth suitable for retaining the containers when a lateral force is
applied to the containers or the rack. The rack adapted for
attachment of the back to a mostly vertically positioned surface
and the rack further adapted for assembling a plurality of similar
racks in a grouping.
Inventors: |
Evans; Richard W.; (Eureka,
CA) ; Honigman; Richard J.; (Santa Barbara,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Richard W. Evans
1117 A Street
Eureka
CA
95501
US
|
Family ID: |
40026444 |
Appl. No.: |
11/804474 |
Filed: |
May 18, 2007 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
211/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 77/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
211/74 |
International
Class: |
A47B 73/00 20060101
A47B073/00 |
Claims
1. A modular container organizer comprising: a rack comprising a
top, bottom, front, back and ends, said top comprising one or more
holes for receiving containers, said holes having a depth suitable
for retaining the containers when a lateral force is applied to the
containers or said rack, said rack adapted for attachment of said
back to a mostly vertically positioned surface and said rack
further adapted for assembling a plurality of similar racks in a
grouping.
2. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 1, further
comprising one or more openings on said front associated with each
of said one or more holes, said openings extending from said top to
said depth and having a width less than said holes such that labels
on the containers can be viewed but the containers remain retained
in said holes.
3. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 1, where
sides of said holes comprise a taper.
4. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 1, where one
of said ends comprises one or more dimples and the other end
comprises one or more nipples for alignment of said rack with said
similar racks in said grouping.
5. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 1, further
comprising double-coated urethane foam tape for attaching said back
to said surface.
6. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 1, where
said rack is wood.
7. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 1, where
said rack is injection molded thermal plastic.
8. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 1, where
said surface is an inside of a cabinet door.
9. A modular container organizer comprising a rack comprising:
means for receiving and retaining containers; means for attaching
to a vertical surface; and means for assembling in a grouping of
similar racks.
10. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 9, further
comprising means for viewing labels on said containers.
11. A modular container organizer comprising: a plurality of racks
comprising a top, bottom, front, back and ends; a plurality of
holes in said top for receiving containers, said holes having a
depth suitable for retaining the containers from being tipped or
falling out of said rack; means in said front for viewing labels of
said containers; means for attaching said rack to a mostly
vertically positioned surface; and means for connecting said racks
to provide groupings.
12. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 11, where
sides of said holes comprise a taper.
13. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 11, where
said rack is wood.
14. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 11, where
said rack is injection molded thermal plastic.
15. The modular container organizer as recited in claim 11, where
said surface is an inside of a cabinet door.
Description
FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0001] Not applicable.
REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER LISTING
APPENDIX
[0002] Not applicable.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0003] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or patent disclosure as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office, patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention relates generally to storage. More
particularly, the invention relates to a modular device for the
storage and organization of small containers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Many people have the need or desire to keep their kitchens
clean and organized. Organization is particularly important to
people with small kitchens. One particular organizational problem
for kitchen users is the need to organize the many small containers
of spices that accumulate in the kitchen. Many different spice
racks, shelves, and holders for spice containers exist; however
current storage solutions do not work well in small kitchen spaces,
either taking up too much counter space or using drawer or cabinet
space inefficiently.
[0006] All of the current solutions use some kind of fixed size
holder, for example, without limitation, a shelf or shelves,
platforms inserted into drawers or cabinets, or carousels with
jars. The outstanding problem with all of these solutions is that
they are not expandable. The fixed size and shape of these
solutions preclude customizing in any meaningful way.
[0007] In view of the foregoing, there is a need for a modular
holder for small containers that may be attached in a space saving
location, for example, without limitation, the inside of a cabinet
door.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and
not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0009] The present invention is best illustrated by way of example,
and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying
drawings and in which like reference numerals refer to similar
elements and in which:
[0010] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view and an elevation view of an
exemplary five-hole container organizer, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0011] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view and an elevation view of an
exemplary two-hole container organizer, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view and an elevation view of an
exemplary one-hole container organizer, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view and a cross-sectional
view of an exemplary plastic, one-hole container organizer, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and,
[0014] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary module container organizers
mounted to the interior of a kitchen cabinet, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] Unless otherwise indicated, illustrations in the drawings
are not necessarily drawn to scale.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0016] To achieve the forgoing and other objects and in accordance
with the purpose of the invention, a modular spice rack is
presented.
[0017] In one embodiment, a modular container organizer includes a
rack having a top, bottom, front, back and ends, the top has one or
more holes for receiving containers, the holes having a depth
suitable for retaining the containers when a lateral force is
applied to the containers or the rack, the rack adapted for
attachment of the back to a mostly vertically positioned surface
and the rack further adapted for assembling a plurality of similar
racks in a grouping. In another embodiment the modular container
organizer includes one or more openings on the front associated
with each of the one or more holes, the openings extending from the
top to the depth and having a width less than the holes such that
labels on the containers can be viewed but the containers remain
retained in the holes. In further embodiments the sides of the
holes have a taper, one of the ends has one or more dimples and the
other end has one or more nipples for alignment of the rack with
the similar racks in the grouping. In another embodiment,
double-coated urethane foam tape for attaching the back to the
surface. In other embodiments the rack is wood or injection molded
thermal plastic. In another embodiment the surface is an inside of
a cabinet door.
[0018] In another embodiment a modular container organizer is
presented. The organizer includes a rack having means for receiving
and retaining containers, means for attaching to a vertical
surface, and means for assembling in a grouping of similar racks. A
further embodiment includes means for viewing labels on the
containers.
[0019] In yet another embodiment, a modular container organizer is
presented. The organizer includes a plurality of racks comprising a
top, bottom, front, back and ends, a plurality of holes in the top
for receiving containers, the holes having a depth suitable for
retaining the containers from being tipped or falling out of the
rack, means in the front for viewing labels of the containers,
means for attaching the rack to a mostly vertically positioned
surface, and means for connecting the racks to provide groupings.
In another embodiment the sides of the holes includes a taper. In
other embodiments the rack is wood or injection molded thermal
plastic. In another embodiment the surface is an inside of a
cabinet door.
[0020] Other features, advantages, and object of the present
invention will become more apparent and be more readily understood
from the following detailed description, which should be read in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0021] The present invention is best understood by reference to the
detailed figures and description set forth herein.
[0022] Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with
reference to the Figures. However, those skilled in the art will
readily appreciate that the detailed description given herein with
respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes as the
invention extends beyond these limited embodiments. For example, it
should be appreciated that those skilled in the art will, in light
of the teachings of the present invention, recognize a multiplicity
of alternate and suitable approaches, depending upon the needs of
the particular application, to implement the functionality of any
given detail described herein, beyond the particular implementation
choices in the following embodiments described and shown. That is,
there are numerous modifications and variations of the invention
that are too numerous to be listed but that all fit within the
scope of the invention. Also, singular words should be read as
plural and vice versa and masculine as feminine and vice versa,
where appropriate, and alternative embodiments do not necessarily
imply that the two are mutually exclusive.
[0023] The present invention will now be described in detail with
reference to embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying
drawings.
[0024] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
simple modular holder for small containers. The preferred
embodiment may be mounted on any clean smooth surface by using
double-coated urethane foam tape, for example, without limitation,
tapes made by the 3M Corporation in St. Paul, Minn.
[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a plan view and an elevation view of an
exemplary five-hole container organizer 101, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. In the present embodiment,
organizer 101 comprises holes 105 in which small containers such
as, but not limited to, spice jars may be placed.
[0026] The measurements of the present embodiment are the minimum
proportions for holding the containers securely, allowing access to
the containers, meaning the containers can be removed easily with
two fingers, and enabling the label of the container to be read
clearly. The present embodiment also has dimples 110 and nipples
115 that enable the alignment of multiple organizers. In some
embodiments, dimples 110 and nipples 115 may be reduced to very
small half sphere contacts. Other embodiments may have only one
dimple and nipple on each end or more than two dimples and nipples
on each end. Yet other embodiments may have various different types
of connectors such as, but not limited to, square shaped
connectors, clips, sliding connectors, or no connectors. A strip of
the adhesive backing can be first installed on to which the modular
holder can be assembled.
[0027] The inner shape of holes 105 and the outer shape of the
containers to be used in organizer 101 should preferably conform to
close tolerances that enable a secure hold and easy release. In the
present embodiment, this is achieved by the exact size of inner
hole 105, the minimum distance between holes 105 for easy removal,
and the depth of inner hole 105, all being in proportion to the
container to be held. In this specific case, the depth of the holes
105 is such that the containers will not move enough to tip or fall
out of organizer 101 even if organizer. 101 is mounted to a kitchen
cabinet door and that door is slammed.
[0028] The particular containers addressed by the present
embodiment are the small and medium sized spice containers
manufactured by McCormick & Co under their Schilling brand
name. These spices, which are marketed worldwide, are very popular
because of the size of the containers. In the present embodiment,
holes 105 are 1 3/4 inches in diameter, 3/4 of an inch deep, and
are spaced 3/4 of an inch apart. Holes 105 taper to a 1 1/4-inch
diameter to match the shape of the specific spice containers
addressed by this embodiment. However, in alternate embodiments
various other dimensions and shapes of holes may be suitable
depending on the type and size of container that is to be used,
including, but not limited to, straight-sided holes and square
holes. In the present embodiment, holes 105 are positioned so that
the fronts of holes 105 are open. This enables the user to clearly
read the entire label of the container in organizer 101. In
alternate embodiments the fronts of the holes may be closed for
various reasons, for example, without limitation, if the container
does not have a label or if the label is placed higher on the
container. It should be noted that in the present embodiment, holes
105 taper to 1 1/4 inches diameter to match. However, in common
commercial applications, the holes do not taper much, if at
all.
[0029] In the present embodiment, organizer 101 is made of wood.
However, those skilled in the art, in light of the present
teachings, will recognize that many various materials are suitable
for organizer 101, such as, but not limited to, various plastics or
metals, glass and bamboo.
[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a plan view and an elevation view of an
exemplary two-hole container organizer 201, in accordance with an
embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 illustrates a plan view
and an elevation view of an exemplary one-hole container organizer
301, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The
embodiments shown by way of example in FIGS. 2 and 3 comprise the
same elements as the embodiment shown by way of example in FIG. 1.
The only differences in these embodiments are the number of holes
for containers. By producing organizers in five-hole, two-hole, and
one-hole modules all other numerical combinations can be made.
However, organizers may be made with any number of holes.
[0031] The preferred embodiment of the present invention is a
modular unit. Whatever form it takes, the preferred embodiment
comprises multiple units that interlock, making the organizer
infinitely expandable and customizable.
[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates an isometric view and a cross-sectional
view of an exemplary plastic, one-hole container organizer 401, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The present
embodiment is constructed of thermal plastic shaped by injection
molding. Alternate embodiments may be made of a solid piece of
plastic into which holes may be drilled in order to hold
containers.
[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates exemplary module container organizers 501
mounted to the interior of a kitchen cabinet door 505, in
accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In the
present embodiment, individual organizers 501 of various sizes are
mounted onto door 501 using a double-coated urethane foam tape.
Organizers 501 may be mounted to any smooth, clean surface using
this tape, including, without limitation, other parts of kitchen
cabinets, walls, the insides of drawers, etc. Organizers 501 may be
used in various different rooms as well. For example, without
limitation, in a bathroom to hold toiletries, or near a tool bench
to hold items such as, but not limited to, screws, nails, brads,
nuts, and bolts. Double-coated urethane foam tapes are well known
in the art and are generally able to hold weights that exceed the
needs of particular embodiments of the present invention. After
removing the backing, the tape is merely pressed in place on the
back of organizers 501, and the tape is pressed onto the surface
where the organizer is being mounted and allowed to adhere for a
few minutes, according to the specifications of the particular tape
being used. The tape continues to cure over time to form a
permanent bond with any two suitable surfaces. Recent advances have
created tapes that can be released and repositioned or replaced,
which may also be used in accordance with some embodiments. In
alternate embodiments, various other means for mounting may be
used; for example, without limitation, the organizers may be
screwed or nailed into place.
[0034] With a simple level, an organizer 501 can be positioned
against a suitable surface, the backing tape can be removed, and
the adhesive can be allowed to stick in virtually one easy
operation. Once the first organizer is in place, other organizers
on the same row can be aligned using the dimple and nipple guides
on the ends of each unit. Alternate embodiments may have other
types of guides and connectors to align organizers 501 as
previously described. Some embodiments may have no guides or
connectors. The installation variations are endless. For example,
without limitation, a single holder for a frequently used item may
be placed in an especially convenient location. Once organizers are
in place, containers 510 are placed in organizers 501. As shown by
way of example in the figure, organizers 501 can be positioned to
accommodate both tall and short containers.
[0035] The use of embodiments of the present invention enables
users to store more small containers 510 in the same amount of
space. Also, if desired, containers 510 can be easily organized
alphabetically or otherwise, and being able to read the labels on
containers 510 makes it easy to find a particular container no
matter how containers 510 are organized. The cabinet shown by way
of example in FIG. 5 is designed with recessed shelves to
accommodate a traditional spice rack, thus organizers 501 may be
placed anywhere on door 505. However, many older cabinets have
shelves that come all the way to the doors. In this situation,
organizers can be mounted on the door so that the organizers are
between the shelves when the door is closed. For example, without
limitation, organizers may be placed to just clear the bottom of
the cabinet and/or a shelf above the organizers. The only
requirement for the placement of multiple rows of organizers is to
provide clearance above each container that allows for the removal
of the container from the organizer below.
[0036] Embodiments of the present invention may be used by spice
companies as a free giveaway that would encourage brand loyalty by
making their containers fit perfectly into the organizer. Also, a
spice company or another type of company using small containers may
use an embodiment of the present invention as a way to launch a new
line of containers. Stores and manufactures specializing in kitchen
gadgetry could easily promote embodiments as organizers and
synchronize these embodiments with existing lines of containers.
Custom cabinetmakers may also find that embodiments have appeal as
a kitchen option, especially in wood.
[0037] In an alternate embodiment, an organizer may comprise means
for screwing or nailing the organizer to a surface. For example the
organizer may have a screw recess directly in the curved center
wall of each hole and through to the back, for a recessed screw.
Alternate embodiments may have screw holes in various places on the
organizer or may include, without limitation, tabs on the sides,
top or bottom of the organizer into which screw holes may be
placed. This method of attachment may be attractive for
applications involving fine woodwork or applications involving
heavier containers or heavier items in the containers. This method
of attachment can be used as an alternative to the double-coated
urethane foam tape described previously or in addition to the
tape.
[0038] In alternative embodiments the shape of the receptacle holes
can be square or oval or rectangular as needed to accommodate any
small package of bottle.
[0039] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are
configured to be modular and suitable for being assembled in larger
groupings via internal guides and/or external fasteners. In the
kitchen the modular holder is perfectly suited for holding spice
jars, small containers, and even small canning jars. In a typical
workshop, many uses can be found for a modular holder system for
small and medium size containers of nails, screws, nuts etc. In the
bath, plastic and glass versions of the holder can easily be made
to hold a water glass and other toiletries. A modular system is an
ideal system in an office or studio setting that often requires
organizing small containers of paint, sprays, and glues in a
convenient location relative to the work area. Having fully
described at least one embodiment of the present invention, other
equivalent or alternative means for implementing a modular
container-organizing device according to the present invention will
be apparent to those skilled in the art. For example, without
limitation, in alternate embodiments the organizers may be mounted
using various different means such as, but not limited to, glue or
hooks. The invention has been described above by way of
illustration, and the specific embodiments disclosed are not
intended to limit the invention to the particular forms disclosed.
The invention is thus to cover all modifications, equivalents, and
alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the following
claims.
* * * * *