U.S. patent application number 13/287584 was filed with the patent office on 2013-01-24 for container system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Andrea Zabinski. Invention is credited to Andrea Zabinski.
Application Number | 20130020225 13/287584 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47555034 |
Filed Date | 2013-01-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130020225 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zabinski; Andrea |
January 24, 2013 |
Container System
Abstract
A container system includes a tray support unit and at least one
tray. The tray is received in tray guides of the tray support unit
that allow the tray to extend from and retract into the tray
support unit. The tray support unit includes two arms that are
biased toward one another to facilitate removable attachment of the
container system to a fixed item without the need for tools or
hardware. The tray may comprise a plurality of apertures for
securely receiving a plurality of items within the tray. Additional
tray guides may attach to the tray guides of the support unit to
allow additional trays to be incorporated on the tray support
unit.
Inventors: |
Zabinski; Andrea; (Gibsonia,
PA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zabinski; Andrea |
Gibsonia |
PA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47555034 |
Appl. No.: |
13/287584 |
Filed: |
November 2, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61509466 |
Jul 19, 2011 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/557 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 67/04 20130101;
A47B 88/48 20170101; A47B 88/407 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/557 |
International
Class: |
B65D 1/34 20060101
B65D001/34 |
Claims
1. A container system, the system comprising a tray support unit
and at least one tray, wherein said tray support unit comprises a
first arm and a second arm biased toward one another such that the
first and second arm of the tray support may securely and removably
attach said container system to a fixed item, wherein said tray
support unit comprises at least one pair of tray guides for
removably receiving said at least one tray within said tray support
unit, wherein said at least one pair of tray guides comprise
fastener arrangements for removably attachment of at least one pair
of tray guides to at least one other pair of tray guides, and
wherein said tray support unit and said tray comprises
complementary engagement features such that said at least one tray
may retract toward or extend away from said tray support unit when
said at least one tray is received within said at least one pair of
tray guides.
2. The container system of claim 1, wherein said at least one tray
further comprises a plurality of apertures thereon.
3. The container system of claim 1, wherein said tray support unit
further comprises at least one frictional element on at least one
of a first arm and a second arm thereof.
4. The container system of claim 1, wherein the complementary
engagement features of said at least one tray and said at least
pair of tray guides comprises a slot and pin arrangement.
5. The container system of claim 1, wherein said tray is hingably
moveable when extended away from said tray support unit.
6. The container system of claim 2, wherein the plurality of said
apertures of said tray further comprise an inwardly-directed taper
in the interior perimeter of each aperture of the plurality
apertures.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure claims priority under 35 United
States Code, Section 119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application
No. 61/509,466, filed on Jul. 19, 2011, the disclosure of which is
incorporated by reference.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to a container
system, and more particularly, to a container system for holding a
plurality of pods or other individual items.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] Storage of food and beverage items at home or the workplace
is a longstanding concern generally. As new products are
introduced, the concern is compounded, as new products may require
new storage solutions. Consumers prefer tidy and efficient storage
solutions generally, and the introduction of new products prompts
the need for storage mechanism to maintain tidy and efficient
storage of these new products.
[0004] One recently-developed product that has seen significant
success and popularity after its introduction is a "coffee pod,"
which pod contains a single-serving of ground coffee, along with an
optional filter. Such pods are placed in specially-designed coffee
machines, which machines received a pod and subject the pod and
ground coffee to heated water to brew the coffee, and then dispense
the brewed coffee from the pod into a cup. These machines are
popular at the home and work place for the great convenience that
they provide--in providing coffee on demand and without the need to
brew a whole pot of coffee.
[0005] Pods are generally configured as a disk or cup-shape, with a
label or color-coding to indicate the particular flavors and/or
blend of coffee therein. These pods are relatively small, and
smaller than a standard-sized hockey puck, by way of reference.
Pods are usually sold in bulk, rather than individually, and are
often sold with as "variety packs," i.e., with a plurality of
different flavors and/or blends therein. Pods are usually packaged
in a box, with the box being labeled with the type and number of
the various pods contained therein.
[0006] While such packaging of pods is convenient for retail
display, and for transporting pods from the place of purchase to a
home or office, this packaging does not lend itself to easy access
or storage of the pods for a user because, for instance, the
packaging does not facilitate ready display of the variety of pods
that may be in such packaging, and because such packaging may
occupy more space than is necessary to show and represent the
variety of flavors or blends that a user has purchased.
[0007] Certain attempts have been made to provide for organized
storage of a plurality of items in limited space (such as a
plurality of coffee pods). These attempts suffer from a number of
drawbacks, however. While storage trays that may hold a plurality
of items are known, such storage trays are not versatile for at
least the reason that they are mechanically complex, because they
require hardware to be installed at/attached to a location, and
because they cannot be easily uninstalled and moved to a variety of
different installation locations.
[0008] For instance, U.S. Pat. No. 3,712,696 shows a
shelf-supported drawer arrangement. The drawer arrangement includes
a means for removably attaching a housing from a shelf, however the
arrangement requires a plurality of clamps that must attach to a
plurality of sides of the shelf. The '696 patent requires a large
number of parts to accomplish the installation of the drawer, and
the requirement that clamps attach to more than one side of the
shelf complicates the installation process.
[0009] U.S. Pat. No. 5,350,229 shows a secure storage desk drawer
and installation clamp therefore. The installation clamp requires
the separate fasteners (such as screws) for secure installation of
the drawer to a desk. The use of these fasteners requires
additional tools and that a user permanently alter the structure of
the desk (by penetrating the desk surface with a fastener.
[0010] U.S. Pat. No. 7,762,636 shows a container storage assembly
that allows drawers to be mounted under a surface. However,
installation of the drawers is dependent drawer supports that are
effectively permanently mounted to the structure in which the
drawers may be installed.
[0011] Accordingly, a need exists for a container system that
overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, while maintaining the
benefits of the prior art. A further need exists for a container
system that may store, organize and display a plurality of coffee
pods for a user, while providing such storage, organization, and
display without occupying an unnecessary amount of space while not
in use. Moreover, a need exists for a container system that may be
quickly and easily attached or secured to (and removed from) a
location or structure, so that a user may incorporate the container
system in an existing structure or item of furniture, and which
attaching or securing can be accomplished manually and quickly, and
without any additional hardware, fasteners, or installation
tools.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0012] In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the prior
art, the general purpose of the present disclosure is to provide a
container system configured to include all the advantages of the
prior art, and to overcome the drawbacks inherent therein.
[0013] Accordingly, an object of the present disclosure is to
provide for a container system that is capable of holding a
plurality of items in an organized fashion and in a confined
space.
[0014] Another object of the present disclosure is to provide for a
container system that may be quickly and easily installed manually
in a variety of locations and without the use of tools or
hardware.
[0015] Yet another object of the present disclosure is to provide
for a container system that may be installed on and uninstalled
from a fixed object without damaging the fixed object in the course
of installation or removal.
[0016] Still another object is to provide for a container system
that may display a plurality of items in a readily-viewable and
accessible fashion regardless of the configuration of the fixed
object to which the container system is attached.
[0017] To achieve the above objects, the present disclosure
provides a container system, which container system is capable of
holding a plurality of items in an organized and readily-viewable
and accessible fashion. The container system comprises a tray
support unit, which engagement unit is capable of removably
attaching the container system to a fixed object. The tray support
unit also receives a tray thereon. The tray support unit may
securely attach to a fixed object and, so attached, may allow the
tray to be selectively accessed by a user. Such selective access
may be provided by a slidable connection between the tray and the
tray support unit. In an embodiment, such slidable connection is
accomplished by way of a slot and pin arrangement, wherein a slot
or slots are disposed on the tray support unit, each of which slots
receives a pin of the tray, such that the pin or pins the tray may
move within the confines of the track or tracks to permit the tray
to move in at least two directions with respect to the tray support
unit and with respect to a fixed object to which the container
system may attach.
[0018] The tray support unit is configured to securely attach to a
fixed object (such as a shelf or desk) by way of exerting pressure
and or friction on the fixed object. In an embodiment, the tray
support unit comprises a clamp or "C" configuration, which
configuration may be biased toward a closed position. The tray
support unit comprises a flexible elastic material that permits the
user to open the tray support unit sufficiently so that it may fit
over and be positioned on a fixed object. After being positioned on
a fixed object, if space remains between the tray support unit and
the fixed item, the bias of the tray support unit toward a closed
position will cause the tray support unit to securely attach to the
fixed object.
[0019] The tray comprises a plurality of apertures, which each of
which aperture may receive an item (such as a coffee pod) therein.
The apertures may be of a configuration to complement the item that
is received therein, so as to securely contain the item within the
tray. The apertures may include a tapering or transitioning radius
or perimeter to support the item received therein and to prevent
the item received therein from passing or falling through the
apertures. The apertures may also include, on at least a portion of
the radius or perimeter thereof that is adjacent to the surface of
the tray, a depression in which a user may insert his or her finger
to provide leverage and otherwise assist in removing a stored item
from the tray.
[0020] The tray may extend from the tray support unit to allow a
user to view and access a plurality of items that have been stored
therein. In an embodiment, the tray may tilt downwardly when fully
extended from the tray support unit to facilitate additional ease
of access to the items that are stored within the tray.
[0021] These together with other aspects of the present disclosure,
along with the various features of novelty that characterize the
present disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the
claims annexed hereto and form a part of this present disclosure.
For a better understanding of the present disclosure, its operating
advantages, and the specific objects attained by its uses,
reference should be made to the accompanying drawing and
descriptive matter in which there are illustrated exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] The advantages and features of the present disclosure will
become better understood with reference to the following detailed
description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying
drawings, wherein like elements are identified with like symbols,
and in which:
[0023] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of a container system with
a tray thereof in a retracted position, in accordance with an
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of a container system being
secured to a fixed item, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment
of the present disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a container system with a
plurality of trays thereon, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0026] FIG. 3 shows alternative configurations of a tray of a
container system, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the
present disclosure;
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a tray support unit of a container system
attached to a fixed item and a tray of a container system in an
extended and hinged position, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure, and
[0028] FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C show perspective views of a tray in
unhinged and hinged positions, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0029] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0030] The best mode for carrying out the present disclosure is
presented in terms of its preferred embodiment, herein depicted in
the accompanying figures. The preferred embodiments described
herein detail for illustrative purposes are subject to many
variations. It is understood that various omissions and
substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstances may
suggest or render expedient, but are intended to cover the
application or implementation without departing from the spirit or
scope of the present disclosure.
[0031] Unless limited otherwise, the terms "disposed," "coupled,"
"attached," and variations thereof herein are used broadly and
encompass direct and indirect arrangements. The term "top,"
"bottom," "front," "back," "first," "second," and the like, herein
do not denote any order, elevation or importance, but rather are
used to distinguish placement of one element over another. The
terms "a" and "an" herein do not denote a limitation of quantity,
but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced
items.
[0032] The present disclosure comprises a container system for
holding and organizing a plurality of items (such as coffee pods.)
The system comprises a tray unit for attachment to a fixed item and
tray with a plurality of apertures therein, each of which aperture
is configured to receive and retain an item therein. The system may
be installed on a shelf or other existing piece of furniture by way
of a clamping mechanism or other pressure or friction mechanism on
the tray support unit and may be installed without the use of
hardware or tools. The tray of the system may extend and retract
from the tray support unit to facilitate access to the stored items
and to keep the system and stored items isolated and out of the way
when the system is not in use.
[0033] Referring now to FIG. 1A, and in an embodiment, a container
system 100 comprises a tray 200 and a tray support unit 300. The
tray support unit comprises an first arm 310 and second arm 320,
which first and second arms 310 and 320 are connected by a joint
330. The tray support unit 300 formed from a sufficiently flexible
material that permits the first and second arms 310 and 320 to be
moved away from one another when a user so manipulates the arms,
but otherwise biases the first and second arms 310 and 320 to close
toward one another when no force is otherwise applied on the arms.
This bias of the first and second arms 310 and 320 permits the tray
support unit 300 to securely attach to a fixed item (as shown in
FIG. 1B).
[0034] The tray support unit 300 further comprises a pair of tray
guides 340, which tray guides 340 extend away from the second arm
320. The height of the tray guides 340 may be of a similar
dimension to the height dimension of the tray 200. The tray guides
340 comprise engagement features for removable attachment of the
tray 200 to on the tray support unit 300 and facilitate movement of
the tray 200 with respect to the tray support unit 300. In an
embodiment, engagement features of the tray guides 340 comprise
slots 350 thereon, which slots are parallel to the second arm 320
and form an open region along at least a portion of the length of
the tray guides 340. The slots 350 are configured to receive a pin
or knob (to be described below) of the tray 200 to limit and direct
the movement of the tray 200 with respect to the tray support unit
300. The tray guides further comprise a pin or a knob 360 thereon,
which pin or knob 360 may correspond to a slot (to be described
below) of a tray 200. In a preferred embodiment, pin or knob 360 of
the tray support unit 300 is disposed at an end of tray guide 340
that is proximate to the hinge 330 of the tray support unit
300.
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 2, the tray guides 340 that are
attached to the second arm 320 of the tray support unit 300 may
further comprise fastener arrangements 342 on a side of the tray
guides 340 that is distal to the second arm 320 of the tray support
unit. Such fasteners 342 may receive complementary fastener
arrangements 343 of additional (standalone) tray guides 345 (shown
in FIG. 2) which standalone tray guides are otherwise similarly
configured to tray guides 340, such that additional tray guides may
be removably attached to the tray guides 340 for accommodating
additional trays 200 in the container system 100. Exemplary
fastener arrangements include corresponding slots and tabs that
facilitate a snap-fit arrangement between tray guides 320 and
standalone tray guides 345.
[0036] Referring again to FIG. 1A, the tray support unit 310
further may comprise friction elements 370 on at least one of the
first and second arms 310 and 320, and more specifically on a side
of a first or second arm that is proximate to the other arm. Shown
in FIG. 1 and in an exemplary embodiment, friction elements 370 are
disposed on the first arm 310 and second arm 320. Friction elements
370 provide for secure attachment of the tray support unit 310 to a
fixed item. In an embodiment, the friction elements 370 comprise
rubberized pads.
[0037] Referring now to FIG. 3, the tray 200 of a container system
100 comprises a substantially planar region 210 in or on which
items may be received and stored. The tray preferably comprises a
plurality of apertures 220 within the planar region 210. The
apertures 220 may be configured to correspond to the shape of a
particular item (such as a coffee pod, for example) such that an
item with the shape that corresponds to the configuration of the
aperture 220 may be securely retained within the aperture 220 of
the tray 200. The aperture 220 may include inwardly tapering walls
or a rim or shelf in an inner perimeter thereof to correspond to
the shape of the item to be retained in the aperture 220, for
facilitating secure retention of an item within the aperture 220,
and/or to prohibit an item from falling through the aperture 220 of
the tray 200. Aperture 220 may further comprise a depression in the
planar region 210 along a portion of the perimeter of the aperture
220, which depression may provide space in which a user may insert
a finger or lever to assist with removing a stored item from the
aperture 220 as needed.
[0038] In another embodiment, planar region 210 of tray is bounded
by walls at a perimeter of planar region 210 that rise upwardly
away from planar region 210 of tray 200.
[0039] The tray 200 may be formed from plastic or lightweight metal
or metal alloy, or any other material that provides sufficient
structural integrity to receive and hold a plurality of items
thereon or within. It will be apparent that the dimensions of the
tray 200 will correspond to the dimensions of the tray support unit
300 such that the tray 200 may be securely received by the tray
guides 340 of the tray support unit 300.
[0040] The tray 200 further comprises engagement features for
removable attachment to the tray guides 340 of the tray support
unit 300. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement features of the
tray 200 comprise slots 250 thereon, which slots 250 are on sides
252 and 253 of the tray 200 that are perpendicular to the planar
region 210 of the tray 200. The slots 250 are configured to align
with the tray guides 340 of the tray support unit 300. The slots
250 form an open region along at least a portion of the length of
sides 252 and 253 of the tray 200. The slots 250 are configured to
receive a pin or knob 360 of the tray guides 340 to limit and
direct the movement of the tray 200 with respect to the tray
support unit 300. The tray sides 252 and 253 tray guides may
further comprise a pin or a knob 260 thereon, which pin or knob 260
may correspond to the 350 slot of the tray guides 340. In a
preferred embodiment, pin or knob 260 is disposed at an end of the
tray sides 252 and 254 that is distal to the joint 330 of the tray
support unit 300 (when the tray 200 is installed on the tray
support unit 300.)
[0041] The slots 250 of the tray 200 are parallel to the planar
region 210 of the tray, except for at the terminus of each slot 250
that is distal to the joint 330 of the tray support unit 300 (when
the tray 200 is installed on the tray support unit 300.) At said
terminus, each slot 250 includes a section 258 thereof that is
perpendicular to the planar region 210, which section 250 extends
toward the tray support unit 300 (when the tray 200 is installed on
the tray support unit 300.)
[0042] To install the tray 200 on the tray support unit 300, a user
aligns tray 200 within tray guides 340 such that slots 250 of tray
200 receive pin or knob 360 of tray guides 340 in slots 250, and
such that slots 350 of tray guides 340 receive pin or knob of the
tray 200. It will be apparent that the tray guides 340 are
sufficiently pliable to permit installation (and removal) of tray
200. With the tray 200 so installed, a user may slidably move the
tray nearer to and away from tray support unit 300.
[0043] Referring now to FIG. 4, in an embodiment, when the tray 200
is fully extended away from tray support unit 300, the pin or knob
360 of tray guides 340 will be disposed in the slot section 258 of
tray 200 (as will be shown in FIG. 5C), such that the tray 200 may
hingably move away from the tray support unit 300 to allow
additional access to the items that may be stored within the tray
200.
[0044] Referring now to FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C, views of a tray 200
in an unhinged and hinged position are shown, along with an
exemplary mechanism that facilitates hinging of the tray 200. FIG.
5A shows a tray 200 in a partially extended position (with respect
to the tray support unit 300). FIG. 5B shows a tray 200 in a fully
extended position (with respect to the tray support unit 300). FIG.
5C shows a tray 200 in an extended and hinged position (with
respect to the tray support unit 300). In this embodiment, when the
tray 200 is fully extended (as shown in FIG. 5B), pin or knob 360
of tray guides 340 will be immediately adjacent to the slot section
258 of tray 200. When pin or knob 360 of tray guides 340 will be
immediately adjacent to the slot section 258 of tray 200, tray 200
may be pivoted such that pin or knob 360 of tray guides 340 is
consequently positioned in slot section 258 of tray 200, such that
the tray 200 may be moved into a hinged position (which position is
shown in FIG. 5C).
[0045] It will be apparent that the tray guides 350 and first and
second arms 310 and 320 of the tray support unit are so configured
that the tray guides 350 (and tray 200 that attaches thereto) may
be disposed on the underside or top side of a shelf to which the
first and second arms 310 and 320 may attach the container
system.
[0046] The container system 100 as described herein has the
advantages of providing a lightweight and removably attachable
system for receiving, organizing, and storing items (such as coffee
pods) at a location preferred by a user. The system 100 also
provides for an organized presentation of stored items (such as
coffee pods) so that user can readily view and select a particular
item for use, and for inconspicuous storage of the pods when a user
does not have an immediate need for a pod or pods. Furthermore, the
removable attachment of the system 100 allows a user to transport
and/or adjust attachment of the system easily and quickly, so that
the user can move the system 100 to a different location as desired
or needed. This transporting and adjustment of the system does not
require tools or hardware (rather, just the application of pressure
on the arms of tray support unit 300), such that fixed items to
which the system 100 may be attached are not damaged or altered by
such attachment and such that a user does not require a stock of
tools nearby to attach or remove the system 100 from a fixed
item.
[0047] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the
present disclosure have been presented for purposes of illustration
and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit
the present disclosure to the precise forms disclosed, and
obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light
of the above teaching. The exemplary embodiment was chosen and
described in order to best explain the principles of the present
disclosure and its practical application, to thereby enable others
skilled in the art to best utilize the disclosure and various
embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the
particular use contemplated.
* * * * *