U.S. patent application number 13/739502 was filed with the patent office on 2013-08-01 for apparatus for and method of making a storage drawer.
This patent application is currently assigned to EMS MIND READER LLC. The applicant listed for this patent is EMS Mind Reader LLC. Invention is credited to Michael Betesh.
Application Number | 20130193825 13/739502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48781963 |
Filed Date | 2013-08-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130193825 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Betesh; Michael |
August 1, 2013 |
APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF MAKING A STORAGE DRAWER
Abstract
An accessory tray comprising a housing that can be composed of,
at least in part, a first material, and configured to receive at
least one drawer, wherein the housing includes side supports
connecting a bottom side to a top side thereof. The accessory tray
can further comprise a heat insulator arrangement composed of, at
least in part, a second material which is configured to insulate
heat from the housing and provided within or on a top side of the
housing. The accessory tray can also include an internal
arrangement provided between the side and supporting the top side
of the housing.
Inventors: |
Betesh; Michael; (Brooklyn,
NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
EMS Mind Reader LLC; |
Newark |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
EMS MIND READER LLC
Newark
NJ
|
Family ID: |
48781963 |
Appl. No.: |
13/739502 |
Filed: |
January 11, 2013 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61585884 |
Jan 12, 2012 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/400 ;
312/330.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 96/00 20130101;
A47J 31/407 20130101; A47B 88/40 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/400 ;
312/330.1 |
International
Class: |
A47B 88/04 20060101
A47B088/04; A47B 96/00 20060101 A47B096/00 |
Claims
1. An accessory tray, comprising: a housing composed of, at least
in part, a first material, and configured to receive at least one
drawer, wherein the housing includes side supports connecting a
bottom side to a top side thereof; a heat insulator arrangement
composed of, at least in part, a second material which is
configured to insulate heat from the housing and provided within or
on a top side of the housing; and an internal arrangement provided
between the side and supporting the top side of the housing.
2. The tray of claim 1, wherein the internal support arrangement is
provided within the at least one drawer.
3. The tray of claim 1, wherein the at least one drawer includes a
plurality of drawers.
4. The tray of claim 3, wherein the center support arrangement is
provided between at least two of the drawers.
5. The tray of claim 3, wherein the drawers includes at least 3
drawers.
6. The tray of claim 5, further comprising a plurality of center
supports arranged between each pair of the drawers.
7. The tray of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of feet
protruding from the bottom side of the housing.
8. The tray of claim 7, further comprising a plurality of
indentions configured on a top side of the housing, wherein the
feet and indentions are sized and aligned such that the feet of the
tray are within the indentions of another tray when stacked.
9. The tray of claim 1, wherein the housing has a width of
approximately 12 to approximately 14 inches that extends along a
front portion of the housing, and a length that extends along a
side portion of the housing, wherein the length and the width are
approximately perpendicular to one another.
Description
[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)
[0002] This application relates to and claims priority from U.S.
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/585,884 filed on Jan. 12,
2012, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0003] The present disclosure relates to a storage drawer which can
have a center support and a heat resistive layer.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
[0004] Single serve coffee machines have gained market share in the
office, home and home-office settings, as compared to more
traditional pot-brewed (e.g., drip-brewed) coffee machines. Single
serve coffee machines can have a variety of configurations. For
example, some single-serve coffee machines can provide drip-brewed
capabilities (e.g., a smaller version of traditional "pot sized"
machines), have single-serve coffee pods (e.g., like the
Keurig.RTM. "K-cup"), or include various other single serve packet
designs (e.g., liquid packets by Flavia.RTM.).
[0005] Accessory stations designed for traditional pot-sized
drip-brewed arrangements may not adequately address the unique
needs of a single serve beverage station.
[0006] According to the present disclosure, exemplary embodiments
of a drawer for single-serve cartridges, such as the K-cup can be
provided, which overcome at least some of the deficiencies of the
prior drawers.
SUMMARY OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0007] According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, an exemplary single-serve coffee pod/cartridge tray is
described.
[0008] An accessory tray comprising a housing that can be composed
of, at least in part, a first material, and configured to receive
at least one drawer, wherein the housing includes side supports
connecting a bottom side to a top side thereof. The accessory tray
can further comprise a heat insulator arrangement composed of, at
least in part, a second material which is configured to insulate
heat from the housing and provided within or on a top side of the
housing. The accessory tray can also include an internal
arrangement provided between the side and supporting the top side
of the housing.
[0009] In one configuration, the internal support arrangement can
be provided within the drawer(s), and in some configurations the
drawer(s) can include a plurality of drawers. The center support
arrangement can be provided between at least two of the drawers. In
certain embodiments of the tray, the drawers can include at least
three drawers. The exemplary tray can further comprise a plurality
of center supports arranged between each pair of drawers.
[0010] In other configurations, the exemplary tray can include a
plurality of feet protruding from the bottom side of the housing.
The exemplary tray can further comprising a plurality of indentions
configured on a top side of the housing, wherein the feet and
indentions are sized and aligned such that the feet of the tray are
within the indentions of another tray when stacked. The housing of
the exemplary tray, in some configurations, can have a width of
approximately 12 to approximately 14 inches that extends along a
front portion of the housing, and a length that extends along a
side portion of the housing, wherein the length and the width are
approximately perpendicular to one another.
[0011] These and other objects, features and advantages of the
exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure will become apparent
upon reading the following detailed description of the exemplary
embodiments of the present disclosure, when taken in conjunction
with the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Exemplary objects, features and advantages of the present
disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figs.
showing illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure, in
which:
[0013] FIG. 1 is an exemplary accessory tray with three drawers
partially opened and accessories within, according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0014] FIG. 2 is an exemplary accessory tray with the drawers
closed, according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0015] FIG. 3 is a front view of the exemplary accessory tray;
[0016] FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the exemplary accessory tray;
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top view of one exemplary tray drawer, according
to one exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure;
[0018] FIG. 6 is a front view of the exemplary accessory tray
drawer;
[0019] FIG. 7 is a side view of the exemplary accessory tray
drawer;
[0020] FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate a set of exemplary handles for the
exemplary accessory tray drawer;
[0021] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an exemplary tray drawer,
according to another exemplary embodiment of the present
disclosure;
[0022] FIG. 10 is a front view of the exemplary tray housing;
[0023] FIG. 11 is a top view of the exemplary tray housing
[0024] FIG. 12 is a side view of the exemplary tray housing;
and
[0025] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the exemplary tray
housing.
[0026] Throughout the drawings, the same reference numerals and
characters, unless otherwise stated, are used to denote like
features, elements, components, or portions of the illustrated
embodiments. Moreover, while the present disclosure will now be
described in detail with reference to the figures, it is done so in
connection with the illustrative embodiments and is not limited by
the particular embodiments illustrated in the figures or the claims
appended herewith.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0027] According to exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, an accessory tray for single-serve coffee cartridges
can be provided, as illustrated in FIG. 1, which can include a tray
of drawers. The exemplary tray can be used to store and maintain
items and accessories such as, supply cartridges, sugar packets,
and other items. In some configurations, the exemplary tray can be
configured to facilitate placing other items, such as a coffee
brewer, accessory caddy, or the like, on top of the exemplary tray.
By having these items stacked on top of the exemplary tray while
also storing items within the exemplary drawers, the exemplary
accessory tray facilitates saves storage space. For example, when
the tray is being used on a kitchen counter, a user can stack a
coffee brewer on top of the exemplary accessory tray and store the
sugar packets and coffee cartridges within the drawers of the
exemplary tray which can greatly save counter space.
[0028] The exemplary tray can have an approximate width or some
degree that is larger then a base of common single-serve coffee
machines. Each exemplary machine can have different dimensions, but
be within a generally narrow range of sizes, for which the
exemplary tray can be dimensioned to sit under and support.
Exemplary drawer systems can have one drawer 129 per horizontal row
131, which would utilize a strong material if the top is used to
support a relatively heavy load.
[0029] According to certain exemplary embodiments of the present
disclosure, the exemplary drawers 129 can be made from any
material, and can use low-cost polymer materials or other such
light weight durable materials. Certain exemplary materials, when
supported only at the extreme ends of the width of the tray may
lack the strength to support a relatively heavy single-serve
dispenser. As such, instead of the more traditional one drawer per
horizontal row, in further exemplary embodiments, multiple drawers
129 can be provided, facilitating center support structures, such
as support walls 137, between the drawers 129 to support the weight
of a coffee machine placed on the top surface. Exemplary trays can
include two, three, four, or more drawers 129, depending on
specific implementation.
[0030] Each exemplary drawer 129 can hold one of more single-serve
supply pods or cartridges 127. These cartridges 127 can be
configured to provide the supply material (e.g., coffee) to the
single-serve dispensing device. Each drawer 129 can include one or
more rows 131 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 5), and each row 131 can
include a plurality of cartridges 129. For example, FIG. 1
illustrates an exemplary embodiment in which a three drawer 129 is
provided with two rows 131 per drawer. Drawers 129 can be
dimensioned to facilitate a plurality of cartridges 127 having a
particular (e.g., uniform) set of dimensions. For example, the
K-cup has a particular set of dimensions, and each drawer 129 can
be configured to facilitate two rows 131 of the various versions
(e.g., each with the same size dimensions) of the product.
[0031] The exemplary tray according to exemplary embodiments of the
present disclosure can also be constructed of a primary material
125 selected for various advantageous qualities, such as
appearance, cost, weight, strength, and/or manipulability. It is
possible that these exemplary primary materials (e.g., plastic,
acrylic, etc.) may not provide sufficient heat insulation. Since
the exemplary tray can be configured to be placed under a
single-serve coffee brewer, which can be expected to generate a
relatively large amount of heat (e.g., for heating a water supply),
a second material 120 can be placed on or within the top side (or a
portion of the top side) to provide sufficient heat insulation. The
heat insulation can prevent melting of the primary material 125,
and protect the drawer 129 contents from deterioration (since
products such as coffee located within the cartridges may degrade
with prolonged heat exposure).
[0032] Exemplary drawers 129 configured to hold multiple rows 131
of single-serve coffee cartridges 127 can include a dividing wall
133 arranged within the drawer 129 to separate the multiple rows.
This exemplary dividing wall 133 can be configured to support the
top surface, e.g., instead of the support walls 137 between drawers
129 or in addition to the support walls 137 between drawers 129.
The exemplary drawers 129 can include grooved slots, e.g., located
at the bottom on both sides. The exemplary slots can be used to
keep the drawers 129 aligned and can allow for smooth in and out
movement of the drawer 129. It is also possible to provide a stop
mechanism to prevent them from completely pulling out.
[0033] The exemplary drawer 129 can include a front surface 123.
The front surface 123 can have a height 145 that is larger than the
height of the support wall 137 or the divider walls 133, for
example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 7. The exemplary height 145 can
be, in some exemplary configurations, approximately 2.760 inches
(shown in FIG. 6). In other configurations, the support wall 137
and/or divider walls 133 can have a height that is substantially
equal to the height 145 of the front surface 123. The width 147 of
the exemplary drawer 129 can be approximately 12.00 inches to 13.00
inches. In one exemplary configuration, the width 147 can be
approximately 12.760 inches. The exemplary front surface 123 can
also have a thickness 163 of approximately 0.100 inches. The
exemplary width 167 of the exemplary drawer 129 can be
approximately 12.300 inches. The exemplary width 169 of the
exemplary drawer 129 (including the handle feature 121) can be
approximately 12.860 inches.
[0034] The exemplary drawers 129 can also include a handle feature
121 attached to the front surface 123 of the exemplary drawer 129
to facilitate opening and closing the drawer 129. The exemplary
figures illustrate an exemplary handle feature 121 having a
crescent moon or half-circle configuration, and being attached to
the drawers 129, such as the front surface 123, at two ends of the
handle feature 121. It is appreciated, however, that other suitable
configurations of the handle feature 121 and/or other handle
features mechanisms can be used that are suitable for facilitating
the opening and closing of the exemplary drawers 129. For example,
in one configuration, the handle feature can be a cut out or
recessed portion on the front surface of the drawer in which a user
can grip and pull open.
[0035] FIGS. 5-8E illustrate one exemplary set of dimensions of one
exemplary handle feature 121. For example, the distance 149 of the
exemplary handle feature 121 from the bottom of the front surface
123 can be approximately 0.980 inches (as shown in FIG. 7). The
thickness 151 of the exemplary handle feature 121 can be
approximately 0.500 inches. The length 153 of the exemplary handle
feature 121 can be approximately 5.560 inches. The handle feature
121 can have a curved configuration with an inner radius 165 of,
e.g., approximately 0.695 inches, (shown in FIG. 5) and in some
exemplary configurations, an outer radius 171 ranging from 7.00
inches to 8.00 inches (as shown in FIG. 5). In some embodiments,
the outer radius 171 can be approximately 7.715 inches, and in
other embodiments, the outer radius 171 can be approximately 7.175
inches.
[0036] FIGS. 8A-8E illustrate multiple views of one exemplary
configuration of an exemplary handle feature 121 having two
connection features 173 at either end of the exemplary handle
feature 121. The two connection features 173 facilitate coupling
the exemplary handle feature 121 to the exemplary drawers 129. In
one configuration, the exemplary connection features 173 can have a
thickness 175 of approximately 0.100 inches. The exemplary
connection features 173, in certain configurations, can have a
circular configuration. The thickness 179 of the exemplary handle
feature 121 (including the exemplary connection features 173) can
be approximately 0.660 inches. The distance 181 from one exemplary
connection feature 173 to the center of the exemplary handle
feature 121 can be approximately 2.379 inches.
[0037] In certain exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure,
the exemplary drawer 129 can include curved corners and/or edges.
For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the exemplary tray can include
curved corner portions 183. In some configurations, the curved
corner portions 183 can have a radius 184 of approximately 1.150
inches.
[0038] The exemplary tray, in some configurations, can include a
corner element 185 that is disposed along the top surface of the
exemplary tray proximate the corner portions 183 (as shown in FIGS.
10 and 11). The corner element 185 can extend across the entire
length of the exemplary tray. For example, in one configuration,
the length 187 of the exemplary corner element 185 can be
approximately 12.60 inches. An exemplary set of dimensions of the
exemplary corner element 185 are also illustrated in FIG. 11. For
example, the exemplary corner element 185 can be positioned, in
some configurations, at a distance 189 of approximately 0.400
inches from the secondary material 120. The exemplary corner
element 185 can be positioned at a distance 191 of approximately
0.410 inches from the side of the exemplary tray, for example, as
illustrated in FIG. 11. The width 193 of the exemplary corner
element can be approximately 0.590 inches.
[0039] According to certain exemplary embodiments, feet 135 can be
on the bottom side of the exemplary tray, such as those shown in
FIG. 4. These exemplary feet 135 can be made of any number of
materials, such as, e.g., rubber to increase friction with a base
surface (e.g., a countertop). FIG. 12 illustrates a side view of
the exemplary embodiment of the tray arrangement, with exemplary
dimensions and configuration of the exemplary feet 135. For
example, the exemplary feet 135 can have a length 199 of
approximately 0.540 inches. The exemplary feet 135 in some
configurations can be placed at a distance 201 from the front of
the exemplary tray of approximately 0.830 inches (shown in FIG.
12). In other configurations, the bottom side of the exemplary tray
can include any suitable number of feet, e.g., 4 feet, 8 feet, 12
feet, or 3 feet. The exemplary tray can also include feet having
any suitable dimensions, shapes, and configurations. For example,
in one embodiment, the bottom side of the tray can include 4 oval
shaped feet and 4 round shaped feet.
[0040] The top side of exemplary trays can include grooves 130, as
shown in FIGS. 2 and 11. These grooves 130 can be sized and aligned
to accommodate the feet 135 of a second exemplary tray unit,
allowing them to be stackable with a greater connection than merely
the friction of the feet 135. The exemplary grooves 130 can have a
length 195 of approximately 0.580 inches, and in some
configurations, can be curved with a diameter 197 of approximately
0.200 inches. In other configurations, the top side of the
exemplary trays can be smooth and free of grooves 130, but in some
configurations, can still be configured to be stackable.
[0041] The exemplary tray can be sized and configured to hold any
number of coffee cartridges 127, and in one exemplary embodiment,
e.g., 36, e.g., six cartridges per column, two columns per drawer
and three drawers 129 per tray. The exemplary divider(s) 133 in the
exemplary drawer 129 can be removable as a user deems fit, and each
drawer 129 can accept items other than cartridges 127, such as a
configuration with one drawer 129 having cartridges 127 and one or
more drawers 129 having other accessories (e.g., sugar packets).
The exemplary tray can have squared corners, or as shown in the
Figures, rounded corners with drawer fronts to match, e.g., curved
corner portions 183.
[0042] The drawers, receiving areas, and tray housing 128 can be of
any number of dimensions, and the exemplary Figures show one
exemplary set of measurements. For example, the housing 128 can
have a wall thickness 203 of approximately 0.150 inches (as shown
in FIG. 10). In one configuration of the exemplary tray shown in
FIG. 5, each row 131 can have a width 139 of approximately 2.030
inches. The exemplary row 131 can also have a length 141 of
approximately 12.100 inches. The distance 143 between the center of
the handle feature 121 and the drawer can be approximately 0.280
inches.
[0043] The width 155 of the exemplary tray can be range from
approximately 12.00 inches to approximately 14.00 inches (as shown
in FIG. 4). In one embodiment, the exemplary width 155 can be
approximately 13.000 inches, and in other configurations, the width
155 can be approximately 13.50 inches. The depth 157 or length of
the exemplary tray can range from approximately 12.00 inches to
approximately 14.00 inches (as shown in FIG. 4). For example, in
one configuration, the depth 157 can be approximately 12.80 inches,
and in other configurations, the depth 157 can be approximately
12.87 inches, and in yet other configurations, the depth 157 can be
approximately 13.00 inches. The height 159 of the exemplary tray
(including the feet 135) can range from approximately 2.00 inches
to approximately 4.00 inches. For example, in one configuration,
the height 159 can be approximately 3.15 inches, and in other
configurations, the height 159 can be approximately 3.17 inches,
and in yet other configurations, the height 159 can be
approximately 3.50 inches. The height 161 of the exemplary tray
(not including the feet 135) is approximately 3.020 inches.
[0044] The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the
disclosure. Various modifications and alterations to the described
embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of
the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those
skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous systems,
arrangements, and procedures which, although not explicitly shown
or described herein, embody the principles of the disclosure and
can be thus within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In
addition, all publications and references referred to above can be
incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. In addition,
certain terms used in the present disclosure, including the
specification, drawings and claims thereof, can be used
synonymously in certain instances, including, but not limited to,
e.g., data and information. It should be understood that, while
these words, and/or other words that can be synonymous to one
another, can be used synonymously herein, that there can be
instances when such words can be intended to not be used
synonymously. The term "about" and "approximately," as used herein,
should generally be understood to refer to both the corresponding
number and a range of numbers. Moreover, all numerical ranges
herein should be understood to include each whole integer within
the range. Further, to the extent that the prior art knowledge has
not been explicitly incorporated by reference herein above, it can
be explicitly being incorporated herein in its entirety. All
publications referenced above can be incorporated herein by
reference in their entireties.
* * * * *