U.S. patent application number 13/647891 was filed with the patent office on 2014-04-10 for container system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Armando Martija, Andrea Zabinski. Invention is credited to Armando Martija, Andrea Zabinski.
Application Number | 20140097119 13/647891 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48192799 |
Filed Date | 2014-04-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140097119 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Zabinski; Andrea ; et
al. |
April 10, 2014 |
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 a bracket with a pair
of arms, a frame and a compression element, which components
facilitate secure but 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. Additionally, removable walls
may be placed within the perimeter of the tray to configure
customized compartmentalization of the tray,
Inventors: |
Zabinski; Andrea; (Gibsonia,
PA) ; Martija; Armando; (Garden City, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Zabinski; Andrea
Martija; Armando |
Gibsonia
Garden City |
PA
NY |
US
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48192799 |
Appl. No.: |
13/647891 |
Filed: |
October 9, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/562 ;
206/557 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47B 77/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
206/562 ;
206/557 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/04 20060101
B65D006/04 |
Claims
1. A container system, the system comprising a tray support unit
and at least one tray, wherein said tray support unit comprises a
bracket, said bracket comprising a pair of arms, a frame, at least
one tray guide, and a compression element, wherein said pair of
arms is disposed away from said frame and tray guide such that the
tray support unit may removably attach to an object by disposing
said object between said pair of arms and said frame and tray
guide, and wherein said compression element may impart a force on
the object to which the tray support unit is removably attached to
facilitate attachment of the tray support unit to the object,
wherein said at least one tray guide comprises an uninterrupted
surface that may accept a portion of the tray to direct movement of
the tray along the surface of the at least one tray guide, wherein
said tray comprises at least one engagement feature, which at least
one engagement feature may be disposed against and received along
the uninterrupted surface of the at least one tray guide for
directing movement of the tray 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 tray guide.
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 at least one tray
further comprises at least one removable wall disposed within a
perimeter of the tray.
4. The container system of claim 1, wherein said pair of arms of
said bracket comprises a frictional element thereon.
5. The container system of claim 1, wherein said compression
element comprises a clip that is biased by a spring.
6. The container system of claim 1, further comprising at least one
tray insert that may be disposed on the tray.
7. The container system of claim 6, wherein the at least one tray
insert of claim 7 further comprises at least one aperture thereon.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present disclosure is a continuation-in-part of pending
U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/287,584, filed on Nov. 2,
2011, which application claims priority under 35 United States
Code, Section 119 on the U.S. Provisional Patent Application
numbered 61/509,466, filed on Jul. 19, 2011, the disclosures of
which are 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 items,
such as food and beverage items 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 tray support unit includes a bracket with a
pair of arms, a frame, at least one tray guide, and a compression
element. The tray support 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 at least
one tray guide of the tray support unit. In an embodiment, such
slidable connection is accomplished by an engagement feature of the
tray, which engagement feature may be disposed against and received
along an uninterrupted surface of the at least one tray guide 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] In another embodiment, the bracket of the tray support unit
may securely attach the tray support unit to a fixed object. In
such an embodiment, the arms of the bracket may be disposed against
one section or area of the fixed item (such as the top side of a
shelf) and the frame of the bracket may be disposed against another
section or area of the fixed item (such as the bottom side of a
shelf). The compression element of the tray support unit may be
biased to apply pressure on the fixed item to assist in the secure
attachment of the tray support unit to the fixed object. Further,
in an exemplary embodiment, frictional material may be disposed on
the arms of the tray support unit to facilitate such secure
attachment.
[0020] The tray may comprise 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.
[0021] In another embodiment, the tray may further comprise at
least one removable wall that may be disposed within the perimeter
of the tray to compartmentalize the tray.
[0022] 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.
[0023] 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
[0024] 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:
[0025] FIG. 1 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;
[0026] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a container system in an
extended and hinged position, in accordance with an exemplary
embodiment of the present disclosure; and
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of at least one tray insert
of a container system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0028] Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the
description of several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0029] 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.
[0030] 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.
[0031] 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, which tray may include a plurality of apertures therein, each
of which aperture is configured to receive and retain an item
therein. The tray may alternatively or also include at least one
removable wall that may extend upwardly from a surface of the tray,
which wall may form compartments on the tray. The system may be
installed on a shelf or other existing piece of furniture by way of
a bracket of the tray support unit, which bracket includes a
compression and/or friction element such that the container system
may be installed and removably attached to an object 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.
[0032] -Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, and in an embodiment, a
container system 100 comprises a tray 200 and a tray support unit
300. The tray support unit comprises a bracket 350, which bracket
includes a pair of arms 362 and 364, a frame 370, at least one tray
guide 380, and a compression element 390. The pair of arms 362 and
364 are disposed away from the frame 370 and tray guide 380 such
that the tray support unit 300 may removably attach to an object by
disposing the object between the pair of arms 362 and 364 and the
frame 370 and tray guide 380. The tray support unit 300 is
preferably formed from a sufficiently flexible material that
permits the frame 370 and pair of arms 362 and 364 to be moved away
from one another when a user so manipulates the bracket, but
otherwise biases the frame 370 and pair of arms 362 and 364 to
close toward one another when no force is otherwise applied on
these components. This bias permits the tray support unit 300 to
securely attach to a fixed item.
[0033] The bracket 350 of the tray support unit may be formed from
hollow tubing or other sufficiently elastic materials that allow
the frame and arms of the bracket to flex toward and away from one
another. The dimensions of the frame 370 preferably correspond
substantially to the dimensions of the perimeter of the tray,
although the dimensions of the frame do not need to be identical or
substantially identical to the dimensions of the perimeter of the
tray. The arms 362 and 364 of the bracket are attached to the frame
370, preferably at an end or edge of the frame 370 and at an end of
the pair of arms 362 and 364 as shown in the figures. So attached,
the frame and pair of arms are substantially parallel. Each arm 362
and 364 is preferably linear in configuration.
[0034] The pair of arms 362 and 364 may further comprise a
frictional element 366 disposed on at least one of the arms. In an
embodiment, the frictional element 366 comprises a sleeve that
substantially surrounds a length of the arm to which it is
attached, as shown in the figures. It will be apparent that the
frictional element comprises a material that facilitates retaining
the arm in a position when the arm is biased against and attached
to a fixed object. The frictional element may also comprise a
padded material to reduce wear and tear on the fixed object against
which the arm may be biased. In an embodiment, the frictional
element comprises a sleeve of foam rubber.
[0035] The tray support unit 300 further comprises at least one
tray guide 380. Shown in the figures is an exemplary embodiment of
the present disclosure, wherein two tray guides 380 are provided.
The at least one tray guide 380 is preferably disposed on the
bracket 350 such that the frame 370 is between the at least one
tray guide 380 and the arms 362 and 364. The at least one tray
guide 380 is configured to accept a portion of the tray and
accordingly direct movement of the tray within the at least one
tray guide 380. In an embodiment, the at least one tray guide 380
comprises a rail, a length of which is substantially parallel to
the frame 370. The at least one tray guide 380 further comprises a
stop or a closed end at least one end thereof for limiting the
movement of the tray within the tray guide. The tray guide
preferably also comprises an open end at the end that is opposite
to the stop or closed end of the tray guide, which open end will
allow the tray 200 to be accessed, extended out of, and removed
from the tray support unit 300. The open end of the tray guide 380
may further comprise a region that is configured to allow
rotational movement of the tray 200 when the tray 200 is extended
out of the tray support unit 300 a sufficient distance (which
distance and movement will be described in more detail below.)
[0036] The tray support unit 300 further comprises a compression
element 390, which compression element may also facilitate secure
attachment of the tray support unit 300 to a fixed object. In an
embodiment, the compression element 390 comprises a clip or a flap
and a spring, which spring may bias the clip or flap in a position.
The compression element may be rotatably attached to a section of
the frame 370. In an embodiment, the clip or flap is disposed
toward the interior of the bracket of the tray support unit, and
the spring biases the clip or flap toward the arms 362 and 364 of
the tray support unit 300, such that the clip or flap of the
compression element 390 may be disposed against a fixed object when
object is received between the arms 362 and 364 and the frame 370
of the tray support unit 300.
[0037] 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 may comprise a plurality of apertures
(not shown) within the planar region 210. The apertures 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 may be securely
retained within the aperture of the tray 200. Such aperture 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, for facilitating secure retention of an
item within the aperture, and/or to prohibit an item from falling
through the aperture of the tray 200. Aperture may further comprise
a depression in the planar region 210 along a portion of the
perimeter of the aperture, 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 as needed.
[0038] In another embodiment, planar region 210 of tray is bounded
by outer walls 220 at a perimeter of planar region 210 that rise
upwardly away from planar region 210 of tray 200. As shown in the
figures, the tray 200 may further comprise a plurality of removable
walls 400, which removable walls 400 may form compartments within
the planar region 210 of the tray 200 when the removable walls 400
are installed on the tray 200. In an embodiment, the removable
walls 400 may be received on the tray 200 by way of slots 410 that
are disposed on the interior of the outer walls 220 of the tray
200. More particularly, an end of a removable wall 400 may be
received in a slot 410 that is disposed on an interior of an outer
wall 220 of the tray 200 to removably but securely hold the
removable wall 400 in a position such that it extends across at
least a portion of the planar region 210 of the tray 200. A
removable wall 400 may also comprise at least one slot 410, which
at least one slot 410 so disposed on a removable wall 400 may
similarly receive and retain an end of another removable wall 400
(as shown in the figures).
[0039] In another embodiment, and referring now to FIG. 3, the
container system 100 comprises at least one tray insert 420, which
at least one tray insert may be removably or temporarily disposed
upon at least a portion of the planar region 210 of the tray. The
tray insert 420 is preferably planar to correspond with the
configuration of the tray 200 and planar region 210 thereof, and is
preferably sufficiently thin such that it does not sit above the
outer walls 220 of the tray, while still thick enough to be
resilient and to receive items therein and/or support items
thereon. The tray insert 420 further comprises at least one
aperture 430 thereon, which at least one aperture may be configured
to receive at least a portion of an item or object therein.
Further, the at least one aperture may be configured to correspond
to the configuration of a particular item or category of item (such
as a coffee pod, a spice bottle, and the like.) Preferably, but not
necessarily, each aperture of such a plurality of apertures of a
tray insert 420 will have the same configuration as one
another.
[0040] In an embodiment, the at least one tray insert 420 of such
dimensions that it may be received in a compartment formed by a
removable wall or walls 400 of the container system 100. It will be
apparent that the container system 100 may be configured with a
plurality of compartments (so formed by a removably wall or walls
400) and that each compartment may receive a tray insert 420, such
that the container system 100 may be assembled to securely store a
plurality of different items in an organized and efficient manner.
For example, a user may place a tray insert 420 with apertures that
are configured to receive coffee pods in one compartment formed by
a removable wall 400, and a tray insert with apertures that are
configured to receive spice bottles in another compartment formed
by the removable wall 400.
[0041] 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 380 of the tray support unit 300.
[0042] The tray 200 further comprises engagement features 230 for
removable attachment to the tray guides 380 of the tray support
unit 300. In a preferred embodiment, the engagement features 230 of
the tray 200 comprise at least one wing that extends away from an
outer wall 220 of the tray, which wing is received within and
supported by a tray guide 380. In this embodiment, the wing extends
away from the outer wall 200 along a portion of the length of the
outer wall 200 and is received within the tray guide 380 such that
tray guide 380 may direct or limit linear movement of the tray 200.
The engagement features 230 may further comprise a peg 232, which
peg 232 is preferably disposed linear to but away from the wing,
such that the peg 232 is distal to the open end of the tray guide
380 when the tray 200 is recessed within the tray support unit 300.
In an embodiment, and as shown in FIG. 2, when the tray 200 is
sufficiently extended out of the tray support unit 300, the peg 232
may be received in the region of the open end of the tray guide 380
that is configured to allow rotational movement of the tray 200
such that a user may the tray 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, while the peg 232 otherwise
maintains the attachment or coupling of the tray 200 to the tray
support unit 300.
[0043] To install the tray 200 on the tray support unit 300, a user
aligns tray 200 within tray guides 380 such that engagement
features 230 of tray 200 are received within the tray guide or
guides 380. It will be apparent that the tray guides 3800 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.
[0044] The container system 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 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 allows a user to transport and/or adjust
attachment of the system easily and quickly, so that the user can
move the system 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 frame and
arms of tray support unit), such that fixed items to which the
system 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 from a fixed item.
[0045] 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.
* * * * *