Modular storage system

Abstract

A carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nested containers on a turntable sized to support three stacks of containers and a stack of lids. The containers within each stack may be of like size and different in size from the containers in other stacks, but with all containers having like open end dimensions. The lids are sized and shaped to close all containers.

Description

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a carousel structure for supporting containers and, in particular, a carousel for supporting stacks of like containers.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The recent commercial acceptance of carousels designed to support stacks of like containers within kitchen cabinets and the like has generated significant interest in creating improved designs for this type of product. Heretofore, carousels have been designed to support stacks of containers having sizes of a ½ pint and 1 pint. The carousels that are commercially available are essentially consistent with the structure shown in U.S. Letters Pat. No. 6,585,119 incorporated herein by reference. Commercial embodiments of these carousels have been primarily designed with costs in mind for mass marketing, primarily through infomercial sales. Although these carousels and the containers sold with them have been phenomenally successful and service a substantial market, there are potentials for improved and different designs intended for different markets.

Thus, for example, carousels designed to support containers of larger sizes should be more sturdy. Additionally, carousels designed for commercial uses such as in restaurants or carousels designed for upscale markets should preferably be capable of heavy use, while at the same time providing an attractive appearance.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved carousel for supporting stacks of like containers and, in particular, carousels designed for supporting containers of 1 quart, 1 pint and 1 cup capacity. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved carousel for stacking containers that is easy to manufacture and ship, with components designed to snap together for a knock-down, compact shipping package. A further object of the present invention is to provide an improved carousel with a stylized configuration, but with a design that is sized to fit all standard kitchen cabinets. A further object of the present invention is to provide a carousel for storing stacked containers that is made of components that are easy to clean and with containers, when used, may be stored in freezers and the like.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a carousel having components that are especially designed and shaped to easily nest stacks of like containers in multiple stacks for easy access.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a carousel for like stacks of containers that is easy to rotate and is otherwise easily accessible when positioned in a kitchen cabinet or the like.

In the present invention there is provided a carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nested containers on a turntable sized to support a plurality and preferably at least three stacks of containers with the containers within each stack of like size and dimension. The turntables axially support a center column that extends upwardly with a plurality of radially arranged columns spaced from the center column. The center column and radially arranged columns are preferably formed of hollow, cylindrical members and define in combination a plurality of wells sized and shaped to receive the stacks of nested containers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the drawings, each identical or nearly identical component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a like numeral. For purposes of clarity, not every component may be labeled in every drawing. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention showing a carousel designed to hold three stacks of nested containers, together with a stack of lids or covers;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the stacks and lids removed and with one of the columns shown partially removed and with the turntable and supporting base shown in exploded arrangement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including,” “comprising,” or “having,” “containing,” “involving,” and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.

The carousel shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a turntable 10 positioned over a base 20. The turntable 10 is pivotally supported for rotation and for longitudinal sliding movement relative to the base by the means generally illustrated in U.S. Letters Pat. No. 6,585,119 or by means hereafter described. A central column or center guide 30 is positioned above and secured axial to the turntable 10. A plurality of stack guides or column guides 40 are radially arranged around the center column 30. The stack guides or column guides 40 are removably secured to the turntable 10 by means comprising an interlocking mechanism 50 (FIG. 2). A lower member 51 of the interlocking mechanism 50 is permanently secured to the turntable. This lower mechanism includes a wall extending upwardly from the turntable having a shape conforming with and engaging preferably the inner wall 41 of the column 40. A pair of interlocks 53 and 54 forming part of the lower member 51 are shaped to engage interlocks on the column 40. The interlocks 53 and 54 have projecting barbs that engage a slot at the bottom of the column 40 with the slots aligned to receive the interlocks 53 and 54 in a snap fit.

The columns 40 are radially arranged about the turntable in spaced relation to the center column 30 and defined a plurality of wells with three wells shown in the embodiment of FIG. 1 shaped and sized to receive stacked columns of containers while a fourth well is shaped and sized to receive a stack of lids. Preferably, the wells are all of the same size and dimension, since the containers and lids all preferably have essentially the same shaped and sized outer periphery. Each of the columns 40 are formed as essentially elongated cylinders having an outer portion 43 parallel to a segment of the periphery of the turntable with the outer portion 43 of the cylinder connected along either longitudinal edge to inner concave section 44 by a section 46 defining an elongated finger groove, with the finger grooves 46 on either side of an outer portion 43.

The outer surface 31 on the central column 30 is formed with a plurality of vertically extending concave surfaces defining in part the wells previously described for receiving stacks of nested containers or lids. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the center column 30 has essentially an x-shaped cross section, with the concave surface portion of -the center column shaped and sized to receive the innermost longitudinal edge of essentially rectangular shaped nested containers. Adjacent columns 40 are shaped with a concave surface to engage opposite edges of a nested stack of rectangular containers or lids as illustrated in FIG. 1.

The lids or covers illustrated in FIG. 1 at 70 are shaped and sized to engage the open edges of the containers 80 positioned in the other wells of the carousel. The lids should be shaped and sized to snap-fit over the open ends of each of the containers and may be provided with improved features such as a depressed center section that has a lightly textured surface 74 suitable for writing. As illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 1, the different wells may receive stacks of containers having similarly dimensioned open ends, but of greater depth so that the containers in one well accommodate different volumes than the containers in a different well. Thus, for example, one stack of containers may comprise 1-quart containers; the second 1-pint containers; and a third 1-cup containers. Fewer containers may be accommodated in a particular well if the container has greater volume capacity.

Having thus described several aspects of at least one embodiment of this invention, it is to be appreciated various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this disclosure, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description and drawings are by way of example only.

Claims

1. A carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nested containers comprising a turntable, means supporting the turntable for rotation relative to the base,

a plurality of stack guides,

means securing the stack guides in spaced relation to one another on the turntable,

said stacked guides each comprising an elongated cylinder having a portion of the cylinder conforming in shape to a portion of the sidewall of a container,

a center guide axially located on the turntable and extending upwardly therefrom, said center guide and stack guides defining a plurality of wells, each shaped and sized to receive a stack of nested containers.

2. A carousel as set forth in claim 1, wherein an elongated cylinder has an outer portion parallel to a segment of the periphery of the turntable.

3. A carousel as set forth in claim 2 wherein finger grooves are defined on the surface thereof intermediate the portion of the elongated cylinder conforming in shape to the portion of the sidewall and the outer portion.

4. A carousel as set forth in claim 1 wherein the means securing the stack guides on the turntable comprises an interlock mechanism with a portion of the mechanism fixed to the turntable and engaging the bottom of the stack guides.

5. A carousel as set forth in claim 4 wherein the mechanism includes a member fixed to and extending upwardly from the turntable with the member having a shape conforming with and engaging the wall of the cylinder.

6. A carousel as set forth in claim 5 having engageable interlocking elements on the member and on the lower end of the cylinder.

7. A carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nestable containers on a turntable comprising a center column axially aligned with and extending upwardly from the turntable, and a plurality of radially arranged columns spaced from the center column, said center column and radially arranged columns formed of hollow cylindrical members and defining a plurality of wells sized and shaped to receive stacks of nested containers.

8. A carousel as set forth in claim 7 having means for removably interlocking the columns to the turntable.

9. A carousel as set forth in claim 7 wherein at least one column is formed with a finger grip on its outer surface for use in rotating the carousel.

10. A carousel as set forth in claim 7 wherein the center column has an outer surface with a plurality of vertically extending concave surfaces defining in part wells for receiving stacks of nested containers.

11. A carousel as set forth in claim 10 wherein the outer surface has four concave surfaces.

12. A carousel as set forth in claim 7 wherein a radially arranged column is formed with a finger gripping surface.