MODULAR CONTAINER SYSTEM

Abstract

A modular container system may enable a user to create a set of interconnected containers to organize and pack small items. The modular container system may be assembled in various ways to hold one or more items in separate compartments of varying size. The modular container system may have the same diameter as a typical sports water bottle, making the container system easy to pack and readily accessible to the user. The modular container system may be useful in various situations where a person needs to organize and store items. Applications may include outdoor sports and recreation, military, automotive, arts and crafts, construction tools and materials, food storage, toy storage, and the like.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/151,237, filed Feb. 10, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to containers, and more specifically to modular containers and modular container systems.

In many activities, including outdoor sports and recreation, it is difficult to organize, pack and make accessible small items. For certain activities, water resistant storage may be desired. Often, users store items in plastic storage bags or tins stowed in various compartments in a portable carry device, such as a backpack. Plastic bags may be crushed or punctured, spilling their contents and losing water resistance.

As can be seen, there is a need for a container system that may organize, store and make accessible items stored therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a container comprises at least one open ended container, each open ended container having a first open end and a second open end; at least one end cap adapted to cover at least one of the first open end and the second open end; and at least one connecting part adapted to interconnect adjacent ones of the open ended container when the at least one open ended container is at least two open ended containers.

In another aspect of the present invention, a container system comprises multiple open ended containers, each open ended container having a first open end and a second open end; at least one connecting part adapted to interconnect adjacent ones of the open ended containers; and a first end cap and a second end cap covering ends of the container system, wherein the connecting part is selected from the group consisting of a floorless connecting part and a divided connecting part.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a kit comprises a container comprising at least one open ended container, each open ended container having a first open end and a second open end; at least one end cap adapted to cover at least one of the first open end and the second open end; and at least one connecting part adapted to interconnect adjacent ones of the open ended container when the at least one open ended container is at least two open ended containers; and supplies stored within the container.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular container system according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the modular container system taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the modular container system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a modular container system according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the modular container system taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of a modular container system according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention.

The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention generally provides a modular container system that may enable a user to create a set of interconnected containers to organize and pack small items. In one embodiment of the present invention, the modular container system may have the same diameter as a typical sports water bottle, making the container system easy to pack and readily accessible to the user. The modular container system may be useful in various situations where a person needs to organize and store items. Applications may include outdoor sports and recreation, military, automotive, arts and crafts, construction tools and materials, food storage, toy storage, and the like.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of a modular container system 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As described in greater detail below, the container system 10 may include at least one open ended container 12. Multiple open ended containers 12-2, 12-4, 12-6 may be coupled together by, for example, either a floorless connecting part 16 or a dividing connecting part 18. End caps 14 may be removably disposed on each end of the container system 10.

The floorless connecting part 16 may connect two adjacent open ended containers 12-2, 12-4 to provide a single storage section. The divided connecting part 18 may connect two adjacent open ended containers 12-4, 12-6 to provide two separate container sections coupled together.

Each of the open ended containers 12-2, 12-4, 12-6 may have the same or different heights. The diameter of each of the open ended containers 12-2, 12-4, 12-6 making up a container system 10 may be the same and may approximate the diameter of a sports water bottle (for example, from about 2 to about 3 inches). The container system 10 may be manufactured with various standard diameters. For example, the container system 10 may have a diameter between 10 and 12 inches.

The container systems 10 may be manufactured from various materials and with various colors. Typically, the open ended containers 12, the end caps 14, the floorless connecting parts 16 and the divided connecting parts 18 may be made of plastic or metal. In one embodiment of the present invention, the open ended containers 12 may be made of a clear plastic. In another embodiment of the present invention, the various colors may correspond with various standard diameters, thereby aiding matching components of the same diameter.

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross-sectional view of the container system 10 of FIG. 1. Gaskets 20 may be included between adjacent components of the container system 10. For example, the gasket 20 may be included between the end cap 14 and the open ended container 12-2. The gasket 20 may also be included between open ended container 12-2 and floorless connection part 16. The gaskets 20 may provide enhanced water resistance or watertightness. The gaskets 20 may be optional, as water resistance may be provided by a mechanical seal between the components, as described in greater detail below.

Referring now to FIG. 3, there is shown an exploded perspective view of the container system 10 of FIG. 1. Male threads 24 may be disposed on each end of the open ended containers 12. Female threads 26, mating with the male threads 24, may be disposed in the end caps 14, the floorless connecting parts 16 and the divided connecting parts 18. The male threads 24 and the female threads 26 may permit assembly of the container system 10 to yield the assembled container assembly as shown in FIG. 1. The threads 24, 26 may be any type of threads known in the art. For example, the threads 24, 26 may have undulations cut at mating angles to help provide water resistance within the threads.

While FIGS. 1 and 2, for example, show a uniform width container, variable widths may within the scope of the present invention. For example, the open ended containers 12 may have a taper at the necks of the container, near the threads. In one embodiment of the present invention, regardless of varying diameters and tapered necks, the container system 10 may still be a modular system, having mating threads between the open ended containers 12 and the connection parts 16, 18 and the end caps 14.

While threads are shown as the connecting means between various components, various connecting means are contemplated within the scope of the present invention. For example, a peg may be provided in lieu of the female threads and a slot may be provided in lieu of the mail threads to assemble the components. In alternate embodiments, the components may be assembled by a friction fit. In other possible embodiments the male and female threads may be reversed, e.g., the ends of the open ended containers may have female threads and the end caps and/or connecting parts may have male threads.

As can be appreciated from the exploded perspective view of FIG. 3, the container system 10 may be a modular system, permitting interchange of components. For example, multiple open ended containers 12 may be joined together either with floorless connecting parts 16, to form a single long container system 10, or with divided connecting parts 18, to form multiple individual chambers within the container system 10. Alternatively, a single open ended container 12 may be fitted with end caps 14 to provide a single chambered container system 10. The container system 10 may provide the user with flexibility in organizing and storing items. Flexibility may include options for container size and the combination of different sized containers when the open ended containers 12 are connected together.

The container system 10 may be assembled as part of a kit. The kit may contain various supplies stored within each of the open ended containers 12. The supplies within a container system 10 may be drawn to a common purpose. For example, the kit may be a first aid kit containing first aid supplies, a survival kit containing wilderness survival supplied, a shelter kit containing emergency shelter supplied, a cooking kit containing cooking supplies or the like. Multiple kits may be joined together. For example, end caps 14 from a first aid kit and a survival kit may be removed and a divided connecting part 18 may join these two kits together to form a single container system 10 containing multiple kits.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there are shown perspective and cross-sectional views of a container system 40 according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the container system 40 may include a perforated end cap 22. The perforated end cap 22 may be useful in indications where a water resistant end cap is not required. For example, the perforated end cap may be useful as a cooking strainer or to allow air to pass about damp items stored within the storage section 12-2. The other components of the container system 40, such as the open ended containers 12, the floorless connecting part 16, the divided connecting part 18 and the end cap 14 may be the same as those described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a container system 60 according to an alternate embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, additional water resistance may be provided by a mechanical seal formed between adjacent components of the container system 60. For example, an external flange 62 on open ended containers 12′ may provide mechanical sealing when the connecting parts (such as divided connecting part 18′) are mated with the open ended containers 12′. The external flange 62 may also provide contour to the outer surface of the container system 60. In addition, an internal flange 64 may be present on the connecting parts 16, 18 or the end caps 14 to provide an alternate mechanical seal. For example, in FIG. 6, the internal flange 64 is present on divided connecting part 18′.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A container comprising:

at least one open ended container, each open ended container having a first open end and a second open end;

at least one end cap adapted to cover at least one of the first open end and the second open end; and

at least one connecting part adapted to interconnect adjacent ones of the open ended container when the at least one open ended container is at least two open ended containers.

2. The container of claim 1, wherein the at least one open ended container includes at least a first open ended container and a second open ended container.

3. The container of claim 2, wherein the connecting part is a floorless connecting part fluidly connecting the first open ended container with the second open ended container.

4. The container of claim 2, wherein the connecting part is a divided connecting part providing separate chambers within the first open ended container and the second open ended container.

5. The container of claim 2, wherein:

the first open end of the first open ended container and the first open end of the second open ended container are interchangeably connected with either a floorless connecting part or a divided connecting part; and

the second open end of the first open ended container and the second end of the second open ended container are each covered by the end cap.

6. The container of claim 2, further comprising at least one gasket positioned between adjacent components of the container.

7. The container of claim 1, further comprising:

threads on each first open end and second open end; and

mating threads on each end cap and each connecting part.

8. The container of claim 7, wherein the threads and mating threads provide water resistance against water passing through the threads and mating threads when in an interconnected position.

9. The container of claim 1, wherein at least one end cap includes perforations.

10. The container of claim 1, wherein adjacent components are joined together to form a mechanical seal therebetween.

11. The container of claim 10, wherein the mechanical seal comprises a flange on the open ended container.

12. The container of claim 1, wherein the open ended containers are transparent.

13. A container system comprising:

multiple open ended containers, each open ended container having a first open end and a second open end;

at least one connecting part adapted to interconnect adjacent ones of the open ended containers; and

a first end cap and a second end cap covering ends of the container system, wherein

the connecting part is selected from the group consisting of a floorless connecting part and a divided connecting part.

14. The container system of claim 13, further comprising:

threads on each first open end and second open end; and

mating threads on each end cap and each connecting part.

15. The container system of claim 13, wherein at least one end cap includes perforations.

16. The container system of claim 13, wherein:

adjacent components are joined together to form a mechanical seal therebetween; and

the mechanical seal comprises a flange on the open ended container.

17. The container of claim 16, wherein the mechanical seal increases water resistance of the container system.

18. A kit comprising:

a container comprising: at least one open ended container, each open ended container having a first open end and a second open end; at least one end cap adapted to cover at least one of the first open end and the second open end; and at least one connecting part adapted to interconnect adjacent ones of the open ended container when the at least one open ended container is at least two open ended containers; and

supplies stored within the container.

19. The kit of claim 18, wherein the supplies are related to a common purpose.

20. The kit of claim 18, further comprising:

threads on each first open end and second open end; and

mating threads on each end cap and each connecting part.