Self-adjusting container

Abstract

A closeable container for storing and protecting materials having moveable internal partitions extending radially and longitudinally creating at least two independent adjustable internal chambers within which stored materials are kept separated and are individually accessed for adding and dispensing purposes. In a substantially cylindrical embodiment of the instant device, separators forming the internal compartments are rotatable, thereby allowing self-adjustment of the volume of the internal compartments to accommodate materials of differing sizes, shapes and quantities. The weight and size of the confined materials force the compartments of the container to automatically adjust volume when added or dispensed. Means are presented which preclude commingling of materials between compartments during access. Transparent sides facilitate identification of stored materials within the chambers. The device is simple in design and inexpensive to produce and is envisioned to have a wide variety of uses for compact, convenient and efficient storage.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]Not ApplicableSTATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT[0002]Not ApplicableREFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX[0003]Not ApplicableBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0004]This invention relates to portable storage containers, specifically to such containers that store a variety of small articles[0005]Organizing and storing materials, has always been a problem for people such as homeowners, handymen, carpenters, machinists, chefs and many others. They frequently waste time searching for particular items necessary to finish a task. Items at home are many times mixed and misplaced in junk drawers or in separate containers such as jars, cans, bags, and boxes. Countless hours are also wasted in organizing and storing items for future use.[0006]Transporting such items also presents problems, since open containers may not be overturned without spillage. In addition, common sto...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0034]In accordance with the present invention a storage container comprises a top, a base and a substantially cylindrical body with at least one enclosed radially distributed rotatable separator and an access means that facilitates the safe storage and removal of materials. When the device is horizontally oriented, secure access to an uppermost internal chamber is made through the access means in the top. An embodiment having stop tabs insures access to only one compartment during filling or dispensing, regardless of physical orientation of the device. The advantages of the instant invention are automatic variable-volume storage, constant and secure separation of materials, visibility of stored items, easy accessibility, and portability. This invention is intended to provide a secure, efficient, self-adjusting, and useful storage device.

Problems solved by technology

Organizing and storing materials, has always been a problem for people such as homeowners, handymen, carpenters, machinists, chefs and many others.

They frequently waste time searching for particular items necessary to finish a task.

Countless hours are also wasted in organizing and storing items for future use.

Transporting such items also presents problems, since open containers may not be overturned without spillage.

In addition, common storage methods are inefficient with regard to space utilized, and many unnecessary containers are usually required for carrying materials.

A jar with a few screws in it wastes space, but adding nails creates its own set of problems.

While these products have had some degree of success, they all lack certain qualities that are essential to people who need secure, compact, segregated, and convenient storage that affords easy identification of their stored items; e.g. carpenters who must organize types of screws, nails, bolts, etc.

Presently used storage devices, such as small utility cabinets having transparent plastic drawers, require changing viewing angles and provide poor visibility of the drawer contents, which are usually only viewable from the front.

Cabinets are typically large, and hold very little.

In addition, these holders are not easily moved, since the enclosed materials spill when the cabinet is tilted or inverted.

Although specifically designed molded holders, such as closeable drill bit cases with sized cavities for each bit, meet some needs previously discussed, they are necessarily large, complex, and limited in their storage capacity.

These molded cases typically leave no options for storing other related materials, only those materials for which the molded case is expressly designed.

Prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,498,471, 3,441,033, 6,364,125 and 6,378,533 do not afford easy identification of the articles that they organize.

Furthermore, in some cases, removal of stored articles is complicated and time consuming.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,626,266, 6,318,602 and 522,693 do not permit an assortment of items to be stored and are limited in their design because they must remove the entire contents of their container at one time.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,491 describes a tool carrier which is not fully enclosed, therefore contents will spill when tipped or overturned.

Although providing segmented compartments, they are made of fabric and cannot visually display the contents of the carrier.

Furthermore, this carrier is quite cumbersome, and not convenient for transport.

None of the prior art, therefore, provides all of these elements of the instant device: complete secure enclosure, portability, simple access, readily visible identification, and continuously variable, self-adjusting, volume of chambers.

Although containers do exist which have separate internal chambers with independent access means, such as weekly pill dispensers, these devices have fixed compartment sizes and lack the shape and storage capacity provided by a device as presented herein.

These valuable features are not obvious, evidenced by the lack of such devices for storage of articles today.

None of the prior art teaches a secure longitudinal, self-adjusting, compartmentalized container which offers spill proof accessibility from the exterior to the compartments by orienting the device with respect to gravity.

In short, the prior art and common containers in use today do not anticipate the individual or combined advantages described in the present device.

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