CONVERTIBLE MODULAR STORAGE, MANAGEMENT AND UTILIZATION SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

A modular container system with constituent components configured for magnetic attachment to one another to provide enhanced customizability and ease of use.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to container systems for housing and storing various contents.

Background of the Invention

Presently available container systems present numerous design flaw and can even create problems for their users. This deters the user from enjoying the process of organizing, using, and displaying their stored products in the most efficient and user-friendly manner. Manufacturing methods and design aspects of presently available containers either lead to cheap quality or such high quality that manufacturing costs that result in prices that out-price the majority of the consumer market.

Conventional containers available on the market today, regardless of quality or type are stagnant, closed-system container designs, meaning they lack the capability for consumers to customize, change, grow, and adapt their container to the ideal set up for their needs and budget at any given time.

Many of these conventional containers do not utilize the full capabilities a container has to offer. This can be seen in the design of many conventional lids. Lids do not close well enough or close with too much difficulty; locking or securing mechanisms are too often easily broken or are tedious to use. Additionally, the lid serves little to no purpose at all other than to close off the container.

Moreover, it can be difficult to find the right container for each storage need and often consumers are left to wander in container stores simply in hopes of finding an effective container for their needs, with little to no choice in customization to enhance the design, function, and efficiency. Even if the consumer finds a solid match for their needs; in the event they should need a like-type container as storage needs increase or change, it is unlikely the consumer will be able to find the same design, style, or shape even in as little as six months later.

Most containers, outside of jewelry and cigar boxes, even if given added style are not meant to serve as ornamentation or an interactive purposes in the user's daily life, they are simply put away out of sight.

Present user interaction with containers consists of placing objects or other smaller containers in a single container and moving them around to get it all to fit suitably. This game also forces the user to analyze what items to cover with other components, reducing visibility and making additional work for the user to remove them when desired. This task becomes even more difficult when the containers need to be transported. The goal then becomes to pack them in a way that they will not shift around and have weight stacked and stored on top of them.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, it would be advantageous to consumers of container systems to provide a container system that is more easily adaptable and interchangeable between various configurations.

The present inventors here disclose a novel and unobvious apparatus and associated method for use in container systems that meet at least each of the preceding objectives.

Various embodiments of the present invention are an assembly that includes reversibly-attachable, magnetically-engaged components. These components allow for user-customizable container systems that may vary in dimensions and internal arrangement. The ability to interchange the components further improves upon conventional container systems as it provides additional flexibility in terms of aesthetic design and functional needs. Furthermore, the use of such components allows for the incorporation of various add-ons within a container system and for a lid that may itself be configured to serve specialized purposes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts the magnetic grid on a first side of an assembly panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

FIG. 2 depicts the magnetic grid on a second side of an assembly panel in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

FIG. 3 depicts the front assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a modular container housing multiple add-on components in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

FIG. 5 depicts individual components for a container assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

FIG. 6 depicts several views of the container assembly of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 depicts individual components for another container assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

FIG. 8 depicts several views of the container assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 depicts additional views of the container assembly of FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 depicts an add-on assembly for a container assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

FIG. 11 depicts a magnetic grid for expanded container assemblies in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

FIG. 12 depicts a container assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

FIG. 13 depicts an add-on assembly for a container assembly in accordance with one embodiment of the present container system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of a modular, multi-function container system of the present invention shall be discussed in reference to FIGS. 1-13. Though other, undepicted assemblages may be made by those using the present system, a preferred embodiment includes: a base assembly comprising a front assembly having a magnetic grid, a rear assembly having a corresponding magnetic grid, a first side assembly, a second side assembly, and a bottom panel that, when combined, define an interior volume.

The magnetic grids may comprise individual magnets in various arrangements or configurations. Such magnets may be nickel plated neodymium magnet cylinders. Such cylinders may be axially magnetized and have a first polarized end and a second polarized end wherein said first and second polarized ends have opposite polarities. The magnets may be approximately ⅛ in. in diameter and have a strength of between approximately 0.5-1.5 lbs.

FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary magnetic grid that may be incorporated into a front panel of the front assembly in one embodiment of a container assembly. The panel may be composed of any material conventionally known in the art for constructing containers including birch plywood. The panel may have a thickness of between approximately ⅛-¼ in. Those of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that the dimensions may vary from those set forth in FIG. 2 as may the relative spatial arrangement of the individual magnets. When combined with the other container assembly components, the first polar end of all magnets positioned in the front panel of a front assembly depicted by FIG. 2 will face outward relative the interior volume of the container assembly while the second polar end of said magnets face inward (shown in FIG. 3).

A corresponding magnetic grid may be incorporated into a rear panel of the rear assembly of a container assembly. When combined with the other container assembly components, the first polar end of all magnets positioned in the rear panel of a rear assembly will face inward relative the interior volume of the container assembly while the second polar end of said magnets will face outward. By orienting the magnets in this way, the magnetic grids of the front and rear panels create a field in which other magnetized components are compartments may be inserted and thereby secured within the container assembly's interior volume.

The front and rear assemblies may each further comprise an outer decorative layer is attached to the outward-facing surface of the front and rear panels, respectively. This decorate layer may be composed of any material conventionally known in the art such as birch plywood, extruded acrylic, or silicone.

The first and second side assemblies may similarly each comprise a side panel and decorate layer to maintain a consistent appearance across all sides of the container assembly.

Each of the front assembly, rear assembly, first side assembly, second side assembly, and bottom panel may be configured for reversible engagement with each other. As depicted in FIGS. 3,5, and 6, a series of corresponding protrusions and recesses may be formed into the edges of each assembly such that the edges of each assembly may interlock with the corresponding edges of the other assembles in order to form a substantially rectangular container defining an interior volume when combined. In certain embodiments, rubber feet (or feet composed of other materials conventionally known in the art) may be affixed to said bottom panel to minimize scraping of the bottom panel when placed on a surface.

In some embodiments, the container assembly may further comprise a lid assembly. The lid assembly may comprise a top panel, a front lid assembly, a rear lid assembly, a first lid side assembly, and a second lid side assembly. The front and rear lid assemblies may each have a magnetic grid wherein the magnets within each said grid are oriented such that, when the lid assembly is placed on top of the base assembly, the lid assembly's magnets are attracted to the corresponding base assembly's magnets to provide a secured connection between the lid and base assemblies.

In additional embodiments, the container assembly may further comprise an add-on assembly defining an interior volume that is less than the interior volume of the base assembly. The add-on assembly may have a magnetic grid incorporated into one or more sides whereby said add-on assembly may be secured to the interior of the base assembly through a magnetic connection between its magnetic grid and one or more of the base assembly's magnetic grids. As depicted in FIGS. 10 and 13, an add-on assembly may comprise a top panel featuring an opening configured to receive an object such as a jar.

Moreover, the magnetic grids present in the front and rear assemblies of the base assembly allow for quick and easy customizability of the container assembly through reversible attachment of magnetized labels or ornaments to the exterior (or interior) of the base assembly.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, this description is not meant to be construed in a limited sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the inventions will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon the reference to the description of the invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the claims that ultimately are allowed upon prosecution of the corresponding non-provisional application will cover such modifications that fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A modular container system comprising: a front assembly having a front panel wherein a first plurality of magnets are disposed;a rear assembly having a rear panel wherein a second plurality of magnets are disposed;a first side assembly;a second side assembly;a bottom panel; andan interior volume defined by said front assembly, said rear assembly, said first side assembly, said second side assembly, and said bottom panel.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein said first plurality of magnets and said second plurality of magnets are axially magnetized, and wherein each magnet of said first plurality of magnets and said second plurality of magnets have a first polarized end and a second polarized end, and wherein each said first polarized end has a polarity opposite to that of each corresponding said second polarized end.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein said first polarized end of said each magnet of said first plurality of magnets is oriented to face inward toward said interior volume, and wherein said second polarized end of said each magnet of said second plurality of magnets is oriented to face inward toward said interior volume.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein a series of protrusions and recesses are formed along the edges of said bottom panel, and wherein a corresponding series of protrusions and recesses are formed into a bottom edge of each of said front assembly, said rear assembly, said first side assembly, and said second side assembly.