MODULAR STACKING CONTAINER SYSTEM

Abstract

A modular, stackable, interlocking container system including a number of stackable containers having the same diameter. Each container includes a jar and a lid. The jars and lids both have ribs spaced 180 degrees apart on side surfaces to serve as alignment and tightening indicators. The lids and jars also have a detent feature for interlocking containers together with both tactile and feedback to the user. The container system also has a handle that can interlock with a lid of any of the containers in the system.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to containers. More particularly, the invention relates to a modular stacking container system that may be suitable for transport.

Containers are used to store a variety of items, including food, liquid, money, craft supplies, trinkets, knick knacks, etc. Sometimes it can be useful to have several individual containers to keep things separated. For example, one container can be used to store a drink while another container can be used to store food.

Although having separate individual containers can work, sometimes there is a need to carry separate containers together. There are continuing efforts to develop new container systems that provide not only improved function and convenience but are also suitable for transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular stacking container system in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2A is an exploded perspective view of a container and a handle in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 2B is an exploded bottom perspective view of the container and handle shown in FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a container in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 3B is a bottom perspective view of the embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the jar of the container shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3D is a top plan view of the embodiment of the lid of the container shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 3E is a side cross-sectional view of the embodiment of the container shown in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a perspective view of a container in accordance with an embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the embodiment of the handle shown in FIG. 4A with the hook released from the hole.

FIG. 4C is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the handle shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B.

FIG. 4D is a side cross-sectional view of the handle interlocked with a lid in accordance with an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention relates generally to a stackable container system.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4D, embodiments of a modular, stackable, interlocking container system will be described herein. FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a modular stacking container system 100. The modular stacking container system 100 includes at least two stackable containers 110 and a handle 120 for carrying the container system 100. The embodiment shown in FIG. 1 includes four containers 110. The containers 110 are suitable for storing a variety of items, such as dry goods, snacks, liquids, vitamins, coins, hardware, knick-knacks, etc. The containers 110 can be stacked vertically for convenient storage and transport, as described in more detail below.

Within each container system 100, the containers 110 can be of varying sizes (i.e., heights), as shown in FIG. 1. The containers 110 can be stacked in any order as each container 110 is capable of being stacked on top of and secured to another container 110. However, within each container system 100, the containers 110 all have the same diameter to allow stacking and interlocking of the containers 110. It will be understood that the handle 120 also has the same diameter as the container 110, and is provided to facilitate transport of the container system 100.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are exploded perspective views of a container 110 and a handle 120. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, each container 110 includes a jar 112 and a lid 114, which can include an integrated o-ring seal 116 to allow secure storage of liquids within the container 110. It will be understood that only one container 110 with a handle 120 is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, but that additional containers 110 can be stacked in a vertical fashion. The containers 110 within a system 100 can have varying heights, but will all have the same diameter. FIGS. 3A and 3B are perspective views of a container 110.

The lid 114 is secured to the jar portion 112 of the container 110 by screwing the lid 114 onto the jar portion 112 via corresponding threaded portions on both the lid 114 and the jar portion 112. As will be described in more detail below, according to an embodiment, the top of each lid 114 interfaces with grooves on the jar portion 112 of the container 100 in a bayonet-style fitting. A simple half-twist locks a lid 114 to ajar portion 112.

Each container system 100 has a handle 120 that can connect to the uppermost lid 114 in the container system 100 to allow a user to conveniently hold the container system 100. The handle 120 can also serve as a “carabiner” or clip so that the handle 120 (and container system 100) can be clipped onto a backpack or a purse loop. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, the handle 120 includes two uprights 122, 123 and a horizontal gripping area 124 to form the arched portion of the handle. The uprights 122, 123 extend upwards from a disk-shaped base 126. As shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, one of the uprights 122 of the handle 120 features a break and a hook/recess snap feature that allow the handle 120 to be bent apart at that spot. This upright 122 features a split with a hook 127 and hole 128 feature. In the illustrated embodiment, there is a thumb pad 135 between the hook 127 and the horizontal gripping area 124. The handle 120 may be pushed inwards (toward the center of the handle 120), using a thumb or other object, at this thumb pad 125 to release the hook 127 from the hole 128. The handle 120 may then be bent up and away from the base 126, creating a gap through which a user can slide a loop of material (e.g. a fixed loop on a backpack, purse, etc.). Once something is passed through the gap, the user presses down on the horizontal gripping area 124 to re-connect the hook 127 into the loop. The hook feature 127 is oriented with the hook 127 facing upwards. This means that when the hook 127 is connected into the opening 128, the weight of the containers 110 and their contents serve the press the hook 127 into position and inhibits accidental opening.

According to an embodiment, the lid 114 and the jar 112 each have two shallow, vertical ribs 118, 119 that are spaced 180 degrees apart on the side surface, as shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D. The ribs 118, 119 serve several functions. The ribs 118, 119 aid in the user having increased grip or purchase on the lid 114 as well as the jar 112. The ribs 118, 119 also serve as a visual indicator of alignment of the lid 114 with the jar 112. The ribs 118, 119 are a visual reference of where threads on the lid 114 and jar 112 begin. The lid 114 starts threading onto the jar 112 when the ribs 118, 119 are aligned. Thus, the user knows that the most efficient way to secure the lid 114 to the jar 112 is to align the ribs 118, 119 and then rotate the lid 114 clockwise relative to the jar 112.

According to an embodiment, when the lid 114 is rotated 180 degrees, it is fully interlocked with the jar 112 and the ribs 118, 119 are again aligned. Thus, the ribs 118, 119 also serve as a tightening indicator. When the lid 114 is fully tightened onto ajar 112, the ribs 118 of the lid 114 will align with the ribs 119 of the jar 112. Thus, a user can get a quickly visual check that the lid 114 is fully tightened and the container 110 is sealed. There is a hard stop at the end of the tightening action, so the user cannot over-tighten the lid 114 past the ribs-aligned position. The uprights 122, 123 of the handle 120 also serve as alignment and tightening indicators, similar to the ribs 118, 119. In this embodiment, where a half-twist or 180 degree turn fully interlocks the lid 114 and the jar 112, the lid 114 and jar 112 each have two separate “threads.” Other configurations are possible. For example, a 120 degree rotation to fully interlock the lid and the jar would require three “threads” a rotation of 360 degrees to fully interlock the lid and jar would require only one thread.

The lid 114 also has a detent feature 115 that, along with corresponding features 117 on the bottom surface of the jar 112, serves to let the user know that the lid 114 is fully rotated into place on the jar 112 and interlocked with the jar 112. As described above, the lid 114 is aligned with the jar 112 using the ribs 118, 119 as visual guidance and then rotated 180 degrees to interlock the lid 114 with the jar 112, with a bayonet fitting. Namely, the top of each lid 114 has a raised oval feature 115, which could include an embossed logo, for example. The bottom surface of each jar 112 has two embossed “C”-shaped forms 117. Similarly, the bottom surface of the handle 120 also has two embossed “C”-shaped forms 117. When securing a lid 114 to a jar 112, the user rotates the lid 114 relative to the jar 112 until the lid 114 can be pressed flat against the jar 112 (there is about a 45-degree area where this can happen, otherwise the bayonet features get in the way). Once the lid 114 is flat against the jar 112, the raised oval feature 114 will be roughly perpendicular to the two C-shaped lobes 117 on the bottom surface of the jar 112. As the user rotates, the raised oval feature 115 eventually collides with the C-shaped lobes 117. The C-shaped lobes 117 are ramped such that when the raised oval feature 115 hits them, the ramps push the raised oval feature 115 inwards (or, away from the container base). In other words, when the raised oval feature 115 of the lid 114 hits the C-lobes 117, the lid 114 is deflected away from the container base (the lid 114 basically dishes like a contact lens). As the user continues to rotate the lid 114, eventually the raised oval feature 115 passes over the C-shaped lobes 117 and then comes to rest in a recess between the C-shaped lobes 117 sized to accommodate the raised oval feature 115. In this way, the users gets both tactile feedback (the friction as the raised oval feature 115 hits the C-shaped lobes 117 and while the lid 114 is being momentarily deformed), and audible feedback in the form of a “click” when the raised oval feature 115 comes to reset in its final position in the recess between the C-shaped lobes 117.

According to an embodiment, the jar 112 has a curved base. This curved bottom on the exterior of the jar 112 allows the jar 112 to be pushed into a pocket more easily. On the interior of the jar 112, the curve makes for a more-easily-cleanable container (as opposed to a jar having a sharp internal corner).

According to an embodiment, the void between the handle 120 and the lid 114 to which the handle 120 is secured can be used to fit items, such as utensils (i.e., fork and spoon). Other items, such as condiment packets, salt and pepper packets, keys, money, etc., can also be stored in this space. According to an embodiment, a separate utility tray can fit within this space. This tray can be fitted with bayonet features. A tray having holes could be used as a shaker for condiments or a colander. In some embodiment, a light can be provided on the tray.

Although only a few embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it should be appreciated that the invention may be implemented in many other forms without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. In view of all of the foregoing, it should be apparent that the present embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive and the invention is not limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A modular, stackable, interlocking container system, comprising: at least one container comprising a jar and a lid, wherein a first pair of ribs is spaced 180 degrees apart on a side surface of the jar and a second pair of ribs is spaced 180 degrees apart on a side surface of the lid, wherein the first pair of ribs and the second pair of ribs are aligned when the lid is fully interlocked with the jar; anda handle configured to engage and interlock with the container.

2. The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in claim 1, wherein the handle comprises: a disk-shaped base; anda horizontal grabbing portion;a first upright portion connecting the horizontal grabbing portion and the base; anda second upright portion connecting the horizontal grabbing portion and the base, wherein the second upright portion includes a hook and loop, wherein the hook can be inserted into the loop to close the handle and wherein the hook can be unhooked from the loop to open the handle.

3. The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in claim 1, comprising at least two containers wherein each of the at least two containers has a same diameter.

4. The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in claim 1, wherein the at least one container comprises an integrated o-ring seal.

5. The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in claim 1, wherein the jar and the lid can be fully interlocked by rotating the lid 180 degrees relative to the jar.

6. The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in claim 1, comprising at least two containers, wherein each lid comprises a raised oval on its top surface and each jar comprises two C-shaped features into which the raised oval can register when the lid is rotated relative to the jar when the jar is over the lid.

7. The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in claim 1, wherein each C-shaped feature comprises a ramp along which the raised oval can slide.

8. A stackable container system, comprising: at least two containers, wherein each container comprises a jar and a lid, wherein each lid comprises a raised oval on its top surface and each jar comprises two C-shaped features into which the raised oval can register when the lid is rotated relative to the jar when the jar is over the lid; and a handle configured to engage and interlock with the container.

9. The stackable container system, wherein the handle is configured to serve as a clip.