Abstract:
A device is provided for neatly organizing and storing containers and lids by combining a unique attachment mechanism and hanging system. The attachment mechanism and containers and lids are uniquely designed to provide stationary and compact storage. The attachment mechanism may include a lip to ensure the containers and lids remain in their desired location. The containers and lids are centered on the device and snap together for added security. The device can be attached to counter tops, drawers, and closet doors for easy access.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/349,785, filed on May 28, 2010, and incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable. 
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to kitchenware, and more particularly, to a device which can organize food storage containers and lids compactly and securely. 
     DISCUSSION OF RELATED ART 
     As food is conveyed from raw grocery store food to leftovers in the refrigerator, several types of utensils are commonly used. For example, cookware is used to prepare the food, dishware is used to store the food, and storage containers are used to keep the food. Kitchen utensils, cookware, dishware, and storage containers come in many shapes and sizes, each having a different purpose. As such, a kitchen environment can easily become cluttered with so many types of utensils serving such different purposes. Several organizational devices have been developed to help reduce the clutter of a kitchen environment. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,776,469 to Geleziunas on Oct. 11, 1988, teaches a rack for storing lids with a base and a plurality of support members extending from the base. The base is intended for mounting on a vertical surface with the support members extending outwardly and upwardly. The support members are arranged in pairs, for locating and holding lids. Each support member has a ledge portion and a support arm extending upwardly. The ledge portions of each pair have inclined support surfaces which are inclined downwardly towards one another to center a lid. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,131,746 to Huang on Oct. 17, 2000, teaches a pot lid storing trough consisting of a bottom member and a case member movably assembled on the bottom member. The bottom member may be secured on a horizontal wall or a vertical wall in a cupboard or a cabinet, or on a wall of a kitchen, depending on the condition, with an upper open side of the case member always facing upward for putting in or taking out pot lids. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 4,183,444 to English et al. on Jan. 15, 1980, teaches a plastic lid for a drink cup with an integral hanger arranged for engaging a hole or slot placed in a small container for ease in carrying both the covered drink cup and the food container in one hand. The hanger either extends upwardly from the top of the lid or is a part of a flap extending from the rim of the lid. 
     Therefore, there is a need for a device that can store containers neatly and securely. Further, the needed device would be easily attachable to several areas inside the household for convenient access. The present invention accomplishes these objectives. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present device provides a means of organization and storage for container-ware and or tableware using a containment platform that allows for the containers or tableware to be secured firmly together. It also provide a means to secure the containment platform in a plurality of areas and in multiple optional mounting positions, thus allowing for a means of space saving and the means of using underutilized storage areas. 
     The present invention comprises an L-shaped rack with a bottom and rear side. Either side can be attached to a wall, cabinet, or drawer to secure the invention. An attachment means is attached to the bottom side and secured with the rear side. A plurality of containers and lids are retained by the attachment means with unique hangar. The containers and lids have lips to snap them together while they are secured by the attachment means. A projected form is placed on the bottom side of the L-shaped rack to center the containers and lids. 
     The present invention is a device that can store containers neatly and securely. Further, the present device is easily attachable to several areas inside the household for convenient access. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the invention, illustrating a first rack and containers therefore; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the first rack; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of one of the plurality of containers; 
         FIG. 4  is a left side perspective view of the first rack, partially broken away, as attached to a wall and bottom surface of a cupboard; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a second rack of the invention and a plurality of lids therefore; 
         FIG. 6  is a bottom perspective view of the second rack without the lids; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the second rack, partially broken-away, illustrating one embodiment of a mounting means; 
         FIG. 8  is a top elevational view of a lid; 
         FIG. 8A  is a partial enlarged view of the hanger of the lid, as taken along line  8 A of  FIG. 8 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a container and attached lid; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-sectional view of the first rack and containers, taken generally along lines  10 - 10  of  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional view of the second rack and lids, taken generally along lines  11 - 11  of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     Illustrative embodiments of the invention are described below. The following explanation provides specific details for a thorough understanding of and enabling description for these embodiments. One skilled in the art will understand that the invention may be practiced without such details. In other instances, well-known structures and functions have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the embodiments. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “comprise,” “comprising,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” Words using the singular or plural number also include the plural or singular number respectively. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below” and words of similar import, when used in this application, shall refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. When the claims use the word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, that word covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any of the items in the list, all of the items in the list and any combination of the items in the list 
       FIG. 1  illustrates a container system  10  comprising an L-shaped first rack  20  and a plurality of containers  60 . The L-shaped first rack  20  comprises a bottom side  30  substantially orthogonally fixed with a rear side  40  and an elongated first slidable attachment means  50 . The elongated first slidable attachment means  50  is further fixed to the rear side  40  with a front surface  48  of the rear side  40 . In an alternative embodiment, the first slidable attachment means  50  of the first rack  20  is integrally formed with the rear side  40  and the bottom side  30  thereof. The first rack  20  is preferably made from a rigid, easily washed material such as plastic, wood, metal, or the like. 
     Each of the plurality of containers  60  has a rim  70  defining an opening  80  ( FIG. 3 ) thereof. A first hanger  90  projects away from the rim  70  and is adapted to slidably engage the first slidable attachment means  50  of the first rack  20 . The plurality of containers  60  are mutually nestable. 
     The first hanger  90  of each container  60  may be successively introduced to the first slidable attachment means  50  and slid towards the bottom side  38  of the first rack  20 . Each successive container  60  is nested with the next adjacent container  60 , the first slidable attachment means  50  cooperating with each first hanger  90  of each container  60  to retain each container  60  onto the first rack  20 . The first rack  20  is mounted either horizontally with the rear side  40  up or vertically with the bottom side  30  down. Although not shown in any of the figures, each container  60  may include more than just one of the first hangers  90  projecting away therefrom. 
     In  FIG. 1 , the first slidable attachment means  50  of the first rack  20  may include a lip  100  proximate to a top end  58  thereof. When the first hanger  90  of one of the containers  60  is placed onto the first slidable attachment means  50 , the lip  100  contacts the top end  58 , requiring increased force to allow passage of the first hanger  90  thereby. Once it has passed the top end  58 , the first hanger  90  will need increased force for it to be removed from the first slidable attachment means  50 , to prevent inadvertent detachment. Alternately, in  FIG. 2 , the first attachment means  50  includes a jog  101  proximate the top end  58  thereof for retaining the first hanger  90  of each container  60  thereon, but maintaining a consistent thickness of the first attachment means  50 . Other suitable means (not shown) for retaining the containers  60  on the first slidable attachment means  50 , such as magnets, may alternately be used, provided that such means are able to be overcome by applying additional force to any container  60  that is to be removed from the first rack  20 . 
     The top surface  38  of the bottom side  30  may include a projecting form  110  that snuggly fits inside the opening of the container  60 . The projecting form  110  operates to properly position the container  60  on the bottom side  30 . Each successively nested container  60  is also properly positioned with respect to the bottom side  30  of the first rack  20  due to the projecting form  110 . 
     The first rack  20  may be set on a countertop, for example (as illustrated in  FIG. 2 ), or fixed to a vertical or horizontal surface ( FIG. 4 ) with a mounting means  160 , such as a two-sided foam adhesive tape ( FIG. 4 ), a hook-and-loop type fastener (not shown), mechanical screws (not shown) fixed through apertures (not shown) of the bottom side  30  or rear side  40 , or other suitable mechanical fasteners. As such the first rack  20  may be set on a countertop, fixed with a countertop, wall, fixed with a lower surface of a cupboard or countertop, fixed within a drawer, or mounted to other locations as deemed suitable by the user. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate a container system  10  wherein the first slidable attachment means  50  is an elongated solid  120  having at least one shoulder  125 . The elongated solid  120  is fixed with the front surface  48  of the rear side  40  with an elongated shank  130 . The first hanger  90  includes a C-shaped portion  140  adapted for slidable engagement with the elongated solid  120 . An open portion  150  of the first hanger  90  allows passage of the elongated shank  130  such that the C-shaped portion  140  is supported against the pull of gravity by the at least one shoulder  125  of the elongated solid  120 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the top end  58  of the elongated solid  120  is tapered to facilitate initial engagement of the first hanger  90  therewith. The elongated solid  120  is preferably substantially cylindrical, but may take any suitable cross-sectional shape. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a container system  10  that further including an L-shaped second rack  220  and a plurality of lids  260 . The L-shaped second rack  220  comprises a bottom side  230  substantially orthogonally fixed with a rear side  240  and an elongated second slidable attachment means  250 . The elongated second slidable attachment means  250  is further fixed with the rear side  240  at a front surface  248  of the rear side  240 . In an alternative embodiment, the second slidable attachment means  250  of the second rack  220  is integrally formed with the rear side  240  and the bottom side  230  thereof. The second rack  220  is preferably made from a rigid, easily washed material such as plastic, wood, metal, or the like. 
     Each of a plurality of lids  260  has a rim seal  270  interlockably engageable with the rim  70  of one of the containers  60  to seal the container  60 . A second hanger  290  projects away from the rim seal  270  and is adapted to slidably engage the second slidable attachment means  250  of the second rack  220 . The plurality of lids  260  are mutually nestable. 
     The second hanger  290  of each lid  260  may be successively introduced to the second slidable attachment means  250  and slid towards the bottom side  238  of the second rack  220 . Each successive lid  260  is nested with the next adjacent lid  260 , the second slidable attachment means  250  cooperating with each second hanger  290  of each lid  260  to retain each lid  260  onto the second rack  220 . The second rack  220  is mounted either horizontally with the rear side  240  facing upwardly or vertically with the bottom side  230  facing downwardly. 
     As with the first rack  20 , the second rack  220  may be set on a countertop, for example, or fixed to a vertical or horizontal surface with the mounting means  160 , such as a two-sided foam adhesive tape ( FIG. 7 ), a hook-and-loop type fastener (not shown), mechanical screws (not shown) fixed through apertures (not shown) of the bottom side  230  or rear side  240 , or other suitable mechanical fasteners. As such the second rack  220  may be set on a countertop, fixed with a countertop, wall, fixed with a lower surface of a cupboard or countertop, fixed within a drawer, or mounted to other locations as deemed suitable by the user. 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a container system  11  comprising the second slidable attachment means  250  of the second rack  220  including a lip  300  proximate a top end  258  ( FIG. 5 ) thereof. When the second hanger  290  of one of the lids  260  is placed onto the second slidable attachment means  250 , the lip  300  contacts the top end  258 , requiring increased force to allow passage of the second hanger  290  thereby. Once it has passed top end  258 , the second hanger  290  will need increased force for it to be removed from the second slidable attachment means  250 . 
     The top surface  238  of the bottom side  230  of the second rack  220  includes a projecting form  310  that snuggly fits inside the opening of the lid  260 . The projecting form  310  operates to properly position the lid  260  on the bottom side  230 . Each successively nested lid  260  is also properly centered with respect to the bottom side  230  of the second rack  220  due to the projecting form  310 . 
       FIGS. 7 ,  8  and  8 A illustrate the container system  10  wherein the second slidable attachment means  250  is an elongated C-shaped channel  320 . The elongated C-shaped channel  320  is fixed with the front surface  248  of the rear side  240  of the second rack  220 . The second hanger  290  includes at least a shank  292  and at least one shoulder  295  adapted for slidable engagement within the elongated C-shaped channel  320 . An open side  325  of the C-shaped channel  320  allows passage of the shank  292  of each lid  260  such that the at least one shoulder  295  is supported against the pull of gravity by the C-shaped channel  320 . 
     The top end  258  of the C-shaped channel  320  is open to allow introduction of the second hanger  290  of each lid  260  therein. In one embodiment, the first hanger  90  of each container  60  and the second hanger  290  of each lid  260  are mutually engageable ( FIG. 9 ) to properly position and retain each lid  260  on one container  60  and to further aid in the sealing of the lid  260  to the container  60 . The first hanger  90  and second hanger  290  are each shown with a mutually-cooperative shape, but such shapes may vary as desired provided that they each are engageable with their associated attachment means  50 , 250  and, optionally, with each other. 
     The first and second attachment means  50 , 250  may be interchanged such that the second attachment means  250  is included with the first rack  20  and the first attachment means  50  is included with the second rack  220 . Likewise, the corresponding hangers  90 , 290  of the containers  60  and lids  260 , in such an embodiment, are also be mutually interchanged. Further, while a certain form for the first and second attachment means  50 , 250  has been illustrated, other slidable attachment means (not shown) that incorporate magnets or other mechanical attachment means such as rails, tabs and slots, tongue-in-groove arrangements, or the like may be utilized, provided that such attachment means allow for the slidable engagement of the container  60  or lid  260  with the rack  20 , 220 , and the subsequent nesting of the containers  60  or lids  260 . 
     The present invention may be used for foods and other edible items. As such, the materials used are suitable for food use and are further microwave safe. It is anticipated that hot items, liquids, and other degradable items will be placed in the containers. As such, the present invention is constructed with a rigid, preferably transparent or translucent material, but also possibly opaque material, that is not damaged at temperatures associated with food preparation or storage, and that can create a tight hermetic seal. Plastic polymers, ceramics, glass, rubber, metal, paper or other materials can be used so long as they meet the above qualifications. 
     Moreover, herein a container  60  may take a variety of shapes different than those illustrated in the drawings. For example, the container  60  may have a square or rectangular shape when viewed from above. Further, the container  60  may also include tableware, such as a dinner plate, bowl, beverage cup or mug, or the like, and may not be associated with any particular lid  260  in such an embodiment. Further, such containers  60  are not necessarily for use only with food items, but may be used for household organization of items like office supplies, hardware such as nails and screws, arts and crafts supplies, or the like. 
     Particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed embodiments, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention. 
     The above detailed description of the embodiments of the invention is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed above or to the particular field of usage mentioned in this disclosure. While specific embodiments of, and examples for, the invention are described above for illustrative purposes, various equivalent modifications are possible within the scope of the invention, as those skilled in the relevant art will recognize. Also, the teachings of the invention provided herein can be applied to other systems, not necessarily the system described above. The elements and acts of the various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments. 
     All of the above patents and applications and other references, including any that may be listed in accompanying filing papers, are incorporated herein by reference. Aspects of the invention can be modified, if necessary, to employ the systems, functions, and concepts of the various references described above to provide yet further embodiments of the invention. 
     Changes can be made to the invention in light of the above “Detailed Description.” While the above description details certain embodiments of the invention and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Therefore, implementation details may vary considerably while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. 
     While certain aspects of the invention are presented below in certain claim forms, the inventor contemplates the various aspects of the invention in any number of claim forms. Accordingly, the inventor reserves the right to add additional claims after filing the application to pursue such additional claim forms for other aspects of the invention.