Configurable system for organizing items

A system for organizing items is described. The items are stored in pouches that can be removably placed on a fastening surface. The system includes panels that can accept the pouches on one or more panel surfaces. The panels may have one or more support elements, such as holes and/or tabs that can be removably attached to the panel or to another panel. The panels may thus be attached to one another to form an arbitrary long surface for organizing items. The tabs may be folded back to the panels to form loops which can support the panels. The panels optionally also have holes for storing the panels in a binder.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to systems for organizing items, and more particularly to a configurable system for storing items on panels.

Discussion of the Background

Many people accumulate many items that, for various reasons, need to be organized, protected or separated from one another. Thus, for example, it is not uncommon for a person to possess many sets of earrings, necklaces, or other pieces jewelry. The earrings form matched sets that may get separated, the necklaces may get tangled with other objects, and the pieces may become damaged from contact with other pieces.

With small component parts of any variety, it is not uncommon for parts to get separated, lost and/or mixed up with other small parts, and all pieces may become damaged from contact with other pieces. Prior art solutions to the problem of organizing and sorting articles include placing individual articles in separate closable pouches or containers, and in containers with fixed compartments or individual positions for the articles, for example tackle boxes. These solutions are rather limited, as they do not permit a person to readily re-arrange, stabilize, or organize the contents of the fixed pouches or compartments for later use.

Thus there is a need in the art for an apparatus that permits a person with a great number of articles, such as jewelry, to easily view each piece and arrange or organize the articles. Such an apparatus should be portable, easy to use, and allow a user to arrange pieces at will.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of prior art by providing a modular system for storing items. The system allows for items to be stored in binders or to be hung on a wall.

One embodiment provides a system for storing items comprising one or more panels, where each panel includes a front surface and a back surface, where the front surface and the back surface have a common edge, and where the front surface and the back surface each include a first fastener material and one or more support elements for supporting the weight of the panel. The system also provides one or more pouches for storing items, where each pouch of the one or more pouches includes a second fastening material that is removably attachable to the first fastener material of the front surface or the back surface of one of the one or more panels, such that each pouch of the one or more pouches is arrangeable on any one of the one or more panels by removably affixing the second fastener material of each of the one or more pouches to the first fastener material of one of the one or more pouches.

The system may provide a first fastener material that is a loop material of a hook and loop fastener system, a felt material, or a nap material, and a second fastener material that is a hook material of the hook and loop fastener system.

The system may also provide panels where the edge of the one or more panels has a rectangular shape, and where the first portion of the edge is one side of the rectangular shape.

The system may further provide one or more panels including a first panel and a second panel, where either a front surface of the first panel or a back surface of the first panel is removably affixed to the first tab of the second panel and the second tab of the second panel.

The system may also provide a first panel and a second panel, where the first panel and the second panel are supported from a location at or near the first portion of the first panel.

Another embodiment provides support element that include two or more tabs including a first tab and a second tab, where the first tab and the second tab are both flexible and are each affixed to the panel near the first portion of the edge with a length that protrudes beyond the edge, and where each tab includes a second fastening system material that is removably attachable to the first fastener material. Each tab of the two tabs is foldable to either: 1) extend away from the first portion of the edge, 2) form a loop by removably attaching to the first surface or the second surface near the first portion, or 3) removably attach the second fastener material of the tab with the first fastener material of either the front surface or the back surface of one panel of the one or more panels.

Yet embodiment provides the support elements include a plurality of holes near a first portion of the edge. The embodiment may provide a multi-ring binder having rings spaced to accept the plurality of holes of the one or more panels.

Certain other embodiments provide support elements that include both a plurality of holes near a first portion of the edge; and two or more tabs affixed to the panel near the first portion of the edge with a length that protrudes beyond the edge, and include a second fastening system material that is removably attachable to the first fastener material.

Other embodiments provide support elements on some panels that are holes and support element on other panels that are tabs.

Another embodiment provides a system for storing items includes one or more panels, where each panel includes a front surface and a back surface, where the front surface and the back surface have a common edge, and where either one of the front surface or the back surface includes a first fastener material, a plurality of holes near a first portion of the edge, and two or more tabs including a first tab and a second tab, where the first tab and the second tab are both flexible and are each affixed to the panel near the first portion of the edge with a length that protrudes beyond the edge, and where each tab includes a second fastening system material that is removably attachable to the first fastener material. The system also provides one or more pouches for storing items, where each pouch of the one or more pouches includes a second fastening material that is removably attachable to the first fastener material of the front surface or the back surface of one of the one or more panels. Each tab of the two tabs is foldable to either: 1) extend away from the first portion of the edge, 2) form a loop by removably attaching to the first surface or the second surface near the first portion, or 3) removably attach the second fastener material of the tab with the first fastener material of either the front surface or the back surface of one panel of the one or more panels. Each pouch of the one or more pouches is arrangeable on any one of the one or more panels by removably affixing the second fastener material of each of the one or more pouches to the first fastener material of one of the one or more pouches.

Yet another embodiment provides a system for storing items comprising: one or more panels, where each panel includes a front surface and a back surface, where the front surface and the back surface have a common edge, and where either one of either the front surface or the back surface includes a first fastener material, and one or more pouches for storing items, where each pouch of the one or more pouches includes a second fastening material that is removably attachable to the first fastener material of the front surface or the back surface of one of the one or more panels. Each pouch of the one or more pouches is arrangeable on any one of the one or more panels by removably affixing the second fastener material of each of the one or more pouches to the first fastener material of one of the one or more pouches.

These features together with the various ancillary provisions and features which will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description, are attained by the system of the present invention, preferred embodiments thereof being shown with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way of example only, wherein:

Reference symbols are used in the Figures to indicate certain components, aspects or features shown therein, with reference symbols common to more than one Figure indicating like components, aspects or features shown therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiments are described for the organizing of items stored in pouches, which can be removably attached to surfaces of panels. The present invention optionally has great flexibility in arrangement of the panels, such as, in certain embodiments, by optionally attaching them to other panels using tabs attached to the panels to provide a larger area for arranging items, for supporting the panels from loops formed from the tabs or from optional holes in the panels, and for storing the panels in a binder or carrying case.

Examples of items which may be organized in the present invention include, but are not limited to, articles of finished jewelry, jewelry making parts, small component parts for other hobbies such as scrapbooking, fishing, stamp collecting, sewing, fine detail model building, large scale board games, and so on. Additionally, hobbyists often enjoy the company of other like-minded hobbyists and so need to be able conveniently find the necessary component parts for any given project and collect sets of component parts in one receptacle in order to transport them when meeting with fellow hobby enthusiasts.

One embodiment of a panel100of a configurable system for storing items is shown in the front view ofFIG. 1A, the back view ofFIG. 1B, and the side view ofFIG. 1C, as indicated inFIG. 1B.

Panel100includes a planar portion101, a first tab110and a second tab120. Planar portion101has a front surface102and an opposing back surface104that define a first edge105, a second edge106, a third edge107and a fourth edge108. Planar portion101also includes holes103which are located near first edge105, and which may be reinforced, for example, with grommets. First tab110and second tab120are both located near first edge105, with the first tab near second edge106and the third tab near third edge107, respectively generally similar to each other and are attached to planar portion101. Tabs110/120are generally similar to each other and have a front surface112/122and a back surface114/124, an end113/123that is attached near edge105, and free ends111/121. Tabs110/120have a corresponding portion115/125of length A that is attached to planar portion101and free ends111/121that both extend a distance L from first edge105.

As discussed subsequently, the tabs and holes in a panel are support elements that may be used to support the panel from a peg or rod, or in a binder, or may be used to a one panel to another panel.

In alternative embodiments, panel100may include only one tab or more than two tabs along first edge105, and/or one or more tabs along one of the other edges, such as along second edge106, third edge107, and/or fourth edge108. In another alternative embodiment, the portions115/125of length A is between front surface102and back surface104, and the length L protrudes from the edge.

In one embodiment, surfaces102and104are one part of a fastening system and surfaces112and122are matching parts of the fastening system. Thus, for example and without limitation, the fastening system may be a hook and loop fastener system, such as VELCRO® (Velcro Companies, Manchester, N.H.) surfaces112and122including hooks, and surfaces102and104including loops, felt, or nap material that can be restrained by the hook surfaces. Surfaces112/122of tabs110/120may, as described subsequently, be attached to surfaces102or104of panel100, or to the surfaces102or104of another, similarly constructed component. In an alternative embodiment, the matching surfaces of the fastening system are essentially the same, such as COMMAND™ Brand fasteners (3M Company, Maplewood, Minn.).

FIG. 2Ais the back view of panel100, where tabs110and120are folded back onto planar portion101, andFIG. 2Bis a side view of the panel ofFIG. 2A. Specifically, surfaces112/122of tabs110/120are both shown fastened to surface102of planar portion101to form loops116/126, respectively. Loops116/126protrude some distance from first edge105, indicated as length B. The value of B may vary from zero to slightly less than L/2, depending on how much of surface112/122is placed on surface104.

The dimensions of planar portion101include a width W, a height H, and a thickness T. In one embodiment, panels101are sided to fit within a loose-leaf binder, and may, for example have a width W of 8.5 inches and a height H of 11 inches and a thickness T of ⅛ inch. Other sizes for W, H, and T include, but are not limited to: 8.5 inches×5 inches×⅛ inches, and 4 inches×8 inches×⅛ inches.

The internal structure of planar portion101may, in certain embodiments, be rectangular cardboard or plastic sheets covered by sheets of a VELCRO® loop material, including but not limited to, chipboard, cork board, or a sub-material consisting of synthetic compositions. In one embodiment, the rectangular planar portion101is a square.

Tabs110and120may be, for example and without limitation, VELCRO® hook material strips, where L is 2.5 inches, 3 inches, 3.5 inches or 4 inches, and are fastened over a length A to planar portion101by stitching or with an adhesive.FIG. 2Cis a side view an alternative embodiment of the panel ofFIG. 2A, showing a part of tabs110/120attached between surfaces102and104and protruding from edge105.

In general, planar portion101includes one or more holes103, which may located at any position on the panel. In certain embodiments, the one or more holes103are positioned near first edge105, and may include 1, 2, 3, 4, or more holes, which may be reinforced with grommets. In another embodiment, holes103they may be arranged along second edge106, third edge107or fourth edge108, or along more than one edge.

FIG. 3Ais the front view andFIG. 3Bis a side view of a configuration of an upper panel100A and a lower panel100B in a storage system300. Each of panels100A and100B is generally similar to panel100, surfaces104A and104B are generally similar to back surface104, holes103A are generally similar to holes103, and tabs110B and120B are generally similar to tabs110and120.

As shown inFIGS. 3A and 3B, tabs110B and120B of lower panel100B may be extended and affixed to rear surface104A of upper panel100A. As shown inFIG. 3B, a peg301extending from a wall S support storage system300by holes103A of the upper panel. Tabs110and120of upper panel100B are not used to support storage system300, and may in the configuration shown inFIG. 1AorFIG. 2A.

Since front surface102and back surface104are both covered with the same type of fastener (the loops of the hook and loop fastener system), panels100A and100B may be reversed and be configured in essentially the same configuration as storage system300. Further, storage system300may be extended by attaching an additional panel, similar to panel100, below lower panel100A. The length of storage system300may be extended to an arbitrary number of panels by attaching tabs of one panel to surface of an adjacent panel.

FIGS. 4A and 4Bare a front view and a back view, respectively, of a pouch310for use with the panel100. Pouches310include, preferably, clear plastic pouches311having an opening313and a resealable closure315, such as ZIPLOC®, and a length of an attachment material317, such as a hook fabric to match loops of surfaces102and104, for attaching the pouches to the surfaces of panels100. Surfaces102and/or104may thus support a number of user arranged pouches310. The storage systems of the present invention may include a number of pouches310, which may be the same size or of a selection of sizes to allow a user to organize the pouches on the various surface.

FIG. 5Ais the front view andFIG. 5Bis a side view of a configuration of an upper panel100A and a lower panel100B in a storage system500. Storage system500is generally similar to storage system300, except as discussed subsequently.

As shown inFIGS. 5A and 5B, tabs110A and120A are folded over to form loops116A and126A, as shown inFIGS. 2A and 2B. Storage system500is supported by loops116A and126B from a horizontal rod501. Horizontal rod501may, for example, protrude from a wall, or be a horizontal element of a clothes hanger, which may, in turn, be supported by a knob, a rod or from the top of a door or panel.

Each of panels100A and100B is generally similar to panel100, surfaces104A and104B are generally similar to back surface104, holes103A are generally similar to holes103, and tabs110B and120B are generally similar to tabs110and120.

FIGS. 6A and 6Bare a side and front view, respectively, of alternative configuration of a storage system600. Storage system600is includes a binder601and one or more panels100which may support one or more pouches310. Binder601includes several rings604which can be opened and closed, and which can accept holes103of binders100.

FIG. 7Ais a perspective view of yet another alternative configuration of a storage system700in a closed configuration; andFIG. 7Bis a perspective view of the system ofFIG. 7Ain an open configuration. Storage system700includes a carrying case710and a panel100. As shown inFIG. 7B, carrying case710includes a sheet of fabric713with a ring711at one end, a first surface715and a second surface717both including loops of a hook and loop fastening system, and built in pockets719. The hooks of the hook and loop fastening system on tabs110and/or120of panel100may be removably attached to the loops of the hook and loop fastening system of either one of first surface715or717.FIG. 7Bshows tabs110and120extended and attached to surface715. Pouches310can be placed, as shown, on surfaces715or717, or on surface104.

Carrying case710may be folded, as inFIG. 7A, or opened as inFIG. 7B, where ring711maybe used to support the case. Storage system700may include one panel100placed on surface715, as shown inFIG. 7B, or on surface717. Alternatively, carrying case710may support one panel on surface715and a second panel on surface717. In another alternative embodiment, surface715or717may support a first panel that supports additional panels, as described above with reference to storage system300.

Other alternative embodiments include panel100which has one or more of the following differences from the above description, including but not limited to: a different number tabs110/120, including, for example and without limitation 4 tabs, 3 tabs, 1 tab, or no tabs; a different number of holes103, including for example and without limitation, 6 holes, 5 holes, 3 holes, 2 holes, 1 holes, or no holes; or only one of surfaces102or104including fastening surface material and the other of surface102or104being a plastic or fabric that does not form part of a fastening system.

Thus, for example and without limitation, various embodiments of panel100may include but are not limited to: the panel100having 1, 2, 3, or 4 tabs110/120, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 holes, and fastening material on only one of either surfaces102or104; the panel100having 1, 2, 3, or 4 tabs110/120, fastening system material on both of surfaces102and104, and having no holes103; the panel100having 1, 2, 3, or 4 tabs110/120, fastening system material on only one of either surfaces102and104, and having no holes103; the panel100having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 holes103, fastening system material on both of surfaces102and104, and no tabs110/120; the panel100having 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 holes103, and fastening material on only one of either surfaces102or104and no tabs110/120; the panel100having fastening system material on both of surfaces102and104, and having no holes103and no tabs110/120; the panel100having fastening material on only one of either surfaces102or104and no tabs110/120or holes103.

Thus, for example and without limitation, a first alternative embodiment of a panel800of a configurable system for storing items is shown in the front view ofFIG. 8A, the back view ofFIG. 8B, and the side view ofFIG. 8C, as indicated inFIG. 8B.

Panel800is generally similar to panel100as described above, and differs in that it includes a front surface802which generally similar to front surface102, and an opposing back surface804which is generally similar to back surface104. In one embodiment, front surface802is a fastening system surface, as described above regarding front surface102, and back surface804is a plastic or fabric material that is not part of a fastening surface. In another embodiment, back surface804is a fastening system surface, as described above, and front surface802is a plastic or fabric material that is not part of a fastening surface.

A second alternative embodiment of a panel900of a configurable system for storing items is shown in the front view ofFIG. 9A, the back view ofFIG. 9B, and the side view ofFIG. 9C, as indicated inFIG. 9B.

Panel900is generally similar to panel100as described above, and differs in that it does not include holes103.

A third alternative embodiment of a panel1000of a configurable system for storing items is shown in the front view ofFIG. 10A, the back view ofFIG. 10B, and the side view ofFIG. 10C, as indicated inFIG. 10B.

Panel1000is generally similar to panel100as described above, and differs in that it does not include tabs110/120.

In addition, a system for storing items may include one or more of panels100,800,900, or1000, or a combination of two or more panels which are identical—that is two or more of panels100,800,900, or1000, or combinations of panels including one or more panels100, one or more panels800, one or more panels900, and/or one or more panels1000.

Thus, while there has been described what is believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention.