Abstract:
A storage system for organizing containers and lids of varying sizes, depths and shapes through the use of compartments. The compartments are configured in a variety of practical dimensions such as square, circular and rectangular. Retractable legs and sliding tracks offer additional storage capability and adaptability for users dealing with limited kitchen and cabinet space. The storage system also is collapsible for increased durability and this function—coupled with at least one front retractable leg and at least one rear retractable leg—allow the user to adjust such aspects as the height of the system. The containers and lids relating to the storage system are preferably of the plastic variety.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention is a storage system for organizing containers and lids of varying sizes, depths and shapes through the use of compartments. The compartments are configured in a variety of practical dimensions such as square, circular and flat. Retractable legs and sliding tracks offer additional storage capability. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Storage is a very important part of the overall function of a kitchen. In addition, many people are faced with small storage space in their kitchen. This leads to clutter and disorganization. This is especially true when it comes to plastic containers and lids. These items often get thrown into various cabinets and cupboards based on where they can be fitted or, in some cases, crammed in. What then happens is that these containers are never consistently placed in one area as more items are added to the kitchen. In that scenario, kitchen users must then operate like they are playing a puzzle game in that they need to constantly find a place where each container or set of containers will fit. Furthermore, this also leads to the separation of lids from their relevant containers. Users then must not only hunt down the containers, but also must hunt down the corresponding lids. For this reason, there is a need for a system that eliminates this storage problem in the kitchen. 
         [0003]    The present invention solves this problem by allowing the user to store containers and their lids into one set location that is aesthetic, organized, compact and adaptable. 
         [0004]    Typically, users must stack circular containers together and find a place for them. The user also must stack rectangular containers together and find a place for them. Users then must stack different sized lids together and find a place for those. In the end, the circular containers often are in one cabinet, the rectangular containers are in a different cabinet and the lids are piled someplace else. Moreover, some kitchens with limited space also result in some circular containers in one cabinet while other circular containers are in another. Again, this causes frustration in the kitchen. And when someone who may not be as familiar with the location of kitchen items operates in that kitchen, the result is that containers and lids end up in different locations than the primary kitchen user intended. The present invention solves this problem by creating a system where a user may store all of the containers and lids in one constantly set location. This system also allows the user to collapse its wired exterior and deploy or retract the at least one front retractable leg and at least one rear retractable leg for improved adaptability, easy cleaning and optimal organization. This organization is such that circular containers, rectangular containers, square containers and lids of all shapes may be stored in one set location with limited kitchen space in mind. 
         [0005]    The market reveals many types of storage items relating to silverware and eating utensils. These items include individual shapes or slots for forks, knives and spoons. Typically, these storage items for eating utensils sit within kitchen drawers. Unlike the present invention, these storage devices deal with utensils that are relatively small and can be fitted into a drawer. The present invention, in contrast, allows the user to organize various shapes and sizes of containers and lids by placing them in set compartments corresponding with those shapes and sizes. This means that the present invention can organize these containers and lids in cabinets. In addition, typical storage items do not adapt to small, confined cabinets while serving the one-location, organizational purpose of the present invention. For example, the present invention is a storage system that can be collapsed. This is especially helpful when the present invention accumulates dust and needs to be washed. At least one front retractable leg and at least one rear retractable leg also serve a function with the storage system of the present invention in that the user may adjust the height via deployment or retraction of the at least one front retractable leg and at least one rear retractable leg. This permits better accommodation and organization for other kitchen items that may need to be fitted within the same cabinet as the present invention. Thus, there is a need for the present invention as it solves a multitude of problems relevant to those with limited kitchen storage space. 
       SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 
       [0006]    The present invention is a storage system relating to various types of containers and lids. More specifically, the present invention holds and organizes circular shaped containers, rectangular shaped containers, lids and other miscellaneous kitchenware. The present invention accomplishes this organizational and storage function through the shape, construction and depth of its compartments. In the preferred embodiment, at least four compartments each relate to differing shapes. These are the circular compartment, rectangular compartment, lids compartment and square compartment. This is to achieve optimal storage organization and compactness. 
         [0007]    In addition, the present invention also includes at least one front retractable leg and at least one rear retractable leg. The preferred embodiment also adds at least two slideable tracks. The at least one front retractable leg and at least one rear retractable leg permit a user to adjust the height of the storage system. This is important because users often have different needs for storing other kitchen items such as trays and pans. In addition, users have very different amounts of cabinet space. The at least one front retractable leg and at least one rear retractable leg when retracted to a higher level permit more storage of other items below the storage system of the present invention. For those with shorter cabinets, the at least one front retractable leg and at least one rear retractable leg can be retracted to a shorter level to the point where the storage system is close to or touching the bottom of the cabinet. 
         [0008]    The present invention in an additional embodiment also is collapsible. When the system of the present invention is collapsed, it is essentially formed into a more compact item that can be washed in the dishwasher or stowed for moving. In addition, this embodiment enables the user to collapse portions of each individual compartment. This aspect relates to catering the size of the compartments to fit various sizes of circular, rectangular or square containers in terms of their shapes and depths. By sliding the wired exterior of the system, the user can collapse individual compartments in order to alter the depth of that compartment. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  is a top view of the system of the present invention 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a view of the present invention while legs are deployed. 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a view of the present invention while legs are retracted. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]      FIG. 1  depicts a top view of the system of the present invention. As we see from this view, the system is comprised of a wired exterior ( 5 ). The material of the wired exterior ( 5 ) is preferably made of sturdy plastic or light metal. The wired exterior ( 5 ) essentially forms the various compartments of the present invention. As we see in  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the wired exterior ( 5 ) is such that the compartments of the wired exterior ( 5 ) are shaped in terms of shape and depth. In this manner, the user can place objects—particularly plastic containers and lids—into these compartments and keep these items in one set location within the kitchen or other room. It should be noted that the wired exterior ( 5 ) is not limited to wide lengths in between its material as is shown in the figures, but instead can be much more filled in and expansive in regard to the width between the material of the wired exterior ( 5 ). 
         [0013]    In  FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment shows a circular compartment ( 10 ), rectangular compartment ( 20 ), lids compartment ( 30 ) and square compartment ( 40 ). A user may stack at least one circular container in the circular compartment ( 10 ). These circular containers will be placed by the user in the circular compartment ( 10 ) in a manner so that the largest circular container fits neatly into the circular compartment ( 10 ) and smaller circular containers can then fit neatly inside the largest circular container with the opening facing either upward, downward or to any side. The circular compartment ( 10 ) is configured to descend downward at a depth below the top plane ( 80 ). 
         [0014]    A user also can stack rectangular containers in the rectangular compartment ( 20 ). These rectangular containers will be placed, or stacked, by the user in the rectangular compartment ( 20 ) in a manner so that the largest rectangular container fits neatly into the rectangular compartment ( 20 ) and smaller rectangular containers can then fit neatly inside the largest rectangular container with the opening facing either upward, downward or to any side. The rectangular compartment ( 20 ) is configured to descend downward at a depth below the top plane ( 80 ). 
         [0015]    A user also may place the lids for the circular or rectangular containers into the lids compartment ( 30 ). The lids will be condensed by the user flush together in any direction so that they appear neat and organized. The lids compartment ( 30 ) is configured to descend downward at a depth below the top plane ( 80 ). In addition, a user may place other miscellaneous items or kitchenware items in the square compartment ( 40 ). A user may place anything that needs to be stored, such as measuring cups, odd-shaped containers or square containers, in the square compartment ( 40 ). The square compartment ( 40 ) is configured to descend downward at a depth below the top plane ( 80 ). 
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a more detailed view of the present invention. In  FIG. 2 , we see that the circular compartment ( 10 ), rectangular compartment ( 20 ), lids compartment ( 30 ) and square compartment ( 40 ) descend downward at a depth below the primary top plane ( 80 ) of the present invention. This depth functions so that the containers and lids may be organized and stacked by the user within an interior portion of the wired exterior ( 5 ). For example,  FIG. 2  illustrates that the circular depth ( 60 ) permits a user to place circular containers beyond the top plane ( 80 ) of the circular compartment ( 10 ) in a neat and organized fashion that is compact. In addition, the rectangular depth ( 70 ) permits the user to place rectangular containers beyond the top plane ( 80 ) of the rectangular compartment ( 20 ) in a neat and organized fashion that is compact. The lids depth ( 85 ) permits the user to place lids beyond the top plane ( 80 ) of the lids compartment ( 30 ) in a neat and organized fashion that is compact. The square depth ( 90 ) permits the user to place miscellaneous items beyond the top plane ( 80 ) of the square compartment ( 40 ) in a neat and organized fashion that is compact. As we see in  FIG. 2 , the user places the relevant containers, lids and miscellaneous items into the either the circular compartment ( 10 ), rectangular compartment ( 20 ), lids compartment ( 30 ) and square compartment ( 40 ) via either the circular depth ( 60 ), rectangular depth ( 70 ), lids depth ( 85 ) or square depth ( 90 ) for optimal organization and compactness. 
         [0017]    It also is important to note that the front end ( 100 ) of the present invention in the preferred embodiment includes the rectangular compartment ( 20 ) and the square compartment ( 40 ). The rear end ( 110 ) of the present invention in the preferred embodiment includes the lids compartment ( 30 ) and the circular compartment ( 10 ). The lids compartment ( 30 ) and the circular compartment ( 10 ) at the respective lids depth ( 85 ) and circular depth ( 60 ) are much deeper and otherwise have more depth than the square compartment ( 40 ) and rectangular compartment ( 20 ) of the front end ( 100 ). This means that the front end ( 100 ) has less depth than the deeper rear end ( 110 ), which has more depth. This permits the user to place easily accessible objects underneath the front end ( 100 ) of the present invention. 
         [0018]      FIG. 2  also shows that the present invention includes at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ). The preferred embodiment also adds at least two slideable tracks ( 85 ). The at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) are such so that a user can adjust the height of the storage system. The at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) are telescoping in the preferred embodiment. This is important because users often have different needs for storing other kitchen items such as trays and pans. In addition, users have very different amounts of cabinet space. The at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) when deployed to a higher level permit more storage of other items below the storage system of the present invention. For those with shorter cabinets, the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) can be retracted to a shorter level to the point where the storage system is close to or touching the bottom of the cabinet. In this way, a user may adapt the present invention to meet the confines of a cabinet or cupboard while maintaining organization in an aesthetic quality. In addition, the user may adjust the height of the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) so that the at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) are higher. This permits the user to better reach into the cabinet and grab items stored in the rear end of the present invention.  FIG. 2  depicts a view of the present invention where a user has deployed the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) to ultimately raise the height of the wired exterior ( 5 ) and its circular compartment ( 10 ), rectangular compartment ( 20 ), lids compartment ( 30 ) and square compartment ( 40 ) via the circular depth ( 60 ), rectangular depth ( 70 ), lids depth ( 85 ) and square depth ( 90 ).  FIG. 3  depicts a view of the present invention where a user has retracted the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) to lower toward the bottom of the cabinet the wired exterior ( 5 ) and its circular compartment ( 10 ), rectangular compartment ( 20 ), lids compartment ( 30 ) and square compartment ( 40 ) via the circular depth ( 60 ), rectangular depth ( 70 ), lids depth ( 85 ) and square depth ( 90 ). 
         [0019]    The at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) are secured to the wired exterior ( 5 ) via conventional means. A user may adjust the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) to determine the deployed height or retracted height. The user adjusts the at least two retractable legs via an adjustment mechanism, which is conventional. The preferred embodiment of the adjustment mechanism includes a button that when compressed allows the user to adjust the height of each of the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) at set increments to maintain easy coordination. However, an additional embodiment also allows the user to adjust the height of the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) through the use of a fulcrum and lever controlled by the adjustment mechanism so that when the user compresses the adjustment mechanism, all of the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) will adjust in concert with each other. 
         [0020]    It also is envisioned that users may elect to slide the present invention in and out of the cabinet via the at least two tracks ( 95 ). In this case, the depiction in  FIG. 3  is likely the most proper course of action as the user would fully retract the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ). The wired exterior ( 5 ) is secured to the at least two tracks ( 95 ) and the at least two tracks ( 95 ) may be secured to the sides of the cabinets via conventional means. The preferred embodiment of the at least two tracks ( 95 ) includes conventional rollers so that the user may seamlessly slide the present invention in and out of the cabinet. 
         [0021]    The user also may collapse the present invention in an additional embodiment. When the system of the present invention is collapsed, it is essentially formed into a more compact item that can be washed in the dishwasher or stowed for moving. In addition, this embodiment enables the user to collapse portions of the wired exterior ( 5 ) and its circular compartment ( 10 ), rectangular compartment ( 20 ), lids compartment ( 30 ) and square compartment ( 40 ) via the circular depth ( 60 ), rectangular depth ( 70 ), lids depth ( 85 ) and square depth ( 90 ). While the user collapses the present invention, the user also fully retracts the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ). It is envisioned that this additional embodiment allows the user to collapse the wired exterior ( 5 ) of the present invention through a collapsing mechanism such that each wire of the wired exterior ( 5 ) is slideably engaged with one another so that the depth of the circular depth ( 60 ), rectangular depth ( 70 ), lids depth ( 85 ) and square depth ( 90 ) can be altered. It is important to note that this embodiment, beyond complete collapsing of the present invention, also permits the user to alter the depth of various quadrants of the storage system to cater to the user&#39;s needs. By sliding the wired exterior ( 5 ) of the storage system, the user can collapse its circular compartment ( 10 ), rectangular compartment ( 20 ), lids compartment ( 30 ) and square compartment ( 40 ) in order to alter the depth of those areas. 
         [0022]    The present invention is a storage system. The user handles the system of the present invention by stacking at least one circular container into a circular compartment ( 10 ), the circular compartment ( 10 ) having a depth below a top plane ( 80 ). The user also stacks at least one rectangular container into a rectangular compartment ( 20 ), the rectangular compartment ( 20 ) having a depth below the top plane ( 80 ). The user also condenses at least one lid into a lids compartment ( 30 ), the lids compartment ( 30 ) having a depth below the top plane ( 85 ). The user places at least one kitchenware item into a square compartment ( 40 ), the square compartment ( 40 ) having a depth below the top plane ( 80 ). It also is important to note that the circular compartment ( 10 ), the rectangular compartment ( 20 ), the lids compartment ( 30 ) and the square compartment ( 40 ) are placed in a wired exterior ( 5 ). The user also can adjust at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ), the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ) disposed on the wired exterior ( 5 ). The wired exterior ( 5 ) is organized such that the rectangular compartment ( 20 ) and the square compartment ( 40 ) make up a front end ( 100 ). The wired exterior ( 5 ) also is organized such that the lids compartment ( 30 ) and the circular compartment ( 10 ) make up a rear end ( 110 ). The circular compartment ( 10 ) is formed to have a radius equal to a depth of the lids compartment ( 30 ). The rectangular compartment ( 20 ) is formed to have a depth equal to the square compartment ( 40 ). The circular compartment ( 10 ) and the lids compartment ( 30 ) are disposed such that the circular compartment ( 10 ) and the lids compartment ( 30 ) extend at a depth below the rectangular compartment ( 20 ) and the square compartment ( 40 ). Meanwhile, the user may adjust the height of the at least one front retractable leg ( 50 ) and the at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ). The user also may angle the wired exterior ( 5 ) by disposing the front end ( 100 ) at a lower height than the rear end ( 110 ). This is done by adjusting the at least one front retractable front leg ( 50 ) at a lower height than the at least one rear retractable leg ( 55 ). In the alternative embodiment, the wired exterior ( 5 ) may be mounted to at least two tracks ( 95 ). The wired exterior ( 5 ) then can slide along the at least two tracks ( 95 ). This is conventional and likely would work with a conventional track associated with the interior of the cabinet. Based on the depth relating to the front end ( 100 ) and the rear end ( 110 ), the user can store items underneath the front end ( 100 ).