Abstract:
A storage system is provided comprising a container, lid and removable dividers with rubberized edges. The container features at least one track into which corresponding removable dividers with rubberized edges are inserted and held in place. The removable dividers of the system are inserted into the track(s) of the container and form a watertight seals and separate the container into two or more sections. The lid of the system is secured to the container with a threaded or pressure snap attachment mechanism and forms a watertight seal.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application 61/769,023 filed on Mar. 4, 2013 entitled “Container with Removable Dividers,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to storage containers with lids. More particularly, the present invention relates to storage containers with removable partitions allowing compartmentalization. 
     Traditional storage containers feature either a non-compartmentalized or compartmentalized interior enclosed by a lid for sealing and securing contents. Users often desire to store consumable and non-consumable goods in containers and are forced to use more than one container in order to avoid mixing contents or creating an undesired combination of certain types of contents as a result of having a non-compartmentalized container. Users may find compartmentalized containers are not always ideal, because the storage proportions in fixed-compartment containers do not match the user&#39;s requirements. As such, a container that allows users to reconfigure compartment sizes within the storage container is often useful, as it allows for separation of contents while allowing a level of customization not found in fixed compartment containers. 
     Prior art teaches containers with removable partitions so users can customize compartment sizes. The problem with the containers found in the prior art that feature removable partitions is the partitions do not provide a liquid-proof seal, leading to unwanted transfers of consumables or non-consumables between partitions. 
     The inventor performed a prior art search for storage containers of interest. The following U.S. patents of interest are: 
     
       
         
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                 U.S. Pat. No.: 
                 Issue Date: 
                 Inventor: 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                 4,360,105 
                 Nov. 23, 1982 
                 Williams 
               
               
                   
                 5,547,098 
                 Aug. 20, 1996 
                 Jordan 
               
               
                   
                 6,467,647 
                 Oct. 22, 2002 
                 Tucker 
               
               
                   
                 D555,475 
                 Nov. 20, 2007 
                 Enriquez 
               
               
                   
                 8,322,530 
                 Dec. 4, 2012 
                 Furlong 
               
               
                   
                 8,328,034 
                 Dec. 11, 2012 
                 Miros 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A storage container with a lid and an interior comprised of tracks and removable dividers that form a watertight seal between compartments so that contents are not inadvertently mixed. The container may be used for consumables and non-consumables in both solid and liquid states. The removable dividers may be arranged within the tracks to modify the sizes of the individual compartments. The lid of the container fits flush with the sides of the container and the seals on the removable dividers to form a leak-proof container. 
     The removable dividers are inserted into tracks inside the storage container and allow the user to customize the storage configurations within the container. Rubberized edges surround the exterior dimensions of the removable dividers and provide for a leak-proof seal between compartments. The tracks that hold the removable dividers may be designed in such a way as to apply pressure to the removable dividers to seal and further prevent leakage between compartments. The configuration of the removable dividers and tracks may vary in quantity, dimensions, design and shape. 
     The inventor believes the present invention is an improvement over prior art because it allows a level of customization not found in the prior art. By utilizing removable dividers with leak-proof seals, the present invention improves on prior art by stopping leakages between compartments in customizable storage containers. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention showing the removable dividers and their insertion points in the tracks, according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the present invention with the removable dividers placed in the tracks according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is the individual side view of the horizontal removable divider according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is an individual top view of the horizontal removable divider according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is an individual side view of the removable center vertical divider according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the container, demonstrating the orientation of the horizontal and vertical dividers, their insertion points within the tracks and the lid of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is an aerial view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention showing the removable dividers and their insertion points in the tracks. 
         FIG. 8  is an aerial view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention with the removable dividers placed in the tracks. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The system and methods described herein are provided for container assemblies for storing and transporting consumable and non-consumable products. The container assembly generally comprises one or more modifiable compartments and a lid for sealing the contents within the container. The container assembly may include two or more tracks for housing removable dividers with rubberized edges. One or more removable dividers may be used to configure storage compartments in the interior of the container assembly. 
     Referring now to the preferred embodiment of the current invention as shown in  FIG. 1 , there is shown the container  10  having removable horizontal divider  17  and removable vertical center divider  21  in disengaged mode. The preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a container  10  with compartmentalization features. Side track channels  27  meet a bottom horizontal track channel  25 . A bottom center track channel  24  meets the bottom horizontal track channel  25 . A vertical center side track channel  26  meets the bottom center track channel  24 . The track channels  24   25   26   27  provide pressure to the removable horizontal divider  17  and removable center divider  21  when they are placed in the tracks to form a watertight seal between the storage chambers. 
     Still referring to the preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown in  FIG. 1 , the removable horizontal divider  17  features rubberized side edges  18 , a rubberized bottom edge  19  and a vertical track  20 , which is configured to join flush with the bottom center track channel  24 . The removable horizontal divider  17  slides within the container&#39;s vertical center side track channel  26  and horizontal track channel  25  when so desired by the user. The removable center divider  21  features rubberized side edges  22  and a rubberized bottom edge  23 . The removable center divider  21  slides within the container&#39;s vertical center side track channel  26  and the vertical track  20  of the removable horizontal divider  17  when further separation of compartments is desired. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 1 , the preferred order of compartmentalization is to engage the horizontal removable divider  17  prior to engaging the removable center divider  21 .  FIG. 1  illustrates the fitting orientation of the horizontal removable divider  17 , wherein rubberized edges  18   19  slide into the horizontal track channels  25   27 .  FIG. 1 . Illustrates the fitting orientation of the center vertical removable divider  21 , wherein the rubberized edges  22  slide into the vertical center side track channel  26  and the rubberized edge  23  slides into the bottom center track channel  24 . 
     In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the container  10 , and all tracks  24   25   26   27  are formed from a single piece of molded plastic. The preferred embodiment of the present invention calls for the horizontal removable divider  17  and center removable divider  21  to be formed of molded plastic as well, with the edges  18   19   22   23  formed from silicone, which is bonded to the dividers  17   21 . Alternative embodiments of the present invention allow for construction of different materials, such as glass, Pyrex or metal, and utilizing differing forming techniques. 
       FIG. 2  shows how the different components of the container  10  and removable dividers  17   21  work together to provide sealed compartments when the removable dividers  17   21  are coupled into the tracks  24   25   26   27 .  FIG. 2  shows the center vertical removable divider  21  perpendicular to the horizontal removable divider  17 , and between the vertical side track channel  26  and the vertical track  20  of the horizontal removable divider  17 . 
       FIG. 3  shows the horizontal removable divider  17  apart from the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Seen in  FIG. 3  are the horizontal removable divider  17 , rubberized edges  18   19  and vertical track  20 . 
       FIG. 4  shows an alternative view of the horizontal removal divider  17  apart from the preferred embodiment of the present invention and from above and demonstrates the rubberized edges  18  and vertical track  20 . 
       FIG. 5  shows the removable center vertical divider  21  with rubberized edges  22  and  23 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the container assembly  10 , showing the rubberized edges  18   19  and vertical track  20  of the horizontal removable divider  17 .  FIG. 6  shows the position of the rubberized edges  18   19  of the horizontal removable divider  17 , in relation to the tracks of the container  25   27 . The lid  30  snaps securely in place onto the lip  11  of the container  10 .  FIG. 6  shows the position of the rubberized edges  22   23  of the removable center vertical divider  21  as they fit within the container  10 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts the orientation of one end of the horizontal removable divider  17  into the side track channel  27  and the orientation of the fitting of the perpendicular, vertical center removable divider  21  wherein the edges  22  fit respectively into the vertical center track channel  26  and into the center track  20  of the horizontal removable divider  17 .  FIG. 6  further depicts lid  30  and its orientation with the lip  11  of the container  10 . 
       FIG. 7  is an aerial view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 7  shows a circular container  10 , horizontal wall channel  27 , horizontal bottom channel  25 , bottom center channel  24  and a vertical center wall channel  26 .  FIG. 7  also shows, in removed position, a removable divider  17  having rubberized edges  18 , and a center track  20 .  FIG. 7  also shows, in removed position, a center vertical removable divider  21  having rubberized edges  22 .  FIG. 7  illustrates the orientation of engagement of the components of this embodiment. 
       FIG. 8  is an aerial view of the container according to the alternative embodiment of the present invention from  FIG. 7 .  FIG. 8  shows horizontal wall channels  27 , a horizontal bottom channel  25 , a vertical bottom channel  26 , and the center bottom channel  24 . The horizontal removable divider  17  with a center track  20  and corresponding rubberized edges  18  is shown inserted within the channels  24   25   26   27 . 
     While particular embodiments have been shown and described, the above variations are for illustrative purposes. It will be apparent to those skilled in this art that a plurality of equivalent variations, changes, combinations to the idea of and without departing from the disclosing and explanation of this invention and its broader aspects shall also fall within the technical scope of the appended claims and encompass all such changes within the true spirit and scope of this invention. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is solely defined by the appended claims. It will be understood by those skilled in this art that, in general, terms used herein, particularly appended claims (e.g. bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g. the term “including” is to be interpreted as “including but not limited to”, the term “comprising” is not to be interpreted as limiting, the term ‘having” is not to be interpreted as “having only”. 
     Any elements described herein as singular can be pluralized, and plural elements can be used in the singular. The above-described elements, assemblies and methods, elements for carrying out the invention, and variations of aspects of the invention can be modified such as dimensions, volumes, shapes, sizes, method of manufacturing, in a plurality of different ways and type of utility.