Abstract:
This invention relates to a storage container and to a stack of such containers, and in particular to a container for the storage of a number of similarly-sized articles such as compact disks or the like. According to the invention there is provided a storage container for compact disks or the like having a first connector part and a second connector part, the connector parts being adapted to interconnect the storage container with at least one adjacent storage container so that the container is stackable. There is also provided a stack of storage containers in which the first connector part of one storage container is interconnected with the second connector part of an adjacent storage container, and in which all of the storage containers in the stack are identically formed.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a storage container and to a stack of such containers, and in particular to a container for the storage of a number of similarly-sized articles such as compact disks or the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Compact disks are manufactured to a standard size, and are usually located within a protective sleeve or case, the sleeve or case also being typically of a standard size. 
     The invention is expected to find its greatest utility in relation to compact disks since these are typically stored in large numbers. However, the storage of other articles is not precluded, such as video cassettes, music cassettes “mini-disks”, computer disks and console games, for example. For simplicity the following description will refer predominantly to compact disks, but the following references to such disks or to “disks” or to “compact disks or the like” should be interpreted as meaning any suitable articles such as those listed above. It is also expected that the invention will find its greatest utility for the home storage of such articles, though institutional or commercial use of the container is not thereby excluded. 
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART 
     Containers are known for the storage of compact disks. Many of the available containers are of a specific capacity and once the user has a greater number of disks than the specified capacity a further container is required. Some available containers have flat exterior top and bottom surfaces so as to be stackable one on top of another, so that the size of the storage capacity can be increased incrementally. 
     In many of the container designs, the disks are maintained in a vertical orientation; such containers typically have panels, or spaced slots or recesses, which serve to partition the container so that each individual disk can be separately located. The partitions also prevent the disks from toppling over if the container is not full (disks which have toppled over may hinder the insertion of another disk into the container). However, the use of partitioning panels, slots or recesses reduces the number of disks which can be contained within a given volume, so that more space is required in which to store the disks, and perhaps a greater number of containers is required, than would otherwise be the case. 
     STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION 
     It is the object of the present invention to provide a storage container for compact disks and the like which is stackable in a number of different configurations, so that the configuration of the stack can be chosen by the user to suit his or her particular requirements and to suit the space available in which the storage container stack is to be located. In addition, the configuration can be changed as and when desired by the user. It is another object to provide a storage container which does not require partitioning panels, slots or recesses. 
     According to the invention, there is provided a storage container having a first connector part and a second connector part, the connector parts being adapted to interconnect the container with adjacent containers so that the container is stackable. 
     The provision of cooperating connector parts enables an assembled stack to be substantially rigid, i.e. the interconnection between adjacent containers is positive rather than relying solely upon friction to prevent relative movement between adjacent containers. Since relative movement between adjacent containers is limited by the connector parts, it is possible to build larger and more elaborate stacks, perhaps more suited to the space available in which the storage of articles such as compact disks is permitted. 
     Preferably, each container in an assembled stack has a first connector part and a second connector part, the first connector part of one container being adapted to interconnect with the second connector part of an adjacent container; preferably also all of the containers in the stack are identically formed. 
     Usefully, the connector parts project from the walls of the container; usefully also, spacing means are provided which project from the walls of the container by substantially the same distance as the connector parts. Preferably, the spacing means has formations adapted to cooperate with formations of the spacing means of an adjacent container to prevent relative lateral movement therebetween. 
     Desirably, the container is of substantially rectangular construction in front view, preferably a square construction, with a rear wall and four side walls (the front wall is omitted to provide an opening for insertion of the compact disks or the like). 
     Usefully, the container is arranged in use so that the side walls are angled to the horizontal, preferably by 45° or thereabouts. Accordingly, when compact disks or the like are located in the storage container they lie at 45° or thereabouts; there is no requirement for partitioning panels, slots or recesses since the disks cannot topple over, and the disks or the like self-stack, with any empty space remaining in the container always available for the insertion of additional disks. 
     Usefully, at least one triangular element provides support for the stack adjacent the floor or other surface upon which the stack rests; usefully the triangular element comprises half a container. 
     Preferably, an insert provides partitions within the container so that the container can be adapted to store articles of different sizes. 
     There is also provided a stack of storage containers as defined herein, in which the first connector part of one container is interconnected with the second connector part of an adjacent container, and wherein all of the containers in the stack are identically formed. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a front view of a stack formed from three storage containers according to the invention, and one triangular element; 
     FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a storage container according to the invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an insert for use with the container of FIG. 2; 
     FIG. 4 is a front view of the triangular element of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is an underneath view of the triangular element; 
     FIG. 6 is a side view of the triangular element; 
     FIG. 7 is a sectional view along the line X—X of FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative design of spacing means of two cooperating “half” containers; 
     FIG. 9 is a perspective view of another alternative design of spacing means of one “half” container; 
     FIGS  10   a-j  show several different stacking options; 
     FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of storage container; and 
     FIG. 12 is a view of part of each half of the container of FIG. 11, during the assembly thereof. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     FIG. 1 shows three identical containers  10   a ,  10   b  and  10   c  interconnected into a stack  12 . FIG. 1 is not a sectional view, but the sides of the three containers  10   a,b,c  have been cross-hatched to clarify the cooperation between their respective connecting parts and spacing means. 
     In addition, the stack  12  includes an optional triangular element  14 , which as described below comprises half a container  10 ; the sides of the triangular element  14  are also cross-hatched, for clarity. As indicated, the triangular element  14  is optional, i.e. the stack of three containers  10   a,b  and  c  would be stable and substantially rigid without the triangular element  14 . However, the element  14  adds further rigidity, and makes assembly of the stack  12  easier. 
     It will be noted that each container  10   a,b,c  is square in front view, and the four sides  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c  and  16   d  of each container are arranged at an angle α, in this embodiment 45°, to the surface  20  upon which the stack  12  rests. 
     When compact disks or the like are located in one of the containers  10 , they will lie upon one or other of the sides  16   c , or  16   d . Assuming that they lie upon side  16   c , the storage container  10  can be progressively filled up until a disk lies adjacent side  16   a . Thus, it is a feature of the angled orientation of the disks that the disks will be self-stacking, and a non-full container will present an opening available for the insertion of further disks without need for partitioning panels, slots or recesses, i.e. the stored disks cannot topple over and obscure or otherwise obstruct the opening into which further disks could be inserted. In this way, the volume of the storage container which is available for disk storage is maximised. 
     The sides  16   a  and  16   b  each carry a projecting first connector  24 , which comprises a lug with a locking wall  26  which is substantially vertical in use, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the surface  20 , and at 45° to the sides  16   a,b.    
     The sides  16   c  and  16   d  each carry a projecting second connector  30 , which comprises a lug with a locking wall  32  which is also substantially vertical in use, i.e. substantially perpendicular to the surface  20  and at 45° to the sides  16   c,d.    
     It will be understood from FIG. 1 that the first and second connectors  24 , 30  can be identically formed, and differ only in that the first connectors  24  project upwardly in use, whilst the second connectors  30  project downwardly in use. However, since in the preferred embodiments as in FIG. 1, the orientation of the containers  10  can be inverted without material effect, the form of the first and second connectors  24 , 30  is identical. 
     It is arranged that when two containers  10  are placed together so that a side  16   c  or  16   d  of a second container lies against a side  16   a  or  16   b  of a first container respectively, the wall  32  of the second connector  30  of the second container will engage the wall  26  of the first connector  24  of the first container. The aligned (vertical) orientation of the engaging walls  26 , 32  will counter the tendency of the second container to rotate or slide relative to the first container. 
     In embodiments such as that of FIG. 1 wherein there are two “first” containers  10   a ,  10   b  to which the second container  10   c  is connected, a rigid construction can be created, and can be developed by adding further containers to the sides  16   a  and/or  16   b  of the containers  10   a,b  and/or  c  (as applicable), as desired. 
     Whilst not mandatory, in the embodiments shown the first and second connectors  24 , 30  are arranged at the centre of their respective sides (in both the “front to back” and “top to bottom” directions in the orientation of FIG.  1 ), which adds to the universality of the design and enables containers to be interchanged and inverted without material effect. 
     The containers  10   a,b,c  also have spacing means  34 , 36  located at each corner, which spacing means project from the respective sides by a distance substantially the same as the projection of the first and second connectors  24 , 30 . The purpose of the spacing means  34 , 36  will be readily apparent from FIG. 1, namely to prevent or reduce the likelihood that adjacent containers will rock or pivot about their cooperating connectors in use. The provision of the spacing means  34 , 36  therefore adds to the rigidity of a stack of containers in use. 
     The spacing means is in two cooperating parts, a male part  34  and a female part  36 . The provision of male  34  and female  36  cooperating parts enables the spacing means to provide the ancillary function of preventing lateral movement of one container relative to its adjacent container (i.e. into and out of the paper in the orientation of FIG.  1 ). Thus, as seen in FIG. 2, a portion of the male spacer  34  can locate between the bifurcated arms  40  of the female spacer  36 , so preventing lateral movement therebetween. 
     In the stack  12  of FIG. 1, the spacers are arranged so that a male spacer  34  is present at the apex and base of each container  10 , whilst a female spacer  36  is present at each of the side extremities thereof. In this way, a male spacer will always encounter and cooperate with a female spacer, as the stack of containers is built up. Clearly, it would also be possible for the positions of the male and female spacers to be reversed, provided that the reversal was carried out for every container. 
     When it is desired to construct the stack  12  of FIG. 1, the triangular element  14  is placed upon the surface  20  and the containers  10   a,b  are connected thereto by movement in the substantially vertical direction so that the wall  32  of the connector part  30  of the container  10   a,b  locates behind the wall  26  of the connector part  24  of the triangular element  14 , and the male and female spacers of the container  10   a,b , respectively and the triangular element cooperate. The container  10   c  is then connected to the containers  10   a  and  10   b  by movement in the substantially vertical direction so that the walls  32  of the connector parts  30  of the container  10   c  locate behind the respective walls  26  of the connector parts  24  of the containers  10   a,b , and the male and female spacers of the container  10   c  and the containers  10   a,b  respectively, cooperate. 
     If it is desired to build a more extensive or elaborate stack, further containers can be added as above, i.e. by substantial vertical movement into engagement with an existing stack container. 
     It will be understood that the reference to substantially vertical movement in the stack assembly routine described above arises because the walls  26 , 32  lie substantially vertical in use. If the stack is oriented differently, or the walls  26 , 32  are not at 45° to the sides of their container, then the stack assembly instructions would be altered accordingly. It will also be noted that the edges  38  of the male spacer  34  are substantially parallel to the walls  26 , i.e. arranged at 45° to the sides of the container; so as to ensure that the male and female spacers can interengage when assembled as above described. 
     The containers  10  have internal dimensions of 135 mm by 135 mm, and are thus sized to receive standard compact disk cases. If it is desired to store differently-sized articles, such as blank or pre-recorded mini-disks, then an insert  42  can be provided (FIG.  3 ). The insert  42  rests inside the container, and presents an interior volume  44  and an exterior volume (between the walls of the insert and the walls of the container); the walls of the insert can be of dimensions to enable the interior volume and the exterior volume to store articles of certain dimensions, perhaps different articles in a single container. If desired, however, different sized containers can be provided, suited to articles of a specific size. 
     FIGS. 4 and 5 show the triangular element  14  which is used as a base or stabilising support for the stack  12  of FIG.  1 . However, it is an additional feature of the design that the triangular element  14  is made up of a half of a container  10 . Thus, in the preferred embodiments, each container  10  is manufactured from two identical (triangular) halves  50 . The ability to manufacture each half  50  identical will reduce the tooling cost required. 
     It is desired that the containers  10  be of a suitable plastics material. 
     Each container half  50  has two first or second connectors  24 , 30  respectively; since the connectors are identical, whether they are first connectors or second connectors will only be determined in use (i.e. whether they face upwardly or downwardly). Each half  50  also has one set of male spacers  34 , and a portion of two sets of female spacers  36 . When the half  50  is connected to an identical half (which has been rotated through 180 20  ) to provide a complete container  10 , the two portions of the female spacers will lie together to provide the complete female spacer. 
     Each half  50  has two sides  16   a  and  16   b  (or  16   c,d ), and a rear wall  52 . The rear wall  52  is triangular, and has an edge  54  which engages a corresponding edge of the other half when assembled into a container  10 . The edge  54  carries two projections  56  and has two corresponding recesses  60 , the projections  56  locating into respective recesses  60  when the two halves  50  are assembled together. In addition, as better seen in FIG. 5, the female spacer parts have a cooperating peg  62  and recess  64 , the peg  62  locating into a recess  64  when the two halves  50  are assembled together. It is preferably arranged that the projections  56  and pegs  62  are a tight fit into the respective recesses  60 , 64  so that the two halves can be snapped (and remain) together; alternatively or additionally adhesive can be used to retain the two halves  50  together as an assembled container  10 . 
     When it is intended that a half  50  be used on its own, i.e. as the triangular element  14  in the stack of FIG. 1, then it is necessary to fit rods  66 , which include a peg and recess corresponding to the peg  62  and recess  64 , and serve as a stand upon which the half  50  can rest without the pegs  62 , or projections  56 , engaging the surface  20 . 
     In the embodiment of FIGS. 8 and 9, the need for a separate rod upon which to stand the half is avoided, which will again save on the tooling cost required. In this embodiment, the two portions  36   a,b  of the female spacer have cooperating castellations  70 , by which the two halves  72  can be connected together. However, the castellations  70  also serve as a stand upon which the half or triangular element  72  can rest. Each half  72  has one female spacer portion  36   a  and one portion  36   b , so that each half of a container can be identically formed. 
     In the alternative embodiment of FIG. 9 the castellations of the female spacer portions (only one of which is shown) are dovetailed, and are designed to be slid together substantially along the line A, the dovetailing preventing separation of the castellations perpendicular to the direction A. In this embodiment therefore, the dovetailing ensures that the two halves of a container will not become inadvertently separated, as may tend to occur if a very large or unbalanced stack is erected. In a further alternative embodiment, the dovetailed castellations are sufficiently deformable to permit snapping together perpendicular to the direction A, but act to retain the two container halves together once assembled. 
     FIG. 10 a-j  show several alternative forms of stack, and it is pointed out that these alternatives are by no means exhaustive. It is also to be noted that not all of the stacks have the containers at an angle of 45°, and in some cases (FIGS. 10 f ) the sides of the containers can be substantially parallel and perpendicular respectively to the surface upon which the stack rests. Such constructions may be sufficiently stable without external support, though it is expected that stacks in the form of “bridges” or the like (such as that of FIG. 10 f , in which the container  10   d  is only supported at its sides and not from underneath) would desirably require fixing to an adjacent structure such as a wall for example (screw holes can be provided in the container rear wall for this purpose). Also, it is expected that larger stacks would require certain of the containers to be fixed to an adjacent structure by way of a precaution. 
     It is also noted that in certain embodiments (FIG. 10 f  and FIG. 10 g ) a triangular element or container half  50   a  is used other than as a support, i.e. it may be added part way up the stack for additional storage. 
     FIG. 11 shows a perspective view of a storage container  110 , made up of two identical halves or triangular elements  150   a , 150   b . One of the triangular elements  150   a  is shown in solid lines, the other  150   b  is shown in dashed lines. 
     This embodiment has a first connector part  124 , with its locking wall  126 , and a second connector part  130  with its locking wall  132 , the locking walls  126 , 132  being substantially identically formed, and identically positioned, as the locking walls  26 , 30  of the storage container  10 . 
     In this embodiment, however, the spacing means  134 , 136  are elongated, and taper towards the wall  116 , so as to be more aesthetically pleasing as well as functional. It will be noted that there are four spacing ribs  134 , and three spacing ribs  136 , the ribs being sized and positioned so that each of the three ribs  136  can lie between two adjacent ribs  134  of an adjacent storage container  110 . In this way, the ribs prevent lateral movement between adjacent storage containers, as do the spacing means of the other embodiments described. 
     Two of the spacing ribs  136  of each element  150   a,b  carry a dovetail  80  which can locate in a correspondingly shaped recess in the other element; the third spacing rib (in this embodiment the central spacing rib) carries a bead  82  which can locate in a correspondingly shaped recess in the other element. It will readily be understood that the dovetails  80  and the corresponding recesses cooperate to maintain the elements  150   a,b  together, as in the embodiment of FIG.  9 . 
     The bead  82  is provided to assist with assembly of the two triangular elements  150   a,b  together, as will be described below. 
     Part of each triangular element  150   a,b  is shown in FIG. 12, specifically, a part of each rear wall  152  and a part of each edge  154  of the triangular elements  150   a,b . As shown, each edge  154  carries a projection  84  which can locate into a correspondingly shaped recess  86 . Each edge  154  also has an elongated recess  90  which can accommodate the projection  84 . When it is desired to assemble the two triangular elements  150   a,b  together, they are aligned as shown with their respective centre lines C offset by a distance d, in which position the projection  84  of one element is aligned with the elongated recess  90  (specifically with the end of the elongated recess  90  remote from the recess  86 ). When the elements are brought together in this position so that the respective edges  154  engage, the projections  84  will enter the respective elongated recess  90 . In this position, the neither the dovetails  80  nor the beads  82  are involved, since the distance d by which the centre lines C (and thus the side walls of each element  152 ) are separated exceeds the thickness of the side walls. 
     To assemble the storage container from this position, the elements  150   a,b  are slid relative to one another to align the centre lines C. The first thing to occur is that the beads  82  enter their respective recesses, serving to align and guide the elements  150   a,b  together, i.e. to keep the rear walls  152  aligned in the plane of the paper as viewed in FIG.  12 . This alignment also ensures that the dovetails  80  can enter their respective recesses. It is expected that this alignment will be further ensured in practice by assembling the two elements on a table or other substantially flat surface, with the rear walls  152  lying upon that surface. 
     Subsequently, the dovetails  80  enter their respective recesses, and the secure connection between the two elements  150   a,b  has been commenced. Shortly thereafter, the projections  84  engage respective ramps  92  of the elongated recesses, and ride up the ramps  92 , forcing the edges  154  slightly apart locally (the elements  150   a,b  are maintained together by the dovetails  80 , but are sufficiently resilient to tolerate local separation along part of the edges  154 —in any event the projections  84  are small, perhaps approximately 0.5 mm, so that the local separation is also small). 
     Relative movement between the elements  150   a,b  is continued, the projections  84  sliding along the short length of the respective edge  154  separating the elongated recess  90  from the recess  86 . 
     When the projections  84  enter the respective cooperating recesses  86  the assembly is complete, the centre lines C being aligned and the storage container being in the assembled condition of FIG.  11 . 
     It is noted that the distance d by which the projection  84  must move from the remote end of elongated recess  90  to the recess  86  is the same distance d by which the center lines are initially separated as shown in FIG.  12 . 
     In other embodiments the beads  82  may be omitted, i.e. it might not be necessary to provide any guides for assembly of the dovetails  80 . In addition, in such embodiments the central rib  134  may also carry a dovetail  80  and its cooperating recess, if desired.