Patent Publication Number: US-9888754-B2

Title: Container assembly

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     It is known to store an item such as a camera in a protective containment article that is arranged reduce the likelihood of the item being damaged while not in use. Examples of containment articles are bags, boxes, cases and the like, or removable container inserts for such articles. For brevity, these types of containment articles will be referred to herein as a ‘container’. 
     Items such as cameras may be arranged to be used with detachable component parts, such as lenses, batteries, memory devices, stands or the like. It can be advantageous for a container to define a plurality of internal sub-compartments, such that an item can be stored within a first sub-compartment, and a component part of the item can be stored separately within a second sub-compartment. 
     It is known to create sub-compartments within a container by providing one or more partitioning walls within the compartment. Such partitioning walls are known in the art as ‘dividers’. 
     A divider may be integrally formed with the container. However, while this approach generally results in securely defined sub-compartments, the sub compartments are of a fixed size. 
     Alternatively, in order to provide flexibility, it is known to provide user configurable dividers arranged to be removably attached to internal side walls of a container. It is common for dividers to be configured to be attached to a container by Velcro™ so as to enable various possible divider configurations. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a container assembly comprising:
         a container which defines an internal compartment and includes first connectors arranged to define a plurality of possible divider positions within the compartment;   one or more dividers, each divider being arranged to be positioned within the compartment in one of the divider positions to partition the compartment into a plurality of sub-compartments, the one or more dividers each including second connectors; and   a plurality of retaining elements,
 
wherein the first and second connectors each include an engagement surface and the container assembly is arranged such that, when one of the dividers is positioned at one of the dividing positions within the compartment, a plurality of the second connectors each overlaps a respective first connector in an engagement axis to form an engagement pair, the engagement surfaces of connectors within an engagement pair defining a space between them that reduces in size as the divider is moved from the dividing position and is sized to receive one of the retaining elements to inhibit movement of the divider from the dividing position.
       

     Thus, the container assembly enables sub-compartments to be securely defined due to movement of the divider(s) being inhibited by retaining elements located within the spaces defined between the engagement surfaces of the first and second connectors. Embodiments of the invention may have one or more of the following advantages:
         the connectors and retaining elements can be lightweight.   the connectors can be softly shaped so as not to scratch items or detachable parts.   a plurality of connector pairs can be aligned to receive a common retaining element, thereby simplifying configuration of a divider.       

     Additionally, one or more of the dividers may each includes a first side and a second side, each of the first and second sides comprising one or more of the second connectors. A side need not be the edge face of a divider. 
     Additionally or alternatively, each side of the divider may comprise a plurality of second connectors in order to provide a more secure connection between the divider and container. Thus, a plurality of engagement pairs may be formed on each side of the divider. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the distance between the furthest apart of the second connectors on a respective side of the divider is at least 50% of the height of the divider, in some cases at least 75% of the height and in some cases at least 90% of the height; increased separation between the furthest apart of the second connectors on a respective side of the divider may provide improved partitioning in cases where the divider is formed from a flexible material. 
     At least three second connectors may be provided on a respective side of the divider. This may contribute to a secure connection; where a heavy item is to be retained, it is preferred that at least four, and in some cases at least five second connectors are provided on a respective side of the divider. 
     Additionally or alternatively, each side of the divider may include a rigid member from which the second connectors on a respective side of the divider extend. The rigid member may provide one or more of the following advantages: holding the second connectors in alignment; and providing rigidity to the divider when a flexible barrier material is used. 
     The divider may me sized to define a barrier over a major part of the internal cross sectional area of a container. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the container assembly may be arranged such that, with the divider positioned in a divider position, the connectors of one or more engagement pairs are adjacent one another. 
     Alternatively or in addition, the retaining elements may be elongate and sized to extend through a majority of the second connectors on a respective side of the divider. The retaining elements may greater in length than the distance between the furthest apart of the second connectors on a respective side of the divider. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the first connectors may be arranged into one or more sets, each set defining a divider position. The first connectors of a set may be generally aligned in a plane which is generally parallel with respect to and intersects a divider position. 
     Additionally or alternatively, each first connector and second connector may include a retaining channel sized for receiving one of the retaining elements and wherein, when one of the dividers is positioned at one of the dividing positions within the compartment, the retaining channels of both connectors within an engagement pair become aligned to receive a common retaining element. 
     Additionally or alternatively, the container may include one or more walls comprising an inner panel with respect to the compartment, the inner panel including a plurality of holes each sized to receive one or the second connectors and position it relative to an associated first connector. The first connectors may be defined by a wall of the container which includes holes sized to receive the second connectors. The channels of the first connectors may be collectively defined by a space on the opposite side of the container wall with respect to the compartment. It is preferred however that the wall of the container defines channels corresponding to each engagement axis to assist guidance of a retaining element; thus, the one or more walls may include an outer panel located on an opposite side of the inner panel with respect to the compartment, the panels being spaced apart from one another in a parallel relationship by spacer elements, the spacer elements being arranged to define wall channels having axes defining engagement axes. The spacer elements may be are arranged to define a plurality of generally orthogonal wall channels each of which intersects one or more other wall channels. In some embodiments the one or more walls are defined by a three dimensional mesh material. 
     In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a divider arranged for use with a container assembly according to the first aspect, the divider being arranged to be positioned within the compartment in one of the divider positions to partition the compartment into a plurality of sub-compartments, the divider including second connectors each including a retaining channel sized for receiving one of the retaining elements such that, when the dividers is positioned at one of the dividing positions within the compartment, a plurality of the second connectors each overlaps a respective first connector in an engagement axis to form an engagement pair, the retaining channels of both connectors within an engagement pair being aligned to receive a common retaining element to inhibit movement of the divider from the dividing position. 
     In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a divider assembly including a divider according to the second aspect and a plurality of retaining elements. 
     In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container arranged for use with a container assembly according to the first aspect, the container defining an internal compartment and including first connectors arranged to define a plurality of possible divider positions within the compartment;
         wherein the first include an engagement surface such that when a divider is positioned at one of the dividing positions within the compartment, a plurality second connectors of the divider each overlaps a respective first connector in an engagement axis to form an engagement pair, the engagement surfaces of connectors within an engagement pair defining a space between them that reduces in size as the divider is moved from the dividing position and is sized to receive a retaining element to inhibit movement of the divider from the dividing position.       

     Optional features of the first aspect are equally applicable to the second, third and fourth aspects. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1 a    is a schematic diagram of a container assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 1 b    is a schematic diagram of the container assembly of  FIG. 1 a    in cross section through X-X; 
         FIGS. 2 a  to 2 d    are schematic diagrams of a container wall of the container assembly of  FIG. 1 a    with a divider engaged in a divider position, the first and second connectors being aligned in an engagement axis and retained by a common retaining element; 
         FIG. 3 a    is a schematic front, side and plan view of the anchor element of the divider shown in  FIGS. 2 a    to  2   c;    
         FIG. 3 b    is a schematic perspective view of the anchor element of  FIG. 3 a    showing a retaining element within the retaining channels of the second connectors; 
         FIG. 4 a    is a schematic perspective view of parts of a container assembly according to a further embodiment of the invention, viewed from the exterior of the container, in which the second connectors are defined by a single skinned wall; and 
         FIG. 4 b    is a schematic perspective view of the parts of the container assembly of  FIG. 4 b   , viewed from inside the container. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As an explanatory overview, embodiments of the invention provide a container assembly  10  which includes a container  12  for storing an item such as a camera. The container  12  may be partitioned by a divider  14 . The container  12  includes first connectors  22  which define a plurality of possible divider positions. Each first connector  22  has an engagement surface. The divider  14  is provide with second connectors  32 , each of which has an engagement surface. The first connectors  22  are arranged to form engagement pairs with the second connectors  32  when the divider  14  is placed in a divider position. A space exists between the engagement surfaces of both connectors within an engagement pair, the space being arranged to reduce in size as the divider  14  moves away from the divider position. The space is sized to receive a retaining element  16  to hold the divider  14  in place at the divider position. 
       FIGS. 1 a  and 1 b    schematically shows a container assembly  10  according to an embodiment of the present invention. The container assembly  10  includes a container  12 , a divider  14  and a plurality of retaining elements  16  for holding the divider  14  in place with respect to the container  12 . In other embodiments, the container  12  may take any suitable form and the container assembly  10  may include a plurality of dividers  12  with associated retaining elements. 
     The container  12  has two major side walls  20   a ,  20   b  joined at their side regions to side regions of minor sidewalls  20   c ,  20   d . The bottom region of each side wall  20   a - 20   d  is joined to side regions of a base  21 . The base  21  and side walls  20   a - 20   d  may be formed of any suitable material, such as a plastics material, metal, wood, woven textile, non woven textile, or leather. The container  12  defines an internal compartment that is generally divided by the divider  14  into a first sub-compartment  18   a  and a second sub-compartment  18   b . The top of the container  12  is open. Each sub-compartment  18   a ,  18   b  is arranged to receive an item, such as a camera, or one or more component parts, for storage. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 2 a  to 2 d   , the walls  20   a - 20   d  of the container  12  which define the compartment include first connectors  22  arranged to define a plurality of possible divider positions  24  within the compartment. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the first connectors  22  are grouped into sets, with each set defining a possible divider position  24 . The first connectors  22  within a set are arranged in a pattern which corresponds to the lateral shape of a divider  14 , to facilitate engagement therewith. Each wall  20   a - 20   d  is formed of an inner wall panel  202  and an outer wall panel  204  connected to one another in a spaced parallel relationship by spacer elements  206 . The spacer elements  206  may be formed of any suitable material; for example, a plastics material, preferably a foam. The spacer elements are arranged to define a series of elongate, vertical wall channels  28  which extend from the top face of a wall  20   a - 20   d  towards, and in some cases to, the bottom face. Each wall channel  28  has a longitudinal axis can be thought of as an engagement axis. The inner wall panel  202  includes an array of holes  26  configured to receive second connectors  32  of the divider  14 . The holes  26  are configured to position second connectors  32  of the divider  14  in one of the wall channels  28 , and therefore in an engagement axis, when the second connectors  32  of the divider  14  are received by the holes  28  of a particular set. The holes  26  may be any suitable size, such as 5 mm in diameter, and may be any suitable shape; for example, an elongate slit or slot. 
     Although the term ‘set’ of holes  26  has been used so far to describe a series of holes which extend vertically, sets may also extend horizontally providing that spaces corresponding to engagement axes for the sets are defined by the container; in the illustrated embodiment, this is achieved by a series of elongate, horizontal wall channels  29 . 
     In other embodiments, the container  10  may take any suitable form in which it defines an internal compartment and includes a plurality of first connectors  22  arranged to define a plurality of possible divider positions within the compartment, each first connector defining an engagement surface  22 ′; for example, the structure of the first connectors defined by the walls  20   a - 20   d  of the illustrated embodiment could alternatively be implemented by a three dimensional woven or non woven textile; for example a three dimensional printed structure. In other embodiments, container walls  40  include the first connectors  22  that may be defined simply in a generally planar array, as described below in relation to  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   . In other embodiments, the first connectors  22  may be defined by an array of hoops arranged in sets, the axis of each hoop within a set being coaxially aligned to define an engagement axis. 
     As such, in the illustrated embodiment, the engagement surfaces  22 ′ of the first connectors  22  are defined by engagement portions of the inner wall panel  202  disposed between the holes  26  of a set, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 d   . The wall channel  28  serves to define a retaining channel for each second connector  32 , which may help guide a retaining element into position. 
     Referring additionally to  FIGS. 3 a  and 3 b   , the divider  14  includes a pair of anchor elements  14   a  (only one of which is shown) between which a barrier panel  14   b  is provided. Each anchor element  14   a  is configured to engage with a set of first connectors  22 . Each anchor element  14   a  comprises a rigid, elongate body  30  from which a set of the second connectors  32  protrude in a generally lateral direction. Each second connector  32  includes an inner surface which defines a retaining channel  34  extending through it. The retaining channels  34  are configured such that they can be generally coaxially aligned with an engagement axis. The retaining channels  34  of each second connector  32  of an anchor element  14   a  are coaxially aligned such that an elongate retaining element  16  may extend through the second connectors  32  of the set, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 b   . The barrier panel  14   b  is arranged to be joined to an elongate tab  36  of the body  30 . The barrier panel  14   b  may be flexible or rigid and may be formed of any suitable material, such as a plastics material, metal, wood, woven textile, non woven textile, or leather. 
     As such, the distal portion  32 ′ of the inner surface that defines a retaining channel  34  of a second connector  32  acts as an engagement surface  32 ′ that engages a positioned retaining element  16  and forces the retaining element  16  against first connector wall portions  22  that are aligned with the engagement axis, so as to inhibit removal of the divider from the divider position. 
     In other embodiments, a divider may take any suitable form in which it is configured to be positioned within the compartment in one of the divider positions to partition the compartment into a plurality of sub-compartments and includes a plurality of second connectors. 
     The retaining elements  16  are elongate, rigid rods with enlarged tips to aid in manipulation by a user. The tips may be smooth, as they may be exposed when in place. The retaining elements  16  may be formed of any suitable material, such as metal or a hard plastics material. It is preferred that the retaining elements  16  are arranged to engage with the divider  14  when in the retaining position. 
     In use, the user aligns a divider  14  at the divider position  24  and inserts the second connectors  32  of one of the divider anchor element  14   a  into the holes  26  of the set which corresponds to the required divider position  24 . In doing so the engagement surfaces  32 ′ of the second connectors  32  move from being on the same side of the engagement axis as the engagement surfaces  22 ′ of the first connectors  22 , to being on an opposite side of the engagement axis in comparison to the engagement surfaces  22 ′ of the first connectors  22 . Thus, a space is created between the engagement surfaces  22 ′,  32 ′ within which space the engagement axis exists. Once the second connectors  32  are received sufficiently such that the space is wide enough to receive a retaining element  16 , the user may insert a retaining element  16  down the vertical wall channel  28  and through each retaining channel  34 . The user may then engage the second anchor element  14   a  into a set of holes  26  on the opposing wall of the container in a similar manner; in cases where the divider  14  is not flexible, the user may deform the container  12  to increase the distance between the two sets of holes  26 . Initial movement of the divider  14  from the divider position will reduce the width of the space between the engagement surfaces  22 ′,  32 ′, eventually causing the engagement surfaces  22 ′,  32 ′ to engage opposing side of the retaining element  16  to inhibit removal of the second connectors  32  from the holes  26 . 
     Embodiments of the invention enable a secure connection to be made between the divider  14  and container  12  due to the fact a retaining element is inserted through the engagement channels of a pair consisting of a first connector  22  and a second connector  32 ; such a pair will be referred to herein as an ‘engagement pair’. 
     It is preferred that the connectors of an engagement pair are adjacent because in such cases a force attempting to move the divider is reacted locally i.e. the retaining element experiences a low bending moment due to the close proximity of the connectors. This enables the retaining element to be relatively lightweight. 
     It is preferred that the container system  10  is arranged to define a plurality of engagement pairs on each side of a divider  14 , preferably at least three, four or five, as this may lead to a particularly secure connection, while also being simple to operate due to a user merely being required to insert an elongate retaining element into a set of generally coaxial holes. Preferably, a divider  14  and container  12  are arranged to define an engagement pair towards the top of the divider  14  an engagement pair towards the bottom of the divider  14 , with further engagement pairs preferably being defined between the upper and lower pair. Preferably, a plurality of engagement pairs on each side of the divider have coaxially aligned engagement channels for receiving a common retaining element. 
     In embodiments of the invention, the connectors  22 ,  32  may take any suitable form in which the first and second connectors each include an engagement surface and the container assembly is arranged such that, when one of the dividers is positioned at one of the dividing positions within the compartment, a plurality of the second connectors each overlaps a respective first connector in an engagement axis to form an engagement pair, the engagement surfaces of connectors within an engagement pair defining a space between them that reduces in size as the divider is moved from the dividing position and is sized to receive one of the retaining elements to inhibit movement of the divider from the dividing position; for example, as illustrated in  FIGS. 4 a  and 4 b   , the first connectors  22  may my defined by a single layer wall  202  including holes  26  for receiving the second connectors  32 . Alternatively, the first and second connectors may be defined by hoops which are brought into axial alignment when one of the dividers is positioned at one of the dividing positions within the compartment. 
     Although the invention has been described above with reference to one or more preferred embodiments, it will be appreciated that various changes or modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The word “comprising” can mean “including” or “consisting of” and therefore does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those listed in any claim or the specification as a whole. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.