Patent Publication Number: US-2023157430-A1

Title: Modular personal storage system and related modular components

Description:
CLAIM FOR PRIORITY 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/281,719 titled  PROTECTIVE CASE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES; SWIVEL STAND AND CHARGER FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES MODULAR CONNECTABLE ACCESSORIES,  filed Nov. 21, 2021, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/282,089 titled  PROTECTIVE CASE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES SWIVEL STAND AND CHARGER FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES MODULAR CONNECTABLE ACCESSORIES,  filed Nov. 22, 2021, and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application 63/282,321 titled  PROTECTIVE CASE FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES SWIVEL STAND AND CHARGER FOR PORTABLE ELECTRONIC DEVICES MODULAR CONNECTABLE ACCESSORIES,  filed Nov. 23, 2021, the entire disclosures of each of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     It is known to provide a wallet that may be removably attachable to a mobile electronic device or a case for the mobile electronic device. Such wallets may be used to hold one or more objects (e.g., credit cards, identification cards, business cards, pictures, cash, keys, or the like) associated with (e.g., owned by) a user of the accessory (in many cases, the user will be using the mobile electronic device as well). 
     When the wallet is attached to the mobile electronic device or the case therefor, the user can securely and easily store and carry such objects along with his/her mobile electronic device. At the same time, the wallet can be removed from the mobile electronic device (or the case) when desired (e.g., to reduce the profile of the mobile electronic device, in order to enable wireless charging). 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments according to the inventive concept can provide modular personal storage systems and related modular components. Pursuant to these embodiments, a modular personal storage system can comprise a personal storage container that can include a first outer wall including a paramagnetic metal or a diamagnetic metal, a second outer wall including the paramagnetic metal or the diamagnetic metal, where the second outer wall is positioned opposite to and spaced apart from the first outer wall to define a container volume between the first outer wall and the second outer wall. At least two permanent magnetic elements can be spaced apart from one another and at least partially located within the container volume. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIGS.  1 A-C  are schematic illustrations of a modular personal storage system including personal storage containers magnetically removably coupled to one another and removable covers to provide a customized configuration of for both function and appearance of the modular personal storage system in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
         FIGS.  2 A-J  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary personal storage container that can be included in the modular personal storage system of  FIGS.  1 A-C  configured to carry a plurality of payment cards, or objects having an equivalent form-factor, for secure storage and retrieval in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
         FIGS.  3 A-D  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary personal storage container that can be included in the modular personal storage system of  FIGS.  1 A-C  configured to carry a utility tool or equivalent object for secure storage and retrieval in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
         FIGS.  4 A-D  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary cover that can be included in the personal storage system of  FIGS.  1 A-C  and configured to carry loose items, such as currency, under an elastic member that extends around a central portion of the cover for secure storage and retrieval in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
         FIGS.  5 A-D  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary cover that can be included in the personal storage system of  FIGS.  1 A-C  to customize the appearance of the outer surfaces of the modular personal storage system in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
         FIG.  6    is a schematic illustration of an exemplary cover that can be included in the personal storage system of  FIGS.  1 A-C  and configured to carry an identification, or objects having an equivalent form-factor, on an outside of the personal storage system for secure storage and retrieval in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
         FIGS.  7 A-B  are schematically illustrations of a magnetic phone mount configured to securely magnetically couple the personal storage system of  FIGS.  1 A-C  to a mobile device in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
         FIG.  7 C  is a schematic illustration of the magnetic phone mount of  FIGS.  7 A-B  coupled to a mobile device and configured to magnetically couple to the modular personal storage system including the personal storage containers and covers disclosed herein in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
         FIG.  7 D  is a schematic illustration of a personal storage container and cover magnetically coupled to the mobile device via the magnetic phone mount of  FIGS.  7 A-B  in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS ACCORDING TO THE INVENTIVE CONCEPT 
     As appreciated by the present inventors, a modular approach to personal storage can enable users to select from a range of personal storage containers that best meet their needs both from a functional and decorative standpoint. For example, users can select a single personal storage container to carry a number of payment cards, but can add one or more personal storage containers when additional cards may be needed. Alternatively, users may select a personal storage container that is configured to carry items other than payment cards, such as a tool or other objects. Furthermore, the magnetic coupling of the personal storage containers can make adding personal storage containers more convenient by bringing the new personal storage container into contact with the existing one so that stack of the two (or more) personal storage containers can function as a larger single personal storage system. 
     In some embodiments according to the present inventive concept, the magnetic coupling of the personal storage containers can allow the user to re-arrange the order or orientation of existing containers to be in a more desirable configuration. Still further, in some embodiments according to the present inventive concept, the personal storage containers be coupled together to a mobile electronic device so as to be more conveniently carried but still provide easy access to the items carried in the personal storage containers. In some embodiments according to the present inventive concept, the user can select from among a variety of personal storage covers to conveniently customize the appearance of the personal storage containers. In particular, the covers can include ferromagnetic patterns that can magnetically couple to the personal storage containers that are to be customized. When the user desires to change the outward appearance of the carried personal storage containers, the new cover can be magnetically coupled to the outer surface (or surfaces) of the outermost personal storage containers included in the stack. In still further embodiments according to the inventive concept, the covers can include functional features. For example, in some embodiments according to the inventive concept, a cover can include an elastic element that can allow the user to carry otherwise loose items by inserting the items (such as currency) between the cover and the elastic element so that the items are compressively held to the cover. In still further embodiments according to the present inventive concept, the cover can include a tray that is recessed into the surface of the cover with a lip that overhangs the tray at the edges. The tray can be configured to carry payment cards, identification and/or other items having a form-factor that fits within the tray by compressing the items between the bottom of the tray and the lip. 
       FIGS.  1 A-C  are schematic illustrations of a modular personal storage system  100  including personal storage containers  105  magnetically removably coupled to one another and removable covers  110  to provide a customizable stack that can be configured for both function and appearance of the modular personal storage system  100  in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
     Referring to  FIG.  1 A , the modular personal storage system  100  can include one or more personal storage containers  105  that can be magnetically coupled together as described herein. A first personal storage container  105 A can function as a wallet that is configured to carry a plurality of payment cards or items with a similar form factor. As further described herein, the personal storage container  105 A can include a lever that is configured to push the items stored inside the personal storage container  105 A through an opening so that they may be accessed by the user. As further shown in  FIG.  1 A , a second personal storage container  105 B can be removably magnetically coupled to the personal storage container  105 A and is configured to carry a tool. Although the modular personal storage system  100  includes two personal storage containers  105 , it will be understood that fewer or more personal storage containers may be used in a stack. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  1 A , the modular personal storage system  100  can include removable decorative covers  110  that can be magnetically coupled to either outer surface of the personal storage containers  105  included in the stack. As shown, a removable decorative covers  110 A can be selected by the user to customize the outward appearance of the stack. As further shown in  FIG.  1 A , the stack can also include a removable decorative/cash band cover  110 B which can be magnetically coupled to the lower outer surface of the stack. As described herein, the cash band can be an elastic member that is configured to hold otherwise loose objects, such as currency, securely to the outer surface of the stack that makes up the modular personal storage system  100 . 
     It will be further understood that each of the items included in the modular personal storage system  100  can be magnetically coupled to the directly adjacent component in the stack via permanent magnets included in the personal storage containers  105  or corresponding ferromagnetic materials patterned into the interior portions of the removable covers  110 . It will be further understood that although  FIG.  1 A  shows two types of decorative covers other types of decorative covers can be selected for coupling to the stack as described herein. 
       FIG.  1 B  is a perspective view of the modular personal storage system  100  shown in  FIG.  1 A  having the decorative removable cover  110 A coupled to a top surface of the second personal storage container  105 B (e.g., the top container) in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. It will be understood that the removable decorative cover  110  can be removed and replaced with an alternative decorative removable cover  110 A to change the outward appearance of the stack of personal storage containers  105 . 
       FIG.  1 C  is a schematic side view representation of the personal storage containers  105  and the removable decorative covers  110  shown in  FIG.  1 A  positioned relative to one another to form a stack  111 . As further shown in  FIG.  1 C , the removable decorative cover  110 A can be magnetically coupled to the first personal storage container  105 A whereas the removable decorative cover  110 B can be coupled to the second personal storage container  105 B. It will be understood that in some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the order of the personal storage containers  105  shown in the stack  111  can be changed. Moreover, the removable decorative covers  110  can be magnetically coupled to either of the personal storage containers  105 . As further shown in  FIG.  1 C , when the personal storage containers  105  and the decorative removable covers  110  are brought into contact with one another in the relative positions shown, each of the components can be magnetically coupled to the contacting component as shown. 
       FIGS.  2 A-H  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary personal storage container  105 A included in the modular personal storage system  100  of  FIG.  1 A  configured to carry a plurality of payment cards, or objects having a similar form-factor, for secure storage and retrieval in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. As shown in  FIG.  2 A , the personal storage container  105 A includes a first outer wall  210  surrounded by an outer side wall  226  which extends around a perimeter of the personal storage container  105 A and leaves an opening  239  therein that is configured to allow the insertion and removal of a plurality of items stored within (such as a plurality of payment cards). 
     As further shown in  FIG.  2 A , the first outer wall  210  includes first and second separator bumpers  220  positioned adjacent to where the first outer wall  210  meets the outer side wall  226  at opposing ends of the first outer wall  210 . It will be understood that in some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the separator bumpers  220  are configured to maintain a small separation between adjacent personal storage containers  105  when magnetically coupled together so that the magnetic coupling therebetween may be more easily overcome to separate the personal storage containers  105  from one another. As shown in  FIG.  2 J , the separator bumpers  220  can have opposing straight portions of length W and curved end portions, with radii R 2 , that join the opposing straight portions. In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the length W can be about 7.9 mm and the radii R 2  can be about 0.05 mm. In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the separator bumpers  220  can protrude about 0.15 mm from the surface of the outer wall. 
     Still referring to  FIG.  2 A , a lever  230  is located at a corner of the personal storage container  105 A on the outer side wall  226 . As described herein, the lever  230  is configured to push the plurality of items stored inside the personal storage container  105  out through the opening  239  when the lever is activated by the user. In some embodiments according to the present inventive concept, the first outer wall  210  includes an alignment opening  225  that exposes the interior of the personal storage container  105 . The alignment opening  225  can be used to visually and/or mechanically align the personal storage container  105  with another personal storage container or removable decorative cover  110 , which may include a correspondingly shaped alignment protrusion on the surface which is configured for insertion into the alignment opening  225  to align the two components in two dimensions magnetically couple with the personal storage container  105 . In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the alignment opening  225  is stadium shaped to include two spaced-apart straight portions having a length L and two curved portions at opposing ends of the two spaced-apart straight portions with radii of R 1  configured to join the two spaced-apart straight portions. In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, alignment opening  225  can include opposing strait portions having lengths of about 16.5 mm and curved portions having a respective radius of about 0.9 mm on each end to connect with the alignment opening to form the stadium shape. In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, alignment opening  225  can be sized about 0.3 mm larger than the dimensions of the alignment protrusion. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 B and  2 C , the personal storage container  105 A includes a second outer wall  215  surrounded by the outer side wall  226 . The second outer wall is spaced apart from, and opposite to, the first outer wall  210 . The space bounded by the perimeter of the outer side wall  226  and the space between the first and second outer walls  210  and  215  define a container volume  213  that includes many of the components of the personal storage containers  105  described herein. 
     As illustrated in the cross-sectional view of  FIG.  2 C  taken along line C-C′ in  FIG.  2 B , the interior sidewall  218  follows the perimeter of the container volume  213  that provides the portion of the container volume that can be occupied by the contents stored in the personal storage container  105  and the structures that provide for the operation and configuration of the personal storage container  105 . It will be understood that the container volume  213  is defined to also include the components of the personal storage container  105  that are outside the interior sidewall  218 . 
     For example, as shown in  FIG.  2 C , the container volume  213  also includes space for a plurality of permanent magnetic elements  250  that are spaced apart along the perimeter for three contiguous outer side walls  226  in the container volume. It will be understood that the permanent magnetic elements  250  can be seated in recesses formed inside the container volume  213  to remain stationary when subjected to forces resulting from magnetic coupling of the personal storage container  105  to other personal storage containers  105  and/or removable decorative covers  110 . In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the personal storage container  105  can include six permanent magnetic elements  250  spaced apart along the perimeter. 
     In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the first and second outer walls  210  and  215  can include a diamagnetic or paramagnetic metal or an alloy that includes a diamagnetic or paramagnetic metal. As appreciated by the present inventors, a metal has mobile electrons which can respond to magnetic fields. Accordingly, in the presence of a constant magnetic field (generated by a permanent magnetic element), the mobile electrons (or conduction electrons) in their random motions will orbit about the applied magnetic field. That orbital motion can create a magnetic field, inside the metal, that is oriented in the same direction as the applied magnetic field (paramagnetic) or in the opposite direction as the applied magnetic field (diamagnetic). 
     Whether a metal is slightly diamagnetic or slightly paramagnetic depends on which of those two effects is dominant in the particular metal that is exposed to the magnetic field. For example, Aluminum is slightly paramagnetic, so inside the aluminum, the magnetic field applied to the Aluminum is slightly increased. But, in general, the magnetic field penetrates the Aluminum, so aluminum does not block magnetic field. Some examples of other paramagnetic metals include Tungsten and Magnesium. Some examples of diamagnetic metals include Copper, Zinc, Silver, and Gold. 
     Accordingly, as appreciated by the present inventors, the magnetic field generated by the permanent magnetic elements  250  inside the container volume  213  can pass through the first and second outer walls  210   215  so that another personal storage container  105  (or a removable decorative cover  110 ) can magnetically couple to the personal storage container  105 . Moreover, because the poles of the permanent magnetic elements  250  of the personal storage containers  105  are facing in opposite directions, additional personal storage containers  105  can be added to the modular personal storage system  100  by placing the outer walls of those containers with opposing poles facing one another. For example, referring to  FIG.  1 C , if the south poles of the permanent magnetic elements  250  in the personal storage container  105 A face downward and the north poles face upward, the second personal storage container  105 B will magnetically couple to the personal storage container  105 A by the magnetic coupling between the opposing poles of the respective magnetic elements  250  in the first and second personal storage containers  105 A and  105 B. Additional personal storage containers may be added to the stack by adhering to the same magnetic pole orientation for each additional personal storage container  105 . 
       FIG.  2 D  is a schematic illustration of the personal storage container  105 A with the first outer wall  210  removed so that the interior of the personal storage container  105 A within the container volume  213  is visible in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. According to  FIG.  2 D , the inside surface of the second outer wall  215  includes ridges  257  that are raised relative to the interior surface thereof. The ridges  257  can reduce the friction between the lowermost payment card stored in the container volume  213  so that the card does not stick inside the container volume  213  when being removed. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  2 D , the lever  230  is located at a corner of the personal storage container  105 A and is connected to a hinge  235  just inside the container volume  213 . The hinge  235  is connected to a finger  240  that has a staircase shaped edge  245  that is configured to contact the edges of the stored payment cards when the lever  230  is moved about the hinge  235  to rotate the finger  240  toward the opening  239  so the staircase shaped edge  245  pushes the cards toward the opening  239  by different amounts so that when the cards are pushed out of the opening  239 , the cards are fanned out so as to the individually accessible by the user. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  2 D  first and second deformable bumpers  260  and  265  protrude from the interior sidewall  218  on both sides of the opening  239  and are configured to contact edges of the plurality of payment cards  270  stored within the storage container  105 A so as to deform relative to when the first and second deformable bumpers  260  and  265  are not in contact with cards  270  stored in the container volume  213 . As further shown in  FIG.  2 D , the first deformable bumpers  260  are located closest to the opening  239  relative to the second deformable bumpers  265 . In some embodiments according to the inventive concept the first deformable bumpers  260  can protrude from the interior sidewall  218  by an amount P, which can be about 0.5 mm as shown in  FIG.  2 I . In some embodiments according to the inventive concept an outer surface of the second deformable bumpers  265  and  260  can have a radius of R 3 , which in some embodiments can be about 0.073 mm. In some embodiments according to the inventive concept the second deformable bumpers  265  can protrude from the interior sidewall  218  by a different amount or by the same amount P to securely hold the payment cards in place inside the container volume  213  as shown in  FIGS.  2 E and  2 F , for example. In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the first and second deformable bumpers  260   265  can be separated by a distance D. In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the distance D can be about 88 mm. In some embodiments according to the inventive concept, the first and second deformable bumpers  260   265  can be formed of silicone. Other deformable materials may also be used. 
       FIG.  2 E  is a schematic illustration of the interior of the personal storage container  105 A with a plurality of payment cards  270  stored therein in some embodiments according to the inventive concept.  FIG.  2 F  is a cross-sectional view of the personal storage container  105 A. When the lever  230  is rotated about the hinge  235 , the staircase shaped edge  245  pushes against the edges of the plurality of payment cards to push the cards  270  through the opening  239  so that the edges of the cards  270  are each exposed for convenient access by the user. 
       FIG.  2 G  is a schematic illustration of the personal storage container  105 A with the first outer wall  210  in place and in the same configuration as that shown in  FIG.  2 F .  FIG.  2 H  is a schematic side view of the personal storage container  105 A showing the first outer wall  210  opposite the 2nd outer wall  215  being coupled together by the side wall  226  that extends around the perimeter to define the container volume  213  as shown in  FIGS.  2 A-G  in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
       FIGS.  3 A-D  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary personal storage container  105 B that can be included in the modular personal storage system  100  of  FIGS.  1 A-C  configured to carry a utility tool  301  or equivalent object for secure storage and retrieval in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. According to  FIG.  3 A , the second personal storage container  105 B includes a first outer wall  310  and a spaced apart second outer wall  315  that defines the container volume  213  which is configured to securely store the utility tool  301 . The utility tool  301  can be inserted or removed from the container volume  213  via an opening  379 . As further shown in  FIG.  3 A , an alignment opening  225  is also included in the first and second outer walls  310  and  315 , which can have the stadium shape as described herein. 
     Referring to  FIG.  3 B , the utility tool  301  is withdrawn from the container volume  213  through the opening  379 . Referring to  FIG.  3 C , the second personal storage container  105 B is shown securely storing the utility tool  301  and being magnetically coupled to the first personal storage container  105 A. 
       FIG.  3 D  is a schematic illustration of the second personal storage container  105 B magnetically coupled to the first storage container  105 A and having the first outer wall  310  removed to expose the container volume  213  used to store the utility tool  301  in some embodiments according to the present inventive concept. As further shown in  FIG.  3 D , the container volume  213  includes eight permanent magnetic elements  350  with two elements positioned on both sides of the corners of the second personal storage container  105 B having the south poles facing downward and located directly opposite the upward facing north poles of the six permanent magnetic elements  250  inside the first personal storage container  105 A. 
     It will be understood that because the first personal storage container  105 A includes an opening  379 , the first personal storage container  105 A includes fewer permanent magnetic elements  250  compared to those in the second personal storage container  105 B. Accordingly, it will be understood that the second personal storage container  105 B can be magnetically coupled to either side of the first personal storage container  105 A due to the additional permanent magnetic elements therein. 
     As further shown in  FIG.  3 D , the utility tool  301  can be securely stored within the container volume  213  in a tool recess  355  and can be retained by opposing latches  390  in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. In operation, the opposing latches  390  press against the handle of the tool  301  at a point where the diameter is less than the maximum diameter with sufficient compressive force such that the utility tool  301  remains inside the tool recess  355  in all orientations. When the user withdraws the utility tool  301  from the tool recess  355 , the opposing latches  390  are pressed outward due to the increased diameter portion of the handle being drawn past the opposing latches  390  to allow the utility tool  301  to be withdrawn from the tool recess  355 . 
       FIGS.  4 A-D  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary cover  110 B that can be included in the modular personal storage system  100  of  FIGS.  1 A-C  and configured to carry loose items, such as currency, under an elastic member  411  that extends around a central portion of the cover  110 B having a notch  407  therein for secure storage and retrieval of the loose items in some embodiments according to the inventive concept.  FIG.  4 A  illustrates an outside surface  419  that can include decorative features or a decorative finish to customize the appearance of the stack.  FIG.  4 B  is a schematic illustration of the inner surface  412  of the exemplary cover  110 B including and alignment protrusion  423  that is configured for insertion into the alignment opening  225  in a personal storage container  105  to which the exemplary cover  110 B is to be magnetically coupled. 
       FIG.  4 C  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary cover  110 B having the alignment protrusion  423  aligned to and recessed into the alignment opening  225  of the first personal storage container  105 A to magnetically couple to exemplary cover  110 B in some embodiments. 
       FIG.  4 D  is a schematic illustration of a ferromagnetic pattern  427  located inside the exemplary cover  110 B between the inner surface  412  and the outside surface  419  in some embodiments. As further shown in  FIG.  4 D , the ferromagnetic pattern  427  is located to face the outer wall of the personal storage container  105  to which the exemplary cover  110 B is to be magnetically coupled. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic pattern  427  is shaped to be directly opposite the corresponding permanent magnetic elements  250  located adjacent to the corners of the personal storage container  105 . In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic pattern  427  can be a continuous sheet of ferromagnetic material. Other patterns may also be used. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic pattern  427  can be steel. It will be further understood that the ferromagnetic pattern  427  can be used in other covers  110  and identification carriers that are configured to magnetically couple to a personal storage container  105  but may not include permanent magnetic elements. 
       FIGS.  5 A-D  are schematic illustrations of an exemplary cover  110 A that can be included in the modular personal storage system  100  of  FIGS.  1 A-C  in some embodiments according to the inventive concept.  FIG.  5 A  illustrates an outside surface  519  that can include decorative features or a decorative finish to customize the appearance of the stack.  FIG.  5 B  is a schematic illustration of the inner surface  512  of the exemplary cover  110 B including and alignment protrusion  523  that is configured for insertion into the alignment opening  225  in a personal storage container  105  to which the exemplary cover  110 A is to be magnetically coupled. 
       FIG.  5 C  illustrates a perspective view of the exemplary cover  110 A having the alignment protrusion  523  aligned to and recessed into the alignment opening  225  of the first personal storage container  105 A to magnetically couple to exemplary cover  110 A in some embodiments. 
       FIG.  5 D  is a schematic illustration of a ferromagnetic pattern  427  located inside the exemplary cover  110 A between the inner surface  512  and the outside surface  519  in some embodiments. As further shown in  FIG.  5 D , the ferromagnetic pattern  427  is located to face the outer wall of the personal storage container  105  to which the exemplary cover  110 A is to be magnetically coupled. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic pattern  527  is shaped to be directly opposite the corresponding permanent magnetic elements  250  located adjacent to the corners of the personal storage container  105 . In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic pattern  427  can be a continuous sheet of ferromagnetic material. Other patterns may also be used. In some embodiments, the ferromagnetic pattern  427  can be steel. It will be further understood that the ferromagnetic pattern  427  can be used in other covers  110  and identification carriers that are configured to magnetically couple to a personal storage container  105  but may not include permanent magnetic elements. 
       FIG.  6    is a schematic illustration of an exemplary cover  110  that can be included in the modular personal storage system  100  of  FIGS.  1 A-C  and configured to carry an identification, or objects having an equivalent form-factor, on an outside of the modular personal storage system  100  for secure storage and retrieval in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. According to  FIG.  6   , cover  110  can magnetically couple to a personal storage container  105 . The cover  110  can also include a tray  680  that is recessed below a tray edge  622  of the surface of the cover  110  and is surrounded by a lip  662  that extends from the tray edge  622  over a bottom surface  699  of the tray  680 . A card, such as an ID, can be pushed through an opening  618  of the tray  680  so that the edge of the card is captured beneath the lip  662  so that the card can be held securely in the tray  680 . In some embodiments, the bottom surface  699  can include spaced apart raised ridges  690  that extend along the length of the bottom surface  699 . The raised ridges  690  can reduce friction between the card and the bottom surface  699  so that the card may be more easily inserted and removed from the tray  680 . 
     It will be understood that a ferromagnetic pattern  427  can be located inside the exemplary cover  110  similar to that described above in reference to  FIGS.  5 A-D  in some embodiments. 
       FIGS.  7 A-B  are schematically illustrations of a magnetic phone mount  700  configured to magnetically couple the modular personal storage system  100  of  FIGS.  1 A-C  securely to a mobile device in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. According to  FIG.  7 A , the phone mount includes an outer surface  715  and a wireless charging opening  715  to allow access to the wireless charging interface of a mobile device to which the magnetic phone mount  700  is coupled in some embodiments. It will be understood that the magnetic phone mount  700  can be, for example, compatible with an iPhone MAGSAFE wireless charging standard available from Apple, Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. 
       FIG.  7 B  is a schematic illustration of an interior of the magnetic phone mount  700  in some embodiments. According to  FIG.  7 B , the interior of the magnetic phone mount  700  can include a ferromagnetic base  792 , a ferromagnetic ring  733  positioned around the wireless charging opening  715 , and a ferromagnetic alignment element  759 . The ferromagnetic base  792  can be a continuous sheet of ferromagnetic material that occupies at least the locations  251  of the ferromagnetic base  792  that are directly opposite to where the permanent magnetic elements  250  of the personal storage container  105  will be located when magnetically coupled to the magnetic phone mount  700  using the ferromagnetic alignment element  759 . 
       FIG.  7 C  is a schematic illustration of the magnetic phone mount  700  of  FIG.  7 A  coupled to a mobile device  767  and configured to magnetically couple to the modular personal storage system  100  including the personal storage containers  105  and covers  110  disclosed herein in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
       FIG.  7 D  is a schematic illustration of the modular personal storage system  100  including a personal storage container  105  and cover  110  magnetically coupled to the magnetic phone mount  700  on the mobile device  767  in some embodiments according to the inventive concept. 
     As used herein any reference to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular element, feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. 
     Some embodiments may be described using the expression “coupled” and “connected” along with their derivatives. For example, some embodiments may be described using the term “coupled” to indicate that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. The term “coupled,” however, may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but yet still co-operate or interact with each other. The embodiments are not limited in this context. 
     As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless expressly stated to the contrary, “or” refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present). 
     In addition, use of the “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components of the embodiments herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of various embodiments. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. 
     It will be appreciated that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions and/or relative positioning of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of various embodiments of the present inventive concept. Also, common but well-understood elements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasible embodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments. The same reference numbers may be used to describe like or similar parts. Further, while several examples have been disclosed herein, any features from any examples may be combined with or replaced by other features from other examples. Moreover, while several examples have been disclosed herein, changes may be made to the disclosed examples within departing from the scope of the claims. 
     Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with respect to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the inventive concept, and that such modifications, alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the ambit of the inventive concept. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting to other embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes” and/or “including”, “have” and/or “having” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Elements described as being “to” perform functions, acts and/or operations may be configured to or other structured to do so. 
     Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which various embodiments described herein belong. It will be further understood that terms used herein should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of this specification and the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
     Any terms generally associated with circles, such as “radius” or “radial” or “diameter” or “circumference” or “circumferential” or any derivatives or similar types of terms are intended to be used to designate any corresponding structure in any type of geometry, not just circular structures. For example, “radial” as applied to another geometric structure should be understood to refer to a direction or distance between a location corresponding to a general geometric center of such structure to a perimeter of such structure; “diameter” as applied to another geometric structure should be understood to refer to a cross sectional width of such structure; and “circumference” as applied to another geometric structure should be understood to refer to a perimeter region. Nothing in this specification or drawings should be interpreted to limit these terms to only circles or circular structures. 
     Terms such as “substantially,” “about,” “approximately” or the like as used in referring to a relationship between two objects is intended to reflect not only an exact relationship but also variances in that relationship that may be due to various factors such as the effects of environmental conditions, common error tolerances, manufacturing variances, or the like. It should further be understood that although some values or other relationships may be expressed herein without a modifier, these values or other relationships may also be exact or may include a degree of variation due to various factors such as the effects of environmental conditions, common error tolerances, manufacturing variances, or the like. 
     In some embodiments, the term “about” generally refers to a range of numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function or result. For example, “about” may refer to a range that is within ±1%, ±2%, ±5%, ±7%, ±10%, ±15%, or even ±20% of the indicated value, depending upon the numeric values that one of skill in the art would consider equivalent to the recited numeric value or having the same function or result. Furthermore, in some embodiments, a numeric value modified by the term “about” may also include a numeric value that is “exactly” the recited numeric value. In addition, any numeric value presented without modification will be appreciated to include numeric values “about” the recited numeric value, as well as include “exactly” the recited numeric value. Similarly, the term “substantially” means largely, but not wholly, the same form, manner or degree and the particular element will have a range of configurations as a person of ordinary skill in the art would consider as having the same function or result. When a particular element is expressed as an approximation by use of the term “substantially,” it will be understood that the particular element forms another embodiment. 
     Conditional language, such as, among others, “can,” “could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, or otherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intended to convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments do not include, certain features, elements, and/or steps. Thus, such conditional language is not generally intended to imply that features, elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more embodiments or that one or more embodiments necessarily include logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting, whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to be performed in any particular embodiment. 
     Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words “include,” “can include,” and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense, as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to.” As used herein, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” or any variant thereof means any connection or coupling, either direct or indirect, between two or more elements; the coupling or connection between the elements can be physical, logical, or a combination thereof. Additionally, the words “herein,” “above,” “below,” and words of similar import, when used in this application, refer to this application as a whole and not to any particular portions of this application. Where the context permits, words in the above Detailed Description using the singular or plural number may also include the plural or singular number respectively. The word “or” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any one of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. Likewise the term “and/or” in reference to a list of two or more items, covers all of the following interpretations of the word: any one of the items in the list, all of the items in the list, and any combination of the items in the list. 
     Disjunctive language such as the phrase “at least one of X, Y, or Z,” unless specifically stated otherwise, is otherwise understood with the context as used in general to present that an item, term, etc., may be either X, Y, or Z, or any combination thereof (non-limiting examples: X, Y, and/or Z). Thus, such disjunctive language is not generally intended to, and should not, imply that certain embodiments require at least one of X, at least one of Y, or at least one of Z to each be present. 
     Unless otherwise explicitly stated, articles such as “a” or “an” should generally be interpreted to include one or more described items. Accordingly, phrases such as “a device configured to” are intended to include one or more recited devices. Such one or more recited devices can also be collectively configured to carry out the stated recitations. For example, “a processor configured to carry out recitations A, B and C” can include a first processor configured to carry out recitation A working in conjunction with a second processor configured to carry out recitations B and C. 
     While the Detailed Description f has shown, described, and pointed out novel features as applied to various embodiments, it can be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the devices or algorithms illustrated can be made without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. As can be recognized, certain embodiments described elsewhere herein can be embodied within a form that does not provide all of the features and benefits set forth herein, as some features can be used or practiced separately from others. The scope of certain embodiments disclosed herein is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope. 
     These and other changes can be made to the invention in light of the Detailed Description. While the above description describes certain examples of the invention, and describes the best mode contemplated, no matter how detailed the above appears in text, the invention can be practiced in many ways. Details of the system may vary considerably in its specific implementation, while still being encompassed by the invention disclosed herein. As noted above, particular terminology used when describing certain features or aspects of the invention should not be taken to imply that the terminology is being redefined herein to be restricted to any specific characteristics, features, or aspects of the invention with which that terminology is associated. In general, the terms used in the following claims should not be construed to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed in the specification, unless the above Detailed Description section explicitly defines such terms. Accordingly, the actual scope of the invention encompasses not only the disclosed examples, but also all equivalent ways of practicing or implementing the invention under the claims.