Patent Publication Number: US-9890579-B2

Title: Storage container, storage cabinet and storage system

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/839,082 filed on Jun. 25, 2013, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     (a) Field 
     The subject matter disclosed generally relates to storage containers, storage cabinets and storage systems. More particularly, the subject matter relates to storage containers, storage cabinets and storage systems for storing liquids (i.e., such as paint, varnish liquids, polish liquids, dye products, chemical products, etc.). 
     (b) Related Prior Art 
     It is usually inconvenient to store left over liquid containers such as paint containers, varnish containers and the like. These paint containers can take a non negligible volume in a room and are not very esthetic. 
     Containers used to store liquids or fluids (i.e., such as paint, varnish liquids, polish liquids, dye products, chemical products, etc.) generally have a body with a removable attached lid for closing off the body (i.e., paint can or paint container). The body typically houses a handle or secures a pail-like handle for grasping. The lids generally are secured to the container by threads and prevent paint from leaking, spilling and/or drying. Some containers have specially designed spouts engineered into the container opening for substantially drip less dispensing. Others, considering the possibility of dried paint gathering on and binding up the threads, have taken special measures to insure easier removal of the lid. These include special handles attached to or molded into the lid giving the user some mechanical advantage to overcome thread binding. Still, some stacking construction measures have been taken to allow these containers to be stacked, one on top of the other. 
     One disadvantage of the conventional paint or liquid container is that its design fails to consider how a user actually uses the container. In particular, users often forego using a paint tray (or a liquid tray) in place of simply using the paint or liquid container to paint or apply the liquid via quick touch-up jobs. This poses a problem that vexes users of the conventional paint or liquid container. It is not unusual for paint or liquid to drip onto the threads or the interface between the lid and the container. Over time, the paint or liquid collects and the lid becomes increasingly difficult to remove or attach. Thus, the conventional paint or liquid container does not have special provisions to accommodate use for quick touch-up jobs. 
     Another convenience conventional paint or liquid containers fail to realize is a stable stacking construction. Conventional containers typically have a receptacle rib and cover recess construction for stacking. Even so, these containers exhibit poor stability when only a few are stacked on top of each other. Densities nearing 13 pounds per gallon for a typical paint, warrant consideration for an alternative stacking construction. 
     There exists on the market paint and touch-up containers. However, there is a need for a storage system which would contain the plurality of stackable paint or liquid containers which would be easy to use, cheap to market and user friendly for someone using the containers. 
     For example, U.S. Patent Publication no. 2007/0108084 to Randall et al. describes a paint storage and touch-up container that is specifically designed for storing architectural paint. However, there is a need for a storage system which would receive such paint storage containers and corresponding material (i.e., paintbrushes, paint rolls, brushes and the like) for allowing a user to quickly touch up spots to be recovered and the like. 
     Furthermore, there are usually an important number of containers in a garage for example, where each of them only contains a small volume of paint. 
     There is therefore a need for improved storage containers and for improved storage systems to receive such storage containers. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, there is provided a storage system for storing at least one of a liquid and a granulate matter, the storage system comprising: at least one storage container for receiving the at least one of the liquid and the granulate matter comprising: a container body having a main access; a main lid removably mounted to the container body for covering the main access; and a secondary lid removably mounted to one of the container body and the main lid for covering a secondary access on the one of the container body and the main lid; wherein the container body comprises a top portion and a bottom portion adapted for stacking; and a storage cabinet having a floor member comprising a stacking element for stackably receiving the bottom portion of the container body. 
     According to another embodiment, the container body comprises a substantially flat bottom wall having a stacking member configured for stacking with the main lid of another one of the at least one storage container and the stacking element on the floor member of the storage cabinet. 
     According to a further embodiment, the secondary lid is removably mounted to the main lid for covering the secondary access on the main lid. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the stacking member comprises a circular recess on a periphery of the substantially flat bottom wall and the main lid comprises a circular outwardly projecting surface on a corresponding periphery of the main lid for releasably interfacing with the circular recess. 
     According to another embodiment, the stacking element comprises another circular outwardly projecting surface for releasably interfacing with the circular recess for stackably receiving the bottom portion of the container body. 
     According to a further embodiment, the circular recess on the periphery and the circular outwardly projecting surfaces each comprise circular threads for interfacing with each other. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the secondary lid comprises a top surface below the circular outwardly projecting surface, for receiving the substantially flat bottom wall of the container body. 
     According to another embodiment, the main lid further comprises a recess between the secondary lid and the circular outwardly projecting surface. 
     According to a further embodiment, the floor member comprises a plurality of stacking elements for receiving a plurality of storage containers. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the storage cabinet further comprises a separation wall substantially perpendicular to and extending upwardly from the floor member, for separating at least two of the plurality of stacking elements. 
     According to another embodiment, the storage cabinet further comprises at least one of a door member, a handle member, a mounting system for at least one of mounting more than one storage cabinets together, and mounting a storage cabinet to a wall surface, and an identification member for identifying the at least one of the liquid and the granulate member contained in one storage container. 
     According to another embodiment, there is provided a storage container for storing at least one of a liquid and a granulate matter, the storage container comprising: a container body for receiving the at least one of the liquid and the granulate matter, the container body having a main access, a substantially flat bottom wall and a stacking member on the substantially flat bottom wall; a main lid removably mounted to the container body for covering the main access; and a secondary lid removably mounted to one of the container body and the main lid for covering a secondary access on the one of the container body and the main lid; wherein the stacking member on the substantially flat bottom wall is adapted for stacking with the main lid of another storage container and a stacking element on a floor member of a storage cabinet. 
     According to a further embodiment, the secondary lid is removably mounted to the main lid for covering the secondary access on the main lid. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the stacking member comprises a circular recess on a periphery of the substantially flat bottom wall and wherein the main lid comprises a circular outwardly projecting surface on a corresponding periphery of the main lid for releasably interfacing with the circular recess. 
     According to another embodiment, the circular recess on the periphery of the substantially flat bottom wall of the container body comprises circular threads and wherein the circular outwardly projecting surface on the corresponding periphery of the main lid comprises corresponding circular threads for releasably interfacing with the circular threads. 
     According to a further embodiment, the secondary lid comprises a top surface below the circular outwardly projecting surface, for receiving the substantially flat bottom wall of the container body. 
     According to yet another embodiment, the main lid further comprises a recess between the secondary lid and the circular outwardly projecting surface. 
     According to another embodiment, the main lid and the secondary lid are threaded lids. 
     According to a further embodiment, the main lid and the container body are removably mounted in a first direction of rotation and wherein the secondary lid and the main lid are removably mounted in a second direction of rotation. 
     According to yet another embodiment, at least one of the container body and the main lid comprises an identification member for identifying the at least one of the liquid and the granulate member. 
     Features and advantages of the subject matter hereof will become more apparent in light of the following detailed description of selected embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying figures. As will be realized, the subject matter disclosed and claimed is capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the drawings and the description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive and the full scope of the subject matter is set forth in the claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of a storage container in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is an elevation view of the storage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the storage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of the storage container in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a close-up view of section  1  of the storage container of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a close-up view of section  2  of the storage container of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a bottom perspective view of the storage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a top perspective exploded view of the storage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a bottom perspective exploded view of the storage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is an elevation exploded view of the storage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a cross-sectional exploded view taken along line B-B of the storage container of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 12  is a top perspective view of two stacked storage containers in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 13  is an elevation view of the two stacked storage containers of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 14  is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C of the two stacked storage containers of  FIG. 13 ; 
         FIG. 15  is a close-up view of section  3  of the two stacked storage containers of  FIG. 14 ; 
         FIG. 16  is a top plan view of the two stacked storage containers of  FIG. 12 ; 
         FIG. 17  is a top perspective view of three stacked storage containers in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is an elevation view of the three stacked storage containers of  FIG. 17 ; 
         FIG. 19  is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D of the three stacked storage container of  FIG. 18 ; 
         FIG. 20  is a top perspective view of a storage container in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 21  is a bottom perspective view of the storage container of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 22  is an elevation view of the storage container of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 23  is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E of the storage container of  FIG. 22 ; 
         FIG. 24  is a close-up view of section  4  of the storage container of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 25  is a close-up view of section  5  of the storage container of  FIG. 23 ; 
         FIG. 26  is a top plan view of the storage container of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 27  is a top perspective exploded view of the storage container of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 28  is a bottom perspective exploded view of the storage container of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 29  is an elevation exploded view of the storage container of  FIG. 20 ; 
         FIG. 30  is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F of the storage container of  FIG. 29 ; 
         FIG. 31  is a top perspective view of two stacked storage containers in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 32  is an elevation view of the two stacked storage containers of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 33  is a cross-sectional view taken along line G-G of the two stacked storage containers of  FIG. 32 ; 
         FIG. 34  is a close-up view of section  6  of the two stacked storage containers of  FIG. 33 ; 
         FIG. 35  is a top plan view of the two stacked storage containers of  FIG. 31 ; 
         FIG. 36  is a top perspective view of six stacked storage containers in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 37  is an elevation view of the six stacked storage containers of  FIG. 36 ; 
         FIG. 38  is a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H of the six stacked storage containers of  FIG. 37 ; 
         FIG. 39  is a top perspective view of a storage cabinet in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 40  is a close-up view of section  8  of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 41  is a front elevation view of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 42  is a cross-sectional view taken along line J-J of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 41 ; 
         FIG. 43  is a side elevation view of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 39   
         FIG. 44  is a top plan elevation view of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 39 ; 
         FIG. 45  is a close-up view of section  7  of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 42 ; 
         FIG. 46  is a top perspective view of a storage system in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 47  is a front elevation view of the storage system of  FIG. 46 ; 
         FIG. 48  is a cross-sectional view taken along line K-K of the storage system of  FIG. 47 ; 
         FIG. 49  is a close-up view of section  9  of the storage system of  FIG. 48 ; 
         FIG. 50  is a cross-sectional view taken along line L-L of the storage system of  FIG. 47 ; 
         FIG. 51  is a close-up view of section  10  of the storage system of  FIG. 50 ; 
         FIG. 52  is a top perspective view of a storage system in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 53  is another perspective view of the storage system of  FIG. 52 ; 
         FIG. 54  is a top perspective view of a storage cabinet in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 55  is another perspective view of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 54 ; 
         FIG. 56  is an elevation view of the storage system of  FIGS. 52 and 53 ; 
         FIG. 57  is a close-up view of a connection system between two storage cabinets of the storage system of  FIG. 56 ; 
         FIG. 58  is a front elevation view of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 54 ; 
         FIG. 59  is a top plan view of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 54 ; 
         FIG. 60  is a side elevation view of the storage cabinet of  FIG. 54 ; 
         FIG. 61  is a top perspective view of a container body of a storage container in accordance with an embodiment; 
         FIG. 62  is a bottom perspective view the container body of  FIG. 61 ; 
         FIG. 63  is top plan view of the container body of  FIG. 61 ; 
         FIG. 64  is bottom plan view of the container body of  FIG. 61 ; 
         FIG. 65  is a top perspective view of a container body of the storage container in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 66  is a bottom perspective view of the container body of  FIG. 65 ; 
         FIG. 67  is a top perspective view of a container body of a storage container in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 68  is a bottom perspective view of the container body of  FIG. 67 ; 
         FIG. 69  is a bottom plan view of the container body of  FIG. 68 ; 
         FIG. 70  is a top plan view of the container body of  FIG. 67 ; 
         FIG. 71  is a top perspective view of a main lid of a storage container in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 72  is a bottom perspective view of the main lid of  FIG. 71 ; 
         FIG. 73  is a top perspective view of a secondary lid of a storage container in accordance with another embodiment; 
         FIG. 74  is a bottom perspective view of the secondary lid of  FIG. 73 ; 
         FIG. 75  is a bottom plan view of the secondary lid of  FIG. 74 ; and 
         FIG. 76  is a top plan view of the secondary lid of  FIG. 73 . 
     
    
    
     It will be noted that throughout the appended drawings, like features are identified by like reference numerals. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In embodiments there are disclosed storage containers, storage cabinets and storage systems. 
     According to an embodiment and referring now to  FIGS. 1-38 , there is shown a storage container  10  for storing liquids and/or a granulate matters (i.e., paint, varnish liquids, polish liquids, dye products, chemical products, and the like). The storage container  10  includes a container body  12  for storing the liquids and/or the granulate matters. The container body  10  has a main access  14 , a substantially flat bottom wall  16  and a stacking member  18  on the substantially flat bottom wall  16 . The storage container further includes a main lid  20  which is removably mounted to the container body  12  for covering the main access  14 . The storage container  10  further includes a secondary lid  22  which is removably mounted to the container body  12  or the main lid  20  for covering a secondary access  24  on the container body  12  or the main lid  20 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-38 , the secondary lid  22  is removably mounted, or to be removably mounted to, the main lid  20 . It is to be noted that the stacking member  18  on the substantially flat bottom wall  16  is adapted for stacking with the main lid  20  of another storage container  10  (as shown in  FIGS. 12, 13, 14, 17, 18, 19, 31, 32, 33, 34, 36, 37 and 38 ) and a stacking element  60  on a floor member  54  of a storage cabinet  52 . This last feature will be described in more details below. 
     As mentioned above, according to  FIGS. 1-38 , the secondary lid  22  is removably mounted to the main lid  20  for covering the secondary access  24  on the main lid  20 . As better shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 27, 28, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 31 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36  and  38 , the stacking member  18  includes a circular recess  26  on a periphery  28  of the substantially flat bottom wall  16 . Furthermore, the main lid  20  includes a circular outwardly projecting surface  30  on a corresponding periphery  32  of the main lid  20  for releasably interfacing with the circular recess  26 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 27, 28, 20, 21, 23, 24, 25, 31 ,  33 ,  34 ,  35 ,  36  and  38 , the circular recess  26  on the periphery  28  of the substantially flat bottom wall  16  of the container body  12  includes circular threads  34  and the circular outwardly projecting surface  30  on the corresponding periphery  32  of the main lid  20  includes corresponding circular threads  36  for releasably interfacing with the circular threads  34 . The threads  34 ,  36  provide an interaction with the substantially flat bottom wall  16  and the main lid  20  of adjacent storage containers  10  to provide the stackability function. 
     According to other embodiment, it is to be noted that the circular recess  26  on the substantially flat bottom wall  16  and the circular outwardly projecting surface  30  on the main lid  20  may be replaced by other conventional mating connectors that would provide the stackability to the storage containers  10 . For example, the substantially flat bottom wall  16  may include one or more mating connector(s) (not shown) that would releasably connect with one or more corresponding connector(s) on the main lid  20 , such as to provide the stackability to the storage containers  10 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 4, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 23, 30, 31, 33, 36 and 38 , the secondary lid  22  comprises a top surface  38  which is below the circular outwardly projecting surface  30  for receiving the substantially flat bottom wall  16  of the container body  12 . This configuration of the secondary lid  22  on the main lid  20  allows a first storage container  10  to be stacked above a second storage container  10  without interfering with the secondary lid  22  of the first storage container  10  which is below and provides the stackability function. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1, 4, 11, 12, 14, 17, 19, 20, 23, 30, 31, 33, 36 and 38 , the main lid  20  of the storage container  10  further includes a recess  40  between the secondary lid  22  and the circular outwardly projecting surface  30 . Thus, excess of liquids and/or excess of granulate matters may accidentally spill out the storage container  10  without dirtying the external environment (i.e., the floor, a furniture and the like). For example, when a user opens the secondary lid  22  to access the liquids and/or the granulate matters that is contained in the storage container  10 , he may pour some liquid around the secondary lid  22 . Thus, according to the configuration of the recess  40 , this poured liquid will be recuperated into the recess  40  defined between the secondary lid  22  and the circular outwardly projecting surface  30 , but not on the floor, on the table, or around the storage container  10  and touch-up painting may be achieved easily and without damages to the external environment. 
     As better shown in  FIGS. 8, 9, 10, 11, 27, 28 and 30 , the main lid  20  and the secondary lid  22  are threaded lids to provide airtightness between the liquids and/or granulate matters contained in the storage container  10  and the external environment. Accordingly, the conservation of the liquids and/or granulate matters contained in the storage container  10  is provided. 
     According to one embodiment, the main lid  20  and the container body  12  may be removably mounted in a first direction of rotation and the secondary lid  22  and the main lid  20  may be removably mounted in a second direction of rotation. For example, the main lid  20  and the container body  12  may be removably mounted in a clockwise direction of rotation and the secondary lid  22  and the main lid  20  may be removably mounted in a counterclockwise direction of rotation for an easy utilization of the storage container  10  by the user. 
     According to one embodiment, the container body  12  and/or the main lid  20  may further include an identification member (not shown) for identifying the liquid and/or the granulate member. The identification member may include information such as to allow a user to remember which liquid/granulate matter is contained in which storage container  10 . The information may include the name of the liquid/granulate member, the characteristics of the liquid/granulate member, the date of purchase of the granulate matter, the color/texture/finish of the liquid/granulate matter and the like. For example, for a user that wishes to store paint left overs in a plurality of storage containers  10 , he may want to include information such as the room/wall where it was used, the date of purchase, the date of application, the exact color/finish of the product, recipe of the product and the like. The identification member may be included on the substantially flat bottom wall  16 , or anywhere on the container body  12  and/or on the main lid  20 . For example, the identification member may be a sleeve attached to the storage container  10 , which allows the insertion of a paper-like material to write down the information required. Alternatively, the identification member may be a section where the user can write down the information and erase it at his convenience. 
     According to one embodiment, the internal volume defined by the container body  12  and the main lid  20  may be between about 100 mL and about 1000 mL or 100 mL and about 900 mL, or 100 mL and about 800 mL, or 100 mL and about 700 mL, or 100 mL and about 600 mL, or 100 mL and about 500 mL, 100 mL and about 400 mL, or 100 mL and about 300 mL, 100 mL and about 200 mL, or 100 mL and about 750 mL, or 100 mL and about 250 mL. For example, as shown in  FIG. 1-19 , the storage container  10  may provide an internal volume of about 650 mL. For another example, as shown in  FIGS. 20-38 , the storage container  10  may provide an internal volume of about 250 mL. 
     According to one embodiment, the diameter of the storage containers  10  described above may be between about 2 inches (about 5.1 cm) and about 6 inches (about 15.2 cm). More preferably, the diameter of the storage containers  10  described above may be about 4 inches. 
     It is to be noted that the size (i.e., volume, diameter, and the like) of the storage container  10  is important such as to provide to a user a storage container  10  with a size that is less than a paint gallon for example. Thus, the user will be able to recuperate the paint gallon for example, and to keep the left-over for touch-ups in a plurality of storage containers  10 . 
     As shown, the storage containers  10  may be grouped in groups of two ( FIG. 12 ), three ( FIG. 17 ), six ( FIG. 36 ) and the like, such as to stack the storage containers  10  altogether. 
     According to another embodiment and referring now to  FIGS. 39-51 , there is provided a storage system  50  for storing a liquid and/or a granulate matter. The storage system  50  includes one or more storage container(s)  10  as defined above and as shown in  FIGS. 1-38 , which define a top portion  56  and a bottom portion  58  configured for stacking, for storing the liquid and/or the granulate matter. The storage system  50  further includes a storage cabinet  52  which includes a floor member  54  that includes a stacking element  60  for stackably receiving the bottom portion  58  of the container body  12 . 
     The stacking member  18  on the substantially flat bottom wall  16  of one storage container  10  is adapted for stacking with the main lid  20  of another storage container  10  and on the stacking element  60  on the floor member  54  of the storage cabinet  52 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 39, 40, 48, 49, 50 and 51 , the stacking element  60  also includes a circular outwardly projecting surface  62  for releasably interfacing with the circular recess  26  on the substantially flat bottom wall  16  of the container body  12  for stackably receiving the bottom portion  58  of the container body  12 . 
     According to one embodiment, each one of the circular outwardly projecting surfaces  30 ,  62  on the main lid  20  and on the floor member  54  includes corresponding circular threads  36 ,  64  for releasably interfacing with the circular threads  34  on the substantially flat bottom wall  16  of the container body  12 . 
     As show in  FIGS. 39, 40, 46, 47 and 50 , the floor member  54  of the storage cabinet  52  includes two stacking elements  60  for receiving a plurality of storage containers  12 . Moreover, the storage cabinet  52  further includes a separation wall  66  which is substantially perpendicularly and upwardly extending from the floor member  54  for separating the two stacking elements  60 . It is to be noted that a storage cabinet  52  may include a plurality of stacking elements  60  and/or a plurality of separation walls  66 . The separation wall(s)  60  provides to the storage cabinet  52  and/or to the storage system  50  an additional solidity. Alternatively, the storage cabinet  52  may only include one stacking element  60 . 
     According to one embodiment, the storage cabinet  52  may further include additional features such as wall member (s), door member (s), a handle member to transport the storage cabinet  52 , a mounting system for mounting more than one storage cabinets  52  together and/or for mounting a storage cabinet  52  to a wall surface (i.e., the storage cabinet  52  may include holes  68  in a rear wall that can be used to attached the storage cabinet  52  to a surface using nails, screws and the like) and an additional identification member (not shown) for identifying the liquids and/or the granulate member contained in the storage containers  10  of the storage cabinet. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 52-60 , there is shown a storage system  110  for storing a liquid (i.e., paint, varnish liquids, polish liquids, dye products, chemical products, and the like). The storage system  110  includes a storage cabinet. As shown in  FIGS. 52-60 , the storage cabinets  112   a ,  112   b  include a floor member  114 , a top member  116 , two side walls  118 ,  120  and a rear wall  122  ( FIG. 59 ). The storage cabinet  112  as shown further includes front doors  124   a ,  24   b  for giving access to one or a plurality of storage containers  130 . The floor member  14  defines at least one stacking element or recess area  126  for receiving a bottom portion  128  of a container body  132  of a storage container  130 . However, it is to be noted that the storage cabinet  112  may define any suitable size and configuration such as to at least receive a bottom portion  128  of a container body  132  in its stacking element or recess area  126 . According to an embodiment, the storage cabinet  112  may only include a floor member  114  and two side walls  118 ,  120  of any length. According to another embodiment, the storage cabinet  112  may only include a floor member  114 , front doors  124   a ,  124   b , a rear wall  122  and two side walls  118 ,  120 , without top member  116 . According to an embodiment, the stacking element  126  may be of any size and configuration such as to be stackable with a bottom portion  128  of storage container  130 . According to another embodiment, the stacking element  126  may be a projecting portion projecting from the floor member  114  such as to receive the bottom portion  128  of the storage container  130 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 52-60 , the storage system  110  further includes one or a plurality of storage containers  130  (i.e., stackable storage container) for storing liquid. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 52 and 53 , the storage cabinet  112  may include one or a plurality of front doors  124   a ,  124   b , such as glass doors, doors of a polymeric material and the like. According to another embodiment, the walls, top and floor members and doors of the storage cabinet  112  may be made of any suitable materials, such as, without limitation, metallic material, plastic materials, cardboard materials and the like. 
     The storage system  110 , as shown in  FIGS. 52 and 53 , includes two storage cabinets  112   a ,  112   b  horizontally and releasably connected. According to another embodiment, the storage system  110  may include one, or more than one storage cabinets  112   a ,  112   b . The storage cabinets  112   a ,  112   b  may be releasably connected together and/or fixedly connected together. Additionally, the storage cabinets  112   a ,  112   b  may be horizontally connected together, vertically connected or mounted together or both (i.e., a plurality of storage cabinets  112  horizontally connected together and a plurality of storage cabinets  112  vertically connected together). 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 52 and 53 , the storage system  110  further includes a touch-up tool (not shown), such as, without limitation, a paint brush, a paint roll, a pen and the like. According to an embodiment, the front doors  124   a ,  124   b  of the storage cabinets  112   a ,  112   b  may each further includes a handle  144   a ,  144   b  for allowing a user to reach the interior of the storage cabinets  112   a ,  112   b  easily. 
     As better shown in  FIG. 54 , the recess area  126  defined by the floor member of the storage cabinet defines a surface area which substantially corresponds to the surface area defined by the bottom portion  128  of the storage container  130 . The recess area  126  defined by the floor member  114  also substantially corresponds to the top portion  134  of the container body  132  such that a bottom portion  128  of the storage container  130  can interface with one of the recess area  126  of the floor member  114  and the top portion  134  of the storage container  130 . As shown in  FIG. 54 , storage cabinet  112  includes two recess areas defined by the floor member  114 . According to an embodiment, the storage cabinet  112  may include one or a plurality of recess areas  126 , of any shape and configuration, aligned or not. According to another embodiment, the recess areas  126  may be squared or polygonal such as to receive a squared or polygonal container body  132  therein. 
     The storage cabinet  112  further includes an attachment system  146  to releasably or fixedly connecting storage cabinets  112   a ,  112   b  together. As better shown in  FIG. 57 , a side wall  118  of a first storage cabinet  112   a  includes a mating connector  148  for releasably or fixedly connecting with a corresponding mating connector  150  mounted on a side wall  120  of the second storage cabinet  112   b . More particularly, the mating connector  148  of the attachment system  146  defines a downwardly projecting portion  152  and the corresponding mating connector  150  of the attachment system  146  defines a corresponding upwardly projecting portion  154  for releasably or fixedly interfacing with the downwardly projecting portion  152  of the mating connector  148 . As shown in  FIG. 55 , storage cabinet  112  includes a mating connector  148  near the bottom of the side wall  118  and a mating connector  148  at the top of the side wall  118  such as to connect with corresponding mating connectors  150 . According to an embodiment, the storage cabinet  112  may only include one mating connector  148  such as to connect with one corresponding mating connector  150  on another adjacent storage cabinet  112 . According to another embodiment, it is to be noted that the attachment system  146  may also be positioned on the rear wall or on the top wall such as to releasable or fixedly, horizontally or vertically, connect two adjacent storage cabinets  112  together. According to another embodiment, it is to be noted that the mating connector  148  and the corresponding mating connector  150  may include any suitable mating connector for releasably or fixedly connecting a first storage cabinet  112  with a second storage cabinet  112 . 
       FIG. 56  illustrates a storage system  110  which includes two storage cabinets  112   a ,  112   b  releasably and horizontally connected together via the attachment system  146  shown in  FIG. 57  in accordance with another embodiment. According to another embodiment, the storage containers  130  may be of a squared shape and stackable. Also, some of the storage containers  130  define a greater height such as to be able to receive more liquid. 
     As shown in  FIG. 59 , the front door  124   a  and/or  124   b  of the storage cabinet  112  includes a hook  156  for releasably connecting with a paintbrush or a pen. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 61, 62, 63 and 64 , there is shown a container body  132 . A storage container  130  includes a container body  132  for storing the liquid. The container body  132  defines a top portion  134  with a main access  136  and a bottom portion  128  with a secondary access  138 . The storage container  130  further includes a main lid  140  removably mounted to the top portion  134  of the container body  132  for covering the main access  136  and a secondary lid  142  removably mounted to the bottom portion  128  of the container body  132  for covering the secondary access  138 . When the main lid  140  is removably mounted on the top portion  134  of the container body  132 , the storage container  130  may receive a bottom portion  128  of another storage container  130  for stacking them together. Furthermore, when the secondary lid  142  is removably mounted on the bottom portion  128  of the container body  132 , the storage container  130  may interface with one of a top portion  134  of the other storage container  130  and the recess area  126 . 
     The container body  132  defines an interior surface  160  and an exterior surface  162 . The exterior surface  162  includes a projecting lip  164  for allowing the bottom portion  128  of a storage container  130  to interface with a top portion  134  of another storage container  130  or to interface with the recess area  126  of the floor member  114 . The secondary access  138  further includes a threaded edge  166  for surrounding the secondary access  138 . The threaded edge  166  is for releasably mounting the secondary lid  142  to the bottom portion  128  of the container body  132 . According to another embodiment, the threaded edge  166  may be embedded within a recessed space  168  defined by the exterior surface  162  such that the secondary lid  142  does not come below the exterior surface  162  of the container body  132 . According to another embodiment, the container body  132  may further include another threaded edge  170  for surrounding the main access  136 . The other threaded edge  170  is for releasably mounting the main lid  140  to the top portion  134  of the container body  132 . 
       FIGS. 65 and 66  illustrate a container body  132  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. The container body  132  defines a main access  136  only. It is to be noted that the container body  132  defined by  FIGS. 65 and 66  may be stackable with a plurality of other storage containers  130  which have both the main and the secondary lids  140 ,  142 . 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 67, 68, 69 and 70 , there is shown a container body  232  in accordance with another body. The container body  232  of  FIGS. 67, 17, 18 and 19  is configured to receive a larger volume of liquid (i.e., paint). The container body  232  defines an interior surface  260  and an exterior surface  262 . The exterior surface  262  may include a projecting lip  164  for allowing the bottom portion  228  of a storage container  130  to interface with a top portion  234  of another storage container  130  or to interface with the recess area  226  of the floor member  114 . The secondary access  238  further includes a threaded edge  266  for surrounding the secondary access  238 . The threaded edge  266  is for releasably mounting the secondary lid  142  to the bottom portion  228  of the container body  232 . According to another embodiment, the threaded edge  266  may be embedded within a recessed space  268  defined by the exterior surface  262  such that the secondary lid  142  does not come below the exterior surface  162  of the container body  232 . According to another embodiment, the container body  232  may further include another threaded edge  270  for surrounding the main access  236 . The other threaded edge  270  may be for releasably mounting the main lid  140  to the top portion  234  of the container body  232 . 
       FIGS. 71 and 72  illustrate the main lid  140  of the storage container  130 . The main lid  140  defines an interior surface  172  and an exterior surface  174 . The exterior surface  174  of the main lid  140  defines a recess area  176  for receiving a bottom portion  128  of a container body  132 . According to another embodiment, the interior surface  172  of the main lid  140  includes a threaded edge  178  for releasably mounting the main lid  140  to the top portion  134  of the container body  132 . 
       FIGS. 73-76  illustrate the secondary lid  142  of the storage container  130 . The secondary lid  142  defines an interior surface  180  and an exterior surface  182 . The exterior surface  182  of the secondary lid  142  defines a recess area  184  and/or a handle portion  186  for allowing a user to release the secondary lid  142  from the container body  132 . The interior surface  180  of the secondary lid  142  further includes a corresponding threaded edge  188  for releasably mounting the secondary lid  142  with the container body  132 . 
     The storage containers and the storage system as described above are best used for storing left over painting but can be used for storing any suitable liquid or semi liquid substances. It is to be noted that the storage containers described above may include transparent sections, translucent sections, opaque sections and/or a combination of different sections. One of the features of the storage systems and storage containers described above is that the storage containers are stackable one over the other and that the plurality of stacked storage containers may be stacked on the floor members of the storage cabinets. The storage systems and storage containers may be of any suitable configuration such that they allow the storage containers to be stackable with other and that the containers are stackable within the storage cabinets. More particularly, the storage containers may be of a cylindrical shape for convenience of the users. 
     According to an embodiment, the main and secondary lids  140 ,  142  are of a flat surface such that they can receive a label (not shown) on which information about the liquid (i.e., color, year, room of the house covered, date, additional comments and the like) can be added. 
     According to an embodiment, the storage containers may include the following shapes and configurations: 
     Rounded container body  132 ; Diameter: 6.5 inches (about 16.5 cm); Height: 2 inches (about 5.1 cm); with or without a secondary lid  142 ; 
     Squared container body  132 ; Diagonal diameter: 6.5 (about 16.5 cm) inches; Height: 2 inches (about 5.1 cm); with or without a secondary lid  142 ; 
     Rounded container body  132 ; Diameter: 6.5 inches (about 16.5 cm); Height: 4 inches (about 10.2 cm); with or without a secondary lid  142 ; 
     Squared container body  132 ; Diagonal diameter: 6.5 inches (about 16.5 cm); Height: 2 inches (about 5.1 cm); with or without a secondary lid  142 ; 
     The storage systems and storage containers described above may provide the following advantages: 
     Even if after storing paint in a container body there still remain paint in the paint container, the user can recycle the remaining paint at a disposal center for example; 
     The storage containers and storage systems may include transparent portions for allowing a quick visualization of the remaining liquids or paint; 
     The storage containers and storage systems are smaller in size compared to a plurality of paint containers or paint cans; 
     The storage containers and storage systems have a nicer esthetic advantage compared to the paint containers in a garage; 
     The storage containers are stackable and the stackable storage containers are also stackable in the storage cabinets; 
     The storage containers may define the same shape of a paint container; 
     One storage container may have half the height of another storage container for allowing a perfect storage of the storage containers within the storage cabinet; 
     The main lid has the width of the container body such that the transfer of liquid to the container body is quick, clean and easy; 
     The secondary lid provides rapid access to the interior of the container body for small and quick touch-ups; 
     The storage cabinets may include about 8 to 16 storage containers at the same time; 
     The recess area or the stacking member defined within the floor member of the storage cabinet perfectly receives the bottom portion of the storage container, therefore providing a secure storage of the liquids. 
     While preferred embodiments have been described above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, it will be evident to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made without departing from this disclosure. Such modifications are considered as possible variants comprised in the scope of the disclosure.