Patent Abstract:
A closeable container for storing and protecting materials having internal partitions extending radially and longitudinally creating at least two independent adjustable internal chambers within which stored materials are kept separated and are individually accessed for adding and dispensing purposes. In a substantially cylindrical embodiment of the instant device, separators forming the internal compartments are rotatable, thereby allowing adjustment of the volume of the internal compartments to accommodate dimensionally or quantitatively differing material. The compartments of the container automatically adjust volume as materials are added or dispensed. A variety of access means are presented which preclude commingling of materials between compartments during access. Transparent sides facilitate identification of stored materials within the chambers. The device is simple in design and inexpensive to produce and is envisioned to have a wide variety of uses for convenient and efficient storage.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
         [0001]    Not Applicable  
         STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not Applicable  
         REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING COMPACT DISK APPENDIX  
         [0003]    Not Applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    This invention relates to storage containers, specifically to such containers that store various small articles  
           [0005]    Organizing and storing small items has always been a problem for people like homeowners, handymen, carpenters, machinists, chefs and many others. They are frequently wasting time searching for particular items necessary to finish a task. Items at home are many times mixed and misplaced in junk drawers or in containers such as jars, cans, bags, and boxes. Countless hours are also wasted in organizing and storing items for future use.  
           [0006]    Transporting such items also presents problems, since open containers may not be overturned without spillage. In addition, common storage methods are inefficient with regard to space utilized, and many unnecessary containers are usually required for carrying materials.  
           [0007]    Since common storage containers are fixed in volume, unrelated materials are often combined within them in order to utilize the space available more efficiently. Screws, buttons, nails, brackets etc. will end up in the same jar, and must be identified and separated when wanted. A jar with a few screws in it wastes space, but adding nails creates its own set of problems.  
           [0008]    Many products are currently available which organize, store and provide accessibility to small items. Such things as tool cabinets and medicine chests are designed to separate and differentiate their contents for storage. While these products have had some degree of success, they all lack certain qualities that are essential to people who need secure, compact, segregated, and convenient storage that affords easy identification of their stored items; e.g. carpenters who must organize types of screws, nails, bolts, etc.  
           [0009]    The instant invention provides several advantages to its user. The contents are visible, so time is not wasted in finding items. The organizer has segmented compartments that can store and divide a variety of articles and keep them securely divided when the container is in any orientation. The device provides for the efficient use of storage capacity, with minimal empty space. Additionally, the contents of the organizer are easily dispensed, with no commingling of articles from adjacent compartments.  
           [0010]    The instant containing device utilizes longitudinal dividers which create separate chambers accessible from the top or sides. Many embodiments are presented herein to describe different aspects of its novel feature. These embodiments have all the advantages described previously, allowing efficient use of space, organization, easy identification, portability, simple dispensing and secure containment.  
           [0011]    A preferred embodiment of the container is a transparent closeable cylinder having separating vanes rotatably communicated around a central longitudinal axis of the cylinder, creating a number of wedge-shaped compartments which are independent of each other and are radially adjustable as to size. The vanes are contoured to match the contour of the container walls to prevent mixing of the items between adjacent chambers. Since all of the compartments are completely enclosed, the container may be turned in any orientation without spilling or commingling of the contents from chamber to chamber. The size-adjustable compartment principle of this embodiment is novel and unique and is not taught in any prior art.  
           [0012]    The proposed container may be constructed with simple materials, such as plastics, for inexpensive production and efficient use.  
           [0013]    Because the vanes, or separators, are radially adjustable, materials requiring smaller volume are automatically stored in a smaller wedge because chambers holding materials requiring more space will widen to accommodate those materials. In this manner, the device is very efficient in the use of space, while keeping the contents separated according to category.  
           [0014]    This embodiment has a further advantage in that it allows the contents to be readily viewed through the transparent sidewalls. By rotating the device around the central axis, all the contents are instantly visible in a sequential compartment after compartment manner. Presently used storage methods, such as small utility cabinets having transparent plastic drawers, require bending and provide poor visibility of the drawer contents, which are usually only viewable from the front. Cabinets are typically large, and hold very little. In addition, these holders are not easily moved, since the enclosed materials spill when the cabinet is tilted or inverted. The instant invention stores materials more securely and does not waste space.  
           [0015]    Although specifically designed molded holders, such as closeable drill bit cases with sized cavities for each bit, meet many needs previously discussed, they are necessarily large and limited in their storage capacity. These molded cases typically leave no options for storing other related materials, only those materials for which the case is expressly designed. The instant device can provide a number of highly visible compartments of variable volume and are thereby more practical, especially for adding related materials.  
           [0016]    None of the prior art presented herein teaches variable volume for storage.  
           [0017]    Prior art such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,498,471, 3,441,033, 6,364,125 and 6,378,533 do not afford easy identification of the articles that they organize. It is necessary for users to label or memorize the contents. Furthermore, in some cases, removal of stored articles is complicated and time consuming. The cosmetic jar of U.S. Pat. No. 6,378,533 shows a horizontally compartmentalized container. The advantages described herein, such as visibility, security, accessibility, and simplicity of the present invention are obvious over this prior art, U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,498,471, 3,441,033, and 6,378,533 also teach lateral storage of materials and need pivoted movement to access those materials.  
           [0018]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,626,266, 6,318,602 and 522,693 do not permit an assortment of items to be stored and are limited in their design because they must remove the entire contents of their container at one time.  
           [0019]    U.S. Pat. No. 5,797,491 describes a tool carrier which is not fully enclosed, therefore contents will spill when tipped or overturned. Although providing segmented compartments, they are made of fabric and cannot visually display the contents of the carrier. Furthermore, this carrier is quite cumbersome, and not convenient for transport.  
           [0020]    U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,277,329, 5,344,024 and 5,027,972 have the same shortcomings and are somewhat complicated in their general structure. The case of U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,024 does not teach a separate access to cells which lie within. The entire lid must be raised to add or remove articles. Secure enclosure of the other compartments therefore falls very short of the instant device, which provides access to individual compartments within the container from the exterior, without disturbing the integrity of the remaining compartments.  
           [0021]    Further embodiments of the present invention are described herein since it may be designed for a variety of uses. Fixed longitudinal separators are described, with compartments that may be permanently sized according to expected use of enclosed materials, with secure enclosure and access from the top or sides. None of the prior art provides all of these elements of the instant device: complete secure enclosure, portability, simple access, readily visible identification, and variable volume of chambers.  
           [0022]    Although presently used containers exist having separate internal chambers with independent access means, such as weekly pill dispensers, these devices lack the shape and storage capacity provided by a device as presented herein. The embodiments of the instant invention have large storage capacity relative to the access cavity, they are more easily viewable, and they represent a structure which is generally more easily handled and durable than such existing devices. These valuable features are not obvious, evidenced by the lack of such devices for storage of articles today. Embodiments of the present device produce unforeseen advantages for storage of materials.  
           [0023]    None of the prior art teaches a secure longitudinal compartmental container which offers individual accessibility from the exterior which maintains the integrity of the remaining compartments.  
           [0024]    In short, the prior art or commonly used containers in use today do not anticipate the individual or combined advantages described in the present device. Some of these advantages are:  
           [0025]    Easy and quick dispensing of contents  
           [0026]    Portability and rugged security of contents  
           [0027]    Efficient use of storage space  
           [0028]    Simplicity of manufacture  
           [0029]    Practical mass production of inexpensive construction material  
           [0030]    Storage for a variety of items and materials  
           [0031]    Design can be altered to accommodate both small and large storage volumes  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0032]    In accordance with the present invention a storage container comprises a top, a base and a substantially cylindrical body with at least one enclosed radially distributed rotatable separator and an access means that facilitates the storage of small items. The advantages of the instant invention are visibility of stored items, accessibility, easy transport, and variable volume storage. This invention is intended to provide a secure, efficient, and useful storage device.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING  
       [0033]    In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the container.  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 illustrates the top view of the lid with rotatable disk.  
         [0036]    [0036]FIG. 3 illustrates an independent unit of pivotable separators with rotating means.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate differing views of the lid with divided access door entry.  
         [0038]    [0038]FIG. 6 illustrates a view of the lid with flexible restraining bar access system for divided access doors.  
         [0039]    [0039]FIG. 7 illustrates an adjustable access entry using upper and lower slotted access disks.  
         [0040]    [0040]FIGS. 8 and 8 a  illustrate an embodiment of the invention with a sidewall aperture.  
         [0041]    [0041]FIGS. 9 a  and 9 b  illustrate differing views of a primary rotatable separator which is centrally notched to accommodate secondary rotatable separator.  
         [0042]    [0042]FIG. 9 c  illustrates a hinged embodiment of primary and secondary separators.  
         [0043]    [0043]FIGS. 9 d  and 9 e  illustrate top views of the primary and secondary separators.  
         [0044]    [0044]FIG. 10 illustrates a doublet embodiment of storage containers.  
         [0045]    [0045]FIG. 11 illustrates a doublet embodiment of storage containers having both fixed and adjustable separators. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION  
       [0046]    [0046]FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of the device. Top  10 , tubular cylindrical body  20  and base  30  form a secure container.  
         [0047]    Top  10  is comprised of a threaded retaining rim  40  having threads  50  matching those threads on cylindrical body  20  so it may be screwed on in a manner similar to a common jar. Holding lip  60  allows movement of rotatable disk  70  when retaining rim  40  is loosened, similar to the design of common mason jars. Flap  80  covers access hole  90  which rotates to a desired position when rotatable disk  70  is turned. Sidewalls  100  of tubular cylindrical body  20  are optionally transparent and may be constructed from a variety of materials, including plastic or glass.  
         [0048]    Internally, pivotable separators  110  having hinges  120  are rotatably communicated with axle  130 , which longitudinally extends from base  30  to top  10  along a central longitudinal axis. Axle  130  is optionally affixed to base  30  at a central point  140  thereby facilitating the free rotation of separator  110 . Separators  110  are substantially rigid and flat and extend radially from axle  130  to sidewalls  100  and longitudinally from base  30  to top  10 . Edges of separators  110  are shaped to closely conform to the interior contour of base  30 , sidewalls  100  and top  10  so that they may be rotated easily yet prohibit stored material from transferring around the edges of these partitions.  
         [0049]    Any number of separators  110  may be used, depending upon the intended use of the device. As can be seen, two adjacent separators  110 , base  30 , top  10  and sidewall  100  create a wedge-shaped compartment  150  within the container which confines materials to that compartment  150 . Since separators  110  are pivotable in this embodiment, an angular movement of separator  110  changes the volume of compartment  150 . This feature permits storage of differing quantities and sizes of materials within compartments  150 .  
         [0050]    Since cylindrical body  20  of the device is transparent, items stored within are easily identified from the exterior as the container is rotated. Because of gravitational principles, separators tend to flip as the container is rotated while in a horizontal orientation, further facilitating identification of stored materials.  
         [0051]    A closer view of the top  10  of the embodiment is shown in FIG. 2. Finger catch  160  protrudes from rotatable disk  70  simplifying rotation by providing a location where lateral force may be effectively applied.  
         [0052]    To access a particular compartment  150  within the container, rotatable disk  70  is turned to a position whereby access hole  90  is aligned with compartment  150 . Flap  80  is frictionally closed over access hole  90  during storage and snapped open when addition or dispensing of materials is required. Flap  80  rotates around pivot pin  170  so that rear element  180  extends downward as the forward portion of flap  80  is deployed upward. Rear element  180  is sized and shaped to extend sufficiently downward and laterally to prevent the two pivotable separators  110  forming the compartment  150  from moving into the access hole  90  opening. In this manner, only one compartment  150  is accessible at a time and materials will not mix with other compartments when the container access hole  90  is open. Since rear element  180  extends downward into compartment  150  when flap  80  is deployed, the top edge of a pivotable separator  110  will prevent flap  80  from deploying if pivotable separator  110  is beneath flap  80 . In this way, access may only occur when separators  110  are spaced sufficiently wide and are properly aligned.  
         [0053]    A particular compartment may be widened if the device is horizontally oriented and the desired compartment is faced upward. Gravity forces the materials within the compartments to compress downward, thereby widening the uppermost compartment  150 . Once this compartment  150  is of sufficient width, flap  80  may be raised and rear element  180  thereafter restrains adjacent separators  110 , allowing access. This secured access to one compartment is maintained, regardless of orientation of the device, while flap  80  is deployed.  
         [0054]    This embodiment, therefore, provides visibility, security, adjustable volume and access to compartmentalized materials. It is also envisioned that the internal structure of this invention is marketable as an independent device. As shown in FIG. 3, pivotable separators  110 , and pivoting means  190  form an independent unit which may be inserted into an existing appropriate container in order to longitudinally compartmentalize that container. The unit may be designed to have dimensions which allow insertion and conformation to standardized containers such as jars and coffee cans, thereby forming longitudinally compartmentalized containers having many of the benefits presented in the instant described embodiments. Other embodiments of the interior structure of the present device are presented hereafter, all of which may also obviously be designed to be marketed independently.  
         [0055]    It is obvious that form and structure changes may be made to the embodiment, such as having a sliding flap on the top, having a one piece top, having separators which hang over a central tube as rotating means, or curving the sidewalls of the tubular body while keeping it equidistant from the central axis for aesthetic purposes, without changing the basic concept presented herein.  
         [0056]    Another embodiment of a top-located access to the interior chambers is illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 which show the lid in open and closed positions from different angles. Divided access doors  200  are of a size and shape to snugly cover pie-shaped access hole  90  and have finger tabs  210  which protrude slightly and communicate with top  10  by frictionally snap-fitting into snap depressions  220  when divided access doors  200  are closed. Top  10  rotates freely when divided access doors  200  are closed but remains in loose contact with the top of pivotable separators  110 , so that materials do not intermingle when the device is inverted during use.  
         [0057]    Divided access doors  200  have springable access hinges  230  that allow pivoting around access hole sides  240  when divided access doors  200  are forced downward or finger tabs  210  are lifted. Access to an internal compartment is possible only when two adjacent separators  110  are positioned wider than the dimensions of the access hole  90 , since separators  110  will prevent downward movement of divided access doors  200  otherwise. Once the access hole  90  is rotated to the correct position, divided access doors  200  are forced downward or finger tabs  210  are lifted to provide access to a desired compartment. Divided access doors  200  restrain the two separators forming the compartment while material is added or removed from that compartment. This feature insures that material in all other compartments remains separate and secure when the desired compartment is accessed and the device is turned in any orientation. Closure occurs when finger tabs  210  are depressed and thereafter snapped. Finger tabs  210  also provide grip for easy rotation of top  10 .  
         [0058]    It may be noted herein that it is difficult to overfill a compartment when loading through access hole  90 , since any material that interferes with closure of divided access doors  200  must first be removed. This insures that enough space is available for divided access doors  200  to pivot freely at a later time.  
         [0059]    Rather than gaining access through divided access doors  200  as previously described, FIG. 6 illustrates a flexible restraining bar  250  which forces divided access doors  200  apart when depressed. Flexible restraining bar  250  bends over fulcrum  260  when depressed and is firmly attached at end point  270  to top  10 . While flexible restraining bar  250  is held down, separators  110  are held apart by divided access doors  200 . When released, flexible restraining bar  250  returns to a neutral position and divided access doors  200  are forced to a closed position by flexure of springs  275 .  
         [0060]    A further embodiment of adjustable access to an internal chamber of a container is illustrated in FIG. 7 wherein lower slotted access disks  280  and upper slotted access disk  290  are stacked and have pie-shaped notches  300  which provide access to a particular chamber within the device when pie-shaped notches  300  are aligned by rotation. Lower slotted access disk  280  is overlapped by upper slotted access disk  290  having retaining lip  310  which is rotatably pressure fit over cylindrical body  20  having wide rim  320 . In this embodiment upper slotted access disk  290  necessarily has a larger diameter than lower slotted access disk  280  in order to fit around retaining rim  320  and hold lower slotted access disk  280  in place. It may be noted that upper slotted access disk  290  has characteristics similar to those of presently used safety medicine bottle tops, which design is obviously envisioned for use in the present device but not presented herein.  
         [0061]    An embodiment of a sidewall aperture for dispensing enclosed material is illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 8 a . Turning ring  330  is rotatably mounted on grooves  340  on cylindrical body  20  and has a slidable cover  350  over sidewall aperture  360 . Turning ring  330  is shaped and wide enough to be flush with the interior surface of sidewall  100 . In this manner, mixing of enclosed materials is prevented and structural integrity of the container is maintained. This embodiment illustrates that sidewall access to the longitudinal chambers within the container is feasible and embodiments having this feature are envisioned.  
         [0062]    [0062]FIGS. 9 a  and  9   b  illustrate an embodiment of the present invention having primary rotatable separator  370  which is centrally notched to accommodate communication with a secondary rotatable separator  380 . This design is direct in nature, in that there are few moving parts, the rotatable separators simply fit together as illustrated. The means for pivoting is the notched communication between these separators. Interior chambers formed by this embodiment are more limited, since those chambers laterally opposite of each other are affected by rotational movement of the separator. By hinging at least one of the separators, as shown in FIG. 9 c,  chambers produced are somewhat independent of movements of other separators. Vanes  390  are hinged around pin  400  but still form a primary notch  410  which accepts secondary notch  420  of rigid divider  430 . FIG. 9 d  illustrates an overhead view of this embodiment with dashed arrows showing possible movements of vanes  390 . It may be seen that chamber volume is variable up to one half of the total volume in this embodiment.  
         [0063]    A slotted embodiment of the device is not limited to four compartments. As can be seen in FIG. 9 e,  additional dividers may be structured to accommodate a variety of positions and sizes of chambers. Straight divider  440  is appropriately notched to accept two angled dividers  450 . It is obvious that a multitude of notched embodiments are possible.  
         [0064]    Since the present invention is longitudinally compartmentalized, an embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, may be created to afford additional storage space and provide a unitary container which is easy to carry. This doublet embodiment simply connects two of the previously described embodiments in a base to base relationship wherein tops  10  are at opposing ends and afford access to interior compartments. It is possible to construct this embodiment with either pivotable or immovable separators or a combination of both. In this illustration, upper pivotable separators  460  move independently of lower pivotable separators  470 .  
         [0065]    The bases may either be permanently affixed or designed to be disconnected and reconnected as necessary by common snapping or threading means. It is envisioned that standardized dimensions of containers will allow combinations of different items to be transported and stored. For instance, one day a handyman may need metal screws and a certain assortment of brackets, another day he may need metal screws and nails. By disconnecting the container holding the brackets and connecting the container holding nails, he creates a single, transportable container for his needs on each day. By storing items in a number of single containers which are compatible for combining in a base-to-base manner, the user may transport the items he/she needs in fewer carrying units. It may be noted that such an embodiment is envisioned to have bases which are attachable and detachable, so that two devices holding materials may be mated temporarily to form a unit for transporting purposes and may thereafter be detached or attached to other devices. It is obvious that a similar arrangement is designable for compatibly connecting tops and bases to form connected stacks of the device.  
         [0066]    [0066]FIG. 11 illustrates another doublet embodiment having both fixed separators  505  and pivotable separators. Some of the compartments extend from top to opposing top-such as long compartment  480 , halfway-such as half compartment  490 , or somewhere in between-such as short compartment  500 . Long compartment  480  is shown to be fixed, while the others are adjustable. Arrows indicate the possible adjustable movement of pivoting partitions  510 , allowing variations in volume of those affected compartments.  
         [0067]    An example of a use for such a design is a common ratchet set. Bits may be stored in smaller chambers, but the ratchet driver itself is long and would be stored in a long fixed chamber.  
         [0068]    The present invention has many obvious advantages over prior art. It represents a novel approach to storage of a variety of materials and its novelty is evidenced by the absence of any similar carrying and storage methods in use today.  
         [0069]    Not only does the instant device have specific novel aspects, the combined effect of these novel features present an unobvious invention which is not anticipated in the prior art or in present usage.  
         [0070]    It has advantages over other storage methods such as in this partial listing:  
                                                       compact storage   durability           visible storage   lightweight           not spillable   holds a variety of materials           simple and variable design   inexpensive and simple to manufacture           categorized materials kept   accessibility to stored materials           separated           may be sized to meet needs                      
 
         [0071]    The device is envisioned for use in containing the following partial list of materials;  
                                                       miscellaneous   change           tools   samples           fasteners   sewing needs           craft supplies   drill bits, other bits           art supplies   collectibles           teaching supplies- chalk, tacks etc.   snacks           desk supplies   candy           keys   pills           training supplies- band aids, tape etc.                      
 
         [0072]    It has been shown that the referenced prior art does not anticipate this device and that this device has advantages over presently existing storage methods. Since similar embodiments of the present device are not available in the present environment and the instant device represents a useful item having many advantages, it follows that it is novel in nature and unobvious.  
         [0073]    Although the descriptions herein contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.  
         [0074]    Reference Numerals in Drawings  
                                                10   top    20   tubular cylindrical body        30   base    40   retaining rim        50   threads    60   holding lip        70   rotatable disk    80   flap        90   access hole    100   sidewall       110   pivotable separators   120   hinges       130   axle   140   central point       150   compartment   160   finger catch       170   pivot pin   180   rear element       190   pivoting means   200   divided access doors       210   finger tabs   220   snap depressions       230   access hinges   240   access hole sides       250   flexible restraining bar   260   fulcrum       270   end point   275   springs       280   lower slotted access disk   290   upper slotted access disk       300   pie-shaped notches   310   retaining lip       320   wide rim   330   turning ring       340   grooves   350   slidable cover       360   sidewall aperture   370   primary rotatable separator       380   secondary rotatable separator   390   vane       400   pin   410   primary notch       420   secondary notch   430   rigid divider       440   straight divider   450   angled dividers       460   upper pivotable separator   470   lower pivotable separator       480   long compartment   490   half compartment       500   short compartment   510   pivoting partitions

Technology Classification (CPC): 1