Container storage system

• US 5,692,617 A
• Filed: 01/11/1996
• Issued: 12/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/11/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Kathleen Adams
• Original Assignee: Kathleen Adams
• Inventors: Adams, Kathleen
• Primary Examiner(s): Castellano, Stephen J.
• Application Number:
  US08/587,456
• Time in Patent Office: 691 Days
• Field of Search: 220/212, 220/380, 206/501, 206/515, 206/508
• US Class Current: 206/508
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0223 the closure and the bottom presenting local co-operating elements, e.g. projections and recesses B65D21/0222 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 21/0231 Bottles, canisters or jars whereby the neck or handle project into a cooperating cavity in the bottom B65D81/361 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B65D 2543/00027 Stackable lids or covers

Abstract

The present invention is a storable system of containers. Structurally, the present invention includes a series of vessels and corresponding covers. Each vessel is partially insertable into another vessel to configure the vessels as a vessel stack. Each cover is attachable to another cover to configure the covers as a cover stack. The cover stack and vessel stack are attachable to form a storage stack. An individual container is removable from the storage stack by removing a single vessel and the corresponding cover.

Claims

1. A system of storable containers which comprises:

a plurality of vessels, each said vessel having a base formed to surround a cavity having an open top, each said vessel partially insertable into said cavity of another said vessel to configure said vessels as a sequential vessel stack, said vessel stack including one vessel having an exposed top and one vessel having an exposed base;

a plurality of covers, each said cover having a first side and a second side, each said first side of said cover attachable to a corresponding vessel to enclose said cavity of said vessel;

means for attaching said first side of each said cover to said second side of another said cover, including a plurality of first fasteners and a plurality of second fasteners, one said first fastener attached to said first side of each said cover, one said second fastener attached to said second side of each said cover, said covers configurable as a stack of covers by positioning said covers in a sequence and interconnecting each adjacent first fastener and second fastener, said cover stack including one cover having an exposed first side and one cover having an exposed second side; and

means for attaching said vessel stack to said cover stack, including a plurality of third fasteners, one said third fastener attached to said base of each said vessel, said vessel stack attachable to said cover stack by interconnecting said second connector of said cover having an exposed second side to said third connector of said vessel having exposed base, wherein said third connector of said vessels and said second connector of said covers are compatible snap-together fasteners to configure said vessel stack and said cover stack as a storage stack, single containers removable from said storage stack by removing one said vessel and one said cover from said storage stack.

2. A system of storable containers as recited in claim 1 wherein said first side of each cover includes an annular seal for attaching said first side of said cover to one said vessel to enclose said cavity.

3. A system of storable containers as recited in claim 1 wherein said first connector of said covers and said second connector of said covers are compatible snap-together fasteners.

4. A system of storable containers which comprises:

a plurality of vessels, each said vessel including a base formed to surround a cavity having an open top, each said base also having a connector, said connector positioned axially opposite said open top of said cavity, each said vessel partially insertable into said open top of another said vessel to configure said vessels as a sequential vessel stack, said vessel stack including one vessel having an exposed connector; and

a plurality of covers, each said cover attachable to a corresponding vessel to enclose said cavity, each said cover formed with a first connector and a second connector, said first connector of each cover attachable to said second connector of another cover to configure said covers as a sequential cover stack, said cover stack including one cover having an exposed second connector and wherein said connector of said vessels and said first connector of said covers are compatible snap-together fasteners.

5. A system of storable containers as recited in claim 4 wherein each said cover includes an annular seal for attaching said cover to one said vessel to enclose said cavity.

6. A system of storable containers as recited in claim 4 wherein said first connector of said covers and said second connector of said covers are compatible snap-together fasteners.

7. A system of storable containers as recited in claim 6 wherein said connector of each said vessel is formed to be substantially flush with said base of said vessel.

8. A system of storable containers as recited in claim 4 wherein said vessel stack is connectable to said cover stack to form a storage stack.

9. A system of storable containers as recited in claim 8 wherein said vessel stack is connectable to said cover stack to form a storage stack by interconnecting said first connector of said cover stack with said exposed connector for said vessel stack.