Portable container system

Abstract

The portable container system includes a central locking hub that assembles a collection of containers into a carrying unit. The hub is cylindrical in shape and the containers are angular wedges projecting horizontally outward from the hub. Each container includes a vessel with a defined interior volume, and a lid. The containers are reversibly secured to the hub when the containers are received around the hub base, and the hub upper part is secured to the base, thereby locking the containers in place. A registration apparatus, comprising reciprocal pairs of extrusions and depressions in a circular pattern, is integrated within and between the mating surfaces of the central hub, and the containers. When the carrying unit arrives at its destination, the hub upper section is removed from the base. The user may then remove the containers as they see fit.

Claims

1. A portable container system comprising: a central locking hub; the central locking hub formed from a hub upper section and a hub lower section; the hub upper section and the hub lower section affixed to each other via a releasable locking mechanism; the releasable locking mechanism having an open position and a closed position; a first food container; the first food container formed from a first lid and a first vessel; a registration apparatus; the registration apparatus assigning locations at which the first food container can be affixed to the central locking hub to a collection of angular positions; whereby the registration apparatus prevents the first food container from motion with respect to the central locking hub.

2. The portable container system of claim 1, wherein: the registration apparatus assigns a location of the first food container through interaction between the hub lower section and the first vessel; and the registration apparatus does not assign a location for the first lid with respect to the hub upper section.

3. The portable container system of claim 1, wherein: the registration apparatus is formed from pegs protruding upward from the hub lower section and holes passing through the first lid and the first vessel; the first food container aligned with the central locking hub through interaction of the pegs and holes.

4. The portable container system of claim 3, further comprising: a groove recessed into the hub upper section; whereby when the releasable locking mechanism is in the closed position, the pegs pass through the holes in the first food container and into the groove.

5. The portable container system of claim 1, wherein: the registration apparatus is formed from one or more protrusions and one or more slots; the one or more slots are placed along an upper face of the hub lower section; the one or more protrusions are placed along a lower face of the first vessel; whereby the one or more protrusions fit into the one or more slots, preventing motion of the first food container with respect to the central locking hub.

6. The portable container system of claim 1, further comprising: a circular groove recessed into the hub upper section; a rib comprising a segment of a circle, protruding from the first lid; the rib fitting into the circular groove, preventing motion of the first food container with respect to the central locking hub.

7. A system for transportation of two or more containers, the system comprising: a central hub; the central hub formed from a hub upper section and a hub lower section; the hub lower section including a first set of registration features; the hub upper section and the hub lower section affixed to each other via a releasable locking mechanism; the releasable locking mechanism having an open position and a closed position; one or more containers, each of the one or more containers formed from a lid and a vessel; each vessel including a second set of registration features; the first set of registration features interacts with the second set of registration features to determine where the vessel can interface with the hub lower section of the central hub.

8. The system for transportation of two or more containers of claim 7, wherein: the first set of registration features and the second set of registration features assign a location of the one or more containers through interaction between the hub lower section and the vessel of the one or more containers; and the first set of registration features and the second set of registration features do not assign a location for the lid of the one or more containers with respect to the hub upper section.

9. The system for transportation of two or more containers of claim 7, wherein: the first set of registration features is pegs protruding upward from the hub lower section; the second set of registration features is holes passing through the vessel; the one or more containers are aligned with the central hub through interaction of the pegs and holes.

10. The system for transportation of two or more containers of claim 9, further comprising: a groove recessed into the hub upper section; whereby when the releasable locking mechanism is in the closed position, the pegs pass through the holes in the one or more containers and into the groove.

11. The system for transportation of two or more containers of claim 7, wherein: the first set of registration features is formed from one or more protrusions; the second set of registration features is one or more slots; the one or more slots are placed along an upper face of the hub lower section; the one or more protrusions are placed along a lower face of the vessel; whereby the one or more protrusions fit into the one or more slots, preventing motion of the one or more containers with respect to the central hub.

12. The system for transportation of two or more containers of claim 7, further comprising: a groove recessed into the hub upper section; a rib comprising a segment of a circle, protruding from the lid; the rib fitting into the groove, preventing motion of the two or more containers with respect to the central hub.

13. A portable container system comprising: a first container; a second container; a central circular hub; the central circular hub having a locked position and an unlocked position; the central circular hub compressing the first container and the second container when in the locked position; the central circular hub releasing the first container and the second container when in the unlocked position; a registration apparatus; the registration apparatus assigning locations at which the first container can be affixed to the central circular hub to a collection of angular positions; whereby a user places the central circular hub in a locked position for transportation of the first container and the second container, and the user places the central circular hub into the unlocked position for access to contents within the first container and the second container.

14. The portable container system of claim 13, wherein: the registration apparatus assigns a location of the first container through interaction between the central circular hub and a first vessel of the first container; and the registration apparatus does not limit a location for a first lid of the first container with respect to a hub upper section of the central circular hub.

15. The portable container system of claim 14, wherein: the registration apparatus is formed from pegs protruding upward from a hub lower section of the central circular hub and holes passing through the first lid and the first vessel; the first container aligned with the central circular hub through interaction of the pegs and holes.

16. The portable container system of claim 15, further comprising: a groove recessed into an upper section of the central circular hub; whereby when the central circular hub is in a closed position, the pegs pass through the holes in the first container and into the groove.

17. The portable container system of claim 14, wherein: the registration apparatus is formed from one or more protrusions and one or more slots; the one or more slots are placed along an upper face of a hub lower section of the central circular hub; the one or more protrusions are placed along a lower face of the first vessel; whereby the one or more protrusions fit into the one or more slots, preventing motion of the first container with respect to the central circular hub.

18. The portable container system of claim 13, further comprising: a spring; the spring causing the central circular hub to move from a locked position to an unlocked position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0028] The invention can be best understood by those having ordinary skill in the art by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 illustrates a first isometric view of the portable container system.

[0030] FIG. 2 illustrates a first isometric view of the hub of the portable container system.

[0031] FIG. 3 illustrates a second isometric view of the hub of the portable container system.

[0032] FIG. 4 illustrates a side and partially exploded view of the hub of the portable container system.

[0033] FIG. 5 illustrates a side and partially exploded view of the hub and a single container of the portable container system.

[0034] FIG. 6 illustrates an isometric and partially exploded view of the hub and a single container of the portable container system.

[0035] FIG. 7 illustrates an isometric view of the containers of the portable container system.

[0036] FIG. 8 illustrates a second isometric view of the portable container system.

[0037] FIG. 9 illustrates a third isometric view of the portable container system.

[0038] FIG. 10 illustrates a cross-section of the portable container system.

[0039] FIG. 11 illustrates an isometric view of a 90-degree container of the portable container system.

[0040] FIG. 12 illustrates an isometric view of the first embodiment of the containers of the portable container system.

[0041] FIG. 13 illustrates an isometric view of the second embodiment of the containers of the portable container system.

[0042] FIG. 14 illustrates a first isometric view of a second embodiment of the hub of the portable container system.

[0043] FIG. 15 illustrates a cross-section of the second embodiment hub and a container of the portable container system.

[0044] FIG. 16 illustrates a side and partially exploded view of the hub and containers of a third embodiment of the portable container system.

[0045] FIG. 17 illustrates a view of the hub in a closed position of the portable container system.

[0046] FIG. 18 illustrates a view of the hub in an open position of the portable container system.

[0047] FIG. 19 illustrates a second side and partially exploded view of the hub and containers of the third embodiment of the portable container system.

[0048] FIG. 20 illustrates a side and partially exploded view of the hub and containers of a fourth embodiment of the portable container system.

[0049] FIG. 21 illustrates a cross-section of the fourth embodiment of the portable container system.

[0050] FIG. 22 illustrates a second side and partially exploded view of the hub and containers of the fourth embodiment of the portable container system.

[0051] FIG. 23 illustrates a view of the hub in an open position of the fourth embodiment of the portable container system.

[0052] FIG. 24 illustrates a partial lower view of a fifth embodiment of the portable container system.

[0053] FIG. 25 illustrates a side and partially exploded view of the hub and containers of the fifth embodiment of the portable container system.

[0054] FIG. 26 illustrates a cross-section of the fifth embodiment hub and a container of the portable container system.

[0055] FIG. 27 illustrates an isometric view of the hub and containers of a sixth embodiment of the portable container system.

[0056] FIG. 28 illustrates a side and partially exploded view of the hub and containers of the sixth embodiment of the portable container system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0057] Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Throughout the following detailed description, the same reference numerals refer to the same elements in all figures.

[0058] Referring to FIG. 1, a first isometric view of the portable container system is shown.

[0059] The portable container system 100 is shown formed from a hub 110 and multiple containers 180.

[0060] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, first and second isometric views of the hub of the portable container system are shown.

[0061] The hub 110 is shown formed from hub upper section 112 with upper plate 114, upper cylinder 116, and upper rib 118.

[0062] Also shown is hub base 122 including lower plate 124.

[0063] To align the containers 180 (see FIG. 1), also shown is lower rib 128.

[0064] The hub base 122 includes an upwardly projecting lower cylinder 126.

[0065] The hub 110 optionally includes a handle 150. An optional alignment opening 152 is an entrance to a hole that passes completely through the hub 110. This allows multiple hubs to be stacked, using a central rod to maintain alignment.

[0066] A central knob 154 with thumb depressions 156 facilitates rotation of the hub upper section 112 with respect to the hub base 122, allowing the user to engage and disengage the two sections from each other.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 4, a side and partially exploded view of the hub of the portable container system is shown.

[0068] In this embodiment, the hub upper section 112 and hub base 122 engage and disengage with each other using a twist lock mechanism, or releasable locking mechanism 130.

[0069] The releasable locking mechanism 130 is formed from the upper cylinder 116 and lower cylinder 126, which slide together. A slot 132 guides and locks a pin 134, with final rotation causing locking of the pin 134 within the slot 132.

[0070] The releasable locking mechanism 130 has a locked position and an unlocked position.

[0071] In the locked position, the hub upper section 112 and hub base 122 are held together, compressing a container 180 (see FIG. 5).

[0072] In the unlocked position, the hub upper section 112 and hub base 122 are disengaged from each other, allowing the user to remove the hub upper section 112, and correspondingly remove the container 180 (see FIG. 5).

[0073] Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, partially exploded side and isometric views of the hub and a single container of the portable container system are shown.

[0074] To align the containers 180 with the hub 110, the upper rib 118 and lower rib 128 interface with the lid groove 204 and vessel groove 206, respectively.

[0075] The combination of the upper rib 118 in lid groove 204, and/or the combination of the lower rib 128 and vessel groove 206, are referred to as an alignment ring. This is one type of registration apparatus. The alignment ring is considered the confluence of grooves and ribs, with a circular shape that aligns the hub 110 with the one or more containers 180.

[0076] When the hub 110 is compressed against a container 180, the container 180 cannot move outward with respect to the hub 110. This prevents the containers from disengaging from the hub 110. The vertical compression holds the containers 180 closed and prevents rotation and dislodgement of the container 180 with respect to the hub 110.

[0077] Each container 180 is formed from a lid 182 and vessel 184 that meet at a junction 186. The lid 182 and vessel 184 optionally include a hinge construct 188.

[0078] Referring to FIG. 7, an isometric view of the containers of the portable container system is shown.

[0079] Each container 180 is divided into a main section 192 and a mating section 194.

[0080] Main section 192 is where the bulk of the food is held. Mating section 194 is the part interfaced with by the hub no (see FIG. 1).

[0081] The hub 110 passes through central hole 198, the space left in the center between any mounted containers 180.

[0082] Each container 180 occupies a container angle 190. Shown are a 60-degree container 220, a 120-degree container 224, and a 180-degree container 226.

[0083] The alignment ring, shown here as lid groove 204, is created by the combination of multiple containers 180 placed such that they form a complete circular registration feature.

[0084] Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, second and third isometric views of the portable container system are shown.

[0085] The portable container system 100 is shown with fewer containers than maximum capacity. The compression of the hub 110 against the containers 180 holds the containers 180 in place, even with a section of the hub 110 left empty.

[0086] Referring to FIG. 10, a cross-section of the portable container system is shown.

[0087] The hub 110 is shown holding containers 180. The upper rib 118 interfaces with the lid groove 204. The lower rib 128 interfaces with the vessel groove 206.

[0088] The spring 135 is visible nested within the upper cylinder 116 and lower cylinder 126. The spring is compressed as the hub upper section 112 is pushed toward the hub base 122. When the release of a locking mechanism 130 (see FIG. 4), the spring 135 creates a popping action, pushing the hub upper section 112 away from hub base 122.

[0089] In this cross-sectional view, it is apparent that the bottom of the containers 180 shares the same plane as the bottom of the hub 110.

[0090] The result is that the portable container system is stable and sturdy because the weight of the entire device is supported across the bottom of both the containers and the hub.

[0091] The stacking groove 208 and stacking rib 209 interact with additional portable container systems 100 placed above, or below, each other. The result of the interaction between the stacking grooves 208 and stacking ribs 209 is to align multiple portable container systems 100, creating a common central axis.

[0092] By allowing the stacking grooves 208 and stacking ribs 209 to interact with each other, the multiple systems 100 are aligned.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 11, an isometric view of a 90-degree container of the portable container system is shown.

[0094] Container 180 is shown as a 90-degree container 222.

[0095] Referring to FIGS. 12 and 13, isometric views of the first and second embodiments of the containers of the portable container system are shown.

[0096] Each container 180 includes a lid 182 and vessel 184 that meet at a junction 186. The main sections 192 are substantially identical across the first and second embodiments.

[0097] The difference between the two embodiments can be seen by comparing the mating sections 194.

[0098] The first embodiment, shown in FIG. 12, can store food in the mating section 194. In contrast, the second embodiment, shown in FIG. 13, does not store food within the mating section 194. Instead, the mating section 194 of the vessel 184 is moved upward. An optional retaining tab 196 is created to allow the user to grip the container 180 for efficient dispensing.

[0099] Referring to FIG. 14, a first isometric view of a second embodiment of the hub of the portable container system is shown.

[0100] The hub 110 again includes a hub upper section 112, upper plate 114, hub base 122, upper groove 119, and lower groove 129. In the second embodiment of the hub, the hub upper section and hub base contain grooves as opposed to ribs.

[0101] Regarding the use of grooves or ribs, the hub and the container can each be formed with either grooves or ribs, so long as the opposing surface uses the opposite. For example, the food container can include upward-facing ribs and downward-facing grooves with the mating hub services having the opposite. Alternative arrangements that mix-and-match grooves and ribs are anticipated. The goal is alignment by mating a groove and a rib, without requiring the hub or the food container to have grooves or ribs specifically.

[0102] In this second embodiment, the hub upper section 112 attaches to the hub base 122 via a male-threaded protrusion 136 and a female-threaded recess 138.

[0103] The releasable locking mechanism 130 of the second embodiment is the combination of a male-threaded protrusion 136 and a female-threaded recess 138.

[0104] Referring to FIG. 15, a cross-section of the second embodiment hub and container of the portable container system is shown.

[0105] The hub no is shown holding container 180. The upper groove 119 interfaces with the lid rib 205. The lower groove 129 interfaces with the vessel rib 207.

[0106] The retaining tab 196 sits within the tab gap 140.

[0107] The releasable locking mechanism 130 of the second embodiment is the combination of a male-threaded protrusion 136 and a female-threaded recess 138.

[0108] In this cross-sectional view, it is apparent that the bottom of the food containers 180 shares the same plane as the bottom of the hub no.

[0109] Again shown is hinge construct 188.

[0110] Referring to FIG. 16, side and partially exploded views of the hub and containers of a third embodiment of the portable container system are shown.

[0111] The portable container system 100 is shown with hub upper section 112 and hub base 122. Again shown are containers 180 formed from lid 182 and base 184.

[0112] Referring to FIGS. 17 and 18, views of the hub in closed and open positions are shown.

[0113] The releasable locking mechanism 130 is shown in this embodiment formed from slot 132, latch 133, and pin 134. To lock, the pin 134 passes through slot 132, across the latch 133, which resiliently deforms to hold the pin 134 in place.

[0114] The hub upper section 112 and hub base 122 are also shown.

[0115] Referring to FIG. 19, a second side and partially exploded view of the hub and containers of the third embodiment of the portable container system is shown.

[0116] The hub upper section 112 is shown with upper groove 119 that interacts with lid rib 205 of lid 182.

[0117] Hub base 122 is shown with lower groove 129 that interacts with rib 207 of vessel 184.

[0118] Also shown is hinge construct 188.

[0119] Referring to FIGS. 20, 21, and 22, side and partially exploded, cross-section, and second side views of the hub and containers of a fourth embodiment of the portable container system are shown.

[0120] In this embodiment, the container 180 locations are registered with respect to the hub base 122. This registration, or locking at specific locations, is accomplished by the interaction of pegs 300 with lower holes 302 in the vessel 184 and upper holes 304 in the lid 182. This interaction between the pegs 300 that protrude, and the holes 302/304 creates discrete locations for the containers 180. The discrete locations prevent container 180 motion during transportation.

[0121] The pegs 300 are set at regularly-spaced angles with respect to the hub base 122, for example, every 30 degrees. Other angles are anticipated, with a preference for angles that would include at least one pin for even the smallest container size. For example, if the smallest or narrowest container is 45 degrees, a peg 300 would be required every 45 degrees, for a total of eight pegs.

[0122] In this embodiment, a retaining tab 196 aligns the base 184 with the hub base 122.

[0123] Referring to FIG. 23, a view of the hub in an open position of the fourth embodiment of the portable container system is shown.

[0124] The hub 110 is shown formed from hub upper section 112 and hub base 122, which connect via male-threaded protrusion 136 and female-threaded recess 138.

[0125] To allow the hub upper section 112 to thread into the hub base 122 via the male-threaded protrusion 136 and the female-threaded recess 138, a receiving groove 306 is present. The use of a continuous groove allows the hub upper section 112 to hold the containers 180 in place with respect to the hub base 122 without being limited with respect to angular position.

[0126] Also shown are the pegs 300 that interact with the receiving groove 306.

[0127] Referring to FIGS. 24 and 25, partial lower, side and partially exploded, views of the fifth embodiment of the portable container system are shown.

[0128] In this embodiment the registration apparatus that aligns containers 180 with respect to the hub 110 takes the form of a protrusion pattern 310 and a slot pattern 312. The protrusion pattern 310 is formed from a plurality of radially oriented protrusions 311. The slot pattern 312 is formed from a plurality of radially oriented slots 313. The result is that the release of the locking mechanism 130 is not the exclusive means preventing the containers 180 from motion with respect to the hub 110.

[0129] The protrusions 311 are set at a regular intervals, resulting in at least one protrusion 311 for each container. Thus, as discussed above, if the narrowest container is 45 degrees, at least eight protrusions 311 would be required.

[0130] Referring to FIG. 26, container 184 sits mounted to hub base 22. Protrusion 311 sits in slot 313, and registration rib 314 sits in groove 316. Also shown are stacking groove 308 and stacking rib 309.

[0131] Referring to FIGS. 27 and 28, views of the hub and containers of a sixth embodiment of the portable container system are shown.

[0132] The embodiment shown has a square profile using square profile containers 181, rather than the round profile of the other embodiments.

[0133] The square profile containers 181 can use the hub upper section 112 and hub base 122 of the other embodiments, which connect at a releasable locking mechanism 130.

[0134] Equivalent elements can be substituted for the ones set forth above such that they perform in substantially the same manner in substantially the same way for achieving substantially the same result.

[0135] It is believed that the system and method as described and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description. It is also believed that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an exemplary and explanatory embodiment thereof. It is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.