ANIMAL RESISTANT CONTAINER SYSTEM AND METHOD

Abstract

An animal resistant container system is contemplated in which two separate storage volumes, each including its own connector portion that defines the opening into the interior of that storage volume, may be simultaneously connected to opposed interconnector portions of a single interconnector, with the interconnector including a cross-sectional structure that may serve to at least partially occlude the opening into the interior of either or both storage volume when that storage volume is connected to the interconnector. In this fashion, two separate interior volumes may be utilized in a modular way, which permits the simultaneous use of different types or sizes of storage volumes with a single interconnector portion.

Claims

1. An animal resistant container system, comprising: a first storage container, the first storage container including a first connector portion that defines a first aperture permitting access into an interior of the first storage container, the first storage container being generally cylindrical; a second storage container, the second storage container including a second connector portion that defines a second aperture permitting access into an interior of the second storage container, the second storage container being generally cylindrical; and an interconnector comprising a pair of opposed interconnection portions engageable respectively with the first and second connector portions.

2. The animal resistant container system of claim 1, wherein the interconnector at least partially occludes the first and second apertures.

3. The animal resistant container system of claim 2, wherein the interconnector fully occludes the first and second apertures.

4. The animal resistant container system of claim 1, wherein the interiors of the first and second storage containers define different capacities.

5. The animal resistant container system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second storage containers is longer than the other.

6. The animal resistant container system of claim 1, wherein one of the first and second storage containers is narrower than the other.

7. The animal resistant container system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second storage containers is formed of a rigid material.

8. The animal resistant container system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second storage containers is formed of a non-rigid material.

9. An animal resistant container system, comprising: a first storage container, the first storage container including a first connector portion that defines a first aperture permitting access into an interior of the first storage container; a second storage container, the second storage container including a second connector portion that defines a second aperture permitting access into an interior of the second storage container; a third storage container, the third storage container including a third connector portion that defines a third aperture permitting access into an interior of the third storage container, the second and third storage containers being differently shaped; and an interconnector that is usable in a first configuration of the animal resistant container system and in a second configuration of the animal resistant container system, the interconnector comprising a pair of opposed interconnection portions that are engageable respectively with the first and second connector portions to define the first configuration and engageable respectively with the first and third connector portions to define the second configuration.

10. The animal resistant container system of claim 9, wherein the interconnector at least partially occludes the first aperture while one of the opposed interconnection portions is engaged with the first connector portion.

11. The animal resistant container system of claim 10, wherein the interconnector fully occludes the first aperture while the one of the opposed interconnection portions is engaged with the first connector portion.

12. The animal resistant container system of claim 11, wherein the interconnector is further usable in a third configuration of the animal resistant container system in which the interconnector functions as a cap for the first storage container, the one of the opposed interconnection portions being engageable with the first connector portion while the other of the opposed interconnection portions is unengaged to define the third configuration.

13. The animal resistant container system of claim 9, wherein the interiors of the second and third storage containers define different capacities.

14. The animal resistant container system of claim 9, wherein the second and third storage containers are generally cylindrical with one being longer than the other.

15. The animal resistant container system of claim 9, wherein the second and third storage containers are generally cylindrical with one being narrower than the other.

16. The animal resistant container system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third storage containers is formed of a rigid material.

17. The animal resistant container system of claim 9, wherein at least one of the first, second, and third storage containers is formed of a non-rigid material.

18. An animal resistant container system, comprising: a first storage container, the first storage container including a first connector portion that defines a first aperture permitting access into an interior of the first storage container; a second storage container, the second storage container including a second connector portion that defines a second aperture permitting access into an interior of the second storage container; and a third storage container, the third storage container including a third connector portion that defines a third aperture permitting access into an interior of the third storage container, the second and third storage containers being differently shaped and at least one of the first, second, and third storage containers being generally cylindrical, the first connector being engageable with the second connector to define a first configuration of the animal resistant container system and engageable with the third connector to define a second configuration of the animal resistant container system.

19. The animal resistant container system of claim 18, wherein the interiors of the second and third storage containers define different capacities.

20. The animal resistant container system of claim 18, wherein the second and third storage containers are generally cylindrical with one being longer than the other.

21. The animal resistant container system of claim 18, wherein the second and third storage containers are generally cylindrical with one being narrower than the other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein are better understood with respect to the following descriptions and drawings, in which:

[0013] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the components of an exemplary embodiment of an animal resistant container system including a first connector portion, a second connector portion, and an interconnector;

[0014] FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of the exemplary embodiment the animal resistant container system shown in FIG. 1, showing one example of how the first connector portion, the second connector portion, and the interconnector may be configured to allow for engagement;

[0015] FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of the exemplary embodiment the animal resistant container system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, showing one example of the first connector portion, the second connector portion, and the interconnector in a simultaneously engaged configuration;

[0016] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of an animal resistant container system, showing another example of the first connector portion, the second connector portion, and the interconnector in a simultaneously engaged configuration;

[0017] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of an animal resistant container system, showing a further example of the first connector portion, the second connector portion, and the interconnector in a simultaneously engaged configuration.

[0018] Common reference numerals are used throughout the drawings and the detailed description to indicate the same elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] According to various aspects of the present disclosure, animal resistant container systems and methods are contemplated, in which two or more separate storage volumes, each including a connector portion which at least partially defines an opening into the interior of that storage volume, may be simultaneously connected to opposed interconnector portions of a single interconnector, with that interconnector including a cross-sectional structure that may serve to at least partially occlude the opening into the interior of either or both storage volume when that storage volume is connected to the interconnector. In this fashion, the resulting animal resistant container system may be seen to have a number of advantages over conventional container systems, including advantages in modularity, economy, weight, organization, and convenience. As such, these systems and methods represent substantial improvements over the prior art.

[0020] Turning now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of an animal resistant container system 10 is shown. As may be seen, this system may include a first storage volume 12, a second storage volume 14, and an interconnector 16. The first storage volume 12 may include a first connector portion 18 defining a first aperture 20 which permits access into a first storage volume interior 22. The second storage 14 volume may likewise include a second connector portion 24 defining a second aperture 26 which permits access into a second storage volume interior 28. The interconnector may include a pair of opposed interconnection portions 30, 32, and a cross-sectional structure 34.

[0021] The first and second storage volumes 12, 14 may be any type of storage volumes suitable for use in animal resistant container systems. In the first exemplary embodiment, these storage volumes 12, 14 may be seen to be generally cylindrical in form, with extended, rounded sides and generally flat ends, such that when the resulting animal resistant container system 10 is fully assembled, the entire container system is likewise generally cylindrical. Advantageously, a generally cylindrical storage volume 12, 14 may allow for the storage volume 12, 14 and/or the assembled animal resistant container system 10 to more easily fit in a pack, which may be especially important in the context of backpacking because everything must be carried by the backpacker and thus stowed efficiently as space is limited. By the same token, off-season storage of the storage volumes 12, 14 may likewise benefit from their generally cylindrical shape. It has also been found that a generally cylindrical shape may allow a backpacker or other hiker or camper to use the storage volume 12, 14 or assembled system 10 as a stool to sit on while at camp. In this way, packing may be made even more efficient as it may no longer be necessary to pack a separate seat, with the system 10 instead serving a dual purpose as animal resistant storage and seating. A generally cylindrical shape may also have a distinct advantage over more round or spherical shapes in terms of animal resistance. By dispersing pressure exerted by a large mammal, for example a bear pumping on the structure, along a greater surface area with ground contact and one that has the reinforcing strength of a rounded terminal corner defining the end of the cylinder, a generally cylindrical container may resist the forces exerted on it far better than would a generally spherical shape with a single point of ground contact.

[0022] However, it may be seen that other shapes and configurations of storage volumes 12, 14 may be utilized, without departing from the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. For example, storage volumes 12, 14 which may have square or rectangular cross-sections may be utilized, or any other cross-sections such as ovoid, hexagonal, or any other geometry known for use as suitable for storage volumes may be utilized, including spherical geometries. It is further contemplated that the first and second storage volumes 12, 14 may be substantially identically formed in shape and configuration, which may be seen to potentially aid in ease of economical mass production and a reduction of difficulty to manufacture, or the first and second storage volumes 12, 14 may be substantially dissimilar in shape, such as differing in one or more dimensions (e.g., cylinder length), and/or configuration, which may aid in differentiation of the two storage volumes according to the purpose for which such volumes may be desired to be used. For example, it is contemplated that volumes may be differently designed or colored so as to assist in identification of the volumes from one another, resulting in a user being able to more easily use the different volumes for different items or types of items, and to more easily access the items within those volumes, compared to a single volume which would hold all of the items together and potentially result in difficulty in retrieving certain items.

[0023] For example, a user may desire to place smaller items in one volume and larger items in the other volume, which may assist in more rapidly and easily retrieving the desired items compared to an arrangement in which all items are placed in the same volume, which may result in a smaller item not being accessible without first removing a larger item. It may also be desirable to provide or otherwise make available more than two storage volumes 12, 14 of varying shapes, sizes, and/or configurations, and to allow the end user to select which particular two storage volumes 12, 14 they wish to use at any given time. For example, it may be desired for a user to utilize one storage volume for items such as foodstuffs, and to as such to select a storage volume that is substantially rigid and is formed of a tough material that is resistant to the passage of air therethrough so as to reduce the tendency of a wild animal to detect the presence of such foodstuffs via smell, and to further prevent intrusion therein by such an animal. At the same time, the user may desire to place non-foodstuffs in the other storage volume, and as such may select for the other storage volume a material that is not necessarily substantially rigid nor is formed of a material that is as tough nor resistant to the passage of air, but which consequently may be less heavy and bulky. Alternatively, the user may desire to use one of the storage volumes as a receptacle for solid items, and the other as a liquid reservoir, such as for drinking water. As such, the user may be seen to have different requirements for each storage volume, and may naturally select storage volumes 12, 14 having characteristics suitable for these varying purposes.

[0024] For example, a user who desires to use a particular storage volume for drinking water may select a storage volume that is watertight and has an internal lining material suitable for contact with water to maintain potability of the water and to prevent degradation or other damage to the material of the storage volume. In contrast, a storage volume used for solid packaged foodstuffs might be suitably manufactured from a material that would not be suitable for use with a liquid, and which may not even necessarily be watertight. According to further variations, a user may select one larger capacity and/or more lengthy storage volume for use on one side, and a smaller capacity and/or less lengthy storage volume on the other, according to any number of possible reasons particular to the user's needs. It may thus be seen that the potential variations in the actual configuration and dimensions of the storage volumes are essentially without limit, and that that any such potential sizes, shapes, or configurations may be utilized and achieved in accordance with the presently disclosed systems and methods without departing from the scope and spirit as herein contemplated.

[0025] By allowing for variable size container options, the animal resistant container system 10 may be tailored to the food capacity needs of a specific user, specific trip length, or group size. Whether it is youth or small stature hikers with lower caloric needs, or larger hikers with higher caloric needs, one size does not necessarily work well for all. Over time, minimizing weight and optimizing exact sizing of every piece that is put in a backpack has become something of an art, and a hot topic for mastery among backpackers, especially the growing category of “ultralight” backpackers. The variable size configurations allowed by the system 10 may meet these needs of backpackers and other users while keeping overall consumer cost down and material use (and thus environmental impact) to a minimum.

[0026] Each of the storage volumes 12, 14 may include connector portions 18, 24 which define apertures 20, 26 which permits access into storage volume interiors 22, 28. According to the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the connector portions 18, 24 may be seen to comprise male threaded fittings protruding from the storage volumes 12, 14 which surround apertures 20, 26, such apertures being openings into the storage volume interiors 22, 28 of storage volumes 12, 24. Such male threaded fittings, which may be seen to protrude outwards and have threads on their exterior, may readily be seen to interconnect with a corresponding female threaded fitting on an interconnector portion 30, 32 of the interconnector 16. However, it may also be seen that the connector portions 18, 24 may be any type of connector which may serve to allow for fixed engagement with any corresponding type of interconnector portion 30, 32 of an interconnector 16. It may be readily seen that the connector portions 18, 24 may just as readily be female threaded fitting protruding outwards and having threads on their interior, while the interconnector portions 30, 32 may be male threaded fittings. A wide variety of interconnection systems are known in the art to exist, and it may readily be seen that any of such systems may be adapted to the purposes of the present disclosure. Such interconnection systems are contemplated to include, for example and without limitation, in addition to threaded connections, tongue and groove fittings, bayonet mounting systems, and friction fit systems. It may also be seen that the interconnector 16 may be provided with interconnector portions 30, 32 which may be utilized with a number of different types of fittings which may be provided on different storage volumes 12, 14, or may be especially adapted so as to only permit certain types of storage volumes to be attached to at least one of the interconnector portions 30, 32, and to prevent the attachment of other types of storage volumes to that interconnector portions. For example, in the situation in which a storage volume especially adapted for liquids may be desired, it may be desirable to use a connector portion 18, 24 that will likewise attach to an interconnector 16, or one of the interconnector portions thereof, that is likewise adapted for use with liquids, and which will not attach to an interconnector 16 or an interconnector portion 18, 24 thereof that is not adapted for use with liquids.

[0027] An interconnector portion 16 may be provided that includes opposed interconnector portions 30, 32, each of which in the first exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 comprises an external support ring 36 and an internal support ring 38. It may be seen that in this first exemplary embodiment, the external support ring 38 is configured with threads on its internal surface, essentially functioning as a female threaded adapter. Consequently, each external support rings 36 is sized and configured to interface with the male threaded adapter connector portions 18, 24 of the storage volumes 12, 14, enabling interconnection between the two components. In such a configuration, it may be seen that the internal support might thus function, if it does not have any features such as threads, as a friction-fit component configured to contact with a bare internal surface of the connector portions 18, 24 when assembled together. Alternatively, the internal support ring 38 may be configured (or not configured) with one or more different types of connection features, which may permit engagement (or prohibit engagement) with corresponding different connection features provided on different storage volumes 12, 14, also as described above.

[0028] The interconnector 16 may also include a cross-sectional structure 34 which may be configured to at least partially occlude the first aperture 20 and/or the second aperture 26 when the first and/or second storage volumes 12, 14 are attached to the interconnector 16. According to the first exemplary embodiment show in FIG. 1, the cross-sectional support structure 34 comprises a barrier that completely occludes an aperture 20, 26 of a storage volumes 12, 14 when that storage volume is connected to the interconnector 16, thus preventing the access to storage volume interiors 22, 28 of a storage volumes 12, 14 when that storage volume 12, 14 is attached to the interconnector 16, and likewise preventing any item within one storage volume from passing to the other storage volume when both are connected to the interconnector 16 simultaneously. In this manner, it may be seen that the interconnector may function in the manner of a cap when used with only one of the storage volumes 12, 14. However, it may be seen that in other embodiments, the cross-sectional structure 34 may not necessarily comprise a barrier that completely spans and occludes an aperture 20, 26 of a storage volumes 12, 14 when that storage volume is connected to the interconnector 16, but rather may only partially occlude the aperture 20, 26. For example, it may be desirable in some embodiments to allow some amount of open space within the cross-sectional support structure 34 so as to not completely occlude one or both apertures 20, 26 of a storage volumes 12, 14 when the interconnector is attached thereto, such as where it may be desirable to permit some amount of airflow between the two storage volumes 12, 14 when both are connected to the interconnector 16, but not permit the passage of larger items from one storage volume 12, 14 to the other, or to permit some level of ventilation between the storage volumes 12, 14 and the outside environment, but not to permit the passage of items placed within the storage volume 12, 14 to the outside.

[0029] In this fashion, the cross-sectional structure 34 may also be configured to vary at different regions. For example, in certain embodiments, the cross-sectional structure 34 may be completely occluding within the area delimited by the internal support rings 38 and may be only partially occluding within the area between the internal support ring 38 and the external support ring 36. In this fashion, it may be seen that by engaging a connector portion 18, 24 of a storage volume 12, 14 with the internal support ring, a completely occlusive barrier may be placed over the aperture 20, 26 of that storage volume 12, 14, while by engaging a connector portions 18, 24 of a storage volume 12, 14 with the external support ring, the barrier may be less occlusive. It may also be seen that such occlusion may be a result not entirely of cross-sectional occupancy, but also of material composition. For example, it may be seen that the cross-sectional structure 34 may be formed, in whole or in part, of a material which itself may be permeable in some fashion to some items or materials, but not to others. For example, it may be that the cross-sectional structure 34 or portions thereof may be formed of a “breathable” membrane such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) or another material which may allow for the passage therethrough of vapor but may resist the passage of liquids. In this fashion, it may be that valve-like arrangements may be realized which may prevent the accumulation of pressure differences between the two storage volume interiors 22, 28 or between the storage volume interiors 22, 28 and the outside environment.

[0030] Turning now to FIG. 2, a cutaway side view of the connector portions 18, 24 and the interconnector 16 shown in FIG. 1 is shown, showing how the components may be seen, in the first exemplary embodiment, to be arranged prior to being attached together. For example, it may be seen that the parameters of the individual components of the opposed interconnector portions 30, 32 may be varied in size and configuration to achieve different results. As may be seen, the connector portions 18, 24 in the first exemplary embodiment may be sized to have an external diameter of about a length D which is configured to result in its male threaded adapter configuration correspondingly interfacing with the female threaded adapter configuration of the external support ring 36 of the opposed interconnector portions 30, 32, which has an internal diameter of about the same length D. Similarly, it may be seen that if it is desired to instead interface a connector portion 18, 24 with the internal support ring 38 instead in the same fashion of a male threaded adapter engaging with a female threaded adapter, all that would be necessary would be to provide the internal support ring 38 with threads on its internal surface and to size the external diameter of the connector portions 18, 24 (equipped as a male threaded adapter) to match the internal diameter d of the internal support ring 38. Similar parameters and measurements may readily be understood to be pertinent when using other types of engagements, as required, and such necessary adaptations in the attachment methods and/or the sizing or tolerances of the individual components may be seen to be within the scope and spirt of the present disclosure. Likewise, configuration of the height H of the external support ring 36 or of the height h of the internal support ring 38 may likewise be subject to adaptations to fulfill the requirements of the animal resistant container system 10.

[0031] Turning now to FIG. 3, a cutaway side view of the connector portions 18, 24 engaged with the interconnector 16, according to the first exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As may be seen, the cross-sectional structure 34 is interposed and occludes the whole cross section of the apertures 20, 26, and would still occlude one of the apertures 20, 26 if the other storage volume 12, 14 was removed from engagement with the interconnector 16. Further, it may be seen how according to different potential arrangements of the cross-sectional structure 34, different results may be achieved. For example, if the cross-sectional structure 34 were configured as described above, with the area delimited by the internal support ring 38 being completely occupied but the area between the internal support ring 38 and the external support ring 36 only partially occupied, a narrow region at the periphery of the apertures 20, 26 may as a result be partially exposed, which may, for example, permit some airflow between the storage volumes 12, 14, but not the passage of any items of any substantial size from one storage volume 12, 14, through the interconnector 16, and to the other storage volume, or to the outside environment if only one storage volume 12, 14 were connected to the interconnector.

[0032] Turning now to FIG. 4, a cutaway side view of connector portions 18, 24 engaged with an interconnector 16 according to a second exemplary embodiment is shown. According to this second exemplary embodiment, it may be seen that the internal support ring 38 of the interconnector is configured as a male threaded adapter on both of the opposed interconnector portions 30, 32, while the connector portions 18, 24 are configured as female threaded adapters. Further, the external support ring 36 does not include any threaded engagement system, but rather is configured for engagement (if it were to be engaged) via frictional retention alone. Further, it may be seen that this configuration may serve to deter the intrusion of wild animals into the storage volume interiors 22, 28 via the external support ring 36 serving to shield the connection between the connector portions 18, 24 and the internal support ring 38, which may prevent, for example, a wild animal from prying apart the connector portions 18, 24 from the internal support ring 38.

[0033] Turning now to FIG. 5, a cutaway side view of connector portions 18, 24 engaged with an interconnector 16 according to a third exemplary embodiment is shown. According to this third exemplary embodiment, it may be seen that two differently configured storage volumes 12, 14 are utilized in which the two connector portions 18, 24 engage with the interconnector 16 in different fashions, with one of the connector portions 18, 24 engaging the interior surface of internal support ring 38 in a friction-fit engagement, while the other connector portions 18, 24 engages the interior surface of the external support ring 36 in a friction-fit engagement. It may thus be seen, as described above, how such configurations can be achieved, which may permit, for example but without limitation, the use of different types or configurations of storage volumes 12, 14 simultaneously with a single interconnector 16.

[0034] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the interconnector 16 provides structural support for the container; selectively joins the two storage volumes together; may include a locking mechanism to prevent disconnection from one or both of the storage volumes (not shown) and can include various cross-sectional structures 34 as described above.

[0035] The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the exemplary embodiments.