WO2005044681A1

WO2005044681A1 - Storage device

Info

Publication number: WO2005044681A1
Application number: PCT/AU2004/000597
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patricia Jeffree
Original assignee: Patricia Jeffree
Priority date: 2003-11-05
Filing date: 2004-05-07
Publication date: 2005-05-19
Also published as: AU2003100915A4; NZ575581A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a storage device (10) comprising two compartments (15, 16) each including a region where the contents of the compartments are arranged to be accessed, the device (10) being operative to adopt a first position where the compartments (15, 16) are disposed adjacent each other and their respective regions are in facing relationship, and a second position where the compartments (15, 16) are sufficiently separated so as to allow access to the respective regions, the device (10) also comprising a retaining means (19, 20) operative to retain the compartments together when the device is in its first position, the retaining means (19, 20) requiring at least partial destruction to release the compartments (15, 16) and thereby allow the device to adopt its second position. The storage device (10) also includes a first end (21) incorporating a region from which contents of that compartment can be accessed, a second end (22) spaced from the first end, and a peripheral wall (13) interconnecting the first and second ends (21, 22), and wherein when the device is in a first position, the peripheral (13) of the second compartment forms a continuation of the peripheral wall (13) of the first compartment.

Description

STORAGE DEVICE

Field of the Invention The present invention relates to storage devices and in particular to multi-compartment storage devices. These devices can be used for storage of foods, building and hardware related products, consumer products, medical related products and sex industry products and for the storage of many other substances or products.

Background of the Invention

A variety of storage devices exist today including jars, pots, bottles, sealed cups, containers and trays. In relation to food storage, recent devices configured with multiple compartments have been used to store cheese and dips, yoghurt and toppings, the constituents of a meal, and various other complimentary foods. One of the most significant problems with many existing storage containers is that the seals covering their openings can be damaged or ruptured, and when this occurs the product may no longer be able to be sold and food can go-off. The present invention seeks to overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art or to at least provide an alternative.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage device comprising two compartments each including a region where the contents of the compartments are arranged to be accessed, the device being operative to adopt a first position where the compartments are disposed adjacent each other and their respective regions are in facing relationship, and a second position where the compartments are sufficiently separated so as to allow access to the respective regions, the device also comprising a retaining means operative to retain the compartments together when the device is in its first position, the retaining means requiring at least partial destruction to release the compartments and thereby allow the device to adopt its second position. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage device comprising two compartments each including a first end incorporating the regions to access the compartments, a second end spaced from the first end, and a peripheral wall interconnecting the first and second ends, and wherein when the device is in a first position, the peripheral wall of the second compartment forms a continuation of the peripheral wall of the first compartment. In one form, when in its first position, the compartments are disposed adjacent each other and their respective regions are in a facing relationship, and the device is also operative to adopt a second position where the compartments are sufficiently separated so as to allow access to the respective regions. In one form, the retaining means interconnects the peripheral walls of the first and second compartments. In another form, the storage device further comprises sheet material which extends about the peripheral walls of the first and second portions, the sheet material incorporating the retaining means. Further, a frangible perforation is provided in the sheet material to facilitate release of the compartments, to allow the device to adopt its second position. In a particular arrangement, the sheet material may form a label for the device. In usual operation, the compartments are designed to be sealed so as to keep the substances or products stored in the compartments isolated from each other and the environment. In one form, the compartments may be sealed when the device is in its first position by the external walls of the device. In another form, a removable seal extends over the access region of at least one of the compartments. This removable seal may also provide a barrier between the compartments. In one form, a removable seal extends over the access region of each compartment. In a particular embodiment, the first and second compartments are hingedly connected together. This allows a simple mechanism where the product remains together when the device is in its second position. Typically, the device is made from any one of paper, foil lined paper, plastic coated metal or food grade plastic. Description of the Figures

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, a preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 is a side view of a storage device, Figure 2 is a side view of the storage device of Figure 1 in a semi-opened position; Figure 3 is a side view of the storage device of Figure 1 in an open position; Figure 4 is a side view of a storage device in accordance with a second embodiment; Figure 5 illustrates schematically the steps by which the storage device of Figure 1 may be used; and Figure 6 illustrates schematically the steps involved in manufacturing the storage device of Figure 1.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments

Figure 1 shows a storage device 10 that includes opposite ends 11, 12 and a peripheral wall 13 extending between the ends. A label 14 formed from sheet material extends about the peripheral wall 13 and includes a perforated line 25 along its mid region. The peripheral wall 13 is continuous which makes the storage device 10 easier for a consumer to hold and easier to pack and manufacture. Furthermore, the continuous wall gives the storage device 10 a can-like appearance which is aesthetically pleasing and familiar to consumers. The storage device 10 incorporates two compartments 15, 16 which are designed one on top of the other when the device 10 is configured in a first position as shown in Figure 1. The compartments are formed from a respective part (17, 18) of the peripheral wall 13 and a respective one of the ends 11, 12. The label 14 extends about both respective parts 17, 18 of the peripheral wall 13 so as to retain the compartments 15 and 16 in the first position. Each of the compartments 15 and 16 are designed to hold a substance or product both in a sealed environment and separate to the contents of the other compartment. To achieve this, the compartments 15 and 16 incorporate an inner removable seal (19, 20) as shown in Figure 2. These seals are formed on inner ends 21, 22 of the individual compartments 15 and 16 which when the device in is in its first position as illustrated in Figure 1, are adjacent one another in a facing relationship. As best shown in Figures 2 and 3, the storage device 10 is operative to be moved from the first position as illustrated in Figure 1 to a second position as illustrated in Figure 3. In that second position, the compartments are disposed side by side with their inner ends (21, 22) exposed so as to allow access to the contents of the compartments 15 and 16 by removal of the seals 19, 20. To retain the compartments 15 and 16 in the side by side relationship as illustrated in Figure 3, a hinge 23 is provided which interconnects the compartments 15 and 16 adjacent their inner ends 21, 22. To move the device from the first position as shown in Figure 1 to the second position as shown in Figure 2 it is necessary to break the label 14. This is done typically along the perforated line 25 either by twisting the upper compartment 15 relative to the lower compartment or by merely rotating the compartment about the hinge 23. Figure 4 shows a second embodiment of the storage device 10. The device is very similar to the first embodiment with the exception that the compartments 15 and 16 are of greater volume than the compartments shown in respect of Figure 1. Figure 5 illustrates a process comprising steps (a) through to (e) by which the storage device 10 maybe used. Step (a) shows, schematically, the breaking of the perforation 25. This can be achieved through the motion indicated by the arrows in Figure 2, or by a slight twisting of the upper part 17 of the wall 13 with respect to the lower part 18, of the end wall 13 as shown by the arrow. Step (b) shows the movement of the device 10 from the first position to the second position by rotation about hinge 23. Step (c) shows the opening of the upper peal-back seal 19 in the direction indicated by the arrow. Step (d) indicates schematically that the substances or products contained within the upper and lower compartments 15, 16 may then be accessed. Step (e) shows that the storage device 10 may then be discarded, preferably in such a way that it may be recycled. Figure 6 shows steps (a) through to (e) of the filling of the storage device 10. Step (a) shows the storage device 10 in an open position, the compartments 15, 16 being filled with substances. Step (b) shows the sealing of the inner ends 21, 22 with the upper and lower peal-back seals 19 and 20, respectively. Step (c) shows the storage device 10 being configured into its first position, in which the compartment 15 is disposed on top of compartment 16. Step (d) shows the label 14 with perforation 25 being attached to the peripheral wall 13 of the device 10. Step (e) indicates that the completed storage devices 10 can then be packed in a box 26 for transportation to a wholesale or retail outlet. The foregoing describes only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, another embodiment might include a third compartment disposed intermediate the first and second compartments, the upper and intermediate compartments being hingedly connected and the intermediate and lower compartments being hingedly connected. In the case where the upper compartment 15 holds solid substances or products, for example bread sticks, it may not require an upper peal-back seal 19. Such a variation offers a cost saving with respect to the fact that the storage device 10 only requires one seal 20. A number of variations are also possible with regards to the mechanisms to retain the device 10 in its first position. For example, the upper and lower compartments 15 and 16 may each have a separate label and these two labels could be joined by adhesive tape or the inner ends of the wall parts 17, 18 may incorporate edges designed to mechanically interlock or may be formed with a frangible mechanism. It should be noted that the compartments 15, 16 may be configured with a triangular or square cross-section instead of as a cylinder. It should also be noted that each compartment 15, 16 may be manufactured in the form of multi-compartment trays.

The compartments may also be of different size so that the peripheral wall 13 is not continuous. In another variation caps may be placed over the peal-back seals 19, 20 or indeed replace the seals. The containers may be made of plastic (preferably recyclable), metal or cardboard. If made from plastic, the device may be manufactured using a vacuum molding method. The labels can be made of paper or plastic. The hinges are typically made of folded plastic and manufactured using plastic injection molding methods. In one variation of the storage device 10, the compartments are made from cardboard lined with plastic or aluminum. In the case where the compartments are formed as open cylinders, the ends 11, 12 can be manufactured from metal or plastic and attached to the upper and lower containers 4 and 6, respectively. Advantages of embodiments of the present invention include that the storage device 10 is more tamper proof due to the inaccessibility of the seals 19, 20 whilst the device is in its first position. Furthermore, the design is simple, compact and aesthetically pleasing and offers a tactile "snap open" mechanism which may be enjoyed by consumers. The storage device 10 has many uses including in the food packaging industry, building and hardware sectors, medical area and sex industry. With respect to the food packaging industry, the storage device may be used to hold complimentary foods such as cheese and dips, yogurt and toppings, the constitutes of a meal, biscuits and a dip, chips and a dip and various other complementary foods. It can also be used to hold pet foods, for example, wet and dry dog foods. With respect to the building and hardware sectors, the storage device has many uses, for example, storage of epoxy and hardener, nuts and bolts or the two different paints required to produce paint suede effects. The storage device also has uses in the sex industry, for example, storage of condoms and lubricants, edible undies and chocolates or edible undies and condoms. There are many other uses for the storage device including for medical kits and surfboard repair kits. Furthermore, the storage device could be used to hold a bike tube and bike repair kit, washing powder and fabric softener, detergents and waxes for car cleaning or a cutting compound and waxes for car cleaning. In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A storage device comprising two compartments each including a region where the contents of the compartments are arranged to be accessed, the device being operative to adopt a first position where the compartments are disposed adjacent each other and their respective regions are in facing relationship, and a second position where the compartments are sufficiently separated so as to allow access to the respective regions, the device also comprising a retaining means operative to retain the compartments together when the device is in its first position, the retaining means requiring at least partial destruction to release the compartments and thereby allow the device to adopt its second position.

2. A storage device according to claim 1, wherein each compartment includes a first end incorporating the regions to access the compartments, a second end spaced from the first end, and a peripheral wall interconnecting the first and second ends.

3. A storage device according to claim 2, wherein when the device is in its first position, the peripheral wall of the second compartment forms a continuation of the peripheral wall of the first compartment.

4. A storage device according to either claim 2 or 3, wherein the retaining means interconnects the peripheral walls of the first and second compartments.

5. A storage device according to either claim 2 or 3, wherein the retaining means further comprises sheet material which extends about the peripheral walls of the first and second portions.

6. A storage device according to claim 5, wherein a frangible perforation is provided in the sheet material to facilitate release of the compartments, to allow the device to adopt its second position.

7. A storage device according to either claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the sheet is in the form of a label for the device.

8. A storage device comprising two compartments each including a first end incorporating a region from which contents of that compartment can be accessed, a second end spaced from the first end, and a peripheral wall interconnecting the first and second ends, and wherein when the device is in a first position, the peripheral wall of the second compartment forms a continuation of the peripheral wall of the first compartment.

9. A storage device according to claim 8, wherein when in its first position, the compartments are disposed adjacent each other and their respective regions are in a facing relationship, and the device is also operative to adopt a second position where the compartments are sufficiently separated so as to allow access to the respective regions.

10. A storage device according to claim 9, wherein the device further comprises a retaining means operative to retain the compartments together when the device is in its first position, the retaining means requiring at least partial destruction to release the compartments and thereby allow the device to adopt its second position.

11. A storage device according to either claims 8 to 10, wherein the retaining means interconnects the peripheral walls of the first and second compartments.

12. A storage device according to any one of claims 8 to 11, wherein the storage device further comprises sheet material which extends around the peripheral walls of the first and second portions, the sheet material incorporating the retaining means.

13. A storage device according to any one of claims 8 to 12, wherein a frangible perforation is provided in the sheet material to facilitate release of the compartments to allow the device to adopt its second position.

14. A storage device according to claim 13, wherein the sheet is in the form of a label for the device.

15. A storage device according to any preceding claim, wherein a removable seal extends over the access region of at least one of the compartments.

16. A storage device according to any preceding claim, wherein a removable seal extends over the access region of each compartment.

17. A storage device according to any preceding claim, wherein the first and second compartments are hingedly connected together.

18. A storage device according to any preceding claim, wherein the containers are made from any one of paper, foil lined paper, plastic coated metal or food grade plastic.

19. A storage device as herein described with reference to accompanying drawings.