GB2196319A - Desk tidy - Google Patents

Abstract

A desk tidy comprises a plurality of individual units (6, 8, 10, 12) provided on the periphery thereof with dovetail formations (14) enabling the individual units to be interfitted into a cluster of desired configuration. Preferably the dimensions of the individual units are such as to permit partial nesting of the units. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Containers This invention is concerned with improvements relating to containers, particularly of the kind utilised on desks to store stationery equipment such as pencils, pens, paper clips and the like. Such containers are referred to herein as "desk tides" A conventional desk tidy comprises a plurality of open-topped containers, which may be of different heights, permanently secured together in a specific configuration. Such a desk tidy will be purchased, and will sit on the user's desk, who will put (perhaps) pencils in one container, ball point pens in another, crayons in a third and perhaps paper clips in the fourth.

However such desk tidies suffer from a number of disadvantages: (a) desk tidies are conventionally manufacturered in a limited number of varieties, and it is thus not practicable to provide a desk tidy to meet the specific needs of particular groups of users. For example a draughtsman may require a larger number of containers, and perhaps of different sizes, than a clerk; (b) difficulty is encountered in the provision of the containers in an array convenient for use by all users; (c) difficulty is encountered in the convenient provision of conventional desk tidies with containers of different colours.

According to this invention there is provided a desk tidy comprising a plurality of individual units which are moulded from plastics material and which may be used either in separate or assembled form.

Advantageously the units comprise formations on surfaces thereof, such as interfitting formations on exterior surfaces thereof, which permit the units to be assembled together, such as by the provisions of sliding or pressfit formations which are engagable with the interfitting formations of other units.

In this manner the units may be attached to and detached from one another in a convenient manner enabling a cluster of a desired number of units readily to be assembled together.

Desirably the units are provided in different sizes, preferably both height wise and width wise, enabling a cluster to be assembled from individual units of desired height and/or width.

Advantageously the units are cylindrical, the cylinders each being closed at one end to form a base which may rest on a user's desk, and having formations on the exterior of part of its curved surface.

In addition preferably the individual units of a specific plurality are of such sizes as to enable the individual units to at least in part be nested together, facilitating packing, storage and transportation.

According to this invention this is also provided, a desk tidy, in a container unit which is provided on part at least of an exterior surface thereof with formations by which the container unit may be interfitted with a similar container unit.

There will now be given a detailed description, to be read with reference to the accom- panying drawings, of a desk tidy which is preferred embodiment of this invention, and which has been selected for the purposes of illustrating the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of the preferred embodiment; Figure 2 is an enlarged transverse sectional view showing the interengagement of two units of the preferred embodiment; and Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the individual units of the preferred embodiment in a nested state.

The desk tidy which is the preferred embodiment of this invention comprises four units 6, 8, 10 and 12 which are generally cylindrical, being open at the top and having a closed base, the four units beings of different height and/or diameter.

Each unit is provided, around a lower portion only of the periphery, with interfitting means provided by dovetail formations 14, which permit any two units to be interfitted by relative axial movement (see Fig. 2). In this manner the units may be interfitted together in a cluster of any desired arrangement, including a generally linear arrangement in which the longitudinal axes of units lie generally in a vertical plane. In addition the four units of the preferred embodiment may be interconnected together with any desired number of additional individual units, as may be desired.

The units are conveniently moulded from plastics material in any desired colour, and, as will be seen in Fig. 3, the height and diameter of the four units of the specific group are so selected as to allow the units to be nested, for simplicity of packing, transportation and storage.

It will be appreciated that whilst in the preferred embodiment relative interfitting of the individual units is achieved by the use of dovetail formations, other interfitting formations may be utilised, such as by the use press-fit formations, or "velcro" (RTM) - like material applied to the periphery of otherwise cylindrical units.

In addition it will be appreciated that the units may be other than cylindrical, in particular of polygonal cross-section, and may be provided with interfitting formations on part only of their peripheries, such as part-way around a curved surface, or on other than every side of a polygonal instruction.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their spe cific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, or a class or group of substances or compositions, as appropriate, may, separately or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims (13)

1. A desk tidy comprising a plurality of individual units moulded from plastics material, which may be used either in a separate or assembled form.

2. A desk tidy according to Claim 1 wherein the units comprise formations on surfaces thereof which permit said units to be assembled together,

3. A desk tidy according to one of Claims 1 and 2 wherein the individual units are readily attachable to and detachable from one another such that they may be used independently of one another or in an assembled form.

4. A desk tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the construction and arrangement of the individual units is such as to enable the units to be assembled together in various configurations.

5. A desk tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the units are cylindrical, the cylinders each being closed at one end to form a base which may rest on a desk, and having formations on the exterior part of or the whole of its curved surface.

6. A desk tidy according to any one of Ciaims 1 to 4 wherein the individual units are polygonal in cross-section.

7. A desk tidy according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the exterior surface of each unit carries interfitting formations allowing a sliding or press-fit engagement with interfitting formations of another unit.

8. A desk tidy according to Claim 7 wherein the interlocking formations are dovetail formations moulded integrally with the unit.

9. A desk tidy according to any one of the claims wherein the individual units are of such sizes as to permit at least partial nestingof the units.

10. In or for the provision of a desk tidy, in a container unit which is provided on part at least an exterior surface thereof with formations by which the container unit may be interfitted with a similar container unit.

11. A desk tidy constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A container unit constructed and arranged substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

13. Any novel feature or novel combination of features hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the accompanying drawings.