GB2459142A

GB2459142A - A storage device

Info

Publication number: GB2459142A
Application number: GB0817462A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Melanie-Jane Tomo
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-04-10
Filing date: 2008-09-24
Publication date: 2009-10-14
Also published as: GB0817462D0; GB0806590D0

Abstract

A storage device for hot beverage ingredients and teaspoons comprises five compartments 2, 7 vertically stacked with a lid 1a on the top compartment that are held together by a vertical column 4, the lid and compartments are pivotally mounted to the column, the base compartment is weighted 8 to provide stability and has non slip rubber feet 9. The rotation of one or more of the compartments and/or lid allows access to the compartment below and/or the compartment itself. Preferably each storage compartment has a lip (4, fig 9) allowing the compartments to click into its storage position and provide an air tight seal. The column 4 may be spring loaded with a protrusion at the base of the column 4 that can be positioned to engage with an aperture in the housing of the base compartment thereby locking the compartments together. The column is preferably attached to the lid, by the user applying pressure and rotating the lid, the user can manipulate the column into a locked position compressing the compartments together thereby preventing the rotation of the compartments or to an unlocked position where the compartments can freely rotate. The column may be a metal rod. Each compartment is labelled with the contents and may have a clear window 3 to allow the contents to be observed.

Description

Description Title

Tea Tidy Twister

Background

This invention relates to a hot beverage storage device.

Hot beverage ingredients are always stored in separate containers/caddies, which clutters up the work surface and/or takes up cupboard space. Access to these ingredients is often not obtained quickly and takes some time to organise. The containers/caddies are often cumbersome, clunky and impractical, causing difficulty when opening and closing and making it awkward to wash them, especially for dishwasher owners. The final finish is commonly rough and untidy in presentation, primarily on the sealing of the lid and, unless you open the device, it is not possible to gage how much of each hot beverage ingredient there is left. Also the teaspoons used to make the hot beverages are kept separately and often go missing.

Statement of invention

To overcome this storage, organisation and aesthetic problem, the present invention proposes a new storage facility giving quick and easy access, without cluttering the work surface and executing a practical and multi-faceted finish.

Tea Tidy Twister is a convenient solution for storing beverage ingredients together, whilst keeping the ingredients separated and fresh. It stores tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar in separate compartments, one on top of the other, and there is also a weighted base for teaspoons.

The storage facility/device is opened and closed from the top and has the means to be dismantled for the purpose of cleaning. Each compartment can be removed from the base and reassembled after.

Compartments have a clear window to be able to see how much of each hot beverage ingredient is left, allowing consumers to gage when more ingredients need to be bought.

There are alternative variations for assembly: * Less storage compartments, e.g. tea and coffee only, and spoons; tea, coffee and sugar, and spoons; and so on.

* Compartments without a clear window.

* A fixed storage facility/device, therefore losing the ability to dismantle for cleaning.

Advantages The Tea Tidy Twister device is made up of four (or less) twisting compartments (tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar), a base (teaspoons) and a twisting lid. Each compartment is placed one on top of the other to minimise the use of space width ways.

The storage compartments twist open sideways to allow for quick and easy access to the beverage ingredients, without cluttering the work surface.

The storage compartments have either a lip, allowing them to click back into place, when closed, (fixed storage facility/device); or are pitted, allowing them to join when pushed down firmly from the top (detachable storage facility/device) and making them air tight, to ensure freshness.

The storage compartments can be dismantled for the purpose of cleaning.

Each compartment can be removed from the base and reassembled after (detachable storage facility/device).

The storage compartments have a clear window to be able to see the hot beverage ingredients inside and ascertain the need for replenishing.

The lid is either screwed on to the turning metal rod (detachable storage facility/device) or held in place by circlips (fixed storage facility/device), which both allow the invention to seal to maintain freshness of the stored ingredients.

The base of the device is a separate compartment for teaspoons ensuring that they are kept together with the hot beverages and minimising the risk of teaspoons going missing.

A metal rod runs down the back of the device to hold the compartments together and allowing them to twist. The rod is either a solid shaft (fixed storage facility/device) or a spring-loaded shaft member with housing member (detachable storage facility/device).

The base is weighted to give stability to the storage device.

The device has non-slip rubber feet to ensure it does not slide on the work surface.

Drawinas

Introduction to drawings

An example of the invention and variations will now be described by referring to the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 shows the front view of the Tea Tidy Twister and displays how each compartment rests one on top of the other, as well as illustrating the non slip rubber feet and the lid of the device; and Figure 2 shows the back view of the Tea Tidy Twister; and Figure 3, 4 & 5 show the side views of the device and illustrates the cylindrical shape of the storage system; and Figure 6 shows the top view of the device, defining the shape of the lid and highlighting the embossed or pad printed lettering on the front of the Tea Tidy Twister; and Figure 7 shows the storage compartments once they have been twisted open sideways (including the lid) and reveals how quick and easy access is to the beverage ingredients; and Figure 8 shows a 3-D image of the closed hot beverage storage device; and Figure 9 shows a cross-section of the fixed storage facility/device that illustrates that: * the storage compartments have a lip allowing them to click back into place, as does the lid.

* the base contains a weight to give stability.

* there are non-slip rubber feet to ensure that it does not slide on the * a metal rod runs down the back to hold the compartments together and allows them to twist.

* the metal rod is held in place by a circlip and a cap hides the circlip from view.

Figure 10 shows the top view of the device, as does Figure 6, and outlines that this is unchanged as a detachable storage facilityJdevice; and Figure 11 shows a cross-section of the detachable storage facility/device that illustrates that: * the storage compartments are released, by the locking device in the metal rod! sprung loaded shaft member with housing member, and indicates the gap between each compartment, the base and lid.

* the storage compartments have clear windows to be able to see the hot beverage ingredient levels inside.

* The base contains a weight to give stability.

* there are non-slip rubber feet to ensure that it does not slide on the * a metal rod runs down the back to hold the compartments together and allows them to twist. The rod is made up of two parts: a housing member with a groove to slide a raised piece of metal into, and a spring loaded shaft member with the correct sized raised piece of metal.

* the shaft member is screwed into the lid, which houses the screw eye.

* the lid functions as the element for locking the device, by pushing the lid down and turning it anti-clockwise the groove in the housing member and the raised metal on the shaft member are aligned and slot into place.

Figure 12 shows a cross-section of the detachable storage facility/device that illustrates that: * the storage compartments are secured, by the locking device in the metal rod! sprung loaded shaft member with housing member.

* The base contains a weight to give stability.

* the shaft member is screwed into the lid, which houses the screw eye.

* the lid functions as the element for unlocking/releasing the device, by turning it clockwise the groove in the housing member and the raised metal on the shaft member are un-aligned and allow the compartments, base and lid to be released.

Figure 13 shows the metal rod that runs down the back of the detachable storage facility/device to hold the compartments together and allow them to twist. The rod is made up of a housing member with a groove to slide a raised piece of metal and a spring loaded shaft member with the correct sized raised metal piece. At the top of the shaft member there is a screw thread, which is turned into the lid, which houses the screw eye. Once the storage device is unlocked/released the lid can be turned further in the anti-clockwise direction to unscrew the thread from the eye and remove the lid from the device.

Figure 14 shows how the compartments can be detached from the base and metal rod once the lid is removed. It illustrates: * the storage compartments being removed from the base and metal rod.

* the weighted base to give stability, which is permanently attached to the metal rod shaft and housing.

* the non-slip rubber feet to ensure that it does not slide on the work surface.

* the metal rod made up of two parts: a housing member with a groove to slide a raised piece of metal into, and a spring loaded shaft member with the correct sized raised piece of metal and the crew thread at the top.

* the lid, which houses the screw eye.

Detailed description

In figure 1, the storage device is made up of four twisting compartments (tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar) 2, a base / teaspoon storage compartment 3 and a twisting lid 1. Each compartment is placed one on top of the other to minimise the use of space width ways. The base / teaspoon storage compartment 3 has non slip rubber feet 4 attached to it to ensure that it does not slide on the work surface when the device is being used. The storage compartments 2 & 3 are fitted with a lip (refer to figure 9) that allows each compartment and the lid 1 to click back into place when closed and maintain freshness of the stored ingredients.

Figure 2 shows the back view of the hot beverage storage device.

Figure 3, 4 & 5 show the side views of the device, illustrate the cylindrical shape of the storage system and re-affirm the structure of the compartments resting one on top of the other.

Figure 5 & 6 shows the side view and top view as well as highlighting the embossed lettering 1 on the front of the hot beverage storage device.

In figure 7, the 3-D image shows the storage device with all four twisting compartments (tea, coffee, chocolate, sugar) 2 open, as well as the twisting lid 1. The lid and compartments are opened by being twisted sideways and are secured in place by a metal rod that runs down the back of the device (refer to figure 9). This demonstrates how the device will look when opened and illustrates the quick and easy access to the beverage ingredients. The base / teaspoon compartment 3 is weighted in place (refer to figure 9) and therefore does not move, giving the required stability.

Each compartment is made accessible when twisting another; twisting the lid exposes the tea, twisting the lid and tea compartment together exposes the coffee, twisting the lid, tea and coffee compartment together exposes the chocolate, twisting the lid, tea, coffee and chocolate compartment together exposes the sugar and twisting the lid, tea, coffee, chocolate and sugar compartments together exposes the teaspoon compartment 1, 2 & 3.

Figure 8 shows the closed 3-D version of the hot beverage storage device.

In figure 9, fixed storage facility/device, the cross-section of the hot beverage storage device shows that there are four storage compartments, which twist sideways for tea, coffee, chocolate and sugar 2, there is a base / teaspoon compartment 3 and a lid 1, which also twists sideways to open (refer to figure 7). Each storage compartment has a lip 4 that allows them to click back into place when twisted to close, as does the lid. This makes all compartments, including the lid, air tight, to ensure and maintain freshness of the stored ingredients. The base / teaspoon storage compartment contains a lead weight 5 to give stability when opening and closing the device and has non slip rubber feet 6 attached to it to ensure that it does not slide on the work surface when the device is being used.

The lid and compartments are opened by being twisted sideways and are secured in place by a metal rod that runs down the back of the device 7.

This metal rod allows the compartments to be held together and gives them their ability to twist. The top and bottom of the metal rod is held in place by circlips 8 and then hidden from view, top and bottom, by caps 9.

This ensures that the device operates smoothly and efficiently whilst making the appearance aesthetically pleasing to the eye.

In figure 10 shows the top view of the hot beverage storage.

Figure 11 illustrates the cross-section of the detachable hot beverage storage device showing the four storage compartments, which twist sideways for tea, coffee, chocolate and sugar 2, there is a base / teaspoon compartment 6 and a lid la, which also twists sideways to open (refer to figure 7). The lid is attached to the metal rod shaft member 4a; the shaft member has a screw thread at the top, which is turned into the screw eye housed in the lid lb and allows the lid to work as the element for unlocking/releasing the device. By turning the lid anti-clockwise the groove 5b in the housing member 5a and the raised metal 4b on the shaft member are un-aligned and allow the compartments, base and lid to be released. Each storage compartment has a clear window 3 making it possible to see the hot beverage ingredient levels inside and ascertain the need for replenishing. The base / teaspoon compartment contains a weight 7 to give stability when opening and closing the device and has non slip rubber feet 8 attached to it to ensure that it does not slide on the work surface when the device is being used.

The lid and compartments are opened by being twisted sideways and are secured in place by the metal rod shaft member that runs down the back of the device and into the housing member. This allows the compartments to be held together and gives them their ability to twist. The housing member is slotted into the base and the shaft member is inter-connected and held in place permanently by the moulding of the rod.

In figure 12 the cross-section of the detachable storage facility/device shows that there are four twisting storage compartments for tea, coffee, chocolate and sugar 2, there is a base / teaspoon compartment 7 and a twisting lid la. The lid is attached to the metal rod shaft member 4; the shaft member has a screw thread at the top, which is turned into the screw eye housed in the lid lb and allows the lid to work as the element for locking/securing the device. By pushing the lid down and turning the lid clockwise the groove 6 in the housing member 5 and the raised metal 6 on the shaft member are aligned and slot into place, allowing the compartments, base and lid to be locked/secured. Each storage compartment has a clear window 3 making it possible to see the hot beverage ingredient levels inside and ascertain the need for replenishing.

The base / teaspoon compartment contains a weight 8 to give stability when opening and closing the device and has non slip rubber feet 9 attached to it to ensure that it does not slide on the work surface when the device is being used.

The lid and compartments are locked/secured in place by the metal rod shaft member that runs down the back of the device and into the housing member. The housing member is slotted into the base and the shaft member is inter-connected and held in place permanently by the moulding of the rod.

Figure 13 shows the metal rod that runs down the back of the detachable storage facility/device to hold the compartments together and allow them to twist. The rod is made up of a housing member 1, that fits into the height of the base, with a groove 2 to slide a raised piece of metal and an elongated spring loaded shaft member 3 with the correct sized raised metal piece 4. At the top of the shaft member there is a screw thread 5, which is turned into the lid 6, which houses the screw eye 7. Once the storage device is unlocked/released the lid can be turned further in the anti-clockwise direction to unscrew the thread from the eye and remove the lid from the device.

In figure 14 it shows how the compartments can be detached from the base la (with weight lb and rubber feet ic) and metal rod (shaft member 2a and housing member 3a) once the lid 6 is removed. It illustrates the unaligned and released groove 2b and raised metal piece 3b demonstrating the unlocked/released position of the device. Once the lid, housing the screw eye 7, is unscrewed from the screw thread 4 the storage compartments 5a (with clear windows for visibility of hot beverage ingredients Sb) can be removed from the base and metal rod.

Claims

Claims I declare that what I claim is:- 1. A hot beverage cylindrical storage device made up of five plastic and/or metal compartments and a lid, placed one on top of the other, which are pivoted and held together within the structure by a metal rod that goes through the compartments at the back of the device within cylindrical interior casings; storage compartments are made up of four (or less) sideways twisting compartments for tea, coffee, chocolate and sugar and a stable and weighted base/teaspoon storage compartment with non slip rubber feet (two or three), located on the underside of the base; each compartment has embossed lettering or pad printing at the front or side of the device to label what each compartments function is, e.g. tea, coffee, spoons.
2. A hot beverage cylindrical storage device according to claim 1, in which each storage compartment has clear windows to be able to see the hot beverage ingredient levels inside and ascertain the need for replenishing (fixed and detachable storage facility/device).
3. A hot beverage cylindrical storage device according to claim 1, in which each compartment, including the base/compartment, has a lip to allow them to twist and c.lick back into place when closed and making the device airtight, located at the front and top of each; at the top of the device the lid can be twisted sideways, as with the compartments, to open and close with the twist and click function applied (fixed storage facility/device).
4. A hot beverage cylindrical storage device according to claim 2, in which the metal rod that holds together the structure of the device is secured at the top, within the lid, and bottom, within the base, by fitted circlips and hidden from view by purpose built caps, covering the circlips.
5. A hot beverage cylindrical storage device according to claim 1, in which the metal rod that holds together the structure of the device is made up of a housing member, that fits into the height of the base, with a groove to slide a raised piece of metal and an elongated spring loaded shaft member with the correct sized raised metal piece; the storage device is unlocked/released by turning the lid anti-clockwise, thus releasing the raised metal from the groove, and locked/secured by pushing the lid down and turning it clockwise, thus aligning the raised metal and the groove and securing the device as well as making the device airtight (detachable storage facility/device).
6. A hot beverage cylindrical storage device according to claim 4, in which at the top of the spring loaded shaft member there is a screw thread, which is turned into the lid, which houses the screw eye; once the storage device is unlocked/released the lid can be turned further in the anti-clockwise direction to unscrew the thread from the eye and remove the lid from the device; storage compartments can be detached from the base and metal rod, spring loaded shaft member and housing member, once the lid is removed, allowing for the washing of the device; the weighted base is permanently attached to the metal rod shaft and housing.