WO2008122766A1

WO2008122766A1 - Carousel

Info

Publication number: WO2008122766A1
Application number: PCT/GB2008/001172
Authority: WO
Inventors: Belinda-Ann Kennedy; Michael Joseph Kennedy
Original assignee: Belinda-Ann Kennedy; Michael Joseph Kennedy
Priority date: 2007-04-05
Filing date: 2008-04-04
Publication date: 2008-10-16
Also published as: GB0803582D0; GB0706752D0; GB2448394A

Abstract

There is disclosed a carousel (1) for storing items, comprising at least one rotatable horizontal platform (4) and a plurality of containers (36, 36A, 36B) which are storable on the platform, wherein the upper surface of the platforms comprises a retaining formation (24) and the plurality of containers comprise a co-operating formation (32) which co-operate with the retaining formation such that the retaining formation resists outward motion of the containers when the horizontal platform is rotated. The disclosure further includes a kit for forming the said carousel and a cabinet comprising the said carousel.

Description

CAROUSEL

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to the field of carousels which are suitable for use in kitchens to store items, such as food and drink, and kitchenware, such as crockery. In particular, the invention relates to carousels designed to be mounted in cabinets, kits for making carousels and cabinets including such carousels.

Background to the invention

The provision of storage facilities is important in the design of modern kitchens and many kitchens include freestanding or fitted cabinets. It is desirable to be able to store products in bulk in a way which enables a user to rapidly inspect the contents of their cupboards, and to store away or remove items. A number of designs are known for facilitating the use of space, for example, it is known to provide a cabinet including a wire basket which moves into an otherwise inaccessible corner when the cabinet door is shut.

The present invention makes use of a carousel. It is known to provide two-tiered turntables of fixed height, joined to each other by peripheral vertical struts, which sit on kitchen worktops, and which can be rotated, enabling products to be selected. Although a rail is provided around the periphery of the carousel, items will not generally rest against the rail and may slide outwards or around the axis of the carousel, when the carousel is rotated. The provision of peripheral vertical struts blocks easy access to items on the lower tier. Furthermore, such carousels occupy worktop surface, which is often limited. Thus, worktop based carousels do not provide an ideal storage solution.

Accordingly, the invention aims to provide space-efficient apparatus for storing items in a kitchen, which can be used to conveniently view, insert and remove items. Some embodiments of the present invention are in the form of cabinet units, which typically correspond to industry-recognised standard sizes for integration into fitted kitchens. This enables an effective storage solution to be provided in fitted kitchens. By a "cabinet", we mean a cupboard having a door.

Some embodiments of the present invention are designed for retro-fitting into existing kitchen furniture, such as fitted kitchen cabinets. Some embodiments of the invention are modular, which enables them to be customised to the requirements of a particular purchaser.

Further benefits of the invention disclosed herein will be apparent from the description below.

Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a carousel for storing items, comprising at least one rotatable horizontal platform and a plurality of containers which are storable on the platform, wherein the upper surface of the platforms comprises a retaining formation and the plurality of containers comprise a co-operating formation which co-operates with the retaining formation such that the retaining formation resists outward motion of the containers when the horizontal platform is rotated.

This arrangement enables containers to rest on the rotatable platform and to be retained when the platform is rotated. Preferably, the containers and rotatable platform are configured so that the co-operating formations of the plurality of containers rest against the retaining formation in use. Thus, the containers should not slide outwards due to centrifugal forces when the carousel is rotated at typical speeds. This keeps the containers neat and is a safety feature. Typically, the carousel comprises a plurality of rotatable horizontal platforms located above each other. Preferably, the or each rotatable platform is mounted on a central shaft. The use of a central shaft facilitates convenient access tb and removal of the containers and any other items stored on the or each rotatable horizontal platform. Preferably the carousel does not include peripheral vertical struts between horizontal platforms, which would make access more difficult. The rotatable horizontal platforms may rotate independently about the central shaft. However, in a preferred embodiment, each horizontal platform is fixedly mounted on the central shaft, and so the plurality of rotatable horizontal platforms located above each other rotate together. This makes it easier for a user to view all of the products on the platforms, as they must only apply a force to a single platform in order to rotate the entire carousel. We have found that this arrangement can be more space-efficient than the use of standard kitchen shelves, particularly if the spacing between horizontal platforms is selected to correspond to the height of a particular item (e.g. a said container, or a can) with an additional margin of clearance (e.g. 1 to 5 cm).

The invention extends in a second aspect to a kit which can be assembled to form a carousel, wherein the kit comprises a rotatable horizontal platform and a plurality of containers which are storable on the platform, wherein the upper surface of the platform comprises a retaining formation and the plurality of containers comprise a co-operating formation which co-operates with the retaining formation such that the retaining formation resists outward motion of the containers when the horizontal platform is rotated. Typically, the kit comprises a plurality of rotatable horizontal platforms. Typically, the kit comprises a shaft onto which the plurality of rotatable horizontal platforms fit. The kit may further comprise an adaptor portion to increase the length of the shaft where required.

The or each horizontal platform will typically be generally open around its outside edge. The or each horizontal platform is typically circular to maximise the storage volume when the carousel is mounted in a cuboidal space, such as a typical kitchen cabinet.

The retaining formations may comprise one or more grooves, on the upper surface of the or each rotatable horizontal platform. The co-operating formations may comprise one or more protrusions, such as ridges on the base of the containers, which cooperate with the said one or more grooves. However, it is preferred that the upper surface of the or each rotatable horizontal platform comprises one or more protrusions, such as a ridge which extends around the shaft and which typically extends around the periphery of the or each rotatable horizontal platform. In this case, the co-operating formations may comprise a peripheral indentation, or a groove, in the base of the containers, which co-operates with the said ridge. Thus, when the containers are removed from the platforms, and placed on a horizontal surface, such as a kitchen worktop or table, the formations on the underside of the container do not cause the container to balance unevenly on a horizontal surface.

Preferably, the retaining formation(s) and the co-operating formations comprise wall portions which are in contact in use. Preferably, the wall portions comprise regions which are in contact in use which slope outward as they extend upwards. Where the retaining formation(s) comprises a ridge which extends around the shaft (typically at the periphery of the or each rotatable horizontal platform), the ridge typically has an inward facing wall portion which is not vertical, but which slopes outwards as it extends up from the horizontal platform and the containers typically comprise a groove, or a peripheral indentation, at least a portion of which comprises a wall portion which slopes outwards, as it extends upwards. This means that, although the retaining formation will retain the co-operating formations, and thus the containers, the containers can be more easily pulled on to and over the retaining formations than would be the case if the retaining formation and the opposing region of the cooperating formations had an inward facing wall which was wholly vertical.

The rotatable horizontal platform may further comprise rotation resisting members, such as radially extending grooves, or ridges, which resist rotation of the containers relative to the or each horizontal platform. Thus, the containers will generally rotate with the horizontal platform on which they rest. The containers may comprise anti- rotation co-operating formations, such as radial indentations or grooves, which cooperate with the rotation resisting members. A radial indentation may be provided at either or both radially extending side of the containers. One or more radial grooves may be provided on the underside of the containers.

One or more of the rotatable horizontal platforms may have one or more said retaining formations on each of its two opposed (and typically generally planar) surfaces, wherein each of the opposed surface is adapted to retain different containers, or other items, depending on which surface is uppermost. Preferably, each of the two opposed surfaces has a different arrangement of container contacting ridges and/or grooves. The said one or more rotatable horiztonal platform is preferably formed and arranged to be assembled into a carousel with either of the two opposed surfaces upwards. This enables the carousel to be customised, and may enable fewer components to be manufactured.

The carousel, or the kit as appropriate, may comprise one or more shaft end support members, to which the shaft is pivotably attached (or attachable, in the case of the kit). The shaft end support members may comprise the top and bottom inner walls of a cabinet. However, the shaft end support members may be adapted to engage with the top and bottom inner walls of a cabinet to enable the carousel to be fitted into a cabinet which has already been constructed. The or each shaft end support member may be in the form of a flat board in the shape of a rectangle, such as a square. The kit may further comprise a spacer, which preferably has the same shape as one of the shaft end support members, to enable the carousel to be fitted into cabinets of more than one internal height. The kit may further comprise one or more keying members, which fit into a formation (such as a hole or slot) on a shaft end support member to enable the shaft end support member to be fitted level with the front of a cabinet, and the carousel may be installed into a pre-existing cabinet using such a keying member.

The shaft may have bevelled ends and the shaft end support members may comprise recesses into which the bevelled ends of the shaft fit, thereby supporting the shaft and enabling it to pivot. Where an adaptor is provided, one end of the adaptor will typically be adapted for attachment to the major portion of the shaft and the other end will typically be adapted to engage with a shaft end support member.

The shaft, or the adaptor where provided, may comprise first and second portions which can be moved relative to each other, parallel to the length of the shaft, to alter the overall length of the shaft. For example, the first portion may comprise a screw fitting and the second portion may comprise a corresponding threaded portion. The second portion may be the shaft adaptor. Thus, the length of the shaft can be adjusted to fit cabinets of varying height, or the length of the shaft may be increased when it is in line with recesses into which it is to fit, to facilitate assembly. The first and second portions may be biased apart by a biasing member, such as a spring. This enables the carousel to be conveniently fitted into a cabinet.

Typically, the or each horizontal platform comprises an internal, and typically central, bore through which the shaft passes in use. The shaft may comprise an external elongate ridge, or groove, which fits with a co-operating groove or ridge respectively on the inner surface of the bore of the or each horizontal platform, thereby fixing the or each platform so that they rotate with the shaft. The elongate ridge or groove on the shaft may not extend the whole way to the lower end of the shaft and/or shaft adaptor portion so that the co-operating groove or ridge on the lowest horizontal platform rests on the end of the ridge or groove of the shaft and/or shaft adaptor so that the lowest horizontal platform is spaced apart from the lowest shaft end support member and/or the interior base of the cabinet to which the carousel is fitted.

Each horizontal platform may comprise a collar which extends vertically around the bore, to space apart adjacent horizontal platforms. A further collar portion may be included between the collars of successive horizontal platforms, to space them apart. The collar may have more than one different height, to enable the customisation of a carousel and to enable a carousel to have horizontal platforms with different spacings therebetween. Accordingly, the kit typically comprises collars of more than one different length.

The central shaft may comprise a plurality of shaft portions, for example shaft portions which extend from one horizontal platform to an adjacent horizontal platform. The or each horizontal platform may comprise an internal, and typically central, bore which has sufficiently small internal diameter to grip the central shaft, or a shaft portion, and retain the horizontal platform in place. Preferably, the kit comprises shaft portions of a plurality of different lengths to enable the carousel to be fitted into the interior of cabinets of a range of different heights.

Each container may comprise one or more finger engaging portions to enable the containers to be conveniently lifted off the horizontal platforms. The finger-engaging portions may be protrusions, but are preferably indentations. The finger-engaging portions are typically elongate, and extend vertically, either up the whole height of each container, or a portion of the height of each container. A single container may comprise two, or potentially more, finger-engaging portions. These may be located within the (typical) part-circular outer surface of each container. They may be located at either end of the outer surface. In some embodiments, each container may have only a single finger-engaging portion, typically at the outer surface of the container. These may be configured to enable two, or potentially more, containers to be lifted out at the same time by a user in gripping the finger-engaging portion of one container with their thumb, and the finger-engaging portion of another container with one or more other fingers.

The containers may have open tops. The containers may have openable lids. Preferably, a mixture of containers with different dimensions is provided within each carousel. One or more of the containers may be divided into two or more separate portions by an internal divider.

One or more of the said horizontal platforms, or a further horizontal platform (by which we mean a horizontal platform that may not have a retaining formation which co-operates with the co-operating formation of the plurality of containers in use), may comprise a stellated support, which is fitted around the shaft and which rotates with the shaft in use, and which comprises a plurality of indentations in its outer periphery adapted to restrain items in contact with the indentations from moving relative to the horizontal platform, around the axis of rotation of the horizontal platform, when the horizontal platform is rotated. The plurality of indentations may be part-circular to cooperate with cylindrical cans. This restrains cans from sliding on the horizontal platforms as the carousel is rotated. The horizontal platform, or further horizontal platform may comprise a peripheral rail for retaining cans. The stellated support may be integral to or separate to a horizontal platform.

One or more of the said horizontal platforms, or a further horizontal platform, may comprise a locating formation, such as a circumferential groove or ridge, located towards the interior of the one or more said horizontal platforms, so that a retained container, or product, is in contact with both a said retaining formation and, towards the interior of the respective platform, the locating formation. This enables cylindrical cans, or other containers or products to be kept neatly on the respective platform.

Preferably, the containers have an outer surface (i.e. the surface which is furthest from the axis of rotation of the at least or one horizontal platform) which comprises an arc of a cylinder. A group of containers for use or the same on a horizontal platform may be shaped such that when they are fitted together, their outer surfaces form a cylinder. The outer edges will typically comprise one-third, one-quarter, one-sixth, one-eighth, one-twelfth or one-sixteenth of a circle. The containers may have an inward surface, typically comprising a corresponding arc of a circle, enabling the containers to be fitted around the shaft. Thus, the containers may have a horizontal δ

cross-section which corresponds to a sector of a circle omitting a portion near the centre of the circle.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a carousel for storing items, comprising a shaft and at least one rotatable horizontal platform having a retaining formation which extends around the platform (typically at the periphery of the platform) and a stellated support, which is fitted around the shaft and which rotates with the shaft in use, and which comprises a plurality of indentations in its outer periphery adapted to restrain items in contact with the indentations from moving relative to the horizontal platform when the horizontal platform is rotated. The plurality of indentations may be part-circular to co-operate with cylindrical cans. The carousel may comprise a plurality of such horizontal platforms. In a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a kit for forming a carousel according to the second aspect of the present invention, comprising a shaft and a plurality of said horizontal platforms.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cabinet comprising a carousel according to the first or third aspect of the present invention or a cabinet comprising a carousel formed from a kit according to the second or fourth aspects of the present invention. The cabinet may comprise a plurality of said carousels. The cabinet may comprise two different said carousels. The cabinet may comprise a carousel according to the first aspect of the present invention or formed from a kit according to the third aspect of the present invention, and a carousel according to the second aspect of the present invention or formed from a kit according to the fourth aspect of the present invention.

The cabinet is typically a kitchen cabinet and the invention also extends in a sixth aspect to a kitchen comprising one of more fitted cabinets according to the fifth aspect of the present invention. The kitchen may comprise cabinets having carousels with different arrangements of horizontal platforms (e.g. different combinations of spacings between horizontal platforms) made from different combinations of identical components.

The invention extends in a seventh aspect to a kitchen cabinet, mounted on a single flat wall, and comprising an integral carousel for storing items. Typically, the cabinet will be cuboidal. The carousel typically comprises a plurality of horizontal platforms fixed to a rotating shaft. The shaft may be retained by top and bottom shaft end support members as discussed above. The shafts of one, two, or more than two, carousels may be retained by a pair of top and bottom shaft end support members.

Description of the Drawings

An example embodiment of the present invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures in which:

Figure 1 is a side view of a carousel according to the present invention;

Figure 2 is a plan view of a horizontal platform;

Figure 3 is a cross-section of the horizontal platform through B-B in which the collar is more clearly, shown;

Figure 4 is a cross-section of the horizontal platform through A-A;

Figure 5 is a cross-section through the periphery of the horizontal platform;

Figure 6 is a cross-section of a portion of the horizontal platform through B-B showing the profile of a rotation resisting member;

Figure 7 is a cross-section through the co-operating formation at the periphery of a container;

Figure 8 is a cross-section through the co-operating formation of Figure 7 in contact with the inward surface of a peripheral retaining formation;

Figure 9 is a cross-section though the base of a container at the location of a groove which co-operates with the rotation resisting member of Figure 6;

Figure 10 is a side view of a container according to the present invention;

Figure 11 is a cross-section of a container through C-C;

Figure 12 is a plan view of three containers located on a horizontal platform; Figure 13A is a perspective view of a container;

Figure 13B is a perspective view of an alternative container;

Figure 14 is a plan view of a group of twelve containers located on a horizontal platform;

Figure 15 is an end view of a container of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a cross-section of the container of Figure 14 through D-D;

Figure 17 is a side view of a container of Figure 14;

Figure 18 is a cross-section along the length of a shaft;

Figure 19 is a cross-section through a shaft;

Figure 20 is a cross-section through the base of a shaft;

Figure 21 A is a cross-section through the top of a shaft;

Figure 21 B is a corresponding view showing the adapter pressed against the spring;

Figure 22 is an exploded isometric view of shaft fitting into shaft end support members;

Figure 23 is a cross-section through a can holding platform;

Figure 24 is a plan view of a stellated can retaining collar;

Figure 25 is a plan view of a can retained on the can holding platform;

Figure 26 is a side view of cans retained on the can holding platform;

Figure 27 is a front view of a cabinet comprising two different carousels; Figure 28 is a front view of the cabinet with containers and produce located on the platforms;

Figure 29 is a cross-section through a reversible horizontal platform;

Figure 30 is a plan view of cans retained on the reversible horizontal platform of Figure 29;

Figure 31 is a cross section through a top board where it pivotably retains a central shaft in an alternative embodiment; and

Figure 32 is a cross-section through a bottom board where it pivotably retains a carousel by engaging with a flange on the lowest horizontal platform.

Detailed Description of an Example Embodiment

Figure 1 is a side view of a carousel 1 according to the present invention, without containers stored thereon. The carousel comprises a central shaft 2 which extends through the carousel and to which are fixedly attached a plurality of rotatable horizontal platforms 4. The shaft has a bevelled top 6 and bottom 8 which fit into holes in top and bottom boards 10, 12 which function as shaft end support members and which are held in position relative to the carcase of a kitchen cabinet 14 by the shaft. In the carousel shown in Figure 1, a spacer 16 is located between the bottom board and the bottom inner surface of the carcase of the kitchen cabinet. The spacer is included where required so that the carousel fits a particular kitchen cabinet.

Figure 2 is a plan view of a horizontal platform upon which containers can be mounted in use. The horizontal platform is circular with a central circular bore 18, the inner surface of which has a protrusion 20 which fits into a corresponding elongate groove on the shaft to ensure that the horizontal platform rotates with the shaft. A collar 22 around the bore can be seen in cross-section. Spacer collars 23 (shown in Figure 1) separate successive horizontal platforms. A peripheral ridge 24, around the circumference of the horizontal platform functions as a retaining formation to retain containers which are placed onto the horizontal platform in use. Three equally spaced radial ridges 26 extend outwards from the collar to the periphery and function as rotation resisting members, resisting movement of containers located on the horizontal platform relative to the horizontal platform when it is rotated. Figure 3 is a cross-section of the horizontal platform through B-B in which the collar is more clearly shown. The outermost portion of the underside of the horizontal platform slopes gently upwards, at an angle of around 4^°. Figure 4 is a cross-section of the horizontal platform through A-A.

Figure 5 is a cross-section through the periphery of the horizontal platform showing the peripheral ridge. The inward facing wall 28 of the peripheral ridge slopes outwards and upwards from the upper surface of the horizontal platform. The inward facing wall may slope outwards at an angle of around 31 °. Figure 6 is a cross-section of a portion of the horizontal platform through B-B showing the profile of a rotation resisting member 29, which has opposed radially facing walls 30 at a similar angle to the inner facing wall of the peripheral ridge.

Figure 7 is a cross-section through the co-operating formation at the periphery of a container, showing an outward sloping wall portion 32 which is in contact with the inward facing wall of the peripheral ridge. The co-operating formation is shown in contact with the peripheral ridge in Figure 8. As the portions of the inward facing wall and the outward peripheral wall of the container which contact each other are sloped outward (away from the centre of the horizontal platform) as they extend upwards in use, the containers are retained, and can easily be fitted into position, but can be more readily removed by pulling outwards than if the inward facing wall of the peripheral ridge and the corresponding portion of the container were vertical.

Figure 9 is a cross-section though the base of a container at the location of the radial groove which co-operates with the rotation resisting member of Figure 6. The rotation resisting member has sloping lower walls 34 which are also at an angle to the vertical, enabling the groove to fit over the rotation resisting members so that the containers are held in place as the horizontal platform is rotated, but the containers can still be readily removed.

With reference to Figure 10, a container 36 has an outer wall 38 in the form of an arc of a circle. The arc subtends an angle of 120° around the centre of the circle and three containers, the outer walls of which together form the outer circular face of a cylinder are shown in plan view in Figure 12. The outer wall of the container includes two vertical grooves 40 which function as finger engaging portions. The finger engaging portions are located around 30° apart. A user can conveniently hold the finger engaging portions of a container between their thumb and another finger and remove the container from the horizontal platform. Each container also has radial walls 42 and an inward facing wall 44 which enables the container to fit around the shaft. The base of the radial sides of the container comprise indentations which cooperate with the rotation resisting members. Radial grooves within the base of the container cooperate with further rotation resisting members.

The containers may be selected so that a different number of containers together form a circle, or generally circular shape, such as a regular octagon or dodecagon. For example, a group of four containers each of which has an outer wall which subtends an angle of 90° may be provided. A group of six containers, each of which has an outer wall which subtends an angle of 60° may be provided. Figure 13A is a perspective view of a container which has an outer surface which subtends an angle of 90°, four of which fit on a single platform. Figure 13B is a perspective view of a container which has an outer surface which subtends an angle of 30°, twelve of which fit on a single platform.

Figure 14 is a plan view of a group of twelve containers 36B, shown individually in Figures 15 to 17, each of which has an outer wall which subtends an angle of 30°. In these smaller containers 36B, the finger engaging portions comprise elongate vertical indentations 46 at the corners of the containers, where the radial edges contact the outer walls. The finger engaging portions may have other profiles, for example, they may be teardrop shaped and broader at their upper end than their lower end, as shown in Figures 13A and 13B. Various numbers and spacings of rotation resisting members may be provided, as desired.

The construction of the shaft is illustrated in Figures 18A and B through 22. The shaft is elongate and generally circular. A keyway in the form of an elongate groove 46 extends along the majority of the length of the shaft and co-operates with the protrusions 20 which extend into the bore of the horizontal platforms. The keyway may stop just above the base of the shaft (or the shaft length adaptor) to retain the lowest horizontal platform in position, spaced apart from the bottom board.

The shaft can include a shaft adaptor 48 which fits onto a spigot 49 which extends from the major portion of the shaft. The shaft adaptor is held in place by a groove 50, opposite the keyway, which co-operates with a protrusion 52 which extends from the main body of the shaft, to prevent rotation of the shaft adaptor relative to the main body of the shaft. A spring 54 located on a spring seat 56 in a recess in the shaft adaptor provides an outward bias, enabling the shaft to be slid into recesses in the top and bottom boards and then retained in position. Figure 18B shows an alternative in which the spring extends from the end of the spigot to the base of the recess in the shaft.

With reference to Figure 20, the shaft has a bevelled base 58 which fits into a recess in the bottom board. A corresponding bevelled top fits into a corresponding recess in the top board. The bevelled ends and held in position and pivot within the recesses in use. In the example shown, a spacer board sits between the lower board and the base of a cabinet to enable standardised parts to be used with a range of different sizes of cabinet. This construction does not require screws and so can be fitted quickly and easily. The top and bottom boards can be fitted level with the front of a pre-existing cabinet by using a keying member which fits into a hole at the front of a board and extends vertically down and beyond the front surface of the board, which can then be positioned so that the keying member is flush with the front of the board and the bottom lip of the cabinet carcase.

The spring or other biasing member may alternatively be located near one end of the shaft, for example as shown in Figure 21A which is a cross-section through the top of an alternative shaft in which the spring is located close to one end. Figure 21 B is a corresponding view when the adaptor is pushed into place against the spring. Alternative methods may be used to enable the length of the shaft to be adjusted. For example, first and second portions of the shaft may comprise co-operating screw threads which allow the overall length of the shaft to be adjusted.

As illustrated in Figure 22, each board and spacer may be sized and shaped to receive the shafts of one, two or potentially more carousels. The spacer and bottom board may each comprise co-operating formations to retain the spacer and board in a fixed relationship to each other. For example, the spacer may comprise a plurality of spigots 60 which fit into corresponding recesses in the lower board.

An alternative carousel is illustrated in Figures 23 through 26. Figure 23 is a cross- section through a can holding platform which is formed from the horizontal platform discussed above and attached to the shaft in the same way, except that there is an additional stellated can retaining collar 62 which includes a plurality of can retaining indentations 64 which serve to locate cans 66 and prevent them from rotating relative to each other as the carousel is turned. Thus, they can be readily accessed and will not become disordered if the carousel is turned too fast. As shown in Figure 23, the collar of the platform has a slightly higher outer diameter than the adaptor collars and so the can retaining collar can sit on a seat 66 formed by the outer periphery of the collar of the platform. This enables the stellated can retaining collars to be fitted into position without changing the spacing between successive horizontal platforms. This facilitates the provision of a kit which can be used to provide customised carousels.

The carousels may provided pre-assembled or pre-installed into kitchen cabinets. However, a benefit of the construction described herein is that they can be readily provided in kit form and customised to a particular users requirements. The same size of horizontal platform may be used to prepare carousels with different spacings between horizontal platforms by including adaptor collars of different lengths within a kit. Different sized containers, or containers with different interior constructions may be provided in a kit, for example, containers which are open, or which have lids, and containers with dividers. Can retaining collars can be provided to enable what would otherwise be a horizontal platform to be converted into a can holding platform.

Figure 27 is a front view of a cabinet 68 comprising two different carousels, which can be constructed from predominantly the same parts. Figure 28 shows the same cabinet when filled with containers and cans. Different spacings between horizontal platforms, and containers of corresponding different heights, can be provided depending on customer requirements.

With reference to Figures 29 and 30, an alternative carousel, or carousel kit, includes one or more reversible rotatable horizontal platforms 68 which have different arrangements of retaining formations (such as peripheral ridges or grooves) or other container-engaging formations 70 located on opposite sides 72a, 72b. In the illustrated arrangement, one side of the reversible rotatable horizontal platform there is provided have a peripheral ridge, to retain containers. On one side there are provided an object locating members in the form of a circular ridge for guiding and retaining cans. Accordingly, the reversible rotatable horizontal platforms may be assembled into the carousel with either face upwards, depending on the intended application. In variations on this arrangement, the opposite sides of a reversible rotatable horizontal platform may both comprise retaining formations to retain containers, or only one side may have retaining formations to retain containers. In embodiments where both sides comprise at least one retaining formation to retain containers, the opposite sides may be adapted to retain different numbers and/or sizes of containers.

In some embodiments, the keyway may be omitted, and individual horizontal platforms may be adapted to extend around the central shaft. The shaft may be omitted, for example, each horizontal platform may include a spacer member which functions as a shaft around which the platforms can rotate, and as a shaft to support the platform above, or to hold the platform above the platform below. Each horizontal platform may have a central aperture with an internal diameter sized to retain shaft portions which extend between adjacent horizontal platforms. The central shaft may comprise a plurality of shaft portions each of which extends from the central aperture of one horizontal platform to the central aperture of the horizontal platform above or below. Spacer members of a range of lengths may be provided separately or integrated into horizontal platforms, to enable the carousel to fit cabinets of a range of heights.

If the spring at the top of the shaft has a sufficient range of movement, the spacer member and/or bottom board could be omitted. For example, in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 31 , the top of the central shaft (which may be formed by one or more shaft portions 74) is retained within a collar 76 which has an internal diameter which is slightly greater than the diameter of the shaft (e.g. 40.05 mm versus 40mm) to enable the shaft to rotate, within the collar which itself fits tightly into the top board 10. A spring 78 is retained within the collar, and separated from the top of the shaft by a washer 80. With reference to Figure 32, the base of the shaft may be rotatably mounted in the bottom board by virtue of a circular flange 82 on the lowest rotatable horizontal platform which rotatably engages with an aperture in the bottom board. Circular flanges which define the central aperture in each horizontal platform may extend above and below each platform to improve the grip of each horizontal platform on one or two shaft portions.

Other variations may be considered within the scope of the invention herein disclosed. For example, instead of being provided as a kit, the carousel may be preassembled. Instead of being fitted into a pre-existing, or pre-fitted kitchen cabinet, one or more carousels may be installed in a cabinet, whilst it is constructed.

Claims

1. A carousel for storing items, comprising at least one rotatable horizontal platform and a plurality of containers which are storable on the platform, wherein the upper surface of the platforms comprises a retaining formation and the plurality of containers comprise a co-operating formation which cooperate with the retaining formation such that the retaining formation resists outward motion of the containers when the horizontal platform is rotated.

2. A carousel according to claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of rotatable horizontal platforms located above each other and mounted on a central shaft.

3. A carousel according to claim 2, wherein the rotatable horizontal platforms are fixedly mounted on the central shaft so that the plurality of rotatable horizontal platforms located above each other rotate together.

4. A carousel according to any one preceding claim, wherein the rotatable horizontal platforms are circular and generally open around their outside edges.

5. A carousel according to any one preceding claim, wherein the upper surface of the or each rotatable horizontal platform comprises a ridge which extends around the shaft and the co-operating formations comprise a groove or indentation which extends around the bases of the containers

6. A carousel according to claim 6, wherein the ridge extends around the periphery of the or each rotatable horizontal platform and the co-operating formations comprise peripheral indentations in the bases of the containers, which co-operate with the said ridge.

7. A carousel according to claim 5 or claim 6, wherein the retaining formations and the co-operating formations comprise wall portions which are in contact in use, which comprise regions which are in contact in use and which slope outwards as they extend upwards.

8. A carousel according to any one preceding claim, further comprising one or more rotation resisting members which resist rotation of the containers relative to the or each horizontal platform.

9. A carousel according to claim 8, wherein the rotation resisting members comprise radial ridges and one or more corresponding radial grooves or indentations are provided on the underside of the containers.

10. A carousel according to any one preceding claim, comprising one or more shaft end support members, to which the shaft is pivotably attached.

11. A carousel according to any one preceding claim, wherein the shaft, or a shaft adaptor, comprises first and second portions which can be moved relative to each other, parallel to the length of the shaft, to alter the overall length of the shaft.

12. A carousel according to any one preceding claim wherein the or each horizontal platform comprises an internal central bore through which the shaft passes in use and the shaft comprises an external elongate ridge, or groove, which fits with a co-operating groove or ridge on the inner surface of the bore of the or each horizontal platforms, thereby fixing the platforms so that they rotate with the shaft.

13. A carousel according to claim 12, wherein each horizontal platform comprises a collar which extends vertically around the bore, to space apart adjacent horizontal platforms and a further spacer collar portion is included between the collars of successive horizontal platforms, to space them apart.

14. A carousel according to any one preceding claim, wherein each container comprises one or more finger engaging portions to enable the containers to be conveniently lifted off the horizontal platforms.

15. A carousel according to any one preceding claim, wherein one or more of the said horizontal platforms, or a further horizontal platform comprises a stellated support, which is fitted around the shaft and which rotates with the shaft in use, and which comprises a plurality of indentations in its outer periphery adapted to restrain items in contact with the indentations from moving relative to the horizontal platform when the horizontal platform is rotated.

16. A carousel according to any one preceding claim, wherein the containers have an outer surface which comprises an arc of a cylinder and a group of containers for use or the same on a horizontal platform are shaped such that when they are fitted together, their outer surfaces form a cylinder.

17. A kit which can be assembled to form a carousel, wherein the kit comprises a horizontal platform and a plurality of containers which are storable on the platform, wherein the upper surface of the platform comprises a retaining formation and the plurality of containers comprise a co-operating formation which co-operates with the retaining formation such that the retaining formation resists outward motion of the containers when the horizontal platform is rotated.

18. A kit according to claim 17, which comprises a plurality of rotatable horizontal platforms and a shaft onto which the plurality of rotatable horizontal platforms fit.

19. A kit according to claim 18, wherein one or more of the rotatable horizontal platforms has one or more said retaining formations on each of its two opposed surfaces, wherein each of the opposed surfaces is adapted to retain different containers or other items depending on the surface which is uppermost.

20. A kit according to any one of claims 17 to 19, comprising shaft end support members which are adapted to engage with the top and bottom inner walls of a cabinet to enable the carousel to be fitted into a cabinet which has already been constructed, and a spacer which has the same shape as one of the shaft end support members, to enable the carousel to be fitted into cabinets of more than one internal height.

21. A kit according to claim 20, wherein the shaft end support members comprise a formation for receiving a keying member, and the kit further comprises a keying member which can be inserted into the formation for receiving a keying member such that the keying member can be used to align the shaft end support member to be fitted level with the front of a cabinet.

22. A kit according to any one of claims 17 to 21 , comprising collars of more than one different length which fit around, the shaft to space apart the horizontal platforms in use.

23. A carousel for storing items, comprising a shaft and at least one rotatable horizontal platform having a retaining formation which extends around the platform and a stellated support, which is fitted around the shaft and which rotates with the shaft in use, and which comprises a plurality of indentations in its outer periphery adapted to restrain items in contact with the indentations from moving relative to the horizontal platform when the horizontal platform is rotated.

24. A kit for forming a carousel according to claim 23, comprising a shaft and a plurality of said horizontal platforms and stellated supports.

25. A cabinet comprising a carousel according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or claim 23, or formed from a kit according to any one of claims 17 to 22, or 24.

26. A cabinet according to claim 25, comprising two different carousels according to any one of claims 1 to 16, or claim 23, or formed from a kit according to any one of claims 17 to 22, or 24.

27. A kitchen comprising one or more fitted cabinets according to claim 25 or claim 26.

28. A kitchen according to claim 27, comprising cabinets having carousels with different arrangements of horizontal platforms made from different combinations of identical components.

29. A kitchen cabinet mounted on a single flat wall and having a cuboidal interior, comprising a carousel for storing items.

30. A carousel substantially as described herein and illustrated with reference to the Figures.

31. A kit substantially as described herein and illustrated with reference to the Figures.