WO2012161895A1 - Ensemble de casiers de rangement - Google Patents

Ensemble de casiers de rangement Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2012161895A1
WO2012161895A1 PCT/US2012/034165 US2012034165W WO2012161895A1 WO 2012161895 A1 WO2012161895 A1 WO 2012161895A1 US 2012034165 W US2012034165 W US 2012034165W WO 2012161895 A1 WO2012161895 A1 WO 2012161895A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
rack
base
storage
assembly
stored
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2012/034165
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
David Fuhrer
Steve FOUKE
Christopher GILARDE
Original Assignee
Merchant Media, Llc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Merchant Media, Llc filed Critical Merchant Media, Llc
Publication of WO2012161895A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012161895A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B77/00—Kitchen cabinets
    • A47B77/04—Provision for particular uses of compartments or other parts ; Compartments moving up and down, revolving parts
    • A47B77/16—Provision for particular uses of compartments or other parts ; Compartments moving up and down, revolving parts by adaptation of compartments or drawers for receiving or holding foodstuffs; by provision of rotatable or extensible containers for foodstuffs
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B88/00—Drawers for tables, cabinets or like furniture; Guides for drawers
    • A47B88/40—Sliding drawers; Slides or guides therefor
    • A47B88/48—Drawers which can be rotated while or after sliding out

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a storage assembly that is particularly adapted for storing items in a kitchen cabinet, such as spice container and single serving coffee pods. Such storage is problematic because of the small size of these items, their large numbers, and the depth of a typical kitchen cabinet.
  • the present invention addresses those issues with a new and improved storage rack assembly that provides quick, complete visual identification with easy accessibility of all contents of the storage racks.
  • FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a storage rack assembly that is a first embodiment of the invention, including a base and two racks both shown in a stored position;
  • Fig. 2 is a side perspective view of the storage rack assembly of Fig. 1;
  • FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the storage rack assembly of Fig. 1;
  • FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of the base of the storage rack assembly of Fig. 1;
  • FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the storage rack assembly of Fig. 1, showing one of the racks moved to an intermediate position;
  • Fig. 6 is a side perspective view of the storage rack assembly of Fig. 5, showing the one rack moved to an open position.
  • FIG. 7 is a side perspective view of a storage rack assembly that is a second embodiment of the invention.
  • Fig. 8 is a front perspective view of the storage rack assembly of Fig. 7, with one rack shown in an open condition;
  • Fig. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the storage rack assembly of Fig. 7.
  • This invention relates to a storage assembly that is particularly adapted for storing spice jars in a kitchen cabinet, and that is also suitable for storing other items including other foodstuffs.
  • the invention is applicable to storage assemblies of varying and different constructions.
  • Figs. 1-6 illustrate a storage assembly 10 that is a first embodiment of the invention.
  • the assembly 10 (Figs. 1-3) includes a base 20, a first rack 40, and a second rack 60.
  • the first and second racks 40 and 60 are identical to each other. Therefore, the assembly 10 will first be described with reference to the base 20 and the first rack 40 and then, more briefly, with reference to the second rack 60.
  • the base 20 (Figs. 3 and 4) is adapted to rest on the bottom, or a shelf, of a cabinet 12 such as a kitchen cabinet.
  • the base 20 is
  • the base 20 has a generally flat, plate-like configuration including a front end portion 22 and a back end portion 24.
  • a first slot 26 extends longitudinally along the base in a direction between the front end portion 22 and the back end portion 24.
  • the first slot 26 has a front end 28.
  • a second slot 30 in the base 20 is identical in configuration to the first slot, and extends parallel thereto.
  • the slots 26 and 30 come close to, but do not extend up to, the front edge 32 of the base 20.
  • a guide flange 34 (Fig. 4) projects upward from the base at a laterally central position on the base.
  • the first rack 40 (Fig. 2) is an open box- like structure having a generally rectangular configuration including front and back walls 42 and 44, a bottom wall 46, and a top wall 48.
  • a lower tray 50 and an upper tray 52 extend between the front wall 42 and the back wall 44.
  • the lower tray 50 has a plurality of storage locations 54 for holding a number of containers such as spice jars (not shown).
  • the upper tray 52 has a plurality of storage locations 56 for holding a number of container such as spice jars (not shown).
  • the first rack 40 includes a pin 58 (Fig. 3) that projects downward from the bottom wall.
  • the pin 58 has an enlarged head portion 59.
  • the first rack 40 is supported on the base 20 for sliding movement relative to the base 20.
  • the pin 58 on the first rack 40 fits into the first slot 26 on the base 20.
  • the head portion 59 of the pin 58 extends under the base 20 and prevents the pin and thus the first rack 40 from being lifted or moved vertically upward off the base 20.
  • the second rack 60 (Fig. 5) is supported on the base 20 for sliding movement relative to the base 20. Parts of the second rack 60 that are the same as parts of the first rack 40 are given the same reference numerals with the suffix "a" added to distinguish them.
  • the second rack 60 has a generally rectangular configuration including front and back walls 42a and 44a that support a lower tray 50a and an upper tray 52a.
  • a pin 58a (fig. 3) extends into the second slot 30 in the base.
  • the guide flange 34 (Fig. 4) is located between the two racks 40 and 60.
  • the top of the guide flange 24 overlaps the lower trays of the two racks 40 and 60.
  • the guide flange 34 keeps the trays 40 and 60 together laterally, and helps to retain and align the racks on the base 20.
  • Fig. 1 both racks 40 and 60 are shown pushed completely to the back of the base 20. This is how the assembly 10 appears when mounted or placed on a bottom surface of a kitchen cabinet 12, and looking into the cabinet. The racks 40 and 60 are in a farthest back or "stored" position.
  • the racks 40 and 60 are shorter (front to back) than the base 20. Therefore, when the racks 40 and 60 are in the stored position, pushed back on the base 20 (Figs. 1-3), the front end portion 22 of the base 20 is exposed.
  • the forward end 28 of the first slot 26 is farther forward than the front wall 42 of the first rack 40, and is thus exposed to view.
  • the forward end of the second slot 30 is father forward than the front wall 42a of the second rack 60, and is exposed to view.
  • Figs. 2 and 3 also show the parts of the storage rack assembly 10 when the racks 40 and 60 are in the stored position.
  • the pins 58 and 58a on the racks 40 and 60, respectively, are in the back ends of the slots 26 and 30.
  • the forward end portion 22 of the base 20 is exposed.
  • Fig. 5 illustrates the parts of the assembly 10 when the first rack 40 is pulled all the way forward to an "intermediate" position on the base 20. During this movement, the first rack 40 slides, or translates, along the base 20, without pivoting or turning. The pin 58 on the first rack 40 engages the front end 28 of the first slot 20, which is at a position farther forward than the second rack 60. A part of the forward end portion 22 of the base 20 is covered by the first rack 40.
  • the first rack 40 can be rotated or pivoted ninety degrees about the first pin 58, relative to the base 20 and the second rack 60, to an "open" position as shown in Fig. 6. In this position, the first rack 40 covers the entire front end portion 22 of the base 20. Both the lower and upper trays 50 and 52 of the first rack 40 are fully accessible. Thus, the contents of the storage locations 54 and 56 in the trays 50 and 52 can be accessed and removed for use, then replaced.
  • the first rack 40 can be rotated back to the first rack 40
  • the second rack 60 remains undisturbed while the first rack 40 is being moved from the stored position to the open position and back.
  • the second rack 60 can be moved from a stored position as shown in Fig. 1 to an intermediate position in which it is pulled forward and its pin 58a is at the forward end of the second slot 30
  • the second rack 60 can then be rotated ninety degrees to an open position extending across the front of the first rack 40 and covering the front end portion 22 of the base 20. In this position, the storage locations 54 and 56 on the lower and upper trays 50a and 52a of the second rack 60 are accessible.
  • the second rack 60 can be rotated back to the intermediate position, then pushed back to the stored position.
  • the first rack 40 remains undisturbed while the second rack 60 is being moved from the stored position to the open position and back.
  • the storage assembly 10 When the storage assembly 10 is installed in a kitchen cabinet, and the racks are in the stored position shown in Figs. 1-3, the assembly 10 takes up minimal space in the cabinet, with the two racks 40 and 60 being adjacent to and parallel to each other. From that position, either the first rack 40 or the second rack 60 can be pulled out to the
  • Neither rack 40 or 60 can be turned laterally unless it is pulled out fully and the other rack is fully retracted. This safety feature arises from the configuration of the base 20, including the slots 26 and 30, and the dimensions of the racks 40 and 60.
  • the dimensions of the storage rack assembly 10 are selected to enable the assembly to fit into an upper kitchen cabinet with the cabinet door closed and the racks in the stored condition. Specifically, kitchen upper cabinets in the United States have an industry standard depth of 12" (twelve inches). Thus, in one embodiment, a storage rack assembly in accordance with the present invention is about 1 1" deep, and 1 1 ' tall, and 4" wide. In addition, the dimensions of the trays are selected to enable storage of common kitchen spice containers.
  • a storage rack assembly in accordance with the present invention might include a base and only one rack, rather than a base and two racks.
  • the single rack could be pulled out and swiveled (pivoted or rotated) through up to 360° because there would be no second rack to interfere with such movement.
  • the trays could be configured with dividers, for example, to separate adjacent items being stored.
  • FIGs. 7-9 illustrate a storage rack assembly 100 that is a second embodiment of the invention.
  • the storage rack assembly 100 is similar in construction and operation to the storage rack assembly 10 (Figs. 1-6) and so only the differences will be described in detail here.
  • the storage rack assembly 100 is specially configured to store a plurality of single serving pods or containers 102 containing coffee (or tea) for use in brewing machines.
  • Such pods 102 are sold under different brand names, the most common of which is "K-Cup", which is a registered trademark of Keurig, Inc.
  • K-Cup which is a registered trademark of Keurig, Inc.
  • These pods 102 are of a known, common, industry standard dimension, because other companies make them also and because different companies make the brewing machines that utilize the pods 102.
  • Each pod 102 has a frustoconical configuration with a frustoconical side wall 104 and a pierceable circular cover 106 at its larger diameter end.
  • Each pod 102 has a circular bottom wall 108 at the end opposite the cover 106. .
  • the assembly 100 includes a base 1 10 and two racks 1 12 and 114.
  • the racks 112 and 114 are mirror images of each other, about an imaginary plane extending between them. Only the rack 1 12 will be described in detail herein.
  • the rack 1 12 includes four trays 116 for storing pods 102.
  • Each tray 1 16 has a rectangular inner side wall 120 (Fig. 8) with a straight upper edge 122, that extends perpendicular to a bottom wall 124 of the tray.
  • Each tray 116 also includes an outer side wall 128 that extends upward from the bottom wall 124 of the tray 116.
  • the outer side wall 128 may be perpendicular to the bottom wall 124, and thus parallel to the inner side wall 120.
  • the outer side wall 128 may be "tipped" inward toward the inner side wall 120, at an angle of eleven degrees or at another angle.
  • Each tray outer side wall 128 has an upper edge with a series of arcuate edge surfaces 130 forming a series of circular scallops or cutouts 132 (the spaces inside the arcuate edge surfaces 130).
  • the edge surfaces 130 are part-circular in configuration, with a circumferential extent of about 180 degrees more or less.
  • the diameters of the edge surfaces 130 are selected to closely accommodate and support the pods 102 which are of a known size. Specifically, the diameter of the edge surface 130 is approximately equal to the diameter of the pod 102 at about its widest portion 131 (Fig. 8) near its cover 106.
  • the tray outer side wall 128 preferably (but not necessarily) includes a respective flange or rim 134 around each cutout 132, projecting outward by a small amount.
  • the effective thickness of the outer side wall 128 is increased at the location of the cutouts 132. This feature provides more surface area of engagement, and thus more friction, between the rack 1 12 and the pod 102. This increased friction can help to hold the pod 102 in place in the rack 1 12 when the rack is being swiveled.
  • Each cutout 132 forms or is associated with a respective storage location 140 on the tray 1 16.
  • the storage location 140 extends laterally between the outer side wall 128 and the inner side wall 120.
  • the lateral distance between the outer side wall 128 of . the tray 1 16 and the inner side wall 120 of the tray is selected so that when a pod 102 is in a storage location 140, the edge of the bottom wall 108 of the pod is resting on the bottom wall 124 of the tray 1 16, at a location near to the inner side wall 120 of the tray; the uppermost portion 131 of the side wall 104 of the pod 102 rests on the flange 134; and a portion of the cover 106 of the pod projects outward of the outer side wall 128 of the tray.
  • the arcuate edge surfaces 130 on the tray outer side wall 128 do not extend all the way down to the bottom wall 124 of the tray 1 16. As a result, the lowermost point on each edge surface 130, that is, the bottom of the cutout 132, is disposed above the tray bottom wall 124.
  • the pod 102 lies on its side, angled slightly higher up (at its end by the cover 106) than it would if it were lying on its side, for example, on a table or countertop. This increased angle keeps the pod 102 angled down toward the inner side wall 120 of the tray 116, thus helping to prevent the pod from sliding out of the storage location 140.
  • the tray outer side wall 128 is "tipped" inward toward the tray inner side wall 120 also helps to retain the pods 102 in the rack 1 12.
  • Use of the storage rack assembly 100 is similar to use of the storage rack assembly rack 10 (Figs. 1-6). When both racks 1 12 and 1 14 are in the stored position, the pods 102 are maintained safely and securely stored. Either one of the racks 1 12 or 114 can be pulled outward along the base and pivoted to a position in which its stored pods 102 are accessible. When the desired pod 102 has been removed, the selected rack can be pivoted back and pushed in.
  • a storage rack assembly in accordance with the present invention might include a base and only one rack that is specifically adapted to store coffee pods, rather than a base and two racks.
  • the single rack could be pulled out and swiveled (pivoted or rotated) through up to 360° because there would be no second rack to interfere with such movement.

Landscapes

  • Table Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un ensemble de casiers de rangement comprenant deux casiers montés sur une base de manière mobile par rapport à la base entre une position rangée, une position intermédiaire et une position sortie. Chaque casier comporte des espaces de rangement qui sont dissimulés lorsque le casier est dans la position rangée et qui sont accessibles lorsque le casier est dans la position sortie. Les casiers sont adjacents et parallèles lorsqu'ils sont en position rangée. L'un ou l'autre des casiers peut être tiré hors de la position rangée pour le placer dans la position intermédiaire puis pivoté pour le faire passer en position sortie, ceci permettant d'accéder à ses espaces de rangement, tandis que l'autre casier reste dans la position rangée. Dans un mode de réalisation, les casiers sont adaptés en particulier pour le rangement de récipients à épices dans un meuble de cuisine, et dans un autre mode de réalisation, pour le rangement de doses individuelles de café.
PCT/US2012/034165 2011-05-26 2012-04-19 Ensemble de casiers de rangement WO2012161895A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US201161490345P 2011-05-26 2011-05-26
US61/490,345 2011-05-26

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2012161895A1 true WO2012161895A1 (fr) 2012-11-29

Family

ID=46210406

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2012/034165 WO2012161895A1 (fr) 2011-05-26 2012-04-19 Ensemble de casiers de rangement

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20120298604A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2012161895A1 (fr)

Families Citing this family (11)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US20130099649A1 (en) * 2011-10-24 2013-04-25 Timothy Lee Snyder Retractable storage system
US20130186780A1 (en) * 2012-01-12 2013-07-25 EMS Mind Reader LLC Apparatus for providing a universal accessory station for a single beverage machine
US9282821B2 (en) * 2012-11-06 2016-03-15 Scott Robert Miedtke Rack assembly
KR101358758B1 (ko) * 2013-01-11 2014-02-10 남경옥 회전식 다용도 수납기구
CN203897769U (zh) * 2014-05-07 2014-10-29 佛山市顺德区悍高五金制品有限公司 旋转高伸拉篮
US9549641B1 (en) * 2015-07-16 2017-01-24 Gordon Marshall Frisbie Portable spice storage case
WO2018022636A1 (fr) 2016-07-25 2018-02-01 Marmon Retail Store Equipment LLC Présentoir et procédés associés à celui-ci
US20190274422A1 (en) * 2018-03-09 2019-09-12 Discovery Inc. Expandable spice rack
USD885139S1 (en) 2018-03-23 2020-05-26 David L. Ackerman Coffee pod holder
US20220079341A1 (en) * 2018-07-20 2022-03-17 Shari Michelle Hammond Repositional storage shelf
US20220386773A1 (en) * 2019-06-13 2022-12-08 Cabinetworks Group Corner cabinet and corner drawer

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0082219A1 (fr) * 1981-11-26 1983-06-29 Société Anonyme Compagnie Générale Belge des Isolants (COGEBI) Tiroir a boîtier accessible latéralement
US4984854A (en) * 1989-08-18 1991-01-15 Delavallade Annette Jewelry box
DE19526108C1 (de) * 1995-07-18 1996-06-13 Michael Gansera Schrankelemente
US20070170132A1 (en) * 2005-02-17 2007-07-26 Bertrand Richard L Spice rack
EP2078473A1 (fr) * 2007-10-29 2009-07-15 Jan Willem Josef Overbeek Armoire pour assortiments

Family Cites Families (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US827649A (en) * 1905-03-27 1906-07-31 Albert John Murphy Cabinet.
US2840438A (en) * 1957-07-19 1958-06-24 Gen Motors Corp Adjustable refrigerator shelf
US4714305A (en) * 1986-08-15 1987-12-22 Service Robert S Spice rack
DE20308057U1 (de) * 2003-05-21 2004-07-22 Heinrich J. Kesseböhmer KG Auszugsvorrichtung für Schrankauszüge, insbesondere in einem Hochschrank
US7237686B2 (en) * 2004-05-07 2007-07-03 Bertrand Richard L Spice rack
ITAN20050006U1 (it) * 2005-06-28 2006-12-29 Compagnucci Spa Telaio di tipo perfezionato per il supporto di rastrelliere estraibili e girevoli per armadi
US20090120886A1 (en) * 2007-11-08 2009-05-14 Weiss Paul M Mobile storage systems and racks for wine

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0082219A1 (fr) * 1981-11-26 1983-06-29 Société Anonyme Compagnie Générale Belge des Isolants (COGEBI) Tiroir a boîtier accessible latéralement
US4984854A (en) * 1989-08-18 1991-01-15 Delavallade Annette Jewelry box
DE19526108C1 (de) * 1995-07-18 1996-06-13 Michael Gansera Schrankelemente
US20070170132A1 (en) * 2005-02-17 2007-07-26 Bertrand Richard L Spice rack
EP2078473A1 (fr) * 2007-10-29 2009-07-15 Jan Willem Josef Overbeek Armoire pour assortiments

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US20120298604A1 (en) 2012-11-29

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20120298604A1 (en) Storage Rack Assembly
US8424693B1 (en) Rollout drop down shelves
US2978285A (en) Revolvable tray
CA1132648A (fr) Systeme de rangement
US20110089125A1 (en) Jar Dispenser
US7207448B1 (en) Modular storage system
US9687106B2 (en) Beverage makers with interchangeable components
US20200037759A1 (en) Hideaway storage rack
US9549641B1 (en) Portable spice storage case
US20130099649A1 (en) Retractable storage system
US7857148B2 (en) Jar dispenser
JP2012255635A (ja) 冷蔵庫
WO2013067286A1 (fr) Système de rangement
WO2013106768A1 (fr) Appareil et procédé de fabrication d'un tiroir de rangement
US7748537B1 (en) Lazy Susan tray insert
US20150238032A1 (en) Kitchen Utensil Organizer
US20130200766A1 (en) Supply pod dispenser and method of making the same
US20180008073A1 (en) Beverage Holder
KR101903859B1 (ko) 차량용 용기 수납 홀더
EP3173717B1 (fr) Appareil frigorifique ménager avec élément de blocage pour le transport
US20140097119A1 (en) Container System
US20130186780A1 (en) Apparatus for providing a universal accessory station for a single beverage machine
KR100648003B1 (ko) 음식물용기 보관대
EP2927148B1 (fr) Étagère multifonctionelle d'une cavité de réfrigérateur et réfrigérateur équipé d'une telle étagère
US2555332A (en) Portable supply bin

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application

Ref document number: 12726260

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase

Ref document number: 12726260

Country of ref document: EP

Kind code of ref document: A1