US20110120906A1 - Drawer storage with magnetic connectors - Google Patents

Abstract

A tray unit includes a main body including at least one storage space and a wall structure surrounding the at least one storage space. The wall structure includes a bottom wall and a sidewall surrounding the bottom wall to define the at least one storage space. The tray unit further includes a magnet arranged with the wall structure at a location along a perimeter of the main body.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PRIOR APPLICATIONS
• This application claims priority and benefit thereof from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/262,962 filed on Nov. 20, 2009, entitled MAGNETIC DRAWER STORAGE, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein.
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE
• 1. Field of the Disclosure
• This disclosure is directed to a storage unit, and more particularly to a drawer storage unit with magnetic connectors for customized storage arrangements.
• 2. Related Art
• Various drawer storage units are currently available on the market. These storage units are typically fixed in shape, size and configuration, with little or no feasible way to customize the storage units to accommodate every user's needs, including the different sizes and configurations of various kitchen drawers. Typically, it is not possible to change the number, location, arrangement and size of the storage compartments of these drawer storage units, and a user are limited to the fixed arrangement. Furthermore, the users are left with little alternative but to search for storage units that will not fit perfectly in the kitchen drawer(s). Once placed in the kitchen drawers, these drawer storage units may move back and forth in the kitchen drawers every time the drawers are opened or closed, thereby causing damage to the drawers. Additionally, as the drawers are opened or closed, contents in the drawers may shift, causing the contents to be damaged, such as, for example, silverware that becomes scratched due to the shifting in the drawers.
• Some prior art approaches have contemplated using mechanical fasteners to couple several storage devices together in order to achieve customization. However, these approaches are difficult to use as the use of mechanical fasteners takes time to mechanically connect the storage devices together. Additionally, the mechanically connected storage devices are difficult to insert in a drawer and/or result in wasted space as the mechanically fastened storage tray has to be sized to be inserted in a drawer and accordingly cannot completely fill drawer space. That is there needs to be some unused drawer space to insert the storage devices into the drawer resulting in wasted space.
• Accordingly, there is a need for a drawer storage that is easily customizable to different shapes and sizes.
SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE
• According to an aspect of the disclosure, a tray unit includes a main body that includes at least one storage space and a wall structure surrounding the at least one storage space, the wall structure including a bottom wall and a sidewall surrounding the bottom wall to define the at least one storage space, and a magnet arranged with the wall structure at a location along a perimeter of the main body.
• The tray unit may further include a plurality of storage spaces separated from each other by the wall structure. The magnet may include the first magnet arranged with the first side of the main body, and the second magnet arranged with the second side of the main body opposite to the first side. The magnet may include the first surface having the first polarity and the second surface having the second polarity. The magnet may be removable and reinsertable to allow one of the first and second surfaces thereof to face outwardly from the perimeter of the main body.
• The wall structure may include a recess configured to receive and hold the magnet at the location along the perimeter of the main body. The recess may be configured to receive and hold the magnet so that the magnet does not protrude outwardly from the perimeter of the main body.
• The tray unit may further include a magnet cover configured to engage the main body to cover the magnet.
• The magnet cover may include a marking for indicating a polarity. The magnet cover may include a magnet cap. The main body may further include a strip formed around the perimeter thereof and having an opening exposing the recess. The magnet cap may be inserted into the opening of the strip to cover the magnet.
• The magnet cover may include a strip formed around the perimeter of the main body to cover the magnet. The strip may include a covering portion located correspondingly to the magnet. The strip may be removable.
• The tray unit may further include a protective cover configured to cover an upper surface of the bottom wall. The protective cover may include a protrusion formed on a bottom surface thereof to engage a recess formed correspondingly thereto on an upper surface of the bottom wall.
• A drawer storage assembly may include the tray unit. The tray unit may be the first tray unit, and the drawer storage assembly may further include the second tray unit magnetically attached to the first tray unit. The second tray unit may include a main body including at least one storage space and a wall structure surrounding the at least one storage space, the wall structure of the second tray unit including a bottom wall and a sidewall surrounding the bottom wall to define the at least one storage space, and a magnet arranged with the wall structure of the second tray unit at a location along a perimeter of the main body of the second tray unit. A number of the storage spaces of the first tray unit may be different from that of the second tray unit.
• Additional features, advantages, and embodiments of the disclosure may be set forth or apparent from consideration of the following detailed description, drawings, and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary of the disclosure and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the disclosure as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the disclosure, are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the detailed description serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. No attempt is made to show structural details of the disclosure in more detail than may be necessary for a fundamental understanding of the disclosure and the various ways in which it may be practiced. In the drawings:
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a drawer storage assembly formed by magnetically connecting a plurality of tray units, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;
• FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of a main body of one of the tray units shown inFIG. 1, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;
• FIG. 2B shows a bottom view of the main body shown inFIG. 2A;
• FIG. 2C shows a side view of the main body shown inFIG. 2A;
• FIG. 2D shows a side view of the main body shown inFIG. 2A with a strip attached thereto constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;
• FIG. 2E shows a top view of the main body shown inFIG. 2A;
• FIG. 2F shows a top view of the main body shown inFIG. 2A with a plurality of protective covers constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;
• FIG. 3A shows a side view of the strip for the main body shown inFIG. 2D, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;
• FIG. 3B shows an opposite side view of the strip shown inFIG. 3A;
• FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of another strip for the main body shown inFIG. 2A, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;
• FIG. 3D shows perspective views of magnet caps, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure;
• FIG. 4A shows a top view of one of the protective covers shown inFIGS. 1 and 2F;
• FIG. 4B shows a side view of the protective cover shown inFIG. 4A;
• FIG. 4C shows a bottom view of one of the protective covers shown inFIG. 4A; and
• FIGS. 5,6,7 and8 show perspective views of main bodies of other tray units shown inFIG. 1, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE
• The embodiments of the disclosure and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments and examples that are described and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. It should be noted that the features illustrated in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, and features of one embodiment may be employed with other embodiments as the skilled artisan would recognize, even if not explicitly stated herein. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques may be omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments of the disclosure. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the disclosure may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments of the disclosure. Accordingly, the examples and embodiments herein should not be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure, which is defined solely by the appended claims and applicable law. Moreover, it is noted that like reference numerals represent similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
• FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of adrawer storage assembly10 formed by magnetically connecting a plurality of tray units100, e.g.,tray units100A,100B,100C,100D (two shown),100E and/or the like, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. Each of thetray units100A,100B,100C,100D,100E may include one or more magnets300 (shown inFIG. 2A in detail) arranged in, along and/or on a perimeter thereof such that thetray units100A,100B,100C,100D,100E may be easily connected and disconnected to each other, or other tray units. Since the tray units100 may be easily connected and disconnected within a drawer, thedrawer storage assembly10 may be easily installed within the drawer while minimizing loss of the drawer space. The tray unit100 may be configured such that themagnets300 may not be removable therefrom. Alternatively or additionally, the tray unit100 may be configured such that a user may remove themagnets300 therefrom (shown inFIG. 2A), flip themagnets300 to change the polarities of themagnets300 and reattach themagnets300 to the tray unit100. Themagnets300 may be coin or button-shaped (shown inFIG. 2A) and have a first side having a first polarity, e.g., a “+” polarity, and a second side having a second polarity, e.g., a “−” polarity.
• Themagnets300 may be arranged with amain body102A (shown inFIG. 2A) of the tray unit100 and/or other portions of the tray unit100, such as, e.g., a strip200 and/or the like. Alternatively, themagnets300 may be arranged between themain body102A and the strip200. The strip200, such as, e.g., strips200A,200B,200C,200D,200E, may substantially extend along a perimeter of the tray unit100. In some aspects, the strip200 may be used to cover and/or fix themagnets300 on the perimeter of the tray unit100 (shown inFIG. 2D). Alternatively or additionally, the strip200 may be configured to receive the magnets300 (shown inFIG. 3C). The strip200 may be removable from the tray unit100. Alternatively, the strip200 may be integral or fixed to the tray unit100 and, hence, may not be removed from the tray unit100. Thedrawer storage assembly10 may further include one or moreprotective covers400 to protect contents thereof, e.g., silverware and/or the like, from being scratched or damaged.
• Thetray unit100A may include amain body102A (shown inFIG. 2A), thestrip200A and one ormore magnets300.FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of themain body102A, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. Themain body102A may include one ormore storage spaces110 separated from each other by a wall structure including one or morebottom walls120 andsidewalls130. Each of thesidewalls130 may extend upwardly from and surround eachbottom wall120 to define thestorage space110. AlthoughFIG. 2A shows themain body102A as having five storage spaces, the number of storage spaces for thetray units100A,100B,100C,100D,100E may be more or less than five. For example,FIGS. 5,6,7 and8 show perspective views ofmain bodies102B,102C,102D,102E of thetray units100B,100C,100D,100E, respectively, each having a single storage space.
• Referring back toFIG. 2A, themain body102A in some aspects may include one or more recesses150 to receive themagnets300, respectively. For example, one or more recesses150, such as, e.g., recesses150A,150B, may be formed at one side of themain body102A. Another set of recesses150, such as, e.g., recesses150C,150D, may be formed at the opposite side of themain body102A. The number and locations of the recesses150 (and the magnets300) may vary depending on the size and shape of each tray unit100, a magnetic force strength of themagnets300 and/or the like. For example, inFIG. 1, thetray unit100C, which is about twice as long as thetray units100D,100E, may have twomagnets300 on one side while thetray units100D,100E may have onemagnet300 on one side thereof such that thetray units100D,100E may be simultaneously connected to the one side of thetray unit100C. The recesses150 may be formed in different locations. For example, themain body102A may have one or more recesses150 on each of its sides such that one or more other tray units100 may be connected to any side of themain body102A with one ormore magnets300 in the recesses150 of the desired side of thebody portion102A. The shape and size of each recess150 may vary depending on the shape and size of themagnets300. For example, for the coin or button-shapedmagnet300, the recess150 may also be coin or button-shaped. The recess150 may be slightly larger than themagnet300 such that the user may easily remove themagnet300 therefrom.
• In some aspects, astrip200A may be formed around the perimeter of themain body102A. Thestrip200A may be removably attached to themain body102A. Alternatively, thestrip200A may be integral or fixed (e.g., overmolded) to themain body102A with or without themagnet300 therebetween. Thestrip200A may reinforce a structural rigidity of themain body102A. For example, thestrip200A may be formed of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) and/or other materials to provide stiffness and abrasion-resistance. Thestrip200A may be configured to provide a place to hold themagnets300 such that thestorage spaces110 are not sacrificed to make a space for themagnets300 in the wall structure. Also, thestrip200A may be configured not to protrude outwardly from the perimeter of thetray unit100A such that no space is wasted between two tray units100 when they are connected to each other. Thus, it may be possible to minimize a space wasted for establishing connection among the tray units100 and maximize a storage capacity of thedrawer storage assembly10. Furthermore, theremovable strip200A may be used as a magnet cover, which is explained below in detail inFIGS. 3A and 3B.
• When a removable strip200 is used, themain body102A may further include an attachment structure140 formed around the perimeter of themain body102A to receive and/or engage thestrip200A. In the particular embodiment shown inFIG. 2A, the attachment structure140 may have a rectangular shape with fourstraight portions140A,140B,140C,140D. The shape, size, texture, composition, and the like of thestrip200A and the attachment structure140 may vary depending on the configuration of the tray unit100. For example, a removable tray unit100 having a circular perimeter shape may have a circular-shaped strip200 and the same circular-shaped attachment structure140. The attachment structure140 may be connected to therecesses150A,150B,150C,150D. For example, as seen inFIG. 2A, therecesses150A,150B may be connected to theportion140A of the attachment structure140, and therecesses150C,150D may be connected to theportion140B arranged opposite to theportion140A.
• FIG. 3A shows a side view of thestrip200A shown inFIG. 2D, andFIG. 3B shows the opposite side view of thestrip200A shown inFIG. 3A. Referring toFIGS. 3A and 3B concurrently, thestrip200A may haveenlarged portions210A,210B,210C,210D to cover and fix themagnets300A,300B,300C,300D, respectively, on themain body102A. Additionally, theenlarged portions210A,210B,210C,210D may includemarkings220A,200B,220C,220D, respectively, such as, e.g., “+” or “−”. Each of themarkings220A,200B,220C,220D may indicate a polarity of themagnet300 covered thereby such that the user may easily identify the polarities of themagnets300 covered by theenlarged portions210A,210B,210C,210D, as shown inFIG. 2D. Further themarkings220A,200B,220C,220D may be used to guide the user to correctly set the polarities of themagnets300 in arranging or rearranging the tray units100.
• FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of anotherstrip200A′, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. Similar to thestrip200A shown inFIGS. 3A,3B, thestrip200A′ may be removably attached to themain body102A, or, alternatively, integral or fixed (e.g., overmolded) to themain body102A. However, thestrip200A′ may include one or more openings250, such as, e.g.,openings250A,250B,250C,250D. The openings250 may be located corresponding to the recesses150, respectively. For example, when thestrip200A′ is combined with themain body102A, theopenings250A,250B,250C,250D may be aligned to therecesses150A,150B,150C,150D of themain body102A, respectively. In the case thestrip200A′ is integral or fixed to themain body102A, the recess150 of themain body102A may extend inwardly from the opening250 of thestrip200A′.
• FIG. 3D shows perspective views of magnet caps230A,230B, constructed according to the principles of the disclosure. In some aspects, the magnet caps230A,230B may be configured to fit into the openings250 of thestrip200A′ to contain themagnets300 in the recesses150. Alternatively, the magnet caps230A,230B may be molded into thestrip200A′ or into the wall structure of themain body102A. Further, thestrip200A′, themagnets300 and the magnet caps230A,230B may be configured such that once the magnet caps230A,230B are inserted into the openings250 or overmolded to the wall structure of themain body102A, the magnet caps230A,230B may not protrude from the perimeter of themain body102A. The magnet caps230A,230 may include a marking, such as, e.g., “+” or “−” to indicate a polarity.FIG. 3D particularly shows themagnet cap230A having a “+” marking232 and themagnet cap230B having a “−” marking234. Other types of marking are also contemplated, such as, e.g., letters, numbers, symbols and/or the like.
• FIG. 2B shows a bottom view of themain body102A,FIG. 2C shows a side view of themain body102A andFIG. 2E shows a top view of themain body102A. Referring toFIGS. 2B,2C and2E concurrently, therecesses150A,150B may be connected to theportion140A of the attachment structure140, and therecesses150C,150D may be connected to theportion140B arranged opposite to theportion140A. Themain body102A may further include a plurality oflegs170 protruding downwardly from thebottom walls120, as shown inFIGS. 2B and 2C. Thelegs170 may prevent a drawer surface from being scratched and/or damaged by thedrawer storage assembly10. Thelegs170 may also provide a high degree of static friction to minimize movement of the tray units100 in a drawer (not shown). Thelegs170 may be formed integrally with thebottom walls120 or affixed to thebottom walls120. For example, thelegs170 may be co-molded with the wall structure of thetray unit102A as one piece.
• In an embodiment, a bottom surface of eachbottom wall120 may include at least oneleg170, which may coincide with at least onerecess160 formed on a top surface of thebottom wall120 as shown inFIG. 2E. Alternatively, thelegs170 and therecesses160 may not coincide with respect to thebottom wall120.
• FIG. 2F shows a top view of themain body102A with a plurality of protective covers400. As noted above, eachstorage space110 may have theprotective cover400 arranged on the upper surface of thebottom wall120 thereof.FIGS. 4A,4B and4C show top, side and bottom views of theprotective cover400, respectively. Concurrently referring toFIGS. 4A,4B and4C, anupper surface402 of theprotective cover400 may be slip-resistant such that the content, e.g., silverware and/or the like, thereon may not move around when a force is applied to move thetray unit100A, e.g., when the drawer containing thetray unit100A is pulled or pushed. Further, theprotective cover400 may include one ormore protrusions410 on abottom surface404 thereof. Theprotrusions410 may be configured to engage therecesses160 on the upper surface of thebottom wall120 such that theprotective cover400 may not move when a force is applied to thetray unit100A. Theprotrusions410 may be co-molded with theprotective cover400 as one piece.
• While thedrawer storage assembly10 and tray units100 have been shown as having substantially rectangular or square shapes, it is noted that thedrawer storage assembly10 and/or tray units100 may have any practicable shape, including a circle shape, an elliptical shape, a triangle shape, a star shape, a hexagon shape, a pie shape and the like.
• While the disclosure has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the disclosure can be practiced with modifications in the spirit and scope of the appended claims. These examples given above are merely illustrative and are not meant to be an exhaustive list of all possible designs, embodiments, applications or modifications of the disclosure.

Claims (20)

1. A tray unit comprising:

a main body that includes at least one storage space and a wall structure surrounding the at least one storage space, the wall structure comprising a bottom wall and a sidewall surrounding the bottom wall to define the at least one storage space; and

a magnet arranged with the wall structure at a location along a perimeter of the main body.

2. The tray unit ofclaim 1, further comprising a plurality of storage spaces separated from each other by the wall structure.

3. The tray unit ofclaim 1, wherein the magnet comprises:

a first magnet arranged with a first side of the main body; and

a second magnet arranged with a second side of the main body opposite to the first side.

4. The tray unit ofclaim 1, wherein the magnet comprises a first surface having a first polarity and a second surface having a second polarity.

5. The tray unit ofclaim 1, wherein the magnet is removable and reinsertable to allow one of the first and second surfaces thereof to face outwardly from the perimeter of the main body.

6. The tray unit ofclaim 1, wherein the wall structure comprises a recess configured to receive and hold the magnet at the location along the perimeter of the main body.

7. The tray unit ofclaim 6, wherein the recess is configured to receive and hold the magnet so that the magnet does not protrude outwardly from the perimeter of the main body.

8. The tray unit ofclaim 6, further comprising a magnet cover configured to cover the magnet.

9. The tray unit ofclaim 8, wherein the magnet cover comprises a marking for indicating a polarity.

10. The tray unit ofclaim 8, wherein the magnet cover comprises a magnet cap.

11. The tray unit ofclaim 10, wherein the main body further includes a strip formed around the perimeter thereof and comprising an opening exposing the recess,

wherein the magnet cap is inserted into the opening of the strip to cover the magnet.

12. The tray unit ofclaim 8, wherein the magnet cover comprises a strip formed around the perimeter of the main body to cover the magnet.

13. The tray unit ofclaim 12, wherein the strip comprises a covering portion located correspondingly to the magnet.

14. The tray unit ofclaim 13, wherein the strip is removable.

15. The tray unit ofclaim 1, further comprising a protective cover configured to cover an upper surface of the bottom wall.

16. The tray unit ofclaim 15, wherein the protective cover comprises a protrusion formed on a bottom surface thereof to engage a recess formed correspondingly thereto on an upper surface of the bottom wall.

17. A drawer storage assembly comprising the tray unit ofclaim 1.

18. The drawer storage assembly ofclaim 17, wherein the tray unit is a first tray unit, and the drawer storage assembly further comprises a second tray unit magnetically attached to the first tray unit.

19. The drawer storage assembly ofclaim 18, wherein the second tray unit comprises:

a main body that includes at least one storage space and a wall structure surrounding the at least one storage space, the wall structure of the second tray unit comprising a bottom wall and a sidewall surrounding the bottom wall to define the at least one storage space; and

a magnet arranged with the wall structure of the second tray unit at a location along a perimeter of the main body of the second tray unit.

20. The drawer storage assembly ofclaim 19, wherein a number of the storage spaces of the first tray unit is different from that of the second tray unit.

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