GB2505241A

GB2505241A - Tubular storage unit

Info

Publication number: GB2505241A
Application number: GB1215118.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Douglas Scott
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-08-24
Filing date: 2012-08-24
Publication date: 2014-02-26
Anticipated expiration: 2032-08-24
Also published as: GB201215118D0; GB2505241B

Abstract

According to the present invention there is provided a storage unit for storing reusable shopping bags, or other similar items, comprising: an elongate hollow tube 1 having a proximal opening 8 providing an entrance and a distal opening 7 providing an exit; at least one mounting 3 for attachment of said tube to a surface; and a plunger 9 for pushing items stored in the tube towards the exit. The tube preferably comprises an elbow 2 proximate to the distal opening to minimise items dropping or falling out of the tube. The plunger is removable and may be stored on said mountings, or may be a plate displaceable within the tube. Also disclosed is a tapered tube, wherein the taper narrows towards the distal opening and a removable or displaceable lid hingedly attached to the distal opening.

Description

A STORAGE UNIT

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to storage unit, more particularly but not exclusively to a storage unit for bags or sacks.

Background

Storage space is an important consideration in the home and a number of items have been developed to improve space saving.

With increased emphasis on recycling and reusing items people often make an effort to keep carrier bags so that they can be reused rather than collecting new ones.

Carrier bags are typically lightweight and can be easily squeezed into small spaces, however sometimes it may be difficult to retrieve them, particularly when many are stored together In addition when the bags are squashed together it is likely that bags fall, dislodge or displace from any storage device used or fashioned, such as downwards under gravity, due to pressure from more recently added bags, or upwards where bags are retrieved from a compressed store.

It is important to be able to fit bags and associated storage devices into confined spaces but somewhere that is readily accessible for a user and where the bags will not displace in use.

The present invention therefore arose in order to overcome problems associated with storing reusable bags so that they are readily accessible.

Prior Art

Accordingly a number of patent applications have been filed in an attempt to resolve the problem or similar, including the following: United States patent application US 5 845 791 (KAWOLICS) discloses a device for storing and dispensing a plurality of articles, said device being comprised of an elongated cylindrical body shaped to contain said plurality of articles in a stacked arrangement, said elongated body having a longitudinal axis with a predominantly vertical orientation, at least one wall of said elongated body including an aperture extending along a substantial portion of a length of said body, said aperture being sized to allow removal of at least one of said articles through said aperture, at least one removable clip being positioned inside said elongated body to provide separation of at least two groups of said articles.

Granted European patent EP 0 792 607 (VALERI) discloses a holder that comprises a cylindrical tube with a collar at one end, designed to fit onto a projecting rod on a support. The end of the tube opposite the collar has a chamfered edge and one or more flexible radial vanes which bend to allow a stack of bags to pass over them when being loaded onto the tube. The end of the tube equipped with the collar has an inner ring of reduced diameter for fitting onto the holder rod, and a chamfered inner surface which allows the chamfered edge of another tube to engage with it. The number of tubes and rods on the support is equivalent to the number of holes in the bags. The tubes are used to hold bags in stacks and transfer them to the holder rods.

United States patent application US 5 042 687 (MCKINLEY) discloses a plastic shopping bag container and dispenser comprising a vertically extending container, having a bottom wall and side walls, designed to allow the insertion of plastic shopping bags at the top thereof in random array, and a horizontal slot in the side wall of the container of large enough dimension to allow digital extraction of bags therethrough, combined with means having a ratchet effect which allows downward movement of the bags therepast and tends to prevent them moving back upwardly.

In contrast the present invention provides a stable, secure, simple means of ensuring that excess bags may be stored efficiently and effectively.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a storage unit comprising: an elongate hollow tube having a proximal opening providing an entrance and a distal opening providing an exit; at least one mounting for attachment of said tube to a surface; and a plunger for pushing items stored in the tube towards the exit.

In preferred embodiments the tube is cylindrical with an arcuate inner and formed of a lightweight durable material such as synthetic plastic for example rigid polyvinyl chloride, (PVC).

Ideally the tube includes or connects to an elbow or turn prior to the exit, distal to the entrance. This elbow projects out from the mounting or more particularly away from a structure to which the mounting attaches the unit in use, such as a wall.

Typically the elbow is a hollow, angled tubular part formed in common with the tube in or of a lightweight durable material such as synthetic plastic, polypropylene or carbon.

Ideally the tube when mounted is so as to be vertical in use, wherein the tube's entrance accepts items such as bags or cloths. The tube's exit connects to the elbow so as to direct contents of the tube from vertical in the tube through a typically 90 degree angle created by the elbow or otherwise away from the axis of the tube.

The elbow's distal end or mouth provides a mouth from where items held in the tube are retrieved by a user. Preferably the mouth is parallel to the surface on which is it moUnted, so as to be facing the user and more visible and accessible to the user.

In some further embodiments the mouth may face upwards or downwards in use, but in all preferred embodiments the mouth orientation combines with the elbow to prevent items dropping or falling from the mouth accidentally. For example the mouth orientation may be offset or angled.

Typically the tube and the elbow are slotted or mated together with corresponding male and female parts or corresponding tabs and may optionally be held in position by an adhesive, magnetic portions, detent mechanism, screw threading or other semi-permanent or permanent means so as to prevent undesirable separation.

Alternatively the tube and elbow may have a twist-or push-fitting, clip or clamp so as to be readily separated if required.

In preferred embodiments the storage device is adapted to be mounted on a structure or more typically wall wherein at least two mountings are required to secure the tube to the wall. Typically the mounting comprises a collar that engages at least one partial or full cuff around the tube in use, an arm, and a fixing block which acts as a means of attachment so as to allow the collar supporting or encircling the tube to be attached to the wall or other surface.

Advantageously in all preferred embodiments the at least one cuff enables the tube to be supported by the mounting but also readily removed without requirement for the mounting to be removed from the structure, for example wherein a partial cuff allows the tube to be pulled out, and a full cuff allows the tube to be slid up or down; the partial cuff enabling the storage device to be fitted into an area with no or limited space above and/or below.

In further embodiments the cuff may be detached from the arm/block, being provided with a friction or tolerance fit.

Preferably the collar attaches to the arm which connects to the block. Ideally the arm is an extension that projects the cuff away from wall creating a gap between the surface and the tube.

Ideally the block attaches directly to the surface or wall. Typically the block has least one aperture or cutaway portion to accept a screw fixing or hook so that the storage unit may be hung or attached to the wall.

Most preferably a screw or hook is pre attached to the surface so that the mounting can be removably hung on the screw or hook when in use but removed from the wall if required.

In some embodiments the arm may be removably connected to the block by means of clip fitting or detent mechanism therefore enabling the arm and associated parts to be removed from the surface so that when not in use only the block is left therefore providing only a discrete fitting.

In other embodiments the mountings may be suctions cups or adhesive pads.

Typically the suction caps or adhesive pads may be housed by or provided on the block.

In preferred embodiments at least one arm includes an aperture, clip or channel adapted for receiving the plunger.

The plunger may in some preferred embodiments comprise a typically elongate member including a plate mounted on at least one end suitable for pushing contents of the tube from entrance to exit and the elbow.

In some embodiments the plunger may be a displaceable plate, displaceable in relation to the tube! for example wherein the member is included or slidable within or on the tube. For example the plate may be hinged off a member that runs in a slot on the tube.

It is envisaged that the member may be no longer than the tube so not to project beyond the tube's length. The plate diameter in all preferred embodiments is less than that of the tube inner so as to be able to fit inside so as to push down the contents.

In some such embodiments the plunger may be separate and stored in a cut away section in the arm so that is may be accessed from the side of the unit rather than from the top so as not to be limited in confined spaces for example if a kitchen unit is mounted above.

In further embodiments the tube entrance which accepts the items may be splayed so as to create a larger entrance that tapers towards the exit and/or elbow.

In yet further embodiments the exit and the elbow may be tapered to prevent the items falling out or additionally may provide a removable or displaceable lid to prevent items falling out, wherein for example said lid may be hinged from the elbow.

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of the storage unit; Figure 2 shows an exploded isometric view of the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a view from behind of the embodiment of Figure 1; and Figures 4 show front and rear views of the mountings pictured in use with the embodiment of Figure 1;

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to figures 1 to 4, the pictured and preferred embodiment of the storage unit includes: an elongate hollow tube 1 having a proximal opening providing an entrance 8 and a distal opening providing an exit (or mouth) 7. The unit includes mountings 3 for attachment of said tube 1 to a surface. The tube 1 also includes or connects to an elbow 2 prior to the exit. This elbow 2 projects out from the mounting or more particularly away from the structure (such as for example a wall) to which the mounting a attaches the unit, The tube 1 also provides two spaced apart cuffs 6 extending circumferentially around the tube 1. The two mountings 3 each comprise a collar 4 that is dimensioned and arranged to engage one of the cuffs 6 around the tube 1 in use, an arm, and a fixing block 5 which acts as a means of attachment so as to allow the collar 4 supporting or encircling the tube 1 to be attached to the wall or other surface. The unit also includes a plunger 9 for pushing items stored in the tube 1 towards the exit.

The preferred embodiments are made from rigid synthetic plastics such as acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ASS).

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the pals of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims 1. A storage unit comprising: an elongate hollow tube having a proximal opening providing an entrance and a distal opening providing an exit; at east one mounting for attachment of said tube to a surface; and a plunger for pushing items stored in the tube towards the exit.
2. A storage unit according to claim 1 wherein the tube comprises an elbow or turn prior to the exit.
3. A storage unit according to claim 2, wherein the elbow provides a mouth at the distal opening of the tube for retrieval of items.
4, A storage unit according to claim 3 wherein the mouth's orientation in use is offset relative to the tube so as to minimise items dropping or falling from the mouth accidentally.
5. A storage unit according to any of the preceding claims wherein the plunger is separable.
6. A storage unit according to any of the preceding claims wherein the plunger is slidable in a slot on the tube.
7. A method of forming a storage unit according to any of the preceding claims.
8. A method of forming a storage unit with reference to the figures.Amendmnts to the claims have ben filed as follows Claims 1. A storage unit comprising: an elongate hollow tube, having a proximal opening providing an entrance arranged to accept bags or cloths and a distal opening providing an exit through which bags or cloths held in the tube are retrievable by a user when the storage unit is mounted; at least one mounting for attachment of said tube substantially vertically to a surface, wherein the tube comprises a turn of substantially 90 degrees from the tube axis prior to the exit.2. A storage unit comprising an elongate hollow tube, having a proximal opening providing an entrance arranged to accept bags or cloths and having a distal opening providing an exit through which bags or cloths held in the tube are retrievable by a user when the storage unit is mounted; at least one mounting for attachment of said tube substantially horizontally to a surface; and a plunger for pushing items stored in the tube towards the exit, wherein the tube comprises a turn of substantially 90 degrees from the tube exit priorto the exit.3. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the exit is a mouth that faces parallel to the surface on which the tube is mounted.4. A storage unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2 wherein the exit is a mouth that faces downwards towards the surface on which the tube mounted.5. A storage unit as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the tube tapers toward the exit.6. A storage unit as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the tube and the elbow are either engaged by slotting or mating together with corresponding male and female parts or corresponding tabs, or by an adhesive, magnetic portions, detent mechanism, screw * threading or other semi-permanent or permanent means to prevent undesirable separation, or by comprising a twist-or push-fitting, clip or clamp so as to be readily ::1 separable.* 7. A storage unit according to claim 3 wherein the mouth's orientation in use is offset relative to the tube so as to minimise items dropping or falling from the mouth accidentally.5. A storage unit according to claim 2 wherein the plunger is separable from the tube.6. A storage unit according to claim 2 wherein the plunger is slidable in a slot on the tube.7. A storage unit according to any preceding claim, in which the storage device comprises at least two mountings for mounting the tube on a structure.8. A storage unit as claimed in claim 2, in which each mounting comprises a collar that engages at least one partial or full cuff around the tube in use, an arm, and a fixing block which acts as a means of attachment so as to allow the collar supporting or encircling the tube to be attached to the wall or other surface.
9. A storage unit as claimed in claim 2, in which the at least one cuff is detachable from the arm and/or block.
10. A storage unit as claimed in claim 9, in which the at least one cuff is provided with a friction or tolerance fit.
11. A storage unit as claimed in any one of claims 8 to 10, in which arm is removably connected to the block by means of clip filling or detent mechanism.
12. A storage unit as claimed in any one of claims 7 to 11, in which the mounting(s) comprises suctions cups or adhesive pads. * *SS..... * SSS * * . . * .* *. S * S* S *.