FIELD OF THE INVENTION

&null;0001&null; This invention relates to a storage assembly, and a method to store and/or dispense objects using that storage assembly.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

&null;0002&null; Many activities require the use of multiple small objects. In the workplace environment, job functions often require that many small objects be stored, and subsequently dispensed from a central distribution area to many operational areas.

&null;0003&null; In the retail sales environment, customers continue to be astounded by the number of pins used to package clothing items. Customers have had to rely on creative ways of disposing of the many pins disposed in retail clothing. Often, with no solution at hand, desperate customers have resorted to pushing those pins into, for example, rubber doorstops and/or the rubber sealant around mirrors.

&null;0004&null; Other less creative shoppers simply leaving those pins on a shelf or bench. Inevitably those loose objects end up on the floor where they are very difficult to see and avoid. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, a simple pin can become a hazard to other customers who inevitably sit or step on them, often with painful, even litigious, results.

&null;0005&null; What is needed is an apparatus and method to collect and/or dispense a plurality of small objects, where those objects can be safely disposed in a container, and where those objects can be conveniently removed from that container.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

&null;0006&null; Applicants' invention includes a storage assembly. In one embodiment, Applicant's storage assembly comprises a first planar member, a plurality of attachment devices fixturing that first planar member to a surface, and a housing defining an enclosed space, where that housing is attached to the first planar member, and where the housing is formed to include an opening. One or more objects, such as needles, pins, tools, surgical instruments, and the like, may be stored in the housing until use.

&null;0007&null; In another embodiment, Applicant's storage assembly includes a stationary receptacle comprising the first member in combination with a removeable and portable container. In certain of these embodiments, the receptacle is attached to a surface using one or more ferromagnetic attachment devices, such as for example screws, nails, bolts, and the like. The portable container includes a plurality of magnets which releaseably attach that container to the receptacle.

&null;0008&null; Applicant's invention further includes a method to dispense a plurality of objects from a distribution center using Applicant's storage assembly. The method provides providing (N) portable containers and a plurality of objects. The method designates (N) operational areas and releaseably attaches each of the (N) portable containers at one of those (N) operational areas. The method forms a distribution center, removes the (N) portable containers from each of the (N) operational areas, and transports each of those (N) portable containers to the distribution center. At the distribution center, the method disposes a plurality of objects into each of the (N) portable containers. Each of those (N) portable containers is then releaseably attached to any one of the receptacles located at any of the (N) operational areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

&null;0009&null; The invention will be better understood from a reading of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which like reference designators are used to designate like elements, and in which:

&null;0010&null; FIG. 1 is a front view of a first embodiment of Applicants' receptacle;

&null;0011&null; FIG. 2 is a side view of the receptacle of FIG. 1;

&null;0012&null; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of Applicant's removeable storage container;

&null;0013&null; FIG. 4 is a side view showing the container of FIG. 3 removeably attached to the receptacle of FIG. 1;

&null;0014&null; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of Applicant's apparatus;

&null;0015&null; FIG. 6 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG. 5;

&null;0016&null; FIG. 7 is a top view of a single planar sheet used to form the embodiment of FIG. 5; and

&null;0017&null; FIG. 8 summarizes the steps of Applicant's method to dispense objects from a central distribution area using a plurality of Applicant's storage assemblies.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

&null;0018&null; This invention is described in preferred embodiments in the following description with reference to the Figures, in which like numbers represent the same or similar elements. In one embodiment, Applicants' storage assembly includes a stationary receptacle in combination with a removeable storage bin. Referring now to FIG. 1, receptacle 100 includes first planar member 110 and second planar member 120. First planar member 110 is formed from one or more rigid materials selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof.

&null;0019&null; In certain embodiments, first planar member 110 is formed from polyethylene. In certain embodiments, first planar member 110 is formed from polypropylene. In certain embodiments, first planar member 110 is formed from polystyrene. In certain embodiments, first planar member 110 is formed from polycarbonate. In certain embodiments, first planar member 110 is formed from a rigid foam. In certain embodiments, first planar member 110 is formed from a rigid polyurethane foam.

&null;0020&null; Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, first planar member 110 has a dimension 140, a dimension 160, and thickness 210. Dimension 140 is between about 4 inches and about 6 inches. Dimension 160 is between about 3 inches and about 5 inches. Thickness 210 is between about 0.5 inches and about 2 inches.

&null;0021&null; Second planar member 120 is formed from one or more rigid materials selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, second planar member 120 is formed from polyethylene. In certain embodiments, second planar member 120 is formed from polypropylene. In certain embodiments, second planar member 120 is formed from polystyrene. In certain embodiments, second planar member 120 is formed from polycarbonate. In certain embodiments, second planar member 120 is formed from a rigid foam. In certain embodiments, second planar member 120 is formed from a rigid polyurethane foam. Second planar member 120 has a dimension 150, a dimension 160, and thickness 220. Dimension 150 is between about 5 inches and about 8 inches. Thickness 220 is between about 0.5 inches and about 2 inches.

&null;0022&null; In certain embodiments, first member 110 and second member 120 are separately formed and then joined using conventional attachment techniques, including for example adhesive bonding, welding, plastic welding, ultrasonic welding, use of mechanical fasteners such as nuts/bolts/screws, and the like. In other embodiments, first planar member 110 and second planar member 120 are integrally formed.

&null;0023&null; In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1, first planar member 110 is formed to include apertures 132, 134, 136, and 138. Various attachment devices can be advanced through those apertures to fixture member 110 to a surface. In certain embodiments of Applicant's method, that surface may be a vertical surface, a horizontal surface, or a sloping surface.

&null;0024&null; In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, member 110 is attached to vertical surface 205. Vertical surface 205 may comprise, for example, a wall, a door, and the like. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 2, attachment devices 230 and 240 comprise screws. Those screws pass through apertures 136 (FIG. 1) and 138 (FIG. 1), respectively, and into vertical surface 205. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, two additional attachment devices, i.e. screws or the like, may be disposed through apertures 132 (FIG. 1) and 134 (FIG. 1) to further fixture member 110 (FIG. 1) to surface 205.

&null;0025&null; In certain embodiments, attachment devices 230 and/or 240 are formed from a ferromagnetic material. As those skilled in the art will appreciate, magnetism is a phenomenon by which materials exert an attractive or repulsive force on other materials. Some well known materials that exhibit magnetic properties include iron, some steels, and the mineral lodestone. All materials are influenced to one degree or another by the presence of a magnetic field, although in some cases the influence is too small to detect without special equipment. As those skilled in the art will further appreciate, ferromagnetism is a phenomenon by which a material can exhibit a spontaneous magnetization, and is one of the strongest forms of magnetism. Such ferromagnetic properties are responsible for most of the magnetic behavior encountered in everyday life, and is the basis for all permanent magnets, and for the attraction of metals to those magnets.

&null;0026&null; This first embodiment of Applicant's apparatus further includes a detachable container portion. In this embodiment, the detachable container comprises a parallepiped which includes an aperture. Referring to FIG. 3, detachable container 300 comprises a six-sided enclosure comprising planar member 320, opposing planar member 370, wherein planar members 320 and 370 are continuously connected by sides 330, 340, 350, and 360.

&null;0027&null; Planar members 320 and 370, and sides 330, 340, 350, and 360, are formed from one or more rigid materials. Those rigid materials include wood, metal, and plastic. In certain embodiments, one or more of planar members 320 and 370, and sides 330, 340, 350, and 360, are formed from one or more rigid materials selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, one or more of planar members 320 and 370, and sides 330, 340, 350, and 360, are formed from polyethylene. In certain embodiments, one or more of planar members 320 and 370, and sides 330, 340, 350, and 360, are formed from polypropylene. In certain embodiments, one or more of planar members 320 and 370, and sides 330, 340, 350, and 360, are formed from polystyrene. In certain embodiments, one or more of planar members 320 and 370, and sides 330, 340, 350, and 360, are formed from polycarbonate. In certain embodiments, one or more of planar members 320 and 370, and sides 330, 340, 350, and 360, are formed from a rigid foam.

&null;0028&null; Planar member 320 is formed to include aperture 310. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 3, aperture 310 is formed in the front surface of container 300. In other embodiments, container 300 comprises, for example, a five-sided enclosure having an open top portion.

&null;0029&null; FIG. 4 shows a side view of detachable container 300 removeably affixed to receptacle 100. In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, a first permanent magnet 410 is disposed on the interior surface of planar member 370 such that magnet 410 is positioned over top portion 235 of ferromagnetic attachment device 230. A second permanent magnet 420 is disposed on the interior surface of planar member 370 such that magnet 420 is positioned over top portion 245 of ferromagnetic attachment device 240. In certain embodiments, container 300 includes a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the interior surface of member 370, where each of that plurality of magnets is positioned over a ferromagnetic attachment device fixturing receptacle 100 to surface 205.

&null;0030&null; In the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 4, detachable container 300 is releaseably attached to receptacle 100 using the magnetic attraction between a plurality of permanent magnets disposed on the interior surface of member 370 and a plurality of ferromagnetic attachment devices fixturing receptacle 100 to surface 205. In addition, that plurality of magnets, such as for example magnets 410 and 420, magnetically attract metallic objects removeably disposed within container 300. Thus for example, if a plurality of metallic objects, such as for example straight pins, safety pins, and the like, are disposed within detactable container 300, magnets 410 and 420 prevent those objects from being inadvertently removed from container 300 as container 300 is manipulated. Those same permanent magnets releaseably attach container 300 to receptacle 100.

&null;0031&null; Depending on the dimensions of container 300 and aperture 310, a wide variety of metallic objects can be removeably stored in container 300, including for example, sewing accessories such as pins, needles, thimbles; hand tools such as screw drivers and the like; surgical instruments; cooking implements; and the like.

&null;0032&null; FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of Applicant's apparatus. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, storage assembly 500 includes a five-sided container, where those five sides include front portion 510, rear portion 520, mounting portion 530, first side 540, second side 550, and bottom portion 560. Front portion 510, rear portion 520, and mounting portion 530 are substantially parallel to one another.

&null;0033&null; Front portion 510 is formed from one or more rigid materials. Those one or more rigid materials are selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. Rear portion 520 is formed from one or more rigid materials. Those one or more rigid materials are selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. Mounting portion 530 is formed from one or more rigid materials. Those one or more rigid materials are selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. Side portion 540 is formed from one or more rigid materials. Those one or more rigid materials are selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. Side portion 550 is formed from one or more rigid materials. Those one or more rigid materials are selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof. Bottom portion 560 is formed from one or more rigid materials. Those one or more rigid materials are selected from the group consisting of wood, metal, plastic, and combinations thereof.

&null;0034&null; In certain embodiments, storage apparatus 500 is formed from wood. In certain embodiments, storage apparatus 500 is formed from metal. In certain embodiments, storage apparatus 500 is formed from plastic. In certain embodiments, storage apparatus 500 is formed from polyethylene. In certain embodiments, storage apparatus 500 is formed from polypropylene. In certain embodiments, storage apparatus 500 is formed from polystyrene. In certain embodiments, storage apparatus 500 is formed from polycarbonate. In certain embodiments, storage apparatus 500 is formed from a rigid foam. In certain embodiments, storage apparatus 500 is formed from a rigid polyurethane foam.

&null;0035&null; Rear portion 520 is continuously attached to mounting portion 530 along seam 525. In certain embodiments, rear portion 520 and mounting portion 530 are separately formed, and then attached to one another to form seam 525 using conventional attachment methods, such as adhesive bonding, welding, brazing, plastic welding, sonic welding, and the like. In other embodiments, rear portion 520 and mounting portion 530 are integrally formed.

&null;0036&null; Side portion 540 is attached to front portion 510, rear portion 520, and bottom portion 560. In certain embodiments, side portion 540 is separately formed, and subsequently attached to front portion 510, rear portion 520, and bottom portion 560, using conventional attachment methods. In other embodiments, side portion 540 is formed integrally with front portion 510, and subsequently attached to rear portion 520 and bottom portion 560.

&null;0037&null; Side portion 550 is attached to front portion 510, rear portion 520, and bottom portion 560. In certain embodiments, side portion 550 is separately formed, and subsequently attached to front portion 510, rear portion 520, and bottom portion 560, using conventional attachment methods. In other embodiments, side portion 550 is formed integrally with front portion 510, and subsequently attached to rear portion 520 and bottom portion 560.

&null;0038&null; Bottom portion 560 is attached to front portion 510, rear portion 520, side portion 540, and side portion 550. In certain embodiments, bottom portion 560 is separately formed, and subsequently attached to front portion 510, rear portion 520, side portion 540, and side portion 550, using conventional attachment methods. In other embodiments, bottom portion 560 is formed integrally with front portion 510 and rear portion 520, and subsequently attached to side portion 540 and side portion 550.

&null;0039&null; Referring now to FIG. 7, in certain embodiments Applicant's storage apparatus 500 is formed from planar assembly 700. Starting with the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7, side portion 540 is rotated 90 degress upwardly around fold line 545. Side portion 550 is rotated upwardly 90 degrees around fold line 555. Front portion 510 is then rotated 90 degrees upwardly around fold line 565. Bottom portion 560 is then rotated upwardly 90 degrees around fold line 515. Mounting portion 530 is then rotated downwardly 90 degrees around fold line 525. Side portion 540 is then attached to bottom portion 560 and rear portion 520. Side portion 550 is then attached to bottom portion 560 and rear portion 520.

&null;0040&null; The illustrated embodiment of FIG. 7 includes attachment means 710, 720, 730, and 740. In certain embodiments, attachments means 710, 720, 730, and 740, comprise apertures through mounting portion 530. In these embodiments, attachment devices such as nails, screws, nuts/bolts, and the like, can be advanced through apertures 710, 720, 730, and 740, and into a vertical, or a horizontal, or a sloping, surface formed from wood, metal, plastic, wall board, and the like.

&null;0041&null; In certain embodiments, attachments means 710, 720, 730, and 740, comprise portions of one or more pressure sensitive adhesives. In certain embodiments, attachments means 710, 720, 730, and 740, comprise permanent magnets for releaseable attachment of storage apparatus 500 onto a vertical, or a horizontal, or a sloping, metal surface.

&null;0042&null; The embodiments of Applicant's storage assembly can be used in many applications. In certain of these applications, a plurality of storage assemblies function as remote collection points. When one or more of those storage assemblies are filled, or nearly filled, a first container can be removed from its receptacle, and an empty container can be releaseably disposed in that receptacle. The one or more full containers can be transported to a central collection point, where the contents of those containers are collected for later reuse.

&null;0043&null; Regarding use in the retail clothing industry, an establishment that maintains (N) fitting rooms can outfit each of those (N) fitting rooms with one or more of Applicant's storage assemblies. When a customer tries on a garment, and necessarily removes a plurality of pins from that garment, the customer can disposed those pins into the container portion of Applicant's storage assembly. When using assembly 400 which includes removeable, portable container 300, as a storage container is filled with pins, that removeable container can simply be replaced with an emprty container. The full container can then be carried to a convenient place, and the contents removed for reuse. By keeping spare containers available, each receptacle can always hold an empty, or near-empty, container.

&null;0044&null; Applicant's storage assembly can also be used in a reverse sense. Rather than functioning as a plurality of remote collection points, a plurality of Applicant's storage assemblies can be used to dispense objects from a central distribution area to a plurality of operational areas. Applicant's invention includes a method to store and/or dispense objects using Applicant's apparatus. Referring now to FIG. 8, in step 805 Applicant's method provides and disposes (N) portable containers at (N) operational areas. Such operational areas include, without limitation, (N) sewing stations, (N) fitting rooms, (N) surgery rooms, (N) offices, and the like. In certain embodiments, each of the (N) portable containers comprises container 300. In certain embodiments, each of the (N) portable containers comprises assembly 500.

&null;0045&null; In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 805 to step 810 wherein the method forms a color coding scheme. In certain embodiments, the color of a portable container indicates its contents. In certain embodiments, the color of a portable container indicates a designated task. In certain embodiments, the designated task comprises altering a garment. In certain embodiments, the designated task comprises fixturing the objects disposed in the container onto a circuit board. In certain embodiments, the designated task comprises a surgical operation.

&null;0046&null; In certain embodiments, the color of a portable container indicates the user of the objects disposed within that container. In certain of these embodiments, the color of a portable container indicates that the container should be taken to the work area of one or more designated employees. In certain of these embodiments, the color of a portable container indicates that the container should be disposed at the work area used by a designated medical provider.

&null;0047&null; In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 810 to step 820. In other embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 810 to step 820, wherein the method detaches each portable container from a stationary receptacle.

&null;0048&null; In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 820 to step 830, wherien the method sterilizes each of the (N) portable containers. In these embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 830 to step 840. In other embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 820 to step 840, wherein the method transports and stores, i.e. stages, the (N) portable containers at a distribution area.

&null;0049&null; In certain embodiments, the distribution area of step 840 comprises a different portion of the same facility housing the (N) operational areas. In other embodiments, the distribution area of step 840 is remotely located from one or more of the operational areas of step 805.

&null;0050&null; In certain embodiments, Applicant's method includes step 850 wherein the method forms a first inventory of objects. Step 850 may be performed at any time after performing step 805 and before performing step 870. In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 850 to step 870 wherein the method sterilizes a plurality of objects comprising the first inventory of objects formed in step 850. Applicant's method transitions from step 860 to step 870.

&null;0051&null; In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 850 to step 870. In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 840 to step 870, wherein the method disposes a plurality of objects in each of the (N) portable containers.

&null;0052&null; Applicant's method transitions from step 870 to step 880 wherein the method returns each of the (N) portable containers from the distribution area to each of the (N) operational areas. In step 890, Applicant's method dispenses one or more of the plurality of objects disposed in each of the (N) containers releaseably attached to a different one of the (N) operational areas.

&null;0053&null; In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 890 to step 820, or from step 890 to step 840, wherein the steps of Applicant's method are repeated as described above. In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 890 to step 820/840 on a daily basis. In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 890 to step 820/840 on a weekly basis. In certain embodiments, Applicant's method transitions from step 890 to step 820/840 on an as-needed basis.

&null;0054&null; While the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated in detail, it should be apparent that modifications and adaptations to those embodiments may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the following claims.