Container having adjusting compartments

Abstract

A closeable container for storing and protecting materials having internal partitions extending radially and longitudinally creating at least two independent adjustable internal chambers within which stored materials are kept separated and are individually accessed for adding and dispensing purposes. In a substantially cylindrical embodiment of the instant device, separators forming the internal compartments are rotatable, thereby allowing adjustment of the volume of the internal compartments to accommodate dimensionally or quantitatively differing material. The compartments of the container automatically adjust volume as materials are added or dispensed. A variety of access means are presented which preclude commingling of materials between compartments during access. Transparent sides facilitate identification of stored materials within the chambers. The device is simple in design and inexpensive to produce and is envisioned to have a wide variety of uses for convenient and efficient storage.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A container for holding items comprising: 
 (a) a top,    (b) a base,    (c) a substantially tubular sidewall,    (d) at least one substantially planar separator,    (e) at least one access means,    (f) a pivoting means,    whereby said tubular sidewall communicates distally with said base and proximally with said top forming a substantially cylindrical enclosed volume and said at least one substantially planar separator is in longitudinal rotatable communication with said pivoting means and edges of said at least one planar separator internally and substantially continuously communicate with said base, said top, and said sidewall forming at least two enclosed internal compartments whereby rotation of said at least one substantially planar separator with respect to said pivoting means volumetrically alters at least one of said at least two enclosed compartments and said items may be inserted into and dispensed from said at least two enclosed internal compartments through an access opening created by said at least one access means.    
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1  having connecting means whereby said connecting means communicates with a said connecting means of at least one other of said containers forming a combination of said containers whereby said combination increases total storage capacity and facilitates transport and manipulation of said containers.  
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein longitudinal dimension of said substantially tubular sidewall is greater than any dimension of said top and said base whereby said container is elongate and therefore easily transportable and manipulable.  
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said at least one substantially planar separator and said pivoting means are components independent of said top, said base, and said substantially tubular sidewall whereby said at least one substantially planar separator and said pivoting means are insertable and removable from said enclosed volume.  
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1  wherein said at least one access means is moveably communicated with said container whereby said at least one access means is alignable to provide access to at least one of said at least two enclosed internal compartments.  
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1  whereby said at least one access means incorporates a restraining means whereby said restraining means prevents rotation of a said at least one planar separator into said access opening formed by said access means thereby precluding simultaneous access to more than one of said at least two enclosed compartments.  
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein at least one of said at least one substantially planar separators is in fixed communication with said pivoting means, said top, said base and said substantially tubular sidewall.  
     
     
         8 . A substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device for storing materials having at least one longitudinal internal partition and at least one external access means whereby at least one of said at least one longitudinal internal partition is moveable and communicates with internal surfaces of said substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device thereby forming at least one enclosed interior chamber within said substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device which is variable in volume and said materials are insertable and removeable from said at least one enclosed interior chamber through said at least one external access means.  
     
     
         9 . The substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of  claim 8  whereby said at least one external access means is moveable and alignable with said at least one enclosed interior chamber.  
     
     
         10 . The substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of  claim 8  wherein said at least one external access means has a separating means whereby said separating means forcibly restrains at least two of said at least one longitudinal internal partitions thereby providing external access to only one of said at least one enclosed interior chambers.