Modular storage system

Abstract

A carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nested containers on a turntable sized to support three stacks of containers and a stack of lids. The containers within each stack may be of like size and different in size from the containers in other stacks, but with all containers having like open end dimensions. The lids are sized and shaped to close all containers.

1 . A carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nested containers comprising a turntable, means supporting the turntable for rotation relative to the base, 
 a plurality of stack guides,    means securing the stack guides in spaced relation to one another on the turntable,    said stacked guides each comprising an elongated cylinder having a portion of the cylinder conforming in shape to a portion of the sidewall of a container,    a center guide axially located on the turntable and extending upwardly therefrom, said center guide and stack guides defining a plurality of wells, each shaped and sized to receive a stack of nested containers.    
   
   
       2 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein an elongated cylinder has an outer portion parallel to a segment of the periphery of the turntable.  
   
   
       3 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 2  wherein finger grooves are defined on the surface thereof intermediate the portion of the elongated cylinder conforming in shape to the portion of the sidewall and the outer portion.  
   
   
       4 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 1  wherein the means securing the stack guides on the turntable comprises an interlock mechanism with a portion of the mechanism fixed to the turntable and engaging the bottom of the stack guides.  
   
   
       5 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 4  wherein the mechanism includes a member fixed to and extending upwardly from the turntable with the member having a shape conforming with and engaging the wall of the cylinder.  
   
   
       6 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 5  having engageable interlocking elements on the member and on the lower end of the cylinder.  
   
   
       7 . A carousel for supporting a plurality of stacks of nestable containers on a turntable comprising a center column axially aligned with and extending upwardly from the turntable, and a plurality of radially arranged columns spaced from the center column, said center column and radially arranged columns formed of hollow cylindrical members and defining a plurality of wells sized and shaped to receive stacks of nested containers.  
   
   
       8 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 7  having means for removably interlocking the columns to the turntable.  
   
   
       9 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 7  wherein at least one column is formed with a finger grip on its outer surface for use in rotating the carousel.  
   
   
       10 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 7  wherein the center column has an outer surface with a plurality of vertically extending concave surfaces defining in part wells for receiving stacks of nested containers.  
   
   
       11 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 10  wherein the outer surface has four concave surfaces.  
   
   
       12 . A carousel as set forth in  claim 7  wherein a radially arranged column is formed with a finger gripping surface.