Self-adjusting container

Abstract

A closeable container for storing and protecting materials having moveable 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 self-adjustment of the volume of the internal compartments to accommodate materials of differing sizes, shapes and quantities. The weight and size of the confined materials force the compartments of the container to automatically adjust volume when added or dispensed. 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 compact, convenient and efficient storage.

1 . A container for holding items comprising:
 (a) atop,   (b) abase,   (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 around said pivoting means of said at least one substantially planar separator 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 and whereby said at least one substantially planar separator is free to rotate during storage, insertion and dispensing of said items.   
   
   
       2 . 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 with said at least two internal compartments to provide access to only one of said at least two enclosed internal compartments. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  whereby said at least one access means incorporates a restraining means whereby said restraining means prevents rotation of said at least one planar separator into said access opening thereby precluding simultaneous access to more than one of said at least two enclosed compartments. 
   
   
       4 . 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. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1  having external connecting means whereby said external connecting means communicates with a said external connecting means of at least one other of said containers forming a unified combination of said containers whereby said unified combination increases total storage capacity and facilitates transport and manipulation of said containers. 
   
   
       6 . A substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device for storing materials having at least one continuously rotatable longitudinal internal partition and at least one external access means whereby at least one of said at least one longitudinal internal partitions moveably communicates with internal surfaces of said substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device thereby forming at least one enclosed interior chamber which is variable in volume and said materials are insertable and removable from said at least one enclosed interior chamber through said at least one external access means. 
   
   
       7 . The substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of  claim 6  whereby said at least one external access means is moveable and alignable with said at least one enclosed interior chamber. 
   
   
       8 . The substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of  claim 6  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. 
   
   
       9 . The substantially cylindrical enclosed hollow storage device of  claim 6  having attaching means whereby multiple units of said device are externally mutually connectable by said attaching means to form a combined single storage device.