Storage tray with magnetic attachment

Abstract

A storage tray includes a container having an opening and one or more elastic strips each coupled to the container and traversing the opening of the container. An object placed in the container through the opening is restrained by at least one the elastic strips. The container may be supported by a deformable pad coupled to the underside of the container. Magnetic elements may be use coupled the deformable pad to the container. The storage tray may be used for transporting objects in a vehicle.

1 . A storage tray comprising:
 a container having an opening; and   a plurality of elastic strips, each coupled to the container and traversing the opening of the container;   
       wherein one or more objects placed in the container through the opening are restrained by at least one of the plurality of elastic strips. 
     
     
         2 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the plurality of elastic strips is movably coupled to the container so as to accommodate objects of differing sizes. 
     
     
         3 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein an elastic strip of the plurality of elastic strips is coupled to the container via a hook. 
     
     
         4 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the container has lip at the opening and wherein an elastic strip of the plurality of elastic strips is coupled to the container via a hook that engages the lip and may be slid along the lip to vary the spacing between adjacent elastic strips. 
     
     
         5 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a deformable pad coupled to the underside of the container.   
     
     
         6 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 5 , further comprising:
 a first magnetic element coupled to the top surface of the deformable pad; and   a second magnetic element coupled to the underside of the container,   
       wherein the deformable pad is removably coupled to the underside of the container by magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements. 
     
     
         7 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein the top surface of the deformable pad has a raised edge around at least part of its perimeter, the deformable pad and raised edge being sized such that the raised edge encompasses the lower part of the container and thereby restrains lateral motion of the container. 
     
     
         8 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 6 , wherein at least one magnetic element of the first and second magnetic elements comprises a flexible magnet. 
     
     
         9 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the deformable pad is saddle shape to facilitate placement on the lap of a user. 
     
     
         10 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the deformable pad comprises:
 a flexible bag; and   a plurality of separate elements contained within the flexible bag.   
     
     
         11 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 4 , wherein the deformable pad comprises:
 a flexible bag; and   a gel contained within the flexible bag.   
     
     
         12 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising at least one carrying handle attached to the container 
     
     
         13 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 12 , wherein the at least one carrying handle is movable from a first carrying position to a second position in which it does not interfere with access to objects in the container. 
     
     
         14 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising two carrying handles, coupled to the container are opposite sides of the opening. 
     
     
         15 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the container comprises:
 a base;   a frame that defines the opening;   first and second collapsible walls coupled between the frame and the base at opposite sides of the frame; and   first and second substantially rigid walls, hinged to the frame at opposite sides of the frame,   
       wherein first and second substantially rigid walls may be pivoted to a first position substantially in the plane of the base, thereby enabling the container to be collapsed, and may be pivoted to the second position substantially perpendicular to the base and in contact with the base, thereby extending the first and second collapsible walls into tension and forming the container. 
     
     
         16 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the container is at least partially constructed of perforated material. 
     
     
         17 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , wherein the container is at least partially constructed of a mesh. 
     
     
         18 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a magnetic element attached to a side of the container and configured to removably couple an external holder to the container using magnetic attraction.   
     
     
         19 . A storage system comprising:
 a first container having an opening;   a plurality of elastic strips, each coupled to the container and traversing the opening of the container, the plurality of elastic straps being positioned to restrain one or more objects placed in the container;   a first deformable pad coupled to the underside of the container;   a second container;   a first magnetic element attached to a side of the first container; and   a second magnetic element attached to a side of the second container;   
       wherein the second container is removably coupled to the first container by magnetic attraction between the first and second magnetic elements. 
     
     
         20 . A storage system in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising
 a third magnetic element coupled to the top surface of the first deformable pad; and   a fourth magnetic element coupled to the underside of the container and   
       wherein the first deformable pad is coupled to the underside of the container by magnetic attraction between the third and fourth magnetic elements. 
     
     
         21 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein at least one of the plurality of elastic strips is movably coupled to the container so as to accommodate objects of differing sizes. 
     
     
         22 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 19 , further comprising:
 a second deformable pad; and   a third magnetic element coupled to the upper surface of the deformable pad;   
       wherein the first magnetic element is attached to the upper surface of the base of the first container and the second magnetic element is attached to the underside of the second container, and 
       wherein the second magnetic element is adapted to mate with the first magnetic element when the second container is placed in the first container and adapted to mate with the third magnetic element when the second container is placed on the second deformable pad. 
     
     
         23 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the second container comprises a bowl. 
     
     
         24 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the second deformable pad is sized to fit on the lap of a user. 
     
     
         25 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 19 , wherein the second deformable pad has a raised edge to catch spills from the second container. 
     
     
         26 . A storage tray in accordance with  claim 25 , wherein the raised edge of the second deformable pad supports one or more pockets. 
     
     
         27 . A storage system comprising:
 a first container having an opening defined by side walls;   a plurality of elastic strips, each coupled to the container and traversing the opening of the container, the plurality of elastic straps being positioned to restrain one or more objects placed in the container; and   a second container having lip along the tops of two side walls of the second container;   
       wherein the second container is sized such that the lip of the second container rests on the tops of at least two of the side walls of the first container, enabling the second container to be supported within the first container.