Retractable storage system

Abstract

A storage system for single serve beverage devices is provided. The storage system includes a slidable rack, capable of being positioned or mounted within a variety of known or preexisting features and having a plurality of apertures for selectively storing the devices. Beverage devices include, for example, pods or K-Cups® for providing single-serve coffee, espresso, hot chocolate, or tea drinks.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A storage system for a plurality of single-serve beverage units, comprising:
 a slidable rack having a predetermined length, width, and thickness, wherein said thickness is substantially less than said length and said width;   said slidable rack comprising a plurality of apertures arranged in a pattern, each of said apertures having at least one dimension that is less than or equal to at least one dimension of a single-serve beverage unit.   
     
     
         2 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said slidable rack comprises a substantially planar rack in slidable communication with at least one of a cabinet, shelf, closet, and a pantry. 
     
     
         3 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one dimension of said single-serve beverage unit corresponds to a dimension of a coffee pod. 
     
     
         4 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein said system is adapted to be installed within preexisting cabinetry. 
     
     
         5 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein a central region of said slidable rack comprises a removable insert. 
     
     
         6 . The storage system of  claim 1 , wherein at least two corners of the slidable rack comprise a cylindrical roller. 
     
     
         7 . A slidable storage feature for use in connection with a cabinetry storage system, comprising:
 a rectangular slidable rack having a predetermined length, width, and thickness, wherein said thickness is substantially less than said length and said width;   said rack comprising a plurality of apertures arranged in at least one of a plurality of rows and a plurality of columns, each of said apertures having at least one dimension that is less than or equal to at least one dimension of a single-serve beverage unit;   said slidable rack slidable between a position of storage and a position of use, wherein said slidable rack comprises at least one track extending along at least a portion of the length of the rack.   
     
     
         8 . The slidable storage feature of  claim 7 , wherein the rectangular slidable rack comprises a rectangular frame member, said rectangular frame member comprising an internal void in which a removable insert is received, said removable insert comprising said plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The storage system of  claim 7 , wherein said rectangular slidable rack is in slidable communication with at least one of a cabinet, shelf, closet, and a pantry. 
     
     
         10 . The storage system of  claim 7 , wherein said at least one dimension of a single-serve beverage unit comprises at least one dimension of a preexisting coffee pod. 
     
     
         11 . The storage system of  claim 7 , wherein said slidable storage feature is adapted to be installed within preexisting cabinetry. 
     
     
         12 . The storage system of  claim 7 , wherein at least two corners of the rectangular slidable rack comprise a cylindrical roller. 
     
     
         13 . The storage system of  claim 7 , wherein said thickness is less than a height of said single-serve beverage unit, and the diameter of each of said plurality of apertures is less than a diameter of said single-serve beverage unit. 
     
     
         14 . The storage unit of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one track is provided in communication with at least one roller. 
     
     
         15 . The storage unit of  claim 14 , wherein said roller is provided on an interior portion of said cabinetry storage system. 
     
     
         16 . The storage unit of  claim 7 , wherein said track comprises a laterally extending portion of said rectangular slidable rack for at least one of guiding movement of said rectangular slidable rack and supporting the weight of said rectangular slidable rack. 
     
     
         17 . The storage unit of  claim 16 , wherein said laterally extending portion comprises a tongue, and said cabinetry storage system comprises an elongate groove for receiving said tongue. 
     
     
         18 . The storage unit of  claim 7 , wherein each of said plurality of apertures is sized to receive one single-serve beverage unit. 
     
     
         19 . The storage unit of  claim 7 , wherein each of said plurality of apertures is sized to receive a plurality of single-serve beverage units. 
     
     
         20 . The storage unit of  claim 8 , wherein a plurality of removable inserts are provided, each of said plurality of removable inserts comprising apertures of different diameters.