Modular container

Abstract

A modular container is provided comprising a base module, an upper module and optionally, one or more internal modules. The base module comprises a closed bottom portion and an open top portion which incorporates means to removably attach another module. Internal modules comprise open top and bottom portions, each of which comprise means to removably attach to another module. The upper module comprises an open bottom portion comprising means to removably attach to another module and a top portion comprising means to access the contents of the container.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A modular container comprising:
 a base module and an upper module, wherein said base module comprises a closed bottom portion and an open top portion, the top portion of the base module comprising attachment means to removably attach the base module to the upper module, and said upper module comprising an open bottom portion comprising attachment means to removably attach to another module and a top portion that comprises means to access the contents of the container; and   further comprising one or more overlay rings which removably attach around at least one of the modules of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , optionally comprising one or more internal modules, said internal modules comprising open top and bottom portions each of which comprise means to removably attach to another module, wherein said internal modules removably attaché to form the container between the base module and the upper module. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein one of said internal modules is an adaptor module comprising a top portion and bottom portion that differ in size or shape from one another. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the top portion of the upper module is open to permit access to the contents of the container comprising an edge around its circumference. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the top portion of the upper module is open and comprises attachment means for attachment of a lid. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the top portion of the upper module comprises an opening. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the attachment means of the base, internal and upper module is selected from screw threads, a portion that is of a shape or size to permit a friction fit, and a portion adapted to snap together with another module comprising co-operating flanges. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the modules are made of a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, aluminum and other metals, wood, plastics, composite materials, and combinations of any of these materials. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 2 , further comprising a removable insert which fits inside the container and which functions to contain contents within the container. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , further comprising a pedestal which removably fits onto the bottom of the insert, wherein said pedestal comprises a base and an upper wall extending upwardly from the base that fits onto the bottom of the insert and a lower wall extending downwardly from the base that elevates said insert within the container. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , comprising multiple stacked inserts. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 2 , comprising multiple overlay rings. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the overlay ring includes at least one of colour, texture, design, text, symbols and images. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 12 , wherein multiple overlay rings are stacked on one or more of said modules. 
     
     
         15 . An article of manufacture comprising packaging and one or modules to form a modular container selected from the group consisting of a base module, an internal module and an upper module, wherein said base module comprises a closed bottom portion and an open top portion, the top portion of the base module comprising means to removably attach another module, the internal module comprises open top and bottom portions each of which comprise means to removably attach to another module, and the upper module comprises an open bottom portion comprising means to removably attach to another module and a top portion comprising means to access the contents of the container, wherein the packaging indicates that the modules how the modules may be connected to form a container. 
     
     
         16 . An article of manufacture comprising packaging and one or more overlay rings adapted to fit onto a container, said overlay rings comprising at least one of colour, texture, design, text, symbols and images. 
     
     
         17 . A method of making a modular container as defined in  claim 1  comprising the steps of:
 i) providing a base module, an upper module and optionally one or more internal modules, wherein said base module comprises a closed bottom portion and an open top portion, the top portion of the base module comprising attachment means to removably attach the base module to another module, said upper module comprising an open bottom portion comprising attachment means to removably attach to another module and a top portion comprising means to access the contents of the container, and said internal module comprising open top and bottom portions each of which comprise means to removably attach to another module; 
 ii) optionally connecting the base module to one or more internal modules by connecting the attachment means of the top portion of the base module to the attachment means of the bottom portion of the internal module, and connecting the attachment means of the top portion of the internal module to the attachment means of the bottom portion of any subsequent internal modules; and 
 iii) connecting the attachment means of the top portion of the base module or internal module to the attachment means of the bottom portion of the upper module.