Container system

Abstract

A container system useful for holding prepared foodstuffs in a refrigerator in an organized and convenient manner, having a frame, a plurality of containers with removable lids, and a retention means for holding the containers in fixed position relative to the frame when placed therein.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A container system comprising
 a plurality of containers, each container having an opening and an interior volume, with each container having associated with it a removable lid that is capable of completely covering the opening of said container,   a frame, said frame defining a plurality of apertures, each said aperture being configured to receive within it at least one of the plurality of containers, such that all of the plurality of containers may be placed into the apertures of the frame, one container per aperture, and   a retention means suitably adapted to maintain the positional relationship of a container to the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame.   
     
     
         2 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the frame is oriented substantially horizontally, having a top surface and a bottom surface, and each of the plurality of containers is oriented such that its opening is oriented upward, whereby when a container is placed into an aperture of the frame an upper portion of the container is located above the top surface of the frame and a lower portion of the container is located below the bottom surface of the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein at least one of the plurality of containers is dimensioned differently than at least one other of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         4 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the frame is constructed of a plurality of rods, with each of the rods in connection with at least two other rods, thereby forming a grid, whereby spaces between the plurality of rods define the plurality of apertures of the frame. 
     
     
         5 . The container system of  claim 1  wherein the frame is constructed of a substantially planar member, having a thickness, with the plurality of apertures of the frame formed into the planar member through the thickness of the planar member. 
     
     
         6 . The container system of  claim 2  wherein the retention means comprises each of the containers being appropriately dimensioned to one or more of the plurality of apertures of the frame wherein said container snugly fits into said one or more of the plurality of apertures of the frame, such that when said container is placed into said one or more of the plurality of apertures of the frame frictional forces hold said container within said aperture of the frame, whereby the container is maintained in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
     
     
         7 . The container system of  claim 6  further comprising three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface. 
     
     
         8 . The container system of  claim 7  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         9 . The container system of  claim 2  wherein the retention means comprises
 for each of the plurality of containers, a circumferential projection, and 
 for each of the plurality of apertures of the frame, an interior circumferential channel, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the circumferential projection of said container is suitably configured to engage with the interior circumferential channel of at least one of the plurality of apertures of the frame into which said container is placed, such that the engagement of the circumferential projection of said container with the interior circumferential channel of said aperture of the frame holds said container within said aperture of the frame, whereby the container is maintained in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
 
     
     
         10 . The container system of  claim 9  further comprising three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface. 
     
     
         11 . The container system of  claim 10  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         12 . The container system of  claim 2  wherein the retention means comprises
 for each of the plurality of containers, a circumferential channel, and 
 for each of the plurality of apertures of the frame, an interior circumferential projection, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the circumferential channel of said container is suitably configured to engage with the interior circumferential projection of at least one of the plurality of apertures of the frame into which said container is placed, such that the engagement of the circumferential channel of said container with the interior circumferential projection of said aperture of the frame holds said container within said aperture of the frame, whereby the container is maintained in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
 
     
     
         13 . The container system of  claim 12  further comprising three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface. 
     
     
         14 . The container system of  claim 13  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         15 . The container system of  claim 4  wherein the retention means comprises
 for each of the plurality of containers, a circumferential channel, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the circumferential channel of said container is suitably configured to engage with the rods defining at least one of the plurality of apertures of the frame into which said container is placed, such that the engagement of the circumferential channel of said container with the rods of said aperture of the frame holds said container within said aperture of the frame, whereby the container is maintained in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
 
     
     
         16 . The container system of  claim 15  further comprising three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface. 
     
     
         17 . The container system of  claim 16  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         18 . The container system of  claim 2  wherein the retention means comprises
 for each of the plurality of containers, a circumferential projection located on the upper portion of the container, and 
 three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the circumferential projection of said container is suitably configured to engage with the top surface of the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, with the circumferential projection of said container being dimensioned greater than said aperture such that the circumferential projection of said container cannot pass through said aperture, resulting in said container hanging from the frame within said aperture of the frame in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
 
     
     
         19 . The container system of  claim 18  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         20 . The container system of  claim 19  further comprising a cutting board, wherein the cutting board is suitably configured to be removably retained within the bottom tray. 
     
     
         21 . The container system of  claim 2  wherein the retention means comprises
 for each of the plurality of containers, said container's associated removable lid has an outer perimeter dimensioned greater than the aperture of the frame into which said container is placed, and 
 three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the outer perimeter of the associated removable lid of said container is suitably configured to engage with the top surface of the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, resulting in said container hanging from the frame within said aperture of the frame in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
 
     
     
         22 . The container system of  claim 21  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         23 . The container system of  claim 22  further comprising a cutting board, wherein the cutting board is suitably configured to be removably retained within the bottom tray. 
     
     
         24 . The container system of  claim 2  wherein the retention means comprises
 for each of the plurality of containers, a tapered profile wherein the upper portion of the container is dimensioned larger than the aperture of the frame into which said container is placed, and the lower portion is dimensioned smaller than said aperture, such that the lower portion of said container passes through said aperture but the upper portion of said container does not pass through said aperture, and 
 three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the upper portion of said container engages with the top surface of the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, resulting in said container hanging from the frame within said aperture of the frame in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
 
     
     
         25 . The container system of  claim 24  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         26 . The container system of  claim 2  wherein the retention means comprises
 for each of the plurality of containers, a circumferential projection located on the upper portion of the container, and 
 a pair of rails, said rails extending laterally from the frame in a substantially parallel orientation to the frame, with each of the rails suitably configured to be slidably engaged with receivers located within a refrigerator, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the circumferential projection of said container is suitably configured to engage with the top surface of the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, with the circumferential projection of said container being dimensioned greater than said aperture such that the circumferential projection of said container cannot pass through said aperture, resulting in said container hanging from the frame within said aperture of the frame in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
 
     
     
         27 . The container system of  claim 26  further comprising three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface. 
     
     
         28 . The container system of  claim 27  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         29 . The container system of  claim 28  further comprising a cutting board, wherein the cutting board is suitably configured to be removably retained within the bottom tray. 
     
     
         30 . The container system of  claim 2  wherein the retention means comprises
 for each of the plurality of containers, said container's associated removable lid has an outer perimeter dimensioned greater than the aperture of the frame into which said container is placed, and 
 a pair of rails, said rails extending laterally from the frame in a substantially parallel orientation to the frame, with each of the rails suitably configured to be slidably engaged with receivers located within a refrigerator, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the outer perimeter of the associated removable lid of said container is suitably configured to engage with the top surface of the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, resulting in said container hanging from the frame within said aperture of the frame in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
 
     
     
         31 . The container system of  claim 30  further comprising three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface. 
     
     
         32 . The container system of  claim 31  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         33 . The container system of  claim 32  further comprising a cutting board, wherein the cutting board is suitably configured to be removably retained within the bottom tray. 
     
     
         34 . The container system of  claim 2  wherein the retention means comprises
 for each of the plurality of containers, a tapered profile wherein the upper portion of the container is dimensioned larger than the aperture of the frame into which said container is placed, and the lower portion is dimensioned smaller than said aperture, such that the lower portion of said container passes through said aperture but the upper portion of said container does not pass through said aperture, and 
 a pair of rails, said rails extending laterally from the frame in a substantially parallel orientation to the frame, with each of the rails suitably configured to be slidably engaged with receivers located within a refrigerator, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the upper portion of said container engages with the top surface of the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, resulting in said container hanging from the frame within said aperture of the frame in fixed positional relationship to the frame. 
 
     
     
         35 . The container system of  claim 34  further comprising
 three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface. 
 
     
     
         36 . The container system of  claim 35  further comprising a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto. 
     
     
         37 . A container system comprising
 a plurality of containers, each container having an opening and an interior volume, with each container having associated with it a removable lid that is capable of completely covering the opening of said container;   a frame,
 said frame defining a plurality of apertures, each said aperture being configured to receive within it at least one of the plurality of containers, such that all of the plurality of containers may be placed into the apertures of the frame, one container per aperture, 
 said frame being oriented substantially horizontally, having a top surface and a bottom surface, and each of the plurality of containers is oriented such that its opening is oriented upward, whereby when a container is placed into an aperture of the frame an upper portion of the container is located above the top surface of the frame and a lower portion of the container is located below the bottom surface of the frame, and 
 said frame being constructed of a plurality of rods, with each of the rods in connection with at least two other rods, thereby forming a grid, whereby spaces between the plurality of rods define the plurality of apertures of the frame; 
   a retention means,
 said retention means suitably adapted to maintain the positional relationship of a container to the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, 
 said retention means comprising
 for each of the plurality of containers, a circumferential projection located on the upper portion of the container, and 
 three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the circumferential projection of said container is suitably configured to engage with the top surface of the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, with the circumferential projection of said container being dimensioned greater than said aperture such that the circumferential projection of said container cannot pass through said aperture, resulting in said container hanging from the frame within said aperture of the frame in fixed positional relationship to the frame; 
 
   a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto; and   a cutting board, wherein the cutting board is suitably configured to be removably retained within the bottom tray;   whereby the cutting board is extracted from the bottom tray and used to chop foodstuffs, which are then placed into one or more of the plurality of containers and said containers are covered with their lids and placed into the frame.   
     
     
         38 . The container system of  claim 37  wherein the retention means further comprises a pair of rails, said rails extending laterally from the frame in a substantially parallel orientation to the frame, with each of the rails suitably configured to be slidably engaged with receivers located within a refrigerator. 
     
     
         39 . A container system comprising
 a plurality of containers, each container having an opening and an interior volume, with each container having associated with it a removable lid that is capable of completely covering the opening of said container;   a frame,
 said frame defining a plurality of apertures, each said aperture being configured to receive within it at least one of the plurality of containers, such that all of the plurality of containers may be placed into the apertures of the frame, one container per aperture, 
 said frame being oriented substantially horizontally, having a top surface and a bottom surface, and each of the plurality of containers is oriented such that its opening is oriented upward, whereby when a container is placed into an aperture of the frame an upper portion of the container is located above the top surface of the frame and a lower portion of the container is located below the bottom surface of the frame, 
 said frame being constructed of a plurality of rods, with each of the rods in connection with at least two other rods, thereby forming a grid, whereby spaces between the plurality of rods define the plurality of apertures of the frame; 
   a retention means,
 said retention means suitably adapted to maintain the positional relationship of a container to the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, 
 said retention means comprising
 for each of the plurality of containers, said container's associated removable lid has an outer perimeter dimensioned greater than the aperture of the frame into which said container is placed, and 
 three or more support structures, said support structures extending downward from the bottom surface of the frame in a substantially perpendicular orientation to the frame, with each of the support structures having a length such that when placed onto a surface said support structures maintain the frame in a substantially horizontal orientation to the surface, 
 wherein for each of the plurality of containers the outer perimeter of the associated removable lid of said container is suitably configured to engage with the top surface of the frame when said container is placed into an aperture of the frame, resulting in said container hanging from the frame within said aperture of the frame in fixed positional relationship to the frame; 
 
   a bottom tray, wherein the bottom tray is dimensioned substantially the same as the frame, whereby the three or more support structures are placed into the bottom tray and secured thereto; and   a cutting board, wherein the cutting board is suitably configured to be removably retained within the bottom tray;   whereby the cutting board is extracted from the bottom tray and used to chop foodstuffs, which are then placed into one or more of the plurality of containers and said containers are covered with their lids and placed into the frame.   
     
     
         40 . The container system of  claim 39  wherein the retention means further comprises a pair of rails, said rails extending laterally from the frame in a substantially parallel orientation to the frame, with each of the rails suitably configured to be slidably engaged with receivers located within a refrigerator.