Toy storage box

Abstract

A storage box configured to operate in tandem with at least one other storage box of substantially the same construction and features, as part of a storage box system. The storage box system may be employed to reinforce neatness in children by limiting the number of puzzles, games, or other toys that a child can access at once. A storage box may include a scale, an access hatch, a locking mechanism, communication cables, and communication ports. When an item is desired from one of the storage boxes, the box containing the item is opened. Once the object box is opened, all non-opened boxes lock. The item may then be removed from the box. When the item is returned to the object box and the object box is closed, all non-opened boxes unlock.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A storage container system comprising:
 a plurality of storage boxes each including an interior storage area;   each of said plurality of storage boxes further comprising an access hatch and a locking mechanism associated with said access hatch;   said locking mechanism structured to dispose a corresponding one of said access hatches in a locked mode and an unlocked mode;   each of said access hatches disposed in communicating relation with said locking mechanism of at least one other of said plurality of said storage boxes; and   each of said access hatches structured to selectively dispose said access hatches of the other of said plurality of storage boxes in a locked mode and an unlocked mode, dependent at least in part on an open or a closed mode of at least one of said access hatches.   
     
     
         2 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of storage boxes further includes a detection assembly interactive with a corresponding interior storage area and structured to be determinative of at least a presence or non-presence of an object in said corresponding storage area. 
     
     
         3 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 2  wherein each of said detection assemblies is disposed in communicating relation with said locking mechanism of at least one of the other of said plurality of storage boxes and structured to selectively maintain said access hatch of said one other storage box, in a locked mode and an unlocked mode, dependent at least in part on the presence and non-presence of an object in a corresponding one of said storage areas. 
     
     
         4 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 3  wherein each of said access hatches is cooperatively structured and operatively connected with said locking mechanism of at least one other of said plurality of storage boxes; said access hatch of at least one of said plurality of storage boxes being maintained in said locked mode, concurrent to at least one other of said access hatches disposed in said unlocked mode. 
     
     
         5 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 4  wherein each of said detection assemblies is cooperatively structured and operatively connected with said locking mechanism of at least one other of said plurality of storage boxes; said access hatch of at least one of said plurality of storage boxes being maintained in said locked mode, concurrent to at least one other of said access hatches being disposed in said unlocked mode. 
     
     
         6 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 1  wherein said detection assembly comprises a scale disposed on said storage box in weight-determining relation to at least one object disposed within said interior storage area. 
     
     
         7 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 6  wherein at least one of said plurality of storage boxes further comprises a user interface structured and configured to allow a user to set a predetermined weight range of said scale. 
     
     
         8 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 7  wherein said user interface and said scale are cooperatively structured and operatively connected to allow said predetermined weight range to be set with reference to the weight of at least one object placed in weight-determining relation to said scale. 
     
     
         9 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 8  wherein said user interface is further configured to allow a user to indicate that the at least one object placed in weight-determining relation to said scale is consumable. 
     
     
         10 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 1  further comprising at least one communication port disposed on an exterior surface of each of said plurality of storage boxes. 
     
     
         11 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 10  further comprising at least one communication cable disposed integrally with at least one of said plurality of storage boxes in an extendible relation thereto; said communication cable including a connector disposed distally on said at least one communication cable; said connector cooperatively structured and dimensioned with said at least one communication port to provide a releasable, communicative connection therebetween. 
     
     
         12 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 11  wherein said communicative connection provides communication of an open or closed mode of said access hatch of one of said plurality of storage boxes to said locking mechanism of at least one other of said plurality of storage boxes. 
     
     
         13 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 11  wherein said communicative connection provides communication of a presence or non-presence of an object in said storage area of one of said plurality of storage boxes to said locking mechanism of at least one other of said plurality of storage boxes. 
     
     
         14 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 11  wherein said connector and said communication port are cooperatively structured and dimensioned to provide an at least partially tamper-resistant connection. 
     
     
         15 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of storage boxes further comprises an indicator structured and configured to indicate a locked mode or unlocked mode of said storage box. 
     
     
         16 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 15  wherein said indicator comprises at least one light emitting diode. 
     
     
         17 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 1  wherein each of said plurality of storage boxes is at least partially comprised of translucent material thereby providing visual confirmation of objects disposed in said interior storage area of any one of said plurality of storage boxes. 
     
     
         18 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of storage boxes further comprises a positive reinforcement unit which operatively provides an encouraging effect to a user of said storage container system. 
     
     
         19 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 18  wherein said positive reinforcement unit is configured and disposed to dispense items to an exterior of said storage box. 
     
     
         20 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 18  wherein said positive reinforcement unit is configured and disposed to emit sound audible by a user of said storage container system. 
     
     
         21 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 1  wherein at least one of said plurality of storage boxes comprises at least one attachment member, disposed exteriorly on said at least one storage box, structured and configured to securably retain said at least one storage box in a predetermined position. 
     
     
         22 . The storage container system as recited in  claim 21  wherein said attachment member comprises at least one suction cup disposed on said one storage box in attaching relation to at least one other of said plurality of storage boxes. 
     
     
         23 . A storage container system comprising:
 a plurality of storage boxes each including an interior storage area;   each of said plurality of storage boxes further comprising an access hatch and a locking mechanism associated with said access hatch;   said locking mechanism structured to dispose a corresponding one of said access hatches in a locked mode and an unlocked mode;   each of said access hatches disposed in communicating relation with said locking mechanisms of each of the other of said plurality of storage boxes and structured to selectively dispose said access hatches of each of the other of said plurality of storage boxes in a locked mode and an unlocked mode, dependent at least in part on an open or a closed mode of at least one of said access hatches;   each of said plurality of storage boxes further including a detection assembly interactive with a corresponding storage area and structured to be determinative of at least a presence or non-presence of an object in said corresponding storage area; and   each of said detection assemblies disposed in communicating relation with said locking mechanisms of each of the other of said plurality of storage boxes and structured to selectively maintain said access hatches in a locked mode and an unlocked mode, dependent at least in part on the presence and non-presence of an object in a corresponding one of said storage areas.