Sort and Pour Systems

Abstract

A sort and pour system enabling a person to sort through the contents of a storage container to find the specific one that is needed, and then return the contents back into the storage container easily and efficiently.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system, relating to receiving a collection of objects from a storage container and distributing the collection of objects across a large surface area while maintaining containment within the large surface area, permitting user-search of the collection of objects, then gathering the collection of objects into a confined stream to return the collection of objects to the storage container, said system comprising:
 a) a tray structured and arranged to contain the collection of objects;   b) wherein said tray comprises a bottom and at least one side;   c) wherein said tray is open on the top;   d) wherein said bottom is planar defining a bottom plane;   e) wherein said at least one side rises above said bottom plane;   f) wherein said at least one side comprises at least one transforming side;   g) wherein said tray comprises a distributive-area permitting distribution of the collection of objects across an area in a thin layer; and   h) wherein the collection of objects, when distributed, are readily visible and manipulatable by at least one user; and   i) at least one transformer structured and arranged to transform said tray between at least one tray state and at least one pouring state;   j) wherein said at least one pouring state comprises
 i) at least one object-collector structured and arranged to collect the collection of objects into a non-distributed state, 
 ii) wherein said at least one object-collector is non-planar, and 
 iii) at least one funnel structured and arranged to pour a stream of the collection of objects into the storage container; and 
   k) wherein said at least one transformer comprises at least one user-alterable component structured and arranged to effect transformation between said at least one tray state and said at least one pouring state;   l) wherein said at least one transformer transforms
 i) said bottom into said at least one object-collector, and 
 ii) said at least one transforming side into at least one funnel side; and 
   m) wherein said at least one transformer creates said at least one funnel;   n) wherein said at least one funnel comprises said at least one funnel side;   o) wherein the collection of objects are received, distributed and searched in said tray state; and   p) wherein the collection of objects are collected and poured in said pouring state.   
     
     
         2 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said tray further comprises at least one handle structured and arranged to permit single-hand carrying of said tray. 
     
     
         3 . The system according to  claim 2  wherein said at least one handle comprises at least one transforming-handle structured and arranged to assist said transformation. 
     
     
         4 . The system according to  claim 3  wherein said at least one transforming-handle further comprises at least one cutout structured and arranged to transform between at least one hand portal, while in said at least one tray state, and at least one funnel-spout of said at least one funnel, while in said at least one pouring state. 
     
     
         5 . The system according to  claim 4  wherein said at least one transforming handle further comprises at least one transformation-actuator structured and arranged to permit user-actuation of said transformation. 
     
     
         6 . The system according to  claim 5  wherein said at least one transformation-actuator comprises at least one collapse-permitter structured and arranged to collapse when at least one user actuates said transformation. 
     
     
         7 . The system according to  claim 6  wherein said collapse of said at least one collapse-permitter reduces the area of said at least one cutout and conically-curves said at least one transforming handle. 
     
     
         8 . The system according to  claim 7  wherein said collapse of said at least one collapse-permitter additionally reduces the straight-line distance between corners of said at least one transforming side. 
     
     
         9 . The system according to  claim 7  wherein said at least one collapse-permitter comprises at least one accordion hinge. 
     
     
         10 . The system according to  claim 9  wherein said at least one accordion hinge comprises at least three living-hinge locations. 
     
     
         11 . The system according to  claim 5  wherein said transformation-actuator further comprises:
 a) at least one first digit-acceptor structured and arranged to accept insertion of at least one first user-digit; and 
 b) at least one second digit-acceptor structured and arranged to accept insertion of at least one second user-digit; 
 c) wherein said user actuation comprises reducing the distance between said at least one first digit-acceptor and said at least one second digit-acceptor. 
 
     
     
         12 . The system according to  claim 1  wherein said at least one transforming side comprises at least one transforming angle, between said bottom and said at least one transforming side, structured and arranged to assist in transformation between said tray state and said pouring state. 
     
     
         13 . The system according to  claim 12  wherein:
 a) said at least one transforming angle comprises an obtuse angle, while in said tray state, and 
 b) said at least one transforming angle collapses outward during said transformation. 
 
     
     
         14 . The system according to  claim 13  wherein said obtuse angle comprises an angle between about 90 and about 140 degrees. 
     
     
         15 . The system according to  claim 14  wherein said obtuse angle comprises an angle of about 135 degrees. 
     
     
         16 . A system, relating to receiving a collection of objects from a storage container and distributing the collection of objects across a large surface area while maintaining containment within the large surface area, permitting user-search of the collection of objects, then gathering the collection of objects into a confined stream to return the collection of objects to the storage container, said system comprising:
 a) a tray structured and arranged to contain the collection of objects;   b) wherein said tray comprises a bottom and at least one side;   c) wherein said tray is open on the top;   d) wherein said bottom is planar defining a bottom plane;   e) wherein said at least one side rises above said bottom plane;   f) wherein said at least one side comprises at least one transforming side;   g) wherein said tray further comprises at least one handle structured and arranged to permit single-hand carrying of said tray;   h) wherein said tray comprises a distributive-area permitting distribution of the collection of objects across an area in a thin layer; and   i) wherein the collection of objects, when distributed, are readily visible and manipulatable by at least one user; and   j) at least one transformer structured and arranged to transform said tray between at least one tray state and at least one pouring state;   k) wherein said at least one pouring state comprises
 i) at least one object-collector structured and arranged to collect the collection of objects into a non-distributed state, 
 ii) wherein said at least one object-collector is non-planar, and 
 iii) at least one funnel structured and arranged to pour a stream of the collection of objects into the storage container; and 
   l) wherein said at least one transformer comprises at least one user-alterable component structured and arranged to effect transformation between said at least one tray state and said at least one pouring state;   m) wherein said at least one transformer transforms
 i) said bottom into said at least one object-collector, and 
 ii) said at least one transforming side into at least one funnel side; and 
   n) wherein said at least one transformer creates said at least one funnel;   o) wherein said at least one funnel comprises said at least one funnel side;   p) wherein the collection of objects are received, distributed and searched in said tray state; and   q) wherein the collection of objects are collected and poured in said pouring state;   r) wherein said at least one handle comprises at least one transforming-handle structured and arranged to assist said transformation; and   s) wherein said at least one transforming-handle further comprises at least one gripper structured and arranged to transform between at least one hand portal, while in said at least one tray state, and at least one funnel-spout of said at least one funnel, while in said at least one pouring state; and   t) wherein said at least one transforming handle further comprises at least one transformation-actuator structured and arranged to permit user-actuation of said transformation;   u) wherein said at least one transformation-actuator comprises at least one collapse-permitter structured and arranged to collapse when at least one user actuates said transformation;   v) wherein said collapse of said at least one collapse-permitter reduces the area of said at least one cutout and conically-curves said at least one transforming handle;   w) wherein said transformation-actuator further comprises
 i) at least one first digit-acceptor structured and arranged to accept insertion of at least one first user-digit, and 
 ii) at least one second digit-acceptor structured and arranged to accept insertion of at least one second user-digit, 
 iii) wherein said user actuation comprises reducing the distance between said at least one first digit-acceptor and said at least one second digit-acceptor; 
   x) wherein said at least one transforming side comprises at least one transforming angle, between said bottom and said at least one transforming side, structured and arranged to assist in transformation between said tray state and said pouring state;   y) wherein said at least one transforming angle comprises an obtuse angle, while in said tray state; and   z) wherein said at least one transforming angle collapses outward during said transformation.   
     
     
         17 . The system according to  claim 16  wherein said collapse of said at least collapse-permitter additionally reduces the straight-line distance between corners of said at least one transforming side. 
     
     
         18 . The system according to  claim 17  wherein said at least one collapse-permitter comprises at least one accordion hinge. 
     
     
         19 . The system according to  claim 18  wherein said at least one accordion hinge comprises at least three living hinge locations. 
     
     
         20 . A system, relating to receiving a collection of objects from a storage container and distributing the collection of objects across a large surface area while maintaining containment within the large surface area, permitting user-search of the collection of objects, then gathering the collection of objects into a confined stream to return the collection of objects to the storage container, said system comprising:
 a) a tray means for containing the collection of objects;   b) wherein said tray means comprises a bottom and at least one side;   c) wherein said tray means is open on the top;   d) wherein said bottom is planar defining a bottom plane;   e) wherein said at least one side rises above said bottom plane;   f) wherein said at least one side comprises at least one transforming side;   g) wherein said tray means comprises a distributive-area means for permitting distribution of the collection of objects across an area in a thin layer;   h) wherein the collection of objects, when distributed, are readily visible and manipulatable by at least one user;   i) wherein said tray means further comprises at least one transformer means for transforming said tray between at least one tray state and at least one pouring state;   j) wherein said at least one pouring state comprises
 i) at least one object-collector means for collecting the collection of objects into a non-distributed state, 
 ii) wherein said at least one object-collector means is non-planar, and 
 iii) at least one funnel means for pouring a stream of the collection of objects into the storage container; 
   k) wherein said at least one transformer means comprises at least one user-alterable component means for effecting transformation between said at least one tray state and said at least one pouring state;   l) wherein said at least one transformer means transforms
 i) said bottom into said at least one object-collector means, and 
 ii) said at least one transforming side into at least one funnel side; 
   m) wherein said at least one transformer means creates said at least one funnel means,   n) wherein said at least one funnel means comprises said at least one funnel side   o) wherein the collection of objects are received, distributed and searched in said tray state; and   p) wherein the collection of objects are collected and poured in said pouring state.   
     
     
         21 . The system according to  claim 20  wherein said tray means further comprises at least one handle means for permitting single-hand carrying of said tray means. 
     
     
         22 . The system according to  claim 21  wherein said at least one handle means comprises at least one transforming-handle means for assisting said transformation. 
     
     
         23 . system according to  claim 22  wherein said at least one transforming-handle means further comprises at least one gripper means for transforming between at least one hand portal means, while in said at least one tray state, and at least one funnel-spout of said at least one funnel means, while in said at least one pouring state. 
     
     
         24 . The system according to  claim 23  wherein said at least one transforming handle means further comprises at least one transformation-actuator means for permitting user-actuation of said transformation. 
     
     
         25 . The system according to  claim 24  wherein said at least one transformation-actuator means comprises at least one collapse-permitter means for collapsing when at least one user actuates said transformation. 
     
     
         26 . The system according to  claim 25  wherein said collapse of said at least one collapse-permitter means reduces the area of said at least one cutout means and conically-curves said at least one transforming handle means. 
     
     
         27 . The system according to  claim 26  wherein said collapse of said at least one collapse-permitter means additionally reduces the straight-line distance between corners of said at least one transforming side. 
     
     
         28 . The system according to  claim 25  wherein said transformation-actuator means further comprises:
 a) at least one first digit-acceptor means for accepting insertion of at least one first user-digit; and 
 b) at least one second digit-acceptor means for accepting insertion of at least one second user-digit; 
 c) wherein said user actuation comprises reducing the distance between said at least one first digit-acceptor means and said at least one second digit-acceptor means.