DESC:CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application is based on and derives the benefit of Indian Provisional Application 202121029476 filed on 30/06/2021, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The disclosure herein relate to a storage apparatus for enhancing visibility and accessibility of articles stored thereon, where the storage apparatus is at least a pantry organizer.

BACKGROUND
[002] Variety of cooking utensils and devices are adapted to serve various purposes. Kitchen utensils have various shapes and sizes and many such utensils do not fit within horizontal drawers. Some utensils are too wide to fit within the horizontal drawer, or consume too much space therein. Further, horizontal drawers and other typical storage spaces are not adjustable in size and cannot be made to accommodate larger utensils. Usually, some kitchen utensils are stored in an upright position within a larger storage container. However, when multiple utensils are disposed in the large storage container having a single compartment, the utensils can be entangled with one another and may be difficult to separate. Further, the utensils may not be well organized, and as a result the user may have difficulty in quickly locating and accessing a particular utensil.
[003] Modern kitchens place a premium on sufficient usage of storage for utensils, dry goods, canned goods, spice bottles, oil jars & bottles, etc. Most of them are common in every kitchen. Conventional slidable narrow pullout pantry includes fixed multiple shelves to accommodate the items. However, the pullout pantry along with fixed multiple shelves is subjected to poor accessibility and visibility of items placed in the middle and bottom shelves. Due to this, it is difficult to find a particular kitchen entity in the shelves. One has to bend down to see what is stored in the middle or bottom shelf. Also, while opening the slidable pullout pantry, entities which are kept freely onto the shelves would move over each other causing rattling which is undesirable.

OBJECTS
[004] The principal object of embodiments herein is to provide a storage apparatus with cascade opening which enables maximum visibility and accessibility of articles stored in middle and bottom drawers, where the storage apparatus is at least a pantry organizer.
[005] Another object of embodiments herein is to provide an organized storage of items like dry goods, canned goods, spice bottles, oil jars and bottles, etc. in a systematic and visual manner.
[006] Another object of embodiments herein is to sort, segregate and organize various kitchen entities as per variations in height by providing required space between the drawers of the storage apparatus.
[007] Another object of embodiments herein is to prevent toppling of kitchen entities by utilizing flat base drawer (tray) of storage apparatus.
[008] Another object of embodiments herein is to prevent mixing of kitchen entities by utilizing a set of longitudinal partitions within the drawers of the storage apparatus.
[009] Another object of embodiments herein is to easily clean the drawers of the storage apparatus.
[0010] These and other objects of embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with following description and accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0011] The embodiments are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, throughout which like reference letters indicate corresponding parts in various figures. The embodiments herein will be better understood from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:
[0012] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a storage apparatus in which a first drawer and a second drawer are in a stowed position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0013] Fig. 2 depicts a perspective view of the storage apparatus in which the first drawer and the second drawers are in a deployed position so as to enhance visibility and accessibility of articles stored on the drawers, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0014] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a main frame of the storage apparatus, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0015] Fig. 4 depicts a sectional view showing a third drawer fixedly mounted onto a side bracket of the main frame through a spacer, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0016] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of a stationary channel of the storage apparatus, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0017] Fig. 6 depicts a front view of a mounting bracket of the storage apparatus, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0018] Fig. 7 depicts a perspective view of the first drawer with a first mounting bracket mounted thereon, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0019] Fig. 8 depicts a perspective view of the second drawer with a second mounting bracket mounted thereon, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0020] Fig. 9 depicts a perspective view of a cascade link of the storage apparatus, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0021] Fig. 10 depicts a perspective view of a bush of the storage apparatus, according to embodiments as disclosed herein;
[0022] Fig. 11 depicts a front view showing the cascade link, the bush and a support bracket in assembled condition, according to embodiments as disclosed herein; and
[0023] Fig. 12 depicts a sectional view of the cascade link, the bush and the support bracket taken along B-B of Fig. 11, according to embodiments as disclosed herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0025] The embodiments herein achieve a storage apparatus for enhancing visibility and accessibility of articles stored thereon, where the storage apparatus is at least a pantry organizer. Referring now to the drawings Figs. 1 through 12, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown embodiments.
[0026] Fig. 1 depicts a perspective view of a storage apparatus (100) in which a first drawer (104A) and a second drawer (104B) are in a stowed position, according to embodiments as disclosed herein. In an embodiment, the storage apparatus (100) includes a main frame (102), a plurality of drawers (104A, 104B, 104C), a plurality of spacers ((105), only one of which is shown in fig. 4), a pair of cascade links (106), a plurality of stationary channels (108), a plurality of sliding members (110), a plurality of first mounting brackets (112), a plurality of second mounting brackets (114), a pair of first fasteners (116), a pair of first washers (118), a pair of second fasteners (120) and a pair of second washers (122), a pair of support brackets ((124), (as shown in fig. 11 and fig. 12)), a pair of bushes ((126), (as shown in fig. 11 and fig. 12)) and a plurality of third fasteners ((128), only one of which is shown in fig. 4)). For the purpose of this description and ease of understanding, the storage apparatus (100) is explained herein with below reference to enabling maximum visibility and accessibility of kitchen articles (A) stored in the middle and bottom drawers (104A, 104B) of a pantry organizer with cascade opening, where the storage apparatus (100) can be used of storage for utensils, dry goods, canned goods, spice bottles, oil jars, bottles and any other kitchen entities. However, it is also within the scope of the invention to use/practice the storage apparatus (100) to enhance visibility and accessibility of articles stored in pharmaceutical stores, educational institutions, healthcare centers, non-commercial applications, commercial applications or in any other applications, where better visibility and accessibility to the stored articles is required, without otherwise deterring the intended function of the storage apparatus (100) as can be deduced from the description and corresponding drawings. The articles (A) can also be called as entities or items or products or raw materials or containers and so on, which are required to be stored in the drawers (104A, 104B, 104C) of the storage apparatus (100).
[0027] Fig. 3 depicts a perspective view of a main frame (102) of the storage apparatus (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. The main frame (102) can also be called as carrier frame. The main frame (102) is adapted to support the drawers (104A, 104B, 104C). The main frame (102) includes a pair of left side vertical frames (102VA), a pair of right side vertical frames (102VB), a pair of first cross frames (102CA), a pair of second cross frames (102CB), a plurality of side brackets (102S), a pair of first longitudinal stiffeners (102RA) and a pair of second longitudinal stiffeners (102RB). The left side vertical frame (102VA) is parallel and spaced away from another left side vertical frame (102VA). The right side vertical frame (102VB) is parallel and spaced away from another right side vertical frame (102VB). The first cross frames (102CA) are adapted to connect the left side vertical frame (102VA) with another left side vertical frame (102VA). Each first cross frame (102CA) extends in between the left side vertical frames (102VA) at its corresponding ends. The second cross frames (102CB) are adapted to connect the right side vertical frame (102VB) with another right side vertical frame (102VB). Each second cross frame (102CB) extends in between the right side vertical frames (102VB) at its corresponding ends. Each side bracket (102S) is mounted onto corresponding vertical frames (102VA, 102VB) in vicinity of corresponding side of respective drawers (104A, 104B, 104C). The first longitudinal stiffeners (102RA) are adapted to connect the left side vertical frames (102VA) to the right side vertical frames (102VB). The first longitudinal stiffener (102RA) is parallel and spaced away from another first longitudinal stiffener (102RA). The first longitudinal stiffeners (102RA) are located at a bottom end of the vertical frames (102VA, 102VB). The pair of second longitudinal stiffeners (102RB) adapted to connect the left side vertical frames (102VA) to the right side vertical frames (102VB) and is located above the first longitudinal stiffeners (102RA) in a spaced manner. The second longitudinal stiffener (102RB) is parallel and spaced away from another second longitudinal stiffener (102RB). The second longitudinal stiffeners (102RB) are adapted to fixedly mount the third drawer (104C) thereon. The first and second longitudinal stiffeners (102RA, 102RB) are adapted to provide reinforcement to the vertical frames (102VA, 102VB).
[0028] The plurality of drawers (104A, 104B, 104C) are adapted to hold articles of varying height due to the fitment of drawers (104A, 104B, 104C) at different heights with respect to the main frame (102). The plurality of drawers (104A, 104B, 104C) includes a first drawer (104A), a second drawer (104B) and a third drawer (104C). The drawers (104A, 104B, 104C) can also be called as trays. Each first and second drawer (104A, 104B) is slidably coupled to the main frame (102). The third drawer (104C) is located in between the first drawer (104A) and the second drawer (104B). The first drawer (104A) is located at or near a top end of the main frame (102). The second drawer (104B) is located near a bottom end of the main frame (102). A distance between the first drawer (104A) and the third drawer (104C) is less than a distance between the second drawer (104B) and the third drawer (104C). At least one of the drawers (104A, 104B, 104C) includes at least one partition adapted to prevent mixing of articles (A) stored therein. The plurality of spacers (105) are adapted to fixedly mount the third drawer (104C) onto corresponding side brackets (102S) of the main frame (102) through corresponding third fastener (128).
[0029] Each cascade link (106) rotatably supported (pivoted) onto the main frame (102). Each cascade link (106) is coupled to the first drawer (104A) and the second drawer (104B) in a diagonal manner. Each cascade link (106) is located at a corresponding side of respective drawer (104A, 104B). The cascade links (106) are configured to move the second drawer (104B) along a first direction from a stowed position (as shown in fig. 1) to a deployed position (as shown in fig. 2) when the first drawer (104A) is adapted to be moved along a second direction from the stowed position (as shown in fig. 1) to the deployed position (as shown in fig. 2) thereby enhancing the visibility and accessibility of articles (A) stored on the drawers (104A, 104B, 104C), where the first direction is opposite to the second direction.
[0030] Fig. 5 depicts a perspective view of a stationary channel (108) of the storage apparatus (100), according to embodiments as disclosed herein. Each stationary channel (108) is connected to corresponding side bracket (102S) of the main frame (102) in vicinity of corresponding side of respective drawer (104A, 104B). Each sliding member (110) is mounted on corresponding side of respective drawer (104A, 104B) and is slidably connected to corresponding stationary channel (108) directly. In another embodiment, each sliding member (110) is slidably connected to corresponding stationary channel (108) through a pair of rollers (not shown) which are installed on corresponding stationary channel (108). In another embodiment, each sliding member (110) is considered to be a telescopic sliding apparatus which includes an outer sliding channel (not shown) and an inner sliding channel (not shown), where the outer sliding channel (not shown) is slidably connected to the stationary channel (108), and whereas the inner sliding channel (not shown) is slidably connected to the outer sliding channel (not shown).
[0031] Each first mounting bracket (112) is mounted onto corresponding side of first drawer (104A) below corresponding sliding member (110). A portion ((112P), as shown in fig. 7)) of each first mounting bracket (112) is positioned below the first drawer (104A). Each second mounting bracket (114) is mounted onto corresponding side of the second drawer (104A) above corresponding sliding member (110) in a diagonally opposite relation to corresponding first mounting bracket (112). A portion ((114P), (as shown in fig. 8)) of each second mounting bracket (112) is positioned above the second drawer (104B). One end of each of cascade link (106) is movably connected to the portion (112P) of corresponding first mounting bracket (112) and another end of each cascade link (106) is movably connected to the portion (114P) of corresponding second mounting bracket (114).
[0032] One end of each cascade link (106) defines a first elongated slot ((106A), (as shown in fig. 9 and fig. 11)) adapted to receive corresponding first fastener (116) which is connected to the portion (112P) of corresponding said first mounting bracket (112). Another end of each cascade link (106) defines a second elongated slot ((106B), as shown in fig. 9 and fig. 11)) adapted to receive corresponding second fastener (120) which is connected to the portion (114P) of corresponding second mounting bracket (114). Each first washer (118) is adapted to be fitted onto corresponding first fastener (116) to support the one end of corresponding cascade link (106) on corresponding first fastener (116). Each second washer (122) is adapted to be fitted onto corresponding second fastener (120) to support another end of corresponding cascade link (106) on corresponding second fastener (120).
[0033] Each support bracket (124) is secured to a corresponding side bracket (102S) of the main frame (102) in vicinity of the third drawer (104C). Each bush (126) includes a base ((126A), (as shown in fig. 10 and fig. 12)) and a cascade link engaging portion (126B). The base (126A) is rotatably supported into corresponding support bracket ((124), (as shown in fig. 10 and fig. 12)). The cascade link engaging portion (126B) is adapted to be connected to corresponding cascade link (106). Each support bracket (124) is adapted to support corresponding cascade link (106) through corresponding bush (126). Each cascade link (106) defines a center elongated slot (106C) adapted to receive the cascade link engaging portion (126B) of corresponding cascade link (106).
[0034] The technical advantages of the storage apparatus (100) are as follows. To enable maximum visibility and accessibility of kitchen entities in the middle and bottom drawers of the pantry organizer with cascade opening. The storage apparatus is adapted to facilitate sorting, segregating and organizing various articles as per variations in height by providing required space between the drawers of the storage apparatus. The storage apparatus with flat base drawer is adapted to prevent toppling of articles stored thereof. The storage apparatus facilitates easy cleaning of drawers. The storage apparatus with partitions is adapted to prevent mixing of articles stored thereof.
[0035] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modifications within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.
,CLAIMS:We claim:
1. A storage apparatus (100) comprising:
a main frame (102);
a plurality of drawers (104A, 104B, 104C) comprising a first drawer (104A) and a second drawer (104B), wherein each of said first and second drawer (104A, 104B) is slidably coupled to said main frame (102); and
a pair of cascade links (106) rotatably supported onto said main frame (102), wherein each of said cascade link (106) is coupled to said first drawer (104A) and said second drawer (104B) in a diagonal manner.
2. The storage apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said cascade link (106) is located at a corresponding side of respective said drawer (104A, 104B); and
said cascade links (106) are configured to move said second drawer (104B) along a first direction from a stowed position to a deployed position when said first drawer (104A) is adapted to be moved along a second direction from the stowed position to the deployed position thereby enhancing the visibility and accessibility of articles (A) stored on said drawers (104A, 104B, 104C), where the first direction is opposite to the second direction.
3. The storage apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said storage apparatus (100) includes,
a plurality of stationary channels (108), wherein each of said stationary channel (108) is connected to a corresponding side bracket (102S) of said main frame (102) in vicinity of corresponding side of respective said drawer (104A, 104B); and
a plurality of sliding members (110), wherein each of said sliding member (110) is mounted on corresponding side of respective said drawer (104A, 104B) and is slidably connected to corresponding said stationary channel (108).
4. The storage apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said storage apparatus (100) includes,
a plurality of first mounting brackets (112), wherein each of said first mounting bracket (112) is mounted onto corresponding side of said first drawer (104A) below corresponding said sliding member (110), wherein a portion (112P) of each of said first mounting bracket (112) is positioned below said first drawer (104A); and
a plurality of second mounting brackets (114), wherein each of said second mounting bracket (114) is mounted onto corresponding side of said second drawer (104A) above corresponding said sliding member (110) in a diagonally opposite relation to corresponding said first mounting bracket (112), wherein a portion (114P) of each of said second mounting bracket (112) is positioned above said second drawer (104B),
wherein
one end of each of said cascade link (106) is movably connected to the portion (112P) of corresponding said first mounting bracket (112) and another end of each of said cascade link (106) is movably connected to the portion (114P) of corresponding said second mounting bracket (114).
5. The storage apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 4, wherein said storage apparatus (100) includes a pair of first fasteners (116), a pair of first washers (118), a pair of second fasteners (120) and a pair of second washers (122),
wherein
one end of each of said cascade link (106) defines a first elongated slot (106A) adapted to receive corresponding said first fastener (116) which is connected to the portion (112P) of corresponding said first mounting bracket (112);
another end of each of said cascade link (106) defines a second elongated slot (106B) adapted to receive corresponding said second fastener (120) which is connected to the portion (114P) of corresponding said second mounting bracket (114);
each of said first washer (118) is adapted to be fitted onto corresponding said first fastener (116) to support the one end of corresponding said cascade link (106) on corresponding said first fastener (116); and
each of said second washer (122) is adapted to be fitted onto corresponding said second fastener (120) to support the another end of corresponding said cascade link (106) on corresponding said second fastener (120).
6. The storage apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said plurality of drawers (104A, 104B, 104C) includes,
a third drawer (104C) located in between said first drawer (104A) and said second drawer (104B); and
a plurality of spacers (105) adapted to fixedly mount said third drawer (104C) onto corresponding side brackets (102S) of said main frame (102) through corresponding fasteners (128),
wherein
said first drawer (104A) is located at or near a top end of said main frame (102);
said second drawer (104B) is located near a bottom end of said main frame (102); and
at least one of said drawers (104A, 104B, 104C) includes at least one partition adapted to prevent mixing of articles (A) stored therein.
7. The storage apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein said storage apparatus (100) includes,
a pair of support brackets (124), wherein each of said support bracket (124) is secured to a corresponding side bracket (102S) of said main frame (102) in vicinity of said third drawer (104C); and
a pair of bushes (126), wherein each of said bush (126) includes a base (126A) and a cascade link engaging portion (126B), wherein said base (126A) is rotatably supported into corresponding said support bracket (124), wherein said cascade link engaging portion (126B) is adapted to be connected to corresponding said cascade link (106),
wherein
each of said support bracket (124) is adapted to support corresponding said cascade link (106) through corresponding said bush (126); and
each of said cascade link (106) defines a center elongated slot (106C) adapted to receive said cascade link engaging portion (126B) of corresponding said cascade link (106).
8. The storage apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein a distance between said first drawer (104A) and said third drawer (104C) is less than a distance between said second drawer (104B) and said third drawer (104C).
9. The storage apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 8, wherein said main frame (102) includes,
a pair of left side vertical frames (102VA), wherein each of said left side vertical frame (102VA) is parallel and spaced away from another said left side vertical frame (102VA),
a pair of right side vertical frames (102VB), wherein each of said right side vertical frame (102VB) is parallel and spaced away from another said right side vertical frame (102VB);
a pair of first cross frames (102CA) adapted to connect said left side vertical frame (102VA) with another said left side vertical frame (102VA), where each of said first cross frame (102CA) extends in between said left side vertical frames (102VA) at its corresponding ends; and
a pair of second cross frames (102CB) adapted to connect said right side vertical frame (102VB) with another said right side vertical frame (102VB), where each of said second cross frame (102CB) extends in between said right side vertical frames (102VB) at its corresponding ends,
wherein
each of said side bracket (102S) is mounted onto corresponding said vertical frames (102VA, 102VB) in vicinity of corresponding side of respective said drawer (104A, 104B, 104C).
10. The storage apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 9, wherein said main frame (102) includes,
a pair of first longitudinal stiffeners (102RA) adapted to connect said left side vertical frames (102VA) to said right side vertical frames (102VB); and
a pair of second longitudinal stiffeners (102RB) adapted to connect said left side vertical frames (102VA) to said right side vertical frames (102VB) and is located above said first longitudinal stiffeners (102RA) in a spaced manner, said second longitudinal stiffeners (102RB) are adapted to fixedly mount said third drawer (104C) thereon,
wherein
said first longitudinal stiffener (102RA) is parallel and spaced away from another said first longitudinal stiffener (102RA);
said first longitudinal stiffeners (102RA) are located at a bottom end of said vertical frames (102VA, 102VB);
said second longitudinal stiffener (102RB) is parallel and spaced away from another said second longitudinal stiffener (102RB); and
said first and second longitudinal stiffeners (102RA, 102RB) are adapted to provide reinforcement to said vertical frames (102VA, 102VB).