DESC:Field of the Invention
[0001] The present invention generally relates to storage units. More particularly, the invention relates to a storage unit devised for accommodating at least one article.

Background of the Invention
[0002] In Today’s world where space is so precious, due to high property rates people think twice before buying articles for their houses. People are interested in buying articles which are compact in nature and which occupies less space in the house.
[0003] For instance storage units like shoe racks in houses occupy a lot of space. Due to non-compact nature of these racks, shoes and slippers are scattered in the rack, which makes the house look untidy.
[0004] Further, due to smell of shoes and slippers placed in the rack, the smell radiates throughout the house. Also, when the shoes and slippers are removed from the racks, they give out a bad odor. People with breathing problems tend to face a lot of problems with this issue.
[0005] Generally, storage units like the shoe rack are open at one end or some shoe racks are closed on all sides. Even if the shoe racks are closed in structure, there may be small gaps through which dust and moisture may enter inside the storage unit. Due to these small gaps durability of the storage unit reduces.
[0006] The storage units are usually made of separate pieces of plywood and assembled together by different fastening means. Due to the weak assembly, storage units are not sturdy.
[0007] Articles placed inside the storage unit may have dust particles attached to them. For instance, when shoes and slippers are placed in the storage unit, herein shoe rack, the shoes and slippers will have dust particles like sand, dirt from road, etc attached to them. Owner of the shoes or slippers may forget to clean them, due to which the dust particles get accumulated on the shoes or slippers, thereby even the storage unit becomes untidy. Therefore, it needs to be cleaned frequently.
[0008] In view of the above, there is need for a storage unit which overcomes at least one of the problems mentioned above.

Summary
[0009] Accordingly, the present invention in the first aspect provides a storage unit comprising a cabinet, an opening cavity, plurality of latchable shelf s, at least one ventilating unit and a fastening means. Plurality of latchable shelf s is stacked in the opening cavity in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. Each shelf has a surface angled at at least on one of its periphery for resting the article in a slanting position. The angled surface is such that when the shelf is opened or closed along the vertical axis of the opening cavity, the article continues to rest in the slanting position. At least one ventilating unit is provided on the cabinet for circulating air to and from the storage unit in response to opening or closing of the shelf. In another aspect, the present invention provides a system and method for storing articles in very compact space and maintaining hygienic environment.

Brief Description of the Drawings
[0010] Reference will be made to embodiments of the invention, examples of which may be illustrated in the accompanying figures. These figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Although the invention is generally described in the context of these embodiments, it should be understood that it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to these particular embodiments.
[0011] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 shows a storage unit according to the present invention.
Figure 1A shows side view of the storage unit.
Figure 1B shows a backplane.
Figure 2 shows bottom corner assembly.
Figure 3 exhibits various views of bottom cover.
Figure 4 shows assembly of vertical connector and a plurality of shelf (103).
Figure 5 shows top corner assembly.
Figure 6 exhibits various views of top cover.
Figure 7 exhibits various views of shelf.
Figure 8 disclose various fastening means.

Detailed Description of the preferred embodiment of Invention:
[0012] A storage unit is provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Storage unit includes a cabinet, an opening cavity, plurality of latchable shelves, at least one ventilating unit and a fastening means. The method of the invention may also be implemented as application performed by a stand alone or embedded system.
[0013] The invention described herein is explained using specific exemplary details for better understanding. However, the invention disclosed can be worked on by a person skilled in the art without the use of or by obvious modification of these specific details as discussed below.
[0014] References in the specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure, characteristic, or function described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of the phrase “in one embodiment” in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.
[0015] Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Reference now should be made to the drawings, in which the same reference numerals are used throughout the different drawings to designate the same or similar components. Parts of the description will be presented in terms of operations performed by the mechanical assembly, using terms such as locking, fixing, holding, and the like, consistent with the manner commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. As is well understood by those skilled in the art, the components associated with the assembly can take any design form with acceptable change in dimensions that fall within the scope of the present invention for incorporating similar features as associated and illustrated by referencing to the present invention. For clear description of the present invention, known constructions and functions will be omitted.
[0016] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, the present invention can be further modified within the spirit of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the invention using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains.
[0017] Parts of the description will be presented in terms of operations performed by a cabinet cover system, using terms such as top cover, bottom cover, vent and the like, consistent with the manner commonly employed by those skilled in the art to convey the substance of their work to others skilled in the art. The term cabinet cover system includes general purpose as well as special purpose cabinet top cover with / without vent, cabinet bottom cover with /without vent and the like, that are standalone, adjunct or embedded.
[0018] In an embodiment of the invention, the cabinet forms the outer body of the storage unit. The cabinet includes a backplane and side walls.
[0019] In an embodiment of the invention, an opening cavity having a vertical axis is provided in front of the cabinet. The cavity is configured for receiving at least one article in the cabinet.
[0020] Plurality of latchable shelf s is stacked in the opening cavity in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. Each shelf has a surface angled at atleast on one of its periphery for resting the article in a slanting position. The angled surface is such that when the shelf is opened or closed along the vertical axis of the opening cavity, the article continues to rest in the slanting position.
[0021] In accordance to an embodiment of the invention, at least one ventilating unit is provided on the cabinet for circulating air to and from the storage unit in response to opening or closing of the shelf. Herein two ventilating units are provided for each shelf of the storage unit. Whenever, the shelf is opened, warm air enters the cabinet and rises above and passes out through the ventilating units of the cabinet. Action of closing the shelf pushes air into the cabinet. In view of the action, air is constantly circulated throughout the cabinet; thereby bad odor of the articles placed in the cabinet is reduced considerably.
[0022] In another embodiment of the invention, at least two concentric circular vents are provided for each shelf of the storage unit. One vent is provided at the periphery and one vent is provided at the centre of each shelf of the storage unit. The vents create high pressure at the periphery and low pressure at the centre of each shelf, thus circulating fresh air from out to inside the cabinet and warm air from inside to out of the cabinet of the storage unit.
[0023] Further, at least one fastening means is provided for each shelf for preventing lateral movement of the shelf and providing pivotal hinge action in accordance to an embodiment of the invention.
[0024] In an embodiment of the invention, the fastening means may be a rivet, nut and bolt arrangement, etc.
[0025] Further, rivet may be a curved rivet and the nut and bolt arrangement may have a grooved type nut structure. In an example embodiment, the grooved type nut provided for each shelf fastens the shelf with the cabinet. The nut is fastened at surface of intersection of the shelf and the cabinet. Therefore when the shelf is opened or closed along the cabinet, the nut and bolt arrangement prevents lateral movement of the shelf and also prevents angular motion of the shelf beyond a particular extent. Due to which each shelf has a smooth motion with respect to its contact with each of the plurality of shelves.
[0026] In an embodiment of the invention, each shelf is resting on another shelf of the plurality of shelves when in closed position. More over a specific grove arrangement is made so that the in close position each shelf is resting on another shelf and gets latched to the grove of the neighboring shelf of the plurality of shelves. There is zero gap difference between contacts of the two shelves. Due to the zero gaps between the two shelf s; dust particles cannot enter the cabinet. Therefore, the arrangement between the shelf s is such that dust proof mechanism is created in the storage unit.
[0027] In an embodiment, the storage unit includes shoe rack, drawer, cupboard, etc.
[0028] In accordance to an embodiment of the invention, the shelf of the unit has an angular motion along the vertical axis of the opening cavity.
[0029] In an embodiment of the invention, opening of the shelf has an angular motion away from the vertical axis of the opening cavity.
[0030] In an embodiment of the invention, closing of the shelf includes the shelf being in close proximity and parallel to the vertical axis of the opening cavity.
[0031] In an embodiment of the invention, a detachable tray is provided at bottom of the cabinet for collecting dust particles and moisture from the articles placed in the storage unit.
[0032] The cabinet of the storage unit may have curved edges for giving overall stability to the structure of the storage unit in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. Further, due to the curved edges of the storage unit center of gravity reduces, thereby increasing the stability of the storage unit.
[0033] Turning now to Fig. 1, an example system is provided and is generally designated 100. Included in the system 100 are a cabinet (101) that forms the outer body of the storage unit. The cabinet forms the backplane (1013) and side walls (1010) wherein edges fromed due to the backplane and side wall are constructed to have curved edges providing better strength and support due the arc formation effect experienced because of the curvature of the edges. Due to the curve edges evenly distributed centrifugal force helps to maintain the center of the mass across any plane parallel to the top or bottem surface is in fully occupied as well as empty conditions.as singular point thus offering the stability to the structure. An opening cavity (104) having a vertical axis is provided in front of the cabinet. The cavity is configured for receiving at least one article in the cabinet. Plurality of latchable shelf (103) is stacked in the opening cavity in accordance to an embodiment of the invention. Each shelf (103) has a surface angled at at least on one of its periphery for resting the article in a slanting position. The angled surface is such that when the shelf is opened or closed along the vertical axis of the opening cavity, the article continues to rest in the slanting position. At least one ventilating unit (1011) is provided on the cabinet for circulating air to and from the storage unit. At least one fastening means (105) is provided for each shelf for preventing lateral movement of the shelf, fastening the shelf (103) to the cabinet and providing pivotal hinge action. At least one supporting means (102) such as belt is provided to support the article placed in the shelf (103) and is attached/locked to the shelf at the attaching means such as cavity (107). The plurality of shelf (103) is connected to the vertical connector (106) through at least one fastening means (109) capable of providing pivotal hinge action and thus synchronize the movement of the plurality of shelf through the vertical connector. The asynchronous movement of the plurality of shelf is achieved by having separate vertical connector for each shelf or not having any vertical connector for any of the plurality of shelves. The cabinet is closed at the top through a top cover (1012) and is closed at the bottom through a bottom cover (108).
[0034] Figure 1A shows the side view of the storage unit as per one of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The figure also includes the enlarged view of at least one ventilating unit (1A01) as per one of the embodiment of the present disclosure. At least one concentric circular vent (1A02) is provided for each shelf of the storage unit. The vents create high pressure at the periphery and low pressure at the centre of each shelf, thus circulating fresh air from out to inside the cabinet and warm air from inside to out of the cabinet of the storage unit.
[0035] The front view (1B01) and the top view (1B02) of the backplane are shown in the figure 1B.
[0036] The cabinet of the storage unit have curved bottom corner (201) as shown in fig 2 for giving overall stability to the structure of the storage unit in accordance to an embodiment of the invention.
[0037] Figure 3 exhibits various views of at least one bottom cover (108) as per one of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The bottom cover may be purported to provide easy discharge of the dust from the cabinet.
[0038] Figure 4 shows assembly of a plurality of shelf (103) and the vertical connector (403). The side wall (401) of the plurality of shelf is provided with an aperture (404) through which at least one fastening means capable of providing pivotal hinge action connects the shelf to the vertical connector (403). The at least one side wall of the plurality of shelf provides aperture (402) through which at least one fastening means capable of providing pivotal hinge action connects the assembly of the vertical connecter and plurality of shelves to the cabinet at the inner side of the side walls of the cabinet. The figure also shows the side view of the vertical connector and shelf assembly.
[0039] The cabinet of the storage unit have curved top corner (501) as shown in fig 5 for giving overall stability to the structure of the storage unit in accordance to an embodiment of the invention.
[0040] Figure 6 exhibits various views of at least one top cover (1012) as per one of the embodiment of the present disclosure. Generally the top cover have flat and solid surface. However in an veriational embodiment the top cover (1012) may be purported to provide additional vane and thus better ventilation.
[0041] Figure 7 exhibits various views of at least one shelf (103) as per one of the embodiment of the present disclosure. The shelf is composed on front panel (701), front panel molded handle (703), angular bottom (702) wherein the angular bottom is angled for easy receiving and appropriate positioning of the articles and purported for easy discharge of dust particle and to provide better ventilation and side walls (704) enclosing the shelf from both sides and providing at least one aperture (7044) for connecting the shelf to the vertical connector (106) (not shown in this figure) and providing at least one another aperture (7043) for connecting the shelf to the cabinet (101) (not shown in this figure). The figure also shows the front view (705) and bottom view (706) of the at least one shelf. The figure also exhibits enlarged view of the curved bottom (7041) and enlarged view of the front panel molded handle (7042).
[0042] Figure 8 disclose various fastening means used to connect the backplane and side walls forming cabinet to the shelf and vertical connector assembly and to the top and bottom cover. The fastening means such as rivet are capable of providing fixed joint and the fastening means such as step bolt and nut assembly is capable of providing pivotal hinge joint along with fixed joint.
[0043] As per one of the embodiment of the present disclosure the storage unit is used as shoe rack providing very compact and hygienic storage for foot ware that also keeps the premises clean by avoiding the trapping of imitations from the foot wares and thus bad odder.
[0044] It should further be noted that the dimensions of the assembly are with reference to their side lengths when considering polygonal shapes such as triangle, square, rectangle, hexagonal etc. and the dimensions are with reference to radial length when considering circular shapes such as round, oval etc.
[0045] Various changes, modifications and alterations will become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art following a reading of the foregoing specification. Accordingly, it is intended that all such changes, modifications and alterations as come within the scope of the appended claims be considered as being a part of the present invention:
,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A storage unit for accommodating article, the storage unit comprises
a cabinet, an opening cavity, plurality of latchable shelves, at least one ventilating unit and a fastening means.
a cabinet (101) that forms the outer body of the storage unit, the cabinet essentially consist of at least one backplane (1013) and a plurality of side walls (1010) wherein edges formed due to the backplane and side wall are constructed to have curved edges providing better strength and support due the arc formation effect experienced because of the curvature of the edges;
an opening cavity (104) having a vertical axis is provided in front of the cabinet, the cavity configured for receiving at least one article in the cabinet.
a plurality of latchable shelf (103), the plurality of latchable shelf stacked in the opening cavity
at least one ventilating unit (1011), the at least one ventilating unit (1011) provided on the cabinet for circulating air to and from the storage unit;
at least one fastening means (105) provided for each shelf for preventing lateral movement of the shelf, fastening the shelf(103) to the cabinet and providing pivotal hinge action;
at least one supporting means (102) such as belt is provided to support the article placed in the shelf (103) and is attached/locked to the shelf at the attaching means such as cavity (107);
at least one vertical connector (106) wherein the vertical connector (106) is connected to the plurality of shelf (103);
at least one fastening means (109) connecting the at least one vertical connector to the plurality of shelves and capable of providing pivotal hinge action and thus synchronize the movement of the plurality of shelf through the vertical connector.
at least one top cover (1012) to close the cabinet at the top; and
at least one bottom cover (108) to close the cabinet at the bottom.

2. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the each shelf (103) of the plurality of the shelves has a surface angled at at least on one of its periphery for resting the article in a slanting position wherein the angled surface is such that when the shelf is opened or closed along the vertical axis of the opening cavity, the article continues to rest in the slanting position.

3. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein each shelf of the plurality of shelves is resting on another shelf of the plurality of shelfs so that each shelf is resting on another shelf gets latched to the grove of the neighboring shelf of the plurality of shelves when in closed position such that there is zero gap difference between contacts of the two shelves thus creating dust proof mechanism and prevents entry of dust particles.

4. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the opening cavity having a vertical axis in front of the cabinet is configured for receiving at least one article in the cabinet.

5. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the ventilating unit is provided on the cabinet for circulating air to and from the storage unit in response to opening or closing of the shelf.

6. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one fastening means is provided for each shelf for preventing lateral movement of the shelf and providing pivotal hinge action wherein the at least one fastening means may be a rivet, nut and bolt arrangement, etc.

7. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one shelf of the unit has an angular motion along the vertical axis of the opening cavity.

8. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one shelf has an angular motion away from the vertical axis of the opening cavity.

9. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein closing of the at least one shelf includes the at least one shelf being in close proximity and parallel to the vertical axis of the opening cavity.

10. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the asynchronous movement of the plurality of shelf is achieved by having separate vertical connector for each shelf or not having any vertical connector for any of the plurality of shelves.

Dated this 21st day of February, 2014
FOR NITEO FURNITURES PVT LTD
By their Agent

(GIRISH VIJAYANAND SHETH) (IN/PA 1022)
KRISHNA & SAURASTRI ASSOCIATES