Portable palette and workstation

Abstract

A portable workstation for beadcrafting operations is provided. The workstation includes a base carrying a plurality of compartments surrounded by an upstanding rim having one or more recesses. Covers for each compartment contain dimples which are received in the recesses with a snap-fit retention. The base further includes a recessed work area surrounded by an upstanding rim. A design board fits over the rim of the work area and engages the rim with a snap-fit retention. The compartments include rounded surfaces and a cutout or recess in the rim surrounding the compartments functions as a funnel for dispensing the compartment contents.

1 . A portable workstation comprising: 
 a base carrying a plurality of receptacles each defining a hollow interior cavity, and each having an open upper end surrounded by an upstanding rim;    a plurality of covers engaging the rims of respective receptacles so as to enclose the hollow interior cavities thereof; and    a design board associated with the base, adjacent the receptacles.    
   
   
       2 . The portable workstation according  claim 1  wherein the design board is integrally formed with the base.  
   
   
       3 . The portable workstation according to  claim 1  wherein the base further comprises a work compartment including a surrounding upstanding rim adjacent the receptacles, an upper open end and wherein the design board encloses the open upper end of the work compartment.  
   
   
       4 . A portable workstation comprising: 
 a base carrying a plurality of receptacles each defining a hollow interior cavity, and each having an open upper end surrounded by an upstanding rim;    a plurality of covers engaging the rims of respective receptacles so as to enclose the hollow interior cavities thereof; and    the rims of the receptacles each having an upper surface and defining a recess extending below the upper surface to form a funnel for discharging contents of the hollow interior cavity.    
   
   
       5 . The portable workstation according  claim 4  wherein the plurality of receptacles is arranged in a generally coplanar array.  
   
   
       6 . The portable workstation according to  claim 4  wherein the covers include stepped side walls.  
   
   
       7 . The portable workstation according to  claim 6  wherein the rims of the receptacles have upper surfaces and the stepped side walls include transverse side wall portions which engage the upper surfaces of the rims.  
   
   
       8 . The portable workstation according to  claim 7  wherein the covers include protruding dimples and the rim includes recesses receiving the dimples with a snap action engagement.  
   
   
       9 . The portable workstation according to  claim 4  wherein the base further comprises a work compartment adjacent the receptacles, including a surrounding upstanding rim and an upper open end.  
   
   
       10 . The portable workstation according to  claim 9  further comprising a design board enclosing the open upper end of the work compartment and having a downwardly extending sidewall engaging the rim of the work compartment.  
   
   
       11 . The portable workstation according to  claim 10  wherein the sidewall of the design board includes a transverse step wall engaging the upper end of the rim surrounding the work compartment.  
   
   
       12 . The portable workstation according to  claim 11  wherein the sidewall of the design board includes a locking protrusion and the rim surrounding the work compartment includes a recess receiving the locking protrusion with a snap action engagement.  
   
   
       13 . The portable workstation according to  claim 12  wherein the rim surrounding the work compartment and the design board have generally rectangular shapes with corners and the locking protrusions and recesses are located generally at the corners of the rim and the design board.  
   
   
       14 . The workstation according to  claim 4  wherein the base and the covers are formed from plastic sheet material.  
   
   
       15 . The portable workstation according to  claim 4  wherein the covers include sidewalls overlying the rims surrounding the receptacles and enclosing the funnels so as to retain contents of the hollow interior cavities defined by the receptacles.  
   
   
       16 . A portable workstation comprising: 
 a base having an outer periphery surrounding a generally coplanar array of receptacles extending above the outer periphery, the receptacles surrounded by upstanding rims and defining hollow interior cavities with open upper ends;    a plurality of covers engaging the rims of respective receptacles so as to enclose the open upper ends thereof;    the rims of the receptacles each having an upper surface and defining a recess extending below the upper surface to form a funnel for discharging contents of the hollow interior cavity;    a work compartment adjacent the receptacles and including a surrounding upstanding rim and an upper open end; and    a design board enclosing the open upper end of the work compartment and having a downwardly extending sidewall engaging the rim of the work compartment.    
   
   
       17 . The portable workstation according to  claim 16  further comprising an intermediate wall extending between adjacent receptacles and between the receptacles and the work compartment.  
   
   
       18 . The portable workstation according to  claim 17  wherein the intermediate wall extends above the outer periphery.  
   
   
       19 . The portable workstation according to  claim 16  wherein the rims surrounding the receptacles and the covers include interengaging dimples and recesses for snap-fit engagement of the covers to the receptacles.  
   
   
       20 . The portable workstation according to  claim 16  wherein the rim surrounding the work compartment and the design board include interengaging dimples and recesses for snap-fit engagement of the design board to the work compartment.  
   
   
       21 . The portable workstation according to  claim 16  wherein the covers include sidewalls overlying the rims surrounding the receptacles and enclosing the funnels so as to retain contents of the hollow interior cavities defined by the receptacles.