Scalable Storage Apparatus

Abstract

An expandable storage system that is scalable so that an individual powder serving can be provided for any number of days by providing an array of interconnected cups with a funnel top.

1 . A storage system comprising:
 a cup including:
 a hollow internal volume; 
 a first connector; and 
 a second connector; 
 wherein said first connector can connect to said second connector; and 
   a funnel top including:
 a first connector; and 
 a top; 
   wherein said first connector on said funnel top is connected to said second connector on said cup; and   wherein when said funnel top and said cup are so connected, material in said hollow internal volume can exit said hollow internal volume via said top.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said connection between said first connector on said funnel top and said second connector on said cup is powder-tight. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said connection between said first connector on said funnel top and said second connector on said cup is liquid-tight. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said cup is indexed for different volumes. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein said tip is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said tip has a diameter of about 22 millimeters or less. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein said funnel top also comprises a generally conical frustum connected to said top. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 5  further including a bung closing said top. 
     
     
         9 . A storage system comprising:
 a plurality of cups, each of said cups including:
 a hollow internal volume; 
 a first connector; and 
 a second connector; 
 wherein said first connector can connect to said second connector; and 
   a funnel top including:
 a first connector; and 
 a top; 
   wherein said first connector on said funnel top is connected to said second connector on a first cup in said plurality of cups;   wherein said first connector on said first cup is connected to said second connector on a second cup in said plurality of cups;   wherein when said funnel top and said first cup are so connected, material in said hollow internal volume can exit said hollow internal volume of said first cup via said top; and   wherein when said first cup and said second cup are so connected, material in said second cup cannot exit said hollow internal volume of said second cup.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein all of said cups in said plurality of cups are positioned so that each second connector is connected to a first connector. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein all of said cups in said plurality of cups are connected to at least one other cup in said plurality of cups. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein all said first connectors in said plurality of cups are arranged on a base of said cup. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein all said second connectors in said plurality of cups are arranged on an upper rim of said cup. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said connection between said first connector on said funnel top and said second connector on said cup is powder-tight. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said cup is indexed for different volumes. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 9 , wherein said tip is generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said tip has a diameter of about 22 millimeters or less. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 16 , wherein said funnel top also comprises a generally conical frustum connected to said tip. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 16 , further including a bung closing said top. 
     
     
         20 . A method of transporting a powder, the method comprising:
 providing a plurality of cups, each of said cups including:
 a hollow internal volume; 
 a first connector at a base thereof; and 
 a second connector at an upper rim thereof; 
 wherein said first connector can connect to said second connector; 
   providing a funnel top including:
 a first connector; and 
 a tip; 
   placing a powder in said hollow internal volume of all of said cups in said plurality;   attaching said first connector on said funnel top to said second connector on a first cup in said plurality of cups to seal said powder in said hollow internal volume in said first cup in said hollow internal volume of said first cup, said combination of said funnel top and said cup comprising an array;   connecting an open first connector on said array to said second connector on a next cup in said plurality of cups to seal said powder in said hollow internal volume in said next cup in said hollow internal volume of said next cup, said next cup now being part of said array; and   repeating said connecting for all cups in said plurality of cups.