Modular stacking container system

Abstract

A modular, stackable, interlocking container system including a number of stackable containers having the same diameter. Each container includes a jar and a lid. The jars and lids both have ribs spaced 180 degrees apart on side surfaces to serve as alignment and tightening indicators. The lids and jars also have a detent feature for interlocking containers together with both tactile and feedback to the user. The container system also has a handle that can interlock with a lid of any of the containers in the system.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A modular, stackable, interlocking container system, comprising:
 at least one container comprising a jar and a lid, wherein a first pair of ribs is spaced 180 degrees apart on a side surface of the jar and a second pair of ribs is spaced 180 degrees apart on a side surface of the lid, wherein the first pair of ribs and the second pair of ribs are aligned when the lid is fully interlocked with the jar; and   a handle configured to engage and interlock with the container.   
     
     
         2 . The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the handle comprises:
 a disk-shaped base; and   a horizontal grabbing portion;   a first upright portion connecting the horizontal grabbing portion and the base; and   a second upright portion connecting the horizontal grabbing portion and the base, wherein the second upright portion includes a hook and loop, wherein the hook can be inserted into the loop to close the handle and wherein the hook can be unhooked from the loop to open the handle.   
     
     
         3 . The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least two containers wherein each of the at least two containers has a same diameter. 
     
     
         4 . The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the at least one container comprises an integrated o-ring seal. 
     
     
         5 . The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the jar and the lid can be fully interlocked by rotating the lid 180 degrees relative to the jar. 
     
     
         6 . The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in  claim 1 , comprising at least two containers, wherein each lid comprises a raised oval on its top surface and each jar comprises two C-shaped features into which the raised oval can register when the lid is rotated relative to the jar when the jar is over the lid. 
     
     
         7 . The modular, stackable, interlocking container system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each C-shaped feature comprises a ramp along which the raised oval can slide. 
     
     
         8 . A stackable container system, comprising:
 at least two containers, wherein each container comprises a jar and a lid, wherein each lid comprises a raised oval on its top surface and each jar comprises two C-shaped features into which the raised oval can register when the lid is rotated relative to the jar when the jar is over the lid; and
 a handle configured to engage and interlock with the container. 
   
     
     
         9 . The stackable container system, wherein the handle is configured to serve as a clip.