Modular container and system including same
A modular container is disclosed. The modular container includes a housing defining an internal cavity configured to contain a contents, a port configured to selectively allow the contents to enter and exit the internal cavity, and a vent configured to allow particles of a predetermined size to enter and exit the internal cavity when the modular container is oriented in a first position. The valve is further configured to prevent the contents from exiting the internal cavity when the modular container is oriented in a second position. The modular container also includes a mechanical interlock system which includes a first interlock element and a second interlock element, wherein the first interlock element is configured to mechanically engage with a corresponding second interlock element of a separate modular component, and wherein the second interlock element is configured to mechanically engage with a corresponding first interlock element of a separate system component.
1 . A modular container, comprising:
a housing defining an internal cavity;
a vent configured to allow particles of a predetermined size to enter and exit the internal cavity of the housing; and
a mechanical interlock system comprising a first interlock element comprising a first geometry and a second interlock element comprising a second geometry that is an inverse equivalent of the first geometry, wherein the first interlock element is configured to mechanically engage with a corresponding second interlock element of a separate modular component comprising the second geometry, and wherein the vent is configured to establish fluid communication with a second vent of the separate modular component when the first interlock element is mechanically engaged with the corresponding second interlock element of the separate modular component.
2 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the vent is configured to allow particles of a predetermined size to enter and exit the internal cavity of the housing when the modular container is oriented in a first position, and wherein the vent is further configured to prevent contents from exiting the internal cavity when the modular container is oriented in a second position.
3 . The modular container of claim 2 , wherein the vent comprises an opening and a blocking element, wherein the contents applies a pressure on the blocking element when the modular container is oriented in the second position, and wherein the blocking element is configured to block the opening in response to the contents applying the pressure.
4 . The modular container of claim 1 , further comprising a port configured to selectively allow contents to enter and exit the internal cavity.
5 . The modular container of claim 4 , wherein the internal cavity comprises a primary chamber and a secondary chamber in fluid communication with the primary chamber, wherein the secondary chamber comprises a geometry configured to channel the contents from the primary chamber to the port.
6 . The modular container of claim 4 , wherein the port is configured to establish fluid communication with a second port of the separate modular component when the first interlock element is mechanically engaged with the corresponding second interlock element of the separate modular component.
7 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the separate modular component comprises a second modular container.
8 . The modular container of claim 1 , wherein the second interlock element of the mechanical interlock system is configured to mechanically engage with a corresponding first interlock element of a second separate modular component comprising the first geometry.
9 . A modular container, comprising:
a housing defining an internal cavity;
a port configured to selectively allow contents to enter and exit the internal cavity;
a mechanical interlock system comprising a first interlock element comprising a first geometry and a second interlock element comprising a second geometry that is an inverse equivalent of the first geometry, wherein the first interlock element is configured to mechanically engage with a corresponding second interlock element of a first separate modular component comprising the second geometry, and wherein the port is configured to establish fluid communication with a second port of the first separate modular component when the first interlock element is mechanically engaged with the corresponding second interlock element of the first separate modular component.
10 . The modular container of claim 9 , further comprising a vent configured to allow particles of a predetermined size to enter and exit the internal cavity of the housing.
11 . The modular container of claim 10 , wherein the vent is configured to allow particles of a predetermined size to enter and exit the internal cavity of the housing when the modular container is oriented in a first position, and wherein the vent is further configured to prevent the contents from exiting the internal cavity when the modular container is oriented in a second position.
12 . The modular container of claim 11 , wherein the vent comprises an opening and a blocking element, wherein the contents applies a pressure on the blocking element when the modular container is oriented in the second position, and wherein the blocking element is configured to block the opening in response to the contents applying the pressure.
13 . The modular container of claim 10 , wherein the vent is configured to establish fluid communication with a second vent of the separate modular component when the first interlock element is mechanically engaged with the corresponding second interlock element of the separate modular component.
14 . The modular container of claim 9 , wherein the internal cavity comprises a primary chamber and a secondary chamber in fluid communication with the primary chamber, wherein the secondary chamber comprises a geometry configured to channel the contents from the primary chamber to the port.
15 . The modular container of claim 9 , wherein the first separate modular component comprises a second modular container.
16 . The modular container of claim 9 , wherein the separate modular component comprises a cart.
17 . The modular container of claim 9 , wherein the separate modular component comprises a pump.
18 . The modular container of claim 9 , wherein the second interlock element of the mechanical interlock system is configured to mechanically engage with a corresponding first interlock element of a second separate modular component comprising the first geometry.