Storage container

Abstract

A semi-flexible storage container includes a container body formed from a single piece of semi-flexible sheet material. Flexibly attached to the container body by a flexible attachment mechanism are first and second end pieces, which when assembled together form an enclosed container. The preferred flexible attachment mechanism is a zipper mechanism, however equivalent mechanisms, such as hook and loop fasteners and the like are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The semi-flexible storage container is selectively openable, sealable, and resealable, as will be described hereinafter. In addition to being self-supporting, semi-flexible storage containers are also readily foldable or collapsible to provide easy storage occupying minimal space.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of storage containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to storage containers that when unassembled are essentially two-dimensional and when assembled are three-dimensional.

BACKGROUND

Flexible storage containers for containing and protecting various items, as well as preserving perishable materials such as food items, are well known in the prior art. Such bags typically comprise a rectangular sheet of polymeric film folded upon itself and sealed along two edges to form a semi-enclosed container having two flexible opposed sidewalls, three sealed or folded edges, and one open edge. A closure integrally formed with the bag such as an interlocking rib-type seal or separately provided such as a plastic or paper-clad-wire tie completes the containment assembly.

As utilized herein, the term “flexible” is utilized to refer to materials which are capable of being flexed or bent, especially repeatedly, such that they are pliant and yieldable in response to externally applied forces. Accordingly, “flexible” is substantially opposite in meaning to the terms inflexible, rigid, or unyielding. Materials and structures that are flexible, therefore, may be altered in shape and structure to accommodate external forces and to conform to the shape of objects brought into contact with them without losing their integrity. Flexible storage containers of the foregoing variety are typically formed from polymeric film, such as polyethylene or other members of the polyolefin family, in thicknesses of between about 0.0002 inches to about 0.002 inches. Such films are frequently transparent but sometimes are opaque and/or colored.

While such flexible storage containers are generally highly efficient for storage before use, for many storage situations it is desirable to minimize the amount of air and/or free space above or around the contents which is trapped within the bag when to minimize storage space of empty bags.

Conventional flexible storage containers also create an inherent challenge in terms of being able to hold the flexible or flaccid bag in an open condition with at most one hand so that the other hand can manipulate another container to pour the contents into the bag or peel, cut, or trim items for insertion into the bag. It is also difficult to maintain the proper (usually upright) orientation of the opening of the bag during such filling operations. While rigid containers and flaccid containers with reinforced opening perimeters have been developed for such uses, their comparatively higher cost and limited economical storability when empty leave room for improvement. Notwithstanding the issue of maintaining the container or bag opening in an open condition, there also remains a need for a flexible yet self-standing container with the foregoing attributes to facilitate easy hands-free filling.

With regard to rigid or semi-rigid containers, it is well recognized that such containers have also realized a fair degree of commercial success in providing a means for storing a wide variety of contents. Such containers typically have an opening that maintains an open condition for filling and are typically self-supporting with the opening in the proper orientation for filling. Such containers also are frequently provided with flat bottoms and tops to provide stackability. The useful life of such containers is limited by damage, soiling, or other degradation naturally occurring in use, including degradation of the typical mechanical closure mechanisms. Storage of such three-dimensional, rigid or semi-rigid containers when empty is also a concern, since they occupy as much volume empty as they do in a filled condition. Another concern is the task of matching usually separate lids or closures with their respective containers for use.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a semi-flexible storage container combining the desirable qualities of both flexible bags and storage containers and minimizing the less desirable qualities of both approaches.

More particularly, it would be desirable to provide a semi-flexible storage container having improved storability when empty.

It would further be desirable to provide such a bag that is capable of being self-supporting in an open condition for filling purposes, yet stores easily by folding into a compact form.

It would still further be desirable to provide a bag constructed from inexpensive materials to facilitate disposability.

It would be yet further desirable to provide such a bag that provides the foregoing attributes in a convenient unitary form, obviating the need for separate closure devices.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a semi-flexible storage container comprising at least six sheets of semi-flexible sheet material assembled using flexible hinges to form a quasi-two-dimensional form when empty, yet assembles to form a three-dimensional container useful for storing items. The semi-flexible storage container includes a closure mechanism for sealing the storage container to convert the quasi-two-dimensional shape to a three-dimensional shape useful for storing items.

The present invention also provides a semi-flexible storage container having an opening and a closure mechanism for sealing the opening to convert the semi-enclosed container to a closed container.

Accordingly, the semi-flexible storage containers of the present invention combine the desirable qualities of both flexible bags and storage containers and minimize the less desirable qualities of both approaches by providing improved sealability, storing easily by folding into a compact form and being unitarily constructed from inexpensive materials to promote disposability.

The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its structure and its operation together with the additional object and advantages thereof will best be understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless specifically noted, it is intended that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meaning to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art or arts. If any other meaning is intended, the specification will specifically state that a special meaning is being applied to a word or phrase. Likewise, the use of the words “function” or “means” in the Description of Preferred Embodiments is not intended to indicate a desire to invoke the special provision of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6 to define the invention. To the contrary, if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are sought to be invoked to define the invention(s), the claims will specifically state the phrases “means for” or “step for” and a function, without also reciting in such phrases any structure, material, or act in support of the function. Even when the claims recite a “means for” or “step for” performing a function, if they also recite any structure, material or acts in support of that means of step, then the intention is not to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6. Moreover, even if the provisions of 35 U.S.C. §112, paragraph 6, are invoked to define the inventions, it is intended that the inventions not be limited only to the specific structure, material or acts that are described in the preferred embodiments, but in addition, include any and all structures, materials or acts that perform the claimed function, along with any and all known or later-developed equivalent structures, materials or acts for performing the claimed function.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following description in conjunction with the accompanying Drawing Figures, in which like reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the present invention in an unassembled state.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention illustrating a first step in how the first embodiment of the storage container is assembled.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention illustrating a further step in how the first embodiment of the storage container is assembled.

FIG. 4 illustrates yet another step in the assembly of the first embodiment of the storage container according to the present invention.

FIG. 4a is a close up of the a point where all of the flexible attachement mechanisms meet.

FIGS. 5a, 5b, 5c, and 5d illustrate a variety of different embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The present invention is a device that is useful for storing items.

FIG. 1 depicts a first embodiment of the present invention, which is a semi-flexible storage container 10. In the first embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the semi-flexible storage container 10 includes a substantially flat container body 20 formed from at least one piece of semi-flexible sheet material. Flexibly attached to the container body 20 by a flexible attachment mechanism 25 are substantially flat first and second end pieces, 21 and 23, which when assembled together form an enclosed container. The preferred flexible attachment mechanism 25 is a zipper mechanism, however equivalent mechanisms, such as hook and loop fasteners and the like are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The semi-flexible storage container 10 is selectively openable, sealable, and resealable, as will be described hereinafter. In addition to being self-supporting, semi-flexible storage containers 10 are also readily foldable or collapsible to provide easy storage occupying minimal space.

In the configuration depicted in FIG. 1, the flexible attachment mechanism 25 completely encircles the periphery of the container body 20, and first and second end pieces, 21 and 23. However, under some circumstances a flexible attachment mechanism 25 formed by a lesser degree of encirclement (such as, for example, a flexible attachment mechanism 25 disposed along only one side of second end piece 23) may provide adequate closure integrity.

FIG. 1 depicts the storage container 10 in an unassembled state wherein the flexible attachment mechanism 25 has not been assembled.

FIGS. 2 and 3 depict the semi-flexible storage container of FIG. 1 in two different partially assembled condition. As shown in FIGS. 5c and 5d, the container body may be folded in four places corresponding to corners of a rectangular prism having the outline equivalent in shape to the end pieces 21 and 23. These folds are preferably unitarily formed in the material of the container body 20 as is typical of hinges commonly referred to as “living hinges”. Alternately, however, these corners may be formed of a flexible material such as cloth or the like and still fall within the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 4 depicts the first embodiment of the semi-flexible storage container typical of that shown in FIG. 1, but in an assembled condition.

As will become apparent by viewing the sequence of steps depicted in FIGS. 1-4, the semi-flexible sheet material utilized to form the body of the bag is sufficiently semi-flexible and yieldable to accommodate the assembly of the side pieces to the container body as the storage container is assembled between the open state of FIG. 1 and the closed state of FIG. 4.

Various compositions suitable for constructing the semi-flexible storage containers of the present invention include substantially impermeable materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), coated nonwovens etc., and substantially permeable materials such as scrims, meshes, wovens, nonwovens, or perforated or porous films, whether predominantly two-dimensional in nature or formed into three-dimensional structures. Such materials may comprise a single composition or layer or may be a composite structure of multiple materials, including a substrate material utilized as a carrier for a substance. Materials found suitable for use in accordance with the present invention include high and low density polyethylene films, 0.01 or 0.1 inch thickness.

Once the desired sheet materials are manufactured in any desirable and suitable manner, comprising all or part of the materials to be utilized for the container body, the storage container may be constructed in any known and suitable fashion such as those known in the art for making such containers in commercially available form. Heat or adhesive sealing technologies may be utilized to join various components or elements of the container to themselves or to each other. In addition, the container bodies may be thermoformed, blown, or otherwise molded rather than reliance upon folding and bonding techniques to construct the container bodies from a web or sheet of material.

In assembling the storage container 10 according to the present invention, it is preferred that first and second opposite ends 31 and 32 of the container body 20 are releasably attached to each other, thereby forming a hollow body with first and second opening (not shown). The first end piece 21 is then releasable attached to the first opening 33 in the container body 20. The second end piece 23, may be releasably attached to the second opening 34, preferably after items have been placed into the storage container 10. However, because the end pieces 21 and 23 are releasably attached to the container body 20 they may be reopened for access to the interior of the storage container 10 and resealed as the users desire.

As is clearly illustrated in FIGS. 5a-5d, the storage containers 10 according to the present invention may be made of a variety of different sizes, which are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

For decorative purposes, the storage containers 10 may be screen printed or otherwise decorated. Adhesively attached decorations are considered to fall within the scope of this disclosure.

Finally, the storage containers 10 may include structural supports (not shown) that are included within the flexible attachment mechanisms 25, such as metal or plastic rods included in the fabric portion of a zipper, or other like supports.

The preferred embodiment of the invention is described above in the Drawings and Description of Preferred Embodiments. While these descriptions directly describe the above embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations to the specific embodiments shown and described herein. Any such modifications or variations that fall within the purview of this description are intended to be included therein as well. Unless specifically noted, it is the intention of the inventor that the words and phrases in the specification and claims be given the ordinary and accustomed meanings to those of ordinary skill in the applicable art(s). The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment and best mode of the invention known to the applicant at the time of filing the application has been presented and is intended for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in the light of the above teachings. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application and to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1) A storage container comprising a substantially flat container body flexibly attached by flexible attachment mechanisms to substantially flat first and second end pieces.

2) The storage container according to claim 1 where in the container body further comprises four foldable hinges.

3) The storage container according to claim 2 wherein the foldable hinges are integrally formed.

4) The storage container according to claim 2 wherein the foldable hinges are separately formed and attached to the container body.

5) The storage container according to claim 1 wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.

6) The storage container according to claim 3 wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.

7) The storage container according to claim 4 wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.

8) A method for assembling a storage container comprising the steps of

a) providing a substantially flat container body having substantially flat first and second end pieces flexibly attached;

b) releasably attaching first and second ends of the container body to each other thereby forming a hollow container with firs and second opening;

c) releasably attaching the first end piece to the first opening in the hollow container; and

d) releasably attaching the second end piece to the second opening in the hollow container.

9) The method according to claim 8 where in the container body further comprises four foldable hinges.

10) The storage container according to claim 9 wherein the foldable hinges are integrally formed.

11) The storage container according to claim 9 wherein the foldable hinges are separately formed and attached to the container body.

12) The storage container according to claim 8 wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.

13) The storage container according to claim 10 wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.

14) The storage container according to claim 11 wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.