COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

A stackable and collapsible storage container includes a storage body having a plurality of segments and a plurality of creases. The storage container also includes a lid with a first hinge member configured to be removably coupled to the storage body. Additionally, the storage container includes a removable internal divider which is sized and shaped to be received within the storage body to define an upper cavity and a lower cavity of the storage body. The internal divider also is configured to be coupled with the lid which may increase the storage capability of the storage container to accommodate larger items. The internal divider may include a plurality of portions and each portion is configured to be moved to a raised position.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/043,462, filed on Aug. 29, 2014, and entitled “COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE CONTAINER”, the complete disclosure of which is expressly incorporated by reference herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure generally relates to storage containers, and more particularly, to a collapsible storage container with a lid and an internal divider.

Containers are often employed for storing and transporting items, such as food products. Such containers conventionally comprise a body that defines a cavity or interior storage space and a detachable lid that can be secured to the body to enclose the storage space. Generally, one must have multiple containers of various body sizes to efficiently store items in an individual container that corresponds in size to a particular type of item to be stored. For example, the use of a large container to store multiple smaller items can result in an inefficient usage of the storage space within the container and may lead to the items being damaged during transport as a result of the items having excessive room to move within the container during transportation. In addition to the inefficiencies of needing multiple containers to accommodate varying amounts and sizes of items, due to their rigid construction, conventional containers require a space larger than their interior storage space when storing such containers when not in use. Consequently, whether in use or not, conventional containers can result in an inefficient usage of storage space in a pantry, cabinet, refrigerator, or other location in which the container is stored.

Accordingly, there is a need for a container that can accommodate various quantities of items therein but with a reduced volume for storing the container when not in use.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

A collapsible storage container includes a storage body having a plurality of segments and a plurality of creases. At least one segment is configured to fold about at least one crease to adjust a size of the storage body. The storage container also includes a lid with a first hinge member configured to be removably coupled to the storage body. The first hinge member is configured to pivot about a second hinge member coupled to the storage body. Additionally, the storage container includes a removable internal divider which is sized and shaped to be received within the storage body to define an upper cavity and a lower cavity of the storage body. The internal divider is configured to be coupled with the lid.

A collapsible storage container includes a storage body having a plurality of segments and a plurality of creases. At least one segment is configured to fold about at least one crease to adjust a size of the storage body. The storage container also includes a lid including a first hinge member configured to be removably coupled to the storage body. The first hinge member is configured to pivot about a second hinge member coupled to the storage body. Additionally, the storage container includes a removable internal divider sized and shaped to be received within the storage body to define an upper cavity and a lower cavity of the storage body. The internal divider includes a first portion and a second portion, and the first and second portions are configured to move relative to the storage body.

A collapsible storage container includes a storage body having a plurality of segments and a plurality of creases. At least one segment is configured to fold about at least one crease to adjust a size of the storage body. The storage container also includes a lid including an outer surface, an inner surface, and a first hinge member configured to be removably coupled to the storage body. The first hinge member is configured to pivot about a second hinge member coupled to the storage body. The outer surface of the lid includes a plurality of coupling members. The storage container also includes a removable internal divider sized and shaped to be received within the storage body to define an upper cavity and a lower cavity of the storage body. The internal divider also is configured to be supported by one of the inner and outer surfaces of the lid.

Other aspects and advantages of this disclosure will be further appreciated from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a collapsible storage container of the present disclosure in a use position;

FIG. 2 is a front exploded view of a lid, an internal divider, and a storage body of the storage container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a rear exploded view of the lid, internal divider, and storage body of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 1 in a non-use position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 1, showing a hinge member of the storage container;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of the hinge member of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the lid, internal divider, and storage body of FIG. 2, with the lid and a portion of the internal divider in a raised or open position; and

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the lid, internal divider, and storage body of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-8 disclose a collapsible storage container 10 adapted for storing and transporting items. For example, storage container 10 may configured to store and transport a plurality of bread items, such as buns, loaves, pastries, etc. Although the storage container 10 will hereinafter be described in reference to food items, it should be apparent that the storage container 10 defines any carrier, caddy, and/or container which may be used to transport and store a wide variety of food and/or non-food items.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, collapsible storage container 10 includes a segmented storage body 12 having a rim 14. Storage body 12 may be formed of a polymeric material, for example, silicone or another flexible polymer material, which also is configured to maintain a temperature of an item positioned within storage container 10. Rim 14 may be comprised of a polymeric and/or metallic material other than that of storage body 12. Alternatively, rim 14 may be comprised of the same material as storage body 12. Storage body 12 includes a front wall 15, side walls 16, a rear wall 17, and a bottom wall 18. In one embodiment, walls 15, 16, 17, 18 are all comprised of the same material (e.g., silicone), however, in a further embodiment, bottom wall 18 may be comprised of a metallic or polymeric material different than that of walls 15, 16, 17. Walls 15, 16, 17 may include smooth inner and/or outer surfaces or, alternatively, may include a textured inner and/or outer surface. Illustratively, walls 15, 16, 17 have a textured outer surface 19 generally defining a weave pattern of the material comprising storage body 12, as shown in FIGS. 1-3. Walls 15, 16, 17, 18 are generally coupled to each other at approximately 90-degree angles such that storage body 12 generally defines a rectangle in cross-section and cooperate to define an internal cavity 20 which is configured to receive, support, and transport an item (e.g., a food item).

Walls 15, 16, 17 of storage body 12 each include a plurality of creases 22 which separate a plurality of segments 24 of walls 15, 16, 17. Creases 22 couple segments 24 to each other and define a folding or pivoting axis for segments 24, as disclosed further herein. Walls 15, 16, 17 illustratively include four creases 22 and five segments 24, however, walls 15, 16, 17 may include any number of creases 22 and segments 24. Walls 15, 16, 17 are configured to bend or fold at creases 22 such that segments 24 pivot or fold adjacent other segments to move storage body 12 between a use or expanded position (FIG. 1) and a non-use or storage position (FIG. 4). More particularly, storage body 12 may be moved to the use position of FIG. 1 when walls 15, 16, 17 are fully extended and segments 24 are vertically adjacent each other or storage body 12 may be collapsed to the non-use position of FIG. 4 when walls 15, 16, 17 are fully collapsed and segments 24 are laterally adjacent each other. Additionally, storage body 12 may be moved to any partially collapsed or expanded position between the use position of FIG. 1 and the non-use position of FIG. 4 to accommodate varying sizes and/or quantities of items within cavity 20.

When in the use position of FIG. 1, storage container 10 is sufficiently rigid such that it reduces the likelihood that items within cavity 20 are crushed or damaged. Also, because the size of storage body 12 is adjustable, storage body 12 can be sized to receive an item(s) without excess space within storage body 12, thereby decreasing the likelihood that the item(s) will move within storage body 12 during transport and become damaged due to such movement. When in the non-use position of FIG. 4, storage container 10 has a reduced volume and size such that storage container 10 may be stacked and stored in a pantry, cabinet, refrigerator, or other storage location.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, storage container 10 also includes a lid 26 which is removably coupled to rim 14 of storage body 12 to seal cavity 20 from fluids (e.g., air, liquids, etc.), contaminants, insects, etc. More particularly, lid 26 has overhanging side portions which will snap onto or otherwise couple to rim 14 of storage body 12. Alternatively, lid 26 can rest or be positioned on rim 14 without snapping into place to allow for easy opening and closing lid 26 when storage container 10 is in use.

Illustratively, lid 26 encloses items within cavity 20 of storage container 10 and protects the items from outside elements. Lid 26 is shown as a singular component, however, in various embodiments, lid 26 may include a plurality of segments (not shown) movably coupled together such that a portion of lid 26 may be pivoted to an open position while the remaining segment(s) of lid 26 are configured to remain stationary and coupled to storage body 12.

Illustrative lid 26 includes an outer surface 28 and an inner surface 30. Outer surface 28 may include a lip portion 32 extending around the perimeter of lid 26 which may be configured to receive additional storage containers 10 such that multiple storage containers 10 may be stacked atop each other for ease of transport and/or storage. Additionally, outer surface 28 may include a plurality of coupling members 34 projecting upwardly from outer surface 28 which also are configured to receive additional storage containers 10 to facilitate stacking multiple storage containers 10 atop each other. In one embodiment, bottom wall 18 of storage body 12 is configured to be received by coupling members 34 and/or lip portion 32 for stacking storage containers 10 atop each other. For example, bottom wall 18 may be sized to be received within lip portion 32 and/or bottom wall 18 may include a plurality of coupling members (not shown) complementary to coupling members 34 to facilitate the coupling between bottom wall 18 and lid 26 of another storage container 10.

As shown in FIGS. 3-8, lid 26 includes a hinge member 36 with a plurality of receiving members 38 pivotally coupled to storage body 12. Referring to FIGS. 3, 5, and 6, receiving members 38 each includes an aperture 39 for receiving hinge members 40 of storage body 12. More particularly, apertures 39 are each configured to receive a protrusion 42 on hinge members 40 which are supported on rim 14 of storage body 12. Protrusions 42 are configured to rotate within apertures 39 such that lid 26 can pivot between an open or raised position, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 7, and a closed or lowered position, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. Lid 26 may be retained in the open position of FIGS. 3 and 7 when a stop surface 44 (FIG. 6) of receiving members 38 contacts rear wall 17 of storage body 12. As such, stop surfaces 44 abut rear wall 17 which prevents lid 26 from over-rotating to a position away from storage body 12 and also may prevent lid 26 from lowering back to the closed position of FIGS. 1 and 5. Additionally, protrusions 42 are frictionally retained within apertures 39 such that the person lifting lid 26 must overcome frictional forces to raise lid 26 to the open position. As such, these frictional forces decrease the likelihood that lid 26 will involuntarily move back to the closed position after being moved to the open position.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, 7, and 8, storage container 10 also includes an internal divider 46. Internal divider 46 has a shape similar to that of lid 26 but is smaller than lid 26. Illustrative internal divider 46 includes a first portion 46a and a second portion 46b which are pivotably coupled together through a hinge member 48. In one embodiment, first and second portions 46a, 46b of internal divider 46 are approximately the same size and are mirror images of each other, however, first and second portions 46a, 46b may be of any shape, size, or configuration. Additionally, internal divider 46 may include more than two portions.

First and second portions 46a, 46b are configured to pivot from hinge member 48 which allows one or both of first and second portions 46a, 46b to be moved between a raised position and a lowered position. More particularly, and referring to FIG. 7, first portion 46a is shown in the raised position and second portion 46b is shown in the lowered position. Alternatively, both first and second portions 46a, 46b may be simultaneously moved between the raised and lowered positions. To facilitate movement of first and second portions 46a, 46b between the raised and lowered positions, both first and second portions 46a, 46b include a cut-out 50 which allows a user to position his/her finger against the side of first and second portions 46a, 46b for movement between the raised and lowered positions. In this way, cavity 20 may be divided into an upper cavity 20a and a lower cavity 20b (FIGS. 7 and 8) to divide items positioned within cavity 20. Additionally, internal divider 46 allows the size of cavity 20 to be reduced such that items may only be positioned within upper cavity 20a or lower cavity 20b depending on the size and/or quantity of the item(s) positioned within storage body 12.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, in one embodiment, internal divider 46 is frictionally retained through an interference fit against walls 15, 16, 17 of storage body 12. More particularly, internal divider 46 is retained against walls 15, 16, 17 adjacent one of creases 22 and/or is supported on one of creases 22 to divide cavity 20 into upper and lower cavities 20a, 20b. Alternatively, walls 15, 16, 17 may include adjustable and/or removable support members 52 for supporting internal divider 46 within cavity 20 at a desired location.

When storage container 10 is put into the non-use position of FIG. 4 and/or if internal divider 46 is not needed when storage container 10 is being used in the use position of FIG. 1, it is convenient to keep internal divider 46 with storage container 10 to prevent internal divider 46 from being lost. As such, internal divider 46 is configured to be supported on outer surface 28 and/or inner surface 30 of lid 26 when not in use. For example, internal divider 46 may be retained on outer surface 28 by coupling members 34. However, in a further embodiment, inner surface 30 may include a plurality of coupling members 54 configured similarly to coupling members 34 on outer surface 28 of lid to frictionally retain internal divider 46 against inner surface 30 of lid 26 when not in use. Alternatively, magnets, prongs, hook-and-eye couplers (e.g., Velcro), or any other coupling member or mechanism may be used to support internal divider 46 on or against inner surface 30 of lid 26 when not in use.

While the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it is apparent that other forms could be adopted by one skilled in the art. For example, storage container 10 could differ in appearance and construction from the embodiments shown in the Figures, the functions of each component of storage container 10 could be performed by components of different construction but capable of a similar (though not necessarily equivalent) function, and appropriate materials could be substituted for those noted. Accordingly, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the specific embodiments illustrated in the Figures. It should also be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed above are for the purpose of disclosing the illustrated embodiments, and do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention. Finally, while the appended claims recite certain aspects believed to be associated with the invention, they do not necessarily serve as limitations to the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible storage container, comprising:

a storage body having a plurality of segments and a plurality of creases, at least one segment is configured to fold about at least one crease to adjust a size of the storage body;

a lid including a first hinge member configured to be removably coupled to the storage body, and the first hinge member is configured to pivot about a second hinge member coupled to the storage body; and

a removable internal divider sized and shaped to be received within the storage body to define an upper cavity and a lower cavity of the storage body, and the internal divider is configured to be coupled with the lid.

2. The collapsible storage container of claim 1, wherein the internal divider includes a first portion and a second portion movably coupled together.

3. The collapsible storage container of claim 2, wherein the internal divider includes a third hinge member and the first and second portions are pivotably coupled to the third hinge member.

4. The collapsible storage container of claim 2, wherein one or both of the first and second portions are configured to move to access the lower cavity of the storage body.

5. The collapsible storage container of claim 1, wherein the storage body is configured to move between a use position and a non-use position, the size of the storage body being greater when in the use position than in the non-use position, and the internal divider is positioned adjacent one of the creases when the storage body is in the use position.

6. The collapsible storage container of claim 1, wherein the internal divider includes at least one cut-out for moving the internal divider relative to the storage body.

7. The collapsible storage container of claim 1, wherein the storage body is comprised of silicone.

8. A collapsible storage container, comprising:

a storage body having a plurality of segments and a plurality of creases, at least one segment is configured to fold about at least one crease to adjust a size of the storage body;

a lid including a first hinge member configured to be removably coupled to the storage body, and the first hinge member is configured to pivot about a second hinge member coupled to the storage body; and

a removable internal divider sized and shaped to be received within the storage body to define an upper cavity and a lower cavity of the storage body, and the internal divider including a first portion and a second portion, and the first and second portions are configured to move relative to the storage body.

9. The collapsible storage container of claim 8, wherein the first and second portions are configured to move independently of each other and are configured to move simultaneously.

10. The collapsible storage container of claim 8, wherein the internal divider includes a third hinge member movably coupling the first and second portions together.

11. The collapsible storage container of claim 8, wherein at least one of the first and second portions includes a cut-out.

12. A collapsible storage container, comprising:

a storage body having a plurality of segments and a plurality of creases, at least one segment is configured to fold about at least one crease to adjust a size of the storage body;

a lid including an outer surface, an inner surface, and a first hinge member configured to be removably coupled to the storage body, and the first hinge member is configured to pivot about a second hinge member coupled to the storage body, and the outer surface including a plurality of coupling members; and

a removable internal divider sized and shaped to be received within the storage body to define an upper cavity and a lower cavity of the storage body, and the internal divider is configured to be supported by one of the inner and outer surfaces of the lid.

13. The collapsible storage container of claim 12, wherein the coupling members are configured to receive the internal divider.

14. The collapsible storage container of claim 12, wherein the coupling members are configured to receive a portion of an additional storage container.

15. The collapsible storage container of claim 12, wherein the internal divider is supported by the inner surface of the lid.