Abstract: A toboggan (10) includes a front section (30) that is selectively connectable to a rear section (32) by a connector (34). The connector (34) includes a plurality of laterally spaced and vertically offset tenons (70) that are carried by the front section (30) and a plurality of corresponding mortises (72) that are carried by rear section (32). A pair of bolts (80) removably extend through sections (30, 32). The forward portion of front section (30) is selectively configurable into a forward curved portion (12). Forward curved portion (12) is held in a curved configuration by a rope (36) that extends about the perimeter of toboggan (10), through a plurality of channels (50). Each end (52, 54) of the rope (36) has a knot (56, 58) that is selectively retained by a slotted knot retainer (60) carried by the front section (30). When the rope (36) is disconnected from the knot retainers (60), the front section (30) returns to its normal flat configuration.

Abstract: A liquid container (10) includes a vessel (12) having a handle (14). The vessel (12) also has a spout (16) having a neck portion (30) extending from the vessel (12) to a ring portion (32). The spout (16) is aligned with the handle (14) and has a centerline (35) that is substantially disposed between two outer planes (37). The outer planes (37) pass through the outer limits of the spout (16) and the outer extremities of the handle (14). The centerline (35) also passes through handle (14) such that when the handle (14) is loosely gripped, the spout (16) is substantially below handle (14). This configuration allows a person to easily pour liquid from the container (10) and predict the direction in which the liquid will leave the spout (16). A pouch (70) is also disclosed for holding the container (10) while allowing the handle (14) of the container (10) to be accessible from the outside of the pouch (70).

Abstract: Joinable, soft-sided containers (10) include individual containers (12, 14) each having a compartment (20, 22). Individual containers (12, 14) have handle portions (16, 18) extending outwardly therefrom which each include, in turn, a first panel (50, 52) and a second panel (54, 56). Each first panel (50, 52) has an opening (60, 62) therein that may serve as a handle when the individual containers (12, 14) are used individually. The containers (12, 14) may be configured into a saddlebag configuration by joining the second panels (54, 56) such that openings (64, 66) in the second panels (54, 56) align to form a single opening that may be placed over a handle (76) of a briefcase (74). The individual containers (12, 14) may also be configured into a single container (80) having two compartments (20, 22) by joining the rear walls (24, 26) of the containers (12, 14) and joining the first panels (50, 52) such that the opening (60, 62) in the first panels (50, 52) align and form a single handle.

Abstract: A collapsible container (10) includes a first wall (12) and a second wall (14) connected by a collapsible and expandable third wall (16). The third wall (16) includes an interior wall (20) and an exterior wall (22) that are each collapsible and expandable. At least one spring (60) extends between the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) between the interior wall (20) and the exterior wall (22) to urge the first and second walls (12, 14) apart. Straps (62) also extend between the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) to counteract the force of the spring (60). The length of the straps (62) between the first wall (12) and the second wall (14) is adjustable between a fully collapsed and fully expanded position. The length of the straps (62) is adjustable because the straps (62) slidingly engage the second wall (14) and are held with respect to the second wall (14) by locking devices (64).

Abstract: A compartmentalized soft-sided container (10) includes a beverage compartment (12) disposed in front of a warm compartment (14) and a cool compartment (16). A pair of removable insulating interior walls (40, 42) are attachable to the interior of the container (10) to divide the container (10) into the individual compartments (12, 14, 16). The beverage compartment (12) includes an adjustable closure (64) that is capable of tightly securing differently-sized beverage containers (62) by providing a flexible sheet having a drawstring (66) that allows the height and opening of the closure (64) to be adjusted. The drawstring (66) may also be used to cinch about the neck of a beverage container (62) to securely hold it in container (10). Container (10) is also tapered such that compartments (14, 16) snugly retain articles such as soup bowls (78, 80) to prevent spilling.