Article of manufacture for transport and organizer which is used in connection with a container such as a fourteen quart bucket for the transport and storage of household cleaning supplies while said bucket is filled with liquid

Abstract

An article transport and organizer which can conveniently be used for transport and storage for relatively small articles in conjunction with a container, such as a fourteen quart bucket, while the container is filled with liquid. The apparatus is attached to the outside of the container which may include but not limited to a hook and loop system. The skirt like walls of the apparatus are provided with a plurality of spaced-apart pockets that are adapted to receive and organize cleaning supplies and other small objects. Each pocket contains shock cord so that when the container is tipped on its side the articles will remain located in the pockets. Two end tabs of the apparatus prevent it from separating from the mating surface of the hook and loop system when one is pulling on the pockets to place article in, or remove articles from the pockets.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is based on provisional application Ser. No. 60/503,428, filed on Sep. 17, 2003.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

DESCRIPTION OF ATTACHED APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to devices for the storage and transport of small articles. More particularly, the invention concerns a novel organizer apparatus which is usable as a tote bag and used in connection with a container such as a fourteen quart bucket while the bucket is filled with liquid for the transport and storage of household cleaning supplies from one work location to another.

Many people use tote bags of various configurations for the storage and transport of numerous types of supplies, small articles and small tools. Such tote bags are constructed from canvass, nylon mesh or like material and provide a top opening interior and exterior compartments for the receipt and transport of small articles, supplies and small tools. Typically, the prior art tote bags are provided with a shoulder strap for carrying the bag, or they fold and drape in the inner part of the container and often include pockets formed on the interior walls of the tote bag for receipt of small articles, supplies and small tools.

By way of example, U.S. Pat. Des. No. 6,085,902 to Fang discloses an apparatus for storage and transport of small tools and small articles in conjunction with a container such as a five gallon bucket. This apparatus folds and drapes inside the bucket as to provide for more compartments for storage and transport.

While this device and the like fulfill their respective, particular objective and requirements, the aforementioned do not describe an apparatus that can be used while the container is filled with liquid. More specifically, the prior art drapes or folds inside the container to allow the apparatus to remain in place and also then provides for more storage compartments. In using the prior art the container can no longer be filled with liquid. In similar fashion, people cleaning their houses, automobiles, boats and recreational vehicles must remove their cleaning supplies from inside the typical cleaning bucket before filling the bucket with liquid. Making the task of cleaning frustrating and time consuming because of the constant retrieval of their cleaning supplies and other small articles.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for transport and storage of household cleaning supplies in connection with a 14 quart bucket while said bucket is filled with liquid.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus to more efficiently transport cleaning supplies from one location to another location.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus, the aforementioned character of which will affix to the external wall of a bucket.

Another object of the invention is to provide an article transport and organizer of the character described which includes skirt-like walls, the exposed surfaces of which are provided with a plurality of spaced-apart pockets which are adapted to receive and organize cleaning supplies and other small articles.

Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that can be removed and re-installed common to the exterior wall of the bucket with relative ease.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means for each pocket to provide resistance against any articles contained therein as to prevent the articles from falling out when the bucket is tipped on its side.

Another object of the invention is to provide a means to prevent the apparatus from separating from the mating surface of the bucket when one is pulling on the apparatus in an effort to place articles in, or remove articles from the pockets.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, an embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an article storage and transport device attaching to the exterior wall of a container and is generally circular in cross section at any point, said device comprising:

• • a downwardly depending flexible wall having an upper and a lower margin, said upper margin comprising the hook and loop system thereby having the upper margin of the downwardly depending flexible wall being affixed to the upper exterior portion of a container, the upper margin of the downwardly depending wall using an integral component of the hook or loop and extending said hook or loop component past the upper vertical seam to create an extension tab that helps prevent the separation of the apparatus from the mating surface of the alternate hook or loop component which is attached to the container, a way for easy installation and removal from attaching surface.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, there is disclosed an article storage and transport device as defined in claim 1 further including a first panel interconnected with said downwardly depending flexible wall in an overlaying position, said device comprising:

• • when the downwardly depending flexible wall cooperate with the first panel to define a plurality of article receiving pockets, a first panel having an upper and lower margins, said upper margin incorporating an elastic shock cord so that each receiving pocket provides resistance to the articles in each pocket thereby restricting the shifting of articles when the contain is tipped on its side and, when the downwardly depending flexible wall and the first panel are joined the article storage and transport device forms a closure means for closing said bottom to form an open article receiving chambers.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exemplary embodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. It is to be understood that in some instances various aspects of the invention may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate an understanding of the invention.

FIGS. 1 and 2 is a perspective view of the invention as it appears when used with a fourteen quart bucket while the bucket is filled with liquid.

FIG. 3 is a top elevated view.

FIG. 4 is a left side elevation.

FIG. 5 is front elevation.

FIG. 6 is a right side elevation.

FIG. 7 is a bottom elevated view.

FIG. 8 is a rear elevated view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of the preferred embodiment are provided herein. It is to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner.

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1 thereof, the preferred embodiment of the new and improved apparatus for transport and storage of cleaning supplies which is used in connection with a filled container such as a fourteen quart bucket plastic cleaning container “C” embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention.

Turning particularly to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the apparatus can be seen to comprise a skirt-like downwardly depending flexible wall, 14, and a first panel 16. Wall 14 and panel 16 have upper marginal portions designated as 14a and 16a, respectively. Wall 14 and panel 16 have a lower marginal portions designated 14b and 16b, respectively. Wall 14 and panel 16 have center marginal portions designated as 14c and 16c, respectively. In the form of the invention shown in the drawings, wall 14 and panel 16 are integrally connected proximate their tipper marginal portions 14b, 14c, 16b and 16c, but could be provided as separate panels which are sewn together or otherwise joined. Seam lines 40 and 42 form a closure means for closing said bottom to form an open article receiving chamber. Seams 40 and 42 are made preferably by machine sewing using techniques well known to those skilled in the art.

When the device of the invention is attached to the bucket in FIG. 1, downwardly depending wall 14 and panel 16 are closely received about the exterior wall ‘W’ of the filled container “C”. Container “C” is of a conventional configuration having the exterior wall “W” and an internal wall “I” (FIG. 1), which is generally circular cross section at any point.

To add to the structural integrity of the apparatus, the upper depending wall 14a is folded back creating surface 14e. The surfaces 14a and 14e are integrally connected creating seams 56 and 58 which are made preferably by machine sewing using techniques well known to those skilled in the art as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8.

Continuing in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, while the attaching means can take several forms well known to those skilled in the art, the attaching means here shown a conventional hook and loop mechanism 22 which is provided in two parts 22a and 22b. Either 22a or 22b may have the adhesive applied to its backing so as to affix to the external wall “W” of the bucket. For the sake of clarity we will assume 22a is the hook non-adhesive component. With the construction described, when it is desired to attach the apparatus to the bucket as shown in FIG. 1, the upper wall 14a and surface 14e are integrally connected to 22a and creates seams 46, 48 and 50 which are made preferably by machine sewing using techniques well known to those skilled in the art.

In FIG. 1 and FIG. 5, when it is desired to attach the apparatus to the bucket, item 22b, the component with the adhesive backing, must be attached to the exterior wall “W” of the upper portion of the container using its adhesive backing. Item 22b then becomes attached to the container and serves as a mating attach point. The upper wall 14a, surface 14e in combination with 22a are then pressed onto 22b. The apparatusis then affixed to the exterior wall “W” of the container “C”.

In FIG. 1, FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, in order to hold items in place, the apparatus incorporates an elastic shock cord 24 located in each pocket, is attached to the upper most point of seam 60. Turning to FIG. 5, panel 16 incorporates section 16d which folds back to wall 16a and are integrally connected and create seam 52. Shock cord 24 in combination with seam 52 provides resistance to the articles in each pocket thereby restricting the shifting of articles when the container is tipped on its side

In FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, panel 16 is provided with plurality of article receiving pockets 32. Pockets 32 are formed by plurality of circumferentially spaced seam lines 54 which interconnects panel 16 with downwardly depending wall 14 at a plurality of circumferentially spaced locations creating panel 36. Seam lines 54 are again made preferably by machine sewing using techniques well known to those skilled in the art.

In FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 5, to prevent the apparatus from separating from 22b, tabs 26 are provided and are symmetrical. Tabs 26 are created simply by extending item 22a past seam 48. Tabs 26 then prevent the device approximately around seams 46, 48 and 50 from separating from 22b.

While the invention has been described in connection with a preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. An article storage and transport device attaching to the exterior wall of a container and is generally circular in cross section at any point, said device comprising:

a downwardly depending flexible wall having an upper and a lower margin, said upper margin comprising the hook and loop system thereby having the upper margin of the downwardly depending flexible wall being affixed to the upper exterior portion of a container;

the upper margin of the downwardly depending wall using the integral part of the hook or loop, extending said hook or loop component past the upper vertical seam to create an extension tab that helps prevent separation of the apparatus from the mating surface of the alternate hook or loop component;

a way for easy installation and removal from the exterior wall of a container.

2. An article storage and transport device as defined in claim 1 further including a first panel interconnected with said downwardly depending flexible wall in an overlaying position, said device comprising:

when the downwardly depending flexible wall cooperate with the a first panel to define a plurality of article receiving pockets;

a first panel having an upper and lower margins, said upper margin incorporating an elastic shock cord so that each receiving pocket provides resistance to the articles in each pocket thereby restricting the shifting of articles when the container is tipped on its side and;

when the downwardly depending flexible wall and the first panel are joined the article storage and transport device forms a closure means for closing said bottom to form an open article receiving chambers.