STORAGE CONTAINER
A flexible or semi-flexible storage container comprises a container body formed from one or more pieces of flexible or semi-flexible sheet material. Flexibly attached to the container body by one or more flexible assembly mechanisms are complimentary enclosure pieces, which when assembled together form an enclosed container. The flexible assembly mechanism comprises a zipper mechanism, however equivalent mechanisms, such as hook and loop fasteners and the like are considered in various other exemplary embodiments. The flexible or semi-flexible storage container may be selectively opened, sealed, and resealed, as described herein. In addition to being self-supporting, flexible or semi-flexible storage containers are also readily foldable or collapsible to provide easy storage that occupies minimal space.
This application claims priority to and is a continuation-in-part of currently pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/965,561 entitled “STORAGE CONTAINER” filed Oct. 13, 2004, and hereby incorporated herein by reference. This application further claims priority to eight (8) U.S. Design Application Nos. 29/256,676, 29/256,877, 29/256,670, 29/256,671, 29/256,672, 29/256,673, 29/256,674, and 29/256,675, each entitled “Storage Container” and filed on Mar. 23, 2006, and hereby incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF INVENTIONThe 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 OF THE INVENTIONFlexible storage bags for containing and protecting various items, as well as preserving perishable materials such as food items, have long been available. Such flexible bags, for example trash bags or sandwich bags, typically comprise a flexible, rectangular sheet of polymeric film folded upon itself, and sealed along two side edges to form a semi-enclosed container/pouch having two opposing flexible sidewalls; three sealed or folded edges, and one open edge. A closure mechanism integrally formed about the bag opening, such as an interlocking rib-type “zip-loc” seal, or a separately provided, plastic or paper-clad-wire tie, completes the containment assembly.
As used herein, the term “flexible” generally refers to materials that are capable of being flexed or bent, especially repeatedly, such that they are pliant and yield 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, or bags, of the foregoing variety are typically comprised of polymeric films, such as polyethylene or other members of the polyolefin family, and have a thickness of between about 0.0002 inches to about 0.002 inches. Such films are frequently transparent but may be opaque and/or colored.
As is generally well known by consumers, conventional, flexible storage containers, such as trash/garden/kitchen bags, create an inherent challenge in terms of being able to maintain the flexible or flaccid bag in the open condition. Often the user struggles to keep the bag open with one hand so that the other hand can manipulate other items to fill or place into the bag. It is likewise difficult to maintain the proper orientation (usually upright) of the opening of the bag during such filling or placing operations. While rigid containers, and flaccid containers with reinforced opening perimeters, have been developed to overcome such challenges, their comparatively higher cost and limited economical storability when not in use, leaves room for improvement. Notwithstanding the issue of maintaining the container or bag opening in a statically open condition, there also remains a need for a flexible yet self-standing container with the foregoing attributes to facilitate easy hands-free filling.
Turning towards 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 they are typically self-supporting having the opening in the proper orientation for filling. Such containers also are frequently provided with flat bottoms and tops to provide improved stability and “stackability.” The useful life of such containers, though, is limited by damage, soiling, or other degradation naturally occurring as a result of recurrent use, including degradation of the typical closure mechanisms. Storage of such three-dimensional, rigid or semi-rigid containers when not in use is also a concern, since such containers occupy as much space to store when empty as they do filled, and is a significant disadvantage to users in locations where space is at premium, such as a college dormitory, or an inner city loft. Another concern is the task of often matching separate lids and/or closures with their respective containers.
Accordingly, what is needed is a flexible or semi-flexible storage container combining the desirable qualities of both flexible bags and rigid storage containers, yet minimizing the less desirable qualities of both. 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 container that is capable of being self-supporting in an open condition for filling purposes, yet, as mentioned, store easily by folding into a compact form.
It would be yet further desirable to provide such a container that provides the foregoing attributes in a convenient unitary form, obviating the need for separate closure devices, such as lids.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, a flexible or semi-flexible storage container comprising various sheets of flexible or semi-flexible material is provided. The container comprises flexible hinges to allow the container to fold away into a quasi-two-dimensional form when empty, yet also allows the container to assemble into a three-dimensional container useful for storing items. In addition to flexible hinges, the flexible or semi-flexible storage container includes various “assembling” mechanisms for transforming and securing the storage container from the quasi-two-dimensional shape to the three-dimensional shape useful for storing items.
Accordingly, an exemplary flexible or semi-flexible storage container of the present invention combines the desirable qualities of both flexible bags and rigid storage containers, yet minimizes the less desirable qualities of both. The exemplary storage containers exhibit improved “sealability” to promote secureness, improved storage by easily folding into a compact form, and/or improved construction having a unitary assembly from inexpensive materials thereby promoting disposability.
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 ordinarily 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 structure, 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 DRAWINGSWhile 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 when read in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which the reference numerals identify like elements, and wherein:
The present invention may be described herein in terms of various functional components. It should be appreciated that such functional components may be realized by any number of hardware components or materials configured to perform the specified functions. In addition, the present invention may be practiced in any number of storage contexts and that the container systems described herein are merely one exemplary application for the invention. Further, it should be noted that the present invention may employ any number of conventional techniques for using a storage container, and such general techniques that may be known to those skilled in the art are not described in detail herein.
The present invention is a device that is useful for storing items, yet can be manipulated during non-use to exhibit a substantially two-dimensional (“2-D”) “flat” form. As used herein, the term “two-dimensional” generally refers to the physical condition of the product being folded, manipulated, disassembled, and the like into a substantially flat configuration. Thus, the product in its two-dimensional form has substantially zero internal volume, having dimensions that comprise of merely a length and a width, and a thickness approximately equal to the number of sheets, end pieces, panels or layers multiplied by each sheets, end pieces, panels or layers respective thickness.
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, with reference to
In an exemplary configuration depicted in
In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, and mentioned briefly above,
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, in assembling storage container 10, first and second ends 31 and 32 of container body 20 are releasably attached to each other, thereby forming a hollow body with first and second openings (not shown). First end piece 21 is then releasable attached to first opening 33 in container body 20. Second end piece 23, may be releasably attached to second opening 34, for example, when items have been placed into storage container 10. However, because end pieces 21 and 23 are releasably attached to container body 20 they may be reopened for access to the interior of storage container 10 and resealed as the user desires.
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that while
Moreover, such rectangular shapes may be of various length, width and height dimensions, and/or other shapes and sizes, such as octagonal, hexagonal, triangular or any other like configuration can be realized. In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention, as illustrated in
As will become apparent by viewing the sequence of steps depicted in
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments suitable for constructing the flexible or semi-flexible storage containers of the present invention, such embodiments comprise various homogeneous or heterogeneous compositions, or a combination of both. For example, compositions comprise substantially impermeable materials such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), coated non-wovens, and the like, and substantially permeable materials such as scrims, meshes, wovens, non-wovens, or perforated or porous films, whether predominately two-dimensional in nature or comprising three-dimensional structures. Such compositions may comprise a single composition or layer, or may comprise a composite structure of multiple materials, including a substrate material utilized as a base upon which a second substance may be applied. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, materials for the panels can include high and low density polyethylene films, for example from 0.0050 to 0.1 thickness or more. However, various other configurations and thicknesses and materials may be utilized, such as for example, substantially rigid panels that simply rely on the living hinges for adaptability into a 2-D structure.
Moreover, in an exemplary aspect of the present invention, the various sheets that comprise the various panels of the product may comprise of different materials. For example, the sheets that make-up the “side walls” and “top” may comprise a flexible or semi-flexible material, while the sheet that comprises the “bottom” and that will support the load of the eventual contents, may comprise a more durable, rigid material. In an exemplary embodiment, such “bottom” sheet may further comprise a textured surface to enhance stability of the stored contents by preventing excessive movement or “sliding.” Still further, to prevent crinkling of surface panels in instances where some type of plastic panel is utilized, a sand surface grit, e.g., from approximately 0.3 mil to 0.6 mil in thickness may be used.
Thus, materials that may be suitable for use in accordance with various exemplary embodiments of the present invention include such compositions that exhibit a structure such as a sheet, pane, film, panel, board, plank, plate, lath, and the like form comprising various thicknesses, and ranging in rigidity from inflexible to completely flexible. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the various sheet panels comprise high or low density polyethylene having a thickness ranging from about 0.01 mil to about 0.6 mil or more. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any material or compositions that may be configured to act as an enclosure sheet of the container may fall within the scope of the present invention. For example, in accordance with other exemplary embodiments, the panel structures can comprise pockets, e.g., made of cloth or fabric or other flexible material, with substantially flat panels comprising various flexible, semi-flexible or rigid materials inserted into the pockets to provide a storage container.
Once the desired sheet, panel or layer 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 accordance with various exemplary embodiments, the various components or elements can be secured by using at least a double stitching configuration. In another aspect, the various components or elements are secured by using a reinforcing swatch, strip or backer, for example, plastic or other semi-flexible, semi-rigid or rigid strips; in this manner the thickness of the material at the point of attachment of the component or element is increased and thus, localized support is increased. In still yet another exemplary embodiment, the various components or elements can be secured by using various chemical adhesives instead of, or in conjunction with, the physical securing elements, such as the double stitching, to provide further support and durability.
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, an exemplary storage container can also comprise various elements to enhance the utilization of the invention. For example, and with reference to
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, rather then comprising of a plurality of sheets that can assemble into a 3-D form, parts of an exemplary storage container may otherwise be thermoformed, blown, or molded rather than rely upon folding and bonding techniques to construct the container bodies from a web or sheet of material as described herein.
Container 10, in still yet another exemplary embodiment, comprises various compartments, pockets, pouches, and the like that may be suitably attached in various manners to provide addition storage. For example, turning momentarily to
In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, and with reference to
It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that second container portion 40 is similarly configured as main container 10 as described herein. For example, container portion 40 comprises a body portion 42, a first end 41, a second end 43 and assembly mechanisms 45. In this exemplary embodiment, container portion 40 is suitably attached to main container portion 20 at end 31. Container portion 40 is configured to disassemble to a 2-D configuration and assemble into a 3-D configuration similarly as described above herein. In addition, a plurality of flexible hinges can be implemented along the length of container 10 to allow for suitably collapsing of container 10, e.g., container 10 illustrated in
It should likewise be appreciated however, that second portion 40 may comprise of a completely separate storage body, having all of the attributes of the present invention as described herein, and may removably attach to main container portion 20. In this manner, any X number of units may be attached together to accommodate the storage needs of the user, and is considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.
For decorative purposes, in accordance with various exemplary embodiments, storage container 10 may be screen printed or otherwise decorated. Adhesively attached decorations are considered to likewise fall within the scope of this disclosure as well.
Finally, storage container 10 may include structural supports (not shown) that abut or are embedded within the flexible assembly mechanisms 25, such as metal or plastic rods. In an exemplary embodiment, for example, such supports may be included in the fabric portion of the zipper.
Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described herein above and in the various drawing figures. While these descriptions and figures describe various exemplary embodiments, it is understood that those skilled in the art may conceive modifications and/or variations of 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 applicable art(s), and as logic dictates. The description and the terms used are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to any precise form disclosed, and many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The particular embodiments discussed and shown were chosen to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.
Claims
1. A storage container comprises:
- a substantially flat container body having at least one flexible binge; and
- an assembly mechanism configured to secure said substantially flat container body into a three dimensional container.
2. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the assembly mechanism comprises a zipper.
3. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the substantially flat body comprises three panels configured to assemble into a tube having a first end enclosure and a second end enclosure.
4. The storage container of claim 1, wherein the substantially flat body comprises six panels configured to assemble into a box having at least one end enclosure.
5. The storage container of claim 1, wherein a portion of said substantially flat body comprises at least two different materials.
6. The storage container of claim 1, wherein a portion of said substantially flat body comprises at least two different thickness materials.
7. The storage container of claim 1, further comprising a pocket suitably attached to a portion of said substantially flat body.
8. The storage container of claim 1, further comprising a handle suitably attached to a portion of said substantially flat body.
9. The storage container of claim 8, wherein said handle is suitably attached through reinforcement strips.
10. The storage container of claim 9, wherein said handle is reinforced to said substantially flat body through double-stitching.
11. The storage container of claim 1, comprising an assembly mechanism to allow at least a second storage container to suitably connect to said storage container.
12. The storage container of claim 1, wherein said substantially flat container body comprises a sand surface construction to avoid crinkling.
13. The storage container of claim 1, further comprising at least one selected from the group of a telescopic handle, rollers, casters, and runners, that is suitably attached to said substantially flat body and to facilitate transportation of the storage container when in the three dimensional form.
14. The storage container of claim 1, wherein said substantially flat container body comprises at least three flexible hinges.
15. The storage container of claim 1, wherein said substantially flat container body comprises at least one pocket configured to hold at least one of a semi-rigid and a substantially rigid panel.
Type: Application
Filed: May 1, 2006
Publication Date: Jan 10, 2008
Inventor: Jamie Limber (Phoenix, AZ)
Application Number: 11/381,102
International Classification: B65D 33/16 (20060101);