HOUSEHOLD STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

A combined storage apparatus comprises a vacuum storage bag and a storage container is provided. The bottom of the vacuum storage bag forms a stiffened surface. A flexible walled container with sidewalls has pockets formed in two opposing sidewalls and stiffening panels placed into the pockets to stiffen the sidewalls during use while folding flat for shipping. The stiff bottom of the vacuum bag cooperates with the stiffened sidewalls to form a container that can be stacked. After the vacuum storage bag contains an article and is vacuumed, the vacuum storage bag is then placed into the storage container and helps support the side walls to facilitate stacking of the containers.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/301,960 filed Feb. 5, 2010, the complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The vacuum storage bags for storing blankets or clothes of the prior art comprise a bag body that can be sealed and vacuumed, so that its volume can be significantly reduced for saving space. However, since the vacuum storage bags of the prior art are in irregular shapes and it is difficult to stack up many vacuum storage bags. It is further disadvantageous that the expansions of the bags, due to infiltration of air, will eventually collapses the stacked bags.

A prior storage container exists that has a vacuum storage bag fastened to a base and the base in turn has two ends that are folded to extend upward along ends of a vacuum bag, with the bag and its base inserted into a flexible-walled container. But that assembly is shipped in a folded configuration in which the ends are folded onto the base and the fold causes the ends to be inclined inward toward each other and that interferes with filling the bag and the inclination also prevents the ends from providing good vertical support to the adjacent sides of the container. There is thus a need for an improved storage bag and container.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A storage container for household use is described that places a vacuum storage bag inside an outer, protective, storage container. The bottom of the vacuum storage bag forms an extended flat surface and is attached to a stiffening board. Two additional stiffening panels are provided on the sides of the storage container and located to abut the sides of the vacuum storage bag during use. Thereby, after the vacuum storage bag contains an article and is vacuumed, two lateral sections of the stiffening panel fastened to the storage container help maintain the shape of the container, as does the stiff bottom of the vacuum storage bag. The stiff bottom of the storage bag cooperates with the stiffened side walls on the container to facilitate stacking of the containers, while the stiffened side walls can be folded against the container bottom to form a compact package for shipping. The contents of the vacuum storage bag push against the lateral boards on the ends of the container to prevent them from falling inwards. Since the stiffening panels on the vacuum bag and on the ends of the storage container form a container and stable structure, a plurality of them can be stacked up so as to save storage or placement space.

There is thus advantageously provided a storage apparatus that includes a vacuum storage bag having two opposing sides, a closed bottom and an opening between said two opposing sides. The storage bag also includes two sealing strips along the opening and configured to be releasably manually engaged to seal the opening from the entrance of air. The bag also has a one-way air valve connected to the bag to allow air to exit the bag. The bag is configured to allow items to be inserted into the bag through the opening and sealed in the bag by the sealing strips to form an air tight enclosure during use. A stiffening board extends over and is connected to the closed bottom. The storage apparatus also includes a storage container having a body sized and configured to receive the storage bag. The storage container has a container bottom and a top with sides made of flexible material. An access opening is formed in one of the sides or top and that opening is releasably covered by a hinged flap. The container bottom conforms in approximate size and shape to the stiffening board of the vacuum bag. The storage apparatus also includes first and second stiffening panels with each panel placed on and attached to a different one of two opposing sides of the storage container.

Advantageously, but optionally, the storage container has a rectangular configuration with two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides with the stiffening panels attached to the short sides. The stiffening panels may have a bottom configured to abut and rest on a short end of the stiffening board when the board is placed on the container bottom. Alternatively, the container can have the stiffening panels attached to the long sides with the stiffening panels having a bottom configured to abut and rest on a long side of the stiffening board when the board is placed on the container bottom. Still further, the storage apparatus may have the stiffening panels attached to the short sides and also attached to the long sides, with the stiffening panels having a bottom configured to abut and rest on an end of the stiffening board when the board bottom is placed on the container bottom.

Advantageously, but optionally, the bottom and top of the container are made of flexible material, such as nylon or canvas. The stiffening board may have a periphery with a ridge extending along at least a portion of the periphery on two opposing sides of the board, so that the ridge helps stop the stiffening panels from sliding off the edge of the board during use. Preferably, the stiffening board has a periphery with a ridge extending along at least a portion of the periphery on two opposing sides of the board and located so the stiffening panels can fit between the ridge and the bag during use.

The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a combined storage apparatus according to the present invention wherein the vacuum storage bag and the storage container are separated.

FIG. 2a is a sectional view of a combined storage apparatus according to the present invention taken along section 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2b is a sectional view of one corner of FIG. 2a showing a ledge on the stiff bottom.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a combined storage apparatus according to the present invention wherein the vacuum storage bag is housed in the storage container.

FIG. 4 illustrates the sealing of the opening of the vacuum storage bag by pulling a zipper thereof.

FIG. 5 is a lateral cross-sectional view of the present invention illustrating the air in the vacuum storage bag being extracted.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention wherein the vacuum storage bag is enclosed in the storage container;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a container having pockets containing side panel stiffeners in opposing sides of the container and an enlarged view of a side panel stiffener, with edging along various parts of the container and no bag in the container;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing a bottom corner of the container of FIG. 7 with pockets containing a stiffening member and with a stiffening board and bag in the container; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a vacuum bag on a stiffening board with the board in a partially folded configuration;”

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container with a pocket on each side wall of the container and a pocket opening at the top of each side wall;

FIG. 11 is an end view showing a folded vacuum having a folded stiffening board placed in the container with stiffeners, with the sidewall of the container removed to view the inside of the container and folded components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a combined storage apparatus is provided that preferably includes a vacuum storage bag 10 and a storage container 12 into which the bag 10 is placed during use, and preferably during shipping. The opening of the vacuum storage bag 10 is provided with two parallel sealing strips 14 extending along two side walls 24 of the opening. Combining two sealing strips 14 together can seal the vacuum storage bag 10 and provide an air-tight seal suitable to maintain the desired vacuum pressure during normal household use. The strips 14 form two sealing strips extending along the periphery of the opening and are configured to be releasably manually engaged and disengaged to releasable the opening from the passage of air. The seal provided by the strips 14 is suitable for use with a vacuum storage bag and thus advantageously does not appreciably allow air to enter the bag 10 for prolonged periods of time, such as several months. While it is preferable the seal 14 allow no air to enter, the seal can allow air to exit as for example, providing labyrinth paths forming one way-valves at the edges or other portions of seal 14.

The vacuum storage bag 10 is further provided with a one-way air valve 16 at a selected location thereof. The valve 16 typically extends on both sides of and through a hole formed in the bag 10. The valve 16 is typically located in one of the sides of the bag near the top, by the sealing strips 14. The bag 10 is configured to allow items 34 to be inserted into and removed from the bag through the opening between the sealing strips 14, with the opening sealed by the sealing strips to form an air tight bag. The enclosure is air tight under normal conditions of household use and storage so as to maintain the pressure inside the bag substantially unchanged for several months, and preferably for at least six months, and ideally more than a year.

The bottom of the vacuum storage bag 10 is provided with a generally horizontal or flat surface that includes a stiffening board 18. Adjustable length straps 19 are provided with releasable fasteners 20, such as binding ribbons, buckling belts, toggle fasteners etc. on the distal ends of the s traps 19. The straps 19 are optionally attached on the bottom face of the stiffening board 18, running across the stiffening board 18 and capable of encircling the vacuum storage bag 10 to restrain it from expanding if air leaks into the bag. The vacuum storage bag 10 is advantageously fastened to the stiffening board 18 by adhesives, ultrasonic welding or other means, and is illustrated in the figures by adhesive lines 21. It is also suitable to form the bottom of bag 10 with an outward extending strip of plastic around the bottom and that plastic strip can be sewn to the stiffening board 18 around at least a portion of the periphery of the board 18. The stitches do not pass through any air-tight portion of bag 10 and thus do not compromise the vacuum capability of bag 10. Sewing the bottom portion of bag 10 along two opposing sides of the stiffener 18 is believed suitable.

The storage container 12 has a container body with a bottom, side walls 24, and a top with a flap 22 for closing an access opening to the container 12. Advantageously, the container body is made of fabric or flexible material so the flap 22 can easily open and close. If the container 12 is not flexible, the flap 22 is advantageously hinged sufficiently to allow it to open or close. The flap 22 is shown on the top of the container 12, but could be located on any of the side walls 24 of the container. The flap 22 releasably closes an opening in one of the side walls 24 or top of the container in order to allow access to the inside of the container 12, and thus may also be referred to as a lid or as a cover for the access opening to the container 12. A zippered opening is preferred, but other releasable fastening mechanisms can be used to releasably close flap 22. The flap 22 is preferably on the top of the container 12 as illustrated. The container 12 and storage bag 10 are sized relative to each other so that the container can house the vacuum storage bag 10 after the vacuum storage bag 10 is placed inside the container. The container 12 is further optionally provided with one or more handles 30, preferably connected to the side walls 24 of the container and more preferably connected to the shorter side walls 24 of the container if the container is rectangular. A window 32 made of transparent material is optionally located on one of the container side walls 24 or top, preferably on one of the long sides (if the container is rectangular), to allow viewing of the container contents.

A side stiffening plate or lateral stiffening plate 26 (FIG. 2) is provided on two opposing side walls 24 of the container 12. The side stiffeners 26 may be fastened to the corresponding portions of container 12 by various means, including adhesives, ultrasonic welding, and mechanical fasteners such as rivets, grommets, various threaded fasteners, or sewing.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8 and 10, the stiffening plates 26 are preferably placed in a pocket 36 formed in two opposing side walls 24 of container 12 defining an opening 37 to the pocket. The depicted embodiment has the stiffening plates 26 in the two opposing, shorter walls of the rectangular container 12. The walls of container 12 are preferably made of flexible fabric and the pocket 36 is formed in the side wall 24 so the pocket can open from the top so the stiffener plate 26 can be inserted downward through the opening covered by lid or cover 22. Preferably though, the pocket 36 has its ends and top fastened to the adjacent walls of container 12 and has an opening 37 at the bottom of the container so that the stiffening plate 26 is securely held. Thus, the panel 26 has one face or side that is adjacent or abutting a sidewall 24 of container 12 while the other face or side of panel 26 abuts the sheet of material forming the pocket 36. The pocket 36 has a closed top and closed opposing ends, with an opening 37 at the bottom of the container 12. The stiffening plate 26 is sized to fit into the pocket 36 snugly, and the pocket 36 is sized to have the same shape as the adjacent side wall 24 of the container 12 which forms part of the pocket. Thus, the pocket 36, stiffening plate 26 and adjacent side wall 24 of the container 12 have about the same size and shape but with enough room in the pocket 36 to insert the stiffening panel 26. For the depicted embodiment using a rectangular container 12, the stiffening panel 12 is rectangular, with the same shape and size as the side wall 24 of the container 12 against which the panel 12 is placed during use. Advantageously the pocket 36 is formed by fastening a strip of material to the adjacent side wall 24 of the container 12 so the wall of the container 12 forms one side of the pocket 36.

An optional edging 38 (FIG. 8) can be provided along or more edges of the stiffening panel 12 for appearance and to resist sliding of the panel 26 on the bottom of the container 12. The edging 38 also provides some compressibility as the edging 38 is placed next to the adjoining edge of the bottom stiffening board 18 of bag 10 to provide a tight fit. Preferably, the side of the pocket 36 forming the opening 37 along the bottom of the container is longer than the adjacent side wall 24 of the container so there is a locking strip of material 40 that extends along the bottom of the container 12 and short distance, preferably about an inch or so. The bottom board 18 lays on this locking strip 40 to releasably hold the 37 of the pocket 36 closed. The locking strip 40 is interposed between the bottom of the board 18 and the bottom of the container 12, so that the weight of the board 18, bag 10 and items 34 in the bag 10 push the locking strip 40 against the bottom of the container 12, and thus hold closed the opening 37 to the pocket 36. The locking strip cooperates with the board 18 to maintain the stiffness of the side wall and associated pockets 36 during use.

The bottom board 18 is sized to fit snugly between the stiffening plates 26 contained in their respective pockets 36, and advantageously has opposing ends that are each placed against a different stiffening panel 26 or the pocket 36 containing the panel 26. Thus, the bottom board 18 is preferably slightly shorter than a length of the bottom of the container 12 between two the outer sides of stiffener panels 26. Less preferable, the bottom board 18 can be the same length as the bottom of the container 12 so as to extend underneath an edge of each side panel 26.

The bottom board 18 and stiffening plates 26 may be made of plastic, MDF, fiberboard or paperboard. The stiffening plates 26 are flexible enough to be inserted into the pocket 36 and strong enough to support the side walls 24 of container 10 and allow stacking of one container 12 on top of another container of the same construction. The pockets are preferably open, but may be fastened closed as by sewing, adhesives, rivets or other mechanical fasteners to secure the insert 26 in its respective pocket 36.

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, an alternative way of using the side panel stiffeners 26 is shown in which the side stiffener panels 26 are not in pockets but are otherwise fastened to the adjoining side walls 24 of the container 10. The stiffener panels 26 are shaped to correspond to the shape of the abutting side wall 24 of the container 12, but are slightly shorter on the bottom so each side stiffener panel 26 is slightly spaced from the bottom of the container 12 so that an edge of the stiff bottom 18 can fit between the adjacent end of the side wall 24 and the bottom of the container 12. Thus, pushing downward on the side panel stiffeners 26 pushes the side panels 26 against the stiff bottom 18. Optionally, a ridge or ledge 28 (FIG. 2b) can extend around the periphery of the bottom 18 to help stop the side panel stiffeners 26 from slipping off the bottom 18. Likewise, the bag 10 is sized so that it is not fastened to the board or bottom 18 all the way to the edge of the board or bottom, in order to provide room for the side stiffener panels 26 to rest on the board or bottom 18 along the periphery.

During use, an article or item 34, such as bedding or clothing, can be placed in the vacuum storage bag 10 through the opening formed between sealing strips 14. The vacuum storage bag 10 is then sealed after combining the sealing strips 14 and air is preferably withdrawn from bag 10 to reduce the volume of the bag and compress the items 34 inside the bag 10. The collapsed vacuum storage bag 10 is bound by connecting straps 19 and the releasable fasteners 20 and placed into the storage container 12. The bag 10 pushes the side panel stiffeners 26 outward and helps maintain them in a vertical orientation. Advantageously, the bottom 18 presses locking strips 40 against the bottom of the container 12 to close the pockets 36 containing the side stiffener panels 26. The bottom 18 urging the locking strip 40 against the bottom of the container has the effect of pulling on the pocket 36 and tightening it around the panel 26 which helps form a stiff side wall 24 on the container 12. Alternatively, the stiff bottom 18 is pushed underneath the bottom edges of the stiff stiffening panels 26 fastened to the container 12 so the panels 26 rest against an upward facing surface of the bottom 18 along a peripheral edge of the bottom 18. The bottom board 18 is sized to fit snugly in the container 12, the board helps hold the side panels 26 and sidewalls 24 of container 12 vertical relative to a horizontal bottom 18. The bag 10 is also preferably sized so it urges the side panel stiffeners 26 into a vertical position relative to a horizontal bottom 18, but that will vary with the items placed in the bat 10. The bag 10 and board 18 pressing outward against the side panels 26 thus may help provide additional support to the panels 26 and the stacking of several containers 12 on top of each other.

The releasable fasteners 20 and the stiffening board 18 can be binding ribbons or buckle belt as shown in the figures, for preventing expansion of stored articles due to air leakage into the vacuum storage bag 10. Alternatively, the straps 19 and releasable fasteners 20 can be disposed along the two long side walls 24 of the board 18 instead of the two shorter sides as shown, or straps could be placed each way so they cross on the bottom of the board and on the bag 10.

The stiffening panels 26 are preferably formed in two opposing side walls 24 of the container 10 and the container 10 is preferably rectangular with four side walls 24. As used herein, rectangular includes a square container. Advantageously the stiffening panels 26 are on the short side walls 24 of a four sided container having two opposing sides longer than the other two remaining sides. But the panels 26 could be placed on the longer side walls 24 of the container.

For shipping, the vacuum bag 10 is deflated and folded against the bottom board 18 to which the bag is fastened. The bottom board 18 and collapsed bag 18 are placed inside the container 12. The stiffening panels 26 and the side walls 24 of the container 12 to which the panels are connected are folded against the bottom of the container before the board 18 and bag 1 are inserted. Alternatively, the board and bag can be inserted first and the panels 26 and associated walls of container 10 are folded onto the board 18 and bag 10, preferably so the panels 26 are parallel to the board 18. The other two side walls 24 of the container 12 are then creased and folded to a compact shipping shape that is preferably rectangular.

Referring to FIGS. 9 and 11, for large containers 12 the bottom board 18 may be folded in half along fold line 42, preferably folded parallel to the side walls 24 of the container 12 in which the stiffening panels 26 are located. The collapsed bag 12 can be folded between these folded bottom panels 18. The folded board 18 and container 12 forms a rectangular shape that is inserted into the container along one side wall 24 of the container adjacent on panel 26. One panel 26 and its associated sidewall 24 of the container 10 is then folded over the board 18 and container 10 to form a stack of folded boards 18, container 10, and one side stiffening panel 26, while the other panel 26 and its associated sidewall 24 of the container are folded against the bottom of the container. The container is then folded in half and onto the prior stack so the board 18, container 10, and two side stiffening panels 26 are all stacked vertically over each other to form a rectangular package for shipping.

The stiffening panels 26 are preferably placed only along two of the four side walls 24 of container 12, and then in two opposing sides. But by placing pockets 36 on each of the four side walls 24 a stiffening panel 26 can be placed in each of the four sides of the container 12. Advantageously, two opposing side walls 24 have the opening 37 to the pocket 36 at the bottom of the container, and two opposing sides have the opening 37 to the pocket 36 at the top of the container. If stiffening plates 26 are in all four pockets 36 the pockets and side walls 24 of the container 12 cannot fold down without bending adjoining ends of the stiffening plates 26. Thus, for storage or shipping two opposing pockets have the plates 26 in them while the other two pockets have the stiffening plates removed for shipping with the plates 26 being inserted for use of the container. Advantageously, the pockets 36 with openings 37 (FIG. 10) at the top have the stiffening plates 26 removed during shipping as the top opening 37 makes it easier to insert the plates 26.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of fastening the vacuum bag to the stiffening board 18, and various ways of stiffening the board 18. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.

Claims

1. A storage apparatus, comprising:

a vacuum storage bag having two opposing sides, a closed bottom and an opening between said two opposing sides; the storage bag further including: two sealing strips along the opening configured to be releasably manually engaged to seal the opening from the entrance of air; a one-way air valve connected to the bag to allow air to exit the bag, the bag configured to allow items to be inserted into the bag through the opening and sealed by the sealing strips to form an air tight enclosure during use; and a rectangular stiffening board connected to the closed bottom of the bag;

a rectangular storage container sized and configured to receive the storage and having a container bottom and a top with container sides made of flexible material and an access opening in one of the sides or top releasably covered by a hinged flap, the container bottom conforming in approximate size and shape to the stiffening board of the vacuum bag; and

first and second stiffening panels, each panel placed on and attached to a different one of two opposing sides of the storage container.

2. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the container bottom conforms in size and shape to the stiffening board of the vacuum bag, the container having a pocket in each of two opposing sides with the pocket extending a length and height of the container side in which the pocket is formed, with a stiffening panel contained in each pocket.

3. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein each pocket has an opening through which the stiffening panel is removably inserted into the pocket.

4. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein the opening to each pocket is at the bottom of the container.

5. The storage apparatus of claim 4, wherein the pockets include a locking strip extending along a portion of the container bottom so that the locking strip can be interposed between the container bottom and the bag stiffening board during use.

6. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein opposing ends of the stiffening board are each placed against a side of a different one of the side stiffening panels.

7. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein an end of the stiffening panels is placed against a surface of the stiffening board which surface faces away from the bottom of the container.

8. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein the storage container has a rectangular configuration with two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides with the stiffening panels attached to the short sides, the stiffening panels having a bottom configured to abut and rest on a short end of the stiffening board when the board is placed on the container bottom.

9. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the storage container has a rectangular configuration with two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides with the stiffening panels attached to the long sides, the stiffening panels having a bottom configured to abut and rest on a long side of the stiffening board when the board is placed on the container bottom.

10. The storage apparatus of claim 2, wherein the storage container has a rectangular configuration with one of the stiffening panels attached to each of the sides.

11. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the bottom and top of the container are made of flexible material.

12. The storage apparatus of claim 1, wherein the stiffening board has a periphery with a ridge extending along at least a portion of the periphery on two opposing sides of the board and located so the stiffening panels can fit between the ridge and the bag during use.

13. A kit for use in storing household items, comprising:

an outer container having four flexible sidewalls connected to a bottom and a top, with a closable access opening in one of the sidewalls or top, two opposing sidewalls having pockets into which a panel stiffener is inserted to stiffen the sidewall, each stiffener having a shape and size corresponding to that of the sidewall to which the stiffener is fastened; and

a vacuum storage bag having an access opening with sealing strips around the opening to provide a releasable, air-tight seal during normal use of the container, the bag having a stiff bottom board corresponding in size and shape to the bottom of the container.

14. The kit of claim 13, wherein the vacuum storage bag is folded and placed inside the container with at least one of the side wall stiffeners placed onto the folded storage bag.

15. The kit of claim 14, wherein the stiff bottom board is folded onto itself with the folded bag between folded portions of the board.

16. The kit of claim 15, wherein both panel stiffeners are folded onto the folded board with one panel stiffener located between the folded board and the other panel stiffener.