PADDED STORAGE CONTAINER

Abstract

Implementations of a padded storage container are provided. In some implementations, the padded storage container may include a plurality of padded expandable interior storage compartments, each of which is configured to receive one or more objects therein. In some implementations, the padded storage container may comprise a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, a first interior wall and a second interior wall, a bottom wall, an opening used to access the interior storage compartments, and a closure flap to close the opening. In some implementations, the side walls and/or the bottom wall of a padded storage container may be pleated (e.g., accordion pleats). In this way, the padded storage container and its interior storage compartments may be expanded to receive objects therein and/or collapsed to allow for the easy storage of the padded storage container.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/357,927, filed on Jul. 1, 2016, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a padded storage container.

BACKGROUND

Padded containers (e.g., envelopes) are routinely used to package and transport objects which are vulnerable to impact. In general, these containers include a padded interior storage compartment that can be sealed using an integral flap having a pressure sensitive adhesive thereon.

However, these padded containers have several disadvantages. First, these containers are not suitable for simultaneously transporting multiple fragile objects. Second, the dimensional range of objects that can be stored within the interior storage compartment may be limited due to the non-expanding nature of some containers (e.g., an envelope). Third, the padded interior storage compartment may be unable to prevent the incidental movement of an undersized fragile object held therein.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Implementations of a padded storage container are provided. In some implementations, the padded storage container may be configured to receive and contain one or more fragile objects therein (e.g., glassware, porcelain, artwork, plates, etc. . . . ). In some implementations, the padded storage container may include a plurality of padded expandable interior storage compartments, each of which is configured to receive one or more objects therein. In this way, one or more objects of varying size may be placed within each of the interior storage compartments and thereby protected from breaking, cracking, scratches, and/or scaring.

In some implementations, the padded storage container may comprise a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, a first interior wall and a second interior wall, a bottom wall, an opening used to access the interior storage compartments, and a closure flap to close the opening. In some implementations, the closure flap may be secured to an adhesive strip positioned on the front wall of the padded storage container. In some implementations, the padded storage container may be formed from bubble material having a laminated paper face on at least one side. In this way, object(s) stored within the padded storage container may be protected from breaking, cracking, scratches, and/or scaring.

In some implementations, the side walls and/or the bottom wall of a padded storage container may be pleated (e.g., accordion pleats). In this way, the padded storage container and its interior storage compartments may be expanded to receive objects therein and/or collapsed to allow for the easy storage of the padded storage container.

In some implementations, a padded storage container may include three interior storage compartments. In some implementations, a padded storage container may include more than three, or less than three, interior storage compartments. In some implementations, the interior storage compartments of a padded storage container may be organized into an array.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example implementation of a padded storage container according to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the padded storage container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the padded storage container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a left side view of the padded storage container shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the padded storage container shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another example implementation of the padded storage container according to the principles of the present disclosure.

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate yet another example implementation of the padded storage container according to the principles of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-5 illustrate an example implementation of a padded storage container 100 according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the padded storage container 100 may be configured to receive and contain one or more fragile objects therein (e.g., glassware, porcelain, artwork, plates, etc. . . . ). In some implementations, the padded storage container 100 may include a plurality of padded expandable interior storage compartments 130, each of which is configured to receive one or more objects therein. In this way, one or more objects of varying size may be placed within each of the interior storage compartments 130 and thereby protected from breaking, cracking, scratches, and/or scaring.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in some implementations, the padded storage container 100 may comprise a front wall 110, a rear wall 112, a first side wall 114a and a second side wall 114b (collectively side walls 114), a first interior wall 132a and a second interior wall 132b (collectively interior walls 132), a bottom wall 116, an opening 120 used to access the interior storage compartments 130, and a closure flap 105 to close the opening 120. In some implementations, the closure flap 105 may be secured to an adhesive strip 107 positioned on the front wall 110 of the padded storage container 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). In some implementations, the front wall 110, rear wall 112, side walls 114, interior walls 132, bottom wall 116, and/or closure flap 105 of the padded storage container 100 may be formed from bubble material (i.e., a cellular cushioning packaging material which contains entrapped bubbles of air or other gases) having a laminated paper face on at least one side. In this way, object(s) stored within the padded storage container 100 may be protected from breaking, cracking, scratches, and/or scaring.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, in some implementations, the first side wall 114a, the second side wall 114b, and the bottom wall 116 each may extend between and connect the front wall 110 to the rear wall 112 of the padded storage container 100.

In some implementations, the first side wall 114a extends between a first end of the front wall 110 and a first end of the rear wall 112.

In some implementations, the second side wall 114b extends between a second end of the front wall 110 and a second end of the rear wall 112.

In some implementations, the bottom wall 116 extends between a bottom edge of the front wall 110 and a bottom edge of the rear wall 112. In some implementations, the bottom wall 116 is connected to the first side wall 114a and the second side wall 114b (see, e.g., FIG. 3). In some implementations, the bottom wall 116 is not connected to the first side wall 114a or the second side wall 114b.

As shown in FIGS. 1-3, in some implementations, the side walls 114 and/or the bottom wall 116 of the padded storage container 100 may be pleated (e.g., accordion pleats). In this way, the padded storage container 100 and its interior storage compartments 130 may be expanded to receive objects therein and/or collapsed to allow for the easy storage of the padded storage container 100. In some implementations, by pleating the side walls 114 and/or bottom wall 116 of the padded storage container 100, the interior storage compartments 130 are better able to conform to an object placed therein. In this way, the unintentional movement of an object held within an interior storage compartment 130 may be minimized or eliminated. In some implementations, the side walls 114 of the padded storage container 100 may be pleated with a plurality of vertical folds (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 2). In some implementations, the bottom wall 116 of the padded storage container 100 may be pleated with a plurality of horizontal folds (see, e.g., FIG. 3). In some implementations, the side walls 114 and/or bottom wall 116 may not be pleated (not shown).

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some implementations, the first interior wall 132a and the second interior wall 132b each may extend between the first side wall 114a and the second side wall 114b of the padded storage container 100. In this way, a first interior storage compartment 130a, a second interior storage compartment 130b, and a third interior storage compartment 130c may be formed within the interior of the padded storage container 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 1). In some implementations, the first interior wall 132a and the second interior wall 132b may be secured to the bottom wall 116 of the padded storage container 100. In some implementations, the first interior wall 132a and the second interior wall 132b may not be secured to the bottom wall 116 of the padded storage container 100.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in some implementations, the first interior storage compartment 130a is located between the front wall 110 and the first interior wall 132a of the padded storage container 100. In some implementations, the second interior storage compartment 130b is located between the first interior wall 132a and the second interior wall 132b of the padded storage container 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). In some implementations, the third interior storage compartment 130c is located between the second interior wall 132b and the rear wall 112 of the padded storage container 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). In some implementations, each end of each interior storage compartment 130 is formed by either the first side wall 114a or the second side wall 114b of the padded storage container 100 (see, e.g., FIG. 2). In some implementations, there may be more than three or less than three interior storage compartments 130.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some implementations, the closure flap 105 may extend from the rear wall 112 of the padded storage container 100. In some implementations, the closure flap 105 may be an integral portion of the rear wall 112 (see, e.g., FIG. 4). In some implementations, the closure flap 105 may not be an integral portion of the rear wall 112. In some implementations, the closure flap 105 is configured to cover the opening(s) 120 into the interior storage compartments 130 of the padded storage container 100 and thereby retain any contents (e.g., fragile objects, etc.) stored therein. In some implementations, the closure flap 105 may be configured to overlap a portion of the front wall 110 when covering the opening(s) 120 into the interior storage compartments 130 of the padded storage container 100.

In some implementations, the adhesive strip 107 on the front wall 110 may be covered with a removable protective liner (not shown). The protective liner is discarder when the padded storage container 100 is used. In some implementations, the adhesive strip 107 may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive that is applied to the front wall 110 of the padded storage container 100.

In some implementations, in lieu of an adhesive strip 107, the closure flap 105 may be secured to the front wall 110 of the padded storage container 100 using any suitable fastener known to one of ordinary skill in the art. For example, in some implementations, the closure flap 105 may be removably secured to the front wall 110 of the padded storage container through the use of fastening means such as buttons, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), magnets or other reclosable fasteners.

In some implementations, the front wall 110, rear wall 112, side walls 114, interior walls 132, bottom wall 116, and/or closure flap 105 of the padded storage container 100 may be formed from a cellular cushioning packaging material which contains entrapped bubbles of air or other gases (e.g., Bubble Wrap®). In some implementations, the front wall 110, rear wall 112, side walls 114, interior walls 132, bottom wall 116, and/or closure flap 105 of the padded storage container 100 may be formed from any material(s) (e.g., an impact-absorbing material) suitable for cushioning and protecting an object stored within any of the interior storage compartments 130 of the padded storage container 100.

In some implementations, one or more portions of the padded storage container 100 may be manufactured using paperboard, plastic(s), foam, and/or any other suitable material. In some implementations, a suitable elastic material(s) may be used to form one or more portions of the padded storage container 100.

In some implementations, the padded storage container 100 may be manufactured from one or more pieces of material. In some implementations, the front wall 110, rear wall 112, side walls 114, interior walls 132, bottom wall 116, and/or closure flap 105 of the padded storage container 100 may be secured together through the use of an adhesive (e.g., glue). In some implementations, the front wall 110, rear wall 112, side walls 114, interior walls 132, bottom wall 116, and/or closure flap 105 of the padded storage container 100 may be secured together using any suitable method known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate another example implementation of a padded storage container 200 according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the padded storage container 200 is similar to the padded storage container 100 discussed above but may include seven interior storage compartments 230.

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in some implementations, a first interior wall 232a, a second interior wall 232b, a third interior wall 232c, a fourth interior wall 232d, a fifth interior wall 232e, and a sixth interior wall 232f each may extend between a first side wall 214a and a second side wall 214b of the padded storage container 200. In this way, a first interior storage compartment 230a, a second interior storage compartment 230b, a third interior storage compartment 230c, a fourth interior storage compartment 230d, a fifth interior storage compartment 230e, a sixth interior storage compartment 230f, and a seventh interior storage compartment 230g may be formed within the interior of the padded storage container 200 (see, e.g., FIG. 6B).

As shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, in some implementations, the first interior storage compartment 230a is located between the front wall 210 and the first interior wall 232a of the padded storage container 200. In some implementations, the second interior storage compartment 230b is located between the first interior wall 232a and the second interior wall 232b of the padded storage container 200. In some implementations, the third interior storage compartment 230c is located between the second interior wall 232b and the third interior wall 232c of the padded storage container 200. In some implementations, the fourth interior storage compartment 230d is located between the third interior wall 232c and the fourth interior wall 232d of the padded storage container 200. In some implementations, the fifth interior storage compartment 230e is located between the fourth interior wall 232d and the fifth interior wall 232e of the padded storage container 200. In some implementations, the sixth interior storage compartment 230f is located between the fifth interior wall 232e and the sixth interior wall 232f of the padded storage container 200. In some implementations, the seventh interior storage compartment 230g is located between the sixth interior wall 232f and the rear wall 212 of the padded storage container 200. In some implementations, each end of each interior storage compartment 230 is formed by either the first side wall 214a or the second side wall 214b of the padded storage container 200 (seem e.g., FIG. 6B).

FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate yet another example implementation of a padded storage container 300 according to the principles of the present disclosure. In some implementations, the padded storage container 300 is similar to the padded storage containers 100, 200 discussed above but may include an array of nine interior storage compartments 330. In some implementations, the padded storage container 300 may include an array of more than nine, or less than nine, interior storage compartments 330.

As shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, in some implementations, a first interior wall 332a and a second interior wall 332b each may extend between a first side wall 314a and a second side wall 314b of the padded storage container 300. In some implementations, a third interior wall 332c and a fourth interior wall 332d each may extend between a front wall 310 and a rear wall 312 of the padded storage container 300 (see, e.g., FIG. 7B). In some implementations, the interior walls 332 are configured to form an array of interior storage compartments 330 (see, e.g., FIG. 7B). In some implementations, through the placement of the interior walls 332, an array of interior storage compartments 330 may be formed. In some implementations, through the placement of the interior walls 332, a first interior storage compartment 330a, a second interior storage compartment 330b, a third interior storage compartment 330c, a fourth interior storage compartment 330d, a fifth interior storage compartment 330e, a sixth interior storage compartment 330f, a seventh interior storage compartment 330g, an eighth interior storage compartment 330h, and a ninth interior storage compartment 330i may be formed within the interior of the padded storage container 300 (see, e.g., FIG. 7B).

In some implementations, the openings into the interior storage compartments 130, 230, 330 of the padded storage container 100, 200, 300, may have the general shape of a rectangle (see, e.g., FIGS. 2, 6B, and 7B). In some implementations, the interior storage compartments 130, 230, 330 of the padded storage container 100, 200, 300, may have the general shape of a cylinder (not shown). In some implementations, the openings into the interior storage compartments 130, 230, 330 of the padded storage container 100, 200, 300, may have any suitable shape.

In some implementations, the padded storage container 100, 200, 300 may be used to package and transport one or more items (e.g., fragile object(s)). In some implementations, the padded storage container 100, 200, 300 may be positioned at or near a point of sale (e.g., a register) to package one or more items (e.g., fragile object(s)) for transport by a customer after purchase. In some implementations, the padded storage container 100, 200, 300 may be used to ship one or more items (e.g., fragile objects).

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

Claims

1. A padded storage container for fragile objects comprising:

a front wall and a rear wall connected together by a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall;

a plurality of interior storage compartments;

an opening through which the plurality of interior storage compartments may be accessed; and

a closure flap extending from the rear wall that is configured to cover the opening;

wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom wall are pleated; and

wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the bottom wall, and the closure flap are formed from a cellular cushioning packaging material which contains entrapped bubbles of gas.

2. (canceled)

3. The padded storage container of claim 1, wherein the cellular cushioning packaging material includes a laminated paper face on at least one side thereof.

4. The padded storage container of claim 1, further comprising a fastener positioned on the front wall, the fastener is configured to secure the closure flap to the front wall.

5. The padded storage container of claim 4, wherein the fastener is an adhesive strip.

6. The padded storage container of claim 1, further comprising a first interior wall and a second interior wall, wherein each interior wall extends between the first side wall and the second side wall of the padded storage container; a first interior storage compartment is located between the front wall and the first interior wall, a second interior storage compartment is located between the first interior wall and the second interior wall, and a third interior storage compartment is located between the second interior wall and the rear wall.

7. The padded storage container of claim 1, further comprising a first interior wall, a second interior wall, a third interior wall, a fourth interior wall, a fifth interior wall, and a sixth interior wall, wherein each interior wall extends between the first side wall and the second side wall of the padded storage container; a first interior storage compartment is located between the front wall and the first interior wall, a second interior storage compartment is located between the first interior wall and the second interior wall, a third interior storage compartment is located between the second interior wall and the third interior wall, a fourth interior storage compartment is located between the third interior wall and the fourth interior wall, a fifth interior storage compartment is located between the fourth interior wall and the fifth interior wall, a sixth interior storage compartment is located between the fifth interior wall and the sixth interior wall, and a seventh interior storage compartment is located between the sixth interior wall and the rear wall.

8. The padded storage container of claim 1, wherein the plurality of interior storage compartments are positioned to form an array within the padded storage container.

9. The padded storage container of claim 1, further comprising a first interior wall, a second interior wall, a third interior wall, and a fourth interior wall; wherein the first interior wall and the second interior wall each extend between the first side wall and the second side wall of the padded storage container and the third interior wall and the fourth interior wall each extend between the front wall and the rear wall of the padded storage container thereby organizing the plurality of interior storage compartments into an array.

10. A padded storage container for fragile objects comprising:

a front wall, a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall, wherein the first side wall extends between a first end of the front wall and a first end of the rear wall, the second side wall extends between a second end of the front wall and a second end of the rear wall, and the bottom wall extends between a bottom edge of the front wall and a bottom edge of the rear wall;

at least two interior walls, the at least two interior walls form at least three interior storage compartments within the padded storage container;

an opening through which the at least three interior storage compartments may be accessed; and

a closure flap extending from the rear wall that is configured to cover the opening;

wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, and the bottom wall are pleated; and

wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the bottom wall, the at least two interior walls, and the closure flap are formed from a cellular cushioning packaging material which contains entrapped bubbles of gas.

11. (canceled)

12. The padded storage container of claim 10, wherein the cellular cushioning packaging material includes a laminated paper face on at least one side thereof.

13. The padded storage container of claim 10, further comprising a fastener positioned on the front wall, the fastener is configured to removably secure the closure flap to the front wall.

14. The padded storage container of claim 13, wherein the fastener is an adhesive strip.

15. The padded storage container of claim 10, wherein a first interior wall and a second interior wall each extend between the first side wall and the second side wall of the padded storage container; a first interior storage compartment is located between the front wall and the first interior wall, a second interior storage compartment is located between the first interior wall and the second interior wall, and a third interior storage compartment is located between the second interior wall and the rear wall.

16. The padded storage container of claim 10, wherein a first interior wall, a second interior wall, a third interior wall, a fourth interior wall, a fifth interior wall, and a sixth interior wall each extend between the first side wall and the second side wall of the padded storage container; a first interior storage compartment is located between the front wall and the first interior wall, a second interior storage compartment is located between the first interior wall and the second interior wall, a third interior storage compartment is located between the second interior wall and the third interior wall, a fourth interior storage compartment is located between the third interior wall and the fourth interior wall, a fifth interior storage compartment is located between the fourth interior wall and the fifth interior wall, a sixth interior storage compartment is located between the fifth interior wall and the sixth interior wall, and a seventh interior storage compartment is located between the sixth interior wall and the rear wall.

17. The padded storage container of claim 10, wherein the interior storage compartments are positioned to form an array within the padded storage container.

18. The padded storage container of claim 10, wherein a first interior wall and a second interior wall each extend between the first side wall and the second side wall of the padded storage container and a third interior wall and a fourth interior wall each extend between the front wall and the rear wall of the padded storage container thereby organizing the interior storage compartments into an array.

19. A padded storage container for fragile objects comprising:

a front wall and a rear wall connected together by a first side wall, a second side wall, and a bottom wall;

at least three interior storage compartments;

an opening through which the at least three interior storage compartments may be accessed; and

a closure flap extending from the rear wall that is configured to close the opening;

wherein the first side wall and the second side wall are pleated; and

wherein the front wall, the rear wall, the first side wall, the second side wall, the bottom wall, and the closure flap are a cellular cushioning packaging material which contains entrapped bubbles of gas.

20. The padded storage container of claim 19, further comprising a first interior wall and a second interior wall, wherein each interior wall extends between the first side wall and the second side wall of the padded storage container; a first interior storage compartment is located between the front wall and the first interior wall, a second interior storage compartment is located between the first interior wall and the second interior wall, and a third interior storage compartment is located between the second interior wall and the rear wall.

21. The padded storage container of claim 19, further comprising a first interior wall, a second interior wall, a third interior wall, a fourth interior wall, a fifth interior wall, and a sixth interior wall, wherein each interior wall extends between the first side wall and the second side wall of the padded storage container; a first interior storage compartment is located between the front wall and the first interior wall, a second interior storage compartment is located between the first interior wall and the second interior wall, a third interior storage compartment is located between the second interior wall and the third interior wall, a fourth interior storage compartment is located between the third interior wall and the fourth interior wall, a fifth interior storage compartment is located between the fourth interior wall and the fifth interior wall, a sixth interior storage compartment is located between the fifth interior wall and the sixth interior wall, and a seventh interior storage compartment is located between the sixth interior wall and the rear wall.

22. The padded storage container of claim 19, further comprising a first interior wall, a second interior wall, a third interior wall, and a fourth interior wall; wherein the first interior wall and the second interior wall each extend between the first side wall and the second side wall of the padded storage container and the third interior wall and the fourth interior wall each extend between the front wall and the rear wall of the padded storage container thereby organizing the plurality of interior storage compartments into an array.