ERECTABLE SEALABLE ENFOLDMENT

Abstract

A collapsible, holding container partially interconnected for interior access. The holding container having at least two faces each formed of a flexible surface constructed of a flexible material and ribbed with rigid linear extensions. The rigid linear extensions being constructed of a stiffer material than the flexible material. The collapsible, holding container being partially interconnected along a boundary between the at least two faces by a fastener.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/296,633 filed on Jan. 5, 2022, which is incorporated in its entirety herein by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to applications pertaining to a containment, holding, carrying and enclosure.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Given the broad scope of applications pertaining to containment, holding, carrying and enclosure, the present inventions' relevance will only be exemplified in the field of home food storage for brevity.

Conventional containers provide users with many ordinary conveniences including durability and upright orientation for easy content filling and retrieval making conventional containers ideal for content storage and transport. However, some users may experience a space-saving inconvenience when setting conventional containers aside.

Conventional closeable bags provide users with several conveniences such as a topless and compact alternative to conventional containers. However, conventional closeable bags don't offer durability and aren't easily stackable.

Foldable or collapsible containers are useful in transporting and/or storing a variety of items or goods. In particular, such containers can be used to transport various parts. Foldable containers take up less volume in a collapsed state. Accordingly, such containers can be more efficiently transported when empty. However, because the containers are collapsible, it is important that they are structurally sound during transportation, both in the unfolded, load carrying configuration, as well as in the collapsed or folded configuration.

In order to be foldable, the containers are formed to have a number of moving parts, such as side walls and end walls that collapse inwardly.

A number of considerations are involved in designing and creating such foldable containers. These include cost of construction, number of parts, time and manpower required to assemble, time and manpower to fix or replace parts, cost of materials, strength, stability, etc.

The present invention is provided to solve the problems discussed and to provide advantages and aspects not provided by prior folding containers of this type. A full discussion of the features and advantages of the present invention is deferred to the following detailed description, which proceeds with reference to the accompanying drawings.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention pertains to a collapsible, holding container partially interconnected for interior access. The holding container having at least two faces each formed of a flexible surface constructed of a flexible material and ribbed with rigid linear extensions. The rigid linear extensions being constructed of a stiffer material than the flexible material. The collapsible, holding container being partially interconnected along a boundary between the at least two faces by a fastener.

Further according to the present invention, a collapsible, holding container is partially interconnected for interior access. The holding container having at least two faces each formed of a flexible surface constructed of a flexible material 16 and ribbed with rigid linear extensions. The rigid linear extensions being constructed of a stiffer material than the flexible material. The collapsible, holding container being partially interconnected along a boundary between the at least two faces by a fastener. The collapsible, holding container is partially interconnected by a zipped for interior access to the holding container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The structure, operation, and advantages of the present invention will become further apparent upon consideration of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures (Figures). The figures are intended to be illustrative, not limiting.

Certain elements in some of the figures may be omitted, or illustrated not-to-scale, for illustrative clarity. The cross-sectional views may be in the form of slices, or near-sighted cross-sectional views, omitting certain background lines which would otherwise be visible in a true cross-sectional view, for illustrative clarity.

Often, similar elements may be referred to by similar numbers in various figures (Figures) of the drawing, in which case typically the last two significant digits may be the same, the most significant digit being the number of the drawing figure (Figure).

For the purpose of illustration, there are depicted in the drawings certain non-limiting embodiments of the invention. However, the invention is non-limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities of the embodiments depicted in the drawings. Reference numbers are used consistently among the Figures.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a perspective view of an upright durable holding container partially zipped for interior access, according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the upright durable holding container shown in FIG. 1 unfolded and highlighting the embodiment's ribbed features and flexibility, according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a top view of embodiment of FIG. 1 fully extended and highlighting the embodiment's surface joining, according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a top view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 fully extended and separated to highlight key design dimensions, according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the embodiment of FIG. 1 highlighting the zipper's path and the corresponding enclosed cuboidal form when the upright durable holding container is fully zipped, according to the present invention.

FIG. 6A is a diagram showing the preferred embodiment fully extended and highlighting a first perpendicular configuration, according to the present invention.

FIG. 6B is a diagram showing the preferred embodiment fully extended and highlighting a second perpendicular configuration, according to the present invention.

FIG. 6C is a diagram showing another embodiment where the two rectangular configurations are parallel to each other, according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the preferred embodiment fully extended highlighting the zipper's path and the corresponding enclosed cuboidal form, according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the preferred embodiment fully extended highlighting the zipper path phases and continuous edge of the enclosed cuboidal form, according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing perspective view of the preferred embodiment fully zipped to form an enclosure highlighting embodiment faces and key features, according to the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a top view of alternate embodiment highlighting the alternate embodiment faces as a single entity, according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a top view of an alternate embodiment highlighting the alternate embodiment faces as separable entities, according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an alternate embodiment highlighting the alternate embodiment's face constitution, according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an alternate embodiment highlighting the alternate embodiment's unique design of the alternate embodiment's face corner, according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the alternate embodiment fully closed, according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the alternate embodiment highlighting the alternate embodiment's face flexibility.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a perspective view of the alternate embodiment highlighting the alternate embodiment's face flexibility.

FIG. 17 is a top view of alternate embodiment highlighting a parallel configuration of the faces as a single entity, according to the present invention

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In the description that follows, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that variations of these specific details are possible while still achieving the results of the present invention. Well-known processing steps are generally not described in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obfuscating the description of the present invention.

In the description that follows, exemplary dimensions may be presented for an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The dimensions should not be interpreted as limiting. They are included to provide a sense of proportion. Generally speaking, it is the relationship between various elements, where they are located, their contrasting compositions, and sometimes their relative sizes that is of significance.

In the drawings accompanying the description that follows, often both reference numerals and legends (labels, text descriptions) will be used to identify elements. If legends are provided, they are intended merely as an aid to the reader, and should not in any way be interpreted as limiting.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is illustrated a perspective view of an embodiment of an upright, collapsible, holding container 10 of the present invention partially zipped for interior access. The collapsible container 10 is comprised of a flexible surface 12, ribbed with rigid linear extensions 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The flexible surface 12 is constructed of a flexible material 16 while the rigid linear extensions 14 are constructed of a stiffer material of a less flexible nature. This can be achieved by using a stiffer material or using the same flexible material but of a greater thickness. Due to these rigid linear extensions or ribbing 14, the flexibility of the ribbed surface 12 is constrained to fold about the rigid extensions as shown in FIG. 2.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the collapsible, upright container 10 is shown as formed with two interconnected, rectangular-like bodies 18 and 20 each formed with a flexible surface 12 ribbed with spaced, rigid linear extensions 14 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The flexible surface 12 is constructed of a flexible material 16 while the rigid linear extensions 14 are constructed of a different, stiffer material of a less flexible nature than the flexible material 16 or using the same flexible material but of a greater thickness.

The two interconnected, rectangular-like bodies 18 and 20 are formed of three interconnected, rectangular-like bodies 22, 24, 26 and 28, 30 and 32, respectively. Each of the two interconnected, rectangular-like bodies 18 and 20 are each formed from the flexible material 16 with the rigid linear extensions 14 extending parallel to the opposite ends 18a and 18b of body 18 and opposite ends 20a and 20b of the rectangular-like body 20. This configuration of the flexible material 16 with the rigid linear extensions 14 allows the body 18 and the body 20 to roll up so that the opposite ends 18a and 18b of body 18 and the opposite ends 20a and 20b of body 20 are parallel to each other.

The interconnected, rectangular-like bodies 18 and 20 are interconnected at a boundary 34 formed where the edge surface of the end 20a of the body 20 abuts the elongated edge 18c between the opposite ends 18a and 18b of body 18. The rectangular-like bodies 18 and 20 can be interconnected along the boundary 34 by fastener means such as a plastic zipper, a metal zipper or a resealable lock seal zipper.

Rectangular-like body 22 is interconnected with rectangular-like body 24 by a surface 38 that marks a boundary between body 22 and body 24. Rectangular-like body 24 is interconnected with rectangular-like body 26 by a surface 40 that marks a boundary between body 24 and body 26. Rectangular-like body 28 is interconnected with rectangular-like body 30 by a surface 42 that marks a boundary between body 28 and body 30. Rectangular-like body 30 is interconnected with rectangular-like body 32 by a surface 44 that marks a boundary between body 30 and body 32.

The rectangular bodies 22 are flexible except where the ribbing is provided. The spacing between the ribbing controls the tightness of the rectangular bodies when they are rolled up. Also the thickness or material of the ribbing controls the flexibility of the rectangular bodies.

The upright, collapsible, holding container 10, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, is also comprised of a zipper or fastener 46 and a set of flexible zipper strips 48, 50, 52, 54, 56, 58. 60 (48-60), with interlocking projections that are closed or opened by pulling the zipper 62 to open or draw the zipper strips together, as shown in FIG. 3. Referring again to FIG. 3, there is illustrated a rectangular section 18 of the upright container 10 incorporating rectangular-like bodies 22, 24 and 26 and an interconnected, rectangular section 20 of the upright container 10 incorporating rectangular-like bodies 28, 30 and 32. The zipper strips (48-60) are secured around the periphery of the rectangular-like bodies 18 and 20 except for the boundary 34 where the rectangular-like body 18 is interconnected with rectangular-like body 20 by a surface 34 that marks the boundary between body 18 and body 20. In other words, the zipper strips 48-60 are disposed around the entire periphery of the six interconnected rectangular-like bodies except for the interconnecting boundary 34.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, individual rectangular-like bodies 70 and 72 are interconnected at a boundary 74 formed where the edge surface 72a of the end of the body 72 abuts the elongated edge 70a of body 70. The rectangular-like bodies 70 and 72 can be interconnected along the boundary 74 by fastener means such as a plastic zipper, a metal zipper or a resealable lock seal zipper.

The left face 72 and the right face 70 of the rectangular-like bodies are shown separately in FIG. 4. The dimensions of the left face 72 and the right face 70 rectangular-like bodies are expressed as mathematical expressions in terms of the length L, width W, height H, and rounded corner radius R, as shown in FIG. 4. In turn, these dimensions of the left face 72 and the right face 70 forming the rectangular-like bodies determine the resulting overall dimensions of the present embodiment's cuboidal form when fully zipped together as shown in FIG. 6. Each face may be unique and differentiable from the other by their rectangular-like body dimensions given the overall dimensions of the embodiment in cuboidal form when fully zipped.

The relative orientation between a joined right face 70 and left face 72 determines the embodiment's configuration. FIGS. 6A and 6B shows the two unique perpendicular configurations. The present embodiment is one of the unique perpendicular configurations as in FIG. 6B.

In FIG. 6C, another embodiment is shown where the two rectangular configurations are parallel to each other.

In FIG. 7, the present embodiment is shown in a completely unzipped state prior to folding the left face rectangular-like body 64 and the right face rectangular-like body 62 into a cuboidal form 72. The present embodiment's general cuboidal form 72 along with the entire zipping path 74 which may be followed by the zipper 76 about the cuboidal form is also shown in FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, the continuous edge 78 of the present embodiment's cuboidal form 72 as shown, defines the zipper path 80 wherein the zipper 76 may begin on one end of the embodiment's joining edges and end on the other end of the embodiment's joining edges.

It is also within the terms of the present invention to separate the entire zipper path 80 into two segments 82 and 84 wherein each segment has a separate zipper 86 and 88 as shown in FIG. 8.

In FIG. 9, the present embodiment is shown in a fully zipped state established by the zipper 86 having zipped along the entire zipper path (both segments 86 and 88). The segments 86 and 88 are joined together by the boundary 90.

Alternate embodiments are effectively comprised of two rectangular-like bodies 92 and 94 that are either a single entity or separable from one another.

In FIG. 10, an alternate embodiment is shown wherein the two rectangular-like bodies 92 and 94 faces are a single entity.

In FIG. 11, an alternate embodiment is shown wherein the two rectangular-like bodies 92 and 94 are separable from one another.

For optimal functioning, each face is flexible along its longer extension while considerably less flexible along its shorter extension as shown in FIG. 12. It is left obvious that alternate embodiment designs may enable this unique flexibility using a variety of methods.

In FIG. 12, the alternate embodiment shows a rectangular-like body 100 featuring a ribbing method wherein the flexible portions 102 are narrow and form the shorter extensions. The less flexible portions 104 are illustrated as being thicker than the flexible portions 102 and form the longer extensions.

FIG. 13 further illustrates where the shorter extension is more flexible than the longer extension.

As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, alternate embodiments feature a variety of corner designs including a fully joined state in FIG. 15.

A variety of design methods enabling the faces of an alternate embodiment to join to establish a cuboidal form may be used including zippers as commonly used with fabrics, and zip sealing as used with conventional plastic storage bags.

Different features, variations and multiple different embodiments have been shown and described with various details. What has been described in this application at times in terms of specific embodiments is done for illustrative purposes only and without the intent to limit or suggest that what has been conceived is only one particular embodiment or specific embodiments. It is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to any single specific embodiments or enumerated variations. Many modifications, variations and other embodiments will come to mind of those skilled in the art, and which are intended to be and are in fact covered by this disclosure. It is indeed intended that the scope of this disclosure should be determined by a proper legal interpretation and construction of the disclosure, including equivalents, as understood by those of skill in the art relying upon the complete disclosure present at the time of filing.

Claims

1. A collapsible, holding container partially zipped for interior access, comprising:

the holding container having at least two faces each formed of a flexible surface constructed of a flexible material and ribbed with rigid linear extensions;

the rigid linear extensions being constructed of a stiffer material than the flexible material; and

the collapsible, holding container being partially interconnected along a boundary between the at least two faces by a fastener.

2. The collapsible, holding container of claim 1 wherein the collapsible, holding container is partially interconnected by a zipper for interior access to the holding container.

3. The collapsible, holding container of claim 1 wherein the perimeter lengths of each face of the at least two faces are equal.

4. The collapsible, holding container of claim 3 wherein each of the at least two faces have seal paths about their perimeter lengths.

5. The collapsible, holding container of claim 3 wherein each of the at least two faces includes three sections.

6. The holding container of claim 4 wherein each of the at least two faces are joined to comprise single entity.

7. The collapsible, holding container of claim 4 wherein each of the at least two faces comprise separable entities.

8. The collapsible, holding container of claim 4 wherein each of the at least two faces have a rectangular like form.

9. The collapsible, holding container of claim 8 wherein each of the at least two faces has a rectangular-like form and is more flexible along one extension of its rectangular-like form than along a second extension of its rectangular-like form.

10. The collapsible, holding container of claim 8 wherein each of the at least two faces are more flexible along one extension of its rectangular-like form than along the other extension of its rectangular-like form.

11. The collapsible, holding container of claim 9 wherein interconnections between the at least two faces create a perpendicular configuration.

12. The collapsible, holding container of claim 9 wherein interconnections between the at least two faces create a parallel configuration.

13. The collapsible, holding container of claim 9 wherein interconnections between the at least two faces create a parallel configuration.

14. The collapsible, holding container of claim 8 wherein the rigid linear extensions are ribbing that controls the flexibility of the rectangular bodies.

15. The collapsible, holding container of claim 8 wherein the thickness of the rigid linear extensions controls the flexibility of the rectangular bodies.

16. A collapsible, holding container partially interconnected for interior access, comprising:

the holding container having at least two faces each formed of a flexible surface constructed of a flexible material and ribbed with rigid linear extensions;

the rigid linear extensions being constructed of a thicker material than the flexible material;

the collapsible, holding container being partially interconnected along a boundary between the at least two faces by a fastener; and

the collapsible, holding container is partially interconnected by a zipper for interior access to the holding container.

17. The holding container of claim 16 wherein each of the at least two faces are joined to comprise single entity.

18. The collapsible, holding container of claim 16 wherein each of the at least two faces comprise separable entities.

19. The collapsible, holding container of claim 16 wherein each of the at least two faces have a rectangular like form.

20. The collapsible, holding container of claim 19 wherein each of the at least two faces has a rectangular-like form and is more flexible along one extension of its rectangular-like form than along a second extension of its rectangular-like form.