Patent ID: 6892897
Filing Date: 2005-05-17
Classification: B65D

Abstract:
1. A collapsible storage device, said storage device comprising: a base element including: a first portion of flexible sheet material; and a resilient frame attached to said first portion of flexible sheet material to bias said first portion of flexible sheet material into an erected condition wherein said first portion of sheet material forms a peripheral side wall defining an interior space, a base at one end of said side wall that closes off said interior space at said one end of said side wall, and an opening at an opposite end of said side wall to provide access into said interior space, said first portion of flexible sheet material being movable into a collapsed condition against biasing from said resilient frame to collapse said side wall; and a closure element attached to said base element, said closure element being movable from a covering position wherein said closure element covers said opening to an open position wherein said closure element permits access to said interior space through said opening, said closure element including: a second portion of flexible sheet material; and a plurality of vanes attached to said second portion of flexible sheet material, said closure element having a trailing edge attached to one side of said opening and a leading edge defined by a leading vane that can be moved (a) to an opposite side of said openings so as to move said closure element into said covering position, and (b) away from the opposite side of said opening so as to move said closure element toward said open position, said second portion of flexible sheet material following the pivotal movement of said leading vane between said covering and open positions, wherein said closure element is movable with said first portion of said flexible sheet material when said first portion of flexible sheet material moves between erected and collapsed conditions.