Abstract:
A collapsible storage container apparatus having a base which has a first set of opposing edges and a second set of opposing edges. The container also includes a first set of opposing panels wherein each panel has a fold-over portion having at least one connector and one panel of the first set of opposing panels is attached to one of the first set of opposing edges and the other panel of the first set of opposing panels is attached to the other of the first set of opposing edges. The container further includes a second set of opposing panels wherein each panel has at least one connector matable with a connector of a panel of the first set of opposing panels and one panel of the second set of opposing panels is attached to one of the second set of opposing edges and the other panel of the second set of opposing panels is attached to the other of the second set of opposing edges.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   The present application claims the benefit or priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60/474,698, filed May 30, 2003. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a collapsible storage container apparatus for office and personal use that can include hanging file rails or guides for organizational items such as hanging file folders or dividers. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In general, storage containers for home and office use are bulky and take up too much storage space for both the consumer as well as the distributor and retailer when empty. Even when storage containers are collapsible and can disassemble when not in use, these containers can be difficult to disassemble and then re-assemble. When disassembled, collapsible storage containers tend to have irregular configurations and do not easily lie flat so as to fit in a lid for storage purposes. When empty and not in use, the consumer may desire to easily collapse the container and be able to store it on a shelf, in a closet or under a bed, while taking a minimal amount of space and laying flat. Given the irregular shape of existing collapsible and non-collapsible containers, it is often difficult to efficiently store. 
   Also, collapsible storage containers lack the necessary components to accommodate popular organizational items such as hanging file folders. Collapsible storage containers are not currently designed to easily facilitate standard office organizational equipment such as dividers and hanging files for instance, because the components necessary to accommodate these items are difficult to incorporate into a collapsible design or result in a collapsible container that does not collapse flat for easy storage. Finally, many existing collapsible storage containers are not designed to withstand the rigors of being collapsed and re-assemble multiple times. 
   As mentioned above, the distributors and retailers of such collapsible storage containers also encounter difficulties with current storage containers. Specifically, stores that sell containers such as cardboard boxes or plastic storage totes for home and office use face transportation and display problems as they attempt to sell such storage containers. Storage containers that are shipped from the manufacturing site to the store need to use minimal space as possible on the truck or other delivery vehicle on which they are shipped. Often, containers are shipped pre-assembled resulting in maximum shipping and display space being used by such containers. 
   In order to overcome this problem, some manufacturers of storage containers design and make containers that are shipped in a collapsed or unassembled state. These containers, however, are often difficult to assemble and even though shipped in a collapsed or unassembled state are often in an irregular shape or configuration when collapsed. 
   By way of example, so-called banker&#39;s boxes, a storage box of cardboard with flaps for closing shut the box, are often shipped and purchased in an unassembled state. While shipped and purchased unassembled, the configuration of the banker box in this state is irregular and somewhat oblong. It tends to be a wasteful use of shipping space as well as display space given its irregular shape. It can also be difficult to assemble as it requires multiple flaps to be engaged against each other. 
   Thus, it is desirable to have a collapsible storage container for home and/or office use that is easy to collapse and re-assemble for shipping, display and storage. It is also desirable to have a collapsible storage container that incorporates components necessary to facilitate standard office organizational equipment such as dividers and hanging folders. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   An embodiment of present invention provides a collapsible storage container for home and/or office use that incorporates organizational equipment such as hanging file folders or dividers. 
   In another embodiment, a collapsible storage container is provided that is easily assembled and conversely easily disassembled or collapsed. 
   In yet another embodiment, a collapsible storage container can be disassembled in such a manner that it lies flat with a regular configuration. 
   Embodiments of the present collapsible storage container invention are capable of being disassembled so that the container folds flat about a base or bottom of the container. 
   Embodiments are also provided wherein the collapsible storage container invention can fit into its detachable lid when in a disassembled state to facilitate easy storage, transport and display. 
   It is also desired to have a collapsible storage container that is water-resistant. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is an environmental view of an embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is an environmental view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  where the invention is unassembled; 
       FIG. 3  is another environmental view of the embodiment of  FIG. 1  where the invention is unassembled and collapsed; 
       FIG. 4  is an environmental view of another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is an environmental view of the embodiment of  FIG. 4  where the invention is unassembled and collapsed; 
       FIG. 6  is an environmental view of yet another embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is an environmental view of the embodiment of  FIG. 6  where the invention is unassembled and collapsed; 
       FIG. 8  is an environmental view of another embodiment of the present; 
       FIG. 9  is an environmental view of a media storage embodiment of the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is an environmental view of a letter holder embodiment of the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is an environmental view of a pencil holder embodiment of the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, as seen in  FIG. 1 , there is shown an assembled storage container that can be easily collapsed and folded onto itself. As seen in  FIG. 1 , the storage container  10  includes a base or bottom  12  as well as opposing pairs of panels designated the side panels  14 ,  14   a  and the end panels  16 ,  16   a . For purposes of this description, one of skill will readily understand that “interior” means the internal area formed by the assembled base  12  and panels  14 ,  14   a ,  16 ,  16   a , while exterior designates the area external the assembled storage container  10 . 
   The storage container  10  will typically be a box, including boxes fabricated from a base material. Exemplary base materials include fiberboard, cardboard and plastic, such as PVC, as well as cardboard having a water resistant paper, polymeric film or metallicized film layer or coating can be used in order to have a moisture resistant storage container. The storage container  10  can also be coated on its exterior surface with printable paper or film so that the container is decorated with graphics. 
   It is further contemplated that a variety of fabrics or materials may utilized either to cover the base material in order to improve performance characteristics, improve aesthetics or both. By way of example, such fabrics and materials include plush, suede, corduroy, snakeskin and psuedo snakeskin, waterproof plastic films and patterned or embossed films. The storage container may also be reinforced at its corners with metallic corner covers. 
   As seen in  FIG. 2 , the storage container  10  of  FIG. 1  is in a state of being disassembled and folded up. As is illustrated each side panel  14 ,  14   a  is joined or connected to the base  12  at the side panel&#39;s base edge  18 ,  18   a  and has an opposing top edge  20   20   a . As best seen in  FIG. 2 , each side panel also has opposing side edges  22 ,  22   a . The end panels  16 ,  16   a  have a similar configuration comprising base edge  24 ,  24   a , top edge  26   26   a , and opposing side edges  28 ,  28   a.    
   It is contemplated that the panels  14 ,  14   a ,  16 , and  16   a  are connected to the base  12  via conventional means such as taping, gluing, or riveting the base edge of each panel to the base, as is well known in the art. It is further contemplated that the respective base edge of each panel must be relatively flexible so that at the base edge/base interface, the panel may folded or bent so that it lies substantially flat on the base, when disassembled. It is also contemplated that each base edge may include a gusset of flexible material including film, tape or paper to provide extra flexibility when folding the panel against the base during disassembly. It should also be understood that the panels and base can be a single, integral piece. 
   As is further illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the storage container  10  is assembled by connecting the panels  14 ,  14   a ,  16 ,  16   a  to the adjacent panels. As illustrated, the side edges  22 ,  22   a  of side panels  14 ,  14   a  are joined to side edges  28 ,  28   a  of end panels  16 ,  16   a . The side edges  22 ,  22   a  of the side panels  14 ,  14   a  are joined to the side edges  28 ,  28   a  of the end panels  16 ,  16   a  by use of snaps that mate; i.e., have a male portion that mates with a female portion. Typically, the male portion of the snap will be located on the set of panels that include a handle(s). The male portion of the snap is placed in this manner so that the user does not pull apart or detach the snaps when grabbing the handles and picking up or otherwise moving the assemble box  10 . It should be further that as seen in  FIG. 8 , a fold-over snap portion can be used to further secure the top snaps of the collapsible storage device in place. A fold-over snap portion is an elongated portion of the top edge of a panel. The fold-over snap portion will typically have two opposing portions of the snaps, typically the female portion, for engaging the topmost snap portions on the panel being joined. Thus, the fold-over typically has two female snap portions for engaging the top male snaps located on the panel being joined. During assemble, the fold-over snap portion is bent downward so that its snap portions engage the other portion of the snap. By utilizing the fold-over portion, the material strip of the fold-over position makes it more difficult for edges of the storage container from involuntarily pulling apart or separating once the container is assemble. 
   It is also contemplated that a variety of other connection and/or fixation systems may be used to fabricate the storage container. By way of example, strips of Velcro can utilized to join the panels in order to assemble the storage container. It is also contemplated that magnetic snaps, magnetic strips, adhesive strips, double stick tape and double stick foams may be used to assemble the storage container. Furthermore, one of skill in the art will readily appreciate that any number of other conventional fixation methods may be used to join or connect the panels to each other. 
   In order to assemble the storage container  10 , the panels  14 ,  14   a ,  16  and  16   a  are folded so that they are relatively upright and generally forming the outer surfaces of a box. The side edge of a panel, such as an end panel, is then joined or connected to the side edge of the adjacent side panel as described above. The side edges, and thus ultimately the panels, are connected using the snaps, fasteners or Velcro strips as described above. This process is repeated until each panel is connected to the two adjacent panels to it. 
   The storage container can then be closed or sealed off by placing a lid on the top of the container. The lid  30  will have interior surfaces that frictionally engage the top edges of the assembled panels. It is contemplated that the lid will be fabricated from the same material as the storage container  10 . It is also contemplated that the lid may have a handle. 
   Once assembled, the storage container  10  can be disassembled by disconnecting the now-connected side edges  22 ,  22   a ,  28 ,  28   a ; i.e., reversing the above-described process. As seen in  FIG. 3 , the panels  14 ,  14   a ,  16 ,  16   a  can then be folded down onto the base edge. It is contemplated that in order to achieve a substantially flat disassembled container one set of opposing panels will fold down onto the interior surface of the base  12  while the other set folds down onto the exterior surface of the base. 
   Once the container has been disassembled and collapsed, the resulting assembly can be placed for storage and/or transport into the lid  30 . While it should be understood that either set of opposing panels can fold either way, for illustrative purposes,  FIG. 2  shows the side panels  14 ,  14   a  being folded against the exterior surface of the base  12 . 
   In one embodiment, the lid  30  is sufficiently deep so that the entire collapsed assembly can be placed and held within the interior of the lid  30 . This allows the assembly to be stored entirely within the lid  30  resulting in minimal use of space when being stored as well as when being shipped to a store. It allows merchants selling the collapsible storage  10  to maximize display space. Instead of having fully assembled boxes taking up precious shelf space, the merchant may simply assemble one collapsible storage container  10  for demonstration/display purposes and keep the remaining inventory collapsed. Thus, the collapsed storage container  10  requires less display space than assembled conventional boxes. As can be seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  4 , and  5 , the corners of the lid may be reinforced with a metal or plastic plate in order to increase the strength and resiliency of the corners. 
   The storage container  10  will also have hardware necessary to support hanging file folders. As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 4  the interior surface of the side panels  14 ,  14   a  has opposing hanging file rails  32 ,  32   a  glued or riveted thereto. The rails  32 ,  32   a  have a lip or recessed engaging surface from which hanging file folders may be hung. It is also contemplated that the rails  32 ,  32   a  may snap onto the interior surface of the side panel  14 ,  14   a  so that the tracks are removable when not in use. It is contemplated that depending upon the size of the container  10 , opposing sets of rails  32 ,  32   a  may be utilized in order to accommodate different size files or folders. For instance, as illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the rectangular-shaped container has two set of rails so that in one direction, letter-sized folders are accommodated while in the opposing direction, legal-sized folders may be used. Finally, it is contemplated instead of the rails being attached to the interior surface of the side panels, the rails can be affixed to or about the top edges of the panels. The hanging files or folders can then engage the rails on the top edges of the panels with the lid having a sufficient over-hang to cover the hanging files or folders. 
   As seen in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , it is also contemplated that the container  10  can have dividers included within the container&#39;s interior. It is also contemplated that these dividers are removable. Finally, one of skill will appreciate that the container can be manufactured in a variety of sizes in order to be stored, for instance under beds. 
   It is also contemplated that the storage container  10  can include plastic sleeves that can be hung from the tracks for storage of CDs or DVDs as well having a series of snap-in tracks to support slide-in dividers or drawers, as illustrated in  FIG. 9 . Furthermore, the storage container can further be configured as a collapsible letter holder or pencil holder, as can be seen in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , respectively. 
   While in accordance with the patent statutes, the best mode and preferred embodiment has been set forth, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims. Although the invention has been described above in relation to specific forms, it should be evident to the persons skilled in the art that it may be modified and defined in various ways and should not be limited in interpretation, except by the terms of the following claims.