Abstract:
A relief package for deployment from a stowed, portable configuration to a deployed shelter configuration. The relief package includes an outer shell having a first pouch and a second pouch. A supply kit is positioned within the first pouch, and a relief pod is positioned within the second pouch. The relief pod includes a foldable base, a cover, and a plurality of support poles that can be assembled to define an enclosure.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit and priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/824,854, filed Sep. 7, 2006. 
     
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a relief package, and in particular, a relief package including a relief pod for immediate deployment in a disaster, emergency relief or survival scenario. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0003]    The present invention provides a relief package for deployment from a stowed, portable configuration to a deployed shelter configuration. The relief package includes an outer shell that includes a first pouch and a second pouch. A supply kit is positioned within the first pouch, and a relief pod is positioned within the second pouch. The relief pod includes a foldable base, a cover, and a plurality of support poles. When the relief package is deployed, the support poles support the cover above the base to define an enclosure. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a tarp which is part of one embodiment of a relief pod for use in a relief package; 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a back view of the tarp shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0006]      FIG. 3  is a front view of a floatation/insulation pad which is part of the relief pod for use in the relief package; 
           [0007]      FIG. 4  is a back view of the floatation/insulation pad shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0008]      FIG. 5  is a front view of a pair of support poles which are part of the relief pod for use in the relief package; 
           [0009]      FIG. 6  is a front view of a spine pole which is part of the relief pod for use in the relief package; 
           [0010]      FIG. 7  is a front view of the relief package in a closed position; 
           [0011]      FIG. 8  is a is a front view of the relief package shown in  FIG. 7  in an open position; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 9A-9E  illustrate the relief pod in various stage of assembly; 
           [0013]      FIG. 10  illustrates a perspective view of a first configuration of the relief pod in a fully assembled manner; 
           [0014]      FIG. 11  illustrates a side view of the relief pod shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 12  illustrates a perspective view of a second configuration of the relief pod in a fully assembled manner; 
       
    
    
       [0016]    It should be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the Figures have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some elements may be exaggerated relative to each other for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the Figures to indicate corresponding elements. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Shown in  FIGS. 1-12  is a relief package  80  for immediate deployment in a refugee and disaster relief scenario, to form a tent city, as well as to be used as an emergency vehicle, home, a municipal emergency inventory stock item, or even as use as an ultra-light backpack. The relief package  80  is designed for extreme and severe conditions such as rain and flooding, cold weather and snow, hot weather and sun, wind, urban disaster, tornado, earthquake, hurricane, and various other severe weather conditions. The relief package  80  provides emergency shelter and supplies to a user and is also can functions as a flotation device in flood scenarios. The relief package  80  is able to be used in a “tent city” or other populated shelter applications to provide privacy, comfort, and security. The relief package  80  has a low profile with a generally flat and cubicle shape which is lightweight and conducive to high volume packing, shipping, on-site deployment and air drops. The relief package  80  is designed to be generally weatherproof, water resistant, wind resistant, fire resistant, tear resistant, breathable, multifunctional, and durable. In some embodiments, the relief package  80  may be made of nearly 100% recyclable materials, however non-recyclable materials, or combinations of recyclable and non-recyclable materials may also be used. The relief package  80  can also automatically unfold and open up, simplifying assembly. 
         [0018]    The relief package  80  includes an outer shell  181  that includes a dromedary pouch  182  and a supply pouch  184 . The relief package also includes a relief pod  100  that is located within the dromedary pouch  182 . As illustrated in  FIGS.1-5 , the relief pod  100  includes a tarp  102 , a floatation pad  150  (which also provides insulation, as discussed below), support poles  120 ,  146 , and spine pole  170 . 
         [0019]    The tarp  102  includes a front surface  103  opposed to a back surface  104  and is divided into a top portion  106 , a middle portion  104  and a bottom portion  132  as illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The tarp  102  is formed from a sturdy, durable material which is preferably weatherproof, water resistant, wind resistant, fire resistant, tear resistant, and breathable. Materials for forming the tarp  102  can include spunbonded olefin, such as Tyvek®, polymer based woven fabric materials such as nylon or polyester taffeta, leather, cotton, or other woven fabrics or materials. The tarp  102  and the various features of the tarp  102  discussed below may be formed by stitching, sewing, gluing, or other suitable methods for forming or shaping textile or textile-like materials. The tarp  102  is preferably generally rectangular in shape, however tarp  102  may take other forms or shapes such as being ovular, circular, or square. In some embodiments the tarp may include assembly instructions, printed in multiple languages and including universally understandable symbols. Survival tips or instructions may also be printed on the tarp  102 , and the tarp  102  may be manufactured or printed in a high-visibility color, such as blaze orange, or may also be camouflaged for some applications. 
         [0020]    The top portion  106  of the tarp  102  is preferably rectangular in shape and forms four openings  110 , wherein each opening  110  is located near one of four corners of the top portion  106 , as illustrated  FIG. 1 . Preferably, a polymer-based or metal-based grommet  112  is secured around each opening  110  to prevent the opening from enlarging or deforming. The top portion  106  forms a pull cord sleeve  109  along a top edge  107  of the tarp  102 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The pull cord sleeve  109  runs from one side edge  111  of the tarp  102  to an opposing side edge  113  of the tarp  102 . A pull cord  108  is run through the pull cord sleeve  109  so that portions of the pull cord  108  extend through each end of the pull cord sleeve  109 . 
         [0021]    The tarp  102  includes a support spine tab  116  formed along a center of a bottom edge  117  of the top portion  106 . The support spine tab  116  is attached at one end to the tarp  102  and forms an opening  110  with a grommet  112  secured around the opening  110 . A pole support sleeve  118  is formed along the bottom edge  117 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The pole support sleeve  118  extends from one side edge  111  of the tarp  102  to an opposing side edge  113  of the tarp  102 . The pole support sleeve  118  forms a channel which is used to envelope a support pole  120 . The support pole  120  is positioned in the pole support sleeve  118  and extends through the pole support sleeve  118  so that portions of the support pole  120  extend beyond each edge  111 ,  113  of the tarp  102 . The support pole  120  includes a pair of rubber, polymer-based, metal-based, or other material stops  121 ,  122  fastened near opposing ends of the support pole  120 . The stops  121 ,  122  prevent the ends of the support pole  120  from entering the pole support sleeve  118  as well as from pushing through the grommets  112  of flotation pad  150  when assembled. 
         [0022]    The middle portion  124  of the tarp  102  is located between the top portion  106  and the bottom portion  132  and includes three ties  127  sewn or glued in place  129  along the center of the middle portion  124  in a generally straight line direction from the support spine tab  116  to a support spine tab  142 , as shown in  FIG. 1 . The middle portion  124  also forms three openings  110  along each side  111 ,  112 , wherein two of the openings  110  are located at the two upper corners of the middle portion  124 , two of the openings  110  are located at the two lower corners of the middle portion  124 , and two openings are located between the upper and lower corners of the middle portion  124 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . Preferably, a grommet  112  is secured around each opening  110 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . A total of preferably six openings  110  and grommets  112  are formed in the middle portion  124 . 
         [0023]    The bottom portion  132  of the tarp  102  is preferably rectangular in shape and forms four openings  110 , wherein each opening  110  is located near one of four corners of the bottom portion  132 , as illustrated  FIG. 1 . Preferably, a polymer-based or metal-based grommet  112  is secured around each opening  110  to prevent the opening from enlarging or deforming. The bottom portion  132  forms a pull cord sleeve  135  along a bottom edge  133  of the tarp  102 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The pull cord sleeve  135  runs from one side edge  111  of the tarp  102  to an opposing side edge  113  of the tarp  102 . A pull cord  134  is run through the pull cord sleeve  135  so that portions of the pull cord  134  extend through each end of the pull cord sleeve  135 . 
         [0024]    The tarp  102  includes a support spine tab  142  formed along a center of a top edge  139  of the bottom portion  132 . The support spine tab  142  is attached at one end to the tarp  102  and forms an opening  110  with a grommet  112  secured around the opening  110 . A pole support sleeve  144  is formed along the top edge  139 , as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The pole support sleeve  144  extends from one side edge  111  of the tarp  102  to an opposing side edge  113  of the tarp  102 . The pole support sleeve  144  forms a channel which is used to envelope a support pole  146 . The support pole  146  is positioned in the pole support sleeve  144  and extends through the pole support sleeve  144  so that portions of the support pole  146  extend beyond each edge  111 ,  113  of the tarp  102 . The support pole  146  includes a pair of rubber, polymer-based, metal-based, or other material stops  147 ,  148  fastened near opposing ends of the support pole  146 . The stops  147 ,  148  prevent the ends of the support pole  146  from entering the pole support sleeve  144  as well as from pushing through the grommets  112  of pad  150  when assembled. 
         [0025]    The back surface  104  includes fasteners  114 ,  115  located along opposing side edges  111 ,  113  of the top portion  106  and fasteners  137 ,  138  located along opposing side edges  111 ,  113  of the bottom portion  132 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The back surface  104  also includes fasteners  140 ,  141  near opposing edges  111 ,  113  of the middle portion  124 . Preferably, the three openings  110  and grommets  112  along the side edge  111  of the middle portion  124  are located between the side edge  111  and the fastener  141 , and the three openings  110  and grommets  112  along the side edge  113  of the middle portion  124  are located between the side edge  113  and the fastener  140 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . Preferably the fasteners  114 ,  115 ,  137 ,  138 ,  140 , and  141  are hook and loop type fasteners such as VELCRO, but other types of fasteners may also be used such as: mechanical type fasters including screws, nails, staples, clasps, snap fit members, and stitches; and chemical type fasteners including glue and welding seams; and any such device or method which may be used to attach one object to another. 
         [0026]    The floatation/insulation pad  150  includes pads  154 ,  155 ,  156  and  157  located within a sleeve  151 . Preferably sleeve  151  is formed from a sturdy, durable material which is preferably weatherproof, water resistant, wind resistant, fire resistant, tear resistant, and breathable. Materials for forming the sleeve  151  may include a spunbonded olefin, such as Tyvek®, polymer based woven fabric materials such as nylon or polyester taffeta, leather, cotton, or other such woven fabrics or materials. The tarp sleeve  151  and the various features of the sleeve  151  discussed below may be formed by stitching, sewing, gluing, or other suitable methods of forming textile or textile-like materials. 
         [0027]    Preferably the pads  154 ,  155 ,  156  and  157  comprise a material which is less dense than water for floatation purposes, and also has a high thermal resistance (e.g. R-value) for insulating purposes. Suitable materials may include: insulating foam, including extruded polystyrene such as STYROFOAM®; and rubber or other polymer based foams or materials. Additionally, pads  154 ,  155 ,  156 , and  157  may comprise materials which may not be less dense than water but still provide insulation, such as down, cotton, fur, padding made from polymer fibers, and other such types of materials. Pads  154 ,  155 ,  156  and  157  are preferably greater than ¼ inches thick, and preferably between ½ to two inches thick. Preferably, pads  154 ,  155 ,  156  and  157  have a width W and length L of between 10 and 40 inches, and more preferably between 12 and 30 inches, and most preferably of about length (L) of 18 inches and width (W) of 24 inches. 
         [0028]    The floatation/insulation pad  150  includes a first seam  159  formed between the first pad  154  and the second pad  155 , a second seam  160  formed between the second pad  155  and the third pad  156 , and a third seam  161  formed between the third pad  156  and the fourth pad  157 . The flotation/insulation pad  150  also includes a perimeter seam  162  formed around the perimeter of the pads  154 ,  155 ,  156  and  157 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Each seam  159 ,  160 ,  161 ,  162  affixes a top surface  158  of the sleeve  151  to a bottom surface  163  of the sleeve  151 . Each seam  159 ,  160 ,  161 ,  162  can be formed in a variety of ways including: mechanical means such as sewing, stapling, nailing, and clamping; and chemical means such as gluing or welding. The pads  154 ,  155 ,  156  and  157  are arranged in a manner such that a bottom edge of the first pad  154  is adjacent a top edge of the second pad  155 , a bottom edge of the second pad  155  is adjacent to a top edge of the third pad  156 , and a bottom edge of the third pad  156  is adjacent to a top edge of the fourth pad  157 , as illustrated to  FIGS. 3 and 4 . 
         [0029]    A top fastener  164  is connected adjacent a top edge of the first pad  154  and a bottom fastener  165  is connected adjacent a bottom edge of the fourth pad  157 . Both the top and bottom fasteners  164 ,  165  are located on the top surface  158  of the sleeve  151 . A first side fastener  166  is located along a first side  169  of the pads  154 ,  155 ,  156  and  157  and a second side fastener  167  is located along a second side  168  of the pads  154 ,  155 ,  156  and  157 . Both the first and second side fasteners  166 ,  168  are located on the bottom surface  158  of the sleeve  151 . 
         [0030]    The top and bottom fasteners  164 ,  165  each form three openings  110  having grommets  112  secured to each opening  110 . One opening  110  is formed along a first end of the top fastener  164 , a second opening  110  is formed at an opposing end of the top fastener  164 , and a third opening  110  is formed between the first two openings  110  in the top fastener  164 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Additionally, one opening  110  is formed along a first end of the bottom fastener  165 , a second opening  110  is formed at an opposing end of the bottom fastener  165 , and a third opening  110  is formed between the first two openings  110  in the bottom fastener  165 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . The side fasteners  166 ,  167  each form a single opening  110  having a grommet  112  secured to that opening  110  located along a central portion of each respective side fasteners  166 ,  167 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
         [0031]    The relief pod  100  also includes two support poles  120 ,  146  which are preferably made out of a flexible yet rigid, lightweight material such as fiberglass, aluminum alloy, plastic, carbon fiber, wood, and other such materials, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Each support pole  120 ,  146  is preferably a hollow tube, to reduce weight, and includes rubber, polymer-based, metal-based, or other material stops  121 ,  122 ,  147 ,  148  near each end of each pole  120 ,  146 . 
         [0032]    The relief pod  100  also includes a spine pole  170  which is preferably made out of a flexible yet rigid, lightweight material such as fiberglass, aluminum alloy, plastic, carbon fiber, wood, and other such materials, as shown in  FIG. 6 . The spine pole  170  is preferably a hollow tube having a multi-piece, collapsible structure which uses using four inter-connected pieces  173 ,  174 ,  175  and  176 . Each inter-connected piece  173 ,  174 ,  175 ,  176  includes an enlarged area  178  which has an opening designed to mate with a smaller area  179  of an adjacent piece  173 ,  174 ,  175 ,  176 . The spine pole  170  includes a cord  177 , which is preferably placed under tension, and extends through the inside of the hollow pole  170 . In this manner, the pole  170  can be easily assembled by allowing the tension of the cord  177  to pull the inter-connected pieces  173 ,  174 ,  175 ,  176  together and form a straight and singular spinal pole  170 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . Spinal Pole  170  is designed to fit into the grommets  112  on each support spine tab  116 ,  142  and tied to each of the ties  127  in order to support the relief pod in an assembled configuration, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0033]    Relief package  80  includes an outer shell  181  affixed to a supply pouch  184  and a dromedary pouch  182 , as illustrated in  FIGS. 7 and 8 . The supply pouch  184  may contain a variety of emergency use items, such as, without limitation: emergency food rations (i.e. high calorie food bars); emergency blankets; water pouches; a tool such as a multiple use tool; cord such as 25′ to 50′ of nylon cord; waterproof matches; a knife; light sticks; hand warmers; a rain poncho such as a clear plastic rain poncho; a basic first aid kit including items such as bandages, antiseptic wipes, tissues, toilet paper, moist towelettes, a tampon, a sanitary napkin, and duct tape; a fishing and hunting kit including items such as fishing line, hooks, sinkers, floats, and instructions on use of the kit; a bio-chem suit; protective gloves; a respirator; safety goggles; potassium iodide tablets; a radio; emergency locator beacons; a water purifier straw; and a flashlight. 
         [0034]    Openings  110  are formed with grommets  112  secured around the openings  110  along both side edges  186 ,  187  and top and bottom edges  190 ,  191  of the outer shell  181 . Preferably three openings  110  are formed along the top edge  190  of the outer shell  181 . One opening  110  is formed along a first end of the top edge  190 , a second opening  110  is formed at an opposing end of the top edge  190 , and a third opening  110  is formed between the first two openings  110  along the top edge  190 . Preferably three openings  110  are formed along the bottom edge  191  of the outer shell  181 . One opening  110  is formed along a first end of the bottom edge  191 , a second opening  110  is formed at an opposing end of the bottom edge  191 , and a third opening  110  is formed between the first two openings  110  along the bottom edge  191 . Preferably five openings  110  are formed along each side edge  186 ,  187  of the outer shell  181 , as illustrated in  FIG. 8 . Each opening  110  preferably has a grommet  112  secured to that opening  110 . 
         [0035]    As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , in a folded position the relief package  80  includes a cord  188  wrapped through openings  110  in a fashion such that the outer shell  181  is secured in a folded position. The cord  188  can not only be used to secure the relief package  80  in a folded and closed position, but it can be used to form arm openings for securing the relief package  80  onto a user&#39;s back or other such places. 
         [0036]    The relief pod  100  includes a third support pole  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . The support pole  200  (same as support poles  120  &amp;  148 ) is secured to the tarp  102  via the three ties  128  located on the back surface  104  of the middle portion  124  and via adjacent openings  110  and grommets  112  located near a center edge of the middle portion  124 , as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . The support pole  200  includes a pair of rubber, polymer-based , metal-based, or other material stops fastened near opposing ends of the support pole  200 . In an assembled position, the ends of the support pole  200  are position through an adjacent opening  110  and grommet  112  located near a center edge of the middle portion  124  &amp; middle grommets  112  of flotation/insulation pad  150 , as illustrated in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0037]    Preferably, the pod  100  is placed in the relief package  80  in a partially assembled configuration, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-9E . In the partially assembled configuration, the support poles  120 ,  146  are positioned in the pole support sleeves  118 ,  144 . Additionally, the tarp  102  is fastened to the floatation/insulation pad  150  by securing fasteners  140 ,  141  to fasteners  166 ,  167 , respectively. Pole  200  is secured to the tarp  102  &amp; flotation/insulation pad  150  by positioning the ends of the support pole  200  through adjacent openings  110  and grommets  112  located near a center edge of the middle portion  124  of the tarp &amp; flotation/insulation pad  150  and through openings  110  and grommets  112  located near the center of fasteners  166 ,  167 . Ends of support poles  120 ,  146  are positioned through adjacent openings  110  and grommets  112  located near the area in which the bottom edge  117  and the top edge  139  meet the side edges  111 ,  113 , as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 10 . Ends of support poles  120 ,  146  are also positioned through adjacent openings  110  and grommets  112  located at opposing ends of the top edge  164  and the bottom edge  165 . Then, by placing the support poles  120 ,  146 ,  200  in the partially assembled arrangement described above, the support poles  120 ,  146 ,  200  form a natural curve from one end to the other. Preferably, the curved support poles  120 ,  146 ,  200  are then placed lying flat against adjacent foam pads  154 ,  155 ,  156 ,  157  and the foam pads  154 ,  155 ,  156 ,  157  are then folded together in a stacked configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 9A . 
         [0038]    In order to take the relief pod  100  from a preassembled configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 9A  to a fully assembled position, as illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the foam pads  154 ,  155 ,  156 ,  157  are first placed on a surface and then unfolded, as illustrated in  FIGS. 9B-9E . Once unfolded, the support poles  120  and  146  are then moved to a position in which the support poles  120  and  146  are at an approximately right angle with respect to adjacent foam pads  154 ,  157 . Preferably, each end of spine support pole  170  is positioned through a respective opening  110  in a respective support spine tab  116 ,  142 . More preferably, the spine support pole  170  comprises a hollow tube having a multi-piece, collapsible structure which uses using four inter-connected pieces  173 ,  174 ,  175  and  176 , wherein each inter-connected piece  173 ,  174 ,  175 ,  176  includes an enlarged area  178  which has an opening designed to mate with a smaller area  179  of an adjacent piece  173 ,  174 ,  175 ,  176 . The spine pole  170  includes a cord  177 , which is preferably placed under tension, and extends through the inside of the hollow pole  170 . In this manner, the pole  170  can be easily assembled by allowing the tension of the cord  177  to pull the inter-connected pieces  173 ,  174 ,  175 ,  176  together and form a straight and singular spinal pole  170 . Once the pole  170  is straightened, it also causes the tarp  102  to straighten out and the support poles  120 ,  146  to rest at approximately right angle with respect to adjacent foam pads  154 ,  157 . In this manner, all the user need to do to complete assembly would be to lift support pole  200  and attach it to the tarp  102  via ties  128 , placing the pod  100  in a fully assembled position, as illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 . 
         [0039]    In one embodiment, the pod  100  can be assembled in a partially open position, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , by not securing fastener  140  to fastener  167 , respectively. Assembling the pod  100  in a partially open position provides additional open space for movement.