Multiple purpose container assembly

A multiple purpose container assembly may include a lid and a housing having at least one access port. The lid, the housing, or both may include insulating material to help retard heat transfer between the interior of the assembly and the exterior. In one configuration, the assembly provides an insulating sheltering functionality for a small pet, for example. In a second configuration, the access port is blocked and the assembly provides container functionality as an ice chest, cooler, or bulk container for example.

This disclosure relates generally toward the container arts and more particularly toward multifunction containers adaptable among multiple functionalities.

Containers, pet shelters, coolers and the like, especially those having relatively larger volumes, require significant storage space. As an example, a rectangular pet shelter may require a space measuring 3 feet wide, by 2 feet high, and 2 feet deep. A modest cooler may have similar measurements and a container for just about anything voluminous such as water, feed, recyclables, holiday lights and decorations can easily be of a similar size. In another example, in some climates it may be desirable to provide insulating shelter for a pet, for example, in colder weather while storing the device in the warmer months. Similarly, a user may desire an insulating cooler, for example, in the warmer months and storing the device during cooler months. A multiple purpose container assembly device that remains useful in more than one season significantly reduces or eliminates the requirement for storage of multiple devices.

Systems and methods are disclosed here for providing multi-function assemblies capable of adapting to more than one use. In one embodiment, systems and methods are directed toward a multiple purpose container assembly where individual components may have a first utility and where combinations of components have other utilities different than the first utility. As one particular example, components of a container assembly may function as a pet shelter in one configuration and different components of the container assembly may function as a cooler or ice chest in a second configuration. In another example, select components may function as a storage container for holiday lights, decorations, and the like in one configuration and in a second configuration a side panel access may be provided so that the assembly may function as a pet shelter. Optimally, the different utilities complement each other, for example, the assembly functions as a pet shelter, when the holiday materials are in use and as a container for holiday material in seasons where a pet shelter may not be as useful.

These illustrative features are mentioned not to limit or define the disclosure, but to provide examples to aid in high-level understanding. Additional embodiments and details are discussed in the Detailed Description, and further description is provided there.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference toFIGS. 1 and 2, a container assembly100is shown. The assembly includes a user removable/replaceable or hinged lid102and a housing104that can include at least one access port106. The lid102, the housing104, or both may include insulating material such as foam in sufficient thickness to provide desirable R-values, for example R-12. The lid102connects to the upper periphery of the housing104mechanically, for example by snap-fit indentation/protrusion connections, latches, snaps, machine connections and the like. In other embodiments, not shown, the lid102may be hinged to one side of the housing104body or the lid may be split or formed from two or more parts with each hinged to the housing. As configured, the assembly100may accommodate a pet having ingress to and egress from the shelter through access port106.

With reference toFIGS. 3 and 4, a container assembly300is shown. The assembly includes a housing104that can include at least one access port106, a container308and a lid102. The container308is shaped to closely fit the inside of the housing104and may include a protrusion 310 sized to be received by the access port106and assist in maintaining container308within the housing104. The housing104, the container308or both may include insulating properties based on the materials themselves or added insulation.

As can now be appreciated, without container308, the housing104and lid102assembly may function as a pet or animal shelter with the pet or animal accessing an interior area within the shelter through access port106. In this embodiment, when in use as a pet or animal shelter, container308is available for other storage uses.

With container308in place, the housing104, container308and lid102assembly permits compact storage of two bulky apparatus in the space of one. Alternately, the combined assembly may function as a cooler or ice chest, bulk storage container or the like. For example, bulk storage may include storage for household goods, seasonal effects, clothing and the like. Preferably, the stored items are desirable for use when the housing would be desired for use as a pet or animal shelter.

Attention is additionally directed toFIG. 4and an alternative component402of a multifunctional container assembly. Alternative component, cap402is shown slightly exaggerated protruding from the side of housing104. Cap402seals an optional additional opening through housing104sized to permit a power cord, for example, to the interior of the assembly when in a pet shelter configuration. When in a cooler or ice-chest configuration, cap402seals the opening to retain liquids inside the housing when in place and permits liquid to flow or drain from housing when removed.

With reference now toFIG. 5, an alternate container500is illustrated. In this embodiment, container500has no insulating properties other than that possibly provided by the material itself. Additionally, as illustrated, container500comprises exterior sides that closely conform to the interior sides of the housing104thus covering the access port106instead of engaging with it.

With reference toFIGS. 6 and 7, an alternate component, cap600, enables multifunctional configurations for container assembly100(FIG. 1). Specifically, as described above, assembly100is functional, for example, as a pet shelter. A user may change the functionality by aligning cap600with access port106and urging a handle604to engage threads608with complimentary threads surrounding the periphery of the access port106. When cap600is so engaged, access port106is blocked allowing the container assembly to function as a cooler or ice chest or other container. Cap600may optionally include or be made from thermally insulating material.

With reference toFIG. 8, an alternative cap800is manipulated by handle804and engages housing104with opposing twist locks806holding cap800over access port106. Cap800may optionally include or be made from thermally insulating material.

With reference now toFIGS. 9 and 10, a cross-sectional view of assembly100shows lid102and housing104engagement. For example, and as best seen in the enlarged view ofFIG. 10, lid102includes a drip edge1004to help prevent water intrusion into the either configuration, shelter or cooler/chest/container. Lid102engages with an interior top area of housing104via a detent/snap assembly1006. Molded handles1008may be included in opposing sides of housing104.FIG. 9additionally illustrates a relatively smaller access port/drain902. In one configuration, a power cord or water supply may be provided from the exterior of the assembly100to the interior when pet shelter functionality is desired. Alternatively, access port/drain902may be plugged or capped when ice chest or cooler or bulk container functionality is desired.

In yet another embodiment, a method is provided where an assembly is converted from one utility to a second utility. A housing104includes an access106through a housing wall into a volume. An access obstruction,308,500, is inserted into the volume, or an access obstruction,600,800, is connected to the access106preventing communication through the access between an exterior side of the housing and the volume. The housing without the access obstruction has a first utility, for example as a pet shelter, and the housing with the access obstruction have a second utility, for example as a container, cooler, ice chest, etc.

As used herein, “connection” or “connected” means both directly, that is, without other intervening elements or components, and indirectly, that is, with another component or components arranged between the items identified or described as being connected. To the extent that the term “includes” or “including” is employed in the detailed description or the claims, it is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as that term is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “or” is employed in the claims (e.g., A or B) it is intended to mean “A or B or both”. When the applicants intend to indicate “only A or B but not both” then the term “only A or B but not both” will be employed. Similarly, when the applicants intend to indicate “one and only one” of A, B, or C, the applicants will employ the phrase “one and only one”. Thus, use of the term “or” herein is the inclusive, and not the exclusive use. See, Bryan A. Garner, A Dictionary of Modern Legal Usage 624 (2d. Ed. 1995).