Abstract:
A container that may be compartmentalized with the use of easily removable and adjustable partitions, where some of the partitions may be containers in and of themselves. The container may be constructed from a rigid or compliant material. A plurality of slots located on opposite inner sides of a main compartment within the primary container are adapted to receive tabs that are attached to a partition in such a way that when installed the slots secure the tabs, thus securing the partition within the container.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION  
       [0001]    This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/383,471 filed on May 24, 2002. The entire disclosure of the provisional application is considered to be part of the disclosure of the accompanying application and is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     
    
     
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    The present invention relates generally to compartmentalized hand-carried containers that employ adjustable partitions. More specifically, the present invention relates to a container having at least one movable partitioning device that preferably employs tabs that engage slots within the container, thus allowing the partitioning device to be selectively positioned in a variety of locations in the container.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0003]    Partitions are commonly used to organize the contents stored in a container, such as a camera bag, a lunch bag, and the like. It is often necessary or desirable to secure these partitions to a wall of the bag or container, thereby controlling the movement of the contents therein.  
           [0004]    Many containers secure partitions in place either permanently or temporarily. A permanent partition is usually achieved through any well known securing means such as bolts, screws, adhesives, stitching, etc. Temporary attachments, which are more desirable since the partition can be adjusted or removed to accommodate a plurality of item sizes, is often performed using hook and loop fasteners, commonly known as VELCRO®. Such temporary attachments allow greater flexibility in the configuration of partitions within the container, but are typically not as durable as permanent attachment mechanisms and are often difficult to adjust.  
           [0005]    Furthermore, the container itself may also be rigid or non-rigid. Rigid containers and/or partitions may be beneficial in applications where the contents of the container and/or partition require protection from damage, such as crushing, which may occur if the contents were stored in a non-rigid container and/or partition. Likewise, a non-rigid, or soft-sided container and/or partition may be beneficial in applications where flexibility in the container and/or partition is desired.  
           [0006]    As mentioned above, adjustable or temporary attachments are often desired in order to provide flexibility in the configuration of partitions within a container. However, in the case of rigid attachments, the partition is commonly not movable. This is readily seen in a container that employs partitions which are secured with adhesives or stitching. Even if such a container had the means of moving a partition, by taking out screws for example, moving the partition is a time consuming operation. In such a container, a user would have to manually remove screws, adjust the position of the partition, and replace the screws. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a device that allows for relatively fast, easy and secure adjustment of a rigid or semi-rigid partition.  
           [0007]    The major advantage to hook and loop attachments is the ease of installation and adjustment of the partitions. However, hook and loop interfaces tend to be difficult to manipulate once the the attaching action has been initiated. More specifically, a user may be required to make several attempts to position the partition in the desired location. Even though a container may be equipped to give the user almost infinite possible attachment locations, the mere frustration of placing the partition in the desired location may discourage one from using a container which employs this type of interface. Additionally, hook and loop fasteners are typically used in conjunction with non-rigid containers. The compliant properties of such a container allows for relatively easy placement of the partition, whereas a more rigid container may not be able to provide the compliance for installation. This can be readily illustrated by the example of a rigid container with a rigid partition secured to the container with hook and loop attachment. More specifically, the partition in such a container is not easily slid into place because the hoop and loop fasteners tend to engage and bind before the partition is in its desired location. This is commonly alleviated by giving the partition more compliance or flexibility, which in turn reduces the strength of the attachment and the partition itself. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a rigid or semi-rigid partition which is easily adjustable in either a rigid or non-rigid container, and which also provides a strong attachment mechanism with the container. In the case of a flexible container, the container may flex or be “bowed” to allow for the insertion of the partition. This provides a container and partition which may be reconfigured with relative ease, but the fact that the container bows may affect the quality of the bonded area. If both attachment points bow out at the same time, the integrity of the bond may be compromised resulting in the partition moving. Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a partition for insertion into a flexible or rigid container which allows for fast and easy adjustment of the partition, as well as a secure attachment which is unlikely to allow the partition to move.  
           [0008]    Thus, there is a long felt need in the field of storage containers to provide a partition that avoids the above-mentioned deficiencies and provides an effective system that allows for quick and easy adjustment of the partition device. Further, it would be advantageous to have a partition device which is both adjustable within a container and also provides a relatively secure connection to the container.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0009]    It is thus one aspect of the present invention to provide a container adapted to receive and support at least one partition that divides the internal volume of the container. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, a compartmentalized container with movable partitions that allow easy adjustments to the size of the partitioned regions within the container is provided. In some instances the removable partitions are sub-containers that may be used in situations not requiring the use of the primary container.  
           [0010]    It is another aspect of the present invention to provide a partition that is easy to install and adjust in a rigid or flexible container. Preferably, in one embodiment of the present invention the partitions employ tabs that are adapted to selectively interconnect with slots integrated into container walls. In one embodiment, the slots are evenly spaced and extend from the bottom to the top of the container. The partitions are easily removed and placed in another location in the primary container if the user wishes the partitioned areas to change. This tab/slot combination allows for easy removal and provides a sufficient demarcation between partitioned areas. Further, the partition is substantially constrained in at least two directions and provides some lateral stability to the container.  
           [0011]    In yet another aspect of the present invention, a compartment partition is provided which is in itself a sub-compartment. The compartment partition includes tabs that are adapted to engage with slots integrated with a primary container to allow selective adjustments. Furthermore, this type of compartment partition may be removed from the primary container and used itself as a container independently from the primary container. For example, in one embodiment, the partition may include one or more sleeves adapted to hold compact discs.  
           [0012]    It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide a selectively adjustable partition and a container therefor that be constructed from known materials, and thus cost effective to manufacture. Preferably, one aspect of the present invention is constructed of a compliant material, such as nylon, polypropylene, or woven material. Other materials known in the art may also be used, alone or in combination, such as leather, canvas, cardboard, plastic, cloth, etc.  
           [0013]    Thus, it is one aspect of the present invention to provide a partition for use in compartmentalizing a container comprising:  
           [0014]    a wall portion having a left edge, a right edge, a top edge and a bottom edge;  
           [0015]    a first tab operably interconnected to said left edge of said wall portion; and  
           [0016]    a second tab operably interconnected to said right edge of said wall portion, wherein said first tab and said second tab are adapted for insertion into a first slot and a second slot in a first and a second sidewall of the container.  
           [0017]    Based on the foregoing summary, a number of worthwhile aspects of the present invention can readily be identified. A simple device to adjust partitioned compartments within a container is provided. The attachment mechanism of the present invention provides a secure attachment of the partition to the container while allowing the partition to be selectively removed and placed in a different location within the container. The simple construction allows a rigid or non-rigid partition of the present invention to be incorporated into a rigid or non-rigid container with relative ease. Additional advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following discussion, particularly when incorporated with the accompanying drawings.  
           [0018]    The Summary of the Invention is neither intended nor should it be construed as being representative of the full extent and scope of the present invention. The present invention is set forth in various levels of detail in the Summary of the Invention as well as in the attached drawings and the Detailed Description of the Invention and no limitation as to the scope of the present invention is intended by either the inclusion or non-inclusion of elements, components, etc. in this Summary of the Invention. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0019]    [0019]FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of one embodiment of a partition of the present invention;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a second embodiment of a partition of the present invention;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 3;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a container utilizing various embodiments of partitions of the present invention; and  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a camera bag utilizing one embodiment of the present invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0025]    Referring now to FIGS.  1 - 6 , a container  50  adapted to receive a selectively adjustable partition  10  is shown herein. More specifically, the container  50  is provided that is equipped with a plurality of slots  54  that are adapted to receive tabs  22  integrated onto the selectively positionable partition  10 . In order to selectively alter the internal volume divisions of the container  50 , the user selectively interconnects the tabs  22  of the partition  10  to the appropriate slots  54  that would result in the desired division of internal volume.  
         [0026]    Referring now to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, one embodiment of an adjustable partition is described herein. More specifically, the partition  10  includes a wall portion  14 , an interface portion  18 , and tabs  22 . The tabs  22  may be secured to the interface portion  18  in any number of ways, including permanently stitched or glued. Depending on the use of the container in which the partition  10  is used, the material of the partition  10  and tabs  22  may vary. In some instances the partition  10  may be rigid, and other readily known fastening methods may be used to affix the tabs  22  to the interface portion  18 . The tabs  22  are preferably flexible, such that the angle theta “ø” between the tab  22  and the interface portion  18  may be selectively changed.  
         [0027]    The interface portion  18  may be secured to the wall portion  14  using any known connection techniques. For example, if the wall portion  14  and interface portion  18  are of a flexible fabric material, stitching may be used. Furthermore, the point of connection between the wall portion  14  and interface portion  18  may be at a location other than the center of the interface portion  18  as illustrated in FIG. 2. For example, the interface portion  18  may be connected to the wall portion  14  at one edge of the interface portion  18 , thus allowing the interface portion  18  to be folded over the wall portion  14 . Such a configuration may facilitate removal and insertion of the partition  10 . In one embodiment, the partition  10  is primarily made from flexible material and a connection point at one edge of the interface portion  18  allows for a relatively simple design to manufacture. Furthermore, the tabs  11  may be secured directly to the wall portion  14 , without needing the interface portion  18 .  
         [0028]    With reference to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, another embodiment of an adjustable compartment partition is now described. In this embodiment, the container  50  may also include a sub-compartment  34  such as a pouch. Tabs  22  are secured to the sub-compartment  34 . The compartment partition  30  may be equipped with a cover  38  which may or may not be integral to the sub-compartment  34 . In addition, a latch  42  may be included to help ensure the contents of the sub-compartment  34  are secure. The latch  42  may be constructed of any known devices which are readily known such as VELCRO®, a clasp, a zipper, a button, etc. In addition, the compartment partition  30  may be equipped with straps or other devices, for example a belt loop, for easy carrying when it is outside the primary container.  
         [0029]    The partition  10 , and compartment partition  30 , and associated tabs  22 , may be constructed from a variety of materials and fastening means depending upon the planned use of the primary container. In one embodiment, the materials of the container and the partition  10  or compartment partition  30  are constructed from a combination of various materials of varying types and stiffness. For example, combinations of nylon, KEVLAR, plastic, and other woven organic materials can be used. In another embodiment, more rigid materials can be used, for example sheet metal, rigid plastic, etc.  
         [0030]    With reference to FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the previously described embodiments of the partitions are illustrated prior to and after installation into a primary container  50 . The primary container  50  contains a plurality of slots  54  which receive the tabs  22  during insertion. The slots  54  may be placed in pairs and opposed such that when a partition&#39;s tabs  22  are located in the slots the partition will be at or near perpendicular to the side of the container  50  to which the slot  54  is located. The slot/tab interface provides a secure attachment between the primary container  50  and partition, while allowing for easy removal and adjustment. Initially the user selects the size of the container&#39;s  50  internal volume division. Next, the user selects the type of dividing method to use, a typical partition  10 , one that is also a compartment  30 , or both. The partition&#39;s tabs  22  are then selectively interconnected to the slots  54  integrated into the primary container  50  by a sliding motion. To remove the partition  10 , a user would simply repeat the selective interconnection activity in reverse.  
         [0031]    The slots  54  may also be constructed so that when the tabs are fully inserted, the bottom surface of the partition  30  is not in contact, or in minimal contact with the primary container  50 . This allows cushioning for shock absorption, insulation from heat or cold, or the like to be used. Without a sufficient gap, the partition  30  would sit on top of the insulation and protrude out of the primary container  50 . As a result, the cover of the primary container may not fit properly because it may come in contact with the partitions  30  that are protruding out of the container  50 . If insulation is not used, the mere fact that there is a gap between the bottom surface of the partition  30  and the primary container, may protect the articles stored in a partition  30  because impact loads emanating from the bottom surface of the primary container will not be directly transmitted to the partition  30 .  
         [0032]    While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be expressly understood that such modifications and adaptations are within the spirit and scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims.  
         [0033]    To assist in the understanding of the invention and associated drawings, the following list of components and associated numbering are included herein:  
                                             #   Component                                10   Partition       14   Wall portion       18   Interface portion       22   Tab       30   Compartment partition       34   Sub-compartment       38   Cover       42   Latch       50   Primary Container       54   Slot