Abstract:
A reusable carrier with expandable, disposable insert is disclosed including an apron having at least one pocket and a disposable container therein. The disposable container includes a front wall and a back wall each having an outwardly disposed clip to secure the disposable container within a pocket of the apron, a pair of extendable side walls between and attached to both front and back walls, and an extendable bottom wall attached to front, back, and side walls to form a leakproof receptacle. In one alternate embodiment, a second disposable container is attached to the front wall of the disposable container. Alternate embodiments further comprise a stiffener attached to at least one of the side and bottom walls within the disposable container to prevent collapse of the container during use. In yet other alternate embodiments, a plurality of ribs are provided within the disposable container along both front and back walls to prevent splashing and spillage.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     None.  
       FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
       [0002]     None.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0003]     1. Field of the Invention  
         [0004]     The present invention generally relates to an apron having an expandable and disposable insert therein so as to provide one or more readily available reservoirs capable of holding paint, spackle, plaster and other viscous materials commonly used during repair and remodeling activities.  
         [0005]     2. Background  
         [0006]     Several design features are important to carrier devices for viscous materials, examples including paint, spackle, and plaster. The carrier device should hold a sufficient quantity of viscous material so as to minimize the number of refills required to complete a task. Several colors and/or material types should be readily accessible to the user. The carrier should sufficiently support the viscous material in a controlled fashion, minimize discomfort to the user, and provide an ergonomically elegant device in both form and function.  
         [0007]     The related arts include a variety of devices to carry paint. Devices are separable into three distinct design categories. Carriers for paint-filled containers, including cans and buckets, are described by Martelly (U.S. Pat. No. 6,769,136 B1) Burow, (U.S. Pat. No. 5,015,791), Harbour (U.S. Pat. No. 4,972,982), Pogwizd (U.S. Pat. No. 3,997,092), Walsh (U.S. Pat. No. 2,717,109), and Bozarth (U.S. Pat. No. D296,268). Aprons having a paint tray are described by Williamson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,566,391), Johannes (U.S. Pat. No. 3,535,709), Jones (U.S. Pat. No. 3,283,971), and Wittmann (U.S. Pat. No. 2,945,614). Paint and/or brush carriers attachable to a belt or strap are described by Taylor (U.S. Pat. No. 6,719,178), Stocke et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,365), Robinson (U.S. Pat. No. 5,489,051), King (U.S. Pat. No. 4,746,042) and Jaques (U.S. Pat. No. 4,363,433).  
         [0008]     The related arts teach carriers that are large and bulky in both storage and use. Furthermore, referenced inventions fail to prevent paint from contacting multi-use components thereby requiring cleanup after each such use.  
         [0009]     What is required is a carrier that minimizes storage volume of the device prior to use, maximizes holding volume within the device during use, and is readily discardable after use so as to minimize cleanup.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0010]     An object of the present invention is to provide a reusable utility apron having a disposable insert therein whereby both apron and insert have a minimal storage profile prior to use.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable utility apron having a disposable insert therein that is expandable prior to use so as to maximize the volume of material held therein.  
         [0012]     Another object of the present invention is to provide a reusable utility apron having a disposable insert therein capable of holding a viscous material without leakage.  
         [0013]     A further object of the present invention is to provide a reusable utility apron having a disposable insert therein that prevents paint, spackle, plaster or other viscous material from contacting the apron during use.  
         [0014]     The present invention comprises an apron having at least one pocket and at least one disposable container therein. Each disposable container includes a front wall and a back wall each having an outwardly disposed clip to secure the disposable container within a pocket of the apron, a pair of extendable side walls between and attached to both front and back walls, and an extendable bottom wall attached to front, back, and side walls to form a leakproof receptacle.  
         [0015]     It is likewise possible for the reusable carrier to comprise an apron having at least one pocket therein, a first disposable container, and a second disposable container. The first disposable container includes a first back wall having a first clip outwardly disposed to secure the container within the apron, a first front wall, a pair of extendable first side walls between and attached to both front and back walls, and an extendable first bottom wall attached to front, back, and side walls to form a leakproof receptacle. The second disposable container includes a second front wall, a second back wall attached to the front wall of the first container to form a second clip to secure first and second disposable containers to the apron, a pair of extendable second side walls between and attached to both front and back walls, and an extendable second bottom wall attached to second front, back, and side walls to form a leakproof receptacle.  
         [0016]     Alternate embodiments of the reusable carrier further comprise a stiffener attached to at least one of the side and front walls within the disposable container. In yet other alternate embodiments, a plurality of ribs are provided within the disposable container along front, back, and/or side walls.  
         [0017]     Two advantages are offered by the present invention. The discardable insert prevents contact between viscous material fill and reusable apron thereby minimizing cleanup. Apron and insert minimize storage volume required for the present invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     The invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having an apron and a disposable container insert residing within one of several pockets along the apron.  
         [0020]      FIG. 2   a  is a side elevation view of one embodiment of the container having extendable side walls attached to and between a front wall and a back wall wherein both front and back walls each have a clip at one end.  
         [0021]      FIG. 2   b  is a side elevation view of the container in  FIG. 2   a  with side and bottom walls collapsed to minimize storage profile.  
         [0022]      FIG. 3  is a top elevation view of the container in  FIG. 2   a  having collapsible side walls extended, a front wall, a back wall, and a bottom wall thereby providing an open ended reservoir capable of holding a viscous material without leakage.  
         [0023]      FIG. 4  is a section view of the container in  FIG. 2   b  showing side walls collapsed inward to minimize storage profile.  
         [0024]      FIG. 5  is a section view of the container in  FIG. 2   a  showing an optional stiffener attached to side and front walls to prohibit collapse thereof.  
         [0025]      FIG. 6  is a section view of a container filled with a fluid within an exemplary pocket, wherein the container has optional ribs horizontally disposed along front and back walls to inhibit movement of fill.  
         [0026]      FIG. 7  is a section view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention having a first container filled with a viscous fluid within an exemplary pocket and a second container attached to the front wall of the first container and thereby disposed adjacent to the pocket.  
         [0027]      FIG. 8  is a side elevation view of the alternate embodiment in  FIG. 7  showing both first and second containers after collapse of side and bottom walls to minimize storage profile. 
     
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS  
       [0028]    
       
         
               
               
               
             
           
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
             
               
                   
                  1 
                 Apron 
               
               
                   
                  2 
                 Container 
               
               
                   
                  3a-3c 
                 Pocket 
               
               
                   
                  4a-4b 
                 Tie strap 
               
               
                   
                  5 
                 Front wall 
               
               
                   
                  6 
                 Back wall 
               
               
                   
                  7 
                 Bottom wall 
               
               
                   
                  8 
                 Front clip 
               
               
                   
                  9 
                 Back clip 
               
               
                   
                 10a-10b 
                 Side wall 
               
               
                   
                 11a-11b 
                 Fold 
               
               
                   
                 12 
                 Open end 
               
               
                   
                 13 
                 Storage region 
               
               
                   
                 14a-14f 
                 Fold 
               
               
                   
                 15 
                 Stiffener 
               
               
                   
                 16 
                 Attachment 
               
               
                   
                 17 
                 Fill 
               
               
                   
                 18 
                 Brush 
               
               
                   
                 19a-19b 
                 Fold 
               
               
                   
                 20 
                 Dual container system 
               
               
                   
                 21 
                 First container 
               
               
                   
                 22 
                 Second container 
               
               
                   
                 23 
                 Back clip 
               
               
                   
                 24 
                 Front clip 
               
               
                   
                 25 
                 Back wall 
               
               
                   
                 26 
                 Front wall 
               
               
                   
                 27 
                 Front wall 
               
               
                   
                 28 
                 Back wall 
               
               
                   
                 31 
                 Rib 
               
               
                   
                 32 
                 Pocket wall 
               
               
                   
                 33 
                 Pocket wall 
               
               
                   
                 34a-34d 
                 Fold 
               
               
                   
                 35a-35f 
                 Fold 
               
               
                   
                 36 
                 Fold 
               
               
                   
                 37a-37c 
                 Seam 
               
               
                   
                 38 
                 Open side 
               
               
                   
                 39a-39b 
                 Open end 
               
               
                   
                 40 
                 Left side 
               
               
                   
                 41 
                 Right side 
               
               
                   
                 42 
                 Bottom wall 
               
               
                   
                 43 
                 Bottom wall 
               
               
                   
                 44 
                 Pocket 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0029]     The present invention relates to a reusable carrier including an apron  1  and a container  2 .  FIGS. 1-8  describe the present invention and variations thereof While planar shaped walls are described, other wall shapes are possible, including, without limitation, curved and other non-linear shapes. Drawings are not to scale.  
         [0030]     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , an apron  1  is shown having three pockets  3   a - 3   c  and a single container  2  prior to its insertion into the center pocket  3   a . While  FIG. 1  shows an apron  1  having three pockets  3   a - 3   c , the present invention may include one or more such structures. Likewise, it is possible for the present invention to have one or more containers  2  secured within one or more pockets  3   a - 3   c.    
         [0031]     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , the apron  1  is comprised of a flexible or semi-rigid material, non-limiting examples including cloth, canvas, and leather, having a tie strap  4   a ,  4   b  disposed at each end of the region comprising the pockets  3   a - 3   c . Tie straps  4   a ,  4   b  enable the user to secure the apron  1  about the waist of the user. Pockets  3   a - 3   c  are a four-sided structure when expanded having several stitched or mechanically fastened seams  37   a - 37   c  with at least one open end  38 . Pockets  3   a ,  3   b ,  3   c  may either match or conform to the shape of the container  2 .  
         [0032]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   a  and  3 , a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown having a pair of vertically disposed side walls  10   a ,  10   b  attached to a vertically disposed front wall  5  and a vertically disposed back wall  6 . A horizontally disposed bottom wall  7  is attached to the side walls  10   a ,  10   b , front wall  5 , and back wall  6  at one end of each of the vertically disposed elements. An open end  12  is provided opposite of the bottom wall  7 . Side walls  10   a ,  10   b , front wall  5 , back wall  6 , and bottom wall  7  form a leak proof storage region  13  capable of holding a viscous material.  
         [0033]     A front clip  8  and back clip  9  are provided at the open end  12  of the container  2  adjacent to and disposed across the width of the front wall  5  and back wall  6 , respectively. Front clip  8  and back clip  9  are generally c-shaped elements each having an open end  39   a ,  39   b . As shown in  FIG. 6 , front clip  8  and back clip  9  are rigid yet expandable so as to contact the respective pocket wall  32  and  33  with a compressive yet releasable grip.  
         [0034]     Front clip  8  and back clip  9  may include a variety of designs. For example, clips  8  and  9  may be comprised of commercially available binder clips or their functional equivalent. However, it is preferred to have the front clip  8  and back clip  9  integrally molded, bonded, or fastened to the container  2  and composed of the same material as the container  2 .  
         [0035]     As the container  2  is required to hold a viscous material or fluid for an extended period, it is preferred that contact between side walls  10   a ,  10   b , front wall  5 , back wall  6 , and bottom wall  7  be leakproof and composed of a material resisting fluid migration. While a variety of flexible, fluid-proof materials are applicable to the present invention, several examples are plastics, including polyethylene and polypropylene, wax or plastic coated or impregnated paper and cardboard, and metals, including aluminum, brass, and steel. Container  2 , front clip  8 , and back clip  9  made be fabricated via molding, extrusion, and forming techniques understood for such materials.  
         [0036]     Referring again to  FIGS. 2   a ,  3 , and  4 , hinge-like folds  11   a - 11   b ,  14   a - 14   f  and  34   a - 34   d  are provided to allow for the compact storage of the container  2  prior to use and to facilitate extension of the walls comprising the container  2  during use.  FIGS. 2   a  and  3  show a fold  11   a  and  11   b  vertically disposed along a portion of the central length of each side wall  10   a  and  10   b , respectively.  FIG. 2   a  also shows a fold  14   d  along the seam between front wall  5  and bottom wall  7 , a fold  14   e  along the seam between back wall  6  and bottom wall  7 , and a fold  14   f  between each side wall  10   a ,  10   b  and bottom wall  7 . Two inclined folds  14   b  and  14   c  are provided along each side wall  10   a ,  10   b , as shown in  FIG. 2   a . Likewise,  FIG. 2   a  shows a fold  14   a  disposed across the width of the front wall  5  and traversing part of each side wall  10   a ,  10   b , thereby contacting one end of folds  11   a  or  11   b ,  14   b , and  14   c .  FIG. 4  shows folds  34   a  and  34   c  along seams between front wall  5  and side walls  10   a  and  10   b , respectively, and folds  34   b  and  34   d  along seams between back wall  6  and side walls  10   a  and  10   b , respectively.  
         [0037]     Referring now to  FIGS. 2   b  and  4 , the container  2 , as shown in  FIGS. 2   a  and  3 , respectively, is now shown with side walls  10   a  and  10   b  and bottom wall  7  collapsed to minimize the distance between front wall  5  and back wall  6  and to minimize the total volume occupied by the container  2 . The container  2  is collapsed by applying pressure along front wall  5  and back wall  6  simultaneously and extended by pulling the front wall  5  and back wall  6  apart.  
         [0038]     In  FIG. 4 , the otherwise planar side wall  10   a  forms a v-shaped structure having an oblique angle formed along the outer surface of the side wall  10   a  at fold  11   a , an oblique angle between front wall  5  and side wall  10   a  at fold  34   a , and an oblique angle between back wall  6  and side wall  10   a  at fold  34   b . Likewise, the otherwise planar side wall  10   b  forms a v-shaped structure having an oblique angle formed along the outer surface of the side wall  10   b  at fold  11   b , an oblique angle between front wall  5  and side wall  10   b  at fold  34   c , and an oblique angle between back wall  6  and side wall  10   b  at fold  34   d.    
         [0039]     In  FIG. 2   b , the planar bottom wall  7  is collapsed and folded upward so that a portion of the bottom wall  7  partially covers the front wall  5 . The left side  40  of the side wall  10   a  forms an oblique angle along fold  14   c  with the triangular region bounded by folds  14   b ,  14   c , and  14   f  Resultantly, the back wall  6  and bottom wall  7  form an oblique angle along fold  14   e . The triangular region bounded by the front wall  5  and folds  14   a  and  14   b  also forms an oblique angle along fold  14   b  with the triangular region bound by folds  14   b ,  14   c , and  14   f . Resultantly, the front wall  5  and bottom wall  7  form an oblique angle along fold  14   d . The outer surface of the front wall  5  forms an oblique angle along fold  14   a . The right side  41  of the side wall  10   a  forms an oblique angle along fold  14   a  with the triangular region bounded by the front wall  5  and folds  14   a  and  14   b . Finally, the triangular region bounded by folds  14   b ,  14   c , and  14   f  forms an oblique angle along fold  14   f  with the bottom wall  7 . The described angles are likewise applicable to the second side wall lob.  
         [0040]     It is preferred to have the container  2  sufficiently rigid when side walls  10   a  and  10   b  and bottom wall  7  are extended so as to maintain the expanded shape shown in  FIG. 2   a . In some embodiments, the viscous material fill within the container  2  may assist in maintaining the expanded shape. However, a stiffening element may be required in some embodiments to insure the extended shape of the container  2 .  
         [0041]     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the collapsible side walls  10   a  and  10   b  and front wall  5  is shown having a u-shaped stiffener  15  attached to the interior of the container  2 . While a variety of designs and shapes are possible, the exemplary stiffener  15  in  FIG. 5  is comprised of a planar element having two folds  19   a ,  19   b  so as to conformally contact the interior of the container  2  and thereby prevent collapse of side walls  10   a ,  10   b  and bottom wall  7 . It is preferred for the stiffener  15  to traverse folds  11   a  and  11   b  along side walls  10   a  and  10   b , respectively.  
         [0042]     While contact alone may be sufficient to stiffen and thereby prevent collapse, it may be required to secure the stiffener  15  to the container  2  via an attachment  16 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . Exemplary attachments  16  include an adhesive bond or hook-and-loop device between stiffener  15  and side walls  10   a  and  10   b  and stiffener  15  and front wall  5 .  
         [0043]     In some embodiments, it may be preferred to limit motion of the fluid-like material within the container  2 . Referring now to  FIG. 6 , the container  2  is shown having a plurality of horizontally disposed ribs  31  along both front wall  5  and back wall  6 . However, ribs  31  may be placed along front wall  5 , back wall  6 , and/or side walls  10   a ,  10   b . Exemplary ribs  31  include planar or nearly planar elements composed of the same or similar material comprising the container  2 . Ribs  31  are adhesively bonded, mechanically fastened, or molded onto the container  2  within the region occupied by the fill  17 . Ribs  31  may protrude into the fill  17  either in a horizontal orientation or at an angle, as shown in  FIG. 6 . In some embodiments, it may be desired to have ribs  31  project into the fill  17  so as to contact a tool as it extracts fill  17  from the container  2 .  
         [0044]     Referring now to  FIGS. 7 and 8 , an alternate embodiment of the present invention is shown comprising a first container  21  and a second container  22 . While a variety of uses are possible for the dual container system  20  shown in  FIG. 7 , one such use includes holding a liquid or viscous fill  17  within the first container  21  and a brush  18  or other tool in the second container  22 .  
         [0045]     Referring to  FIG. 7 , the first container  21  has a front wall  27 , back wall  28 , bottom wall  42  and side walls (not shown). The first container  21  is supported within a pocket  44  along the apron  1 . A back clip  23  is provided at the upper end of the back wall  28  so as to secure the dual container system  20  to the apron  1 . The back clip  23  may be a separate element or integrally molded, bonded, or fastened to the first container  21 , as described above. The second container  22  also includes a front wall  26 , back wall  25 , bottom wall  43  and side walls (not shown). The back wall  25  of the second container  22  and front wall  27  of the first container  21  are attached or otherwise secured via a front clip  24 . The front clip  24  may be molded, adhesively attached, or mechanically fastened to both first container  21  and second container  22 . The front clip  24  mechanically compresses the back wall  25  against the front wall  27  so as to form an elongated structure enabling the dual container system  20  to grip the pocket  44 , as shown in  FIG. 7 .  
         [0046]     The dual container system  20  is likewise collapsible and extendible as described above for the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 1-5 . Referring to  FIG. 8 , the dual container system  20  is shown with walls collapsed to minimize the volume occupied thereby. As described for  FIGS. 1-5 , first container  21  and second container  22  each have a fold  36  disposed along each side wall comprising the two structures. Likewise, folds  35   a - 35   f  are provided at the lowermost end of the both first container  21  and second container  22 , as well as along seams between wall elements.  
         [0047]     Stiffeners  15 , attachments  16 , and ribs  31  described above are likewise applicable to both first container  21  and second container  22 .  
         [0048]     The description above indicates that a great degree of flexibility is offered in terms of the present invention. Although the invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred versions thereof, other versions are possible. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of the preferred versions contained herein.