Patent Publication Number: US-2020290776-A1

Title: Flexible storage container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/818,576, filed Mar. 14, 2019, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     1. Field 
     The present disclosure relates generally to flexible storage containers. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     A variety of different storage containers exist for storing personal effects, such as documents. However, many conventional storage containers are not waterproof, and therefore important items stored in the storage containers may be permanently damaged or destroyed during an emergency, such as a hurricane or a flood. Moreover, some conventional storage containers are water resistant, but the closure mechanism is cumbersome to operate and therefore these storage containers are unsuitable for use in emergency situations in which time is of the essence. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to various embodiments of a flexible storage container. In one embodiment, the flexible storage container includes an upper portion having an upper wall and a series of walls extending downward from a periphery of the upper wall, a lower portion joined to the upper portion that includes a base wall and a series of walls extending upward from a periphery of the base wall, an interior chamber defined between the upper portion and the lower portion, a waterproof or water-resistant zipper configured to provide access to the interior chamber, and a flap configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration. When the flap is in the closed configuration, the flap covers the waterproof or water-resistant zipper. 
     The waterproof or water-resistant zipper may extend along the lower portion. 
     The waterproof or water-resistant zipper may extend along a joint between the upper portion and the lower portion. 
     The flexible storage container may include a fastening mechanism configured to detachably secure the flap in the closed configuration. 
     The fastening mechanism may include a first fabric strip including a series of loops and a second fabric strip including a series of hooks configured to be detachably coupled to the series of loops. 
     The flap may include a first end hingedly coupled to the upper portion or the lower portion above the waterproof or water-resistant zipper, and a second, free end opposite the first end. 
     The second, free end of the flap may be configured to be detachably coupled to the lower portion below the waterproof or water-resistant zipper with the fastening mechanism. 
     A material and a thickness of the flap may be the same as a material and a thickness of the lower portion. 
     The flexible storage container may also include a valve or a port in the upper portion or the lower portion that is in fluid communication with the interior chamber. 
     The upper portion may be transparent, and the lower portion may be opaque. 
     The lower portion may be thicker than the upper portion. 
     The series of walls of each of the upper portion and the lower portion may include a first end wall, a second end wall opposite the first end wall, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall opposite the first end wall. 
     The flexible storage container may include rounded corners joining the first end wall, the second end wall, the first sidewall, and the second sidewall of the lower portion to the base wall. 
     The waterproof or water-resistant zipper may extend continuously along the first end wall, one of the first sidewall and the second sidewall, and the second end wall. 
     A height of the lower portion may be less than a height of the upper portion. A material of the upper portion may be different than a material of the lower portion. A thickness of the lower portion may be greater than a thickness of the upper portion. 
     In another embodiment, the flexible storage container includes an upper portion having an upper wall and a series of walls extending downward from a periphery of the upper wall, a lower portion joined to the upper portion that includes base wall and a series of walls extending upward from a periphery of the base wall, an interior chamber defined between the upper portion and the lower portion, a waterproof or water-resistant zipper configured to provide access to the interior chamber, a flap configured to move between an open configuration and a closed configuration, and a fastening mechanism configured to detachably secure the flap in the closed configuration. The flap includes a first end hingedly coupled to the upper portion or the lower portion above the waterproof or water-resistant zipper and a second, free end opposite the first end. When the flap is in the closed configuration, the second, free end of the flap is detachably secured to the lower portion below the zipper with the fastening mechanism and the flap covers the waterproof or water-resistant zipper. 
     The fastening mechanism may include a first fabric strip including a series of loops or a series of hooks coupled to the second, free end of the flap, and a second fabric strip including a series of hooks or a series of loops coupled to the lower portion below the waterproof or water-resistant zipper. The first fabric strip is configured to be detachably coupled to the second fabric strip. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts that are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in limiting the scope of the claimed subject matter. One or more of the described features may be combined with one or more other described features to provide a workable device. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The features and advantages of embodiments of the present disclosure will become more apparent by reference to the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the following drawings. In the drawings, like reference numerals are used throughout the figures to reference like features and components. The figures are not necessarily drawn to scale. 
         FIGS. 1A-1D  are perspective views of a flexible storage container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 2A-2B  are perspective views showing a flap of the flexible storage container in an open configuration and a partially closed configuration, respectively. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The present disclosure is directed to various embodiments of a flexible storage container. The flexible storage container of the present disclosure is a waterproof or at least water-resistant container for storing any personal items, such as furniture, documents, or other items having monetary or sentimental value. The flexible storage containers of the present disclosure may be utilized during a weather emergency, such as hurricane or a flood, to protect personal items against water damage or destruction. 
     With reference now to  FIGS. 1A-1D , a flexible storage container  100  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes an upper portion  101 , a lower portion  102  joined to the upper portion  101 , a zipper  103  configured to enable access to an interior chamber  104  of the flexible storage container  100 , a flap  105  configured to cover the zipper  103 , and a valve or port  106  configured to enable air to be pumped into or out of the interior chamber  104  of the flexible storage container  100 . In one or more embodiments, the flexible storage container  100  may include a cap or plug configured to positively seal the port  106  and a one-way valve (e.g., a flap valve or a check valve) received in the port  106  and spaced inward from the cap or plug. As described in more detail below, the zipper  103  may be waterproof or water resistant, and the flap  105  is configured to aid in preventing water intrusion through the zipper  103  and into the interior chamber  104 . 
     In one embodiment, the flexible storage container  100  has a height in a range from approximately 16 inches to approximately 80 inches, a length in a range from approximately 18 inches to approximately 240 inches, and a width in a range from approximately 18 inches to approximately 120 inches. In one or more embodiments, the flexible storage container  100  may have a height of approximately 55 inches, a length of approximately 196 inches, and a width of approximately 98 inches. In one or more embodiments, the flexible storage container  100  may have any other size suitable for the type of items and/or number of items the flexible storage container  100  is designed to store. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion  101  of the flexible storage container  100  includes an upper wall or panel  107 , a pair of opposing sidewalls  108 ,  109  extending downward from opposing side edges  110 ,  111 , respectively, of the upper wall  107 , and a pair of opposing end walls  112 ,  113  extending downward from opposing end edges  114 ,  115 , respectively, of the upper wall  107 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls  108 ,  109  are joined to the end walls  112 ,  113  with rounded corners  116 , although in one or more embodiments, the sidewalls  108 ,  109  may be joined to the end walls  112 ,  113  with straight edges. In one or more embodiments, the end walls  112 ,  113  and/or the sidewalls  108 ,  109  may be joined to the upper wall  107  with rounded corners. 
     Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the upper wall  107 , the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , and the end walls  112 ,  113  may be separate panels that are joined together by heat fusion, stitching, and/or any other suitable method or process for creating a fluid-tight seal between the walls  107 ,  108 ,  109 ,  112 ,  113 . In one or more embodiments, the upper wall  107 , the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , and the end walls  112 ,  113  may be integral (e.g., the upper wall  107 , the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , and the end walls  112 ,  113  may be formed from a monolithic sheet by, for instance, thermoforming). 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall  107  of the flexible storage container  100  is rectangular, although in one or more embodiments the upper wall  107  may have any other suitable shape, such as square. In one or more embodiments, the upper wall  107  may have a width (measured from one side edge  110  to the other side edge  111 ) in a range from approximately 18 inches to approximately 120 inches and a length (measured from one end edge  114  to the other end edge  115 ) from approximately 18 inches to approximately 240 inches. In one embodiment, the upper wall  107  may have a width of approximately 98 inches and a length of approximately 196 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the lengths of the sidewalls  108 ,  109  and the end walls  112 ,  113  correspond to the length and the width, respectively, of the upper wall  107 . Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the sidewalls  108 ,  109  and the end walls  112 ,  113  may have a height in a range from approximately 10 inches to approximately 60 inches. In one embodiment, the sidewalls  108 ,  109  and the end walls  112 ,  113  may have a height of approximately 43 inches. In one or more embodiments, the upper portion  101  of the flexible storage container  100  may have any other size suitable for the type of items and/or number of items the flexible storage container  100  is designed to store. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion  101  of the flexible storage container  100  is transparent, which permits a user to view the one or more items stored inside the interior chamber  104  of the flexible storage container  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, each of the upper wall  107 , the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , and the end walls  112 ,  113  are transparent. In one or more embodiments, only one or more of the upper wall  107 , the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , and the end walls  112 ,  113  may be transparent. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper portion  101  of the flexible storage container  100  is made out of a transparent polyvinyl chloride (PVC). In one or more embodiments, the upper portion  101  of the flexible storage container  100  may be made out of any other suitably flexible, waterproof, and durable material, such as any other synthetic plastic polymer (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene). In one or more embodiments, each of the upper wall  107 , the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , and the end walls  112 ,  113  are made of transparent PVC having a thickness of 0.30 mm or approximately 0.30 mm. In one or more embodiments, the upper wall  107 , the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , and the end walls  112 ,  113  may have any other suitable thickness depending on the intended use of the flexible storage container  100 , such as indoor or outdoor use and the nature of the items stored in the flexible storage container  100 . Additionally, the thickness of the upper wall  107 , the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , and the end walls  112 ,  113  may vary depending on the overall size of the flexible storage container  100 . 
     With continued reference to the embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 1A-1D , the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100  includes a base wall or panel  117 , a pair of opposing sidewalls  118 ,  119  extending upward from opposing side edges  120 ,  121 , respectively, of the base wall  117 , and a pair of opposing end walls  122 ,  123  extending upward from opposing end edges  124 ,  125 , respectively, of the base wall  117 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the sidewalls  118 ,  119  are joined to the end walls  122 ,  123  with rounded corners  126 , although in one or more embodiments, the sidewalls  118 ,  119  may be joined to the end walls  122 ,  123  with straight edges. In one or more embodiments, the end walls  112 ,  113  and/or the sidewalls  108 ,  109  may be joined to the upper wall  107  with rounded corners. 
     Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the base wall  117 , the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  may be separate panels that are joined together by heat fusion, stitching, and/or any other suitable method or process for creating a fluid-tight seal between the walls  117 ,  118 ,  119 ,  122 ,  123 . In one or more embodiments, the base wall  117 , the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  may be integral (e.g., the base wall  117 , the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  may be formed from a monolithic sheet by, for instance, thermoforming). Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, upper edges  127 ,  128  of the sidewalls  118 ,  119  of the lower portion  102  are joined to lower edges  129 ,  130  of the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , respectively, of the upper portion  101 , and upper edges  131 ,  132  of the end walls  122 ,  123  of the lower portion  102  are joined to lower edges  133 ,  134  of the end walls  112 ,  113 , respectively, of the upper portion  101 . The upper and lower edges  127 - 134  of the sidewalls  108 ,  109 ,  118 ,  119  and the end walls  112 ,  113 ,  122 ,  123  may be joined together by any suitable process for creating fluid-tight seals between the walls, such as, for instance, heat fusion and/or stitching. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the base wall  117  of the flexible storage container  100  is rectangular, although in one or more embodiments the base wall  117  may have any other suitable shape, such as square. Although in the illustrated embodiment the configuration (e.g., shape and size) of the base wall  117  matches or substantially matches the configuration (e.g., shape and size) of the upper wall  107 , in one or more embodiments, the configuration of the base wall  117  may differ from the configuration of the upper wall  107 . In one or more embodiments, the base wall  117  may have a width in a range from approximately 18 inches to approximately 120 inches and a length from approximately 18 inches to approximately 240 inches. In one embodiment, the base wall  117  may have a width of approximately 98 inches and a length of approximately 196 inches. In the illustrated embodiment, the lengths of the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  correspond to the length and the width, respectively, of the base wall  117 . Additionally, in one or more embodiments, the height of the lower portion  102  may be shorter than the height of the upper portion  101  (e.g., the height of the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  of the lower portion  102  may be less than the height of the sidewalls  108 ,  109  and the end walls  112 ,  113  of the upper portion  101 ). In one or more embodiments, the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  may have a height in a range from approximately 6 inches to approximately 20 inches. In one embodiment, the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  may have a height of approximately 12 inches. In one or more embodiments, the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100  may have any other size suitable for the type of items and/or number of items the flexible storage container  100  is designed to store. 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100  is opaque (e.g., black). In the illustrated embodiment, each of the base wall  117 , the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  are opaque (e.g., black). In one or more embodiments, only one or more of the base wall  117 , the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  may be opaque. Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100  is made out of opaque PVC. In one or more embodiments, the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100  may be made out of any other suitably flexible, waterproof, and durable material, such as any other synthetic plastic polymer (e.g., polyethylene or polypropylene). In one or more embodiments, each of the base wall  117 , the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  are made of opaque PVC having a thickness of 0.35 mm or approximately 0.35 mm. Accordingly, in one or more embodiments, the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100  (e.g., the base wall  117 , the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123 ) are thicker than the upper portion  101  of the flexible storage container  100  (e.g., the upper wall  107 , the sidewalls  108 ,  109 , and the end walls  112 ,  113 ). The greater thickness of the lower portion  102  compared to the upper portion  101  is configured to provide increased durability for the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100 , which is in direct contact with the items stored in the interior chamber  104  of the flexible storage container  100  and is therefore more susceptible to wear and damage. In one or more embodiments, the base wall  117 , the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  may have any other suitable thickness depending on the intended use of the flexible storage container  100 , such as indoor or outdoor use and the nature of the items that the flexible storage container  100  is intended to store. Additionally, the thickness of the base wall  117 , the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and the end walls  122 ,  123  may vary depending on the overall size of the flexible storage container  100 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the zipper  103  is provided along the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100 . In one or more embodiments, the zipper  103  may extend along a joint between the upper portion  101  and the lower portion  102 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the zipper  103  extends continuously along at least a portion of one of the end walls  122 ,  123 , across the entire length of one of the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and along at least a portion of the other end wall  122 ,  123 . In one or more embodiments, the zipper  103  may extend along any other walls or portions thereof. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the zipper  103  may extend continuously along at least a portion of one of the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , across the entirety of one of the end walls  122 ,  123 , and along at least a portion of the other sidewall  118 ,  119 . In one embodiment, the zipper  103  is waterproof or at least water resistant such that the zipper  103  is configured to prevent or at least mitigate the intrusion of water or other liquid into the interior chamber  104  of the flexible storage container  100 . 
     In the illustrated embodiment, the flap  105  is provided along the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100  and is configured to cover the zipper  103 . In the illustrated embodiment, the flap  105  extends continuously along at least a portion of one of the end walls  122 ,  123 , across the entire length of one of the sidewalls  118 ,  119 , and along at least a portion of the other end wall  122 ,  123 . In one or more embodiments, the flap  105  may be provided in any other suitable location depending on the location of the zipper  103 . The location of the flap  105  corresponds to the location of the zipper  103  and the flap  105  and has a length at least as long as a length of the zipper  103 . In one or more embodiments, the material and thickness of the flap  105  may be the same as the material and the thickness of the lower portion  102  (e.g., the flap  105  may be made of opaque PVC having a thickness of 0.35 mm or approximately 0.35 mm). 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 2A-2B , the flap  105  according to one embodiment of the present disclosure has a first end  135  hingedly connected to the walls along which the flap  105  is provided and a second, free end  136  opposite the first end  135 . For instance, in the illustrated embodiment, the first end  135  of the flap  105  is hingedly connected to the ends walls  122 ,  123  and one of the sidewalls  118 ,  119  of the lower portion  102  of the flexible storage container  100 . Accordingly, the flap  105  is configured to move between an open position (see  FIG. 2A ) in which the zipper  103  is exposed and a closed position (see  FIG. 2B  showing a partially closed configuration) in which the zipper  103  is concealed or covered by the flap  105 . Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, the first end  135  of the flap  105 , which is hingedly connected to one or more of the walls  118 ,  119 ,  122 ,  123  of the lower portion  102 , is above the zipper  103  (e.g., the first end  135  of the flap  105  is between the zipper  103  and the upper wall  107  of the upper portion  101 ) and the second end  136  of the flap  105 , when the flap  105  is in the closed configuration, is above the zipper  103  (e.g., the second end  136  of the flap  105  in the closed configuration is between the zipper  103  and the base wall  117  of the lower portion  102 ). 
     Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, the flexible storage container  100  includes one or more fasteners or other mechanisms or devices for detachably securing the flap  105  in the closed configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the flexible storage container  100  includes hook or loop-type fasteners  137  on outer surfaces  138  of the walls  118 ,  119 ,  122 ,  123  along which the zipper  103  extends (e.g., hook or loop-type fasteners  137  on outer surfaces  138  of the end walls  122 ,  123  and one of the sidewalls  118 ,  119  of the lower portion  102 ). In the illustrated embodiment, the hook or loop-type fasteners  137  are located below the zipper  103  (e.g., the hook or loop-type fasteners  137  provided on the walls  118 ,  119 ,  122 ,  123  along which the zipper  103  extends are between the zipper  103  and the base wall  117  of the lower portion  102 ). Additionally, in the illustrated embodiment, corresponding loop or hook-type fasteners  139  are provided on an inner surface  140  of the second end  136  of the flap  105 . When the flap  105  is in the closed position, the loop or hook-type fasteners  139  on the flap  105  are engaged with the corresponding hook or loop-type fasteners  137  on the walls  118 ,  119 ,  122 ,  123  of the lower portion  102 , which detachably secures the flap  105  in the closed configuration. Because the first end  135  of the flap  105  and the hook or loop-type fasteners  137 ,  139  are provided on opposite sides of the zipper  103  (e.g., the first end  135  of the flap  105  is connected to one or more of the walls  118 ,  119 ,  122 ,  123  above the zipper  103  and the hook or loop-type fasteners  137 ,  139  on the one or more walls  118 ,  119 ,  122 ,  123  are provided below the zipper  103 ), the flap  105  extends over the zipper  103  when the flap  105  is in the closed configuration. In one or more embodiments, the first end  135  of the flap  105  may be hingedly connected below the zipper  103  and the hook or loop-type fasteners  137  may be located above the zipper  103 . In one or more embodiments, the flap  105  may be detachably secured in the closed configuration by any other suitable fastener or fastening mechanism. For instance, in one or more embodiments, the inner surface  140  of the second end  136  of the flap  105  may include a series of minute protuberances that are configured to adhere to the outer surfaces  138  of the walls  118 ,  119 ,  122 ,  123  via the Van der Waals force. In one or more embodiments, the flap  105  may be detachably secured in the closed configuration by clasps, button snaps, hooks, or combinations thereof. 
     In use, the flexible storage container  100  of the present disclosure may be retrieved during an impending natural disaster (e.g., a hurricane) or other emergency, such as a flood. The user may then unzip the zipper  103  and then insert one or more valuables and/or mementos into the interior chamber  104  through the zipper  103 . The zipper  103  may then be closed and the flap  105  may be moved into the closed configuration. As described above, in one or more embodiments, the zipper  103  may be water-proof or at least water resistant, and when the flap  105  is in the closed configuration, the flap  105  covers or conceals the zipper  103 , which aids the zipper  103  in preventing water from penetrating into the interior chamber  104  and thereby protects the items stored in the interior chamber  104  of the flexible storage container  100 . In one or more embodiments, the flap  105  may be secured in the closed position by the corresponding hook-and-loop type fasteners  137 ,  139  on the outer surfaces  138  of the walls  118 ,  119 ,  122 ,  123  and the inner surface  140  of the second end  136  of the flap  105  and/or any other suitable fastening member or mechanism. Additionally, in one or more embodiments, air may then be pumped out of the interior chamber  104  of the flexible storage container  100  by attaching a hose connected to a vacuum pump to the valve or port  106  and then activating the pump. Pumping air out of the interior chamber  104  is configured to cause the flexible storage container  100  or at least portions thereof to conform to the items stored in the interior chamber  104  and thereby secure the relative positions of the items inside the interior chamber  104 . Pumping air out of the interior chamber  104  may also aid in preventing water intrusion into the interior chamber  104 . 
     While this invention has been described in detail with particular references to exemplary embodiments thereof, the exemplary embodiments described herein are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the scope of the invention to the exact forms disclosed. Persons skilled in the art and technology to which this invention pertains will appreciate that alterations and changes in the described structures and methods of assembly and operation can be practiced without meaningfully departing from the principles, spirit, and scope of this invention.