Patent Publication Number: US-2004055924-A1

Title: Container wth hinged hanger

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     [0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/382,755, filed on May 23, 2002. 
    
    
     
       FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0002] The present invention is directed to storage containers, and more particularly to a bag-like storage container with one or more integral hinged hangers.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE  
       [0003] Storage containers such as bags are known and are fabricated from foldable paper, thin, plastic sheet, and th.e like. Some bags include integrally formed handles or discrete, separate handles adhered to part of the bag. In one example, a plastic bag has opposed cut out openings near a top rim of the bag. A user can grasp such a bag by placing their hands through these openings. An example of this type of bag is a plastic grocery bag. In another example, a paper bag may have rope-like handles adhered to opposite sides of the bag near the top opening. Again, a user grasps such a bag by holding the rope-like handles.  
       [0004] It is possible to hang these types of known bags. However, a hook or other protruding object is required to support such a bag by the handles. Also, when such a bag is hung in this manner, the handles tend to stay together or at least very close to one another necessitated by the hook or protruding object construction which closes or reduces the size of the opening of the bag. This can result in less storage capacity for the hanging bag. This can also result in one of the handles falling off of the hook, which in turn can result in objects falling out of the hanging bag. 
     
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
     [0005] Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will be apparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which:  
     [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage container constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention and suspended from a rod.  
     [0007]FIG. 2 is a side view of the storage container shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0008]FIG. 3 is an end view of the storage container shown in FIG. 1.  
     [0009]FIG. 4 is an end view of the storage container shown in FIG. 1, and with one of the hanger elements folded to a retracted position.  
     [0010]FIG. 5 is an end view of the storage container shown in FIG. 4, and with the other of the hanger elements folded to a retracted position.  
     [0011]FIG. 6 is a side view of the storage container shown in FIG. 5.  
     [0012]FIG. 7 is one example of an enlarged cross section through a hinged connection between a hanger element and the storage container shown in FIG. 2.  
     [0013]FIG. 8 shows the hinged connection of FIG. 7 with the hanger element folded to a retracted position.  
     [0014]FIG. 9 is another example of a cross section through a hinged connection between a hanger and the storage container as shown in FIG. 2, but for an alternative material construction.  
     [0015]FIG. 10 shows the hinged connection of FIG. 9 but with the hanger element folded to a retracted position.  
     [0016]FIG. 11 shows a second example of a storage container suspended from a rod.  
     [0017]FIG. 12 shows a third example of a storage container suspended from a rod.  
     [0018]FIG. 13 shows a fourth example of a storage container suspended from a rod. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE  
     [0019] A storage container with one or more integral hangers is disclosed herein and described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In general, the storage container has one or more integral hangers or hanger elements that can or cannot be folded between a retracted position generally parallel to an adjacent portion of the container and an extended position for suspending the storage container.  
     [0020] Referring now to the drawings, FIGS.  1 - 3 , generally illustrate a storage container  20  in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. The storage container  20  includes a container section  21  and a hanger section  23 . The container section  21  includes a bottom panel  22  and an upstanding circumferentially continuous side wall  24 . The side wall  24  includes a top portion  25  and a bottom portion  27 . The side wall  24  is coupled at its bottom portion  27  to a perimeter of the bottom panel  22 . A container interior  26  is defined within the confines of the bottom panel  22  and side wall  24 . An open top  28  opens into the container interior  26  and is defined at a top edge  30  of the continuous side wall  24 .  
     [0021] The container  20  shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  has a generally tubular configuration that, in this example, is rectangular in cross section. However, as will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the shape and configuration of the storage container  20  can vary considerably and yet fall within the scope and spirit of the invention. The disclosed storage container  20  is not to be limited to the configuration shown in the drawings.  
     [0022] In the disclosed example, the continuous sidewall  24  is constructed of two side panels  32  spaced apart, opposed, and facing one another, and two end panels  34  also spaced apart, opposed, and facing one another. The side panels  32  and end panels  34  are interconnected to one another along adjacent edges and joined along foldable seams  36 , as is known in the art. Similarly, the bottom edges of the side panels  32  and end panels  34  are foldably coupled to the perimeter of the bottom panel  22  along similar foldable seams  38 . In this example, the side panels  32  are generally trapezoidal in shape, making the cross-sectional size of the container  20  become larger moving from the bottom panel  22  to the open top  28 .  
     [0023] Each of the end panels  36  includes a vertically extending and centrally located fold line  40 , the fold line  40  bifurcates at its lower end into a pair of diagonal fold lines  42  that angle away from one another to outward bottom comers of the end panels  34  of the storage container  20 . As is known to those having ordinary skill in the art, these fold lines  40  and  42  in conjunction with the seams  36  and  38  permit the storage container  20  to be folded to an essentially flat condition. The storage container  20  as shown in FIGS.  1 - 3  is in an erected or unflattened condition. When in this condition, the side panels  32 , end panels  36 , and bottom panel  22  define the interior storage space  26  of the container.  
     [0024] The storage container  20  as disclosed herein in accordance with the teachings of the present invention also includes a hanging section  23 . The hanging section  23  includes one or more hanger elements  50  for suspending the storage container  20 , if desired, from an object such as a coat rod  52  found in conventional closets and the like. In the disclosed example, the hanging section  23  includes a pair of opposed hanger elements  50 , one each coupled to a top edge of a corresponding side panel  32  along a foldable seam or hinge  54 . As shown in FIGS.  3 - 6 , each of the hanger elements  50  can be independently moved between an extended position (see FIG. 3) for use as a hanger and a retracted position (see FIGS.  4 - 6 ) to move the hanger elements  50  out of the way. Each hanger element  50  is simply folded along its respective hinge or fold line  54  between the extended and retracted position as desired.  
     [0025] With particular reference to FIGS. 2 and 6, each of the hanger elements  50  has, in this example, a panel section  56  and hanger section  58 . The panel section  56  in the disclosed example is a solid piece of material that is preferably constructed from the same material as its adjacent side panel  32  and formed integral therewith. The fold line or hinge  54  can be provided in the material to separate the side panel  32  from its adjacent panel section  56 .  
     [0026] The hanger section  58  in each example is a curved or arcuate hook  60  that extends upward and then curves back around slightly toward the panel section  56 , similar to a coat hanger hook. The hook  60  and its configuration define an insertion opening or gap  62  between a distal end  64  of the hook and a proximal end  66  integral with the panel section  56 . An object is inserted for hanging or suspending the storage container  20  into the insertion opening  62 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the coat rod  52  is received in the insertion opening  62  with the distal end  64  extending slightly over the top of the rod to positively retain the hanger elements  50  on the rod.  
     [0027] As will be evident to those having ordinary skill in the art, the hanger section  58 , and particularly the hook  60  in the disclosed example, can be replaced by a different type of hanger element. A circular loop or eyelet construction can be utilized if desired, as well as other types of hanger arrangements.  
     [0028] The storage container  20  can be manufactured from any one or a combination of a wide range of materials that are tough, resilient, lightweight, and reasonably inexpensive depending on the application or desires of the user. These materials includes plastic, including multilayer laminates, paperboard, corrugated board, aluminum, etc.  
     [0029] Referring now to FIGS.  7 - 10 , the hinge or folds line  54  for the hanger elements  50  can vary considerably in configuration and construction. The fold line or hinge  54  construction may particularly depend on the type of material utilized to form the storage container. For example, the storage container panels  22 ,  32 ,  36  and hanger elements  50  can be constructed from a relatively thin molded, extruded, or otherwise formed plastic material. In such an example, the hinge or fold line  54  as well as the various other fold lines and seams can be molded into the plastic material during formation. As an example, FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate a solid thin material (plastic in this example) with a flexible living hinge or joint providing the hinge  54 . FIG. 7 illustrates the hanger element  50  represented therein in its extended position relative to the adjacent side panel  32 . FIG. 8 illustrates the hanger element  50  in its retracted position relative to the respective side panel  32 .  
     [0030] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, another alternative example of a hinge fold line  54  construction for a storage container  20  is shown. In this example, the representative panels may either be laminated or layered paperboard, a combination laminated or layered paperboard and plastic, or a laminated or layered plastic formation. The side panel  32  and the hanger element  50  depicted in FIGS. 9 and 10 each have discrete panel segments  70  slightly spaced from one another at their adjacent edges  74  and  76 . The panel segments  70  and  72  are interior panels that are sandwiched and laminated within exterior material layers of  78  and  80  on opposite sides of the panels. At the space between the two adjacent edges  74  and  76  of the panels  70  and  72 , the exterior laminate layers  78  and  80  are joined to one another thereby forming a thinner cross section of material. This thinner cross section forms a flexible living hinge  54  connection between the panel segments.  
     [0031] In this example, the interior layers  70  and  72  can provide panel rigidity and be formed of relatively stiff and/or thick panels. The exterior laminate layers  78  and  80  can be thinner and flexible to provide an adequate hinge. Either the interior panels or exterior layers can be decorated for a desired aesthetic appearance.  
     [0032] In an alternative example, if paper board or paper is used to form the storage container and the hanger elements  50 , the hinge or fold lines  54 , as well as the various fold lines  40  and  42  and seams  36  and  38  can be provided in the paper material as creases when formed. The creases can be formed in a conventional manner. In a further example usable with either plastic or paperboard, a groove is cut or molded into the panels to provide the living hinge.  
     [0033] The container construction, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 permits the top opening  28  to remain open when suspended. This prevents reduced storage space within the container when hanging. The panel sections  56  of the hanger elements  50  also assist in retaining objects with the interior  26  that are stored near the opening  28 .  
     [0034] In a second example shown in FIG. 11, a storage container  90  is disclosed. It includes a container section  92  and a hanger section  94 . The container section  92  includes end panels  96  and a pair of side panels  98   a ,  98   b . The hanger section  94  includes a pair of hanger elements  100   a ,  100   b  extending up from the side panels  98   a    98   b , respectively. The first hanger element  100   a  is joined to the first side panel  98   a  by a hinge  102 . The first hanger element  100   a  can be folded about the hinge  102  as in the previous example. However, the second hanger element  100   b  is fixed with respect to the second side panel  98   b . In this example, the second hanger element  100   b  and the second side panel  98   b  are one contiguous panel. Thus, the second hanger element  100   b  cannot be folded down onto the second side panel  98   b . In all other aspects, this example, is similar to the first example.  
     [0035] In a third example shown in FIG. 12, a storage container  110  is disclosed. It includes a container section  112  and a hanger section  114 . The container section  112  includes end panels  116  and a pair of side panels  118   a ,  118   b . The hanger section  114  includes a pair of hanger elements  120   a ,  120   b  extending up from the side panels  118   a    118   b , respectively. In this example both hanger elements  120   a ,  120   b  are fixedly joined to the side panels  118   a ,  118   b  respectively. Thus, neither of the hanger elements  120   a ,  120   b  can be folded down onto the side panels  118   a ,  118   b , and the first hanger element  120   a  and the first side panel  118   a  are one contiguous panel, and the second hanger element  120   b  and the second side panel  118   b  are one contiguous panel.  
     [0036] In a fourth example shown in FIG. 13, a storage container  130  is disclosed. The storage container  130  includes a container section  132  and a hanger section  134 . The container section  132  includes a pair of end panels  134 , a pair of side panels  136 , and a bottom panel  138 . The end panels  134  are joined to the side panels  136  along vertical edges  140 , and the end panels  134  and the side panels  136  are joined to the bottom panel  138  along horizontal edges  142 . In this example, there is no fold line in the end panels  134  or the bottom panel  138 . Further, the vertical edges  140  and the horizontal edges  142  are not flexible, i.e. they are fixed. Thus, the container section  132  is not collapsible, and is instead a substantially rigid container.  
     [0037] In the shown example, the hanger section  134  includes a pair of hanger elements  144   a ,  144   b , extending up from the side panels  136 . In this example, the hanger elements  144   a ,  144   b  are hingedly attached to the side panels along living hinges  146  as in the first example. However, the either or both of the hanger elements  144   a ,  144   b  can be fixedly attached to the side panels  136  as in the second or third example.  
     [0038] The storage container  20 ,  90 ,  110 ,  130  described and disclosed herein is not intended to be limited by any particular materials used for constructing its various components. As noted above, paper, laminated paper, paperboard, plastic, or combinations thereof can be utilized to provide a storage container falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention.  
     [0039] Although certain storage container constructions have been disclosed and described herein in accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the scope of coverage of this patent is not limited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments of the teachings of the invention that fairly fall within the scope of permissible equivalents.