Patent Publication Number: US-2007119853-A1

Title: Inverting leak-proof floating container support

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
                   127,431 
                 6/1872 
                 Ruger 
                 none shown 
               
               
                   
                 1,121,426 
                 12/1914  
                 Walter 
                 none shown 
               
               
                   
                 2,833,459 
                 5/1958 
                 Greene 
                 229/939 
               
               
                   
                 3,076,589 
                 2/1963 
                 Meijdam 
                 229/939 
               
               
                   
                 3,341,104 
                 9/1967 
                 Loheed 
                 229/37  
               
               
                   
                 3,342,322 
                 9/1967 
                 Weisner 
                 229/939 
               
               
                   
                 4,119,265 
                 10/1978  
                 Dlugopolski 
                 229/154 
               
               
                   
                 4,166,335 
                 9/1979 
                 LaBorde 
                 446/88  
               
               
                   
                 4,530,460 
                 7/1985 
                 Hinton 
                 229/939 
               
               
                   
                 4,572,425 
                 2/1986 
                 Russell 
                 229/939 
               
               
                   
                 5,363,981 
                 11/1994  
                 Giblin 
                 229/933 
               
               
                   
                 5,772,032 
                 6/1998 
                 Goldman 
                 206/485 
               
               
                   
                 5,792,487 
                 8/1998 
                 Wenning 
                 425/296 
               
               
                   
                 5,975,005 
                 11/1999  
                 Yoshioka 
                 114/353 
               
               
                   
                 6,024,223 
                 2/2000 
                 Ritter 
                 206/600 
               
               
                   
                 6,056,840 
                 5/2000 
                 Mills 
                 156/217 
               
               
                   
                 6,102,279 
                 8/2000 
                 Dowd 
                 229/155 
               
               
                   
                 6,102,280 
                 8/2000 
                 Dowd 
                 229/155 
               
               
                   
                 6,189,780 
                 2/2001 
                 Kanter 
                 229/242 
               
               
                   
                 6,257,484 
                 7/2001 
                 Dowd 
                 229/155 
               
               
                   
                 6,349,876 
                 2/2002 
                 Dowd 
                 229/155 
               
               
                   
                 6,505,769 
                 1/2003 
                 Stone 
                 229/941 
               
               
                   
                 6,615,762 
                 9/2003 
                 Scott 
                 114/353 
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
      Not applicable.  
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING  
      Not applicable.  
     BACKGROUND  
      1. Field of Invention  
      This invention relates to equipment required in the field of emergency preparedness within a designated evacuee/disaster center, and more specifically to cots or cot-like supporting beds, and to those which are containing beds which contain a human user and/or their objects, and most specifically to those cots which float on water. This invention also relates to those which need no physical changes of transforming alterations to change from a supporting bed to a containing bed, or to a floating bed, other than vertically inverting a bed&#39;s position, and also to those which can be assembled without a need for any tools, or separate fasteners.  
      This invention also relates to 5-sided top-less boxes which are slit through one planar wall of a double walled corrugated plastic sheet and or crimped on one or both said walls, and folded to a box-like structure with a means of retaining resulting corner flaps located exteriorly to its cavity and adjacent each of its vertically upright corner folds for support of its elongate box-like shape; wherein said container serves as a leak-proof box and or top-less carrying device for retaining and/or carrying and/ or supporting human users and/or their objects on land or water, and wherein said top-less refers to a box not possessing a 6th side, a closure lid or closure flaps.  
      This invention also relates to leak-proof containers for a human&#39;s use in emergency situations; and when a container is of sufficient size to be diversely used as an object carrier, a liquids container for washing, a human user&#39;s sleeping support, a safe for keeping a sleeping user&#39;s possessions while they sleep atop said support, a sitting bench for one or more users, a carrying ambulatory stretcher for two human carriers to carry another human, a carrying ambulatory stretcher for one human carrier to draggingly carry another container retained human, a toiletry excretement storage and transporting unit, a flood waters floatation device or flood waters boat for one or more users, a boat which supports a plurality of means of propulsion, and a cadaver storage unit, or all.  
      This invention also relates to any previous descriptions wherein said box-like container may remain in its original said corrugated plastic substrate&#39;s flat and planar state until ready to fold for its initial use; and wherein said container may be assembled without any complete through-cuts or through-cut apertures, or separate fasteners, or adhesives, or any foreign materials other than said substrate&#39;s own plastic material, and all without a need for any hand tools at all.  
      2. Description of Prior Art  
      In the field of emergency preparedness, and within a designated evacuee or disaster center, there are numerous items needed to treat and care for humans who are experiencing a traumatic situation. When available, folding cots will normally support a human user for a recuperating and/or sleeping bed, a resting seat, and nothing more. Most cots in use are made of cloth attached to a foldable aluminum frame, and stand only about 8 inches from a floor&#39;s surface, and are fairly lightweight in strength. In this time of trauma, and when said human is not within their own home, said cot becomes home at least to a degree wherein its space becomes their space. A human&#39;s most valuable possessions are usually brought with them if possible. An average cot cannot conceal or retain any of a human&#39;s valuables as they sleep or are away using toiletry facilities. No cots which are now in use may be used as a carrying device to get any valuables to an evacuation center. Most cots cannot support 2 or more sitting humans without becoming a balancing act for the users. Cots now in use cannot serve as an ambulatory stretcher-like carrying device for a human user and/or their objects, as most cots will fold up instantly. Cots now in use cannot alternatively serve as a leak-proof container for washing, or carrying liquids. Cots now in use cannot be used as a shelter from rain or falling debris, as when in a superdome during a hurricane, and as roofing parts and rain are falling all around. Cots now in use cannot be used as a leak-proof cadaver retaining container for any disease prevention, by safely separating said cadaver from a group of living survivors. Cots now in use cannot be easily scrubbed down for a quick and sterile re-use.  
      None of any cots searched for were found to be floating cots, and especially floatable in most any position. Cots now in use cannot be vertically inverted from a bed position to be used as a boat which will contain 1 or more human users and/or their objects. Cots now in use cannot sustain a means of propulsion while upon water, and at either elongate end. None of cots searched were found to have gusset-like corner supports located exteriorly of each corner to further sturdy its standing position, nor to have flute channel edged handle-like protruding flaps for a more grippable carrying means. None were found to have 4 rudder-like straight guiding supports for one-armed water-paddling human users, or even rudder-like straight guiding flute channel openings for said water-paddling users, and especially for said water-paddling users who are carrying valuables such as their infant within another arm.  
      What may seem trivial to one person can be desperate survival to another.  
      With waters rising all around, and with helicopters unable to get in and out fast enough, cots now in use will not aid a victim&#39;s psyche and sense of security as they grip their canvas and aluminum tubing frame non-floating cot.  
      Changing times and changing weather patterns make today&#39;s emergency shelter canvas and tubing cots more obsolete. Post-hurricane Katrina records prove today&#39;s cots now in use to be obsolete. Pre-bird flu pandemic warnings of when, and not if, are demanding a more versatile and cost-effective cot to be available in much larger numbers; and wherein today&#39;s cots are obsolete.  
      There was no previous art found which included or described a top-less box-like emergency inverting leak-proof floating container bed with hingededly-mated corner flaps which additionally multi-supported a container as handle-like, gusset-like, and rudder-like supports. None were found.  
      In addition, no previous art was found which included or described any said top-less box to be purposed for use as a leak-proof container for a human&#39;s use in emergencies when said containers are of sufficient size to be diversely used as an object carrier, a liquids container for washing, a human user&#39;s sleeping support, a safe for keeping said sleeping user&#39;s possessions while they sleep atop said support, a sitting bench for one or more users, a carrying ambulatory stretcher for two human carriers to carry another human, a carrying ambulatory stretcher for one human carrier to draggingly carry another container retained human, a toiletry excretement storage and transporting unit, a flood waters floatation device, a flood waters boat for one or more users, a boat which supports a means of propulsion at either elongate end, and a cadaver storage unit, or all.  
      All previous box assemblies which were found, had dealt mostly with aesthetics, a box&#39;s top flaps and their closures, and with any final strengths within a closed and six sided shape. None were found which specifically dealt with a final and primarily five sided open container and a retention of its resulting triangular shape flaps located at each wall&#39;s exterior corner to retain said box&#39;s shape; and especially to keep said box leak-proof; and more especially to utilize said triangular shape flaps in a plurality of supporting uses. Nor were any found which utilized a corrugated boxes&#39; single flute channel to more facilitate a means of retension of said triangular shape flap(s) which in turn retained said box&#39;s integrity of structure, and all without any complete through-cuts or through-cut apertures. And in conclusion; none were found which could be assembled from one single planar piece of corrugated substrate which required no glue, staples, heat sealing, or separate fasteners for its initial assembly; and wherein serrated strips of said substrate&#39;s own material were one optional means of its structural retension.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION—OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES  
      The foremost advantage of this invention of this inverting leak-proof floating container support may be difficult to judge between its diversity of use in emergency applications, its flat compact storage, its 1 minute assembly time, or low manufacturing cost.  
      The foremost object is to take advantage of a simple corner flap by retaining its triangular shape, wherein said container&#39;s shape and strength remain.  
      Retained flaps support in at least a dual role within each of 3 alternative modes of which an emergency inverting leak-proof floating container bed may be used; and wherein remains a multiplicity of uses within each individual said mode; and wherein said modes are; a supporting bed, a container bed, and a floating bed.  
      One particular example of said flaps providing greater strength within a container and its corners is when said container is vertically inverted for use as human user&#39;s cot or emergency bed. When in this inverted position, said container&#39;s normal floor surface is parallel to and approximately 1 foot or more above a ground&#39;s level surface. Each of 4 said corner flaps taper vertically downward and outward from said container&#39;s inverted floor surface to a ground&#39;s level surface. Said corner flaps provide maximum standing support when in this position, and serve to further support said container as gusset-like corner supports.  
      When in a disaster situation, most humans tend to grab their most valuable possessions which can be easily carried. When in an evacuee center, a person has to sleep in the open with many others, and usually on some blankets placed upon a hard floor or an institutional-type lightweight flimsy cot. There&#39;s usually no safe place to keep a person&#39;s valuables, and especially while they sleep. This invention gives a personal and secure place to safe-keep special items within said inverted container&#39;s cavity space, and especially while one sleeps.  
      Any personal space or added privacy within one&#39;s space during a disaster situation will more benefit a human user&#39;s psyche, and will add to a human&#39;s sense of security and mental health, and at least to a small degree.  
      Another supporting role of said triangular shape corner flaps is to further support said container as straight guiding rudder-like supports. When in an evacuee cente with waters rising all around, a user may turn their bed over with cavity side up, insert any possessions, and then get in themselves as they use the very same bed as an emergency boat; and especially in situations where not enough rescue helicopters can get in and out of a confined area near said center, or wherever a human is stranded, within time.  
      Just having the option of using one&#39;s temporary emergency bed as an emergency boat will greatly add to said user&#39;s sense of security and mental health.  
      As a user paddles with their hands or another object, said corner flaps further support this leak-proof floating container bed as straighter guiding rudder-like supports. Without said rudder-like supports, a floating bed container will tend to laterally waver back and forth as a user paddles with one hand at a time; but with said rudder-like flap supports, a user may paddle with only one hand while remaining on a much straighter course. In an emergency situation, said straighter course may be crucial if a human user has one injured arm, or is holding a pet, or an infant, etc. Without any said rudder-like support, a user may paddle in circles.  
      Said corrugated material&#39;s flutes also supportingly guide as a type of water-guiding type flute-channel rudder when partial cut slits form folding hinge lines. When a small trolling motor is available for use, a user may un-secure two of said flaps from their protrudingly located positions, and re-fold them abuttingly to an exterior end wall of said container. After re-securing said flaps with a chosen means of retension, said flaps may provide a thicker and more secure stern board for said motor, and is only needed pending what thickness of corrugated substrate is used in manufacture. Any thickness with a 6 mil wall or more should not require any said re-alignment of said flaps, but if a user should do so, a remaining 2 flaps which are also still located exteriorly of said cavity will still support said container as said straight guiding rudder-like supports and are still located at said floating bed&#39;s temporary bow.  
      Yet another supporting role of said exteriorly located triangular shape flaps is to further support said container as handle-like grips for two human carriers who are carrying another human or any objects within said container. Exposed flute channel edges within an edge of said flaps provide a good gripping edge, and even when wet. Said container is much like an ambulatory stretcher with side walls for better retaining said carried human and or their objects.  
      One human user may also use two of said flaps as handles, while draggingly carrying a container behind them.  
      When in an evacuee center during a hurricane, and when a domed stadium&#39;s roof is literally falling down, a user may climb under their container bed for additional shelter protection from rain and falling debris.  
      When in an evacuee center for an over-extended time, a user may partially fill their inverting leak-proof container support with any available potable water for drinking, bathing or washing. Said container also serves to collect any rain water for later use.  
      When additional hand-hold apertures are manufactured near a substrate&#39;s perimeter edges, up to ten users may surround, and get a hand-hold grip on said apertures and also each of said flaps of a container for carrying heavy water or people. Said hand hold apertures are adjacent to a substrate&#39;s perimeter edge, and do not affect a bed&#39;s overall ability to float, and especially since its walls&#39; vertical height is generally a foot or more.  
      When in an evacuee center for an over-extended time, a user may also use said inverting leak-proof floating container support for storage and retention of a cadaver and any resulting bodily fluids for disease prevention.  
      When in an evacuee center for an over-extended time, an inverting leak-proof floating container support may also be used as a toilet facility for periodic removal of any excretements for disease prevention.  
      If one fastening means should break or get lost, a remaining 3 retained corner flaps will retain said structure to sufficiently support all 3 said modes of a supporting bed, a container bed, and a floating bed, wherein said modes will still function well, an when under an average or nominal weight load.  
      If two said means should break, and in certain locations of the 4 locations of said means of retension, this floating bed still floats under nominal weight loads as water pressure against all walls pushes inward to aid a retension of said corner flaps. Little pressure is required to retain each corner flap when a floating bed is in water, as said walls and said flaps restrict each other from collapsing inwardly.  
      If all said means of retension break or get lost, and when in a more desperate situation, two human users may hold said flaps with their hands as they each sit within said floating bed, although not much paddling or rowing would get done.  
      But, if one of said human users were fast enough, they could take advantage of any one of a preferred embodiment&#39;s specially cut, said hingededly-mated triangular shape corner supports. Because there is an angular to a substrate&#39;s perimeter edge and partially through-cut slit located at each of said substrate&#39;s corners, and which extends inwardly until abutting a closest intersecting point of other said folding hinge lines, said flute&#39;s direction changes approximately 90 degrees within one half of said hingededly-mated triangular shape flap.  
      Also note that a second wall of said double wall corrugated substrate serves as a leak-proof hinge, and at or adjacent said angular hinge forming slit. Said corrugated substrate&#39;s flute channels&#39; elongate direction extends longitudinally and parallels said substrate&#39;s elongate length, and wherefore an assembled floating container&#39;s elongate sidewall&#39;s upper edge has no exposed said flute openings .  
      Said fast human user may use a pocket knife to cut an approximately 30 inch long strip of said side wall&#39;s upper edge to thread into at least one single flute channel(s) of one half of said hingededly-mated flap, and then encompass the other half of said flap before tying and knotting said strip.  
      In one alternative embodiment, either serrated or continuous strips are formed within said substrate&#39;s elongate edge for a user to pull off for use as said means of retension to be threaded through said at least one single flute channel(s). Said strips are quite tough and flexible, yet several may also be used as said means of retension for each flap. Said strips are more than sufficient to enable an inverting leak-proof floating container bed to function in all of said modes of; a supporting bed, a container bed, and a floating bed.  
      Emergency situations sometimes require extremely inventive solutions; and wherein this emergency inverting leak-proof floating container bed meets a multiplicity of requirements, and all without a need for any other material, or any tools at all, or any other separate fastening means for its assembly.  
      This invention can be manufactured from standard 4 foot by 8 foot size sheets of plastic double wall corrugated material. The availability of an invention&#39;s material which it is made of, can be crucial in an emergency, and especially in a pandemic situation where there may be a short time notice of a need for tens of thousands of temporary cot-like bed units.  
      This invention does not have to be prematurely folded for its quick assembly, and therefore may be stacked in a manner that an ordinary sheet of ½ inch thick plywood would be stacked, and either in a horizontally flat or vertical position.  
      When a partial through-cut slit is made in one wall of a double wall material, and made to form any folding hinge lines, a substrate will keep a flatter and more original planar state, and as when compared to a curling effect which any crimping may cause when said crimping is used to form said folding hinge lines. A folding hinge line which is serratingly intermittent in its elongate length at or near its beginning and ending point will prevent any floppiness of a pre-folded structure.  
      When using thicker substrate embodiments, and prior to folding, said substrate may be nailed or screwed near any perimeter edges for boarding up windows prior to a hurricane, and removed as needed for transporting or floating users or their objects to safety.  
      Final advantages include compact storage, many multiple use functions, and minimal fabricating time which equals a low manufacturing cost. Quick assembly in an emergency situation is accomplished with only 4 locations of retension of said hingededly-mated flaps preferred, yet one alternative embodiment describes a quicker assembly with only 2 locations of said retension.  
      Changing between uses of this inverting leak-proof floating container support requires no physical change of transforming alterations, other than a vertically directional inverting of said container&#39;s position.  
     SUMMARY  
      A leak-proof box-like structure to support or contain a human user or their objects comprising;  
      (i.) a plurality of folding hinge lines accomplished via slits, or slots, and/or crimps within at least one planar surface wall of a double wall corrugated plastic substrate;  
      (ii.) resulting in at least four hingededly-mated triangular shape flaps;  
      (iii.) and a means of retension of said triangular shape flaps;  
      (iv.) and in as few as two locations of said means;  
      whereby the improvement is multi-functional leak-proof flaps which cooperate to further support said leak-proof floating container bed in its present function;  
      wherein a multiplicity of alternative uses of this emergency inverting leak-proof floating container bed require only a physical inverting of said bed&#39;s position;  
      wherein within at least one alternative embodiment, said bed requires no other material, or any tools, or separate and special fasteners, other than its own material substrate to be assembled and structurally retained.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same number, but different  
      alphabetic suffixes.  
       FIG. 1 , a;  An overhead view of a rectangular sheet of plastic corrugated material and showing the preferred embodiment&#39;s folding hinge lines.  
       FIG. 1 , b;  An overhead view of the preferred embodiment after folded to its functional shape.  
       FIG. 1 , c;  An angular overhead detailed side view of the preferred embodiment.  
       FIG. 2 , a;  An overhead view of an alternative embodiment showing a corrugated substrate before its assembly.  
       FIG. 2 , b;  An overhead angular side view of  FIG. 2 , a,  and after a substrate is folded to its functional shape.  
       FIG. 3 , a;  An overhead view of an alternative embodiment showing a corrugated substrate before its assembly.  
       FIG. 3 , b;  An overhead angular side angle view of  FIG. 3 , a,  and after a substrate is folded to its functional shape.  
       FIG. 4 ; An overhead angular view from one elongate end, and showing a corrugated substrate and its flute channels.  
       FIG. 5 ; An overhead view of a preferred embodiment&#39;s folding hinge line arrangement, with alternative embodiment apertures.  
       FIG. 6 , a;  An overhead angular view of one elongate end in two different stages of folding and fastening.  
       FIG. 6 , b;  An overhead angular view of one elongate end as in  FIG. 6 , a;  and showing a final tightening of a means of retension.  
       FIG. 7 ; An overhead angular view of one elongate end, showing various means of retension.  
       FIG. 8 , a;  An overhead zoomed in view of one of substrate&#39;s corners.  
       FIG. 8 , b;  An angular side view of a zoomed in corner, and as it is partially folded into a triangular shape flap.  
       FIG. 8 , c;  A side view of  FIG. 8 , b,  of a same said corner flap and shown completely folded.  
       FIG. 8 , d;  An angular side view of a container&#39;s elongate end with the previous drawing of  8 , c,  and ready for a means of retension.  
       FIG. 9 , a;  An angular side view showing an alternative embodiment in water.  
       FIG. 9 , b;  An angular side view showing a preferred embodiment in water.  
       FIG. 10 ; An angular side view showing a preferred embodiment with 2 corner flaps unfolded.  
       FIG. 11 ; A side view of a photo converted to line art of a floating container&#39;s wake when in water and under propulsion and containing a human user.  
       FIG. 12 , a;  A partial and side view of an alternative embodiment&#39;s serrated pull strip as one means of retension before pulling away said strip.  
       FIG. 12 , b;  A partial and side view of an alternative embodiment&#39;s serrated pull strip as one means of retension after a pulling away of said strip.  
       FIG. 13 , a;  An angular side view of a sleeping human upon a supporting container upon land, and with their objects within said container&#39;s cavity space.  
       FIG. 13 , b;  An angular side view of a sleeping human within a supporting container and with their objects also within said container&#39;s cavity, and while upon water.  
       FIG. 14 ; A side view of a floating container supporting humans and objects.  
       FIG. 15 , a;  An overhead view of a container which is retained by a pull strip means of retension, and in only 2 locations, and with said container&#39;s cavity facing the viewer.  
       FIG. 15 , b;  An angular side zoomed in view as in  FIG. 15 , a,  showing one elongate end with only 1 location of a pull strip means of retension, and showing said cavity.  
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS  
       30 —Container&#39;s Elongate Sidewall  
       32 —Container&#39;s End Wall  
       34 —Container&#39;s Floor  
       36 —Container&#39;s Cavity Area  
       38 —Corrugated Sheet Substrate&#39;s Corner  
       40 —Corrugated Sheet Substrate&#39;s Planar Surface  
       42 —Corrugated Sheet Substrate&#39;s Perimeter Edge  
       44 —Flute Channel(s)  
       46 —Hingededly-mated Triangular Shape Corner Flaps  
       48 —Apex Point of Corner Flap  
       50 —Parallel to Substrate&#39;s Perimeter Edge Folding Hinge Line  
       52 —Angular to Substrate&#39;s Perimeter Edge Folding Hinge Line  
       54 —Aperture For further assisting Means of Retension  
       56 —Handle-forming Aperture  
       58 —Tie Strap Means of Retension  
       60 —Threaded Fastener Means of Retension  
       62 —Clamp Means of Retension  
       64 —Clip Means of Retension  
       66 —Rope Means of Retension  
       68 —Floating Container&#39;s Wake, as when under propulsion  
       70 —Water&#39;s approximate Surface  
       72 —Trolling Motor  
       74 —Serrated Pull Strip Means of Retension  
       76 —Human User  
       78 —Human User&#39;s Objects  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—FIG.  1 —PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same number, but different alphabetic suffixes.  
      An inverting leak-proof floating container support is shown assembled in  FIG. 1 , c,  and is a preferred embodiment, and is shown as when in a cot-like bed position.  
      The drawing&#39;s view is a side angular view showing said container&#39;s elongate side wall(s)  30 , and an end wall(s)  32 , and a floor  34 , and flute channels  44 , and  4  hingededly-mated triangular shape corner flaps  46 , and 4 plastic tie straps as a means of retension  58 .  
      An elongate and inverted box-like container&#39;s 6th side is absent or open, and with said container&#39;s open-faced cavity area facing the ground. Said hingedly-mated triangular shape corner flaps  46  taper vertically downward and laterally outward from each of 4 corners of said floor  34  to said ground, wherein each apex point  48  of said flap  46  is near to or equal with said ground&#39;s planar surface and or said container&#39;s open-faced cavity area&#39;s perimeter edges; and wherein all said flaps  46  are exterior to said container&#39;s cavity area. Each of said flaps  46  have a folding hinge line  52  which extends in an angular direction from said apex point  48  to an intersecting point of said floor&#39;s  34  folding hinge lines  50  which are parallel to planar perimeter edges of said container&#39;s shape prior to its folding. Said angular folding hinge line  52  joins 2 halves of said triangular shape flap  46 , and wherein a first said half is joined to an end wall  32  via a said parallel to planar edge folding hinge line  50 ; and wherein a second said half is joined to a side wall  30  via a said parallel to planar edge folding hinge line  50 .  
      Within areas of and adjacent each individual corner, planar surfaces of said first half and said second half of said flap  46  abut; and wherein 2 vertically directional said parallel folding hinge lines  50  of said corner abut or nearly abut.  
      Flute channels  44  of said corrugated material extend directionally parallel with said container&#39;s elongate direction, and wherein said flutes&#39; direction within said first half of said flap  46  changes direction perpendicularly to said flutes&#39; direction of said second half of said flap  46 , and directionally extending from said angular folding hinge line  52 .  
      Said means of retension  58  is threaded through one said flute  44  of said first half of said flap  46  to encompass and secure said second half of said flap  46  to facingly abut to said first half of said flap  46 .  
       FIG. 1 , b  is an overhead view of the preferred embodiment, and showing said flaps  46  extending outward from said container, and paralleling said container&#39;s elongate side walls  30 , and with said floor  34  facing a viewer, and with said container&#39;s cavity area and with said means of retension not shown.  
       FIG. 1 , a  is an overhead view of the preferred embodiment&#39;s original rectangular, and generally planar double wall corrugated plastic sheet substrate, and before any folding of said substrate, and showing a preferred arrangement of said folding hinge lines.  
      Although the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, and without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims.  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same number, but different alphabetic suffixes.  
       FIG. 1 , a;  An overhead view of the preferred embodiment&#39;s original rectangular, double wall corrugated plastic sheet substrate, and before any folding of said substrate, and showing a preferred arrangement of folding hinge lines  50  and  52 , its planar face  40 , its perimeter edge  42 , and a corner  38 , and with no means for retension or means for retension apertures shown.  
       FIG. 1 , b;  An overhead view of the preferred embodiment, and showing 4 hingededly-mated gusset-like triangular shape corner supporting flaps  46  extending outward from said container, and paralleling said container&#39;s elongate side walls  30 , and with its floor  34  facing a viewer, and in a cot-like bed position, and with its cavity area not shown.  
       FIG. 1 , c;  An angular overhead detailed side view of the preferred embodiment, and in a cot-like bedposition, and showing details of its corrugated flute channels  44 , plastic tie-strap means of retension  58 , hingededly-mated gusset-like corner supports  46 , perimeter edge paralleling folding hinge lines  50 , angular to perimeter folding hinge lines  52 , an end wall  32 , an elongate side wall  30 , and its floor  34 .  
       FIG. 2 , a;  An overhead view of an alternative embodiment, and wherein a first  2  and dimensionally longer perimeter edge paralleling folding hinge lines  50  extend from one elongate end of a substrate to an opposite elongate end and abut said substrate&#39;s perimeter edge  42 , and wherein a second 2 and shorter said lines  50  abuttingly connect said first 2 lines  50  with no over-lapping or intersecting, and wherein angular to a perimeters edge folding hinge lines  52  extend from each corner  38  to a closest point where said first and said second lines  50  abuttingly connect.  
      In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same number, but different alphabetic suffixes.  
       FIG. 2 , b;  An overhead angular side view of  FIG. 2 , a,  and after a substrate is folded to its functional shape, and showing a container&#39;s open cavity area  36  facing away from the ground and vertically upwards, and with no fasteners shown.  
      Also shown in  FIG. 2 , b  is an angular folding hinge line  52 , and exposed flute channels as when single wall slit cuts are made to produce said hinge lines  50 , 52 , and hingededly-mated triangular shape flaps  46 , and an elongate side wall  30 , and an end wall  32 .  
       FIG. 3 , a;  An overhead view of an alternative embodiment, and oppositely similar to that described in  FIG. 2 , a,  and wherein said second and shorter 2 lines  50  extend to and abut said substrate&#39;s perimeter edge, and wherein said first and longer 2 lines  50  extend until they abut said second lines  50  and without overlapping or intersecting said second 2 lines 5 Angular lines  52  again extend from each corner  38  to a closest point where said first and said second lines  50  abuttingly connect.  
       FIG. 3 , b;  An overhead view of  FIG. 3 , a  and after a substrate is folded to its functional shape, and showing 4 hingededly-mated gusset-like triangular shape corner supporting flaps  46  extending outward from said container, and being perpendicular in direction to a container&#39;s elongate side walls  30  and with its floor  34  facing a viewer, and in a cot-like bed position, and with its cavity area not shown.  
       FIG. 3 , c;  An overhead angular view of  FIG. 3 , a,  and showing details of a bed&#39;s elongate side wall  30 , an end wall  32 , a floor  34 , flute channels  44 , hingededly-mated gusset-like triangular shape corner supporting flaps  46 , an apex point of said flaps  48 , paralleling folding hinge lines  50 , angular folding hinge lines  52 , and tie-strap means of retension  58 .  
      In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same number, but different alphabetic suffixes.  
       FIG. 4 ; An overhead angular view from one elongate end, and showing corrugated material&#39;s flute channels  44 , and the preferred embodiment&#39;s folding hinge lines  50 , 52 .  
       FIG. 5 ; An overhead view of a preferred embodiment&#39;s folding hinge line  50 , 52  arrangement, but showing an added plurality of handle apertures  56 , and an added plurality of apertures  54  for means of retension&#39;s fasteners.  
       FIG. 6 , a;  An overhead angular view of one elongate end in two different stages of folding and fastening 2 hingededly-mated triangular shape flaps  46 , and showing details of 2 side walls  30 , 1 end wall  32 , a floor  34 , flute channels  44 , 2 plastic tie-straps means of retension  58  which are threaded through said channel  44  and where 1 said tie strap  58  encompasses 1 a second half of said flap  46 , and with the structure shown in a cot-like bed position with a container&#39;s cavity area not shown.  
       FIG. 6 , b;  An overhead angular view of one elongate end as in  FIG. 5 , a;  and showing one strap  58  after it is been further tightened, and wherein both halves of said hingededly-mated flap  46  are retained abuttingly together, and wherein said flap&#39;s apex end-point  48  is pointing toward a viewer, and wherein said flap  46  is also planarly parallel with an elongate side wall  30 .  
       FIG. 7 ; An overhead angular view of one elongate end, and showing a structure as in a container or boat-like position, and with cavity area  36  shown and almost ready to retain a human and or their objects, and showing various fastening means of retension including a rope means  66 , a clip means  64 , a clamp means  62 , a threaded fastener means  60 , and a plastic tie-strap means  58 , and also showing an end wall  32 , a side wall  30 , a tightly retained hingededly-mated corner flap  46 , and channel flutes  44 .  
      In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same number, but different alphabetic suffixes.  
       FIG. 8 , a;  An overhead zoomed in view of the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a  and showing one of substrate&#39;s corners  38 , and flute channels  44  located at one elongate end of said substrate, and an angular folding hinge line  52 .  
       FIG. 8 , b;  An angular side view of said zoomed in corner, and as it is partially folded into a hingededly-mated triangular shape flap, and showing said angular line  52 , and said flute channels  44 .  
       FIG. 8 , c;  A side view of the zoomed in corner of  FIG. 8 , b,  and shown completely folded wherein a first half abuts a second half of said flap  46 , and also showing flutes  44 , and said angular hinge line&#39;s  52  location.  
       FIG. 8 , d;  A side angle view of  FIG. 8 , c,  and further including a container&#39;s side wall  30 , and end wall  32 , a container&#39;s cavity area  36 , a hingededly-mated corner flap  46 , said flap&#39;s apex corner point  48 , flute channels  44 , and a paralleling folding hinge line  50  which is now closely abutting said side wall  36 .  
       FIG. 9 , a;  A angular side view showing an alternative embodiment as in  FIG. 2 , a,  and with its cavity area  36  facing vertically upward, and its floor  34  slightly submerged below a water&#39;s surface  70 , and with no intersecting hinge lines, and with all flaps  46  facing outward and paralleling said containers elongate length, and flutes  44 , an end wall  32 , and a trolling motor  72 .  
       FIG. 9 , b;  An angular side view showing additional options available when using a folding hinge line arrangement of the preferred embodiment, wherein triangular shape flaps  46  may be folded to a container&#39;s exterior end wall  32  for additional material support of a trolling motor  72 , and also showing another 2 said flaps  46  which remain slightly immersed in water  70  to function as straight guiding rudder-like supports, and showing means of retension assisting apertures  54 , and not showing any means of retension fasteners.  
      In the drawings, closely related figures may have the same number, but different alphabetic suffixes.  
       FIG. 10 ; An angular side view showing a container as when used as a stretcher-like carrying container, and with 2 corner flaps unfolded for emptying a human and or their objects, and also showing 2 other retained corner flaps  46  which retain the structure&#39;s shape, 2 end walls  32 , a side wall  30 , flute channels  44 , parallel folding hinge lines  50 , angular folding hinge lines  52 , and a floor  34 , and with means of retension not shown.  
       FIG. 11 ; A side view of a photo converted to line art of a floating container&#39;s wake  68  when in water and under propulsion and containing a human user  76 , and also showing 4 hingededly-mated triangular shape flaps  46  supporting a container as straight guiding rudders, and also showing a water&#39;s surface  70 , and a trolling motor  72 .  
       FIG. 12 , a;  A partial and side view of a container with an alternative embodiment&#39;s serrated pull strip  74  as one means of retension before a pulling away of said strip  74  from a side wall&#39;s perimeter edge  42 , and also showing a side wall  30 , a parallel folding hinge line  50 , 2 corner flaps  46 , and an end wall  32 .  
       FIG. 12 , b;  A partial and side view of a container with an alternative embodiment&#39;s serrated pull strip  74  as one means of retension after a pulling away of said strip  74  from a side wall&#39;s perimeter edge  42 , and showing said strip  74  threaded through a single flute  44  of a first half of a hingededly-mated triangular shape flap  46 , and showing where said strip  74  encompasses a second half of said flap  46  and wherein said strip  74  is partially tied and knotted to itself.  
       FIG. 13 , a;  An angular side view of a sleeping human  76  upon a supporting container bed&#39;s floor, and while upon land, and with their objects  78  within said container&#39;s cavity space  36 .  
       FIG. 13 , b;  An angular side view of a sleeping human  76  within a supporting container bed&#39;s cavity space  36 , and upon said container&#39;s floor  34 , and with their objects  78  next to them, and while upon water  70 .  
       FIG. 14 ; A side view of a floating container supporting a plurality of human users, and with their objects  78  lying upon said container&#39;s floor  34 , and with said container upon water  70 , and with said floor  34  facing vertically upwards and away from said water&#39;s surface  70 .  
       FIG. 15 , a;  An overhead view of a container which is retained by a pull strip means of retension  74 , and in only 2 locations at an apex point  48  of a hingededly-mated flap(s)  46 , and with said container&#39;s cavity  36  facing the viewer, and also disclosing locations of an end wall  32 , a side wall  30 , and a floor  34 .  
       FIG. 15 , b;  An angular side zoomed in view as in  FIG. 15 , a,  showing one elongate end with only 1 location of a pull strip  74  means of retension, hingededly-mated flap  46 , and an apex point  48  of said flap,and with said container&#39;s cavity  36  facing the viewer, and also disclosing locations of an end wall  32 , a side wall  30 , and a floor  34 .  
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS—OPERATION  
      In building a floating container support, a manufacturing user forms weakened folding hinge lines  FIG. 1 , a;    50 , 52  within a planarly rectangular double wall corrugated sheet substrate. In the preferred embodiment, a set 2 of said lines  FIG. 1 , a,    50  parallel an elongate or longest edge  42  of said substrate, and are spaced inwardly approximately 1 dimensional foot from said edge. Said 1 foot of space will form said container&#39;s elongate side wall  3  Said lines  50  will extend from a first elongate planar said edge  42  of said substrate to an opposite said edge  42 . A second set of said lines  50  will parallel planar edges  42  of said substrate&#39;s 2 dimensionally shorter sides, and will also extend from one said edge  42  to an opposite said edge  42 , and will also be space inwardly said 1 foot, wherein said container&#39;s end walls  32  will form.  
       FIG. 1 , a  shows said 4 edge paralleling lines  50  as they intersect another and extend from said planar edge to edge  42 . Four additional folding hinge lines  52  are directionally angular to any or all of said edges&#39;  42  directions, and wherein one said line  52  extends from each of said substrate&#39;s corners  38  until abutting a nearest intersecting point of said parallel lines  50 .  
      A manufacturing user may form said hinge lines  50 , 52  by crimping and therefore weakening either one planar surface of said substrate, or both planar surfaces; wherein a first wall or both of said double wall substrate is partially crushed and or weakened to form said folding hinge lines.  
      A manufacturing user may alternatively cut a slit and or slot through one wall of said double wall substrate, wherein a second wall becomes a hinge, and if cut on only one planar side of said substrate, said second wall remains leak-proof. Said slit and or slot cuts may be continuous or intermittent, and/or in combination with said crimping. In example, a crimp may be sufficient when said line is parallel to and with a flute channel&#39;s elongate direction, but said slit or slot cut is best when said line is perpendicular to said flute&#39;s elongate direction and especially when said angular folding hinge lines  52  are formed. Said single wall slit or slot specifically defines a more secured location of said lines, and prevents any lateral shifting of said fold lines when said container is under heavy stress loads.  
      After all said folding lines  50 , 52  are formed, a user easily assembles a container by standing on said substrate in an area approximate centered within any said intersecting parallel hinge lines  50 . Said user grips said substrate&#39;s planar edges  42  and pulls vertically upward on 2 side walls  30 , and near one elongate end.  
      At least 2 said hinge lines have now been impressed into said substrate&#39;s plastic material. Said user now releases one of said walls  30 , and grips said edge  42  of an end wall  32  and pulls vertically upward until it abuts said side wall  30 . An area surrounding said angular hinge line  52 , and located between other said parallel hinge lines  50  will fold in half to form a hingededly-mated triangular shape corner flap; and wherein said halves&#39; planar surfaces will abut each other snugly after being retained by a means of retension. Said side wall  30  is now abutting or held close to said end wall and at a location including an area between said intersecting point of said parallel hinge lines  50  and a substrates planar edge  42 .  
      Each corner  38  of said substrate becomes an apex point  48  of each resulting said hingededly-mated triangular shape corner flap  46 ; and wherein each said flap  46  protrudes outwardly from a formed container&#39;s corners, and exteriorly from said formed container&#39;s cavity area.  
      In FIGS.  6 , a,b;  notice how a flute&#39;s direction changes 90 degrees at the location of said angular and slit-cut folding hinge line  52 , and how a plastic tie-strap means of retension utilizes one said flute to thread through a first half of said flap  46  and encompass a second half of said flap  46  for retension of an entire said flap  46  and said container&#39;s corner. A more detailed view of said 90 degree change of a flutes direction is shown in FIGS.  8 , a,b,c,d;  wherein a closer view reveals flute direction not shown in other views.  
      Once a user tightens all said means of retension, said substrate&#39;s planar edges  42  are all equal or close to being equally planar as said container is placed on a ground&#39;s surface with its cavity area  36  facing vertically downward and its floor  34  facing vertically upward and away from said ground&#39;s surface.  
      As in  FIG. 1 , c,  all edges  42  evenly contact said ground&#39;s planar surface as said flaps protrude outward from said container. Each of said flaps  46  taper vertically downward from each of said floor&#39;s  34  corner areas, and taper outward and downward to said ground&#39;s level surface.  FIG. 1 , c  shows how said flaps  46  function as gusset-like corner supports to provide said container further standing support.  
      An end-user will discover numerous ways to use said container support, and primarily as a bed or a bench  FIG. 13 , a.  After directionally and vertically inverting said container support, a user may still sleep or lie down or sit in said container, and while either on land, or while upon water as in  FIG. 13 , b.  If too many other human visitors try to join said end-user, and said container overturns, said container&#39;s cavity area will be of sufficient buoyancy to support several users and/or their objects  78  as shown in  FIG. 13 , c.    
      If a manufacturing user prefers even more said buoyancy, they may use a sealant to plug up any exposed said flute channel  44  openings.  
      Commonly available thicknesses of said double wall corrugated plastic substrate are 4 mil, 6 mil, 8 mil, and 10 mil; and is the thickness of one wall of said double wall. Any internal connecting or flute forming ribs are also of a matching thickness.  
      Said 4 mil thickness will support 1 average adult, but is not recommended. Said 6 mil thickness will easily support 2 adults upon land or water. Said 8 mil supports 3 adults, and pending their average weight. Said 10 mil is recommended for supporting up to 5 sitting adults when said container is used as said bench upon land, or from 2 to 3 sitting adults when used upon water, and when an initial size of 4 ft.×8 ft. substrate is used.  
      Said means of retension may be accomplished via clamps  62 , clips  64 , most any type of threaded fastener set  60 , a cord  66 , or an adhesive which is not shown, or said plastic tie strap  58 , and are mostly shown in  FIG. 7 .  
      Some of said alternative fasteners may need small through cut apertures  54  which are matchingly located through said first half and said second half of said flap  46 , and located near said edge  42 .  
      One special type of said means of retension within an alternative embodiment is a serrated pull strip means of retension  74  which is cut from one or more elongate edge(s)  42  of said container&#39;s side wall(s)  3  Said side walls do not have any said flute channel  44  openings.  FIG. 12 , a  shows a location of a said strip  74 , and  FIG. 12 , b  shows a same said strip  74  removed just enough from said edge  42  to be threaded through one said flute channel  44  of said flap  46 . Said strip  74  is shown tied, yet just prior to its final tightening. Note how said strip  74  is still attached to said edge  42  for its safe-keeping for any later re-uses.  
       FIG. 15 , a  also shows how a container&#39;s flaps may be retained in as few as 2 locations; and wherein said folding hinge line arrangement is the same as in the preferred embodiment. Said pull strip  74  is removed completely from said edge  42 , and is shown threaded through said flute  44 , and tied completely tight to abuttingly or almost abuttingly secure both apex point locations  48  of said flaps  46 . Portions of said side wall  30  near a now vertically directional said parallel hinge line  50  in  FIG. 15 , b  pinchingly retains said flap  46  and said end wall  32  to retain said container&#39;s structural shape.  
      Other alternative embodiments do not physically change said container&#39;s shape too much, other than one shown in  FIG. 3 , a,b,c,  where 2 of said parallel lines  50  which extend parallel to said substrate&#39;s elongate direction, do not extend completely to said edge  42 . Said flaps  46  in a folded container shown in  FIG. 3 , b  are now perpendicular to said container&#39;s elongate direction. Said flaps  46  do retain their gusset-like, and handle-like properties, but with diminished said aerodynamic properties, unless said substrate&#39;s  1  to 2 ratio size were changed; and if changed by a manfacturing user, said container would need to be only slightly elongate for full use of all of said flap&#39;s  46  said properties.  
       FIG. 4  shows an alternative view of the preferred embodiment&#39;s preferred said folding hinge line(s)  50 , 52  arrangement before adding accessing means of retension apertures  54 , and handle grip apertures  56  as shown in  FIG. 5 . With said apertures shown, from 8 to 10 users may surround an assembled said container for carrying heavy weight liquids or a human. Said flaps  46  will still remain accessible and useable as handles.  
       FIG. 2 , a  shows an alternative embodiment wherein 2 shorter length said parallel folding hinge lines  50  do not extend completely to said substrate&#39;s edge  42 . When this arrangement is used with said 2 locations of fastening in  FIG. 15 , a,  said flaps  46  and said side walls will tend to bow outwardly and just slightly. A manufacturing user needs to tighten any said pull strips  74  without causing too much said bowing, as too much will reduce a container&#39;s standing strength.  
       FIG. 9 , a  shows the alternative embodiment of  FIG. 2 , a  when in water, and with a trolling motor  72  about to be applied to an end wall  32 .  
       FIG. 9 , b  shows the preferred embodiment with an option of re-enforcing said end wall  32  by folding said flaps flush with said end wall  32  before mounting said trolling motor  72 . This embodiment is mostly for emergency situations when a means of propulsion is too large for said container, and is not recommended, but still remains a last option in a demanding situation.  
       FIG. 11  is a photo turned into line art drawing of a side view of a human user  76  within a preferred embodiment and when upon a water&#39;s surface  70 , and with a proper thickness of said 10 mil substrate used, instead of said previous descriptions of  FIG. 9 , b.  Also shown are all 4 said flaps  46 , a running trolling motor  72 , and a  
      container&#39;s wake  68  when under propulsion.  
      Shown in  FIG. 10  is an option for a user to unload said container by removing a cadaver without touching said cadaver. Said container is then disposed of, and wherein this view is not intended to be considered as a physical change of transforming alterations, but as a one time use.  
      When a user is finished using their container, they may disassemble it and store flat, until needed again; wherein said sheet substrate may be used as boarding material to go over windows and such for protecting a home prior to a hurricane, and when said user nails or fastens near a substrate&#39;s said perimeter edges  42 , said container may be removed after the storm for use in transporting any humans and or their objects to safety, and upon land or water.  
     CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE  
      After a dozen or more intense searches, a last one was done on Sun, Nov. 27, 2005, and lasting 9:00am til 12:00pm.  
      We entered CCL/229/154, in a general patent search with a result of;. Searching 1790 to present . . . Results of Search in 1790 to present db for:  
      CCL/229/154: 305 patents. Hits 1 through 50 out of 305  
      http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?Sect1=PTO2&amp;p=1&amp;u=% 2Fnetahtml %2 Fsearch-bool.html&amp;r= 0 &amp;f=S&amp;1=50&amp;TERM1=229% 2F154&amp;FIELD1=ORCL&amp;d=pall.  
      This last intensive search included 305 patents with most dated so far back, there were only image files to search ended with U.S. Pat. No. 127,431 by Ruger in June of 1872.  
      All previous container patent applications were primarily concerned with aesthetics and devising a special perimeter edge cut. Not too many used exterior flaps, and especially with no complete through-cuts or apertures. Most were concerned with a 6 sided container, or a container with an attached lid, or closure flaps. None found had considered a plurality of supporting roles for a container&#39;s flap, other than Walter in December of 1914 with U.S. Pat. No. 1,121,426 and with no class number shown. The flaps were attached to knob like handles, but the container required knob apertures and special knob like objects.  
      Other categories searched within ttl/, spec/, clm/, and cls/; were beds, cots, boats, ambulatory, buoy, floating, floatable, float, leak-proof, corrugated, plastic, flaps, container, box, support, hinge, watercraft, and many more. Each of the previous words were switched from one category to the next; and where previous patent&#39;s references were searched and traced back to basic classifications, and finally to the USPTO&#39;s classification categories, and finally to this last search mentioned.  
      Our key classifications turned out to be 229/154 and 229/941 with leak-proof container as key descriptive words of our invention.  
      Accordingly, the reader will see that the scope of this new inverting leak-proof floating container support goes beyond it&#39;s many advantages over previous containers.  
      In addition, we believe that it is for the good of the country that this patent for application be expedited as quickly as possible; and have submitted forms which request so. Changing times of post-Katrina hurricane events and forecasted pre-bird flu pandemic warnings prompted us to add another classification within the Nolo&#39;s-MPEP Sec. 708.2 form; and just beneath “Counters Terrorism”, we added the classification; “Counters Pandemic Disaster”.  
      Times Change, and sometimes quickly.  
      We beg your pardon if this action was too inappropriate and out of line, but we felt it didn&#39;t fit any other classification, yet we are ready to manufacture if needed.  
      We also believe that the upcoming pandemic spoken of in the news is most definitely a matter of when, and not if. This invention may prevent many persons from further disease or discomfort when quarrantined public centers should become necessary for disease containment.  
      We have tested all aspects of this invention, other than any disease prevention functions, and have found that it is quite safe for users weighing 250 to 350 pounds for sleeping, and approximately 300 pounds for use as a boat, and approximately 225 pounds for use as a stretcher, and when using an appropriate thickness of corrugated substrate.  
      Although previous descriptions contain many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments of this invention.  
      Thank you for the chance to apply for this application for potent . . . Charles Wogenknecht, Sam Wagenknecht, Terry Wagenknecht