Patent Publication Number: US-10308391-B1

Title: Container and stand for a portable device

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     A container and stand for a portable device and methods of making and use are provided. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Recycling is a process using waste materials to form new products. Recycling prevents waste of new materials, and reduces the consumption of fresh raw materials, as recycling uses discarded or otherwise used materials to form the new products. Recycling may also reduce energy and water usage in the formation of materials from raw ingredients. Recycling also reduces pollution by preventing the disposal of the materials. For example, recycling reduces air pollution from incineration, and land and water pollution from land filling. Recycling is a key component of modern waste reduction and is the third component of the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” waste hierarchy. 
     SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, a container that has two arrangements, wherein in a first arrangement, the container holds a portable device for transport, and wherein a second arrangement, the container supports the portable device in a position for use of the device, the container comprises: a first pocket that holds a first corner of the device; a second pocket that holds a second corner of the device; a first retaining strap that holds a third corner of the device; a second retaining strap that holds a fourth corner of the device; a device surface that adjoins the device and holds the device in the two arrangements, wherein the device surface is connected to the first pocket, the second pocket, the first retaining strap, and the second retaining strap; a device support surface that adjoins the device surface, wherein the device support surface is parallel to the device surface in the first arrangement, and wherein the device support surface is at a nonzero angle with the device surface in the second arrangement; an interface support surface that is adjacent to the device support surface, wherein the device support surface is parallel to the device surface in the first arrangement, and wherein the interface support surface is at a nonzero angle with the device surface in the second arrangement; wherein the device surface, the device support surface and the interface surface form a polygon in one view of the second arrangement. 
     According to another embodiment, a method of using a container that has two functional modes, the method comprising: attaching a device to the container; manipulating at least two features of the container to place the container in the first functional mode, wherein the first functional mode is transporting the device; and manipulating at least two features of the container to place the container in the second functional mode, wherein the second functional mode is presenting the device for use by a user. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       The features and advantages of certain embodiments will be more readily appreciated when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The figures are not to be construed as limiting any of the preferred embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  depicts an example of the container and stand for a device. 
         FIG. 2  depicts an example of a retaining strap for use with the container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 3A-3C  depict an example of a finished pocket  150  of the container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIGS. 4A-4C  depict the container of  FIG. 1  in the second arrangement or stand mode, and the first arrangement or transport mode. 
         FIG. 5  depicts an optional closure strap for the container of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  depicts another example of the container and stand for a device that does not include handles. 
         FIG. 7  depicts another example of the container and stand for a device that uses one pocket. 
         FIGS. 8A and 8B  depict an example of the container having the device in landscape mode and portrait mode, respectively. 
         FIG. 9  depicts an alternative arrangement for the stand slots of the container of  FIG. 6 or 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. One skilled in the art may be able to use the various embodiments of the invention 
     The container described herein serves two main functions, as expressed in two arrangements. The first function is to hold or contain a device. As used herein, the device may be an electronic device, a portable electronic device, a computer device, a display screen, an image projector, an IPAD, a notebook computer, an MP3 player, a personal data assistant, a cellular telephone, a camera, and a smart phone. The device may also be a non-electronic device, such as marker board, chalk board, a paper tablet, and the container would function as a binder. The container described herein may be resized as needed to accommodate different sized devices. In this first arrangement, the container protects the device by covering the screen of the device and padding the device during transport of the device. The second function of the container is to act as a stand for the device. In this second arrangement, the container supports the device in a position that allows the device to be used by a user. The container maintains a removable attachment with the device while the container is in the first function mode, the second function mode, and the transition between the first function mode and the second function mode. 
     The container described herein is preferably made from materials that have been used for other purposes. Thus, the container described herein is preferably made from recycled materials. 
     One example of such a material is cardboard. The cardboard may be a portion of the packaging for the device. The cardboard may be packaging from other products, such as the cardboard backing from note pads. The cardboard should have sufficient strength to support the device. The cardboard is preferably made of one piece that is sized to accommodate the device. The cardboard may be corrugated or non-corrugated. It is preferable that the cardboard be corrugated for the container and be oriented such that the internal corrugation of the cardboard is perpendicular to the major structural folds, e.g. the fold between the device bottom surface ( 104  of  FIG. 1 ) and the device support surface ( 102  of  FIG. 1 ), and the fold between the device bottom surface ( 104  of  FIG. 1 ) and the interface support surface ( 103  of  FIG. 1 ). Note that the cardboard material may be coated with a water resistant material and/or reinforcing material, e.g. spray rubber or plastic coating, to provide some weather protection for the device and/or improve the durability of the container. 
     Another example of such a material is corrugated plastic. One example of corrugated plastic is polypropylene plastic or PP plastic and is typically marked with the recycling number 5. Polypropylene is desirable because the plastic is resistant to fatigue, and thus can be bent or folded multiple times without breaking. Note that other plastics may be used. The corrugated plastic may be a portion of the packaging for the device. The corrugated plastic may be packaging from other products, or from other sources such as a yard sign, e.g. political signs, real estate signs. The corrugated plastic should have sufficient strength to support the device. Corrugated plastic has two common thickness sizes, 2 and 4 millimeters. The 2 millimeter thick plastic has corrugation chambers that are 2 millimeters thick and about 3 millimeters in length. The 4 millimeter thick plastic has corrugation chambers that are 4 millimeters thick and about 5.5 millimeters in length. The corrugated plastic is preferably made of one piece that is sized to accommodate the device. It is preferable that corrugated plastic for the container be oriented such that the internal corrugation of the plastic is parallel with the major structural folds, e.g. the fold between the device bottom surface ( 104  of  FIG. 1 ) and the device support surface ( 102  of  FIG. 1 ), and the fold between the device bottom surface ( 104  of  FIG. 1 ) and the interface support surface ( 103  of  FIG. 1 ). Note that if corrugated plastic is used, then to make the various cuts for the container may require additional material to be removed to form cavities instead of only cutting plastic. Further note, that to make folds, the corrugated plastic may have to be cut on the opposite side to allow for the folding to occur. 
       FIG. 1  depicts an example of the container and stand  100  for a device. The container may be formed by using a one or more die(s) in a press to cut the pattern. The various peak and valley folds may also be formed by one or more die(s) in a press. Alternatively, a pattern for the container may be traced or printed onto a piece of material, and the various cuts and folds may be made by hand. 
     Note that in this view of the container  100 , the device would be placed onto surface  101  and  102  with the valley and peak folds as shown. If the container  100  were to be flipped over, then the valley and peak folds would be reversed. 
     The container  100  includes surface  101 , which is the device surface  101 . The device would be removably attached to this surface. In the orientation of the container  100  of  FIG. 1 , the device would be placed with its user interface(s), e.g. screen, keyboard, and/or point device, facing outward and with the top oriented toward handle  110  and the bottom oriented toward stand handle  111 . 
     The device may be attached to the device surface  101  with an adhesive, such as glue or double sided tape. Alternatively, the device may attached to the device surface  101  by one or more retaining straps  130  of  FIG. 2 . For example, two straps  130  may be used. The first strap being passed through the first retaining strap hole  120  and looped around an opposite, upper corner of the device. More specifically, with hole  120  located on the left side of the container, the strap  130  passing through hole  120  would loop around the right upper corner of the device. The second strap being passed through the second retaining strap hole  121  and looped around an opposite, upper corner of the device. More specifically, with hole  121  located on the right side of the container, the strap  130  passing through hole  121  would loop around the left upper corner of the device. Note that this cross loop arrangement is by way of example only, as other arrangement could be used. For example, each strap could loop around the same-side, upper corner of the device. 
     The strap  130  includes dowel  131  and connector  132 . The dowel  131  prevents the strap from being pulled through the hole  120 ,  121 . Optionally, the dowel may be glued or taped to the exterior surface, which is the surface opposite to the surface that interfaces with the device. The strap  130  may be comprised of a rubber band, elastic band, and/or hair band. The dowel  131  may be comprised of a wood or metal, and may be a fastener, a pin, a paperclip, or a nail. The dowel may also be fitted into a cavity (not shown) made in the exterior of device surface  101 . The cavity would correspond with the corrugation, and thus the dowel would be mounted flush with the exterior of the device surface  101 . The connector  132  connects the dowel  131  with the strap  130 . The connector may comprise a knot that is formed in the strap  130  around the dowel  131 . 
     Alternatively, the device may be attached to the device surface  101  by one retaining strap  130  of  FIG. 2 . The strap is passed through a single retaining strap hole (not shown) that is located in the center of the container, e.g. at location between holes  120  and  121 . The strap is then looped around both upper corners of the device. However, in this arrangement, the strap  130  may block a portion of the interface, e.g. screen, of the device. 
     The device surface includes one or more pockets  150 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the container has two pockets  150 . Each pocket is formed by folding the various surfaces and engaging the tab and slot as follows. The pocket outer front surface  154  and the pocket bottom surface  155  are folded so that the pocket outer front surface  154  is parallel with the device surface  101  and the pocket bottom surface  155  is perpendicular with the device surface  101 . The pocket flap  151  is then folded into the region created by the outer front surface  154  and the device surface  101 . The pocket outer side surface  153  is then folded down with the pocket tab  152  being inserted into pocket slot  156 . The pocket tab  152  may be fixed in place on the device surface  101  with an adhesive or tape, or if the material of the container is plastic, the tab  152  may be heat-sealed to the surface  101 . 
     An example of a finished pocket  150  is shown in  FIGS. 3A-3C .  FIG. 3A  depicts a top external view of pocket  150 .  FIG. 3B  depicts an internal view of the front of the pocket  150 .  FIG. 3C  depicts an internal side view of the pocket  150 . Each pocket would receive a respective bottom corner of the device. 
     Alternatively, the pocket tab  152  may have an elongated portion such at the pocket tab  158 . This type of tab  158  may be passed through pocket slot  156  and then passed through elongated slot  157 . The elongated pocket tab  158  may be fixed in place on the device surface  101  with an adhesive or tape, or if the material of the container is plastic, the tab  158  may be heat-sealed to the surface  101 . This arrangement provides for a stronger attachment between tab  158  and surface  101 . 
     The device is removably attached to the device surface  101  via the pockets  150  and the retaining straps  130 . 
     The container  100  includes surface  102 , which is the device support surface  102 . In the first functional mode, this surface is parallel with the device surface  101  and forms one side of the container with device surface  101 . In the second functional mode, this surface is at an angle with respect to the device surface  101  and acts to support the device during user operations. 
     The container  100  includes surface  103 , which is the interface support surface  103 . In the first functional mode, this surface is parallel with and adjacent to the device surface  101  and forms the other side of the container. In the second functional mode, this surface is at an angle with respect to the device surface  101  and abuts an external surface upon which the combination of the container  100  and the device rests during user operations. The external surface may be a portion of a piece of furniture, e.g. a table, or other object, e.g. the user&#39;s lap or hand, upon which the user is going to be operating the device. Alternatively, in the second functional mode, the surface  103  may be rotated completely around surface  101 , until both surfaces are parallel with each other and adjacent to each other, and the device is accessible by the user. 
     The container  100  also includes surface  104 , which is the device bottom surface  104 . In the first functional mode, this surface is substantially perpendicular with the device surface  101  and forms the bottom side of the container. In this mode, this surface is adjacent to the top of the device. In the second functional mode, this surface is at an angle with respect to the device surface  101  and surface is at an angle with respect to the device surface  101  and acts to support the device in during user operations. 
     The interface support surface  103  includes handle  110 . The handle  110  includes optional handle flap  113  and optional handle space  116 . As shown, the handle flap  113  is formed by making a cut into interface support surface  103  that removes material to form a cavity. In the first functional mode, the handle  110  combines with stand handle  111  to form a container handle that allows the container to be transported. In this mode, the handle flap  113  is folded through the cavity in the stand handle and around the stand handle. The handle space  116  should be sized to at least twice the thickness of the material, so that both handles can be held together. In the second functional mode, the handle  110  acts as part of the interface support surface  103 . 
     The device surface  101  includes stand handle  111 . In the first functional mode, the stand handle  111  combines with handle  110  to form a container handle that allows the container to be transported. In the second functional mode, the stand handle  111  is passed through one of the stand slots  112   n  in interfaced support surface  103 . This acts to lock the container in a stand orientation and allows the device to be operated by a user. In  FIG. 1 , the container has two stand slots  112   a ,  112   b , however, other embodiments can have a different number of stand slots, e.g. one stand slot, or three or more stand slots. Also as shown in  FIG. 1 , the stand slots  112   n  are cuts in the surface  103 . However, the stand slots may also be formed by cutting an removing material to form cavities into which the stand handle  111  is placed. 
       FIGS. 4A and 4B  depict the container  100   a  in the second functional mode.  FIG. 4A  depicts a side elevation view of the container  100   a  with a device  200 . Note for simplicity the straps  130  are not shown.  FIG. 4B  depicts a front elevation view of the container  100   a . Note for simplicity the straps  130  and the device  200  are not shown.  FIG. 4C  depicts the container  100   b  in the first functional mode.  FIG. 4C  depicts a top view of the container of  FIG. 1  closed and ready for transport. The interface support surface  103  is tucked into the pockets  150 . The handle  110  is proximate with the stand handle  111 . The handle flap  113  is ready to be wrapped through the cavity of the handle  110  and the stand handle  111 , and then around the stand handle  111 . To open the container, a user would push downward, away from the handle  110 , on the thumb notches  114 . This would slide the portions of surface  103  tucked into the pockets out of the pockets. The surface  103  can then be opened from the device. 
     The container  100  of  FIG. 1  may optionally includes thumb notches  114  on surface  103  and/or one or more tucking folds  115   a  and  115   b . In the first functional mode, the interface support surface  103  may tuck into the pocket(s)  150 . Specifically, the portion  170  of the surface  103  would fit in to the pocket  150 . This would keep the container closed for transport of the device. To assist in opening the container, the user would push on thumb notches  114  to slip release the surface  103  from the pocket(s)  150 . The tucking fold(s)  115   a  and  115   b  would allow the surface  103  to flex during opening and closing. The tucking folds are particularly needed if the container is made from a ridged material, such as polypropylene or thick cardboard. 
     If surface  103  does not tuck into the pocket(s)  150  to close the container  100 , then the container  100  of  FIG. 1  may optionally include a closure strap  161  of  FIG. 5 . The strap  161  has ends  162  that are fitted into holes  160   a  located in the pocket outer front surface  154 . The holes  160   b  may also be located in pocket flap  151  and pocket outside surface  153 . The holes in  151  and  153  are placed to line up when folded. Alternatively, there may be a single hole  160   c  used by the closure strap  161 . In this case, the closure strap would resemble retaining strap  130 . The closure strap  161  is used in the first functional mode to hold surface  101 / 102  closed with surface  103 . 
       FIG. 6  depicts another example of the container and stand for a device that does not include handles. This arrangement uses a stand flap  140  instead of stand handle  111 . The stand flap  140  is inserted into the stand slot  112   n.    
       FIG. 7  depicts another example of the container of  FIG. 6  that uses a single pocket. This container is similar to that of  FIGS. 1 and 6  and has one pocket outer front surface  154 - 1  and one pocket outer bottom surface  155 - 1 . The stand flap  140  is cut from surface  155 - 1 . When folded as described with respect to  FIG. 1 , this forms one pocket that extends the width of the container. As another alternative, only surface  154  may extend across the width of the container. 
     The container of  FIG. 7  allows for the device to be used either in portrait mode or landscape mode. In comparison, the container of  FIG. 1  allows the device to be used in landscape mode, i.e. with the widest side of the device arranged in a horizontal manner. In landscape mode, the retaining straps  130  would be arranged as described in  FIG. 1 , namely crossed along the back of the device.  FIG. 8A  depicts an arrangement having the device in landscape mode. In the portrait mode, i.e. with the widest side of the device arranged in vertical manner, the retaining straps  130  would not cross along the back of the device. The first strap being passed through the first retaining strap hole  120  and looped around the same-side, upper corner of the device. More specifically, with hole  120  located on the left side of the container, the strap  130  passing through hole  120  would loop around the left upper corner of the device. The second strap being passed through the second retaining strap hole  121  and looped around an same-side, upper corner of the device. More specifically, with hole  121  located on the right side of the container, the strap  130  passing through hole  121  would loop around the right upper corner of the device.  FIG. 8B  depicts an arrangement having the device in portrait mode. Note that the arrangements of  FIGS. 8A and 8B  are by way of example only, as the looping arrangements could be reversed. Furthermore, sets of different length straps could be used, with a shorter set for the landscape arrangement and longer set for the portrait arrangement. 
       FIG. 9  depicts an alternative arrangement for the stand slots  112 - 1  for the container of  FIG. 6 or 7 . In this figure, each slot is broken into two portions. The stand flap  140  would similarly have two portions. Note that other arrangements could have more portions, e.g. three portions for each slot and stand flap. 
     Note that additional holes or ports may need to be made in the container to allow for access to controls and/or interface for a particular device. 
     As used herein, the words “comprise,” “have,” “include,” and all grammatical variations thereof are each intended to have an open, non-limiting meaning that does not exclude additional elements or steps. 
     The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.