Patent Publication Number: US-2023150728-A1

Title: Firewood transport &amp; storage assembly

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     The present application is a Continuation of and claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/352,075, filed Mar. 13, 2019, the content of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The present disclosure generally relates to containers for sale, storage and transport of bundles of firewood or other goods, and particularly relates to a reusable, open mesh container having a rectangular shape for the firewood or other goods carried therein. 
     Small bundles of firewood are typically packaged in mesh bags or wrapped in plastic sheeting for transport and retail sale. Such mesh bags are formed from a polymer mesh and are sealed at both ends with firewood secured therein. These bags are not openable without destruction of the bag. Bundles of firewood may also be sealed or wrapped in plastic sheet wrap. 
     Other forms of known firewood carriers include a mesh sling with an open top and two handles formed from the ends of the mesh sling, adjacent the top, and canvas or fabric-type slings with open ends, having two handles extending from the top. 
     Plastic mesh packaging is desired for sale, transport and storage of firewood because it is strong and allows the firewood stored therein to “breathe,” thereby avoiding the possibility for the retention of water in the wood. The wood thus is more resistant to mold or rot when sold, transported and/or stored in mesh, or breathable, packaging. Wrapping firewood in plastic sheeting allows for moisture retention by the wood within the plastic. 
     When a handle is added to such a plastic wrap firewood package, the handle is often attached directly to the wood retained therein, with the handle being secured directly to wood within the package by nails or staples driven through the handle ends and into the wood. This adds to the inconvenience of separating the wood from such packaging. The lack of ergonomically designed handles on plastic mesh bags of firewood makes them difficult to hold and carry. 
     In addition, the lack of defined form that the known packaging provides to the firewood bundle makes stacking those firewood packages problematic, both from a stability standpoint, and from an efficiency standpoint. Each mesh bag secured small firewood bundle takes on a non-standard shape. This makes palletizing such misshapen firewood packaging problematic, as each pallet takes on its own three-dimensional form and requires further packaging constraints for holding the packages on the pallet, either using plastic wrap or other means. This further adds to the packaging cost of the product and, in the case of using plastic sheeting wrap, may cause undesirable moisture retention in the wood product. For shipping, it is always undesirable to “ship air” and thus the most desirable packaging eliminates air pockets and spaces between packages. Small bundles of packaged firewood that are not uniform in shape and size result in inefficient shipping practices and dimensional instability of the shipped firewood packages. 
     SUMMARY 
     An aspect of the present disclosure relates to a flexible container for securing of a load in a generally rectangular shape therein. The container has a bottom panel providing a generally horizontal base such that the container is an open top container. Two end panels and two side panels extend in an upright manner from a connection with the horizontal base and each of the end panels are contiguous with each of the side panels to form the side and end walls of the container. At edges where the panels are contiguous, and where the end and side panels are secured to the bottom panel, respective panel material is stitched together to form a seam. A drawstring is operably secured along an upper perimeter of the walls of the container closure of the open top around a load received by the container. Two handles are provided and each handle is secured to a location on the upper portion of the walls of the container. The container is comprised of an open mesh material and is configured such that closure of the open top around the load therein allows the container to take substantially the rectangular shape around the load received therein. 
     A further aspect of the present disclosure relates to a reusable container for storage, transport, and sale of firewood. The container has a rectangular floor panel supporting a plurality of vertically disposed wall panels. Each wall panel is connected at a first end thereof to the base so as to provide a container having an open top for loading firewood into the container. One or more handles are secured to a second end of one or more wall panels and a closure mechanism is provided for closing a portion of the second end of one or more of the wall panels around the firewood in the container. The container is a reusable container. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to a method of packing firewood for sale, transport or storage. One or more lengths of firewood can be loaded in a mesh container comprising a rectangular floor panel supporting a plurality of vertically disposed wall panels, each of the wall panels connected at a first end thereof to the floor panel and the container having an open top for loading the firewood into the container and wherein the container has one or more handles secured to a second end of one or more wall panels. A drawstring and closure mechanism slidable along a length of the drawstring woven through upper ends of the wall panels of the container cooperate to close the upper ends of the wall panels over the one or more lengths of firewood placed in the container to form a substantially rectangular container. 
     This disclosure, in its various combinations, either in apparatus or method form, may also be characterized by the following listing of items: 
     1. A reusable container for storage, transport, and sale of firewood, the container comprising:
         a rectangular floor panel supporting a plurality of vertically disposed wall panels, the wall panels connected at a first end to the base and the container having an open top for loading firewood into the container;   one or more handles secured to a second end of one or more wall panels; and   a closure mechanism for closing a portion of the second end of one or more of the wall panels around the firewood in the container, and   wherein the container is a reusable container.
 
2. The container of item 1, wherein the floor panel is an open mesh construction and provides a rectangular or square base to the container.
 
3. The container of item 1, wherein the wall panels comprise a pair of opposing side wall panels and a pair of opposing end wall panels.
 
4. The container of item 3, wherein the wall panels are an open mesh construction.
 
5. The container of item 4, wherein the closure mechanism comprises a length of cord woven through the open mesh construction of upper ends of one or more wall panels such that a first end of the cord and a second end of the cord are outside of the container on a same wall panel of the container.
 
6. The container of item 5, wherein a two-way sliding lock is secured over the first and second ends of the cord and is movable along the length of the cord towards a center point of the cord to close the wall panels over a top of the firewood in the container.
 
7. The container of item 6, wherein the sliding lock is a spring-loaded clip.
 
8. The container of item 1, wherein two handles are secured to the container, the handles secured to a wall panel in a pair of opposing wall panels such that the handles are secured to opposing sides of the container.
 
9. The container of item 8, wherein the handles are nylon straps having a width of about ¾ inches or greater.
 
10. The container of item 2, wherein the container is comprised of a synthetic polymer mesh such that the container can support a load of up to 25 lbs. therein.
 
11. The container of item 2, wherein the container is an open mesh polypropylene container.
 
12. A method of packing firewood for sale, transport or storage comprising:
   placing one or more lengths of firewood into a mesh container comprising a rectangular floor panel supporting a plurality of vertically disposed wall panels, the wall panels connected at a first end to the base and the container having an open top for loading the firewood into the container and wherein the container has one or more handles secured to a second end of one or more wall panels;   sliding a closure mechanism along a length of cord woven through a perimeter edge along the second end of the wall panels to the close the second ends of the wall panels over the one or more lengths of firewood placed in the container to form a substantially rectangular container.
 
13. The method of item 12, wherein the container is reusable.
 
14. A flexible container for securing of a load in a generally rectangular shape therein, the container comprising:
   a bottom panel providing a generally horizontal base such that the container is an open top container;   two end panels extending upright from a connection with the horizontal base;   two side panels extending upright from a connection with the horizontal base, wherein each of the end panels are contiguous with each of the side panels and at edges where the panels are contiguous, and where the end and side panels are secured to the bottom panel, respective panel material is secured together to form a seam;   a drawstring operably secured along an upper perimeter formed by upper ends of the two end panels and two side panels for closure of the open-top around a load received by the container; and   two handles, each handle being secured to the upper portion of one of an end or a side panel,   wherein at least one of an end or a side panel of the container is comprised of an open mesh material and wherein the container is configured such that closure of the open-top around the load allows the container to take substantially the rectangular shape around the load received therein.
 
15. The flexible container of item 15, wherein the open mesh material comprises polypropylene.
 
16. The flexible container of item 15, wherein each handle is a strap comprised of nylon, and wherein terminal ends of each strap are adhered to the container.
 
17. The flexible container of item 15, wherein the container is reusable.
 
18. The flexible container of item 16, further comprising a closure mechanism operably connected to the drawstring and movable on the length of the drawstring to reduce an effective length of the drawstring thus closing the container.
 
19. The flexible container of item 18, wherein the closure mechanism is a spring loaded clip for two-way movement along the drawstring for opening and closing the container.
 
20. The flexible container of item 14 configured to receive a load of firewood weighing up to 25 lbs. for sale, transport or storage of said firewood in a generally rectangular shape.
       

     This summary is provided to introduce concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subject matter. Specifically, features disclosed herein with respect to one embodiment may be equally applicable to another. Further, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The disclosed subject matter will be further explained with reference to the attached figures, wherein like structure or system elements are referred to by the like reference numerals throughout the several views. It is contemplated that all description are applicable to like and analogous structures throughout the several embodiments. 
         FIG.  1    is a front perspective view of an embodiment of an open top container according to the present disclosure. 
         FIG.  2    is a top perspective view of the open top container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  3    is a bottom view of the open top container of  FIG.  1   . 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view of the open top container loaded with firewood and closed over the firewood. 
         FIG.  5    is side perspective view of an additional embodiment of the open top container according to the present disclosures. 
         FIG.  6    is side perspective view of an additional embodiment of the open top container according to the present disclosures. 
     
    
    
     While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure. 
     The figures may not be drawn to scale. In particular, some features may be enlarged relative to other features for clarity. Moreover, where terms such as above, below, over, under, top, bottom, side, right, left, vertical, horizontal, etc., are used, it is to be understood that they are used only for ease of understanding the description. It is contemplated that structures may be oriented otherwise. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     This disclosure relates to a packaging scheme for a firewood bundle that addresses the shortcoming of the packaging arrangements discussed in the Background section above. The disclosed new packaging scheme is also less wasteful in terms of packaging material, and provides a firewood carrying package that may be reused, further saving resources. Further, this packaging scheme includes a closure which allows for easy closing and opening of the bag, securing the contents therein. 
     In one embodiment, as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 4   , multiple panels of a flexible, durable, water resistant, and breathable material are stitched together along defined seams or edges to create a box-like firewood packaging container  10  and carrier for firewood. The container has a bottom panel  12 , end panels  14  and  16 , and side panels  18  and  20 . The bottom panel  12  may provide a substantially flat base for upright or generally vertical panels  14 ,  16  and  18 ,  20 . Where each panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  is contiguous to another panel, there is an edge of respective panel material secured together to form a seam  22  between adjacent panels. The seams  22  may be formed by joining the respective panels by way of adhesive, heat bonding, sewing, weaving or other suitable means of securing the panels to one another. In the embodiment illustrated, the respective panel materials are sewn together with thread. This assemblage of panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20  thus defines an open-topped container, such as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 3   . 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , in one embodiment, the dimensions for this container are length L ranging from about 12 inches to about 17 inches, and preferably about 15 inches, width W ranging from about 6 inches to about 10 inches, and preferably about 7.5 inches, and height H ranging from about 9 inches to 12 inches, and preferably about 10.5 inches. The container  10  is open at its top  24 , opposite bottom panel  12 . As illustrated in the figures, each panel is flexible, and one or more panels may be formed of an open mesh material, where each panel has seams between it and adjacent panels (seams  22  at the container edges where adjacent panels are joined together). This allows the container  10  to adapt somewhat to the shape of the load placed therein when the container  10  is closed. 
     As illustrated in  FIG.  5   , the end panels  14  and  16  and side panels  18  and  20  may be reinforced along top edges thereof adjacent the open top  24 . The seams  22  may extend through these reinforced sections  26 . 
     A closure mechanism such as drawstring  30  is woven through some or all openings along an upper perimeter of the material at each of the end panels  14  and  16 , and side panels  18  and  20 . The closure mechanism  30  is an independent closing device such that the container can be opened and closed apart from the handles as the closure mechanism  30  does not double as a carrying mechanism. In embodiments where the end panels  14  and  16  and side panels  18  and  20  are reinforced, the closure mechanism  30  is woven through openings immediately below the reinforced sections  26 . The drawstring  30  has opposing ends  32  which may be pulled away from the container  10  to shorten the effective length of the drawstring. This effective length may be shortened to close the open top  24  of the container  10  or otherwise secure the contents therein by sliding a closure mechanism  36  from the ends  32  of the drawstring, which are threaded through the closure mechanism  36 , towards a mid-point  34  of the draw string  30  in order to “cinch” the container closed, such as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . The effective length can be understood as approximately the length of the drawstring behind the closure mechanism  36  such as the length drawing the panels closed over the load. Thus, an ineffective length of the drawstring is the length extending in front of the closure mechanism consisting essentially of the length of the drawstring ends  32  from the closure mechanism to terminal ends. 
     The closure mechanism  36  may be a one way sliding mechanism, a clip or clamp, or a two-way sliding mechanism, examples of which include but are not limited to a clamp or ring, a spring loaded clamp, a cord lock, a double hole spring loaded cord lock, or the like. The drawstring ends  32  are threaded through the closure mechanism  36  such that the closure mechanism can be selectively moved to shorten the effective length of the drawstring. The effective length can alternatively or additionally be shortened by tying off the drawstring ends such that tying the ends of the drawstring can eliminate the need for additional clips or other sliding mechanisms. 
     Use of the drawstring  30  effectively and adjustably reduces the size of the open top  24  of the container  10  to secure portions of the end panels  14  and  16  and side panels  18  and  20  over the top of the wood within the container  10 . The bottom panel  12  provides a rectangular base to the container when filled such that the container  10  maintains a substantially flat, rectangular base when loaded with firewood or other contents loaded substantially along and across the surface area of the base panel  12 . The remaining panels  14  and  16  and  18  and  20  generally are vertically disposed with respect to the connection with the base panel  12  and thus can be closed over the load, adapting to the shape of the height of the load. This construction serves to retain the wood in a pre-defined and constrained shape and configuration, as defined by the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18  and  20  and their respective seams  22 , which is generally rectangular and box-like in configuration. As illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the shape of the container  10  when the drawstring  30  is pulled to a closed configuration thereby defines a generally rectangular prism-shaped small bundle of firewood  44  for transport and storage. This facilitates the stacking of such filled firewood containers  10  on pallets or at retail distribution outlets in an orderly and efficient manner. 
     The container  10  is constructed from panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  of a flexible, somewhat stretchable and resilient, durable, water resistant material with an open mesh construction. That is, one or more of the panels are comprised of a material having an open mesh size of about 7 or greater on the US standard Mesh scale. The material may be comprised of a polymer resin provided in thread or filament form and where one or multiple, for example three, strands of this thread or filament are used to form the open mesh construction of each panel. While each of the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  can be constructed of the same material, one or more panels may be constructed of a second material, wherein the second material is a non-mesh material. 
     In the embodiment illustrated, the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  are constructed of a thread comprising one or more strands of polypropylene, such that each panel  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  can be considered an open mesh polypropylene panel. As illustrated, the panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and  20  are constructed in a knit, woven, net, or mesh manner such that the openings are square or rectangular in shape, having a width and a length in the range of about ⅛ inch to about ¼ inch when the container  10  is in a relaxed or open condition as illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 3  and  5   . The dimensions of the mesh may be enlarged to a limited degree when the container  10  is closed as illustrated in  FIG.  4   . Further, larger and smaller dimensions for the openings are contemplated and within the scope of the disclosure as long as the openings are of a size sufficient to allow for permeation of sufficient air through the container  10  to allow the firewood  44  to breathe while holding the firewood  44  stably in place. 
     The seams  22  provide an additional strength and reinforcement to the container  20  that increases when a load is received therein. As one or more panels  12 ,  14 ,  16 ,  18 , and/or  20  stretch as a load is received therein, the seams are tightened providing for additional reinforcement to the container  10 . For example, as one or more panels are an open mesh material comprised of polypropylene, each panel is capable of stretching up to about 20% and more preferably up to about 15%, and more preferably still up to about 10% of its relaxed length in one or both of a direction along the length of the seam  22  and a direction transverse to the seam  22  when weight such as firewood or other goods are placed in the bag. The knit construction of the open mesh panels allows each panel to stretch in one or both directions based on orientation of the mesh. When two contiguous panels  12 ,  14   16 ,  18 , or  20  are stretched the corresponding seam/s  22  is/are pulled taught and strengthen the corresponding bonding of the panels, up to a weight of about 25 lbs. placed in the container  10 . 
     Since the container  10  is made of an open mesh polymer fabric, the firewood  44  therein is allowed to breathe, and moisture retention is virtually nonexistent. Typically, firewood  44  sold at retail is cut into lengths of about 15 inches. Preferably, firewood  44  is filled in the container  10  to a level of about 9 inches, so that when the drawstring is pulled and the effective length of its drawstring is shortened as shown in  FIG.  4   , the small bundle of firewood  44  has an approximate dimensional form of a rectangular shape of about 15 inches long, about 9 inches wide, and about 9 inches high. The container then is readily stackable with like containers for palletization, storage, and delivery. Each such filled container thus typically weighs from about 20 lbs. to about 25 lbs. (assuming the wood is dry). The container described herein can support up to about 25 lbs. carried therein, and up to approximately 2 cubic feet of a load therein. In the embodiment illustrated the approximate dimensional form of the rectangle may be about one cubic foot or less. 
     For ease in transport of each container  10  of firewood  44 , two handles are secured to the side panels  18  and  20  of the container  10 , such as handles  40  illustrated in  FIGS.  1 - 3  and  5   . The handles are independent from the closure mechanism  30  such that the handles provide a separate mechanism for carrying the container  10 . Each handle is preferably formed from a suitably strong material, examples of which include but are not limited to a length of nylon strap material, and is affixed to its respective side panel below its upper perimeter and drawstring  30  by suitable means, such as being stitched thereto adjacent strap ends  42  or being otherwise secured thereto by adhesive or other suitable means. The handles  40  may have a width of greater than about ¾ inch and more preferably the width may be in the range of about 1 inch to 2 inches. 
     Once a small bundle of firewood  44  has been loaded into the container  10 , and the drawstring  30  drawn tight for closure such as illustrated in  FIG.  4   , the handles  40  provide an ergonomic, readily accessible, and easy-to-use means for transporting the container  10 , either by wholesalers, retailers, or the end consumer. The width of the handles  40  along with the shape of container allows a user to comfortably lift and carry the container with up to about 25 lbs. of firewood  44  therein without the handles  40  causing irritation or damage to the hands. 
     A package of a small bundle of firewood  44  packaged such as illustrated in  FIG.  4    may be purchased from a retailer by a consumer and is thus readily transportable to the consumer&#39;s home. There, the firewood  44  can be carried inside the home by use of the container  10  or otherwise retained for future use. Once the firewood  44  within the container  10  has been consumed by the consumer, the container  10  can be reloaded with firewood  44  by the consumer for further transport between a firewood storage area and the consumer&#39;s home, e.g., fireplace or otherwise. 
     The container described herein reduces the amount of petroleum required when compared to known devices for the sale, transport, and/or storage of goods such as firewood. In known firewood container packaging, the manufacturing requires more petroleum to form the 24″×42″ 3 mil plastic sheeting wrapped around said bundles and this plastic sheeting is not reusable, it is destroyed and discarded when opened. 
     Although the embodiment illustrated herein is directed to use of the container for the sale, transport, and storage of firewood, the container may be used in the transport of various goods and benefit from the advantages of its construction. The container  10  is lightweight, reusable, and when use is no longer desired, disposable. The handles make the container  10  ergonomic and balance the load of the contents within the container  10  in a comfortable manner for carrying by the user. Because the entire container  10  is formed of polymer open mesh material, the container  10  is breathable, does not retain moisture, and thus is beneficial for storage, retention, and transport of the various contents therein so long as those items have a dimension larger than the openings formed by the mesh material. The container  10 , because of its large open top  24 , is also easily loaded with large or oddly shaped objects, including but not limited to firewood, either during the initial loading thereof or reloading when reused. The drawstring  30  is also reusable to secure each further load retained within the container  10 . The drawstring  30  also allows the container  10  to maintain control of the load therein if the container  10  is tipped over or dropped and prevents the contents therein from spilling out. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described with reference to preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.