Patent Publication Number: US-2012033902-A1

Title: Household storage container

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to Provisional Patent Application No. 61/301,960 filed Feb. 5, 2010, the complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     The vacuum storage bags for storing blankets or clothes of the prior art comprise a bag body that can be sealed and vacuumed, so that its volume can be significantly reduced for saving space. However, since the vacuum storage bags of the prior art are in irregular shapes and it is difficult to stack up many vacuum storage bags. It is further disadvantageous that the expansions of the bags, due to infiltration of air, will eventually collapses the stacked bags. 
     A prior storage container exists that has a vacuum storage bag fastened to a base and the base in turn has two ends that are folded to extend upward along ends of a vacuum bag, with the bag and its base inserted into a flexible-walled container. But that assembly is shipped in a folded configuration in which the ends are folded onto the base and the fold causes the ends to be inclined inward toward each other and that interferes with filling the bag and the inclination also prevents the ends from providing good vertical support to the adjacent sides of the container. There is thus a need for an improved storage bag and container. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     A storage container for household use is described that places a vacuum storage bag inside an outer, protective, storage container. The bottom of the vacuum storage bag forms an extended flat surface and is attached to a stiffening board. Two additional stiffening panels are provided on the sides of the storage container and located to abut the sides of the vacuum storage bag during use. Thereby, after the vacuum storage bag contains an article and is vacuumed, two lateral sections of the stiffening panel fastened to the storage container help maintain the shape of the container, as does the stiff bottom of the vacuum storage bag. The stiff bottom of the storage bag cooperates with the stiffened side walls on the container to facilitate stacking of the containers, while the stiffened side walls can be folded against the container bottom to form a compact package for shipping. The contents of the vacuum storage bag push against the lateral boards on the ends of the container to prevent them from falling inwards. Since the stiffening panels on the vacuum bag and on the ends of the storage container form a container and stable structure, a plurality of them can be stacked up so as to save storage or placement space. 
     There is thus advantageously provided a storage apparatus that includes a vacuum storage bag having two opposing sides, a closed bottom and an opening between said two opposing sides. The storage bag also includes two sealing strips along the opening and configured to be releasably manually engaged to seal the opening from the entrance of air. The bag also has a one-way air valve connected to the bag to allow air to exit the bag. The bag is configured to allow items to be inserted into the bag through the opening and sealed in the bag by the sealing strips to form an air tight enclosure during use. A stiffening board extends over and is connected to the closed bottom. The storage apparatus also includes a storage container having a body sized and configured to receive the storage bag. The storage container has a container bottom and a top with sides made of flexible material. An access opening is formed in one of the sides or top and that opening is releasably covered by a hinged flap. The container bottom conforms in approximate size and shape to the stiffening board of the vacuum bag. The storage apparatus also includes first and second stiffening panels with each panel placed on and attached to a different one of two opposing sides of the storage container. 
     Advantageously, but optionally, the storage container has a rectangular configuration with two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides with the stiffening panels attached to the short sides. The stiffening panels may have a bottom configured to abut and rest on a short end of the stiffening board when the board is placed on the container bottom. Alternatively, the container can have the stiffening panels attached to the long sides with the stiffening panels having a bottom configured to abut and rest on a long side of the stiffening board when the board is placed on the container bottom. Still further, the storage apparatus may have the stiffening panels attached to the short sides and also attached to the long sides, with the stiffening panels having a bottom configured to abut and rest on an end of the stiffening board when the board bottom is placed on the container bottom. 
     Advantageously, but optionally, the bottom and top of the container are made of flexible material, such as nylon or canvas. The stiffening board may have a periphery with a ridge extending along at least a portion of the periphery on two opposing sides of the board, so that the ridge helps stop the stiffening panels from sliding off the edge of the board during use. Preferably, the stiffening board has a periphery with a ridge extending along at least a portion of the periphery on two opposing sides of the board and located so the stiffening panels can fit between the ridge and the bag during use. 
     The various objects and advantages of the present invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a combined storage apparatus according to the present invention wherein the vacuum storage bag and the storage container are separated. 
         FIG. 2   a  is a sectional view of a combined storage apparatus according to the present invention taken along section  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 2   b  is a sectional view of one corner of  FIG. 2   a  showing a ledge on the stiff bottom. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a combined storage apparatus according to the present invention wherein the vacuum storage bag is housed in the storage container. 
         FIG. 4  illustrates the sealing of the opening of the vacuum storage bag by pulling a zipper thereof. 
         FIG. 5  is a lateral cross-sectional view of the present invention illustrating the air in the vacuum storage bag being extracted. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the present invention wherein the vacuum storage bag is enclosed in the storage container; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a container having pockets containing side panel stiffeners in opposing sides of the container and an enlarged view of a side panel stiffener, with edging along various parts of the container and no bag in the container; 
         FIG. 8  is a partial sectional view showing a bottom corner of the container of  FIG. 7  with pockets containing a stiffening member and with a stiffening board and bag in the container; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a vacuum bag on a stiffening board with the board in a partially folded configuration;” 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of a container with a pocket on each side wall of the container and a pocket opening at the top of each side wall; 
         FIG. 11  is an end view showing a folded vacuum having a folded stiffening board placed in the container with stiffeners, with the sidewall of the container removed to view the inside of the container and folded components. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a combined storage apparatus is provided that preferably includes a vacuum storage bag  10  and a storage container  12  into which the bag  10  is placed during use, and preferably during shipping. The opening of the vacuum storage bag  10  is provided with two parallel sealing strips  14  extending along two side walls  24  of the opening. Combining two sealing strips  14  together can seal the vacuum storage bag  10  and provide an air-tight seal suitable to maintain the desired vacuum pressure during normal household use. The strips  14  form two sealing strips extending along the periphery of the opening and are configured to be releasably manually engaged and disengaged to releasable the opening from the passage of air. The seal provided by the strips  14  is suitable for use with a vacuum storage bag and thus advantageously does not appreciably allow air to enter the bag  10  for prolonged periods of time, such as several months. While it is preferable the seal  14  allow no air to enter, the seal can allow air to exit as for example, providing labyrinth paths forming one way-valves at the edges or other portions of seal  14 . 
     The vacuum storage bag  10  is further provided with a one-way air valve  16  at a selected location thereof. The valve  16  typically extends on both sides of and through a hole formed in the bag  10 . The valve  16  is typically located in one of the sides of the bag near the top, by the sealing strips  14 . The bag  10  is configured to allow items  34  to be inserted into and removed from the bag through the opening between the sealing strips  14 , with the opening sealed by the sealing strips to form an air tight bag. The enclosure is air tight under normal conditions of household use and storage so as to maintain the pressure inside the bag substantially unchanged for several months, and preferably for at least six months, and ideally more than a year. 
     The bottom of the vacuum storage bag  10  is provided with a generally horizontal or flat surface that includes a stiffening board  18 . Adjustable length straps  19  are provided with releasable fasteners  20 , such as binding ribbons, buckling belts, toggle fasteners etc. on the distal ends of the s traps  19 . The straps  19  are optionally attached on the bottom face of the stiffening board  18 , running across the stiffening board  18  and capable of encircling the vacuum storage bag  10  to restrain it from expanding if air leaks into the bag. The vacuum storage bag  10  is advantageously fastened to the stiffening board  18  by adhesives, ultrasonic welding or other means, and is illustrated in the figures by adhesive lines  21 . It is also suitable to form the bottom of bag  10  with an outward extending strip of plastic around the bottom and that plastic strip can be sewn to the stiffening board  18  around at least a portion of the periphery of the board  18 . The stitches do not pass through any air-tight portion of bag  10  and thus do not compromise the vacuum capability of bag  10 . Sewing the bottom portion of bag  10  along two opposing sides of the stiffener  18  is believed suitable. 
     The storage container  12  has a container body with a bottom, side walls  24 , and a top with a flap  22  for closing an access opening to the container  12 . Advantageously, the container body is made of fabric or flexible material so the flap  22  can easily open and close. If the container  12  is not flexible, the flap  22  is advantageously hinged sufficiently to allow it to open or close. The flap  22  is shown on the top of the container  12 , but could be located on any of the side walls  24  of the container. The flap  22  releasably closes an opening in one of the side walls  24  or top of the container in order to allow access to the inside of the container  12 , and thus may also be referred to as a lid or as a cover for the access opening to the container  12 . A zippered opening is preferred, but other releasable fastening mechanisms can be used to releasably close flap  22 . The flap  22  is preferably on the top of the container  12  as illustrated. The container  12  and storage bag  10  are sized relative to each other so that the container can house the vacuum storage bag  10  after the vacuum storage bag  10  is placed inside the container. The container  12  is further optionally provided with one or more handles  30 , preferably connected to the side walls  24  of the container and more preferably connected to the shorter side walls  24  of the container if the container is rectangular. A window  32  made of transparent material is optionally located on one of the container side walls  24  or top, preferably on one of the long sides (if the container is rectangular), to allow viewing of the container contents. 
     A side stiffening plate or lateral stiffening plate  26  ( FIG. 2 ) is provided on two opposing side walls  24  of the container  12 . The side stiffeners  26  may be fastened to the corresponding portions of container  12  by various means, including adhesives, ultrasonic welding, and mechanical fasteners such as rivets, grommets, various threaded fasteners, or sewing. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7-8  and  10 , the stiffening plates  26  are preferably placed in a pocket  36  formed in two opposing side walls  24  of container  12  defining an opening  37  to the pocket. The depicted embodiment has the stiffening plates  26  in the two opposing, shorter walls of the rectangular container  12 . The walls of container  12  are preferably made of flexible fabric and the pocket  36  is formed in the side wall  24  so the pocket can open from the top so the stiffener plate  26  can be inserted downward through the opening covered by lid or cover  22 . Preferably though, the pocket  36  has its ends and top fastened to the adjacent walls of container  12  and has an opening  37  at the bottom of the container so that the stiffening plate  26  is securely held. Thus, the panel  26  has one face or side that is adjacent or abutting a sidewall  24  of container  12  while the other face or side of panel  26  abuts the sheet of material forming the pocket  36 . The pocket  36  has a closed top and closed opposing ends, with an opening  37  at the bottom of the container  12 . The stiffening plate  26  is sized to fit into the pocket  36  snugly, and the pocket  36  is sized to have the same shape as the adjacent side wall  24  of the container  12  which forms part of the pocket. Thus, the pocket  36 , stiffening plate  26  and adjacent side wall  24  of the container  12  have about the same size and shape but with enough room in the pocket  36  to insert the stiffening panel  26 . For the depicted embodiment using a rectangular container  12 , the stiffening panel  12  is rectangular, with the same shape and size as the side wall  24  of the container  12  against which the panel  12  is placed during use. Advantageously the pocket  36  is formed by fastening a strip of material to the adjacent side wall  24  of the container  12  so the wall of the container  12  forms one side of the pocket  36 . 
     An optional edging  38  ( FIG. 8 ) can be provided along or more edges of the stiffening panel  12  for appearance and to resist sliding of the panel  26  on the bottom of the container  12 . The edging  38  also provides some compressibility as the edging  38  is placed next to the adjoining edge of the bottom stiffening board  18  of bag  10  to provide a tight fit. Preferably, the side of the pocket  36  forming the opening  37  along the bottom of the container is longer than the adjacent side wall  24  of the container so there is a locking strip of material  40  that extends along the bottom of the container  12  and short distance, preferably about an inch or so. The bottom board  18  lays on this locking strip  40  to releasably hold the  37  of the pocket  36  closed. The locking strip  40  is interposed between the bottom of the board  18  and the bottom of the container  12 , so that the weight of the board  18 , bag  10  and items  34  in the bag  10  push the locking strip  40  against the bottom of the container  12 , and thus hold closed the opening  37  to the pocket  36 . The locking strip cooperates with the board  18  to maintain the stiffness of the side wall and associated pockets  36  during use. 
     The bottom board  18  is sized to fit snugly between the stiffening plates  26  contained in their respective pockets  36 , and advantageously has opposing ends that are each placed against a different stiffening panel  26  or the pocket  36  containing the panel  26 . Thus, the bottom board  18  is preferably slightly shorter than a length of the bottom of the container  12  between two the outer sides of stiffener panels  26 . Less preferable, the bottom board  18  can be the same length as the bottom of the container  12  so as to extend underneath an edge of each side panel  26 . 
     The bottom board  18  and stiffening plates  26  may be made of plastic, MDF, fiberboard or paperboard. The stiffening plates  26  are flexible enough to be inserted into the pocket  36  and strong enough to support the side walls  24  of container  10  and allow stacking of one container  12  on top of another container of the same construction. The pockets are preferably open, but may be fastened closed as by sewing, adhesives, rivets or other mechanical fasteners to secure the insert  26  in its respective pocket  36 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , an alternative way of using the side panel stiffeners  26  is shown in which the side stiffener panels  26  are not in pockets but are otherwise fastened to the adjoining side walls  24  of the container  10 . The stiffener panels  26  are shaped to correspond to the shape of the abutting side wall  24  of the container  12 , but are slightly shorter on the bottom so each side stiffener panel  26  is slightly spaced from the bottom of the container  12  so that an edge of the stiff bottom  18  can fit between the adjacent end of the side wall  24  and the bottom of the container  12 . Thus, pushing downward on the side panel stiffeners  26  pushes the side panels  26  against the stiff bottom  18 . Optionally, a ridge or ledge  28  ( FIG. 2   b ) can extend around the periphery of the bottom  18  to help stop the side panel stiffeners  26  from slipping off the bottom  18 . Likewise, the bag  10  is sized so that it is not fastened to the board or bottom  18  all the way to the edge of the board or bottom, in order to provide room for the side stiffener panels  26  to rest on the board or bottom  18  along the periphery. 
     During use, an article or item  34 , such as bedding or clothing, can be placed in the vacuum storage bag  10  through the opening formed between sealing strips  14 . The vacuum storage bag  10  is then sealed after combining the sealing strips  14  and air is preferably withdrawn from bag  10  to reduce the volume of the bag and compress the items  34  inside the bag  10 . The collapsed vacuum storage bag  10  is bound by connecting straps  19  and the releasable fasteners  20  and placed into the storage container  12 . The bag  10  pushes the side panel stiffeners  26  outward and helps maintain them in a vertical orientation. Advantageously, the bottom  18  presses locking strips  40  against the bottom of the container  12  to close the pockets  36  containing the side stiffener panels  26 . The bottom  18  urging the locking strip  40  against the bottom of the container has the effect of pulling on the pocket  36  and tightening it around the panel  26  which helps form a stiff side wall  24  on the container  12 . Alternatively, the stiff bottom  18  is pushed underneath the bottom edges of the stiff stiffening panels  26  fastened to the container  12  so the panels  26  rest against an upward facing surface of the bottom  18  along a peripheral edge of the bottom  18 . The bottom board  18  is sized to fit snugly in the container  12 , the board helps hold the side panels  26  and sidewalls  24  of container  12  vertical relative to a horizontal bottom  18 . The bag  10  is also preferably sized so it urges the side panel stiffeners  26  into a vertical position relative to a horizontal bottom  18 , but that will vary with the items placed in the bat  10 . The bag  10  and board  18  pressing outward against the side panels  26  thus may help provide additional support to the panels  26  and the stacking of several containers  12  on top of each other. 
     The releasable fasteners  20  and the stiffening board  18  can be binding ribbons or buckle belt as shown in the figures, for preventing expansion of stored articles due to air leakage into the vacuum storage bag  10 . Alternatively, the straps  19  and releasable fasteners  20  can be disposed along the two long side walls  24  of the board  18  instead of the two shorter sides as shown, or straps could be placed each way so they cross on the bottom of the board and on the bag  10 . 
     The stiffening panels  26  are preferably formed in two opposing side walls  24  of the container  10  and the container  10  is preferably rectangular with four side walls  24 . As used herein, rectangular includes a square container. Advantageously the stiffening panels  26  are on the short side walls  24  of a four sided container having two opposing sides longer than the other two remaining sides. But the panels  26  could be placed on the longer side walls  24  of the container. 
     For shipping, the vacuum bag  10  is deflated and folded against the bottom board  18  to which the bag is fastened. The bottom board  18  and collapsed bag  18  are placed inside the container  12 . The stiffening panels  26  and the side walls  24  of the container  12  to which the panels are connected are folded against the bottom of the container before the board  18  and bag  1  are inserted. Alternatively, the board and bag can be inserted first and the panels  26  and associated walls of container  10  are folded onto the board  18  and bag  10 , preferably so the panels  26  are parallel to the board  18 . The other two side walls  24  of the container  12  are then creased and folded to a compact shipping shape that is preferably rectangular. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9 and 11 , for large containers  12  the bottom board  18  may be folded in half along fold line  42 , preferably folded parallel to the side walls  24  of the container  12  in which the stiffening panels  26  are located. The collapsed bag  12  can be folded between these folded bottom panels  18 . The folded board  18  and container  12  forms a rectangular shape that is inserted into the container along one side wall  24  of the container adjacent on panel  26 . One panel  26  and its associated sidewall  24  of the container  10  is then folded over the board  18  and container  10  to form a stack of folded boards  18 , container  10 , and one side stiffening panel  26 , while the other panel  26  and its associated sidewall  24  of the container are folded against the bottom of the container. The container is then folded in half and onto the prior stack so the board  18 , container  10 , and two side stiffening panels  26  are all stacked vertically over each other to form a rectangular package for shipping. 
     The stiffening panels  26  are preferably placed only along two of the four side walls  24  of container  12 , and then in two opposing sides. But by placing pockets  36  on each of the four side walls  24  a stiffening panel  26  can be placed in each of the four sides of the container  12 . Advantageously, two opposing side walls  24  have the opening  37  to the pocket  36  at the bottom of the container, and two opposing sides have the opening  37  to the pocket  36  at the top of the container. If stiffening plates  26  are in all four pockets  36  the pockets and side walls  24  of the container  12  cannot fold down without bending adjoining ends of the stiffening plates  26 . Thus, for storage or shipping two opposing pockets have the plates  26  in them while the other two pockets have the stiffening plates removed for shipping with the plates  26  being inserted for use of the container. Advantageously, the pockets  36  with openings  37  ( FIG. 10 ) at the top have the stiffening plates  26  removed during shipping as the top opening  37  makes it easier to insert the plates  26 . 
     The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein, including various ways of fastening the vacuum bag to the stiffening board  18 , and various ways of stiffening the board  18 . Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.