Patent Publication Number: US-2005127071-A1

Title: Combination storage box

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      1. Field of the Invention  
      The present invention relates generally to a combination storage box, and in particular to a foldable combination storage box to be placed in an ice bag or ice barrel.  
      2. The Prior Arts  
      In an average ice bag or ice barrel, there is usually a storage box arranged to serve as a thermal layer for insulating heat (keeping food or beverage warm or cold) and for fixing bottles at places on the other hand.  
      Unsatisfactorily, as the storage box so far, such as an ice barrel for angler, is largely plastics-molded, it is somewhat bulky and heavy for carrying.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      A primary object of the present invention is to provide a combination storage box of high portability to be disposed in an ice bag or ice barrel for storing foods and the likes.  
      Another object of the present invention is to provide a combination storage box, which is foldable for saving space when carrying.  
      In order to realize above objects, a combination storage box of the present invention comprises a base and an enclosing wall. A groove is formed peripherally around the base. The periphery of the base is extended outwardly to form a plurality of foldable clasp portions. A bottom edge of the enclosing wall is provided with an insertion portion in a position corresponding to the groove. The insertion portion is substantially in a step formation for easy meshing with the groove in the base. The bottom edge of the enclosing wall is extended outwardly to form a plurality of fixing portions in positions corresponding to the clasp portions.  
      For more detailed information regarding advantages or features of the present invention, at least an example of preferred embodiment will be described below with reference to the annexed drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      The related drawings in connection with the detailed description of the present invention to be made later are described briefly as follows, in which:  
       FIG. 1  is an exploded view of a combination storage box of the present invention;  
       FIG. 2  is an enlarged view of encircled portion  2  of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged view of encircled portion  3  of  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 4  is an assembled sectional view of the present invention; and  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic view showing an enclosing wall of the present invention under folded state. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      With reference to the drawings and in particular to  FIG. 1 , a combination storage box constructed in accordance with the present invention comprises a base  11  and a foldable enclosing wall  12 . Preferably, the base  11  and the foldable enclosing wall  12  are molded with plastics.  
      The combination storage box has a groove  111  formed peripherally around the base  11 . The periphery of the base  11  is extended outwardly to form a plurality of foldable clasp portions  112  as indicated in the enlarged views of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . A bottom edge of the enclosing wall  12  is provided with an insertion portion  121  in a position corresponding to the groove  111 . The insertion portion  121  is substantially in a step formation for easy meshing with the groove  111  in the base  11 . The bottom edge of the enclosing wall  12  is extended outwardly to form a plurality of fixing portions  122  in positions corresponding to the clasp portions  112 .  
      Also referring to  FIG. 4 , the base  11  and the enclosing wall  12  are jointed together in a concavo-convex structure. The clasp portions  112  of the base  11  are fastened to the fixing portions  122  of the enclosing wall  12  by means of jointing a plurality of clasp slots  112   a  of the clasp portions  112  together with a plurality of clasp protrusions  122   a  of the fixing portions  122 . An escape-preventing device  122   b  is provided to each clasp protrusion  122   a  to thereby ensure a tight clasp of the base  11  and the enclosing wall  12 .  
      In a preferred embodiment, the enclosing wall  12  is shaped in a rectangular and longitudinal hollow body to mate with a longitudinal average ice bag or ice barrel, in which the base  11  is relatively shaped in a rectangle to be received inside the ice bag or ice barrel. However, it is apparent that this embodiment is illustrative only, not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. For example, both the enclosing wall and the base could be shaped in a cylindrical configuration.  
      Moreover, for the sake of increasing portability, the enclosing wall  12  could be folded flatly as illustrated in  FIG. 5 .  
      Finally, by using the present invention, reducing package volume for easy assembling and carrying is possible. Also, a plastic material for integral molding is adopted such that heat insulation and leakage prevention can be achieved.  
      In the above described, at least one preferred embodiment has been described in detail with reference to the drawings annexed, and it is apparent that numerous changes or modifications may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof, as set forth in the claims below.