Abstract:
A reusable, collapsible container intended for carrying goods that maintains its shape whether empty or heavily loaded, keeps contents level and stable when carried, is comfortable and easy to use, and lays flat when collapsed for easy storage and transportation, comprising a reinforced base, folding mesh walls, a center divider, snaps and Velcro connectors, reinforcing rods, two carrying handles, and one padded shoulder strap.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICTIONS  
       [0001]     This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/692,986, filed Jun. 22, 2005. U.S. Pat. Nos. D461,638 S; Des. 433,810; 6,220,988 B1; 2004/0089660 A1; 2004/0084448 A1; 2003/0189044 A1; 6,585,414 B2; 2,030,204; DE3830104; 4,930,697 
     
    
     FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH  
       [0002]     None.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     This invention relates to containers intended for carrying goods, specifically reusable, collapsible totes. Historically, boxes and bags have been the most common containers for carrying goods. Both of these have significant limitations. A variety of containers have been developed to address these limitations. These containers and their continuing limitations are listed below: 
        Boxes are easy to load and keep contents organized, level and protected. However, boxes require significant storage space when not in use and are difficult to carry.     Folding cardboard boxes have become common. However these are essentially disposable and are not intended for prolonged, repeated use, and are also difficult to carry.     Folding plastic boxes are reusable, but are also difficult to carry.     Cloth bags are reusable, require little storage space and are comfortable to carry. The problem with cloth bags is that their soft sides do not keep contents level, well organized or protected, and bags can be difficult to load because they collapse when they are empty.     “Pop up” hamper containers utilizing wire springs stay open for easy loading but can be difficult, and even dangerous, to operate. They lack a solid base and do not keep contents stable when carried. They have poorly positioned handles and are cumbersome to carry.     “Trunk organizers” that are collapsible have poorly positioned handles. They are awkward to carry and fail to keep contents stable or protected.     There are cloth and mesh collapsible cube-shaped containers that do hold their shape when empty. However, these have poorly positioned, awkward handles, and do not retain their shape when carried while loaded.        
 
         [0011]     Insofar as I am aware, this invention is the only single container that that addresses all these limitations.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0012]     The invention, an improved container for carrying goods, is a collapsible cloth container with a center divider and an integrated padded shoulder strap. It combines the positive characteristics of being rigid and maintaining its shape when open, whether empty or heavily loaded, being easy to open and collapse, being comfortable for the user even when loaded, and being essentially flat when in the collapsed position. Additional positive characteristics are: 
        Rigid shape makes loading easy and protects contents when container is carried.     Mesh walls allow contents to breath, drain, dry, and be easily seen for packing, organizing and retrieving.     Reinforced base and center divider protect and organize contents.     Nylon and plastic materials make container water-proof, durable and reusable.     Placement of carrying straps allows the base to remain essentially flat even when heavily loaded.     Sliding, padded shoulder strap provides comfort and allows the contents to remain level with minimal pressure against the user&#39;s hip when carried, thus providing comfort and protecting contents.     Carrying handles are padded for comfort, can be used instead of the shoulder strap for easy one-handed carrying, and can be moved aside so as not to interfere with loading.     Non-slip base keeps container from sliding.     Light weight construction.     Can easily be customized by adding external pockets and elastic cords for additional storage, organization, and security of contents.        
 
     
    
     DRAWINGS  
       [0023]      FIG. 1  is a lateral side view of the container in the open position.  
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is a lateral end view of the container in the open position.  
         [0025]      FIG. 3  is a lateral top view of the container in the open position.  
         [0026]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the container in the open position.  
         [0027]      FIG. 5  is a lateral top view of the container in the closed position. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0028]      FIG. 1  is a lateral side view of the invention in the open position. It consists of a rectangular base (nylon cloth, reinforced with a sheet of plastic) ( 1 ), and four walls made out of stiff nylon mesh ( 2 ). A center divider, made of the same mesh ( 3 ), is permanently attached to the center of the base and can be raised to connect vertically to the center of the long mesh walls with Velcro strips and snaps ( 4 ). The top edges of all four walls, the top edge of the center divider, the two vertical edges of the center divider, and the vertical corners of the container are all reinforced by thin reinforcing rods ( 5 ) in order to give the container a rigid shape when in the open position. The reinforcing rods along the top edges of the long walls are cut at the center in order to allow the long walls to fold diagonally along the creased folds ( 6 ) in the manner described later. Extending above the top edges of the container are two nylon carrying straps ( 7 ), connected to the mesh walls with plastic D-rings ( 8 ), joined by a sliding nylon padded shoulder strap ( 9 ). The sliding characteristic of the shoulder strap is accomplished by clips at the ends of the shoulder strap clipping onto plastic rings that permanently encircle the carrying straps ( 10 ). Two stabilizing handles ( 11 ) are centered along the top edges of the long walls. A handle is attached to the center of one long edge of the base ( 12 ) for easy carrying when the invention is in its collapsed state.  
         [0029]      FIG. 2  is a lateral end view of the invention in the open position. It consists of a rectangular reinforced base ( 1 ), four mesh walls ( 2 ), top edges with reinforcing rods ( 3 ), carrying handles ( 4 ), a padded shoulder strap ( 5 ), and an optional accessory pocket with elastic closure ( 6 ).  
         [0030]      FIG. 3  is a lateral top view of the invention in the open position. It consists of a rectangular reinforced base ( 1 ), four mesh walls ( 2 ), center divider with reinforcing rod in the top edge ( 3 ), top edges of the walls with reinforcing rods ( 4 ), carrying handles ( 5 ), and one padded sliding shoulder strap ( 6 ).  
         [0031]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the invention in the open position. It consists of a reinforced base ( 1 ), four mesh walls ( 2 ), a center divider ( 3 ) held in place by Velcro strips and snaps ( 4 ), with a reinforcing rod in the top edge and vertical edges of the center divider ( 5 ), two nylon carrying handles ( 6 ), one sliding shoulder strap ( 7 ), four diagonal creases ( 8 ) for folding when the center divider is lowered, and two optional accessory pockets on the outside of the end walls ( 9 ) and ( 10 ).  
         [0032]      FIG. 5  is a lateral top view of the invention in the closed position. It consists of two end walls ( 1 ) and ( 2 ), with reinforcing rods ( 3 ) and ( 4 ), folded down and laying flat on top of the other walls and base, two optional accessory pockets ( 5 ) and ( 6 ), and one carrying handle sewn to the center of one long edge of the base ( 7 ).  
         [0033]     This container is designed to be easy to store and transport in the closed position. For this reason, light materials were selected and a small carrying handle made of nylon webbing is attached at the center of the long edge of the base.  
         [0034]     This container is also designed to be easy to carry, even when heavily loaded. In order to keep loads flat, level and stable, carrying straps are positioned to cross over the open container ¼ and ¾ of the way along the length of the long walls. Carrying straps are made of nylon webbing and are connected to the container with plastic “D rings.” Carrying straps are long enough to be able to drape around the outside of the end walls so as not to interfere with loading.  
         [0035]     In addition to the increased comfort due to the positioning of the carrying straps, a self-leveling shoulder strap is connected to the carrying straps. Each end of the shoulder strap is connected to each carrying strap by means of a plastic clip, allowing the shoulder strap to slide freely to any number of “off-center” positions. This allows the container to stay level, while at the same time allowing the user to stand upright. This feature further increases comfort by minimizing the pressure exerted by the container against the user&#39;s hip. This reduced pressure and level orientation further protect potentially fragile contents, as the strap angles up toward the user&#39;s shoulder. The shoulder strap is made of wide nylon webbing and includes a padded, non-slip shoulder piece.  
         [0036]     A piece of non-slip rubber is attached to the bottom of the base to keep the container from sliding around in the trunk of the user&#39;s car or other slippery surfaces.  
         [0000]     Operation  
         [0037]     To collapse, the center divider must be disconnected from the top edges of the long walls. The center divider can then lie flat against the inside base of the container. Allow the carrying straps and shoulder strap to fall within the container. Next, the four walls are folded down in one, easy, two-handed process. Place one hand on the center of the top edge of each long wall. Fold the center of one long wall down over the center of the other long wall following the diagonal creases that extend from the lower-end corner of the long wall, to the top-center of the long wall. As both long walls fold toward each other and lay, one on top of the other, in a triangular shape, the end walls will also simultaneously fold down and lay on top of the folded long walls. Thus, in the folded state, the straps, the center divider, and all four walls lay flat, on top of, and within, the dimensions of the base. The container is secured in its folded state by means of Velcro tabs.  
         [0038]     An equally easy two-handed process is required to open the container. Disconnect the Velcro tabs. Lift the end walls up and away from the center. As you do, the long walls will also come up. When the container is open, lift the center divider and connect its Velcro tabs and snaps to the center of the top edges of each long wall. Again, after the center divider is connected to the long walls, the container will maintain a rigid shape.  
         [0039]     Though it will decrease the container&#39;s rigidity, a user may choose not to raise and connect the center divider and use the container without the center divider&#39;s additional support. This will allow the container to accommodate larger items.  
         [0040]     The container was designed primarily as an alternative to paper or plastic shopping sacks, though its uses as a tote and container go far beyond shopping. As a shopping tool, however, its size and shape are intended to maximize the space in the greatest number of shopping carts and shopping check-out counters. In its open, un-collapsed state, it&#39;s dimensions are 23″ long×13½″ wide×11″ deep. Similarly, as a shopping tool, pockets have been added to the outside of the end walls to accommodate coupons, shopping lists and smaller reusable shopping sacks.  
         [0041]     Though the invention was designed as a shopping tool, its uses as a tote and a container go far beyond shopping. Different proportional dimensions, materials and different outside pocket configurations and coverings can be easily incorporated into the overall design.