Abstract:
A stabilized container having a rectangular top, a four-sided rectangular middle section supported by four corner columns and a corrugated base having a sealed compartment and separate mating compartments for the four corner columns.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    The present disclosure relates generally to containers, and more specifically to a stablized receptacle for use in vehicles. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Containers for use in vehicles typically are configured to attach to a surface, such as by adhesives or using a mechanical attachment. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A stabilized container is disclosed that has a rectangular top, a four-sided rectangular middle section supported by four corner columns and a corrugated base having a sealed compartment and separate mating compartments for the four corner columns. The stabilized container is adapted for use within a vehicle, and can contain debris or other contents without spillage during operation of the vehicle, such as when driving over rough roads or when accelerating or stopping. 
         [0004]    Other systems, methods, features, and advantages of the present disclosure will be or become apparent to one with skill in the art upon examination of the following drawings and detailed description. It is intended that all such additional systems, methods, features, and advantages be included within this description, be within the scope of the present disclosure, and be protected by the accompanying claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0005]    Aspects of the disclosure can be better understood with reference to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily to scale, emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views, and in which: 
           [0006]      FIG. 1  is a diagram of an isometric view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0007]      FIG. 2  is a diagram of a front view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a diagram of a rear view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a diagram of a side view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0010]      FIG. 5  is a diagram of a top view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 6  is a diagram of a bottom view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0012]    In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawings with the same reference numerals. The drawing figures might not be to scale and certain components can be shown in generalized or schematic form and identified by commercial designations in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
         [0013]      FIG. 1  is a diagram  100  of an isometric view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. The stabilized receptacle shown in diagram  100  includes both functional and ornamental aspects, but only the functional aspects are the subject the inventions as claimed herein. 
         [0014]    As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. As used herein, phrases such as “between X and Y” and “between about X and Y” should be interpreted to include X and Y. As used herein, phrases such as “between about X and Y” mean “between about X and about Y.” As used herein, phrases such as “from about X to Y” mean “from about X to about Y.” 
         [0015]    Diagram  100  includes top  102 , which is secured to middle section middle section  104104  by clasp  114 , hinges  116  or other suitable structures. In one exemplary embodiment, top  102  can include four contoured corners  112 , each of which follow the contour of a corner column  118 . Top  102  can be formed by compression molding, injection molding, metalworking or in other suitable manners. Corner column  118  provides additional structural stability, suitable for use within an environment such as a vehicle, where the stabilized receptacle can be exposed to sliding, side impacts, being overturned and other rough handling. The use of four corner columns also creates a recessed area between the columns that helps to center the contents and prevent the weight of the contents of the container from accumulating on a single side, which can result in an offset center of gravity and increased likelihood of tipping over. Likewise, top  102  can have a reinforced clasp that secures top  102  onto middle section  104 , to prevent top  102  from inadvertently opening and spilling the contents of the stabilized receptacle. Top  102  can also or alternatively be fitted to middle section  104 , so as to form a seal around the perimeter of base  104  where top  102  interfaces with middle section  104 . Middle section  104  can be formed by compression molding, injection molding, metalworking or in other suitable manners. 
         [0016]    Middle section  104  includes contoured handles  106 , which include structural supports  108 , and corrugated base  110 , which includes an interior compartment (not explicitly shown) for holding sand or other weighting material. Handles  106  and structural supports  108  can form a recessed volume that can be increased in size in order to provide additional stability to the stabilized receptacle, between the corner column supports. For example, the recessed volume can be a predetermined fraction of the total volume of the stabilized receptacle, such as 10% of the total volume for light homogenous materials, 40% of the total volume for materials that are not homogenous and which can have heavy components, or other suitable volumes. Corrugated base  110  can be formed by injection molding, metalworking or in other suitable manners. The interior compartment of corrugated base  110  can be sized as a function of the type of contents of the stabilized receptacle, such as to provide for an increased amount of weighting material when the intended use will include containing heavy debris, such as metal refuse, to provide for less weighting material when the intended use is to contain paper debris, and so forth. Middle section  104  can be formed from metal, polymer or other suitable durable materials, and corrugated base  110  can be formed from a continuous or separate material, such as the same or different type of polymer or metal. Although the described components are functional, they include ornamental aspects such as those pertaining solely to the appearance of the stabilized receptacle. For example, the height, width and length dimensions, the angle of structural supports  108 , the exterior shape of corner columns  118 , the edge contour detail of top  102 , the shape of clasp  114  and other ornamental features are disclosed but not claimed. 
         [0017]      FIG. 2  is a diagram  200  of a front view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Diagram  200  includes feet  202 , which can be formed integral with corner columns  118 , in order to provide additional structural stability, or in other suitable manners. 
         [0018]      FIG. 3  is a diagram  300  of a rear view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Diagram  300  shows where hinges  116  connect to middle section  104 , as well as other functional and ornamental aspects of the stabilized receptacle. 
         [0019]      FIG. 4  is a diagram  400  of a side view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. While the functional features such as contoured handles  106  and structural supports  108  are included on the sides, the ornamental features are varied from the appearance of the ornamental features of the front and back sides, such as the width and height ratios and angles of supports  108  relative to the top and sides. 
         [0020]      FIG. 5  is a diagram  500  of a top view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. 
         [0021]      FIG. 6  is a diagram  600  of a bottom view of a stabilized receptacle for use in a vehicle, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure. Diagram  600  includes fill cap  606 , which is secured to port  608  by threads or other suitable mechanisms. Feet  604  are disposed at each corner of the base. 
         [0022]    In operation, fill cap  606  is removed from port  608  to allow the interior compartment of corrugated base  110  to be filled with sand or other suitable weighting materials. Fill cap  606  is then secured to port  608  and the stabilized receptacle is placed in a suitable location within the vehicle. 
         [0023]    The stabilized receptacle can be formed by constructing corrugated base  110  separately from middle section  104  and top  102 . The corner columns of middle section  104  can then be inserted into suitable mating compartments in corrugated middle section  104 , and hinges  116  can be used to attach top  102  to middle section  104 . 
         [0024]    It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merely examples of possible implementations. Many variations and modifications may be made to the above-described embodiments without departing from the principles of the present disclosure. All such modifications and variations are intended to be included herein within the scope of this disclosure and protected by the following claims.