Abstract:
A collapsible storage container having a body of flexible material, a top frame defining an opening to the body&#39;s interior, and a top cover of flexible material, suitable for use in confined spaces and for stacking. A removable support panel of rigid material can be inserted into the body interior. A support bar made of rigid material can be attached to the interior of the top frame such that a portion of each of the lateral plates of the support panel is secured between the support bar and the sides of the storage container body. Preferably, a grip is attached to a top seam of the container to facilitate moving the storage container.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/128,307, filed May 20, 2008, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The invention relates generally to a storage container and, more particularly, to a collapsible storage container constructed of flexible material including a cover, adapted for use in organizing and storing personal and other items. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    A variety of conventional storage bins have been constructed to meet modem storage and organizing needs. 
         [0006]    Storage bins constructed primarily of rigid material such as wood, cardboard, plastic or metal are known. While such rigid material provides stability, structural strength and longevity, such bins are not collapsible and therefore cannot be folded flat or otherwise condensed in size for compact storage or transport. Other storage bins are constructed of flexible material with reinforcing rods. But such bins also are not collapsible. Further, such reinforcing rods can wear through the flexible material to damage the bin material. 
         [0007]    Collapsible storage bins constructed solely of flexible material are known, but have a flimsy structure that makes such bins awkward to fill and use. Further, such a flimsy structure can be visually unattractive while today&#39;s market seeks more stylish storage systems. Other collapsible storage bins are constructed of flexible material with supplemental reinforcing panels. Such reinforcing panels are not arranged, however, to adequately support or facilitate the stacking of multiple bins or other objects on such storage bins. 
         [0008]    Further, storage bins that do not to include a way to reliably grip the bin can be difficult to carry, particularly where the sides of the bin are rigid and the contents of the bin are heavy. Other storage bins include handles attached to the bin or constructed from cut-out holes in the sides of the bin. Handles protrude from the sides or tops of the bin and therefore can become snagged on other objects or can be ripped from the bin. Cut-out holes create openings into the interior of the bin and therefore fail to completely enclose or protect the contents of the bin. Poorly reinforced holes also can lead to tears in the bin material. Further, such handles are not easily accessible when the bin is located in a drawer or on a shelf with little side or overhead clearance. 
         [0009]    Some storage bins do not include a top covering and therefore do not fully enclose or protect the contents of the bin from foreign debris or from spillage. Other storage bins include some form of lid or top. Such lids are difficult if not impossible to lift or remove from a bin located in another enclosure such as a partly-opened drawer or on a shelf with little overhead clearance. Therefore, such a bin must be relocated to view—or to add or remove—its contents. Further, where such a lid is a separate component from the bin itself, the lid can easily be misplaced or damaged from repeated handling. Other storage bins include a means for viewing the interior contents of the bin through the side or top of the bin, such as transparent or translucent rigid material, e.g., acrylic or glass, and are therefore such bins are not collapsible. 
         [0010]    Liners and dividers used in drawers or other enclosures are known, but are flimsy or are permanently attached to their enclosure. Therefore, such liners and dividers are not well suited for use independent of their enclosures. Further, such liners and dividers also do not include a top covering. 
         [0011]    Although each of these designs provides a useful storage bin, what is really needed is a covered storage container that is both amply sturdy to, e.g., support other objects placed on top of it, while being collapsible. What also is needed is the ability to view the contents without the need to open or move the storage container. What also is needed is the ability to easily grab or lift a storage container without the use of bulky or compromising handles. Such a storage container can address the increasing demand for practical, reliable and stylish storage systems. 
         [0012]    None of the above storage bins, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0013]    The present invention meets the above mentioned unmet storage needs and overcomes the drawbacks and disadvantages of the related art by providing a sturdy, collapsible covered storage container that provides the ability to conveniently view the contents without the need to move the storage container. The present invention also provides the ability to easily tilt, pull or lift a storage container without the use of handles. 
         [0014]    In particular, the invention accomplishes this by providing, in one aspect, a collapsible storage container including a flexible body with a framed top opening, an integrated flexible cover, and a support panel system. 
         [0015]    The present invention provides, in another aspect, a collapsible storage container further including a window of flexible material. 
         [0016]    The present invention provides, in another aspect, a collapsible storage container further including reinforcement bridges. 
         [0017]    The present invention provides, in another aspect, a collapsible storage container further including a grip that assists in handling the container. 
         [0018]    The present invention provides an effective and improved storage container that will result in the improved storage of items that are small or difficult to organize such as undergarments, arts and crafts supplies, nursery items, tools, electronic equipment parts, etc. The flexible top allows container contents to be accessed when the container is, e.g., in a partly opened dresser drawer or other difficult to access location. The grip eliminates the need for bulky handles or compromising handle holes while enabling the container to be easily pulled, titled or lifted from its location. The framed top opening provides a clean, neat overhead appearance, supports the flexible top, and prevents spills of small objects when the container is tilted. The window allows for observation of the container contents. The support panel system provides support for the container to prevent sagging when erect, while maintaining the collapsibility of the container. The bridges provide extra support for the top face of the container, while maintaining the collapsibility of the container. The bridges also keep the support panels in place. The opening framework, support panels and bridges also facilitate the stacking of containers or other items of reasonable weight on the top of the container. 
         [0019]    The inventive structural design of the storage container also allows for a storage container that has a popular trapezoidal, trough-like cross-section while still being covered as well as collapsible. 
         [0020]    Use of this invention can alleviate difficulties originating from bulky or flimsy storage bins because this invention is well adapted for use individually or in groups in snug furnishings such as dresser drawers, storage trunks, closets or workbench shelving. 
         [0021]    Additional features, advantages and embodiments of the present invention will be readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood after reading the subsequent description, drawings and claims. Moreover, it is to be understood that both the foregoing summary and the following detailed description are exemplary and intended to provide further explanation without limiting the scope of the invention as claimed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0022]    The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate preferred embodiments of the invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: 
           [0023]      FIG. 1  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container illustrating the cover partially raised from the top frame. 
           [0024]      FIG. 2  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container illustrating the collapse of the body with the pivoting of the lateral plates towards the base plate of the support panel. 
           [0025]      FIG. 3  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container in a collapsed condition. 
           [0026]      FIG. 4  is a side sectional view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container. 
           [0027]      FIG. 5  is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container illustrating an orientation of the support panel and support bars. 
           [0028]      FIG. 6 . is an isometric view of one embodiment of the collapsible covered storage container illustrating an arrangement of lining pieces on face of the top frame. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0029]    With attention to  FIG. 1 , an isometric view shows an erected condition of a presently preferred collapsible covered storage container  1  of the invention.  FIG. 4  depicts a side sectional view of an erected condition of storage container  1 . 
         [0030]    Storage container  1  is comprised of a body  10 , a cover  40  and a support panel  50 . 
         [0031]    Body  10  is formed from a plurality of members of flexible material. Such flexible materials range from woven textiles such as cloth to non-woven materials such as leather or vinyl. Such flexible materials also may be formed from a combination of materials such as leather with a cloth backing. Other useful combinations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0032]    Body  10  has a base  11 , two lateral sides  12 , a front side  14 , a back side  15 , a top seam  16 , two end seams  18 , and a top frame  20 . Base  11  is substantially rectangular in shape. Preferably, each side  12 ,  14 ,  15  is substantially rectangular in shape and permanently joined to the two adjacent sides along each of its vertical edges  21  to form a closed ring of flexible material. Each side  12 ,  14 ,  15  also is permanently attached to base  11  along its bottom edge  22 . Top frame  20  is permanently attached to top edges  23  of sides  12 ,  14 ,  15 . Preferably, body  10  is of such size and shape as to fit in the average dresser drawer, bookcase or closet shelving. 
         [0033]    The union between base  11 , sides  12 ,  14 ,  15 , and top frame  20  forms integral body  10 . Attachment of any or all of sides  12 ,  14 ,  15  with base  11  is achieved either by using one unitary piece of material to form the parts, or by attaching separate pieces of material using, for example, stitching, riveting, adhesive or thermal bonding in a manner known to those skilled in the art. This joins adjacent members without restricting movement along edges  21 ,  22 ,  23 . Preferably, sides  12  and base  11  are formed from one unitary piece of material, and sides  14 ,  15  are attached to sides  12  and base  11  using stitching or other means to form exterior binding seams along end seams  18  in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Interior binding seams also may be used. Lateral sides  12  are situated opposite from each other within body  10 . Preferably, lateral sides  12  are substantially vertical, i.e. perpendicular or orthogonal, to base  12 , and substantially equivalent in size and shape. Front side  14  and back side  15  are likewise situated opposite from each other within body  10 , substantially vertical to base  11  and substantially equivalent in size and shape. Front side  14  and back side  15  also may be substantially trapezoidal in shape such that the width between top edges  23  of lateral sides  12  is greater than the width between bottom edges  22  of lateral sides  12 , and thereby making body  10  trough-like in shape. 
         [0034]    Preferably, at least one of front side  14  and back side  15  is formed partly or entirely from flexible see-through material. Such flexible see-through material includes any clear, tinted, transparent, translucent or screened material, such as polyvinyl chloride, sheer fabric or mesh, that allows objects to be at least generally observed or identified through said material while being supple enough to fold and stretch back to substantially its original shape as body  10  is erected and collapsed. 
         [0035]    Top frame  20  is permanently attached to sides  12 ,  14 ,  15  along top edge  23  also using, for example, stitching, rivets, adhesive or thermal bonding in a manner known to those skilled in the art. Top frame  20  is comprised of a face  24  of flexible material. Face  24  has a front transverse  25  and two side transverses  26  surrounding an opening to body  10 , said opening being rectangular or of other geometric shape adequate to allow access to the interior of body  10 . Preferably, face  24  also comprises a back transverse  27 . 
         [0036]    In one embodiment, face  24  also comprises one or more lining pieces  28  of rigid or semi-rigid material. Lining pieces  28  also may include a covering  29  of flexible material. Preferably, a single lining piece  28  substantially equivalent in size and shape to face  24  is attached to the interior side of face  24 . However, as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , multiple lining pieces  28  may be arranged on the interior or exterior side of face  24 . 
         [0037]    Top frame  20  allows other items of reasonable weight to be stacked on storage container  1  without the items falling or collapsing into body  10 . Moreover, top frame  20  prevents spillage of items contained within body  10  when storage container  1  is, for example, slightly tilted. 
         [0038]    Preferably, top frame  20  is attached to sides  12 ,  14 ,  15  using stitching to form exterior binding seams along top seam  16  in a manner known to those skilled in the art. A grip seam  30  can be attached to top seam  16 , preferably along top seam  23  of back side  15 . Grip seam  30  may be comprised of flexible material, or other material such as plastic or metal fitted to top seam  16 . Grip seam  30  facilitates the pulling, tilting or lifting of storage container  1  without the need for handles. 
         [0039]    Cover  40  includes a flap  42  of flexible material having a front edge  43  and a back edge  44 , and an attachment piece  46 . Attachment piece  46  is connected to the back edge  44  of flap  42  and also connected to top seam  16  of body  10  along back side  15 . Preferably, attachment piece  46  also connects to back transverse  27  of face  24  of top frame  20 . Flap  42  is of sufficient size and shape to overlap top frame  20  and rest thereon for support when cover  40  is in a closed position on body  10 . Preferably, flap  42  is made partly or entirely of see-through flexible material to allow objects to be at least generally observed or identified through said material, while being supple enough to be completely or partially peeled back from top frame  20  to observe or access the contents of body  10 . The ability to partially peel back flap  42  from top frame  20  is particularly desirable where storage container  1  is located in a confined space such as a drawer or a shelf with little overhead clearance. 
         [0040]    A tab  48  also may be attached at or near front edge  43  of cover  40  in a position to facilitate pulling and lowering cover  40  from and to top frame  20  of storage container  1 . Tab  48  may be, for example, a small loop, strap, knob or ring. Other means will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0041]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 5 , support panel  50  comprises a base plate  51  of rigid material and two lateral plates  52  of rigid material. Lateral plates  52  are located at opposing edges of base plate  51  and are substantially equivalent in size and shape. Lateral plates  52  are connected to base plate  51  by joints  53  allowing lateral plates  52  to be pivotally positioned at any planar angle with base plate  51 . Support panel  50  can be inserted to fit snuggly in the interior of body  10 . Preferably, base plate  51  and lateral plates  52  are of a height and width equal to or slightly less than the dimensions of the corresponding base  11  or sides  12 . 
         [0042]    As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , when body  10  is erected, lateral plates  52  of support panel  50  maintain sides  12  in an upright orientation and provides reinforcement to body  10 . As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , pivoting lateral plates  52  towards base plate  51 , or removing support panel  50  entirely from body  10 , allows sides  12 ,  14 ,  15  to fold inward, thereby causing storage container  1  to collapse into a substantially flat configuration, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Preferably, the width of base plate  51  and of base  11  between lateral plates  52  and between sides  12  respectively is greater than the height of each lateral plate  52  and sides  12  to facilitate the complete collapse of storage container  1 . Base plate  51  also may be permanently attached to base  11  of body  10  by adhesive, stitching, or any other suitable means known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0043]    In addition to or instead of lateral plates  52 , end plates  54  may be located at opposing edges of base plate  51  to maintain sides  14 ,  15  in an upright orientation. End plates  54  are similarly connected to base plate  51  by joints  53  allowing end plates  54  to be pivotally positioned at any planar angle with base plate  51 . End plates  54  are preferably of a height and width equal to or slightly less than the dimensions of sides  14 ,  15 . 
         [0044]    Alternatively, support panel  50  may comprise only lateral plates  52  of rigid material located at opposite sides of body  10  and permanently attached thereto at top seam  16 , allowing lateral plates  52  to be pivotally positioned at any planar angle with top frame  20 . Lateral plates  52  are preferably of a height and width slightly less than the dimensions of sides  12 . In this embodiment, lateral plates  52  are rotated upwards to touch top frame  20  to collapse storage container  1 . 
         [0045]    Preferably, base plate  51 , lateral plates  52  and end plates  54  are made from cardboard, but wood, particle board, plastic, sheet metal or other thin, rigid material can be used. Support panel  50  also is preferably embedded in a cover  55  of flexible material. 
         [0046]    In one embodiment, one or more stays  56  may be used to removably secure lateral plates  52  and end plates  54  of support panel  50  to sides  12 ,  14 ,  15  of body  10 . Such stays  56  may be, for example, elastic bands attached to the interior of sides  12 ,  14 ,  15  of body  10  so as to allow lateral plates  52  and end plates  54  to be secured between the stays  56  and sides  12 ,  14 ,  15 . Stays  56  also may be, for example, decouplable fasteners such as hook-and-loop attachments or snaps, attached to the interior of sides  12 ,  14 ,  15  of body  10  and to lateral plates  52  and end plates  54 . Other means will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0047]    In another embodiment not shown, fasteners  58  may be used to detachably connect front edge  43  of cover  40  to front transverse  25  of top frame  20 . Such fasteners  58  may be, for example, decouplable fasteners such as hook-and-loop attachments, ties, clips, buckles, snaps or buttons and loops attached to front edge  43  and to front transverse  25 . Other means will be apparent to those skilled in the art. 
         [0048]    As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 and 5 , at least one support bar  60  made of rigid material may be attached to the interior of top frame  20  so that a portion of each of lateral plates  52  of support panel  50  snugly fits in a space between the distal ends of support bar  60  and the lateral sides  12  of body  10 . Alternatively, two support bars  60  may be attached to the interior of top frame  20  along side transverses  26  so that the upper edge of each of lateral plates  52  fits snugly between the lengths of support bars  60  and lateral sides  12 . Support bar  60  also provides additional strength to top frame  20 . 
         [0049]    The present invention has a wide variety of uses and applications in different environments. The diagrams depicted herein are merely examples. There may be many variations to these diagrams described therein without departing from the spirit of the invention. All of these variations are considered a part of the claimed invention. 
         [0050]    While certain preferred embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various modifications, additions, substitutions and the like can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and these are therefore considered to be within the scope of the invention as defined in the following claims. Moreover, the terminology which has been used is intended to be in the nature of words of description rather than of limitation.