Collapsible container

Abstract

The present disclosure relates generally to a collapsible container having a top portion, a bottom portion, and a middle portion between the top and bottom portions. The top and bottom portions can be made of a rigid material, such as plastic. The middle portion can be made of a flexible material that can be folded onto itself so that the container can be collapsed for easy compact storage. The container can further include a handle rotatably connected to the top portion that can be releasably connected to a handle retainer on the bottom portion when the handle is rotated downward, thereby providing rigidity to the container's deployed configuration to prevent or reduce the occurrence of accidental collapse. In the upward position, the handles can fit together to form a single carrying point. The handles can also slide into the occupied space of the container for compact storage.

Description

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 371,418, filed August 15, 2022, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to foldable containers. In particular, this disclosure relates to foldable containers having at least one handle that can be releasably coupled to the container in multiple locations to increase the rigidity of the container when deployed. Background Technology

[0004] Large containers are difficult to store. Consumers seeking compact storage solutions may turn to collapsible containers in some cases. However, typical collapsible containers can be too flexible when opened and tend to fold unintentionally, sometimes even accidentally.

[0005] This disclosure aims to provide a collapsible container with enhanced stability to prevent accidental folding. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure generally relates to a foldable container that reduces its overall footprint for storage purposes. The container may include at least one handle that can be rotated to different positions to stabilize the container, facilitate carrying, or provide convenient and compact storage. For example, the handle may rotate downwards toward the container and engage with the base when the container is in an unfolded configuration. In this way, the handle provides a rigid connection between the top and bottom of the container, helping to prevent accidental folding in the middle of the container.

[0007] The handle can also be rotated upwards to an upward position and optionally engage with another handle to form a single carrying point. In some embodiments, when the container is in a folded configuration, the handle can slide horizontally into the space occupied by the container for nesting.

[0008] The above and other aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0009] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of a collapsible container according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, wherein the handle is in an upright position and has a lid.

[0010] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a collapsible container with the handle in the downward position and the lid removed.

[0011] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 A perspective side view of a foldable container in a folded configuration with the handles removed.

[0012] Figure 4 yes Figure 1 An enlarged perspective view of the handle attachment channel of the container, showing the attached handle.

[0013] Figure 5 yes Figure 1 A side perspective view of the foldable container in its folded configuration with the handle in the stowed position.

[0014] Figure 6 yes Figure 1 A perspective view of a collapsible container with the lid and handle in the downward position and the lid's compartment cover removed.

[0015] While this disclosure may have various modifications and alternatives, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the accompanying drawings and will be described in detail herein. However, it should be understood that the drawings and detailed description presented herein are not intended to limit this disclosure to the specific embodiments disclosed, but rather are intended to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives that fall within the spirit and scope of this disclosure as defined in the appended claims. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals refer to the same parts. To clearly illustrate the features of the invention, the proportions of the elements in the drawings are not necessarily maintained.

[0017] Now for reference Figure 1 Reference numeral 10 generally indicates an embodiment of a foldable container according to the present disclosure. The container 10 generally includes a body 11, a lid 12, and at least one handle 13. The illustrated embodiment includes two handles 13. A portion of the body 11 is preferably made of a flexible material, allowing the body to fold to reduce the height of the container 10, thus facilitating compact storage.

[0018] Because the handle 13 can rotate to different positions, it has multiple functions. For example, when multiple handles 13 are used, the handles 13 can rotate to an upward position and be interconnected, for example, by snap-fit ​​connection, magnetic connection (e.g., by magnets contained in the handle 13 itself), or any other acceptable means known in the art, to achieve a simple carrying point. As will be described in detail below, in some embodiments, the lid 12 may also include a compartment cover 14 hinged to the lid 12 via a latch 15 and an opposing hinge 16. In other embodiments, a lid that is not hinged and is directly attached to the container 10 may also be provided. The arrangement and configuration of the lids are not limited to this application, and any known or foreseeable lid structure is conceived.

[0019] Typically, the handles 13 are connected to each other at their middle portion 17 (i.e., the portion between the two ends of the handle), but in other embodiments, the handles 13 may be connected to each other at different positions. The handles 13 can prevent the body 11 from being accidentally folded in the downward position, and can also slide into the space occupied by the body 11 in the horizontally folded position for compact storage.

[0020] Looking at it now Figure 2 The body 11 may include four sides. A first side 18a may be configured such that a second side 18b is adjacent to and substantially perpendicular to the first side 18a. A third side 18c may be adjacent to and substantially perpendicular to the second side 18b and substantially parallel to the first side 18a. A fourth side 18d may be adjacent to and substantially perpendicular to the first and third sides 18a and substantially parallel to the second side 18b. In this manner, the body 11 can have a generally rectangular or square horizontal cross-section. Adjacent sides may intersect at corners 20. In some embodiments, corners 20 may be rounded. The container 10 may include a base 22 connected to the bottom portion of each side 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d. Thus, the base 22 and the sides 18a, 18b, 18c, 18d form an internal volume. The base 22 may generally be planar.

[0021] Sides 18a-18d may each include a top portion 24, a bottom portion 26, and an intermediate portion (or central portion) 28 between the top portion 24 and the bottom portion 26. The top portion 24 may terminate at an upper edge 25a. A lower edge 25b may also exist below the upper edge 25a of the top portion 24.

[0022] The first angular intermediate segment 28a can be located above the bottom portion 26, the second generally vertical intermediate segment 28b can extend upward from the first angular intermediate segment 28a, and the third angular intermediate segment 28c can be located below the top portion 24. Other embodiments may include more or fewer intermediate segments, or may include top and bottom segments. In the illustrated embodiment, since the intermediate segments 28a and 28c can be tilted outward, the width w1 of the top portion 24 can be greater than the width w2 of the bottom portion 26.

[0023] In various embodiments, the top portion 24 and the bottom portion 26 may be made of a relatively rigid material (e.g., plastic). The middle portion 28 may be made of a flexible and elastic material. Flexible and elastic materials are elastically deformable and foldable. Examples of flexible and elastic materials include elastic materials such as silicone.

[0024] Because the width w1 of the top portion 24 is greater than the width w2 of the bottom portion 26, the top portion 24 can nest outside the bottom portion 26 when the middle portion 28 folds onto itself, thus reducing the height of the container 10. In this position, as... Figure 3 As shown, the folded middle portion 28 can be nested between the top portion 24 and the bottom portion 26.

[0025] The top portion 24 may include a handle attachment channel 30 in which the handle 13 can be secured. The channel 30 may include a first open end 31 and a second closed end 32. A first rotating portion 33 may be provided near each open end 31, in which the handle 13 can be rotated to a "carry" or "unfolded / down" position as described herein. A second rotating portion 34 may also be provided for storing or nesting the handle 13. When the handle 13 is in the folded position, a storage piece 34a may keep the handle 13 parallel to the top portion 24. The rotating portions 33, 34 preferably include an interference fit (not shown) that may keep the handle 13 substantially in place when the handle 13 is in the carry or folded position.

[0026] Each end of the handle 13 has a knob 35 connected to a narrower shaft 36 (see...). Figure 4 The diameter of shaft 36 can be slightly smaller than the width of channel 30. In fact, knob 35 can slide into the first opening end 31 of the attachment channel 30 (see...). Figure 3 The shaft 36 can slide along the channel 30 until it abuts against the second closed end 32. When the handle 13 is folded, the shaft 36 and the knob 35 can be nested in the second rotating part 34. When the handle 13 is in the carrying position (e.g. Figure 1 As shown, the shaft 36 and the knob 35 can be nested within the first rotating portion 33. When the lid 12 is attached, the handle 13 will be further secured to the container 10, thereby reducing the possibility of accidental removal.

[0027] like Figure 5 As shown, the handle 13 can slide inward toward the second closed end 32 and can rotate to a horizontal folded position, making it approximately parallel to the plane of the top portion 24 of the container, thereby reducing the overall space occupied by the container 10, which may be particularly advantageous when the container 10 is in a folded configuration. Therefore, in some embodiments, the geometry of the handle 13 can match the geometry of the top portion 24 of the body 11, thereby surrounding and abutting the shape of the top portion 24 of the body 11 in the folded position.

[0028] Looking at it now Figure 6 A handle attachment channel 30 is illustrated on the first side 18a, into which a knob 34 at the first handle end can be inserted. A second handle attachment channel 30 (not shown due to perspective) may be located on the third side 18c, into which a knob 34 at the second handle end can be inserted. The illustrated embodiment includes two handle attachment channels 30 (one for each handle 13) on the first side 18a and two handle attachment channels 30 on the third side 18c (not shown due to perspective). In another embodiment, the channels 30 may be located on the second side 18b and the fourth side 18d.

[0029] The bottom portion 26 of container 10 may also include a handle retainer 36. In some embodiments, the handle retainer 36 may be molded into the bottom portion 26 or may be separately attached to the bottom portion 26 by any means known in the art. Generally, the handle retainer 36 may be of any geometry and may releasably engage the handle 13 when the handle 13 is in the downward position. In the illustrated embodiment, the middle portion 17 of the handle (i.e., the portion between the two ends of the handle) may engage with the handle retainer 36, but it is foreseeable that handles of different geometries may require the handle retainer 36 to grip different portions of the handle 13. In some embodiments, the handle retainer 36 may be disposed on the side adjacent to the handle attachment channel 30. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the handle retainer is disposed on the second side 18b and the fourth side 18d, and the handle attachment channel 30 is disposed on the first side 18a and the third side 18c.

[0030] The handle retainer 36 can be releasably engaged with the handle in any acceptable manner known in the art, such as by snap-fit, friction engagement, or similar means. In the illustrated embodiment, the handle retainer 36 includes a deflectable lip 38 that engages with the handle 13 until sufficient force is applied to the handle 13 to deflect the lip 38. The engagement of the handle 13 with the handle retainer 36 can provide greater rigidity and support to the container 10 through their engagement with the top portion 24 and the bottom portion 26, and can prevent or reduce the occurrence of accidental folding of the container 10.

[0031] The cover 12 can be placed on the upper edge 25a and lower edge 25b of the top portion 24 to securely attach it to the top portion 24, for example, by snap-fit. The cover 12 may include a compartment cover 14, which is secured by, for example, a latch 15 (see...). Figure 1 The cover 14 is releasably connected to the cover 12 (via the cover 14). The side of the cover 14 opposite to the latch 15 can be connected to the cover 12 via a hinge 16, or other configurations such as a second latch can also be used.

[0032] When the compartment cover 14 is opened, access to the cover compartment 50 is possible. The cover compartment 50 can be divided into different sections by its inner wall as needed. Generally, the height of the cover compartment 50 is equal to or does not exceed the height of the cover 12 itself.

[0033] The lid 12 may also include a lid cover 54. When the lid cover 54 is opened, access to the internal volume of the container 10 can be made without completely removing the lid 12. When the lid compartment 50 is present, the lid cover 54 may include sidewalls nested around the lid compartment 50. Thus, the base of the lid cover 54 is adjacent to the base 56 of the lid compartment 50. When the lid cover 54 is moved (e.g., hinged open) or removed, the lid compartment 50 can also be moved or removed without additional effort. The lid cover 54 can be releasably coupled to the lid 12 via, for example, a latch 58. The side of the lid cover 54 opposite the latch 58 can be coupled to the lid 12 via a hinge 60, or other configurations, such as a second latch, may also be used.

[0034] As will be apparent from the foregoing description, certain aspects of the invention are not limited to the specific details of the examples shown herein, and thus, those skilled in the art will anticipate other modifications, applications, variations, or equivalents to the invention. However, those skilled in the art will find, upon consideration of the specification and drawings, that many such variations, modifications, modifications, and other uses and applications of the structure are readily apparent. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated above, it should be noted that all drawings are not to scale. All variations, modifications, modifications, and other applications that do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are considered to be covered by the invention, which is limited only by the following claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible container, comprising: A container body includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and an intermediate portion between the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the bottom portion includes at least two handle holders on opposite sides of the body; as well as At least two handles are rotatably coupled to the top portion, wherein the at least two handles are configured to be releasably coupled to the handle holder; The middle portion is made of an elastic material, which allows the height of the container body to be reduced when the middle portion is compressed or folded. Wherein, the at least two handles are slidably engaged with at least two handle attachment channels, each of the at least two handle attachment channels including a first open end and a second closed end; and When adjusted from the first position to the second position, the at least two handles slide inward from the first open end toward the second closed end.

2. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the width of the top portion is greater than the width of the bottom portion, such that when the middle portion is compressed or folded, the top portion is nested outside the bottom portion.

3. The foldable container of claim 1, wherein the top portion includes the at least two handle attachment channels for rotatably attaching the at least two handles to the foldable container.

4. The foldable container of claim 3, wherein the at least two handle attachment channels include the first open end and the second closed end, such that the at least two handles can be removed from the foldable container.

5. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the at least two handle holders include deflectable lips configured to releasably engage the at least two handles until sufficient force is applied to deflect the deflectable lips.

6. The collapsible container of claim 1, further comprising a lid releasably engageable with the top portion.

7. The collapsible container of claim 6, wherein the lid further comprises a lid cover configured to allow access to the interior of the collapsible container when opened.

8. The foldable container of claim 1, wherein the top portion terminates at the upper edge.

9. The collapsible container of claim 8, further comprising a lid releasably engageable with the upper edge of the top portion.

10. A collapsible container, comprising: The container body includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and an intermediate portion between the top portion and the bottom portion; At least two handles are rotatably connected to the top portion, wherein the at least two handles are configured onto the container body; as well as A cover that can be releasably attached to the top portion; The middle portion is made of an elastic material, which allows the height of the container body to be reduced when the middle portion is compressed or folded. Wherein, the at least two handles are slidably engaged with at least two handle attachment channels, each of the at least two handle attachment channels including a first open end and a second closed end; and When adjusted from the first position to the second position, the at least two handles slide inward from the first open end toward the second closed end.

11. The collapsible container of claim 10, wherein the top portion terminates at the upper edge, and the lid is releasably attached to the upper edge.

12. The collapsible container of claim 10, wherein the bottom portion includes at least two handle holders on opposite sides of the body.

13. The collapsible container of claim 12, wherein the at least two handle holders include deflectable lips configured to releasably engage the at least two handles until sufficient force is applied to deflect the deflectable lips.

14. The collapsible container of claim 10, wherein the lid further comprises a lid cover configured to allow access to the interior of the collapsible container when opened.

15. The collapsible container of claim 10, wherein the width of the top portion is greater than the width of the bottom portion, such that when the middle portion is compressed or folded, the top portion is nested outside the bottom portion.

16. A collapsible container, comprising: A container body includes a top portion, a bottom portion, and an intermediate portion between the top portion and the bottom portion, wherein the intermediate portion is made of an elastic material such that the height of the container body can be reduced when the intermediate portion is compressed or folded. At least two handles rotatably connected to the top portion, wherein the at least two handles are configured onto the container body; and At least two handle attachment channels, the at least two handles being slidably engaged in the at least two handle attachment channels, each of the at least two handle attachment channels including a first open end and a second closed end; When the position is adjusted from the first position to the second position, the at least two handles slide inward from the first open end toward the second closed end.

17. The foldable container of claim 16, wherein each of the at least two handle attachment channels includes the first open end and the second closed end, such that the at least two handles can be nested substantially parallel to the foldable container via their respective second closed ends.

18. The foldable container of claim 17, wherein the at least two handles terminate at a knob coupled to a shaft, wherein the shaft is narrower than the knob.

19. The foldable container of claim 18, wherein the width of the shaft is narrower than the width of the handle attachment channel.

20. The foldable container of claim 16, wherein the at least two handles include a first handle and a second handle, the middle portion of the first handle being releasably coupled to the middle portion of the second handle.

Images