Collapsible Container Having Flexible Material that Maintains Structure and Assists in Collapsing Container

Abstract

Various embodiments of collapsible containers having folding assemblies are described where the containers comprise a body having front, back, left, right, and bottom sidewalls. A top side or lid may also be included and could be removably opened using a zipper or other fastener. At least two sidewalls comprise a folding assembly having a flexible material preferably disposed adjacent to first and second rigid boards. The folding assembly provides structural support when in a first configuration and aids in collapsing the container when in a second configuration. The container is designed to transition from an expanded form to a collapsed form when force is applied to the flexible material.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The field of the invention is collapsible containers.BACKGROUND

[0002] The following description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[0003] Collapsible containers, such as baskets, bags, and other items, are used for various purposes. These containers are often reusable to reduce their environmental impact. Although existing containers such as tote bags may be collapsible, they often lack sufficient structure when in an expanded configuration and can be difficult to collapse due to the lack of corresponding structure to facilitate their collapse.

[0004] All publications identified herein are incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Where a definition or use of a term in an incorporated reference is inconsistent or contrary to the definition of that term provided herein, the definition of that term provided herein applies and the definition of that term in the reference does not apply.

[0005] Thus, there is still a need for collapsible containers having a flexible material that can assist in maintaining the structure of the container when in an expanded configuration while assisting in the collapse of the container when desired.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The inventive subject matter provides apparatus, systems, and methods for collapsible containers comprising folding assemblies to provide additional structure to the containers while facilitate their collapse when a force is applied to the folding assembly.

[0007] Preferred containers comprise a body defining an interior portion, with the body comprising front and back sidewalls, left and right sidewalls, and a bottom sidewall. The body is configured to transform from an expanded form to a collapsed form when force is applied to the flexible material.

[0008] One of the opposing pair of sidewalls (i.e., the front and back sidewalls or the left and right sidewalls) comprises a flexible material that provides the structural support to the body when the flexible material is in a first configuration and assists with collapsing the body when force is applied to the flexible material causing the flexible material to change to the second configuration.

[0009] In preferred embodiments, the flexible material is disposed adjacent to or at least partially embedded within first and second rigid boards to form a folding assembly. The board can be cut to different sizes and shapes as needed such as to help fill the sidewalls or panels and / or to provide additional structure to the container. It is contemplated that additional boards could be used or doubled up to increase the strength of the structure, for example.

[0010] In some embodiments, the folding assembly may have an outer covering which could include, for example, a fabric material or a shrink wrap.

[0011] The folding assembly can be disposed in one or more of the sidewalls, and is preferably disposed horizontally along a rim of the sidewall in opposing sides such as the left and right sidewalls. The other sidewalls may have a rigid board without the flexible material and it is contemplated that the rigid board in those sidewalls may be thicker than the rigid boards disposed next to the flexible material.

[0012] Advantageously, the use of the folding assembly allows the container to fold at a specific location and in a specific direction. The addition of sewn lines into the fabric forming one or more of the sidewalls causes the fabric to form along certain lines and directions to ensure excess fabric is stored within the collapsed container.

[0013] Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a folding assembly.

[0015] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate various configurations of one embodiment of a collapsible container comprising the folding assembly of FIG. 1.

[0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a vertical cross-section view of another embodiment of the folding assembly.

[0017] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate various configurations of another embodiment of a collapsible container.

[0018] FIG. 4C illustrates another embodiment of a folding assembly.

[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a folding assembly.

[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a folding assembly.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The following discussion provides many example embodiments of the inventive subject matter. Although each embodiment represents a single combination of inventive elements, the inventive subject matter is considered to include all possible combinations of the disclosed elements. Thus, if one embodiment comprises elements A, B, and C, and a second embodiment comprises elements B and D, then the inventive subject matter is also considered to include other remaining combinations of A, B, C, or D, even if not explicitly disclosed.

[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a folding assembly 100 comprising a flexible material 110 with a first portion 102 disposed in a first sleeve 104 and a second portion 106 disposed in a second sleeve 108. The left side shows the folding assembly 100 in a curved or second configuration while the right side shows the folding assembly 100 having a planar shape. The folding assembly 100 is locked in its planar shape until a certain amount of force is applied to the flexible material 110, causing the material to fold and change into the curved or second configuration.

[0023] Each of the first sleeve 104 and the second sleeve 108 preferably comprises a rigid board which may be formed of polyethylene (PE) or other plastics, wood, metal, composite materials and / or other materials that provide rigidity to that portion of the folding assembly and cause the flexible material to only bend at the middle portion which is not disposed against a rigid board, for example.

[0024] FIGS. 2A-2C illustrate various configurations of one embodiment of a collapsible container 200 comprising a body 202 defining an interior portion 204. The body 202 comprises a front sidewall 206 with an opposing back sidewall 208, a left sidewall 210 with an opposing right sidewall 212, and a bottom sidewall 214. The body 202 may optionally comprise a top sidewall or lid 216 which can be removably coupled to the body 202 in at least one area. As shown, the top sidewall 216 can be sewn to the back sidewall 208 and removably closed using a zipper mechanism or other fastener. One or more handles 240 may be attached to the body 202 to assist with carrying or transporting the container 200.

[0025] The body 202 can comprise one or more materials to form the sidewalls, which preferably comprise flexible materials that can be folded or otherwise collapsed. For example, the sidewalls may be formed of a fabric, rubber, vinyl, or any other suitable materials. The container 200 can be sized and dimensioned variably depending on the use of the container. As shown, the sidewalls of the body 202 can have one or more fold lines which are sewn into the body 202 to encourage folding of the sidewalls along the fold lines and in specific directions.

[0026] Preferably, at least one of (i) the front and back sidewalls 206, 208 or (ii) the left and right sidewalls 210, 212 each comprises a folding assembly 100 that provides structural support to the body 202 when the folding assembly 100 is in the first configuration and assists with collapsing of the body 202 when the folding assembly 100 is in the second configuration. Preferably, in the first configuration, the folding assembly 100 has a planar shape, which is shown in FIG. 2A.

[0027] As shown in this embodiment, the left and right sidewalls 210, 212 each comprises the folding assembly 100. The front and back sidewalls 206, 208 each comprises a rigid material or board 218, which may be composed of one or more materials including, for example, polyethylene (PE) or other plastics, wood, metal, composite materials and / or other materials that provide rigidity to the sidewall.

[0028] With the assistance of the folding assemblies 100, the body 202 is configured to transform from an expanded form shown in FIG. 2A to a collapsed form shown in FIG. 2C when force is applied to the flexible material in the folding assembly 100.

[0029] The folding assembly 100 is preferably disposed horizontally along a rim of the left and right sidewalls 210, 212, such as shown in FIG. 2A. Preferably, the folding assembly comprises a flexible material such as a spring steel with two rigid boards, with a first rigid board disposed adjacent to a first portion of the flexible material and a second rigid board disposed adjacent to a second portion of the flexible material. As shown in FIG. 2A, the two rigid boards are disposed on opposing sides of a centerline of the left and right sidewalls 210, 212, and the flexible material is disposed adjacent to the rigid boards. A middle portion of the flexible material is not covered by one of the rigid boards.

[0030] It is contemplated that the flexible material may be secured to or embedded within each of the rigid boards. This can be accomplished using a glue or other fastener, for example. In addition, or alternatively, at least a portion of the flexible material and the rigid board can be disposed in a fabric sleeve or enclosed in a shrink wrap, for example, such as described below in FIGS. 5 and 6.

[0031] The rim of the front and back sidewalls 206, 208 comprises a rigid board 218. In this manner, a first portion of the rim comprises the flexible material and first and second rigid boards (i.e., folding assembly 100) and a second portion of the rim comprises rigid board 218. It is contemplated that the rim can be defined by one or more fabric channels into which at least one of the flexible material and rigid board is inserted. This is best shown in FIG. 3, for example.

[0032] By utilizing the folding assemblies 100 in the rim of the container 200, the folding assemblies assist in folding the left and right sidewalls 210, 212 inwardly. When in the expanded form, the boards and folding assemblies provide structure from the rim and keep the shape of the container as shown in FIG. 2A.

[0033] The folding assemblies 100 can be disengage by pressing a center portion of the folding assemblies toward an interior of the container 200.

[0034] In some embodiments, it is contemplated that the rigid board disposed adjacent to the flexible material may be thinner than the rigid board disposed in the other sidewalls that lack the folding assembly. As one example, it is contemplated that the rigid boards disposed adjacent to the flexible material may have a thickness of 3 mm, while the rigid boards disposed in the front and back sidewalls 206, 208 may have a thickness of 4 mm.

[0035] FIG. 3 illustrates a vertical cross-section view of another embodiment of the folding assembly 300, as attached to a right sidewall 302 of a collapsible container. As shown, the folding assembly 300 comprises a flexible material 310 disposed adjacent to a rigid board 312. Preferably, the folding assembly 300 is at least partially disposed in a channel 314 formed of a fabric, where the channel 314 is attached or coupled to the sidewall 302. The channel 314 may be sewn or otherwise adhered to the sidewall 302.

[0036] As discussed above, the rigid board 312 may be composed of one or more materials including, for example, polyethylene, polycarbonate or other plastics, wood, metal, composite materials and / or other materials that provide rigidity to the sidewall 302.

[0037] A zipper 320 is shown which can be used to secure a top cover to the container. Of course, other fasteners could be used without departing from the scope of the invention described herein.

[0038] FIGS. 4A-4B illustrate various configurations of another embodiment of a collapsible container 400 comprising a body 402 defining an interior portion. The body 402 comprises a front sidewall 406 with an opposing back sidewall 408, a left sidewall 410 with an opposing right sidewall 412, and a bottom sidewall 414. The body 402 may optionally comprise a top sidewall or lid which can be removably coupled to the body 402. The body 402 may further comprise one or more handles 440 for transporting or carrying the container 400.

[0039] As shown, each of the corner regions of the body 402 comprises a folding assembly 420, which provides structural support to the body 402 when the folding assembly 400 is in the first configuration shown in FIG. 4A and assists with collapsing of the body 402 when a force is applied to the folding assembly 420. Preferably, in the first configuration, the folding assembly 420 has a planar shape.

[0040] When a sufficient force is applied to the folding assemblies 420, the folding assemblies 420 each fold inwardly (i.e., toward an interior of the container 400). This in turn causes the sidewalls 406, 408, 410, 412 of the container 400 to fold inwardly.

[0041] As shown in FIG. 4C, the folding assemblies 420 preferably comprise a flexible material 422 disposed adjacent to first and second rigid boards 424, 426. The first rigid board 424 and a first portion of the flexible material 422 may be disposed within a first sleeve 428 or other container to ensure the flexible material 422 remains adjacent to the first board 424. Likewise, the second rigid board 426 and a second portion of the flexible material 422 may be disposed within a second sleeve 430 or other container to ensure the flexible material 422 remains adjacent to the second board 426.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, it is contemplated that the boards 424, 426 and flexible material 422 may be sewn, glued or otherwise adhered to one another.

[0043] Each of the first and second boards 424, 426 are preferably composed of a rigid material including for example, polyethylene, polycarbonate, or other plastics, wood, metal, composite materials and / or other materials that provide rigidity.

[0044] With the assistance of the folding assemblies 420, the body 402 is configured to collapse from the expanded form shown in FIG. 4A to a partially collapsed form shown in FIG. 4B and to a collapsed form when force is applied to the folding assemblies 420. This occurs when force is applied to the folding assemblies 420 such as shown by arrows in FIG. 4B.

[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of a folding assembly 520 comprising a flexible material 522. A first portion of the flexible material 522 is disposed adjacent to a first board 524 and can be enclosed in a shrink wrap material 528. A second portion of the flexible material 522 is disposed adjacent to a second board 526 and can be enclosed in a shrink wrap material 530. This can occur by wrapping the two pieces in shrink wrap and then heating the shrink wrap to form to those pieces. It is contemplated that the folding assembly 520 can then be sewn into a sidewall of a collapsible container such as by using excess shrink wrap material.

[0046] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of a folding assembly 620 comprising a flexible material 622 and first and second boards 624, 626. Each of the boards 624, 626 can be laser cut or otherwise cut to create a channel formed to receive a portion of the flexible material 622. In this manner, the portion of the flexible material 622 can be inserted or slid into the channel.

[0047] In some embodiments, each of the boards 624, 626 can comprise a nippled tab 630 or other fastener, which can be used to secure the flexible material to each board.

[0048] As discussed above, the flexible material preferably comprises a spring steel although other material(s) could be used that have sufficient flexibility and rigidity to provide rigidity to the container while in a first configuration and assist with collapsing the container when a sufficient force is applied to the flexible material. The spring steel has a bias to move away from the first configuration when the force is applied which assists with collapsing the container.

[0049] As used herein, and unless the context dictates otherwise, the term “coupled to” is intended to include both direct coupling (in which two elements that are coupled to each other contact each other) and indirect coupling (in which at least one additional element is located between the two elements). Therefore, the terms “coupled to” and “coupled with” are used synonymously.

[0050] In some embodiments, the numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, properties such as concentration, reaction conditions, and so forth, used to describe and claim certain embodiments of the invention are to be understood as being modified in some instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, in some embodiments, the numerical parameters set forth in the written description and attached claims are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by a particular embodiment. In some embodiments, the numerical parameters should be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. Notwithstanding that the numerical ranges and parameters setting forth the broad scope of some embodiments of the invention are approximations, the numerical values set forth in the specific examples are reported as precisely as practicable. The numerical values presented in some embodiments of the invention may contain certain errors necessarily resulting from the standard deviation found in their respective testing measurements.

[0051] Unless the context dictates the contrary, all ranges set forth herein should be interpreted as being inclusive of their endpoints and open-ended ranges should be interpreted to include only commercially practical values. Similarly, all lists of values should be considered as inclusive of intermediate values unless the context indicates the contrary.

[0052] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,”“an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0053] The recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value with a range is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g. “such as”) provided with respect to certain embodiments herein is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element essential to the practice of the invention.

[0054] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and / or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all Markush groups used in the appended claims.

[0055] It should be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced. Where the specification claims refers to at least one of something selected from the group consisting of A, B, C . . . and N, the text should be interpreted as requiring only one element from the group, not A plus N, or B plus N, etc.

Claims

1. A collapsible container, comprising:a body defining an interior portion, wherein the body comprises front and back sidewalls, left and right sidewalls, and a bottom sidewall;wherein each of the (i) front and back sidewalls or (ii) left and right sidewalls comprises a flexible material that provides structural support to the body when the flexible material is in a first configuration and assists with collapsing of the body when the flexible material is in a second configuration; andwherein the body is configured to transform from an expanded form to a collapsed form when force is applied to the flexible material.

2. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is disposed horizontally along a top portion of each of (i) the front and back sidewalls or (ii) the left and right sidewalls.

3. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the other of (i) the front and back sidewalls or (ii) the left and right sidewalls each comprises a rigid board disposed in a top portion.

4. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is disposed in each of the front and back sidewalls.

5. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the flexible material is disposed in each of the left and right sidewalls.

6. The collapsible container of claim 5, wherein the top portion of each of the left and right sidewalls comprises two rigid boards disposed on either side of a centerline of the left and right sidewalls, and wherein the flexible material is disposed adjacent the rigid boards.

7. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the flexible material comprises a spring steel.

8. The collapsible container of claim 6, wherein the flexible material is embedded in each of the two rigid boards.

9. The collapsible container of claim 1, further comprising one or more straps attached to the body.

10. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a rim at a top portion of the body, and wherein a first portion of the rim comprises the flexible material and first and second rigid boards and wherein a second portion of the rim comprises a third rigid board.

11. The collapsible container of claim 10, wherein the flexible material is at least partially embedded into the first and second rigid boards.

12. The collapsible container of claim 10, wherein the rim is defined by one or more fabric channels into which at least one of the flexible material and the first rigid board is inserted.

13. The collapsible container of claim 10, wherein the flexible material and the first and second rigid boards define a folding assembly.

14. The collapsible container of claim 13, wherein the flexible material is adhered to the first and second rigid boards.

15. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the flexible material and the first and second rigid boards comprise an outer shrinkwrap.

16. The collapsible container of claim 13, wherein the first and second rigid boards comprise one or more laser cut openings into which the flexible material may be inserted.

17. The collapsible container of claim 16, wherein each of the first and second rigid boards comprises a nippled tab, and wherein opposing ends of the flexible material comprise an indentation or aperture which mates with the nippled tab to secure the flexible material to the first and second rigid boards.

18. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein, in the first configuration, the flexible material has a planar shape, and wherein, in the second configuration, the flexible material has a curved shape.

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