FOLDABLE STORAGE DEVICE

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/571,627 filed Mar. 29, 2024. The entire contents of the above application are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the storage containers. More specifically, the present invention relates to a modular, portable, and durable storage solution for outdoor and recreational use.

BACKGROUND

Portable storage containers are often used in relation to a variety of outdoor activities. Traditional storage containers are often bulky, non-collapsible, and difficult to transport, which can make them challenging to place and use where space and weight efficiency are crucial. Existing collapsible storage solutions are typically fabric-based, which lack durability, or rigid plastic bins, which are not designed for easy carrying and compact storage. Therefore, there is a need for a high-quality, collapsible, and modular storage container which is durable, stackable, and easy to transport.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is sometimes desirable to have a storage device that is convertible between an expanded position and a collapsed position. In the expanded position, the storage device is capable of retaining objects within an interior space. In the collapsed position, the storage device has less or even no storage capability but is more convenient to store because it takes up less space. In some embodiments, the storage device may be configured for transportation singly or in combination with one or more other containers (e.g., in stacks), either manually or by one or more automated systems.

The invention accomplishes this first by creating two separate primary assemblies—a top assembly and a bottom assembly. The top assembly comprises a rectangular lid panel which is attached to a top frame via hinges, and two short-side panels on the opposite ends of the top frame which are also attached to the top frame via hinges. The lid panel is configured to fold down and seal against the top frame to close the container or to swing open for packing and unpacking. The short-side panels are configured to hang vertically, extend downward from the top frame, and attach to a rectangular bottom frame. The short-side panels are also configured to fold into the top frame.

The bottom assembly comprises a rectangular bottom panel which is attached to a bottom frame via hinges, and two long-side panels which are also attached to the bottom frame via hinges. The bottom panel is typically sealed against the bottom frame and in combination with the bottom frame, may comprise a means to drain liquid from the container. The long-side panels are configured to extend vertically from the bottom frame and attach to the rectangular top frame. The long-side panels are also configured to fold into the bottom frame.

When the container is in the expanded position, the side panels are attached to the top and bottom frames to provide the container with structural integrity. The lid panel may swing open and closed.

To facilitate efficient storage, the long-side panels detach from the top frame, and the short-side panels detach from the bottom frame. The long-side panels fold inward so they rest within the bottom frame against the bottom panel. The short-side panels fold inward so they rest within the top frame against the lid panel which is in the closed position. The top frame bottom frame are then removably attached so the container height is approximately five to ten inches to facilitate easy transport and storage.

As a result, the invention may be used for a variety of outdoor activities, such as camping, fishing, boating, and beachgoing. The invention may also be used for personal storage, medical and emergency kits, and commercial applications such as warehouse and delivery services.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the container in the expanded position with the lid panel folded up.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the top assembly in the expanded position with the lid detached from the top frame.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of one embodiment of the top assembly with the short-side panels folded in the storage position and the lid panel in a partially open position.

FIG. 4a is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bottom assembly with the long-side panels folded upward.

FIG. 4b is a perspective view of one embodiment of the bottom assembly with the long-side panels folding inward for storage.

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of one embodiment of the top assembly and the bottom assembly in the storage position but with the lid panel in the open position.

FIG. 6a is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in the storage position.

FIG. 6b is a perspective view of one embodiment of the invention in the storage position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The embodiments of the disclosure will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. It will be readily understood that the components, as generally described and illustrated in the Figures herein, could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations or be entirely separate. Thus, the following more detailed description of the embodiments of the system and method of the disclosure, as represented in the Figures is not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, as claimed, but is merely representative of possible embodiments of the disclosure.

FIG. 1 shows one embodiment of container 10 in an expanded and fully assembled position. For this embodiment, container 10 includes top assembly 20 and bottom assembly 30. Top assembly 20 includes top frame 21, lid panel 22, short-side panels 23, and lid hinges 24. Bottom assembly 30 includes bottom frame 31 and long-side panels 33. Short-side panels 23 are removably attached to bottom frame 31 and long-side panels 33 removably attached to top frame 21. FIG. 1 shows lid panel 22 in the open position for packing and unpacking container 10. Lid hinges 24 are attached to top frame 21 and lid panel 22 and configured to facilitate opening and closing of container 10. A user may open or close container 10 by rotating lid panel 22 via lid hinges 24.

In another embodiment, short-side panels 23 and long-side panels 33 are removably interlocked to support structural integrity of container 10 by a variety of means known in the art, such as tongue-and-groove or interlocking tab configurations. In another embodiment, slip-resistant devices or materials known in the art may be attached to bottom frame 31 or bottom panel 32. In another embodiment, short-side panels 23, lid panel 22, or long-side panels 33 may comprise a venting means commonly known in the art.

In another embodiment, the joints where the panels meet the frames and the panels meet each other may be lined with materials known in the art to create a waterproof or airtight seal or otherwise configured to create such seals against intrusion by substances on the exterior. Any drainage assembly or configuration known in the art may be added to bottom assembly 30 to allow the user to drain liquid or remove unwanted soil from the inside of container 10. In another embodiment, a interior storage means such as a box or a pouch may be attached to an interior surface of a panel to create a separate interior storage means. In another embodiment, the panels and frames may be lined with insulating materials or anti-microbial materials known in the art. In another embodiment, top frame 21 or any of the panels may be outfitted with cup holders, straps, or other means known in the art to facilitate use of container 10 with exterior devices such as cups, cans, trays or speakers. In another embodiment, any point on the exterior of container 10 may be configured with reinforced mounting devices for securing container 10 to vehicles, boats, outdoor fixtures, or the like.

In the closed position, lid panel 22 may be configured to rest upon or within top frame 21. Myriad attachment or locking means known in the art may be added to lid panel 22 and top frame 21 to attach or lock container 10 when it is in the closed position.

Container 10 may be disassembled and converted into a storage position. FIG. 3 shows one embodiment of top assembly 20 in an almost-closed storage position. To convert top assembly 20 into a storage position, top assembly 20 is detached from bottom assembly 30 by detaching short-side panels 23 from bottom frame 31 and detaching long-side panels 33 from top frame 21. Short-side panels 23 are then folded into top frame 21 via short-side panel hinges 25. Lid panel 22 is folded into top frame 21 via lid hinges 24. Top assembly 20 would then be fully collapsed for easy storage and transport as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b.

FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of bottom assembly 30 in an almost-closed storage position. To convert bottom assembly 30 into a storage position, bottom assembly 20 is detached from top assembly 20 by detaching short-side panels 23 from bottom frame 31 and detaching long-side panels 33 from top frame 21. Long-side panels 33 are then folded into bottom frame 31 via long-side panel hinges 34. Bottom assembly 30 would then be fully collapsed for easy storage and transport as shown in FIGS. 6a and 6b.

FIG. 5 shows one embodiment of container 10 in the storage position with top assembly 20 stacked on top of bottom assembly 30, with lid panel 22 in a partially open position. Short-side panels 23 are folded into the collapsed storage position and long-side panel 33 is folded in and on top of the other long-side panel 33, which rests on bottom panel 32, the latter of which is not depicted because it is covered by long-side panels 33.

Also shown in FIG. 5 are short-side panels 23 folded into the storage position. In one embodiment, top frame 21 is stacked on top of bottom frame 31 to minimize the space occupied when container 10 is in the storage position. Top frame 21 may be removably connected to bottom frame 31 by myriad means known in the art, such as straps, clasps, locks, peg-in-hole configurations, or a variety of bracket configurations. Likewise, lid panel 22 may be closed and held in place by any viable configuration commonly known in the art.

FIGS. 6a and 6b show container 10 in the fully collapsed position. Any common means known in the art may be used to facilitate transport of container 10 in the fully collapsed position, such as handles attached to top frame 21 or bottom frame 31, or both. Likewise, handles may be molded into top frame 21 or bottom frame 31. Brackets which are known in the art may be attached to top frame 21 or bottom frame 31. The height of container 10 in the fully collapsed position may range from five inches to ten inches.

Top assembly 20 and bottom assembly 30 may be interchangeable such that any top assembly 20 fits with any bottom assembly 30, which should allow for easy replacement if one of the top or bottom assemblies breaks or is lost. Likewise, top assembly 20 and bottom assembly 30 may be scalable to accommodate any intended use.

In one embodiment, the components of top assembly 20 and bottom assembly 30 comprise durable materials which may withstand environmental elements, such as polyvinyl chloride, high-density polyethylene, other plastics, metals, or other corrosion-resistant materials.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference has been made to the preferred embodiments illustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used to describe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends no limitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should be construed to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown and described herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are not intended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. For the sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the invention (and components of the individual operating components of the invention) may not be described in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectors shown in the various figures presented are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships, physical connections or logical connections may be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item or component is essential to the practice of the invention unless the element is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerous modifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilled in this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.