PORTABLE CONTAINER

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to portable containers.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to portable containers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In embodiments, a portable container includes a body, a lid, and a strap. The body includes an exterior, an interior, at least four lateral sides, a bottom, a first lateral opening, and a second lateral opening. The exterior includes an exterior height. The interior includes an interior height. The interior includes at least one compartment. The first lateral opening is disposed in one of the lateral sides. The second lateral opening is disposed in one of the lateral sides. The lid is configured to be removably secured to the body and includes an upper surface, a lower surface, a first lid opening, and a second lid opening. The first and second lid openings are adapted to receive the strap. The strap is configured to be received in the first lateral opening, the first lid opening, the second lid opening, and the second lateral opening. When the strap is received in the first and second lateral openings and the first and second lid openings, the lid is moveable along the strap.

The body and lid may be formed from any material having sufficient rigidity and resiliency. In embodiments, the body and lid include polyurethane or ethylene vinyl acetate. For example, the body and lid may be formed from a polyurethane foam or an ethylene vinyl acetate foam.

In embodiments, the at least one compartment includes integral compartments formed by at least one integral projection extending from a bottom wall of the interior to a projection height, wherein the projection height is less than or equal to the interior height. In other embodiments, the at least one compartment may be formed by removable dividers adapted to be securely and removably affixed within the body. In some embodiments, the body may include one or more compartments formed from a combination of integral projections and removable dividers.

In embodiments, at least one of the first and second lateral openings is disposed at an opening height less than the exterior height of the body.

In embodiments, the strap includes lateral handles disposed proximally to the first lateral opening and second lateral opening.

In embodiments, the body includes a recess disposed on the bottom side and at least two of the first lateral side, the second lateral side, the third lateral side, and the fourth lateral side of the exterior of the body. In embodiments, the strap is configured to be received in the recess.

In embodiments, at least one of the first and second lateral openings is disposed at an opening height less than the exterior height of the body. In embodiments, the strap is disposed on the exterior of the body between the bottom side of the exterior and the opening height and is disposed on the interior of the body between the opening height and the first lid opening and second lid opening.

In embodiments, the strap includes a fixation element. In embodiments, the fixation element includes a buckle. In embodiments, the fixation element is disposed above the lid.

In embodiments, the strap includes an upper handle.

In embodiments, the lower surface of the lid includes a plurality of cutouts.

In embodiments, a method of assembling a portable container includes providing a body, providing a lid, and providing a strap. The body includes a first lateral opening disposed in a first lateral side of the body and a second lateral opening disposed in a second lateral side of the body. The lid includes a first lid opening and a second lid opening. The strap includes a fixation element provided in an unfixed state. The method includes threading the strap through the first lid opening or the second lid opening, threading the strap through the first lateral opening or the second lateral opening, wrapping the strap around at least two sides of the exterior of the body, threading the strap through the first lateral opening or the second lateral opening, threading the strap through the first lid opening or the second lid opening, and engaging the fixation element of the trap to convert the fixation element to a fixed state.

In embodiments, wrapping the strap around at least two sides of the exterior of the body includes wrapping the strap around the first lateral side, wrapping the strap around a bottom side, and wrapping the strap around the second lateral side. The exterior surface of the body includes a recess configured to receive the strap.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a first perspective view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a second perspective view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a first exploded view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a second exploded view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 9 is a third exploded view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 10 is a front view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 11 is a is a fourth exploded view of a portable container in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description of embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof and in which are shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. Specific details disclosed herein are in every case a non-limiting embodiment representing concrete ways in which the concepts of the invention may be practiced. This serves to teach one skilled in the art to employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system, structure or manner consistent with those concepts. It will be seen that various changes and alternatives to the specific described embodiments and the details of those embodiments may be made within the scope of the invention. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concepts herein described and in the specific embodiments herein detailed without departing from the scope of the present invention, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not as limiting.

The various directions such as “upper,” “lower,” “bottom,” “top,” “back,” “front,” “perpendicular”, “vertical”, “horizontal,” “length” and “width” and so forth used in the detailed description of embodiments are made only for easier explanation in conjunction with the drawings to express the concepts of the invention. The elements in embodiments may be oriented differently while performing the same function and accomplishing the same result as obtained with the embodiments herein detailed, and such terminologies are not to be understood as limiting the concepts which the embodiments exemplify.

As used herein, the use of the word “a” or “an” when used in conjunction with the term “comprising” (or the synonymous “having” or “including”) in the claims and/or the specification may mean “one,” but it is also consistent with the meaning of “one or more,” “at least one,” and “one or more than one. ” In addition, as used herein, the phrase “connected to” means joined to or placed into communication with, either directly or through intermediate components.

As shown in FIGS. 1-9, embodiments of the present disclosure include a portable container 1000. The portable container 1000 may be a tote, a cooler, or any other portable container.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, and 10, the portable container 1000 includes a body 100. The body 100 may include a unitary body or a plurality of bodies. The body 100 may be formed using any suitable method, including but not limited to blow molding, three-dimensional printing, injection molding, plastic extrusion, rotational molding, thermoforming, vacuum forming, compression molding, or any other suitable method known now or in the future. The body 100 may be substantially insulated. The body 100 may include an exterior 110. The exterior 110 may include a plurality of sides 112, 114, 116, 118, 120. The plurality of sides may include at least one of a first lateral side 112, a second lateral side 114, a third lateral side 116, a fourth lateral side 118, and a bottom side 120. The body 100 may include an interior 122. The interior 122 may include a plurality of sides 124, 126, 128, 130, 132. The plurality of sides may include at least one of a first lateral side 124, a second lateral side 126, a third lateral side 128, a fourth lateral side 130, and a bottom side 132. The exterior 110 may include an exterior height 134. The interior 122 may include an interior height 136. The body 100 may be formed from any material having sufficient rigidity. The body 100 may be formed from any material having sufficient resiliency. The body 100 may include polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, or any other suitable material.

As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the interior 122 may include at least one compartment 138. The at least one compartment 138 may include integral compartments. The integral compartments 138 may be formed by at least one integral projection 140. The at least one compartment 138 may be formed by at least one removable divider. The at least one removable divider may be adapter to be securely and removably affixed within the interior 122. The at least one integral projection 140 may extend from the bottom side 132 of the interior 122 to a projection height 142. The projection height 142 may be less than or equal to the interior height. The at least one integral projection 140 may have one unitary projection height 142 or varying projection heights 142. The compartments 138 may include two, three, four, five, six, or more compartments. The compartments 138 may each have substantially the same cross-sectional dimensions or varying cross-section dimensions. In additional embodiments, the at least one compartment 138 may be formed from a combination of integral projections 140 and removable dividers. The compartments 138 may include additional features, including but not limited to storage compartments, chilling elements, cup holders, and any other suitable features.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, the body 100 includes a first lateral opening 144. The body 100 may include a second lateral opening 146. The first lateral opening 144 may be disposed on at least one of the first lateral side 112, 124, the second lateral side 114, 126, the third lateral side 116, 128, the fourth lateral side 118, 130 of the exterior 110 and/or the interior 122 of the body 100. The second lateral opening 146 may be disposed on at least one of the first lateral side 112, 124, the second lateral side 114, 126, the third lateral side 116, 128, the fourth lateral side 118, 130 of the exterior 110 and/or the interior 122 of the body 100. The first lateral opening 144 and the second lateral opening 146 may be disposed on opposite lateral sides of the body 100. The first lateral opening 144 may be disposed at a first opening height 150. The first opening height 150 may be less than the exterior height 134 of the body 100. The second lateral opening 146 may be disposed at a second opening height 152. The second opening height 152 may be less than the exterior height 134 of the body 100. The first lateral opening 144 may include a width and a depth. The second lateral opening 146 may include a width and a depth. The width and depth of the first lateral opening 144 and the second lateral opening 146 may be substantially equal.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 5, 7, and 8, the body 100 includes a recess 148. The recess 148 may be disposed on the exterior 110 of the body 100. The recess 148 may be disposed on at least one of the first lateral side 112, the second lateral side 114, the third lateral side 116, the fourth lateral side 118, and the bottom side 120 of the exterior 110. The recess 148 may be disposed on at least three of the plurality of sides 112, 114, 116, 118, 120 of the exterior 110. The recess 148 may be disposed on the bottom side 120 and at least two of the lateral sides 112, 114, 116, 118. The recess 148 may be disposed on the bottom side 120 and two opposing lateral sides, e.g., the first lateral side 112 and the second lateral side 114, the third lateral side 116 and the fourth lateral side 118, or any other suitable configuration. The recess 148 may have a width and a depth.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 2, 3, and 6, the body 100 includes stabilizing elements 154. The stabilizing elements 154 may be disposed on the bottom side 120 of the exterior 110. The stabilizing elements 154 may include a plurality of feet or any other suitable element. The plurality of feet may include four feet disposed at corners of the bottom side 120 of the exterior 110.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 10, the portable container 1000 includes a lid 200. The lid 200 may be removably secured to the body 100. The lid 200 may include at least one of an upper surface 202 and a lower surface 204. The lid 200 may include a plurality of sides 206, 208, 210, 212. The plurality of sides may include at least one of a first lateral side 206, a second lateral side 208, a third lateral side 210, and a fourth lateral side 212. The lid 200 may be formed from any material having sufficient rigidity. The lid 200 may be formed from any material having sufficient resiliency. The lid 200 may include polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate, or any other suitable material.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1, 7, and 8, the lid 200 includes a first lid opening 214. The lid 200 may include a second lid opening 216. The first lid opening 214 may extend between the upper surface 202 and the lower surface 204 of the lid 200. The second lid opening 216 may extend between the upper surface 202 and the lower surface 204 of the lid 200. The first lid opening 214 may include a width and a depth. The second lid opening 216 may include a width and a depth. The width and depth of the first lid opening 214 and the second lid opening 216 may be substantially equal.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4, the lid 200 includes a lid perimeter. The lid perimeter may include a raised ridge 222.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, the lower surface 204 of the lid 200 includes a plurality of cutouts 218. The plurality of cutouts 218 may include a cutout depth 220. The cutout depth may be less than or equal to a thickness of the lid 300. The plurality of cutouts 218 may have any suitable cross-sectional dimension. The plurality of cutouts 218 may have any suitable cross-sectional shape. The plurality of cutouts 218 may have any suitable configuration.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-10, the portable container 1000 includes a strap 300. The strap 300 may include any suitable material, including but not limited to woven fabric, plastic, or rubber. The strap 300 may be configured to be received in at least one of the first lateral opening 144, the first lid opening 214, the second lid opening 216, and the second lateral opening 146. When the strap 300 is received in the first and second lid openings 214, 216 and the first and second lateral openings 144, 146, the lid 200 may be secured to the body 100. When the strap 300 is received in the first and second lid openings 214, 216 and the first and second lateral openings 144, 146, the lid 200 may be slidable along the strap 300. The strap 300 may be configured to be received in the recess 148 of the body 100. The strap 300 may be disposed on the exterior 110 of the body 100 between the bottom side 120 of the exterior 110 and the first lateral opening 144. The strap 300 may be disposed on the exterior 110 of the body 100 between the bottom side 120 of the exterior 110 and the second lateral opening 146. The strap 300 may be disposed on the interior 122 of the body 110 between the first lateral opening 144 and the bottom side 204 of the lid 200. The strap 300 may be disposed on the interior 122 of the body 110 between the second lateral opening 146 and the bottom side 204 of the lid 200. The strap 300 may include a width and a depth. The width of the strap 300 may be less than or equal to the width of the recess 148, the width of the first lateral opening 144, the width of the second lateral opening 146, the width of the first lid opening 214, and the width of the second lid opening 216. The depth of the strap 300 may be less than or equal to the depth of the recess 148, the depth of the first lateral opening 144, the depth of the second lateral opening 146, the depth of the first lid opening 214, and the depth of the second lid opening 216.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1-7 and 10, the strap 300 includes a first lateral handle 302. The strap 300 may include a second lateral handle 304. The first lateral handle 302 may be disposed proximally to the first lateral opening 144 or the second lateral opening 146. The second lateral handle 304 may be disposed proximally to the first lateral opening 144 or the second lateral opening 146. The first lateral handle 302 and the second lateral handle 304 may be integral with the strap 300 or may be separate from the strap 300. The first lateral handle 302 and the second lateral handle 304 may be detachable from the strap 300 or may be permanently affixed to the strap 300 using any suitable method, including but not limited to gluing, sewing, or any other suitable method. The first lateral handle 302 and the second lateral handle 304 may be formed of any suitable material, including but not limited to woven fabric, plastic, or rubber.

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 4-7, the strap includes a fixation element 306. The fixation element is optional, and in some embodiments the strap does not include a fixation element (not shown). When included, the strap may have more than one fixation element. The fixation element 306 may be a buckle, a plurality of buckles, a latch, hook-and-loop, or any other suitable fixation element. The fixation element 306 may be disposed above the lid 200 or below the lid 200 (not shown).

In embodiments, with reference to FIGS. 1,3, 4, 6, and 7, the strap 300 includes an upper handle 308. In embodiments, the strap 300 may include an additional retention element, including but not limited to a crossbar (not shown). The crossbar may be rigid or flexible. The upper handle 308 may be integral with the strap 300 or may be separate from the strap 300. The upper handle 308 may be detachable from the strap 300 or may be permanently affixed to the strap 300 using any suitable method, including but not limited to gluing, sewing, or any other suitable method. The upper handle 308 may be formed of any suitable material, including but not limited to woven fabric, plastic, or rubber. The upper handle 308 may be rigid or flexible.

In embodiments, embodiments of the present disclosure include a method of assembling a portable container 10. The method may include providing a body 100. The body 100 may include a first lateral opening 144 disposed in a first lateral side 112 of the body 100 and a second lateral opening 146 disposed in a second lateral side 114 of the body 100. The method may include providing a lid 200. The lid 200 may include a first lid opening 214 and a second lid opening 216. The method includes providing a strap 300. The strap 300 may include a fixation element 306, provided in an unfixed state. The method includes threading the strap 300 through the first lid opening 214 or the second lid opening 216, threading the strap 300 through the first lateral opening 144 or the second lateral opening 146, wrapping the strap 300 around at least two sides of the exterior 110 of the body 100, threading the strap 300 through the first lid opening 214 or the second lid opening 216, threading the strap 300 through the first lateral opening 144 or the second lateral opening 146, and engaging the fixation element 306 to convert the fixation element 306 to a fixed state. Wrapping the strap 300 around at least two sides of the exterior 110 of the body 100 may include wrapping the strap around the first lateral side 112, wrapping the strap around the bottom side 120, wrapping the strap around the second lateral side 114, wherein the exterior 110 includes a recess 148 configured to receive the strap 300.