U.S. patent application number 10/900906 was filed with the patent office on 2005-03-17 for folding bin.
This patent application is currently assigned to Murray & Co.. Invention is credited to Hagan, Luke D., Murray, Christopher.
Application Number | 20050056643 10/900906 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34278451 |
Filed Date | 2005-03-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050056643 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hagan, Luke D. ; et
al. |
March 17, 2005 |
Folding bin
Abstract
A folding storage bin is positionable between an open position
and a closed position via a drawstring. A plurality of side members
are attached to an exterior side of a liner, and a drawstring is
threaded through the side members and the liner. In the open
position, pulling the drawstring brings the side members into a
facing relationship disposed substantially end-to-end. In a
preferred arrangement, the liner is sized and shaped such that in
the closed position, a flexible pocket is formed between adjacent
ends of the side members. The pockets prevent small parts from
falling out of the corners of the bin and help to prevent smaller
items from getting caught in the bin corners, which would prevent
the bin from closing properly.
Inventors: |
Hagan, Luke D.; (Providence,
RI) ; Murray, Christopher; (Charlottesville,
VA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
NIXON & VANDERHYE, PC
1100 N GLEBE ROAD
8TH FLOOR
ARLINGTON
VA
22201-4714
US
|
Assignee: |
Murray & Co.
Charlottesville
VA
|
Family ID: |
34278451 |
Appl. No.: |
10/900906 |
Filed: |
July 28, 2004 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
60490262 |
Jul 28, 2003 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
220/9.3 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 7/0077
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/009.3 |
International
Class: |
A45C 007/00 |
Claims
1. A folding storage bin comprising: a liner having a first side
forming an interior surface of the bin; a plurality of side members
attached to a second side of the liner; and a drawstring threaded
through the side members and the liner, wherein the bin is
positionable via the drawstring between an open position in which
the liner and the side members lie in a substantially flat
configuration and a closed position in which the side members are
disposed substantially end-to-end in a facing relationship, and
wherein the line is sized and shaped such that in the closed
position, a flexible pocket is formed between adjacent ends of the
side members.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 60/490,262, filed Jul. 28, 2003, the
entire content of which is herein incorporated by reference.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
[0002] (NOT APPLICABLE)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The present invention relates to a folding bin and, more
particularly, to a folding bin including features that facilitate
opening, closing and transport of the bin while capturing but at
the same time preventing bin contents from becoming trapped in the
corners.
[0004] Folding storage bins have been in existence for a long time.
See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 191,712 granted in Jun. of 1877.
Such bins have been provided with varying means for opening and
closing the bin. One such means is provided by way of a drawstring.
See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 648,182 and U.S. Pat. No.
1,725,526. The drawstring is typically used to draw attached panels
through which the drawstring is threaded into a facing relationship
to thereby form the sides of the bin.
[0005] A problem occurs, however, in that smaller items in the bin
can get caught in the corners of the bin formed by adjacent sides,
thereby preventing the bin from closing properly. Another problem
results from a construction of the bin sides and bottom, such that
there is an "inside" and an "outside," necessitating that the
container can be oriented only one way. Typically, the bin side
ends about which the bin sides are pivoted to the closed position
are disposed adjacent a bottom member or the like, wherein upon the
event that the bin may be folded in an opposite or "inside-out"
direction, adjacent portions of the bin sides may be subject to
breakage. Another problem with existing folding bins is that, when
laid flat, or unfolded such that items may be swept onto the flat
surface, cutouts in the corners make a pervious or incomplete
surface onto which the contents may be swept; and the contents may
not be gathered onto the surface when attempting to pick them
up.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It would thus be desirable to provide a folding storage bin
that is easily opened and closed while preventing contents from
getting caught in or falling through the bin corners. Additionally,
the side members may be positioned relative to a bottom member such
that the bin has no specific inside or outside surface, and such
that the members are less likely to break in the event the bin is
inadvertently folded in an inside-out direction.
[0007] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a folding
storage bin includes a liner having a first side forming an
interior surface of the bin. A plurality of side members are
attached to a second side of the liner. A drawstring is threaded
through the side members and the liner, wherein the bin is
positionable via the drawstring between an open position in which
the liner and the side members lie in a substantially flat
configuration and a closed position in which the side members are
disposed substantially end-to-end in a facing relationship. The
liner is sized and shaped such that in the closed position, a
flexible pocket is formed between adjacent ends of the side
members.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] These and other aspects and advantages of the present
invention will be described in detail with reference to the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the folding storage bin
according to the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 illustrates the folding bin in its opened
position;
[0011] FIG. 3 shows an exterior side of the folding bin with the
bin in the opened position;
[0012] FIG. 4 shows the folding bin with an alternative to eyelets;
and
[0013] FIG. 5 shows the folding bin with a safety feature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0014] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the folding bin 10 of the
present invention is generally configurable between a closed
position (FIG. 1) and an open positioned (FIG. 2). The bin 10
includes a liner 12 preferably formed of a soft and flexible
material such as vinyl tarpaulin or similar light or heavy duty
non-wovens, canvas or similar fabrics. As shown in FIG. 2, the
liner 12 may be formed in an octagonal shape, although those of
ordinary skill in the art will certainly contemplate other shapes
suitable for the bin of the present invention, and the invention is
not necessarily meant to be limited to the illustrated shape. By
using a single sheet of fabric for the liner 12, a first or inside
surface of the liner 12 can be made smooth so that small parts are
prevented from impeding hinge points. This first side of the liner
forms an interior surface of the bin 10 in the closed position.
[0015] A plurality of side members 14 are attached to a second or
outside surface of the liner 12. The side members 14 are formed of
a more or less rigid material such as cardboard, plywood,
corrugated plastic or similar materials that are affixed to the
liner by means of adhesives, sewing or other suitable mechanical
means that more or less permanently maintains their positions
relative to each other. In a preferred arrangement, the bin also
includes a bottom member 16 also affixed to the second side of the
liner 12. In one embodiment, a pair of liners 12 of identical or
varying sizes and shapes are fixed on opposite sides of the side
members 14. In all embodiments, the liner 12 performs as an
integral hinge that permits the form when folded to become a
polygonal container shape.
[0016] In the embodiment illustrated in the FIGURES, with the
octagonal shaped liner 12, four side members 14 are affixed to the
liner 12 surrounding a perimeter of a polygonal bottom member 16
(see FIG. 3). With alternative liner shapes, more or fewer side
members 14 may be used. Additionally, depending on the material of
the liner 12, the bottom member 16 may be omitted.
[0017] Each side member 14 and the liner 12 are provided with holes
18 therein including eyelets 20. With reference to FIG. 1, the
holes and eyelets 18, 20 are disposed in upper corner areas of the
side members 14, and a drawstring 22 is threaded through the side
members 14 and the liner 12 via the holes and eyelets 18, 20. In an
alternative arrangement, with reference to FIG. 4, loops 31 of
ribbon or similar material may be sewn or otherwise fixed to the
perimeter of the side member 14 in substitution for the holes and
eyelets 18, 20 in similar places along the perimeter of the side
member 14.
[0018] In the open position, the liner 12 and the side members 14
lie in a substantially flat configuration as shown in FIG. 2. In
order to draw the bin 10 into the closed position, the drawstring
22 is pulled so that the side members 14 pivot such that they are
disposed end-to-end in a facing relationship as shown in FIG. 1.
The drawstring 22 preferably includes a pull tab 24 that makes
pulling the drawstring 22 easier and more comfortable.
Additionally, a cord lock 26 of conventional construction secures
the bin 10 in the closed position. The drawstring 22 is preferably
of a length that is slightly longer than necessary such that the
cord lock 26 does not get stuck underneath a side member 14 in the
open position (see FIG. 2).
[0019] By virtue of the size and shape of the liner 12, as the bin
10 is shifted from the open position (FIG. 2) toward the closed
position (FIG. 1), flexible pockets 28 are formed between adjacent
ends of the side members 14. These pockets 28 prevent small parts
from falling out of the corners of the bin 10. Additionally, being
soft and flexible, the pockets 28 are easily folded out of the way
if the bin 10 is stored on a shelf or in a cubby.
[0020] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 3, the side members
14 are preferably provided with scalloped sides 14a, which in
addition to providing a unique aesthetic, prevent smaller items in
the bin from getting caught in the corners, which items would
prevent the bin from closing properly.
[0021] In one preferred arrangement, with reference to FIG. 3, a
gap between the side members 14 and the bottom member 16 is set at
a distance such that the members 14, 16 will not break or be
otherwise damaged if the bin 10 is inadvertently folded
"inside-out." In the illustrated embodiment, the gap is about
1/8.sup.th inch, although this gap may require adjustment depending
on the size/construction of the materials used.
[0022] FIG. 5 incorporates a safety feature that may be included to
avoid a strangling hazard. As shown, exterior portions of the
drawstring 22 are fed through a rigid tubing member 30, preferably
formed of plastic. The tubing member 30 may be added along two
opposite (or all) sides. The tubing member(s) 30 facilitate
transport of the bin and prevent the drawstring slack from becoming
a strangling hazard. As also shown in FIG. 5, the side members 14
may be relieved or scalloped between the eyelets 20 to permit the
liner 12 to lie more flatly on the floor.
[0023] With the folding storage bin of the present invention, the
bin can be easily opened and closed while preventing smaller items
from getting caught in the bin corners. The bin enables small items
such as toys to be easily gathered and stored. Additionally, the
smooth liner surface serves as a convenient work/play area and also
prevents smaller items from impeding the hinge points.
[0024] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiments, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *