U.S. patent application number 11/407502 was filed with the patent office on 2007-11-08 for collapsible container with compartments.
Invention is credited to Azad Sabounjian.
Application Number | 20070257034 11/407502 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38660292 |
Filed Date | 2007-11-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070257034 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sabounjian; Azad |
November 8, 2007 |
Collapsible container with compartments
Abstract
A collapsible container has a longitudinal axis with a top frame
and a bottom frame connected by a spiral frame where the frames
encircle the axis. The spiral frame is collapsible along the axis
and the container has a web of flexible material supported by the
frame. A first stiffener has opposing ends fastened to the
container along a length of the frame that curves outward around
the longitudinal axis. The stiffener has a first curved position
extending adjacent the frame and a second position curved in an
opposite direction to define an opening to a compartment between
the frame and the stiffener. The compartment has a sidewall formed
by a sheet of material fastened to the stiffener and the web of
material supported by the frame. A plurality of these compartments
can be provided, with the stiffener holding the entrance to the
compartment open or closed.
Inventors: |
Sabounjian; Azad; (Irvine,
CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
75 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 250
ALISO VIEJO
CA
92656
US
|
Family ID: |
38660292 |
Appl. No.: |
11/407502 |
Filed: |
April 20, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/9.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 21/086
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/009.2 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/02 20060101
B65D033/02 |
Claims
1. A collapsible container having a longitudinal axis with a top
frame and a bottom frame connected by a spiral frame, the frames
encircling the axis, the spiral frame being collapsible along the
axis, the container having a web of flexible material supported by
the frame and a bottom panel connected to the container,
comprising: a first stiffener having opposing ends fastened to the
container along a length of the frame such that the distance
between opposing ends of the stiffener is less than a length of the
stiffener, the stiffener having a first position extending adjacent
the frame, the stiffener having a second position extending in an
opposite direction to define an opening to a compartment between
the frame and the stiffener, the compartment having a sidewall
formed at least in part by a sheet of material connected to the
stiffener.
2. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the compartment is
further defined by the web of material on the container.
3. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the compartment is
further defined by the web of material on the container and a
bottom panel of the container.
4. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the compartment is
defined entirely by the side wall.
5. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the first
stiffener extends along a portion of the top frame.
6. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the first
stiffener extends along a portion of the spiral frame.
7. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the center of the
stiffener is closer to the longitudinal axis in the second position
than in the first position, and extends into an interior of the
container.
8. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the center of the
stiffener is further from the longitudinal axis in the second
position than in the first position.
9. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the side wall has
a bottom, and further comprising a second stiffener fastened to the
bottom of the side wall, the second stiffener having opposing ends
fastened to the container along a length of the frame such that the
distance between opposing ends of the second stiffener is less than
a length of the second stiffener, the second stiffener having a
first position in which it extends along and adjacent to the frame,
the second stiffener having a second position extending in an
opposite direction to define a space between the second stiffener
and the adjacent frame.
10. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the spiral frame
is circular, the container is cylindrical, and the first stiffener
has a continuous radius of curvature for a majority of the length
of the first stiffener.
11. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the stiffener
comprises a strip of plastic contained in a stiffener pocket with
opposing ends of the stiffener pocket fastened to the container
adjacent the frame, and where the first and second positions are on
the opposite sides of a chord extending between the ends of the
first stiffener.
12. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the frame is
contained in a frame pocket extending along a length of the frame
and fastened to the web of material, and wherein the stiffener
comprises a strip of plastic contained in a stiffener pocket with
opposing ends of the stiffener pocket fastened to the frame pocket,
the side wall being fastened to the stiffener pocket, the stiffener
having a length less than half the length of a periphery of the top
frame, the first stiffener maintaining that second position under
the force of gravity.
13. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein there are n
compartments with n being between 2 and 6, each compartment having
a stiffener connected to the top frame or spiral frame and a
separate compartment associated with that stiffener, each stiffener
having a length less than the length of the periphery of the top
frame divided by n.
14. A collapsible container having a longitudinal axis with a top
frame and a bottom frame connected by a spiral frame, the frames
encircling the axis, the spiral frame being collapsible along the
axis, the container having a web of flexible material supported by
the frame and a bottom panel connected to the container,
comprising: a first compartment formed at least in part by a
flexible sidewall and having an entrance formed in part by one of
the frames; stiffener means for forming a portion of the entrance
and for positioning the entrance between a closed position adjacent
and along the frame and an open position spaced apart from the
frame, the stiffener means being connected to the sidewall at the
entrance and connected to said one of the frames.
15. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the first
compartment is further defined by the web of material on the
container.
16. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the first
compartment is further defined by the web of material on the
container and a bottom panel of the container.
17. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the first
compartment is defined entirely by the side wall.
18. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the entrance is
defined in part by the top frame.
19. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the stiffener
means comprises a stiffener having a center that is closer to the
longitudinal axis in the open position than in the closed position,
and extends into an interior of the container.
20. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the stiffener
means comprises a stiffener having a center that is further from
the longitudinal axis in the open position than in the closed
position.
21. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the side wall
has a bottom edge and further comprising second stiffener means for
positioning the bottom of the sidewall between a first position
adjacent and along the frame and an second position spaced apart
from the frame, the second stiffener means being connected to the
sidewall adjacent the bottom edge.
22. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the spiral frame
is circular and the container is cylindrical.
23. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the first
stiffener means comprises a strip of plastic contained in a
stiffener pocket with opposing ends of the stiffener pocket
fastened to the container adjacent the frame, wherein the first and
second positions are on opposite sides of a chord extending between
the ends of the first stiffener and the stiffener maintaining the
first and second positions under the force of gravity.
24. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein the first frame
means has a length less than half the length of the periphery of
the frame where the first frame means connects to the frame.
25. The collapsible container of claim 14, wherein there are n
compartments with n being between 2 and 6, each compartment having
a stiffener means fastening to the top frame, each stiffener means
having a length less than the length of the periphery of the top
frame divided by n.
26. A container having a longitudinal axis and frame; comprising: a
concave portion in the frame; a stiffener adjacent at least part of
the concave portion of the frame with opposing ends of the
stiffener connected to the frame so the distance between the
connected ends is less than the length of the stiffener between
those connected ends; a sheet of material connected to the
stiffener to form at least part of the compartment, the stiffener
being positionable between a closed position adjacent the concave
portion of the frame and an open position on the opposing side of a
chord extending between the ends of the stiffener.
27. The container of claim 26, wherein the frame has a peripheral
length and the stiffener has a length of less than about half the
peripheral length.
28. The container of claim 26, wherein the stiffener can move from
the open to the closed position by passing through the chord.
29. The container of claim 26, wherein the middle of the stiffener
extends toward the longitudinal axis in the open position.
30. The container of claim 26, wherein the middle of the stiffener
extends away from the longitudinal axis in the open position.
31. A method of opening a collapsible container having top and
bottom frames connected by a spiral frame, the frames encircling a
longitudinal axis, the container having a web of material supported
by the frame with a bottom panel connected to the container, the
spiral frame being compressed along the longitudinal axis and held
in that compressed configuration by a releasable mechanism,
comprising: releasing the mechanism and expanding the spiral frame,
and either opening a first compartment in the container by moving a
first curved stiffener having opposing ends connected to one of the
spiral or top frame from a first closed position where the first
stiffener is along and adjacent the one of the spiral or top frame,
to a second open position where the first and second positions are
on opposite sides of a chord extending between the ends of the
first stiffener, the first stiffener having opposing ends connected
to a side wall defining at least a portion of the compartment and
the length of the stiffener in the closed position being greater
than the straight-line distance between the ends of the stiffener;
or closing a first compartment in the container by moving the first
curved stiffener from the open position to the closed position.
32. The method of claim 31, further comprising moving a second
stiffener having opposing ends connected to the bottom frame from a
first closed position where the second stiffener is along and
adjacent the bottom frame, to a second open position where the
first and second positions of the second stiffener are on opposite
sides of a chord extending between the ends of the second
stiffener, the first and second stiffeners being connected to the
same side wall.
33. The method of claim 31, wherein the first stiffener is
connected to the top frame and has a length that is less than half
the length of the periphery of the first frame.
34. The method of claim 31, wherein when the first stiffener is in
the second position, a center of the stiffener is closer to the
longitudinal axis than when the first stiffener is in the first
position.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] Various collapsible hampers use wire frames. Spiral-wound
frames form generally cylindrical containers as in U.S. Pat. Nos.
6,431,393, 6,392,987.
[0002] Pockets are added to the flat-sided containers by sewing
pockets to the panels. But exterior pockets are unsightly and leave
loose fabric hanging about which can catch and entangle passing
items. Interior pockets have the same problem. The openings for
these pockets are difficult to access, and if the pockets are made
large enough so the opening sags open, then the pocket opening
entangles passing items. Further, the pocket openings are flexible
and pliant, so the pocket has no well defined opening unless a user
grabs the pocket and holds it open--which requires use of a
person's hand and that makes it difficult to use two hands to put
things into the pocket. There is thus a need for pockets that
assume an open position on desire, without requiring a person to
hold the pocket open. There is also a need for a pocket that does
not sag away from the container to entangle things.
[0003] Pockets are typically not added to the inside of
spiral-frame, cylindrical containers because such pockets are
always held open when the top of the pocket extends across the
curved frame of the container. The chord of the circular opening is
shorter than the curved frame and that holds the pocket open even
if the pocket has elastic material on it. There is thus a need for
a closable interior pocket for a cylindrical container with a
spiral frame.
[0004] There is thus a need for pockets that assume an open
position when desired, without requiring a person to hold the
pocket open. There is also a need for a pocket that does not sag
away from the container to entangle things and that is held open
for use.
SUMMARY
[0005] A cylindrical, collapsible container is provided having a
spiral frame preferably formed of spring wire or plastic tubing so
the container collapses along a central, longitudinal axis of the
container between a collapsed configuration and an expanded
configuration. The container has sides formed of flexible material,
and a closed bottom formed by a piece of material that is
preferably, but optionally fastened to the sides or to the frame.
The top of the container is preferably open and encircled by the
frame.
[0006] A compartment is formed on the inside of the container by
placing a piece of fabric along at least a portion of the height of
one side, and preferably the entire height of one side from the top
frame to the bottom frame. A stiffener has its opposing ends
fastened along the top edge of the compartment. A plastic strip
placed in an edging along a top of the compartment is suitable for
use as the stiffener. The length of the stiffener is preferably
less than half the circumference of the top opening.
Advantageously, the stiffener has a length less than about 1/3 the
circumference of the top and preferably the length of the stiffener
is about 1/4 the circumference of the top, and there are four
compartments each of which preferably uses at least one
stiffener.
[0007] The stiffener is of a material sufficiently flexible that it
can conform to the curvature of the frame at the top of the
container in a closed position, or can bow the opposite direction
into the inside of the container to hold the compartment in an open
position. The bottom of the compartment can be fastened to the
bottom of the container, or fastened to the side of the container
or the frame. Alternatively, the bottom of the compartment can have
a stiffener like the top, and be positionable between an open and
closed position, with the bottom not being fastened to the
container except adjacent the ends of the stiffener.
[0008] In a further variation, the connection of the ends of the
stiffener to the container are sufficiently flexible that the
stiffener can rotate from a first position conforming to the
curvature of the adjacent frame of the container, to a second
position extending into the interior of the container and
preferably in the same orthogonal plane as the first position, in
order to define an opening. But the stiffeners need not be
contained in compartments and can be fastened to the periphery of
the container by other mechanisms, including rivets, pins, snaps,
adhesives, sewing, and other fastening mechanisms.
[0009] There is thus advantageously provided a container having a
longitudinal axis and frame. The frame has a concave portion. A
stiffener extends along a portion of the concave portion of the
frame. Opposing ends of the stiffener are connected to the frame so
the distance between the connected ends is less than the length of
the stiffener between those connected ends. A sheet of material is
connected to the stiffener to form at least part of the
compartment. The stiffener is positionable between a closed
position adjacent the concave portion of the frame and an open
position on the opposing side of a chord extending between the ends
of the stiffener. Preferably, but optionally, the frame has a
peripheral length and the stiffener has a length of less than about
half that peripheral length. Preferably, but optionally, the
stiffener can move from the open to the closed position by passing
through the chord. Alternatively, the stiffener can rotate around
that chord to move between the positions. Advantageously, the
middle of the stiffener extends toward the longitudinal axis in the
open position, but the middle of the stiffener can extend away from
the longitudinal axis in the open position.
[0010] In a more detailed description the collapsible container has
a longitudinal axis with a top frame and a bottom frame connected
by a spiral frame, the frames encircling the axis, the spiral frame
being collapsible along the axis, the container having a web of
flexible material supported by the frame and a bottom panel
connected to the container. The container has a first stiffener
with opposing ends fastened to the container along a length of the
frame such that the distance between opposing ends of the stiffener
is less than a length of the stiffener. The stiffener has a first
position extending adjacent the frame and a second position
extending in an opposite direction to define an opening to a
compartment between the frame and the stiffener. The compartment
has a sidewall formed at least in part by a sheet of material
connected to the stiffener.
[0011] In further variations of the above container, the
compartment is further defined by the web of material on the
container, or it can be defined by the web of material on the
container and a bottom panel of the container, or it can be
entirely defined by the side wall. Preferably, but optionally, the
first stiffener extends along a portion of the top frame, but could
extend along a portion of the spiral frame. Preferably, but
optionally, the center of the stiffener is closer to the
longitudinal axis in the second position than in the first
position, and extends into an interior of the container.
Alternatively, the center of the stiffener can be is further from
the longitudinal axis in the second position than in the first
position.
[0012] In a further variation the side wall has a bottom and a
second stiffener is fastened to the bottom of the side wall with
the second stiffener having opposing ends fastened to the container
along a length of the frame such that the distance between opposing
ends of the second stiffener is less than a length of the second
stiffener. Like the first stiffener, the second stiffener has a
first position in which it extends along and adjacent to the frame,
and a second position extending in an opposite direction to define
a space between the second stiffener and the adjacent frame.
[0013] Preferably, but optionally, the spiral frame is circular,
the container is cylindrical and the first stiffener has a
continuous radius of curvature for a majority of the length of the
first stiffener. But the frame can have various shapes. The
stiffener preferably comprises a strip of plastic contained in a
stiffener pocket with opposing ends of the stiffener pocket
fastened to the container adjacent the frame. The first and second
positions are on the opposite sides of a chord extending between
the ends of the first stiffener and the pocket allows rotation
along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis for movement
through the chord. Alternatively, the stiffener pocket allows the
stiffener to rotate around the chord to reach the first and second
positions.
[0014] Preferably, but optionally, the frame is contained in a
frame pocket extending along a length of the frame and fastened to
the web of material. The stiffener includes a strip of plastic
contained in a stiffener pocket with opposing ends of the stiffener
pocket fastened to the frame pocket. The side wall is then
preferably fastened to the stiffener pocket.
[0015] Preferably, but optionally, the stiffener preferably has a
length less than half the length of a periphery of the frame to
which the stiffener is connected, and the first stiffener maintains
that second position under the force of gravity. The side wall
material may provide some support along the longitudinal axis to
help maintain that stiffener position. If more than one
compartments are used, then a stiffener is preferably, but
optionally provided for each compartment. If there are n
compartments with n being between 2 and infinity, each compartment
having a stiffener connected to the top frame or spiral frame and a
separate compartment associated with that stiffener, each stiffener
having a length less than the length of the periphery of the top
frame divided by n. Realistically you cannot have an infinite
number of compartments and the permissible number of compartments
will vary with the size of the container. For household sized
containers less than a foot or two in diameter, 2-6 compartments
are believed suitable, but more could be provided.
[0016] In another version the container has a first compartment
formed at least in part by a flexible sidewall and having an
entrance formed in part by one of the frames. Stiffener means form
a portion of the entrance and position the entrance between a
closed position adjacent and along the frame and an open position
spaced apart from the frame. The stiffener means is connected to
the sidewall at the entrance and connected to one of the frames.
The above described variations can be used with this
embodiment.
[0017] There is also provided a method of opening a collapsible
container having top and bottom frames connected by a spiral frame.
The frames encircle a longitudinal axis and the container has a web
of material supported by the frame with a bottom panel connected to
the container. The spiral frame is compressed along the
longitudinal axis and held in that compressed configuration by a
releasable mechanism. The method includes releasing the mechanism,
expanding the spiral frame, and one of two things. The first thing
is opening a first compartment in the container by moving a first
curved stiffener having opposing ends connected to one of the
spiral or top frame from a first closed position where the first
stiffener is along and adjacent the one of the spiral or top frame,
to a second open position where the first and second positions are
on opposite sides of a chord extending between the ends of the
first stiffener. The first stiffener has opposing ends connected to
a side wall defining at least a portion of the compartment and the
length of the stiffener in the closed position is greater than the
straight-line distance between the ends of the stiffener. The
second thing is closing a first compartment in the container by
moving the first curved stiffener from the open position to the
closed position. Preferably, but optionally, the method includes
moving the stiffener between the open and closed positions by
passing the stiffener through the chord. Alternatively, the method
includes moving the stiffener between the open and closed positions
by rotating the stiffener about the chord. In further variations,
the method also includes moving a second stiffener having opposing
ends connected to the bottom frame from a first closed position
where the second stiffener is along and adjacent the bottom frame,
to a second open position where the first and second positions of
the second stiffener are on opposite sides of a chord extending
between the ends of the second stiffener, the first and second
stiffeners being connected to the same side wall. The first
stiffener can be connected to the top frame and have a length that
is less than half the length of the periphery of the first frame.
Preferably, but optionally, when the first stiffener is in the
second position, a center of the stiffener is closer to the
longitudinal axis than when the first stiffener is in the first
position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a collapsible
container in an expanded configuration;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a right side perspective view of the container of
FIG. 1;
[0021] FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the container of FIG.
1;
[0022] FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of the container of
FIG. 1;
[0023] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
with the compartments in a closed configuration;
[0024] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
in a collapsed configuration;
[0025] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
with compartments on the top and bottom of the figure open, and the
compartments to the left and right of the container closed;
[0026] FIG. 8 is a top perspective view of the container of FIG. 1
with four open compartments;
[0027] FIG. 9 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIG. 1;
[0028] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the container of FIG. 1 in
a collapsed configuration with the bottom facing upward;
[0029] FIG. 11a is a partial sectional view of the container of
FIG. 1 illustrating a compartment with a stiffener at the top and
bottom of the container;
[0030] FIG. 11b is a partial sectional view of the container of
FIG. 1 illustrating a compartment with a stiffener at the top of
the compartment and container and the bottom sewn to the container
10;
[0031] FIG. 11c is a partial sectional view of the container of
FIG. 1 illustrating a compartment with a stiffener at a spiral
frame and at the bottom of the compartment;
[0032] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating open and closed
configurations of a stiffener;
[0033] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of FIG. 12;
[0034] FIG. 14 is a partial perspective view of an embodiment with
a rotating stiffener to open and close the compartment; and
[0035] FIG. 15 is a partial plan view of an embodiment for an
external compartment;
[0036] FIG. 16a is a partial sectional view of a top frame and
compartment showing the connection of the stiffener pocket to a
frame pocket in a closed position. And
[0037] FIG. 16b is a partial sectional view of a top frame and
compartment showing the connection of the stiffener pocket to a
frame pocket in an open position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0038] Referring to FIGS. 1-4 and 11a, the container 10 preferably
has a cylindrical shape formed by a spiral frame 12 covered by a
web of flexible material 14, which allows the container and frame
to expand and compress along longitudinal axis 16. The frame 12 is
preferably contained inside a frame pocket or frame edging 18
fastened to the web 14. The frame preferably stops its spiral and
forms a generally circular top frame 20 and bottom frame 22, again
preferably within pocket 18. A bottom panel 24 (FIG. 5) of material
preferably closes the bottom frame 22 to enclose the interior of
the container 10. The top frame 20 is preferably left open, but a
closure could optionally be provided. A handle 26 is preferably,
but optionally fastened to the container 10, and is shown fastened
to the edging 18 along the top frame 20. It could be fastened to
the top frame itself or fastened to the web of material 14. The
frames 12, 20, 22 support the web of material 14 and bottom 24 to
form an enclosure. The bottom panel 24 is preferably flexible, but
could be of a stiff or hard material like wood, although a sheet of
plastic is preferred if hard material is used.
[0039] As used herein the term up or top refers to a direction
along the axis 16 from the bottom 24 toward the top frame 20, which
is toward the top of the image of FIG. 1. The directions down or
bottom refers to the opposing direction.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 10 and the spiral frame can be
collapsed by moving the top and bottom frames 20, 22 toward each
other. Optionally, a fastening mechanism 28 holds the frames 20, 22
together in a collapsed configuration. The fastening mechanism is
shown as a comprising a toggle 30 on an elastic strap 32 fastened
to the outside of the container 10 adjacent bottom frame 22. A
toggle loop 34 is fastened on the inside of the container 10
adjacent the bottom frame 22 so the loop encircles the toggle and
encircles a portion of the collapsed container to hold it in the
collapsed configuration. Ties, snaps, hooks, buckled straps and
various other mechanisms could also be used to hold the collapsed
frame 12 in its collapsed configuration with the top and bottom
frames 20, 22 close together to reduce the height of the container
10, so the fastening mechanism is not limited to the illustrated
mechanism.
[0041] Referring to FIGS. 5, 7, 8 and 11, at least one and
preferably a plurality of compartments 36 are provided in the
container 10 that sub-divide the inside of the container 10 into
smaller portions. The compartments 36 have a first stiffener 38a at
a top of the compartment and preferably, but optionally, have a
second stiffener 38b at the bottom of the compartment. The
stiffeners 38 are contained in stiffener pockets or stiffener
edgings 40. A sheet of material extends between the stiffeners 38a,
38b to form a side wall 42 of the compartment located on the inside
of the container 10. The web 14 and side wall 42 define an enclosed
space for the compartment 36, which may or may not have a closed
bottom. If the bottom stiffener is omitted, the bottom of the side
wall 42 is fastened to the bottom sheet 24 of the container 10, or
fastened to the bottom frame 20 or the bottom pocket 18, or left
unattached. Alternatively the side wall 42 could be fastened to the
frame 20 adjacent the closed position of the stiffener so the side
wall 42 defines the entire compartment. The sides of the side wall
42 are preferably, but optionally fastened to the web 14 along seam
lines 44.
[0042] The stiffeners 38 are preferably made of a flexible material
such as sprint steel or plastic, and preferably, but optionally
have a rectangular cross-section with the longer axis parallel to
the longitudinal axis 16. The stiffener pockets 40 have a length
that is shorter than the straight length as the stiffeners 38, and
the shorter pockets 40 hold the stiffener in slight compression so
the stiffener bends to conform to the shape of the adjacent frame
12, 20, 22. The opposing ends of the stiffener pockets 40 are
fastened to the container 10, and preferably fastened to the frame
pockets 18, but could be fastened to the frame itself or to the web
14 adjacent the frame. The frame pockets 18 form a circle as they
extend around the top frame 20 and bottom frame 22 of container 10,
and the ends of the stiffener pockets 40 are fastened to the frame
pocket 18 so the length of the stiffener pocket extends along the
circumference of the top or bottom frame, 18, 20, with the
stiffener 38 curved to generally conform to the curvature of the
corresponding frame 18, 20 to which it is generally connected
through the frame pocket 18. The stiffener pocket 40 is preferably
fastened to the inside of the frame pocket 18 so the stiffener
abuts the inside of the top or bottom frame 18, 20 with which the
stiffener is associated. Sewing or adhesives are preferred for this
fastening.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 16a-16b, the stiffener pocket 40 is shown
sewn to the frame pocket 18 of the top frame 20 along stitch line
41, but connections other than stitches can be used. By making the
frame pocket 40 shorter than the length of the stiffener 38, the
stiffener is axially compressed and bowed against the frame 20. The
end of the stiffener pocket 40 is fastened to the frame pocket 18
at a location adjacent one end of the stiffener, but between the
ends of the stiffener, so that the stiffener pocket 40 folds back
on itself as it reverses direction. The longer stiffener 38 pushes
against the fold of the stiffener pocket 40 as the stiffener tries
to straighten out, so that the folds in the pocket stiffener 40
maintain the stiffener in compression and bow it against the
adjacent frame 12, 20, 22. As the stiffener 38 moves from the
closed position (FIG. 16a) adjacent the frame 20, to the open
position (FIG. 16b) spaced apart from the frame 20, the fold in the
stiffener pocket 40 allows the end of the stiffener to rotate
slightly about an axis parallel to longitudinal axis 16 in the
depicted embodiment. The size of the opening for the compartment
will vary with the length of the stiffener 38 and the curvature of
the frame 12, 20, 22 which is adjacent the stiffener in the closed
configuration. The same construction can be used with the other
frames 12, 22 and can be used at the opposing end of the stiffener
38. Other mechanisms of fastening the stiffener to the container 10
can also be used as long as they allow the stiffener to rotate or
bend between the open and closed positions, and as long as they
hold the stiffener in slight compression to bow the stiffener the
desired amount.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 7-8 and 12-13, by fastening the stiffener
pocket 40 so the length of the pocket and stiffener extend along
the curvature of the curved (circular) frame 18, 20, the stiffener
can also extend along that frame and that allows the stiffener to
hold the compartment 36 closed. Because the stiffener is flexible,
it can be bowed in the opposite direction, away from the adjacent
frame 20, 22, in which case it will hold the top of the compartment
36 open. Thus, when the stiffener 38 and its associated stiffener
pocket 40 are adjacent the frame 20, 22, the stiffener and frame
cooperate to close the opening to compartment 36. When the
stiffener 38 and its associated stiffener pocket 40 are curved in
opposite directions (generally in a plane orthogonal to axis 16),
then the stiffener is spaced apart from the adjacent frame 20, 22,
the stiffener and frame cooperate to form an opening to compartment
36 and to hold the opening open.
[0045] When the stiffener 38 is moved from the position curving
along the adjacent frame 20, 22 it typically bends in a slight "S"
shape because the ends of the stiffener are held by the stiffener
pocket 40 in a position adjacent the frame 20 or 22, and as the
length of the chord between those ends is shorter than the length
of the stiffener the stiffener must bend to pass through the chord
line. In the open position the stiffener 38 has approximately the
same curvature as it did when it was adjacent the frame 20, 22, but
curved in the opposite direction. As the stiffener 38 passes
through the chord, the ends of the stiffener preferably rotate
slightly about an axis parallel to longitudinal axis 16.
[0046] By fastening the ends of the stiffener 38 so the stiffener
is bowed, the distance between the two opposing ends of the
stiffener is less than the length of the stiffener. The stiffener
38 is compressed as it moves from the open toward the chord
position, or from the open position toward the chord position. The
stiffener 38 is more stable in this bowed configuration than when
the stiffener is moved toward the chord extending between the ends
of the stiffener. The bowed stiffener thus maintains its position
in either the open or closed orientation, and thus holds the
compartment 36 open or closed. Because the stiffener 38 is unstable
at positions other than the open or closed position, it is a
two-way closure, and snaps open or snaps closed, and is unstable in
positions intermediate the open and closed position. Preferably the
stiffener 38 is rectangular in cross-section with the major axis
parallel with longitudinal axis 16, so the less stiff axis
facilitates bowing toward and away from the longitudinal axis and
the frame 12, 20, 22. Preferably the stiffener pocket 40 helps
maintain the orientation of the stiffener as it moves from the open
to the closed position.
[0047] The length of the stiffener 38 is advantageously half, and
preferably less than half, the length of the periphery of the
associated frame 20, 22. If the stiffener 38 is about half the
length of the periphery, then the stiffener 38 will merely flip
from one side of container 10 to the opposing side. That provides
two compartments 36 with one opening but an opening that can only
be open for one compartment at a time. If the stiffener 38 is
longer than half the peripheral length then the stiffener 38 will
extend beyond the periphery of the associated frame 20, 22 when the
stiffener is in either the open or closed position. It may be
acceptable to have the stiffener extend slightly beyond the frame
that is not desirable as it looks bad and it encourages picking the
container 10 up by grabbing the stiffener rather than grabbing the
frame 12, 20, 22 or handle. Thus, preferably the length of the
stiffener 38 and its associated stiffener pocket 40 is less than
half the peripheral length.
[0048] The depicted embodiment has four compartments 36, and thus
each stiffener 38 has a length of about 1/4 the length of the
periphery. Because a circular container is shown, the periphery
corresponds to the circumference, so the stiffener 38 ha a length
of about .pi.D/4, where D is the diameter of the depicted
cylindrical container 10. If the container 10 has other shapes,
then the calculation formula will vary. By changing the shape of
the spiral frame 12 and/or top and bottom frames 20, 22, the
container can be formed in various shapes, including various
quadrilateral shapes as well as various curved shapes such as
various ovals and/or ellipses. Indeed, the frames can have complex
shapes as long as they extend round the longitudinal axis and have
spiral frame 12 which may be compressed to provide a collapsible
container.
[0049] In each of these cases the frames 12, 20, 22 encircle the
longitudinal axis 16. Preferably, three or four compartments are
used. The four compartments are shown as having the stiffeners 38
and the associated stiffener pockets 40 abutting end-to-end with
the adjacent stiffener and pocket. But that need not be the case
and the locations can be spaced apart along the periphery of the
frame 20, 22. The lengths of stiffeners 38 used in the same
container 10 also need not be the same and can vary depending on
the size of opening desired for the compartment 36 associated with
a particular stiffener. Further, because the side walls 42 can be
fastened various ways to define different sized and shaped
compartments 36, each compartment can have a larger or smaller
opening by selecting the appropriate length of stiffener 38.
[0050] Note that if only a top stiffener 38a is provided, then the
bottom of the compartment 36 can be of various shapes, depending on
whether it is fastened to the pocket 18 of the bottom frame 22, or
fastened at various locations to the bottom panel 24 of the
container 10, or if it is fastened to the web 14 of the container,
or if it is just left unattached, or if the side wall 42 forms the
entire compartment. The side walls 42 need not be fastened along
their entire length to the web 14, and need not even extend all the
way along the length of the container 10.
[0051] Indeed, the stiffener 38 and its associated stiffener pocket
40 can be fastened to the pocket 18 along the inclined portion of
the spiral frame 12, in which case the opening for the compartment
36 would be inclined. If the stiffener is placed along the spiral
portion of frame 12, the length of the stiffener could be slightly
longer than discussed above without abutting the opposing side of
the container because the opening is inclined.
[0052] Referring to FIG. 14, it is believed possible to rotate the
stiffener 38 between the open and closed positions rather than bend
the bowed stiffener through its chord. The stiffener 38 forms a
curved member preferably conforming to the curvature of the
adjacent portion of the frame 12, 20, and 22. If the ends of the
stiffener pocket 40 allow the stiffener to rotate or twist about
half a turn (about 180.degree.) then the stiffener 38 can rotate
from a first position adjacent the frame 12 (or 20, 22) to close
the opening to the compartment 36, a position away from the frame
12 (or 20, 22) in order to open the compartment 36. The stiffener
38 need not bend during rotation and thus can be of a stiffer
material that does not bend. The rotation is generally about the
chord extending between the ends of the stiffener. If the stiffener
38 rotates, preferably it still has a rectangular configuration in
order to help maintain the open position. If the rotating
configuration is used, then there may be some need to have the side
wall 42 made of sufficiently stiff material so that gravity does
not cause the weight of the stiffener 38 to swing the stiffener
downward toward the bottom panel 24 and alongside the web 14 and
thus narrow the opening to the compartment. A stiffener 38 is thus
preferably made of material sufficiently light such that the weight
of the stiffener does not twist the stiffener pocket downward to
substantially close the opening to the compartment 36 when the
stiffener is in the second, open position as compared to the first
position adjacent the frame 20 which closes access to the
compartment.
[0053] The material for the web 14 and side walls 42 can vary, but
should be flexible enough to allow the frame to collapse and
expand. Open mesh materials are preferred for laundry or washing
uses. Nylon mesh is believed desirable for use as hampers. Plastic
coated or elastomer coated mesh is believed desirable for uses in a
shower. Solid sheets of material are believed desirable for more
heavy duty applications. Canvas or thick sheets of plastic or other
reinforced plastics are believed desirable for heavy duty
applications.
[0054] The frame 12 is typically made of spring steel, but could be
made of plastic or other materials. The frame 12 is preferably
contained in pocket 18 and the web 14 is connected to the pocket by
sewing, adhesives, rivets, hook and loop fasteners or other
mechanisms. In FIGS. 11a-11c, fastening lines are indicated for
sewing the pockets 19, 40, to the web 14. The connection is
preferably permanent. But the web 14 could be connected directly to
the frame 12, as by adhesives, rivets, clamps, or other direct
connection mechanisms. The bottom panel 24 is connected to the
pocket 18 around bottom frame 22 the same way, or alternatively
connected directly to the bottom frame 22 as described. The side
wall 42 is connected to the stiffener preferably using the pocket
40, but could be directly connected to the stiffener using
fastening mechanisms disclosed herein or known to those skilled in
the art or developed in the future. The stiffener 38 and its
stiffener pocket 40 are sewn, glued, riveted, or otherwise fastened
together in a way sufficient to achieve the operation described
herein. Hook and loop fasteners extending along a length of the
frame 12, 20, 22 or at opposing ends of the stiffener 38 are
believed suitable for connecting the stiffener 38 and its stiffener
pocket 40 to the container, but not desirable.
[0055] The stiffener 38 cooperates with one of the top or bottom
frames 20, 22 or with the inclined spiral frame 12 to define an
opening or entrance to compartment 36. That entrance is preferably
unobstructed, but may be covered with a sheet of flexible material
having a releasably closed access like a zippered opening or
snap-closed opening. The stiffener 38 holds the entrance open or
closed depending on the position of the stiffener, and does so
against the force of gravity. The stiffener 38 is preferably held
in slight compression in the open and closed positions, with the
length of the stiffener being greater than the straight-line
distance between the ends of the stiffener. The stiffener pockets
40 are fastened to the container 10 so the stiffener 38 is held in
compression as it passes from the open to the closed position when
moved in a plane orthogonal to the axis 16. The stiffener 38 is
preferably continuously curved in a constant radius of curvature,
but the stiffener could be curved in a non-uniform manner or it
could have straight segments with sharper curves between the ends
of the stiffener 38, or it could possibly comprise more than one
stiffener along the same longitudinal axis and fastened tightly
into stiffener pocket 40, and all these variations are referred to
herein as curved stiffeners. Advantageously the curvature of the
stiffener 38 conforms to the curvature of the frame 12, 20, 22
which supports the stiffener in the closed configuration.
[0056] The compartment 36 thus comprises a curved frame 12, 20, 22
to which is attached a web 14 of material which preferably, but
optionally forms one wall of the compartment 36. The side wall 42
comprises a further wall of the compartment 36, with the bottom
panel 24 optionally providing a further portion of the compartment.
If desired the side wall 42 can comprise a bag which defines the
entire compartment with the upper end of the compartment fastened
to the stiffener 38 and to the container 10 (via frame 12, 20 or
pocket 18 or web 14) adjacent the stiffener 38. In the illustrated
embodiment with compartments placed around the entire periphery of
the container 10 and a stiffener 38 located at the bottom of each
compartment so the bottom of the side wall 42 is not fastened to
the bottom panel 24 of the container, then the container will have
two webs of material on its sides, one outer web from the web 14 of
the container and one inner web from the side walls 42, with the
compartments formed between these webs of material.
[0057] The stiffener 38 and curved portion of the frame 12, 20, 22
define the opening to the compartment 36, and by moving the
stiffener 38 relative to the frame the compartment may be opened or
closed. The stiffener 38 can be moved laterally and bent from a
closed to an open position, or the stiffener can be rotated from
the closed to the open position. A stiffener may optionally be
provided at the bottom of the compartment 36 if it is desired to
hold the bottom in an expanded configuration.
[0058] The stiffener 38 extends along a convex portion of frame 12,
20, 22 (relative to axis 16) and reverses the relative direction of
curvature when it is in the second position defining an opening to
the compartment 38. The frame 12 thus preferably curves outward
from and around the longitudinal axis 16 in a convex manner. The
frame 12 could have portions that are straight or that extend
toward the axis 16 in a straight or concave manner, but for an
interior compartment 36 the stiffener 38 curves outward (convex
relative to axis 16) in the closed position and must fasten to
portions of the frame that allow that position.
[0059] The compartments 36 are typically interior compartments. Bur
referring to FIG. 15, the container 10 could have an exterior
compartment if the frame 12, 20, 22 has a concave segment 48
extending inward toward axis 16 to form a concave recess in the
exterior of the container. In that event the stiffener 38 would
extend inward, toward the axis 16 in the closed position, and
extend outward in the open position. In the depicted embodiment the
stiffener 38 comprises two separate stiffeners joined sufficiently
to have a stable position in the open and closed positions, but a
single piece stiffener extending the entire length of the concave
segment 48 is preferred.
[0060] For shipping the stiffeners 38 are preferably placed in the
closed position adjacent one of the frames 12, 20, and 22. The
stiffeners 38 could be left in the open position, but that is not
preferred as they are more easily damaged. The container 10 is then
compressed along longitudinal axis 16 until the top and bottom
frames 20, 22 are close together and then those frames are
restrained or releasably fastened together. Various tying or
fastening mechanisms can be used, as mentioned earlier, and
including hooks, cords, snaps, hook and loop fasteners, etc. The
collapsed container is then preferably, but optionally placed into
a bag or package for shipment or storage. For use, the collapsed
container is removed from any packaging; the spiral frame 12 is
then released by releasing the restraining mechanism and allowing
the container 10 to expand. The stiffeners 38 are then moved from
the closed position adjacent one of frames 12, 20, 22 to the open
position for one or more of the compartments.
[0061] In the depicted embodiments the top frame 20 of the
container 10 defines an open, unobstructed entrance. The top
entrance to the container could be covered by a panel or sheet of
material, like the bottom, except removably fastened to the frame
20 or its pocket or the web 14. Alternatively, articulated covers
can be provided, such as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,392,987 and
6,892,897, the contents of which are incorporated herein by
reference. A zippered cover is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,533,
the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by
reference.
[0062] The above description is given by way of example, and not
limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art
could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the
invention disclosed herein, including various ways of fastening the
various parts of the container 10 together. Moreover, the
compartment 36 and stiffener 38 are described for use with a
collapsible container, but the compartment construction can be used
with containers that are not expandable or compressible. Further,
the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be
used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not
intended to be limited to the specific combination described
herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the
illustrated embodiments.
* * * * *