U.S. patent application number 12/150140 was filed with the patent office on 2009-10-29 for collapsible debris container and method of use.
This patent application is currently assigned to Bajer Design & Marketing, Inc.. Invention is credited to Michael S. Kellogg, Dean B. Krotts.
Application Number | 20090266814 12/150140 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41213978 |
Filed Date | 2009-10-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090266814 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kellogg; Michael S. ; et
al. |
October 29, 2009 |
Collapsible debris container and method of use
Abstract
A container according to the present invention provides a
collapsible debris container including a receptacle having a
plurality of framed side panels, a bottom panel, and an open side.
A chute may be coupled to the receptacle, or a portion of the
container may be decoupled from the remainder, to form a chute. The
container may include a handle to ease transportation of debris
along the ground.
Inventors: |
Kellogg; Michael S.;
(Oconomowoc, WI) ; Krotts; Dean B.; (Milwaukee,
WI) |
Correspondence
Address: |
John M. Manion;RYAN KROMHOLZ & MANION, S.C.
Post Office Box 26618
Milwaukee
WI
53226-0618
US
|
Assignee: |
Bajer Design & Marketing,
Inc.
|
Family ID: |
41213978 |
Appl. No.: |
12/150140 |
Filed: |
April 25, 2008 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65F 2240/138 20130101;
B65F 1/00 20130101; B65F 2220/1063 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/6 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/18 20060101
B65D006/18 |
Claims
1. A collapsible container comprising: a receptacle having an open
end and a closed end, a plurality of receptacle side panels
extending therebetween, each receptacle side panel coupled to
another receptacle side panel, wherein each receptacle side panel
comprises a flexible receptacle side panel material coupled to a
receptacle side frame member having a folded and an unfolded
configuration, said flexible receptacle side panel material
assuming the configuration of its associated receptacle side frame
member; and a chute portion in cooperation with said receptacle,
said chute adapted to assist in the transfer of objects external to
said receptacle into said receptacle.
2. A collapsible container according to claim 1, said plurality of
receptacle side panels comprising at least three receptacle side
panels, each receptacle side panel being coupled to at least two
other receptacle side panels.
3. A collapsible container according to claim 1, a first of said
receptacle side panels being directly coupled to a second of said
receptacle side panels.
4. A collapsible container according to claim 3, said first
receptacle side panel being directly coupled to a third of said
receptacle side panels.
5. A collapsible container according to claim 1, further comprising
a handle.
6. A collapsible container according to claim 1, said chute
including a chute back panel coupled to a receptacle side panel and
two chute side panels, each chute side panel coupled to said chute
back panel and a receptacle side panel.
7. A collapsible container according to claim 1, said closed end
comprising a receptacle bottom panel comprising: a flexible bottom
material coupled to a bottom frame member having a folded and an
unfolded configuration, said flexible bottom material assuming the
configuration of said bottom frame member.
8. A collapsible container according to claim 7, each receptacle
side panel being indirectly coupled to two other receptacle side
panels; and directly coupled to said receptacle bottom panel.
9. A collapsible container according to claim 1, a first receptacle
side panel being indirectly coupled to a second receptacle side
panel.
10. A collapsible container according to claim 9, said first
receptacle side panel being indirectly coupled to a third
receptacle side panel.
11. A collapsible container according to claim 10, each receptacle
side panel being indirectly coupled to two other receptacle side
panels.
12. A collapsible container according to claim 1, the chute portion
being formed at least partially by one of said receptacle side
panels.
13. A collapsible container according to claim 12, at least a
portion of a first receptacle side panel being at least partially
detachably coupled to a second receptacle side panel.
14. A collapsible container according to claim 13, said first
receptacle side panel being at least partially detachably coupled
to said second receptacle side panel by a toggle clasp.
15. A collapsible container according to claim 13, the first
receptacle side panel being at least partially detachably coupled
to the second receptacle side panel and a third receptacle side
panel.
16. A collapsible container according to claim 12, each of said
receptacle side panels being at least partially detachably coupled
to at least one other receptacle side panel.
17. A collapsible container according to claim 16, a first
receptacle side panel being at least partially detachably coupled
to a second receptacle side panel and a third receptacle side
panel; said first receptacle side panel being indirectly coupled to
said second receptacle side panel by way of a first chute side
panel; and said first receptacle side panel being indirectly
coupled to said third receptacle side panel by way of a second
chute side panel.
18. A method comprising the steps of: providing a collapsible
container comprising: a receptacle having an open end and a closed
end surrounded by at least three receptacle side panels, each
receptacle side panel comprising: a flexible material coupled to a
frame member having a folded and an unfolded configuration, the
flexible material assuming the configuration of its associated
frame member; placing said collapsible container upon the ground;
and transferring lawn debris into said receptacle.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said step of
transferring lawn debris into said receptacle comprises moving said
lawn debris through said open end of said receptacle.
20. A method according to claim 19 wherein said container further
comprises a chute portion cooperating with said receptacle and said
step of transferring lawn debris into said receptacle further
comprises moving said lawn debris across said chute.
21. A method according to claim 18 wherein said container further
comprises a chute portion cooperating with said receptacle and said
step of transferring lawn debris into said receptacle further
comprises moving said lawn debris across said chute.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to containers, and
more specifically to collapsible debris containers that may be used
to receive, contain, and/or transport lawn debris.
[0002] Collapsible containers have been desirable, and indeed
employed, for decades. Generally, debris containers involve two
methods of collapsibility, however, each of which has its
respective drawbacks.
[0003] First, many prior collapsible debris containers comprise
only a plurality of rigid support members. While offering the
benefits of debris containment, transportation and container
collapsibility, there are at least two potential disadvantages to
such devices. Another disadvantage of using plant stands
incorporating rigid structural members is the required assembly and
disassembly during setup and storage, respectively. For a given
container structure, as the desired storage size decreases, the
required number of pieces into which it must be broken down
increases, as does the time required for assembly and
disassembly.
[0004] Second, some prior collapsible plant stands utilize a
combination of rigid support members and flexible members such
flexible panels of material. Again, similar to containers employing
only rigid support members, these prior devices offer suitable
debris containment, transportation and container collapsibility;
however, sacrifice is often made during storage. The flexible
members of prior devices tend to require decoupling from the rigid
members, often causing frustration during preparation for the next
season's use.
[0005] Therefore, the art of lawn maintenance would benefit from an
improved collapsible container that addresses at least the assembly
and storage concerns surrounding prior devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] A debris container according to the present invention
provides a collapsible container including a receptacle having an
open end and a closed end. At least two receptacle side panels
extend between the open end and the closed end. Each receptacle
side panel is coupled, directly or indirectly, to another
receptacle side panel. Each receptacle side panel includes a
flexible side panel material coupled to a side frame member having
a folded and an unfolded configuration. The flexible side panel
material assumes the configuration of its associated side frame
member. A container according to the present invention also
includes a chute coupled to the receptacle, where the chute is
adapted to assist in the transfer of objects outside of the
receptacle into the receptacle. In another embodiment, a container
according to the present invention includes at least three
receptacle side panels, each of which is coupled, directly or
indirectly, to at least two other receptacle side panels.
[0007] In one embodiment, a collapsible container according to the
present invention includes a first of receptacle side panel
directly coupled to a second receptacle side panel, such as by
being sewn thereto. In another embodiment, the first side panel
that has been directly coupled to the second side panel is also
directly coupled to a third side panel.
[0008] One or more receptacle side panels could also be indirectly
coupled to one or more other side panels, such as by way of a panel
separator. In one such embodiment, a first receptacle side panel is
indirectly coupled to a second receptacle side panel. In another
embodiment, a first receptacle side panel is indirectly coupled to
a second receptacle side panel and a third receptacle side panel.
In yet another embodiment, each receptacle side panel is indirectly
coupled to two other receptacle side panels.
[0009] A collapsible container according to the present invention
may further include a handle, which may be directly coupled to the
receptacle or the chute. Further, chute of a container according to
the present invention may include a chute back panel coupled to one
of the receptacle side panels and two chute side panels, each chute
side panel being coupled to the chute back panel and a receptacle
side panel.
[0010] The closed end of a container according to the present
invention may include a receptacle bottom panel having a flexible
bottom material coupled to a bottom frame member having a folded
and an unfolded configuration. The flexible bottom material assumes
the configuration of the bottom frame member. If such a bottom
panel is employed, another variation would include each receptacle
side panel being indirectly coupled to two other receptacle side
panels and directly coupled to the receptacle bottom panel.
[0011] The chute portion of a collapsible container according to
the present invention may be formed at least partially by one of
the side panels. Additionally, at least a portion of a first side
panel may be at least partially detachably coupled to a second side
panel, such as by way of a toggle clasp. The first side panel may
also be at least partially detachably coupled to the second side
panel and a third side panel. In fact, each side panel may be at
least partially detachably coupled to at least one other side
panel. Additionally, or alternatively, a first side panel may be at
least partially detachably coupled to a second side panel and a
third side panel where the first side panel is indirectly coupled
to the second side panel by way of a first chute side panel, and
the first side panel is indirectly coupled to the third side panel
by way of a second chute side panel.
[0012] A method according to the present invention includes
providing a collapsible container comprising a receptacle having an
open end and a closed end surrounded by at least three receptacle
side panels, each receptacle side panel comprising a flexible
material coupled to a frame member having a folded and an unfolded
configuration, the flexible material assuming the configuration of
its associated frame member. The provided container is placed upon
the ground and lawn debris is transferred into the receptacle. The
step of transferring lawn debris into said receptacle may include
moving said lawn debris through the open end of the receptacle.
[0013] The provided container may further comprise a chute portion
cooperating with the receptacle and the step of transferring lawn
debris into the receptacle may further comprise moving the lawn
debris across the chute. If the chute is coupled to the open end of
the container, the step of transferring lawn debris into the
receptacle may include moving the lawn debris across the chute and
through the open end of the receptacle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a
collapsible debris container according to the present
invention.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in
use.
[0016] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in
a first collapsed configuration.
[0017] FIG. 3B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in
a second collapsed configuration.
[0018] FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in
a third collapsed configuration.
[0019] FIG. 3D is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in
a coiled configuration.
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the
present invention in an unfolded configuration.
[0021] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in
a first assembled configuration.
[0022] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in
a second assembled configuration.
[0023] FIG. 7 is a close-up view of an embodiment of an assembly
mechanism used in connection with the embodiment of FIG. 4.
[0024] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in
use.
[0025] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in
a first folded configuration.
[0026] FIG. 9B is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in
a second folded configuration.
[0027] FIG. 9C is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in
a third folded configuration.
[0028] FIG. 9D is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 in
a fourth folded configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0029] Although the disclosure hereof is detailed and exact to
enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, the
physical embodiments herein disclosed merely exemplify the
invention which may be embodied in other specific structures. While
the preferred embodiment has been described, the details may be
changed without departing from the invention, which is defined by
the claims.
[0030] Turning now to the figures, FIG. 1 provides an embodiment
100 of a container according to the present invention. The
container 100 generally comprises a receptacle 110 and a chute 130.
The receptacle 110 includes a closed end 114, an open end 116, and
plurality of framed receptacle side panels 120. The closed end 114
is preferably provided by a back panel 118. The chute 130 may be
provided to cooperate with, or as a part of, the receptacle 110.
The receptacle side panels 120 and back panel 118 are coupled or
able to be coupled to form a generally parallelepiped container
having an open side 116. The framed receptacle side panels 120 may
be those that are generally known in the art, which are disclosed,
for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,971,188, which is incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety.
[0031] The receptacle 110 of the first embodiment 100 is preferably
formed according to the general construction of a collapsible
container included in the incorporated patent. While the web on the
incorporated side panels may be a flexible foldable material, such
as nylon cloth, any suitably flexible material, including string
reinforced polyethylene sheet material, may be utilized. The nylon,
or other flexible material, may be solid or perforated. In
addition, as previously mentioned, the debris container 100
preferably includes a chute 130 coupled to the receptacle portion
110. The chute 130 generally includes a chute back panel 131 and
may further include chute side panels 132, each side panel 132
extending between the back panel 131 and a framed receptacle side
panel 120 of the receptacle 110. If desired, the chute back panel
131 may have a construction at least similar, if not identical, to
that of the framed receptacle side panels 120.
[0032] A collapsible container according to the present invention
also preferably includes a handle 112. The handle 112 is preferably
a flexible strap 113 that may be formed from a stretch-resistant
material having a mesh web, which may be coupled directly, such as
being stitched, to a portion of the receptacle 110 or to a portion
of the chute 130, as shown. Although stitching is a preferred means
for directly coupling the elements of the container 100 and
permitting relatively convenient folding of the container 100, it
is to be understood that other methods of attachment can be used in
this invention. Such methods may include heat sealing, gluing and
the like. Accordingly, construction of the collapsible container
100 should not be limited to stitching alone.
[0033] As shown in FIG. 2, to use a container 100 according to the
present invention, a user 301 may place the container 100 on the
ground 300. The user 301 may transfer debris 303 from external the
receptacle 110 into the container 100 by using a rake 302, for
example, to direct debris across the chute 130 and into the
receptacle 110. When it is desirable to transport the container 100
to another location, the user 301 simply grasps the handle 112 and
pulls the container 100 along the ground 300.
[0034] From the expanded state, the container 100 may be folded
into a collapsed state for storage and transportation. FIGS. 3A to
3D show various steps for collapsing the container 100. In FIG. 3A,
the chute 130 has been folded into the receptacle 110. The next
step requires grasping opposite corners of the container 100 and
biasing one toward the other to collapse the container 100 further
into a V-configuration, as shown in FIG. 3B. FIG. 3C shows the
container 100 in a third collapsed configuration, which includes
the plurality of receptacle side panels 120 stacked atop one
another. In the preferred embodiment, the resulting partially
collapsed container 100 is a stack of four receptacle side panels
120 and a chute back panel 131. Then, two opposite corners of the
partially collapsed container 100 may be rotated in opposite
directions while forcing the corners toward each other. The
container 100 will first twist and then will rotate to form three
overlying circular loops situated adjacently as shown in FIG. 3D.
The collapsed container 100 may be further secured with an elastic
strap 170, which may be coupled to the receptacle 110. When the
elastic strap 170 is removed from the collapsed container 100, the
frame members of the receptacle side panels 120 will bias the
container 100 into an expanded state.
[0035] FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment 200 of a collapsible
container according to the present invention, in an unfolded
configuration. Like the first embodiment 100, this embodiment 200
generally comprises a receptacle 210 and may further include a
handle 212. The receptacle 210 includes a closed bottom 214, an
open top 216, and plurality of framed receptacle side panels 220.
The closed bottom 214 is preferably provided by a back panel 218.
If desired, the receptacle back panel 218 may have a construction
at least similar, if not identical, to that of the framed
receptacle side panels 220. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 5, this
embodiment 200 includes at least one receptacle side panel 220a
that is partially detachable from adjacent receptacle side panels
220b, 220d, so as to form a chute 230. The receptacle side panels
220 and back panel 218 are coupled or able to be coupled to form a
substantially parallelepiped container having an open top 216, such
as that shown in FIG. 6. Also like the first embodiment 100, the
framed panels 220 may be those that are generally known in the art,
which are disclosed, for example, in the incorporated patent, U.S.
Pat. No. 5,971,188.
[0036] This embodiment 200, while maintaining many of the features
of the first embodiment 100, further includes at least one
partially detachable receptacle side panel 220a. Thus, rather than
having a separate chute portion being coupled to the receptacle,
the partially detachable receptacle side panel 220 may operate as a
chute 230. The partially detached receptacle side panel 220 may
then serve as a chute back panel 231. The embodiment 200 may
further include chute side panels 232, which indirectly couple the
partially detachable receptacle side panel 220 to other receptacle
side panels, each chute side panel 232 extending between the back
panel 231 and a framed receptacle side panel 220 of the receptacle
210.
[0037] With reference also to FIG. 7, the partial detachment of a
receptacle side panel 220a may be permitted by the use of a
releasable coupling means 240, such as a conventional toggle clasp
including a loop 242, a toggle 244, and a toggle strap 246. As
depicted, the toggle strap 246 couples the toggle 244 to an upper
corner of a receptacle side panel 220d. When inserted into the loop
242 that is coupled to an adjacent receptacle side panel 220a, the
toggle 244 maintains the panels 220a, 220d in a coupled
configuration.
[0038] While only a single side 220a of the embodiment 200 may be
partially detachable, it is preferable to allow partial detachment
of the top side of all panels 220 to enable the container 200 to
lie in a planar configuration, as shown in FIG. 4. An advantage to
this arrangement is that it allows a user to place a container 200
in such configuration upon the ground and to transfer debris onto
the bottom panel 218 from 360 degrees, thereby eliminating the need
to move the container 200 during the debris collection process.
When a sufficient amount of debris has been collected, the
receptacle side panels 220 may be folded up and towards each other
and coupled together. As shown in FIG. 8, a user 301 has placed a
container 200 upon the ground 300, transferred debris 303 into the
container 200, and clasped the receptacle side panels 220a-220d
together. When it is desirable to transport the container 200 to
another location, the user 301 simply grasps the handle 212 and
pulls the container 200 along the ground 300.
[0039] FIGS. 9A through 9D show a method of collapsing a container
200 according to the present invention. While a user may employ a
method similar to the method discussed with reference to FIGS.
3A-3D, the method in FIGS. 9A-9D is useful where the receptacle
bottom panel 218 contains a frame similar to those used in the
receptacle side panels 220. A preferred embodiment 200 includes
four receptacle side panels 220, each receptacle side panel 220
being indirectly coupled, such as by way of a chute side panel 232
on each side, to two other receptacle side panels 220. In a method
of collapsing a container 200 according to the present invention,
the receptacle side panels 220 are first partially detached from
each other, and the container 200 is laid in a planar
configuration, as can be seen in FIG. 4. Returning to FIG. 9A, a
first receptacle side panel 220a may be folded onto the receptacle
bottom panel 218. A second receptacle side panel 220c may then be
folded atop the first receptacle side panel 220a, as can be seen in
FIG. 9B. FIG. 9C shows a third receptacle side panel 220b, along
with a pair of chute side panels 232, being folded atop the second
receptacle side panel 220c. The fourth receptacle side panel 220d
is then folded atop the third receptacle side panel 220b, along
with a second pair of chute side panels 232. The resulting stack of
panels includes a bottom panel 218, four receptacle side panels 220
and four chute side panels 232. If chute side panels 232 are not
employed, the resulting stack would simply include the bottom panel
218 and four receptacle side panels 220. The container 200 may be
stored in this configuration, or the container 200 may be coiled
and secured in a similar fashion to the first embodiment 100, as
shown and described with reference to FIG. 3D.
[0040] The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the
principles of the invention. Furthermore, since numerous
modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in
the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact
construction and operation shown and described. While the preferred
embodiment has been described, the details may be changed without
departing from the invention, which is defined by the claims.
* * * * *