U.S. patent application number 13/759213 was filed with the patent office on 2014-09-04 for self-supporting, flexible organizers.
The applicant listed for this patent is Holly S. Tucker. Invention is credited to Holly S. Tucker.
Application Number | 20140246427 13/759213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51420442 |
Filed Date | 2014-09-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140246427 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Tucker; Holly S. |
September 4, 2014 |
SELF-SUPPORTING, FLEXIBLE ORGANIZERS
Abstract
Novel methods and devices for organizing and storing articles
are disclosed. The storage devices may include a flexible inner
container having one or more partition walls therein. An outer
skirt may be attached to the top of the container wherein the skirt
extends downward to the bottom of the container to form a sleeve.
The inner container and the outer skirt are configured to be
self-supporting, whereby one or more articles may be stored in an
upright manner in the container. The sleeve is preferably
configured to receive a basket to add further support to the
device. If desired, a user may advantageously employ the disclosed
methods or devices to organize and store articles in a container in
a manner that maximizes floor space under low-hanging clothes in a
closet, for example.
Inventors: |
Tucker; Holly S.;
(Hendersonville, NC) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Tucker; Holly S. |
Hendersonville |
NC |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
51420442 |
Appl. No.: |
13/759213 |
Filed: |
March 4, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.87 ;
220/507; 220/772; 53/475 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A45C 7/0077 20130101;
B65D 25/2873 20130101; A45C 2013/026 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/23.87 ;
220/507; 220/772; 53/475 |
International
Class: |
B65D 25/04 20060101
B65D025/04; B65D 21/02 20060101 B65D021/02; B65B 5/06 20060101
B65B005/06; B65D 25/28 20060101 B65D025/28 |
Claims
1. A storage device comprising: a flexible inner container having a
partition wall therein, wherein the container has a top and a
bottom, and wherein the container has a bottom wall and side walls
extending upward from the bottom wall; and an outer skirt having a
top and a bottom, wherein the top of the outer skirt is attached to
the top of the container and extending downward to the bottom of
the container to form a sleeve, and wherein the entirety of the
bottom of the outer skirt is about the level of the bottom wall of
the container, wherein the inner container and the outer skirt are
configured to be self-supporting, whereby one or more articles may
be stored in an organized manner in the container.
2. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the sleeve is configured
to receive a basket to add further support to the device.
3. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a pocket
attached to the skirt proximate at or about the top of the
container.
4. The storage device of claim 1, wherein the partition wall forms
an inner compartment configured to receive one or more shoes in an
upright manner.
5. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a cover
attached at or about the top of the container.
6. The storage device of claim 1, further comprising a handle
attached at or about the top of the container.
7. The storage device of claim 3, further comprising a flap
attached at or about the top of the skirt to cover the pocket.
8. A device comprising: a flexible inner container having partition
walls therein to form inner compartments configured to receive one
or more shoes in an upright manner, wherein the container has a top
and a bottom, and wherein the container has a bottom wall and side
walls extending upward from the bottom wall; and an outer skirt
having a top and a bottom, wherein the top of the outer skirt is
attached to the top of the container and extending downward to the
bottom of the container to form a sleeve, and wherein the entirety
of the bottom of the outer skirt is about the level of the bottom
wall of the container, wherein the inner container and the outer
skirt are configured to be self-supporting.
9. The device of claim 8, wherein the container is made of
polypropylene.
10. The device of claim 8, wherein the sleeve is configured to
receive a basket to add further support to the device.
11. The device of claim 8, further comprising a pocket attached to
the skirt proximate at or about the top of the container and
configured to receive one or more articles.
12. The device of claim 11, further comprising a flap attached or
about the top of the skirt to cover the pocket.
13. The device of claim 8, further comprising a clear cover
attached at or about the top of the container.
14. A storage method comprising: inserting a basket into a sleeve
formed by joining an outer skirt to an inner container at or about
a top of the container; and placing a shoe into a compartment
formed in the container by attaching one or more partition walls to
an interior of the container, wherein the shoe is placed in an
upright manner in the compartment.
15. The storage method of claim 14, further comprising placing an
article into a pocket attached to the outer skirt.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to storage
containers that organize and maximize valuable and often limited
space in a house, building, or the like.
[0002] Conventional storage organizers are typically bulky and
heavy. Some storage organizers, such as filing cabinets or
shelving, are all but immovable. Storage organizers that are
relatively lightweight and portable are often made of rigid
materials. Such organizers are therefore generally incapable of
being folded or collapsed when not in use. However, collapsible
storage organizers are usually not self-supporting and typically
not stackable upon one another. Such organizers are therefore not
ideal.
[0003] In terms of storage organizers that are focused on utilizing
the most of a given space, known organizers particularly fail to
maximize floor space that exists in closets under low-hanging
clothes. Moreover, conventional organizers that are able to fit in
such a limited space are typically not flexible and also
susceptible to dust and the like.
[0004] Accordingly, novel methods and devices for effectively and
efficiently organizing articles within tight space constraints,
while also being lightweight, flexible, self-supporting, and
include other such benefits, are therefore desired.
SUMMARY
[0005] One exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter is
a storage device including a flexible inner container having one or
more partition walls therein, wherein the container has a top and a
bottom. An outer skirt may be attached to the top of the container
wherein the skirt extends downward to the bottom of the container
to form a sleeve. The inner container and the outer skirt are
configured to be self-supporting, whereby one or more articles may
be stored in an organized manner in the container. The sleeve is
configured to receive a basket to add further support to the device
as desired.
[0006] The storage device may optionally include one or more
pockets attached to the outside of the skirt proximate at or about
the top of the container. The partition walls form inner
compartments that are preferably configured to receive one or more
shoes in an upright manner. The storage device may also optionally
include a top cover attached at or about the top of the container
to keep dust and the like away from articles that may be stored
within the inner container. The storage device may further
optionally include two handles attached at or about the top of the
container at opposite ends to permit a user to move the storage
device with ease. The storage device may also optionally include a
flap attached at or about the top of the skirt to cover each pocket
and thereby keep dust and the like away from articles that may be
stored within a pocket.
[0007] Another exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject matter
is a device comprising a flexible inner container having a
plurality of partition walls that form inner compartments
configured to receive one or more shoes in an upright manner. An
outer skirt is preferably attached to the top of the container such
that the skirt extends downward to the bottom of the container to
form a sleeve. Both the inner container and the outer skirt are
configured to be self-supporting. The container is preferably made
of polypropylene. The sleeve is preferably configured to receive a
basket to add further support to the device.
[0008] The device may optionally include a plurality of pockets
attached to the skirt proximate at or about the top of the
container and configured to receive one or more articles. Each
pocket may optionally include a flap attached or about the top of
the skirt to cover the pocket. The device may further optionally
include a clear cover attached at or about the top of the
container.
[0009] A further exemplary embodiment of the disclosed subject
matter is a storage method comprising inserting a basket into a
sleeve formed by joining an outer skirt to an inner container at or
about a top of the container; and placing a shoe into a compartment
formed in the container by attaching one or more partition walls to
an interior of the container, wherein the shoe is placed in an
upright manner in the compartment. The storage method may
optionally include further placing an article into a pocket
attached to the outer skirt.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Some non-limiting exemplary embodiments of the disclosed
subject matter are illustrated in the following drawings. Identical
or duplicate or equivalent or similar structures, elements, or
parts that appear in one or more drawings are generally labeled
with the same reference numeral, optionally with an additional
letter or letters to distinguish between similar objects or
variants of objects, and may not be repeatedly labeled and/or
described. Dimensions of components and features shown in the
figures are chosen for convenience or clarity of presentation. For
convenience or clarity, some elements or structures are not shown
or shown only partially and/or with different perspective or from
different point of views.
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example storage organizer
showing how the device advantageously organizes and contains
articles according to an embodiment of the inventions disclosed
herein;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another example storage
organizer according to an embodiment of the inventions disclosed
herein;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a bottom view of the example storage organizer
illustrated in FIG. 2;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an example storage organizer
showing how the device advantageously may be used with a basket for
increased performance;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a top view of another example storage organizer
according to an embodiment of the inventions disclosed herein that
may be particularly useful to store toys or the like; and
[0016] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another example storage
organizer according to an embodiment of the inventions disclosed
herein that may be particularly useful as a lightweight, flexible,
self-supporting tote.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] A general problem in the field of storage is the limited
space that exists under low-hanging clothes in a closet or the
like. A general solution is a specially designed storage container
that organizes and maximizes such a difficult strip of real
estate.
[0018] A technical problem in the field of storage containers is
bulky, heavy, and rigid containers that are basically immovable and
not collapsible when not in use. A technical solution implementing
the spirit of the disclosed inventions is a lightweight, portable,
and self-supporting storage container for effectively and
efficiently organizing articles.
[0019] Potential benefits of the general and technical solutions
provided by the disclosed subject matter include those identified
above plus the ability to create a portable cedar closet merely by
adding some cedar balls to the interior of the novel container.
[0020] A general non-limiting overview of practicing the present
disclosure is presented below. The overview outlines exemplary
practice of embodiments of the present disclosure, providing a
constructive basis for variant and/or alternative and/or divergent
embodiments, some of which are subsequently described.
[0021] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example storage organizer
showing how the device advantageously organizes and contains
articles according to an embodiment of the inventions disclosed
herein. Turning in detail to FIG. 1, storage device 100 includes a
flexible inner container 102 attached to an outer skirt 104. The
outer skirt 104 is preferably attached to the top of container 102
and is designed to extend downward to the bottom thereof to form a
sleeve 120 (as seen in FIGS. 3 and 4). One or more partition walls
106 are inserted into the container 102 to form one or more inner
compartments 108 for storing articles 110. The compartments 108 may
be configured to store shoes and preferably designed to store shoes
in a vertical position, i.e., heal/toe up and down, as seen in FIG.
1. Such a configuration maximizes the space for efficient storage.
In particular, FIG. 1 illustrates that the device 100 may have the
diminutive dimensions of 25.times.18.times.12 inches yet have
fifteen compartments 108 capable of storing more than twenty pairs
of shoes. The device 100 may be even smaller at
18.times.18.times.12 inches with twelve compartments 108, yet
capable of holding some twelve to sixteen pairs of shoes.
[0022] The storage device 100 may optionally include one or more
pockets 112 attached to the outside of the skirt 104 proximate at
or about the top of the container 102. The pockets 112 may be made
of a clear plastic or the like and designed to hold accessories
such as hats, purses, gloves, scarves, belts, and the like. Each
more pocket 112 may optionally include a flap 118 (as seen in FIG.
2) attached at or about the top of the skirt 104 to cover each
pocket 112 and thereby keep dust and the like away from articles
that may be stored within a pocket. Known attachment means such as
hook and loop or the like may be used to keep the flap 118 closed
about the pocket 112.
[0023] The storage device 100 may also optionally include a top
cover 116 (such as cover 116 best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3) attached
at or about the top of the container 102 to keep dust and the like
away from articles that may be stored within the inner container
102. FIG. 2 illustrates that the cover 116 is preferably clear to
permit articles 110 within the container 102 to be seen. The cover
116 may be closeable about the container 102 by conventional means
such as a zipper, as shown in FIG. 2.
[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the storage device 100 may further
optionally include two handles 114 attached at or about the top of
the container 102 at opposite ends to permit a user to move the
storage device 100 with ease.
[0025] The storage device 100 has no rigid support, making it
advantageously collapsible. All or part of the device 100 is also
preferably made of white polypropylene, making it advantageously
lightweight and portable as well. Though the device 100 is
collapsible, lightweight, and portable, it is also self-supporting.
Moreover, once articles 110 are placed within one or more
compartments 108 and the top cover 116 closed about the inner
container 102, the device 100 is stackable such that more than one
device 100 may be placed upon another for maximizing space.
[0026] Turning in detail to FIGS. 3 and 4, while the storage device
100 is already self-supporting, it is designed to be even sturdier
when used with a basket, such as a standard laundry basket 122 as
seen in FIG. 4. In particular, a user need merely insert basket 122
into the sleeve 120 and ensure that the skirt 104 with pockets 112
hang outside the basket 122, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0027] FIG. 5 is a top view of another example storage organizer
according to an embodiment of the inventions disclosed herein. As
seen in FIG. 5, storage device 200 may include an inner container
202, a skirt 204 attached thereto and configured to form a sleeve
(not shown) that may receive a basket or the like for added
support, and preferably a single partition wall 206 that forms two
inner compartments 208 within the container 202 for holding
articles. The storage device 200 is preferably designed to hold
toys that may belong to a child or a dog, for example. With such a
design, there is no more need for the typical overflowing wicker
baskets or expensive wooden toy boxes. The device 200 may
optionally have outer pockets 210 about the skirt 204 for holding
even more articles. For example, big toys may be stored in the
center container 202 section, while pockets 210 may be used to
organize and hold smaller toys. As with device 100, device 200 is
lightweight, flexible, and self-supporting. Should handles, such as
handles 212 optionally be employed, the device 200 becomes easily
portable such that a child may drag it from room to room--and maybe
even help pick up their toys. Device 200 is in all other respects
identical to device 100 including optional clear, zippered top
cover, optional flaps to go over the pockets 210, and the like,
with identical advantages and benefits.
[0028] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another example storage
organizer according to an embodiment of the inventions disclosed
herein. As seen in FIG. 6, storage device 300 may include an inner
container 302, a skirt 304 attached thereto and configured to form
a sleeve (not shown) that may receive a basket or the like for
added support, and one or more partition walls 306 that form two or
more inner compartments 308 within the container 302 for holding
articles. The storage device 200 is preferably designed to be a
tote. To this end, the device 300 preferably includes handles 312
that are sturdy and longer than handles 114 or 210 discussed above.
The device 300 may optionally have outer pockets 310 about the
skirt 304 for holding even more articles. As with devices 100 and
200, device 300 is lightweight, flexible, self-supporting, and in
all other respects identical to devices 100 and 200 including
optional clear, zippered top cover, and optional flaps to go over
the pockets 210 the like with identical advantages and
benefits.
[0029] In operation, devices 100, 200, and/or 300 permit novel
storage methods. For example, with reference to FIGS. 1 through 4,
a basket (such as basket 122) may be inserted into a sleeve (such
as sleeve 120) formed by joining an outer skirt (such as skirt 104)
to an inner container (such as container 102) at or about a top of
the container; and placing a shoe (such as shoe 110) into a
compartment formed in the container by attaching one or more
partition walls (such as walls 106) to an interior of the
container, wherein the shoe is placed in an upright manner in the
compartment. The storage method may optionally include further
placing an article into a pocket (such as pocket 111) attached to
the outer skirt.
[0030] While certain embodiments have been described, the
embodiments have been presented by way of example only and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
devices and methods described herein may be embodied in a variety
of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions, and
changes in the form of the devices and methods described herein may
be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The
accompanying claims and their equivalents are intended to cover
such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and
spirit of the inventions.
* * * * *