U.S. patent application number 15/690366 was filed with the patent office on 2018-03-01 for collapsible storage assemblies.
The applicant listed for this patent is BuyProduct Inc.. Invention is credited to Christopher Nuccio, Matthew Nuccio.
Application Number | 20180057237 15/690366 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 61241628 |
Filed Date | 2018-03-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180057237 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nuccio; Matthew ; et
al. |
March 1, 2018 |
COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE ASSEMBLIES
Abstract
A storage assembly includes an outer container and an inner
container. The outer container includes a main body and a lid for
covering a cavity defined in the main body. The main body has flaps
configured to extend into the cavity, and a recessed bottom wall
defining a pocket. The lid covers the cavity of the main body and
defines an opening therein. The inner container includes a main
body and a lid detachably coupled to the main body of the inner
container to selectively cover the cavity of the inner container.
The inner container is configured for receipt in the cavity of the
outer container. The flaps of the outer container are configured to
engage the inner container to position the lid of the inner
container above the opening of the lid of the outer container.
Inventors: |
Nuccio; Matthew; (Merrick,
NY) ; Nuccio; Christopher; (Seaford, NY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BuyProduct Inc. |
Bethpage |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
61241628 |
Appl. No.: |
15/690366 |
Filed: |
August 30, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62381102 |
Aug 30, 2016 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 77/042 20130101;
B65D 21/022 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/04 20060101
B65D077/04; B65D 21/02 20060101 B65D021/02 |
Claims
1. A storage assembly comprising: an outer container including: a
main body defining a cavity therein, the main body having a
recessed bottom wall defining a pocket; at least two flaps
pivotably coupled to the main body; and a lid for partially
covering the cavity of the main body, the lid defining an opening
therein; and an inner container including: a main body configured
for receipt in the cavity of the main body of the outer container,
the main body of the inner container defining a cavity therein; and
a lid detachably coupled to the main body of the inner container to
selectively cover the cavity of the main body of the inner
container, wherein the at least two flaps of the outer container
are configured to engage the inner container to position the lid of
the inner container above the opening of the lid of the outer
container.
2. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein each of the
at least two flaps of the outer container defines an arcuate
cutout.
3. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the main body
of the inner container includes a neck configured for detachable
coupling with the lid of the inner container, the arcuate cutout of
each of the at least two flaps is dimensioned for receipt of the
neck of the inner container.
4. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pocket of
the outer container is dimensioned for receipt of a lid of another
outer container of another storage assembly for vertical stacking
of the storage assembly and the another storage assembly.
5. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the pocket is
further defined by a plurality of inner side walls of the main body
of the outer container.
6. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the main body
of the inner container includes a top wall that is more rigid
relative to the remainder of the main body of the inner
container.
7. The storage assembly according to claim 6, wherein the remainder
of the main body of the inner container is collapsible.
8. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the main body
of the inner container is fabricated from an opaque, polypropylene
material.
9. The storage assembly according to claim 1, wherein the main body
of the outer container includes: a plurality of flaps configured to
detachably interlock with one another to define the recessed bottom
wall of the main body; and a plurality of tabs pivotably coupling
the plurality of flaps to a bottom end of the main body of the
outer container, the plurality of tabs being configured to be
folded into the cavity of the main body of the outer container,
such that the plurality of tabs and the recessed bottom wall
together form the pocket.
10. A storage assembly comprising: an outer container including: a
main body defining a cavity therein; and a lid for partially
covering the cavity of the main body, the lid defining an opening
therein; and an inner container including: a main body configured
for receipt in the cavity of the main body of the outer container,
the main body of the inner container having a top wall that is more
rigid relative to the remainder of the main body, the main body of
the inner container defining a collapsible cavity therein; and a
lid detachably coupled to the main body of the inner container to
selectively cover the cavity of the main body of the inner
container.
11. The storage assembly according to claim 10, wherein the lid of
the inner container extends upwardly through the opening of the lid
of the outer container when the inner container is disposed within
the cavity of the outer container.
12. The storage assembly according to claim 10, wherein the main
body of the outer container includes a recessed bottom wall
defining a pocket.
13. The storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein the pocket
of the outer container is dimensioned for receipt of a lid of
another outer container of another storage assembly for vertical
stacking of the storage assembly and the another storage
assembly.
14. The storage assembly according to claim 12, wherein the pocket
is further defined by a plurality of inner side walls of the main
body of the outer container.
15. The storage assembly according to claim 10, wherein the
remainder of the main body of the inner container is
collapsible.
16. The storage assembly according to claim 10, wherein the main
body of the inner container is fabricated from an opaque,
polypropylene material.
17. The storage assembly according to claim 10, wherein the main
body of the outer container includes: a plurality of flaps
configured to detachably interlock with one another to define a
recessed bottom wall of the main body of the outer container; and a
plurality of tabs pivotably coupling the plurality of flaps to a
bottom end of the main body of the outer container, the plurality
of tabs being configured to be folded into the cavity of the main
body of the outer container, such that the plurality of tabs and
the recessed bottom wall together form a pocket.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority
to U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/381,102, filed on Aug. 30,
2016, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference
herein.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to containers, and
more particularly, to containers that are collapsible when not in
use.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Containers may be used to store a variety of materials or
substances for a variety of purposes. For example, containers may
be food grade storage containers for storing foods, including, but
not limited to, beverages (alcoholic or non-alcoholic), dried foods
(e.g., flour, protein powder, or grains), and/or refrigerated or
frozen items. Typically, containers may occupy otherwise usable
space even when not being used to store items. Accordingly, it
would be beneficial to have containers (e.g., food grade
containers) that can be reduced in size when not in use.
SUMMARY
[0004] In one aspect of the present disclosure, a storage assembly
is provided. The storage assembly includes an outer container and
an inner container. The outer container includes a main body
defining a cavity therein, two flaps movably coupled to the main
body, and a lid for partially covering the cavity of the main body.
The main body has a recessed bottom wall that defines a pocket, and
the lid defines an opening. The inner container includes a main
body and a lid detachably coupled to the main body of the inner
container to selectively cover the cavity of the main body of the
inner container. The inner container is configured for receipt in
the cavity of the main body of the outer container. The main body
of the inner container defines a cavity therein. The flaps of the
outer container are configured to engage the inner container to
position the lid of the inner container above the opening of the
lid of the outer container.
[0005] In embodiments, each of the flaps of the outer container may
define an arcuate cutout.
[0006] It is contemplated that the main body of the inner container
may include a neck configured for detachable coupling with the lid
of the inner container. The arcuate cutout of each of the flaps may
be dimensioned for receipt of the neck of the inner container.
[0007] It is envisioned that pocket of the outer container may be
dimensioned for receipt of a lid of another outer container of
another storage assembly for vertical stacking of the storage
assembly and the another storage assembly.
[0008] In embodiments, the pocket may be further defined by a
plurality of inner side walls of the main body of the outer
container.
[0009] It is contemplated that the main body of the inner container
may include a top wall that is more rigid relative to the remainder
of the main body of the inner container. The remainder of the main
body of the inner container may be collapsible.
[0010] It is envisioned that the main body of the inner container
may be fabricated from an opaque, polypropylene material.
[0011] In embodiments, the main body of the outer container may
include a plurality of flaps and a plurality of tabs pivotably
coupling the flaps to a bottom end of the main body of the outer
container. The flaps may be configured to detachably interlock with
one another to define the recessed bottom wall of the main body of
the outer container. The tabs may be configured to be folded into
the cavity of the main body of the outer container, such that the
tabs and the recessed bottom wall together form the pocket.
[0012] In another aspect of the present disclosure, a storage
assembly is provided that includes an outer container and an inner
container. The outer container includes a main body defining a
cavity therein, and a lid for partially covering the cavity of the
main body. The lid defines an opening therein. The inner container
includes a main body and a lid detachably coupled to the main body
of the inner container to selectively cover the cavity of the main
body of the inner container. The main body of the inner container
is configured for receipt in the cavity of the main body of the
outer container. The main body of the inner container has a top
wall that is more rigid relative to the remainder of the main body.
The main body of the inner container defines a collapsible cavity
therein.
[0013] In embodiments, the remainder of the main body of the inner
container may be collapsible.
[0014] In yet another aspect of the present disclosure, a method of
storing a plurality of storage assemblies is provided. The method
includes providing a plurality of outer containers and a plurality
of inner containers. The main body of the inner containers has a
top wall that is more rigid relative to the remainder of the main
body. The main body of each of the outer containers is collapsed
and the outer containers are stacked. The remainder of the main
body of each of the inner containers is also collapsed and the
inner containers are stacked.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] The present disclosure will become more readily apparent
from the specific description accompanied by the following
drawings, in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an assembly and use of one embodiment of
a plurality of storage assemblies in accordance with the principles
of the present disclosure;
[0017] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a storage assembly of FIG.
1 including an inner container disposed within an outer
container;
[0018] FIG. 2B is a perspective view of the inner container of the
storage assembly of FIG. 2A;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a top wall of the inner
container of FIG. 2B having a threaded ring extending upwardly
therefrom;
[0020] FIG. 4A is an enlarged view of the storage assembly of FIG.
2A in an assembled, closed state;
[0021] FIG. 4B is a top, front view of the storage assembly of FIG.
4A shown in an open condition, with the lid of the outer container
detached from the main body of the outer container;
[0022] FIG. 5 is a top, side view of the storage assembly of FIG.
2A;
[0023] FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a vertical stacking of a first
storage assembly on a second storage assembly;
[0024] FIG. 7 is a plan view of the outer container of the storage
assembly of FIG. 2A in a flattened state;
[0025] FIG. 8 is a top view of the outer container of the storage
assembly of FIG. 2A in a semi-folded or collapsed state;
[0026] FIG. 9 is a top, perspective view of the storage assembly of
FIG. 2A illustrating a lid of the outer container in an opened
state; and
[0027] FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the storage assembly of FIG.
9 illustrating the inner container with the lid removed.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] The present disclosure may be understood more readily by
reference to the following detailed description of the disclosure
taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures, which
form a part of this disclosure. It is to be understood that this
disclosure is not limited to the specific devices, methods,
conditions or parameters described and/or shown herein, and that
the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing
particular embodiments by way of example only and is not intended
to be limiting of the claimed disclosure. Also, as used in the
specification and including the appended claims, the singular forms
"a," "an," and "the" include the plural, and reference to a
particular numerical value includes at least that particular value,
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Ranges may be
expressed herein as from "about" or "approximately" one particular
value and/or to "about" or "approximately" another particular
value. When such a range is expressed, another embodiment includes
from the one particular value and/or to the other particular value.
Similarly, when values are expressed as approximations, by use of
the antecedent "about," it will be understood that the particular
value forms another embodiment. It is also understood that all
spatial references, such as, for example, horizontal, vertical,
top, upper, lower, bottom, left and right, are for illustrative
purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure.
For example, the references "upper" and "lower" are relative and
used only in the context to the other, and are not necessarily
"superior" and "inferior".
[0029] With reference to FIG. 1, a plurality of containers or
storage assemblies 10, for storing bulk items or powders, for
example, protein powders, is shown in various states of assembly
and use, such as folded for storage or expanded for use. In some
embodiments, the storage assembly 10 may be configured and
dimensioned for storing various substances (e.g., liquid foods,
solid foods, non-food items and/o bulk food/non-food products). The
storage assembly 10 generally includes an outer box or outer
container 12 and an inner container 14 disposable within the outer
box 12. The outer box 12 is of a rigid construction to provide
integrity to the storage assembly 10 and is transitionable between
an expanded state, as shown in FIGS. 2A-6B, and a collapsed state,
as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8.
[0030] With reference to FIGS. 2A-10, the outer box 12 may be
fabricated from cardboard or any other suitable material capable of
maintaining its shape when devoid of any material contained in the
inner container 14 of the storage assembly 10. The outer box 12 of
storage assembly 10 is rectangular and capable of holding
approximately 3 pounds of materials therein. In some embodiments,
the outer box 12 may assume any suitable shape, such as, for
example, square, circular, oblong, triangular, cylindrical, or the
like, and may be capable of holding more or less than 3 pounds of
materials. The outer box 12 is approximately 6 inches in width and
approximately 9.5 inches in height. In other embodiments, the outer
box 12 may have a width of between about 1 inch and about 12 inches
and a height of between approximately 5 inches and about 20 inches.
It is contemplated that the outer box 12 may have any suitable
dimensions.
[0031] The outer box 12 has a bottom portion or main body 16 and a
top, lid, or cover 18 pivotably attached to the main body 16. The
main body 16 defines a cavity 17 (FIG. 9) therein dimensioned for
receipt of the inner container 14 when the inner container 14 is in
either an expanded or collapsed state. As best shown in FIGS. 6A,
7, and 8, the main body 16 has a plurality of side walls 20a, 20b,
20c, 20d coupled to one another. In particular, the side walls
20a-d are coupled to one another at seams or joints that allow the
side walls 20a-d to bend relative to an adjacent side wall 20a,
20b, 20c, or 20d between an expanded state (FIGS. 2A-6B), in which
the side walls 20a-d are bent at approximately 90 degrees relative
to one another to form a rectangular shape, and a collapsed state
(FIGS. 7 and 8), in which the side walls 20a-d are coplanar and/or
parallel.
[0032] With continued reference to FIGS. 6A-8, the main body 16
further includes a first end or bottom end and a second end or top
end spaced longitudinally from the bottom end. The first end, which
forms the base of the main body 16, defines a depression or pocket
19 therein. The pocket 19 is defined by a recessed bottom wall 22
of the main body 16 and four inner side walls 24a, 24b, 24c, 24d of
the main body 16. The pocket 19 of the main body 16 is dimensioned
to receive a lid 34.sup.1 of an inner box 14.sup.1 of another
storage assembly 10.sup.1 such that two or more storage assemblies
10, 10.sup.1 may be stacked on top of one another in a vertical
orientation, as shown in FIG. 6B.
[0033] With reference to FIGS. 7-10, the second end or top end of
main body 16 of the outer box 12 has a pair of foldable flaps 26a,
26b each extending from a respective, opposing side wall 20a, 20c
of the main body 16. In some embodiments, more than two of the side
walls 20a-d of the main body 16 may have a flap 26a, 26b. Each of
the flaps 26a, 26b defines an arcuate cutout 28a, 28b in a free end
thereof. When the flaps 26a, 26b are in a folded state (e.g., when
the flaps 26a, 26b are perpendicular to their respective side walls
20a, 20c), the arcuate cutouts 28a, 28b of each of the flaps 26a,
26b collectively define an annular opening (not explicitly shown).
The annular opening is dimensioned to allow for a top 34 of the
inner container 14 to protrude therethrough. In addition, when the
inner container 14 is disposed within the outer box 12, the flaps
26a, 26b are received under the lid 34 (or an annular ring or neck
36) of the inner container 14 such that the flaps 26a, 26b prevent
or inhibit the lid 34 of inner container 14 from falling through
(or collapsing into) the annular opening and into the cavity 17 of
the main body 16 of the outer box 14. As such, the flaps 26a, 26b
maintain the lid 34 of the inner container 14 above the lid 18 of
the outer box 12 so that the lid 34 of the inner container 14
remains accessible by a user.
[0034] Each wall 20a-d of the main body 16 of the outer box 12 has
a flap 29a-d disposed at a bottom end thereof for detachably
interlocking with one another to selectively close the bottom end
of the main body 16 of the outer box 12. The flaps 29a-d together
define the recessed bottom wall 22 of the main body 16 (see FIG.
6A). Each of the flaps 29a-d is pivotably coupled to the bottom end
of the respective wall 20a-d via a strip or tab 31a-d. The tabs
31a-d may have a substantially rectangular configuration and may be
folded into the cavity 17 of the main body 16 of the outer box 12
to define the inner side walls 24a-d of the main body 16 (see FIG.
6A). Upon folding the tabs 31a-d inwardly into the cavity 17 of the
main body 16 of the outer box 12, the recessed bottom wall 22
defined by the flaps 29a-d of the main body 16 and the inner side
walls 24a-d defined by the tabs 31a-d of the main body 16 together
form the pocket or recess 19 in the bottom end of the main body 16
of the outer box 12.
[0035] The lid 18 of the outer box 12 is pivotably connected to one
side wall 20b of the main body 16 to selectively cover the cavity
of the main body 16. In some embodiments, the lid 18 may be
detachable from the main body 16. The lid 18 defines a central
opening 30 therethrough dimensioned for receipt of a top or lid 34
of the inner container 14 and to prevent removal of the main body
32 of the inner container 14 from the cavity of the outer box 12.
The central opening 30 of the lid 18 defines a central axis
therethrough that is coaxial with a central longitudinal axis
defined through the main body 16 of the outer box 12. As shown in
FIG. 4B, the lid 18 has at least one tab 21 extending downwardly
therefrom and dimensioned for releasable receipt in a notch 13
defined in a side wall of the main body 16 (e.g., side wall 20a) of
the outer box 12.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 2A-5, 9, and 10, the inner container
14 of the storage assembly 10 has a flexible, collapsible main body
32 and a lid 34 removably attached to the main body 32. The main
body 32 defines a cavity therein configured for receipt of food
materials, such as, for example, protein powders, or any other
suitable material whether liquid, solid, powder or gas, food and/or
non-food. The main body 32 of the inner container 14 is fabricated
from bonded layers of aluminum and plastic such that the main body
32 of the inner container 14 can be flattened when the cavity of
the inner container 14 is devoid of stored materials. In some
embodiments, the main body 32 of the inner container 14 may be
fabricated from various food-grade plastic materials, such as, for
example, polypropylene, polyester, polylactide, polyethylene
terephthalate, and/or polystyrene, and may be opaque. The main body
32 of the inner container 14 is manufactured by molding or heat
sealing a plurality of walls together. The main body 32 is designed
such that upon filling the cavity of the main body 32 with liquid,
particles, or powder, the main body 32 assumes a substantially
rectangular shape or cube shape dimensioned for receipt in the
cavity of the main body 16 of the outer box 12. In some
embodiments, the main body 32 of the inner container 14 may assume
a variety of shapes (e.g., triangular, square, circular, or the
like) and may be of a monolithic construction rather than
consisting of a plurality of walls sealed to one another. The lid
34 of the inner container 14 may assume a variety of sizes and
shapes (e.g., triangular, circular, square, or the like).
[0037] The main body 32 may have a top wall 33 fabricated from a
more rigid material than the remainder of the main body 32 so that
the top wall 33 maintains a planar configuration when the inner box
14 is in either of the collapsed or expanded states. The main body
32 of the inner container 14 also includes a plastic annular ring
36 of a rigid construction that forms an opening of the main body
32. In embodiments, the plastic annular ring 36 may be formed with
or coupled to the top wall 33 of the main body 32. The plastic
annular ring 36 defines an outer threading configured for threading
engagement with an inner threading of the top or lid 34 of the
inner container 14. In some embodiments, the lid 34 of the inner
container 14 and the annular ring 36 of the inner container 14 may
be detachably coupled to one another via any suitable fastening
engagement, such as, for example, snap-fit. The annular ring 36
also defines an annular lip or flange 37 configured for receipt of
the flaps 26a, 26b of the main body 16 of the outer box 12. As
noted above, when the inner container 14 is disposed within the
outer box 12, the flaps 26a, 26b of the outer box 12 are received
under the lip 37 of the annular ring 36 to prevent the lid 34 of
the inner container 14 from falling, due to gravity, into the outer
box 12. As such, the lid 34 of the inner container 14 remains
protruding from the lid 18 of the outer box 12.
[0038] In use, as shown in FIG. 1, a plurality of storage
assemblies 10 is provided. Initially, the main body 16 of the outer
container 12 of each of the storage assemblies 10 is collapsed by
folding each of the walls 20a-d thereof about their seams. With the
outer containers 12 in a collapsed state, each of the outer
containers 12 may be stacked, either horizontally or vertically.
The main body 32 of the inner container 14 of each of the storage
assemblies 10 is also collapsed. Since the top wall 33 of the main
body 32 may be more rigid than the remainder of the main body 32,
the top wall 33 may remain planar when the main body 32 is in its
collapsed state. With the inner containers 14 in a collapsed state,
each of the inner containers 14 may be stacked, either horizontally
or vertically. In embodiments, a collapsed inner container 14 may
be stacked with a collapsed outer container 12 by positioning the
lid 34 of the inner container 14 through the opening 30 in the lid
18 of the outer container 12.
[0039] The components disclosed herein can be fabricated from
metals, magnetic materials, synthetic polymers, and ceramics. The
components disclosed herein, individually or collectively, may also
be fabricated from materials such as plastic, nylon, stainless
steel alloys, aluminum, commercially pure titanium, titanium
alloys, Grade 5 titanium, super-elastic titanium alloys,
cobalt-chrome alloys, stainless steel alloys, superelastic metallic
alloys (e.g., Nitinol, super elasto-plastic metals, such as GUM
METAL.RTM. manufactured by Toyota Material Incorporated of Japan),
ceramics and composites thereof such as calcium phosphate (e.g.,
SKELITE.TM. manufactured by Biologix Inc.), thermoplastics such as
polyaryletherketone (PAEK) including polyetheretherketone (PEEK),
polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) and polyetherketone (PEK), carbon-PEEK
composites, PEEK-BaSO4 polymeric rubbers, polyethylene
terephthalate (PET), fabric, silicone, polyurethane,
silicone-polyurethane copolymers, polymeric rubbers, polyolefin
rubbers, hydrogels, semi-rigid and rigid materials, elastomers,
rubbers, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoset elastomers,
elastomeric composites, rigid polymers including polyphenylene,
polyamide, polyimide, polyetherimide, polyethylene, epoxy. Various
components disclosed herein may have material composites, including
the above materials, to achieve various desired characteristics
such as strength, rigidity, elasticity, compliance, and durability.
The components disclosed herein, individually or collectively, may
also be fabricated from a heterogeneous material such as a
combination of two or more of the above-described materials. The
components disclosed herein may be monolithically formed,
integrally connected or include fastening elements and/or
instruments, as described herein.
[0040] It will be understood that various modifications may be made
to the embodiments disclosed herein. Therefore, the above
description should not be construed as limiting, but merely as
exemplification of the various embodiments. Those skilled in the
art will envision other modifications within the scope and spirit
of the claims appended hereto.
* * * * *