CAROUSEL ORGANIZER WITH STRAPPED SHELVES

Abstract

A suspended, collapsible carousel has a plurality of horizontal panels joined by vertical flexible walls to form a plurality of collapsible compartments. Hinged shelves have an inner side fastened to the outside of the walls so as to rotate upward toward and downward away from the outer walls. A pair of supports each fastens to an outer side of the shelf and to the panel above the shelf or the adjacent container wall. A strip of material is fastened to the container at the panel perimeters. The strip of material has a fastener with first and second releasably engaging parts which are spaced apart on the strip of material a distance sufficient to form a loop large enough to encircle a purse strap during use when the first and second parts releasably engage.

Description

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to collapsible hanging containers with one or more compartments, and a method and device for holding additional articles on the outer periphery of the containers

Collapsible containers are known that have a plurality of vertical and/or horizontal compartments. The compartments have bottoms formed by sheets of material or spring loop frames that stretch a sheet of fabric tight. The bottoms or shelves may also be made of solid material, such as fiberboard, usually covered with fabric. The compartments are suspended vertically from each other by common walls formed by flexible material such as plastic, canvas, fabric or other sufficiently sturdy material. Such suspended shelves with spring-loop frames are described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,728. Such suspended shelves may have a hook or other connectors at the top to hang the compartments from a pole in a closet. Since the walls are flexible the walls can collapse to form a stack of shelving bottoms and tops connected by the collapsed walls. The available suspended containers can sometimes rotate about a swivel hook at the top. The containers may or may not have dividers to form sub-compartments within the shelves or larger compartments. Sometimes pockets are fastened to the outside of the containers. These containers are configured to hold articles by placing the articles in the pockets or compartments. These containers are sometimes referred to as carousel containers because they can rotate.

Unfortunately the pockets limit the size, shape and number of articles that can be placed into them and thus limit the size of articles that can be held on the outer side of the vertical walls of the collapsible containers, and the pockets limit access to those articles. There is thus a need for an improved way to removable store articles on the outside of such suspended, collapsible, containers. There is a further need for improving access to articles held on the outer periphery of such suspended, collapsible containers.

Further, for items like purses having an elongated flexible strap or handles it is time consuming to fold up the purse handles and put the purse into a compartment of the container. Once the purse is in the compartment it is difficult to access the purse contents without removing the purse from the compartment. Further, the length of the purse straps or handles is not readily seen and that can make it difficult to select a purse with a desired strap or handle length. Additionally, folding up the handles to squeeze them into pockets or small containers can kink or damage the handles. There is thus a need for an improved way to removable store such purses in these hanging containers and a need for improved access.

BRIEF SUMMARY

A suspended or hanging collapsible container is provided having a top and bottom panel and optionally one or more intervening panels to form a plurality of compartments. The panels are horizontal. Hinged shelves are provided that have an inner side fastened to the outside of the walls so as to rotate upward toward and downward away from the outer walls. A pair of supports each fastens to an outer side of the shelf and to the panel above the shelf or the adjacent container wall. A strip of material is fastened to the container at the panel perimeters. The strip of material has a fastener with first and second releasably engaging parts which are spaced apart on the strip of material a distance sufficient to form a loop large enough to encircle a purse strap during use when the first and second parts releasably engage. Items can be stored in the compartments inside the container, placed on the shelves and held against the outside of the container by the supports, or hung from the strips of material.

Turning first to the strips of material, the container may have one or more flexible strips fastened to one of the top, bottom or intermediate panels, preferably at or adjacent to an outer periphery of the top, bottom or intervening panels. The flexible strip has first and second sides and first and second ends, ideally with releasable fasteners such as hook fasteners at a first end and first side and with loop fasteners at the second end and second side. Preferably both the hooks and loops face the container in the open or unhooked configuration. Preferably a middle portion of the strip is sewn to the outer edge of the top, bottom or intervening shelf. The hooks and loops can be releasably fastened to form a loop. A belt or a purse handle is placed between the first and second ends and the hooks and loops fastened to form a loop encircling the belt or handle to releasably fasten the belt or purse to the outside of the hanging container. The hook and loop fasteners are unhooked to release the purse handles. Other items with holes through which the material can pass to encircle a portion of the item, can also be held by the loops of material.

The hanging container may also have one or more foldable shelves fastened to the outer sides of the container. The foldable shelves are advantageously fastened at the location of intermediate panels or at the bottom panel of the container and may extend along some or all the length of the side to which the foldable shelf is fastened, and preferably take the form of shelves. Flexible material enclosing each such shelf may be sewn to material surrounding the periphery of the intermediate panels or to the vertical walls forming the container at the location of the shelves. The outer periphery of each foldable shelf may have a support, preferably in the form of one or more straps, fastened to the panel above the foldable shelf. The straps are preferably elastic and may be parallel to each other, crossed, or have other configurations, including a sheet of material with one end fastened along a length of the foldable shelf and another end fastened along a panel above the foldable shelf, to form a pocket into which items can be inserted.

There is thus provided a collapsible container assembly having a first top panel defining a top panel perimeter and having a fastener adapted to releasably fasten to a closet pole along with a second bottom panel axially aligned with and disposed in spaced relation to the top panel. The bottom panel also defines a bottom panel perimeter. There is optionally at least one intermediate panel axially aligned with and disposed between and in spaced relation to the first top panel and the first bottom panel. The intermediate panel has an intermediate panel perimeter connected to the walls. Flexible walls connect the top and bottom and intermediate panels adjacent the panel perimeters. The walls define at least one opening to an interior space defined by the walls and first panels. At least one strip of material is fastened to the container adjacent one of the panel perimeters. The strip of material has a fastener with first and second releasably engaging parts which are spaced apart on the strip of material a distance sufficient to form a loop large enough to encircle a purse strap during use when the first and second parts releasably engage.

Preferably, the strip of material is fastened to the container adjacent one end of the strip, but could be fastened to the container adjacent a middle of the strip. The strip is preferably sewn to the container. The first and second releasable advantageously parts comprise a hook fastener and a loop fastener. Advantageously, a spring loop frame encircles at least one of the panels at the perimeter of the at least one panel. The stiff top panel advantageously includes a stiffener having an outer periphery spaced apart from the spring loop frame, with the at least one of the strips of material being fastened to the container between the spring loop frame and the outer periphery of the stiffener. The strip of material may be fastened to the container between the hook and loop portions, or between the hook portion and the nearest end of the strip of material. The strip of material may alternatively have a fastener with first and second releasably engaging parts which are spaced apart on the strip of material a distance sufficient to form a loop large enough to encircle a purse strap during use when the first and second parts releasably engage.

The above aspects can also be used with a hinged shelf fastened to the container. The shelf has an inner side fastened to one of the walls so as to extend away from the outer surface and rotate toward and away from the outer surface. The shelf has an outer side opposite the first inner side with at least two supports each having a first end fastened at or adjacent to the outer side of the support. The second end of the supports are fastened to the container at or adjacent to the panel perimeter located immediately above the shelf. The shelf can be used with or without the above variations on the strip of material.

In further variations, the shelf has a stiff bottom or a stiffener extending along at least a substantial portion of the shelf so the shelf is self supporting of its own weight and does not sag like a pocket. The supports may be parallel, crossed, or have other arrangements. Two to four supports are preferred. The supports may have a manually adjustable length, whether or not they are elastic. A toggle or cord lock can manually adjust the length of the supports and tighten an item resting on the shelf against the outside of the container. A manually adjustable length allows the shelf angle to be more readily adjusted relative to the horizontal or relative to the length of the container and container walls.

The above containers may also be optionally used with at least one pocket fastened to the outer surface and located between adjacent panel perimeters. Advantageously, the container has four sides with and a plurality of shelves each located between the panel perimeters along at least two opposing sides, with a plurality of openings each located between the panel perimeters along the third side. Further, the container may have a plurality of pockets having four sides, with each pocket located between the panel perimeters along the fourth side of the container and fastened to the outer surface of the container. The container may also have a plurality of strips of material fastened to the container at or adjacent to one of the panel perimeter. An especially suitable strip of material has a fastener with first and second releasably engaging parts which are spaced apart on the strip of material a distance sufficient to form a loop large enough to encircle a purse strap during use when the first and second parts releasably engage.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

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:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a hanging container with shelves and straps;

FIG. 2 is a right side perspective view of a hanging container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a back side perspective view of a hanging container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a left side perspective view of a hanging container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the hanging container of FIG. 1 in a collapsed configuration;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the hanging container of FIG. 5 from the opposite direction;

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a bottom plan view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a front perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the hanging container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 10 is a right side perspective view of a hanging container of FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a back side perspective view of a hanging container of FIG. 9; and

FIG. 12 is a left side perspective view of a hanging container of FIG. 9.

FIG. 13 is a sectional view of a portion of the container of FIG. 1, taken along section 13-13, showing the connection of the releasable fastener in more detail;

FIG. 14 is a sectional view showing the releasable fastener of FIG. 13 holding a purse strap;

FIG. 15 is a sectional view of an intermediate panel with a releasable fastener attached thereto;

FIG. 16 is a sectional view of a releasable fastener connected to a bottom panel;

FIG. 17 is a partial sectional view showing the details of a shelf connected to the hanging container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 18 is a partial sectional view of an alternative connection of a strap to the shelf of FIG. 17; and

FIG. 19 is a pictorial view of a cord lock on a shelf on the container of Exhibit 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the hanging, collapsible container, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-4 and 13-16 illustrate a collapsible container 10 in an expanded position. The construction of FIGS. 5-6 illustrates the collapsible container 10 in a collapsed position. The collapsible container 10 has an upper end, a lower end and four vertical sides. References to up, upper, upper end, top, down, downward, lower end and bottom are relative to the orientation shown in FIG. 1 in which the lower end of the collapsible container 10 is disposed toward the earth. Similar hanging collapsible containers are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,681,728, the complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The collapsible container 10 can contain one or more compartments. The container 10 has a top panel 12, a bottom panel 14, and may have optional intermediate panels 16, at least one and preferably two side walls 18 and an optional back wall 19. The walls 18, 19 may be formed of continuous or separate pieces of material, and may blend together as in the depicted circular construction, or may have defined corners or junctures as in a rectangular or square configuration. The number of walls will vary with the construction of the container 10. Optionally, one or more vertical divider panels 26 (FIG. 1) can join adjacent panels 12, 14, 16 to further divide the compartments 22 between the two adjacent panels into smaller compartments. Advantageously, such smaller compartments are accessible from one or more of the open or semi-open front, or through openings in the side walls 18 or back wall 19. One or more pockets 17 may be fastened to the outside of the side walls 18 or back wall 19 (FIG. 2-4).

At the lower end of the container is the bottom panel 14 which defines a bottom panel perimeter 14a extending around an outer periphery of the bottom panel 14, with similar perimeters 12a and 16a extending around the top panel and any intermediate panels, respectively.

A tension loop 20 frame (FIG. 13) preferably extends around the perimeter 16a of at least one intermediate panel in order to hold a fabric or plastic sheet of material and form the bottom of a compartment 22. The tension loop frame 20 reduces weight by allowing a fabric floor rather than a heaver a sheet of solid material. Alternatively, a sheet of stiff material such as plastic or MDS fiberboard could be used, but other materials are also suitable and even metal may be used if an extremely sturdy container 10 is desired. There can be more than one divider panel 14 to create an increased number of compartments 22. The compartments 22 can be of diverse shape and size depending on the location of the parts defining the compartments.

The compartments 22 have a top and bottom formed by various combinations of panels 12, 14, 16, and have sides formed by various combinations of sidewalls 18 and/or divider(s) 26. A portion of each compartment 22 is accessible from openings formed in the front, side walls 18 or back wall 19 so items and articles can be inserted into the compartment. The rear of the compartments is preferably, but optionally closed by back wall 19. The back wall 19 could be omitted to form a tube-like compartment extending through the container 10 with both ends of the compartment being open. An optional restraint 25 (FIG. 1) blocks a portion of the opening to at least one, and preferably a plurality of compartments 22.

At the upper end is the top panel 12 which is spaced apart from and axially aligned with the bottom panel 14 along longitudinal axis 15. The top panel 12 is preferably, but optionally, oriented generally parallel to the bottom panel 14. The top panel 12 contains a sheet of material sufficiently strong to support the suspended container(s) 10, and may have one or more stiffeners (not shown) as needed to provide a sufficiently strong panel. Various fiberboards and plastics could be used, including high density polyethylene. A stiffener material in bottom panel 14 is optional, but will be described herein as if it were present. Panels 12, 14 made of MDS fiberboard are believed suitable, and a 3 mm sheet of MDS fiberboard is believed suitable for circular panels 12, 14 about 30 cm in diameter (about 12 inches diameter). Other sizes can be used. The panels 12, 14 are optionally enclosed in fabric, preferably the same fabric that is used to form side walls 18 and/or back wall 19. The intermediate panel 16 is also axially aligned with the top and bottom panels 12, 14 and is interposed between the top and bottom panels 12, 14. The intermediate panel 16 is preferably disposed in generally parallel arrangement relative to the top and bottom panel 12, 14. Advantageously, a spring loop frame or tension loop frame 20 extends around the outer periphery of the top and bottom panels 12, 14, outward of the MDS or plastic strengthening portion of the panels.

The intermediate and divider panels 16, 26 and the side and back walls 18, 19 respectively, each have flexible material extending contiguously and uninterrupted over a substantial portion, and preferably all, of each one of the panels 16, 26, although openings may optionally be formed in the walls for access to the compartments 22. The material is preferably substantially uninterrupted in that one or more small openings 24 can be used, such as for ventilation or for viewing or access. Any such openings are preferably small relative to the size of the panel in which the openings are formed, with no single opening preferably more than 20% of the area of the panel. Moreover, the openings are such that they do not degrade to any appreciable extent the ability of the spring-loop frame or tension-loop frame 20 hold the material taut for its intended use as a floor or bottom of an intermediate compartment 22. Alternatively, sheets of material can be used as a floor or bottom of each compartment 22 rather than fabric held by tension-loop frames, but the access holes are still preferably small in size.

The side wall 18 and back 19 may be comprised of a single contiguous piece of flexible material such as fabric, nylon mesh, canvas, or plastic or they may be comprised of a plurality of sections of flexible material, with the top, bottom and intermediate panels 12, 14, 16 fastened to the walls 18, 19. Upper and lower edges of the side walls 18 are joined to the top, intermediate and bottom panels 12, 14, 16 at the respective ones of the top, intermediate and bottom panel perimeters 12a, 14a, 16a, such as by sewing. Alternate means of joining the top, intermediate and bottom panels 12, 14, 16 to the side walls 18 may be used. For example, the top, intermediate and bottom panels 12, 14, 16 may be joined to the side walls 18 by gluing or with mechanical fasteners.

Preferably, but optionally, the intermediate and bottom panels 14, 16 may each be fabricated from fabric mesh material, with strips of nylon fabric being used as hemming around the intermediate and bottom panel perimeters 14a, 16a. Alternatively, the intermediate and bottom panels 14, 16 may be fabricated entirely from nylon fabric for improved wear resistance against the soles of shoes that may be inserted into the compartments 22. The use of nylon fabric instead of fabric mesh material in the top, intermediate and bottom panels 14 may also retain dirt particles and/or debris carried on objects such as shoes that may be placed into the compartments 22. The use of nylon fabric may prevent such debris from falling into shoes resting in compartments 22 immediately below. Finally, the use of nylon fabric for the fabrication of the top, intermediate and bottom panels 12, 14, 16 may conceal the tension loops 20 such that the aesthetics of the collapsible container 10 may be enhanced.

As is depicted in FIGS. 13-15, the side walls 18 may preferably, but optionally, be fabricated from fabric mesh material such that the collapsible container 10 has improved breathability in order to allow for the evaporation of moisture that may contained in objects that are stored in the compartments 22. However, the panels 12, 14, 16, 26 and the side wall 18 may be fabricated from any combination of flexible material such that the collapsible container 10 may be readily and repeatedly moved from the collapsible position to the expanded position, and vice versa.

Optionally, a restraint 25 can extend across opening 24. The restraint 25 comprises a strip of material with opposing ends fastened to side walls 18 and optionally also fastened to divider(s) 26 if present. The restraint 25 could also optionally be fastened to the panel 16 forming the bottom of the compartment 22 or the top panel 12. The restraint 25 is fastened by sewing, gluing, melting, snaps, or other fastening means described herein or known in the art. The restraint 25 is preferably of the same material as the sidewalls 18.

Referring to FIG. 13, preferably, the top panel 12 itself is configured to be stiff enough that it can support the weight of the container 10 and other containers fastened thereto, when the containers 10 hold household or clothing items such as shoes and clothing and the containers are suspended from a closet pole in a closet. Advantageously, the top panel 12 may be maintained in a substantially planar orientation when the collapsible container 10 is suspended by a hanger member 30. Optionally, a stiffener panel 28 ((FIG. 16) can be added to one or both of the top or bottom panels 12, 14, sandwiched between fabric layers of the panels 12, 14 and may be sized to be slightly smaller that the panel perimeters 12a, 14a. A seam or edging 21 extending around the panel perimeter 12a, 14a prevents lateral movement of the stiffener panel 28 within the confines of the fabric layers of the top panel 12. However, the stiffener panel 28 may also be secured to an upper or lower exterior side of the top panel 12 by various means, including stitches, adhesives, melting, rivets, snaps, buttons and other permanent and releasable fasteners, whether chemical, thermal or mechanical fasteners and connections. Furthermore, the stiffener panel 28 may comprise a plate that is inserted inside the collapsible container 10 with the fabric of top panel 12 or 14 disposed on top of the stiffener panel 28, or fastened to a periphery of the stiffener panel 28. The above described constructions can also be used for intermediate panels 16.

Referring briefly to FIG. 13, the stiffener panel 28 may be included with the top panel 12. The stiffener panel 28 may be sized to be complimentary to the top panel 12 and may be abuttingly disposed against the top panel 12 or to comprise the top panel 12. The stiffener panel 28 may be configured to provide a greater degree of rigidity or stiffness than that which may be provided by the combination of the flexible material of the top panel 12 with the tension loop 20. The stiffener panel 28 may be fabricated from a sheet of plastic or MDS.

As is shown in FIG. 13, one or more hanger members 30 may be attached to the top panel 12 of collapsible container 10 to hang or support the container 10. The hanger members 30 may take several forms, including hook and loop straps connected to the top 12. The hanger members 30 connect to a closet pole 34 of a clothes closet. The hanger(s) 30 preferably comprise hooks or hangers passing through a hole 32 (FIG. 7) in the top panel 12. More than one hanger 30 and hole 32 may be used and is desirable is the weight carried by the container 10 is large. If one hanger 30 is used it and its through-hole 32 are preferably located in the middle of the top panel 12. If two or more hangers 30 are used, then the holes 32 and hanger members 30 are both preferably on a line through the middle of the top panel and perpendicular to the side having the main access opening to compartments 22, although they can be at other orientations.

Each hanger element 30 extends through a hole 32 formed in the top panel 12 and in the stiffener panel 28, if included. The hanger elements 30 may be configured to be removable engaged to the horizontally-disposed pole 34 (FIG. 13) so the hanger 30 may be configured in a shape similar to the shape of a standard clothes hanger. If plural hangers are used, the spacing of the hanger elements 30 is preferably such that the vertical loads may be substantially evenly distributed to the side wall 18 and to any divider panel 26 of the collapsible container 10. Ideally, one or more hanger elements 30 are used, and the hangers are optionally mounted so they can swivel parallel to the plane of the top panel 12 to allow the hanger 30 to face any side of the container 10.

Referring to FIG. 13, the hanger 30 has a first curved end configured to hook over closet pole 34, and an opposing, second end 42 configured to pass through hole 32. The hanger 30 may be bent of a single piece of wire with the curved end passed through hole 32 and a bent end 42 configured so it cannot pass through the hole 32 but is large enough and strong enough to support the container(s) 10. A threaded connection could also be used instead of a bent end 42. Support plates or stiffeners may be provided as needed to spread the load from the hanger 30 to the panels 12 (or 14). If heavy loads are held by container 10, then two or m ore hooks 30 can be used to hang the container 10 from the closet pole 34 or other support, with the hooks passing through two spaced apart holes 32. If needed, a third hook 30 can pass through the center hole 32. Other means of fastening the container 10 to a closet pole 34 can also be used.

The edge forming hole 32 is preferably reinforced and/or strengthened by a liner 46. (FIGS. 1, 13) A metal or plastic grommet or other hard casing material is believed suitable for liner 46. Plastic or metal plates clamping the top panel 12 between them and with hole 32 extending therethrough are also believed suitable for liner 46, and offer the advantage of spreading the load over the area of the plates which area can be increased to far exceed the area of a grommet and thus avoid pull-through of the connection.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4, 13, 15, 16, a releasable fastener, preferably a strip 50, is provided having a first end and opposing second end and having opposing first and second sides. The strip 50 has hook fasteners 52 on the first end and on the first side, and has loop fasteners 54 on the second end on the second side. The strip 50 is fastened adjacent the outer periphery 12a of the top panel 12. Either end of the strip 50 could be fastened to the container 10. Preferably the strip 50 is fastened between the ends having the hooks or loops 52, 54, and more preferably fastened at about the middle of the strip 50. As seen in FIG. 13, the middle of the strip 50 could be sewn to the material between the outer periphery 12a of the material in top panel 12 and the spring loop frame 20 contained in edging 21 that in turn is fastened to either the stiffener material 28 or to the flexible material 29 enclosing the stiffening material of the top panel 12. For intermediate panels 16, the stiffener material 28 may optionally be omitted and the bottom of the compartment 22 may be formed by the flexible material. Advantageously, the hooks and loops 52, 54 face the container 10 when not connected, but they could face the opposite direction or they could face a direction tangential to the outer periphery of the container 10 and sidewalls 18. By having the hooks 52 face the container there is less chance that they hooks will snag on other clothing when not engaged with the loops 54.

Alternatively, the strip 50 could be fastened using glue, rivets, rings or other fastening mechanisms. The strip 50 could be fastened to the stiffener material in the panels 12, 14, 16 or to the sidewalls 18. The strip 50 could be similarly fastened to the bottom panel 14 or to intervening panels 16. More than one strip 50 is preferably fastened to each panel 12, 14, and 16. Preferably, one or more strips 50 are fastened to the top one or two panels 12, 16, but they could be fastened to the bottom panel 14 (FIG. 16).

In use (FIG. 14), a purse 58 with handle 60 placed so that the strip 50 can encircle one or both handles 60. The hook and loop portions 52, 54 are then fastened to form a loop encircling the handle(s) 60. The purse 58 is then released so the purse hangs from the coupled strip 50 and container 10. This allows the purse 50 to hang from the outside of the hanging container 10 for easy viewing and identification and for easy access.

FIG. 15 show a further connection of the strip 50 to the container 10. One end of the strip 50 is fastened to the outer periphery 12a, 14a, 16a of one of the panels 12, 14, 16, with a connection to intermediate panel 16 being illustrated. Preferably, the strip 50 has one end sewn to the portion of the panel 12, 14 or 16 just inward of the spring loop frame 20, adjacent the hook portion 52, with the loop portion 54 at the free end of the strip. The use is the same as described above, with the strip 50 encircling one or more portions of an item (such as the handles 60) and the hook and loop portions 52, 54 releasably engaging to hold the item, such as purse 58. Either end of the strip 50 could be fastened to the container 10. Preferably the strip 50 is fastened between the ends having the hooks or loops 52, 54, and more preferably fastened at about the middle of the strip 50.

FIG. 16 shows the releasable fastener 50 fastened by a rivet 56 to a bottom panel 14, with the rivet extending through the bottom stiffener 28 and bottom material 29. If the stiffener 28 is omitted, the rivet could pass through and fasten just to the flexible material 28. Instead of rivets, adhesives or other fasteners could be used.

There is thus provided a method and apparatus for releasably connecting a purse or other item to suspended containers. While the description is provided for purses and purse handles, the strip 50 can be used for other items, as by threading the strip through the buckle of a belt or encircling a looped belt or encircling the middle of a belt or encircling other handles or cords connected to items.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4, the container 10 may also optionally have one or more foldable shelves 70 fastened to the outer side of the container which shelves 70 are preferably suitable for holding items, including purses and belts. The shelves 70 preferably comprise a stiff base 71 and extend along a length of one of the sides or back of the container, preferably along a substantial length (over half) and more preferably along the entire length of the side or back. The shelves 70 have their inner side which adjacent the container 10 fastened to the container 10 so the shelves can fold toward and preferably fold against the walls 18, 19 of the container. The shelves 70 are preferable a few inches wide and as long as the side of the container 10. The shelves 70 have an inner side fastened to one of the walls 18, 19 so as to extend away from the outer surface of that wall and rotate toward and away from the outer surface. The shelf 70 has an outer side opposite the inner side.

One or more supports 72 fasten to the outer side of the shelves 70, the side away from container 10. The supports 72 preferably take the form of elastic members, preferably flat, elongated straps, but other strap configurations can be used. The supports 72 have one end fastened to the outer periphery of a shelf 70 and the other end fastened to the container above the shelf, and preferably fastened at or adjacent to the panel 16 or top 12 immediately above the shelf 70. Advantageously, the supports 72 comprise elastic straps having a first, shortened length that places the shelf 70 folded upwards adjacent to the side of the container 10. The elastic straps have a second, load-bearing length that places the shelves in a generally horizontal position, or a position parallel to the panel 16 or bottom 14 by which they are attached. Preferably there are at least two supports 72, each having a first end fastened at or adjacent to the outer side of the support 70 and a second end fastened to the container 10 at or adjacent to the panel perimeter located immediately above the shelf. As used herein, fastening a support 72 at or adjacent the panel perimeter refers to fastening the support between the wall 18, 19 and the outer periphery of the panel perimeter, or fastening the support 72 within about that same distance below the plane of that panel but measured along the vertical wall 18, 19. The second end of support 72 could be located further from the panel 12, 16 which is immediately above the shelf to which the support 72 is fastened, but that typically does not provide as sturdy a construction as fastening to the juncture of the walls 18, 19 and the panels 12, 16.

Referring to FIG. 17, one way of fastening a shelf 70 to the container is shown. The shelf 70 may have a thin material covering 74 (FIGS. 17-18) the ends of which are fastened to one of walls 18 (or 19) or fastened to the panels 14, 16. It will be appreciated that the Figures show separations between the parts for illustration whereas in use many of the depicted parts will abut each other. The depicted fastening uses sewing or stitches 76 which also fasten the edging 21 to the appropriate panel 14, 16. The stitches 76 fasten just inward of the peripheral edge of the panel 16, between the peripheral edge and the wall 18 (or 19) fastening means can be used, including rivets and adhesives. The depicted connection uses stitching through the flexible material forming the walls 18 (or 19), the edging 21 and the panels 16, and the connection can extend through any stiff material 28, 71 forming the shelf or panels. The inner edge of the shelf 70 (closest to the joining wall 18 or 19) is fastened to the container 10 in a way that allows the shelf 70 to fold from a generally horizontal position toward the adjacent vertical wall 18, 19 located above the shelf, preferably past 45 degrees to the horizontal, advantageously 80 degrees or more, and more preferably folded to abut the adjacent walls.

The supports 72 thus extend between the container 10 and the shelf 70, with FIG. 17 showing illustrative connections. Advantageously, one end of strap 72 (the lower end) is fastened to an outer periphery of the shelves 70, adjacent either the top of bottom edge of the shelf. Stitches 76 are shown forming the connection, but other fastening means can be used other than or in addition to stitches, including adhesives, rivets, snaps, buttons and other permanent and releasable fasteners. FIG. 17 shows the upper end of strap 76 fastened to the panel 16 (or 12), or to the wall 18 (or 19). For added strength the support 72 could be fastened to both the wall 18 (or 19) and panel 16 (or 12).

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, two supports 72 are shown as generally parallel, preferably vertical when the container is expanded. In FIGS. 10 and 12 the two supports 72 are crossed adjacent the middle of each support, forming an X arrangement. More than two supports 72 could be used, depending on the weight of the item to be held on shelf 70, although from two to four parallel supports are believed suitable for most containers. Other arrangements of the supports than parallel and X could be used, depending on the shape of item to be held on shelf 70.

The shelf 70 is stiff and provides a more solid support for items. The supports or straps 72 extend from the outer peripheral edge of one shelf 70 to the panel 16 (or 12) locate above, joining at or adjacent to the wall 18 (or 19). The straps 72 are inclined when the shelves 70 are empty, and if elastic or of adjustable length can cause the shelves to be inclined toward the adjacent walls 18, 19. When items are placed on the shelves 70, the straps 72 support the weight of the item with the shelf providing a bottom support. If the straps 72 are elastic they can expand to accommodate items having dimensions larger than the distance that the shelf extends away from the walls 18 (or 19) so the item held on a particular shelf 70 can be wider than the shelf is wide.

Instead of elastic members, the supports 72 could have a fixed length to support the shelves generally horizontal, and a shortening mechanism like a toggle (described later) to adjust the length for storage. Advantageously, the supports 72 do not allow the shelves to which they are attached extend much beyond the horizontal position and slant downward. If the support straps 70 are of adjustable length without being stretched, as by a cord lock or toggle lock 78 commonly used on pouches, the length can be adjusted to accommodate variable width and sized items while holding the shelf 70 horizontal or at a desired inclination relative to the horizontal or relative to the vertical walls 18, 19. Representative cord locks are as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,506,417, 4,453,292 and 6,672,237, the complete contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Referring to FIG. 19, the cord lock 78 has a body through which two cords (supports 72) pass and a locking member is urged against at least one and preferably both of the cords to lock movement of the cord(s) when the locking member is moved into a locking position. Usually, a resilient member such as a coil spring urges the locking member into an open, unlocked position, or into a locked position. The supports 78 comprise the cords passing through the cord lock 78.

The cord lock 78 used with supports 72 in the form of suitable cords or flexible elongated members has the advantage of possibly providing more support to the shelf 70, but has the disadvantage of requiring manual adjustment of the length of the support 78 which can affect the size of item held by the support 72 and the orientation of the shelf 70. The use of elastic supports 72 of fixed length makes adjustment easier, but the elastic strength limits the support that can be provided to shelf 70, and the stretch of the elastic support affects the size of item around which a support 72 can be stretched to hold it to the shelf 70 on container 10. The orientation of the shelf 70 relative to the horizontal or to the walls 18, 19 is also not as adjustable if the items placed on the shelf 70 are heavy. A cord lock 78 using elastic bungee cords as supports 72 provides an elastic support of variable length, while the cord lock 78 provides additional length adjustment.

In use, the container 10 is expanded by pulling up on the top panel 12, preferably by lifting hook 30. The shelves 70 will fall downward and outward away from the sides 18, 19, depending on the length and elasticity of supports 72. Items can be placed on the shelves in various ways, as the ends and sides of the shelf 70 are generally open and access limited only by the supports 70. Thus, items can be placed on shelves 70 through either open end, or along a length of the shelf and between the straps 72. As needed, one or more straps 72 can be stretched to fit around an item and resiliently urge the item against container 10, shelf 70 and wall 18 or 19, or one or more straps 72 can have its length lengthened to place an item on the shelf 70 after which the length is adjusted to urge the item against the shelf and wall 18 or 19, and optionally to adjust the inclination of shelf 70. Using a cord lock 78 with elastic supports 72 allows both combinations of features to be used. An item can be removed through any opening not blocked by the support(s) 72, or by loosening any applicable toggle 78 that restrains removal. The supports 72 are thus preferably elongated members much longer than they are wide so as to provide large openings into which the items can be inserted.

The loops 50 can be fastened between the supports 72, or fastened with the same means (such as stitches 76) fastening the supports 72 to the container 10. The shelf 70 thus provides a means for readily holding things on the outside of the container 10 and its walls 18, 19, and provides a means for supporting such items vertically to restrain movement along a length of the container 10 on the outside of the walls 18, 19. The shelf 70 is stiff, preferably at least 100 times stiffer than the panels 16 formed by the tension loop frame. Stiffeners or bases 71 made of MDS, wood or plastic are believed suitable, with thicknesses of about 0.1 to 0.3 inches, or possibly thicker, depending on the size of shelf 70 and the items which it is designed to hold on the shelves. Having stiffer shelves 70 provides a more stable support for items placed on the shelf, and the ability to incline the shelf 70 may also be of use, as it allows gravity to urge an item toward the wall 18, 19 to which the shelf is hinged. Yet the hinged shelves 70 can be folded against the walls 18, 19 to reduce space, and may be folded against panels 12, 16 for storage in a collapsed configuration.

Referring to FIGS. 2-4 and 10-13, the back side or wall 19 can have one or more pockets 80 fastened between adjacent panels 12 and 16, 16 and 16, or 16 and 14. The pockets 80 are comprised of a sheet of material 82 with at least two opposing edges fastened to the wall 19 (or 18) adjacent panel 12, 14, or 16. The upper and lower sides may fasten to the wall 19 along the entire length of the pocket or pouch 80 so that items can be inserted at opposing vertical sides of the pocket. Alternatively, the bottom and two vertical sides of the pocket 80 may be fastened to the wall 19 with the top side left open to access the interior of the pocket. The material 82 may be a mesh with plural small openings for ventilation or viewing, or it may be a substantially continuous sheet of material with no openings visible to the unaided eye. The pockets 80 limit the size of the items held in the pockets both by the need to fit the item through the opening to the pocket 80, and the need for the pocket to be strong enough to hold it. If the item placed in a pocket 80 is heavy, the pocket will sag downward with gravity, and that may affect the use of the pocket or pockets below.

The pockets 80 and shelves 70 may be placed along an entire length of one side of container 10 as shown in the figures, or the shelves may be placed only between selected ones of panels 12, 14 and 16. or the shelves 70 may be intermixed with pockets 80. Likewise, the loops 50 may be placed along the same corners or sides of each of the panels 12, 14, 16, along each of selected sides 18 or back 19, or placed only on selected ones of panels 12, 14 and 16. The loops 50 may be placed on an open side of a pocket 30 to further secure an item in the pocket, especially if the loop 50 supports a portion of the item's weight with the pocket 80 supporting the rest of the weight.

For additional security, an item placed on shelf 70 and held by one or more supports 72, could be further fastened to loop 50 if the item had an elongated member or opening located to be held by loop 50. Thus, for example, a purse 58 could rest on shelf 70, with loop 50 holding the purse handle.

There is thus advantageously provided a collapsible, suspended container 10 having interior compartments, with one or more hinged, extendable shelves 70 on the outer or exterior sides 18, 19 of the container, with one or more pockets on the outer sides 18, 19, with loops to hold elongated items or to pass through openings on items to connect them to the container 10. The pockets 80 are of flexible material that typically conform to or flex around the shape of the item placed in the pockets 80. The pockets 80 transfer the weight of the item to the edges of the pocket fastened to the walls 18, 19 and transfer that weight through the material forming the pocket 80. The shelves 70 provide a flat, stiffer surface for supporting items, especially compared to the flexible bottom of pocket 80 or of panels 14, 16 having tension loop frames. The shelves 70 The shelves 70 transfer the supported weight of the item through the shelf to the hinged edge of the shelf 70 fastened to wall 18 or 19, and also transfer weight through the inclined supports 72 to the location at which the supports fasten to walls 18, 19 or panels 12, 16. The supports 72 provide more access to the items on shelves 70 compared to the pockets 80. The ability to incline the shelf 70 by varying the length or elastic strength of supports 72 also offers advantages over the pocket 80. The loops 50 provide additional security for holding items to the outside of container 10, and transfer the weight of the item to the connection of the wall 18, 19 or panel 12, 14, 16 to which the loop is fastened. The loops 50 are usually smaller in size than the pockets 30 and shelves 72 and thus do not typically carry as much weight, and the loops require items which the loop can encircle entirely, or a portion located so the loop can encircle that portion—as by passing through a hole in the item. Each holding mechanism whether a loop 50, pocket 80 or hinged shelf 70 has advantages, and together they provide multiple ways to hold various items to the outside of the container 10.

The walls 18, 19 are sufficiently flexible that the walls can collapse to place panels 12, 14, 16 on adjacent each other with the intermediate panels(s) 16 abutting the panel above and below it

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, including various ways of fastening the strip 50 to the container 10. Likewise, while hook and loop fasteners are preferred, other releasable connectors could be used, including buttons, snaps, and magnetic fasteners shaped like snaps but using magnetic retention instead of friction retention, and tying. Likewise, the various described ways of fastening straps 50, shelves 70 and pockets 80 to the container 10 can be used on each of those parts. Furthermore, the various features of this invention 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 invention is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments but is to be defined by the following claims when read in the broadest reasonable manner to preserve the validity of the claims.

Claims

1. A collapsible container assembly, comprising: a first stiff top panel defining a top panel perimeter and having a fastener adapted to releasably fasten to a closet pole;a second bottom panel axially aligned with and disposed in spaced relation to the top panel, the bottom panel defining a bottom panel perimeter,flexible walls connecting the top and bottom panels adjacent the panel perimeters, the walls defining at least one opening to an interior space defined by the walls and first panels;at least one strip of material fastened to the container adjacent one of the panel perimeters, the strip of material having a hook portion and a loop portion spaced apart on the strip of material a distance sufficient to form a loop large enough to encircle a purse strap during use when the hook and loop portions engage.

2. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1, further comprising: at least one intermediate panel axially aligned with and disposed between and in spaced relation to the first top panel and the first bottom panel and having an intermediate panel perimeter connected to the walls.

3. The collapsible container assembly of claim 2, further comprising at least one hinged stiff shelf having an inner side fastened to one of the walls so as to extend away from the outer surface and rotate toward and away from the outer surface, the shelf having a outer side opposite the first inner side, at least one two supports each having a first end fastened at or adjacent to the outer side of the support and a second end fastened to the container at or adjacent to the panel perimeter located immediately above the shelf.

4. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1, further comprising a spring loop frame encircling at least one of the panels at the perimeter of the at least one panel.

5. The collapsible container assembly of claim 1, further comprising: a spring loop frame encircling at least one of the panels at the perimeter of the at least one panel; andwherein the stiff top panel comprises a stiffener having an outer periphery spaced apart from the spring loop frame, with the at least one strip of material being fastened to the container between the spring loop frame and the outer periphery of the stiffener.

6. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the strip of material is fastened to the container between the hook and loop portions.

7. The collapsible container of claim 1, wherein the strip of material is fastened to the container between the hook portion and the nearest end of the strip of material.

8. The collapsible container of claim 3, wherein there are a plurality of strips of material fastened to a plurality of panels.

9. The collapsible container of claim 5, wherein there are a plurality of strips of material fastened to the container between the stiffener and the spring loop frame.

10. The collapsible container of claim 9, further comprising: at least one intermediate panel axially aligned with and disposed between and in spaced relation to the first top panel and the first bottom panel and having an intermediate panel perimeter connected to the walls; andat least one strip of material fastened to the container adjacent the intermediate panel perimeter.

11. The collapsible container of claim 10, wherein the at least one strip of material is sewn to the container.

12. A collapsible container assembly, comprising: a first stiff top panel defining a top panel perimeter and having a fastener adapted to releasably fasten to a closet pole;a second bottom panel axially aligned with and disposed in spaced relation to the top panel, the bottom panel defining a bottom panel perimeter,at least one intermediate panel axially aligned with and disposed between and in spaced relation to the first top panel and the first bottom panel and having an intermediate panel perimeter connected to the walls;flexible walls connecting the top and bottom and intermediate panels adjacent the panel perimeters, the walls defining at least one opening to an interior space defined by the walls and first panels;at least one strip of material fastened to the container adjacent one of the panel perimeters, the strip of material having a fastener with first and second releasably engaging parts which are spaced apart on the strip of material a distance sufficient to form a loop large enough to encircle a purse strap during use when the first and second parts releasably engage.

13. The collapsible container assembly of claim 12, further comprising at least one hinged shelf having an inner side fastened to one of the walls so as to extend away from the outer surface and rotate toward and away from the outer surface, the shelf having a outer side opposite the first inner side, at least one two supports each having a first end fastened at or adjacent to the outer side of the support and a second end fastened to the container at or adjacent to the panel perimeter located immediately above the shelf.

14. The collapsible container assembly of claim 13, wherein the strip is sewn to the container adjacent one end of the strip.

15. The collapsible container assembly of claim 13, wherein the strip is fastened to the container adjacent a middle of the strip.

16. The collapsible container assembly of claim 13, wherein the first and second releasable parts comprise a hook fastener and a loop fastener.

17. A collapsible container assembly, comprising: a first top panel defining a top panel perimeter and having a fastener adapted to releasably fasten to a closet pole;a second bottom panel axially aligned with and disposed in spaced relation to the top panel, the bottom panel defining a bottom panel perimeter,flexible walls connecting the top and bottom panels adjacent the panel perimeters, the walls defining at least one opening to an interior space defined by the walls and first panels, the walls having an outer surface;at least one intermediate panel axially aligned with and disposed between and in spaced relation to the first top panel and the first bottom panel and having an intermediate panel perimeter connected to the walls, the walls being sufficiently flexible that the walls can collapse to place the panels adjacent to the panel above and below each other;at least one hinged shelf having an inner side fastened to one of the walls so as to extend away from the outer surface and rotate toward and away from the outer surface, the shelf having a outer side opposite the first inner side, at least one two supports each having a first end fastened at or adjacent to the outer side of the support and a second end fastened to the container at or adjacent to the panel perimeter located immediately above the shelf.

18. The collapsible container assembly of claim 15, further comprising: a strip of material fastened to the container at or adjacent to one of the perimeters; at least one strip of material fastened to the container adjacent one of the panel perimeters, the strip of material having a fastener with first and second releasably engaging parts which are spaced apart on the strip of material a distance sufficient to form a loop large enough to encircle a purse strap during use when the first and second parts releasably engage.

19. The collapsible container assembly of claim 15, further wherein the shelf has a stiffener therein along at least a substantial portion of the shelf.

20. The collapsible container assembly of claim 15, wherein the supports are parallel.

21. The collapsible container assembly of claim 15, wherein a plurality of the supports are elastic.

22. The collapsible container assembly of claim 15, wherein a plurality of the supports have a manually adjustable length.

23. The collapsible container assembly of claim 15, further wherein the shelf has a stiff bottom, and wherein a plurality of the supports are elastic and have a manually adjustable length.

24. The collapsible container assembly of claim 21, further comprising at least one pocket fastened to the outer surface and located between adjacent panel perimeters.

25. The collapsible container assembly of claim 15, wherein the container has four sides with and a plurality of shelves each located between the panel perimeters along at least two opposing sides, with a plurality of openings each located between the panel perimeters along the third side.

26. The collapsible container assembly of claim 23, wherein the container has a plurality of pockets having four sides, with each pocket located between the panel perimeters along the fourth side and fastened to the outer surface of the container.

27. The collapsible container assembly of claim 23, wherein the container has a plurality of strips of material fastened to the container at or adjacent to one of the panel perimeters; the strip of material having a fastener with first and second releasably engaging parts which are spaced apart on the strip of material a distance sufficient to form a loop large enough to encircle a purse strap during use when the first and second parts releasably engage.