Children love to play with their toys, but they don't like to clean them up. Children also like to take their toys on the go. What is needed is a simple solution to play, clean-up and on the go fun.
According to certain embodiments, an apparatus convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration includes a generally circular lid having zipper teeth arranged about a periphery of the lid, a generally circular base having zipper teeth arranged about a periphery of the base, and at least one zipper pull. The apparatus further includes a wall. The wall has zipper teeth arranged to mate with corresponding ones of the zipper teeth of the lid and the zipper teeth of the base such that when the lid and the base are zippered to the wall via the at least one zipper pull in the first configuration, the apparatus has a generally cylindrical shape. The lid and the base may be unzippered from the wall such that the apparatus can lie substantially flat in the second configuration.
According to certain embodiments, an apparatus convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration includes, a base portion, at least two side portions connected to the base portion, a lid flap portion connected to the base adjacent the at least two side portions, and at least two zipper pulls. Each of the two sides have first zipper teeth and the lid flap portion has second zipper teeth. The two zipper pulls are configured to zip and unzip the lid flap portion to and from the at least two side portions such that when the lid flap portion is substantially zippered to the at least two sides, the apparatus is in the first configuration. The first zipper teeth follow a generally curved path comprising a first positively oriented curved path portion and a second negatively oriented curved path portion.
According to certain embodiments, an apparatus convertible between at least a storage container in a first configuration and an activity mat in a second configuration includes, a generally circular lid having zipper teeth arranged about a periphery of the lid, a generally circular base having zipper teeth arranged about a periphery of the base, a generally rectangular wall having zipper teeth arranged about a periphery of the wall, and a zipper pull. The zipper pull is configured to releasably secure the zipper teeth of the base with the corresponding zipper teeth of the wall. The zipper pull is further configured to releasably secure a portion of the zipper teeth of the wall along a first side of the wall with a corresponding portion of zipper teeth of the wall along a second opposing side of the wall. The zipper pull is further configured to releasably secure the zipper teeth of the lid with the corresponding zipper teeth of the wall such that when the lid and the base are zippered to the wall, the apparatus is in the first configuration having a generally cylindrical shape. The lid and the base may be unzippered from the wall such that the apparatus can lie substantially flat in the second configuration.
Aspects of the invention include a storage container that unzips into an activity mat. When the container is zipped up, it becomes a storage container for capturing items back into the storage container.
The foregoing and additional aspects of the present invention will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the detailed description of various embodiments, which is made with reference to the drawings, a brief description of which is provided next.
The foregoing and other advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description and upon reference to the drawings.
While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have been shown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detail herein. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not intended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, the invention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
When children travel with their toys, they often lose them or do not have a place to play with their toys at their destination. An innovative convertible toy container that unzips and converts to an activity mat (e.g. play mat) provides children with both a way to carry their toys and a place to play. Decorating this convertible container (e.g. storage container) in the theme of toys (e.g., car, model runway, automobile themes, truck, race track) makes the container even more attractive and fun for the children. Cleaning up toys is also inconvenient and causes unwanted discussions between caregivers and children. To this end, the activity mat can be zipped up into the container and collect the toys in the process, thereby eliminating the need for these discussions. The container can take the shape of, for example, a circular box, a square box, a rectangular box, a car, a truck, a log, a car wheel, etc. It is contemplated that the convertible container can be formed in various other shapes in accordance with the present disclosure. The container can be made of any material including, but not limited to, cotton, canvas, hemp, nylon, polyester, or similar materials or combinations thereof. The inner stiffening material that provides rigidity to the structures of the container can be made of any sturdy or semi-rigid material such as cardboard, paperboard, plastic, foam, PVC, or other material known in the art. Optional padding may further line the interior of the container, and may include material composed of foam, wadding, or other materials known in the art.
The decoration of the inside and the outside of the activity mat can be by embroidery, sewing on fabric accessories. The decoration can also be made with silk screening, rotogravure, heat transfer, painting or other methods of decoration known in the art.
Referring to
The wall 130 has a generally rectangular shape having two opposing longer edges 133 and two opposing shorter edges 135. The convertible container 100 is shown as a generally cylindrical shape; however, it is contemplated that in certain embodiments a convertible container can be of a variety of shapes including, but not limited to, a circular box, a square box, a rectangular box, a car, a truck, a car wheel, etc.
Referring to
Referring to
In certain embodiments, the convertible container of
Referring to
Referring back to
According to certain embodiments, one of the two opposing shorter edges 135 of the wall 130 substantially overlaps the other opposing shorter edge 135 of the wall 130. The wall 130 can also include hook fasteners 139 near one of the two opposing shorter edges 135 of the wall 130 and loop fasteners on the other opposing shorter edge 135 of the wall 130. The hook and look fasteners (e.g. VELCRO®) are removably attachable to one another. When the two zipper pulls 140a,b urge the activity mat into the convertible container 100 configuration, the one of the two opposing shorter edges 135 containing the loop fasteners 139 is also urged to overlap the other opposing shorter edge 135 containing the hook fasteners 139, thereby removably attaching the wall 130 to itself Note that the length of the wall 130 is at least equal to the circumference of the lid 110. To allow for the overlapping attachment mechanisms, such as the hook and loop fasteners, the length of the wall 130 is longer than the circumference of the lid 110. The lid 110 and the base 120 have substantially the same dimensions such that when the convertible container 100 is in a folded configuration (as shown in
According to certain embodiments, the convertible container 100 can also include a handle 116, as shown in
According to certain embodiments a convertible container includes a lid, a base, a wall, and at least one zipper. Note that the lid, base, and wall may be formed of an integral piece of material, and the designations simply refer to those portions of the material that correspond to a lid, a base, and a wall. Alternately, any combination of the lid, base, and wall may be separate pieces attached together by, for example, stitching, glue, or other techniques well known in the art. When the convertible container is in the zippered-up, folded configuration (such as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The convertible container 600 also includes two baffles 660, shown in
The convertible container 600 includes a closure flap portion 670. The closure flap portion 670 is similar to the overlapping described above in relation to the convertible container 100. The closure flap portion 670 is adapted to mate with an exterior portion of the base portion 610 to close the top of the convertible container 600 when in the storage container configuration. The closure flap portion 670 is helpful to prevent items stored within the container 600 from falling out during transport. It is contemplated that the closure flap portion 670 may be detachably sealed by a hook and loop fasteners 639, as shown in
The convertible container 600 can optionally include one or more shoulder straps 680. The straps 680 make it easier for a person to wear the convertible container in the storage container configuration as a back pack. The straps 680 are connected to an exterior portion of the base portion 610. The straps 680 can be made of any material including, but not limited to, cotton, canvas, hemp, nylon, polyester, or similar materials or combinations thereof.
The convertible container 600 can include a raised track 638 for playing with toy cars, as shown in
The convertible container 600, may also be called a back pack convertible into an activity mat, can take various shapes. This includes the general shape of the car, as shown in
a shows the a top view of the activity mat configuration that is the inside surface of the fully unzipped and open convertible container 600. The zipper pulls 640 cannot be seen as they are tucked under the baffles 660. The fold lines 720 are shown in their various positions on the activity mat. Tracks 638 for racing toy cars can be seen on the surface of the activity mat. The tracks 638 and the jump 707 enhance the fun and functionality of this activity mat, which is themed as a race track. Connectors 705 allow these tracks to be connected to other tracks or other activity mats to extend the racing experience. The hook and loop fastener 639 is shown on the inside surface of the activity mat and the mating part of the hook and loop fastener 639 is on the opposite end and on the outside of the base portion 610. The track edges can be made of a raised plastic flap, fabric ridge, piping, or a padded bead of fabric or other method known in the art.
While particular embodiments and applications of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the precise construction and compositions disclosed herein and that various modifications, changes, and variations can be apparent from the foregoing descriptions without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 12/026,550, filed Feb. 5, 2008, now allowed, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/997,902, filed Oct. 5, 2007, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/967,573, filed Sep. 5, 2007, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety entireties. This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/263,424, titled “Multipurpose Storage Device and Method,” filed Oct. 31, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
170991 | Conover | Dec 1875 | A |
841902 | Shumard | Jan 1907 | A |
1269276 | Harris | Jun 1918 | A |
1365831 | Hyatt | Jan 1921 | A |
1467690 | Schwarz | Sep 1923 | A |
1985111 | Shofer et al. | Dec 1934 | A |
2085038 | Perreton | Jun 1937 | A |
2105953 | Quellette | Jan 1938 | A |
2254578 | O'Brien | Sep 1941 | A |
2479203 | Brown | Aug 1949 | A |
2636313 | Shank | Apr 1953 | A |
2669641 | Becker | Feb 1954 | A |
2768719 | Samuel | Oct 1956 | A |
2831624 | Lever | Apr 1958 | A |
3044211 | Palm | Jul 1962 | A |
3097782 | Koropatkin et al. | Jul 1963 | A |
3262283 | Taylor | Jul 1966 | A |
3295643 | Peterson | Jan 1967 | A |
3375008 | Atkinson | Mar 1968 | A |
3542569 | Farquhar | Nov 1970 | A |
3627541 | Farquhar | Dec 1971 | A |
3747832 | Chapman | Jul 1973 | A |
3777862 | Zipper | Dec 1973 | A |
3976113 | Kim | Aug 1976 | A |
D242658 | Genaro et al. | Dec 1976 | S |
4019675 | Andersson et al. | Apr 1977 | A |
4091852 | Jordan et al. | May 1978 | A |
4126213 | McDonald | Nov 1978 | A |
4199097 | Christenson | Apr 1980 | A |
4206868 | Stephens | Jun 1980 | A |
4306658 | Montealergre | Dec 1981 | A |
4340169 | Webinger | Jul 1982 | A |
4375111 | Hall | Mar 1983 | A |
4451001 | Webinger | May 1984 | A |
4489815 | Martinez | Dec 1984 | A |
4661195 | Hopson | Apr 1987 | A |
4681195 | Trahan et al. | Jul 1987 | A |
4712673 | Moore | Dec 1987 | A |
4738545 | Westgor | Apr 1988 | A |
4765533 | Hoshiko et al. | Aug 1988 | A |
4791883 | Lehman et al. | Dec 1988 | A |
4930680 | Hanus | Jun 1990 | A |
4984906 | Little | Jan 1991 | A |
5016813 | Simons | May 1991 | A |
5033668 | Cohen et al. | Jul 1991 | A |
5035013 | Bloom | Jul 1991 | A |
5088139 | Bloom | Feb 1992 | A |
5100151 | Lyon et al. | Mar 1992 | A |
D326560 | Schanzer | Jun 1992 | S |
5136738 | Denson | Aug 1992 | A |
5207376 | Cohen et al. | May 1993 | A |
5251460 | DeMarco et al. | Oct 1993 | A |
5255841 | Ritter | Oct 1993 | A |
5294040 | Cohen et al. | Mar 1994 | A |
5332093 | Littlepage | Jul 1994 | A |
5370460 | Nelson | Dec 1994 | A |
D361890 | Littlepage | Sep 1995 | S |
5584422 | Bond-Madsen | Dec 1996 | A |
5630543 | Dugan | May 1997 | A |
5788350 | Fladung | Aug 1998 | A |
5853121 | Francisco | Dec 1998 | A |
5904230 | Peterson | May 1999 | A |
6048249 | Vandenberg | Apr 2000 | A |
6050483 | Haraldsson et al. | Apr 2000 | A |
6053634 | Kay | Apr 2000 | A |
6059179 | Giampapa | May 2000 | A |
6079616 | Chinks et al. | Jun 2000 | A |
6146238 | Daiber | Nov 2000 | A |
D435342 | Mogil | Dec 2000 | S |
D435968 | Mogil | Jan 2001 | S |
D436442 | Mogil | Jan 2001 | S |
6203017 | Schultz | Mar 2001 | B1 |
6247328 | Mogil | Jun 2001 | B1 |
6296094 | Knecht | Oct 2001 | B1 |
6523989 | Carty | Feb 2003 | B2 |
6572436 | So | Jun 2003 | B1 |
6604618 | Godshaw et al. | Aug 2003 | B1 |
6663459 | Ostolaza | Dec 2003 | B2 |
6676010 | Roseth et al. | Jan 2004 | B1 |
6736309 | Westerman et al. | May 2004 | B1 |
D493618 | DeCarlo et al. | Aug 2004 | S |
D494758 | DeCarlo et al. | Aug 2004 | S |
D500205 | DeCarlo et al. | Dec 2004 | S |
D510189 | Greiner | Oct 2005 | S |
D518637 | DeCarlo et al. | Apr 2006 | S |
7044277 | Redzisz | May 2006 | B2 |
7134535 | Horvat | Nov 2006 | B1 |
7143932 | Wang | Dec 2006 | B2 |
7153025 | Jackson et al. | Dec 2006 | B1 |
7188713 | Espar et al. | Mar 2007 | B1 |
7207426 | Godshaw et al. | Apr 2007 | B2 |
7278539 | Souza | Oct 2007 | B2 |
7328780 | Hawthorne | Feb 2008 | B2 |
D619310 | Faulkner | Jul 2010 | S |
8079451 | Rothschild et al. | Dec 2011 | B2 |
20020074199 | Albritton | Jun 2002 | A1 |
20030042160 | Godshaw et al. | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030057044 | Hunter | Mar 2003 | A1 |
20030173171 | Humiston, Jr. | Sep 2003 | A1 |
20030221924 | Tong | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20030221978 | Redzisz | Dec 2003 | A1 |
20040050638 | Rodrigue et al. | Mar 2004 | A1 |
20050016808 | Sapyta | Jan 2005 | A1 |
20050034948 | Tiramani | Feb 2005 | A1 |
20050051404 | Chi | Mar 2005 | A1 |
20050183446 | Fuchs | Aug 2005 | A1 |
20050224304 | Bhavnani | Oct 2005 | A1 |
20060118376 | Godshaw et al. | Jun 2006 | A1 |
20060169691 | Rothschild et al. | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060177154 | Morrissey | Aug 2006 | A1 |
20060266603 | Godshaw et al. | Nov 2006 | A1 |
20070074941 | Liang | Apr 2007 | A1 |
20090127045 | Williams et al. | May 2009 | A1 |
20090145711 | Panosian et al. | Jun 2009 | A1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
2 368 631 | May 2002 | GB |
3 041693 | Sep 1997 | JP |
Entry |
---|
European Search Report, European Application 08795711, dated Jun. 29, 2011, 9 pages. |
Foldable Storage Box Small Grey at dwell. Downloaded Jun. 22, 2007 at http://dwell.co.uk/product.php?prod=102584. |
Information brochure from Homegrown Kids—Activity Cooler www.toydirectory.com/monthly/toyfairpreview/Homegrown/index.asp; 1 page. |
Information brochure from Homegrown Kids—Toy Taco www.toydirectory.com/monthly/toyfairpreview/Homegrown/index.asp; 1 page. |
Information brochure from Parents of Innovation—Romp'n Run www.parentsofinvention.com/home.html; 1 page. |
Information brochure from Venio Valet Tray—Valet Tray http://www.worldlux.com.gci/?field0=Valet%20Tray&dept=LEATH&collect; 1 page. |
International Search Report corresponding to co-pending International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2008//010272, European Patent Office, dated Dec. 9, 2008, 2 pages. |
Photo image from Parentsoup—Manicure Lap Desk www.parentsoup.com/specialevents/holiday2004/photo/0..654798.655903.00.html; 1 page. |
Photographs of packaging and product—Marshmallow—Create-A-Room—School Bus Autobus; (Apr. 2005); 9 pages. |
Photographs of packaging and product—Worlds Apart—Ready Room™ Collection—Pack & Playmates Truck; (Apr. 2005); 8 pages. |
Photographs of packaging and product—Worlds Apart—Ready Room™ Collection—Pack & Playmates Cottage; (Apr. 2005); 18 pages. |
Photographs of packaging and product—Worlds Apart—Ready Room™ Fold-away soft storage—Pack & Playmates Fire Truck; (Apr. 2005); 11 pages. |
Product Information Sheet for Clink-Proof 6-Pack Wetsuit: Flat Lunch Pack Tote; Herrington Catalog.com, “Wetsuit for 6-Packs Gives You a Clink-Proof Way to BYOB!” 2 pages (printed from the Internet on Dec. 6, 2005). |
Toys Et Cetera Fall 2005 Catalog Description of a Play Mat (printed from the Internet on Oct. 4, 2005); 1 page. |
Written Opinion corresponding to co-pending International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2008/010272, European Patent Office, dated Dec. 9, 2008, 6 pages. |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20120006701 A1 | Jan 2012 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
60997902 | Oct 2007 | US | |
60967573 | Sep 2007 | US |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
Parent | 12026550 | Feb 2008 | US |
Child | 13237224 | US |