FIELD OF THE INVENTION
Disclosed are embodiments of the invention that relate to, among other things, a container for storing objects with multiple flaps and/or multiple flaps having dynamic storage capacity.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An exemplary storage container may comprise a carrier containing at least one wall bounded by a floor and an attachment rim, wherein at least one pocket is disposed within the at least one wall. An exemplary storage container may further comprise a carrier flap coupled to the carrier and comprising an attachment rim configured to couple to the attachment rim of the carrier and a carrier pocket dispose on the carrier flap.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may further comprise a secondary flap coupled to the carrier flap, wherein the secondary flap is configured to couple to at least the carrier.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the secondary flap is configured to couple to the carrier and the carrier flap.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may further comprise a plurality of pockets disposed within the wall of the carrier.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the carrier pocket is translucent.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the carrier pocket is configured to close contents stored there within.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may further comprise at least one outer pocket disposed on a surface opposite the at least one pocket disposed within the at least one wall.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the secondary flap is configured to couple to the carrier and cover the at least one outer pocket.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the carrier flap is configured to attach to the carrier while the secondary flap is uncoupled to the carrier.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may further comprise at least one strap and at least one belt.
Another exemplary storage container may comprise a carrier containing at least one wall bounded by a floor and an attachment rim, wherein at least one pocket is disposed within the at least one wall. In this exemplary embodiment, the exemplary storage container may further comprise a carrier flap coupled to the carrier and comprising an attachment rim configured to couple to the attachment rim of the carrier. Such an exemplary storage container may further comprise a carrier pocket dispose on the carrier flap and a secondary flap coupled to the carrier flap. In this way, the secondary flap may be configured to couple to at least the carrier.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the secondary flap is configured to couple to the carrier and the carrier flap.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may further comprise a plurality of pockets disposed within the wall of the carrier.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the carrier pocket is translucent.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the carrier pocket is configured to close contents stored there within.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may further comprise at least one outer pocket disposed on a surface opposite the at least one pocket disposed within the at least one wall.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the secondary flap is configured to couple to the carrier and cover the at least one outer pocket.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the carrier flap is configured to attach to the carrier while the secondary flap is uncoupled to the carrier.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may further comprise at least one strap and at least one belt.
In addition to the previously described embodiment and/or as an alternative to any other previously described embodiments, the storage container may be further configured such that the at least one pocket of the carrier is elastic, removable, or both.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary topographical view of an inventive storage device according to a first embodiment in an open configuration.
FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary topographical view of an inventive storage device according to a first embodiment in a closed configuration.
FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary front isometric view of an inventive storage device according to a first embodiment in another closed configuration.
FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary front isometric view of an inventive storage device according to a first embodiment in an open configuration.
FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary topographical view of an inventive storage device according to a first embodiment in another open configuration.
FIG. 6A illustrates an exemplary side isometric view of an inventive storage device according to a second embodiment in an open configuration.
FIG. 6B illustrates an exemplary side isometric view of an inventive storage device according to a second embodiment in a closed configuration.
FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary front isometric view of an inventive storage device according to a second embodiment in another open configuration.
FIG. 8A illustrates an exemplary side isometric view of an inventive storage device according to a second embodiment in an open configuration.
FIG. 8B illustrates an exemplary sectioned version of the side isometric view of FIG. 8A.
FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary rear isometric view of an inventive storage device according to a second embodiment.
FIG. 10A illustrates an exemplary top plan view of an inventive storage device according to a third embodiment in an open configuration.
FIG. 10B illustrates an exemplary rear view of an inventive storage device according to a third embodiment in another open configuration.
FIG. 10C illustrates an exemplary front view of an inventive storage device according to a third embodiment in another open configuration.
FIG. 10D illustrates an exemplary side view of an inventive storage device according to a third embodiment in a closed configuration.
FIG. 10E illustrates an exemplary front view of an inventive storage device according to a third embodiment in a first open configuration.
FIG. 10F illustrates an exemplary front view of an inventive storage device according to a third embodiment in a second open configuration.
FIG. 10G illustrates an exemplary front view of an inventive storage device according to a third embodiment in a first closed configuration.
FIG. 10H illustrates an exemplary front isometric view of an inventive storage device according to a third embodiment in a second closed configuration.
In the drawings like characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in the different figures. The drawing figures, elements and other depictions should be understood as being interchangeable and may be combined in any like manner in accordance with the disclosures and objectives recited herein.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, an exemplary storage container 100 may comprise three sections: a primary carrier 10, a carrier flap 20, and a secondary flap 30. An exemplary primary carrier 10 may have at least one wall 1 and a floor 1f coupled to the at least one wall 1 to establish a compartment for holding an object. Adjacent wall 1 may be a dynamic pocket 2 having a floor 2f and a pocket 3 having a floor 3f. In an exemplary embodiment, floors 1f, 2f, and/or 3f may be the same as one another, different from one another, or shared as between two or more of the other. Furthermore, in an exemplary embodiment, any number of pockets 2/3 may be found within the wall 1 of an exemplary carrier 10. In an exemplary dynamic pocket 2, the pocket 2 walls may expand, contract, or otherwise hold multivarious shapes to hold objects placed therein. In another exemplary embodiment, pocket 2 may have an expansion capability that can overlap with and/or interact with pocket 3 of carrier 10. For example, while pocket 3 may hold one object, pocket 2 may be dynamic in that it can hold another object and navigate the pocket 3 so it does not interfere with pocket 3's holding capabilities. In other words, pocket 3 and pocket 2 may be able to hold numerous objects without interfering with the carrying capacity of the other. Affixed to each carrier 10 may be one or more arms 4 configured to attach an array of articles, such as straps 41, belts 42, and other articles known to those skilled in the art (e.g., cantilevers, locks, key chains, hangers, or any other object that might be configured to attach to such a carrier 10. An exemplary carrier 10 may also have an exterior wall 6 that is continuous and/or coupled to floor 1f and terminates in an exemplary attachment rim 7, which my comprise means such as buttons, zippers, magnets, latches, snaps, buttons, Velcro®, adhesives, and other attachment mechanisms known to those skilled in the art.
According to an exemplary embodiment, an exemplary carrier 10 may be able to be worn as a backpack using belts 42 or be held like a briefcase using strap 41. Alternatively, an exemplary carrier 10 may be held about the shoulder of a user using a belt 42 coupled to arms 4 of the carrier 10. Consequently, an exemplary carrier 10 may provide a number of alternative ways to be held and carried to increase use and comfort of the storage container 100.
As may be seen with particular reference to FIGS. 2-3, an exemplary carrier 10 may receive one or both of the carrier flap 20 and/or secondary flap 30 about its outer surface 6 and/or its attachment rim 7. It is contemplated that in such an exemplary illustrative embodiment, an exemplary container 100 may increase the degrees of coupling between the various flaps 20/30 and the container 10 and increase safety in retaining the objects held therein while simultaneously centralizing the mass of the objects carried within the container 100 to be located closer to the container 100 center of gravity, which increases the ability to handle and control the container 100 while in use. Another advantage to such an arrangement may be the separately controllable closure of the various pockets of carrier 10, such as, using carrier flap 20 to close off pockets 2 and 3 while using secondary flap 30 to close off pocket 5. Accordingly, a user may both secure the contents in closer pockets (e.g., pocket 5) while leaving them relatively close in proximity to obtain the same when needed.
With continued reference to the illustrative embodiment of a container 100 according to FIGS. 1-5, an exemplary container 100 may have additional pocket 5 extending outwardly from wall 6 of container 10. Coupled to container 10 may be carrier flap 20. An exemplary carrier flap 20 may have an inner surface 21 to which may be affixed a pocket 23 and an attachment rim 27, and an outer surface 22. In an exemplary embodiment, pocket 23 may be used to store additional items. In a preferred embodiment, pocket 23 may be translucent so that the contents of pocket 23 are visible when stored and pocket 23 is in view. In an alternative embodiment, pocket 23 may be an entryway that is attached to and/or integral with surface 21 that allows storage of items within carrier flap 20 in a space located between surfaces 21 and 22. In an exemplary embodiment, attachment rim 27 may be configured to attach to attachment rim 7 of an exemplary carrier 10 although it is not required that attachment rim 27 uses the same attaching mechanism or procedure as attachment rim 7.
With still referring to the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, an exemplary storage container 10 may also have a secondary flap 30 coupled mechanically and/or integrally to carrier flap 20. In an exemplary embodiment, secondary flap 30 may have a first surface 31 and a second surface 32 that is opposite the first surface 31. Secondary flap 30 may have an attachment rim 37 that may be the same, different, or a combination of means and mechanisms used in attachment rims 7 and/or 27. Additionally or alternatively, an exemplary secondary flap 30 may have attachment points 38 that may be configured to couple to attachment points 8 located on the outer surface 6 of an exemplary carrier 10.
With reference to the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 6A-B, 7, 8, 8A, and 9, an exemplary container 200 may be illustrated with substantially the same components in the exemplary container 100 with the exception of the secondary flap 30, which may be excluded. Consequently, all other features from exemplary container 100 may be shown in an alternative arrangement in an exemplary container 200. Additionally, side pockets 5A-B may be illustrated substantially to the side of pocket 5 on the exterior surface 6 of the container 10. Additionally, as may be seen in FIG. 7, an exemplary pocket 5, 5A, 5B may have a floor 5f that may be the same as or different than any other floor (1f, 2f, and 3f). An exemplary understanding of the various floors that may exist within an exemplary container 200 (and by extension container 100) may be illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 8A. For example, an exemplary pocket 3 may have a floor 3f that is segregated from the floor 1f of the carrier 10. Additionally, the floor 5f of the pocket 5 may also be different and separated by the wall 6. As may be understood in FIGS. 8 and 8A, an exemplary container 200 may have within it separate floors for each pocket disposed on or within carrier 10. Furthermore, while the floors 1f, 2f, 3f, and/or 5f may have been illustrated substantially in the same plane, those skilled in the art would understand that nothing prohibits the floor 2f of the dynamic pocket 2 being elevated from the floor 1f of the carrier 10 and/or the floor 3f of pocket 3 to be elevated from floor 1f but not higher than floor 2f.
With reference to FIGS. 6A and 7, an exemplary pocket 3 may be similar to a divider between portions of wall 1 in an exemplary carrier 10. When arranged in this fashion or otherwise, an exemplary pocket 3 may be removable or adjustable within carrier 10 using known techniques. The same may be true of any pocket within an exemplary carrier 10, e.g., dynamic pocket 2. Further alternatively, pocket 3 and/or pocket 2 may be capable of being moved out of their positions based on adherence portions on the wall 1 of an exemplary carrier 10. In this way, an exemplary carrier 10 may be customizable to fit the needs of its user and may offer the flexibility of adjoining additional pockets and/or other items to the inside of an exemplary container 200. For example, an exemplary pocket 3 may be held to the walls 1 of an exemplary carrier 10 by way of snap button fasteners that are arranged on wall 1 as needed. According to this exemplary embodiment, the snap buttons on an exemplary pocket 3 may be disconnected from the snap buttons on wall 1 of carrier 10 to allow pocket 3 to be moved to another set of snap buttons located elsewhere on wall 1 of carrier 10. This exemplary embodiment may be applicable to any pocket attached to carrier 10 and/or any other pockets in container 100/200.
As may be illustrated in FIG. 8A, an exemplary carrier flap 20′ may be shown in sectioned view via the line A-A in FIG. 8 to expose an open thickness between flap surface 21′ and flap surface 22′ that may be entered via pocket 23′. According to the exemplary embodiment of a carrier 200, an exemplary carrier flap 20′ may simultaneously act to seal the pockets 2/3 of an exemplary carrier 1 while also allowing for ready access to contents within pocket 23′ therein.
With reference to the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 10A-H, an exemplary container 300 may be illustrated with substantially the same components in the exemplary container 100 and/or 200. As illustrated, an exemplary container 300 may have attachment means 7″ on its walls 1 of its carrier 10 that are substantially the same attachment means 27″ on carrier flap 20″ coupled thereto, such as, for example, a zipper (see FIG. 10H). As may be illustrated with particular reference to FIGS. 10D and 10G, an exemplary container 300 may use its secondary flap 30 to couple to attachment points 8 on carrier 10 and otherwise bypass the use of attachment means 27″ and/or 7″ on carrier flap 20″ and/or carrier 10, respectively. Accordingly, an exemplary container 300 may allow for multiple ways to close the contents within carrier 10, while also allowing for additional flexibility in packing carrier 10. For example, according to this exemplary embodiment, a user may be limited to only a certain quantum or size of objects if limited to storing the same within carrier 10 so that the same may be closed using carrier flap 20 via means 7″ and 27″. However, with continued reference to this exemplary embodiment, a user may be able to fit even more contents within carrier 10 if secondary flap 30 is used to close the carrier 10 instead of carrier flap 20″. This exemplary embodiment may be further enhanced if carrier flap 20″ may be made of elastic or stretchable material to increase the sealing capacity of an exemplary secondary flap 30 when coupled to carrier 10 via attachment points 38 and 8, respectively.
With reference to FIGS. 10E-F, an exemplary container 300 may offer an additional flap-closure arrangement between the carrier flap 20″ and the secondary flap 30. For example, an exemplary carrier flap 20″ may not only contain a pocket 23, but may also comprise an attachment means 28 located on the pocket 23 or elsewhere on an exemplary inner surface 21 of the flap 20″ to allow for the attachment means 38 of secondary flap 30 to close thereupon. In other words, an exemplary secondary flap 30 according to the illustrative embodiment of FIGS. 10E-F may be configured to not only close the carrier 10 via attachment points 8, but may also be configured to close the carrier flap 20 via attachment points 28. Consequently, an exemplary embodiment as illustrated for an exemplary container 300 may permit multiple scaling capabilities depending on needs and the contents held in a particular pocket 2, 3, and 23. It should be noted that unlike the plurality of belts 42″ illustrated in relation to an exemplary container 100, an exemplary container 300 may have a single belt 42 configured to be coupled to the arms 4 that are themselves coupled to carrier 10.
Each of exemplary carrier 10, exemplary carrier flap 20/20′/20″, and exemplary secondary flap 30 among any of the embodiments 100, 200, and/or 300 may be made out of any suitable material known for carrying objects, such as, for example, fabrics or other textiles (woven and non-woven), elastic materials, stretch fabrics, rubbers, metals, plastics, and combinations of the same. Further, each of exemplary carrier 10, exemplary carrier flap 20/20′/20″, and exemplary secondary flap 30 may be coupled to one another using any known fastening techniques in the art, including, but not limited to, sewing, gluing, using bolts, screws, bendable metals/plastic, welding, chemical adhesions, sonic welding, rope, twine, and other integrating and/or mechanical connections known to those skilled in the art. Additionally, any portion or elements described as being part of carrier 10, carrier flap 20/20′/20″, and secondary flap 30 may be comprised of the same, similar, or different material making up any other part or portion of carrier 10, carrier flap 20/20′/20″, or secondary flap 30. For example, while wall 1 may be a woven fabric, dynamic pocket 2 may be a spandex or clastic material, and pocket 3 may be a non-woven fabric with embedded wires for strengthening the same. Further, while pocket 2 may be located adjacent arm 4 according to the figures, it may be located anywhere about the inside of carrier 10. Alternatively, the inner surfaces 1, 21, and 31 may be made of the same synthetic fabric material while the outer surface 6, 22, and 32 may be made of a different fabric material.
While the carrier 10 may be shown as substantially rectangular in cross-section, it may not be so limited and can take any other form or shape for particular purposes. For example, carrier 10 may be used for carrying clothing in which case a rectangular cross-section may be deemed suitable. However, an exemplary carrier 10 may be used for carrying a particular form of sports equipment, e.g., soccer apparel, lacrosse sticks, bowling ball, hockey sticks, baseball equipment, ice skates, scuba diving gear, that may require the carrier 10 to be a different shape. For example, if the carrier 10 is designed to hold a bowling ball, it may be spherical in cross-section in some or all of its parts.
Additionally, while the pockets 2, 3, 5, 5A-B, and 23 may be shown in one form, they may take on any forms known to those skilled in the art and may be made of netted material, clastic material, translucent material, transparent material, florescent material, and/or configured to receive one or more electronic devices therein (e.g., USB plugs, AC outlets, chargers, Bluetooth® compatible devices and nodes). The same applies to the wall 1, floors 1f/2f/3f/5f and all surfaces 21, 22, 31, 32 of any other component in an exemplary container 100, 200, and/or 300.
It should be understood that an exemplary container according to the disclosures herein may be made as one or more of containers 100, 200, and/or 300 in different forms and combinations, and that each of the illustrative embodiments provided and described are for purposes of illustration only and do not otherwise limit the scope of the disclosures and inventive carrying methodologies resulting from the same. Many further variations and modifications may suggest themselves to those skilled in art upon making reference to above disclosure and foregoing interrelated and interchangeable illustrative embodiments, which are given by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope and spirit of the interrelated embodiments of the invention described herein.
Patent Application
20250009097
