Popup wardrobe

Information

  • Patent Grant
  • 6702119
  • Patent Number
    6,702,119
  • Date Filed
    Tuesday, November 27, 2001
    22 years ago
  • Date Issued
    Tuesday, March 9, 2004
    20 years ago
Abstract
A pop-up container, including four side panels, a top panel and a floor panel constructing a close structure. At least one of the side panel has a zipper that allows the pop-up container to be open sufficiently wide such that one can easily store or access clothes in the container. The walls of the container are made of flexible and foldable material. At least two opposite panels comprise foldable perimeters with tension-loop frames so that the pop-up container can be collapsed into a flat piece and received in a carrying bag. The pop-up container further comprises a hanger bar detachably connected to the container for hanging clothes. The hanger bar may be supported from the ground to provide additional support to the hanger bar and container to prevent from bowing or buckling of the container. A method is also provided in which an enclosure is formed by un-coiling a plurality of panels each having a tension-loop frame with the panels being joined together to form the enclosure. A hanger bar is placed in the enclosure and between two opposing sides of the container. The method furhter includes supporting the hanger bar on the surface by using at least one leg extending between the hanger bar and the surface.
Description




FIELD OF THE INVENTION




This invention relates to collapsible containers.




The invention relates in general to a collapsible container with a bar from which objects are suspended within the container, and is especially useful as a wardrobe for hanging and storing clothes. More particularly, the invention relates to a pop-open wardrobe that can be collapsed into one flat piece to be received in a carrying bag.




BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION.




Collapsible containers have previously had stiff sides to support the weight of the hanger-bar and clothes hung on the bar. But those stiff sides are heavy and difficult to collapse. There is thus a need for a lightweight, easily collapsible container to support objects hung within the container, and there is a particular need for a collapsible wardrobe.




Collapsible hampers have been developed that have spring-loop frames formed of tension-loop members that stretch fabric panels sight to form a container. While light-weight and collapsible, those collapsible containers are not configured to support a hanger-bar, and lack the strength to support hung clothing or other objects. There is thus a need for strengthened collapsible containers, and for wardrobes that are lightweight and collapsible.




SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION




A collapsible container is provided that uses the tension-loop frame to form a collapsible container with flexible sides. A support frame is coupled to the flexible sides to support the hanger-bar from which clothes can be hung within the container. The support frame and hanger-bar can also be formed of a series of short tubes with ends of the tubes configured to nest with adjacent ends of adjacent tubes. This provides a light-weight and collapsible container, while providing the strength to support clothing hung from a bar within the container.




one version of this container comprises a wardrobe having an enclosed space formed by one, and preferably formed by a plurality of panels forming a plurality of sides. Each of the panels is made of a flexible material, and each of the panels is foldable such that the pop-open wardrobe can be folded into a flat piece. At least one of the panels includes an opening to allow access to the insides of the container, and preferably the opening is formed by a zipper to allow the wardrobe to be opened.




In one embodiment, the pop-open wardrobe comprises four side panels, a top panel and an optional but preferred floor panel. The top edges of the side panels are adjacent to the top panel, and the bottom edges of the side panels are adjacent to the floor panel. At least two opposite side panels comprise foldable perimeters. Preferably, each side panel comprises a perimeter encircling a flexible foldable sheet. One of the side panels has a an opening that can be releasably sealed, as by a zipper, to allow the user to open the wardrobe as needed. Preferably, the side panel with the zipper has at least a portion of the panel being transparent or translucent. One can thus have a view of the contents inside of the wardrobe without opening it. A hanger-bar is held across two opposite side panels for hanging clothes. The hanger bar has two legs received in loops that are attached on the opposite side panels. Alternatively, the legs of the hanger bar may extend a distance sufficient to reach the floor of the wardrobe and support surface on which the wardrobe rests, or the leg can extend through the floor panel to directly contact the support surface. A base can be added to the legs to provide additional support of the wardrobe.




When the hanger bar has two legs extending through the floor panel, preferably, but optionally, two grommets are included in the floor panel with the hanger bar extending through the grommets in order to protect the floor panel from being damaged by the hanger bar and the weight of the clothes supported by the hanger bar.




In a very simple form, the container has a plurality of panels formed by tension loop members, with the panels being joined at adjacent edges to form an enclosure. A hanger bar supported within the enclosure. In a further embodiment, the hanger bar is connected at each end to one of the panels. In a still further embodiment, a support is interposed between the hanger bar and a surface on which the container rests during use of the container to transfer weight from the hanger bar to the surface. The support can include a leg located at each opposing end of the hanger bar. The support could also include a pair of legs located at each opposing end of the hanger bar and arranged in an “A” frame support. The support could extend through an opening in the container to contact the surface. Preferably, the hanger bar has legs at opposing ends of the hanger bar with the legs being connected to the flexible material. The distal end of the legs can connect to a base configured to stabilize the legs and hanger bar, or to do so in cooperation with the flexible frame and panels.




The container could have an opening that is releasably closed to allow access to the enclosure. In a further embodiment, one panel is completely open to allow ready access to the inside of the container. But preferably, one panel has a zippered opening therein, or an opening that may be held closed in other ways.




The base can comprise an elongated member with a T-shaped connection to fasten to the legs. The base can comprise an elongated member lying parallel to the plane of the surface which the container rests during use. The base can comprise a rectangular frame to which all legs fasten.




The improvements also include a kit for a collapsible container to be supported on a surface during use of the container. The kit includes the tension-loop frame, hanger bar and a collapsible support, preferably but optionally placed in a carry bag. The collapsible enclosure has at least one tension-loop frame with a flexible material on the frame to form a plurality of walls defining an enclosed space. An opening is preferably formed in one of the walls to allow access to the enclosed space, or one or more entire sides, top or end could be left completely open to allow access. The collapsible frame advantageously has a hanging bar with opposing ends removably connected to first and second legs. Each leg extends in planes generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hanger bar. The legs extend a distance sufficient to support the hanger bar on the surface during use of the container. The legs are advantageously collapsible into shorter lengths for transportation and packaging.




In one embodiment, the legs comprise a plurality of elongated members that connect end-to-end to form two legs extending at an angle relative to each other to form an “A” shaped support on at least one end of the hanger bar. In another embodiment, a base connects to at least one of the legs, with the base being sized to stabilize the support of the hanger bar.




Preferably, the enclosure has a plurality of loops fastened to a wall of the enclosure adjacent at least one leg, with the loop sized and located so the at least one leg can extend through the loop when the container is assembled in order to couple the wall of the container to the at least one leg. Moreover, at least one of the walls can have a hole located and sized to allow a leg to extend through the hole during use of the container.




Also disclosed is a method of forming a collapsible container resting on a surface, with the container preferably, but optionally comprising a wardrobe. The method includes forming an enclosure container by un-coiling a at least one, and preferably a plurality of panels each having a tension-loop frame. The panel(s) form the enclosure. A hanger bar is placed in the enclosure and between two opposing sides of the container. The hanger bar is supported on the surface by using at least one leg extending between the hanger bar and the surface. Advantageously, the at least one leg is fastened to one of the panels. Moreover, the hanger bar is advantageously supported by a leg fastened to each of the opposing ends of the hanger bar. A base is advantageously fastened to a distal end of each leg. The legs can extend through holes in the enclosure, and the base can be placed outside the enclosure.











BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS




Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention, as claimed. The above and other advantages of this invention will be better understood and explained by reference to the following description and drawings in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout.





FIG. 1

shows a front view of a pop-up container provided by the invention, of which the front panel is zipped;





FIG. 2

shows the front view of the pop-up container with the zipper partly open;





FIG. 3

shows a side view of the pop-up container;





FIG. 4

shows the hanger bar used in the pop-up container for hanging objects;





FIG. 5

shows a loop for holding the hanger bar as shown in

FIG. 4

;





FIG. 6

shows the exterior of a panel with a connecting loop sewn to the panel;





FIG. 7

shows the cross sectional view of a hole in the floor panel allowing a support leg to pass through the hole;





FIG. 8

shows a stiffening member to help prevent the container from unduly distorting when the zipper is open;





FIG. 9

shows the panels folded flat on top of each other;





FIG. 10

shows the collapsed container;





FIG. 11

shows that the container is collapsed and a carrying bag;





FIG. 12

shows a further embodiment with an “A” shaped support for the hanger bar;





FIG. 13

shows a detail of a nested connection for the hanger bar of this invention;





FIG. 14

shows further embodiment with a single tension-loop frame;





FIG. 15

shows a further embodiment with a “T” shaped base;





FIG. 16

s hows a further embodiment with a rectangular shaped base; and





FIG. 17

shows a perspective view of the tension-loop frame.











DETAILED DESCRIPTION




Referring to

FIGS. 1-3

, a collapsible container


10


is disclosed that has special use as a pop-up wardrobe for clothes storage or for storage of other objects suspended from a bar or hanger bar within the container. The pop-up container


10


comprises a flexible enclosure having a front panel


100


, two side panels


102


, a rear panel


104


, a floor panel


112


and a top panel


114


. The front panel


100


and the rear panel


104


are opposite to each other, and preferably in generally parallel planes and of the same size, shape and other dimensions. The two side panels


102


located between the front and the rear panels are also opposite to each other, and again, preferably in generally parallel planes and of the same size, shape and other dimensions. The dimensions of the side, front panel and rear panel are large enough to enclose the items intended to be placed in the container


10


, and preferably large enough so that various kinds of clothes or other objects can be accommodated or hung in the container.




Preferably, at least one pair of the panels, that is, the front and rear panels


100


,


104


, or the two opposing side panels


102


, have foldable but sufficiently stiff perimeters such that the wardrobe can pop open from a collapsed to an expanded configuration with the tension of the perimeters causing the enclosure to remain in that expanded configuration. The tension-loop frames hold the flexible material of the panels taut. By appropriately joining two or more panels in a ring, a partial enclosure can be formed, and a top and bottom can be added to form a completely enclosed space. Advantageously all four vertical sided panels have such stiff perimeters. These stiff perimeters can be formed by placing pockets


115


around the perimeters with the pockets containing tension-loop frames


117


(FIG.


17


). The pockets


115


, or the panels formed by the frames


117


can be joined by means known in the art and not described in detail herein. The panels


100


,


102


,


104


,


112


,


114


and tension-loop enclosures of the type used herein are described in more detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,964,533 and 5,816,279, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.




Preferably, each of the side panels


102


and the front and rear panels


100


,


104


, respectively have a perimeter formed by such tension-loop frames, with the frames joined along the generally vertical sides. Alternatively, it is possible, but less preferable, to have the top


114


, front


100


, bottom


112


and back


104


sides formed by panels having these tension-loop frames, with the abutting edges of those panels being joined. Moreover, it is also possible, but less preferable, to have the top


114


, sides


102


and bottom


112


formed by these tension loop frames with abutting edges of those panels being joined.





FIG. 1

shows a front view of the pop-up container


10


having a front panel


100


with a perimeter or periphery


100




a


. Each edge of the perimeter


100




a


of the front panel is joined with a adjacent panel, or to the perimeter of another panel of the pop-up container


10


. More specifically, a top edge of the front panel


100


is connected to the top panel


114


, a bottom edge of the front panel


100


is connected to the floor panel


112


(FIG.


3


), side edges of the front panel


100


are connected to two opposing side panels


102


. A back or rear panel


104


is located opposite the front panel


100


, with the side edges of the back panel also being joined to the edges of the side panels


102


. As used herein, the directions up, down, or top, bottom refer to directions relative to the earth, with gravity being directed downward. These directions are given for ease of illustrating the invention, but the directions are relative and can change depending on the orientation of the container


10


.




The front panel


100


comprises a foldable perimeter


100




a


and a flexible panel


100




b


. The flexible panel


100




b


preferably, but optionally, includes a viewing portion


108


that is sufficiently transparent or translucent to allow the user to see into the container


10


the contents stored the pop-up wardrobe sufficiently to identify the contents of the container


10


.

FIG. 1

shows the viewing portion


108


extending in a strip across a width of the front panel


100




b


, located at about the eye-level of a user of the container


10


. The size, shape, location and number of the viewing portion(s)


108


can vary. Indeed, the entire container


10


can be made of transparent or translucent material if desired. Preferably, the panels forming the enclosure of the container


10


are made of nylon or other flexible fabric, but could be made of flexible plastic or polymer-based material.




The front panel


100


has an opening or door


210


that is preferably, but optionally, releasably held closed by a releasable closure mechanism


106


, as by a zipper zip-lock seal, string ties, snaps, twist locks, latches or other releasable closure mechanisms. The closure mechanism


106


preferably allows a T-shaped opening to be releasably formed, and can be achieved by a horizontal zipper and a vertical zipper forming a T-shape with the cross-bar of the T located at the upper end of the front panel. That orientation allows a user of the container


10


to open the pop-up container wide enough for an easy access to the contents in the container


10


. The piece that interlocks or opens the zipper


106


can be covered with a lip


110


, which extends from the flexible foldable panel


100




b


and is shown as located at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical parts forming the T-shaped opening. Other shaped openings can be used, as for example, an opening hinged or bending along the entire bottom and open on the sides and top to form an inverted “U” shape access door (FIG.


14


).




As shown in

FIG. 17

, the foldable perimeter


100




a


preferably comprises a pocket


115


or series of loops extending around the periphery of the panel, with a foldable, flexible frame


117


, such as spring tension loop placed in the pocket or extending through the loops and being restrained by the pocket or loops and the flexible material of the panels. The tension loop frame


117


can be made of spring steel or plastic. In one embodiment of the invention, such material is enclosed in a loop stitched along the perimeter


100




a


of the front panel


100


. Preferably, four of the panels that form the container


10


have this tension-loop construction along the perimeter, although it is possible to have as few as two opposing panels with the tension-loop construction.




When constructed in this manner, the container


10


can be collapsed by folding the panels


100


,


102


and


104


on top of each other to form a stack of planar panels as shown in FIG.


9


. The bottom


112


and top


114


can be folded between these overlapping panels


112


,


114


. Preferably, but optionally, the material on the panels and the tension-loop frame


117


are constructed to allow the stack to then be twisted into overlapping loops or coils of smaller diameter than the size of the panels. Three, overlapping coils are commonly achieved, as shown in FIG.


9


. The coiled loops can be stored in a bag or other container, or held together by a strap, as shown in FIG.


10


. The coiled loops tend to spring open because of the tension loop frame. When released from a collapsed, coiled configuration the container pops-open.




The above described and illustrated portion of the detailed description thus provides means for forming a collapsible enclosure of flexible material with a tension-loop frame, which enclosure has an opening that is preferably, but optionally releasably closeable, and which enclosure preferably but optionally has a viewing window.





FIG. 2

shows the front panel of the pop-up container


10


when the zipper


106


is partly open. As shown in

FIG. 2

, the pop-up container


10


further comprises an elongated member such as hanger bar


200


for hanging items, such as clothes, inside of the pop-up container


10


. The hanger bar


200


is located at a position where the user of the container


10


can access or hang the objects or clothes inside of the container


10


. The hanger bar


200


extends between opposing sides


102


of the container


10


and is preferably horizontal. The detailed structure of the rod is further described in the following paragraph.





FIG. 4

shows the hanger bar


200


detached from the container


10


. The hanger bar


200


comprises a bar


200




a


sized to extend between two supports located adjacent the sides


102


. Preferably the hanger bar


200


has two short legs


200




b


extending perpendicularly from opposing ends of the bar


200




a


. The hanger bar


200




a


is generally horizontal in use and the legs


200




b


are typically in a vertical plane. The hanger bar


200




a


can be of one piece, or multiple pieces removably fastened together using various removable joinder mechanisms, such as nested ends(as shown in

FIG. 13

relative to legs


201


).




In

FIG. 5

, a retaining means, such as pockets or loops


122


are formed on interior surfaces of the side panels


102


. The retaining means


122


are configured to allow the hanger bar legs


200




b


to be firmly but releasably held inside of the pop-up container


10


. Pockets


122


are sized and shaped to correspond to the legs


200




b


and can be formed by sewing, riveting, gluing or otherwise fastening strips of material to the panels such as panels


102


. For example, when the legs


200




b


of the hanger bar


200


are 4.25 inches long, the pockets


122


are sized to enclose the distal end of legs


200




b


and engage the very end of the leg to help carry load placed on the hanger bar. Alternatively, loops


122


can be used which lack the closed end of the pocket. The pocket has the advantage of engaging the end of the leg


200




b


to transfer load in the plane of the panel


102


to which the pocket is fastened. But the loop has the advantage of allowing longer legs as discussed below.





FIG. 6

shows the exterior view of loops


122


sewn to the side panels


102


. The vertically extending legs


200




b


can be made as an integral with the bar


200




a


, or alternatively, they can be detachable from the bar


200




a


as by nesting tubes as illustrated in

FIG. 13

, or threaded ends, or other removable connections. The removable connection between the hanger bar


200




a


and side panels


102


can take many forms is not to be limited by the disclosed embodiments. Other removable connections including a hook on each opposing end of the hanger bar


200




a


cooperating with a loop fastened to the sides


102


, or hooks fastened to the sides


102


to releasable engage apertures or loops in the hanger bar


200




a


or on the ends of hanger bar


200




a.






When the hanger bar


200


is fastened to the side panels


102


as discussed above, the side panels carry the entire weight of any objects hung from the hanger bar


200


. The material from which the side panels or walls are formed is preferably selected to be strong as well as flexible. Canvas or heavy nylon is preferred, although other materials can be used.




If additional support is needed or desired to carry the weight on the hanger bar


200




a


, then a support can be interposed between the ground and the hanger bar


200




a


. If a support is used then the material forming the walls and panels need not be as strong as in the above embodiments. The support can comprise a single support or leg


201


extending between the hanger bar


200




a


and ground, located anywhere along the length of the hanger bar


200




a


. But preferably the support is provided by having a leg


201


on each end of the hanger bar


200




a


extend to the floor panel


112


, which presumably rests on the ground or other support surface. Advantageously, the legs


201


removably connect to the hanger bar


200




a


, and preferably connect to one of the legs


200




b


. This is shown in

FIGS. 5 and 6

. Various junctures can be used to removably connect the legs


201


to the hanger bar, including the use of nested ends as shown in

FIG. 13

(or T joints as seen in FIG.


14


). The legs


201


are preferably tubular and of sufficient size to adequately support the weight to be placed on hanger bar


200




a


. The legs can be of a single piece, or of multiple lengths removably joined together as discussed above.




The legs


201


are preferably, but optionally coupled to the adjacent side panels


102


in various ways. Loops


122


fastened to the side panels are believed suitable to allow passage of the legs


201


while connecting the legs to the side adjacent panel in order to help maintain the orientation of the legs relative to the side panel. Any number of loops


122


or elongated strips may be formed, stitched, riveted, glued or otherwise fastened to the interior surface of the side panels


102


for holding the elongated legs


201


. The loops


122


could be of hook-and-loop construction to allow the loops to be opened and closed. Snaps, ties and other releasable fasteners could also be used to provide releasable loops


122


.




The hanger bar


200




a


and its support legs


201


thus provide a sturdy support frame for the objects to be suspended from hanger bar


200




a


and allows at least a portion of the weight of suspended objects to be transferred by the legs


201


rather than by the panels of the container


10


. The loops


122


and panels


100


,


102


,


104


and the support frame


117


in the panels help maintain the orientation of the hanger bar


200




a


and legs


201


, but the great bulk of the weight is preferably carried by legs


201


and hanger bar


200


. But depending on the relative strength of the legs


201


and the panels


100


,


102


,


104


, the panels may carry a portion of the weight of the objects suspended from the bar


200




a


. The legs


201


thus provide a means for supporting at least a portion of the weight of objects suspended from the hanger bar


200




a


, and preferably provide the primary load support means. Preferably, the hanger bar


200


and legs


201


support the weight on the hanger bar, while the panels


100


,


102


,


104


enclose the hanger bar.




The legs


201


may be formed in one piece, or for portability could be formed of several parts that can be removably connected together. Tubes with ends formed to nest with the ends of adjacent tubes can be used. Tubes with threaded ends can be sued. Any variety of collapsible, elongated members can be used as long as the legs


122


can allow the hanger bar


200




a


to support the weight of objects suspended from the hanger bar. This is also true for the above removable connections on the hanger bar


200


and with the hanger bar


200


. It is believed desirable to have the legs


201


formed of tubular members having a length no greater than the diameter of the coil formed when the container


10


is collapsed by coiling the panels


100


,


102


,


104


into three overlapping coils. The legs


201


and hanger bar


200


are preferably made of metal, such as steel or aluminum, or may be made of suitably strong plastics.




The distal ends of the legs


201


will wear through or cut through the bottom panel


112


, especially when weight is carried by those legs. To avoid damaging the floor panel


112


, holes or openings


203


may be formed in the floor panel


112


to allow the legs


201


to thread through the holes


203


. Preferably, a grommet


202


is attached along the hole or opening


203


to provide a further protection as shown in FIG.


7


. In addition, or alternatively, a cap, for example, a plastic cap


204


is preferably attached at the end of each leg


201


in order to help reduce the tendency of the ends of the legs


201


to cut the abutting surface.




The support is shown thus far as comprising generally vertical legs


201


, with a single leg


201


on each of the opposing ends of the hanger bar


200




a


. The support for the hanger bar could take other forms. For example,

FIG. 12

illustrates a further embodiment in which hanger bar


200




a


has two legs


201


on each of the opposing ends of the hanger bar


200




a


. In this embodiment the legs


200




b


extend at an angle form an “A” frame support for the hanger bar. The “A” shaped support can be formed of single-piece tubes. But the support could be formed of segmented legs that are removably connected as described above. An “A” connection can be used to connect the hanger bar


200




a


to the legs


201


. The support is preferably, but optionally connected to the side panels


102


of the container


10


by loops


122


. The A-frame support has the advantage of being self-supporting and not requiring the tension-loop frame (e.g., any of panels


100


,


102


,


104


) of the container


10


to carry the weight of the load placed on the hanger bar


200




a


or to stabilize the A-frame. The support is still preferably connected to the panels


102


by loops


122


to the walls of the panels, but that connection is optional. Preferably there is one connection or loop


122


for each segment of the leg


201


, but the number of connections can vary.





FIG. 14

shows a further embodiment of this invention in which a single tension-loop frame forms a generally rectangular enclosure having a plurality of walls. The hanger bar


200




a


is supported by a pair of legs


201


at each opposing end of the hanger bar, with the pair of legs forming an A-frame support. The legs


201


extend through holes


203


in the walls of the container


10


to rest against the surface on which the container


10


rests during use. No straps or loops


122


are shown in

FIG. 13

, but they could be used to couple the legs


201


to the walls of the container


10


. A closable, flexible door


210


is formed in one wall of the container


10


to allow access to the enclosed space within the container


10


. The previously described closure mechanisms, such as zippers, can be used to releasably connect the door to the container


10


, and to open and close the door. In

FIG. 13

, the door has an inverted “U” shape and is shown with two of the three-sides of the “U” being unzipped or opened.




The length of the legs


201


is selected to accommodate the objects to be suspended from the hanger bar


200




a


. The legs


201


are preferably sized so that dresses, shirts, or both can be hung on the hanger bar


200




a


without having the clothing hit the bottom of the container


10


.




During use, the material forming the panels


100


,


102


,


104


carry some force as the tension-loop frames may bow and stretch the material forming the panels. To help resist bowing or significant distortion when the zipper


106


is open, a front panel strengthening member


206


is optionally, but preferably provided. The member


206


is preferably attached on an interior surface of the front panel


100


as shown in FIG.


8


. The member


206


extends from a location adjacent to, and preferably at, the middle of the top side of the front panel


100


, and extends to a location along the side adjacent to the location where the horizontal portion of the zipper


106


is located. The member


206


advantageously, but optionally comprises a flexible member, and preferably comprises a strip of material sewn or fastened to the panel


100


to strengthen the panel


100


by connecting the top and sides of the front panel. The member


206


can be of the same material as the panel


100


, or it can be a stronger material such as a strip of flexible plastic or canvas. Two such members


206


are preferably provided, one for each of the opposing sides. Depending on the configuration of the opening in the front panel


100


, the location and design of the members


206


can vary.





FIGS. 15-16

show a further embodiment that uses a base


220


lying against the ground or support surface to make the support frame formed by the hanger bar


200


and legs


201


a stable, self supporting structure. The base


220


is preferably, but optionally in a plane parallel to the support surface on which the container


10


rests during use of the container. The base


220


stabilizes the support of the hanger bar. The base


220


preferably is an elongated member such as a tube with a connection


222


to connect to the legs


201


supporting bar


200




a


. The base


220


is generally parallel to and rests on the ground. The base


220


is long enough to provide a stable hanger bar


201


, and the amount of stability required will vary with the use of the container


10


. If a tubular base


222


is used, caps


204


can be used to close off the ends and avoid sharp edges that may cut or damage the enclosing panels of the container


10


. Preferably, but optionally, a T-connection


222


is used so the legs


201


can be removably inserted into the connection


222


. A base


220


is preferably fastened to each leg


201


. If the base


220


is used with the A-frame legs


201


shown in

FIGS. 12

or


14


, the connection


222


would be angled, and the length of the base could be shorter.




The base


220


could take other forms, such as a rectangular shape conforming to the shape of the adjacent floor panel


112


of the container


10


, as shown in FIG.


15


. The base


220


can be placed inside the container


10


, or the legs


201


and/or connector


222


can extend through holes in the floor


112


and the base


220


can be placed outside the container


10


. Fasteners


206


can be used to connect the legs


201


and/or hanger bar


200




a


to the adjacent panels forming container


10


. The A-frame and base


220


provide self-supporting structures that preferably do not rely on the enclosure formed by tension loop panels forming the enclosure containing the hanger bar


200


. The A-frame configuration and base


220


thus advantageously provided self-supporting means for supporting the hanger bar


200


, and preferably provide independently stable, self-supporting means for supporting the hanger bar.




There is thus provided an enclosure


10


formed by at least one tension loop frame


117


means for at least one leg connected to the hanger bar and having a distal end supporting the hanger bar on the surface during use of the container.




There is also advantageously provided a collapsible container having an enclosure formed by a tension-loop frame. An opening is provided in the enclosure to allow access to the interior of the container


10


. The opening is preferably formed in the front panel


100


, but could be formed in other panels or portions of the container. Further, one wall of the container could be completely or partially open in order to provide access to the space enclosed by the remainder of the container. A support hanger bar


200




a


is placed inside the flexible walled enclosure where the enclosure is held in shape by a tension-loop frame. The support hanger bar


200




a


is preferably, but optionally fastened to the container


10


. Preferably, but optionally, a support frame


201


is used to provided the majority, and preferably to provide a substantial majority (over about 75% and up to 100%) of the support for the hanger bar


200




a


. Advantageously, but optionally, the support frame


200




b


and/or leg


201


is coupled to the container, as by fasteners


206


. There is thus provided an enclosure formed by a spring-loop frame enclosing a support frame preferably includes a hanging-rod


200




a


supported within the container. The legs


201


can be located entirely within the enclosure or they can extend through holes


203


in the enclosure forming the container


10


. Preferably the legs


201


are enclosed within the container


10


and exit through holes


203


in the floor


112


, although the holes


203


could be located in other panels, such as side panels


102


.




The above embodiments have the support largely within the flexible enclosure formed by flexible, tension-loop frames


117


. But the support comprising legs


201


could be predominantly located outside the enclosure, with the legs


201


unconnected to the enclosure or fastened to the flexible enclosure by loops


122


located on an exterior surface of one of the panels


100


,


102


,


104


forming the container


10


. In this embodiment, the hanger bar


200


would extend through the panels forming the container, or the legs


201


would extend through the panels to fasten to the hanger bar.




The above embodiments describe the enclosure formed by the tension-loop frames


117


as completely enclosing a space, with at least one opening allowing access to the enclosed space. The opening could be so large that it comprises the entire panel


100


, with no closable opening. This could be easily achieved by omitting the flexible material extending between the pockets


115


(

FIG. 16

) containing the frame


115


. This would provide an open side panel


100


. The open side panel need not be limited to the front side


100


, but could comprise one or more of the panels


100


,


102


,


104


. Similarly, the top and bottom panels


114


,


112


, respectively, could be omitted. Preferably though, the container


10


in completely enclosed and has one or more closable openings in one or more of the panels forming the enclosure.




For shipment, the panels forming the container


10


are coiled and stored in a bag as shown in

FIG. 11

, along with the collapsible legs


201


. Upon removal from the storage bag, the panels are expanded to form the flexible container


10


. The hanger bar


200


is placed inside the container


10


and fastened to the walls of the container. Alternatively, hanger bar


200


can be supported inside the container by a support, such as legs


201


. The legs are preferably assembled from segmented lengths to form a longer length sufficient to hold the hanger bar


200


at the desired height in the container


10


. The legs


201


are advantageously extended through the walls forming the container


10


to support the hanger bar


200


directly on the support on which the container rests during use. A closeable opening is used to gain access to the hanger bar to suspend items from the bar.




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 forming a support for the hanger-bar within the collapsible container. Further, the container is shown having four panels


100


,


102


,


104


, but any number of panels can be used to form the container, including as few as a single tension frame, and more than four panels each with a tension frame. Further, 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 kit for a collapsible container to be supported on a surface during use of the container, the kit comprising:a collapsible container having at least one tension-loop frame with a flexible material on the frame to form a plurality of walls defining an enclosed space, an opening being formed in one of the walls to allow access to the enclosed space; a collapsible frame having a hanger bar with opposing ends; and first and second legs each of which is configured to connect to one of the opposing ends and extend therefrom in planes generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hanger bar a distance sufficient to support the hanger bar on the surface during use of the container.
  • 2. The kit of claim 1, wherein the legs comprises a plurality of elongated members that connect end-to-end to form a single, elongated member.
  • 3. The kit of claim 1, wherein the legs comprise a plurality of elongated members that connect end-to-end to form two legs extending at an angle relative to each other to form an “A” shaped support on at least one end of the hanger bar.
  • 4. The kit of claim 1, further comprising a base connected to at least one of the legs, the base being sized to stabilize the support of the hanger bar.
  • 5. The kit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the walls has a hole located and sized to allow a leg to extend through the hole during use of the container.
  • 6. A kit for a collapsible container to be supported on a surface during use of the container, the kit comprising:a collapsible container having at least one tension-loop frame with a flexible material on the frame to form a plurality of walls defining an enclosed space, an opening being formed in one of the walls to allow access to the enclosed space; a collapsible frame having a hanger bar with opposing ends; and first and second legs each of which is configured to connect to one of the opposing ends and extend therefrom in planes generally parallel to each other and generally perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the hanger bar a distance sufficient to support the hanger bar on the surface during use of the container; and a plurality of loops fastened to a wall adjacent at least one leg, each loop being sized and located so the at least one leg can extend through the loop when the container is assembled in order to couple the wall of the container to the at least one leg.
  • 7. The kit of claim 6, wherein the legs comprise a plurality of elongated members that connect end-to-end to form a single, elongated member.
  • 8. The kit of claim 6, wherein the legs comprise a plurality of elongated members that connect end-to-end to form two legs extending at an angle relative to each other to form an “A” shaped support on at least one end of the hanger bar.
  • 9. A collapsible container to be placed on a surface during use, comprising:at least one tension-loop frame having at least one panel covered by flexible material and coupled to the frame by pockets on the panel that constrain the tension-loop frame, the frame and material defining an enclosed space, the material defining an opening allowing access to the enclosed space; a hanger bar located in the enclosed space and supported by at least one of the panel and tension-loop frame or a support in contact with the hanger bar and with the surface on which the container rests during use.
  • 10. The collapsible container of claim 9, wherein the hanger bar has legs at opposing ends of the hanger bar with the legs being connected to the flexible material by releasable connecting means.
  • 11. The collapsible container of claim 9, wherein the hanger bar has legs at opposing ends of the hanger bar with the legs being connected to the flexible material by releasable connecting means, and wherein the legs extend to contact a surface on which the container rests in order to form the support and support the hanger bar on the surface during use of the container.
  • 12. The collapsible container of claim 9, wherein the hanger bar has legs at opposing ends of the hanger bar which legs form part of the support, with the legs extending through holes in the flexible material a distance sufficient to contact a surface on which the container rests in order to support the hanger bar on the surface.
  • 13. The collapsible container of claim 9, wherein the support comprises a pair of legs at each opposing end of the hanger bar with the two legs on each opposing end extending at angles to each other to form an “A” shaped support.
  • 14. The collapsible container of claim 9, wherein the opening is formed by a flexible door formed in one panel.
  • 15. The collapsible container of claim 14, further including a zipper releasably connecting the door to the panel.
  • 16. The collapsible container of claim 9, wherein the support further comprises a leg at opposing ends of the hanger bar, the leg having a distal end connected to a base, the base supporting the container on the surface during use of the container.
  • 17. A collapsible container, comprising:an enclosure formed of flexible material held taut by at least one tension loop frame, the enclosure having an opening to allow access to an inside of the enclosure; a hanger bar inside the enclosure, the hanger bar having opposing ends; and means for contacting a surface upon which a bottom of the enclosure rests during use for supporting the hanger bar inside the enclosure.
  • 18. The collapsible container of claim 17, further comprising means for fastening a support to a side of the flexible enclosure.
  • 19. A collapsible container which rests on a surface during use, comprising:an enclosure formed of flexible material held taut by at least one tension loop frame, the enclosure having an opening to allow access to an inside of the enclosure; a hanger bar inside the enclosure, the hanger bar having opposing first and second ends; and at least one leg connected to the hanger bar and having a distal end, the leg having sufficient length to support supporting the hanger bar on the surface during use of the container.
  • 20. The collapsible container of claim 19, wherein the at least one leg comprises at least one leg connected to the first end of the hanger bar and at least one leg connected to the second end of the hanger bar.
  • 21. The collapsible container of claim 20, wherein the leg extends through a hole in the container.
  • 22. The collapsible container of claim 20, wherein the leg extends through a hole in the container and the distal end is connected to a base that is located outside the enclosure.
  • 23. The collapsible container of claim 19, wherein the distal end is connected to a base that is large enough to stabilize the support of the hanger bar.
  • 24. The collapsible container of claim 23, wherein the base comprises an elongated member lying parallel to the plane of the surface which the container rests during use.
  • 25. The collapsible container of claim 23, wherein the leg is removably fastened to a side of the flexible enclosure by a member encircling the leg.
  • 26. A collapsible container for resting on a support surface during use, comprising:an enclosure formed of flexible material held by at least one tension loop frame, the enclosure having an opening to allow access to an inside of the enclosure, the container having flexible sides and a flexible bottom; a hanger bar inside the enclosure, the hanger bar having opposing first and second ends; and a removable support frame at least partially enclosed in the enclosure and configured to be removably connected to the first and second ends, the support frame extending a distance sufficient to support the enclosure on the surface during use of the container.
  • 27. The collapsible container of claim 26, further comprising a base connected to a distal end of the support frame to stabilize the hanger bar.
  • 28. A container, comprising:a plurality of panels formed by tension loop members, the panels joined at adjacent edges to form an enclosure having flexible sides and a flexible bottom; a hanger bar supported within the enclosure; and a removable support interposed between the hanger bar and a surface on which the container rests during use of the container to transfer weight from the hanger bar to the surface.
  • 29. The container of claim 28, wherein the hanger bar is connected at each end to one of the panels by releasable connecting means.
  • 30. The container of claim 28, wherein the support comprises a leg located at each opposing end of the hanger bar.
  • 31. The container of claim 28, wherein the support comprises a pair of legs located at each opposing end of the hanger bar.
  • 32. The container of claim 28, wherein the support extends through an opening in the container to contact the surface.
  • 33. The container of claim 28, wherein one panel has an opening that is releasably closed to allow access to the enclosure.
  • 34. The container of claim 28, wherein one panel has a zippered opening therein.
  • 35. The container of claim 28, further comprising a base connected to the support.
  • 36. A collapsible container which rests on a surface during use, comprising:an enclosure formed of flexible material held taut by at least one tension loop frame, the enclosure having an opening to allow access to an inside of the enclosure; a hanger bar inside the enclosure, the hanger bar having opposing first and second ends; and at least one leg connected to the hanger bar and having a distal end, the leg having sufficient length to support supporting the hanger bar on the surface during use of the container, the distal end being connected to a base that is large enough to stabilize the support of the hanger bar, the base comprising an elongated member with a T-shaped connection.
  • 37. A collapsible container which rests on a surface during use, comprising:an enclosure formed of flexible material held taut by at least one tension loop frame, the enclosure having an opening to allow access to an inside of the enclosure; a hanger bar inside the enclosure, the hanger bar having opposing first and second ends; and at least one first leg connected to the first end of the hanger bar and having a first distal end and having sufficient length to support the hanger bar on the surface during use of the container, and at least one second leg connected to the second end of the hanger bar and having a second distal end and having sufficient length to support the hanger bar on the surface during use of the container, and wherein the at least one first leg extends through a hole in the container and the first distal end is connected to a base that is located outside the enclosure, and wherein the at least one second leg extends through a hole in the container and the second distal end is connected to the base that is located outside the container.
  • 38. A method of forming a wardrobe container resting on a surface, comprising:forming an enclosure container by un-coiling a plurality of panels each having a tension-loop frame, the panels being joined together to form the enclosure, the enclosure having two opposing, flexible sides and a flexible bottom; placing a hanger bar in the enclosure and between the two opposing sides of the container and supporting the hanger bar on the surface by using at least one leg extending between the hanger bar and the surface.
  • 39. The method claim 38, further comprising fastening the at least one leg to one of the panels by releasable connecting means.
  • 40. The method of claim 38, wherein the hanger bar has opposing ends and is supported by a leg fastened to each opposing end of the hanger bar.
  • 41. The method of claim 40, further comprising fastening a base to a distal end of each leg.
  • 42. The method of claim 40, further comprising extending the legs through holes in the enclosure.
  • 43. The method of claim 41, further comprising extending the legs through holes in the enclosure and placing the base outside the enclosure.
  • 44. A method of forming a wardrobe container resting on a surface, comprising:forming an enclosure container by un-coiling a plurality of panels each having a tension-loop frame, the panels being joined together to form the enclosure; placing a hanger bar in the enclosure and between two opposing sides of the container and supporting the hanger bar on the surface by using at least one leg extending between the hanger bar and the surface, the hanger bar having opposing ends and being supported by a leg fastened to each opposing end of the hanger bar; fastening a base to a distal end of each leg; and extending the legs through holes in the enclosure and placing the base outside the enclosure.
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