Patent Application
20230404229
The present invention relates generally to transportable storage cases, more specifically but not by way of limitation, a transportable storage case wherein the case of the present invention is hermetically sealed so as to inhibit odors from material stored therein from egressing from the portable case. Furthermore, the portable case of the present invention provides specialized storage compartments to facilitate proper storage and protection of items.
Portable storage cases are well known in the art. Existing cases come in all shapes and sizes and are utilized for items such as but not limited to fishing supplies and art supplies. These existing cases typically have either an outer case that can be either manufactured as a soft side case or a hard outer case. Typically, the conventional storage case has two halves that are hingedly coupled wherein the upper half is hinged away from the lower half to expose the interior volume of the storage case. Some cases offer individual storage compartments on the inside typically configured in trays but that is the extent of existing portable cases.
One problem with conventional portable cases is their inability to atmospherically isolate the interior volume of the portable storage case. Some individuals utilize portable cases to carry items having strong odors such as but not limited to cannabis. For many individuals, they do not want either the smell to infringe on others or to allow the smell to be noticeable by other individuals. The typical existing storage case is only sealed with a zipper or is merely closed with the outer shell. Neither of the conventional designs provide the ability to atmospherically isolate the interior volume of the portable storage case. Additionally, while certain existing cases provide storage trays having compartments, they do not provide elements such as but not limited to work surfaces to perform certain tasks.
It is intended within the scope of the present invention to provide a portable storage case that is configured to atmospherically isolate the interior volume thereof and further provide specialized storage compartments and work task surfaces.
It is the object of the present invention to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide atmospheric isolation of the interior volume thereof wherein the portable storage case of the present invention includes an outer shell.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide specialized storage and work task surfaces wherein the outer shell of the present invention includes a first half and a second half that are hingedly coupled.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide atmospheric isolation of the interior volume thereof wherein the present invention further includes a hermetic seal between the first half and second half of the outer shell.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide specialized storage and work task surfaces wherein the interior volume of the present invention includes at least two storage trays wherein the storage trays have storage compartments of alternate sizes formed therein.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide atmospheric isolation of the interior volume thereof wherein the interior volume of the present invention includes lower compartments configured to receive and store larger objects therein.
Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide specialized storage and work task surfaces wherein the storage trays are movably coupled to support arm members providing positioning thereof subsequent the outer shell being placed in an open position.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide atmospheric isolation of the interior volume thereof wherein the storage tray further includes a foldable lid wherein the lid has an inner surface and an outer surface.
An alternate object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide specialized storage and work task surfaces wherein the outer surface of the lid is employed as a work task surface when the lid is in its closed position.
Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide atmospheric isolation of the interior volume thereof wherein the foldable lid further includes a light on the inner surface thereof.
An additional object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide specialized storage and work task surfaces wherein the outer shell of the present invention is configured in a decorative manner.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide atmospheric isolation of the interior volume thereof wherein the present invention further includes an activated carbon layer embedded within the hermetic seal.
An alternative objective of the present invention is to provide a portable storage case that is configured to provide specialized storage and work task surfaces wherein the present invention further includes a power supply and charging port operable to charge devices such as but not limited to vaping devices.
To the accomplishment of the above and related objects the present invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Attention is called to the fact that the drawings are illustrative only. Variations are contemplated as being a part of the present invention, limited only by the scope of the claims.
A more complete understanding of the present invention may be had by reference to the following Detailed Description and appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings submitted herewith, wherein various elements depicted therein are not necessarily drawn to scale and wherein through the views and figures like elements are referenced with identical reference numerals, there is illustrated a portable storage case 100 constructed according to the principles of the present invention.
An embodiment of the present invention is discussed herein with reference to the figures submitted herewith. Those skilled in the art will understand that the detailed description herein with respect to these figures is for explanatory purposes and that it is contemplated within the scope of the present invention that alternative embodiments are plausible. By way of example but not by way of limitation, those having skill in the art in light of the present teachings of the present invention will recognize a plurality of alternate and suitable approaches dependent upon the needs of the particular application to implement the functionality of any given detail described herein, beyond that of the particular implementation choices in the embodiment described herein. Various modifications and embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.
It is to be further understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials, uses and applications described herein, as these may vary. Furthermore, it is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is used for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention. It must be noted that as used herein and in the claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, a reference to “an element” is a reference to one or more elements and includes equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art. All conjunctions used are to be understood in the most inclusive sense possible. Thus, the word “or” should be understood as having the definition of a logical “or” rather than that of a logical “exclusive or” unless the context clearly necessitates otherwise. Structures described herein are to be understood also to refer to functional equivalents of such structures. Language that may be construed to express approximation should be so understood unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
References to “one embodiment”, “an embodiment”, “exemplary embodiments”, and the like may indicate that the embodiment(s) of the invention so described may include a particular feature, structure or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure or characteristic.
Referring now to the Figures submitted herewith, the portable storage case 100 includes an outer shell 10 wherein the outer shell 10 is comprised of a first half and a second half 8 that are hingedly coupled. The first half 5 and second half 8 of the outer shell 10 in a preferred embodiment is manufactured from a non-porous material such as but not limited to EVA (elastomeric polymer). It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the outer shell 10 could be provided in alternate sizes and shapes. Furthermore, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the outer shell 10 could be provided in various colors and further include decorative indicia thereon. The first half 5 includes a perimeter edge 6 that defines an opening 7 thereto providing access to the interior volume 9 of the first half 5. The second half 8 additionally includes a perimeter edge 11 that defines the opening 12 of the second half 8.
The perimeter edge 11 and perimeter edge 6 have operably coupled thereto a sealing member 15. The sealing member 15 is configured to hermetically seal the first half 5 and second half 8 when the first half 5 and second half 8 have been moved to a closed position wherein the second half 8 is superposed the first half 5. The sealing member 15 is configured to hermetically seal the first half 5 to the second half 8 in a closed position wherein the interior volume of the outer shell 10 is atmospherically isolated. This atmospheric isolation of the interior volume of the outer shell 10 inhibits any odors generated from material stored within the outer shell 10 to egress therefrom when the outer shell 10 is in its closed position. Additionally, the sealing member 15 further is impregnated with an activated carbon to ensure filtration of any odors being emitted from materials stored within the interior volume of the outer shell 10. While the sealing member 15 is illustrated herein as being a zipper style, it should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the sealing member 15 could be constructed in alternate manners and achieve the desired objective discussed herein of providing atmospheric isolation of the interior volume of the outer shell 10.
The portable storage case 100 includes a storage tray 20. The storage tray 20 is movably coupled to the first half 5 and second half 8 utilizing support arm members 25. The storage tray 20 is movable between a first position and a second position when the outer shell 10 is transitioned from its closed position to its open position. The storage tray 20 is disposed within the interior volume 9 of the first half 5 when the outer shell 10 is in its closed position. The storage tray 20 includes a bottom 21 and wall members 22 that are configured to define an interior volume of the storage tray and compartments 23. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the storage tray 20 could have alternate configurations of the wall members 22 in order to define alternate sizes and quantities of compartments 23.
The storage tray 20 has operably secured thereto an upper storage tray 30. The upper storage tray 30 is operably secured to the upper perimeter edge 29 of the storage tray 20. The upper storage tray 30 includes walls 31 and bottom 32 operably coupled to define the interior volume 33 of the upper storage tray 30. The upper storage tray 30 has a width that is equivalent to the storage tray 20 with a length that is approximately half of the storage tray 20. The upper storage tray 20 in a preferred embodiment has a depth that is generally half that of the storage tray 20. The upper storage tray 30 has operably coupled thereto a lid member 40. The lid member 40 is planar in form and is configured to be movable intermediate a first position and a second position. In the first position (not particularly illustrated herein) the lid member 40 is superposed the opening of the upper storage tray 30 providing closure thereof. In the second position, as is illustrated herein in
The front surface 43 of the lid member 40 has secured thereto a light 60 and a mesh pocket member 70. The light 60 is operably coupled to the power supply 80 and is a conventional LED light that is configured to illuminate the upper storage tray 30 when the lid member 40 is in its second position. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the light 60 could be provided in alternate shapes, sizes and locations in order to achieve the desired objective discussed herein. The mesh pocket member 70 is secured to the front surface 43 utilizing suitable techniques. The mesh pocket member 70 is manufactured from nylon mesh or other similar material and is configured to releasably secure items adjacent to and against the front surface 43.
The power supply 80 is a conventional rechargeable power supply such as but not limited to a lithium-ion battery. The power supply 80 is electrically coupled to a charging port 90. The charging port 90 is configured to both provide access to the power supply 80 and provide charging thereof as well as provide coupling to charge devices such as but not limited to vape devices. The portable storage case 100 further includes a locking member 95 that is configured to lock and inhibit access to the portable storage case 100 subsequent being moved to its closed position. It should be understood within the scope of the present invention that the locking member 95 could be various conventional locking mechanisms such as but not limited to a combination lock.
In the preceding detailed description, reference has been made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments, and certain variants thereof, have been described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. It is to be understood that other suitable embodiments may be utilized and that logical changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. The description may omit certain information known to those skilled in the art. The preceding description is, therefore, not intended to be limited to the specific forms set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the invention.
