Patent Application
20200205532
This application relates generally to storage containers and, more specifically, to a soft-sided storage container with an exoskeleton frame.
Storage containers can be used for a variety of purposes. At construction sites, storage containers are often used to store tools and other equipment. Existing storage containers used at construction sites have two varieties—hard-sided and soft-sided. Hard-sided storage containers have rigid walls made of hard plastic, metal, or a combination thereof. Hard-sided storage containers are typically durable, water-proof, and stackable. However, hard-sided storage containers can be heavy and difficult to transport, rigid with minimal capability for expansion or reorganization, and cumbersome if not properly closed or latched. On the other hand, soft-sided storage containers can be easier to transport given their relatively lighter weight and no need to latch or close, have more flexibility due to their soft sides, and have greater flexibility for pockets and other organizing features. However, soft-sided storage containers have limitations in that they may not be waterproof, their fabric material is more susceptible to wear and tear, and they are not conducive to stacking.
In light of the foregoing limitations with existing storage containers, an improved storage container and storage system would be desirable.
In one aspect, a storage container includes a bottom, a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, a fourth side wall and a top, wherein the first, second, third and fourth side walls each comprise primarily fabric, wherein the bottom is a rigid bottom, wherein the top defines an opening to an interior of the storage container. A rigid exterior frame, the rigid exterior frame comprising a first side wall frame portion connected to the first side wall, a second side wall frame portion connected to the second side wall, a first top frame portion, and a second top frame portion, the first top frame portion interconnecting the first side wall frame portion and the second side wall frame portion, the second top frame portion interconnecting the first side wall frame portion and the second side wall frame portion. The first top frame portion and the second top frame portion are spaced apart to enable access to the interior through the opening.
In another aspect, a storage container includes a bottom, a first side wall, a second side wall, a third side wall, a fourth side wall and a top, wherein the first, second, third and fourth side walls each comprise primarily fabric, wherein the bottom is a rigid bottom, wherein the top defines an opening to an interior of the storage container. A rigid frame supports the first, second, third and fourth side walls, the rigid frame including an exterior frame portion located externally of the interior and an interior frame portion located within the interior. The interior frame portion is connected to the interior frame portion by a plurality of fasteners passing through one or more of the first, second, third and fourth side walls.
In a further aspect, a storage system with variable stackability includes a first storage container, a second storage container and a third storage container. The first storage container including a rigid bottom with a pair of first stacking recesses and a pair of second stacking recesses, the first storage container including a top with a pair of first stacking projections. The second storage container including a rigid bottom with a pair of third stacking recesses and a pair of fourth stacking recesses, the second storage container including a top with a pair of second stacking projections. The third storage container including a top with a pair of third stacking projections. A spacing between the pair of first stacking recesses is a first distance. A spacing between the pair of second stacking recesses is a second distance, the second distance larger than the first distance. A spacing between the pair of first stacking projections is the first distance. A spacing between the pair of third stacking recesses the first distance. A spacing between the pair of fourth stacking recesses is the second distance. A spacing between the pair of second stacking projections is the second distance. A spacing between the pair of third stacking projections is the second distance. The first storage container is stackable atop the second storage container by engaging the second stacking recesses of the first storage container with the second stacking projections of the second storage container. The first storage container is stackable atop the third storage container by engaging the second stacking recesses of the first storage container with the third stacking projections of the third storage container. The second storage container is stackable atop the first storage container by engaging the third stacking recesses of the second storage container with the first stacking projections of the first storage container. The second storage container is stackable atop the third storage container by engaging the fourth stacking recesses of the second storage container with the third stacking projections of the third storage container.
The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.
Referring to
Referring to
The rigid exterior frame 30 may be fixed to the exterior surface of the fabric panels of the container at one or more points along the frame using any of a variety of attachment methods, including fasteners, adhesives, stitching, or other attachment methods known to those in this field. In the illustrated embodiment, the exterior frame 30 forms part of a frame system that also includes an interior frame portion 36. Here, the interior frame portion 36 is made up of four separate frame components 36a-36d, and the exterior frame 30 is made up for four separate frame components 30a-30d that are connected to each other. However, the number of components utilized to make up each of the interior frame portion and the exterior frame could vary.
As to the illustrated exterior frame 30, each frame component 30a and 30b makes up a respective side wall frame portion that is substantially U-shaped, each having a longitudinal bottom segment (e.g., 38a) and spaced apart upwardly extending upright segments (e.g., 38b and 38c). Each frame components 30c and 30d, alone or together with upper portions of the upright segments of the frame components 30a and 30b, make up top frame portions that interconnect the two side wall frame portions, with the top frame portions spaced apart to enable access to the container interior 34 through the opening 32. Here, the upper ends of the upright segments of each side wall frame component 30a and 30b include laterally facing slots (e.g., 40) into which tabs (e.g., 42) of the top frame components 30c and 30d engage to provide the interconnection. These tab and slot connections may incorporate locking tabs or other structure and/or may include a friction fit and/or may be held together by adhesive, heat staking and or welding.
As to the interior frame portion 36, each of the components 36a-36d is substantially L-shaped in side elevation view, to follow the contour of the exterior frame. Each of the interior frame components 36a-36d also includes an upper segment (e.g., segments 44a, 44b and 44c for components 36a, 36d and 36c respectively) that extend in alignment with the top frame components (e.g., 30d) so that an interconnection between the top frame components and the interior frame components can be made. Here, the upper segments 44a, 44b include openings (e.g., 46a, 46b and 46c) through which a fastener can be passed for the interconnection. For example, one way push clips (e.g., 48c) with flexing retaining arms and tabs may be used, where the push clips are integral with the top frame components. Interior frame components 36a and 36b make up one interior frame side section, which tracks the shape of exterior frame component 30a, and interior frame components 36c and 36d make up a second interior frame side section, which tracks the shape of exterior frame component 30b.
The rigid bottom 28 includes a bottom wall 50 and upwardly extending side wall segments 52a-52d. The bottom portion of the fabric of each side wall 20, 22, 24, 26 is attached to a top portion of one of the side wall segments of the rigid bottom. By way of example, the fabric may be attached to the side wall segments of the rigid bottom by stitch seam (e.g., represented by dashed line 54), with stitching that passes through the rigid plastic of both the fabric and the side wall segments. However, other attachment systems could also be used, such as adhesives, heat bonding etc. Here, the lower end of the fabric is located on the outer side of the side wall segments of the rigid bottom, but other variations are possible.
As mentioned above, the exterior frame 30 is connected to the interior frame portion 36, with such attachment being through the side walls 20 and 22, and along the top wall. More specifically, interior frame components 36a and 36b are connected to exterior frame component 30a through the side wall by a plurality of fasteners passing through the side wall 20, and the interior frame components 36c and 36d are attached to the exterior frame component 30b by a plurality of fasteners passing through the side wall. Each plurality of fasteners includes multiple fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws or pins at locations 60a) that pass through the aligned side wall segment (e.g., 30a) of the rigid bottom 30 as well as the lower portion of the fabric in the same area. Each plurality of fasteners also includes multiple fasteners (e.g., rivets, screws or pins at locations 60b) that pass only through the fabric (not any part of the rigid bottom) of the respective side wall. One-way push clip connections may also be used, as represented by clip 62.
Each interior frame component 36a-36d includes a lateral segment 66a-66d that extends along an upper edge of adjacent side wall segment of the rigid bottom. Each side wall segment defines shoulder (e.g., shoulder 68c in
Each top frame portion includes at least one stacking or mating feature, such as the upwardly projecting features 70c and 70d. The rigid bottom 30 includes complementary stacking or mating features, such as the upwardly extending recesses or pockets 72, that mesh with the stacking or mating features 70c and 70d to enable stacking of the storage container 14 atop another storage container of the same configuration and size. In addition, side-located projections 74c and 74d are also provided and are configured to wrap slightly upward and around the sides of the rigid bottom of a container that is stacked atop the container 14. The projections 70c and 70d may include an elastomeric surface covering (e.g., 76d) to enhance retention of the projections 70c and 70d within the recesses of another container by resisting sliding. The elastomeric surface covering may, by way of example, be adhesively applied or overmolded.
With exception of slight variations in size and shape, the overall assembly configuration of containers 12 and 16 may be similar to that of container 14 (e.g., each container 12 and 16 including an exterior frame connected to an interior frame through fabric side walls, and a rigid bottom). Likewise, the container 18 may include a rigid bottom 18a, fabric side walls (e.g., 18b) and an exterior frame 18c (which may be connected to an internal frame portion). The back side 18d of the container 18 may be fabric or may be of a rigid plastic.
As mentioned above, variable stackability amongst the containers is achievable. In this regard, reference is made to
Notably, the upwardly projecting stacking features of the frame 80 are spaced apart by a lateral distance d3 and the upwardly projecting stacking features of the frame 30 and the frame 82 are spaced apart by a lateral distance d4, where distance d4 is larger than distance d3 due to the relative size difference between containers. The lateral spacing between the stacking recesses 72 of the rigid bottoms 28 and 86 is distance d4, which enables the container 14 to stack atop the container 16 and enables the container 16 to stack atop container 14. Likewise, each container 14 and 16 can stack atop another identical container 14 or 16. The rigid bottoms 28 and 86 also include another set of stacking recesses 78 that are laterally spaced apart by distance d1, which enables either container 14 or container 16 to stack atop container 12. The rigid bottom 84 of container 12 includes an inner set of stacking recesses 88 spaced apart by distance d13, which enables the container 12 to stack upon another identical container 12. The rigid bottom 84 of container 12 also includes outer recesses 90 (here side recesses) that are laterally spaced apart by distance d4, which enables the container 12 to stack atop either container 14 or container 16. Thus, a versatile container system with variable stackability is provided.
Variations in the stackable container system are possible. For example,
As seen in
Regardless of the exact features include, the fabric sides of the containers reduce the weight of the container while providing flexibility in the shape of the container. The fabric sides also permit a variety of organization options with pockets and internal and external attachment points. The rigid plastic frame (exoskeleton) provides strength and durability for the container. The rigid plastic frame is designed so that a minimal amount of frame material is used to provide sufficient strength and durability, while minimizing the weight of the container. In one example aspect, the frame includes cut-away sections to assist with minimizing weight.
Many different variations of container systems with exoskeleton frames are possible.
The above disclosure is directed to soft-sided storage containers with an exoskeleton frame. The example containers described and illustrated herein combine the benefits of the prior art containers described above while also eliminating many of the disadvantages described above. It should be understood that the example containers described herein can be implemented in a variety of storage devices and are not limited to the examples provided herein. Those working in this field should understand that various modifications can be applied to the examples described herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure.
The components described herein can be made of one or more of a number of suitable materials to allow the component or other associated components to meet certain standards.
In general, components described herein can be made from multiple pieces that can be mechanically coupled to each other using one or more of a number of coupling methods, including but not limited to adhesives, welding, soldering, fastening devices, compression fittings, mating threads, and slotted fittings. One or more pieces that are mechanically coupled to each other can be coupled to each other in one or more of a number of ways, including but not limited to fixedly, hingedly, removeably, slidably, and threadably.
Any component described in one or more figures herein can apply to any other figures having the same label. In other words, the description for any component of a figure can be considered substantially the same as the corresponding component described with respect to another figure unless otherwise noted. For any figure shown and described herein, one or more of the components may be omitted, added, repeated, and/or substituted. Accordingly, embodiments shown in a particular figure should not be considered limited to the specific arrangements of components shown in such figure.
Although example embodiments are provided herein, it should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various modifications are well within the scope of the disclosure. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present disclosure is not limited to any specifically discussed application and that the embodiments described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. From the description of the example embodiments, equivalents of the elements shown therein will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and ways of constructing other embodiments of the present disclosure will suggest themselves to practitioners of the art.
Accordingly, it is to be clearly understood that the above description is intended by way of illustration and example only, is not intended to be taken by way of limitation, and that other changes and modifications are possible.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 62/785,555, filed Dec. 27, 2018, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 62785555 | Dec 2018 | US |
