Collapsible container with pockets

Abstract

A collapsible container having four tension-loop panels covered by flexible material with each panel joined to two other panels to form an enclosure with opposing top and bottom panels and two opposing side panels, the container having two flexible ends each located on opposing ends of the frames and attached to a plurality of the frames, the container comprises an opening in the one of the panels and at least one interior pocket having two opposing sides with each side fastened to a flexible side panel or flexible end, the interior pocket having an open top.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to Provisional Patent Application No. 61 / 478,327 filed Apr. 22, 2011, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.BACKGROUND[0002]Collapsible containers are known having four or more flexible side panels with twist-and-fold frames. The side panels are folded on top of each other and the frames twisted into overlapping coils to form a compact structure for shipping and storage. But folding the frames into overlapping coils creates a stored container that readily springs open. Rubber bands are sometimes used to hold the coiled frames in the collapsed configuration, or the coiled container is fit into a bag that is often sewn to the side of the container as in Pat. No. RE37,924. But the pop-open tendency of such containers remains undesirable. Further, collapsing these containers and twisting them into overlapping coils is difficult for some people. There is thu...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006]In further variations, the collapsible container has an opening in the top panel and wherein there are at least four interior pockets in four interior corners adjacent the bottom panel: Moreover, the container may have a cover over the opening in the top panel with the cover being releasably fastened to the container. The container may also optionally have at least one exterior pocket on the outside of the container, and handles on the side panels or end panels. The container may also have an end pull on each of the end panels to help pull the end panels outward and facilitate collapsing of the container.

[0009]There is also provided a method of folding a collapsible container where the container has a quadrilateral shape with eight interior corners formed by four panels covered by flexible material with each panel each having a tension loop frame. Each panel is also joined to two adjacent side panels to form a ring. Two flexible ends join to opposing ends of the tension loop frames to form an enclosure. Two of the panels form opposing side panels which are separated by and joined to opposing top and bottom panels. The method includes the steps of pulling on a first end pull fastened to one of the ends and extending outward from that end so as to move that end outward. The method also includes moving a corner of a first of the side panel that is adjacent that end pull toward a corner of the bottom panel connected to that first end panel so as to help place the first side panel adjacent the bottom panel.

Problems solved by technology

Additionally, a hook-and-loop strip is advantageously placed on the bottom of the container, facing outward, and sized so that the engagement with the fabric material covering the bottom of a car trunk is sufficient to restrain lateral movement and sliding of the container but not so strong as to make it difficult to disengage the container from the trunk bottom.

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