Collapsible mesh box for carrying goods |
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申请号 | US11473225 | 申请日 | 2006-06-22 | 公开(公告)号 | US20070034626A1 | 公开(公告)日 | 2007-02-15 |
申请人 | John Warren; | 发明人 | John Warren; | ||||
摘要 | A reusable, collapsible container intended for carrying goods that maintains its shape whether empty or heavily loaded, keeps contents level and stable when carried, is comfortable and easy to use, and lays flat when collapsed for easy storage and transportation, comprising a reinforced base, folding mesh walls, a center divider, snaps and Velcro connectors, reinforcing rods, two carrying handles, and one padded shoulder strap. | ||||||
权利要求 | |||||||
说明书全文 | This application is entitled to the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/692,986, filed Jun. 22, 2005. U.S. Pat. Nos. D461,638 S; Des. 433,810; 6,220,988 B1; 2004/0089660 A1; 2004/0084448 A1; 2003/0189044 A1; 6,585,414 B2; 2,030,204; DE3830104; 4,930,697 None. This invention relates to containers intended for carrying goods, specifically reusable, collapsible totes. Historically, boxes and bags have been the most common containers for carrying goods. Both of these have significant limitations. A variety of containers have been developed to address these limitations. These containers and their continuing limitations are listed below:
Insofar as I am aware, this invention is the only single container that that addresses all these limitations. The invention, an improved container for carrying goods, is a collapsible cloth container with a center divider and an integrated padded shoulder strap. It combines the positive characteristics of being rigid and maintaining its shape when open, whether empty or heavily loaded, being easy to open and collapse, being comfortable for the user even when loaded, and being essentially flat when in the collapsed position. Additional positive characteristics are:
This container is designed to be easy to store and transport in the closed position. For this reason, light materials were selected and a small carrying handle made of nylon webbing is attached at the center of the long edge of the base. This container is also designed to be easy to carry, even when heavily loaded. In order to keep loads flat, level and stable, carrying straps are positioned to cross over the open container ¼ and ¾ of the way along the length of the long walls. Carrying straps are made of nylon webbing and are connected to the container with plastic “D rings.” Carrying straps are long enough to be able to drape around the outside of the end walls so as not to interfere with loading. In addition to the increased comfort due to the positioning of the carrying straps, a self-leveling shoulder strap is connected to the carrying straps. Each end of the shoulder strap is connected to each carrying strap by means of a plastic clip, allowing the shoulder strap to slide freely to any number of “off-center” positions. This allows the container to stay level, while at the same time allowing the user to stand upright. This feature further increases comfort by minimizing the pressure exerted by the container against the user's hip. This reduced pressure and level orientation further protect potentially fragile contents, as the strap angles up toward the user's shoulder. The shoulder strap is made of wide nylon webbing and includes a padded, non-slip shoulder piece. A piece of non-slip rubber is attached to the bottom of the base to keep the container from sliding around in the trunk of the user's car or other slippery surfaces. Operation To collapse, the center divider must be disconnected from the top edges of the long walls. The center divider can then lie flat against the inside base of the container. Allow the carrying straps and shoulder strap to fall within the container. Next, the four walls are folded down in one, easy, two-handed process. Place one hand on the center of the top edge of each long wall. Fold the center of one long wall down over the center of the other long wall following the diagonal creases that extend from the lower-end corner of the long wall, to the top-center of the long wall. As both long walls fold toward each other and lay, one on top of the other, in a triangular shape, the end walls will also simultaneously fold down and lay on top of the folded long walls. Thus, in the folded state, the straps, the center divider, and all four walls lay flat, on top of, and within, the dimensions of the base. The container is secured in its folded state by means of Velcro tabs. An equally easy two-handed process is required to open the container. Disconnect the Velcro tabs. Lift the end walls up and away from the center. As you do, the long walls will also come up. When the container is open, lift the center divider and connect its Velcro tabs and snaps to the center of the top edges of each long wall. Again, after the center divider is connected to the long walls, the container will maintain a rigid shape. Though it will decrease the container's rigidity, a user may choose not to raise and connect the center divider and use the container without the center divider's additional support. This will allow the container to accommodate larger items. The container was designed primarily as an alternative to paper or plastic shopping sacks, though its uses as a tote and container go far beyond shopping. As a shopping tool, however, its size and shape are intended to maximize the space in the greatest number of shopping carts and shopping check-out counters. In its open, un-collapsed state, it's dimensions are 23″ long×13½″ wide×11″ deep. Similarly, as a shopping tool, pockets have been added to the outside of the end walls to accommodate coupons, shopping lists and smaller reusable shopping sacks. Though the invention was designed as a shopping tool, its uses as a tote and a container go far beyond shopping. Different proportional dimensions, materials and different outside pocket configurations and coverings can be easily incorporated into the overall design. |