Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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COLLAPSIBLE STORAGE DEVICE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to product storage and, more
specifically, to a collapsible storage device that is inexpensive and easy to
manufacture.
Description of the Related Art
There are numerous fixtures on the market for storing typical
household or shop floor products such as paper towels, diapers, tissue paper
boxes, hygienic products, toilet paper and/or other products having a shape or
that are stackable. Some existing devices are designed to store paper rolls,
others are designed to store and dispense paper, yet they are typically rigid
and
are permanently placed on or affixed to structure such as walls or cabinet
doors.
Known art in the field includes US Patents 6,484,965 (Reaves),
4,765,475 (Kaysserian), 4,098,469 (McCarthy), and 5,197,611 (Walton).
Although all of these inventions store either paper towel or toilet paper
rolls,
none are collapsible nor can they be easily suspended or moved from one
location to another. These prior art devices are made of rigid material, some
with moving parts, and they have to be permanently affixed or placed in
position
in order to serve their intended use. Therefore, they consume the same
amount of space when they are empty as they do when they are in use.
Additionally, the materials from which these devices are made are relatively
expensive and their manufacturing complicated, subjecting their sale to
limited
retail outlets. Furthermore, since these devices are rigid and some use a
specific length spool, they are fit for either paper towels or toilet paper,
but not
for both. They are also not suited for storing or dispensing other products
such
as diapers, canned food and/or tissue paper boxes.
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In light of bulk consuming habits in today's marketplace, desire for
flexibility, and limited space, consumers continuously demand more flexible
storage devices that have more capacity and are less expensive. Furthermore,
manufacturers and suppliers increasingly seek to sell their products at
multiple
retail outlets or to provide as promotional gifts, products that are
inexpensive
and easy to manufacture.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, a collapsible storage device comprises a rear
panel, a front panel coupled to the rear panel to remain a fixed distance
therefrom during use, the front and rear panel combining to form a cavity
sized
and shaped to retain a plurality of products, each having a shape, during use,
a
base coupled to the front and rear panels, the base being adapted to support
the plurality of products, and having an opening in at least one end thereof
through which the plurality of products can pass, and at least one suspension
device coupled to one of the front and rear panels and configured for hanging
the device from a structure.
In another embodiment, a collapsible storage device for storing
and dispensing a plurality of diapers, comprises a collapsible body having at
least a front portion, a rear portion, a base, and at least one sealable
opening,
the front and rear portions being coupled together to remain a fixed distance
from each other during use and to define a cavity therebetween sized and
shaped to hold a plurality of diapers, the base being configured to retain at
least
one of the diapers and to support all of the diapers, the sealable opening
sized
to allow at least one diaper to be deposited in the cavity therethrough, and
the
body being sufficiently collapsible to be manipulated between an operating
configuration for use and a collapsed configuration facilitating storage and
transport of the device. The device may further comprise a fastener coupled to
an upper portion of the collapsible body, the fastener being adapted to
removably couple the device to a structure during use, and an opening
interposed between the base and at least one of the front portion and the rear
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portion, the opening sized to allow a user to selectively withdraw at least
one
diaper at a time from the opening.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS)
Figure 1 is a front isometric view of a collapsible storage device
according to one embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2a is a front view of the collapsible storage device of
Figure 1.
Figure 2b is a front view of a portion of the collapsible storage
device of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a side view of the collapsible storage device of Figure
1.
Figure 4 is an isometric view of the collapsible storage device of
Figure 1 in its collapsed form.
Figure 5 is an isometric view of a portion of a collapsible storage
device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is an isometric view of a portion of a collapsible storage
device according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 7 is an isometric view of a collapsible storage device
according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 8 is an isometric view of a collapsible storage device
according to a further embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 9 is an isometric view of a collapsible storage device
according to yet a further embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 10 is an isometric view of a collapsible storage device
according to still a further embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 11 is an isometric view of a portion of a collapsible storage
device according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 12 is an isometric view of a collapsible storage device
according to yet another embodiment of the present invention.
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Figure 13 is an isometric view of a portion of a collapsible storage
device according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
In the description that follows, paper products such as paper towel
rolls and toilet paper rolls are used as examples of products that can be
stored
in and/or dispensed from a collapsible storage device according to an
embodiment of the present invention; however, an individual of ordinary skill
in
the art having reviewed this disclosure will appreciate that the collapsible
storage device can store and/or dispense other products, such as diapers,
tissue paper boxes, fabric softener boxes, male or female hygienic products,
dishwashing or other sponges, soaps and/or soap boxes, boxed food items or
food additives, canned food products, video games or other portable data
storage devices, any combination thereof and/or any other product having a
shape and/or that can be stacked for convenient storage and dispensing.
Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of a collapsible storage
device 10 comprising a flexible rectangular chamber that comprises a top panel
11, two side panels 12, a rear panel 13, and a front panel 14. The front panel
14 has an opening 15. The opening 15 can be used to insert products such as
paper rolls inside the chamber of the collapsible storage device 10 or to
manipulate them after they are inserted. Overlapping portions of the front
panel
14 can close the opening 15. Although Figure 1 shows opening 15 in the front
panel 14, the opening 15 can be incorporated in any of the panels, or none at
all.
The inventor envisions embodiments that do not incorporate one
or more panels. For example, the device 10 could be fabricated without the top
panel 11. In such embodiments, stiffening elements may be incorporated into
the upper edge of the device 10 to help it maintain its shape. In addition, or
instead, the device 10 could be fabricated without one or both of the side
panels 12. In such embodiments, straps or other elements extending between
the front panel 14 and the rear panel 13 can be used to maintain the proper
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shape during use. An individual of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed
this
disclosure, will appreciate these and other variations that can be made to the
device 10 without deviating from the spirit of the invention.
Moreover, the collapsible storage device 10 can be suspended by
one or more suspension devices 16, attached to a panel. In one embodiment
as shown in Figure 1, the suspension device 16 can be a hook attached to the
rear panel 13, for suspending the collapsible storage device 10 from various
structures. The suspension device 16 can be thin, allowing a door to close
while the collapsible storage device 10 is suspended from that door.
A lower securing member 17 can be attached to at least two
panels, supporting a lower paper roll 18. In one embodiment, as shown in
Figure 1, the lower securing member 17 can be attached to the rear panel 13
and front panel 14 with at least one open side that provides access to the
lower
paper roll 18.
Figure 2a better illustrates the lower securing member 17,
providing access to a lower paper roll 18, such as a paper towel roll. Figure
2b
illustrates a variable use for the present invention, namely, to store paper
rolls
of shorter length 19, such as toilet paper rolls, in a side-by-side fashion.
As
shown in Figure 2b, the securing member 17 can provide access to more than
one toilet paper roll in the lower position. One or more dividers could be
incorporated into the body of the device to create chambers for each stack of
toilet paper rolls. An individual of ordinary skill in the art, having
reviewed this
disclosure, will appreciate that the chamber can be divided into two or more
sub-chambers, sized to correspond to the particular rolls being stored, and
that
the rolls could be stored in either a vertical or horizontal orientation.
Furthermore, Figure 3 shows the manner in which the paper rolls
may be stored inside the chamber of the collapsible storage device 10. The
stored paper rolls 20 can rest on top of the paper roll below them while the
lower paper roll 18 rests on the supporting member 17. Regardless of the type
of paper roll stored, when the user draws the lower most paper roll 18, the
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paper roll immediately above the drawn roll automatically shifts down to the
lower position for subsequent use.
Figure 4 illustrates the collapsible storage device 10 in its
collapsed state. The collapsible storage device 10 can be made of a pliable
material, such as cloth, other fabrics, foils or films, or can incorporate
crease
lines such that when it is empty it can be collapsed down to a thin form and
be
stowed for transport or until future use.
The flexible nature of the collapsible storage device 10 has
several advantages. One advantage is that consumers can easily position it
where they desire when it is in use and easily collapse and store it when it
is
not in use. Another advantage is that suppliers can easily and inexpensively
manufacture a collapsible storage device 10 and sell it at a profit at a
variety of
outlets, from grocery stores to retail stores. Still another advantage is the
fact
that the device 10 can be, packaged, shipped, stored and displayed in its
collapsed state, minimizing the cost of shipping and retail space occupied.
Yet
another advantage is that suppliers can include the collapsible storage device
as a promotional gift to consumers because the present invention is
inexpensive, easy to manufacture, and can fit inside existing product
packaging.
In another embodiment of the present invention, as illustrated in
Figure 5, the device 10 may comprise a zipper 21 to seal the opening 15 after
placing the paper rolls inside the collapsible storage device 10.
Additionally, or
alternatively, in yet another embodiment of the present invention as
illustrated
in Figure 6, the device 10 may comprise hook and loop fasteners 22 to seal the
opening 15. In embodiments without a top panel 11, the paper rolls can be
loaded into the device 10 from above, and the consumer can use the opening
15 to access the paper rolls and move them into a desired orientation.
In still another embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
Figure 7, the rear panel 13 can comprise at least one suspension device 23
having hook and loop fasteners to suspend the collapsible storage device 10.
The collapsible storage device 10 can be attached to its desired position
using
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hook and loop fasteners or other similar attaching mechanisms because the
present invention is made from pliable or otherwise lightweight material. One
advantage of attaching mechanisms such as hook and loop fasteners is that
they allow the collapsible storage device 10 to attach inside of doors with no
visibility of a suspension device from the outside.
In a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
Figure 8, the device 10 may comprise at least one top panel suspension device
24 attached to the top panel 11. The top panel suspension device 24 can be a
hook, as shown in Figure 8, or be comprised of hook and loop fasteners or
other attaching mechanisms. An added advantage of this embodiment is that
multiple users can access the collapsible storage device 10 from all sides
because a top panel suspension device 24 connects the collapsible storage
device 10 to a ceiling or closet rod, suspended remote from any walls. Such a
use may be preferred in commercial applications, such as automobile repair
shops, or in some home applications, such as in garages, in which applications
other products such as motor oil cans can be stored and dispensed in the
collapsible storage device 10.
In yet a further embodiment of the present invention, as shown in
Figure 9, a collapsible storage device 110 can be fabricated without a top
panel. Moreover, the rear portion 113, lower portion 117, and front portion
114
can be formed from one piece of pliable material, such as cloth, other
fabrics,
foils or films, plastics, nylon, composites and/or any combination thereof.
The
rear portion 113 and front portion 114 can be coupled with straps 125 to
maintain a fixed distance between the two portions, sized to retain paper
rolls.
The lower portion 117 can support all of the rolls and retain one of the
rolls,
which can be withdrawn from an opening on a side of the lower portion 117.
Figure 10 illustrates still a further embodiment in which a
collapsible storage device 210 may be fabricated without a top panel. The
collapsible storage device 210 may have a first opening 215 in front panel
214.
The device 210 may further comprise a zipper 221 to seal the front panel 214
when in use to retain loaded paper rolls 220. The zipper 221 can be unzipped
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to allow loading new paper rolls 226 through the first opening 215. While
loading, the zipper 221 can be incrementally seated to secure the loaded paper
rolls 220 while the additional paper rolls 226 are stacked on the loaded paper
rolls 220. The collapsible storage device 210 may also have a second opening
227, formed by a lower portion 217 and allowing access to the lower paper roll
218. At least a first stiffening member 228 may support the lower portion 217,
allowing the lower portion 217 to support the loaded paper rolls 220 and the
lower paper roll 218. As shown in Figure 10, the first stiffening member 228
can be positioned on an edge of the rear panel 213.
An individual of ordinary skill in the art, having reviewed this
disclosure, will appreciate other manners in which the lower portion 217 can
be
supported. For example, a second stiffening member 229 can be positioned on
a periphery of the second opening 227 in place of or in addition to the first
stiffening member 228. The stiffening members 228, 229 can be fabricated
from plastic, metal, cardboard, composites, or other material that can
maintain
a shape of the pliable lower portion 217 to support the stored paper rolls 220
and lower paper roll 218. Furthermore, the first stiffening member 228 and
second stiffening member 229 may be in the shape of a rod that is attached to
an edge or inserted through an edge hemming. A stiffening member (not
shown) can also be a flat piece configured to extend from an edge of the rear
panel 213 to a periphery of the second opening 227.
The collapsible storage device 210 can include at least one
suspension device 216 that may be removably coupled to various structures. In
at least one embodiment as illustrated in Figure 10, the suspension device 216
can be removably secured in a hook 230, supplied with the collapsible storage
device 210 or existing in a structure. The suspension device 216 can also be
removably secured around protrusions and structure such as nails, hangers,
rods, beams, and other structure suitable to couple to the suspension device
216. The suspension device 216 can be fabricated from material, such as
cloth, other fabrics, foils or films, plastics, metals, canvas, composites, or
other
material capable of supporting the collapsible storage device 210 and its
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contents, when suspended. The suspension device 216 may also be made of
two straps that can be connected by attaching mechanisms such as VELCRO~
hook and loop fasteners for applications where the collapsible storage device
210 is suspended from structures without a free end, such as beams inside
garages or rods inside closets.
Figure 11 illustrates another embodiment of the collapsible
storage device 210 that includes a base 217, fabricated from a material that
is
stiffer than the material from which the front panel 214 and rear panel 213
are
fabricated. For example, the base 217 can be fabricated from plastic,
cardboard, hard or soft wood, metal, foam, composites, or any other material
that is not excessively pliable. The rear panel 213 can support the rear end
of
the base 217 while the second stiffening member 229, attached to a periphery
of the second opening 227, can support the front end of the base 217. The
base 217 can support the stored paper rolls 220 and lower paper roll 218
during
use. When empty, the collapsible storage device 210 can collapse onto the
base 217 in a thin form and be stowed for transport or until future use.
Figure 12 illustrates yet another embodiment, in which a
collapsible storage device 310 can be configured to receive other standard
shaped products 301 such as diapers, tissue paper boxes, paper rolls, fabric
softener boxes, male or female hygienic products, dishwashing or other
sponges, soaps and/or soap boxes, boxed food items or food additives, canned
food products, video games and/or other portable data storage devices, and/or
any other product having a shape and/or that can be stacked for convenient
storage and dispensing. The following provides a more detailed description of
this embodiment using diapers as an example of a product that can be stored
and dispensed by the collapsible storage device 310. It is understood that
other products can be stored in the collapsible storage device 310.
The collapsible storage device 310 may comprise a rear panel
313, a front panel 314, and a base 317, together defining an at least
partially
bounded area to store products 301 such as diapers. The collapsible storage
device 310 may further comprise at least one opening 327 adapted to allow
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convenient dispensing of the diaper 301 in a lower most position, resting on
the
base 317 without allowing the other stacked diapers to fall out or be
dispensed.
When the diaper 301 is dispensed, the stacked diapers shift down to allow the
next diaper to be dispensed when needed. The collapsible storage device 310
may further include at least one optional divider 319 extending at least
partially
between the front panel 314 and the rear panel 313, and dividing the
collapsible
storage device 310 into at least two compartments 323. The collapsible
storage device 310 may further include optional side panels 312 for improved
containment of the stored diapers. In Figure 12, the opening 327 is
illustrated
to be in the front panel 314; however, the opening can be in any of the
panels,
for example, in the rear panel 313 or the side panels 312.
The panels 312, 313, 314, base 317 and/or divider 319 can be
fabricated from a pliable material, such as cloth, other fabrics, foils or
films,
pliable plastics, paper products, nylon, or any other material that is pliable
to
allow collapsing of the collapsible storage device 310 to a thin form when not
in
use. Additionally, or alternatively, the panels 312, 313, 314, base 317 and/or
divider 319 can incorporate crease lines such that when empty, the collapsible
storage device 310 can collapse to a thin form and be stowed for transport or
until future use. The base 317 can also be fabricated from a material that is
less pliable, such as plastics, foams, composites, metals, glass, and/or wood,
or any combination thereof, or any material operable to support a weight of a
stack of products 301 such as diapers.
The collapsible storage device 310 can be secured using at least
one suspension device 316 that can be any suitable suspension device similar
to those described herein in conjunction with other embodiments. Furthermore,
optional sealable openings 315 can be formed in a panel such as the front
panel 314 to assist in loading diapers or other products 301 in the
collapsible
storage device 310. The openings 315 can be sealed in any suitable manner
similar to those described herein in conjunction with other embodiments, such
as zippers 321 and/or hook and loop fasteners. Additionally, or alternatively,
the storage compartments 323 form chutes having a top opening. A user can
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load the collapsible storage device 310 by depositing one or more diapers or
other products 301 in the top opening, the diapers or other products 301
gravitating toward the base 317. Therefore, the top openings can act as
gravity
feeds for easy loading of the collapsible storage device 310.
In another aspect of this embodiment, the collapsible storage
device 310 may include at least one top panel 311 as illustrated in Figure 13.
The top panel 311 can be sealed using sealing means such as a zipper 331
and/or any other suitable means similar to those described herein, such as
hook and loop fasteners. Figure 13 illustrates a top panel 311 for each
compartment 323. Alternatively, one top panel can cover both compartments
323. The top panel 311 can be fabricated from pliable or non-pliable material
such as plastics, nylon, composites, foams, metals, glass, silicone, wood,
cloth,
other fabrics, foils or films, or any combination thereof and/or any other
suitable
material to cover a top of the collapsible storage device 310. The top panel
311
may be temporarily removed or opened to load the collapsible storage device
310, for example by unzipping the top panel 311 and pivoting it about a side
of
the top panel 311, for example a side 333 coinciding with a top edge of the
rear
panel 313.
All of the above U.S. patents, U.S. patent application publications,
U.S. patent applications, foreign patents, foreign patent applications and non-
patent publications referred to in this specification and/or listed in the
Application Data Sheet, are incorporated herein by reference, in their
entirety.
From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specific
embodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes of
illustration, various modifications may be made without deviating from the
spirit
and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not limited except
as
by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
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