Field of the Invention
[0001] The invention relates to a collapsible storage container.
Background of the Invention
[0002] Collapsible storage containers are useful because, while they allow for the storage
of goods, they can also be stowed away when not in use without occupying a large amount
of space. Containers comprising several storage compartments are convenient when the
user wishes to store different items without mixing them up e.g. different items of
jewellery.
[0003] Collapsible storage containers, with multiple storage compartments, exist which comprise
removable partitions. Such containers, as are known in the art, are generally intended
for long term storage of items, insofar as they do not allow users to remove items
quickly and replace them without considerable inconvenience e.g. the user would have
to remove items stored at the top of the compartment before reaching the desired items.
Such containers are only operable in two states - one where the container is collapsed
and another where it is assembled and operable to store items. There is a need for
a storage container that is operable to store items in two states - one closed so
as to conserve space and another to allow convenient access to the stored items -
in addition to a collapsed state wherein no items are stored.
Summary of the Invention
[0004] The invention provides a storage container comprising at least one storage unit including
a container wall and a storage receptacle attached to said container wall, said storage
receptacle comprising a plurality of side walls around a base, cantilevered from and
being configured so as to be collapsible into the plane of the container wall.
[0005] The container may include a plurality of storage units wherein the storage receptacle
of each storage unit is disposed on a respective container wall such that when the
storage container is closed the plurality of storage receptacles are stacked one above
the other, the container walls forming the closed storage container.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0006] In order that the invention may be more fully understood an embodiment thereof will
be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Figure 1 is a three dimensional view of a storage unit,
Figures 2A-D are plan views of the storage unit showing its storage receptacle in
sequential stages of opening,
Figure 3 is a three dimensional view of a storage container made up of four of the
storage units in Figure 1, in an open state,
Figure 4 is a three dimensional view of the storage container in a partially closed
state,
Figure 5 is a three dimensional view of the storage container in a fully closed state,
Figure 6 is a three dimensional view of the storage container lid, and
Figure 7 is a three dimensional view of the storage container with the lid placed
thereon.
Detailed Description of the Drawings
[0007] Figure 1 is a view of a storage unit comprising a container wall
110 and a collapsible storage receptacle
120, comprising side walls
130 and base
140, attached to the container wall
110 where the side walls
130 of the storage receptacle
120 are shown in an operational position, the side walls
130 being collapsible into the plane of the container wall
110 as shown in Figure 2. Referring again to Figure 1, the base
140 of the storage receptacle
120 is cantilevered so as to be collapsible into the plane of the container wall
110 and is shown in a semi-raised position. In its operable position the base
140 is perpendicular to each of the plurality of side walls
130. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 1, there are four side walls
130. However, it should be understood that a person skilled in the art could conceive
of an embodiment of a storage receptacle
120 with a different number of side walls
130 without departing from the scope of the invention.
[0008] In one embodiment, the storage receptacle
120 is attached to the container wall
110 using an adhesive between one of the side walls
130 and the container wall
110. In another embodiment, the container wall
110 additionally forms the rear wall of the storage receptacle
120.
[0009] Figures 2 A-D are plan views of the storage unit of Figure 1 showing sequentially
the process of opening the storage receptacle
120 into its operational position. Figure 2A shows the storage receptacle
120 almost in its fully collapsed state, with both the plurality of side walls
130 and base
140 collapsed into the plane of the container wall
110. Figure 2B shows the storage receptacle
120 where the side walls
130 are in their operational state and where the base
140 is partially raised. Figure 2C shows the next stage of opening, where the base
140 is lowered further. Figure 2D shows the storage receptacle
120 in its fully operational state, where each of the side walls
130 abuts all adjoining side walls perpendicularly. The base
140 is shown additionally in its operable state, being perpendicular to the container
wall
110.
[0010] Figure 3 shows an embodiment of a storage container
300 in an open state, comprising several of the storage units hinged together, with hinges
running along one elongated edge of container walls
110a and
110d and along both elongated edges of container walls
110b and
110c. The storage receptacles
120a-d of each storage unit are positioned so that when the storage container
300 is closed the storage receptacles
120a-d are stacked one above the other. This embodiment requires that successive storage
receptacles
120a-d be positioned on the container walls
110a-d in a stepped manner when the storage container is open. In one preferred embodiment
magnetic strips
310 are placed on the storage units that are located at opposing ends of the storage
container
300 so as to run along the length of the non-hinged elongated edge of the container walls
110a and
110d. The magnetic strips
310 are provided to hold the storage container
300 closed. However, it should be understood that the means for securing the container
300 need not be limited to magnetic strips.
[0011] Figure 4 shows the storage container
300 in a partially closed state. The storage receptacles
120a-c are stacked one above the other. The top storage receptacle
120d and container wall
110d are still in the open configuration, while the remaining container walls
110a-c are folded, about their hinges, to form the outer walls of the storage container
300.
[0012] Figure 5 shows the storage container
300 in its fully closed state. All four storage receptacles
120a-d are stacked one above the other. The magnetic strips
310 provided along the non-hinged elongated edges of container walls
110a and
110d are engaged so as to hold the storage container
300 closed. A removable lid
600 is additionally provided (Figure 6), to be placed on top of the storage container
300 when the container
300 is in its closed state, as shown in Figure 7.
[0013] The storage container
300 can occupy one of three states. The storage receptacles
120a-d can be collapsed into the plane of the container walls
110a-d as shown in Figure 2, this collapsed state being particularly advantageous during
transit as it minimises shipping costs. Additionally, when the container
300 is sold, retailers can exploit the collapsed state to minimise the amount of shelf
space occupied by the product. In one embodiment of the invention, the storage container
300 is manufactured from a laminated material. This allows the storage container
300 to be folded bidirectionally so that, in addition to folding in the direction required
to close the container
300, the container
300 can be folded in the opposite direction along the hinge separating container walls
110b and
c, without degrading the container material, to reduce the space that the folded container
300 occupies.
[0014] Another state the preferred embodiment of the invention can occupy is the open state,
wherein the storage receptacles
120a-d are folded out into their operable state as shown in Figure 3. This is particularly
advantageous when the user requires simultaneous access to goods stored in several
of the storage receptacles. One illustrative example of the uses of the storage container
300 could be as a jewellery box, with earrings stored in one receptacle
120, a necklace in another and so forth.
[0015] Yet another state the preferred embodiment of the invention can occupy is the closed
state, with or without the removable lid
600 placed on the storage container
300 as shown in Figures 5 & 7. This state would be of benefit when the user has insufficient
space to keep the container
300 in the open state but cannot collapse it as the receptacles
120a-d are full, or for transport. A further advantage of the closed state would be to a
retailer who wished to sell retail articles in the container
300, allowing the end user to reuse the container with other items once the original retail
articles were exhausted.
[0016] The embodiments so far described involve a storage container comprising four walls,
with four storage receptacles. However, it should be understood that a container comprising
more or less than four walls and receptacles could be produced according to the invention.
Examples may include, but are not limited to, hexagonal storage containers with six
receptacles or storage containers with curved walls. Indeed, various modifications
or enhancements could be made without departing from the scope of the invention.
1. A storage container comprising at least one storage unit including:
a container wall; and
a storage receptacle attached to and said container wall, said storage receptacle
comprising a plurality of side walls around a base, cantilevered from and being configured
so as to be collapsible into the plane of the container wall.
2. A storage container according to claim 1 wherein said storage receptacle is attached
to the container wall along one of said side walls and said base is cantilevered at
the base of said one side wall.
3. A storage container according to claim 1 or 2, including a plurality of the storage
units hinged to one another so that the storage container may be opened or closed.
4. A storage container according to claim 3, wherein the storage receptacle of each storage
unit is disposed on a respective container wall such that when the storage container
is closed the plurality of storage receptacles are stacked one above the other, the
container walls form the closed storage container.
5. A storage container according to any preceding claim including a locating device to
hold the container walls closed.
6. A storage container according to claim wherein the locating device includes cooperating
magnetic strips attached to the container walls.
7. A storage container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a removable
lid.
8. A storage container according to any preceding claim wherein the or each container
wall comprises a flat planar panel.
9. A storage container when the or each container wall comprises a curved planar panel.
10. A storage container according to any preceding claim, wherein said container is manufactured
from a laminated material.