[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No.
61/290,685, filed on December 29, 2009, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0002] The present invention relates to a multi-material connection and carrier assembly
using the same.
[0003] Various products, such as carrier assemblies, used to carry a plurality of tools
and objects are often made from multiple materials. The invention relates to improvements
in material connections and products made therewith.
[0004] One aspect of the invention provides a partially rigid and partially fabric assembly
including a rigid structure having first connector elements and fabric material that
is connected to the rigid structure. The assembly further includes a plastic connector
structure that connects the fabric material to the rigid structure. The plastic connector
structure includes second connector elements constructed and arranged to connect with
the first connector elements of the rigid structure so as to connect the plastic connector
structure to the rigid structure and a fabric connector portion. The assembly further
includes a sewing material sewn through the fabric connector portion of the plastic
connector structure and the fabric material, so as to connect the fabric material
to the plastic connector structure.
[0005] Another aspect of the invention provides a partially rigid and partially fabric container
assembly including a rigid bottom portion having first connector elements and a peripheral
plastic connector structure having second connector elements constructed and arranged
to connect to the first connector elements, so as to connect the rigid bottom portion
to the peripheral plastic connector structure. The assembly further includes side
walls made of fabric. The fabric side walls are sewn to the peripheral plastic connector
structure. The assembly also includes a handle constructed and arranged to enable
a user to carry the partially rigid and partially fabric container assembly.
[0006] These and other aspects of the present invention, as well as the methods of operation
and functions of the related elements of structure and the combination of parts and
economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon consideration of the following
description and the appended claims with reference to the accompanying drawings, all
of which form a part of this specification, wherein like reference numerals designate
corresponding parts in the various figures. In one embodiment, the structural components
illustrated herein can be considered drawn to scale. It is to be expressly understood,
however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only
and are not a limitation of the invention. In addition, it should be appreciated that
structural features shown or described in any one embodiment herein can be used in
other embodiments as well. As used in the specification and in the claims, the singular
form of "a", "an", and "the" include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates
otherwise.
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a fabric material and a rigid structure connected
to a plastic connector structure, with a partial ghosted perspective of the fabric
provided so as to reveal other components;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the plastic connector structure with a lower portion
facing up;
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the plastic connector structure with a fabric connecting
portion facing up;
Fig. 4 is a partial perspective view of the plastic connector structure;
Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the plastic connector structure connected to the
rigid structure;
Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the plastic connector structure being connected
to the rigid structure;
Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the rigid structure and the plastic connector structure
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 8 is a view from the bottom of the fabric material and the plastic connector
structure in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and
Fig. 9 is an exploded view of a partially rigid and partially fabric container assembly
in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
[0007] Fig. 1 shows a partially rigid and partially fabric assembly 10 including a relatively
rigid structure 12 having first connector elements 14 (see Fig. 5), a fabric material
16 for being connected to the relatively rigid structure 12, and a plastic connector
structure 18 that connects the fabric material 16 to the rigid structure 12. The first
connector elements 14 may be located on an upper portion 13 of the rigid structure
12. The plastic connector structure 18 includes a fabric connector portion 22 and
second connector elements 20 (see Fig. 2) constructed and arranged to connect the
plastic connector structure 18 to the rigid structure 12. The second connector elements
20 may be located on a lower portion 15 of the plastic connector structure 18. The
partially rigid and partially fabric assembly 10 also includes a sewing material 24
sewn through the fabric connector portion 22 of the plastic connector structure 18
to connect the fabric material 16 thereto.
[0008] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1, the rigid structure 12 takes the form of a molded
plastic pan or bottom portion, and has a front wall or side 26, a right wall or side
28, a left wall or side 30, a back wall or side 32, and a bottom wall or side 34.
The front wall 26, the right wall 28, the left wall 30, and the back wall 32 may define
an interior space 39 in which articles can be stored. The relatively rigid structure
12 may be made of or incorporate plastic, metal, wood, rubber, and/or other relatively
rigid materials in comparison with the relatively flexible fabric material. The rigid
structure 12 may optionally be made of molded plastic. The plastic connector structure
18 may be positioned between the rigid structure 12 and the fabric material 16 such
that the fabric material 16 is connected to the rigid structure 12 via the plastic
connector structure 18.
[0009] In this embodiment, the plastic connector structure 18 has a ring geometry or configuration.
Although the ring geometry of the rigid structure 12 and the plastic connector structure
18 are shown to be substantially rectangular, it is contemplated that the rigid structure
12 and/or the plastic connector structure 18 may have other shapes, such as, for example,
circular or oval shapes. It is also contemplated that in some embodiments, the plastic
connector structure 18 may have a generally straight configuration. For example, rather
than a rectangular ring, four continuous separate straight sections can be used for
the plastic connector structure. The corners of the straight sections may not be directly
connected to one another, depending on the desired configuration or manufacturing
characteristics. It should thus also be appreciated that the partially rigid and partially
fabric assembly claimed and disclosed herein may be used in a vast array of other
products other than the container assembly disclosed herein.
[0010] As shown in Fig. 1, the fabric material 16 may be connected to the fabric connector
portion 22 of the plastic connector structure 18 via the sewing material 24. The fabric
material 16 may be sewn around the fabric connector portion 22 so as to form an enclosure,
as shown in Fig. 8. The fabric material 16 may be any relatively flexible material
in comparison to the relatively rigid structure 12. Just for example, the fabric material
may be leather, denim, vinyl, cotton, rayon, nylon, wool, silk, mesh, velvet, canvas,
other materials, or a mixture thereof. The sewing material 24 may include thread,
yarn, string, rope, cord, wire, twine, made of nylon, cotton, polyester, metal, or
any other material suitable for sewing or stitching. In one embodiment, the thickness
of the fabric connector portion 22 of the plastic connector structure 18 is less than
the thickness of the lower portion 15 of the plastic connector structure 18 on which
the connector elements 20 are located. As such, the thinner material facilitates the
sewing of the fabric material 16 to the fabric connector portion 22.
[0011] In one optional application, the partially rigid and partially fabric assembly 10
may be used as the top container that is latched or connected to a base container
of a rolling container assembly, as described in
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0290877, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0012] As shown in Fig. 1, the rigid structure 12 may optionally include a protrusion 35
(shown in this Figure as being located on the right wall 28) that is constructed and
arranged to engage with a portion of the rolling container assembly so that the partially
rigid and partially fabric assembly 10 may be latched above a base container of a
rolling container assembly. One or more protrusions 35 may be located on any portion
of the rigid structure, such as, for example, on any combinations of the front wall
26, the right wall 28, the left wall 30, and the back wall 32. In one embodiment,
each of the left wall 30 and the right wall 28 may have a protrusion 35 located thereon.
The protrusions 35 may be similarly constructed and arranged as locking pins 164 of
the removable container 16 of the rolling container assembly described in
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0290877. The protrusions 35 may be attached to the rolling container assembly in a similar
manner as the locking pins 164 of the removable container 16 described in
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0290877. That is, the notches 162 of the latch members 114 located on the container engaging
region 44 may receive the protrusions 35 of the rigid structure 12 so as to removably
attach the rigid structure 12 to the rolling container assembly described in
U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2010/0290877. It is contemplated that the partially rigid and partially fabric assembly 10 may
optionally be latched to a rolling container assembly using other connections.
[0013] Fig. 2 shows the plastic connector structure with the lower portion 15 facing up
and without the fabric material 16 and the rigid structure 12 connected thereon. In
this embodiment, the connector elements 20 take the form of openings provided on the
lower portion 15. However, it should be appreciated that the connector elements 20
are not limited to the ones shown in this embodiment, and may take other forms or
configurations. The lower portion 15 may also have a plurality of ridges 38 formed
thereon. The ridges 38 may be constructed and arranged to reinforce the connection
between the rigid structure 12 and the lower portion 15 of the plastic connector structure
18.
[0014] Although the lower portion 15 and the fabric connector portion 22 may be generally
rectangular in shape, the lower portion 15 may have various other shapes, and may
have more edges than the fabric connector portion 22. For example, as shown in Fig.
2, the lower portion 15 may include a front wall or side 40, a right wall or side
42, a left wall or side 44, and a back wall or side 46. Angled edges 48, 50, 52, and
54 may be constructed and arranged to connect the front wall 40, the right wall 42,
the left wall 44, and the back wall 46 to each other. In contrast, the fabric connector
portion 22 may be a continuous periphery and can flex to accommodate various shaped
bottoms. The plastic connector structure 18 may also include a middle portion 19 that
is constructed and arranged to be exposed when the fabric material 16 and the rigid
structure 12 are connected to the plastic connector structure 18, as shown in Fig.
1. The middle portion 19 may also be constructed to have the same shape or configuration
as the lower portion 15. A raised portion 60 may be provided on the peripheral surface
of the plastic connector structure 18 to define an area between the lower portion
15 and the middle portion 19. Accordingly, the raised portion 60 may define the upper
limit of the lower portion 15. The plastic connector structure 18 may also have protrusions
43 that extend generally perpendicularly from the back wall 46. The protrusions 43
may be constructed and arranged to extend into a portion of the rigid structure 12
(see Fig. 7) when the plastic connector structure 18 is connected to the rigid structure
12, so as to reinforce the connection between the plastic connector structure 18 and
the rigid structure 12.
[0015] As shown in Fig. 3, the fabric connector portion 22 may be disposed on a top surface
62 of the middle portion 19. The periphery of the fabric connector portion 22 and
the top surface 62 of the middle portion 19 may define a support flange 64 on the
top surface 62 of the middle portion 19. If a sewing machine is used to connect the
fabric material 16 to the connecting portion 22, the support flange 64 and the periphery
of the fabric connector portion 22 may be constructed and arranged to serve as a stop
surface or "stopper" for a sewing machine that may be used to sew the fabric material
16 to the fabric connector portion 22. As such, a presser foot of a sewing machine
may travel along the edge of the fabric connector portion 22 near the support flange
64 when the sewing machine is used to sew fabric material 16 to the plastic connector
structure 18. In some embodiments, the support flange 64 may be constructed and arranged
to guide the foot of the sewing machine. In one embodiment, the height of the fabric
connector portion 22 may be 20 mm or more to accommodate the fabric material 16. In
some embodiments, the support flange 64 may also operate as a stop surface for the
fabric material 16 such that the fabric material 16 may not extend past the support
flange 64 when the fabric material 16 is connected to the plastic connector structure
18. In one embodiment, the edge of the fabric material 16 abuts against the support
flange 64 when the fabric material 16 is connected to the plastic connector structure
18.
[0016] Fig. 4 shows the second connector elements 20 taking the form of openings, as noted
above. Beveled surfaces 66 on the plastic connector structure 18 may define the upper
edge of the second connector elements 20. Lower surfaces 67 may define the lower edge
of the second connector element 20. The beveled surfaces 66 may be constructed and
arranged to facilitate or reinforce the engagement of the second connector elements
20 of the plastic connector structure 18 with the first connector elements 14 of the
rigid structure 12, which will be described in more detail later.
[0017] Fig. 5 is a cross sectional view of the plastic connector structure 18 connected
to the rigid structure 12. In this embodiment, the rigid structure 12 includes a lower
container portion 68 and the upper portion 13. The upper portion 13 may be constructed
and arranged to receive the lower portion 15 of the plastic connector structure 18.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the upper portion 13 includes a back wall 72 and
a front wall 74 that is spaced apart from and extending generally parallel to the
back wall 72. As such, the back wall 72 and the front wall 74 define a receiving groove
75 (see Fig. 6) constructed and arranged to receive the lower portion 15 of the plastic
connector structure 18. Connector walls 76 extending between the front wall 72 and
the back wall 74 may be constructed and arranged to connect the front wall 74 to the
back wall 72. In one embodiment, the connector walls 76 may be located on a lower
portion of the front wall 74 and the back wall 72 such that a rim 78 of the lower
portion 15 of the plastic connector structure 18 abuts against the connector walls
76 when the plastic connector structure 18 is engaged with the rigid structure 12.
Alternatively, in one embodiment, the connector walls 76 may extend vertically between
the front wall 74 and the back wall 72.
[0018] As shown in Fig. 5, the first connector elements 14 of the rigid structure 12 may
take the form of protrusions. In this embodiment, each first connector element 14
has a slanted surface 80 constructed and arranged to slope outwardly from the back
wall 72. Each first connector elements 14 may also have an engaging surface 82 extending
between the back wall 72 of the rigid structure 12 and the slanted surface 80. The
engaging surface 82 may be constructed and arranged to abut against the lower surface
67 (see Fig. 4) of the connector elements 20 when the plastic connector structure
18 is connected to the rigid structure 12. As shown in Fig. 5, when the first connector
element 14 of the rigid structure 12 is engaged with the second connector element
20 of the plastic connector structure 18, the raised portion 60 of the plastic connector
structure 18 may be disposed on top of the front wall 74 of the rigid structure 12.
In the engaged position, the top of the upper portion 13 of the rigid structure 12
may be disposed slightly below the support flanges 64 of the plastic connector structure
18.
[0019] Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view of the plastic connector structure 18 being connected
to the rigid structure 12. The first connector elements 14, taking the form of protrusions
in this embodiment, and the second connector elements 20, taking the form of openings
in this embodiment, may be constructed and arranged such that when the lower portion
15 of the plastic connector structure 18 is vertically aligned with the receiving
groove 75 of the rigid structure 12, the first connector elements 14 are vertically
aligned with the second connector elements 20. As such, a user may simply push the
plastic connector structure 18 towards the rigid structure 12 to connect the plastic
structure 18 to the rigid structure 12. When the user pushes the plastic connector
structure 18 towards the rigid structure 12, the rim 78 of the plastic connector structure
18 may slide along the slanted surface 80 of the first connector elements 14 as the
lower portion 15 of the plastic connector structure 18 enters the receiving groove
75 of the rigid structure 12. The lower portion 15 of the plastic connector structure
18 may push against the front wall 74 and the first connector element 14 of the rigid
structure 12, which may cause the front wall 74 to flex outwardly as a result. The
lower portion 15 may then slide into the groove 75 until the first connector element
14 is aligned with the second connector element 20, whereupon the first connector
element 14 snaps into the second connector element 20. Accordingly, at least a portion
of the first connector element 14 is received by the second connector element 20.
Thus, the first connector element 14 retains the second connector element 20 and prevents
the plastic connector structure 18 from being removed from the rigid structure 12.
In one embodiment, at least a portion of the slanted surface 80 of the first connector
element 14 abuts against the beveled surface 66 of the second connector element 20
when the plastic connector structure 18 is connected to the rigid structure 12. It
is contemplated that in some embodiments, the configuration of the first connector
elements 14 and second connector elements 20 may be interchanged. For example, the
first connector elements 14 may take the form of openings and the second connector
elements 20 may take the form of protrusions. The first connector elements 14 and
the second connector elements 20 may optionally take other forms or configurations
such as hooks, depressions, friction fit connections, snap-fit connections, or other
connections. The number and location of the first connector elements 14 and the second
connector elements 20 may vary.
[0020] Fig. 7 shows the partially rigid and partially fabric assembly 10 with the rigid
structure 12 connected to the plastic connector structure 18 and with the fabric material
16 removed. In this embodiment, depressions 36 may be provided on the front wall 26,
the right wall 28, the left wall 30, and the back wall 32. These depressions 36 may
facilitate the attachment and removal of the partially rigid and partially fabric
assembly 10 to and from the rolling container assembly, as noted above, if desired.
However, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, the partially rigid and partially
fabric assembly 10 may not be removed from the rolling container assembly. In such
embodiments, the partially rigid and partially fabric assembly 10 may be configured
to be slideable relative to the rest of the rolling container assembly between an
open position wherein the contents of the partially rigid and partially fabric assembly
10 may be accessed and a closed position wherein the contents the partially rigid
and partially fabric assembly 10 may not be accessed. In other embodiments, no connecting
to a rolling container is enabled (e.g., no protrusion 35 is provided).
[0021] Fig. 8 is a perspective view from the bottom of the fabric material 16 connected
to the plastic connector structure 18. Specifically, in this view, the rigid structure
12 is removed and the view is from the bottom such that the plastic connector structure
18 is seen closer in proximity than the fabric portion 16. In other words, this Figure
is seen from the bottom in the direction of A (see Fig. 9). The fabric material 16
may form a storage portion 82 comprising a front side 84, a left side 86, a right
side 88, and a back side 90. The front side 84, the left side 86, the right side 88,
and the back side 90 may define an interior space 92 in which articles can be stored.
This fabric storage portion 82 may be connected to a rigid structure 12 to form a
fabric and plastic container assembly 11.
[0022] As shown in Fig. 8, reinforcing strips 94 may be provided on the fabric material
16 to reinforce the storage portion and to enable the fabric storage portion 82 to
stand upright. The reinforcing strips 94 may be attached to the fabric storage portion
82 via screws 83, although it is contemplated that other attachment mechanisms may
be used, such as, for example, adhesive, rivets, sewing material, or others. The reinforcing
strips 94 may be made from rigid or semi-rigid materials, such as, for example, cardboard
or plastic. The reinforcing strips 94 may be sewn into the fabric material 16 to enhance
the structural integrity of the fabric storage portion 82. In some embodiments, there
may be reinforcing panels made of plastic, cardboard, or other materials sewn between
two or more layers of the fabric material 16 so as to provide structural integrity
to the fabric storage portion 82. A cushion material, such as foam, may optionally
be sewn between two or more layers of the fabric material 16 to provide cushioning
characteristics. The fabric material 16 may be stitched or sewn along bindings 96
to form the storage portion 82. It is contemplated that the bindings 96 may also comprise
plastic, canvas, or other flexible materials to help reinforce the fabric storage
portion 82 and/or for aesthetic purposes. The storage portion 82 may also include
pockets formed thereon to enable more organized storage.
[0023] In one embodiment, the plastic and fabric container assembly 11 may include straps
104, 106 constructed and arranged to facilitate the carrying of the assembly 11. In
the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the straps 104, 106 are attached to the left wall
86 and the right wall 88, although it is contemplated that the straps may be attached
elsewhere in other embodiments.
[0024] In this embodiment, a handle 98 is constructed and arranged to extend between the
left wall 86 and the right wall 88 in the interior space 92. The handle 98 may have
a generally circular or oval cross-section, although it is contemplated that the handle
98 may have other cross-sectional shapes. In this embodiment, the handle 98 has a
generally circular cross-sectional shape, which tapers into a thinner cross-sectional
shape towards ends 101 of the handle 98. The handle 98 may be connected to the left
wall 86 and the right wall 88 via screws 99. It is contemplated that the handle 98
may be connected to the left wall 86 and the right wall 88 via pins, adhesive, riveting,
or other connecting mechanisms. The handle 98 may be made of metal, plastic, wood,
any other materials, or a combination thereof. A grip 100 may be provided thereon
to enable the user to carry the fabric and plastic container assembly 11. The grip
100 may be made of rubber, plastic, or other anti-slip materials, or may have rubber,
plastic, foam, or other anti-slip materials provided on the surface thereof. Grooves
or ribs may also be provided on the grip 100 to facilitate the grasping of the grip
100. The storage portion 82 may optionally be constructed and arranged to have other
shapes, forms, or configurations.
[0025] Fig. 9 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the partially rigid and partially
fabric container assembly 11. In this embodiment, the container assembly 11 is formed
by connecting the fabric material 16 to the rigid structure or rigid bottom portion
12 via the plastic connector structure 18. The fabric material 16 may be connected
to the plastic connector structure 18 in a similar manner as described above. The
rigid structure 12 may also be connected to the plastic connector structure 18 in
a similar manner as described above.
[0026] In this embodiment, the partially rigid and partially fabric container assembly 11
includes the storage portion 82. The storage portion 82 has a front wall 100, a back
wall 102, a left wall 104, and a right wall 106 made from the fabric material 16.
In some embodiments, the storage portion 82 may be formed from the fabric material
16 without reinforcing material so that the storage portion 82 may be collapsible
on top of the rigid structure 12. In some embodiments, reinforcing material may be
provided with the fabric material 16 so that the storage portion 82 may stand upright.
[0027] The storage portion 82 may be provided with the handle 98 that is constructed and
arranged to facilitate the lifting and carrying of the container assembly 11. Although
a grip 100 is not shown in this embodiment, a grip 100 may be provided on other embodiments,
as described above with respect to the embodiment shown in Fig. 8. The handle 98 may
be connected to the storage portion 82 using screws, pins, rivets, or other connections.
Openings 91 may be provided on each side of the handle 98 to enable access to the
interior space 92 of the container assembly 11 where articles can be stored. In some
embodiments, flaps or covers (not shown) may optionally be provided to cover the openings
91. The covers may be moveable between a closed position to prevent access to the
interior space 92 and an open position to permit access to the interior space 92 through
the openings 91. The covers may be made of the same material as fabric material 16,
or may be made of other materials. The covers may optionally be made of relatively
rigid materials in comparison to the relatively flexible fabric material 16, such
as, for example, plastic, rubber, or a combination thereof. The covers may optionally
be attached to the storage portion 82 as one piece, two pieces, or multiple pieces.
The covers may be closed using Velcro, buckles, latches, locks, hooks, buttons, snap
buttons, zippers, pins, or other connections.
[0028] In this embodiment, the storage portion 82 also includes pockets 104 attached thereon.
The pockets 104 may include a body portion 108 and a cover portion 106. The cover
portion 106 may be moveable between a closed position preventing access to an interior
space of the body portion 108 and an open position permitting access to the interior
space of the body portion 108. In the closed position, the cover portion 106 may be
connected to the body portion 108 via Velcro, buckles, latches, locks, hooks, buttons,
snap buttons, zippers, pins, or other connections.
[0029] The rigid structure 12 includes the protrusions 35 that may be used to latch the
rigid structure 12 to a base container of a rolling container assembly, as mentioned
above. Thus, the partially rigid and partially fabric container assembly 11 formed
from the fabric material 16, the plastic connector structure 18, and the rigid structure
12 may be used in a rolling container assembly or carried and used separately.
[0030] Although the invention has been described in detail for the purpose of illustration
based on what is currently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments,
it is to be understood that such detail is solely for that purpose and that the invention
is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to
cover modifications and equivalent arrangements that are within the spirit and scope
of the appended claims. For example, it is to be understood that the present invention
contemplates that, to the extent possible, one or more features of any embodiment
may be combined with one or more features of any other embodiment.
1. A container assembly comprising:
a relatively rigid bottom portion having first connector elements;
a peripheral plastic connector structure having second connector elements constructed
and arranged to connect to the first connector elements, so as to connect the rigid
bottom portion to the peripheral plastic connector structure;
side walls made of fabric, the fabric side walls being sewn to the peripheral plastic
connector structure;
a handle constructed and arranged to enable a user to carry the partially rigid and
partially fabric container assembly.
2. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector elements and second
connector elements comprise snap-fit connections for connecting the relatively rigid
bottom portion to the plastic connector structure.
3. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the relatively rigid bottom portion comprises
plastic.
4. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the relatively rigid bottom portion comprises
rubber.
5. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises canvas.
6. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises leather.
7. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises denim.
8. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the fabric comprises cotton.
9. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the first connector elements comprise protrusions.
10. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the second connector elements comprise
openings.
11. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the relatively rigid bottom portion comprises:
a first wall, the first connector elements being positioned on the first wall;
a second wall constructed and arranged to extend parallel to the first wall, wherein
the first and second walls define a receiving groove for a portion of the plastic
connector structure.
12. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising a handle constructed and arranged
to enable a user to carry the container assembly.
13. The container assembly of claim 1, wherein the plastic connector structure comprises
a ring structure.
14. The container assembly of claim 13, wherein the ring structure is rectangular.
15. The container assembly of claim 1, further comprising pockets attached to at least
one of the sidewalls.