Freezer Bin System

This application claims the benefit of priority to U.S. provisional patent application No. 63/654,593, filed on May 31, 2024, and currently pending; the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein.

The invention relates to a freezer bin system that utilizes a collapsible bin with two sides having bin folding features and a base member of fabric to allow the sides to fold inward to collapse the bin and a base support insert configured for insertion into the bin for stability in an open configuration and one or more wall divider panels configured for detachable attachment across the wall of the collapsible bin to form compartments within the bin.

Bins for carrying groceries, laundry, bathroom item, and trunk organizers are collapsible in some cases but are not rigid and typically have a single compartment or a plurality of compartments of fixed sizes; thereby leaving little options for tailoring the compartment sizes for specific items. Also, these bins may not be made out of materials that are suitable for freezer applications and may contain materials that become brittle when exposed to freezing temperatures. Furthermore, these bins may not be made out of waterproof material that can prevent leaking fluid food items from passing through the bin and into the freezer compartment.

The invention is directed to a freezer bin system that utilizes a collapsible bin with two sides having bin folding features and a base member of fabric to allow the sides to fold inward to collapse the bin and a base support insert configured for insertion into the bin for stability in an open configuration and one or more wall divider panels configured for detachable attachment across the wall of the collapsible bin to form compartments within the bin. A freezer bin system may also include a compartment divider panel configured to extend from a wall divider panel to one of the walls of the collapsible bin to enable further customization of the compartments within the bin. The wall panels may include a structural component, to provide effective strength and rigidity, and an interior and exterior fabric. One of the interior or exterior fabric may be water resistant or waterproof, as described herein, or a film layer that is solid film may be coupled with at least one of the interior and exterior fabric to provide waterproofness.

An exemplary collapsible bin is configured to collapse from an open configuration with the four walls extending vertically up and supported by the base support insert and one or more wall divider panels extending from one wall to an opposing wall, to a collapsed configuration with the base support insert and wall divider panels removed and the two opposing foldable side walls folded inward. The base fabric member is flexible thereby allowing the collapsible bin to collapse with the two end walls being brought toward each other as the two foldable side walls fold inward.

The collapsible bin has four walls and a base fabric member to form an enclosure or bin having an interior for receiving freezer items therein. The collapsible bin has a top with a top opening for receiving the base support insert therein to retain the collapsible bin in an open configuration. The base support insert may be sized to retain the walls in an erect orientation extending vertically up from the base. The detachably attachable wall divider panel is configured to extend between two opposing walls, preferably the two foldable side walls, to form a first compartment and a second compartment within the collapsible bin. An exemplary freezer bin system may include a plurality of wall divider panels, such as two or more, three or more, four or more and any range between and including the number provided, such as from two to four. Also, a freezer bin system may include one or a plurality of compartment divider panels that are configured to extend from a wall divider panel to a wall or to another wall divider panel to form compartment sections.

The wall divider panels have a first end attachment on a first end and a second end attachment on a second end that are configured to detachably attach with bin divider attachments on opposing wall of the collapsible bin. The attachments may be hook-and-loop fasteners. Also, the first end attachment and second end attachments may be configured on a flap that can be pivoted or folded with respect to the wall divider panel which may aid in installation of the wall divider panels as the flap may be folded away from the bin divider attachment for insertion and then pressed against the bin divider attachment to couple the end attachment of the wall divider panel with the bin divider attachment. A wall divider panel may preferably extend between foldable wall panels to provide additional support for the foldable wall, wherein the foldable wall cannot fold inward with the wall divider panel extend therebetween. A wall divider panel extending across the interior of the collapsible bin from one foldable wall to the opposing foldable wall will prevent the two opposing foldable walls from folding inward.

Likewise, a compartment divider may include a flap with an end attachment on both ends. A panel attachment, such as a hook-and-loop fastener, may extend along a wall divider panel for receiving and retaining the compartment divider by the end attachment of the compartment divider, which may be a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener. A compartment divider may extend from a wall to a wall divider panel or between wall divider panels.

The base of the collapsible bin may be a fabric or film, a thin layer of material that is supple and enables the collapsible bin to collapse. An exemplary base fabric member may be a waterproof material as described herein and may include a woven or non-woven material and may also include a film layer, such as a plastic film layer that is waterproof.

The wall panels as well as the wall divider panels, compartment divider panels and the base support insert may include a structural component that is configured between fabric layers. A structural component may be a rigid member that is self-standing and retains a shape, whereby the structural component does not bend when cantilevered from a surface, due to gravity. A structural component may be plastic and may have structural voids to reduce the weight of the structural component. The foldable walls and the base support insert may include two separate pieces of a structural component, thereby enabling folding. In an exemplary embodiment, these two structural components are kept separated by stitching that extends from the interior fabric to the exterior fabric across a structural gap to produce a fold feature. The stitching prevents the two structural components from sliding and overlapping.

An exemplary wall, foldable side wall and end wall, as well as a base support insert, wall divider panel and compartment divider panel may have a thickness of about 2 mm or more, about 3 mm or more, about 5 mm or more, about 6 mm or more and any range between and including the thickness value provided.

An exemplary collapsible bin may have a size that is specific to fitting into a freezer for organization within the freezer, having a length of about 35.56 cm (14 in) or more, about 38 cm (15 in) or more, about 43 cm (17 in) or more, about 48 cm (19 in) or more, about 53 cm (21 in) or less and any range between and including the length values provided. An exemplary collapsible bin may have a width of about 30.5 cm (12 in) or more, about 33 cm (13 in) or more, about 35.56 cm (14 in) or more, about 38 cm (15 in) or more, about 40.6 cm (16 in) or less and any range between and including the width values provided. An exemplary collapsible bin may have a height of about 19. cm (7.5 in) or more, about 20.32 cm (8 in) or more, about 23 cm (9 in) or more, about 25.4 cm (10 in) or more, about 30.5 cm (12 in) or less and any range between and including the width values provided.

An exemplary collapsible bin may be configured to with straps to enable carrying the collapsible bin. A strap or straps may be coupled to an outside surface of opposing walls, such as the opposing foldable side walls for improved rigidity and to reduce the compressive load on these foldable side walls. In an exemplary embodiment, a strap has a first attached end attached to one side of the foldable side wall and a second attached end attached to a second side, across the bin fold feature from the first side. This configuration may produce less stress on the foldable side wall than straps extending from the end walls, wherein putting a force on the end walls to draw the end walls toward each other creates a force on the side walls and the bin fold feature. An exemplary collapsible bin may have a weight capacity configured to hold and retain a large weight of items therein, such as 15.9 kg (35 lb) or more, about 18 kg (40 lb) or more, about 20.4 kg (45 lb) or more, about 22.7 kg (50 lb) or more, about 27.2 kg (60 lb) or more and any range between and including the weight values provided. This weight capacity is measured by placing a weighted item in the collapsible bin, with the base support insert therein and at least one wall divider panel extending between the two foldable side walls, and hanging the collapsible bin from the straps for at least 10 hours.

Water resistant as defined herein is water resistant according to ASTM D7017-20, Standard Performance Specification for Water-Resistant Rainwear and All-Purpose, Water-Repellent Coat Fabrics.

Waterproof, as defined herein, means that no liquid water, passes through the material for 10 hours with a 25 cm water column of pressure applied thereto.

The walls and/or base support insert and/or wall divider panels and/or compartment divider panels may be made out of plastic, having an interior and/or exterior fabric layer that is a wove or non-woven plastic. A non-woven plastic may be preferred as it may not be permeable or have apertures therethrough that may allow liquid passage and may also collect debris. An exemplary interior or exterior fabric is a film of material that may have a patterned surface or texture. An exemplary plastic that may be used as a fabric layer and/or as a structural component is polypropylene as this plastic remains soft even at freezing temperatures while other plastic may become brittle at freezing temperatures.

The summary of the invention is provided as a general introduction to some of the embodiments of the invention and is not intended to be limiting. Additional example embodiments including variations and alternative configurations of the invention are provided herein.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the figures. The figures represent an illustration of some of the embodiments of the present invention and are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any manner. Some of the figures may not show all of the features and components of the invention for ease of illustration, but it is to be understood that where possible, features and components from one figure may be included in the other figures. Further, the figures are not necessarily to scale, some features may be exaggerated to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present invention.

As used herein, the terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “includes,” “including,” “has,” “having” or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Also, use of “a” or “an” are employed to describe elements and components described herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the scope of the invention. This description should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise.

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described herein and are illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications, combinations and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art and all such alternate embodiments, combinations, modifications, improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to, an exemplary freezer bin systemincludes a collapsible binconfigured to collapse from an open configuration, shown in, to a collapsed configuration with two opposing walls of the collapsible bin folded inward as shown in. The collapsible binhas four walls,′,″,′″ and a base fabric member to form an enclosure or bin having an interiorfor receiving freezer items therein. The collapsible bin has a topwith a top openingfor receiving a base support inserttherein to retain the collapsible bin in an open configuration. Also, the freezer bin systemincludes a detachably attachable wall divider panelextending between two opposing walls to form a first compartmentand a second compartmentwithin the collapsible bin, as shown in. The exteriorof the collapsible binincludes the exterior of the four wallsand the exterior of the base. The interiorof the collapsible binincludes the interior of the four walls and the interior of the base. The interior and/or exterior may be waterproof and may include a polymeric film layer. The collapsible binmay be waterproof, as described herein, wherein fluids will not pass from the interiorto the exteriorof the collapsible binas defined by waterproof herein.

The collapsible binhas two opposing foldable side walls,′ and two opposing end walls,′. The two opposing foldable side walls extend in parallel with each other and orthogonal to the two opposing end walls, that also extend in parallel with each other, when in an open configuration, as best shown in. The foldable side walls have a bin fold featurethat enables these foldable side walls to fold inward to collapse the collapsible bin. The base fabric memberis supple to enable collapsing the collapsible bin to a collapsed configuration. The collapsible bin has a lengthalong the foldable side wall sides of the collapsible bin as shown in, and a widthalong the end wall sides of the collapsible bin as shown inand a heightfrom a base to a topalso shown in. Note that the lengthof the collapsible bin is also the length of the foldable side and the widthof the collapsible bin is also the length of the end wall side. The height of the collapsible binis the height of the walls, the foldable side wallsand the end walls.

As shown in, an exemplary freezer bin systemis configured with the wall divider panel removed and with a base support insertconfigured over the top openingof the collapsible binfor insertion down into the collapsible bin to support and retain the wall of the collapsible bin in an open configuration. The base support inserthas a base fold featureextending across the base support insert to enable the base support insert to fold. As described herein the base fold feature may be centrally located to enable the base support insert to fold in half. A folding tabis configured on the base interior surfaceto enable the base support insert to be easily removed from within the collapsible bin.

As shown in, the exemplary freezer bin systemis configured with the wall divider panel removed and with a base support insertinserted down to the base of the collapsible bin, over a base fabric member. The bin divider attachments,′ extend vertically along the interior of the foldable side walls′,′ respectively and may be one component of a hook and loop fastener.

As shown in, a wall divider panelis being inserted into the collapsible binwith the first end attachmentand second end attachmentaligned with the bin divider attachmentson the two opposing walls, the foldable side walls. The first end attachmentand second end attachmentare configured on flaps,′ respectively that are hinged with the wall divider panel to enable folding the flap inward for insertion and then pressing against the bin divider attachments,′ (shown in) extending vertically along the interior of the foldable side walls.

show a first side wall view and second side wall view of the collapsible binof the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration. Both the first foldable side walland second foldable side wall′ have bin fold feature,′ respectively for folding in the side wall to collapse the collapsible bin. Straps,′ are coupled to the respective first side walland second side wall′. The strapis coupled to the foldable side walland extends from one end coupled to the foldable side wallon one side of the bin fold featureto a second end coupled to the foldable side wall on a second and opposing side of the bin fold feature. The wall divider panelprevents the foldable side wallfrom folding and enables the collapsible bin to be picked up with items therein without collapsing.

show a first end wall view and second end wall view of the collapsible binof the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration. Neither of the first end wallnor the second end wall′ have bin fold feature.

shows a top view of the collapsible binof the exemplary freezer bin systemin an open configuration with the base support insertand a wall divider panelinserted. The wall divider panelhas a first end attachmentconfigured on a first end and a second end attachmentconfigured on a second end of the wall divider panel. These end attachments may be hook-and-loop fastener that is configured on a flap extending from the end of the wall divider panel. The flap may pivot or fold about the end of the wall divider panel to ease of installation, wherein the flap can be folded away from the wall panel and the divider attachment extending thereon until in position and then folded to attach with the bid divider attachment, which may be a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener. The collapsible binhas a first bin divider attachmentand second bin divider attachment′ on opposing walls,″, the foldable side walls,′, which may be a corresponding or mating hook-and-loop fastener to the hook-and-loop fastener of the end attachments on the wall divider panel.

shows a base view of the baseof the collapsible binof the exemplary freezer bin systemin an open configuration. The base fabric memberextends between and the walls of the collapsible bin and is supple to accommodate collapsing the collapsible bin.

Referring now to, a base support inserthas a folding tapon a base interior surfaceto enable easy removal of the base support insert from the collapsible bin. The base bin surfaceof the base support insertdoes not have this folding tab. The base support inserthas a base fold featureextending across the base support insert and as shown in centrally located to enable ethe base support insert to be folded in half. The base support insert has a lengthand a widthas shown that correspond with the length and width of the collapsible bin to provide

Referring now to, a collapsible binis collapsed and is resting on the base support insertand a wall divider panel. In this collapsed configuration, the foldable side walls,′ are folded inward and overlap a wall overlap distanceas shown in. This compact configuration is beneficial for storage.

Referring now to, an exemplary freezer bin systemincludes a collapsible binconfigured to collapse from an open configuration, shown in, to a collapsed configuration with two opposing wall of the collapsible bin folded inward as shown in. The collapsible binhas four walls,′,″,′″ and a base fabric member to form an enclosure or bin having an interiorfor receiving freezer items therein. The collapsible bin has a topwith a top openingfor receiving a base support inserttherein to retain the collapsible bin in an open configuration. Also, the freezer bin systemincludes a pair of detachably attachable wall divider panels,′ extending between two opposing foldable side walls,′ to form a first compartmentand a second compartmentwith the opposing end walls′,, respectfully, as shown in. A third compartmentis formed between the two wall divider panels,′ and the foldable side walls,′ and is configured between the first compartmentand second compartment.

The collapsible binhas two opposing foldable side walls,′ and two opposing end walls,′. The two opposing foldable side walls extend in parallel with each other and orthogonal to the two opposing end walls, that also extend in parallel with each other, when in an open configuration, as best shown in. The foldable side walls have a bin fold featurethat enables these foldable side walls to fold inward to collapse the collapsible bin. The base fabric memberis supple to enable collapsing the collapsible bin to a collapsed configuration. The collapsible bin has a lengthalong the foldable side wall sides of the collapsible bin as shown in, and a widthalong the end wall sides of the collapsible bin as shown inand a heightfrom a base to a topalso shown in.

As shown in, the exemplary freezer bin systemis configured with the two wall dividers panels,′ each extending in parallel from the foldable side wallto the opposing foldable side wall′.

As shown in, an exemplary freezer bin systemis configured with the wall divider panels removed and with a base support insertconfigured over the top openingof the collapsible binfor insertion down into the collapsible bin to support and retain the wall of the collapsible bin in an open configuration. The base support inserthas a base fold featureextending across the base support insert to enable the base support insert to fold. As described herein the base fold feature may be centrally located to enable the base support insert to fold in half. A folding tabis configured on the base interior surfaceto enable the base support insert to be easily removed from within the collapsible bin.

As shown in, the exemplary freezer bin systemis configured with the wall divider panel removed and with a base support insertinserted down to the base of the collapsible bin, over a base fabric member. The collapsible binhas two bin divider attachments,′ on the foldable side wall′ and also two bin divider attachments on the foldable side wall, not visible in. The first end attachments,′ and second end attachments,′ are configured on flaps,′, respectively, that are hinged with the wall divider panel to enable folding the flap inward for insertion of the wall divider panel and then pressing against the bin divider attachments(shown in) extending vertically along the interior of the opposing foldable side walls. The bin divider attachments along foldable side wallare not visible but extend in alignment with the bin divider attachmentsshow on foldable side wall′.

As shown in, wall divider panels,′ are being inserted into the collapsible binwith the respective first end attachments,′ and second end attachment,′ aligned with the bin divider attachments on the two opposing walls, the foldable side walls,′.

show a first side wall view and second side wall view of the collapsible binof the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration. Both the first foldable side walland second foldable side wall′ have bin fold feature,′ respectively for folding in the side wall to collapse the collapsible bin. Straps,′ are coupled to the respective first foldable side walland second foldable side wall′.

show a first end wallview and second end wall′ view of the collapsible binof the exemplary freezer bin system in an open configuration. Neither the first end wallnor the second end wall′ have bin fold feature.

shows a top view of the collapsible binshown in, in an open configuration with the base support insertand a wall divider panels,′ inserted. The wall divider panels,′ each have a first end attachment,′ respectively, configured on a first end and a second end attachment,′ respectively, configured on a second end of the wall divider panel. These end attachments may be hook-and-loop fastener that are configured on a flap extending from the end of the wall divider panel. The flap may pivot or fold about the end of the wall divider panel to ease of installation, wherein the flap can be folded away from the wall panel and the divider attachment extending thereon until in position and then folded to attach with the bid divider attachment, which may be a corresponding hook-and-loop fastener. The collapsible binhas a first bin divider attachmentand second bin divider attachment′ on opposing wall,″, the foldable side walls,′, which may be a corresponding or mating hook-and-loop fastener to the hook-and-loop fastener of the end attachments on the wall divider panel.

shows a base view of the baseof the collapsible binof the exemplary freezer bin systemin an open configuration. The base fabric memberextends between and the walls of the collapsible bin and is supple to accommodate collapsing the collapsible bin.

Referring now to, a base support inserthas a folding tapon a base interior surfaceto enable easy removal of the base support insert from the collapsible bin. The base bin surfaceof the base support insertdoes not have this folding tab. The base support inserthas a base fold featureextending across the base support insert and as shown in centrally located to enable ethe base support insert to be folded in half. The base support insert has a lengthand a widthas shown that correspond with the length and width of the collapsible bin to provide a secure and supportive fit within the base of the interior of the collapsible bin.

Referring now to, a collapsible binis collapsed and resting on the base support insertand a wall divider panel. In this collapsed configuration, the foldable side walls,′ are folded inward and overlap a wall overlap distanceas shown in. This compact configuration is beneficial for storage.

shows a top view of a collapsible binhaving a wall divider panelextending from one wallto an opposing wall″, or from the first foldable side wallto the second foldable side wall′. The collapsible binalso has a compartment divider panelextending from the wall divider panelto wall′″ or an end wall′. The compartment divider panelhas first end attachmentdetachably attached to the compartment attachmentson the end wall′ and a second end attachmentdetachably attached to the panel attachment′ on the wall divider panel. Any number of compartment divider panels may be included with a collapsible bin including compartment divider panels on opposing sides of the wall divider or extending across the first compartmentand also extending across the second compartment. The compartment divider panel creates a first compartment sectionand second compartment section. The first and second compartment sections may be equal in size or different in size.

As shown in, a wall panelis a composite wall panel having a structural component, a rigid component that provides structural stability for the wall panel. An exemplary structural component is plastic and comprises structural voidsto reduce the weight, cost while providing effective stiffness. A bin fold featureis a gap or space between two sections of structural components having a structural gap distance. This gap distance of about 2 mm or more, about 4 mm or more, about 5 mm or more, about 10 mm or less, about 8 mm or less or from about 2 mm to about 10 mm, enables the two structural components to fold. An interior fabricextends along the interiorof the wall paneland an exterior fabricextends along an exteriorof the wall panel. Stitchingcouples the interior fabricto the exterior fabric. This prevents the structural components from sliding and becoming displaced. A film layer, that is waterproof, as defined herein, extends along a wall panel, such as between the interior fabricand structural componentto prevent any liquid leaking from within the interior of the collapsible bin. The wall panelshown inmay represent a foldable side wall, a base support insert, or the wall and/or compartment divider panels and the stitching and gap distance may enable folding of said panel while also providing structure support required. The wall and compartment divider panels fold along the flap.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope of the invention. Specific embodiments, features and elements described herein may be modified, and/or combined in any suitable manner. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers the modifications, combinations and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.