Collapsible and Portable Container

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/660,245, filed on Jun. 14, 2024, and U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/716,400, filed on Nov. 5, 2024, each of which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

The present technology is generally related to containers, and more particularly, to containers that are collapsible and portable.

Containers are useful in many scenarios. For example, containers may be used as trash receptacles, planters, firepits, coolers, etc. However, such containers may be bulky and difficult to transport and store. For example, hundreds or thousands of trash receptacles may be needed for an event. Transportation and storage of such trash receptacles may be costly and inconvenient due to the size and bulk of such trash receptacles. In another example, large planters are useful in the summer growing season, but may not be used during the winter. Thus, in the winter such planters may take up a large amount of storage space. Similarly, firepits are popular for social gatherings, but are bulky and typically permanent installations. Thus, a firepit in certain times of the year may not be used and take up space in, for example, a user's backyard. As such, conventional containers may be bulky and difficult to transport and store.

Example aspects of the present disclosure include:

A container according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a body comprising a body having a series of interconnected slats, each slat operable to be connected to an adjacent slat at a connection; and a base operable to support the body when the body is in a standing configuration, wherein the series of interconnected slats are movable between the standing configuration and a collapsed configuration, and wherein the series of interconnected slats remain connected when moving between the standing configuration and the collapsed configuration.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the series of interconnected slats define an interior chamber when in the standing configuration.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the body is cylindrical when the series of interconnected slats are in the standing configuration.

Any of the aspects herein, further comprising a retention rim positioned on the body on an opposite end of the base when the body is in the standing configuration, wherein the retention rim has a central opening that opens into the interior chamber.

Any of the aspects herein, further comprising at least one foot connected to the base and movable between a folded configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the at least one foot raises the base when in the deployed configuration.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the connection is formed by a rod on one slat of the series of interconnected slats received by a receiver on an adjacent slat.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the receiver comprises a barrel configured to receive the rod.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the connection comprises at least one of a limited connection or an unlimited connection, wherein the limited connection limits pivotal rotation of adjacent slats and the unlimited connection does not limit pivotal rotation of adjacent slats.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the limited connection is formed by a tab extending from the receiver and limiting rotation of a slat adjacent to the tab.

Any of the aspects herein, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the body to the base.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the locking mechanism also locks the body to the rim.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the body includes a pair of handles positioned opposite each other.

Any of the aspects herein, further comprising a mechanical tension mechanism that connects the series of interconnected slats and biases the series interconnected slats to at least one of the standing configuration and the collapsed configuration.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the mechanical tension mechanism comprises a tension spring.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein each slat of the series of interconnected slats includes an aperture, and wherein the tension spring is positioned through each aperture of each slat of the series of interconnected slats.

A container according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a body comprising a body cylindrical in shape when in a standing configuration, the body having a series of interconnected slats, each slat operable to be connected to an adjacent slat to form a wall, wherein the series of interconnected slats are movable between the standing configuration and a collapsed configuration, and wherein the series of interconnected slats remain connected when moving between the standing configuration and the collapsed configuration.

Any of the aspects herein, further comprising: a base operable to support the body when the body is in the standing configuration; and a retention rim positioned on the body on an opposite end of the base when the body is in the standing configuration.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the series of interconnected slats define an interior chamber when in the standing configuration.

Any of the aspects herein, wherein the body is cylindrical when the series of interconnected slats are in the standing configuration.

A method of deploying a container according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a body comprising positioning a base and moving a set of support feet on the base from a folded configuration and a deployed configuration; moving a body from a collapsed configuration to a standing configuration; positioning the body on the base; positioning a rim on the body on an opposite side of the base; and locking the body to the base via a locking mechanism.

The details of one or more aspects of the disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the techniques described in this disclosure will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims.

The phrases “at least one”, “one or more”, and “and/or” are open-ended expressions that are both conjunctive and disjunctive in operation. For example, each of the expressions “at least one of A, B and C”, “at least one of A, B, or C”, “one or more of A, B, and C”, “one or more of A, B, or C” and “A, B, and/or C” means A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, or A, B and C together. When each one of A, B, and C in the above expressions refers to an element, such as X, Y, and Z, or class of elements, such as X-X, Y-Y, and Z-Z, the phrase is intended to refer to a single element selected from X, Y, and Z, a combination of elements selected from the same class (e.g., Xand X) as well as a combination of elements selected from two or more classes (e.g., Yand Z).

The term “a” or “an” entity refers to one or more of that entity. As such, the terms “a” (or “an”), “one or more” and “at least one” can be used interchangeably herein. It is also to be noted that the terms “comprising”, “including”, and “having” can be used interchangeably.

The preceding is a simplified summary of the disclosure to provide an understanding of some aspects of the disclosure. This summary is neither an extensive nor exhaustive overview of the disclosure and its various aspects, embodiments, and configurations. It is intended neither to identify key or critical elements of the disclosure nor to delineate the scope of the disclosure but to present selected concepts of the disclosure in a simplified form as an introduction to the more detailed description presented below. As will be appreciated, other aspects, embodiments, and configurations of the disclosure are possible utilizing, alone or in combination, one or more of the features set forth above or described in detail below.

Numerous additional features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the embodiment descriptions provided hereinbelow.

Embodiments of the present disclosure include a portable and collapsible container () (“container”). The container () can move between a deployed or standing configuration () (shown in) for use and a collapsed or packed down configuration () (shown in) for transportation and storage. The container () has a variety of uses such as, for example, a planter, a cooler, temporary trash receptacles (for, for example, events), or a firepit. The container (), when in the collapsed configuration () is easy to store and transport to different locations, which enables the use of the container () in locations in which a permanent structure may be difficult to install or is undesirable to have. For example, the container () can be used as a planter in the summer, then stored during winter in the collapsed configuration (). In another example, the container () can be used as a firepit on a beach for a day, then transported and stored in the collapsed configuration (). The container () is not limited to the use cases and examples described herein.

Turning to the Figures,illustrates a tilted view of the container () andillustrates a partial exploded view of the container (). A set of feet () are not shown infor clarity. The container () includes a body (), a base (), and a retention rim (). It will be appreciated that in some embodiments the container () may not include the base () and/or the retention rim (). For example, in some embodiments, the container () may not include the base () when the container () is used as a planter on top of soil.

As shown, the container () is cylindrical in shape and circular when viewed from a top of the container (). In other embodiments, the container () may be any shape when viewed from the top of the container () such as, for example, triangular, square, oval, rectangular, hexagonal, polygonal, or any other geometrical shape. The container () may have an inner circumference of, for example, 46″ inches. In other embodiments, the container () may have an inner circumference of less than or greater than 46″.

The body () may include at least one handle () for positioning, picking up, or otherwise moving the body (). The body () is formed from a set of slats () and each slat () is formed by wall portions, such as an outer slat () and an inner slat (), as will be discussed in detail below.

Turning to, a front view and a top view of the outer slat () are respectively shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer slat () has a slightly arcuate shape and a pair of flanges extending towards the inner slat () when viewed from the top. In other embodiments, the outer slat () can have any shape when viewed from the top.

Turning to, a front view and a top view of the inner slat () are respectively shown. In the illustrated embodiment, the inner slat () is planar and has a rod () at one end and a receiver () at the other end. The receiver () can receive the rod () of an adjacent inner slat () to form a connection () (shown in) between adjacent inner slats (). In the illustrated embodiment, the receiver () is a barrel that can receive the rod (). It will be appreciated that the connection () between adjacent slats () can take any form, including various embodiments described below.

Turning to, a top view, a detailed top view, a tilted, detailed top view, and a tilted, detailed bottom view of the body () are respectively shown. The base () and the retention rim () are not shown for clarity. As previously described, the slats () are connected together at the connection (). The connection () can be a limited connection () in which the inner slats () have a limited range of pivot motion (e.g., within, for example, 10 degrees or less) or an unlimited connection () in which the inner slats () can pivot to any degree. In general, the connections are designed to facilitate set-up and break-down of the body (). More specifically, the limited connection () is limited by a tab () extending from the receiver (). In the illustrated embodiment, the tab () extends a length of the inner slat (). In other embodiments, the tab () may extend a short distance along the inner slat (), as shown in. Further, the tab () facilitates set up of the body () in that the tab () can guide the slats () into the circular shape (or any other shape of other embodiments of the body ()) when moving to the standing configuration. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the limited connection () may be limited in any manner.

Turning to(and with reference to), a configuration of unlimited connections () and limited connections () and the body () in the collapsed configuration are respectively shown. The unlimited connection () is shown and labelled in. The unlimited connection () is formed by a series of hinges () on adjacent slats () connected by a rod. The unlimited connection () enables the adjacent slats () to rotate or pivot to any degree. As shown in, the body () includes two unlimited connections () on opposing sides of the body () and limited connections () in between the two unlimited connections (). The two unlimited connections () are also spaced 90 degrees from two handles (), though in other embodiments the body () may have any number of handles, unlimited connections, and any configuration.

The two unlimited connections () spaced on opposite ends facilitate moving the body () between the collapsed configuration and the standing configuration. More specifically, the two unlimited connections () enable the body () to be collapsed at the two unlimited connections () such that the body () folds flat onto itself. In other words, the body () can be folded flat such that the slats () form two rows of slats () with one row of slats () resting on top of the other row of slats ().

The illustrated configuration enables the body () to be folded flat, as shown in, for transportation and/or storage. The body (), the base (), and the retention rim () can be inserted into and stored in, for example, a bag. Further, the inner slats () being planar facilitate a low profile of the body () when the body () is in the collapsed configuration (). In the embodiment illustrated, the body () is made up of layers of equal number of slats (). In alternate designs, the slats () can be collapsed in an aligned array designed to reduce the footprint of the collapsed body (). When the body () is collapsed, the slats () remain connected by, for example, the connection () and/or a mechanical tension mechanism (), as described below. By remaining connected during collapsing and storage, the slats () can easily be set up again and moved to the standing configuration.

It will be appreciated that in some embodiments, the container () may be a larger size than the embodiment illustrated. In such embodiments, the container () may have slats () that can each have a subassembly such that the slats () can be collapsed into a smaller volume or configuration. In other words, for larger sized containers (), the slats () may be collapsible themselves, whether by folding over or collapsing in any other manner. Such subassemblies enable the container () to maintain a smaller volume or footprint when in the collapsed configuration ().

Turning to, another configuration of the slats () and the connection () of the body () are shown. More specifically,shows a side view of the slat (),shows a top view of the slat (),shows a front view of the slat (),shows a top view of a series of slats (), andshows a side view of the series of slats (). Generally, each slat () has the same size, shape, and dimensions, which are based on the overall shape and volume of the body () in the standing configuration (). As shown in, each slat () is a single unit and has a core box or female profile () on one edge and a bull nose or male profile () on the other edge. Each of the core box profile () and the bull nose profile () extend the full length of the slat (), though in other embodiments, the core box profile () and the bull nose profile () may extend less than the full length of the slat (). The connection () formed by the core box profile () and the bull nose profile () can be airtight in the standing configuration (), which may in some instance prevent, for example, leakage of dirt, smoke, debris, etc. from the container ().

When a desired number of slats () are positioned in a circular pattern (or any pattern that the container () may have), the bull nose profile () of one slat () fits securely into the core box profile () of the adjacent slat () and allows each slat () to pivot on the adjacent slat (). As illustrated in, the shapes of the bull nose profile () and the core box profile () are complementary. Such design of the shapes allows for pivoting of one slat () relative to the adjacent slat () to maintain structural integrity of the body () while keeping an airtight connection. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the slats () can have any shaped ends that are complimentary.

As shown in, each slat () includes two apertures (), though in other embodiments, each slat () can include any number of apertures () (e.g., one aperture, two apertures, more than two apertures). In the illustrated configuration, one aperture () may be positioned approximately two inches from a top of the slat () and another aperture () may be positioned approximately two inches from a bottom of the slat (). The two apertures () are configured to receive a mechanical tension mechanism () that connects the slats () and facilitates set-up and break-down of the body (). In the illustrated embodiment, the mechanical tension mechanism () is a tension spring. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, the mechanical tension mechanism () can be, for example, a tension spring and a metal cable or any other mechanism that provides tension to hold the slats () in a desired configuration (e.g., the standing configuration () and/or the collapsed configuration ()). In embodiments where the mechanical tension mechanism () is the tension spring, the tension spring can extend through every slat (). Alternatively, the tension spring can include a series of tension springs positioned in sections around a circumference of the body ().

Turning to, the body () in the standing configuration () is shown. In the standing configuration (), the slats () are positioned in a generally circular pattern and are held together using two mechanical tension mechanisms ()—one mechanical tension mechanism () fed through the upper apertures () and another mechanical tension mechanisms () fed through the lower apertures (). In alternate designs, separate mechanical tension mechanisms () could be used for each pair of adjacent slats (), much like hinges between successive members of the series of slats mechanical tension mechanisms (). As previously described, the two mechanical tension mechanisms (), such as tension springs or tension springs with metal cables working in conjunction, allows the entire container () to be collapsed flat. When collapsed, the slats () remain connected to facilitate set-up when needed. Further, when in the standing configuration (), the mechanical tension mechanisms () (or any biasing mechanism) can bias the slats () into the standing configuration () without also inhibiting collapsing of the slats () into the collapsed configuration.

Turning to, another configuration of the slats () and the connections () are shown. More specifically, in, the connection () is a biased hinge () that biases the body () to the standing configuration. In the illustrated embodiment, the biased hinge () is a spring-biased piano hinge. In, the connection () includes interior folding elements () for connecting adjacent inner slats () together and exterior connecting elements () for supporting the outer slat () on the inner slat (). The outer slat () can be slotted on, slid on, snapped onto, riveted onto, adhered to, etc. to the exterior connecting elements (), as shown in(riveted onto) andB (slid onto).

Turning to, a top, tilted view of the base () and side, cross-sectional view taken along line A-A are respectively shown. The base () is preferably constructed of the same material as the body (). In other instances, the base () can be a different material than the body ().

In the embodiment illustrated in, the base () has a base body () and a base pan (). The base body () is circular in shape and has a diameter slightly larger than a diameter of the body (). A larger base () ensures greater stability in the standing configuration, so that when in use, the risk of the assembly container () tipping over is greatly reduced. The base body () also includes a sidewall () that extends up and is configured to provide support to hold the body () within the base (), as shown in. In the illustrated embodiment, the base () also contains a channel () that runs the outer circumference of the base body (), allowing the bottom of the body () to fit securely in the channel () and retaining its desired circular shape when set-up. The channel () also helps reduce the risk of the body () shifting or collapsing when in use.

As shown in, the base pan () can be a frusto-conically shaped base. Additionally, the base () forces side wall alignment (for the body ()) upon installation, and further, can maintain the set-up shape and volume of the body () during use of the container ().

In the illustrated embodiments, the base () is independent of the body (), and can be removed to facilitate set-up, cleaning, transport and storage of the container (). In alternate embodiments, the base body () may be foldable in half by means of a one direction hinge system (not shown) so as to reduce the footprint of the base () for storage and transport. In other embodiments, the base () may be connected to the body () and the body () may be configured to fold over the base () when in the collapsed configuration.

In general, the base () serves as a collection for any debris collecting in the container (), such as ash, burnt wood, or coals, if used as a fire pit; soil, if used as a planter; ice and water, if used as a cooler; or trash, if used as a trash can. Removal of such debris is simplified by merely removing the body () and cleaning the surface of the base body () and/or the base pan (). If used as a cooler, the base () could include a plug that can be removed to drain excess water.