Collapsible frame container

• US 20080128413A1
• Filed: 12/01/2006
• Published: 06/05/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/01/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rodolfo Garcia
• Original Assignee: Rodolfo Garcia
• Inventors: Garcia, Rodolfo
• Granted Patent: US 7,992,739 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 220/6
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 1/0125 Foldable or collapsible litter boxes
• CPC Class Codes: A01K 7/00 Watering equipment for stock or game
• CPC Class Codes: A47G 19/02 Plates, dishes or the like
• CPC Class Codes: A47J 2037/0777 with foldable construction for storage or transport purposes
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 9/006 Urinals

Abstract

A collapsible frame container assembly comprises a frame component comprising a plurality of panels connected to each other, the panels being movable relative to each other between a first substantially folded condition wherein the panels are collapsed and a second unfolded condition wherein the panels are opened to define a frame structure. Also provided is a container component comprising first and second sides defining a space therebetween of a size which can be varied according to the relative positions of the first and second sides. The frame component when in the unfolded condition and the container component are releasably coupled to each other to define a predetermined frame container assembly.

Claims

1. A collapsible frame container assembly comprising:

a frame component comprising a plurality of panels connected to each other, the panels being movable relative to each other between a first substantially folded condition wherein the panels are collapsed and a second unfolded condition wherein the panels are opened to define a frame structure;

a container component comprising first and second sides defining a space therebetween of a size which can be varied according to the relative positions of the first and second sides, the frame component when in the unfolded condition and the container component being releasably coupled to each other to define a predetermined frame container assembly.

2. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame component comprises four elongate strips, each separated from each other by a fold, the four elongate strips when in the second unfolded condition, defining a rectangle.

3. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the container component has four edges and the first and second sides are connected to each other on three edges thereof, a fourth edge being open and configured so as to receive the frame component at least in the second, unfolded condition.

4. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the fourth edge of the container component has a sealing means for releasably sealing the fourth edge when the frame component is in the space.

5. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the container component is of larger dimension than the frame component so that the frame component can be received therein, and either the first and second sides of the container component, or a portion thereof, is received within a frame space defined by the frame component when in the second unfolded condition, so as to form a basin therein.

6. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 2 wherein the four elongate strips, when in the second unfolded condition, form a shape consisting of one of the following:

square, rectangle, parallelogram.

7. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame component comprises four panels which, in the second unfolded condition, define a frame space having an open upper end and an open lower end, the container component being received within the frame space.

8. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the four panels are separated from each other by longitudinal folds.

9. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 8 further comprising at least one cut-out formed at a fold, and extending into adjacent panels.

10. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the cut-out has an upper edge and a lower edge, the upper edge being angled so that as it extends along a panel it is angled towards the open upper end of the frame component.

11. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 9 wherein the container component has an open edge which folds over the upper open end of the frame component, the open edge being firmly received within the cut-outs so as to secure the container component to the frame component.

12. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame component comprises two panels which overlie each other and are connected at ends thereof by a fold, the panels being comprised of a resilient material.

13. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the frame component has a frame space and an open upper end and an open lower end, and the container component is received within the frame space of the frame component extending from the open upper end at least to the open lower end.

14. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 12 wherein the frame component has along the fold thereof a cut-out extending from the fold into adjacent panels.

15. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 14 wherein the cut-out has an upper edge which is angled towards the upper open end.

16. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 15 wherein the container component folds over the open upper end of the frame component and extends down the outside thereof, the open end of the container component being received within the cut-outs.

17. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 7 wherein the frame component has an upper edge at the upper end thereof, the upper edge being contoured at least along a portion thereof to operate as a scoop.

18. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame component is movable between a substantially flat position, which comprises the first folded condition, and a second unfolded condition, configured as a funnel-shaped member, the funnel-shaped member receiving the container component.

19. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 18 wherein the frame component has two apertures formed thereon, the apertures being located on the frame component such that when the apertures are superimposed, the frame component will assume the funnel-shaped configuration.

20. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 19 wherein the holes are dimensioned so as to receive a finger of a user to facilitate holding of the frame component in the funnel-shaped condition.

21. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the frame component comprises four panels, each separated by a fold, and further comprises a plurality of foldable, inwardly extending support arms, which extend towards a center of a frame space defined by the frame component when in the second, unfolded condition, the support arms defining a support surface along at least a portion of their length.

22. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 21 wherein the frame component is comprised of a metal or other suitable material able to withstand high temperatures.

23. A collapsible frame container assembly as claimed in claim 22 wherein the container component fits over an upper edge of the frame component and extends into the frame component up to a depth such that the container component is positioned over the support surface.

24. A frame component for a collapsible frame container assembly, the frame component comprising a plurality of panels connected to each other, the panels being movable relative to each other between a first substantially folded condition wherein the panels are collapsed and a second unfolded condition wherein the panels are opened to define a frame structure, the frame component when in the unfolded condition being releasably connectable to a container component to define a predetermined frame container assembly.

25. A method of forming a collapsible frame container assembly, the method comprising:

forming a frame component comprising a plurality of panels connected to each other and moving the panels relative to each other between a first substantially folded condition wherein the panels are collapsed and a second unfolded condition wherein the panels are opened to define a frame structure;

coupling the frame component to a container component comprising first and second sides defining a space therebetween of a size which can be varied according to the relative positions of the first and second sides, the frame component when in the unfolded condition and the container component being releasably coupled to each other to define a predetermined frame container assembly.