Collapsible, foldable, stackable, and self-supporting container
First Claim
1. A collapsible, foldable, stackable, and self-supportable container having collapsible and non-collapsible states, said container comprising:
- (a) a semi-enclosed containers body comprising two opposed side walls, two opposed end walls between said side walls, said side walls and said end walls together forming a tubular structure having two open ends, and a bottom panel enclosing one end of said container body, the other end of said tubular structure opposite from said bottom panel forming a periphery, each of said side walls including a gusset extending in a direction substantially parallel to said bottom panel;
(b) a lid for selectively converting said semi-enclosed container to a closed container; and
(c) a closure means for sealing said lid to said container body, said closure means extending beyond the side and end walls of the container when said container is in its collapsed and non-collapsed states;
wherein said side walls and said end walls are inwardly foldable toward one another, such that said container is collapsible in a direction normal to said lid and said bottom panel while being substantially self-supporting while said side walls and said end walls are in their unfolded orientation.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention provides a collapsible, foldable, stackable, and self-restorable container comprising semi-enclosed container body having two opposed side walls, two opposed end walls between the side walls, and a bottom panel enclosing one end of the container body. Each of the side walls includes a gusset extending in a direction substantially parallel to the bottom panel. The container further includes a lid attached to the container body for selectively converting the semi-enclosed container to a closed container. Finally, the container includes a closure means for sealing the lid to the container body. In accordance with the present invention the side walls and end walls are inwardly foldable toward one another, such that the container is collapsible in a direction normal to the lid and bottom panel while being substantially self-supporting while the side walls and end walls are in their unfolded orientation. The present invention also provides a storage container having an opening and a closure means for sealing the opening to convert the semi-enclosed container to a closed container. The closure means comprises a strip of material forming at least a portion of the periphery of the opening having a first side facing inwardly toward the opening and a second side facing outwardly of the opening. The first side exhibits an adhesion peel force after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user. Accordingly, the storage containers of the present invention combine the desirable qualities of both flexible bags and storage containers and minimize the less desirable qualities of both approaches by providing improved sealability, being self-supporting in an open condition for filling, storing easily by folding into a compact form, and being unitarily constructed from inexpensive materials to promote disposability and obviate the need for separate closure devices.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A collapsible, foldable, stackable, and self-supportable container having collapsible and non-collapsible states, said container comprising:
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(a) a semi-enclosed containers body comprising two opposed side walls, two opposed end walls between said side walls, said side walls and said end walls together forming a tubular structure having two open ends, and a bottom panel enclosing one end of said container body, the other end of said tubular structure opposite from said bottom panel forming a periphery, each of said side walls including a gusset extending in a direction substantially parallel to said bottom panel; (b) a lid for selectively converting said semi-enclosed container to a closed container; and (c) a closure means for sealing said lid to said container body, said closure means extending beyond the side and end walls of the container when said container is in its collapsed and non-collapsed states; wherein said side walls and said end walls are inwardly foldable toward one another, such that said container is collapsible in a direction normal to said lid and said bottom panel while being substantially self-supporting while said side walls and said end walls are in their unfolded orientation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A collapsible, foldable, stackable, and self-supportable container having collapsible and non-collapsible states, said container comprising:
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(a) a semi-enclosed container body comprising two opposed side walls, two opposed end walls between said side walls, said side walls and said end walls together forming a tubular structure having two open ends, and a bottom panel enclosing one end of said container body, the other end of said tubular structure opposite from said bottom panel forming a periphery, each of said side walls including a gusset extending in a direction substantially parallel to said bottom panel; (b) a lid attached to said periphery for selectively converting said semi-enclosed container to a closed container; and (c) a closure means for sealing said lid to said container body, said closure means extending beyond the side and end walls of the container when said container is in its collapsed and non-collapsed states, wherein said closure means comprises a piece of material forming at least a portion of said periphery, said piece of material having a first side facing inwardly toward said opening and a second side facing outwardly of said opening, said first side exhibiting an adhesion peel force after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user; wherein said side walls and said end walls are inwardly foldable toward one another, such that said container is collapsible in a direction normal to said lid and said bottom panel while being substantially self-supporting while said side walls and said end walls are in their unfolded orientation.
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22. A collapsible, foldable, stackable, and self-supportable container having collapsible and non-collapsible states, said container comprising:
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(a) a semi-enclosed container body comprising two opposed side walls, two opposed end walls between said side walls, said side walls and said end walls together forming a tubular structure having two open ends, and a bottom panel enclosing one end of said container body, the other end of said tubular structure opposite from said bottom panel including a substantially continuous outwardly-extending flange forming a periphery, each of said side walls including a gusset extending in a direction substantially parallel to said bottom panel; (b) a lid attached to said flange for selectively converting said semi-enclosed container to a closed container; and (c) a closure means for sealing said lid to said flange, said closure means extending beyond the side and end walls of the container when said container is in its collapsed and non-collapsed states, wherein said closure means comprises a piece of material forming at least a portion of said periphery, said piece of material having a first side facing inwardly toward said opening and a second side facing outwardly of said opening, said first side exhibiting an adhesion peel force after activation by a user which is greater than an adhesion peel force exhibited prior to activation by a user; wherein said side walls and said end walls are inwardly foldable toward one another, such that said container is collapsible in a direction normal to said lid and said bottom panel while being substantially self-supporting while said side walls and said end walls are in their unfolded orientation.
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Specification