An inflatable monotub system includes a body having plural surfaces defining an interior cavity. One or more of the plural surfaces may include a pocket disposed within the one or more of the plural surfaces. The plural surfaces may define plural side surfaces and a bottom surface of the body. The body may include a first passage extending into at least a portion of one of the plural surfaces and fluidly coupled with one or more of the pockets of the plural surfaces. A first fluid is directed into or out of the first passage. Directing the first fluid into the first passage inflates at least one of the one or more pockets within the first fluid, and directing the first fluid out of the first passage deflates the at least one of the one or more pockets.

An article of manufacture, comprising an inflatable unit having at least a portion with a drop-stitch construction is provided. The inflatable unit may comprise a first inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a bottom wall, a second inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a plurality of side walls, and a third inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a lid of the inflatable unit.

An article of manufacture, comprising an inflatable cooler having at least a portion with a drop-stitch construction is provided. The inflatable cooler may comprise a first inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a bottom wall, a second inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a plurality of side walls, and a third inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a lid of the inflatable cooler.

A vacuum assisted storage device may include a body having a first wall and a second wall coupled to a base. A vacuum compartment may be bounded by the base, first wall, and second wall. A vacuum compartment fastener may be configured to govern access to the vacuum compartment by removably coupling portions of the first wall to the second wall. A vacuum container may be configured to be received within the vacuum compartment. The vacuum container may define a vacuum storage cavity. A vacuum cavity fastener may govern access to the vacuum storage cavity, and the vacuum cavity fastener may form a removably air tight seal that is configured to be sealed and unsealed. A vacuum pump may be in communication with the vacuum storage cavity, and the vacuum pump may be operable to pump air out of the vacuum storage cavity.

A vacuum assisted storage device may include a body having a first wall and a second wall coupled to a base. A vacuum compartment may be bounded by the base, first wall, and second wall. A vacuum compartment fastener may be configured to govern access to the vacuum compartment by removably coupling portions of the first wall to the second wall. A vacuum container may be configured to be received within the vacuum compartment. The vacuum container may define a vacuum storage cavity. A vacuum cavity fastener may govern access to the vacuum storage cavity, and the vacuum cavity fastener may form a removably air tight seal that is configured to be sealed and unsealed. A vacuum pump may be in communication with the vacuum storage cavity, and the vacuum pump may be operable to pump air out of the vacuum storage cavity.

A vacuum assisted storage device may include a body having one or more walls which may define a storage cavity. Objects may be positioned within the storage cavity, and the storage cavity may be surrounded by an air impermeable material. The body may comprise a cavity closure which may govern access to the storage cavity by being movable between a closed position and an open position. When the cavity closure is in the closed position, air may be prevented from entering the storage cavity. A vacuum pump may be in communication with the storage cavity, and the vacuum pump may be operable to pump air out of the storage cavity thereby decreasing the volume of the storage cavity and optionally decreasing the size of one or more objects within the storage cavity.

A soft-sided insulated container assembly is made of a flexible wall structure that is movable between a collapsed position and a deployed position. In one variation of the deployed position it resembles a tote-bag; in another variation of folding the deployed position corresponds to a generally box-like shape. The container includes a self-inflating wall structure that has an inner layer or skin, an outer layer or skin, the two skins being welded together, and a resilient, open-cell insulating layer trapped between the two skins. A valve governs the ability to take in or to expel air. The outer layer may be thicker and more robust that the inner layer, the better to resist abrasion or punctures. The inner layer may be reflective. The assembly includes collapsible bottles that, when filled, are predominantly flat and are seated in predominantly flat pockets in the side walls to function as ice packs. When the bottles are empty, they and the container can be rolled up together into a single roll.

An apparatus for storing articles comprises one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags and a container. The one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags are configured for storing the articles therein. The container configured for storing the one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags therein. The container has soft sides made of soft materials. In operation, when air within the one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags is evacuated, the one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags, and any articles stored therein, collapses into the container.

An apparatus for storing articles comprises one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags and a container. The one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags are configured for storing the articles therein. The container configured for storing the one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags therein. The container has soft sides made of soft materials. In operation, when air within the one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags is evacuated, the one or more vacuum-sealable storage bags, and any articles stored therein, collapses into the container.

An article of manufacture, comprising an inflatable cooler having at least a portion with a drop-stitch construction is provided. The inflatable cooler may comprise a first inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a bottom wall, a second inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a plurality of side walls, and a third inflatable drop-stitch chamber defining a lid of the inflatable cooler.