Selectively removable wall portable container assembly and method of use
11345513 · 2022-05-31
Inventors
Cpc classification
B65D43/0212
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D21/0209
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D43/0214
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D25/08
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D2543/00537
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D25/282
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D25/005
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B65D21/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B65D25/08
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A selectively removable wall portable container assembly that includes a portable container body and a detachable lid capable of selectively removably coupling to one another and achieving a retained configuration. The portable container body includes a bottom wall coupled to sidewall enclosing the bottom wall, defining a container cavity. The sidewall defines a front opening spatially coupled to the container cavity and includes a selectively removable sidewall portion that superimposes the front opening and is operably configured to translate along a sidewall translation path. The assembly achieves an encapsulated configuration wherein the container cavity is encapsulated by the lid, bottom wall, and sidewall. Further, the assembly achieves a container cavity access configuration wherein the lid is coupled to the container body and the sidewall portion is at least partially slidably removed from the sidewall, exposing the front opening.
Claims
1. A selectively removable wall portable container assembly comprising: a portable container body with a bottom wall and a sidewall coupled to, extending upwardly away from, and enclosing the bottom wall, the bottom wall and sidewall defining a container cavity and the sidewall having: a left side, a right side opposing the left side, a longitudinal length separating the left and right sides of the sidewall, a front end defining a front opening spatially coupled to the container cavity, a rear end opposite the front end of the sidewall, an upper end, and a sidewall height spanning from the bottom wall to the upper end of the sidewall; a selectively removable sidewall portion with a sidewall portion length separating opposing side ends thereon and substantially spanning the longitudinal length and a sidewall portion height separating opposing upper and lower ends thereon and substantially spanning the sidewall height, the sidewall portion operably configured to translate along a sidewall translation path; and an enclosed opening defined thereon and sized and shaped to receive a sidewall portion thickness defined by the selectively removable sidewall portion, a lid with an upper wall portion selectively removably coupled to the upper end of the sidewall in a retained configuration; an encapsulated configuration with the bottom wall, sidewall, and lid encapsulating the container cavity and with the lid entirely covering the upper end of the selectively removable sidewall portion along the entire sidewall portion length; and a container cavity access configuration with the lid coupled to the upper end of the sidewall and the sidewall portion of the sidewall at least partially and slidably removed from the sidewall, exposing the front opening of the sidewall.
2. The selectively removable wall portable container assembly according to claim 1, wherein: the sidewall translation path is linear.
3. The selectively removable wall portable container assembly according to claim 2, wherein: the sidewall translation path is disposed in a longitudinal direction.
4. The selectively removable wall portable container assembly according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the sidewall and bottom wall further comprises: a track sized and shaped to receive a sidewall portion thickness defined by the sidewall portion and operably configured to guide the sidewall portion in an upright orientation in the sidewall translation path.
5. The selectively removable wall portable container assembly according to claim 4, wherein: the sidewall portion thickness is substantially uniform across the sidewall portion length and the sidewall portion height.
6. The selectively removable wall portable container assembly according to claim 4, wherein: the sidewall portion is planar.
7. The selectively removable wall portable container assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a secondary portable container with a secondary portable container body and a secondary lid selectively removably coupled to an upper end of a sidewall of the secondary portable container body in a retained configuration, the secondary portable container operably configured to seat on the lid of the selectively removable wall portable container assembly in a retained stacked assembly configuration.
8. The selectively removable wall portable container assembly according to claim 1, further comprising: a polymeric gasket enclosing the enclosed opening defined on the sidewall.
9. A method of providing selective access to a portable container and stackable container assembly comprising the steps of: providing a portable container body with a lid, the container body having a bottom wall and a sidewall coupled to, extending upwardly away from, and enclosing the bottom wall, the bottom wall and sidewall defining a container cavity, the sidewall defining a front opening on a front end thereof that is spatially coupled to the container cavity and the sidewall having a selectively removable sidewall portion superimposing the front opening and with an upper end and defining a sidewall portion length separating two opposing ends of the selectively removable sidewall portion, and the sidewall defining an enclosed opening thereon sized and shaped to receive a sidewall portion thickness defined by the sidewall portion; coupling the lid with an upper end of the sidewall in a retained configuration to encapsulate the container cavity and to entirely cover the upper end of the selectively removable sidewall portion along the sidewall portion length ; and translating, after the coupling of the lid with the upper end of the sidewall and while in the retained configuration, the sidewall portion along a sidewall translation path and through the enclosed opening to expose the front opening of the sidewall.
10. The method according to claim 9, wherein: the sidewall of the container body includes a left side, a right side opposing the left side, a longitudinal length separating the left and right sides of the sidewall, a rear end separating the front end of the sidewall, an upper end, and a sidewall height spanning from the bottom wall to the upper end of the sidewall, the sidewall portion having a sidewall portion length separating opposing side ends thereon and substantially spanning the longitudinal length and a sidewall portion height separating opposing upper and lower ends thereon and substantially spanning the sidewall height.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein the front opening substantially spans the longitudinal length of the sidewall and further comprising: translating the sidewall portion along a sidewall translation path to expose the entire front opening of the sidewall.
12. The method according to claim 11, wherein a method of providing selective access to a portable container and stackable container assembly further comprising the steps of: providing a secondary portable container body; coupling a secondary lid onto the secondary portable container body in the retained configuration; and coupling the secondary portable container body in the retained configuration to the lid of the portable body in a seated configuration.
13. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: providing a polymeric gasket enclosing the enclosed opening defined on the sidewall of the portable container body and translating, after the coupling of the lid with the upper end of the sidewall and while in the retained configuration, the sidewall portion along the sidewall translation path and through the polymeric gasket enclosing the enclosed opening.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
(1) The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(13) While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. It is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for future claims and as a representative basis for teaching one of ordinary skill in the art to variously employ the present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting; but rather, to provide an understandable description of the invention. It is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the following description in conjunction with the drawing figures, in which like reference numerals are carried forward. The figures of the drawings are not drawn to scale.
(14) The present invention provides a novel and efficient selectively removable wall portable container assembly. Embodiments of the invention provide a container body selectively removably coupled to a lid. The container body includes a bottom wall and a sidewall that extends upwardly from and encloses the bottom wall, creating a container cavity. In addition, the sidewall includes a front opening that is spatially coupled to the container cavity and a selectively removable sidewall portion that superimposes the front opening. The sidewall portion provides access to the container cavity by translating along a sidewall translation path. Embodiments of the invention enable the user to access the container's contents without necessarily having to remove the lid.
(15) Referring now to
(16) The selectively removable sidewall portion 112 is operably configured to translate along a sidewall translation path (represented in an exemplary path with lines 522). The selectively removable wall portable container assembly 100 further includes a lid 114 with an upper wall portion 116 which is capable of selectively removably coupling to the upper end 506 of the sidewall 106. The assembly 100 is capable of achieving a retained configuration and an unretained configuration with respect to the portable container body 102 and the lid 114. When the upper wall portion 116 of the lid 114 is coupled to the upper end 506 of the sidewall 106, the assembly 100 is in the retained configuration. When the upper wall portion 116, or a portion of the upper wall portion 116, of the lid 114 is uncoupled to the upper end 506 of the sidewall 106, the assembly 100 is in the unretained configuration. Further, the assembly 100 is also capable of being disposed in an encapsulated configuration with respect to the bottom wall 104, sidewall 106, and lid 114 in which the container cavity 502 is fully encapsulated or enclosed within the bottom wall 104, sidewall 106, and lid 114. Finally, the assembly 100 includes a container cavity access configuration wherein the lid 114 is coupled to the upper end 506 of the sidewall 106 and the sidewall portion 112 of the sidewall 106 is at least partially and slidably removed from the sidewall 106, exposing the front opening 504 of the sidewall 106.
(17) In a further embodiment, the sidewall 106 of the portable container body 102 further includes two latch members 118, 120 coupled thereto. The latch members 118, 120 are disposed on the left and right sides 202, 204 of the sidewall 106.
(18) In a further embodiment, the upper wall portion 116 of the lid 114 includes latch member receiving areas 528, 530. The latch member receiving areas 528, 530 are sized and shaped to receive the latch members 118, 120. The latch members 118, 120 are operably configured to selectively removably couple to the latch member receiving areas 528, 530 and securely lock the lid 114 in place on the upper end 506 of the portable container body 102.
(19) In most embodiments, the selectively removable wall portable container assembly 100 will be of lightweight materials (e.g., plastic, PVC, acrylic, rubber, or any other material that is lightweight, sturdy, and durable), thereby making the assembly 100 easily transportable or portable.
(20) In most embodiments, the container cavity 502 is shaped and sized to be capable of holding approximately 16-20 gallons. In other embodiments, the container cavity 502 may be larger or smaller.
(21) In a further embodiment, the sidewall translation path (represented in an exemplary path with lines 522) of the selectively removable wall portable container assembly 100 is linear. The sidewall translation path 522 of the selectively removable wall portable container assembly 100 is disposed in a longitudinal direction. Said another way, the sidewall portion 112 is selectively removable from the container body 102 by sliding the sidewall portion 112 longitudinally left or right from the container body 102. In one embodiment, when the lid 114 is coupled to the body 102, the sidewall portion 112 is only translatable in the longitudinal direction. Said another way, the user is able to beneficially access the container cavity 502 when the lid 114 is coupled to the body in a sealed configuration and/or when a secondary container body 902 (shown best in
(22) With reference to
(23) In a further embodiment, as seen in
(24) In a further embodiment as seen in
(25) In some embodiments, as seen in
(26) In some embodiments, the sidewall portion 112 is fsubstantially planar, or flat.
(27) In some embodiments, the sidewall portion 112 further includes a front face 526 and a rear face (not shown) opposing the front face 526. Further, the sidewall portion 112 includes a keeper member (not shown) disposed on and projecting outwardly from either the front face 526 and/or the rear face. The keeper member is disposed proximal to one of the opposing side ends 512, 514 of the sidewall portion 112. When the assembly 100 is in the encapsulated configuration, the keeper member is disposed proximal to one of the opposing side ends 512, 514 farthest from the enclosed opening. The keeper member includes a surface (not shown) operably configured to impede translation of the sidewall portion 112 along the sidewall translation path 522. The surface of the keeper member may be of rubber, polyethylene, ethylene propylene diene, silicone or any other material capable of creating frictional force and biasing the sidewall portion 112 in the encapsulated configuration.
(28) In a further embodiment, in order to allow full range of access to the interior contents of the container cavity 502 and remove the sidewall portion 112 completely from the portable container body 102, a user merely has to complete the following steps: remove the lid 114 from the portable container body 102 and pull the sidewall portion 112 in an upwards direction away from the bottom wall 104 of the container body 102.
(29) In a further embodiment, the lid 114 includes a lower wall portion (not shown) opposing the upper wall portion 116. The lower wall portion may include at least two protruding tab members (not shown), a slot (not shown), and a track (not shown) sized and shaped to receive a sidewall portion thickness 1100 defined by the sidewall portion 112. Together, the protruding tab members, the slot, and the track are operably configured to store the sidewall portion 112 in close proximity (e.g., within approximately 0-1 inch) to the lower wall portion of the lid 114 within the container cavity 502.
(30) In some embodiments, the lid 114 may include an enclosed opening (not shown) similar to the enclosed opening of the sidewall 106, defined thereon and sized and shaped to receive a sidewall portion thickness (not shown) defined by the sidewall portion 112. When removing and replacing the lid 114 onto the upper end 506 of the container body 102, a user would align the lid 114 on the upper end 506 of the container body 102 wherein the enclosed opening of the lid 114 is disposed proximal to the front end 108 of the sidewall 106 of the container body 102. The enclosed opening allows a user to at least partially remove the sidewall portion 112 from the container body 102 and expose the front opening 504 to the container cavity 502 without necessarily having to remove the lid 114, achieving the container cavity access configuration discussed above.
(31) In a further embodiment, the lid 114 includes a polymeric gasket (not shown) enclosing the enclosed opening. The polymeric gasket is designed to prevent moisture and/or debris from entering the container cavity 502 when the assembly 100 is in the encapsulated configuration.
(32) It should be understood that terms such as, “front,” “rear,” “side,” top,” “bottom,” and the like are indicated from the reference point of a viewer viewing the selectively removable wall portable container assembly 100 from its front end 108 (see
(33) As used herein, the term “wall” is intended broadly to encompass continuous structures, as well as, separate structures that are coupled together to form a substantially continuous external surface.
(34) Referring now to
(35) In some embodiments, as depicted in
(36) With brief reference to
(37) Another embodiment of the present invention is depicted in
(38) In a further embodiment, the sidewall translation path (represented in an exemplary path with lines 614) of the selectively removable wall portable container assembly 600 is linear. The sidewall translation path 614 of the selectively removable wall portable container assembly 600 is disposed in a vertical direction. Said another way, the sidewall portion 610 is selectively removable from the container body 602 by sliding the sidewall portion 610 vertically up or down from the container body 602 and achieving the container cavity access configuration discussed above.
(39) In a further embodiment, the lid 616 further comprises an enclosed opening (not shown) defined thereon and sized and shaped to receive a sidewall portion thickness 1100 shown in
(40) In a further embodiment, the lid 616 includes a polymeric gasket (not shown) enclosing the enclosed opening. The polymeric gasket is designed to prevent moisture and/or debris from entering the container cavity 608 when the assembly 600 is in the encapsulated configuration.
(41) Referring now to
(42) With reference now to
(43) As such, a selectively removable wall portable container assembly has been disclosed that includes a portable container body with a bottom wall coupled to and enclosed by a sidewall that define a container cavity. The sidewall defines a front opening spatially coupled to the container cavity. The front opening is superimposed by a selectively removable sidewall portion that is configured to translate along a sidewall translation path. Further, the assembly also includes a lid that is removably coupled to the container body in a retained configuration. Together, the portable container body and the lid in the retained configuration are capable of achieving an encapsulated configuration and a container access configuration. Moreover, the assembly is capable of securely coupling to another selectively removable wall container assembly in a stacked configuration and still achieving both the encapsulated configuration and the container access configuration.