Hat Storage Container

Abstract

The present invention relates to a hat storage container for storing and transporting at least one hat. The container has a cover; a base; a hat stop and a handle. The base releasably connects to the cover to define a cavity for receiving the at least one hat; and the hat stop is generally semi-dome shaped and is for locating the at least one hat within the cavity. The cover has a generally semi-dome shaped portion for covering the hat stop and crown portions of the at least one hat, and a bill portion extending therefrom for covering bill portions of the at least one hat. The hat stop houses, or provides a mounting for a deodoriser.

Claims

1. A hat storage container for storing and transporting at least one hat comprising: a cover; a base that releasably connects to the cover to define a cavity for receiving the at least one hat; a hat stop for locating the at least one hat within the cavity; and a handle; wherein at least part of the cover is semi-dome shaped for covering the hat stop and a crown portion of the at least one hat, and a bill portion extending from the semi-dome shaped part of the cover for covering bill portions of the at least one hat; and the hat stop houses, or provides a mounting for, at least one deodoriser.

2. A hat storage container according to claim 1 wherein the hat stop is displaceable and the base is adapted to receive the displaceable hat stop by engagement of connection means.

3. A hat storage device according to claim 2 wherein the connection means permit adjustment of the position of the hat stop on the base to accommodate different types, or different numbers of hats.

4. A hat storage container according to claim 1 wherein the cover is hingeably connectable and releasably engageable with the base to define a cavity extending therebetween, and in which the base and the cover are moveable relative to each other between a first open arrangement providing a user access to the cavity, and a second closed arrangement in which the base portion and cover portion are engaged to substantially seal the cavity from an external environment.

5. A hat storage container according to claim 1 wherein the handle is integrated with the base and cover.

6. A hat storage container according to claim 1 wherein the handle comprises at least one strap and/or at least one strap attachment mechanism for carrying the container.

7. A hat storage container according to claim 1 in which the cover includes transparent material.

8. A hat storage container according to claim 1 in which the container is composed of injection moulded synthetic plastics.

9. (canceled)

10. A hat storage container according to claim 1 further comprising one or more vent openings.

11. (canceled)

12. A hat storage container according to claim 1, further comprising one or more attachment members located within the cavity for securing the at least one hat in position.

13. (canceled)

14. A hat storage container according to claim 1, further comprising closed cell foam arranged to be located within the cavity.

15. (canceled)

16. A hat storage container according to claim 1, in which the cover has a tongue or a groove for releasable engagement with a corresponding groove or tongue provided on the base.

17. A hat storage container according to claim 1 including at least one magnet to permit releasable engagement between the base and the cover.

18. A hat storage container according to claim 1, in which the container comprises a strap comprising a first strap portion attached or attachable to the cover, and a second strap portion attached or attachable to the base, and in which the first and second strap portions are connected together to operate as a hinge between the cover and the base.

19. (canceled)

20. A hat storage container according to claim 1, in which the cover and base are hingeably connected by a hinge located at or adjacent the semi-dome shaped portion of the cover.

21. (canceled)

22. A hat storage container according to claim 1, comprising at least one strap attachment mechanism located on the base.

23. A hat storage container according to claim 22, in which the base is substantially rectangular in shape, and in which at least one strap attachment mechanism is located at or adjacent each corner of the base.

24. (canceled)

25. (canceled)

26. A hat storage container according to any preceding claim, further comprising a lock or locking mechanism.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0066] FIG. 1 shows an isometric overall view from above of a first hat storage container according to the present invention;

[0067] FIG. 2 shows an isometric overall view from below of the first hat storage container of FIG. 1;

[0068] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the first hat storage container of FIG. 1;

[0069] FIG. 4 shows an overall view of a second hat container according to the present invention;

[0070] FIG. 5 shows an exploded side view of the second hat container of FIG. 4;

[0071] FIG. 6 shows an exploded isometric view of the second hat storage container of FIG. 4;

[0072] FIG. 7 shows an overall view of a third hat storage container according to the present invention;

[0073] FIG. 8 shows a side view of the third hat storage container of FIG. 7;

[0074] FIG. 9 shows an exploded overall view of the third hat storage container of FIG. 7;

[0075] FIG. 10 shows an exploded upper end view of the third hat storage container of FIG. 7;

[0076] FIG. 11 shows an exploded lower end view of the third hat storage container of FIG. 7; and

[0077] FIG. 12 shows overall and detailed views of a strap for a hat storage container according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0078] Referring to the figures generally, there are shown three hat storage containers 100, 200, 300 according to the present invention. Each hat storage container 100, 200, 300 comprises a cover 6, a base 2 that releasable connects to the cover 6 so as to define a cavity for receiving at least one hat; a hat stop 20 for locating at least one hat within the cavity; and a handle 9, 10, 11.

[0079] FIGS. 1 to 3 show a first hat storage container 100 whose hat stop 20 is comprised by its base 2.

[0080] Hat storage containers according to the present invention may be shaped and dimensioned to store and transport any suitable hat. The hat storage containers 100, 200, 300 illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 11 are for storing peaked caps such as snap back hats. The hat storage containers may be shaped and dimensioned to store and transport a plurality of hats simultaneously.

[0081] FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate a first hat storage container 100 whose hat stop 20 is comprised by its base 2. The container 100 comprises a base 2 providing an interior support surface 3 for supporting at least one hat. The base 2 is generally flat and rectangular in shape with rounded edges. It is however to be understood that the base 2 may have any suitable shape and/or dimensions to accommodate the type and number of hats to be stored.

[0082] The base 2 comprises an interior support surface 3 with a quarter-spherical arched portion 20 defining a hat stop. The hat stop 20 is shaped to match the shape of a hat such as a cap with the rear half of its crown folded into its front so as to define a nested quarter-spherical or semi-dome shaped nested arrangement.

[0083] The base 2 has a curved lip 4 extending from its edge towards the cover 6. The edge 5 of the lip 4 provides a tongue which releasably engages with the edge of the cover portion 6. It is however to be understood that the base 2 may comprise any other suitable feature for releasably engaging with the cover 6.

[0084] The base 2 is preferably composed of an injection moulded polypropylene copolymer, however it is to be understood that the cover 6 may be composed of any suitable material.

[0085] The cover 6 comprises a generally semi-dome shaped rear portion 7 which is shaped and dimensioned to fit over the hat stop 20 and to cover the folded crown portions of one or more hats such that they are held between the interior surfaces of the hat stop 20 and the rear portion 7. The cover 6 further comprises a generally flat front portion 8 extending from the rear portion 7 which is shaped and dimensioned to cover the bill, beak, visor or brim portion of a conventional peaked cap held within the container 100.

[0086] A pair of apertures 9, 10, together forming a handle, are formed through the front portion 8 of the cover 6 and the flat portion 3 of the base 2. These apertures 9, 10 are aligned when the base 2 and the cover 6 are interconnected to define a cavity such that they form a passage defining a handle through the container 100.

[0087] The cover 6 is preferably transparent, for example 95% transparent so that the contents of the container 100 are visible to the user from the outside. The cover 6 is preferably composed of an injection moulded polypropylene homopolymer, however it is to be understood that the cover 6 may be composed of any suitable material.

[0088] The container 100 further comprises a strap 11 for ease of transportation of the container 100.

[0089] The cover 6 of the container 100 is hingeably connectable and releasably engageable with the base portion 2 to define a cavity extending therebetween. Two spaced apart snap-on hinges 12 are provided on opposite sides of the rear edges of the cover 6 and base 2 of the container 100. These hinges 12 extend between the rear generally semi-dome shaped portion 7 of the cover 6 and the adjacent portion of the base 2. In alternative embodiments the cover of the container may be slideably connectable and releasably engageable with the base 2.

[0090] The container 1 further comprises three ventilation holes 13 provided in hat stop 20 portion of the base 2 of the container 100. The ventilation holes 13 are located so as to be positioned adjacent the folded crown portion of a hat received within the cavity.

[0091] The base 2 comprises two spaced apart bump fit engagement features 14. The bump fit engagement features 14 are located on opposing sides of the handle defining aperture 10. The bump fit engagement features 14 are key hole shaped (i.e. having a first opening extending into a narrower slot). The free ends of strap 11 each comprise an attachment member 15 which is shaped and dimensioned to releasably engage the engagement features 14. The attachment members 15 each comprise a circular outer member 16 which is larger in dimension than the openings provided by the bump fit engagement features 14 so as to prevent water ingress into the container 100.

[0092] The container 100 further comprises a lock mechanism 17, 18 located at the end of the container 100 distal from the hinges 12. The lock mechanism 12, 18 being a catch between the flat portion of the base 2 and the front portion 8 of the cover 6. The lock mechanism 17, 18 comprises a flap 18 which extends from an edge of the cover 6 and which releasably engages with a groove or recess 18 provided on the adjacent edge portion of the base 2.

[0093] In use, the container 100 is arrangeable in both a first open arrangement providing user access to the cavity, and a second closed arrangement in which the base 2 and cover 6 are engaged to substantially seal the cavity from an external environment. The user places one or more, preferably three of four, hats such as folded caps or snap back hats into the cavity and places the container in the closed arrangement. The user may then secure the lock mechanism 17, 18 in the locked arrangement so as to prevent unintended opening of the container 100.

[0094] The hats may be secured against movement, preventing the creation of unintended noise disturbances within the cavity, by one or more clips located on the base portion 2 for engaging with the bill of the hat or by closed cell foam positioned adjacent the interior of the cover 6 so as to secure the hat in position.

[0095] The user may then secure the strap 11 to the base 2 for ease of transportation of the container 100. The container 100 may for example be carried on the shoulder of the user. Alternatively, the strap 11 may be a strap for attachment to a rucksack or backpack. The strap may include any suitable attachment features. For example the strap may include a carabiner.

[0096] The user may when desired release the lock mechanism and open the container 100 by releasing the engagement between the cover 6 and the base 2 to access the cavity. The user may identify and remove the required hat and then close the container once again.

[0097] FIGS. 4 to 6 illustrate a second hat storage container 200 according to the present invention, whose hat stop 20 is separate from its base 2. Like parts have the same references.

[0098] The hat storage container 200 is of overall similar structure and construction to the hat storage container 100 shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 but differs substantially in that its hat stop 20 is removeable and displaceable with respect to its base 2 and is located within its cavity rather than being formed integrally with the base 2.

[0099] The cover 6 is attached to the base 2 by a hinge 12. The container is closed by a lock comprising a flap 17 provided on the cover 6 and a corresponding recess 18 provided on the base 2. The flap 17 and recess 18 engage to lock the cover 6 and the base 2 together.

[0100] The hat stop 20 is a displaceable part that is mounted on the interior of the base 2 within the cavity during use. The hat stop 20 connects to the base 2 using connector means 21.

[0101] The hat stop 20 comprises connector means 21A in the form of projections which are received into connector means 21B provided on the base 2. The projections 21A have a tab 21E to restrict removal of the connections means (See FIG. 10). The projection 21A flexes as it enters the channel 21B on the base 2 and the tab 21E retains the projection 21A in the channel 21E. The projection can be flexed so as to align the tab 21E with the channel 21B so that it, and thereby the hat stop 20, can be removed from the channel 21B and thereby the base 2. The connector means 21B on the base are channels along which the projections 21A can slide along so as to alter position of the hat stop on the base 2.

[0102] This may advantageously allow the separation between the hat stop 20 and the interior of the rear generally semi-dome shaped portion of the cover 6 to be varied so as to accommodate different thicknesses and/or numbers of hats.

[0103] Connector means 21C provided on the hat stop 20 is a pin that fits into an aperture 21D on the base 2. In this way the pin 21C is inserted to the aperture 21D in order to lock the hat stop 20 to the base 2.

[0104] The base 2 has bump fit engagement features 14 that are key hole shaped for receiving a corresponding end of a strap to permit easy connection and disconnection of a strap to the container.

[0105] The hat stop 20 supports a deodoriser (not shown). The hat stop 20 has a pocket 22 on its exterior surface for receiving the deodoriser, the pocket being arranged towards the crown portions of hats held within the cavity of the container 200.

[0106] The cover 6 is branded 6A on its generally semi-dome shaped rear portion with an example of a logo.

[0107] FIGS. 7 to 9 show a third hat storage container 300 according to the present invention. Again, like parts have the same references. The third embodiment differs from the second embodiment only in respect to shape of the cover 6. The cover has a more graduated slope between the generally semi-dome shaped crown portion and the bill portion allowing for differently shaped hats to be contained therein, such as flat caps.

[0108] FIGS. 10 and 11 show front and rear views of the base 2, cover 6 and hat stop 20 of a hat container.

[0109] FIG. 11 shows a push button lock in which the button tab 17 which extends from an edge of the cover 6 is pushed out of a corresponding opening 18 in an edge of the base 2, so as to release the cover 6 from the base 2. The button tab 17 engages with an opening 18 on the base 2 so as to hold the cover 6 and the base 2 together in use.

[0110] FIG. 12 shows a second embodiment of the strap 11. The free ends of strap 11 each comprise an attachment member 15 shaped and dimensioned to releasably engage the engagement features 14. Attachment members 15 each comprise a circular outer member 16 which is larger in dimension than the openings provided by the bump fit engagement features 14 so as to prevent water ingress into the container 1.

[0111] The circular outer member 16 has a slot 16A for receiving the strap.

[0112] The circular outer member 16 may be branded with a logo as shown in FIG. 12.

[0113] The strap 11 has a sleeve 11A to enhance comfort when carrying the container.

[0114] The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims. For example, it will be understood that any features described in relation to any particular embodiment may be featured in combinations with other embodiments.