Expandable storage container for writing and art implements

Abstract

A container that is designed to hold within its structure writing and art implements such as crayons, colored pencils, or markers. The container consists of a molded hinged-lid, two hinged-connectors, and three compartments; one on the left, one in the middle, and one on the right. The connectors and hinges allow the compartments to be folded closed or to open away from one another. When closed, the compartments can be held closed by an eye and a loop on the left side. When closed the molded hinged-lid and its curved protruding lip cover the three compartments. The lid can be held closed by a loop in the lid's front and an eye on the right compartment. When open the molded hinged-lid can be held open by the loop in the lid's front and an eye on the back of the middle compartment.

Claims

1. A storage container for writing and art implements, the device comprising:

2. The storage container of claim 1 wherein there is a middle compartment that serves as the center of the container, the compartment being shaped as a narrow, long rectangular prism without a top and having a curved dip in the front,

3. The storage container of claim 1 wherein there is a left compartment, the compartment being shaped as a narrow, long rectangular prism without a top and having a curved dip in the front and back,

4. The storage container of claim 1 wherein there is a right compartment, the compartment being shaped as a narrow, long rectangular prism without a top and having a curved dip in the front and back,

5. The storage container of claim 1 wherein there is a hinged lid shaped as a wide, short rectangular prism without a bottom and having a curved lip protruding from its front side.

6. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the middle compartment is attached to a left compartment.

7. The storage container of claim 6 wherein the left compartment is attached to a connector.

8. The storage container of claim 7 wherein the connector has hinges on both sides.

9. The storage container of claim 8 wherein the connector's hinges allow the middle compartment and left compartment to swing away from or toward one another.

10. The storage container of claim 6 wherein the left compartment can lie on top of the middle compartment.

11. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the middle compartment is attached to a right compartment.

12. The storage container of claim 11 wherein the right compartment is attached to a connector.

13. The storage container of claim 12 wherein the connector has hinges on both sides.

14. The storage container of claim 13 wherein the connector's hinges allow the middle compartment and right compartment to swing away from or toward one another.

15. The storage container of claim 10 wherein the right compartment can lie on top of the left and middle compartments.

16. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the hinged-lid is attached to the middle compartment.

17. The storage container of claim 16 wherein the hinged-lid is connected to the middle compartment by a hinge.

18. The storage container of claim 17 wherein the hinge allows the lid to open away from the three compartments or close on top of the compartments.

19. The storage container of claim 1 wherein, when all three compartments lie closed on top of one another, said compartments can be covered by the lid and its protruding lip and can be held closed by a loop and eye on the left side.

20. The storage container of claim 1 wherein the loop in the lid's top and an eye on the right compartment can hold the lid closed or the loop in the lid's top and an eye on the back of the middle compartment can hold the lid open.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0018] The above description, as well as additional objects and features of the present invention, will be more fully understood by referencing the following detailed descriptions. These descriptions, while illustrative, are the currently preferred embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a top, left-front perspective view of a first embodiment of the container with the lid in an opened position;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a top, left-front perspective view thereof, shown with the lid in a closed position;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a top, right-front perspective view thereof, shown with the lid in a closed position;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a top view thereof;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a bottom view thereof;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a rear view thereof;

[0025] FIG. 7 is a top, right-rear perspective view thereof, shown with the lid in an opened position; and,

[0026] FIG. 8 is a top, left-front perspective view of the container with its three compartments and hinged-lid in open positions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0027] Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1-8 thereof, therein is a writing and art container according to the present invention, generally designated by the reference number 10. In its basic aspect, the container 10 comprises a hinged top generally designated 20; a stationary middle compartment generally designated 30; a left compartment generally designated 40; and a right compartment generally designated 50.

[0028] The hinged top 20, as shown in FIGS. 1-4 can be opened or closed using hinge 20C. When closed the molded hinged-lid 20 and its curved protruding lip covers the top portion of the three compartments and can be held in place by loop 20B in the lid's top and an eye 50D1 located on the right compartment 50. When open the molded hinged lid 20 can be held in place by the loop 20B in the lid's top and an eye 30D on the back of the middle compartment 30 as shown in FIGS. 6-8. The loop 20B is affixed to the hinged top 20 through hole 20A as shown in FIG. 8. The left compartment 40 is attached to the middle compartment 30 by connector 60 that has hinge 40C on one side and hinge 30C on the other. These two hinges and the connector join the left compartment 40 to the middle compartment 30. Attached to connector 60 is the side closure-loop 30B as shown in FIGS. 1,2,7, and 8. The closure-loop 30B is affixed to the connector 60 through hole 30A as shown in FIG. 8.

[0029] Contained on the right compartment is the side closure-eye 50D2 as shown in FIG. 8. Right compartment 50 is attached to the middle compartment 30 by connector 61 that has hinge 50C1 on one side and hinge 50C2 on the other. These two hinges and the connector join the left compartment 50 to the middle compartment 30. The two connectors and six hinges allow the three compartments to fold on top of one another as shown in FIG. 5.

[0030] To summarize, the present invention is a container for storing, protecting, and accessing writing and art implements such as crayons, colored pencils, and markers. The container is designed to prevent waste and loss of implements while being sturdy, child-friendly, simple, and economical. There has been shown and described a novel container which fulfills all of the objects and advantages sought therefore. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering the foregoing specification together with the accompanying drawings. All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the claims which follow.

[0031] We claim the ornamental design for a storage container for writing and art implements, as shown and described: