APPARATUS FOR STORING ARTICLES

Abstract

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.

Claims

1-3. (canceled)

4. A storage bag system comprising: a plurality of vacuum-sealable storage bags defining an interior for storing the articles therein; and a container configured for storing the plurality of vacuum-sealable storage bags therein, the container having two or more soft walls.

5. A storage bag system as recited in claim 4, wherein the container defines a compact and low profile when in a fully collapsed state.

6. A storage bag system as recited in claim 4, where the container is configured for stacking upon a similar container.

7. storage bag system as recited in claim 4, wherein the plurality of vacuum-sealable storage bags are made from a material selected from the group consisting of: O-nylon, C-nylon, polyethylene, bi-axial nylon, polyurethane, polyester, PET, polypropylene, and combinations thereof.

8. A storage bag system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a one-way valve positioned within an aperture on each of the vacuum-sealable storage bags.

9. A storage bag system as recited in claim 4, further comprising at least one triangular-shaped buttress support attached to an inner surface of the container.

10. A storage bag system as recited in claim 4, wherein at least one of the soft walls of the container has a transparent window.

11. A storage bag system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a substantially air-tight and water-tight sealed opening on each of the vacuum-sealable storage bags that is selectively opened and closed.

12. A storage bag system as recited in claim 4, further comprising at least one strap attached to a bottom portion of the container for securing at least one vacuum-sealable bag positioned on the bottom portion.

13. A storage bag system as in claim 12, further comprising a base support member attached to the bottom portion.

14. A storage bag system comprising: a container configured for storing at least one vacuum-sealable storage bag therein, the container having two or more soft walls and being stackable upon a similar container.

15. A storage bag system as recited in claim 14, further comprising a plurality of vacuum-sealable storage bag defining an interior for storing the articles therein.

16. A storage bag system as recited in claim 14, wherein the container defines a compact and low profile when in a fully collapsed state.

17. A storage bag system as recited in claim 15, wherein the plurality of vacuum-sealable storage bags are made from a material selected from the group consisting of: O-nylon, C-nylon, polyethylene, bi-axial nylon, polyurethane, polyester, PET, polypropylene, and combinations thereof.

18. A storage bag system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a one-way valve positioned within an aperture on each of the vacuum-sealable storage bags.

19. A storage bag system in claim 4, further comprising at least one triangular-shaped buttress support attached to an inner surface of the container, wherein at least one of the soft walls of the container has a transparent window.

20. A storage bag system as recited in claim 15, further comprising a substantially air-tight and water-tight sealed opening on each of the vacuum-sealable storage bags that is selectively opened and closed.

21. A storage bag system as recited in claim 14, further comprising: at least one strap attached to a bottom portion of the container for securing at least one vacuum-sealable bag positioned on the bottom portion; and a base support member attached to the bottom portion.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] The novel features which are characteristic of the combined apparatus for storage are set forth in the appended claims. However, the combined apparatus for storage, together with further embodiments and attendant advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

[0020] FIG. 1A is a perspective view of a combined apparatus for storage;

[0021] FIG. 1B is a perspective view of another combined apparatus for storage;

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of storage bags for nesting within a container of the combined apparatus for storage;

[0023] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the combined apparatus for storage of FIG. 1B;

[0024] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the combined apparatus in a closed position for storage of FIG. 1B;

[0025] FIG. 5 is a side view of the combined apparatus for storage of FIG. 1B in a collapsed, low-profile state without the storage bag therein;

[0026] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the combined apparatus of FIG. 5 in an open position;

[0027] FIG. 7 is a top view of the present invention of FIG. 5;

[0028] FIG. 8 is a partial top view of FIG. 5 in an open position;

[0029] FIG. 9 is an isolated view of the present invention of FIG. 8 showing a securing member attached to the bottom portion of the container;

[0030] FIG. 10 is a bottom view of FIG. 5;

[0031] FIG. 11 is an isolated view of FIG. 5 showing the base support member releasably attached to the bottom portion of the container;

[0032] FIG. 12 is a top view of FIG. 5 in an open position;

[0033] FIG. 13 is front view of the present invention of FIG. 1B in a closed position;

[0034] FIG. 14 is a side view of the present invention of FIG. 1B in a closed position; and

[0035] FIG. 15 is a top view of FIG. 5 in a folded state for easy storage.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0036] As outlined in detail in the attached invention disclosure and materials, a new and novel system for a combined apparatus for storage is disclosed. As illustrated in FIGS. 1-15, the present invention provides an evacuatable, combined apparatus for storage 100A, 100B. More particularly, the present invention relates to a combined apparatus for storage for compressing articles including a storage bag 200 and a container 300 wherein the container 300 has soft, flexible sides. The combined apparatus for storage saves storage space, provides superior protection for the stored compressed articles, and conveniently stores an uncompressed volume far exceeding the volume of the storage unit.

[0037] Referring to FIGS. 1A-2, the present invention is a combined apparatus for storage of compressible articles, such as common household items including bedding and clothing. The combined apparatus includes a combination of an expandable, storage bag 200 and a container 300 for storing the bag therein. The combination of the bag 200 and the container 300 is configured for stacking, similar to a box.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 3, in one embodiment, the container 300 is a reusable tote and the storage bag 200 is a vacuum-sealable, air-tight, water-proof, reusable, compression bag. The container 300 or bag 200 may generally define a cube-shape. Of course, it is contemplated that the container 300 and/or the bag may defined shapes other than cube-shapes, such as square 100A of FIG. 1A or rectangular 100B of FIG. 1B or other shapes. The storage bag 200 is made of clear, pliable layers of nylon film or similar materials. The bag 200 is made of any flexible material that is impervious to air, such as O-nylon, C-nylon, polyethylene, bi-axial nylon, polyurethane, polyester, PET, polypropelene, etc. The storage bag 200 defines an opening at a top end for inserting compressible articles into an interior of the storage bag 200.

[0039] The storage bag 200 has a means for providing an air-tight and water-tight seal at an opening of the bag 200 at one end. In one embodiment, the means for providing an air-tight and water-tight seal is at least one snap strip member 204 made of ABS plastic or other plastic materials positioned along the opening of the bag for closing the opening of the bag 200. The at least one snap strip member 204 also provides a means for repeatedly opening and closing the opening of the bag 200.

[0040] The storage bag 200 having a means for removing air from an interior of the bag 200. The means for removing air from an interior of the interior includes a one-way valve 202 made of polyethylene positioned within an aperture on the bag 200. The one-way valve 202 may be positioned on the bag 200 at a selected location. There are a variety of well-known one-way air valves available on the market that can be installed within the bag 200 to allow air flow in only one direction. Overall, the bag 200 is configured to contain an article extracted of air while being housed or seated within the container 300.

[0041] Referring to FIGS. 4-15, the container 300 defines an opening between at least two opposing sides. In one embodiment, the container 300 has four side walls 300A-D. More specifically, the container 300 may have four side walls that include two long sides and two short sides. Of course, the sidewalls may also be equal in length or size or different in length or size to define different shapes or sizes. The container 300 also includes a top portion 304 and a bottom portion 302 whereby the four side walls and, top portion, and bottom portion define a compact and low profile when in a collapsed state. The container 300 is made of polyethylene material or woven nylon or similar flexible or soft materials. Of course, materials other than listed may be used for the present invention.

[0042] Referring to FIG. 6, the container 300 has a means for repeatedly opening and closing the opening of the container 300. In one embodiment, the means for repeatedly opening and closing the opening is the top portion or cover releasably attached at or near the opening of the container 300. In one embodiment, the top portion has a flat zipper 308 for releasably attaching the top portion to the container 300 at or near the opening of the container 300. Of course, it is contemplated that velcro or other fastening means may be used other than a flat zipper for releasably attaching the top portion to the opening of the container 300.

[0043] Referring to FIG. 7, the container 300 includes at least one or more triangular-shaped, buttress supports 320A, 320B attached to an inner surface of the container 300 to provide support to the container 300. At least one of the side walls has at least one transparent window 330 made of clear plastic materials. In one embodiment, one of the short sides includes the transparent window.

[0044] Referring to FIGS. 8-9, at least one securing member 310 is attached to the bottom portion of the container 300. At least one securing member is sewn or stitched into an inner surface of the bottom portion 302. The at least one securing member is a binding ribbon or buckling belt which run across the base support member and are capable of enclosing the bag 200 above. The at least one securing member may have a portion disposed between a base support member 350 and the bottom portion of the container 300 and another portion positioned above the base support member 350. In another embodiment, the at least one securing member is releasably attached to the bottom portion of the container 300 using fastening means known in the art or omitted altogether.

[0045] Referring to FIGS. 11-12, the base support member 350 is releasably attached to the bottom portion of the container 300. In one embodiment, the base support member and the bottom portion of the container 300 are releasably engaged together using velcro strips 370. In one embodiment, the velcro loops are sewn into the bottom side portion of the container 300 and the velcro hooks are sewn into the base support member. Of course, it is contemplated that the velcro hooks may be sewn into the bottom side portion of the container 300 and the velcro loops may be sewn into the base support member. In addition, the base support member and the bottom portion of the container 300 may be releasably engaged using other types of hook-and-loop fasteners and other fastening means such as buttons, laces, buckles, zippers and similar.

[0046] The base support member generally defines a shape and dimension substantially similar to the bottom portion of the container 300 and substantially covers the bottom portion of the container 300. The long sides, short sides, top portion, bottom portion, and base support member are soft-side and made of soft or flexible materials, in other words, not rigid or stiff and do not require the insertion of a ridged member therein. In another embodiment, the base support member may be attached permanently to the bottom portion of the container 300 directly by sewing the base support member to the bottom portion of the container 300. In another embodiment, the base support member is optional and may be omitted.

[0047] Referring to FIG. 14, the container 300 also includes at least one handle member 340 attached to at least one side wall of the container 300. In one embodiment, the container 300 has at least one handle member sewn or stitched along at least one long side. Of course, the handle can be attached to either the long side or the short side if desired. In one embodiment, the handle member includes a horizontal strap portion for engaging a user's hand and two vertical strap portions which are attached along an outer surface of the side wall and the bottom portion extending from near an opening of the container 300 to the bottom portion.

[0048] Referring to FIG. 15, the container 300 is shown folded into a compact state for easy storing when not in use. The soft-sides of the container 300 allow the user the flexibility to fold up the container 300 into a smaller, compact state which reduces the space needed for storing away and making it easier for transporting. In addition, the soft-sided container 300 allows compressible articles or other objects to be placed inside the combined apparatus that have a greater accommodation of various sizes and dimensions in comparison to rigid containers of the prior art. The soft-sides of the container 300 allow the sides of the container to bulge out or bend in flexible manner to fit the article inserted into the combined apparatus for storage.

[0049] In use, referring to FIG. 3, an article, such as bedding or clothing pillows, blankets, bedding, sweaters, comforters, sleeping bags, jackets, parkas, skiing or hunting clothes, stuffed animals, foam cushions, life vests, etc or any other compressible or non-compressible article, is stored in the storage bag 200. The storage bag 200 is then sealed after combining the snap strip members and vacuumed by a vacuum source. A vacuum source may be a common household vacuum cleaner. When the vacuum source is activated, air is withdrawn from the bag 200 thus compressing the bag 200, and the articles stored therein. If no vacuum source is available, the bag 200 can be evacuated of air manually by pressing the liner down and into the container 300. Alternatively, a force may be applied by a variety of methods to the storage bag 200 to manually move the air through the one-way air valve and out of the storage bag 200. The one-way valve in the aperture prevents air from re-entering the bag 200. A sealing cap can be screwed or snapped onto the aperture to increase the long term vacuum integrity thereof. The storage bag 200 is placed within an interior of the container 300 (either before, during, or after the storage bag 200 is evacuated), the top portion is zippered or closed, and the bag 200 is bound by connecting the at least one securing members together. The top portion is then secured or releasably engaged to the open end of the container 300 to secure the storage bag 200 therein. Since the combined storage apparatus is boxy in overall dimension and profile, it is easier for the combined storage apparatus to be stored or stacked.

[0050] Once the storage bag 200 is secured within the container 300, the articles, and the bag 200, are all protected by the flexible container 300. If for some reason the air tight integrity of the bag 200 is compromised and air leaks back into bag 200, the container 300 and top portion attached securely thereto will help contain the compressed articles inside the volume of the container 300.

[0051] In summary, as air within the storage bag 200 is evacuated from the storage bag 200 through the means for facilitating removal or entry of air from an interior of said storage bag 200, the storage bag 200 and the compressible articles stored therein collapse into the soft-sided container 300.

[0052] In one embodiment, by way of example only, the container 300 may include the following dimensions: 15 inches length16 inches width and 10 inches height and 25 inches length20 inches width11 inches height. Of course, this is only an example and there may be other width and height dimensions of the combined apparatus for storage. It should also be noted that the combined apparatus for storage may or may not be stackable depending upon the dimensions of the combined apparatus for storage and the compressible articles disposed therein. It should be also noted that in the preferred embodiment the storage bag 200 is nested within the container 300 but it may also be possible to use the bag 200 and container 300 separately.

[0053] It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made to the illustrated embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present invention. All such modifications and changes are intended to be within the scope of the present invention.