AU2019100041A4 - A storage unit - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a storage unit that has an organizer having a plurality of compartments to hold items in a manner to provide easy access when in the open position and when the unit is folded it forms a closeable pack for storage purposes. Figure 3

Description

A STORAGE UNIT

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a storage unit that can store and adapted to enable easy access to items. The present invention has particular but not exclusive application for use in camping or other outdoor activities. Reference in the specification to the use of the storage unit in camping is made by way of example and the invention is not limited to this use.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Different storage arrangements including tables, cupboards with frames or supports, hanging organizers with multiple pouches, bins and closeable boxes and ice chests have been used to store food, utensils, plates and cutlery, medical supplies and clothes. These storage arrangements have been used during camping or similar activities to keep items off the ground and provide a convenient way to store them.

[0003] Organizers with shelving and sealable compartments have been used during outdoor activities. These organizers have been assembled and supported by hanging or being placed on a stand, then items are stored therein. While they provide a level of convenience, the organizer must first be assembled and positioned before the items can be conveniently stored. This requires the items to be carried and stored (when not in use) in a box or bag. Consequently, there are additional boxes and bags to transport and the setting up of an organizer at a camping site is time consuming.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0004] It is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative storage unit that overcomes or at least alleviates one or more of the disadvantages of the conventional organizers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In one aspect the present invention broadly resides in a storage unit for camping and outdoor activities, having a plurality of compartments to hold items and adapted to fold to form a closeable pack with the items stored therein; and wherein a

-22019100041 15 Jan 2019 base portion of the folded closeable pack has at least one of the plurality of compartments where relatively large items are stored.

[0006] The storage unit in the folded state can be a square, rectangular or triangular shaped closeable pack. In the unfolded position, the storage unit is preferably substantially planar with the plurality of compartments on one side.

[0007] The storage unit preferably has a series of rigid sections separated by a flexible strip. Preferably the flexible strips allow the storage unit to fold into a closable pack. The rigid sections preferably have inserts of wood, plastics, cardboard or any other material that provides support for a rigid section.

[0008] Preferably, there is at least one layer of fabric or material (referred hereinafter as fabric) on at least one side of the storage unit. Preferably the fabric layer extends substantially the entire length of the side of the storage unit and the fabric layer between the rigid sections forms the flexible strips. In a preferred embodiment, there is a layer of fabric on both sides of the storage unit. In a more preferred embodiment the rigid sections are wrapped and fixed in position by the two layers of fabric which are glued, welded, stitched or fastened together. The rigid inserts are preferably held in position by other items or by means of stitching to limit movement. Alternatively the rigid inserts can be maintained in position by thermal sealing, ultrasonic welding or gluing. The fabric layer is preferably of plastics, cloth, or canvas.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the storage unit is made of waterproof material. Alternatively, there is a waterproof membrane integrated between the fabric and rigid sections of the storage unit.

[0010] Preferably, the plurality of compartments on the front side of the storage unit are formed on or associated with the rigid sections of the storage unit. The compartments are preferably made of a similar fabric as that layered on the one side of the storage unit. One or more of the plurality of compartments can have an elasticized opening to hold items in place. The compartments can be made of mesh material or transparent material in order to see the retained items. The compartments can be of different sizes to accommodate items of different lengths and widths. The opening of the compartment can be closable by means of a zip or a hook and eye fastener such as Velcro™.

[0011] The storage unit may also have one or more loops to hold items. Preferably the loops are elasticized.

-32019100041 15 Jan 2019 [0012] Preferably, compartments can hold utensils and cutlery positioned on the storage unit so that when the storage unit is folded to form a closeable pack the cutlery and utensils are held upright in the closable pack. Preferably the folded unit is substantially waterproof so that the items held therein are protected.

[0013] Preferably, there is mesh at least on one end of the closable pack to allow circulation of air within the closable pack. More preferably, there is mesh at both ends of the closable pack to allow air to flow through the closable pack to maintain dryness.

[0014] Preferably, one side of the storage unit has the compartments while the opposite side has reinforcing straps.

[0015] Preferably, the top of the storage unit has one or more loops from which the storage unit can be suspended. In other arrangements hooks or similar attachments can be added to the supporting loops to hold the storage unit on different supports such as car roof channels, car roof rails or racks, on rear spare wheels or natural features such as tree trunks and branches.

[0016] Preferably, there is a closure means extending transversely across the storage unit. The closure means may take the form of a clip, toggle or hook and eye fastener such as Velcro™.

[0017] In one preferred embodiment, the storage unit can also include a water bladder and outlet. Preferably, the outlet is a tap positioned at the end of the bladder and lower end of the storage unit when it is in an unfolded and operational position.

[0018] The storage unit can also include one or more lights integrated into the storage unit. Preferably, there is a light bar of LED lights. Preferably, there is a removable or rechargeable battery positionable in the storage unit and used to power the lights.

[0019] In a further embodiment, the storage unit has one or more solar panels integrated into the fabric layer. In one embodiment, the solar panels are on the rear side of the storage unit whereas the compartments are on the front side of the storage unit.

[0020] The storage unit can also include an integral speaker that is Bluetooth™ compatible or connectable to a player by wires.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the closable pack is lockable. In a more preferred embodiment the storage unit has a series of rods which when the storage unit is unfolded, extended and locked together form an independent support for the

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-4 unit from the ground (either by insertion into the ground, or by supports located on top of the ground). These supports are preferably adjustable. Alternately there may be one or more supports on the rear of the unit which when the unit is opened can be fixed to one or more external poles driven into the ground for support, thereby removing the need to hang the unfolded unit.

[0022] The storage unit can be made in various sizes to accommodate the needs of the size of the group. The storage unit can also be designed to have different sized compartments and loops and compartments and loops in different positions to have it specially designed for particular activities.

[0023] The storage unit is preferably waterproof and includes a series of rigid sections separated by a flexible strip so that it can be a folded closeable pack or open to a substantially planar organizer with the plurality of compartments on one side.

[0024] The storage unit preferably has one or more of the plurality of compartments have an elasticized opening to hold items in place and the compartments are made of mesh material or transparent material in order to see the retained items; wherein there are one or more loops or strips with fasteners to hold items; wherein the compartments are arranged to maintain the held items in a substantially upright position when the storage unit is in a folded position.

[0025] The storage unit preferably has loops at one end of the opened unit to suspend it therefrom, the unit has mesh at both ends to allow circulation of air through the closed pack.

[0026] The storage unit preferably has a bladder with a tap outlet, an integrated light bar, integrated solar panels, an integral speaker and or a key-operated locking mechanism.

[0027] The features described with respect to one aspect also apply where applicable to all other aspects of the invention. Furthermore, different combinations of described features are herein described and claimed even when not expressly stated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0028] In order that the present invention can be more readily understood, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention and wherein:

-52019100041 15 Jan 2019

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a front side of the preferred embodiment of the storage unit in the open position;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic view of the rear side of the preferred embodiment of the storage unit in the open position;

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the folded storage unit;

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic top view of the preferred embodiment of the folded storage unit;

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic side view of the preferred embodiment of the folded storage unit; and

Figure 6 is a diagrammatic end view of the preferred embodiment of the folded storage unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0029] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a preferred embodiment of the storage unit in the open position whereas Figures 3 to 6 show the preferred embodiment of the storage unit in the folded closed position.

[0030] With reference to Figure 1, there is shown a storage unit 10 with an unfolded organiser portion 11 and two support loops 12 for supporting the organiser portion 11. The storage unit 10 has a front side 13 where there are a plurality of compartments comprising different sized pouches 14. The one or more of the pouches 14 have elasticized openings biased towards closing the opening. The pouches 14 are of different widths and lengths to accommodate items of different size. Pouches 14A are expandable with additional material in the cover section to hold larger and oddly shaped items. The pouches 14 are preferably formed with a mesh fabric to allow the circulation of air and assist with identifying the items held therein. The compartments also include pockets that are closable by means of a zip, press studs or hook and eye closures such as Velcro™. Pockets 15 are closable by a zipper. Pockets 15 have a transparent plastic cover in order to identify items held within the pocket 15.

[0031] There are also elastic loops 17 through which items can be inserted and held in place. There are also a plurality of strips 18 with Velcro™ ends that can be used to hold cups and other items with handles by inserting the strips through the handles and closing them upon themselves.

-62019100041 15 Jan 2019 [0032] The storage unit 10 shown in Figure 1 and 2 comprises a series of rigid panels 21 separated from each other by a flexible strip of fabric. The base rigid panel 21A has opposing end portions 22 extending outwardly from the base rigid panel 21A. The end portions 22 are attached to the base rigid panel 21A by a flexible strip of material. Both end portions 22 have a mesh section which allows air to circulate within the storage unit 10 when the storage unit 10 is folded.

[0033] The storage unit 10 can be closed by folding the rigid panels 21,21A towards each other while maintaining base rigid section 21A as the base. The ends of the organizer portion 11 have complementary Velcro™ strips 25 to fasten the ends and sides. In the closed position, closing straps 26 with fastening clips are used to maintain the storage unit 10 in the closed position.

[0034] In the camping situation, plates and bowls can be placed in the pouches 14A; cutlery, cooking utensils, condiments, sugar, medical supplies including bandaids and sunscreen, insect repellent and matches are positionable in pouches 14 and pockets 15. The pouches 14 are configured so that when the utensils and cutlery are positioned therein, they remain in an upright position when the storage unit is folded to form a closeable pack. As the storage unit is folded, additional items such as pots and pans can be placed in the formed internal space above the base rigid panel 21A.

ADVANTAGES [0035] The advantages of the preferred embodiment of the storage unit is the ability to store and display-to-use utensils, plates, cups and other items in a single unit. There is no need to have a separate box to store the items and then unpack these items and place them in an organizer or cupboard for use while camping. Having a single unit to store and be a functional organizer saves time, effort and provides a higher level of convenience.

[0036] The preferred embodiment of the unit has the advantage that it does not need to be repacked in between use. After being packed up from one use, the unit is inherently ready for subsequent use and requires no repacking.

[0037] The preferred embodiment of the storage unit has an organizer having a plurality of compartments to hold items in a manner to provide easy access when in the open position and when the unit is folded it forms a closeable pack for storage purposes.

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- 7 VARIATIONS [0038] It will of course be realized that while the foregoing has been given by way of illustrative example of this invention, all such and other modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of this invention as is herein set forth.

[0039] Throughout the description and claims of this specification the word “comprise” and variations of that word such as “comprises” and “comprising”, are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

Claims (5)

1. A storage unit for camping and outdoor activities, having a plurality of compartments to hold items and adapted to fold to form a closeable pack with the items stored therein; and wherein a base portion of the folded closeable pack has at least one of the plurality of compartments where relatively large items are stored.

2. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 wherein the unit is waterproof and includes a series of rigid sections separated by a flexible strip so that it can be a folded closeable pack or open to a substantially planar organizer with the plurality of compartments on one side.

3. The storage unit as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein one or more of the plurality of compartments have an elasticized opening to hold items in place and the compartments are made of mesh material or transparent material in order to see the retained items; wherein there are one or more loops or strips with fasteners to hold items; wherein the compartments are arranged to maintain the held items in a substantially upright position when the storage unit is in a folded position.

4. The storage unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein there are loops at one end of the opened unit to suspend it therefrom, the unit in the closed position has mesh at both ends to allow circulation of air through the closed pack.

5. The storage unit as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the unit has a bladder with a tap outlet, an integrated light bar, integrated solar panels, an integral speaker and or a key-operated locking mechanism.