CN1204611A

CN1204611A - Collapsible container

Info

Publication number: CN1204611A
Application number: CN 98115548
Authority: CN
Inventors: 戴维·G·曼; 史蒂夫·帕莱蒂; 凯文·劳施; 雷纳·B·托伊费尔
Original assignee: Rubbermaid Inc
Current assignee: Rubbermaid Inc
Priority date: 1997-07-08
Filing date: 1998-06-30
Publication date: 1999-01-13

Abstract

A collapsible container includes a first wall, a second wall and a collapsible and expandable thired wall for connecting the first wall and the second wall. The third wall includes an interior wall and an exterior wall that are each collapsible and expandable. At least one spring extends between the first wall and the second wall to urge them apart. Straps also extend between the first wall and the second wall to counteract the force of the spring. The length of the straps between the first wall and the second wall is adjustable between a fully collapsed and fully expanded position. The length of the straps is adjustable because the straps slidingly engage the second wall and are held with respect to the second wall by locking devices. The locking devices normally engage the straps to lock their position with respect to the second wall but may be released to allow the second wall to move away from the first wall.

Description

Collapsible container

The present invention relates to reservoir vessel, particularly be used for the carry-case of temporary transient storing frozen product.Exactly, the present invention relates to a kind of like this refrigerator, it has collapsible and extensible sidewall, thereby the storage volumes of this refrigerator and overall dimension can be changed.

Portable have soft limit can use multiple different size to different purposes with the container that the rigidity limit is arranged.For example, there are some containers to be used as the special refrigerator of using for a lunch of arranging by size and can are the refrigerator that a big family preserves Food ﹠ Beverage.Like this, usually, just should there be the refrigerator of many different sizes to adapt to different situations.Though and buy the cost issues of many refrigerators, Duo refrigerator also will occupy quite big storage area when not using like this.Though there is the container on soft limit can fold and store less space, it generally can not use by the size that big family uses, and this is because soft flexible wall makes this kind refrigerator be difficult to carry when fully loaded beverage and ice.The big refrigerator that rigidity limit portion is arranged is desirable in these cases, because they can be not sagging or crooked at full load.But such refrigerator is but owing to its overall volume is difficult to storage greatly.So wish to provide intensity and rigidity and collapsible so that the refrigerator of storage with rigidity limit refrigerator.

The refrigerator that the rigidity limit is arranged generally is by plastics or metal manufacturing, makes it durable in use and protects its interior items injury-free when refrigerator is subjected to the external object bump or has object to place on its top.The big problem that rigidity limit refrigerator is arranged is that its internal capacity that must cool off is constant.Like this, even when having only the minority article in this refrigerator, used cooling system conditioner (normally ice) also must keep relatively large cold air to cool off these article.So, preferably provide to be configured to and can regulate the sort of refrigerator that it must be kept the internal capacity of cooling by cooling system conditioner.

So one object of the present invention is the Foldable vessel that provides such, it has collapsible/sidewall of launching, is regulated the internal capacity and the overall dimensions of this container.

Another object of the present invention is to provide aforesaid Foldable vessel, but it has the bottom of rigidity and the upper wall of rigidity, makes container can protect dress article within it.

Another purpose of the present invention is to provide aforesaid Foldable vessel, but that it comprises is collapsible/and the sidewall that launches may be locked on each diverse location between its folding entirely and full expand position.

A further object of the present invention is to provide aforesaid Foldable vessel, and it can be deployed into its full expand position automatically when the user presses down a pair of bone lock.

Of the present invention also have another purpose to be to provide aforesaid Foldable vessel, but it can be so that storage on its full expand or complete folding position or the two any position are added to the top of similar container.

Above-mentioned purpose of the present invention and other purpose and be better than prior art container part and can understand fully by following description, and can be achieved by following improvement illustrated and that propose as claim.

Generally, Foldable vessel comprises the end with abundant rigidity, the upper wall relative end of with and the collapsible/wall that launches that extends between the end and upper wall.

The exemplary preferred Foldable vessel of the embodiment principle of the invention shows bright in the accompanying drawings as an example, and wherein attempt shows various forms and the modification that the present invention is implemented.In a word, the present invention judges by accompanying Claim rather than by the details of specification sheets.

Fig. 1 is that bright container shown in it is in its full expand position according to the transparent view of the Foldable vessel of principle preparation of the present invention;

Fig. 2 is the transparent view of Foldable vessel shown in Figure 1 when being in its full folding position;

Fig. 3 is the transparent view after Foldable vessel shown in Figure 1 is removed its lateral wall;

The planar view of Fig. 4 when to be Foldable vessel shown in Figure 1 with its lid open wide;

Fig. 5 is basically along the section-drawing of the Foldable vessel of 5-5 line intercepting among Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 is the back view of this Foldable vessel, and some of lateral walls are removed, and partly shows bright with the local section form;

Fig. 7 is the back view of this Foldable vessel, and some of lateral walls are removed, and partly shows bright with the local section form;

Fig. 8 is basically along the part sectional view of the amplification of 8-8 line intercepting among Fig. 2.

Foldable vessel of the present invention is generally indicated with 10 in the accompanying drawings.Container 10 comprises first and second opposed diapire and roof, generally indicates with 12 and 14 respectively.Generally collapsible/the 3rd wall of launching of being indicated by label 16 extends between first wall 12 and second wall 14, with the outside dimension of qualification container 10.Container 10 is especially suitable for use as refrigerator, thereby each

wall

12,14 and 16 is preferably by the material and the corresponding manner manufacturing of heat-insulating properties being provided can for container 10.

Wall

12,14 and 16 preferably can be manufactured liquid-tight by such material and mode, makes that container 10 is inner for fluid-tight.Like this,

wall

12,14 and 16 internal capacities that limited just can be used for keeping frozen goods and have can make the cooling of this article suitable coolant as ice.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the outer wall 22 of the 3rd wall 16 comprises collapsible/inwall 20 that launches and the collapsible/expansion that separates with it, they respectively extend between the periphery of the first wall 12 and second wall 14 and around this periphery, to limit the internal capacity and the outside dimension of container 10.Inwall 20 is separated from each other with outer wall 22, so that form heat-insulating air-retaining liner between the inner room of container 10 and ambient atmosphere.Although

wall

20 and 22 can utilize kind type, outer wall 22 in a preferred embodiment of the invention is by opening/close the bellows type wall that many pleats 24 can folded.Each pleat 24 can come body plan by other known in this technology pleat.Part rigidity or soft that pleat 24 is had works with container 10.

Inwall 20 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention is to be made by the soft fire-proofing material that possesses heat-insulating properties.Inwall 20 owing to shrinkage when container 10 is folding and only when container 10 launches, just return the flexibility of stretching out become collapsible/launch.The present invention also imagines and inwall 20 can be formed a bag in container 10, and inwall 20 at this moment just can comprise diapire 26.

Nature, the present invention can adopt the wall configuration of other collapsible/expansion.For example, the 3rd wall 16 can comprise many segmentations, and these segmentation estable formulas are held mutually.Also will be appreciated that the 3rd wall can be only with single layer as on regard to the flexible material manufacturing that inwall 20 is discussed.The 3rd wall can also be made by the flexible material of multilayer energy shrinkage when container 10 folds.Wall 16 also can comprise a plurality of flexible material sections and a plurality of combination with intussusception section of default keyed end.Can see, of the present invention this collapsible/wall that launches can have various forms and work in a different manner.

First wall 12 also can be made as the combination that harder plastics or metal or a kind of flexible material cover rigid frame by all materials.In graphic the preferred embodiments of the present invention, first wall 12 is to be made by duroplasts, as the end of container 10.Dress is with many footing 30 on the first wall 12, and they extend downwards and support this container when container 10 is put on the quite flat surface.

The internal and external circumferential edge of being indicated by

label

32 and 34 extends upward from first wall 12 and limits passage 36 therebetween respectively.Inwall 20 is connected outer wall 22 and then is connected with outward flange 34 with inward flange 32, make inwall 20 and outer wall 22 separate.The fluid-tight connection of the water that can make container 10 can keep liquid such as ice to dissolve is provided being connected between inwall 20 and the inward flange 32.From Fig. 3, perhaps can be clear that a groove 38 of admitting outer wall 22 bottoms to be arranged in the upper surface of outward flange 34 so that outer wall 22 is attached on the outward flange 34.With outer wall 22 ingear tooth (not shown) it is remained in this groove 38 by many when outer wall 22 can be in it be pushed into groove 38.

Second wall 14 can be made by the combination that for example harder plastics of multiple material or metal or flexible material cover on the rigid frame equally.In graphic the preferred embodiments of the present invention, second wall 14 is to be made by duroplasts, as the lid of container 10.After this manner, second wall 14 has a periphery flange 40, and this has opening 42 to provide to lead to container 10 in-to-ins inlet above flange 40.The door 44 that can rotate between off position and open position is housed on the flange 40.Door can put a bottle 46 on 44, make when this 44 be in shown in Fig. 1 and 2 off position the time, bottle 46 is promptly within container 10.

Generally the inside and outside periphery of indicating respectively with

label

50 and 52 limits passage 54 therebetween from flange 40 extension downwards.Inwall 20 is connected outer wall 22 and then is connected with outward flange 52 with inward flange 50, make inwall 20 and outer wall 22 separate.Perhaps can be clear that from Fig. 5 the top that can have a groove 56 to admit outer wall 22 in the lower surface of outward flange 52 is so that outer wall 22 is attached on the outward flange 52.It is remained within this groove 56 with outer wall 22 ingear teeth 58 (Fig. 8) by many when outer wall 22 can be in it pushes groove 56.

Can recognize now container 10 in height be collapsible/launch.Can be by first wall 12 and second wall, 14 the 3rd walls 16 that fold pressed together have been folded container 10.At this moment, the pleat 24 of outer wall 22 is folded to together as shown in Figure 2, then shrinkage of inwall 20.Equally, can launch container 10 to launch the 3rd wall 16 by drawing the first wall 12 and second wall 14.At this moment pleat 24 is just drawn back as shown in Figure 1.

The present invention also imagines and adopts a kind of device to make second wall 14 with respect to first wall 12 location, and can allow thus container 10 configurations and remain on its full expand with two kinds of positions that fold entirely between any position.For example, the pleat 24 of outer wall 22 friction force that can manufacture the pivot(ing) point that makes these pleats is enough to the configuration that keeps container 10 to be got.Can also be provided with can be at the outer pillar and the interior pillar (not shown) of first and

second wall

12 and 14 extensions, can resist compression when container 10 launches fully.When Foldable container, then these pillars can be taken off.It is also contemplated that, when adopting telescopiform outer wall 22, locking piece can be set the wall of intussusception can be locked under each position.But, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, be provided with a spring 60 at least first and

second wall

12,14 pushed open.Also be provided with the force balance of belt 62 and blocking device 64 and spring 60, make container 10 can configurations or and remain on its full expand and fold entirely between any position.

As shown in the figure, there are 4 springs 60 between the first wall 12 and second wall 14, to stretch, make that these springs 60 are not to launch fully when container 10 is in its full expand position.Spring 60 is connected on the first wall 12 by the suitable fixer that is located in the passage 36.Equally, spring 60 is connected on second wall 14 by the suitable fixer that is located in the passage 54.Should know that each spring 60 is arranged between inwall 20 and the outer wall 22 like this, therefore during any positional configuration between container 10 is got its full expand and folded entirely, each spring 60 all be exteriorly less than.Should see also that from accompanying drawing opposed spring 60 is oppositely directed, make the direction be positioned at forward and backward spring 60 directed in opposite of container 10.Equally, be positioned at the also direction of directed in opposite of the left and right spring 60 of container 10.This layout of spring 60 makes container 10 can prevent from wherein particularly to produce undesirable torque in its 3rd wall 16, and can make container 10 smooth and work equably.

As what can see in Fig. 1 and 2, belt 62 extends from each side of container 10, can be as the belt that carries usefulness.Belt 62 is connected on the first wall 12 by the suitable connecting element that is located in the fixer 70, and this fixer 70 can be integrally formed within the wall 12 that is arranged in the passage 36.Belt 62 and spring 60 adjacents upwards between inwall 20 and outer wall 22, extend.Belt 62 passes through second wall 14 at contiguous blocking device 64 places then.

As shown in Figure 8, each blocking device 64 all is the monodirectional locking device, with the biasing of this device with belt 62 engagements and keeping the relative position of 62 pairs second walls 14 of belt.Blocking device 64 carryings one have tooth district 72 and it are pushed in the belt 62, fixing belt 62 this section between blocking device 64 and first wall 12, and this section belt then plays the effect that the power of offsetting spring 60 keeps container 10 configurations.

Blocking device 64 is configured to when it outwards moves to the unlocked position of indicating with label 74 among Fig. 8, just belt 62 is unclamped.When outside blocking device 64, moving on to this unlocked position, there is tooth district 72 just to unclamp belt 62, second wall 14 can be slided along belt 62.In this state, the configuration of container 10 just can be adjusted and can remain in any selected position between its full expand and complete the folding.In the embodiment of blocking device 64 shown in Figure 8, tooth district 72 is arranged by cantilever 76 and to belt 62 biasings.In other embodiment of the present invention, blocking device 64 can comprise will have tooth district 72 to push spring in the belt 62.

Why saying that each blocking device 64 is unidirectional, is because they are constructed to be permeable to allow belt 62 upwards to slide by it and do not need the user with its outer moving.Like this, when second wall 14 being pressed down by the another hand when gripping belt with hand, blocking device 64 just allows second wall 14 to glide to Foldable container 10 along belt 62.When second wall 14 moves downward, spring 60 depressed and between the first wall 12 and second wall 14 generation power.When the user unclamped second wall 14, blocking device 64 just meshed belt 62, the configuration of container 10 was remained on the position of user when unclamping wall 14 with the power of offsetting spring 60.Should know that in all configurations of container 10 inwall 20 all keeps being separated from each other with outer wall 22.Like this, in all configurations, heat insulation air-retaining liner can both work effectively.

The container 10 of expansion is arranged, and user's releasable lock is decided device 64, promptly a hand is put into respectively to install on 64 and them to move on to lockset position of coupler outward.Along with blocking device 64 outer moving, there is tooth district 72 just to unclamp and is with 62, make that second wall 14 can be freely along being with 62 to slide, under this position, the power of unique resistance spring 60 elastic force is the added power of user.If the user wishes to launch container 10, the user only need not go the power of antagonistic spring 60, spring 60 is pushed open second wall 14 from first wall 12 and is launched container 10.When reaching going up in limited time of the 3rd wall 16, container 10 just can automatically stop to launch.The structure that the 3rd wall 16 is got can make it reach the position of its full expand before spring 60 full extension.

From as can be known noted earlier, collapsible container discussed above has reached purpose of the present invention, has improved this technology in other words.

Claims

1. collapsible container, it comprises the end, the opposed upper wall in the end, and the 3rd wall that connects this end and upper wall therewith with abundant rigidity; This upper wall and the end, can be in full expand and complete folding mutual convergence of two positions intercropping and the motions that deviates from mutually.

2. press the described collapsible container of claim 1 for one kind, it is characterized in that, it also includes and is used on any selected position between above-mentioned full expand and full folding position, and comprises this full expand and full folding position, keeps the device of described upper wall with respect to the relative position at the described end.

3. press the described collapsible container of claim 2 for one kind, it is characterized in that above-mentioned maintenance comprises with device: at least one is the spring that the described end and upper wall are carried, and this spring is pushed the upper wall and the end open; An and belt that between this end and upper wall, extends, this belt attaches to also attached with upper wall selectively at described the end, make described belt can offset the power of above-mentioned spring, when this belt is attached on the upper wall, can keep the position of this upper wall with respect to the described end.

4. one kind by the described collapsible container of claim 3, it is characterized in that it also includes at above-mentioned belt adjacent is the blocking device of described upper wall carrying, and this blocking device normally meshes described belt and belt is attached on this upper wall through being biased to.

5. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 1, it is characterized in that, and that described the 3rd wall comprises is collapsible/inwall that launches and collapsible/outer wall that launches.

6. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 5, it is characterized in that, above-mentioned inwall is separated by heat insulation close layer with outer wall, and it is the heat-insulating inner room of described heat insulation air-retaining liner at least partially that this inwall and the aforesaid lowest limit make one.

7. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 6, it is characterized in that, being connected at above-mentioned inwall and the end is water repellant.

8. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 6, it is characterized in that, described heat insulation air-retaining liner remains on any select location between described full expand position and full folding position and this two positions.

9. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 1, it is characterized in that, it also is included as described upper wall and carries and can open and close the door that rotates between two positions, and upper wall has an opening and in fact this opening closed during this Men Zaiqi off position.

10. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 9, it is characterized in that, it also is included as the bottle of above-mentioned door carrying, makes that this bottle is within container when this is in above-mentioned off position.

11. a collapsible container, collapsible/the 3rd wall of launching that it comprises first wall and second wall and is connected this first and second wall also comprises at least one spring, and the latter is connecting this first and second wall and this first and second wall is pushed open.

12. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 11, it is characterized in that, it also comprises at least one belt, be attached on the described first wall and and between this first and second wall, limit one section belt part by described second wall extension, described belt can attach on described second wall selectively, make this belt part between first and second wall can balance the power of aforementioned spring, to keep the position of this first wall with respect to described second wall.

13. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 12, it is characterized in that, it also is included in the blocking device that above-mentioned belt adjacent is aforementioned second wall carrying, and this blocking device is attached to this belt on second wall to mesh described belt through biasing.

14. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 13, it is characterized in that described blocking device is a non-return device, allows above-mentioned belt need not handle this blocking device by drawing on this blocking device.

15. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 13, it is characterized in that described blocking device can be handled unclamps aforementioned belt.

16. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 11, it is characterized in that, it also comprises and is used to offset the power of described spring to keep the device of described first wall with respect to the position of described second wall.

17. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 16, it is characterized in that, described collapsible/the 3rd wall that launches can be between the two positions of complete folding and full expand folded, and described blocking device can be folding entirely at this and the two positions of full expand between any position on the described first wall of maintenance with respect to the relative position of second wall.

18. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 11, it is characterized in that it also comprises a spring of establishing in addition, the latter is connected on the described first wall and second wall and this first wall and second wall is pushed open; The spring that this establishes in addition and aforesaid at least one spring reverse configuration make their energy collaborative works to reduce the torque on aforementioned the 3rd wall.

19. a collapsible container, it comprises: first and second wall; The 3rd wall of the collapsible/expansion of between this first and second wall, extending; The spring that at least one connects this first and second wall and this first and second wall is pushed open; And be used for offsetting the power of this spring on selected position, to keep the blocking device of the relative position of this first and second wall.

20. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 17, it is characterized in that, described blocking device comprises at least one belt, the latter is attached on the above-mentioned first wall and is attached to selectively on above-mentioned second wall, make this belt can resist the power of described spring, can keep the position of this second wall when being attached on described second wall at this belt with respect to first wall.

21. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 20, it is characterized in that, it comprises that also this blocking device is attached to described belt on aforementioned second wall through being biased to the described belt of normal engaged by the blocking device of described second wall carrying.

22. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 19, it is characterized in that, each side that it also is included in described first and second wall is connected to the spring on this first and second wall, and described blocking device is included in the belt that extends between this first and second wall to offset the power of described spring.

23. one kind according to the described collapsible container of claim 22, it is characterized in that, described spring negate is to the torque that is configured to reduce in described the 3rd wall.