EP0578247A1 - Multi-purpose container - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose container or a sack-like container which is suitable for a multiplicity of applications. The container (1) has a container bottom (5) and flexible container side walls (3) which can be joined together by means of a closure device (15) in the region of the outer edge to form a container interior, the container side walls (3) being pivotable without folds into the plane of the container bottom (5) to form a closed flat surface. The container (5) and/or the container side walls (3) have a circular or polygonal outer contour. The closure device is designed as a cord or strap (17), the cord or the strap (17) being guided through at least one loop (19). The sack-like container (1) is distinguished by the fact that the container bottom (5) has a reinforcement insert, and that the side walls (3) are divided into an outer region (11) and an intermediate region (13) arranged between the outer region (11) and the container bottom (5). <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a multi-purpose container or a sack-like container according to the preamble of claim 1, which is suitable for a variety of uses.

Containers are known which, for example, for holding small child's utensils such as diapers, bottles, powder or the like. serve. During the wrapping process, however, a pad is usually required for the toddler, which must then also be carried with the container.

From US-A-3 007 782 a container is known which is designed as a picnic bag and can be folded out into a closed flat surface for the picnic. Plates and cutlery for the picnic are accommodated in the side walls of the essentially square container.

The disadvantage of this picnic basket is that it cannot be closed at the top, so that on the one hand the pocket can be viewed from above, and on the other hand the pocket is not protected against the ingress of dirt and rain.

From DE-U-87 03 650 a picnic blanket is known which is designed as a sack and has loops on its outer circular circumference through which a band or a cord runs, the sack-shaped by pulling on the two ends of the cord container can be closed.

The disadvantage here is that the container is essentially designed as a sack without any stiffeners, which allows only very limited possibilities of use, in particular for the orderly accommodation of corresponding objects.

The present invention is therefore based on the object of providing a sack-like container of the type mentioned at the outset which is not only suitable for accommodating individual objects in its interior, but can also serve as a base, in particular as a changing pad for small children.

This is achieved according to the invention in that the container bottom has a reinforcing insert and in that the side walls are divided into an outer region and an intermediate region arranged between the outer region and the container bottom.

In this way, on the one hand, a smooth and always defined underlay is provided for wrapping for the toddler, and on the other hand, defined areas for receiving utensils on the one hand and for closing the container on the other hand are created.

The dimension, for example the diameter of the container bottom or the diameter of the opened container can be adapted to the respective intended use. For example, the size can be selected for use as an underlay when bathing, on the beach, etc. for adults.

In order to achieve a correspondingly flat surface, the container side walls advantageously have a continuous ring shape, so that when the container is opened, there is inevitably a correspondingly uninterrupted flat surface.

Not only for the use of the container as a crawling or changing mat for babies and toddlers, but also for sitting comfortably on the opened container, for example on a hard surface, the container bottom has an inward-facing padding.

Advantageously, the intermediate area can have padding, which can also protect the goods in the container against external shocks and, on the other hand, enlarge the padding area of the base area, for example for the headrest of the toddler.

To secure the position of objects in the container, loop regions are preferably provided in the intermediate region or in the side walls, so that an object can be accommodated between the loop region and the container side walls, for example a baby bottle, which is then secured in its position.

Advantageously, the loop areas are formed from strips which can be or are connected to the intermediate areas at intervals of the connecting device. These connecting devices can be of different types, they can be detachable, for example by Velcro fasteners and / or push-button connections and / or zippers, or can also be designed as fixed connecting devices, for example as fixed seams, so that the loops are firmly attached to the associated side wall area is connected.

Furthermore, in particular in the case of a round or polygonal design of the container or the side walls, two loop areas lying opposite one another are preferably provided, between which the baby can comfortably find space and a corresponding head and foot space is available.

In addition to the loops, which only extend over a relatively small part in the side wall width, additional devices for receiving objects, for example sewn-on pockets, can also be provided, which can also be completely closed, for example. Such bags can be used, for example, to hold medication or objects particularly dangerous for small children, such as knives or scissors.

Depending on the primary use of the container, there are a variety of suitable attachment locations for the loops. For easy, safe and quick closability of the container, the loops are arranged on the outer circumference or upper edge of the side walls, so that the container can be quickly closed by simply pulling on the free ends of the cord or band.

Advantageously, a first row of loops is provided which is shorter or smaller than a second row of loops, a loop of the second row being arranged between two loops of the first row.

To prevent the toddler either in one of the loops or in the cord or the appropriate tape, the loops are arranged on the outside of the side walls at a distance from the outer edge, so that after the container is folded down the cord or the tape and the loops remain on the underside of the base.

On the other hand, it can also be advantageous that the loops are arranged on the inside of the side walls at a distance from the outer edge, and can be done by a particularly simple contraction of the band or the cord. In order to achieve a particularly smooth surface of the base or to avoid tangling and entanglement with the cord or band, the loops can also be removably attached to the container so that they can be removed together with the band or cord and a corresponding snagging when moving the pad or the person on the pad is avoided.

For easy folding and closing, the container preferably has radially outwardly extending fold lines, for example in the form of seams, from the container bottom. Furthermore, a fold line in the longitudinal direction of the side walls, i.e. parallel to the outer wall. The loops are then arranged in the area of the radially extending fold lines.

As an alternative to the arrangement of loops, which can be produced and attached particularly easily, a channel can also be formed in the side walls, through which the cord or band is guided in a concealed manner, these being detectable from the outside at least by means of an opening area of the channel , and thus closing the container is made possible.

Furthermore, there is the advantage of a particularly simple closing device in that the cord or band is guided alternately from the outside to the inside and vice versa through openings in the side walls, the openings serving as guiding and position securing elements.

In an alternative embodiment, the cord or band can be formed from an elastic, stretchable material that is placed around the closure area of the container. One end of the band or cord can be firmly connected to the container and the other end can be fixed in the vicinity of the first end.

In order to achieve a particularly light embodiment of the container, the side walls and / or the container bottom can be formed from a material. If inserts are provided, for example in the form of upholstery, etc., these are covered with the material of the material.

Furthermore, an insert can advantageously be provided between two layers of fabric covering the side walls and / or the container, which insert can be used for stiffening and / or thermal insulation and / or moisture insulation. When used every day, the container is exposed to the relevant dirt. Thus, the outside of the container and / or the inside of the container can advantageously be formed from a moisture-impermeable and / or heat-insulating and / or washable material and / or fabric material.

On the other hand, soiling can also occur, for example, when the babies and toddlers are wrapped on the inside of the container, so that the container can be formed entirely from washable materials.

To carry the container, it is possible, in the event of the presence of a cord or band, to grasp the cord or band and to carry the container with it. In addition or in the absence of cords or tape, at least one carrying strap can be provided with which the container is correspondingly easy to carry.

On the other hand, when the container is carried over a longer period of time or to make it easier to carry, the container can also have a plurality of carrying straps, two carrying straps being provided so that the container can be carried in a backpack-like manner. The container according to the invention is therefore suitable for a wide variety of applications, for example as a container for storing small child's utensils and toddler food and as a changing blanket. Furthermore, the container can also serve as a base when sunbathing, etc., with the appropriate dimensions and design. Furthermore, the container can also serve as a transport container for animals, such as dogs or cats, for which the base which is familiar to them then advantageously results.

Furthermore, the container can also serve as a base and wrapping blanket, so that it can also be used for camping outdoors.

Figur 1

die Außenseite einer ersten Ausführungsform eines erfindungsgemäßen Behälters in aufgeklapptem Zustand;

Figur 2

den erfindungsgemäßen Behälter gemäß Fig. 1 in geschlossenem Zustand;

Figur 3

die Innenseite des Behälters gemäß Fig. 1 und Fig. 2 in aufgeklapptem Zustand; und

Figur 4

eine zweite Ausführungsform des erfindungsgemäßen Behälters in Draufsicht auf die Unterseite.

Further details, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to the drawing. It shows:

Figure 1

the outside of a first embodiment of a container according to the invention in the opened state;

Figure 2

the container according to Figure 1 in the closed state.

Figure 3

the inside of the container according to Figures 1 and 2 in the opened state. and

Figure 4

a second embodiment of the container according to the invention in plan view of the underside.

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of the container according to the invention. This is in the open state, i.e. its side walls 3 are folded into the plane of the container bottom 5. Fig. 1 shows the outside of the container.

In the embodiment according to FIG. 1, the side walls 3 are ring-shaped or ring-shaped, the container bottom 5 also being ring-shaped. The container bottom 5 is connected to the side walls 3.

In the illustrated embodiment, according to Figure 1, the container 1 has no means for closing for attaching objects or the like. on the outside, so that, for example, a toddler does not have loops or the like. can get caught.

The radial lines 7 can be, for example, quilted seams which divide the side walls into corresponding fields and serve as fold lines.

Furthermore, an annular line 9 is also provided which divides the side walls 3 into an outer region 11 and an intermediate region 13 and also serves as a folding line.

The seams or other tapering caused by the lines 7 and 9 facilitate the folding of the material forming the side walls 3.

The container bottom 5 can, for example, be provided with an inwardly projecting padding, so that there is a soft support for the person or the object located thereon.

In Figure 2, the container 1 according to the invention is shown in the closed state. In order to fold up the side walls 3 to close the container, a closing device 15 is provided. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the locking device 15 is shown as a cord or a narrow band 17, the ends of which are fastened to the side walls 3 in the connection area between the container base 5 and the side walls 3.

FIG. 3 shows the container according to FIG. 2 in the opened state. In this case, as in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the reference numbers given with the embodiment according to FIG. 1 are retained.

As can be seen from Figure 3, the cord 17 is arranged around the outer contour of the side walls 3 and is guided by loops 19 which are also arranged on the outer edge or outer contour of the side walls. Thus, when the cord 17 is pulled together, the side walls 3 are folded up and at the same time according to lines 7 and 9 folded.

The loops 19 are alternately shorter and longer. When the cord is pulled together, this has the effect that the shorter loops pull the edge closer to the center of the container than the longer ones, so that the container can be closed easily and completely.

In the intermediate area 13, two loop areas 19 are provided on the inside, which are partially detachably connected to the intermediate area at certain intervals. This results in insertion areas for objects, such as baby bottles, diapers, etc., which can thus be secured in position in the container 1.

Further geometric configurations of the container, for example in an elliptical shape, in an oval shape or in a polygonal shape, as an intermediate shape between a square shape and a round shape, are also possible.

Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the container in polygonal shape. The container 91 is shown on the outside in top fishes with side walls 93, a bottom 95, fold lines 97 and 99 and a loop 101. The loop 101 serves to pull the cord 103 (taken twice) to form a loop, with which the container 91 can be worn better. The loop is attached to the container with a first seam 105 and a second seam 107 attaches the lower arm of the loop to the container 91 so that the loop 101 protrudes little from the container.

Thus, the present invention provides a container that can be used for a variety of purposes Used and offers great advantages, especially when changing toddlers and babies. The container can be so completely filled that conventional changing tables and pads can be omitted, with the additional advantage of quick and space-saving storage of the changing utensils, so that, for example, conventional tables can be quickly cleared for other use. In addition, the container serves as a crawling blanket, especially when turning over from the inside to the outside.

Furthermore, there is the advantage that when the side walls are not fully opened, a clear edge can be produced, so that, for example, a windbreak is thereby created when winding outdoors and also prevents or penetrates small animals such as beetles or ants running on the ground is at least difficult.

If a suitable carrying strap is attached, this can also serve as a transport container for small children when the container is partially open.

Other uses of the container are as a bathing bag, beach bag, etc.

The simple locking mechanism allows the container to be closed and picked up with one hand so that, for example, the child can be held under the other arm of the person caring for the child.

Claims (29)

Bag-like container (1, 91) with a container base (5, 95) and flexible container side walls (3, 93), which can be brought together in the area of their outer edge by means of a closing device (15, 17, 19, 103) to form a container interior, whereby the container side walls (3, 93) can be folded out without folds into the plane of the container base (5, 95) to form a closed flat surface,
the container bottom (5) and / or the container side walls (3) having a circular or polygonal outer contour,
the closing device (15) is a cord or a band (17),
and the cord or band (17) is guided through at least one loop (19),
characterized in that the container base (5, 95) has a reinforcing insert and that the side walls (3) are divided into an outer region (11) and an intermediate region (13) arranged between the outer region (11) and the container base (5). Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the container side walls (3, 93) have a continuous ring shape. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container bottom (5, 95) has a has inward padding. Container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the intermediate region (13) has a padding. Container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the intermediate region (13) or the side walls (3) have loop regions (21) for receiving objects. Container according to claim 5, characterized in that the loop regions (21) are formed from bands which can be connected to the intermediate regions (13) at intervals of the connecting device. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting devices are Velcro connections and / or push-button connections and / or zippers. Container according to claim 6, characterized in that the connecting devices are fixed seams. Container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the loops (19) are arranged on the upper edge of the side walls (3). Container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the loops (19) are arranged on the inside or outside of the side walls (3) at a distance from the outer edge. Container according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the loops (19) are removably attached to the container (1). Container according to one of Claims 1 to 11, characterized in that a first row of loops is provided which is shorter than a second row of loops, a loop of the second row being arranged in each case between two loops of the first row. Container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the side walls (3) have radially extending fold lines (7) which extend from the container bottom (5) to the outer edge of the side walls (3). Container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the dividing line between the outer region (11) and the intermediate region (13) is designed as a fold line (9). Container according to one of claims 13 or 14, characterized in that the fold lines (7, 9) are formed by seams. Container according to one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that the loops are arranged in the region of the outwardly extending fold lines (7). Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the cord or band (17) is guided in a concealed manner in a channel and can be detected from the outside in at least one opening area. Container according to claim 1, characterized in that the cord or band (17) is guided alternately from the outside to the inside and vice versa through openings in the side walls. Container according to one of claims 1 to 16, characterized in that the cord or band (17) is formed from an elastic, stretchable material. Container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cord or band (17) is placed around the outside of the side walls (3) to close the container and is tensioned. Container according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the side walls (3, 99) are formed from a material. Container according to one of claims 1 to 21, characterized in that the container bottom (5, 95) is formed from a material or is covered with a material. Container according to claim 22, characterized in that an insert is provided between two layers of fabric covering the side walls (3, 93) and / or the container bottom (5, 95). Container according to claim 23, characterized in that the insert is formed from a moisture-impermeable and / or heat-insulating material. Container according to one of claims 1 to 20, characterized in that the outside of the container and / or the inside of the container is formed from a moisture-impermeable and / or heat-insulating and / or washable material and / or on a fabric material. Container according to one of claims 1 to 24, characterized in that the container (1, 91) is washable Materials is formed. Container according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that at least one carrying strap is provided. Container according to one of claims 1 to 26, characterized in that two carrying straps are provided, through which the container (1, 91) can be carried like a backpack. Container according to one of Claims 5 to 28, characterized in that two loop regions (21) lying opposite one another are provided.

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