US20210171238A1 - Collapsible Receptacle - Google Patents
Collapsible Receptacle Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20210171238A1 US20210171238A1 US17/247,295 US202017247295A US2021171238A1 US 20210171238 A1 US20210171238 A1 US 20210171238A1 US 202017247295 A US202017247295 A US 202017247295A US 2021171238 A1 US2021171238 A1 US 2021171238A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- receptacle
- receptacles
- coupling
- recited
- stiffening
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 69
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 69
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 69
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 22
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 20
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 13
- 239000002023 wood Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims 2
- 239000003351 stiffener Substances 0.000 description 15
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 12
- 230000001681 protective effect Effects 0.000 description 6
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000003292 glue Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000006424 Flood reaction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004035 construction material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003203 everyday effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000004033 plastic Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000004576 sand Substances 0.000 description 2
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000000712 assembly Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000000429 assembly Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004927 clay Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002349 favourable effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007774 longterm Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011120 plywood Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000011435 rock Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000004575 stone Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000009423 ventilation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000011179 visual inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/08—Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/086—Collapsible or telescopic containers
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E02—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
- E02B—HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
- E02B3/00—Engineering works in connection with control or use of streams, rivers, coasts, or other marine sites; Sealings or joints for engineering works in general
- E02B3/04—Structures or apparatus for, or methods of, protecting banks, coasts, or harbours
- E02B3/10—Dams; Dykes; Sluice ways or other structures for dykes, dams, or the like
- E02B3/106—Temporary dykes
- E02B3/108—Temporary dykes with a filling, e.g. filled by water or sand
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
- B65D21/0204—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side and joined together by interconnecting formations forming part of the container, e.g. dove-tail, snap connections, hook elements
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D21/00—Nestable, stackable or joinable containers; Containers of variable capacity
- B65D21/02—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together
- B65D21/0201—Containers specially shaped, or provided with fittings or attachments, to facilitate nesting, stacking, or joining together stackable or joined together side-by-side
Definitions
- the present invention consists of a receptacle that is made of flexible and mechanically resistant fabric material, which may stand on its own even when empty and a method of use thereof.
- One aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, two coupling surfaces opposite and parallel to each other's. Perpendicular to those are two surfaces easily made to be collapsed, hereinafter called the collapsible surfaces.
- the receptacle also comprises a bottom surface, but possess nothing covering its top portion.
- stiffening members also referred to as stiffening elements or stiffeners, installed on one coupling surface of a receptacle.
- stiffening members are installed on both coupling surfaces of a receptacle.
- the stiffening members are installed on the exterior side of the coupling surfaces. That way, even when the bags are filled, the stiffening members may still be accessible as they are not covered with filling material. This would allow the stiffening members to be less subjected to humidity to prevent rotting and would also allow for visual inspection, if required.
- the stiffening members may have different dimensions based on the receptacle's form, but they are to be generally made of wood, composite materials, recycled or non-recycled plastics or any other commonly found construction materials.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, the ability to fill the bag with any suitable materials.
- Materials generally used to fill a receptacle of the sort are sand, dirt, rocks, snow, etc.
- Means of filling such receptacles are generally with heavy machinery, such as excavators, but due to the receptacles height, they may also be filled by people with everyday tools such as hand shovels.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a point of contact between horizontal and vertical stiffeners of the same coupling surface and of the same receptacle.
- stiffeners of the same coupling surface and of the same receptacle are not in contact with each other's.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, collapsible surfaces of square or rectangular dimensions.
- its collapsible surface's length is equal to its height. In other embodiments, the collapsible surfaces length is shorter or longer than its height.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a fabric material resistant to decay as one of the preferred use of this invention is to stop, and thus be exposed to, liquids and humidity.
- Another embodiment of the invention provides a water resistant fabric material on one up to all the receptacle surfaces, preferably prioritizing the surfaces most exposed to liquids. Any fabric material chosen for the receptacle is to be flexible. Stiffener loops and patches may be made of the same fabric material used for the receptacle surfaces. Flexible loops and patches would allow the use of a bigger range of stiffeners thickness.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a method of assembling at least two or more receptacles together with a coupling element, also referred to as a fastener which may comprise screws, bolts with corresponding nuts, clamps, nails, etc.
- a coupling element also referred to as a fastener which may comprise screws, bolts with corresponding nuts, clamps, nails, etc.
- Two receptacles are joined together by joining a coupling surface of each receptacle.
- the joining is made by way of screwing the two coupling surfaces together.
- the bolt assembly is made of a nut, two washers and a bolt. Washers may be found on the insides of the receptacles, same as the nut.
- the joining is made with the use of commonly called wood screws, without nuts and washers.
- the joining is made with nails. In another embodiment of the invention, the joining is made with staples. The screws, nails and/or staples go through the stiffeners that stand in-between the two coupling surfaces in order provide added stability to the receptacle assembly. In another embodiment of the invention, the joining is made by way of gluing both coupling surfaces together. If this embodiment is chosen, it is preferred to use stiffeners on both coupling surfaces as gluing two stiff parts together provide more surface of adherence than gluing a stiff part to a fabric material. In another embodiment of the invention, the coupling element joining two coupling surfaces comprises a combination of one or more embodiments presented above.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a method of collapsing one or more assembled receptacles by pressing opposite coupling surfaces towards each other's in order to compress the collapsible surfaces.
- a receptacle or assembly of receptacles may be much easier to transport once collapsed due to the significantly reduced volume.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, receptacles that may be stacked on top of each other's if the bottom receptacle is filled up to the upper margin or the receptacle's height.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, handles to move the receptacles.
- the handles are placed at an ergonomic height so a worker may carry or simply nudge a receptacle in a direction if necessary.
- FIG. 1 is a front-right isometric view illustrating various elements related to an assembly of receptacles that can be part of embodiments of the invention
- FIG. 2 is a front elevation view illustrating individual and adjacent receptacles in a favorable position to being coupled into an assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
- FIG. 3 is a front elevation view illustrating adjacent and interconnected receptacles coupled into an assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
- FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the assembly of FIG. 3 in a compressed configuration hereof in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof;
- FIG. 6 is a side elevation view illustrating various elements related to loops that may be part of embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 7 is a side elevation view illustrating various elements related to loops and stiffening members' configuration that may be part of embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 8 is illustrating various elements related to a first and second receptacles joining technique that may be part of embodiments of the invention.
- FIG. 9 is illustrating various elements related to a third receptacles joining technique that may be part of embodiments of the invention.
- a plurality of receptacles 10 are illustrated in a receptacle assembly 42 in FIG. 1 .
- the receptacle assembly 42 hereinafter referred to as assembly 42 , comprises at least two receptacles 10 joined at their respective coupling surface 18 .
- the bottom surface 22 serves as the base of the receptacle.
- the two collapsible surfaces 14 are generally parallel to each other's when the receptacle is expanded.
- the two coupling surfaces 18 also generally parallel to each other's, are generally perpendicular to the collapsible surfaces 14 when the receptacle is expanded.
- each receptacle 10 has stiffening elements 24 installed on the exterior of a coupling surface 18 .
- stiffening members 26 There are two vertical stiffening members 26 and one horizontal stiffening member 28 per group of stiffening elements 24 .
- Those stiffening elements 24 provide a couple advantages, the most obvious ones being extended receptacles 10 stability when standing up and improved coupling strength when joining two receptacles 10 .
- stiffening members 24 are generally made of readily available construction materials such as plywood planks of various dimensions. That said, they may also be made of any material with a structural integrity strong enough to fulfil the stiffeners 24 role and that is available to the task like wood, composite materials, recycled or non-recycled plastics or others.
- a stiffening member 24 there are a plurality of methods which may be used to install a stiffening member 24 to a receptacle 10 . Out of this plurality, here are two that may be favored. The first one, as seen on FIG. 5 , is by using patches 30 stitched to the exterior side of a coupling surface 18 . Both vertical stiffening members' 26 patches 30 are installed on the side margins of a coupling surface 18 while the horizontal stiffening member's 28 patch 30 is installed on the upper margin of the aforementioned coupling surface 18 . Generally, both vertical and horizontal patches 30 have a height of about 10 cm (4′′) to 15 cm (6′′).
- stiffeners 24 configuration described herein below are typically slightly above stiffening elements 24 dimensions as to sufficiently cover them while still allowing different stiffening elements 24 dimensions.
- An opening, present at one or both patches 30 extremities, is used to insert or remove stiffening elements 24 . More so, an opening may be stitched closed as to secure a stiffening element 24 inside its patch 30 .
- loops 34 are stitched on the exterior side of a coupling surface 18 . Although their height generally depends on the used stiffeners 24 dimensions, they are of about 10 cm (4′′) to 15 cm (6′′) with a length of about a couple centimeters. Due to their physical characteristics, loops 34 might be preferred to patches 30 for multiple reasons.
- One of the advantages of this method is that it may require less fabric material than patches 30 for a given receptacle 10 .
- Another advantage of this method is that it may allow visibility over parts of the stiffeners 24 .
- the state of stiffeners 24 may be assessed even when receptacles 10 are assembled and/or fully filled. This method may also increase ventilation over the stiffening elements 24 which might reduce materials damage over time.
- stiffening members 24 there are other possible configurations of stiffening members 24 .
- the first configuration seen on FIG. 5 , revolves around having the vertical stiffening members 26 go up to the upper margins of the coupling surface 18 and having the horizontal stiffening member 28 also on the upper coupling surface's 18 margin while being in-between the vertical stiffening members 26 with no contact.
- An advantage of this configuration is that the length range of stiffening members 24 may be quite large since they are not initially in contact with each other's, and thus, no extremely specific measure is deemed necessary.
- Another advantage of this configurations is that it may allow slight movements of the stiffening members 24 , and therefore the receptacle 10 itself, before having their movement blocked once entering into contact with each other's.
- stiffening members' 24 dimensions may vary slightly, but general measures are as follow: about 15 cm by 86 cm (6′′ ⁇ 34′′) for the vertical stiffening members 26 and about 15 cm by 56 cm (6′′ ⁇ 22′′) for the horizontal stiffening member 28 .
- the most commonly found thickness for planks of this type is around 5 cm (2′′), but may vary depending on what's available.
- FIG. 7 Another configuration, seen on FIG. 7 , revolves around having the horizontal stiffening member 28 covering the whole length, from one receptacle's collapsible surface 14 to the other, of the coupling surface's 18 upper margin.
- This stiffening member 24 is supported by two vertical stiffening members 26 that are installed on the outer side margins of their respective side of the coupling surface 18 .
- the advantage of this configuration is that it may provide increased stability to a standing receptacle 10 as the stiffening members 24 are in a stable position the moment they are installed.
- vertical stiffening members 26 be of somewhat similar height while their width and thickness may slightly vary.
- the horizontal stiffening member 28 may have a bigger range of varying height, width and thickness as long as it may enter its loops 34 or patches 30 .
- General measures are as follow: about 15 cm by 69 cm (6′′ ⁇ 27′′) for the vertical stiffening members 26 and about 15 cm by 81 cm (6′′ ⁇ 32′′) for the horizontal stiffening member 28 . Thickness characteristics are similar to the other configuration abovementioned.
- Joining two coupling surfaces 18 together may be achieved with a plurality of techniques, to which different types of fasteners may be used for each. Following are three techniques that may achieve this result.
- the first technique is the use of bolt assemblies 46 , which generally comprises two washers, a nut and a bolt. As seen on FIG. 8 , ten points are drilled at approximate locations on the stiffening members 24 ; for example, in the middle of the width and at about 5 cm, 13 cm, 46 cm and 84 cm (2′′, 5′′, 18′′ and 33′′) starting from the bottom along the length of the vertical stiffening members 26 and at about 20 cm (8′′) and 41 cm (16′′) along the length of the horizontal stiffening member 28 .
- the second technique is the use of a wood screw that is screwed at similar locations to the first technique. This technique is preferred if there are stiffening members 24 installed on both coupling surfaces 18 of a joining zone. Indeed, if there is no stiffening member 24 attached to a coupling surface 18 , the screws passing through the fabric are required to support external forces applied to the receptacle 10 which could easily tear the fabric, especially if no washer is used.
- glue 50 typically a strong and water-resistant one.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- Ocean & Marine Engineering (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Revetment (AREA)
Abstract
A receptacle is hereby presented, the receptacle comprising two pairs of generally parallel surfaces interconnected together into a hollowed cubic volume, a first pair of surfaces being collapsible surfaces and a second pair of surfaces being adapted to be coupling surfaces, a bottom surface connected to the two pairs of parallel surfaces to close a bottom of the receptacle, a retaining element disposed on the exterior of at least one of the coupling surfaces and a stiffening element secured with the retaining element to the exterior of at least one of the coupling surfaces, the stiffening element being adapted to increase self-standing receptacle capability.
Description
- The present patent application claims the benefits of priority of commonly assigned Canadian Patent Application No. 3,064,582 entitled “COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE” and filed at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office on Dec. 11, 2019 and of commonly assigned U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/944,405 entitled “COLLAPSIBLE RECEPTACLE” and filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Dec. 6, 2019, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
- The invention relates to the field of receptacles set up as a protective barrier. More specifically, the present invention relates to a collapsible receptacle comprising a flexible material which can be filled to create a barrier.
- Protective barriers have been used by humans since the dawn of time and in all types of situations. From the great Troy walls made of stone and clay to the Cheval de frise used in medieval times to stop cavalry, human inventivity has kept coming up with new ways of protecting what we hold dear. While the technological breakthroughs have been significant with big and long-term applications such as dams, there is still a need for a fast, cheap and efficient protection system against all types of odds such as: floods, avalanches, bullets and much more. Often, those systems need to be installed in logistically lacking areas and, as such, need to be easily transportable at a cheap cost.
- Currently, most protective barriers used in situations such as floods or military makeshift protection are bags, most often made of burlap or polypropylene, filled with sand or dirt at a convenient location before being transported one by one to the necessary position. The major drawback of this method is that, while it can be cheap in terms of materials used, it requires a lot of manpower for a physically draining task which is prone to cause injuries. More so, filling, transporting and placing bags of this sort can take a lot of time, especially if there isn't a lot of manpower available.
- Additionally, protective installation of this sort are hard to set up since the bags have an irregular shape which changes due to the displacement of the material inside. Thus, there is a need for a system that is stable both before and after being filled with materials.
- Therefore, it would be desirable to have a protection system that is easy to transport, both to a hard to reach area and by the people setting it up. It would also be desirable that this system be easy to set up once at a desirable position and fill. It would also be desirable to provide a system that can be modified by enlarging or reducing its number of individual protective components in a way convenient to an everyday citizen. Ideally, few manpower would be necessary to set up such a protective system.
- The present invention consists of a receptacle that is made of flexible and mechanically resistant fabric material, which may stand on its own even when empty and a method of use thereof.
- One aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, two coupling surfaces opposite and parallel to each other's. Perpendicular to those are two surfaces easily made to be collapsed, hereinafter called the collapsible surfaces. The receptacle also comprises a bottom surface, but possess nothing covering its top portion.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, three stiffening members, also referred to as stiffening elements or stiffeners, installed on one coupling surface of a receptacle. In another embodiment, stiffening members are installed on both coupling surfaces of a receptacle. The stiffening members are installed on the exterior side of the coupling surfaces. That way, even when the bags are filled, the stiffening members may still be accessible as they are not covered with filling material. This would allow the stiffening members to be less subjected to humidity to prevent rotting and would also allow for visual inspection, if required. The stiffening members may have different dimensions based on the receptacle's form, but they are to be generally made of wood, composite materials, recycled or non-recycled plastics or any other commonly found construction materials.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, the ability to fill the bag with any suitable materials. Materials generally used to fill a receptacle of the sort are sand, dirt, rocks, snow, etc. Means of filling such receptacles are generally with heavy machinery, such as excavators, but due to the receptacles height, they may also be filled by people with everyday tools such as hand shovels.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one preferred embodiment thereof, stiffener-receiving loops, hereinafter referred to as loops, stitched on the exterior side of the coupling surfaces. In another embodiment, stiffener patches, hereinafter referred to as patches, are stitched on the exterior side of at least one of the coupling surfaces. Depending on the stiffening members being installed on one or both coupling surfaces of a receptacle, stiffener loops and patches may likewise be disposed on one or both coupling surfaces.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a point of contact between horizontal and vertical stiffeners of the same coupling surface and of the same receptacle. In another embodiment, stiffeners of the same coupling surface and of the same receptacle are not in contact with each other's.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, collapsible surfaces of square or rectangular dimensions. In one embodiment, its collapsible surface's length is equal to its height. In other embodiments, the collapsible surfaces length is shorter or longer than its height.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a fabric material resistant to decay as one of the preferred use of this invention is to stop, and thus be exposed to, liquids and humidity. Another embodiment of the invention provides a water resistant fabric material on one up to all the receptacle surfaces, preferably prioritizing the surfaces most exposed to liquids. Any fabric material chosen for the receptacle is to be flexible. Stiffener loops and patches may be made of the same fabric material used for the receptacle surfaces. Flexible loops and patches would allow the use of a bigger range of stiffeners thickness.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a method of assembling at least two or more receptacles together with a coupling element, also referred to as a fastener which may comprise screws, bolts with corresponding nuts, clamps, nails, etc. Two receptacles are joined together by joining a coupling surface of each receptacle. In one embodiment of the invention, the joining is made by way of screwing the two coupling surfaces together. The bolt assembly is made of a nut, two washers and a bolt. Washers may be found on the insides of the receptacles, same as the nut. In another embodiment of the invention, the joining is made with the use of commonly called wood screws, without nuts and washers. In another embodiment of the invention, the joining is made with nails. In another embodiment of the invention, the joining is made with staples. The screws, nails and/or staples go through the stiffeners that stand in-between the two coupling surfaces in order provide added stability to the receptacle assembly. In another embodiment of the invention, the joining is made by way of gluing both coupling surfaces together. If this embodiment is chosen, it is preferred to use stiffeners on both coupling surfaces as gluing two stiff parts together provide more surface of adherence than gluing a stiff part to a fabric material. In another embodiment of the invention, the coupling element joining two coupling surfaces comprises a combination of one or more embodiments presented above.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, a method of collapsing one or more assembled receptacles by pressing opposite coupling surfaces towards each other's in order to compress the collapsible surfaces. Such a receptacle or assembly of receptacles may be much easier to transport once collapsed due to the significantly reduced volume.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, receptacles that may be stacked on top of each other's if the bottom receptacle is filled up to the upper margin or the receptacle's height.
- One other aspect of the invention provides, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, handles to move the receptacles. The handles are placed at an ergonomic height so a worker may carry or simply nudge a receptacle in a direction if necessary.
- The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.
- The above and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more readily apparent from the following description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:
-
FIG. 1 is a front-right isometric view illustrating various elements related to an assembly of receptacles that can be part of embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 2 is a front elevation view illustrating individual and adjacent receptacles in a favorable position to being coupled into an assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof; -
FIG. 3 is a front elevation view illustrating adjacent and interconnected receptacles coupled into an assembly in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof; -
FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the assembly ofFIG. 3 in a compressed configuration hereof in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof; -
FIG. 5 is a side elevation view illustrating various elements related to patches and stiffening members' configuration on a coupling surface that may be part of embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 6 is a side elevation view illustrating various elements related to loops that may be part of embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 7 is a side elevation view illustrating various elements related to loops and stiffening members' configuration that may be part of embodiments of the invention; -
FIG. 8 is illustrating various elements related to a first and second receptacles joining technique that may be part of embodiments of the invention; and -
FIG. 9 is illustrating various elements related to a third receptacles joining technique that may be part of embodiments of the invention. - A plurality of
receptacles 10 are illustrated in areceptacle assembly 42 inFIG. 1 . Thereceptacle assembly 42, hereinafter referred to asassembly 42, comprises at least tworeceptacles 10 joined at theirrespective coupling surface 18. On each receptacle, there are five surfaces. Thebottom surface 22 serves as the base of the receptacle. The twocollapsible surfaces 14 are generally parallel to each other's when the receptacle is expanded. The twocoupling surfaces 18, also generally parallel to each other's, are generally perpendicular to thecollapsible surfaces 14 when the receptacle is expanded. On eachcollapsible surface 14, there are twooptional handles 38 which may be used by a person to manually transport or displace areceptacle 10 or anassembly 42. Eachreceptacle 10 has stiffeningelements 24 installed on the exterior of acoupling surface 18. There are twovertical stiffening members 26 and onehorizontal stiffening member 28 per group of stiffeningelements 24. Those stiffeningelements 24 provide a couple advantages, the most obvious ones being extendedreceptacles 10 stability when standing up and improved coupling strength when joining tworeceptacles 10. -
FIG. 2 illustrates multipleindividual receptacles 10 in a standing position adjacent to one another prior to be secured together in theassembly 42. In this embodiment, there are stiffeningelements 24 on onecoupling surface 18 of eachreceptacle 10 in an embodiment thereof, but there may also be stiffeningelements 24 on both coupling surfaces 18 if desirable in an embodiment thereof. -
FIG. 3 is illustrating theindividual receptacles 10 ofFIG. 2 except that thereceptacles 10 are now joined at theircoupling surfaces 18 to create anassembly 42 thereof. - Due to the
flexible material 12 comprising the receptacles' 10 surfaces, individually or assembled,receptacles 10 may be compressed in order to obtain a morecompact format 44 as can be seen onFIG. 4 . This result is obtained by pressing opposite coupling surfaces 18 towards each other's until the coupling surfaces 18 aren't moving anymore.Compressed receptacles 10 may thus have a significantly reduced volume. Therefore, storing and transporting them may be easier. More so,receptacles 10 may be preassembled at a convenient time and location before being transported to the desired location. Set-up time might be saved in doing so. In order to expand thecompressed receptacles 10, it is simply needed to pull apart couplingsurfaces 18 until thecollapsible surfaces 14 are fully stretched. - As stated above, three stiffening
elements 24 are installed on the exterior side of acoupling surface 18 in the embodiment depicted inFIG. 5 . The threestiffening elements 24 are respectively organized by twovertical stiffening members 26 and onehorizontal stiffening member 28. As mentioned above, stiffeningelements 24 are desirable for a multitude of reasons and, of the bunch, three are being described here within. First, they may provideextended receptacles 10 the ability to stand up on their own even when not filled. Second, they may allow for stronger and more durable receptacles' 10 couplings compared to fabric to fabric. And third, they may offer additional stability to anassembly 42 against external forces. Instead of using one complex shaped stiffening element to support acoupling side 18, three stiffeningelements 24 percoupling side 18 are preferably used as it may be simpler to find straight planks of this sort and each may be assembled and/or disassembled individually if deemed necessary. The stiffeningmembers 24 are generally made of readily available construction materials such as plywood planks of various dimensions. That said, they may also be made of any material with a structural integrity strong enough to fulfil thestiffeners 24 role and that is available to the task like wood, composite materials, recycled or non-recycled plastics or others. - There are a plurality of methods which may be used to install a stiffening
member 24 to areceptacle 10. Out of this plurality, here are two that may be favored. The first one, as seen onFIG. 5 , is by usingpatches 30 stitched to the exterior side of acoupling surface 18. Both vertical stiffening members' 26patches 30 are installed on the side margins of acoupling surface 18 while the horizontal stiffening member's 28patch 30 is installed on the upper margin of theaforementioned coupling surface 18. Generally, both vertical andhorizontal patches 30 have a height of about 10 cm (4″) to 15 cm (6″). Even so, their height and length depends on thestiffeners 24 configuration described herein below and are typically slightly above stiffeningelements 24 dimensions as to sufficiently cover them while still allowingdifferent stiffening elements 24 dimensions. An opening, present at one or bothpatches 30 extremities, is used to insert or remove stiffeningelements 24. More so, an opening may be stitched closed as to secure astiffening element 24 inside itspatch 30. - Another
stiffeners 24 installation method that may be used and that is seen onFIG. 6 is by way ofloops 34. Indeed, similar topatches 30,loops 34 are stitched on the exterior side of acoupling surface 18. Although their height generally depends on the usedstiffeners 24 dimensions, they are of about 10 cm (4″) to 15 cm (6″) with a length of about a couple centimeters. Due to their physical characteristics,loops 34 might be preferred topatches 30 for multiple reasons. One of the advantages of this method is that it may require less fabric material thanpatches 30 for a givenreceptacle 10. Another advantage of this method is that it may allow visibility over parts of thestiffeners 24. Hence, the state ofstiffeners 24, whether there is decay, material break or a misassembly, may be assessed even whenreceptacles 10 are assembled and/or fully filled. This method may also increase ventilation over the stiffeningelements 24 which might reduce materials damage over time. - As mentioned above, there are other possible configurations of stiffening
members 24. The first configuration, seen onFIG. 5 , revolves around having thevertical stiffening members 26 go up to the upper margins of thecoupling surface 18 and having thehorizontal stiffening member 28 also on the upper coupling surface's 18 margin while being in-between thevertical stiffening members 26 with no contact. An advantage of this configuration is that the length range of stiffeningmembers 24 may be quite large since they are not initially in contact with each other's, and thus, no extremely specific measure is deemed necessary. Another advantage of this configurations is that it may allow slight movements of thestiffening members 24, and therefore thereceptacle 10 itself, before having their movement blocked once entering into contact with each other's. For this configuration, stiffening members' 24 dimensions may vary slightly, but general measures are as follow: about 15 cm by 86 cm (6″×34″) for thevertical stiffening members 26 and about 15 cm by 56 cm (6″×22″) for thehorizontal stiffening member 28. The most commonly found thickness for planks of this type is around 5 cm (2″), but may vary depending on what's available. - Another configuration, seen on
FIG. 7 , revolves around having thehorizontal stiffening member 28 covering the whole length, from one receptacle'scollapsible surface 14 to the other, of the coupling surface's 18 upper margin. This stiffeningmember 24 is supported by twovertical stiffening members 26 that are installed on the outer side margins of their respective side of thecoupling surface 18. The advantage of this configuration is that it may provide increased stability to a standingreceptacle 10 as the stiffeningmembers 24 are in a stable position the moment they are installed. For this configuration, it is preferred thatvertical stiffening members 26 be of somewhat similar height while their width and thickness may slightly vary. On the other hand, thehorizontal stiffening member 28 may have a bigger range of varying height, width and thickness as long as it may enter itsloops 34 orpatches 30. General measures are as follow: about 15 cm by 69 cm (6″×27″) for thevertical stiffening members 26 and about 15 cm by 81 cm (6″×32″) for thehorizontal stiffening member 28. Thickness characteristics are similar to the other configuration abovementioned. - Joining two
coupling surfaces 18 together may be achieved with a plurality of techniques, to which different types of fasteners may be used for each. Following are three techniques that may achieve this result. The first technique is the use ofbolt assemblies 46, which generally comprises two washers, a nut and a bolt. As seen onFIG. 8 , ten points are drilled at approximate locations on thestiffening members 24; for example, in the middle of the width and at about 5 cm, 13 cm, 46 cm and 84 cm (2″, 5″, 18″ and 33″) starting from the bottom along the length of thevertical stiffening members 26 and at about 20 cm (8″) and 41 cm (16″) along the length of thehorizontal stiffening member 28. Bolts are thus inserted into those holes and theassembly 46 is made with the help of washers on both interior sides of the coupling surfaces and a nut to tighten it. The second technique is the use of a wood screw that is screwed at similar locations to the first technique. This technique is preferred if there are stiffeningmembers 24 installed on both coupling surfaces 18 of a joining zone. Indeed, if there is no stiffeningmember 24 attached to acoupling surface 18, the screws passing through the fabric are required to support external forces applied to thereceptacle 10 which could easily tear the fabric, especially if no washer is used. Finally, the third technique seen onFIG. 9 is the use of glue 50, typically a strong and water-resistant one. The glue 50 is applied on a length-wise line of both vertical 26 and horizontal 28 stiffening members ifloops 34 are used. Ifpatches 30 are used, then the glue 50 may be similarly applied, but on the exterior surface of thepatches 30. While the use of any technique is left to the discretion of the user, the second technique is generally favored as it allows for a durable contact between tworeceptacles 10 while still being quick to execute. - The features of the present invention which are believed to be novel are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. Other and further aspects and advantages of the present invention will be obvious upon an understanding of the illustrative embodiments about to be described or will be indicated in appended claims, and various advantages not referred to herein will occur to one skilled in the art upon employment of the invention in practice.
Claims (20)
1. A receptacle comprising:
two pairs of generally parallel surfaces interconnected together into a hollowed cubic volume, a first pair of surfaces being collapsible surfaces and a second pair of surfaces being adapted to be coupling surfaces;
a bottom surface connected to the two pairs of parallel surfaces to close a bottom of the receptacle;
at least one retaining element disposed on the exterior of at least one of the coupling surfaces; and
a stiffening element secured with each of the at least one retaining element to the exterior of at least one of the coupling surfaces, the stiffening element being adapted to increase self-standing receptacle capability.
2. The receptacle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one retaining element is adapted to secure a stiffening element vertically or horizontally on the exterior of the receptacle to increase the rigidity of the coupling surface.
3. The receptacle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the retaining elements are assembled in substantially orthogonal directions thereof.
4. The receptacle as recited in claim 1 , wherein each of the at least one retaining element is any one of a loop or a patch.
5. The receptacle as recited in claim 1 , wherein any of the receptacle's surfaces or of the at least one retaining element are made of flexible, mechanically resistant fabric material.
6. The receptacle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the retaining and stiffening elements are installed on an upper portion of the exterior surface of at least a coupling surface.
7. The receptacle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the retaining elements and stiffening elements are disposed on a coupling surface in a configuration including a gap between a vertical stiffening element and a horizontal stiffening element.
8. The receptacle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the retaining elements and stiffening elements are disposed on a coupling surface in a configuration including a point of contact between a vertical stiffening element and a horizontal stiffening element.
9. The receptacle as recited in claim 1 , wherein the stiffening element includes any one of wood, composite material or polymer.
10. An assembly of a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being adjacent to at least another of the plurality of receptacles and comprising:
two pairs of generally parallel surfaces interconnected together into a hollowed cubic volume, a first pair of surfaces being collapsible surfaces and a second pair of surfaces being adapted to be coupling surfaces;
a bottom surface connected to the two pairs of parallel surfaces to close a bottom of the receptacle;
at least one retaining element disposed on the exterior of at least one of the coupling surfaces; and
a stiffening element secured with each of the at least one retaining element, wherein two adjacent receptacles are secured together via their respective coupling surfaces with an intervening stiffening element disposed between the coupling surfaces, the stiffening element being adapted to increase self-standing receptacle capability.
11. The assembly of receptacles as recited in claim 10 , wherein the retaining element is secured to the exterior one of the coupling surfaces of the adjacent receptacles.
12. The assembly of receptacles as recited in claim 10 , wherein the retaining element is adapted to secure a stiffening element vertically or horizontally on the exterior of the receptacle to increase rigidity of the coupling surface.
13. The assembly of receptacles as recited in claim 10 , wherein the retaining elements are assembled in substantially orthogonal directions thereof.
14. The assembly of receptacles as recited in claim 10 , wherein each of the at least one retaining element is any one of a loop or a patch.
15. The assembly of receptacles as recited in claim 10 , wherein any of the receptacle's surfaces or of the at least one retaining element are made of flexible, mechanically resistant fabric material.
16. The assembly of receptacles as recited in claim 10 , wherein the retaining elements and stiffening elements are disposed on a coupling surface in a configuration including a gap between a vertical stiffening element and a horizontal stiffening element.
17. The assembly of receptacles as recited in claim 10 , wherein the retaining elements and stiffening elements are disposed on a coupling surface in a configuration including a point of contact between a vertical stiffening element and a horizontal stiffening element.
18. The assembly of receptacles as recited in claim 10 , wherein the stiffening element includes any one of wood, composite material or polymer.
19. The assembly of receptacles as recited in claim 10 , further comprising a coupling element for securing two adjacent receptacles via their respective coupling surfaces with the intervening stiffening element disposed between the coupling surfaces.
20. A method of assembling receptacles, each receptacle comprising:
two pairs of generally parallel surfaces interconnected together into a hollowed cubic volume, a first pair of surfaces being collapsible surfaces and a second pair of surfaces being adapted to be coupling surfaces;
a bottom surface connected to the two pairs of parallel surfaces to close a bottom of the receptacle; and
a retaining element disposed on the exterior of at least one of the coupling surfaces,
wherein the method comprises the steps of:
disposing a stiffening element between two adjacent receptacles; and
securing the two adjacent receptacles together with the intervening stiffening element to increase the self-standing receptacle capability of the assembly.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US17/247,295 US20210171238A1 (en) | 2019-12-06 | 2020-12-07 | Collapsible Receptacle |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201962944405P | 2019-12-06 | 2019-12-06 | |
CA3064582 | 2019-12-11 | ||
CA3064582A CA3064582C (en) | 2019-12-06 | 2019-12-11 | Collapsible receptacle |
US17/247,295 US20210171238A1 (en) | 2019-12-06 | 2020-12-07 | Collapsible Receptacle |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20210171238A1 true US20210171238A1 (en) | 2021-06-10 |
Family
ID=76209499
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US17/247,295 Abandoned US20210171238A1 (en) | 2019-12-06 | 2020-12-07 | Collapsible Receptacle |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20210171238A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2021108893A1 (en) |
Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7427160B2 (en) * | 2002-06-20 | 2008-09-23 | B.A.G. Corp. | Bulk bag for meat and meat products |
US20100143049A1 (en) * | 2005-11-24 | 2010-06-10 | Hesco Bastion Limited | Gabions |
Family Cites Families (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US1037132A (en) * | 1912-03-01 | 1912-08-27 | Isidor Cohen | Collapsible receptacle. |
US3497127A (en) * | 1968-01-30 | 1970-02-24 | Theodor Box | Collapsible plastic case |
US5429261A (en) * | 1994-04-07 | 1995-07-04 | Appax Co., Ltd. | Plastic foldable box |
US6953127B1 (en) * | 1999-10-15 | 2005-10-11 | Tvi Corporation | Rapid deploy hazmat containment device |
US20110168598A1 (en) * | 2007-10-22 | 2011-07-14 | The Not Box Co Ltd | Collapsible crate |
-
2020
- 2020-09-22 WO PCT/CA2020/051265 patent/WO2021108893A1/en active Application Filing
- 2020-12-07 US US17/247,295 patent/US20210171238A1/en not_active Abandoned
Patent Citations (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7427160B2 (en) * | 2002-06-20 | 2008-09-23 | B.A.G. Corp. | Bulk bag for meat and meat products |
US20100143049A1 (en) * | 2005-11-24 | 2010-06-10 | Hesco Bastion Limited | Gabions |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2021108893A1 (en) | 2021-06-10 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
CA2317252C (en) | Portable environmental containment system | |
US6474022B1 (en) | Multi-purpose tarpaulin system | |
US7578111B2 (en) | Rapidly deployable temporary modular structures and component elements thereof | |
US9228361B2 (en) | Multi-purpose transport and flooring structures, and associated methods of manufacture | |
US6079904A (en) | Transportable collapsible protective barrier, especially against high water | |
US7014391B2 (en) | Portable environmental containment system | |
CA2912619C (en) | Apparatus and system for forming a structure | |
US20170051497A1 (en) | Collapsible shelter assembly | |
US5575315A (en) | Device and method for filling a sandbag | |
GB2342375A (en) | A roadway, hardstand, floor or fence. | |
DE60320284T2 (en) | FORK STRUCTURE FOR ROLLER SUPPLEMENT | |
US20190345685A1 (en) | Ground Stabilization Grid | |
US9932716B2 (en) | Foldable barrier structure | |
WO2008017836A1 (en) | Improvements in or relating to ballast boxes | |
US20210171238A1 (en) | Collapsible Receptacle | |
US2783766A (en) | Collapsible sportsman's hut and duck blind | |
CA3064582C (en) | Collapsible receptacle | |
US10400417B1 (en) | Ground stabilization grid | |
US20020172564A1 (en) | Silt fence system and method of use | |
US9102431B2 (en) | Rigid support structure for retaining bag | |
US7976240B2 (en) | Flood barrier | |
CA2472841C (en) | Interlocking honeycomb-cored panel system for construction of load supporting surfaces | |
WO2011057344A1 (en) | Connection system, modular panel and modular planter box | |
EP1614811A1 (en) | Dam element | |
JP2983901B2 (en) | Building structure |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: APPLICATION DISPATCHED FROM PREEXAM, NOT YET DOCKETED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: DOCKETED NEW CASE - READY FOR EXAMINATION |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STPP | Information on status: patent application and granting procedure in general |
Free format text: NON FINAL ACTION MAILED |
|
STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |