Collapsible container with drainage opening

Abstract

A container having a generally circular bottom, an outer, continuous wall, a spring for supporting the outer wall in a generally cylindrical form, and a circular top with an opening therein through which articles to be stored or carried may pass through. The bottom is configured with a water drainage hole, so that water that does not escape through the mesh may nevertheless drain from the container. Internal partitions may be provided to help organize item to be carried or stored in the container.

1 . A container comprising: 
 a generally circular bottom;    an outer wall;    a spring for supporting the outer wall in a generally cylindrical form;    a circular top with an opening therein through which articles to be stored or carried may pass;    a bottom configured with a water drainage hole, so that water that drains from the container; and    compartments in said container for placement of items to be disposed in said container.    
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall is substantially continuous.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the outer wall is formed of a mesh.  
   
   
       4 . (canceled)  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the water drainage hole is defined by a grommet in said bottom.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the grommet is formed of one of a corrosion resistant metal and a polymer.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom is configured with additional drainage hole.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the drainage holes are arranged in a geometric array.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom is formed of a flexible material.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom is formed of nylon or vinyl.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a fabric strip fastened along a length of the container.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein said fabric strip is of a length which limits expansion of said container due to action of said spring.  
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said opening in said top has an oval shape.  
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein said opening in said top has an circular shape and is substantially as large as said top.  
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a first circular pocket for receiving a top of said spring, and a second circular pocket for receiving a bottom of said spring.  
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the first circular pocket and the second circular pocket each receive substantially two turns of said spring.  
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a pocket disposed to spiral along said wall and to receive a portion of said spring.  
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the compartments are defined by at least one partition within said container extending horizontally across said container and vertically in said container in a direction in which said container expands.  
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 18 , wherein said at least one partition comprises a first partitions dividing the container into two compartments, a first of said compartments being larger than a second of said compartments.  
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 19 , wherein said at least one partition comprises a second partition dividing the second compartment into a first sub-compartment and a second sub-compartment, said first sub-compartment being larger than said second sub-compartment.  
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein said first compartment, said first sub-compartment and said second sub-compartment are each defined in part by the outer wall.