Storage container

Abstract

A semi-flexible storage container includes a container body formed from a single piece of semi-flexible sheet material. Flexibly attached to the container body by a flexible attachment mechanism are first and second end pieces, which when assembled together form an enclosed container. The preferred flexible attachment mechanism is a zipper mechanism, however equivalent mechanisms, such as hook and loop fasteners and the like are considered to fall within the scope of the present invention. The semi-flexible storage container is selectively openable, sealable, and resealable, as will be described hereinafter. In addition to being self-supporting, semi-flexible storage containers are also readily foldable or collapsible to provide easy storage occupying minimal space.

1 ) A storage container comprising a substantially flat container body flexibly attached by flexible attachment mechanisms to substantially flat first and second end pieces.  
   
   
       2 ) The storage container according to  claim 1  where in the container body further comprises four foldable hinges.  
   
   
       3 ) The storage container according to  claim 2  wherein the foldable hinges are integrally formed.  
   
   
       4 ) The storage container according to  claim 2  wherein the foldable hinges are separately formed and attached to the container body.  
   
   
       5 ) The storage container according to  claim 1  wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.  
   
   
       6 ) The storage container according to  claim 3  wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.  
   
   
       7 ) The storage container according to  claim 4  wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.  
   
   
       8 ) A method for assembling a storage container comprising the steps of 
 a) providing a substantially flat container body having substantially flat first and second end pieces flexibly attached;    b) releasably attaching first and second ends of the container body to each other thereby forming a hollow container with firs and second opening;    c) releasably attaching the first end piece to the first opening in the hollow container; and    d) releasably attaching the second end piece to the second opening in the hollow container.    
   
   
       9 ) The method according to  claim 8  where in the container body further comprises four foldable hinges.  
   
   
       10 ) The storage container according to  claim 9  wherein the foldable hinges are integrally formed.  
   
   
       11 ) The storage container according to  claim 9  wherein the foldable hinges are separately formed and attached to the container body.  
   
   
       12 ) The storage container according to  claim 8  wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.  
   
   
       13 ) The storage container according to  claim 10  wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.  
   
   
       14 ) The storage container according to  claim 11  wherein the attachment mechanisms are zippers.