Relief package

Abstract

A relief package for deployment from a stowed, portable configuration to a deployed shelter configuration. The relief package includes an outer shell having a first pouch and a second pouch. A supply kit is positioned within the first pouch, and a relief pod is positioned within the second pouch. The relief pod includes a foldable base, a cover, and a plurality of support poles that can be assembled to define an enclosure.

1 . A relief package for deployment from a stowed, portable configuration to a deployed shelter configuration, the relief package comprising:
 an outer shell including a first pouch and a second pouch;   a supply kit within the first pouch;   a relief pod within the second pouch, the relief pod including a foldable base, a cover, and a plurality of support poles, wherein upon deployment of the relief package, the support poles support the cover above the base to define an enclosure.   
   
   
       2 . The relief package of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a sleeve and a plurality of pads positioned within the sleeve, and wherein the pads are foldable upon one another. 
   
   
       3 . The relief package of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve is formed of a water resistant, wind resistant, breathable material, and wherein the pads are formed of insulative floatation material. 
   
   
       4 . The relief package of  claim 3 , wherein the relief package comprises a floatation device when the relief package is in the stowed, portable configuration. 
   
   
       5 . The relief package of  claim 1 , wherein when the relief package is deployed, the support poles define a substantially inverted U-shape, the relief package further comprising a support spine extending between the support poles, the cover coupled to the support spine between the support poles. 
   
   
       6 . The relief package of  claim 2 , wherein the outer shell and the cover are formed of the same material as the sleeve. 
   
   
       7 . The relief package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes cover side edges and the base includes base side edges, the cover and base side edges including fasteners to couple each cover side edge to a respective one of the base side edges. 
   
   
       8 . The relief package of  claim 7 , wherein the cover includes a plurality of pole support sleeves defined in the cover and extending between the cover side edges, each pole support sleeve receiving a selective one of the support poles. 
   
   
       9 . The relief package of  claim 8 , wherein the cover includes a pair of spine support tabs positioned adjacent the pole support sleeves between the cover side edges, and wherein the relief pod further includes a collapsible spine pole having ends, each spine pole end coupled to a respective one of the spine support tabs. 
   
   
       10 . The relief package of  claim 8 , wherein the base includes a plurality of grommets and the support poles include ends, and wherein the ends of the grommets are received by respective grommets when the relief pod is deployed couple the support pole ends to the base. 
   
   
       11 . The relief package of  claim 1 , wherein the base, the cover, and the support poles are coupled to each other in a partially assembled configuration when the relief package is in the stowed, portable configuration. 
   
   
       13 . The relief package of  claim 1 , wherein the outer shell is foldable so that the first pouch overlies the second pouch, and includes a plurality of openings for receiving a length of cord for securing the outer shell in the folded position. 
   
   
       14 . The relief package of  claim 13 , wherein when the outer shell is in the folded position, the cord is configurable to form a pair of arm openings to define a backpack. 
   
   
       15 . The relief package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover includes an end portion defining a pull cord sleeve, and a pull cord extending through the pull cord sleeve, and wherein tightening the pull cord at least partially closes the enclosure. 
   
   
       16 . A method for providing a relief shelter, the method comprising:
 packaging a partially assembled relief pod and a supply kit within an outer shell to form a portable relief package, the relief pod including a base portion, a cover, a plurality of support poles, and a support spine;   transporting the relief package to a shelter area;   opening the outer shell;   removing at least the relief pod from the outer shell;   unfolding the base portion of the relief pod;   moving the support poles of the relief pod to a substantially upright position; and   coupling a support spine to the cover to maintain the support poles in a substantially upright position and to support the cover above the base portion to define an enclosure.   
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein unfolding the base portion includes unfolding a plurality of extruded polystyrene pads coupled to one another by a sleeve formed of a water resistant, wind resistant, breathable material. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the sleeve defines a plurality of openings, and wherein moving the support poles of the relief pod to a substantially upright position includes positioning end portions of the support poles into respective ones of the plurality of openings. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein coupling the support spine to the cover includes assembling the support spine from a plurality of hollow tubes coupled to one another by a tensile cord. 
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the cover includes a support sleeve and a portion extending away from the support sleeve and defining a pull cord sleeve, the method further comprising at least partially closing the enclosure by tightening a pull cord that extends through the pull cord sleeve to draw the portion toward the base.