Collapsible Container

Abstract

Provided is a collapsible container generally including a collapsible housing having a twistable and bendable frame member to enable the housing to be disposed in a deployed configuration during use and a stowed configuration during non-use. The collapsible housing may further include a plurality of side panels collectively forming an enclosure. The housing may additionally include a bottom panel connected to each of the side panels. Reinforcing straps may be connected to opposing side panels and extend across the side panels from a top portion of the side panel to a bottom portion of the side panel for providing support to the housing. The straps may extend upwards to form handles to facilitate carrying and transport of the container.

1 . A collapsible container traversable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the collapsible container comprising:
 a collapsible housing including:
 a frame fabricated from a resilient and flexible material; 
 a plurality of side panels connected to the frame, the plurality of side panels being fabricated from a flexible and stretchable material; and 
 a bottom panel connected to the plurality of side panels, the bottom panel being fabricated from a flexible and generally inelastic material; 
   wherein the frame, the plurality of side panels and the bottom panel are flexed to traverse the container to the stowed configuration for compact storage of the collapsible container;   a first reinforcing strap connected to the bottom panel and disposed adjacent a first panel of the plurality of side panels, the first reinforcing strap being fabricated from a generally inelastic material;   a second reinforcement strap connected to the bottom panel and disposed adjacent a second panel opposite from the first panel, the second reinforcement strap being fabricated from a generally inelastic material; and   a handle system attached to the first and second reinforcement straps;   wherein the handle system, first and second straps and the generally inelastic bottom panel support an item disposed within the collapsible housing when the user grasps the handle system to lift the item.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second reinforcement straps are connected to the frame. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the first and second reinforcement straps are connected to the first and second panels. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1  further comprising a bottom reinforcement strap disposed adjacent to the bottom panel and connected to the first reinforcement strap and the second reinforcement strap. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the handle system includes first and second handles attached to the first and second reinforcement straps, respectively. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein the first and second handles are integrally formed with the first and second reinforcement straps. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising third and fourth reinforcement straps, the first and third reinforcement straps being disposed adjacent the first panel in parallel relation to each other, and the second and fourth reinforcement straps being disposed adjacent the second panel in parallel relation to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the handle system includes a first handle connected to the first and third reinforcement straps, and a second handle connected to the second and forth reinforcement straps. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical fastener connected to the bottom panel for connecting the bottom panel to a support surface. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 9 , wherein the mechanical fastener includes one part of a hooks and loop fastening system. 
     
     
         11 . A collapsible container for carrying an item, the container being traversable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the collapsible container comprising:
 a collapsible housing including:
 a frame fabricated from a resilient and flexible material; 
 a plurality of side panels connected to the frame, the plurality of side panels being fabricated from a flexible and stretchable material; and 
 a bottom portion connected to the plurality of side panels, the bottom portion being fabricated from a flexible and generally inelastic material; 
   wherein the frame, the plurality of side panels, and bottom portion are flexed to traverse the container to the stowed configuration for compact storage of the collapsible container;   a first reinforcement strap connected to the bottom portion of the collapsible housing and disposed adjacent a first panel of the plurality of side panels, the first reinforcement strap being fabricated from a generally inelastic material;   a second reinforcement strap connected to the bottom portion of the collapsible housing and disposed adjacent a second panel opposite from the first panel, the second reinforcement strap being fabricated from a generally inelastic material; and   a handle system attached to the first and second reinforcement straps,;   wherein the handle system, first and second reinforcement straps and the bottom portion of the housing support the item disposed within the collapsible housing when the user lifts the collapsible housing with the handle system.   
     
     
         12 . The collapsible container of  claim 11 , wherein the handle system includes a first handle connected to the first reinforcement strap, and a second handle connected to the second reinforcement strap. 
     
     
         13 . The collapsible container of  claim 11 , further comprising third and fourth reinforcement straps, the first and third reinforcement straps being disposed adjacent the first side panel in parallel relation to each other, the second fourth reinforcement straps being disposed adjacent the second side panel in parallel relation to each other. 
     
     
         14 . The collapsible container of  claim 13 , wherein the handle system includes a first handle connected to the first and third reinforcement straps, and a second handle connected to the second and forth reinforcement straps. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 11 , further comprising a mechanical fastener connected to the bottom portion of the collapsible housing for connecting the bottom portion to a support surface. 
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the mechanical fastener includes one part of a hooks and loop fastening system. 
     
     
         17 . A collapsible container for carrying an item and being traversable between a stowed configuration and a deployed configuration, the collapsible container comprising:
 a collapsible housing including:
 a frame fabricated from a resilient and flexible material; 
 a plurality of side panels connected to the frame, the plurality of side panels being fabricated from a flexible and stretchable material; and 
 a bottom panel connected to the plurality of side panels, the bottom panel being fabricated from a flexible material; 
 wherein the frame, the plurality of side panels and the bottom panel are flexed to traverse the container to the stowed configuration for compact storage of the collapsible container; 
 a first reinforcing strap connected to the bottom panel and disposed adjacent one of the plurality of side panels, the first reinforcing strap being fabricated from a generally inelastic material; 
 a second reinforcement strap connected to the bottom panel and disposed adjacent an opposed panel of the plurality of side panels, the second reinforcement strap being fabricated from a generally inelastic material; and 
 a handle system attached to the first and second reinforcement straps, the handle system fabricated from a generally inelastic material, respectively; 
 a bottom reinforcement strap fabricated from a generally inelastic material, the bottom reinforcement strap connected to the first reinforcement strap and the second reinforcement strap for transferring weight of the item from the bottom reinforcement strap; 
 wherein the handle system, first and second straps and the bottom panel support the item disposed within the collapsible housing when a user grasps the handle system to lift the container. 
   
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17  further comprising a closing member attached to an exterior of the collapsible housing. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 18  wherein the closing member comprising first and second closing elements, the first closing element being elastic.