Household storage container

Abstract

A combined storage apparatus comprises a vacuum storage bag and a storage container is provided. The bottom of the vacuum storage bag forms a stiffened surface. A flexible walled container with sidewalls has pockets formed in two opposing sidewalls and stiffening panels placed into the pockets to stiffen the sidewalls during use while folding flat for shipping. The stiff bottom of the vacuum bag cooperates with the stiffened sidewalls to form a container that can be stacked. After the vacuum storage bag contains an article and is vacuumed, the vacuum storage bag is then placed into the storage container and helps support the side walls to facilitate stacking of the containers.

1 . A storage apparatus, comprising:
 a vacuum storage bag having two opposing sides, a closed bottom and an opening between said two opposing sides; the storage bag further including:
 two sealing strips along the opening configured to be releasably manually engaged to seal the opening from the entrance of air; 
 a one-way air valve connected to the bag to allow air to exit the bag, the bag configured to allow items to be inserted into the bag through the opening and sealed by the sealing strips to form an air tight enclosure during use; and 
 a rectangular stiffening board connected to the closed bottom of the bag; 
   a rectangular storage container sized and configured to receive the storage and having a container bottom and a top with container sides made of flexible material and an access opening in one of the sides or top releasably covered by a hinged flap, the container bottom conforming in approximate size and shape to the stiffening board of the vacuum bag; and   first and second stiffening panels, each panel placed on and attached to a different one of two opposing sides of the storage container.   
     
     
         2 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the container bottom conforms in size and shape to the stiffening board of the vacuum bag, the container having a pocket in each of two opposing sides with the pocket extending a length and height of the container side in which the pocket is formed, with a stiffening panel contained in each pocket. 
     
     
         3 . The storage apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein each pocket has an opening through which the stiffening panel is removably inserted into the pocket. 
     
     
         4 . The storage apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the opening to each pocket is at the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         5 . The storage apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the pockets include a locking strip extending along a portion of the container bottom so that the locking strip can be interposed between the container bottom and the bag stiffening board during use. 
     
     
         6 . The storage apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein opposing ends of the stiffening board are each placed against a side of a different one of the side stiffening panels. 
     
     
         7 . The storage apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein an end of the stiffening panels is placed against a surface of the stiffening board which surface faces away from the bottom of the container. 
     
     
         8 . The storage apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the storage container has a rectangular configuration with two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides with the stiffening panels attached to the short sides, the stiffening panels having a bottom configured to abut and rest on a short end of the stiffening board when the board is placed on the container bottom. 
     
     
         9 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the storage container has a rectangular configuration with two opposing short sides and two opposing long sides with the stiffening panels attached to the long sides, the stiffening panels having a bottom configured to abut and rest on a long side of the stiffening board when the board is placed on the container bottom. 
     
     
         10 . The storage apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the storage container has a rectangular configuration with one of the stiffening panels attached to each of the sides. 
     
     
         11 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom and top of the container are made of flexible material. 
     
     
         12 . The storage apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the stiffening board has a periphery with a ridge extending along at least a portion of the periphery on two opposing sides of the board and located so the stiffening panels can fit between the ridge and the bag during use. 
     
     
         13 . A kit for use in storing household items, comprising:
 an outer container having four flexible sidewalls connected to a bottom and a top, with a closable access opening in one of the sidewalls or top, two opposing sidewalls having pockets into which a panel stiffener is inserted to stiffen the sidewall, each stiffener having a shape and size corresponding to that of the sidewall to which the stiffener is fastened; and   a vacuum storage bag having an access opening with sealing strips around the opening to provide a releasable, air-tight seal during normal use of the container, the bag having a stiff bottom board corresponding in size and shape to the bottom of the container.   
     
     
         14 . The kit of  claim 13 , wherein the vacuum storage bag is folded and placed inside the container with at least one of the side wall stiffeners placed onto the folded storage bag. 
     
     
         15 . The kit of  claim 14 , wherein the stiff bottom board is folded onto itself with the folded bag between folded portions of the board. 
     
     
         16 . The kit of  claim 15 , wherein both panel stiffeners are folded onto the folded board with one panel stiffener located between the folded board and the other panel stiffener.