Insulated collapsible container and method of use

Abstract

A container for reducing energy consumption by encapsulating air space in a climate-controlled environment is disclosed. The container includes a valve for enabling air to move between the inside of container and the outside of the container. The container further includes an anchor for securing the container inside the climate-controlled environment. The container further includes at least one insulated wall. The container further includes an expanding and collapsing mechanism for facilitating, the expanding, and collapsing of the container when air moves between the inside of the container and the outside of the container.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A container for reducing energy consumption by encapsulating air space in a climate-controlled environment, the container comprising:
 a valve for enabling air to move between the inside of container and the outside of the container;   an anchor for securing the container inside the climate-controlled environment;   at least one insulated wall; and   an expanding and collapsing mechanism for facilitating the expanding and collapsing of the container when air moves between the inside of the container and the outside of the container.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the expanding and collapsing mechanism comprises at least one of a handle, a predefined crease on the at least one insulated wall, a pull string, a mechanical arm, a connecting pole, and a wheel. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the container is configured to one of expand or collapse along the predefined crease responsive to a force being applied to one of the handle, the pull string, the mechanical arm, the connecting pole, and the internal walls of the container to move air between the outside of the container and the inside of the container. 
     
     
         4 . The collapsible container of  claim 1 , wherein the climate-controlled environment is one of a cooled environment and a heated environment 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insulated wall comprises a top insulated wail, a bottom insulated wall, a left insulated wall, a right insulated wall, a front insulated, wall, and a back insulated wail. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 5 , wherein two opposing walls selected from the top insulated wall, the bottom insulated wall, the left insulated wall, the right insulated wall, the front insulated wall, and the back insulated wall comprise a stiffness greater than the stiffness of the remaining walls. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises one of a turning valve, a slit valve, a flap valve, a sliding valve, and a pump valve. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the valve comprises:
 a stationary bottom plate comprising at least one opening;   a rim extending around the bottom plate;   a top plate configured to rotate within the rim and on top of the bottom plate; and   a lip to secure the top plate within the rim and above the bottom plate;   wherein the valve is configured to allow air to move through the at least one opening when the top plate is in an open position and to prevent air from moving through the at least one opening when the top plate is in a closed position.   
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one insulated wall comprises insulation material comprising at least one of low thermal conductivity and high reflectivity. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the anchor comprises one of an adjustable-shaped bracket, a magnet, an adhesive, an installation bracket, and a suction cup. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the container further comprises a frame for providing structural form for the container. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a controller configured to collapse or expand the container. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 12 , Wherein the controller is further configured to automatically collapse or expand the container according to one of a predefined time schedule, operation of a light switch, an occupancy sensor configured to determine inventory levels, an occupancy sensor configure to detect the movement or people, and a sensor configured to optimize air flow. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a grid structure comprising, a plurality of air pockets. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of containers disposed as a system. 
     
     
         16 . A method for reducing the amount of energy required to control a temperature inside a climate-controlled environment, comprising the steps of:
 disposing an insulated contain to the inside of a temperature-controlled environment;   operating a valve, configured to allow air to move between the inside of the container and the outside of the container, to an open position;   facilitating movement of air into the insulated expandable container until the insulated expandable container reaches a desired size; and   operating the valve to a closed position.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of facilitating movement of air into the insulated container comprises operating an expanding mechanism 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein operating the expanding mechanism causes at least one wall to unfold along a predefined crease. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising the step of securing a plurality of insulated expandable containers to the inside of a temperature-controlled environment and connecting the plurality of insulated expandable containers to form a system of containers. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the step of disposing the insulated expandable container to the inside of the temperature-controlled environment comprises securing the insulated expandable container to one of a ceiling, a floor, a wall, and a rack.