Container with a plurality of inner compartments

Abstract

A container for storing supplies includes a flexible outer shell, a liner and a fastener. The outer shell has at least one bottom wall integrally connected with at least one side wall. There is an open upper end defining a chamber in which supplies can be stored. The liner is connected with an inner upper end of the side wall with a free end extending into the container with a length substantially less than the length of the flexible outer shell. To securely close the container, the liner free end is pulled out and tightly folded about itself, an upper edge of the integral side wall is tightly folded about itself, and a fastener secures the closed end. Within the outer shell chamber, at least two parallel spaced divider walls are provided which extend vertically from the bottom wall toward the outer shell open upper end creating sub-chambers.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container for storing supplies, comprising:
 (a) a flexible outer shell having a length greater than its width and having at least one bottom wall integrally connected with at least one side wall, and an open upper end defining a chamber therein;   (b) a liner having one end integrally connected with an inner upper end of said at least one side wall and a free end, said liner having a length substantially less than the length of said flexible outer shell; and   (c) a fastener having two connectors arranged at an upper edge of said at least one side wall, whereby when said liner free end is pulled out and through said open upper end and is tightly folded about itself, an upper edge of said at least one integral side wall is tightly folded about itself, and said fastener connectors are connected, the container is closed to form an airtight seal.   
     
     
         2 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one air valve integrally connected with said flexible outer shell to supply air to said chamber. 
     
     
         3 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 2 , wherein said at least one air valve includes one of a one-way and two-way valve. 
     
     
         4 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said liner is integrally connected with said at least one side wall via an ultrasonic weld. 
     
     
         5 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said liner comprises a thermoplastic polyurethane. 
     
     
         6 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 1 , and further comprising a pair of adjustable carrying straps connected with said flexible outer shell. 
     
     
         7 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 1 , and further comprising at least one divider wall having top, bottom and side edges and a generally rectangular configuration, said divider wall side edges being connected with an inner surface of said at least one side wall and extending vertically from said bottom wall toward said open upper end to define sub-chambers within said chamber. 
     
     
         8 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said at least one divider wall bottom and side edges are integrally connected with said at least one bottom wall and said at least one side wall, respectively, to form a watertight seal along said bottom and side edges. 
     
     
         9 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 8 , wherein said at least one divider wall is connected with said at least one side wall via an ultrasonic weld. 
     
     
         10 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 7 , wherein said at least one divider wall includes two parallel spaced divider walls arranged to define three sub-chambers of substantially equal dimensions. 
     
     
         11 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 1 , wherein said fastener includes a strap and buckle. 
     
     
         12 . A container for storing supplies as defined in  claim 11 , and further comprising a retainer web connected with said at least one side wall for securing an excess length of said strap.