Reusable, reconfigurable, and inflatable tote shipper and packaging system

Abstract

A reusable reconfigurable and inflatable tote and packaging container having a flexible outer shell defining a compartment and an insert dimensioned and shaped to be slidably received in the compartment to make the overall container more rigid. The outer shell provides a rear pocket disposed along an exterior portion of the front and rear walls, wherein each pocket defines an enclosed area along said respective exterior portion, wherein each pocket is movable between an open condition and a closed condition fully enclosing the enclosed area, and for each enclosed area, a strap connected thereto so that the strap is movable between carrying condition projecting above the lid and a storage condition wherein the strap is entirely contained within the respective pocket. The insert may provide panel sleeves fillable with insulated panel inserts, an accordion-connected series of insulated panels, or inflatable panels facilitating the rigidity of the overall container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A combination tote and packaging container, comprising:
 an outer shell having a bottom wall, a front wall, a rear wall, and two sidewalls defining a compartment accessible through an opening defined by a periphery of the front wall, the rear wall, and the two sidewalls;   a lid attached to the periphery so as to be movable between an open position and a closed position preventing access to the compartment;   a front pocket and a rear pocket disposed along an exterior portion of the front and rear walls, respectively;   each pocket defining an enclosed area along said respective exterior portion, wherein each pocket is movable between an open condition and a closed condition fully enclosing the enclosed area; and   for each enclosed area, a strap connected thereto so that the strap is movable between carrying condition projecting above the lid and a storage condition wherein the strap is entirely contained within the respective pocket.   
     
     
         2 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 1 , wherein the front wall, the rear wall, and the two sidewalls are foldable between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration where the lid is moveable into the compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 1 , further comprising two grommeted closing mechanisms operatively associated with a track extending along said periphery. 
     
     
         4 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 2 , further comprising a locking mechanism movable between an unlocked engagement and a locked engagement connecting the two grommets of the two grommeted closing mechanisms. 
     
     
         5 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an insert comprising at least a rear panel, a front panel and two side panels that are foldable between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition substantially coextensive with the compartment; and   at least one panel sleeve provided by each panel.   
     
     
         6 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an insert having contoured edges forming a dinner plate comprising plant based, biodegradable, water and oil resistant material; and   at least one panel sleeve provided by each panel.   
     
     
         7 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 5 , further comprising a plurality of rigid insulation inserts, each rigid insulation insert dimensioned and shaped to be slidable received in one of the panel sleeves. 
     
     
         8 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an insert comprising a sequence of accordion-connected rigid and insulated panels having a perimetral distance substantially coextensive with a perimetral distance of the compartment.   
     
     
         9 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an insert comprising a plurality of inflatable panels that are foldable between a collapsed condition and an expanded condition substantially coextensive with the compartment, wherein each inflatable panel has a dedicated air valve.   
     
     
         10 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 9 , wherein each inflatable panel is defined by a cube design. 
     
     
         11 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 10 , wherein each inflatable panel is defined by a horizontal tube design. 
     
     
         12 . The combination tote and packaging container of  claim 11 , wherein each inflatable panel is defined by a vertical tube design.