US20090001149A1

US20090001149A1 - Article storage and display container

Info

Publication number: US20090001149A1
Application number: US12/207,240
Authority: US
Inventors: David Patrick Odell
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-09-09
Filing date: 2008-09-09
Publication date: 2009-01-01

Abstract

An article storage and display container having a selectively-accessible interior enclosed space and a plurality of article organization structures disposed on one or more interior surface(s) of the container. The container may include a hinged leg for reclined support, whereby display and/or access to one or more article(s) disposed in the container may be provided. The container may additionally include a mounting member for convenient hanging support of the container from a selected structure, such as a bed.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to article containers, and, more particularly, to a container for display and storage of articles disposed therein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Whether reading, working, engaging in hobbies, or simply relaxing and watching television, there is a frequent need to store, organize, display, and/or provide convenient access to one or more article while in bed. To address this need, various caddies and organizers have been developed and implemented
For example, pouches or other holders have been developed which are intended to remain attached to the bed frame and/or mattress(es). Such pouches or other holders are typically positioned within reach of the head of the bed, such that a user reclining in the bed may have access to one or more article stored therein, such as a facial tissue, a remote control device, a book, a food item, or the like. Unfortunately, however, such pouches or other holders are typically specialized to retain a specific article, and thus lack flexibility and, ultimately, convenience suffers. Furthermore, such devices typically remain open at all times, whereby articles placed therein may be lost or may be unsightly or embarrassing, and/or dirt and dust may accumulate in such a pouch or other holder.
Thus, it is clear that there is an unmet need for an article storage and display container that provides convenient access to articles disposed therein that provides privacy and security of the articles while providing a plurality of storage and/or display options.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Briefly described, in an exemplary embodiment, the article storage and display container of the present disclosure overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and meets the recognized need for such a container by providing a generally rectangular compartment that is operable between at least one closed configuration and at least one open configuration, and that provides a plurality of support structures, each allowing at least one of a plurality of storage and/or display support configurations.
More specifically, the exemplary container includes generally planar opposing front and back panels, generally planar opposing right and left side panels, and generally planar opposing top and bottom panels operable to selectively enclose a space therebetween. One or more of the panel(s) preferably includes one or more organization structure for use in storing and/or displaying a selected article retained thereby. The back panel preferably includes a hook extending downwardly toward the bottom panel, which is operable to engage a support structure for hanging the container therefrom. Additionally, the back panel preferably includes an operable leg adapted to support the container in a reclined position.
In a preferred embodiment, and exemplary support structure comprises a panel for insertion and retention between, for example, a mattress and a box spring of a bed, or between a mattress and a frame of a bed. The panel preferably includes an upwardly extending hook adapted to receive and retain the hook of the rear panel to support the container. Thus, the container may rest on the hook of the panel for support, and may easily be removed for transportation of the container without removing the panel from engagement with the bed.
Additionally, each of the bottom, the left side, and the right side panels are hingedly operable with the back panel to allow access to the enclosed space, while the front panel is preferably hingedly operable with the bottom panel. Particularly, the front panel and the bottom panel may be operable to provide a stable base for the container when used in the reclined position resting on the leg.
Accordingly, one feature and advantage of the container of the present disclosure is its ability to be conveniently and removably stored at a bedside, whereby articles contained therein may be accessed, and whereby the container may easily be transported to other locations without disengagement of the support structure from the bed.
Another feature and advantage of the container of the present disclosure is its ability to provide secure and private enclosed storage of selected articles while allowing from quick and easy reconfiguration of the container to display and/or access such selected articles.
These and other features and advantages of the of the present disclosure will become more apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art after reading the following Detailed Description of the Invention and Claims in light of the accompanying drawing Figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Accordingly, the present disclosure will be understood best through consideration of, and with reference to, the following drawings, viewed in conjunction with the Detailed Description of the Invention referring thereto, in which like reference numbers throughout the various drawings designate like structure, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a container according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the container of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the container of FIG. 1 in a flat open configuration;

FIG. 4 is rear plan view of the container of FIG. 1 in the configuration of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1 in use with a bed-side support structure according to the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1 in a reclined configuration;

FIG. 7 is an front plan view of an alternate container; and

FIG. 8 is a side view of the container of FIG. 1 in an alternate reclined configuration.

It is to be noted that the drawings presented are intended solely for the purpose of illustration and that they are, therefore, neither desired nor intended to limit the scope of the disclosure to any or all of the exact details of construction shown, except insofar as they may be deemed essential to the claimed invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In describing exemplary embodiments of the article storage and display container of the present disclosure illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology is employed for the sake of clarity. The claimed invention, however, is not intended to be limited to the specific terminology so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose.
In that form of the container of the present disclosure chosen for purposes of illustration, FIGS. 1-8 show storage and display unit 10 including container 12 having front wall or panel 16, rear wall or panel 26, top wall or panel 32, bottom wall or panel 42, first right side wall or panel 52, and second left side wall or panel 62. Preferably, each of top 32, bottom 42, right side 52, and left side 62 is hingedly or otherwise movably operable with a respective edge of rear 26, and front 16 is preferably likewise hingedly or otherwise movably operable with bottom 42. Particularly, each of top 32, bottom 42, right side 52, and left side 62 is attached to a respective side of rear 26 via one or more hinge 72. Each of top 32, right side 52, and left side 62 is preferably removably-securable to front 16 via hasp 92, hook and loop fasteners 74, one or more clasp(s), hook(s), clip(s), snap(s), tie(s), strap(s), or the like. As illustrated, each of front wall or panel 16, rear wall or panel 26, top wall or panel 32, bottom wall or panel 42, first right side wall or panel 52, and second left side wall or panel 62 is preferably formed as a generally thin, flat, rectangular panel, whereby disposing respective edges of adjacent panels proximate one another preferably forms a box enclosing interior space 96. As will be understood by those ordinarily skilled in the art, however, panels having different shapes, thicknesses, curvatures, or the like may be used to form container 12 enclosing interior space 96. Additionally, alternative structures may be used to enable the operation of container 12 disclosed herein, such as metal hinges, fabric hinges, flexible portions, creases, or the like.
Additionally, one or more of front 16, rear 26, top 32, bottom 42, right side 52, and left side 62 may include one or more organization structure for retaining a selected article engaged therewith, such as elastic, cinching, or adjustable straps 88, pockets 89, or other compartment, hook, band, clip, tie, or the like. Such organization structures are preferably disposed on interior surfaces 18, 28, 34, 44, 54, and 64 of front 16, rear 26, top 32, bottom 42, right side 52, and left side 62, respectively. Furthermore, light 90, including appropriate power supply, may be included, such as on interior surface 34 of top 32 to provide illumination with container 12 in a partially open configuration, such as that shown in FIG. 1, or to spotlight articles displayed in container 12. In order to provide for convenient manual transportation of container 12, handle 94 may be provided, such as on exterior surface 36 of top 32.
As best illustrated in FIGS. 2, 5, and 6, unit 10 preferably further includes mounting or support member 82 formed as a generally planar panel having a mounting hook 86, such as in the form of a perpendicular rail, disposed on an edge thereof. Hook 86 is preferably adapted to receive mounting hook 84, such as in the form of a rail, mounted on exterior surface 30 of rear wall 26. Thus, support member 82 may be secured to a desired surface or structure to provide a removable mounting point for container 12 via engagement of hooks 84 and 86. For example, member 82 may be disposed between mattress A and box spring B of a bed, whereafter container 12 may be supported proximate mattress A via hanging from hook 84 engaged with complimentary hook 86.
Container 12 preferably further includes leg 76 adapted to support container 12 in a reclined configuration wherein container 12 preferably rests on surface C via first proximal edge 48 of bottom 42 (and/or a bottom edge of back 26) and distal edge 80 of leg 76. Leg 76 may be hingedly operable with back 26 via hinges 72, or the like, at proximal edge 78 thereof. Preferably, leg 76 may be disposed generally parallel with and adjacent exterior surface 30 of back 26, whereby interference between leg 76 and box spring B, or other selected structure, may be avoided Thus, container 12 may be disposed in a generally angled or reclined configuration for access to or display of articles stored or disposed in container 12.
If desired, and as illustrated in FIG. 8, front 16, may be folded under bottom 42 and back 26, whereby interior surface 18 is arranged adjacent surface C on which container 12 is disposed to provide a sturdy and stable platform on which leg 76 may be disposed. Thus, exterior surface 20 of front 16 is preferably adapted to securely and removably receive leg 76 thereon when container 16 is disposed on and uneven or unstable surface C, such as a top surface of mattress A, particularly if a pillow-top or other compressible comforter or cover is present As further illustrated in FIG. 8, each of right side 52 and left side 62 may be arranged generally parallel to back 26 when container 12 is disposed in the reclined configurations of FIGS. 6 and 8, or sides 52 and 62 may be folded generally perpendicular to back 26, as desired.
Having thus described exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it should be noted by those skilled in the art that the within disclosures are exemplary only and that various other alternatives, adaptations, and modifications may be made within the scope and spirit of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiments as illustrated herein, but is only limited by the following claims.

Claims

1. A storage and display unit for personal products comprising:

a container having an interior cavity and at least one opening to access said interior cavity;

a lid having a proximal end, a distal end, an inside surface and an outside surface, said lid at least substantially covering said at least one opening;

at least one connector attaching said proximal end of said lid to said container, wherein said at least one connector is positioned to permit said lid to be in an open position revealing the interior cavity or a closed position at least substantially covering said at least one opening;

a support member operatively coupled to said container to permit said support member to be folded against said container or extended therefrom;

a separate, flat mounting member;

a means for removably mounting said container to said separate flat mounting member; and

a means for holding personal products in said container, wherein said holding means is selected from the group consisting of straps, clips, hooks, bands, loops and hooks, removably adhesive tape, pockets, slots, slits and recesses.

2. The storage and display unit of claim 1 further comprising at least one light source for use in low-light settings.

3. The storage and display unit of claim 2, wherein said at least one light source is turned on by opening said lid and off by closing said lid.

4. The storage and display unit of claim 1 further comprising a locking mechanism for securing said lid to said container.

5. The storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein said at least one connector is a hinge assembly.

6. The storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein said support member is positioned on said container below said means for removably mounting.

7. The storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein said means for removably mounting is a pair of L-shaped rails.

8. The storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein said means for holding personal products is disposed in said interior cavity of said container.

9. The storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein said means for holding personal products is disposed on said inside surface of said lid.

10. The storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein said container has a cross-sectional shape selected from the group consisting of box, rectangle, triangle, circle, diamond, egg-shaped, heart-shaped and letter-shaped.

11. The storage and display unit of claim 1, wherein said separate, flat mounting member is suitable for insertion between a mattress and a box spring.

12. The storage and display unit of claim 8, wherein said lid in the open position is capable of displaying personal products on said inside surface.

13. A foldable bedside storage and display box comprising:

a container having a front wall, a back wall, a top wall, a bottom wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, wherein each of said front wall, back wall, top wall, bottom wall, first side wall and second side wall has an interior surface and an exterior surface, and each of said front wall, top wall, bottom wall, first side wall and second side wall has a proximal end and a distal end;

a hinging means for pivotably connecting each edge of said back wall to said proximal end of each of said top wall, bottom wall, first side wall and second side wall, and said distal end of said bottom wall to said proximal end of said front wall;

a means for removably attaching said distal end of each of said first side wall and said second side wall to said front wall;

a rear support member having a proximal end and a 5 distal end, wherein said proximal end is operatively coupled to said back wall to permit said rear support member to be folded flat against said exterior surface of said back wall or extended therefrom;

a separate flat mounting member with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end is insertable between a mattress and a box spring;

a matched pair of L-shaped mounting rails wherein one said L-shaped mounting rail is carried on said exterior surface of said back wall, positioned above said proximal end of said rear support member, and the other said L-shaped mounting rail is attached to said proximal end of said separate flat mounting member in a complementary orientation, to allow said container to be readily removed from said separate flat mounting member while allowing said separate flat mounting member to remain in place; and

a means for holding personal products on said interior surfaces of said front wall, back wall, top wall, bottom wall, first side wall and second side wall, wherein said holding means is selected from the group consisting of straps, clips, hooks, bands, loops and hooks, removable adhesive tape, pockets, slots, slits and recesses.

14. The foldable bedside storage and display box of claim 13, further comprising at least one internal light disposed on said interior surface of said top wall for use in low-light settings.

15. The foldable bedside storage and display box of claim 13, further comprising a locking means for securing said distal end of said top wall to said distal end of said front wall.

16. The foldable bedside storage and display box of claim 13, further comprising a handle carried by said container.

17. A system for mounting a container to a bedside comprising:

a flat mounting member with a proximal end and a distal end, wherein said distal end is suitable for insertion between a mattress and a box spring;

a first L-shaped rail carried on said proximal end; and

a second L-shaped rail dispose on the container in a complementary orientation to permit mated coupling with said first L-shaped rail.