US20180339837A1

US20180339837A1 - Collapsible Storage Apparatus

Info

Publication number: US20180339837A1
Application number: US15/603,330
Authority: US
Inventors: Alan J. Fitt
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2017-05-23
Filing date: 2017-05-23
Publication date: 2018-11-29

Abstract

An improved storage box, such as a children's toy box, allows quick, easy, tidy recollection of the items stored in the box after use of the items. The box itself in some versions is collapsible for easy and space-efficient storage of the box when it is not in use to store items. The storage box has five or more panels forming at least four side walls and a bottom wall for the box, where one or more of the side walls are releasable walls, each held in place by one or more releasable attachment mechanisms that allow the releasable wall to release from the other walls when the one or more attachment mechanisms are released. The box also includes a flexible mat anchored to at least one of the walls and configured to (1) extend outward from the box and onto a surface on which the box sits when one or more of the releasable walls are released and (2) return into the box when the one or more releasable walls are reattached.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a collapsible storage apparatus.

BACKGROUND

Storage containers, such as storage boxes, often contain items that an owner or user of the items wants to remove from the container, use for some period of time, and then return to the container. Children, for example, routinely play with toys that, when not in use, are stored in boxes (often called “toy boxes”) and are notorious for removing toys from the boxes in an unruly manner, tossing the toys from the boxes or upending the boxes entirely, spilling the contents onto the floor or the playing surfaces on which the boxes rest. The task of cleaning up scattered items, toys or otherwise, requires time, effort, energy, and tedious repetition. With children's toys in particular, but with other items as well (such as, for example, socks or other items of clothing that are also often stored in boxes), cleaning up the strewn-about mess is frustrating and often exhausting in its repetition for those charged with the task.
Storage containers such as toy boxes also remain just that—storage boxes—even when not in use for the storage of items. The result is that, even when empty, the containers occupy the same amount of space as they do when they're full. An empty toy box remains a toy box and occupies space in the room where it sits even when it is no longer storing toys.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Described here is a storage box, such as a children's toy box, that allows quick, easy, tidy recollection of the items stored in the box after use of the items and that, in some embodiments, is itself collapsible for easy and space-efficient storage when not in use to store items. The storage box has five or more panels forming at least four side walls and a bottom wall for the box, where one or more of the side walls are releasable walls, each held in place by one or more releasable attachment mechanisms that allow the releasable wall to release from the other walls when the one or more attachment mechanisms are released. The box also includes a flexible mat anchored to at least one of the walls and configured to (1) extend outward from the box and onto a surface on which the box sits when one or more of the releasable walls are released and (2) return into the box when the one or more releasable walls are reattached. In some embodiments, the flexible mat is configured to receive items that spill out of the storage box when the one or more releasable walls are released and force the items back into the storage box as the flexible mat returns into the box. In certain embodiments the flexible mat is anchored to one or more of the releasable walls, and in some embodiments the mat is anchored to the bottom wall. Some embodiments have the walls and the flexible mat attached in a manner that, when the box is empty, allows them to fold onto each other and lie flat in a stack. In some embodiments the box includes an additional panel to serve as a box lid, and in certain embodiments the additional panel is attached to at least one of the side walls.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures. It should be understood that the drawings presented herein may not be drawn to scale. Any variations of these dimensions that will allow the invention herein to function for its intended purpose are considered to be within the scope of the invention. Thus, understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered as limiting in scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible box with a removable lid placed on top of the collapsible box.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible box with a removable lid removed from the top of the collapsible box.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible box with flat bottom panel snaps unsnapped, allowing a hinged panel to swing in an open position and the contents of the collapsible box to be viewed.

FIG. 4 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible box with two hinged panels folded down, exposing an attachment mechanism for a play mat within the box.

FIG. 5 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible box with two hinged panels folded down and a play mat attached to two hinged panels and the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 6 is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a collapsible box with all the hinged panels lying parallel to the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 7 is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of a collapsible box with all hinged panels lying parallel to the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 8 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the removable lid.

FIG. 9 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the removable lid and the collapsible box folded on top of itself before being placed into the removable lid.

FIG. 10 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of the collapsible box.

FIG. 11 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible box with a hinged lid open and one hinged panel unclasped from the flat bottom panel allowing the contents of the box to be viewed.

FIG. 12 is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a collapsible box with a hinged lid open and two hinged panels lying parallel to the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 13 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible box with a hinged lid open, two of hinged panels folded down, and a play mat attached to two hinged panels and the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 14 is an exemplary embodiment of a top view of a collapsible box with a hinged lid and all a hinged panels lying parallel with the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 15 is an exemplary embodiment of a bottom view of a collapsible box with a hinged lid and all hinged panels lying parallel with the flat bottom panel.

FIG. 16 is an exemplary embodiment of a front view of a collapsible box with all hinged panels and the flat bottom panel stored inside of a hinged lid.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the disclosure or the application and uses of the invention. As used herein, the word “exemplary” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Thus, any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary, or the following detailed description.
In this description, reference is made to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated with like reference numerals throughout. As used in the description herein and throughout, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
Exemplary embodiments of a collapsible box, such as a collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 (or “toy box”) are schematically depicted in FIGS. 1-9. In the embodiments shown here, collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 comprises four hinged panels—hinged panel 10, hinged panel 20, hinged panel 30, hinged panel 40—and a bottom flat bottom panel 50. Also depicted are a removable lid 101, a collapsed version of the box 102, a corner 103 formed by multiple panels, play mat snaps 104, flat bottom panel snaps 105, a play mat 106 (for toy box embodiments, or a collection mat for other storage embodiments), adhesive strips 107, and magnets 108.
In reference to FIGS. 1-9, hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 are, in most embodiments, permanently attached to flat bottom panel 50, wherein hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 can either lie parallel with flat bottom panel 50 or fold upward to be perpendicular to flat bottom panel 50. Hinged panel 10 comprises panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 10 d. In some embodiments, panel edge 10 a attaches to panel edge 40 c with one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and/or magnets 108. Other types of attachments mechanisms, such as cloth or plastic hooks on one panel looped around buttons on another panel, can also be used. Panel edge 10 b is permanently attached to panel edge 50 d of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 10 c attaches to panel edge 20 a with releasable mechanisms such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. In various embodiments, panel edge 10 d comes into contact with removable lid 101. As shown here, hinged panel 10 further comprises play mat snaps 104 (or other connection mechanisms to attach the mat to the panel) at each of the two corners of 10 d on the topside of hinged panel 10.
Hinged panel 20 comprises panel edges 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, and 20 d. In some embodiments, panel edge 20 a attaches to panel edge 10 c with releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Panel edge 20 b is permanently attached to panel edge 50 c of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 20 c is attached to panel edge 30 a with releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. In some embodiments, panel 20 d comes into contact with removable lid 101. As shown here, hinged panel 20 further comprises play mat snaps 104 at each of the two corners of 20 d on the topside of hinged panel 20.
In an exemplary embodiment, hinged panel 30 comprises panel edges 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and 30 d. In some embodiments, panel edge 30 a attaches to panel edge 20 c with one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Panel edge 30 b attaches to panel edge 50 b of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 30 c is permanently attached to panel edge 40 a. The connection between panel edges 30 c and 40 a creates corner 103. In some embodiments panel edge 30 d comes into contact with removable lid 101.
In an exemplary embodiment, hinged panel 40 comprises panel edges 40 a, 40 b, 40 c and 40 d. Panel edge 40 a is permanently attached to panel edge 30 c. The connection between panel edges 40 a and 30 c creates corner 103. As shown here, panel edge 40 b is attached to panel edge 50 a of flat bottom panel 50 with flat bottom panel snaps 105. Panel edge 40 c is attached to panel edge 10 a with one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. In some embodiments, panel edge 40 d comes into contact with removable lid 101.
In an exemplary embodiment, corner 103 of collapsible box 102 is configured by folding up hinged panel 40 and fastening bottom panel snaps 105 attached to panel edge 40 b to bottom panel snaps 105 on panel edge 50 a of flat bottom panel 50. Once corner 103 is formed, upright configuration of collapsible box 102 is completed by pulling play mat 106 in towards corner 103 wherein magnets 108 automatically aid in aligning hinged panels 10 and 20. As shown here, collapsible box 102 can then be stored by placing removable lid 101 on top of collapsible box 102 completing collapsible toy storage apparatus 100.
Collapsible box 102 is taken apart by pulling down hinged panels 10 and 20, which removes the connection between one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108 that hold them in place, unsnapping flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold up hinged panel 40 and successively folding hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 on top of flat bottom panel 50. In this embodiment, once the hinged panels are all folded onto flat bottom panel 50, collapsible box 102 can be placed inside removable lid 101 for storage.
Collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 is in complete configuration when removable lid 101 covers configured collapsible box 102 providing both structural support to collapsible box 102 and containing the items inside. In this embodiment, hinged panel 10 and hinged panel 40 are visible, as well as panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c. The edge of corner 103 is also visible (see FIG. 1).
In an exemplary embodiment, removable lid 101 is removed from collapsible box 102 allowing a user to view the items inside collapsible box 102, hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 as well as panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, and 40 d. The edge of corner 103 and play mat snap 104 of hinged panel 20 are also visible (see FIG. 2; removable lid 101 not shown).
In some embodiments, removable lid 101 is removed; flat bottom panel snaps 105 are unfastened from flat bottom panel 50 allowing hinged panel 40 to be opened by swinging hinged panel 40 along corner 103, allowing a user to see the inside of collapsible box 102. This exposes play mat snaps 104 attached to panel edge 50 a of flat bottom panel 50. Hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 as well as panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, and 40 d are also shown (see FIG. 3; removable lid 101 not shown).
In an exemplary embodiment, removable lid 101 is removed; hinged panels 10 and 20 are pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengage the one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Panels 10 and 20 can lay parallel with flat bottom panel 50 while hinged panels 30 and 40 are still upright creating corner 103. Play mat 106 can then be attached to play mat snaps 104 so a user can play on top of it. Panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d are also shown (see FIG. 4; removable lid 101 and play mat 106 are not shown).
In one embodiment, play mat 106 is attached to play mat snaps 104 on hinged panels 10 and 20 as well as flat bottom panel 50. Items on top of play mat 106 can be funneled into collapsible box 102 by pulling play mat 106 in towards corner 103. One or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets, 108 as well as hinged panels 30 and 40 with panel edges 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, and 40 d are also visible (see FIG. 5; play mat snaps 104 and flat bottom panel 50 are not shown).
Hinged panels 10 and 20 can be pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengage the one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Hinged panels 10 and 20 can lay parallel with flat bottom panel 50. By disengaging flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold panel edge 40 b to 50 a, corner 103 is flattened and hinged panels 30 and 40 can also lay parallel to flat bottom panel 50. Play mat snaps 104 and panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d are also shown (see FIG. 6).
Hinged panels 10 and 20 may be pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengage the one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. In some embodiments, hinged panels 10 and 20 can lay parallel with flat bottom panel 50. By disengaging flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold panel edge 40 b to 50 a, corner 103 is flattened, and hinged panels 30 and 40 can also lay parallel to flat bottom panel 50. As shown here, collapsible box 102 is then flipped along the vertical axis to show flat bottom panel snaps 105 on panel edge 50 a. Panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d are also shown (see FIG. 7; adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108 are not shown).
In some embodiments, removable lid 101 is removed from collapsible box 102 (see FIG. 8, collapsible box 102 not shown).
In some embodiments, hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 are folded onto flat bottom panel 50 to allow collapsible box 102 to be placed into removable lid 101 allowing a user to minimally stow collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 in its collapsed configuration when not used for item storage (see FIG. 9; hinged panels 10, 20, 30, 40 and flat bottom panel 50 are not shown).
Other exemplary embodiments of the collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 are schematically depicted in FIGS. 10-15. In the embodiments shown here, collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 comprises four hinged panels—hinged panel 10, hinged panel 20, hinged panel 30, hinged panel 40—and flat bottom panel 50. Also depicted here is an additional panel serving as a hinged lid 60, corner 103, play mat snaps 104, flat bottom panel snaps 105, play mat 106, one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108, and brim of the box lid 109.
In reference to FIGS. 10-15, hinged panels 10 and 20 are, in most embodiments, permanently attached to flat bottom panel 50, hinged panel 40 and hinged lid 60 are permanently attached to hinged panel 30 wherein hinged panels 10, 20, 30, 40 and hinged lid 60 can either lay parallel with flat bottom panel 50 or fold to be perpendicular to flat bottom panel 50.
Hinged panel 10 comprises panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, and 10 d. In some embodiments, panel edge 10 a attaches to panel edge 40 c with one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Panel edge 10 b is permanently attached to panel edge 50 d of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 10 c attaches to panel edge 20 a with one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. In some embodiments, panel edge 10 d comes into contact with panel edge 60 d of additional panel serving as a hinged lid 60 and the brim of the lid 109 folds over.
As shown here, hinged panel 10 further comprises play mat snaps 104 at each of the two corners of panel edge 10 d on the topside of hinged panel 10. Hinged panel 20 comprises panel edges 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, and 20 d. Panel edge 20 a attaches to panel edge 10 c with one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Other types of attachments mechanisms, such as cloth or plastic hooks on one panel looped around buttons on another panel can also be used. Panel edge 20 b is permanently attached to panel edge 50 c of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 20 c is attached to panel edge 30 a with adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. In various embodiments, panel 20 d comes into contact with panel edge 60 a of hinged lid 60 and the brim of the lid 109 folds over. As shown here, hinged panel 20 further comprises play mat snaps 104 (or other connection mechanisms to connect the mat to the panel) at each of the two corners of panel edge 20 d on the topside of hinged panel 20.
Hinged panel 30 comprises panel edges 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, and 30 d. In some embodiments, panel edge 30 a attaches to panel edge 20 c with releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Panel edge 30 b attaches to panel edge 50 b of flat bottom panel 50 with flat bottom panel snaps 105. Panel edge 30 c is permanently attached to panel edge 40 a. The connection between panel edges 30 c and 40 a creates corner 103. Panel edge 30 d is permanently attached to panel edge 60 b of hinged lid 60.
Hinged panel 40 comprises panel edges 40 a, 40 b, 40 c and 40 d. Panel edge 40 a is permanently attached to panel edge 30 c. In some embodiments, this connection between panel edges 40 a and 30 c creates corner 103. Panel edge 40 b is attached to panel edge 50 a of flat bottom panel 50 with flat bottom panel snaps 105. Panel edge 40 c is attached to panel edge 10 a with one or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Panel edge 40 d comes into contact with panel edge 60 c of hinged lid 60 and the brim of the lid 109 folds over.
In an exemplary embodiment, flat bottom panel 50 comprises panel edges 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d. Panel edge 50 a connects to panel edge 40 b with flat bottom panel snaps 105 on the underside of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 50 b connects to panel edge 30 b with flat bottom panel snaps 105 on the underside of flat bottom panel 50. Panel edge 50 c is permanently attached to panel edge 20 b. Panel edge 50 d is permanently attached to panel edge 10 b. As shown here, flat bottom panel 50 further comprises play mat snaps 104 at the four corners on the topside of the flat bottom panel 50 wherein play mat 106 can either be fastened to or unfastened from.
Hinged lid 60 comprises panel edges 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, and 60 d. In some embodiments, panel edge 60 a comes into contact with panel edge 20 d and the brim of the lid 109 folds over. Panel edge 60 b is permanently attached to panel edge 30 d. Panel edge 60 c comes into contact with panel edge 40 d and the brim of the lid 109 folds over. Panel edge 60 d comes into contact with panel edge 10 d and the brim of the lid 109 folds over. The brim of the lid 109 is attached to panel edges 60 a, 60 c, and 60 d. As shown here, corner 103 of collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 is configured by folding up hinged panel 40 and then fastening bottom panel snaps 105 attached to panel edge 40 b to bottom panel snaps 105 on panel edge 50 a of flat bottom panel 50 as well as folding up hinged panel 30 and then fastening bottom panel snaps 105 attached to panel edge 30 b to bottom panel snaps 105 on panel edge 50 b of flat bottom panel 50. Once corner 103 is formed, upright configuration of collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 is completed by pulling play mat 106 in towards corner 103, wherein magnets 108 automatically aid in aligning hinged panels 10 and 20.
In an exemplary embodiment, collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 can then be stored by placing hinged lid 60 on top of hinged panels 10, 20, 30 and 40 completing collapsible toy storage apparatus 100. When not in use hinged panel 10, hinged panel 20 and flat bottom panel 50 can be separated from hinged panel 30, hinged panel 40, and hinged lid 60 by pulling down hinged panels 10 and 20, which removes the connection between the releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108 that hold them in place with hinged panels 30 and 40, unsnapping the flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold up hinged panels 30 and 40 and successively folding hinged panels 10, and 20 onto flat bottom panel 50 as well as folding hinged panels 30, and 40 onto hinged lid 60. Folded hinged panel 10, hinged panel 20, and flat bottom panel 50 can be placed inside the brim of the lid 109 with hinged panel 30, hinged panel 40 and hinged lid 60 for storage.
In an exemplary embodiment, hinged lid 60 of collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 is closed when a user pulls the brim of lid 109 onto panel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d. Hinged panel 10 and hinged panel 40 are visible, as well as panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 40 a, 40 b, and 40 c. The edge of corner 103 is also visible (see FIG. 10; panel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d are not shown).
Hinged lid 60 of collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 is opened when a user pulls the brim of lid 109 away from panel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d. As shown here, hinged panel 40 is opened by unsnapping flat bottom panel snaps 105 that connect panel edges 40 b and 50 a. Both of these actions allow a user to see the contents of collapsible toy storage apparatus 100. Play mat snaps 104 are exposed on hinged panel 20 and flat bottom panel 50. Hinged panels 10, 20, 30, and 40 as well as panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, and 40 d are also shown (see FIG. 11).
Hinged lid 60 is opened by pulling the brim of the lid 109 away from panel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d. In this embodiment, hinged panels 10 and 20 are pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengage adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. Accordingly, panels 10 and 20 can lay parallel with flat bottom panel 50 while panels 30 and 40 are still upright creating corner 103. Furthermore, play mat 106 can be attached to play mat snaps 104 so a user can play on top of it. Panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d are also shown (see FIG. 12).
In an exemplary embodiment, play mat 106 is attached to play mat snaps 104 on panels 10 and 20 as well as flat bottom panel 50. Items on top of play mat 106 can be funneled towards corner 103 by pulling play mat 106 in towards corner 103. One or more releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108, and brim of the lid 109 as well as hinged panels 30 and 40, hinged lid 60 with panel edges 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 60 a, 60 b, 60 c, and 60 d are also visible (see FIG. 13; play mat snaps 104 and flat bottom panel 50 are not shown).
In some embodiments, hinged lid 60 is opened by pulling the brim of lid 109 away from panel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d. Hinged panels 10 and 20 are pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengage the releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. As shown here, hinged panels 10 and 20 can lay parallel with flat bottom panel 50. By disengaging flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold panel edge 40 b to 50 a, corner 103 is flattened. Then, by disengaging flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold panel edge 30 b to 50 b, hinged panels 30 and 40 as well as hinged lid 60 can be separated from hinged panels 10 and 20 as well as flat bottom panel 50. Play mat snaps 104 and panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d are also shown (see FIG. 14).
In some embodiments, hinged lid 60 is opened by pulling the brim of the lid 109 away from panel edges 10 d, 20 d, and 40 d. Hinged panels 10 and 20 are pulled away from hinged panels 30 and 40 to disengage the releasable attachment mechanisms, such as adhesive strips 107 and magnets 108. In this embodiment, hinged panels 10 and 20 lay parallel with flat bottom panel 50. By disengaging flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold panel edge 40 b to 50 a, corner 103 is flattened. Then, by disengaging flat bottom panel snaps 105 that hold panel edge 30 b to 50 b, hinged panels 30 and 40 as well as hinged lid 60 can be separated from hinged panels 10 and 20 as well as flat bottom panel 50. Accordingly, collapsible toy storage apparatus 101 is then flipped along the vertical axis to show the flat bottom panel snaps 105 on panel edge 50 a and 50 b. Panel edges 10 a, 10 b, 10 c, 10 d, 20 a, 20 b, 20 c, 20 d, 30 a, 30 b, 30 c, 30 d, 40 a, 40 b, 40 c, 40 d, 50 a, 50 b, 50 c, and 50 d are also shown (see FIG. 15).
In an exemplary embodiment, collapsible toy storage apparatus 100 is completed by folding hinged panels 10, 20, 30 and 40, and flat bottom panel 50 into the hinged lid 60 (see FIG. 16).
Thus, specific embodiments of a collapsible toy storage apparatus and methods to employ such apparatus have been disclosed. It should be apparent, however, to those skilled in the art that many more modifications besides those already described are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The inventive subject matter, therefore, is not to be restricted except in the spirit of the appended claims. Moreover, in interpreting both the specification and the claims, all terms should be interpreted in the broadest possible manner consistent with the context. In particular, the terms “comprises” and “comprising” should be interpreted as referring to elements, components, or steps in a non-exclusive manner, indicating that the referenced elements, components, or steps may be present, or utilized, or combined with other elements, components, or steps that are not expressly referenced.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A storage box having:

five or more panels forming at least four side walls and a bottom wall for the box, where one or more of the side walls are releasable walls, each held in place by one or more releasable attachment mechanisms that allow the releasable wall to release from the other walls when the one or more attachment mechanisms are released; and

a flexible mat anchored to at least one of the walls and configured to:

extend outward from the box and onto a surface on which the box sits when one or more of the releasable walls are released; and

return into the box when the one or more releasable walls are reattached.

2. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the flexible mat is configured to:

receive items that spill out of the storage box when the one or more releasable walls are released; and

force the items back into the storage box as the flexible mat returns into the box.

3. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the flexible mat is anchored to at least one of the releasable walls.

4. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the flexible mat is anchored to at least two of the releasable walls.

5. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the flexible mat is anchored to the bottom wall.

6. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the panels and the flexible mat are attached in a manner that, when the box is empty, allows them to fold onto each other and lie flat in a stack.

7. The storage box of claim 1, wherein the box further comprises an additional panel to serve as a box lid.

8. The storage box of claim 7, wherein the additional panel is attached to at least one of the side walls.