US3120297A

US3120297A - Foldable traveling container

Info

Publication number: US3120297A
Application number: US300293A
Authority: US
Inventors: Riley Antoinette
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1963-08-06
Filing date: 1963-08-06
Publication date: 1964-02-04
Anticipated expiration: 1981-02-04

Description

Feb. 4, 1964 A. RILEY 3,120,297

FOLDABLE TRAVELING CONTAINER Filed Aug. 6, 1965 FIG. 1.

I NVENTOR.

ANTO/A/ETTE R/LEY A B a e ATTORNEYS f/Aze/s, K/Ecfi, P055111. 6i: KER/V United States Patent 3,123,27 FGLDABLE TRAVELING CGNTAEJER Antoinette Riley, R9. Box 124, Blythe, Calif. Filed Aug. 6, i963, Ser. No. 30%,293 Claims. (Q1. 199-43) The present invention relates in general to what might be termed a piece of luggage and, more particularly to a compartmented container which may be folded into a compact bundle or package while traveling, but which may be hung, in unfolded condition, from a suitable support to provide ready access to all of the compartments thereof.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a traveling container, capable of being folded while traveling and of being hung in unfolded condition for ready access, which includes a series of envelope-like, compartmented container sections detachably interconnected in edge-to-edge relation so that the number and/ or types of container sections in the series may be varied in accordance with the number and/or types of articles to be packed. Thus, for a short trip, the foldable traveling container of the invention may include only two or three container sections, while, for longer trips, three, four, or more, may be used. Also, different types of the container sections of the invention may be used for different types of trips.

Still more specifically, an important obiect of the invention is to provide a foldable traveling container which includes: a series of container sections each having at least one compartment therein; means for pivotally and detachably interconnecting the contm'ner sections of the series in edge-to-edge relation so that the traveling container may be folded with the container sections in stacked relation, and so that the container sections may be interconnected and disconnected as required to vary the number thereof in the series; and means connected to an end container section of the series for hanging the traveling container vertically in unfolded condition to render accessible the compartments in all of the container sections in the series.

Another object of the invention is to provide envelopelike, compartmented container sections which are flexible, being made of a suitable fabric, plastic, or the like, and which have their opposite edges reinforced by rigid reinforcing elements, the means for pivotally and detachably interconnecting the container sections being connected to such rigid re nforcing elements, and the means for hanging the traveling container in unfolded condition also being connected to one of the reinforcing elements in an end container section of the series.

Another object is to cover the pivotal means interconnecting the container sections so as to conceal same and so as to prevent possible damage thereby to articles packed in the container sections.

The foregoing objects, advantages, features and results of the present invent-ion, together with various other objects, advantages, features and results thereof which will be evident to those skilled in the luggage art, may be achieved with the exemplary embodiment of the invention described in detail hereinafter and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

PEG. 1 is a front elevational view of a foldable traveling container of the invention hung vertically in unfolded condition;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view, on a reduced scale, showing the traveling container of the invention in folded condition;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged, fragmentary elevational view showing a means for pivotally and detachably interconnecting two container sections of the invention; and

F amaze? Patented Feb. 4, 1984- FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the arrowed line 44 of FIG. 3 of the drawing.

The foldable traveling container of the invention is designated generally by the numeral 10 in the drawing and is shown, for purposes of illustration, as including four flexible, envelope-like, compartmented container sections 12, l4, l6 and 18 which are pivotally interconnected in edge-to-edge relation so that the traveling container may be hung vertically in unfolded condition to render the compartments in all of the container sections readily accessible, as shown in FIG. 1, or may be folded with the container sections in stacked, side-by-side relation to form a compact bundle or package for traveling, as shown in FIG. 2. The

container sections

12, 14, 16 and 13 are also detachably interconnected so that they may be used in various numbers and combinations as required by the natures of the articles to be packed therein.

The

container sections

12, 14, 16 and 18 may have various constructions. For example, they may include backings of fabric, plastic, or the like, faced on their front sides with pocket-like compartments, such as the compartments Ell, 22, 24, 26, 23 and 30 of the container section 12. Preferably, the front walls of the pocket-like compartments are transparent so that the articles packed therein are readily visible. Such transparent pocket-like compartments may readily be formed by sewing, or otherwise securing, transparent plastic sheets of appropriate sizes and shapes to the backings of the respective container sections 12, 14-, 16 and 18.

It will be noted that the

container sections

12, 14, 16 and 18 are of different types in the sense that they have different numbers and/ or arrangements of pocket-like compartments on the front sides thereof, container sections with other numbers and/ or arrangements of pocketlike compartments also being possible.

As will be discussed in more detail hereinafter, the container sections 12., 14, 16 and 18, or other similar container sections which are not shown, may be combined in various numbers and combinations to provide a foldable traveling container it suitable for any trip length, long or short, or any type of trip. For example, if it is desired to pack many different small articles, the foldable traveling container it) of the invention may be made up of two, three, or more, container sections like the section 18, for example. Alternatively, if only a few types of relatively large articles are to be packed, container sections like the section 16 may be used. In most instances, however, a mixture of container-section types is preferable, thereby permitting packing of a mixture of small and large articles.

Turning now to a more detailed consideration of the structure of the foldable traveling container 10, only the manner of hanging the series of

container sections

12, 14, i6 and 13 (or a smaller or larger number of container sections), and the detachable pivotal interconnection between two of the container sections, e.g., the container sections 12. and 14, will be discussed, it being understood that identical detachable pivotal interconnections between container sections may be used throughout the entire series.

Considering the foldable traveling container 1% hanging vertically in its unfolded condition, as shown in FIG. 1, the upper and lower edges of the container section 12 are reinforced by rigid reinforcing

elements

32 and 34, respectively, and the upper and lower edges of the con tainer section 14 are similarly reinforced by rigid reinforcing elements 36 and 33, respectively. These reinforcing elements may be secured to their respetcive container sections in various ways. Conveniently, each reinforcing element is merely inserted through loops in the corresponding container-section edge, the loops corresponding to the upper reinforcing element 32 of the container section 12 being designated by the reference numerals 4%, 42, 44 and 46. These loops may be extensions of the flexible backing of the container section 12 having their free ends stitched, or otherwise secured, to the backing, preferably on the front side thereof.

To permit hanging the foldable' traveling container vertically in its unfolded condition, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing, an endcontainer section of the series, in this case the container section 12, is provided with suspension means 5% engageable with a hook, not shown, or any other suitable support. In the particular construction illustrated, the suspension means Si) is shown as being a bridle-type device secured to the upper reinforcing element 32 of the container section 12 at three points, and provided with a ring 52 for engagement with 'a hook, for example. However, other suspension means may be used.

Considering the manner in which the

container sections

12 and 14 are pivotally and detachably interconnected, the lower reinforcing element as of the container section 12 and the upper reinforcing element 36 of the container section 14 are interconnected in this. manner at three points, one such interconnection being shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawing. Referring thereto, the container section 12 is shown as provided with spaced loops 6% and 62 through which the reinforcing element 34 extends, and the container section i4 is shown as similarly provided with loops 64 and 65 through which the reinforcing element 36 extends. At a point between the loops 69 and s2 and between the loops 64- and 66, the reinforcing

elements

34 and 36 are interconnected by a wire clip 68 shown as having a closed loop 79 receiving the reinforcing element 34 and an open, U-shaped loop 72 removably receiving the reinforcing element 36. it will be noted that while the wire clip 68 more or less rigidly interconnects the reinforcing

elements

34 and 36, the container sections 12 and 14- can still pivot relative to each other between stacked and unstacked positions as the result of flexing of.

the loops so, 62, .64 and 66. Whenever it is desired to detach the container section 14 from the container section 12, this is accomplished readily by withdrawing the upper reinforcing element 36 of the container section 14 from the open loop 72 of the wire clip 63.

It will be understood that the foregoing construction may be utilized at all of the points of interconnection between the

various container sections

12, 14, 16 and 18, or other, similar container sections. Thus, the desired detachable pivotal interconnections between the container sections are provided, such interconnections permitting folding and unfolding of the traveling container 19, and permitting ready assembly or disassembly of the container sections in varying the number and/or arrangement of container sections.

Preferably, the various wire clips 63 are covered both for concealment purposes, and to prevent the clips from damaging articles packed in the traveling container it), or injury to the user. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the flexible backing of the container section 12 is provided with an extension 74 adapted to be looped around the exposed portions of the reinforcing

elements

34 and 36, and the wire clip 6?, and to be secured in such looped condition by a snap fastener comprising male and

female parts

76 and 78.

In addition to the foregoing container sections 12, 14-, 16 and 13, the traveling container may include a detachable supplementary container section t having several small compartments with transparent front walls for such items as jewelry, for example. The container section 9% may be detachably mounted on any of the other container sections, e.g., the section 12, in any suitable manner, as by hooks and eyes 92, or the like.

It is thought that the use of the foldable traveling container it) will be obvious from the drawing and the forc going description, so that only a brief summary is neces- 4 sary. In order to pack articles in the traveling container it), it is preferably suspended from a hook, or other suitable support, in its unfolded condition, as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawing. Under such conditions, the various compartments of the various containers are all readily accessible for packing.

When packing of the traveling container It has been completed, the traveling container 10 may be folded along the interconnections between the container sections until the container sections are all stacked in side-by-side relation, as shown in FIG. 2 of the drawing. Preferably, the compartmented sides of the container sections are turned inwardly, only the flexible backings of the two outermost container sections being exposed. The suspension means 55% is also folded within the resulting package or bundle. The folded traveling container 1 may be prevented from unfolding by encircling it with a couple of straps 89, as shown in PEG. 2. Alternatively, other means for securing the folded traveling container 19 in its folded condition may be utilized. The folded traveling container it may be carried in its folded condition as a separate piece of luggage, or it may be placed in a suitcase, or the like.

When the traveler reaches his destination, the folded traveling container 1% is unfolded and hung vertically in its unfolded condition. from a suitable support engaged by the suspension means 5%. Under these conditions, all of the compartments of the various container sections are exposed for ready access to the articles packed therein.

Although an exemplary embodiment of the invention has been disclosed herein for purposes of illustration, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and substitutions may be incorporated in such embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention as. defined by the annexed claims.

I claim:

1. In a foldable traveling container, the combination of:

(a) a series of container'sections each having at least one compartment therein; (17) means for pivotally and detachably interconnecting said container sections of said series in edge-toedge relation so that said traveling container may be folded with said container sections in stacked relation, and so that said container sections may be interconnected and disconnected as required to vary the number thereof in said series; and

(0) means connected to an end container section of said series for hanging said traveling container verrtically in unfolded condition to render accessible said compartments in all of said container sections in said series.

2. In a foldable traveling container, the combination of:

(a) a series of flexible container sections each having at least one compartment therein;

(12) means for pivotally and detachably interconnecting said container sections of said series in edge-toedge relation so that said traveling container may i 06 folded with said container sections in stacked relation, and so that said container sections maybe interconnected and disconnected as required to vary the number thereof in said series; and

(0) means connected to an end container section of said series for hanging said traveling container vertically in unfolded condition to render accessible said compartments in all of said container sections in said series. 7

3. In a foldable traveling container, the combination of:

(11) rigid reinforcing elements extending along opposite edges, respectively, of each of said container sections;

(c) means engaging said reinforcing elements for pivotally and detachably interconnecting said container sections of said series in edge-to-edge relation so that said traveling container may be folded with said container sections in stacked relation, and so that said container sections may be interconnected and disconnected as required to vary the number thereof in said series; and

(d) means connected to said reinforcing element of an end container section of said series for hanging said traveling container vertically in unfolded condition to render accessible said compartments in all of said container sections in said series.

4. In a foldable traveling container, the combination or":

(12) rigid reinforcing elements extending along opposite edges, respectively, of each of said container sections;

(0) means engaging said reinforcing elements for pivotally and detachably interconnecting said container sections of said series in edge-to-edge relation so that said traveling container may be folded with said container sections in stacked relation, and so that said container sections may be interconnected and disconnected as required to vary the number thereof in said series;

(d) means connected to a said reinforcing element of an end container section or" said series for hanging said traveling container vertically in unfolded condition to render accessible said compartments in all of said container sections in said series; and

(e) means for covering the pivotal interconnecting reams of subparagraph (c) hereof.

5. In a foldable traveling container, the combination of:

(a) a series of main container sections each having at least one compartment therein;

'(b) a supplementary container section detachably mounted on one of said main container sections on the front side thereof;

(c) means for pivotally interconnecting said main container sections of said series in edge-to-edge relation so that said traveling container may be folded with said main and supplementary container sections in stacked relation; and

(a') means connected to an end main container section of said series for hanging said traveling container vertically in unfolded condition to render accessible said compartments in all of said main and supplementary container sections.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,513,514 London Oct. 28, 1924

Claims

1. IN A FOLDABLE TRAVELING CONTAINER, THE COMBINATION OF: (A) A SERIES OF CONTAINER SECTIONS EACH HAVING AT LEAST ONE COMPARTMENT THEREIN; (B) MEANS FOR PIVOTALLY AND DETACHABLY INTERCONNECTING SAID CONTAINER SECTIONS OF SAID SERIES IN EDGE-TOEDGE RELATION SO THAT SAID TRAVELING CONTAINER MAY BE FOLDED WITH SAID CONTAINER SECTIONS IN STACKED RELATION, AND SO THAT SAID CONTAINER SECTIONS MAY BE INTERCONNECTED AND DISCONNECTED AS REQUIRED TO VARY THE NUMBER THEREOF IN SAID SERIES; AND (C) MEANS CONNECTED TO AN END CONTAINER SECTION OF SAID SERIES FOR HANGING SAID TRAVELING CONTAINER VER-