Collapsible container

Abstract

A collapsible container has first and second opposing rims, each having a tension loop frame contained in a pocket to define the shape of the rim. Sidewalls extend between the rims. Panels are attached to the rims, with an access opening being formed in one of the panels. A plurality of supports extend between the rims and are attached to the side wall to allow the container to move between a first, open position with the supports perpendicular to the rims and a second, collapsed position with the supports parallel to the rims, by rotating the first and second rims relative to each other.

I claim:  
     
         1 . A collapsible container, comprising: 
 a first rim having a continuous first loop contained in a first pocket enclosing a substantial portion of the first loop;    a second rim having a continuous second loop contained in a second pocket enclosing a substantial portion of the second loop, the first rim being spaced apart a predetermined distance from the second rim;    a flexible side wall extending the distance between the first and second rims and attached to one of the first and second rims;    a plurality of supports extending a substantial portion of the predetermined distance between the first and second pockets, the supports being attached to the side walls; and    a bottom attached to the second pocket and cooperating with the side walls to define a contained space.    
     
     
         2 . The collapsible container of  claim 1 , wherein at least a plurality of the pockets are each attached to the side wall by a support pocket that encloses the support sufficiently to make the side wall move with the enclosed support.  
     
     
         3 . The collapsible container of  claim 2 , wherein the first and second loops are flexible tension loop frames.  
     
     
         4 . The collapsible container of  claim 3 , further comprising a handle attached to the container.  
     
     
         5 . The collapsible container of  claim 3 , further comprising a top fastened to the first pocket and having an opening therein.  
     
     
         6 . The collapsible container of  claim 5 , further comprising a cover releasably fastened to the opening.  
     
     
         7 . The collapsible container of  claim 3 , further comprising a flexible cover releasably fastened to the first pocket to provide a closable opening to access the enclosed space.  
     
     
         8 . The collapsible container of  claim 3 , further comprising; 
 a cover attached to the first pocket; and    an opening in the side wall providing access to the enclosed space.    
     
     
         9 . The collapsible container of  claim 8 , further comprising a cover over the opening and means for releasably fastening the cover over the opening.  
     
     
         10 . The collapsible container of  claim 8 , further comprising a handle attached to the container.  
     
     
         11 . The collapsible container of  claim 3 , wherein the side walls and bottom are made of fabric.  
     
     
         12 . The collapsible container of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second loops are circular.  
     
     
         13 . The collapsible container of  claim 12 , wherein the first loop has a diameter larger than the second loop.  
     
     
         14 . The collapsible container of  claim 12 , wherein the first loop has a diameter smaller than the second loop.  
     
     
         15 . The collapsible container of  claim 3 , wherein the supports have distal ends each of which is rotatably fastened to whichever of the first and second loops are closest.  
     
     
         16 . The collapsible container of  claim 3 , wherein the first and second loops are constrained by the pockets to have a quadrilateral shape.  
     
     
         17 . The collapsible container of  claim 16 , wherein there are four supports, one at each corner of the quadrilateral.  
     
     
         18 . A collapsible container, comprising: 
 a first rim having a first flexible, tension loop frame contained in a first pocket;    a second rim having a second flexible, tension loop frame contained in a second pocket;    a sidewall extending between the first and second rims and attached to the first and second rims;    a bottom attached to the second rim and cooperating with the sides to define an enclosed space;    a plurality of supports extending between the first and second rims and attached to the side wall so as to allow the container to change between a first, open position with the supports generally perpendicular to the rims and a second, collapsed position with the supports generally parallel to the rims, by rotating the first and second rims relative to each other.    
     
     
         19 . The collapsible container of  claim 18 , further comprising a handle attached to the container.  
     
     
         20 . The collapsible container of  claim 19 , further comprising a top attached to the first rim and defining an opening to the enclosed space.  
     
     
         21 . The collapsible container of  claim 18 , further comprising a cover attached to and closing the first rim, and an opening formed in the side wall to allow access to the enclosed space.  
     
     
         22 . The collapsible container of  claim 18 , wherein the supports are attached to the side wall by a pocket enclosing each support sufficiently tight to make the side wall move with the support.  
     
     
         23 . The collapsible container of  claim 22 , wherein the supports have distal ends terminating immediately adjacent the rims.  
     
     
         24 . The collapsible container of  claim 18 , further comprising means for attaching the supports to the side wall.  
     
     
         25 . The collapsible container of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second tension loops are circular.  
     
     
         26 . The collapsible container of  claim 18 , wherein at least one of the first and second tension loops is constrained to a non-circular shape by the pocket containing the non-circular loop.  
     
     
         27 . A collapsible container, comprising: 
 first and second opposing rims, each having a flexible, tension loop frame contained in a pocket to define the shape of the rim;    a side wall extending between and attached to the rims;    covers attached to at least one of the rims to define an enclosed space, with an access opening being formed in at least one of the panels or the side wall;    a plurality of supports extending between the rims and attached to the side wall by confining pockets that allow the container to move between a first, open position with the supports generally perpendicular to the rims and a second, collapsed position with the supports generally parallel to the rims, by rotating the first and second rims relative to each other.    
     
     
         28 . The collapsible container of  claim 27 , wherein the loops are circular and there are at least three supports.  
     
     
         29 . The collapsible container of  claim 27 , wherein the loops are quadrilateral and form four corners and wherein there are four of the supports extending between the corners of the rims.  
     
     
         30 . The collapsible container of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second rims each have a cover cooperating with the side wall to define an enclosed space, and further comprising an opening in the side wall allowing access to that enclosed space.  
     
     
         31 . The collapsible container of  claim 27 , further comprising a handle attached to the collapsible container.  
     
     
         32 . The collapsible container of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second frames have a maximum dimension and each of the supports have a length that is less than that maximum dimension  
     
     
         33 . The collapsible container of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second frames have a maximum dimension and each of the supports have a length that is less than that maximum dimension.  
     
     
         34 . The collapsible container of  claim 27 , wherein the first and second frames have a maximum dimension and each of the supports have a length that is less than that maximum dimension.