Vertical support and single-wrap collapsible container

Abstract

A container comprising a collapsible continuous rigid structure defining a plurality of outer surfaces and a plurality of inner surfaces that can be used for storing and/or transporting materials. A liner uniformly affixed to at least one inner surface, such that the liner defines a sealable cavity within which material can be contained. At least one stay member is affixed to at least one outer surface such that at least a portion of the at least one stay member is positioned approximate a corner formed by two adjacent outer surfaces so as to provide support to the rigid structure. A continuous or single cover is affixed to at least one outer surface and to the at least one stay member. Further, at least one inelastic member is connecting the plurality of inner and/or outer surfaces so as to provide support for the continuous rigid structure.

1 . A container comprising:
 a collapsible continuous rigid structure defining a plurality of outer surfaces and a plurality of inner surfaces;   a liner uniformly affixed to at least one of the plurality of inner surfaces, wherein the liner defines a sealable cavity within which material can be contained;   at least one stay member affixed to at least one outer surface of the plurality of outer surfaces such that at least a portion of the at least one stay member is positioned approximate a corner formed by two adjacent outer surfaces so as to provide support to the rigid structure;   a continuous or single cover affixed to at least one of the plurality of outer surfaces and to the at least one stay member.   
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein at least one inelastic member connects at least two inner surfaces of the plurality of inner surfaces and at least two outer surfaces of the plurality of outer surfaces so as to provide support for the continuous rigid structure. 
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stay member is affixed to each of the plurality of outer surfaces such that each stay member is substantially positioned along each corner formed by two adjacent outer surfaces. 
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stay member is affixed to the at least one outer surface of the plurality of outer surfaces by one of bonding, laminating, glue and stapling. 
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein, the at least one stay member is laminated in a composite material prior to being affixed to the at least one outer surface of the plurality of outer surfaces. 
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stay member is made of at least one material or a combination of materials from a group consisting of wood and composite. 
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one stay member is one of a unitary element and more than one element. 
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one inelastic member connecting at least two inner surfaces of the plurality of inner surfaces and at least two outer surfaces of the plurality of outer surfaces so as to provide support for the continuous rigid structure. 
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous rigid structure includes a first scoring line and a second scoring line rendering the continuous rigid structure collapsible. 
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the first scoring line and the second scoring line are on opposing surfaces of the continuous rigid structure. 
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is uniformly affixed to each of the plurality of inner surfaces. 
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is an impervious liner adapted to withstand temperatures of material in excess of 300° F. 
   
   
       13 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the impervious liner comprises of at least one material or a combination of materials selected from a group consisting of polypropylene, nylon, polypropylene blend, thermoplastic polymer, polyethylene, woven polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene. 
   
   
       14 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the liner is waterproof and/or ultraviolet protected. 
   
   
       15 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous or single cover is affixed to all the plurality of outer surfaces. 
   
   
       16 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous or single cover is affixed to at least one of the plurality of outer surfaces and at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of inner surfaces. 
   
   
       17 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous or single cover is affixed to each of the plurality of outer surfaces and at least a portion of each of the plurality of inner surfaces. 
   
   
       18 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the continuous or single cover is laminated to one of each of the plurality of outer surfaces and at least one of the plurality of outer surfaces. 
   
   
       19 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the continuous rigid structure is a unitary device adapted for being alternately collapsed for storage and erected to a self-supporting configuration for receipt and containment of the material. 
   
   
       20 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the material is one of non-hazardous and hazardous material. 
   
   
       21 . The container of  claim 20 , wherein the material comprises a catalytic material. 
   
   
       22 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the collapsible continuous rigid structure is selected from at least one material or a combination of materials from a group consisting of corrugated board, fiber board and composite material. 
   
   
       23 . A container comprising:
 a collapsible continuous rigid structure defining a plurality of outer surfaces and a plurality of inner surfaces;   a liner uniformly affixed to at least one inner surface of the plurality of inner surfaces, wherein the liner defines a sealable cavity within which material can be contained;   a continuous or single cover affixed to at least one of the plurality of outer surfaces;   at least one inelastic member connecting at least two inner surfaces of the plurality of inner surfaces and/or at least two outer surfaces of the plurality of outer surfaces so as to provide support for the continuous rigid structure;   wherein the at least one inelastic member is in contact with at least one supporting material affixed to a portion of the at least two inner surfaces and/or the at least two outer surfaces.   
   
   
       24 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one inelastic member connects the at least two inner surfaces and the at least two outer surfaces through at least one first pair of passages positioned within each inner surface of the plurality of inner surfaces and/or each outer surface of the plurality of outer surfaces, thus providing support for the continuous rigid structure. 
   
   
       25 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one inelastic member connects the plurality of inner surfaces and the plurality outer surfaces through at least one first pair of passages positioned within each inner surface of the plurality of inner surfaces and/or each outer surface of the plurality of outer surfaces, thus providing support for the continuous rigid structure. 
   
   
       26 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein each of the inner surfaces of the plurality of inner surfaces and/or each of the outer surfaces of the plurality of outer surfaces further define at least one second pair of passages. 
   
   
       27 . The container of  claim 25 , further comprising a second inelastic member connecting the plurality of inner surfaces and the plurality of outer surfaces, such that the second inelastic member passes through each of the second pair of passages within each of the inner surfaces and/or the outer surfaces. 
   
   
       28 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one inelastic member and/or the at least one supporting material is selected from at least one material or a combination of materials from a group consisting of polypropylene, polyester, nylon, polypropylene blend, thermoplastic polymer, polyethylene, woven polypropylene, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene. 
   
   
       29 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein the at least one inelastic member is comprised of a single length of material that is fastened to itself to form a continuous member. 
   
   
       30 . The container of  claim 22 , wherein at least one stay member is affixed to at least one outer surface of the plurality of outer surfaces such that at least a portion of the at least one stay member is positioned approximate a corner formed by two adjacent outer surfaces so as to provide support to the rigid structure. 
   
   
       31 . The container of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one stay member is affixed to each of the plurality of outer surfaces such that each stay member is substantially positioned along each corner formed by two adjacent outer surfaces. 
   
   
       32 . The container of  claim 30 , wherein the at least one stay member is laminated in a composite material prior to being affixed to the at least one outer surface of the plurality of outer surfaces. 
   
   
       33 . A container comprising:
 a first collapsible continuous rigid structure defining a plurality of first outer surfaces and a plurality of first inner surfaces;   a first liner uniformly affixed to at least one first inner surface of the plurality of first inner surfaces, wherein the first liner defines a sealable cavity within which material can be contained;   at least one inelastic member connecting at least two first inner surfaces of the plurality of first inner surfaces and/or at least two first outer surfaces of the plurality of first outer surfaces so as to provide support for the first continuous rigid structure;   a second liner uniformly affixed to at least one first outer surface of the plurality of first outer surfaces, wherein the second liner sealable encloses the first liner;   a second collapsible continuous rigid structure defining a plurality of second outer surfaces and a plurality of second inner surfaces;   a second continuous or second single cover affixed to at least one second outer surface of the plurality of second outer surfaces.   
   
   
       34 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein the at least one inelastic member is in contact with at least one supporting material affixed to a portion of the at least two inner surfaces and/or the at least two outer surfaces. 
   
   
       35 . The container of  claim 33 , wherein the first and second continuous rigid structure includes a first scoring line and a second scoring line rendering the first and the second continuous rigid structure collapsible.