Container for recyclable and other materials

Abstract

There is provided a container including: framing elements connected to the bottom of the container, projecting upwards from the bottom towards the top and being symmetric about a transverse plane that transects the bottom and top defining a front and back section of the container; fabric material connected to the framing elements; a closure mechanism for selectively closing the open top comprising: a primary flap for covering the top hingedly connected at the top to the back section and operable between a closed and open position, the primary flap covering the top and being under elastic tension when in a closed position and exposing the top and being free of the elastic tension when in an open position; and a first handle operatively connected to the primary flap for snappingly engaging an open position thereof; and a second handle disposed in the front section for handling and transporting the container.

1 . A container having an open top, a closed bottom and an outside surface, said container comprising:
 framing elements connected to said bottom and projecting upwards from said bottom towards said top, said framing elements being symmetric about a transverse plane transecting said bottom and top, said transverse plane defining a front section and a back section of said container;   fabric material connected to said framing elements thereby defining a volume bounded within said framing elements and by said bottom;   a closure mechanism for selectively closing said open top, said closure mechanism comprising:
 a primary flap for covering said open top hingedly connected at said open top to said back section, said primary flap operable between a closed position and an open position, said primary flap covering said open top and being under elastic tension when in a closed position, said primary flap exposing said open top and being free of the elastic tension when in an open position; and 
 a first handle operatively connected to said primary flap for snappingly engaging an open position of the primary flap; and 
   a second handle disposed in the front section of the container for handling and transporting the container.   
   
   
       2 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said bottom is hingedly connected to said framing elements. 
   
   
       3 . The container according to  claim 2 , further comprising a live hinge for hingedly connecting said bottom to said framing elements. 
   
   
       4 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein said bottom is releasably secured to said framing elements for selectively engaging an operative position of the container. 
   
   
       5 . The container according to  claim 2 , wherein said bottom is foldable along an axis within said transverse plane for engaging a collapsed position of the container. 
   
   
       6 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said bottom is solid. 
   
   
       7 . The container according to  claim 6 , wherein said bottom comprises at least one hole. 
   
   
       8 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said bottom comprises a breathable fabric material. 
   
   
       9 . The container according to  claim 8 , wherein said breathable fabric material is a mesh material. 
   
   
       10 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said bottom is rigid. 
   
   
       11 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said framing elements are contiguously connected to each other and to said fabric material. 
   
   
       12 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said framing elements are hingedly connected to each other. 
   
   
       13 . The container according to  claim 12 , further comprising live hinges for hingedly connecting said framing elements to each other. 
   
   
       14 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said framing elements further define supports extending from said bottom for supporting the container in an operative upright position and maintaining said bottom off a surface. 
   
   
       15 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric material comprises a breathable material. 
   
   
       16 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric material comprises mesh material. 
   
   
       17 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric material is flexible. 
   
   
       18 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the container is made of an extruded single-piece of plastic. 
   
   
       19 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure mechanism comprises a secondary flap hingedly connected to said front side and overlappable over said primary flap. 
   
   
       20 . The container according to  claim 18 , wherein said secondary flap is operable between a closed position and an open position, said secondary flap overlapping said primary flap and being under elastic tension when in a closed position, said secondary flap exposing said open top and being free of the elastic tension when in an open position. 
   
   
       21 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said first handle comprises a loop of material operatively connected to said primary flap and said back section. 
   
   
       22 . The container according to  claim 21 , wherein said first handle is integral with said primary flap and said back section. 
   
   
       23 . The container according to  claim 21 , wherein said first handle comprises a loop of material operatively connected to said primary flap and said back section proximate said open top of said container. 
   
   
       24 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said second handle comprises an opening in said fabric material or said framing elements. 
   
   
       25 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein said second handle comprises a loop of material connected to said fabric material or said framing elements. 
   
   
       26 . The container according to  claim 25 , wherein said second handle is integral with said fabric material or said framing elements. 
   
   
       27 . The container according to  claim 1 , comprising a third handle for handling the container, said third handle disposed proximate or on said bottom element. 
   
   
       28 . The container according to  claim 27 , wherein the third handle is a recess in said bottom element. 
   
   
       29 . The container according to  claim 27 , wherein said third handle comprises a loop of material. 
   
   
       30 . The container according to  claim 1 , wherein the closure mechanism further comprises securing means for securing the primary flap in a closed position.