Container and method for adjustable storage space

Abstract

A container and method for adjustable storage space includes a base having a bottom, a sidewall, and a base chamber. The sidewall has an adjustable wall with an over-toggle-mechanism configured to selectively deflect between an extended state and a retracted state. The base chamber has a greater storage volume with the adjustable wall in the extended state. The base chamber has a lesser storage volume with the adjustable wall in the retracted state.

I/We claim: 
     
         1 . A container, comprising:
 (a) a base, including:
 (i) a bottom, 
 (ii) a sidewall surrounding the bottom and extending upward therefrom, wherein the sidewall has an adjustable wall with an over-toggle-mechanism configured to selectively deflect between an extended state and a retracted state, wherein the adjustable wall in the extended state is biased toward the extended state, and wherein the adjustable wall in the retracted state is biased toward the retracted state, and 
 (iii) a base chamber at least partially defined by the bottom and the sidewall, 
 wherein the base chamber has a greater storage volume with the adjustable wall in the extended state, and 
 wherein the base chamber has a lesser storage volume with the adjustable wall in the retracted state. 
   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the base further includes a base peripheral frame such that the sidewall vertically extends between the base peripheral frame and the bottom. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 2 , wherein the adjustable wall surrounds the base chamber. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 3 , wherein the adjustable wall is configured to vertically deflect between the extended and retracted states. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the over-toggle-mechanism includes an over-center-toggle point state between the extended state and the retracted state, wherein the adjustable wall on a first side of the over-center-toggle point state is biased toward the extended state, and wherein the adjustable wall on a second side of the over-center-toggle point state is biased toward the retracted state. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the sidewall further includes an upper sidewall portion and a lower sidewall portion, wherein the over-toggle-mechanism includes a diaphragm extending between the upper and lower sidewall portions, wherein the diaphragm biases the upper sidewall portion away from the lower sidewall in the extended state, and wherein the diaphragm biases the upper sidewall portion toward the lower sidewall in the retracted state. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the over-toggle-mechanism further includes an upper hinge on the upper sidewall portion and a lower hinge on the lower sidewall portion, wherein the diaphragm is pivotally connected to each of the upper and lower hinges and extends therebetween. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 7 , wherein the upper hinge, the lower hinge, the upper sidewall portion, the lower sidewall portion, and the diaphragm are of single, unitary construction. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the diaphragm has an outer diaphragm surface opposite the base chamber, wherein the outer diaphragm surface is concave in the extended state, and wherein the outer diaphragm surface is convex in the retracted state. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom and the sidewall are of a single, unitary construction. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the single, unitary construction of the bottom and the sidewall is not silicone. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 11 , wherein the single, unitary construction of the bottom and the sidewall is polypropylene. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a lid and a lid securement, wherein the lid securement is configured to releasably connect the lid to the base. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the lid and the base define a storage space therebetween, wherein the storage space with the adjustable wall in the extended state has a larger volume than the storage space with the adjustable wall in the retracted state. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the base includes a base peripheral frame projecting vertically upward from the sidewall and surrounding the base chamber such that the base chamber is horizontally inward from the base peripheral frame, and further comprising an inner securement including a base securement portion positioned on the base, wherein the base securement portion is horizontally inward of the base peripheral frame and configured to releasably connect to the lid. 
     
     
         16 . A container, comprising:
 (a) a base, including:
 (i) a bottom, 
 (ii) a sidewall surrounding the bottom and extending upward therefrom, wherein the sidewall has an adjustable wall configured to selectively deflect between an extended state and a retracted state, and 
 (iii) a base chamber at least partially defined by the bottom and the sidewall, 
 wherein the base chamber has a greater storage volume with the adjustable wall in the extended state, 
 wherein the base chamber has a lesser storage volume with the adjustable wall in the retracted state, 
 wherein the bottom and the sidewall are of a single, unitary construction, and not silicone. 
   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the single, unitary construction of the bottom and the sidewall is polypropylene. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 17 , wherein the base includes a base peripheral frame projecting vertically upward from the sidewall and surrounding the base chamber such that the base chamber is horizontally inward from the base peripheral frame, and further comprising an inner securement including a base securement portion positioned on the base, wherein the base securement portion is horizontally inward of the base peripheral frame and configured to releasably connect to a lid. 
     
     
         19 . A method of adjusting a storage volume of a container, the container including (a) a base, including: (i) a bottom, (ii) a sidewall surrounding the bottom and extending upward therefrom, wherein the sidewall has an adjustable wall with an over-toggle-mechanism configured to selectively deflect between an extended state and a retracted state, wherein the adjustable wall in the extended state is biased toward the extended state, and wherein the adjustable wall in the retracted state is biased toward the retracted state, and (iii) a base chamber at least partially defined by the bottom and the sidewall, wherein the base chamber has a greater storage volume with the adjustable wall in the extended state, and wherein the base chamber has a lesser storage volume with the adjustable wall in the retracted state, the method comprising:
 (a) selectively extending or retracting the adjustable wall to thereby adjust the volume of the container.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , urging the over-toggle-mechanism through an over-center-toggle point state to the extended state or the retracted state.