Collapsible and portable container

Abstract

A container that is collapsible and portable is provided. The container includes a body having a series of interconnected slats and each slat operable to be connected to an adjacent slat at a connection. The container also includes a base operable to support the body when the body is in a standing configuration. The series of interconnected slats are movable between the standing configuration and a collapsed configuration and the series of interconnected slats remain connected when moving between the standing configuration and the collapsed configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A container comprising:
 a body having a series of interconnected slats, each slat operable to be connected to an adjacent slat at a connection; and   a base operable to support the body when the body is in a standing configuration,   wherein the series of interconnected slats are movable between the standing configuration and a collapsed configuration, and   wherein the series of interconnected slats remain connected when moving between the standing configuration and the collapsed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the series of interconnected slats define an interior chamber when in the standing configuration. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body is cylindrical when the series of interconnected slats are in the standing configuration. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 2 , further comprising a retention rim positioned on the body on an opposite end of the base when the body is in the standing configuration, wherein the retention rim has a central opening that opens into the interior chamber. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one foot connected to the base and movable between a folded configuration and a deployed configuration, wherein the at least one foot raises the base when in the deployed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the connection is formed by a rod on one slat of the series of interconnected slats received by a receiver on an adjacent slat. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the receiver comprises a barrel configured to receive the rod. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 6 , wherein the connection comprises at least one of a limited connection or an unlimited connection, wherein the limited connection limits pivotal rotation of adjacent slats and the unlimited connection does not limit pivotal rotation of adjacent slats. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 8 , wherein the limited connection is formed by a tab extending from the receiver and limiting rotation of a slat adjacent to the tab. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism configured to lock the body to the base. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 10 , wherein the locking mechanism also locks the body to the rim. 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the body includes a pair of handles positioned opposite each other. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical tension mechanism that connects the series of interconnected slats and biases the series interconnected slats to at least one of the standing configuration and the collapsed configuration. 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , wherein the mechanical tension mechanism comprises a tension spring. 
     
     
         15 . The container of  claim 14 , wherein each slat of the series of interconnected slats includes an aperture, and wherein the tension spring is positioned through each aperture of each slat of the series of interconnected slats. 
     
     
         16 . A container comprising:
 a body cylindrical in shape when in a standing configuration, the body having a series of interconnected slats, each slat operable to be connected to an adjacent slat to form a wall,   wherein the series of interconnected slats are movable between the standing configuration and a collapsed configuration, and   wherein the series of interconnected slats remain connected when moving between the standing configuration and the collapsed configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a base operable to support the body when the body is in the standing configuration; and   a retention rim positioned on the body on an opposite end of the base when the body is in the standing configuration.   
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the series of interconnected slats define an interior chamber when in the standing configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 16 , wherein the body is cylindrical when the series of interconnected slats are in the standing configuration. 
     
     
         20 . A method of deploying a container, the method comprising:
 positioning a base and moving a set of support feet on the base from a folded configuration and a deployed configuration;   moving a body from a collapsed configuration to a standing configuration;   positioning the body on the base;   positioning a rim on the body on an opposite side of the base; and   locking the body to the base via a locking mechanism.