- (A) an organizer for kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth for camping and picnicing, which comprises a compactly foldable article not having a stiff frame, but including a base panel having top and bottom portions; a plurality of rows of expandable storage pockets fabricated of a breathable screen material, which is resistant to tears and other damage and yet provides for ease of air circulation and visibility; and, about the top portion, at least one top hanger receptacle, and, optionally about opposing lateral portions, opposing lateral hanger receptacles, said top and opposing lateral hanger receptacles for receiving at least a portion of a mount or support to which the organizer may be hung—optionally also, at least one handle may be provided; and a cover may be provided, which may be water-repellent or water-proof, for which a flap may be provided about the top portion of the base for concealing the cover when it is not in use, which may be secured by fasteners; and
- (B) a caddy for firewood and so forth, which comprises front and back panels, at least one of which is made with a breathable material; a solid bottom panel; a handle; and a water resistant cover.
  Moreover, advantageously and beneficially, the items A and B can be provided as an ensemble for the outdoors. Methods of making and using the items A and B themselves or in an ensemble are also provided.

The invention is useful in organizing, storing, and carrying materials.

By the invention, the art is advanced in kind, and is provided with one or more useful alternatives. One or more problems in the art is or are ameliorated if not solved.

The present organizer is compact and portable and can securely store kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth. It provides for organization, storage, and protection of the kitchenware and/or clothing, and of tableware, cutlery, towels, shelter materials, and/or other accessories in a light weight, portable unit. Access to the stored items is excellent. It is especially useful in conjunction with participation in outdoor activities, for example, camping and picnics. Its base panel may be compactly foldable, and water-repellent, for example, fabricated with a light-weight, flexible vinyl or other flexible plastic coated fabric, and have its rows of expandable storage pockets fabricated of a vinyl or another flexible plastic coated screen, say, made with glass, plastic and/or composite fiber coated with the vinyl or other plastic, especially of the “pet proof” variety, which is resistant to tears and other damage yet provides for the case of air-circulation in addition to good visibility. Moreover, in addition to its puncture-resistance and strength, vinyl-coated polyester or glass-fiber screening has a tremendous ability to withstand heat without melting, and some variants of this screening are considered to be fire-resistant if not fireproof such that hot ashes, sparks, and licks of flame from a proximate fire would cause little if any damage. The top and opposing lateral hanger receptacles may be provided from employment of grommets such as plastic or metal rings of standard two-piece construction to make supported holes in the base panel or flexible loops of rope, cord, twine, chain and so forth serving as a fastening or support, or from employment of plastic or metal eyelets, D-rings, fabric loops, and so forth and the like. Typically, the present organizer avoids having a stiff frame, or is simply frameless. Thus, it can be carried and stored conveniently, and hung up on a protruding surface, for example, with assistance of rope, a tree trunk, around which the rope is wrapped, without loss of organizing, storage, and protective capability for the items stored therein. And so, for example, cookware, tableware, cutlery and/or clothing and other textile items can further be protected from exposure to dirt, and, in the case of inclement weather, mud. Also, the organizer is easy to clean to include in case of spillage, especially when its pockets are made substantially if not entirely of a vinyl-coated screen material, and, as such, the organizer can be fully hosed down with ease, which prevents a build-up of debris, mud or food items in the pockets. The organizer is efficient not only to use but also to make.

The present caddy may be compactly foldable, and be water repellent or even water proof, especially with respect to rainfall. One or both of the front and back panels of the present caddy are breathable, for example, being fabricated of a vinyl or another flexible plastic coated screen, say, made with glass, plastic and/or composite fiber coated with the vinyl or other flexible plastic, which is resistant to tears and other damage, say, of the “pet proof” variety, yet provides for an ease of air-circulation in addition to good visibility, and provides for resistance to heat as well as resistance to growth of mold and mildew. Its bottom panel may be made from plastic, say, a polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and so forth, or with a fabric such as canvas, which may be reinforced with multiple layers of reinforced stitching, so as to add a layer of protection to decrease a chance that sharp edges from the firewood payload, especially kindling, penetrate through the fabric, so that increased durability would result. Also, the reinforced screening can be resistant to damage caused by heat, sparks, or a lick of flame from a fire, with some varieties certified as fire-resistant. Hole(s) in the bottom panel may be provided, for example, from one or more standard two-piece O-shaped grommet(s), to help drain any water that may find its way inside the caddy and to further increase air circulation about carried/stored firewood. The handle can be provided in two pieces, which may be identical or complimentary to one another, one on the front panel and the other on the top of the rear panel; and it may be used to hang the caddy up off the ground to help keep the wood from exposure to moisture accumulated on or in the ground. Hole(s) in the front and/or rear panels may be provided, for example, from one or more standard two-piece O-shaped grommet(s), to hang the caddy up off the ground and/or assist in air circulation. The cover may be made with a light-weight water repellent or water proof fabric, which may be reinforced, and which can be wrapped around the central elements or core of the caddy and its payload, especially so as to offer protection of kindling or other wood from rain, or spray from an errant hose, a spilled drink, and so forth. The caddy is efficient to make and use.

The present ensemble goes far to help in better organizing and efficiently running a camp or picnic. With the present organizer and caddy in the ensemble, the camp or picnic is further benefited as use of the organizer means less time is taken and more satisfaction is provided from finding and using its contents in a reliable state, and likewise use of the caddy, where a fire can be more quickly, reliably kindled or otherwise fed to more readily secure its age-old benefits.

Numerous further advantages attend the invention.

DRAWINGS IN BRIEF

The attached drawings form part of the specification hereof With reference to the drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale and which are intended to depict illustrative embodiments of the invention as equipment or to an ensemble, the following is briefly noted:

FIG.1 is a front, elevational view of an organizer for cookware and/or tableware and so forth for camping and picnicing, which can be configured to include a protective cover, but is without the cover. This shows, in particular, a base panel of the organizer along with certain associated elements, and includes some illustrative, exemplary dimensions.

FIG.2 is a front, elevational view of the organizer ofFIG.1, which has the mentioned protective cover attached to the base panel and in a closed position.

FIG.3 is a front, perspective plan view of an underside of a protective cover concealing flap on the base panel about a top portion of the organizer ofFIG.2, which illustrates a fastener under the flap that allows the cover to be rolled and securely stored out of sight when not in use.

FIG.4 is a front, right side, top perspective view of an embodiment of a caddy for firewood and so forth of the invention.

FIG.5 is an elevational view of the rear (outside back) portion of the caddy ofFIG.4.

FIG.6 is an elevational view of the front (outside front) portion of the caddy ofFIG.4.

FIG.7 is a front view of an opened protective cover for the caddy ofFIG.4, which includes some illustrative, exemplary dimensions.

FIG.8 is an exploded top, left side perspective plan view of a reinforced bottom panel of the caddy ofFIG.4, which has a plurality of layers of materials.

FIG.9 is a front, right side, top perspective plan view of the caddy depicted inFIG.4, about which is wrapped and secured the protective cover ofFIG.7.

FIG.10 is a view of an ensemble of the organizer ofFIGS.1-3 and caddy ofFIGS.4-9.

FURTHER ILLUSTRATIVE DETAIL

The invention can be further understood by the following detail, which may be read in view of the drawings, and, as with the foregoing, is to be taken in an illustrative and not necessarily limiting sense:

As noted above, the present organizer equipment is an advantageous and beneficial organizer for storing kitchenware and/or clothing, and so forth. It addresses a number of deficiencies in or problems with other organizer models available heretofore, and satisfies needs and desires in the art, to include those that had been longstanding.

Illustratively in general, the organizer is a compactly foldable article. It does not have a stiff frame, and it may avoid having, or be considered to avoid having, a frame, i.e., it may be frameless. It has a base panel with a top portion and a bottom portion; at least two rows of expandable storage pockets, which can be fabricated with a tear- and other-damage-resistant, breathable screen/mesh material, which may be flexible, and which provides for ease of air circulation and visibility of items stored therein, for example, a breathable vinyl coated screening material such as coated glass fiber, or a pet-resistant screen used in home or patio enclosures that provides protection against tearing or puncture such as a vinyl coated polyester screen available commercially as PetScreen® material (Phifer Inc.); and, about the top portion, at least one top hanger receptacle, and, optionally about opposing lateral portions, opposing lateral hanger receptacle's. These hanger receptacles receive at least a portion of a mount or support to which the organizer may be hung. One or more handle(s) may be provided; and a protective cover may be provided, which may be water-repellent. A flap may be provided about the top portion of the base panel for storing and hiding the cover when it is not in use, and fastener(s) may secure this.

With more particular reference to the drawings, the following is noted:

Organizer

15 includes compactlyfoldable base panel1, for example, made with a woven fabric coated with a water-repellent or water-proof polymer, can have a rectangularly shaped outline, for example, having a height of about from two to four feet, say, about from thirty-eight to forty-four inches; a width of about from one and a half to two and a half feet, say, about from twenty-two to twenty-eight inches; and a thickness based on the thickness of the materials employed. Although not a hard and fast demarcation, typically, anorganizer15 directed to or primarily to clothing is smaller than one directed to or primarily to kitchenware. Some approximate dimensions in inches for abase panel1 can provide a useful guide:


	Clothing Model	Kitchenware Model

Height (1H)	36″ or 38″ to 42″,	40″ to 44″ or 48″,
	e.g., 40″	e.g., 42″
Width (1W)	18″ or 20″ to 25″,	25″ to 28″ or 30″,
	e.g., 24″	e.g., 26″.

In general, however, such materials, dimensions or shapes are not to be understood as limiting. Thus, employed may be other materials, for instance, a water-repellent or water-proof polymer sheet, and so forth; other dimensions; or another polygonal shape, for example, square, pentagonal, hexagonal and so forth, or a curvilinear shape, for example, circular, elliptical, oval, truncated circular, truncated elliptical, truncated oval, and so forth. Of course, when storing or carrying equipment, the thickness of afinished organizer15 to a significant degree depends upon the equipment stored, which may be, for instance, in addition to the thickness of all materials that make up theorganizer15, about from an inch to six or seven inches, say, about from two to four or six inches. In any case, theorganizer15 can be compactly folded for storage and transport.

Two or more rows of expandable storage pockets2, all with reinforced stitching on each lateral side and bottom edge thereof and left open on each upper edge for ease of placement of items, are attached to thebase panel1. For instance, independently at each occurrence, there may be from two to four rows ofpockets2, with a givenpocket2 being about from six to twelve inches high; about from four to twelve inches wide; and about from two to six inches deep from front to back. Such rows ofpockets2 can have lateral divisional stitching, allowing for variety of such sizes and shapes. Thus, for example, pockets2 in a top row may accommodate storing drinking cups or glasses, a knit hat, gloves or socks; in a middle row may accommodate tablewear such as plates, bowls, or small cookware such as a coffee percolator, or an apron, towels, T-shirts or underwear; and in a bottom row may accommodate larger cookware items such as pots or pans, a light blanket, pants or a jacket. A pocket, say, thepockets2, may be expandable, say, each including foldedsegment8 at its lower edge, commonly referred to as a pleat or dart, which allows for ready interior expansion of thepocket2 when larger items or a number of smaller items are housed inside thepocket2.Pocket3, which may be layered over divisional stitching ofpockets2, and have a substantial depth, may well accommodate a cooking gadget such as a spatula, which has an elongate handle, a set of skewers for a barbeque, a flashlight, and so forth.Pocket4, which may be less deep thanpocket3, may have open longitudinal top edge for housing small camping devices such as standard cutlery, a spork, a folding knife, a magnesium fire-starting stick, matches, and so forth. The

pockets

2,3,4 can be advantageously made of flexible pet-resistant vinyl coated polyester screen/mesh material.

Flap

5, for example, made of fabric such as rip-stop nylon or reinforced woven fabric, and so forth can be attached to thebase panel1. It can be employed to concealingly storeprotective cover14 when thecover14 is not in use.

Handle

6, for example, made of dense woven webbing at least about one and one half inches in width, can be attached in a loop configuration to thebase panel1 by reinforced stitching. Another suitable flexible fabric material, rope, leather, and so forth may be employed, as may be a solid handle, say, of wood, plastic, metal, metal-supported leather, and so forth, as may be found otherwise on suitcases, clothing bags, and so forth. Thehandle6 is accessible freely in its middle portion for a hand to grasp so that the organizer may be conveniently carried.

Standard two-piece metal grommets in the shape ofrings7 allow hanging theorganizer15, say, using hooks and/or rope, cord or twine. Therings7 may be positioned about the top portion or edge, say, for hanging theorganizer15 upright; about lateral edges between top and bottom portions, say, nearer the bottom, for instance, for helping to secure theorganizer15 around the trunk of a tree; and/or about the bottom portion or edge, say, also to help secure theorganizer15 around a tree trunk or to hang it upside for draining or drying as may be needed.

Fasteners

9,10,11 and13 can be attached to thebase panel1. They may be made with the hook or corresponding loop portion of hook-and-loop material, or be of another variety such as string ties, looped bungee cord, magnetic force, and so forth and the like.

Thefasteners9 can be the hook or the loop portions of the hook-and-loop material attached correspondingly to thebase panel1 and theprotective cover14 so as to attach thecover14 to thebase panel1. When not attached to thebase panel1, thecover14 may be removed to be separated apart from thepanel1.

The

fasteners

10 and11 can be provided, for example, in pairs, to secure a rolled up, not-in-useprotective cover14 concealingly under theflap5. For example, twofasteners10 of the hook material may lay under and twofasteners11 of the loop material may lay upon the the rolled-upcover14 to be connected to secure the rolled-upcover14 for hiding under theflap5.

Decorative trim

12, for example, of polyester bias tape, may be provided. This may be positioned at any suitable location of theorganizer15.

The fasteners13 may be affixed to any convenient location on theorganizer15. They may be of a hook-and-loop or other variety fastener to make a flexible or smaller opening or securement to hold smaller items.

Theprotective cover14 may be made, for example, of rip-stop or reinforced nylon, which is resistant to wear and tear. It may have pocket(s) and so forth built in to it. As alluded to above, thecover14 can havefasteners9 on outside edges thereof corresponding tofasteners9 on outside edges of thebase panel1, which allow it to be fastened tocorresponding fasteners9 of thebase panel1 to make a dry space in which to store and organize items. Beneficially, in fastening thecover14 to thebase panel1, the opposing sides of thecover14 are wrapped around the corresponding sides of thebase panel1 and attached there, which provides for a more secure seal to help keep water, dirt, and so forth at bay. Accordingly, thecover14 beneficially can have a width that is greater than that of thebase panel1 to which it is attached, say, about from an inch to four or five inches greater, for example, about from two to three inches greater.

Of course, although thecover14 may be water-resistant, even water-proof, its attachment to thebase panel1 may leave an opening through which water may enter, especially if an overwhelming amount of it is present as from a rain storm, hose, or a wave from or a dunking in a lake. Thus, overall, theorganizer15 may be safely considered to be water-resistant rather than water-proof, which, however, is more than sufficient for the purpose for which it is intended.

Also as noted above, the present caddy equipment is an advantageous and beneficial caddy for firewood and so forth. It addresses a number of deficiencies in or problems with other firewood caddy models available heretofore, and satisfies needs and desires in the art, to include those that had been longstanding.

In general thus, the caddy comprises front and back panels, at least one of which is made with a breathable material; a solid bottom panel; a handle; and a water resistant cover. Beneficially, the caddy is foldable, say, to a compact size.

Also, as mentioned above, among other benefits of the present caddy is not only its water resistance but also its breathability. It also can provide for visibility of its payload. It is resistant to tears and other damage to decrease a chance that sharp edges from carried or stored firewood, especially kindling, would penetrate it, which results in increased durability. Its handles and various openings can be used to hang the caddy above the ground, helping to keep its payload dry. If the firewood would get wet, however, the same and other openings can assist in relieving the caddy of water on or in the payload. It is light in weight.

With more particular reference to the drawings, the following is noted:

Features of the illustratively exemplified caddy equipment include those as follows:

TABLE OF ENUMERATED FEATURES

Num-
ber(s)	Comment

22	Main body portion, e.g., of PetScreen ® material, of front and
	rear panels, to include visible portions (may be termed “aspect”)
	as assembled
24	Protective cover storage pouch
25	Handle affixed to rear panel
26	Handle affixed to front panel
27	Holes, e.g., made with two-piece grommets
28	Fastener, e.g., for receiving complementary fastener,
	for mounting protective cover
29	Decorative trim
30-33	Fastening points - i.e., e.g., hook and loop elements of
	hook-and-loop material or male and female elements of a
	snap - point 30 interacting with point 31; and 32 with 33
34	Protective cover main body portion
35	Bottom panel top layer
36	Bottom panel middle layer, with front and rear panel joint
37	Bottom panel bottom layer
38	Foldable caddy for firewood, without protective cover 42 attached
39	Rear (back) panel
40	Front panel
41	Bottom panel
42	Protective cover
42A	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 58″ to 64″
42B	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 62″ to 66″
42C	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 24″ to 28″
42D	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 3″ to 4″
42E	Protective cover dimension in inches, e.g., about from 24″ to 28″
42F	Protective cover flap, e.g., protruding about from four to six inches
45	The caddy 38, with the protective cover 42 attached.

Thepresent caddy38/45 may have any suitable shape and size, which, in general, defines an interior volume to carry and store firewood, for example, small pieces of wood that constitute kindling. For example, from the front and rear, thecaddy38 may present an extended pie-shape about from twenty-two to twenty-six inches in height, excluding handle(s); about from twenty to twenty-four inches in width at its widest part, e.g., about its bottom; and about from eight to ten inches at its narrowest part, e.g., at its top. It typically presents a wedge-shaped appearance from either side, more extensive dimenionsionally at the bottom than at the top. Nonetheless, other dimensions or another shape, especially as regards front and rear aspects of thecaddy38, may be employed, for example, a polygonal shape such as a square, pentagonal, hexagonal and so forth, or a curvilinear shape, for example, circular, elliptical, oval, truncated circular, truncated elliptical, truncated oval, and so forth. Beneficially, in any shape or embodiment, thecaddy38/45 can be compactly folded for storage and shipping to an outlet or customer, and storage and transport by the eventual user; as well, it has easy access to its payload from the sides of the unit.

Thecaddy38 includes not only the visible portions (aspects) but also the main bodies22 of therear panel39 andfront panel40. In general, these

panels

39,40 can be made, for example, of a breathable vinyl coated material such as coated glass fiber, or the pet-resistant screen used in home or patio enclosures that also provides protection against tearing or puncture and yet provides for ease of air circulation and visibility such as the vinyl coated polyester screen material commercially available as PetScreen® material, and which can be fastened together with reinforced stitching along the bottom edge, for example, to form a joint, say, in reinforced bottom panelmiddle layer36 of a reinforced bottom panel23. Such screening can be mold and mildew resistant and/or salt-water resistant as well, which benefits thecaddy38/45 and its cargo, and users and their proximate persons, to a marked degree.

The reinforced bottom panel23, in addition to the reinforced panelmiddle layer36 with its seam or joint can be protected, say, by top and

bottom layers

35,37 of a thick, solid, imperforate material such as a water-repellent or water-proof, plastic-coated fabric, for example, PVC or a PVC-coated polyester, or another type of water-proof material, in the reinforced bottom panel23. Although the bottom panel23 may be made with wood or metal, such a material may inhibit foldability.

The protectivecover storage pouch24 is securely attached on both of its lateral sides and its bottom, for example, by reinforced stitching, but is left open along its top, which provides for storage of theprotective cover42 or other suitable size and weight accessory(ies) or item(s). Thepouch24 itself may be made of any suitable material, for example, a PVC-coated polyester.

The

handles

25,26—advantageously made of dense woven webbing at least about 1.5 inches in width, and having reinforcing stitching at their fastening points to the rear and

front panels

39,40—can be formed in a loop configuration that is freely accessible in their middle portions for grasping by hand for carrying thecaddy38/45. As well, thecaddy38/45 may be hung by the

handles

25,26.

Theholes27 beneficially may be provided through the bottom panel23 with standard two-piece metal grommets in the shape of rings, which otherwise may be made with plastic or any other suitable material, so as to allow increased water drainage and air circulation.Such holes27 with grommets may be located to the right and left sides of thehandles26 can allow not only increased air circulation but also an alternative or augmentation to thehandles26 for allowing hanging of thecaddy38/45, say, using hooks and/or rope, cord or twine.

Thefastener28 can be provided at any suitable location, say, on the outside of thefront panel40, about its top portion, to which theprotective cover42 can be removably mounted, for example, through hook-and-loop fastening elements or snap(s). Thus, theprotective cover42 can have a fastener at any suitable location to interact with thefastener28 to accomplish this. The

fasteners

30 and31, and32 and33, are provided in complimentary pairs, for example, to fasten theprotective cover42 tofront panel40 of thecaddy38 through intra-cover fastening, and also may be made with the hook or corresponding loop portion of hook-and-loop material or may be male-to-female snaps. Fasteners, however, may be of another variety such as string ties, looped bungee cord, clamp(s), magnetic force, and so forth and the like.

Decorative trim

29, say, of flame and/or mildew resistant cotton or polyester, may be provided. This may be provided at any suitable location on thecaddy38.

The protective covermain body portion34 of theprotective cover42 is made with a water repellent or even water proof material—for example, a rip-stop or a reinforced nylon, or a polyester, PVC-coated polyester and/or PVC, beneficially with reinforcing textile elements embedded therein to help protect against ripping or tearing in the event that theprotective cover42 comes into contact with sharp edges of various materials, to include those in the payload of thecaddy38—in order to protect from rain or other source of airborne water from pouring in the top portion of thecaddy38 when the

handles

25,26 have been brought together to form a carrying contrivance. Beneficially, the reinforced protective cover material—as advantageously may be (an)other component(s) of thecaddy38 to include any screening/mesh, and so forth—is resistant to damage from heat, sparks, or a lick of a flame, with some varieties of such screening certified as fire-retardant. Theprotective cover42 as depicted is irregular in shape, but can be described generally when spread out flat as a longitudinally elongated hexagon with a variance about its top portion, where a rectangularly shaped member (flap) protrudes along a central axis that divides themain body portion34. This flap may be inserted through the loop formed by the

handles

25,26 and secured by fixing thefasteners30,31 together, which assists in preventing water from seeping into thecaddy38 at this point. Although the flap is depicted as a rectangular member, any suitably shaped member may be employed. Thecover42 may be provided in any suitable size. Nevertheless, illustrative dimensions in inches of thecover42 are set forth withinFIG.7. The

fasteners

32,33 are also employed within theprotective cover42 itself to secure theprotective cover42 when it is wrapped around the rest of thecaddy38 to provide the coveredcaddy embodiment 45.

Theorganizer15 andcaddy38/45 may be hung in proximity and/or attached as with rope or twine. Thus, a more intimately coordinated or connected ensemble of these two pieces of equipment may be provided.

Themselves or together in an ensemble theorganizer15 andcaddy38 can enhance the outdoor experience. As alluded to above, they can help make it more efficient and satisfying.

Accordingly, provided is equipment and an ensemble therewith, configured for outdoor use, for instance, in conjunction with camping and picnics; its making and use. The equipment can include theorganizer15, say, as a compactly foldable article having thebase panel1 with a plurality of attached pockets2-4 or bags, and so forth, and the protective, water-repellent cover14; andcaddy38/45, say, as being foldable and including breathable fabric back and

front panels

39,40, a reinforced solidfabric bottom panel41, handle(s)25,26, and awaterproof cover42.

CONCLUSION

The present invention is thus provided. Various feature(s), part(s), step(s), subcombination(s) and/or combination(s) can be employed with or without reference to, or order of, other feature(s), part(s), step(s), subcombination(s) and/or combination(s) in the practice of the invention, and numerous and sundry adaptations and modifications can be effected within its spirit, the literal claim scope of which is particularly pointed out by the following claims: