Multipurpose storage device and method

An apparatus transformable between at least an erect, assembled configuration and an open, flattened configuration, comprising a base foldably connected to a pair of wall ends and a pair of wall sides, each of said wall ends having a distal edge, a proximate edge, and an upper edge between said distal and said proximate edges, a first of said pair of wall sides being integral with a flap and a top portion that extends completely around said upper edges of said pair of wall ends in said erect, assembled configuration, a first of said pair of wall ends releasably attached to said pair of wall sides by a first pair of zippers such that one of said first pair of zippers releasably secures said top portion to said upper edge of said first wall end and a second of said pair of wall ends releasably attached to said pair of wall sides by a second pair of zippers such that one of said second pair of zippers releasably secures said top portion to said upper edge of said second wall end, in said erect, assembled configuration, each adjacent pair of said wall ends and said wall sides being flexibly connected together by a webbing that is inwardly biased to fold toward an interior of said apparatus in response to said apparatus being converted from said open, flattened configuration toward said erect, assembled configuration, wherein a length of said upper edge of said first wall end, a length of said upper edge of said second wall end, and a length of said top portion are substantially equal.

A method of assembling an apparatus convertible between at least a first configuration, a second configuration, and a third configuration, comprising:

• providing said apparatus in said first configuration, said first configuration being an erect, assembled configuration, said second configuration being an open, flattened configuration, and said third configuration being a stacked, folded configuration;
• unzipping a first pair of zippers to release a first wall end from a pair of wall sides, said first wall end being connected to said pair of wall sides by a first pair of webbings, said first pair of webbings including a first and a second webbing, each of said first and said second webbings being inwardly biased in said first configuration;
• unzipping a second pair of zippers to release a second wall end from said pair of wall sides, said second wall end being connected to said pair of wall sides by a second pair of webbings, said second pair of webbings including a third and a fourth webbing, each of said third and said fourth webbings being inwardly biased in said first configuration, each of said first and said second wall ends having a distal edge, a proximate edge, and an upper edge between said distal and said proximate edges, a first of said pair of wall sides being integral with a flap and a top portion that extends completely around said upper edges of said pair of wall ends in said first configuration, one of said first pair of zippers releasably securing said top portion to said upper edge of said first wall end and one of said second pair of zippers releasably securing said top portion to said upper edge of said second wall end in said first configuration, and a length of said upper edge of said first wall end, a length of said upper edge of said second wall end, and a length of said top portion being substantially equal;
• flattening said first wall end, said second wall end, and said pair of wall sides until said apparatus is in said second configuration;
• and
• folding said first wall end, said second wall end, and said pair of wall sides relative to a base connected thereto until said apparatus is in said third configuration.