WO2000029310A1

WO2000029310A1 - Flexible collapsible container

Info

Publication number: WO2000029310A1
Application number: PCT/IE1999/000115
Authority: WO
Inventors: Christopher C. Cuddy; Thomas Noor; Michael George Stone
Original assignee: Storsack Tradco Limited
Priority date: 1998-11-16
Filing date: 1999-11-15
Publication date: 2000-05-25
Also published as: AU1071600A

Abstract

A container (1) comprising a flexible body (2) which is collapsible and erectable, said body having a base (3) and a side wall (4), and stiffening means to stiffen the flexible body wherein the side wall (4) of the container (1) is arranged to assume a substantially cylindrical configuration when the container (1) is filled and the stiffening means comprises a unitary sleeve (5) of resiliently deformable material. The stiffening means is resiliently deformable about vertical axes, and is formed of a corrugated plastics material (30). The side wall (4) of the flexible body (2) is formed as an endless loop, for example as a unitary tubular or endless belt-shaped piece (12; 13). The container is especially resilient to bursting or rupturing and is ideal for many materials including liquids.

Description

FLEXIBLE COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER

Technical Field

The invention relates to a collapsible container constructed of flexible material, particularly to a collapsible container suitable for storing/transporting flowable materials such as liquids, powders and fibres.

It is often necessary or desirable to store or transport liquids. Steel drums or other rigid containers are conventionally used for this purpose. Steel drums, which are very widespread in use, are not collapsible. Containers for liquids should be strong enough to provide for maintenance of the physical integrity of the container, thereby obviating spillage and waste, but at the same time it is often necessary for a container to be transported empty. Transporting of empty containers is wasteful of space, and is thus costly. Collapsible containers are used so that the containers when empty can be transported in a much more compact and cost effective way. Collapsible containers are generally difficult to stack and handle when filled with a liquid. This is due at least in part to the tendency of the liquid to cause the flexible bag to balloon or bulge distorting the shape of the container. In some instances the entire base of the container distorts. This creates problems with transporting, stacking and other handling problems. Furthermore collapsible containers rely to an extent on their contents to hold the container in its fully extended position by pressuring the walls (and base) of the container until the contents reach their limit of freedom, being constrained by the construction of the container. The walls of collapsible containers have little resistance to being pushed inwardly as they are designed to fold for collapsibility. The collapsibility of the container means that the container has a tendency to burst as force exerted on the walls is not absorbed by the structure of the container to any great extent, and the contents (which may be within an inner container or liner) within the container tends to receive a great deal of the force exerted on the walls so that the contents may burst from the container (or burst the inner container or liner). Furthermore, due to the fact that the container constrains its liquid contents internal pressure of liquid, if sufficiently high, can cause seams/joints in the flexible container to rupture. Typical pressures have not been measured, but as the containers are designed typically to hold volumes of the order of a hundred litres or higher for example up to 1,000 litres or in excess of 1,000 litres, it will be appreciated that the forces are considerable. Taking the density of the liquid contents as being lkg/litre the weights involved are also of the order of 100kg to 1,000kg or more. Bursting of the liner or rupturing of the container is most often observed when a filled collapsible container is dropped on its side or on its base. Impact on the ground creates a temporary, though dramatic, increase in pressure due to the downward movement of liquid. The increase in pressure can be sufficient to burst a liner holding the liquid (within the container) and/or rupture the container walls. While care is taken in handling such containers, occasionally an ill-stacked or accidentally bumped container may fall or be dropped onto the ground during handling. It is desirable that a container or liner does not burst or rupture in such a case. Typically, flexible containers dropped on their end from relatively low heights can rupture. Collapsible containers containing liners have been observed to burst spilling the contents when dropped from heights of 1 metre or less. While the above problem are most often observed for liquid contents, the problems occurs also with other flowable materials for example powders, slurries etc.

There is no commercially-available collapsible bulk container which is substantially drum-shaped when erected/filled. The term drum-shaped is used herein to refer to a container with substantially cylindrical walls and a substantially flat base. Within the definition, the container may have a polygonal cross-section with n sides. Suitably n is an even number. To allow ease of folding of the container, n is preferably six though n may be 8 or higher. It is desirable to provide a substantially drum-shaped container (in its erected/filled configuration) which is strong enough to withstand the punishments associated with handling, yet which is simple in construction. In particular it is desirable to provide a container which is resilient to rupturing when subjected to pressure or impact. It is also desirable to provide a lightweight container of simple construction which is easily collapsible yet having a relatively large internal volume which overcomes at least some problems of known containers. In particular it is desirable to provide a lightweight inexpensive drum-shaped container. For handling purposes it is desirable for the containers when filled to assume substantially identical shapes. Ideally the containers should be stackable.

Background Art

European patent publication no. 0 360 730 describes a flexible semi-bulk container that is suitable for use with fluidized solids, semi-solids, slurries and liquids and for shipping in less than truckload shipments where the package should have adequate stability to stand alone. The rigid panels are referred to as being constructed of hardboard, particle board, corrugated plastic, foamed plastic, solid state fibre and ply- board. The container described is square or rectangular in its erected configuration. Rigid panels are said to provide the necessary stability to allow the container to stand alone. In one embodiment the rigid panels form a four-sided sleeve. No drum-shaped container is contemplated. The problem of overcoming the tendency of the container described to retain its shape when filled is not discussed. Simplicity in construction and resilience to punishment are not discussed.

WO 97/20758 describes a container for storage or transport of liquids which has a flexible body which is collapsible and erectable. The body has a base and side walls with pockets therein. Stiffening members are provided in the pockets to stiffen the flexible body. The container is generally rectangular or square-shaped in its erected configuration. A transverse gusset is provided at each corner between adjacent side walls, and a reinforcer extends from the corner to the gusset - an arrangement which allows stackability as a result of better retention of shape of the container due to its construction. While the construction achieves retention of shape of the side walls, there is no discussion of forming a drum-shaped container.

Other forms/methods of packaging are described in US 4,622,693 and US 3,896,991. EP 0,401,934 A describes a generally rectangular or square-shaped package for storing and transporting bulk goods. The package has an inner and outer frame which are partially attached to each other. EP 0,552,845 A describes a generally rectangular or square-shaped container having a relatively stiff form-retaining supporting frame and a flexible shell member. The supporting frame is necessary for retention of shape of the container.

None of the prior art documents discussed above provide a collapsible container which is drum-shaped when in its erected configuration. Furthermore as stated above it is desirable to provide a lightweight, collapsible container which can stand alone, yet which is resilient to bursting. Compactness on collapsing is also desirable. The shape of the base of the container in particular should be as planar as possible to allow stability in transporting, handling etc. This is particularly the case where the contents are to be a fluid material, a liquid or indeed any flowable material such as powders or bulk fibres. It is desirable to have an inexpensive, lightweight, easily collapsible container which is resistant to bursting.

Disclosure of Invention

An object of the present invention is to provide a container which retains its desired shape on filling. It is particularly desirable to provide a drum-shaped collapsible container which achieves this objective and which is suitable for storing or transporting fluid material in bulk and which is also collapsible to a storable or folded configuration yet which can stand alone. In particular it is desirable that the container should not require the aid of an external stand or prop while being filled and the containers should be transportable, for example when standing on a pallet, without the contents of the container causing an upset or instability of the container. The container should be resilient to bursting or rupturing, yet lightweight.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a container comprising a flexible body which is collapsible and erectable, said body having a base and a side wall, and stiffening means to stiffen the flexible body, wherein the side wall of the container is arranged to assume a substantially cylindrical configuration when the container is filled and the stiffening means comprises a unitary sleeve of resiliently deformable material. The sleeve of resiliently deformable material adopts the same substantially cylindrical configuration as the side wall. Suitably, the stiffening means is resiliently deformable about vertical axes, i.e. axes substantially perpendicular to the base. This arrangement allows the container to flex under internal pressure from its contents. Flexing of the container allows it to substantially assume a drum-shape i.e. the provision of the resiliently deformable stiffening means allows the side wall of the container to conform to a substantially cylindrical shape. Suitably, the stiffening means or component is formed of corrugated plastics material. In a preferred arrangement the longitudinal axes of the corrugations are substantially aligned, running substantially parallel to a line between the base and top of the container (i.e. substantially perpendicular to the base)

This construction of container has a number of advantages: The container is lightweight, yet robust and sturdy. The container is of very simple construction yet can withstand substantial pressures and impacts. In particular the container is resistant to rupturing when dropped. The container also provides good support for a liquid-retaining envelope member or liner placed within it, helping to prevent it bursting. The stiffening means tend to flex to allow the container to take up a drum- shape. The container shows good ability to retain its shape. Containers tend to have substantially the same shape when filled, forming collapsible drums of very similar diameter.

In one embodiment the sleeve of reiliently deformable material is scored or folded to provide hinge lines or fold lines about which the sleeve can fold.

In a very robust arrangement the side wall of the flexible body is formed as a single piece, more especially an endless loop, for example as a unitary tubular or endless belt-shaped piece. The combination of the sleeve being formed of a unitary body and the side wall of the container being formed as an endless loop gives the container very desirable strength and resistance to rupturing. The absence of seams or joints on the side wall and not more than one joint on the sleeve gives the container enhanced strength, and resistance to rupturing. This ensures that a liner placed in the container will receive better (stronger) support from the container, and furthermore the container itself will be less likely to rupture.

For woven materials forming the side wall, the material may be woven in a single piece as a tube or hoop. For extruded materials, the materials may be extruded as a tube or hoop. Similarly, the sleeve may be formed as a unitary seamless/joinless piece or may have one secure joint.

In one simple construction, the stiffening means is attached to the interior of the body for example by stitching. In one convenient arrangement the container body has at least one shallow pocket located about the periphery of a mouth of the container and into which at least part of the sleeve is insertable. The container may have, in addition, or in the alternative, at least one shallow pocket located about the periphery of the base of the container and into which at least part of the sleeve is insertable. These very simple structures are surprisingly robust and yet lightweight.

In a preferred embodiment the side wall is double-layer wall conferring even greater strength.

In one embodiment, a double layer side wall is formed by two separate tubes of flexible material, one tube arranged (concentrically) inside the other. In an alternative embodiment, the double-layer side wall is formed by one piece of flexible tubular material which is doubled upon itself, for example one end of the tube of material is pulled through the aperture of the tube to meet the other end of the tube thus forming a double layer. Either arrangement provides a very simple and high strength construction.

In a preferred arrangement, at least a portion of the side wall extends upwardly to form a flexible closure for the mouth of the container. In a preferred arrangement, the side wall comprises a double-layer side wall and the flexible closure is formed by a portion of at least one of the layers. Preferably the outer layer of the side wall forms the flexible closure, but it is also possible for the inner layer to do so. In one arrangement the flexible closure is provided with a closure means in the form of a tie to hold the flexible closure in a closed position. In one arrangement the tie is a drawstring on the flexible closure to draw the flexible closure closed.

In one simple construction, a container of the invention comprises a flexible body which is collapsible and erectable, the body having a base and a side wall, the side wall being a double-layer side wall of tubular flexible material, and a unitary sleeve of resiliently deformable material for stiffening the flexible body, the double-layer side wall being attached to the sleeve, preferably a lower (base) and upper (top) end of the sleeve, and a portion of one layer of the side wall forming a flexible closure for the mouth of the container. Suitably a protective bib or flap is provided on the container for protecting the top of a liner or container placed within the container. In each construction of a container or pack of the present invention the base may be formed of a separate piece of flexible material.

In all aspects of the invention, the container suitably has a body of flexible material such as that used hitherto for flexible intermediate bulk containers, e.g. a fabric such as woven polypropylene which is stitchable or a material which is weldable.

In one construction the container has a liner therein, particularly a liquid impermeable liner e.g. of co-extruded plastic film such as polyethylene, conforming to the interior configuration of the body. A container may for example have an octagonal cross-section. Usually, the container has one or more lifting loops.

The invention also relates to a pack comprising an outer container comprising a flexible container of the invention having inserted therein a collapsible and erectable liquid impermeable inner container comprising:

(i) a flexible body having a base and side walls and a top wall; and (ii) an inlet in said body; and (iii) closure means for closing said inlet, the inner container being drum- shaped. There is thus provided a drum-shaped outer container for holding a drum- shaped inner container. The flexibility of the container body allows it to be collapsible and erectable so that the inner container can be folded flat yet desirably is sufficiently rigid to stand alone when being filled. In one arrangement the inner container body is transparent or translucent. Suitably the inner container is constructed of plastics material such as polyethylene. In one embodiment the inlet is in said top wall of the body, preferably recessed therein (for instance the inlet may be formed in a depression in the top wall). Suitably the inner container is dimensioned to be a snug fit within the container of the invention when the inner container has been filled.

A further objective of the present invention is to provide a container which ameliorates the problem of bulging/ballooning of the base of the container on filling particularly where a liner is used to hold the contents of the container.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a container comprising a flexible body which is collapsible and erectable, said body having a base and side walls, and elongate stiffening means having upper and lower ends to stiffen the flexible body, the lower end of the stiffening means being disposed proximate the base, the base comprising a sheet of flexible material attached to the side walls and having an area inside the attachment substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the erected container so that the base sheet is taut, the container further comprising an inner sheet of flexible material extending across the interior of the container above the base, the inner sheet being attached to the side walls and/or the stiffening means at a position spaced above the lower end of the stiffening means, and having an area inside its attachment greater than that of the base so that the inner sheet is slack.

The provision of the flexible inner sheet in this manner provides a number of advantages: it takes up some of the loading placed on the container by the contents and transmits the loading into vertical loading on the stiffening means (and the body). This reduces the horizontal forces exerted against the side walls of the container by its contents thus helping to relieve bulging and other out-of-shape distortions of the container. Secondly it alleviates the problem of the contents (in particular liquids) causing the base of the container to bulge downwardly. Without the flexible inner sheet the ballooning of the base may give the sides of the container the appearance of moving upwards so that the contents extend lower in the container than the side walls. This may give a bulk container an unstable base and cause problems with handling/storage. If this happens the ability of the stiffening means to stabilise the container is reduced and may be totally lost. Deformation of the flexible inner sheet internally is not reflected in the outward shape of the container.

As for the container of the first aspect of the invention the container body is constructed to adopt a substantially cylindrical shape when pressured by contents placed in it. In this embodiment also suitably the stiffening means is resiliently deformable about vertical axes so as to take up a cylindrical shape.

The taut base sheet (which suitably is constructed of heavy duty plastics material) can take up loading not taken up by the first sheet. This arrangement helps provide the container with a substantially planar base when in a standing position.

In a desirable construction of the second aspect of the invention the stiffening means has at its lower end an end portion pivotable about a horizontal axis relative to the stiffening members. In this embodiment, pressure downwardly along the elongate axes of the stiffening members causes the end portion to pivot inwards in the direction of the underside of the container. This arrangement allows for greater stability of the container in its filled or partially filled configuration as extra surface area of the stiffening members is in contact with the ground. In a further embodiment the end portion has a ground pivot axis or line of weakness so that the end portion folds in concertina fashion under loading.

In one preferred arrangement the side walls comprise pockets into each of which are insertable individual stiffening members, each of the stiffening members (which together form stiffening means) having an end portion pivotable relative to its respective stiffening member so that a segmented rim is formed by the series of end portions in their pivoted configuration. A sleeve such as that described above may be used if desired.

The word "join" is used herein to include in particular adhesion, stitching or welding but is not limited to these methods. The term "joint line" covers either a line along which a joining is made by adhesion, a stitch line or a weld line.

A liner, particularly a liquid impermeable liner e.g. of co-extruded plastic film such as polyethylene, conforming to the interior configuration of the body may be used.

In the preferred embodiment (which in itself is inventive) the side walls comprise a series of closely arranged pockets formed by two of a series of lateral joint lines, each lateral joint line forming one side of consecutive pockets, each pocket having a stiffening member inserted therein, the stiffening member being a tight fit in each pocket so that the folding of the container stretches the container body so that the container is biased toward its erected configuration. This effect creates a container which is stable in its erected configuration and which moves at least partly toward its erected configuration under the bias provided by the strained folded container body. If the conformation of the pockets and stiffening members is tight enough the body will be held firmly in its fully expanded erected configuration.

In the most preferred embodiment stiffening members are received in all of the pockets and more preferably the pockets are closed by joining of the material defining the pockets at the top and bottom thereof.

The stiffening means may each comprise a planar stiffening member of resiliently deformable material such as a plastics or ply-board member. It has been surprisingly discovered that the use of a corrugated plastics material is particularly useful as this material takes up the cylindrical shape of the container well, and it also has sufficient strength to withstand the pressures of the container, particularly those transmitted by the first flexible sheet described above. The stiffening members are also relatively inexpensive to make and use. The invention extends to a bulk container or pack substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of Drawings

A container embodying the invention is hereinafter described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container of a first aspect of the invention in an erect condition (with the stiffening means in place) with a flexible closure for the container upstanding on the container, the container being suitable for use to hold an inner container shown in Figure 6 below:

Figure 2 is a perspective view from below and one side (with the top part of the container cut-away) of the container of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the stiffening means of the invention in the form of a sleeve of octagonal cross-section;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a mode of construction of part of the container of

Figure 1. Figure 5 is a part sectional view of a side of the container illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 5A is a part sectional view of a side of the container of Figure 1 showing alternative arrangements of the material of the flexible body on the sleeve;

Figure 5B is a part sectional view of a lower end of the side of the container of Figure 1 showing an alternative arrangement of the material of the flexible body on the sleeve; Figure 6 is a perspective view of an inner container for use in a pack of the invention in an erected configuration (standing alone), and with a cap closing the inlet in the container;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 6 in a collapsed configuration;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 6 partially inserted into the container of Figure 1; Figure 9 is a perspective view of a pack comprising an outer container being the container of Figure 1 and inner container being the container of Figure 6, the pack having been closed; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 in a collapsed or folded configuration.

Figure 11 is a perspective view of a container of a further aspect of the invention in an erect condition with a flexible closure for the container folded into the container (some internal features shown in dashed outline);

Figure 12 is a perspective view (part sectional) of the container of Figure 11 with the flexible closure removed and showing the means to stiffen the body inserted within pockets formed in the body;

Figure 13 is a sectional view through the bottom portion of the container illustrated in

Figure 11;

Figure 14 is a sectional view of one desirable construction of a container, the stiffening means having a lower end portion pivotable about a horizontal axis relative to the stiffening means;

Figure 15 is a sectional view through the upper portion of the container illustrated in

Figure 11;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 11 with the flexible closure for the container withdrawn from the container and opened upwardly for filling of the container;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of a container of Figure 11 the flexible closure for the container being drawn together and tied in a closed position;

Figure 18 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative construction of the container of Figure 14;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 11 in a collapsed or folded configuration.

Modes for Carrying out the Invention

Referring to the drawings and initially Figures 1 to 10, there is shown a container 1 of a first aspect of the present invention, comprising a flexible body 2 constructed of a flexible fabric which is collapsible and erectable. The body 2 has a base 3 ( Fig. 2) and has a side wall 4 composed (in the embodiment illustrated) of a unitary piece of flexible material which takes up the shape of the stiffening means the stiffening means being in the form of a sleeve 5, so as to confer an octagonal shape of eight similar wall portions. An elongate stiffening member or sleeve 5 having an upper (top) end 6 and a lower (base) end 7 stiffens the flexible body 2. The lower end 7 of the sleeve 5 is disposed proximate the base 3 while the sleeve 5 extends upwardly along the container 1 so that the upper end 6 of the sleeve is located near to the top 8 of the container 1.

The container 1 has a flexible base sheet 9 (Fig. 5) of heavy duty material which extends across the container to form the base 3 of the container. The base sheet 9 is arranged so as to be taut in the erect configuration of the container. The base sheet 9 is stitched on a stitch line 10 to the bottom 11 of the side wall 4. The base sheet has an area substantially equivalent to that of a horizontal cross-sectional area of the erected container and can take up loading. In the embodiment shown the sheet 9 is a double layer sheet. There is no slack inner sheet of flexible material extending across the interior of the container above the base.

The flexible body 2 is formed by a double layer side wall. The double-layer side wall may be two separate (cylindrical) tubes of flexible material brought together. The tubes are formed from endless loops or belts of flexible material. In the embodiment shown (see in particular Figures 4 and 5), the double-layer side wall forming the flexible body 2 comprises two tubes of material, one inserted (concentrically) in the other, to form a double tube arrangement comprising an inner tube 12 and an outer tube 13. As best seen in Figure 4 the outer tube 13 is longer than the inner tube 12. The extra length of outer tube 13 is used, in a manner to be described below, to form a flexible closure for the container. The sleeve 5 is inserted into the inner tube 12, and the sleeve 5 and the inner tube 12 are both together inserted into outer tube 13 in the direction indicated by the arrows. The inner tube 12 and outer tube 13 are adjusted until their lower ends, respectively labelled 26 and 27, coincide as shown in Figure 4. As best seen in Figure 5 the lower ends of the tubes 12, 13 are placed to the interior of the sleeve 5 and folded in a general u-shape about the lower end 7 of the sleeve 5 running upwardly to form side wall 4. Tubes 12 and 13 are seamless, being woven in a tubular form. The (dual) stitch line 10 is stitched right through the body 2 of the container, and the sleeve 5. In particular the stitch line 10 holds the sleeve 5 in place within the container, while simultaneously using the sleeve 5 as a mount or base for the flexible body for formation of the container. The double-ply layer comprising the inner tube 12 and the outer tube 13 then travels the length of the sleeve 5 until it reaches the upper end 6 of the sleeve 5. The inner tube 12 and the outer tube 13 are then both folded about the end 6 of the sleeve 5 in a generally U-shaped arrangement. A stitch line 14 passes through the fold of inner and outer tubes 12, 13 on both sides of the sleeve 5, and right through the sleeve 5, to hold the double-ply layer to the sleeve. As described above the inner tube 12 is shorter than the outer tube 13 and terminates at its upper end 15 folded inside the mouth of 16 of the container. The outer tube 13 turns down into mouth 16 of the container 1, folds back upon itself at fold 17, and then turns in an upwardly direction to form a flexible closure 18 for closing the mouth 16 of the container 1. The fold in outer tube 13 is held in place by the stitch line 14 also. The outer tube 13 continues upwardly and folds upon itself once again at fold 19.

The outer tube 13 folds downwardly and inwardly at fold 19 and is stitched to itself by a stitch line 20. The top edge portion of the outer tube 13 thus forms a seam, channel or duffel 21 through which a drawstring 22 is threaded. It will be noted that outer tube 13 is split along part of the length of the flexible closure 18 to allow drawstring 22 to draw the flexible closure 18 closed. The drawstring 22 acts as a tie to draw closed the flexible closure 18 across the mouth 16 of the container. A piece of material which forms a flexible protective bib 23 is also held internally by the stitch line 14. The protective bib 23 extends across and protects the closure of a inner container which is inserted in the container in the manner to be described below. A single handle or lifting loop 24, formed by a elongate piece of flexible material in the form of a strap, is stitched by heavy duty zigzag stitching 25 to the exterior of the flexible body 2 on opposing sides thereof. The lifting strap or handle 24 can be used to raise the container (when filled), using for example a fork-lift truck. Figure 5A shows alternative arrangements of the flexible body on the sleeve at the base and top of the container. In Figure 5 A the base sheet 9 has been doubled upon itself to form a generally u-shaped fold 9a. The fold 9a is stitched through by stitch line 10. Stitch line 10 also passes through the outer tube 13 and inner tube 12, each side of the sleeve 5, and through the sleeve 5 as described above.

Figure 5 A shows an alternative arrangement of the flexible body on the sleeve at the top of the container also. In the arrangement shown, the stitch line 14 does not pass through the sleeve 5, in contrast to the arrangement of Figure 5. Instead the stitch line 14 passes through each side of a generally u-shaped fold 15a. The stitching of the fold 15a creates a circumferential dove-tailed shallow (annular) recess or pocket 16a about the (internal) periphery of the container at the top thereof. The top end of the sleeve 5 is insertable as shown in Figure 5a in the pocket. The engagement of the sleeve 5 in the pocket 16a is sufficient to allow the sleeve 5 to engage and hold the body of the container in its erect configuration. Stitching through the sleeve 5 is thus unnecessary.

Similarly as shown in Figure 5B an arrangement of the flexible body on the sleeve described for the top of the container in Figure 5A can be used for the base of the container also. In the embodiment of Figure 5B the base sheet 9 is again doubled into a fold 9a. This arrangement has the advantage of allowing the stitching 10 to be applied easily from the exterior of the container. The inner tube 12 and outer tube 13 are each folded into a generally u-shaped fold 18a. The fold 18a is stitched through by stitching 10 which does not pass through the sleeve 5 in contrast to the arrangement of Figure 5. The stitching of the fold 18a creates a circumferential dovetailed shallow recess or pocket 19a into which the lower end of the sleeve 5 fits about the lower (internal) periphery of the container. It is thus unnecessary to stitch or otherwise secure the sleeve 5 to the flexible body of the container at any point along the sleeve. The flexible body can be created separately and the sleeve inserted later. This is a very flexible process in the manufacture of the container. While the container is empty the sleeve and flexible body can be easily separated at any desired stage. As can be seen from Figures 1, 2 and 8 in particular the sleeve 5 confers a substantially octagonal shape on the flexible body 2. The sleeve 5 is shown in Figure 3. The sleeve 5 consists of a unitary piece of corrugated plastics 30. The sheet of corrugated plastics 30 has been folded about eight, equally spaced apart fold lines 31, which give the sleeve 5 its generally octagonal shape. It can be seen from the Figures that the folding of the plastic material is arranged so that the axes of folding of the corrugations 32 run along the walls of the sleeve 5 following a line from the upper end 6 of the sleeve to the lower end 7. In the configuration shown in Figure 3 a first end 33 has not yet been joined to a second end 34 of the sheet 30. An interned rim 35 between a fold line 31 and the second end 34 is used as a seam which is overlapped with the first end 33 so that the sheet of corrugated plastics 30 may be formed into a single piece. Joining of the ends of the sheet may be achieved for example by heat welding at welding points 36. Alternatively the ends may be joined by any other suitable method, such as for example stitching, adhesion etc. It is preferred however that the sleeve 5 is formed as a unitary (endless) piece, rather than created by joining, for example joining the ends of a sheet.

An inner container 40 useful to form a pack with a flexible outer container 1 of the present invention is shown in Figure 6. The inner container 40 is made of polyethylene transparent plastic material. The inner container 40 comprises a collapsible and erectable flexible body 41 which, in the embodiment illustrated, has sufficient strength to stand alone.

The body of the container 40 has a side wall 42 which is formed by a generally cylindrically shaped wall. The inner container body 41 has a base 43 and a top wall 44. In its erected configuration the container 40 has a generally cylindrical or drum-shaped appearance. A product inlet/outlet 45 is formed in a depression or recess portion 46 in the top wall 44. Closure means, in the form of a screw-on cap 47, is shown having been screwed on the reciprocal threads in the product inlet/outlet. The cap 47 is removed for filling or emptying product into or from the container. The inner container 40 is liquid impermeable being generally designed to hold and store liquids (and fluidized products) without leakage. The inner container 40 useful in the present invention is designed to form a pack with the outer container 1 of the present invention. In particular the container 40 forms an inner container of the pack as will be described below. This arrangement is shown in Figure 8. It would be appreciated that liners may be used with the container 1 of the present invention for example a liquid impermeable liner or for example a co- extruded plastics film such a polyethylene which conforms to the inner configuration of the body. It will be appreciated as well that the container 1 may be used without a liner. The inner container 40 is particularly advantageous where the material to be handled is a liquid.

To form the pack comprising the container 1 as an outer container and the container 40 as an inner container the flexible closure 18 is raised to an upstanding position from the body 2 (such as shown in Figures 1 and 8). The drawstring 22 is loosened so that the closure 18 gapes to form a neck or opening 37 through which the inner container 40 is inserted, base first. In the configuration shown in Figure 8 the lifting handle 24 has been moved to one side to avoid obstructing insertion of the inner container 40. The bib 23 has been pulled upwardly along the flexible closure 18 so that it may be placed on top of the container 40 when the container 40 is fully in place.

In use, container 40 is fully inserted to form a inner container of the pack, the cap 47 is removed and liquid product pumped into the inner container 40. The filled pack comprising the outer container 1 and the inner container 40 is shown in Figure 9. The bib 23 has been pulled across the top wall 44 of the container 40. In particular the bib 23 protects the cap 47 of the inner container . The drawstring 22 is pulled closed over the inner container 40 and the bib 23, and tied together in a releasable knot 50. The filled container can be easily moved by use of the lifting handle 24.

As can be seen from Figure 9, the container 1 flexes (due to the resiliently deformable nature of the sleeve 5) to take up a drum-shaped appearance under the weight of the contents of the inner container 40. Figure 7 shows the inner container 40 of Figure 6 in a collapsed configuration. The side walls 42 of the container have folded/collapsed so that the inner container body 41 folds or concertinas, so that the top wall 44 and the base 43 remain substantially parallel to each other.

It will be noted that the container 40 is of sufficient strength to stand alone as shown in Figure 6, but is also sufficiently flexible to expand under the weight of its contents causing the body 2 to take up a cylindrical shape. The inner container is constructed of suitable plastics to make it strong, resistant to creasing and pin-holing. For example the inner container 40 may be of a type of flexible container available under the trademark "Flexotainer"® from Nittel in Germany. This type of inner container is not conventional to flexible intermediate bulk containers.

The body 2 may be made from flat or circular woven textiles, such as polypropylene, as known for flexible intermediate bulk containers, or any other suitable material. If necessary, the polypropylene is stitched to form the octagonal-in-plan shape shown.

An empty container 1 can be folded (collapsed) as shown in Figure 10. The container 1 is emptied if not already empty. The inner container 40, if present, can be first removed, though the container may be folded with the inner container 40 in place. The flexible closure 18 is, for the sake of neat packing of the container, folded into the container. The container is then folded about the hinge lines 31 of the sleeve 5 so that two hinge lines 30 move towards the centre of the folded arrangement. The folded container 1 is then substantially flat in configuration, having a width corresponding to the width of two of the eight sides of the octagonal shape. The strap 24 may also be held neatly within the folded structure. There is no necessity to remove the sleeve 5. It will be appreciated that only six fold lines are required to collapse the container into a neat stowable configuration. To erect a pack of the invention the user has merely to open the container to the shape shown in Figure 1 by pulling out two opposing sides, inserting an inner container 40 if necessary, and commencing filling of the contents thereinto.

Referring to Figures 11 to 19, there is shown a container 101, of a second aspect of the present invention comprising a flexible body 102 of constructed of a flexible fabric which is collapsible and erectable. The body 102 has a base 103 and side walls 104 composed (in the embodiment illustrated) of eight similar wall portions. Elongate stiffening members 105 each having an upper end 106 and a lower end 107 stiffen the flexible body 102. The lower end 107 of each of the stiffening members 105 is disposed proximate the base 103 while the stiffening members extend upwardly along the container 101 so that the upper ends 106 of each are located near to the top of the container 101.

The container 101 has a flexible base sheet 122 of heavy duty material which extends across the container to form the base 103 of the container. The base sheet 122 is arranged between the side walls 104 so as to be taut in the erect configuration of the container. The base sheet 122 is stitched on a stitch line 150 to the bottom fold 124 of the side wall material. The base sheet has an area substantially equivalent to that of a horizontal cross-sectional area of the erected container. The taut case sheet can take up loading not taken up by a flexible inner sheet 108 described below. The sheet 122 may be a double layer sheet.

As can be seen from Figures 12 and 13 in particular, the container 101 further comprises an inner sheet of flexible material 108 extending across the interior of the container 101 above the base sheet 122. The sheet 108 is attached to the side walls by stitching 110 which passes through a line of perforations in the stiffening members 105 about 2-3 cm above the lower edge thereof. The stitch line 110 extends about the internal circumference/perimeter of the container. The sheet 108 is retained in a desired position by the side walls 104 and/or the stiffening members 105 at a position spaced above the lower ends 107 of the stiffening members 105. The sheet 108 has an area inside the stitching 110 which is greater than the horizontal cross-sectional area of the erected container 101 so that it is held in a slack or untensioned mode as is most clearly shown in Figure 13. The sheet 108 is arranged to transmit at least part of a load placed on it into a loading along an elongate axis of the stiffening members 105 as will be hereinafter described.

The side walls 104 are formed in two halves labelled 111 and 112. The two halves 111, 112 are joined by two heavily stitched seams 113,114. Each seam 113,114 acts as a joint line about which the body 102 can be folded. Attached to the container 101 are a pair of lifting straps 115. The lifting straps 115 can be used to raise the container (when filled) using for example a fork lift truck.

The container 101 is provided with a flexible closure 116 which in the configuration of Figure 11 is turned down into the container 101. The flexible closure 116 is shorter than the height of the container so that when its upper end 117 is folded into the container it extends about three quarters of the way toward the base 103. In this folded-in configuration the flexible closure 116 is held within the container when the container is in its collapsed configuration (see Figure 19). The flexible closure 116 has a tie 118 attached to it which can be used to tie the flexible closure closed when the container is filled. To fill the container 101 the flexible closure 116 is withdrawn from its folded position within the container as shown in Figure 16. For filling, a liner (not shown), will be used, particularly a liquid impermeable liner e.g. of co-extruded plastic film such as polyethylene, conforming to the interior configuration of the body. The container is filled in the direction of the arrow. After filling the upper end 117 of the flexible closure 116 is drawn together and tied tightly using the tie 118 as shown in Figure 17. As shown in Figure 15 in particular, the flexible closure 116 is stitched to the inside of the top of the container at a stitch line 123. The stitch line 123 also closes the upper ends of pockets 120 in the side walls 104.

In the embodiment, the body 102 is made from flat or circular woven polypropylene or any other suitable material. The polypropylene is stitched to form the octagonal-in-plan shape shown. The side walls 104 have formed therein a series of closely arranged pockets 120, in the embodiment eight equally sized pockets. These pockets 120 are formed from single or double layers of polypropylene fabric, stitched together. As shown the pockets 120 are formed by a series of vertical joint lines 121 which in the embodiment are stitch lines. The seams 113,114 also act as joint lines even though these seams are more heavily stitched than the other joint lines. Each pocket 120 is formed by two of the series of vertical joint lines 121, so that as shown each vertical joint line 121 forms one side of consecutive pockets. Each pocket 120 has a stiffening member 105 inserted therein. The stiffening member 105 is a tight fit in each pocket so that folding the container about the joint lines stretches the material of the container body so that the container is biased toward its erected (unfolded) configuration. The container 101 when unfolded fully tends to snap into shape in a locked open conformation. Each stiffening member 105 is shown in dashed outline in Figures 11 and 12.

The filling of the container 101 is as follows. As described above the flexible closure 116 is moved to the position of Figure 16. A liner (not shown) is inserted (if necessary) and filling is commenced. The filling operation is described for ease of reference as filling with a liquid. The liquid is filled into the liner. The liner being flexible conforms to the shape of the liquid and moves with the liquid to fill the internal volume of the container. The pressure of the liquid firstly begins to exert a downward force on the flexible inner sheet 108 which bears at least some of the weight of the liquid. The flexible inner sheet 108 being partly slack tensions with increasing weight of liquid. This tension is transmitted, as described above, to the stiffening members 105 forcing them in a downward direction illustrated by the arrows shown in Figure 13. Folds of material 124,125 respectively resulting from closure of the lower end of the pockets 120 and the provision of the base sheet 122, are pressed downwardly until the weight of the liquid forces the stiffening members 105 to sit firmly on the ground. The stiffening members 105 are separated from the ground only by a layer of material forming the pockets 120. In this construction there is a spacing between the inner sheet 108 and the base sheet 122 so that the inner sheet 108 can deform to accommodate at least part of the shape taken up by the liquid. The embodiment described above is particularly suitable for contents such as fine powders and viscous liquids. With reference to Figure 14 a preferred embodiment of the container of the second aspect of the present invention will be described. The container 101 is filled as described above with a liquid 140 held in a plastics liner 141. In the embodiment of Figure 14 each of the stiffening members 105 have at their lower ends an end portion pivotable relative to the stiffening members. The pivotable portion 130 can be provided by scoring, perforating or otherwise creating a fold line or pivot transverse to an elongate axis of each stiffening member 105. However in a particularly simple construction the line of perforations in the members 105 to accommodate the stitching 110 can be used as the pivot or folding line 142 as shown in Figure 14. In an alternative embodiment the flexible sheet 108 may be attached to the walls of the container above the pivot point 142. Pressure downwardly along the elongate axis of the stiffening members (such as is caused by the loading on the flexible sheet 108) causes the end portion 130 to pivot inwardly in the direction of the underside of the container. This provides a segmented rim 131 about the base of the container. A single pivotable portion 130 on each stiffening member 105 is sufficient to impart increased stability to the container 101. In the preferred arrangement shown the segmented rim is formed in the space between the taut base sheet 122 and the flexible inner sheet 108. If the pressure of liquid is sufficient then the liner containing the liquid may force the flexible inner sheet 108 downwardly until part of the load rests on the rim 131. The inner sheet 108 supporting the liquid has a "footprint" on the base with a diameter less than that of the base.

An even more stable arrangement is shown in Figure 18 where the end portion 130 is designed to assume a v-shape on filling the drum. In the embodiment of Figure 18 the container is filled with a liquid 140 held in a liner 141. The desired folding can be achieved by providing, for example, two score lines on opposite sides of the stiffening members 105. The v-shaped arrangement is shown in Figure 18, the stiffeners 105 having second pivotable portions 132 which pivot in a direction outwardly from the container. Alternatively and as shown in Figure 18 an upper fold (or crease) line may be formed by a line of perforations used for stitching the flexible sheet 108. In this arrangement the lower fold line 145 is mechanically weaker than the upper fold lines 146 so that the lower fold line 145 is the first to give under the pressure of the contents. If the direction of pivoting about the lower fold line 145 is predetermined (for example by scoring on one side) the pivotal force created can be used to urge pivoting about the upper stitch line in the required direction. The end portion thus folds in concertina fashion under this loading. This control of pivoting allows the v-shaped arrangement to be formed. The increased surface area of the stiffeners 105 providing vertical support for the container gives the container more stability. The containers described in Figures 14 and 18 are suitable for holding contents such as flowable powders or non-viscous liquids.

An empty container 101 can be folded (collapsed) as shown in Figure 19. The container 101 is emptied if not already empty. The container may be folded with the liner in place. The flexible closure 116 is for the sake of neat packing of the container folded into the container (to the position shown in Figures 11, 13 and 15). The container is then folded about its hinge lines so that the heavy duty seams 113,114 move to the centre of the folded arrangement. The folded container 1 is then substantially flat in configuration having a width corresponding to the width of two pockets 120. The straps 115 are also held neatly within the folded structure.

In order to collapse the container, it is only necessary to fold the body 102, inwardly at the stitch lines 113 and 114, thereby enabling a flat collapsed or stowed container to be achieved, with the stiffening members 105 in place, the stitch lines providing hinge lines. The flexible sheet 122 and inner sheet 108 can be folded neatly while the folded container.

The user has merely to open the container to the shape shown in Figure 11 by pulling out the two opposite sides about hinge lines 113, 114, inserting a liner if necessary, and commencing filling of liquid thereinto.

In both aspects of the present invention the container can be placed on a pallet, after opening out. The rigidity of the sleeve or the rigidity of the stiffening members together with the flexibility of the fabric ensures ready movement between the collapsed and erected conditions, the stitching and sleeve or stiffening members ensuring that the unfilled yet erected container maintains its rigid shape prior to filling. The substantially octagonal cross-section of each erect container is pressured into a substantially circular cross-section on filling with contents (such as liquids or fluidized material) which apply pressure evenly about the internal perimeter of the container.

In the first aspect of the invention the base sheet 9 may be formed of a separate piece of material. The base sheet 9 is stitched into the container 1 by stitch line 10 or by separate stitching if required. In each aspect of the invention the side walls, may be formed of one or two pieces of flexible material folded so as to provide double walls. The base sheet may also be formed of a separate piece of material. In the second aspect the pockets 120 may however be constructed independently. The pieces of material are then joined.

The inner container 40 of the first aspect of the invention may be constructed of polyethylene or polypropylene. If conventional liners constructed of plastics film (for example polyethylene) are used, glands for filling and/or emptying the liner could also be provided. The glands could be secured to apertures in the top or front. If a conventional liner is used, for example one constructed of a plastic film, in order to ensure that the liner takes up, and conforms to, the interior configuration of the container body, the liner, after insertion and connection of the glands, is inflated, then deflated suitably by collapsing container 1, 101 to the collapsed, flat shape. The liner thus conforms to the body shape of the container 1, 101 in its erect mode and takes up the substantially octagonal configuration of the interior volume of the container.

An aperture may be provided in a side wall for a discharge outlet. A planar member may be removably inserted in the base to strengthen the container.

It has been discovered that corrugated plastics material is particularly useful in the container of the present invention. One example of such material is corrugated polypropylene. The stiffening means may be for example a cylindrical (or polygonal e.g. octagonal) sleeve. The sleeve 105 collapses radially inwardly about a longitudinal axis. It will be understood that where the material of the body is fusible, the stitching may be replaced by welding, for example heat and pressure welding or ultrasonic welding, to form hinge lines as before.

In the second aspect of the invention the stiffeners can be made of any suitable material, though it is particularly desirable that they are constructed of resiliently deformable material such as a plastics material. It has been discovered that corrugated plastics material is particularly useful in this respect also. One example of such material is corrugated polypropylene. The stiffening means may alternatively be a unitary piece for example a cylindrical (or polygonal e.g. octagonal) sleeve, for example as described above. Again this type of stiffening means would have a suitable number of fold lines to allow the container to collapse about a longitudinal axis. For example the sleeve could be scored. In both aspects of the invention the container is collapsible radially inwardly about a longitudal axis. Opposing walls of the container fold flat against each other. Furthermore in each Figure the stiffening means or sleeve supports the side wall along the entire height of the walls (between the base and the mouth of the container). There are no unstiffened portions of the side wall. The containers retain their respective heights in their folded configurations. Typical capacities of the pack or outer container of the present invention are about 200 - 250 litres, though it will be appreciated that any desired volume can be achieved, suitably from 25 litres upwards to 1,000 litres and even beyond, for example 1,500 litres.

A container of the first aspect of the invention was constructed with the dimensions given in Examples 1 and 2 below:

Example 1

Height of outer container approx. 90cm Diameter of erected filled container approx. 57 cm

The inner container was a flexible container supplied under the trademark, Flexotainer ® with the following dimensions: Diameter - 570 mm; Height - 834 mm. A pack having the dimensions given above and a Flexotainer ® was assembled as shown above. 200 litres of liquid (water) were filled into the Flexotainer ®. The pack was closed to the configuration of Figure 9. The pack was subjected to the following tests:

The pack was dropped vertically from the following heights onto the ground, -base first: 1.8m (three times) 2.5m (once)

The pack did not rupture. Neither the inner nor the outer container burst. The pack was also found to be stackable.

Example 2

A container of the first aspect of the invention had the following dimensions:

Height approx 112 cm Diameter 114 cm

The inner container was a Flexotainer ® with the dimensions:

Diameter 110 cm

Height 112 cm

The pack had a capacity of approx 1,000 litres. A pack was assembled as for Example 1 above. The pack was found to be stackable.

In one construction of a container of the second aspect of the invention the container has the dimensions given in Example 3 below:

Example 3

Length of each pocket approx. 90 cm Width of each pocket approx. 23 cm Diameter of erected container 60 cm

In the first or second aspect of the invention and as an alternative to the single handle (lifting loop), it may be desirable to use two lifting loops, suitably sewn to the exterior of the body at four points spaced equally around the perimeter. The sewing points for each loop may be adjacent to one another or they may be located opposite to each other, suitably diametrically opposite, in which case, one loop crosses over the other and the loops may be joined together at the mid point of each.

If desired, a small discharge chute may be provided for discharging from the bottom of the drum.

The words "comprises/comprising" and the words "having including" when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.

Claims

1. A container (1) comprising a flexible body (2) which is collapsible and erectable, said body having a base (3) and a side wall (4), and stiffening means to stiffen the flexible body, wherein the side wall (4) of the container (1) is arranged to assume a substantially cylindrical configuration when the container (1) is filled and the stiffening means comprises a unitary sleeve (5) of resiliently deformable material.

2. A container (1) according to claim 1 wherein the stiffening means is resiliently deformable about vertical axes.

3. A container (1) according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the stiffening means or component is formed of a corrugated plastics material (30).

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein the longitudinal axes of the corrugations (32) are substantially aligned, running substantially perpendicular to the base (3) of the container.

5. A container (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the sleeve (5) is a jointless body.

6. A container (1) according to claim 5 wherein the sleeve (5) is scored or folded to provide hinge lines or fold lines about which the sleeve (5) can fold.

7. A container (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the side wall (4) of the flexible body (2) is formed as an endless loop, for example as a unitary tubular or endless belt-shaped piece (12; 13).

8. A container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the stiffening means is attached to the interior of the body, for example by stitching.

9. A container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the container body (2) has at least one shallow pocket (16a) located about the periphery of a mouth (16) of the container and into which at least part of the sleeve (5) is insertable.

10. A container (1) according to any preceding claim wherein the container body (2) has at least one shallow pocket (19a) located about the periphery of the base of the container and into which at least part of the sleeve (5) is insertable.

11. A container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the side wall (4) is a double-layer side wall.

12. A container (1) according to claim 11 wherein the double-layer side wall is formed by two separate tubes (12, 13) of flexible material, one tube arranged inside the other.

13. A container (1) according to claim 11 wherein the double-layer side wall is formed by one piece of flexible tubular material which is doubled upon itself.

14. A container (1) according to any preceding claim wherein at least a portion of the side wall (4) extends upwardly to form a flexible closure (18) for a mouth (16) of the container.

15. A container according to claim 14 wherein the side wall (4) comprises a double-layer side wall and the flexible closure (18) is formed by a portion of at least one of the layers.

16. A container according to claim 15 wherein an outer layer (13) of the side wall (4) forms the flexible closure (18).

17. A container according to claims 14 to 16 wherein the flexible closure (18) is provided with a closure means in the form of a tie to hold the flexible closure in a closed position.

18. A container (1) according to claim 17 wherein the tie is a drawstring (22) on the flexible closure to draw the flexible closure (18) closed.

19. A container (1) comprising a flexible body (2) which is collapsible and erectable, the body (2) having a base (3) and a side wall (4), the side wall (4) being a double-layer side wall of tubular flexible material and a unitary sleeve (5) of resilient deformable material for stiffening the flexible body, the double-layer side wall being attached to the sleeve (5) and a portion of one layer of the side wall forming a flexible closure (18) for a mouth (16) of the container.

20. A container (1) according to any preceding claim wherein a protective bib or flap (23) is provided on the container for protecting the top of a liner or inner container (40) placed within the container.

21. A container according to any preceding claim which has an octagonal cross- section.

22. A container according to any preceding claim having one or more lifting loops (24).

23. A pack comprising an outer container (1) having the features of a container according to any preceding claim having inserted therein a collapsible and erectable liquid impermeable inner container (40) comprising: (i) a flexible body (41) having a base (43) and side walls (42) and a top wall

(44); and (ii) an inlet (45) in said body; and

(iii) closure means (47) for closing said inlet, said inner container being drum- shaped.

24. A pack according to claim 23 wherein the inlet (45) is in said top wall of the body, and preferably is recessed therein.

25. A pack according to claim 24 wherein the inner container (40) is dimensioned to be a snug fit within the outer container (1).

26. A pack according to claim 25 wherein the inner container (40) when holding a flowable product presses the outer container (1) into its substantially cylindrical wall shape.

27. A container (101) comprising: a flexible body (102) which is collapsible and erectable, said body (102) having a base (103) and side walls (104), and elongate stiffening means (105) having upper (106) and lower (107) ends, to stiffen the flexible body, the lower end (107) of the stiffening means being disposed proximate the base, the base comprising a sheet (122) of flexible material attached to the side walls (104) and having an area inside the attachment substantially equal to the cross-sectional area of the erected container so that the base sheet is taut, the container further comprising an inner sheet (108) of flexible material extending across the interior of the container above the base, the inner sheet (108) being attached to the side walls and/or the stiffening means at a position spaced above the lower end of the stiffening means, and having an area inside the attachment greater than that of the base so that the inner sheet is slack.

28. A container (101) according to claim 27 wherein the container body (102) is constructed to adopt a substantially cylindrical shape when pressured by contents placed in it.

29. A container (101) according to claim 27 or claim 28 wherein the stiffening means (105) has at its lower end an end portion (30) pivotable about a horizontal axis relative to the stiffening members.

30. A container (101) according to any one of claims 27 to 29 wherein the side walls comprise pockets (120) into each of which are insertable individual stiffening members, each of the stiffening members having an end portion pivotable relative to its respective stiffening member.

31. A container (101) according to claim 30 wherein the side walls comprise a series of closely arranged pockets (120) formed by two of a series of lateral joint lines (121) , each lateral joint line forming one side of consecutive pockets, each pocket having a stiffening member inserted therein, the stiffening member being a tight fit in each pocket so that on folding the container body stretches so that the container is biased toward its erected configuration.

32. A container (101) according to any one of claims 27 to 31 wherein the end portion has a ground pivot axis or line of weakness (145) so that the end portion (130) folds in concertina fashion under loading.

33. A container (101) according to any one of claims 27 to 32 wherein stiffening members are received in all of the pockets (120) and more preferably the pockets are closed by joining of the material defining the pockets at the top and bottom thereof.

34. A container according to any one of claims 27 to 33 wherein the stiffening means is a corrugated plastics material.

35. A container or pack substantially as described herein with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.