AU2007100264A4 - A storage article - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant: ACCO AUSTRALIA PTY LTD A.C.N. 000 265 047 Invention Title: A STORAGE ARTICLE The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: -2- A STORAGE ARTICLE e, Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a storage article for storing documents or other items.

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C Background of the Invention Various articles are available for storing items, in particular paper documents. One such article is a filing cabinet, which consists of long drawers having a number of dividers and/or slips for organising and holding the documents. Other types of known storage articles include archive boxes, which are essentially cardboard boxes with lids, and carry files which consist of a plurality of concertina-like pockets held within a rigid carry case.

Summary of the Invention The present invention provides a storage article for storing documents or other items comprising a storage unit moveable between a collapsed position and an extended position, and a support arranged in a first configuration to support the storage unit in its extended position, and in a second configuration to enable the storage unit to be moved into its collapsed position.

In one embodiment the storage unit can comprise a plurality of pockets.

In one form of this, the plurality of pockets can have a "concertina" type structure.

In one form of this, the pockets can be formed by a plurality of sheets that are arranged generally parallel and connected to an adjacent sheet by strips of material.

In one embodiment, the strips of material can be arranged at respective side edges of the said sheets.

3 In one form of this, the strips of material can be folded approximately in half when the storage unit is in the collapsed position.

In one form of this, when the storage unit is in the collapsed position, the strips of material can be folded to enable the sheets to be pressed together.

Conversely, when the storage unit is in the extended position, the strips of material can space the sheets apart.

In one embodiment, the support can comprise a casing which in the first configuration is moveable into a surrounding position in which the casing at least partly surrounds and supports the storage unit.

In one form of this, a portion of the casing can form a base of the storage article when the casing is in the surrounding position.

In one embodiment, a portion of the casing can comprise at least one element that is fixed to one end of the storage unit.

In one embodiment, the casing can be moveable into the second configuration in which the base-forming portion is folded to overlay a portion of the at least one element.

In one embodiment, the casing can further comprise a first element and a second element, the first element fixed to one end of the storage unit, and the second element fixed to the other end of the storage unit.

In one form of this, a portion of the first element can be attachable to a portion of the second element to hold the casing in the first configuration.

In one embodiment, the first element can comprise first, second and third portions.

In one embodiment, the first portion of the first element can be fixed to one end of the storage unit.

In one form of this, the first portion of the first element can form one end of the storage article.

In one embodiment, the second portion of the 4 first element can be connected to the first portion.

In one embodiment, the second portion of the first element can form a base of the storage article when the casing is in the first configuration.

In one form of this, in the first configuration, the second portion of the first element can close an underside of the storage unit to enable documents or other items to be retained therewithin.

In one embodiment, the length of the second portion of the first element can be approximately equal to the maximum length of the storage unit in its extended position.

In one embodiment, the third portion of the first element can be connected to the second portion.

In one embodiment, the third portion of the first element can be attachable to the second element to hold the first element in the surrounding position.

In one embodiment, when the ends of the storage unit are fixed to the first and second elements, the attachment of the third portion of the first element to the second element can hold the storage unit in its extended position.

In one form of this, the third portion can be detachable from the second element after it has been attached thereto.

In one form of this, a detachable fastener can be used to fasten the third portion to the second element.

In one form of this, the fastener may be one of the group comprising a press stud, a clip, a slot, a staple, a screw or an adhesive.

In one embodiment, when the casing is in the folded position, the second and third portions of the first element can be folded over the first portion, to overlay the first portion.

In one embodiment, the second element can comprise first, second and third portions.

5 In one form of this, the first portion of the second element can be fixed to another end of the storage unit to the first element.

In one embodiment, the first portion of the second element can form one end of the storage article.

In one embodiment, the third portion of the first element can be attachable to the first portion of the second element.

In one embodiment, the second porti'on of the second element is connected to the first portion.

In one embodiment, the second portion of the second element can form a top of the storage article when the casing is in the first configuration.

In one form of this, in the first configuration, the second portion of the second element can close a top side of the storage unit to enable documents or other items to be retained therewithin.

In one embodiment, the length of the second portion of the second element is approximately equal to the maximum length of the storage unit in its extended position.

In one embodiment, the storage article can further comprise a fastener for fastening the third portion of the second element to the first portion of the first element.

In one embodiment, the fastener may be undone to enable movement of the second portion of the second element so as to provide access to the storage unit.

In one embodiment, the fastener can comprise a male or female part located on the third portion of the second element and a corresponding male or female part on the first portion of the first element, the parts arranged for coupling together in use to fasten the said portions together.

In one embodiment, when the casing is in the second configuration, the second and third portions of the second element can be folded over the first portion, to 6 overlay the first portion.

In an alternative embodiment, the casing can comprise a single element made up of five portions.

In this embodiment, a first portion can be fixed to one end of the storage unit, and form one end of the storage article when the storage unit is in the extended position.

In one form of this, second, third and fourth portions respectively form a base, another end and a top of the storage article respectively when the storage unit is in the extended position.

In one form of this, a fifth portion can be fastenable to the first portion in order to support the storage unit in the extended position.

In one form of this, the third portion can be removably attachable to an end of the storage unit opposite to the first portion. In one form of this, the removable attachment can be effected by at least one of the group comprising a press stud, a clip or a slot.

In one form of this, when the casing is in the folded position, the second, third, fourth and fifth portions can be folded over the first portion, to overlay the first portion.

In any of these embodiments, the storage article can also comprise a handle connected to the casing to enable the storage article to be carried.

In one form of this, the handle can be connected to second portion of the casing. In one form of this connection, the handle can be rotatably connected to the casing to enable the handle to lay flat against the casing when not in use.

Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the present invention, will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: 7 Figure 1 is a perspective view of a storage article according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the article having a support in the form of a casing arranged in a first configuration so as to surround a storage unit which is in the form of a concertina-type file, the latter being shown in an extended position; Figure 2 is a side view of the storage article of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a perspective view of the storage article of Figure 1, with the casing of the storage article partially moved between the first configuration and a second configuration in which the storage unit can be moved into a collapsed position; Figure 4 is a perspective view of the storage article of Figure 1, with the storage unit moved into the collapsed position and the casing now shown in a folded position; and Figure 5 is a side view of the storage article of Figure 4.

Detailed Description of a Preferred Embodiment Referring to the Figures, a storage article is shown for storing documents or other items. The article is in the form of a collapsible file carry box 10. The file box 10 comprises a collapsible storage unit in the form of a "concertina"-type file 11 which is moveable between a collapsed position (as shown in Figures 4 and and an extended position (as shown in Figures 1 and 2).

The file box 10 also comprises a support in the form of a casing 12 which is moveable between first configuration in which the casing is linked so as to surround the concertina file 11 (as shown in Figures 1 and and a second configuration in which the casing 12 is released from its linked position surrounding the file 11 (as shown in Figures 4 and When in the surrounding position, the casing 12 surrounds and supports the concertina file 8 S11 in its extended position. However, when the casing 12 is in the second position, it enables the concertina file 11 to be moved into the collapsed position.

One significant advantage of such a file box is that when not being used to store documents or other items, the casing 12 can be moved into the second configuration and the concertina file 11 into the collapsed position, which results in the article 10 being "flat-packed". In this position the volume of the file box 10 is significantly reduced. This is particularly advantageous for the transport of a plurality of the file boxes 10 as it enables many more of them to be placed in a single shipping container, for example, when compared to conventional rigid file carry boxes which cannot be similarly collapsed into a smaller volume.

The concertina file 11 comprises a plurality of pockets 13. The pockets 13 are formed by a plurality of sheets 14, which are connected at the sides of the sheets 14 by strips of material 15. The strips of material fold approximately in half so as to provide the "concertina" type structure for the pockets 13. When the concertina file 11 is in the expanded position, the strips of material 15 space the sheets 14 apart, thus providing spaces for documents or other items to be stored between the sheets 14. When the concertina 11 is in the collapsed position (for example when flat-packed prior to use), the strips of material 15 are folded to enable the sheets 14 to be pressed together.

The casing 12 comprises two main parts, being a first element (shown generally as foldable panel 16) and a second element (shown generally as foldable panel 17).

Each of these foldable panels 16, 17 are arranged so as to be fixed at opposite ends of the expandable concertina file 11.

The first foldable panel 16 comprises first, second and third portions in the form of respective rectangular panels 18, 19 and 20 of various dimensions 9 each of which are joined to one respective other panel.

The first panel 18 is fixed to one end of the concertina file 11 and forms one end of the file box 10 when the casing 12 is in the surrounding position. The second panel 19 is hingedly connected to the first panel 18 and also forms the base of the file box 10 when the casing 12 is arranged in the first configuration to surround the concertina file 11, as best shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In this position, in one arrangement the second panel 19 closes over the gaps at the bottom of the pockets 13 of the concertina file 11 to enable documents or other items to be retained within the pockets 13. The length of the second panel 19 is approximately equal to the maximum length of the concertina file 11 when in its extended position. In other embodiments, the bottom edge of the pockets 13 can be sealed closed to retain documents in the pockets themselves without the second panel 19 necessarily performing this function.

The third panel 20 of the first foldable panel 16 is hingedly connected to the second panel 19 along a fold line. The third panel 20 is also attachable in use to the second foldable panel 17. Such attachment holds the first foldable panel 16 relative to the second foldable panel 17 to form the basic casing 12 which surrounds the concertina file 11. In addition, the attachment of the third panel to the second foldable panel 17 holds the concertina file 11 in its expanded position.

The third panel 20 may or may not be detachable from the second foldable panel 17 after it has been attached thereto. In some instances, once the file box has been assembled (for example by gluing) it retains its final assembled shape. In other instances, the file box can be collapsed again if the third panel 20 is detached from the second foldable panel 17. Any suitable fastener may be used to attach the third panel 20 to the second foldable panel 17. These can include, but are not limited to, items such as press studs, clips, slots, 10 staples, screws or adhesive, for example. Any number or combination of such fasteners can also be used.

When the casing 12 is in the second configuration so that the concertina file can be collapsed (as best shown in Figures 4 and the second and third panels 19, are hingedly folded over in front of the first panel 18 so as to overlay that first panel 18. This enables the concertina file 11 to be moved into its collapsed position Cwithout damaging the components of the casing 12.

The second foldable panel 17 also comprises first, second and third portions in the form 'of respective rectangular panels 21, 22 and 23 of various dimensions each of which are joined to one respective other panel.

The first panel 21 is fixed to the other, opposite end of the concertina file 11 (the end opposite to the end to which the first panel 18 of the first foldable panel 16 is attached) and forms one end of the file box 10 when the casing 12 is in the surrounding position. In this configuration the third panel 20 of the first foldable panel 16 is attachable to the first panel 21 of the second foldable panel 17, as previously described.

The second panel 22 of the second foldable panel 17 is hingedly connected to the first panel 21. The second panel 22 forms the top surface of the file box when the casing 12 is in the surrounding position. In this position, the second panel 22 closes over the gaps at the top of the pockets 13 of the concertina file 11 to fully enclose any documents or other items within the file box 10. The length of the second panel 22 is approximately equal to the maximum length of-the concertina file 11 when in its extended position.

The file box 10 also comprises a fastener for fastening the third panel 23 of the second foldable panel 17 to the first panel 18 of the first foldable panel 16.

In the form shown in the drawings, the fastener (shown generally as item 24) comprises a male and female part that are joined together in use. When the panels 18, 23 11 are fastened together by the fastener, this holds the second panel 22 of the second foldable panel 17 in position so that the foldable panels 16, 17 collectively surround the sides, top and bottom of the concertina file 11. The fastener may be readily undone to allow the second panel 22 of the second foldable panel 17 to be moved so as to provide access to the pockets of the concertina file 11 to store or remove documents or other items.

Notably, the attachment of the third panel 20 of the first foldable panel 16 to the first panel 21 of the second foldable panel 17 retains the casing 12 in position surrounding the concertina file 11 and, because of the general rigidity of the various individual panel pieces 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, there is no substantial loss in the overall shape of the file box 10 when the second panel 22 of the second foldable panel 17 is opened.

The fastener 24 may be any suitable fastener, but preferably comprises a male or female part located on the third panel 23 of the second foldable panel 17 and a corresponding male or female part located on the first panel 18 of the first foldable panel 16. The coupling together of these male and female parts fastens the panels 18, 23 together to lock the file box When the casing 12 is in the second configuration so that the concertina file can be collapsed (as best shown in Figures 4 and the second and third panels 22, 23 of the second foldable panel 17 are hingedly folded over in front of the first panel 21, so as to overlay that first panel 21. This enables the concertina file 11 to be moved into its collapsed position without damaging the components of the casing 12.

In a further embodiment, the casing is comprised of a single element made up of five respectively foldable panels. For convenience of reference, where a panel in such an embodiment is equivalent in position to a panel shown in the embodiment in the Figures, it has been 12 Q)assigned a similar numeral with an additional "A" Sthereafter. The first panel 18A in the five-panel casing 12A is fixed to one end of the concertina file 11A forming C, one end of the file box 10A when the casing 12A is in the surrounding position. The second, third and fourth panels form the base 19A, the other opposite end 21A and the top O 22A of the file box 10A respectively when the casing 12A Cq is in position surrounding the concertina file 11A. The Sfifth panel 23A is fastened to the first panel 18A by way of a fastener in order to the hold the casing 12A in the surrounding position. For structural stability of the casing 12A when the fifth panel 23A is unfastened from the first panel 18A (in order to open the fourth panel 22A for access to the concertina file 11), the third panel 21A may possibly be removably attached to the other end of the concertina file 11 by any suitable mechanism such as press studs, clips or slots for example. In this embodiment, when the casing 12A is in the second configuration, the second 19A, third 21A, fourth 22A and fifth 23A panels can be folded over so as to overlay the first panel 18A. This enables the concertina file 11 to be moved into the collapsed position without damaging the casing 12A, and the casing 12A to be entirely separately folded up.

Referring again to the embodiment shown in the Figures, the file box 10 also comprises a handle 25 that is connected to the casing 12 to enable the file box 10 to be readily carried by a person. The handle 25 is connected to second panel 22 of the second foldable panel 17, which forms the top surface of the casing 12. The handle 25 is rotatably connected to the casing 12 to enable the handle 25 to lay flat against the casing 12 when not in use. This enables the file box 10 to be further collapsed into a smaller volume when not in use.

In still further embodiments of the storage article, the support for supporting the concertina file need not be a series of foldable panels which are of the same transverse width as the width of the concertina file so as 13 to form a neatly shaped box. In these other embodiments, the support can be a series of stiff strips or straps of a material which can be extended so as to support the concertina file in its extended position, and which can also be detached so that the concertina file can be collapsed. These stiff strips or straps, or indeed any of the other panels previously described, can be made of many suitable lightweight materials such as plastic, cardboard, fibreboard and the like.

In still further embodiments the storage unit need Snot be in the form of a concertina file at all, but can also comprise a foldable or flattenable box with a different internal configuration of compartments or slots, depending on the storage requirements.

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity.

However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "top", "bottom", "inside", "outside" and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

While the invention has been described with reference to a number of embodiments, it should be appreciated that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as 14 "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Claims (4)

1. A storage article for storing documents or other items comprising a storage unit moveable between a collapsed position and an extended position, and a support arranged in a first configuration to support the storage unit in its extended position, and in a second configuration to enable the storage unit to be moved into its collapsed position.

2. A storage article as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support comprises a casing which in the first configuration is moveable into a surrounding position in which the casing at least partly surrounds and supports the storage unit.

3. A storage article as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the casing comprises a first element and a second element, the first element fixed to one end of the storage unit, and the second element fixed to the other end of the storage unit, and wherein a portion of the first element is attachable to a portion of the second element to hold the casing in the first configuration.

4. A storage article as claimed in claim 3, wherein the portion forms a base of the storage article when the casing is in the surrounding position. A storage article for storing documents or other items substantially as described herein, with reference to the accompanying drawings.