AU655432B2 - Collapsible containers - Google Patents

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 F6 4 2 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION FOR A STANDARD PATENT

ORIGINAL

NOTICE

1. The specification should describe the invention in full and the best method of i performing it known to the applicant.

2. The specification should be typed on as many sheets of good quality A4 o International size paper as are necessary and inserted irn'-e this form.

3. The claims defining the invention must start on a new page. f there is insufficient space on this form for the claims, use separate sheets of paper.

The words "The claims defining the invention are as follows" should appear before claim 1. After the claims the date and the name of the applicant should appear in block letters.

4. This form must be accompanied by a true and exact copy of the description, claims and drawings (if any) and an additional copy of the claims.

(see Pamphlets explaining formal requirements of specifications and drawings)

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TO BE COMPLETED BY APPLICANT

SRA

PETER ALAN BOUNDY

REG

i am e of A pplicant: i Nctual Inventor(s): PETER ALAN BOUNDY A ctu a l Inve nto bA!\JS> Co-\-\5cO Cve E 1 LI'VL'a CoL.S STEe "COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS" Invention Title: In v e n tio n T itle Details of Associated Provisional Applications: Nos: 22.1.9.0 SEPTEMBER 1.990...

The following statement Is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me:i i la- "COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS" 3 4 6 7 8 9 0000 10 0 0003 00oo00 0 0 14 0 0 oo o 12 00 000 15 o o oo°o 15 0 00 16 17 1.8 000 00 :19 0000 20 ooo 20 S 21 22 oo o 23 24 oo00 0 2oo 0 0 26 Q O00 0 27 28 29 31 32 33 34, 36 37 38 This invention relates generally to containers and more particularly to collapsible containers. One particular application of the containers according to the present invention relates to their use for storing and/or transporting liquids. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention with reference to that particular application, however, it is to be understood that this is not to be considered as a limitation as to the scope of the invention. It will be appreciated that the containers of the present invention could also be used for storing and transporting other articles and materials.

A major problem with containers which are used for storing and/or transporting articles or materials is that they take up a large amount of space when not in use.

Collapsible containers have been proposed in the past which can reduce that space when the containers are not in use, however a problem with such known collapsible containers is that they tend to be relatively complicated in structure or take a relatively long time to dismantle and erect.

It is an object of the preseit invention to provide an improved collapsible container which is relatively simple in construction and can be caused to adopt a collapsed or erected position relatively speedily and efficiently.

Basically a collapsible container according to the present invention comprises a top, a base and a side wall extending between the top and the base, the side wall comprising a plurality of sections arranged side by side so that they form the side wall of the container. Each section comprises at least two side elements which are pivotally interconnected and with one of the side elements being adjacent the top and pivotally connected thereto and another of the side elements being adjacent the base and pivotally connected thereto. The top, base and sections of the side wall are arranged such that in an erected position, they can form a substantially rigid structure and which as a result of the pivot connections between the various parts can adopt 900903,ARSSPE.043,container, -2a collapsed position. Advantageously when in the collapsed position, the overall height of the container is reduced. The collapsible container of the invention may further include releasable support means for retaining the various parts in the erected position.

In the erect position, the side elements of each section may be generally disposed in an upright orientation and arranged one on top of the other between the base and the top. In the collapsed position, the side elements of each section may be pivotally movable relative to one another so that they are inclined with respect to the upright orientation or at least partially overlie one another.

In one form, the base of the container may comprise a base wall and an upstanding peripheral side wall member. The base wall may be generally circular in plan although it will be appreciated that other shapes could be used. The peripheral side wall member of the base may have formed thereon locating means adapted to co-operate with the support means for locating and retaining the support means in position. The locating means may comprise one or more outwardly projecting ribs or depressions or recesses which are formed in the side wall member of the base and around the periphery thereof.

The top may be of similar construction to the base that is, it may comprise a top wall and an upstanding side wall member which extends around the periphery of the top wall. The side wall member may also have locating means for use with the support means thereon which again may be in the form of ribs or recesses formed in the outer surface thereof.

Advantageously the top is substantially of the same configuration as the bottom of the base and as mentioned above may be circular in plan. The top may have an opening therein through which material can be delivered or discharged from the container.

a~ o 000000 Hinge means may be included for providing the pivotal connection between the S ooo various parts. In one arrangement, the peripheral side walls of the top and base have to provide a flat support surface to ooo; cz b931217p:\operka,boundy.da.2 i~~e~i~FI

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3 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 0000 10 0 0000 0 C0 3 00 00 12 0 0 0 13 o o Q 14 o o o~goOO 15 0 00 16 17 18 oo0ooo 19 0 0 20 0 0 21 0.0 22 00 0 23 24 0a J 25 o 26 0 O 27 28 29 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 which a part of a hinge may be secured another part of the hinge being connected to one of the side elements of the sections forming the side wall. Each side element of each section is hingedly connected to either the top or base of the container so that one of the side elements in each section can pivot relative to the top, another of the side elements in each section can pivot relative to the base as well as the side elements in each section being pivotable relative to one another.

The collapsible container may further include a bladder which can be disposed within the container, the bladder being adapted to hold liquids or other materials therein.

It will be appreciated that the bladder can be arranged so as to also collapse with the container when it moves from the erected to the collapsed position. Advantageously the top and base include a mounting zone for holding the bladder.

As mentioned above, the container may further include support means for releasably retaining the container in the erected position.

The support means may comprise three separate support members one associated with the hinge connection between the side elements of the sections of the side wall and the top, another associated with the hinge connection between the side elements of the sections and the base, and another associated with the hinge connection between adjacent side elements in each section of the side wall. The support members are operable to inhibit pivotal movement at each of the hinge connections wherein in an operative position.

In one form the side elements of each section of the side wall comprise an elongated plate having side edges and opposed end portions. In one embodiment, one end portion of one of the plates is hingedly connected to the top and one end portion of another of the plates is hingedly connected to the base, with the other end portions of the two plates being hingedly connected together. The plates may be of curved configuration when viewed from an end thereof so that when in the erected position together they form a curved 900903.ARSSPE. 043, container, _1 4 1 2 3 4 6 7 8 9 11 12 4 4 a 13 S 14 14 16 17 18 S 19 20 _It 21 22 23 24 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 36 37 38 side wall of generally complementary size to the top and base. The plates may be provided with generally planar hinge mounting plates at each end portion which receive a part of the hinges for enabling the pivotal movement between the parts. The plates may further include locating means on the outer surface thereof which extend across the plate and are arranged so that in the erect position, together they form a generally continuous peripheral rib or recess.

Advantageously, one of the side edges of the plates of one section forming the side wall may be adapted to overlap the side edges of the plates of an adjacent section forming another side wall. Furthermore, one of the end portions of the interconnecting plates of each section may be adapted to overlap the other end portion of the other plate.

The support means may be in the form of a series of bands which are releasably securable to the container in the region of the hinge connections to retain it in its erected position. The bands may include complementary recesses or ribs which are adapted to co-operate with the ribs defining the locating means to locate the bands in their correct position.

In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, drawings illustrating an example embodiment are attached and in those drawings: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the container according to the present invention in the erected position; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the container shown in Figure 1 in a partially collapsed position; Figure 3 is a schematic detail showing the manner of interconnection between the side elements of one of the sections of the side wall of the container; Figure 4 is a similar view to that of Figure 3 with the side elements in the partially collapsed position; Figures 5 and 6 are schematic views showing the manner of connection of the side elements to the top of the container; and Figure 7 is a plan view of one of the support means.

i Jitr ~n 900903, ARSSPE. 043, contain6:', r i i V~Uh: iE= r- -1 1 i Referring to the drawings, the collapsible container generally indicated at 1 comprises a base 2, a top 12 and a side wall 11 extending therebetween. The side wall 11 comprises a plurality of individual sections 22 each section including two elements 23 and 24 one of which is hingedly connected to the top by a hinge 10 the other being hingedly connected to the base 2 by a hinge 20. The two elements 23 and 24 are hingedly connected together by a hinge 30. As best seen in figures 1 and 2, the individual sections 22 together form a side wall 11 which together with the top and base form an enclosure into which material can be placed. Thus a number of hinges 10 are provided at the base as there are the same number of hinges 20 at the top and hinges between each of the two elements 23 and 24 of each section.

The hinges 10, 20 and 30 all are of the form which comprise two hinge leaves 20', 20", 30', 30" and a hinge pine 10" 20" and 30" The base 2 comprises a generally circular base wall 3 with an upstanding peripheral side wall member 4. The side wall member 4 has a locating rib 6 formed on its outer surface for reasons which will become hereinafter apparent. A plurality of hinge mounting plates 7 are secured to the inner surface of wall member 4 and disposed circumferentially therearound. The hinge mounting plates are flat in shape and are adapted to have attached thereto one of the leaves of the hinges The top 12 is similar in construction to the base 2 and includes a top wall 13 with a downwardly projecting peripheral side wall member 14 having ribs 16 formed on its outer surface. There is also provided hinge mounting plates 17 for attachment of the leaf 25 of a hinge Zj o* o o o a o o 0 0 0o C 000 0 Q St a The elements of 23 and 24 of each of the sections 22 of side wall 11 comprise two rigid curved plates having side edges 25 and ends 26 and 27. Each of the plates has outwardly projecting locating ribs 23A, 23B, 24A, 24B at the ends thereof. There is also provided hinge mounting plates 28 for receiving a respective leaf of hinge Each of the plates has an overlapping section 21 along one of its side edges in the erected position overlaps S931217,p:\opcr\ka,boundy.cla,5 II a -6against an adjacent side edge of an adjacent member. In addition, the end portion between the connected two plates has an overlapping section 22 as best seen in Figure 4.

The container further includes support means 32 which comprises three bands 33, 34 and 35. Each of the bands has complementary recesses for receiving the locating ribs on the outer surface of the top base and side wall sections and a fastener receiving flange 37 for receiving a fastener (not shown) for retaining the band ir. position. A bladder is mountable within the structure so as to be capable of receiving liquid or other material therein.

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oaDo o ~c o a o o Do Do o ooo oD or, sc c 8 a o ro Do i a o Door oooD oooo o o o Do ooao o D Do oocro o o oooe oDJo o ooa~ Do o o o Do The operation of the collapsible container as shown in the drawings will hereinafter be described. As shown in Figure 1, the montainer can adopt an erected position which takes the form of a drum with a bladder 40 therein. The bladder 40 is mounted in portions of the top 12 and base 2 and is supported by the rigid side wall 11.

The bladder 40 is adapted to be filled with liquid or other material.

15 In the erected position, the three bands 33, 34 and 35 which define the support means 32 are fitted in position adjacent respective groups of hinges 10, 20, and 30 so as to prevent hinged movement of the respective hinged parts. Thus the container can be used to store and/or transport the liquid within the bladder When the container is no longer required for use, the three bands 33, 34 and 20 can be removed thereby permitting hinged movement of the respective parts as seen in Figure 2. As shown the plates 23 and 24 in each section 22 of the side wall 11 can collapse relative to one another so that the top of the container can be brought into close proximity with the base of the container. It will be appreciated that the bladder 40 can also deform to adopt the new collapsed position.

It will be appreciated that the flattened container can be stored easily taking up much less space than when in the erected position.

Finally, it is to be understood that the inventive concept in any of its aspects can be incorporated in many

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'li -7different constructions so that the generality of the preceding description is not to be superceded by the particularity of the attached drawings. Various alterations, modifications and or additions may be incorporated into the various constructions and arrangements of parts without departing from the spirit and ambit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

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Claims (21)

1. A collapsible container comprising a top, a base and a side wall extending between the top and the base to define an enclosure between the top and the base while the container is in an erected position, the side wall being formed from a plurality of sections arranged side by side so that they form the side wall of the container, each section comprising at least two side elements which are pivotally interconnected and with one of the side elements being adjacent the top and pivotally connected thereto and another of the side elements being adjacent the base and pivotally connected thereto, the top, base and sections of the side wall being arranged such that in the erected position, they can form a substantially rigid structure and which as a result of the pivot connections between the side elementf, base and top can adopt a collapsed position by Saetual movement of the pivot connectors, whereby, in the collapsed position, the overall height of the container is reduced. i 15 2. A collapsib!e container according to claim 1, including releasable support means for retaining the container in the erected position.

3. A collapsible container according to any preceding claim, wherein the side elements of each section are generally disposed in an upright orientation and arranged one 20 on top of the other between the base and the top.

4. A collapsible container according to any preceding claim wherein, in the collapsed position, the side elements of each section are pivotally movable relative to one another so that they are inclined with respect to the upright orientation or at least partially overlie one another.

5. A collapsible container according to any preceding claim, wherein the base of the container comprises a base wall, and an upstanding peripheral side wall member.

6. A collapsible container according to claim 5, wherein the peripheral side wall member of the base has formed thereon locating means adapted to co-operate with the s"pport means for locating and retaining the support means in position. 940714,p:\opca t,boundy.da,8 \4 -9-

7. A collapsible container according to claim 6, wherein the locating means comprises one or more outwardly projecting ribs or depressions or recesses which are formed in the side wall member of the base and around the periphery thereof.

8. A collapsible container according to any preceding claim, wherein the top comprises a top wall and an upstanding side wall member which extends around the periphery of the top wall.

9. A collapsible container according to claim 8, wherein the side wall member of the top has locating means for use with the support means thereon. A collapsible container according to claim 9, wherein the locating means is in the form of ribs or recesses formed in the outer surface or the side wall member of the top.

11. A collapsible container according to any preceding claim, wherein the top has an opening therein through which material can be delivered or discharged from the container.

12. A collapsible container according to any preceding claim, wherein the sections, top and base are pivotally interconnected by hinge means.

13. A collapsible container according to any preceding claim, wherein the side wall °members of the top and base have thereon hinge mounting plates which are generally flat or planar in configuration so as to provide a flat support surface to which a part of a hinge may be secured, another part of the hinge being connected to one of the side elements of the sections forming the side wall of the container. i

14. A collapsible container according to claim 13, wherein each side element of each section is hingedly connected to either the top or base of the container so that one of the side elements in each ,ection can pivot relative to the top, another of the side elements in each section can pivot relative to the base as well as the side elements in each section being pivotable relative to one another. 940714,p:\oper\ka,boundy.d&,9 A collapsible container according to any preceding claim, including a bladder which can be disposed within the container, the bladder being adapted to hold liquids or other materials therein, and so as to also collapse with the container when it moves from the erected to the collapsed position.

16. A collapsible container according to claim 15, wherein the top and base include a mounting zone for holding the bladder.

17. A collapsible container according to claim 2 or any one of claims 3 to 11 as appended directly or indirectly thereto, wherein the support means comprises three separate support members one associated with the hinge connection between the side elements of the sections of the side wall and the top, another associated with the hinge connection between the side elements of the sections and the base, and another associated with the hinge connection between adjacent side elements in each section of the side wall, the support members inhibiting pivotal movement at each of the hinge connections, when in an operative position.

18. A collapsible container according to any preceding claim, wherein the side 4 ,i elements of each section of the side wall comprise an elongated plate having side edges and opposed end portions. tI 1

19. A collapsible container according to claim 18, wherein one end portion of one of the plates is hingedly connected to the top and one end portion of another of the plates is hingedly connected to the base, with the other end portions of the two plates being hingedly connected together. A collapsible container according to claim 19, wherein the plates are of curved configuration when viewed from an end thereof so that when in the erected position together they form a curved side wall of generally complementary size to the top and base.

21. A collapsible container according to claim 20, wherein the plates are provided 940714,p:opcckatboundy.da,10 11 with generally planar hinge mounting plates at each end portion which receive a part of the hinges for enabling the pivotal movement between the parts.

22. A collapsible container according to claim 21, wherein the plates include locating means on the outer surface thereof which extend across the plate and are arranged so that, in the erect position, together they form a generally continuous peripheral rib or recess.

23. A collapsible containei according to claim 22, wherein one of the side edges of the plates of one section forming the side wall is adapted to overlap the side edges of the plates of an adjacent section forming another side wall.

24. A collapsible container according to claim 23, wherein one of the end portions of the interconnecting plates of each section is adapted to overlap the other end portion of the other plate. A collapsible container according to claim 24, wherein the support means is in the form of a series of bands which are releasably securable to the container in the region of the hinge connections to retain it in its erected position. 20 26. A collapsible container according to claim 25, wherein the bands include complementary recesses or ribs which are adapted to co-operate with the -ibs defining the locating means to locate the bands in their correct position.

27. A collapsible container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to 25 the accompanying drawings. Dated this 14th day of July, 1994 PETER ALAN BOUNDY By his Patent Attorneys DAVIES COLLISON CAVE 940714,p:\.pc\katboundy.cl,11 Mm l i:ba~r 00 04 0 0 0 44 0 00 400 044 .0 -0 o 04 ,00 )0000 40000 00 L COO 0 L-C~ i -C I