EP1317745B1

EP1317745B1 - Foldable sheet assembly

Info

Publication number: EP1317745B1
Application number: EP01958250A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Paul Neal; Stephen Charles Pedley; Mark Newborough
Original assignee: Orion Security Print Ltd
Current assignee: Orion Security Print Ltd
Priority date: 2000-08-22
Filing date: 2001-08-21
Publication date: 2004-11-17
Anticipated expiration: 2021-08-21
Also published as: DE60107271D1; GB0020534D0; WO2002017279A3; EP1317745A2; WO2002017279A2; GB2368042A; AU2001279974A1; ATE282874T1; GB2368042B

Abstract

A foldable sheet 12 eg a map, is contained in a container 26 (box) with a drawer 18, on which the sheet is attached, the drawer can not be fully removed from the box. The drawer may be retained by flanges on the drawer (49, Fig 21) engaging flanges in the mouth of the box (48, Fig 21). The sheet is folded in a concertina format. The box may have leafs 162 attached and/or a transparent protective member 142 and/or a window (56, Fig 14) to view the sheet when folded in the box. The box may have detachable tickets/vouchers as the foldable sheet and also the box may be attached to another object.

Description

This invention relates to foldable sheet assemblies.

It is known to provide information, tickets, coupons and the like in the form of a foldable sheet of material such as paper, thin card, plastics or other suitable foldable materials. The sheet of material is generally folded with one or two sets of concertina folds being folds which are alternately towards and away from the front of the sheet. The or each set of folds define a plurality of sections, which may take the form of tickets, coupons, advertising, or other information.

The foldable sheet of material is often provided with a stiff cover, such as card, for protecting the sheet when folded. However, the front and back sections of the cover must be provided with some form of closure member, such as a co-operating tongue and aperture, an adhesive strip, a magnetic fastener, or a hook and fleece fastener, in order to keep the cover closed over the folded sheet. These type of covers have the disadvantage that the closure member may come undone at an inopportune time, allowing the cover to open and the folded sheet to at least partially unfold, which may result in damage to the sheet. In addition, the closure member may break or deteriorate following a period of use, resulting in the cover not being closeable and thereby exposing the sheet to potential damage.

US 6103332 (McDonald) provides an example of a prior foldable sheet assembly including a closure member but without adequate means of preventing release when not required.

According to the present invention there is provided a foldable sheet assembly comprising a sheet of material having a first set of concertina folds and cover means operable to releasably hold the sheet material folded, the cover means comprising a container having a mouth in which a drawer member is slidingly receivable, the sheet material being attached to the drawer member, the assembly characterised in that there are means for preventing the drawer member from being fully withdrawn from the container mouth comprising a pair of co-operating flanges.

The sheet of material preferably additionally has a second set of concertina folds generally transverse to the first set of folds.

A cut out shape may be provided in the front and correspondingly/or in the back face of the container along the open edge thereof to permit manual grasping of the folded sheet of material and/or the drawer member by a user to thereby facilitate withdrawal of the drawer and the folded sheet of material from the container.

The drawer member desirably comprises a sheet of stiff material of substantially the same size and shape as each of the front and back faces of the container, such that the drawer member is closely receivable within the container. A tab member may be provided at or towards the leading edge of the drawer member for a user to manually grasp and pull in order to withdraw the drawer from the container. A ticket may be attached to one or each of the

The means for preventing a pair of co-operating flanges comprises a first flange being provided on the drawer member and a second flange being provided on an internal surface of the container.

The first flange is preferably provided across at least part of the drawer member, most preferably at or towards the rear edge of the drawer member. The first flange preferably extends generally outwardly from the drawer member, and most preferably at an angle to the plane of the drawer member. The first flange preferably partially overlies the drawer member. The first flange preferably extends from the in-use underside of the drawer member. Alternatively, the first flange may extend from the in-use upper side of the drawer member.

The second flange is preferably provided across at least part of one internal surface of the container. The second flange may be provided across at least part of the internal surface of the back face of the container. The second flange may alternatively be provided across at least part of the internal face of the front face of the container. The second flange is preferably provided at or towards the open edge of the internal surface. The second flange preferably extends generally outwardly from, and most preferably at an angle to, the internal surface of the container. The second flange preferably partially overlies the said internal surface.

The first and second flanges desirably extend in generally opposite directions to one another, so that as the drawer member is withdrawn from the container the first and second flanges are brought together and come into co-operative engagement with one another to thereby prevent the complete withdrawal of the drawer member from the container. Desirably, one flange is so located that at least part of the one flange comes into engagement with at least part of the other flange as the drawer member is withdrawn from the container.

Preferably one or each flange is generally rectangular in shape. Alternatively, one or each flange may be substantially arc shaped. A flange may comprise a plurality of flange parts arranged in a spaced relationship across the surface from which the flange extends.

Preferably, the first or second flange comprise a plurality of flange parts arranged in a spaced relationship across the container or drawer surface from which that flange extends.

Preferably, at least one of the first or second flanges incorporates a cleave about which parts of that flange pivot to lift that flange from a juxtaposed position next to an adjacent surface of the drawer member or container surface particularly when the container is squeezed.

Preferably, at least one of the first or second flanges has a tapered shape to facilitate interactive catchment with the other flange to prevent full withdrawal of the drawer member from the container mouth.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in more detail, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 a diagrammatic representation of a foldable sheet assembly according to the present invention;

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic representation of the foldable sheet assembly of Fig. 1 with the drawer member shown withdrawn from the container;

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the foldable sheet assembly of Figs. 1 and 2 with the sheet of material partially unfolded about the second set of concertina folds;

Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic representation in perspective of a foldable sheet assembly according to a second embodiment of the present invention, the sheet of material being partially unfolded about the second set of concertina folds;

Fig. 5 is a diagrammatic representation of the foldable sheet assembly of Figs. 1 to 3 with both sets of concertina folds in the sheet of material being partially unfolded;

Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic representation of the foldable sheet assembly of Figs. 1 to 3 and 5 with the sheet of material being fully unfolded about both sets of concertina folds;

Fig. 7 shows the nets from which the container and the drawer member of the foldable sheet assembly of Figs. 1 to 3, 5 and 6 are constructed;

Fig. 8 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view along the line A-A of Fig. 1;

Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view along the line B-B of Fig. 2;

Fig. 10 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view along the line C-C of Fig. 3;

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view along the line A-A of Fig. 1, the foldable sheet assembly having an alternative form of flanges;

Fig. 12 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view along the line B-B of Fig. 2, the foldable sheet assembly having an alternative form of flanges;

Fig. 13 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view along the line C-C of Fig. 3, the foldable sheet assembly having an alternative form of flanges;

Fig. 14 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a second alternative foldable sheet assembly according to a third embodiment of the present invention, with the drawer member shown withdrawn from the container;

Fig. 15 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a fourth embodiment of the invention with the drawer member shown withdrawn from the container;

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention;

Fig. 17 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention with the drawer member shown withdrawn from the container;

Fig. 18 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a seventh embodiment of the invention with the drawer member shown withdrawn from the container;

Fig. 19 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to an eighth embodiment of the invention, with the drawer member shown withdrawn from the container;

Fig. 20 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a ninth embodiment of the invention which includes a booklet of vouchers to which the container is attached;

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along the line D-D of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along the line D-D of Fig. 20, the foldable sheet assembly having an alternative form of flanges;

Fig. 23 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a tenth embodiment of the invention, having slits provided in the front face of a container for retaining a ticket;

Fig. 24 shows the foldable sheet assembly of Fig. 23 having a ticket attached to the front face of the container by means of the slits;

Fig. 25 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention, having an alternative form of slit provided in the front cover for retaining a ticket;

Fig. 26 shows the foldable sheet assembly of Fig. 25 having a ticket attached to the front cover of the container by means of the slits;

Fig. 27 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a twelfth embodiment of the invention, with the drawer member shown withdrawn from the container;

Fig. 28 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along the line E-E of a foldable sheet assembly as shown in Fig. 27 attached to a booklet of vouchers;

Fig. 29 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along the line E-E of a foldable sheet assembly as shown in Fig. 27, having an alternative form of flanges, attached to the booklet of vouchers;

Fig. 30 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a thirteenth embodiment of the invention with the drawer member shown withdrawn from the container;

Fig. 31 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view along line F-F of the foldable sheet assembly shown in Fig. 30, with the drawer shown retained within the container;

Fig. 32 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a foldable sheet assembly similar to that shown in Fig. 30, having an alternative form of flanges, with the leaf member partially closed;

Fig. 33 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a foldable sheet assembly similar to that shown in Fig. 30, having a further alternative form of flanges;

Fig. 34 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention with the drawer member withdrawn from the container and leaf member unfolded;

Fig. 35 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 36 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a sixteenth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 37 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet assembly according to a seventeenth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 38 shows a foldable sheet assembly according to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 39 is a diagrammatic sectional view along the line H-H of Fig. 38, with the leaf parts in the closed condition;

Fig. 40 is a diagrammatic sectional view along the line G-G of Fig. 38, with the leaf parts in the closed condition;

Fig. 41 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a foldable sheet similar to that shown in Fig. 38, having protective members provided on the other side of each leaf part; and

Fig. 42 is a diagrammatic sectional view along the line H-H of in Fig. 38, the foldable sheet assembly having transparent protective members provided on each side of each leaf part.

Referring to the drawings, the invention provides

foldable sheet assembly

10,50,60,70,80,90,100,110,120,130,140,160,170,180,190,200,210 having a sheet of material 12 and cover means 14 operable to releasably hold the sheet of material folded. The cover means 14 comprises a container 16 having a mouth 36 in which a drawer member 18 is slidingly receivable.

The sheet of material 12, in this example, comprises a sheet of paper. The sheet of paper has a first set of concertina folds 20 (Fig. 5) and a second set of concertina folds 22. The second set of folds 22 extend generally transversely across the first set of folds 20. In this example, the first set of folds 20 comprises six folds and the second set of folds 22 comprises two folds. The first set of folds 20 and the second set of folds 22 together define a plurality of sections 24 of the sheet of material 12. The sheet of material 12 is attached to the drawer member 18 at its top left hand section, as shown in Figures 5 and 6.

In this example, the container 16 has a generally rectangular envelope like shape, and has a front face 26, a back face 28, two

long sides

30, 32 and two

shorter sides

34, 36. The container mouth is provided in one short side 36, and extends across the full length and height of this short side 36. Alternatively, as shown in Fig. 4, the container mouth may be provided in one long side 30. Each

closed side

30, 32, 34 of the container 16 is, in this example, formed by a double crease. The container 16 is constructed from a single net, as shown in Fig. 7.

A tab 38 is provided on the leading edge of the drawer 18. The tab 38 is intended to be manually grasped and pulled by a user, to facilitate withdrawal of the drawer 18 from the container 16.

The foldable sheet assembly 10 additionally includes means for preventing the drawer 18 from being fully withdrawn from the container mouth 36. In this example the said means takes the form of

complementary flanges

40, 42 provided respectively on the container 16 and the drawer 18, as shown in Figs. 8 to 13. The first flange 40 is provided along the open edge of the back cover 28 of the container 16. The flange 40 extends away from the internal surface of the back cover 28 and is directed generally towards the inside of the container 16. In this example, the flange 40 is formed as a single piece with the back cover 28 of the container 16. As shown in Fig. 7, the flange 40 extends across the full width of the open short side 36 of the container 16. The flange 40 can be generally rectangular in shape, having square edges. However, it will be appreciated that other shapes of the flange may be used in its place, such as, for example, an arc shaped flange. Furthermore, to ensure consistent and robust interaction between the flanges 40, 42 a cleave 200 is provided in the flange 40 so that this flange 40 does not flatten to be juxtaposed with the internal surface of the cover but remains proud. Essentially, the cleave 200 allows respective sides of the flange 40 to pivot about the cleave 200 and its ends. Thus, these sides resist deformation into a juxtaposed 'flat' configuration with the internal surface of the cover 28 when the container is squeezed inwardly from the sides.

The second flange 42 extends generally downwardly from the in-use underside of the drawer member 18. The flange 42 is angled generally towards the leading edge of the drawer member 18. As shown in Fig. 7, flange 40 similarly extends across the full width of the drawer member 18. The flange 42 can also of a generally rectangular shape but normally has a tongue-like taper to interaction with the first flange 40. A tongue-like taper ensures the flange 42 will catch or engage the first flange 40 in the middle which has particular benefits when that flange has a cleave 200 to break up compression of first flange 40 to a juxtaposed position next to the cover 28. The flange 42 is formed as a single piece with the drawer member 18, and is separated from the drawer member 18 by a crease 46.

As shown in Figs. 9 and 10, as the drawer 18 is withdrawn from the container 16, through the container mouth 36, the

flanges

40, 42, come into co operative engagement with one another, thereby preventing the complete withdrawal of the drawer 18 from the container mouth 36.

An alternative form of

flange

48, 49 is shown in Figs. 11 to 13. In this embodiment, the

flanges

48, 49 take the form of L-shaped sections. The flange 48 provided on the container 16 comprises a first part 48a and a second part 48b. The first part 48a of the flange 48 extends upwardly away from the internal surface of the back face 28 of the container 16. The second part 48b of the flange 48 extends generally away from the free end of the first part 48a, generally at right angles to the first part 48a, and hence substantially parallel to the back face 28 of the container 16. The flange 49 on the drawer 18 similarly comprises two

parts

49a and 49b. The first part 49a extends downwardly from the in-use underside of the drawer 18. The second part 49b extends generally outwardly from the free end of the first part 49a, at substantially right angles thereto, and is thus substantially parallel to the drawer 18. As shown in Fig. 12 and 13, as the drawer 18 is withdrawn from the container 16, the

flanges

48, 49, come into co-operative engagement with one another, thereby preventing the complete withdrawal of the drawer 18 from the container mouth 36.

The foldable sheet assembly 10 is constructed as follows. The container 16 and the drawer 18 are constructed separately. The sheet of material 12 is folded with two sets of concertina folds 20, 22 and the folded sheet 12 is then attached to the in-use upper surface of the drawer 18. The drawer 18 and the folded sheet 12 are then slidingly located into the container 16, through the container mouth 36, the

flanges

40, 42, 48, 49 freely sliding across one another. Once the drawer 18 has been located within the container 16, the drawer 18 may only be partially withdrawn from the container, due to the co-operative engagement of the

flanges

40, 42, 48, 49. This prevents the drawer 18, and the folded sheet 12, from becoming detached from the container 16.

A third embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 14 which provides a foldable sheet assembly 50 being substantially the same as the foldable sheet assembly 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

A window 52 is formed in the front face 26 of the container 16. The window 52 comprises an aperture 54 in which a window pane, in the form of a piece of clear plastics material 56, is fixedly seated. The presence of the window 52 in the front face 26 of the container 16 enables a user to view part of any information provided on the sheet material 12, when the sheet is folded and located within the container 16.

A fourth embodiment of the invention, shown in Fig. 15, provides a foldable sheet assembly 60 similar to the foldable sheet means 10 and 50 of the first and second embodiments, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

A window 52 is formed in the front face 26 of the container 16. The window 52 comprises an aperture 54 and a window pane in the form of a hinged shutter 62. The shutter 62 is of substantially the same size and shape as the aperture 54, such that when the shutter 62 is closed, moving in the direction of line D, the shutter 62 is closely received within the aperture 54. The shutter 62 is hingedly attached to the front face 26 of the container 16 along a longitudinal edge 64 of the aperture 54. When the sheet 12 is folded and received within the container 16, the window 52 may be opened by raising the shutter 62, to thereby clear the aperture 54, thus enabling a user to view part of any information provided on the sheet material 12.

A fifth embodiment of the invention, shown in Fig. 16, provides foldable sheet assembly 70 which are similar to the foldable sheet means 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this embodiment, the tab 38 on the drawer 18 is removed and replaced by a cut-out shape 72 provided in the front face 26 of the container 16. The cut-out shape 72 is of a similar size to a finger tip, such that a user may place one digit within the cut-out shape 72 to thereby obtain purchase on the sheet 12, enabling the user to withdraw the sheet 12 and the drawer 18 from the container 16.

In this example, attachment means in the form of a loop of cord 74 are provided for attaching the foldable sheet assembly 70 to another object, such as a bottle (not shown). The loop of cord 74 is attached to the container 16 by way of a tag 76. The tag 76 is attached to one long side 30 of the container 16, and extends generally outwardly from the container 16. An aperture 78 is provided in the tag 76 through which the loop of cord 74 is passed. The tag 76 maybe detachable from the container so that the tag 76 maybe removed once the foldable sheet means 70 has been detached from the other object. The tag 76 can be attached to the container 16 by means of a perforated connection (not shown), the perforations being breakable to facilitate removal of the tag 76 from the container 16.

A sixth embodiment of the invention, shown in Fig. 17, provides a foldable sheet assembly 80 which is similar to the foldable sheet means 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

Attachment means for attaching the foldable sheet means 80 to another object are provided, in this example, in the form of a loop of cord 74. The loop of cord 74 is attached to the foldable sheet assembly 80 by way of an aperture 78 provided in the tab 38 on the drawer 18.

A seventh embodiment of the invention provides a foldable sheet assembly 90, shown in Fig. 18, which is similar to the foldable sheet assembly 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

Attachment means for attaching the foldable sheet assembly 90 to another object, such as a bottle (not shown), are provided, in this example, in the form of a collar 92. The collar 92 defines an aperture 94 suitable for receiving a part of the said other object, for example the neck of a bottle. The collar 92 is provided along the leading edge of the drawer 18, and extends generally outwardly therefrom. The collar 92 is connected to the drawer 18 by means of a perforated connection 96, thereby providing for detachment of the collar 92 from the drawer 18. It will be appreciated that the collar 92 also provides the function of the tab 38 of the first embodiment, and the tab 38 is therefore not present in this embodiment of the invention.

An eighth embodiment of the invention, shown in Fig. 19, provides a foldable sheet assembly 100 similar to the foldable sheet assembly 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

Attachment means for attaching the foldable sheet means 100 to another object, such as a bottle (not shown), are provided in the form of a collar 92. The collar 92 is provided along one longer side 30 of the container 16, and extends generally outwardly therefrom. The collar 92 defines an aperture 94 suitable for receiving part of the said other object, such as, for example, a bottle neck.

In this embodiment, the tab 38 on the drawer 18 is not present, and is functionally replaced by a cut-out shape 72 provided in the front face 26 of the container 16. As previously described, the user may obtain purchase on the folded sheet 12 through the cut-out shape 72 thereby facilitating removal of the drawer 18 and the folded sheet 12 from the container 16.

Figs. 20 to 22 show a foldable sheet assembly according to an eighth embodiment of the invention. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features. The foldable sheet assembly 110 according to this embodiment is similar to the foldable sheet assembly 10 shown in Fig. 1 along with the following modifications. As shown in Figs. 21 and 22, either form of

flanges

40, 42, 48, 49 may be used.

The foldable sheet assembly 110 includes a booklet of vouchers 112 attached to the back face of the container 16. The booklet of vouchers 112 is generally rectangular in shape. The booklet 112 comprises a front cover 114 and a back cover 116. In between the front cover 114 and the back cover 116 are provided a plurality of vouchers 118. The vouchers 118 may be parking tickets, with the folded sheet 12 having information relating to the location of car parks within a particular area. Alternatively, the vouchers 118 may be gift vouchers, with the folded sheet having information relating to shops, cinemas, restaurants etc. in which the vouchers may be redeemed provided thereon.

A tenth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 23 and 24. The foldable sheet assembly 120 according to the tenth embodiment of the invention is similar to the foldable sheet assembly 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this example, four slits 122 are provided in the front cover 26 of the container 16. The slits 122 are generally arc shaped. One slit 122 is provided towards each corner of the front cover 26 of the container 16.

The slits 122 are of a size and shape suitable for receiving a corner of a ticket 124. Each corner of the ticket 124 is received through the respective slit 122, so that the comers of the ticket 124 are received underneath the front cover 26 of the container 16. The ticket 124 may thereby be attached to the front cover 26 of the container 16 as shown in Fig. 24.

Fig. 25 shows a foldable sheet assembly 130 according to an eleventh embodiment of the invention. The foldable sheet assembly 130 is substantially the same as that of the first embodiment, shown in Fig. 1, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

Four slits 132 are formed in the front cover 26 of the container 16. A slit 132 is provided towards the middle of each edge of the front cover 26. Each slit 132 is generally U-shaped and defines a generally semi-circular shaped flap 134. The flaps 134 are of a size suitable for receiving part of a corresponding edge of a ticket 124 therebeneath. A ticket 124 may thereby be attached to the front cover 26 of the container 16, as shown in Fig. 26.

A foldable sheet assembly 140 according to a twelfth embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 27. The foldable sheet assembly 140 of this embodiment is similar to the foldable sheet means 10 of the first embodiment, shown in Fig. 1, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this example, a substantially transparent protective member 142 is attached along one edge 142a to a front cover 26 of the container 16. The underside of the protective member 142, being the side which faces the container 16, has contact adhesive applied thereon. A protective member 142 is attached to the front cover 26 of the container where the contact adhesive provided on a strip of the underside of the protective member 142 located towards the aforesaid edge 142a. Prior to use, a removable backing sheet (not shown) is provided on to the underside of the protective member 142.

A ticket 144 is locatable on the front cover 26 of the container 16, generally underneath the protective member 142. With the backing sheet removed, the protective member 142 may be affixed over the ticket 144 and the area of the front cover 26 exposed around the ticket 144. By virtue of the contact adhesive, the protective member 142 is thereby stuck to the ticket and the front cover 26. The ticket 144 is thus securely fixed to the front cover 26 of the container, and has a transparent protective cover 142 provided thereacross.

Fig. 28 shows, in cross-section, the foldable sheet assembly 140 of Fig. 27 attached to a booklet of vouchers 112. In this example, the flange 146 on the container 16 and the flange 148 on the drawer 18 are similar to

flanges

40, 42 shown in Figs. 8 to 10, with the following modifications. The first flange 146 is provided along the open edge of the front cover 26 of the container 16. The flange 146 extends away from the internal surface of the front cover 26 and is directed generally towards the inside of the container 16. Flange 146 is formed as a single piece with the front cover 26 of the container 16. As above, the flange 146 extends across the full width of the open short side 36 of the container 16.

The second flange 148 extends generally upwardly from the in-use upper side of the drawer member 18. The flange 148 is angled generally towards the leading edge of the drawer member 18. The flange 148 similarly extends across the full width of the drawer member 18. The flange 148 is formed as a single piece of the drawer member 18.

An alternative form of

flange

150, 152 is shown in Fig. 29. In this example, the

flanges

150, 152 take the form of L-shaped sections. The flange 150 provided on the container 16 comprises a first part 150a and a second part 150b. The first part 150a of the flange 150 extends downwardly away from the internal surface of the front face 26 of the container 16. The second part 150b of the flange 150 extends generally away from the free end of the first part 150a, generally at right angles to the first part 150a, and hence substantially parallel to the front face 26 of the container 16. The flange 152 on the drawer 18 similarly comprises two

parts

152a and 152b. The first part 152a extends upwardly from the in-use upper side of the drawer 18. The second part 152b extends generally outwardly from the free end of the first part 152a, at substantially right angles thereto, and is thus substantially parallel to the drawer 18.

As described above, as the drawer 18 is withdrawn from the container 16, the

flanges

146, 148 or 150, 152 come into co-operative engagement with one another, thereby preventing the complete withdrawal of the drawer 18 from the container mouth 36.

A foldable sheet assembly 160 according to a thirteenth embodiment of the invention is shown in Figs. 30 to 33. The foldable sheet means 160 is similar to the foldable sheet assembly 140 shown in Fig. 27, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this example, the foldable sheet assembly 160 further includes a leaf member, in the form of a leaf part 162, hingedly attached to the container 16. The leaf part 162 is attached along one of its short ends 162a to the short closed end 34 of the container 16. The leaf part 162 is movable between a first condition and a second condition. In the first condition the uppermost face of the leaf part 162, being the face visible in Fig. 30, is folded over onto, and generally in contact with, the front face 26 of the container 16. In the second condition, as shown in Fig. 30, the leaf part 162 is substantially removed from the front face 26 of the container 16.

A transparent protective member 142 is similarly attached to the leaf part 162 along one edge 162b thereof. As described above in relation to the front face 26 of the container 16, a ticket 164 may be located between the leaf part 162 and the transparent protective member 142. The transparent protective member 142 may then be stuck onto the ticket 164 and the leaf part 162, thereby securing the ticket 164 onto the leaf part 162.

The ticket 144 provided on the front face 26 of the container 16 may, for example, be a travel card, travel season ticket, or a parking permit, with the second ticket 164 being some form of identification card, such as a photo card giving details of the person entitled to travel using the travel or season ticket, or details of the vehicle entitled to park using the parking permit. The foldable sheet 12 may have various types of related information printed on it. For example, where the first ticket 144 is a travel ticket, information relating to train or bus times and routes may be provided on the sheet 12. Or, if the first ticket 144 is a parking permit, information relating to car parks within a particular area in which the permit may be used may be provided on the sheet 12.

An alternative arrangement of the transparent protective member 142 on the leaf part 162 is shown in Fig. 32. In this example, the transparent protective member 142 is attached to the hinged end 162a of the leaf part. Also, an alternative arrangement of

flanges

146, 148 is shown, and the leaf part 162 is shown located between the first and second conditions described above.

In Fig. 33, the foldable sheet assembly 160 is shown having a further alternative type of

flange

150, 152.

A foldable sheet assembly 170 according to a fourteenth embodiment of the invention is shown Fig. 34. The foldable sheet assembly 170 of this embodiment is similar to the foldable sheet assembly 160 of the previous embodiment, as shown in Fig. 30, with the following modifications.

In this example, the leaf part 162 is connected along one long edge 162c thereof, to a long side 30 of the container 16. The transparent protective member 142 is connected along one long edge 142b to the same long edge 162c of the leaf part 162.

Fig. 35 shows a foldable sheet assembly 180 according to a fifteenth embodiment of the invention. The foldable sheet assembly 180 of this embodiment is similar to the foldable sheet assembly 160 of the thirteenth embodiment, shown in Fig. 30, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this embodiment, the leaf member comprises a first leaf part 162 and a second leaf part 182. The first leaf part 162 is hingedly connected along one short side 162a to the short side 34 of the container 16. The second leaf part 182 is hingedly connected along one long edge 182a to a corresponding long edge 162d of the first leaf part 162.

The second leaf part 182 is movable between an open condition as shown in Fig. 35, and a closed condition in which the second leaf part 182 is folded over onto the first leaf part 162, as indicated by arrow X. When the

leaf parts

162, 182 are in the closed condition, the leaf member may be moved, indicated by arrow Y, from the second position, as shown in Fig. 35, to the first condition in which the leaf member overlies the front cover 26 of the container 16.

A foldable sheet assembly 190 according to a sixteenth embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 36. The foldable sheet assembly 190 of this embodiment is similar to the foldable sheet assembly 180 of the previous embodiment, as shown in Fig. 35, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this example, the leaf member comprises a first leaf part 162, a second leaf part 182 and a third leaf part 192. The second leaf part 182 is hingedly connected to the first leaf part 162 as described above. The third leaf part 192 is similarly hingedly connected along one long edge 192a to the corresponding long edge 162c of the first leaf part 162. As described above, the second leaf part 182 is movable between an open condition (shown) and a closed condition. The third leaf part 192 is similarly hingedly movable as indicated by arrow Z between an open condition (shown) and a closed condition in which the third leaf part lies on top of the first leaf part, or the first leaf part 162 and the second leaf part 182. When both of the second leaf part 182 and the third leaf part 192 are in the closed condition, the leaf member may be moved to its first condition, where it lies on top of the front cover 26 of the container 16.

A foldable sheet assembly 200 according to a seventeenth embodiment of the invention is shown in Fig. 37. The foldable sheet assembly 200 of this embodiment is similar to the foldable sheet assembly 160 of the thirteenth embodiment, as shown in Fig. 30, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this example, the leaf member comprises a first leaf part 162 and a second leaf part 202. The first leaf part 162 is hingedly attached along one short edge 162a to the short side 34 of the container 16. The second leaf part 202 is hingedly attached along one short edge 202a to the other short edge 162b of the first leaf part 162. The second leaf part 202 is movable, as indicated by arrow W, between a closed condition in which it lies on top of the first leaf part 162 and an open condition in which the second leaf part 202 is removed from the first leaf part 162.

Although transparent protective members 142 and

tickets

144, 164 are not shown in Fig. 35, Fig. 36 or Fig. 37, it will be appreciated that the

ticket

144, 164 and the corresponding transparent protective member 142 may be provided on any one or more of the

leaf parts

162, 182, 192, 202 shown in these figures.

Figs. 38 to 42 show a foldable sheet assembly 210 according to an eighteenth embodiment of the invention. The foldable sheet assembly 210 of this embodiment is similar to the foldable sheet assembly 10 of the first embodiment, with the following modifications. The same reference numerals are retained for corresponding features.

In this example, the foldable sheet assembly 210 includes a leaf member in the form of a first leaf part 212, a second leaf part 214 and a spine part 216. The first leaf part 212 is connected along one long edge 212a to a corresponding long edge 216a of the spine 216. The second leaf part 214 is hingedly connected along one long edge 214a to the other long edge 216b of the spine 216. The first leaf part 212, second leaf part 214 and spine part 216 together form a booklet like cover around the container 16. As shown in Fig. 39, the first leaf part 212, the spine 216 and the second leaf part 214 may be formed from a single piece of material.

The example shown in Figs. 38 to 40, transparent protective members 142 are provided on the outermost, with respect to the container 16, sides of the first leaf part 212 and the second leaf part 214. In the example shown in Fig. 41, a transparent protective member 142 is provided on each of the innermost, with respect to the container 16, faces of the first leaf part 212 and the second leaf part 214. In the example shown in Fig. 42, a transparent protective member 142 is provided on each face of each of the first leaf part 212 and the second leaf part 214.

The present invention provides a foldable sheet assembly operable to securely hold a sheet of material folded. The invention also allows the foldable sheet assembly to be attached to another object, and provides for partial inspection of the sheet of material when folded and retained within the container.

The foldable sheet assembly may alternatively or additionally be attached to a book of vouchers, such as gift vouchers or parking tickets. In addition, the foldable sheet may also have a ticket attached to one or more faces of the container and/or the drawer. The foldable sheet assembly may also include a leaf member, comprising one or more leaf parts, hingedly attached to the container. A ticket may be provided on one or each face of one or more leaf parts.

It will be appreciated that the booklet of vouchers may be of a different size and shape to that shown, and may include a different number of vouchers to that shown.

Referring in particular to Figs. 23 to 26, it will be appreciated that a different arrangement or number of slits may be provided in the front cover of the container, in order to attach a ticket to the front cover of the container. The ticket may be of a different size and shape to that shown, and the size and arrangement of the slits will at least to some extent depend upon the size and shape of the ticket. It will also be appreciated that a ticket may alternatively or additionally be attachable to the back cover of the container.

A ticket may be attached to the container, or to one or more sides of the leaf part, at the manufacturing location of the foldable sheet means. The ticket may alternatively be attached to the container or leaf part by a ticket issuer at their office.

It will be appreciated that many different types of ticket may be used in combination with the foldable sheet assembly provided by the invention. The information provided on the foldable sheet will generally be related to the type of ticket attached to the container or leaf part.

Where the leaf member comprises more than one leaf part, it will be appreciated that a different number and arrangement of leaf parts may be provided to those described.

Various types of information may be provided on one or both sides of the sheet of material, such as advertising or promotional material, including product related vouchers, product information and, where the product is a food or a beverage, one or more recipes which may include the product as an ingredient. The sheet of material may also take the form of an insurance certificate, schedule or other documents, a driving licence, an identity card or documents giving emergency medical information such as a patient's medication or details of a patient's condition.

The foldable sheet assembly of the present invention provides a compact form in which the above information may be provided. In the case of product related information it may be desirable to provide the information on or connected to the product. The attachment means of the present invention provide an easy to use means for attaching to the product a foldable sheet assembly carrying information relating to the product.

Various modifications may be made to the described embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, where there is a tab on the drawer this may be functionally replaced by the provision of a cut-out shape in one or both of the front and back faces of the container. An attachment means in the form of a loop of cord or a collar may be provided in any of the described embodiments. Similarly, a window may be provided in the front face of the container in any of the described embodiments.

It will be appreciated that although most of the described embodiments show foldable sheet assembly having a container in which the mouth is provided in one of its short sides, the container mouth may alternatively be provided in one of the long sides of the container, as in Fig. 4, with resulting consequential changes being made to the location of the flanges on the drawer and the container, and the location of any tab, cut-out shape, or attachment means.

It will also be appreciated that the sheet material described in the above embodiments may be replaced by sheet material having a single set of concertina folds. In addition, where the embodiments show the sheet material being unfolded, it will be appreciated that the directions of the first and second sets of concertina folds maybe reversed, resulting in a different opening sequence to that described of the sheet material from its folded condition.

It will also be appreciated that the number of folds in each set of concertina folds maybe different to that described, and that consequently the sheet material may have a different number of sections.

Where the folded sheet means has a window provided in the front face of the container, it will be appreciated that the aperture may or may not be provided with a window pane, and that the shutter may be substantially transparent or at least substantially opaque.

The shape of the aperture within the collar may be different to that shown, and may at least partially depend upon the shape of the part of the other object which is to be received through the aperture in the collar.

It will be appreciated that the foldable sheet assembly may include one or more of the booklet of vouchers, ticket and leaf member as described above.

Claims

A foldable sheet assembly (10, 50, 60, 70, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 210) comprising a sheet (12) of material having a first set of concertina folds (20) and cover means (14) operable to releasably hold the sheet material folded, the cover means (14) comprising a container (16) having a mouth (36) in which a drawer member is slidably receivable, the sheet material being attached to the drawer member (18), the assembly characterised in that there are means for preventing the drawer member from being fully withdrawn from the container mouth comprising a pair of co-operating flanges (40, 42; 48, 49).
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 wherein the sheet of material has a second set of concertina folds (22) generally traverse to the first set of folds.
An assembly as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the container incorporates a cut-out shape (23) in order to facilitate manual grasping of the folded sheet and/or drawer member in order to withdraw the drawer and the folded sheet of material from the container.
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the drawer member comprises a sheet of stiff material substantially of the same size and shape as the container such that the drawer member is closely receivable within the container with the walls of the container adjacent the drawer member.
An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the drawer member incorporates a tab member (38) along a leading edge of the drawer member to enable manual grasping of that tab member to pull the drawer member for withdrawal from the container.
An assembly as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the pair of co-operating flanges comprise a first flange (42) being provided on the drawer member (18) and a second flange (40) being provided on an interior surface of the container (16).
An assembly as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first flange (42) is provided across at least part of the drawer member (18) at or towards the rear of that drawer member.
An assembly as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the first flange (42) extends generally outwardly from the drawer member (18) at an angle to the plane of the drawer member (18).
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 8 wherein the first flange (42) partially overlies the drawer member.
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 9 wherein the first flange (42) extends from the in use underside or upperside of the drawer member (18).
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 10 wherein the first flange (42) is shaped to facilitate co-operation and engagement with the second flange (40) in order to prevent full withdrawal of the drawer member (18) from the container (16) mouth.
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 11 wherein the second flange (40) is provided across at least part of an internal surface of the container (16).
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 12 wherein the second flange (40) is provided on an internal surface of the container (16) upon the back or front face of that container (16).
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 13 wherein the second flange (40) is provided at or towards an open edge of the internal surface of the container (16).
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 14 wherein the second flange (40) extends generally outwardly from and normally at an angle to an internal surface of the container (16).
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 15 wherein the second flange at least partially overlays an internal surface of the container.
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 16 in which the first and second flange extend in generally opposite directions to one another whereby the first and second flange are brought together and come into co-operative engagement with one another to prevent complete withdrawal of the drawer member from the container.
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 17 wherein at least one of the first or second flange are generally rectangular in shape.
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 18 wherein at least one of the first or second flange is substantially arc-shaped.
An assembly as claimed in any of claims 6 to 19 in which the first or second flange comprise a plurality of flange parts arranged in a spaced relationship across the container or drawer surface from which that flange extends.
An assembly as claimed in claim 6 and any claim dependent thereon wherein at least one of the first or second flanges incorporates a cleave (200) about which parts of that flange pivot to lift that flange from a juxtaposed position next to an adjacent surface of the drawer member or container surface particularly when the container is squeezed.
An assembly as claimed in claim 6 and any claim dependent thereon and claim 21 wherein at least one of the first or second flanges has a tapered shape to facilitate interactive catchment with the other flange to prevent full withdrawal of the drawer member from the container mouth.