GB2108831A - Folding case especially for students' mathematical sets - Google Patents

Abstract

A folding case for the components of a students' mathematical set has a substantially square body part 10, Fig. 1, of double layer sheet PVC. Fold seams 14 defined by spaced pairs of weld lines 16, 16, extending along both diagonals divide the body part 10 into a pair of triangular upper and lower main panels, 30 and 32, and a pair of side panels 34, 34. The latter are further sub-divided by a fold seam 18 into two equal sub-panels 34a and 34b. The main panels and side panels have loops 52 and pockets 42 for holding components of the mathematical set, and the case folds up from a flat opened out condition into a compact, slender triangular shaped closed form Fig. 2 in which the side panels 34, 34 are folded and sandwiched between the overlying main panels 30 and 32. The case is held shut by a foldable closure flap 12, extending outwardly from the base edge of the lower main panel 32, which carries press-stud fasteners 25. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Folding case especially for students' mathematical sets The present invention relates to a folding case which is especially suitable for students' mathematical sets.

The term "mathematical sets" is used herein to denote sets of mathematical and drawing instruments and the like, commonly comprising at least compasses, ruler, protractor, set squares and assorted pencils, such as are provided for students in schools and other educational establishments.

Such mathematical sets are frequently housed in boxes or other rigid containers in which many of the individual components of the sets generally need to be stored on top of one another unless the container is to be unduly bulky, and this tends to be rather unsatisfactory in respect of the ease of selecting and extracting individual items. The relatively large size and awkward shape of some of the items in these mathematical sets, such as set squares and protractors for example, together with items such as compasses and pencils does in fact pose somewhat of a problem in devising a compact form of container which is convenient to use and which can be economically manufactured.

This invention provides a novel form of case, especially suitable for students' mathematical sets, comprising a body composed of sheet material which is divided by fold seams into a number of flexibly interconnected contiguous panels or sub-panels of which at least some have pockets, sleeves or other means on an inner face thereof for holding items to be contained in the case, the arrangement being such that the case can be folded from a substantially flat opened-out condition in which the panels or sub-panels all lie in more or less coplanar relationship into a compact shut condition in which the panels or sub-panels lie in superimposed relationship with two main panels of substantially identical triangular or trapezium shape, herein termed upper and lower main panels respectively, forming upper and lower leaves between which are sandwiched inwardly folded side panels, said upper and lower main panels being disposed in adjacent mirror image relationship symmetrically about a transverse folding axis in a transverse median plane towards which axis their mutually inclined side edges are inwardly convergent, the base edges of said upper and lower main panels being distant from said folding axis and in mutual parallel relationship therewith, and said side panels each extending between and being bounded by a respective pair of opposite said side edges of the upper and lower main panels and each being divided into two sub-panels by a transverse fold seam also lying within said transverse median plane which, during folding together of said main panels, permits each side panel to fold inwards to bring its two sub-panels into mutually superimposed relationship between the upper and lower main panels in the shut condition of the case, and the base edge of the lower main panel being contiguous with a further panel forming an outwardly extending closure flap adapted to be folded over and secured in overlying relationship with the outer face of the upper main panel when the case is shut.

A construction such as is defined above can provide a case which, when shut, has a compact, slender, triangular or trapezium shaped form closed along each edge with individual panels providing superimposed layers defining interior spaces adapted to house or contain the components of a students' mathematical set therewithin and which, when open, spreads out and exposes its contents for easy access. The mutually inclined inwardly convergent configuration of the side edges of the upper and lower main panels along which the latter are interconnected with the side panels extending therebetween is significant in that, when shutting the case, it enables the side panels automatically to fold inward simultaneously with folding together of the upper and lower main panels and likewise, when opening the case, it brings about an automatic folding and opening out of the side panels.

In preferred embodiments of the invention, the body of the case has a substantially rectangular or square configuration, except for the closure flap which extends outwardly; and the side edges of the upper and lower main panels, which also define the side edges of the side panels, are formed by fold seams extending along the diagonals. Furthermore, the body of the case is advantageously made of heat-weldable thermoplastics sheet material, preferably fabricated into a double layer sheet which enables the upper and lower main panels to be reinforced by internal stiffening material, and the fold seams are defined by weld lines which are produced under heat and pressure by a welding tool and which may be provided in closely spaced pairs to further define a relatively wide fold seam.

Thus, from a more limited aspect, a case in accordance with the invention for containing the components of a students' mathematical set comprises a substantially square or rectangular body formed of double layer sheet plastics material having fold seams formed along its diagonals by weld lines to define firstly a pair of triangular upper and lower main panels which are disposed symmetrically either side of a transverse median plane and which are reinforced by internal stiffening material and, secondly, a pair of triangular side panels extending between said upper and lower main panels, a further fold seam being formed along the transverse axis lying within said transverse median plane by a weld line which divides each side panel symmetrically into two sub-panels, the arrangement being such that said upper and lower main panels can be folded about a folding axis in said transverse median plane to convert said body of the case from a substantially flat opened out condition to a compact shut condition, and vice versa, in which shut condition said upper and lower main panels lie in superimposed relationship with the side panels folded inwardly to bring their respective sub-panels also in superimposed relationship and sandwiched between said main panels, at least some of said panels being provided on their inner surfaces with means for holding components of the mathematical set, and a further panel of said sheet plastics material extends outwardly along an edge of said body which forms the base edge of the lower main panel thereby to provide a closure flap adapted to be folded to overlie and to be secured to the outer face of the upper main panel when the case is shut.

Pockets for holding flat items such as rulers, set squares and protractors are preferably provided on the side sub-paneis, and such pockets may conveniently be formed by strips of further plastics sheet material secured, as by welded seams for example along closed sides of the pockets, to the inner surface of the side panel sheet material.

Such welded seams may moreover be arranged so as to shape the pockets to suit or conform with the shape of the flat items-to be held and located therein.

Any suitable fastening means, such as pressstud fasteners for example, may be provided for securing the closure flap to the upper main panel in the shut condition of the case.

By way of example, one form of a students' mathematical set case constructed in accordance with the invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view of the case in an opened-out condition; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the case partly shut; Figure 3 is a sectional view through the case in the condition shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a top perspective view of the case in a shut condition; Figure 5 is an underside plan view of the case in a shut condition; Figure 6 is an elevational view in the direction of arrow "A" of Figure 5; Figure 7 is an elevational view in the direction ofarrow"B" of Figure 5.

The case illustrated in the drawings is made of plastics sheet material such as PVC fabricated into a double layer or double skin sheet and comprises a body part 10 of substantially square configuration (when opened out flat as in Figure 1) with a trapezium shaped extension flap 12 along one edge.

Extending along both diagonals of the body part 10 are fold seams 14 each defined by a pair of parallel spaced weld lines 16, 16, produced under heat and pressure by a welding tool. The corners 18 of the body part 10 are cut obliquely so as to square off the ends of the fold seams 14.

Another fold seam 18 defined by a single weld line extends transversely across the body part 10 which is formed with a small aperture 20 at the central intersection of these fold seams.

Afurther rectangular fold seam 22 defined by a pair of spaced weld lines 24, 24, flexibly interconnects the main body part 10 and the extension flap 12. The extension flap 1 2 is provided with a pair of press fastener sockets 26, 26 for co-operation when the case is shut with a complementary pair of studs 28, 28 on the outer face of the body part.

As most clearly seen in Figure 1 , the fold seams 14 divide the body part 1 0 into four flexibly interconnected contiguous panels of substantially identical triangular shape, namely, a pair of upper and lower main panels, 30 and 32 respectively, and a pair of side panels 34, 34. The side panels 34, 34 are each further sub-divided by the transverse fold seam 1 8 into two sub-panels 34a and 34b.

Thus, the two upper and lower main panels 30 and 32 are disposed in adjacent mirror image relationship symmetrically about a transverse folding axis, lying along the fold seam 18 in the opened-out flat condition of the body part, in a transverse median plane towards which the mutually inclined side edges defined by the fold seams 14 are inwardly convergent. The base edges of these main panels 30 and 32 are distant from such folding exis and are in mutual parallel relationship therewith, while the side panels 34, 34, each extend between and are bounded by the respective pair of opposite inclined side edges of the main panels 30 and 32.

The upper and lower main panels 30 and 32 are each reinforced and stiffened by a sheet of internal stiffening material 38 (see Figure 3) between the inner and outer layers or skins of the plastics sheet material, and the latter is sealed by a weld seam extending around the free peripheral edges of the body part 10 and flap 12.

At each side of the body part 10 adjacent the peripheral edge which forms the base edge of the respective triangular side panel 34, and in overlying relationship with the inner surface of the latter, is a substantially rectangular strip 40 of further flexible plastics sheet material, preferably transparent, which is secured by peripheral edge weld seams and by the intersecting weld lines of the fold seams previously referred to. These additional strips 40, 40, thus form discrete pockets, 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d, on the inner surfaces of the sub-panels 34a and 34b for holding flat items such as the protractor, ruler and set squares shown in broken lines in Figure 1 and indicated respectively by the references 44, 45, 46 and 47.

The pockets 42b and 42c are further defined by additional weld lines, 48 and 49 respectively, which adapt the internal shape thereof to suit the item to be contained therein, namely the ruler 45 and 600 set square 46 in this example, and hold or locate that item in a particular orientation in which it will not project over the adjacent fold seam 14 such as to obstruct folding of the case. It may be noted, however, that it is quite permissible for these flat items to project from the pockets and extend over the transverse fold seam 1 8 without obstructing the folding of the case which is hereinafter described.

The upper and lower main panels, 30 and 32, are conveniently provided on their inner surfaces with plastics strips or bands, 50a and 50b respectively, welded in place and formed to provide a series of sleeve loops 52 for holding other items of the mathematical set, such as pencils, compasses, erasers etc. of which some are also indicated in outline in Figure 1.

It will thus be seen that in the opened-out condition of the case, in which the panels of the body part 1 0 lie substantially flat in coplanar relationship as shown in Figure 1, all the components of the mathematical set contained therein are exposed and presented for easy access. The case folds, however, into the compact shut condition shown in Figures 4 to 7 in which the panels and sub-panels lie in superimposed relationship with the main panels 30 and 32 forming upper and lower leaves between which are sandwiched the sub-panels 34a and 34b of each side panel 34 which are also in superimposed relationship as a result of an inwards folding of the respective side panel.

The folding action is clearly iliustrated in Figures 2 and 3, and it will be appreciated that as the main panels 30 and 32 are folded together or away from one another the side panels 34 automatically fold inwards or outwards simultaneously therewith.

In the shut condition, the flap 12 is folded over and secured by the press stud fasteners, and the interior of the case is then closed edgewise along all sides. Although the case then has a very compact slender form, the relatively wide fold seams 14 and 22 defined by the pairs of spaced weld lines enables the depth to expand to a small extent sufficient to accommodate the more bulky items contained within the case.

The case as described is economical to produce and is functionally convenient for the user. It also can have an attractive finish, using for example an imitation leather cloth plastics material for the outer layer of the plastics sheet, so that together with its somewhat unusual shape it can in addition have a significant aesthetic appeal. It will, however, be understood that many modifications and changes in the various detail features herein described can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims (11)

1. A folding case, especially suitable for students' mathematical sets, comprising a body composed of sheet material which is divided by fold seams into a number of flexibly interconnected contiguous panels or sub-panels of which at least some have pockets, sleeves or other holding means on an inner face thereof for holding items to be contained in the case, the arrangement being such that the case can be folded from a substantially flat opened-out condition in which the panels or sub-panels all lie in more or less coplanar relationship into a compact shut condition in which the panels or sub-panels lie in superimposed relationship with two main panels of substantially identical triangular or trapezium shape, herein termed upper and lower main panels respectively, forming upper and lower leaves between which are sandwiched inwardly folded side panels, said upper and lower main panels being disposed in adjacent mirror image relationship symmetrically about a transverse folding axis in a transverse median plane towards which axis their mutually inclined side edges are inwardly convergent, the base edges of said upper and lower main panels being distant from said folding axis and in mutual parallel relationship therewith, and said side panels each extending between and being bounded by a respective pair of opposite said side edges of the upper and lower main panels and each being divided into two sub-panels by a transverse fold seam also lying within said transverse median plane which, during folding together of said main panels, permits each side panel to fold inwards to bring its two sub-panels into mutually superimposed relationship between the upper and lower main panels in the shut condition of the case, and the base edge of the lower main panel being contiguous with a further panel forming an outwardly extending closure flap adapted to be folded over and secured in overlying relationship with the outer face of the upper main panel when the case is shut.

2. A folding case as claimed in Claim 1 which, when shut, has a compact generally flat triangular or trapezium shaped form closed along each edge with individual panels providing superimposed layers defining interior spaces adapted to house or contain the components of a students' mathematical set therewithin and which, when open, spreads out and exposes the contents for easy access, the interconnection between the side panels and the respective mutually inclined inwardly convergent side edges of the upper and lower main panels being effective to cause the side panels, when shutting the case, automatically to fold inwardly simultaneously with folding together of the upper and lower main panels and to cause said side panels, when opening the case, automatically to fold and open out.

3. A folding case as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the main portion of the body of the case which comprises the upper and lower main panels and the side panels has a substantially rectangular or square configuration in its opened out condition, and the closure flap extends outwardly from a side edge of said main portion of the body.

4. A folding case as claimed in Claim 3, wherein the side edges of the upper and lower main panels, which converge inwardly towards said transverse folding axis and which also define the side edges of the side panels, are formed by fold seams extending along the diagonals of the substantially rectangular or square main portion of the body.

5. A folding case as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the body of the case is made of weldable thermoplastics sheet material fabricated into a double layer sheet sealed along the peripheral edges of said body.

6. A folding case as claimed in Claim 5, wherein the fold seams are provided by weld lines welding together the layers of said sheet, said weld lines being produced under heat and pressure by a welding tool.

7. A folding case as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said fold seams along the edges of the upper and lower main panels are defined by a pair of generally spaced-apart said weld lines.

8. A folding case as claimed in any of Claims 5 to 7, wherein the upper and lower main panels are reinforced by internal stiffening material between inner and outer layers or skins of the plastics sheet material.

9. A folding case for containing the components of a students' mathematical set, said case comprising a substantially square or rectangular body formed of double layer sheet plastics material having fold seams formed along its diagonals by weld lines to define firstly a pair of triangular upper and lower main panels which are disposed symmetrically either side of a transverse median plane and which are reinforced by internal stiffening material and, secondly, a pair of triangular side panels extending between said upper and lower main panels, a further fold seam being formed along the transverse axis lying within said transverse median plane by a weld line which divides each side panel symmetrically into two sub-panels, the arrangement being such that said upper and lower main panels can be folded about a folding axis in said transverse median plane to convert said body of the case from a substantially flat opened out condition to a compact shut condition, and vice versa, in which shut condition said upper and lower main panels lie in super-imposed relationship with the side panels folded inwardly to bring their respective sub-panels also in superimposed relationship and sandwiched between said main panels, at least some of said panels being provided on their inner surfaces with means for holding components of the mathematical set, and a further panel of said sheet plastics material extends outwardly along an edge of said body which forms the base edge of the lower main panel thereby to provide a closure flap adapted to be folded to overlie and to be secured to the outer face of the upper main panel when the case is shut.

10. A folding case as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein pockets for holding flat items, such as rulers, set squares and protractors for example, are provided on the sub-panels of said side panels, such pockets being formed by strips of further plastics sheet material secured to the inner surface of the side panel sheet material.

11. A folding case as claimed in Claim 10, wherein the strips forming said pockets are secured to the inner surface of the side panel sheet material by welded seams along closed sides of the pockets, said welded seams defining the shape of the pockets.

1 2. A folding case constructed substantially as herein described and illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings.