GB2167731A

GB2167731A - Foldable receptacle

Info

Publication number: GB2167731A
Application number: GB08528685A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Bernard Lewis
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-11-22
Filing date: 1985-11-21
Publication date: 1986-06-04
Also published as: GB8528685D0; GB2167731B; GB8429506D0

Abstract

A foldable receptacle comprises two side walls 52,53 spaced by at least one connecting wall 14, 16 the or each connecting wall 14, 16 being adapted to be folded in order to reduce the spacing between the spaced side walls. Fold lines within the walls 14, 16 and a base 18 allow the base 18 and walls 14, 16 to be collapsed between the side walls 52,53 without disjointing. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Foldable receptacle This invention relates to a foldable receptable.

According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a foldable receptacle comprising two side walls spaced by at least one connecting wall, the or each connecting wall being adapted to be folded in order to reduce the spacing between the spaced side walls.

This enables the receptacle to be folded from an open condition, to a folded condition when it is empty. In the folded condition the receptacle is substantially flat.

Advantageously the side walls and connecting walls extend from a base so that the side walls, the connecting walls and the base define a volume within which an article or articles can be received.

Preferably two connecting walls are provided which connect the ends of the side walls. It is also preferred that the receptacle is of substantially cuboid shape.

Desirably, the or each connecting wall is adapted to be folded by the provision of fold lines along which it can fold. Desirably also, the base is adapted to be folded by the provision of fold lines along which it can fold.

Preferably, support means is provided for supporting a further receptacle on top of the receptacle.

Advantageously, fold means is provided for the support means to relieve tension from being formed in the support means. This is especially useful because it has been found that tension in the support means is disadvantageous to the receptacle. The fold means may comprise one or more tension relieving fold lines provided in the side walls, or in at least one of the connecting walls.

In one embodiment, the support means comprises a flange which is provided along an upper edge of the or each connecting wall and extends transverse thereto when the receptacle is in the open condition. In this embodiment the flange can be adapted to fold with the or each connecting wall; to this end the or each flange can be provided with at least one fold line.

In an alternative embodiment the support means comprises a flange which is provided along an up per edge of the side walls, and extends transverse thereto when the receptacle is in the open condition. In this embodiment the flange can be adapted to fold so that it is parallel with the side walls when the receptacle is in the folded condition.

Preferably the support means is integral with the side walls or the or each connecting wall.

The receptacle may for example be made from polypropylene or cardboard. If desired the side walls may comprise a grid structure formed from a plurality of struts. The struts may, for example, be made from wood.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a blank for a foldable receptacle comprising a foldable sheet having a first set of fold lines which are arranged so that the sheet can be formed into a receptacle having two side walls spaced by at least one connecting wall, and a second set of fold lines arranged so that the receptacle can be folded about the second set of fold lines in order to fold the or each connecting wall thereby reducing the spacing between the opposed side walls.

Advantageously the first set of fold lines includes fold lines for forming support means, preferably a support flange, for supporting a further receptacle on top of the receptacle.

Advantageously also, at least some of the second set of fold lines act as fold means for relieving tension in the support means.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a blank for one embodiment of a foldable receptacle according to the invention; Figure 2 is perspective view of a foldable receptacle formed from the blank shown in Figure 1, in an open condition; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a foldable receptacle formed from the blank shown in Figure 1 in a foldable condition; Figure 4 is a plan view of a blank for another embodiment of a foldable receptacle according to the invention; Figure 5 is a perspective view of a foldable receptacle formed from the blank shown in Figure 4 in an open condition; and Figure 6 is a perspective view of a foldable receptacle formed from the blank shown in Figure 4 in a folded condition.

In Figure 1 a blank 1 comprises a sheet which may be made of polypropylene and which can be formed into a receptacle 2 shown in Figures 2 and 3.

The blank includes a first set of fold lines 3 to 12 (shown in ghost) about which the blank can be folded in order to form receptacle 2.

The blank 1 includes a region 13 which lies between fold lines 7 to 10 and corresponds to a connecting wall 14 of the receptacle 2, and a region 15 which lies between fold lines 3 to 6 and corresponds to a connecting wall 16 of the receptacle. A region 17 of the blank, which lies between fold lines 6, 10, 11 and 12, corresponds to a base 18 of the receptacle 2.

Regions 19 to 24 of the blank 1 correspond respectively to flanges 25 to 30 of the receptacle 2.

The blank is also provided with regions 31 and 32 which correspond to support flanges 33 and 34 of the receptacle 2. The support flanges 33 and 34 serve to support a further receptacle (not shown) on top of the receptacle 2.

The receptacle 2 may be assembled from the blank 1 as follows.

Firstly the blank 1 is cut along cut lines 35 to 48.

The blank is cut along cut lines 35 and 36 to provide hand grips 49 and 50 of the receptacle 2. Re gions 13a and 15a of the blank 1, which the cut lines 35 and 36 extend around, are folded back so that they lie parallel to the regions 13 and 15 re spectively, as shown in Figure 2. This increases the strength of the receptacle 2 in the region of the hand grips 49 and 50.

The region 13 is then folded relative to the region 17 about fold line 10, and the region 15 is folded relative to the region 17 about the fold line 6, in order to bring the connecting walls 14 and 16 substantially perpendicular to the base 18 and substantially parallel to one another.

Two grid structures each comprising a plurality of wooden struts 51 are disposed between the connecting walls 14 and 16 in order to provide the receptacle 2 with two opposed side walls 52 and 53 which are spaced by the connecting walls 14 and 16. Each grid structure comprises three struts 51a extending substantially parallel to the base 18 and perpendicular to the connecting walls 14 and 16, and two struts 51b extending substantially perpen dicularto the base 18 and substantially parallel to the connecting walls 14 and 16.

The struts 51 of the side wall 53 are arranged so that the side wall 52 extends adjacent fold lines 4, 9 and 11; the struts 51 of the side wall 52 are arranged so that the side wall 53 extends adjacent fold lines 5, 8 and 12.

The region 20 of the blank 1 is folded relative to the region 17 about fold line 12 until it is substantially transverse to the region 17 in order to form the flange 26 which abuts against the lowermost of the struts 51a of the side wall 53.

The region 23 of the blank 1 is folded relative to the region 17 about the fold line 11 until it is substantially transverse to the region 17 in order to form the flange 29 which abuts against the lowermost of the struts 51a of the side wall 52.

The region 19 of the blank 1 is folded relative to the region 13 about fold line 8 until it is substantially transverse to the region 13 in order to form the flange 25 which overlaps the flange 26.

Regions 21, 22 and 24 are similarly folded about fold lines 5, 9 and 4 respectively in order to form flanges 27, 30 and 28 respectively.

The region 31 is then folded relative to the region 15 about fold line 3 in order to form the support flange 33. The ends of the support flange 33 are folded so that they overlap the flanges 27 and 28.

The region 32 is then folded relative to the region 13 about the fold line 7 in order to form the support flange 34. The ends of the support flange 34 are folded so that they overlap the flanges 25 and 30.

The flanges 25 to 30, and support flanges 33 and 34 are then stapled to the struts 51 of the side walls 52 and 53.

The blank 1 includes a second set of fold lines 55 to 69 (shown in ghost) which facilitate folding of the connecting walls 14 and 16, the base 18 and the support flanges 33 and 34. The purpose of cutting the material of the blank 1 along cut lines 37 to 40 is to assist with the folding of the connecting walls 14 and 16 and the base 18.

The unfolded receptacle 2, shown in Figure 2, can be folded as follows. Pressure is applied to side wall 52 in the direction indicated by arrow A, and to the side wall 53 in the opposing direction indicated by arrow B. This causes the connecting walls 14 and 16, the base 18 and the support flanges 33 and 34 to fold about fold lines 55 to 69 which reduces the spacing between the side walls 52 and 53. Both the connecting walls 14 and 16, and the base 18 fold inwardly. Continuation of the pressure pushes the receptacle 2 into the folded condition shown in Figure 3.

The receptacle 2 can be opened by reversing this procedure.

It should be noted that the region 17 is provided with parallel fold lines 63 and 64 and 65 and 66.

This is so that material of the connecting wall 14 adjacent fold line 68 can fit into the space defined between the fold lines 63 and 64, and material of the connecting wall 16 adjacent fold line 69 can fit into the space defined between the fold lines 65 and 66.

It is clear that the fold lines 55 and 56 act as fold means for relieving tension in the support flange 32 and the fold lines 57 and 58 act as fold means for relieving tension in the support flange 33. The receptacle 2 folds about fold lines 55 to 58 to relieve tension in the support flange 32 or 33.

Figure 4 shows a blank 100 from which the receptacle 101 shown in Figures 5 and 6 can be formed.

The blank 100 includes a first set of fold lines 102 to 129 (shown in ghost), and also includes cut lines 130 to 143 and 200 to 205.

A region 144 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 125, 112, 106 and cut line 140, to- gether with a region 145 of the blank 100 which lies between fold lines 108, 115, 129 and cut line 143, correspond to a connecting wall 166 shown in Figure 5. A region 146 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 107, 113, 126 and cut lines 141, together with a region 147 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 109, 114, 127 and cut lines 142, correspond to a connecting wall 167 shown in Figure 5.

A region 149 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 110, 111, 104 and 105 corresponds to a base 150 of the receptacle 101 shown in Figure 5.

A region 151 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 124, 112 and 120, together a region 152 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 129, 115 and 123, form an overlapping portion 153 along the upper edge of the connecting wall 166.

A region 154 of the blank 100 which lies between fold lines 121, 112 and 126, together with a region 155 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 122, 114 and 128, form an overlapping portion (not shown) along the upper edge of the connecting wall 167 of the receptacle 101.

A region 156 of the blank 100, which lies between fold line 111 and cut lines 141 and 142, forms a flap 157 attached to the base 150 of the receptacle 101, while a region 158 of the blank 100 which lies between fold line 110 and cut lines 140 and 143, forms a similar flap 171 attached to the base 150 of the receptacle 101.

A region 159 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 102, 121 and 120, corresponds to a support flange 160 on the receptacle 101, while a region 161 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 103, 122 and 123 corresponds to a support flange 164 of the receptacle 101.

A region 163 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 102, 104, 106 and 107, corresponds to a side wall 164 of the receptacle 101, and a region 165 of the blank 100, which lies between fold lines 105, 103, 108 and 109, corresponds to a side wall 170 of the receptacle 101.

The receptacle 101 can be formed from the blank 100 as follows. Firstly the blank 100 is cut along cut lines 130 to 143 and 200 to 205.

Then, the region 158 is folded relative to the region 149 about fold line 110, and the region 156 is folded relative to the region 149 about fold line 111 in order to bring the surface of the regions 156 and 158 into engagement with the surface of the region 149.

The region 163 (together with the regions 144, 146, 151, 154 and 159) is then folded relative to the region 149 about the fold line 104, and the region 165 (together with the regions 145, 147, 152, 155 and 161) is folded relative to the region 149 about the fold line 105 until both these regions are substantially perpendicular to the region 149, and so that the regions 156 and 158 lie between the regions 163 and 165. This forms the opposed side walls 164 and 170 in a configuration such that they are perpendicular to the base 150, and substantially parallel to one another.

The regions 144 and 151 folded about the lines 106 and 120 relative to the region 163 and 159 and until they are substantially transverse to said regions.

The regions 145 and 152 are folded about the fold lines 108 and 123 relative to the regions 165 and 161 until they are substantially transverse to said regions. The region 144 is folded before folding the region 145, so that the region 145 lies outside the region 144.

The regions 146 and 154 are folded about the lines 107 and 121 relative to the regions 163 and 159 and until they are substantially transverse to said regions.

The regions 147 and 155 are folded about the fold lines 109 and 122 relative to the regions 165 and 161 until they are substantially transverse to said regions. The region 146 is folded before folding the region 147, so that the region 147 lies outside the region 146.

The region 159 is then folded about lines 102, 116, and 117 to form the support flange 160, and the region 161 is folded about fold lines 103,118 and 119 in order to form the support flange 164.

Region 151 is folded about the fold lines 112, 124, 125 and 120, and region 152 is folded about the fold lines 115, 129 and 123 in order to form the overlapping portion 153. The region 154 is then folded about fold lines 113,126 and 121, and the region 155 is folded about fold lines 114,127,128 and 122 in order to form the overlapping portion (not shown) along the upper edge of the connecting wall 167.

The receptacle 101 is then stapled together with staples (not shown).

In particular, regions 144, 145, 151 and 152 are stapled together and regions 146, 147, 154 and 155 are stapled together.

The flanges 157 and 171 may now be raised until they are substantially parallel with the connecting walls 166 and 167 and engage the inner surface thereof.

The holes formed by cut lines 134 and 137 form hand grip 181, and the holes formed by cut lines 135 and 136 form hand grip 182.

The hole formed in the flaps 157 and 171, by the cut lines 139 and 138 respectively, are arranged so that they are aligned with the hand grips 181 and 182 when the flaps have been raised, as shown in Figure 2.

The blank 100 is provided with a second set of fold lines 211 to 222 which facilitate folding of the connecting walls 166 and 167, of the base 150 and of the flaps 157 and 171. The purpose of cutting the material of the blank 100 along the cut lines 130 to 134 and 200 to 205 is to assist with the folding of connecting walls 166 and 167, the base 150 and the flaps 157 and 171.

The unfolded receptacle 101 shown in Figure 5 can be folded as follows. Firstly the flaps 157 and 171 and formed so that they are substantially parallel to the base 150 and so that they engage the base.

Pressure is then applied to the side wall 164 in the direction indicated by arrow C, and to the side wall 170 in the opposing direction indicated by arrow D. This causes the connecting walls 166 and 167, the base 150 and the flaps 157 and 171 to fold about fold lines 211 to 222 which reduces the spacing between the side walls 164 and 170. The connecting walls 166 and 167 fold inwardly, while the base 150 and the flaps 157 and 171 fold outwardly.

Continuation of the pressure pushes the receptacle 101 into the fold condition shown in Figure 6.

The receptacle 101 can be opened by reversing this procedure.

It is clear that the fold lines 219, 220, 221 and 222 act as fold means for the relieving tension in the support means 160 and 164. The receptacle 101 folds about fold lines 219 and 221 to relieve tension in the support flange 160 or 164.

Claims

1. A foldable receptacle comprising two side walls spaced by at least one connecting wall, the or each connecting wall being adapted to be folded in order to reduce the spacing between the spaced side walls.

2. A foldable receptacle according to Claim 1 in which support means is provided for supporting a further receptacle on top of the receptacle.

3. A foldable receptacle according to Claim 2 in which the support means comprises a flange which is provided along an upper edge of the or each connecting wall.

4. A foldable receptacle according to Claim 2 in which the support means comprises a flange which is provided along an upper edge of the side walls.

5. A foldable receptacle according to Claim 2, 3 or 4 in which fold means is provided to relieve tension in the support means.

6. A foldable receptacle according to Claim 5 in which the fold means comprises a plurality of tension relieving fold lines.

7. A foldable receptalce according to Claim 6 in which said plurality of fold lines are provided in the or each connecting wall.

8. A foldable receptacle according to any preceding claim in which the side walls and the or each connecting wall extend from a base so that the side walls, the or each connecting wall, and the base define a volume within which an article can be received.

9. A foldable receptacle according to Claim 8 in which at least one fold line is provided in said base to enable said base to be folded.

10. A foldable receptacle according to Claim 9 in which two substantially parallel fold lines are provided in said base to enable said base to be folded.

11. A foldable receptacle according to any preceding claim in which the or each connecting wall is adapted to be folded by the provision of fold lines along which it can fold.

12. A foldable receptacle according to Claim 11 when dependent upon Claim 6 in which said fold lines about which the or each connecting wall can be folded include the tension relieving fold lines.

13. A foldable receptacle according to Claim 11 or 12 when dependent on Claim 3 in which at least some of said fold lines are provided in the support means.

14. A foldable receptacle substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

15. A blank for a foldable receptacle comprising a foldable sheet having a first set of fold lines which are arranged so that the sheet can be formed into a receptacle having two side walls spaced by at least one connecting wall, and a second set of fold lines arranged so that the receptacle can be folded about the second set of fold lines in order to fold the or each connecting wall thereby reducing the space between the opposed side walls.

16. A blank according to Claim 15 in which the first set of fold lines includes fold lines for forming support means, for supporting a further receptacle on top of the receptacle.

17. A blank according to Claim 16 in which at least some of said second set of fold lines act as fold means for relieving tension in the support means.

18. A blank according to claim 16 or 17 in which at least some of said second set of fold lines are provided in the support means.

19. A blank substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.