GB2194773A

GB2194773A - Containers having article retaining portions

Info

Publication number: GB2194773A
Application number: GB08621405A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Arron Chipperfield
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-09-05
Filing date: 1986-09-05
Publication date: 1988-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 2006-09-05
Also published as: GB8621405D0; GB2194773B

Abstract

A tubular container 101, which may be formed from a blank (1, Fig. 1), for storing an article, such as an electric light bulb 200, has wall portions 103, 109 foldable about associated creases with respect to the remainder of the container wall 102, to allow the container 101 to be compressed, in concertina fashion, into a contracted condition in which the wall portions 103, 109 can engage and retain a bulb 200. Preferably, the wall portions 103, 109 are locked into engagement with respective axially-spaced regions of the bulb 200. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Container and associated blank This invention relates to a container for retaining an article, such as, an electric light bulb, snugly therein and, also, to an associated blank.

A known electric light bulb box is made from at least two preformed blanks, a first blank being of generally rectangular shape and made of a semi-corrugated material, such as, stiff paper or card, which is erectable into a generally tubular open-ended box of, say, square or circular cross-section, with the exposed corrugations forming the interior wall of the box. A second blank is in the form of a centrally-apertured insert which is arranged to fit over the bayonet fitting lugs at the electric terminal end of the bulb, with its periphery engaging the interior corrugations of the tubular box, thereby retaining the bulb therein.

Without this second blank insert, the bulb can be dislodged easily from the box. Also, the cost of using semi-corrugated material is high, when compared with the cost of using cheaper materials, such as, plain card or the like.

Another known box for storing electric light bulbs comprises a straightforward rectangular box with a closed bottom and openable lid, which is erected from a suitably shaped and creased blank of card or the like. Such a box can be used to store one or more, and generally two, electric light bulbs. Although a single blank is normally employed and the bulb or bulbs are retained in this type of box, by the closed bottom and lid, the bulb(s) is not a good fit therein and is capable of movement with respect thereto. This is particularly disadvantageous when two or more bulbs are stored in the box, because, unless a partition is provided between the bulbs, they tend to knock against each other and, as a consequence, can be broken. Even when a partition is used, this means that a further component of the box is necessary, thus increasing costs.

It is an object of the presently inventive container and associated blank to eliminate, or at least substantially reduce, the disadvantages of the known forms of box discussed above.

Accordingly, one aspect of the invention provides a container blank dimensioned and creased such that it can be erected into a generally tubular container with at least one open end and with respective, axially-spaced wall portions which are foldable about associated creases for radial movement with respect to the remainder of the container wall, to allow the container to be compressed axially, in concertina fashion, into a contracted condition and which are arranged to engage respective axially spaced regions of an article received in the container through said at least one open end thereof, whereby the article is retained in the container snugly between the respective radially inwardly extending wall portions when the container is compressed into its axially contracted condition.

Another aspect of the invention provides a container for storing an electric light bulb, which container is generally tubular and has respective wall portions foldable about associated creases with respect to the remainder of the container wall, to allow the container to be compressed, in concertina fashion, into a contracted condition, said wall portions being arranged to engage respective axially-spaced regions of an article received in the the container through an open end thereof, whereby the article is retained in the container snugly between the respective radially inwardly extending wall portions when the container is compressed into its axially contracted condition.

Preferably, the blank is a unitary one, in which case, no other component for the container is required, thus keeping costs to a minimum.

Each axially-spaced wall portion preferably comprises one or more, and more preferably four or more, parts of the blank which are shaped and creased, such that, when the erected tubular container is compressed into a semi- or fully-contracted condition, they provide radially inwardly extending ribs spaced equally around the circumference of the container. Thus, with two sets of such circumferentially arranged ribs, the container has two such sets spaced axially of the container, the spacing being dependent upon the article to be stored in the container.

Advantageously, the extent to which one set of ribs extends radially inwardly of the container is less than that to which the other set of ribs extends, whereby said one set of ribs facilitates access of the article into proper position within the container, namely, with a corresponding portion of the article located between the two sets of ribs, whilst the other set of ribs provides adequate support for the article.

In order that the invention may be more fully understood, a preferred embodiment in accordance therewith will now be described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a plan view of a container blank which is shaped, dimensioned and creased for erection into a generally tubular container with open ends; Fig. 2 is a sectional elevational view of a container erected from the blank shown in Fig.

1 in a semi-contracted condition; and Fig. 3 is a partial sectional elevation of the container shown in Fig. 2 but in its fully-contracted condition, with an electric light bulb retained snugly therein.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1 of the drawings, a generally rectangular blank, indicated generally at 1, is made of card and is divided into six basic sections each comprising a rectangular, upper wall portion 2 connected to a foldable, upper rib portion 3 via a normal crease 4.

Each upper rib portion 3 consists of two parts 3',3", of which the first 3' is rectangular and the second 3" is trapezoidal, the latter being connected to a rectangular, intermediate wallportion 5 via another normal crease 6. The two parts 3',3" of the upper rib portion 3 are connected via and foldable about a reverse crease 7.

The intermediate wall portion 5 is connected, via a third normal crease 8, to a foldable, lower rib portion 9 which is also divided into two parts 9',9" which are trapezoidal in shape and are connected together via another reverse crease 10. A rectangular, lower wall portion 11 of each section of the blank 1 is connected to the lower part 9" of the lower rib portion 9 via a fourth normal crease 12.

Respective cut-outs 14,15 separate and partially define adjacent pairs of foldable upper and lower rib portions 3,9, whilst adjacent pairs of rectangular upper, intermediate and lower wall portions 2,5,11 are connected via respective normal creases 16,17,18.

Rectangular tabs 21,22,23 are connected to respective upper, intermediate and lower wall portions 2,5,11 of the far right hand section of the blank, via respective normal creases 16',17',18'. These tabs 21,22,23 are arranged to be secured, preferably by adhesive, to respective upper, intermediate and lower wall portions 2,5,11 of the far left hand section of the blank 1, in overlapping relationship therewith.

When the tabs 21,22,23 are so-secured to the far left hand section of the blank 1, in the manner described above, a generally tubular container, such as that shown in Fig. 2 is erected, with a hexagonal cross-section. The erected container 101 of Fig. 2 is shown in a semi-contracted condition, having been slightly compressed axially, ready to receive an electric light bulb (not shown in Fig. 2) therein, through the upper, open end of the container 101.

In this semi-contracted condition of the container 101, the upper and lower sets of six rib portions 3,9 are spaced axially of the container with the intermediate wall portion 5 located therebetween, each set having its rib portions spaced circumferentially around the container. Respective parts 3',3" of the upper rib portion 3 and respective parts 9',9" of the lower rib portion 9 are folded about normal and reverse creases 4,7,6 and 8,10,12, to define two sets of axially spaced ribs which extend radially inwardly of the container 101.

The upper set of ribs 103 extend radially inwardly of the container 101 to a lesser extent than the lower set of ribs 109, such that the upper ribs facilitate access of a bulb into the container 101. The lower set of ribs 109 provide extra support for the bulb when the latter is received in the container 101 snugly between the two sets of axially spaced ribs 103,109, as shown in Fig. 3.

Turning now to Fig. 3, here the container 101 is shown in its fully-contracted condition with an electric light bulb 200 located snugly between the two axially spaced sets of radially inwardly extending ribs 103,109.

When the bulb 200 is received through the open top end 102 of the tubular container 101, it is urged downwardly, such that its leading end moves past the upper set of ribs 103 which are, in turn, urged downwardly to accomodate the full diameter of the bulb 200.

Then the leading end of the downwardly urged bulb 200 engages the lower set of ribs 109, whilst the upper set of ribs 103 move slightly upwardly to lie in engagement with the upper surface of the glass of the bulb 200, such that the bulb is retained safely in the container 101, snugly between the two sets of ribs 103, 109. This arrangement locks the two sets of ribs 103,109 in respective engagement with axially spaced regions of the bulb glass, as shown in Fig. 3.

To remove the bulb 200 from the container 101, either end of the fully-contracted container may be moved axially outwardly, such that the associated set of ribs 103 or 109 is withdrawn radially outwardly with respect to the container 101, such that the rib portions 3 or 9 are placed in at least the position shown in Fig. 2, thereby permitting the bulb to be removed axially from the container through the corresponding open end thereof.

It is to be appreciated that the cross-section of the generally tubular container can be of any suitable shape, depending upon a particular application. For instance, such cross-section may be of any polygonal shape of three or more sides. Alternatively, it can be circular.

Similarly, the number of rib portions and, hence, number of ribs in each set, can be varied, depending upon a particular application, as can the axial length of the container and even the number of axially spaced sets of ribs, e.g. two or more.

Further, the blank can be shaped to provide a closure, such as a base and/or a lid at one or both of ths container ends. Preferably, such a blank should also be of a unitary structure to maintain its components, and hence costs, to a minimum.

Thus, it can be seen that the presently inventive blank and container provide a means of storing an article, such as, an electric light bulb, in a satisfactorily safe manner, whilst maintaining material and manufacturing costs at a minimum.

Claims

1. A container blank dimensioned and creased such that it can be erected into a generally tubular container with at least one open end and with respective, axially-spaced wall portions which are foldable about associated creases for radial movement with respect to the remainder of the container wali, to allow the container to be compressed axially, in concertina fashion, into a contracted condition and which are arranged to engage respective axialiy-spaced regions of an article received in the container through said at least one open end thereof, whereby the article is retained in the container snugly between the respective radially inwardly-extending wall portions, when the container is compressed into its axiailycontracted condition.

2. A blank according to claim 1 which is unitary.

3. A blank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein each axially-spaced wall portion comprises one or more parts of the blank which is or are shaped and creased such that, when the erected tubular container is compressed into a semi- or fully-contracted condition, one or more radially inwardly extending rib(s) is or are provided.

4. A blank according to claim 3, wherein two or more of said ribs are provided and are spaced equally around the circumference of the container.

5. A blank according to claim 3 or 4, wherein two sets of said ribs are provided and are spaced axially of the container in dependence upon axial dimensions of an article to be stored in the container.

6. A blank according to claim 5, wherein the extent to which one set of ribs extends radially inwardly of the container is less than that to which the other set of ribs extends, whereby said one set of ribs facilitates access of an article into proper position within the container, with the other set of ribs providing adequate support for the so-received article.

7. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein, when the container is compressed into a fully, axially-contracted condition, respective radially inwardlyextending wall portions of the container, between which an article received in the container is snugly retained, are locked into engagement with respective axially-spaced regions of the article.

8. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein a container erected therefrom has an axial cross-section which is polygonal.

9. A blank according to claim 8, wherein the polygonal cross-section of the erected container has at least four sides.

10. A blank according to claim 9, wherein the polygonal cross-section of the erected container is hexagonal.

11. A blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

12. A container for storing an article therein, which container is generally tubular and has respective wall portions foldable about associated creases with respect to the remainder of the container wall, to allow the container to be compressed, in concertina fashion, into a contracted condition, said wall portions being arranged to engage respective, axially-spaced regions of an article received in the container through an open end thereof, whereby the article is retained snugly between the respective radially inwardly-extending wall portions, when the container is compressed into an axially-contracted condition.

13. A container according to claim 12 formed from a unitary blank.

14. A container according to claim 12 or 13, wherein each wall portion comprises one or more parts of the container wall which is or are shaped and creased such that, when the container is compressed into a semi- or fully-contracted condition, one or more radially inwardly-extending rib(s) is or are provided.

15. A container according to claim 14, wherein two or more ribs are provided and are spaced equally around the circumference of the container.

16. A container according to claim 14 or 15, wherein two sets of said ribs are provided and are spaced axially of the container in dependence upon an axial dimension of an article to be stored in the container.

17. A container according to any of claims 12 to 16, wherein the extent to which one wall portion extends radially inwardly of the container is less than that to which the other wall portion extends.

1 8. A container according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein, when the container is compressed into a fully, axially contracted condition, respective radially inwardly-extending wall portions of the container, between which an article received in the container is snugly retained, are locked into engagement with respective axially-spaced regions of the article.

19. A container according to any of claims 12 to 18 having a cross-section which is polygonal.

20. A container according to claim 19, wherein the polygonal cross-section has at least four sides.

21. A container according to claim 20, wherein the polygonal cross-section is hexagonal.

22. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. In combination, a container according to any of claims 12 to 22 and an electric light bulb, the bulb being received in the container, such that it is retained snugly between respective, radially inwardly extending wall portions of the container, with the container having been compressed into its axially-contracted condition.

24. A combination according to claim 23, wherein the container is compressed into a fully axially-contracted condition.

25. A combination according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the radially inwardly-extending wall portions of the container, between which the bulb is snugly retained, are locked into engagement with respective axially-spaced regions of the bulb.

26. A combination according to claim 25, wherein said respective axially-spaced regions of the bulb are on the glass globe thereof.

26. A combination according to claim 25, wherein said respective axially-spaced regions of the bulb are on the glass portion thereof.

27. A container and electric light bulb combination substantially as herein before described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

CLAIMS New claims or amendments to claims filed on 28 November 1987 Superseded claims 1,7,12,18, 23 to 26 New- or amended claims:

1. A container blank dimensioned and creased such that it can be erected into a generally tubular container with at least one open end and with respective, axially-spaced wall portions which are foldable about associated creases for radial movement with respect to the remainder of the container wall, to allow the container to be compressed axially, in concertina fashion, into a contracted condition and which are arranged to engage respective axially-spaced regions of an article received in the container through said at least one open end thereof, whereby the article is retained in the container snugly between the respective radially inwardly-extending wall portions, when the container is compressed into its axiallycontracted condition, and the wall protions are locked into engagement with the respective axially-spaced regions of the article.

7. A blank according to any preceding claim, wherein, when the container is compressed into a fully, axially-contracted condition, respective radially inwardly-extending wall portions of the container, between which an article received in the container is snugly retained, also extend in opposed axial directions toward their respective container ends.

12. A container for storing an article therein, which container is generally tubular and has respective wall portions foldable about associated creases with respect to the remainder of the container wali, to allow the container to be compressed, in concertina fashion, into a contracted condition, said wall portions being arranged to engage respective, axially-spaced regions of an article received in the container through an open end thereof, whereby the article is retained snugly between the respective radially inwardly-extending wall portions, when the container is compressed into an axially-contracted condition, and the wall portions are locked into engagement with the respective axially-spaced regions of the article.

18. A container according to any of claims 12 to 17, wherein, when the container is compressed into a fully, axially contracted condition, respective radially inwardly-extending wall portions of the container, between which an article received in the container is snugly retained, also extend in opposed axial directions toward their respective container ends.

23. In combination, a container according to any of claims 12 to 22 and an electric light bulb, the bulb having been received in the container, such that it is retained snugly between respective, radially inwardly-extending wall portions of the container, with the container having been compressed into its axiallycontracted condition and with the wall portions being locked into engagement with the respective axially-spaced regions of the globe of the light bulb.

24. A combination according to claim 23, wherein the container has been compressed into a fully axially-contracted condition.

25. A combination according to claim 23 or 24, wherein the radially inwardly-extending wall portions of the container, between which the bulb is snugly retained, also extend in opposed axial directions toward their respective container ends.