GB2313358A - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A collapsible box-like bag is formed from a one-piece blank of flexible material. The base of the container is formed from a plurality of interlocking members 13 which in the collapsed position lie planar to and against the inner sides 1,3 of the bag. The bag is erectable by applying a force to opposing corners of the collapsed bag. The side panels 3 of the bag are free of intermediate foldlines and creases. Sections 20, 22 may provide carrying handles or rope or cord handles may be provided. A window covered by transparent material may be provided or the blank may be of transparent material.

Description

Container This invention relates to containers, in particular to box-like bags provided with carrying means. Such bags may be intended to be pre-packed or to receive goods at "point of sale".

For certain goods, in particular luxury items such as perfumes, jewellery and alcohol, retailers like to provide their customers with closeable semi-rigid box-like containers. Such containers have a more up-market image than a plastic bag and give greater protection to the goods.

However since there is limited space at the " point of sale" it is preferred if the containers can be stored in a collapsible form that is flat to reduce the storage space required but which can be easily erected when required.

At least one semi-rigid closeable container is known in the prior art. The container is formed from folded flexible sheet material and provides a box having side walls, end walls and a top closure. The top closure is formed from the folding of flaps on the side walls and end walls. To enable the container to be stored flat the end walls are vertically creased to allow them to bow inwardly. When flat the base of the container lies against one of the side walls.

The sheet material used must be flexible enough to allow the end walls to bow inwardly easily. Therefore in order for the container to be strong enough to transport the goods the base requires a stiffening panel. When a sale has been made the sales assistant must open the container and push the stiffening panel down to lie flat against the base before the goods can be inserted in the bag. This can be quite a cumbersome operation. Additionally the container is formed from two separate pieces, increasing production time and expense.

It is the aim of this invention to provide a collapsible container which requires a minimum of effort to erect and is formed from a one piece blank only.

According to the present invention there is provided a collapsible container formed from a one piece blank of folded flexible sheet material and having side walls, end walls, a base and a top closure, the top closure comprising panels and flaps, which when the container is erect, overlap each other to close the container, the base being formed from a plurality of interlocking members which, when the container is in a collapsed position, lie planar to and against the inner sides of the side walls and end walls such that when lateral forces are exerted on opposing corners of the collapsed container to erect the container the members drop downwards to form the base, the top closure being provided with means for carrying the container.

The invention further provides a one piece blank for forming the container.

As none of the walls need to be creased to enable the walls to bow inwardly the container can be produced from a more rigid material than the containers of the prior art.

Thus no stiffening panel is required for the base since the material used has sufficient strength.

The container can be stored flat until it is needed.

To erect the container lateral forces are exerted on the two opposing corners of the flattened container. As the container takes three dimensional shape the base of the container automatically falls into position and, due to the strength of the interlocking members, goods can be placed inside the container immediately. There is no need for a person to insert their hand and manually push the base down.

If it is desired to display the goods a section of one or more of the walls may be cut out and replaced with a transparent material. Alternatively the whole blank may be of a transparent material.

The container may be carried by any suitable means.

Holes may be provided in the top closure to enable rope or cord handles to be inserted. Alternatively the blank itself may be provided with tabs integral to the top closure flaps which are slotted together to increase security and provide an integral handle.

To assist a clear understanding of the invention a more detailed description is given below with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of an open box-like bag according to one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of the blank of the embodiment shown in figure 1; and Figure 3 is a plan view of a blank of a box-like bag according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a box-like bag of elongate rectangular section having side walls 1 and 2, end walls 3 and 4, a base and a closeable top 5, 6, 7. The bag is formed from a one piece blank, shown in figure 2, of card or like material.

Towards the upper end of each end wall 3, 4, there is provided a slit. The slits help retain the container in a closed configuration.

Integral with the end walls 3 and 4 are flaps 7 defined by a fold line. Each flap is divided into three substantially triangular sections 7a, 7b, 7c, by further fold lines. These further fold lines extend from the two corners of the flap 7 at the fold line with the end walls 3 and 4 to the free outer side of the flap. When the container is closed sections 7a and 7b are folded over and overlap section 7c.

Integral with the side walls 1 and 2 and flaps 7 are panels 5 and 6, delimited therefrom by fold lines. Panels 5 and 6 are substantially rectangular and are designed to be folded in half along a central fold line, parallel to the fold line delimiting the panels 5 and 6 from the side walls.

A triangular cut-out is provided at each end of the central fold line such that when the panels are folded over the then outer edge of the resulting panel is angled downwards towards the adjacent corner of flap 7. The double thickness of the resulting panel provides extra strength for the closeable top. In the embodiment of the invention shown in figure 1 the panels 5 and 6 are provided with holes to allow a flexible cord to be threaded therethrough to provide carrying means. Before assembly, when the container is lying flat, the panels 5, 6 are folded over on themselves.

However they have not been folded along the fold line separating them from side walls 1 and 2. Flaps 7 and the folded panels 5 and 6 lie planar with the side walls and end walls before erection of the container.

Extending from the bottom ends of the walls 1, 2, 3, 4 are four bottom panels 13, 14, 15 and 16 which together form the base of the container. The bottom panels 13, 14, 15, 16, cooperate to form what is known as a crash-lock bottom.

Before erection, when the container is lying flat, these bottom panels lie upwards against the inner sides of the walls 1, 2, 3, 4. As force is exerted on the opposing corners of the flattened container and the container takes three dimensional shape the bottom panels automatically fall downwards and interlock to form the stable base of the container.

Once the contents of the container have been inserted inside the top is closed in the following manner. Flaps 7 are pulled outwardly and downwardly. This action forms a double-walled triangular tab which then lies against the outer side of the end wall. The point of the tab is inserted into the slit to hold the tab in position. As the panels 5 and 6 are integral with the flaps 7 they are pulled downwardly with the action of pulling the flaps outwardly.

The panels are drawn together to lie horizontally and close the top of the container. Thus only a minimum of actions are required to fully assemble and close the container.

A blank of a box-like bag according to a second embodiment of the invention is shown in figure 3. The second embodiment resembles the embodiment shown in figure 1 in most respects, with the exception of the carrying and closing means. In the second embodiment the top closure panels not only close the bag but provide carrying means as well. Additionally this embodiment shows how it is possible to replace a section of the side panels with a transparent sheet 19 to enable the goods inside the container to be displayed in transit. The base and flaps 7 are the same as in the first embodiment and will therefore not be described in detail again. Panels 17 and 18 have a rectangular lower section integral with the flaps 7 and side walls 1, 2 and delimited therefrom by fold lines. Projecting from the free outer edge of panel 17 is a further substantially rectangular section 20, with rounded corners. Section 20 is located centrally but does not extend the whole width of the panel 17. A tongue 21 is cut out from section 20 but remains integral with panel 17 by a fold line. Panel 18 has a similar section 22 projecting from the free outer edge thereof. However panel 18 is also provided with integral tabs 23 located either side of section 22. A slit 24 is formed in panel 18 for retaining the tongues when the container is closed.

The container is erected as described above. To close the container the flaps 7 are pulled downwardly and outwardly as in the first embodiment. The resulting double walled triangular tabs lie against the outer side of the end walls. They are retained in position by slits formed in the end walls. Panels 17 and 18 are integral with flaps 7 and therefore are pulled downwardly with the flaps. Panels 17 and 18 fall into a horizontal position forming a top wall of the container and effectively closing it. Tabs 23 overlie panel 17 helping keep it in position. Sections 20 and 22 are left projecting upwards from the top wall. The tongues can be flattened to lie horizontally and leave sections 20 and 22 to be used as carrying handles. This closure means is more complicated than that of the first embodiment but gives extra security.

Claims (8)

Claims

1. A collapsible container formed from a one piece blank of foldable flexible sheet material and having side walls, end walls, a base and a top closure, the top closure comprising panels and flaps, which when the container is erect, overlap each other to close the container, the base being formed from a plurality of interlocking members which, when the container is in a collapsed position, lie planar to and against the inner sides of the side walls and end walls such that when lateral forces are exerted on opposing corners of the collapsed container to erect the container the members drop downwards to form the base, the top closure being adapted to be provided with means for carrying the container.

2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein to display the goods a section of one or more of the walls is cut out and replaced with a transparent material.

3. A container according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the whole blank is of a transparent material.

4. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein holes are provided in the top closure to enable rope or cord handles to be inserted.

5. A container according to any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein the blank itself is provided with tabs integral to the top closure flaps which are slotted together to increase security and provide an integral handle.

6. A one piece blank for forming a collapsible container comprising a first pair of rectangular panels and a second pair of rectangular panels, a first panel of said first pair being connected about a fold line with a first panel of said second pair, a second panel of said first pair being connected about fold lines to the first panel and a second panel of said second pair, wherein said first panel of said first pair is joinable to said second panel of said second pair by means of a glue flap, wherein a first pair of closure panels is connected about a fold line to said first pair of rectangular panels and a second pair of closure panels is connected about a fold line to said second pair of rectangular panels, the height of each of said second pair of closure panels being greater than the width of each of the first rectangular panels and each of said first pair of closure panels is provided with a pair of diagonal foldlines and wherein each of the rectangular panels is substantially free of intermediate foldlines and creases.

7. A collapsible container substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in figure 1 of the accompanying drawings.

8. A one piece blank for a collapsible container substantially as described herein, with reference to and as illustrated in figures 2 and 3 of the accompanying drawings.