GB2331068A

GB2331068A - Combined display device and tubular container

Info

Publication number: GB2331068A
Application number: GB9902014A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Deekes
Original assignee: Associated Marketing Direction
Current assignee: Associated Marketing Direction
Priority date: 1996-10-24
Filing date: 1996-10-24
Publication date: 1999-05-12
Anticipated expiration: 2016-10-24
Also published as: GB2318569B; GB2331068B; GB9622125D0; GB9902014D0; GB2318569A

Abstract

A flat-pack container comprises a tube adapted to form the body of the container, top and bottom end caps 1, each cap 1 defining a groove 2 corresponding to the cross-section of the tube; and engagement means adapted to retain, in use, each end of the tube in a respective end cap, wherein the engagement means comprises a retaining surface 6, 7, 8 on at least one of the groove walls 3, 4 and one or more pre-formed indentation(s) or dimple(s) 13-15 in the tube end region. Preferably a second tube is rotatably positioned over the first and images on the two tubes combine to create an overall image on the surface of the container, to which end the second tube may be of substantially transparent material with opaque stripes extending along or around the container.

Description

COMBINED DISPLAY DEVICE AND TUBULAR CONTAINER Field of Invention This invention relates to tubular containers of the kind comprising a flat rectangular sheet of e.g. cardboard, plastics or metal film, which can be rolled or folded into a length of tube and assembled into a container by fitting end caps. In particular the invention relates to these types of tubular containers which provide a tubular display device and which have improved end caps.

Background to the invention Flat-pack containers have been described in British Patent Application number 2297965 and it is intended that the whole contents of this document should be incorporated herein by reference. The information contained in this earlier application forms an integral part of this present disclosure.

The present application is a divisional application of GB-A-2318569.

Such containers are normally used to transport items and as pots for lightweight contents e.g. for containing pens, pencils etc. and also as waste paper baskets. The containers are often designed to be inexpensive "throw away" items which must therefore be simple to manufacture. However, a particular problem with such containers lies in the manufacturing process for the end caps.

The end caps typically contain a groove of appropriate shape for the end of the tube to be fitted into. This groove contains projections formed at spaced intervals around the groove wall. These projections tend to press against the tube edge when it is fitted and lock positively into perforations in the tube edge. Typically, the protrusions are wedge shaped and project substantially across the groove. The applicant is aware of several such containers, all of which operate on the same principle. These are described in US 4215779, EP 0059314 and US 3986659. If the end caps are manufactured using a plastics moulding method it has been found that the moulding tool used to form the groove tends to deform or knock off the protrusions as the moulding tool is withdrawn from the groove. Because the end cap material is malleable during the manufacturing process this is especially likely to occur.

Methods of avoiding this problem are known although they tend to be expensive.

For example, special tools may be used to hold the walls apart before withdrawing the moulding tool. Alternatively the moulding tool may be rotated by an angle sufficient to clear the protrusion prior to withdrawal. However, using these expensive manufacturing methods mitigates against the container being an inexpensive "throw away item".

These containers typically have advertising material printed on the outside surface of the cylinder. However, this presents a static image and fails to gain people's attention after a while. Thus the impact of the item as a desk ornament or other gift tends to loose its impact after a while.

It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a container which overcomes or at least mitigates one or more of the problems noted above. of Invention According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a flat-pack container comprising: (i) a tube length adapted to form the body of the container; (ii) top and bottom end caps, each cap defining a groove corresponding to the crosssection of the tube length; (iii) engagement means adapted to retain, in use, each end of the tube in a respective end cap; wherein the engagement means comprises a retaining surface on one of the groove walls and one or more pre-formed indentation(s) or dimple(s) in the tube end wall. This simplifies the manufacturing process and reduces costs because it is possible to use a conventional moulding tool to form the groove profile without deforming or knocking off protrusions from the groove walls during the manufacturing process.

Preferably the retaining surface is a protrusion or lug. It is also preferred that the retaining surface extends substantially continuously around one of the groove walls.

Moreover, the retaining surface is preferably on the outer groove wall.

Preferably, the engagement means further comprises a second retaining surface on the opposing groove wall and it is also preferred that said second retaining surface comprises two lugs. Moreover it is preferred that said lugs are spaced apart on the opposing groove wall, one substantially above and one substantially below the level of the first retaining surface.

Preferably, said engagement means further comprises a perforation in the tube end wall, the perforation being adapted to engage with the first or second retaining surface.

It is also preferred that the protrusion extends less than half way across the groove.

Advantageously, a flat-pack container as described immediately above is provided wherein the container further comprises a second tube length the two tube lengths being adapted to nest one within another and to be rotatable one with respect to the other, images on the two tube lengths combining to create an overall image on the tubular surface of the container. Preferably, the outer tube rotates with respect to the inner tube and it is also preferred that the outer tube is formed from substantially transparent material to which opaque stripes have been applied. Moreover, it is preferred that the stripes on the outer tube extend either substantially vertically from the top to the bottom of the tube or substantially horizontally around the circumference of the tube.

A flat-pack container comprises: (i) a first tube length adapted to form the body of the container; (ii) top and bottom end caps, each cap defining an endless groove corresponding to the cross-section of the first tube length; (iii) engagement means adapted to retain, in use, each end of the first tube in a respective end cap; characterised in that the container further comprises a second tube length the two tube lengths being adapted to nest one within another and to be rotatable one with respect to the other, images on the two tube lengths combining to create an overall image on the tubular surface of the container. This has the advantage that two or more images can be displayed and the user can adjust the picture from time to time to provide a change.

In an example the outer tube rotates with respect to the inner tube and in a further preferred embodiment the outer tube is formed from substantially transparent material to which opaque stripes have been applied. In this way the outer tube can be moved relative to the inner tube to produce an animated display pattern. The stripes on the outer tube may extend either substantially vertically from the top to the bottom of the tube or substantially horizontally around the circumference of the tube.

Another flat-pack container comprises: (i) a first tube length adapted to form the body of the container; (ii) top and bottom end caps, each cap defining an endless groove corresponding to the cross-section of the first tube length; (iii) engagement means adapted to retain, in use, each end of the first tube in a respective end cap; characterised in that the container further comprises a second tube length the two tube lengths being adapted to nest one within another and to be rotatable one with respect to the other, images on the two tube lengths combining to create an overall image on the tubular surface of the container, wherein the engagement means comprises one or more protrusion(s) in one of the groove walls, said protrusions being adapted to form an engaging fit with corresponding indentation(s) at the end of the tube length.

In an example the outer tube rotates with respect to the inner tube and in another example the outer tube is formed from substantially transparent material to which opaque stripes have been applied. The stripes on the outer tube may extend either substantially vertically from the top to the bottom of the tube or substantially horizontally around the circumference of the tube.

In an example the engagement means further comprises two lugs on the opposing groove wall and in another example at least two of said indentations are provided. Advantageously said lugs are substantially rectangular. This makes the lugs easy to form during the manufacturing process and also enables them to engage with the indentations in the tube end wall. In another example one of said indentations is a perforation. The perforation fits around the lug and helps to ensure good engagement between the tube and the end cap.

Description of the drawings The invention will be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figures 1 and 2 and 4 show cross sections through a groove in an end cap.

Figure 3 shows a cross section through a tubular container with one end cap and with a double tube wall.

Description of preferred embodiments Embodiments of the present invention are described below by way of example only.

These examples represent the best ways of putting the invention into practice that are currently known to the Applicant although they are not the only ways in which this could be achieved.

The present invention relates to a container formed from a tubular body with a top and bottom end cap. As described in British Patent Application number 2297965 the tubular body may be formed from a rectangular sheet of suitable material e.g. polypropylene that is rolled into a tube and retained in this form by the end caps.

Alternatively, the tubular body may be provided as a tubular unit; this tubular unit may be folded flat for storage or transportation of the container.

Figures 1 and 2 show cross sections though part of an improved end cap according to the present invention. The end cap 1 contains a groove 2 that has an outer wall 3 and an inner wall 4. The tube end 5 is positioned inside the groove as shown. A retaining surface 6, 7 is provided on one of the groove walls, in this example, on the outer wall 3 and the retaining surface comprises two protrusions 6 and 7. The protrusions 6 and 7 are spaced apart such that one is substantially vertically above the other as shown in Figure 1. The other groove wall, in this example, the inner wall 4 is provided with a lug 8. The lug 8 is provided by a protrusion in the inner wall as shown and is directed towards the retaining surface 6,7. Preferably the lug 8 is directed towards the space between the two protrusions 6 and 7 as shown in Figure 1.

In a preferred embodiment the lug 8 is provided by a protrusion that forms a ring around the groove wall in the end cap. Alternatively, lugs 8 can be provided as protrusions spaced at intervals around the groove wall.

When the tube end 5 is placed into the groove 2 it is flexed about the lug 8 which tends to force the tube end towards the outer groove wall 3. At the same time the protrusions 6 and 7 tend to force the tube end towards the inner groove wall 4. As a result of these forces the tube end flexes as shown in Figure 1 and tends to be retained within the groove. If the tube end is pulled up vertically out of the groove the lug 8 and the protrusions 6 and 7 act to prevent the tube end from being withdrawn from the groove.

Once the tube end wall is flexed in this way indentations 13, 14 and 15 form as shown in Figure 1. The protrusions 6, 7 and the lug 8 fit into these indentations in the tube wall so that the tube is held firmly in the end cap. The indentations can also be pre-formed in the tube. For example, if the tube is made from plastics material then the indentations can be formed by heat treating the end of the tube The indentations or dimples, 13, 14 and 15 can be formed simply as a consequence of the flexing or bending of the tube end wall as it is pushed into the end cap. Alternatively, the dimples or indentations may be pre-formed in the tube end wall.

This can be done during the manufacturing process, for example by moulding, or heat treating the tube end wall.

This method of using indentations or dimples in the tube end wall to hold the tube in place around protrusions or lugs in the end cap can be used with many types of flat-pack container. For example, it can be used with flat-pack containers that have two nested tubes as shown in Figure 3 and it can also be used for flat-pack containers which have only one tube, for example those described in GB 2297965.

As shown in Figure 1 the lug 8 and the protrusions 6 and 7 do not need to extend more than half way across the groove and they may be rectangular. Also the lug 8 and the protrusions 6 and 7 are not necessarily wedge shaped. This means that during the manufacturing process it is possible to use a conventional moulding tool to form the groove profile without deforming or knocking off the protrusions 6, 7 or 8 from the groove walls when the moulding tool is withdrawn.

It is also possible for the protrusions and the lug to be tapered or wedged for example as shown in Figure 4. The lower face of the protrusions and lugs have sloping edges 20 as shown, The gradient of these sloping edges may be adjusted to suit the particular moulding tool and design requirements. Once the edges are sloping then this helps the moulding tool used to form the groove profile to be withdrawn without damaging the protrusions 6, 7 or 8.

Figure two shows another embodiment of the invention where the tube end contains a perforation 9 as described in British Patent Application number 2297965.

Protrusion 8 fits at least partially into the perforation 9 to enable the tube end to engage positively with the end cap. The protrusions 6 and 7 act to push the tube end towards the lug 8 so that the perforation 9 engages with it. The combined effect of this engaging mechanism and the flexing of the tube end around the lug 8 and protrusions 6 and 7 ensure that the tube end is held within the groove.

It is also possible to use a protrusion on only one groove wall together with an indentation in the tube to engage with the protrusion. For example consider the situation in Figure 1. If protrusions 6 and 7 are not provided the outer groove wall 3 can itself act to retain the tube end wall against the lug 8. The tube is then held in the end cap 1.

The present invention can be applied to a variety of flat-pack containers. For example, the tubular body of the container may consist of two superimposed cylinders, rotatable with respect to each other. Striped display patterns may be presented on the surfaces of the cylinders so that when the cylinders are moved relative to one another the perception of motion is produced.

By presenting two or more images of varying animated positions in quick succession the perception of motion can be produced. This principle is used in televisions, or by presenting the images on the corners of the pages of a book and then flicking through the pages rapidly.

It is also possible to present two images simultaneously on a 2D sheet and alternately cover one of the images. For example, the display surface can be divided into striped regions of the same size, with one image being presented only on the even striped regions and the other image on the odd striped regions. Using an overlay sheet which is also divided into corresponding striped regions, with the odd stripes being transparent and the even stripes opaque (or vice versa) then relative motion between the overlay sheet and the display surface will cause the images to be covered alternately.

One problem with this method is that the overlay and display sheets need to be held in alignment whilst at the same time relative motion must be produced between them. To achieve good perceptual effects the relative motion should be smooth and fairly fast. This is often difficult to ensure especially if the method is being used by young children who find it difficult to move the overlay sheet in the correct manner and often obstruct much of the display with their hands. Another problem is that because the overlay sheet and display cannot be of infinite length as they move over each other they eventually become separated and the overlapping effect is removed. Therefore the overlay sheet (or display sheet) has to be moved back and forth which tends to make the relative motion jerky and disjunctive.

The overlay and display sheets can be presented as two superimposed cylinders, rotatable with respect to each other. This has the advantage that the overlay sheet can be moved continually in the same direction in a smooth manner so that good perceptual effects can be achieved. Also, the overlay sheet, in the form of a cylinder can be easily rotated even by a child.

Preferably, the display pattern is presented on the inner cylinder. A striped pattern may either be printed directly onto tube itself or onto the rectangular sheet used to form the inner tube. It is also possible to provide the pattern on a sheet of paper for example, and place this around the tube. This has the advantage that the display can easily be replaced if it is desired to show a different image.

The striped pattern can either be arranged so that the stripes run vertically from top to bottom of the tube as assembled or so that the stripes extend horizontally, around the circumference of the tube.

The overlay sheet is provided in the form of a transparent rectangular sheet which has opaque stripes corresponding to those on the inner cylinder. As shown in Figure 3, the second rectangular sheet is formed into a tube 10 and placed around the outside of the first tube 11 so that the two tubes are concentric with each other. The diameter of the second tube is slightly greater than that of the first tube so that the tubes can be moved relative to one another. As the tubes are rotated relative to one another the odd and even stripes on the first tube are alternately visible and thus the two different images are alternately visible. In this way the perception of movement can be achieved.

It has been found that the opaque stripes need not be completely opaque - it is enough to reduce the visibility of the underlying pattern by an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect. Similarly, the transparent stripes need not be completely clear.

The outer end edges of the end cap 12 provide end-stops as shown in Figure 3 which prevent the second tube 10 from sliding off the first tube 10. Both end caps can provide end-stops in this way although only one end cap is shown in Figure 3.

In one embodiment the second tube 10 is of substantially the same height as the first tube 11 as shown in Figure 3. In this case the two tubes 10 and 11 are preferably rotated relative to each other and about their cornmon axis. The striped patterns are arranged such that the stripes run vertically along the length of the tubes.

Alternatively, the second tube 10 may be of a height less than that of the first tube 11 so that the second tube 10 can either be moved up and down along a vertical axis or it can be rotated relative to the first tube 11. In the case that the second tube is moved up and down along a vertical axis the striped patterns are arranged so that the stripes run horizontally around the circumference of the tubes.

To assemble the container the first inner tube is taken and one of the end caps is attached to the bottom of the tube. (If a rectangular sheet is provided this is first formed into a tube as described in British Patent Application number 2297965.) A sheet of paper or other material displaying the striped pattern may be fixed around the first tube at this stage using glue, tape or any other conventional fixing means. The second tube is placed around the first tube as shown in Figure 3 and the other end cap is attached to top of the tube. Whilst holding either/both end caps the second tube can then be moved easily relative to the first tube and the perception of motion produced. In this way two or more images can be produced and the user can adjust the picture from time to time to provide a change.

The second tube may be formed from flexible material, preferably plastics material that is transparent. Opaque stripes are printed or applied using any other conventional means to the second tube.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A flat-pack container comprising:- (i) a tube length adapted to form the body of the container; (ii) top and bottom end caps, each cap defining a groove corresponding to the cross-section of the tube length; (iii) engagement means adapted to retain, in use, each end of the tube in a respective end cap; wherein the engagement means comprises a retaining surface on one of the groove walls and one or more pre-formed indentation(s) or dimple(s) in the tube end wall.
2. A container as claimed in claim 1 wherein the retaining surface is a protrusion or lug.
3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2 wherein the retaining surface extends substantially continuously around one of the groove walls.
4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the retaining surface is on the outer groove wall.
5. A container as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the engagement means further comprises a second retaining surface on the opposing groove wall.
6. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein said second retaining surface comprises two lugs.
7. A container as claimed in claim 6 wherein said lugs are spaced apart on the opposing groove wall, one substantially above and one substantially below the level of the first retaining surface.
8. A container as claimed in claim 5 or claim 6 wherein said engagement means further comprises a perforation in the tube end wall, the perforation being adapted to engage with the first or second retaining surface.
9. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein the protrusion extends less than half way across the groove.
10. A flat-pack container as claimed in any of claims 1 to 9 wherein the container further comprises a second tube length the two tube lengths being adapted to nest one within another and to be rotatable one with respect to the other, images on the two tube lengths combining to create an overall image on the tubular surface of the container.
11. A flat-pack container as in claim 10 wherein the outer tube rotates with respect to the inner tube.
12. A flat-pack container as in claim 10 or claim 11 wherein the outer tube is formed from substantially transparent material to which opaque stripes have been applied.
13. A flat-pack container as claimed in claim 12 wherein the stripes on the outer tube extend either substantially vertically from the top to the bottom of the tube or substantially horizontally around the circumference of the tube.
14. A flat-pack container substantially as herein described and as illustrated in any combination of the accompanying drawings.