GB2396768A

GB2396768A - Portable, collapsible loudspeaker arrangement

Info

Publication number: GB2396768A
Application number: GB0229309A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jamie Richard Summers
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2002-12-17
Filing date: 2002-12-17
Publication date: 2004-06-30
Anticipated expiration: 2022-12-17
Also published as: GB2396768B; GB0229309D0

Abstract

A portable collapsible loudspeaker arrangement comprises a portable container 10, with a loudspeaker mounted in the container. The loudspeaker is arrangeable to be in communication with an audio device such as a CD player (94, Fig 10) that is based within the container. The container may be formed by folding a single sheet of cardboard or plastics material (Fig 3). In an alternative embodiment (Figs 14, 15) the loudspeaker an audio device are mounted to a panel that may be inserted into the container.

Description

1 2396768

Portable Loudspeaker Arrangement The present invention concerns portable loudspeaker arrangements, and particularly but not exclusively loud speaker arrangements for use with portable 5 audio systems.

Portable audio systems such as CD, cassette, mini disc or MP3 players are well known, and commonly include a pair of earphones which are inserted into the ears of the user. Such earphones, while convenient for listening to recordings while on the 10 move, can become uncomfortable after a period of time. Furthermore, a user may wish to share the audio experience with others. It has also been suggested that hearing may be damaged by prolonged use of such earphones. Using the portable audio system in this way requires the user to wear the audio player on, for instance, a belt around the waist, which may be inconvenient, for example if the user is 15 performing household tasks, or may just be uncomfortable.

It is known to provide stand alone speakers which may be connected to the audio player, so that recordings may be played through the speakers into a particular room or location. To play recordings at another location, the audio player and the 20 individual speakers must be transported to that location, along with all the connecting and power leads. Inevitably, the portability of the system is compromised by the increased bulk of the system due to the speakers. In particular, such an arrangement is inconvenient for example when going on holiday.

25 According to the present invention, there is provided a portable loudspeaker arrangement, the arrangement comprising a portable container, a loudspeaker mounted in the container, the loudspeaker arrangeable to be in communication with an audio device.

30 Preferably the container is arrangeable to carry an article, having an interior to receive the article. Preferably the container includes handle means for lifting and carrying the container.

I Preferably the container is arrangeable in an open condition in which the | interior is accessible, and a closed condition in which the interior is not accessible.

Preferably the container includes a base, side walls upstanding from the base, 5 the base and side walls defining the interior. Preferably the loudspeaker is mounted on one of the side walls. Preferably the interior is accessible in the open condition through an opening defined between the side walls. Preferably the opening is at the top of the container.

10 Preferably a first pair of opposed side walls move towards each other to the closed condition and away from each other to the open condition. Preferably a second pair of opposed side walls include folds allowing said movement.

The arrangement may be arranged so that articles to be carried by a user are 15 receivable in the interior. The audio device may be receivable in the interior, and may comprise a personal CD player, cassette player, mini-disc player, MP3 player, mobile phone, radio or similar.

Preferably the arrangement includes an amplifier and power supply which 20 may be receivable in the interior, and may be arranged to boost the sound level from the speaker. The power supply may be a battery pack. The amplifier may be mounted on a side wall. A plurality of speakers may be provided.

The container may be arrangeable in a collapsed condition in which the first 25 pair of opposed side walls are brought inwardly towards each other to flatten the container, one of the said side walls mounting the speaker or speakers, and an erected condition in which the said side walls are spaced apart. Preferably the base contains a plurality of interlocking flaps, which in the erected condition interlock, and may be disengaged to allow the container to be arranged in the collapsible 30 condition.

Preferably the base and side walls of the container are formed from a single I sheet of material. The sheet may be preformed to a shape, and may be provided with I apertures, markings and/or fold lines for ease of assembly. It may also be provided I with surface decorations such as pictures or logos. The sheet material may be j 5 cardboard, waxed cardboard or plastics material, and is desirably of polypropylene.

I The container may be assembled using adhesive, or alternatively the preformed sheet may include cooperating tabs and slots to allow assembly without adhesive.

The tabs may include enlarged heads which pass through the slots and lock in position. The container may include a housing mounted to a side wall, the speaker being mounted in the housing. In one embodiment, the housing encloses the speaker in the interior of the container. The housing may be formed of sheet material, and the sheet material may be pre-formed to a shape, and may have 15 preformed apertures, markings and/or fold lines.

In a second embodiment, the housing may comprise a substantially planar panel, the panel mountable to the side walls of the container, the panel mounting the speaker. The panel may be mountable in the interior of the container. The panel 20 may also mount other ancillary items such as the amplifier, a power switch, and connecting leads. The ancillary items may be enclosed in a compartment defined by a second housing mounted to the panel.

The panel may be removable from the container, allowing interchangeability 25 between a plurality of panels and containers.

A second pane] may be provided for removable mounting between the first panel and the side wall. The second panel may include a surface decoration which may be visible through the side wall. The side wall may allow light transmission, and 30 may include an aperture or transparent panel, or may be transparent. Alternatively the container may be of transparent material.

I The container may be disposable, and the loudspeaker arrangement may be disposable. i The invention further provides a panel, mountable to the side walls of a 5 container of a portable loudspeaker arrangement as described in the preceding paragraphs, the panel mounting a speaker.

The invention still further provides a container for use with a portable loudspeaker arrangement as described in the preceding paragraphs.

According to the present invention there is provided a sheet material, the sheet material being preformed for assembly by a user to form a container of a portable loudspeaker arrangement as described in the preceding paragraphs.

15 Further according to the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a portable loudspeaker arrangement, the loudspeaker arrangement being as described in the preceding paragraphs, the method comprising the steps of assembling a preformed sheet to form the container, and mounting a speaker in the container. The speaker may be mounted to a planar panel, and the method may include slidably mounting the panel within the container.

Still further according to the present invention, there is provided a method of 25 use of a loudspeaker arrangement as described in the preceding paragraphs, in which an audio device is inserted into the interior of the container and arranged to be in communication with the loudspeaker.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of 30 example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a portable loudspeaker arrangement according to the invention; Fig. is a sectional view through the centre of the arrangement of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a plan view of a preformed sheet used to make up a container; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a preformed sheet used to make up a housing; 10 Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view of the housing in position in the container; Figs. 6a to 6d are views of the base of the container showing the container being moved from an erected condition to a collapsed condition; Fig. 7 is a perspective view from the front, above and to one side of the container in the collapsed condition; Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the top of the container; Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the container in use; Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the container in use; 25 Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the container in use; Fig. tz is a perspective view of the container in use; Fig. 13 is a plan view of a preformed sheet used in making up a second 30 container according to the invention;

Fig. 14 is a schematic rear view of a panel for use with the container of Fig 13; I and | Fig. 5 is a view from the rear of the second container in use.

I 5 Figures 1 and show a portable loudspeaker arrangement comprising a container 1O having an interior 7, the container 1O including a base 1, side walls upstanding from the base 1a and comprising front wall 14, rear wall 16, and two end walls 8. A handle means in the form of handle apertures no are provided towards lO the top of the container 1O. The end walls 18 are each provided with a vertical fold 66 extending downwardly from substantially the mid point of the upper edge of the end wall 18 to a pair of oblique folds 68, one fold 68 extending obliquely upwardly from each of the lower corners of the end wall 8. The folds 66, 68 allow the end walls 18 to concertina as the front 14 and rear 16 walls move towards and away from 15 each other.

The container is arrangeable in an open condition as shown in Fig 8, in which opening a6 is defined by the top edges of the side walls allowing access to the interior 27. Figures and show the container in a closed position, in which the front 14 and rear 16 walls converge at the top of the container. The front wall 14 extends to form a top flap a8 which folds over the rear wall 16, closing the container. The front wall 14, the rear wall 16, and the top flap 8 each include a handle aperture no, 25 which in the closed position are aligned, so that a user may insert fingers through the apertures to lift and carry the arrangement.

As shown in figure 8, the top flap 8 includes at each end an ear Be, which in the closed position as shown in Figure 1 can be tucked into the concertinaed end wall 30 18, to retain the container in the closed position, as shown in Figure 1.

The front wall 14 includes a pair of speaker apertures an, behind each of which is mounted in the interior 7 of the container lo a speaker 3. The speakers | 3a are mounted to the front wall 14 by any convenient method, such as gluing or with fasteners. Adjacent to the speaker Be is mounted an amplifier 34, and a lead 36 5 connects the speakers as to the amplifier 34. The speakers 3a and amplifier 34 are contained in a housing 30 mounted to the front wall 14. A battery pack 40 is provided within the interior a7, and a power switch 4 is mounted on the front wall 14. Leads 36, 38 connect the amplifier to the power switch 4 and the power switch z4 to the battery pack 40 respectively. A further lead 4a extends from the amplifier lO 34 through an aperture 31 in the housing 30 to a plug 46 connectable to a socket of an audio device.

A hinged flap 44 is provided in the rear wall 16 to allow access to the interior Al, and in particular to allow access to the battery pack 40.

Figure 3 shows a preformed sheet 50 for assembly into a container lo. The sheet is ideally of polypropylene, but may be made from cardboard, waxed cardboard or a suitable plastics material. With reference to figure 3, and starting from the left side of the drawing and moving to the right, sheet 50 comprises end wall 18, front 20 wall 14, the other end wall 8, and the rear wall 16. Each wall is divided from the neighbouring wall by pre-formed fold lines 51. The left hand end wall 18 extends to the left to form an end wall tab 54, separated from the end wall 18 by a preformed fold 5. Each end wall 18 extends downwardly to form a base end flap 60, and each end wall 18 has a vertical fold 66 extending from substantially the mid point of the 25 upper edge downwardly to a pair of oblique folds 68, one fold extending from each of the lower corners of the end wall 18. The front wall 14 and rear wall 6 each extend downwardly to form base side flaps 58, separated from the front and rear walls respectively by preformed fold lines 51. The base end flaps 60 each have chamfers 61 on both sides of the base end flaps. The base side flaps 58 each have a chamfer 59 on 30 the left hand side. Each base side flap 58 extends downwardly to form a base flap tab 8a which extends along the bottom edge of the base side flap 58 for approximately half the length of the bottom edge, and a second base flap tab 6a which extends

i - downwardly from the base side flap 58 on the right hand side of the base side flap for approximately a quarter of the length of the edge. Between base flap tab 8 and i second base flap tab 6a is defined a recessed portion 86 of the bottom edge. The base flap tab 8 has a chamfer 84 on the right hand corner, extending I S perpendicularly for a short portion 83 to the recessed edge 86. The second base flap tab 6z also has a chamfer 88 on the left side. Base side flap 58 includes a notch 9a on the right hand edge where the flap 58 meets the front wall 4. A fold line 64 extends from the notch 9 to the junction of the recess 86 with the chamfer 88.

l0 Front wall 4 extends upwardly to form top flap 8, top flap 8 being separated from front flap 4 by fold lines 51. Top flap a8 has a pair of sidewardly extending ears Em separated from the top flap a8 by fold lines 51. Handle apertures no are provided in the front wall 4, the top flap no and the rear wall 16. Front wall 4 includes a pair of speaker apertures a and an aperture 56 for the switch 4. Rear IS wall 6 includes rear flap 44, rear flap 44 being defined by cut lines 45 extending around three sides of the flap 44 and a preformed fold line 51.

Preformed sheet 50 is assembled to form container to as follows. Preformed folds 5 allow the end wall 8 on the left hand side of figure 3 to be brought around 20 adjacent to rear wall 6. Adhesive is applied to end wall tab 54 and the end wall tab 54 stuck to the right hand edge of rear wall 6. Adhesive is applied to a portion go of the base side flaps 58 as indicated in Figure 3 by the square hatching, and adjacent base end flaps 60 are placed over the hatched portion go. Base side flaps 58 are then pushed upwardly into the interior of the container until the base flap tabs 8 seat 25 over the recessed edges 86. The base side flaps 58 are then pushed downwardly, locking the base side flaps 58 together to form the base of the container lo in an erected condition. The notches 9a and the chamfers 61, 59, 88 and 84 facilitate the movement of the base side flaps into the locking position.

30 Figure 4 is a plan view of a sheet of material which has been preformed for assembly of housing 30. The sheet 70 comprises a housing wall 7, provided on each side with a flap 74, each flap 74 extending outwardly to a tab 76. The upper tab as

. 9 - I' - shown in figure 4 has a small cross of cut lines forming an aperture 78, and the lower tab as shown in Figure 4 has an aperture 80. Preformed fold lines 5t separate the tabs 76 from the flaps 74, and the flaps 74 from the housing wall 7.

5 The housing 30 is assembled to the container to as follows. The housing sheet material 70 is folded along the preformed fold lines 5 and adhesive applied to the tabs 76. The housing 30 is then positioned in the interior a7 of the container lo against the front wall 14 as shown in figure 5. The housing 30 encloses the speaker 32 and the amplifier 34, providing protection for the speaker and amplifier from any l O other articles in the interior.

Figures 6a to 6d are views of the base of the container Jo, and show the container 10 being moved from an erected condition in Figure 6a to a collapsed condition in Figure 6d. In Figure 6a, the base is formed from the base side flaps 15 58 and the base end flaps 60. The right hand end flap 60 is fixed with adhesive to the portion go of the upper base side flap 58 and similarly on the diagonally opposite corner, the left base end flap 60 is fixed to the portion go of the lower base side flap 58. The line between the two base side flaps 58 is formed by the recessed edges 86 of each side flap 58, the base flap tabs 8 of the base side flaps 58 being tucked under 20 the opposite side flap in each case.

The container lo is moved from the erected condition to the collapsed condition as follows. The recessed edges 86 are pushed inwardly as shown by arrow A, unlocking the engagement of the base side flaps 58. The front 4 and rear 6 walls 25 are then moved approximately parallel to each other and in opposite directions as shown by arrows B. The movement continues (figure 6b) until the recessed edges 86 are completely disengaged as shown in Figure 6c. Pressure is now applied to the front 4 and rear 6 walls as shown by arrows C until the container lo reaches the collapsed condition shown in Figure 6d, in which the front 4 and rear 6 walls are as 30 close together as possible, bearing in mind the housing 30 and any articles in the interior of the container 10. Figure 7 shows a perspective view from the front above and one side of the container lo in the collapsed condition. It should be noted that

in the collapsed condition, the container is flattened, making packing of the container, for instance in a suitcase, much easier.

In use, the plug 46 is inserted into a socket of an audio device such as a S personal CD player. Figure 9 shows a CD player 94 being inserted into the interior a7 of the container to. Figure lo shows the plug 46 being inserted into a socket of the player 94, and Figure 1 shows the CD player in the interior 7 of the container lo, the plug 46 connecting the CD player 94 to the amplifier 34 and the speaker 32.

The container lo provides a convenient carrying container for the CD player, and 10 allows recordings to be played through the loudspeakers 3. Figure z shows a similar arrangement in which the audio device is a cassette player 96. Once the plug 46 is inserted into the socket 94, the power switch 4 can be moved to the "on" position and on activating the player, audio output can be heard through the I speakers 3.

The invention thus provides a convenient way of providing a portable I amplifier and speakers for personal audio devices. The overall arrangement is compact, easily portable, and collapsible for packing. Other items may be carried in the interior of the container lo. In particular, the device itself may be carried by the 20 container. It is envisaged that the invention will be of use when a user goes on holiday. Holiday accommodation often does not provide audio playing facilities, and the invention provides a compact and easily portable arrangement which allows a user to convert an audio device from a personal player to a player which may be listened to by several people at a time, and may be easily transported from room to 25 room or location to location. The arrangement provides protection for the audio device, for instance when on the beach or by the sea, the device being protected from sand or water in the interior of the container.

The container is manufactured from relatively cheap materials such as 30 cardboard, waxed cardboard, or plastics materials such as polypropylene. The quality and durability of the container and the amplifier/speaker arrangement can be varied to suit different users and different price brackets. By using relatively

cheap materials, the arrangement could be made disposable, so that after use on holiday the arrangement is simply thrown away.

A second embodiment of a loudspeaker arrangement is shown in Figures 13 to 5 15. Figure 13 shows a plan view of a preformed sheet material 150. The overall shape is the same as that of the previous embodiment shown in Figure 3, the sheet 150 comprising an end wall 118, a front wall 14, and a rear wall 16, each wall separated from the neighbouring wall by a fold line 151.

10 The rear wall 16 is provided with three spaced tabs 17 on the right hand edge as shown in Figure 13. Each tab 17 has an enlarged head. The end wall 118 on the left hand side is provided with three slots 119 in positions corresponding to those of the three spaced tabs 117, the slots 119 being positioned along the left hand edge of I the end wall 118.

The ears 112 of the top flap 28 are each provided with a notch 153. The end I walls 118 are each provided with a slot 167 aligned along the end wall vertical fold 166. 20 The front wall 114 and rear wall 116 each extend downwardly to a base side flap 158 having a tab 182 extending approximately half way along the lower edge of the flap 58. At the right hand end of each flap 158 is provided a tab 162 having a tongue 163, the tongue 163 having an enlarged head. End walls 118 each extend downwardly to base end flaps 160. Each base end flap 160 has an angled slot 161.

Assembly of the sheet 150 to form a container 1lo is similar to that previously described for the container of the first embodiment. The preformed folds 51 allow the left hand end wall 18 to be positioned adjacent to the right hand edge of rear wall 16, and the enlarged heads of the tabs 17 are inserted through the slots 119.

30 The enlarged heads are sized and positioned so that they may be pushed through the slots 19, but will resist being pulled back through the slots 119, thus locking the end wall 118 in a position adjacent to the rear wall 116. Similarly, the heads of the

tongues 163 are pushed through the end flap slots 16 to lock one of the base flaps 8 against one of the end flaps 160. The base is then formed as previously by i pushing the base side flaps 158 upwardly into the container until the base flap tabs 8 seat over the recessed edges 186 of the opposite side flaps 158. The base side 5 flaps 58 are then pushed downwardly, to lock together and form the base of the container no. The top flap of container 110 may be locked in the closed position by inserting the notched ends of the ears 15a through the slots 167 in the end walls 118.

Figure 14 shows a substantially planar panel 113 having a handle aperture too.

Positioned on each side edge are side tabs 1 with enlarged heads. Mounted to the panel are a pair of speakers 13 and a housing 170 containing an amplifier (not shown). Leads 36 connect the speakers 13 to the amplifier. The speakers 13, 15 amplifier and housing To are mounted to the panel 113 by any convenient method, such as gluing or with fasteners.

Figure 15 shows the panel 113 of figure 14 being inserted into the erected container 110. The panel 113 is inserted adjacent to the front face 14 and the 20 enlarged heads of the side tabs 1al are inserted through the slots 15 to lock the panel 113 in position in the container 110. The housing 30 includes a power switch 14. With the panel 113 in position, the handle apertures To of the panel 113, the front wall 114, the rear wall 16 and the top flap 8 align so that the user can pass fingers through the handle apertures To to lift and carry the arrangement. The 25 weight of the panel 113, including the weight of the speakers 13z and the amplifier is therefore directly supported by the user, rather than the container.

The panel 3 may be easily removed from the container 110 and reinserted, as indicated by the double headed arrows D in Figure 15, allowing interchangeability 30 between the container and the panel.

1 1 3 - - The second embodiment as shown in Figures 13 to 5 thus provides a container which can be easily assembled without requiring the use of adhesive, and | which may be readily disassembled as required by the user. The removable panel 3 allows interchangeability between the container and the panel, so that the panel can 5 be transferred to other containers if, for instance, a container sustains damage or if a container bearing a different design is required.

Various modifications may be made within the scope of the invention. The container may be a different shape to that shown. In a simple form, the container l O may essentially comprise a bag, having two sides, a speaker being mounted in one of the sides. A different number of speakers may be provided to that described, and the speakers may be mounted in different positions. A different means may be employed for closing the container. A different form of power may be supplied to the amplifier and speaker, including optionally, mains power. The arrangement is 15 usable with any type of audio device, including mobile phones, CD players, MP3 players, cassette players, radios etc. The housing may be of different form to that described, and in its simplest form may simply consist of a sheet of material separating the speaker and amplifier 20 from other articles in the interior.

The container may be manufactured from a variety of materials, including translucent or transparent materials, or may include panels of transparent or translucent material. Secondary panels may be provided within the interior of the 25 container, visible through the translucent or transparent panels of the container, the secondary panels bearing different designs or logos and being interchangeable. The container itself may be decorated with designs or logos.

Whilst endeavouring in the foregoing specification to draw attention to those

30 features of the invention believed to be of particular importance it should be understood that the Applicant claims protection in respect of any patentable feature

i 14 or combination of features hereinbefore referred to and/or shown in the drawings whether or not particular emphasis has been placed thereon.

Claims

CLAI MS

1. A portable loudspeaker arrangement, the arrangement comprising a portable container, a loudspeaker mounted in the container, the loudspeaker 5 arrangeable to be in communication with an audio device.

2. An arrangement according to claim 1, in which the container includes handle means for lifting and carrying the container.

JO 3. An arrangement according to claims 1 or 2, in which the container is arrangeable to carry an article, having an interior to receive the article.

4. An arrangement according to claim 3, in which the container is arrangeable in an open condition in which the interior is accessible, and a 15 closed condition in which the interior is not accessible.

5. An arrangement according to claims 3 or 4, in which the container includes a base, side walls upstanding from the base, the base and side walls defining the interior.

6. An arrangement according to claim 5, in which the loudspeaker is mounted on one of the side walls.

7. An arrangement according to claim 5 or claim 6, in which the interior is 25 accessible in the open condition through an opening defined between the side walls. 8. An arrangement according to claim 7, in which the opening is at the top of the container.

9. An arrangement according to any of claims 5 to 8, when dependent on claim 4, in which a first pair of opposed side walls move towards each other to the closed condition and away from each other to the open condition.

5 10. An arrangement according to claim 9, in which a second pair of opposed side walls include folds allowing said movement.

11. An arrangement according to any of claims 3 to 10, in which the arrangement is arranged so that articles to be carried by a user are receivable l O in the interior.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11, in which the audio device is receivable in the interior.

15 13. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the audio device comprises a personal CD player, cassette player, minidisc player, MP3 player, mobile phone, radio or similar.

14. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the 20 arrangement includes an amplifier and power supply.

15. An arrangement according to claim 14 when dependent on claim 3 in which, the amplifier and power supply are receivable in the interior.

25 16. An arrangement according to claim 14 or claim 15, in which the power supply is a battery pack.

17. An arrangement according to any of claims 14 to 16 when dependent on claim 5, in which the amplifier is mounted on a side wall.

18. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which a plurality of speakers is provided.

19. An arrangement according to claim 9 and any claim dependent thereon, in which the container is arrangeable in a collapsed condition in which the first pair of opposed side walls are brought inwardly towards each 5 other to flatten the container, one of the said side walls mounting the speaker or speakers, and an erected condition in which the said side walls are spaced apart. 20. An arrangement according to claim 19, in which the base comprises a 10 plurality of interlocking flaps, which in the erected condition interlock.

21. An arrangement according to claim 20, in which the interlocking flaps are disengaged to allow the container to be arranged in the collapsed condition. 22. An arrangement according to any preceding claim in which the communication between the loudspeaker and audio device is by an acoustic signal coupling.

20 23. An arrangement according to claim 5 and any claim dependent thereon, in which the base and side walls of the container are formed from a single sheet of material.

24. An arrangement according to claim 23, in which the sheet is preformed 25 to a shape.

25. An arrangement according to claim 23 or claim 24, in which the sheet is provided with apertures, markings and/or fold lines for ease of assembly.

30 26. An arrangement according to any of claims 23 to 25, in which the sheet is provided with surface decorations such as pictures or logos.

27. An arrangement according to any of claims 23 to 26, in which the sheet material is cardboard, waxed cardboard or plastics material.

28. An arrangement according to claim 27, in which the sheet material is of 5 polypropylene.

29. An arrangement according to any of claims 23 to 28, in which the container is assembled using adhesive.

JO 30. An arrangement according to any of claims 25 to 28 when dependent on claim 24, in which the preformed sheet includes cooperating tabs and slots to allow assembly without adhesive.

31. An arrangement according to claim 30, in which the tabs include 15 enlarged heads which pass through the slots and lock in position.

32. An arrangement according to claim 5 and any claim dependent thereon, in which the container includes a housing mounted to a side wall, the speaker being mounted in the housing.

33. An arrangement according to claim 32, in which the housing encloses the speaker in the interior of the container.

34. An arrangement according to claim 32 or claim 33, in which the 25 housing is formed of sheet material.

35. An arrangement according to claim 34, in which the sheet material is pre-formed to a shape.

30 36. An arrangement according to claim 34 or claim 35, in which the sheet material has preformed apertures, markings and/or fold lines.

37. An arrangement according to any of claims 32 to 36, in which the housing comprises a substantially planar panel, the panel mountable to the side walls of the container, the panel mounting the speaker.

5 38. An arrangement according to claim 37 in which, the panel is mountable in the interior of the container.

39. An arrangement according to claim 37 or claim 38, in which the panel also mounts other ancillary items such as an amplifier, a power switch, and JO connecting leads.

40. An arrangement according to claim 39, in which the ancillary items are enclosed in a compartment defined by a second housing mounted to the panel. 41. An arrangement according to any of claims 37 to 40, in which the panel is removable from the container, allowing interchangeability between a plurality of panels and containers.

20 42. An arrangement according to any of claims 37 to 41, in which a second panel is provided for removable mounting between the first panel and the side wall. 43. An arrangement according to claim 42, in which the second panel 25 includes surface decoration.

44. An arrangement according to claim 43, in which the surface decoration is visible through the side wall.

30 45. An arrangement according to claim 44 in which, the side wall allows light transmission.

46. An arrangement according to claim 45, in which the side wall includes an aperture or transparent panel.

47. An arrangement according to claim 46, in which the side wall is 5 transparent.

48. An arrangement according any of the preceding claims, in which the container is of transparent material.

10 49. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the container is disposable.

50. An arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, in which the loudspeaker arrangement is disposable.

51. A panel, mountable to the side walls of a container of a portable loudspeaker arrangement according to any of the preceding claims, the panel mounting a speaker.

20 52. A container for use with a portable loudspeaker arrangement according to any of claims 1 to 50.

53. A sheet material, the sheet material being preformed for assembly by a user to form a container of a portable loudspeaker arrangement according to 25 any of claims 1 to 50.

54. A method of forming a portable loudspeaker arrangement, the loudspeaker arrangement being according to any of claims 1 to 50, the method comprising the steps of assembling a preformed sheet to form the 30 container, and mounting a speaker in the container.

55. A method according to claim 54, in which the speaker is mounted to a planar panel.

56. A method according to claim 55, in which the method includes slidably 5 mounting the panel within the container.

57. A method of use of a loudspeaker arrangement according to any of claims l to 50, in which an audio device is inserted into the interior of the container and arranged to be in communication with the loudspeaker.

58. A portable loudspeaker arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

59. A panel substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to 15 Figs. 13 to 15 of the accompanying drawings.

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

20 61. A sheet material substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

62. A method of forming a portable loudspeaker arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

63. A method of use of a loudspeaker arrangement substantially as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

64. Any novel subject matter or combination including novel subject matter 30 disclosed herein, whether or not within the scope of or relating to the same invention as any of the preceding claims.