GB2399811A

GB2399811A - Container having a flexible lid

Info

Publication number: GB2399811A
Application number: GB0304534A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Howard John Farthing
Original assignee: WARD LESTER GROUP
Current assignee: WARD LESTER GROUP
Priority date: 2003-02-27
Filing date: 2003-02-27
Publication date: 2004-09-29
Also published as: GB0304534D0

Abstract

A container (10) comprises a bin portion and a flexible lid portion and is used to display newspapers and the like in exposed locations. The arrangement of the flexible lid and the bin allows containers to be stacked in confined spaces yet still allowing access to each containers contents, and provides a container which is robust, strong yet simple to manufacture. Furthermore use of a flexible lid portion negates the need for a separate hinge and is less susceptible to and less likely to cause damage to the bin portion. A support member and attachment member extending along opposite ends of the lid portion provide transverse rigidity.

Description

239981 1

A CONTAINER

The present invention relates to improvements in containers such as newspaper stands, racks or dispensers.

Known containers of this type are used to display newspapers and the like in exposed locations such as shop entrances, petrol station forecourts or railway station concourses. The containers include bins generally fabricated from moulded plastic with rigid transparent polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG) lids to protect items displayed in the container, hinged about a fixed point at the rear of the container allowing access to said items. Generally, a number of such containers are mounted on tubular metal frames allowing for several items to be displayed simultaneously.

Various problems are known with such conventional containers. One such problem is that of loading space. The clearance between stacked containers in adjoining tiers has to be sufficient to allow the lids to be opened far enough to provide access to the contents of the container. This results in an inefficient use of space. Furthermore, attaching the lid portion to a plastic container requires holes to be formed to fix the hinges. These holes result in reduced strength of the plastic material and as such, continuous use can cause damage, such as cracking or tearing to the bin portion, around the hinge area.

Also, as a result of the harsh environmental conditions in which such containers are placed, the rigid PETG lids become brittle during cold weather, increasing the likelihood of damage to the lid portion.

Yet further, such lids, being lightweight, are known to be easily blown open by gusts of wind, exposing the contents to the elements.

According to the invention thae is provided a container as set out in the claims.

Because the containa comprises a longitudinally flexible lid, the lid can effectively hinge open anywhere along its length, allowing a reduction in the clearance between stacked containas in adjoining tiers. In a preferred embodiment the use of a strengthening member and a rigid attachment portion provides transverse rigidity to the flexible cova material of the lid portion. The use of an attachment portion allows the lid portion to be easily removed and replaced in the event of damage to either said bin portion or said lid portion.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example with reference to the drawings of which: Fig.1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention; Fig 2 is a perspective view of a lid portion according to the invention; and Fig 3 is a perspective view of two containers stacked, according to the present invention.

Referring now to Figure 1 the container is designated generally (10) and includes a bin portion (50) and a lid portion (20). The bin portion (503 includes a run (52) having a number of holes (not shown) for affixing the lid portion (20). The bin portion (50) is generally cuboid and formed of vacuum or injection moulded plastic or similar polymeric material.

The lid portion (20) is shown in more detail in Fig.2 and comprises a flexible transparent sheet (26) formed of flexible polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and includes an attachment portion (22) at one longitudinal end and a support member (24) at the other.

The attachment portion (22) of the lid portion (20) is attached to the bin portion (50) using a plurality of fastening means (28). the embodiment shown the attachment portion (22) comprises a rigid plate of, for example, metal or plastic material extending transversely along Me lid portion (20) and bonded thereto in any appropriate manner. The purpose of the attachment portion (22) is two fold. Firstly it enables the flexible covering material to be fixed to the bin portion (50) using the fastening means (28). Secondly, it provides added transverse rigidity.

The support member (24) comprises a rigid plate of, for example, metal, extending transversely along the lid portion (20) and bonded thereto in any appropriate manner.

The support member (24) provides additional transverse support for the flexible material without affecting its longitudinal flexibility. Furthermore the support member (24) acts a handle and weights the lid portion (20) so that its tendency is to remain closed.

It will be seen that the invention gives rise to numerous advantages. As shown in Fig.3 the arrangement of the flexible lid (20) and the bin (50) allows containers to be stacked in confined spaces yet still allowing access to each containers contents, and provides container which is robust, strong yet simple to manufacture. The use of a flexible lid (20) negates the need for a separate hinge and the lid is less susceptible to and less likely to cause damage to the bin portion (50). As We need for hinges is removed, fatigue damage around the hinge areas is also removed.

It will be appreciated that features of the preferred embodiment can be varied or interchanged as appropriate, without departing from the invention. For example the attachment point or support member can be integrally formed with the lid portion (20), for example in the form of a co-moulded thickened portion or twshot moulded rigid plastic material portion. Rather than being attached by fastening means to the bin portion, the lid portion (20) can be adhered or otherwise bonded to the bin portion (50).

Claims

Claims 1. A container (10) comprising a lid portion (20) and a bin portion

(50), whereby said lid portion (20) is longitudinally flexible to allow opening and closing of the container.
2. A contain as claimed in claim 1 in which the lid portion (20) comprises a substantially rigid support member (24) providing transverse rigidity.
3. A container as claimed in claim 2 in which the support member (24) extends along a first end of the flexible cover material (26).
4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim in which the lid portion (20) comprises an attachment portion (22) for attachment to the bin portion.
5. A container as claimed in claim 4 in which the attachment portion (22) extends along a second end of the flexible cover material (26).
6. A container as claimed in claim 4 or 5 in which the attachment portion (22) provides transverse rigidity.
7. A container as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6 whereby said attachment portion (22) is removeably attached to said bin portion (50).
8. A container as claimed in any of claims 4 to 6 in which said attachment portion (22) is pennanently affixed to said bin portion (50).
9. A flexible lid portion (20) for a container as claimed in any of Me preceding clans.

IO.A container or a flexible lid portion as substantially described herein win reference to die accompanying drawings.