GB2401775A

GB2401775A - Telescopically expandable bin

Info

Publication number: GB2401775A
Application number: GB0410347A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jamie Finer
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2003-05-13
Filing date: 2004-05-10
Publication date: 2004-11-24
Anticipated expiration: 2024-05-10
Also published as: GB0310908D0; GB0410347D0; GB2401775B

Abstract

A telescopically expandable container comprises a base section (4) and extension sections (2,3), each having a similar cross-sectional profile. A first extension section (3) slides outside the base section (4) and a second extension section (2) slides outside the first (3). The container is extended by pulling on handles (10) on the second extension section (2). It is held fully-extended by an inwardly-directed protrusion (16) or the like, adjacent a rim of each extension section (2,3), which co-operates with a groove formed between horizontal ribs (11) or in vertical ribs (48) on a surface of the first extension section (3) and the base section (4) respectively. A base (5) of the container extends outwardly from the base section (4) and has footplates (6) on which to stand to stabilise the container as it is extended. The container may be used as a receptacle for waste.

Description

EXPANDABLE STORAGE CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a storage container having a variable capacity. More particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to a domestic waste receptacle capable of being expanded and contracted to accommodate a desired volume of waste.

A conventional waste bin or the like occupies the same volume whether empty or full. A small bin can be stored away, conveniently and unobtrusively, but may become filled quickly and require emptying inconveniently often. A large capacity bin does not require to be emptied so often, but may be inconveniently bulky and occupy unnecessary space while only part-filled. Also, where the rate of waste generation is uneven, a large bin may take so long to fill that some types of waste may begin to decompose before the bin is due to be emptied.

There are other storage applications, both domestic and commercial, in which it would be convenient to have a container which could be expanded to hold a large volume of material, but could be reduced in volume when only a small volume need be stored, and/or for the container itself to be stored. For example, a domestic laundry basket or an industrial parts bin might benefit from such a feature.

There is hence a requirement for a storage container or bin which is easily convertible between a high-capacity mode for holding large quantities of materials and a low-capacity mode for holding smaller quantities or for the container itself to be stored.

According to the present invention, there is provided a container of variable capacity, comprising a base section provided with floor means and resiliently deformable wall means extending therefrom to define an open end of the base section and at least one extension section having resiliently deformable wall means defining two opposite open ends with a first one of said at least one extension sections being telescopically slideably mounted to the base section adjacent the open end thereof, and holding means provided between said base and the first of said at least one extension sections to hold them in a selected relative disposition, said holding means comprising a plurality of rib means mounted to wall means of one of said sections and protrusion means so mounted to wall means of the other of said sections as to be locatable in groove means defined in or between adjacent said rib means.

Preferably, each said rib means extends substantially parallelly to each other rib means.

The rib means may extend transversely to a direction of said telescopic sliding, optionally substantially orthogonally thereto.

Alternatively, the rib means may extend substantially parallelly to said direction.

Separate protrusion means may be provided to cooperate with each valley means.

Alternatively, the or each protrusion means may cooperate with more than one valley means.

Preferably, the first extension section is telescopically slideably mounted to an outside of the base section.

The rib means may then be mounted to an outwardly facing surface of the base section and the protrusion means may extend inwardly from an opposing surface of the first extension section.

The protrusion means is then preferably mounted adjacent an open end of the first extension section.

Alternatively, the rib means may be mounted to an inwardly facing surface of the first extension section and the protrusion means may then extend outwardly from an opposing surface of the base section.

The protrusion means is then preferably mounted adjacent the open end of the base section.

In a preferred embodiment, the container comprises a second extension section telescopically slideably mounted to the first extension section adjacent an open end thereof remote from the base section.

Advantageously, holding means, optionally as described above, are also provided between the first and second extension sections.

The second extension section may be telescopically slideably mounted outside the first extension section.

Optionally, a third extension section may be telescopically slideably mounted to an open end of the second extension section remote from the first, and holding means may be provided between the second and third extension sections.

Further extension sections may be provided, each mounted to its neighbour as described above.

The base section and each extension section or sections preferably taper in the direction of the floor means of the base section.

Alternatively, the wall means of each said section may extend substantially parallelly one to the other.

Preferably, the base section is provided with base means extending outwardly from its end adjacent the floor means.

The container may then be disposed stably on a level substrate, substantially resting on the base means.

The base means may comprise a separately formed element mounted to the base section.

The base means may then be mounted to the base section by means of screw means.

Alternatively, the base means may be mounted to the base section by means of resilient detent means.

Preferably, the sections of the container are so telescopically slideable one with respect to another, that the container may adopt a collapsed configuration in which the sections are substantially concentrically nested.

Advantageously, the container may adopt a fully-extended configuration in which each section overlaps with its neighbours only adjacent its ends.

Optionally, the container may adopt an intermediate configuration in which each section overlaps partially with its neighbours, and/or in which at least one section is substantially nested within another and at least one section overlaps with a neighbour only adjacent a corresponding end.

In said collapsed configuration, open ends of each section remote from the floor means may together comprise rim means for the collapsed container.

The container may be provided with a rim element mounted to an extension section which is remotest from the base section in the fully-extended configuration of the container.

In said collapsed configuration, an open end of each extension section adjacent the floor means may rest substantially in contact with the base means or the floor means of the base section.

Releasable catch means may optionally be provided between the base section and one or more extension sections to hold the container in its collapsed configuration.

The catch means preferably holds the base section to the extension section which is remotest from the base section in the fully extended configuration of the container.

The catch means may comprise resiliently deformable detent means.

The container may be provided with handle means to facilitate extension and collapsing thereof.

Said handle means may be mounted to the extension section which is remotest from the base section in the fully-extended configuration of the container.

The container may be provided with tread plate means, optionally mounted to the base means of the base section, adapted to receive a foot of a user to stabilise the container during extension and collapsing thereof.

The tread plate means may be adapted so to receive both feet of the user.

The container may comprise a resilient plastics material.

Each section thereof may then comprise a single integral moulding.

Each section of the container preferably has a substantially identical cross-sectional profile.

Said profile may be rounded, optionally substantially circular.

Alternatively, said profile may be substantially polygonal, optionally substantially rectangular.

The corners of said polygon may be radiused.

Each wall of said polygon may be curved convexly.

In a preferred embodiment, said container is adapted to be used as a waste container.

The open end of the base section may then be aligned upwardly in use and the or each extension section may be telescopically slideable in a substantially vertical direction.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be more particularly described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first container embodying the invention, in a fully extended configuration; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the container shown in Figure 1, in a fully collapsed configuration; Figure 3 is a cross-section of one side of a second container embodying the invention, fully collapsed; Figure 4 is a scrap cross-section of a lower portion of the side of the container shown in Figure 3, fully collapsed; Figure 5 is a scrap cross-section of an upper portion of the side of the container shown in Figure 3, fully collapsed; Figure 6 is a scrap cross-section of an intermediate portion of the side of the container shown in Figure 3, partially extended; Figure 7 is a scrap cross-section of an intermediate portion of the side of the container shown in Figure 3, fully extended; Figure 8 is a scrap crosssection of a lower portion of a side of a third container embodying the invention, fully collapsed; Figure 9 is a scrap cross-section of the lower portion of the side of the container shown in Figure 8, partially extended; Figure 10 is a cross-section of a side of the container shown in Figure 8, fully extended; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a fourth container embodying the invention, fully extended; Figure 12 is a perspective view of a fifth container embodying the invention, fully extended; Figure 13 is a perspective view of a sixth container embodying the invention, fully extended; Figure 14 is a scrap perspective view from below of a lower section and a base plate of the container shown in Figure l l, separated one from the other; Figure 15 is a scrap cross- sectional view of a part of the lower section and the base plate shown in Figure 14, mounted one to the other; Figure 16 is a scrap cross-sectional view of an alternative mounting arrangement to that shown in Figure 15; Figure 17 is a scrap cross-sectional view of another alternative mounting arrangement to those shown in Figure I S and 16; Figure 18A to 18D are schematic plan views of four alternative arrangements of tread plate for containers embodying the invention; Figure 19 is a cross-section of one side of any one of the containers shown in Figures 11 to 13, fully collapsed; Figure 20 is a cross-section of one side of any one of the containers shown in Figures l l to 13, fully extended; Figure 21 is a cross-section of one side of any one of the containers shown in Figures 11 to 13, partially extended; Figure 22 is a scrap cross-section of an intermediate portion of the side of a variant of the container shown in Figures 19 to 21, partially extended; Figure 23 is a scrap cross-section of an intermediate portion of the side of another variant of the container shown in Figures 19 to 21, partially extended; Figure 24 is a scrap cross-section of an intermediate portion of the side of a further variant of the container shown in Figures 19 to 21, partially extended; Figure 25 is an exploded view, in elevation, of a seventh container embodying the invention; Figure 26 is a scrap cross-sectional elevation of one side of the container shown in Figure 25, fully collapsed; and Figure 27 is a scrap cross-sectional elevation of part of one side of the container shown in Figure 25, fully extended.

Referring now to the figures and to Figure 1 in particular, a first waste container 1 comprises an upper section 2, a middle section 3 and a lower section 4. The upper 2 and middle 3 sections each have four side walls, an open top (in use) end and an open bottom end; the lower section 4 has four side walls, a solid floor and an open top end. (Note: each section 2, 3, 4 tapers slightly inwardly from top to bottom, although the degree of taper, and the perspective, are exaggerated here for clarity).

A base plate 5 closes the bottom end of the lower section 4 and extends outwardly to each side thereof, acting as a base for the container I as a whole. The base plate 5 comprises a foot plate 6, on which a user may tread to hold the container 1 steady while extending or collapsing it.

The upper section 2 is provided with a rim 7 extending around its open top end. The middle 3 and lower sections 4 are also provided with respective rims 8, 9 (not visible in this view).

The rim 7 of the upper section I is provided with two handles 10 which may be gripped by the user to aid extension or collapsing of the container I. The handles 10 may also be used as anchoring points for a flexible bag or "bin liner" held within an interior of the container I. Each of the middle 3 and lower sections 4 is provided with an array of transversely extending parallel ribs 11, extending partway across an upper zone of one wall. The function of these ribs 11 is described below.

In this particular container 1, a generally hemi-cylindrical lip 12 extends along a lower periphery of one wall of the upper section 2. A ridge 13 having a hooked profile extends across the base plate 5 of the lower section 4. The ridge 13 is configured to co-operate with the lip 12 when the container is fully collapsed (see Figure 2, below).

Although one handle 10, the lip 12, both arrays of ribs 11, the ridge 13 and the foot plate 6 are each shown located on the same side of the container 1, this is not essential. The lip 12 and ridge 13 must be on the same side, but the handle 10 may also for example be located on sides of the container I at right angles to the side on which the foot plate 6 is located. The container I may also be provided with more than one foot plate 6, with more than one lip 12 and co-operable ridge 13, and with arrays of ribs 11 on more than one side of each or either of the middle 3 and lower sections 4.

The sections 2, 3, 4 of the container I are each made from a tough, resiliently deformable plastics material, for example polyethylene or polypropylene. The ribs 11, handles 10, lip 12, ridge 13 and so forth may be integrally moulded into corresponding sections 2, 3, 4. The base plate 5 and foot plate 6 are here moulded integrally with the lower section 4, although other arrangements are also envisaged (see Figures 14 to 17 below).

As well as the container I illustrated, having a generally square plan form, similar containers can be made having a generally circular plan form, having other polygonal plan forms or having other curved plan forms (e.g. see Figures 11 to 13 below). It is also possible to provide containers with additional middle sections if a greater degree of extension is required, or to omit the middle section 3 and mount the upper section 2 directly to the lower section 4, when a lesser degree of extension would suffice.

In the fully collapsed form of the container 1 (see Figure 2), the upper section 2 rests substantially in contact with the base plate 5 of the lower section 4. The middle section 3 (of which only the rim 8 is here visible) is nested within the upper section 2, and the walls of the lower section 4 nest within the middle section 3. In this particular container 1, the rims 7, 8, 9 of the upper 2, middle 3 and lower sections 4 respectively form a combined rim for the container 1, sloping slightly downwardly towards an interior thereof.

The lip 12 on the upper section 2 engages with the hooked ridge 13 on the base plate 5, holding the upper section 2 to the lower section 4 and maintaining the container I in its fully collapsed configuration unless released.

In this configuration, the container I may be used as a relatively lowcapacity container or may conveniently be stored out of use.

A second container 14 shown in Figure 3 differs slightly from that of Figures 1 and 2. Each section 2, 3, 4 tapers only very slightly or not at all. The handle 10 has a different profile, and the foot plate 6 is slightly angled, rather than forming a horizontal extension of the floor of the lower section 4. There is no lip 12 or co-operable hooked ridge 13.

Each of the upper 2 and middle sections 3 is provided along a part of its lower periphery with an inwardly-extending protrusion 16, substantially vertically below the arrays of ribs 11 on the upper zone of each of the middle 3 and lower 4 sections. (Corresponding protrusions 16 are present on the upper 2 and middle sections 3 of the first container 1, but being on inwardly-facing surfaces, they are not visible in Figures I and 2).

As shown in Figure 4, the inwardly-extending protrusion 16 on each of the upper 2 and middle sections 3 contacts an outer surface of the middle 3 and lower sections 4, respectively.

The protrusions 16 thus have a (secondary) function of maintaining the sections 2, 3, 4 in alignment, spaced one from another.

Figure 5 shows in more detail how, in a fully collapsed configuration of the second container 14, the rims 7, 8, 9 of the upper 2, middle 3 and lower sections 4, respectively, fit together to form a combination rim for the container 14. The rims 7, 8 of the upper 2 and middle sections 3 each extend slightly inwardly of a respective wall, overhanging a neighbouring rim 8, 9 and preventing waste materials entering in between the walls of neighbouring sections 2, 3, 4. In this fully-collapsed configuration, the arrays of transverse ribs 11 on the outer surfaces of the middle 3 and lower sections 4 each contact an inner surface of the upper section 2 and the middle section 3 respectively, helping to maintain the sections 2, 3, 4 in alignment, spaced one from another. This feature is, however, optional (see below).

The primary function of the protrusions 16 and arrays of ribs 11 is, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, to cooperate to maintain the sections 2, 3, 4 of the containers I, 14, 17 in a desired partially or fully extended configuration. As the user draws the upper section 2 upwardly with respect to the middle section 3, the protrusion 16 contacts a lowermost of the ribs 11. The upper section 2 is then urged sufficiently strongly upwardly for the walls of the respective sections 2, 3 to deform and allow the protrusion 16 to pass over the lowermost of the ribs 11. The ribs 11 and the protrusion 16 are each smoothly profiled to facilitate this passage. The protrusion 16 may then be urged upwardly past successive ribs 11 until a desired degree of extension is achieved. The protrusion 16 is then held between adjacent ribs 11, to prevent the upper section 2 from falling back down under its own weight.

The middle section 3 may similarly be drawn upwardly with respect to the lower section 4 until a desired position is reached, as shown in Figure 7. Again, the protrusion 16 and adjacent ribs 1 I cooperate to maintain the middle section 3 in position.

Figures 8 and 9 show a lower portion of a third container 17 which is similar to the second container 14, but is provided with a lip 12 extending outwardly along a lower periphery of the upper section 2 and a hooked-profile ridge 13 co-operable therewith, extending across the foot plate 6 (similarly to the first container 1).

The lip is held securely beneath the hooked ridge 13 until a user pulls sufficiently strongly upwardly on the upper section 2 to free it therefrom and begin to raise the upper section 2, as in Figure 9. The user holds a remainder of the container 17 down by treading on the foot plate 6.

A side of a fully extended third container 17 thus appears as shown in Figure 10. The container 17 will maintain its selected extended height and volume, whether empty or full, until a user presses down on the handle 10 or rim 7 of the upper section 2, forcing the projections 16 back downwardly over the respective arrays of ribs 11 and returning the container 17 to a partially extended or fully collapsed configuration.

In further embodiments, the arrays of transverse ribs 11 may each extend over a zone of greater vertical extent, so that the sections 2, 3, 4 may be held at a greater range of relative positions, allowing finer adjustment of the capacity of the container.

The containers 1, 14, 17 may each be provided with a lid, which may be a simple detachable or displaceable lid, or a lid section comprising a pivotably openable flap, or the like, as used on conventional nonextensible waste containers. Such lids or lid sections could either rest on, or be clippable to, the rim 7 of the upper section 2.

Figures 11, 12 and 13 show a fourth container 18, a fifth container 19 and a sixth container each embodying the present invention. The fourth container 18 comprises an upper section 2, a middle section 3 and a lower section 2, each having a circular cross-sectional profile. The base plate 5 is here circular, with a substantially greater diameter than the lower section 4, and has four tread plates 6 extending outwardly from a periphery of the base plate (three of which are visible in this view). For ease of moulding, the base plate 5 is formed separately from the lower section 4, then mounted thereto, for example as shown in Figures 14 to 17 below. The rim 7 of the upper section 2 is provided with two handles 10 by which the container 18 may be raised from a collapsed to an extended configuration, as described above.

The fifth container 19 comprises an upper 2, middle 3 and lower 4 section, each having an elliptical cross-sectional profile. The base plate 5 is also elliptical, and extends substantially outwardly from the lower section 4 on all sides thereof. In this case, the base plate 5 is provided with a tread plate 6 comprising a clearly marked zone of the base plate 5, which is optionally reinforced and/or textured to receive a foot of a user more securely. The base 5 is again moulded separately from the lower section 4 then mounted thereto. Here, a broad rim element 21 is provided, clipped on to the rim 7 of the upper section 2, which covers the respective rims 7, 8, 9 of each of the upper middle and lower sections 2, 3, 4 in a fully collapsed configuration of the container 19. The broad rim 21 is also manually graspable adjacent its outer periphery to act as a handle to raise the container 19 from its fully collapsed configuration. Similar rims may be fitted to the other containers shown.

The sixth container 20 comprises upper 2, middle 3 and lower sections 4, each with a generally square cross-sectional profile, having radiused corners and slightly convex walls.

This is both aesthetically preferable to a square-section container 1 as shown in Figure 1, and a more easily mouldable shape. The base plate 5 is again moulded separately from the lower section 4, then mounted thereto. It is generally square and substantially deeper and wider than the lower section 4. In place of the foot/tread plates 6 of the other containers shown, the base plate 5 of this container 20 is provided with a shallow recess 22 to receive a toe end of a user's foot. This container 20 has also been fitted with a lid unit of conventional form comprising a static frame 23, clipped to the rim 7 of the upper section 2, and manually displaceable cover 24 mounted pivotably to the frame 23. A handle 10 is mounted to the frame 23 on opposing sides thereof. Similar lid units may be fitted to the other containers shown.

Each of the fourth, fifth and sixth containers 18, 19, 20 is provided with a mechanism including vertically extending ribs 25, partially visible in each of Figures 11 to 13, to maintain it in its fully-extended configuration which differs from that shown above for the first, second and third containers, 1, 16, 17. This is described in more detail with reference to Figures 19 to 23 below.

Figures 14 and 15 show one mounting arrangement whereby the separately moulded lower section 4 and base plate 5 of a container 18 (such as that shown in Figure 11) may be fastened together. Adjacent its floor 15, the generally cylindrical lower section 4 has a portion 26 of reduced diameter. The base plate 5 has a dished central portion 27 into which the reduced diameter portion 26 fits. Four cylindrical bosses 28 extend downwardly from an underside of the floor IS of the lower section 4, each having a cylindrical recess 29 extending proximally from its distal/lower end, but enclosed at its proximal/upper end such that the floor 15 remains continuous and leakproof. Four apertured nests 30 are provided in the dished portion 27 of the base plate S. each of which is dimensioned and located to receive a respective boss 28. A self-tapping screw 31 can thus be inserted through each nest 30 into a respective recess 29 and tightened to secure the base plate S to the lower section 4.

The form of the dished portion 27 and the reduced diameter portion 26 conceal this mounting arrangement when the container 18 is in use. A plurality of radial strengthening webs 32 may be provided within the profile of the base plate S (or any other base plate shown), although they are omitted from Figure 14 for clarity.

Figures 16 and 17 show two further methods for attaching a base plate S to a lower section 4.

In Figure 16, the base plate S has a slightly dished central portion 27 which receives a floor IS of the lower section 4 (no reduced diameter portion 26 is provided in this particular version). A central zone 33 of the floor 15 is raised slightly, and a plurality of apertures 34 are formed around a periphery of the central zone 33, for example being cored through in the process of moulding. A corresponding plurality of barbs 35 project above the dished portion 27 of the base plate S; again these may be formed during moulding by being cored through.

Each barb 35 passes through a respective aperture 34 and clips over an adjacent part of the floor 15, holding the lower section 4 and base plate S together.

The arrangement shown in Figure 17 differs in that the central zone 33 is raised further than that shown in Figure 16, and the barbs 35 are each replaced by elongate barbs 36, which are configured to clip over an adjacent part of the raised central zone 33. The form of the elongate barbs 36 gives greater flexibility and durability than the form of the barbs 35 of Figure 16. This may be beneficial where it is anticipated that rough handling is possible.

Although the floor 15 shown in Figures 16 and 17 is not continuous, this is unlikely to be a significant problem where the container is to be used in conjunction with a bin bag or the like, or where the container is intended to hold larger items, such as laundry.

A majority of the containers shown herein have an arrangement as represented in Figure 18A, wherein the base plate 5 has a single tread plate 6 or equivalent that is accessible to a foot 37 of a user 38 at any one time. However, the user 38 may need to take care that his foot 37 is symmetrically placed on the tread plate 6 when he pulls upwardly on the container, to extend it.

Therefore, two tread plates 6 may be provided, either one adjacent the other as shown in Figure 18B, or spaced around a circumference of the base plate 5, as shown in Figure 18C.

These allow the user 38 to place each foot 37 on a respective tread plate 6, greatly increasing the stability of the container.

The base plate 5 shown in Figure 18D extends significantly outwardly to all sides of the container, so that it may act as a tread plate for each foot 37 of the user 38, in any orientation.

(Note; the container profiles shown are examples only, each arrangement shown may be applied to any shape of container).

Figures 19 to 21 show a preferred arrangement for holding the upper 2, middle 3 and lower 4 sections of a container in their fully extended dispositions. The transversely extending ribs 11 and cooperating protrusions 16, used on the first container 1, may not be convenient to mould in some materials. For example, while a majority of domestic waste bins are currently moulded from plastics materials, there may be applications in which a metal container is preferred, perhaps for strength or conductivity reasons. Instead of relying on a protrusion 16 on a first container section being received in a valley defined between adjacent transverse ribs] I on a second container section, it is received in avalley 39 defined between lower 25 and upper 40 collinear vertically-extending ribs. It is possible to mould such vertical ribs 25, extending substantially more prominently above a surface of the container sections 3, 4 than is the case for the transverse ribs I 1, above. thus, the location of the protrusion 16 in the valley 39 is far more positive, and the sections 2, 3, 4 are more reliably held in their extended dispositions.

It is also preferable to replace simple solidly-moulded protrusions 16 with hollow-moulded or cored-through features such as those shown in Figures 19 to 21. These can be produced with larger diameters than can solid protrusions 16, again improving positive location. Here, the upper 2 and middle 3 sections are each provided with an involuted lower rim 41 (either continuous or generally corresponding to the positions of the vertical ribs 25, 40 on the middle 3 and lower 4 sections). This involuted rim 41 is provided with a series of reinforcing discs 42, aligned generally vertically, to ensure that it retains its shape.

To ensure that the sections 2, 3, 4 are not pulled apart by an overenthusiastic raising of the container, each reinforcing disc 42 has a stop 43 extending from its upper margin along an interior surface of the corresponding section 2, 3. The rims 8, 9 of the middle 3 and lower 4 sections, respectively, are curved outwardly, such that in an extended configuration of the container a downwardly-extending margin 44 of each rim 8, 9 is contacted by a corresponding stop 43, preventing further raising of the upper 2 and middle 3 sections, respectively.

Recesses 45 may be provided in the base plate 5 to receive the involuted lower rims 41 of the upper 2 and middle 3 sections, although this is an optional feature that may be omitted to simplify moulding.

Unlike the containers 14, 17 shown in Figures 3 to 10, those shown in Figures 11 to 13 and 19 to 21 have their sections 2, 3 4 spaced apart, each from the others, in their collapsed configurations. This permits easier raising of the containers.

As for the containers shown in Figures 1 to 10, these containers may be used or stored fully collapsed (Figure 19), may be used fully extended (Figure 20) or may be used partially extended, with the upper section 2 raised, but the lower rim 41 of the middle section 3 resting on the base plate 5 (Figure 21).

The raising and holding in position of the sections takes place as shown in Figure 22 for the upper 2 and middle 3 sections. (Note: a simple solid protrusion 16 is shown, for simplicity, and the stop 43 and cooperating rim margin 44 are also omitted). The upper section 2 is raised such that the protrusion 16 follows a substantially vertical path 46, not contacting the middle section 3 until it meets the lower vertical rib 25. As the upper section 2 is urged upwardly, the resiliently deformable walls of the upper 2 and middle 3 sections flex to allow the protrusion 16 to pass over the lower rib 25 and enter the valley 39. A lower periphery of the lower rib 25 is profiled obliquely as shown to ease this deformation. The upper vertical rib 40 is profiled to resist further upward movement, however, and stop arrangements may also be provided as described above.

Due to the profile of the valley 39, somewhat greater force is required to urge the protrusion 16 downwardly past the lower rib 25 to collapse the container once more, enhancing the stability of the extended container.

If desired, a series of valleys 39 may be provided, as in Figure 23, allowing a user to adjust the exact height of the extended container. However, to ensure that a protrusion 16, etc. following a vertical path, may be located in any desired one of the valleys 39, a substantial fin 47 must be provided with the valleys 39 forming notches in a vertical margin thereof.

Clearly, the arrangement shown in Figures 19 to 22 would operate equally effectively with the positions of the protrusion 16 (or equivalent) and the valley 39 reversed - e.g. as shown in Figure 24, with an outwardlydirected protrusion 16 adjacent an upper rim of the middle section 3, and a valley 39 defined between two collinear vertically-extending ribs 48, 49 on an inwardly-facing surface of the upper section 2, adjacent its lower rim. This arrangement operates in an analogous manner to that shown in Figure 22. Stop arrangements as in Figures 19 to 21 may also be provided.

One example of a container incorporating such an arrangement is shown in Figures 25 to 27.

This seventh container 50 comprises only two sections, an upper section 2 and a lower section 4, together with a base plate 5. Each of the upper 2 and lower 4 sections is generally frustoconical, though with only a slight downwardly taper.

The upper section 2 has a rim 7 at its open upper end, which is provided with two diametrically-opposed gripping zones 51. These gripping zones 51 are used to raise the upper section 2 to extend the container 50. The gripping zones 51 may optionally be textured on an outer or an inner surface, provided with finger grips on an inner surface, and/or reinforced for strength. The seventh container 50 thus requires no distinct handles 10. An open lower end of the upper section 2 comprises an incurved skirt portion 52.

The lower section 4 has, at its open upper end, an outwardly flared portion 53 with a protrusion 16 extending as a bead around its uppermost margin. A series of stop members 54 extend outwardly from the lower section 4, adjacent a junction of the flared portion 53 and a main portion of the lower section 4. Adjacent its floor 15, the lower section 4 has a reduced diameter portion 26, which is configured to fit a dished central portion 27 of the base plate 5 (not visible in Figure 25). A plurality of bosses 28 extend from an underside of the floor 15, and are apertured to receive fixing screws 3 I to attach the lower section 4 to the base plate 5.

The base plate 5 has two diametrically-opposed tread plates 6, which may be reinforced and/or textured to receive a foot of the user more securely. A raised annulus 55 on an upper surface of the base plate 5 surrounds the dished central portion 27.

As shown in Figure 26, when the container 50 is fully collapsed, the incurved skirt portion 52 of the upper section 2 locates securely around the annulus 55 of the base plate 5, so that the upper section 2 is not laterally displaceable, and will not rattle loosely in use. The base plate has a plurality of apertured nests 30, which receive the bosses 28 of the lower section 4, the fixing screws 31 being passed through the apertures of the nests 30 to engage with the apertures of the respective bosses 28.

The upper section 2 has, extending from its interior surface adjacent the incurved skirt portion 52, a circumferential series of pairs of vertically-extending collinear ribs 48, 49, each pair defining a valley 39 therebetween. The incurved skirt portion 52 has a re-entrant upwardlyextending rim 56 all round its lower margin.

When the container 50 is fully-extended, as shown in Figure 27, the protrusion 16 encircling the uppermost margin of the lower section 4 locates in the valley 39 defined between each pair of ribs 48, 49. The upwardly-extending rim 56 at the lower margin of the upper section 2 contacts each of the stop members 54 on the lower section 4. The upper section 2 is thus held in position until a firm downward pressure on the rim 7 of the upper section 2 forces the protrusion 16 out of the valleys 39. The profile of the upper ribs 48 of each pair ensures that it is relatively easy to urge the upper section 2 upwardly to extend the container 50 and lock it in the fully-extended position shown, but more force is required to unlock the sections 2, 4 to collapse the container 50. The stop members 54 and upwardly-extending rim 56 ensure that the upper section 2 cannot be raised further - i.e. an over-exuberant raising of the upper section 2 cannot separate it from the lower section 4.

While the seventh container 50 is shown with only an upper 2 and a lower 4 section, clearly the arrangements shown can be applied to containers with three or more sections, if desired.

Claims

1. A container of variable capacity, comprising a base section provided with floor means and resiliently deformable wall means extending therefrom to define an open end of the base section and at least one extension section having resiliently deformable wall means defining two opposite open ends with a first one of said at least one extension sections being telescopically slideably mounted to the base section adjacent the open end thereof, and holding means provided between said base and the first of said at least one extension sections to hold them in a selected relative disposition, said holding means comprising a plurality of rib means mounted to wall means of one of said sections and protrusion means so mounted to wall means of the other of said sections as to be locatable in groove means defined in or between adjacent said rib means.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein each said rib means extends substantially parallelly to each other rib means.

3. A container as claimed in either claim I or claim 2, wherein the rib means extend transversely to a direction of said telescopic sliding, optionally substantially orthogonally thereto.

4. A container as claimed in either claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the rib means extend substantially parallelly to said direction of telescopic sliding.

5. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first extension section is telescopically slideably mounted to an outside of the base section.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the rib means are mounted to an outwardly facing surface of the base section and the protrusion means extends inwardly from an opposing surface of the first extension section.

7. A container as claimed in claim 5 wherein the rib means are mounted to an inwardly facing surface of the first extension section and the protrusion means extends outwardly trom an opposing surface of the base section.

8. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container comprises a second extension section telescopically slideably mounted to the first extension section adjacent an open end thereof remote from the base section.

9. A container as claimed in claim 8, wherein holding means are also provided between the first and second extension sections.

10. A container as claimed in either claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the second extension section is telescopically slideably mounted outside the first extension section.

11. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the base section is provided with base means extending outwardly from its end adjacent the floor means.

1 2. A container as claimed in claim 11, wherein the base means comprises a separately formed element mounted to the base section.

13. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sections of the container are so telescopically slideable one with respect to another, that the container may adopt a collapsed configuration in which the sections are substantially concentrically nested.

14. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container may adopt a fully-extended configuration in which each section overlaps with its neighbours only adjacent its ends.

15. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with a rim element mounted to an extension section which is remotest from the base section in the fully-extended configuration of the container.

16. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with handle means to facilitate extension and collapsing thereof.

17. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, provided with tread plate means, optionally mounted to the base means of the base section, adapted to receive a foot of a user to stabilise the container during extension and collapsing thereof.

18. A container as claimed in claim 17, wherein the tread plate means is adapted to receive both feet of the user.

l9. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, comprising a resilient plastics material.

20. A container as claimed in claim l9, wherein each section thereof comprises a single integral moulding.

21. A container as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, adapted to be used as a waste container.

22. A container substantially as described herein with reference to the Figures of the accompanying drawings.