GB2412648A

GB2412648A - Collapsible container

Info

Publication number: GB2412648A
Application number: GB0407030A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Matthew Adrian Biddle
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2004-03-29
Filing date: 2004-03-29
Publication date: 2005-10-05
Also published as: GB0407030D0

Abstract

A collapsible container has a base part and four side walls with corners A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and H, and having hinge mechanisms between corners AC, BE, DH and, optionally, also between corners AH and CF, in which the hinge mechanism AC allows the outer surfaces of the two sections of the base part to fold together, and in which the hinge mechanisms BE and DG allow the outer surfaces of the two sections of each side wall to fold together and in which the hinge mechanisms AH and CF allow the inner surfaces of the two sections of each side wall to fold towards each other. The collapsible container may also be fitted with a lid and a tongue attachment (17) for better securing the collapsible container and its contents. The collapsible container can be folded flat or erected as required. A handle structure may be provided.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER

The present invention relates to collapsible containers.

The uses for and advantages of collapsible containers will be readily appreciated.

For instance, there are numerous applications in retailing where a general purpose collapsible container would be user l, particularly where a customer would find such a container helpful to carry away a variety of goods of different shapes and sizes. For the retailer, a collapsible container reduces the space required to store packaging; for the customer, a collapsible container offers the prospect of storing and re-using the container at a later date.

The present invention can be described by reference to the drawings and the following preferred embodiment. The preferred embodiment has particular application to carrying take-away or fast food, but the invention is not so limited and the design has general application to collapsible containers with a wide variety of uses other than in retailing.

Figure 1 shows a collapsible container in its expanded form with a rectangular base part (ll) and four side walls (12, 13, 14 and 15). In this embodiment, the base part (11) and the four side walls (12, 13, 14 and 15) are substantially square. For the purposes of the present embodiment, the collapsible container can be made from card, paper or plastic and also from materials with heat insulation properties, though it will be appreciated that a variety of materials could be used.

Figure 2 shows the same collapsible container. The vertical edges (2, 3, 4 and 5) of the collapsible container are each formed from a hinge mechanism (which will also include a "living hinge", crease or fold) and the horizontal edges (6, 7, 8 and 9) of the collapsible container are each formed from a hinge mechanism.

Figure 3 shows the collapsible container and identifies corners A, B. C, D, E, F. G and H. Figure 4 shows in exploded form a plan view of the base part (11) and side walls (12, 13, 14 and 15) of the collapsible container in order to identify areas 1 la and 1 lb, 12a and 12b, 13a and 13b, 14a and 14b, and 15a and 15b Referring to Figures 3 and 4, the line AC represents a diagonal hinge mechanism across the base part (11) from corner A to corner C of the collapsible container that divides the base part (11) into the two areas 1 la and 1 lb. The hinge mechanism AC should allow the outer surfaces of areas 11 a and 1 lb to come towards each other and meet.

The line BE represents a hinge mechanism across the side wall (13) from corner B to corner E of the collapsible container that divides the side wall (13) into the two areas 13a and 13b. The hinge mechanism BE should allow the outer surfaces of areas 13a and 13b to come towards each other and meet.

The line DG represents a diagonal hinge mechanism across the side wall (15) from corner D to corner G of the collapsible container that divides the side wall (15) into two areas 15a and 15b. The hinge mechanism DG should allow the outer surfaces of areas 15a and 15b to come towards each other and meet.

Depending on the flexibility of the material from which the collapsible container is made, it may be necessary to provide two further hinge mechanisms across the two other side walls (12 and 14) from corner A to corner H and from corner C to corner F. thereby dividing side walls 12 and 14 each into two areas (12a and 12b, and 14a and 14b). The two hinge mechanisms AH and CF should allow the inner surfaces of 12a and 12b to come together and the inner surfaces of 14a and 14b to come together. Where a sufficiently flexible material is used it may not be necessary to construct hinge mechanisms AH and CF, in that side walls 12 and 14 may be sufficiently flexible in themselves to allow the collapse or reconstruction of the collapsible container in the manner to be described below.

Figure 5 shows an optional lid (16) attached to a top edge of the collapsible container.

The preferred position for the lid (16) is for it to be attached along the top edge of either side wall (12) or side wall (14), where the top edge is a hinge mechanism that allows the lid (16) to fold over the top of the collapsible container. In a further embodiment, lid (16) has side walls (16a, 16b, and 16c) that fall outside the side walls of the collapsible container when the lid is in the closed position. When the container is collapsed, the body of the collapsible container can then fit within the side walls (16a, 16b, and 16c) of the lid (16).

Figure 6 shows a variation on the embodiment shown in Figure 5 where the lid (16) has side walls (16a, 16b, and 16c) that fit inside the side walls of the collapsible container when the lid is closed. If the lid side walls (16a, 16b, and 16c) in Figure 6 are independent of each other and are able to fold flat against the surface of the lid (16), the lid (16) can be folded flat against the body of the collapsible container when the container is collapsed.

Figure 7 shows a further variation on the embodiments shown in Figure 5 and Figure 6 whereby two handles (20 and 21) are provided. Handle 20 is attached by a hinge mechanism to the top edge HE of side wall 12 of the collapsible container. Handle 21 is attached by a hinge mechanism to the top edge OF of the side wall 14 of the collapsible container. Handles 20 and 21 are adapted to fold flat against each side of the body of the collapsible container when the container is collapsed.

Figures 1 to 7 also show an optional triangular tongue or flap (17) attached to a bottom edge of the collapsible container using a hinge mechanism along the edge DC.

As shown in Figure 8, this tongue or flap can be used to stabilise the collapsible container when in transit. For instance, in Figure 8a, if the collapsible container is placed on a car seat when expanded, the tongue or flap (17) might be inserted into the gap between the back of the seat and the cushion. Another use for the tongue or flap (17) might be to tuck it under the carpet or mat in a footwell of a car as in Figure fib. The tongue might also be fitted with securing points, eyelets, straps, cords, Velcro, or similar means to allow the collapsible container to be fastened to a fixed point for security or stability. The use is not limited to securing the container in cars.

Figure 9 is a sequence of drawings showing how to collapse the collapsible container.

Figure 9a is a view of the collapsible container as it would appear to an observer who is looking down into the collapsible container. To collapse the collapsible container from its constructed form, corners E and G should be pushed towards each other as in Figure 9b.

The outer surfaces of areas (lla and lib) should then come together along the hinge mechanism AC; at the same time, the outer surfaces of areas 13a and 13b should also come together along the hinge mechanism BE, and the outer surfaces of areas 15a and 15b should also come together along the hinge mechanism DG. In the process of collapsing the container in this way, side walls 12 and 14 may need to flex outwards before the container can be fully collapsed; the manner in which side walls 12 and 14 should flex can be explained by reference to a collapsible container that has been provided with the two further hinge mechanisms across side walls (12) and (14) from comer A to corner H and from comer C to comer F. As the container is being collapsed, the inner surfaces of 12a and 12b will momentarily begin to come together and the inner surfaces of 14a and 14b will momentarily begin to come together.

As the container becomes close to being fully collapsed, side walls 12 and 14 will then flatten out again (Figures 9c and 9d). Depending on the material from which the collapsible container is made, side walls 12 and 14 may be sufficiently flexible so as not to require hinge mechanisms AH and CF.

Figure 9e shows the collapsible container in collapsed form.

If the collapsible container is fitted with a lid (16) as shown in Figure 5, the collapsed body of the container can then be folded against the lid (16) along the hinge mechanism EH. If the lid (16) is fitted with lid side walls (16a, 16b and 16c) and the hinge mechanism EH is adapted appropriately, the collapsed body can fit within those side walls.

If the collapsible container is fitted with a lid (16) as shown in Figure 6, the collapsed body of the container can then be folded against the lid (16) along the hinge mechanism EH having first folded the side walls 16a, 16b and 16c flat against the lid.

If the collapsible container is fitted with handles (20 and 21) along hinge mechanisms EH and FG as in Figure 7, the handles can be folded flat against the outer surfaces of the collapsed container.

If the collapsible container (11) is fitted with a triangular tongue (17), it may be folded into the space between either lla and llb or 15a and 15b while the container is being collapsed.

The collapsible container can be erected from its collapsed state by pulling corners E and G apart. The manner in which the collapsible container will erect will be readily appreciated as the reverse of the description of how an erected container should be collapsed and all hinge mechanisms will operate accordingly.

Claims

Claims 1. A collapsible container which when erected and positioned on a

flat surface comprises: a rectangular base part (11) with first corner (A) and, moving clockwise round the base part (11), second (B), third (C) and fourth (D) corners where the first comer (A) is diagonally opposite the third corner (C) and the second corner (B) is diagonally opposite the fourth corner (C); a first side wall (13) rising from the edge of the base part (I I) between the first corner (A) and the second comer (B); a second side wall (1 4) rising from the edge of the base part (11) between the second comer (B) and the third corner (C); a third side wall (15) opposite the first side wall (13) rising from the edge of the base part (11) between the third comer (C) and the fourth corner (D); a fourth side wall (12) opposite the second side wall (14) rising from the edge of the base part (11) between the fourth corner (D) and the first corner (A); a fifth corner (E) vertically above the first comer (A); a sixth comer (F) vertically above the second comer (B); a seventh comer (G) vertically above the third corner (C) an eighth comer (H) vertically above the fourth corner (D) and is characterized in that the base part has a hinge mechanism (AC) between the first corner (A) and the third comer (C) that divides the base part into two sections (1 la and 1 lb), said hinge mechanism allowing the outer surfaces of the two sections of the base part (1 la and 1 lb) to fold towards each other; the first side wall (13) has a hinge mechanism (BE) between the second corner (B) and the fifth corner (E) that divides the first side wall into two sections (13a and 13b), said hinge mechanism allowing the outer surfaces of the two sections of the first side wall (13a and 13b) to fold towards each other; the third side wall (15) has a hinge mechanism (D G) between the fourth corner (D) and the seventh corner (G) that divides the third side wall into two sections (15a and 15b), said hinge mechanism allowing the outer surfaces of the two sections ofthe third side wall (15a and 15b) to fold towards each other; there is a hinge mechanism (AB) between the base part (11) and the first side wall (13) that allows the inner surfaces ofthe adjacent sections of the base part and the first side wall (1 la and 13b) to fold towards each other; there is a hinge mechanism (BC) between the base part (11) and the second side wall (14) that allows the inner surfaces the adjacent section of the base part and the second side wall (1 la and 14) to fold towards each other; there is a hinge mechanism (CD) between the base part (11) and the third side wall (15) that allows the the inner surfaces of the adjacent sections of the base part and the third side wall (1 lb and 15b) to fold towards each other; there is a hinge mechanism (DA) between the base part (11) and the fourth side wall (12) that allows the inner surfaces of the adjacent section of the base part and the fourth side wall (1 lb and 12) to fold towards each other; there is a hinge mechanism (BF) between the first side wall (13) and the second side wall (14) that allows the inner surfaces of the adjacent section of the first side wall and the second side wall (13a andl4) to fold towards each other; there is a hinge mechanism (CG) between the second side wall (14) and the third side wall (15) that allows the inner surfaces ofthe second side wall and the adjacent section of the third side wall (14 and 15a) to fold towards each other; there is a hinge mechanism (DH) between the third side wall (15) and the fourth side wall (12) that allows the inner surfaces of the adjacent section of the third side wall and the fourth side wall (15b and 12) to fold towards each other; there is a hinge mechanism (AK) between the fourth side wall (12) and the first side wall (13) that allows the inner surfaces ofthe fourth side wall and the adjacent section ofthe first side wall (12 and 13b) to fold towards each other
2. A collapsible container as in Claim 1 wherein the second side wall (14) has a hinge mechanism (CF) between the third corner (C) and the sixth corner (F) that divides the second side wall into two sections (14a and 14b), said hinge mechanism allowing the inner surfaces of the two sections of the second side wall (14a and 14b) to fold towards each other and then away from each other during the course of collapsing the collapsible container; and the fourth side wall (12) has a hinge mechanism (AH) between the first corner (A) and the eighth corner (H) that divides the fourth side wall into two sections (12a and 12b), said hinge mechanism allowing the inner surfaces of the two sections of the fourth side wall (12a and 12b) to fold towards each other and then away from each other during the course of collapsing the collapsible container
3. A collapsible container in accordance with any of the above claims in which the base part (11) has the shape of a square
4. A collapsible container in accordance with any of the above claims in which at least one of the side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) has the shape of a square
5. A collapsible container in accordance with any of the above claims to which a fold-over lid (16) is appended along the top edge of either the second side wall (14) or the fourth side wall (12) and in which the fold-over lid (16) is adapted to fold flat against the outside of the collapsible container when the container is collapsed
6. A collapsible container in accordance claim 5 in which the fold-over lid (16) has lid side walls (16a, 16b and 16c) that fit outside the side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) of the collapsible container when erected and in which the fold-over lid (16) is adapted to allow the body of the collapsible container to fold flat against the underside of the lid (16) and within the lid side walls (16a, 16b and 16c) when the container is collapsed
7. A collapsible container in accordance claim 5 in which the fold-over lid (16) has lid side walls (16a, 16b and 16c) that fit inside the side walls (12, 13, 14, 15) of the collapsible container when erected and which can fold flat against the fold-over lid (16) when the container is collapsed
8. A collapsible container in accordance with claims I to 7 to which at least one carrying handle is attached
9. A collapsible container in accordance with claims 1 to 4 to which two handles (20 and 21) are attached to the collapsible container where the first handle (20) is attached to the top edge (HE) of the third side wall (12) of the collapsible container by a hinge mechanism and the second handle (21) is attached to the top edge (GF) of the fourth wall (14) of the collapsible container by a hinge mechanism and where the handles (20 and 21) are adapted to fold flat against the sides of the body of the collapsible container when the container is collapsed.
10. A collapsible container in accordance with any of the above claims to which a tongue (17) is appended along the lower edge of one of the side walls (12, 13, 14, 15).
11. A collapsible container substantially as herein described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.