GB2535191A

GB2535191A - Polygonal prism

Info

Publication number: GB2535191A
Application number: GB1502318.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gregory Swestun Andrew
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2015-02-12
Filing date: 2015-02-12
Publication date: 2016-08-17
Also published as: GB201502318D0

Abstract

A blank 100 for forming a polygonal prism (fig 2) including a plurality of rectangular side wall panels 102 joined together in a series, an edge of a first of the series of panels 102a being connectable to an edge of a last of the series 102f to form a prism. For each distinct pair of adjacent sidewalls of the prism, there are one or more top panels 106 for connecting together the tops of the sidewall panels and form an externally visible top portion of the prism. The shape of the externally visible top portion is substantially quadrilateral. A free side of one or more top panels includes a top panel extension 112 for tucking under the externally visible top portion for a neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls so as to maintain the top of the prism in a closed state.

Description

Polygonal Prism The present invention relates to a blank for forming a polygonal prism, a preform assembled from the blank, a polygonal prism formed from the blank or preform, and an apparatus for providing the blank, preform or prism.

It is extremely well-known to provide substantially two dimensional 5 blanks (e.g. made of paper or card) that may be used to form three dimensional structures such as polygonal prisms. A simple example of this concept is a blank for a cube, which may consist of four square panels joined in a series and two square panels respectively provided on either side of the series of four square panels. When folded, the series of four square panels form the side 10 walls of the cube and the two square panels respectively form the top and base of the cube. This basic concept can be extended to other polygonal prisms. For example, a blank for a hexagonal prism may consist of six square panels joined in a series and two hexagonal panels respectively provided on either side of the series of six panels. In this example, when folded, the series of six square panels form the side walls of the hexagonal prism and the two hexagonal panels respectively form the hexagonal top and hexagonal base of the hexagonal prism.

The various panels of the known blanks usually need to be connected to adjacent panels in order to hold the blank in the desired three dimensional structure. This connection may be achieved, for example, by providing adhesive tabs at the edge of connecting panels or by applying adhesive tape. However, it can sometimes be difficult to adhere the final panel of the blank in place when forming the three dimensional structure. Furthermore, once the panels of the blank have been connected together to form the three dimensional structure, it is neither straightforward to open the three dimensional structure again (e.g. to allow access to the interior of the three dimensional structure) nor straightforward to collapse the three dimensional structure (e.g. to allow efficient storage in a collapsed state). The known blanks also tend to form weak three dimensional structures. It is therefore a principal aim of this invention to provide a blank for forming a polygonal prism that overcomes at least some of the drawbacks associated with the known blanks.

Thus, according to an aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for forming a polygonal prism, the blank comprising: a plurality of rectangular side wall panels joined together in a series, an edge of a first one of the series of panels being connectable to an edge of a last one of the series of panels so as to form the side walls of the prism; and for each distinct pair of adjacent side walls of the prism, one or more top panels for connecting together the tops of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and for forming an externally visible top portion of the prism, the shape of the externally visible top portion being substantially quadrilateral, a free side of the one or more top panels comprising a top panel extension for tucking under the externally visible top portion for a neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls so as to maintain the top of the prism in a closed state.

As will be appreciated from the present disclosure, the blank of the invention provides a polygonal prism having a top that can remain closed without the need for adhesive. In particular, the prism can be maintained in the closed state simply by tucking the top panel extension for each distinct pair of -3 -adjacent side walls under the top portion for a neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls in successive overlapping fashion. This also means that the top of the prism can be readily and repeatedly closed and opened. Furthermore, since the tops of the side wall panels that form each distinct pair are connected together by the one or more top panels, the blank of the present invention provides a strong polygonal prism.

The prism formed from the blank of the present invention is also well suited to a variety of practical uses. For example, the prism may be employed as a reusable container, for example as a gift box or as a bag. The prism may also be employed as a structural element or as part of an item of furniture, such as a seat or seat base. In these embodiments, the prism may be combined with other structural elements, such as a board for placing across the top of the prism, or across a plurality of the prisms, so as to distribute a load. The prism, or a plurality of the prisms, may also be used as a decorative item or curiosity or as a toy, such as a constructional toy.

In preferred embodiments, the one or more top panels comprises a first top panel that is joined to the top of one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and a second top panel that is joined to the top of the other one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair. In these embodiments, an edge of the first top panel may be connectable to an edge of the second top panel so as to connect together the tops of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and form the externally visible top portion of the prism. When the prism is formed, the externally visible shape of the first top panel and/or the externally visible shape of second top panel is preferably substantially triangular. The triangular shape may be isosceles or equilateral, with the base of the triangular shape preferably being adjacent the top of the corresponding side wall panel. In other embodiments, the one or more top panels comprises a single top panel that is joined to the top of one of the side wall panels that form the distinct 5 pair. In these embodiments, an edge of the single top panel may be connectable to an edge of the top of the other one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair so as to connect together the tops of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and form the externally visible top portion of the prism. When the prism is formed, the externally visible shape of the single top panel is preferably substantially quadrilateral. The quadrilateral shape is preferably non-rectangular and is preferably composed of two isosceles or equilateral triangles, with the bases of the triangles preferably being adjacent the tops of the corresponding side wall panels. For example, the externally visible shape may be substantially kite-shaped or substantially rhombus-shaped.

As will be appreciated from the above, in preferred embodiments, the shape of the externally visible top portion is preferably non-rectangular and is preferably composed of two isosceles or equilateral triangles, with the bases of the triangles preferably being adjacent the tops of the corresponding side wall panel. For example, the externally visible shape may be substantially kite-shaped or substantially rhombus-shaped.

In preferred embodiments, the shape of the top panel extension is substantially triangular. This allows the top panel extension to be easily tucked under the externally visible top portion for the neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls whilst also maintaining the top of the prism in the closed state. In these embodiments, the top panel extension may have a base that is joined to one of the one or more top panels. The top panel extension may also have a rounded apex. This can make the top panel extension less pointed and therefore less dangerous. In other embodiments, the shape may be substantially that of a circular, oval or elliptical segment. Again, in these embodiments, the extension may have a base that is joined to one of the one or more top panels.

The base of the prism may be formed in a substantially similar way to the top of the prism. Thus, in preferred embodiments, the blank comprises, for each distinct pair of adjacent side walls of the prism, one or more base panels for connecting together the bases of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and for forming an externally visible base portion of the prism, the shape of the externally visible base portion being substantially quadrilateral. In these embodiments, a free side of the one or more base panels may comprise a base panel extension for tucking under the externally visible base portion for a neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls so as to maintain the base of the prism in a closed state.

As will be appreciated, in a similar manner to the top of the prism, these preferred embodiments allow the base of the prism to remain closed without the need for adhesive. This also allows the base of the prism to be readily and repeatedly closed and opened. Furthermore, since the bases of the side wall panels that form each distinct pair of adjacent side wall panels are connected together, the blank of these preferred embodiments provides a strong polygonal prism.

In preferred embodiments, the one or more base panels comprises a first base panel that is joined to the base of one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and a second base panel that is joined to the base of the other one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair. In these embodiments, an edge of the first base panel may be connectable to an edge of the second base panel so as to connect together the bases of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and form the externally visible base portion of the prism. When the prism is formed, the externally visible shape of the first base panel and/or the externally visible shape of the second base panel is preferably substantially triangular. The triangular shape may be isosceles or equilateral, with the base of the triangular shape preferably being adjacent the base of the corresponding side wall panel.

In other embodiments, the one or more base panels may comprise a single base panel that is joined to the base of one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair. In these embodiments, an edge of the single base panel may be connectable to an edge of the base of the other one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair so as to connect together the bases of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and form the externally visible base portion of the prism. When the prism is formed, the externally visible shape of the single base panel is preferably substantially quadrilateral. The quadrilateral shape is preferably non-rectangular and is preferably composed of two isosceles or equilateral triangles, with the bases of the triangles preferably being adjacent the bases of the corresponding side wall panels. For example, the externally visible shape may be substantially kite-shaped or substantially rhombus-shaped.

As will be appreciated from the above, in preferred embodiments, the shape of the externally visible base portion is preferably non-rectangular and is preferably composed of two isosceles or equilateral triangles, with the bases of the triangles preferably being adjacent the bases of the corresponding side wall panels. For example, the externally visible shape may be substantially kite-shaped or substantially rhombus-shaped.

In preferred embodiments, the shape of the base panel extension is substantially triangular. In a similar manner to the top panel extension, this allows the base panel extension to be easily tucked under the externally visible base portion for the neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls whilst also maintaining the prism in the closed state. In these embodiments, the base panel extension may have a base that is joined to one of the one or more base panels. The base panel extension may also have a rounded apex. As with the top panel extension, this can make the base panel extension less pointed and therefore less dangerous. In other embodiments, the shape may be substantially that of a circular, oval or elliptical segment. Again, in these embodiments, the extension may have a base that is joined to one of the one or more base panels.

In preferred embodiments, one or more of the edges comprises a connecting tab to allow the panels in question to be connected together, for example with adhesive. Alternatively, one or more of the edges may comprise a fastening (e.g. zip fastening, hook and loop fastening, snap fastening, button fastening, etc.) to allow the panels in question to be connected together. As will be appreciated, other than the connections at the above-mentioned edges, no further connections or adhesive are needed to hold the prism together in the closed state.

In preferred embodiments, the polygonal prism has an even number of side walls, and so the blank preferably has an even number of side wall panels. The polygonal prism preferably has six or more side walls, and so the blank preferably has six or more side wall panels. The polygonal prism is preferably based on a substantially regular polygon, i.e. the sides of the polygon are preferably approximately equal in length and the internal angles of the polygon are preferably approximately equal in measure. The widths of the side wall panels of the blank are also preferably approximately equal to each other. In other embodiments, the polygonal prism may be based on an irregular polygon, i.e. the sides of the polygon may not all be equal and/or the internal angles may not all be equal. Similarly, the widths of the side wall panels of the blank may not all be equal. The heights of the side wall panels of the blank are also preferably approximately equal to each other, but the heights of the side wall panels may be different to the widths of the side wall panels.

The blank may be any desired and suitable size. In one embodiment, where the prism may be used as a container or toy, the side walls are approximately 4cm in width and approximately 4cm in height. Similarly, the ratio of the width of the side walls to the height of the side walls may be any desired and suitable size. In one embodiment, where the prism may be used as a seat base, the ratio is approximately 1:2.5.

The blank may be formed from paper material, card material, cardboard material, foam board material (e.g artists' foam board material), fibre or fibrous board material, or plastic material, or combinations thereof. Similarly, the blank may be formed from corrugated material. These embodiments provide a strong but lightweight prism. To aid folding of the blank, the panels and/or tabs of the blank may be separated from one another by one or more fold lines. With thicker blank materials, the panels and/or tabs of the blank may be separated from one another by one or more pairs of fold lines. Each fold line may comprise a creased line, a perforated line, and/or a compressed/heat treated line.

In preferred embodiments, the above-mentioned edges of the blank are connectable together (e.g. with adhesive or fastenings) so as to assemble a preform. Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a preform assembled from a blank as described herein. The preform is preferably repeatedly transformable between a substantially two dimensional state and a three dimensional state. This allows the prism to be collapsed and stored for later use. The transformation from the three dimensional state to the substantially two dimensional state may be achieved by untucking the panel extensions and folding side walls of the prism inwardly. Similarly, the transformation from the substantially two dimensional state to the three dimensional state may be achieved by folding side walls of the preform outwardly and tucking under the panel extensions.

The blank or preform may also be provided in a three dimensional state. Thus, according to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a -10 -polygonal prism formed from a blank or preform as described herein. A similar preform or prism may instead be provided as a unitary structure (e.g. by moulding or 3D printing). Thus, there is also provided a preform for a polygonal prism, or a polygonal prism, comprising: a plurality of rectangular side wall panels joined together in a series, a first one of the series of panels being joined to a last one of the series of panels so as to form the side walls of the prism; and for each distinct pair of adjacent side walls of the prism, a top panel that joins together the tops of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and that forms an externally visible top portion of the prism, the shape of the externally visible top portion being substantially quadrilateral, a free side of the top panel comprising a top panel extension that tucks under the externally visible top portion for a neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls so as to maintain the top of the prism in a closed state. In embodiments, this preform or prism may have any of the one or more preferred or optional features described herein that a preform or prism formed from the blank described herein may have as appropriate.

In some embodiments, a plurality of the preforms or the prisms as described herein may be connected together side wall to side wall, for example with adhesive. The preforms or prisms are preferably connected together such that each preform or prism remains repeatedly transformable between a substantially two dimensional state and a three dimensional state even whilst connected together.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for providing a blank as described herein. The apparatus may -11 -comprise, for example, a template or a die cutter. The template may have one or more openings or notches that allow the location of certain features of the blank (such as the one or more tabs) to be marked on the blank.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an 5 apparatus for providing a preform or prism as described herein. The apparatus may perform suitable folding and/or connecting steps or may comprise, for example, a suitable mould or a suitably configured 3D printer.

As will be appreciated, the term "polygonal prism" as used herein refers to a polyhedron having an n-sided polygon top, a congruent parallel n-sided polygon base, and n side walls. As will also be appreciated, the term "rectangular" as used herein includes square or oblong. The term "joined" as used herein preferably means that the panels in question are contiguous with one another rather than connected together. However, in less preferred embodiments, the term "joined" can mean that the panels in question are distinct but are (possibly permanently) connected together in some way (e.g. with adhesive).

By way of example only, embodiments of the invention will now be described in detail with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows a blank for a polygonal prism according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 shows polygonal prism formed from the blank of Figure 1; Figures 3A and 3B respectively show a side view and a plan view of a collapsed preform formed from the blank of Figure 1; Figure 4 shows a plan view of a plurality of the collapsed preforms of Figures 3A and 3B when connected together; and Figure 5 shows a template for providing the blank of Figure 1.

Reference will initially be made to Figure 1, which shows a blank 100 for 5 forming a hexagonal prism. In this embodiment, the blank 100 is formed of card material. The blank 100 comprises a plurality of square side wall panels 102a-102f contiguously joined together in a series. In this embodiment, the width and height of the side wall panels 102a-102f is 4cm. When assembled into a preform, an edge of a first one 102a of the series is adhesively connected to an 10 edge of a last one 102f of the series via a tab 104. The side wall panels 102a-102f can therefore form the side walls of the prism. The blank 100 also comprises a substantially triangular top panel 106a-106f contiguously joined to the top of each of the side wall panels 102a-102f.

Since the prism in this embodiment is hexagonal, the side walls of the prism can be notionally grouped into three distinct pairs of adjacent side walls.

In this embodiment, the last one of the series (side wall panel 102f) is paired with the first one of the series (side wall panel 102a), the second one of the series (side wall panel 102b) is paired with the third one of the series (side wall panel 102c), and the fourth one of the series (side wall panel 102d) is paired with the fifth one of the series (side wall panel 102e). For each of the three distinct pairs of adjacent side walls, two of the top panels 106a-106f can be adhesively connected together via a tab 110 so as to connect together the tops of the corresponding side wall panels 102a-102f. Thus, in this embodiment, top panels 106f and 106a connect together the tops of side wall panels 102f and 102a, top panels 106b and 106c connect together the tops of side wall panels 102b and 102c, and top panels 106d and 106e connect together the tops of side wall panels 102d and 102e. A free side of each pair of connected top panels also comprises a substantially triangular top panel extension 112. The base of each top panel extension 112 is contiguously joined with its corresponding pair of connected top panels and the apex of the top panel extension 112 is rounded. In other embodiments, each pair of connected top panels could be replaced with a single substantially kite-shaped or substantially rhombus-shaped top panel contiguously joined to the top of one of the side wall panels of the distinct pair and connectable to the top of the other one of the side wall panels of the distinct pair.

A similar arrangement is provided at the base of the prism. Thus, the blank 100 also comprises a substantially triangular base panel 108a-108f contiguously joined to the base of each of the side wall panels 102a-102f. For each of the three distinct pairs of adjacent side walls, two of the base panels 108a-1068f can be adhesively connected together via a tab 114 so as to connect together the bases of the corresponding side wall panels 102a-102f. Thus, in this embodiment, base panels 108f and 108a connect together the bases of side wall panels 102f and 102a, base panels 108b and 108c connect together the bases of side wall panels 102b and 102c, and base panels 108d and 108e connect together the bases of side wall panels 102d and 102e. A free side of each pair of connected base panels also comprises a substantially triangular base panel extension 116. The base of each base panel extension 116 is contiguously joined with its corresponding pair of connected base panels and the apex of the base panel extension 116 is rounded. In other embodiments, each pair of connected base panels could be replaced with a single substantially kite-shaped or substantially rhombus-shaped base panel that is contiguously joined to the base of one of the side wall panels of the distinct pair and connectable to the base of the other one of the side wall panels of the distinct pair.

The preform that is assembled by connecting together the various edges of the blank 100 of Figure 1 can be seen in Figure 2 in a three dimensional state as prism 200 and in Figures 3A and 3B in a substantially two dimensional state 10 as collapsed preform 300.

As is shown in Figure 2, each pair of connected top panels forms an externally visible top portion of the prism 200. For example, connected top panels 106f and 106a form an externally visible quadrilateral top portion 202 (indicated with shading in Figure 2). Since the prism 200 is based on a regular hexagon, the shape of each externally visible top portion is a rhombus. As is also shown in Figure 2, the top panel extension 112 for each pair of connected top panels is tucked under the externally visible top portion for a neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls in continuously overlapping fashion so as to maintain the top of the prism 200 in a closed state. The base of the prism 200 is maintained in a closed state in a similar manner using the base panel extensions 116.

As is shown in Figures 3A and 3B, the prism 200 of Figure 2 can be folded into a substantially two dimensional collapsed preform 300. The transformation from the prism 200 to the collapsed preform 300 is achieved by untucking the panel extensions 112 and 116 and folding the side walls 102c and 102d of the prism 200 inwardly. Similarly, the transformation from the collapsed preform 300 to the prism 200 is achieved by unfolding the side walls 102c and 102d of the collapsed preform 300 outwardly and tucking under the panel extensions 112 and 116.

As is shown in Figure 4, a plurality of the collapsed preforms 300 can be adhesively connected together side wall to side wall so as to form a matrix 400 of preforms. In the arrangement shown in Figure 4, the collapsed preforms 300 are connected together in such a way that each preform is transformable between a collapsed state and a prism whilst the preforms are connected together.

Figure 5 shows a template 500 that can be used to provide the blank 100 of Figure 1. In this embodiment, the template 500 has notches 502 that allow the locations of the top panel tabs 110 and base panel tabs 114 to be marked on the blank 100 with a pen, pencil or scribe.

Claims

CLAI MS1. A blank for forming a polygonal prism, the blank comprising: a plurality of rectangular side wall panels joined together in a series, an edge of a first one of the series of panels being connectable to an edge of a last one of the series of panels so as to form the side walls of the prism; and for each distinct pair of adjacent side walls of the prism, one or more top panels for connecting together the tops of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and for forming an externally visible top portion of the prism, the shape of the externally visible top portion being substantially quadrilateral, a free side of the one or more top panels comprising a top panel extension for tucking under the externally visible top portion for a neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls so as to maintain the top of the prism in a closed state.
2. A blank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more top panels comprises a first top panel that is joined to the top of one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and a second top panel that is joined to the top of the other one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair, an edge of the first top panel being connectable to an edge of the second top panel so as to connect together the tops of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and form the externally visible top portion of the prism.
3. A blank as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one or more top panels comprises a single top panel that is joined to the top of one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair, an edge of the single top panel being connectable to an edge of the top of the other one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair so as to connect together the tops of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and form the externally visible top portion of the prism.
4. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the externally visible top portion is non-rectangular.
5. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the shape of the top panel extension is substantially triangular.
6. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims comprising, for each distinct pair of adjacent side walls of the prism, one or more base panels for connecting together the bases of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and for forming an externally visible base portion of the prism, the shape of the externally visible base portion being substantially quadrilateral, a free side of the one or more base panels comprising a base panel extension for tucking under the externally visible base portion for a neighbouring distinct pair of adjacent side walls so as to maintain the base of the prism in a closed state.

/5
7. A blank as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more base panels comprises a first base panel that is joined to the base of one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and a second base panel that is joined to the base of the other one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair, an edge of the first base panel being connectable to an edge of the second base panel so as to connect together the bases of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and form the externally visible base portion of the prism.
8. A blank as claimed in claim 6, wherein the one or more base panels comprises a single base panel that is joined to the base of one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair, an edge of the single base panel being connectable to an edge of the base of the other one of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair so as to connect together the bases of the side wall panels that form the distinct pair and form the externally visible base portion of the prism.
9. A blank as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8, wherein the shape of the externally visible base portion is non-rectangular.
10. A blank as claimed in any one of claims 6-9, wherein the shape of the base panel extension is substantially triangular.
11. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein one or more of the edges comprises a connecting tab.
12. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polygonal prism has an even number of side walls.
13. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polygonal prism has six or more side walls.
14. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the polygonal prism is based on a substantially regular polygon.
15. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blank is formed from paper material, card material, cardboard material, foam board material, fibre or fibrous board material, or plastic material, or combinations 20 thereof.
16. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the blank is formed from corrugated material.
17. A blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the edges of the blank are connectable together so as to assemble a preform, the preform being repeatedly transformable between a substantially two dimensional state and a three dimensional state.
18. A blank for forming a polygonal prism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
19. A preform assembled from a blank as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
20. A preform assembled from a blank substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
21. A polygonal prism formed from a blank or preform as claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
22. A polygonal prism substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying figures.
23. A plurality of preforms as claimed in claim 19 or 20 and/or prisms as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the preforms and/or prisms are connected 15 together such that each preform and/or prism is repeatedly transformable between a substantially two dimensional state and a three dimensional state.
24. An apparatus for providing a blank, preform or prism as claimed in any one of claims 1-22.