GB2601403A

GB2601403A - A protector for a delicate item

Info

Publication number: GB2601403A
Application number: GB2112520.8A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Webb Susan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2020-11-26
Filing date: 2021-09-02
Publication date: 2022-06-01
Also published as: GB202018587D0; GB202112520D0

Abstract

A collapsible protector has a parallelepiped hollow shape, surrounding a delicate product such as a loaf of bread on five sides. The faces 4, 5 can engage along their edges 1; some in the form of living hinges and some in the form of tabs projecting into slots. The faces can be planar with strengthening ribs. Some can include cutouts 2 for hand holds near their edges.

Description

A PROTECTOR FOR A DELICATE ITEM

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a protector for a delicate item, in particular for protection of transportation of delicate food items; more particularly elongate items.

Background

Increasing numbers of people enjoy fresh bread in many societies across the world.

Often bread does not remain fresh for very long. Additionally some breads are particularly prone to becoming stale quickly, for example baguettes, or French sticks, which are elongate with a large crust area.

Transport of baguettes can be problematic, as they are delicate and long.

Prior Art

CN202890882 (XIA) discloses a folding lunch box sleeve.

W0201306891 (JACKMAN) discloses a collapsible container for carrying a product.

US20020030090 (FERGUSON) discloses a convertible bread packaging product is provided for preserving loaf bread.

The present invention arose in order to overcome problems suffered by existing devices.

Summary of the Invention

According to the present invention there is provided a collapsible protector which surrounds and protects a delicate item, such as a loaf of bread, com-prises: an upper and a lower planar face each of which faces are connected one to another by way of first and second side faces; and an end face is provided with an edge which contacts at least one of the upper, lower and side faces, so that when deployed the protector adopts a hollow, parallelepiped form for receiving the delicate item therewithin.

Preferably at least one engagement means is provided on at least one of the upper, lower and side faces for engaging with the end face. The engagement means enables the end face to be secured in position.

The at least one engagement means may be provided on the edge of the end face for engaging with at least one of the upper, lower and side faces.

The at least one engagement means may be provided on at least one edge of the end face for connecting to a corresponding engagement means provided 20 on the corresponding upper face, lower face or side face.

The at least one engagement means may provided on at least one of the upper face, lower face or side face for connecting to a corresponding engagement means on a corresponding edge of the end face.

The at least one engagement means may include a flap or tab dimensioned and arranged to be received by the corresponding engagement means.

The corresponding engagement means may be a slot dimensioned and ar30 ranged to receive the flap or tab.

The upper and lower planar faces are connected to side faces by living hinges to enable the protector to collapse.

The end face may also be connected to one of the upper face, the lower face, or either side face by a living hinge.

In some embodiments the protector includes strengthening ribs formed on a surface of at least one of the faces.

The delicate item may be a foodstuff item, in particular a bakery item. The item may be envisaged to be an elongate item, for example a bread stick or 10 baguette.

In some embodiments a preferred material for the faces of the protector may be corrugated paperboard or cardboard. In other embodiments the material may be a plastics material in part or whole, for example a recycled plastics.

Some embodiments of the protector may include windows, comprising transparent, translucent or open areas of material, so as to allow visibility into the internal tubular space, so as to allow ascertainment of the nature of the item.

In some embodiments a preferred configuration includes four connected faces which are sized to create a square-shaped holder when the panels are moved to their fully expanded condition and comprise two opposing faces scored vertically along their mid-regions so that they may be folded internally until they touch-or nearly touch, thereby allowing the other two sides to be brought together in a parallel fashion.

In such embodiments a collapsed mode for the protector may be envisaged wherein the protector constitutes only about 5% of an expanded mode, thereby 30 enabling a handy storage condition for the protectorwhen it is not in use.

The protector may be biased to open in some embodiments, such that a band or holder may be utilised to hold the protector in the second position when not in use.

In this way the protector of the present invention provides a collapsible protective sleeve to prevent bread becoming deformed in a shopping trolley for example, so as to allow a user to easily store and protect loaves of bread in the shopping trolley.

In some embodiments the protector comprises a simple plastic box that folds up and clips together with bump fit connections (engagement means) on edges.

It folds out flat for easy storage and could potentially fold up to the size of one rectangle.

The end face may be adapted to provide structural rigidity to the protector when in the first position. The engagement means secure the end face into position to close one end of the internal space defined by the upper and lower faces and the side faces.

The engagement means may comprise a tolerance fit, interference fit, friction fit, tab and hole, hook and loop like Velcro (RTM), ferromagnetic or other temporary locking means.

Some embodiments of the protector may include handles or handle shaped holes, for example at or proximate an end of the protector.

Some embodiments may include holes for hanging the protector for display, for exampleon shelves.

It may be envisaged that the sides may be used for displaying information such as information about the delicate item, or supermarket branding or advertising.

Some embodiments may use hard cardboard material with an outer fabric lining which may allow for a smoother folding mechanism, but wherein the fabric can be cleanable and still have branding implemented.

This other pictured embodiments include concepts that fold out completely into a box pattern or wherein sides all collapse into a diamond shape, until flat, or an alternative way of storing the bread by dropping it in from the top so it will not get squashed on either end or wherein the box is able to collapse via elasticated ends and/or a lid that can be secured with a loop and bobble or ferromagnetic strip.

The protector encourages eco-friendly thinking, as much like bags for life, this safe spacing protector can be stored and reused for a long period of time before it is recycled.

In some embodiments the protector may be envisaged to be appropriate for longer term use as a bread bin in the home, for example having perforations and/or being capable of sealing closed.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the Figures in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a first embodiment of the protector according to the present invention, in the first position; Figure 2 shows a reverse isometric view of the embodiment of the protector as shown in Figure 1; Figures 3 show isometric views of a second embodiment of the protector according to the present invention, in a second position; Figures 4 shows the second embodiment as shown in Figure 3 arranged for retail, and the second embodiment as shown in Figure 3, in use, respectively; Figures 5 to 7 show sketch views of further embodiments of the protector 5 according to the present invention; Figure 8 shows a reverse isometric view of the second embodiment shown in Figure 2, moving between positions; and Figure 9 shows a reverse isometric view of the second embodiment shown in Figure 2, in the second position.

Detailed Description of Figures

With reference to the pictured embodiments in Figures1 and 3 the embodiment comprises a delicate item transportation protector 99, 199 comprising a plurality of faces 4 arranged to move from a first in use position defining an internal tubular space for protection of the delicate item, to a second storage and transport position where faces are substantially coplanar.

In particular reference to the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the embodiment is comprised by a tubular body with four faces 4, in two opposing pairs. The material used for the embodiment is plastics such as polyethylene or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Both ends of the embodiment are open and the top end in use has handles 2.

The handle profile is cut into each side. This makes it easy to pick up and also, open out the faces.

This hole also provides a place for storing the embodiment on hooks.

The plastic panels have living hinges 1 joining them, which allow the plastic to flex and fold flat and into the square profile when in use.

The dimensions of the pictured embodiment are formed by panels that are 350mm long by 160mm wide meaning the embodiment folds into a flat version of this size for easy storage and keeping within a bag when travelling to the supermarket, and each panel providing lots of space for specific supermarket branding to print.

It will also make it easy for stacking on shelves for sale in shops as it will most likely be displayed at the front entrance for people to grab before beginning their shop.

The protector as shown in Figure 3 may include an end face in the from of a 15 folding base 5 which folds down from within the internal space to tolerance, interference or friction fit onto or into a lip 6 so as to hold the faces 4 tightly to prevent the embodiment folding inwards from any external force.

The end face is connected to one of the faces by a living hinge, which extends 20 along an edge opposite the lip, and is bounded at the corners by cut outs to prevent snagging.

When the embodiments are advertised for sale as shown in Figure 4 a simplistic cardboard sleeve 105 shows branding and product information and after 25 purchase can easily be recycled.

Two of the faces comprise embossed branding, logos or information 3.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be 30 appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention as defined by the claims, in particular but not solely combination of features of described embodiments.

Claims

Claims 1. A collapsible protector that surrounds and protects a delicate item, such as a loaf of bread, comprises: an upper and a lower planar face each of which faces are connected one to another by way of first and second side faces; and an end face is provided with an edge which contacts at least one of the upper, lower and side faces, so that when deployed the protector adopts a hollow, parallelepiped form for receiving the baked item therewithin.
2. A protector according to claim 1 wherein at least one engagement means is provided on at least one of the upper, lower and side faces for engaging with the end face.
3. A protector according to claim 1 wherein at least one engagement means is provided on an edge of the end face for engaging with at least one of the upper, lower and side faces.
4. A protector according to claim 3 wherein the at least one engagement means is provided on at least one edge of the end face for connecting to a corresponding engagement means provided on the corresponding upper face, lower face or side face.
5. A protector according to claim 2 wherein at least one engagement means is provided on at least one of the upper face, lower face or side facefor connecting to a corresponding engagement means on a corresponding edge of the end face.
6. A protector according to any of claims 4 or 5 wherein the at least one engagement means includes a flap or tab dimensioned and arranged to be received by the corresponding engagement means.
7. A protector according to claim wherein the corresponding engagement means is a slot dimensioned and arranged to receive the flap or tab.
8. A protector according to any preceding claim wherein upper and lower planar faces are connected to side faces by living hinges.
9. A protector according to any preceding claim wherein the end face is connected to one of the upper face, the lower face, or either side face by a living hinge.
10.A protector according to any preceding claim includes strengthening ribs formed on a surface of at least one of the faces.
11.A protector according to any preceding claim including at least one handle cut-out proximate an end of one of the faces.