IE20060915A1

IE20060915A1 - A collapsible container

Info

Publication number: IE20060915A1
Application number: IE20060915A
Authority: IE
Priority date: 2005-12-14
Filing date: 2006-12-14
Publication date: 2007-07-11
Also published as: GB0525387D0; GB2433250A; GB0624920D0

Abstract

A collapsible container comprising a base; a lid; and a plurality of removable side panels. The container is configurable between a use state in which the base, lid and side panels are assembled to define a first storage space, and a collapsed state, in which the lid engages with the base and in which the side panels may be contained between the lid and the base.

Description

The invention relates to collapsible containers especially, but not exclusively, for use as packaging.

Summary of the Invention The invention provides a collapsible container comprising a base; a lid; and a plurality of removable side panels, the container being configurable between a use state in which the base, lid and side panels are assembled to define a storage space, and a collapsed state, in which the lid engages with the base and in which the side panels may be contained between the lid and the base.

Further advantageous aspects of the invention will be apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art upon review of the following description of a specific embodiment and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings An embodiment of the invention is now described by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container embodying the invention, the container being shown in an assembled state and with an exploded lid; Figure 2a is a plan view of a base of the container of Figure 1; Figure 2b is a first side view of the base of Figure 2a; Figure 2c is a second side view of the base of Figure 2a; Figure 3a is a front view of an external face of a side panel of the container of Figure 1; Figure 3b is an end view of the side panel of Figure 3a; Figure 3c shows the reverse face of the side panel of figure 3a.

Figure 4a is a front view of an external face of a second side panel· of the container of Figure 1; Figure 4b is an end view of a second side panel of Figure 3a; Figure 4c shows the reverse face of a second side panel of figure 4a.

Figure 5a is a plan view of a lid for the container of Figure 1; Figure 5b is a side view of the lid of Figure 5a.

Detailed Description of the Drawings Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Figure 1, there is shown, generally indicated as 10, a container embodying the invention. In Figure 1, the container is shown in an assembled state. The container 10 comprises a base 12, a plurality of side panels 14 and a lid 16. In Figure 1, the lid 16 is shown in an exploded state so that an interior storage space 18, which is defined by the base, panels and lid when in the assembled state, can be viewed.

As illustrated, the container 10 may, for example, be substantially cuboid in shape when in the assembled state, hence defining a substantially cuboid storage space 18.

Figures 2a to 2c show the base 12 in more detail. The base 12 comprises a base panel 20 and a wall 22 running around the base panel 20 at or adjacent the periphery of the base panel 20. The base panel 20 and the wall 22 together form a base tray. In the illustrated embodiment, the base panel 20 is generally square or rectangular, by way of example. Advantageously, the wall 22 extends continuously around the base panel 20 without gaps, although in alternative embodiments it is envisaged that the wall may be interrupted by one or more gaps and may therefore be said to extend at least partially around the base panel 20. In the preferred embodiment, the wall 22 extends substantially perpendicularly from the base panel 20.

Preferably, the base 12 includes a ledge that extends wholly or partially around the external or outer surface of the base wall 22. The ledge preferably extends perpendicularly from the wall 22 (and preferably substantially parallel with the base panel 20) and is further preferably substantially coplanar with the base panel 20. In one embodiment, the ledge may be provided by a portion of the base panel 20 that extends beyond the wall 22. In the illustrated embodiment, however, the ledge is provided by a plurality of batons 24 provided on the in-use underside of the base panel 20, i.e. the face of the base panel 20 opposite to the side from which the wall 22 projects. The batons 24 protrude beyond the base panel 20 in order to provide respective ledge portions 26. As may be best seen from Figure 2a the ledge portions 26 do not extend continuously around the base 12 in this particular embodiment. In general, the ledge may extend at least partially around the periphery of the base 12.

In a preferred embodiment, the batons 24 comprise elongate members that are spaced apart and run substantially parallel to one another. Along respective opposing sides of the base 12, it is preferred that a respective baton 24 protrudes beyond the base panel 20 along its length. Each baton 24 may also include one or more feet 28 on which the container 10 may stand during use. Preferably, each baton 24 includes a respective foot at or adjacent either end of the baton and a further respective foot between the end feet.

Conveniently, a respective gap is formed between the central foot and each end foot, the central foot being dimensioned so that the fork of a conventional forklift truck may be inserted, in use, beneath the base panel 20, a respective prong of the fork passing through the gap on either side of the central foot. Preferably, the spacing between batons 24 is less than the length of the fork of a conventional forklift but great enough to allow the prong of the fork to be inserted between batons 24. Hence, when the container is resting on a ground surface (not shown) the fork of a conventional forklift may be inserted beneath the base panel 20 through the gaps between feet 28 or between batons 24.

Figures 3a to 3c show a first type of side panel 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the panels 14 are, by way of example, substantially rectangular in shape. Figure 3a shows the in-use outer or external face of the side panel 14. The panel 14 is shaped to define an overhang or ledge 30 on its external face. The ledge 30 runs substantially parallel with the in-use lower side 31 of the panel 14. Preferably, the ledge 30 projects substantially perpendicularly from the external face of the panel 14 and faces towards said lower side 31, i.e. substantially downwardly during use. In the illustrated embodiment, the ledge 30 is created, by way of example, by a baton 32 fixed to the external surface of the side panel 14 and being spaced from, and running substantially parallel with, the in-use lower side 31 of the panel 14. In the preferred embodiment, respective further batons 34 may be provided around the periphery of the side panel 14, as illustrated. The portion of the panel 14 that extends between the ledge 30 and the in-use lower side 31 may be referred to as flange 35. Preferably, the flange 35 extends substantially along the entire length of the panel 14, although it is further preferred that the flange is substantially the same length, but shorter than, the panel 14 and terminates at either end before the end of the panel, as can best be seen from figure 3a and Figure 3c. The ledge 30 preferably runs substantially along the entire length of the panel 14 but in alternative embodiments may run at least partially along the length of the panel 14.

Turning now to Figure 3b, it will be seen that, as a result of the ledge 30, the panel 14 has a first external surface level indicated by arrow A which, in the present embodiment, is defined by the outer surfaces of the batons 32, 33, and a second surface level indicated by arrow B and defined by the outer surface of flange 35. It will be understood that the ledge 30 and flange 35 may be created in any convenient manner and not necessarily by batons as illustrated. For example, the batons 32, 33 could be replaced by a second panel 6 fixed to the external surface of the panel 14 to create the ledge 30 and flange 35 in a manner the same or similar to that described above.

Figures 4a to 4c show an alternative type of side panel 14' . The side panel 14'is similar to the panel 14 and similar numerals have been used to indicate like parts. The internal surface of the side panel 14' carries one or more batons 36, the batons 36 being spaced apart and running substantially parallel with the in use lower side 31 of the panel 14.

Figure 5a shows the lid 16 in plan view. In the present embodiment, the lid is substantially square or rectangular in shape. The lid 16 is tray like in configuration and includes a peripheral side wall 40 which runs at least partially around the periphery of the lid preferably around the entire periphery of the lid.

In-use, when the container 10 is in an assembled state, the side walls 14, 14'are mounted on the base 12. Each side panel 14, 14' is mounted on a respective side of a base 12 to define a side wall running around the periphery of the base 12. In the preferred embodiment, the panels 14, 14'are substantially perpendicular to the base panel 12 when in the assembled state. The ledge 30 of each panel 14, 14'rests on the base wall 22. The preferred arrangement is such that the outer surface of the panel 14 or 14' (as indicated by arrow A in Figure 3b) is substantially flush with the outer surface of the base wall 22. The flange 35 of each panel 14, 14'is disposed against or adjacent the interior face of the wall 22. The preferred arrangement is such that the dimensions of the ledge 30 substantially matches the thickness of the wall 22 so that, when the external· surfaces of the panel 14, 14'and wall 22 are flush, the respective flanges 25 rest against the internal face of the wall 22. Λ In preferred embodiments, a recess or channel (not shown) is formed in the base panel 20 adjacent the base wall 22. The channel is dimensioned to receive the respective flange of the panels 14, 14' when the container 10 is in the assembled state.

In preferred embodiments, one set of opposing side panels 14, 14' is longer than the other set of opposing side panels 14', 14, the arrangement being such that the respective ends of the shorter side panels abut against the internal faces of the longer panels in the assembled state (as shown in Figure 1, in which the panels 14' are longer than the panels 14). The base 12 and/or base panel 20 (or at least the wall 22) is typically substantially rectangular or square in shape. One pair of opposing sides of the base 12/base panel 20 and/or wall 22 may be longer than the other and it is preferred that the side panels 14, 14' for the longer sides are dimensioned to be shorter than the length of the respective side, while the side panels 14', 14 that are intended for the shorter sides are dimensioned to be substantially the same length as their respective sides.

This allows the side panels at the longer sides to be sandwiched between the side panels of the shorter sides as described above and illustrated in Figure 1. Moreover, this allows the side panels for the longer sides to fit more easily into the area bounded by the wall 22 in the collapsed state. Typically, the side panels that are shorter than their respective sides are shorter by an amount approximately equal to the combined thickness of the other set of side panels. A similar arrangement may be adopted when the base 12/base panel 20 and/or wall 22 is substantially square.

Advantageously, the container 10 further includes means for releasably fastening adjacent panels 14, 14' to one another. <6 The fastening means may take the form of any suitable conventional clip or fastener. In the illustrated embodiment a respective releasable catch is provided at interface between adjacent panels 14, 14'. the It is also preferred to provide means for releasably fastening at least some of the panels 14, 14'to the base wall 22. Any suitable clip, catch or other fastener may be used such as, for example, a butterfly type catch as illustrated in Figure 1.

With the side panels 14, 14' assembled as shown, the lid 16 may be fitted to the container 10 to enclose the storage space 18. In the preferred embodiment, when the lid 16 is fitted, a portion of the side panels 14 or 14' fits inside the wall 40 of the lid 16. Preferably, the relative dimensions of the lid 16 and base 12 are such that a portion of the outer surfaces of the panel 14 or 14' rest against the internal surface of the wall 40 of the lid 16 when it is fitted. The fit between the lid and the side panels 14, 14may be a friction fit.

The batons 36 which are optionally provided on the internal surface of one or more panels 14' may be used to carry racks or trays (not shown) within the container 10.

When the container 10 is not in use, for example, when it is desired to store the container 10 or to transport it, the container 10 may be configured into its collapsed state (not illustrated). To achieve this, the lid 16 is removed and the fastening means are released. This allows each of the panels 14, 14' to be moved from the base 12. The relative dimensions of the panels 14, 14' and base 12, and in particular the area defined by the wall 22, is such that the side panels 14, 14' may be stacked or flat packed on the base panel 20 within the wall 22. The relative thickness of the panels 14, 14' and the height of the wall 22 may be such that, when flat packed or stacked, the panels 14 or 14' do not protrude beyond the wall 22. The lid 16 may then be fitted directly on to the base 12. In the preferred embodiment, the lid 16 fits over the wall 22 such that the wall 22 is located adjacent or against the internal face of the wall 40. In the preferred embodiment, the relative dimensions of the lid 16 and wall 22 are such that there is a close fit, or a friction fit, between the walls 40, 22. When fitted to the base 12, the free edges of the wall 40 engage with or rest on the ledge or ledge portions 26. To this end, it is preferred that the depth of the wail 40 is greater than the depth of the wall 22. Fastening means (not illustrated) may be provided for securing the lid 16 to the base 12.

The container 10 may be made from any suitable material.

For example, the lid 16 panels 14, 14', 20 and or the base 12 may be formed from wood, plastics or metal.

It will be understood that any dimensions shown in the drawings are given in millimetres and are not limiting to the invention.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described which may be modified or varied without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A collapsible container comprising a base; a lid; and a plurality of removable side panels, the container being configurable between a use state in which the base, lid and side panels are assembled to define a first storage space, and a collapsed state, in which the lid engages with the base and in which the side panels may be contained between the lid and the base.

2. A container as claimed in claim 1, wherein the lid is shaped and dimensioned to fit onto the base to define a second storage space, the second storage space being shaped and dimensioned to receive the side panels in the collapsed state.

3. A container as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the base includes a wall running at least partially around the base at, or adjacent, its periphery.

4. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the lid includes a wall running at least partially around the lid at, or adjacent, its periphery.

5. A container as claimed in claim 4, when dependent on claim 3, wherein the wall of the lid is shaped and dimensioned to fit around the wall of the base, preferably around the outer side of the wall of the base.

6. A container as claimed in claim 5, wherein the wall of the lid has a height which is at least equal to, and preferably greater than, the height of the wall of the base.

7. A container as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the base comprises a base panel from which the base wall extends, the base further including a ledge extending at least partially around the base outside of said base wall, the ledge being substantially parallel with, or coplanar with, the base panel.

8. A container as claimed in claim 7, wherein, in the collapsed state, the wall of said lid engages with the ledge.

9. A container as claimed in claim 7 or 8, further including means for releasably fastening said lid to said base, and especially to said ledge.

10. A container as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein each side panel includes a respective ledge on its, in use, outer face, the ledge being shaped and dimensioned for abutment with the free end of the base wall when the container is in the assembled state.

11. A container as claimed in claim 10, wherein each side panel includes a flange portion extending from said ledge, the flange portion being arranged to engage with the wall of the base when the container is in the assembled state.

12. A container as claimed in claim 11, wherein the flange portion is arranged to engage with the in use inner face of the base wall when in the assembled state.

13. A container as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein the base includes a track or groove at or adjacent the base of the base wall, the track or groove being shaped and dimensioned to receive the free end of the flange portion when the container is in the assembled state.

14. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the base, or at least the base wall, is substantially rectangular in shape having a first pair of opposing sides that are longer than a second pair of opposing sides, and wherein the side panels comprise a first pair of side panels for location at said first pair of sides and a second pair of side panels for location at said second pair of sides, and wherein each side panel of said second pair is dimensioned to be substantially the same length as the respective side of the base or base wall, and wherein each side panel of said first pair is dimensioned to be shorter than the respective side of the base or wall, and wherein, in the assembled state, said first pair of side panels are sandwiched between said second pair of side panels.

15. A container as claimed in claim 14, wherein the side panels of said first pair are shorter than their respective side by an amount approximately equal to the combined thickness of the side panels of said second pair.

16. A container as claimed in any preceding claim, further including means for releasably fixing each side panel to each adjacent side panel, and/or means for releasably fixing each side panel to said base, and especially to said base wall· .

17. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. ABSTRACT A collapsible container comprising a base; a lid; and a plurality of removable side panels. The container is 5 configurable between a use state in which the base, lid and side panels are assembled to define a first storage space, and a collapsed state, in which the lid engages with the base and in which the side panels may be contained between the lid and the base. FIG. FIG 2B 1238 FIG. 4A FIG. 4B FIG. 4C FIG. 5Β FIG. 5Α Ο φ ο