MXPA05012816A - Multiple angle tubular container - Google Patents

Abstract

A tubular container that can be bent at multiple angles to hold and protect irregular (non-straight) items. The container comprises at least one rigid, hollow straight section and at least one hollow tubular connector piece. The connector piece is configured to fit partially within the straight sections and comprises at least one V-shaped notch at which the tubular container can bend.

Description

MULTI-ANGLE TUBULAR CONTAINER FIELD OF THE INVENTION This patent relates to a container for containing and shipping non-straight products, such as automotive body mounds, brake linings for vehicles or other bent pipe products.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED TECHNIQUE Tubular, round container vessels (ie, tubular containers having round cross sections) are useful for protecting and shipping straight products, such as window blinds, golf clubs and fishing poles. However, round shipping containers can roll and fall off flat tables and conveyor belts, and are generally limited to items that are straight. Even tubular shipping containers that are not round or have flat sides, if rigid, can not be used in general to protect irregular items (not straight) because they can not be bent. The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a tubular, rigid, flat-sided boarding tube, which can be bent at various angles, in order to accommodate articles of irregular shape (not straight).

Other objects of the invention will appear from the description, the attached drawings and the claims that come at the end.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a tubular container that can be bent at multiple angles to contain and protect irregular articles (not straight). The container comprises at least one rigid, hollow, straight section, and at least one hollow tubular elbow or connecting piece. The connector is configured to partially fit within the straight sections, and comprises at least one V-shaped groove, in which the tubular container can be bent. Each straight section is formed of a folded template and has a polygonal cross section. For example, in a preferred embodiment, each straight section comprises four substantially rectangular panels, bent into a tubular shape having a triangular cross section. Each connector is also formed of a bent template and has a polygonal cross section. The template comprises cut-out sections which, when the template is folded, form the V-shaped grooves. In a preferred embodiment, each connector comprises four substantially rectangular panels, bent into a tubular shape having a triangular cross-section. Each connector is slightly smaller than the straight sections, so you can fit inside the straight sections. To assemble a tubular container, a connector is inserted into either end of a central straight section to the desired V-shaped groove. A second connector may be inserted at the opposite end of the straight section, to a V-shaped groove having the same angle or a different angle as the groove of the first connector. Additional straight sections can be slid over the connectors to the V-shaped slots, leaving the slots exposed, so that the container can be folded into the slots. The assembled container can be bent or flexed at the predetermined angle or angles, defined by the slots, with the connectors acting as hinges. Any number of straight sections can be connected using the connectors. End caps can be used to cover the exposed ends of the assembled container.

THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view of a multi-angled tubular container according to the present invention. Figure 2 is a perspective view of a straight section used in the container of Figure 1. Figure 2A is an elevational view of one end of the straight section of Figure 2. Figure 3 is a top plan view of a template used to form a connector used in the container of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a perspective view of a connector used in the container of Figure 1. Figure 5 is a top view of the connector of Figure 4 Figure 6 is a side view of the connector of Figure 4. Figure 7 is an elevational view of one end of the connector of Figure 4. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the multi-angle tubular container of Figure 1, shown in a straight position, and in dotted lines, in a position at an angle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Again with reference to the drawings, one embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1, a rigid, non-round tubular shipping container 10 useful for protecting and shipping straight and non-straight articles. In the preferred embodiment shown, the container 10 comprises two or more (n) rigid straight sections 12, connected by (n-1) connectors 14. However, the invention may comprise a single straight section 12 and one or two connectors. 2 is a perspective view, and Figures 2A is an end view, of a straight section 12. In the embodiment illustrated, the straight section 12 comprises four substantially rectangular panels, joined together along fold lines, for forming a hollow tubular structure, with opposite ends. Each straight section 12 can be formed of a template (not shown) that has been folded longitudinally, so that one panel overlaps another panel and is secured thereto by adhesive or other means, as best shown in Figure 2A. The template can be made of cardboard, corrugated cardboard, plastic, metal or other suitable material. Alternatively, straight sections 12 (and connectors 14) can be formed by molding, extrusion (particularly if the straight section is plastic) or any other means. The straight sections 12 may have a triangular section as shown in the figures, or any suitable cross-sectional shape, such as a rectangle or other polygon. The straight sections 12 have an internal bore that can accommodate the connectors 14 and can be cut to any length. Figure 3 is a plan view of a jig 20 used to form a connector 14. The jig 20 used to form a connector 14. The jig 20 can be made of corrugated cardboard, cardboard, plastic, metal or any suitable material; and comprises first and second edges 22, 24, extending between opposite ends 26. In the illustrated embodiment, the parallel fold lines 28, 30, 32 extend longitudinally between the ends 26, dividing the template into four substantially rectangular panels, a bottom panel 38, side panels 36, 40 and an overlapping panel 34. In a key aspect of the invention, one or more V-shaped sections 42, of the side panels 36, 40 and of the overlapping panel 34, are cut from one another. handle such that, when the template 20 is folded, the V-shaped sections 42 are aligned to form V-shaped slots 16, where the connector 14 can be bent, as explained more fully below. For example, the first V-shaped sections 42a can be cut from the side panels 36, 40, at an angle of 60 degrees, so that their apices 43 are adjacent to the bottom panel 36. Another V-shaped section 42a is cut out of the overlapping panel 34, such that its base (the side away from the apex) attaches to the base of the V-shaped section 42a, cut away from the side panel 36. Each of the three sections 42a trimmed, shaped of V, is defined by opposing edges 44. When the template 20 is assembled to a tubular connector 14, the opposite edges 44a define two planes intersecting at an angle of 60 degrees. Similarly, the second and third sections 42b, 42c, V-shaped, of the side panels 36, 40, and the overlapping panel 34 can be cut at 90 and 30 degree angles, respectively, so that when Assemble the template 20 to a tubular connector 14, two additional V-shaped slots 16b, 16c are formed, which have opposite edges 44b, 44c, intersecting at 90 and 30 degrees, respectively. Figures 4 to 7 are various views of an assembled connector 14. To assemble the connector 14, the template 20 is bent by the fold lines 28, 30, 32, and the overlap panel 34 can be gummed or otherwise secured to the side panel 40. The angle of the V-shaped slots 16 determines the angle to which the connector 14 can be bent. For example, if the angle of the slot 16 is 90 degrees (see the V-shaped slot 16b), then the connector 14 can be bent at a 90 degree angle, which will cause it to bump the opposite edges 44b. As shown in Figures 4 to 6, multiple slots 16a, 16b, 16c, having varying angles, can be cut with a single connector 14 to provide multiple bending angles. Figure 8 is a perspective view of the multi-angular tubular container 10 of Figure 1, before it has been bent or folded, and in dotted lines, after having been. To assemble the container 10 shown in Figure 8, two connectors 14 are inserted into either end of the center straight section 12, to the desired V-shaped slot 16. The two connectors 14 can slide into the V-shaped grooves 16 having equal or different angles, depending on the desired bending characteristics of the container 10. Then two further external straight sections are slid, on the connectors 14, to the same grooves 16 in a V-shape. The V-shaped slots 16, in which the container is to be folded, must be completely exposed and not covered by the outer straight sections 12, in order to allow the container to fully fold 10. The assembled container 10 can then be bent at the predetermined angle or the predetermined angles of the slots 16, using the connectors 14 as hinges. Any number of external straight sections 12 can be connected using the connectors 14. The connectors 14 and the straight sections 12 can be glued or otherwise fixed to each other. Optional end caps (not shown) can be used to cover the exposed ends of the container 10. Straight sections 12 and connectors 14 can be slid over the article to be protected. Alternatively, if the straight sections 12 and / or the connectors 14 can not be slid past any fold or angle in the article, the straight sections 12 and / or the connectors 14 can be bent and gummed around the article. In the latter case, to remove the article, the straight sections and / or connectors 14 can be disassembled or destroyed. In an alternative embodiment, the container 10 comprises only a slotted connector part 14, such as that shown in the figures. 5 to 7. As with the preferred embodiment, the connector part 14 can be folded by bending it along the non-slotted (lower) panel 38 so as to abut the opposite edges 44 of a slot 16. Other modifications and alternative embodiments of the device are contemplated. the invention, which do not depart from the spirit or scope of the invention, as defined by the teachings of the foregoing and by the claims that follow. The claims are intended to cover all those modifications that fall within its scope.

Claims (10)

1 .- A tubular container, characterized in that it comprises: at least one straight section, hollow, rigid; and at least one rigid, hollow tubular connector, configured to partially fit within at least one straight section; the connector comprising at least one slot in which the tubular container can be bent.

2. The tubular container according to claim 1, further characterized in that the at least one slot is V-shaped.

3. The tubular container according to claim 2, further characterized in that the at least one straight section is formed of a bent template, and it has a polygonal cross section.

4. The tubular container according to claim 3, further characterized in that the straight section comprises opposite open ends and three or more substantially rectangular panels, bent to a tubular shape.

5. The tubular container according to claim 4, further characterized in that the at least one tubular connector comprises three or more substantially rectangular panels, bent to a tubular shape, which has a polygonal cross section.

6. - The tubular container according to claim 5, further characterized in that the at least one tubular connector comprises a lower panel and two or more side panels, bent to a tubular shape having a polygonal cross section.

7. The tubular container according to claim 6, further characterized in that the hands on a V-shaped groove is cut out of the side panels.

8. The tubular container according to claim 7, further characterized in that the tubular connector is formed of a template comprising a lower panel, side panels and an overlapping panel, divided by fold lines extending longitudinally; and one or more V-shaped sections, cut out from the side panels and the overlapping panel, such that, when the connector is assembled, the V-shaped sections are aligned to form the V-shaped grooves in which they are formed. you can bend the connector.

9. The tubular container according to claim 8, further characterized in that the at least one tubular connector has triangular cross sections.

10. A tubular container, characterized in that it comprises at least one tubular connector, rigid, hollow; the connecting piece having a polygonal cross section and comprising at least one slot in which the tubular container can be bent. 1 - The tubular container according to claim 10, further characterized in that the slot is formed of a template comprising a lower panel, side panels and an overlapping panel, divided by longitudinally extending fold lines and one or more V-shaped sections, cut out from the side panels and the overlapping panel; such that when the connector is assembled, the V-shaped sections are aligned to form the V-shaped slots in which the connector can be bent. 12. The tubular container according to claim 10, further characterized in that the connecting piece has a triangular cross section.