WO1998046489A1

WO1998046489A1 - Collapsible container

Info

Publication number: WO1998046489A1
Application number: PCT/EP1998/002148
Authority: WO
Inventors: Patrick Mcgonagle
Original assignee: Patrick Mcgonagle
Priority date: 1997-04-11
Filing date: 1998-04-09
Publication date: 1998-10-22
Also published as: GB2338698A; GB9923757D0; AU7216198A; GB2338698B

Abstract

The present invention relates to a container (10) which is reversibly collapsible about its longitudinal axis between a collapsed position and a spaced-apart position. The container (10) comprises a lid (12); a body (14); and a base (16), the body (14) having at least one fold line (36, 38) in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The invention is particularly applicable to a collapsible ballot box for secure storage and transport of ballot papers.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER

The present invention relates to a container reversibly collapsible about its longitudinal axis between a collapsed position and a spaced-apart position. The invention has particular application to, but is not limited to, a collapsible ballot box for secure storage and transport of ballot papers.

According to the invention there is provided a container reversibly collapsible about its longitudinal axis between a collapsed position and a spaced-apart position, the container comprising a lid; a body; and a base, the body having a fold line in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis .

Preferably, the body has an external fold line and a substantially parallel internal fold line.

More preferably, the body has a plurality of alternate substantially parallel external and internal fold lines.

Advantageously, the container is provided with means for reversibly holding the container in the spaced-apart position. More advantageously, the holding means comprises a strut extending, in use, between the base and the lid, to hold the container in the spaced-apart position.

Even more advantageously, the container is adapted to be held in one of a plurality of desired spaced-apart positions, by the provision of a plurality of stackable struts, the stackable strut or the desired number of stackable struts extending, in use, between the base and the lid, to hold the container in the desired spaced-apart position.

Alternatively, the container is adapted to be held in one of a plurality of desired spaced-apart positions, by the provision of a telescopic strut extending, in use, between the base and the lid, to hold the container in the desired spaced-apart position.

Preferably, the container is additionally provided with means for maintaining the container in the collapsed position.

More preferably, the maintaining means comprises a pivotable bracket extending between opposing sides of the lid and a mating groove provided in the base.

Even more preferably, the maintaining means comprises a pair of pivotable brackets and a pair of mating grooves . Advantageously, the container is substantially cuboid, whose longitudinally extending corners are modified to form radii.

More advantageously, the container is substantially cube -shaped.

Preferably, an opening is provided in the lid.

More preferably, a shutter plate is provided adjacent the opening, the shutter plate being adapted and arranged to move between a first position, in which the shutter plate covers the opening, and a second position, in which the shutter plate does not cover the opening.

Even more preferably, the lid is pivotably attached to the body.

Six embodiments of the invention will now be described, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which : -

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a container according to the present invention;

Figures 1A and IB are partial plan and sectional views, respectively, of the container of Figure 1; Figures 2 and 3 are perspective views of the container of Figure 1 in a spaced-apart position and in a collapsed position, respectively;

Figures 3A and 3B are partial sectional views of the container of Figure 1;

Figures 4A and 4B are side views of a second embodiment of a container according to the present invention in a spaced-apart position and in a collapsed position, respectively;

Figures 5A and 5B are side views of a third embodiment of a container according to the present invention in a spaced-apart position and in a collapsed position, respectively;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of a fourth embodiment of a container according to the present invention;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal sectional view of the fifth embodiment of a container according to the present invention;

Figures 8A-D are side views of a sixth embodiment of a container according to the present invention in a collapsed position and in first, second and third desired spaced-apart positions, respectively; and Figure 9 schematically illustrates post-forming of a body of a container according to the present invention.

In the drawings, similar numerals have been given to like parts.

Referring to Figures 1-3, 3A and 3B of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a first embodiment of a container according to the invention, generally indicated as 10.

The container 10 comprises a lid 12, a body 14 and a base 16.

The lid 12 is pivotably attached to the body 14, by pivot means 18. The pivot means 18 can comprise one or more hinges or, alternatively, a pivot rod arrangement, or, indeed, any other conventional pivot means.

An opening 20 is provided in the lid 12, to receive ballot papers if the container 10 is to be used as a ballot box. Referring to Figures 1A and IB, the longitudinal edges 21 of the opening 20 are chamfered, to facilitate use by the physically disabled. In addition, brightly coloured, for example, yellow strips 23, are provided adjacent each longitudinal edge 21, to facilitate use by the visually impaired. A shutter plate 22 is pivotably attached to the lid 12 adjacent the opening 20. The shutter plate 22 is pivotable between a first position, in which the shutter plate 22 covers the opening 20 (as illustrated in Figure 3), and a second position, in which the shutter plate 22 does not cover the opening 20 (as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2) . It will be appreciated that, alternatively, the lid 12 may be adapted to permit the shutter plate 22 to slide between the first position and the second position (not shown) .

An eye 24 extends from the lid 12 and an aligned aperture 26 is provided in the shutter plate 22 so that, in the first position, the eye 24 projects out of the aperture 26 and securing means 28 may be attached to the eye 24, to secure the shutter plate 22 in the first position. The securing means 28 may comprise a conventional padlock as illustrated in Figure 3.

Alternatively, the securing means 28 may comprise any conventional tamper-evident seal means.

A plurality of eyes 30 extend from the body 14 and aligned apertures 32 are provided in the lid 12 distal the pivot means 18. Thus, when the lid 12 is closed (as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3) , the eyes 30 project out of the respective apertures 32 and securing means 34 may be attached to the respective eyes 30, to secure the lid 12 in the closed position. Once again, the securing means 34 may comprise a padlock or the like or, indeed, any conventional tamper-evident seal means. The body 14 is reversibly collapsible along its longitudinal axis between a collapsed position as illustrated in Figure 3 and a spaced-apart position as illustrated in Figures 1 and 2. The body 14 is provided with a plurality of alternate substantially parallel external fold lines 36 and internal fold lines 38 (the latter not shown in Figures 1-3) although it will be appreciated that the body 14 will collapse if a single external or internal fold line is provided.

The body 14 is substantially cube-shaped whose longitudinally extending corners are modified to form radii 40. It will be appreciated that the optimum shape for such a collapsible container 10 is cylindrical. However, a cylindrical container is not efficient for the storage of rectangular shaped papers such as ballot papers. Thus, where the container 10 is to be used as a ballot box, the optimum shape is substantially cuboid, preferably substantially cube-shaped, in which the longitudinally extending corners are modified by the provision of substantial radii 40, to enable the container 10 to collapse.

The body 14 has an open mouth 42 adjacent the lid 12. The open mouth 42 is reinforced by attaching a reinforcing frame 44 thereto, so that the lid 12 is pivotably mounted on the frame 44. Referring to Figures 3A and 3B of the accompanying drawings, Figure 3A illustrates the body 14 spaced-apart from the frame 44 and Figure 3B illustrates the engagement of the body 14 with the frame 44 by means of a screw 44a or the like into a screw receiving means 44b. Alternatively, the frame 44 may be fixed to the rim of the body 14 in any other conventional manner, for example, by welding, riveting, clamping, gluing or the like. Whilst use of a reinforcing frame 44 is preferred, it is not essential. If the reinforcing frame 44 is not present, the lid 12 is pivotably mounted directly onto the body 14.

The body 14 may be formed from a transparent material, to permit visualisation of the contents of the container 10. It may be desirable to form the container 10 from a flame retardant material if it is desired to securely store the container 10 and its contents over a prolonged period.

The container 10 is provided with means for reversibly holding the container 10 in the spaced-apart condition. The holding means comprises two struts 46 each pivotably mounted at 48 to opposing sides of the base 16. In the collapsed position illustrated in Figure 3, each strut 46 folds under the base 16 for storage and, in the spaced-apart position illustrated in Figure 2, each strut 46 is engaged by opposing rims of the reinforcing frame 44.

The container 10 is also provided with means for maintaining the container 10 in the collapsed position. The maintaining means comprises a pair of brackets 50 pivotably mounted on the reinforcing frame 44. The brackets 50 are shaped and dimensioned to engage a pair of grooves 52 (not shown in Figures 1-3) in the base 16, so as to maintain the lid 12 and the base 16 substantially side-by-side. Alternatively, the pair of brackets 50 may be pivotably mounted on the reinforcing frame 44 about the front and rear sides of the container 10 (as viewed in Figure 3 but not, however, as shown) and, in that event, the pair of brackets 50 serve, in the collapsed position, to both maintain the container 10 in the collapsed position and to lock the struts 46 in place.

It will be appreciated that the pair of brackets 50 may be replaced by a single bracket 50 (not shown) and, in that event, the single bracket 50 would be more centrally mounted and would be shaped and dimensioned to engage under the base 16.

It will also be appreciated that the pair of brackets 50, or the single bracket 50 (not shown) may also be used as a handle or handles to carry the container 10. Thus the, or each, bracket 50 is provided with a hollow cylindrical gripping member 54, arranged about the bracket 50.

Referring to Figures 4A and 4B of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a second embodiment of a container according to the invention, generally indicated as 110.

The container 110 comprises a lid 112 pivotably attached to a reinforcing frame 144; a body 114 to which the reinforcing frame 144 is fixed; and a base 116. The base 116 is fixed to a second reinforcing frame 144a, which is identical to the reinforcing frame 144, and the second reinforcing frame 144a is fixed to the body 114 in any conventional manner.

The holding means comprises a pair of over-centre stays 56. Each over-centre stay 56 comprises a first arm 58 pivotable about a first boss 60 extending from the second reinforcing frame 144a; and a second arm 62 pivotable at 64 about the first arm 58 and pivotable about a second boss 66 extending from the reinforcing frame 144. A third boss 68 is provided on the second reinforcing frame 144a and a mating recess 70 is provided on the first arm 58. In the spaced-apart position illustrated in

Figure 4A, the first and second arms 58, 62 have formed the substantially rectilinear arrangement of the spaced- apart position. When it is desired to collapse the container 110, pressure is applied onto the pivot 64 (in a rightward direction for the container 110 of Figure 4A) to force the first and second arms 58 and 62 through a rectilinear arrangement and into a substantially side-by- side arrangement in which the third boss 68 is in mating engagement with the recess 70, as illustrated in Figure 4B. Thus, the third boss 68 and recess 70 can form the means for maintaining the container 110 in the collapsed position. Alternatively, the recess 70 can be shaped and dimensioned to merely permit the first and second arms 58, 62 to lie in substantially side-by-side arrangement and, in that event, a separate maintaining means will be provided.

The separate maintaining means comprises a pair of opposing catch 72 and aligned lug 74 arrangements positioned so that, in the collapsed position of Figure 4B, each catch 72 is engaged in the respective lug 74. In use, the container 110 is released from the collapsed position, by exerting pressure on each catch 72 whilst pulling the reinforcing frame 144 and the second reinforcing frame 144a apart .

It will be appreciated that the maintaining means may comprise both the third boss 68 and mating recess 70 arrangement, as well as, the pair of opposing catch 72 and aligned lug 74 arrangements.

Referring now to Figures 5A and 5B of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a third embodiment of a container according to the present invention, generally indicated as 210.

The container 210 comprises a lid 212; a reinforcing frame 244; a body 214 and a base 216. Figure 5A illustrates the spaced-apart position in which a separable strut 246 is shown both in dotted outline and in solid outline, in position, with its free ends located in mouths 76, 78 in the reinforcing frame 244 and base 216, respectively.

Figure 5B illustrates the collapsed position, in which the brackets 250 are indicated in dotted outline in a carrying mode and are indicated in solid outline in position in the grooves 252 provided in the base 216, so as to maintain the container 210 in the collapsed position.

Referring now to Figure 6 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a fourth embodiment of a container according to the present invention, generally indicated as 310.

The container 310 comprises a lid 312; a reinforcing frame 344; a body 314; a second reinforcing frame 344a; and a base 316.

The holding means comprises a pair of struts 346, 346a, one pivotable about 348 adjacent the base 316 and the other pivotable about 348a adjacent the lid 312. The strut 346 is held by snap fit engagement of a boss 80 extending from the reinforcing frame 344 in an aperture 82 in the strut 346. Similarly, the strut 346a is held by snap fit engagement of a boss 80a extending from the second reinforcing frame 344a in an aperture 82a in the strut 346a.

In Figure 6, the struts 346, 346a are shown in dotted outline in position to hold the container 310 in the spaced-apart position and arrows indicate their respective pivotable movements to their respective storage positions (indicated in solid outline) under the base 316 and over the lid 312. The strut 346a may be a plate member shaped and dimensioned to occlude the opening 320 in the lid 312 and, thereby,- dispense with the need for the separate shutter plate 22 of Figures 1-3.

The maintaining means is not illustrated in the

Figure 6 embodiment and, if present, may take the form of a resilient means, for example, an elastic band, positioned about the lid 312 and the base 316, to maintain the lid 312 and the base 316 substantially side-by-side.

Referring now to Figure 7 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a fifth embodiment of a container according to the present invention, generally indicated as 410.

The container 410 comprises a lid 412; a reinforcing frame 444; a body 414; and a base 416. Projections 84 extend from the base 416 and aligned recesses 86 are formed in the reinforcing frame 444. The holding means comprise a series of one or more stackable struts 446. In Figure 7, a series of three stackable struts 446 are employed, but, equally, one or two stackable struts 446 might be employed, if a smaller capacity of container 410 is desired.

The maintaining means comprises the catch 472 and lug 474 arrangement. It will be appreciated that any conventional means of maintaining the container 410 in the collapsed position may, alternatively, be employed.

Referring now to Figures 8A-D of the accompanying drawings, there is schematically illustrated a sixth embodiment of a container according to the invention, generally indicated as 510.

The container 510 comprises a lid 512; a reinforcing frame 544; a body 514, a second reinforcing frame 544a; and a base 516.

The holding means comprises a telescopic strut 546 comprises first and second hollow limbs 84, 86 whose free ends are pivotably and slidably engaged in channels (not shown) in the reinforcing frame 544 and in the second reinforcing frame 544a, respectively. An extension limb 88 is slidably housed in the first and second limbs 84, 86. Figure 8A illustrates the container 510 adjacent the collapsed position and Figure 8B illustrates the container 510 in a first spaced-apart position, in which the first and second limbs 84, 86 are in end-to-end engagement. Figure 8C illustrates the container 510 in a second spaced-apart position, in which the extension limb 88 partially extends from the first and second limbs 84, 86 and Figure 8D illustrates the container 510 in a third spaced-apart position, in which the extension limb 88 almost completely extends from the first and second limbs 84, 86. The holding means is held in the desired spaced- apart position by the provision of, for example, a series of spring-biased knobs on the extension limb 88 (not shown) and by a corresponding series of apertures on the first and second limbs 84, 86 (not shown) .

It will be appreciated that, in general, there is a compromise between the stiffness of the container itself and the ability of the container to collapse. The stiffness of the container is determined by the shape of the fold lines 36, 38, by the wall thickness itself and by the nature of the material used to form the wall. Thus, whilst it is desirable that the container be sufficiently stiff to resist damage, this may adversely affect the ability of the container to collapse.

Referring now to Figure 9 of the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a post moulding operation in which the body wall is stretched and, therefore, the wall thickness is locally reduced at the fold lines 36, 38. This can be achieved using a pair of co-operating rollers 90, 92. One roller 90 is inside the container 10 and the mating roller 92 is outside the container 10. One, or both, of the rollers 90, 92 are driven by a drive means (not shown) . In use, the rollers 90, 92 are separated to enable the container 10 to be inserted between the rollers 90, 92. The rollers 90, 92 are then closed and the container 10 is driven around the rollers 90, 92 until the wall thickness at the fold lines 36, 38 is locally thinned.

The container 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 is preferably made from plastics, most preferably blow moulded plastics such as polypropylene or polythene or, alternatively, from cardboard or reinforced fabric. The container 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 may be transparent, translucent or opaque, as is desired.

The container 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 in the storage or collapsed position may, in addition, contain a tray for holding stationery or the like (not shown) . When it is desired to use the container 10, 110, 210, 310, 410, 510 in the spaced-apart position and the tray, the tray is withdrawn through the opening 20, 120, 220, 320, 420, 520. Thus, the collapsed container facilitates storage of the tray or the like . It will be appreciated that the container according to the invention can be stored in the collapsed position in a fraction of the space required by a container in the spaced-apart position. Thus, the collapsed container 10 of Figure 3 takes up just 25% of the space required by the spaced-apart container of Figures 1 and 2, thereby permitting more efficient storage of collapsed containers according to the present invention.

It will also be appreciated that the capacity of the container according to the invention can be modified to a desired spaced-apart position, by the use of the holding means of the fifth and sixth embodiments of the container according to the invention. Indeed, the holding means of the sixth embodiment has the additional advantage of being capable of capacity modification without opening the container according to the invention. Equally, the struts 46 of the first embodiment could be replaced by telescopic struts (not shown) and, in that event, the capacity of the container 10 could be modified to the desired spaced-apart position. This permits more efficient storage and transport of spaced-apart containers according to the present invention.

It will be further appreciated that the height of the container according to the invention can be lowered, in use, to permit for example, wheelchair-bound users to use the container according to the invention.

Claims

1. A container reversibly collapsible about its longitudinal axis between a collapsed position and a spaced-apart position, the container comprising a lid; a body; and a base, the body having a fold line in a plane substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

2. A container according to Claim 1, in which the body has an external fold line and a substantially parallel internal fold line.

3. A container according to Claim 2, in which the body has a plurality of alternate substantially parallel external and internal fold lines.

4. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the container is provided with means for reversibly holding the container in the spaced-apart position.

5. A container according to Claim 4, in which the holding means comprises a strut extending, in use, between the base and the lid, to hold the container in the spaced- apart position.

6. A container according to Claim 5, in which the container is adapted to be held in one of a plurality of desired spaced-apart positions, by the provision of a plurality of stackable struts, the stackable strut or the desired number of stackable struts extending, in use, between the base and the lid, to hold the container in the desired spaced-apart position.

7. A container according to Claim 5, in which the container is adapted to be held in one of a plurality of desired spaced-apart positions, by the provision of a telescopic strut extending, in use, between the base and the lid, to hold the container in the desired spaced-apart position.

8. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the container is additionally provided with means for maintaining the container in the collapsed position.

9. A container according to Claim 8, in which the maintaining means comprises a pivotable bracket extending between opposing sides of the lid and a mating groove provided in the base .

10. A container according to Claim 9, in which the maintaining means comprises a pair of pivotable brackets and a pair of mating grooves.

11. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the container is substantially cuboid, whose longitudinally extending corners are modified to form radii.

12. A container according to Claim 11, in which the container is substantially cube-shaped.

13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which an opening is provided in the lid.

14. A container according to Claim 13, in which a shutter plate is provided adjacent the opening, the shutter plate being adapted- and arranged to move between a first position, in which the shutter plate covers the opening, and a second position, in which the shutter plate does not cover the opening.

15. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the lid is pivotably attached to the body.