WO2003059759A1

WO2003059759A1 - Rigid-folding container

Info

Publication number: WO2003059759A1
Application number: PCT/IT2002/000819
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniela Bianchi
Original assignee: Daniela Bianchi
Priority date: 2001-12-28
Filing date: 2002-12-23
Publication date: 2003-07-24
Also published as: AU2002366978A1; ITRM20010771A1

Abstract

Rigid-folding container with a system of fold lines, identified by both horizontal and vertical aggregation of triangles made of rigid material, in order to obtain - through the disposition of minimum movements produced by a pressure or torsion exerted from the outside - containers able to progressively reduce their volume according to the variable amount of contained product.

Description

DESCRIPTION

RIGID-FOLDING CONTAINER - The container in object defines the conditions of operation in the sequential juxtaposition (fig. 2) of a triangular-base module (fig. 1). Such aggregation - as described in fig. 3 defines the fold lines of containers in one of the possible basic figures (hexagon) - produces, in space, a sequence of movements along an helical spiral (fig. 4) which enables the invention to become folding trough the disposition of minimum movements produced by a pressure or torsion exerted from the outside and which does not imply any deformation of the constituent parts of the container. The container is, for its constitution, in a state of equilibrium lacking in inner tensions, both in contracted and unfolded disposition, as well as in intermediate dispositions (fig. 5). All that is made possible by the uniformity of folds allowed by the non-deformable triangular module. Structural non- deformability of container does not restrain any specific material from its manufacturing. In fact the container, although innovating the principles of constitution and operation of containers currently in use, fully uses their industrial production processes. The container, for its shape, has not restrictions in its measure/volume: the free definition of the surface extension of triangles, and the equally free - for number - aggregation of them in succession on horizontal and vertical plan enable the limitless disposition of measures of the container. The folding of container does not occur by collapse of the structure, but by a definite volume reduction in the same direction of the fold lines also preserving, when the container is going out of use, a formal peculiarity completely controlled. The container, thanks to the setting up of its system of folds and to its structural non-deformability, makes the sequence contraction- unfolding reversible. Such disposition makes the container re-usable and multi-use. The specific configuration of folds makes the volumetric reduction of container possible according to the needs: by different stages (fig. 6), by uniform reduction (fig. 5). In contraction phase the container remarkably increases its resistance ability to deformations of the vertical axis thanks to the rigidity given by the folds placed on the catheti of each triangle (fig. 7). The container can have different shapes (fig. 5) which can be obtained through the possible aggregations of triangles on horizontal bands using, at the base of the container, any geometrical configurations belonging to the geometry of regular polygons. For example: 8 triangles aggregated on horizontal band originate a square-base container; 12 triangles aggregated on horizontal band originate an hexagonal base container (fig. 3).

Claims

1) CLAIM 1 - Rigid-folding container distinguished by a system of fold lines, identified by both horizontal and vertical aggregation of triangles (fig.l) made of rigid material, in order to obtain - through the disposition of minimum movements produced by a pressure or torsion exerted from the outside (fig. 4) - containers able to progressively reduce their volume (fig. 6) according to the variable amount of contained product, creating a definite alternative to the rigidity of containers currently in production.

2) . Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIN N. 1 distinguished by its system of folds and by its non-deformable rigid structure of triangles which, in contraction phase caused by a torsion or pressure exerted from the outside, impede its collapse making possible its successive unfolding and re-use possible through the exertion of a counter-torsion .

3) Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM N. 1 which is distinguished, in contraction phase, by a predefined formal identity underlying the fold lines - which is an alternative to the structural and formal collapse of rigid containers - as any constituent part of the container is not involved in deformation.

4) Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM N. 1 which, in contraction phase, remarkably increases its resistance ability to deformations of the vertical axis thanks to the rigidity given by the folds placed on the catheti of each triangle (fig. 7).

5) Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM N. 1 distinguished by its specific fold configuration on which, extorting a little pressure or torsion, the volumetric reduction by different stages is made possible (fig. 6) in order to maximize preservation of the contained product during the phase of its progressive reduction. 6) Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM N. 5 distinguished by its system of folds which enables, as alternative to reduction by different stages, the progressively uniform reduction of the envelope (fig. 6) produced by a definite pressure or torsion exerted on the envelope from the outside.

7) Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM N. 1 distinguished by its system of fold lines which, reducing its volume, makes its preservation easier (space-saver) and, when it is going out of use - through the reduction in its original volume up to 9Λ10 - helps its disposal (fig. 5).

8) Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM N. 1 distinguished by its reduction in volume which enables a remarkable improvement in storing and transport phases of containers for their commercialization.

9) Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM N. 1 distinguished by its different shapes (fig. 5) which may be obtained through the different possible aggregations of triangles on horizontal bands using, at the base (plan) of the container, any geometric configuration belonging to the geometry of regular polygons. For example: 12 triangles aggregated on each horizontal band originate an hexagonal base container (fig. 3).

10) Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM N. 1 distinguished by triangles lacking in restraints of measure and surface which, in the free number of horizontal and vertical aggregations, enable the limitless measure / volume disposition of the container.

11) Rigid-folding container AS CLAIMED IN CLAIM N. 1 distinguished by its system of fold lines which, together with the rigid surface of the triangles, produces a state of equilibrium of the structure both in contraction and unfolding phase. Therefore, the non-defoπnability of its structure does not restrain any material from its manufacturing.