WO2004063030A1

WO2004063030A1 - Collapsible container

Info

Publication number: WO2004063030A1
Application number: PCT/GB2004/000132
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stephen Capon; Kevin Stach
Original assignee: Stephen Capon; Kevin Stach
Priority date: 2003-01-14
Filing date: 2004-01-14
Publication date: 2004-07-29

Abstract

There is provided a collapsible container (10) including a plurality of mutually interconnected panels (50, 60, 70, 80, 90) so arranged to lie substantially parallel to one another when the container (10) is in its collapsed folded configuration. The plurality of panels (50, 60, 70, 80, 90) are susceptible to being spatially moved mutually away from one another when the container (10) is in its expanded configuration. The container (10) is distinguished in that it further includes deployable rigidity-enhancing features (100, 120, 350, 510, 620, 710) for increasing rigidity of the container (10) when in its expanded configuration. The rigidity-enhancing features (100, 120, 350, 510, 620, 710) are arranged to be deactivatable when the container (10) is to be folded into its collapsed configuration.

Description

COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to collapsible containers; in particular, but not exclusively, the invention relates to a collapsible container including features which enhance rigidity of the container when expanded and yet do not hinder the container being collapsed into a relatively small volume. Moreover, the invention also relates to a method of increasing the rigidity of collapsible containers without substantially impairing their ability to be folded to a relatively compact volume.

Background to the invention

Collapsible containers are known. For example, in a United Kingdom patent application no. GB 2, 367, 283, there is described a collapsible container, for example suitable for holding refuse sacks, comprising a front panel, a rear panel, a first side panel, a second side panel, a base panel and a lid. The rear panel and the front panel are mutual attached by way of the side panels and the base panel so as to be capable of providing a substantially rectangular-form enclosure when in spaced-apart expanded configuration. The lid is coupled by way of a pivotable hinge to the rear panel. In an expanded configuration, each of the side panels assumes a form of a generally planar element. The side panels and the base panel are designed to be collapsible, for example by way of inclusion of linear hinges therein, so that the container can be rendered substantially flat where the front and rear panels are moved mutually spatially close; moreover, when the container is in a collapsed state, the lid folds over the front panel at an exterior face thereof to cover it. In use, the rear panel is preferably fixed to a secure structure, for example a wall or fence, to prevent unwanted movement of the container and to maintain in an upright position when not in use when in its collapsed condition.

The inventors have appreciated that the collapsible container described in the foregoing patent application is insufficiently rigid for many practical applications such that the use of thicker materials for constructing the container is not in itself sufficient to impart adequate rigidity. Thus, the inventors have devised a modified form of collapsible container which is capable of addressing rigidity problems associated with the inventor's present known collapsible container described in the aforesaid patent application. Summary of the invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible container comprising a plurality of mutually interconnected panels so arranged to lie substantially parallel to one another when the container is in its collapsed folded configuration, and to be susceptible to i being spatially moved mutually away from one another when the container is in its expanded configuration, the container characterized in that it further includes deployable rigidity-enhancing means for increasing rigidity of the container when in its expanded configuration, said means being deactivatable when the container is to be folded into its collapsed configuration.

) The invention is of advantage in that it is capable of being rendered more rigid when in an expanded state.

Preferably, in one embodiment of the container, the plurality of panels are mutually interlinked by at least one foldable hinging region and the rigidity-enhancing means includes at least one

5 slidable member, said at least one shdable member arranged to be slidably engageable onto said at least one foldable hinging region to render the container more rigid in its expanded configuration and slidably disengageable from said at least one hinging region to render the container less rigid for folding into its collapsed configuration. Such an implementation of the rigidity-enhancing means is of advantage in that it is compact and relatively inexpensive, for

0 example by using extruded plastics material components.

More preferably, the at least one slidable member is included at an upper peripheral edge of the container to reinforce primarily an upper peripheral region of the container when in its expanded configuration. Such an arrangement is of advantage in that it reinforces most critical load bearing '.5 parts of the container and yet does not unnecessarily significantly increase weight and manufacturing cost of the container.

Preferably, in another embodiment of the container, the container includes attached thereto at least one pivotally mounted member as the rigidity-enhancing means arranged to be: O (a) rotatable to its supportive position whereat it reinforces its corresponding one or more panels when the container is in its expanded configuration; and also (b) rotatable to its deactivated position wherein it renders the container susceptible to being folded into its collapsed configuration. Such an implementation of the rigidity-enhancing means is capable of being inexpensive and straightforward to implement without interfering with foldability of the container in its folded configuration.

5 In a yet further embodiment of the invention, at least one of said plurality of panels includes as the rigidity-enhancing means at least one inwardly-facing projection traversing a region whereat said at least one of said plurality of panels pivotally couples to its adjoining panel, said projection arranged to abut onto said adjoining panel when the container is in its expanded configuration so as enhance rigidity of the container. Such an implementation of the rigidity-enhancing means is

0 of advantage in that it is implemented by way of projections from existing panel components of the container.

Preferably, at least one of the panels is fabricated from a plurality of layers affixed together for enhancing rigidity of said at least one of the panels. Utilizing a plurality of layers is of advantage 5 in that the layers are susceptible to being rapidly manufactured using convention material punching and cutting tools, and subsequent layer bonding also involves using known methods, for example by sewing, adhesive bonding and/or plastics material fusion welding.

The inventors have appreciated that, in order for the container to best retain its shape in its !0 expanded configuration when suspended and when bearing relatively heavy loads therein, it is highly desirable that the container includes a reinforced upper peripheral edge.

In many potential fields of use, the inventors have appreciated that the container beneficially further includes a pivotally-attached lid for enabling the container to substantially fully enclose a

.5 volume therein when in its expanded configuration and the lid is in its closed position. Such a lid is of benefit to keep contents of the container dry and also to prevent interference from environmental agents, for example rain and snow where the container is employed in outdoor venues. Preferably, the lid is arranged to engage onto the container in its closed position so that, in use, a major exterior surface of the lid is at a non-horizontal orientation to assist precipitation 0 run-off therefrom. More preferably, the lid includes around at least part of its peripheral edge a lip to assist sealing of the container when the lid is in its closed position.

In certain fields of use, the container is provided with locking means for use in locking the lid to the container to assist preventing unauthorised access to a volume included within the container when in its expanded configuration. The locking means advantageously includes, for example, one or more of cords for mutual tying, a padlock, Velcro® fasteners, stud press fasteners and a button-loop cord arrangement. Beneficially, the locking means is also arranged to secure the container in its collapsed configuration; such an arrangement enables the locking means to perform a dual function in expanded and collapsed configurations of the container.

The inventors have appreciated that the container is susceptible to being manufactured from a wide range of materials. For example, to satisfy certain market tastes where only organic and/or recyclable materials are acceptable, the container can be fabricated from materials such as wood, leather, natural-fibre and cloth. Alternatively, especially where inexpensive manufacture and/or maximum durability are important, synthetic man-made materials can be alternatively or additionally employed to fabricate the container. Thus, preferably, the container is fabricated from at least one of: plastics materials, wood, leather, imitation leather, metal, woven fabric, expanded flexible plastics material foam, wood board composite, mineral glass composite, carbon fibre composite and wire mesh.

In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible rubbish bag implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible dustbin implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible wheelybin implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention, the container provided with at least one wheel for assisting its transportation across terrain. Preferably, the collapsible wheelybin is compatible with contemporary refuse collection vehicles adapted to provide power-assisted tipping of conventional wheelybins.

In a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible toy box implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention. Preferably, the toy box is provided with collapsible toy bricks therein, at least one of said toy bricks also implemented using a collapsible container according to the first aspect of the invention. More preferably, the toy bricks are provided with coupling means for mutually joining them together to build toy structures. Beneficially, the coupling means includes, for example Velcro® fasteners. In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible gardening container implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention, the gardening container being suitable for receiving organic gardening material and/or waste. Preferably, the 5 collapsible gardening container is implemented as a collapsible compost heap.

In a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible office document filing box implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention. Collapsibility of such an office filing box is of advantage in office environments where available space is at a 0 premium and/or highly fluctuating rates of receipt and dispatch of paper documents is encountered, for example in Government offices handling official forms returned by the public.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a tent storage box implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention. 5

In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible sports equipment box implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible animal transportation box !0 implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible suitcase implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention.

,5 In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible food storage box implemented

. using a container according to the first aspect of the invention. Preferably, the collapsible food storage box further comprises thermal means for assisting to maintain food stored within the box at an elevated and/or depressed temperature relative to external ambient temperature. More preferably, the thermal means is a heat-absorbing reversible gel. Use of such a gel circumvents a

50 need for heating and/or cooling equipment, for example electrical thermal apparatus such as electrical heaters and/or peltier elements, and yet renders the box reusable.

In yet another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible child's vehicular-type toy implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention. Preferably, the toy is provided with additional substantially similar collapsible toys, the toy and its associated similar toys being provided with coupling means for coupling them together. For example, the toy is susceptible to being implemented in a form depicting a steam engine where the aforesaid associated toys are implemented in the form of railway carriages coupled to the steam engine by way of hooks and/or Velcro® strips.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible coffin implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention.

In a yet further aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible building material container for use in housing and/or transporting building materials, the building material container being implemented using a container according to the first aspect of the invention. For example, the building material container is susceptible to being used to transport sand, cement, bricks, tiles, wooden sections, window frames, glass panels, plumbing pipes to mention a subset of potential building components. Preferably, the building material container includes lifting features, for example handles and/or winching hooks, to enable it to be unloaded from lorries, trucks and similar vehicles when at least partially filled with building materials.

In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible swimmers' mat, the mat being implemented from a container according to the first aspect of the invention, the mat being capable of receiving swimmers' clothes for keeping them substantially dry therein, and the mat in its folded state being susceptible to being stood upon by the swimmers.

In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a collapsible childrens' cot implemented from a container according to the first aspect of the invention. Preferably, the cot includes netting attached thereto to provide child support and an inflatable pillow for providing child head support. More preferably, panels of the cot are fabricated from a material susceptible to washing to remove traces of child discharge thereon when in use. Most preferably, the cot is provided with at least one substantially transparent viewing window therein for enabling a child within the cot to be visually inspected and monitored without having to expose the child to draughts.

It will be appreciated that features of the invention can be combined in any combination without departing from the scope of the invention. Description of the diagrams

5 Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the following diagrams in which:

Figure 1 is an illustration of an embodiment of a collapsible container according to the invention including rigidity-enhancing side-panel features; 0

Figure 2 is a view of a base region of the container of Figure 1 with rigidity-enhancing bottom-panel features ;

Figure 3 is a view of a base region of the container of Figure 1 with alternative rigidity- 5 enhancing bottom-panel features;

Figure 4 is an illustration of a side region of the container of Figure 1 with alternative rigidity- enhancing side-panel features;

0 Figure 5 is an illustration of a side region of the container of Figure 1 with further alternative rigidity enhancing side-panel features;

Figure 6 is a view of the collapsible container of Figure 1;

'.5 Figure 7 is an interior view of the container of Figure 1 wherein bottom panels are shown together with hand-accessible flexible lifting handles attached to a lower hinge to assist collapsing the container to a compact configuration;

Figure 8 is an exterior view of the container of Figure 1 wherein a slidable elongate collar is >0 included at an upper region of the container and are deployed to render the container more rigid when in an expanded state but deactivatable by a sliding motion to enable the container to achieve a collapsed configuration; Figure 9 is a view of side panels of the container of Figure 1 wherein the slidable elongate collar is shown in a deactivated state for enabling the container to be folded into a collapsed configuration;

Figure 10 is another view of an interior region of the container of Figure 1 ;

Figure 11 is an exterior view of the complete container of Figure 1 in an expanded configuration; and

Figure 12 is a view of the container of Figure 1 in a collapsed configuration.

Description of embodiments of the invention

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a collapsible container according to the invention, the container indicated generally by 10- The container 10 comprises a lid 20 with associated peripheral lip 40 as illustrated coupled via a flexible pivotal hinge 30 to a rear panel 50 of the container 10. The container 10 further comprises a front panel 60, the rear and front panels 50, 60 respectively being coupled together by way of first and second left-hand side panels 70a, 70b, first and second right-hand side panels 80a, 80b and first and second bottom panels 90a, 90b also as illustrated. The front and rear panels 60, 50 are preferably relatively rigid planar components; optionally, they are fabricated from a plurality of material layers affixed together by one or more of sewing, gluing, riveting and welding. Triangular regions 85a, 85b of flexible material are included to assist the contained fold to its compact folded configuration.

The first left-hand side panel 70a is connected between a peripheral side edge of the rear panel 50 and a pivotal hinge 150a. Similarly, the second left-hand side panel 70b is connected between the hinge 150a and the peripheral side edge of the front panel 60; the hinge 150a is disposed substantially parallel to the peripheral side edges whereat the side panels 70a, 70b are attached to the rear and front panels 50, 60 respectively. Upper edges of the left-hand side panels 70a, 70b are reinforced to enhance their rigidity, for example by including plastics material such a extruded glass fibre rods or metal rods therein, relative to other regions of the side panels 70a, 70b. However, such rigidity reinforcement features 1 0 are not arranged to traverse the hinge 150a, namely each left-had side panel 70a, 70b includes the reinforcement feature substantially along an extent of its upper edge. A slidably-engaged elongate collar 20 retained over the reinforcement features 100 is also included so that the left-hand side panels 70a, 70b are maintained in substantially mutual planar configuration when the collar 120 is slid over the hinge 150a at the upper edges of the left-hand side panels 70a, 70b. Similar considerations pertain also the right-hand side panels 80a, 80b with respect to their associated hinge 150b.

fri inset indicated by 200, the collar 120 is illustrated engaging over the hinge 150a to overlap both left-hand side panels 70a, 70b at reinforcement features 100 thereof to maintain the panels 70a, 70b in rigid spatial configuration when the container 10 is in a deployed expanded configuration. Conversely, in inset indicated by 210, the collar 120 is illustrated slid onto the upper edge of the second left-hand side panel 70b over its reinforcement feature 100 so that it no longer traverses the hinge 150a and first left-hand side panel 70a so that the side panels 70a, 70b can readily pivot together as illustrated to enable the container 10 to retain its folded configuration. Similar considerations pertain to the right-hand side panels 80a, 80b and their associated reinforcement features 100, their collar 120 and their hinge 150b. The collar 120 is preferably fabricated from a flexible extruded plastics material, for example polypropylene, nylon or polyethylene.

The container 10 is susceptible to being configured from its expanded configuration to its folded configuration by applying mechanical force to cause the hinges 140, 150a, 150b to move spatially towards one another. Conversely, the container 10 is susceptible to being configured from its folded configuration to its expanded configuration by applying mechanical force to cause the hinges 140, 150a, 150b to move spatially apart from one another.

Enhancing rigidity at an upper peripheral region of the container 10, namely along upper peripheral edges of the front and rear panels 60, 50 and side panels 70a, 70b, 80a, 80b is found by the inventors to be especially beneficial in rendering the container 10 practical in use when housing items of significant weight.

Preferably, the container 10 is fabricated as a unitary component. Alternatively, it is susceptible to being fabricated from a plurality of individual components which are one or more of sewn, riveted, thermally welded and adhesively bonded together. At least one of the panels 50, 60, 70a, 70b, 80a, 80b, 90a, 90b is preferably optionally fabricated from a plurality of layers. More preferably, the panels 50, 60, 70a, 70b, 80a, 80b, 90a, 90b include plastics material sheet, for example substantially 1 mm thick PVC sheet, which are not only easily stamped out to provide panel components for constructing the container 10 but also easily sewn together. Alternatively, the panels 50, 60, 70a, 70b, 80a, 80b, 90a, 90b can include thin metal sheet, for example 1 mm thick aluminium sheet, to provide enhanced panel rigidity. Outwardly-facing surfaces of the container 10 are beneficially implemented in one or more of woven cloth, imitation plastics material leather, real leather, plastics material film and such like.

The container 10 optionally includes locking features 280, 290, for example repositionable Velcro® strip, for enabling the lid 20 to be securely fastened to the front panel 60 when the lid 20 is positioned to close the container 10 when in an expanded configuration. Alternatively, or additionally, the container 10 is susceptible to being provided with a zip fastener along a peripheral edge of the lip 40 of the lid 20 so that the lid 20 can be secured along its length to one or more of the front and rear panels 60, 50 respectively and the side panels 70a. 70b, 80a, 80b; advantageously, the zip is also operable to secure the lid 20 when the container 10 is in one or more of collapsed and expanded configuration.

Preferably, especially where the container 10 is used in outdoor environments, when the lid 20 is in a closed position to engage the locking features together, an upper outer surface of the lid 10 is sloping, namely non-orthogona] to the front and rear faces 60, 50 so that rain water does not have a tendency to collect on the lid 20.

The rear panel 50 is also beneficially provided with hanging features, for example a hook, to enable the container 10 to be attached to walls, posts and similar substantially vertically-disposed surfaces.

The container 10 of Figure 1 potentially suffers a drawback in that the bottom panels 90a, 90b can bow somewhat when heavy items are placed in the container 10. In this respect, the inventors have devised an improved version of the container 10 wherein the bottom panels 90a, 90b are fashioned as illustrated in Figure 2.

In Figure 2, in a vicinity of the bottom hinge 140, the bottom panels 90a, 90b are provided with alternating overlapping inwardly-facing tongue-like extensions 350a, 350b as illustrated. The extensions 350a derive from the second bottom panel 90b, whereas the extensions 350b derive from the first bottom panel 90a. When the bottom panels 90a, 90b are configured in their deployed expanded configuration whereat they are substantially parallel and their extensions 350b, 350a respectively abut onto inwardly facing surfaces of the bottom panels 90a, 90b, the bottom region of the container 10 is rendered highly rigid when in an expanded deployed configuration; such an arrangement is indicated generally by 300. When the container 10 is in a folded state, planes of the extensions 350a, 350b approach being mutually parallel as indicated generally by 400. The extensions 350a, 350 preferably protrude a distance "d" which is in a range of 25% to 75 % of a basic width "e" of each bottom panel 90a, 90b.

In Figure 3, there is shown an additional or alternative manner in which the bottom region of the collapsible container 10 can be rendered more rigid when the container 10 is in an expanded configuration. There is additionally included a rigidity panel 510 pivotally attached by way of a hinge to a lower peripheral edge of the rear panel 50. Alternatively, the rigidity panel 510 can be pivotally attached to the front panel 60. The rigidity panel 510 preferably has a width "b" which is beneficially in a range 70% to 95% of a combined bottom panel width of "2e". When the container 10 is in its folded configuration, the rigidity panel 510 is pivoted so as to lie substantially parallel to the front and rear panels 60, 50, thereby enabling the hinge 140 to move inwardly to enable the bottom panels 90a, 90b also to lie substantially parallel to the front and rear panels 60, 50 as shown indicated generally by 520.

It will be appreciated that the arrangement of extensions 350a, 350b illustrated in Figure 2 can be optionally combined with inclusion of the rigidity panel 510 to achieve an especially rigidity- enhanced bottom region of the container 10 when deployed in an expanded configuration, and yet not diminish the capability of the container 10 to be folded to its compact collapsed configuration.

The inventors have also appreciated that the rigidity flap 510 can also be incorporated as a rigidity enhancing feature to the side panels 70a, 70b, 80a, 80b as illustrated in Figure 4. In Figure 4, a rigidity panel 620 pivotally attached by way of a hinge 620 to the rear panel 50 is included as illustrated within the container 10 to abut onto, in mutually substantially parallel configuration, the left-hand side panels 70a, 70b. Similar provisions pertain to a rigidity panel for the right-hand side panels 80a, 80b. The rigidity panel 620 is pivoted to lie substantially parallel to the front and rear panels 60, 50 as indicated generally by 650 when the container 10 is in its folded collapsed configuration. It will be appreciated that the rigidity panel 620 can be included as an alternative or an addition to the collar 120 for enhancing rigidity. For enhanced rigidity, the collar 120 and the rigidity panel 620 are both included in the container 10.

5 In a similar manner to Figure 2 wherein alternate inwardly-facing alternate extensions 350a, 350b to the bottom panels 90b, 90a are included to enhance rigidity of the bottom region of the container 10, the side panels 70a, 70b, 80a, 80b can also be provided with such extension features to enhance their rigidity when in an expanded configuration.

0 In order to yet further increase rigidity of the container 10 and yet not significantly enhance its weight and manufacturing cost whilst still enabling the container 10 to be folded to a collapsed configuration, lateral edges of the front and rear panels 60, 50, whereat they are coupled to their associated side panels 70b, 80b, 70a, 80b respectively, can be provided with elongate strengthening struts, for example fabricated from metal rod and/or extruded glass-fibre rod, so as

5 to render the container 10 less susceptible to collapse when a downward force is applied to an upper peripheral edge of the container when in an expanded configuration. The inclusion of such strengthening struts does not impair the ability of the container 10 to be folded to its collapsed configuration.

Ϊ0 It will be appreciated that increasing rigidity of the container 10 in its expanded configuration enables it to be employed in applications which would be impracticable for the collapsible container described in the aforementioned patent application above. Such enhanced rigidity enables stacking of a plurality of the containers 10 as well as applications where the container 10 is required to bear significant weight and/or its contents are relatively heavy.

>5

Figures 6 to 12 provide orthogonal views of the container 10. Preferably, as observed in Figure 10, the hinge 140 is provided with flexible hand-grippable handles 900 coupled to the hinge 140 in regions near extremities of the hinge 140 whereat it meets the side panels 70a, 70b, 80a, 80b. In smaller versions of the container 10, a single central hand-grippable handle is provided. More

50 than two such grippable handles can be provided if required.

An upper edge of the front and rear panels 60, 50 can be provided with reinforcement, for example plastics material rods incorporated therein, in order to strengthen the container 10 further to improve its rigidity when in an expanded configuration. Moreover, it will be further appreciated that modifications can be made to embodiments of the - invention described in the foregoing without departing from the scope of the invention.

As will be elucidated in the following, the container 10 of the invention described in the foregoing is susceptible to being adapted for use in a wide range of applications.

In a first application of use, the container is deployed as a rubbish bag, for example to provide a spatial equivalent of a conventional dustbin or wheelybin; in such use, the container 10 is preferably of generally elongate form with an access lid at a first end of the elongate form and a plurality of wheels at a second end of the elongate form remote from the first end. When the container 1 is employed as a rubbish bag, it is preferably provided with one or more drainage features, for example holes, in lower regions thereof. Moreover, where such a rubbish bag is to be deployed in out-door conditions, it is preferably fabricated from materials which are not rapidly degraded by being exposed to rain, damp and cold; in this respects, plastics materials such as nylon, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acetate, natural and/or synthetic rubberized materials, as well as corrosion-resistant wire mesh, aluminium sheet are especially preferred for the container 10. Beneficially, the container 10 when adapted to function as a dustbin or wheelybin is of benefit in that it occupies less space, is easier to transport and deploy, is potentially easier to manufacture, and is of lower weight in comparison to conventional dustbins and wheelybins.

In a second application of use, the container 10 described in the foregoing is deployed as a general storage box, namely for indoor and/or outdoor situations. For example, in this application, the container 10 is susceptible to being manufactured as a high-quality up-market product for indoor use wherein its panels are stiffened by including, for example, plywood or medium density fibreboard (MDF) therein, the panels including foam padding, for example elastic polyurethane foam padding, and an outer covering of cloth or desirably natural leather or imitation leather; the foam padding assists to prevent panels from being dented and/or fractured. Alternatively, woven nylon cloth, for example black woven nylon cloth, can be used to cover the panels of the container 10 to provide a durable hard-wearing presentable finish thereto.

In a third application of use, the container 10 is deployed as a child's toy box, for example in a nursery and/or a child's bedroom, the container 10 providing an advantage in that it can be neatly collapsed and tidied away in a domestic environment when its contents have been disgorged onto a floor area and/or table area. Similarly, the container 10 can be employed in a domestic environment and/or accommodation environment as a linen box for storing cloth items such as one or more of bed linen, towels, curtains, clothes, coats, shoes, tablecloths and such like. In this respect, the container 10 is preferably fabricated from a material which allows moisture to diffuse into and/or from an interior volume of the container 10 so that the container 10 is able to "breathe" to try to reduce a tendency for its contents to become musty and or moldy after prolonged storage within the container 1 .

In a further application of use, the container 10 is adapted for garden and/or horticultural use wherein it is susceptible to storing garden leaves, chippings and any other sort of garden waste. More preferably, the container 10 is constructed from materials which render it susceptible to being used as a collapsible compost heap such that, after composting, contents of the container 10 can be spread onto flower, lawns and vegetable beds, and then the container 10 then stored compactly in a garage or shed rendering land area where the container 10 stood when deployed as a compost heap available for garden use.

In a further application of use, the container 10 is susceptible to being deployed as a file box suitable for use in clerical and/or office environments where paper files need to be stored for a period of time before being destroyed if no longer relevant. In such use, the container 10 is susceptible to being folded and stowed away ready for subsequent reuse for file storage purposes.

In another application of use, the container 10 is susceptible to being employed as a tent storage box. More preferably, the container 10 forms an integral part of the tent so that it not only provides user protection when deployed but also protects the tent when included within the container 10.

The container 10 is also capable of being used in automotive applications, for example in a rear luggage compartment of an automobile, for example to carry sports equipment, tools and such like. In general, the container 10 is adaptable for use as a travel box, for example a collapsible suitcase, as a pet transportation box, as a picnic box and/or food box. When implemented as a picnic and/or food box, the container 10 advantageously includes compartments for receiving ice packs for cooling or thermal reversible gel for keeping food warm, such thermal reversible gel being conventionally used in thermal gloves to assist keeping users' hands warm. Such gel can boiled which reversibly changes its physical state so that the gel, in reverting to its earlier state, is capable of delivering heat energy stored chemically therein. Such thermal gloves and thermal gel pads were routinely sold in Boots pic. chemists in the United Kingdom during the mid-1990' s. Alternatively, or additionally, sides of the collapsible container 10 can be provided with thermal insulating layers to assist to maintain contents of the container in a warmed or cooled state for a longer period as appropriate. Such insulation preferably comprises one or more of expanded polystyrene and expanded polyurethane foam. The collapsible container 10 is also readily useable by fast-food "Take Away" establishments for housing edible goods presented to customers; beneficial, the collapsible container 10 is fabricated in such a manner that it is reusable and/or readily recyclable, thereby reducing waste and damage to the environment.

The container 10 is susceptible to be fabricated such that at least part of the panels 50, 60, 70a, 70, 80a, 80b are metal sheet, for example aluminium, and also provided with heat degenerating gel as employed in welding environments for heat shielding components. Such an arrangement makes the container 10 useable as a fire-resistant safety enclosure, for example for use by emergence services, by police personnel, and the like. Thus, the container 10 can be arranged to be a fire-resistant zone for providing refuge to personnel in severe fire conditions. More preferably, walls of the container 10 in this application are provided with porous surfaces soaked in an evaporable liquid such as water for cooling purposes. Such an arrangement is potentially useable in desert-like conditions for providing protection from sand-storms and relatively high environmental temperatures as may be experienced in countries such as Saudi Arabia, Morocco and Syria.

The container 10 is also susceptible to being used as an advertising device capable of being deployed rapidly, for example at road side stands, in market places, in shops and such like. Exterior surfaces of the container 10 are preferably printed with advertising material. Alternatively, external faces of the container 10 can be provided with fastening devices, for example Velcro ® and/or press studs so that advertising plaques and similar can be readily affixed to the container 10

The container 10 is also susceptible in a further application for use as a toy item, for example as a collapsible child's wendy house. Such a collapsible wendy house can be dimensioned so as to be susceptible to stowing in a collapsible container according to the invention implemented as a collapsible toy box. The toy box beneficially or alternatively includes toy building bricks which children can interlock, for example by way of Velcro ® fasteners, to build a toy wendy house, the toy building bricks being of generally rectangular form and themselves implemented as collapsible containers according to the invention so that they store conveniently in collapsed form within the aforesaid collapsible toy box; beneficially, the toy building bricks can have printed thereon letters, numbers and similar symbols for child educational purposes. When provided with wheels, the collapsible container 10 is susceptible to being rendered in the form of a toy truck, automobile or similar land vehicle, the container 10 when implemented in this manner being sufficiently rigid to support a child's weight and yet easily collapsible for compact storage purposes. Such a child's toy is preferably provided with interlocking means to couple to other toy vehicles, for example a toy train engine coupled to its associated train carriages wherein both train engines and train carriages are implemented from collapsible containers according to the present invention. In a related application, the collapsible container 10 can be so proportioned, preferably devoid of its lid, so as to render it susceptible for use as a playpen.

The collapsible container 10 is additionally susceptible to being employed as a collapsible office tidy box, for example a desk tidy box. In clerical and/or financial environments, the collapsible container 10 can be adapted to house cash, for example cheques, bank notes and/or coinage.

The collapsible container 10 can also be implemented in miniaturized form to form an enclosure suitable for housing gifts, for example perfume bottles and/or jewelry items, the container 10 providing an advantage in that it can be stored away in minimal volume within retailing premises until deployed for use. Moreover, such miniaturized collapsible containers also are susceptible to occupying less space when transported in a collapsed state to retailing premises.

In a field of undertakers and chapels of rest, the collapsible container 10 is susceptible to being shaped in a profile akin to a coffin to provide collapsible coffins. Such coffins are potentially less expensive and occupy less volume at undertakers' premises in comparison to conventional coffins. Moreover, the collapsible nature of such collapsible coffins means that they rapidly collapse when buried in soil, thereby avoiding an unsightly depression encountered with rigid wooden coffins; with conventional wooden coffins, soil at a ground surface above a rigid coffin has to be left proud to account for subsequent settling with time as the wood decays and eventually collapses. Sets of collapsible containers according to the invention can be used which are ascending/descending size so that the containers are concentrically mountable together, for example in a form akin to a Russian Babushka doll, when at least in an expanded configuration. Alternatively, or additionally, the collapsible containers can be made sufficiently rigid to allow

5 them to be stacked vertically and thereby used in warehouses for merchandise storage. Such stackability renders the collapsible container 10 especially suitable for perishable food storage and transportation, especially with regard to fruits, vegetables and fish for example. In this respect, in view of food commodities often being of a seasonable nature where large quantities of product require storage at specific times of year, for example shortly after harvesting produce, the

0 . collapsible container 10 is of especial benefit in that it can be stored away compactly at times remote from harvest and subsequent transportation to market. In one example, the collapsible container 10 is implemented in a form suitable for use by strawberry pickers, as in "pick-your- own" strawberry venues.

5 In building industries, the collapsible container 10 is susceptible to being used to store bricks, cement, plaster, ballast, sand and such like. Preferably, the lid 20 of the container 10 is sloped to assist rainwater runoff therefrom when deployed in outdoor building-site environments. The collapsible box 10 is preferably sufficiently strong and provided with lifting features, for example lifting hooks, so that the collapsible container 10 with building materials therein in an expanded

.0 configuration can be lifted by crane from a lorry and/or truck onto a building site or similar. The collapsible container 10 can also be adapted to function as a collapsible bucket, namely the container 10 is implemented to be substantially watertight with an open upwardly-facing aperture, for example for use by fire services to bail out flooded premises, and/or in the third world for irrigation purposes where the compactness and potentially low cost of the collapsible container 10

'.5 are of special benefit.

The collapsible container 10 is also susceptible to being employed to fabricate other types of instant furniture, for example wardrobes, shower cubicles, beds, for example where premises have to be furnished rapidly or where furniture has moved around frequently; in this respect, the SO collapsible container 10 in this context can be advantageously employed as stage props in theatrical venues.

The collapsible container 10 is capable in a further application of use of being deployed in postal services, for example as a collapsible postman's bag, as a postable container, as a temporary letter box when provided with posting slot and secure lock for its lid. When used as a postable container, the collapsible container 10 is preferably provided with a reusable lock and or closure for its lid so that it is susceptible to being reused.

In retailing premises, the collapsible container 10 is also useable for customers to house their merchandise, for example on a shopping trolley, to a checkout payment point at the premises, and thereafter to their vehicles, thereby potentially circumventing a requirement for supermarkets to provide disposable shopping bags and thereby reducing environmental waste.

The collapsible container 10 according to the invention is also capable of being deployed as a carriage box on a cycle and/or motorcycle. Preferably, the box is provided with optical reflectors on surfaces thereof to enhance cycle and/or motor cycle safety.

The collapsible container 10 is also susceptible to being deployed as an instant table, for example for use when holding outdoor picnics. More preferably, chairs to accompany such an instant table are also implemented from collapsible containers according to the invention.

The collapsible container 10 can also be implemented as a sports equipment storage box, a fishing box for amateur fishmen and/or professional fishermen at sea where space on board trawlers and similar fishing vessels is often restricted such that the collapsible box is of considerable practical benefit.

The collapsible container 10 is additionally susceptible to being implemented as a collapsible rapidly-deployable boat for use by, for example, rescue services and medical staff to traverse flooded regions to reach casualities. More preferably, the collar 120 is implemented as an inflatable component for rigidizing the container 10 in this application thereof.

The collapsible container 1 is susceptible to being so constructed to function as a swimmers' mat, the container 10 adapted so that it can be expanded to temporarily house swimmers items, for example clothes and towels to keep such items dry.

With regard to clothing, the collapsible container 10 can be incorporated onto at least one of front and rear exterior surfaces of a jacket or similar item of clothing so as to function as a collapsible integral rucksack. The collapsible container 10 is also susceptible to being implemented as a collapsible cot for a child- In such an application, a head pillow for the child is implemented as a plastics-material inflatable component. Preferably, such a pillow has fasteners for securing it to the cot, for example Velcro® fasteners can be utilized for this purpose. When not is use to support the child's head, the pillow preferably attaches to the lid 20. Pockets for child items, for example feeding bottles, spare nappies/diapers and baby clothes, can be included on exterior-facing surfaces of the front and rear panels 60, 50. A netting sling can be provided in the cot for protecting and/or supporting the child. Such a cot is of advantage in that, in a folded configuration, it provides a convenient flat surface on its lid 20 exterior surface for diaper/nappy changing purposes. Preferably, the cot is fabricated from easily washable/wipeable plastics material covering so that the child's parent is able to easily clean the cot after the child has managed to erupt /discharge matter from mouth and posterior regions thereof. Furthermore, the cot is preferably provided with substantially transparent windows therein, for example fabricated from substantially-transparent PVC sheet, so that the parent can view the child when lying in the cot; such viewing is of advantage in that, in outdoor environments, the parent can monitor the child without exposing the child to cold draughts and such like.

Claims

1. A collapsible container (10) comprising a plurality of mutually interconnected panels (50, 60, 70, 80, 90) so arranged to lie substantially parallel to one another when the container (10) is in its collapsed folded configuration, and to be susceptible to being spatially moved mutually away from one another when the container (10) is in its expanded configuration, the container (10) characterized in that it further includes deployable rigidity-enhancing means (100, 120, 350, 510, 620, 710) for increasing rigidity of the container (10) when in its expanded configuration, said means (100, 120, 350, 510, 620, 710) being deactivatable when the container (10) is to be folded into its collapsed configuration.

2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein the plurality of panels are mutually interlinked by at least one foldable hinging region and the rigidity-enhancing means includes at least one slidable member, said at least one slidable member arranged to be slidably engageable onto said at least one foldable hinging region to render the container more rigid in its expanded configuration and slidably disengageable from said at least one hinging region to render the container less rigid for folding into its collapsed configuration.

3. A container according to Claim 2, wherein the at least one slidable member is included at an upper peripheral edge of the container to reinforce primarily an upper peripheral region of the container when in its expanded configuration.

4. A container according to Claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the container includes attached thereto at least one pivotally mounted member arranged to be:

(a) rotatable to its supportive position whereat it reinforces its corresponding one or more panels when the container is in its expanded configuration; and also

(b) rotatable to its deactivated position wherein it renders the container susceptible to being folded into its collapsed configuration.

5. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of said plurality of panels includes as the rigidity-enhancing means at least one inwardly-facing projection traversing a region whereat said at least one of said plurality of panels pivotally couples to its adjoining panel, said projection arranged to abut onto said adjoining panel when the container is in its expanded configuration so as enhance rigidity of the container.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the panels is fabricated from a plurality of layers affixed together for enhancing rigidity of said at least one of the panels-

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container includes a reinforced upper peripheral edge.

8. A container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the container further includes a pivotally-attached lid for enabling the container to substantially fully enclose a volume therein when in its expanded configuration and the lid is in its closed position.

9. A container according to any claim 8, wherein the lid is arranged to engage onto the container in its closed position so that, in use, a major exterior surface of the lid is at a non- horizontal orientation to assist precipitation run-off therefrom.

10. A container according to Claim 8 or 9, wherein the lid includes around at least part of its peripheral edge a lip to assist sealing of the container when the lid is in its closed position.

11. A container according to Claim 8, 9 or 10, wherein the container is provided with locking means for use in locking the lid to the container to assist preventing unauthorised access to a volume included within the container when in its expanded configuration.

12. A container according to Claim 11, therein the locking means is also arranged to secure the container in its collapsed configuration.

13. A container according to any one of the preceding claims fabricated from at least one of: plastics materials, wood, leather, imitation leather, metal, woven fabric, expanded flexible plastics material foam, wood board composite, mineral glass composite, carbon fibre composite and wire mesh.

14. A collapsible rubbish bag implemented using a container according to any one of the preceding claims-

15. A collapsible dustbin implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

16. A collapsible wheelybin implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, the container provided with at least one wheel for assisting its transportation across terrain.

17. A collapsible toy box implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

18. A toy box according to Claim 17, further provided with collapsible toy bricks therein, at least one of said toy bricks also implemented using a collapsible container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

19. A toy box according to Claim 18, wherein the toy bricks are provided with coupling means for mutually joining them together to build toy structures.

20. A toy box according to Claim 19, wherein the coupling means includes Velcro® fasteners.

21. A collapsible gardening container implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, the gardening container being suitable for receiving organic gardening material.

22. A container according to Claim 21 implemented as a collapsible compost heap.

23. A collapsible office document filing box implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

24. A tent storage box implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

25. A collapsible sports equipment box implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

26. A collapsible animal transportation box implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

27. A collapsible suitcase implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

28. A collapsible food storage box implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

29. A box according to Claim 28 further comprising thermal means for assisting to maintain food stored within the box at an elevated and/or depressed temperature relative to external ambient temperature-

30. A box according to Claim 29, wherein the thermal means is a heat-absorbing reversible gel.

31. A collapsible child's vehicular-type toy implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

32. A toy according to Claim 31, wherein the toy is provided with additional substantially similar collapsible toys, the toy and its associated similar toys being provided with coupling means for coupling them together.

33. A collapsible coffin implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

34. A collapsible building material container for using in housing and/or transporting building materials, the building material container being implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

35. A collapsible swimmers' mat, the mat being implemented using a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13, the mat being capable of receiving swimmers' clothes for keeping them substantially dry therein, and the mat in its folded configuration being susceptible to being stood upon by the swimmers-

36. A collapsible childrens' cot implemented from a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

37. A cot according to Claim 36 including netting attached thereto to provide child support and an inflatable pillow for providing child head support.

38. A cot according to Claim 36 or 37 wherein its panels are fabricated from a material susceptible to washing to remove traces of child discharge thereon when in use.

39. A cot according to Claim 36, 37 or 38 provided with at least one substantially transparent viewing windows therein for enabling a child within the cot to be visually inspected and monitored without having to expose the child to draughts.

40. A collapsible boat implemented from a container according to any one of Claims 1 to 13.

41. A collapsible container (10) substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to one or more of Figures 1 to 12.