WO2008117153A1

WO2008117153A1 - Ballot box

Info

Publication number: WO2008117153A1
Application number: PCT/IB2008/000676
Authority: WO
Inventors: Luke James Smith
Original assignee: Itw Limited
Priority date: 2007-03-23
Filing date: 2008-03-21
Publication date: 2008-10-02
Also published as: GB2447619A; EP2130188A1; GB0705641D0

Abstract

A collapsible ballot box comprises an enclosure having a base, side walls and a lid, wherein the side walls are formed of a flexible material. The box further comprises first elongate stiffening elements for the side walls in the form of lengths of rigid plastics tubing. Where the enclosure is rectangular-box shaped, the first stiffening elements are provided in the vertical comers. The box also comprises second elongate stiffening elements for the edges of the lid in the form of a rigid band.

Description

BALLOT BOX

This invention relates to ballot boxes, particularly collapsible ballot boxes. A ballot box is a container which can be sealed for receiving and storing ballot papers in an election.

It is convenient for ballot boxes to take the form of a collapsible structure. The boxes can then be transported to polling stations in their collapsed state for assembly before the election is conducted. For large scale elections, transportation costs can be significantly reduced in this way.

A number of construction techniques have been used for known collapsible ballot boxes. For example, hinged metal constructions have been used to provide boxes that are rigid and secure in their assembled state. However, hinged metal ballot boxes are heavy and are relatively expensive to produce. To overcome this problem, plastic constructions which are collapsible by virtue of the plastic material's inherent flexibility have been extensively used.

Collapsible plastic ballot boxes are typically formed from plastic sheeting, which may be reinforced to prevent tearing, for example by integrating a fabric web into the material. Some form of rigid support is also needed for the boxes, so as to maintain their assembled state. This is achieved in a typical known box by reinforcing the front and rear side walls with a fibreboard core. The left and right side walls, base and lid of the box are flexible, and therefore collapsible. Rigid panels reinforced with a fibreboard core are provided for the left and right side walls of the box, and these panels are hingedly connected along one of their vertical edges to the front or rear side walls of the box.

In the collapsed state, the rigid panels remain parallel with the front and rear side walls, and the left and right side walls, base and lid are folded or concertinaed to form a substantially flat structure. To assemble the box for use, the rigid panels are swung through 90 degrees so that they are parallel and coextensive with the left and right side walls. The rigidity of the side walls prevents the box from collapsing.

Although the above described ballot box is acceptable from a functional perspective, its construction requires relatively large amounts of material, particularly in the rigid panels.

According to the invention, there is provided a collapsible ballot box comprising an enclosure having a base, side walls and a lid, wherein the side walls are formed of a flexible material, wherein the box further comprises first elongate stiffening elements for the side walls and second elongate stiffening elements for edges of the lid, and wherein the first stiffening elements extend between the base and the lid.

The ballot box of the invention has been found to effectively meet the functional need for a rigid structure, while at the same time being collapsible for transportation prior to use. All this is achieved with the efficient use of materials. In particular, the need for rigid panels which swing into place for stiffening the left and right side walls is entirely avoided.

All sides of the enclosure, including the base and lid, may be formed of a flexible plastics material, such plasticised polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The sides, particularly the base, may be reinforced with fibre reinforcement. The sides may be at least partially formed of a transparent material so that the contents of the box can be seen.

It has been found that sufficient rigidity can be imparted to the ballot box by providing the first elongate stiffening elements between the base and the lid and the second elongate stiffening elements around the lid.

Stiffening elements are not generally required around the base of the enclosure. The base can, however, be stiffened by the addition of a pair of third stiffening elements formed of a rigid material, such as polypropylene. The gap between the third stiffening elements defines a line about which the base will fold when the ballot box is collapsed.

The enclosure is preferably rectangular box-shaped, but have a different shape such as cylindrical. When the enclosure is rectangular box shaped, the first stiffening elements are preferably attached to the vertical corners of the enclosure.

The first stiffening elements may comprise lengths of rigid plastic tubing. Where the enclosure is rectangular box-shaped, the vertical edges of the side walls may be directly welded to the lengths of tubing or to sheaths containing the lengths of tubing.

The second stiffening elements may together define a rigid band. Thus, where the enclosure is rectangular box-shaped, the second stiffening elements may together define a rigid rectangular-shaped band. A first side of the band may be hingedly attached to the rear side wall of the enclosure at a position adjacent to and parallel with its upper edge. The hinged attachment enables the band to be positioned flat against the rear side wall when the ballot box is collapsed.

The rectangular-shaped band may be formed of a plastics coated metal frame, and the hinged attachment may then be achieved by welding the band to the flexible material of the rear side wall.

Fastening means may be attached to the other sides of the rectangular-shaped band and to the other side walls of the enclosure at positions adjacent to and parallel with their upper edges. These fastening means enable the band to be held parallel to the lid when the ballot box is in its assembled state. The fastening means may comprise hook and loop fasteners, with the fasteners on the band forming a sleeve. The lid is preferably hingedly attached to the first side wall of the enclosure, for example by virtue of the flexibility of their material. A zip fastener is preferably provided between the lid and the other side walls of the enclosure.

A slot for receiving ballot papers is preferably provided in the lid. The slot may have a zip fastener.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described in detail, by way of example only, with reference to Figure 1 , which is a perspective view of a ballot box according to the invention in an assembled state.

The invention provides a collapsible ballot box having a rectangular box- shaped enclosure. The enclosure comprises a base, four side walls and a lid, and at least the side walls are flexible. By the term "flexible", it is meant that the material can be folded against itself. The box also comprises first elongate stiffening elements for the vertical corners of the box and second elongate stiffening elements for the edges of the lid.

Figure 1 shows a preferred embodiment of a ballot box 1 according to the invention. With reference to the drawing, the box 1 comprises a rectangular box-shaped enclosure having a base 3, four side walls and a lid 5. The side walls comprise a front side wall 7a, a rear side wall 7c, a left side wall 7b and a right side wall 7d. The outside of the enclosure is approximately 450mm wide, 450mm deep and 600mm tall.

The side walls 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d are formed from single sheet of flexible (plasticised) transparent PVC which is folded to form the vertical corners of the enclosure. . Opposite edges of the sheet are welded together along a vertical centreline of the rear sidewall 7c.

The front and rear side W9lls 7a, 7c are provided with pockets 21a, 21 b formed of transparent PVC. The pockets 21a, 21b are welded to the side walls along three edges. The pockets 21a, 21b are for holding labels which may, for example, be printed with voting instructions.

First stiffening elements in the form of lengths of rigid plastic tubing 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d sewn into flexible PVC sheaths are welded into the vertical comers of the enclosure. Each length of tubing has a length of approximately 540mm and a diameter of approximately 14mm.

The base 3 of the ballot box 1 comprises an outer layer of fiber reinforced flexible PVC and an inner lining of flexible transparent PVC welded to the side walls 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d. A pair of transparent base stiffening elements 10a, 10b formed of polypropylene is sandwiched between the outer layer and the inner lining. The base stiffening elements 10a, 10b are held in place by a central weld, and define a space therebetween which corresponds roughly to a lateral centreline of the base 3.

The function of the base stiffening elements 10a, 10b is to help maintain the rigidity of the assembled ballot box 1 , and to promote folding of the base 3 along the lateral centreline when the ballot box 1 is collapsed.

The lid 5 of the ballot box 1 comprises an outer layer and an inner lining, both formed of flexible, transparent PVC. A lid stiffening element (not shown) formed of transparent polypropylene is sandwiched between the outer layer and the inner lining. The function of the lid stiffening element is to stiffen the lid.

The lid 5 is hingedly attached to the upper edge of the rear side wall 7c by welding. The lid 5 is attached to the other side walls 7a, 7b, 7c by a zip fastener 11 opposite sides of which are welded to the lid 5 and the side walls 7a, 7b, 7d. The zip fastener includes a security seal chamber of the type disclosed in GB 1424680, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. An elongate slot 13 having a length of approximately 300mm is formed in the centre of the lid 5 for receiving ballot papers. The slot 13 is provided with a welded zip fastener having a security seal chamber of the type disclosed in GB 1424680.

The ballot box 1 also comprises second stiffening elements in the form of a rigid rectangular-shaped band 15. The band 15 is formed of plastics coated metal and has dimensions slightly smaller than those of the lid 5. A first side of the band is hingedly attached to the upper edge of the rear side wall 7c by welding immediately below the welded lid 5.

The three other sides of the band 15 are provided with sleeves 17 carrying the loops of a hook and loop type fastening system. Strips of material 19 carrying the hooks of the fastening system are provided adjacent the top edges of the front, left and right side walls 7a, 7b, 7d, immediately below the zip 11.

In use, to collapse the ballot box 1 , the lid 5 is unzipped and the rectangular- shaped band 15 is detached from the front, left and right side walls 7a, 7b, 7d. The rectangular shaped band 15 and the lid 5 are then swung down into the enclosure until they are parallel with and against the rear side wall 7c.

Next, the front and rear side walls 7a, 7c are pressed together so that the left and right side walls 7b, 7b and the base 3 fold. At this time, the base stiffening elements 10a, 10b cause the base 3 to fold about the lateral centreline. The left and right side walls 7b, 7d are free to fold or concertina, but may be manually pushed into the enclosure to minimised the collapsed size of the ballot box 1.

The ballot box 1 can be transported in its collapsed state before and after an election has been conducted. The flat, collapsed ballot box 1 occupies a minimal amount of space, and a plurality of the boxes 1 can be stacked together. To assemble the ballot box, the front and rear side walls 7a, 7c are pulled away from one another to create a space therebetween. At this time, the left and right side walls 7b, 7d and the base 3 unfolded.

The lid 5 and the rectangular-shaped band 15 are then lifted out of the enclosure. The sides of the band 15 are attached to the upper edges of the front, left and right side walls 7a, 7b, 7d using the hook and loop fastening system 17, 19. The lid is then attached to the upper edges of the front, left and right side walls 7a, 7b, 7d using the zip fastener 11. A seal is placed in the security seal chamber of the zip fastener 11 to prevent unauthorised opening of the ballot box 1 until after the election has been conducted.

Labels may be placed in the front and rear pockets 21a, 21b.

During the election, ballot papers may be posted into the ballot box 1 through the slot 13 in the lid 5. After the election, the zip fastener on the slot 13 may be closed and a seal may be placed in the security seal chamber of the fastener.

The lengths of rigid plastic tubing 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and the rectangular-shaped band 15 provide the assembled ballot box 1 with rigidity. Any loads on the lid 5 of the enclosure are received by the rectangular-shaped band 15 and are transmitted through the lengths of rigid plastic tubing 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d. Any loads on the side walls 7a, 7b, 7c, 7d of the enclosure are received by the lengths of rigid plastic tubing 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d and are transmitted through the rectangular- shaped band 15. In this way, collapse of the ballot box is prevented.

A specific embodiment of the invention has been described above by way of example only. Various changes and modifications will be apparent to the skilled person which may be made without departing from the invention.

For example, additional transparent pockets may be provided for displaying labels, for example in the lid of the ballot box. Such pockets may be completely sealed, for example for a label displaying a box serial number, or else they may be open on one or more sides to facilitate removal and replacement of a label. Fastening means, such as hook and loop fasteners, may be provided on the open sides.

The first stiffening elements of the ballot box described above take the form of lengths of rigid plastic tubing which are sewn into a flexible PVC sheath. The sheath is welded to the internal vertical comers of the enclosure. However, alternative arrangements are possible. For example, the first stiffening elements may comprise lengths of rod or angled bar, and they may or may not be sewn or welded into a sheath. As well as by welding, the first stiffening elements may be attached to the enclosure by sewing or adhesive means.

Where the enclosure is not rectangular box-shaped, the first stiffening elements may be attached to vertical corners (if any), or else they may be positioned in a side wall (for example, if the enclosure is cylinder-shaped). In any case, the first stiffening elements preferably extend in a direction perpendicular to the base and the lid.

The ballot box described above comprises hook and loop fasteners and zip fasteners. However, other types of fastener may be suitable, or the fasteners may be omitted.

The ballot box may be provided with one or more carrying handles. The construction of the ballot box may be reinforced where these handles are attached.

The base and lid of the ballot box described above comprise polypropylene stiffening eJements. However, the lid may additionally or alternatively be provided with other stiffening elements. For example, the lid may be provided with an additional metal frame. The base of the box described above is provided with fiber reinforcement. This reinforcement may also be provided in the lower portions of the sidewalls, thereby providing a reinforced "bathtub" construction.

Various images and logos may be printed on the side walls of the ballot box.

Claims

1. A collapsible ballot box comprising an enclosure having a base, side walls and a lid, wherein the side walls are formed of a flexible material, wherein the box further comprises first elongate stiffening elements for the side walls and second elongate stiffening elements for edges of the lid, and wherein the first stiffening elements extend between the base and the lid.

2. The ballot box of claim 1 , wherein the side walls of the enclosure are formed of a flexible plastics material.

3. The ballot box of claim 1 or 2, wherein the first stiffening elements comprise lengths of rigid plastic tubing

4. The ballot box of any preceding claim, wherein the enclosure is rectangular box-shaped.

5. The ballot box of claim 4, wherein the first stiffening elements are provided in the vertical corners of the enclosure.

6. The ballot box of claim 4 or 5, wherein the second stiffening elements together define a rigid rectangular-shaped band.

7. The ballot box of claim 6, wherein a first side of the rectangular-shaped band is hingedly attached to a first side wall of the enclosure at a position adjacent to and parallel with its upper edge.

8. The ballot box of claim 7, wherein the rectangular-shaped band is formed of a plastics coated metal frame, and wherein the first side of the band is hingedly attached to the first side wall of the enclosure by welding.

9. The ballot box according to claim 7 or 8, wherein fastening means are attached to other sides of the rectangular-shaped band and to other side walls of the enclosure at positions adjacent to and parallel with their upper edges.

10. The ballot box of claim 9, wherein the fastening means comprise hook and/or loop fasteners.

11. The ballot box of claims 9 or 10, wherein the other sides of the rectangular-shaped band are sleeved with the fastening means.

12. The ballot box of any of claims 7 to 11 , wherein the lid is hingedly attached to the first side wall of the enclosure, and wherein a zip fastener is provided between the lid and the other side walls of the enclosure.

13. The ballot box of any preceding claim, wherein the base of the enclosure is formed of a flexible plastics material.

14. The ballot box of claim 13, wherein the flexible plastics material comprises fiber reinforcement.

15 The ballot box of claim 13 or 14, wherein the base of the enclosure comprises a pair of third stiffening elements for promoting a single fold in the base when the box is collapsed.

16. The ballot box of any preceding claim, wherein a zip fastener is provided in the lid for selectively providing an opening for receiving ballot papers.

17. The ballot box of any preceding claim, wherein the side walls of the enclosure are transparent.

18. The ballot box substantially as hereinbefore described and/or as shown in the Figure.