WO2009022763A1

WO2009022763A1 - Storage case

Info

Publication number: WO2009022763A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/004757
Authority: WO
Inventors: Seok-Min Hong; Yang-Taek Lim
Original assignee: Seok-Min Hong; Yang-Taek Lim
Priority date: 2007-08-14
Filing date: 2007-09-28
Publication date: 2009-02-19
Also published as: KR101021196B1; KR20090017410A

Abstract

Disclosed is a storage case comprising an outer wall member consisting of a plurality of panels foldably connected to one another and forming a polygonal tub with both lateral sides opened as being folded; and a sidewall member fixed to an inside of the outer wall member, closely contacted with an inner surface of the outer wall member when the outer wall member is unfolded into a plane, and protruded from the inner surface of the outer wall member when the outer wall member is folded into the tub form, thereby closing the opened lateral sides. Accordingly, since the volume of the storage case is minimized, even a number of storage cases can be stowed in a minimal space and conveniently carried. Also, since the storage case can be simply built, convenience in using and reliability in storing articles can be enhanced.

Description

STORAGE CASE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a storage case, and more particularly to a storage case capable of forming a storage space therein during use simply by folding an outer wall while being unfolded into a plane during stowage.

Description of the Related Art

Generally, storage cases for enclosing and storing diverse articles are manufactured in various configurations and by various materials such as metal, wood, synthetic resin and paper.

When the storage case is made of a stiff material such as the metal, wood and synthetic resin as usual, it becomes hard to stow a number of the storage cases in shops and plants since the storage cases occupy a large space due to their bulky size. Furthermore, it is difficult to carry many storage cases at one time.

When the storage case is made of paper, much space can be saved when stowing a number of the storage cases since the storage case can be in a folded state. However, the storage case made of paper may be easily damaged due to its poor durability. Also, usually, assembling process of the storage case made of paper is complicated and unfamiliar to general users.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage case capable of facilely forming a storage space during use while being unfolded into a plane during stowage thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage case shaped into a triangular tub.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage case capable of maximizing the storage space thereof.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage case in which opened sides thereof can be conveniently closed.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a storage case in which a first panel and a fixing panel can be fixed and separated relative to each other conveniently.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a storage case in which the first panel and the fixing panel can be stably fixed and conveniently separated without having to expose a fixing member to the outside.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, the above and other objects can be accomplished by the provision of storage case comprising an outer wall member consisting of a plurality of panels foldably connected to one another and forming a polygonal tub with both lateral sides opened when folded; and a sidewall member fixed to an inside of the outer wall member, closely contacted with an inner surface of the outer wall member when the outer wall member is unfolded into a plane, and protruded from the inner surface of the outer wall member when the outer wall member is folded into the tub form, thereby closing the opened lateral sides.

The outer wall member may comprise first, second and third panels foldably connected to one another in a parallel arrangement and forming a triangular tub as the outer wall member is folded, and the sidewall member comprises a pair of first supporting pieces fixed to the first panel by one edges thereof, and a pair of first closing pieces foldably connected to another edges of the first supporting pieces and fixed to the second panel to close the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the outer wall member may comprise first, second, third and fourth panels foldably connected to one another in a parallel arrangement and forming a rectangular tub as the outer wall member is folded, and the sidewall member comprises a pair of first supporting pieces fixed to the first panel by one edges thereof, a pair of first closing pieces foldably connected to another edges of the first supporting pieces and fixed to the second panel to close the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member, a pair of second supporting pieces fixed to the third panel by one edges thereof, and a pair of second closing pieces foldably connected to the other edges of the second supporting pieces and fixed to the fourth panel to close the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member in cooperative contact with the first closing pieces.

The storage case may further comprise a fixing panel foldably connected to a free edge of the third panel or the fourth panel to be closely contacted with the first panel.

A fixing member may be provided to the first panel and the fixing panel, on surfaces where the first panel and the fixing panel are closely contacted.

The storage case according to claim 5, wherein the fixing member comprises a steel plate inserted in the first panel and a magnet plate inserted in the fixing panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage case according to a first embodiment of the present invention, being in an unfolded state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage case of the first embodiment, being in a first folded state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage case of the first embodiment, being in a second folded state;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a using state of the storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a storage case according to a second embodiment of the present invention, being in an unfolded state;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the storage case of the second embodiment, being in a first folded state;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the storage case of the second embodiment, being in a second folded state; and

FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a using state of the storage case according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings .

FIG. 1 through FIG. 4 illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a storage case according to the first embodiment of the present invention, being in an unfolded state, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the storage case being in a first folded state, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the storage case being in a second folded state, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a using state of the storage case of the first embodiment. As shown in the drawings, the storage case comprises an outer wall member 10 and a sidewall member 20. The outer wall member has a foldable structure consisting of a plurality of panels connected to one another. As the outer wall member is folded, the panels build a tub form opened at opposing lateral sides. The sidewall member 20 is closely contacted with an inner surface of the outer wall member 10 when the outer wall member 10 is unfolded into a plane, and on the other hand, is protruded from the inner surface of the outer wall member 10 when the outer wall member 10 is folded into the tub form, thereby closing the opened lateral sides.

The outer wall member 10 has the tub form, when folded, with the opposing sides opened, and forms a storage space. For this purpose, preferably, the outer wall member 10 consists of panels made of paper, metal, synthetic resin or the like and foldably connected to one another in a parallel arrangement. In this embodiment, the outer wall member 10 comprises first, second, and third panels 11, 12 and 13 foldably connected to build a triangular tub.

When the first through third panels 11, 12 and 13 are made of paper, folding lines may be formed between the respective adjacent panels for the outer wall member to be folded along. When the first through third panels 11, 12 and 13 are made of a stiff material such as metal or synthetic resin, it is preferred that a soft material is provided between the respective adjacent panels so that the folding can be smoothly performed.

The sidewall member 20 comprises a pair of first supporting pieces 21 and a pair of first closing pieces 22 which are closely contacted with the inner surface of the outer wall member 10 when the outer wall member 10 is unfolded into a plane, but protruded from the outer wall member 10 when the outer wall member 10 is folded into the triangular tub, thereby closing the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member 10, respectively.

The first supporting piece 21 is shaped as a triangle fixed to the first panel 11 by one edge thereof, and integrally connected to the first closing piece 22 in a foldable manner by another edge. The first closing pieces 22 will be explained hereinafter. The first supporting pieces 21 are closely contacted with the inner surface of the outer wall member 10 parallel with the inner surface when the outer wall member 10 is in the plane position. As the outer wall member 10 forms the storage space, the edges of the first supporting pieces 21 being foldably connected to the first closing pieces 22 are pivoted to the first panel 11 to thereby support an inner surface of the first panel 11.

The first closing pieces 22 are connected integrally and foldably to the another edges of the first supporting pieces 21 by one edges thereof, and fixed to both lateral edges of the second panel 12 by another edges thereof. Having a shape corresponding to the opened lateral sides formed by the outer wall member 10, the first closing pieces 22 are brought into contact with the inner surface of the outer wall member 10 when the outer wall member 10 is in the plane position, and protruded from the outer wall member 10 as the outer wall member 10 forms the storage space, thereby closing the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member 10.

A folding line between the first supporting piece 21 and the first closing piece 22 is drawn in deviation from the folding line between the first and second panels 11 and 12 in the plane position of the outer wall member 10. Therefore, when the first and second panels 11 and 12 are unfolded into a plane, the first supporting pieces 21 and the first closing pieces 22 are closely contacted with the inner surface of the outer wall member 10. On the other hand, when the first and second panels 11 and 12 are folded by a predetermined angle, the first supporting pieces 21 and the first closing pieces 22 are protruded from the outer wall member 10 so that the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member 10 are closed by the first closing pieces 22.

After the first closing pieces 22 are erected vertically to the outer wall member 10 by folding the first and second panels 11 and 12 by the predetermined angle, the third panel 13 is folded to close an open upper side of the storage space formed by the first and second panels 11 and 12. Thus, a storage case can be made simply by folding the first to the third panels 11, 12 and 13 into the triangular tub.

Furthermore, a general adhesive tape may be provided to an end of the first panel 11 to fix the third panel 13 and maintain the closed state of the storage case. However, it is more preferred that a fixing panel 30 is further provided to a free edge of the third panel 13 to be closely contacted with an outer surface of the first panel 11, so as to more effectively prevent escape of articles received in the storage case as well as preventing entry of foreign substances including dust through a gap between the first and third panels 11 and 13.

In addition, preferably, a fixing member 40 may be provided between the first panel 11 and the fixing panel 30 to separably fix the fixing panel 30 to the first panel 11. Such a fixing member 40 helps prevent undesired or unconscious opening of the storage case. Here, the fixing member 40 may be implemented by a Velcro tape, a snap button, a strap or the like. However, it is preferred that the fixing member 40 is constituted by a steel plate 41 and a magnet plate 42 inserted respectively in the first panel 11 and the fixing panel 30 so that the fixing member 40 is not exposed to the outside of the storage case. Therefore, the esthetic appearance of the storage case can be improved. Moreover, the fixing panel 30 and the first panel 11 can be conveniently separated from and fixed to each other.

When stowing the storage case only, since the sidewall member 20 is unfolded upon unfolding of the outer wall member 10 into a plane, even a number of the storage cases can be received in a minimal space conveniently, for example, even in a bookshelf.

When storing articles in the storage case, the storage space can be formed simply by folding the first through third panels of the outer wall member 10. In addition, when the fixing panel 30 is fixed to the first panel 11, undesired opening of the storage case can be prevented.

FIG. 5 through FIG. 8 illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. More particularly, FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a storage case according to a second embodiment of the present invention, being in an unfolded state, FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the storage case in a first folded state, FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the storage case in a second folded state, and FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a using state of the storage case according to the second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment includes all the elements of the first embodiment, while being different in terms that the outer wall member 10 comprises first, second, third and fourth panels 11, 12, 13 and 14 so that the outer wall member 10 is folded into a rectangular tub.

In the same manner as in the first embodiment, the sidewall member 20 comprises the first supporting pieces 21 and the first closing pieces 22 respectively fixed to the first panel 11 and the second panel 12. Additionally, the sidewall member 20 of the second embodiment comprises second supporting pieces 23 structured the same as the first supporting pieces and fixed to the third panel 13, and second closing pieces 24 structured the same as the first closing pieces 22 and fixed to the fourth panel 14.

The first and second closing pieces 22 and 24 are shaped as triangles arranged symmetrically to close opened lateral sides of the rectangular tub when the outer wall member 10 is folded.

According to the above structure, a storage space in the form of a rectangular hexahedron can be made by folding the outer wall member 10 into the rectangular tub, thus obtaining the maximum area of the storage space. Also, when the outer wall member 10 is folded, the first and second supporting pieces 21 and 23 and the first and second closing pieces 22 and 24 close the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member 10, thereby preventing the received articles from escaping the storage case.

Furthermore, since the fixing panel 30 is provided to a free edge of the fourth panel 14 to be closely contacted and fixed to the first panel 11 as described in the first embodiment, more secure closing of the storage case can be achieved. Moreover, it is preferable to provide the fixing member 40 comprising the steel plate 41 and the magnet plate 42 respectively inserted in the first panel 11 and the fixing panel 30, so that convenience and reliability of the fixing between the first panel 11 and the fixing panel 30 can be enhanced.

As apparent from the above description, the storage case according to the present invention is equipped with the sidewall member foldably arranged on the inner surface of the outer wall member. Therefore, the storage case can be in the plane position during the stowage thereof, while readily forming the storage space during use. Accordingly, the volume of the storage case is minimized so that even a number of the storage cases can be stowed in a minimal space and conveniently carried. Also, since the storage case can be simply built, convenience in using and reliability in storing articles can be enhanced.

By configuring the outer wall member to be folded into the triangular tub, the storage case can be easily built by the outer wall member having a minimal surface area and stowed conveniently. Furthermore, the improved esthetic appearance of the storage case may enhance marketability of the articles stored in the storage case.

Since the storage case may be embodied in the rectangular tub form, the storage space can be maximized and accordingly, even bulky articles can be stored more safely and conveniently .

Moreover, according to the present invention, the third or fourth panel is dedicatedly provided with the fixing panel mounted to a free edge thereof so as to efficiently close the storage case. As a result, the articles received in the storage case can not easily escape the storage case, thereby being more securely stored.

The fixing member is additionally formed for more efficient fixation and separation between the first panel and the fixing panel. Therefore, the storage case can be opened facilely while preventing undesired opening thereof when storing the articles therein.

Since the fixing member is implemented by a steel plate and a magnet plate, the first panel and the fixing panel can be securely fixed and easily separated relative to each other in a state where the fixing member is not exposed to the outside. Such a fixing member will not be easily damaged by frequent use, as well as improving the esthetic appearance of the storage case.

Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying claims .

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A storage case comprising: an outer wall member consisting of a plurality of panels foldably connected to one another and forming a polygonal tub with both lateral sides opened as being folded; and a sidewall member fixed to an inside of the outer wall member, closely contacted with an inner surface of the outer wall member when the outer wall member is unfolded into a plane, and protruded from the inner surface of the outer wall member when the outer wall member is folded into the tub form, thereby closing the opened lateral sides.

2. The storage case according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall member comprises first, second and third panels foldably connected to one another in a parallel arrangement and forming a triangular tub as the outer wall member is folded, and the sidewall member comprises a pair of first supporting pieces fixed to the first panel by one edges thereof, and a pair of first closing pieces foldably connected to another edges of the first supporting pieces and fixed to the second panel to close the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member .

3. The storage case according to claim 1, wherein the outer wall member comprises first, second, third and fourth panels foldably connected to one antoher in a parallel arrangement and forming a rectangular tub as the outer wall member is folded, and the sidewall member comprises a pair of first supporting pieces fixed to the first panel by one edges thereof, a pair of first closing pieces foldably connected to another edges of the first supporting pieces and fixed to the second panel to close the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member, a pair of second supporting pieces fixed to the third panel by one edges thereof, and a pair of second closing pieces foldably connected to the other edges of the second supporting pieces and fixed to the fourth panel to close the opened lateral sides of the outer wall member in cooperative contact with the first closing pieces.

4. The storage case according to any one of claim 2 and claim 3, further comprising a fixing panel foldably connected to a free edge of the third panel or the fourth panel to be closely contacted with the first panel.

5. The storage case according to claim 4, wherein a fixing member is provided to the first panel and the fixing panel, on surfaces where the first panel and the fixing panel are closely contacted.

6. The storage case according to claim 5, wherein the fixing member comprises a steel plate inserted in the first panel and a magnet plate inserted in the fixing panel.