Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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FOLDING CONTAINER
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a container for storing and transporting
articles which is
capable of being deployed between a folded and an unfolded configuration. More
specifically, but not exclusively, the container is provided for use in
applications where
there is a need for a tamper-evident or water resistant sealed container
arrangement. A
tamper-evident container is one in which evidence of any unauthorised access
or
intrusion is apparent.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
Portable plastic storage containers are well known consumer and industrial
products and
provide important advantages in terms of strength and light weight compared to
containers made of other materials. Such containers are used for a variety of
storage
and transporting needs such as for document files, work tools or other
household
articles.
In many areas of application, especially where the containers are in use for
only a very
limited amount of time, there is a significant problem associated with their
storage. The
space required to store a number of containers can be a drain on resources and
can
result in increased property rental charges etc. These problems are
particularly
apparent when the containers are required to be transported (for example by
air or
water), whereby the volume of space occupied by containers can dramatically
increase
transport costs and decrease their commercial viability. The above mentioned
problems
are particularly acute wherein the container or box is to function as a ballot
box for
example, wherein there is a need for a box that can easily transported and
stored in the
minimum of space, making it ideal for use in diverse geographical locations.
Since ballot'
boxes are in use for only a very limited period of time, space-saving storage
mechanisms are of paramount importance.
Foldable/collapsible containers are known and are a popular choice in the
above
mentioned applications due to the considerable reduction in transport volume
and
therefore cost which can be achieved by use thereof.
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Whilst use of a foldable container serves to alleviate the above mentioned
problems with
respect to storage and transport, the presence of a folding mechanism provided
in the
body of the container inevitably results in sealing problems between the
different parts of
the foldable container that enable the container to be folded down or
disassembled. The
connections between displaceable panels inevitably serve as dust and dirt-
traps which
severely limits the applicability of such containers in the storage and
transport of food or
sanitary products and aseptic applications.
A foldable box is, by its very nature, also vulnerable to tampering whereby
the joints or
folds which confer the space saving advantages act as possible sites for
unauthorised
access. This is of particular relevance when the container is used to hold
food and
beverages wherein the risk of contamination of the contents during storage and
transport of the container must be eliminated. Also in the ballot box
application, it is
important to totally restrict access to the inside of the ballot box, except
for ballots, or
other means used for carrying out the voting.
The benefits of collapsibility also means that the water-tight properties of a
collapsible/foldable container are severely compromised. This makes a foldable
container unsuitable for use in wet environments such as in boating/sailing or
other
watersport activities. The foldable container is also unsuitable for storage
and/or
transport of items where there is a potential risk that the container might
become
exposed to water such as in areas that are prone to flooding.
EP1418547 discloses a foldable ballot box which addresses the problem of
preventing
access to the inner area by means of sealing connections with a strip of
adhesive paper
or the like.
EP0542821 discloses a collapsible ballot box comprising a flexible outer bag-
like
member and inner collapsible reinforcing side panels associated therewith.
WO 03/024815 discloses a collapsible container wherein the sealing problems
thereof
are overcome by using a removable liner which is placed on the inside of the
erected
container.
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The present invention provides an alternative foldable container which when in
use is
sealed against environmental contamination and unauthorised access and which
is
tamper resistant.
STATEMENTS OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a container having a body
portion
and capable of being deployed between a folded configuration and an unfolded
configuration, said body portion including a lower base member, an upper
member and
two opposing foldable or hingeable walls arranged between said base member and
said
upper member, wherein the container further includes a flexible member which
forms a
holding pouch within the body portion of the container in the unfolded
configuration and
which is attached to the body portion.
Preferably the container includes two further opposing walls, each of which is
flexibly
attached to one of the upper and base member.
Preferably the foldable walls are flexibly attached to said upper member and
lower base
member.
Preferably flexible member is attached to attachment means provided by the
upper
member. Alternatively the flexible member is attached to attachment means
provided by
a wall of the container.
Preferably the flexible member is attached to the body of the container by
ultrasonic
welding, adhesion technology or friction bonding.
Preferably the container, when in the folded configuration, is capable of
accommodating
the flexible membrane in a space defined by the folded walls and the upper
member.
Preferably the body portion, and/or the flexible member are made of plastics
material.
Preferably the plastics material is transparent.
Preferably the container further includes a lid portion. Preferably the lid is
made of
plastics material. Preferably the plastics material is transparent.
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A container of the present invention provides important space saving
advantages yet
overcomes the concomitant sealing problems of a conventional foldable
container. A
container of the present invention, by virtue of the flexible member
associated therewith
is resistant to environmental contamination such as dust and water and also
provides a
tamper proof arrangement.
The importance of a container with such multiple functionality is particularly
apparent in
the field of disaster recovery. Containers which can be stored with minimum
footprint in
minimal amount of space and minimum of cost would be useful in protecting
vaiuable
museum artefacts in the unfortunate event of flooding. As a precautionary
measure,
containers of the present invention could be usefully stored in underground
storage
facilities ready for use if the need should ever arise.
A container of the present invention could be cost effectively transported to
flood relief
victims and used for water tight storage of possessions. In such emergency
circumstances, a container of the present invention could also usefully serve
as
transportable sink or washing/drinking facility, wherein water for washing is
placed within
the membrane of an assembled container and discarded after use.
A container of the present invention provides a useful transporting means for
food and
beverages. It can also double as a useful cooling facility whereby the
membrane is filled
with water at a picnic/beach location and used to store drink cans and other
items. After
use the container can be easily emptied and folded to the compact state for
transport.
The advantages of a container of the present invention for use as a ballot box
are clearly
apparent. A container of the present invention can be economically transported
to areas
of diverse geographical location and assembled to provide a secure, reliable
and tamper
proof ballot box. The container can then be easily stored in minimal space.
A container of the present invention also carries the advantages of odour
resistance and
may be conveniently used to store clothes and other materials.
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described by way of example only and with reference
to the
accompanying drawings in which;
5 Figure 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a container in accordance
with the
present invention in its unfolded, assembled state.
Figure 2a is a diagrammatic perspective view of a container in its unfolded,
assembled
state and a lid in accordance with the present invention.
Figure 2b is a section of the container viewed along line I of Fig 2a.
Figure 3 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a container in accordance with
the
present invention in its folded or collapsed state.
In the figures like reference numerals denote like parts.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words
"comprise" and
"contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and
"comprises", means
"including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude
other
moieties, additives, components, integers or steps.
Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular
encompasses
the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the
indefinite article
is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as
well as
singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.
Features, integers or characteristics described in conjunction with a
particular aspect,
embodiment or example of the invention are to be understood to be applicable
to any
other aspect, embodiment or example described herein unless incompatible
therewith.
Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a container, generally denoted (1), has a
rectangular lower
base member (3), and an upper frame member (5). Lower base member (3) has a
small
peripheral lip (7) which extends upwardly from the base member (3) in a
vertical
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elevation. Upper frame member (5) defines a peripheral rim (9) and has an
outwardly
extending horizontal flange (11) which constitutes end flanges (13, 15) and
side flanges
(17, 19) and a downwardly extending peripheral outer lap (21), said lap (21)
arranged
substantially co-planar with the upwardly extending peripheral lip member (7)
of the base
member (3). Preferably the container is made by injection moulding and made of
polypropylene or polyethylene. In an alternative embodiment of the invention
the
container is a square and comprises side and end walls of equal dimension.
Upper frame member (5) also has an inner lap (23) which extends downwardly
towards
base member (3) along a length which substantially corresponds to that of
outer
peripheral lap (21), from end flanges (13, 15) and side flanges (17, 19) and
arranged
substantially perpendicular thereto. Inner lap (23) has a ledge (25) which
extends
inwardly towards the centre of the box, substantially perpendicular to said
lap (23) from
which it depends. Ledge (25) is additionally provided with a flange (27) which
extends
upwardly, substantially perpendicular to ledge (25) from which it depends and
to which a
flexible sealing member, which in the specific example is membrane (29), is
attached
around the circumference thereof. Suitable methods for attaching seaiing
membrane
(29) to flange (27) include ultrasonic welding, adhesion technology or
friction bonding.
Sealing member (29) extends from flange (27) to which it is attached, down
into the body
of container (1) and when fully distended, is capable of enclosing
substantially the same
volume of space as that enclosed by container (1) in the fully unfolded state.
In this way
the carrying capacity of the sealed container is not compromised by the
presence of the
sealing membrane (29) which acts as the primary receptacle for the goods
placed there-
within and provides a protective barrier between the laminar container walls
and interior
space.
In one embodiment of the invention the membrane (29) is formed of transparent
plastic.
Preferably the body of the container (1) is also made of transparent material
such as
polypropylene, polyethylene, polycarbonate or the like. In this way the
contents of the
container can be easily viewed by the user without necessitating opening of a
closed
containerllid combination.
In an alternative embodiment of the invention, flexible membrane (29) is
sealed at flange
(27) as shown in the illustrated embodiment but the membrane additionally has
a top or
cover portion which extends across the opening of the container mouth and can
be
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provided with a zip or other closure means. This embodiment provides the
container
with additional sealing properties.
That part of ledge (25) which depends from side flanges (17, 19) has means for
attaching thereto, preferably by way of flexible connecting means such as a
hinge or
pivot (31), longitudinal side walls (33, 35). Longitudonal walls (33, 35) are
a pair of
rectangular laminar portions, a lower one (37, 39) and upper one (41, 43), for
each
longitudinal side (33, 35) of the ballot box. The width of each longitudinal
wall (33, 35)
corresponds to the length of the span defined by peripheral rim (9) formed by
upper
frame member (5), or peripheral lip (7) of base member (3). Lower and upper
portions
(37,39; 41,43) are swivel mounted together on their concordant longitudinal
edge by
swivel means (45). A stop is provided within said swivel means such that
swivelling can
occur in one direction only.
That part of ledge (25) which depends from end flanges (13, 15) has means for
attaching thereto, preferably by way of flexible connecting means (31), end
walls (47,
49). End walls (47, 49) comprise a pair of rectangular laminar portions. The
mounting
means (31) for end walls (47, 49) are arranged such that end walls (47, 49)
are mounted
above the plane of mounted the longitudinal side walls (33, 35). The width of
each end
wall corresponds to the distance between longitudinal walls (33, 35) in
maximum
unfolding.
It will be understood that the arrangement of the flexible or swivel mounting
within the
container can be varied. In an alternative embodiment for example, end walls
(47, 49)
are each comprised of two bi-part swivel mounted portions, each part joined by
a,
preferably central, swivel mount, and the longitudinal side walls have laminar
portions
that are flexibly mounted from a position above the plane of the end walls. It
will be
understood that the swivel mounting means is preferably provided in opposing
walls.
Alternatively the side and end walls can be flexibly mounted from the lower
base
member.
In the unfolded state, as represented by Figures 1 and 2, opposite end walls
(47, 49)
and opposite side walls (33, 35), form substantially vertical walls
surrounding base
member (3) and arranged substantially at right angles thereto. In the
unfolded/assembled state male connecting members (51) provided at intervals
around
the internal face of peripheral lip (7) of base member (3) cooperate with
corresponding
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female portions or slots (53) provided in the lower peripheral edges of end
walls (47, 49)
which abut lip member (7) of base member (3). End walls (47, 49) are arranged
such
that their vertical edges adjoining side walls are held against the inner
surface of
longitudinal side walls (33, 35). Each adjoining edge of longitudonal side
walls (33, 35)
is additionally provided with a hook like or catch member (55) which is
presented to each
vertical edge of end walls (47, 49). Hook or catch member (55) is securely
latched by a
receiving slot (57) provided in the corresponding position on the adjoining
walls of each
end wall (47, 49). In the illustrated embodiment each side wall (33, 35)
presents two
hook like members (55) at a location that corresponds to the swivel mechanism
(45)
located there-between. It will be understood that any number of hooks and
corresponding slot arrangements can be used. This arrangement prevents any
swivel
movement between the laminar portions of longitudinal walls (33, 35),
preventing their
folding and forcing them to maintain an upright vertical position, thus
creating the inner
operative area of the box.
Sealing membrane (29) sits inside the container and by virtue of its
flexibility can
comfortably accommodate articles to be transported/stored therein, whereby
membrane
(29) is capable of being distended to at least the same volume as the
container. It will
be apparent to the skilled artisan that the sealing member may be made of any
suitable
material such that confers a degree of flexibility, particularly with respect
to the body
portion.
Preferably the sealing member (29) is formed of impervious material which is
preferably
transparent. Preferably the sealing member is formed of polypropylene and is
provided
for use in a polypropylene container. Accordingly, the container assembly can
be
conveniently placed in a freezer without adversely affecting the integrity of
the air-tight
seal due to the simultaneous contraction of like materials. Conversely, a seal
of non-like
material e.g., rubber, would be subjected to differential contraction which
carries the
inherent risk of an impaired seal.
Container (1) is conveniently adapted to receive a removable lid (59) which is
preferably
moulded in one piece from a synthetic resin, for example, polycarbonate,
polypropylene
or polyethylene and preferably from the same material as the base member (3).
Lid (59)
is of rectangular shape with smoothed cornices and is of a size to close the
open top of
container (1).
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Lid (59) has a body portion (61)and a peripheral edge (63). The peripheral
edge (63) of
lid (59) has an inverted U-shape and has an upwardly extending leg (65), ledge
(67)
which extends horizontally therefrom and substantially downwardly extending
leg (69).
Downwardly extending leg (69) terminates at end (71) to project from
horizontal ledge
(67) of lid (59) below the plane of the main body portion (61) of lid (59).
Reinforcing rectangular shaped webs (73) are provided at various intervals
around the
periphery of the lid (59) within the space defined by upwardly extending leg
(65),
horizontally extending ledge (67) and the uppermost portion of downwardly
extending leg
(69).
The peripheral edge (63) of lid (59) is adapted to fit over outwardly
extending horizontal
flange (11) of container (1) such that end (71) of downwardly extending leg
(69) sits
proud above downwardly extending peripheral outer lap (21).
To enable the removable lid (59) to be clamped on the container (1) a locking
member
(75) is optionally provided on the upper frame member (5) above each end wail
(47, 49)
of the container. As shown in figure 2, locking member (75) is pivotally
attached to
reinforcing ribs (76) which extend from handle portion (79) provided by upper
frame
member (5). Locking member (75) can be pivoted upwardly from a first unlocking
position to a second position whereby the locking member engages the lid
portion (59)
and holds the lid in engagement with the body portion. The flexible membrane
(29)
provides a tamper proof indicator. Access to the contents of container (1)
which might
otherwise occur through the folding joints of a foldable container can only be
achieved
by disrupting and breaking the surface of the flexible membrane (29). The
described
container and lid combination therefore provides a sealed arrangement whereby
the
goods to be stored/transported inside a foldable container (1) are resistant
to
environmental elements such as dust and water. In one embodiment of the
invention
the locking member (75) is optionally further provided with a tamper evident
sealing
member which extends between the locking member and at least one of the body
and lid
portion when the locking member is in its locking position, by means of
apertures
provided in the locking member and at least one of the body and lid portion.
When it is desired to move the container into the folded position (i.e., for
storage/transport of empty containers as shown in Figure 3), end walls (47,
49) can be
pushed from their vertical position, as illustrated in Figure 1, to a
horizontal resting
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position that is substantially coplanar and adjacent to the lower surface of
the upper
frame member (5), defined by ledge (25). To effect this movement the user must
push
end walls (47,49) in towards the body of the box, thus releasing male
projecting
members (51) provided at the lip (7) of the base member (3) from female
cooperating
5 slots (53) and also the hook (55) and slot (57) catching mechanism provided
between
the adjoining walls of the side walls (33, 35) and end walls (47, 49).
Movement of end walls (47, 49) about flexible mounting means (31) pushes the
flexible
membrane (29) up out of the body region of the container (1) such that it is
forced to
10 occupy the space defined by the now horizontal end walls (47, 49) and upper
peripheral
rim (9) provided by upper member (5) of the container. If the container is
folded in the
closed state (whereby lid (59) is piaced over peripheral rim (9) of container
body), the
flexible membrane (29) is now sandwiched between the body portion (61) of the
lid (59)
and the horizontal end walls (47, 49). Accordingly the flexible membrane (29)
remains
fixedly attached to the body of the container when the container is moved
between the
unfolded and folded state.
Movement of supporting end walls (47, 49) means that longitudinal side walls
(33, 35)
are now free to fold toward the inside of the container about the swivel mount
(45)
between the laminar portions (37,39;41,43) provided on their concordant
longitudinal
edges. In the folded state, longitudinal side walls (33, 35) nestle between
the now
horizontal end walls (47, 49) and base member (3) such that the volume of the
container
(1) is reduced to approximately one quarter of that of the unfolded, operative
container.
The folded container can then be conveniently stored away ready for re-use,
either on its
own or with any number of like containers as part of a stackable system.
In the illustrated embodiment end wall is additionally provided with an
opening member
which allows for easy access to the container when the unfolded, assembled box
is
stored as part of a stackable system (Figure 3). End wall (47) provides a
window (77)
which is swivel mounted (78) to surrounding frame portion (81) of end wall
(47). -Window
(77) within end wall (47) is firmly locked by means of a projecting member
(83) which
resiliently catches behind the frame portion (81) provided by end wall (47).
To open the
access window (77) the user compresses bi-partite opening member (85), thus
releasing
resilient projecting member (83) and enabling full access to the body of the
container. It
will be understood that additional or alternative window features can be
provided in either
or both or any end wall or side wall.
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In an alternative embodiment of the invention, the sealing member (29) is
fixedly
attached to the body of the container (1) at an alternative position, such as
around the
peripheral surface of an access window, which is preferably provided on an end
wall of
the container. In this embodiment the membrane forms a holding pouch which
encapsulates a volume that is substantially equal to the interior volume of
the container
and the user is able to access the interior of the space defined by the
membrane seal
(29) through the access window. In this embodiment the container may be
provided with
a separate lid or one that is integral with the body of the container.
As shown in the illustrated embodiment, each end wall (47, 49) and side wall
(33, 35) is
additionally provided with outwardly extending reinforcing ribs (80). These
reinforcing
ribs may optionally additionally be provided on the access window (77).
20
30
