CA2720769A1 - Foldable container - Google Patents

Foldable container Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2720769A1
CA2720769A1 CA 2720769 CA2720769A CA2720769A1 CA 2720769 A1 CA2720769 A1 CA 2720769A1 CA 2720769 CA2720769 CA 2720769 CA 2720769 A CA2720769 A CA 2720769A CA 2720769 A1 CA2720769 A1 CA 2720769A1
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CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
edge
panel
panels
attached
container
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA 2720769
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Leonardo E. Alvarino
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Individual
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Priority to CA 2720769 priority Critical patent/CA2720769A1/en
Publication of CA2720769A1 publication Critical patent/CA2720769A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B60VEHICLES IN GENERAL
    • B60RVEHICLES, VEHICLE FITTINGS, OR VEHICLE PARTS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • B60R9/00Supplementary fittings on vehicle exterior for carrying loads, e.g. luggage, sports gear or the like
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65DCONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
    • B65D11/00Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
    • B65D11/18Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
    • B65D11/1806Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected comprising two side walls hinged to a base panel and two other side walls being extensions hinged to said side walls

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)

Abstract

A rectangular, box-like, closeable and foldable container for holding merchandise having six panels, wherein each of the panels is selectively, either (i) not attached, (ii) hingedly attached, or (iii) disengageably attached to an adjacent panel as to allow of relative movement of the panels from the box-like structure to effect parallel alignment in abutment of the panels, each panel being adjacent at least one other panel. The container allows of more room in the hopper of a pick-up truck when in the folded, collapsed mode.

Description

FOLDABLE CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to foldable containers, particularly for use in vehicles, particularly pick-up trucks, having a storage space for articles, particularly tools.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vehicles, such as, pick-up trucks, having a storage space, such as a hopper for carrying merchandise, generally, require the hopper to be covered in order to protect the merchandise from the weather or from being stolen. The most popular devices used for this purpose are cabins, covers or metal boxes.
Cabins are installed covering all the hopper, normally at the same height as the cab;
whereas covers are installed flat with the rear door and sides, covering the entire hopper; and metal boxes have different sizes and are often installed close to the cab.
Unfortunately, cabins limit the free access and capacity of pick-ups and covers are easily broken by thieves and, in both devices, if small objects are placed in the hopper, they can unfortunately move freely in the hopper when unconstrained. Metal boxes are strong and restrain small merchandise in place, but have the inconvenience of taking important space of the hopper when that space is required for other purposes. This inconvenience is increased when pick-up trucks have large cabs and short hoppers.
There is, therefore, a need to provide a system for carrying merchandise in aforesaid vehicles that overcomes the aforesaid disadvantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a box-like, foldable, collapsible container that provides a secure manner to contain merchandise, and which can be collapsed upon itself as to provide additional storage space external of the container walls and top.
Accordingly, in one aspect the invention provides a rectangular, box-like, closeable, and foldable container comprising six panels, wherein each of said panels is selectively either (i) not attached, (ii) hingedly attached, or (iii) disengageably attached to an adjacent panel as to allow of relative movement of said panels from said box-like structure to effect parallel alignment of said panels in abutment, wherein each panel is adjacent to at least one other panel.
In preferred embodiments, the invention provides a rectangular, box-like, foldable container comprising a rear panel (12);
a front panel (14) opposing said rear panel at a distance therefrom;
a bottom panel (16);
a top panel (18) opposing said bottom panel at a distance therefrom;
and a pair of opposing side panels (20,22);
wherein said panels are selectively either (i) not attached, (ii) hingedly attached, or (iii) disengageably attached, to an adjacent panel as to foldably allow relative movement of said panels to effect parallel alignment of said panels in abutment, wherein each panel is adjacent to at least one other panel.

Most preferred embodiments comprise a container as hereinabove defined wherein rear panel (12) has a rear upper edge (24), a rear lower edge (26), a first rear side edge (28) and a second rear side edge (30);

front panel (14) has a front upper edge (32), a front lower edge (34), a first front side edge (36) and a second front side edge (38);

bottom panel (16) has a bottom front edge (40), a bottom rear edge (42), a bottom first side edge (44) and a bottom second side edge (46);
top panel (18) has a top front edge (48), a top rear edge (50), a top first edge (52) and a top second edge (54);
pair of opposing side panels comprises a first side panel (20) and a second side panel (22);

wherein first side panel (20) has a first side top edge (56), a first side bottom edge (58), a first side front edge (60), and a first side rear edge (62);

second side panel (22) has a second side top edge (64); a second side bottom edge (66), a second side front edge (68), and a second side rear edge (70); wherein rear upper edge (24) is hingedly mounted to top rear edge (50);
2 rear lower edge (26) is hingedly mounted to bottom rear edge (42);
first side rear edge (28) is hingedly mounted to first side rear edge (62);
second rear side edge (30) is hingedly mounted to second side rear edge (70);
front panel lower edge (34) is hingedly mounted to bottom panel front edge (40);
front panel first side edge (36) is disengageably attached to first side front edge 60;
and front panel second side edge (38) is disengageably attached to second side front edge (68).
"Rectangular, box-like" in this specification includes a cuboid shape.
The top panel is invariably the lid which is operable to allow entry of articles and the like.
The rear panel of the container is, optionally, preferably, attached to the rear outer wall of the cab of a truck by attachment means.
The empty, folded, collapsed container in other embodiments is manually portable, preferably provided with suitably located handles.
In a further aspect, the invention provides a vehicle, particularly a pick-up truck, having an attached container as hereinabove defined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention may be better understood, a preferred embodiment is now described by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a collapsible and foldable container according to the invention; in a partially unfolded mode;
Fig. 2 shows a plurality of steps constituting the order in which the embodiment of Fig. 1 is collapsed and folded; and Figs. 3A and 3B are diagrammatic perspective views of the container in a full constructed article-containable unfolded mode and a collapsed, folded mode, respectively, within and attached to a pick-up truck.
3 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Fig. 1 shows a partially folded aluminum, rectangular container 10 having a rear planar panel 12, a front planar panel 14, a bottom planar panel 16, a top planar panel or lid 18, and a pair of opposing side panels 20,22.
A container wherein the rear panel 12 has a rear upper edge 24, a rear lower edge 26, a first rear side edge 28 and a second rear side edge 30;
the front panel 14 has a front upper edge 32, a front lower edge 34, a first front side edge 36 and a second front side edge 38;
the bottom panel 16 has a bottom front edge 40, a bottom rear edge 42, a bottom first side edge 44 and a bottom second side edge 46;
the top panel 18 has a top front edge 48, a top rear edge 50, a top first edge 52 and a top second edge 54;
the pair of opposing side panels comprises a first side panel 20 and a second side panel22;

wherein the first side panel 20 has a first side top edge 56, a first side bottom edge 58, a first side front edge 60, and a first side rear edge 62;
the second side panel 22 has a second side top edge 64; a second side bottom edge 66, a second side front edge 68, and a second side rear edge 70; wherein the rear upper edge 24 is hingedly mounted to top rear edge 50;
the rear lower edge 26 is hingedly mounted to bottom rear edge 42;
the first side rear edge 28 is hingedly mounted to the first side rear edge 62;
the second rear side edge 30 is hingedly mounted to the second side rear edge 70;
the front panel lower edge 34 is hingedly mounted to the bottom panel front edge 40;
the front panel first side edge 36 is disengageably attached to the first side front edge 60; and the front panel second side edge 38 is disengageably attached to the second side front edge 68.

A lock 72 adjacent edge 48 on lid 18 connects with its counterpart 74 adjacent edge 32 of panel 14 when container 10 is in a non-folded mode and providing an overlap or lip of edge 48 over edge 32.
4 Latches 76 at edges 68 of panel 22 and (not shown) 60, 36 and 38 of panel 20 and 14 provide disengageable attachments.
Suitable rearrangement of the hinges and/or latches on the panels provides alternative embodiments of the container according to the invention.
With reference to Fig. 2, this shows container 10 in a full assembled article-containable mode as step 1. The subsequent steps are to be taken in the following sequence to collapse and fold the container to its minimum volume:-Step 1 - Box is totally assembled;
Step 2 - Unlock lock 72 and open lid 18 by lifting and rotating panel 90';
Step 3 - Unclamp right side panel 22 and left side panel 20 from front panel 14 and rotate each side outwards a minimum of about 15 ;
Step 4 - By maintaining front panel 14 vertically, lift bottom panel 16 upwards (counterclockwise) about 45 ;
Step 5 - Rotate front panel 14 downwards (clockwise) about 135 ;
Step 6 - While rotating front panel 14 clockwise and bottom panel 16 counterclockwise, push each together until each of them are vertically aligned in parallel abutment.
Step 7 - Rotate right side panel 22 and left side panel 20 until both of them are also in vertical alignment with rear panel 12, and side panels 20, 22;
Step 8 - Rotate lid 18 clockwise (drop) about 180 until abutting side panels 20, 22 in parallel vertical alignment, to constitute folded and collapsed container 30.
It can be readily seen that alternative sequences of steps of collapsing and folding of container 10 may be practised to effect variations of folded container 30.
Figs. 3A and 3B show container 10 in an unfolded mode in a hopper 78 of truck and collapsed, folded mode, respectively.
Although this disclosure has described and illustrated certain preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not restricted to those particular embodiments. Rather, the invention includes all embodiments which are functional or mechanical equivalence of the specific embodiments and features that have been described and illustrated.
5

Claims (6)

THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION TO WHICH AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. A rectangular, box-like, closeable and foldable container comprising six panels, wherein each of said panels is selectively, either (i) not attached, (ii) hingedly attached, or (iii) disengageably attached to an adjacent panel as to allow of relative movement of said panels from said box-like structure to effect parallel alignment of said panels in abutment, wherein each panel is adjacent to at least one other panel.
2. A rectangular, box-like foldable container comprising a rear panel (12);
a front panel (14) opposing said rear panel at a distance therefrom;
a bottom panel (16);
a top panel (18) opposing said bottom panel at a distance therefrom;
and a pair of opposing side panels (20,22);
wherein said panels are selectively, either (i) not attached, (ii) hingedly attached, or (iii) disengageably attached, to an adjacent panel as to foldably allow relative movement of said panels to effect parallel alignment in abutment of said panels, wherein each panel is adjacent to at least one other panel.
3. A container as claimed in claim 2 wherein said rear panel (12) has a rear upper edge (24), a rear lower edge (26), a first rear side edge (28) and a second rear side edge (30);
said front panel (14) has a front upper edge (32), a front lower edge (34), a first front side edge (36) and a second front side edge (38);
said bottom panel (16) has a bottom front edge (40), a bottom rear edge (42), a bottom first side edge (44) and a bottom second side edge (46);
said top panel (18) has a top front edge (48), a top rear edge (50), a top first edge (52) and a top second edge (54);
said pair of opposing side panels comprises a first side panel (20) and a second side panel (22);

wherein said first side panel (20) has a first side top edge (56), a first side bottom edge (58), a first side front edge (60), and a first side rear edge (62);

said second side panel (22) has a second side top edge (64); a second side bottom edge (66), a second side front edge (68), and a second side rear edge (70);
wherein said rear upper edge (24) is hingedly mounted to top rear edge (50);
said rear lower edge (26) is hingedly mounted to bottom rear edge (42);
said first side rear edge (28) is hingedly mounted to said first side rear edge (62);
said second rear side edge (30) is hingedly mounted to said second side rear edge (70) ;
said front panel lower edge (34) is hingedly mounted to said bottom panel front edge (40);

said front panel first side edge (36) is disengageably attached to said first side front edge (60); and said front panel second side edge (38) is disengageably attached to said second side front edge (68).
4. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3 formed of a material selected from a metal and a plastics material.
5. A container as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least two of said panels are provided with locking means to effect locking of said container when in said box-like mode.
6. A vehicle having an attached container as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5.
CA 2720769 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Foldable container Abandoned CA2720769A1 (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2720769 CA2720769A1 (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Foldable container

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
CA 2720769 CA2720769A1 (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Foldable container

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
CA2720769A1 true CA2720769A1 (en) 2011-01-26

Family

ID=43514046

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
CA 2720769 Abandoned CA2720769A1 (en) 2010-11-18 2010-11-18 Foldable container

Country Status (1)

Country Link
CA (1) CA2720769A1 (en)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018098449A1 (en) * 2016-11-28 2018-05-31 Brian Goldwitz Truck storage apparatus
CN110979898A (en) * 2019-11-20 2020-04-10 重庆工业职业技术学院 Foldable container and folding method

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2018098449A1 (en) * 2016-11-28 2018-05-31 Brian Goldwitz Truck storage apparatus
US10889247B2 (en) 2016-11-28 2021-01-12 Brian Goldwitz Truck storage apparatus
CN110979898A (en) * 2019-11-20 2020-04-10 重庆工业职业技术学院 Foldable container and folding method
CN110979898B (en) * 2019-11-20 2021-04-30 重庆工业职业技术学院 Foldable container and folding method

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