GB2228254A

GB2228254A - Foldable container

Info

Publication number: GB2228254A
Application number: GB9000943A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew John Burrows
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-02-21
Filing date: 1990-01-16
Publication date: 1990-08-22
Anticipated expiration: 2010-01-16
Also published as: GB9000943D0; GB2228254B

Abstract

A container of sheet material is provided with creases so as to be foldable between a tray form having a base panel 18 providing a floor of the tray and upstanding therefrom first and second panels 20, 22 providing a continuous wall, and the form of a closed or substantially closed box wherein the base panel 18 is folded along creases 12 so that a central region between creases 12 provides the floor of the box and regions of the base panel outwardly of the central region form the side walls of the box, the first panels 20 forming the top of the box and part of the second panels 22 forming the end walls of the box. A carrying handle 30 is provided. The container may be used as a cat litter tray. <IMAGE>

Description

CONTAINER This invention relates to containers and especially to containers formed of foldable sheet material.

A high proportion of domestic cat owners today need to provide their cats with a litter tray containing absorbent granules. Renown trays have to be emptied of their soiled granules frequently, disinfected and recharged with fresh granules - a chore disliked by most cat owners. Additionally the granules, available only in bag form, are heavy and require storage space while being used. It is, therefore, desirable to provide a better system than the one outlined above.

One of the various objects of the present invention is to provide an improved container.

In one aspect the invention may be considered to provide a container of stiff foldable sheet material which can be converted from the form of an open tray to the form of a closed or substantially closed box, the container in its tray form having a base panel of rectangular cross section and, upstanding therefrom, a continuous wall comprising parallel opposite first wall panels providing opposite end portions of the tray and parallel opposite second panels meeting the first panels at first corners, two first creases extending across the base panel parallel to the first panel and defining a region which in the box form provides the floor of the box, and continuing across each second panel from a point at a second corner, at which the second panel joins the first panel, to the edge of the second panel remote from the second corner and two second creases extending across each second panel said second creases being inclined outwardly from said points towards the first corners and meeting said remote edge between said first corners and the regions at which the first creases meet the edge, whereby the container may be hinged about said first creases to move the first panels towards one another, portions of said second panels between the first creases being hinged first outwardly about the second corners, the second panel creasing at the first and second creases to facilitate initial movement of said first panel and then inwardly so that portions of the second panel overlie each other with parts of the first creases adjacent parts of the second corner between said point and said first corner to provide corners of the container in box form, with said first panels providing the top of the box form container, the portions of the second panel between said first creases forming ends of the container and portions of the base panel between the first creases and the first panels forming side walls of the container.

In another aspect the invention may be considered to provide a container formed from a blank of stiff sheet material creased to be foldable between a tray form having a base panel providing a floor of the tray and upstanding therefrom first and second panels providing a continuous wall, and the form of a closed or substantially closed box wherein the base panel is folded so that a central region provides the floor of the box and regions of the base panel outwardly of the central region form side walls of the box, the first panels form the top of the box and the second panels form end walls of the box.

Preferably in a container in accordance with the invention the width of the first and second panels between the base panel and the edge remote therefrom, and the width of the regions of the base panel between each first crease and the adjacent first panel are substantially the same. Conveniently one of the first panels has a flap at its edge portion remote from the base panel which is adapted to overlie part of the other first panel when the container is in its box form whereby to close the top.

Suitably the other of the first panels is provided with a projection adapted to provide a handle when the container is in its box form. Conveniently a slot is provided at the junction of the flap with the remainder of said one of the first panels through which the handle can be threaded when the container is in its box form whereby to retain the top of the container in a closed condition and to provide means by which the container can conveniently be carried.

Preferably in a container in accordance with the invention at least two third creases are formed in one of the second panels, each extending from one of said points to the mid point of the remote edge of said one second panel thus to permit the part of the second panel between the first creases to be folded outwardly when the container is in its box form to permit material to be introduced into the container.The dimensions of the panel and the spacing between the creases are such that when the container is folded from its tray form to its box form, the remote edges of the second panel remain substantially above the level of the central region of the base panel: thus provided the level of the material in the tray is kept below an appropriate level (which may if desired be indicated by a marking on the wall panels), no contents will spill from the container as the container is converted between its tray form and its box form and vice versa.

Preferably a container in accordance with the invention further comprises fourth creases extending across the second panel from the junction of the first corners with the base panel to the point at which the first creases meet the remote edges whereby to permit the first and second panels to be hinged about their junctions with the floor panels so that the tray can be folded flat. This allows the container to be assembled from the form of a blank of sheet material to its tray form but then to be folded flat for ease of transport of a substantial number of partially formed containers.

In another aspect the invention may be considered to provide a blank suitable for use in making a container in accordance with the invention, wherein the blank is substantially rectangular in outline and provided with two parallel first creases and, outwardly disposed thereof and parallel thereto, two fifth creases defining regions of the blank which when erected provide said first panels, two sixth parallel creases extending at right angles to said first and fifth creases defining regions of the blank which when erected provide said second panels, said second creases and where present third and fourth creases in portions of said regions defining the second panels between said fifth creases, and seventh creases in corner regions of the blank defined by the edges of the blank and the fifth and sixth creases to facilitate inward folding of the corner regions during erection of the blank to form the container in tray form.

In another aspect the invention may be considered to provide the method of erecting a blank in accordance with the invention to form a container in accordance with the invention.

A container in accordance with the invention may thus be supplied in its box form, carrying appropriate contents, for example granules for use as cat litter and be opened out to its tray form for actual use as a cat litter tray. After use, the container may be returned to its closed boxed form and sealed for disposal or storage.

Although a container in accordance with the invention is described herein with reference to its use as a cat litter container, the container could be used for a wide variety of other uses.

Containers in accordance with the invention are formed of a blank of a suitable sheet material for example card board or similar low-cost material, for example certain plastics material which are capable of being formed into a container in accordance with the invention using pre-creased folds. Where necessary a container in accordance with the invention may have a nonabsorbent internal lining, for example of impervious silicone or polyethelene sheet materials.

Although containers in accordance with the invention may be constructed without any additional securing means, for security, the sheet material of the corner regions of the blank may be adhered together to retain the erected container in at least its tray form. After use, regions of the container may be sealed to one another, for example by using flaps which are adhesive coated or tucked in the sheet material, or by means of separately applied adhesive strips, so that the container in its box form is fully closed and contents cannot escape therefrom.

Conveniently in a preferred container in accordance with the invention the container is formed of bio-degradable material for environmentally friendly disposal.

Final appearance of the container in accordance with the invention may vary dependent upon its market application.

However, one important aspect of preferred containers in accordance with the invention is the ability to prevent spillage of contents during transformation from tray form to box form and vice-versa and, once in final box form to retain its contents.

There now follows a detailed description to be read with reference to the accompanying drawings of containers embodying the invention. It will be realised that these containers have been selected for description to illustrate the invention by way of example.

In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a plan view showing a blank (itself embodying the invention), suitable for use in forming into a container embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the container in tray form; Figure 3 is a perspective view showing the container as it is transformed from its tray form to its box form; Figure 4 is a perspective view showing the container in its closed and sealed box form; Figure 5 is a plan view of a second blank suitable for use in forming a modified container embodying the invention generally similar to the container shown in figure 4.

In the accompanying drawings, dash lines indicate creases to provide inward folds, whilst chain dot-lines indicate creases to permit reverse direction folds, viewing the blanks. Viewing figure 1, a blank 10 of stiff but foldable cardboard or other similar sheet material is shown, of generally rectangular shape in plan. The illustrative blanks are suitably die cut from a water proof lined card. The blank 10 is suitable for use in making a container embodying the invention and comprises two parallel first creases 12 and outwardly disposed thereof and parallel thereto, two further fifth creases 14. Two additional sixth parallel creases 16 extend at right angles to said creases 12, 14. The creases 14, 16 bound an area which provides a base panel 18 of a container embodying the invention.The portions of the blank 10 outwardly of the creases 14 define first panels 20 of the container in tray form and the region of the blank 10 outwardly of the creases 16 provides second panels 22 of the container in tray form. Various parts of the blank project outwardly beyond the generally rectangular envelope and these are indicated as a top sealing flap 24, end sealing flaps 26, 28 and a handle portion 30. The flaps may be coated with an adhesive or a double sided adhesive tape may be used to provide an adhesive layer on the flaps.

Creases 32 extend across corner regions of the blank defined by the creases 14, 16 and the peripheral edges of the blank from the intersection of the creases 14, 16 to the corners of the blank. The creases 32 facilitate folding of the blank about the creases 14, 16 to erect the container to its tray form shown in figure 2. The corner regions are received within the tray and conveniently adhered to the first panels 20 to retain the tray in its erected condition, in known fashion.

It can be seen viewing figure 1 that further creases 34 extend from the region at which the creases 12, 16 intersect outwardly to an edge of the blank remote from the creases 16 but do not intersect the creases 14. When the container is erected to its tray form parts of the creases 14, 16 meet to provide first corners 36; second corners 38 are provided by the creases 16 and third corners 40 by the creases 14, bounding the base panel 18.

The level to which contents can be retained without spillage is indicated at 60.

In converting the container from its tray form of figure 2 to its box form of figure 4, the second panels 22 are hinged outwardly about the crease 16 as indicated by the arrow A and at the same time end portions 44 of the container are hinged inwardly about the creases 12 as indicated by the arrows B in figure 2. At the same time the second panel 22 is bent inwardly, in folding at the creases 34, 12. When the end portions have reached a sufficiently inward position, continued inward folding as indicated by the arrow B allows the region 44 of the panel 22 to be hinged inwardly again about the crease 16 so that the panel folds about the crease 34 as indicated by the arrow C in figure 3 until the container reaches the box form in which it is shown in figure 4. In this form, the two first creases 12 define the floor of the box. Portions of the second panel 22 overlie each other so that parts of the first creases 12 lie adjacent parts of the second corner 38 lying between the inter section of the first crease 12 and the creases 16 and the first corner 36.

As the tray is folded up to box form, the portions 44 incline outwardly to a maximum angle of 450 to the plane of the base panel 18 and the top edge 48 does not fall below approximately half the vertical height above the plane of the panel 18 of the total width of the second panel between the crease 16 and the edge 48.

When the container is in box form the first panels 20 provide the top of the container, the portions of the second panel 22 between the creases 12 form a substantial part of the ends of the container and portions of the base panel 18 between the creases 12 and the third corners 40 form side walls of the container.

The distance between the creases 14 and the opposite end edges 46 of the blank and between the creases 16 and the opposite side edges of the blank 48 are the same and are double the distance between the creases 12; furthermore the distance between the creases 12 and 14 are similar to the distance between the creases 14 and edge 46. As can be seen viewing figure 4, the flap 24 at one of the edges 46 is adapted to overlie part of the other first panel 20 when the container is in box form and is provided with an adhesive coating by which the flap 24 can be adhered to the panel 20 thus to seal the container in box form.Furthermore, the handle portion is arranged to be formed by folding over at a crease line 50 two corresponding parts which are adhered together to give a handle 30 of double thickness sheet material which is inserted through a slot 52 thereby to assist in retaining the container closed in its box form and to provide the carrying handle 30. Flaps 26, 28 are adhered to portions 22 of the second panels thus to close ends of the container in box form.

WheIi the illustrative container is supplied as a cat litter container fresh litter may be supplied in the container in the box form shown in figure 4 but without any of the flaps 24, 26, 28 permanently adhered. The container can thus readily be opened out to its tray form as in figure 2. Finally after use, the container may be folded back as described above to the box form of figure 4 and the flaps 24, 26, 28 sealed thus to provide a convenient and hygienic means of disposal of cat litter.

In figure 5 is shown a modified form of the blank of figure 1: like numbers indicate like parts. There are a few minor differences - for example when the handle 30a shown in figure 5 is hinged about the crease 50a, a portion 54 is adhered to the first panel 20 to provide the handle 30a. Furthermore, a slot 52 is configured to provide a tongue 56 which in the box form interlocks with the handle 30a. Additionally, further creases 58 extend across the second panel 22 from the intersection of the creases 14 and 16 at the point at which the first creases 12 meet the edges 48. This permits the first and second panels 20, 22 to be hinged about the creases 14, 16 so that the container in the tray form can be folded flat for ready transport.

In addition to or instead of adhesive flaps, the closed box may be sealed by the applied adhesive tape.

Additional creases 62 are formed in one of the second panels 22 each extending from the intersection of the creases 12, 16 to the mid point of the edge 48 thereby to permit the part of the second panel 22 between the creases 12 to be folded outwardly when the container is in its box form thus to permit material to be introduced into the container though the opening so formed.

In the first illustrative container, the contents may be introduced during manufacture prior to the box being completely closed. Although the contents of the box can readily be sealed by an adhesive tape, the whole container may be shrink-wraped for initial supply.

Having purchased the container with its contents, for example absorbent granules for a cat litter tray, the consumer would remove the outer wrapping, for example pieces of sealing tape or shrink wrap material and thread the handle 30 back through the slot 52 allowing the box to open out into its tray form thus revealing the contents for the cat to use as normal.

After the grit has been soiled and is ready for replacing, the consumer would fold the tray back to box form (if necessary peeling off protective coatings from the adhesive layers on the flaps 24, 26, 28) and fold the tray form container back up to box form, threading the handle back through the slot 52 and finally sticking the flaps down to seal the box and contents.

The container can then readily be disposed of in a hygienic manner.

The illustrative containers can readily be converted between tray and box form and are simply made from a single die - cut blank of sheet material. They are relatively inexpensive.

Claims

1. A container of stiff foldable sheet material which can be converted from the form of an open tray to the form of a closed or substantially closed box the container in its tray form having a base panel of rectangular cross section and, upstanding therefrom, a continuous wall comprising parallel opposite first wall panels providing opposite end portions of the tray and parallel opposite second wall panels meeting the first panels at first corners, two first creases extending across the first panel side and defining a region which in the box form provides the floor of the box, and continuing across each second panel from a point at a second corner, at which the second panel joins the first panel, to the edge of the second panel remote from the second corner and two second creases extending across each second panel said second creases being inclined outwardly from said points towards the first corners, meeting said remote edge between said first corners and the regions at which the first creases meet the edge whereby the container may be hinged about said first creases to move the first panels towards one another, portions of said second panels between the first creases being hinged first outwardly about the second corners, the second panel creasing at the first and second creases to facilitate initial movement of said first panels, and then inwardly so that portions of the second panel overlie each other with parts of the first creases being adjacent parts of the second corner between said point and said first corner to provided corners of the container in box form, with said first panels providing the top of the box form container, the portions of the second panel between said first creases forming ends of the container and portions of the base panel between the first creases and the first panels forming side walls of the container.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the widths of the first and second panels between the base panel and the edge remote therefrom, and the width of the regions of the base panel between each first crease and the adjacent first panel are substantially the same.

3. A container according to claim 2 wherein one of the first panels is provided with a flap at its edge portion remote from the base panel which is adapted to overlie part of the other first panel when the container is in box form whereby to close the top.

4. A container according to claim 3 wherein said other of the first panels is provided with a projection adapted to provide a handle when the container is in its box form.

5. A container according to claim 4 having a slot at the junction of the flap with the remainder of said first panel through which the handle can be threaded when the container is in its box form.

6. A container according to any one of the preceding claims comprising two third creases formed in one of the second panels each extending from one of said points to the mid point of the remote edge of said one second panel whereby to permit the part of the second panel between the first creases to be folded outwardly when the container is in its box form to permit material to be introduced into the container.

7. A container according to any one of the preceding claims having fourth creases extending across the second panel from the junction of the first corners with the base panel to the points at which the first creases meet the remote edges whereby to permit the first and second panels to be hinged about their junctions with the base panel so that the tray can be folded flat.

8. A container constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figures 1 to 4 of the accompanying drawings.

9. A container constructed arranged and adapted to operate substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.

10. A blank suitable for use in making a container according to any one of the preceding claims which is substantially rectangular in outline and provided with two parallel first creases and, outwardly disposed thereof and parallel thereto, tow fifth creases defining regions of the blank which when erected provide said first panels, two sixth parallel creases extending at right angles to said first and sixth creases defining regions of the blank which when erected provide said second panels, said second creases and where present third and fourth creases in portions of said regions defining the second panels between said sixth creases, and seventh creases in corner regions of the blank defined by the edges of the blank and the fifth and sixth creases to facilitate inward folding of the corner regions during erection of the blank to form the container in tray form.

11. A method of erecting a blank according to claim 10 to form a container according to claim 1.

12. A container formed from a blank of stiff sheet material creased to be foldable between the tray form having a base panel providing a floor of the tray and upstanding therefrom first and second panels providing a continuous wall, and a form of a closed or substantially closed box wherein the base panel is folded so that a central region provides the floor of the box and regions of base panel outwardly of the central region form side walls of the box, the first panels form the top of the box and the second panels form end walls of the box.

13. A container according to any one of claims 1 to 10 and 12 containing a quantity of cat litter material.