Envelopes – wrappers – and paperboard boxes – Paperboard box – Compartmented
Patent
1997-01-06
1998-06-09
Elkins, Gary E.
Envelopes, wrappers, and paperboard boxes
Paperboard box
Compartmented
53246, 22911701, 493311, B65D 54805
Patent
active
057622620
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to collapsible containers.
For convenience only, the present invention will be described with reference to reusable collapsible containers which can be folded after use for storage, and to collapsible containers for the packaging of consumable products such as foods, beverages and chemicals, for which the invention may be particularly applicable. However, it is to be understood that it is not to be limited as such. Moreover, because the invention may have other applications it is to be understood that the background art and possible embodiments of the invention as discussed below are given by way of example only.
BACKGROUND ART
There have been various proposals for reusable collapsible containers which can be folded after use for storage. For example U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,077 discloses an arrangement for a collapsible shipping container of an open box shape, which can be folded to a generally flat collapsed condition after use, for shipping back to the point of origin. Folding is achieved by having diagonal fold lines formed on opposite end walls, each extending diagonally from a bottom comer to a diagonally opposite top comer of the end wall, and diagonal fold lines formed on opposite side walls each extending diagonally from a bottom comer to a point on an upper edge of the respective side wall, spaced a short distance from the diagonally opposite corner. One of the side walls is also provided with a second fold extending from the point on the upper edge to the lower opposite corner, thus forming a second triangularly shaped side wall section which can be folded inwards, to initiate folding of the walls to a collapsed condition.
Although such an arrangement enables rectangular shaped containers of varying dimensions, to be folded flat, the folding operation involves a particular sequence and is thus complicated. Moreover, due to the non symmetrical arrangement of the fold lines on the side walls (for example, the requirement for two fold lines on one of the side walls), manufacturing costs are increased.
With regards to containers for the packaging of consumable products, since conventional packaging does not generally allow for changing the configuration of the container during use, various problems arise.
For example, in the case of packaging concentrated products which must be reconstituted before use. In this case at the time of use, the concentrated ingredients packaged in the container must be mixed with a required amount of dilutent in a separate larger container, Alternatively, the volume of the container may be made sufficiently large to hold the additional dilutent required for reconstitution. Such packaging is either inconvenient in that it requires a further container to be used with some means for measuring the required amount of dilutent, or alternatively is of such a volume that it takes up valuable storage space.
Similar problems arise with products such as two pot mixes or multiple pot mixes, where two or more ingredients must be stored separately and then mixed together before use. In this case the ingredients must be stored in separate containers, and then mixed together in an additional container. This is again inconvenient in that separate containers are required. Moreover there is the danger of spillage, and contamination of the products, when being mixed.
Another problem resides in the storage of dry foods such as biscuits, coffee, flour etc, and in the storage of chemicals such as paints, where the opening of the container and removal of some of the contents leaves the remaining contents exposed to a larger volume of air.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to address the foregoing problems, or to at least provide the public with a useful choice.
Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the ensuing description which is given by way of example only.
According to one aspect of the present invention there is provided a collapsible container comprising
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patent: 4377917 (1983-03-01), Guidry
patent: 4722473 (1988-02-01), Sandrini et al.
patent: 5230690 (1993-07-01), Adkinson et al.
patent: 5381892 (1995-01-01), Allen
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