Flexible bags – Miscellaneous
Patent
1992-06-29
1994-09-27
Shoap, Allan N.
Flexible bags
Miscellaneous
383 33, A45C 700
Patent
active
053502418
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to an expanding device for collapsible articles, such as collapsible bags, and a collapsible article including an expanding device.
Commercial transport of goods is normally charged by volume as well as weight of the goods, and articles, such as bags, which can be collapsed for transport provide a distributor with significant cost savings. The disadvantage of such collapsible goods, however, is that on reaching their destination they invariably need to be expanded so as to present an attractive appearance and thereby enhance sale prospects. Purchasers of collapsible goods normally spend an inordinate amount of time filling the goods with costly inserts and foam material so the goods can be presented in an expanded form.
A number of devices have been proposed in the past to try to alleviate the above problem but most have either proved ineffective, or relatively cumbersome and/or, expensive to implement.
An object of the present invention is to provide an effective and inexpensive expanding device for collapsible articles.
In accordance with the present invention there is provided an expanding device for a collapsible article comprising:
engaging portions disposed, in use, at respective opposite locations adjacent or at joins of at least one wall of said article and resilient means which, on release of forces holding said article in a collapsed state, acts on said engaging portions to cause said engaging portions to act on said joins or portions of said article adjacent thereto so as to expand said article for display purposes.
Preferably a first one of said engaging portions is brought toward a second one of said engaging portions to place said article in said collapsed state, the first and second engaging portions acting against said resilient means, and on release of said forces said resilient means acts to separate said first and second engaging portions until said article is expanded.
Preferably said first and second engaging portions are respectively disposed, in use, at or adjacent opposite joins of an end wall of said article and, on release of said forces, are separated by said resilient means until said end wall is fully extended.
Preferably said resilient means is connected between said first and second engaging portions.
Preferably said device includes first and second members pivotally connected to one another and comprising said first and second engaging portions, respectively and first and second extending portions which extend from said first and second engaging portions, respectively, said members each having first and second parts disposed on opposite sides of the pivotal connection therebetween, wherein said resilient means includes a first resilient band attached between the first part of the first member and the second part of the second member and a second resilient band attached between the first part of the second member and the second part of the first member.
Preferred embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of an expanding device in a collapsible bag;
FIG. 2 is a plan view of the expanding device of FIG. 1 when the bag is collapsed;
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the expanding device of FIG. 1 when the bag is expanded in its normal shape for displaying purposes;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of an expanding device in a collapsible bag;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of an expanding device shown in part of a collapsible bag;
FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an expanded collapsible bag which includes a fourth preferred embodiment of an expanding device;
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the bag of FIG. 6 when collapsed;
FIG. 8 is a plan cross-sectional view of one of the side walls of the bag of FIG. 6; and
FIG. 9 is a plan cross-sectional view of the side wall of FIG. 6 when the bag is collapsed.
An expanding device 2 is shown in FIG. 1 inserted
REFERENCES:
patent: 3383027 (1968-05-01), Brinkama et al.
patent: 4946292 (1990-08-01), Diamond et al.
patent: 4969751 (1990-11-01), Diamond et al.
patent: 4993846 (1991-02-01), Diamond et al.
patent: 5030014 (1991-07-01), Diamond et al.
patent: 5179600 (1993-01-01), Bailey et al.
Pascua Jes F.
Shoap Allan N.
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