BE1027159B1 - FOLDABLE CONTAINER - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to containers, preferably made of (corrugated) cardboard; and specific uses thereof.

Description

-1- BE2019 / 5650

FOLDABLE CONTAINER Technical field The invention relates to containers, preferably made of (corrugated) cardboard, more in particular foldable containers, and special applications thereof. Background of the Invention Collapsible containers, having a 2n-perimeter layout, where n is a positive integer, n23 exist. In general, such collapsible containers comprise bottom parts, and side wall with side wall parts connected thereto, and usually separately also comprising a cover part for closing the container when expanded.

However, such prior art collapsible containers tend to have too many different parts, particularly bottom parts, which makes their assembly more difficult and quite complicated.

Moreover, while the side wall parts are basically defined by the folding of a piece of material, practical use (unfolding) of these foldable containers requires special considerations in providing such folding, especially with regard to bottom parts.

Furthermore, practical use of a number of such containers requires further considerations regarding the selection of a particular layout.

Such known containers also tend not to be completely closed at the bottom. Moreover, such foldable containers are preferably suitable for heavy loads. This also requires additional considerations with regard to design choices, preferably avoiding reverting to simply making the walls and / or bottom part thicker or stronger, or more robust on its own.

-2- BE2019 / 5650 Object of the Invention It is the object of the invention to have collapsible containers with fewer components, which provide deliberate folding to facilitate deployment and layout selection for both the general context of use (multiple containers on one storage location) and / or strength considerations.

Summary of the Invention In a first aspect of the invention, the invention provides a collapsible container having a layout with a 2n periphery, where n is a positive integer n = 3, comprising: (1) 2n side wall parts joined together , each two of these are essentially parallel to each other, these parallel have the same side length, (2) n / 2 separate bottom parts, adapted to be oriented essentially perpendicular to the side wall parts.

In a second aspect of the invention, the invention provides a collapsible container, having a 2n-circumferential layout, where n is a positive integer nz3, comprising: (1) 2n side wall parts joined together, each two of them essentially parallel to each other, these parallel ones have the same side length, the side lengths being chosen so that the collapsible container approximates an ellipsoid.

The first and second aspects of the invention can be combined.

In a third aspect of the invention, the invention provides a collapsible container, having a 2n-perimeter layout, where n is a positive integer n = 3, comprising: (1) 2n side wall parts joined together, each two of them substantially parallel to each other, these parallel having the same side length, the circumference defined by said 2n side wall parts in a folded-out position without bottom parts, defining a first surface having a first dimension; and (2) one or more separate bottom parts, adapted to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the side wall parts and formed and positioned such that each bottom part connects a plurality of side wall parts, the one or more bottom parts in the expanded position.

BE2019 / 5650 while not connected to said side wall portions define a second surface with a second dimension (slightly) greater than said first dimension. The third aspect can be combined with the first and / or the second aspect of the invention. Overview of the drawings Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of a top view of a collapsible container (with n = 4) according to the invention. The folding mechanism of the bottom parts of the current foldable container is hereby also explained.

Figure 2 shows different layout versions explaining the side wall folding mechanism which consists of side wall parts of a collapsible container (with n = 4) in accordance with the invention.

Figure 3 shows a detailed embodiment of a collapsible container according to the invention, more specifically illustrating the design and assembly of an octabin with two bottom parts and a one-piece side wall with 8 side wall parts.

Description of the Invention Containers are defined by their side wall and their bottom. The shape of the container is determined by the outline of the layout. The layout defines the side wall in terms of the number of side wall parts connected to each other and their lengths. The bottom, which may comprise bottom parts connected to one or more of the side wall parts, must be adapted to such a layout. In one embodiment, the side wall is made by mechanical (automated) production, with assembly and automatic gluing performed on the machine. The bottom can consist of two pieces or bottom parts that are placed in the side wall production and glued (for example with outer flaps).

When such a container is of the (fully) collapsible type (meaning that all parts (side wall parts and bottom parts) are attached to at least one other part when assembled), the geometry of the layout explains

-4- BE2019 / 5650 limits the design of the bottom parts to facilitate easy unfolding.

Quite generally speaking, the invention relates to a collapsible container, having a layout with a 2n periphery, where n is a positive integer nz3, comprising: (1) 2n side wall parts joined together, (2) separate bottom parts adapted to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the side wall portions and rigidly connected to a portion of the side wall portions. By foldable is meant the container carton as installed, and which must be unfolded when needed for use, which means that the container is filled with, for example, bulk material. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the invention, more in particular a schematic representation in top view of a collapsible container, in which n = 4, and thus an 8-perimeter is given. The collapsible container with such a perimeter comprises a side wall with 8 side wall sections and is also referred to as an octabin, a term known in the art. While the top view is shown in this figure, a possible bottom folding mechanism consisting of bottom parts is also explained.

In Figure 1 (a) several dots are illustrated in the top view representation, a total of 8 to be more precise, indicating the 8 folds where the 8 (= 2n) side wall parts are in between when the container is unfolded and upright, which means means that the bottom part is on the ground or, for example, on a pallet surface (placed horizontally) while the side wall is upright (placed vertically). All 8 dots have the same shape and size, indicating that each of them represents a fold or crease (a term also mentioned in the art), with the same depth or strength of folds, meaning that all folds appear in the same type of material be folded with the same or comparable force, and in a direction with a similar inner structure. According to one embodiment, the side lengths L1, L2, L3, L4 of the side wall comprising side wall parts 1, 2, 3, 4 are chosen such that when expanded or unfolded, the bottom surface of the collapsible container approximates an ellipsoid, e.g. the centers or pop-marks of the edges of the 8

BE2019 / 5650 side wall parts define an ellipsoid or else, for example, an ellipsoid can be drawn from the corners connecting the side wall parts.

With the embodiment of Figure 1, meaning that the integer n = 4, the bottom consists of n / 2 = 2 bottom parts. Figure 1 (b) is also a plan view further explaining the construction of one of the bottom parts. A first bottom part 700 of the 2 bottom parts of the octabin is drawn. The first bottom part 700 extends from a first side wall part 1 to a second side wall part 2, adjacent to the first side wall part 1, and the first bottom part 700 is rigidly connected to these first and second side wall parts 1, 2. In addition, the first bottom part 700 extends further from a third side wall portion 3, adjacent the first side wall portion 1, to a fourth side wall portion 4, adjacent to the second side wall portion 2, and the first bottom portion 700 is rigidly connected to these third and fourth side wall portions 3, 4. The same reasoning can be made. for the other or second bottom part (not shown). The second bottom part extends from a fifth side wall part to a sixth side wall part, adjacent to the fifth side wall part, and the second bottom part is rigidly connected to these fifth and sixth side wall parts. In addition, the second bottom portion further extends from a seventh side wall portion, adjacent the fifth side wall portion, to an eighth side wall portion, adjacent the sixth side wall portion, and the second bottom portion is rigidly connected to these seventh and eighth side wall portions. Further shown in Figure 1 (b) between the first and second side wall portions 1, 2 of the first bottom portion 700 is a first straight line 90, which is the bisecting line of the angle defined by the first and second side wall portions 1, 2. This first straight line 90 represents a first continuous fold with which it coincides. Rather than referring to a fold, there may alternatively be mentioned a section that promotes the deformation behavior of the adjacent regions, as is also mentioned in the art. In addition, between the third and fourth side wall portion 3, 4 of the first bottom portion 700, there is a second continuous fold coinciding with the first straight line 90. The arrows in Figure 1 (b) indicate that the first bottom portion 700 has on the one hand first and second side wall portions. 1, 2, and on the other hand connects third and fourth side wall parts 3, 4. The indication in Figure 1 (b) of LA, LB, LC and LD for the third, first, second and fourth side wall portion, respectively, is made for comparison with Figure 3, further described below and referring to a more detailed embodiment of the

-6- BE2019 / 5650 invention with regard to design and assembly of an octabin with two bottom parts and a one-piece side wall in which 8 side wall parts can be distinguished.

Another top view representation is illustrated in Figure 1 (c), similar to the illustration of Figure 1 (a), although the 8 dots are now different in size and shape, indicating or indicating that the creases represented by these dots have a different depth or strength of folding. For example, a large dot represents a strong fold, while a small dot is shown for a soft fold or crease.

Figure 2 now further explains the folding mechanism of the side wall of the collapsible container according to the invention, more in particular a collapsible octabin. The side wall parts are defined by folding side wall folds into piece of material, preferably a single piece of material 10 is used as illustrated in Figure 2 (a). In a preferred embodiment, some of the sidewall folds have a different depth or strength than another portion of the sidewall folds, and even more preferably, at least three different depths or strengths of folds are used. Further, in Figures 2 (b), 2 (c) and 2 (d), the aspect of smooth folding, i.e. multiple folding in different steps, is described.

In Figure 2 (b), the same single piece of material 10 is given, but now folded, and both ends of which are joined in a joint 20. The single piece of material 10 is folded into two folded parts 100, 200, being, for example, of the same length, and thereby creating two continuous folds 50, 60. By having the single piece of material 10 folded, it will be possible to transport the side wall with its side wall portions of the collapsible container as a more compact flat object 300.

In Figure 2 (c) further folding is illustrated, now for example with less depth, or less strong than the first fold of Figure 2 (b). Therefore, smaller extra points for indicating the second fold are shown in Figure 2 (c) compared to the first fold points of Figure 2 (b). Performing a second fold of each of the two folded parts 100, 200 from the first fold in Figure 2 (b), now results in the

-7-

BE2019 / 5650 define, in each of those two folded parts 100, 200, of two sub-parts 400, 410, 420, 430 respectively, possibly of different length.

As can be seen from the size of the dots, the second fold 70, 80 is less in depth or less strong than the first fold.

According to a preferred embodiment, the sub-parts define a rectangle that acts as an intermediate shape during the folding of the side wall parts of the container.

According to one embodiment, the joint 20 coincides with one of the performed folds or folds, here in Figure 2 (c) with, for example, second fold 70 in folded portion 100. In Figure 2 (d) further folding 500, 510, 520, 530, e.g. with less depth, or less strength than the second fold, whereby the folding, for example, is not performed in the middle or center of each of the sub-parts (to obtain 8 side wall parts here). According to a preferred embodiment, the bottom parts connect side wall parts of different folded parts, more preferably the first and third side wall parts 1, 3 or are part of a sub part 400, 410 of a folded part 100, while the second and fourth side wall parts 2, 4 define or form part of another sub-portion 420, 430 of another folded portion 200. Unfolded from the folded layout of Figure 2 (c), the rectangular shape of Figure 2 (e) is achieved.

On unfolding the folded layout of Figure 2 (d), the octagonal shape of Figure 2 (f) is achieved.

Further unfolding of the rectangular shape of Figure 2 (e) also results in the octagonal shape of Figure 2 (f). For the construction of a collapsible container according to the invention, more in particular an embodiment thereof in the form of a so-called octabin, reference is made to Figure 3. In comparison with existing collapsible containers, the following advantageous features of the collapsible container according to the present invention: e two parts for the bottom base plate may suffice instead of eg four a much flatter bottom (less complex) more closed and better sealed instead of sliding pieces

-8- BE2019 / 5650 e simple set-up in one movement, and by placing the container on its point and pressing down, the bottom automatically closes by sliding the two parts (of the bottom base) over each other e by pressing the two Pressing slightly raised points under the jacket sleeve closes the bottom completely 'tight' to a perfectly closed surface. This can be done automatically by the highest pressure when filling the octabin with bulk product, with or without the supplied plastic inner bag. Fine granulate materials will not leak due to the very tightly sealed bottom.

e pay attention to the direction of the wave in the lower parts: this is such that the folding is smooth during assembly and installation. The bottom pieces are nested from the corrugated board in such a way that the "material use" is reduced to a minimum

Claims (8)

-9- BE2019 / 5650 Conclusions A collapsible container (600), which has a layout with a 2n periphery, where n = 4, comprising: (1) 2n side wall parts, joined together, each two of them substantially parallel to each other, having these parallel same side length, (2) n / 2 separate bottom parts, adapted to be oriented essentially perpendicular to the side wall parts and formed and positioned in the following manner: (a) a first bottom part (700) of the n / 2 bottom parts extends extends from a first side wall portion to a second side wall portion, adjacent the first side wall portion, said first bottom portion is rigidly connected to these first and second side wall portions, (b) said first bottom portion further extends from a third side wall portion, adjacent said first side wall portion , to a fourth side wall portion, adjacent the second side wall portion, and said first bottom portion is rigidly connected to these third and fourth side wall portions, the extending portion being connected between the first and second side wall portions of the first the bottom portion has a first continuous fold coinciding with a first straight line (90) that is the intersection line of the angle defined by the first and second side wall portions; and the extending portion between the third and fourth side wall portions of the first bottom portion has a second continuous fold that coincides with the first straight line. The collapsible container according to claim 1, wherein the side wall parts are defined by folding side wall folds into piece of material, preferably a single piece of material (10) both ends of which are joined in a joint (20), preferably have part of the sidewall folds a different depth, or strength than a different portion of the sidewall folds, preferably at least three different depths or strengths are used. The collapsible container as set forth in claim 1 or 2, which has a layout with a 2n perimeter, where n = 4, comprising: (1) 2n side wall parts joined together, each two of them substantially parallel to each other , these parallel have the same side length, the side lengths being chosen such that when unfolded, the bottom surface of the collapsible container approximates an ellipsoid; and (2) separate bottom parts, adapted to be substantially perpendicular to the side wall parts BE2019 / 5650 oriented and shaped and positioned such that each bottom part connects a number of side wall parts. 4. The collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims, formed from (corrugated) cardboard. The collapsible container according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein each bottom part has three ends, two of them respectively facing one side wall part and one thereof facing two side wall parts, and each end is provided with a foldable retaining lip, the surface being fixed connected to the outside of the respective sidewall facing portion. The collapsible container as set forth in claim 1 or 2, which has a layout with a 2n perimeter, where n = 4, comprising: (1) 2n side wall parts joined together, each two of them substantially parallel to each other , these parallel have the same side length, and preferably where the side lengths are chosen such that the collapsible container approximates an ellipsoid, and where the contour of the ground surface of the container, when unfolded, is defined by the 2n side wall parts in an unfolded version without bottom parts, defines a first surface with a first dimension; and (2) one or more separate bottom parts, adapted to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the side wall parts and shaped and positioned such that each bottom part connects a plurality of side wall parts, said one or more individual bottom parts in the expanded version while not connected. defining with said side wall portions a second surface having a second dimension that is (slightly) larger than said first dimension (and therefore results in a non-planar surface when said separate bottom portions are joined to said side wall portions) to thereby cause when pressure is applied on said bottom parts (during use of said collapsible container by filling it) said second surface becomes flat while completely covering said first surface. A method of making a collapsible container, which has a layout with a 2n-perimeter, where n = 4, comprising: 2n side wall parts, joined together, formed from a single piece (10) of which the ends are connected in a connection point (20), consists of (1) generating -11- BE2019 / 5650 mentioned 2n side wall parts, by (I) first folding the one single piece into two folded parts of the same length (100, 200), creating two continuous folds (50, 60) (to thereby allow to transport said side wall parts of said collapsible container as a flat object (300)), and (II) further performing further folding in each of the two folded parts n-1 times (to obtain the 2n side wall parts), optionally falls the junction (20) together with one of the performed folds or folds and preferably wherein the side lengths are selected such that, whenever unfolded, the bottom surface of the collapsible container approximates an ellipsoid; and (2) further comprising separate bottom parts, adapted to be oriented substantially perpendicular to the side wall parts and shaped and disposed such that each bottom part connects a plurality of side wall parts as set forth in claim 1 or 2. The method of making a collapsible container according to claim 7, wherein further performing at least further folding comprises the steps of (III) performing a second fold of each of the two folded portions into each of said two define subparts of different lengths (400, 410, 420, 430), wherein the second fold (70, 80) is less depth, or less strong than the first fold; and (IV) further performing further folding (500, 510, 520, 530) less deep, or less strong than said second fold of each of said sub-parts to obtain 2 n side wall parts, preferably the bottom parts connect side wall parts of different folded parts, more preferably, the first and third side wall portions define or are part of a sub-portion of a folded portion, while the second and fourth side wall portions define or form part of another sub portion of another folded portion.