FR2602744A1 - Convertible container for loose material - Google Patents

Abstract

Container produced from a blank of cardboard, plastic or composite material, cut out and folded in such a way as to define a tub formed from a horizontal bottom 2, 1, 2' surrounded in a continuous manner by vertical sides 3, 10 to 10', 3', 19 to 19' and capable of receiving loose material accessible from the open upper section, characterised in that the blank comprises, in addition to the grooving lines necessary for its folding in order to obtain the tub, additional grooving lines, 37, 37' in particular, capable of allowing the conversion of the open tub into a closed box of reduced overall size, and vice-versa, without having to remove the loose material, whatever it shape may be, which remains contained in the container.

Description

The present invention relates to receptacles for furniture and more particularly for cat litter.

 Currently Litter Boxes are generally sold in packages, transported to the place of use and partially or completely empty in an appropriate bin. When the litter is dirty it is necessary to take the bin, empty its contents in a garbage bag, then wash the said bin, which constitutes unpleasant operations, unhygienic and often messy.

 To overcome these drawbacks, we have already had the idea of putting litter boxes in disposable boots, but these boots do not have covers and occupy a relatively large area, so they have to be knocked over to throw them in the usual trash cans, and The soiled litter is scattered, causing bad smells and the obligation of frequent cleaning, it is still possible to empty the soiled litter in a special bag, but then there is not really any more interest the box is disposable. In fact, the problem of evacuating soiled litter has not been resolved. One of the aims of the invention is precisely to make the handling and disposal of soiled litter more hygienic.

 The present invention relates to a receptacle made from a blank of cardboard, or plastic, or composite material, cut and folded so as to determine a tray in the form of a horizontal bottom surrounded by vertical sides and capable of receive a movable material accessible by the open upper part, receptacle characterized in that the blank comprises, in addition to grooves lines necessary for its folding to obtain the tray, special additional grooves lines suitable for allowing the transformation of the open tray in a closed boot of reduced bulk, and vice versa, without having to remove the loose material which remains contained in the receptacle, whatever its shape.

 The receptacle comprises at least two additional grooves parallel symmetrical with respect to the axis of the blank, and dividing the bottom of the tray into three rectan gles so as to be able to vertically raise the rectangles of ends and that the sides adjoining these rectangles can be placed at the top in the cover position. Thanks to these creasing lines it is also possible to transform a bin into a closed bundle and vice versa. Advantageously, the aforementioned sides are each extended by an end portion comprising a lumen, these end portions forming lateral ears in the bin position, or forming an axial handle in the boot or suitcase position. The box can thus be easily transported like a suitcase.

The container comprises continuous vertical walls comprising grooves defining triangles extending in fan at each corner of the central rectangle of the bottom of the container. After the container is formed into a suitcase, the bottom is reduced to a single central rectangle. The size of the box (or suitcase) on the ground is therefore much less than that of the bin.

 According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the receptacle is presented and sold in the form of a container or easily transportable suitcase containing a litter for cats. At his home, the customer can open the boot to transform it into a bin with a relatively large surface area, then, when the litter is soiled, transform the receptacle into a box or suitcase and throw it all away without having to touch or handle the litter itself. -even. The box can then be thrown in a bin without the material escaping, and therefore without having to be introduced into a special bag. The absence of litter handling constitutes significant hygienic progress.

To better understand the invention, it is given c; -a practical example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
Fig. 1 is a view of the flat blank,
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the receptacle used as a container,
Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the dish laid flat,
Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the receptacle used as a suitcase.

 The receptacle is formed from a rectangular blank (shown in thin solid lines) cut along lines represented by thick solid lines, then folded along lines represented by dashed lines, clearly visible in FIG. 1. In this Fig. 1 we also see dotted lines intended to represent optional folding lines. For more clarity in the description which follows, the thick solid lines are called: cutting lines, and the dashed and dotted lines are called creasing lines. The lines of the cuts and the lines of the creases are symmetrical with respect to the axes A and B of the rectangular blank.

Fig. 1 shows that the lines and lines define a central rectangle 1, on one side rectangles 2 and 3 and the terminal part 4, and with on the other side the symmetrical rectangles 2 'and 3' and the terminal part 4 ' relative to axis B. On a border parallel to the axis
A is in the center a triangle 5 (whose base adjoins the short side of rectangle 1), then going towards one end, triangles 6 to 10 in fan (whose vertices coincide with the corresponding angle of rectangle 1) , an element 11, of substantially rectangular shape, and a tab 12. Symmetrically with respect to the axis B, there are the same elements referenced 6 'to 12'. The other edge of the blank is symmetrical, with respect to the axis A, to that just described and comprises a central triangle 13 and elements 14 to 20 and 14 'to 20'.

 The periphery of the blank is cut so as to determine lateral (such as 21) and terminal notches (such as 22) leaving preferably (but not necessarily) appendages 23 or 24 of particular shape (see drawings), of which the role will be explained below.

Due to the symmetry with respect to the two axes A and B there are four appendices of type 23 and four appendices of type 24. In the bottom of each lateral notch such as 21, a notch 34 is cut in the end of the tab. 20, and it is the same for the legs 12, 12 'and 20'. In the terminal part 4 is cut a light 25 and it is the same symmetrically in 25 'in the part 4'.

 Simultaneously, lines 26 and 27 are cut so as to separate element 11 from neighboring elements 10 and 12, and the same is true for elements 11 ', 19 and 19'.

 Simultaneously or separately, fold lines are produced by compression, partial cutting or any other known process.

 To form the receptacle, a first border of triangles 10 to 10 'is raised to ninety degrees by pivoting it around the lines 29, 28, 29' and the second border of triangles 18 to 18 'is symmetrically raised around the lines 31. , 30, 31 '. There is then a first end made up of the elements 11, 3, 19, by rotating them around the line 32 on the one hand, and a second end made up of the elements 11 ', 3', 19 'by making them rotate around the line 32 'on the other hand. Then each rectangle 11, 11 ', 19, 19' is folded along the line such as 33, then is folded outwardly and glued laterally on the triangle 10 or 10 ', or 18 or 18' facing it, along the border already noted. The appendages 23 are placed under the angles of the rectangle 1 and reinforce them. The legs 12 and 20 are folded down to one hundred and eighty degrees and glued to the terminal part 4, and the notches 34 coincide with the light 25. even for the part symmetrical with respect to the axis B. The reinforced parts 4 and 4 'constitute the ears of the receptacle whose bottom is formed by the rectangles 2, 1, 2' and the vertical periphery continues by the elements 3, 11 , 10 to 10 ', 11', 3 ', 19', 18 'to 18, 19. There is thus a receptacle with a flat bottom (2, 1, 2') and with continuous vertical edges. This receptacle can be laid flat by folding the side walls on the bottom 2, 1, 2 'causing a double folding of the end portions 3, 4 and 3', 4 '. Simultaneously these end parts pivot outwards around the lines 32, 32 ', and partially bend around the dotted lines 35, 36 and 35', 36 '.

 The receptacLe can be delivered flat and the user just has to lift the ears 4 and 4 'to open it and cause the automatic installation of the vertical walls. The receptacle is thus ready for service and can be filled with any desired material, in particular a cat litter.

When the material is soiled and you want to change it, you transform the receptacle into a closed, waterproof case for loose material, easily transportable. Just lift the ears 4, 4 'and cause the bottom to fold along lines 37 and 37', Simultaneously,
the end portions of the edges of the receptacle formed by the non-glued triangles such as 6 to 9, bend along the lines of grooves provided for this purpose alternately on the two sides of the blank to determine bellows developing inwards. The triangles 5 and 13 of the central parts of the borders remain vertical. The base of these triangles 5 and 13 determine the thickness of the suitcase, and are completed by the glued parts 10, 10 'or 18, 18'. The maneuver consisting in properly lifting the ears and generating the different folds allowing the transformation from the suitcase bin thanks in particular to the formation of the bellows and the positioning of the rectangles 3 and 3 ′ in the cover. By raising upward the terminal parts 4, 4 ′ by pivoting around the corresponding lines 38, 38 ′, these parts are applied one against the other and a handle is formed. It is possible to run your fingers through the lights 25, 25 '. The receptacle can be folded with the material it contains and constitute a waterproof suitcase to transport this material.

This suitcase is constituted by a horizontal bottom 1, vertical walls comprising the elements 2, 11, 10 b 10 ', 11', 2 ', 19', 18 'to 18, 19, a horizontal cover determined by the rectangles 3 and 3 'with an axial handle 4, 4'
Different variants are possible without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the appendages 23 and / or 24 for reinforcing angles can be of different shapes, or possibly deleted. The blank cutout may not be separated from the tab 12, but remain linked to it by a creasing line forming a joint, instead of the cutout 26. The cutout of the handle is in this case also modified according to the variants.

 The direction of the flap of the element 11 is thus modified.

 Similarly the cut 27 becomes creasing while the creasing 33 becomes cut.

Claims (8)

 1. Receptacle made from a blank of cardboard, or plastic, or of composite material, cut and folded so as to determine a tray in the form of a bottom (2, 1, 2 ′ horizontal, continuously surrounded by vertical sides (3, 10 to 10 ', 3' 19 to 19 ') and capable of receiving a loose material accessible by the open upper part, receptacle characterized in that the blank has, in addition to the lines of creasing necessary for its folding for obtaining the container, additional grooving lines (in particular 37, 37 ′) suitable for transforming the open container into a closed bottle of reduced size, and vice versa, without having to remove the loose material which remains contained in the receptacle whatever its shape.  2. Receptacle according to claim 1, characterized in that the blank has at least two lines of additional parallel grooves (37, 37 ') symmetrical with respect to the axis B, and dividing the bottom of the tank into three rectangles (2, 1, 2 ') so that the rectangles (2, 2') can be raised vertically bringing the sides (3, 3 ') to the cover position.  3. Receptacle according to claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the ribs (3, 3 ') are each extended by an end portion (4, 4') comprising a lumiere (25, 25 ') forming an ear in the tray position, and handle in box position, the latter can then be easily transported like a suitcase.  4. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that two side walls of the tank facing each other, have grooves determining triangles extending in fan shape at each angle of the central rectangle (1) of the bottom, triangles (6 to 10, 6 'to 10') separated by the triangle (5) on one side and triangles (14 to 18, 14' to 18 ') separated by the triangle (13), on the other side.  5. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the blank is cut so as to determine lateral notches, with reserve of appendages (such as 23) reinforcing after folding and gluing the angles of the rectangular part ( 1) from the bottom.  6. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that after cutting, folding and gluing, the blank and obtaining the tray, the latter can be laid flat by folding outwards from the central part sides (3, 3 ') thanks to the grooving lines (35, 36, 35' 36 ').  7. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is presented and sold in the form of a bottle or easily transportable suitcase containing a cat litter, that the customer can open the bottle to transform it into a container having a relative large area, then when the litter is soiled, transform the receptacle into a boot or suitcase and discard the whole, without having to touch or handle the litter itself.  8. Receptacle according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the side walls 10, 10 'and 18', 18 comprise alternately, on each side of the blank, lines of creases starting from the angles of the rectangle (1) and allowing to realize bellows developing inwards.