GB2139187A - Containers - Google Patents

Abstract

A container (1) comprises a first blank (2) and a second blank (3). The first blank is provided with a plurality of flaps (5) each of which is folded down about a fold line; the second blank is provided with a plurality of flaps each of which is folded up about a fold line and the folded first blank is engaged over the folded second. Each flap of the first blank is provided with apertures (10) through which tying means (11) is threaded, the tying means serving to hold together the first and second blanks. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Containers This invention is related to containers.

There are a number of problems inherent in many presently available containers not least of which is the large amount of wasted space occupied by such containers when they are empty. This problem is particularly acute where small rigid containers are needed, such as those required for jewellery and the like.

According to the present invention there is provided a container comprising first and second blanks, each blank having a plurality of flaps each folded about a fold line, each flap of the second blank being arranged substantially within a volume defined by the flaps of the first blank, each flap of the first blank provided with at least one aperture, tying means being threaded through the or each aperture of each flap of the first blank, said tying means serving to hold together the first and second blanks.

Advantageously each blank has four flaps and the container is of cuboid shape.

It is preferable that the tying means comprises a continuous length of cord or tape, desirably in the form of a ribbon. The tying means may conveniently be made from polypropylene.

It is desirable that at least two apertures are provided on each flap. Each blank may suitably be made from cardboard.

The present invention enables great savings in space to be effected because when the container is empty the two blanks may easily be separated from one another and stored flat.

Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first blank according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a second blank according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention.

In the drawings a container generally designated 1 is formed from a first blank 2 and a second blank 3.

The first blank 2 comprises a central section 4 connected to flaps 5 at fold lines 6, and the second blank 3 comprises a central section 7 connected to flaps 8 at fold lines 9.

Each flap 5 is provided with apertures 10 there through which can receive a ribbon 11, which has two ends 12 and 13. The ribbon 11 is threaded through the apertures of each flap 5.

In order to form the container 1 from the blanks 2 and 3 it is first necessary to fold the flaps 5 of the first blank while simultaneously pulling the ends 12 and 13 of the ribbon 11 in order to create an open ended container. The flaps 8 of the second blank 3 may be folded to create a further open ended container; this further container can be inserted into the container formed by the first blank 2 in order to form the container 1 shown in Figre 3.

The ends 12 and 13 of the ribbon may again be pulled in order to tighten the ribbon against the flaps 5, thereby holding the first and second blanks 2 and 3 of the container 1 together. The ends 12 and 13 of the ribbon 11 may then be tied in orderto ensure that the container 1 does not come apart.

1. A container comprising first and second blanks, each blank having a plurality of flaps each folded about a fold line, each flap of the second blank being arranged substantially within a volume defined by the flaps of the first blank, each flap of the first blank being provided with at least one aperture, tying means being threaded through the or each aperture of each flap of the first blank, said tying means serving to hold together the first and second blanks.

2. A container according to Claim 1 in which each blank has four flaps and the container is of generally cuboidal shape.

3. A container according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the tying means comprises a continuous length of cord or tape.

4. A container according to Claim 1,2 or 3 in which the tying means is in the form of a ribbon.

5. A container according to any preceding claim in which the tying means is made from polypropylene.

6. A container according to any preceding claim in which at least two apertures are provided in each flap.

7. A method of making a container from first and second blanks each blank having a plurality of flaps each folded about a fold line, said method comprising folding the flaps of the first blank about the fold lines of the first blank, folding the flaps of the second blank about the fold lines of the second blank, arranging the flaps of the second blank within a volume defined by the flaps of the first blank, wherein the step of folding the flaps of the first blank performed by applying tension to tying means which is threaded through at least one aperture provided in each flap of the first blank, thereby holding together the first and second blanks.

8. A method of making a container according to claim 7 in which the flaps of the second blank are folded before the flaps of the first blank are folded.

9. A container substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of making a container substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (10)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Containers This invention is related to containers. There are a number of problems inherent in many presently available containers not least of which is the large amount of wasted space occupied by such containers when they are empty. This problem is particularly acute where small rigid containers are needed, such as those required for jewellery and the like. According to the present invention there is provided a container comprising first and second blanks, each blank having a plurality of flaps each folded about a fold line, each flap of the second blank being arranged substantially within a volume defined by the flaps of the first blank, each flap of the first blank provided with at least one aperture, tying means being threaded through the or each aperture of each flap of the first blank, said tying means serving to hold together the first and second blanks. Advantageously each blank has four flaps and the container is of cuboid shape. It is preferable that the tying means comprises a continuous length of cord or tape, desirably in the form of a ribbon. The tying means may conveniently be made from polypropylene. It is desirable that at least two apertures are provided on each flap. Each blank may suitably be made from cardboard. The present invention enables great savings in space to be effected because when the container is empty the two blanks may easily be separated from one another and stored flat. Reference is now made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is a plan view of a first blank according to the invention; Figure 2 is a plan view of a second blank according to the invention; and Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention. In the drawings a container generally designated 1 is formed from a first blank 2 and a second blank 3. The first blank 2 comprises a central section 4 connected to flaps 5 at fold lines 6, and the second blank 3 comprises a central section 7 connected to flaps 8 at fold lines 9. Each flap 5 is provided with apertures 10 there through which can receive a ribbon 11, which has two ends 12 and 13. The ribbon 11 is threaded through the apertures of each flap 5. In order to form the container 1 from the blanks 2 and 3 it is first necessary to fold the flaps 5 of the first blank while simultaneously pulling the ends 12 and 13 of the ribbon 11 in order to create an open ended container. The flaps 8 of the second blank 3 may be folded to create a further open ended container; this further container can be inserted into the container formed by the first blank 2 in order to form the container 1 shown in Figre 3. The ends 12 and 13 of the ribbon may again be pulled in order to tighten the ribbon against the flaps 5, thereby holding the first and second blanks 2 and 3 of the container 1 together. The ends 12 and 13 of the ribbon 11 may then be tied in orderto ensure that the container 1 does not come apart. CLAIMS

1. A container comprising first and second blanks, each blank having a plurality of flaps each folded about a fold line, each flap of the second blank being arranged substantially within a volume defined by the flaps of the first blank, each flap of the first blank being provided with at least one aperture, tying means being threaded through the or each aperture of each flap of the first blank, said tying means serving to hold together the first and second blanks.

2. A container according to Claim 1 in which each blank has four flaps and the container is of generally cuboidal shape.

3. A container according to Claim 1 or 2 in which the tying means comprises a continuous length of cord or tape.

4. A container according to Claim 1,2 or 3 in which the tying means is in the form of a ribbon.

5. A container according to any preceding claim in which the tying means is made from polypropylene.

6. A container according to any preceding claim in which at least two apertures are provided in each flap.

7. A method of making a container from first and second blanks each blank having a plurality of flaps each folded about a fold line, said method comprising folding the flaps of the first blank about the fold lines of the first blank, folding the flaps of the second blank about the fold lines of the second blank, arranging the flaps of the second blank within a volume defined by the flaps of the first blank, wherein the step of folding the flaps of the first blank performed by applying tension to tying means which is threaded through at least one aperture provided in each flap of the first blank, thereby holding together the first and second blanks.

8. A method of making a container according to claim 7 in which the flaps of the second blank are folded before the flaps of the first blank are folded.

9. A container substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.

10. A method of making a container substantially as herein described with reference to and as shown in the accompanying drawings.