GB2479862A

GB2479862A - Container with strengthening frame around the opening thereof

Info

Publication number: GB2479862A
Application number: GB1006582A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Tim Sheldon
Original assignee: GORDANO SUPPORT GROUP Ltd
Current assignee: GORDANO SUPPORT GROUP Ltd
Priority date: 2010-04-20
Filing date: 2010-04-20
Publication date: 2011-11-02
Also published as: GB201006582D0

Abstract

A container comprises a base (ref 12, fig 5) and a series of side walls 14 formed integrally with one another by being folded from a single sheet (ref 10, fig 5) of sheet material. A strengthening frame 24 is secured around at least part of an opening defined by the free edges of the side walls 14. The strengthening frame 24 may be of a channel section material, and corner pieces 28 may be provided to rigidly interconnect individual lengths 26 of channel section material. Preferably the strengthening frame 24 extends completely around the opening, although it may extend only part way around. The strengthening frame 24 is preferably formed of aluminum, and may have a lid hingedly attached thereto. The sheet material (10) which forms the container body is preferably of a plastics material, and may be folded so that it is of double thickness, at least in part (see fig 5). The container is preferably used for the storage and transportation of audio equipment, musical instruments, tools, etc, but would not seem specifically adapted for such.

Description

Container and Method of Manufacture Thereof This invention relates to a container and to a method of manufacture thereof. In particular, it relates to a container or case of the type used in the storage and transportation of, for example, audio equipment, musical instruments, tools, or a wide range of other items to protect the items from damage whilst being stored or transported.

A number of containers or cases of this general type are known. Typically, the containers or cases take the form of a series of side panels and a base panel, for example of aluminium sheet form, secured to one another to form a box by a series of suitably shaped brackets. Although such containers are of relatively good strength and are of relatively low weight, they tend to be expensive as a result of the use of relatively expensive materials and as a result of being relatively complex and time consuming to construct. Also, they tend to only be available in a restricted range of shapes and sizes with the result that, often, the case used is much larger than required to accommodate the item or items to be stored therein.

It is an object of the invention to provide a container and associated method of manufacture in which at least some of the disadvantages associated with known containers are overcome or are of reduced effect.

According to the present invention there is provided a container comprising a base and a series of side walls formed integrally with one another by being folded from a single sheet of sheet material, and a strengthening frame secured around at least part of an opening defined by the free edges, for example the upper edges, of the side walls.

Preferably, the side walls are folded in such a manner as to be of double thickness, thereby enhancing the strength of the container.

The strengthening frame is preferably of a channel section material, at least part of the upper edges of at least some of the side walls being received within the channel of the channel section material. Conveniently, corner pieces are provided to rigidly interconnect individual lengths of channel section material.

The strengthening frame preferably extends completely around the opening, although arrangements are possible in which the strengthening frame extends around only part of the opening, for example along two opposing sides thereof.

The sheet material is preferably of a suitable plastics material, and the strengthening frame is preferably of or includes aluminium sections.

A lid or closure may be provided to close the opening. The lid or closure may be hinged to the strengthening frame. Seal means may be provided to result in the lid or closure sealing to the remainder of the container, when closed, to result in the container being water-tight or of improved water resistance.

The invention further relates to a method of manufacture of such a container, the method comprising the steps of folding a sheet material in such a manner as to form a base and a series of side walls which, together, define an opening, the base and side walls being integrally formed with one another, and securing a strengthening frame around at least a part of the opening.

The aforementioned container is advantageous in that it is relatively light in weight, relatively simple and of low cost to produce, using relatively low cost materials, and can easily be manufactured in a wide range of shapes and sizes simply by cutting the sheet material to an appropriate shape before folding and by using an appropriately shaped and sized strengthening frame.

The invention will further be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is plan view of a container in accordance with one embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side view of the container of Figure 1; Figures 3 and 4 illustrate parts of the strengthening frame; Figure 5 is a view of the sheet material in unfolded form; and Figure 6 illustrates the container.

The container illustrated in the accompanying drawings comprises a sheet 10 of a plastics material that it scored and folded to define a base 12 and four side walls 14.

The part of the sheet 10 defining each side wall 14 is shaped in such a manner as to include a flap 16 which is folded so as to result in each side wall 14 being composed, at least partially, of two layers and so is of double wall thickness and of enhanced strength. Openings 18 are formed in the side walls 14 to assist in handling of the container and, as shown in Figures 2 and 6, handle pieces 20 are fitted around the edges of the openings 18.

Two of the side walls 14 are shaped to include side flaps 22 which, when folded, extend between the layers of the adjacent side wall 14, thus extending around and closing the corner between the two adjacent side walls 14. The flaps 22 are riveted or otherwise fixed in position to retain the sheet in its folded configuration.

Although a range of materials could be used, it is envisaged that the sheet 10 will be of polypropylene and of thickness approximately 3mm.

When folded, the upper edges of the side walls 14 together define an opening around which a strengthening frame 24 is fitted. The strengthening frame 24 is composed of lengths 26 of a channel section material, for example a suitably shaped aluminium extrusion, rigidly secured to one another by corner pieces 28 of moulded plastics material form. The corner pieces 28 are shaped to receive the end parts of the two adjacent lengths 26, firmly holding them perpendicularly to one another. The frame 24 is of square or rectangular shape, matching the shape of the opening defined by the upper edges of the side walls 14, with the channels of the lengths 26 of channel shaped section material opening in the downward direction. The channels of the lengths 26 each receive the upper edge of the associated side wall 14 and thus serve to enhance the rigidity of the upper part of the container. As the lower edges of the side wallsl4 are formed integrally with the base 12, being folded from the same sheet 10, it will be understood that the lower parts of the container are also of good rigidity.

The container is thus able to retain its shape against the application of relatively large external loads. It is thus suitable for use in carrying relatively large loads and for use in environments in which it may be subject to rough handling. The double thickness side walls 14 are able to withstand significant magnitude blows or impacts and thus can provide a good level of protection to items stored or contained within the container.

The corner pieces 28 are preferably formed with upstanding walls or lips 30 so that, when several similar containers are stacked upon one another, the lips 30 serve to assist in correctly locating the containers relative to one another, resisting sliding of the containers relative to one another.

Feet or runners 36 are conveniently secured to the bottom of the container.

Although the container could be of open topped form, in the arrangement illustrated the container is provided with a lid or closure 32 secured, by hinges, to the strengthening frame 24. A lip 34 provided on the lid 32 projects over part of the frame 24, when the lid 32 is closed, to limit closing movement of the lid. A suitable retainer may be provided to resist opening of the lid 32. Where security is not an issue, then the retainer may comprise a Velcro or similar material, but it will be appreciated that other forms of retainer, including lockable arrangement, could be used if desired. Further, suitable seal means may be provided, if desired, to form a seal between to the lid 32 and the frame 24 and/or side walls 14 to resist the ingress of water.

Internally, the container may be fitted with a range of suitably shaped fittings, for example foamed material inserts, to accommodate and protect the items to be stored or transported therein. Where desired, the internal fittings may be hinged to the frame 24, by a suitable hinge arrangement, for example via a living hinge.

It will be appreciated that the container described hereinbefore is of relatively simple form and is relatively simple to construct. It is of low weight and cost, and can be manufactured to a range of sizes simply by appropriately modifying the shape and size of the sheet 10 and by adjusting the sizes of the lengths 26 used in the frame 24.

The method by which the container is manufactured comprises the steps of cutting or otherwise forming a suitable sheet material to the appropriate shape, and scoring and folding the material to form the base 12 and side walls 14, the flaps 16 being folded over to form the double thickness regions, and the side flaps 22 being folded so as to lie between the layers of the adjacent side walls 14. Once so folded, rivets or other fasteners may be used to secure the side flaps 22 in position and thus maintain the sheet in this configuration. The frame 24 is then constructed by assembly of suitably sized lengths 26 of channel section material to one another using the corner pieces 28, the frame 24 being fitted to the sheet by introducing the upper edges of the waIls 14 into the channels of the lengths 26. Again, suitable fasteners, for example in the form of rivets, are used to secure the frame 24 in position. Once assembled in this manner, the handle pieces 20, runners 36 and lid 32 can be fitted, along with any internal fittings, if desired.

Although only one embodiment of the invention is described hereinbefore, it will be appreciated that a wide range of modifications and alterations may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. A container comprising a base and a series of side walls formed integrally with one another by being folded from a single sheet of sheet material, and a strengthening frame secured around at least part of an opening defined by the free edges of the side walls.
2. A container according to Claim 1, wherein the side walls are folded in such a manner as to be, at least in part, of double thickness, thereby enhancing the strength of the container.
3. A container according to Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the strengthening frame is of a channel section material, at least part of the upper edges of at least some of the side walls being received within the channel of the channel section material.
4. A container according to Claim 3, wherein corner pieces are provided to rigidly interconnect individual lengths of channel section material.
5. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the strengthening frame extends completely around the opening.
6. A container according to any of Claims 1 to 4, wherein the strengthening frame extends around only part of the opening.
7. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet material is of a suitable plastics material.
8. A container according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the strengthening frame is of or includes aluminium sections.
9. A container according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising a lid or closure to close the opening.
10. A container according to Claim 9, wherein the lid or closure is hinged to the strengthening frame.
11. A container according to Claim 9 or Claim 10, wherein seal means are provided to result in the lid or closure sealing to the remainder of the container, when closed, to result in the container being water-tight or of enhanced water resistance.
12. A method of manufacture of a container of the type claimed in any of the preceding claims, the method comprising the steps of folding a sheet material in such a manner as to form a base and a series of side walls which, together, define an opening, the base and side walls being integrally formed with one another, and securing a strengthening frame around at least a part of the opening.