CN101119896B - Collapsible container comprising horizontally hinged side wall sections - Google Patents

Abstract

A erectable and collapsible container (10). The container includes a support structure (12) formed by a bottom wall (14) and a pair of opposing end walls (24, 26). The end walls are articulatable relative to the bottom wall about respective hinges (28, 30). The end walls include a flexibly resilient portion (40, 42, 62, 64) connected along a hinge (44, 46). The hinge is for articulation of the end walls (32, 34) between a collapsed configuration and an erected configuration. A pair of flexible, opposing side walls extend between the end walls and include portions that are foldable about the hinge during articulation of the end walls. A pair of opposed flexible panels (112, 114) extend from the side walls and define a pocket-like upper portion (116). The upper portion extends from the support structure and forms a sealable opening of the container.

Description

Collapsible container comprising horizontally hinged side wall sections

technical field

The present invention relates to erectable containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to containers that can be erected from a substantially flat collapsed configuration to a substantially three-dimensional configuration in response to forces applied to opposing walls of the container.

Background technique

The use of preservation bags to contain and protect items, including preserving perishable items such as food, is well known in the art. Such storage bags include bags formed from opposing sheets of film material. The sheets of material are joined together along peripheral edges to form a semi-closed container. The container has three sealed or folded edges and one open edge. The opening edge typically has a closure, such as an integrally formed reclosable or reusable seal, such as may be provided by an integrally formed interlocking seal. The storage bag can be conveniently stored in a flat configuration until it is stretched open to contain the contents to be placed in the bag.

With regard to rigid or semi-rigid containers, such containers are also known to have achieved considerable commercial success in providing means for storing a wide variety of contents. Such containers typically have an opening. The opening remains open for filling and/or removal of contents. Such containers also often have flat bottoms and tops to provide stackability. However, such containers typically use more material than bags, so that their disposability is limited. At the same time, the service life of such containers can be limited by damage, soiling, or deterioration that occurs naturally during use. Such three-dimensional, rigid or semi-rigid containers also require a larger storage area than other more flexible containers because they typically occupy as much volume empty as they are filled.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a container that combines the advantages of both a flexible bag and a rigid or semi-rigid storage container. It is also desirable to provide a container which is self-supporting when opened for filling purposes, yet which can be easily stored by collapsing into a compact form.

Contents of the invention

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an erectable and collapsible container comprising a structure. The structure includes a bottom wall and at least one pair of end walls pivotally connected to the bottom wall. Each end wall includes a plurality of end wall sections with end wall hinges disposed therebetween. An upper portion comprising a sheet of material is attached to the structure. The upper portion includes engageable sides defining a closable opening of the container. When the pair of end walls moves from a first position relative to the bottom wall to a second position relative to the bottom wall, the end walls are articulated about the end wall hinges.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an erectable and collapsible container comprising a structure. The structure includes a bottom wall and at least one pair of end walls pivotally connected to the bottom wall. Each end wall includes a plurality of end wall sections with end wall hinges disposed therebetween. The side walls are pivotally connected to the bottom wall and extend between the end walls. Each of the side walls includes a plurality of side wall portions with side wall hinges disposed therebetween. The upper part is attached to this structure. When the pair of end walls moves from a first position relative to the bottom wall to a second position relative to the bottom wall, the end walls are articulated about the end wall hinges.

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided an erectable and collapsible container comprising a structure. The structure includes a bottom wall and at least one pair of end walls pivotally connected to the bottom wall. Each end wall includes a plurality of end wall sections with end wall hinges disposed therebetween. The side walls are pivotally connected to the bottom wall and extend between the end walls, and the structure includes gusset portions extending between the side walls and adjacent end walls. Each gusset portion includes a gusset hinge that is articulatable relative to the adjacent end wall hinge of the adjacent end wall. When the pair of end walls is moved from a first position relative to the bottom wall to a second position relative to the bottom wall, the end walls are articulateable about the end wall hinges and the gusset hinges are hingeable relative to the adjacent end walls Articulation.

Description of drawings

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals indicate like parts, and where:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the front of a container illustrating the invention in an erect configuration;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the back of the container shown in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container illustrating the invention in a collapsed configuration;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a container illustrating the invention in a partially erect configuration;

Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 6-6 in Figure 4;

Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views illustrating the steps of folding the side panels and securing the side panels in the folded position using interlocking structures;

Figures 9 and 10 are perspective views illustrating the steps of folding the side panels and securing the side panels in the folded position using a pocket structure;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the step of separating the side panels along the separation line. the separation line extends along the edge of the side panel;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the support portion of the container after the side panels have been separated along the separation line. said line of separation extends along the junction between the side panels and the support structure; and

Figure 13 is a perspective view of the container of Figure 1 with the side panels joined together in a sealed configuration.

Detailed ways

Figures 1 and 2 show a container 10 in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. Container 10 generally includes a support structure 12 . The support structure is movable between a configuration defining a flexurally elastic structure and a configuration defining a rigid or semi-rigid structure. The support structure 12 includes a bottom wall 14 . The bottom wall includes opposite sides 16 , 18 and opposite ends 20 , 22 joining the sides 16 , 18 . First and second opposing end walls 24, 26 are connected to the bottom wall 14 at respective hinges 28, 30 defined at the end edges 20, 22; 36 and a rear or second longitudinal side wall 34 is connected to the bottom wall at a hinge 38 defined at side 18 . When the container 10 is in the erect three-dimensional configuration, the first and second end walls 24, 26 and the front and rear side walls 32, 34 extend generally perpendicular to the bottom wall 14 and circumscribe a generally rectangular area.

It should be noted that although the present invention has been described in terms of quadrangular or rectangular containers, the structure and operation of the present invention is not limited to quadrangular containers, and the principles of the present invention are applicable to other polygonal container configurations, for example, the bottom wall 14 of which may be A container that includes three or more edges.

The first end wall 24 includes first and second portions 40 , 42 connected for articulation relative to each other at a first end wall hinge 44 . The first portion 40 of the first end wall 24 includes opposing front and rear edges 46, 48 and opposing inner and outer faces 50, 52; and the second portion 42 of the first end wall 24 includes opposing front and rear edges 54, 56 and opposing inner and outer faces 58,60. The first and second portions 40, 42 are illustrated as preferably having substantially similar dimensions in two directions: the width direction, ie, the direction extending between the front edge 46, 54 and the rear edge 48, 56; and The height direction, that is, the direction extending substantially perpendicular to the width direction in the direction extending from the bottom wall 14 . Although preferred dimensional relationships between the various components of container 10 are described herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that the relative dimensions of the various components, as well as the degree of displacement of the components relative to each other, the number of components making up the wall, The conformity or non-conformity of the dimensions of the individual components with respect to each other can be changed within the scope of the invention and still maintain its function.

Similarly, the second end wall 26 includes first and second portions 62 , 64 connected for articulation relative to each other at a second end wall hinge 66 . The first portion 62 of the first end wall 26 includes opposing front and rear edges 68, 70 and opposing inner and outer faces 72, 74; and the second portion 64 of the second end wall 26 includes opposing front and rear edges 76, 78 and opposing inner and outer faces 80,82. The first and second portions 62 , 64 of the second end wall 26 are illustrated as having width and height dimensions that are preferably substantially similar to the width and height dimensions of the first and second portions 40 , 42 of the first end wall 24 . .

The front sidewall 32 includes first and second portions 84 , 86 pivotably interconnected at a front sidewall hinge 88 and first and second front corners extending from opposite ends 94 , 96 of the front sidewall hinge 88 . Riser structure 90,92. The first front gusset structure 90 extends from the hinge end 94 to the front edge 46 , 54 of the first end wall 24 and the second front gusset structure 92 extends from the hinge end 96 to the front edge 68 of the second end wall 26 , 76.

The rear sidewall 34 includes first and second portions 98 , 100 pivotably interconnected at the rear sidewall hinge 102 and first and second rear portions 98 , 100 extending from opposite ends 108 , 110 of the rear sidewall hinge 102 . Gusset structures 104,106. The first rear gusset structure 104 extends from the hinge end 108 to the rear edge 48 , 56 of the first end wall 24 and the second rear gusset structure 106 extends from the hinge end 110 to the rear edge 70 of the second end wall 26 , 78. The first and second portions 98, 100 of the rear sidewall 34 and the first and second portions 84, 86 of the front sidewall 32 are illustrated as preferably having substantially similar width and height dimensions, wherein the front and rear sidewalls 32 are composed The height dimensions of the portions 84 , 86 , 98 , 100 of , 34 are preferably substantially similar to the height dimensions of the portions 40 , 42 , 62 , 64 that make up the first and second end walls 24 , 26 . Also, the height and width dimensions of the portions 84 , 86 , 98 , 100 may include different dimensions from each other and from the dimensions of the portions 40 , 42 , 62 , 64 .

According to another aspect of the invention, the container 10 includes two generally planar opposing side panels 112,114. The side panels extend from the end walls 24 , 26 and the side walls 32 , 34 to define a flexible bag-like upper portion 116 of the container 10 . Side panels 112 extend from the front side wall 32 and from the front half of each of the end walls 24 , 26 , and side panels 114 extend from the rear side wall 34 and from the rear half of each of the end walls 24 , 26 . The side panels 112, 114 are joined together along elongated edge seams 118, 120, wherein the edge seams 118, 120 may be formed by ultrasonic welding, heat sealing, adhesives, or other conventional joining means for butt, lap seam, warp seal or other configuration engagement.

Upper ends of the side panels 112 , 114 remote from the bottom wall 14 define an opening 122 of the container 10 . The opening serves as a passage for the contents to enter and/or be removed from the container 10 . An optional, reusable closure 124 is shown positioned at the opening 122 of the container 10 and is illustrated attached to the interior of the side panels 112 , 114 to the supplemental engagement elements 126 , 128 . The closure serves to reclosably seal the opening 122 of the container 10 . For example, the reusable closure 124 may comprise an interlock seal type closure, and it may or may not include a slide for manipulating the opening and closing of the container 10 . The invention is not limited to the illustrated reusable closures, but non-limiting examples of reusable closures available, and information on their manufacture, are described in U.S. Pat. , 4,561,109, 5,804,265 and 5,851,070. Additional closures may be introduced for closing the opening 122 of the container 10 . Said structures include (without limitation) mechanical fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners, flap closures, clips, clips and clips, sheet closures, tie tabs, drawstring closures, tape wrap closures, and adhesive Sealing elements such as pressure sensitive adhesive tapes or strips, cooperating adhesives, epoxy reactive adhesives, and pressure sensitive adhesive embedded activated films. Non-limiting examples of pressure sensitive adhesive embedded activated films that can be used and information on their manufacture can be found in US Pat. Nos. 5,662,758 and 6,489,022. While reusable closures have been mentioned as preferred closures, more permanent closures may be preferred in certain applications of the invention. It is also possible within the scope of the invention to provide full or partial closures or no closures other than those specifically mentioned herein.

The illustrated embodiment of the container 10 is constructed from a single piece or pieces of flexible material 130 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ), where the term "flexible" is used to refer to a material that is capable of being flexed. or bending (especially repeatedly flexing or bending) such that they are pliable and yieldable in response to an applied force. Thus, "flexible" is essentially opposed in meaning to the terms inflexible, rigid, or unyielding. Thus, flexible materials and structures can change in shape and structure to accommodate external forces and conform to the shape of objects with which they come into contact without losing their integrity. The sheet material 130 used to form the container 10 may comprise a flexible film material, including a polymer film, such as polypropylene or similar material, wherein the polypropylene material may be provided with a thickness of, for example, 0.03 mm (1 mil) to 0.1 mm ( 4 mils) in thickness.

The sheet or sheets of flexible material 130 forming container 10 may form end walls 24, 26, side walls 32, 34, bottom wall 14 and side panels 112, 114 as a continuous flexible containment material. Alternatively, flexible material 130 may comprise a pouch or tubular structure. Furthermore, the end wall portions 40 , 42 , 62 , 64 and the bottom wall 14 define a semi-rigid resilient surface of the container 10 . The surfaces are able to pivot relative to each other at hinges 28 , 30 , 44 , 66 , wherein the hinges may be formed from flexible material 130 . In the illustrated embodiment of the container 10 , each of the end wall portions 40 , 42 , 62 , 64 and the bottom wall 14 are defined by a layered structure including a flexible material 130 and a sheet 132 of resilient semi-rigid structural material. The structure is attached to the outer surface of the flexible material 130, such as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 . In one non-limiting embodiment of the invention, sheet of structural material 132 may comprise one material. The material has a flexural modulus between 1172.1 MPa (170,000 psi) and 1723.7 MPa (250,000 psi) and a thickness between 0.25 mm (0.01 inches) and 12.7 mm (0.50 inches), compared to Next, flexible material 130 has a flexural modulus between 1172.1 MPa (170,000 psi) and 1723.7 MPa (250,000 psi) and a thickness between 0.013 mm (0.0005 inches) and 0.25 mm (0.01 inches). Structural material 132 is preferably stiffer than flexible material 130, and is preferably capable of elastically deflecting from some predetermined initial shape (eg, a generally planar shape) and returning to the predetermined initial shape. As used herein, the term "flexural modulus" refers to the flexural modulus determined according to ASTM test method D790. In one embodiment, the structural material 132 may preferably comprise a polypropylene material. However, additional or other materials for structural material 132 may be used, including without limitation any known polymeric material including extruded creped polymeric materials, carded fiber materials, and slotted creped materials. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the particular hardness of either the flexible material 130 or the structural material 132 can be adjusted depending on the desired end use or application of the container 10 .

Structural material 132 may be attached to flexible material 130 by a mechanical attachment method that forms a molecular level bond between structural material 132 and flexible material 130, such as by ultrasonic welding or thermal bonding, such as heat sealing. Alternatively, structural material 132 and flexible material 130 may be joined by adhesive or cohesive bonding, including (without limitation) contact adhesives, or by mechanical attachment means such as snap fits, clips, rubber bands, Mechanical fasteners, staples, clips, clamps, and/or interference fit connections between the two materials, i.e., tolerance fits such as by positioning structural material 132 within flexible material 130 in a tight fit, or by The materials are mechanically stamped together. Such connections may be continuous or discontinuous, such as, for example, in a series of two or more connection points.

It should be noted that the structural material 132 making up the bottom wall 14 may optionally not be attached to the flexible material 130 . In such a case, the structural material 132 of the bottom wall 14 may be attached to other structures, such as one or more of the end walls, 32 , 34 . Also, while the illustrated configuration positions structural material 132 on an outer surface of flexible material 130 , some or all portions of structural material 132 may also be positioned on an inner surface of flexible material 130 .

Alternatively, the end wall portions 40, 42, 62, 64 and/or the bottom wall 14 may be shaped such that the entire area of the end wall portions 40, 42, 62, 64 and/or the bottom wall 14 is not completely covered by the structural material 132 . For example, the end wall portions 40, 42, 62, 64 and/or the bottom wall 14 may include frame members (not shown). The members are suitably positioned to maintain the shape of the end wall portions 40, 42, 62, 64 and/or the bottom wall 14 during transitions between the substantially flat collapsed configuration and the erected configuration and/or during use of the container 10. Structural integrity or shape. It should be understood that any construction capable of providing end wall portions 40, 42, 62, 64 and/or bottom wall 14 with a stiffness greater than that of flexible material 130 may be used, whether solid or perforated sheets or frames or solid or perforated sheets or frames are used. Other structural elements, the construction of which need not necessarily include providing separate or connected stiffening structures to the end wall portions 40 , 42 , 62 , 64 and/or the bottom wall 14 . For example, the end wall portions 40, 42, 62, 64 and/or the bottom wall 14 may be formed from the same sheet of material as the side panels 112, 114, but formed with different material properties, such as by different material thicknesses or Increased crosslinking or crystallization of the material in the end wall portions 40, 42, 62, 64 and/or bottom wall 14 is provided, or by mechanical means such as by forming folds, creases or corrugations in the material.

While flexible material 130 has been described as a flexible polypropylene film material, other materials exhibiting flexible properties may be incorporated as flexible material 130, including (without limitation) substantially impermeable polymeric materials, cellulose materials, aluminum foil, coated (waxed, etc.) and uncoated paper, coated nonwovens, etc., and substantially permeable materials such as scrim, mesh, woven, nonwoven, open or closed Cellular foams, or perforated or porous films, whether they are primarily two-dimensional in nature or formed into three-dimensional structures. Such materials may comprise a single composition or layer, or may be a composite material, or may be a laminated structure of multiple materials including a substrate material serving as a carrier for the substance. Furthermore, those skilled in the art will recognize that any material that provides the desired stiffness characteristics of flexible material 130 may be incorporated within the scope of the present invention.

The flexible material 130 is not limited to configurations formed from sheet material, and the flexible material portion of the container 10 may be configured in any known and suitable manner, such as those known in the art for making commercially available forms of bags or storage containers. those styles. The various components or elements of flexible material 130 may be joined to themselves or to each other using thermal or adhesive sealing techniques. Additionally, the flexible material portion of the container 10 may be thermoformed, blown, or otherwise formed or molded as an alternative to conventional folding and bonding techniques to construct the flexible material portion from a web or sheet of material .

The materials selected for either or both of the flexible material 130 and the structural material 132 may exhibit any degree of transparency, translucency and/or opacity, such as may be selected to provide a desired degree of transparency to the contents. visual identity and may include colored transparent, translucent and/or opaque materials. The degree of transparency, translucency and/or opacity may additionally be selected to facilitate writing and/or reading textual information on the container 10, ie the contents and/or description of the container.

Microwaveable materials are also included in the materials that may be used to form flexible material 130 and structural material 132 . Furthermore, flexible material 130 and structural material 132 may include materials and configurations or structures that provide thermal insulation properties for limiting heat flow between the interior and exterior surfaces of container 10, such as may be provided to bottom wall 14 or Other contacted surfaces to limit heat transfer to the user's hand or support surface. Such materials may include those that generally have low thermal conductivity, low thermal/cold capacity, low mass, and/or material structure that affects thermal conductivity and/or thermal capacity, such as including within the material for either partially or fully A material that encapsulates or encloses the void space of a fluid such as air. Examples of materials used to provide desirable thermal characteristics to container 10 include, without limitation: open or closed cell foam materials; small air-entrapping materials, such as fibers, fluff, spacer particles, etc. and/or structural material 132, dispersed thereon, or dispersed therebetween; confined to the low-mass portion of flexible material 130 and/or structural material 132, e.g., flexible material 130 and/or structural material 132 The thinned portion, and/or provide a low thermal conductivity insulating layer or coating between the flexible material 130 and the structural material 132. Such material may be in the form of corrugated paper or in the form of a polymeric material structure formed from one or two or more layers with offset regions, such as may be formed by thermoforming, embossing, folding or the like. For example, a multilayer layered structure formed of two layers, at least one of which includes regions offset from the plane of the other layer, or a single layer material, wherein selected regions of the material are offset from other regions of the material, to A volume of insulating air is provided between the outer and inner surfaces of the container. Alternatively, the thermal shield may be formed from two or more layers of flexible polymeric material. The layers are selectively sealed or bonded together to create regions of entrapped air.

As shown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4, the container 10 in the illustrated embodiment includes a bottom 14 that is formed in a corrugated configuration. Referring also to FIG. 6 , the corrugated construction includes a layer 132 of shaped structural material. The material includes a corrugated portion 134 and a flexible material layer 130 connected to a structural material 132 . An air space is defined between structural material 132 and flexible material 130 at corrugated portion 134 . The space may entrain air to provide thermal shielding at the bottom wall 14 . Additionally, the corrugated portion 134 may provide additional structural rigidity to stiffen the bottom wall 14 .

Figure 3 illustrates the container 10 in a substantially flat, collapsed configuration with the end walls 24, 26 folded into a substantially flat form. Specifically, first portions 40 and 62 of end walls 24 , 26 are pivotable toward bottom wall 14 to position respective inner surfaces 50 and 72 adjacent and generally parallel to bottom wall 14 . The second portions 42 and 64 of the end walls 24, 26 are pivotable about the respective end wall hinges 44, 66 to position the first and second portions 40, 42 of the first end wall 24 approximately parallel to each other (outer surfaces thereof). 52, 60 in substantially mutual facing relationship), and the first and second portions 62, 64 of the second end wall 26 (with their outer faces 74, 82 in substantially mutual facing relationship) positioned generally parallel to and adjacent to each other. Pivoting of the second portions 42 and 64 of the end walls 24 , 26 may occur substantially simultaneously with and in an opposite pivoting direction from the pivoting of the respective first portions 40 and 62 of the end walls 24 , 26 . Additionally, hinges 136, 138 may be provided adjacent the junction between the upper edge of the second end wall portion 42, 64 and the upper portion 116 of the container 10 to facilitate pivotal movement of the second end wall portion 42, 64 relative to the upper portion 116. .

When the container 10 is in the collapsed configuration, the flexible material 130 forming the front and rear side walls 32, 34 folds into a substantially predetermined configuration in which the first portions 84 and 98 of the front and rear side walls 32, 34 are movable about the respective hinges 36 and 38 Pivoting toward the bottom wall 14 to position the first portions 84 , 98 generally parallel to and adjacent to the bottom wall 14 . The second portions 86 and 100 of the front and rear side walls 32, 34 are pivotable about the side wall hinges 88, 102 to position the first and second portions 84, 86 of the front side wall 32 adjacently and substantially parallel to each other generally parallel to each other. The first and second portions 98, 100 of the rear side wall 34 are positioned adjacently. Pivoting of the second portions 86 and 100 of the front and rear side walls 32, 34 may occur substantially simultaneously with and in an opposite pivoting direction from the pivoting of the respective first portions 84 and 98 of the respective front and rear side walls 32, 34. Additionally, hinges 140, 142 may be provided adjacent the junction between the upper edge of the second portion 86, 100 of the front and rear side walls 32, 34 and the upper portion 116 of the container 10 to facilitate the relative orientation of the second portion 86, 100 to the upper portion 116. Make a pivoting movement.

The movement and orientation of the gusset structure 90, 92, 104, 106 relative to the articulation of the portion 40, 42, 62, 64 of the end wall 24, 26 is described with reference to FIGS. Container 10 in a partially erected configuration. Each of the gusset structures 90 , 92 , 104 , 106 may undergo substantially similar motion as will be described below with respect to the first gusset structure 90 of the front sidewall 32 . The gusset structure 90 is foldable about a gusset hinge 144 extending substantially co-linearly with the sidewall hinge 88 , wherein the folding of the gusset structure 90 about the gusset hinge 144 defines a second opening on either side of the gusset hinge 144 . A gusset portion 146 and a second gusset portion 148 (see also FIG. 1). By way of example, during movement of the support structure 12 of the container 10 from the erect configuration to the collapsed configuration, the inner surface 150 ( FIG. 5 ) of the gusset structure 90 may move from an orientation generally perpendicular to the end wall portions 40 , 42 To such an orientation, the portion of the inner surface 150 defined on the first and second gusset portions 146 , 148 may be substantially parallel and face toward the inner face 50 , 58 of the respective end wall portion 40 , 42 . The gusset hinge 144 is also movable from an orientation generally perpendicular to the end wall hinge 44 in the erect configuration to an orientation in which the gusset hinge 144 may extend generally parallel to the end wall hinge 44 in the collapsed configuration. As the end wall portions 40, 42 pivot to the collapsed configuration, the gusset structure 90 folds or wraps around the inner faces 50, 58 substantially progressively in a direction from the front edges 46, 54 toward the rear edges 48, 56, as shown in FIG. As illustrated, the folded portion 152 of the gusset structure 90 is shown extending substantially parallel to the end wall portion 40, and the remaining portion 154 of the gusset structure 90 may extend between the folded portion 152 and the side wall portion 84. . As noted above, each of the remaining gusset structures 92, 104, 106 may be substantially similar to that described for gusset structure 90 during articulation of end wall portions 40, 42 and 62, 64 relative to one another. Move the way the way you move.

In the collapsed configuration of the container 10, as illustrated in FIG. , 102 are positioned at the innermost position. Similarly, the end wall hinges 44 , 66 are positioned in the innermost position such that the support structure 12 is configured as a substantially compact folded configuration in the collapsed configuration of the container 10 . As the container moves from the collapsed configuration to the erect configuration, the end wall hinges 44, 46 move away from each other and the side wall hinges 88, 102 also move away from each other.

When the upper edges of the side panels 112, 114 are positioned adjacent one another, ie, when the opening 122 is substantially closed, the upper portion 116 of the container 10 may include extended ends 154, 156 (FIG. 3). The ends may extend outward beyond a location adjacent the hinges 136 , 138 at the upper edge of the second portion 42 , 64 of the end wall 24 , 26 . The extended ends 154, 156 may include gusset portions 158, 160 (FIGS. 1 and 2). The gusset portion is positioned between the upper edge of the second portion 42, 62 of the end wall 24, 26 and the corresponding angle hinges 162, 164 and 166, 168 positioned on either side of the edge seam 118, 120, respectively. between. Angle hinges 162, 164, 166, 168 may include (without limitation) score lines, or embossed or thinned lines of material. The extended ends 154, 156 may also be folded around the end edges 20, 22 and under the bottom wall 14 to facilitate, for example, compact packaging of the containers 10 or to accommodate multiple containers 10 in one package.

The container 10 can be deformed from the collapsed configuration to the erected configuration by applying a force or forces to the container 10 . A force or forces may be applied to the end wall hinges 44, 66 (either internally or externally to the container 10) to bias or move the end wall hinges 44, 66 outwardly away from each other. For example, a force may be applied to cause a generally opposing resultant force on the end walls 24,26. Alternatively, a force or forces may be applied to cause relative pivotal movement between the first and second portions 40, 42 of the first end wall 24, and/or to cause a first movement of the second end wall 26. and the relative pivotal movement between the second part 62,64. Additionally and/or alternatively, a force or forces may be applied to cause relative pivotal movement between the first portion 40 of the first end wall 24 and the bottom wall 14, and/or to cause the second end wall 26 to pivotal movement between the first portion 62 and the bottom wall 14 . As another alternative, a force may be applied such that a generally opposite resultant force is applied to the container 10 in a direction extending between the support structure 12 and the upper portion 116 to cause the container 10 to expand.

Applying a force or forces to move the container 10 between the collapsed configuration and the erected configuration can be accomplished by contacting the end walls 24, 26, side walls 32, 34, bottom wall 14, and/or side panels 112, 114 may be facilitated by one or more associated additional structures, such as structures that may facilitate the formation of gripping surfaces and/or the application of leverage forces thereto. Such additional structures may include (without limitation) protrusions, wall rims or surface finger indentations, or enhanced friction surfaces, etc., for directly or indirectly transmitting force from the user to a portion of the container 10. ring or lever. The structure is used to move the container 10 either from a collapsed configuration to an erected configuration or from an erected configuration to a collapsed configuration, or to apply a constraining anchoring force to erect one or more end walls 24 , Control the position of the bottom wall at 26 o'clock.

In the erect configuration, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , upper portion 116 comprises a flexible openable and closable portion of container 10, wherein contents can be placed into or removed from container 10 through opening 122 of upper portion 116 . Side panels 112 , 114 may be biased away from each other to facilitate access to the container through opening 122 . For example, side panels 112, 114 may be provided with additional structure to facilitate holding side panels 112, 114 in a more open state. Such additional structure may include (without limitation) one or several struts 170,172. The stays are positioned mid-span at the top of one or both of the side panels 112 , 114 , or at other locations along the side panels 112 , 114 . The one or several struts may comprise flexible or rigid members. The members typically exhibit some dead fold or lockable functionality for holding at least a portion of the side panels 112, 114 in a desired position. Stays exhibiting this functionality may comprise wire or thin sheet materials including fibrous paper and cardboard, deadfoldable polymer sheets and molded, formed, stamped or cut with lockable hinge-like mechanisms rigid parts. Other strut materials shown to have similar functionality may also be used.

Alternatively or additionally, the structure for biasing or maintaining the flexible panels 112, 114 in a more open position may include a structure for facilitating retention of the side panels 112, 114 from the adjacent end walls 24, 26 and/or A more aligned structure of the sidewalls 32, 34. For example, components that alter the material properties of the side panels 112, 114 may be provided, including but not limited to force transfer elements for transferring forces between the side panels 112, 114 and the end walls 24, 26 and/or side walls 32, 34 or stiffening elements.

Referring to Figures 7-12, the container 10 may also include features to facilitate access to the contents positioned in the container by manipulation of the side panels 112,114. Specifically, in the illustrated embodiment of the container 10, regions may be provided for separating the side panels 112, 114 from each other and/or from the end walls 24, 26 and the side walls 32, 34, including For example one or several frangible regions 174 (see also Figs. 1 and 2). The region extends along at least one of the edge seams 118 , 120 and may also include another frangible region 176 extending adjacent the upper edges of the end walls 24 , 26 and side walls 32 , 34 . According to one method of using the container 10, the side panels 112, 114 can be completely or partially separated along at least one of the frangible regions 174, and the side panels 112, 114 can be separated along the end walls 24, 26 and the side walls 32, 34 toward the bottom wall. 14 folded and/or crimped as illustrated in FIG. 7 . In addition, the edge portions of the side panels 112, 114 including the reusable closure 124 can be folded back toward the open end of the container 10 and held in place by the fastening structure so that the outwardly facing surface 178 of the upper portion 116 (by The inner surfaces of the side panels 112, 114) are overlapped or covered by one or more folded portions of the side panels 112, 114. Optionally, another frangible area can be provided, for example at another place or another location of the edge seams 118, 120, so that portions of the side panels 112, 114 can be folded and/or rolled to Facilitates the separation of the side panels 112,114. Preferably, the material to be separated is separated in one piece, or alternatively into two or more fragments. The separated material may be completely removed from the container 10 or may remain attached at one or more points about which the material may pivot.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the fastening structure for retaining the folded edge portions of the side panels 112 , 114 may include one or several portions of interlocking closure elements 180 positioned on the surface 178 of the upper portion 116 . The elements are adapted to cooperate with and cooperate with at least one of the elements 126 , 128 of the reusable closure 124 . For example, after the upper portion 116 is folded toward the bottom wall 14 along the exterior of the support structure 12, the edge portions of the side panels 112, 114 including the reusable closure 124 may be folded back toward the open end of the container 10 to wrap the reusable The closure 124 used is positioned in interlocking engagement with the interlocking closure element 180 on the surface 178 .

9 and 10 illustrate alternative fastening structures for retaining the folded edge portions of the side panels 112, 114 in the folded position. The fastening structure may include a pocket structure 182 defining one or several pockets positioned on the support structure 12 . Pocket structure 182 is illustrated as a triangular structure and may be positioned, for example, on one or more of end walls 24, 26 and define one or more slits 184 (or similar structures) along the support structure in upper portion 116. 12 after the outer fold. The slits are adapted to receive corners 186 formed by folding edge portions of the side panels 112,114. Retaining upper portion 116 in the described folded configuration is not limited to use of the mechanisms described above and may include other mechanisms including (without limitation) materials retaining dimples or apertures, hook and loop fasteners, adhesives including pressure sensitive Adhesives, snap-fit connections, clips, rubber bands, mechanical fasteners, clips and/or clamps.

In use of the container illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 10, the upper portion 116 formed by both the side panels 112, 114 need not be entirely folded towards the bottom wall 14, for example half of the upper portion 116 may be folded (as formed by the side panels 112, 114). 114) to provide access to the container through one side of the upper portion 116. Alternatively, the side panels 112, 114 may be cut or torn along additional locations to provide access to the container through an area smaller or larger than the area defined by one of the side panels 112, 114.

According to an alternative method of providing access to the container 10, the side panels 112, 114 may be separated along one or more of the frangible portions or regions 174 (as shown in FIG. 11 ), and the side panels 112, 114 may also be The end walls 24, 26 and side walls 32, 34 are separated along frangible portions or regions 176 to allow substantially complete removal of the side panels 112, 114 from the end walls 24, 26 and side walls 32, 34 (FIG. 12).

The frangible portions or areas 174, 176 may be formed from predefined areas or lines of weak and/or directional tear material properties. Predefined areas or lines of weakness include (without limitation) perforations, mechanical or laser notches, material thinning, and/or tear strips positioned at or near the desired separation location. Alternatively, whether joined by adhesives, cohesive bonding, heat sealing, welded joints, or otherwise, the separation may be along lines, portions, or areas of releasable connections such as laps, fins, butt seams, or Sealing takes place. As another alternative, the bridging material (eg, pressure sensitive adhesive tape) can be torn or removed to separate the sheets. Additionally, features may be provided to facilitate the tearing or separation process, including (without limitation) anchoring/stretching buttons that facilitate user identification of the frangible area and/or facilitate gripping and/or applying force to the container 10. , loops, or other tactile components. Identification of the frangible area or areas may also be facilitated by one or several visual indicators, including (without limitation) colored parts such as applied or printed colored bands and/or which may be positioned at or near the frangible area or visually distinguishable material properties and may include visual indicators extending along both sides of the frangible area. The indicia may be provided, for example, by a visually identifiable laser inscribed groove or region exhibiting a difference in opacity or translucency relative to adjacent regions. Also, a tearstop may be provided adjacent to the frangible area to prevent tear propagation beyond the frangible area.

The structures for facilitating use of the container 10 are not limited to manipulation of the side panels 112,114. Additional structure may be provided to the region of the support structure 12 and may include removable or replaceable structure associated with one or more of the end walls 24 , 26 and side walls 32 , 34 . The structure allows one or several parts of the container 10 to be removed, reorganized or otherwise manipulated to improve access to the interior of the container 10 .

In one use of container 10 , container 10 may be sealed for storage of any contents contained within container 10 . In such use, the tops of the side panels 112, 114 may be joined together, such as by the reusable closure 124 described above. The joining or connection of the side panels 112, 114 together may be accompanied by some amount of movement of the side panels 112, 114 as the side panels pivot about the hinges 140, 142 and fold at the corner hinges 162, 164, 166, 168, thereby Outwardly extending ends 154, 156 are formed (FIG. 13). The folded condition of the side panels 112 , 114 defines a substantially planar top surface of the container 10 along a plane substantially coincident with the location of the hinges 136 , 138 , 140 , 142 . Accordingly, other containers may be stacked on container 10 in a manner similar to the stackability provided by known rigid or semi-rigid storage containers.

The stackability of container 10 can be enhanced by providing additional structure. Said structures include (without limitation) additional structures adjacent to the top or bottom of the end panels 24, 26 and/or side panels 32, 34, for example: a top flange providing a support function on which the bottom of the supported container may rest; Trumpet structure. The structure includes some or all of the end walls 24, 26 and/or 32, 34 being flared at their upper or lower edges to provide a secure fit with the engaged lower or upper edge of the supported or supported container. or a flange extending transversely from an outwardly extending flange of the upper or lower edge of some or all of the adjacent end walls 24 , 26 and/or side walls 32 , 34 . The flange provides a protrusion for engaging a lower or upper edge of a supported or supported container. Structures that facilitate stacking of containers 10 may be positioned externally or internally to flexible material 130 to function through direct or indirect contact of the flexible film with the stacked containers to facilitate stacking engagement. Other structures for facilitating alignment and/or engagement of stacked containers may also be provided.

In general terms, the end and/or bottom wall may be positioned externally or internally to the flexible material 130, either entirely externally or internally, or in a combination of internal and external locations.

The container 10 may have additional structures to facilitate handling of the container 10 . The structure includes (without limitation) one or several protrusions, handles or straps shaped as part of or attached to the end walls 24, 26, side walls 32, 34 and/or bottom wall 14. For example, a hand strap may be included to facilitate holding and/or carrying the container 10 in one hand, such as providing a strap to the bottom wall 14 to receive one or more fingers of a user to facilitate carrying the container by the support of the bottom wall 14 .

Handling of the container 10 may also be facilitated by structures provided on the side panels 112,114. Handling and/or carrying the container 10 may be carried by gripping the combined side panels 112, 114 between the user's fingers, as may be facilitated by a non-slip or other grip-enhancing surface. Additional structures for enabling a user to grip the side panels 112, 114 may include (without limitation) attached or integral tabs, loops, handle holes, and/or straps.

In one use of the container 10, the container may be provided in a collapsed configuration during storage or prior to use. Two or more containers 10 in the collapsed configuration may have an outer wrapper to facilitate storage, distribution, sale and transportation of the plurality of containers 10 . The packaging may partially or completely enclose or encapsulate the container 10 . The package may be any known package including, but not limited to, bags, paper or plastic tapes, shrink wrap, shrink sleeves, stretch sleeves or tapes, carton packages, flow wrap packages, thermoform packages, and the like. Preferably, the package encloses or itself displays, illustrates or contains instructions for using the container 10, including the method of erecting it. In a preferred retail store package, the package itself may be either a consumer-accessible semi-rigid or rigid container, or even a standable container 10 that has been expanded.

During use, container 10 is deformable from a collapsed configuration to an erect configuration (as described above), wherein support structure 12 defines a rigid or semi-rigid structure and upper portion 116 defines a flexible pouch that can be opened to allow the contents to pass therethrough. Structure. Contents may be placed into container 10 through opening 122 which is sealed with reusable closure 124 . The container 10 and contents can be placed in a refrigerator or freezer for storage (if appropriate) and can be stacked with other similarly configured containers 10 if desired. Furthermore, since the container 10 is formed from microwave-safe materials, the container 10 and enclosed contents can be placed directly into a microwave oven to directly reheat the contents in the container 10. Subsequently, part or all of the upper portion 116 can be removed, or separated and removed to create a more accessible opening to facilitate access to the contents, wherein the support structure 12 can be used as a bowl or plate for eating the contents like structures, or even eat the contents directly from them.

Alternative configurations are suitable for certain situations, such as containers with multiple compartments. For example, a partition wall (which itself is optionally upstanding) may rise from the bottom wall to separate the container into two or more compartments. Another embodiment is a container with multiple openings.

Without intending to be limiting, the present invention can accommodate liquid contents, solid contents, particulate contents and combinations of these contents. The contents may be indeterminate kinds of items and preparations to be used, for example for personal purposes, domestic purposes, industrial purposes, automotive purposes, hygienic purposes, agricultural purposes or pet keeping purposes. Food storage (eg for human or animal purposes) is a specific example. Also, the container may be partially or entirely collapsed prior to use, pre-filled with only the contents, such as these non-limiting examples: oil and popcorn kernels prior to popping, dry instant noodles prior to adding hot water to produce soup, and Vegetables, pet food before adding water and seasoning before adding other food ingredients.

All references cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are incorporated herein by reference. The citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is available as prior art to the present invention.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.

Claims (12)

1. An erectable and collapsible container comprising: a bottom structure comprising a bottom wall, a pair of end walls pivotably connected to the bottom wall, and a pair of side walls pivotally connected to the bottom wall and extending between the end walls , wherein each of said end walls includes a plurality of end wall portions with end wall hinges disposed therebetween, and each of said side walls includes a plurality of side wall portions with side wall hinges disposed therebetween; and an upper structure comprising two substantially planar opposing side panels connected to the base structure, the upper structure being a pouch-like upper portion for containing contents, and comprising a the engageable sides of the closable opening; wherein said end walls are articulated about said end wall hinges when said pair of end walls is moved from a first position relative to said bottom wall to a second position relative to said bottom wall; and The container includes a frangible connection between the base structure and the upper structure and defines a location for separating the upper structure from the base structure. 2. The container of claim 1, wherein when said pair of end walls moves from said first position to said second position, said end wall hinges move away from each other and said side wall hinges also move move away from each other. 3. The container of claim 2, wherein when said pair of end walls moves from said first position to said second position, said end wall portions and said side wall portions move from substantially parallel to said second position. The position of the bottom wall is moved toward a position substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. 4. The container of claim 1, wherein each of said side walls includes a pair of gusset portions extending between said side wall portion and an adjacent end wall, each said gusset portion including A gusset hinge is articulated relative to an adjacent end wall hinge of an adjacent end wall. 5. The container of claim 4, wherein each of said gusset hinges is movable from substantially parallel to said pair of end walls when said pair of end walls is moved from said first position to said second position. A position adjacent to the hinge of the end wall is shifted toward a position substantially perpendicular to the hinge of the adjacent end wall. 6. The container of claim 1, wherein said end wall hinge extends substantially parallel to said bottom wall. 7. The container of claim 1, wherein said pair of end walls moves from said first position to said second position in response to a force that produces a resultant opposing force acting on said end walls. 8. A container as claimed in claim 7 comprising means for closing the superstructure. 9. A standable and collapsible container comprising: a bottom structure comprising a bottom wall, a pair of end walls pivotally connected to the bottom wall, and a pair of side walls pivotally connected to the bottom wall and extending between the end walls, wherein each of said end walls includes a plurality of end wall sections with end wall hinges disposed therebetween, and each of said side walls includes a plurality of side wall sections with side wall hinges disposed therebetween; and an upper structure comprising two substantially planar opposing side panels connected to said base structure, said upper structure being a pouch-like upper portion for containing contents; and wherein said end walls are articulated about said end wall hinges when said pair of end walls is moved from a first position relative to said bottom wall to a second position relative to said bottom wall; and The container includes a frangible connection between the base structure and the upper structure and defines a location for separating the upper structure from the base structure. 10. The container of claim 9, wherein when said pair of end walls moves from said first position to said second position, said end wall hinges move away from each other and said side wall hinges also move move away from each other. 11. The container of claim 10, wherein when said pair of end walls moves from said first position to said second position, said end wall portions and said side wall portions move from substantially parallel to said second position. The position of the bottom wall is moved toward a position substantially perpendicular to the bottom wall. 12. The container of claim 9, wherein the side wall comprises a sheet of flexible material.