WO2003045796A1

WO2003045796A1 - Container

Info

Publication number: WO2003045796A1
Application number: PCT/GB2002/005237
Authority: WO
Inventors: Steven Biggins; Olivia Rocca
Original assignee: Steven Biggins; Olivia Rocca
Priority date: 2001-11-22
Filing date: 2002-11-21
Publication date: 2003-06-05
Also published as: AU2002349112A1; GB0128015D0

Abstract

A container is provided having a top (6), base (4), side walls (8) and end walls (10). At least one of the end walls comprises a closure (50) via which a user can gain access to the interior of the container. Support members (12, 14) are provided in the interior of the container, typically adjacent the end walls, which extend between the base and top walls of the container. The support members are shaped and positioned so as to allow user access to the interior of the container and/or removal of one or more items from the container without requiring substantial movement of the support members.

Description

Container

This invention relates to a container.

Although the following description refers almost exclusively to a container in the form of a shoe or footwear box, it will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the container can be used to contain any number of different items and can be provided in any number of different sizes and shapes.

Conventionally shoe boxes are made from board material and in one example comprise a container portion and a lid portion, the lid portion being of marginally larger dimensions than the upper edges of the container portion, such that the lid portion can be slotted over the upper edges of the container portion to close the container. Shoe boxes are generally vertically stacked for storage purposes during transport and in the retail outlet. As these types of shoe boxes are opened from the top, a selected shoe box has to be removed from the stack without causing the remaining stack to collapse. This often results in the user having to unstack the boxes, remove the box they want and then restack the boxes. In addition, they may find that when they have selected and removed a particular box from the stack, the box may be empty or contain the wrong pair of shoes. The user then has to repeat the process of selecting a box and removing the selected box from the stack. This is obviously time consuming and annoying for the user.

In order to overcome the above problem, shoe boxes are sometimes provided with closure means on an end of the box rather than the top, so that when the boxes are stacked, the closure means on a selected box can be opened whilst in the stacked position, thereby allowing the user to access the goods therefrom. However, a problem with these types of boxes is that the closure means is typically the end wall of the box and so removal of the end wall to open the box is likely to result in the rigidity of the box being greatly reduced. This can cause the box to fold and can result in damage to the box itself, thereby making the packaging look unsightly which may put a customer off from buying the box or one or more items contained in the box. In addition, damage to the box may result in damage to the contents of the box may be damaged, particularly if the contents of the box are fragile. Furthermore the stack of boxes above the folded box may collapse, thereby resulting in the time consuming process of a user having to restack the boxes.

It is therefore an aim of the present invention to provide a container, which can be easily accessed, particularly if the boxes are stacked horizontally or vertically and which provides sufficient rigidity to prevent the container from collapsing in a , stored position and whilst the contents of the container are being viewed and/or accessed.

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a container said container having a top wall, base wall, side walls and end walls, at least one of said end and/or side walls comprising one or more openings with closure means via which a user can gain access to the interior of the container and wherein at least one support member is provided in the interior of the container, at least a portion of said support member extending substantially between the base and top of the container, said support member shaped to allow user access from the opening into said interior and/or removal of one or more items from said container, said support members remaining substantially in position.

Thus, the support member or members allow access to the interior of the container, typically beyond the support member, without requiring substantial movement of the member(s), either as a result of bypassing the support members or avoiding contact with the support member(s) due to their shape and/or position, thereby allowing the support members to provide continued support the top and/or base of the container in use, particularly when the container is one in a stack of containers. Conventionally, once closure means are opened on a first container located in a stack of containers, the weight of the stacked containers on the top of the first container typically results in collapse of the first container due to the support provided by the closure means being removed. This problem is avoided with the present invention.

Preferably a number of support members are provided in the container.

Preferably the support members each have substantially concave free ends, thereby allowing a user to place their hand therethrough to gain access to the contents of the container and/or to remove the contents past the support members without substantially moving the position of the members.

In an alternative embodiment the support members can be c- shaped.

In a further embodiment the support members have at least upper and lower protruding portions with at least one recess portion defined therebetween. The recess portion allows the user to view the contents of the container and/or to allow user access to the interior of the container without substantially moving the support members.

The protruding portions are typically provided adjacent the top and base of the container to provide support to the container. Further preferably at least the protruding portions of the support members are formed from substantially rigid material.

The closure means can be formed in the end or side walls of the container and the one or more support members in one embodiment are provided adjacent and/or parallel to the closure means.

In one embodiment the support members are typically attached or integral with the side walls in one embodiment by fold lines and can be flexed about the join if necessary. The support members can be attached to the side walls by adhesive, staples and/or the like.

Preferably two support members are provided adjacent the at least one end wall of the container having closure means and are substantially parallel thereto.

Preferably the supporting members are provided at opposite locations on the container.

Further preferably the protruding portions of adjacent support members either abut each other or have a gap therebetween which is of such dimensions to aid a user to gain access to the interior of the container whilst providing sufficient strength and rigidity to the container.

Preferably the container is made from any or any combination of plastics material and/or board material. For example the container can be made from PVC or acetate. Preferably at least a portion of the material forming the container is transparent or semi-opaque, thereby allowing a user to easily view the contents of the container.

Preferably the closure means include a top portion and a base portion joined to the top and base of the container respectively. The portions are provided with complementary engagement means adjacent their free ends to allow the portions to be engaged and disengaged to close and open the container respectively.

Alternatively, a single closure element can be provided at each end which is attached to or integral with the top, base and/or side wall of the container.

Preferably the engagement means includes a tab on one of the portions and a slot on the other of the portions, said tab being inserted through said slot to engage the portions together. Alternatively the engagement means can include press studs, Velcro, tucks/locks, self adhesive tape and/or the like.

In one embodiment handle means are provided on the container. The handle means can be attached to one or more walls of the container and can include any or any combination of cord, rope, fabric, board, plastic and/or the like which is attached to the container between two spaced locations. Suitably shaped location apertures and/or flaps can be located at a plurality of positions on the container, thereby allowing a user to choose which aperture/flap a handle is to be located with to allow the container to be carried in a required orientation.

In a further embodiment attachment means are provided to attach one or more of the containers together. The attachment means increase the ease with which two or more containers can be carried or transported. In addition, the attachment means prevent the containers from toppling over when in a stacked arrangement.

Preferably the attachment means includes one more inserts having location portions for locating with two or more adjacent containers.

The attachment means can be integrally formed with the containers, have an end integrally formed with the container an one free end for location with an adjacent container or the attachment means can be detachably attached to two adjacent containers.

The insert, in one embodiment, is in the form of an elongate arm which is of sufficient length to allow two adjacent containers to be maintained in a required abutting relationship.

Preferably the location portions include tabs which protrude from one or more surfaces of said insert. For example, the tabs can protrude from one or both sides of said insert adjacent the free ends thereof. The tabs can also be formed from a flexible material.

Preferably the flexible tabs are flexed for location in one or more slots or apertures provided on the container. Once inserted through the slots/apertures, the tabs resume their original shape, thereby preventing their accidental removal. The protruding tabs create shoulder portions which locate against the interior walls of the container defining the slots /apertures to secure the attachment means in place.

The slots or apertures are typically provided at corresponding locations on adjacent containers to allow a plurality of containers to be joined together, thereby allowing the containers to be easily transported

In one embodiment the attachment means are similar in design and appearance to the handle means and the locations for the handle and attachment means can be the same.

Preferably the container is formed from a blank and said blank is held together by one or more flaps and/or tabs. The flaps and/or tabs can be connected to portions of the container by adhesive, heat welding, staples, clips, frictional engagement and/or the like.

In one embodiment support members are provided in the interior of the container and a spaced distance between the two end walls thereof.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a blank for the construction of a container, said blank in a pre-erected form having a plurality of panels defined between a plurality of fold lines and free edges of the blank, said blank provided with a top panel having side wall panels foldingly connected thereto, a base panel foldingly connected to an end of a side wall panel and end wall panels foldingly connected to the ends of the top and base panels, said side wall panels having support panels foldingly connected at ends of the side wall panels, and wherein when said blank is constructed said support panels contact at least a portion of the top and base to support the top and base during use, said support panels having shaped free ends to allow a user to gain access to the interior of the container without substantially moving the support panels.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a container, said container having a top wall, base wall, side walls and end walls, at least one of said walls comprising one or more openings with closure means via which a user can gain access to the interior of the container and wherein said container is provided with attachment means for attaching two or more containers together.

Preferably the container includes one or more location means for location of the attachment means therewith.

Preferably a plurality of location means are provided on the container for location of attachment means therewith in one or more of a number of different configurations. This allows joining and/or stacking of boxes together in a plurality of different configurations as required.

Preferably the closure means form an end wall of the container.

According to a yet further aspect of the present invention there is provided a storage arrangement, said storage arrangement comprising two or more containers, each of said containers having a top wall, base wall, side walls and end walls, at least one of said walls comprising one or more openings with closure means via which a user can gain access to the interior of the container and wherein attachment means are provided for attaching said containers together.

The containers can be attached together in a plurality of different configurations depending on the location site where the attachment means are located on each of the containers being joined.

The present invention has the advantage over the prior art that the support member(s) act to provide rigidity to the container when stacked together, thereby allowing the contents to be viewed and/or removed without damage to the contents, the container and/or collapse of the stack. The support members form part of a single blank, thereby reducing time and cost for construction of the blank. Furthermore the blank can be constructed without using any special tools or adhesive, such that the container can be transported in flat-packed condition and constructed as and when required.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the container according to one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a blank for construction of the container in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3A-3C show attachment means for joining a number of containers together;

Figure 4a a plan view of a further example of an insert according to the present invention; and

Figure 4b is a perspective view of the insert in Figure 4a.

Referring to the figures, there is illustrated a container in the form of a footwear box 2 having a base 4, top 6, side walls 8 and end walls 10.

Support panels 12, 14 are provided adjacent end walls 10 and are located in the interior of box 2. Support panels 12, 14 are substantially rigid members and are connected to edges 16, 18 respectively of side walls 8. The support panels 12, 14 have concave shaped edges 20 and 22 at their free ends. When the box is constructed, the support panels 12, 14 extend between and contact the top and base of the box to provide the ends 10 of the box with rigidity, thereby allowing a number of boxes to be vertically stacked without causing the boxes to collapse, damage the box or the contents therein. The concave free edges 20, 22 define an aperture or window therebetween to allow the user to easily view the contents of the box and to extract the contents therefrom without having to move the support panels. The ability to maintain the position of the support panels whilst being able to extract one or more items from the box has a significant advantage in that it prevents a stack of boxes from collapsing if a lower box is accessed. The shape of the free ends of the support panels is not restricted to being concave but the shape is preferably of such design to allow a user to place one or both of their hands in the container without substantially moving the panels.

Referring to figure 2, there is illustrated a blank 30 for forming the box 2 in figure 1. The blank has a top panel 6, a base panel 4 and side wall panels 8. The box is constructed by folding the blank along fold lines 32, 34 and 36. Tabs 38 are located in slots 40 on flap 42 and flap 42 is located adjacent base panel 4 when container 2 is constructed. Flap 42 and/or tabs 38 can be adhered, stapled and/or similar to adjacent panels of the box. However, preferably the tabs 38 are provided with notches 44 thereon to allow the tabs to frictionally engage with the slots 40 without having to use any special tools or equipment, thus preventing the tabs and flap from disengaging unless by manual manipulation.

This allows the blank to be easily transported in a flat packed form and constructed prior to use as and when required. Side wall panels 8 are provided with support panels 12 and 14 j oined along fold lines 16 and 18 respectively. Support panels 12, 14 are folded such that they are located in the interior of the box.

End wall panels 10 are formed of two portions 46 and 48. Portion 46 is connected to base panel 4 along fold line 48 and portion 50 is connected to top panel 6 along fold line 52. Portions 46 and 50 are folded to lie adjacent the support panels 12 and 14.

Portion 50 is provided with a tab 54 which engages with slot 56 on portion 46, thereby holding the end panels 10 in a closed condition. Manual manipulation of tab 54 by a user releases the tab from the slot 56, thereby opening the box.

The box can be made from board but is preferably made from a plastics material. The box is also transparent or semi opaque to allow a user to easily view the contents of the box prior to opening of the box. However, it is noted that the container can be opaque and can be provided with a number of different designs on its external surface.

Referring to Figures 3A-3C, there is illustrated attachment means for joining a number of containers together. It will be appreciated that the attachment means according to the present invention can be used in conjunction with any container and not just containers including support members.

Container 102 is provided with attachment means in the forms of an insert 104 having location portions in the form of flexible tabs 106 at free ends 108, 110 of the insert. The flexible tabs 106 are tapered to meet at a point 112 to enable insertion into slots 114 provided on the walls of the container at pre- determined locations. Protruding portions 107 define shoulder portions which engage with the walls of the container defining slot 114.

In use, end 110 of the insert is located in a slot 114. Container 102 is then located on top of a second container 102'. End 108 of the insert is located into slot 1 14' of the second container. The same operation can be undertaken on the other side of the containers.

A handle portion 116 can be provided on the top surface 118 of the container. The handle portion 1 16 typically has similar flexible tabs to that of insert 104 but can be shaped according to the slots 120 provided (i.e. can be complementary in shape to the slots) . Slots 120 can also be provided on the side wall 122 of the container to allow a handle to be attached thereto. The method of fixing the handle to the container is the same as that of the insert.

Referring to figure 3C, slots 114 provided on the top surface 118 of the container can also have inserts located therein for attachment to an adjacent stack of containers. As can be seen from the figures, the stacks of containers can be built up and joined to each other as and when required and are typically released from each other in reverse. The advantage of the attachment means is that the containers can easily be transported and stored.

The handle slots 120 can also receive inserts to join two or more containers together. The inserts can be attached on the same side, both sides or opposite sides of the containers to form the stack. The inserts are typically made from a plastics material and at least the ends of the inserts are flexible. Referring to figures 4a and 4b, there is illustrated a further example of an insert 202 according to the present invention. The insert 202 has a body portion 204 and shaped free ends 206 and 208. Tab portions 210 and 212 are provided adjacent free ends 206 and 208 respectively. The tab portions 210 and 212 are made from flexible material and can pivot about junctions 214 and 216 formed at the join between the tab portion and the free ends 206 and 208. For example, the tab portions are resiliently biased upwardly in the described example.

In use each shaped free end is inserted into a slot 114 in the container as described for insert 104 in figures 3a-3c. The junction of each tab is inserted through the slot before the tab free ends 218, 220, thereby forcing the tab into the plane of the body portion of the insert such that the tabs do not hinder the passage of free ends 206, 208 into the slot 114. Once the free ends 206, 208 are located through the slots, the resilience bias of the tabs forces the tabs upwardly, thereby locking the junction of the tabs against the interior walls of the container defining the slot.

To remove the insert from the slots 114 of the container, the insert is tugged firmly in a direction away from the container, thereby causing tabs 210, 212 to pivot about their junctions such that tab free ends 218, 220 move towards free ends 206, 208 (i.e. can pivot through 180 degrees) . This allows free ends 206, 208 and tabs 210 and 212 to pass through the slots 114.

The tabs can be replaced by any other form of barb type arrangement to allow engagement of a portion of the insert with the wall of the container defining the slot.

Thus the present invention provides a container which can be opened from either or both ends. The support members of the container provide it with increased rigidity whilst allowing a user to access the contents of the container without reducing this rigidity.

Claims

Claims:-

1. A container said container having a top wall, base wall, side walls and end walls, at least one of said end and/or side walls comprising one or more openings with closure means via which a user can gain access to the interior of the container and wherein at least one support member is provided in the interior of the container, at least a portion of said support member extending substantially between the base and top of the container, said support member shaped to allow user access from the opening into said interior and/or removal of one or more items from said container, said support members remaining substantially in position.

2. A container according to claim 1 wherein the at least one support member is provided substantially parallel to an end wall of the container.

3. A container according to claim 1 wherein the at least one support member is provided substantially parallel to a side wall of the container.

4. A container according to claim 2 wherein the at least one support member is adjacent to closure means of the container.

5. A container according to claim 1 wherein said support member has a substantially concave free end.

6. A container according to claim 1 wherein said support member has at least upper and lower protruding portions and at least one recess portion defined therebetween.

7. A container according to claim 6 wherein at least said protruding portions are formed from a substantially rigid material.

8. A container according to claim 1 wherein said support member is connected to or integral with a side wall of the container.

9. A container according to claim 1 wherein said support member is provided in the interior of the container a spaced distance form said end and/or side walls.

10. A container according to claim 1 wherein two support members are provided adjacent an end and/or side wall of the container.

11. A container according to claim 10 wherein at least a portion of the adjacent support members abut each other.

12. A container according to claim 10 wherein a gap is provided between adjacent support members.

13. A container according to claim 1 wherein attachment means are provided for attaching two or more containers together.

14. A container according to claim 13 wherein the attachment means are in the form of at least one elongate arm having one or more location portions for locating with two or more adjacent containers.

15. A container according to claim 14 wherein the elongate arm has a first end integrally formed with a container and a second free end having a location portion for location with an adjacent container.

16. A container according to claim 14 wherein the location portion comprises a tab which protrudes from one or more surfaces of the arm, the protruding tab inserted through an aperture or slot in the container and said tab engaging against an interior wall of the container defining said aperture or slot in use.

17. A container according to claim 14 wherein the location portion is tapered to a point at the free end to allow insertion of the same in an aperture or slot.

18. A container according to claim 16 wherein the protruding tabs are substantially flexible.

19. A container according to claims 14 wherein the location portion includes a tab which is pivotal about a junction on the surface of the arm joining the tab to the arm, the location portion inserted through an aperture or slot in the container and said junction engaging against an interior wall of the container defining said aperture or slot in use.

20. A container according to claim 19 wherein the tab is resiliently biased in an outwardly direction from the surface of the arm.

21. A container according to claim 16 or 19 wherein slots or apertures are provided at corresponding locations on adjacent containers.

22. A container according to claim 1 wherein the closure means includes a top portion and a base portion and each portion has complementary engagement means provided thereon for closing the closure means.

23. A container according to claim 22 wherein the complementary engagement means includes a tab on one of the portions which is located through a slot in the other of said portions.

24. A container according to claim 22 wherein the complementary engagement means include any or any combination of press studs, Velcro, tucks/locks or self adhesive tape.

25. A container according to claim 1 wherein handle means are provided on the container.

26. A container according to claim 1 wherein the handle means includes any or any combination of cord, rope, fabric, board material and/or plastic.

27. A container according to claim 25 wherein two or more location apertures are provided on the container for location of at least two ends of the handle means.

28. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container is formed from a blank and, when erected to form the container, a plurality of flaps and/or tabs secure the container together in said erected form.

29. A container according to claim 28 wherein the flaps and/ or tabs are secured to the container by any or any combination of adhesive, heat welding, staples, clips or frictional engagement.

30. A container according to claim 1 wherein the container is formed from any or any combination of board material or plastic material.

31. A container according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the container is formed from an opaque material.

32. A container according to claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the container is formed from a transparent material.

33. A storage arrangement comprising two or more containers according to claim 1 wherein said two or more containers are joined together by attachment means.

34. A blank for the construction of a container, said blank in a pre-erected form having a plurality of panels defined by a plurality of fold lines and free edges of the blank, said blank provided with a top panel having side wall panels foldingly connected thereto, a base panel foldingly connected to an end of a side wall panel and end wall panels foldingly connected to the ends of the top and base panels, said side wall panels having support panels foldingly connected at ends of the side wall panels, and wherein when said blank is constructed said support panels contact at least a portion of the top and base to support the top and base during use, said support panels having shaped free ends to allow a user to gain access to the interior of the container without substantially moving the support panels.

35. A container, said container having a top wall, base wall, side walls and end walls, at least one of said walls comprising one or more openings with closure means via which a user can gain access to the interior of the container and wherein said container is provided with attachment means for joining two or more containers together.

36. A container according to claim 35 wherein the container includes one or more location means for location of the attachment means therewith.

37. A container according to claim 36 wherein a plurality of location means are provided on the container for location of attachment means therewith in one or more of a number of different configurations.

38. A container according to claim 35 wherein the closure means forms an end or side wall of the container.

39. A storage arrangement, said storage arrangement comprising two or more containers, each of said containers having a top wall, base wall, side walls and end walls, at least one of said walls comprising one or more openings with closure means via which a user can gain access to the interior of the container and wherein attachment means are provided for joining said containers together.