The present invention relates to containers, and preferably foldable containers. More particularly, the present invention relates to a closure mechanism for a foldable container, and preferably a closure mechanism arranged to close an opening to an interior compartment of a container.

Containers, such as boxes or cartons, which may be made from cardboard and/or paper for example, are often provided with a closure mechanism, such as a lid, to allow an interior compartment of the container to be sealed or closed, while ensuring that the interior compartment, and hence its contents, can still be readily accessed when required, when the container is in assembled form.

Aspects and/or embodiments seek to provide an improved closure mechanism for a container, such as a cardboard box or bin, for example. Aspects and/or embodiments of the present invention are set out in the appended claims. These and other aspects and embodiments of the invention are also described herein.

According to a first aspect, there is provided a container having a closable aperture, comprising: a main body arranged to define an interior compartment that is accessible via the aperture; and a plurality of discrete foldable portions arranged around the aperture; wherein the foldable portions are arranged such that the action of bringing at least two of the foldable portions together causes one or more remaining portions to fold inwardly beneath them, thereby to substantially close the aperture.

By arranging at least two foldable to cause one or more remaining portions to fold inwardly beneath them when said two foldable portions are brought together, a quick, simple, and secure closure mechanism can be provided. Optionally, the main body comprises four sides. Optionally, adjacent sides of the main body are substantially perpendicular. Optionally, the main body comprises at least two sides that are arranged to bow outwardly. Optionally, at least two of said outwardly bowing sides are arranged substantially to oppose each other around the aperture. Optionally, the at least two outwardly bowing sides have a downwardly curved upper edge arranged to form at least part of the aperture. Optionally, the at least two outwardly bowing sides each comprise one or more bend or fold lines arranged to promote outward bowing. Optionally, the container further comprises at least two bend or fold lines arranged on each of the at least two outwardly bowing sides, preferably wherein the at least two bend or fold lines are arranged towards the edges of the outwardly bowing sides. Optionally, the main body has tapered configuration such that the cross- sectional area of the interior compartment increases towards the aperture.

Optionally, the plurality of foldable portions comprises two first portions and two second portions, preferably wherein the portions are arranged around the aperture such that the first portions oppose each other and the second portions oppose each other. Optionally, the first portions and second portions are arranged to be substantially perpendicular to each other, for example wherein the first and second portions are substantially castellated. Optionally, the first portions and second portions are arranged such that the action of bringing the first portions together causes the second portions to fold inwardly beneath them. Optionally, the second portions are arranged such that when they fold inwardly they at least in part overlap one another. Optionally, each of the second portions are biased to extend inwardly. Optionally, the second portions are tapered, for example wherein the width of the second portions decreases as the distance from the aperture increases.

Optionally, the first portions are arranged to be bought together by pulling them in a substantially upward direction, for example away from the aperture. Optionally, the container comprises means for bringing the first portions together.

Optionally, the container further comprises a cord arranged to pass through the first portions, thereby to enable the first portions to be bought together, for example wherein one or more holes for the cord are provided in each of the first portions. Optionally, the cord is arranged to engage one of the first portions such that the other of the first portions can be pushed along the cord towards said one of the first portions, thereby to bring the first portions together. Optionally, the cord is secured to said one of the first portions. Optionally, the cord is secured behind said one of the first portions, for example wherein the cord is knotted behind one of the holes provided in the first portion. Optionally, the means for bringing the first portions together is further arranged to provide a handle for carrying the container. Optionally, a (or the) cord is arranged to form a loop portion thereby to provide a handle for carrying the container. Optionally, the container further comprises at least one handle that is integrally formed with at least one of the first portions. Optionally, the at least one handle is arranged to pass through a slot provided in the other of the first portions.

Optionally, the first portions are arranged to lie substantially adjacent to each other. Optionally, each of the first portions comprises a region that is arranged to lie adjacent a corresponding region on the other of the first portions. Optionally, the regions provided on each of the first portions are arranged to be brought together such that a negligible gap between them when the first portions are bought together. Optionally, the regions on the first portions are arranged to extend to a greater height above the aperture than the second portions, for example when the first and second portions are arranged in a substantially vertical orientation. Optionally, the regions are provided with one or more holes suitable for a cord to be passed through.

Optionally, the container is formed entirely from bio-degradable materials. Optionally, the container is formed from a material derived from wood pulp. Optionally, the container is formed from material obtained from a kraft process, for example kraft paper. Such a biodegradable container may be advantageous for use as a disposable waste bin, for example, wherein the bin could be used in a domestic or office environment, and then disposed of in its entirety with its contents. Such a waste bin may provide environmental benefits.

Optionally, the container further comprises a base portion arranged to form the base of the interior chamber. Optionally, the base comprises one or more interlocking portions. Optionally, the container is arranged to be assembled from a net. Optionally, the net comprises four separate interlocking portions arranged to interlock to form a base.

According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of providing a closure mechanism for an aperture of a container having an interior compartment that is accessible via the aperture, the method comprising: providing a plurality of discrete foldable portions around the aperture; and arranging at least two foldable portions such that they can be brought together; wherein the action of bringing the at least two foldable portions together causes one or more remaining portions to fold inwardly beneath them, thereby to substantially close the aperture.

The invention may extend to a container having a closable aperture, and a method of closing an aperture, substantially as herein described and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As referred to herein, an "aperture" is an opening, to an interior compartment created by cooperation of the sides and base of a container, through which an item may be placed in, or otherwise introduced to, the interior compartment.

As referred to herein, the term "discrete" preferably connotes individually separate and/or substantially distinct. As referred to herein, the term "castellated" preferably connotes having grooves or slots on an upper edge or face, for example.

As referred to herein, "Kraft paper" preferably connotes paper or cardboard (or "paperboard") produced from chemical pulp produced in the "Kraft process", which is a well-known process for conversion of wood into wood pulp (also known as "Kraft pulping" or "sulphate process").

Any feature in one aspect of the invention may be applied to other aspects of the invention, in any appropriate combination. In particular, apparatus aspects may be applied to method aspects, and vice versa. Furthermore, any, some and/or all features in one aspect can be applied to any, some and/or all features in any other aspect, in any appropriate combination.

Furthermore, any apparatus feature as described herein may also be provided as a method feature, and vice versa. As used herein, means plus function features may be expressed alternatively in terms of their corresponding structure.

It should also be appreciated that particular combinations of the various features described and defined in any aspects of the invention can be implemented and/or supplied and/or used independently. At least one embodiment will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings having like-reference numerals, in which: Figure 1 shows a container having a closure mechanism according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows the exemplary closure mechanism in a closed position;

Figure 3 shows the exemplary closure mechanism in an open position; and

Figure 4 shows an example of a net for a container having such a closure mechanism.

Referring to Figures 1 to 4, an exemplary embodiment of a closure mechanism will now be described.

Figure 1 illustrates a container 1 having a closure mechanism 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. The container 1 in Figure 1 is shown in a closed configuration.

The container 1 comprises a hollow main body 5 which defines an interior compartment (e.g. an enclosed space) in which items may be held, and a closure mechanism 10 for closing an aperture present at the top of the container 1 , or its body 5. The container 1 is, preferably, manufactured from a material that is sufficiently flexible to allow it to be manipulated into shape, while being sufficiently rigid to maintain its structure once in assembled form. Examples of suitable material include cardboard and paper, and also other materials formed by a suitable kraft process. Furthermore, the material is preferably biodegradable. Kraft paper is an example of a suitable material that is biodegradable.

The hollow main body 5 comprises four faces (15, 25) and a base, defining an interior compartment. Two of the faces 15 (hereinafter referred to as the "flat faces" 15) have a straight upper edge 20 and are arranged on opposite sides of the base to each other. The flat faces 15 may also be referred to herein as "side faces". The other two faces 25 (hereinafter referred to as the "curved faces" 25), which are also arranged on opposite sides of the base to each other (and generally orthogonal to the flat faces 15), have a downwardly curved upper edge 30. The curved faces 25 are disposed between the flat faces 15 around the base, and the side edges of each of the faces 15, 25 are joined together to create the body 5 that defines the interior compartment. The curved faces 25 bow outwards, resulting in them being slightly curved when compared with the relatively flat faces 15. In the embodiment shown, both the flat faces 15 and the curved faces 20 taper inwardly towards the base, such that the cross-sectional area of the interior compartment decreases towards the base, or in other words increases towards the aperture.

The closure mechanism 10 comprises two discrete inner portions (also referred to herein as "inner flaps") 35 and two discrete outer portions (also herein referred to as "outer flaps") 40. Preferably, the closure mechanism 10 also comprises a closure means, such as a cord 55, as will be described further below.

Each of the inner flaps 35 extends from one of the downwardly curved edges 30 at the top of a respective curved face 25 of the main body 5. As such, the inner flaps 35 are therefore opposing, arranged around the aperture on opposite sides of the body 5 of the container 1 . The downwardly curved edges 30 on the curved faces 25 may be perforated in order to facilitate folding the inner flaps 35. The downwardly curved edges 30 in combination with the curved faces 15 promote inward folding of the inner flaps 35 when the container is being closed by way of bringing the outer flaps 40 together. The inner flaps 35 taper inwardly as they extend away from the curved edge 30. The angle of the taper is preferably configured such that when folded inwardly the inner flaps 35 extend across the width of the aperture so as to substantially close it, at least to the extent that the inner flap 35 extends across the aperture towards the opposing inner flap 35.

The outer flaps 40 each extend from one of the straight upper edges 20 of one of the flat faces 15. The outer flaps 40 are opposing, arranged around the aperture on opposite sides of the body 5 of the container 1 . The outer flaps 40 shown are substantially rectangular. Each outer flap 40 terminates in a tab 45 (or "region"), which can bend relative to the outer flaps 40 and may therefore be considered to be 'hinged', for example. When the outer flaps 40 are brought together, thereby bringing together the inner flaps 35 to substantially close the aperture, the tabs 45 may be brought together flush, as shown. Each tab 45 comprises one or more holes 50, through which a closure means 55, which in this embodiment is a cord 55, can be passed to form a handle, for example, which may be used to close the container 1 . The cord 55 can be made of a biodegradable string, for example. The cord 55 can be secured on a first 'rear' side of one of the tabs 45, for example by tying a knot that has a greater cross-section than the hole 50. The cord 55 can then be passed through both that hole 50 and a corresponding hole on the other opposing tab 45, thereby connecting the tabs 45. In the embodiment shown, the cord 55 is looped around and passes through a second hole 50 on the opposite tab 45, before passing through a corresponding second hole on the first tab 45. It can then be secured, again by tying a knot that is has a greater cross section than a hole 50, for example. In this way, the cord can form a handle, as mentioned above. Thus, the cord 55 (or handle, if formed) can be pulled to urge the opposing tabs 45 together, thereby bringing together the outer flaps 40, which in turn cause the inner flaps 35 to fold inwardly to substantially close the aperture.

Figure 2 illustrates the exemplary container 1 with the closure mechanism 10 in a closed configuration. As mentioned above, , the tabs 45 may be urged together by a user applying tension to the cord (handle) 55 to cause the outer flaps 40 to hinge inwardly about the straight upper edges 20 of the flat faces 15, thereby being brought together, for example. The inner flaps 35 are pushed inwards by the closure of the outer flaps 40, causing them to fold inwardly beneath the outer flaps 40. The downwardly curved edges 30 of the curved sides 25 of the container 1 promotes the inward folding of the inner flaps 35, and may additionally cause the inner flaps 35 to curve when closed, which can help to retain (or secure) the inner flaps 35 in their closed (i.e. "folded") position.

In the closed position, the inner flaps 35 may at least partially overlap (i.e. one of the inner flaps 35 at least partially overlaps the other of the inner flaps 35), thereby substantially closing the aperture. Figure 3 illustrates the exemplary container 1 with the closure mechanism 10 in an open configuration allowing access to the interior compartment 100 of the container 1 via the aperture 65. In the open configuration, the inner flaps 35 bow outwardly in a substantially similar fashion as the curved faces 25. It is the action of closing the outer flaps 40 by bringing the tabs 45 together that pushes the inner flaps 35 inwardly and downwards, causing them to fold inwards and close off the aperture 65 to the interior compartment 100.

In Figure 3, the handle formed by the cord 55 is clearly visible. As mentioned above, the cord 55 is secured to one of the tabs 45 by means of knots 70 that are larger than the holes 50 in the tabs 45. The cord 55 passes through the holes 50 to which it is secured and through corresponding holes 50 of the other tab 45. The tabs 45 can thereby be drawn together such that they are adjacent to and/or substantially abut each other by drawing (i.e. pulling) the cord 55, preferably in a substantially vertical direction away from the tabs 45, to urge the tabs 45 together.

Figure 4 illustrates a net 200 for the exemplary container 1 shown in unassembled form. As can be seen, the net (or "blank") comprises two flat faces 15 and two curved faces 25 that define the interior compartment 100,two inner flaps 35, and two outer flaps 40 provided at the upper ends of the curved faces 25 and flat faces 15, respectively. The tabs 45 can be seen extending from the top of the outer flaps 40, and may optionally be provided with reinforcing tabs (not shown), which can be folded behind the tabs 45 when in use in order to provide additional support and strengthening, particularly to the holes 50.

The base is formed by base tabs (or "portions") 75, which extend from the bottom ends of the flat faces 15 and the curved faces 25. The base tabs 75 are folded and interlocked during assembly to create a base for the container 1 . While the base tabs 75 shown in this example comprise a substantially rectangular tab, a substantially rhomboid tab and two substantially triangular tabs, the skilled person will recognise that this is simply an exemplary arrangement and other base closures are possible. Interlocking bases such as this are commonly known and therefore no further explanation of the base is necessary here. A 'joining' tab 80 extends from a free (i.e. unconnected when in 'net' form) edge 85 one of the curved faces in order to facilitate the assembly of the net into the container 1 defining the interior compartment 100, preferably using an adhesive or similar means. It will be appreciated that the joining tab 80 could equally extend from any open edge of one the faces at either end of the net. The inner flaps 35 are in this example in the form of a curved trapezoid-like quadrilateral, such that the sides taper inwardly as they extend away from the flat faces. The outer flaps 40 are substantially rectangular. The net can be pre-scored for ease of assembly. Pre-scored lines are indicted in Figure 4 by the dashed lines. The curved edges 30 can be pre-scored and/or perforated in order to allow the inner flaps 35 to be folded more easily. The other edges in the net can be pre-scored for ease of assembly and use. The curved faces 25 can also be pre-scored 95 to promote them bowing outwards when the container 1 is assembled. In the example shown, the pre-scored lines 95 on the curved faces 30 are generally proximal to the vertical edges 90 of the curved faces 30 and are arranged to intersect the curved edges 30. In this embodiment, each curved face 30 has two pre-scored lines 95 proximal to each vertical edge 90, though other embodiments may have a different number. The pre-scored lines 95 on the curved faces 25 are shown spaced closely together at the bottom end of the curved face 25 and diverge as they approach the upper end (i.e. the curved edge 30) of the curved face 25 to promote increased bowing of the curved face 25 towards the curved edge 30.

In an alternative arrangement, a handle may be formed by a single cord 55 passing through a single hole 50 on each of the tabs 45. It can be secured by tying a knot 70 at each end of the cord that has a larger cross sectional area than the hole(s) 50 through which it passes. The tabs 45 can be pulled together by applying a tension to the cord 55. Alternatively, additional cords 55 in a substantially similar arrangement can be provided such that the tabs 45 have one or more cords passing through them via holes 50.

While the embodiments described have used a cord 55 handle to facilitate closure of the container aperture, other embodiments can use other closure means. For example, one (or both) of the tabs 45 may comprise a cut out (not shown) that forms a hand grip. Alternatively, the tabs 45 may each comprise an integral handle that extends from the top of each tab 45. In a further embodiment, the handle may be formed as part of one of the tabs 45, with a slot (not shown) being provided in the other tab 45 through which the handle can pass and hence urge the two outer flaps 40 towards one another.

It will of course be understood that the closure mechanism 10 does not need to seal the aperture 65 completely (e.g. air-tight) to perform its intended function, nor do the outer flaps 40 need to be brought completely together to cause the inner flaps 35 to close off the interior compartment 100. The action of bringing the outer flaps 40 towards each other (without necessarily coming into full contact) should still provide the effect of causing the inner flaps 35 to fold inwardly and thereby substantially cover the aperture 65 of the container 1 to close off the interior compartment 100. It will further be understood that the present invention has been described above purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.