PORTABLE DEVICE COMPRISING FIRST AND SECOND COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINERS

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to containers and in particular to a collapsible container for carrying a product and a portable device comprising first and second collapsible containers.

The invention bas been developed primarily for use i transporting food products and will be described hereinafter with reference to this application. However, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to this particular field of use. Background of tlie Invention

The carrying of food products, in particularly soft and readily deformable food products, is problematic, particularly when carrying such products in the presence of other, more robust products in the same bag, basket, or trolley, as oftentimes, the deformable food product is irreversibly deformed by the other products, thereby ruining the deformable product. This is particularly noticeable in the case where the deformable product is a loaf of bread.

The present invention seeks to provide a collapsible container for carrying a product and a portable device comprising first and second collapsible containers, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.

It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.

Summary of the Inveution

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a collapsible container for carrying a product, the collapsible container, being configurable between an erect configuration and a collapsed configuration, comprising:

a first portion being configurable in a supporting position when the collapsible container is in the erect configuration and wherein the first portion is configurable in a stowed position when the collapsible container is in the collapsed configuration. Advantageously, the product can be received and carried in the collapsible container when the collapsible container is in the erect configuration.

Advantageously, the first portion being configurable between the supporting and stowed positions allows easy transitioning of the collapsible container between the erect and collapsed configurations, respectively.

Advantageously, when the collapsible container is in the collapsed configuration, it is easy to store and takes up less volume when not in use.

Preferably, the collapsible container further comprises a number of walls, wherein the first portion defines one of the number of walls of the collapsible container in the supporting ^■ position.

Advantageously, when the first portion is in the supporting position and the collapsible container is in the erect configuration, the first portion being one of the walls closes one end of the collapsible container, thereby enabling the product to be retained within the collapsible container in use.

Preferably, the first portion is adapted to lie against another of the number of walls of the collapsible container in the collapsed configuration.

Advantageously, when the first portion is in the stowed position, the first portion lies flat against another of the walls enabling the collapsible container to be substantiall flat in the collapsed configuration.

Preferably, the first portion is pivotal between the supporting position and the stowed position.

Advantageously, the first portion being pivotal between the supporting and stowed positions allows easy transitioning of the collapsible container between the erect and collapsed configurations, respectively.

Preferably, the collapsible container further comprises a retaining portion, the first portion being adapted to abut against the retaining portion in the supporting position.

Advantageously, the retaining portion retains the first portion in the supporting position without the first portion extending out of the interior of the collapsible container when in the erect configuration. Advantageously, the first portion abuts against the retaining portion when in the supporting position so as to temporarily close one end of the collapsible container when it is in the erect configuration.

Preferably, the first portion is surrounded by at least two of the walls when in the stowed position.

Advantageously, the first portion in the stowed position is located between the at least two walls of the collapsible container in the collapsed configuration such that the collapsible container is substantially flat and easy to store when not in use.

Preferably, the walls of the collapsible container comprise first walls, ^' the first portion extending from one of the first walls.

Preferably, the retaining portion extends from another of the first walls.

Preferably, the first walls comprise two first walls, the collapsible container being arranged such that the two first walls oppose each other.

Preferably, the first portion and the retaining portion are located at a same end of the collapsible container.

Advantageously, the retaining portion being located directly opposite to the first portion al the same end of the collapsible container enables the first portion to abut against the retaining portion when in the supporting position so as to temporarily close one end of the collapsible container when it is in the erect configuration.

Preferably, the walls of the collapsible container further comprise second walls extending between the first walls.

Advantageously, the collapsible container being substantially rectangular in cross section enables food products such as loaves of bread to be received within the interior of the collapsible container when in the erect configuration.

Preferably, the retaining portion extends from one of the second walls.

Advantageously, the retaining portion extending from one of the second walls allows the first portion to be retained in the supporting position without the first portion extending out of the interior of the collapsible container when it is in the erect configuration.

Preferably, the second walls are pivotal about the first walls to allow the collapsible container to transition between the erect configuration, in which the first walls are oriented such that they oppose one another and are spaced apart, and the collapsed configuration, in which each of the first walls is oriented such that it opposes a corresponding one of the second walls, in ^■ use.

Advantageously, the first and second walls pivot about the respective points of attachment to the corresponding first walls to enable the collapsible container to transition between the erect configuration and the collapsed configuration quickly and easily.

Preferably, the pivotal movement is a folding movement.

Advantageously, the collapsible container transitions between the erect and collapsed configurations by virtue of the folding movement of the second walls relative to the first walls.

Preferably, the collapsible container further comprises at least one mounting means for mounting the collapsible container in use.

Advantageously, when the collapsible container is in the erect configuration, the collapsible container can be mounted to an object to isolate or hang and protect the product received within the collapsible container from becoming damaged in use.

Preferably, the at least one mounting means is located to orient the collapsible container to prevent the product from falling out of the collapsible container when mounted in use.

Advantageously, when the collapsible container in the erect configuration is mounted to an object, the product can be received within the interior of the collapsible container and retained therein by virtue of the at least one mounting means orienting the collapsible container in a desirable orientation to reduce the risk of the product falling out.

Preferably, the collapsible container further comprises a number of walls, wherein the at least one mounting means extends from at least one of the number of walls.

Advantageously, the at least one mounting means extends from the external surface of any one of the first or second walls.

Preferably, the at least one mounting means is selected from the set of mounting means comprising: hook, hook and loop, snap buckle, threaded buckle and press stud mounting means. Advantageously, the mounting means being a hook, hook and loop, snap buckle, threaded buckle or press stud mounting means enables the collapsible container to be mounted to the object quickly and easily.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable device comprising:

first and second collapsible containers as defined in any one of the preceding paragraphs, wherein at least one of the walls of each of the first and second collapsible containers is a wall shared between the first and second collapsible containers.

Advantageously, the portable device comprising two collapsible containers enables a product to be carried in each of the two collapsible containers when they are in their respective erect configurations.

Advantageously, the portable device comprising two collapsible containers enables one product to be carried in the first collapsible container while the second collapsible container is in the collapsed configuration.

Advantageously, when the first and second collapsible containers are in their respective collapsed configurations, the product device is substantially flat and easy to store when not in use.

Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. I shows perspective views of a collapsible container for carrying a product in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the collapsible container being shown in (i) an erect configuration, and (ii) a transitional stage of collapsing to a collapsed configuration;

Fig. 2 shows a perspective view o the collapsible container of Fig. 1 in the collapsed configuration, the collapsible container comprising a flap being shown in a stowed position (dashed outline); and Fig. 3 shows perspective views of a portable device for carrying a product in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable device comprising first and second collapsible containers, with the first collapsible container being shown in (i) an erect configuration, and (ii) a transitional stage of collapsing to a collapsed configuration. Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments

It should be noted in the following description that like or the same reference numerals in different embodiments denote the same or similar features.

Referring specifically to Fig. 1 , there is provided a collapsible container 10 for carrying a product (not shown) according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The' embodiments described herein are particularly relevant to products that are readily deformable food products such as, for example, loaves of bread.

As shown in Fig. 1 , the collapsible container 10 comprises, first walls 20a, 20b and second walls 30a, 30b extending between the first walls 20a, 20b to define an open-ended box-like structure with a substantially rectangular cross section, whereby the first walls 20a, 20b are first opposing walls and the second walls 30a, 30b are second opposing walls. The second walls 30a, 30b are pivotal about the first walls 20a, 20b by virtue of being hingedly connected to the corresponding first walls 20a, 20b along their respective adjoining edges to enable a folding movement. In this arrangement, the collapsible 'container 10 is able to transition between an erect configuration (see Fig. l(i)), in which the first walls 20a, 20b are oriented such that they oppose one another and are spaced apart such that the collapsible container 10 comprises an interior for receiving the product therein, and a collapsed configuration (see Fig. 2), in which each of the first walls 20a, 20b is oriented such that it opposes a corresponding one of the second walls 30a, 30b such that the interior of the collapsible container 10 is no longer large enough to receive the product therein.

Referring specifically to Fig. l (ii), the collapsible container 10 is shown in a transitional state (solid outline) between the erect configuration (the dash dot outline) and the collapsed configuration (see Fig. 2). In this embodiment, the hingedly connected first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls allow the collapsible container 10 to collapse to the collapsed configuration in either of two directions; one direction being that as shown in Fig. l(ii), and the other direction (not shown) being that in which the collapsible container 10 collapses in substantially the opposite direction to that shown in Fig. 1 (ii). As shown in Fig. 1, the collapsible container 10 further comprises a first portion in the form of a flap 40 that is hingedly connected to first wall 20b at one end of the collapsible container 10. The flap 40 is configurable between a supporting position in which the collapsible container 10 is in the erect configuration and a stowed position in which the collapsible 5 container 10 is in the collapsed configuration. The flap 40 has dimensions that correspond to the dimensions of the two ends of the collapsible container 10 hen it is in the erect configuration, such that when the flap 40 is in the supporting position, it defines an end wall of the collapsible container 10, thereby enclosing the collapsible container 10 at the corresponding end. The other end of the collapsible container 10 is open in order to allow the 10 product to be received or rcmoved from the collapsible container 10 in the erect configuration.

As shown in Fig. 2, when the flap 40 (shown in dashed outline) is in the stowed position, the flap 40 is pivoted inwardly into the interior of the collapsible container 10 and lies flat against first wall 20b to which it is hingedly connected. Therefore, when the collapsible container 10 is in the collapsed configuration, the fla 40 in the stowed position is located substantially I S within the collapsed interior of the collapsible container 10 and surrounded by first wall 20b and second wall 30b. In this arrangement, the collapsible container 10 in the collapsed configuration is substantially fiat and thus easy to store when not in use.

As shown in Fig. 1 , the collapsible container 10 further comprises a retaining portion 50 attached to first wall 20b of the collapsible container 10. The retaining portion 50 is oriented 20 substantially orthogonally to the first wall 20b to which it is attached such that it extends partially across the same end of the collapsible container 10 at which the flap 40 is located.

The retaining portion 50 is fixed in position relative to the first wall 20b such that in use, a portion of the flap 40 abuts against the retaining portion 50 in the supporting position so as to temporarily close that end of the collapsible container 10. In this arrangement, the retaining

25 portion 50 prevents the flap 40 from extending out from the interior of the collapsible container 10 beyond the supporting position. When the product is received within the collapsible container 10 in the erect configuration in use, the flap 40 and retaining portion 50 combine to prevent the product from falling out of the interior of the collapsible container 10 if the collapsible container 10 happens to be oriented such that the corresponding end at which

30 the flap 40 and retaining portion 50 arc located is pointing in a generally downwards direction. The hinged connection along the respective adjoining edges of the first 20a, 20h and second 30a, 30b walls, and between the flap 40 and the first wall 20b to which it is attached, is largely determined by the choice of material used in the manufacture of the first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls and the flap 40 In this embodiment, the first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls, the flap 40 and the retaining portion 50 are manufactured from a suitably robust, but flexible and lightweight plastic that protects the product within the interior of the collapsible container 10 when it is in the erect configuration, and yet is light enough in weight to enable a user to transport the product easily using the collapsible container 10. The flexibility of the plastic material enables the collapsible container 10 to transition between the erect and collapsed configurations easily. To assist transitioning of the collapsible container 10 and the flap 40 between their respective erect and collapsing configurations, and supporting and stowed positions, the corresponding hinged connections each comprise a score line (not shown) located along the respective adjoining edge between the first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls and between the flap 40 and the first wall 20b.

The collapsible container 10 is of suitable dimensions to allow it to fit into a conventional shopping bag when it is in eithcT the erect or collapsed configuration.

The size of the first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls is large enough to provide companies associated with, for example, producing, selling, or distributing the products, suitable advertising space for advertising such products.

As shown in Fig. 1, the collapsible container 10 further comprises a mounting means in the form of a hook 60 attached to the external surface of first wall 20a for mounting the collapsible container 10 to an object, such as, for example, a shopping trolley, cart or basket, a bicycle basket, a car seat, a larder or kitchen door, in use. The hook 60 is attached to the external surface of first wall 20a so as to orient the collapsible container 10 in the erect configuration in a desired orientation to prevent the product from falling out of the collapsible container 10 when mounted to the object in use.

In use, the collapsible container 10 can be mounted to an object quickly and easily by virtue of the hook 60. This is particularly important in the scenario where the object is a shopping trolley or cart and the collapsible container 10 is hung via the hook 60 to the inside of the trolley or cart. In this arrangement, the collapsible container 10 isolates and protects the product within the collapsible container 10 from becoming damaged by the other products within the shopping trolley or cart. In other embodiments, the first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls, the flap 40 and retaining portion 50 are not limited to being manufactured from a robust, flexible lightweight plastic, but may be manufactured from any suitable material that will protect the product within the interior of the collapsible container 10, and yet will be light enough in weight to enable a user to transport the product using the collapsible container 10 easily. Such materials may include, but arc not limited to, cardboard, wood, metal or composite materials. For the less flexible materials such as, for example, wood or metal, the hinged connection between the first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls, and between the flap 40 and the first wall 20b, may be achieved through other types of hinged connection. In one example, the hinged connection may be achieved through the use of actual hinges (not shown). In one example, the hinge, being a standard hinge comprising two hingedly connected flange portions (not shown), is mounted via the two flange portions to the inner surfaces of the corresponding first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls, and the flap 40 and first wall 20b such that the hinges are located within the interior of the collapsible container 10. In another example, the hinged connection may be achieved through the use of a flexible interconnecting material between the first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls, and between the flap 4.0 and the first wall 20b. Such flexible materials, may include, but are not limited to: fabric, plastic, rubber, or synthetic flexible materials. Such flexible ^' materials may be attached to the first 20a, 20b and second 30a, 30b walls, and to the flap 40 and the first wall 20b using any suitable means of attachment, including, but not limited to, bonding with an adhesive, stitching, or mechanical fasteners such as screws, bolts or rivets.

In other embodiments, the retaining portion 50 may be integrally formed with one of the walls. In this arrangement, manufacturing is simplified as the wall and retaining portion (not shown) can be manufactured as a single component.

In other embodiments, the mounting means is not limited to being a hook, but may be any suitable mounting means to mount the collapsible container 10 to the object in a desirable orientation. In one example, the mounting means comprises two straps (not shown) attached at a first end to the first wall 20a in which one strap has a hook portion at its other end and the other strap has a complementary loop portion at its other end portion for meshingly engaging the hook portion. In this arrangement, the two straps can be attached to the wire frame of a shopping trolley or cart, by looping the straps around one or more wires of the frame and connecting the straps together via the complementary hook and loop portions. In other examples, the free ends of the two straps may comprise the complementary components of a snap buckle, threaded buckle or press stud arrangement, such that they can be looped around attached to the wire frame of a shopping trolley or cart in a similar manner to the hook and loop arrangement.

In "other embodiments, the mounting means may be integrally formed with one of the walls. In this arrangement, manufacturing is simplified as the wall and mounting means (not shown) can be manufactured as a single component.

In other embodiments, the mounting means may be more than one mounting means (not shown), which may be attached to the same wall, to adjacent walls, or even attached to opposing walls.

In other embodiments, the retaining portion 50 is not limited to being attached to the first wall 20b directly opposite to the first wall 20a to which the flap 40 is attached, but may be attached to one of the two second walls 30a, 30b at the same end of the collapsible Container 10 as tlie flap 40 and still achieve its function of preventing the flap 40 from extending out from the interior of the collapsible container 10.

In other embodiments, more than one mounting means (not shown) may be used for mounting the collapsible container 10 to the object.

As shown in Fig. 3, there is provided a portable device 100 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention. The portable device 100 comprises two of the collapsible containers (herein denoted as first 1 10 and second 210 collapsible containers) as described in the preceding paragraphs, joined together at one of their respective first walls 120a, 220b, to fonn a shared wall (see Fig. 3(i».

As both the first 1 10 and second 210 collapsible containers are collapsible, the portable device 100 is able to adopt a number of arrangements. In a first arrangement, a product can be carried in each of the first 110 and second 210 collapsible containers when they are in their respective erect configurations. In a second arrangement, one product can be carried in the first 110 or second 210 collapsible container when it is in the erect configuration while the other of the two collapsible containers 1 10, 210 is in the collapsed configuration. In a third arrangement, both the first 1 10 and second 210 collapsible containers can be in the collapsed configuration, such that the portable device 100 is substantially flat.

Referring specifically to Fig. 3(ii), the first collapsible container 110 of the portable device 100 is shown in a transitional state (solid outline) between the erect configuration (the dash dot outline) and the collapsed configuration (not shown). In this embodiment, the hingedly connected first 120a, 120b and second 130a, 130b walls allow the first collapsible container 1 10 to collapse to the collapsed configuration in either of two directions; one direction being that as shown in Fig, 3(ii), and the other direction (not shown) being that in which the first collapsible container 1 10 collapses in substantially the opposite direction to that shown in Fig. 3(ii). It will be appreciated that the second collapsible container 210 transitions between the erect and collapsed configurations in the same manner.

As. shown in Fig. 3, the flaps 140, 240 of the corresponding first 110 and second 210 collapsible containers of the portable device 100 are hingedly connected to the two respective first walls 120a, 220b forming the shared wall.

In other embodiments, the flaps 140, 240 are not limited to being hingedly connected to first walls 120a, 220b forming the shared wall, but may instead be attached to the other of the two first walls 120b, 220a of the corresponding collapsible container 1 10, 210. It will be appreciated that the corresponding retaining portion 150, 250 is mounted to the opposing first wall to which the corresponding flap 140, 240 is hingedly connected.

In other embodiments, the retaining portions 150, 250 are not limited to being attached to the first walls of the corresponding collapsible container 110, 210, but may be attached to one of the two second walls 130a, 130b; 230a, 230b of the corresponding collapsible container 1 10, 210 at the same end of the collapsible container 10 as the flaps 140, 240 and still achieve their function of preventing the corresponding flaps 140, 240 from extending Out from the interior of the corresponding collapsible container 1 10, 210.

The portable device 100 is of suitable dimensions to allow it to fit into a conventional shopping bag when the first 1 10 and second 210 collapsible containers are in either their respective erect or collapsed configurations.

As shown in Fig. 3, the portable device 100 further comprises a mounting means in the form of a hook 60 attached to the external surface of first wall 220a of the second collapsible container 210 for hanging the portable device 100 to an object, such as, for example, a shopping trolley, cart or basket, a bicycle basket, a car seat, a larder or kitchen door, in use. The hook 60 is attached to the external surface of first wall 220a so that the portable device 100 can be hung on the object in the desired orientation to prevent the product or products (not shown) from falling out of the respective first 1 10 or second 210 collapsible containers when in their respective erect configurations. In other embodiments, more than one mounting means may be attached to the external surface of an appropriate first or second wall of the first 110 or second 210 collapsible containers for mounting the portable device 100 to an object. In this arrangement, the additional mounting means, for example, hooks (not shown) provide extra support for the portable device 100 when hung on the object in use. The mounting means may be attached to the same waU, to adjacent walls, or even attached to opposing walls. It will be appreciated that where mounting means are attached to the external surfaces of adjacent second walls 130a, 230a or 130b, 230b of the portable device 100, the first 1 10 and second 210 collapsible containers are able to collapse by virtue of the hingedly connected first and second walls to their respective collapsed configurations in a direction that does not result in the corresponding second walls 130a, 230a or 130b, 230b upon which the mounting means are attached, facing each other such that, the mounting means prevent the corresponding first 110 or second 210 collapsible container from being substantially flat in its collapsed configuration.

In other embodiments, the adjoining wall between the first 110 and second 210 collapsible containers may be a shared single wall (not shown) as opposed to two adjoining first walls as described in the preceding paragraphs.

Interpretation

Embodiments;

Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" of "an embodiment" means that particular feature, structure ^' or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment, but may. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner, as would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art from this disclosure, in one or more embodiments.

Similarly it should be appreciated (hat in the above description of example embodiments of the invention, various features of the invention are sometimes _. grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of one or more of the various inventive aspects. This method of disclosure, however, is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed invention requires more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive aspects lie in less than all features of a single foregoing disclosed embodiment. Thus, the claims following the Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments arc hereby expressly incorporated into this Detailed Description of Specific Embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment of this invention.

Furthermore, while some embodiments described herein include some but not other features included in other embodiments, combinations of features of different embodiments are meant to be within the scope of the invention, and form different embodiments, as would be understood by those in the art. For example, in the following claims, any of the claimed embodiments can be used in any combination.

Different Instances of Objects

As used herein, unless otherwise specified the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", "third", etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

Specific Details

In the description provided herein, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is understood that embodiments of the invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description.

Terminology

In describing the preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood 'that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar technical purpose. Terms such as "forward", "rearward", "radially", "peripherally", "upwardly", "downwardly", and the like are used as words of convenience to provide reference points and are not to be construed as limiting terms.

Comprising and Including

In the claims which follow and in the preceding description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Any one of the terms: including or which includes or that includes as used herein is also an open term that also means including at least the.elements/features that follow the term, but not excluding others. Thus, including is synonymous with and means comprising.

Scope of Invention

Thus, while there has been described what are believed to be the preferred embodiments of the invention, those skilled in the art will recognize that other and further modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of the invention, and .it is intended to claim all such changes and modifications as fall within the scope of the invention. For example, any formulas given above are merely representative of procedures that may be used. Functionality may be added or deleted from the block diagrams and operations may be interchanged among functional blocks. Steps may be added or deleted to methods described within the scope of the present invention.

Although the invention has been described with reference to specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention may be embodied in many other forms.

Industrial Applicability

It is apparent from the above, that the arrangements described are applicable to the food industry.