DUAL PURPOSE CONTAINER

The present invention relates to dual-purpose collapsible containers, and in particular to children's playhouses.

For many years children have played at owning a house or building dens and several different children's playhouses and shelters are available. These are generally solid structures large enough for children to fit inside. Many are pre-built or are designed to be constructed and remain assembled and therefore take up a large amount of space in a room that is likely to already be full of children's toys. The same problem applies to containers such as dog kennels and other animal shelters, particularly those that are kept indoors.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a collapsible shelter formed of folded sheet material comprising walls, a roof and a base, the shelter being arranged to be erected and collapsed and to be converted into a storage container.

The shelter can therefore be constructed when required and collapsed for easy storage when not in use. Alternatively, the shelter can be converted into a storage container when not in use, for the storage of children's toys for example.

The shelter may be constructed from a single sheet of material or alternatively, may be constructed from a plurality of interlocking sections. The interlocking sections may be connected by tabs on one section engaging with corresponding slots on an adjacent section.

The shelter may be constructed from two interlocking sections. Alternatively, the shelter may comprise more than two interlocking sections, for example four interlocking sections.

Fold lines in the sheet material define a plurality of panels, including wall, roof and base panels. Preferably, the shelter comprises four wall panels, four roof panels and four base panels. The wall panels may be folded at approximately 90° with respect to each other to form a house portion that, when in the erected state, has a rectangular cross-section.

Preferably, the roof is a pitched roof and may comprise two triangular roof panels and two rectangular roof panels. The triangular and rectangular roof panels may extend alternately from the top edges of respective wall panels. In the erected state, the triangular roof panels may be arranged to be substantially vertical and may be inset from the walls of the shelter. The rectangular roof panels may be arranged to be supported by the angled edges of the triangular panels. Preferably, tabs extend from the edges of the triangular roof panels and may be arranged to engage with slots rectangular roof panels. One rectangular roof panel may, comprise a tab extending from the top edge and the other may comprise a corresponding slot arranged to receive the tab to secure the roof panels in place.

When converted into a storage container, the two triangular roof panels and a first rectangular roof panel may be arranged to fold down against the sides of the container. A second rectangular roof panel may further be arranged to act as a lid of the storage container.

Base panels may also each extend from a bottom end of one of the wall panels. The base panels may interlock in a known manner to provide a base for the shelter or storage container.

The shelter may further comprise a floor, which may be inserted into the base of a constructed shelter. The floor may comprise a rectangular sheet of material, which may be scored into three adjacent panels. Preferably the floor comprises a centre panel and two side panels. Alternatively, the floor may comprise more than three panels. For example, the floor may be scored into five panels, with a panel extending from each edge of a centre panel. At least one panel of the floor may be substantially the same size as the base of the shelter.

When in use as a shelter, the side panels may be arranged to be folded against the centre panel before being inserted into the shelter. This provides a smooth floor in the shelter. When converted into a storage container, the side panels may be arranged to be raised to rest against the inside of the walls of the container.

The shelter may include any one or more of a door and windows cut into the walls of the shelter.

A wall of the container may include a slot, which, when converted into a storage container, may be arranged to engage with a tab on the lid portion to hold the lid in a closed position.

The shelter may be a child's playhouse or alternatively may be a dog kennel or other animal shelter.

The shelter may be made from any one or more of corrugated cardboard, plastic, corrugated plastic or any other suitable material. The material may be waterproof and may be coated with a decorative coating.

An embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a first section of a shelter according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 shows a second section of the shelter arranged to interlock with the first section of Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows the first and second sections of Figures 1 and 2 interlocked at a first stage of assembly of the shelter;

Figure 4 shows the shelter of Figure 3 at a second stage of assembly;

Figure 5 shows the assembly of a base portion of the shelter of Figure 4;

Figure 6 shows a further stage of assembly of the base portion of the shelter of Figure 5 ;

Figure 7 shows an additional base to be inserted into the shelter of Figure 6;

Figure 8 shows the step of inserting the additional base into the shelter of Figure 6;

Figure 9 shows a first stage of assembly of the roof portion of the shelter of Figure 8;

Figure 10 shows a further stage of assembly of the roof portion of the shelter of Figure 9;

Figure 11 shows a final stage of assembly of the shelter of Figure 10;

Figure 12 shows the stages of converting the shelter of Figure 11 into a storage container; and

Figure 13 shows the assembled storage container.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, according to one embodiment of the invention a shelter comprises a first section 2 and a second section 4. The first section 2 comprises a single sheet of material and is scored along fold lines to define a first front wall 6, a second, end wall 8, a first triangular roof panel 10, a first rectangular roof panel 12 and two base panels 14, 16. The second section 4 similarly defines a third, back wall 18, a fourth, end wall 20, a second triangular roof panel 22, a second rectangular roof panel 24 and two base panels 26, 28.

The first and second sections 2, 4 are arranged to interlock. The first section 2 includes two tabs 32 extending from a flap 30, which is an extension of the second wall 8. Similarly, the second section 4 includes a flap 36 extending from the fourth wall 20 with two tabs 38 attached to the flap 36. Two slots 34 are cut into the first wall 6 at a distance from the wall edge equal to the width of the flap 36 and at a height corresponding to the height of the tabs 38. Two further slots 40 are cut into the third wall 18 at a distance from the edge equal to the width of the flap 30 and at a spacing corresponding to the spacing of the tabs 32.

Referring to Figure 3, at a first stage of assembly of the shelter, the first section 2 is placed adjacent the second section 4, with the third wall 18 overlapping the flap 30 of the first section. The tabs 32 of the first section are inserted into the slots 40 of the second section to join the two

sections. The first and second sections 2, 4 are also bent along the fold lines defining the four walls 6, 8, 18, 20.

Referring to Figure 4, the walls 6, 8, 18, 20 are bent along the fold lines until they are at an angle of 90° with respect to each other such that the fourth wall 20 meets the first wall 6. The flap 36 of the fourth wall 20 is bent over the outside of the first wall 6 and tabs 38 are inserted into the slots 34 in the first wall 6, securing the walls to each other.

The use of tabs to secure the walls avoids the need for glue, staples or any other form of adhesive. This is much safer when the shelter is used as a child's playhouse and simplifies its construction.

Referring to Figures 5 and 6, the four base panels 14, 16, 26, 28 extend from the bottom edges of the four walls and interlock in a known manner to form the base of the shelter. Base panel 28 extends from the base of the third wall 18 and is folded inwards to be at an angle of around 90° with respect to the wall 18. The base panel 28 extends a little over halfway across the base of the shelter and includes a rectangular cut-out 42 in its free edge. Two side base panels 14, 26 extend from the second and fourth walls 8, 20 and are folded inwards after the base panel 28 has been folded. Each extends approximately halfway across the width of the base and one side of each is partially tapered towards the cut-out 42 of base panel 28. The final base panel 16 extends from the first wall 6 and is the last panel to be bent inwards, again until it is at an angle of approximately 90° to the wall 6. The panel 16 tapers inwards from each side to a tab 44. This tab passes over the side base panels 14, 26 and is inserted behind the cut-out 42 of base panel 28, securing all of the base panels in place.

Figure 7 shows an additional floor 46 that can be inserted into the assembled shelter. The additional floor 46 comprises a single rectangular sheet of material scored along two parallel fold lines to define a centre panel 48 and two side panels 50. The two side panels 50 are folded onto the centre panel 48 and, as shown in Figure 8, the floor 46 is inserted into the assembled shelter with the centre panel facing upwards forming a smooth floor in the shelter. The side panels 50 are therefore held underneath the centre panel 48, which is neater and safer if the shelter is being used as a child's playhouse.

Referring to Figure 9, the roof portion comprises two triangular roof panels 10, 22 and two rectangular roof panels 12, 24. The triangular roof panels 10, 22 extend from the top of wall 8 and wall 20 respectively. Each triangular panel is bent horizontally about a first fold line 52 at the top of the wall 8, 20. They are then bent back to the vertical about second fold lines 54, resulting in substantially vertical roof panels 10, 22 that are inset from the, and parallel to shelter end walls 8, 20. The rectangular roof panels 12, 24 extend from wall 6 and wall 18 respectively and are bent about fold lines across the top of the walls 6, 18. The panels 12, 24 are bent to such an angle that they rest on and are supported by the angled sides of the triangular roof panels 10, 22.

Each of the angled edges of the triangular roof panels 10, 22 include tabs 56, which are arranged to engage with slots 58 cut into the rectangular roof panels 12, 24. The slots 58 are cut at a distance from the edge of the rectangular panels equal to the inset of the triangular panels to ensure that the tabs and slots are aligned. As can be seen in Figure 10, the rectangular roof panel 12 includes a flap 60 that extends beyond the length of the sides of the rectangular roof panels 10, 22 and is bent about a fold line at the apex 66 of the roof. A slot 64 is cut into this panel 12 at the apex 66. The other, opposite, rectangular roof panel 24 includes a

corresponding tab 62 which, as shown in Figure 11, is arranged to be bent about the end of the panel 24 and inserted into the slot 64 to secure the roof panels in place.

As can be seen from the Figures, the shelter also includes a door 70 and two windows 72 cut into the walls 6, 8, 20. Indentations are cut into the door and windows to enable them to be opened and closed from both inside and outside of the shelter. It will be appreciated that any suitable number of doors and windows may be included. Alternatively, for example if the shelter is a dog kennel or other animal shelter, there may be a cutout entrance in one wall to allow an animal to enter and leave.

Referring to Figure 12, the shelter can be converted into a storage box. This is particularly useful when the shelter is a child's playhouse since, when not in use, the shelter can be converted into a container in which to store other children's toys. To convert the shelter, the roof tabs are removed from their respective slots and the roof panels are opened. The floor 46 is removed from the shelter and turned over, before inserting it back into the container such that the centre panel 48 rests on the bottom of the container. The side panels 50 of the floor 46 are raised to cover the windows 72 from the inside of the container.

Rectangular roof panel 12 is then folded inwards about its fold line at the top of wall 6 to cover the door 70 from the inside of the container. The two rectangular roof panels 10, 22 are folded inwards about their second fold line 54 forming a ledge 74. Rectangular roof portion 24 remains outside of the container and acts as a lid, hinged about its fold line at the top of wall 18. When in a closed position, the lid rests on the ledges 74 formed by the triangular roof panels 10, 22. Tab 62 on lid 24 can be inserted into a corresponding slot 76 on wall 6 to hold the lid in its closed

position. This storage container therefore provides a convenient box for children's toys.

In this embodiment, the shelter is made from corrugated cardboard since it is both strong and light. However, it will be appreciated that many other suitable materials may be used, for example plastic or corrugated plastic. If not made from a waterproof material, a waterproof or splashproof coating may be applied and the container may be covered with a colour or decorative design.