Flexi-resilient to rigid container including vertically hinged sides

Abstract

An erectable and collapsible container including a plurality of side walls joined along a plurality of wall hinges providing articulation between the side walls. A bottom wall is attached to the side walls at edge hinges providing articulation between the side walls and the bottom wall. At least one flexible gusset portion is provided extending between one or more of the side walls and the bottom wall, and the gusset portion is movable with the bottom wall in response to movement of the side walls and the bottom wall between collapsed and erected configurations. Structure is provided for maintaining the side walls in the erected configuration such that the side walls define a generally rigid or semi-rigid structure. A pair of opposed flexible panels extend from the side walls and define a bag-like upper portion extending from the support structure and forming a sealable opening for the container.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to erectable containers, and more particularly, to such containers wherein the container is erectable from a generally flat collapsed configuration to a generally three-dimensional configuration in response to a force applied to an exterior portion of the container. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The use of storage bags for containing and protecting items, including preservation of perishable materials such as food items, is generally known in the art. Such storage bags include bags formed of opposing sheets of film material joined together along peripheral edges to form a semi-enclosed container having three sealed or folded edges and one open edge. The open edge is typically provided with a closure, such as a reclosable or reusable seal formed integrally, as may be provided by an integrally formed interlocking seal. Storage bags may be conveniently stored in a flat configuration prior to use and expanded to accommodat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005] In accordance with one aspect of the invention, an erectable and collapsible container is provided comprising a plurality of side walls, each of the side walls being joined to an adjacent side wall by a hinge, where each hinge provides articulation between adjacent side walls. A bottom wall hingedly attached to at least two of the plurality of the side walls at hinged attachment locations, the hinged attachment locations providing articulation between the at least two side walls and the bottom wall. At least one gusset structure extends between at least a first pair of the side walls and the bottom wall, and the at least one gusset structure comprises a first surface, where the first surface is capable of articulation from a first position relative to the bottom wall to a second position relative to the bottom wall.

Problems solved by technology

However, such containers typically use more material than bags such that disposability may be limited.

At the same time, the useful life of such containers may be limited by damage, soiling, or other degradation naturally occurring in use.

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