Foldable container

Abstract

A container movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The container comprises a substantially rectangular base panel, four side walls hingedly connected to each other and to the base panel, a median fold line crossing opposite two of the four side walls and the base panel so that each of the opposite side walls and the base panel are foldable along the median fold line, and two bottom fold lines formed on the base panel and extending substantially diagonally across the base panel so that the base panel is also foldable along the bottom fold lines. The side walls of the container have top edges defining an open top of the container. The container is formed of a substantially flat, single-piece blank.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates generally to containers in general, and more particularly, to a foldable container. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] In an office, store, merchandising or any other environment, many different types of containers are abundantly used for collecting and storing various articles. Typically, known prior art container devices are of a totally rigid, noncollapsible construction and, importantly, few of the known devices are designed to be transported in a disassembled state for ease of portability, while providing a design which is easy to assemble on-site. A totally rigid construction makes the known devices bulky, awkward and difficult to transport from one location to another. Moreover, the containers of a truncated pyramid shape, which are highly desirable as vases due to their stability, are difficult to make in a rigid form (the open neck being narrower than the base). Ther...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0009] With this invention, the foldable side walls can be imprinted, embossed, engraved, etched or otherwise decorated with indicia and can be easily and simultaneously used as a sign to promote the sale of goods and / or services in a commercial setting to promote an activity or event, or to convey any particular message in an office or other environment. Because the foldable blank of this invention is easily manufactured and shipped, this enables a user to imprint a company logo, advertising promotional material, or any other message on the body panel and to display the same when the present device is utilized as a promotional container. Since the blank is made of a lightweight, preferably resilient or flexible, material as will be hereinafter explained, it can be easily manufactured, transported and assembled for use as a container assembly. The present assembly affords a user a simple arrangement to assemble, particularly, in a commercial environment where one is promoting and merchandising goods and / or services for short period of time with the constant need to replace one advertisement with another in a simple and inexpensive manner.

[0010] Therefore, the present invention provides a foldable container which can easily receive printing to promote goods and / or services, convey a message or present a unique design. The construction and operation of a container assembly can be packaged, stored and shipped in a substantially flat condition, and can be easily assembled without the use of tools or other fastener means for assembling the same. It will be appreciated that the present invention presents a container of very simple design and construction that is inexpensive to produce from a single-piece blank.

Problems solved by technology

A totally rigid construction makes the known devices bulky, awkward and difficult to transport from one location to another.

Moreover, the containers of a truncated pyramid shape, which are highly desirable as vases due to their stability, are difficult to make in a rigid form (the open neck being narrower than the base).

However, it is not always possible to quickly obtain a vase.

The flowers can therefore not be put in water immediately, and the durability of the often expensive bouquet decreases.

Another example may be receptions where the number of flower bouquets can be very large, but the possibility of putting the flowers in water is missing.

This is typically a leaky and unimpressive manner of presentation, albeit inexpensive.

While known foldable containers, have proven to be acceptable for various applications, such devices are nevertheless susceptible to improvements that may enhance their performance and lower cost.

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