Collapsible containers

Abstract

A system whereby a collapsible box may be formed in the same way that standard cardboard boxes are made by folding a single sheet of material is provided. Square and rectangular boxes may be constructed which may be collapsed down to compact size and easily popped open. Boxes so constructed remain fully assembled with all seams and edges attached even as they are repeatedly folded and unfolded. The box may be made of corrugated cardboard or plastic and easily folded to a fraction of their open volume. The box may open instantly, and when opened, it becomes structural—that is resistant to applied loads—by “popping” certain points outwards. An element or construction that is comprised of a sheet of material that has been provided with a network of hinges such that when the element is folded its edges maintain a right angle relationship is also provided.

1 . A foldable construction comprising first and second members in which each member includes: 
 a first element in the form of a scalene triangle having a longer side opposite an obtuse angle and two shorter sides opposite two acute angles;    a second element in the form of a geometric shape selected from the group consisting of (a) an isosceles trapezoid having first and second opposite sides of equal length, and third and fourth opposite sides of different lengths with the third side being longer than the fourth side, and (b) an isosceles triangle having first and second sides of equal length and a third side;    a third element in the form of a scalene triangle having a longer side opposite an obtuse angle and two shorter sides opposite two acute angles;    a fourth element in the form of a geometric shape selected from the group consisting of (a) an isosceles triangle having first and second sides of equal length and a third side; and (b) an isosceles trapezoid having first and second opposite sides of equal lengths, and third and fourth opposite sides of different lengths, with the third side being longer that the fourth side.    wherein one of said equal length sides of said second element being in common with the longer side of said first element and foldable therealong;    wherein the other of said equal length sides of said second element being in common with the longer side of said third element and foldable therealong;    wherein one of said equal length sides of said fourth element being in common with one of the shorter sides of said third element and foldable therealong;    wherein said first and second members are connected to one another along a fold line with one of the shorter sides of the first elements, the other of the shorter sides of said third elements and the third side of the fourth elements each being in common with one another and thereby defining said fold line;    wherein said first member and said second member being mirror images of one another with the third side of said second elements being disposed along the border of said construction.    
   
   
       2 . A foldable construction according to  claim 1 , wherein when said construction is folded to a first extent, the other of said shorter sides of said first element and the other of said equal length sides of said fourth element substantially form a right angle when viewed in plan form.  
   
   
       3 . A foldable construction according to  claim 2 , wherein when the construction is further folded, it maintains said right angle until fully flattened.  
   
   
       4 . A foldable sheet comprised of four constructions according to  claim 1 , wherein each construction is foldably attached to an adjacent construction with one of the shorter sides of each said first element being in common with the other of said equal length sides of each said fourth element and foldable therealong.  
   
   
       5 . A foldable sheet according to  claim 4 , wherein said constructions are attached together in a loop formation, and thereby define a plurality of side walls.  
   
   
       6 . A foldable sheet according to  claim 5 , wherein said fourth element is an isosceles triangle and, when said sheet is folded to a first extent, said sheet defines a square or rectangular shape when viewed in plan form with the side walls defined by said attached constructions that may be flattened.  
   
   
       7 . A foldable sheet according to  claim 5 , wherein said fourth element is an isosceles trapezoid and, when said sheet is folded to a first extent, said sheet defines an eight sided polygon with substantially equal internal angles when viewed in plan form with side walls defined by said attached constructions that may be flattened.  
   
   
       8 . A collapsible box comprised of a foldable sheet according to  claim 5  and further including top and bottom elements that are foldably attached along top and bottom edges respectively of said side walls so that the box may be selectively flattened.  
   
   
       9 . A collapsible box according to  claim 8 , wherein the side walls of the box may be pressed outwards such that the side walls have a shape that changes from a concave form to a convex form.  
   
   
       10 . A collapsible box according to  claim 8 . wherein the box has corners that may be pressed outwards such that the corners change from two flat trapezoidal shapes to a straight crease.  
   
   
       11 . A collapsible box according to  claim 10 , further including four rigid links attached to said corners, said links providing means for pressing the corners outward.  
   
   
       12 . A foldable construction according to  claim 1 , wherein each second element has two internal fold lines for allowing the construction to fold in half.  
   
   
       13 . A foldable sheet that is comprised of two constructions according to  claim 1  and two constructions according to  claim 12 , wherein said constructions are hingedly attached to one another in alternating fashion.  
   
   
       14 . A foldable sheet according to  claim 13 , wherein the sheet has ends that are attached together in order to define a loop formation.  
   
   
       15 . A foldable sheet according to  claim 14 , wherein when folded to a first degree, said sheet forms a square or rectangular shape when viewed in plan form that may be flattened and folded in half.  
   
   
       16 . A collapsible box that is comprised of a top element, a bottom element and a foldable sheet according to  claim 15.