Container for retaining a structure

Abstract

A container is provided having one or more walls defining an interior space thereof and closure means movable between open and closed positions. Access is provided to the interior space of the container with the closure means in the open position. At least part of a structure is housed in the container. The structure part is movable between a first substantially collapsed condition and a second substantially erect condition.

1 . A container, said container having one or more walls defining an interior space of said container and closure means movable between open and closed positions, access being provided to the interior space of said container with the closure means in said open position, and wherein at least part of a structure is housed in and joined to said container, said at least structure part movable between a first substantially collapsed condition and a second substantially erect condition.  
   
   
       2 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the structure or at least structure part is a three-dimensional structure in the second erect condition including one or more walls defining an interior cavity.  
   
   
       3 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the structure or at least structure part is a tent-like structure.  
   
   
       4 . A container according to  claim 3  wherein the tent-like structure is equipped with at least one opening with an interior space defined in said structure.  
   
   
       5 . A container according to  claim 4  wherein the tent-like structure is of a suitable size for a child and/or one or more toys to enter or be located through said at least one opening.  
   
   
       6 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the structure is integrally formed with the container.  
   
   
       7 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the structure is attached or detachably attached to the container via attachment means.  
   
   
       8 . A container according to  claim 6  wherein the attachment means includes any or any combination of stitching, welding, adhesive, friction fit, one or more clips, ties, buckles, zips, VELCRO or inter-engaging members.  
   
   
       9 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the structure is movable between the first collapsed and second erect conditions when the closure means of the container is in an open position or on moving the closure means to an open position.  
   
   
       10 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the container includes at least a first compartment for the containment of the structure when in the first collapsed condition and said structure at least partially protrudes from the compartment when in the second erect condition.  
   
   
       11 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the structure is resiliently biased by resilient biasing means to the erect condition.  
   
   
       12 . A container according to  claim 11  wherein the resilient biasing means includes a spring or sprung material.  
   
   
       13 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein engagement means are provided to retain the structure in the collapsed condition.  
   
   
       14 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the structure automatically moves from the first collapsed condition to the second erect condition on movement or said closure means and/or one or more walls or said container between said open and closed positions.  
   
   
       15 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the structure is required to be manually moved between said first and second conditions once the closure means of the container are in an open position.  
   
   
       16 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein user actuation means are provided and actuation of said user actuation means moves said structure between said first and/or second conditions.  
   
   
       17 . A container according to  claim 10  wherein at least a second compartment is provided, one or more items being locatable in said second compartment in use.  
   
   
       18 . A container according to  claim 17  wherein access to the at least second compartment is via the first compartment.  
   
   
       19 . A container according to  claim 17  wherein closure means are provided to allow access to the at least second compartment and said access is independence of access to the first compartment.  
   
   
       20 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein engagement means are provided on said closure means, structure and/or container for maintaining the container or closure means in a closed position.  
   
   
       21 . A container according to  claim 20  wherein the engagement means include any or any combination of one or more clips, VELCRO, ties, buttons, zips, inter-engaging members, friction fit, toggles, buckle and strap or magnetic means.  
   
   
       22 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the container is provided with handle means for allowing the container to be easily transported and/or carried by a user.  
   
   
       23 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the container is in the form of carrying apparatus, bag, satchel, case, box, brief case or rucksack.  
   
   
       24 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the container is formed from substantially rigid material.  
   
   
       25 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the container is formed from substantially flexible material.  
   
   
       26 . A container according to  claim 1  wherein the structure includes frame means and said frame means are movable between a partially or wholly collapsed and/or folded position and a substantially erect position.  
   
   
       27 . A container according to  claim 26  wherein the frame means are moved between the collapsed and erect positions on movement of the structure between the collapsed and erect positions.  
   
   
       28 . A container according to  claim 26  wherein the frame means are movable between the collapsed and erect positions substantially independently of the remainder of said structure.  
   
   
       29 . A container according to  claim 26  wherein the frame means can include any or any combination of sprung material, springs or one or more elongate rod like members.  
   
   
       30 . A container according to  claim 26  wherein the structure is defined by one or more walls and said walls move with said frame means between said collapsed and erect conditions.  
   
   
       31 . A container according to  claim 30  wherein one or more of said walls are formed from substantially flexible material.  
   
   
       32 . A container according to  claim 31  wherein the flexible material is moved from a partially or substantially folded condition when the frame means are in the collapsed condition to a substantially taut condition when the frame means is in a substantially erect condition.  
   
   
       33 . A container according to  claim 10  wherein the at least first compartment includes at least front and rear walls and said front and rear walls can be moved between a substantially parallel or acute angled condition when the compartment is in a closed condition, wherein the front and rear walls can be adjacent to each other or a spaced distance apart, and a substantially colinear or planar position when the compartment is in an open condition.  
   
   
       34 . A container according to  claim 33  wherein the front and/or rear walls of the compartment and/or container form at least part of the base of the structure when in the erect condition.  
   
   
       35 . A method of using a container, said container having one or more walls defining an interior space of said container and closure means movable between open and closed positions, access being provided to the interior space of said container with the closure means in said open position, at least part of a structure is housed in said container, and wherein said method includes opening said closure means and moving said at least structure part between a first substantially collapsed condition and a second substantially erect condition.  
   
   
       36 . Toy Apparatus including a container according to  claim 1.