| 摘要 |
A container (10) consists of a substantially planar blank having a plurality of regions, the regions including a base (18), side walls (14), end walls (16) and a lid (12). Each of the regions is connectable to at least one of the other regions by a hinge (20) formed within the blank. The blank is able to be converted into a first unassembled configuration in which regions of the blank are pivoted around the hinges (20) connecting the regions in relation to other regions, to form a rectangular slab in which compact mode blanks are able to be stacked, and a second configuration in which the blank is erected to form the container (10), which has a cuboidal structure of substantially uniform cross-section, for the storage of articles. The hinge (20) comprises a recess (32) the recess (32) defining a point (30) of minimum cross section, said point (30) forming the pivot point (30) about which pivotal movement of adjacent regions occurs, wherein opposing side walls (33, 35) of the recess (32) are configured to interengage when one of the regions is pivotally moved through a 90° arc relative to an adjacent region, said interengagement comprising meshing of at least one stepped region (34) of a side wall (35) with a surface of the opposing side wall (33). The base (58) of a container (50) may also include ledge portions (60) at each of the corners of the base (58), which ledge portions (60) provide support for hinges (70) when the container is in the cuboidal configuration. |
| 主权项 |
1. Container apparatus comprising:
a substantially planar blank member having a plurality of predetermined regions formed therein for defining a base, side walls, and end walls of the container, each of said plurality of predetermined regions being connectable to at least one other of said plurality of predetermined regions by a hinge member formed within the blank member, said blank member being adapted to be erected into a first configuration whereby the blank member forms the container apparatus, and into a second configuration whereby the blank member forms a substantially rectangular body of substantially uniform cross-section for storage of articles. |
