Snap-fold containers

摘要

The invention disclosed includes various durable containers constructed from sheet materials including a plurality of living hinges. The containers are configured to snap into an assembled position from a relatively flat position by the application of pressure to one or more sidewalls wherein that pressure deforms the one or more sidewalls into a concave position, thereby holding the container into place until the contain is collapsed once again for storage or cleaning.

主权项

1. A configurable container, comprising:
first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls, wherein the first sidewall is provided opposite the third sidewall and the second sidewall is provided opposite the fourth sidewall; a floor integrally formed with at least one of the sidewalls; the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls being joined to the floor to form an interior space; at least one of the sidewalls or the floor further comprising a plurality of through-holes formed in interior locations of the sidewall or the floor; each of the sidewalls and the floor being formed from sheet material; the first sidewall having a first lower living hinge extending along an interface of the floor and the first sidewall, and a first intermediate living hinge positioned between the first lower living hinge and an upper end of the first sidewall; the second sidewall having a second lower living hinge extending along an interface of the floor and the second sidewall, and a second intermediate living hinge positioned between the second lower living hinge and an upper end of the second sidewall; the third sidewall having a third lower living hinge extending along an interface of the floor and the third sidewall, and a third intermediate living hinge positioned between the third lower living hinge and an upper end of the third sidewall; and the fourth sidewall having a fourth lower living hinge extending along an interface of the floor and the fourth sidewall, and a fourth intermediate living hinge positioned between the fourth lower living hinge and an upper end of the fourth sidewall; the first lower living hinge following a curved path and the third lower living hinge following a curved path, the second lower living hinge following a straight path and the fourth lower living hinge following a straight path; whereby when the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls are joined together to form an upper rim and the interior space, the container is selectively configurable between a first position in which the collapsible container is substantially flat, and a second position in which the collapsible container is expanded, the curved path of the first lower living hinge and the curved path of the third lower living hinge urging the first sidewall and the third sidewall toward the interior space when the container is in the second position.