Foldable container

Abstract

The invention provides a foldable container wherein:the container comprises:a base;a pair of opposing first side walls;a pair of opposing second side walls;each of the side walls is attached to the base by a separate hinge joint;the foldable container is made from a polymer;further comprising:a pair of foldable flaps, each attached to an upper edge of each of the first side walls by a hinge joint;repeatable locking mechanism configured to lock each of the foldable flaps against at least one side walls;wherein at least one first side wall is each attached to an adjacent second side wall by a mechanical transmission; and,wherein each foldable flap clamps at least one mechanical transmission against at least one side wall, by the repeatable locking mechanism in the deployed state.

1 . A foldable container, having a collapsed state and a deployed state,
 said container having a substantially cuboid form in the deployed state wherein:   the container in the deployed state comprises:   a base;   a pair of opposing first side walls, extending from the base;   a pair of opposing second side walls, extending from the base;   an container opening opposed to the base;   each of the side walls is attached to the base by a separate hinge joint;   the foldable container is made from a polymer, preferably a synthetic polymer, more preferably polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS), polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), and/or polylactic acid (PLA); further comprising:   a pair of foldable flaps, each attached to an upper edge of each of the first side walls by a hinge joint;   repeatable locking mechanism configured to dismountably lock each of the foldable flaps against at least one side walls, thereby stabilising the deployed state;   
       wherein at least one first side wall, preferably both first side walls is each attached to an adjacent second side wall by a mechanical transmission for transfer of force from the pair of opposing first side walls to the pair of opposing second side walls during transition between the collapsed state and the deployed state; and, 
       wherein each foldable flap clamps at least one, preferably at least two mechanical transmission against at least one side wall, when said foldable flap is locked against at least one of the sidewalls, by the repeatable locking mechanism in the deployed state. 
     
     
         2 . The foldable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the locking mechanism comprises two pairs of repeatable catches, RC, each comprising a first RC element and second RC element, wherein:
 an application of an external force stabilises (or destabilises) an attachment of the first RC element to second RC element,   the first RC elements are provided on each foldable flap,   the second RC elements are provided on at least two of the side walls, preferably on at least two opposing side walls,   the first RC element and second RC element are configured such that they are stably mutually attached when the foldable flaps are folded or pivoted inwardly.   
     
     
         3 . The foldable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the second RC element comprises a receiving element and the first RC element comprises a complementary protruding element, and the receiving element is dismountably attachable (or detachable) with the complementary protruding element by application of an external force. 
     
     
         4 . The foldable container according to  claim 3 , wherein each side wall comprises at least one, preferably at least two guiding elements, wherein in the deployed state each guiding element engages with a guiding element of the neighbouring side wall. 
     
     
         5 . The foldable container according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 the base,   the pair of opposing first side walls,   the pair of opposing second side walls, and   optionally the pair of foldable flaps,   
       are made from a single piece and the hinge joints are living hinges. 
     
     
         6 . The foldable container according to  claim 5 , wherein the single piece is an injection moulded piece. 
     
     
         7 . The foldable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the side walls of the pair of second side walls comprise handles or handle openings. 
     
     
         8 . The foldable container according to  claim 1 , configured such that upon transitioning from the deployed state to the collapsed state the pair of opposing first side walls fold outwards and the pair of opposing second side walls fold inwards. 
     
     
         9 . The foldable container according to  claim 1 , configured such that movement of the pair of opposing first side walls relative to the base around the connecting hinge actuates movement of the pair of opposing second side walls around the connecting hinge relative to the base. 
     
     
         10 . The foldable container according to  claim 1 , wherein each transmission comprises a non-elastic member attached at one end to a first side wall and at the other end to an adjacent second side wall. 
     
     
         11 . The foldable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the collapsed state has a flattened form, optionally rectangular, such as oblong or square. 
     
     
         12 . The foldable container according to  claim 1 , wherein the foldable container in the deployed state is stackable with another foldable container in the deployed state. 
     
     
         13 . A method for manufacturing a foldable container, comprising the steps of:
 injection moulding a single piece, wherein said single piece comprises a base, and two pairs of side walls, mechanical transmission and optionally foldable flaps; wherein the side walls are attached to the base via hinges, preferably living hinges and each mechanical transmission is attached to a side wall via hinge, preferably a living hinges;   attaching, preferably irreversible attaching, the mechanical transmission to an adjacent side wall.