CONTAINER

Abstract

The present invention relates to a single use, non-expandable, disposable container for holding a liquid, in particular a body liquid, the container comprising: —a bottom wall, —a circumferential side wall which extends in an upward direction from the bottom wall, wherein the circumferential side wall defines an upper opening ( ) at an upper end ( ) of the container, —a first folding flap and a second folding flap which are connected via a respective first folding line and a second folding line to opposed sections of an upper edge of the circumferential side wall, wherein the first and second folding flaps are foldable between an open position and a closed position, wherein in the open position of the folding flaps the circumferential side wall and the folding flaps taper outwardly in an upward direction, allowing the container to be nested, and wherein the folding flaps have a varying flap width, wherein the flap width reaches a maximum at a central portion of the folding flaps, and wherein said maximum flap width is smaller than a bottom width of the bottom wall, wherein during the folding of the folding flaps the folding flaps are deformed, wherein when seen in front view, during the folding of the folding flaps from the open position to the closed position, the circumferential side wall deforms from the outwardly tapering form to an inwardly tapering form.

Claims

1-47. (canceled)

48. A single use, non-expandable, disposable container for holding a liquid, in particular a body liquid, the container comprising: a bottom wall, a circumferential side wall which extends in an upward direction from the bottom wall, wherein the circumferential side wall defines an upper opening at an upper end of the container, a first folding flap and a second folding flap which are connected via a respective first folding line and a second folding line to opposed sections of an upper edge of the circumferential side wall, wherein the first and second folding flaps are foldable between an open position in which the upper opening is open and a closed position in which the upper opening is substantially closed and in which the first and second folding flap are folded over another, wherein in the open position of the folding flaps the circumferential side wall and the folding flaps taper outwardly in an upward direction and the folding flaps are substantially aligned with the circumferential side wall, allowing the container to be nested, and wherein the container has a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, wherein in the closed position of the folding flaps the upper end of the container has a concave shape, wherein during the folding of the folding flaps from the open position to the closed position the folding flaps are deformed, and wherein when seen in front view, during the folding of the folding flaps from the open position to the closed position, the circumferential side wall deforms from the outwardly tapering form to an inwardly tapering form.

49. The container according to claim 48, wherein when seen in front view in the open position of the folding flaps the tapering angle of the circumferential side wall is 3-7 degrees outward, and wherein in the closed position of the folding flaps the tapering angle of the circumferential side wall is 3-20 degrees inward.

50. The container according to claim 48, wherein the folding flaps have a maximum flap width which is smaller than a maximum bottom width of the bottom wall.

51. The container according to claim 48, wherein in the open position of the folding flaps the bottom wall and the lower edge of the circumferential side wall have a rocker shape when seen in side view of the container, wherein during the folding of the folding flaps from the open position to the closed position the bottom wall and the lower edge of the circumferential side wall are deformed from the rocker shape into a substantially flat shape and wherein in the open position of the folding flaps the bottom wall and the lower edge of the circumferential side wall have a camber shape when seen in front view of the container, wherein during the folding of the folding flaps from the open position to the closed position the bottom wall and the lower edge of the circumferential side wall are deformed from the camber shape into a substantially flat shape.

52. The container according to claim 48, wherein the container is a urinal and comprises a pee opening in the front side.

53. The container according to claim 48, wherein the bottom wall has an oval shape, a circular shape, a shape of a square having rounded corners, or a shape of a rectangle having rounded corners.

54. The container according to claim 48, wherein the bottom wall comprises a skirt, wherein the circumferential side wall comprises a base flap which is folded upward and inward all around the circumference, forming a U-shape into which the skirt is inserted and fixed via adhesive.

55. The container according to claim 48, wherein in the closed position of the folding flaps a front end of the upper end of the container is higher than a rear end of the upper end of the container.

56. The container according to claim 48, wherein the front end and the rear end of the upper end have a same height.

57. A single use, non-expandable, disposable container for holding a liquid, in particular a body liquid, the container comprising: a bottom wall, a circumferential side wall which extends in an upward direction from the bottom wall, wherein the circumferential side wall defines an upper opening at an upper end of the container, a first folding flap and a second folding flap which are connected via a respective first folding line and a second folding line to opposed sections of an upper edge of the circumferential side wall, wherein the first and second folding flaps are foldable between an open position in which the upper opening is open and a closed position in which the upper opening is substantially closed and in which the first and second folding flap are folded over another, wherein in the open position of the folding flaps the circumferential side wall and the folding flaps taper outwardly in an upward direction and the folding flaps are substantially aligned with the circumferential side wall, allowing the container to be nested, and wherein the container has a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, wherein in the closed position of the folding flaps the upper end of the container has a concave shape, wherein during the folding of the folding flaps from the open position to the closed position the folding flaps are deformed, and wherein the container is a urinal and comprises a pee opening in the front side.

58. A single use, non-expandable, disposable container for holding a liquid, in particular a body liquid, the container comprising: a bottom wall, a circumferential side wall which extends in an upward direction from the bottom wall, wherein the circumferential side wall defines an upper opening at an upper end of the container, a first folding flap and a second folding flap which are connected via a respective first folding line and a second folding line to opposed sections of an upper edge of the circumferential side wall, wherein the first and second folding flaps are foldable between an open position in which the upper opening is open and a closed position in which the upper opening is substantially closed and in which the first and second folding flap are folded over another, wherein in the open position of the folding flaps the circumferential side wall and the folding flaps taper outwardly in an upward direction and the folding flaps are substantially aligned with the circumferential side wall, allowing the container to be nested, and wherein the container has a front side, a rear side, a right side, and a left side, wherein in the closed position of the folding flaps the upper end of the container has a concave shape, wherein during the folding of the folding flaps from the open position to the closed position the folding flaps are deformed, and wherein the bottom wall comprises a skirt, wherein the circumferential side wall comprises a base flap which is folded upward and inward all around the circumference, forming a U-shape into which the skirt is inserted and fixed via adhesive.

Description

SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0090] FIGS. 1 and 2 show top views of two embodiments of the container according to the invention.

[0091] FIGS. 3 and 4 show side views of the two embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0092] FIGS. 5 and 6 show front views of the two embodiments.

[0093] FIGS. 7-12 show top views of different embodiments of the container according to the invention.

[0094] FIG. 13 shows a top view of an embodiment of the container in the open state.

[0095] FIG. 14 shows a side view of this embodiment of the container in the open state.

[0096] FIG. 15 shows a front view of this embodiment of the container in the open state.

[0097] FIG. 16 shows a top view of this container in the closed state.

[0098] FIG. 17 shows a side view of this container in the closed state.

[0099] FIG. 18 shows a front view of this container in the closed state.

[0100] FIG. 19 shows a top view of a further embodiment of the container in the open state.

[0101] FIG. 20 shows a side view of the further embodiment of the container in the open state.

[0102] FIG. 21 shows a front view of the further embodiment of the container in the open state.

[0103] FIG. 22 shows a top view of the further embodiment in the closed state.

[0104] FIG. 23 shows a side view of the further embodiment in the closed state.

[0105] FIG. 24 shows a front view of the further embodiment in the closed state.

[0106] FIG. 25 shows the container when held by the user with a single hand.

[0107] FIG. 26 shows an embodiment of the container in front view.

[0108] FIG. 27 shows a stack of containers in front view.

[0109] FIG. 28 shows a stack of containers in side view.

[0110] FIG. 29 shows a further embodiment of the container.

[0111] FIG. 30 shows a further embodiment in which the container is a jug.

[0112] FIG. 31 shows a further embodiment of the container.

[0113] FIG. 32 shows a first blank part of a blank assembly for forming the container.

[0114] FIG. 33 shows a bottom part of a blank assembly for forming the container.

[0115] FIG. 34 shows a cross-sectional side view of the container.

[0116] FIG. 35 shows a detail of the bottom portion of the container.

[0117] FIG. 36 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0118] Turning to FIGS. 1-6, two different embodiments of the container 10 according to the invention are shown. The containers are typically single use, non-expandable and disposable. The container 10 is liquid tight and configured for holding a liquid, in particular a body liquid. FIGS. 1 and 2 show top views of the container in the open state. The container has a front side 30, a rear side 31, a right side 32 and a left side 33.

[0119] The container comprises a bottom wall 12 and a circumferential side wall 14 which extends in an upward direction from the bottom wall. The circumferential side wall defines an upper opening 16 at an upper end 18 of the container.

[0120] The container 10 comprises a first folding flap 20 and a second folding flap 21 which are connected via a respective first folding line 22 and a second folding line 23 to opposed sections of an upper edge 24 of the circumferential side wall. The folding flaps 20, 21 are elongate. The first and second folding flaps are foldable between an position in which the upper opening is open and a closed position in which the upper opening is substantially closed.

[0121] In the open state, the containers taper outwardly, allowing the containers to be stacked. This reduces the total storage volume which is in particular important when a large number of containers need to be stored.

[0122] Turning to FIGS. 7 through 12, various shapes of the bottom wall 12 are possible. FIGS. 7 and 8 show circular bottom walls 12 having different diameters. FIG. 9 shows an oval bottom wall 12. FIG. 10 shows a rectangular bottom wall having rounded corners. FIGS. 11 and 12 show square bottom walls having rounded corners. In the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 9, 10, 13-24, the bottom wall 12 is elongate, a length 41 of the bottom wall 12 being larger than a width 36 of the bottom wall 12. The total surface area of the bottom wall 12 may be less than 200 cm2.

[0123] In all the shown versions, the circumferential side wall 14 does not have any sharp edges extending from the base to the upper end, but provides a continuous, smooth, curved circumferential outward surface.

[0124] The circumferential side wall 14 is glued onto itself at the rear side along a seam 52 extending from the lower and to an upper end of the rear side. The circumferential side wall 14 at the seam 52 is also relatively smooth.

[0125] Turning to FIGS. 13 through 15, the container 10 tapers outwardly in an upper direction when the folding flaps 20, 21 are in the open position. In the open position, the following flaps are aligned with the circumferential side wall 14. Turning to FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 when the folding flaps 20, 21 are closed, the tapering angle reverses, when the container is seen in front view. The following flaps 20, 21 are folded over one another, wherein either the first folding flap 20 or the second folding flap 21 can be closed first. In front view, the tapering angle becomes negative, with the result that the upper end is narrower than the bottom of the container. In side view, the tapering angle actually increases when the folding flaps are closed. This is a result of the deformation of the circumferential side wall, which is caused by the inwardly folding flaps having a relatively small width.

[0126] In this embodiment, the upper end 18 of the container is higher at a front side 26 of the upper end than in a central portion 28 thereof.

[0127] In the closed position of the folding flaps 20,21 the upper end 18 of the container has a concave shape.

[0128] The folding flaps 20, 21 have a varying flap width 34. The flap width 34 reaches a maximum at a central portion 35 of the folding flaps. Said maximum flap width is smaller than a bottom width 36 of the bottom wall 12. The folding flaps may have a flap length 42 and a maximum flap width 34. The flap length 42 may be greater than twice the maximum flap width 34. The folding flaps 20, 21 may have a droplet shape, the folding flaps having a rounded shape at the front end 44 of the folding flaps and a pointy end at the rear end 45 of the folding flaps.

[0129] During the folding of the folding flaps 20, 21 from the open position to the closed position the folding flaps are deformed from a convex shape to a concave shape.

[0130] When seen in front view, during the folding of the folding flaps from the open position to the closed position, the circumferential side wall deforms from the outwardly tapering form to an inwardly tapering form. This is visible by comparing FIGS. 15 and 18, and by comparing FIGS. 21 and 24. When seen in front view in the open position of the folding flaps the tapering angle of the circumferential side wall is 3-7 degrees outward (FIGS. 15, 21) and wherein in the closed position of the folding flaps the tapering angle of the circumferential side wall is 3-20 degrees inward (FIGS. 18, 24).

[0131] When seen in side view, the circumferential side wall 14 tapers outwardly in an upward direction both in the open and in the closed position of the folding flaps 20, 21.

[0132] With reference to FIGS. 14 and 20, in the open position of the folding flaps 20, 21 the bottom wall 12 and the lower edge 38 of the circumferential side wall have a rocker shape (or convex shape) when seen in side view of the container. With reference to FIGS. 15 and 21, in the open position of the folding flaps 20,21 the bottom wall and the lower edge 38 of the circumferential side wall 14 have a camber shape (or concave shape) when seen in front view of the container.

[0133] With reference to FIGS. 17,18, 23 and 24, during the folding of the folding flaps 20, 21 from the open position to the closed position the bottom wall and the lower edge of the circumferential side wall are deformed from the rocker shape into a substantially flat shape. Also, during the folding of the folding flaps from the open position to the closed position the bottom wall 12 and the lower edge 38 of the circumferential side wall 14 are deformed from the camber shape into a substantially flat shape. The camber and rocker shape are also visible in FIGS. 3,4,5 and 6.

[0134] A maximum width 34 of the folding flaps 20, 21 may be between 7 and 9 cm, and a maximum width 36 of the bottom wall 12 may be greater than 10 cm.

[0135] In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-28, the container is a urinal and comprises a pee opening 40 in the front side 30. A center 46 of the pee opening 40 is located in an upper half of the front side.

[0136] The pee opening 40 is (initially) closed by a pee opening flap 48 which is connected via a pee flap fold line 49 to an edge 50 of the pee opening. The pee opening can be opened by pushing the flap inward or pulling it outward. The rest of the contour of the pee opening flap is connected to the circumferential side wall via a tear line.

[0137] With reference to the embodiment of FIGS. 1-6 and 13-18, the pee flap fold line 49 is located at an upper side of the pee opening, wherein the pee fold flap 48 folds upward and inward during opening and acts as a splash guard when in the open position. This embodiment is in particular suitable for females.

[0138] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIGS. 20-24, the pee flap fold line 49 is located at a lower side of the pee opening, wherein the pee fold flap 48 folds downward and inward when opened, wherein in the open position of the pee fold flap and in the closed position of the folding flaps the underside of the lower folding flap is visible when looking horizontally into the container through the pee opening, wherein said underside acts as a splash guard.

[0139] With reference to FIGS. 34 and 35, the bottom wall 12 comprises a skirt 54, wherein the circumferential side wall 14 comprises a base flap 55 which is folded upward and inward, forming a U-shape into which the skirt is inserted and fixed via adhesive. The skirt may have a height 59 of 4-10 mm. The base flap 55 of the side wall 14 is folded around the skirt all around the circumference. This overlapping creates a liquid tight ‘labyrinth seal’.

[0140] The height 59 creates a volume between the bottom walls 12 of nested containers

[0141] With reference to FIGS. 27 and 28, the container is stackable into a stack 60 of nested containers. This reduces storage volume.

[0142] With reference to FIG. 36, a stack of three containers is shown. The volume 61 between the bottom walls 12 of the nested container may be used to insert a moisture absorbing member 63 in the container, which can be attached to the bottom wall 12 of the associated container. The moisture absorbing member may be a sachet of gel or liquid absorbing crystals, or a pad of woven or non-woven material applied on the bottom wall.

[0143] With reference to FIG. 29, an embodiment is shown in which the front end 44 and the rear end 45 of the upper end 18 have a same height 60, measured from the base, and wherein in particular the container has no pee opening. This embodiment is suitable as a vomit bag, but also for more general purposes. The front side 30 may actually become the right or left side in use, but for consistency with the other figures is referred to as the front side. Both ends 44, 45 of the folding flaps 20, 21 may be curved or pointy.

[0144] With reference to FIG. 30, and embodiment is shown in which the container 10 is a jug and the folding flaps comprise a cut-out 62 at a front end thereof. The cut-out 62 allows pouring of a liquid from the container. This embodiment can be used for various purposes. In this embodiment the front side is higher than the rear side. This embodiment has no pee opening.

[0145] With reference to FIG. 31, in an embodiment the container 10 may comprise a level indicating slot 56 covered by a transparent foil 58.

[0146] The embodiments of FIGS. 29-31 also have the change in tapering angle from outward to inward.

Operation

[0147] In operation, the container may be used as follows. First, the user takes one container from a stack 60 of containers, see FIGS. 27 and 28. Next, the user folds the folding flaps 20, 21 inward and downward, thereby substantially closing the upper opening 16. Next, the container is filled with a liquid, in particular a body liquid.

[0148] If the container 10 is a vomit bowl it will be filled with vomit prior to closing the folding flaps. If the container is another kind of container which is to be filled via the upper opening, naturally it will also be filled before closing the folding flaps.

[0149] If the container is a urinal, it will be filled after closing the folding flaps. The pee flap 48 will be opened, in particular by pushing it inwards, or pulling it outwards. In that case step c) will comprise positioning the container between the legs of a user and peeing through the pee opening 40 in the front side 30 of the container.

[0150] During the peeing, the container may be held by a single hand which is placed over the upper end of the container, wherein a thumb presses against a right side or a left side of the container and one or more fingers press against the opposite side of the container. After the peeing is done, the container may be lifted from the position between the legs by the same single hand. The pee flap 48 may be closed.

Blank Assembly

[0151] Turning to FIGS. 31 and 32, the present invention further relates to a blank assembly 100 configured for forming the container 10 according to the invention. The blank assembly comprises a first blank part 101 configured for forming the circumferential side wall 14 and the folding flaps 20, 21 and a bottom wall part 102 configured for forming the bottom wall 12. The blank assembly 100 may comprise only these two parts. The first blank part and the bottom wall part are manufactured from cardboard.

[0152] The first blank part 101 comprises a circumferential side wall section 114 having a varying height 115. The height increases toward an area 130 which is configured to form the front side 30 of the container which is to be formed from the blank assembly. The first blank part 101 comprises a right edge 140 and a left edge 141. The right edge comprises a wall flap 142 which allows the right edge to be connected to the left edge.

[0153] A base flap 55 extends along a lower edge 156 of the circumferential side wall section 114. The lower edge 156 is curved and comprises rocker sections 158 having an upward curvature. The lower edge 156 comprises a camber section 159 at the front side.

[0154] The first blank part 101 further comprises a first folding flap section 120 and a second folding flap section 121, which are attached to an upper end 118 of the circumferential side wall section via a respective first folding line 122 and a second folding line 123. The curvature of the folding lines 122, 123 is less than the curvature of the right side 160 and left side 161 of the bottom wall part 102.

[0155] The first folding flap section 120 and the second folding flap section 121 are elongate. The first and second folding lines are curved and curve upward in the direction of an area 130 which is configured to form the front side of the container which is to be formed from the blank assembly. The folding flap sections 120, 121 have a flap length 42 and a maximum flap width 34, and the flap length is greater than twice the maximum flap width. The folding flap sections 120, 121 have a droplet shape, the folding flaps having a rounded shape at the front side and a pointy end at the rear side. However, it is also possible that at the rear side.

[0156] The folding flap sections 120, 121 may each have a cut-out 135.

[0157] The folding lines 122, 123 have respective front folding line ends 124,125 which are located at a distance 126 from one another. A front section 127 of the upper end of the circumferential side wall section between the front folding line ends 124, 125 has a curvature which is opposite to the curvature of the first and second folding lines. The front section 127 has an apex 128 in a central area thereof.

[0158] The circumferential side wall section 114 is symmetrical about a line 150 extending from a bottom end of the front side to an upper end of the front side and which divides the part 101 in a left half and a right half.

[0159] Each folding flap section 120,121 has a longitudinal axis 157. The longitudinal axis 157 extends at an angle α of about 60-85 degrees to the line 150.

[0160] The bottom wall part 102 comprises a central bottom wall 112 part configured for forming the bottom wall and a circumferential bottom wall part 113 configured for forming a skirt of the bottom wall. The central bottom wall 112 and the circumferential bottom wall part 113 are connected to one another via a bottom wall folding line 114. In this embodiment, the bottom wall part is elongate, a length of the bottom wall part being larger than a width of the bottom wall part. It is noted that the circumferential bottom wall part 113 is not included in the length or width, because it is intended to form the skirt.

[0161] The total surface area of the central bottom wall part 112 may be less than 200 cm2.

[0162] The bottom wall part 102 has an oval shape, but a circular shape, a shape of a square having rounded corners or a shape of a rectangle having rounded corners is also possible.

[0163] A maximum width 34 of the folding flaps is between 7 and 9 cm, and a maximum width 36 of the bottom wall is greater than 10 cm.

[0164] The blank assembly 100 is configured for forming a urinal and comprises a pee opening 40 in a front area. A center 46 of the pee opening area is located in an upper half of the front side. The pee opening area is closed by a pee opening flap 48 which is connected via a pee flap fold line 49 to an edge 50 of the pee opening. The pee flap fold line 49 is located at an upper side of the pee opening. In use, the pee fold flap 48 folds upward and inward during opening and acts as a splash guard when in the open position. Alternatively, it can be pulled up and outward.

[0165] In another embodiment, the pee flap fold line may be located at a lower side of the pee opening area.

[0166] The circumferential side wall section may comprises a level indicating slot covered by a transparent foil.

[0167] It will be clear that the description above is intended to illustrate the operation of preferred embodiments of the invention, and not to reduce the scope of protection of the invention. Starting from the above description, many embodiments will be conceivable to the skilled person within the inventive concept and scope of protection of the present invention.