The invention to which this application relates is apparatus for the provision of a storage cavity so as to allow items to be stored within the apparatus. Furthermore, it is desired to provide apparatus for storage which can be moved between a collapsed condition in which the apparatus itself can be stored and an erected condition in which the apparatus can be used for storage.

The invention is particularly, although not necessarily exclusively, related to the provision of apparatus which in itself can be used as a toy or is of an appearance which is attractive to children and which can be used for the storage of toys therein. However, it will be readily appreciated by the reader that the invention as herein described, could be utilised in any environment where storage space is required and the storage of items therein is desired and therefore the features as herein described, are applicable to storage means in any given form.

The provision of storage apparatus conventionally comprises moulded plastics boxes which define a cavity therein and into which the items can be placed for storage. A lid can be provided for placement over the same to enclose the cavity. While the use of such types of boxes is well known and widespread, a disadvantage with the same is that they are relatively unattractive to look at and, furthermore, do themselves take up a considerable amount of space, regardless of whether the same are full of items or otherwise.

It is known to provide storage apparatus which can be moved to a storage position without the removal of the side walls from the end walls and GB2367283 illustrates one known type of this apparatus. However a problem which is commonly experienced with this type of apparatus is that when erected, the same can be relatively flexible to a point where they can be easily collapsible which therefore makes the apparatus difficult to carry from location to location with items stored therein. Furthermore, the shapes of the storage boxes are extremely limited due to the geometrical complexities of ensuring that the sidewalls and end walls, which are permanently joined together along their respective edges can be moved between folded and in-use positions.

The aim of the present invention is to provide storage apparatus which defines at least one cavity therein for the reception of items for storage and which storage apparatus can be moved between a collapsed condition and an erected condition and retained in the erected condition to sufficient extent so as to allow effective storage of items therein.

In a first aspect of the invention, there is provided storage apparatus, said storage apparatus including a base and opposing side and end walls which depend upwardly from the base to define an opening into a cavity defined between the said end and side walls and into which items can be selectively placed for storage when the apparatus is in the erected position, said apparatus movable between the said erected condition and a flattened condition wherein the said side and end walls are foldable downwardly towards said base and wherein engagement means are provided along the adjacent edges of at least one side wall and end wall which allow the progressive engagement of the same from the base towards the top edge of the same to move the said side and end walls to the erected position.

Typically, each of the adjacent edges of the side and end walls are engaged by the progressive engagement means.

In one embodiment, the progressive engagement means is a zip fastener which is progressively movable to an engaging position from the base towards the top edge of the side and end walls so as to bring the adjacent edges into engagement and at the same time bring the side and end walls to the upstanding erected position.

Typically, movement of the progressive engagement means in the reverse direction, from the top towards the base releases the engagement of the adjacent edges of the side and end walls and thereafter allows the said side and end walls to be folded inwardly onto the base for storage.

In a further embodiment, one of the side or end walls is provided with a lid portion attached thereto such that when the said side and end walls are moved to the erected position, the lid portion can be moved to enclose the cavity.

In an alternative embodiment, the lid portion is provided as a separate item which is placed onto the aperture to enclose the cavity as desired. In whichever embodiment, location means may be provided to allow the lid to be releasably engaged from the position on the storage apparatus.

In one embodiment, the engagement between the respective edges of the side and end walls is in a straight line. Alternatively, one or all of the engagement lines can be shaped other than being straight and the relative shaping is defined by the shape of the adjacent edges and followed by the line of the zip fastener. Typically the shaping is provided to allow a particular visual feature to be created on the apparatus when in an erected condition.

The provision of the zip fastener as the engagement means is of advantage as the same are flexible and therefore allow the shaping to occur while ensuring that engagement is still achieved.

In one embodiment, the said side and end walls are formed of a fabric material into which may be incorporated stiffening means so as to provide the storage apparatus with sufficient rigidity when in the erected condition and also to allow the apparatus to be maintained in the erected condition and to prevent bowing of the walls when items are placed into the cavity for storage purposes.

In one embodiment, the storage apparatus is shaped so as to give the appearance of an article which, when the storage apparatus is erected, is appealing to children such as, for example, a form of vehicle.

Specific embodiments of the invention are now described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS 1a to d illustrate views of the apparatus in accordance with the invention in an erected condition;

FIG. 2 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 with the engagement means released; and

FIG. 3 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1 moved to a flattened condition for storage.

Referring firstly to FIGS. 1a and d there is illustrated storage apparatus in accordance with one embodiment of the invention with a lid removed and in FIGS. 1b and c with the lid in place. In this embodiment, the storage apparatus 2 depicts a vehicle in the form of a bus. The apparatus comprises a base 4 and depending upwardly from the same are side walls 6, 8 and end walls 10, 12. The top surfaces of the side and end walls define an aperture 14 which allows the placement of articles into and out of the cavity 16 defined by the side and end walls and base

Also shown as being selectively placed on the top edges of the said side and end walls is a lid 20 which has engagement means, perhaps strips of hook and loop fastener, to allow the releasable engagement of the lid.

FIGS. 1a to d show the apparatus in the erected condition and this is achieved via the provision of the engagement means 22 in the form of a zip fastener is provided to allow the selective engagement of the adjacent edges of the side and end walls as shown. In the position shown, the zip fasteners are fully engaged and bring together the edges of the side and end walls as shown and hence forms the storage apparatus. If required, stiffening means can be provided within the side and end walls so as to prevent or at least reduce the possibility of the walls bowing when items are placed into the cavity.

It will also be seen that the edges 30 and 32 are shaped so as to allow the outer appearance of the article as to have a distinctive shape. The provision of the zip fastenings 22 which are flexible allows this shaping to be incorporated while ensuring that the engagement achieved is sufficiently strong to allow the storage cavity to be formed.

FIG. 2 illustrates the storage apparatus in the process of being moved from the erected condition of FIGS. 1a to d to a flattened condition and in FIG. 2, each of the engagement means in the form of zip fasteners 22, has been released so as to allow the side and end walls to move downwardly to lie flat with the base to provide the arrangement as shown. Form this position, the said side and end walls can be moved inwardly around the hinge connection to the base 4 as indicated by arrows 24 axis so as to be folded inwardly onto the base as shown in FIG. 3 from which point the same can be stored when not in use.

In whichever embodiment, the base may be provided with stiffening board which is permanently positioned or can be selectively positioned so as to allow the base to be of sufficient strength as to hold the articles therein.

The present invention therefore provides storage apparatus which allows for the effective storage of items therein and, furthermore, the storage apparatus is quickly movable between the storage and erected conditions and furthermore, can be shaped so as to be itself visually attractive.