CLIAMS:We claim
1) A container 100 for packaging, said container 100 comprising:
a base 112;
a plurality of side walls 102 connected to said base 112;
a plurality of flaps 104 attached to said side walls 102;
a plurality of connecting element 108 adapted to connect said flaps 104 together to form said container 100; and
a lid 200 for covering said container 100;
wherein
said flaps 104 and at least one of said side walls 102 are provided with a plurality of openings 106 to receive said connecting element 108.
2) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side walls 102 further includes a plurality of opposite side walls 102a and a plurality of adjacent side walls 102b.
3) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flaps 104 further includes a plurality of opposite flaps 104a and a plurality of adjacent flaps 104b.
4) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting element 108 includes a plurality of ends 108a and 108b.
5) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said openings 106 include a plurality of parallel upper openings 106a and a plurality of parallel lower openings 106b.
6) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ends 108a and 108b of said connecting element 108 passes through said parallel upper openings 106a defined in said opposite side walls 102a to said opposite flaps 104a and said adjacent flaps 104b, and then said ends 108a and 108b further passes through said parallel lower openings 106b defined in said adjacent flaps 104b to said opposite flaps 104a and said opposite side wall 102a.
7) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said opening 106 includes a cushioning element (not shown) for facilitating smooth movement of said connecting element 108 through said openings 106.
8) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting element 108 is a string selected from a group consisting of cotton, denim, linen, velvet, Nylon, Polyester, Rayon and Spandex.
9) A method 300 for fabricating a container 100, said method comprising:
providing a base material with a plurality of scored lines 110;
folding said base material along the scored lines 110, to define a base 112, a plurality of side walls 102 and a plurality of flaps 104;
providing a plurality of openings 106 in each of said flaps 104 and at least in one of said side walls 102;
passing a plurality of connecting element 108 through said openings 106 provided in said side walls 102 and said flaps 104; and
providing a lid 200 for covering said container 100.

10) The method 300 as claimed in claim 9, wherein said base material is provided with a plurality of scored lines 110 for facilitating folding of said side walls 102 and said flaps 104.

11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said base material is selected from a group consisting of Cardboard, Art board, Duplex Board, Solid White Board, Poly Vinyl Chloride and Tracing Sheet.

Date: 30th September 2013 Signature:
Vikram Pratap Singh Thakur
,TagSPECI:FORM 2
The Patent Act 1970
(39 of 1970)
&
The Patent Rules, 2005

COMPLETE SPECIFICATION
(SEE SECTION 10 AND RULE 13)

TITLE OF THE INVENTION

“A COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER”

APPLICANT:

Name : Papercats

Nationality : Indian

Address : 147/27, Ground Floor, 3rd Main Road,
Industrial Town, Rajajinagar,
Bangalore-560044

The following specification particularly describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:-

TECHNICAL FIELD
[001] The embodiments herein generally relates to a container for packaging, and more particularly but not exclusively to a collapsible container for packing cake or any other items.

BACKGROUND
[002] Packaging refers to enclosing or protecting a product for storage, distribution and use. Based on the nature of the product there are several types of packages used for packing different types of products. For example blister packs are used for packing tablets and capsules, glass and plastic bottles are used for packing liquid products and carton packs are used for packing various solid and liquid products. Though there are different types of cartons and/or containers available in the market for packaging, packing of pastries in particular, cakes are always seen as challenging due to cake’s fragile and delicate nature. (The availability of icing makes the matter more tricky and transportation is the biggest hassle)
[003] Generally, a cake is a type of pastry, and a baked food item made using flour, sugar, milk, cream, and butter with or without eggs and shortenings. The aforementioned ingredients are mixed in various proportions and the resulting dough is baked. Baking transforms the dough into cake and the obtained cake has bread like resemblance. The top of the cake is usually covered and decorated with icings and creams.
[004] Fabrication of containers used for packaging of cakes is of two types. The first type of fabrication is the most prevalent form which is a single die cut without pasting form usually without any form of customization on the container and which has to be fabricated by hooking two side flaps in the slits provided in the other side flaps.
[005] The second type of fabrication involves the dome shaped containers which are usually customized boxes. These containers have multiple pasting and a lock bottom and a dome shape on top with a handle with two slits for fingers to facilitate carrying.
[006] Cakes are more prone to damages during packaging and transportation, and the top and sides of the cake are the most vulnerable regions that involve most of the decorations. The cake’s decoration and the sides of the cake may be damaged while placing the cake inside the container and while removing the cake out of the container, which has been made using the second type of fabrication as this container, allows the cake to be introduced and removed only from the top of the container. Though the containers made using the first type of fabrication allows the cake to be introduced from the sides as well, with a full collapsible structure, the top is vulnerable, and there is no handle to carry, hence necessitating another carry bag for carrying the container. Further stacking of containers one on top of the other is not possible and their aesthetics are not to their best.
[007] Therefore, there is a need for an inexpensive container, which allows the cake to be introduced and removed from the container easily through top or its sides without damaging the cake and decoration. Further, there is a need for a container that can obviate the aforementioned drawbacks.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION
[008] The principle object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a container, which can be collapsed and restored.
[009] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to maintain the aesthetics of the cake intact and prevent damage in its journey from the source to the destination.
[0010] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide an eco-friendly container by using paper for fabrication.
[0011] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a container with a handle, eliminating the need of a separate cover or body for carrying the container.
[0012] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a container loaded with cakes to be stacked one above the other
[0013] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a container with inner flaps which provides additional support in holding the cake base intact during transportation.
[0014] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a container that has good aesthetics to match with the quality of the decorative cakes and pastries it carries.
[0015] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a container that allows cake or other items to be introduced and removed from the container through top or its sides.
[0016] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a container, which prevents cake or other items from damages.
[0017] Another object of an embodiment of this invention is to provide a container that can be used for carrying other items apart from cakes and pastries.
[0018] These and other objects of the embodiments herein will be better appreciated and understood when considered in conjunction with the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following descriptions, while indicating preferred embodiments and numerous specific details thereof, are given by way of illustration and not of limitation. Many changes and modifications may be made within the scope of the embodiments herein without departing from the spirit thereof, and the embodiments herein include all such modifications.

SUMMARY
Accordingly a container for packaging is provided. The container includes a base, a plurality of side walls, a plurality of flaps, a plurality of openings defined in the flaps and at least in one of the side wall, a plurality of connecting element, a plurality of scored lines and a lid. The side walls are integrally connected with the base. The flaps are integrally connected with the side walls. The side walls, the flaps and the base are obtained by folding the container along the scored lines. The connecting element connects the flaps through the openings. The connecting element facilitates the closure of the side walls and also assists in carrying the container. The lid is used for covering the top the container in restored state. The cake or any item is placed upon the base of the container in collapsed state and on raising the connecting element, the side walls cover the cake or any item and the container is in restored state. Similarly on removing the lid and lowering the connecting element the side walls lowers and the container is in collapsed state and thereafter the cake or any item is removed from the container. Also the inner flaps in the restored state act as a means to support the cake base, and prevent its movement vertically during transport.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES
[0019] FIG. 1 depicts the top view of the container in collapsed state according to an embodiment as disclosed;
[0020] FIG. 2 depicts the top view of the container in collapsed state with the flaps folded along the scored lines according to an embodiment as disclosed;
[0021] FIG. 3 depicts the perspective view of the container, according to an embodiment as disclosed;
[0022] FIG. 4 depicts the perspective view of the container in restored state according to an embodiment as disclosed;
[0023] FIG. 5 depicts the side view of the container in restored state with a lid according to an embodiment as disclosed; and
[0024] FIG. 6 depicts the flow chart of the method for fabricating the container.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0025] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[0026] The embodiments herein achieve a container for packaging which allows a cake or any item to be introduced and removed from the container through its top or through its sides. Further, embodiments herein achieve a container, which can be collapsed and restored. Furthermore, embodiments herein allow the container to be carried using a handle and allows stacking the container one above the other. Referring now to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 through 6, where similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the figures, there are shown preferred embodiments.
[0027] FIG. 1 depicts the top view of the container 100 in collapsed state according to an embodiment as disclosed. The container 100 includes a base 112, a plurality of side walls 102, a plurality of flaps 104, a plurality of openings 106 defined in the flaps 104 and at least in one of the side walls 102, a plurality of connecting element 108, a plurality of scored lines 110 and a lid 200. In an embodiment the container 100 is made using a base material from cardboard. However, it is also within the scope of invention that the base material for making container 100 can be selected from any other material without otherwise deterring intended function of the base material as can be deduced from this description.
[0028] The side walls 102 include a plurality of opposite side walls 102a and a plurality of adjacent side walls 102b. The purpose of side walls 102 is to preserve the cake or any item from dust, damages and any other foreign elements. In an embodiment the side walls 102 are integrally connected with the base 112. However, it is also within the scope of invention that the side walls 102 may be connected with the base 112 in any other way without otherwise deterring intended function of the side walls 102 as can be deduced from this description.
[0029] FIG. 2 depicts the top view of the container 100 in the collapsed state with the flaps 104 folded along the scored lines 110 according to an embodiment as disclosed. The flaps 104 include a plurality of opposite flaps 104a and a plurality of adjacent flaps 104b. The flaps 104 are used for mating their corresponding opposite side walls 102a with the adjacent side walls 102b. In an embodiment the flaps 104 are integrally connected with the side walls 102. However, it is also within the scope of invention that the flaps 104 may be connected with the side walls 102 in any other way without otherwise deterring intended function of the flaps 104 as can be deduced from this description.
[0030] The flaps 104 and the opposite side walls 102a include a plurality of openings 106. The openings 106 include a plurality of parallel upper openings 106a and a plurality of parallel lower openings 106b, defined all the way through the opposite side walls 102a and its corresponding opposite flaps 104a, and adjacent flaps 104b. All the parallel upper openings 106a defined in the opposite side walls 102a, and its corresponding opposite flaps 104a, and adjacent flaps 104b are parallel to each other, from the plane of the opposite side wall 102a when the container 100 is in restored state. Similarly all the parallel lower openings 106b defined in the opposite side walls 102a, and its corresponding opposite flaps 104a, and adjacent flaps 104b are parallel to each other, from the plane of the opposite side wall 102a when the container 100 is in the restored state. In an embodiment, the openings 106 include a plurality of cushioning element (not shown). The cushioning element (not shown) assists in smooth movement of the connecting element 108 through the openings 106. However, it is also within the scope of invention that any other means may be used without otherwise deterring intended function of the cushioning element (not shown) as can be deduced from this description.
[0031] The connecting element 108 has two ends 108a and 108b. The connecting element 108 is used for connecting the opposite flaps 104a with adjacent flaps 104b, thereby facilitating the closure of side walls 102. Further, the connecting element 108 forms a handle in restored position which facilitates in carrying the container 100. In an embodiment the connecting element 108 is a string made from cotton. However, it is also within the scope of invention that the connecting element 108 may be any other means without otherwise deterring intended function of the connecting element 108 as can be deduced from this description.
[0032] The scored lines 110 are the crease embossed on the container 100 to facilitate folding. The side walls 102, the flaps 104, and the base 112 are folded along the scored lines 110 to form container 100 as shown in FIG. 1. The base 112 is used for holding the cake or any other item.
[0033] The connecting element 108 interacts with the flaps 104 and the opposite side walls 102a in below said manner. One end of the connecting element 108a is passed through any one of the parallel upper openings 106a defined in the opposite side wall 102a, and further passed through the parallel upper openings 106a defined in the corresponding opposite flap 104a and adjacent flap 104b. Then, the end of the connecting element 108a is received by the corresponding parallel lower openings 106b, defined in the adjacent flap 104b, corresponding opposite flap 104a and the opposite side wall 102a. Thereafter, a knot is made at the end of the connecting element 108a to tie up the connecting element 108 with the opposite side wall 102a. However, it is also within the scope of invention that knot or any other means may be used without otherwise deterring intended function of the connecting element 108 as can be deduced from this description.
[0034] Similarly, the other end of the connecting element 108b interacts with the corresponding openings 106 defined in the opposite side wall 102a and flaps 104 and a knot is made at the end of the connecting element 108b to tie up the connecting element 108 with the opposite side wall 102a.
[0035] The aforementioned procedure is repeated for connecting the plurality of connecting element 108 with the rest of the, opposite side walls 102a and corresponding flaps 104.
[0036] The plurality of connecting element 108 forms a handle around the opposite side walls 102a, as shown in FIG. 2. The cake or any other item is easily placed upon the base 112 of the container 100 through top or its sides in the collapsed state. Then, the plurality of connecting element 108 is held at the handle and on raising the connecting element 108, due to the interaction between the connecting element 108 and the flaps 104, the plurality of side walls 102 raises and covers the cake or any item from all sides, as shown in FIG. 4. Similarly, on lowering the plurality of connecting element 108, the plurality of side walls 102 lowers for removing the cake or any item from the container as shown in FIG. 2. Thus, the raising and lowering of the plurality of connecting element 108 transforms the container 100 from the collapsed state to the restored state and vice versa, resulting in a collapsible container as shown in FIG. 3.
[0037] The lid 200 is used to cover the top of the container 100. The lid 200 is used for maintaining the reliability of sealing, made by the plurality of side walls 102 in the restored state of the container 100, and thus allows the lowering of connecting element 108 in the restored state and also preserves the cake or any item inside the container 100 in the restored state, as shown in FIG. 5. However, it is also within the scope of invention that any other means may be used to cover the top of the container 100 without otherwise deterring intended function of the lid 200 as can be deduced from this description.
[0038] In an embodiment, the container 100 is used for packing cakes. However, it is also within the scope of invention that the container 100 can be used for packing any other item or substance without otherwise deterring intended function of the container 100 as can be deduced from this description.
[0039] A method 300 for fabricating the container 100 is described below as non-limiting example. FIG. 6 depicts the the flow chart of the method 300 for fabricating the container.
[0040] The method 300 for fabricating the container 100 includes (step 301) providing a base material with a plurality of scored lines, (step 302) folding the base material along the scored lines, defining a base, a plurality of side walls and a plurality of flaps, (step 303) providing a plurality of openings in each of the flaps and at least in one of the side walls, (step 304) passing a plurality of connecting element through openings provided in side walls and flaps, and (step 305) providing a lid for covering the container. In an embodiment the base material is made from cardboard. However, it is also within the scope of invention that the base material can be made from any other material without otherwise deterring intended function of the base material as can be deduced from this description.
[0041] The container 100 has the following features. As the container is collapsible, it’s easy for storing, transporting and as well as placing and removing the cake or other items. The container is simple in construction thus requires less time for fabrication. Further the container can be fabricated from cardboard or paper board. As the base and sidewalls of the container is sturdy it provides security for the cake or any item inside the container. As the container houses a lid, it allows stacking of containers one above the other. The container provides a handle for carrying thus eliminating the need for separate covers for carrying. Further the container is of low cost and has good aesthetics.
[0042] The foregoing description of the specific embodiments will so fully reveal the general nature of the embodiments herein that others can, by applying current knowledge, readily modify and/or adapt for various applications such specific embodiments without departing from the generic concept, and, therefore, such adaptations and modifications should and are intended to be comprehended within the meaning and range of equivalents of the disclosed embodiments. It is to be understood that the phraseology or terminology employed herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. Therefore, while the embodiments herein have been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments herein can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the embodiments as described herein.

CLAIMS
We claim
1) A container 100 for packaging, said container 100 comprising:
a base 112;
a plurality of side walls 102 connected to said base 112;
a plurality of flaps 104 attached to said side walls 102;
a plurality of connecting element 108 adapted to connect said flaps 104 together to form said container 100; and
a lid 200 for covering said container 100;
wherein
said flaps 104 and at least one of said side walls 102 are provided with a plurality of openings 106 to receive said connecting element 108.
2) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said side walls 102 further includes a plurality of opposite side walls 102a and a plurality of adjacent side walls 102b.
3) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flaps 104 further includes a plurality of opposite flaps 104a and a plurality of adjacent flaps 104b.
4) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting element 108 includes a plurality of ends 108a and 108b.
5) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said openings 106 include a plurality of parallel upper openings 106a and a plurality of parallel lower openings 106b.
6) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said ends 108a and 108b of said connecting element 108 passes through said parallel upper openings 106a defined in said opposite side walls 102a to said opposite flaps 104a and said adjacent flaps 104b, and then said ends 108a and 108b further passes through said parallel lower openings 106b defined in said adjacent flaps 104b to said opposite flaps 104a and said opposite side wall 102a.
7) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of said opening 106 includes a cushioning element (not shown) for facilitating smooth movement of said connecting element 108 through said openings 106.
8) The container 100 as claimed in claim 1, wherein said connecting element 108 is a string selected from a group consisting of cotton, denim, linen, velvet, Nylon, Polyester, Rayon and Spandex.
9) A method 300 for fabricating a container 100, said method comprising:
providing a base material with a plurality of scored lines 110;
folding said base material along the scored lines 110, to define a base 112, a plurality of side walls 102 and a plurality of flaps 104;
providing a plurality of openings 106 in each of said flaps 104 and at least in one of said side walls 102;
passing a plurality of connecting element 108 through said openings 106 provided in said side walls 102 and said flaps 104; and
providing a lid 200 for covering said container 100.

10) The method 300 as claimed in claim 9, wherein said base material is provided with a plurality of scored lines 110 for facilitating folding of said side walls 102 and said flaps 104.

11) The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein said base material is selected from a group consisting of Cardboard, Art board, Duplex Board, Solid White Board, Poly Vinyl Chloride and Tracing Sheet.

Date: 30th September 2013 Signature:
Vikram Pratap Singh Thakur

ABSTRACT
A container for packaging is provided. The container includes a base, a plurality of side walls, a plurality of flaps, a plurality of openings defined in the flaps and at least in one of the side wall, a plurality of connecting element, a plurality of scored lines and a lid. The side walls, the flaps and the base are obtained by folding the container along the scored lines. The connecting element connects the flaps through the openings. The connecting element facilitates the closure of the side walls and also assists in carrying the container. The lid is used for covering the top of the container in restored state.
Fig. 1