GB2499608A

GB2499608A - Collapsible container

Info

Publication number: GB2499608A
Application number: GB1202987.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Charles Wright
Original assignee: Phoenix II Ltd
Current assignee: Phoenix II Ltd
Priority date: 2012-02-21
Filing date: 2012-02-21
Publication date: 2013-08-28
Anticipated expiration: 2032-02-21
Also published as: GB2499608B; GB201202987D0

Abstract

A collapsible container is convertible between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration and comprises a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls which rise from the bottom in the erected configuration, the sidewalls being collapsible to overlie the bottom forming a substantially flat structure in the collapsed configuration; and a means for stiffening 13 at least one of the at least two opposite sidewalls in the erected configuration, the stiffening means being moveable between a non-deployed and a deployed position. The sidewalls preferably include two or more portions which are flexibly linked to one another and to the remaining sidewalls so tha the container can be collapsed by relative folding of the portions and inward folding of the remaining sidewalls to form the substantially flat structure. The substantially flat structure may be foldable on itself to form a more compact article convenient for carrying; this may be permitted by a spaced pair of fold lines extending across the bottom and up at least two opposite sidewalls.

Description

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COLLAPSIBLE CONTAINER

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a collapsible container, which is suitable for a variety of purposes when erected and convenient to carry and store when collapsed.

5 BACKGROUND TO THE PRESENT INVENTION

The inventor's earlier patent number GB2129777 discloses a collapsible container made from a thermoplastic material comprising a bottom, sidewalls and endwalls. The side walls and bottom are made up of regions interconnected by fold lines enabling the container to be folded flat and then folded over itself to provide a compact article. The side walls are 10 attached to the end walls by flaps provided with press studs 18. Handles for carrying the erect container are provided in the side and end walls, and a handle for carrying the collapsed container is attached to the bottom by portions of the handle engaged in slots in the bottom. The container resembles a briefcase when in the collapsed configuration to facilitate storage of the container.

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The inventor has found that when the container of GB2129777 is unfolded to form the erected container, the rigidity of the container is insufficient for optimum use, particularly when it is substantially filled. It has been found that the rigidity of the container is a particular issue when the dimensions of it are such that the hands of the person carrying 20 the erect container using cut out handles are positioned further apart than their shoulders. This can cause the longer sidewalls of the container to deflect towards or away from each other and lead to unstable handling of the container.

The inventor has appreciated that there is a need for an improved collapsible container 25 which has enhanced rigidity when in the erected configuration.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides: a collapsible container, convertible between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration, comprising: a bottom and a plurality of 30 sidewalls which rise from the bottom in the erected configuration, the sidewalls being collapsible to overlie the bottom forming a substantially flat structure in the collapsed configuration; and a means for stiffening at least one of the at least two opposite sidewalls

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in the erected configuration, the stiffening means being moveable between a non-deployed and a deployed position.

The improved container of the present invention includes a deployable stiffening means for 5 increasing the rigidity of the container in the erected configuration. This enables the container to be carried in a more comfortable, stable and safe manner than the known collapsible container. The stiffening means is returnable to a non-deployed position to reduce the rigidity of the container when no longer in use, allowing the container to be collapsed to facilitate storage.

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Preferably, the container has a stiffening means on each of the at least two opposite sidewalls for respectively stiffening each of the at least two opposite sidewalls in the erected configuration.

15 Preferably, each of the at least two opposite sidewalls includes two or more portions or areas which are flexibly linked to one another and to the remaining sidewalls of the container so that the container can be collapsed by relative folding of the portions or areas of the at least two opposite sidewalls and inward folding of the remaining sidewalls to form the substantially flat structure. More preferably, the substantially flat structure is foldable 20 upon itself to form a more compact article convenient for carrying. More preferably, central regions of the bottom and the at least two opposite sidewalls include a spaced pair of fold lines which extend across the bottom and up each of the at least two opposite sidewalls for permitting the substantially flat structure to be folded substantially in half to form a compact article.

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Preferably, each of the at least two opposite sidewalls of the container includes a substantially rigid edge portion along an edge of the container, the edge portion on each sidewall being engageable by the stiffening means or the respective stiffening means. More preferably, the substantially rigid edge portion is positioned along the edge of the 30 container on either side of the central region of the sidewalls.

Preferably, the substantially rigid edge portions are formed as length of substantially rigid material of U-section and arranged so that the edge of the respective sidewall of the container is received in the slot between the walls of the U-section. More preferably, a 35 folded over potion of the edge of the respective sidewall of the container is received in the slot between the walls of the U-section. These measures provide a more rigid edge

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construction in which the folded over edge is sandwiched between the sidewalls of the rigid edge portion of U-section.

Preferably the edge portions run substantially along the entire length of each of the at least 5 two opposite sidewalls on either side of the respective central regions. This further enhances the rigidity of the sidewalls of the container while allowing the container to be collapsed.

Preferably the stiffening means includes a slide of substantially rigid material for each of 10 the at least two opposite sidewalls, each slide being slidably mounted on the edge portions of the opposite sidewalls and being slidable from a non-deployed position on one side of the respective central portion of sidewalls to a deployed position spanning the central region so that the respective slide engages the edge portions on both sides of the central region. This provides a simple, convenient and effective way of enhancing the rigidity of 15 the container when erecting the container.

Preferably the stiffening means includes a stop on the edge portion on one side of the central portion of each of the opposite sidewalls for limiting the sliding movement of each slide in the deployed position. Preferably the stiffening means includes a further stop on 20 the edge portion on the other side of the central portion of each of the opposite sidewalls for limiting the sliding movement of each slide in the non-deployed position.

Preferably the slide is engagable with the or each stop so as to increase the manual force required for movement of the slide between the deployed and non-deployed positions 25 More preferably, the slide is engagable with both of the respective stops in the non-deployed and deployed positions. This provides a quick and simple way of anchoring the slide in the non-deployed and/or the deployed position until sufficient manual force is applied to the slide to change the position to the deployed or the deployed position.

30 Preferably the or each stop is the head of a fastener for fastening the edge portion to the respective sidewall of the container. This provides the fastener with a dual purpose and provides an effective way of anchoring the slide without increasing the number of components forming the container or the slide.

35 Preferably the slides are slidably mounted on opposite sides of the respective central regions of the at least two sidewalls so that the slides are laterally offset in the non-

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deployed positions and laterally aligned in the deployed positions. This enables the container to be collapsed into the smallest volume to facilitate storage.

In an alternative embodiment, the stiffening means includes a rotatable locking member 5 rotatably mounted one edge portion of each of the at least two opposite sidewalls and rotatable to overlie the respective central region and engage with the other one of the edge portions. In a further alternative embodiment, the stiffening means includes at least one resilient clip for each sidewall engagable with the edge portions on either side of the respective central portion so as to overlie the central region. These provide simple 10 alternative means for increasing the rigidity of the container when it is erected.

Preferably the slide or locking member or resilient clip includes an enlarged gripping portion to increase the manual force available for deployment of the slide or rotatable locking device or resilient clip. This makes it easier to manually deploy the stiffening means.

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Preferably the container includes a friction varying element for varying the friction between the slide or the rotatable locking member or the resilient clip and the edge portions on each sidewall. The friction enhancing element may also enable the friction between the slide or locking device or resilient clip includes and the edge portions of the container to be varied. 20 These features reduce the tendency for the stiffening means to move between the deployed and non-deployed positions without manual intervention.

Preferably handles are provided in at least the other two sidewalls of the container in the form of partly cutout flaps, the flaps being capable of being folded over to stiffen the 25 respective sidewalls.

Preferably means are provided for securing portions of the container together when the container is fully collapsed, to maintain the compact form of the article.

30 Preferably a carrying handle is secured to the container in a position where it is exposed when the container is fully collapsed into the form of a compact article.

Preferably gussets are provided that are normally folded and positioned adjacent to affixed adjoining sides of said plurality of sidewalls and being manually extendable into the 35 container to permit stacking of said container. This allows two or more containers to be stacked, for example in a delivery vehicle or the boot of a car.

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Preferably the container is formed from a blank of polyethylene sheet and joined by ultrasonic welding.

5 One significant use of containers according to the invention is in supermarkets and other shops, where they may be employed by customers for removing purchases from the shop and collapsed when emptied for convenience of carrying on a subsequent visit to the shop and to enable the containers to be stored, for example, in the home or the boot of a vehicle, the collapsed container occupying a reduced space compared to the erected container.

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A number of other uses of the container are also envisaged. The container may, for example, be used for any of the following purposes, among others: a container for holding laundry; a container for storage of articles in the home, for example childrens' toys and games or articles for animals; a container for storing wet or dirty clothing or footwear; a

15 reusable container for loft storage or moving house; or a temporary or carrying cot for infants in aircraft.

The sidewalls of the container may bear advertising material pertaining to the organisation supplying the containers. Such material on the underside of the bottom will be visible even when the container is collapsed.

20 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be further described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying figures, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention in a fully erected configuration with a stiffening means in a non-deployed position;

25 Figure 2 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention in a fully erected configuration with a stiffening means in a deployed position;

Figure 3 is a side view of a container according to the invention in a fully erected configuration with a stiffening means in a non-deployed position;

Figure 4 is a side view of a container according to the invention in a fully erected

30 configuration with a stiffening means in a deployed position;

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Figure 5 is a perspective view of the bottom of the container of the invention;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a container according to the invention in a partially collapsed configuration with the stiffening means in the deployed position and the sidewalls partially collapsed towards the substantially flat structure in the collapsed configuration;

5 Figures 7 and 8 are perspective views of the same container when collapsed and respectively half folded and completely folded into its compact condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As shown in Figures 1, a generally rectangular container 1 comprises a bottom 2, two opposing sidewalls 3,4 and two opposing endwalls 5,6 which rise from the bottom. The 10 sidewalls are longer than the endwalls of the container. It will however be readily apparent that the container may also have sidewalls and endwalls of equal length or endwalls longer than sidewalls if desired.

The example shown in the drawings may be fabricated from a single sheet of stiff plastics material having fold and hinge forming properties, and can be erected from a blank that is 15 provided with fold or joint lines. As will be readily apparent, the blank may have a cruciform plan including means, such as flaps 7, which allow the sidewalls and endwalls of the container to be attached to one another and to the bottom, preferably permanently, to secure the container in its erected condition.

The bottom and opposing pairs of sidewalls and endwalls are formed of portions or regions 20 defined and interconnected by fold or joint lines. As shown in Figure 5, the bottom of the container has a pair of spaced parallel fold or joint lines 8 in a central region thereof which are parallel to the opposing endwalls. As shown in Figure 1, the sidewalls have a pair of spaced parallel fold or joint lines 9 in a central region thereof which are parallel to the endwalls and which form a continuation of the joint lines on the bottom of the container. 25 The sidewalls also have a pair of diagonal fold or joint lines 10 leading from a point proximate the bottom corners of the container to a point proximate the fold or joint lines in the central portion of the sidewalls. The endwalls do not have fold or joint lines other than to join with the sidewalls to form the container structure.

The joint lines are such that the bottom and at opposite sidewalls comprising a plurality of 30 portions or areas which are flexibly linked to one another and to the endwalls of the

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container so that the container can be collapsed from a fully erected to a compact configuration.

The upper edge of each endwall is folded outwardly over itself and joined to the outer surface of the endwall by a suitable joining process as described below. The upper edge of 5 each sidewall on each side of a central region thereof is also folded outwardly over itself and joined to the outer surface of the sidewall. The central region of the sidewalls preferably consists only of the single thickness sheet material.

The sidewalls of the container include an edge trim 11 of rigid plastics material substantially 10 along the length of the folded over portions of the edge of the sidewall on either side of the central portion. The edge trim is shown as a length of inverted U-section material arranged so that the folded over edge of the sidewall of the container is received in the slot defined between the walls of the trim. The edge trim is attached to the sidewalls of the container by a suitable fastening device which may, for example, be a plastic rivet or clip 12 passing 15 though a hole through the walls of the edge trim and through the folded over edge of the sidewall. The fastener may protrude from one or both sides of the edge trim. A length of edge trim may also be fastened to the opposite endwalls of the container, but this is not generally necessary.

20 The container includes a pair of slides 13 of rigid plastics material and preferably of inverted U-section. The slides preferably have tapered walls and/or or a protruding lip along the inward edges of the slot so they can be snap-fit over the edge trim to secure them relative to the edge trim. As will be evident from a comparison of Figure 1 with Figure 2 and Figure 3 with Figure 4, the slides are slidable along the edge trim from laterally 25 offset, non-deployed positions on respective opposite sides of the central portion of the sidewalls to aligned, deployed positions across the central portions 14 of the sidewalls in which they engage the edge trim portions on both sides of the central portion. In the deployed position, the slides serve to brace each sidewall and thereby enhance the stiffness of the sidewalls and the overall rigidity of the container.

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The limits of sliding movement of the slides are defined by the fasteners 12 which fasten the edge trim to the edge of the sidewalls of the container which serve as hard stops for the slides. The stops may alternatively be provided by an integral pin or hinged flap (not shown) protruding from the ends of the folded over edge of the sidewalls of the container of 35 from the edge trim. The sliding movement of the slides may also be defined by a pin (not

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shown) protruding from the slide or edge trim which slides along an elongate slot or recess in a respective opposite one of the edge trim or slide.

The slides may be configured so as to be engageable with the heads of the fasteners or 5 other type of end stops in one or both of the deployed and non-deployed positions. The slides may, for example, include a hole through, or recess in, (not shown) the wall of the opposite walls of the slide so that movement of the slides over the fasteners causes the slides to be anchored by the fasteners. Alternatively, the slides may have a slot or a keyhole-shaped cut out (not shown) in one or both ends of the slides which frictionally 10 engages with the head of the fastener(s). This increases the manual force required to slide the slides between the non-deployed and deployed positions and thereby reduces the potential for non-deliberate movement of the slides during use of the container. Alternatively or additionally, a friction enhancing or varying element may be provided to increase the friction between the slides and the edge trim to prevent non-deliberate sliding 15 movement of the slides. This may take the form, for example, of a length of material on the underside of the slide or the top of the edge trim to increase the coefficient of friction, or a defined taper of the walls of the slides so they have a tighter fit over the edge trim, or a pin protruding from the slide or edge trim which slides along an elongate slot or recess in a respective opposite one of the edge trim or slide, or a manually adjustable screw, which 20 may be formed from rigid plastics material, threadably engaged with the slide which bears on the surface of the edge trim to increase the friction therebetween. Other suitable means will be readily apparent.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown), the stiffening means may be a rotatable locking 25 member such as link or catch hinged or pivoted to the edge trim on one side of the central portion of each of the sidewalls and rotatable to a deployed position in which the locking member spans the central portion of each sidewall and engages the edge trim on both sides of the central portion of each sidewall. The rotatable member may, for example, be positioned to the side of the edge trim on one side of the central portion of the sidewall and 30 rotatable to engage with a corresponding pin or slot in the edge trim on the other side of the central portion to brace each sidewall of the container.

Alternatively (not shown) the locking member may be link or catch of H-section pivoted at one end to the edge trim on one side of the central portion of the sidewalls and rotatable to 35 engage the edge trim on the other side of the central portion so that one U-shaped recess of the H-section member lies over the edge trim portion on one side of the central portion in

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the non-deployed position, and the opposite U-shaped recess of the H-section locking member engages the edge trim portion on both sides of the central portion in the deployed position.

In a further alternative embodiment (not shown), the stiffening means include a elongate 5 resilient clip of U-section which can be manually clipped over the edge trim to overlie the central portion of each side of the container and engage the edge trim on both sides of the central portion and thereby brace each of the sidewalls. The clip may be attached to the container by a length of cord or other suitable tethering means.

For carrying the container when erected and loaded, handles 15 may be provided in or on 10 the endwalls as shown, or on all sidewalls. These handles may conveniently take the form of partly cut-out flaps 16 interconnected with the main body of each side by folded lines. If handle flaps are formed in the sidewalls in which the folds are formed, the latter may extend across the flaps. The flaps 16 are folded round and up to form the handles, the end of the flap being tucked into the space between the outer surface of the endwall of the 15 container and the folded over top edge of the endwall. The flap is therefore folded substantially up and back on itself which serves to stiffen the handles and the endwalls and inhibit inward folding and collapse of the container.

A gusset element 17 may also be provided, by appropriate cutting and fold line forming in the blank, in each corner of the container. When folded out into the envelope of the 20 container, the deployed gussets enable erected containers to be stacked on top of each other without nesting and without the need for a lid for the container.

The container is preferably formed from polyethylene sheet material joined by ultrasonic welding. Alternatively, it may be made of polypropylene sheet material joined by adhesive bonding or by a thermosetting fabrication process such as the method described in Patent 25 No. 1603 489, according to which a blank is prepared by providing a sheet of thermoplastics material of predetermined shape, heating the sheet along a predetermined pattern of straight and/or curved lines on one face thereof to a temperature at which the material is softened along the said lines, folding the sheet along the said lines in an appropriate jig while the material of the sheet is still soft along the said lines, and retaining 30 the sheet in its folded state in the jig until the material along the said lines is cool and stiffens, the said pattern of lines conferring on the blank a tendency to assume the folded condition necessary for erection of the article.

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The container is preferably made from recycled materials, for example, recycled supermarket carrier bags.

In use, the container is collapsible from an erected configuration to a collapsed configuration by manually returning the stiffening means 13 from the deployed to the non-5 deployed position to relax the sidewalls of the container as shown in Figure 6 and by relative folding of the portions or areas of the opposing sidewalls 3,4 and inward folding of the opposing endwalls 5,6 close against the bottom 2 to form a substantially flat structure with the sidewalls lying on top of the bottom and the endwalls lying on top of the collapsed sidewalls. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the collapsed structure is then foldable to double 10 the structure upon itself to form a more compact article 18 convenient for carrying.

In order to retain the fully collapsed container in its compact condition, for ease of carrying, fastening means , for example press studs or snap fasteners 19, may be fitted in appropriate positions. A handle is provided, for example in the form of an additional transverse strap 20 formed with enlarged ends retained within slots in the central region of 15 the bottom. The fully collapsed container may then resemble a briefcase or handbag in appearance, as is evident from Figures 7 and 8.

The container is erectable in the reverse manner from the fully collapsed configuration to form an open container with upright sidewalls and endwalls. The stiffening means is manually deployable in the erected configuration to brace each of the opposite sidewalls 20 and thereby increase the stiffness of the container.

The container may be lined with a flexible material (not shown) that can be folded and unfolded with the container between the collapsed and the erected configurations. The lining may, for example, be a drawstring linen bag when the box is used to store laundry or other delicate items. The lining may be replaceable as it becomes worn. The lining may 25 also be waterproof where, for example, the container is intended for storage or transportation of wet clothing or footwear or chilled or frozen groceries. The lining may also be an insulated lining.

The container may have a removable lid (not shown) made of the same material as the container and dimensioned to fit over the erected sidewalls and endwalls of the container. 30 It is envisaged that the shallow opposing sidewalls and endwalls of the lid could also be collapsible and the collapsed lid could be laid on the collapsed and flattened sidewalls and endwalls of the container and folded with the collapsed structure over itself into the

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briefcase-type configuration shown in Figure 8 for convenient carrying and storage of the container and lid. Alternatively, it is envisaged that the flattened container structure may be positioned inside the upturned lid and the lid and container can be folded together into the compact briefcase-type configuration.

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Claims

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1. A collapsible container, convertible between an erected configuration and a collapsed configuration, comprising:

5 a bottom and a plurality of sidewalls which rise from the bottom in the erected configuration, the sidewalls being collapsible to overlie the bottom forming a substantially flat structure in the collapsed configuration;

and a means for stiffening at least one of the at least two opposite sidewalls in the erected configuration, the stiffening means being moveable between a non-deployed and a

10 deployed position.

2. A collapsible container according to claim 1 including a stiffening means on each one of the at least two opposite sidewalls for respectively stiffening each of the at least two opposite sidewalls in the erected configuration.

15

3. A collapsible container according to claim 1 or 2 wherein each of the at least two opposite sidewalls includes two or more portions or areas which are flexibly linked to one another and to the remaining sidewalls of the container so that the container can be collapsed by relative folding of the portions or areas of the at least two opposite sidewalls

20 and inward folding of the remaining sidewalls to form the substantially flat structure.

4. A collapsible container according to any of claims 1 to 3 wherein the substantially flat structure is foldable upon itself to form a more compact article convenient for carrying.

25 5. A collapsible container according to any preceding claim wherein central regions of the bottom and the at least two opposite sidewalls include a spaced pair of fold lines which extend across the bottom and up each of the at least two opposite sidewalls for permitting the substantially flat structure to be folded substantially in half to form a compact article.

30 6. A collapsible container according to claim 5 wherein each of the at least two opposite sidewalls of the container includes a substantially rigid edge portion along an edge of the container, the edge portion on each sidewall being engageable by the stiffening means.

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7. A collapsible container according to claim 5 or 6 wherein the substantially rigid edge portion is positioned along the edge of the container on either side of the central region of the sidewalls.

5 8. A collapsible container according to claim 7 wherein the substantially rigid edge portions are formed from a length of substantially rigid material of U-section and arranged so that the edge of the respective sidewall of the container is received in the slot between the walls of the U-section.

10 9. A collapsible container according to claim 8 arranged so that a folded over potion of the edge of the respective sidewall of the container is received in the slot between the walls of the U-section.

10. A collapsible container according to any of claims 7 to 9 wherein the edge portions 15 run substantially along the entire length of each of the at least two opposite sidewalls on either side of the respective central regions.

11. A collapsible container according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the stiffening means includes a slide of substantially rigid material for each of the at least two opposite

20 sidewalls, each slide being slidable relative to the edge portions of the opposite sidewalls from a non-deployed position on one side of the respective central portion of the sidewalls to a deployed position spanning the central region so that the respective slide engages the edge portions on both sides of the central region.

25 12. A collapsible container according to claim 11 wherein the stiffening means includes a stop on the edge portion on at least one side of the central portion of each of the opposite sidewalls for limiting the sliding movement of each slide in the deployed position.

13. A collapsible container according to claim 12 wherein the stiffening means includes 30 a further stop on the edge portion on the other side of the central portion of each of the opposite sidewalls for limiting the sliding movement of each slide in the non-deployed position.

14. A collapsible container according to claim 12 or 13 wherein the slide is engagable 35 with the or each stop so as to increase the manual force required for movement of the slide between the deployed and non-deployed positions.

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15. A collapsible container according to any of claims 12 to 14 wherein the or each stop is the head of a fastener for fastening the edge portion to the respective sidewall of the container.

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16. A collapsible container according to any of claims 11 to 15 wherein the respective slides are slidably mounted on opposite sides of the respective central regions of the at least two sidewalls so that the slides are laterally offset in the non-deployed positions and centrally aligned in the deployed positions.

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17. A collapsible container according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the stiffening means includes a rotatable locking member rotatably mounted one edge portion of each of the at least two opposite sidewalls and rotatable to overlie the respective central region and engage with the other one of the edge portions.

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18. A collapsible container according to any of claims 7 to 10 wherein the stiffening means includes at least one resilient clip for each sidewall engagable with the edge portions on either side of the respective central portion so as to overlie the central region.

20 19. A collapsible container according to any of claims 11 to 18 wherein the slide or locking member or resilient clip includes an enlarged gripping portion to increase the manual force available for deployment of the slide or rotatable locking device or resilient clip.

25 20. A collapsible container according to any of claims 11 to 19 including a friction varying element for varying the friction between the slide or the rotatable locking member or the resilient clip and the edge portions on each sidewall.

21. A container according to any of the preceding claims including handles in at least 30 the other two sidewalls of the container in the form of partly cutout flaps, the flaps being capable of being folded over to stiffen the respective sidewalls.

22. A container according to any of the preceding claims including means for securing portions thereof together when the container is fully collapsed, to maintain the compact

35 form of the article.

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23. A container according to any of the preceding claims including a carrying handle secured to the container in a position where it is exposed when the container is fully collapsed into the form of a compact article.

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24. A container according to any of the preceding claims including gussets normally folded and positioned adjacent to affixed adjoining sidewalls of said plurality of sidewalls and being manually extendable into the container to permit stacking of said container.

10 25. A container according to any of the preceding claims formed from a blank of polyethylene sheet joined by ultrasonic welding.

26. A container substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.