Blank adapted to be folded and attached to a belt like member

Abstract

 The invention relates to a blank (1) adapted to be folded to thereby form a pocket and be attached to a belt like member (20), the blank (1) being formed as a sheet having a first major surface (a) and a second major surface (b), opposite to said first major surface (a), the blank (1) comprising a base portion (10) and four flaps (1, 2, 3, 4). The first and second flaps (1, 2) are adapted to be folded to form wall portions of a pocket. The third and fourth flaps (3, 4) are adapted to be folded thereafter to, on one hand form additional wall portions of the pocket, and on the other hand to, together with the base portion (10), extend around said belt like member. The third and fourth flaps (3, 4) are adapted to be detachably attached to each other thereby being able to hold the thus formed pocket to the belt like member.

Description

Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to a blank adapted to be folded to thereby form a pocket and be attached to a belt like member, the blank being formed as a sheet having a first major surface and a second major surface, opposite to said first major surface.

Technical Background

[0002] It is known to attach e.g. a step counter or a mobile phone pocket to a belt. The step counter is typically provided with an integrally formed clip which is pressed onto the belt from above. A mobile phone pocket is typically provided with a strap at its backside, the strap forming a loop through which the belt is thread.

[0003] The integrally formed clip makes the manufacture of the step counter unnecessary complicated.

[0004] Moreover, the above prior art are not especially flexible. They are not especially flexible when it comes to which sizes of accessories they can accommodate. They are not especially flexible when it comes to which sizes of belts they may be attached to. Typically they are designed to be able to accommodate a certain maximum size of accessories and to be attached to a certain maximum size of the belt. If the accessory or the belt is smaller than this, there will be an unwanted play whereby the accessory is not securely held in place. Even if it is not dropped it will move in an undesirable manner as the user moves.

[0005] Similar designs are also known for other uses, such as to attach different accessories to collars or belts worn by pets, such as dogs or cats.

Summary of invention

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a solution to the above problem. It is especially an object of the invention to provide a solution whereby it is possible to provide flexibility when it comes to securing an accessory to a belt like member. The belt like member may e.g. be a belt worn by a person. The belt like member may e.g. a collar or a belt of a harness worn by a pet, such as a dog or a cat. The belt like member may e.g. be a belt of a bag, a backpack or the like.

[0007] The accessory may e.g. be a step counter, a GPS device, a tracking device, an electronic identification tag, or any similar accessory.

[0008] This object has been achieved by a pocket formed of a blank which is of the kind indicated in the introductory part of the description and which is characterised in that the blank comprises; a base portion; a first flap extending in a first direction, along the major surfaces, from said base portion and being foldable relative to the base portion such that the first flap is able to at least partly overlap with the base portion with the first major surface of the first flap facing the first major surface of the base portion; a second flap extending in a second direction, along the major surfaces, from said base portion, the second direction having a major component opposite the first direction, wherein the second flap being foldable relative to the base portion such that the second flap is able to at least partly overlap with the base portion with the first major surface of the second flap facing the first major surface of the base portion; a third flap extending in a third direction, along the major surfaces, from said base portion, the third direction having a major component transverse to the first and second directions, wherein the third flap being foldable relative to the base portion such that it is able to overlap with the base portion with the first major surface of the third flap facing the first major surface of the base portion; and a fourth flap extending in a fourth direction, along the major surfaces, from said base portion, the fourth direction having a major component opposite the third direction, wherein the fourth flap being foldable relative to the base portion such that the fourth flap is able to at least partly overlap with the base portion, with the first major surface of the fourth flap facing the first major surface of the base portion; wherein the first and second flaps are adapted to be folded to form wall portions of a pocket; wherein the third and fourth flaps are adapted to be folded thereafter to on one hand form additional wall portions of the pocket and on the other hand to, together with the base portion, extend around said belt like member; and wherein the third and fourth flaps are adapted to be detachably attached to each other thereby being able to hold the thus formed pocket to the belt like member.

[0009] The blank is adapted to be used according to the following. In a first step, the accessory is placed onto the first major surface of the base member. Thereafter, the flaps are adapted to be folded in the order of their numbering. By folding the first and second flaps around the accessory the pocket thus will attain a size adapted to the size of the accessory. Thereafter the belt like member is placed on top of the thus folded first and second flaps. In a final step the third and fourth flaps are folded over the belt. Thereby the pocket will be closed and the thus formed loop around the belt will attain a size adapted to the size of the belt. Thus, the accessory will be held securely in place both in terms of avoiding to accidentally dropping it and in terms of being held in place without any unwanted movements of the accessory relative to the pocket or any unwanted movements of the pocket relative to the belt like member as the user moves.

[0010] Preferred embodiments of the invention appear in the dependent claims.

[0011] The fourth flap may be able to at least partly overlap with the third flap with the third flap positioned at least partly between the base portion and the fourth flap and with the second major surface of the third flap facing the first major surface of the fourth flap. Thereby the third and fourth flap may easily be flexibly attached to each other accommodating different sizes of the belt like member.

[0012] The second flap may be able to at least partly overlap with the first flap, with the first flap positioned at least partly between the base portion and the second flap and with the second major surface of the first flap facing the first major surface of the second flap. Thereby the first and second flap may form a closed loop around the accessory thereby temporarily holding it in place as the blank and accessory is further manipulated.

[0013] The first flap may at its second major surface be provided with a first side of a hook and loop arrangement. The second flap may at its first major surface be provided with a second side of a hook and loop arrangement, being the counter-side to the first side on the first flap. This is a preferred manner of allowing the flaps to be attached to each other in a position-wise flexible manner.

[0014] The third flap may at its second major surface be provided with a first side of a hook and loop arrangement. The fourth flap may at its first major surface be provided with a second side of a hook and loop arrangement, being the counter-side to the first side on the third flap. This is a preferred manner of allowing the flaps to be attached to each other in a position-wise flexible manner.

[0015] The third flap is provided the comparably soft side, typically the loop side, of the hook and loop arrangement. This is preferred, since any mismatch of the flaps exposing a part of the hook and loop arrangement will result in the comparably soft side being exposed.

Brief description of the drawings

[0016] The invention will by way of example be described in more detail with reference to the appended schematic drawings, which shows a presently preferred embodiment of the invention.

Fig 1 shows a blank in flat laid state with a first major surface visible.

Fig 2 shows the blank in flat laid state with a second major surface visible.

Fig 3 shows the blank in flat laid state with the first major surface visible and with an accessory being positioned on the blank.

Fig 4 shows the blank after a first flap has been folded.

Fig 5 shows the blank after a second flap has been folded.

Fig 6 shows the blank after a belt has been positioned over the accessory and the folded first and second flaps.

Fig 7 shows the blank after a third flap has been folded.

Fig 8 shows the blank after a fourth flap has been folded.

Fig 9 shows the belt and thus formed pocket from the side opposite to the one shown in fig 8.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0017] As is shown in fig 1, the blank (1) is formed as a sheet having a first major surface (a) and a second major surface (b), opposite to said first major surface (a), the blank (1). The blank (1) comprises in short a base portion (10) and four flaps (1, 2, 3, 4). The flaps (1, 2, 3, 4) extends along four orthogonal directions (D1, D2, D3, D4) named first, second, third and fourth direction respectively.

[0018] The first flap (1) extends in a first direction (D1), which extends along the major surfaces (a, b), from said base portion (10). The first flap (1) is foldable relative to the base portion (10) such that the first flap (1) is able to at least partly overlap with the base portion (10) with the first major surface (1a) of the first flap (1) facing the first major surface (10a) of the base portion (10).

[0019] The second flap (2) extends in a second direction (D2), which extends along the major surfaces (a, b), from said base portion (10). The second direction (D2) has at least a major component opposite the first direction (D1) and is in the preferred embodiment directly opposite to the first direction (D1). The second flap (2) is foldable relative to the base portion (10) such that the second flap (2) is able to at least partly overlap with the base portion (10) with the first major surface (2a) of the second flap (2) facing the first major surface (10a) of the base portion (10).

[0020] The third flap (3) extends in a third direction (D3), which extends along the major surfaces (a, b), from said base portion (10). The third direction (D3) has a at least a major component transverse to the first and second directions (D1, D2) and is in the preferred embodiment directly transverse to the first and second directions (D1, D2). The third flap (3) is foldable relative to the base portion (10) such that it is able to overlap with the base portion (10) with the first major surface (3a) of the third flap (3) facing the first major surface (10a) of the base portion (10).

[0021] The fourth flap (4) extends in a fourth direction (D4), which extends along the major surfaces (a, b), from said base portion (10). The fourth direction (D4) has a at least a major component opposite the third direction (D3) and is in the preferred embodiment directly opposite to the third direction (D3). The fourth flap (4) is foldable relative to the base portion (10) such that the fourth flap (4) is able to at least partly overlap with the base portion (10), with the first major surface (4a) of the fourth flap (4) facing the first major surface (10a) of the base portion (10).

[0022] The blank (1) is adapted to be folded to thereby form a pocket and be attached to a belt (20) or belt like member. When an accessory (30) is to be attached to the belt (20), the blank (1) is adapted to be used in accordance with the following.

[0023] The accessory (30) is in a first step placed on the first major surface (10a) of the base portion (10) (as shown in fig 3).

[0024] Thereafter the first and second flaps (1, 2) are folded to form wall portions of a pocket (as shown in fig 4 and fig 5, respectively).

[0025] Thereafter the belt (20) is positioned over the accessory (30) and the folded first and second flaps (1, 2) (as shown in fig 6).

[0026] Thereafter the third and fourth flaps (3, 4) are folded to on one hand form additional wall portions of the pocket and on the other hand to, together with the base portion (10), extend around the belt (20) (as shown in fig 7 and fig 8, respectively).

[0027] The third and fourth flaps (3, 4) are adapted to be detachably attached to each other thereby being able to hold the thus formed pocket to the belt (20).

[0028] It may be noted that when it is said that a surface is facing another surface there may be objects located in between said surfaces. For instance is the accessory (30) located between the first major surfaces (1a, 2a) of the first and second flap (1, 2) and the base portion (10a).

[0029] The fourth flap (4) is able to at least partly overlap with the third flap (3) with the third flap positioned at least partly between the base portion (10) and the fourth flap (4) and with the second major surface (3b) of the third flap (3) facing the first major surface (4a) of the fourth flap (4).

[0030] The second flap (2) is able to at least partly overlap with the first flap (1), with the first flap (1) positioned at least partly between the base portion (10) and the second flap (2) and with the second major surface (1b) of the first flap (1) facing the first major surface (2a) of the second flap (2).

[0031] The first flap (1) is at its second major surface (1b) provided with a first side (11a) of a hook and loop arrangement. The second flap (2) is at its first major surface (2a) provided with a second side (11b) of a hook and loop arrangement, being the counter-side to the first side (11a) on the first flap (1). A hook and loop arrangement may e.g. be of the kind commonly known as a Velcro.

[0032] The third flap (3) is at its second major surface (3b) provided with a first side (12a) of a hook and loop arrangement. The fourth flap (4) is at its first major surface (4a) provided with a second side (12b) of a hook and loop arrangement, being the counter-side to the first side (12a) on the third flap (3).

[0033] The third flap (3) is in the preferred embodiment provided with the softer side of the hook and loop arrangement. This is typically the comparably softer loop side of the hook and loop arrangement (as compared to the typically stiffer or harder hook side of the hook and loop arrangement).

[0034] The exact sizes of the different flaps (1, 2, 3, 4) and the base portion (10) will be dependent upon the intended use. It is e.g. conceivable that there are provided different blanks adapted for different ranges of the width of the belt e.g. by providing different blanks having different sizes of the third and fourth flaps along the third and fourth direction, respectively. Similarly, other dimensions may be designed for different ranges of intended use. It is preferred that the size of the base portion (10) is adapted to the size of the accessory the blank is intended to enclose.

[0035] In the preferred embodiment the blank is formed of a rubber sheet material, such as neoprene rubber. However, basically any material fulfilling the criteria of a) being flexible enough to be folded about the accessory and b) being strong enough to form a pocket holding the accessory in place during the intended use may be used. Of course, different uses may impart other kinds of criteria. This may e.g. be caused by safety regulations, environmental regulations or the like.

[0036] The hook and loop arrangement is preferably provided as patches fastened to the flaps as shown in the figures. The patches are preferably sewn to the flaps. Alternatively, they may be glued or otherwise adhesively fastened.

[0037] It is contemplated that there are numerous modifications of the embodiments described herein, which are still within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0038] It may e.g. be noted that although the base portion and the flaps all are shown as rectangles, it is conceivable to use other forms. It is e.g. conceivable to form the base portion as an octagonal, a truncated ellipsoid, a truncated circle or the like, as long as the flaps may be folded in the desired directions from the base portion. It e.g. conceivable to form the flaps basically in any desired shape as long as they may be folded in the desired directions from the base portion and as long as they result in the desired overlap in relation the other flaps and in relation to the base portion.

Claims

1. Blank (1) adapted to be folded to thereby form a pocket and be attached to a belt like member (20), the blank (1) being formed as a sheet having a first major surface (a) and a second major surface (b), opposite to said first major surface (a), the blank (1) comprising
a base portion (10),
a first flap (1) extending in a first direction (D1), along the major surfaces (a, b), from said base portion (10) and being foldable relative to the base portion (10) such that the first flap (1) is able to at least partly overlap with the base portion (10) with the first major surface (1a) of the first flap (1) facing the first major surface (10a) of the base portion (10),
a second flap (2) extending in a second direction (D2), along the major surfaces (a, b), from said base portion (10), the second direction (D2) having a major component opposite the first direction (D1), wherein the second flap (2) being foldable relative to the base portion (10) such that the second flap (2) is able to at least partly overlap with the base portion (10) with the first major surface (2a) of the second flap (2) facing the first major surface (10a) of the base portion (10),
a third flap (3) extending in a third direction (D3), along the major surfaces (a, b), from said base portion (10), the third direction (D3) having a major component transverse to the first and second directions (D1, D2), wherein the third flap (3) being foldable relative to the base portion (10) such that it is able to overlap with the base portion (10) with the first major surface (3a) of the third flap (3) facing the first major surface (10a) of the base portion (10), and
a fourth flap (4) extending in a fourth direction (D4), along the major surfaces (a,b), from said base portion (10), the fourth direction (D4) having a major component opposite the third direction (D3), wherein the fourth flap (4) being foldable relative to the base portion (10) such that the fourth flap (4) is able to at least partly overlap with the base portion (10), with the first major surface (4a) of the fourth flap (4) facing the first major surface (10a) of the base portion (10),
wherein the first and second flaps (1, 2) are adapted to be folded to form wall portions of a pocket,
wherein the third and fourth flaps (3, 4) are adapted to be folded thereafter to on one hand form additional wall portions of the pocket and on the other hand to, together with the base portion (10), extend around said belt like member, and
wherein the third and fourth flaps (3, 4) are adapted to be detachably attached to each other thereby being able to hold the thus formed pocket to the belt like member.

2. Blank according to claim 1, wherein the fourth flap (4) is able to at least partly overlap with the third flap (3) with the third flap positioned at least partly between the base portion (10) and the fourth flap (4) and with the second major surface (3b) of the third flap (3) facing the first major surface (4a) of the fourth flap (4).

3. Blank according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the second flap (2) is able to at least partly overlap with the first flap (1), with the first flap (1) positioned at least partly between the base portion (10) and the second flap (2) and with the second major surface (1b) of the first flap (1) facing the first major surface (2a) of the second flap (2).

4. Blank according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the first flap (1) is at its second major surface (1b) provided with a first side (11a) of a hook and loop arrangement.

5. Blank according to claim 4, wherein the second flap (2) is at its first major surface (2a) provided with a second side (11b) of a hook and loop arrangement, being the counter-side to the first side (11a) on the first flap (1).

6. Blank according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the third flap (3) is at its second major surface (3b) provided with a first side (12a) of a hook and loop arrangement.

7. Blank according to claim 6, wherein the fourth flap (4) is at its first major surface (4a) provided with a second side (12b) of a hook and loop arrangement, being the counter-side to the first side (12a) on the third flap (3).

8. Blank according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the third flap (3) is provided with a soft side of the hook and loop arrangement.

Drawing