Abstract:
A tubular container that can be bent at multiple angles to hold and protect irregular (non-straight) items. The container comprises at least one rigid, hollow straight section and at least one hollow tubular connector piece. The connector piece is configured to fit partially within the straight sections and comprises at least one V-shaped notch at which the tubular container can bend.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This patent relates to a container for holding and shipping non-straight products such as automobile body molding, vehicle brake lines or other bent tubing products. 
   DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 
   Round tubular shipping containers (i.e. tubular containers having round cross-sections) are useful for protecting and shipping straight products such as window blinds, golf clubs and fishing poles. However, round shipping containers can roll off flat tables and conveyor belts and generally are limited to items that are straight. Even non-round or flat sided tubular shipping containers, if rigid, generally cannot be used to protect irregular (non-straight) items because they cannot bend. 
   The present invention overcomes these disadvantages by providing a rigid, flat-sided tubular shipping tube that can bend at various angles in order to accommodate irregular shaped (non-straight) items. 
   Further objects of the invention will appear from the description, accompanying drawings, and appended claims. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention is a tubular container that can be bent at multiple angles to hold and protect irregular (non-straight) items. The container comprises at least one rigid, hollow straight section and at least one hollow tubular elbow or connector piece. The connector is configured to fit partially within the straight sections and comprises at least one V-shaped notch at which the tubular container can bend. 
   Each straight section is formed from a folded blank and has a polygonal cross-section. For example, in a preferred embodiment, each straight section comprises four substantially rectangular panels folded into a tubular shape having a triangular cross-section. 
   Each connector is also formed from a folded blank and has a polygonal cross-section. The blank comprises cut out sections that, when the blank is folded, form the V-shaped notches. In a preferred embodiment, each connector comprises four substantially rectangular panels folded into a tubular shape having a triangular cross-section. Each connector is slightly smaller than the straight sections so that it can fit within the straight sections. 
   To assemble a tubular container, a connector is inserted inside either end of a center straight section up to the desired V-shaped notch. A second connector may be inserted into the opposing end of the straight section up to a V-shaped notch having the same or a different angle as the notch on the first connector. Additional straight sections may be slid over the connectors up to the V-shaped notches, leaving the notches exposed so that the container can bend at the notches. The assembled container can be bent or folded up to the predetermined angle(s) defined by the notches with the connectors acting as hinges. 
   Any number of straight sections may be connected using the connectors. End caps may be used to cover the exposed ends of the assembled container. 

   
     THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a multiple angle tubular container according to the present invention. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a straight section used in the container of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 2A  is an elevational view of an end of the straight section of  FIG. 2 . 
       FIG. 3  is a top plan view of a blank used to make a connector used in the container of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a connector used in the container of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 5  is a top view of the connector of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 6  is a side view of the connector of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is an elevational view of an end of the connector of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the multiple angle tubular container of  FIG. 1  shown in a straight position and in phantom lines in an angled position. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Turning to the drawings, there is shown in  FIG. 1  one embodiment of the present invention, a rigid, non-round tubular shipping container  10  useful for protecting and shipping straight or non-straight items. In the preferred embodiment shown, the container  10  comprises two or more (n) rigid straight sections  12  joined by (n−1) connectors  14 . However, the invention may comprise a single straight section  12  and either one or two connectors  14 . 
     FIG. 2  is a perspective view and  FIG. 2A  is an end view of a straight section  12 . In the illustrated embodiment, the straight section  12  comprises four substantially rectangular panels joined together along fold lines to form a rigid, hollow tubular structure with opposing ends. Each straight section  12  may be formed from a blank (not shown) that has been folded lengthwise such that one panel overlaps and is affixed to another panel by adhesive or other means as best shown in  FIG. 2A . The blank may be formed from paperboard, corrugated board, plastic, metal or other suitable material. Alternatively, the straight sections  12  (and the connectors  14 ) may be formed by molding, extrusion (particularly if the straight section is plastic), or any other suitable means. 
   The straight sections  12  may have a triangular cross section as shown in the figures, or any suitable cross sectional shape, such as a rectangle or other polygon. The straight sections  12  have an internal bore that can accommodate the connectors  14  and may be cut to any length. 
     FIG. 3  is a plan view of a blank  20  used to form a connector  14 . The blank  20  may be made from corrugated board, paperboard, plastic, metal or other suitable material, and comprises first and second edges  22 ,  24  extending between opposing ends  26 . In the illustrated embodiment, parallel fold lines  28 ,  30 ,  32  extend longitudinally between the ends  26 , dividing the blank into four substantially rectangular panels: a bottom panel  38 , side panels  36 ,  40 , and an overlapping panel  34 . 
   In a key aspect of the invention, one or more V-shaped sections  42  are cut out of the side panels  36 ,  40  and the overlapping panel  34  such that, when the blank  20  is folded, the V-shaped cut out sections  42  align to form V-shaped notches  16  where the connector  14  can be bent, as explained more fully below. 
   For example, first V-shaped sections  42   a  may be cut out of side panels  36 ,  40  at an angle of 60 degrees such that their apexes  43  are adjacent the bottom panel  36 . Another V-shaped section  42   a  is cut out of the overlapping panel  34  such that its base (the side away from the apex) adjoins the base of the V-shaped section  42   a  cut out of the side panel  36 . 
   Each of the three V-shaped cut out sections  42   a  is defined by opposing edges  44   a . When the blank  20  is assembled into a tubular connector  14  the opposing edges  44   a  define two planes that intersect at a 60 degree angle. 
   Likewise, second and third V-shaped sections  42   b ,  42   c  may be cut out of side panels  36 ,  40  and the overlapping panel  34  at angles of 90 and 30 degrees respectively so that, when the blank  20  is assembled into a tubular connector  14 , two additional V-shaped notches  16   b ,  16   c  are formed having opposing edges  44   b ,  44   c  that intersect at 90 and 30 degrees respectively. 
     FIGS. 4-7  show various views of an assembled connector  14 . To assemble the connector  14 , the blank  20  is folded at the fold lines  28 ,  30 ,  32  and the overlapping panel  34  may be glued or otherwise affixed to the side panel  40 . 
   The angle of the V-shaped notches  16  determines the angle at which the connector  14  may be folded. For example, if the angle of the notch  16  is 90 degrees (see V-shaped notch  16   b ), then the connector  14  may be folded at a 90 degree angle, which will cause the opposing edges  44   b  to abut. As shown in  FIGS. 4-6 , multiple notches  16   a ,  16   b ,  16   c  having varying angles may be die cut into a single connector  14  to provide multiple folding angles. 
     FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the multiple angle tubular container  10  of  FIG. 1  before and, in phantom lines, after it has been folded or bent. To assemble the container  10  shown in  FIG. 8 , two connectors  14  are inserted inside either end of the center straight section  12  up to the desired V-shaped notch  16 . The two connectors  14  may be slid up to V-shaped notches  16  having the same or different angles, depending on the desired bending characteristics of the container  10 . Two more outer straight sections  12  are then slid over the connectors  14  up to the same V-shaped notches  16 . The V-shaped notches  16  at which the container is to be bent must be completely exposed, and not covered by the outer straight sections  12 , to enable the container  10  to be fully bent. The assembled container  10  can then be bent up to the predetermined angle(s) of the notches  16  using the connectors  14  as hinges. 
   Any number of outer straight sections  12  may be connected using the connectors  14 . The connectors  14  and straight sections  12  may be glued or otherwise affixed to each other. Optional end caps (not shown) may be used to cover the exposed ends of the container  10 . 
   The straight sections  12  and connectors  14  may be slid over the item to be protected. Alternatively, if the straight sections  12  and/or connectors  14  cannot be slid past any bends or angles in the item, the straight sections  12  and/or connectors  14  may be folded and glued around the item. In the latter instance, to remove the item the straight sections  12  and/or connectors  14  may be disassembled or destroyed. 
   In an alternative embodiment, the container  10  comprises only a notched connector piece  14  such as that shown in  FIGS. 5-7 . As with the preferred embodiment, the connector piece  14  can be bent by folding it along the un-notched (bottom) panel  38  to butt the opposing edges  44  of a notch  16 . 
   Other modifications and alternative embodiments of the invention are contemplated which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the foregoing teachings and appended claims. It is intended that the claims cover all such modifications that fall within their scope.