Abstract: A collapsible article comprising a plurality of foldably interconnected foldable sections/modules. The foldable sections can be part of cylindrical or conical surfaces. They can also be in the form of closing sections. When the foldable sections are part of tubular surfaces, either cylindrical or conical, they consist of four polygonal surface segments. The polygonal segments are curved/round in unfolded state and have a flat or approximately flat shape in partly folded and folded states. The folding process usually involves an abrupt transition between the unfolded and folded positions which makes the unfolded article almost as stable as non-foldable equivalents. The folding process usually requires application of force on the edges that form valley creases during folding.

Abstract: An article or portion of an article comprising a combination of at least two foldable modules that mutually hinder either their folding or unfolding during normal operation until additional force is applied on particular spots along the mutual foldable edges that connect the modules. The article or the portion of the article not only can perform almost as well as non-folding equivalents but also can have the advantages that foldability offers. Such foldable modules can define not only tubular cylindrical shapes but also conical ones and mixtures between them. They can also be built as closing collapsible modules.