Formwork

1 . A collapsible formwork element, the element including:

a pair of opposing side wall panels; and

at least one connector extending between the side wall panels,

wherein the at least one connector includes at least two hinge portions that permit movement of the element between an expanded configuration, wherein the opposing panels are spaced apart, and a collapsed configuration, wherein the opposing panels are relatively closer together, and

wherein the hinge portions are formed of a material that is more flexible than the material forming the remainder of the connector, which is substantially rigid, so as to provide a hinge type action.

2 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector includes a center panel between a pair of hinged ends provided by the hinge portions.

3 . A collapsible formwork element claimed in claim 2 , wherein the hinged ends are configured to be engaged with the side wall panels.

4 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector is produced via co-extrusion, with a first extrusion material forming the hinge portions and a second extrusion material forming the remainder of the connector.

5 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector is releasably attachable between the opposing side panels.

6 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the opposing side wall panels include slots therein to respectively receive the hinged ends of the least one connector via a sliding engagement.

7 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 2 , wherein, in the expanded configuration, the center panel of the at least one connector extends substantially perpendicular to the opposing side wall panels.

8 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the formwork element includes a plurality of connectors.

9 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the formwork element is configured to snap lock into the expanded configuration.

10 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 9 , wherein snap locking is provided via a hook tab that extends from the at least one connector member and is configured to engage a corresponding catch projection on one of the opposing side wall members as the formwork element moves into the expanded configuration.

11 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the side wall panels include one or more channels therein extending substantially vertically therethrough.

12 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the lateral ends of the opposing side wall panels include engagement portions for engagement with like collapsible formwork elements so as to allow formation of a formwork structure comprised of a plurality of the collapsible formwork elements.

13 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the engagement portions are configured to provide snap lock engagement between neighbouring formwork elements.

14 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector member and side wall panels are each separately formed as single extruded pieces.

15 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the at least one connector and the opposing side wall panels are together integrally formed as a unitary piece.

16 . A collapsible formwork element, the element including:

a pair of opposing side wall panels; and

at least one connector extending between the side wall panels,

wherein the at least one connector includes at least two hinge portions that permit movement of the element between an expanded configuration, wherein the opposing panels are spaced apart, and a collapsed configuration, wherein the opposing panels are relatively closer together, and

wherein the at least one connector is produced via co-extrusion, with a first extrusion material forming the hinge portions and a second extrusion material forming the remainder of the connector member.

17 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 16 , wherein the at least one connector and the opposing side wall panels are together integrally formed as a unitary piece.

18 . A collapsible formwork element, the element including:

a pair of opposing side wall panels; and

at least one connector extending between the side wall panels,

wherein the at least one connector includes at least two hinge portions that permit movement of the element between an expanded configuration, wherein the opposing panels are spaced apart, and a collapsed configuration, wherein the opposing panels are relatively closer together,

wherein the formwork element is configured to snap lock into the expanded configuration, and

wherein snap locking is provided via a hook tab that extends from the at least one connector and is configured to engage a corresponding catch projection on one of the opposing side wall members as the formwork element moves into the expanded configuration.

19 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the at least one connector and the opposing side wall panels are together integrally formed as a unitary piece.

20 . A collapsible formwork element as claimed in claim 18 , wherein the hinge portions make a hinged connection with the side wall panels.