Container capable of being opened by one hand

Abstract

A container (1) has a lower shell (2) and an upper shell (3) which are pivotably connected relative to one another by means of at least one hinge device (4) and which can be locked to one another in a locking position by means of at least one locking device (5). The container (1) has a pre-tensioning device (6) which pre-tensions the upper shell (3) in the opening direction such that the upper shell (3) opens at a predetermined opening angle relative to the lower shell (2) when the locking device (5) is unlocked.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container, such as a socket wrench box that can be opened with one hand, and a method for opening the container with one hand. Background Art

[0002] Traditional containers or socket wrench boxes can only be opened and closed awkwardly and with both hands. The object of the present invention is to enable the container to be opened with one hand. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This object is achieved by a subject matter having the features of the independent claims. Other embodiments are shown in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a container having a lower shell and an upper shell, the lower shell and the upper shell being connected by at least one hinge device so as to be pivotable relative to each other, and being able to be locked to each other in a locked position by at least one locking device. The container has a preloading device which, in particular in cooperation with the hinge device, preloads the upper shell in the opening direction such that the upper shell opens at a predetermined opening angle relative to the lower shell when the locking device is unlocked.

[0005] In the context of the present invention, the locked position means that the container is held in a closed state by the locking device, wherein the upper shell is substantially fixedly placed on the lower shell at an angle of 0°.

[0006] In the context of the present invention, a cavity is formed by the lower shell and the upper shell, and this cavity serves as a storage space inside the container. The container can be a box, such as a metal box, or can be a case. Preferably, the container is a toolbox, more preferably a socket wrench box. Especially in the case of manual activities, the user does not always have both hands available at the same time. Therefore, the container of the present invention advantageously ensures that the container can be opened with one hand and can also be closed with one hand.

[0007] In the context of the present invention, the preloading device can, for example, be a (metal) spring acting between the lower shell and the upper shell or a structure integrally provided with the lower shell or the upper shell. Such a structure can be provided by a slightly protruding contact surface of the lower shell or the upper shell, wherein the slightly protruding contact surface generates preloading by means of warping in the lower shell or the upper shell in the container held closed by the locking device.

[0008] The locking device is preferably located on the side of the container opposite to the hinge device. Further preferably, the locking device is located next to the handle of the container. Alternatively, the locking device can also be arranged on the side of the container.

[0009] The container of the present invention is convenient for the user to operate because the container can be opened with one hand, and the container itself can be slightly opened. The one-handed opening can be achieved by a pre-tensioning device in the hinge connection.

[0010] In one embodiment, the hinge device is a hinge strap, and the pre-tensioning device is an opening spring, preferably a torsion spring or a butterfly spring, arranged in or on the hinge strap. The pre-tensioning device pre-tensions the hinge strap in such a way that, when the locking device is unlocked, the upper shell opens at a pre-determined opening angle relative to the lower shell. Preferably, the hinge strap with the opening spring is a prefabricated component, thus simplifying the manufacture and assembly of the container.

[0011] In one embodiment, one or two hinge straps are provided, each of which has at least one upper hinge strap part connected to the upper shell, at least one lower hinge strap part connected to the lower shell, a metal pin passing through the upper hinge strap part and the lower hinge strap part to pivotally connect them to each other, and an opening spring which, when the locking device is unlocked, opens the upper hinge strap part at a pre-determined opening angle relative to the lower hinge strap part. At least the upper hinge strap part or the lower hinge strap part is mounted on the outer side of the lower shell or the upper shell and forms a placement surface for the container when the container is upright. The two placement surfaces of the two hinge straps are in a common plane, i.e., the two placement surfaces are coplanar. By providing two such hinge straps, two stable placement surfaces are provided. Preferably, the hinge straps together with the opening springs are provided as prefabricated components, thus simplifying the manufacture and assembly of the container.

[0012] In one embodiment, the hinge device is a hinge which includes: a first hinge strap part connected to one of the lower shell and the upper shell and two second hinge strap parts connected to the other of the lower shell and the upper shell; a metal pin passing through the first hinge strap part and the second hinge strap parts to pivotally connect them relative to each other; and an opening spring which, when the locking device is unlocked, opens the first hinge strap part at a pre-determined opening angle relative to the second hinge strap part. The opening spring is configured as an integral torsion spring and has a spring bow and two spring legs, the spring bow bearing against the inner side of one of the lower shell and the upper shell, and the spring legs bearing against the respective inner sides of the second hinge strap parts. Thereby a hinge or a hinge assembly is formed, in which the opening spring is already integrated in the hinge strap. This simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the container. Alternatively, the opening spring can also be divided into two parts, that is, the spring bow is separated, thus forming two leg springs.

[0013] In one embodiment, the locking device includes a handle and a handle engaging portion. The handle can pivot between a locked position and an open position and is attached to one of the lower housing and the upper housing, and the handle engaging portion is attached to the other of the lower housing and the upper housing. In the locked position, the hook engages with the handle engaging portion so that the lower housing and the upper housing are closed, and in the open position, it does not engage with the handle engaging portion so that the upper housing opens relative to the lower housing at a predetermined opening angle. The handle can have a rectangular inner profile. The outer profile of the handle can be arbitrary. The handle can have a closed structure or a U-shaped structure. When received within the handle, the handle engaging portion can have a shape complementary to the inner profile of the handle. Alternatively, the handle engaging portion can also latch with the outer profile of the handle. The handle and the handle engaging portion are used for simple, stable, and reliable locking. Depending on the position of the handle and depending on the position of the upper housing, it can be visually recognized from the outside whether the container is closed.

[0014] In one embodiment, the handle in the locked position surrounds and preferably latches the handle engaging portion. For example, the handle has a protrusion that engages and latches with the undercut of the handle engaging portion.

[0015] In one embodiment, the locking device includes a closing spring, preferably a leaf spring, which preloads the handle to the locked position. Thereby, the locking process is simplified and can be carried out autonomously if necessary. Even if multiple handles are unlocked successively, so that the handle that is unlocked first moves back towards its locked position before the next handle is unlocked, the upper housing can still be opened without problems because either the force of the closing spring can be determined such that this force alone is not sufficient to cause the handle to engage with the handle engaging portion again, or because there is a recess in which the closing spring latches in the open position. The upper housing can also bend slightly when the first unlocked handle is unlocked, so that the first handle cannot engage with the handle engaging portion and latch onto the handle engaging portion when elastically rebounding to its locked position.

[0016] One-handed opening and closing of the container can be achieved by a preloading device and a closing spring in the hinge connection. Thereby, autonomous closing of the container is also ensured.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, the leaf spring can include a non-movable spring portion fixed to one of the lower housing and the upper housing, and a movable spring portion fixed to the handle and allowing the handle to be pressed from the open position to the locked position and move to the locked position. The leaf spring can have the shape of a substantially rectangular sheet formed of spring steel.

[0018] In one embodiment, the closing spring is a leaf spring which, when the handle is in the open position, can be latched into a recess in one of the lower and upper shells. The force or spring constant of the closing spring can be determined in such a way that the force or spring constant is small enough that the leaf spring cannot be released from the recess belonging to the open position, but once the leaf spring has emerged from the recess belonging to the open position, the force or spring constant is large enough that the handle engages with the handle engagement part. In this case, it is sufficient to operate the handle briefly with one hand, so that the closing spring is released from the recess belonging to the open position, whereby the handle then engages on the handle engagement part via the closing spring and latches there automatically if necessary.

[0019] Additionally, a further recess can be provided in one of the lower and upper shells, into which the leaf spring can be latched when the handle is in the locked position. As long as there is a further recess belonging to the locked position, a separate latching device between the handle and the handle engagement part can be dispensed with.

[0020] In one embodiment, the locking device has a locking stop which prevents the locking device from being unlocked, that is to say prevents the handle from pivoting from the locked position to the open position. Thereby, unintentional opening of the container is prevented and transport insurance can be provided.

[0021] In one embodiment, the locking stop is configured such that, in a top view, the handle has a substantially elongate, preferably rectangular inner contour; the handle, in the locked position, surrounds the handle engagement part with its inner contour and is preferably latched onto the handle engagement part; the handle, in the locked position, preferably only in the locked position, can move relative to one of the lower and upper shells between a locked position and an unlocked position, preferably in a recess provided in one of the lower and upper shells, in a direction substantially parallel to the pivoting direction of the upper shell relative to the lower shell; the handle has a stop which, in the locked position, is held in a receiving part provided in one of the lower and upper shells, such that the handle cannot pivot to the open position in the locked position; and in the unlocked position, the stop is not held in the receiving part, such that in the unlocked position, the handle can pivot to the open position. It can be visually recognized from the outside whether the unlocking of the locked container has taken place, depending on the position of the handle.

[0022] In another embodiment, the locking device is configured such that a switch is provided on one of the lower shell and the upper shell, and the switch can be switched between a locked position and an unlocked position. In the locked position, the switch locks the deformation of the closing spring, such that the handle cannot pivot to the open position in the locked position. In the unlocked position, the switch does not lock the deformation of the closing spring, such that the handle can pivot to the open position in the unlocked position. The switch can be a toggle switch or a slide switch, and when the switch is in the locked position, it presses against the upper part of the leaf spring. Whether the unlocking of the container is locked can be visually recognized from the outside according to the position of the switch.

[0023] In one embodiment, the locking device includes a leaf spring that pre-tensions the handle to the locked position, and when the handle is in the open position, the leaf spring can engage in a recess in one of the lower shell and the upper shell. The switch prevents the leaf spring from reaching the recess in the locked position.

[0024] In one embodiment, a handle is provided on the side of the container facing away from the hinge device. The handle has a metal strip preferably made of spring steel, and the two ends of the metal strip are movably fastened to a support seat, and the support seat is provided on one of the lower shell and the upper shell. The metal strip is coated with a plastic sheath. The metal strip can be pulled out from the support seat to a predetermined extent and automatically pulled back into the support seat by the spring pre-tension. Here, the metal strip itself can be a cord-like spring steel core, and the spring steel core is fastened to the corresponding support seat at its end, for example, with a helical spring. The metal strip can also be formed as a helical spring integrally coated with a plastic sheath. This ergonomic handle provides greater comfort and carrying safety.

[0025] In one embodiment, each of the handles is pivotally mounted in a corresponding support seat. This simplifies the manufacture of the container, and there are only very small interference profiles or protruding surfaces.

[0026] In one embodiment, the lower shell, the upper shell, at least one hinge strip, and / or the handle are made of cold-rolled thin sheets.

[0027] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for opening a container with one hand is provided. The method has steps for operating the locking device with one hand so as to transfer the locking device from the locked position to the open position, thereby opening the upper shell at a predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell when the locking device is unlocked; grasping the upper shell with one hand at a gap formed by the predetermined opening angle between the lower shell and the upper shell; and opening the upper shell with one hand beyond the predetermined opening angle.

[0028] In one embodiment of the method, there is also a step for moving the handle and the switch from the locked position to the unlocked position with one hand. Description of the Drawings

[0029] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 A perspective view of a container according to an embodiment is shown.

[0031] Figure 2 A perspective view of a hinge band according to an embodiment is shown.

[0032] Figure 3 Shown Figure 1 detail X of.

[0033] Figure 4 Shown Figure 1 a top view of the container of.

[0034] Figure 5 A locking device with a locking means according to an embodiment is shown.

[0035] Figure 6 Shown Figure 1 a front view of the container of.

[0036] Figure 7 Shown Figure 1 a front view of the container of.

[0037] Figure 8 A locking device with a locking means according to another embodiment is shown.

[0038] Figure 9 Shown Figure 1 a top view of the container of.

[0039] The same or similar components in different drawings are provided with the same reference numerals. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0040] Figure 1 A perspective view of a container 1 according to an embodiment is shown. The container 1 has a lower shell 2 and an upper shell 3, and the lower shell 2 and the upper shell 3 are pivotally connected to each other by two hinge devices 4 and can be locked to each other in a locked position by two locking devices 5. The locked position means that the container 1 is held in a closed state by the locking device 5, in which the upper shell 3 is substantially fixedly placed on the lower shell 2 at an angle of 0°.

[0041] Container 1 has two pre-tensioning devices 6 which pre-tension the upper shell 3 in the opening direction such that, when the locking device 5 is unlocked, the upper shell 3 opens at a pre-determined opening angle relative to the lower shell 2. Preferably, the pre-determined opening angle is in the range of 2° to 10°, more preferably in the range of 3° to 8°. The gap between the lower shell 2 and the upper shell 3 is defined by the pre-determined opening angle at the same time. Preferably, the gap is in the range between 1 and 15 mm, more preferably between 2 and 5 mm, and most preferably between 2 and 3 mm.

[0042] Preferably, the pre-tensioning device 6 is a spring, more preferably a torsion spring, a disc spring or a leaf spring. Alternatively, the pre-tensioning device 6 can also be provided by a slightly convex contact surface of the lower shell 2 or the upper shell 3, wherein the slightly convex contact surface generates pre-tension in the container 1 held closed by the locking device 5 by means of warping in the lower shell 2 or the upper shell 3.

[0043] Figure 2 Shows a perspective view of the hinge strip 4 according to an embodiment, and Figure 3 shows Figure 1 detail X. According to Figures 1 to 3 the embodiment, the articulation device 4 is respectively a hinge strip 4, and the pre-tensioning device 6 is respectively an opening spring 6 provided in or on the hinge strip 4, preferably a torsion spring or a disc spring, which pre-tensions the hinge strip 4 such that, when the locking device 5 is unlocked, the upper shell 3 opens relative to the lower shell 2 at a pre-determined opening angle.

[0044] In Figures 1 to 3 the embodiment, two hinge strips 4 are provided, each of which has at least one upper hinge strip part 41 connected to the upper shell 3, at least one lower hinge strip part 42 connected to the lower shell 2, a metal pin 43 and an opening spring 6. The metal pin passes through the upper hinge strip part 41 and the lower hinge strip part 42 in order to pivotally connect them to each other. The opening spring opens the upper hinge strip part 41 at a pre-determined opening angle relative to the lower hinge strip part 42 when the locking device 5 is unlocked. The upper hinge strip part 41 and the lower hinge strip part 42 are respectively fixed or riveted to the upper shell 3 or the lower shell 2, wherein the rivet 44 passes through complementary openings 45 in the upper hinge strip part 41 or the lower hinge strip part 42. Alternatively, the upper hinge strip part 41 and the lower hinge strip part 42 can be screwed to the upper shell 3 or the lower shell 2.

[0045] In Figure 2 and Figure 3In this case, the opening spring 6 is configured as a torsion spring. The opening spring 6 has a spring bow 61 that abuts against the inner side of the upper shell 3. In addition, the opening spring 6 has two spring legs 62 that abut against the respective inner sides of the lower hinge belt member 42. Thereby, a hinge or hinge assembly is formed, wherein the opening spring 6 is already integrated in the hinge belt 4. Thereby, the assembly of the container 1 is simplified.

[0046] Figure 4 Shows Figure 1 A top view of the container 1. The upper hinge belt member 41 or the lower hinge belt member 42 is mounted on the outer side of the lower shell 2 or the upper shell 3 and forms a flat placement surface 46 for the container 1. The two placement surfaces 46 of the two hinge belts 4 are located in a common plane, that is, the two placement surfaces are coplanar. When the container 1 is upright, the container can be stably placed on the coplanar placement surfaces 46.

[0047] As further shown in Figure 1 In this case, the locking device 5 respectively has a handle 51 and a handle engaging portion 52 that can pivot between a locked position and an open position. The handle is currently mounted on the lower shell 2, and the handle engaging portion is currently mounted on the upper shell 3. The handle 51 respectively engages with the corresponding handle engaging portion 52 in the locked position, so that the lower shell 2 and the upper shell 3 are closed, and the upper shell 3 does not engage with the corresponding handle engaging portion 52 in the open position, so that the upper shell 3 opens relative to the lower shell 2 at a predetermined opening angle. In the locked position, the handles 51 respectively surround the corresponding handle engaging portions 52 and are latched thereon. For example, the handles 51 can each have a protrusion that engages with the undercut of the corresponding handle engaging portion 52 and latches the undercut portion of the corresponding handle engaging portion 52. Preferably, the locking device 5 respectively has a closing spring 53, preferably a leaf spring (see also Figure 5 And Figure 8 ), and the closing spring preloads the corresponding handle 51 into the locked position. Even if the two handles 51 are unlocked successively, so that the first unlocked handle 51 moves back towards its locked position before the second handle 51 is unlocked, the upper shell 3 can be opened without problems, because the force of the closing spring 53 is determined in such a way that the force is just not sufficient to cause the handle 51 to engage with the handle engaging portion 52. In addition, when the first handle 51 is unlocked, the upper shell 3 is slightly bent due to the force of the preloading device 6, so that the first handle 51 cannot engage with the handle engaging portion 52 and latch on the handle engaging portion when elastically retracting into its locked position.

[0048] Figure 5Fig. 5 shows a locking device 5 with a locking mechanism according to an embodiment. The locking mechanism can be locked and unlocked, i.e., prevent the handle 51 from pivoting from the locked position to the open position. Thus, the locking mechanism can be used as a shipping safeguard. The locking mechanism is configured such that in a top view, the handle 51 has a generally elongated, preferably rectangular inner profile, and in the locked position, the inner profile of the handle 51 surrounds and preferably latches onto the handle engagement portion 52. The handle 51 is movable in the locked position, preferably only in the locked position, in a direction substantially parallel to the pivoting direction of the upper housing 3 relative to the lower housing 2. The handle engagement portion 52 is correspondingly smaller in size than the inner profile of the handle 51. That is, the handle 51 can be displaced between a locked position and an unlocked position relative to one of the lower housing 2 and the upper housing 3. Here, the handle 51 can move in a recess 20 provided in the lower housing 2.

[0049] Figure 6 and Figure 7 respectively show Figure 1 the front views of the container 1. In Figure 6 , the locking mechanism, i.e., the shipping safeguard, is deactivated, while in Figure 7 , the locking mechanism, i.e., the shipping safeguard, is activated.

[0050] According to Figure 5 , the handle further has a stop 54 which is held in a receiving portion 55 provided in the lower housing 2 in the locked position, so that the handle 51 cannot pivot to the open position in the locked position. In the unlocked position, the stop 54 is not held in the seat 55, so that in the unlocked position, the handle 51 can pivot to the open position.

[0051] Figure 8 Fig. shows a locking device with a locking mechanism according to another embodiment. The locking mechanism is configured such that a switch 56 is provided on the lower housing 2, and the switch 56 can be switched between a locked position and an unlocked position. The switch 56 locks the deformation of the closing spring 53 in the locked position, so that the handle 51 cannot pivot to the open position in the locked position. In the unlocked position, the switch 56 does not lock the deformation of the closing spring 53, so that in the unlocked position, the handle 51 can pivot to the open position. The switch 56 can be a toggle switch or a slide switch, and when the switch is in the locked position, the switch presses against the upper part of the leaf spring 53.

[0052] When the handle 51 is in the locked position or in the open position, the leaf spring 53 can be engaged in the corresponding recesses 57, 58 in one of the lower housings 2. The leaf spring 53 is latched in the recess 57 in the locked position, and in the recess 58, the leaf spring 53 is latched in the open position. Here, the switch 56 prevents in the locked position: the leaf spring 53 from reaching its latchable position in the locked position. As long as the recess 57 is provided, the solution in which the handle 51 has protrusions respectively can be cancelled, and the protrusions engage with the undercuts of the corresponding handle engaging portions 52 and are latched with the undercuts.

[0053] Figure 9 shows Figure 1 A top view of the container 1. A handle 8 is arranged on the side of the container 1 facing away from the hinge device 4. The handle has a metal strip 81 preferably made of spring steel. The metal strip is movably fastened to the support seat 7 at its two ends. The support seat is arranged on one of the lower housing 2 and the upper housing 3. The fixing of the metal strip 81 on the support seat 7 can be achieved by means of rivets or screws or other fixing means. The metal strip 81 is coated with a plastic sheath 82. The metal strip 81 can be pulled out from the support seat 7 to a predetermined extent, as shown in Figure 9 shown. The metal strip 81 is automatically pulled back into the support seat 7 by spring preloading. The metal strip 81 can be a cord-shaped spring steel core, and the spring steel core is fastened to the corresponding support seat 7 by helical springs at its ends. The metal strip 81 can also be integrally constructed as a helical spring coated with a plastic sheath 82.

[0054] One of the two handles 51 can be pivotally mounted in the support seat 7 respectively, which simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the container 1. The lower housing 2, the upper housing 3, at least one hinge strip 4 and / or the handle 51 can be made of cold-rolled thin plates, such as DC01–DC07, especially DC06. The springs can all be made of spring steel, such as spring steel 1.4310. The plastic sheath 82 can be made of a soft plastic such as TPE (thermoplastic elastomer). The application of ink to the metal components can be carried out by powder coating; if necessary, the individual components can be polished or weakly oxidized.

[0055] Hereinafter, the operation and method of opening the container 1 with one hand will be described. First, operate or unlock the locking device 5, such as the handle 51, with one hand so that the locking device is transferred from the locked position to the open position. Thus, the upper housing 2 is opened at a predetermined opening angle relative to the lower housing 3 when the locking device is unlocked.

[0056] Next, grasp the upper shell 3 with one hand at a gap formed by a predetermined opening angle between the lower shell 2 and the upper shell 3. Then, the upper shell 3 can be further opened with one hand beyond the predetermined opening angle. By autonomously opening the upper shell 3 at the predetermined opening angle, it is not necessary to lift and hold the upper shell 3 with the second hand during the unlocking of the locking device 5. As long as the closing spring 53 is provided, the handle 51 does not have to be manually reset. Even if the two handles 51 are unlocked successively, so that the first unlocking handle 51 moves back towards its locking position before the second handle 51 is unlocked, the upper shell 3 can still be opened without problems because the force of the closing spring 53 is set in such a way that it is just not sufficient to cause the handle 51 to engage with the handle engagement part 52. In addition, the upper shell 3 is slightly bent by the force of the preloading device 6 when the first handle 51 is unlocked, so that the first handle 51 cannot engage with the handle engagement part 52 and latch onto it when elastically retracting into its locking position.

[0057] As long as a locking device is provided, the locking device can be moved with one hand, that is, the handle 51 or the switch 56 can be moved from the locked position to the unlocked position with one hand.

[0058] In a variant, the lower shell of the container can have feet, and the upper shell of the container can have complementary recesses that can accommodate the feet of the container provided thereon. Thus, a plurality of containers can be stably stacked on top of each other.

[0059] The container according to the invention enables system boxes, tools, materials, and other consumables to be stored with or without dispensing materials (such as deep-drawn inserts, etc.). The upper shell, lower shell, handle, support seat, hinge strip can alternatively be made of other materials, such as metals such as aluminum die-castings, stainless steel, etc., or plastics, wood, etc.

[0060] The closing mechanism can also be used in other application areas, such as an operating device for furniture, boxes, cases, suitcases, etc.

[0061] As a supplement, it should be noted that: "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. In addition, it should be noted that the features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments can also be used in combination with the other features or steps of the other above embodiments. The reference signs in the claims should not be regarded as limiting.

[0062] List of reference signs

[0063] 1 Container

[0064] 2 Lower shell

[0065] 3 Upper shell

[0066] 4 Hinge device

[0067] 5 Locking device

[0068] 6 Preloading device

[0069] 7 Support seat

[0070] 8 Handle

[0071] 20 Concave portion

[0072] 41 Upper hinge belt component

[0073] 42 Lower hinge belt component

[0074] 43 Metal pin

[0075] 44 Rivet

[0076] 45 Opening

[0077] 46 Placing surface

[0078] 51 Handle

[0079] 52 Handle joint portion

[0080] 53 Closing spring

[0081] 54 Stopper

[0082] 55 Accommodating portion

[0083] 56 Switch

[0084] 57 Concave portion

[0085] 58 Concave portion

[0086] 61 Spring bow

[0087] 62 Spring leg

[0088] 81 Metal strip

[0089] 82 Plastic sheath

Claims

1. A container (1) having a lower shell (2) and an upper shell (3), the lower shell and the upper shell being connected to each other in a pivotable manner by at least one hinge device (4) and being lockable to each other in a locked position by at least one locking device (5); Among them, The container (1) has a pre-tensioning device (6) that pre-tensions the upper shell (3) in the opening direction such that the upper shell (3) opens at a pre-determined opening angle with respect to the lower shell (2) when the locking device (5) is unlocked.

2. The container (1) according to claim 1, wherein, The hinge device (4) is a hinge strip (4), and the pre-tensioning device (6) is an opening spring (6) provided in or on the hinge strip (4), preferably a torsion spring or a disc spring, which pre-tensions the hinge strip (4) such that when the locking device (5) is unlocked, the upper shell (3) opens at a pre-determined opening angle with respect to the lower shell (2).

3. The container (1) according to claim 2, wherein, One or two hinge strips (4) are provided, each hinge strip having at least one upper hinge strip part (41) connected to the upper shell (3), at least one lower hinge strip part (42) connected to the lower shell (2), a metal pin (43), and an opening spring (6), the metal pin being guided through the upper hinge strip part (41) and the lower hinge strip part (42) to connect the upper hinge strip part and the lower hinge strip part to each other in a pivotable manner, and the opening spring causing the upper hinge strip part (41) to open at a pre-determined opening angle with respect to the lower hinge strip part (42) when the locking device (5) is unlocked; wherein at least the upper hinge strip part (41) or the lower hinge strip part (42) is mounted on the outside of the lower shell (2) or the upper shell (3) and forms a placement surface (46) for the container (1), and the two placement surfaces (46) of the two hinge strips (4) are in a common plane.

4. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The hinge device (4) is a hinge having a first hinge strip part (41) connected to one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3) and two second hinge strip parts (42) connected to the other of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), a metal pin (43), and an opening spring (6), the metal pin being guided through the first hinge strip part (41) and the second hinge strip parts (42) to connect the first hinge strip part and the second hinge strip parts to each other in a pivotable manner, and the opening spring causing the first hinge strip part (41) to open at a pre-determined opening angle with respect to the second hinge strip parts (42) when the unlocking device (5) is unlocked; And The opening spring (6) is configured as a torsion spring and has a spring bow (61) and two spring legs (62). The spring bow abuts against the inner side of one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), and the spring legs abut against the corresponding inner sides of the second hinge strip member (42).

5. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking device (5) has: a handle (51) pivotable between a locked position and an open position, the handle being mounted on one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3); and a handle engaging portion (52) mounted on the other of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), wherein, in the locked position, the handle (51) engages with the handle engaging portion (52), so that the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3) are closed, and in the open position, the handle (3) does not engage with the handle engaging portion (52), so that the upper shell (3) opens at a predetermined opening angle relative to the lower shell (2).

6. The container (1) according to claim 5, wherein the handle (51) surrounds the handle engaging portion (52) in the locked position and is preferably latched onto the handle engaging portion.

7. The container (1) according to claim 6, wherein the locking device (5) has a closing spring (53), preferably a leaf spring, which pre-tensions the handle (51) into the locked position.

8. The container (1) according to claim 7, wherein the closing spring (53) is a leaf spring (53) which can be latched into a recess (58) in one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3) when the handle (51) is in the open position, and the closing spring (53) can preferably be latched into another recess (57) in one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3) when the handle (51) is in the locked position.

9. The container (1) according to claim 8, wherein the spring constant of the leaf spring (53) is set in such a way that the spring constant is small enough not to release the leaf spring (53) from the recess (58) belonging to the open position, but the spring constant is large enough so that once the leaf spring (53) comes out of the recess (58) belonging to the open position, the handle (51) engages with the handle engaging portion (52).

10. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the locking device (5) has a locking device for preventing the locking device (5) from being unlocked.

11. The container (1) according to claims 10 and 5, wherein the locking device is configured such that in a top view, the handle (51) has a substantially elongated, preferably rectangular inner contour; the handle (51) surrounds the handle engaging portion (52) with its inner contour in the locked position and is preferably latched onto the handle engaging portion (52); In the locked position, preferably only in the locked position, in a direction substantially parallel to the pivoting direction of the upper shell (3) relative to the lower shell (2), the handle (51) can move relative to one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3) between a locked position and an unlocked position, preferably can move in a recess (20) provided in one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3); The handle has a stop (54), and the stop is held in a receiving portion (55) in the locked position, and the receiving portion is provided in one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), so that the handle (51) cannot pivot to the open position in the locked position; And In the unlocked position, the stop (54) is not held in the receiving portion (55), so that the handle (51) can pivot to the open position in the unlocked position.

12. The container (1) according to claims 10 and 5, wherein, The locking device is configured to: A switch (56) is provided on one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), and the switch can be switched between a locked position and an unlocked position. Wherein, the switch (56) prevents the closing spring (53) from deforming in the locked position, so that the handle (51) cannot pivot to the open position in the locked position, and the switch (56) does not prevent the switch spring (53) from deforming in the unlocked position, so that the handle (51) can pivot to the open position in the unlocked position.

13. The container (1) according to claim 12, wherein, The locking device (5) has a leaf spring (53), and the leaf spring pre-tightens the handle (51) to the locked position. When the handle (51) is in the open position, the leaf spring (53) can be latched in a recess (58) in one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3); and The switch (56) prevents the leaf spring (53) from reaching the recess (58) in the locked position.

14. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, A handle (8) is arranged on a side of the container (1) facing away from the hinge device (4). The handle has a metal strip (81) preferably made of spring steel. The two ends of the metal strip are movably fastened to a support seat (7), and the support seat is arranged on one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3). Wherein, the metal strip (81) is covered by a plastic sheath (82); Wherein, the metal strip (81) can be pulled out from the support seat (7) to a predetermined extent, and by spring pre-tightening, the metal strip is automatically pulled back into the support seat (7).

15. The container (1) according to claims 14 and 5, wherein, Each handle in the handle (51) is pivotally mounted in a corresponding support seat (7).

16. The container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The lower shell (2), the upper shell (3), the at least one hinge strap (4) and / or the handle (51) are made of cold-rolled sheet metal.

17. A method for opening a container (1) according to any one of the preceding claims with one hand, the method comprising the steps of: Operating the locking device (5) with one hand so as to move it from the locked position to the open position, so that, with the locking device unlocked, the upper shell (2) is opened at a predetermined opening angle relative to the lower shell (3); Grasping the upper shell (3) with one hand at a gap formed by a predetermined opening angle between the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3); and Opening the upper shell (3) with one hand beyond the predetermined opening angle.

18. The method for opening a container (1) according to claim 11 according to claim 17, further comprising the step of moving the handle (51) and the switch (56) from the locked position to the unlocked position with one hand.

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