Transport container

Abstract

Transport container comprising a base (2), a circumferential side wall (3) and a lid (4), wherein the side wall consists of several wall sections (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) joined together at the corners via flexible areas, and wherein the base (2), side wall (3) and lid (4) are removable and collapsible, wherein the lid (4) has a downwardly projecting first edging (9) at each of its lateral edges and a downwardly projecting web (10) at a distance therefrom, and the upper edge of the side wall (3) is inserted between the first edging (9) and the web (10), characterized in that the height of the web (10) decreases continuously from its two ends (10.1, 10.2), at which the web (10) projects furthest downwards from the lid (4), along the same lateral edge of the lid (4) to a minimum height between the two ends (10.1, 10.2).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport container comprising a base, a surrounding side wall and a lid, wherein the base, side wall and lid are removable and collapsible.

[0002] These types of transport containers are primarily used for transporting goods from suppliers to manufacturers. For example, service providers are known to supply these containers to suppliers upon request, folded flat and stacked on top of each other. The suppliers then stand the containers upright, fill them with their products, and seal them. Afterward, they are transported to the manufacturer by truck. The manufacturer empties the containers, folds them flat, and stacks them on top of each other. The stacks are then collected, cleaned by the service provider, and stored until needed again by the suppliers.

[0003] Transport containers are known in which the side wall is designed as a closed ring that can be folded flat and stored between the base and lid. The lid has a downward-facing circumferential groove on its edge for inserting the upper edge of the side wall, and the base has an upward-facing circumferential groove on its edge for inserting the lower edge of the side wall. The groove width is closely matched to the wall thickness of the side wall to ensure the transport container can be closed as tightly as possible. Such a design is known, for example, from JP 2017 065688A.

[0004] A disadvantage of the known transport container is that assembly can be made more difficult, particularly by the flexibility of the side wall and the tight fit in the grooves.

[0005] US 5,259,523 A and US 5,279,423 A describe transport containers with a base, a surrounding side wall, and a lid, wherein the base, side wall, and lid are detachable. The surrounding side wall is formed by a rigid body. These transport containers cannot be stored compactly when empty. The lids each have a downward-projecting rim on their side edges and, at a distance from this, a downward-projecting bead or tubular profile, whereby the upper edge of the side wall can be inserted into the space between the rim and the bead or profile.

[0006] DE 20 2011 002 617 U1 and US 2009 / 0127158 A1 describe collapsible boxes with side walls that are pivotally hinged to the floor.

[0007] Based on this, the invention aims to create a collapsible transport container that is easier to assemble, while still ensuring that the side walls fit snugly, particularly on the lid.

[0008] The problem is solved by a transport container having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the transport container are specified in the dependent claims.

[0009] The transport container according to the invention comprises a base, a circumferential side wall, and a lid, wherein the side wall consists of several wall sections joined together one-piece at the corners via flexible areas, and the base, side wall, and lid are collapsible, wherein the lid has a downwardly projecting first edging at each of its lateral edges and, at a distance therefrom, a downwardly projecting rib, and the upper edge of the side wall is inserted between the first edging and the rib, characterized in that the height of the rib decreases continuously from its two ends, where the rib projects furthest downwards from the lid, along the same lateral edge of the lid to a minimum height between the two ends.

[0010] The transport container according to the invention can be assembled by first placing the upright side wall with its lower edge onto the top of the base. Then, the lid is placed onto the upper edge of the side wall, with the upper edge of the lid being inserted into the space between the first frame and the rib at at least one lateral edge of the lid at both ends of a rib, since the rib projects furthest downwards from the lid at this point. Inserting the side wall at the two ends of a rib is easily accomplished because the upright side wall, particularly the shorter sections, is relatively stable at the corners. A slight bulging of the side wall between the corners does not hinder insertion, as the folding typically occurs on the longer sections of the side wall.As the upper edge of the side wall penetrates further between the first rim and the web, the web, due to its continuously decreasing height between its two ends—without any discontinuities—can slide over the upper edge of the side wall with its lower edge, forcing the side wall into the space between the first rim and the web. Consequently, the lid can be easily joined to the side wall without any hindrance from the side wall's flexibility. It is possible to tightly enclose the upper edge of the side wall between the first rim and the web, allowing the lid to be sealed tightly. Preferably, the minimum height of the web between its two ends is chosen such that it also projects downwards at this point.The invention also includes embodiments in which the web between the two ends tapers off flat, so that the upper edge of the side wall is not covered on the inside by the web. The guide between the two lateral sections of the web next to the break and the first edging can be sufficient to hold the lid on the side wall.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the web has its minimum height at the midpoint between its two ends. This facilitates the placement of the lid, since the side wall is generally most bulged at the midpoint between two corners. Because the web has its minimum height there, the side wall is gradually inserted between the web and the first edging, starting from the corners, and the bulge is reduced until the upper edge of the side wall is fully engaged between the web and the first edging.

[0012] According to another embodiment, the lower edge of the bridge has a straight course from both ends to its lowest point. This is advantageous for a uniform reduction of the bulge in the side wall when the cover is placed on the upper edge of the side wall.

[0013] According to another embodiment, the web on the side facing the first edging has vertically extending first ribs, and these first ribs have chamfered edges at their lower end. This ensures that when the lid is placed on the upper edge of the side wall, any bulging of the side wall is further reduced by the first ribs. Specifically, when the upper edge of the side wall passes the lower edge of the web and enters the space between the web and the first edging, it is guided even further into this space by the chamfered edges of the first ribs, thus reducing any bulging even more. This makes placing the lid on the side wall even easier.If the upper edge of the side wall is tightly enclosed between the first rim and the first ribs, the force required to place the lid is reduced because the first ribs have only a small contact area and / or can deform elastically when the lid is placed on the lid. To further reduce the closing force, according to another embodiment, the first rim has vertically extending second ribs on the side facing the web, with second chamfered edges at its lower end.

[0014] In another embodiment, the first radii at the corners between adjacent edges of the lid are connected to each other via first radii, and / or the webs at the corners between adjacent edges of the lid are connected to each other via second radii. These first and / or second radii adapt the first radii and / or webs to a bend in the side wall in the corner area. Typically, the side wall consists of several side wall sections connected at the corners by flexible areas. In this case, the side wall is formed as a single piece. When the side wall is erected, the flexible areas form bends. The first and / or second radii are adapted to these bends. Furthermore, the first and / or second radii facilitate the placement of the lid, as the lid's radii make initial contact with the upper edge of the side wall.

[0015] In another embodiment, the base has a circumferential groove on its upper side edges to receive the lower edge of the side wall, with the inner flank of the groove featuring a third chamfer at its upper edge. This third chamfer facilitates the insertion of the lower edge of the side wall into the groove. During insertion, the third chamfer gradually aligns the lower edge of the side wall with the groove, thus reducing bulges.

[0016] According to another embodiment, the base has a second, upwardly projecting rim at its outer edge, with the outer flank of the groove formed on the inside of this second rim. Preferably, the second rim projects upwards with respect to the inner flank of the groove. The second rim facilitates the insertion of the side wall into the groove by allowing the upright side wall to be first inserted into the second rim with its lower edge and then pressed into the groove along the second rim and the second ramp. The portion of the second rim extending beyond the top surface of the base wall helps to guide the lower edge of the side wall into the groove.

[0017] In another embodiment, grid structures are formed on the underside of the lid. These grid structures stiffen the lid, saving material and weight. The increased stiffness is advantageous for inserting the upper edge of the side wall between the web and the first frame. In yet another embodiment, the lid features the grid structures on the underside of raised sections on its upper surface. This allows the grid structures to be accommodated in a space-saving manner without sacrificing the cargo space of the transport container.

[0018] According to another embodiment, the base is a pallet base with a base wall and at least one pallet foot on the underside of the base wall. This is advantageous for transporting the container using forklifts or other industrial trucks.

[0019] According to another embodiment, the lid has an arrangement of several raised sections on its upper surface, designed to prevent a transport container of the same type, placed on the lid with its base facing down, from shifting laterally by resting against the edge of a pallet foot and / or by engaging in a recess on the underside of the base. In this embodiment, the raised sections are used for the secure stacking of several transport containers of the same type. The raised sections can also accommodate the grid structures for stiffening the lid.

[0020] Another embodiment features first locking means for locking the side wall to the lid and / or second locking means for locking the side wall to the base. These locking means secure the transport container in the closed position. According to yet another embodiment, the first locking means are snap-in devices and / or the second locking means are snap-in devices. This facilitates the assembly and targeted disassembly of the transport container.

[0021] In another embodiment, the base and / or side wall and / or lid are made of one or more plastics. This results in a stable, lightweight, and cost-effective design. In yet another embodiment, the lid and / or side wall and / or base are each manufactured from a single piece of plastic. This simplifies the manufacturing of the components.

[0022] According to another design, the lid and / or the base is injection molded.

[0023] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying illustrations of an exemplary embodiment. The illustrations show: Fig. 1. A transport container in a perspective view, obliquely from the front and from the side; Fig. 2 the transport container in a cross-section; Fig. 3 the transport container in a longitudinal section; Fig. 4 the side wall of the transport container in a front view; Fig. 5 a recess in the side wall in an enlarged detail view; Fig. 6 the lower end of the side wall with a depression in an enlarged vertical section; Fig. 7. View the lid of the transport container from below; Fig. 8. Position the lid diagonally from below when placing it on the partially cut-out side wall; Fig. 9 the side wall with attached lid in a sectional view on the side of the bridge facing away from the side wall; Fig. 10 The side wall with attached lid in a cross-sectional view of the side of the bridge facing the side wall.

[0024] In the present application, the terms “top” and “bottom”, “horizontal” and “vertical” refer to the arrangement of the transport container with the underside of the base on a horizontal surface, wherein the circumferential side wall is placed on the base with its lower edge and the lid is placed on the upper edge of the side wall with its underside.

[0025] According to Fig. 1 to 3 the transport container 1 has a base 2, a circumferential side wall 3 placed on it with its lower edge and a lid 4 placed on the upper edge of the side wall.

[0026] The base 2 is designed as a pallet base. It has a base wall 5, on the underside of which several pallet feet 6 are arranged in three parallel rows, the pallet feet 6 in each row being connected to each other by a strip-like base 7 on their underside. This is advantageous for transporting the transport container 1 using a forklift or other industrial truck.

[0027] According to Fig. 1 to 4 the surrounding side wall 3 consists of several wall sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 made of plastic, which are connected to each other in one piece at the corners.

[0028] At the four corners, wall sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 are connected to each other via flexible plastic sections, forming joints 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4. Furthermore, the two long wall sections 3.1, 3.2 are flexibly connected to each other around a vertical center line 8.5, 8.6, so that wall sections 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4 can be folded flat around the two center fold lines 8.5, 8.6 and around the joints 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, 8.4 at the four corners and stored on the top of base 2.

[0029] According to Fig. In sections 1 to 3 and 7 to 10, the lid 4 has a downwardly projecting first rim 9 at each of its lateral edges and, slightly offset from this, a downwardly projecting rib 10 from the underside of the lid. The first rims 9 are all the same height. Starting from their two ends 10.1, 10.2 along the same lateral edge, the ribs 10 each have a continuously decreasing height down to a minimum height between the two ends. Each rib 10 reaches its minimum height at its midpoint 10.3 between its two ends 10.1, 10.2. Furthermore, the lower edge 11.1, 11.2 of each rib 10 has a straight line from its two ends 10.1, 10.2 down to its minimum height. The maximum height of each rib 10 is approximately equal to the height of the first rim 9.

[0030] According to Fig. 7 and Fig. The web 10 has vertically extending first ribs 12 on the side facing the first frame 9, which have first ramps 13 at their lower end. The first frame 9 has projecting profiles 14 on the opposite side.

[0031] According to Fig. 7 the first edgings 9 at the corners between adjacent edges of the lid 4 are connected to each other via first radii 15 and the webs 10 at these corners are connected to each other via second radii 16.

[0032] In the first recesses 9, outer first locking elements 17 are arranged on the longitudinal sides of the cover 4, serving to lock the cover 4 to the side wall 3. The outer first locking elements 17 are accessible from the outside. The outer first locking elements 17 are preferably first snap elements.

[0033] Furthermore, the lid 4 has an arrangement of protrusions 18 on its upper surface. On the underside of the protrusions 18, the lid 4 has lattice structures 19 for stiffening, which are formed by intersecting, downwardly projecting stiffening ribs 20.

[0034] The arrangement of protrusions 18 is designed to support a transport container 1 of the same type placed on top of it laterally and to prevent it from slipping, by resting it against the edge and / or engaging in recesses of the pallet feet 6.

[0035] According to Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 The base 2 has a circumferential groove 21 on its outer edge in the upper surface. The inner flank 22 of the groove 19 has a third ramp 23 at the top. The outer flank 24 of the groove 21 is formed by second rims 25 projecting upwards relative to the inner flank 22.

[0036] In the second frame 25, outer second locking elements 26 are arranged on the longitudinal sides of the base 2, serving to lock the base 2 to the side wall 3. The outer second locking elements 26 are accessible from the outside. The outer second locking elements 26 are preferably second snap elements. The outer first and second locking elements 17, 26 are components of first and second locking means 27, 28.

[0037] According to Fig. 4. On the upper edge of the long wall sections 3.1, 3.3 of the side wall 3, there are first recesses 29 on the outside, which are trapezoidal.

[0038] The side wall 3 has compact wall sections with outwardly opening second recesses 30 in the long wall sections 3.1, 3.3 near its lower edge and the corners. The second recesses 30 have a trapezoidal, outwardly widening cross-section.

[0039] The first recesses 29 and second recesses 30 are first and second inner locking elements of the first and second locking means 27, 28.

[0040] The side wall 3 has according to Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 at the top edge inside and outside fourth and fifth slopes 31, 32.

[0041] The side wall 3 has according to Fig. 6 at the bottom edge inside and outside sixth and seventh slopes 33, 34.

[0042] During assembly of the transport container 1, the side wall 3 with its seventh ramp 34 is positioned against the inner edge of the second frame 25 and guided by it into the groove 21. In this process, the sixth ramp 33 slides along the third ramp 23, thus reducing any bulges or other deformations on the lower edge of the side wall 3. Furthermore, the outer and inner second locking elements 26, 30 of the second locking means 28 are locked together, so that the side wall 3 is securely held against the base 2.

[0043] Then, preferably, the open-topped transport container 1 is filled with products.

[0044] Finally, the cover 4 is placed onto the side wall 3. First, the upper edge of a short wall section 3.2, 3.4 can be inserted between the web 10 and the first retaining wall 9. Then, starting from its outer ends 10.1, 10.2, the web 10 is gradually pushed over the inside of the short wall section 3.2, 3.4 until it reaches the position indicated in Fig. Figure 9 shows that the insertion of the upper edge of the short wall section 3.2, 3.4 is facilitated by the first, fourth and fifth ramps 12, 31, 32.

[0045] Preferably, the upper edges of the long wall sections 3.1, 3.3 of the side wall 3 are then inserted into the space between the web 10 and the first frame 9. For this purpose, the cover 4 is tilted against the upper edge of the side wall 3. The decreasing height of the webs 10 towards the center of the long lateral edges, as well as the first, fourth, and fifth ramps 12, 31, 32, assist in inserting the long wall sections 3.1, 3.3. Finally, the upper edge of the second short wall section 3.2, 3.4 is also inserted into the space between the web 10 and the first frame 9. The cover is then locked to the side wall 3 by means of the first locking means 27.

[0046] In the locked position, cover 2 and side wall 3 are in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 shown.

Claims

[1] Transport container comprising a base (2), a circumferential side wall (3) and a lid (4), wherein the side wall consists of several wall sections (3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4) joined together at the corners via flexible areas, and the base (2), side wall (3) and lid (4) are removable and collapsible, wherein the lid (4) has a downwardly projecting first rim (9) at each of its lateral edges and a downwardly projecting rib (10) at a distance therefrom, and the upper edge of the side wall (3) is inserted between the first rim (9) and the rib (10), characterized by , that the height of the bridge (10) decreases continuously from its two ends (10.1, 10.2), where the bridge (10) projects furthest downwards from the lid (4), along the same lateral edge of the lid (4) to a minimum height between the two ends (10.1, 10.2). [2] Transport container according to claim 1, wherein the bridge (10) has its lowest height in the middle (10.3) between its two ends (10.1, 10.2). [3] Transport container according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lower edge of the web (10) has a straight course from the two ends (10.1, 10.2) to the lowest height. [4] Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the web (10) has vertically extending first ribs (11) on the side facing the first edging (9) and the first ribs (11) have first ramps (12) at the lower end. [5] Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the first rims (9) at the corners between adjacent edges of the lid (4) are connected to each other via first radii (15) and / or the webs (10) at the corners between adjacent edges are connected to each other via second radii (16). [6] Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the bottom (2) has a circumferential groove (21) on the outer edge in the top, the inner flank (22) of which has a third ramp (23) at the top. [7] Transport container according to claim 6, wherein the bottom (2) has a second edging (25) at the outer edge, the inside of which forms an outer flank (25) of the groove (21) and which projects upwards over the inner flank (22) of the groove (25). [8] Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the lid (4) has on its upper side an arrangement of several protrusions (18) which is designed to prevent a transport container (1) of the same design placed with its base (2) on the lid (4) from being displaced laterally by resting against the edge of a pallet foot (6) and / or by engaging in a recess on the underside of the base (2). [9] Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein grid structures (19) are formed on the underside of the lid (4). [10] Transport container according to claim 9, wherein the lid (4) has the grid structures (19) on the underside of protrusions (18) on its upper side. [11] Transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the base (2) is a pallet base with a base wall and at least one pallet foot (6) on the underside of a base wall (5). [12] Transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising a first locking means (27) for locking the side wall (3) to the lid (4) and / or a second locking means (28) for locking the side wall (3) to the base (2). [13] Transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the base (2) and / or the lid (4) is made of one or more plastics. [14] Transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the lid (4) and / or the side wall (3) and / or the base (2) is each made in one piece from plastic.

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