transport container

Abstract

Transport container (1) comprising a base (2) with foldable side walls (3, 4) arranged thereon to form a receiving space, characterized in that on two opposite side walls (3) in each case a shoulder (5) is formed which projects downwards in a use position and which in the use position each interacts with a projection (6) on corner regions of the other opposite side walls (4), which in the use position point towards an abutment section (7) and the abutment section (7) extends from the base (2) from its main plane essentially vertically upwards, wherein the abutment section (7) is arranged on the outside of the base (2) and receives the shoulder (5) on the other, adjacent side wall (3) between itself and the projection (6) on one side wall (4) in the use position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a transport container comprising a base with foldable side walls arranged thereon to form a receiving space.

[0002] Transport containers, also known as containers, stacking boxes, folding boxes, collapsible boxes or similar, are usually made of plastic and are used to transport and / or store any goods from one place to another. For example, they are used to transport food, in the postal service or in delivery or logistics centers. A transport container comprises a base with four opposite side walls, each arranged in pairs and designed to be hinged and / or foldable. The base is usually rectangular, so that two opposite side walls are referred to as the long walls and the other two side walls as the end walls. The transport container is usually open at the top and / or stackable.

[0003] It is well known, especially when several filled and therefore heavy transport containers are stacked on top of each other, that the side walls bulge outwards from the base under load. This occurs particularly in the bottom transport container of a stack. The bulging of the long wall creates high stresses at the connection between the long wall and the end wall, which can lead to the connection becoming loose and the container collapsing. Due to the stacking pressure from above, the long side of the base bends outwards due to a leverage effect.

[0004] Based on this prior art, the object of the present invention is therefore to provide a transport container which is designed in such a way that its four side walls do not move or shift relative to the ground even under load.

[0005] This object is achieved according to the invention with a container according to claim 1.

[0006] A transport container, also called a container, folding box, collapsible box, transport crate, or similar, comprises a base and four upwardly facing, hinged and / or foldable side walls projecting from it. The base area of ​​the base is usually rectangular. Furthermore, the side walls can be pivoted, folded, and / or folded relative to the base, for example, to reduce the transport volume of the container when not in use. It is also apparent that the container is composed, for example, of several plastic parts, each of which is injection-molded, for example, and then preferably assembled without tools.

[0007] For folding or collapsing, for example, the two shorter side walls of a rectangular container can first be pivoted downward on pivot pins or hinges at the bottom. Then, the two longer side walls are folded together by half their height on pivot pins or hinges and / or also pivoted inward. In principle, all other types of folding / collapsing or similar are also conceivable.

[0008] The core idea of ​​the invention is that on two opposite side walls there is formed a step which projects downwards in the position of use and which interacts with a projection on the corner regions of the other opposite side walls in the position of use.

[0009] It goes without saying that the steps or projections on the side walls each extend in their main planes. When the transport container is in the use position, i.e. when all side walls are upright, the downwardly projecting step on one side wall is clamped between the base and the projection on the adjacent side wall, as well as an abutment section on the base that projects upwards from this. For this purpose, the abutment section extends essentially vertically upwards from the base's main plane, as seen from the base. The abutment section on the base is arranged on the outside and, in the use position, accommodates the step on the other, adjacent side wall between itself and the projection on one side wall.

[0010] It is understood that the base with abutment section, one side wall with projection and the other side wall with step are preferably each formed in one piece and are formed, for example, as a plastic injection-molded part.

[0011] The advantage of the invention is that, due to the spatial arrangement of the base and the adjacent side walls, the abutment section, the shoulder and the projection are essentially flush in the use position, and the shoulder is clamped between the abutment section and the projection and thus fixed in place. If, under load, forces occur, for example on the bottom transport container in a stack, which would cause a side wall with a shoulder to bulge or bend outwards away from the base, this is effectively prevented by the shoulder. The resulting forces are absorbed by the shoulder, which extends deep into the base, via its abutment section, so that the side wall cannot bulge, particularly in the corner areas. The resulting leverage forces are significantly reduced by the low support area in the base and are absorbed by the abutment section.

[0012] Preferably, the shoulders are formed on the longitudinal walls of a rectangular transport container and the corresponding projections on the smaller end faces.

[0013] To fold or collapse the transport container from the use position, for example, the two end walls with their projections are first folded inward. Subsequently, the longitudinal walls with their downwardly projecting shoulders can also be folded or folded inward. In particular, the abutment section on the base, which projects upwards from the base, is dimensioned such that, when the transport container is folded up, i.e., when not in use, it does not protrude upwards beyond the inwardly folded or folded side walls, which lie one above the other. The transport container is designed in such a way that even empty transport containers can be stacked when not in use.

[0014] It is understood that the pivot axes or hinges of the adjacent side walls are each located at different heights or distances from the floor, so that, for example, the end walls with projections can first be folded inwards and then the longitudinal walls with their shoulders can be freely pivoted inwards, so that in the non-use position the longitudinal walls are arranged above the end walls and the floor below them.

[0015] Furthermore, it is clear that the transport container can be equipped with additional locking or latching devices to secure it in its position during use and prevent accidental folding. For example, corresponding locking projections are formed on the base and side walls, and / or movable latches, pins, or the like are provided.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of subclaims.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the container or its base is equipped with a base frame that increases its stability. In particular, the base frame of an upper transport container rests essentially flush and over its entire surface against the upright side walls of a lower transport container in a stack of similar transport containers.

[0018] In order to facilitate the opening and folding of the side walls with a heel relative to the abutment section of the floor, the heel can be rounded, particularly in the area of ​​the axis of rotation or the hinge between these side walls and the floor, in order to prevent it from jamming when the side wall is pivoted relative to the floor.

[0019] An exemplary embodiment of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to a drawing. The figure of the drawing shows: Fig. 1: a corner area of ​​a transport container in use position in perspective view.

[0020] In the purely schematic Fig. 1, the same reference numerals refer to the same components.

[0021] In the presentation in Fig.1 shows a perspective view of a corner region of an unfolded transport container 1, which essentially comprises a base 2 and four side walls 3, 4. These form a receiving space for any goods, such as mail, parts from a logistics center warehouse, food, plants or vegetables, or the like. The container 1 is preferably composed of injection-molded plastic parts. The side walls 3, 4 can be pivoted or folded relative to the base 2 or a base plate in order to minimize its space requirements when not in use, as indicated by the pivoting directions S1, S2 with double arrows. The base 2 can also be equipped with a base frame running around the outside or around the edges to reinforce it, particularly under load, in a stack. Furthermore, the transport container 1 is designed to be stackable both in the unfolded position for use and in the folded position for non-use.In the use position, the base or base frame preferably rests continuously and flush on the side walls 3, 4 of a similar transport container 1 in a stack. It is understood that the side walls 3, 4, when unfolded, protrude substantially vertically upwards from the base 2. All components can be equipped, for example, with openings, recessed grips, or the like as handles and / or can be designed in a grid-like manner at least in sections to save weight or improve ventilation. Furthermore, the base 2, in particular, can be rectangular with larger longitudinal walls 3 and shorter end faces 4. A rotation axis 8 is provided for the end face 4, which is located lower relative to the base 2 than a corresponding rotation axis of the longitudinal wall 3.Thus, to fold up the transport container when not in use, the end walls 4 are first pivoted inwards S2 and then the longitudinal walls 3 are folded inwards in the pivoting direction S1, so that the longitudinal walls 3 are arranged above the side walls 4 and the base 2 below. When unfolding the transport container into the position of use, the procedure is reversed.

[0022] On the outside of the transport container, an abutment section 7 is preferably formed in one piece and projects essentially vertically upwards from the main plane of the base 2 in the use position. Shoulders 5 are preferably formed in one piece on the longitudinal walls 3 and lie essentially in the main plane of the longitudinal walls 3 and point downwards towards the base 2 in the use position. Projections 6 are preferably formed in one piece on the side walls 4 and lie essentially in the main plane of the side walls 4 and point towards the abutment section 7 of the base 2 in the use position. It is understood that all four corner regions of the transport container 1 are of identical design.

[0023] In the use position of the transport container 1, the shoulder 5 on the longitudinal wall 3 is preferably clamped flat and flush between the outer abutment section 7 of the base 2 and the projection 6 on the end face 4, or it cannot move relative to them. The longitudinal walls 3 and the end faces 4 can only be folded inwards S1, S2 to the non-use position, or can only be unfolded to a substantially perpendicular orientation relative to the base 2 in the use position.

[0024] Due to the abutment of the abutment section 7, the shoulder 5, and the projection 6 in the use position, leverage forces acting on the longitudinal wall 3 under load are absorbed and transferred to the abutment section 7 of the base 2. Thus, buckling or bending of the side wall 3 relative to the base 2 is effectively prevented, and nothing can escape from the transport container 1, nor can the longitudinal wall 3 even collapse. List of reference symbols: 1 transport container 2 floor 3 Longitudinal wall 4 Front side 5 paragraph to 3 6 lead on 4 7 abutment section at 2 8 axis of rotation of 4 S Swivel direction of 3, 4

Claims

[1] Transport container (1) comprising a base (2) with foldable side walls (3, 4) arranged thereon to form a receiving space, characterized by in that on each of two opposite side walls (3) there is formed a step (5) which projects downwards in a position of use and which, in the position of use, each interacts with a projection (6) on corner regions of the other opposite side walls (4), which in the position of use point towards an abutment section (7) and the abutment section (7) extends essentially vertically upwards from the main plane of the base (2) as seen from the base (2), wherein the abutment section (7) is arranged on the outside of the base (2) and, in the position of use, receives the step (5) on the other, adjacent side wall (3) between itself and the projection (6) on one side wall (4). [2] Transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the floor (2) is equipped with a floor frame. [3] Transport container (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by that paragraph (5) is rounded.

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