Stackable storage and transport container

Abstract

Stackable storage and transport container (2) with: a base plate (6) and four side walls (8) which extend upwards at a substantially right angle from the base plate (6) and together with the base plate (6) define an interior space (10) of the storage and transport container (2) which is suitable for holding objects; wherein at least one of the four side walls (8), in particular a side wall (8) on a long side of the storage and transport container (2), has a lateral opening (12) which makes it possible to access the interior (10) of the storage and transport container (2); wherein the storage and transport container (2) has at least one pivotable flap (4) which is pivotable between a closed position in which it closes the at least one lateral opening (12) and an open position in which it releases the at least one lateral opening (12); wherein the lateral opening (12) has a height of 320 to 420 mm, in particular a height of at least 340 mm to 420 mm, in a direction perpendicular to the base plate (6), in order to introduce objects, in particular file folders of DIN A4 size, into the interior (10) through the lateral opening (12) and / or to remove them from the interior (10) when the pivotable flap (4) is in the open position.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a stackable storage and transport container.

[0002] Stackable storage and transport containers are used for storing and transporting items. Stackable storage and transport containers can, for example, be designed as boxes with an interior and a top opening that allows items to be placed inside and / or removed from the container.

[0003] When several stackable storage and transport containers are stacked on top of each other, it is not possible to access the interiors of the lower storage and transport containers through the upper openings.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a stackable storage and transport container with an interior space for receiving objects, which makes it possible to access the interior space of the storage and transport container even in a stacked state, i.e. when at least one further storage and transport container is located on top of the storage and transport container, in order to place objects into the interior space and / or remove them from it.

[0005] A stackable storage and transport container according to the invention has a base plate and four side walls that extend upwards from the base plate at a substantially right angle and which, together with the base plate, define an interior space of the storage and transport container suitable for holding objects. At least one of the four side walls, in particular a side wall on a long side of the storage and transport container, has a lateral opening that allows access to the interior space of the storage and transport container. The storage and transport container also has at least one pivotable flap that can be pivoted between a closed position, in which it closes the at least one lateral opening, and an open position, in which it exposes the at least one lateral opening.The side opening has a height of 320 to 420 mm in a direction perpendicular to the base plate, in particular a height of at least 340 mm to 420 mm, in order to be able to insert and / or remove objects, especially file folders of DIN A4 size, into the interior through the side opening when the pivoting flap is in the open position.

[0006] If no other object, in particular no other storage and transport container, is located on the storage and transport container, a stackable storage and transport container according to the invention makes it possible to insert objects, in particular file folders of DIN A4 size, into the interior from above through the upper opening and / or to remove them from the interior from above.

[0007] Furthermore, a stackable storage and transport container according to the invention makes it possible to access the interior of the stackable storage and transport container even when another object, in particular another storage and transport container, is located on top of the storage and transport container, and to insert objects, in particular file folders of DIN A4 size, into the interior from the front through the open pivoting flap and the side opening and / or to remove them from the interior from the front through the open pivoting flap and the side opening.

[0008] With a stackable storage and transport container according to the invention, access to the interior of the storage and transport container can thus be significantly improved; in particular, access to the interior of the storage and transport container can also be provided from the outside even when further storage and transport containers are stacked on top of the storage and transport container.

[0009] In one embodiment, the storage and transport container has vertical frame elements at each of its corners, which extend essentially vertically upwards from the four corners of the base plate.

[0010] In one embodiment, the storage and transport container has horizontal upper frame elements, each forming the upper end of the respective side wall. In particular, these horizontal upper frame elements form an upper frame that extends parallel to the base plate and encloses the upper opening of the storage and transport container.

[0011] In one embodiment, the horizontal frame elements connect to the upper ends of the vertical frame elements. The vertical and horizontal frame elements can, in particular, be designed as a single-piece frame structure, which is supported on the base plate by the vertical frame elements.

[0012] The vertical and horizontal frame elements thus form a stable frame structure for the storage and transport container, which makes it possible to stack several storage and transport containers on top of each other.

[0013] Side wall panels can be provided between the vertical and horizontal frame elements, which close off the side walls in the area between the frame elements.

[0014] In one embodiment, at least one lateral opening is formed between two vertical frame elements. This at least one lateral opening can, for example, be located on a long side of the storage and transport container. In particular, this at least one lateral opening can be bounded by two adjacent vertical frame elements, the base plate, and a horizontal upper frame element.

[0015] In one embodiment, at least two of the upper horizontal frame elements, in particular two upper horizontal frame elements located on the short sides of the storage and transport container, have handle openings to facilitate lifting and carrying the storage and transport container.

[0016] In one embodiment, the vertical frame elements and / or the horizontal frame elements are designed with a honeycomb structure. Such a honeycomb structure makes it possible to achieve high stability of the frame elements with minimal material usage.

[0017] In one embodiment, the pivotable flap is attached to vertical frame elements by hinges such that it can pivot between the closed and open positions. A flap attached to vertical frame elements by hinges can be moved particularly easily between a closed and an open position, especially pivoted back and forth.

[0018] In one embodiment, the joints are arranged at a lower end of the pivotable flap in such a way that the pivotable flap can pivot about a horizontal axis extending parallel to the base plate.

[0019] In one embodiment, the pivotable flap is attached to the vertical frame elements, particularly to the lower end regions of the vertical frame elements, by means of the hinges, such that it can pivot between the closed and open positions. Specifically, the pivotable flap can pivot forward and downward into the open position when viewed from the side opening, and upward and backward into the closed position when viewed from the side opening.

[0020] In an alternative embodiment, the joints are arranged at an upper end and a lower end of the pivoting flap in such a way that the pivoting flap can be pivoted about a vertical axis extending parallel to the vertical frame elements, similar to a door.

[0021] The arrangement of the joints on the frame elements can be chosen to best suit the specific application.

[0022] In one embodiment, the pivoting flap is at least partially transparent, allowing a view into the interior of the storage and transport container even when the flap is closed. The flap can, in particular, be completely transparent. The flap can also be completely or partially semi-transparent to allow light to enter the interior of the storage and transport container.

[0023] In one embodiment, the pivoting flap has a circumferential rim to increase its stability. This circumferential rim can, in particular, be designed with a honeycomb structure to further enhance the stability of the pivoting flap.

[0024] In one embodiment, at least one recessed handle is formed in the pivoting flap. With the aid of a recessed handle, the pivoting flap can be swung back and forth between the closed and open positions more easily and conveniently.

[0025] In one embodiment, the storage and transport container is equipped with a fixing mechanism that makes it possible to fix the flap in the closed position to prevent the flap from being moved unintentionally from the closed position to the open position.

[0026] To prevent unauthorized access to the interior of the storage and transport container, the fixing mechanism can also be designed as or with a locking mechanism that makes it possible to lock the flap in the closed position, so that the flap can only be opened with a key.

[0027] In one embodiment, the storage and transport container has a rectangular cross-section with two long sides and in particular two long side walls and with two short sides and in particular two short side walls.

[0028] A lateral opening can be formed in one of the two long side walls and / or in one of the two short side walls.

[0029] In one embodiment, a storage and transport container according to the invention has a length in the range of 550 mm to 650 mm, in particular a length of 600 mm; and / or a width in the range of 350 mm to 450 mm, in particular a width of 400 mm; and / or a height in the range of 400 mm to 480 mm, in particular a height of 440 mm.

[0030] These dimensions have proven to be particularly advantageous for the storage and transport of items, especially file folders.

[0031] In one embodiment, the base plate, the frame elements and the pivoting flap are made of plastic, in particular polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), polypropylene (PP), in particular polypropylene homopolymer (PPH), polypropylene copolymer, polypropylene random copolymer (PP-R), or polyethylene (PE), in particular high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

[0032] The materials mentioned have proven to be particularly well suited for the production of stable, lightweight and cost-effective storage and transport containers.

[0033] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0034] Brief description of the characters: Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of a stackable storage and transport container according to the invention with a closed flap. The Fig. 2 and Fig. Figure 3 shows a perspective front view of the building in the Fig. 1 stackable storage and transport container shown with an open flap. Fig. Figure 4 shows a perspective front view of the building in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 storage and transport containers shown with a partially open flap. Fig. 5 shows the flap of the one in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 storage and transport containers shown in an expanded state without the storage and transport container. Character description

[0035] Fig. Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of a stackable storage and transport container 2 according to the invention with a closed flap 4. Fig. 2 and Fig. 3 show the one in the Fig. 1 stackable storage and transport container shown with a fully open flap 4. Fig. Figure 4 shows the storage and transport container with a partially open flap.

[0036] The stackable storage and transport container 2 has a base plate 6 and four side walls 8, which extend upwards from the base plate 6 at a substantially right angle and together with the base plate 6 define an interior space 10 of the storage and transport container 2, which is suitable for holding objects not shown in the figures.

[0037] The base plate 6 of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. The storage and transport container 2 shown in Figure 4 is rectangular, so that the storage and transport container 2 is cuboid in shape with two long side walls 8 and two short side walls 8.

[0038] The storage and transport container 2 can, for example, have a length in the range of 550 mm to 650 mm, in particular a length of 600 mm, and / or a width in the range of 350 mm to 450 mm, in particular a width of 400 mm; and / or a height in the range of 400 mm to 480 mm, in particular a height of 440 mm.

[0039] In alternative embodiments not shown in the figures, the base plate 6 can also be square, and the storage and transport container 2 can be cube-shaped.

[0040] The storage and transport container 2 has a vertical frame element 16 at each of the four corners of the base plate 6, which extends essentially vertically upwards from one of the four corners of the base plate 6.

[0041] The storage and transport container 2 additionally has four horizontal upper frame elements 18, each forming the upper end of the respective side wall 8. The four horizontal upper frame elements 18 together form an upper frame of the storage and transport container 2, which extends parallel to the base plate 6.

[0042] The upper frame encloses an upper opening of the storage and transport container 2, which makes it possible to insert and remove items from the interior 10 of the storage and transport container 2 from above.

[0043] The horizontal frame elements 18 each connect to the upper ends of the vertical frame elements 16. The vertical and horizontal frame elements 16, 18 can be formed as a single-piece frame, which is supported on the base plate 6 by the vertical frame elements 16.

[0044] In the upper horizontal frame elements 18, which are arranged on the short sides of the storage and transport container 2, handle openings 20 are formed, which facilitate the lifting and transporting of the storage and transport container 2.

[0045] Alternatively or additionally, handle openings 20 can also be formed in the upper horizontal frame elements 18, which are arranged on the long sides of the storage and transport container 2, which are located in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 are not shown.

[0046] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the vertical frame elements and / or the horizontal frame elements 16, 18 are each designed with a honeycomb structure. Such a honeycomb structure enables high stability of the frame elements 16, 18 with minimal material usage.

[0047] In one of the four side walls 8, in particular in a side wall 8 on a long side of the storage and transport container 2, a lateral opening 12 is formed, which makes it possible to access the interior 10 of the storage and transport container 2 from the side.

[0048] The lateral opening 12 is formed between two of the vertical frame elements 16 such that the lateral opening 12 is bounded by two adjacent vertical frame elements 16, the base plate 6 and a horizontal upper frame element 18.

[0049] The lateral opening 12 has a height between 320 and 420 mm, in particular between 340 mm and 420 mm, in a direction perpendicular to the base plate 6. This allows objects, especially file folders, of DIN A4 size, to be inserted into and / or removed from the interior 10 through the lateral opening 12.

[0050] The storage and transport container 2 also has a pivoting flap 14 which can be moved between a closed position, in which it closes the side opening 12, as shown in the Fig. 1 is shown, and an open position in which it exposes the side opening 12, as shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As shown in point 3, it is swivel-mounted.

[0051] The pivoting flap 14 is attached to the two vertical frame elements 16 by means of joints 22 in such a way that it can pivot between the closed position and the open position.

[0052] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the joints 22 are arranged at a lower end of the pivotable flap 14 such that the pivotable flap 14 can pivot about a horizontal axis extending parallel to the base plate 6.

[0053] The pivotable flap 14 is attached to the vertical frame elements 16, particularly at the lower end regions of the vertical frame elements 16, by means of the joints 22, such that, viewed from the side opening 12, it can pivot forwards and downwards into the open position, and, viewed towards the side opening 12, upwards and backwards into the closed position, as shown in the Fig. 4 is shown.

[0054] Fig. Figure 5 shows the swiveling flap 14 of the [unclear text] in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 storage and transport container 2 shown in an expanded state without the storage and transport container 2.

[0055] In the Fig. 5 it is clearly visible that the joints 22 on the pivoting flap 14 include pins 24 formed which extend laterally outwards from the pivoting flap 14.

[0056] The pins 24 extend into corresponding joint openings formed in the vertical frame elements 16.

[0057] In an alternative embodiment, which is not shown in the figures, the joints 22 and pins 24 can also be arranged at an upper end and a lower end of the pivotable flap 14, so that the pivotable flap 14 can be pivoted like a door about a vertical axis extending parallel to the vertical frame elements 16.

[0058] A fixing mechanism 26 is provided at the free, pivoting end of the pivoting flap 14, which makes it possible to fix and / or lock the pivoting flap 14 in the closed position.

[0059] In the embodiment shown in the figures, the fixing mechanism 26 comprises locking pins 28 formed on the pivotable flap 14 and extending laterally from the pivotable flap 14 into corresponding locking openings 30 formed in the vertical frame elements 16 that bound the lateral openings 12. The locking openings 30 are designed such that the locking pins 28 are releasably fixed in the locking openings 30 when the pivotable flap 14 is in the closed position.

[0060] Optionally, the locking mechanism 26 can be designed so that it can only be released with a suitable key, so that the pivoting flap 14 cannot be opened unintentionally and / or without authorization.

[0061] To increase the stability of the pivoting flap 14, the pivoting flap 14 is designed with a circumferential rim 32. Similar to the frame elements 16, 18, the circumferential rim 32 can also be designed with a honeycomb structure to increase its stability.

[0062] A recessed grip 34 is formed on the pivotable upper edge of the pivotable flap 14 to facilitate pivoting the pivotable flap 14 from the closed position to the open position.

[0063] The pivoting flap 14 can be at least partially, and in particular completely, transparent. A transparent flap 14 allows a view into the interior 10 of the storage and transport container 2 even when the flap 14 is closed. The pivoting flap 14 can also be completely or partially semi-transparent, e.g., made of frosted glass.

[0064] Although in the embodiment of a storage and transport container 2 according to the invention, which is shown in the figures, a lateral opening 12 with a pivotable flap 14 is formed in only one of the four side walls 8, in further embodiments, which are not explicitly shown in the figures, lateral openings 12 can also be formed in two, three or four of the side walls 8 of the storage and transport container 2, each of which can be closed by a pivotable flap 14.

[0065] The base plate 6, the frame elements 16, 18 and the pivoting flap 14 can be made, for example, of plastic, in particular of polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), polypropylene (PP), in particular polypropylene homopolymer (PPH), polypropylene copolymer, polypropylene random copolymer (PP-R), or polyethylene (PE), in particular of high-density polyethylene (HDPE).

Claims

[1] Stackable storage and transport container (2) with: a base plate (6) and four side walls (8) which extend upwards at a substantially right angle from the base plate (6) and together with the base plate (6) define an interior space (10) of the storage and transport container (2) which is suitable for holding objects; wherein at least one of the four side walls (8), in particular a side wall (8) on a long side of the storage and transport container (2), has a lateral opening (12) which makes it possible to access the interior (10) of the storage and transport container (2); wherein the storage and transport container (2) has at least one pivotable flap (4) which is pivotable between a closed position in which it closes the at least one lateral opening (12) and an open position in which it releases the at least one lateral opening (12); wherein the lateral opening (12) has a height of 320 to 420 mm, in particular a height of at least 340 mm to 420 mm, in a direction perpendicular to the base plate (6), in order to introduce objects, in particular file folders of DIN A4 size, into the interior (10) through the lateral opening (12) and / or to remove them from the interior (10) when the pivotable flap (4) is in the open position. [2] Storage and transport container (2) according to claim 1, wherein the storage and transport container (2) has vertical frame elements (16) at each of the four corners of the base plate (6), which extend substantially vertically upwards from the four corners of the base plate (6). [3] Storage and transport container (2) according to claim 2, wherein the storage and transport container (2) has horizontal upper frame elements (18) which each form the upper end of the respective side wall (8). [4] Storage and transport container (2) according to claim 3, wherein the horizontal upper frame elements (18) form an upper frame extending parallel to the base plate (6). [5] Storage and transport container (2) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the at least one lateral opening (12) is formed between two vertical frame elements (16), in particular on a long side of the storage and transport container (2), wherein the at least one lateral opening (12) is in particular bounded by two adjacent vertical frame elements (16), the base plate (6) and a horizontal upper frame element (18). [6] Storage and transport container (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the horizontal frame elements (18) each connect to the upper ends of the vertical frame elements (16). [7] Storage and transport container (2) according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the vertical and horizontal upper frame elements (16, 18) are formed as a one-piece frame which is supported on the base plate (6) by the vertical frame elements (16). [8] Storage and transport container (2) according to one of claims 3 to 7, wherein at least two of the horizontal upper frame elements (18), in particular the horizontal upper frame elements (18) on the short sides of the storage and transport container (2), have handle openings (20). [9] Storage and transport container (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 8, wherein the vertical frame elements (16) and / or the horizontal frame elements (18) are formed with a honeycomb structure. [10] Storage and transport container (2) according to any one of claims 2 to 9, wherein the pivotable flap (4) is attached to vertical frame elements (16) with joints (20) such that it is pivotable between the closed position and the open position. [11] Storage and transport container (2) according to claim 10, wherein the hinges (20) are arranged on a lower end of the pivotable flap (4) such that the pivotable flap (4) is pivotable about a horizontal axis extending parallel to the base plate (6); and / or wherein the pivotable flap (4) is attached with hinges (20) to the vertical frame elements, in particular to lower end regions of the vertical frame elements (16), such that it is pivotable between the closed position and the open position, wherein the pivotable flap (4) is pivotable, in particular, from the side opening (12), forwards and downwards into the open position, and, from the side opening (12), upwards and backwards into the closed position. [12] Storage and transport container (2) according to claim 10, wherein the joints (20) are arranged at an upper end and at a lower end of the pivotable flap (4) such that the pivotable flap (4) is pivotable about a vertical axis extending parallel to the vertical frame elements. [13] Storage and transport container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the base plate (6), the frame elements (16, 18) and the pivotable flap (4) are made of plastic, in particular polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer (ABS), polypropylene (PP), in particular polypropylene homopolymer (PPH), polypropylene copolymer, polypropylene random copolymer (PP-R), or polyethylene (PE), in particular high-density polyethylene (HDPE). [14] Storage and transport container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivotable flap (4) is at least partially transparent, wherein the flap (4) is in particular completely transparent. [15] Storage and transport container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivotable flap (4) has a circumferential rim (32), wherein the circumferential rim (32) is in particular formed with a honeycomb structure. [16] Storage and transport container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the pivotable flap (4) is designed with at least one grip recess (34). [17] Storage and transport container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage and transport container (2) is designed with a fixing mechanism (26) which makes it possible to fix and / or lock the flap (4) in the closed position. [18] Storage and transport container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage and transport container (2) has a rectangular cross-section with two long sides and in particular long side walls (8) and with two short sides and in particular short side walls (8), wherein the lateral opening (12) is formed in particular in one of the two long side walls (8). [19] Storage and transport container (2) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage and transport container (2) has a length in the range of 550 mm to 650 mm, in particular a length of 600 mm; and / or wherein the storage and transport container (2) has a width in the range of 350 mm to 450 mm, in particular a width of 400 mm; and / or wherein the storage and transport container (2) has a height in the range of 400 mm to 480 mm, in particular a height of 440 mm. [20] Storage and transport container (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the storage and transport container (2) enables, to insert items, in particular DIN A4-sized file folders, into the interior (10) from above and / or to remove them from the interior (10) from above, provided that no other storage and transport container (2) is located on top of the storage and transport container (2); and to insert items, in particular file folders of DIN A4 size, into the interior (10) from the front through the open swiveling flap (4) and the side opening (12) and / or to remove items from the interior (10) from the front through the open swiveling flap (4) and the side opening (12), especially if another storage and transport container (2) is located on top of the storage and transport container (2).

Images