Container that can be opened with one hand

Abstract

A container (1) has a lower shell (2) and an upper shell (3), which are pivotally connected relative to one another by at least one joint device (4) and can be locked together in a locked position by at least one locking device (5). The container (1) has a pretensioning device (6) which pretensions the upper shell (3) in an opening direction such that the upper shell (3) is open at a predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell (2) when the locking device (5) is unlocked.

Description

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

[0002] Conventional containers or socket wrench boxes are difficult to open and close with both hands. It is an object of the present invention to enable one-handed opening of a container.

[0003] This object is achieved by the subject matter having the features according to the independent patent claims. Further embodiments are shown in the dependent claims.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a container is provided with a lower shell and an upper shell, which are pivotally connected relative to one another by at least one hinge device and can be locked together in a locked position by at least one locking device. The container has a pretensioning device which, in particular in cooperation with the hinge device, pretensions the upper shell in an opening direction such that the upper shell is open at a predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell when the locking device is unlocked.

[0005] In the context of the present invention, the locking position may mean that the container is held by the locking device in a closed state in which the upper shell rests firmly against the lower shell at an angle of substantially 0°.

[0006] In the context of the present invention, the lower shell and the upper shell form a hollow space that serves as storage space inside the container. The container can be a box, for example, a metal box, or a case. Preferably, the container is a tool case, more preferably a socket wrench box. Especially when performing manual tasks, the user does not always have both hands available at the same time, so the container of the present invention advantageously ensures that it can be opened and closed with one hand.

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

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

[0009] The container of the present invention facilitates user operation because the container can be opened with one hand and can open partially by itself. One-handed opening is possible thanks to the pre-tensioning device in the hinge connection.

[0010] In one embodiment, the hinge device is a hinge band, and the pretensioning device is an opening spring arranged in or on the hinge band, preferably a torsion or leg spring, which pretensions the hinge band such that, when the locking device is unlocked, the upper shell is opened at the predetermined opening angle relative to the lower shell. Preferably, the hinge band with the opening spring is a prefabricated assembly, thus simplifying the manufacture and assembly of the container.

[0011] In one embodiment, one or two hinge straps are provided, each having 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 which is passed through the upper hinge strap part and the lower hinge strap part in order to pivotally connect them relative to one another, and the opening spring which opens the upper hinge strap part at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower hinge strap part when the locking device is unlocked. At least the upper hinge strap part or the lower hinge strap part is attached to an outer side of the lower shell or the upper shell and forms a storage surface for the container when the latter is standing upright. The two storage surfaces of the two hinge straps lie in a common plane, i.e. they are coplanar.By providing two such hinges, two stable storage surfaces are created. Preferably, the hinges are provided as prefabricated assemblies, each with the opening spring, thus simplifying the manufacture and assembly of the container.

[0012] In one embodiment, the joint device is a hinge having a first hinge band part connected to one of the lower shell and the upper shell, and two second hinge band parts connected to the other of the lower shell and the upper shell; a metal pin that is passed through the first hinge band part and the second hinge band parts in order to pivotally connect them relative to one another; and the opening spring that opens the first hinge band part at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the second hinge band parts when the locking device is unlocked. The opening spring is designed as a one-piece torsion spring and has a spring clip that rests on an inner side of one of the lower shell and the upper shell, and two spring legs that rest on corresponding inner sides of the second hinge band parts. This creates a hinge orA hinge assembly is formed in which the opening spring is already integrated into the hinge band. This simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the container. Alternatively, the opening spring can also be split into two parts, i.e., the spring clip is separated to form two leg springs.

[0013] In one embodiment, the locking device comprises a bracket pivotable between a locking position and an opening position, which bracket is attached to one of the lower shell and the upper shell, and a bracket engagement part attached to the other of the lower shell and the upper shell. The bracket is engaged with the bracket engagement part in the locking position, so that the lower shell and the upper shell are closed, and it is disengaged from the bracket engagement part in the opening position, so that the upper shell is opened at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell. The bracket may have a rectangular inner contour. The outer contour of the bracket may be arbitrary. The bracket may have a closed structure or a U-shaped structure. The bracket engagement part may have a shape complementary to the inner contour of the bracket when received inside the bracket.Alternatively, the handle engagement part can also engage with the outer contour of the handle. The handle and handle engagement part ensure an easy-to-use, stable, and reliable locking mechanism. The position of the handle and the position of the upper shell provide a visual indication from the outside whether the container is closed or not.

[0014] In one embodiment, the bracket encloses the bracket engagement part in the locking position and is preferably locked thereto. For example, the bracket can have a projection that engages and locks into an undercut of the bracket engagement part.

[0015] In one embodiment, the locking device comprises a closing spring, preferably a leaf spring, which preloads the shackle into the locking position. This simplifies the locking process and can optionally be automatic. Even if several shackles are unlocked one after the other, so that the first unlocked shackle is moved back towards its locking position before the next shackle is unlocked, the upper shell can be opened without difficulty because either the force of the closing spring can be dimensioned such that it alone is insufficient to re-engage the shackle with the shackle engagement part, or because a recess is provided in which the closing spring snaps into the opening position.The upper shell may also warp slightly when unlocking the first unlocked bracket, so that the first bracket cannot engage and snap into the bracket engagement part when it springs back into its locking position.

[0016] The pre-tensioning device in the hinged connection and the closing spring allow for one-handed opening and closing of the container. This also ensures that the container closes automatically.

[0017] In the context of the present invention, a leaf spring may include a stationary spring portion secured to one of the lower shell and the upper shell, and a movable spring portion secured to the shackle, allowing the shackle to be urged and moved from the open position to the locked position. The leaf spring may be in the form of a substantially rectangular blade formed from spring steel.

[0018] In one embodiment, the closing spring is a leaf spring that can be snapped into a recess in one of the lower shell and the upper shell when the shackle is in the open position. The force or spring constant of the closing spring can be dimensioned such that it is too small to release the leaf spring from the recess belonging to the open position, but large enough to engage the shackle with the shackle engagement part as soon as the leaf spring moves out of the recess belonging to the open position. In this case, it is sufficient to briefly operate the shackle with one hand so that the closing spring is released from the recess belonging to the open position so that the shackle is then brought into engagement with the shackle engagement part by the closing spring and optionally snaps into place automatically.

[0019] Additionally, a further recess can be provided in one of the lower shell and the upper shell, into which the leaf spring can be engaged when the shackle is in the locking position. If the further recess corresponding to the locking position is provided, a separate locking device between the shackle and the shackle engagement part can be omitted.

[0020] In one embodiment, the locking device comprises a blocking device that blocks unlocking of the locking device, i.e., pivoting of the bracket from the locking position to the opening position. This prevents unintentional opening of the container and can provide transport security.

[0021] In one embodiment, the blocking device is configured such that, in a plan view, the bracket has a substantially elongated, preferably rectangular, inner contour; in the locking position, the bracket encloses the bracket engagement part with its inner contour and is preferably locked thereto; in the locking position, the bracket is displaceable, preferably exclusively in the locking position, in a direction that is substantially parallel to a pivoting direction of the upper shell with respect to the lower shell, between a blocking position and a non-blocking position relative to one of the lower shell and the upper shell, preferably displaceable in a recess provided in one of the lower shell and the upper shell;the bracket has a stopper which, in the blocking position, is held in a receptacle provided in one of the lower shell and the upper shell, so that the bracket cannot be pivoted into the opening position in the blocking position; and the stopper is not held in the receptacle in the non-blocking position, so that the bracket can be pivoted into the opening position in the non-blocking position. Based on the position of the bracket, it is visually recognizable from the outside whether the container's unlocking mechanism is blocked or not.

[0022] In another embodiment, the blocking device is configured such that a switch is arranged on one of the lower shell and the upper shell, which switch can be switched between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. In the blocking position, the switch blocks deformation of the closing spring, so that the bracket cannot be pivoted into the opening position in the blocking position, and in the non-blocking position, the switch does not block deformation of the closing spring, so that the bracket can be pivoted into the opening position in the non-blocking position. The switch can be a toggle or slide switch, which, when in the blocking position, presses against the upper part of the leaf spring. Based on the position of the switch, it is visually recognizable from the outside whether the unlocking of the container is blocked or not.

[0023] In one embodiment, the locking device comprises a leaf spring that biases the shackle into the locking position, wherein the leaf spring can be engaged in a recess in one of the lower shell and the upper shell when the shackle is in the open position. The switch in the blocking position prevents the leaf spring from reaching the recess.

[0024] In one embodiment, a handle is arranged on a side of the container facing away from the hinge device. The handle has a metal band, preferably made of spring steel, which is slidably secured at both its ends to bearing blocks arranged on one of the lower shell and the upper shell, wherein the metal band is covered with a plastic sheath. The metal band can be pulled out of the bearing blocks to a predetermined extent and, pre-tensioned by springs, automatically retracts back into the bearing blocks. The metal band itself can be a rope-shaped spring steel core, which is secured at its ends to the corresponding bearing blocks, for example with coil springs. The metal band can also be designed as a whole as a coil spring covered with the plastic sheath. The ergonomic handle ensures greater comfort and safety when carried.

[0025] In one embodiment, each of the brackets is pivotally mounted in a corresponding bearing block. This simplifies the manufacture of the container and minimizes the presence of interfering contours or protruding surfaces.

[0026] In one embodiment, the lower shell, the upper shell, the at least one hinge band and / or the bracket are made of cold-rolled sheet metal.

[0027] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a method for one-handed opening of a container is provided. The method comprises steps of one-handedly actuating the locking device to move it from the locking position to the opening position so that the upper shell, with the locking device unlocked, is opened at a predetermined opening angle relative to the lower shell; one-handedly gripping the upper shell at a gap formed by the predetermined opening angle between the lower shell and the upper shell; and one-handedly opening the upper shell beyond the predetermined opening angle.

[0028] In one embodiment of the method, a step for moving the bracket or the switch from the blocking position to the non-blocking position with one hand is further provided.

[0029] In the following, exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail with reference to the following figures. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container according to an embodiment. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a hinge strap according to an embodiment. Figure 3 shows a detail X from the Figure 1 . Figure 4 shows a top view of the container of the Figure 1 . Figure 5 shows a locking device with a blocking device according to an embodiment. Figure 6 shows a front view of the container of the Figure 1 . Figure 7 shows a front view of the container of the Figure 1 . Figure 8 shows a locking device with a blocking device according to another embodiment. Figure 9 shows a top view of the container of the Figure 1 .

[0030] The same or similar components in different figures are provided with the same reference numerals.

[0031] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a container 1 according to an embodiment. The container 1 has a lower shell 2 and an upper shell 3, which are pivotally connected relative to one another by two hinge devices 4 and can be locked together in a locking position by two locking devices 5. The locking position can mean that the container 1 is held by the locking device 5 in a closed state, in which the upper shell 3 rests firmly against the lower shell 2 at an angle of substantially 0°.

[0032] The container 1 has two pretensioning devices 6, which pretension the upper shell 3 in an opening direction such that the upper shell 3 is open at a predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell 2 when the locking device 5 is unlocked. The predetermined opening angle is preferably in a range between 2 and 10°, more preferably between 3 and 8°. At the same time, the predetermined opening angle defines a gap between the lower shell 2 and the upper shell 3. The gap is preferably in a range between 1 and 15 mm, more preferably between 2 and 5 mm, most preferably between 2 and 3 mm.

[0033] Preferably, the pretensioning device 6 is a spring, more preferably a torsion spring, leg spring, or leaf spring. Alternatively, the pretensioning 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 a pretension by means of a distortion in the lower shell 2 or the upper shell 3 when the container 1 is held closed by the locking device 5.

[0034] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a hinge band 4 according to an embodiment, and Figure 3 shows a detail X from the Figure 1 According to the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 3the joint device 4 is in each case a hinge band 4, and the pretensioning device 6 is in each case an opening spring 6 arranged in or on the hinge band 4, preferably a torsion or leg spring, which pretensions the hinge band 4 in such a way that when the locking devices 5 are unlocked, the upper shell 3 is opened at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell 2.

[0035] In the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 3Two hinge straps 4 are provided, each having at least one upper hinge strap part 41 connected to the upper shell 3, at least one lower hinge strap part 42 connected to the lower shell 2, a metal pin 43 which is passed through the upper hinge strap part 41 and the lower hinge strap part 42 in order to pivotally connect them relative to one another, and the opening spring 6 which opens the upper hinge strap part 41 at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower hinge strap part 42 when the locking device 5 is unlocked. The upper hinge strap part 41 and the lower hinge strap parts 42 are each fixed or riveted to the upper shell 3 and the lower shell 2, respectively, with rivets 44 passing through complementary openings 45 in the upper hinge strap part 41 and the lower hinge strap parts 42, respectively.the lower shell 2 must be screwed.

[0036] In the Figures 2 and 3 The opening spring 6 is designed as a torsion spring. The opening spring 6 has a spring clip 61 that rests against an inner side of the upper shell 3. The opening spring 6 further has two spring legs 62 that rest against corresponding inner sides of the lower hinge band parts 42. This forms a hinge or hinge assembly in which the opening spring 6 is already integrated into the hinge band 4. This simplifies the assembly of the container 1.

[0037] Figure 4 shows a top view of the container 1 of the Figure 1The upper hinge band part 41 or the lower hinge band parts 42 are attached to an outer side of the lower shell 2 or the upper shell 3, respectively, and form flat support surfaces 46 for the container 1. The two support surfaces 46 of the two hinge bands 4 lie in a common plane, i.e., they are coplanar. When the container 1 is standing upright, it can be placed securely on the coplanar support surfaces 46.

[0038] As this is the case in the Figure 1As further shown, the locking devices 5 each have a bracket 51 which can be pivoted between a locking position and an opening position and which is attached to the lower shell 2 in the present case, and a bracket engagement part 52 which is attached to the upper shell 3 in the present case. In the locking position, the brackets 51 are each engaged with the corresponding bracket engagement part 52, so that the lower shell 2 and the upper shell 3 are closed, and in the opening position they are not engaged with the corresponding bracket engagement part 52, so that the upper shell 3 is open at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell 2. In the locking position, the brackets 51 each enclose the corresponding bracket engagement part 52 and are locked thereto. For example, the brackets 51 can each have a projection which engages in an undercut of the corresponding bracket engagement part 52 and locks thereto.Preferably, the locking device 5 each has a closing spring 53, preferably a leaf spring (see also . Figures 5 and 8 ), which pre-tension the corresponding brackets 51 into the locking position. Even if the two brackets 51 are unlocked one after the other, so that the first unlocked bracket 51 is moved back towards its locking position before the second bracket 51 is unlocked, the upper shell 3 can be opened without problem because the force of the closing spring 53 is dimensioned such that it alone is not sufficient to bring the bracket 51 into engagement with the bracket engagement part 52. In addition, the upper shell 3 can warp slightly when the first bracket 51 is unlocked due to the force of the pre-tensioning device 6, so that the first bracket 51 cannot engage with the bracket engagement part 52 and snap into place when it springs back into its locking position.

[0039] Figure 5shows a locking device 5 with a blocking device according to an exemplary embodiment. The blocking device can block unlocking, i.e., pivoting of the bracket 51 from the locking position to the opening position. The blocking device can thus serve as a transport lock. The blocking device is configured such that, in a plan view, the bracket 51 has a substantially elongated, preferably rectangular, inner contour, and the bracket 51, in the locking position, encloses the bracket engagement part 52 with its inner contour and is preferably engaged therewith. In the locking position, the bracket 51 is displaceable in a direction that is substantially parallel to a pivoting direction of the upper shell 3 with respect to the lower shell 2. The bracket engagement part 52 is correspondingly smaller than the inner contour of the bracket 51.The bracket 51 is displaceable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position relative to one of the lower shell 2 and the upper shell 3. The bracket 51 is displaceable in a recess 20 provided in the lower shell 2.

[0040] Figures 6 and 7 each show a front view of the container 1 of the Figure 1 . In the Figure 6 the blocking device, ie the transport lock, is inactive, while in the Figure 7 the blocking device, i.e. the transport lock, is active.

[0041] The bracket also has, according to the Figure 5a stopper 54, which, in the blocking position, is held in a receptacle 55 provided in the lower shell 2, so that the bracket 51 cannot be pivoted into the opening position in the blocking position. The stopper 54 is not held in the receptacle 55 in the non-blocking position, so that the bracket 51 can be pivoted into the opening position in the non-blocking position.

[0042] Figure 8shows a locking device with a blocking device according to another embodiment. The blocking device is configured such that a switch 56 is arranged on the lower shell 2, which switch can be switched between a blocking position and a non-blocking position. In the blocking position, the switch 56 blocks deformation of the closing spring 53, so that the bracket 51 cannot be pivoted into the opening position in the blocking position. In the non-blocking position, the switch 56 does not block deformation of the closing spring 53, so that the bracket 51 can be pivoted into the opening position in the non-blocking position. The switch 56 can be a toggle or slide switch which, when in the blocking position, presses against the upper part of the leaf spring 53.

[0043] The leaf spring 53 can be engaged in corresponding recesses 57, 58 in one of the lower shells 2 when the bracket 51 is in the locking position or in the opening position. The leaf spring 53 engages in the recess 57 in the locking position, and the leaf spring 53 engages in the recess 58 in the opening position. In the blocking position, the switch 56 prevents the leaf spring 53 from reaching its engageable position in the locking position. If the recess 57 is provided, it is possible to dispense with the brackets 51 each having a projection that engages and engages with the undercut of the corresponding bracket engagement part 52.

[0044] Figure 9 shows a top view of the container 1 of the Figure 1. On a side of the container 1 facing away from the hinge device 4, a handle 8 is arranged, which has a metal band 81, preferably made of spring steel, which is slidably secured at both its ends to bearing blocks 7 arranged on one of the lower shell 2 and the upper shell 3. The metal band 81 can be secured to the bearing blocks 7 by means of rivets or screws or another type of fastening. The metal band 81 is covered with a plastic sheath 82. The metal band 81 can be pulled out of the bearing blocks 7 up to a predetermined extent, as shown in the Figure 9is shown. The metal strip 81, pretensioned by springs, automatically retracts into the bearing blocks 7. The metal strip 81 can be a rope-shaped spring steel core, which is secured at its ends to the corresponding bearing blocks 7 via coil springs. The metal strip 81 can also be designed as a whole as a coil spring coated with the plastic sheath 82.

[0045] One of the two brackets 51 is pivotally mounted in each of the support brackets 7, which simplifies the manufacture and assembly of the container 1. The lower shell 2, the upper shell 3, the at least one hinge band 4, and / or the bracket 51 can be made of cold-rolled sheet metal, such as DC01 - DC07, in particular DC06. All of the springs mentioned can be made of spring steel, such as spring steel 1.4310. The plastic sheath 82 can be made of soft plastic, such as TPE. Coloring can be applied to the metal components by powder coating; if necessary, individual components can be burnished or blackened.

[0046] The following describes an operation or method for one-handed opening of the container 1. First, the locking device 5, such as the bracket 51, is operated or unlocked with one hand to move it from the locking position to the opening position, so that the upper shell 2 is opened at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell 3 when the locking device is unlocked.

[0047] The upper shell 3 is then grasped with one hand at a gap formed by the predetermined opening angle between the lower shell 2 and the upper shell 3. The upper shell 3 can then be opened further with one hand beyond the predetermined opening angle. Because the upper shell 3 automatically opens to the predetermined opening angle, it is not necessary to lift and hold the upper shell 3 with a second hand while the locking device 5 is unlocked. If the closing spring 53 is provided, the bracket 51 does not need to be manually reset.Even if the two brackets 51 are unlocked one after the other, so that the first unlocked bracket 51 is moved back towards its locking position before the second bracket 51 is unlocked, the upper shell 3 can be opened without any problems because the force of the closing spring 53 is dimensioned such that it alone is not sufficient to engage the bracket 51 with the bracket engagement part 52. Furthermore, the upper shell 3 can warp slightly when the first bracket 51 is unlocked due to the force of the pretensioning device 6, so that the first bracket 51 cannot engage and snap into the bracket engagement part 52 when it springs back into its locking position. If a blocking device is provided, it can be moved with one hand, i.e. the bracket 51 or the switch 56 can be moved with one hand from the blocking position to the non-blocking position.

[0048] In a variation, the lower shell of the container may have feet, and the upper shell of the container may have complementary recesses that can accommodate the feet of a container arranged above it. This makes it possible to stack multiple containers securely on top of each other.

[0049] The container of the present invention allows for the storage of system boxes, tools, materials, and other consumables with or without dividers (deep-drawn inserts, etc.). The upper shell, the lower shell, the bracket, the bearing blocks, and the hinge straps can alternatively be made of other materials, for example, metals such as die-cast aluminum, stainless steel, etc., or plastics, wood, etc.

[0050] The locking mechanism can also be used for other applications, for example as an operating device for furniture, boxes, crates, suitcases, etc.

[0051] Additionally, it should be noted that "comprising" does not exclude other elements or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations. LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0052] 1Container 2Lower shell 3Upper shell 4Hinged device 5Locking device 6Pre-tensioning device 7Bearing block 8Handle 20Recess 41Upper hinge part 42Lower hinge part 43Metal pin 44Rivet 45Opening 46Storage area 51Bail 52Bail engagement part 53Closing spring 54Stopper 55Receptacle 56Switch 57Recess 58Recess 61Spring clip 62Spring leg 81Metal band 82Plastic sheath

Claims

1. A container (1) comprising a lower shell (2) and an upper shell (3) which are pivotally connected relative to one another by at least one joint device (4) and which can be locked together in a locking position by at least one locking device (5); wherein the container (1) comprises a pretensioning device (6) which pretensions the upper shell (3) in an opening direction such that the upper shell (3) is open at a predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell (2) when the locking device (5) is unlocked.

2. Container (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the joint device (4) is a hinge band (4) and the pretensioning device (6) is an opening spring (6) arranged in or on the hinge band (4), preferably a torsion or leg spring, which pretensions the hinge band (4) such that when the locking device (5) is unlocked, the upper shell (3) is opened at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell (2).

3. Container (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein two hinge bands (4) are provided, each having at least one upper hinge band part (41) connected to the upper shell (3), at least one lower hinge band part (42) connected to the lower shell (2), a metal pin (43) passed through the upper hinge band part (41) and the lower hinge band part (42) to pivotally connect them relative to one another, and the opening spring (6) which, when the locking device (5) is unlocked, opens the upper hinge band part (41) at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower hinge band part (42); wherein at least the upper hinge band part (41) or the lower hinge band part (42) is attached to an outer side of the lower shell (2) or the upper shell (3) respectively and forms a support surface (46) for the container (1), wherein the two support surfaces (46) of the two hinge bands (4) lie in a common plane.

4. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the hinge device (4) is a hinge comprising a first hinge band part (41) connected to one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3) and two second hinge band parts (42) connected to the other of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), a metal pin (43) which is passed through the first hinge band part (41) and the second hinge band parts (42) in order to pivotally connect them relative to one another, and the opening spring (6) which opens the first hinge band part (41) at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the second hinge band parts (42) when the locking device (5) is unlocked;and the opening spring (6) is designed as a torsion spring and has a spring clip (61) which rests on an inner side of one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), and two spring legs (62) which rest on corresponding inner sides of the second hinge band parts (42); 5. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (5) comprises a bracket (51) pivotable between a locking position and an opening position, which bracket is attached to one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), and a bracket engagement part (52) attached to the other of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), wherein the bracket (51) is engaged with the bracket engagement part (52) in the locking position so that the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3) are closed, and is disengaged from the bracket engagement part (52) in the opening position so that the upper shell (3) is opened at the predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell (2).

6. Container (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the bracket (51) in the locking position encloses the bracket engagement part (52) and is preferably locked thereto, wherein the locking device (5) preferably has a closing spring (53), more preferably a leaf spring, which pretensions the bracket (51) into the locking position.

7. Container (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the closing spring (53) is a leaf spring (53) which can be engaged in a recess (58) in one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3) when the bracket (51) is in the opening position, wherein the closing spring (53) can preferably be engaged in a further recess (57) in one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3) when the bracket (51) is in the locking position.

8. Container (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein a spring constant of the leaf spring (53) is dimensioned such that it is too small to release the leaf spring (53) from the recess (58) belonging to the opening position, but which is large enough that the bracket (51) engages with the bracket engagement part (52) as soon as the leaf spring (53) comes out of the recess (58) belonging to the opening position.

9. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the locking device (5) has a blocking device which blocks unlocking of the locking device (5).

10. Container (1) according to the preceding claim and one of claims 5 to 9, wherein the blocking device is configured such that, in a plan view, the bracket (51) has a substantially elongated, preferably rectangular, inner contour; the bracket (51), in the locking position, encloses the bracket engagement part (52) with its inner contour and is preferably locked thereto; the bracket (51), in the locking position, preferably exclusively in the locking position, is displaceable between a blocking position and a non-blocking position relative to one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), preferably displaceable in a recess (20) provided in one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3);the bracket has a stopper (54) which, in the blocking position, is held in a receptacle (55) provided in one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), so that the bracket (51) cannot be pivoted into the opening position in the blocking position; and the stopper (54) is not held in the receptacle (55) in the non-blocking position, so that the bracket (51) can be pivoted into the opening position in the non-blocking position.

11. Container (1) according to claim 9 and one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the blocking device is configured such that a switch (56) is arranged on one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), which switch can be switched between a blocking position and a non-blocking position, wherein the switch (56) in the blocking position blocks a deformation of the closing spring (53) so that the bracket (51) cannot be pivoted into the opening position in the blocking position, and wherein the switch (56) in the non-blocking position does not block a deformation of the closing spring (53) so that the bracket (51) can be pivoted into the opening position in the non-blocking position, wherein the locking device (5) preferably has a leaf spring (53) which pretensions the bracket (51) into the locking position, wherein the leaf spring (53) is inserted into a recess (58) in one of the lower shell (2) and the Upper shell (3) can be snapped into place,when the bracket (51) is in the open position; and the switch (56) in the blocking position prevents the leaf spring (53) from reaching the recess (58).

12. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein a handle (8) is arranged on a side of the container (1) facing away from the hinge device (4), said handle having a metal band (81), preferably made of spring steel, which is slidably secured at both its ends to bearing blocks (7) arranged on one of the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3), wherein the metal band (81) is covered with a plastic sheath (82); wherein the metal band (81) can be pulled out of the bearing blocks (7) up to a predetermined extent and, pretensioned by springs, automatically retracts back into the bearing blocks (7).

13. Container (1) according to the preceding claim and claim 5, wherein each of the brackets (51) is pivotally mounted in a corresponding bearing block (7).

14. A method for one-handed opening of a container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, comprising the following steps: one-handed actuation of the locking device (5) in order to transfer it from the locking position to the opening position so that the upper shell (2) is opened (3) with the locking device unlocked at a predetermined opening angle with respect to the lower shell; one-handed gripping of the upper shell (3) at a gap formed by the predetermined opening angle between the lower shell (2) and the upper shell (3); and one-handed opening of the upper shell (3) beyond the predetermined opening angle.

15. Method according to the preceding claim and one of claims 10 and 11, further comprising a step of moving the bracket (51) or the switch (56) with one hand from the blocking position to the non-blocking position.

Images