Container

Abstract

To provide a container which can securely support a load with vertical frames of side plates.SOLUTION: A container 9 includes a bottom plate 1, a mouth frame 2, and two pairs of side plates 3, 4. The mouth frame 2 includes four corner members 25 forming four corners of the mouth frame 2. At least one side plate 3 included in the two pairs of side plates 3, 4 includes: a side plate body 31; and vertical frames 33 respectively attached to vertical edge portions at both sides of the side plate body 31. The vertical frame 33 has a vertical rib 332 protruding outward. The corner member 25 located above the vertical frame 33 has a receiving part 26 which is provided in a manner that the receiving part 26 can contact with the vertical rib 332.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a container. [Background technology]

[0002] It is conventionally known that in a container having a bottom plate, a mouth frame, and two pairs of side plates, at least one of the two pairs of side plates is formed by attaching a vertical frame to the vertical edge portions on both sides of the side plate body (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-131663 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the container described above, it is preferable to have the vertical frames at both ends of the side panels abut against the mouth frame and have the vertical frames support the load. However, since the abutment area between the vertical frames of the side panels and the mouth frame is small, it may be difficult for the vertical frames to support the load securely.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a container that can firmly support a load by the vertical frames of the side panels. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A container according to one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a bottom plate, a mouth frame located above the bottom plate, and two pairs of side plates standing between the bottom plate and the mouth frame. The mouth frame includes four corner members that form the four corners of the mouth frame. At least one of the two pairs of side plates includes a side plate body and a vertical frame attached to vertical edge portions on both sides of the side plate body. The vertical frame has a vertical rib protruding outward. Of the four corner members, the corner member located above the vertical frame has a receiving portion that is provided so as to be able to abut against the vertical rib. Effect of the Invention

[0007] The present disclosure has an advantage in that it is possible to provide a container that can firmly support a load by means of the vertical frames of the side panels. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable container according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the foldable container. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in FIG. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is another side view of the foldable container. [Figure 6] 6A is a cross-sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. 5, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. [Figure 7] 7A is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along line FF in FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line GG in FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a main part of the foldable container when the rocking plate is moved. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view of a mouth frame of the foldable container. [Figure 11]FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a pair of rocking plates included in the foldable container. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a bottom plate and a pair of foldable side plates included in the foldable container. [Figure 13] FIG. 13A is a perspective view of a corner member included in the mouth frame, and FIG. 13B is another perspective view of the corner member. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the foldable container of the above when folded. [Figure 15] FIG. 15A is a side view of the foldable containers folded and stacked, and FIG. 15B is a cross-sectional view taken along line HH in FIG. 15A. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a modified example of the foldable container. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a container according to another embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an enlarged view of a main portion of FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the main part of the container when the rocking plate is moved. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a side view of the container. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II in FIG. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view taken along line JJ in FIG. [Diagram 23] FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view taken along line KK in FIG. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a cross-sectional view taken along line LL in FIG. [Diagram 25] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the relationship between the corner members and the vertical frame of the container. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of the corner member. [Figure 27] FIG. 27 is a side view of the shaft-mounted frame member of the container. [Figure 28] FIG. 28 is a cross-sectional view taken along line NN in FIG. [Figure 29]FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view taken along line MM in FIG. [Diagram 30] FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view showing a main part of a modified example of the container. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] 1. One embodiment The present disclosure will be described based on the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings. Figures 1 to 15B show a container 9 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The container 9 according to the embodiment is a collapsible container 9.

[0010] 1 to 13 show the whole or part of the foldable container 9 in an assembled state, and Fig. 14 to 15B show the foldable container 9 in a folded state. The directions such as up and down, inside and outside, etc. used in the text are based on the case where the foldable container 9 in an assembled state is placed on a horizontal surface.

[0011] (Overview of foldable containers) First, an overview of a foldable container 9 according to one embodiment will be described.

[0012] As shown in Fig. 1 etc., a foldable container 9 of one embodiment includes a bottom plate 1, a mouth frame 2, a pair of swinging plates 3, and a pair of folding side plates 4. The bottom plate 1 has a rectangular outer shape in a plan view. The mouth frame 2 is located above the bottom plate 1 and has a rectangular frame-like outer shape. The pair of swinging plates 3 are connected to the mouth frame 2 so as to be rotatable relative to the mouth frame 2. The pair of folding side plates 4 are connected to the bottom plate 1 and the mouth frame 2 so as to be rotatable relative to the bottom plate 1 and the mouth frame 2.

[0013] The bottom plate 1, which is rectangular in plan view, has a longitudinal direction D1 and a transverse direction D2 that are perpendicular to each other. The longitudinal direction D1 and the transverse direction D2 are both perpendicular to the up-down direction D3. The longitudinal direction D1 of the bottom plate 1 is the overall longitudinal direction D1 of the foldable container 9. The transverse direction D2 of the bottom plate 1 is the overall transverse direction D2 of the foldable container 9.

[0014] 1 and other figures show the foldable container 9 in an assembled state. In this assembled state, the pair of rocking plates 3 and the pair of folding side plates 4 are both standing straight up from the bottom plate 1. In the assembled foldable container 9, the pair of rocking plates 3 face each other at a distance in the longitudinal direction D1 and maintain a parallel posture. The pair of folding side plates 4 face each other at a distance in the lateral direction D2 and maintain a parallel posture.

[0015] 14 shows the foldable container 9 in a folded state. In this folded state, the pair of rocking plates 3 and the pair of folding side plates 4 are both folded. The pair of rocking plates 3 are folded by rocking the pair of rocking plates 3 in a direction in which they approach each other in the longitudinal direction D1. The pair of folding side plates 4 are folded by bending them in a "L" shape in a direction in which they approach each other in the lateral direction D2.

[0016] In one embodiment of the foldable container 9, the pair of foldable side panels 4 are integrally configured with the bottom panel 1. In detail, a bottom panel body 11 (described later) included in the bottom panel 1 and a side panel body 41 (described later) included in each of the pair of foldable side panels 4 are integrally formed using a hollow structure panel made of synthetic resin (see FIG. 12).

[0017] (bottom plate) The bottom plate 1 includes a bottom plate body 11 having a rectangular shape in a plan view, and a cover member 15 provided on an outer circumferential edge portion 112 of the bottom plate body 11.

[0018] The bottom plate body 11 is formed using a hollow structure plate made of synthetic resin. The outer peripheral edge portion 112 of the rectangular bottom plate body 11 includes a pair of outer edge portions 114 extending linearly in the longitudinal direction D1 and a pair of outer edge portions 116 extending linearly in the lateral direction D2. The pair of outer edge portions 114 are long strip-shaped portions bent so as to stand upright, and are positioned parallel to each other at a distance in the lateral direction D2.

[0019] The pair of outer edge portions 116 are long pieces bent so as to stand upright, and are positioned parallel to each other at a distance in the longitudinal direction D1. A hole 118 penetrating in the longitudinal direction D1 is formed in the middle portion of each of the pair of outer edge portions 116 in the short direction D2 (see FIG. 8).

[0020] The cover member 15 is attached to the middle portion in the short-side direction D2 of each of the pair of outer edge portions 116. As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the cover member 15 has a cylindrical portion 152 that is inserted into the inside of the hole 118 of the outer edge portion 116. An engagement recess 17 that penetrates the cover member 15 in the longitudinal direction D1 is formed on the inside of the cylindrical portion 152. The engagement recess 17 has a rectangular opening that is long in the short-side direction D2 and short in the up-down direction D3.

[0021] With the cover member 15 attached to the outer edge portion 116, the engagement recesses 17 of the cover member 15 form the handle portion 5 that penetrates the outer edge portion 116 in the longitudinal direction D1. A user can insert his or her fingers into the handle portion 5 from the outside in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0022] As shown in Figures 8 and 9, the engagement recess 17 formed in the cover member 15 has protrusions 175 at both ends in the short-side direction D2. The protrusions 175 are vertically extending protrusions, in other words, protrusions that extend linearly in the up-down direction D3. The two protrusions 175 provided on both end faces of the engagement recess 17 in the short-side direction D2 face each other with a distance in between in the short-side direction D2 and are parallel to each other. The two protrusions 175 are formed on the inner ends of both end faces of the engagement recess 17 in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0023] (Mouth Frame) 1 and 10, the mouth frame 2 has a rectangular outer shape in a plan view. The mouth frame 2 includes a pair of short frames 23 that respectively support the upper end portions of the pair of swinging plates 3, a pair of long frames 24 that respectively support the upper end portions of the pair of folding side plates 4, and four corner members 25 that form the four corners of the mouth frame 2.

[0024] (Pair of short frames) Each of the pair of short frames 23 has a common configuration described below.

[0025] As shown in Figure 10, the short frame 23 includes a flat upper plate 231 extending linearly in the short direction D2, a frame upright piece 232 standing upward from the outer end of the upper plate 231 in the longitudinal direction D1, and a first hanging piece 235 and a second hanging piece 236 hanging downward from the upper plate 231.

[0026] The frame upright pieces 232 of the short frame 23 have the function of preventing the upper foldable container 9 from shifting and falling during stacking or transportation, and also have the function of preventing the upper foldable container 9 from shifting sideways when performing slide stacking.

[0027] The second hanging piece 236 is located outboard in the longitudinal direction D1 than the first hanging piece 235. The first hanging piece 235 and the second hanging piece 236 are parallel to each other, and the upper end portion of the rocking plate 3 is inserted between the first hanging piece 235 and the second hanging piece 236.

[0028] The frame upright piece 232 , the first hanging piece 235 , and the second hanging piece 236 of the short frame 23 are each formed over the entire length of the upper plate 231 .

[0029] When the foldable containers 9 of one embodiment are stacked one on top of the other, another foldable container 9 is placed on the upper surface of the upper plate 231 of the short frame 23 provided on the foldable container 9. In other words, the upper surface of the upper plate 231 of the short frame 23 constitutes the upper surface 238 of the short frame 23 used to place another foldable container 9 on it.

[0030] (A pair of long frames) Each of the pair of long frames 24 has a common configuration as described below.

[0031] The long frame 24 includes a flat upper plate 241 extending linearly in the longitudinal direction D1, a frame upright piece 242 standing upward from the outer end of the upper plate 241 in the longitudinal direction D1, and a first hanging piece 245 and a second hanging piece 246 hanging downward from the upper plate 241.

[0032] The frame upright pieces 242 of the long frame 24 have the function of preventing the upper foldable container 9 from shifting and falling during stacking or transportation, and also have the function of preventing the upper foldable container 9 from shifting sideways when performing slide stacking.

[0033] The second hanging piece 246 is located outboard in the short direction D2 than the first hanging piece 245. The first hanging piece 245 and the second hanging piece 246 are parallel to each other, and the upper end portion of the folding side panel 4 is inserted between the first hanging piece 245 and the second hanging piece 246.

[0034] The frame upright piece 242 , the first hanging piece 245 , and the second hanging piece 246 of the long frame 24 are formed over the entire length of the upper plate 241 .

[0035] When the foldable containers 9 of one embodiment are stacked one on top of the other, another foldable container 9 is placed on the upper surface of the upper plate 241 of the long frame 24 provided on the foldable container 9. In other words, the upper surface of the upper plate 241 of the long frame 24 constitutes the upper surface 248 of the long frame 24 used to place another foldable container 9 on it.

[0036] (Corner parts) Each of the four corner members 25 has a common configuration that is described below.

[0037] As shown in Figures 13A and 13B, the corner member 25 has a main body portion 251 that is L-shaped in a planar view, a corner upright piece 252 that is L-shaped in a planar view and stands upward from the outer peripheral edge of the main body portion 251, a first connecting body 253 that protrudes in the longitudinal direction D1 from an end of the main body portion 251, and a second connecting body 254 that protrudes in the transverse direction D2 from another end of the main body portion 251.

[0038] The corner upright pieces 252 of the corner member 25 have the function of preventing the upper foldable container 9 from shifting and falling during stacking or transportation, and also have the function of preventing the upper foldable container 9 from shifting sideways when performing slide stacking.

[0039] The first connector 253 has a hollow structure that is open downward and toward one side in the longitudinal direction D1 and has a U-shaped vertical cross section. The upper end portion of the folding side panel 4 is inserted into and supported in the hollow portion of the first connector 253.

[0040] When the corner member 25 is connected to the long frame 24 , the first connector 253 of the corner member 25 is inserted into the space between the first hanging piece 245 and the second hanging piece 246 of the long frame 24 .

[0041] The second connector 254 has a hollow structure that is open downward and toward one side in the short direction D2 and has a U-shaped vertical cross section. The upper end portion of the rocking plate 3 is inserted into and supported by the hollow portion of the second connector 254.

[0042] With the corner member 25 connected to the short frame 23 , the second connector 254 of the corner member 25 is inserted into the space between the first hanging piece 235 and the second hanging piece 236 of the short frame 23 .

[0043] In addition, the corner member 25 is provided with a support leg 6. The support leg 6 extends downward from the outer circumferential edge of the main body portion 251 and has an L-shaped structure in horizontal cross section.

[0044] The support leg 6 integrally includes a flat first support wall 61 having a thickness in the longitudinal direction D1, a flat second support wall 62 having a thickness in the lateral direction D2, and a corner portion 63 smoothly connecting the first support wall 61 and the second support wall 62. The corner portion 63 has an outwardly bulging arc-shaped horizontal cross section.

[0045] 13A, the outer peripheral edge 65 of the support leg 6 is formed so as to rise outward more than other parts of the support leg 6. The outer peripheral edge 65 of the support leg 6 is formed thicker than other parts of the support leg 6. The strength of the support leg 6 is increased by the thick outer peripheral edge 65.

[0046] The thick outer peripheral edge portion 65 includes a first vertical edge portion 651 formed on the vertical edge of the first support wall 61, a second vertical edge portion 652 formed on the vertical edge of the second support wall 62, and a lower edge portion 653 connecting the lower ends of the first vertical edge portion 651 and the second vertical edge portion 652.

[0047] The first vertical edge 651 is formed in a straight line extending in the up-down direction D3 on the vertical edge of the first support wall 61 away from the corner 63. The second vertical edge 652 is formed in a straight line extending in the up-down direction D3 on the vertical edge of the second support wall 62 away from the corner 63. The first vertical edge 651 and the second vertical edge 652 have the function of increasing the strength of the support leg 6 against a load from above.

[0048] The lower edge 653 is formed at a portion where the lower edge of the first support wall 61, the lower edge of the corner portion 63, and the lower edge of the second support wall 62 are continuously connected. The lower edge 653 has a function of increasing the strength of the support leg 6 when it is placed on a floor surface or the like, and a function of increasing the installation area when the support leg 6 is placed on a floor surface or the like.

[0049] When the foldable containers 9 of one embodiment are stacked one on top of the other, another foldable container 9 is placed on the upper surface of the main body part 251 of the corner member 25 of the foldable container 9. In other words, the upper surface of the main body part 251 of the corner member 25 constitutes the upper surface 258 of the corner member 25 used to place another foldable container 9 on it.

[0050] When the first connector 253 of the corner member 25 is inserted into the end of the long frame 24 and the corner member 25 and the long frame 24 are connected to each other, the upper surface 258 of the corner member 25 is flush with and continuous with the upper surface 248 of the long frame 24 (see FIG. 1). Similarly, when the second connector 254 of the corner member 25 is inserted into the end of the short frame 23 and the corner member 25 and the short frame 23 are connected to each other, the upper surface 258 of the corner member 25 is flush with and continuous with the upper surface 238 of the short frame 23. The foldable container 9 of the embodiment allows easy slide stacking.

[0051] When the first connector 253 of the corner member 25 is inserted into the end of the long frame 24, a gap is generated in the short direction D2 between the upper end portion of the folding side panel 4 supported by the first connector 253 and the central portion of the long frame 24 covering it. In order to prevent rattling between the folding side panel 4 and the long frame 24 due to this gap, it is preferable that a rib that abuts against the upper end portion of the folding side panel 4 is provided on the inside of the long frame 24. The rib prevents rattling from occurring between the upper end portion of the folding side panel 4 and the long frame 24, which in turn contributes to improving the strength of the foldable container 9.

[0052] Similarly, when the second connector 254 of the corner member 25 is inserted into the end of the short frame 23, a gap is generated in the longitudinal direction D1 between the upper end portion of the rocking plate 3 supported by the second connector 254 and the central portion of the short frame 23 covering it. In order to prevent rattling between the rocking plate 3 and the short frame 23 due to this gap, it is preferable that a rib that abuts against the upper end portion of the rocking plate 3 is provided on the inside of the short frame 23. The rib prevents rattling from occurring between the upper end portion of the rocking plate 3 and the short frame 23, thereby contributing to improving the strength of the foldable container 9.

[0053] The support legs 6 provided on the corner members 25 contribute to improving the strength of the foldable container 9, as described below.

[0054] Specifically, in the assembled foldable container 9, the support legs 6 of the corner members 25 abut against the vertical frames 43 (described later) of the folding side panels 4 located below them (see FIGS. 2 and 4). More specifically, the lower ends of the support legs 6 of the corner members 25 abut against the upper ends of the upper frame members 8 included in the vertical frames 43. This allows the corner members 25 and the vertical frames 43, which are structurally continuous in the up-down direction D3, to bear a load applied from above, thereby increasing the strength of the assembled foldable container 9.

[0055] Additionally, the main body 251 of the corner member 25 abuts against a vertical frame 33 (described later) of the rocking plate 3 located below it (see Figs. 5 and 6A). This allows the corner member 25 and the vertical frame 33, which are structurally continuous in the up-down direction D3, to bear the load applied from above, thereby increasing the strength of the foldable container 9 in the assembled state.

[0056] The outer surface of the support leg 6 of the corner member 25 is flush and continuous with the outer surface of the vertical frame 43 located below it (specifically, the outer surface of the upper frame member 8).

[0057] In one embodiment of the foldable container 9, the outer surfaces of the support legs 6 are flush with the outer surfaces of the vertical frames 43, so that the outer dimensions of the foldable container 9 in the short direction D2 are minimized. Therefore, when assembled foldable containers 9 are stacked, it is possible to minimize the clearance between the corner upright pieces 252 of each corner member 25 of the lower foldable container 9 and the bottom plate 1 of the upper foldable container 9.

[0058] When assembled foldable containers 9 are stacked, the clearance between the upper and lower foldable containers 9 (i.e., the clearance between the corner standing pieces 252 of each corner member 25 of the lower foldable container 9 and the bottom plate 1 of the upper foldable container 9) is set larger in the longitudinal direction D1 than in the transverse direction D2. For example, the clearance in the transverse direction D2 is 3.5 mm, and the clearance in the longitudinal direction D1 is 4 mm.

[0059] When foldable containers 9 are stacked in a folded state, the clearance between the upper and lower foldable containers 9 (i.e., the clearance between the corner upright pieces 252 of each corner member 25 of the lower foldable container 9 and the support legs 255 of the corner members 25 of the upper foldable container 9) is 1 mm in both the longitudinal direction D1 and the lateral direction D2.

[0060] In addition, in the assembled foldable container 9, the first support wall 61 of the support leg 6 of the corner member 25 covers an end of a hinge portion 312 (described later) of the swing plate 3. The second support wall 62 of the support leg 6 of the corner member 25 covers an end of an upper hinge portion 411 (described later) of the folding side plate 4. This protects the hinge portion 312 and the upper hinge portion 411, which are relatively weak in strength. As shown in FIG. 4, the second support wall 62 of the corner member 25 abuts against and supports the upper hinge portion 411 of the folding side plate 4 from the outside, thereby preventing the upper hinge portion 411 from being damaged even when a large load is applied from the inside.

[0061] 6B, in the assembled foldable container 9, a relatively large clearance is provided between the first support wall 61 of the support leg 6 of the corner member 25 and the rocking plate 3. This prevents the first support wall 61 of the support leg 6 and the outer edge portion 116 of the bottom plate 1 from interfering with each other in the folded state described below.

[0062] (Pair of rocking plates) 11, each of the pair of rocking plates 3 includes a side plate body 31 having a rectangular flat plate shape, and two vertical frames 33 attached to the side plate body 31. In other words, the side plate body 31 is the rocking plate body 31. The two vertical frames 33 are attached to vertical edge portions on both sides of the side plate body 31 in the short side direction D2.

[0063] (Side panel body) The side plate body 31 is formed using a hollow structure plate made of synthetic resin. The side plate body 31 has a structure in which an upper end portion 311 and a portion 313 below the upper end portion 311 are connected to each other so as to be able to swing freely via a hinge portion 312. The hinge portion 312 is formed by a cut that extends linearly in the short side direction D2.

[0064] In other words, by forming cuts on the outer surface of the side panel body 31, which is made of synthetic resin, by thermal scoring, the side panel body 31 is divided into an upper end portion 311 and a lower portion 313. The upper end portion 311 is the portion that is fixed to the mouth frame 2.

[0065] (Vertical frame) Each of the two vertical frames 33 has a common configuration as described below.

[0066] The vertical frame 33 is a member having a U-shape in horizontal cross section that is attached to the vertical edge portion of the side plate main body 31. The vertical frame 33 constitutes the vertical edge portion of the rocking plate 3 in a state where it is attached to the side plate main body 31.

[0067] Additionally, the vertical frame 33 is provided with an L-shaped fitting portion 34 (see Figs. 7A, 7B, 11, etc.). The fitting portion 34 has an L-shaped structure in horizontal cross section including a protruding piece protruding outward from the vertical frame 33 in the short-side direction D2 and a protruding piece protruding outward from the tip of the protruding piece in the longitudinal direction D1. The fitting portion 34 is formed over the entire length of the vertical frame 33 in the up-down direction D3.

[0068] 11, the outer corner portion 335 in the short direction D2 of the lower end portion of the vertical frame 33 is formed to have an arc-shaped outer shape. This prevents the lower corner portion of the rocking plate 3 (i.e., the corner portion 335 of the vertical frame 33) from getting caught on other members and causing damage when the rocking plate 3 is moved.

[0069] (Cover material) A cover member 35 is attached to the lower end of the side plate main body 31. As shown in Fig. 9 and other figures, the cover member 35 is provided with an engagement protrusion 37 that protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0070] The engaging protrusion 37 has an outer shape that is long in the short direction D2 and short in the up-down direction D3 so that it can be inserted into the engaging recess 17 of the bottom plate 1 from the inside in the longitudinal direction D1. An upper surface 371 of the engaging protrusion 37 is a flat surface, and a lower surface 373 of the engaging protrusion 37 is an inclined surface that is positioned higher as it approaches the tip of the engaging protrusion 37. The engaging protrusion 37 is formed so that the width in the up-down direction D3 becomes narrower as it approaches the tip, and the distance between the upper surface 371 and the lower surface 373 becomes smaller.

[0071] A claw portion 375 is provided at each of both ends in the short side direction D2 of the engaging protrusion 37. The claw portion 375 has a shape that protrudes outward in the short side direction D2 from each of both ends in the short side direction D2 of the engaging protrusion 37. At each of both ends in the short side direction D2 of the engaging protrusion 37, a step is formed between the claw portion 375 and a portion closer to the base of the engaging protrusion 37 than the claw portion 375.

[0072] 8, in the assembled foldable container 9, the engagement protrusion 37 provided on the lower part of the rocking plate 3 is inserted into the engagement recess 17 of the bottom plate 1 from the inside in the longitudinal direction D1, and the engagement protrusion 37 engages with the engagement recess 17. In detail, the claw parts 375 on both sides of the engagement protrusion 37 of the rocking plate 3 are elastically hooked onto the protruding parts 175 on both sides of the engagement recess 17 of the bottom plate 1 from the outside in the longitudinal direction D1. As a result, the lower part of the rocking plate 3 is detachably locked to the outer peripheral edge part 112 of the bottom plate 1.

[0073] The side plate body 31 constituting the main body of the rocking plate 3 included in the foldable container 9 of one embodiment is relatively lightweight due to its hollow structure, but since a cover member 35 is attached to the lower end of the side plate body 31, the rocking plate 3 can stably rock by its own weight when assembling the foldable container 9. In addition, since the lower corners of the rocking plate 3 (i.e., the corners 335 of the vertical frame 33) are rounded, the rocking plate 3 can rock smoothly by its own weight without getting caught on surrounding members. When assembling the foldable container 9, the rocking plate 3 rocks smoothly against air resistance, so that the hinge parts 412 of the folding side plates 4 are pushed from the inside by the rocking plate 3, and the folding side plates 4 can easily stand up.

[0074] (Pair of folding side panels) Each of the pair of folding side panels 4 includes a side panel body 41 having a rectangular flat plate shape, and two vertical frames 43 attached to the side panel body 41. The two vertical frames 43 are attached to vertical edge portions on both sides of the side panel body 41 in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0075] (Side panel body) The side plate body 41 is formed using a hollow structure plate made of synthetic resin. As shown in Fig. 12 etc., the side plate body 41 has a hinge portion 412 in the middle of the side plate body 41 in the up-down direction D3, and an upper hinge portion 411 at the top of the side plate body 41. A lower hinge portion 413 is formed between the side plate body 41 and the outer edge portion 114 of the bottom plate 1 located below it, to foldably connect the two.

[0076] The portion of side plate main body 41 above upper hinge portion 411 is upper end portion 414 of side plate main body 41, and an upper flat plate portion 416 is formed between upper hinge portion 411 and hinge portion 412. A lower flat plate portion 417 is formed between lower hinge portion 413 and hinge portion 412 of side plate main body 41. When side plate main body 41 is folded, it is folded so that upper flat plate portion 416 and lower flat plate portion 417 overlap one another vertically, forming an overall "L" shape.

[0077] The upper hinge portion 411 and the lower hinge portion 413 are formed by forming linearly extending cuts in the longitudinal direction D1 from the inner surface side of a hollow structure plate made of synthetic resin by thermal scoring.

[0078] The intermediate hinge portion 412 is formed by forming a linear cut in the longitudinal direction D1 from the inner surface of the synthetic resin hollow structure plate by thermal scoring. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the hinge portion 412 in the upper and lower intermediate portions of the side plate body 41 includes a long piece portion 415 that is formed thinner than the surrounding portions.

[0079] Long piece 415 included in hinge portion 412 extends linearly in longitudinal direction D1 and has a predetermined width W1 in up-down direction D3. Predetermined width W1 is preferably, for example, 2 mm or more.

[0080] That is, in the foldable container 9 of one embodiment, a thin long piece portion 415 extending left and right is interposed between an upper flat plate portion 416 and a lower flat plate portion 417 of the side plate body 41 of the folding side plate 4. The thin long piece portion 415 is formed by being crushed with a heated blade during the thermal scoring process for forming the hinge portion 412. The long piece portion 415 is formed integrally with the upper and lower flat plate portions 416, 417.

[0081] (Vertical frame) Each of the two vertical frames 43 has a common configuration as described below.

[0082] The vertical frame 43 is a frame having a U-shape in horizontal cross section that is attached to the vertical edge portion of the side panel main body 41. The vertical frame 43 constitutes the vertical edge portion of the folding side panel 4 when attached to the side panel main body 41.

[0083] The vertical frame 43 is composed of multiple parts. Specifically, the vertical frame 43 is composed of a shaft frame member 7 and upper and lower frame members 8 arranged so as to be connected to the top and bottom of the shaft frame member 7. The shaft frame member 7 is a member formed by injection molding, and the upper and lower frame members 8 are members formed by extrusion molding.

[0084] (Frame member with shaft) As shown in FIG. 7B, FIG. 12 and the like, the shaft-mounted frame member 7 is a member having a U-shaped horizontal cross section.

[0085] The shaft-equipped frame member 7 has an upper member 71, a lower member 72, and a rotating shaft portion 73. The upper member 71 and the lower member 72, which have a U-shaped horizontal cross section, are rotatably connected via the rotating shaft portion 73. The rotating shaft portion 73 includes a shaft portion 731 molded integrally with the upper member 71 by injection molding, and a shaft portion 732 molded integrally with the lower member 72 by injection molding (see FIG. 9). The shaft-equipped frame member 7 can be freely folded as a whole into a V-shape via the rotating shaft portion 73 located midway between the top and bottom of the shaft-equipped frame member 7.

[0086] 2, when the side panel body 41 of the folding side panel 4 is viewed from the front, the rotating shafts 73 of the shaft frame members 7 and the long pieces 415 of the side panel body 41 are positioned on the same straight line. The straight line here is an imaginary straight line extending in the longitudinal direction D1. In other words, when the side panel body 41 of the folding side panel 4 is viewed from the front, the rotating shafts 73 of the two shaft frame members 7 are positioned on the extension lines of the long pieces 415 extending to the left and right.

[0087] By attaching the shaft-equipped frame member 7 to the side plate main body 41, the side plate main body 41 is reinforced, and even if a load is applied to the side plate main body 41, damage such as tearing of the hinge portion 412 of the side plate main body 41 is suppressed.

[0088] 7B and other figures, the shaft frame member 7 is provided with an L-shaped fitting portion 74. The fitting portion 74 is used to lock the rocking plate 3 in an upright position.

[0089] As shown in FIG. 12, the L-shaped fitting portion 74 includes an L-shaped fitting portion 714 of the upper member 71 and an L-shaped fitting portion 724 of the lower member 72.

[0090] The fitting portion 714 of the upper member 71 has an L-shaped structure in horizontal cross section, including a protruding piece protruding inward in the short direction D2 from the upper member 71 and a protruding piece protruding inward in the longitudinal direction D1 from the tip of the protruding piece. The fitting portion 714 is formed over the entire length of the upper member 71 in the up-down direction D3.

[0091] The fitting portion 724 of the lower member 72 has an L-shaped structure in horizontal cross section, including a protruding piece protruding inward in the short direction D2 from the lower member 72 and a protruding piece protruding inward in the longitudinal direction D1 from the tip of the protruding piece. The fitting portion 724 is formed over the entire length of the lower member 72 in the up-down direction D3.

[0092] The upper and lower middle portions of the L-shaped fitting portion 34 provided on the vertical frame 33 of the oscillating plate 3 are fitted into the L-shaped fitting portion 74 (i.e., the fitting portions 714, 724 of the upper member 71 and the lower member 72) provided on the shaft-equipped frame member 7 from the inside in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0093] (Frame member) Each of the upper and lower frame members 8 has a common configuration as described below.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 7A etc., the frame member 8 is a member having a U-shaped cross section that is attached to a vertical edge portion of the side plate main body 41.

[0095] The frame member 8 is provided with an L-shaped fitting portion 84. The fitting portion 84 is used to lock the rocking plate 3 in an upright position. The fitting portion 84 has an L-shaped structure in horizontal cross section including a protruding piece protruding inward in the short direction D2 from the frame member 8 and a protruding piece protruding inward in the longitudinal direction D1 from the tip of the protruding piece. The fitting portion 84 is formed over the entire length of the frame member 8 in the up-down direction D3.

[0096] An upper portion of the L-shaped fitting portion 34 provided on the vertical frame 33 of the rocking plate 3 fits into the L-shaped fitting portion 84 provided on the upper frame member 8 from the inside in the longitudinal direction D1. A lower portion of the L-shaped fitting portion 34 provided on the vertical frame 33 of the rocking plate 3 fits into the L-shaped fitting portion 84 provided on the lower frame member 8 from the inside in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0097] In the assembled foldable container 9, the fitting portions 84 of the upper and lower frame members 8 and the fitting portion 74 of the shaft-equipped frame member 7 are vertically connected to each other. More specifically, the fitting portion 84 of the upper frame member 8, the fitting portion 714 of the upper member 71 of the shaft-equipped frame member 7, the fitting portion 724 of the lower member 72 of the shaft-equipped frame member 7, and the fitting portion 84 of the lower frame member 8 are vertically connected to each other.

[0098] (folded state) The foldable container 9 in the folded state will be described with reference to FIG. 14 etc.

[0099] In the foldable container 9 in the folded state, the pair of rocking plates 3 are folded toward each other in the longitudinal direction D1 via the hinge portions 312 of the side plate main body 31. The pair of folding side plates 4 are folded toward each other in the lateral direction D2 in a dogleg shape via the upper hinge portion 411, the hinge portion 412, and the lower hinge portion 413.

[0100] The pair of folded folding side panels 4 are positioned below the pair of folded rocking panels 3. The pair of folded folding side panels 4 are positioned side by side in the short direction D2 with a gap S1 between them (see FIG. 15). The gap S1 between the pair of folding side panels 4 is positioned between the handle portions 5 on both sides of the bottom panel 1 in the longitudinal direction D1 (i.e., between the engagement recesses 17 on both sides).

[0101] In the folded foldable container 9, the support legs 6 provided on each corner member 25 are positioned so as to cover from the outside the corners of the outer peripheral edge portion 112 of the bottom plate 1. In detail, the first support wall 61 included in the support leg 6 is positioned so as to cover the end of the standing outer edge portion 116 of the bottom plate 1 from the outside in the longitudinal direction D1, and the second support wall 62 included in the support leg 6 is positioned so as to cover the end of the standing outer edge portion 114 of the bottom plate 1 from the outside in the transverse direction D2.

[0102] (Stacked state) 15A and 15B, a case where foldable containers 9 in a folded state are stacked one on top of the other will be described.

[0103] In the following, the upper foldable container 9 of the two stacked foldable containers 9 will be referred to as the upper foldable container 9U, and the lower foldable container 9 will be referred to as the lower foldable container 9L.

[0104] In the vertically stacked state, the bottom plate 1 of the upper foldable container 9U is placed on the mouth frame 2 of the lower foldable container 9L. In detail, the bottom plate 1 is placed on the upper surfaces 258 of the four corner members 25 included in the mouth frame 2 of the lower foldable container 9L, the upper surfaces 238 of the pair of short frames 23, and the upper surfaces 248 of the pair of long frames 24.

[0105] Furthermore, the support legs 6 of the four corner members 25 of the upper foldable container 9U are placed one-to-one on the upper surfaces 258 of the four corner members 25 of the lower foldable container 9L. In other words, the lower end surface of the support leg 6 of the corresponding corner member 25 of the four corner members 25 of the upper foldable container 9U abuts on the upper surface 258 of each corner member 25 of the lower foldable container 9L.

[0106] In addition, when the lower foldable container 9 is placed on the floor, the lower ends of the support legs 6 of the four corner members 25 of the lower foldable container 9 each come into contact with the floor surface to support the load.

[0107] As a result, when foldable containers 9 in a folded state are stacked one on top of the other, even if a large load is applied from above, damage to the stacked foldable containers 9 is effectively prevented.

[0108] (Size expansion available) According to the foldable container 9 of the embodiment described above, when the foldable containers 9 are provided in a variety of sizes, the cost of providing the products can be reduced by standardizing the parts.

[0109] In other words, in one embodiment of the foldable container 9, the vertical frame 43 included in the folding side panel 4 is composed of the axis-mounted frame member 7 and the upper and lower frame members 8, so that when providing the foldable container 9 in a variety of sizes, it is possible to accommodate this by standardizing the axis-mounted frame member 7 and changing the size of the upper and lower frame members 8.

[0110] Similarly, in one embodiment of the foldable container 9, the mouth frame 2 is composed of four corner members 25 and a pair of short frames 23 and a pair of long frames 24 that connect them, so that when providing the foldable container 9 in a variety of sizes, this can be accommodated by standardizing the four corner members 25 and changing the size of both or one of the pair of short frames 23 and the pair of long frames 24.

[0111] As described above, in one embodiment of the foldable container 9, when the foldable containers 9 are provided in a variety of sizes, the axis-mounted frame members 7 and corner members 25 can be standardized, thereby making it possible to reduce the cost of providing the product.

[0112] 2. Alternative embodiment 17 to 29 show a foldable container 9 according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. In the description of the another embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0113] The foldable container 9 of the other embodiment has the first to ninth characteristic parts described below. These characteristic parts are different from those of the first embodiment and can be applied even if the container is not foldable. Therefore, in the following description of the characteristic parts, the foldable container 9 will be simply referred to as the container 9.

[0114] (First characteristic part) Another embodiment of the container 9 is characterized by a structure in which a vertical frame 33 provided on at least one of the two pairs of side panels 3, 4 (i.e., a pair of oscillating panels 3 and a pair of folding side panels 4) standing between the bottom panel 1 and the mouth frame 2 (in this embodiment, a pair of oscillating panels 3) abuts against a corner member 25 located above it.

[0115] 20, 24, and 25, vertical frames 33 are attached to the vertical edge portions on both sides of the side plate body 31 which constitutes the main body of the rocking plate 3. The vertical frames 33 have a pair of vertical ribs 332 protruding outward. The pair of vertical ribs 332 are positioned parallel to each other with a distance therebetween in the short direction D2.

[0116] The vertical rib 332 is a rib that extends linearly in the up-down direction D3 and protrudes outward in the longitudinal direction D1. The vertical rib 332 is formed up to the upper end of the vertical frame 33.

[0117] The corner member 25 has a rib-shaped receiving portion 26 (see Figs. 24 and 25). The receiving portion 26 protrudes downward from the lower surface of the main body portion 251 of the corner member 25. The receiving portion 26 includes a rib-shaped first portion 261 provided so that an upper end portion of one of the pair of vertical ribs 332 can abut against the receiving portion 26, and a rib-shaped second portion 262 provided so that an upper end portion of the other of the pair of vertical ribs 332 can abut against the receiving portion 26. Here, "able to abut" includes not only cases where the two portions always abut against each other (i.e., they are located close to each other) but abut when a load is applied, for example.

[0118] The first portion 261 and the second portion 262 are positioned next to each other in the short-side direction D2 and are formed continuously with each other. The first portion 261 and the second portion 262 are both formed continuously with the support leg 6.

[0119] The first portion 261 includes a rib 2613 extending in the short direction D2 and a rib 2615 extending in the longitudinal direction D1 so as to intersect with the rib 2613. The rib 2615 is formed continuous with the support leg 6. An upper end portion of one of a pair of vertical ribs 332 is provided so as to be able to abut against the rib 2615 from below.

[0120] The second portion 262 includes a rib 2623 extending in the short direction D2 and a rib 2625 extending in the longitudinal direction D1 so as to intersect with the rib 2623. The rib 2625 is formed continuous with the support leg 6. An upper end portion of the other of the pair of vertical ribs 332 is provided so as to be able to abut against the rib 2625 from below. The rib 2613 of the first portion 261 and the rib 2623 of the second portion 262 are continuous in a straight line.

[0121] In the container 9 of another embodiment, the receiving portion 26 of the corner member 25 located above the vertical frame 33 is provided so as to be able to abut against the upper end of the vertical frame 33, and in particular, is provided so as to be able to abut against the upper end of the vertical rib 332 of the vertical frame 33. Therefore, even if the upper end of the rocking plate 3 is shifted inward in the longitudinal direction D1 due to a load from above, for example, the contact area between the vertical frame 33 and the corner member 25 is ensured, and the vertical frame 33 can firmly support the load.

[0122] The width of each of the ribs 2613, 2615, 2623, and 2625 included in the receiving portion 26 is preferably wider than the width of the vertical rib 332 of the vertical frame 33. In other words, the width of each of the ribs 2613 and 2615 included in the first portion 261 of the receiving portion 26 is preferably wider than the corresponding vertical rib 332. The width of each of the ribs 2623 and 2625 included in the second portion 262 of the receiving portion 26 is preferably wider than the corresponding vertical rib 332. This prevents the receiving portion 26 of the corner member 25 from falling off the vertical rib 332 of the vertical frame 33. In another embodiment, a pair of vertical ribs 332 is provided on the vertical frame 33, but one or three or more vertical ribs 332 may be provided.

[0123] (Second characteristic part) As shown in FIG. 26 and other figures, in a container 9 according to another embodiment, the entire support leg 6 provided on the corner member 25 is provided with a large thickness.

[0124] That is, in one embodiment, the outer peripheral edge 65 of the support leg 6 is formed thicker than other portions (see FIG. 13A), but in another embodiment, the first support wall 61, the second support wall 62, and the corner portion 63 included in the support leg 6 are formed thicker overall. The outer surfaces of the first support wall 61 and the second support wall 62, which are plate-shaped, are both flat surfaces. The outer surface of the corner portion 63 is a convex curved surface that is an arc-shaped in horizontal cross section that smoothly connects the outer surfaces of the first support wall 61 and the second support wall 62 to each other.

[0125] In the container 9 of this embodiment, the entire support leg 6 is formed to be thick, thereby increasing the strength of the support leg 6.

[0126] (Third characteristic part) 26 and other drawings, in a container 9 of another embodiment, an end 2524 of a corner standing piece 252 that is L-shaped in a plan view and included in a corner member 25 has an outwardly bulging shape. The end 2524 of the corner standing piece 252 is formed wider than the other portion of the corner standing piece 252.

[0127] 17 and other figures, the mouth frame 2 includes four frames 23, 24 (i.e., a pair of short frames 23 and a pair of long frames 24) that connect the four corner members 25. Each of the pair of long frames 24 includes a frame standing piece 242 that stands upward.

[0128] The L-shaped corner standing piece 252 has an end 2524 that abuts against the end of the frame standing piece 242 of the long frame 24. This end 2524 has a shape that smoothly bulges outward.

[0129] In other words, the outer corner of the end 2524 of the corner standing piece 252 has a shape that bulges smoothly outward. A smoothly curved convex surface 256 is formed at the inner corner of the end 2524 of the corner standing piece 252. The convex surface 256 is curved in an arc shape in a plan view. The convex surface 256 has a larger radius of curvature than the other parts of the end 2524. In other words, the convex surface 256 has a larger radius of curvature than the part of the end 2524 that bulges outward.

[0130] In the container 9 of the other embodiment, the end 2524 of the corner standing piece 252 has a shape that bulges outward, so that even if the frame standing piece 242 of the long frame 24 is deformed so as to open outward, surrounding members are prevented from getting caught in the step between the corner standing piece 252 and the frame standing piece 242. Also, a convex curved surface 256 is formed at the inner corner of the end 2524 of the corner standing piece 252, so that other containers 9 are prevented from getting caught in the step between the corner standing piece 252 and the frame standing piece 242 when performing slide stacking.

[0131] (The fourth characteristic part) 17, 20, and 21, in container 9 of another embodiment, convex curved surface 237 having an arc-shaped vertical cross section is formed at the corner of short frame 23. The corner here is a corner provided on the upper inside of short frame 23, in other words, a corner formed between upper plate 231 and first hanging piece 235. Convex curved surface 237 of short frame 23 has a larger radius of curvature than the corner of the upper inside of long frame 24.

[0132] 17, 20, and 22, a convex curved surface 257 having an arc-shaped vertical cross section is formed at a corner of a portion of the main body 251 of the corner member 25 that is connected to the short frame 23. The corner portion here is a corner portion provided on the inside of the upper portion of the portion of the main body 251 that is connected to the short frame 23. The convex curved surface 257 of the corner member 25 has a larger radius of curvature than the corner portion on the inside of the upper portion of the portion of the main body 251 that is connected to the long frame 24.

[0133] When the short frame 23 is connected to the corner member 25, the convex curved surface 237 of the short frame 23 and the convex curved surface 257 of the corner member 25 are positioned side by side in a straight line. It is preferable that the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 237 of the short frame 23 and the radius of curvature of the convex curved surface 257 of the corner member 25 are the same.

[0134] 20 and 23, a convex curved surface 18 having an arc-shaped vertical cross section is formed on the outer surface of a corner portion formed at an end portion of the bottom plate 1 in the longitudinal direction D1. The corner portion here is a corner portion formed between a flat main portion of the bottom plate body 11 and an outer edge portion 116 formed to stand upward by thermal bending. The convex curved surface 18 of the bottom plate 1 has a larger radius of curvature than the corner portion formed between the main portion and outer edge portion 114 of the bottom plate body 11.

[0135] In the container 9 of this embodiment, the above-mentioned convex curved surfaces 237, 257, and 18 are formed at the ends in the longitudinal direction D1, thereby preventing the container 9 from getting caught during slide stacking.

[0136] (The fifth characteristic part) As shown in FIG. 18 and other figures, in a container 9 of another embodiment, a convex curved surface 735 is formed on the rotating shaft portion 73 of the shaft frame member 7 to prevent the rocking plate 3 from getting caught.

[0137] The convex curved surface 735 is formed at an end portion of the rotating shaft portion 73 exposed to the inside, close to the hinge portion 412 of the side plate main body 41. In detail, the convex curved surface 735 is formed at an end portion of the shaft portion 731 molded integrally with the upper member 71, close to the hinge portion 412 of the side plate main body 41. The convex curved surface 735 is formed so as to smoothly connect a flat surface of the shaft portion 731 facing inward in the short direction D2 and a flat surface of the shaft portion 731 facing inward in the long direction D1. The horizontal cross section of the convex curved surface 735 is arc-shaped.

[0138] In another embodiment of the container 9, a convex curved surface 735 is formed on the rotating shaft portion 73 of the shaft-mounted frame member 7, thereby preventing the rocking plate 3 from getting caught on the rotating shaft portion 73 of the shaft-mounted frame member 7 when the rocking plate 3 is rocked.

[0139] (6th characteristic part) 19, in a container 9 of another embodiment, a cover member 35 attached to the lower end of a side plate main body 31 is made of a single piece of material having a U-shaped cross section that is open upward. The cover member 35 is provided with an engagement protrusion 37 similar to that of the first embodiment.

[0140] In addition, the cover member 15 attached to the outer peripheral edge portion 12 of the bottom plate body 11 of the bottom plate 1 is composed of a single piece of material having a U-shaped cross section that is open downward. The cover member 15 is formed with an engagement recess 17 penetrating in the longitudinal direction D1, and elastic pieces 176 are formed on both ends of the engagement recess 17 in the lateral direction D2.

[0141] In the container 9 of another embodiment, the tip of the elastic piece 176 constitutes a vertically extending protrusion 175. The elastic piece 176 is provided so as to be elastically deflectable by forming two slits 177, one above the other, on the end surface of the engagement recess 17 in the short-side direction D2.

[0142] The upper and lower slits 177 are positioned at a distance from each other in the up-down direction D3 and are parallel to each other. The upper and lower slits 177 are each open toward the inside in the longitudinal direction D1. A protrusion 175 is formed at an end portion of the elastic piece 176 on the inside in the longitudinal direction D1. An end portion of the elastic piece 176 on the outside in the longitudinal direction D1 is integrally connected to another portion of the cover member 15.

[0143] In this manner, the two elastic pieces 176 are formed at a distance from each other in the short-side direction D2 in the engagement recess 17. The two elastic pieces 176 are positioned opposite each other and parallel to each other.

[0144] In the container 9 of the other embodiment, the engagement protrusion 37 provided on the lower part of the rocking plate 3 is inserted into the engagement recess 17 of the bottom plate 1 from the inside in the longitudinal direction D1, and the engagement protrusion 37 and the engagement recess 17 engage with each other. In detail, the claw portions 375 on both sides of the engagement protrusion 37 of the rocking plate 3 are elastically hooked from the outside in the longitudinal direction D1 onto the protruding portions 175 of the elastic pieces 176 on both sides of the engagement recess 17 of the bottom plate 1. In the container 9 of the other embodiment, the task of engaging the engagement protrusion 37 and the engagement recess 17 can be easily performed.

[0145] (7th characteristic part) 27, 28, 29, etc., in a container 9 of another embodiment, the lengths in the vertical direction D3 of an upper member 71 and a lower member 72 are different from each other. In detail, the lower member 72 is formed to be longer than the upper member 71 in the vertical direction D3.

[0146] The upper member 71 includes a main body portion 710 having a U-shape in horizontal cross section into which the side plate main body 41 is inserted. The main body portion 710 includes a pair of side plates 711, 712 positioned opposite each other in the short side direction D2, and a connecting plate 713 connecting end edges of the pair of side plates 711, 712 in the longitudinal direction D1. In the short side direction D2, the side plate 712 is positioned outside the side plate 711. In the assembled state, the side plate 712 of the upper member 71 is exposed to the outside.

[0147] Similarly, the lower member 72 includes a main body portion 720 having a U-shaped horizontal cross section into which the side plate main body 41 is inserted. The main body portion 720 includes a pair of side plates 721, 722 positioned opposite each other in the short side direction D2, and a connecting plate 723 connecting end edges of the pair of side plates 721, 722 in the longitudinal direction D1. In the short side direction D2, the side plate 722 is positioned outside the side plate 721. In the assembled state, the side plate 722 of the lower member 72 is exposed to the outside.

[0148] The shaft-mounted frame member 7 is formed with a plurality of locking bodies 715, 725, each of which is in the form of a protrusion (in other words, a claw), and a plurality of openings 716, 726 corresponding to the plurality of locking bodies 715, 725.

[0149] The multiple locking bodies 715, 725 are structures for preventing the side plate main body 41 from coming off the shaft frame member 7, and are formed on both the upper member 71 and the lower member 72. The upper member 71 is formed with multiple locking bodies 715, and the lower member 72 is formed with multiple locking bodies 725.

[0150] The multiple locking bodies 715 of the upper member 71 are composed of multiple pairs of locking bodies 715. The locking bodies 715 of each pair are positioned opposite each other in the short-side direction D2. The locking bodies 715 of each pair protrude in a direction approaching each other from the inner surfaces of a pair of side plates 711, 712 of the upper member 71. Each pair of locking bodies 715 and another pair of locking bodies 715 adjacent thereto are positioned at a distance from each other in the up-down direction D3.

[0151] The multiple locking bodies 725 of the lower member 72 are configured of multiple pairs of locking bodies 725, similar to the multiple locking bodies 715 of the upper member 71. That is, the locking bodies 725 of each pair are positioned opposite each other in the short-side direction D2. The locking bodies 725 of each pair protrude in a direction approaching each other from the inner surfaces of a pair of side plates 721, 722 of the lower member 72. Each pair of locking bodies 725 and another pair of locking bodies 725 adjacent thereto are positioned at a distance from each other in the up-down direction D3.

[0152] The number of locking bodies 715 of the upper member 71 is different from the number of locking bodies 725 of the lower member 72. In addition, the pitch in the vertical direction D3 at which the locking bodies 715 are arranged in the upper member 71 is different from the pitch in the vertical direction D3 at which the locking bodies 725 are arranged in the lower member 72.

[0153] The multiple openings 716, 726 are structures formed in the process of forming multiple locking bodies 715, 725 on the shaft frame member 7, and are formed in both the upper member 71 and the lower member 72. The upper member 71 has multiple openings 716 formed therein, and the lower member 72 has multiple openings 726 formed therein.

[0154] The multiple openings 716 in the upper member 71 are formed corresponding to the multiple pairs of locking bodies 715. Each opening 716 corresponds to a pair of locking bodies 715 included in the multiple pairs of locking bodies 715. In other words, one opening 716 in the upper member 71 is formed in order to remove a die used to form the pair of locking bodies 715. Each opening 716 and another opening 716 adjacent thereto are positioned at a distance in the up-down direction D3.

[0155] Similar to the multiple openings 716 of the upper member 71, the multiple openings 726 of the lower member 72 are formed corresponding to the multiple pairs of locking bodies 725. Each opening 726 corresponds to a pair of locking bodies 725 included in the multiple pairs of locking bodies 725. That is, one opening 726 of the lower member 72 is formed in order to remove a die used to form the pair of locking bodies 725. Each opening 726 and another opening 726 adjacent thereto are positioned at a distance in the up-down direction D3.

[0156] The number of openings 716 in the upper member 71 is different from the number of openings 726 in the lower member 72. The pitch in the vertical direction D3 at which the openings 716 are arranged in the upper member 71 is different from the pitch in the vertical direction D3 at which the openings 726 are arranged in the lower member 72. The pitch of the openings 716 in the upper member 71 is set to be longer than the pitch of the openings 726 in the lower member 72, but is not limited to this and may be set to be shorter than the pitch of the openings 726.

[0157] In a container 9 of another embodiment, the upper member 71 and the lower member 72 included in the shaft frame member 7 are different in length, the number of openings 716 exposed to the outside in the upper member 71 is different from the number of openings 726 exposed to the outside in the lower member 72, and the pitch at which the openings 716 are arranged in the upper member 71 is different from the pitch at which the openings 726 are arranged in the lower member 72. Therefore, the top and bottom of the shaft frame member 7 can be easily identified, and it is possible to prevent confusion over the top and bottom when assembling the shaft frame member 7.

[0158] (8th characteristic part) 20 and 21, in container 9 of another embodiment, second hanging piece 236 of short frame 23 included in mouth frame 2 is formed to extend downward further than first hanging piece 235, and the lower part of second hanging piece 236 is formed to be curved inward. In other words, the lower part of second hanging piece 236 is composed of curved piece 239 curved toward the side approaching first hanging piece 235.

[0159] When the upper end portion of side panel main body 31 of rocking plate 3 is inserted between first hanging piece 235 and second hanging piece 236, curved piece 239 constituting the lower part of second hanging piece 236 is positioned so as to cover from the outside upper end 311 of side panel main body 31, hinge portion 312, and the upper end of lower portion 313 close to hinge portion 312. It is preferable that curved piece 239 elastically presses against the upper end of lower portion 313 of side panel main body 31 from the outside.

[0160] In another embodiment of the container 9, a short frame 23 can be provided to cover and protect the hinge portion 312 in which the notch is formed. By covering the hinge portion 312 with the short frame 23, the notch of the hinge portion 312 formed by the thermal scoring process is hidden, improving the appearance of the container 9. In addition, the accumulation of dirt in the notch of the hinge portion 312 is suppressed.

[0161] (9th characteristic part) As shown in Figures 17, 25, and 26, in another embodiment of a container 9, a slope 259 is formed on an end 2513 of a main body portion 251 that is L-shaped in a plan view and is included in a corner member 25, the end 2513 being connected to the short frame 23 (in other words, the end of the main body portion 251 from which the first connector 253 protrudes).

[0162] The inclined surface 259 is provided on the outer surface of the end portion 2513 of the main body portion 251. The inclined surface 259 is inclined as a whole such that the closer to the base portion of the first connector 253, the more inward the inclined surface 259 is in the longitudinal direction D1.

[0163] In a container 9 of another embodiment, when the short frame 23 is connected to the corner member 25, the slope 259 of the corner member 25 is connected to the outer surface of the second hanging piece 236 of the short frame 23. This prevents a step from being generated between the corner member 25 and the short frame 23. Furthermore, since the corner member 25 has the slope 259, damage to the corner member 25 is prevented when, for example, containers 9 come into contact with each other.

[0164] 3. Variations The above-described embodiment and other embodiments are merely one of various embodiments of the present disclosure, and as long as the object of the present disclosure can be achieved, it is possible to appropriately combine the configurations of these embodiments, and various modifications can be made depending on the design, etc.

[0165] Various modified examples are listed below. The modified examples listed below can be applied in appropriate combination. In the description of the modified examples, the same components as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0166] FIG. 16 shows a cross section of a main part of the folding side panel 4 of a modification of the foldable container 9 of the embodiment. In this modification, the long piece portion 415 included in the hinge portion 412 of the side panel main body 41 has a protruding portion 4152 protruding inward in the short-side direction D2. The protruding portion 4152 is provided in the middle of the long piece portion 415 in the up-down direction D3, and is formed over the entire length of the long piece portion 415 in the longitudinal direction D1. The protruding portion 4152 is a triangular portion in vertical cross section formed so that the width in the up-down direction D3 becomes narrower toward the inner portion in the short-side direction D2. Since the long piece portion 415 has the protruding portion 4152, a pair of hinges 4121, 4222 are formed above and below the protruding portion 4152 in the hinge portion 412 of the modification. The pair of upper and lower hinges 4121, 4222 can be formed by thermal scoring from the inner surface side of the side panel main body 41 made of synthetic resin.

[0167] In this modification, upper flat plate portion 416 bends around upper hinge 4121 of hinge portion 412, and lower flat plate portion 417 bends around lower hinge 4122 of hinge portion 412. In other words, according to this modification, the portion around which upper flat plate portion 416 of hinge portion 412 bends and the portion around which lower flat plate portion 417 of hinge portion 412 bend are clearly defined, and rebound when side panel main body 41 is folded is suppressed.

[0168] 30 shows a vertical cross section of a main part of a modified foldable container 9 according to another embodiment. In this modified example, a recessed relief portion 119 is formed in the outer edge portion 116 of the bottom plate body 11. The relief portion 119 is provided in the upper end portion of the outer edge portion 116 to prevent the lower portion (i.e., the curved piece 239) of the second hanging piece 236 of the short frame 23 from hitting the outer edge portion 116 of the bottom plate body 11 and causing deformation or the like when the foldable container 9 is in the folded state. In this modified example, the recessed relief portion 119 is provided in a portion of the upper end portion of the outer edge portion 116 that is on the outer side in the longitudinal direction D1. The recessed relief portion 119 is open upward and outward in the longitudinal direction D1. When the container 9 is in the folded state, the lower end of the second hanging piece 236 of the short frame 23 is received in the recessed relief portion 119 of the outer edge portion 116 .

[0169] In the folding side panel 4 of the foldable container 9 of one embodiment, a pair of frame members 8 are attached to the side panel main body 41 so as to be connected above and below the frame member 7 with shafts, but it is sufficient that the frame members 8 are arranged at least either above or below the frame member 7 with shafts. Also, in the foldable container 9 of one embodiment, the upper and lower frame members 8 have the same dimensions and shapes, but the upper and lower frame members 8 may have different dimensions and shapes. For example, the length dimensions (i.e., the dimensions in the vertical direction D3 in the assembled state) of the upper and lower frame members 8 may differ from each other.

[0170] In one embodiment of the foldable container 9, both the shaft-mounted frame member 7 and the frame member 8 have a U-shaped cross section, but the shapes of the shaft-mounted frame member 7 and the frame member 8 are not limited to this; for example, the shaft-mounted frame member 7 may be a member having an L-shaped cross section, and the frame member 8 may be a member having an L-shaped cross section.

[0171] In the foldable container 9 of one embodiment or another embodiment, the hinge portion 412 of the side panel main body 41 is configured by a cut made by thermal scoring, but is not limited to this, and for example, the hinge portion 412 may have a structure similar to the rotation shaft portion 73 of the shaft-equipped frame member 7. This is the same for the upper hinge portion 411 and the lower hinge portion 413 of the side panel main body 41, and also for the hinge portion 312 of the side panel main body 31.

[0172] In one embodiment and another embodiment of the foldable container 9, the hinge portion 412 of the side panel main body 41 includes a thin long piece portion 415, but is not limited to this and can also be configured, for example, as a V-shaped notch that does not include the long piece portion 415.

[0173] In one embodiment of the foldable container 9, the axis-mounted frame member 7 has an L-shaped fitting portion 74, and the frame member 8 has an L-shaped fitting portion 84, but this is not limited to this, and it is also possible that the frame member 7 does not have fitting portions 74, 84, or that the frame member 8 has a fitting portion of another shape.

[0174] In the foldable container 9 of one embodiment and another embodiment, the lower end surfaces of the support legs 6 of the mouth frame 2 are at the same height as the lower surface of the bottom plate 1, but this is not limited thereto, and the lower end surfaces of the support legs 6 may be located higher than the lower surface of the bottom plate 1, or the lower end surfaces of the support legs 6 may be located lower than the lower surface of the bottom plate 1. In either case, it is preferable that the support legs 6 of the four corner members 25 of the upper foldable container 9U are configured to abut against the four corner members 25 of the lower foldable container 9L when the foldable containers 9 are stacked one on top of the other in the folded state.

[0175] In one embodiment and another embodiment of the foldable container 9, the support legs 6 of the four corner members 25 are configured to abut against the vertical frame 43 of the folding side panel 4 in the assembled state, but this is not limited thereto, and as long as the support legs 6 and the vertical frame 43 abut when a load is applied from above, a gap may be formed between the support legs 6 and the vertical frame 43 in the normal assembled state.

[0176] In one embodiment and another embodiment of the foldable container 9, the main body parts 251 of the four corner members 25 are configured to abut against the vertical frame 33 of the oscillating plate 3 in the assembled state, but this is not limited to this, and as long as the main body parts 251 and the vertical frame 33 abut when a load is applied from above, a gap may be formed between the main body parts 251 and the vertical frame 33 in the normal assembled state.

[0177] In one embodiment and another embodiment of the foldable container 9, the engagement recess 17 is formed through the bottom plate 1 to form the handle portion 5, but is not limited to this and may be formed, for example, as a non-through recess in the outer peripheral edge portion 12 of the bottom plate main body 11.

[0178] In the foldable container 9 of one embodiment and another embodiment, the engagement recess 17 is provided with a protrusion 175, and the engagement protrusion 37 is provided with a claw 375, but the present invention is not limited to this, and other configurations can be adopted as long as the engagement recess 17 and the engagement protrusion 37 engage with each other. Note that, when the protrusions 175 are provided on both the left and right ends of the engagement recess 17, as in the foldable container 9 of one embodiment, there is an advantage that the protrusions 175 are prevented from hitting the hand when the engagement recess 17 is used as a handle 5.

[0179] In one embodiment and another embodiment of the foldable container 9, the mouth frame 2 includes four frames 23, 24, but is not limited to this, and for example, the mouth frame 2 may not include four frames 23, 24 (i.e., the mouth frame 2 may be composed of four corner members 25).

[0180] In another embodiment of the folding container 9, the two pairs of side plates 3, 4 are composed of a pair of oscillating plates 3 and a pair of folding side plates 4, but this is not limited to this, and for example, each of the two pairs of side plates 3, 4 may include a single side plate body that does not have a hinge portion.

[0181] In another embodiment of the foldable container 9, two of the four frames 23, 24 (i.e., a pair of long frames 24) have frame upright pieces 242, and the other two frames 23 (i.e., short frames 23) do not have frame upright pieces 232, but this is not limited to this, and it is sufficient that at least one of the four frames 23, 24 has the frame upright piece 232 or the frame upright piece 242, and all of the four frames 23, 24 may have the frame upright piece 232 or the frame upright piece 242.

[0182] 4. Summary As described based on the above embodiment and various modified examples (particularly, as described based on the first characteristic portion of another embodiment), the container 9 according to the first aspect of the present disclosure includes a bottom plate 1, a mouth frame 2 located above the bottom plate 1, and two pairs of side plates 3, 4 standing between the bottom plate 1 and the mouth frame 2. The mouth frame 2 includes four corner members 25 that form the four corners of the mouth frame 2. At least one side plate 3 included in the two pairs of side plates 3, 4 includes a side plate main body 31 and vertical frames 33 attached to vertical edge portions on both sides of the side plate main body 31. The vertical frames 33 have vertical ribs 332 that protrude outward. The corner member 25 located above the vertical frame 33 among the four corner members 25 has a receiving portion 26 that is provided so as to be able to abut against the vertical rib 332.

[0183] According to this embodiment, the contact area between the vertical frame 33 and the corner member 25 is ensured, so that the vertical frame 33 can firmly support the load.

[0184] As described based on the above embodiment and various modified examples, in the container 9 according to the second aspect of the present disclosure, in the first aspect, the two pairs of side plates 3, 4 are composed of a pair of swing plates 3 rotatably connected to the mouth frame 2, and a pair of folding side plates 4 rotatably connected to the bottom plate 1 and the mouth frame 2. Each of the pair of folding side plates 4 includes a side plate main body 41 provided so as to be foldable by having a hinge portion 412, and axle-equipped frame members 7 provided so as to be foldable by having a rotation shaft portion 73, and attached to vertical edge portions on both sides of the side plate main body 41. When the side plate main body 41 is viewed from the front, the rotation shaft portion 73 of the axle-equipped frame member 7 and the hinge portion 412 of the side plate main body 41 are positioned on the same straight line.

[0185] According to this embodiment, when the folding side panel 4 is folded around the rotation shaft portion 73 of the shaft frame member 7, the side panel main body 41 is smoothly folded around the hinge portion 412. Therefore, the folding side panel 4 can be easily folded compactly.

[0186] As described based on the above embodiment and various modified examples (particularly, as described based on the sixth characteristic portion of the other embodiment), in the container 9 according to the third aspect of the present disclosure, in the second aspect, each of the pair of rocking plates 3 includes a side plate main body 31 and an engaging protrusion 37 provided on a lower part of the side plate main body 31. The bottom plate 1 includes a bottom plate main body 11 and an engaging recess 17 provided on an outer circumferential edge portion 12 of the bottom plate main body 11 so that the engaging protrusion 37 is inserted. The engaging recess 17 has an elastic piece 176. The engaging protrusion 37 has a claw portion 375 that hooks onto the elastic piece 176.

[0187] According to this embodiment, the operation of engaging the engaging protrusion 37 of the rocking plate 3 with the engaging recess 17 of the bottom plate 1 can be easily performed.

[0188] As described based on the above embodiment and various modified examples (particularly, as described based on the third characteristic portion of the other embodiment), the container 9 according to the fourth aspect of the present disclosure is any one of the first to third aspects, in which the mouth frame 2 further includes four frames 23, 24 arranged alternately with the four corner members 25 so as to connect the four corner members 25. Each of the four corner members 25 includes a corner upright piece 252 standing upward. At least one of the four frames 23, 24 includes a frame upright piece 242 standing upward. The corner upright piece 252 has an end 2524 that bulges outward, and the end 2524 is configured to abut against an end of the corresponding frame upright piece 242.

[0189] According to this embodiment, even if the frame upright piece 242 of the frame 24 is deformed so as to open outward, the step between the corner upright piece 252 and the frame upright piece 242 is unlikely to get caught. [Explanation of symbols]

[0190] 1 Bottom plate 11 Bottom plate body 112 Outer periphery 17 Engagement recess 176 Elastic Piece 2 Mouth Frame 23 Frame (Short Frame) 24 frames (long frame) 242 Frame Standing Piece 25 Corner parts 252 Corner stand piece 2524 End 26 Receiving part 3 Side plate (swing plate) 31 Side panel body 33 Vertical Frame 332 Vertical ribs 37 Engagement protrusion 375 Claw 4 Side panels (folding side panels) 41 Side panel body 412 Hinge part 7 Frame member with shaft

Claims

1. The bottom plate and A mouth frame located above the bottom plate; Two pairs of side panels standing between the bottom panel and the mouth frame, The mouth frame includes four corner members that form four corners of the mouth frame, At least one of the two pairs of side panels includes a side panel body and vertical frames attached to vertical edge portions on both sides of the side panel body, The vertical frame has a vertical rib protruding outward, Among the four corner members, the corner member located above the vertical frame has a receiving portion provided so as to be able to abut against the vertical rib. container.

2. The two pairs of side plates are composed of a pair of swing plates rotatably connected to the mouth frame, and a pair of folding side plates rotatably connected to the bottom plate and the mouth frame, Each of the pair of folding side panels includes a side panel body having a hinge portion so as to be foldable, and a frame member with an axle, which is foldable by having a rotating axle portion and is attached to each of the vertical edge portions on both sides of the side panel body, When the side plate body is viewed from the front, the rotation shaft portion of the shaft-equipped frame member and the hinge portion of the side plate body are positioned on the same straight line.

2. The container of claim 1.

3. Each of the pair of rocking plates includes a side plate body and an engagement protrusion provided on a lower portion of the side plate body, The bottom plate includes a bottom plate body and an engagement recess provided on an outer peripheral edge portion of the bottom plate body so that the engagement protrusion is inserted therein, The engagement recess has an elastic piece, The engaging protrusion has a claw portion that is hooked onto the elastic piece.

3. The container of claim 2.

4. The mouth frame further includes four frames arranged alternately with the four corner members so as to connect the four corner members, Each of the four corner members includes a corner upright piece that stands upward, At least one of the four frames includes a frame upright piece that stands upward, The corner upright piece has an end portion that is bulged outward, and the end portion is configured to abut against a corresponding end portion of the frame upright piece.

3. The container of claim 1 or 2.

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