Transport containers and container arrangements

Abstract

To provide a transport container for placing on a support structure, having a lower portion, a closure element for securing the upper portion connected via a hinge in the closed position, and a retention element for attaching the transport container to the support structure.SOLUTION: This invention provides a container arrangement comprising a transport container (1) and a support structure, wherein the container arrangement includes: an elastically deflectable closure element (10) has a locking tab for engaging a locking recess in an upper portion (3); and an elastically deflectable holding element (11) has a locking element (16) for engaging a holding recess in a support structure, and wherein the closure element (10) and the holding element (11) are configured as segments of a fastening element (7) arranged in the lower part (2) that can be operated separately from one another, thereby the transport container (1) is provided which allows for simple locking and fastening of the upper container part to a support structure and in particular for unlocking and releasing independently of one another.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The invention relates to a transport container according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a container arrangement comprising a support structure according to claim 16 and a transport container releasably attachable to the support structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A stackable case for a transportable machine tool having a box- or shell-shaped lower part and a liftable lid hinged to the lower part is known from DE 10 200 03 133 A1. When stacking several cases vertically, the lower part of the upper case is placed on the lid of the lower case arranged directly below it. To ensure correct relative positioning between the cases during stacking, complementary centering plugs are arranged on the base of the lower part and on the upper surface of the lid, in particular downwardly projecting projections molded on the base of the lower part that can be inserted into recesses in the lid. For releasably and rigidly connecting the cases in the stack, a number of connectors are arranged along the peripheral wall of the lower part of the case. In particular, a first connector in the form of a tab-like pivot is arranged in the region of the upper surface of the lower part and a second connector in the form of a rib-like projection in the region of the lower part near the base. The tab-like pivot is then placed so as to pivot on the lower part about an axis perpendicular to the stacking direction and is connectable to the rib-like projection of the lower part of the placed case. During the connection of the lower part of the placed case via the tab-like pivot of the lower part of the lower case, the connection of the lid of the lower case is also performed simultaneously via a third connector arranged on the lid, which connector is also designed as a rib-like projection. Also, by arranging the tab-like pivot on the lower part so as to be movable parallel to the stacking axis, i.e. the connection of only the lid is also possible without simultaneous connection to the rib-like projection of the lower part of the placed case. As a result, the tab-like pivot is movable between a raised position allowing a connection position between two cases placed one on top of the other and a locking position allowing the attachment of the lid to the corresponding lower part.

[0003] A container arrangement is also known from DE 10 200 03 133 A1, which comprises at least two vertically stackable containers, with a box-shaped lower part and a lid pivotally attached thereto. The container then has a multi-part pin recess opening for receiving a pin projection in the base part of the open container in the region of a rear lid back panel molded above the top surface. The front interlocking connection between the stacked containers can be made via a slide bar which is vertically movable in the stacking direction and arranged on the front side. In particular, by pressing towards the back panel of the lid, the slide bar engages with hook ends on two mounting lips on the bottom surface of the upper container and with mounting lips of the lid of the lower container which are parallel thereto. By deflecting the slide bar away from the front plate, the hook ends come off the mounting lips, whereby the front interlocking connection is lifted and the containers can be released from each other. The releasable connection of the body and the lid can be made via a pivot bar which is separate from the slide bar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 0555533 [Patent Document 2] DE 102018121479 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A disadvantage of the solutions known from the prior art is that locking or unlocking the lid by the user as well as fixing the stacked containers in a connected state can be time-consuming and require several manual operations, for example to first hold the locking element for the lid in a position in which the lid can be closed and then to lock the lid via the locking element. Moreover, several costly to manufacture or complex locking and connecting structures are often required to lock the lid on the one hand and to fix the connection of the two containers on the other hand.

[0006] Based on the above, the problem is to provide a transport container that can be placed on a support structure, for example another transport container having a locking mechanism for fixing an upper container part on a lower container part and a coupling mechanism for fixing the container on the support structure, in which the locking of the upper container part on the lower container part and the fixing of the container to the support structure are simply performed, and a simple unlocking of the upper container part fixed on the lower container part and a simple release of the container from the fixed arrangement on the support structure are possible, in particular independently of each other. Furthermore, the locking mechanism and the coupling mechanism should be advantageous to manufacture, in particular should have as few parts as possible in the simplest design. Furthermore, a container arrangement including such a transport container as well as a support structure should be provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] These problems are solved by a transport container according to claim 1 and a container arrangement according to claim 16. Advantageous embodiments and useful modifications of the invention can be inferred from the dependent claims.

[0008] The transport container according to the invention for releasably mounting on a support structure, for example on another container with a support structure or on an adapter plate with a support structure, comprises a lower part and an upper part which encloses an accommodation space together with the lower part and is pivotally connected to the lower part via a hinge, optionally for closing or opening the accommodation space. The transport container may in particular be a container for tools or tool parts, for example a bit box. The lower part and the upper part, preferably made of plastic, for example polypropylene, are designed box-like or shell-like and each can enclose its own accommodation space, in particular an accommodation space that is open on one side. In principle, however, it is also possible to design the upper part or the lower part in the form of a lid that does not enclose its own accommodation space. The transport container also has a closure element movable between a closed position and an open position in order to releasably fix the upper part in a closed position sealing off the accommodation space when it is on the lower part. The transport container also comprises a holding element movable between a holding position and a release position, via which the transport container can be fixed in a coupling position in which the lower part is arranged with its bottom side on the support structure, in particular in a coupling position resting on the support structure. In particular, the bottom surface of the lower portion has at least one coupling element for coupling to, and in particular engaging with, at least one corresponding mating element of the support structure, which can be, for example, an engagement bar that engages in a coupling location in a correspondingly configured engagement recess of the support structure.

[0009] The closure element and the holding element according to the invention are two elastically deflectable segments of the fastening element arranged in the lower part, which can be actuated independently or separated from each other. And the elastic deflectability of the closure element and the holding element should be understood with respect to the normal or usual actuation of these elements for the user to open the transport container or to release the transport container from the support structure, in which case the closure element or the holding element returns to the corresponding basic position after the deflection-causing force is removed. The fastening element is then preferably formed in one piece, in particular integrally or in one part, in particular from plastic, for example acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.

[0010] In particular, the closure element according to the invention, which is elastically deflectable from the closed position forming the basic position, has a locking tab or locking bar which in the closed position engages in a corresponding locking recess of the upper part when the upper part is arranged in the closed position sealing off the receiving space. Due to the configuration in which the closed position is the basic position, the locking tab is also held in this engaging arrangement. The upper part is arranged on the lower part and is therefore fixed against opening. Thus, during the deflection of the closure element into the open position, the locking tab is disengaged from the locking recess, so that the transport container can be opened by pivoting the upper part about the pivot axis formed by the hinge. During the closing of the upper part, the closure element is preferably temporarily deflected from the closed position by contacting the locking tab with the outside of the locking recess, which preferably has a correspondingly designed lead-in chamfer, in order to then automatically lock in the locking recess in the fully closed transport container, i.e. without the need for additional manual manipulation by the user.

[0011] The holding element, which is elastically deflectable from the holding position forming the base position, also comprises a locking element, in particular a locking hook, for releasably engaging in a holding recess of the support structure. In particular, when the transport container is arranged in the coupling position and the holding element is in the holding position, the locking element engages in the holding recess of the support structure in the holding position. By the engagement of the locking element in the holding recess, the transport container is anchored to the support structure in order to secure it against being lifted or removed. Due to the configuration of the holding element, whose holding position forms the base position, the locking element is also held in a position in which it engages in the holding recess. To release the transport container from the support structure, the holding element is deflected from the holding position to the release position and the locking element disengages from the holding recess of the support structure. The transport container can then be removed from the support structure, for example by disengaging an engagement bar, which acts as a coupling element and is arranged on the bottom surface of the lower part, from a corresponding engagement recess of the support structure. In the aforementioned embodiment in which the coupling element is configured as an engagement bar, when the transport container is placed in the coupling position on the support structure, the engagement bar is preferably first inserted into the engagement recess of the support structure and then the transport container is rotated towards the support structure such that the locking element engages in the retaining recess. The retaining element is then preferably temporarily deflected from the retaining position by the locking element contacting the outside of the retaining recess, which may have a corresponding lead-in chamfer, after which the transport container is automatically locked in the retaining recess when fully placed in the coupling position, without requiring any further manual manipulation by the user.

[0012] By decoupling the holding element and the closure element, an actuation or deflection of one element does not result in a deflection or actuation of the other element. The holding element remains in a holding position which forms a basic position when the closure element is deflected to the open position. Thus, when the transport container is opened, it remains firmly anchored to the support structure. Similarly, when the holding element is deflected to the release position, the closure element remains in a closed position, so that no opening of the transport container occurs when removing it from the support structure. The configuration of the transport container according to the invention results in an arrangement of a locking mechanism for releasably locking the upper container part to the lower container part as well as a fastening mechanism for releasably fastening the transport container to the support structure, since the closure element and the holding element are designed as segments or regions of a single fastening element which can be operated in a separated state from one another, which is advantageous in manufacture and design and simple in operation, in particular the locking of the transport container and the fastening of the transport container to the support structure are performed separately from one another.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the transport container, the upper part is pivotally connected to the lower part via a hinge arranged on a first side of the lower part, in particular on the rear side of the lower part, for optionally closing or opening the accommodation space, and the fastening element is arranged on a second side of the lower part, in particular on the front side opposite to the rear side of the lower part. This arrangement of the hinge and the fastening element with the closure element provides a transport container that is advantageous in design and manufacture, allows for easy actuation of the closure element and opening of the transport container, and holds the upper part securely in the closed position.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the closure element and the holding element are arranged on both sides of the fastening element. The locking tab is then preferably arranged on or near the top side of the fastening element facing towards the upper part, and the locking element, in particular a locking element designed as a locking hook, is arranged on or near the bottom side of the fastening element facing towards the support structure. In this way, a design-advantageous embodiment of the fastening element is provided with the closure element and the holding element separated from one another, which allows a secure holding of the upper part in the closed position and a secure holding of the transport container on the support structure. In particular, the aforementioned embodiment also allows a simple actuation of the closure holding elements to occur separately from one another.

[0015] The retaining element is preferably arranged between two vertically extending separation slots of the fastening element. The separation slot then extends inwards, in particular from the outer edge of the side of the fastening element with the retaining element, for example up to about one third or one half of the height of the fastening element. The retaining element is preferably bounded laterally by two vertically extending separation slots. The retaining element then connects to the remaining part of the fastening element via a connection area arranged between the two separation slots. The separation of the retaining element from the closure element is ensured by the separation slots. To support the separation, the fastening element can also have a separation bar, in particular on the connection area arranged between the two separation slots, which rests against or is in contact with the lower part during actuation of the retaining element or the closure element. The described embodiment provides a robust and easy to manufacture fastening element with a retaining element that can be actuated in a detached manner from the closure element. In particular, the separation slot can also be simply introduced after the manufacture of the basic element for the fastening element.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening element is firmly connected to the lower part, i.e. in particular attached to the connection site, and is immobile. This ensures that the fastening element cannot be moved unintentionally during actuation of the holding element or the closure element, which would adversely affect the actuation or deflection of the holding element or the closure element. The fastening element is preferably releasably attached to the lower part via at least one locking device. The releasable arrangement also makes it particularly easy to replace defective fastening elements. The locking device is then preferably formed by a locking hook arranged on the fastening element and a locking recess arranged on the lower part and designed for the locking hook to hook up. The locking hook and / or the locking recess can be components of the fastening element or the lower part, i.e. designed integrally therewith. However, it is also possible to later incorporate the locking hook and / or the locking recess into the fastening element or the lower part. In another embodiment, it is also possible to provide the fastening element with a locking recess and the lower part of the transport container with a locking hook. It is particularly preferred that the fastening element is attached to the lower part via two locking devices. The retaining element is then preferably arranged between at least two locking devices and separated therefrom by, in particular, two vertically extending separation slots. The above-mentioned embodiment allows the fastening element to be easily and reliably installed on the lower part. In order to ensure a reliable positioning of the fastening element on the lower part, in particular during actuation of the closure element or the retaining element, the fastening element can have a mounting bar arranged between the two locking devices, which is located on or near the lower part in the fastening element resting on the lower part. Additionally or alternatively, the outer edge of the side of the fastening element with the retaining element can be formed as a mounting edge that is located against or adjacent to the lower part. In that case, the fastening element preferably has one mounting edge on both sides of the retaining element.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the closure element has an engagement portion for pulling the closure element outwardly from the closed position to the open position. The engagement portion is then arranged in particular above the locking tab in the case of a locking tab arranged on the upper surface of the fastening element or is formed by a region of the fastening element arranged above the locking tab. In another advantageous embodiment, the holding element has an actuation portion for biasing the holding element from the holding position to the release position, in particular on the side facing away from the transport container or on the side facing outward. The holding element, i.e. the locking element, is consequently deflected in the direction of the transport container when a force is applied against the actuation portion. The described embodiments provide for a simple actuation of the closure element and the holding element. In addition to the described embodiments, a similarly reversed configuration of the closure element and the holding element is in principle conceivable, in particular in which the holding element has an engagement portion for pulling the holding element to the release position and the closure element has an actuation portion for biasing the holding element to the open position.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the bottom surface of the lower part has at least one coupling element which couples with, and in particular engages with, a mating element of the support structure in the coupling position. The bottom surface of the lower part preferably has an engagement bar which engages in a corresponding engagement recess of the support structure in the coupling position. For a simple, fast and reliable positioning of the transport container on the support structure, the at least one engagement bar is arranged on or in the vicinity of the hinged rear surface, in particular on the rear edge of the lower part. In an advantageous embodiment, the lower part has a plurality of engagement bars for engaging in correspondingly configured engagement recesses of the support structure. The engagement recess can then also have a plurality of parts, each capable of accommodating one engagement bar. The engagement bar is then preferably arranged along the rear surface, in particular along an edge of the bottom surface of the lower part which extends along the rear surface.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the transport container is configured as a stackable transport container. The top surface of the upper part therefore has a support structure that is especially designed for stacking identical transport containers, for example for placing a lower part of an equivalent transport container thereon. The upper part therefore preferably has at least one retaining recess for a locking element of the equivalent transport container. Particularly preferably, the top surface also has at least one mating element, especially an engagement recess, for coupling with a coupling element, especially an engagement bar, that is arranged on the bottom surface of the equivalent transport container. In another advantageous embodiment, the top surface of the upper part preferably has at least two such mating elements, especially two engagement recesses, which can also function as a retaining recess. The configuration of the retaining recess similar to or as an engagement recess represents a particularly preferred variant, since in this way it is possible to insert both the locking tab and the locking element into the engagement recess and the retaining recess considered as such, the retaining recess in this advantageous embodiment can consequently also be used as an engagement recess. For the engagement recess, the opposite situation applies. The engagement bar of the equivalent transport container then engages in the engagement recess in the first coupling position and the locking hook of the equivalent transport container engages in the second engagement recess which serves as a retaining recess. In the above-mentioned embodiment, the equivalent transport container can be attached to the upper part in two positions, in particular in positions rotated 180 degrees relative to each other.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the stackable transport container, the top surface of the upper part has at least two projections extending upwards relative to the lid surface, in particular a front projection arranged on or next to the front surface with the fastening element and a rear projection arranged on or next to the rear surface with the hinge, and each projection has at least one engagement recess, which preferably opens towards the other projection or faces inwards from the viewpoint of the transport container. Thus, a simple and reliable arrangement of identical transport containers in the coupling position results in a simple and reliable stacking of several identical transport containers.

[0021] An object of the invention is also a container arrangement comprising a transport container as described above and at least one support structure having at least one holding recess for releasably placing the transport container thereon, preferably on another, in particular on an equivalent transport container or on an adapter plate, preferably with mating elements suitable for coupling with coupling elements of the transport container, in particular with engagement recesses suitable for receiving engagement bars arranged on the bottom side of the transport container.

[0022] These and further features as well as advantages and effects of the transport container according to the invention and of the container arrangement according to the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 illustrates a first perspective view of a stackable shipping container in a closed position. [Diagram 2] 2 shows a second perspective view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1. [Diagram 3] 2 illustrates a third perspective view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 shows a view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1 in a partially open position. [Diagram 5] 2 shows a view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1 in a fully open position. [Figure 6] 2 shows a view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1 in a partially open position, without the fastening element resting on the lower part. [Figure 7] 2 shows a first view of a fastening element of the stackable shipping container shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 8] 2 shows a second view of the fastening element of the stackable shipping container shown in FIG. 1 . [Figure 9] 2 shows a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 1 in the region of the fixing element. [Figure 10] 2 shows a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 1 in the region of the fixing element with the closure element biased into the open position. [Figure 11]1 shows a stacking arrangement of two stackable shipping containers in a docked position. [Figure 12] 12 shows a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] 12 shows a cross-sectional view through the arrangement of FIG. 11, with the holding element of the upper transport container being placed in the released position. [Figure 14] 12 shows a cross-sectional view through the arrangement of FIG. 11, with the closure element of the upper transport container being placed in the open position. [Figure 15] 12 shows a perspective view of the stacked arrangement of FIG. 11 with the closure element of the upper shipping container placed in an open position. [Figure 16] 12 shows a perspective view of the stacked arrangement of FIG. 11 with the upper portion of the top shipping container in a partially open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0024] 1 to 3 show different perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a transport container 1 according to the invention in a closed position. The transport container 1 comprises a lower part 2 and an upper part 3 connected to the lower part 4[sic: 2] via a hinge 4 arranged on the rear sides of the lower part 2 and the upper part 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the hinge 4 is formed in particular by a steel shaft forming a pivot axis A arranged in a guide with an opening on the rear sides of the upper part 2[sic: 3] and the lower part 3[sic: 2] shown in FIG. 2. By pivoting the upper part 3 about the pivot axis A, the transport container 1 can be moved from a closed position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in which the upper part 3 rests on the lower part 2, via a partially open position shown in FIG. 4, to a fully open position shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower part 2 and the upper part 3 are configured in a box-like or shell-like manner, and both the lower part 2 and the upper part 3 enclose a storage space 5 for storing objects inside. In the present exemplary embodiment, the transport container 1 is provided for accommodating tool parts, in particular tool bits. For this purpose, the transport container 1 shown by way of example has on the inside of the upper part 2 and the lower part 3 [sic: 3 and 2] a number of guide recesses 6 into which can be inserted holding slots (not shown) used for accommodating tool bits in an orderly manner.

[0025] The fastening element 7, shown in detail in Fig. 7 and Fig. 8, rests on the front surface of the lower part 2, via which the upper part 3 (described further below) is fastened in the closed position shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3 and the transport container 1 (described further below) is also fastened on a supporting structure, in this case on an equivalent transport container 1. To fasten the fastening element 7 to the lower part 2, two fastening hooks 8 are arranged on the rear surface of the fastening element 7 facing the lower part 2, which hook or clip into fastening recesses 9 on the front surface of the lower part 2, which are shown in particular in Fig. 6. The positioning of the fastening element 7 via the fastening hooks 8 engaging in the fastening recesses 9 is also evident from the cross-sectional views in Fig. 9 and Fig. 10. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the fastening hooks 8 are designed integrally with the fastening element 7. However, fastening means for positioning the fastening element 7 on the lower part 2 are also conceivable, which are subsequently placed on the fastening element 7, for example on fastening hooks 8 made separately and subsequently attached to the fastening element 7. In another embodiment, it is also conceivable to provide the fastening element 7 with locking recesses and to provide the lower part 2 with locking hooks. The fastening element 7 also has mounting bars 25 between the locking hooks 8 and mounting edges 26 arranged below each locking hook 8, which are arranged on or near the front surface of the lower part 2 of the fastening element 7 attached to the lower part 2.

[0026] For fixing the upper part 3 in the closed position shown in Figures 1 to 3 and for fixing the transport container 1 on a support structure, such as the fixing of two stacked transport containers 1, 1' described below with reference to Figures 11 to 16, a fastening element 7, preferably made in one piece from plastic, has two elastically deflectable segments which can be actuated independently of one another, as shown in detail in Figures 7 and 8. In particular, this fastening element 7 has a closure element 10 which forms the upper region of the fastening element 7 and a holding element 11 which is arranged between two separating slots 12 which extend vertically from below up to about one third of the height of the fastening element 7.

[0027] The closure element 10 has a locking tab 13 on its rear side facing the lower part 2 and the upper part 3 in order to fix the upper part 3 in the closed position shown in Fig. 1 to Fig. 3. In particular, the locking tab 13 engages in a corresponding locking recess 14 on the front side of the upper part 3 in the closed position, as shown in Fig. 9, forming the basic position of the closure element 10. The locking recess 14 is then a locking piece or locking bar arranged in particular in the region of the lower edge of the upper part 3 and is in particular formed integrally with the upper part 3. To open the transport container 1, the locking tab 13 and the locking recess 14 are disengaged. In particular, the closure element 10 then engages in an engagement part 15 arranged above the locking tab 13 and is deflected outwards from the closed position shown in Fig. 9 to the open position shown in Fig. 10 by pulling the closure element 10 outwards. The deflection of the closure element 10 is also shown in Fig. 4 by a dashed line drawn along the fixing element 7. As further shown in Fig. 4, when the closure element 10 is arranged in the open position, the upper part 3 can be rotated about the pivot axis A and the transport container 1 can thus be opened. When no force is applied, i.e. when there is no engagement at the engagement portion 15 and the closure element 10 is pulled outwards, the closure element 10 is returned to the closed position forming the basic position. During the closing of the upper part 3, the locking tabs 13 of the closure element 10 arranged in the closed position are initially momentarily biased outwards by contact with the lower (lead-in) chamfer of the locking recess 14 and then, in the fully closed upper part 3, are automatically locked in the locking recess 14 by the movement of the elastic closure element 10 back to the closed position forming the basic position, whereby the upper part 3 is fixed in the closed position.

[0028] As also shown in Figure 10, the retaining element 11 does not deflect during actuation of the closure element 10, in particular when the closure element 10 is pulled outward from the closed position to the open position, which means that the retaining element 11 remains in a basic position during actuation of the closure element 10, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0029] The holding element 11 has a locking element 16, which forms a lower area of ​​the holding element 11 for fastening the transport container 1 on the support structure, which is designed in this case in the form of a locking hook. In the holding position, which forms the basic position, the locking element 16 engages in a corresponding holding recess of the support structure. The fastening of the transport container 1 on the support structure and the operating mode of the holding element 11, in the case of fastening two transport containers 1, 1' stacked one above the other in the coupled position, are described below with reference to Figs. 11 to 16. The actuation of the holding element 11 is carried out by pressing on the actuating part 17 of the holding element 11, which is arranged between the separating slots 12. In this way, the holding element 11 is deflected in the direction of the transport container 1 and the locking hook 16 is (further) inserted into a recess 18 provided for this purpose in the lower area of ​​the lower part 2. In the absence of applied force, i.e. in the absence of pressure on the actuating part 17, the holding element 11 moves back in the direction of the transport container 1 to the holding position, which forms the basic position.

[0030] As shown in particular in FIG. 2, the transport container 1 has, in particular on its lower edge facing the rear, a number of coupling elements in the form of engagement bars 19 which serve for engagement into corresponding mating elements, in particular engagement recesses on a support structure. On the upper surface of the upper part 3, the transport container 1 has two projections 21, 22 which extend upwards with respect to the top surface 20. In particular, the transport container 1 has a first front projection 21 arranged on the front side and a second rear projection 22 arranged on the rear side. The projections 21, 22 then each have an engagement recess 23, 24 opening towards the other projection 21, 22. The front projection 21 has a front engagement recess 23 opening inwards or rearwards, and the rear projection 22 has a rear engagement recess 24 opening inwards or forwards. The engagement recesses 23, 24 serve to receive the engagement bars 19 and the locking elements 16 of another equivalent transport container 1 stacked on the upper part 3, as will be explained below. The engagement recesses 23, 24 in this exemplary embodiment are configured as continuous engagement grooves or inserts extending along the upper surface of the upper portion 3. However, other embodiments are also conceivable, for example the engagement recesses 23, 24 being subdivided into multiple portions to allow for the accommodation of engagement bars 19 and locking elements 16 of additional equivalent shipping containers 1.

[0031] Figures 11 to 16 show how two identical transport containers 1, 1' as described above are stacked one on top of the other along a stacking axis S. The lower part 2 of the upper transport container 1 is then placed on the upper part 3' of the lower transport container 1'. In Figures 11 to 16 not all reference numbers are shown, merely for the sake of clarity.

[0032] In order to stack the transport containers 1, 1' in the coupled position shown in Figures 11 and 12, in a first step the engagement bar 19 of the upper transport container 1 is inserted or pushed into the rear engagement recess 24' of the lower transport container 1' while the transport containers 1, 1' are tilted. The front face of the upper transport container 1 is then pivoted downwards towards the lower transport container 1'. The locking element 16 of the holding element 11 of the upper transport container 1 in this coupling process is initially located on top of the front projection 21, so that the front projection is momentarily deflected inwards, i.e. into the recess 18. Thereafter, i.e. while the front face of the upper transport container 1 is fully pivoted downwards to the coupled position shown in Figures 11 and 12, the locking element 16 snaps back into the front engagement recess 23' of the lower transport container 1' by moving the elastic holding element 11 into the holding position forming the basic position. The engagement bar 19 of the upper transport container 1 engages in the rear engagement recess 24' of the lower transport container 1' and the locking element 16 engages in the front engagement recess 23', so that the two stacked transport containers 1, 1' are placed in a fixed coupling position such that they cannot be lifted or loosened from each other. In addition to the stacked arrangement of transport containers 1, 1' shown by way of example in figures 11 and 12 in the illustrated configuration of transport containers 1, 1', a stack of two transport containers 1, 1' rotated by 180 degrees is also possible, in particular due to the mirror symmetry of the engagement recesses 23', 24' which can serve to accommodate both the engagement bar 19 and the locking element 16, i.e. in such a way that the engagement bar 19 of the upper transport container 1 engages in the front engagement recess 23' of the lower transport container 1' and the locking element 16 engages in the rear engagement recess 24'.

[0033] The release of the two stacked transport containers 1, 1' is indicated in FIG. 13 by the particularly depicted arrows. The holding element 11 is deflected from the holding position shown in FIG. 12 to the release position shown in FIG. 13 by pressing the actuating part 17 so that the locking element 16 is disengaged from the front engagement recess 23' of the lower transport container 1'. With this arrangement of the holding element 11, the upper transport container 1 can be raised from the lower transport container 1'. In particular, the front face of the upper transport container 1 is first moved upwards or away from the lower transport container 1', after which the engagement bar 19 is brought out of the rear engagement recess 24'. As shown in FIG. 13, the closure element 10 of the fastening element 7 of the upper transport container 1 remains in the closed position forming the basic position during actuation of the holding element 11. Thus, the upper transport container 1 cannot be opened unintentionally when separated from the lower transport container 1'.

[0034] Figures 14 to 16 show the release of the upper transport container 1 when it is placed on the lower transport container 1'. The closure element 10 is then biased outwards into the open position shown in Figures 14 and 15 by engaging at the engagement portion 15 and by pulling the closure element 10 outwards, and then the upper part 3 is pivoted upwards about the pivot axis A, as shown in Figure 16. As already mentioned above, the holding element 11 of the fixing element 7 then remains in its holding position, which forms the basic position, so that the upper transport container 1 is not released from the lower transport container 1' during the above-mentioned opening.

[0035] For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example. For example, in addition to the connection of two identical transport containers shown, it is also possible to attach a transport container to an adapter plate having an equivalent, but not identical, support structure. It is also possible to provide engagement bars of different configurations, and to have more or fewer engagement bars or other connection elements, as well as different configurations of engagement recesses. In principle, it is also conceivable to design a transport container with several fastening elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Transport container 2 Lower part 3 Upper part 4 Hinge 5. Containment Space 6 Guide recess 7 Fixed elements 8 Mooring Hook 9 Locking recess 10 Closure elements 11 Retention elements 12 Separation Slots 13 Locking tab 14 Lock recess 15 Engagement part 16 Rock Elements 17 Operating Part 18 Recess 19 Engagement bar 20 Top 21 First anterior projection 22 Second posterior process 23 First front engagement recess 24 Second rear engagement recess 25 Installation bar 26 Installation edge A Rotational axis S Stacking axis

Claims

1. A transport container (1) for releasably resting on a support structure, comprising a lower part (2), an upper part (3) which, together with the lower part (2), encloses a receiving space (5) and is pivotally connected to the lower part (2) via a hinge (4), a closure element (10) movable between a closed position and an open position for releasably fixing the upper part (3) in a position for closing the receiving space (5), and a holding element (11) movable between a holding position and a release position, via which the transport container (1) can be attached in a coupling position in which a bottom surface of the lower part (2) is placed on the support structure, and the closure element (11) is movable between a holding position and a release position.

1. The transport container according to claim 1, wherein said closure element (10) and said holding element (11) are segments of a fixing element (7) arranged on said lower part (2) that can be actuated separately from one another, said closure element (10) being elastically deflectable from a closed position forming a basic position and having locking tabs (13) for engaging in locking recesses (14) of said upper part (3), and said holding element (11) being elastically deflectable from a holding position forming a basic position and having locking elements (16) for releasably engaging in holding recesses (23, 24) of said support structure in a coupling position of said transport container (1).

2. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part (3) is pivotally connected to the lower part (2) via a hinge (4) arranged on a first side of the lower part (2), in particular on the back side of the lower part (2) for optionally closing or opening the storage space (5), and the fastening element (7) is arranged on a second side of the lower part (2), in particular on the front side of the lower part (2) opposite to the back side.

3. 2. Transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (7) is made in one piece, in particular integrally, preferably from plastic.

4. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (10) and the holding element (11) are arranged on both sides of the fixing element (7), the locking tab (13) is preferably arranged on or near a top surface of the fixing element (7), and the locking element (16) is arranged on or near a bottom surface of the fixing element (7).

5. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the retaining element (11) is arranged between two vertically extending separation slots (12) of the fastening element (7), in particular being somewhat bounded by the two separation slots (12) which cause separation from the closure element (10).

6. 2. Transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (7) is rigidly connected to the lower part (2).

7. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (7) is releasably mounted on the lower part (2) via at least one fastening device, which preferably comprises a fastening hook (8) arranged on the fastening element (7) and / or on the lower part (2) and a fastening recess (9) for the fastening hook (8) arranged on the lower part (2) and / or on the fastening element (7).

8. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing element (7) is mounted on the lower part (2) via two locking devices and the holding element (11) is arranged between the at least two locking devices and is separated therefrom by, in particular, two vertically extending separation slots (12).

9. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (10) has an engagement portion (15) for pulling the closure element (10) outwardly from the closed position to the open position.

10. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (11) has an actuation part (17) for biasing the holding element (11) from the holding position to the release position.

11. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom surface of the lower part (2) has at least one connecting element which is connected to a mating element in the connecting position, and the bottom surface of the lower part (2) preferably has an engagement bar (19) configured as a connecting element which engages in an engagement recess (23, 24) of the support structure which forms a mating element in the connecting position.

12. The transport container (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the at least one engagement bar (19) is arranged on or near the rear surface of the lower part (2) having the hinge (4), and the transport container (1) preferably has a plurality of engagement bars (19) arranged along the edge of the bottom surface of the lower part (2) extending in the area of ​​the rear surface.

13. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized by its configuration as a stackable transport container (1), in which the upper surface of the upper part (3) has a support structure designed for stacking an equivalent transport container (1') thereon, in particular the upper part (3) has holding recesses (23, 24) for locking elements (16') of the equivalent transport container (1'), particularly preferably at least one engagement recess (23, 24) for connecting with an engagement bar (19') on the bottom surface of the lower part (2) of the equivalent transport container (1').

14. 14. The transport container (1) according to claim 13, characterized by at least two engagement recesses (23, 24) arranged on the upper surface of the upper part (3), preferably designed as retaining recesses, in which one engagement bar (19') of an equivalent transport container (1') in particular in the coupled position engages in a first engagement recess (23, 24) and the locking element (16') of the equivalent transport container (1') engages in a second engagement recess (24, 23).

15. The transport container (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the upper surface of the upper part (3) comprises at least two protrusions (21, 22) protruding relative to the top surface (20), in particular a front protrusion (21) arranged on or in the vicinity of the front surface having the fixing element (7) and a rear protrusion (22) arranged on or in the vicinity of the rear surface having the hinge (4), each of which has at least one engagement recess (23, 24), particularly preferably an engagement recess (23, 24) opening in the direction of the other protrusion (21, 22).

16. A container arrangement comprising a transport container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a support structure having holding recesses (24, 23) for releasably placing said transport container (1) thereon, in particular a transport container (1') with said support structure or an adapter plate with said support structure.

17. 16. A container arrangement comprising a transport container (1) according to claim 15 and a support structure having holding recesses (24, 23) for releasably placing said transport container (1) thereon, in particular a transport container (1') with said support structure or an adapter plate with said support structure.

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