Assembly-type thermal insulation container

Abstract

To provide an assembly-type thermal insulation container which can be easily disassembled and assembled regardless of the skill level of a worker and can be made compact when stored.SOLUTION: An assembly-type thermal insulation container is made of a panel that is a thick board with a thermal insulation property and has at least one corner structure 21. The corner structure 21 includes: two panels 4 and 8 that form a corner of the thermal container; a thin plate-like flap 9 that is expanded on an end edge of one panel 8 of the two panels 4 and 8 that form the corner, and is bridged from the end edge of the one panel 8 to an end edge of the other panel 4 when the corner is formed; first fixing means 10 that fixes the flap 9 to the other panel 4; and a connecting sheet 11a that is interposed between the end edge of the one panel 8 and the end edge of the other panel 4 and connects them.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly-type thermal insulation container that is suitable for transporting items while keeping them cool or warm, and that can be easily disassembled and assembled. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, insulated containers using panels in which the bare surface of a thick insulating plate made of, for example, foamed resin or the like is covered with an outer covering made of a water-impermeable sheet have been used as containers for transporting items that require temperature control. Although such thermal containers have excellent heat retention properties, they are bulky when not in use, wasting space during storage and transportation. Prior applications that address such issues are known, for example, from Patent Documents 1 and 2 shown below.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses an invention entitled "Cooling and Heating Box" relating to a cooling and heating box that stores contents while maintaining a constant temperature. The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 is a cool / warm insulated box that stores contents while maintaining a constant temperature, and is characterized by comprising: a first insulating member arranged on a first surface of the cool / warm insulated box; a second insulating member connected to the first surface and arranged on a second surface perpendicular to the first surface; a third insulating member connected to the second surface and arranged on a third surface opposite the first surface; a first connecting member arranged between the first insulating member and the second insulating member, which connects the second insulating member to the first insulating member in an openable / closable manner; and a second connecting member arranged between the second insulating member and the third insulating member, which connects the third insulating member to the second insulating member in an openable / closable manner. According to the cooler / heater insulation box having the above configuration disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is possible to provide a cooler / heater insulation box that can be folded compactly when not in use.

[0004] Patent document 2 discloses an invention entitled "Assembly-type refrigerated and heated box" that relates to an assembly-type refrigerated and heated box used for delivering and storing products that need to be kept cool or warm, such as medicines and food. The knockdown type cooling and heating box disclosed in Patent Document 2 is characterized in that it is assembled from six plate-shaped insulating members joined together by detachable joints. The assembly type cold and warm insulation box disclosed in Patent Document 2 having the above configuration can also provide a cold and warm insulation box that can be stored compactly by stacking the plate-like insulating members when not in use. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2017-154776 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-66935 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The invention disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes an exterior member (101) separate from the box portion (110), and furthermore, the exterior member (101) is independent of the box portion (110). Therefore, when assembling or disassembling the insulated heat box (100) disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is necessary to assemble or disassemble the box portion (110) inside the exterior member (101), which is cumbersome. Therefore, in the case of the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, there was a problem in that the assembly and disassembly of the cooler / warmer box could not be carried out smoothly.

[0007] The invention disclosed in Patent Document 2 does not have an exterior member like the invention disclosed in Patent Document 1, and therefore has the potential to allow smooth assembly and disassembly. On the other hand, in the case of the collapsible cooler / heater insulation box disclosed in Patent Document 2, all of the panels that make up the container body are separated after disassembly. In this case, while the storage configuration can be made compact, there is a risk that workers who do not know where each part will be placed when the product is completed may make mistakes in the orientation or placement of each part during assembly, resulting in another issue in that assembly work cannot be carried out smoothly.

[0008] The present invention has been made in response to the above-mentioned conventional circumstances, and its purpose is to provide an assembly-type thermal container that can be easily disassembled and assembled regardless of the skill level of the worker, and that can be stored in a compact form. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The first invention for solving the above problem is an assembled insulated container made of thick insulating panels and having at least one corner structure, characterized in that the corner structure comprises two panels that form a corner of the insulated container, a thin flap that extends from the edge of one of the two panels that form the corner and spans from the edge of one panel to the edge of the other panel when the corner is formed, thereby securing them together, a first fixing means that fixes the flap to the other panel, and a connecting sheet that is interposed between the edge of one panel and the edge of the other panel and connects them. In the first invention having the above configuration, the connecting sheet functions to connect and integrate the two panels that form the corner of the insulated container. In other words, in the first invention, when the insulated container is disassembled (unfolded), the positional relationship between the two panels that form the corner is maintained. Furthermore, when the two panels do not form the corner, that is, when the insulated container is disassembled, the connecting sheet functions to increase the range of movement of one panel relative to the other. In addition, when the two panels form the corner, the connecting sheet functions to prevent air from entering or exiting at the connection between the two panels. This functions to improve the heat retention of the insulated container when assembled. Furthermore, the flap and the first fixing means have the effect of connecting and fixing the edges of the two panels that form the corner to each other, thereby forming the corner.

[0010] The second invention is the first invention described above, characterized in that the insulated container has a first angular structure which is the above-mentioned angular structure, and when this first angular structure is formed, the connecting sheet is folded and stored under the flap. The second invention having the above configuration has the effect of preventing the connecting sheet from being exposed to the inside or outside of the thermal insulation container when the first angular structure is formed.

[0011] The third invention is the second invention described above, characterized in that the connecting sheet constituting the first corner structure is provided with a second fixing means for temporarily fixing the area near the crease when folded onto the end face of one panel having a flap or onto the surface of the other panel. The third invention having the above configuration has the effect of preventing the folded (e.g., folded in half) connecting sheet from interfering with the rotation operation of the flap when the first corner is formed by one panel and the other panel by providing a second fixing means.

[0012] The fourth invention is the first invention described above, characterized in that the thermal container has a second corner structure which is the above-mentioned corner structure, and when this second corner structure is formed, the connecting sheet is sandwiched between the two panels which form the second corner structure. The fourth invention having the above configuration has the effect of preventing the connecting sheet from being exposed to the inside or outside of the thermal insulation container when the second angular structure is formed.

[0013] The fifth invention is the first invention described above, wherein the insulated container comprises a square-shaped container body consisting of a back panel, a pair of side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel, which are panels, and has an opening on the front, and a door, which is also a panel, arranged on the front of the container body and closes the opening, wherein in the container body, the connection portion between the back panel and the top panel, and the connection portion between the back panel and the side panels, have the above-mentioned angular structure, the bottom panel and the back panel are fixed together, and the bottom panel has a fold line that allows the area near the door to be folded vertically upward. In the fifth invention having the above configuration, the container body is composed of a back panel, a pair of side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel, and in this container body, the above-mentioned corner structures are provided at the connection parts between the back panel and the top panel, and at the connection parts between the back panel and the side panels, and further, the bottom panel and the back panel are fixed together, so that when the thermal container is disassembled, all of the panels that make up the container body can be kept connected. As a result, in the fifth aspect of the invention, when assembling the container body, the time required for the worker to consider the orientation and arrangement of each panel that constitutes the container body can be reduced. Furthermore, in the fifth invention, when the insulated container is disassembled, the parts that make up the container are limited to only two: the container body and the door. This also reduces the time that workers need to think about the placement and orientation of each part when assembling the insulated container. In addition, in the fifth invention, the bottom panel of the container body has a fold line, so that the volume when each part that makes up the disassembled insulated container is folded and stacked can be made approximately the same as the volume when all the panels that make up the insulated container are individually separated and stacked. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to the collapsible thermal containers of each of the first to fourth inventions, the thermal container has at least one angular structure (more specifically, the first angular structure or the second angular structure), so that when the thermal container is disassembled (unfolded), the positional relationship between the two panels that make up the angular structure can be maintained while the range of movement of one panel relative to the other panel can be increased. This reduces the time that workers have to consider the relative positions and orientations of the two panels that make up the corner structure when assembling the disassembled (unfolded) parts of the thermal container. Therefore, according to each of the first to fourth inventions, it is possible to improve the workability when assembling the thermal container. Furthermore, in each of the first to fourth inventions, the range of movement of one panel relative to the other panel that constitutes the above-mentioned angular structure can be increased, which increases the freedom of arrangement of each panel when the thermal container is disassembled (unfolded) and folded for storage. As a result, the space occupied when disassembling and storing each of the first to fourth inventions can be reduced. In other words, each of the first to fourth inventions can provide an assembled thermal container that is easy to store and transport when not in use. In addition, in each of the first to fourth inventions, by fixing the flaps and then releasing the fixed state, it is possible to form corners on the insulated container and disassemble these corners, which also improves the workability when assembling and disassembling the insulated container. Furthermore, in each of the first to fourth aspects of the present invention, the airtightness of the portion of the thermal container having the angular structure can be improved. As a result, according to each of the first to fourth inventions, an assembled thermal container can be provided that has better thermal insulation properties than when it does not have the above-mentioned corner structure, i.e., when the corners of the thermal container do not have connecting sheets.

[0015] According to the second or fourth invention, when the thermal insulation container is assembled, the connecting sheet is not exposed on the inside or outside of the thermal insulation container, so that an assembled thermal insulation container with a more aesthetically pleasing appearance can be provided.

[0016] According to the third aspect of the present invention, when assembling the thermal container, the connecting sheet does not interfere with the rotational operation of the flap, so that the assembling work of the thermal container can be carried out more efficiently.

[0017] According to the fifth invention, when the thermal container is disassembled, it can be made up of only two parts: the container body and the door. This means that when workers are assembling the insulated container, they can spend less time thinking about the orientation and placement of each panel that makes up the insulated container. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an assembly-type heat-retaining container that is particularly easy to assemble. Furthermore, in the fifth invention, when the disassembled parts (container body and door) of the insulated container are folded and stacked, the volume can be made approximately the same as when each panel that makes up the insulated container is separated individually and stacked. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an assembly type thermal insulation container that is easy to store and carry. In addition, in the fifth invention, the connection portions between the rear panel and the top panel, and the connection portions between the rear panel and the side panels have the above-mentioned corner structure, which increases the airtightness at these corners during assembly. Therefore, according to the fifth aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an assembly-type thermal insulation container that is more airtight when assembled. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1A] 1 is a perspective view of the assembled thermal insulation container according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 1B] 1 is a simplified conceptual diagram illustrating an assembly-type thermal insulation container according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2A] 1 is a perspective view of the assembled thermal insulation container according to the present embodiment disassembled into a container body and a door. FIG. [Figure 2B] FIG. 2B is a simplified conceptual diagram of the knockdown insulated container shown in FIG. 2A. [Figure 3] FIG. 2C is an image diagram of the container body shown in FIG. 2B in an exploded (unfolded) state. [Figure 4] 1 is a perspective view of a first corner structure of the knockdown thermal insulation container according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5A] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the state before the top panel and the rear panel are brought into contact with each other. [Figure 5B] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the top panel and the rear panel in contact with each other. [Figure 5C] 10 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a connecting sheet interposed between a top panel and a rear panel is folded and bent vertically upward. FIG. [Figure 5D] 10 is a cross-sectional view of the state in which the connecting sheet is stored under a flap provided on the top panel. FIG. [Figure 6]10 is a cross-sectional view of a second corner structure in the knockdown thermal insulation container according to the present embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which the door of the knockdown insulated container according to the present embodiment is open. FIG. [Figure 8] 10 is a perspective view showing a state in which all flaps in the container body according to the present embodiment have been released from their fixed state. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a simplified conceptual diagram showing the state in which the top panel of the container body according to the present embodiment is lifted up. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a simplified conceptual diagram showing the state in which the left side panel of the container body according to the present embodiment is folded. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a simplified conceptual diagram showing the state in which the right side panel of the container body according to the present embodiment is folded. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a simplified conceptual diagram showing the state in which the bottom panel of the container body according to the present embodiment is folded. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a simplified conceptual diagram showing the state in which the top panel of the container body according to the present embodiment is folded. [Figure 14] FIG. 10 is a simplified conceptual diagram showing the state in which the container body and the door according to the present embodiment are fixed together with a fixing belt. [Figure 15] FIG. 10 is a simplified development view showing a container body according to a modified example of the present embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an assembly-type thermal insulation container according to another modified example of the present embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A knockdown insulated container according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 1A to 16. FIG.

[0020] [1; Basic form of the present invention] (Overview of the present invention) An overview of an assembly-type thermal insulation container according to an embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter simply referred to as "the present embodiment") will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 6. FIG. Fig. 1A is a perspective view of the assembled collapsible insulated container according to this embodiment, and Fig. 1B is a simplified image of the collapsible insulated container shown in Fig. 1A. Fig. 2A is a perspective view of the collapsible insulated container according to this embodiment disassembled into a container body and a door, and Fig. 2B is a simplified image of the collapsible insulated container shown in Fig. 2A. Fig. 3 is an image of the container body shown in Fig. 2B disassembled (developed). As shown in Figures 1A to 2B, the collapsible thermal container 1 of this embodiment includes, for example, a box-shaped container body 2 (see Figures 2A and 2B) that is made up of a thick, insulating back panel 4, a pair of side panels (left side panel 5 and right side panel 6), a bottom panel 7, and a top panel 8, and has an opening 2a on the front side, and a door 3 (see Figures 2A and 2B) that is also a panel and is arranged on the front side of the container body 2 to close the opening 2a of the container body 2.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 3, the connection portion of the container body 2 between the rear panel 4 and the top panel 8 includes a first corner structure 21 including a connecting sheet 11a. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, in the container body 2, the connection portion between the back panel 4 and the left side panel 5 (side panel) and the connection portion between the back panel 4 and the right side panel 6 (side panel) each have a second corner structure 22 including a connecting sheet 11b.

[0022] Although not specifically shown, each panel (rear panel 4, left side panel 5, right side panel 6, bottom panel 7, top panel 8, and door 3) constituting the assembled thermal container 1 of this embodiment is formed by covering the exposed surface of a thick insulating plate made of, for example, foamed resin with an outer covering (not shown) made of, for example, an impermeable sheet. Furthermore, the heat insulating thick plate does not necessarily have to be a foamed resin, and a thick plate made of a resin molded body having a hollow portion in its cross section in the thickness direction may also be used.

[0023] Furthermore, the rear panel 4 of the container body 2 may be provided with a thin support plate 4a on its rear side. The function of the support plate 4a will be explained later with reference to the drawings.

[0024] (Regarding the first corner structure) The first corner structure 21 of the knockdown thermal insulation container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first corner structure in the knockdown thermal insulation container according to this embodiment. For example, as shown in Figure 4, the first corner structure 21 in the assembled thermal container 1 of this embodiment includes a top panel 8, a back panel 4 (including a support plate 4a), a flap 9 extending from the edge of the top panel 8 facing the back panel 4, a first fastening means for fastening the flap 9 to the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a), such as a first hook-and-loop fastener 10, and a connecting sheet 11a interposed between the edge of the top panel 8 and the edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) to connect them. The flap 9 is bridged from the top panel 8 to the back panel 4 (support plate 4a thereof) and fixes them together.

[0025] In other words, the first corner structure 21 comprises two panels that form the first corner 21a, a flap 9 extending from one edge of these panels, a first surface fastener 10 that secures the flap 9 to the other panel that forms the first corner 21a, and a connecting sheet 11a that is interposed between the adjacent edges of the two panels that form the first corner 21a and connects them.

[0026] The flap 9 may be a single layer of a thick flexible and water-impermeable sheet, or may be a thicker sheet made by stacking thin sheets having similar properties and stitching them together. Alternatively, the flap 9 may be made by covering a thin resin plate with an impermeable sheet (e.g., made of resin) that covers the exposed surfaces of each panel (back panel 4, left side panel 5, right side panel 6, bottom panel 7, top panel 8, and door 3) that makes up the assembled insulated container 1, and sewing the sheet together.

[0027] The connecting sheet 11a may be the same as the impermeable sheet (e.g., made of resin) that covers the exposed surfaces of each panel (rear panel 4, left side panel 5, right side panel 6, bottom panel 7, top panel 8, and door 3) that make up the assembled thermal container 1. It is desirable that the connecting sheet 11a be sufficiently thin compared to the thickness of the flap 9. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 4, the connecting sheet 11a may be provided with, for example, a second hook-and-loop fastener 20 as a second fastening means for temporarily fixing the fold 18 portion to the end face 8a of the top panel 8 on the edge side where the flap 9 is provided when the connecting sheet 11a is folded to form the first corner 21a (see Figure 1A). Instead of the second surface fastener 20, a sheet-like or spot-like magnet, a snap button, or the like may be used. Furthermore, connecting sheet 11a may have perforations 19 sewn into the folded portion of fold 18, if necessary. In this case, perforations 19 serve as a guide for the folding position of connecting sheet 11a, facilitating the process of forming first corner 21a.

[0028] The first fastening means for fastening the flap 9 to, for example, the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) may be a sheet-like or spot-like magnet other than the above-mentioned first hook-and-loop fastener 10. Alternatively, snap buttons may be used, although this makes the attachment and detachment operations somewhat more complicated. Furthermore, the flaps 9 are attached by sewing to the outer skins that constitute each panel, or by using adhesive or the like on the surface of each panel.

[0029] (Procedure for forming the first corner) The procedure for forming the first corner 21a of the knockdown thermal insulation container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 5A to 5D. 5A to 5D are cross-sectional views illustrating the steps for forming the first corner between the top panel and the back panel. Note that all of Fig. 5A to Fig. 5D are cross-sectional views taken along line PP in Fig. 4. To form the first corner 21a (see Figure 1A) of the container body 2 in this embodiment, first, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, the edge of the top panel 8 and the edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) are brought into contact with each other while the angle between the planar direction of the top panel 8 and the planar direction of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) is set at a right angle (step S11). This operation causes the connecting sheet 11a interposed between the edge of the top panel 8 and the edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) to be folded. In other words, the connecting sheet 11a is folded in half along the edge of the top panel 8 or the edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) (see FIG. 5B).

[0030] Next, as shown in FIG. 5C, the fold 18 of the double-folded connecting sheet 11a is flipped up and folded toward the base of the flap 9, and the fold 18 is temporarily fixed to the end surface 8a of the top panel 8 on the edge side where the flap 9 is provided by the second surface fastener 20 provided on the connecting sheet 11a (step S12).

[0031] Finally, as shown in Figure 5D, the flap 9 is rotated so as to cover the connecting sheet 11a temporarily fixed on the end surface 8a of the top panel 8 and to bridge from the top panel 8 to the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a), and the flap 9 is fixed to the surface of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) with the first surface fastener 10 (step S13). As a result, a first corner 21a is formed where the edge of the top panel 8 and the edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) are fixed at a right angle (see FIGS. 1A to 2B and 5D).

[0032] 5C and 5D illustrate an example in which the folded connecting sheet 11a is temporarily fixed near the fold 18 onto the end face 8a of the top panel 8 on the edge side where the flap 9 is provided (step S12), but the fold 18 may also be temporarily fixed onto the surface of the back panel 4 (support plate 4a) instead of the end face 8a using a second surface fastener 20 or the like.

[0033] Furthermore, when disassembling (unfolding) the first corner 21a of the container body 2, the above steps (steps S11 to S13) can be carried out in reverse order.

[0034] In addition, in this embodiment, an example is given in which the angle between the top panel 8 and the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) is a right angle to form a first corner 21a, but by setting the angle of the corner of the top panel 8 itself and / or the back panel 4 itself to something other than a right angle, it is also possible to form a first corner 21a in which the angle between the top panel 8 and the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) is any angle other than a right angle (not shown). In other words, the three-dimensional shape of the prefabricated thermal container 1 of this embodiment having the first corner 21a may be a polyhedron having any number of faces, such as four or more, in addition to the hexahedron shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0035] (Regarding the second corner structure) The second corner structure 22 of the knockdown thermal insulation container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2B and 6. FIG. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second corner structure of the knockdown insulated container according to this embodiment. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line QQ in Fig. 2B. Fig. 6 also shows the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 shown in Fig. 2B slightly moved in the direction indicated by the symbol R in Fig. 6. For example, as shown in Figure 6, in the collapsible thermal container 1 according to this embodiment, the second corner structure 22 provided on the right side (right side of the paper) of the container body 2 includes the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a), the right side panel 6, a flap 9 extending from the right edge of the back panel 4 (support plate 4a), a first fastening means for fastening the flap 9 to the right side panel 6, for example a first hook-and-loop fastener 10, and a connecting sheet 11b (see Figures 3 and 6) interposed between the right edge of the back panel 4 and the left edge of the right side panel 6 to connect them. The flap 9 is bridged from the rear panel 4 (support plate 4a) to the right side panel 6, and fixes them together.

[0036] In other words, the second corner structure 22 comprises two panels that form the second corner 22a, a flap 9 extending from one edge of these panels, a first surface fastener 10 that secures the flap 9 to the other panel that forms the second corner 22a, and a connecting sheet 11b that is interposed between the adjacent edges of the two panels that form the second corner 22a and connects them.

[0037] The details of the flap 9 and first surface fastener 10 that form the second corner 22a are the same as those of the flap 9 and first surface fastener 10 that form the first corner 21a. Furthermore, the connecting sheet 11b constituting the second corner 22a may be the same impermeable sheet (e.g., made of resin) that covers the exposed surfaces of each panel (rear panel 4, left side panel 5, right side panel 6, bottom panel 7, top panel 8 and door 3) that constitutes the collapsible thermal container 1, just like the connecting sheet 11a. Furthermore, it is desirable that the connecting sheet 11a be sufficiently thin compared to the thickness of the flap 9.

[0038] (Procedure for forming the second corner) The procedure for forming the second corner 22a in the knockdown thermal insulation container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. To form the second corner 22a located on the right side (right side of the page) of the container body 2 shown in Fig. 2B, first, as shown in Fig. 6, the edge of the rear panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) is brought into contact with the edge of the rear panel 4 while the planar direction of the right side panel 6 is set at a right angle. That is, after the rear panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) and the left side panel 5 are positioned as shown in Fig. 6, the right side panel 6 is slid in the direction indicated by the symbol R' in Fig. 6 (step S21). By this operation, the connecting sheet 11b interposed between the right edge of the back panel 4 and the left edge of the right side panel 6 is folded (for example, folded in half) and sandwiched between the back panel 4 and the right side panel 6 (see Figure 6).

[0039] After this, the flap 9 provided on the back panel 4 (support plate 4a) is bridged from the back panel 4 (support plate 4a) to the right side panel 6 (see the direction indicated by symbol S in Figure 6), and the flap 9 is fixed onto the surface of the right side panel 6 with the first surface fastener 10 (step S22). This operation forms a second corner 22a where the edge of the rear panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) and the edge of the right side panel 6 are fixed at a right angle (see FIGS. 1A to 2B).

[0040] When disassembling the second corner 22a located on the right side (right side of the paper) of the container body 2, the above steps (steps S21 and S22) can be carried out in reverse order.

[0041] In addition, the procedures for forming and disassembling the second corner 22a formed on the left side (left side of the paper) of the container body 2, i.e., the second corner 22a formed by the left side panel 5 and the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a), are the same as those described above.

[0042] In this embodiment, an example is given in which the angle between the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) and the right side panel 6 or the left side panel 5 is a right angle to form a second corner 22a, but by setting the angle of the back panel 4 itself and / or the corner of the right side panel 6 itself or the left side panel 5 itself to an angle other than a right angle, it is also possible to form a second corner 22a (not shown) in which the angle between the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) and the right side panel 6 or the left side panel 5 is any angle other than a right angle. In other words, the three-dimensional shape of the prefabricated thermal insulation container 1 of this embodiment having the second corner 22a may be a polyhedron having any number of faces, such as four or more, in addition to the hexahedron shown in Figures 1A and 1B.

[0043] [2; Disassembly and assembly procedures of the present invention] The procedures for disassembling and assembling the knockdown type thermal insulation container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A to 2B, 3, 6, and 7 to 14. Prior to this description, an example of a more detailed embodiment of the knockdown thermal container 1 according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1A, 1B, 3, 7 and 8. FIG. Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing the knockdown insulated container according to this embodiment with the door open, and Fig. 8 is a perspective view showing the container body according to this embodiment with all flaps released from their fixed states.

[0044] (About the door) The door 3 of the collapsible thermal container 1 of this embodiment is fixed to the container body 2 using two flaps 9 each having a first surface fastener 10 arranged along the vertical direction on each of the left and right side edges of the door 3, and two flaps 9 each having a first surface fastener 10 arranged along the vertical direction on each of the left and right side edges of the opening 2a in the container body 2, as shown in Figures 1A and 2A, for example. More specifically, the two flaps 9 provided on the side edge of the door 3 shown in Figure 2A on the right side of the page and the two flaps 9 provided on the side edge of the opening 2a of the container body 2 on the right side of the page are stacked alternately and secured with first surface fasteners 10, and the two flaps 9 not shown provided on the side edge of the door 3 on the left side of the page and the two flaps 9 (only one of which is shown in Figure 2A) provided on the side edge of the opening 2a of the container body 2 on the left side of the page are stacked alternately and secured with first surface fasteners 10, thereby attaching the door 3 to the opening 2a of the container body 2 (see Figure 1A).

[0045] As shown in Figures 1A and 2A, when the door 3 is viewed from the front, it is composed of a first pivoting part 3a (panel) arranged on the left side of the paper with a dividing line 3c formed in the vertical direction as the reference, and a second pivoting part 3b arranged on the right side of the paper with the dividing line 3c as the reference. The second rotating part 3b may further include a folding line 3d formed in the vertical direction on the right side in the width direction (horizontal direction in the drawing). In addition, the first rotating part 3a and the second rotating part 3b that make up the door 3 each have a door belt 13 (see Figure 1A), and each door belt 13 is connected by a connecting device, such as an adjuster buckle 14.

[0046] That is, when the door belts 13 are connected by the adjuster buckles 14, the doors 3 are in a closed state (see FIG. 1A). When the adjuster buckles 14 are disengaged, the doors 3 are in an open state (see FIG. 7). In the assembled insulated container 1 according to this embodiment, when the first pivoting part 3a and the second pivoting part 3b that make up the door 3 are opened, the double flap 9 (see Figure 2A) that secures the door 3 to the opening 2a of the container body 2 functions as a hinge. Furthermore, if the second rotating part 3b has a folding line 3d, the panel that constitutes the second rotating part 3b can be folded along this folding line 3d (see FIG. 7).

[0047] (About the container itself) 3, the container body 2 of the knockdown thermal container 1 according to this embodiment has a top panel 8 connected to the upper edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) via a connecting sheet 11a, a left side panel 5 connected to the left edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) via a connecting sheet 11b, and a right side panel 6 connected to the right edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) via another connecting sheet 11b. Furthermore, a bottom panel 7 is fixed integrally to the lower edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) so as to form an L-shaped cross section. In other words, all panels constituting the container body 2 (rear panel 4, left side panel 5, right side panel 6, bottom panel 7 and top panel 8) are connected directly or indirectly (via connecting sheet 11a or connecting sheet 11b).

[0048] Furthermore, in the container body 2, the portions (edges) where the panels constituting the container body 2 are not directly or indirectly connected to each other are provided with flaps 9 (and first surface fasteners 10), and are configured so that the edges of the panels can be connected to each other by means of these flaps 9. The flap 9 (and the first surface fastener 10) has the same structure as the flap 9 (and the first surface fastener 10) that constitutes the first corner structure 21 and the second corner structure 22. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 8, the left edge of the top panel 8 is fixed to the upper edge of the left side panel 5 by a flap 9 (and a first surface fastener 10) provided on the left edge of the top panel 8. The right edge of the top panel 8 is fixed to the upper edge of the right side panel 6 by a flap 9 (and a first surface fastener 10) provided on the right edge of the top panel 8. As shown in FIGS. 2A and 8, the left edge of the bottom panel 7 is fixed to the lower edge of the left side panel 5 by a flap 9 (and a first hook-and-loop fastener 10) provided on the left edge of the bottom panel 7. The right edge of the bottom panel 7 is fixed to the lower edge of the right side panel 6 by a flap 9 (and a first surface fastener 10) provided on the right edge of the bottom panel 7.

[0049] The container body 2 according to this embodiment may be provided with fixing belts 12 as needed in order to further strengthen the fixing state of the panels assembled in a box shape (see Figs. 1A and 2A). More specifically, a fixing belt 12 may be stretched across the top panel 8 and the bottom panel 7, and press down on the portion fixed by the flap 9 (and the first hook-and-loop fastener 10) from above (see Figures 1A and 2A).

[0050] 1A and 2A, the container body 2 according to this embodiment may further include a fastening belt 17 that is stretched from the rear panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) to each of the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6. Note that only the fastening belt 17 that is stretched from the rear panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) to the right side panel 6 is shown in FIGS. This fixing belt 17 is used as a fixing device to fix the folded container body 2 and the door 3 in a bundled state when the folded container body 2 is stored, preserved or transported together with the door 3 after the container body 2 is disassembled (unfolded). Therefore, the door 3 is provided with a pair of third hook-and-loop fasteners 31 serving as third fastening means for fastening the fastening belts 17 near the horizontal center of the front surface of the door 3 (see Figs. 1A and 2A). When assembling the collapsible insulated container 1, the fastening belts 17 are fastened by the third hook-and-loop fasteners 31 serving as third fastening means provided on the left side panel 5 and the fastening belts 17, and by the third hook-and-loop fasteners 31 serving as third fastening means provided on the right side panel 6 and the fastening belts 17 (see Figs. 1A and 8).

[0051] In addition, as shown in Figure 3, the bottom panel 7 that constitutes the container body 2 has a folding line 7a that allows the area near the door 3 when the prefabricated insulated container 1 is assembled, that is, the area near the opening 2a when the container body 2 is assembled, to be folded vertically upward (upward on the paper). The use of the folding lines 7a formed on the bottom panel 7 will be described later with reference to separate drawings.

[0052] (Disassembly procedure for the assembled thermal container) 9 to 14 are simplified conceptual diagrams showing the state of the container body during disassembly. 1A and 1B show the pre-disassembled state of the collapsible thermal insulation container 1 according to this embodiment. To disassemble the knockdown thermal container 1 from this state, first, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the door 3 is separated from the container body 2 (step S31). In other words, the door 3 is separated from the container body 2 by peeling off the flaps 9 provided on the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 of the container body 2, respectively, which secure the door 3 to the opening 2a of the container body 2, from the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6.

[0053] Next, if the container body 2 is equipped with a fixing belt 12, the fixing belt 12 is released from its connected state, and then, as shown in Figure 8, all of the flaps 9 that fix the bottom panel 7 and the top panel 8 to the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 of the container body 2 are peeled off from their fixing targets. At this time, all of the flaps 9 forming the first corner 21a and the second corner structure 22 are also peeled off from their fixing targets. Furthermore, the pair of fixing belts 17 are peeled off from the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6, respectively (step S32). By performing the operation in step S32, the panels constituting the container body 2 are released from the fixed state with respect to each other, and the top panel 8, left side panel 5, and right side panel 6 can be moved (folded).

[0054] After this, as shown in FIG. 9, the top panel 8 placed on the upper ends of the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 is lifted vertically upward using the connecting sheet 11a as a hinge (step S33), and the left side panel 5 is folded onto the inner surface of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) as shown in FIG. 10 (step S34). In Figures 9 to 12, the top panel 8 is shown in an upright position to make it easier to understand the relative positions of the panels that make up the container body 2, but when actually working, it is sufficient to lift the top panel 8 slightly vertically upward so that the top panel 8 does not come into contact with the upper ends of the left side panel 5 and right side panel 6.

[0055] Thereafter, the top panel 8 is lifted vertically upward, and the right side panel 6 is placed on top of the left side panel 5 (step S35; see FIG. 11).

[0056] In the container body 2 of this embodiment, the left edge of the rear panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) is connected to the left side panel 5 via a connecting sheet 11b, and the right edge of the rear panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) is connected to the left side panel 5 via another connecting sheet 11b (see Figure 6). Therefore, when folding the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 onto the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a), the folded connecting sheet 11b can be unfolded to allow the thick left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 to be stacked without any problems (see the dashed line area in Figure 6 and Figure 11).

[0057] In step S36, which follows step S35, as shown in Figure 12, the side of the bottom panel 7 that is not fixed to the back panel 4, i.e., the side of the bottom panel 7 on which the door 3 is installed, is flipped up (folded) vertically upward along the folding line 7a. Therefore, if the thickness of the back panel 4 is L1, the thickness of the left side panel 5 is L2, and the thickness of the right side panel 6 is L3, the bottom panel 7 must have a fold line 7a at a position L4 (where L4 = L1 + L2 + L3) away from the edge position where the support plate 4a is erected.

[0058] Furthermore, in step S37 following step S36, as shown in FIG. 13, top panel 8 is placed upright on the end face of bottom panel 7 that has been flipped up vertically from folding line 7a. In the container body 2 according to this embodiment, the top panel 8 is connected to the upper edge of the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) via a connecting sheet 11a (see FIG. 3). Therefore, in step S37, as shown in Figure 13, by unfolding the connecting sheet 11a that was folded under the flap 9 when the first corner 21a was formed (when the container body 2 was assembled), the top panel 8 connected to the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) can be placed upright on the end face of the bottom panel 7 without being separated from the back panel 4 (including the support plate 4a).

[0059] After this, as shown in FIG. 14, the door 3 separated from the container body 2 in the previous step S31 is placed on the front side (the front side of the paper) of the raised bottom panel 7 and the top panel 8 placed on its end face (step S38), and then the rear panel 4 (including the support plate 4a), left side panel 5, right side panel 6, bottom panel 7, top panel 8, and the overlapping portions of the door 3 are bundled and fixed using the fixing belt 17 provided on the rear panel 4 (support plate 4a) (step S39).

[0060] (Assembly procedure for the prefabricated insulated container) When assembling the knockdown type heat-retaining container 1 according to this embodiment in the disassembled state as shown in FIG. 14, the procedure shown in steps S31 to S39 above can be carried out in reverse order.

[0061] [3; Effects of the present invention] According to the knockdown type thermal insulation container 1 of this embodiment, the knockdown type thermal insulation container 1 can be configured with only two parts, the container body 2 and the door 3. In particular, since the container body 2 has the first corner structure 21, the two panels (for example, the back panel 4 and the top panel 8) that form the first corner 21a can be connected via the connecting sheet 11a. Furthermore, since the container body 2 has the second corner structure 22, the two panels (the back panel 4 and the left side panel 5, and the back panel 4 and the right side panel 6) that make up the second corner 22a can be connected via the connecting sheet 11b.

[0062] In this case, when disassembling and folding the container body 2 according to this embodiment, the range of movement of each of the top panel 8, left side panel 5 and right side panel 6 relative to the rear panel 4 (including the support plate 4a) can be increased. This allows the panels that make up the container body 2 to be stacked and stored even if they are not separated individually (see FIG. 13). As a result, the volume of the collapsible insulated container 1 according to this embodiment during storage can be made approximately the same as when all the panels constituting the collapsible insulated container 1 are individually separated and stacked (see FIG. 14). Therefore, according to the knockdown type thermal insulation container 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to provide an knockdown type thermal insulation container that can be made compact when not in use and has excellent storage properties.

[0063] Furthermore, in the knockdown thermal container 1 according to this embodiment, all of the panels constituting the container body 2 are connected via connecting sheets (connecting sheet 11a or connecting sheet 11b) or directly (see FIG. 3). Therefore, in the collapsible insulated container 1 according to this embodiment, when a worker assembles the container body 2, there is no need to consider whether the orientation or placement of each panel is appropriate, and the assembly work can be carried out easily and quickly. Furthermore, with the knockdown thermal insulation container 1 according to this embodiment, there is no risk of losing the panels that make up the container body 2.

[0064] In addition, the collapsible thermal container 1 of this embodiment is provided with at least one first corner structure 21 or second corner structure 22, that is, the panels are connected to each other via connecting sheet 11a or connecting sheet 11b, thereby increasing the airtightness at the connection parts between the panels during assembly. Therefore, according to the knockdown thermal container 1 of this embodiment, a thermal container having superior thermal insulation properties compared to a container not provided with the first angular structure 21 or the second angular structure 22 can be provided.

[0065] [4; Regarding the detailed structure and modifications of the present invention] (About the support plate) In the collapsible insulated container 1 according to this embodiment, the rear panel 4 constituting the container body 2 may be integrally provided with a support plate 4a on the rear side, which may be made of, for example, a thin plate made of synthetic resin, as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 6, when the horizontal width of the rear panel 4 is L6, the horizontal width L5 of this support plate 4a should be set so as to satisfy the equation L5=L6+L2+L3 (where L2 is the thickness of the left side panel 5 and L3 is the thickness of the right side panel 6). In this case, as shown in Figure 6, particularly when assembling the container body 2, when erecting the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 on the left and right side edges of the back panel 4, the support plate 4a can be used as a positioning member for these. In this case, it is possible to prevent problems such as the left side panel 5 or the right side panel 6 becoming misaligned during use of the assembled insulated container 1 of this embodiment, causing the three-dimensional shape of the container body 2 to collapse.

[0066] (Regarding flap placement) The knockdown insulated container 1 according to this embodiment may be configured so that almost all of the flaps 9 are disposed on the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6, as shown in FIGS. 2A and 8. More specifically, all flaps 9 may be disposed on the left and right side panels 5 and 6, except for the flap 9 that connects the top panel 8 and the back panel 4 to form the first corner 21a. In this case, by placing two workers, one on the side where the left side panel 5 is located and one on the side where the right side panel 6 is located in the collapsible insulated container 1, the disassembly or assembly work of the collapsible insulated container 1 can be carried out efficiently and smoothly.

[0067] (Regarding modified container body) FIG. 15 is a simplified development view showing a container body according to a modified example of this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 15, the bottom panel 7 constituting the container body 30a according to the modified example may have an anti-slip structure 25 on its upper surface at a position where the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 are erected. This anti-slip structure 25 may be made of any structure or material that can increase the frictional force acting on the contact surfaces of the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 when the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 are placed upright on the bottom panel 7 compared to the sheet material covering the surface of the bottom panel 7. More specifically, a fabric that increases frictional force may be sewn onto the surface of the bottom panel 7, or an anti-slip layer made of synthetic resin or the like may be formed.

[0068] In this case, when the container body 30a according to the modified example is assembled and used as the knockdown insulated container 1, the left side panel 5 and the right side panel 6 are less likely to become misaligned. As a result, it is possible to prevent the collapsed thermal insulated container 1 of this embodiment from losing its shape and becoming unable to function as an insulated container due to external forces acting on the container 1 while in use.

[0069] (Other variations of the container body) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of an assembly type heat-retaining container according to another modified example of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 16, the top panel 8 constituting the container body 30b according to another modified example may have at least one window-like equipment installation hole 23 formed through the thickness direction of the top panel 8, and a lid 24 that is placed over the equipment installation hole 23 if necessary. In this case, it is desirable that the top panel 8 constituting the container body 30b does not have the folding lines 7a that the bottom panel 7 has, in order to prevent a decrease in strength.

[0070] It is assumed that the temperature inside the prefabricated thermally-insulating container 1 according to this embodiment may need to be adjusted as desired using an external device (such as a cooling device) depending on the usage situation. In this case, by placing an external device (cooling device, etc.) on the top panel 8 of the container body 30b, there is no need to place the external device (cooling device, etc.) on the side or back side of the container body 30b. As a result, the temperature inside the container of the knockdown type thermal container 1 according to another modified example of this embodiment can be controlled as desired, while the knockdown type thermal container 1 to which external equipment (such as a cooling device) is attached can be made more portable.

[0071] In addition, in the container body 30b of another modified example shown in Figure 16, the lid 24 that covers the equipment installation hole 23 is described as being detachable from the top panel 8, but the lid 24 may also be installed so that it cannot be detached from the top panel 8. In this case, loss of the lid 24 can be prevented.

[0072] (others) As shown in Figures 1A and 2A, the collapsible insulated container 1 according to this embodiment may include a temperature measuring means (not shown) that constantly or periodically measures the temperature inside the container, and a temperature display unit 16 that is provided, for example, on the door 3, etc., as needed. In this case, when transporting an item using the knockdown heat-retaining container 1 according to this embodiment, it is easy to check whether the temperature inside the container is being maintained at an appropriate level. Therefore, according to the knockdown type heat-insulating container 1 according to this embodiment as described above, it is possible to provide a knockdown type heat-insulating container with higher performance.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 2A, the knockdown insulated container 1 according to this embodiment may have a handle 15 on the door 3 that is used when opening and closing the door 3. In this case, the handle 15 can be used to easily open and close the second rotating part 3b. According to the knockdown type thermal insulation container 1 according to this embodiment as described above, it is possible to provide an knockdown type thermal insulation container with improved operability.

[0074] In this embodiment, the three-dimensional shape of the assembled insulated container 1 is described as a rectangular parallelepiped (including a cube), but the three-dimensional shape of the assembled insulated container 1 may also be, for example, any polygonal prism. [Industrial Applicability]

[0075] As described above, the present invention provides an assembly-type insulated container that can be easily disassembled and assembled regardless of the skill level of the worker and can be stored in a compact form, and can be used in fields related to logistics facilities and their accessories. [Explanation of symbols]

[0076] 1... Assembled thermal container 2... Container body 2a... Opening 3... Door 3a... First pivoting part 3b... Second pivoting part 3c... Parting line 3d... Folding line 4... Back panel 4a... Support plate 5... Left side panel 6... Right side panel 7... Bottom panel 7a... Folding line 8... Top panel 8a... End surface 9... Flap 10... First hook-and-loop fastener (first fixing means) 11a, 11b... Connecting sheet 12... Fixing belt 13... Door belt 14... Adjuster buckle 15... Handle 16... Temperature display unit 17... Fixing belt 18... Fold 19... Perforation 20... Second hook-and-loop fastener (second fixing means) 21... First corner structure 21a... First corner 22... Second corner structure 22a... Second corner 23...Device installation hole 24...Lid 25...Anti-slip structure 30a, 30b...Container body 31...Third hook-and-loop fastener (third fixing means)

Claims

1. A prefabricated thermal container having at least one corner structure, which is made of a thick insulating panel, The corner structure is Two panels that form corners of the thermal container; a thin plate-like flap that extends from an edge of one of the two panels that form the corner, and that bridges from the edge of one panel to the edge of the other panel when the corner is formed, thereby fixing them together; a first fastening means for fastening the flap to the other panel; a connecting sheet interposed between an edge of one panel and an edge of the other panel to connect them.

2. The thermal container includes a first corner structure that is the corner structure, 2. The collapsible insulated container according to claim 1, wherein the connecting sheet is folded and stored under the flap when the first corner structure is formed.

3. The collapsible thermal container according to claim 2, characterized in that the connecting sheet constituting the first corner structure is provided with a second fixing means for temporarily fixing the crease when folded to the end face of one of the panels having the flap or to the surface of the other panel.

4. The thermal container includes a second corner structure that is the corner structure, The collapsible insulated container according to claim 1, characterized in that when the second corner structure is formed, the connecting sheet is sandwiched between the two panels that form the second corner structure.

5. The thermal insulation container is a box-shaped container body including a back panel, a pair of side panels, a bottom panel, and a top panel, and having an opening on the front surface; a door that is the panel and is disposed on the front surface of the container body to close the opening, In the container body, a connection portion between the rear panel and the top panel, and a connection portion between the rear panel and the side panel have the corner structure; The bottom panel and the rear panel are fixed together, 2. The collapsible insulated container according to claim 1, wherein the bottom panel has a fold line that allows the area near the door to be folded vertically upward.

Images