Commodity storage basket

Abstract

To provide a commodity storage basket capable of improving commodity storage efficiency while improving convenience related to handling.SOLUTION: A commodity storage basket 1 has a storage space 6 of an upper opening surrounded by side parts 2 and a bottom part 4 each being formed of a plurality of wires. The plurality of commodity storage baskets 1 can be used in a state of being vertically stacked with each other. The bottom part 4 is configured to be at least partially openable. The bottom part 4 includes a support part 20 rotatably supporting at least a part of the bottom part 4 in the inside of the storage space 6. By rotating at least a part of the bottom part 4 in the support part 20 and releasing at least a part of the bottom part 4, an opening part 22 is formed. The opening part 22 allows at least a part of the storage space 6 of each of identical commodity storage baskets 1 vertically stacked, to communicate with each other.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product storage basket, and more particularly to a product storage basket that is housed in a showcase for displaying products in a store. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a showcase has been known in which an openable partition shelf is provided in the middle of the interior, with baskets for displaying products placed on top of the partition shelf and baskets for storing replenished products stored below the partition shelf (see Patent Document 1). These baskets allow the space below the interior to be used as a product stocker. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-56536 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, the partition shelf is opened to install a lower basket for storing replenished products, and then the products are stored in the basket. The partition shelf is then closed to install an upper basket for displaying products, and the products are then displayed in the basket. Therefore, when replenishing products, the display basket must be removed and the partition shelf opened, leaving issues regarding the convenience of handling the baskets. Furthermore, the number of products that can be stored in each basket is limited depending on the height of the products. Furthermore, if the height of each stacked product does not exactly fit within the height of the storage space of the basket, an excess space may be created at the top of the storage space. This also creates the problem of a decrease in the storage efficiency of the baskets and, ultimately, the products displayed or stored in the showcase.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of such problems, and aims to provide a product storage basket that can improve the convenience of handling while also improving the efficiency of storing products. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the product storage basket of the present invention is a product storage basket having an upper opening storage space surrounded by sides and a bottom each made of a plurality of wires, and multiple product storage baskets can be stacked one on top of the other for use, and the bottom is configured so that at least a portion of it can be opened, and is equipped with a support part that rotatably supports at least a portion of the bottom inside the storage space, and by rotating at least a portion of the bottom on the support part and opening at least a portion of the bottom, an opening is formed that connects at least a portion of the storage space of each of the identical product storage baskets stacked one on top of the other.

[0007] Another form of product storage basket of the present invention is a product storage basket having an upper opening storage space surrounded by sides and a bottom each made of a plurality of wires, and upper and lower opening expansion members that expand the upper height of the storage space are removably attached to the sides, and the expansion members form an expanded space surrounded by expanding side portions made of a plurality of wires, and the sides have a plurality of vertical wires extending vertically, and the vertical wires have connecting portions that connect the expansion members to the product storage basket by engaging the expanding side portions. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to the product storage basket of the present invention, it is possible to improve the convenience in handling and the efficiency in storing products. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of product storage baskets according to a first embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. FIG. [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view of the upper product storage basket in FIG. 1 with the bottom open. [Figure 3]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of product storage baskets according to a second embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of product storage baskets according to a third embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting portion of FIG. 4. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of product storage baskets according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the locking portion of FIG. 6. [Figure 8] FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting portion of FIG. 6. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a product storage basket according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a product storage basket according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view of a product storage basket according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] 12 is a perspective view of the commodity storage basket and expansion member of FIG. 11 connected together. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the state after the height of the expansion member in FIG. 12 has been adjusted. [Figure 14] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the product storage baskets of FIG. 12 stacked on top of each other. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a product storage basket according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is an enlarged perspective view of the connecting portion of FIG. 15. [Figure 17] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a product storage basket according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the connecting portion of FIG. 17. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] First Embodiment FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of product storage baskets 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. Product storage baskets 1 (hereinafter also referred to simply as baskets 1) can be stacked one on top of the other in a showcase (storage room) (not shown) used to display frozen or refrigerated products in a store. Each basket 1 has an upper-opening storage space 6 surrounded by sides 2 and a bottom 4. Note that since each basket 1 has the same shape, the reference numerals indicating each part may be attached to only one of the baskets 1.

[0011] The height direction (up-down direction) of the storage space 6 is defined as the vertical direction Y, and the short-side and long-side directions of the bottom 4 are defined as the horizontal directions X and Z, respectively. Two opposing pairs of side portions 2 are formed, and each side portion 2 and bottom portion 4 is formed from a plurality of wires. Specifically, the side portion 2 has vertical wires 8, lower frame wires 10, locking wires 11, upper frame wires 12, and horizontal wires 14. A plurality of vertical wires 8 extend in the vertical direction Y. The lower frame wires 10 are connected to the lower ends of each vertical wire 8 and extend in the horizontal directions X and Z. The locking wire 11 is connected to the lower ends of each vertical wire 8 directly above the lower frame wires 10 of one side portion 2. The upper frame wire 12 is connected to the upper ends of each vertical wire 8 and extend in the horizontal directions X and Z.

[0012] There are, for example, two horizontal wires 14, which are connected to the vertical wires 8 between the lower frame wire 10 and the upper frame wire 12 and extend in the horizontal directions X and Z. The bottom portion 4 also has a plurality of horizontal wires 16 and an outer frame wire 18. The horizontal wires 16 extend in the horizontal direction X or Z to form a lattice-shaped bottom portion 4. The outer frame wire 18 is formed on the outer edge of the bottom portion 4 except for one side portion, and ends of the outer frame wire 18 are positioned at both ends of the removed side portion. Each end of the outer frame wires 18 is formed with a support portion 20 that rotatably supports the bottom portion 4 inside the storage space 6. The support portion 20 is formed by bending the end of the outer frame wire 18 into a ring shape and engaging it with the engaging wire 11 of the side portion 2. The outer frame wire 18 may also be engaged with the lower frame wire 10.

[0013] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the upper basket 1 in FIG. 1 with the bottom 4 opened. The basket 1 is configured so that the entire bottom 4 can be opened by rotating the bottom 4 so that it rises on the support part 20 as shown by the outline arrow in FIG. 2. By opening the bottom 4, the entire storage spaces 6 of the baskets 1 stacked in the vertical direction Y are connected to each other at the opening 22. As a result, by simply opening the bottom 4 of the upper basket 1 while two baskets 1 are stacked in the vertical direction Y, it is possible to form a storage space 6 that is twice as high in the vertical direction Y as one basket 1. This improves the convenience of handling the baskets 1.

[0014] Furthermore, even if the products stacked in the vertical direction Y do not fit exactly into the storage space 6 of the lower basket 1, and extra space may be created at the top of the storage space 6, if the bottom 4 is opened and more products are stacked, the products may fit just right without leaving any gaps at the top of the storage space 6 of the upper basket 1. In this case, no extra space is created at the top of the storage space 6 of the upper basket 1, improving the efficiency of storing products in the basket 1.

[0015] Furthermore, the side portion 2 has a locking portion 24 with which the bottom portion 4 is locked when the bottom portion 4 is opened, and a locking portion 25 with which the bottom portion 4 is locked when the opening 22 is closed by the bottom portion 4. The locking portion 24 is a member formed by bending upward into a U-shape, and is positioned above each support portion 20 on the side portion 2 and fixed to the vertical wires 8 of the side portion 2 by welding or the like. When the bottom 4 is opened, the bottom 4 is hooked onto the locking portion 24 and fixed. Meanwhile, the locking portion 25 is formed by bending the lower end of the vertical wires 8 of the side portion 2 into a U-shape toward the storage space 6, and is fixed to the lower frame wires 10 of the side portion 2 by welding or the like. When the opening 22 is closed by the bottom portion 4, the bottom 4 is placed on and locked to the locking portion 25. This allows the bottom 4 to be stably supported by the side parts 2 when the bottom 4 is opened or closed, preventing the bottom 4 from rattling, further improving the convenience of handling the basket 1. The locking parts 25 may also be formed by fixing a member formed by bending into a U-shape to the lower end of the vertical wire of the side part 2 or the lower frame wire 10 by welding or the like.

[0016] Additionally, the side portion 2 has connecting portions 26 that connect each basket 1 stacked in the vertical direction Y to each other. This allows the upper and lower baskets 1 to be connected in a stable position without rattle by the connecting portions 26. Furthermore, the connecting portions 26 are formed so that they can be operated outside the storage space 6 of the side portion 2. This allows the upper and lower baskets 1 to be connected by operating the connecting portions 26 without interfering with the products, even when products are stored in the storage space 6. This further improves the convenience of handling the baskets 1.

[0017] Specifically, the connecting portion 26 has a fixing portion 28 fixed to the vertical wire 8 of the side portion 2 and a hook portion 30 rotatably attached to the fixing portion 28, and is formed on each of a pair of side portions 2 facing each other in the horizontal direction Z. The fixing portion 28 is formed by processing a wire into a rectangular shape with a bottom opening and is fixed to the vertical wire 8 by welding or the like. The hook portion 30 is formed by bending a U-shaped wire toward the outside of the storage space 6. Of the baskets 1 stacked in the vertical direction Y, the hook portion 30 of the lower basket 1 is rotated upward outside the storage space 6 as shown by the arrow in FIG. 2 and engaged with the lower frame wire 10 of the side 2 of the upper basket 1, thereby connecting the baskets 1. Note that the hook portion 30 may be rotatably attached directly to the upper frame wire 12 without providing the fixing portion 28, or the hook portion 30 may be engaged with the horizontal wire 14 instead of the lower frame wire 10.

[0018] Second Embodiment FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of baskets 1 according to a second embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. In the following embodiments, including the second embodiment, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. For the same components as those in the first embodiment, the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment are used in the drawings, and their description will be omitted. Alternatively, the reference numerals may be omitted entirely. Unlike the first embodiment, the connecting portion 26 of this embodiment is configured to be operable inside the storage space 6 of the side portion 2. This allows the upper and lower baskets 1 to be smoothly connected by operating the connecting portion 26 without removing the baskets 1 from the showcase, even when the baskets 1 are stacked in the vertical direction Y and stored in the showcase. This further improves the convenience of handling the baskets 1.

[0019] More specifically, the connecting portion 26 has a fixed portion 28 similar to that of the first embodiment and a hook portion 32 rotatably attached to the fixed portion 28, and is formed on each of a pair of side portions 2 facing each other in the horizontal direction Z. The hook portion 32 is formed by bending a U-shaped wire toward the inside of the storage space 6. Of the baskets 1 stacked in the vertical direction Y, the hook portion 32 of the lower basket 1 is rotated upward as shown in FIG. 3 inside the storage space 6 and engaged with the lower frame wire 10 of the side portion 2 of the upper basket 1, thereby connecting the baskets 1.

[0020] <Third embodiment> 4 shows a perspective view of baskets 1 according to a third embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. Unlike the previous embodiments, the connecting portion 26 of this embodiment has a fixed portion 34 fixed to the vertical wire 8 of the side portion 2 and a sliding portion 36 attached to the fixed portion 34 so as to be able to slide up and down, and is formed on one of a pair of side portions 2 facing each other in the horizontal direction Z. A lower hook portion 36a is formed at the lower end of the sliding portion 36, and two upper hook portions 36b are formed at the upper end of the sliding portion 36. Note that a locking portion 38, which will be described later, is formed on the other side portion 2, and the locking portion 38 locks the other basket 1.

[0021] Figure 5 shows an enlarged perspective view of the connecting portion 26 in Figure 4. The fixing portion 34 is a rectangular parallelepiped hollow member having a hollow portion 34a and open at the top and bottom. The sliding portion 36 is a plate-like member arranged in the hollow portion 34a so as to be able to slide up and down, and each upper hook portion 36b prevents the fixing portion 34 from falling out of the hollow portion 34a. The fixing portion 34 is fixed by passing a vertical wire 8 through the hollow portion 34a.

[0022] As shown by the arrows in Fig. 4, the slide portion 36 of the lower basket 1 of the vertically stacked baskets 1 is slid upward. As a result, as shown in Fig. 5, the lower hook portion 36a of the slide portion 36 is engaged with the horizontal wire 14 of the side portion 2 of the lower basket 1. At the same time, the upper hook portions 36b of the slide portion 36 are engaged with the lower frame wire 10 of the side portion 2 of the upper basket 1 as shown in Fig. 5, thereby connecting the baskets 1.

[0023] As a result, as in the previously described embodiments, the connecting portion 26 can connect the upper and lower baskets 1 in a stable position without rattle. In particular, the connecting portion 26 in this embodiment is composed of a hollow member and a plate-like member, not a wire. As a result, although the connecting portion 26 is formed on only one side portion 2 of each basket 1, the highly rigid connecting portion 26 can firmly connect the upper and lower baskets 1. Furthermore, since the connecting portion 26 in this embodiment can be operated both inside and outside the storage space 6 of the side portion 2, the convenience of handling the basket 1 is further improved. Note that, instead of the locking portion 38 provided on the other side portion 2, the connecting portion 26 in this embodiment may be formed on each of a pair of opposing side portions 2 of the basket 1.

[0024] <Fourth embodiment> 6 is a perspective view of baskets 1 according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention stacked one on top of the other. In this embodiment, one of a pair of side portions 2 facing each other in the horizontal direction Z has a connecting portion 26 similar to that of the first embodiment. In addition, the other of the pair of side portions 2 facing each other in the horizontal direction Z has a locking portion 38 formed on its upper frame wire 12. The locking portion 38 is engaged with the lower frame wire 10 of the side portion 2 of the upper basket 1 when the baskets 1 are stacked one on top of the other.

[0025] Fig. 7 shows an enlarged perspective view of the locking portion 38 in Fig. 6, and Fig. 8 shows an enlarged perspective view of the connecting portion 26 in Fig. 6. The locking portion 38 is formed by bending a U-shaped wire toward the inside of the storage space 6, and when connecting baskets 1 stacked one above the other, first, as shown in Fig. 7, the locking portion 38 of the lower basket 1 is inserted into the lower frame wire 10 of the upper basket 1 to lock them in place. Next, with the locking portion 38 locked to the lower frame wire 10, as shown in Fig. 8, the hook portion 30 of the lower basket 1 is rotated to lock onto the lower frame wire 10 of the upper basket 1 located near the hook portion 30, thereby connecting the baskets 1.

[0026] As a result, the upper and lower baskets 1 can be connected in a stable position without rattle by the connecting parts 26 and locking parts 38. In particular, in the case of this embodiment, the locking part 38 only needs to be inserted toward the lower frame wire 10 of the upper basket 1, so the work of connecting the upper and lower baskets 1 only needs to rotate the hook part 30 of one connecting part 26 upward. This simplifies the work of connecting the baskets 1, further improving the convenience of handling the baskets 1.

[0027] Fifth Embodiment FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a basket 1 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. The bottom 4 of this embodiment is not entirely openable as in the previous embodiments, but at least a portion of the bottom 4 is openable. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 9, the bottom 4 is formed in a double-door configuration from two divided bottoms 4a and 4b, each divided along the short side of the bottom 4 (horizontal direction X). With two baskets 1 stacked in the vertical direction Y, simply opening one of the divided bottoms 4a and 4b of the upper basket 1 creates a storage space 6 with a height in the vertical direction Y equal to that of one basket 1, and another with a height twice that of the upper basket 1. This further improves the convenience of handling the basket 1.

[0028] Furthermore, among the products stacked in the vertical direction Y, there may be cases where it is desired to store in each basket 1 some products that are just tall enough to fit into the storage space 6 of the lower basket 1, and some products that are just too tall to fit into the storage space 6 of the lower basket 1, leaving extra space above the storage space 6. Even in such a case, by opening one of the divided bottoms 4a, 4b, the product that did not just fit into the storage space 6 of the lower basket 1 may fit into the storage space 6 of the upper basket 1 without leaving any extra space above. In this case, no extra space is left above the storage space 6 of either the lower or upper basket 1. Therefore, the storage efficiency of products in the baskets 1 is further improved.

[0029] In this embodiment, a pair of side sections 2 facing each other in the horizontal direction X are each provided with a locking wire 37. The locking wire 37 extends in the horizontal direction Z, and both ends thereof are provided with locking portions 37a bent toward the storage space 6. As shown in FIG. 9, the open divided bottom section 4a can be fixed to the adjacent side section 2 by fitting the entire divided bottom section 4a into each locking portion 37a. The open divided bottom section 4b can also be fixed to each locking portion 37a of the other locking wire 37. The divided bottom sections 4a, 4b can also be fixed by the same locking portions 24 as described in the first embodiment. As a result, even in this embodiment, the open divided bottom sections 4a, 4b can be stably supported by the side sections 2 and rattle of the divided bottom sections 4a, 4b can be prevented, further improving the convenience of handling the basket 1.

[0030] Sixth Embodiment FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a basket 1 according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention. The bottom 4 of this embodiment is formed from two divided bottoms 4a, 4b, as in the fifth embodiment. However, unlike the fifth embodiment, the divided bottoms 4a, 4b do not have a double door structure, and are divided in the longitudinal direction (horizontal direction Z) of the bottom 4. Even in this case, as in the fifth embodiment, by simply stacking two baskets 1 in the vertical direction Y and opening one of the divided bottoms 4a, 4b of the upper basket 1, it is possible to create a storage space 6 with a height in the vertical direction Y equal to that of one basket 1 and a storage space 6 with a height double that of the upper basket 1. This further improves the convenience of handling the basket 1.

[0031] Furthermore, as in the fifth embodiment, by opening one of the divided bottom portions 4a, 4b of the upper basket 1, products that do not fit perfectly into the storage space 6 of the lower basket 1 may fit perfectly into the storage space 6 of the upper basket 1 without leaving any gaps at the top. In this case, no extra gaps are formed at the top of the storage spaces 6 of both the lower and upper baskets 1. Therefore, the storage efficiency of products in the basket 1 is further improved.

[0032] In addition, in this embodiment, the divided bottom portions 4a, 4b are formed by dividing the bottom portion 4 in the longitudinal direction, so the longitudinal and lateral dimensions of the divided bottom portions 4a, 4b are closer than in the fifth embodiment. In other words, the divided bottom portions 4a, 4b can be made to have a substantially square shape in a plan view. Therefore, the rigidity of the divided bottom portions 4a, 4b and therefore the basket 1 can be increased compared to the fifth embodiment.

[0033] In this embodiment, a locking wire 39 is formed on the side 2 adjacent to the open divided bottom portions 4a, 4b. The locking wire 39 protrudes rectangularly toward the storage space 6 at a position between the divided bottom portions 4a, 4b and is attached to the horizontal wire 14. As shown in FIG. 10 , the open divided bottom portion 4b can be fixed to the side 2 by fitting one end of the divided bottom portion 4b into one base portion 39a of the locking wire 39 connected to the horizontal wire 14. The open divided bottom portion 4a can also be fixed to the other base portion 39a of the locking wire 39. The divided bottom portions 4a, 4b can also be fixed by the locking portion 24 similar to that described in the first embodiment. This allows the open divided bottom portions 4a, 4b to be stably supported on the side 2, preventing rattling of the divided bottom portions 4a, 4b, even in this embodiment, further improving the convenience of handling the basket 1.

[0034] Seventh Embodiment FIG. 11 shows an exploded perspective view of a basket 1 according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 12 shows a perspective view of the basket 1 of FIG. 11 connected to an expansion member 40. Unlike the previously described embodiments, the basket 1 of this embodiment does not have an openable bottom 4. Instead, an expansion member 40 with top and bottom openings that expands the upper height of the storage space 6 is removably attached to the side 2. The expansion member 40 forms an expansion space 44 surrounded by an expansion side portion 42 made of multiple wires. Specifically, the expansion side portion 42 has vertical wires 46, horizontal wires 48, a lower wire 50, and an upper frame wire 52.

[0035] Four extended side sections 42 are formed in a separated state at the four corners of the extension member 40 in the horizontal directions X and Z by connecting multiple vertical wires 46 to an upper frame wire 52 and connecting a lower wire 50 to the lower end of each vertical wire 46. In addition, connecting sections 54 are formed on the vertical wires 8 of the side sections 2, which connect the extension member 40 to the basket 1 by engaging the extended side sections 42. This makes it possible to form the extended space 44 above the storage space 6 of the basket 1 by the simple task of simply attaching the extension members 40 to the side sections 2 of the basket 1 and connecting them with the connecting sections 54. This improves the convenience of handling the basket 1.

[0036] Furthermore, even if the products stacked in the vertical direction Y do not fit exactly into the storage space 6 of the basket 1, and extra gaps may be created at the top of the storage space 6, by attaching the expansion member 40 and stacking more products, the products may fit just right without leaving any gaps at the top of the expansion space 44 of the expansion member 40. In this case, extra gaps are not created at the top of the storage space 6 of the basket 1, improving the efficiency with which products can be stored in the basket 1.

[0037] More specifically, the connecting portions 54 are formed as bent portions 56 formed in each of the vertical wires 8 of the pair of opposing side portions 2. The bent portions 56 are formed to protrude in a U-shape toward the outside of the storage space 6. As shown in FIG. 12 , by inserting and overlapping the expanded side portions 42 of the expansion member 40 into the inside of the side portions 2 of the basket 1, in other words, the inside of the storage space 6, the lower wires 50 formed at the lower ends of the expanded side portions 42 are engaged with the bent portions 56, and the expansion member 40 is connected to the basket 1.

[0038] Furthermore, the lower portion of each vertical wire 46 connected to the lower wire 50 is slightly bent toward the outside of the expansion space 44. Therefore, by inserting the expansion side portion 42 of the expansion member 40 into the inside of the storage space 6 of the basket 1, the lower portion of each vertical wire 46 is pressed by the vertical wires 8 of the side portion 2. The repulsive force of each vertical wire 46 caused by this pressing causes the lower wire 50 to fit into the bent portion 56.

[0039] As a result, the expansion member 40 can be firmly connected to the basket 1 by the simple task of simply overlapping the expansion side portion 42 of the expansion member 40 with the side portion 2 of the basket 1. Therefore, rattling of the basket 1 to which the expansion member 40 is connected is prevented, and the convenience of handling the basket 1 is further improved. It is also possible to form the bent portion 56 so as to protrude in a U-shape toward the inside of the storage space 6, and form the lower portion of each vertical wire 46 so as to be curved toward the inside of the expansion space 44, and attach the expansion side portion 42 of the expansion member 40 so as to overlap the outside of the side portion 2 of the basket 1. Even in this case, the lower wire 50 is fitted into the bent portion 56, and the expansion member 40 can be connected to the basket 1.

[0040] Fig. 13 shows a perspective view of Fig. 12 after the height of the expansion member 40 has been adjusted, and Fig. 14 shows a perspective view of the baskets 1 of Fig. 12 when stacked. As also shown in Figs. 11 and 12, a plurality of bent portions 56 are formed at different height positions in the vertical direction Y of the vertical wires 8. In the case shown in Fig. 13, the lower wire 50 of the expansion side portion 42 is engaged with the bent portion 56 one position below that in Fig. 12. In this way, the volume of the expansion space 44 can be adjusted by stacking the expansion side portion 42 on the side portion 2 and engaging the lower wire 50 of the expansion side portion 42 with the bent portion 56 at a different height position from that in Fig. 12.

[0041] As a result, by simply shifting the expansion side portion 42 of the expansion member 40 up or down relative to the side portion 2 of the basket 1, the height of the expansion space 44 can be adjusted so that no gaps form at the top of the expansion space 44 when products are stacked and stored. Also, as shown in Figure 14, baskets 1 equipped with the expansion member 40 can be stacked one on top of the other for use in a two-tiered configuration. This further improves the convenience of handling the basket 1 and further improves the efficiency of storing products in the basket 1.

[0042] Eighth Embodiment Fig. 15 shows a perspective view of a basket 1 according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 16 shows an enlarged perspective view of a connecting portion 54 in Fig. 15. The connecting portion 54 in this embodiment is formed as a bent portion 58 having a U-shaped convex shape in the horizontal direction X. A plurality of bent portions 58 are formed at different height positions in the vertical direction Y of each vertical wire 8 of a pair of opposing side portions 2. As shown in Fig. 16, the lower wire 50 of the expanded side portion 42 is engaged with a lower corner portion 58a forming the U-shape of the bent portion 58.

[0043] In addition, a horizontal wire 60 is formed directly above the lower wire 50 of the expansion side portion 42. This horizontal wire 60 is engaged with the upper corners 58b (excluding the outermost bent portion 58) that form the U-shape of the bent portion 58, thereby connecting the expansion member 40 to the basket 1. As a result, the expansion side portion 42 is engaged with the bent portion 58 of the basket 1 by the lower wire 50 and the horizontal wire 60, so that the expansion member 40 can be connected to the basket 1 even more firmly. Therefore, rattling of the basket 1 to which the expansion member 40 is connected is more effectively prevented, and the convenience of handling the basket 1 is further improved.

[0044] Ninth Embodiment Fig. 17 shows a perspective view of a basket 1 according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention, and Fig. 18 shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of a connecting portion 54 in Fig. 17. In this embodiment, a locking cover 62 is attached to the vertical wires 8 of the side portions 2 of the basket 1. The locking cover 62 covers some of the connecting portions 54 to which the extended side portions 42 are locked, and prevents the extended side portions 42 from falling off the connecting portions 54. The locking cover 62 includes a main body portion 64, a locking portion 66, and a cover portion 68. The main body portion 64 is plate-shaped and covers the two upper and lower connecting portions 54 formed on the vertical wires 8, i.e., the area between the bent portions 56, in the horizontal direction Z.

[0045] The locking portions 66 are formed by bending from the main body portion 64 toward the inside of the side portion 2 above each of the bent portions 56, and support the locking cover 62 on the vertical wire 8. The cover portions 68 are formed by bending downward from each of the locking portions 66, and prevent the lower wire 50 from coming off the bent portion 56, and ultimately the expanding side portion 42 from falling off the connecting portion 54. This allows the plate-shaped locking cover 62, with its increased rigidity, to more firmly connect the expanding member 40 to the basket 1. It also effectively prevents the expanding side portion 42 from falling off the connecting portion 54. This further improves the convenience of handling the basket 1.

[0046] As described above, the basket 1 of this embodiment can flexibly adjust the height of the storage space 6 by dividing it into sections at the bottom 4, depending on the height of the products, which varies depending on the type, and the number of products stacked. Furthermore, this adjustment basically involves simply opening and closing the bottom 4 or the divided bottom sections 4a and 4b, which are integral with the basket 1, or attaching and detaching the expansion member 40. Therefore, the convenience of handling the basket 1 can be improved. Furthermore, by opening and closing the bottom 4 or the divided bottom sections 4a and 4b, or by attaching and detaching the expansion member 40, adjustments can be made to prevent excess space from forming at the top of the storage space 6, even when storing multiple types of products of different heights in the basket 1. Therefore, product storage efficiency can be improved.

[0047] This concludes the description of the embodiments of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the arrangement of the wires that make up the cage 1 is not strictly limited to those illustrated and described in the above-described embodiments and various configurations are possible.

[0048] Furthermore, the connecting portions 26, 54 in each embodiment are not strictly limited to the forms described as long as they can perform their functions, and may be provided on at least one pair of opposing side portions 2 of the basket 1, or on at least one side portion 2 of the basket 1. Furthermore, although the form in which the bottom portion 4 is composed of divided bottom portions 4a, 4b has been described, the bottom portion 4 may be divided into three or more divided bottom portions, and at least one of the divided bottom portions may be configured to be openable. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 1 product storage basket 2 Side 4 Bottom 4a, 4b split bottom 6. Containment Space 8 Side vertical wires 10 Lower side frame wire 12 Upper side frame wire 14 Lateral wire 20 Support part 22 Opening 24, 25 Locking part 26 Connecting part 28 Fixed part 30, 32 Hook part 34 Fixed part 36 Slide section 36a Lower hook part 36b Upper hook part 38 Rock Club 40 Extension member 42 Extended Side 44 Extended Space 50 Lower Wire of Extended Side 54 Connecting part 56 Bend section 58 Bend section 58a Lower corner 58b Upper corner 60 Extended Lateral Wire 62 Lock cover X Horizontal direction (short direction) Y vertical direction Z Horizontal (longitudinal)

Claims

1. A product storage basket having an upper-opening storage space surrounded by sides and a bottom each made of a plurality of wires, wherein a plurality of the product storage baskets can be stacked one on top of the other for use; The bottom portion is configured so that at least a portion thereof can be opened, a support portion that rotatably supports at least a portion of the bottom portion inside the storage space, A product storage basket in which at least a portion of the bottom is rotated on the support portion to open at least a portion of the bottom, thereby forming an opening that connects at least a portion of the storage space of each of the identical product storage baskets stacked one on top of the other.

2. The product storage basket according to claim 1 , wherein the side portion has a locking portion that locks the bottom portion when at least a portion of the bottom portion is open and when the bottom portion closes the opening portion.

3. The product storage basket according to claim 2 , wherein the side portions have connecting portions that connect the product storage baskets stacked one above the other to each other.

4. The product storage basket according to claim 3 , wherein the connecting portion is formed so as to be operable outside the storage space of the side portion.

5. The product storage basket according to claim 3 , wherein the connecting portion is formed so as to be operable inside the storage space of the side portion.

6. The side portion has a plurality of vertical wires extending in a vertical direction, a lower frame wire formed at a lower end of the side portion, and horizontal wires extending in a horizontal direction, the connecting portion has a hook portion rotatably attached to the vertical wire of the side portion, and is formed on at least a pair of the side portions opposed in the horizontal direction, A product storage basket as described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the product storage baskets are connected by rotating the hook portion of the lower product storage basket among the product storage baskets stacked one above the other and engaging it with the lower frame wire or the horizontal wire on the side of the upper product storage basket.

7. The side portion has a plurality of longitudinal wires extending in a longitudinal direction, a plurality of horizontal wires extending in a horizontal direction, and a lower frame wire formed at a lower end of the side portion, the connecting portion has a fixed portion fixed to the vertical wire of the side portion and a sliding portion attached to the fixed portion so as to be slidable up and down, and is formed on at least one of the side portions; A lower hook portion is formed at a lower end of the slide portion, and an upper hook portion is formed at an upper end of the slide portion, A product storage basket as described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the product storage baskets are connected by sliding the sliding portion of the lower product storage basket among the product storage baskets stacked one above the other upward, engaging the lower hook portion of the sliding portion with the horizontal wire on the side of the lower product storage basket, and engaging the upper hook portion of the sliding portion with the lower frame wire on the side of the upper product storage basket.

8. The side portion has a plurality of vertical wires extending in a vertical direction, a plurality of horizontal wires extending in a horizontal direction, a lower frame wire formed at a lower end of the side portion, and an upper frame wire formed at an upper end of the side portion, the connecting portion has a fixing portion fixed to the vertical wire of the side portion and a hook portion rotatably attached to the fixing portion, and is formed on one of at least a pair of the side portions opposed in the horizontal direction, a locking portion is formed on the other upper frame wire of the pair of side portions opposed in the horizontal direction, the locking portion being engaged with the lower frame wire of the side portion of the upper product storage basket when the product storage baskets are stacked one on top of the other; A product storage basket as described in any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the product storage baskets are connected by engaging the locking portion of the lower product storage basket with the lower frame wire of the upper product storage basket, and then rotating the hook portion of the lower product storage basket to engage with the lower frame wire of the upper product storage basket located near the hook portion.

9. The product storage basket according to claim 1 , wherein the bottom portion is configured to be entirely openable.

10. The product storage basket according to claim 1, wherein the bottom is divided into a plurality of divided bottom sections, and at least one of the divided bottom sections is configured to be openable.

11. The product storage basket according to claim 10, wherein the divided bottom portion is formed by dividing the bottom portion in a lateral direction.

12. The product storage basket according to claim 10, wherein the divided bottom portion is formed by dividing the bottom portion in the longitudinal direction.

13. A product storage basket having an upper opening and a storage space surrounded by sides and a bottom each made of a plurality of wires, An extension member with upper and lower openings that extends the height of the upper side of the storage space is detachably attached to the side portion, The expansion member forms an expansion space surrounded by expansion side portions made of a plurality of wires, The side portion has a plurality of longitudinal wires extending in a longitudinal direction; The vertical wires are formed with connecting portions that connect the expansion members to the product storage basket by engaging the expansion side portions.

14. A lower wire is formed at the lower end of the expanded side portion, the connecting portions are bent portions formed in the longitudinal wires of at least one pair of opposing side portions, The product storage basket according to claim 13, wherein the lower wire of the extended side portion is engaged with each of the bent portions by overlapping the extended side portion with the side portion, thereby connecting the extended member to the product storage basket.

15. The bent portion is formed at a plurality of different height positions in the vertical direction of the vertical wire, The product storage basket according to claim 14, wherein the volume of the expansion space can be adjusted by stacking the expansion side portion on the side portion and engaging the lower wire of the expansion side portion with the bent portion at different height positions.

16. The bent portion has a U-shaped convex shape in the horizontal direction, The expansion member has a transverse wire extending laterally above the lower wire, A product storage basket as described in claim 14 or 15, wherein the lower wire of the expanding side portion is engaged with the lower corner portion that forms the U-shape of the bent portion, and the horizontal wire of the expanding side portion is engaged with the upper corner portion that forms the U-shape of the bent portion, thereby connecting the expanding member to the product storage basket.

17. The product storage basket according to claim 13, wherein a lock cover is attached to the vertical wire of the side portion, covering the connecting portion to which the extended side portion is engaged and preventing the extended side portion from falling off the connecting portion.

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