Folding container

Abstract

To further smoothly and efficiently execute a movement work and a storage work by adsorption of adsorption means for movement.SOLUTION: A folding container 10 comprises: a rectangular bottom face part 11 having a long side 11A and a short side 11B; and circumferential wall parts 12 standing up from the bottom face part 11. Each of the circumferential parts 12 comprises a near side-other side wall part 15 rotatably connected to the short side 11B. An outer face 15A of the near side-other side wall part 15 comprises an adsorption region 20A capable of being adsorbed by drive type adsorption means for movement, and further comprises a rigid region 20B at a part sandwiching the adsorption region 20A. A flat face having no fine recessed faces is formed at a part where the adsorption region 20A is disposed, and a flat face having no ribs is formed at an inner face 15B of the near side-other side wall part 15 of the part where the adsorption region 20A is disposed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Conventionally, folding containers have a bottom and side walls, and hinges or locking fittings are attached to the bottom or side walls, respectively, so that the side walls can be folded freely relative to the bottom (Patent Document 1). However, the folding container in Patent Document 1 is designed to be moved using handles or the like, and is not designed for efficient transportation or storage. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2021-187472 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the folding container of Patent Document 1, dust, fine fibers, rubbish, etc. (hereinafter simply referred to as "dust, etc.") can accumulate on the ribs provided on the outer surface of the side wall. Furthermore, when folding containers are manufactured by injection molding synthetic resin material, a "texturing process" is sometimes used to create a fine pattern (unevenness) on the surface of the mold and transfer the pattern to the molded product. Texturing has the effect of preventing slippage on the outer surface and making scratches less noticeable.

[0005] When using such a folding container, if a method is adopted in which the suction cups of the transport suction means are attached to the side wall and the container is moved to a storage rack or shelf, dust and the like around the folding container can stick to the suction cups. As a result, the dust and the like on the suction cups can prevent the suction cups from adhering properly, and in an automated warehouse or the like, for example, the container can not be moved smoothly and efficiently to a storage rack or shelf.

[0006] The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and its object is to provide a foldable container that can be moved or stored smoothly and efficiently by suction with a moving suction means, for example, in an automated warehouse or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] Means for achieving the above object will be described below. That is, according to a folding container described in Means 1, the folding container comprises a bottom portion that is rectangular in plan view and has one and other opposing sides, and a peripheral wall portion that includes a one-side side wall portion rotatably connected to one side of the bottom and an other-side side wall portion rotatably connected to the other side of the bottom, and is movable between a state in which the one-side side wall portion and the other-side side wall portion stand upright and a state in which it is folded down toward the bottom, characterized in that at least one outer surface of the peripheral wall portion is provided with an adsorption area that can be adsorbed by a driven-type adsorption means for movement, and further, the peripheral wall portion is provided with rigid areas at positions that sandwich the adsorption area, and the area where the adsorption area is provided is formed with a flat surface that does not have fine irregularities, and the inner surface of the peripheral wall portion at the area where the adsorption area is provided is formed with a flat surface that does not have ribs.

[0008] According to the folding container described in the second aspect, in the folding container described in the first aspect, it is preferable that the outer surface of the peripheral wall and the outer surface of the bottom are formed flush with each other.

[0009] According to the folding container described in the third aspect, in the folding container described in the first or second aspect, it is preferable that the area of ​​the suction region is larger than the area of ​​the rigid region.

[0010] According to the folding container described in Means 4, in the folding container described in any one of Means 1 to Means 3, it is preferable that a part of the peripheral wall portion that does not have an adsorption area has a card insertable portion into which a card having information recorded thereon can be inserted.

[0011] According to the foldable container described in Means 5, in the foldable container described in any one of Means 1 to Means 4, it is preferable that the bending rigidity in the outward direction of the peripheral wall portion having the suction region is greater than the bending rigidity in the inward direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] The foldable container of the present invention is excellent in that the suction of the transport suction means allows smooth and efficient transport and storage operations in, for example, an automated warehouse. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a peripheral wall portion rises from a bottom portion in a folding container according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 2 is a perspective view showing the folding container of FIG. 1 in a state where the peripheral wall portion is folded onto the bottom portion. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of the folding container of FIG. 1 as seen from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is an enlarged front view of the folding container of FIG. 1. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view showing a part of the foldable container of FIG. 1 and a driven type suction means for movement, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0014] 10 folding container, 11 bottom part, 11A long side, 11B short side, 12 peripheral wall portion, 13 Front side side wall portion (one side side wall portion peripheral wall portion), 14 one side wall portion at the rear side (one side wall portion peripheral wall portion), 15 front other side wall portion (other side wall portion peripheral wall portion), 16 rear side other side wall portion (other side side wall portion peripheral wall portion), 15A outside, 15B inside, 16A external surface, 16B internal surface, 17 bank portion, 20A suction area, 22 rigid area, L0 Driven type moving suction means, L3 Suction failure part DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A folding container according to an embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which peripheral walls rise from a bottom surface of a folding container according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a perspective view showing a state in which peripheral walls are folded toward the bottom surface side of the folding container of Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram of the folding container of Fig. 1 as seen from above. Fig. 4 is a front view showing an enlarged view of the folding container of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing an enlarged view of a part of the folding container of Fig. 1 and a driven-type suction means for movement, etc.

[0017] The foldable container 10 shown in Figures 1 to 5 is made of synthetic resin, for example, by injection molding. In the present embodiment, the suction force (suction force utilizing the flow of suction air A1 shown in Figure 5) of the drive-type suction means for transfer L0 (see Figures 4 and 5) allows smooth and efficient transfer (pushing or pulling the foldable container 10 for transfer) to a storage rack, shelf, or the like (not shown) in, for example, an automated warehouse, or storage (storing the foldable container 10 on a storage rack, shelf, or the like).

[0018] Here, the three axial directions (X-axis, Y-axis, and Z-axis) of the folding container 10 of this embodiment will be described. In this case, the direction along the long side 11A of the bottom surface portion 11 shown in Fig. 3 will be referred to as the "Y-axis direction," and the direction along the short side 11B of the bottom surface portion 11 will be referred to as the "X-axis direction." The Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction are perpendicular to each other, and the direction intersecting the Y-axis direction and the X-axis direction will be referred to as the "Z-axis direction."

[0019] Note that the long side 11A of the bottom surface portion 11 corresponds to one side, and the short side 11B of the bottom surface portion 11 corresponds to the other side. Conversely, the long side 11A of the bottom surface portion 11 may correspond to the other side, and the short side 11B of the bottom surface portion 11 may correspond to one side.

[0020] The folding container 10 has a bottom surface 11 (in this case, a rectangular plate material with long sides 11A and short sides 11B) that is rectangular in plan view, and further has a peripheral wall portion 12 (in this case, a rectangular plate material) that rises from the bottom surface 11.

[0021] In this case, the peripheral wall portion 12 has a front side wall portion 13 (in this case, a rectangular plate material) and a rear side wall portion 14 (in this case, a rectangular plate material) that face each other and are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the X-axis direction. The peripheral wall portion 12 also has a front other side wall portion 15 (in this case, a rectangular plate material) and a rear other side wall portion 16 (in this case, a rectangular plate material) that face each other and are spaced a predetermined distance apart in the Y-axis direction.

[0022] Specifically, as shown in Figures 1 to 3, both ends in the Y-axis direction of the front one side wall portion 13 and both ends in the Y-axis direction of the rear one side side wall portion 14 are in contact with both ends in the X-axis direction of the front other side wall portion 15 and both ends in the X-axis direction of the rear other side wall portion 16. Therefore, corner portions are formed at the four corners of the folding container 10.

[0023] The foldable containers 10 may be stacked vertically (in the Z-axis direction). Under such loading conditions, the load of the upper folding container 10 is applied to the peripheral wall 12 (including the corners) of the lower folding container 10, so it is desirable that the folding container 10, including the entire peripheral wall 12, be able to ensure sufficient mechanical strength.

[0024] In this embodiment, one side wall is formed by the front side wall 13 and the rear side wall 14, and the other side wall is formed by the front side wall 15 and the rear side wall 16. The bottom surface 11 and the peripheral wall 12 may be formed from plate materials of a square or other shape in addition to rectangular plate materials.

[0025] The front one-side side wall portion 13 is located on the front side of the bottom surface portion 11 in the X-axis direction, and is rotatably connected to the long side 11A of the bottom surface portion 11. Furthermore, the rear one-side side wall portion 14 is located on the rear side of the bottom surface portion 11 in the X-axis direction, and is rotatably connected to the long side 11A of the bottom surface portion 11.

[0026] Therefore, the front side wall portion 13 can be rotated between a state in which it stands up near the long side 11A of the bottom surface portion 11 (see FIG. 1) and a state in which it is folded up (see FIG. 2). Further, the rear side wall portion 14 can be rotated between a standing state near the long side 11A of the bottom surface portion 11 (see FIG. 1) and a folded state (see FIG. 2). In this way, when the front side wall portion 13 and the rear side wall portion 14 are folded (see Figure 2), the bottom portion 11 and the front side wall portion 13 and the rear side wall portion 14 are in contact with each other.

[0027] Here, bank portions 17, which are separate members, are attached to both ends (so as to contact the end faces) of the long side (Y-axis direction) of bottom surface portion 11. As a modified example, bottom surface portion 11 and bank portions 17 may be attached to the upper surface side of both sides of the long side (Y-axis direction) of bottom surface portion 11, respectively. The bank portion 17 is formed integrally with the bottom surface portion 11 to form the bottom portion, but unlike the above-mentioned form, the bottom portion may be formed by connecting a separate bottom surface portion 11 to the bank portions 17 on both sides.

[0028] The front side wall portion 15 and the rear side wall portion 16 supported on the bank portions 17 on both sides are rotatably connected to each bank portion 17. In detail, the front other side wall portion 15 has an axis portion (not shown) on the front bank portion 17 in the Y-axis direction of the bottom surface portion 11, and is rotatably connected to the front bank portion 17 with this axis portion as the center of rotation.

[0029] In addition, the rear other side wall portion 16 has an axis portion (not shown) on the rear bank portion 17 in the Y-axis direction of the bottom surface portion 11, and is rotatably connected to the rear bank portion 17 with this axis portion as the center of rotation.

[0030] As a result, the other side wall portion 15 on the near side can rotate between a standing state (see FIG. 1) near the bank portion 17 on the near side in the Y-axis direction and a folded state (see FIG. 2).

[0031] Further, the other side wall portion 16 on the rear side can be rotated between a state in which it stands up near the bank portion 17 on the rear side in the Y-axis direction (see FIG. 1) and a folded state (see FIG. 2).

[0032] When the front side other side wall portion 15 and the rear side other side wall portion 16 are folded toward the bottom surface portion 11 (see Figure 2), the front side other side wall portion 15 and the rear side other side wall portion 16 come into contact with the front side one side side wall portion 13 and the rear side one side side wall portion 14 that are folded toward the bottom surface portion 11.

[0033] In the above embodiment, the front one side wall portion 13 and the rear one side wall portion 14 are in a leading and trailing relationship with the front other side wall portion 15 and the rear other side wall portion 16. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the front side wall portion 13 and the rear side wall portion 14 are first folded onto the bottom portion 11 (first folding), and then the front other side wall portion 15 and the rear other side wall portion 16 are folded onto the folded front side side wall portion 13 and rear side side wall portion 14 (rear folding).

[0034] In the case of such front and rear tatami mats, it is desirable to set the bank portion 17 and bottom portion 11 so that their mechanical strength is large.

[0035] In the case of the above-mentioned folding container 10, when the front side wall portion 13, the rear side wall portion 14, the other front side wall portion 15, and the other rear side wall portion 16 are raised (see Figure 1), a storage space for storing contents (not shown) is formed on the bottom surface portion 11, and the contents can be stored in the storage space.

[0036] In this case, with the contents stored in the storage space of the bottom portion 11, the foldable container 10 can be moved (moved) or stored (storage) to a storage rack, shelf, etc. by the suction force of the moving suction means L0 (see Figure 5).

[0037] In addition, when the front side wall portion 13, the rear side wall portion 14, the other front side wall portion 15, and the other rear side wall portion 16 are folded (see Figure 2), no storage space is formed on the bottom surface portion 11. When the peripheral wall portion 12 is folded in this manner (see FIG. 2), no storage space is formed above the bottom surface portion 11, and the volume (capacity) occupied by the foldable container 10 is significantly reduced.

[0038] As a result, a large number of folding containers 10 in the folded state can be loaded onto the loading platform of a transportation truck (not shown) or the like, allowing a large number of folding containers 10 to be transported at once, thereby significantly reducing transportation costs.

[0039] Furthermore, when loading the folding containers 10, it is desirable to take measures to prevent the bottom surface 11 etc. of the upper folding container 10 from coming into contact with the peripheral wall 12 etc. of the lower folding container 10, thereby preventing scratches (which will result in unevenness) from being made on the suction areas 20A. In other words, if the peripheral wall 12 does not open outward from the bottom surface 11, when multiple folding containers 10 are loaded, it is possible to prevent scratches (which will result in unevenness) from being made on the suction areas 20A etc. provided on the peripheral wall 12 of the other folding containers 10.

[0040] In the above case, peripheral wall portion 12 is configured to be folded onto bottom surface portion 11, and peripheral wall portion 12 is configured not to open outward from bottom surface portion 11. That is, front one side side wall portion 13 and rear one side side wall portion 14 are configured not to open outward in the X-axis direction of bottom surface portion 11. Similarly, front other side side wall portion 15 and rear other side side wall portion 16 are configured not to open outward in the Y-axis direction of bank portion 17.

[0041] Therefore, even if a large tensile force is applied to the front one side wall portion 13 and the rear one side wall portion 14 outward in the X-axis direction, the front one side wall portion 13 and the rear one side side wall portion 14 are configured not to collapse outward in the X-axis direction. Furthermore, even if a large tensile force is applied to the front other side wall portion 15 and the rear other side wall portion 16 outward in the Y-axis direction, the front other side wall portion 15 and the rear other side wall portion 16 are configured not to collapse outward in the Y-axis direction.

[0042] On the other hand, when a force is applied inward in the X-axis direction toward the front side wall portion 13 and the rear side wall portion 14, if the locking mechanism (not shown) that fixes the positional relationship between the peripheral wall portions 12 is released, the front side wall portion 13 and the rear side wall portion 14 will be configured to fall inward in the X-axis direction at the bottom portion 11.

[0043] Similarly, when a force is applied inward in the Y-axis direction toward the front other side wall portion 15 and the rear other side wall portion 16, if the locking mechanism (not shown) that fixes the positional relationship between the peripheral wall portions 12 is released, the front other side wall portion 15 and the rear other side wall portion 16 will be configured to fall inward in the Y-axis direction above the fallen front one side side wall portion 13 and rear one side side wall portion 14.

[0044] However, when a locking mechanism (not shown) that fixes the positional relationship between the peripheral walls 12 is engaged, the front side wall 13 and the rear side wall 14 are maintained in an upright state. In this case, a mechanism that maintains the front side wall 13 and the rear side wall 14 in an upright state may be provided in addition to the locking mechanism (not shown).

[0045] Similarly, when a locking mechanism (not shown) that fixes the positional relationship between the peripheral walls 12 is engaged, the front other side wall 15 and the rear other side wall 16 remain upright. In this case, the front one side wall 13 and the rear one side wall 14 are in the leading position, and the front other side wall 15 and the rear other side wall 16 are in the trailing position, and the front other side wall 15 and the rear other side wall 16 are U-shaped in plan view. Therefore, even if a force pressing inward in the Y-axis direction is applied to the front other side wall 15 and the rear other side wall 16, they are supported by the front one side side wall 13 and the rear one side side wall 14, so the front other side wall 15 and the rear other side wall 16 will not collapse inward in the Y-axis direction. In addition to the above structure (U-shaped in plan view) and locking mechanism (not shown), a mechanism for maintaining the front other side wall portion 15 or the rear other side wall portion 16 in an upright position may be provided.

[0046] In this way, when the peripheral wall 12 is configured to be foldable inward (inward direction) of the folding container 10 but not to collapse outward (outward direction), it is desirable to set the bending rigidity of the peripheral wall 12 to be greater outward (outward direction) than inward (inward direction). This is because when a large load or the like is applied in the Z-axis direction, the outward (outward) bearing strength of the folding container 10 becomes greater, and damage to the folding container 10 can be prevented.

[0047] Furthermore, if the deformation of the front other side wall 15 (peripheral wall 12) is large, there is a possibility that the suction cup tip L1 will come off from the front other side wall 15 (peripheral wall 12). This is because a large gap is formed between the suction cup tip L1 and the front other side wall 15 (peripheral wall 12), and suction air A1 (described below) supplied through this gap leaks out, reducing the suction force of the suction cup tip L1 and increasing the possibility that the suction cup tip L1 will come off from the front other side wall 15.

[0048] From this perspective, if the deformation of the front other side wall portion 15 (peripheral wall portion 12) is small, suction air A1 is less likely to leak from the gap between the suction cup tip portion L1 and the front other side wall portion 15 (peripheral wall portion 12), and the suction cup tip portion L1 is less likely to come off the front other side wall portion 15.

[0049] As a result of the experiment, it was found that when a predetermined force was applied to the outer surface 15A or the inner surface 15B of the front other side wall portion 15 (for example, when a predetermined force (for example, 3 kgf) was applied to the front other side wall portion 15), the amount of deformation from the inner surface 15B to the outer surface 15A (for example, about 3.26 mm) was smaller than the amount of deformation from the outer surface 15A to the inner surface 15B (for example, about 3.85 mm).

[0050] In particular, as a result of examining the amount of deformation from outer surface 15A to inner surface 15B (e.g., about 3.85 mm) and the amount of deformation from inner surface 15B to outer surface 15A (e.g., about 3.26 mm), it was found that a difference of approximately 10% to 20% is preferable in the amount of deformation (e.g., the difference of 0.59 mm between 3.85 mm and 3.26 mm corresponds to a difference of 10% to 20%). In this case, the difference between the amount of deformation from outer surface 15A to inner surface 15B and the amount of deformation from inner surface 15B to outer surface 15A is preferably a difference of 12% to 17%, which is narrower than the difference of 10% to 20%.

[0051] In this way, when the amount of deformation from the inner surface 15B to the outer surface 15A (for example, about 3.26 mm) is smaller than the amount of deformation from the outer surface 15A to the inner surface 15B (for example, about 3.85 mm), as described above, when a pressing force or pulling force is applied to the front other side wall portion 15 along the Y-axis direction using the suction of the suction cup tip portion L1, the pressing force applied to the front other side wall portion 15 can be smaller than the pulling force applied to the front other side wall portion 15.

[0052] Furthermore, when the pushing or pulling force of the suction air A1 is small, the flow rate (or flow velocity) of the air supplied for suction air A1 can be smaller (slower) than when the pushing or pulling force is large, and the cost of generating suction air A1 (for example, the electricity cost of the motor that generates suction air A1) can be reduced.

[0053] As described above, when the amount of deformation from the inner surface 15B to the outer surface 15A is small, even if the pressing force applied to the front other side wall portion 15 is small, the suction cup tip L1 is unlikely to come off from the front other side wall portion 15. On the other hand, when the amount of deformation from the outer surface 15A to the inner surface 15B is large, the suction cup tip L1 is likely to come off from the front other side wall portion 15 unless the pulling force applied to the front other side wall portion 15 by the supplied suction air A1 is large.

[0054] If the peripheral wall 12 is configured not to collapse outward (outward), a large force is likely to be applied to the shafts (not shown) installed on the bottom surface 11 side of the peripheral wall 12. However, if the bending rigidity of the peripheral wall 12 in the outward (outward) direction is set to be greater than the bending rigidity in the inward (inward) direction, the strength of the folding container 10 in the outward (outward) direction increases, and the force applied to the shafts (not shown) installed on the bottom surface 11 side can be reduced.

[0055] When a locking mechanism (not shown) that fixes the positional relationship between the peripheral walls 12 is engaged, the following design change may be made as necessary: ​​That is, the design may be changed so that the pushing or pulling force caused by suction from the suction cup tip L1 of the driven-type movement suction means L0 is applied along the X-axis direction to the outer surface of the front side wall 13 or the outer surface of the rear side wall 14.

[0056] In this embodiment, by applying a pushing or pulling force caused by suction from the suction cup tip L1 of the driven type moving suction means L0 to the outer surface 15A of the front side side wall portion 15 other than the front side side wall portion 13 and the rear side side wall portion 14 along the Y-axis direction, the folding container 10 can be pulled toward the front side (pulling operation for moving) or pushed toward the rear side (pushing operation for moving).

[0057] Therefore, at the central position of the outer surface 15A of the front side other side wall portion 15, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, an adsorption area 20A (a rectangular area indicated by dashed lines in Figures 4 and 5) is set as an area where the suction cup tip portion L1 can be adsorbed. Then, rigid regions 22 that increase the mechanical strength are set on both sides of the suction region 20A in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) on the outer surface 15A or the inner surface 15B (either one or both) of the front other side wall portion 15.

[0058] 3, in order to ensure the mechanical strength of the peripheral wall portion 12, the rigid region 22 has a large number of uneven portions 22A (a large number of uneven portions having a wave-like shape) formed along the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the peripheral wall portion 12. Therefore, the peripheral wall portion 12 can sufficiently withstand a force (load) along the Z-axis direction, and the peripheral wall portion 12 can be prevented from becoming deformed. In this embodiment, the thickness of the front other side wall portion 15 means the thickness between the outer surface 15A and the inner surface 15B (including ribs 15C, etc.), and the wall thickness of the front other side wall portion 15 means the thickness between the outer surface 15A and the inner surface 15D (excluding ribs 15C, etc.).

[0059] The uneven portions 22A aligned in the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the peripheral wall portion 12 shown in FIG. 3 may have a shape other than a wave shape as long as the mechanical strength can be ensured. When rigid regions 22 are provided on both sides of the suction region 20A shown in FIG. 4, the mechanical strength of the suction region 20A, which can be adsorbed by the suction cup tip L1, can also be increased.

[0060] The driven type moving suction means L0 shown in FIG. 5 is provided with an air conduit L02 for receiving a supply of suction air A1. In this case, the suction air A1 supplied through the air conduit L02 is used so that the suction cup tip L1 can suction the outer surface 15A of the side wall portion 15 on the other side of the front side.

[0061] When the suction cup tip L1 adheres to the suction area 20A of the outer surface 15A, a pushing force or a pulling force is applied to the other front side wall portion 15, which becomes a pushing force for pushing operation for moving or a pulling force for pulling operation for moving. As a result, the foldable container 10 can be pushed or pulled in the Y-axis direction.

[0062] In this way, by applying a sufficient pushing force or pulling force in the Y-axis direction to the other side wall portion 15 on the front side of the folding container, the pushing or pulling operation for moving the folding container 10 can be performed smoothly and efficiently when storing it on a storage rack, shelf, etc.

[0063] Furthermore, when a large pushing force or pulling force is applied to the outer surface 15A shown in FIG. 5 along the Y-axis direction due to suction by the suction cup tip portion L1, the rigid region 22 ensures the mechanical strength of the other side wall portion 15 on the front side, thereby preventing the folding container 10 from becoming deformed.

[0064] As shown in Figure 5, when a pressing force or a pulling force is applied along the Y-axis direction to the front other side wall portion 15 using the suction of the suction cup tip portion L1, the pressing force applied to the front other side wall portion 15 may be smaller than the pulling force applied to the front other side wall portion 15.

[0065] This is because when a pressing force is applied to the other front side wall portion 15, the suction cup tip portion L1 is less likely to separate from the other front side wall portion 15 than when a pulling force is applied to the other front side wall portion 15.

[0066] 4 are evenly spaced in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction). Therefore, when a large load is applied to the corners of the folding container 10 in the vertical direction (Z-axis direction), the rigid regions 22 can bear the load evenly.

[0067] Furthermore, when the uneven portion 22A shown in FIG. 3 is made of a material with high mechanical strength, even if a large pushing force or pulling force is inadvertently applied to the standing peripheral wall portion 12 in the X-axis direction or Y-axis direction, the folding container 10 can be prevented from becoming deformed.

[0068] For example, the uneven portions 22A arranged on the front other side wall portion 15 and the rear other side wall portion 16 can be provided at a higher density per unit length than the uneven portions 22A arranged on the front one side side wall portion 13 and the rear one side side wall portion 14. In this case, the mechanical strength of the front other side side wall portion 15 and the rear other side side wall portion 16 can be made stronger than that of the front one side side wall portion 13 and the rear one side side wall portion 14.

[0069] In addition, compared to the reinforcing members (not shown) provided on the front one-side side wall portion 13 and the rear one-side side wall portion 14, a large number of reinforcing members (ribs 15C, etc.) may be provided on the front other-side side wall portion 15 and the rear other-side side wall portion 16 other than the portion where the suction area 20A is provided. In this case, the front other-side side wall portion 15 and the rear other-side side wall portion 16 have stronger mechanical strength than the front one-side side wall portion 13 and the rear one-side side wall portion 14.

[0070] As described above, when the mechanical strength of the peripheral wall portion 12 is ensured, the folding container 10 can be prevented from becoming deformed even if an inadvertent pushing force or pulling force is applied to the peripheral wall portion 12 from various directions in a state in which the peripheral wall portion 12 stands up from the vicinity of the bottom surface portion 11.

[0071] In other words, even if an inadvertent pushing force or pulling force is applied from various directions to one or more of the front one side wall portion 13, the rear one side wall portion 14, the front other side side wall portion 15, and the rear other side side wall portion 16, the folding container 10 can be prevented from becoming deformed.

[0072] In addition to the uneven portions 22A, reinforcing members such as ribs may be provided to increase the mechanical strength of the rigid region 22. The numerous uneven portions 22A shown in Fig. 3 may be formed along (both) the X-axis direction and the Y-axis direction of the peripheral wall portion 12, or other configurations may be adopted to increase the mechanical strength of the rigid region 22.

[0073] 4, in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction), the suction region 20A has a width R1, and the rigid region 22 has a width R2. The length of the width R1 of the suction region 20A and the length of the width R2 of the rigid region 22 can be changed as needed by changing the height (Z-axis direction) of the rigid region 22 and the suction region 20A, as well as the rigidity of each region.

[0074] In this case, the ratio of "lateral width R2 of rigid region 22:lateral width R1 of suction region 20A:lateral width R2 of rigid region 22" is about "1:3:1".

[0075] As a result, the width R1 of the suction area 20A and two rigid areas 22 (width R2 of two areas) are formed in the X-axis direction (horizontal direction) of the front side other side wall portion 15, so the ratio of the width R1 of the suction area 20A to the width R2 of the two rigid areas 22 (width R2 of two areas) is approximately 3:2.

[0076] In this way, by setting the width R1 of the suction area 20A to be larger than the width R2 of the rigid area 22, it becomes easier to adsorb the suction tip L1 of the driven type moving suction means L0 to the suction area 20A when it approaches from a distant position in the Y-axis direction toward the other side wall portion 15 on the front side for adsorption.

[0077] As a modified example of setting the ratio between the width R1 of the suction region 20A and the width R2 of the rigid region 22, the ratio of "width R2 of the rigid region 22:width R1 of the suction region 20A:width R2 of the rigid region 22" may be changed to about "1:2:1." In this case, the ratio between the width R1 of the suction region 20A and the widths R2 of the two rigid regions 22 (for two regions) will be about "1:1."

[0078] Note that the ratio of the width R2 of the two rigid regions 22 to the width R1 of the suction region 20A may be changed from approximately 1:1 to approximately 1:3 by, for example, increasing the rigidity of the rigid region 22. Furthermore, the ratio of the width R2 of the rigid region 22 to the width R1 of the suction region 20A may be changed from approximately 1:3 to approximately 1:4 by changing the height (Z-axis direction) or area of ​​the rigid region 22 and the suction region 20A.

[0079] In addition, by appropriately changing the rigidity and other characteristics, height (Z-axis direction) and area of ​​each of the rigid region 22 and the adsorption region 20A, the ratio of the width R2 of the rigid region 22 to the width R1 of the adsorption region 20A may be changed to a value other than those mentioned above.

[0080] Furthermore, by providing a handle area 20B above the suction area 20A shown in FIG. 4 in the Z-axis direction (vertical direction) of the other front side wall portion 15, the convenience of the folding container 10 can be improved.

[0081] The handle region 20B shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is formed with a pair of gripping portions 21 (that is, a pair of upper and lower gripping portions and a pair of left and right gripping portions) to facilitate transportation by a user or worker.

[0082] In addition, most of the outer surface 15A of the front other side wall portion 15 below the handle region 20B is configured as the suction region 20A. In addition, since there is no step at the boundary between the handle region 20B and the suction region 20A, dust and the like do not accumulate on the outer surface 15A of the front other side wall portion 15.

[0083] The reason why no ribs are provided on the inner surface 15B of the other front side wall portion 15 in the area where the suction area 20A is provided is as follows: This is to prevent sink marks from appearing on the outer surface 15A of the other front side wall portion 15. Furthermore, if ribs were provided on the inner surface 15B, there would be a risk of items coming into contact with the ribs when putting items into or taking them out of the storage space, and this is to prevent this.

[0084] As will be described later, dust and the like may adhere to the outer surface 15A of the front side wall portion 15 and may become attached to the suction cup tip L1 (the part that sucks). That is, when dust and the like adhere to the suction cup tip L1 (the part that sucks), the part where the dust and the like adheres may become a defective part L3 for the suction air A1 (hereinafter referred to as the "suction defective part").

[0085] If the suction of the suction cup tip L1 at the defective suction location L3 becomes insufficient, the suction air A1 may leak out of the suction cup tip L1, which may interfere with the suction action of the suction cup tip L1.

[0086] That is, dust or the like on the suction cup tip L1 may interfere with the suction action, making it impossible to move the foldable container 10 smoothly and efficiently to a storage rack, shelf, or the like.

[0087] Regarding the dust and the like that adheres to the suction cup tip L1 (the part that adsorbs), dust and the like includes various things such as fibrous materials, dead microorganisms, tiny waste products from the human body, bacterial aggregates, fine dust, and airborne particles, as well as particles of various sizes (for example, from a few microns to a few hundred microns) and may have various properties.

[0088] Furthermore, when the other side wall portion 15 on the front side is made of synthetic resin, resin is an insulator, so when the resin and dust become charged, they may become attracted to each other, or they may be attracted to each other due to factors other than charging (such as attraction between substances). Such attraction between the two may cause insufficient suction by the suction cup tip L1, resulting in defective portion L3.

[0089] As one measure to address such a defective portion L3, it has been found that defects in the movement and storage operations of the driven-type moving suction means L0 can be improved by forming a flat surface without any minute unevenness (described later) at the location where the suction area 20A is to be provided.

[0090] Furthermore, if a rib is formed on the inner surface 15B of the portion of the front other-side side wall 15 where the suction region 20A is provided, sink marks may be formed on the outer surface 15A of the portion where the suction region 20A is provided. In particular, if the front other-side side wall 15 is made of a synthetic resin material, sink marks are likely to occur on the outer surface 15A of the front other-side side wall 15 due to shrinkage of the resin material, etc.

[0091] In this case, if a sink mark forms on the suction portion of the suction cup tip L1 (a part of the suction cup tip L1), the area where the sink mark forms may become a defective area L3 for the suction air A1. If the front other side wall 15 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, and a sink mark forms on the outer surface 15A due to shrinkage of the synthetic resin material, this will become a defective area L3 for the suction air A1, but the area of ​​the defective area L3 will be somewhat large.

[0092] The defective suction portion L3 causes the suction air A1 to leak out of the suction cup tip L1, resulting in insufficient suction by the suction cup tip L1. That is, the pushing or pulling force exerted by the suction cup tip L1 of the driven-type moving suction means L0 against the outer surface of the peripheral wall 12 may not reach a sufficient pushing or pulling force for work. As a result, if a rib were formed on the inner surface 15B of the other-edge side wall 15 on the near side of the portion where the suction region 20A is provided, a sink mark could form in the suction region 20A, which could cause the suction cup at the suction cup tip L1 to fail to properly suction the workpiece.

[0093] As a countermeasure to this problem, it was found that by taking measures such as not forming ribs on the inner surface 15B side of the area where the suction area 20A is arranged, problems during transportation operations and storage operations using the driven type transportation suction means L0 can be improved.

[0094] Furthermore, if the outer surface 15A has minute irregularities (such as a textured surface or a matte finish formed by surface processing), a gap may be formed between the suction cup tip L1 and the outer surface 15A due to the minute irregularities. The location where this gap is formed may become a defective location L3 for the suction air A1.

[0095] Specifically, when a minute uneven surface (the difference in height of the uneven surface is approximately "0" (in this case not including "0") to "0.5 mm") is formed on the other side wall portion 15 on the near side, it becomes a defective area L3 for the suction air A1, while the defective area L3 between the suction cup tip L1 and the outer surface 15A has a certain area.

[0096] If the suction air leaks from the defective portion L3, the pushing or pulling force of the suction cup tip L1 of the driven-type moving suction means L0 against the outer surface 15A may not reach a sufficient pushing or pulling force for work, and as a result, the suction cup tip L1 may not be able to properly suction due to the minute unevenness formed on the outer surface 15A.

[0097] As a countermeasure to this problem, it was found that by taking measures to prevent the formation of the above-mentioned minute uneven surfaces (such as embossed surfaces or minute uneven surfaces formed by matte finishes used in surface processing) on ​​the outer surface 15A of the front side other side wall portion 15, it was possible to improve the problems that occur during transportation operations and storage operations using the driven transportation suction means L0.

[0098] As a result, as described above, it is found that an effective measure is to form a flat surface without minute irregularities at the location where the suction area 20A is provided on the outer surface 15A side of the front other side wall portion 15, and to form a flat surface without ribs on the inner surface 15B side of the location where the suction area 20A is arranged.

[0099] The height difference of the minute uneven surface is determined by the flexibility of the material of the suction cup tip L1 of the driving type moving suction means L0. 、 From the viewpoint of the suction force of the suction air A1 to be supplied, it is desirable that the minutely uneven surface has a height difference of approximately "0" (in this case not including "0") to "0.5 mm", as described above.

[0100] If the suction force (the suction force by the suction air A1) between the suction cup tip L1 and the other side wall portion 15 on the front side is large, even if there is a small amount of air leakage, the suction force may not be affected much, and the height difference of the minute uneven surface is not necessarily limited to the above numerical value.

[0101] In addition, when performing work such as moving the container to a storage rack or shelf in an automated warehouse (for example, pushing or pulling the container), or when performing storage work (for example, storing the container on a rack or shelf), an information card (for example, an IC card) that records information about the contents stored in the foldable container 10 and other information may be used.

[0102] In this case, the folding container 10 is often provided with a card insertion section (not shown) into which an information card can be inserted. Specifically, the card insertion section (not shown) is often provided in a part of the peripheral wall 12 that does not have the suction area 20A (for example, the front side wall section 13 or the rear side wall section 14).

[0103] This is because, when installing an installation section for the card insertable section, it is necessary to provide a structure such as a card insertion opening (not shown) at the entrance of the installation section for the card insertable section, and in order to ensure mechanical strength, it is necessary to provide ribs or the like around the installation section for the card insertable section, whereas in the case of this embodiment, the structure does not provide ribs or the like on the inner side of the peripheral wall section 12 at the location where the suction area 20A is arranged, and therefore, from both perspectives, it is desirable to avoid concerns about the structure becoming complicated.

[0104] In other words, a special structure is provided on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12 at the location where the suction area 20A is provided, forming a flat surface without ribs, while a structure is required to provide ribs or the like around the installation section for the card insertable section.In order to avoid concerns about the structure becoming complicated, it is desirable to have a structure that does not provide an installation section for the card insertable section on the inner surface of the peripheral wall 12 at the location where the suction area 20A is provided.

[0105] Therefore, it is desirable to install structures such as the card insertion section on the front side wall portion 13 or the rear side wall portion 14, but it is better not to install them on the front side other side wall portion 15 where the suction area 20A is arranged or the rear side other side wall portion 16 where the suction area 20A is arranged.

[0106] In the present embodiment, in order to prevent dust and the like from accumulating, it is desirable to make the outer surfaces of the peripheral wall 12 (the front one side wall 13, the rear one side wall 14, the front other side side wall 15, and the rear other side side wall 16) flush with the outer surface 17A of the bank 17. This is because if the outer surfaces of the peripheral wall 12 and the outer surface 17A of the bank 17 are not flush (for example, if there is a step), dust and the like are likely to accumulate on the step, which may interfere with the suction action of the suction cup tip L1.

[0107] In particular, if dust or the like has accumulated on the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion 12, if the suction cup tip L1 approaches the peripheral wall portion 12 at a high speed, the dust or the like is more likely to fly up, trapping the dust or the like between the suction cup tip L1 and the peripheral wall portion 12 and making it more likely to generate a defective portion L3 that interferes with the suction action of the suction cup tip L1.

[0108] Similar to the outer surface 15A of the front side other side wall portion 15 where the suction area 20A is provided, a flat surface without minute irregularities may be formed at the portion of the outer surface 16A of the rear side other side wall portion 16 where the suction area 20A is arranged, and a flat surface without ribs may be formed on the inner surface 16B of the rear side other side wall portion 16 at the portion where the suction area 20A is arranged.

[0109] The present invention can be modified in various ways other than the above-described embodiment. For example, a reinforcing member such as a rib may be provided on either or both of the outer surface 15A and the outer surface 16A of the peripheral wall 12 (the front side wall 15 or the rear side wall 16).

[0110] As described above, the folding container 10 of this embodiment includes a rectangular bottom surface 11 (rectangular in plan view) with long sides 11A and short sides 11B, and a peripheral wall 12 rising from the bottom surface 11. The peripheral wall 12 includes one-side side walls 13, 14 rotatably connected to the long side 11A of the bottom surface 11, and other-side side walls 15, 16 (the front-side other-side side wall 15 or the rear-side other-side side wall 16) rotatably connected to the short side 11B of the bottom surface 11. The outer surface 15A of at least one peripheral wall (the front-side other-side side wall 15) of the peripheral wall 12 includes an attraction region 20A that can be attracted to the driven-type movement attraction means L0, and further includes rigid regions 20B at locations sandwiching the attraction region 20A. A flat surface without fine irregularities is formed in the area where the suction area 20A is arranged, and a flat surface without ribs is formed on the inner surface 15B of the other side wall portion 15 on the front side of the area where the suction area 20A is arranged.

[0111] As described above, when a sink mark is formed on the outer surface 15A of the front other side wall portion 15 (peripheral wall portion 12), a gap may be formed between the suction cup tip portion L1 and the outer surface 15A of the front other side wall portion 15 (peripheral wall portion 12). If the suction air A1 escapes through this gap, the pressing or pulling force exerted by the suction cup tip portion L1 on the outer surface 15A of the front other side wall portion 15 (peripheral wall portion 12) may not reach a sufficient pressing or pulling force for work.

[0112] As a result, when the folding container 10 is moved to a storage rack or shelf in an automated warehouse or the like, the moving operation may not be carried out smoothly and efficiently. However, in the present embodiment, by taking the above measures, it is possible to improve the problems with the moving operation and storage operation of the driven type moving suction means L0.

[0113] Furthermore, if the outer surface 15A of the front other side wall portion 15 (peripheral wall portion 12) has a minute uneven surface (such as a grained surface or a matte finish), a gap may be formed between the suction cup tip L1 of the driven-type moving suction means L0 and the outer surface 15A of the front other side wall portion 15 (peripheral wall portion 12). If the suction air A1 escapes through this gap, the pressing or pulling force exerted by the suction cup tip L1 on the outer surface 15A of the front other side wall portion 15 (peripheral wall portion 12) may not reach a sufficient working pressing or pulling force.

[0114] As a result, when the folding container 10 is moved to a storage rack or shelf in an automated warehouse or the like, the moving operation may not be carried out smoothly and efficiently. However, in the present embodiment, by taking the above measures, it is possible to improve the problems with the moving operation and storage operation of the driven type moving suction means L0.

[0115] As a result, the folding container 10 can be moved or stored smoothly and efficiently by the attraction of the drive-type moving suction means L0.

[0116] In the case of the above-mentioned folding container 10, when the folding container 10 is moved after being sucked by the suction cup tip portion L1, it is desirable that the folding container 10 be deformed so that the suction cup tip portion L1 does not come off the peripheral wall portion 12 (the side wall portion 15 on the other side on the near side).

[0117] For example, if the folding container 10 is deformed and a large gap is created between the suction cup tip L1 and the peripheral wall 12 (the other front side wall 15), the suction cup tip L1 may come off the peripheral wall 12 (the other front side wall 15). This is because if the rigidity of the peripheral wall 12 (the other front side wall 15) is weak, the peripheral wall 12 (the other front side wall 15) will deform, creating a large gap between the suction cup tip L1 and the peripheral wall 12 (the other front side wall 15), causing a separation between the suction cup tip L1 and the peripheral wall 12 (the other front side wall 15).

[0118] In contrast, if the peripheral wall portion 12 (front side other side wall portion 15) has a high rigidity, the peripheral wall portion 12 (front side other side wall portion 15) will not deform, no gap will be formed between the suction cup tip portion L1 and the peripheral wall portion 12 (front side other side wall portion 15), and there will be no separation between the suction cup tip portion L1 and the peripheral wall portion 12 (front side other side wall portion 15).

[0119] In the case of the foldable container 10 of this embodiment, the peripheral wall portion 12 can withstand the load and is prevented from becoming deformed, so there is little concern that the suction cup tip portion L1 will come off the peripheral wall portion 12.

[0120] In addition, the area (position of the wall thickness) where "a flat surface without fine irregularities is formed in the area where the suction area 20A is arranged, and a flat surface without ribs is formed on the inner surface 15B of the peripheral wall 12 in the area where the suction area 20A is arranged" may be a location (position) other than the front side wall 15.

Claims

1. a bottom portion having a rectangular shape in a plan view and one side and another side facing each other; a peripheral wall portion including a one-side side wall portion rotatably connected to one side of the bottom portion, and an other-side side wall portion rotatably connected to the other side of the bottom portion; A folding container that can be moved between a state in which the one-side side wall portion and the other-side side wall portion are upright and a state in which the one-side side wall portion and the other-side side wall portion are folded toward the bottom, At least one of the peripheral walls has an outer surface side of the wall thickness that is provided with an adsorption area that can be adsorbed by a driving type moving adsorption means, and the peripheral wall has rigid areas at portions that sandwich the adsorption area, a flat surface without fine irregularities is formed in a portion where the suction area is provided, and a flat surface without ribs is formed on the inner surface side of the peripheral wall portion of the portion where the suction area is provided,

2. The folding container according to claim 1, A foldable container, wherein the outer surface of the peripheral wall portion and the outer surface of the bottom portion are formed flush with each other.

3. The folding container according to claim 1 or 2, A foldable container, wherein the area of ​​the suction region is larger than the area of ​​the rigid region.

4. The folding container according to claim 1 or 2, A foldable container characterized in that a part of the peripheral wall portion not having the suction area is provided with a card insertable portion into which a card having information recorded thereon can be inserted.

5. The folding container according to claim 1 or 2, A foldable container, wherein the peripheral wall portion having the suction region has a bending rigidity in an outward direction that is greater than a bending rigidity in an inward direction.

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