Container

Abstract

To provide a container whose height in a folded state can be reduced.SOLUTION: The container 1 includes side wall parts 3, 4 extending upward from respective side parts of a bottom wall constituting part 2 having a substantially rectangular shape in a plan view, and an upper frame 5 provided along upper side parts of the side wall parts 3, 4. The long side wall 3 includes a lower wall 6 connected to the bottom wall component 2, and an upper wall 7 connected to the upper frame 5 and the lower wall 6. The short-side side wall section 4 is connected to the upper frame 5. The side wall parts 3, 4 can take an erected attitude extending in the vertical direction and a folded attitude folded to the inner side of the container 1. The bottom wall constituting part 2 includes a bottom wall part 11, and a fitting projection 25 arranged at a predetermined distance above an upper surface of the bottom wall part 11. The short-side side wall section 4 includes a fitting section 37 that is fitted to the fitting projection 25 when the short-side side wall section 4 is in the standing posture. Each of the long-side side wall sections 3 includes a receiving section into which the fitting projection 25 is inserted and which enables the long-side side wall section 3 to come close to the upper surface of the bottom wall section 11 in the folded posture.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a container used for transporting goods, etc. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a container used for transporting articles, etc., has been known that includes a bottom wall component that is generally rectangular in plan view, first side wall components extending upward from a pair of opposing first sides of the bottom wall component, second side wall components extending upward from a pair of opposing second sides of the bottom wall component, and a generally rectangular upper frame provided along upper sides of the first and second side walls. The first side wall component includes a lower wall component whose lower side is rotatably connected to the bottom wall component, and an upper wall component whose upper side is rotatably connected to the upper frame and whose lower side is rotatably connected to the lower wall component, and is configured to be able to change its position between an upright position in which the upper wall component and the lower wall component extend in the vertical direction and a folded position in which it is folded. The second side wall portion has an upper edge portion rotatably connected to the upper frame and is configured to be changeable between an upright position extending in the vertical direction and a folded position extending in a substantially horizontal direction toward the inner periphery of the upper frame. The container is configured to be changeable between an assembled state in which all of the side wall portions are in the upright position and a folded state in which all of the side wall portions are in the folded position. Also, there is a technology in which a recess is provided in the lower part of the second side wall portion that fits with a protrusion provided in the bottom wall constituent portion when the second side wall portion is in the upright position, thereby stabilizing the upright position of the second side wall portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1, etc.). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 2-131928 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In order to improve space efficiency during transportation and storage, it is desirable to make the height of the container as low as possible when it is folded.

[0005] The present invention has been made to solve the problems exemplified above, and its object is to provide a container that is foldable and can be made low in height when folded. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The following describes each means suitable for achieving the above objects, etc., by item. Note that, as necessary, the effects and advantages specific to the corresponding means will be added.

[0007] Means 1. A container comprising a bottom wall component having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, a pair of first side wall components extending upward from a pair of opposing first sides of the bottom wall component, a pair of second side wall components extending upward from a pair of opposing second sides of the bottom wall component, and a generally rectangular upper frame provided along the upper sides of the first side wall components and the second side wall components, the first side wall portion includes a lower wall portion whose lower edge portion is rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion, and an upper wall portion whose upper edge portion is rotatably connected to the upper frame and whose lower edge portion is rotatably connected to the upper edge portion of the lower wall portion, and is configured to be able to change its position between an upright position in which the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion extend in the vertical direction and a folded position in which they are folded inward of the container, The second side wall portion has an upper edge portion rotatably connected to the upper frame and is configured to be able to change its position between an upright position extending in a vertical direction and a folded position extending in a substantially horizontal direction toward an inner periphery of the upper frame, the container is configured to be changeable between an assembled state in which all of the first side wall portions and the second side wall portions are in the upright position and a folded state in which all of the first side wall portions and the second side wall portions are in the folded position, the bottom wall forming portion includes a bottom wall portion whose upper surface forms the inner bottom surface of the container, and a fitting protrusion disposed a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the bottom wall portion, the second side wall portion includes a fitting portion that is fitted with the fitting protrusion when the second side wall portion is in the upright position, A container characterized in that at least one of the pair of first side wall portions has a receiving portion into which the engaging protrusion is inserted when the container is in the folded position, allowing the one first side wall portion to abut or come close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion.

[0008] According to the first aspect, when the assembled container is folded, the fitting protrusion provided on the bottom wall component is inserted relative to the receiving portion provided on the first side wall component in the folded position. This prevents interference between the first side wall component in the folded position and the fitting protrusion, and allows the first side wall component with the fitting protrusion inserted into the receiving portion to abut or be in close proximity to the upper surface of the bottom wall component. This reduces the height of the first side wall component in the folded position from the upper surface of the bottom wall component (the inner bottom surface of the container), thereby reducing the height of the container in the folded position. As a result, space efficiency can be improved during transportation and storage of the folded container. Furthermore, for example, damage to the fitting protrusion due to interference between the first side wall component in the folded position and the fitting protrusion can be prevented. Furthermore, by providing a receiving portion on the first side wall portion, it is possible to avoid situations such as complicating the configuration for fitting the fitting protrusion and the fitting portion (for example, the shape of the bottom wall component and the second side wall portion) in order to avoid interference between the first side wall portion in the folded position and the fitting protrusion.

[0009] It is conceivable that the height of the container in the folded state is the combined height of the bottom wall constituent portion and the upper frame, but because the upper frame, together with the bottom wall constituent portion, is configured to surround the entire outer periphery of the first and second side wall portions when the container is in the folded state, the height of the upper frame is set according to the height from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion (the inner bottom surface of the container) of the first and second side wall portions that are folded above the bottom wall portion and overlap each other. Therefore, lowering the height from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion of the first and second side wall portions in the folded state leads to lowering the height of the container in the folded state.

[0010] Means 2. The pair of first side wall portions are configured by a first side wall portion on one side and a second side first side wall portion on the other side, a first connecting position of the one-side first side wall portion rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion is located lower than a second connecting position of the other-side first side wall portion rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion, The container according to Means 1 is characterized in that in the folded state, the first side wall portion on one side and the first side wall portion on the other side are configured to overlap each other vertically in part.

[0011] According to Means 2, in a container that has a height in the assembled state and that tends to be relatively high even in the folded state because a pair of first side wall portions overlap each other vertically, the height of the container in the folded state can be made as low as possible by avoiding interference between the fitting protrusion and the first side wall portions as described in Means 1. Note that because the height of the first connecting position of the first side wall portion on one side is different from the height of the second connecting position of the first side wall portion on the other side, interference between the pair of first side wall portions when the assembled container is folded can be suppressed while the height of the pair of overlapping first side wall portions in the folded state can be made relatively low compared to when the heights of the first connecting position and the second connecting position are the same.

[0012] Means 3. The folding state can be a first folding state in which the first side wall portion on one side is on the bottom side and the first side wall portion on the other side is on the top side, and a second folding state in which the first side wall portion on the other side is on the bottom side and the first side wall portion on one side is on the top side, In at least one of the first folded state and the second folded state, the fitting protrusion is inserted into the receiving portion, The container described in means 2 is characterized in that, in either the first folded state or the second folded state, the lower first side wall portion of the one side first side wall portion and the other side first side wall portion is configured to abut or be close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion.

[0013] According to the third aspect, when the assembled container is folded, either of the pair of first side wall portions can be placed on the bottom side, thereby improving workability.

[0014] Means 4. The receiving portion is provided on each of the first side wall portion on one side and the first side wall portion on the other side, The container described in means 3 is characterized in that the engaging protrusion is configured to be inserted into the receiving portion of the first side wall portion, which is the lower side, in both the first folded state and the second folded state.

[0015] According to Means 4, the fitting protrusion can be positioned not only in a range that is located below the first side wall portion on one side when the container is in the first folded state, but also in a range that is located below the first side wall portion on the other side when the container is in the second folded state. This allows the fitting protrusion to be suitably positioned, and the fitting state between the fitting portion of the second side wall portion and the fitting protrusion can be stabilized when the container is assembled.

[0016] Means 5: A plurality of the fitting protrusions are provided corresponding to one of the second side wall portions, The container described in means 4 is characterized in that, in at least one of the first folded state and the second folded state, the multiple engaging protrusions are configured to be inserted into the receiving portion of the first side wall portion, which is the lower side.

[0017] According to Means 5, since a plurality of fitting protrusions are provided corresponding to one second side wall portion, it is possible to stabilize the fitting state between the fitting portion and the fitting protrusion. Furthermore, even if a plurality of fitting protrusions are provided, interference between the first side wall portion in the folded position and the fitting protrusions is avoided, and the effect of suppressing the height of the container in the folded position is reliably achieved.

[0018] Means 6. A container described in any of means 1 to 5, characterized in that the first side wall portion has, as the receiving portion, a first receiving portion provided at the upper end of the lower wall portion of the first side wall portion in the upright position, and opening upward and toward the inner side of the container, and a second receiving portion provided at a position lower than the upper end of the lower wall portion of the first side wall portion in the upright position, and opening toward the inner side of the container.

[0019] According to Means 6, it is possible to reliably realize a configuration in which the fitting protrusion is inserted into the receiving portion and the first side wall portion including the receiving portion is brought into contact with or close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion while the fitting protrusion can be positioned relatively freely. In other words, by putting the first side wall portion in the folded position, even in a configuration in which the position of the first side wall portion that protrudes most toward the bottom wall portion from the connecting position at which the first side wall portion is rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion (the portion of the bottom wall constituent portion that is connected to the lower wall portion of the other first side wall portion that faces the first side wall portion) faces vertically opposite the intermediate position of the fitting protrusion in the width direction along the second side of the bottom wall constituent portion, the fitting protrusion can be received by the first receiving portion (the fitting protrusion is inserted into the first receiving portion in such a manner that a part of the fitting protrusion is positioned outside the first receiving portion), and the first side wall portion can be placed in contact with or close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion. Furthermore, even if the lower wall portion and the upper wall portion of the pair of first side walls have a common shape, at least one of the first receiving portion and the second receiving portion can function as the respective receiving portion, thereby improving productivity and manufacturing workability.

[0020] Means 7: The first side wall portion has engaging portions corresponding to the left and right side edges, the second side wall portion includes an engaged portion provided corresponding to each of the left and right side edges and engaged with the engaging portion in the assembled state; The container described in means 2 is characterized in that, when in the assembled state, each of the engaged portions is formed in a range in the vertical direction that includes the formation range of the engaging portion of the first side wall portion on one side and the formation range of the engaging portion of the first side wall portion on the other side.

[0021] According to the seventh aspect, the engaged portion corresponds to both the formation range of the engaging portion of the first side wall portion on one side and the formation range of the engaging portion of the first side wall portion on the other side, so that even if the pair of second side walls have the same shape, the engaging portion and the engaged portion can be reliably engaged with each other, thereby improving productivity and manufacturing workability. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0022] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the container in an assembled state. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the container in an assembled state. [Figure 3] 10 is a perspective view showing the container in an assembled state, with the other long side wall portion and one short side wall portion not shown. FIG. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the engaging portion on the inner surface side of the long side wall portion in the upright position. FIG. [Figure 5] 10 is a perspective view showing the periphery of the fitting protrusion of the short side base portion of the bottom wall component. FIG. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the periphery of a fitting portion on the outer surface side of a short-side side wall portion. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a side view of the container in an assembled state with the short side wall portion facing forward. [Figure 8] 8 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 7) of the container in an assembled state, showing the fitting protrusion and the fitting portion. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a side view of the container in a folded state with the short side of the upper frame and bottom wall component facing forward. [Figure 10] 10 is a partially enlarged perspective view showing the container in the process of changing between the assembled state and the folded state, with the other long side wall portion and the short side wall portion not shown. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the container in a first folded state. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the container in a second folded state. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a container in a first folded state. [Figure 14]FIG. 10 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a container in a second folded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0023] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1, 3, etc., a container 1 includes a bottom wall component 2 that is generally rectangular in plan view, long-side sidewalls 3 as first sidewalls extending upward from a pair of opposing long sides (first sides) of the bottom wall component 2, short-side sidewalls 4 as second sidewalls extending upward from a pair of opposing short sides (second sides) of the bottom wall component 2, and a generally rectangular upper frame 5 provided along the upper sides of the long-side sidewalls 3 and the short-side sidewalls 4. The container 1 of this embodiment is made of polypropylene.

[0024] The long-side side wall portion 3 includes a lower wall portion 6 whose lower edge is rotatably connected to the long side edge of the bottom wall constituent portion 2, and an upper wall portion 7 whose upper edge is rotatably connected to the long side edge of the upper frame 5 and whose lower edge is rotatably connected to the upper edge of the lower wall portion 6. Furthermore, the long-side side wall portion 3 is configured to be able to change its position between an upright position in which the upper wall portion 7 and the lower wall portion 6 extend in the vertical direction as shown in Fig. 1, and a folded position in which the connecting portion between the upper wall portion 7 and the lower wall portion 6 is pressed inward of the container 1 to align the outer surface of the upper wall portion 7 with the outer surface of the lower wall portion 6 as shown in Figs.

[0025] As shown in FIG. 1, the upper edge of each of the short-side side walls 4 is pivotally connected to the upper frame 5, and the short-side side walls 4 are configured to be changeable between an upright position extending vertically and a folded position extending substantially horizontally toward the inner periphery of the upper frame 5 as shown in FIG. 11. The container 1 is configured to be changeable between an assembled state (see FIG. 1) in which all of the long-side side walls 3 and the short-side side walls 4 are in an upright position, and a folded state (see FIG. 9) in which all of the long-side side walls 3 and the short-side side walls 4 are in a folded position. The width of each of the short-side side walls 4 is approximately the same as the distance between the pair of long-side side walls 3 in the upright position, and the short-side side walls 4 are configured to be located between the pair of long-side side walls 3 in the assembled state of the container 1. Furthermore, the outer dimensions of the upper frame 5 are approximately equal to the outer dimensions of the bottom wall component 2.

[0026] 3, 7, etc., the bottom wall constituent part 2 includes a bottom wall part 11 whose upper surface forms the inner bottom surface of the container 1, a first long side base part 12 provided along one long side of the bottom wall part 11, an second long side base part 13 provided along the other long side of the bottom wall part 11, short side base parts 14 provided along each short side of the bottom wall part 11, and grounding parts 15 that protrude downward from the bottom wall part 11 in a lattice shape and that come into contact with the ground when the container 1 is placed on an installation surface such as a floor. In addition, the first long side base part 12 and the second long side base part 13 include a long side opposing part 21 that faces the lower side of the long side side wall part 3 (lower wall part 6) in an upright position, and a long side bottom wall shaft part 22 (see FIG. 11) for rotatably supporting the lower wall part 6 of the long side side wall part 3. 3, 7, 11, etc., the other-side long-side base portion 13 protrudes upward from the bottom wall portion 11 more than the one-side long-side base portion 12, and the long-side opposing portion 21 and the long-side bottom wall axis portion 22 of the other-side long-side base portion 13 are positioned higher than the long-side opposing portion 21 and the long-side bottom wall axis portion 22 of the one-side long-side base portion 12 by approximately the height of the long-side side wall portion 3 in the folded position (the sum of the thickness of the lower wall portion 6 and the thickness of the upper wall portion 7). Hereinafter, of the pair of long-side side walls 3, the long-side side wall portion 3 connected to the one-side long-side base portion 12 will also be referred to as the "one-side long side wall portion 3a (one-side first side wall portion)," and the long-side side wall portion 3 connected to the other-side long-side base portion 13 will also be referred to as the "other-side long side wall portion 3b (other-side first side wall portion)."

[0027] As shown in Figures 3 and 5, each short-side base portion 14 includes a short-side facing portion 23 that faces the lower edge of the short-side sidewall portion 4 in an upright position, and a short-side base rib 24 that protrudes upward from the short-side facing portion 23 on the outer periphery of the bottom wall component 2. Furthermore, as shown in Figures 5 and 11, each short-side base portion 14 includes a fitting protrusion 25 that protrudes from the short-side base rib 24 toward the inner periphery of the bottom wall component 2 and is positioned a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the bottom wall component 11. In this embodiment, a pair of fitting protrusions 25 are provided near the center of each short side edge of the bottom wall component 2, sandwiching the center. The fitting protrusions 25 have a U-shaped vertical cross section that opens downward. Furthermore, the short-side facing portion 23 includes a short-side support portion 26 that protrudes upward from a range that includes both sides of the bottom wall component 2 in the short width direction. When the short-side side wall portion 4 is in an upright position, the lower side of the short-side side wall portion 4 is supported by contacting the short-side support portion 26. The upper side of each short-side base portion 14 (short-side base rib 24) is located at the same height as the upper end of the long-side base portion 12 on one side.

[0028] 1, 3, and 11, the upper wall portion 7 of each long-side side wall portion 3 includes an upper wall mounting shaft 31 provided corresponding to the upper edge of the upper wall portion 7, and upper wall connecting shafts 32 provided corresponding to both ends of the lower edge of the upper wall portion 7. In addition, the lower wall portion 6 of each long-side side wall portion 3 includes a lower wall connecting shaft 33 provided corresponding to the upper edge of the lower wall portion 6 and rotatably connected to the upper wall connecting shaft 32 of the upper wall portion 7, and a lower wall mounting shaft 34 provided at the lower edge of the lower wall portion 6 and rotatably connected to the long-side bottom wall shaft 22 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2. As shown in Figure 3, the lower edge portion of the lower wall portion 6 and the long side opposing portion 21 have an uneven shape that engages with each other in the longitudinal width direction of the container 1 when the lower wall mounting shaft portion 34 and the long side bottom wall shaft portion 22 are connected, and by these uneven shapes engaging with each other, the relative displacement between the bottom wall constituent portion 2 and the long side side wall portion 3 in the longitudinal width direction of the container 1 is regulated.

[0029] 1 and 11, each short-side sidewall 4 has a short-side mounting shaft 36 provided on the upper edge of the short-side sidewall 4. Also, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, each short-side sidewall 4 has a fitting portion 37 that fits into the fitting protrusion 25 of the short-side base portion 14 when the short-side sidewall 4 is in an upright position. The lower edge of the short-side sidewall 4 has a flange portion that protrudes outward from the container 1 from the lower edge of the wall that forms the inner surface of the short-side sidewall 4, and the portion of the flange between the portions that abut and are supported by the short-side support portions 26 of the short-side opposing portions 23 is configured to be one step lower, and the fitting portion 37 is configured by providing a protrusion that protrudes upward from the portion of the flange that is located directly below the fitting protrusion 25 when the container 1 is assembled. In this embodiment, a pair of fitting portions 37 are provided for one short side side wall portion 4, corresponding to the pair of fitting protrusions 25 provided on each short side base portion 14. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a pair of short side side wall portions 4 are identical to each other (same shape and same size). As shown in FIG. 1 etc., a finger hook 38 is provided around each lower corner on the outer surface of each short side side wall portion 4, protruding outward from the wall portion constituting the inner surface of the short side side wall portion 4 towards the container 1 and having a protrusion protruding downward from the tip of the protruding direction.

[0030] As shown in Figures 1 and 11, the upper frame 5 is provided with long side upper frame shafts 41 at each long side portion, connected to the upper wall mounting shafts 31 of the upper wall portions 7 of the long side side wall portions 3, for rotatably supporting the upper wall portions 7, and short side upper frame shafts 42 at each short side portion, connected to the short side mounting shafts 36 of the short side side wall portions 4, for rotatably supporting the short side side wall portions 4.

[0031] As described above, the long-side bottom wall shaft portion 22 of the other-side long-side base portion 13 is located higher than the long-side bottom wall shaft portion 22 of the one-side long-side base portion 12. In other words, the first connecting position (position of the lower wall mounting shaft 34) of the one-side long side wall portion 3a, where the one-side long side wall portion 3a is rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion 2, is located lower than the second connecting position (position of the lower wall mounting shaft 34) of the other-side long side wall portion 3b, where the other-side long side wall portion 3b is rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion 2. In this embodiment, the lower wall portion 6 and the upper wall portion 7 of the one-side long side wall portion 3a are the same (same shape and same size) as the lower wall portion 6 and the upper wall portion 7 of the other-side long side wall portion 3b. Therefore, as shown in Figures 7 and 11, when the container 1 is in an assembled state, the connection position between the upper wall connecting shaft 32 and the lower wall connecting shaft 33 of the other long side wall portion 3b is located higher than the connection position between the upper wall connecting shaft 32 and the lower wall connecting shaft 33 of the one long side wall portion 3a, and the upper edge portion of the other long side wall portion 3b (the connection position between the upper wall mounting shaft 31 and the long side upper frame shaft 41) is located higher than the upper edge portion of the one long side wall portion 3a (the connection position between the upper wall mounting shaft 31 and the long side upper frame shaft 41) (see Figure 11).

[0032] Furthermore, depending on the difference in the vertical position between the long-side upper frame shaft 41 connected to the upper wall mounting shaft 31 of the other long side wall 3b and the long-side upper frame shaft 41 connected to the upper wall mounting shaft 31 of the one long side wall 3a, the lower edge of the long side of the pair of long sides of the upper frame 5 connected to the other long side wall 3b (where the long-side upper frame shaft 41 is provided) is located higher than the lower edge of the long side of the pair of long sides of the upper frame 5 connected to the one long side wall 3a (where the long-side upper frame shaft 41 is provided). However, the upper edge of the upper frame 5 is at the same height (flush) all around the upper frame 5 (the vertical width of the long side of the pair of long sides of the upper frame 5 connected to the other long side wall 3b is shorter than the vertical width of the long side of the pair of long sides of the upper frame 5 connected to the one long side wall 3a).

[0033] 1, the portion of the short-side base rib 24 of the short-side base portion 14 of the bottom wall component 2 that connects to the other-side long-side base portion 13 protrudes upward to the same height as the upper edge of the other-side long-side base portion 13 (hereinafter, this upward protruding portion is also referred to as the "bottom wall curved portion 17"). In contrast, the portion of the lower edge of each short side portion of the upper frame 5 that connects to the long side portion of the upper frame 5 that is connected to the one-side long side wall portion 3a is made to be the same height as the lower edge of the long side portion. Furthermore, the lower edge of each short side of the upper frame 5, at a portion that connects to the long side of the upper frame 5 connected to the other long side wall portion 3b, is at the same height as the lower edge of that long side, and the portion that connects further to the center of the short side of the upper frame 5 from that portion protrudes downward, with its lower edge being at the same height as the lower edge of the long side of the upper frame 5 connected to the one long side wall portion 3a (hereinafter, this downward protruding portion is also referred to as the "upper frame curved portion 43"). As shown in Fig. 9, when the container 1 is in the folded state, the bottom wall curved portion 17 and the upper frame curved portion 43 are configured to substantially abut in the short width direction of the container 1, whereby the bottom wall constituent portion 2, the upper frame 5, and ultimately the side walls 3 and 4 are horizontally positioned when the container 1 is in the folded state. In addition, among the short sides of the upper frame 5, the part connecting to the long side of the upper frame 5 connected to one of the long side wall portions 3a and the part between the upper frame curved portion 43 have a shape such that the lower side is notched upward, thereby achieving weight reduction, etc.

[0034] 2, 4, 7, etc., the lower wall portion 6 and the upper wall portion 7 of each long-side side wall portion 3 are provided with engaging portions 44 corresponding to the left and right side edges. The engaging portions 44 have a generally L-shaped horizontal cross section and protrude inward of the container 1 from the inner surfaces of the lower wall portion 6 and the upper wall portion 7. In contrast, the short-side side wall portions 4 are provided with engaged portions 45 that are provided on the outer surface of the short-side side wall portion 4 corresponding to the left and right side edges, and are engaged with the engaging portions 44 when the container 1 is assembled. The engaged portions 45 are formed as holes or recesses into which the tips of the engaging portions 44 are inserted. When the container 1 is assembled and the engaging portion 44 and the engaged portion 45 are engaged, the outward displacement of the long side wall portion 3 and the short side wall portion 4 of the container 1 and the relative displacement of the long side side wall portion 3 and the short side side wall portion 4 in the vertical direction are restricted.

[0035] 7, each engaged portion 45 of each short side wall 4 of this embodiment is formed in a range that includes, in the vertical direction, the formation range of the engaging portion 44 of one long side wall 3a and the formation range of the engaging portion 44 of the other long side wall 3b when the container 1 is in an assembled state. In other words, in the assembled state of the container 1, the engaging portion 44 of one long side wall 3a and the engaging portion 44 of the other long side wall 3b are positioned differently in the vertical direction, and in the assembled state of the container 1, only one of the engaging portions 44 of one long side wall 3a and the engaging portion 44 of the other long side wall 3b is engaged with each engaged portion 45. However, even if, for example, a pair of short side wall portions 4 are swapped and assembled to the container 1, the engaged portion 45 and the engaging portion 44 will still be engaged with each other.

[0036] In this embodiment, half the height of the long side side wall portion 3 in the upright position (the protruding length from the long side bottom wall axis portion 22 of the long side side wall portion 3 in the folded position toward the inner periphery of the bottom wall constituent portion 2) is longer than half the distance between the one side long side base portion 12 and the other side long side base portion 13 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2. Therefore, as shown in Figure 9 etc., when the container 1 is in the folded state, the one side long side wall portion 3a in the folded position and the other side long side wall portion 3b in the folded position are configured to partially overlap vertically. In particular, in this embodiment, due to the clearances at the connection points between the upper wall portion 7 and the upper frame 5, the connection points between the upper wall portion 7 and the lower wall portion 6, and the connection points between the lower wall portion 6 and the bottom wall component 2, the other side long side wall portion 3b is configured so that, in the folded position, it can not only take a position in which it extends horizontally from the long side bottom wall axis portion 22 and the long side upper frame axis portion 41 toward the inner periphery of the bottom wall component 2 (see Figure 11), but also a position in which it extends at a downward incline from the long side bottom wall axis portion 22 and the long side upper frame axis portion 41 toward the inner periphery of the bottom wall component 2 (see Figure 12). Furthermore, in the folded position, the one long side wall portion 3a can take not only a position in which it extends horizontally from the long side bottom wall shaft portion 22 and the long side upper frame shaft portion 41 toward the inner periphery of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 (see FIG. 11), but also a position in which it extends at an upward incline from the long side bottom wall shaft portion 22 and the long side upper frame shaft portion 41 toward the inner periphery of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 (see FIG. 12). With this configuration, the container 1 of this embodiment can be folded into two states: a first folded state in which the one long side wall portion 3a is on the bottom and the other long side wall portion 3b is on the top (overlapping on the top of the one long side wall portion 3a), as shown in FIG. 11; and a second folded state in which the other long side wall portion 3b is on the bottom and the one long side wall portion 3a is on the top (overlapping on the top of the other long side wall portion 3b), as shown in FIG.

[0037] 10, 11, etc., the lower wall portion 6 of each long side wall portion 3 of this embodiment is provided with a receiving portion 51 into which the fitting protrusion 25 is inserted when the container 1 is in the folded posture. With this configuration, when the container 1 is in the first folded state, the fitting protrusion 25 is inserted into the receiving portion 51 of the lower long side wall portion 3a, and a part of the tip end side of the lower long side wall portion 3a (in this example, the engaging portion 44 of the lower wall portion 6) abuts against and is supported by the upper surface side of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 (in this example, the short side opposing portion 23 of the short side base portion 14). 12, when the container 1 is in the second folded state, the fitting protrusion 25 is inserted into the receiving portion 51 of the other long side wall portion 3b, which is the lower side, and the other long side wall portion 3b (in this example, the engaging portion 44 of the lower wall portion 6) is supported by abutting against the upper surface of the bottom wall forming portion 2 (in this example, the short side opposing portion 23 of the short side base portion 14). In addition, when the container 1 is in the first folded state as shown in FIG. 11, the inner surface of the lower wall portion 6 of the one long side wall portion 3a, which is the lower side, is close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11 (the inner bottom surface of the container 1), and when the container 1 is in the second folded state as shown in FIG. 12, the inner surface (the portion on the lower wall connecting shaft portion 33 side) of the lower lower wall portion 6 of the other long side wall portion 3b, which is the lower side, is close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11 (the inner bottom surface of the container 1). Furthermore, when the container 1 is in the folded state, the upper of the pair of long side wall portions 3 is supported by abutting against the lower long side wall portion 3, and is therefore spaced upward from the upper surface of the bottom wall constituent portion 2, and the fitting protrusion 25 is not inserted into the receiving portion 51 of the upper long side wall portion 3. Note that in the second folded state of the container 1, instead of or in addition to the configuration in which the engaging portion 44 of the lower wall portion 6 of the other long side wall portion 3b abuts against the upper surface of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 (the short side opposing portion 23 of the short side base portion 14), a predetermined portion of the lower wall portion 6 other than the engaging portion 44 may abut against the upper surface of the bottom wall constituent portion 2.

[0038] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 , the upper short-side frame shafts 42 of the upper frame 5 are positioned higher than the upper long-side frame shafts 41. To fold the assembled container 1, first, the pair of short-side side walls 4 are pressed toward the inside of the container 1 and rotated until they extend substantially horizontally. In this embodiment, the pair of short-side side walls 4 in the folded position are configured to overlap each other vertically. The upper short-side side wall 4 is slightly upwardly inclined from the upper short-side frame shafts 42 toward the inner periphery of the upper frame 5, and the lower short-side side wall 4 is slightly downwardly inclined from the upper short-side frame shafts 42 toward the inner periphery of the upper frame 5. Next, the pair of long-side side walls 3 are folded toward the inside of the container 1 (below the folded short-side side walls 4). As described above, either the first long side wall 3a or the second long side wall 3b can be the lower side. In this way, the container 1 is in a folded state in which the long side wall portions 3 in the folded position overlap each other above the bottom wall constituent portion 2, and the short side wall portions 4 in the folded position overlap each other above the long side side wall portions 3. In addition, as shown in Fig. 9, in the folded state of the container 1, the long side side wall portions 3 and the short side side wall portions 4 in the folded position are housed in the upper frame 5 and on the inner periphery of the bottom wall constituent portion 2, and the bottom wall constituent portion 2 and the upper frame 5 are configured to abut vertically along the outer periphery of the container 1.

[0039] 11 and 12, the lower wall 6 of the long-side side wall 3 includes a first receiving portion 51a provided at the upper end of the lower wall 6 of the long-side side wall 3 in the upright position and opening upward, to the side, and toward the inside of the container 1 (a space in which the periphery of the upper wall connecting shaft 32 is disposed in the upright position and formed by the periphery of the upper wall connecting shaft 32 retracting in the folded position), and a second receiving portion 51b provided below the upper end of the lower wall 6 of the long-side side wall 3 in the upright position and opening toward the side and toward the inside of the container 1. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, when the container 1 is in the first folded state, the fitting protrusion 25 is inserted into each of the first receiving portion 51a and the second receiving portion 51b of the lower long side wall 3a. Also, as shown in Figure 12, when the container 1 is in the second folded state, the engaging protrusions 25 are inserted into the first receiving portion 51a and the second receiving portion 51b of the other lower long side wall portion 3b.

[0040] Here, the state in which the engaging protrusion 25 is inserted into the first receiving portion 51a is not limited to a state in which at least a portion of the engaging protrusion 25 is inserted (housed) in the first receiving portion 51a. For example, in a configuration in which a portion of the engaging protrusion 25 is inserted relatively into the first receiving portion 51a during the process of folding the other long side wall portion 3b, which is in an upright position, downward (putting the container 1 in a second folded state), thereby displacing the other long side wall portion 3b until the engaging portion 44 of the lower wall portion 6 of the other long side wall portion 3b abuts the short side opposing portion 23 of the short side base portion 14, the state in which the engaging protrusion 25 is positioned adjacent to the first receiving portion 51a of the other long side wall portion 3b when the container 1 is in the second folded state may also be considered to be a state in which the engaging protrusion 25 is inserted into the first receiving portion 51a. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to this configuration, a state in which a portion of the engaging protrusion 25 is located below the other long side wall portion 3b (the peripheral portion of the upper wall connecting shaft portion 32) in a folded-down position and arranged opposite to each other above and below (in this example, the lower edge portion of the upper wall portion 7 of the other long side wall portion 3b extends upward at a slight incline toward the one long side base portion 12 when the other long side wall portion 3b is folded down, and a portion of the engaging protrusion 25 is located below the lower edge portion and arranged opposite to each other above and below) may be configured such that the engaging protrusion 25 is inserted into the first receiving portion 51a (the first receiving portion 51a is a configuration in which the space below the lower edge portion, which allows a portion of the engaging protrusion 25 to be arranged below the other long side wall portion 3b when the other long side wall portion 3b is folded down, without the other long side wall portion 3b interfering with the engaging protrusion 25). Furthermore, when a configuration is adopted in which the upper wall portion 7 of the other long side wall portion 3b has a portion that protrudes toward the one long side base portion 12 beyond the lower edge of the upper wall portion 7 when the other long side wall portion 3b is folded downward, the state in which a part of the engaging protrusion 25 is positioned below the protruding portion without interfering with the protruding portion may be defined as the state in which the engaging protrusion 25 is inserted into the first receiving portion 51a (the space below the protruding portion is the first receiving portion 51a).

[0041] 5 and 11, the short side facing portion 23 is thinned by lowering the upper surface side of the target area, thereby providing a relief portion 53 that can accommodate the protruding tip end of the engaging portion 44 of the lower wall portion 6 of the one long side wall portion 3a when the one long side wall portion 3a is in the folded position (the lower end when the one long side wall portion 3a is in the folded position). Also, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lower wall portion 6 has edge protrusions 54 that protrude from the lower wall portion 6 along both side edges of the lower wall portion 6 below the engaging portions 44 toward the inside of the container 1. Meanwhile, as shown in FIG. 5, the short side support portion 26 on the one long side base portion 12 side of the short side facing portion 23 of the short side base portion 14 is provided with a groove 55 that accommodates and supports the edge protrusions 54 of the one long side wall portion 3a when the container 1 is in the first folded position. In this embodiment, whether the container 1 is in the first folded state or the second folded state, the height from the top surface of the bottom wall 11 to the upper end (the portion located highest in the folded state) of the upper short side wall 4 among the short side wall portions 4 stacked on top of each other in the folded state is (almost) the same. As shown in Fig. 1 etc., the outer surface of each short side portion of the upper frame 5 is provided with a handle 56 that is operated when lifting the upper frame 5 to assemble the container 1 in the folded state and when carrying the container 1 in the assembled state.

[0042] As described above in detail, according to this embodiment, when the assembled container 1 is folded, the fitting protrusions 25 provided on the bottom wall component 2 are inserted relative to the receiving portions 51 provided on the long side sidewall portions 3 (lower wall portion 6) in the folded position. This prevents interference between the long side sidewall portions 3 in the folded position and the fitting protrusions 25, and allows the long side sidewall portions 3 with the fitting protrusions 25 inserted into the receiving portions 51 to be in close proximity to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11. This reduces the height of the long side sidewall portions 3 in the folded position from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11 (the inner bottom surface of the container 1), thereby reducing the height of the container 1 in the folded position. As a result, space efficiency can be improved during transportation and storage of the container 1 in the folded position. Furthermore, for example, it is possible to prevent damage to the fitting protrusions 25 due to interference between the long side wall portions 3 in the folded position and the fitting protrusions 25. Furthermore, by providing a receiving portion 51 on the long side side wall portion 3, it is possible to avoid a situation where the configuration relating to the engagement between the engagement protrusion 25 and the engagement portion 37 (for example, the shapes of the bottom wall component 2 and the short side side wall portion 4) becomes complicated in order to avoid interference between the long side side wall portion 3 in the folded position and the engagement protrusion 25.

[0043] The height of the container 1 in the folded state is the combined height of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 and the upper frame 5, but because the upper frame 5, together with the bottom wall constituent portion 2, is configured to surround the entire outer periphery of the long side wall portions 3 and the short side wall portions 4 when the container 1 is in the folded state, the height of the upper frame 5 is set according to the height of the long side wall portions 3 and the short side wall portions 4, which are folded above the bottom wall portion 11 and stacked on top of each other, from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11 (the inner bottom surface of the container 1). Therefore, lowering the height of the long side side wall portions 3 and the short side side wall portions 4 in the folded state from the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11 leads to lowering the height of the container 1 in the folded state.

[0044] Furthermore, the pair of long side side wall portions 3 are composed of a one-side long side wall portion 3a on one side and a second-side long side wall portion 3b on the other side, and the first connecting position of the one-side long side wall portion 3a, where it is rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion 2 (the position of the lower wall mounting shaft portion 34 of the one-side long side wall portion 3a, which is connected to the long side bottom wall shaft portion 22 of the one-side long side base portion 12), is located lower than the second connecting position of the other-side first side wall portion, where it is rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion (the position of the lower wall mounting shaft portion 34 of the other-side long side wall portion 3b, which is connected to the long side bottom wall shaft portion 22 of the other-side long side base portion 13), and is configured so that the one-side long side wall portion 3a and the other-side long side wall portion 3b partially overlap vertically when the container 1 is in the folded state. Therefore, in the container 1, which has a height in the assembled state and which tends to be relatively high even in the folded state because the pair of long side walls 3 overlap each other vertically, the height of the container 1 in the folded state can be reduced as much as possible by avoiding interference between the fitting protrusions 25 and the long side side walls 3 as described above. Note that the height of the lower wall mounting shaft 34 (first connecting position) of one long side wall 3a is different from the height of the lower wall mounting shaft 34 (second connecting position) of the other long side wall 3b. Therefore, compared to when the heights of the first connecting position and the second connecting position are the same, interference between the pair of long side walls 3 when the assembled container 1 is folded can be reduced while the height of the pair of overlapping long side walls 3 in the folded state of the container 1 can be made relatively low.

[0045] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the container 1 can be folded into a first folded state in which one long side wall 3a is on the bottom and the other long side wall 3b is on the top, and a second folded state in which the other long side wall 3b is on the bottom and one long side wall 3a is on the top, and in both the first folded state and the second folded state, the lower long side wall 3 of the pair of long side wall portions 3 is configured to be close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11 (the inner bottom surface of the container 1). Therefore, when folding the assembled container 1, either of the pair of long side wall portions 3 may be on the bottom, improving workability.

[0046] In addition, a receiving portion 51 is provided on each of the one long side wall portion 3a and the other long side wall portion 3b, and the fitting protrusion 25 is configured to be inserted into the receiving portion 51 of the lower long side wall portion 3 whether the container 1 is in the first folded state or the second folded state. Therefore, the fitting protrusion 25 can be positioned not only in a range below the one long side wall portion 3a when the container 1 is in the first folded state, but also in a range below the other long side wall portion 3b when the container 1 is in the second folded state. This allows the fitting protrusion 25 to be suitably positioned, and the fitting protrusion 25 can be fitted into the fitting portion 37 of the short side wall portion 4 stably when the container 1 is assembled.

[0047] Furthermore, a plurality of fitting protrusions 25 are provided corresponding to one short side wall portion 4, and are configured so that the plurality of fitting protrusions 25 are inserted into the receiving portions 51 of the lower long side wall portion 3 in each of the first and second folded states of the container 1. This makes it possible to stabilize the fitting state between the fitting portions 37 and the fitting protrusions 25. Furthermore, even if a plurality of fitting protrusions 25 are provided, interference between the long side wall portion 3 in the folded position and the fitting protrusions 25 is avoided, and the effect of suppressing the height of the container 1 in the folded state is reliably achieved.

[0048] Furthermore, the long-side side wall 3 has, as receiving portions 51, a first receiving portion 51a provided at the upper end of the lower wall 6 of the long-side side wall 3 in the upright position, and opening upward, to the side, and toward the inside of the container 1, and a second receiving portion 51b provided at a position lower than the upper end of the lower wall 6 of the long-side side wall 3 in the upright position, and opening to the side and toward the inside of the container 1. Therefore, it is possible to reliably realize a configuration in which the fitting protrusion 25 can be positioned relatively freely, and the fitting protrusion 25 is inserted into the receiving portion 51 to bring the long-side side wall 3 including the receiving portion 51 close to the upper surface of the bottom wall 11. In other words, by folding the long side side wall portion 3, even if the most protruding position of the long side side wall portion 3 toward the bottom wall portion 11 (the side of the one side long side base portion 12 and the other side long side base portion 13 that is not connected to the long side side side wall portion 3) from the connecting position (the position of the lower wall mounting shaft portion 34 connected to the long side bottom wall shaft portion 22) where the long side side wall portion 3 is rotatably connected to the bottom wall component 2 is vertically opposite to the midpoint of the width of the engaging protrusion 25 in the short width direction of the container 1, the engaging protrusion 25 can be received by the first receiving portion 51a (the engaging protrusion 25 is inserted into the first receiving portion 51a so that part of the engaging protrusion 25 is located outside the first receiving portion 51a), and the long side side wall portion 3 can be positioned close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11. Furthermore, even if the lower wall portion 6 and the upper wall portion 7 of the pair of long-side side walls 3 have a common shape, at least one of the first receiving portion 51a and the second receiving portion 51b can function as the respective receiving portion 51. Therefore, it is possible to improve productivity, manufacturing workability, etc.

[0049] Additionally, the long-side sidewalls 3 are provided with engaging portions 44 corresponding to the left and right side edges, respectively, and the short-side sidewalls 4 are provided with engaged portions 45 corresponding to the left and right side edges, respectively, that are engaged with the engaging portions 44 when the container 1 is assembled. Each engaged portion 45 is formed in a range that includes, in the vertical direction, the formation range of the engaging portion 44 on one long sidewall 3a and the formation range of the engaging portion 44 on the other long sidewall 3b when the container 1 is assembled. In other words, since the engaged portion 45 corresponds to both the formation range of the engaging portion 44 on one long sidewall 3a and the formation range of the engaging portion 44 on the other long sidewall 3b, the engaging portion 44 and the engaged portion 45 can be reliably engaged with each other even if the pair of short-side sidewalls 4 have the same shape. This contributes to improving productivity and manufacturing operability.

[0050] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and may be implemented as follows: Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

[0051] (a) In the above embodiment, two fitting protrusions 25 are provided corresponding to one short side wall portion 4. However, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, one fitting protrusion 25 may be provided for one short side wall portion 4, or three or more fitting protrusions 25 may be provided for one short side wall portion 4. Furthermore, in the first folded state of the container 1, the fitting protrusion 25 may be inserted into one of the first receiving portion 51a and the second receiving portion 51b of one long side wall portion 3a (the first receiving portion 51a in Figure 13), and in the second folded state of the container 1, the fitting protrusion 25 may be inserted into one of the first receiving portion 51a and the second receiving portion 51b of the other long side wall portion 3b (the second receiving portion 51b in Figure 14). Furthermore, in one of the first and second folded states of the container 1, the multiple fitting protrusions 25 may be configured to be inserted into the receiving portions 51 of the lower long side wall portion 3. In addition, the number of receiving portions 51 provided in each long side side wall portion 3 (lower wall portion 6) is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, one, or three or more.

[0052] In the above embodiment, the upper and lower ends of the pair of long side wall portions 3 are configured to be at different heights when the container 1 is assembled, but they may be configured to be at the same height. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the one long side wall portion 3a and the other long side wall portion 3b are configured to overlap vertically when the container 1 is folded, but they may be configured to not overlap (at the same height). In the above embodiment, the one long side wall portion 3a and the other long side wall portion 3b are configured to be the same, and the pair of short side side wall portions 4 are configured to be the same, but they may be configured to be different (different shapes or different sizes). In the above embodiment, the upper end of one long side wall 3a, whose lower end is located lower than the lower end of the other long side wall 3b, is located lower than the upper end of the other long side wall 3b, but the vertical width of one long side wall 3a may be increased so that the upper end of one long side wall 3a is located higher than the upper end of the other long side wall 3b or at the same height. Also, it is possible to provide an opening and a door for opening and closing the opening in at least one of the long side wall 3 and the short side wall 4. In particular, when a configuration is adopted in which the vertical width of one of the long side wall portions 3a is increased, and an opening and a door body are provided in the one of the long side wall portions 3a, the opening area of ​​the opening can be made as large as possible, and when the one of the long side wall portions 3a is in the folded position (in a configuration in which the engaging protrusion 25 is provided near the center of the container 1 in the short width direction), interference between the one of the long side wall portions 3a and the engaging protrusion 25 can be avoided even without providing a receiving portion 51 in the one of the long side wall portions 3a. For example, by not forming a receiving portion 51, the reduction in strength caused by providing a door body, etc. can be suppressed.

[0053] In addition, in the above embodiment, the fitting protrusion 25 is configured to be inserted into the receiving portion 51 of the lower wall portion 6 of the lower long side side wall portion 3 when the container 1 is in either the first folded state or the second folded state, but may be configured such that the fitting protrusion 25 is inserted into the receiving portion 51 of the lower long side side wall portion 3 when the container 1 is in one of the first folded state and the second folded state, but the fitting protrusion 25 is not inserted into the receiving portion 51 of the lower long side side wall portion 3 when the container 1 is in the other state (however, the lower long side side wall portion 3 abuts or is close to the bottom wall portion 11 regardless of whether the fitting protrusion 25 is inserted into the receiving portion 51). Note that if a long side side wall portion that does not interfere with the fitting protrusion 25 even when the container 1 is in the folded state is provided, the long side side wall portion may not be provided with a receiving portion.

[0054] (b) In the above embodiment, the receiving portion 51 is formed only in the lower wall portion 6. However, in a configuration in which the upper end of the fitting protrusion 25 is spaced relatively far above the inner bottom surface of the container 1, a receiving portion may be formed not only in the lower wall portion 6 but also in the upper wall portion 7, connected to the receiving portion 51 provided in the lower wall portion 6. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the container 1 is in the folded state, the engaging portion 44 of the lower of the pair of long side wall portions 3 is supported by abutting against the short side base portion 14 (short side opposing portion 23), and the inner surface of the lower wall portion 6 is close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11. However, the inner surface of the lower wall portion 6 may also be configured to abut against the upper surface of the bottom wall portion 11. For example, the relief portion 53 may be formed as a hole, and the engaging portion 44 may not abut against the short side base portion 14 (short side opposing portion 23) when the container 1 is in the folded state. Although not specifically mentioned in the above embodiment, when the container 1 is in a folded state, a gap is formed between the lower long side wall portion 3 (the portion defining the receiving portion 51) of the pair of long side side wall portions 3 and the engaging protrusion 25 inserted (received) in the receiving portion 51 of the long side side wall portion 3, which prevents the peripheral portion of the receiving portion 51 of the lower long side side wall portion 3 from coming into contact with the engaging protrusion 25 regardless of how the lower long side side wall portion 3 is displaced relative to the bottom wall component 2, thereby protecting the engaging protrusion 25. Alternatively, the peripheral portion of the receiving portion 51 of the long side side wall portion 3 and the engaging protrusion 25 may be configured to be able to come into contact with each other, thereby restricting relative displacement in the horizontal direction.

[0055] (c) In the above embodiment, the container 1 is made of polypropylene, but it may be made of other resin materials such as polyethylene, PET, polyamide, etc. Furthermore, the container 1 may be provided with one or a pair of lids that are rotatably connected to a predetermined side edge of the upper frame 5, or may be provided with lids that are detachable from the upper frame 5. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1...container, 2...bottom wall component, 3...long side wall portion, 4...short side wall portion, 5...upper frame, 6...lower wall portion, 7...upper wall portion, 11...bottom wall portion, 12...one side long side base portion, 13...other side long side base portion, 25...engaging protrusion, 34...lower wall mounting shaft portion, 37...engaging portion, 44...engaging portion, 45...engaged portion, 51...receiving portion, 51a...first receiving portion, 51b...second receiving portion.

Claims

1. A container comprising a bottom wall component having a generally rectangular shape in a plan view, a pair of first side wall components extending upward from a pair of opposing first sides of the bottom wall component, a pair of second side wall components extending upward from a pair of opposing second sides of the bottom wall component, and a generally rectangular upper frame provided along upper sides of the first side wall components and the second side wall components, the first side wall portion includes a lower wall portion whose lower edge portion is rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion, and an upper wall portion whose upper edge portion is rotatably connected to the upper frame and whose lower edge portion is rotatably connected to the upper edge portion of the lower wall portion, and is configured to be able to change its position between an upright position in which the upper wall portion and the lower wall portion extend in the vertical direction and a folded position in which they are folded inward of the container, The second side wall portion has an upper edge portion rotatably connected to the upper frame and is configured to be able to change its position between an upright position extending in a vertical direction and a folded position extending in a substantially horizontal direction toward an inner periphery of the upper frame, the container is configured to be changeable between an assembled state in which all of the first side wall portions and the second side wall portions are in the upright position and a folded state in which all of the first side wall portions and the second side wall portions are in the folded position, the bottom wall forming portion includes a bottom wall portion whose upper surface forms the inner bottom surface of the container, and a fitting protrusion disposed a predetermined distance above the upper surface of the bottom wall portion, the second side wall portion includes a fitting portion that is fitted with the fitting protrusion when the second side wall portion is in the upright position, A container characterized in that at least one of the pair of first side wall portions has a receiving portion into which the engaging protrusion is inserted when the container is in the folded position, allowing the one first side wall portion to abut or come close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion.

2. The pair of first side wall portions are configured by a first side wall portion on one side and a second side first side wall portion on the other side, a first connecting position of the one-side first side wall portion, which is rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion, is located lower than a second connecting position of the other-side first side wall portion, which is rotatably connected to the bottom wall constituent portion; 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the first side wall portion on one side and the first side wall portion on the other side are configured to overlap each other in the folded state.

3. The folding state can be a first folding state in which the one-side first side wall portion is on the bottom side and the other-side first side wall portion is on the top side, and a second folding state in which the other-side first side wall portion is on the bottom side and the one-side first side wall portion is on the top side, In at least one of the first folded state and the second folded state, the fitting protrusion is inserted into the receiving portion, 3. The container according to claim 2, wherein in both the first folded state and the second folded state, the lower first side wall portion of the one-side first side wall portion and the other-side first side wall portion is configured to abut or be close to the upper surface of the bottom wall portion.

4. The receiving portion is provided on each of the one-side first side wall portion and the other-side first side wall portion, 4. The container according to claim 3, wherein the engaging protrusion is configured to be inserted into the receiving portion of the first side wall portion, which is the lower side, in both the first folded state and the second folded state.

5. a plurality of the fitting protrusions are provided corresponding to one of the second side wall portions, 5. The container according to claim 4, wherein the container is configured such that, in at least one of the first folded state and the second folded state, the plurality of engaging protrusions are inserted into the receiving portion of the first side wall portion, which is the lower side.

6. A container as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the first side wall portion has, as the receiving portion, a first receiving portion provided at the upper end of the lower wall portion of the first side wall portion in the upright position, and opening upward and toward the inner side of the container, and a second receiving portion provided at a position lower than the upper end of the lower wall portion of the first side wall portion in the upright position, and opening toward the inner side of the container.

7. the first side wall portion includes engagement portions corresponding to the left and right side edges, the second side wall portion includes an engaged portion provided corresponding to each of the left and right side edges and engaged with the engaging portion in the assembled state; The container described in claim 2, characterized in that, when in the assembled state, each of the engaged portions is formed in a range in the vertical direction that includes the formation range of the engaging portion of the first side wall portion on one side and the formation range of the engaging portion of the first side wall portion on the other side.

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