Folding container

Abstract

The second base section, which has a high protrusion, provides a foldable container that is less prone to tilting. [Solution] The folding container 1 comprises a bottom plate 2 and a pair of first side plates 3 and a pair of second side plates 4 rotatably attached to the edges of the bottom plate 2, and can be selectively configured in a folded state and an assembled state. The first base portion 22 protrudes upward from the end of the bottom plate 2 along the edge extending in the first direction 11. The second base portion 24 protrudes upward from the end of the bottom plate 2 along the edge extending in the second direction 12, with a protrusion height greater than that of the first base portion 22. The bottom plate 2 has an inclined portion 5 at the end of the first base portion 22 in the first direction 11, where its upper surface 50 slopes upward from the upper surface of the intermediate portion 220 of the first base portion 22 adjacent to the end toward the end, and is continuous with the second base portion 24. The inclined section 5 has an outer wall 51, an upper wall 52, and an inner wall 53 that form a U-shape and open downwards in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a folding container.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is known a folding container including a bottom wall portion having a substantially rectangular plate shape, a base portion protruding upward along each side portion of the bottom wall portion, and a side wall portion rotatably connected between a standing position erected above each base portion and a lying position folded above the bottom wall portion (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In this folding container, the base portion includes a long-side base portion provided along each long side portion of the bottom wall portion and a short-side base portion provided along each short side portion of the bottom wall portion. The side wall portion includes a pair of opposing long-side side wall portions connected to the long-side base portion and a pair of opposing short-side side wall portions connected to the short-side base portion. The long-side base portion is configured to have a longer protruding length from the bottom wall portion than the short-side base portion, and is configured to be foldable such that the long-side side wall portion overlaps the folded short-side side wall portion in a folded state where the short-side side wall portion overlaps above the bottom wall portion.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the folding container as described above, the long-side base portion and the short-side base portion are connected at the connection portion such that the longitudinal direction of the long-side base portion and the longitudinal direction of the short-side base portion are perpendicular to each other. Therefore, there is a problem that when an outward force is applied to the long-side side wall portion and the long-side base portion, the long-side base portion is likely to be deformed so as to incline outward.

[0006] This invention was made in view of the above-mentioned conventional problems, and aims to provide a folding container in which the second base portion, which has a high protruding height, is less likely to tilt. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, one embodiment of the folding container according to the present invention comprises a rectangular bottom plate, a pair of first side plates rotatably attached to a pair of opposing sides of the bottom plate extending in a first direction, and a pair of second side plates rotatably attached to another pair of opposing sides of the bottom plate extending in a second direction. The folding container can be selectively configured into a folded state in which the pair of first side plates are laid down on the bottom plate and the pair of second side plates are laid down on top of that, and an assembled state in which the pair of second side plates and the pair of first side plates are raised, forming a rectangular side wall in plan view. The bottom plate comprises a first base portion and a second base portion. The first base portion protrudes upward from the bottom plate by a first projection height from the ends along the sides of the bottom plate extending in the first direction. The second base portion protrudes upward from the bottom plate at a second projection height greater than the first projection height from the end of the bottom plate along the side extending in the second direction. The adjacent first and second base portions are connected. The bottom plate has an inclined portion at the end of the first base portion in the first direction, the upper surface of which slopes upward from the upper surface of the intermediate portion of the first base portion adjacent to the end toward the end, and which is continuous with the second base portion. The inclined portion has an outer wall, an upper wall, and an inner wall that form a U-shape and open downward in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] In the folding container according to the present invention, the second base portion, which has a high protruding height, is less likely to tilt. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a folding container in its assembled state according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a plan view of the folded container shown above. Figure 2B is a side view of the long side of the folded container shown above. Figure 2C is a side view of the short side of the folded container shown above. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the bottom plate of the folding container shown above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a bottom view of the base plate of the folding container shown above. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a side view of the first side panel of the folding container shown above. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a side view of the second side panel of the folding container shown above. [Figure 7] Figure 7A is a perspective view of the main part of the bottom plate of the folding container shown above. Figure 7B is a plan view of the main part of the bottom plate of the folding container shown above. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the folding container shown above. [Figure 9] Figure 9A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the inclined portion of the folding container shown above, perpendicular to the first direction. Figure 9B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second base portion of the folding container shown above, perpendicular to the second direction. Figure 9C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the first base portion of the folding container shown above, perpendicular to the first direction. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a plan view of the main part of a folding container, which is a specific example of a modified example 1. [Figure 11] Figure 11A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second base portion of the folding container of Specific Example 2 of the Modified Form, in a cross-section perpendicular to the second direction. Figure 11B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second base portion of the folding container of Specific Example 3 of the Modified Form, in a cross-section perpendicular to the second direction. Figure 11C is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the second base portion of the folding container of Specific Example 4 of the Modified Form, in a cross-section perpendicular to the second direction. [Figure 12]Figure 12A is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the foldable container of Specific Example 5 of the Modified Example, in a section perpendicular to the first direction of the inclined portion. Figure 12B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the foldable container of Specific Example 6 of the Modified Example, in a section perpendicular to the first direction of the inclined portion. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The present invention relates to a folding container, and more particularly to a folding container comprising a bottom plate, a second side plate, and a first side plate, which can be selectively configured to be in the assembled state shown in Figure 1 and the folded state shown in Figures 2A to 2C. Hereinafter, a folding container according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on Figures 1 to 9C.

[0011] (1) Overall configuration of the folding container As shown in Figures 1 to 2C, the folding container 1 according to this embodiment comprises a bottom plate 2, a pair of second side plates 4, and a pair of first side plates 3. For convenience, the directions are defined as shown in Figure 1. That is, with the center of the folding container 1 as the reference point, the bottom plate 2 is considered downward and the opposite side is considered upward. The opposing directions of the pair of first side plates 3 are designated as the first direction 11, and the opposing directions of the pair of second side plates 4 are designated as the second direction 12. In this embodiment, the direction along the long side of the bottom plate 2 is the first direction 11, and the direction along the short side of the bottom plate 2 is the second direction 12.

[0012] (2) Bottom plate As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the base plate 2 is rectangular in plan view (particularly rectangular). The base plate 2 comprises a bottom portion 21, a first base portion 22, and a second base portion 24. The bottom portion 21 is rectangular in plan view (particularly rectangular). On the lower surface of the bottom portion 21, ribs forming a grid pattern in plan view (bottom view) are formed facing downwards.

[0013] The first base portion 22 protrudes upward from the bottom plate 2 by a first protruding height from the end along the side extending in the first direction 11 of the bottom plate 2. The first base portion 22 is integrally formed with the bottom portion 21. The first base portion 22 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the second direction 12. As shown in FIG. 9C, the first base portion 22 (particularly, the intermediate portion 220 described later) has an outer wall 221, an upper wall 222, and an inner wall 223 that form a U-shaped opening downward in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction 11.

[0014] In addition, in the present embodiment, in the intermediate portion 220, a stepped upper portion 225 is formed inside the upper wall 222. The stepped upper portion 225 protrudes upward from the upper surface 224 of the basic portion of the upper wall 222. An intermediate rib 2 is protruding outside the stepped upper portion 225.

[0015] A first connecting portion 23 to which the first side plate 3 is connected is formed on the first base portion 22 (particularly, the intermediate portion 220 described later). In the present embodiment, the first connecting portion 23 is composed of a plurality of first female hinge portions 231.

[0016] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 7A, the second base portion 24 protrudes upward from the bottom plate 2 by a second protruding height that is higher than the first protruding height from the end along the side extending in the second direction 12 of the bottom plate 2. The second base portion 24 is integrally formed with the bottom portion 21. The second base portion 24 has a rectangular shape when viewed in the first direction 11. The end portion in the extending direction (longitudinal direction) of the second base portion 24 is bent at a right angle from the intermediate portion along the short side of the bottom portion 21 and extends in the first direction 11, and is continuous with the first base portion 22 (particularly, the inclined portion 5 described later). That is, the adjacent first base portion 22 and second base portion 24 are connected.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 9B, the second base portion 24 has an outer wall 241, an upper wall 242, and an inner wall 243 that form a U-shaped opening downward in a cross section perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. A second connecting portion 25 to which the second side plate 4 is connected is formed on the second base portion 24. In the present embodiment, the second connecting portion 25 is composed of a plurality of second female hinge portions 251.

[0018] (3) First side plate As shown in Figures 5 and 1, the first side plate 3 is rotatably attached to a pair of opposing sides (long sides in this embodiment) of the bottom plate 2 that extend in the first direction 11. The first side plate 3 is rectangular in shape when viewed in the second direction 12.

[0019] The first side plate 3 is provided with a connecting portion 31 that connects to the bottom plate 2. The connecting portion 31 is provided at the lower end of the first side plate 3. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 31 is composed of a plurality of first male hinge portions 311. The connecting portion 31 is composed of a base portion that protrudes downward from the lower end surface of the first side plate 3 and shaft portions that protrude from the base portion in a first direction 11. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3, the first connecting portion 23 formed on the first base portion 22 of the bottom plate 2 has a receiving portion into which the shaft portion is inserted. The receiving portion is formed to be longer than the shaft portion in the vertical direction. The shaft portion is inserted into the receiving portion with a mechanism to prevent it from coming out and is configured to be movable up and down within the receiving portion. That is, the first side plate 3 is rotatably attached to the bottom plate 2 by a bearing structure composed of the shaft portion of the connecting portion 31 and the receiving portion of the first connecting portion 23.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, a locking member 32 is provided on the first side plate 3. The locking member 32 is positioned at the upper ends of both ends of the first side plate 3 in the first direction 11. A rectangular recess 33, which is long horizontally and recessed inward, is formed at the upper ends of both ends of the first side plate 3 in the first direction 11. The locking member 32 is a rectangular shape that is long horizontally, with its length in the first direction 11 being slightly shorter than the length of the recess 33 in the first direction 11, and its vertical length being about half the vertical length of the recess 33. The locking member 32 is housed within the recess 33 and does not move in the first direction 11 or the second direction 12, but is movable in the vertical direction. A locking projection (not shown) that protrudes horizontally is formed at each of the horizontal ends of the locking member 32. The locking projections penetrate the weir-shaped portion surrounding the recess 33 of the first side plate 3 and protrude to the left and right of the weir-shaped portion, thereby preventing the locking member 32 from coming out of the recess 33. The portion of the weir-shaped portion that penetrates the locking projections is an elongated hole that is long in the vertical direction, allowing the locking projections (locking member 32) to move in the vertical direction.

[0021] The locking member 32 is subjected to an upward force by an elastic part 321, such as a leaf spring formed on a part of the locking member 32, and is located at the upper end of the recess 33 when no external force is applied. When a downward external force is applied to the locking member 32, the locking member 32 moves toward the lower end of the recess 33.

[0022] (4) Second side panel As shown in Figures 6 and 1, the second side plate 4 is rotatably attached to a pair of opposing sides (short sides in this embodiment) of the bottom plate 2 that extend in the second direction 12. The second side plate 4 is rectangular (particularly square) when viewed in the first direction 11.

[0023] The second side plate 4 is provided with a connecting portion 41 that connects to the bottom plate 2. The connecting portion 41 protrudes downward from the lower end surface of the second side plate 4. In this embodiment, the connecting portion 41 is composed of a plurality of second male hinge portions 411. The connecting portion 41 is composed of a base portion that protrudes downward from the lower end surface of the second side plate 4 and shaft portions that protrude from the base portion in the second direction 12. On the other hand, as shown in Figure 3B, the second connecting portion 25 formed on the second base portion 24 has a receiving portion into which the shaft portion is inserted. The shaft portion is inserted into the receiving portion in a manner that prevents it from coming out of the receiving portion. That is, the second side plate 4 is rotatably attached to the bottom plate 2 by a bearing structure composed of the shaft portion of the connecting portion 41 and the receiving portion of the second connecting portion 25.

[0024] (5) Folded state, assembled state As shown in Figures 2A to 2C, the folding container 1 can be folded by folding down a pair of first side plates 3 onto the bottom plate 2 and then folding down a pair of second side plates 4 on top of that. This folding state is possible because the protruding height of the first base portion 22 to which the first side plates 3 are connected is higher than the protruding height of the second base portion 24 to which the second side plates 4 are connected.

[0025] Furthermore, the pair of first side panels 3 that are laid down on the base plate 2 do not come into contact with each other. In contrast, the pair of second side panels 4 that are laid down on the pair of first side panels 3 laid down on the base plate 2 overlap vertically, but either of the first side panels 3 may be positioned on top.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2B, in the folded state, the second side plate 4, located above the upper surface 50 of the inclined portion 5, is supported by the upper surface 50 by being close to or in contact with it.

[0027] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, the folding container 1 can be assembled by first raising the pair of second side panels 4 and then raising the pair of first side panels 3, so that the pair of second side panels 4 and the pair of first side panels 3 form a rectangular side wall in plan view. The folding container 1 can be selectively configured between the assembled state and the folded state.

[0028] Furthermore, multiple assembled folding containers 1 can be stacked. That is, the bottom plate 2 of an upper assembled folding container 1 can be placed on the side wall of a lower assembled folding container 1. It is also possible to stack three or more assembled folding containers 1 in the same manner.

[0029] (6) Inclined section As shown in Figures 2B and 3, the base plate 2 has an inclined portion 5 at the end of the first base portion 22 in the first direction 11. The upper surface 50 of the inclined portion 5 slopes upward from the upper surface 224 of the intermediate portion 220 of the first base portion 220 adjacent to the end (the second base portion 24), and is continuous with the second base portion 24. The first base portion 22 has an intermediate portion 220 and an inclined portion 5.

[0030] As shown in Figure 8, the inclination angle θ of the upper surface 50 with respect to the horizontal plane (i.e., the inclination angle θ of the middle portion 220 of the bottom plate 2 (folding container 1) placed on a horizontal surface with respect to the upper surface 224) is preferably 30 degrees or more and 60 degrees or less, and more preferably 40 degrees or more and 50 degrees or less.

[0031] Furthermore, the height of the inclined portion 5 (i.e., the vertical length from the upper surface 224 of the intermediate portion 220 to the upper end of the inclined portion 5) is defined as H2. In addition, the height of the second base portion 24 (i.e., the vertical length from the upper surface 224 of the intermediate portion 220 to the upper end of the second base portion 24) is defined as H1. In this case, the ratio of the height H2 of the inclined portion 5 to the height H1 of the second base portion 24 (H2 / H1) is preferably 20% or more and 60% or less, and more preferably 30% or more and 50% or less.

[0032] As shown in Figures 5 and 8, the first side plate 3 has an inclined surface 34 that faces and contacts the inclined portion 5 in the assembled state.

[0033] As shown in Figure 9A, the inclined portion 5 has an outer wall 51, an upper wall 52, and an inner wall 53 that form a U-shape opening downwards in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction 11. As shown in Figure 7B, the aforementioned outer wall 221, upper wall 222, and inner wall 223 belong to the intermediate portion 220 of the first base portion 22, with the outer wall 51 being continuous with the outer wall 221, the upper wall 52 being continuous with the upper wall 222, and the inner wall 53 being continuous with the inner wall 223. In other words, the first base portion 22 has continuous outer walls 221 and outer wall 51, continuous upper walls 222 and upper wall 52, and continuous inner walls 223 and inner wall 53, forming a U-shape that opens downwards.

[0034] Furthermore, the end of the outer wall 51 opposite to the outer wall 221 is continuous with the outer wall 241 of the second base portion 24, the end of the upper wall 52 opposite to the upper wall 222 is continuous with the upper wall 242 of the second base portion 24, and the end of the inner wall 53 opposite to the inner wall 223 is continuous with the inner wall 243 of the second base portion 24.

[0035] As a result, the outer surfaces of the outer walls (241, 51, and 221) and the inner surfaces of the inner walls (243, 53, and 223) can be formed on the same plane along the long sides of the base plate 2 in the first direction 11. Due to the draft angle of the mold used to form the base plate 2, the outer walls (241, 51, and 221) and the inner walls (243, 53, and 223) are inclined to spread out from each other as they go downwards.

[0036] As shown in Figures 7A and 8, the portion of the upper wall 52 of the inclined section 5 that is continuous with the upper wall 242 of the second base section 24, that is, the connection portion 501 on the upper wall 242 side in the first direction 11 of the upper wall 52, has an R-shape, which is an arc shape in a cross section perpendicular to the second direction 12.

[0037] In this embodiment, the bottom plate 2 can be integrally molded using a mold consisting of an upper mold and a lower mold, with the first female hinge portion 231 and the inclined portion 5 being molded together. To further explain, as shown in Figure 8, the lower surface of the first base portion 22 has a transverse rib 232 that constitutes the bottom of the first female hinge portion 231, and a vertical rib 233 that protrudes downward from the central part of the transverse rib 232 in the first direction 11.

[0038] In the mold used to form the base plate 2, the lower surface of the upper mold has a molding surface on the upper surface 50 of the upper wall 52 of the inclined portion 5 and the upper surface of the transverse rib 232 of the first female hinge portion 231, while the upper surface of the lower mold has a molding surface on the lower surface of the upper wall 52 and the lower surface of the transverse rib 232. In the upper mold, the portion that constitutes the molding surface of the upper surface of the transverse rib 232 protrudes downward from its surrounding portion, but this portion exits upward from the first female hinge portion 231 of the base plate 2 after it has solidified. Therefore, the base plate 2 can be molded integrally using a mold consisting only of the upper mold and the lower mold.

[0039] Furthermore, no ribs protruding downwards are formed on the lower surface of the bottom plate 2 between the bottom rib 245 and the longitudinal rib 233.

[0040] If an inclined portion 5 is not formed at the connection between the first base portion 22 and the second base portion 24, the vertical wall 244 that constitutes the side surface of the second base portion 24 adjacent to the first base portion 22 will stand upright at a right angle or close to a right angle with the upper surface 224 of the first base portion 22. In this case, if an outward force (away from the center of the folding container 1) is applied to the second base portion 24, a large stress concentration occurs at the inner corner where the side surface of the vertical wall 244 of the second base portion 24 and the upper surface 224 of the first base portion 22 come into contact, making the bottom plate 2 prone to deformation.

[0041] In this embodiment, since an inclined portion 5 is formed at the connection point between the first base portion 22 and the second base portion 24, it suppresses the occurrence of large stress concentrations at the inner corner between the side surface of the vertical wall 244 of the second base portion 24 and the upper surface 224 of the first base portion 22, making the bottom plate 2 less prone to deformation.

[0042] Furthermore, since the inclined section 5 is formed in a U-shape that opens downwards due to the outer wall 51, the upper wall 52, and the inner wall 53, it is possible to ensure higher rigidity and strength compared to simply forming a single rib on the lower surface. In addition, because the connecting portion 501 of the upper wall 52 of the inclined section 5 that is continuous with the upper wall 242 of the second base section 24 has an R shape, when an outward force is applied to the second base section 24, it is less likely that a large stress concentration will occur at the inner corner where the side surface of the vertical wall 244 of the second base section 24 and the upper surface 224 of the first base section 22 come into contact.

[0043] Furthermore, because the first side plate 3 has an inclined surface 34, the load received by the first male hinge portion 311 and the first female hinge portion 231 can be received and distributed by the inclined surface 34 and the inclined portion 5, making the first male hinge portion 311 and the first female hinge portion 231 less prone to deformation.

[0044] Furthermore, a bottom rib 245 is formed on the lower surface side of the portion of the bottom plate 2 where the second base portion 24 and the inclined portion 5 are formed. The bottom rib 245 protrudes downward from the lower end of the vertical wall 244 and the connecting portion 501. That is, the bottom rib 245 is formed across the lower end of the vertical wall 244 and the connecting portion 501. The thickness of the upper end of the bottom rib 245 (the base portion protruding from the lower end of the vertical wall 244 and the connecting portion 501) in the first direction 11 is greater than the thickness of the lower end (tip portion) of the bottom rib 245 in the first direction 11. This reinforces the vertical wall 244 and the connecting portion 501 (i.e., the connection portion between the second base portion 24 and the inclined portion 5).

[0045] (7) Relationship between the inclined section and the connecting section (hinge section) As shown in Figures 7A to 8, at least one first female hinge portion 231 is located at the end adjacent to the inclined portion 5 of the intermediate portion 220. This ensures that when the first male hinge portion 311 of the first side plate 3 is fitted into the first female hinge portion 231 of the bottom plate 2, even if the first male hinge portion 311 is displaced in the first direction 11 from the first female hinge portion 231, the first male hinge portion 311 will contact one of the inclined portions 5 on either side in the first direction 11, be guided to the inclined portion 5, and be inserted into the first female hinge portion 231 that is close to the lower end of the inclined portion 5.

[0046] Furthermore, the length L1 of the inclined portion 5 in the second direction 12 is greater than or equal to the length L2 of the first female hinge portion 231 in the second direction 12. This ensures the rigidity and strength of the inclined portion 5, making it less susceptible to deformation.

[0047] (modified version) Next, a modified example of the above-described embodiment will be explained.

[0048] The base plate 2 (bottom 21) may be square in shape when viewed from above. Also, the base plate 2 (bottom 21) does not necessarily have to be rectangular in shape when viewed from above.

[0049] In the embodiment described above, the first side plate 3 was aligned with the long side of the bottom plate 2 and the second side plate 4 was aligned with the short side of the bottom plate 2. However, the first side plate 3 may be aligned with the short side of the bottom plate 2 and the second side plate 4 may be aligned with the long side of the bottom plate 2.

[0050] In the embodiment described above, the first base portion 22 extends in the first direction 11 along its entire length, and the second base portion 24 has its middle portion extending in the second direction 12, with both ends bent relative to the middle portion and extending in the first direction 11. In contrast, the second base portion 24 may extend in the second direction 12 along its entire length, and the first base portion 220 may have its middle portion 220 extending in the first direction 11, with both ends bent relative to the middle portion 220 and extending in the second direction 12. Alternatively, the first base portion 22 may extend in the first direction 11 along its entire length, and the second base portion 24 may extend in the second direction 12 along its entire length.

[0051] In the embodiment described above, the inclined portion 5 did not belong to the second base portion 24 but belonged to the first base portion 22. In contrast, the inclined portion 5 may belong to the second base portion 24 but not to the first base portion 22, or it may belong to both the first base portion 22 and the second base portion 24, or it may not belong to both the first base portion 22 and the second base portion 24.

[0052] The first connecting portion 23 does not necessarily have to be composed of a female hinge portion. Similarly, the second connecting portion 25 does not necessarily have to be composed of a female hinge portion.

[0053] The connecting portion 31 does not necessarily have to be composed of a male hinge portion. Similarly, the connecting portion 41 does not necessarily have to be composed of a male hinge portion.

[0054] The base plate 2 may be configured to be moldable using a mold consisting only of an upper mold and a lower mold.

[0055] None of the first female hinge portions 231 have to be located at the end adjacent to the inclined portion 5 of the intermediate portion 220.

[0056] The length L1 of the inclined portion 5 in the second direction 12 does not have to be greater than or equal to the length L2 of the first female hinge portion 231 in the second direction 12.

[0057] In the intermediate section 220, the stepped upper section 225 and the intermediate rib 226 do not necessarily have to be formed on the inside of the upper wall 222. Specific examples of modified forms will be described below.

[0058] (Specific example 1) As shown in Figure 10, a groove 227 may be formed on the outside of the portion of the first base portion 22 having the outer wall 221, upper wall 222, and inner wall 223. An outer wall 228 is formed on the outside of the groove 227. When the folding container 1 is folded, the edge of the first side plate 3 is accommodated in the groove 227.

[0059] (Specific example 2) As shown in Figure 11A, the lower end of the upper surface 50 of the inclined portion 5 is located above the upper end of the edge of the first female hinge portion 231 on the inclined portion 5 side. The height H3 (depth) of the first female hinge portion 231 is lower than the height H4 from the bottom surface of the first female hinge portion 231 at the lower end of the upper surface 50 of the inclined portion 5.

[0060] (Specific example 3) As shown in Figure 11B, the lower end of the upper surface 50 of the inclined portion 5 is located on the upper surface 224 of the first base portion 22. However, in the first direction 11, the lower end of the upper surface 50 of the inclined portion 5 is located on the second base portion 24 side of the edge of the first female hinge portion 231 on the inclined portion 5 side. That is, the lower end of the upper surface 50 of the inclined portion 5 and the edge of the first female hinge portion 231 on the inclined portion 5 side are spaced apart in the first direction 11, and a horizontal portion 229 is formed between them.

[0061] (Specific example 4) As shown in Figure 11C, the upper wall 52 (upper surface 50) of the inclined section 5 is formed in a curved shape that is concave downwards. This further reduces stress concentration that occurs near the inclined section 5.

[0062] (Specific examples 5 and 6) As shown in Figures 12A and 12B, the upper wall 52 (upper surface 50) of the inclined section 5 has an upper section 521 and a lower section 522 formed on both halves in the second direction 12. In specific example 5 shown in Figure 12A, the upper section 521 is formed on the inside (towards the center of the folding container 1 in a plan view) of the upper wall 52 (upper surface 50) in the second direction 12, and the lower section 522 is formed on the outside. In specific example 6 shown in Figure 12B, the upper section 521 is formed on the outside of the upper wall 52 (upper surface 50) in the second direction 12, and the lower section 522 is formed on the inside.

[0063] (summary) As is clear from the embodiments and their variations described above, the folding container 1 of the first embodiment comprises a rectangular base plate 2, a pair of first side plates 3 rotatably attached to a pair of opposing sides of the base plate 2 extending in a first direction 11, and a pair of second side plates 4 rotatably attached to another pair of opposing sides of the base plate 2 extending in a second direction 12. The folding container 1 can be selectively configured into a folded state in which the pair of first side plates 3 are laid down on the base plate 2 and the pair of second side plates 4 are laid down on top of them, and an assembled state in which the pair of second side plates 4 and the pair of first side plates 3 are raised, forming a rectangular side wall in plan view. The base plate 2 comprises a first base portion 22 and a second base portion 24. The first base portion 22 protrudes upward from the base plate 2 at a first projection height from the end along the edge of the base plate 2 extending in the first direction 11. The second base portion 24 protrudes upward from the base plate 2 at a second projection height, which is higher than the first projection height, from the end along the edge of the base plate 2 extending in the second direction 12. Adjacent first base portions 22 and second base portions 24 are connected. The base plate 2 has an inclined portion 5 at the end of the first base portion 22 in the first direction 11, where its upper surface 50 slopes upward from the upper surface 224 of the intermediate portion 220 of the first base portion 220 adjacent to the end, and is continuous with the second base portion 24. The inclined portion 5 has an outer wall 51, an upper wall 52, and an inner wall 53 that form a U-shape and open downward in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction 11.

[0064] In the first embodiment, the occurrence of large stress concentrations at the inner corner between the side surface of the vertical wall 244 of the second base portion 24 and the upper surface 224 of the first base portion 22 is suppressed, making the bottom plate 2 less prone to deformation.

[0065] A second embodiment can be realized by combining it with the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the first side plate 3 has a plurality of first male hinge portions 311 at its lower end. The first base portion 22 has a plurality of first female hinge portions 231 connected to the plurality of first male hinge portions 311 at an intermediate portion 220 located between the inclined portions 5 on both sides. At least one first female hinge portion 231 is located at the end of the intermediate portion 220 adjacent to the inclined portion 5.

[0066] In the second embodiment, when fitting the first male hinge portion 311 of the first side plate 3 into the first female hinge portion 231 of the bottom plate 2, even if the first male hinge portion 311 is displaced in the first direction 11 from the first female hinge portion 231, the first male hinge portion 311 will come into contact with one of the inclined portions 5 on either side in the first direction 11 and be guided by the inclined portion 5, and will be inserted into the first female hinge portion 231 that is close to the lower end of the inclined portion 5.

[0067] A third embodiment can be realized by combining it with the first or second embodiment. In the third embodiment, the length of the inclined portion 5 in the second direction 12 is greater than or equal to the length of the first female hinge portion 231 in the second direction 12.

[0068] In the third embodiment, the rigidity and strength of the inclined portion 5 can be ensured, and the inclined portion 5 becomes less susceptible to deformation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1. Folding container 11 1st direction 12 Second direction 2 Bottom plate 21 Bottom 22 First base 220 Middle section 221 Exterior Wall 222 Upper wall 223 Interior wall 224 Top 225 Top of step 226 Intermediate rib 227 Groove 228 Exterior Wall 229 Horizontal part 23 First connecting section 231 First female hinge section 24 Second base 241 Exterior Wall 242 Upper wall 243 Interior wall 244 Vertical wall 245 Bottom ribs 25 Second connecting section 251 Second female hinge section 3. First side panel 31 Connecting part 311 First male hinge section 32 Locking member 321 Elastic part 33 recessed area 34 Slope 4. Second side panel 41 Connecting part 411 Second male hinge section 5 Slope 50 Top 501 Connection part 51 Exterior Wall 52 Upper wall 521 Upper section 522 Lower section 53 Inner wall L1 Length L2 Length H1 Height H2 Height H3 Height H4 Height θ Tilt angle

Claims

1. A folding container comprising a rectangular base plate, a pair of first side plates rotatably attached to a pair of opposing sides of the base plate extending in a first direction, and a pair of second side plates rotatably attached to another pair of opposing sides of the base plate extending in a second direction, wherein the folding container can be selectively configured into a folded state in which the pair of first side plates are laid down on the base plate and the pair of second side plates are laid down on top of that, and an assembled state in which the pair of second side plates and the pair of first side plates are raised, forming a rectangular side wall in plan view, the pair of first side plates and the pair of second side plates, A first base portion that protrudes upward from the base plate at a first projection height from each end along the side of the base plate extending in the first direction, The base plate comprises a second base portion that protrudes upward from the base plate at a second protrusion height greater than the first protrusion height, from the end of the base plate along the side extending in the second direction, The adjacent first base portion and the second base portion are connected, The first base portion has an inclined portion at its end in the first direction, the upper surface of which slopes upward in the direction from the upper surface of the intermediate portion of the first base portion adjacent to the end toward the end, and which is continuous with the second base portion. The inclined portion has an outer wall, an upper wall, and an inner wall that form a U-shape and open downward in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction. Foldable container.

2. The first side plate has a plurality of first male hinge portions at its lower end, The first base portion has a plurality of first female hinge portions connected to a plurality of first male hinge portions in the intermediate portion located between the inclined portions on both sides, At least one of the first female hinge portions is located at the end adjacent to the inclined portion of the intermediate portion, The folding container according to claim 1.

3. The length of the inclined portion in the second direction is greater than or equal to the length of the first female hinge portion in the second direction. The folding container according to claim 2.

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