Foldable container

Abstract

To set a vertical length much longer while preventing a pair of side walls provided on a folding container from being stacked on each other in a folded state and ensuring a locking force with a bottom wall constitution part in an assembled state.SOLUTION: A folding container 1 changeable from an assembled state to a folded state where each second side part 5 is placed on an inner surface of an upper wall part 4B of each first side wall part 4 comprises: first and second lock parts 8 and 9 projected downward from a lower surface 7 of each second side wall part 5 facing a bottom wall constitution part 2 in the assembled state; and a recess provided to the bottom wall constitution part 2 and engageable with the first and second lock parts 8 and 9 in the assembled state. In each second side wall part 5 in the folded state, the first lock part 8 of one second side wall part 5 and the second lock part 9 of the other second side wall part 5 are arranged at different positions in a first direction D1 or a vertical direction D3.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical field]

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

[0002] Various techniques have been proposed for the above-mentioned foldable container. For example, the technique described in the following Patent Document 1 is a foldable transport container, which is made of a synthetic resin container main body having a rectangular bottom, long side panel lower parts formed along the opposing long sides of the rectangular bottom, long side panel upper parts integrally connected to the respective long side panel lower parts, and long upper frame parts integrally connected to the respective long side panel upper parts, and a synthetic resin container short side panel part having a short upper frame part integrally connected to the short side panel parts and the short side panel parts via bendable thin parts, and is characterized in that (1) the rectangular bottom and the long side panel lower parts, the long side panel lower parts and the long side panel upper parts, and the long side panel upper parts and the long upper frame parts are connected via bendable thin parts, and (2) the long upper frame parts of the synthetic resin container main body and the short upper frame parts of the two synthetic resin container short side panel parts are joined to form the rectangular upper frame parts, and the container is assembled.

[0003] According to the description in Patent Document 1 below, due to these characteristics of the foldable transport container, the upper and lower long side panels can be connected so that they can be folded inward, the upper long side panels and short side panels can be rotatably attached to the rectangular upper frame, or the lower long side panel can be rotatably attached to the rectangular bottom, without using metal connecting rods in the hinge sections, making the assembly process simple and the manufacturing costs low. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 10-139038 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Furthermore, the foldable transport container has a protrusion formed at the lower end of the short side plate and a through hole formed in the rectangular bottom into which the protrusion fits when the short side plate is erected to assemble the foldable transport container.

[0006] Therefore, when the foldable container is folded, one short side plate is placed on the other short side plate between the two synthetic resin container short side plates to prevent the protrusion of one short side plate from interfering with the other short side plate or its protrusion. This structure makes the foldable container taller when folded.

[0007] Therefore, the present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned points, and its object is to enable a pair of side wall portions provided on a folding container to be provided with a longer vertical length while not resting on each other in the folded state and while ensuring an engaging force with the bottom wall component in the assembled state. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The invention according to claim 1, which has been made to solve this problem, comprises a bottom wall constituent part having a substantially rectangular plate shape, an upper frame having a square frame shape, a pair of first side wall parts interposed between the bottom wall constituent part and the upper frame and facing each other in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction, and a pair of second side wall parts interposed between the bottom wall constituent part and the upper frame and facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the first direction, one side part of which is rotatably connected to the upper frame, wherein the pair of first side wall parts comprises a lower wall part having one side part and another side part facing the one side part, the one side part being rotatably connected to a side part of the bottom wall constituent part, and an upper wall part having one side part and another side part facing the one side part, the one side part being rotatably connected to the other side part of the lower wall part and the other side part being rotatably connected to the upper frame, and in an assembled state assembled into a box shape, the pair of first side wall parts comprise A foldable container in which a lower wall portion, an upper wall portion, and a pair of second side wall portions extend upward from each of the side edges of a bottom wall component, and in an assembled state, the pair of second side wall portions are pivotally displaced inwardly of a box shape, and then the pair of first side wall portions are folded inside the box shape so that an outer surface of the lower wall portion and an outer surface of the upper wall portion are aligned, thereby resulting in a folded state in which both of the pair of second side wall portions are placed on inner surfaces of the upper wall portions of the pair of first side wall portions above the bottom wall component, the foldable container comprising: a locking portion protruding downward from the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions facing the bottom wall component in the assembled state; and a locked portion that is provided on the bottom wall component and can be locked with the locking portion in the assembled state; and in the pair of second side wall portions in the folded state, the locking portion of one second side wall portion and the locking portion of the other second side wall portion are arranged at different positions in the first direction or the up-down direction. The pair of second side wall portions have the same shape, the locking portion includes a first locking portion and a second locking portion, and on the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions in the assembled state, a distance from a center line passing through a center in the first direction to the first locking portion is different from a distance from the center line to the second locking portion. It is characterized by the above.

[0009] The invention according to claim 2 is as follows: a bottom wall component having a substantially rectangular plate shape; a square-shaped upper frame; a pair of first side wall components interposed between the bottom wall component and the upper frame and facing each other in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; and a pair of second side wall components interposed between the bottom wall component and the upper frame and facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the first direction, the pair of first side wall components having one side connected to the upper frame in a rotatable manner, the pair of first side wall components having one side and another side opposite to the one side, a lower wall component having one side connected to a side edge of the bottom wall component and the one side and the other side opposite to the one side, and an upper wall portion having one side portion rotatably connected to the other side portion of the lower wall portion, and the other side portion rotatably connected to the upper frame. In an assembled state in which the box-shaped structure is assembled, the lower wall portion and the upper wall portion of the pair of first side wall portions and the pair of second side wall portions extend upward from each of the side edges of the bottom wall component. In the assembled state, the pair of second side wall portions are rotatably displaced toward the inside of the box shape, and then the pair of first side wall portions are folded inside the box shape so as to align an outer surface of the lower wall portion with an outer surface of the upper wall portion, thereby forming a box-shaped structure. A foldable container that can be folded in a state in which both of the pair of second side wall portions are placed on the inner surface of the upper wall portion of the pair of first side wall portions above a wall component, and the container includes a locking portion that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the pair of second side wall portions that faces the bottom wall component in the assembled state, and a locked portion that is provided on the bottom wall component and can be locked with the locking portion in the assembled state, and in the pair of second side wall portions in the folded state, the locking portion of one second side wall portion and the locking portion of the other second side wall portion are disposed at different positions in the first direction or the up-down direction, and the locking portion is a first inclined portion that is inclined toward the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions as it moves toward one side in the thickness direction of the pair of second side wall portions and faces an inner side of the folding container in the assembled state; a second inclined portion that is inclined toward the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions as it moves toward the other side in the thickness direction of the pair of second side wall portions and faces an outer side of the folding container in the assembled state; and a pair of third inclined portions that are inclined toward the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions as it moves toward one or the other side in the width direction of the pair of second side wall portions perpendicular to the thickness direction of the pair of second side wall portions. It is characterized by the above.

[0012] Claim 3 The invention according to claim 1 Or claim 2 The folding container described in the above item is characterized in that, in a pair of second side wall portions in a folded state, the locking portion of one second side wall portion and the locking portion of the other second side wall portion are arranged at the same position in the second direction and such that portions of the locking portions overlap when viewed from the first direction. Effect of the Invention

[0013] The foldable container according to the invention of claim 1 can be in a folded state in which both of the pair of second side wall portions are placed on the inner surfaces of the upper wall portions of the pair of first side wall portions above the bottom wall component. This means that the pair of second side wall portions provided on the foldable container do not rest on each other in the folded state. This makes it possible to reduce the height of the foldable container in the folded state.

[0014] The foldable container of the invention according to claim 1 includes a locking portion that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the pair of second side wall portions that face the bottom wall constituent portion in the assembled state, and a locked portion that is provided on the bottom wall constituent portion and can be locked with the locking portion in the assembled state. This ensures that the pair of second side wall portions provided on the foldable container have a locking force with the bottom wall constituent portion in the assembled state.

[0015] Furthermore, in the folding container of the invention according to claim 1, in the pair of second side wall portions in the folded state, the locking portion of one second side wall portion and the locking portion of the other second side wall portion are disposed at different positions in the first direction or the up-down direction. This allows the pair of second side wall portions provided in the folding container to be made even longer in the second direction (i.e., the direction in which the pair of second side wall portions extend in the folded state) perpendicular to the first direction and the up-down direction. By arranging them in this manner, it is possible to increase the height of the folding container 1 in the assembled state.

[0016] Claim 1 In the folding container of the present invention, the locking portion includes a first locking portion and a second locking portion. Furthermore, on the underside of the pair of second side wall portions in the assembled state, the distance from a center line passing through the center in the first direction to the first locking portion is different from the distance from the center line to the second locking portion. Even in such a case, since the pair of second side wall portions have the same shape, two second side wall portions of the same shape can be used as the pair of second side wall portions. Therefore, the folding container is excellent in terms of storage cost and assembly cost. Furthermore, since the pair of second side wall portions can be produced using the same mold, it is possible to reduce the mold production cost.

[0017] Claim 2 In the folding container of the present invention, the locking portion includes a first inclined portion, a second inclined portion, and a pair of third inclined portions. The first inclined portion is inclined toward the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions as it moves toward one side in the thickness direction of the pair of second side wall portions, and faces toward the inside of the folding container in the assembled state. Therefore, even if a load acts from above on the folding container in the assembled state, the first inclined portion deepens the locking of the locking portion and the locked portion, so that the locking is not easily released. The second inclined portion is inclined toward the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions as it moves toward the other side in the thickness direction of the pair of second side wall portions, and faces toward the outside of the folding container in the assembled state. Therefore, the second inclined portion makes it easier to lock the locking portion to the locked portion when the folding container is transferred from the folded state to the assembled state. The pair of third inclined portions are inclined toward the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions as they move toward one or the other of the pair of second side wall portions in the width direction of the pair of second side wall portions perpendicular to the thickness direction of the pair of second side wall portions. Therefore, even if the locking portions of the second side wall portions are placed on the inner surfaces of the upper wall portions of the pair of first side wall portions when the folding container is transferred from the assembled state to the folded state and the locking portions of the second side wall portions are brought into close proximity to each other, when the third inclined portions of each locking portion come into contact with each other, the locking portions of the second side wall portions move smoothly away from each other, so that the pair of second side wall portions are unlikely to get caught. Also, the strength of the locking portions is reinforced by the third inclined portions.

[0019] Claim 3In the folding container of the invention according to the present invention, in a pair of second side wall portions in the folded state, the locking portion of one second side wall portion and the locking portion of the other second side wall portion are arranged at the same position in the second direction and such that the locking portions partially overlap when viewed from the first direction. Therefore, the pair of second side wall portions provided in the folding container can be provided with a length in the second direction (i.e., the direction in which the pair of second side wall portions extend in the folded state) to a limit at which the pair of second side wall portions in the folded state do not butt against each other. By providing them in this way, it is possible to increase the height of the folding container 1 in the assembled state. Also, in the folded state, interference between the locking portion of one second side wall portion and the locking portion of the other second side wall portion facing the locking portion in the second direction can be avoided. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0020] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable container according to an embodiment of the present invention shown in an assembled state. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the foldable container in a folded state. [Diagram 3] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the second side wall portion in an assembled state. [Figure 4] FIG. [Diagram 5] 11 is a perspective view showing a portion of the second side wall portion in an assembled state. FIG. [Figure 6] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the second side wall portion taken along line AA in FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 7] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the foldable container taken along line BB in FIG. 1. [Figure 8] 2 is a cross-sectional view of the foldable container taken along line CC in FIG. 1. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the foldable container in a folded state. [Figure 10] 10 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the foldable container of FIG. 9. FIG. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a modified example of the foldable container, in which a part of the modified example is enlarged in a folded state. [Figure 12] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a modified example of the foldable container taken along a line corresponding to line BB in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 13] 13 is a diagram showing a modified example of the foldable container, in which the dimensions of the recess are expressed in relation to the first locking portion, the second locking portion, or the locking portion. FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a modification of the foldable container, showing a part of a second side wall portion of the modification in an assembled state. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a modified example of the foldable container, in which a part of the modified example is enlarged in a folded state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0021] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A foldable container according to the present invention will now be described based on an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 1, the folding container 1 of this embodiment includes a bottom wall component 2, an upper frame 3, a pair of first side wall portions 4, 4, and a pair of second side wall portions 5, 5, and is assembled into a box shape. This state is called an assembled state. The bottom wall component 2, the upper frame 3, the first side wall portions 4, and the second side wall portions 5 are molded using a resin such as polypropylene. The bottom wall component 2 and the upper frame 3 are substantially rectangular in plan view. However, the bottom wall component 2 is flat. In contrast, the upper frame 3 is square frame-shaped.

[0023] In Fig. 1, the symbol D1 indicates a first direction parallel to each short side of the bottom wall constituent part 2 and the upper frame 3. The symbol D2 indicates a second direction parallel to each long side of the bottom wall constituent part 2 and the upper frame 3. The symbol D3 indicates the up-down direction. The directions indicated by the symbols D1, D2, and D3 are mutually orthogonal. These points are the same in Figs. 2 to 15 described later.

[0024] Of the four side edges of the bottom wall component 2 and the upper frame 3, each first side wall 4 extends from a pair of long sides parallel to the second direction D2. Each first side wall 4 has the same shape and includes a lower wall 4A and an upper wall 4B. In the assembled state, the lower wall 4A and the upper wall 4B are flat plates having a plane perpendicular to the first direction D1, are substantially rectangular with the second direction D2 as the longitudinal direction, and include a lower side and an upper side facing each other in the vertical direction D3. The lower side of the lower wall 4A is rotatably connected to the long side of the bottom wall component 2 by a rotation mechanism K1. The upper side of the upper wall 4B is rotatably connected to the long side of the upper frame 3 by a rotation mechanism K2. Furthermore, the upper side of the lower wall 4A and the lower side of the upper wall 4B are rotatably connected to the rotation mechanism K3. In this way, in the assembled state, each first side wall portion 4 extends upward from each long side portion of the bottom wall constituent portion 2, thereby facing each other in the first direction D1 and being interposed between the bottom wall constituent portion 2 and the upper frame 3.

[0025] Each of the rotation mechanisms K1, K2, and K3 is composed of a rotation shaft and a rotation receiving portion that supports the rotation shaft. This also applies to the rotation mechanism K4, which will be described later.

[0026] Of the four side edges of the bottom wall component 2 and the upper frame 3, the second side walls 5 extend from a pair of short edges parallel to the first direction D1. The second side walls 5 have the same shape. In the assembled state, each second side wall 5 is flat with a plane perpendicular to the second direction D2, has a substantially rectangular shape with the first direction D1 as its longitudinal direction, and has a lower edge and an upper edge that face each other in the vertical direction D3. The upper edge of each second side wall 5 is rotatably connected to the short side of the upper frame 3 by a rotation mechanism K4. In this way, the second side walls 5 in the assembled state extend upward from each short side of the bottom wall component 2, so that they face each other in the second direction D2 and are interposed between the bottom wall component 2 and the upper frame 3.

[0027] The lower wall portion 4A and the upper wall portion 4B of each first side wall portion 4 are provided with protrusions 6 protruding toward each second side wall portion 5 on their short sides on both sides in the second direction D2. As a result, each protrusion 6 prevents each second side wall portion 5 from rotating outwardly from the folding container 1 in the assembled state.

[0028] In the folding container 1, in the upper frame 3, the rotation mechanism K4 for rotating each of the second side walls 5 is located higher than the rotation mechanism K2 for rotating the upper wall portion 4B of each of the first side walls 4.

[0029] As a result, each second side wall portion 5 is pushed inward of the folding container 1 and rotated until it is approximately horizontal, and then the outer surface of the lower wall portion 4A of each first side wall portion 4 is brought into alignment with the outer surface of the upper wall portion 4B of each first side wall portion 4, and the first side wall portions 4 are folded inside the folding container 1, resulting in the folding container 1 being in the folded state shown in Fig. 2. In the folded state, the upper frame 3 is placed on the bottom wall constituent portion 2. Furthermore, within the upper frame 3, above the bottom wall constituent portion 2, each second side wall portion 5 is placed on the inner surface of the upper wall portion 4B of each first side wall portion 4.

[0030] In this way, the foldable container 1 can be changed from the assembled state shown in FIG. 1 to the folded state shown in FIG. 2, and conversely, it is also possible to change from the folded state to the assembled state.

[0031] 3, a first locking portion 8 and a second locking portion 9 are provided on a lower surface 7 of each second side wall portion 5. The lower surface 7 of each second side wall portion 5 is one of the surfaces that constitute the second side wall portion 5, and is the surface that faces the bottom wall constituent portion 2 when the folding container 1 is in an assembled state. The first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 protrude downward from such a lower surface 7.

[0032] Furthermore, on the underside 7 of each second side wall portion 5 in the assembled state, the distance L1 from a center line 10 passing through the center in the first direction D1 to the first locking portion 8 is longer than the distance L2 from the center line 10 to the second locking portion 9. In other words, the second locking portion 9 is located closer to the center line 10 than the position of the first locking portion 8 when inverted about the center line 10.

[0033] 4, the bottom wall constituent part 2 has a pair of recesses 11, 11 provided on each short side thereof at positions corresponding to the first locking part 8 and the second locking part 9 of each second side wall part 5 in the assembled state. Therefore, when the folding container 1 is in the assembled state, the first locking part 8 or the second locking part 9 of each second side wall part 5 fits into each recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent part 2 (see FIG. 7 below).

[0034] A pair of accommodating recesses 12, 12 is provided between the recesses 11 on each short side of the bottom wall constituent part 2. When the foldable container 1 is in the folded state, the protrusions 6 of the lower wall parts 4A of the first side wall parts 4 enter and are accommodated in the accommodating recesses 12 of the bottom wall constituent part 2. Note that each accommodating recess 12 may be provided integrally with each recess 11 so as to be continuous therewith.

[0035] In addition, in the bottom wall component 2, ribs 13 are erected at both ends in the first direction D1 of each recess 11, at both ends in the first direction D1 of each storage recess 12, and between the recesses 11 and the storage recess 12. The lower surface 7 of each second side wall portion 5 in the assembled state is placed on the upper end surface of each rib 13. With this configuration, for example, in a specification where the height of each second side wall portion 5 in the assembled state is not changed, the height of the folding container 1 in the assembled state can be increased by the length of each rib 13 in the up-down direction D3. In addition, in a specification where the height of the folding container 1 in the assembled state is not changed, the height of each second side wall portion 5 in the assembled state can be decreased by the length of each rib 13 in the up-down direction D3.

[0036] At each long side of the bottom wall forming portion 2, rotation receiving portions 14 of the rotation mechanism K1 for rotating the lower wall portion 4A of each of the first side wall portions 4 are provided side by side.

[0037] As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the first locking portion 8 provided on the lower surface 7 of each second side wall portion 5 includes a flat portion 15, a first inclined portion 16, a second inclined portion 17, and a pair of third inclined portions 18, 18. Fig. 5 shows the inside of the second side wall portion 5 in the assembled state. That is, in Fig. 5, the back side of the paper surface of the figure is the outside of the folding container 1 in the assembled state, and the front side of the paper surface of the figure is the inside of the folding container 1 in the assembled state. Therefore, the thickness direction of each second side wall portion 5 in the assembled state is parallel to the second direction D2 in Fig. 5. Also, the width direction of each second side wall portion 5 in the assembled state is parallel to the first direction D1 in Fig. 5. These points are the same in Fig. 6. The symbol t in Fig. 5 indicates the thickness of each second side wall portion 5.

[0038] The first locking portion 8 will be described below based on the second side wall portion 5 in an assembled state. The flat portion 15 extends along the lower surface 7 of the second side wall portion 5 at a position spaced downward from the lower surface 7 of the second side wall portion 5. A first inclined portion 16, a second inclined portion 17, and each of the third inclined portions 18 are connected to the flat portion 15 and the lower surface 7 of the second side wall portion 5.

[0039] The first inclined portion 16 extends so as to incline toward the underside 7 of the second side wall portion 5 as it moves from the flat portion 15 toward one side in the second direction D2 (i.e., toward one side in the thickness direction of the second side wall portion 5, toward the front side of the paper in FIG. 5). Therefore, the first inclined portion 16 faces inward of the folding container 1 when the folding container 1 is in the assembled state.

[0040] In contrast, the second inclined portion 17 extends so as to incline toward the underside 7 of the second side wall portion 5 as it moves from the flat portion 15 toward the other side in the second direction D2 (i.e., the other side in the thickness direction of the second side wall portion 5, toward the back side of the paper in FIG. 5). Therefore, when the folding container 1 is in the assembled state, the second inclined portion 17 faces outward from the folding container 1.

[0041] The gradient of the first inclined portion 16 is greater than the gradient of the second inclined portion 17. That is, the first inclined portion 16 has a relatively steep gradient. In contrast, the second inclined portion 17 has a relatively gentle gradient.

[0042] Each of the third inclined portions 18 is connected to the first inclined portion 16 and the second inclined portion 17, in addition to the above-mentioned flat portion 15 and the lower surface 7 of the second side wall portion 5. Each of the third inclined portions 18 extends from the flat portion 15, the first inclined portion 16, and the second inclined portion 17 so as to incline toward the lower surface 7 of the second side wall portion 5 as it moves toward one side or the other of the first direction D1 (i.e., the width direction of the second side wall portion 5 perpendicular to the thickness direction of the second side wall portion 5).

[0043] The second locking portion 9 has the same features as those of the first locking portion 8.

[0044] As shown in FIG. 7, in the bottom wall component 2 in the assembled state, the first locking portion 8 or the second locking portion 9 of each second side wall portion 5 is inserted into each recess 11 as described above. Each recess 11 has the same dimensions and is substantially rectangular in plan view. The length L3 in the first direction D1 of each recess 11 is equal to or greater than the length of the range including the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 that enter the two recesses 11 facing each other in the second direction D2 when viewed from the second direction D2. The first locking portion 8 is provided on one of the second side wall portions 5. On the other hand, the second locking portion 9 is provided on the other of the second side wall portions 5 facing the one of the second side wall portions 5 in the second direction D2. The length L4 in the second direction D2 of each recess 11 is greater than the thickness t of each second side wall portion 5.

[0045] When the folding container 1 is shifted from the folded state to the assembled state, as shown in Fig. 8, the first locking portion 8 of the second side wall portion 5 enters the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 from its second inclined portion 17. At that time, even if the second inclined portion 17 of the first locking portion 8 abuts against the opening edge of the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2, it is possible to cause the first locking portion 8 of the second side wall portion 5 to enter the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 by applying a relatively small force to the second side wall portion 5, because the second inclined portion 17 of the first locking portion 8 has a relatively gentle slope.

[0046] Conversely, when the foldable container 1 is shifted from the assembled state to the folded state, the first locking portion 8 of the second side wall portion 5 comes out of the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 through the first inclined portion 16. At that time, when the first inclined portion 16 of the first locking portion 8 comes into contact with the opening edge of the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2, because the first inclined portion 16 of the first locking portion 8 has a relatively steep slope, it is possible to cause the first locking portion 8 of the second side wall portion 5 to come out of the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 by applying a relatively large force to the second side wall portion 5.

[0047] Therefore, when the foldable container 1 is in an assembled state, even if a force acts on the second side wall portion 5 to cause the first engaging portion 8 to come out of the recess 11 of the bottom wall component 2, so long as the force is relatively small, the assembled state of the foldable container 1 will be maintained.

[0048] Furthermore, in a state in which the first locking portion 8 of the second side wall portion 5 has entered the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2, a clearance 19 is formed between (the flat portion 15 of) the first locking portion 8 of the second side wall portion 5 and the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2. Therefore, in the assembled folding container 1, even if the second side wall portion 5 moves downward where there is the clearance 19 due to its flexibility or wobbling of the rotating mechanism K4 due to a load caused by stacking or the like and the first inclined portion 16 of the first locking portion 8 abuts against the opening edge of the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2, the first locking portion 8 of the second side wall portion 5 enters deeper into the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 while being guided by the first inclined portion 16, and therefore cannot easily come out of the recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2.

[0049] The second locking portion 9 has the same features as those of the first locking portion 8.

[0050] In this way, when the folding container 1 is in an assembled state, the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 of each second side wall portion 5 enter into each recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2, thereby locking each second side wall portion 5 to the bottom wall constituent portion 2.

[0051] 9 and 10, when the folding container 1 is in a folded state, the second side walls 5 are laid substantially horizontally in the upper frame 3 with their lower surfaces 7 facing each other in the second direction D2. At that time, between the second side walls 5, the first locking portion 8 of one second side wall 5 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall 5 facing the first locking portion 8 in the second direction D2 are disposed at different positions in the first direction D1. At this time, even if the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 come into contact with each other, the third inclined portions 18 of the second side walls 5 cause the second side walls 5 to shift away from each other in the first direction D1, so that the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 are unlikely to get caught on each other.

[0052] 11, the first locking portion 8 of one second side wall portion 5 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall portion 5 facing the first locking portion 8 in the second direction D2 may be partially disposed at the same position in the second direction D2. In other words, the first locking portion 8 of one second side wall portion 5 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall portion 5 facing the first locking portion 8 in the second direction D2 partially overlap with each other when viewed from the first direction D1.

[0053] As described above in detail, the folding container 1 of this embodiment can be changed from an assembled state to a folded state. In the folded state, the second side walls 5 are placed on the inner surfaces of the upper wall portions 4B of the first side walls 4 above the bottom wall constituent portion 2. As a result, the second side walls 5 provided on the folding container 1 are not placed on each other in the folded state. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the height of the folding container 1 in the folded state.

[0054] The folding container 1 of this embodiment also has a first locking portion 8, a second locking portion 9, and a recess 11. The first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 protrude downward from the lower surface 7 of each second side wall portion 5 that faces the bottom wall constituent portion 2 in the assembled state. The recess 11 is provided in the bottom wall constituent portion 2 and is capable of locking with the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 in the assembled state. This ensures that each second side wall portion 5 provided in the folding container 1 has a locking force with the bottom wall constituent portion 2 in the assembled state.

[0055] Furthermore, in the folding container 1 of this embodiment, in each second side wall portion 5 in the folded state, the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 of one second side wall portion 5 and the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall portion 5 are arranged at different positions in the first direction D1. This allows each second side wall portion 5 provided in the folding container 1 to be made even longer in the second direction D2 (i.e., the direction in which each second side wall portion 5 extends in the folded state) perpendicular to the first direction D1 and the up-down direction D3. By providing it in this manner, it is possible to increase the height of the folding container 1 in the assembled state.

[0056] In the folding container 1 of this embodiment, on the underside 7 of each second side wall portion 5 in the assembled state, the distance L1 from the center line 10 passing through the center in the first direction D1 to the first locking portion 8 is different from the distance L2 from the center line 10 to the second locking portion 9. Even in such a case, since each second side wall portion 5 has the same shape, two second side wall portions 5 having the same shape can be used as a pair of second side wall portions 5, 5. Therefore, the folding container 1 is excellent in terms of storage cost and assembly cost. In addition, since the pair of second side wall portions 5, 5 can be produced using the same mold, the mold production cost can be reduced.

[0057] In the folding container 1 of this embodiment, the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 include a first inclined portion 16, a second inclined portion 17, and a pair of third inclined portions 18, 18. The first inclined portion 16 inclines toward the lower surface 7 of each second side wall portion 5 as it moves toward one side in the thickness direction of each second side wall portion 5 (second direction D2 in FIG. 5), and faces toward the inside of the folding container 1 in the assembled state. Therefore, when a load such as stacking acts from above on the folding container 1 in the assembled state, the first inclined portion 16 causes the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 to enter deeply into the recessed portion 11, and the locking between the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 and the recessed portion 11 becomes deeper, so that the locking is not easily released.

[0058] The second inclined portions 17 are inclined toward the undersides 7 of the second side walls 5 as they move in the other direction in the thickness direction of the second side walls 5 (second direction D2 in FIG. 5), and face outward from the folding container 1 in the assembled state. Therefore, the second inclined portions 17 make it easier to lock the first locking portions 8 and the second locking portions 9 into the recesses 11 when the folding container 1 is transferred from the folded state to the assembled state.

[0059] Each third inclined portion 18 is inclined toward the lower surface 7 of each second side wall portion 5 as it moves toward one or the other of the width directions (first direction D1 in FIG. 5) of each second side wall portion 5 perpendicular to the thickness direction (second direction D2 in FIG. 5) of each second side wall portion 5. Therefore, even if both second side wall portions 5 are placed on the inner surfaces of the upper wall portions 4B of each first side wall portion 4 and the first locking portion 8 of one second side wall portion 5 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall portion 5 are brought into close proximity when the third inclined portions 18 of the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 come into contact with each other, the first locking portion 8 of one second side wall portion 5 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall portion 5 move smoothly away from each other, so that each second side wall portion 5 is unlikely to get caught. Moreover, the strength of the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 is reinforced by the third inclined portions 18 thereof.

[0060] In the folding container 1 of this embodiment, the length L3 of the recess 11 in the first direction D1 is greater than the range including the first locking portion 8 of one second side wall portion 5 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall portion 5 when each second side wall portion 5 in the assembled state is viewed from the second direction D2, and the length L4 of the recess 11 in the second direction D2 is greater than the thickness t of each second side wall portion 5. Therefore, in the bottom wall constituent portion 2, the first locking portions 8 and the second locking portions 9 of both second side wall portions 5 can be inserted into (i.e. locked into) each recess 11.

[0061] Furthermore, in the folding container 1 of this embodiment, if the first locking portion 8 of one second side wall portion 5 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall portion 5 are arranged at the same position in the second direction D2 in each second side wall portion 5 in the folded state (see FIG. 11), the second side wall portions 5 provided in the folding container 1 can be provided with lengths in the second direction D2 (i.e., the direction in which the second side wall portions 5 extend in the folded state) as long as possible without the second side wall portions 5 in the folded state butting against each other. If provided in this way, the height of the folding container 1 in the assembled state can be increased.

[0062] Incidentally, in this embodiment, the lower edge portion of the lower wall portion 4A of the first side wall portion 4 is an example of the "one side portion" of the lower wall portion. The upper edge portion of the lower wall portion 4A of the first side wall portion 4 is an example of the "other side portion" of the lower wall portion. The lower edge portion of the upper wall portion 4B of the first side wall portion 4 is an example of the "one side portion" of the upper wall portion. The upper edge portion of the upper wall portion 4B of the first side wall portion 4 is an example of the "other side portion" of the upper wall portion. The upper edge portion of the second side wall portion 5 is an example of the "one side portion" of the second side wall portion. The first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 are examples of "locking portions". The recess 11 is an example of "locked portion". The first direction D1 is an example of the "width direction of the pair of second side wall portions". The second direction D2 is an example of the "thickness direction of the pair of second side wall portions".

[0063] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the first and second locking portions 8 and 9 may be provided in both second side wall portions 5 at positions symmetrical with respect to the center line 10, and the distance between the first and second locking portions 8 and 9 in one second side wall portion 5 may be different from the distance between the first and second locking portions 8 and 9 in the other second side wall portion 5. Even in such a case, as long as the length L3 in the first direction D1 and the length L4 in the second direction D2 are set in each recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 in the same manner as in the above embodiment, the first and second locking portions 8 and 9 of both second side wall portions 5 can be inserted as shown in FIG. 12. Note that the same reference numerals are used for the same parts in FIG. 12 as in FIG. 7, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0064] This point is the same in each case shown in, for example, Figures 13(a), (b), and (c). Figure 13(a) shows a case in which one locking portion 20 is provided on the lower surface 7 of one of the pair of second side walls 5, 5, instead of the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9. Figure 13(b) shows a case in which the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 are provided on both ends of the lower surface 7 of one of the pair of second side walls 5, 5. Figure 13(c) shows a case in which the length in the first direction D1 of the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 provided on the lower surface 7 of one of the second side walls 5 is shorter than the length in the first direction D1 of the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 provided on the lower surface 7 of the other second side wall 5. In either case, each recess 11 of the bottom wall component 2 can accommodate the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 of both second side wall portions 5, or the locking portion 20 of one of the second side wall portions 5.

[0065] 14, the positions where the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 are provided on the lower surface 7 of each second side wall portion 5 may be shifted in the thickness direction (second direction D2 in FIG. 14) of each second side wall portion 5. However, the distance L1 from the center line 10 to the first locking portion 8 is set to be equal to the distance L2 from the center line 10 to the second locking portion 9.

[0066] Even in such a case, since the first and second locking portions 8 and 9 are provided on the underside 7 of each second side wall portion 5, once the folding container 1 is in an assembled state, they are able to enter into each recess 11 whose length L4 in the second direction D2 is greater than the thickness t of the second side wall portion 5.

[0067] 15, when the folding container 1 is in the folded state, the first locking portion 8 of one second side wall portion 5 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall portion 5 facing the first locking portion 8 in the second direction D2 are arranged in the same positions in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2 within the upper frame 3, but are arranged in different positions in the up-down direction D3. Therefore, even if the second side walls 5 provided in the folding container 1 are made long in the second direction (i.e., the direction in which the second side walls 5 extend in the folded state) to the limit at which the second side walls 5 in the folded state do not butt against each other, interference between the first locking portion 8 of one second side wall portion 5 and the second locking portion 9 of the other second side wall portion 5 facing the first locking portion 8 in the second direction D2 can be avoided.

[0068] In the folding container 1 of this embodiment, each recess 11 provided in the bottom wall constituent part 2 may be a solid surface, and the first locking part 8 and the second locking part 9 of each second side wall part 5 may be pressed against the solid surface. Alternatively, each recess 11 provided in the bottom wall constituent part 2 may be formed in a convex shape that can be engaged with the first locking part 8 and the second locking part 9 of each second side wall part 5.

[0069] Furthermore, in the folding container 1 of this embodiment, a locking portion other than the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 may be provided on the underside 7 of each second side wall portion 5, or the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 may be provided together as a single locking portion, for example, as in the locking portion 20 in Fig. 13(a) . In such a case, however, each recess 11 of the bottom wall constituent portion 2 is provided in a position corresponding to where that locking portion will be disposed when each second side wall portion 5 is in an assembled state.

[0070] In addition, in the folding container 1 of this embodiment, the first inclined portion 16, the second inclined portion 17, and each third inclined portion 18 in the first locking portion 8 and the second locking portion 9 of each second side wall portion 5 may be provided in a hemispherical shape protruding outward. [Explanation of symbols]

[0071] 1 Foldable container 2 Bottom wall components 3 Top Frame 4 First side wall 4A Lower wall 4B Upper wall 5 Second side wall 7 Bottom side 8 First locking part 9 Second locking part 11 Recess 10 center line 16 1st slope part 17 Second slope 18 Third slope D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Up / Down L1 Distance from center line to first stop L2 Distance from center line to second stop L3 Length of the recess in the first direction L4 Length of the recess in the second direction t Thickness of the second side wall

Claims

1. A bottom wall component having a substantially rectangular plate shape; A rectangular upper frame and a pair of first side wall portions interposed between the bottom wall component and the upper frame and facing each other in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; a pair of second side wall portions interposed between the bottom wall component and the upper frame, facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the first direction, and one side portion of the pair of second side wall portions rotatably connected to the upper frame; The pair of first side wall portions are a lower wall portion having one side portion and another side portion opposite to the one side portion, the one side portion being rotatably connected to a side portion of the bottom wall constituent portion; an upper wall portion having one side portion and another side portion opposed to the one side portion, the one side portion being rotatably connected to the other side portion of the lower wall portion, and the other side portion being rotatably connected to the upper frame, In an assembled state in which the box-shaped structure is assembled, the lower wall portion and the upper wall portion of the pair of first side wall portions and the pair of second side wall portions extend upward from each of the side edges of the bottom wall component, a folding container that can be brought into a folded state in which both of the pair of second side wall portions are placed on inner surfaces of the upper wall portion of the pair of first side wall portions above the bottom wall component by folding the pair of first side wall portions inside the box shape so as to align an outer surface of the lower wall portion with an outer surface of the upper wall portion, after the pair of second side wall portions are pivotally displaced inwardly of the box shape in the assembled state; a locking portion protruding downward from a lower surface of the pair of second side wall portions facing the bottom wall constituent portion in the assembled state; a locking portion provided on the bottom wall constituent portion and capable of being locked with the locking portion in the assembled state, In the pair of second side wall portions in the folded state, the locking portion of one second side wall portion and the locking portion of the other second side wall portion are disposed at different positions in the first direction or the up-down direction, The pair of second side wall portions have the same shape, The locking portion includes a first locking portion and a second locking portion, A folding container, characterized in that, on the underside of the pair of second side wall portions in the assembled state, a distance from a center line passing through the center in the first direction to the first engaging portion is different from a distance from the center line to the second engaging portion.

2. A bottom wall component having a substantially rectangular plate shape; A rectangular upper frame and a pair of first side wall portions interposed between the bottom wall constituent portion and the upper frame and facing each other in a first direction perpendicular to the up-down direction; a pair of second side wall portions interposed between the bottom wall component and the upper frame, facing each other in a second direction perpendicular to the up-down direction and the first direction, and one side portion of the pair of second side wall portions rotatably connected to the upper frame; The pair of first side wall portions are a lower wall portion having one side portion and another side portion opposite to the one side portion, the one side portion being rotatably connected to a side portion of the bottom wall constituent portion; an upper wall portion having one side portion and another side portion opposed to the one side portion, the one side portion being rotatably connected to the other side portion of the lower wall portion, and the other side portion being rotatably connected to the upper frame, In an assembled state in which the box-shaped structure is assembled, the lower wall portion and the upper wall portion of the pair of first side wall portions and the pair of second side wall portions extend upward from each of the side edges of the bottom wall component, a folding container that can be brought into a folded state in which both of the pair of second side wall portions are placed on inner surfaces of the upper wall portion of the pair of first side wall portions above the bottom wall component by folding the pair of first side wall portions inside the box shape so as to align an outer surface of the lower wall portion with an outer surface of the upper wall portion, after the pair of second side wall portions are pivotally displaced inwardly of the box shape in the assembled state; a locking portion protruding downward from a lower surface of the pair of second side wall portions facing the bottom wall constituent portion in the assembled state; a locking portion provided on the bottom wall constituent portion and capable of being locked with the locking portion in the assembled state, In the pair of second side wall portions in the folded state, the locking portion of one second side wall portion and the locking portion of the other second side wall portion are disposed at different positions in the first direction or the up-down direction, The locking portion is a first inclined portion that is inclined toward the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions as it proceeds toward one side in a thickness direction of the pair of second side wall portions and faces an inner side of the foldable container in the assembled state; a second inclined portion that is inclined toward the lower surface of the pair of second side wall portions as it approaches the other of the pair of second side wall portions in the thickness direction and faces outward from the foldable container in the assembled state; a pair of third inclined portions that incline toward the lower surfaces of the pair of second side wall portions as they approach one or the other of the width directions of the pair of second side wall portions perpendicular to the thickness direction of the pair of second side wall portions.

3. 3. The folding container according to claim 1, wherein in the pair of second side wall portions in the folded state, the locking portion of one of the second side wall portions and the locking portion of the other of the second side wall portions are arranged at the same position in the second direction and such that the locking portions partially overlap when viewed from the first direction.

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