Transport container

Abstract

To provide a carriage container in which a lower side plate of a pair of side plates stacked on a bottom part can be easily and smoothly rotated to stand up.SOLUTION: A carriage container 1 includes a bottom part 2, a pair of first side plates 3 and a pair of second side plates 4. The first side plates 3 and the second side plates 4 are freely erected / overturned between a stand posture and a lying down posture. A lower end part 31 of the first side plate 3 has a shaft part 35. An end edge part 21 of the bottom part 2 has a step part 27 and a guide surface 25. The step part 27 slidably contacts with the lower end part 31 of the side plate 3 on the way from a lying down posture to the stand posture, and the side plate 3 is made to ride on the side plate 3 so as to move upward as a whole. The guide surface 25 guides an upward movement of the shaft part 35 due to the movement of the side plate 3. When the side plate 3 takes the stand posture, a part of the lower end part 31 comes in contact with an upper surface of the end edge part 21 so as to stand by itself.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transport container.

Background Art

[0002] The transport container (foldable container) disclosed in Patent Document 1 includes a bottom and a pair of side plates that can be laid down on the bottom. One pair of long side plates included in the pair of side plates can be laid down on the bottom so that a part of each overlaps the other, and a hinge portion provided at the lower end of the long side plate is configured to be vertically movable within a predetermined range with respect to the bottom.

[0003] Therefore, in the above-described conventional transport container, the hinge portion of the long side plate that is laid down first (the lower long side plate) among the pair of long side plates is located lower than the hinge portion of the long side plate that is laid down later (the upper long side plate). That is, the hinge portion of the upper long side plate is located in the upper region of the range where it can move up and down with respect to the bottom, and the hinge portion of the lower long side plate is located in the lower region of the range where it can move up and down with respect to the bottom.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In the above-described conventional transport container, when raising the pair of long side plates that overlap on the bottom, the upper long side plate is first raised, and then the lower long side plate is raised.

[0006] Here, when raising the lower long side plate, since the hinge portion of the lower long side plate is in the lower region of the range where it can move up and down, the user needs to lift this long side plate and move the hinge portion upward, and then rotate the whole around the hinge portion.

[0007] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a transport container capable of easily and smoothly rotating and standing up the lower side plate among a pair of side plates overlapping on the bottom.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] A transport container according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a rectangular bottom, a pair of first side plates connected to two parallel side portions of the bottom, and a pair of second side plates connected to another two parallel side portions of the bottom. Each of the pair of first side plates has a lower end portion rotatably connected to the bottom and is configured to be able to be raised and lowered between an upright position and a lying position. Each of the pair of second side plates has a lower end portion rotatably connected to the bottom and is configured to be able to be raised and lowered between an upright position and a lying position. At the side plate constituting each of the pair of first side plates and the edge portion of the bottom to which the side plate is connected, the lower end portion of the side plate has a shaft portion serving as a center of raising and lowering. The edge portion of the bottom has a stepped portion that slidably contacts the lower end portion while the side plate moves from the lying position to the upright position and causes the entire side plate to ride upward, and a guide surface that guides the upward movement of the shaft portion accompanying the movement of the side plate. The side plate is configured such that a part of the lower end portion abuts against the upper surface of the edge portion and stands independently when reaching the upright position.

Effect of the Invention

[0009] The present disclosure has an effect that the lower side plate among a pair of side plates overlapping on the bottom can be easily and smoothly rotated and stood up.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] [One Embodiment] Figure 1 shows the entirety of a transport container 1 according to one embodiment. The transport container 1 according to one embodiment is a box-shaped container that is open upward, and the entire container is formed of a synthetic resin.

[0012] (Overall Structure of the Transport Container) The transport container 1 according to one embodiment includes a flat bottom part 2 and two pairs of flat side plates 3 and 4.

[0013] The bottom 2 has a rectangular outer shape, and its outer peripheral edge includes four linear side portions. The four side portions of the bottom 2 are composed of two side portions on the long side that are parallel to each other and two side portions on the short side that are parallel to each other.

[0014] The pair of side plates 3, 4 is composed of a pair of side plates 3 that can stand up in a parallel posture to each other and a pair of side plates 4 that can stand up in a parallel posture to each other. The direction in which the pair of side plates 3 face each other and the direction in which the pair of side plates 4 face each other are orthogonal to each other.

[0015] The pair of side plates 3 are rotatably connected within a predetermined range to the two side portions on the long side of the bottom 2, respectively. The pair of side plates 3 are, in other words, a pair of long side plates 3, and further in other words, a pair of first side plates 3.

[0016] The pair of side plates 3 each have a rectangular outer shape. More specifically, they have a horizontally long rectangular outer shape. The lower end portions 31 of the pair of side plates 3 are rotatably connected to a pair of edge portions 21 of the bottom 2, respectively. The lower end portion 31 of each side plate 3 is a horizontally long linear portion that constitutes the lower end region of the side plate 3 when the side plate 3 is in the standing posture (hereinafter referred to as the "standing posture").

[0017] The pair of side plates 4 are rotatably connected within a predetermined range to the two side portions on the short side of the bottom 2, respectively. The pair of side plates 4 are, in other words, a pair of short side plates 4, and further in other words, a pair of second side plates 4.

[0018] The pair of side plates 4 each have a rectangular outer shape. The lower end portions 41 of the pair of side plates 4 are rotatably connected to a pair of edge portions 22 of the bottom 2, respectively. The lower end portion 41 of each side plate 4 is a horizontally long linear portion that constitutes the lower end region of the side plate 4 when the side plate 4 is in the standing posture (hereinafter referred to as the "standing posture").

[0019] The pair of edge portions 21 and the pair of edge portions 22 of the bottom 2 each have an embankment-like shape that bulges to a position higher than the other portion of the bottom 2 (that is, the portion surrounded by the pair of edge portions 21 and the pair of edge portions 22 of the bottom 2 and constituting the main body). The pair of edge portions 21 are the pair of edge portions 21 on the long side and are positioned parallel to each other. The pair of edge portions 22 are the pair of edge portions 22 on the short side and are positioned parallel to each other. The direction in which the pair of edge portions 21 face and the direction in which the pair of edge portions 22 face are orthogonal to each other.

[0020] The pair of edge portions 21 on the long side and the pair of edge portions 22 on the short side are alternately positioned in the circumferential direction at the outer peripheral edge of the bottom 2. The edge portion 21 on the long side and the edge portion 22 on the short side adjacent to each other in the circumferential direction are continuously L-shaped. These two pairs of edge portions 21, 22 are continuous over the entire circumference so as to form a rectangular shape in plan view.

[0021] The pair of edge portions 21 on the long side are formed so as to bulge higher than the pair of edge portions 22 on the short side. The edge portion 21 on the long side has an upper surface at a position higher than the edge portion 22 on the short side. The heights of the pair of edge portions 21 on the long side are the same as each other, and the heights of the pair of edge portions 21 on the short side are the same as each other.

[0022] In the transport container 1 of one embodiment, the two pairs of side plates 3, 4 can each fall down at a right angle so as to overlap above the bottom 2. The term "right angle" used in this text is not limited to a right angle in the strict sense and includes cases of approximately right angles.

[0023] The order of laying down the two pairs of side plates 3 and 4 from the standing position is set such that first, the pair of side plates 4 on the short side are laid down so as to overlap on the bottom 2, and then the pair of side plates 3 on the long side are laid down so as to overlap on the bottom 2. At the stage when the pair of side plates 4 on the short side are laid down, the tip ends of the pair of side plates 4 overlap each other. The tip end of the side plate 4 here is the upper end when the side plate 4 is in the standing position. It is also possible to provide the pair of side plates 4 so that they do not overlap each other. At the stage when the pair of side plates 4 on the short side are laid down, the pair of side plates 3 on the long side are each holding a self-standing state on the corresponding edge portion 21.

[0024] At the stage when the pair of side plates 3 on the long side are laid down, the pair of side plates 3 are in a posture where their main portions overlap vertically. The main portion of the side plate 3 here is the portion excluding at least the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3. The pair of side plates 3 overlapping vertically are both in a lying posture parallel to the bottom 2. Among the pair of side plates 3, the side plate 3 laid down first is positioned below, and the side plate 3 laid down later is positioned above. The term "parallel" used in this text is not limited to strict parallelism and includes cases of approximate parallelism.

[0025] The transport container 1 of one embodiment is configured such that the lower side plate 3 (that is, the side plate 3 on the side laid down first) among the pair of side plates 3 overlapping on the bottom 2 can be rotated and erected easily and smoothly. Hereinafter, the specific structure for this purpose will be described.

[0026] (Lower end portion of the side plate) First, the structure of the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 will be described. The vertical direction in the description of the side plate 3 is based on the state when the side plate 3 is in the standing position.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 7 and the like, the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 has a horizontally long linear lower end portion main body 32, a plurality of hinge portions 33 protruding downward from the lower end portion main body 32, and a plurality of locking portions 36 protruding downward from the lower end portion main body 32.

[0028] The plurality of hinge portions 33 are five hinge portions 33 that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the lower end portion 31, and are provided to rotatably connect the side plate 3 to the bottom portion 2. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the lower end portion 31 is referred to as the first direction D1.

[0029] The hinge portion 33 includes a support column 34 that protrudes downward from the lower end portion main body 32, and two protruding shaft portions 35 provided at the lower end portion of the support column 34. The two shaft portions 35 protrude away from each other in the first direction D1. These shaft portions 35 serve as the center of the tilting of the side plate 3.

[0030] The plurality of locking portions 36 are four locking portions 36 that are spaced apart from each other in the first direction D1, and are provided to prevent the side plate 3 in the upright posture from lifting with respect to the bottom portion 2.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 3A and the like, the locking portion 36 is an L-shaped portion including a vertical piece 361 that protrudes downward from the lower end portion main body 32, and a horizontal piece 362 that protrudes in the horizontal direction from a part of the vertical piece 361. The locking portion 36 protrudes downward from the inner side (in other words, the side closer to the part constituting the main body of the bottom portion 2) of the lower end portion main body 32. The horizontal piece 362 protrudes outward (in other words, the side away from the part constituting the main body of the bottom portion 2) from the lower end portion of the vertical piece 361.

[0032] The five hinge portions 33 and the four locking portions 36 are alternately positioned in the first direction D1 (see FIG. 7 and the like). Among the five hinge portions 33, one of the four locking portions 36 is positioned between two adjacent hinge portions 33 in the first direction D1.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 8 and the like, the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 further has a plurality of concave portions 37 and a plurality of self-standing ribs 38.

[0034] The plurality of recesses 37 are four recesses 37 positioned at intervals from each other in the first direction D1. The recesses 37 are portions recessed upward from the lower surface of the lower end body 32. Among the five hinge portions 33, two recesses 37 are positioned side by side in the first direction D1 between the hinge portion 33 located at one end side in the first direction D1 and the adjacent hinge portion 33. In the first direction D1, one of the plurality of locking portions 36 is positioned between the two recesses 37 positioned side by side.

[0035] Similarly, among the five hinge portions 33, two other recesses 37 are positioned side by side in the first direction D1 between the hinge portion 33 located at the other end side in the first direction D1 and the adjacent hinge portion 33. In the first direction D1, another one of the plurality of locking portions 36 is positioned between the two other recesses 37 positioned side by side.

[0036] The plurality of self-standing ribs 38 are positioned one-to-one outside the above-described four recesses 37. The plurality of self-standing ribs 38 are four self-standing ribs 38 positioned at intervals from each other in the first direction D1. The self-standing ribs 38 project downward from the lower end body 32.

[0037] Among the five hinge portions 33, two self-standing ribs 38 are positioned side by side in the first direction D1 between the hinge portion 33 located at one end side in the first direction D1 and the adjacent hinge portion 33. In the first direction D1, one of the plurality of locking portions 36 is positioned between the two self-standing ribs 38 positioned side by side. The vertical piece 361 of the one locking portion 36 is positioned linearly side by side in the first direction D1 with respect to the two self-standing ribs 38 on both sides thereof.

[0038] Similarly, between the hinge portion 33 located on the other end side in the first direction D1 and the adjacent hinge portion 33 among the five hinge portions 33, another two self-standing ribs 38 are arranged side by side in the first direction D1. In the first direction D1, another one of the plurality of locking portions 36 is located between the other two self-standing ribs 38 arranged side by side. The vertical piece 361 of the said another locking portion 36 is arranged in a straight line in the first direction D1 with respect to the two self-standing ribs 38 on both sides thereof.

[0039] (Bottom edge part) Next, the edge portion 21 of the bottom part 2 will be described. The vertical direction in the description of the bottom part 2 is based on the case where the bottom part 2 is installed on a horizontal plane.

[0040] As shown in FIG. 7 etc., the edge portion 21 of the bottom part 2 has a bank-shaped edge portion main body 210 that is long in the horizontal direction, a plurality of bottom-side hinge portions 23 provided on the edge portion main body 210, and a plurality of bottom-side locking portions 26 provided on the edge portion main body 210.

[0041] The plurality of bottom-side hinge portions 23 are five bottom-side hinge portions 23 that are spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the edge portion 21, and are provided for rotatably connecting the side plate 3 to the bottom part 2. Hereinafter, the longitudinal direction of the edge portion 21 is referred to as the second direction D2. In the state where the side plate 3 is connected to the edge portion 21, the second direction D2 coincides with the first direction D1.

[0042] The bottom-side hinge portion 23 is provided such that the hinge portion 33 of the side plate 3 is inserted from above and is rotatably hooked. The bottom-side hinge portion 23 is a concave portion that opens upward and inward. Through the upward opening of the bottom-side hinge portion 23, the hinge portion 33 can be inserted into the bottom-side hinge portion 23, and through the inward opening of the bottom-side hinge portion 23, the hinge portion 33 can be tilted at a right angle.

[0043] On the inner surface of the bottom hinge portion 23 that is concave, two restricting portions 24 are provided at a distance in the second direction D2 so that the two shaft portions 35 of the hinge portion 33 come into contact with each other one by one. The restricting portions 24 are located at both ends of the bottom hinge portion 23 in the second direction D2 and are provided so as to stand up from the bottom of the bottom hinge portion 23. The restricting portion 24 includes a guide portion 241 and a retaining portion 245 (see FIG. 4 etc.).

[0044] The surface facing the outer side of the guide portion 241 is a concave curved guide surface 25 provided so as to be in sliding contact with the protruding shaft portion 35 and guide it. The guide surface 25 is configured to smoothly guide the movement of the shaft portion 35 when the user rotates the side plate 3. The guide surface 25 includes an inclined first guide surface 251, a concave curved second guide surface 252, and a vertical third guide surface 253. The first guide surface 251 is inclined as a whole so that the inner side portion is located higher. The second guide surface 252 is curved in an arc shape so as to smoothly connect the upper end of the first guide surface 251 and the lower end of the third guide surface 253.

[0045] The retaining portion 245 is provided above the guide portion 241. The retaining portion 245 is formed integrally with the guide portion 241. The retaining portion 245 has a hook-like shape that protrudes outward more than the guide portion 241 below it. When the shaft portion 35 is caught by the retaining portion 245 from below, the side plate 3 is retained with respect to the bottom portion 2.

[0046] The plurality of bottom locking portions 26 are four bottom locking portions 26 that are spaced apart from each other in the second direction D2, and are configured such that when the side plate 3 is in the upright position, the four locking portions 36 of the side plate 3 are locked one-to-one (see FIG. 3A, etc.). Thereby, it is possible to prevent the side plate 3 from rising with respect to the bottom portion 2. The bottom locking portion 26 has a structure in which the horizontal piece 362 of the locking portion 36 is inserted from the inner side, and has a structure for locking the inserted horizontal piece 362 so that it does not come out upward. The bottom locking portion 26 is a concave portion that opens inward and outward. The side plate 3 is prevented from rising by the horizontal piece 362 inserted into the bottom locking portion 26 being locked from below at the upper edge of the inner opening portion of the bottom locking portion 26.

[0047] The above five bottom hinge portions 23 and four bottom locking portions 26 are alternately positioned in the second direction D2. Among the five bottom hinge portions 23, one of the four bottom locking portions 26 is located between two adjacent bottom hinge portions 23 in the second direction D2.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 9, etc., the edge portion 21 of the bottom portion 2 further has a plurality of stepped portions 27. The plurality of stepped portions 27 are portions that are in sliding contact with a part of the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 and cause the side plate 3 to ride up during the process of the side plate 3 changing from the lying-down position to the upright position. The side plate 3 rides up on these plurality of stepped portions 27 so that its entire body moves upward.

[0049] The plurality of stepped portions 27 are six stepped portions 27 that are spaced apart from each other in the second direction D2. The six stepped portions 27 include two stepped portions 27 provided between the central bottom hinge portion 23 and one adjacent bottom hinge portion 23 among the five bottom hinge portions 23, two stepped portions 27 provided between the central bottom hinge portion 23 and the other adjacent bottom hinge portion 23, and two stepped portions 27 provided at both ends sandwiching the five bottom hinge portions 23. One bottom locking portion 26 is located between two adjacent stepped portions 27 on both sides sandwiching the central bottom hinge portion 23.

[0050] An inclined surface 270 is provided at the inner end of the stepped portion 27, against which the lower end 31 of the side plate 3 is in sliding contact. The inclined surface 270 is inclined as a whole such that the outer portion is located higher (see FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C). Among the upper surface of the stepped portion 27, the portion outside the inclined surface 270 is formed of a flat surface.

[0051] Among the five bottom hinge portions 23, stepped portions 27 for lifting the side plate 3 are not provided in two portions 28 (see FIG. 9) between the bottom hinge portions 23 at both ends and the bottom hinge portions 23 adjacent thereto. That is, inclined surfaces 270 for the side plate 3 to slide on are not provided in these two portions 28. The upper surface of each portion 28 is flat.

[0052] In the transport container 1 of an embodiment having the above configuration, when the side plate 3 is rotated from the lying-down posture to the standing posture, a function in which the side plate 3 naturally rises (hereinafter referred to as the "side plate rising function"), a function in which the side plate 3 stands stably in the standing posture (hereinafter referred to as the "side plate standing function"), and a function in which the lifting of the side plate 3 is suppressed in the standing posture (hereinafter referred to as the "side plate lifting suppression function") are each exhibited. Hereinafter, each function will be described.

[0053] (Side plate rising function) As can be understood by viewing FIGS. 5C, 5B, and 5A in this order, during the rotation of the side plate 3 from the lying-down posture to the standing posture, a part of the lower end 31 of the side plate 3 hits the stepped portion 27 at the edge 21 of the bottom 2 and is configured to slide on the inclined surface 270 and rise. Among the edge 21, the portion where the lower end 31 of the side plate 3 first hits may be the inclined surface 270 of the stepped portion 27 or a portion below the inclined surface 270. A part of the lower end 31 here is the outer end of the lower end 31. As can be understood by viewing FIGS. 4C, 4B, and 4A in this order, due to the rising of the side plate 3, each shaft portion 35 of the side plate 3 is lifted upward during the transition from the lying-down posture to the standing posture.

[0054] When the side plates 3 are in the fallen posture, each shaft portion 35 can contact a portion of the first guide surface 251 or the second guide surface 252 among the guide surfaces 25 provided at the edge portion 21. As the side plates 3 come into sliding contact with the stepped portion 27 and rise, each shaft portion 35 comes into sliding contact with the second guide surface 252 and moves upward, and further comes into sliding contact with the third guide surface 253 and smoothly moves further upward.

[0055] In this way, in the transport container 1 of one embodiment, as the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 rides up on the stepped portion 27, the shaft portion 35 moves upward along the guide surface 25. However, the form in which the side plate 3 rotates and rises is not limited to this. For example, a form in which the shaft portion 35 of the side plate 3 comes into sliding contact with the guide surface 25 and moves upward, and accordingly the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 rides up on the stepped portion 27 may be adopted.

[0056] In the transport container 1 of one embodiment, the cross-sectional shape of the columnar shaft portion 35 is not a perfect circle. When a column with a circular cross-section is assumed, the shaft portion 35 of one embodiment has a shape in which a part of this virtual column is cut out. Specifically, the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 35 of one embodiment includes a first convex curved surface 351 that faces upward when the side plate 3 is in the standing posture, and a second convex curved surface 352 that faces inward when the side plate 3 is in the standing posture.

[0057] The second convex curved surface 352 has a larger radius of curvature than the first convex curved surface 351, and the shaft portion 35 is vertically long when the side plate 3 is in the standing posture. When the side plate 3 rotates, the second convex curved surface 352 having a relatively large radius of curvature among the outer peripheral surfaces of the shaft portion 35 comes into sliding contact with the guide surface 25. In other words, in the transport container 1 of one embodiment, the portion (the second convex curved surface 352) of the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 35 that comes into sliding contact with the guide surface 25 when the side plate 3 rotates is provided with a larger radius of curvature than the other portion (the first convex curved surface 351).

[0058] Therefore, when the side plate 3 rotates, the center of the shaft portion 35 will approach the guide surface 25, and the lower end body 32 of the side plate 3 will rotate at a relatively large distance from the portion where the shaft portion 35 and the guide surface 25 are in contact, with reference to that portion. Thus, in the transport container 1 of one embodiment, it is possible to prevent the lower end body 32 during rotation from being caught by the edge portion 21, and smooth movement of the side plate 3 is realized.

[0059] However, it is not essential that the shaft portion 35 has the above shape, and it is also possible to have other shapes, and the cross-sectional shape of the shaft portion 35 may be a perfect circle.

[0060] (Side plate self-standing function) As can be understood by viewing FIGS. 6C, 6B, and 6A in this order, when the side plate 3 changes from the lying posture to the standing posture, each self-standing rib 38 that forms a part of the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 is configured to abut on the upper surface of the edge portion 21 of the bottom portion 2. Each self-standing rib 38 assumes a posture of protruding downward when the side plate 3 is in the standing posture, and the lower end portion of each self-standing rib 38 abuts on the inner-side end portion of the upper surface of the edge portion 21, so that the side plate 3 can maintain self-standing.

[0061] In the transport container 1 of one embodiment, on the inner-side end portion of the upper surface of the edge portion 21, bottom-side ribs 29 protruding upward are provided. Four bottom-side ribs 29 are provided at intervals from each other in the second direction D2 so that the four self-standing ribs 38 of the side plate 3 can ride on them one by one (see FIG. 9).

[0062] Note that since a recess 37 is provided adjacent to each self-standing rib 38 at the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3, it is possible to prevent the portion of the lower end portion 31 other than each self-standing rib 38 from hitting the edge portion 21 before each self-standing rib 38 hits the edge portion 21.

[0063] Incidentally, in the transport container 1 of one embodiment, a bottom rib 29 for exerting a side plate self-standing function is provided at a portion excluding the central portion in the second direction D2 of the edge portion 21. Specifically, bottom ribs 29 (that is, portions for abutting against the self-standing ribs 38 of the side plates 3 to make the side plates 3 stand on their own) are provided on both sides sandwiching the central portion of the edge portion 21, respectively. The reason is that the central portion of the side plate 3 is likely to deform so as to bulge outward over time. If the bottom rib 29 were provided at the central portion in the second direction D2 of the edge portion 21, it is assumed that when the side plate 3 deforms over time, the bottom rib 29 and the self-standing rib 38 would easily interfere with each other.

[0064] On the other hand, in the transport container 1 of one embodiment, a stepped portion 27 for exerting a side plate lifting function is provided at the central portion in the second direction D2 of the edge portion 21. Specifically, a plurality of stepped portions 27 (that is, portions for slidably contacting the lower end portions 31 of the side plates 3 to lift the side plates 3 upward) are provided at a portion sandwiched between the bottom ribs 29 on both sides that are spaced apart from each other at the edge portion 21. The reason is that even when the side plate 3 deforms so as to bulge outward over time, the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 is likely to maintain a stable sliding contact position relationship with each stepped portion 27, and it is assumed that the side plate lifting function can be stably exerted. Thus, when considering the aging change of the side plate 3, it is preferable to provide the structure for exerting the side plate lifting function at the central portion of the edge portion 21, and provide the structure for exerting the side plate self-standing function at both sides sandwiching the central portion of the edge portion 21.

[0065] In addition to the above functions, the bottom rib 29 has a function that it can engage with the leg portions 215 of the upper transport container 1 when a plurality of transport containers 1 are stacked in a folded state (that is, a state where all the side plates 3 and 4 are in a fallen posture). As shown in FIG. 1, the leg portion 215 is a portion protruding downward from the bottom surface of the edge portion 21 of the bottom portion 2, and has a trapezoidal outer shape with a narrower width at the lower portion in a side view. At each edge portion 21, two leg portions 215 are provided at a distance in the second direction D2.

[0066] When a plurality of transport containers 1 are stacked in a folded state, the legs 215 of the upper transport container 1 are located outward with respect to the bottom ribs 29 of the lower transport container 1. At this time, the legs 215 are located above another rib 295 (see FIG. 9) provided at the edge portion 21 of the lower transport container 1 or are located inward with respect to the rib 295. The rib 295 is a rib provided so as to protrude upward at the outer end of the upper surface of the edge portion 21 and is provided linearly over substantially the entire length of the edge portion 21. When the legs 215 are located above the rib 295, the legs 215 are in a state of being placed on the rib 295. When the legs 215 are located inward of the rib 295, the legs 215 are in a state of being fitted into the groove portion on the upper surface of the edge portion 21 formed between the rib 295 and the bottom rib 29 from above.

[0067] When the transport containers 1 are stacked in a folded state, for example, when the edge portion 21 of the lower transport container 1 is displaced outward due to a load or the like, the upwardly protruding bottom rib 29 provided at the edge portion 21 abuts against the downwardly protruding legs 215 provided at the edge portion 21 of the upper transport container 1 from the inside, and the bottom rib 29 and the legs 215 engage with each other. When the edge portion 21 of the upper transport container 1 is displaced inward, the legs 215 provided at the edge portion 21 abut against the bottom rib 29 provided at the edge portion 21 of the lower transport container 1 from the outside, and the bottom rib 29 and the legs 215 engage with each other. Thereby, the displacement of the edge portion 21 of each transport container 1 in the stacked state is suppressed, and stable stacking becomes possible.

[0068] (Side plate lifting suppression function) As can be understood by looking at FIGS. 3C, 3B, and 3A in this order, when the side plate 3 changes from the lying posture to the standing posture, each L-shaped locking portion 36 constituting a part of the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 is inserted into and locked to one corresponding bottom locking portion 26 among the plurality of bottom locking portions 26 provided at the edge portion 21 of the bottom portion 2. Thereby, when the side plate 3 reaches the standing posture, the upward lifting of the side plate 3 is suppressed.

[0069] [Modification example] The transportation container 1 of the present disclosure has been described above based on one embodiment. However, the transportation container 1 is not limited to the above-described one embodiment, and appropriate design changes can be made.

[0070] FIGS. 10A, 10B, and 10C show a modified example of the transportation container 1 of one embodiment. In this modified example, a bottom rib 29 is not provided at the inner end of the upper surface of the edge portion 21 of the bottom portion 2. Instead, a concave stepped portion 5 that is recessed downward is provided. The concave stepped portion 5 is a concave stepped portion that opens upward and inward. Four self-standing ribs 38 of the side plate 3 are provided on the edge portion 21 at intervals in the second direction D2 so as to fit one by one.

[0071] [Operation and Effect] As described above based on one embodiment and a modified example, the transportation container 1 of the present disclosure includes a rectangular bottom portion 2, a pair of first side plates 3 (side plates 3) connected to two parallel sides of the bottom portion 2, and a pair of second side plates 4 connected to the other two parallel sides of the bottom portion 2. Each of the pair of first side plates 3 has a lower end portion 31 rotatably connected to the bottom portion 2 and is configured to be able to be raised and lowered between an upright position and a lying position. Similarly, each of the pair of second side plates 4 has a lower end portion 41 rotatably connected to the bottom portion 2 and is configured to be able to be raised and lowered between an upright position and a lying position.

[0072] In the side plate 3 constituting each of the pair of first side plates 3 and the edge portion 21 of the bottom portion 2 to which the side plate 3 is connected, the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 has a shaft portion 35 that serves as a center of raising and lowering. The edge portion 21 of the bottom portion 2 has a stepped portion 27 and a guide surface 25. The stepped portion 27 is in sliding contact with the lower end portion 31 when the side plate 3 moves from the lying position to the upright position, and causes the entire side plate 3 to ride up so as to move upward. The guide surface 25 guides the upward movement of the shaft portion 35 as the side plate 3 moves. The side plate 3 is configured such that a part of the lower end portion 31 abuts against the upper surface of the edge portion 21 and stands on its own when it reaches the upright position.

[0073] Therefore, according to the transport container 1 of the present disclosure, when the lower side plate 3 is being lifted from the lying-down posture, as the lower end portion 31 of the side plate 3 comes into sliding contact with the stepped portion 27, the side plate 3 gradually rises upward, and further, the shaft portion 35 moves upward while being guided by the guide surface 25. Therefore, the user does not need to perform an operation of lifting the side plate 3 once. According to the transport container 1 of the present disclosure, the lower side plate 3 of the pair of side plates 3 overlapping on the bottom portion 2 can be rotated and erected simply and smoothly. Here, in a structure where the user needs to lift and rotate the side plate once as in the prior art, there is a possibility that the side plate may get caught in a state of being lifted from the edge portion of the bottom, but in the transport container 1 of the present disclosure, the user only needs to rotate the side plate 3 and does not need to lift the side plate 3 once, so it is possible to prevent the side plate 3 from getting caught in a state of being lifted from the edge portion 21.

[0074] In addition, in the transport container 1 of the present disclosure, a part of the lower end portion 31 is a self-standing rib 38 that protrudes downward when the side plate 3 is in the standing posture.

[0075] Therefore, according to the transport container 1 of the present disclosure, the side plate 3 in the lying-down posture can be smoothly rotated so that the shaft portion 35 gradually moves upward, and at the stage when it reaches the standing posture, it can be stably self-standing on the edge portion 21 of the bottom portion 2 by the self-standing rib 38.

[0076] In addition, in the transport container 1 of the present disclosure, the outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion 35 includes a first convex curved surface 351 that faces upward when the side plate 3 is in the standing posture, and a second convex curved surface 352 that faces inward when the side plate 3 is in the standing posture and has a larger radius of curvature than the first convex curved surface 351.

[0077] Therefore, according to the transport container 1 of the present disclosure, when the side plate 3 in the lying-down posture is being rotated so that the shaft portion 35 moves upward along the guide surface 25, the center of the shaft portion 35 can be brought closer to the guide surface 25. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the side plate 3 during rotation from getting caught on the edge portion 21, and smooth movement of the side plate 3 is realized.

Explanation of Symbols

[0078] 1 Transport container 2 Bottom 21 Edge part 25 Guide surface 27 Step part 3 Side plate (first side plate) 31 Lower end part 35 Shaft part 351 First convex surface 352 Second convex surface 38 Self-supporting rib 4 Side plate (second side plate) 41 Lower end part

Claims

1. A rectangular bottom, A pair of first side plates connected to two parallel sides of the bottom, A pair of second side plates connected to another two parallel sides of the bottom, and comprising: Each of the pair of first side plates has a lower end rotatably connected to the bottom, and is configured to be able to be raised and lowered between an upright position and a lying-down position, Each of the pair of second side plates has a lower end rotatably connected to the bottom, and is a transport container configured to be able to be raised and lowered between an upright position and a lying-down position, At the side plate constituting each of the pair of first side plates and the edge of the bottom to which the side plate is connected, The lower end of the side plate has a shaft portion serving as a center of raising and lowering, The edge of the bottom has a stepped portion where the side plate slidably contacts the lower end during the process of changing from the lying-down position to the upright position, and rides up the side plate so that the whole of the side plate moves upward, a guide surface for guiding the upward movement of the shaft portion accompanying the movement of the side plate, and a space portion for opening the guide surface outward, The side plate is configured such that when it reaches the upright position, a part of the lower end contacts the upper surface of the edge and stands independently, The guide surface includes a concave curved surface, The shaft portion is configured to slidably contact the concave curved surface of the guide surface and move upward as the side plate slidably contacts the stepped portion and rises, The outer peripheral surface of the shaft portion includes a first convex curved surface facing upward when the side plate is in the upright position, and a second convex curved surface facing inward when the side plate is in the upright position and having a larger radius of curvature than the first convex curved surface, When the side plate rotates, the second convex curved surface slidably contacts the concave curved surface of the guide surface Transport container.

2. The part of the lower end is An independent rib that protrudes downward when the side plate is in the upright position The transport container according to Claim 1.

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