Transport container and container arrangement

Abstract

To provide a transport container for placing on a support structure, having a lower portion, a closure element for securing the upper portion connected via a hinge in the closed position, and a retention element for attaching the transport container to the support structure.SOLUTION: This invention provides a container arrangement comprising a transport container (1) and a support structure, wherein the container arrangement includes: an elastically deflectable closure element (10) has a locking tab for engaging a locking recess in an upper portion (3); and an elastically deflectable holding element (11) has a locking element (16) for engaging a holding recess in a support structure, and wherein the closure element (10) and the holding element (11) are configured as segments of a fastening element (7) arranged in the lower part (2) that can be operated separately from one another, thereby the transport container (1) is provided which allows for simple locking and fastening of the upper container part to a support structure and in particular for unlocking and releasing independently of one another.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The invention relates to a transport container according to the preamble of claim 1 and to a container arrangement comprising a support structure according to claim 16 and a transport container releasably attachable to the support structure. [Background technology]

[0002] A stackable case for a transportable machine tool, having a box- or shell-shaped lower section and a liftable lid hinged to the lower section, is known from US Pat. When stacking multiple cases vertically, the lower section of the upper case is placed on the lid of the lower case located directly below it. To ensure correct relative positioning between the cases during stacking, complementary centering plugs are arranged on the base and upper surface of the lid of the lower section. Specifically, downwardly projecting protrusions molded on the base of the lower section are insertable into recesses in the lid. To releasably and securely connect the cases when stacked, multiple connectors are arranged along the periphery of the wall of the lower section of the case. In particular, a first connector in the form of a tab-like pivot is arranged in the region of the upper surface of the lower section, and a second connector in the form of a rib-like protrusion is arranged in the region of the lower section near the base. The tab-shaped pivoting portion is then mounted on the lower portion so as to pivot about an axis perpendicular to the stacking direction and can be connected to the rib-shaped protrusions on the lower portion of the placed case. While connecting the lower portion of the placed case via the tab-shaped pivoting portion on the lower portion of the lower case, the lid of the lower case is also connected simultaneously via a third connector arranged on the lid, which is also designed as a rib-shaped protrusion. Furthermore, by arranging the tab-shaped pivoting portion on the lower portion so that it is movable parallel to the stacking axis, it is also possible to connect only the lid without simultaneously connecting to the rib-shaped protrusions on the lower portion of the placed case. As a result, the tab-shaped pivoting portion can be moved between a raised position, which allows for a connection position between two cases placed one on top of the other, and a locked position, which allows for attachment of the lid to the corresponding lower portion.

[0003] A container arrangement including at least two vertically stackable containers is also known from U.S. Patent No. 5,999,499. The container has a box-shaped lower portion and a lid pivotably attached thereto. The container has a rear lid back panel molded above the top surface, with a multi-part pin recess opening for receiving a pin protrusion in the base portion of the open container. The front interlocking connection between stacked containers can be made via a slide bar located on the front side, which is vertically movable in the stacking direction. Specifically, by pushing the slide bar toward the back panel of the lid, hook ends on two mounting lips on the bottom surface of the upper container engage with the parallel mounting lips on the lid of the lower container. By deflecting the slide bar away from the front plate, the hook ends disengage from the mounting lips, thereby lifting the front interlocking connection and allowing the containers to be released from each other. The releasable connection between the body and the lid can be made via a pivot bar separate from the slide bar. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 0555533 [Patent Document 2] German Patent Application Publication No. 102018121479 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] A drawback of the solutions known from the prior art is that locking or unlocking the lid by the user and securing the stacked containers in a connected state can be time-consuming and may require several manual operations, for example, to first hold the locking element for the lid in a position where the lid can be closed and then lock the lid via the locking element. Furthermore, several costly or complex locking and connecting structures are often required to lock the lid on the one hand and secure the connection of the two containers on the other hand.

[0006] Based on the above, the problem is to provide a transport container that can be placed on a support structure, for example, another transport container having a locking mechanism for fixing an upper container part on a lower container part and a connecting mechanism for fixing the container on the support structure, whereby locking of the upper container part onto the lower container part and fixing of the container to the support structure are easily performed, and whereby easy unlocking of the upper container part fixed on the lower container part and easy release of the container from its fixed position on the support structure are possible, particularly independently of each other. Furthermore, the locking mechanism and the connecting mechanism should be easy to manufacture, particularly should have the simplest design and as few parts as possible. Furthermore, a container arrangement including such a transport container and a support structure should be provided. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] These problems are solved by the transport container according to claim 1 and the container arrangement according to claim 16. Advantageous embodiments and useful modifications of the invention can be inferred from the dependent claims.

[0008] A transport container according to the present invention for releasably mounting on a support structure, such as another container having a support structure or an adapter plate having a support structure, includes a lower part and an upper part that, together with the lower part, encloses a storage space and is pivotally connected to the lower part via a hinge for optionally closing or opening the storage space. The transport container may in particular be a container for tools or tool parts, such as a bit box. The lower and upper parts, preferably made of plastic, for example polypropylene, are designed like a box or shell and each encloses its own storage space, in particular a storage space that is open on one side. However, in principle, it is also possible to design the upper or lower part in the form of a lid that does not enclose its own storage space. The transport container also includes a closure element movable between a closed position and an open position for releasably fixing the upper part in a closed position, sealing off the storage space, when it is on the lower part. The transport container also includes a holding element movable between a holding position and an open position, via which the transport container can be fixed in a coupled position in which the lower part is placed with its bottom surface on the support structure, in particular in a coupled position resting on the support structure. In particular, the bottom surface of the lower portion has at least one coupling element for coupling with, and in particular engaging with, at least one corresponding mating element of the support structure, which can be, for example, an engagement bar that engages in a coupling position in a correspondingly configured engagement recess of the support structure.

[0009] The closure element and the retaining element according to the present invention are two elastically deflectable segments of the fastening element arranged in the lower part, which can be operated independently or separated from each other. The elastic deflectability of the closure element and the retaining element should be understood in relation to the normal or usual operation of these elements for a user to open the transport container or to release the transport container from the support structure, in which case the closure element or the retaining element returns to the corresponding basic position after the deflecting force is removed. The fastening element is then preferably formed in one piece, in particular integrally or in one part, and is preferably formed from a plastic, such as acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene.

[0010] In particular, the closure element according to the invention, which is resiliently deflectable from a closed position forming a basic position, has a locking tab or locking bar that engages in a corresponding locking recess in the upper part when the upper part is disposed in the closed position sealing off the storage space. The closed position is the basic position, and the locking tab is also held in this engagement position. The upper part is secured against opening because it is disposed on the lower part. Therefore, while the closure element is deflected to the open position, the locking tab disengages from the locking recess, allowing the transport container to be opened by rotating the upper part about the pivot axis formed by the hinge. During closing of the upper part, the closure element is preferably temporarily deflected from the closed position by contacting the locking tab with the outside of the locking recess, which preferably has a correspondingly designed lead-in chamfer, so that it then automatically locks in the locking recess in the fully closed transport container, i.e., without requiring any additional manual operation by the user.

[0011] The holding element, which is resiliently deflectable from the holding position forming the home position, also includes a locking element, in particular a locking hook, for releasably engaging in a holding recess of the support structure. In particular, when the transport container is arranged in the coupled position and the holding element is in the holding position, the locking element engages in the holding recess of the support structure in the holding position. By engaging the locking element in the holding recess, the transport container is secured to the support structure to prevent it from being lifted or removed. Due to the configuration of the holding element, whose holding position forms the home position, the locking element is also held in a position where it engages in the holding recess. To release the transport container from the support structure, the holding element is deflected from the holding position to the release position, and the locking element disengages from the holding recess of the support structure. The transport container can then be removed from the support structure, for example, by disengaging an engagement bar, which functions as a coupling element and is arranged on the bottom surface of the lower part, from a corresponding engagement recess of the support structure. In the aforementioned embodiment in which the coupling element is configured as an engagement bar, when the transport container is placed in the coupling position on the support structure, it is preferred that the engagement bar is first inserted into the engagement recess of the support structure, and then the transport container is rotated towards the support structure so that the locking element engages in the retaining recess. The retaining element is then preferably temporarily deflected from the holding position by the locking element contacting the outside of the retaining recess, which may have a corresponding lead-in chamfer, after which the transport container is automatically locked in the retaining recess once fully placed in the coupling position, without the need for further manual manipulation by the user.

[0012] By decoupling the holding element and the closure element, activation or deflection of one element does not result in deflection or activation of the other element. The holding element remains in a holding position, which forms a basic position, when the closure element is deflected to the open position. Thus, even when the transport container is opened, it remains securely fastened to the support structure. Similarly, when the holding element is deflected to the release position, the closure element remains in a closed position, thereby preventing opening of the transport container when it is removed from the support structure. The transport container configuration according to the invention, in which the closure element and the holding element are designed as segments or regions of a single fastening element operable in a separated state from one another, results in an arrangement of a locking mechanism for releasably locking the upper container part to the lower container part and a fastening mechanism for releasably fastening the transport container to the support structure, which is advantageous in terms of manufacture and design and simple in operation, in particular in that the locking of the transport container and the fastening of the transport container to the support structure are performed separately from one another.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment of the transport container, the upper part is pivotally connected to the lower part via a hinge arranged on a first side of the lower part, in particular on the rear side of the lower part, for optionally closing or opening the storage space, and the fastening element is arranged on a second side of the lower part, in particular on the front side opposite the rear side of the lower part. This arrangement of the hinge and fastening element with the closure element provides a transport container that is advantageous in design and manufacture, allows for easy actuation of the closure element and opening of the transport container, and securely holds the upper part in the closed position.

[0014] In an advantageous embodiment, the closure element and the holding element are arranged on opposite sides of the fixing element. The locking tab is then preferably arranged on or near the top surface of the fixing element facing towards the upper part, and the locking element, in particular a locking element designed as a locking hook, is preferably arranged on or near the bottom surface of the fixing element facing towards the support structure. In this way, an advantageous design embodiment of the fixing element is provided in which the closure element and the holding element are separated from each other, thereby enabling a secure holding of the upper part in the closed position and a secure holding of the transport container on the support structure. In particular, the aforementioned embodiment also allows for easy actuation of the closure holding elements separately from each other.

[0015] The retaining element is preferably disposed between two vertically extending separation slots of the fastening element. The separation slot extends inward, particularly from the outer edge of the side of the fastening element bearing the retaining element, for example, up to about one-third or one-half of the height of the fastening element. The retaining element is preferably laterally bounded by the two vertically extending separation slots. The retaining element then connects to the rest of the fastening element via a connection region disposed between the two separation slots. Separation of the retaining element from the closure element is ensured by the separation slots. To support the separation, the fastening element can also have a separation bar, particularly on the connection region disposed between the two separation slots, that rests against or contacts the lower portion during actuation of the retaining element or closure element. The described embodiment provides a robust and easy-to-manufacture fastening element with a retaining element that can be separated from the closure element. In particular, the separation slot can be easily introduced after manufacturing the base element for the fastening element.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment, the fastening element is firmly connected to the lower part, i.e., specifically attached at the connection site, and is immobile. This ensures that the fastening element cannot be unintentionally moved during actuation of the holding element or closure element, adversely affecting the actuation or deflection of the holding element or closure element. The fastening element is preferably releasably attached to the lower part via at least one locking device. A releasable configuration also makes it particularly easy to replace a defective fastening element. The locking device is then preferably formed by a locking hook arranged on the fastening element and a locking recess arranged on the lower part and designed to engage the locking hook. The locking hook and / or the locking recess can be components of the fastening element or the lower part, i.e., can be designed integrally therewith. However, it is also possible to subsequently integrate the locking hook and / or the locking recess into the fastening element or the lower part. In another embodiment, it is also possible to provide the locking recess on the fastening element and the locking hook on the lower part of the transport container. It is particularly preferred that the fastening element is attached to the lower part via two locking devices. The retaining element is then preferably positioned between at least two locking devices, in particular separated therefrom by two vertically extending separation slots. The above-described embodiment allows the fastening element to be easily and reliably mounted on the lower part. To ensure reliable positioning of the fastening element on the lower part, particularly during actuation of the closure element or the retaining element, the fastening element can have a mounting bar positioned between the two locking devices, which is located on or near the lower part within the fastening element placed on the lower part. Additionally or alternatively, the outer edge of the side of the fastening element that includes the retaining element can be formed as a mounting edge that is positioned against or adjacent to the lower part. In this case, the fastening element preferably has one mounting edge on both sides of the retaining element.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment, the closure element has an engaging portion for pulling the closure element outward from the closed position to the open position. In the case of a locking tab arranged on the upper surface of the fixing element, the engaging portion is then arranged, in particular, above the locking tab or is formed by a region of the fixing element arranged above the locking tab. In another advantageous embodiment, the holding element has an actuating portion for biasing the holding element from the holding position to the release position, in particular on the side facing away from the transport container or on the side facing outward. As a result, the holding element, i.e., the locking element, deflects toward the transport container when a force is applied to the actuating portion. The described embodiments provide for easy actuation of the closure element and the holding element. In addition to the described embodiments, the reverse configuration of the closure element and the holding element is also conceivable in principle, in particular in which the holding element has an engaging portion for pulling the holding element to the release position and the closure element has an actuating portion for biasing the holding element to the open position.

[0018] In an advantageous embodiment, the bottom surface of the lower part has at least one coupling element that couples with, and in particular engages with, a mating element of the support structure in the coupling position. The bottom surface of the lower part preferably has an engagement bar that engages with a corresponding engagement recess of the support structure in the coupling position. For simple, fast and reliable placement of the transport container on the support structure, the at least one engagement bar is arranged on or near the rear surface having the hinge, in particular on the rear edge of the lower part. In an advantageous embodiment, the lower part has a plurality of engagement bars for engaging with correspondingly configured engagement recesses of the support structure. The engagement recess can then also have a plurality of portions, each capable of accommodating one engagement bar. The engagement bar is then preferably arranged along the rear surface, in particular along the edge of the bottom surface of the lower part that extends along the rear surface.

[0019] In an advantageous embodiment, the transport container is configured as a stackable transport container. Therefore, the upper surface of the upper part has a support structure specifically designed for stacking identical transport containers, for example, to place the lower part of an identical transport container on it. Therefore, the upper part preferably has at least one retaining recess for a locking element of the identical transport container. Particularly preferably, the upper surface also has at least one mating element, in particular an engagement recess, for connecting with a connecting element, in particular an engagement bar, arranged on the bottom surface of the identical transport container. In another advantageous embodiment, the upper surface of the upper part has at least two such mating elements, in particular two engagement recesses, which preferably can also function as a retaining recess. The configuration of the retaining recess similar to or as an engagement recess represents a particularly preferred variant, since this allows the insertion of both the locking tab and the locking element into the engagement recess and the retaining recess considered as such. Consequently, the retaining recess in this advantageous embodiment can also be used as an engagement recess. The opposite situation applies to the engagement recess. The engagement bar of the equivalent transport container then engages in the engagement recess in the first coupling position and the locking hook of the equivalent transport container engages in the second engagement recess which serves as a retaining recess. In the above-described embodiment, the equivalent transport container can be attached to the upper part in two positions, in particular in positions rotated 180 degrees relative to each other.

[0020] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the stackable transport container, the top surface of the upper part has at least two protrusions extending upward relative to the lid surface, in particular a front protrusion arranged on or adjacent to the front surface having the fastening element and a rear protrusion arranged on or adjacent to the rear surface having the hinge. Each protrusion has at least one engagement recess, which preferably opens towards the other protrusion or faces inwards from the perspective of the transport container. Thus, a simple and reliable arrangement of identical transport containers in the coupled position leads to a simple and reliable stacking of multiple identical transport containers.

[0021] The present invention also provides a container arrangement comprising a transport container as described above and at least one support structure having at least one holding recess for releasably placing the transport container thereon, preferably on another, in particular an equivalent transport container, or on an adapter plate, and preferably having a mating element suitable for coupling with a coupling element of the transport container, in particular an engagement recess suitable for receiving an engagement bar arranged on the bottom of the transport container.

[0022] These and further features and advantages and effects of the transport container according to the invention and of the container arrangement according to the invention will become apparent from the following exemplary embodiments which are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a first perspective view of a stackable shipping container in a closed position. [Figure 2] 2 shows a second perspective view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] 2 shows a third perspective view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] 2 shows a view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1 in a partially open position. [Figure 5] 2 shows a view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1 in a fully open position. [Figure 6] 2 shows a view of the stackable shipping container of FIG. 1 in a partially open position, with no securing element resting on the lower part; [Figure 7] 2 shows a first view of a fastening element of the stackable shipping container shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 8] 2 shows a second view of the fastening element of the stackable shipping container shown in FIG. 1; [Figure 9] 2 shows a cross section through the arrangement of FIG. 1 in the region of the fixing element; [Figure 10] 2 shows a cross-section through the arrangement of FIG. 1 in the region of the fixing element with the closure element biased to the open position; [Figure 11]1 shows a stacking arrangement of two stackable shipping containers in a docked position. [Figure 12] 12 shows a cross section through the arrangement of FIG. 11. [Figure 13] 12 shows a cross-sectional view through the arrangement of FIG. 11, with the holding element of the upper transport container being placed in the released position. [Figure 14] 12 shows a cross-sectional view through the arrangement of FIG. 11, with the closure element of the upper transport container being placed in the open position. [Figure 15] 12 shows a perspective view of the stacked arrangement of FIG. 11 with the closure element of the upper shipping container in the open position. [Figure 16] 12 shows a perspective view of the stacked arrangement of FIG. 11 with the upper portion of the top shipping container in a partially open position. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] 1 to 3 show different perspective views of an exemplary embodiment of a transport container 1 according to the present invention in a closed position. The transport container 1 comprises a lower portion 2 and an upper portion 3 connected to the lower portion 4[original: 2] via a hinge 4 arranged on the rear surfaces of the lower portion 2 and the upper portion 3. In this exemplary embodiment, the hinge 4 is specifically formed by a steel shaft forming a pivot axis A arranged in a guide having an opening on the rear surface of the upper portion 2[original: 3] and the lower portion 3[original: 2] shown in FIG. 2. By rotating the upper portion 3 about the pivot axis A, the transport container 1 can move from a closed position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, in which the upper portion 3 rests on the lower portion 2, to a partially open position shown in FIG. 4, to a fully open position shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5, the lower portion 2 and the upper portion 3 are configured in a box-like or shell-like shape, and both the lower portion 2 and the upper portion 3 enclose a storage space 5 for storing an object therein. In the present exemplary embodiment, the transport container 1 is provided for accommodating tool parts, in particular tool bits. For this purpose, the transport container 1 shown by way of example has on the inside of the upper part 2 and the lower part 3 [original: 3 and 2] a number of guide recesses 6 into which can be inserted holding slots (not shown) used for accommodating the tool bits in an orderly manner.

[0025] 7 and 8 is mounted on the front surface of the lower part 2, via which the upper part 3 (described further below) is secured in the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and the transport container 1 (described further below) is also secured on a supporting structure, in this case an equivalent transport container 1. To secure the fastening element 7 to the lower part 2, two locking hooks 8 are arranged on the rear surface of the fastening element 7 facing the lower part 2, which hook or clip into locking recesses 9 on the front surface of the lower part 2, which are shown in particular in FIG. 6. The positioning of the fastening element 7 via the locking hooks 8 engaging in the locking recesses 9 is also evident from the cross-sectional views of FIGS. 9 and 10. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the locking hooks 8 are designed integrally with the fastening element 7. However, locking means for positioning the fastening element 7 to the lower part 2 are also conceivable, which are subsequently mounted on the fastening element 7, for example by being mounted on locking hooks 8 that are made separately and subsequently attached to the fastening element 7. In another embodiment, it is also conceivable to provide locking recesses in the fixing element 7 and locking hooks in the lower part 2. The fixing element 7 also has mounting bars 25 between the locking hooks 8 and mounting edges 26 arranged below each locking hook 8, which are located on or near the front face of the lower part 2 of the fixing element 7 attached to the lower part 2.

[0026] In order to secure the upper part 3 in the closed position shown in Figures 1 to 3 and to secure the transport container 1 to a support structure, such as the securing of two stacked transport containers 1, 1', which will be described below with reference to Figures 11 to 16, the fastening element 7, preferably made in one piece from plastic, has two resiliently deflectable segments that can be actuated independently of one another, as shown in detail in Figures 7 and 8. In particular, this fastening element 7 has a closure element 10 that forms the upper region of the fastening element 7 and a holding element 11 that is arranged between two separating slots 12 that extend vertically from below to approximately one-third of the height of the fastening element 7.

[0027] The closure element 10 has a locking tab 13 on its rear side facing the lower and upper parts 2 and 3 to secure the upper part 3 in the closed position shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 . In particular, the locking tab 13 engages with a corresponding locking recess 14 on the front side of the upper part 3 in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 9 , forming the base position of the closure element 10. The locking recess 14 is then a locking piece or bar located in the area of ​​the lower edge of the upper part 3 and is formed integrally with the upper part 3. To open the transport container 1, the locking tab 13 and the locking recess 14 are disengaged. Specifically, the closure element 10 then engages with an engagement portion 15 located above the locking tab 13, and by pulling the closure element 10 outward, it is deflected outward from the closed position shown in FIG. 9 to the open position shown in FIG. 10 . The deflection of the closure element 10 is also indicated in FIG. 4 by a dashed line drawn along the fixing element 7. 4, when the closure element 10 is arranged in the open position, the upper part 3 can be rotated about the pivot axis A, and the transport container 1 can thus be opened. When no force is applied, i.e. when there is no engagement at the engagement portion 15 and the closure element 10 is pulled outward, the closure element 10 returns to the closed position, which forms the basic position. During closing of the upper part 3, the locking tabs 13 of the closure element 10 arranged in the closed position are first momentarily biased outward by contact with the lower (leading-in) chamfers of the locking recesses 14, and then, in the fully closed upper part 3, are automatically locked in the locking recesses 14 by the return movement of the elastic closure element 10 to the closed position, which forms the basic position, thereby securing the upper part 3 in the closed position.

[0028] As also shown in Figure 10, the retaining element 11 does not deflect during actuation of the closure element 10, especially when the closure element 10 is pulled outward from the closed position to the open position, meaning that the retaining element 11 remains in its basic position during actuation of the closure element 10, as shown in Figures 9 and 10.

[0029] The holding element 11 has a locking element 16, which in this case is designed in the form of a locking hook, forming a lower region of the holding element 11 for fixing the transport container 1 on a support structure. In the holding position, which forms the base position, the locking element 16 engages in a corresponding holding recess of the support structure. The fixing of the transport container 1 on the support structure and the operating mode of the holding element 11, in particular for fixing two transport containers 1, 1' stacked one on top of the other in the coupled position, are described below with reference to FIGS. 11 to 16. The holding element 11 is actuated by pressing on the actuating part 17 of the holding element 11, which is arranged between the separating slots 12. In this way, the holding element 11 is deflected in the direction of the transport container 1, and the locking hook 16 is (further) inserted into a recess 18 provided for this purpose in the lower region of the lower part 2. In the absence of force, i.e. without pressure on the actuating part 17, the holding element 11 moves back in the direction of the transport container 1 and forms the base position.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 2 , the transport container 1 has a plurality of interlocking elements in the form of engagement bars 19, particularly on its lower edge facing the rear, which function to engage with corresponding mating elements, particularly engagement recesses on a support structure. On the top surface of the upper part 3, the transport container 1 has two protrusions 21, 22 extending upward relative to the top surface 20. In particular, the transport container 1 has a first, front protrusion 21 located on the front side and a second, rear protrusion 22 located on the rear side. The protrusions 21, 22 each have an engagement recess 23, 24 that opens toward the other protrusion 21, 22. The front protrusion 21 has a front engagement recess 23 that opens inward or rearward, and the rear protrusion 22 has a rear engagement recess 24 that opens inward or forward. The engagement recesses 23, 24 function to accommodate the engagement bars 19 and locking elements 16 of another equivalent transport container 1 stacked on the upper part 3, as will be described below. The engagement recesses 23, 24 in this exemplary embodiment are configured as continuous engagement grooves or inserts extending along the upper surface of the upper portion 3. However, other embodiments are also conceivable, for example, where the engagement recesses 23, 24 are subdivided into multiple portions to allow for the accommodation of engagement bars 19 and locking elements 16 of additional equivalent shipping containers 1.

[0031] Figures 11 to 16 show how two identical transport containers 1, 1' as described above are stacked one on top of the other along the stacking axis S. The lower part 2 of the upper transport container 1 is then placed on the upper part 3' of the lower transport container 1'. Not all reference numbers are shown in Figures 11 to 16, merely for the sake of clarity.

[0032] 11 and 12, in order to stack the transport containers 1, 1' in the docking position shown in Figures 11 and 12, in a first step, the engagement bar 19 of the upper transport container 1 is inserted or pushed into the rear engagement recess 24' of the lower transport container 1' while the transport containers 1, 1' are tilted. Then, the front face of the upper transport container 1 is rotated downwards towards the lower transport container 1'. During this docking process, the locking element 16 of the holding element 11 of the upper transport container 1 is initially located on top of the front protrusion 21, so that the front protrusion is temporarily deflected inward, i.e., into the recess 18. After that, i.e., while the front face of the upper transport container 1 is fully rotated downwards to the docking position shown in Figures 11 and 12, the elastic holding element 11 is moved to the holding position which forms the basic position, so that the locking element 16 snaps back into the front engagement recess 23' of the lower transport container 1'. The engagement bar 19 of the upper transport container 1 engages in the rear engagement recess 24' of the lower transport container 1' and the locking element 16 engages in the front engagement recess 23', so that the two stacked transport containers 1, 1' are placed in a fixed, joined position so that they cannot be lifted or loosened from one another. In the illustrated configuration of transport containers 1, 1', in addition to the stacked arrangement of transport containers 1, 1' shown by way of example in Figures 11 and 12, in particular due to the mirror symmetry of the engagement recesses 23', 24' which can serve to accommodate both the engagement bar 19 and the locking element 16, a stack of two transport containers 1, 1' rotated by 180 degrees is also possible, i.e. in such a way that the engagement bar 19 of the upper transport container 1 engages in the front engagement recess 23' of the lower transport container 1' and the locking element 16 engages in the rear engagement recess 24'.

[0033] The release of two stacked transport containers 1, 1' is indicated in FIG. 13 by the arrows. The holding element 11 is biased from the holding position shown in FIG. 12 to the release position shown in FIG. 13 by pressing the actuating part 17 so that the locking element 16 disengages from the front engagement recess 23' of the lower transport container 1'. With this positioning of the holding element 11, the upper transport container 1 can be lifted from the lower transport container 1'. Specifically, the front face of the upper transport container 1 is first moved upward or away from the lower transport container 1', and then the engagement bar 19 is pulled out of the rear engagement recess 24'. As shown in FIG. 13, the closure element 10 of the fixing element 7 of the upper transport container 1 remains in the closed position, which forms the basic position, during actuation of the holding element 11. Therefore, the upper transport container 1 cannot unintentionally open when separated from the lower transport container 1'.

[0034] Figures 14 to 16 show the release of the upper transport container 1 when it is placed on the lower transport container 1'. The closure element 10 is then biased outwards into the open position shown in Figures 14 and 15 by engaging in the engagement portion 15 and by pulling the closure element 10 outwards, and then the upper part 3 is pivoted upwards about the pivot axis A, as shown in Figure 16. As already mentioned above, the holding element 11 of the fixing element 7 then remains in its holding position, which forms the basic position, so that the upper transport container 1 does not release from the lower transport container 1' during the above-mentioned opening.

[0035] For the sake of completeness, it is pointed out that the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above by way of example. For example, in addition to the connection of two identical transport containers as shown, it is also possible to attach transport containers to adapter plates with equivalent, but not identical, support structures. It is also possible to provide different configurations of engagement bars, and to have more or fewer engagement bars or other connection elements, as well as different configurations of engagement recesses. In principle, it is also conceivable to design transport containers with several fastening elements. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1. Transport container 2 Lower part 3 Upper part 4 hinges 5. Containment space 6 Guide recess 7 Fixed Elements 8 Mooring Hook 9 Locking recess 10 Closure Elements 11 Retention elements 12 Separation Slots 13 Locking tab 14 Locking recess 15 Engagement part 16 Rock Elements 17 Operating unit 18 Recess 19 Engagement bar 20 Top 21 First anterior process 22 second posterior process 23 First front engagement recess 24 Second rear engagement recess 25 Installation bar 26 Installation edge A Rotating axis S Stacking axis

Claims

1. A transport container (1) for releasably placing on a support structure, comprising a lower part (2), an upper part (3) which together with the lower part (2) encloses a storage space (5) and is pivotally connected to the lower part (2) via a hinge (4), a closure element (10) movable between a closed position and an open position for releasably fixing the upper part (3) in a position for closing the storage space (5), and a holding element (11) movable between a holding position and a release position, via which the transport container (1) can be attached in a coupling position in which the bottom surface of the lower part (2) is placed on the support structure, and the closure element (11) 1. A transport container according to claim 1, wherein the closure element (10) and the holding element (11) are segments of a fixing element (7) arranged on the lower part (2) that can be actuated separately from one another, the closure element (10) being resiliently deflectable from a closed position forming a basic position and having locking tabs (13) for engaging in locking recesses (14) of the upper part (3), and the holding element (11) being resiliently deflectable from a holding position forming a basic position and having locking elements (16) for releasably engaging in holding recesses (23, 24) of the support structure in the coupling position of the transport container (1).

2. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper part (3) is pivotally connected to the lower part (2) via a hinge (4) arranged on a first side of the lower part (2), and the fixing element (7) is arranged on a second side of the lower part (2).

3. 2. Transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (7) is made in one piece.

4. 2. A transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (10) and the holding element (11) are arranged on either side of the fastening element (7).

5. 2. Transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (11) is arranged between two vertically extending separating slots (12) of the fastening element (7).

6. 2. Transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (7) is rigidly connected to the lower part (2).

7. 2. Transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening element (7) is releasably mounted on the lower part (2) via at least one locking device.

8. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fixing element (7) is mounted on the lower part (2) via two locking devices, and the holding element (11) is arranged between at least two locking devices.

9. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the closure element (10) has an engagement portion (15) for pulling the closure element (10) outward from the closed position to the open position.

10. 2. A transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the holding element (11) has an actuation part (17) for biasing the holding element (11) from the holding position to the release position.

11. 2. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the bottom surface of the lower part (2) has at least one connecting element which is connected to a mating element at the connecting position.

12. A transport container (1) as described in claim 11, characterized in that the at least one connecting element is configured as an engagement bar (19) arranged on or in the vicinity of the back of the lower part (2), the hinge (4) is arranged on the back of the lower part (2), and the upper part (3) is rotatably connected to the lower part (2) via the hinge.

13. The transport container (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper surface of the upper part (3) has a support structure designed for stacking equivalent transport containers (1') thereon, and is configured as a stackable transport container (1).

14. A transport container (1) as described in claim 13, characterized by at least two engagement recesses (23, 24) arranged on the upper surface of the upper part (3), in which the engagement bar (19') of an equivalent transport container (1') in the coupled position engages with a first engagement recess (23, 24) and the locking element (16') of the equivalent transport container (1') engages with a second engagement recess (24, 23).

15. 15. A transport container (1) according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that the upper surface of the upper part (3) includes at least two protrusions (21, 22) protruding relative to the top surface (20), each of which has at least one engagement recess (23, 24) opening toward the other protrusion (21, 22).

16. 15. A container arrangement comprising a transport container (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a support structure having holding recesses (24, 23) for releasably placing the transport container (1) thereon.

17. 16. A container arrangement comprising a transport container (1) according to claim 15 and a support structure having holding recesses (24, 23) for releasably placing said transport container (1) thereon.

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