Transport containers
The transport container design addresses rattling issues by folding and engaging side walls with recesses and projections, ensuring stability and preventing collapse during stacking and transport.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- GIFU PLAST IND CO LTD
- Filing Date
- 2021-09-21
- Publication Date
- 2026-04-21
AI Technical Summary
Conventional foldable transport containers experience rattling due to clearance between side walls and the bottom wall, leading to reduced strength and potential collapse when stacked.
A transport container design where first side walls are folded inward, followed by second side walls, with insertion recesses and protrusions or projections that engage to lift the second side walls, minimizing clearance and suppressing rattling.
The design effectively suppresses rattling, maintaining structural integrity and preventing collapse during stacking and transport.
Smart Images

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Figure 0007848991000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a transport container.
Background Art
[0002] A foldable transport container as disclosed in Patent Document 1 has been conventionally known. This type of transport container includes a bottom wall and two pairs of side walls rotatably connected to the bottom wall. When folding, after folding one pair of side walls facing each other inward, the other pair of side walls facing each other are configured to be folded inward.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] In the above-described conventional transport container, rattling (hereinafter referred to as "rattling") occurs due to the clearance between each side wall and the bottom wall in the assembled state where the two pairs of side walls are erected. This rattling can cause a decrease in the strength of the entire container and also cause the collapse of the load when stacking multiple containers.
[0005] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to propose a transport container capable of suppressing the occurrence of rattling in the assembled state.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] A transport container according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a bottom wall having a rectangular periphery, a pair of first side walls rotatably connected to the periphery so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other, and a pair of second side walls rotatably connected to the periphery so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other, wherein the transport container is configured such that the pair of first side walls are folded inward, and then the pair of second side walls are folded inward, and in the first step, when the pair of second side walls are raised from a folded state, insertion recesses are formed between at least one of the left and right ends of each second side wall and the periphery of the bottom wall, and in the second step, when the pair of first side walls are raised, insertion protrusions included in the corresponding first side walls of the pair of first side walls are inserted into each insertion recess, thereby causing the corresponding second side walls of the pair of second side walls to lift up.
[0007] A transport container according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a bottom wall having a rectangular periphery, a pair of first side walls rotatably connected to the periphery so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other, and a pair of second side walls rotatably connected to the periphery so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other, wherein the transport container is configured such that the pair of first side walls are folded inward, and then the pair of second side walls are folded inward, and in the first stage the pair of second side walls are raised, and in the second stage the pair of first side walls are raised, an engaging projection included in the corresponding first side wall of the pair of first side walls is inserted into a recess provided on at least one of the left and right ends of each second side wall, thereby causing the corresponding second side wall of the pair of second side walls to lift up. [Effects of the Invention]
[0008] This disclosure has the effect of suppressing rattling in the assembled state. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0009] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transport container according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is an enlarged view of section A in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is an enlarged view of section B in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the transport container shown above. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a front view of the transport container shown above. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 5. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the main part of the transport container described above, when the second side wall is upright and the first side wall is not upright. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a perspective view of the main part showing the second side wall standing upright and the first side wall in the process of standing upright. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a perspective view of the same scene from a different angle, showing the main parts. [Figure 10] Figure 10 is a front view of the first side wall shown above. [Figure 11] Figure 11 is a side view of the first side wall shown above. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional view of the main part of the transport container according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0010] 1. First Embodiment 1-1. Overall structure of the transport container The transport container of the first embodiment is a transport container made of synthetic resin with an opening at the top. The transport container of the first embodiment comprises a bottom wall 3 having a rectangular outer shape in plan view, a pair of first side walls 1 rotatably connected to the bottom wall 3, and a pair of second side walls 2 rotatably connected to the bottom wall 3. The bottom wall 3, the pair of first side walls 1, and the pair of second side walls 2 are all made of synthetic resin.
[0011] FIG. 1, FIG. 5, etc. show a state in which a pair of first side walls 1 and a pair of second side walls 2 are each erected. This state is the assembled state of the transport container of the first embodiment.
[0012] In contrast, although not shown, a state in which a pair of first side walls 1 and a pair of second side walls 2 are each fallen inward and stacked on the bottom wall 3 is the folded state of the transport container of the first embodiment. In the transport container of the first embodiment, after folding the erected pair of first side walls 1 inward, the erected pair of second side walls 2 are configured to be folded inward.
[0013] Hereinafter, each component of the transport container of the first embodiment will be described in detail. Each direction such as up and down used in the text is based on the case where the transport container in the assembled state is placed on a horizontal plane unless otherwise specified.
[0014] 1-2. Bottom Wall The bottom wall 3 has a rectangular flat bottom wall body 34 and a peripheral portion 35 protruding upward from the peripheral edge portion of the bottom wall body 34.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 5, the main body portion 341 at the center of the bottom wall body 34 protrudes one step downward via a step from the outer peripheral portion 343 located surrounding the main body portion 341. In addition, a plurality of long strip-shaped legs 345 protrude downward from the outer peripheral portion 343 of the bottom wall body 34. Each leg 345 is located at a distance in the horizontal direction from the main body portion 341, and a linear groove 347 recessed upward is formed between each leg 345 and the main body portion 341.
[0016] When a plurality of transport containers of the first embodiment are prepared and stacked vertically in the assembled state, the upper end portions of each second side wall 2 provided in the lower transport container are fitted into the grooves 347 formed in the bottom wall 3 of the upper transport container. Thereby, the stabilization of stacking is achieved.
[0017] The peripheral portion 35 has a rectangular frame-like outer shape in plan view, and specifically includes a pair of first end edges 31 that are spaced apart horizontally and parallel to each other, a pair of second end edges 32 that are spaced apart horizontally and parallel to each other, and four corner reinforcing portions 33 that connect the pair of first end edges 31 and the pair of second end edges 32 in a series.
[0018] In a plan view, the pair of first edge portions 31 and the pair of second edge portions 32 are straight lines, and the four corner reinforcements 33 are L-shaped. The directions in which the pair of first edge portions 31 face each other and the directions in which the pair of second edge portions 32 face each other are perpendicular to each other. In the circumferential direction of the peripheral edge portion 35, the first edge portions 31 and the second edge portions 32 are positioned alternately, and the corner reinforcements 33 connecting the two are located between adjacent first edge portions 31 and second edge portions 32.
[0019] The pair of first end edges 31 are the portions to which the pair of first side walls 1 are rotatably connected. The heights of the pair of first end edges 31 are the same, but are not limited to this, and the pair of first end edges 31 may be designed to have different heights.
[0020] The pair of second edge portions 32 are the portions to which the pair of second side walls 2 are rotatably connected. In the transport container of the first embodiment, the pair of second edge portions 32 are formed higher than the pair of first edge portions 31. The heights of the pair of second edge portions 32 are the same, but are not limited to this, and the pair of second edge portions 32 may be designed to have different heights. Even when the heights of the pair of second edge portions 32 are different, it is preferable that the height of each second edge portion 32 is higher than each of the pair of first edge portions 31.
[0021] The four corner reinforcements 33 are provided so as to protrude upward from the four corner portions of the rectangular bottom wall body 34 in plan view. Each corner reinforcement 33 is connected to one longitudinal end of the adjacent first end edge 31 and to one longitudinal end of the adjacent second end edge 32.
[0022] Each corner reinforcement portion 33 is formed at the same height as the adjacent second end edge portion 32, and is formed higher than the adjacent first end edge portion 31.
[0023] Furthermore, each corner reinforcement portion 33 may be formed higher or lower than the adjacent second end edge portion 32. Even when each corner reinforcement portion 33 is formed lower than the adjacent second end edge portion 32, it is preferable that each corner reinforcement portion 33 be formed higher than the adjacent first end edge portion 31.
[0024] As shown in Figure 8, each L-shaped corner reinforcement 33 includes a portion 331 on the side closer to the first end edge 31. This portion 331 is the part of each corner reinforcement 33 that protrudes inward from the adjacent second end edge 32 (i.e., towards the other paired second end edge 32). The upper surface 3310 of this portion 331 is part of the flat upper surface of the corner reinforcement 33.
[0025] 1-3. A pair of first side walls The pair of first side walls 1 have different heights. The pair of first side walls 1 consists of a shorter first side wall 1 and a taller first side wall 1. In the following, the shorter first side wall 1 is denoted by reference numeral 1a, and the taller first side wall 1 is denoted by reference numeral 1b.
[0026] First, let's describe the short first side wall 1a.
[0027] The height of the first side wall 1a is set lower by a predetermined dimension d3 than the height of the adjacent pair of second side walls 2 (see Figure 5). Preferably, the predetermined dimension d3 is set to a dimension of 2 / 3 or more of the internal height d5 of the transport container (see Figure 1), but is not limited to this.
[0028] Because the height of the first side wall 1a is relatively low as described above, an opening 71 is formed above the first side wall 1a in the assembled state (see Figures 1 and 5). The opening 71 is a rectangular opening that opens the storage space of the transport container of the first embodiment (the space located above the bottom wall 3) to the side. The opening 71 is formed in a continuous manner with the rectangular opening 70 that opens the storage space upward. The vertical dimension of the opening 71 is the predetermined dimension d3 described above.
[0029] As shown in Figure 11, the first side wall 1a integrally comprises a horizontally elongated rectangular plate-shaped main body 11 and engaging portions 12 provided at the upper corners on both sides of the main body 11 in the lateral direction. The engaging portions 12 are portions that can engage with the second side wall 2 adjacent to the first side wall 1a. The engaging portions 12 are formed to protrude further outward than the lateral end of the main body 11 and further upward than the upper end of the main body 11.
[0030] The engaging portion 12 integrally comprises a support wall 121 extending from the lateral end face of the main body 11, an engaging projection 123 protruding from the upper part of the support wall 121, and an insertion projection 125 protruding from the lower part of the support wall 121. The insertion projection 125 is located below the engaging projection 123. The direction in which the insertion projection 125 protrudes and the direction in which the engaging projection 123 protrudes are the same; specifically, both are directed outwards from the transport container.
[0031] The amount of protrusion of the insertion projection 125 from the support wall 121 and the amount of protrusion of the engaging projection 123 are different. Specifically, the amount of protrusion of the insertion projection 125 from the support wall 121 is greater than the amount of protrusion of the engaging projection 123. When the first side wall 1a is upright, the tip of the insertion projection 125 is located further outward than the tip of the engaging projection 123.
[0032] When the engaging projection 123 is viewed from its tip, it has an elongated E-shaped outer form.
[0033] The insertion projection 125 includes a plurality of convex ribs 126 positioned at intervals laterally from the first side wall 1a, and a base 127 connecting the plurality of convex ribs 126. In the transport container of the first embodiment, the insertion projection 125 includes two convex ribs 126, but the number of convex ribs 126 may be one or three or more.
[0034] A tapered surface 128 is formed on the upper part of the tip of the insertion projection 125 (see Figures 8 and 11). The tapered surface 128 is a surface that is inclined diagonally so that it is located lower towards the tip. In the transport container of the first embodiment, each of the two convex ribs 126 has a tapered surface 128. It is also possible to provide a tapered surface 128 on the insertion projection 125 without providing a convex rib 126.
[0035] Furthermore, a locking operation unit 41 and a pair of left and right locking bars 42 connected thereto are mounted on the front of the first side wall 1a (that is, the side facing the opposite side from where the first side wall 1b is located in the assembled state). The locking operation unit 41 and the pair of left and right locking bars 42 are means for locking or unlocking the first side wall 1a to the pair of second side walls 2.
[0036] The locking mechanism 41 integrally comprises an operating mechanism body 412 that can be operated by the user by placing their fingers on it, and an elastic part 414 for applying an upward elastic force to the operating mechanism body 412. The operating mechanism body 412 is mounted on the central lateral portion of the front surface of the first side wall 1a so as to be movable within a predetermined vertical range. The elastic part 414 consists of two leaf springs located below the operating mechanism body 412.
[0037] The pair of left and right lock bars 42 are located on both the left and right sides of the operating unit body 412. Each lock bar 42 is configured to move laterally in conjunction with the vertical movement of the lock operating unit 41. Specifically, the pair of left and right lock bars 42 are configured to slide toward each other as the lock operating unit 41 moves downward.
[0038] As shown in Figure 10, etc., when the operating unit body 412 is in the upper position within its vertically movable range (i.e., when the user is not moving the operating unit body 412 downwards), the tip portion 425 of each lock bar 42 that is away from the operating unit body 412 is in a position that overlaps with the engaging portion 12 in a front view. In this position, the tip portion 425 of each lock bar 42 is located below the engaging projection 123 and above the insertion projection 125. Although not shown in the illustration, when the operating unit body 412 is in the lower position within its vertically movable range (i.e., when the user is moving the operating unit body 412 downwards), the tip portion 425 of each lock bar 42 is retracted from the position that overlaps with the engaging portion 12. The tip portion 425 of each lock bar 42 is formed to be thinner than the other portions.
[0039] Next, we will describe the tall first side wall 1b.
[0040] The first side wall 1b has the same height as the pair of second side walls 2 (see Figures 1 and 5). However, it is also possible to form the first side wall 1b higher than the pair of second side walls 2, or lower than the pair of second side walls 2.
[0041] The first side wall 1b is fitted with a locking operation part 41 similar to that of the first side wall 1a, and a pair of left and right locking bars 42 connected thereto. These are means for locking or unlocking the first side wall 1b to the pair of second side walls 2. The locking operation part 41 and the pair of left and right locking bars 42 are fitted to the front of the first side wall 1b (i.e., the side facing the opposite side from where the first side wall 1a is located in the assembled state), but they may also be fitted to the back of the first side wall 1b.
[0042] 1-4. A pair of second side walls The heights of the pair of second side walls 2 are the same. The pair of second side walls 2 share a common structure. The common structure of the pair of second side walls 2 will be described below.
[0043] The second side wall 2 integrally comprises a rectangular flat side wall body 21, a plurality of rotating shafts 23 protruding downward from the lower edge of the side wall body 21, and a plurality of convex fitting portions 25 protruding downward from the lower edge of the side wall body 21. The plurality of rotating shafts 23 are provided parallel to each other and spaced apart in the lateral direction of the second side wall 2. Similarly, the plurality of fitting portions 25 are provided parallel to each other and spaced apart in the lateral direction of the second side wall 2. The lateral direction of the second side wall 2 is perpendicular to the thickness direction and the vertical direction of the second side wall 2. In the transport container of the first embodiment, one fitting portion 25 is located between two adjacent rotating shafts 23.
[0044] Each rotating shaft 23 includes a projection 235 that protrudes horizontally (see Figure 3). Each rotating shaft 23 is inserted into a concave rotating shaft bearing portion 323 provided on the corresponding part of the second end edge portion 32, and the projection 235 of each rotating shaft 23 is fitted into an elongated hole 325 provided in the rotating shaft bearing portion 323 so as to be able to move up and down and rotate within a predetermined range.
[0045] Each fitting portion 25 is composed of an L-shaped projection including a first portion 251 that protrudes downward and a second portion 252 that protrudes outward from the lower part of the first portion 251 (see Figure 4). Each fitting portion 25 is inserted from the inside into a concave fitting portion 353 provided on the corresponding part of the second end edge portion 32.
[0046] The fitting portion 353 includes a recess 351 provided on the upper part of the second end edge portion 32 and a hole 352 communicating with the recess 351. The recess 351 is a recess that is open upward and inward, and the hole 352 is a hole that penetrates horizontally. When each fitting portion 25 is inserted into the corresponding fitting portion 353, all or part of the first portion 251 of the fitting portion 25 is located within the recess 351, and the second portion 252 is inserted through the hole 352.
[0047] Furthermore, the second side wall 2 integrally includes an engaging portion 26 that can engage with the shorter first side wall 1a and an engaging portion 27 that can engage with the taller first side wall 1b (see Figure 1, etc.).
[0048] The engaging portion 26 has a protruding portion 261 that protrudes inward from the lateral end of the side wall body 21, a recess 263 provided on the upper part of the protruding portion 261, and an L-shaped hook 265 provided on the lower part of the protruding portion 261 (see Figure 9, etc.). The recess 263 is the portion into which the engaging projection 123 of the first side wall 1a fits. The hook 265 is the portion into which the tip portion 425 of the lock bar 42 catches, and has a first portion 2651 that protrudes horizontally and a second portion 2652 that protrudes upward from the tip of the first portion 2651. A tapered surface 268 is formed at the boundary between the first portion 2651 and the second portion 2652 to facilitate insertion of the insertion projection 125 below it (see Figure 6). The tapered surface 268 is a surface that is inclined diagonally so that the portion closer to the second portion 2652 is located higher up.
[0049] The hook 265 is located below the recess 263, and there is a vertical distance between the hook 265 and the recess 263. The first portion 2651 of the hook 265 constitutes part of the lower end of the engaging portion 26.
[0050] The engaging portion 27 is provided at another lateral end of the side wall body 21 (see Figure 1). The engaging portion 27 is a vertically elongated projection that protrudes inward from the side wall body 21. The engaging portion 27 that engages with the taller first side wall 1a is formed to be longer vertically than the engaging portion 26 that engages with the shorter first side wall 1b, and extends to a higher position than the engaging portion 26. The direction in which the engaging portion 27 protrudes from the side wall body 21 is the same as the direction in which the engaging portion 26 protrudes from the side wall body 21.
[0051] When the second side wall 2 is in an upright position, an insertion recess 8 is formed between one of the left and right ends of the second side wall 2 and the peripheral edge 35 of the bottom wall 3.
[0052] Specifically, an insertion recess 8 is formed between the lower end surface of the engaging portion 26 of the second side wall 2 and the upper surface of the corresponding corner reinforcement portion 33 (the upper surface 3310 of a portion 331 of the corner reinforcement portion 33) among the four corner reinforcement portions 33 included in the peripheral edge 35 of the bottom wall 3. The insertion recess 8 is open to the inside and the outside.
[0053] When the second side wall 2 and the adjacent first side wall 1a are in an upright position, the insertion projection 125 of the first side wall 1a is inserted into the insertion recess 8 from the inside. Also, the engagement projection 123 of the engagement portion 12 of the first side wall 1a is inserted into the recess 263 of the engagement portion 26 of the second side wall 2 from the inside.
[0054] When the second side wall 2 and the first side wall 1a are upright and the locking operation part 41 attached to the first side wall 1a is positioned upward, the tip portion 425 of the lock bar 42 connected to the locking operation part 41 is inserted between the protruding portion 261 of the engaging portion 26 of the second side wall 2 and the support wall 121 of the engaging portion 12 of the first side wall 1a (see Figure 6). At this time, the tip portion 425 of the lock bar 42 catches on the hook 265 of the engaging portion 26 of the second side wall 2, thereby locking the first side wall 1a in the upright position.
[0055] Furthermore, when the second side wall 2 and the adjacent first side wall 1b are in an upright position, the edge of the first side wall 1b engages with the engaging portion 27 of the second side wall 2. At this time, the tip of the lock bar 42 attached to the first side wall 1b is inserted into the second side wall 2, thereby locking the first side wall 1b in the upright position.
[0056] 1-5. Assembly of transport containers As described above, when the transport container of the first embodiment is in a folded state, the pair of first side walls 1a, 1b and the pair of second side walls 2 are each folded inward and stacked on top of the bottom wall 3. To assemble the transport container of the first embodiment from this folded state, the first step is to raise the pair of second side walls 2, and then the second step is to raise the pair of first side walls 1.
[0057] When the pair of second side walls 2 are raised in the first stage, an inwardly open insertion recess 8 is formed between the engaging portion 26 of each second side wall 2 and the corner reinforcing portion 33 located at a distance below it (see Figure 7).
[0058] Next, in the second stage, when the pair of first side walls 1a and 1b are raised, the left and right insertion protrusions 125 of the shorter first side wall 1a are inserted from the inside into the insertion recesses 8 formed above the pair of adjacent corner reinforcement parts 33. As described above, a tapered surface 128 is formed on the tip of the insertion protrusion 125, and the lower surface of the engaging part 26 that defines the upper end of the insertion recess 8 (specifically, the lower surface of the hook 265) includes a tapered surface 268. Therefore, the insertion of the insertion protrusion 125 into the insertion recess 8 is smoothly guided.
[0059] In this configuration, the vertical dimension d1 of each insertion recess 8 in the first stage (i.e., the vertical dimension d1 of each insertion recess 8 when the insertion projection 125 is not inserted) is set to be smaller than the vertical dimension d2 of the insertion projection 125 that is inserted therein. Therefore, in the second stage, as the first side wall 1a stands upright, the tapered surfaces 128 of each insertion projection 125 contained in the first side wall 1a slide against the corresponding tapered surface 268 of the second side wall 2, thereby lifting the second side wall 2. As a result, each of the pair of second side walls 2 is lifted higher than in the first stage, and this effectively suppresses rattling caused by the clearance between the pair of second side walls 2 and the bottom wall 3.
[0060] In particular, in the transport container of the first embodiment, a large opening is formed in which the openings 71 and 70 are connected in a continuous manner, extending from the area above the low first side wall 1a to the area above the bottom wall 3 (see Figure 1, etc.). Therefore, there is a concern that the pair of second side walls 2 may rattle during transport, for example, but the insertion projection 125 of the first side wall 1a functions like a wedge inserted between the bottom wall 3 and the second side wall 2, thereby suppressing rattle between the pair of second side walls 2 and, consequently, the entire transport container during transport.
[0061] The vertical dimension d2 of the insertion projection 125 is preferably set to be larger by a dimension within the range of 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm than the vertical dimension d1 of the insertion recess 8 before it is inserted, and also preferably set to be larger by a dimension within the range of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.
[0062] In other words, the dimension by which the second side wall 2 is lifted when the insertion projection 125 of the first side wall 1a is inserted into the insertion recess 8 is preferably in the range of 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, and also preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.
[0063] The above-mentioned clearance is set to allow each second side wall 2 to rotate smoothly, and is a clearance provided between the rotation axis 23 of each second side wall 2 and the corresponding rotation bearing portion 323 of the second end edge 32, or a clearance provided between the fitting portions 25,353 of each second side wall 2 and the bottom wall 3.
[0064] The former clearance is, in detail, the vertical clearance provided between the projection 235 of the rotating shaft 23 and the elongated hole 325 of the rotating shaft bearing portion 323. The latter clearance is, in detail, the vertical clearance provided between the second portion 252 of the fitting portion 25 and the hole 352 of the fitting portion 353. Of the former and latter clearances, the clearance that is relatively smaller in the vertical direction can become the clearance of each second side wall 2.
[0065] As shown in Figure 6, in a longitudinal section of the assembled state in which the insertion projection 125 of the first side wall 1a is inserted into the insertion recess 8, the length L2 of the portion of the lower end surface of the first part 2651 of the hook 265 of the second side wall 2 that abuts the insertion projection 125 (i.e., the lower end surface of the engaging portion 26 that defines the upper end of the insertion recess 8) is set to be at least half the total length L1 of the lower end surface of the first part 2651 of the hook 265. This setting is preferable in order to stably lift and support the pair of second side walls 2 in the assembled state.
[0066] 2. Second Embodiment The transport container of the second embodiment has components common to the transport container of the first embodiment and components different from the transport container of the first embodiment. In the following description, components similar to those of the transport container of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions are omitted.
[0067] Figure 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the main part of the transport container of the second embodiment. This cross-section corresponds to the portion of the transport container of the first embodiment shown in Figure 6 (the cross-section along line AA in Figure 5).
[0068] The transport container of the second embodiment, like the transport container of the first embodiment, comprises a bottom wall 3, a pair of first side walls 1, and a pair of second side walls 2, and is configured such that the upright pair of first side walls 1 are folded inward, and then the upright pair of second side walls 2 are folded inward.
[0069] In the transport container of the second embodiment, unlike the transport container of the first embodiment, the first side wall 1a does not have an insertion projection 125. Instead, an engaging projection 123, which is inserted into a recess 263 of the second side wall 2, is configured to lift the second side wall 2 and suppress rattling.
[0070] A tapered surface 129 is formed on the upper part of the tip of the engaging projection 123. The tapered surface 129 is a surface that is inclined diagonally so that the part closer to the tip is located lower.
[0071] In the transport container of the second embodiment, when the pair of first side walls 1a, 1b and the pair of second side walls 2 are folded, the pair of second side walls 2 are raised in the first step, and the pair of first side walls 1a, 1b are raised in the second step, the left and right engaging protrusions 123 included in the first side wall 1a are inserted from the inside into recesses 263 provided on one of the left and right ends of each second side wall. At this time, the tapered surface 129 of each engaging protrusion 123 slides against the opening edge of the recess 263, lifting the corresponding second side wall 2. As a result, each of the pair of second side walls 2 is raised higher than in the first step, and rattling caused by the clearance between the pair of second side walls 2 and the bottom wall 3 is effectively suppressed.
[0072] The dimension by which the second side wall 2 is lifted by the engagement projection 123 of the first side wall 1a being inserted into the recess 263 of the second side wall 2 is preferably in the range of 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm, and also preferably in the range of 0.5 mm to 1.0 mm.
[0073] 3. Variant Various modifications of the transport containers of the first and second embodiments will be described below. In the following description, components similar to those of the transport containers of the first and second embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted.
[0074] In the transport container of the first embodiment described above, with the pair of second side walls 2 standing upright, insertion recesses 8 are formed between one of the left and right ends of each second side wall 2 (the end closer to the shorter first side wall 1a) and the peripheral edge 35 of the bottom wall 3. However, the location where the insertion recesses 8 are formed is not limited to this. For example, with the pair of second side walls 2 standing upright, insertion recesses 8 may be formed between both the left and right ends of each second side wall 2 (that is, both the end closer to the shorter first side wall 1a and the end closer to the taller first side wall 1b) and the peripheral edge 35 of the bottom wall 3.
[0075] In this case, it is preferable that the first side wall 1b also has two insertion protrusions 125 similar to those on the first side wall 1a. Of the four insertion recesses 8 formed in total, the two insertion protrusions 125 included in the first side wall 1a are inserted into the two insertion recesses 8 closer to the shorter first side wall 1a, and the two insertion protrusions 125 included in the first side wall 1b are inserted into the other two insertion recesses 8 closer to the taller first side wall 1b, thereby effectively suppressing rattling caused by the clearance between the pair of second side walls 2 and the bottom wall 3.
[0076] In the transport container of the second embodiment described above, with the pair of second side walls 2 standing upright, the engaging projection 123 of the lower first side wall 1a is inserted into a recess 263 provided at one of the left and right ends of each second side wall 2 (the end closer to the lower first side wall 1a), thereby causing the pair of second side walls 2 to lift up. However, a similar configuration can also be applied to the higher first side wall 1b.
[0077] In this case, it is preferable that the first side wall 1b is provided with two engaging protrusions 123 on the left and right sides, similar to those on the first side wall 1a, and that each second side wall 2 is provided with a recess 263 into which the engaging protrusions 123 of the first side wall 1b are inserted. In this case, the corresponding engaging protrusions 123 of the first side wall 1a are inserted into the recess 263 of the second side wall 2 that is closer to the shorter first side wall 1a, and the corresponding engaging protrusions 123 of the first side wall 1b are inserted into the recess 263 of the second side wall 2 that is closer to the taller first side wall 1b, thereby effectively suppressing rattling caused by the clearance between the pair of second side walls 2 and the bottom wall 3.
[0078] Furthermore, in the transport containers of the first and second embodiments described above, the height of one of the pair of first side walls 1 is set lower than the height of the pair of second side walls 2. However, the height of both of the pair of first side walls 1 may be set lower than the height of the pair of second side walls 2. In this case, the heights of the pair of first side walls 1 may be the same or different. The pair of first side walls 1 and the pair of second side walls 2 may all be set to the same height.
[0079] Furthermore, in the transport containers of the first and second embodiments described above, each second side wall 2 has a fitting portion 25 and the peripheral edge 35 has a fitting portion 353 that fits therein, but a structure without both fitting portions 25 and 353 is also possible. In this case, the clearance between the pair of second side walls 2 and the bottom wall 3 is, that is, the clearance provided between the rotation axis 23 of each second side wall 2 and the rotation bearing portion 323 of the bottom wall 3.
[0080] Furthermore, in the transport containers of the first and second embodiments described above, an opening 71 is formed above the first side wall 1a when assembled, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the first side wall 1a may have the same height as the pair of second side walls 2 and have a rectangular shape with a rectangular opening formed in its central portion. In this case, an opening 71 is not formed above the first side wall 1a, but the storage space is opened to the side through the opening formed in the central portion of the first side wall 1a.
[0081] Furthermore, in the transport container of the first embodiment described above, the insertion recess 8 is formed between the lower corner portion of the second side wall 2 (specifically, the engaging portion 26) and the upper surface of the highest portion of the corner reinforcement portion 33, but the location where the insertion recess 8 is formed is not limited to this. For example, the corner reinforcement portion 33 may include a relatively high portion and a relatively low portion, and the insertion recess 8 may be formed between the relatively low portion of the corner reinforcement portion 33 and the lower corner portion of the second side wall 2 located above it. Alternatively, the insertion recess 8 may be formed between the first end edge portion 31 of the bottom wall 3 and the lower corner portion of the second side wall 2 located above it.
[0082] Furthermore, the configurations of the transport containers of the first and second embodiments described above can be combined. In other words, when the pair of second side walls 2 are raised, insertion recesses 8 are formed between at least one of the left and right ends of each second side wall 2 and the peripheral edge 35 of the bottom wall 3. When the pair of first side walls 1 are raised, insertion protrusions 125 included in the corresponding first side wall 1 of the pair of first side walls 1 are inserted into each insertion recess 8, and engagement protrusions 123 included in the corresponding first side wall 1 of the pair of first side walls 1 are inserted into recesses 263 provided on at least one of the left and right ends of each second side wall 2. The corresponding second side wall 2 of the pair of second side walls 2 may be raised by the combined action of the insertion protrusions 125 and the engagement protrusions 123.
[0083] 4. Effects As described above based on the first embodiment and various modifications thereof, the transport container according to the first aspect of the present disclosure comprises a bottom wall 3, a pair of first side walls 1, and a pair of second side walls 2, and is configured such that the pair of upright first side walls 1 are folded inward, and then the pair of upright second side walls 2 are folded inward. The bottom wall 3 has a rectangular peripheral edge 35, and the pair of first side walls 1 are rotatably connected to the peripheral edge 35 so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other. The pair of second side walls 2 are rotatably connected to the peripheral edge 35 so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other. In the transport container according to the first aspect, when the pair of second side walls 2 are raised upright as the first step from a state in which the pair of first side walls 1 and the pair of second side walls 2 are folded, an insertion recess 8 is formed between at least one of the left and right ends of each second side wall 2 and the peripheral edge 35 of the bottom wall 3. Then, in the second stage, when the pair of first side walls 1 are raised, the insertion projections 125 included in the corresponding first side wall 1 of the pair are inserted into each insertion recess 8. As a result, the corresponding second side wall 2 of the pair of second side walls 2 is lifted up.
[0084] In the transport container according to the first embodiment, the insertion projection 125 inserted into the insertion recess 8 functions like a wedge that suppresses rattling of the second side wall 2. Therefore, the transport container according to the first embodiment can effectively suppress rattling in the assembled state.
[0085] Furthermore, in the transport container according to the first embodiment, a clearance is provided between the peripheral edge 35 of the bottom wall 3 and each second side wall 2 rotatably connected thereto, in order to allow smooth rotation of each second side wall 2. This clearance is provided between the rotation axis 23 of each second side wall 2 and the rotation bearing portion 323 of the peripheral edge 35, or between the fitting portions 25, 353 of each second side wall 2 and the peripheral edge 35.
[0086] According to the transport container of the first embodiment, the wedge-like function of the insertion projection 125 effectively suppresses rattling of the second side wall 2, while ensuring sufficient clearance between the second side wall 2 and the bottom wall 3, thereby enabling smooth rotation of the second side wall 2.
[0087] Furthermore, in the transport container according to the first embodiment, the vertical dimension d1 of each insertion recess 8 formed in the first stage is set to be smaller than the vertical dimension d2 of the insertion projection 125 into which it is inserted.
[0088] According to the transport container of the first embodiment, the second side wall 2 can be stably lifted when the insertion projection 125 is inserted into each insertion recess 8.
[0089] Furthermore, in the transport container according to the first embodiment, the peripheral edge 35 of the bottom wall 3 includes a pair of first edge portions 31, a pair of second edge portions 32, and four corner reinforcements 33. A pair of first side walls 1 are rotatably connected to each of the pair of first edge portions 31. The pair of second edge portions 32 are formed higher than the pair of first edge portions 31. A pair of second side walls 2 are rotatably connected to each of the pair of second edge portions 32. The four corner reinforcements 33 connect the pair of first edge portions 31 and the pair of second edge portions 32. The insertion recess 8 is formed between a corresponding corner reinforcement portion 33 of the four corner reinforcements 33 and a corresponding second side wall 2 of the pair of second side walls 2.
[0090] According to the first embodiment of the transport container, the load applied to the peripheral edge 35 of the bottom wall 3 by inserting the insertion projection 125 can be received by the corner reinforcement portion 33.
[0091] Furthermore, in the transport container according to the first embodiment, when the pair of first side walls 1 and the pair of second side walls 2 are upright, the height of at least one of the pair of first side walls 1 is set to be lower than the height of the pair of second side walls 2 by a predetermined dimension d3. The predetermined dimension d3 is a dimension of 2 / 3 or more of the internal height d5 of the transport container.
[0092] In the transport container according to the first embodiment, a large opening 71 is formed above the first side wall 1, which is shorter than the pair of second side walls 2. This opening can be used to efficiently load and unload transported goods. In other words, in the transport container according to the first embodiment, rattling can be suppressed in a transport container in which work efficiency has been increased in this way.
[0093] Furthermore, as described based on the second embodiment and various modifications thereof, the transport container according to the second aspect of the present disclosure comprises a bottom wall 3, a pair of first side walls 1, and a pair of second side walls 2, and is configured such that the upright pair of first side walls 1 are folded inward, and then the upright pair of second side walls 2 are folded inward. The bottom wall 3 has a rectangular peripheral edge 35, and the pair of first side walls 1 are rotatably connected to the peripheral edge 35 so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other. The pair of second side walls 2 are rotatably connected to the peripheral edge 53 so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other. In the transport container according to the second embodiment, when the pair of first side walls 1 and the pair of second side walls 2 are folded, in the first step the pair of second side walls 2 are raised, and in the second step the pair of first side walls 1 are raised, an engaging projection 123 included in the corresponding first side wall 1 of the pair of first side walls 1 is inserted into a recess 263 provided on at least one of the left and right ends of each second side wall 2, thereby causing the corresponding second side wall 2 of the pair of second side walls 2 to be raised.
[0094] In the transport container according to the second embodiment, the engaging projection 123 inserted into the recess 263 functions like a wedge that suppresses rattling of the second side wall 2. Therefore, the transport container according to the second embodiment can effectively suppress rattling in the assembled state. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0095] 1. First side wall 125 Insertion protrusion 2. Second side wall 23 Rotation axis 25 Fitting part 3 Bottom wall 31 First edge 32 Second edge 323 Rotating bearing section 33 Corner reinforcement section 35 Peripheral area 353 Fitting part 8 Insertion recess d1 Vertical dimension d2 Vertical dimension d3 specified dimensions d5 Internal height
Claims
1. A bottom wall having a rectangular periphery, A pair of first side walls are rotatably connected to the aforementioned peripheral edge so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other, It comprises a pair of second side walls that are rotatably connected to the aforementioned peripheral edge so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other, A transport container configured such that the pair of upright first side walls are folded inward, and then the pair of upright second side walls are folded inward, When the pair of second side walls are raised from a folded state, as a first step, an insertion recess is formed between at least one of the left and right ends of each second side wall and the peripheral edge of the bottom wall. In the second stage, when the pair of first side walls are raised, the insertion projection included in the corresponding first side wall of the pair of first side walls is inserted into each insertion recess, and the engaging projection included in the corresponding first side wall is inserted into the recess of the corresponding second side wall of the pair of second side walls so as to be positioned above the insertion projection, thereby causing the corresponding second side wall to be lifted by a dimension in the range of 0.2 mm to 2.0 mm by being sandwiched between the insertion projection and the engaging projection, thereby suppressing rattling caused by the clearance between the pair of second side walls and the bottom wall. A container for transport.
2. A bottom wall having a rectangular periphery, A pair of first side walls are rotatably connected to the aforementioned peripheral edge so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other, It comprises a pair of second side walls that are rotatably connected to the aforementioned peripheral edge so as to stand upright in a position parallel to each other, A transport container configured such that the pair of upright first side walls are folded inward, and then the pair of upright second side walls are folded inward, The peripheral portion of the bottom wall is The pair of first side walls are each rotatably connected to a pair of first end edges, A pair of second end edges are formed higher than the pair of first end edges, and the pair of second side walls are rotatably connected to each of them, It includes four corner reinforcing portions connecting the pair of first edge portions and the pair of second edge portions, When the pair of second side walls are raised in the first step from a folded state, an insertion recess is formed between the corresponding corner reinforcement portion of the four corner reinforcement portions and the corresponding second side wall of the pair of second side walls. In the second stage, when the pair of first side walls are raised, the insertion projections included in the corresponding first side walls are inserted into the insertion recesses, and the engaging projections included in the corresponding first side walls are inserted into the recesses of the corresponding second side walls so as to be positioned above the insertion projections. As a result, the corresponding second side walls are lifted up by being sandwiched between the insertion projections and the engaging projections, suppressing rattling caused by the clearance between the pair of second side walls and the bottom wall, and thereby the load on the peripheral edge of the bottom wall is received by the corner reinforcement portion. A container for transport.
3. A clearance is provided between the peripheral edge of the bottom wall and each second side wall rotatably connected thereto, in order to allow smooth rotation of each second side wall. The clearance is the clearance provided between the rotation axis of each second side wall and the rotation bearing portion of the peripheral edge, or the clearance provided between the fitting portions of each second side wall and the peripheral edge. A transport container according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The vertical dimension of each insertion recess formed in the first step is: The vertical dimension of the insertion projection that is inserted here is set to be smaller than the vertical dimension of the insertion projection. A transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 3.
5. In a state in which the pair of first side walls and the pair of second side walls are upright, The height of at least one of the pair of first side walls is set to be lower by a predetermined dimension than the height of the pair of second side walls. The predetermined dimensions are at least two-thirds of the internal height of the transport container. A transport container according to any one of claims 1 to 4.
Citation Information
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