Transport containers

Abstract

To attach side walls and a lid by easy operation to form a transportation container.SOLUTION: A transportation container 1 includes an upper frame 2, a bottom wall 3, side walls 4, and an operation part 5. The side walls 4 are provided between the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3 and connected to the upper frame 2 rotatably and detachably. The operation part 5 includes an upper operation part 6. The side walls 4 are configured to be switchable between a first state, in which the side walls 4 are rotatably attached to the upper frame 2, and a second state, in which the side walls 4 may be removed from the upper frame 2, according to a position of the upper operation part 6.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to Transport containers this.

Background Art

[0002] A transport container including an upper frame, a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, and a lid has been conventionally known (see Patent Document 1, etc.). In this type of transport container, each side wall and the lid are rotatably connected to the upper frame.

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, in order to configure the transport container by attaching side walls and a lid, troublesome work was required. Therefore, in the conventional transport container, for example, when a side wall or a lid was damaged, or when a side wall or a lid suffered from aging deterioration, it was not possible to easily replace only the part. Further, the conventional transport container was not such that a plurality of parts (for example, a plurality of parts having different colors) could be freely selected and assembled as side walls and a lid.

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to enable the configuration of a transport container by attaching side walls and a lid with simple work.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] A method for repairing a transport container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for repairing a transport container. The transport container comprises an upper frame, a bottom wall, a side wall provided between the upper frame and the bottom wall and rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame, and an upper operating part for operating the attachment and detachment of the side wall to the upper frame. The repair method comprises the steps of removing the side wall from the upper frame by changing the position of the upper operating part, and, after the above step, rotatably connecting a replacement side wall to be used in place of the side wall to the upper frame.

[0007] A method for assembling a transport container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for assembling a transport container. The transport container comprises an upper frame, a bottom wall, a side wall provided between the upper frame and the bottom wall and rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame, and an upper operating part for operating the attachment and detachment of the side wall to the upper frame. The assembly method comprises a step of rotatably connecting the side wall to the upper frame by changing the position of the upper operating part.

[0008] A transport container according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an upper frame, a bottom wall, a side wall provided between the upper frame and the bottom wall and rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame, and an operating unit for operating the attachment and detachment of the side wall. The operating unit includes an upper operating unit. The side wall is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it is rotatably mounted to the upper frame and a second state in which it is detachable from the upper frame, depending on the position of the upper operating unit.

[0009] A transport container according to another aspect of the present disclosure comprises a top frame, a bottom wall, and a plurality of side walls provided between the top frame and the bottom wall and rotatably connected to the top frame. The plurality of side walls include a pair of oscillating plates and a pair of folding plates. At least one of the pair of oscillating plates and the pair of folding plates is detachable from the top frame.

[0010] A method for repairing a transport container according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for repairing a transport container. The transport container comprises a top frame, a lid rotatably and detachably connected to the top frame, and a lid operating part for operating the attachment and detachment of the lid to the top frame. The repair method comprises the steps of removing the lid from the top frame by changing the position of the lid operating part, and, after the above step, rotatably connecting a replacement lid to be used in place of the lid to the top frame.

[0011] A method for assembling a transport container according to another aspect of the present disclosure is a method for assembling a transport container. The transport container comprises an upper frame, a lid rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame, and a lid operating part for operating the attachment and detachment of the lid to the upper frame. The assembly method comprises a step of rotatably connecting the lid to the upper frame by changing the position of the lid operating part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] This disclosure offers the advantage of enabling the construction of a transport container by attaching side walls and lids with simple operations. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0013] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a transport container according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2A is a perspective view of the same transport container with the lid removed, and Figure 2B is an enlarged view of section P in Figure 2A. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a front view of the transport container shown above. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in Figure 3. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a front view of the folding plate provided in the transport container described above. [Figure 6] Figure 6A is a perspective view of the bottom wall of the transport container, and Figure 6B is a perspective view of the lid of the transport container. [Figure 7]FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an upper operation portion provided in the same transport container, FIG. 7B is a perspective view of another upper operation portion provided in the same transport container, and FIG. 7C is a perspective view of a lid operation portion provided in the same transport container. [Figure 8] FIG. 8A is a partial sectional view showing the state where the upper operation portion is in the connected position, and FIG. 8B is a partial sectional view showing the state where the upper operation portion is in the unconnected position. [Figure 9] FIGS. 9A to 9C are partial sectional views showing how the same folding plate and the upper frame are connected. [Figure 10] FIGS. 10A to 10C are partial sectional views showing how the same folding plate and the bottom wall are connected. [Figure 11] FIGS. 11A to 11C are front views showing how the same upper frame and the lid are connected. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a perspective view showing another example of another upper operation portion. [Figure 13] FIG. 13A is a front view of the transport container according to the first modification, and FIG. 13B is a cross-section taken along line B-B of FIG. 13A. [Figure 14] FIGS. 14A to 14C are front views showing how the upper frame and the lid of the same transport container are connected. [Figure 15] FIG. 15A is a front view of the transport container according to the second modification, and FIG. 15B is a partial sectional view showing the connection structure between the swing plate and the upper frame of the same transport container. [Figure 16] FIG. 16A is an enlarged partial view showing the connection structure between the folding plate and the upper frame of the transport container according to the third modification, FIG. 16B is a partial sectional view showing the connection structure between the folding plate and the bottom wall, and FIG. 16C is an enlarged partial view showing the connection structure between the upper frame and the lid. [Figure 17] FIG. 17A is a partial sectional view showing the connection structure between the swing plate and the upper frame of the transport container according to the fourth modification, and FIG. 17B is an enlarged partial view showing the connection structure between the upper frame and the lid. [Figure 18] FIG. 18A is a partial sectional view showing the connection structure between the folding plate and the upper frame of the same transport container, and FIG. 18B is a partial sectional view showing the connection structure between the folding plate and the bottom wall.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0014] (1) One Embodiment (1.1) Overall Structure of the Transport Container The transport container 1 in one embodiment shown in FIG. 1 is a foldable container and has a rectangular parallelepiped outer shape in the assembled state.

[0015] In this text, the longitudinal direction of the transport container 1 in plan view is defined as the left - right direction, the short - hand direction of the transport container 1 in plan view is defined as the front - back direction, and the direction orthogonal to the left - right direction and the front - back direction is defined as the up - down direction, and each component will be described accordingly.

[0016] The transport container 1 in one embodiment includes an upper frame 2 that is rectangular - frame - shaped in plan view, a bottom wall 3 that is rectangular - plate - shaped in plan view, a plurality of side walls 4 provided between the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3, and a lid 9 connected to the upper frame 2. The plurality of side walls 4 include a pair of swing plates 4a that are rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame 2, and a pair of folding plates 4b that are also rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame 2.

[0017] Each swing plate 4a includes a plate material 40 that is connected to the upper frame 2 so as to be swingable inward. Each folding plate 4b includes an upper - side plate material 43 and a lower - side plate material 44 that are connected so as to be foldable into a U - shape toward the inside. The upper - side plate material 43 is connected to the upper frame 2 so as to be swingable and detachably inward, and the lower - side plate material 44 is connected to the bottom wall 3 so as to be swingable and detachably inward.

[0018] The lid 9 is rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame 2. The lid 9 includes a pair of lids 9a, 9b that are rotatably connected to the upper frame 2 independently.

[0019] The transport container 1 in one embodiment further includes an operation part 5 used to operate the attachment and detachment of the plurality of side walls 4 (that is, a pair of swing plates 4a and a pair of folding plates 4b), and a lid operation part 8 used to operate the attachment and detachment of the lid 9.

[0020] In one embodiment of the transport container 1, the operating section 5 is provided on each of the pair of oscillating plates 4a and the pair of folding plates 4b.

[0021] Each oscillating plate 4a has an operating section 5, which includes an upper operating section 6. The plate material 40 of each oscillating plate 4a is detachable from the upper frame 2 via the upper operating section 6. Each oscillating plate 4a is detached from the upper frame 2 by operating the upper operating section 6 and changing its position.

[0022] Each folding plate 4b has an operating section 5, which includes an upper operating section 6 and a bottom operating section 7. In the following, for distinction, the upper operating section 6 on the oscillating plate 4a will be denoted as 6a, and the upper operating section 6 on the folding plate 4b will be denoted as 6b.

[0023] The upper plate material 43 of each folding plate 4b is detachable from the upper frame 2 via the upper operating section 6b, and the lower plate material 44 of each folding plate 4b is detachable from the bottom wall 3 via the bottom operating section 7. Each folding plate 4b is attached to or detached from the upper frame 2 or bottom wall 3 by operating both the upper operating section 6b and the bottom operating section 7, thereby changing the position of both sections.

[0024] The pair of covers 9a and 9b that make up the cover 9 are detachable from the upper frame 2 via the cover operating parts 8. Each cover 9a and 9b is attached to or detached from the upper frame 2 by operating the corresponding cover operating part 8 and changing the position of the cover operating part 8.

[0025] In the following, the various components of the transport container 1 according to one embodiment will be described in more detail.

[0026] (1.2) Upper frame As shown in Figure 2A, the upper frame 2 integrally comprises a pair of short frames 20 connected to the upper ends of a pair of oscillating plates 4a and a pair of long frames 21 connected to the upper ends of a pair of bent plates 4b.

[0027] Each short frame 20 has a pair of front and rear projections 200 on its upper surface. Also, as shown in Figure 4, each of the pair of short frames 20 has a bearing 26 at its front and rear ends. The bearing 26 has a through hole 260 that penetrates in the front-to-back direction (see Figures 8A and 8B).

[0028] As shown in Figures 2A and 3, each of the pair of long frames 21 is provided with a connecting portion 22 on its upper surface, to which the lids 9a and 9b are rotatably connected. The connecting portion 22 on one of the pair of long frames 21 and the connecting portion 22 on the other are point-symmetrical to each other.

[0029] The connecting portion 22 has a plurality of protrusions 23 arranged in a row at intervals in the left-right direction, and a connecting shaft 24 spanning between two adjacent protrusions 23. The plurality of protrusions 23 include a plurality of bearing protrusions 23a having bearing recesses 230 opening in the same direction, a plurality of support protrusions 23b with the connecting shaft 24 spanning between the bearing protrusions 23a, and other protrusions 23c. The other protrusions 23c do not have bearing recesses 230. Also, the connecting shaft 24 does not span across the other protrusions 23c.

[0030] In one embodiment of the transport container, the bearing recesses 230 of the multiple bearing protrusions 23a provided on the front long frame 21 open to the left. The bearing recesses 230 of the multiple bearing protrusions 23a provided on the rear long frame 21 open to the right.

[0031] Each of the pair of long frames 21 is provided with a recessed mounting portion 25 on one longitudinal end, to which the lid operating portion 8 is attached. On the front long frame 21, the mounting portion 25 is located on the left side, and on the rear long frame 21, the mounting portion 25 is located on the right side.

[0032] The mounting portion 25 opens toward the space outside the transport container 1 and also opens above the long side frame 21. The mounting portion 25 has an upper end opening 250 that opens on the upper surface of the long side frame 21. The upper end opening 250 is located between two protrusions 23 (23a, 23c) that are located at one end in the left-right direction of the plurality of protrusions 23.

[0033] As shown in Figure 3, the mounting portion 25 includes a first opening 251 through which a part of the lid operating portion 8 is exposed, and a second opening 252 and a third opening 253 through which the other part of the lid operating portion 8 (specifically the locking portion 82) is exposed. The second opening 252 and the third opening 253 are located vertically aligned to the left-right inner side of the first opening 251. Each of the openings 251, 252, and 253 opens toward the space outside the transport container 1 (specifically toward the front-rear outward direction). Each of the openings 251, 252, and 253 is rectangular.

[0034] As shown in Figure 2A, each of the pair of long frames 21 has a plurality of bearings 28 at its lower end, which are used to connect to the bent plate 4b. The plurality of bearings 28 are spaced apart in the left-right direction. Each of the plurality of bearings 28 has a through hole 280 that penetrates in the left-right direction.

[0035] (1-3) Oscillating plate In the assembled state of the transport container 1 according to one embodiment, the pair of oscillating plates 4a are positioned opposite each other with a distance between them in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction) of the transport container 1.

[0036] The pair of oscillating plates 4a shown in Figure 2A have the same structure. Each of the pair of oscillating plates 4a is made of a single plate material 40, but at least one of the pair of oscillating plates 4a may have a door. Alternatively, at least one of the pair of oscillating plates 4a may be configured to be separable into two plates.

[0037] The lower ends of each of the pair of oscillating plates 4a are detachably connected to the left and right ends of the bottom wall 3. The upper ends of each of the pair of oscillating plates 4a are rotatably and detachably connected to the left and right short side frames 20 of the upper frame 2.

[0038] As shown in Figure 4, each of the pair of oscillating plates 4a has an engaging portion 401 at its lower end that is detachably connected to the left and right ends of the bottom wall 3. In one embodiment, the engaging portion 401 is a pair of front and rear protrusions 402 that project inward in the left and right directions from the lower end of the oscillating plate 4a.

[0039] Each of the pair of oscillating plates 4a has a recessed mounting portion 41 at its upper end to which the upper operating portion 6a is attached. One mounting portion 41 is provided at each of the front and rear ends of the upper end of the oscillating plate 4a.

[0040] As shown in Figures 2B and 4, the mounting portion 41 includes a first opening 410 through which a part of the upper operating portion 6a (specifically the operating portion 61) is exposed, and a second opening 411 through which another part of the upper operating portion 6a (specifically the locking portion 62) is exposed. Both the first opening 410 and the second opening 411 are rectangular openings that open toward the internal space of the transport container 1. The mounting portion 41 is not exposed toward the space toward the outside of the transport container 1. The mounting portion 41 further includes an insertion hole 412 (see Figures 8A and 8B) through which the rotating shaft portion 60 of the upper operating portion 6a passes.

[0041] As shown in Figure 2B, the upper and lower edges of the first opening 410 are provided with claw portions 413 that support the upper operating portion 6a. The upper operating portion 6a is supported by the pair of upper and lower claw portions 413, which prevents the upper operating portion 6a from falling out of the mounting portion 41.

[0042] As shown in Figure 4, each of the pair of oscillating plates 4a has a pair of recesses 42 at its upper end, into which a bearing 26 provided on the upper frame 2 is accommodated. One recess 42 is provided at the front and rear ends of the upper end of the oscillating plate 4a. Each of the pair of recesses 42 is located adjacent to a pair of mounting portions 41. In one embodiment of the transport container 1, each of the pair of recesses 42 opens upward and also opens to the left and right, and is provided in a notched shape. The pair of recesses 42 are provided symmetrically.

[0043] The recess 42 is located next to the first opening 410 and is on the opposite side of the first opening 410 from the second opening 411. The recess 42 communicates with the through hole 412 (see Figures 8A and 8B).

[0044] As shown in Figures 2B and 8A, the recess 42 is provided with a hook portion 420 that engages with the bearing 26. In one embodiment of the transport container 1, the hook portion 420 is a cylindrical projection that protrudes toward the insertion hole 412 from the wall of the recess 42 facing the insertion hole 412.

[0045] The hook portion 420 has the same diameter as the rotating shaft portion 60 of the upper operating portion 6a. When the upper operating portion 6a is attached to the mounting portion 41, the central axis of the rotating shaft portion 60 and the central axis of the hook portion 420 are located on the same straight line extending in the front-rear direction.

[0046] (1-4) Bent plate In the assembled state of the transport container 1 according to one embodiment, the pair of bent plates 4b are positioned opposite each other with a distance between them in the short-side direction (front-to-back direction) of the transport container 1.

[0047] The pair of folding plates 4b shown in Figure 2A, etc., have the same structure. Each of the pair of folding plates 4b can be switched between an assembled state in which the upper plate material 43 and the lower plate material 44 are arranged vertically in a single plate shape, and a folded state in which the upper plate material 43 and the lower plate material 44 are stacked in the thickness direction.

[0048] The lower ends of each of the pair of folding plates 4b are rotatably and detachably connected to the front and rear ends of the bottom wall 3. The upper ends of each of the pair of folding plates 4b are rotatably and detachably connected to the long side frame 21 of the upper frame 2.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, an upper connecting portion 430, used for connecting with the upper frame 2, is provided at the upper end of the upper plate member 43. A lower connecting portion 440, used for connecting with the bottom wall 3, is provided at the lower end of the lower plate member 44. Intermediate connecting portions 431 and 441, which have a hinge structure and are rotatably connected, are provided at the lower end of the upper plate member 43 and the upper end of the lower plate member 44.

[0050] The upper connecting portion 430 has a plurality of protrusions 432 arranged in a row at intervals in the left-right direction, and a rotating shaft portion 433 that protrudes from some of the protrusions 432 toward one side in the left-right direction. In one embodiment, the rotating shaft portion 433 protrudes in the same direction from each of the remaining protrusions 432a, excluding one protrusion 432b located at one end in the left-right direction. In the rear bent plate 4b shown in Figure 5, the rotating shaft portion 433 protrudes to the left. In the front bent plate 4b, the rotating shaft portion 433 protrudes to the right.

[0051] The upper part of the upper plate material 43 is provided with a recessed mounting portion 45 to which the upper operating section 6b is attached. The mounting portion 45 is located at one end of the upper plate material 43 in the left-right direction. The mounting portion 45 is open in both the front-rear direction and upward. The upper end opening 450 of the mounting portion 45 is located between two protrusions 432a located at one end of the upper surface of the upper plate material 43 in the left-right direction.

[0052] The mounting portion 45 has a first opening 451 through which a part of the upper operating portion 6b (specifically the operating portion 65) is exposed, and a second opening 452 through which another part of the upper operating portion 6b (specifically the locking portion 66) is exposed. The first opening 451 and the second opening 452 are rectangular openings that open toward the space outside the transport container 1 (specifically toward the front-rear outward direction).

[0053] The mounting portion 45 further has a pair of left and right third openings 453 that open toward the internal space of the transport container 1 (more specifically, toward the inside in the front-to-back direction), as shown in Figure 9A. Each of the left and right third openings 453 is a rectangular opening that is elongated in the vertical direction.

[0054] As shown in Figure 5, the lower connecting portion 440 has a plurality of protrusions 442 arranged in a row at intervals in the left-right direction, and a plurality of rotating shaft portions 443 protruding in the same direction from each of the plurality of protrusions 442. In the rear bent plate 4b shown in Figure 5, the rotating shaft portion 443 protrudes to the left. In the front bent plate 4b, the rotating shaft portion 443 protrudes to the right.

[0055] The lower part of the lower plate material 44 is provided with a recessed mounting portion 46 to which the bottom operating portion 7 is attached. The mounting portion 46 has the same structure as the mounting portion 45 and is provided symmetrically with respect to the mounting portion 45.

[0056] The mounting portion 46 is located at one end of the lower plate material 44 in the left-right direction. The position of the mounting portion 46 in the left-right direction is the same as that of the mounting portion 45. The mounting portion 46 is located directly below the mounting portion 45 and has openings in the front-rear direction and downwards. The lower end opening 460 of the mounting portion 46 is located between two protrusions 442 located at one end of the lower surface of the lower plate material 44 in the left-right direction.

[0057] The mounting portion 46 has a first opening 461 through which a part of the bottom operating portion 7 (specifically the operating portion 70) is exposed, and a second opening 462 through which another part of the bottom operating portion 7 (specifically the locking portion 71) is exposed. Both the first opening 461 and the second opening 462 open toward the space on the outside of the transport container 1 (specifically toward the outside in the front-rear direction). Both the first opening 461 and the second opening 462 are rectangular openings.

[0058] The mounting portion 46 further has a pair of left and right third openings 463 that open toward the internal space of the transport container 1 (more specifically toward the inside in the front-rear direction), as shown in Figure 10A. Each of the left and right third openings 463 is a rectangular opening that is elongated in the vertical direction.

[0059] (1-5) Bottom wall The bottom wall 3 shown in Figure 6A has a rectangular plate-shaped bottom wall body 30 that constitutes the main body, connecting parts 31 provided at the front and rear ends of the bottom wall body 30, and engaging parts 32 provided at the left and right ends of the bottom wall body 30. The bottom wall 3 further has a strip-shaped cover part 33 that covers the connecting parts 31 from the outside in the front-rear direction, and a strip-shaped cover part 34 that covers the engaging parts 32 from the outside in the left-right direction.

[0060] The connecting portion 31 has a plurality of protrusions 35 arranged in a row at intervals in the left-right direction. Each of the plurality of protrusions 35 is provided with a bearing recess 36 that opens in the same direction. In the front connecting portion 31, the bearing recess 36 opens to the left, and in the rear connecting portion 31, the bearing recess 36 opens to the right.

[0061] The arrangement of the multiple protrusions 35 corresponds to the arrangement of the multiple protrusions 442 and rotating shaft portions 443 (see Figure 5) of the bent plate 4b. One protrusion 442 and rotating shaft portion 443 can be inserted between two adjacent protrusions 35 so as to be movable in the left-right direction.

[0062] In one embodiment, the engaging portion 32 has two engaging projections 37 that are spaced apart in the front-rear direction. Each of the two engaging projections 37 is a U-shaped portion that protrudes inward from the cover portion 34 in the left-right direction. The two projections 400 of the oscillating plate 4a shown in Figure 4 engage with these two engaging projections 37.

[0063] As shown in Figure 6A, each of the two cover portions 34 is provided with a locking hole 340 at one end in the front-rear direction through which a rotating shaft portion 443 (see Figure 5), which protrudes from a projection 442 at one end in the left-right direction of the bent plate 4b, passes. The left cover portion 34 has a locking hole 340 at its rear end, and the right cover portion 34 has a locking hole 340 at its front end.

[0064] (1-6) Lid As shown in Figures 2 and 6B, the pair of lids 9a and 9b that make up the lid 9 are lids 9a and 9b positioned side by side, front to back. The lids 9a and 9b have the same structure. Below, we will describe in detail the lid 9a that opens and closes the front half of the opening of the upper frame 2.

[0065] The lid 9a has a plate-shaped lid body 90 and a connecting portion 91 provided at one end (more specifically, the front end) of the lid body 90 in the front-rear direction. Fitting holes 92 are provided at both the left and right ends of the lid body 90, into which the projection 200 of the upper frame 2 fits. The fitting holes 92 penetrate the lid body 90 in the vertical direction (in other words, the thickness direction).

[0066] The connecting portion 91 is rotatably and detachably connected to the connecting portion 22 of the upper frame 2. The connecting portion 91 has a plurality of protrusions 93 arranged in a row at intervals in the left-right direction, and a rotating shaft portion 94 that protrudes from some of the protrusions 93 toward one side in the left-right direction.

[0067] The multiple protrusions 93 include multiple protrusions 93a from which the rotating shaft portion 94 protrudes, and multiple protrusions 93b from which a bearing groove 930 opening downward is formed. In the cover 9a, the rotating shaft portion 94 protrudes to the right from each protrusion 93a, and in the cover 9b, the rotating shaft portion 94 protrudes to the left from each protrusion 93a.

[0068] The arrangement of the multiple protrusions 93a and 93b corresponds to the arrangement of the multiple protrusions 23 and multiple connecting shafts 24 of the upper frame 2 (see Figure 2A). Between two adjacent protrusions 23, one corresponding protrusion 93 can be inserted so as to be movable in the left-right direction.

[0069] (1-7)Operation unit (1-7-1) Upper operating section of the oscillating plate The upper operating section 6a of the oscillating plate 4a, as shown in Figure 2B, is operable by the user and is used to connect the upper frame 2 and the oscillating plate 4a. The upper operating section 6a has a rotating shaft 60 used to connect the upper frame 2 and the oscillating plate 4a.

[0070] One embodiment of the transport container 1 is equipped with a total of four upper operating parts 6a, which are attached to the front and rear mounting parts 41 of each of the pair of oscillating plates 4a. As shown in Figure 4, the two upper operating parts 6a attached to one oscillating plate 4a are arranged symmetrically to each other. Similarly, the two upper operating parts 6a attached to the other oscillating plate 4a are arranged symmetrically to each other. Below, the upper operating part 6a attached to the mounting part 41 at the front end of the right oscillating plate 4a shown in Figure 2B will be described in detail.

[0071] As shown in Figure 7A, the upper operating section 6a has an operating part 61 that can be operated by hand, a rotating shaft part 60 protruding from the operating part 61, and a locking part 62 protruding from the operating part 61. The locking part 62 is elastically deformable.

[0072] In one embodiment, the operating portion 61 has a rectangular box-shaped outer shape that opens inward in the left-right direction (to the left in Figure 7A). The rotating shaft portion 60 and the locking portion 62 protrude from the operating portion 61 in opposite directions. The operating portion 61 is located between the rotating shaft portion 60 and the locking portion 62.

[0073] The upper operating section 6a further has a box-shaped extension 63 provided on the same side as the locking section 62 relative to the operating section 61. The extension 63 is a rectangular box shape that opens outward in the left-right direction (to the right in Figure 7A). A hole 631 is provided in a part of the extension 63 that penetrates in the left-right direction. The locking section 62 is positioned within this hole 631.

[0074] The locking portion 62 has a rectangular plate-shaped main body portion 620 that protrudes rearward from the operating portion 61, and a claw portion 621 that protrudes inward in the left-right direction from the tip (rear end) of the main body portion 620. Because the locking portion 62 is located within the hole 631 of the extension portion 63, the entire locking portion 62 is elastically deformable so that the claw portion 621 on the tip side moves in the left-right direction.

[0075] As shown in Figures 8A and 8B, the upper operating section 6a is attached to the mounting section 41 of the oscillating plate 4a. The upper operating section 6a can be moved in and out of the mounting section 41 through the first opening 410, and is detachable from the mounting section 41.

[0076] The upper operating part 6a is movable in the front-rear direction inside the mounting part 41. The upper operating part 6a can be moved in the front-rear direction by operating the operating part 61 exposed from the first opening 410 back and forth with a finger. The upper operating part 6a is movable in the front-rear direction between the connected position shown in Figure 8A and the unconnected position shown in Figure 8B.

[0077] When the upper operating section 6a is in the connected position, the operating portion 61 of the upper operating section 6a is located in the front part of the first opening 410 of the mounting section 41. At this time, the rotating shaft portion 60 of the upper operating section 6a passes through the insertion hole 412 of the mounting section 41, and the tip of the rotating shaft portion 60 is located in the recess 42 of the oscillating plate 4a, and is positioned in the through hole 260 of the bearing 26 within the recess 42. Also at this time, the entire locking portion 62 of the upper operating section 6a is located in the first opening 410.

[0078] When the upper operating section 6a is in the unconnected position, the operating section 61 is located towards the rear of the first opening 410 of the mounting section 41. At this time, the rotating shaft section 60 is located in the first opening 410. This releases the rotating shaft section 60 from being supported by the bearing 26, and the upper frame 2 and the oscillating plate 4a become detachable. Also at this time, the claw section 621 of the locking section 62 is located in the second opening 411.

[0079] Movement of the upper operating part 6a from the connected position to the disconnected position is restricted by the elastic engagement of the claw portion 621 of the locking portion 62 of the upper operating part 6a with the inner edge (rear edge in the figure) in the front-rear direction of the first opening 410. Similarly, movement of the upper operating part 6a from the disconnected position to the connected position is restricted by the elastic engagement of the claw portion 621 of the locking portion 62 of the upper operating part 6a with the outer edge (front edge in the figure) in the front-rear direction of the second opening 411. This prevents unintended movement of the upper operating part 6a between the connected and disconnected positions.

[0080] The upper operating part 6a, which is in the connected position, can be moved to the unconnected position by inserting a finger into the first opening 410 and pressing the claw portion 621 of the locking part 62 to elastically deform it, while moving the operating part 61 inward in the front-rear direction (towards the rear in the figure).

[0081] The upper operating section 6a, which is in the unconnected position, can be moved to the connected position by inserting a finger into the first opening 410 and moving the operating section 61 outward in the front-rear direction (towards the front in the diagram).

[0082] The other three upper operating sections 6a of the transport container 1 can also be operated in the same manner as described above.

[0083] (1-7-2) Upper operating section of the folding plate The upper operating section 6b shown in Figure 2A, etc., is operable by the user and is used to connect the upper frame 2 and the folding plate 4b. Note that the upper operating section 6b does not have a rotating shaft portion (i.e., the portion corresponding to the rotating shaft portion 60 of the upper operating section 6a) used to connect the upper frame 2 and the folding plate 4b.

[0084] One embodiment of the transport container 1 includes two upper operating parts 6b, each attached to a mounting part 45 at one end of a pair of folding plates 4b in the left-right direction. Below, the upper operating part 6b attached to the mounting part 45 at the right end of the rear folding plate 4b shown in Figure 2A will be described in detail.

[0085] As shown in Figure 7B, the upper operating section 6b has a manually operable operating section 65, an elastically deformable locking section 66, a stopper section 67, and a second locking section 68. The stopper section 67 is part of the upper operating section 6b and is configured to stop the relative left-right movement between the upper frame 2 and the folding plate 4b. The second locking section 68 is another part of the upper operating section 6b and is configured to restrict the vertical movement of the upper operating section 6b. The upper operating section 6b further has an intermediate section 69 located between the operating section 65 and the stopper section 67.

[0086] The operating part 65 has a rectangular box-shaped exterior that opens outward in the front-rear direction (rear side in Figure 7B). Similarly, the stopper part 67 has a rectangular box-shaped exterior that opens outward in the front-rear direction (rear side in Figure 7B). The locking part 66 protrudes downward from the stopper part 67.

[0087] A through-hole 692 is provided in the center of the intermediate section 69, extending in the front-to-back direction. A pair of second locking sections 68 protrude inward in the front-to-back direction (towards the front in the figure) from the intermediate section 69.

[0088] The locking portion 66 has a rectangular plate-shaped main body portion 660 that protrudes downward from the stopper portion 67, and a claw portion 661 that protrudes outward in the front-rear direction from the tip (lower end) of the main body portion 660. The entire locking portion 66 is elastically deformable so that the claw portion 661 on the tip side moves in the front-rear direction.

[0089] The upper operating section 6b is attached to the mounting section 45 of the folding plate 4b, as shown in Figures 3, 5, and 9A to 9C. The upper operating section 6b can be moved in and out of the mounting section 45 through the upper end opening 450 of the mounting section 45, and is detachable from the mounting section 45. The attachment of the upper operating section 6b to the mounting section 45 is performed before connecting the long side frame 21 of the upper frame 2 and the folding plate 4b.

[0090] The upper operating section 6b is movable vertically relative to the mounting section 45. The upper operating section 6b can be moved vertically by operating the operating portion 65 exposed from the first opening 451 up and down with a finger. The operation of the upper operating section 6b is performed in a bearing state, as shown in Figure 9B, in which the multiple rotating shaft portions 433 of the bent plate 4b are inserted into the through holes 260 of the multiple bearings 26 of the long frame 21 of the upper frame 2.

[0091] The upper operating section 6b is movable vertically between the locked position shown in Figures 3 and 9C and the unlocked position shown in Figures 5 and 9B. Figures 9A to 9C show the rear folding plate 4b and the upper operating section 6b as viewed from the side of the internal space of the transport container 1.

[0092] When the upper operating part 6b is in the locked position, the operating portion 65 of the upper operating part 6b is located in the upper part of the first opening 451 of the mounting portion 45. At this time, as shown in Figure 9C, the stopper portion 67 of the upper operating part 6b protrudes above the upper end opening 450 of the mounting portion 45 and fits into the space between the protruding portion 432 of the bent plate 4b and the bearing 26 of the upper frame 2, filling this space.

[0093] As a result, the relative left-right movement of the folding plate 4b and the upper frame 2 is restricted by the stopper portion 67, maintaining the connected state of the upper frame 2 and the folding plate 4b. Also, as shown in Figure 3, the claw portion 661 of the locking portion 66 of the upper operating portion 6b is located in the second opening 452, and the claw portion 661 catches on the lower edge of the second opening 452. This prevents the upper operating portion 6b, which is in the locked position, from unintentionally moving to the unlocked position. Also, as shown in Figure 9C, the pair of left and right second locking portions 68 of the upper operating portion 6b are located at the upper ends of the pair of left and right third openings 453. This restricts the upward movement of the upper operating portion 6b.

[0094] When the upper operating part 6b is in the unlocked position, the operating part 65 is located near the lower part of the first opening 451 of the mounting part 45. At this time, as shown in Figure 9B, the stopper part 67 is located below the upper end opening 450 of the mounting part 45, allowing relative left-right movement between the folding plate 4b and the upper frame 2, and the upper frame 2 and the folding plate 4b become detachable. Also at this time, as shown in Figure 5, the claw part 661 of the locking part 66 is located at the first opening 451, and the locking to the folding plate 4b is released. Also at this time, as shown in Figure 9B, the pair of left and right second locking parts 68 are located at the lower ends of the pair of left and right third openings 453. This restricts the downward movement of the upper operating part 6b.

[0095] Furthermore, the movement of the upper operating part 6b from the unlocked position to the locked position is restricted by the claw portion 661 of the locking portion 66 of the upper operating part 6b elastically catching on the upper edge of the first opening 451. This prevents the upper operating part 6b from moving unintentionally from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0096] The upper operating part 6b, which is in the unlocked position, can be moved to the locked position by moving the operating part 65 upward.

[0097] The upper operating part 6b, which is in the locked position, can be moved to the unlocked position by inserting a finger into the second opening 452, pressing the claw portion 661 of the locking part 66 to elastically deform it, and then inserting a finger into the first opening 451 to move the operating part 65 downwards.

[0098] (1-7-3) Bottom operating part of the folding plate The bottom operating section 7, shown in Figure 3, is operable by the user and is used to connect the bottom wall 3 and the folding plate 4b. Note that the bottom operating section 7 does not have a rotating shaft portion (i.e., the portion corresponding to the rotating shaft portion 60 of the upper operating section 6a) used to connect the bottom wall 3 and the folding plate 4b.

[0099] One embodiment of the transport container 1 includes two bottom-side operating parts 7, each attached to a mounting part 46 at one end of a pair of folding plates 4b in the left-right direction. Below, the bottom-side operating part 7 attached to the mounting part 46 at the right end of the rear folding plate 4b shown in Figure 2A will be described in detail.

[0100] The bottom operating section 7 is a component of the same shape as the upper operating section 6b, and this component of the same shape is used upside down. Therefore, the bottom operating section 7 has an operating section 70, a locking section 71, a stopper section 72, a second locking section 73, and an intermediate section 74, which correspond to the operating section 65, locking section 66, stopper section 67, second locking section 68, and intermediate section 69 of the upper operating section 6b.

[0101] The stopper portion 72 is part of the bottom operating portion 7 and is configured to stop the relative left-right movement between the bottom wall 3 and the folding plate 4b. The second locking portion 73 is another part of the bottom operating portion 7 and is configured to restrict the vertical movement of the bottom operating portion 7.

[0102] As shown in Figures 3, 5, and 10A to 10C, the bottom operating section 7 is attached to the mounting section 46 of the folding plate 4b. The bottom operating section 7 can be moved in and out of the mounting section 46 through the lower end opening 460 of the mounting section 46, and is detachable from the mounting section 46. The attachment of the bottom operating section 7 to the mounting section 46 is performed in a step prior to connecting the bottom wall 3 and the folding plate 4b.

[0103] The bottom operating section 7 is movable vertically relative to the mounting section 46. The bottom operating section 7 can be moved vertically by operating the operating portion 70 exposed from the first opening 461 up and down with a finger. The operation of the bottom operating section 7 is performed with the multiple rotating shaft portions 443 of the bent plate 4b inserted into the bearing recesses 36 of the multiple protrusions 35 of the bottom wall 3, as shown in Figure 10B.

[0104] The bottom operating section 7 is movable vertically between the locked position shown in Figures 3 and 10C and the unlocked position shown in Figures 5 and 10A. Figures 10A to 10C show the rear folding plate 4b and the bottom operating section 7 as viewed from the side of the internal space of the transport container 1.

[0105] When the bottom operating section 7 is in the locked position, the operating portion 70 of the bottom operating section 7 is located near the lower part of the first opening 461 of the mounting section 46. At this time, as shown in Figure 10C, the stopper portion 72 of the bottom operating section 7 protrudes below the lower end opening 460 of the mounting section 46 and fits into the space between the protruding portion 442 of the bent plate 4b and the protruding portion 35 of the bottom wall 3, filling this space.

[0106] As a result, the relative lateral movement of the folding plate 4b and the bottom wall 3 is restricted by the stopper portion 72, and the state in which the folding plate 4b and the bottom wall 3 are connected is maintained. Also, at this time, as shown in Figure 3, the claw portion 711 of the locking portion 71 of the bottom operating portion 7 is located in the second opening 462, and the claw portion 711 catches on the upper edge of the second opening 462. This prevents the bottom operating portion 7, which is in the locked position, from unintentionally moving to the unlocked position. Also, at this time, as shown in Figure 10C, the left and right pair of second locking portions 73 of the bottom operating portion 7 are located at the lower ends of the left and right pair of third openings 463. This also restricts the downward movement of the bottom operating portion 7.

[0107] When the bottom operating part 7 is in the unlocked position, the operating part 70 is located on the upper part of the first opening 461 of the mounting part 46. At this time, as shown in Figure 10B, the stopper part 72 is located above the lower end opening 460 of the mounting part 46, allowing relative movement of the folding plate 4b and the bottom wall 3 in the left-right direction, and the folding plate 4b and the bottom wall 3 become detachable. Also at this time, as shown in Figure 5, the claw part 711 of the locking part 71 is located at the first opening 461, and the locking to the folding plate 4b is released. Also at this time, as shown in Figure 10B, the pair of left and right second locking parts 73 are located at the upper ends of the pair of left and right third openings 463. This restricts the upward movement of the bottom operating part 7.

[0108] Furthermore, the movement of the bottom operating part 7 from the unlocked position to the locked position is restricted by the claw portion 711 of the locking portion 71 of the bottom operating part 7 elastically catching on the lower edge of the first opening 461. This prevents the bottom operating part 7 from moving unintentionally from the unlocked position to the locked position.

[0109] The bottom operating part 7, which is in the unlocked position, can be moved to the locked position by moving the operating part 70 downwards.

[0110] The bottom operating part 7, which is in the locked position, can be moved to the unlocked position by inserting a finger into the second opening 462, pressing the claw portion 711 of the locking part 71 to cause elastic deformation, and then inserting a finger into the first opening 461 to move the operating part 70 upward.

[0111] (1-7-4) Lid operation part The lid operating section 8, shown in Figures 2A and 3, is operable by the user and is used to connect the lid 9 (i.e., the pair of lids 9a and 9b) to the upper frame 2. Note that the lid operating section 8 does not have a rotating shaft portion (i.e., the portion corresponding to the rotating shaft portion 60 of the upper operating section 6a) used to connect the lid 9 to the upper frame 2.

[0112] One embodiment of the transport container 1 includes two lid operating parts 8, which are attached to mounting parts 25 at one end in the left-right direction of each of the pair of long side frames 21 of the upper frame 2. Below, the lid operating part 8 attached to the mounting part 25 at the right end of the rear long side frame 21 shown in Figure 2A will be described in detail.

[0113] As shown in Figure 7C, the lid operating section 8 has a manually operable operating section 81, an elastically deformable locking section 82, and a stopper section 83. The stopper section 83 is part of the lid operating section 8 and is configured to stop the relative left-right movement between the lid 9b and the upper frame 2. The lid operating section 8 further has an intermediate section 84 connecting the operating section 81 and the stopper section 83.

[0114] The operating section 81 is a rectangular box shape with an opening on the outer side in the front-rear direction (rear side in Figure 7C). The stopper section 83 is a rectangular box shape with an opening on the inner side in the front-rear direction (front side in Figure 7C). The locking section 82 protrudes downward from the stopper section 83.

[0115] The intermediate section 84 has a rectangular box-shaped outer shape that opens inward in the front-to-back direction (front side in Figure 7C). A through hole 841 is provided at one end of the intermediate section 84 in the left-to-right direction (left end in the figure), which penetrates in the front-to-back direction.

[0116] The locking portion 82 has a rectangular plate-shaped main body portion 820 that protrudes downward from the stopper portion 83, and a claw portion 821 that protrudes outward in the front-rear direction from the tip (lower end) of the main body portion 820. The locking portion 82 is positioned in the through hole 841 of the intermediate portion 84, so that the entire locking portion 82 is elastically deformable so that the claw portion 821 on the tip side moves in the front-rear direction.

[0117] As shown in Figures 11A to 11C, the lid operating section 8 is attached to the mounting section 25 of the long side frame 21 of the upper frame 2. The lid operating section 8 can be moved in and out of the mounting section 25 through the upper end opening 250 of the mounting section 25, and is detachable from the mounting section 25. The attachment of the lid operating section 8 to the mounting section 25 is performed before connecting the long side frame 21 of the upper frame 2 and the lid 9b.

[0118] The lid operating section 8 is movable vertically relative to the mounting section 25. The lid operating section 8 can be moved vertically by operating the operating section 81, which is exposed from the first opening 251, up and down with a finger. The operation of the lid operating section 8 is performed with the multiple rotating shafts 94 of the lid 9b inserted into the bearing recesses 230 of the multiple protrusions 23 of the long frame 21 of the upper frame 2, as shown in Figure 11B.

[0119] The lid operating section 8 is movable vertically between the locked position shown in Figure 11C and the unlocked position shown in Figure 11B. Figures 11A to 11C show the rear long frame 21 and the lid operating section 8 as viewed from the space outside the transport container 1.

[0120] When the lid operating section 8 is in the locked position, the operating section 81 of the lid operating section 8 is located on the upper part of the first opening 251 of the mounting section 25. At this time, the stopper section 83 of the lid operating section 8 protrudes above the upper end opening 250 of the mounting section 25 and fits into the space between the protruding section 93 of the lid 9b and the protruding section 23 (23c) of the long side frame 21 of the upper frame 2, filling this space.

[0121] As a result, the relative left-right movement of the lid 9b and the upper frame 2 is restricted by the stopper portion 83, and the connected state of the lid 9b and the upper frame 2 is maintained. At this time, the claw portion 821 of the locking portion 82 of the lid operating portion 8 is located in the second opening 252, and the claw portion 821 catches on the lower edge of the second opening 252. This prevents the lid operating portion 8, which is in the locked position, from unintentionally moving to the unlocked position.

[0122] When the lid operating section 8 is in the unlocked position, the operating section 81 is located near the lower part of the first opening 251 of the mounting section 25. At this time, the stopper section 83 is located below the upper end opening 250 of the mounting section 25, allowing relative movement of the lid 9b and the upper frame 2 in the left-right direction, and the lid 9b and the upper frame 2 become detachable. Also at this time, the claw section 821 of the locking section 82 is located at the third opening 253, and the claw section 821 catches on the lower edge of the third opening 253. This restricts the downward movement of the lid operating section 8.

[0123] The lid operating part 8, which is in the unlocked position, can be moved to the locked position by inserting a finger into the first opening 251 and moving the operating part 81 upwards.

[0124] The lid operating part 8, which is in the locked position, can be moved to the unlocked position by inserting a finger into the second opening 252, pressing the claw portion 821 of the locking portion 82 to elastically deform it, and then inserting a finger into the first opening 251 to move the operating part 81 downwards.

[0125] (1-8) Summary of detachable structure (1-8-1) Detachable structure of the oscillating plate As described above, in the transport container 1 of one embodiment, the upper operating section 6a is mounted on the upper part of the corresponding oscillating plate 4a so as to be movable in the front-rear direction. In other words, the front-rear direction is the longitudinal direction of the short frame 20 to which the oscillating plate 4a is connected, and also the direction along the rotational axis of the oscillating plate 4a.

[0126] The upper operating section 6a has a rotating shaft portion 60 that rotatably connects the upper frame 2 and the oscillating plate 4a, and a locking portion 62. The oscillating plate 4a can be switched between a first state and a second state depending on the front-rear position of the upper operating section 6a having the rotating shaft portion 60, that is, depending on the position of the upper operating section 6a in the direction along the rotational axis of the oscillating plate 4a.

[0127] The first state of the oscillating plate 4a is a state in which the oscillating plate 4a is rotatably mounted on the upper frame 2. The second state of the oscillating plate 4a is a state in which the oscillating plate 4a is detachable from the upper frame 2.

[0128] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1, the repair method when the oscillating plate 4a is damaged or otherwise affected can be a method comprising the following first and second steps.

[0129] The first step is to remove the oscillating plate 4a from the upper frame 2 by changing the position of the upper operating part 6a. The second step is to rotatably connect the replacement oscillating plate 4a, which will be used in place of the first step, to the upper frame 2.

[0130] In the first step, the user operates the operating parts 61 exposed to the inside through the first openings 410 on both the front and rear sides of the rocking plate 4a with their fingers, thereby moving the upper operating parts 6a on both the front and rear sides toward each other in the front-to-back direction. As a result, both upper operating parts 6a move from the connected position to the disconnected position, and the rocking plate 4a transitions to a second state in which it can be removed from the upper frame 2, allowing the user to remove the rocking plate 4a from the upper frame 2 with a simple operation. In the second state, the locking parts 62 of both upper operating parts 6a are locked into the corresponding second openings 411, preventing both upper operating parts 6a from unintentionally moving to the connected position.

[0131] In the second step, the user assembles the replacement oscillating plate 4a at a predetermined location between the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3. Specifically, first, the user inserts the pair of front and rear bearings 26 of the short side frame 20 of the upper frame 2 into the pair of front and rear recesses 42 at the upper end of the oscillating plate 4a. The corresponding hooks 420 of the oscillating plate 4a are inserted into the through holes 260 of each bearing 26 of the upper frame 2, and the oscillating plate 4a is temporarily supported on the short side frame 20 of the upper frame 2 (see Figure 8B). At this time, the upper operating parts 6a on both the front and rear sides of the replacement oscillating plate 4a are set to an unconnected position beforehand. Next, by operating the operating parts 61 exposed inward through each first opening 410 of the oscillating plate 4a with a finger, the upper operating parts 6a on both the front and rear sides are moved away from each other in the front-rear direction. As a result, the upper operating parts 6a on both sides move from the unconnected position to the connected position, and the oscillating plate 4a transitions from the second state to the first state.

[0132] In the second step, the user can attach the replacement oscillating plate 4a to the upper frame 2 with this simple operation. The locking portions 62 of the upper operating portions 6a on both sides are locked into the corresponding first openings 410, so that the upper operating portions 6a on both sides do not unintentionally move to the unconnected position.

[0133] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1, the method for assembling the transport container 1 by attaching the oscillating plate 4a to the upper frame 2 can be a method comprising the following steps.

[0134] In this step, the user inserts a pair of front and rear bearings 26 of the short side frame 20 of the upper frame 2 into a pair of front and rear recesses 42 of the oscillating plate 4a to be installed. At this time, the upper operating parts 6a on both the front and rear sides of the oscillating plate 4a are set to the unconnected position beforehand. Next, the user operates the operating parts 61 of the upper operating parts 6a on both the front and rear sides with their fingers, moving the upper operating parts 6a on both sides in a direction away from each other. As a result, the upper operating parts 6a on both sides move from the unconnected position to the connected position, and the oscillating plate 4a transitions from the second state to the first state.

[0135] As described above, the user can assemble the transport container 1 by attaching the oscillating plate 4a to the upper frame 2 with a simple operation using the upper operating unit 6a. By providing multiple parts that can be used as the oscillating plate 4a, the user can select a suitable part from several parts that differ, for example, in color, and easily attach it to the upper frame 2, thereby freely assembling a variety of transport containers 1.

[0136] (1-8-2) Detachable structure of the folding plate As described above, the upper operating part 6b is mounted on the upper part of the corresponding folding plate 4b so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The upper operating part 6b does not have a rotating shaft. The folding plate 4b can be switched between a first state and a second state depending on the vertical position of the upper operating part 6b. The first state is when the folding plate 4b is rotatably mounted on the upper frame 2, and the second state is when the folding plate 4b is detachable from the upper frame 2.

[0137] Similarly, the bottom operating section 7 is mounted on the lower part of the corresponding folding plate 4b so as to be movable in the vertical direction. The bottom operating section 7 does not have a rotating shaft. The folding plate 4b can be switched between a first state and a second state depending on the vertical position of the bottom operating section 7. The first state is when the folding plate 4b is rotatably mounted to the bottom wall 3, and the second state is when the folding plate 4b is detachable from the bottom wall 3.

[0138] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1, the repair method when the bent plate 4b is damaged or otherwise affected can be a method comprising the following first and second steps.

[0139] The first step is to remove the folding plate 4b from the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3 by changing the vertical position of the upper operating section 6b and the bottom operating section 7, respectively. The second step is to rotatably connect the replacement folding plate 4b, which will be used in place after the first step, to the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3.

[0140] In the first step, the user operates the left and right upper operating parts 6b on the upper end of the folding plate 4b to move them from the locked position to the unlocked position. This creates a space between the bearing 28 of the long frame 21 of the upper frame 2 and the protruding part 432 on the upper end of the folding plate 4b, allowing the folding plate 4b to move relative to the upper frame 2 in the left-right direction (i.e., along the rotational axis of the folding plate 4b). Furthermore, in the first step, the user operates the left and right bottom operating parts 7 on the lower end of the folding plate 4b to move them from the locked position to the unlocked position. This creates a space between the protruding part 35 of the bottom wall 3 and the protruding part 442 on the lower end of the folding plate 4b, allowing the folding plate 4b to move relative to the bottom wall 3 in the left-right direction.

[0141] Next, in the first step, the folding plate 4b is moved relative to the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3 in the left-right direction. This releases the multiple rotational shaft portions 433 of the folding plate 4b from being supported by the multiple bearings 26 of the upper frame 2, and removes the folding plate 4b from the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3.

[0142] In the second step, the user sets the replacement folding plate 4b so that the multiple protrusions 432 at the upper end of the replacement folding plate 4b are positioned between the multiple bearings 26 of the upper frame 2, and the multiple protrusions 442 at the lower end of the replacement folding plate 4b are positioned between the multiple protrusions 35 of the bottom wall 3. Then, the user moves the folding plate 4b relative to the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3 in the left-right direction. As a result, the multiple rotating shaft portions 433 at the upper end of the folding plate 4b are inserted into the through holes 260 of the bearings 26 of the upper frame 2 and are supported, and the multiple rotating shaft portions 443 at the lower end of the folding plate 4b are inserted into the multiple bearing recesses 36 and locking holes 340 of the bottom wall 3 and are supported.

[0143] After this, the user operates the upper operating part 6b to move it from the unlocked position to the locked position, and inserts the stopper part 67 of the upper operating part 6b into the space between the bearing 26 of the upper frame 2 and the protruding part 432 of the folding plate 4b, thereby filling this space. As a result, the relative movement of the folding plate 4b and the upper frame 2 in the left-right direction is restricted, and they become connected to each other. In other words, the upper operating part 6b is configured to prevent the folding plate 4b from being removed from the upper frame 2 when the stopper part 67, which is part of it, is in the locked position that prevents the folding plate 4b from moving in a predetermined direction.

[0144] Furthermore, the user operates the bottom operating section 7 to move it from the unlocked position to the locked position, inserting the stopper portion 72 of the bottom operating section 7 into the space between the protrusion 35 of the bottom wall 3 and the protrusion 442 of the folding plate 4b, thereby filling this space. As a result, the relative movement of the folding plate 4b and the bottom wall 3 in the left-right direction is restricted, and they become connected to each other. In other words, the bottom operating section 7 is configured to prevent the folding plate 4b from being removed from the bottom wall 3 when the stopper portion 72, which is part of it, is in the locked position that prevents the folding plate 4b from moving in a predetermined direction.

[0145] In the case of the replacement folding plate 4b, when the upper operating part 6b is released from the locked position, the folding plate 4b can be removed from the upper frame 2, and when the bottom operating part 7 is released from the locked position, the folding plate 4b can be removed from the bottom wall 3.

[0146] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1, the method for assembling the transport container 1 by attaching the bent plate 4b can be a method comprising the following steps.

[0147] In this process, the user sets the folding plate 4b so that the multiple protrusions 432 at the upper end of the folding plate 4b to be installed are positioned between the multiple bearings 26 of the upper frame 2, and then moves the folding plate 4b relative to the upper frame 2 in the left-right direction. As a result, the multiple rotating shaft portions 433 at the upper end of the folding plate 4b are inserted into the through holes 260 of the bearings 26 of the upper frame 2 and are supported.

[0148] Next, the user operates the upper operating part 6b to move it from the unlocked position to the locked position, and inserts the stopper part 67 of the upper operating part 6b into the space between the bearing 26 of the upper frame 2 and the protruding part 432 of the folding plate 4b, thereby filling this space. As a result, the folding plate 4b and the upper frame 2 become connected to each other.

[0149] Furthermore, after setting the folding plate 4b to be installed so that the multiple protrusions 442 at the lower end are positioned between the multiple protrusions 35 of the bottom wall 3, the user moves the folding plate 4b relative to the bottom wall 3 in the left-right direction. As a result, the multiple rotating shaft portions 443 at the lower end of the folding plate 4b are inserted into the multiple bearing recesses 36 and locking holes 340 of the bottom wall 3 and are supported.

[0150] Next, the user operates the bottom operating part 7 to move it from the unlocked position to the locked position, and inserts the stopper part 72 of the bottom operating part 7 into the space between the protrusion 35 of the bottom wall 3 and the protrusion 442 of the folding plate 4b, thereby filling this space. As a result, the folding plate 4b and the bottom wall 3 become connected to each other.

[0151] As described above, the user can attach the folding plate 4b to the upper frame 2 with a simple operation using the upper operating section 6b, and can also attach the folding plate 4b to the bottom wall 3 with a simple operation using the bottom operating section 7. The timing of attaching the folding plate 4b to the upper frame 2 and the timing of attaching the folding plate 4b to the bottom wall 3 do not matter; either can be done first or simultaneously. By providing multiple parts that can be used as folding plates 4b, the user can select a suitable part from multiple parts (for example, multiple parts with different colors, etc.) and easily attach it to the upper frame 2 and bottom wall 3, thereby freely assembling a variety of transport containers 1.

[0152] Furthermore, it is also possible to use an alternative upper operating section 6b, such as the one shown in Figure 12, as the upper operating section 6b attached to the folding plate 4b. It is also possible to use a component having a similar configuration to the alternative upper operating section 6b as the bottom operating section 7.

[0153] In the alternative example, the upper operating section 6b has an operating portion 65, a locking portion 66, a stopper portion 67, and a second locking portion 68, similar to the upper operating section 6b shown in Figure 7B, etc. However, in the alternative example of the upper operating section 6b, the operating portion 65 is formed integrally with the locking portion 66. The operating portion 65 protrudes further downward from the locking portion 66 (i.e., on the opposite side from the side where the stopper portion 67 is located relative to the locking portion 66). The locking portion 66 is located between the stopper portion 67 and the operating portion 65 in the direction of movement of the upper operating section 6b (i.e., the vertical direction), and is formed to connect the stopper portion 67 and the operating portion 65.

[0154] The locking portion 66 and the operating portion 65 are integrally elastically deformable. In other words, a long, straight elastic piece 675 protrudes downward from the stopper portion 67, with the upper portion of the elastic piece 675 closer to the stopper portion 67 forming the locking portion 66, and the lower portion of the elastic piece 675 further away from the stopper portion 67 forming the operating portion 65. In the upper operating portion 6b of another example, the upper operating portion 6b can be moved vertically by pressing the operating portion 65 with a finger and operating it up and down to release the catch of the claw portion 661.

[0155] (1-8-3) Lid attachment and detachment structure As described above, the lid operating section 8 of the upper frame 2 is mounted so as to be movable in the vertical direction at one end in the left-right direction of the corresponding long frame 21. The lid operating section 8 does not have a rotating shaft. The lids 9a and 9b can be switched between a first state and a second state depending on the vertical position of the corresponding lid operating section 8. The first state is when the lids 9a and 9b are rotatably mounted on the upper frame 2, and the second state is when the lids 9a and 9b are removable from the upper frame 2.

[0156] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1, the repair method when the lids 9a and 9b are damaged can be a method comprising the following first and second steps.

[0157] The first step is to remove the lids 9a and 9b from the upper frame 2 by changing the vertical position of the lid operating section 8. The second step is to rotatably connect the replacement lids 9a and 9b, which will be used in place after the first step, to the upper frame 2.

[0158] In the first step, the user operates the front and rear lid operating parts 8 on the upper frame 2 to move each from the locked position to the unlocked position. This creates a space between the protrusions 23 of the upper frame 2 and the protrusions 93 of the lids 9a and 9b, allowing the lids 9a and 9b to move relative to the upper frame 2 in the left-right direction (i.e., along the rotation axis of the lids 9a and 9b). Next, in the first step, the lids 9a and 9b are moved relative to the upper frame 2 in the left-right direction. This releases the multiple rotation axis parts 94 of the lids 9a and 9b from being supported by the multiple protrusions 23 of the upper frame 2, and the lids 9a and 9b are removed from the upper frame 2.

[0159] In the second step, the user sets the replacement lids 9a and 9b so that their multiple protrusions 93 are positioned on the multiple protrusions 23 of the upper frame 2, and then moves the lids 9a and 9b relative to the upper frame 2 in the left-right direction. This causes the multiple rotating shaft portions 94 of the lids 9a and 9b to be inserted into the multiple bearing recesses 230 of the upper frame 2 and supported. After this, the user operates the front and rear lid operating parts 8 of the upper frame 2 to move them from the unlocked position to the locked position, and inserts the stopper portion 83 of the lid operating part 8 into the space between the protrusions 23 of the upper frame 2 and the protrusions 93 of the lids 9a and 9b, filling this space. As a result, the relative movement of the replacement lids 9a and 9b and the upper frame 2 is restricted in the left-right direction, and they become connected to each other. In other words, the lid operating section 8 is configured to prevent the lids 9a and 9b from being removed from the upper frame 2 when the stopper section 83, which is part of itself, is in a locked position that prevents the corresponding lids 9a and 9b from moving in a predetermined direction. Even with the replacement lids 9a and 9b, they can be removed from the upper frame 2 when the lid operating section 8 is released from the locked position.

[0160] Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1, the method for assembling the transport container 1 by attaching the lids 9a and 9b to the upper frame 2 can be a method comprising the following steps.

[0161] In this process, the user sets the lids 9a and 9b so that their multiple protrusions 93 are positioned on the multiple protrusions 23 of the upper frame 2, and then moves the lids 9a and 9b relative to the upper frame 2 in the left-right direction. This causes the multiple rotating shaft portions 94 of the lids 9a and 9b to be inserted into the multiple bearing recesses 230 of the upper frame 2 and supported. After this, the user operates the front and rear lid operating portions 8 of the upper frame 2 to move them from the unlocked position to the locked position, and inserts the stopper portion 83 of the lid operating portion 8 into the space between the protrusions 23 of the upper frame 2 and the protrusions 93 of the lids 9a and 9b, filling this space. As a result, the lids 9a and 9b and the upper frame 2 are connected to each other.

[0162] As described above, the user can attach the lids 9a and 9b to the upper frame 2 with a simple operation using the lid operating section 8. By providing multiple parts that can be used as lids 9a and 9b, the user can select the appropriate parts from multiple parts (for example, multiple parts with different colors, etc.) and easily attach them to the upper frame 2, thereby freely assembling a variety of transport containers 1.

[0163] (2) Variant In the following, various modifications of the transport container 1 according to one embodiment will be described in order. However, in the description of the various modifications, components that are the same as those described for the transport container 1 according to one embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0164] (2-1) First variation Figures 13A to 14C show the transport container 1 of the first modified example. The transport container 1 of the first modified example is equipped with a plurality of restraining members 51, 52, 53, and 54 that have the function of restraining the operating section 5 in the locked position.

[0165] The multiple restraining members 51, 52, 53, and 54 include a restraining member 51 for restraining the upper operating part 6a of the oscillating plate 4a in the connected position, a restraining member 52 for restraining the upper operating part 6b of the folding plate 4b in the locked position, a restraining member 53 for restraining the bottom operating part 7 of the folding plate 4b in the locked position, and a restraining member 54 for restraining the lid operating part 8 in the locked position.

[0166] As shown in Figure 13B, the upper operating portion 6a of the oscillating plate 4a in the first modified example does not have a locking portion 62 for catching on the plate material 40 of the oscillating plate 4a. The upper operating portion 6a is restrained in the connection position by a restraining member 51 that is detachable from the plate material 40. The restraining member 51 is attached to the upper opening 410 of the plate material 40 so as to be adjacent to the upper operating portion 6a in the front-rear direction (i.e., along the rotational axis of the oscillating plate 4a) when the upper operating portion 6a is in the connection position.

[0167] One of the upper operating parts 6a on the front and rear sides is restrained in the connected position by contacting a restraining member 51 located closer to the other upper operating part 6a in the front-rear direction. Similarly, the other upper operating part 6a on the front and rear sides is restrained in the connected position by contacting another restraining member 51 located closer to the first upper operating part 6a in the front-rear direction.

[0168] To move the upper operating section 6a from the connected position to the disconnected position, the restraining member 51 adjacent to the upper operating section 6a can be removed from the plate material 40. The restraining member 51 has a block-shaped main body 510 and a locking portion (not shown) protruding from the main body 510. The restraining member 51 is attached to the oscillating plate 4a by the hook-shaped locking portion catching on the plate material 40. For example, the restraining member 51 can be removed from the plate material 40 by cutting the locking portion with a cutter or the like and separating it from the main body 510. Alternatively, the restraining member 51 can be removed from the plate material 40 by elastically deforming the locking portion and releasing it from the plate material 40.

[0169] As shown in Figure 13A, the upper operating portion 6b of the folding plate 4b in the first modified example does not have a locking portion 66 for catching on the upper plate material 43 of the folding plate 4b. The upper operating portion 6b is restrained in the locked position by a restraining member 52 that is detachable from the upper plate material 43. As described above, when the upper operating portion 6b is in the locked position, a stopper portion 67 that constitutes a part of the upper operating portion 6b prevents the folding plate 4b from moving in the left-right direction.

[0170] The restraining member 52 is mounted in the opening 451 at the left-right end of the upper plate material 43 so as to be vertically adjacent to the upper operating part 6b in the locked position. The upper operating part 6b is restrained in the locked position by contacting the restraining member 52 located below it.

[0171] To release the upper operating section 6b from the locked position, the restraining member 52 can be removed from the upper plate 43. The restraining member 52 has a block-shaped main body 520 and a locking portion (not shown) protruding from the main body 520. The hook-shaped locking portion catches on the upper plate 43, thereby attaching the restraining member 52 to the bent plate 4b. For example, the restraining member 52 can be removed from the upper plate 43 by cutting the locking portion with a cutter or the like and separating it from the main body 520. Alternatively, the restraining member 52 can be removed from the upper plate 43 by elastically deforming the locking portion and releasing it from the upper plate 43.

[0172] Similar to the upper operating section 6b, the bottom operating section 7 in the first modified example does not have a locking portion 71 for catching on the lower plate material 44 of the folding plate 4b. The bottom operating section 7 is restrained in the locked position by a restraining member 53 that is detachable from the lower plate material 44. When the bottom operating section 7 is in the locked position, a stopper portion 72, which is part of the bottom operating section 7, prevents the folding plate 4b from moving in the left-right direction.

[0173] The restraining member 53 is mounted in the opening 461 at the left-right end of the lower plate material 44 so as to be vertically adjacent to the bottom operating part 7 in the locked position. The bottom operating part 7 is restrained in the locked position by contacting the restraining member 53 located above it.

[0174] To release the bottom operating section 7 from the locked position, the restraining member 53 can be removed from the lower plate 44. The restraining member 53 has a block-shaped main body 530 and a locking portion (not shown) protruding from the main body 530. The hook-shaped locking portion catches on the lower plate 44, thereby attaching the restraining member 53 to the bent plate 4b. For example, the restraining member 53 can be removed from the lower plate 44 by cutting the locking portion with a cutter or the like and separating it from the main body 530. Alternatively, the restraining member 53 can be removed from the lower plate 44 by elastically deforming the locking portion and releasing it from the lower plate 44.

[0175] As shown in Figures 14A to 14C, the lid operating section 8 in the first modified example does not have a locking section 82 for hooking onto the upper frame 2. The lid operating section 8 is restrained in the locked position by a restraining member 54 that is detachable from the upper frame 2. As described above, when the lid operating section 8 is in the locked position, a stopper section 83, which is part of the lid operating section 8, prevents the corresponding lids 9a and 9b from moving in the left-right direction.

[0176] The restraining member 54 is mounted in the opening 251 at the left-right end of the upper frame 2 so as to be vertically adjacent to the lid operating section 8 in the locked position. The lid operating section 8 is restrained in the locked position by contacting the restraining member 54 located below it.

[0177] To release the lid operating section 8 from the locked position, the restraining member 54 can be removed from the upper frame 2. The restraining member 54 has a block-shaped main body 540 and a locking portion (not shown) protruding from the main body 540. The restraining member 54 is attached to the upper frame 2 by the hook-shaped locking portion catching on the upper frame 2. For example, the restraining member 54 can be removed from the upper frame 2 by cutting the locking portion with a cutter or the like and separating it from the main body 540. Alternatively, the restraining member 54 can be removed from the upper frame 2 by elastically deforming the locking portion and releasing it from the upper frame 2.

[0178] (2-2) Second variation Figures 15A and 15B show a second modified example of the transport container 1. In the second modified example, the upper operating part 6a of the oscillating plate 4a is not provided with a rotating shaft 60. The upper operating part 6a does not have the function of rotatably connecting the upper frame 2 and the oscillating plate 4a using a part of itself as a pivot shaft.

[0179] The upper operating section 6a of the second modified example has the same configuration as the upper operating section 6b of the transport container 1 of the first embodiment. That is, the upper operating section 6a of the second modified example has a stopper section 642, and when the upper operating section 6a is in a predetermined locked position, the stopper section 642, which constitutes a part of the upper operating section 6a, is configured to prevent the swinging plate 4a from being removed from the upper frame 2.

[0180] In the second modified example, the oscillating plate 4a can be removed from the upper frame 2 by moving it in a predetermined orientation in the front-rear direction relative to the upper frame 2 (a predetermined orientation along the rotation axis of the oscillating plate 4a). The upper operating part 6a is movable in the vertical direction. When the upper operating part 6a is in the locked position (see Figure 15B), the stopper part 642 of the upper operating part 6a protrudes upward and enters into the space between the oscillating plate 4a and the upper frame 2, filling this space. As a result, the relative movement of the oscillating plate 4a and the upper frame 2 in the front-rear direction is restricted by the stopper part 642, and the state in which the upper frame 2 and the oscillating plate 4a are connected is maintained. When the upper operating part 6a moves downward from the locked position, the stopper part 642 moves downward, and relative movement of the oscillating plate 4a and the upper frame 2 in the front-rear direction is permitted. In other words, the upper frame 2 and the oscillating plate 4a become detachable. The oscillating plate 4a can be switched between a first state in which it is rotatably mounted on the upper frame 2 and a second state in which it is detachable from the upper frame 2, depending on the position of the upper operating part 6a.

[0181] Furthermore, the transport container 1 of the second modified example is also provided with a restraining member 52 that restrains the upper operating part 6b of the folding plate 4b in the locked position, and a restraining member 53 that restrains the bottom operating part 7 of the folding plate 4b in the locked position, similar to the first modified example (see Figure 15A). However, the restraining member 52 of the second modified example is fitted into the upper plate material 43 of the folding plate 4b so as to engage with the upper operating part 6b in the locked position, and is attached to the folding plate 4b at a position that overlaps with the upper operating part 6b in a front view. The restraining member 53 of the second modified example is fitted into the lower plate material 44 of the folding plate 4b so as to engage with the bottom operating part 7 in the locked position, and is attached to the folding plate 4b at a position that overlaps with the bottom operating part 7 in a front view. The restraining members 51 and 54 of the first modified example can also have the same configuration.

[0182] (2-3) Third variation Figures 16A to 16C show the main parts of the transport container 1 of the third modified example. In the third modified example, a rotating shaft portion 643 is provided on the upper operating portion 6b of the folding plate 4b. The upper operating portion 6b has the function of rotatably connecting the upper frame 2 and the folding plate 4b, with the rotating shaft portion 643, which is part of itself, as a pivot.

[0183] The upper operating section 6b of the third modified example has the same configuration as the upper operating section 6a provided on the oscillating plate 4a in the first embodiment. That is, the upper operating section 6b of the folding plate 4b shown in Figure 16A has an operating portion 644 that can be operated by hand, a rotating shaft portion 643 protruding from the operating portion 644, and an elastically deformable locking portion 645 protruding from the operating portion 644.

[0184] The upper operating section 6b is movable left and right relative to the folding plate 4b between a connected position and an unconnected position. When the upper operating section 6b is in the connected position, the tip of the rotating shaft section 643 is rotatably inserted into a part of the upper frame 2 and supported. When the upper operating section 6b is in the unconnected position, the support of the rotating shaft section 643 in the upper frame 2 is released, and the upper frame 2 and the folding plate 4b become detachable.

[0185] The movement of the upper operating part 6b from the connected position to the disconnected position is restricted by the locking part 645 elastically engaging with a portion of the upper plate material 43. Similarly, the movement of the upper operating part 6b from the disconnected position to the connected position is restricted by the locking part 645 elastically engaging with another portion of the upper plate material 43. This prevents unintended movement of the upper operating part 6b between the connected and disconnected positions.

[0186] The bottom operating section 7 of the third modified example has the same configuration as the upper operating section 6b described above, and more specifically, it has a configuration that is the upper operating section 6b inverted vertically. In other words, the bottom operating section 7 of the folding plate 4b shown in Figure 16B has an operating part 754 that can be operated by hand, a rotating shaft part 753 that protrudes from the operating part 754, and an elastically deformable locking part 755 that protrudes from the operating part 754.

[0187] The bottom operating section 7 is movable in the left-right direction between a connected position and an unconnected position relative to the folding plate 4b. When the bottom operating section 7 is in the connected position, the tip of the rotating shaft section 753 is rotatably inserted into a part of the bottom wall 3 and is supported. When the bottom operating section 7 is in the unconnected position, the state in which the rotating shaft section 753 is supported by a part of the bottom wall 3 is released, and the bottom wall 3 and the folding plate 4b become detachable.

[0188] The movement of the bottom operating section 7 from the connected position to the disconnected position is restricted by the locking portion 755 elastically engaging with a part of the lower plate material 44. Similarly, the movement of the bottom operating section 7 from the disconnected position to the connected position is restricted by the locking portion 755 elastically engaging with another part of the lower plate material 44. This prevents unintended movement of the bottom operating section 7 between the connected and disconnected positions.

[0189] As described above, the folding plate 4b of the third modified example can be switched between a state in which it is rotatably mounted on the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3, and a state in which it is detachable from the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3, depending on the positions of the corresponding upper operating section 6b and the bottom operating section 7.

[0190] The lid operating section 8 of the third modified example has the same configuration as the upper operating section 6b described above. That is, the lid operating section 8 of the upper frame 2 shown in Figure 16C has a hand-operable operating section 854, a rotating shaft section 853 protruding from the operating section 854, and an elastically deformable locking section 855 protruding from the operating section 854.

[0191] The lid operating section 8 is movable left and right relative to the upper frame 2 between a connected position and an unconnected position. When the lid operating section 8 is in the connected position, the tip of the rotating shaft 853 is rotatably inserted into and supported by a portion of the corresponding lids 9a and 9b. When the lid operating section 8 is in the unconnected position, the support of the rotating shaft 853 by a portion of the corresponding lids 9a and 9b is released, and the lids 9a and 9b and the folding plate 4b become detachable.

[0192] The movement of the lid operating section 8 from the connected position to the disconnected position is restricted by the locking portion 855 elastically engaging with a part of the upper frame 2. Similarly, the movement of the lid operating section 8 from the disconnected position to the connected position is restricted by the locking portion 855 elastically engaging with another part of the upper frame 2. This prevents unintended movement of the lid operating section 8 between the connected and disconnected positions.

[0193] As described above, the lids 9a and 9b of the third modified example can be switched between a state in which they are rotatably mounted on the upper frame 2 and a state in which they are detachable from the upper frame 2, depending on the position of the corresponding lid operating section 8.

[0194] (2-4) Fourth variation Figures 17A to 18B show the main parts of the transport container 1 of the fourth modified example. In the fourth modified example, the upper operating parts 6a and 6b, the bottom operating part 7, and the lid operating part 8 are all detachable.

[0195] As shown in Figure 17A, in the fourth modified example, similar to the second modified example, the upper operating part 6a of the oscillating plate 4a is not provided with a rotating shaft 60. In other words, the upper operating part 6a of the fourth modified example has a stopper part 642, and the stopper part 642, which constitutes a part of the upper operating part 6a, is configured to prevent the oscillating plate 4a from being removed from the upper frame 2.

[0196] In the second modified example, the oscillating plate 4a can be removed from the upper frame 2 by moving it in a predetermined direction in the front-rear direction relative to the upper frame 2. The stopper portion 642 of the upper operating portion 6a fills the space between the oscillating plate 4a and the upper frame 2, thereby restricting the relative movement of the oscillating plate 4a and the upper frame 2 in the front-rear direction, and maintaining the state in which the upper frame 2 and the oscillating plate 4a are connected. When the upper operating portion 6a is removed from the oscillating plate 4a, relative movement of the oscillating plate 4a and the upper frame 2 in the front-rear direction is permitted, and the upper frame 2 and the oscillating plate 4a become detachable. The oscillating plate 4a can be switched between a first state in which it is rotatably mounted on the upper frame 2 and a second state in which it is detachable from the upper frame 2, depending on the attachment and detachment of the upper operating portion 6a.

[0197] The space filled by the upper operating section 6a is space S1 as shown in the figure, but is not limited to this. For example, the upper operating section 6a may be detachably mounted to fill another space S2.

[0198] As shown in Figure 18A, in the fourth modified example, a part of the upper operating part 6b (stopper part 67), which is detachably attached to the folding plate 4b, is configured to prevent the folding plate 4b from being removed from the upper frame 2. Also, as shown in Figure 18B, a part of the bottom operating part 7 (stopper part 72), which is detachably attached to the folding plate 4b, is configured to prevent the folding plate 4b from being removed from the bottom wall 3. The folding plate 4b can be switched between a state in which it is rotatably attached to the upper frame 2 and bottom wall 3 and a state in which it is detachable from the upper frame 2 and bottom wall 3, depending on the attachment and detachment of the upper operating part 6b and the bottom operating part 7.

[0199] The space filled by the upper operating section 6b is shown as space S3, but is not limited to this. For example, the upper operating section 6b may be detachably mounted to fill another space S4. Similarly, the space filled by the bottom operating section 7 is shown as space S5, but is not limited to this. For example, the bottom operating section 7 may be detachably mounted to fill another space S6.

[0200] As shown in Figure 17B, in the fourth modified example, a part of the lid operating section 8 (stopper section 83), which is detachably attached to the upper frame 2, is configured to prevent the corresponding lids 9a and 9b from being removed from the upper frame 2. The lids 9a and 9b can be switched between a state in which they are rotatably attached to the upper frame 2 and a state in which they are detachable from the upper frame 2, depending on the attachment and detachment of the corresponding lid operating section 8.

[0201] (2-5) Other variations Although the first to fourth modifications have been described above, the modifications of the transport container 1 of one embodiment are not limited to these, and various modifications can be made to each component of the transport container 1.

[0202] For example, in one embodiment and its various modifications, the upper operating part 6a is attached to the oscillating plate 4a, but a similar upper operating part 6a may also be attached to the upper frame 2. In this case as well, the oscillating plate 4a can be attached to and detached from the upper frame 2 with simple work by changing the position of the upper operating part 6a. Also, the upper operating part 6b is attached to the bending plate 4b, but the upper operating part 6b may also be attached to the upper frame 2. In this case as well, the bending plate 4b can be attached to and detached from the upper frame 2 with simple work by changing the position of the upper operating part 6b.

[0203] In one embodiment and its modified form, the bottom operating section 7 is attached to the folding plate 4b, but the bottom operating section 7 may also be attached to the bottom wall 3. In this case as well, the folding plate 4b can be attached to and detached from the bottom wall 3 with simple work by changing the position of the bottom operating section 7. Also, the lid operating section 8 is attached to the upper frame 2, but the lid operating section 8 may also be attached to the corresponding lids 9a and 9b. In this case as well, the lids 9a and 9b can be attached to and detached from the upper frame 2 with simple work by changing the position of the lid operating section 8.

[0204] In one embodiment, the bottom operating section 7 is provided with a locking portion 71 to restrict movement between the locked and unlocked positions, but the locking portion 71 can be omitted. In this case, the bottom operating section 7 is held in the lower locked position within its vertically movable range by its own weight. To move the bottom operating section 7 from the locked position to the unlocked position, the user simply needs to lift the bottom operating section 7 against its own weight.

[0205] In the first modified example, the restraining member 53 for restraining the bottom operating section 7 in the locked position can be omitted. In this case as well, the bottom operating section 7 is held by its own weight in the lower locked position within the range of vertical movement.

[0206] It is also possible to combine the configurations of the first to fourth modified examples as appropriate. Furthermore, in one embodiment and each of its modified examples, a pair of oscillating plates 4a and a pair of folding plates 4b are each detachable from the upper frame 2, but the invention is not limited to this, and only the pair of oscillating plates 4a may be detachable from the upper frame 2, or only the pair of folding plates 4b may be detachable from the upper frame 2.

[0207] (3) Effects As described above based on one embodiment and various modifications thereof, a method for repairing a transport container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for repairing a transport container 1, the transport container 1 comprising an upper frame 2, a bottom wall 3, a side wall 4 provided between the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3 and rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame 2, and an upper operating part 6 for operating the attachment and detachment of the side wall 4 to the upper frame 2. The method comprises the steps of removing the side wall 4 from the upper frame 2 by changing the position of the upper operating part 6, and, after the above step, rotatably connecting a replacement side wall 4 to be used in place of the side wall 4 to the upper frame 2.

[0208] Therefore, according to a method for repairing a transport container in one aspect of the present disclosure, if the side wall 4 is damaged or deteriorates over time, only the side wall 4 can be replaced with a simple operation using the upper operating unit 6. Changing the position of the upper operating unit 6 as described above includes changing its position by sliding it while it is attached to the side wall 4 or upper frame 2, and also includes attaching and detaching the upper operating unit 6 to the side wall 4 or upper frame 2.

[0209] A method for assembling a transport container according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for assembling a transport container 1, the transport container 1 comprising an upper frame 2, a bottom wall 3, a side wall 4 provided between the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3 and rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame 2, and an upper operating part 6 for operating the attachment and detachment of the side wall 4 to the upper frame 2. The method comprises the step of rotatably connecting the side wall 4 to the upper frame 2 by changing the position of the upper operating part 6.

[0210] Therefore, according to the method for assembling a transport container in one aspect of this disclosure, the side wall 4 can be attached to the upper frame 2 with a simple operation using the upper operating unit 6. As a result, it is also easy to assemble the transport container 1 by selecting and using an appropriate part from a plurality of parts (for example, a plurality of parts with different colors, etc.) as the side wall 4. According to the method for assembling a transport container in one aspect of this disclosure, for example, the color of the side wall 4 can be freely set according to the intended use of the transport container 1, and the color of the side wall 4 can also be freely set according to the corporate colors of the company, organization, etc. that will use the transport container 1. Changing the position of the upper operating unit 6 as described above includes changing the position by sliding or other means while the upper operating unit 6 is attached to the side wall 4 or upper frame 2, and also includes attaching and detaching the upper operating unit 6 to the side wall 4 or upper frame 2.

[0211] A transport container 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises an upper frame 2, a bottom wall 3, a side wall 4 provided between the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3 and rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame 2, and an operating unit 5 for operating the attachment and detachment of the side wall 4. The operating unit 5 includes an upper operating unit 6. The side wall 4 is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it is rotatably mounted to the upper frame 2 and a second state in which it is detachable from the upper frame 2, depending on the position of the upper operating unit 6.

[0212] Therefore, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1 of this disclosure, if the side wall 4 is damaged or deteriorates over time, only the side wall 4 can be replaced with a simple operation using the upper operating unit 6. Furthermore, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1, the side wall 4 can be attached to the upper frame 2 with a simple operation using the upper operating unit 6, so it is possible to prepare multiple parts that can be used as side walls 4, select an appropriate one from these multiple parts (for example, multiple parts with different colors, etc.) and attach it to the upper frame 2, thereby easily assembling a variety of transport containers 1. According to one embodiment of the transport container 1, for example, the color of the side wall 4 can be freely set according to the intended use of the transport container 1, and the color of the side wall 4 can also be freely set according to the corporate colors of the company, organization, etc. that will use the transport container 1. In other words, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1, it is possible to freely assemble the side panels 4 by selecting appropriate parts, and if the side panels 4 are damaged, they can be easily replaced. In this context, changing the position of the upper operating unit 6 includes changing its position by sliding or other means while it is attached to the side wall 4 or upper frame 2, and also includes attaching and detaching the upper operating unit 6 from the side wall 4 or upper frame 2.

[0213] In a transport container 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the side wall 4 is removable from the upper frame 2 by moving it in a predetermined direction relative to the upper frame 2, and the upper operating part 6 is preferably configured to prevent the removal of the side wall 4 from the upper frame 2 when a part of it is in a locked position that prevents the side wall 4 from moving in the predetermined direction, and to allow the removal of the side wall 4 from the upper frame 2 when a part of it is released from the locked position.

[0214] According to one embodiment of the transport container 1 of this disclosure, the side wall 4 can be easily attached to and detached from the upper frame 2.

[0215] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the transport container 1 preferably further comprises restraining members 51, 52 attached to the side wall 4 or upper frame 2, which restrain the upper operating section 6 in a locked position.

[0216] According to one embodiment of the transport container 1 of this disclosure, the movement of the upper operating section 6 is prevented with high reliability by the restraining members 51 and 52.

[0217] In a transport container 1 according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the operating section 5 further includes a bottom operating section 7, and the side wall 4 is rotatably and detachably connected to the bottom wall 3, and is preferably configured to be switchable between a first state in which the bottom operating section 7 is rotatably mounted to the bottom wall 3 and a second state in which it is detachable from the bottom wall 3, depending on the position of the bottom operating section 7.

[0218] According to one embodiment of the transport container 1 of this disclosure, if the side wall 4 is damaged or deteriorates over time, only the side wall 4 can be replaced with a simple operation using the upper operating section 6 and the bottom operating section 7. Also, according to one embodiment of the transport container 1, the side wall 4 can be attached to the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3 with a simple operation using the upper operating section 6 and the bottom operating section 7. Therefore, by preparing multiple parts that can be used as side walls 4, and selecting an appropriate one from these multiple parts (for example, multiple parts with different colors, etc.) and attaching it to the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3, it is possible to easily assemble a variety of transport containers 1. Here, changing the position of the bottom operating section 7 includes changing its position by sliding it while it is attached to the side wall 4 or the bottom wall 3, and also includes attaching and detaching the bottom operating section 7 to the side wall 4 or the bottom wall 3.

[0219] A transport container 1 in another aspect of the present disclosure comprises an upper frame 2, a bottom wall 3, and a plurality of side walls 4 provided between the upper frame 2 and the bottom wall 3 and rotatably connected to the upper frame 2. The plurality of side walls 4 include a pair of oscillating plates 4a and a pair of folding plates 4b, and at least one of the pair of oscillating plates 4a and the pair of folding plates 4b is detachable from the upper frame 2.

[0220] According to another embodiment of the transport container 1 of this disclosure, if at least one of the pair of oscillating plates 4a and the pair of folding plates 4b is damaged, only the damaged part can be replaced. Furthermore, according to another embodiment of the transport container 1, multiple usable parts are provided for at least one of the pair of oscillating plates 4a and the pair of folding plates 4b, and by selecting an appropriate part from these multiple parts (for example, multiple parts with different colors, etc.) and attaching it to the upper frame 2, it is possible to easily assemble a variety of transport containers 1. According to one embodiment of the transport container assembly method of this disclosure, for example, the color of at least one of the pair of oscillating plates 4a and the pair of folding plates 4b can be freely set according to the intended use of the transport container 1. Furthermore, the color of at least one of the pair of oscillating plates 4a and the pair of folding plates 4b can be freely set to match the corporate colors of the company, organization, etc., that will be using the transport container 1.

[0221] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for repairing a transport container 1, the transport container 1 comprising an upper frame 2, a lid 9 rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame 2, and a lid operating part 8 for operating the attachment and detachment of the lid 9 to the upper frame 2. The method comprises the steps of removing the lid 9 from the upper frame 2 by changing the position of the lid operating part 8, and, after the step of removing the lid 9, rotatably connecting a replacement lid 9 to be used in place of the lid 9 to the upper frame 2.

[0222] Therefore, according to the method for repairing a transport container in another embodiment of this disclosure, if the lid 9 is damaged or deteriorates over time, only the lid 9 can be replaced with a simple operation using the lid operating unit 8. Changing the position of the lid operating unit 8 as described above includes changing its position by sliding it while it is attached to the upper frame 2 or the lid 9, and also includes attaching and detaching the lid operating unit 8 from the upper frame 2 or the lid 9.

[0223] Another embodiment of the present disclosure is a method for assembling a transport container 1, wherein the transport container 1 comprises an upper frame 2, a lid 9 rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame 2, and a lid operating part 8 for operating the attachment and detachment of the lid 9 to the upper frame 2. This method includes a step of rotatably connecting the lid 9 to the upper frame 2 by changing the position of the lid operating part 8.

[0224] Therefore, according to the method for assembling a transport container in another aspect of this disclosure, the lid 9 can be attached to the upper frame 2 with a simple operation using the lid operating unit 8. As a result, multiple parts that can be used as a lid 9 can be prepared, and a suitable one can be selected from these multiple parts (for example, multiple parts with different colors, etc.) and attached to the upper frame 2, making it possible to easily assemble a variety of transport containers 1. According to the method for assembling a transport container in another aspect of this disclosure, as an example, the color of the lid 9 can be freely set according to the intended use of the transport container 1, and the color of the lid 9 can also be freely set according to the corporate colors of the company, organization, etc. that will be using the transport container 1. Changing the position of the lid operating unit 8 as described above includes changing the position of the lid operating unit 8 by sliding it while it is attached to the upper frame 2 or the lid 9, and also includes attaching and detaching the lid operating unit 8 to the upper frame 2 or the lid 9.

[0225] The symbols used in the above explanation are merely reference symbols and should not be used to impose restrictive interpretations. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0226] 1. Transport container 2 Upper frame 3 Bottom wall 4 side wall 4a Oscillating plate 4b bent plate 5 Control section 6 Upper control section 65 Operation part 67 Stopper part 7 Bottom operation section 8 Lid operation part 9 Lid

Claims

1. Upper frame and The bottom wall and, A side wall having a rotating shaft portion provided between the upper frame and the bottom wall, and rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame, The side wall is equipped with an upper operating part that is vertically movable on the side wall for operating the attachment and detachment of the side wall, The side wall is removable from the upper frame by moving in the axial direction of the rotating shaft relative to the upper frame. The side wall is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it is rotatably mounted to the upper frame and a second state in which it is detachable from the upper frame, depending on the vertical position of the upper operating section. The upper operating section is configured to prevent the removal of the side wall from the upper frame when a portion of it is in a locked position that prevents the side wall from moving in the axial direction, and to allow the removal of the side wall from the upper frame when the portion of it is released from the locked position. A container for transport.

2. The restraining member is attached to the side wall or the upper frame and restrains the upper operating part in the locked position, A transport container according to claim 1.

3. The bottom operating part is further provided on the side wall so as to be vertically movable, The side wall is rotatably and detachably connected to the bottom wall, and is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it is rotatably mounted to the bottom wall and a second state in which it is detachable from the bottom wall, depending on the vertical position of the bottom operating part. A transport container according to claim 1 or 2.

4. Upper frame and, The bottom wall and, A side wall provided between the upper frame and the bottom wall, The system includes an upper operating section provided on the side wall for operating the attachment and detachment of the side wall, and having a rotating shaft portion that is rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame, The upper operating section is movable relative to the side wall in the axial direction of the rotating shaft, The upper operating section is configured to prevent the side wall from being removed from the upper frame when the rotating shaft is in a position connected to the side wall, and to allow the side wall to be removed from the upper frame when the rotating shaft is removed from that position. A container for transport.

5. Upper frame and, A lid having a rotating shaft portion that is rotatably and detachably connected to the upper frame, The system includes a lid operating section that is vertically movable on the upper frame for operating the lid, The lid is removable from the upper frame by moving it in the axial direction of the rotating shaft relative to the upper frame. The lid is configured to be switchable between a first state in which it is rotatably mounted on the upper frame and a second state in which it is detachable from the upper frame, depending on the vertical position of the lid operating section. The lid operating section is configured to prevent the lid from being removed from the upper frame when a portion of it is in a locked position that prevents the lid from moving in the axial direction, and to allow the lid to be removed from the upper frame when the portion of it is released from the locked position. A container for transport.

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