container

Abstract

To provide a container suitably equipped with a handle portion while suppressing an increase in height in a folded state.SOLUTION: When a container 1 is changed from an assembled state to a folded state, a short-side side wall portion 7 is first set to a folded posture, and a long-side side wall portion 6 is set to a folded posture above the short-side side wall portion. The long-side side wall portion 6 includes: a long-side base wall portion 11 forming an inner surface of the long-side side wall portion 6; and a first hand portion 62 projecting outward from the container 1 from the long-side base wall portion 11 in an overlap region 61 that overlaps the short-side side wall portion 7 in the folded state of the container 1. A portion of the long-side base wall portion 11 corresponding to the first hand portion 62 is configured as a bulging portion 65 that bulges toward the inner side of the container 1. The short-side side wall portion 7 includes a short-side base wall portion 21 forming an inner surface of the short-side side wall portion 7 and short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 protruding outward from the container 1 from the short-side base wall portion 21, and the short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 include insertion portions 75 into which the bulging portions 65 are inserted in the folded state of the container 1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a container used for transporting articles and the like.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as a container used for transporting articles and the like, there is known a variable-shaped container including a bottom wall component having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and a side wall component configured to be able to change its posture between a standing posture erected above each side portion of the bottom wall component and a folded posture fallen toward the central portion side of the bottom wall component. Further, the side wall portion is provided with a handle portion on which an operator can place a hand when carrying the container (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, as the handle portion, it is desired to make it easier to place a hand.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a container in which a hand or the like can easily be placed on the handle portion.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] Hereinafter, each means suitable for solving the above object and the like will be described separately by item. In addition, effects peculiar to the corresponding means will be appended as necessary.

[0007] Means A1. A container comprising a bottom wall component having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and side wall components that are rotatably displaceable between an upright position erected upward along each side of the bottom wall component and a folded position tilted toward the center of the bottom wall component, wherein the container is capable of changing between an assembled state in which all of the side wall components are in the upright position and a folded state in which all of the side wall components are in the folded position, The side wall portion comprises a base wall portion which is substantially rectangular in front view and forms the inner surface of the side wall portion, and a first handle portion is provided on the outer surface side of the side wall portion which comprises a first extended wall portion which extends outward from the outer surface of the base wall portion toward the outside of the container, and a first folded wall portion which extends downward from the first extended wall portion. Of the base wall portion, the portion facing the first folded wall portion and the portion connected below said portion are configured as a bulging portion that protrudes inward into the container compared to the general portion of the base wall portion. The side wall portion is provided with upper and lower reinforcing ribs that extend outward from the outer surface of the base wall portion and the bulging portion and extend in the height direction of the side wall portion. Both sides of the first extension wall portion of the first handgrip are connected to the upper and lower reinforcing ribs, respectively. Occasionally, The bulging portion includes a section that slopes downward toward the inside of the container from a position above the first extended wall portion toward the connection portion with the first extended wall portion. A container characterized by the following features.

[0008] According to method A1, the first handle portion is provided in correspondence with the bulging portion of the side wall. In other words, by partially increasing the thickness of the portion of the side wall corresponding to the bulging portion on the inward side of the container (positioning the inner surface of the base wall portion inward of the container than the general portion in correspondence with the bulging portion), it is possible to secure a longer width (depth) in the thickness direction of the side wall portion on the lower side of the first extended wall portion of the first handle portion. Therefore, it becomes easier to place hands on the first handle portion, and the workability when transporting the container using the first handle portion can be improved. Alternatively, even if a configuration is adopted in which a projection is provided that protrudes outward from the first folded wall portion to increase the strength of the first handle portion (the projection is also contained within the thickness range of the side wall portion), it is possible to prevent the depth of the first extended wall portion from becoming shorter. Therefore, the depth width of the first extended wall portion is secured, ensuring ease of gripping the first handhold, while increasing the strength of the first handhold (suppressing damage, deformation, etc.), and making the feel of the lower edge of the first handhold more comfortable for the fingers.

[0009] Means A2. Both sides of the first folded wall section are connected to the upper and lower reinforcing ribs, The portion of the bulging section that extends below the lower edge of the first folded wall section has a portion that slopes downward toward the outside of the container. The container according to means A1, characterized in that the upper and lower reinforcing ribs extend outward from the container more than the portion that slopes downward outward from the container.

[0010] Means A3. The side wall portion comprises a pair of opposing pre-folding side wall portions that are first folded when the container is changed from the assembled state to the folded state, and a pair of opposing post-folding side wall portions that are placed above the pre-folding side wall portions that are folded. In the folded state of the container, the folded front side wall portion is the bottom wall composition The rear-folding side wall portion, which is in a folded position, overlaps the upper part of the section, and the front-folding side wall portion overlaps the upper part of the front-folding side wall portion. The opposing pair of rear-folding side wall portions are provided with regulating wall portions that protrude inward from the bulging portion beyond the side edges of the inner surface of the rear-folding side wall portion. The container according to means A1 or A2, characterized in that a pair of opposing pre-folded side wall portions are provided with restricted wall portions that substantially contact the restricting wall portion when the container is assembled, with the thickness on the outer side of both sides of the outer surface being omitted.

[0011] Means A4. The side wall portion comprises a pair of opposing pre-folding side wall portions that are first folded when the container is changed from the assembled state to the folded state, and a pair of opposing post-folding side wall portions that are folded above the pre-folding side wall portions that are folded. The container according to any one of means A1 to A3, characterized in that the first handle portion is provided in pairs for each rear-folding side wall portion, at both ends in the width direction of the rear-folding side wall portion, or at a position closer to both ends in the width direction of the rear-folding side wall portion than the center in the width direction of the rear-folding side wall portion.

[0012] Means A5. The rear-folding side wall portion has an overlapping area that overlaps the front-folding side wall portion when the container is in the folded state. The container according to means A4, characterized in that the first handle portion is provided in the overlapping region.

[0013] Means A6. A handle reinforcing projection is provided that extends substantially horizontally from the lower edge of the first folded wall portion toward the outside of the container, Both sides of the aforementioned handgrip reinforcing projection are connected to the upper and lower reinforcing ribs, The container according to any one of means A1 to A5, characterized in that the boundary between the first extended wall portion and the first folded wall portion, and the boundary between the first folded wall portion and the handgrip reinforcing projection are chamfered.

[0014] Means A7. A container comprising a bottom wall component having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and side wall components that are rotatably displaceable between an upright position erected upward along each side of the bottom wall component and a folded position tilted toward the central part of the bottom wall component, wherein the container is capable of changing between an assembled state in which all of the side wall components are in the upright position and a folded state in which all of the side wall components are in the folded position, The side wall portion comprises a base wall portion which is substantially rectangular in front view and forms the inner surface of the side wall portion, and a first handle portion is provided on the outer surface side of the side wall portion which comprises a first extended wall portion which extends outward from the outer surface of the base wall portion toward the outside of the container, and a first through hole which is formed in the base wall portion which penetrates in the inward and outward direction of the container and at least a part of the upper edge of which is continuous with the lower surface of the first extended wall portion. Of the base wall portion, the portion that defines the first through-hole and the portion connected below the first through-hole are configured as a bulging portion that protrudes inward into the container compared to the general portion of the base wall portion. The side wall portion is provided with upper and lower reinforcing ribs that extend outward from the outer surface of the base wall portion and the bulging portion and extend in the height direction of the side wall portion. Both sides of the first extension wall portion of the first handgrip are connected to the upper and lower reinforcing ribs, respectively. Occasionally, The bulging portion includes a section that slopes downward toward the inside of the container from a position above the first extended wall portion toward the connection portion with the first extended wall portion. A container characterized by the following features.

[0015] In the case of configuring as in Means A7, having a first extending wall portion extending outward from the outer surface of the base wall portion to the outer side of the container, and a first through hole formed by penetrating in the inner and outer direction of the container in the base wall portion and having at least a part (more preferably, all) of the upper edge portion continuous with the lower surface of the first extending wall portion, a range including a portion defining the first through hole and a portion connected below the first through hole in the base wall portion is configured as a bulging portion. Even when adopting this configuration, the depth width of the first extending wall portion can be ensured to be longer, and basically the same operational effects as those of the above-described Means A1 can be achieved, such that the container can be more easily carried or the like using the first handle portion. Further, by ensuring the depth width of the first extending wall portion, it is possible to improve the strength of the peripheral portion of the first through hole. Incidentally, ribs including the first extending wall portion may be provided so as to surround the first through hole.

[0016] Means B1. A container including a bottom wall component portion having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, a side wall portion rotatably displaceable between a standing posture erected upward along each side portion of the bottom wall component portion and a folding posture folded toward the central portion side of the bottom wall component portion, and capable of changing states between an assembled state in which all the side wall portions are in the standing posture and a folded state in which all the side wall portions are in the folding posture. The side wall portion includes a pair of front folding side wall portions that are first folded into the folding posture when the container is changed from the assembled state to the folded state, and a pair of rear folding side wall portions that are folded into the folding posture above the front folding side wall portions in the folding posture. The rear folding side wall portion includes an overlapping region that overlaps above the front folding side wall portion when the container is in the folded state. The rear folding side wall portion includes a rear folding base wall portion having a substantially rectangular shape in front view that constitutes the inner surface of the rear folding side wall portion, and on the outer surface side of the rear folding side wall portion, in the overlapping region, a first handle portion is provided that includes a first extending wall portion extending outward from the outer surface of the rear folding base wall portion to the outer side of the container and a first folding-back wall portion extending downward from the first extending wall portion. Among the rear-folded base wall portion, the range including the portion facing the first folded-back wall portion and the portion connected below the said portion is configured as a bulging portion that bulges inward of the container compared to the general portion of the rear-folded base wall portion. The front-folded side wall portion includes a front-folded base wall portion having a substantially rectangular shape in a front view that constitutes the inner surface of the front-folded side wall portion, and a front-folded reinforcing rib that protrudes outward of the container from the outer surface of the front-folded base wall portion. The front-folded reinforcing rib is provided with an insertion portion into which a part of the bulging portion can be inserted in the folded state of the container. A container characterized by this.

[0017] According to means B1, the first handle portion is provided corresponding to the bulging portion of the rear-folded side wall portion. That is, by partially thickening the thickness of the portion corresponding to the bulging portion of the rear-folded side wall portion inward of the container (positioning the inner surface of the rear-folded base wall portion inward of the container compared to the general portion corresponding to the bulging portion), the width (depth width) in the thickness direction of the rear-folded side wall portion on the lower surface side of the first extending wall portion of the first handle portion can be ensured to be longer. Therefore, it is possible to easily hang a hand or the like on the first handle portion, and it is possible to improve the workability when transporting the container using the first handle portion. Alternatively, even if a configuration is adopted in which a protrusion protruding outward of the container is provided from the first folded-back wall portion in order to increase the strength of the first handle portion (the protrusion is also accommodated within the thickness range of the rear-folded side wall portion), it is possible to suppress the shortening of the depth width of the first extending wall portion. Therefore, while ensuring the depth width of the first extending wall portion and ensuring the ease of hanging a hand or the like on the first handle portion, the strength of the first handle portion is increased (damage, deformation, etc. are suppressed), and the feeling of hitting the finger at the lower edge portion of the first handle portion can be made more suitable.

[0018] Furthermore, the pre-folding reinforcing ribs provided on the outer surface of the pre-folding side wall are provided with insertion parts into which a portion of the bulge provided in the overlapping region of the rear-folding side wall is inserted when the container is folded. This prevents interference between the bulge of the rear-folding side wall and the pre-folding reinforcing ribs of the pre-folding side wall, and allows the inner surface of the general part of the rear-folding base wall of the rear-folding side wall to come into contact with the pre-folding reinforcing ribs of the pre-folding side wall. Therefore, while avoiding an increase in the height of the container in the folded state due to the provision of the bulge, it is possible to stabilize the folded state of the container compared to a configuration in which the rear-folding side wall in the folded position is supported by contact with the pre-folding side wall only by the bulge. In addition, since the bulge can be placed in the overlapping region, it is possible to provide a first handle portion on the end side in the width direction of the rear-folding side wall (for example, the end or its vicinity). This improves convenience, for example, when two workers each place their hands on the first handles provided near both ends of the container in a predetermined width direction to carry the container, or when they hook the container onto the first handles to pull it closer.

[0019] Means B2. The width of the rear-folding side wall portion is configured to be longer than the width of the front-folding side wall portion. The aforementioned folded side wall portion is provided with a locking means that restricts the displacement of the folded side wall portion toward the folded position when the container is assembled. The locking means comprises a locking portion that engages with the rear folded side wall portion in the assembled state of the container, and an operating portion that displaces the locking portion. The container according to means B1, characterized in that at least a portion of the first extended wall portion of the first handle portion is located within the vertical width range of the locking means, or is located above the locking means, in the vertical direction.

[0020] According to method B2, in a configuration where the width of the rear-folding side wall is longer than the width of the front-folding side wall, providing first handles at or near both ends in the width direction of the rear-folding side wall improves convenience when using the first handles (allowing each worker to place their hand on the first handle when two workers are carrying the container). Furthermore, by providing the locking mechanism on the front-folding side wall, the first extended wall of the first handle can be positioned at the same height as the locking mechanism, or even higher, without interfering with the locking mechanism. In this way, by positioning the first handle (first extended wall) closer to the upper edge of the rear-folding side wall, for example, the container can be gripped comfortably by placing the fingertips, such as the middle finger, on the first handle and pressing the base of the thumb against the upper edge of the rear-folding side wall. Therefore, improvements in workability when carrying the container can be achieved.

[0021] Means B3. The pre-folded reinforcing rib comprises upper and lower reinforcing ribs extending in the height direction of the pre-folded side wall portion, The upper and lower reinforcing ribs comprise a bulge-responding portion that faces the bulge portion vertically in the folded state of the container, and a continuous portion that extends in the height direction of the pre-folded side wall portion, continuous with the bulge-responding portion. The extension length of the bulging-compatible portion from the pre-folded base wall portion is shorter than the extension length of the continuous portion from the pre-folded base wall portion, so that the insertion portion is provided on the outer side of the container of the bulging-compatible portion. The container according to means B1 or B2, characterized in that the outer surface of the pre-folded side wall portion is provided with a second handle portion comprising a second extended wall portion extending outward from the outer surface of the pre-folded base wall portion and a second folded wall portion extending downward from the second extended wall portion, the side of which is connected to the continuous portion.

[0022] According to method B3, by providing a handle (second handle) on the pre-folded side wall, the convenience of transporting the container using the handle is improved (workers can select and place their hands on the handle that is easiest to grasp), and this effect is more pronounced. Furthermore, among the upper and lower reinforcing ribs, even in the bulge-responding ribs which have a portion (bulge-responding portion) that faces the bulge when the container is folded, the extension length of the continuous portion, which does not face the bulge, from the pre-folded base wall is made as long as possible (matching the extension length of the other upper and lower reinforcing ribs), thereby improving the strength of the pre-folded side wall. Moreover, since the side of the second folded wall of the second handle is connected to the continuous portion, for example, the width (depth) of the second extension wall in the thickness direction of the pre-folded side wall can be made longer compared to when it is connected to the bulge-responding portion. Therefore, it is possible to make it easier to grip the second handle, and the second handle can be positioned in the lateral direction of the folded side wall to correspond to the bulging rib. As a result, it is possible to improve work efficiency when transporting the container using the second handle.

[0023] Means B4. The first handle portion is provided in pairs for each rear folding side wall portion, at both ends in the width direction of the rear folding side wall portion, or at a position closer to both ends in the width direction of the rear folding side wall portion than to the center in the width direction of the rear folding side wall portion. The rear folding side wall portion is provided with a third handle portion at a position between the pair of first handle portions in the lateral direction of the rear folding side wall portion. The second handle portion is provided in pairs for each of the pre-folding side wall portions, at both ends in the width direction of the pre-folding side wall portion, or at a position closer to both ends in the width direction of the pre-folding side wall portion than to the center in the width direction of the pre-folding side wall portion. The container according to means B3, characterized in that the front-folding side wall portion is provided with a fourth handle portion at a position between the pair of second handle portions in the lateral width direction of the front-folding side wall portion.

[0024] According to method B4, a third handle is provided between a pair of first handles on the rear-folding side wall, and a fourth handle is provided between a pair of second handles on the front-folding side wall. This significantly improves convenience when transporting the container using the handles (the worker can select and place their hands on the handle that is easiest to grasp). Furthermore, when transforming the container from a folded state to an assembled state, the worker can appropriately select one of the first to fourth handles to place their fingers on and raise the side wall to an upright position. Therefore, for example, in situations where the worker's position or the orientation of the container differs during the work process, the assembly work can be made relatively easy, leading to improved work efficiency.

[0025] Means B5. The third handle portion comprises a third extended wall portion extending outward from the outer surface of the rear folding base wall portion and a third folded wall portion extending downward from the third extended wall portion, The fourth handle portion comprises a fourth extended wall portion extending outward from the outer surface of the pre-folded base wall portion and a fourth folded wall portion extending downward from the fourth extended wall portion. The container according to means B4, characterized in that at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth extension wall portions is configured to have a different vertical height position compared to at least one other extension wall portion.

[0026] According to method B5, for example, the ability to select a handle according to the worker's physique (e.g., hand size), or to change the selected handle depending on the situation (e.g., when the method of transport differs, such as lifting or dragging, or when the items being transported differ), will be more significantly enhanced, improving convenience when transporting containers using the handles.

[0027] Means B6. A container comprising a bottom wall component having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and side wall components that are rotatably displaceable between an upright position erected upward along each side of the bottom wall component and a folded position tilted toward the center of the bottom wall component, wherein the container is capable of changing between an assembled state in which all of the side wall components are in the upright position and a folded state in which all of the side wall components are in the folded position, The side wall portion comprises a pair of opposing pre-folding side wall portions that are first folded when the container is changed from the assembled state to the folded state, and a pair of opposing post-folding side wall portions that are positioned above the pre-folding side wall portions that are folded. The rear-folding side wall portion has an overlapping region that overlaps the front-folding side wall portion when the container is in the folded state. The rear-folding side wall portion comprises a rear-folding base wall portion which is substantially rectangular in front view and forms the inner surface of the rear-folding side wall portion, and a first handle portion is provided on the outer surface side of the rear-folding side wall portion which comprises a first extending wall portion which extends outward from the outer surface of the rear-folding base wall portion in the overlapping region toward the outside of the container, and a first through hole which is formed as an opening in the rear-folding base wall portion that penetrates in the inward and outward direction of the container, with at least a part of the upper edge of which is continuous with the lower surface of the first extending wall portion. Of the rear-folding base wall portion, the portion that defines the first through-hole and the portion connected below the first through-hole are configured as a bulging portion that protrudes inward into the container compared to the general portion of the rear-folding base wall portion. The container is characterized in that the pre-folded side wall portion comprises a pre-folded base wall portion which is substantially rectangular in front view and constitutes the inner surface of the pre-folded side wall portion, and a pre-folded reinforcing rib which protrudes outward from the outer surface of the pre-folded base wall portion, and the pre-folded reinforcing rib is provided with an insertion portion which allows a part of the bulging portion to be inserted when the container is in the folded state.

[0028] According to method B6, the increase in the height of the container in the folded state can be suppressed while ensuring a longer depth of the first extended wall, and the container can be made easier to transport using the first handle, thus basically achieving the same effects as method 1 described above. In addition, by ensuring a longer depth of the first extended wall, it is possible to improve the strength of the area around the first through hole. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0029] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view of the container in its assembled state. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a stack of containers in a folded state. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view including a partial cross-section showing a stack of folded containers. [Figure 4] This is a partially enlarged perspective view, including a partial cross-section, showing a stack of folded containers. [Figure 5] This is a partially enlarged perspective view, including a partial cross-section, showing the container in its assembled state. [Figure 6] This is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view showing the connection point between the long side wall and the short side wall. [Figure 7] This is a partially enlarged exploded perspective view showing the connection point between the long side wall and the short side wall. [Figure 8] This is a perspective view showing the pallet, container, and lid component. [Figure 9] This is a side view showing a container placed on a pallet with a lid placed over it. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0030] An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 5, the container 1, which is a roughly rectangular box shape opening upwards, has a bottom wall component 2 that is roughly rectangular in plan view, comprising a bottom wall portion 3 that is roughly rectangular in shape, long-side base portions 4 that protrude upward from the bottom wall portion 3 along each long side of the bottom wall portion 3, and short-side base portions 5 that protrude upward from the bottom wall portion 3 along each short side of the bottom wall portion 3. Furthermore, the container 1 has long-side side wall portions 6 that are rotatably connected to each long-side base portion 4, and short-side side wall portions 7 that are rotatably connected to each short-side base portion 5. The container 1 in this embodiment is made of polypropylene.

[0031] The long-side wall portion 6 and the short-side wall portion 7 are configured to be rotatably displaceable between an upright position, where they are erected above the long-side base portion 4 and the short-side base portion 5, respectively, and a folded position, where they are tilted towards the center of the bottom wall portion 3 and extend substantially parallel to the bottom wall portion 3. Therefore, when storing items in the container 1, all the long-side wall portions 6 and the short-side wall portions 7 are in the upright position, and when storing the container 1, all the long-side wall portions 6 and the short-side wall portions 7 are in the folded position, allowing for space saving and other improvements.

[0032] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the projection length of the long-side base portion 4 from the bottom wall portion 3 is longer than the projection length of the short-side base portion 5 from the bottom wall portion 3, and the formation position of the long-side bearing portion 8 for rotatably supporting the long-side side wall portion 6 is located above the formation position of the short-side bearing portion 9 for rotatably supporting the short-side side wall portion 7. In addition, each short-side base portion 5 is provided so as to connect the inner surfaces of a pair of opposing long-side base portions 4, and the width of the long-side side wall portion 6 is configured to be approximately the same as the longitudinal width of the bottom wall component portion 2, while the width of the short-side side wall portion 7 is configured to be approximately the same as the distance between the pair of long-side base portions 4.

[0033] Therefore, in this embodiment, when folding the assembled container 1, the pair of short-side wall portions 7 are first folded, and then the long-side wall portions 6 are displaced to the folded position. In the folded state of the container 1, the folded short-side wall portions 7 overlap the top of the bottom wall portion 3, and the folded long-side wall portions 6 overlap the top of the short-side wall portions 7. In addition, in this embodiment, both of the folded short-side wall portions 7 are supported by contacting the top surface of the bottom wall portion 3, and the pair of folded long-side wall portions 6 are each supported by contacting the folded short-side wall portions 7 at the same height. Furthermore, the top surface of the long-side base portion 4 is located above the long-side wall portions 6 in the folded position. In this embodiment, the short-side side wall portion 7 corresponds to the pre-folded side wall portion, and the long-side side wall portion 6 corresponds to the post-folded side wall portion.

[0034] As shown in Figure 5, the long side wall portion 6 comprises a long side base wall portion 11 which is a roughly rectangular plate-shaped rear-folding base wall portion that constitutes the inner surface of the long side wall portion 6, and a long side lower flange portion 12 which protrudes outward from the lower side of the long side base wall portion 11 toward the outside of the container 1. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 6, the long side wall portion 6 is provided with a long side hinge portion 13 which protrudes downward from the long side lower flange portion 12 and is rotatably connected to the long side bearing portion 8 of the long side base portion 4. In each long side wall portion 6, the long side hinge portions 13 are provided at seven locations at predetermined intervals in the lateral direction of the long side wall portion 6, and gap prevention covers 14 are attached to the long side hinge portions 13, except for the long side hinge portion 13 provided in the center of the lateral direction of the long side wall portion 6, toward the inside of the container 1.

[0035] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the short-side wall portion 7 also includes a short-side base wall portion 21 which is a roughly rectangular plate-shaped pre-folding base wall portion that constitutes the inner surface of the short-side wall portion 7, and a short-side lower flange portion 22 which protrudes outward from the lower edge of the short-side base wall portion 21. In addition, as shown in Figure 7, the short-side wall portion 7 includes a short-side hinge portion 23 which protrudes downward from the short-side lower flange portion 22 and is rotatably connected to the short-side bearing portion 9 of the short-side base portion 5. In each short-side wall portion 7, the short-side hinge portions 23 are provided at five locations at predetermined intervals in the lateral direction of the short-side wall portion 7, and gap prevention covers 24 are attached to the short-side hinge portions 23 other than the short-side hinge portion 23 provided in the center of the lateral direction of the short-side wall portion 7 on the inside side of the container 1.

[0036] As shown in Figures 1, 6, and 7, the long side wall portion 6 is provided with restricting wall portions 31 that protrude inward from both sides of the inner surface of the container 1. The restricting wall portions 31 are configured to overlap with the outer surface of the short side wall portion 7 in the inward-outward direction of the container 1 when the container 1 is assembled. Furthermore, the restricting wall portion 31 is provided with an insertion hole portion 32 that penetrates the long side wall portion 6 in the lateral direction. In addition, the long side wall portion 6 is provided with a substantially rectangular cylindrical locking portion 33 (see Figure 7) that is connected to the lateral central side of the restricting wall portion 31 of the long side wall portion 6 and opens to the lateral central side of the short side wall portion 7.

[0037] In contrast, both sides of the outer surface of the short-side wall portion 7 are provided with a restricted wall portion 34 that substantially contacts the restricting wall portion 31 of the long-side wall portion 6 when the container 1 is assembled, and an insertion projection 35 that protrudes outward from the outer surface of the restricted wall portion 34 and is inserted into the insertion hole portion 32 of the restricting wall portion 31 when the container 1 is assembled (it is locked in place by substantially interlocking with the insertion hole portion 32). This configuration prevents the long-side wall portion 6 and the short-side wall portion 7 from tilting outward from the container 1, and also restricts relative vertical displacement between the long-side wall portion 6 and the short-side wall portion 7.

[0038] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, a locking mechanism 36 is provided on the outer surface of the short-side wall portion 7 as a locking means to prevent the short-side wall portion 7 from tilting inward, and thereby to maintain the assembled state of the container 1. The locking mechanism 36 comprises a pair of left and right sliding pieces 37 (locking parts) configured to be displaceable between a protruding position in which they are inserted into and locked in the locking portion 33 of the long-side wall portion 6 when the container 1 is assembled, and a retracted position in which they are disengaged from the locking portion 33 and the locking state is released, and an operating part 38 that enables the operation of displacing the pair of left and right sliding pieces 37 to the retracted position at once. In addition, in this embodiment, insertion holes 32 (insertion protrusions 35) are provided in three locations, top and bottom, in each restricting wall portion 31 (each restricted wall portion 34). In particular, the insertion protrusions 35 are provided near the top and bottom of the locking mechanism 36 in the vertical direction (as shown in Figure 7, the insertion holes 32 are provided close to the top and bottom of the locking portion 33). This ensures that relative displacement between the long side wall portion 6 and the short side wall portion 7 in the vertical direction and in the lateral direction of the short side wall portion 7 is more reliably prevented, and the sliding piece 37 of the locking mechanism 36 is inserted into the locking portion 33 and locked in place at locations where this is achieved.

[0039] Furthermore, the container 1 is configured so that assembled containers (containing items) can be stacked on top of each other while preventing horizontal displacement. Also, as shown in Figure 2, the container 1 is configured so that even when folded, it can be stacked on top of each other while preventing horizontal displacement.

[0040] In addition, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the upper parts of the long-side side wall 6 and the short-side side wall 7 are configured to be lower in the portion located on the outer side of the container 1. As a result, each long-side side wall 6 and each short-side side wall 7 has a side wall upper projection 39 that protrudes upward from the portion of the upper part of the long-side side wall 6 and the short-side side wall 7 that is on the inner side of the container 1, and extends along the lateral width direction of the long-side side wall 6 and the short-side side wall 7, respectively.

[0041] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the bottom wall portion 3 comprises a substantially rectangular plate-shaped bottom plate portion 41 that constitutes the inner bottom surface of the container 1, an outer peripheral corresponding portion 42 provided adjacent to the outer peripheral edge of the bottom plate portion 41, which, when the assembled container 1 is stacked, abuts against and supports the upper edges (side wall upper projection 39) of the long side side wall portion 6 and the short side side wall portion 7 of the lower container 1 (this is the portion where the long side base portion 4 and the short side base portion 5 are formed on the upper surface), and a support portion 43 that protrudes downward from the lower surface of the bottom plate portion 41. The support portion 43 is formed by ribs protruding downward from the bottom plate portion 41, arranged in a grid pattern when viewed from below.

[0042] Furthermore, the bottom wall portion 3 is provided with a bottom wall side projection 44 that protrudes downward from the outer peripheral corresponding portion 42, creating a gap between it and the support portion 43. The lower edge of the bottom wall side projection 44 is located above the lower surface of the support portion 43. When the assembled containers 1 are stacked, the upper side projection 39 of the side wall of the lower container 1 is inserted into the gap between the bottom wall side projection 44 of the upper container 1 and the support portion 43, and the lower surface of the outer peripheral corresponding portion 42 of the upper container 1 abuts against and is supported by the upper side projection 39 of the side wall of the lower container 1.

[0043] In addition, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the long-side base portion 4 has a base top edge projection 45 that protrudes upward from the portion of the upper side of the long-side base portion 4 that is on the inner side of the container 1 (the inner circumference side of base portions 4 and 5) and extends along the longitudinal direction of the long-side base portion 4. When the folded containers 1 are stacked, the base top edge projection 45 of the lower container 1 is inserted into the gap between the bottom wall side projection 44 of the upper container 1 and the support portion 43, and the lower surface of the outer circumference corresponding portion 42 of the upper container 1 abuts against and is supported by the base top edge projection 45 of the lower container 1.

[0044] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 8 and 9, the container 1 of this embodiment is configured to be transported by placing three of them side by side horizontally on a roughly rectangular pallet 51 in plan view, and then covering the three containers 1 placed on the pallet 51 with a lid member 52 that covers them all together. It is also possible to stack the containers 1 placed on the pallet 51 to create multiple layers.

[0045] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, in this embodiment, the long side wall portion 6 has an overlapping region 61 that overlaps the short side wall portion 7 when the container 1 is folded. As shown in Figure 5, the outer surface of the long side wall portion 6 is provided with a first handle portion 62 in the overlapping region 61, which comprises a first extended wall portion 62a extending substantially horizontally from the outer surface of the long side base wall portion 11 toward the outside of the container 1, and a first folded wall portion 62b extending downward from the tip edge (outer edge) of the first extended wall portion 62a, slightly inclined toward the outside of the container 1. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a handle reinforcing projection 62c is provided that protrudes substantially horizontally from the lower edge of the first folded wall portion 62b toward the outside of the container 1.

[0046] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the portion of the long-side base wall portion 11 that faces the first folded wall portion 62b, and the portion connected below that portion, are configured as a bulging portion 65 that protrudes inward into the container 1 compared to the general portion 64 of the long-side base wall portion 11. The bulging portion 65 in this embodiment includes a portion that slopes downward inward into the container 1 from a position above the first extended wall portion 62a toward the connection portion with the first extended wall portion 62a, a portion that extends from the lower edge of the sloped portion substantially parallel to the general portion 64 to below the lower edge of the first folded wall portion 62b, and a portion that slopes downward outward into the container 1 from the lower edge of the parallel portion.

[0047] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1, 9, etc., the long-side side wall portion 6 is provided with long-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66 that extend in the height direction of the long-side side wall portion 6. In this embodiment, a pair of long-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66 that are arranged in close proximity to each other in the width direction of the long-side side wall portion 6 are provided at six locations separated by a predetermined distance in the width direction of the long-side side wall portion 6. The first handgrip portion 62 is positioned between a pair of long-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66 arranged on each side in the width direction of the long-side side wall portion 6 and a pair of long-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66 arranged next to it, and both sides of the first extended wall portion 62a, the first folded wall portion 62b, and the handgrip reinforcing projection 62c of the first handgrip portion 62 are connected to the long-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66, respectively. The outer edge of the handgrip reinforcing projection 62c is configured to extend on the same plane as the outer edge of the long-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66.

[0048] In addition, as shown in Figure 5, etc., each long side wall portion 6 is provided with a third handle portion 68 comprising a pair of long side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66, to which the sides of each first handle portion 62 on the lateral central side of the long side wall portion 6 are connected, and a third extended wall portion 68a extending substantially horizontally from the outer surface of the long side base wall portion 11 toward the outside of the container 1, and a third folded wall portion 68b extending substantially vertically downward from the tip edge (outer edge) of the third extended wall portion 68a toward the height direction of the long side wall portion 6, between the pair of long side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66 positioned adjacent to the lateral central side of the long side wall portion 6, and a third extended wall portion 68a extending substantially vertically downward (in the height direction of the long side wall portion 6). Both sides of the third extended wall portion 68a and the third folded wall portion 68b of the third handle portion 68 are connected to the long side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66, respectively.

[0049] In this embodiment, the extension length (depth) of the first extension wall portion 62a from the long-side base wall portion 11 is approximately the same as the depth of the third extension wall portion 68a (the first extension wall portion 62a is slightly longer). Furthermore, the lower edge of the first folded wall portion 62b (the lower surface of the hand-grip reinforcing projection 62c) and the lower edge of the third folded wall portion 68b are at the same height. In addition, the boundary between the first extension wall portion 62a and the first folded wall portion 62b, the boundary between the first folded wall portion 62b and the hand-grip reinforcing projection 62c, and the boundary between the third extension wall portion 68a and the third folded wall portion 68b are chamfered.

[0050] Furthermore, the long-side side wall 6 is appropriately provided with long-side left and right reinforcing ribs 69 that project outward from the long-side base wall 11 towards the outside of the container 1 and extend in the lateral direction of the long-side side wall 6. For example, a pair of long-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66 that are positioned close to each other in the lateral direction of the long-side side wall 6 are connected by a plurality of long-side left and right reinforcing ribs 69, and at least one of these long-side left and right reinforcing ribs 69 is provided at the same height as the lower edge (handle reinforcing projection 62c) of the first folded wall 62b and the lower edge of the third folded wall 68b (when adjacent, at a height that connects them substantially horizontally via the long-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66). In addition, as shown in Figure 1, long-side left and right reinforcing ribs 69 also extend between a pair of third handle portions 68, connecting the lower edges of the third folded wall portions 68b.

[0051] As shown in Figure 1, the short-side side wall portion 7 is provided with short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 that protrude outward from the short-side base wall portion 21 and extend in the height direction of the short-side side wall portion 7. The short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 are provided in the lateral direction of the short-side side wall portion 7 at the boundary of each restricted wall portion 34 and at a position relatively close to the boundary on the lateral direction center side of the short-side side wall portion 7 (see Figure 6), and as shown in Figure 5, they are provided on both sides of the short-side side wall portion 7 closer to the operating portion 38 of the locking mechanism 36 (hereinafter, the pair of short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 that are located on both sides of the short-side side wall portion 7 closer to the lateral direction center of the short-side side wall portion 7 than the operating portion 38 of the locking mechanism 36 will be referred to as the "bulge-responding rib 72").

[0052] The bulge-responding rib 72 comprises a bulge-responding portion 73 that faces the bulge portion 65 vertically when the container 1 is folded, and a continuous portion 74 that extends in the height direction of the short-side side wall portion 7, continuous with the bulge-responding portion 73. In this embodiment, the portion of the bulge-responding rib 72 from the range including the vertical intermediate position downwards is configured as the bulge-responding portion 73, and the portion above the bulge-responding portion 73 is configured as the continuous portion 74. The extension length of the bulge-responding portion 73 from the short-side base wall portion 21 is shorter than the extension length of the continuous portion 74 from the short-side base wall portion 21 (the outer edge of the bulge-responding portion 73 is located further inward of the container 1 than the outer edge of the continuous portion 74). As a result, the bulge-responding rib 72 is provided with an insertion portion 75 on the outer side of the bulge-responding portion 73 of the container 1, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, into which a part of the bulge portion 65 of the long-side wall portion 6 is inserted when the container 1 is folded. When the container 1 is folded, the general portion 64 of the long-side base wall portion 11 of the long-side wall portion 6 abuts against and is supported by ribs that protrude outward from the short-side base wall portion 21, such as the short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 of the short-side wall portion 7, and the bulge portion 65 of the long-side base wall portion 11 abuts against and is supported by the bulge-responding portion 73 of the bulge-responding rib 72 of the short-side wall portion 7. Furthermore, the extension length of the upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 on the short side, other than the bulging-responding rib 72, from the short side base wall portion 21 is the same as the extension length of the continuous portion 74 of the bulging-responding rib 72 from the short side base wall portion 21, and also the same as the extension length of the lower flange portion 22 on the short side from the short side base wall portion 21. However, among the ribs (pre-folded reinforcing ribs) that protrude outward from the short side base wall portion 21 towards the container 1, the extension length from the short side base wall portion 21 of the portion close to the bulging-responding portion 73 (insertion portion 75) (for example, the portion that is connected) is configured to be the same as the extension length of the bulging-responding portion 73 from the short side base wall portion 21 (a portion with a shortened extension length is provided via a gradually shortening portion).

[0053] As shown in Figure 5, the outer surface of the short-side side wall portion 7 is provided with a second handle portion 77 comprising a second extended wall portion 77a extending substantially horizontally from the outer surface of the short-side base wall portion 21 toward the outside of the container 1, and a second folded wall portion 77b extending substantially vertically downward from the leading edge (outer edge) of the second extended wall portion 77a (in the height direction of the short-side side wall portion 7). As shown in Figures 1 and 9, the second handle portion 77 is positioned in the lateral width direction of the short-side side wall portion 7 between each bulge-corresponding rib 72 and the short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 located adjacent to the side of the short-side side wall portion 7 of the bulge-corresponding rib 72. The second extension wall portion 77a and the second folded wall portion 77b of the second grip portion 77 are connected to the continuous portion 74 of the bulge-responding rib 72 on the side of the center in the lateral direction of the short side wall portion 7 (see Figure 5), and the opposite side is connected to the short side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 which are different from the bulge-responding rib 72.

[0054] In addition, as shown in Figures 1, 5, and 9, each short-side wall portion 7 is provided with a fourth handle portion 78, which comprises a fourth extended wall portion 78a extending substantially horizontally from the outer surface of the short-side base wall portion 21 toward the outside of the container 1, and a fourth folded wall portion 78b extending substantially vertically downward from the leading edge (outer edge) of the fourth extended wall portion 78a, at a position between a pair of second handle portions 77 in the lateral direction of the short-side wall portion 7, and vertically downward from the area where the operating portion 38 of the locking mechanism 36 is located.

[0055] As shown in Figure 9, in this embodiment, the first extended wall portion 62a of the first grip portion 62 (at least a part or all of it, basically all in this example) is configured to be located within the vertical width range of the locking mechanism 36 (range X in Figure 9) in the vertical direction. Furthermore, the first extended wall portion 62a is located above the fourth extended wall portion 78a, the fourth extended wall portion 78a is located above the second extended wall portion 77a, and the second extended wall portion 77a is at approximately the same height as the third extended wall portion 68a. In addition, in this embodiment, the second extension wall portion 77a and the fourth extension wall portion 78a define a part of the lower edge of the area where the locking mechanism 36 is installed. Furthermore, between the second extension wall portion 77a and the fourth extension wall portion 78a, there is an inclined wall portion 79 that slopes upward from the side of the second extension wall portion 77a toward the lateral center of the short side wall portion 7 and connects to the side of the fourth extension wall portion 78a. In this embodiment, the ribs provided on the outer surface of the short side wall portion 7, including the short side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71, constitute the pre-folded reinforcing ribs.

[0056] As described in detail above, according to this embodiment, the first handle portion 62 is provided in correspondence with the bulging portion 65 of the long side side wall portion 6. In other words, by partially increasing the thickness of the portion of the long side side wall portion 6 corresponding to the bulging portion 65 on the inward side of the container 1 (positioning the inner surface of the long side base wall portion 11 inward of the container 1 than the general portion 64, corresponding to the bulging portion 65), the depth width of the first extended wall portion 62a of the first handle portion 62 can be made longer. However, in this embodiment, the depth width of the first extended wall portion 62a is made to be about the same as the depth width of the third extended wall portion 68a, while a handle reinforcing projection 62c is provided that protrudes outward from the lower edge of the first folded wall portion 62b. Therefore, by ensuring the depth width of the first extended wall portion 62a (avoiding a reduction in the depth width of the first extended wall portion 62a), it is possible to increase the strength of the first grip portion 62 (suppressing damage, deformation, etc.) while ensuring ease of gripping the first grip portion 62, and to make the feel of the lower edge of the first grip portion 62 against the fingers more comfortable.

[0057] Furthermore, the bulging portion 65 is provided in the overlapping region 61 of the long-side side wall portion 6. In contrast, the short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 (bulging-compatible ribs 72) provided on the outer surface of the short-side side wall portion 7 are provided with insertion portions 75 into which a part of the bulging portion 65 of the long-side side wall portion 6 is inserted when the container 1 is folded. This makes it possible to avoid interference between the bulging portion 65 of the long-side side wall portion 6 and the short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 (bulging-compatible ribs 72) of the short-side side wall portion 7, and allows the inner surface of the general portion 64 of the long-side base wall portion 11 of the long-side side wall portion 6 and the short-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 of the short-side side wall portion 7 to come into contact. Therefore, while avoiding an increase in the height of the folded container 1 due to the provision of the bulging portion 65, it is possible to stabilize the folded state of the container 1 compared to a configuration in which the long side wall portion 6 in the folded position is supported by contact with the short side wall portion 7 only by the bulging portion 65. Furthermore, since the bulging portion 65 can be placed in the overlapping region 61, it is possible to provide the first handle portion 62 on the end side in the width direction of the long side wall portion 6 (in this example, a position separated from the side of the long side wall portion 6 by a pair of long side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66 that are placed close to each other). This improves convenience when, for example, two workers each place their hands on the first handle portions 62 provided near both ends in the longitudinal width direction of the container 1 to carry the container 1, or when they hook a hook onto the first handle portion 62 and pull it closer.

[0058] In addition, the first grip portion 62 is provided on the long side wall portion 6, which is separate from the short side side wall portion 7 on which the locking mechanism 36 is provided. This allows the first extended wall portion 62a of the first grip portion 62 to be provided at the same height as the locking mechanism 36 without interfering with it. By providing the first grip portion 62 (first extended wall portion 62a) closer to the upper edge of the long side side wall portion 6 in this way, for example, the container 1 can be gripped comfortably by placing the fingertips, such as the middle finger, on the first grip portion 62 and pressing the base of the thumb against the upper edge of the long side side wall portion 6. Therefore, it is possible to improve the workability when carrying the container 1. Furthermore, by positioning the locking mechanism 36 near the upper edge of the short-side wall portion 7, when folding the container 1, the operating part 38 of the locking mechanism 36 can be operated near the upper edge of the short-side wall portion 7, allowing the upper edge of the short-side wall portion 7 to be grasped and rotated toward the folded position, thereby improving work efficiency and other aspects.

[0059] Furthermore, by providing a handle (second handle 77) on the short side wall portion 7, the convenience of transporting the container 1 using the handle is improved (workers can select and place their hands on the handle that is easiest to grasp), and this effect is made even more pronounced. In addition, among the upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 on the short side, in the bulge-responding rib 72 which has a portion (bulge-responding portion 73) that faces the bulge portion 65 when the container 1 is folded, the extension length of the continuous portion 74, which does not face the bulge portion 65, from the pre-folding base wall portion is made as long as possible (matching the extension length of the other upper and lower reinforcing ribs 71 on the short side), thereby improving the strength of the short side wall portion 7. Furthermore, because the side of the second folded wall portion 77b of the second handle portion 77 is connected to the continuous portion 74, for example, compared to the case where it is connected to the bulging-response portion 73, the width (depth) in the thickness direction of the short side wall portion 7 of the second extended wall portion 77a can be made longer. Therefore, it is possible to easily place a hand or the like on the second handle portion 77, and the second handle portion 77 can be positioned in the width direction of the short side wall portion 7 to correspond to the bulging-response rib 72. As a result, it is possible to improve the workability when transporting the container 1 using the second handle portion 77.

[0060] Furthermore, by providing a third handle 68 between a pair of first handles 62 on the long side wall 6, and a fourth handle 78 between a pair of second handles 77 on the short side wall 7, the convenience of transporting the container 1 using the handles is improved (workers can select and place their hands on the handles that are easiest to grasp), and this effect is made even more pronounced. In addition, when transforming the container 1 from a folded state to an assembled state, the fingers can be appropriately selected from the first to fourth handles 62, 77, 68, and 78 to place the side walls 6 and 7 in an upright position. Therefore, for example, in situations where the arrangement of workers or the orientation of the container 1 differs in the work process, the assembly work can be made relatively easy, and work efficiency can be improved.

[0061] In addition, the first extended wall portion 62a of the first handle portion 62 is located above the fourth extended wall portion 78a of the fourth handle portion 78, while the second handle portion 77, and the second extended wall portion 77a and third extended wall portion 68a of the second handle portion 77 and third handle portion 68 are located at approximately the same height as each other and below the fourth extended wall portion 78a. In this way, the different heights of the extended walls of the handle portions make it possible to select a handle portion according to the worker's physique (e.g., hand size), or to change the selected handle portion according to the situation (e.g., different methods of transport such as lifting or dragging, or different items being stored), thereby significantly improving the convenience of transporting the container 1 using the handle portions.

[0062] Furthermore, the embodiment is not limited to the description above, and may be implemented as follows, for example. Of course, other applications and modifications not exemplified below are also possible.

[0063] (a) In the above embodiment, the pair of short-side wall portions 7 in the folded position are configured to be at the same height without overlapping each other, but one may be configured to overlap the other. Furthermore, the pair of long-side wall portions 6 in the folded position are configured to be at the same height without overlapping each other, but one may be configured to overlap the other. Here, if a configuration is adopted in which the short-side wall portions 7 overlap each other vertically or the long-side wall portions 6 overlap each other vertically in the folded state of the container 1, a predetermined overlapping region 61 of the pair of long-side wall portions 6 may be separated vertically from the short-side wall portion 7, and in this case, the bulging portion 65 corresponding to the predetermined overlapping region 61 will not be inserted into the insertion portion 75. Furthermore, in a configuration where the folded long-side wall portions 6 overlap each other, and the bulging portion 65 of one long-side wall portion 6 overlaps the upper part of the other long-side wall portion 6, an insertion portion may be provided in the long-side upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66 or the long-side left and right reinforcing ribs 69 of the long-side wall portion 6, by providing a bulging-compatible portion with a relatively short depth, so that a part of the bulging portion 65 of the folded long-side wall portion 6 on the upper side can be inserted.

[0064] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when folding the assembled container 1, the short-side wall portion 7 is configured to fold before the long-side wall portion 6. However, the long-side wall portion 6 may be configured to fold before the short-side wall portion 7. If this configuration is adopted, a bulge portion will be provided on the short-side wall portion 7 corresponding to a predetermined handle portion, and an insertion portion will be provided on the long-side wall portion 6.

[0065] (b) In the above embodiment, the first handle portion 62 is provided with a handle reinforcing projection 62c, but the handle reinforcing projection 62c may be omitted, and the outer surface of the first folded wall portion 62b may be configured to be flush with the outer edge of the upper and lower reinforcing ribs 66 on the long side. In this case, the extension length (depth) of the first extended wall portion 62a from the long side base wall portion 11 can be more reliably secured to be longer than the depth of the third extended wall portion 68a. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, when the container 1 is folded, the bulging portion 65 of the long side base wall portion 11 of the long side side wall portion 6 is configured to abut and be supported by the bulging corresponding portion 73 of the bulging corresponding rib 72 of the short side side wall portion 7, but it may be configured so that they do not basically come into contact.

[0066] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, among the first extension wall portion 62a, the second extension wall portion 77a, the third extension wall portion 68a, and the fourth extension wall portion 78a, the first extension wall portion 62a is located at the highest position in the vertical direction, the second extension wall portion 77a and the third extension wall portion 68a are at approximately the same height, and the fourth extension wall portion 78a is located below the first extension wall portion 62a and above the second extension wall portion 77a and the third extension wall portion 68a. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and can be modified as appropriate. However, from the perspective of increasing the variations in the height at which the worker places their fingertips, and allowing each worker to select a handgrip that suits them, it is desirable that at least one of the first extended wall portion 62a, the second extended wall portion 77a, the third extended wall portion 68a, and the fourth extended wall portion 78a is configured to have a different vertical height position than at least one other. Furthermore, it is desirable that the first extended wall portions 62a, the second extended wall portions 77a, the third extended wall portions 68a, and the fourth extended wall portions 78a be at the same height position. In addition, in the above embodiment, the third handgrip portion 68 and the fourth handgrip portion 78 may be omitted, and the second handgrip portion 77 may also be omitted. Furthermore, it is also possible to omit the locking mechanism 36.

[0067] In addition, in the above embodiment, the first extended wall portion 62a of the first handle portion 62 is configured to be provided within the height range of the locking mechanism 36, but the first extended wall portion 62a of the first handle portion 62 may be configured to be provided at a position above the locking mechanism 36. Furthermore, in the above embodiment, basically the entire first extended wall portion 62a of the first handle portion 62 is configured to be located within the vertical width range of the locking mechanism 36 (range X in Figure 9) in the vertical direction, but it is sufficient if at least a part of the first extended wall portion 62a is located above the lower end of the locking mechanism 36 in the vertical direction. Furthermore, part or all of the first extended wall portion 62a may extend inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (the width direction of the long-side wall portion 6, or the thickness direction of the long-side wall portion 6) (for example, a shape in which the radius of curvature of the chamfer shape at the boundary between the first extended wall portion 62a and the first folded wall portion 62b is relatively large) (the same applies to the third extended wall portion 68a). In addition, part or all of the second extended wall portion 77a may extend inclined with respect to the horizontal direction (the width direction of the short-side wall portion 7, or the thickness direction of the short-side wall portion 7) (the same applies to the fourth extended wall portion 78a).

[0068] (c) With respect to the first handle portion 62, the overlapping region 61 of the long-side base wall portion 11 may be configured to include a first extended wall portion 62a extending outward from the outer surface of the long-side base wall portion 11 to the outside of the container 1, and a first through-hole formed in the long-side base wall portion 11, penetrating in the inward and outward direction of the container 1, with at least a part (more preferably all) of the upper edge being continuous with the lower surface of the first extended wall portion 62a. When this configuration is adopted, the long-side base wall portion 11 is configured as a bulging portion 65, including the portion defining the first through-hole and the portion connected below the first through-hole. Even when this configuration is adopted, the same effects as in the above embodiment can be basically achieved, such as suppressing the increase in the height of the container 1 in the folded state, securing a longer depth width of the first extended wall portion 62a, and making it easier to transport the container 1 using the first handle portion 62. Furthermore, by ensuring the depth width of the first extended wall portion 62a, the strength of the area surrounding the first through-hole can be improved. It is also possible to provide ribs including the first extended wall portion 62a surrounding the first through-hole. Additionally, the second, third, and fourth handle portions 77, 68, and 78 may be constructed in the same manner as the above-described modification of the first handle portion 62, by providing through-holes instead of omitting the folded wall portions 77b, 68b, and 78b as appropriate.

[0069] (d) In the above embodiment, the container 1 is made of polypropylene, but it may also be made of other resin materials such as polyethylene, PET, or polyamide. [Explanation of symbols]

[0070] 1...Container, 2...Bottom wall component, 6...Long side side wall, 7...Short side side wall, 11...Long side base wall, 21...Short side base wall, 61...Overlapping region, 62...First handle, 62a...First extended wall, 62b...First folded wall, 64...General section, 65...Bulging section, 66...Long side upper and lower reinforcing ribs, 68...Third handle, 68a...Third extension 68b...Third folded wall section, 69...Left and right reinforcing ribs on the long side, 71...Upper and lower reinforcing ribs on the short side, 72...Bulging-compatible rib, 73...Bulging-compatible section, 74...Continuous section, 75...Insertion section, 77...Second handgrip section, 77a...Second extended wall section, 77b...Second folded wall section, 78...Fourth handgrip section, 78a...Fourth extended wall section, 78b...Fourth folded wall section.

Claims

1. A container comprising a bottom wall component having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and side wall components that are rotatably displaceable between an upright position erected upward along each side of the bottom wall component and a folded position tilted toward the center of the bottom wall component, wherein the container is capable of changing between an assembled state in which all of the side wall components are in the upright position and a folded state in which all of the side wall components are in the folded position, The side wall portion comprises a base wall portion which is substantially rectangular in front view and forms the inner surface of the side wall portion, and a first handle portion is provided on the outer surface side of the side wall portion which comprises a first extended wall portion which extends outward from the outer surface of the base wall portion toward the outside of the container, and a first folded wall portion which extends downward from the first extended wall portion. Of the base wall portion, the portion facing the first folded wall portion and the portion connected below said portion are configured as a bulging portion that protrudes inward into the container compared to the general portion of the base wall portion. The side wall portion is provided with upper and lower reinforcing ribs that extend outward from the outer surface of the base wall portion and the bulging portion and extend in the height direction of the side wall portion. Both sides of the first extension wall portion of the first handgrip are connected to the upper and lower reinforcing ribs, The container is characterized in that the bulging portion has a portion that slopes downward toward the inside of the container from a position above the first extended wall portion toward the connection portion with the first extended wall portion.

2. Both sides of the first folded wall section are connected to the upper and lower reinforcing ribs, The portion of the bulging section that extends below the lower edge of the first folded wall section has a portion that slopes downward toward the outside of the container. The container according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper and lower reinforcing ribs extend outward from the container more than the portion that slopes downward outward from the container.

3. The side wall portion comprises a pair of opposing pre-folding side wall portions that are first folded when the container is changed from the assembled state to the folded state, and a pair of opposing post-folding side wall portions that are positioned above the pre-folding side wall portions that are folded. In the folded state of the container, the folded front side wall portion overlaps the bottom wall portion, and the folded rear side wall portion overlaps the front side wall portion. The opposing pair of rear-folding side wall portions are provided with regulating wall portions that protrude inward from the bulging portion beyond the side edges of the inner surface of the rear-folding side wall portion. The container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a pair of opposing pre-folded side wall portions are provided with restricted wall portions that substantially contact the restricting wall portion when the container is assembled, with the thickness on the outer side of both sides of the outer surface being omitted.

4. The side wall portion comprises a pair of opposing pre-folding side wall portions that are first folded when the container is changed from the assembled state to the folded state, and a pair of opposing post-folding side wall portions that are positioned above the pre-folding side wall portions that are folded. The container according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first handle portion is provided in pairs for each rear-folding side wall portion, at both ends in the width direction of the rear-folding side wall portion, or at a position closer to both ends in the width direction of the rear-folding side wall portion than the center in the width direction of the rear-folding side wall portion.

5. The rear-folding side wall portion has an overlapping region that overlaps the front-folding side wall portion when the container is in the folded state. The container according to claim 4, characterized in that the first handle portion is provided in the overlapping region.

6. A handle reinforcing projection is provided that extends substantially horizontally from the lower edge of the first folded wall portion toward the outside of the container. Both sides of the aforementioned handgrip reinforcing projection are connected to the upper and lower reinforcing ribs, The container according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the boundary between the first extended wall portion and the first folded wall portion, and the boundary between the first folded wall portion and the hand-hold reinforcing projection are chamfered.

7. A container comprising a bottom wall component having a substantially rectangular shape in plan view, and side wall components that are rotatably displaceable between an upright position erected upward along each side of the bottom wall component and a folded position tilted toward the center of the bottom wall component, wherein the container is capable of changing between an assembled state in which all of the side wall components are in the upright position and a folded state in which all of the side wall components are in the folded position, The side wall portion comprises a base wall portion which is substantially rectangular in front view and forms the inner surface of the side wall portion, and a first handle portion is provided on the outer surface side of the side wall portion which comprises a first extended wall portion which extends outward from the outer surface of the base wall portion toward the outside of the container, and a first through hole which is formed in the base wall portion which penetrates in the inward and outward direction of the container and at least a part of the upper edge of which is continuous with the lower surface of the first extended wall portion. Of the base wall portion, the portion that defines the first through-hole and the portion connected below the first through-hole are configured as a bulging portion that protrudes inward into the container compared to the general portion of the base wall portion. The side wall portion is provided with upper and lower reinforcing ribs that extend outward from the outer surface of the base wall portion and the bulging portion and extend in the height direction of the side wall portion. Both sides of the first extension wall portion of the first handgrip are connected to the upper and lower reinforcing ribs, The container is characterized in that the bulging portion has a portion that slopes downward toward the inside of the container from a position above the first extended wall portion toward the connection portion with the first extended wall portion.

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