Closure for a loading hatch of a transport container and transport container

Abstract

Closure for a loading hatch of a transport container, which loading hatch closes a loading opening in the sidewall and is pivotably connected to the sidewall. The closure includes a connecting section on which two spaced-apart tabs are provided, wherein one of the two spaced-apart tabs extends from the connecting section in and against a displacement direction and surrounds a locking portion in the displacement direction, and the other of the two spaced-apart tabs is designed as a shortened tab which extends from the connecting section only in the displacement direction.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority of German Application No. 10 2025 101 882.0 filed January 20, 2025, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0002] The invention relates to a closure for a loading hatch of a transport container and a transport container.

[0003] DE 202005009037 U1 discloses a closure for a loading hatch in a sidewall of a transport container. In a closed position, the loading hatch forms a section of the sidewall and is connected along a side edge on the sidewall by a hinge to the sidewall for opening and closing. At least two closures are provided in the loading hatch, arranged at a distance from each other. These closures have two spaced-apart tabs which form a locking mechanism which, in a locking position of the closure relative to the loading hatch, embraces an inner and an outer wall section of the sidewall. This closure has a fastening section on the tab in each case in order to connect the tabs to form a closure.

[0004] DE 102011014320 A1 discloses a container with a loading opening that can be closed by a flap. The flap can be held in a closed position relative to the sidewall by a locking mechanism. The locking mechanism comprises a locking section with two latches, whereby in an open position of the locking mechanism, one of the two latches protrudes beyond the edge of the flap, so that when the hatch is closed, the protruding area of the latch rests against an outer side of the sidewall in order to subsequently close the locking mechanism by means of a sliding movement. The latch is designed in two parts, whereby the two latches can be connected to each other by a latching mechanism.

[0005] The invention is based on the task of proposing a closure for a loading hatch in a sidewall of a transport container as well as a transport container, whereby a cost reduction is made possible.

[0006] This task is solved by a closure for a loading hatch in a sidewall of a transport container, in which two tabs are provided on a connecting section, wherein one tab extends from the connecting section in and against a displacement direction of the closure and the other tab is designed as a shortened tab which extends from the connecting section only in the one displacement direction, and wherein the tab sections lying opposite one another form a locking mechanism. The advantage of this closure is that it can be easily inserted into an opening in the hatch or sidewall. Costs can be reduced due to the quick assembly. In addition, the manufacture of such a closure can be simplified. The locking mechanism, which is formed by the shortened flap and the opposite flap, allows the hatch to be held in the opening in the sidewall when the lock is in a locked position in order to close it. The loading hatch can be opened by a simple sliding movement of the closure in the opening opposite to the locking position.

[0007] It is preferable that the one flap, which extends in and against the direction of displacement, has a closure section opposite the locking section, by which the opening in the loading hatch or the sidewall is covered when the closure is arranged in a locking position. This enables the interior of the transport container not to be freely accessible from the outside, i.e. the opening is at least covered by the closure section in the locking position of the closure.

[0008] It is preferable that the tabs and the connecting section are formed in one piece. In particular, the closure is designed as an injection-molded plastic part. This enables cost-effective production. It is also easy to handle and position the closure in the opening of the hatch or sidewall. Alternatively, it can be provided that the shortened tab can be connected to the connecting section, preferably a plug-in and / or snap-in connection, whereby the other tab is formed in one piece on the connecting section. Furthermore, it may alternatively be provided that the other tab can be connected to the binding section, with the shortened tab being integrally formed with the connecting section.

[0009] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the connecting section has two opposing guide sections, each with a guide surface through which the connecting section is displaceably guided in the opening in the loading hatch or sidewall. This guide surface of the guide section can simultaneously form a back-twist lock for the closure in the opening, so that this closure can only be displaced in and against the direction of displacement.

[0010] In particular, it is provided that the connecting section has at least one twisting link which comprises a threading area and the guide section, whereby the threading area merges into the guide section. This has the advantage that the closure can initially be arranged in an intermediate position for fixing in the opening and can then be moved by a rotary movement into a position of use in the opening, in which the closure only performs the sliding movement.

[0011] In particular, it is envisaged that two twisting links are formed point-symmetrically to an axis of rotation of the connecting section, which release a rotational movement of the closure in the opening in only one direction of rotation. This ensures that the closure is installed in the correct position in the opening of the hatch or the sidewall.

[0012] According to a further advantageous embodiment of the linking twist, it is provided that the threading area has an elevation before the transition to the guide section or in the transition to the guide section. After positioning the closure in an intermediate position and subsequent twisting of the closure to transfer it to a position of use, an increased force is required to twist the connecting section from the intermediate position into the position of use. This prevents the closure from being turned back unintentionally. The closure is thus held in a self-retaining manner in the position of use so that it can be moved towards the opening, in which only a sliding movement within the opening is possible.

[0013] Furthermore, it is preferable that the guide section is limited in width by an inner side of the tabs. This enables a simple design and guidance.

[0014] It is preferred that the shortened tab has at least one corner area adjacent to the connecting section and projecting from it, with at least one of the corner areas being reduced in thickness so that a distance between the inside of the one tab and the corner area of the shortened tab is increased. This makes it easier to thread the linking twist into the edge of the opening when transferring the closure from the intermediate position to the use position.

[0015] Advantageously, a back-twist lock is provided on an inner side of the closure section of the one tab, so that it is difficult or even impossible to rotate the closure back from the position of use to release it from the opening.

[0016] The task of the invention is further solved by a transport container which has a loading hatch in a sidewall for closing a loading opening which is pivotably connected to the sidewall, wherein at least one closure according to one of the embodiments described herein is arranged in an opening in the loading hatch or the sidewall. This closure enables simple installation in the opening. At the same time, the required ease of operation and the locking function are provided.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the tab of the locking section, in particular the shortened tab of the locking section, is first inserted into the opening in order to install the lock in the opening and the lock can then be moved into the use position by means of a rotary movement. This ensures quick and easy as well as secure installation. The shortened tab makes it easier to thread the closure into the opening.

[0018] After inserting the tab, in particular the shortened tab, into the opening, the closure can be arranged in an intermediate position in the opening in which the connecting section is positioned in the opening, preferably with the longitudinal axis of the closure rotated by 90 degrees to the longitudinal axis of the opening. Preferably, the width of the opening in the hatch or sidewall is narrower than the width of the flaps. Starting from the intermediate position, the closure can preferably be moved into the use position by a single rotational movement, in particular by 90 degrees.

[0019] The preferred design of at least one twisting link on the connecting section allows the twisting movement to be carried out easily. This twisting link preferably has a threading area and an adjoining guide section, which merge into one another. The threading area preferably has a curved or arched course that merges into the guide section with a straight guide surface. This makes it easy to position the edge areas of the opening in the guide sections of the closure by rotating the closure from the intermediate position to the position of use.

[0020] It is preferable that two opposing twisting links are arranged on the connecting section, which are preferably aligned point-symmetrically to an axis of rotation of the connecting section. This allows the guide sections to be threaded into the respective edge area of the opening at the same time.

[0021] Preferably, an elevation is provided before a transition of the threading area into the guide section, or in the transition between the threading area and the guide section. As a result, the distance, particularly in the area of the two elevations of the opposing twisting links, is greater than the width of the opening in the loading hatch or sidewall. This enables a self-retaining alignment of the guide section in the opening of the loading hatch or the sidewall after the application of increased force during the rotary movement of the closure or during the rotation of the closure from the intermediate position into the position of use.

[0022] According to a preferred embodiment of the closure, it can be provided that it has a back-twist lock on an inner side of the closure section of the flap. This can make it more difficult or prevent the closure from releasing itself from the opening in the loading hatch or sidewall after the closure has been moved into the position of use.

[0023] The invention and other advantageous embodiments and further embodiments thereof are described and explained in more detail below with reference to the examples shown in the drawings. The features to be taken from the description and the drawings can be used individually or in any combination in accordance with the invention. The drawings show

[0024] FIG. 1 a perspective view of a transport container,

[0025] FIG. 2 a schematic view from the front of a closure of the transport container according to FIG. 1,

[0026] FIG. 3 a schematic view from above of the closure shown in FIG. 2,

[0027] FIG. 4 a schematic side view of the closure shown in FIG. 2,

[0028] FIG. 5 a perspective rear view of the closure according to FIG. 2,

[0029] FIG. 6 a schematic view from the rear of the closure shown in FIG. 2,

[0030] FIG. 7 a schematic view of an intermediate position of the closure during assembly in an opening,

[0031] FIG. 8 a schematic view of a further working position of the closure during assembly in the opening,

[0032] FIG. 9 a schematic view of the closure in a position of use in the opening,

[0033] FIG. 10 a schematic sectional view along the line IX-IX in FIG. 9, and

[0034] FIG. 11 a schematic sectional view of the closure according to FIG. 10 in an unlocking position.

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a transport container 11. For example, the transport container 11 is designed as a collapsible container. The transport container 11 comprises a bottom 12 which is, for example, pallet-shaped. The bottom 12 accommodates a sleeve or a ring 14 which comprises, for example, four sidewalls 16. This ring 14 is preferably foldable. A lid 17 is provided on the ring 14, which closes the transport container 11. The lid can be hood-shaped. Such an embodiment of the transport container 11 has the advantage that the folded ring 14 is placed on the bottom 12 and then covered by the lid 17, so that a small volume of space is provided in the packed state for return transport. The transport container 11 is preferably made of plastic, in particular recyclable plastic. The sidewalls 16 can be made of two- or three-layer plastic films.

[0036] The sidewall 16 has a loading hatch 19, which is adjacent to an upper side of the sidewall 16. The loading hatch 19 can be formed on the sidewall 16 via a hinge, so that the loading hatch 19 can be moved from the closed position 22 shown in FIG. 1 to an unloading position 23 shown in dashed lines. The loading hatch 19 is held in the closed position 22 by two latches 24, for example. By moving the locks 24 in accordance with the arrows shown at, the respective lock 24 can be moved to an unlocked position, so that the loading hatch 19 can then be moved from the closed position 22 to the unloading position 23. Retaining elements 29 are provided on the sidewall 16, by means of which the loading hatch 19 can be held fixed in the unloading position 23.

[0037] FIGS. 2 to 6 show various views of the closure 24, which is used in the transport container 11 according to FIG. 1, in particular in a sidewall 16 with a loading hatch 19. The sidewall 16 does not have to be part of a ring 14.

[0038] The closure 24 has two tabs 31, 32, which are provided on a connecting section 34. The closure 24 can be moved in and against a sliding direction 35 in an opening 36 (FIG. 7) in accordance with the double arrow shown. The opening 36 can be provided in the loading hatch 19 or adjacent thereto in the sidewall 16. In the embodiment example, the opening 36 is provided in the loading hatch 19.

[0039] The one tab 32 arranged at the connecting portion 34 extends in and against the displacement direction 35, so that this tab 32 comprises a locking portion 37 and a locking portion 38. The other tab 31 extends from the connecting portion 34 only in the one displacement direction 35, so that this tab 31 has only one locking portion 37. The two locking portions 37 of the tabs 31, 32 form a locking mechanism 39 to fix the loading hatch 19 in a closed position 22 relative to the sidewall 16.

[0040] The tab 31 is thus designed as a shortened tab compared to the tab 32. Preferably, the tab 31 extends over the entire area of the connecting section 34, as well as along the locking section 37. The locking section 37 of the tabs 31, 32 can be of the same design. Alternatively, the locking section 37 of the tab 31 can also be shorter than the locking section 37 of the tab 32, so that in an open position of the closure 24, the locking section 37 of the tab 32 rests against an outer side of the sidewall 16 and the shortened locking section 37 of the tab 31 can be guided past it.

[0041] The shortened tab 31 is preferably narrower in width than the tab 32. The tab 32 is preferably aligned with the outside of the sidewall 16 in the opening 36.

[0042] The tab 31 and the tab 32 are fixedly spaced apart from one another by the connecting portion 34. As a result, an edge section of the opening 36 in the loading hatch 19 or in the sidewall 16 can be positioned between the two tabs 31, 32, so that the closure 24 is guided in a displaceable manner in accordance with the displacement direction 35. The distance between the tabs 31, 32 is adapted to the thickness of the edge section of the opening 36.

[0043] The connecting section 34 has the function that the closure 24 is guided displaceably in the opening 36. The connecting section 34 also has the function that the closure 24 can be mounted in the opening 36 in a simple manner. For this function, the connecting section 34 is preferably designed as described below.

[0044] The connecting section 34 can, for example, have a rectangular or trapezoidal contour. At least one twisting link 41 is provided on the connecting section 34. Preferably, two opposing twisting links 41 are provided, which are preferably point-symmetrical about an axis of rotation 43 or about a central axis of the connecting section 34. This twisting link 41 comprises a threading area 42, which merges into a guide section 44 with a guide surface 45. The threading area 42 is curved or circular arc-shaped. The guide surface 45 is preferably formed in a straight line. In a transition region between the threading region 42 and the guide section 44, or in the threading region 42 before the transition region to the guide section 44, an elevation 46 is preferably provided. A distance between the two protrusions 46 of the opposing twisting links 41 is greater than the width of the opening 36.

[0045] The shortened tab 31 has a corner region 48 on an end face region of the connecting section 34, which is reduced in thickness. In particular, the corner area 48 is provided with a recess on the inside of the shortened tab 31. This enables easier threading into the opening 36, in particular during a rotary movement of the connecting section 34 inserted into the opening 36.

[0046] The tab 32 has a back-twist lock 51 on an inner side of the closure section 38. This back-twist lock 51 is preferably wedge-shaped and, starting from a central region or longitudinal center axis of the tab 32, has an increasing elevation towards the edge region or longitudinal side of the tab 32.

[0047] The closure 24 shown in FIGS. 2 to 6 is preferably made of plastic. In particular, this closure 24 is manufactured in one piece as an injection-molded part. The connecting section 34 is designed in such a way that, viewed from the front of the tab 32, it has a recess to the bottom of which the shortened tab 31 is connected. Alternatively, it is also possible that an interface is provided in the area of the connecting section 34, so that the closure is formed in two parts. It can also be provided that the tab 31 can be clipped onto the connecting section 34 or that the tab 32 can be latched onto the connecting section 34.

[0048] In addition, a recess 52 is provided on the outside of the tab 32 in the area of the locking section 37. This recess 52 can be used to accommodate a retaining element 29, so that after opening the loading hatch 19, the loading hatch can be held fixed to the sidewall with the complementary retaining element 29. Such a retaining element 29 can be designed as a magnet or as a loop and Velcro strip.

[0049] Further recesses 53 are shown as examples in the shortened tab 31. These can serve to stiffen the sections on the tab 31 in the area of the guide section 44.

[0050] FIGS. 7 to 9 show exemplary work steps for inserting the closure 24 into the opening 36, which may be in the loading hatch 19 or in the sidewall 16. At the beginning of the assembly of the closure 24 into the opening 36, an edge section of the opening 36 is positioned between the tab 31 and the tab 32. In other words, the tab 32 is positioned towards a front side of the opening 36 and the tab 31 is positioned towards a rear side of the opening 36, so that the closure 24 can then be pushed into the opening 36 in accordance with arrow 55. The wall section of the loading hatch 19 is positioned between the tabs 31, 32. The closure 24 is moved in the direction of arrow 55 until the connecting section 34 engages completely in the opening 36 or is positioned therein. This arrangement is an intermediate position 56, which is shown in FIG. 7.

[0051] After threading the closure 24 into the opening 36 and transferring it to the intermediate position 57, the closure 24 is rotated according to arrow 56 in a subsequent step, as shown in FIG. 8. This rotational movement of the closure 24 takes place in only one direction of rotation, so that the twisting link 41 engages in relation to the edge of the opening 36. At the same time, the corner area 48 of the tab 31 is threaded. This rotary movement is smooth in a first phase until the closure 24 reaches a transition position 58, in which the protrusions 46 rest against the respective edge of the opening 36.

[0052] After applying an increased force in the same direction of rotation according to arrow 56, the edge sections of the opening 36 can be widened at least slightly so that the rotary movement of the closure 24 is guided over the protrusion 46. Subsequently, a preferably independent transfer of the closure 24 into a use position 59 can be guided, as shown in FIG. 9. The closure 24 is displaceable along the arrow 35 by the guide surfaces 45 of the respective guide sections 44 within the opening 36.

[0053] The back-twist lock 51, which is positioned in the position of use 56 of the closure 24 within the opening 36, prevents the closure 24 from being rotated back into a position as shown in FIG. 7 or 8. Thus, the closure 24 remains secured in its position of use 59.

[0054] FIG. 10 shows a schematic sectional view along line IX-IX as shown in FIG. 9. The closure 24 is arranged in the locking position 61. The locking portions 37 of the tabs 31, 32 engage around an edge region of the sidewall 16, as a result of which the loading hatch 19 is held closed with respect to the sidewall 16. It can also be seen from this illustration that in the locking position 61 of the closure 24, the locking section 38 of the tab 32 extends in such a way that the opening 36 is closed when viewed from the outside. This prevents contamination or foreign bodies from easily entering the interior of the transport container 11.

[0055] After transferring the closure 24 into the unlocking position 62, as shown in FIG. 11, the locking portion 37 of the tab 32 covers the opening 36. Thus, the opening 36 is closed to the outside in each end position of the closure 24.

Claims

1. A closure for a loading hatch in a sidewall of a transport container, the loading hatch closing a loading opening in the sidewall and being pivotably connected to the sidewall, the closure comprising a connecting section on which two spaced-apart tabs are provided, wherein a first of the two spaced-apart tabs extends from the connecting section in and against a displacement direction and comprises a first locking section in the displacement direction, and a second of the two spaced-apart tabs is designed as a shortened tab which extends from the connecting section only in the displacement direction and comprises a second locking section, the first and second locking sections of the two spaced-apart tabs forming a locking mechanism.

2. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the first of the two spaced-apart tabs, which extends in and against the displacement direction, has a closure section opposite the first locking section, by which the closure in a locking position covers a receiving opening for the closure in the loading hatch or in the sidewall.

3. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the two spaced-apart tabs and the connecting section are formed in one piece, or wherein the shortened tab is connectable to the connecting section, which further comprises the first of the two-spaced apart tabs as one piece, or wherein the first tab is connectable to the connecting section, which is formed as one piece with the shortened tab.

4. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting section has at least one guide section, with a guide surface, by which the connecting section is guided displaceably in the receiving opening for the closure.

5. The closure according to claim 4, wherein the connecting section further has at least one twisting link, which has a threading region, and wherein the threading region merges into the at least one guide section.

6. The closure according to claim 5, wherein the at least one twisting link comprises two twisting links provided on the connecting section, which two twisting links are aligned point-symmetrically to an axis of rotation of the connecting section.

7. The closure according to claim 6, wherein the two twisting links only release one direction of rotation of the closure for mounting in the receiving opening for the closure.

8. The closure according to claim 5, wherein the threading region has a protrusion before transitioning into the at least one guide section or in transitioning between the threading region and the at least one guide section.

9. The closure according to claim 5, wherein the at least one guide section of the connecting section is limited in width by an inner side of each of the two spaced-apart tabs.

10. The closure according to claim 1, wherein the shortened tab adjoins the connecting section in an opposite direction to a locking portion and has at least one corner region projecting laterally from the connecting section, a wall thickness of which is reduced, so that a distance between an inner side of the first of the two spaced-apart tabs and the at least one corner region of the shortened tab is increased.

11. The closure according to claim 10, wherein the shortened tab adjoins the connecting section in the opposite direction to the locking portion and does not extend beyond it.

12. The closure according to claim 1, wherein a back-twist lock is provided on an inner side of a closure section of the first of the two spaced-apart tabs.

13. A transport container, comprising a loading hatch in a sidewall for closing a loading opening, which loading hatch is pivotably connected to the sidewall with at least one closure, which at least one closure is arranged in a receiving opening for the closure in the sidewall of the transport container or in a receiving opening for the closure in the loading hatch and is moveable from a locking position for closing the loading hatch in the sidewall to an unlocking position, in order to open the loading hatch, wherein the at least one closure is according to claim 1 and is arrangeable in a position of use which comprises at least the locking position and the unlocking position.

14. The transport container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one closure is transferable into the position of use by an insertion of the shortened tab into the receiving opening for the closure and by a subsequent rotary movement of the at least one closure in the receiving opening for the closure.

15. The transport container according to claim 14, wherein the at least one closure is transferable to the position of use by inserting the second of the two spaced-apart tabs into the receiving opening for the closure and positioning the connecting section in the receiving opening for the closure prior to the subsequent rotary movement.

16. The transport container according to claim 14, wherein the at least one closure, after the insertion of the second of the two-spaced apart tabs into the receiving opening for the closure and the positioning of the connecting section in the receiving opening for the closure, is aligned with the first locking section offset by 90 degrees to a longitudinal extent of the receiving opening for the closure in an intermediate position.

17. The transport container according to claim 16, wherein, starting from the intermediate position, during a further rotational movement of the at least one closure about the connecting section in the receiving opening for the closure, at least one twisting link at the connecting section comes into engagement with a respective edge region of the receiving opening for the closure.

18. The transport container according to claim 13, wherein the connecting section has at least one twisting link, which has an elevation in a threading region or in a transition between the threading region and a guide section of the at least one twisting link, and the at least one twisting link comprises two mutually opposite twisting links provided on the connecting section and projections on the two mutually opposite twisting links are formed at a distance greater than a distance between two parallel edge portions of the receiving opening for the closure.

19. The transport container according to claim 13, wherein the at least one closure is secured against release from the receiving opening for the closure by a back-twist lock on an inner side of a closure portion of the first of the two spaced-apart tabs.

20. The transport container according to claim 13, wherein one of the two spaced-apart tabs is aligned with an outer side of the loading hatch or sidewall and another of the two spaced-apart tabs is aligned with an inner side of the loading hatch or sidewall.

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