Collapsible container

Abstract

The invention relates to a collapsible container (2) having a base plate (4) and side walls (6, 8) which are pivotally hinged to the base plate (4) and can pivot between a folded-in transport position and an erected use position, the base plate (4) having a closed, uniformly high base edge (14) that extends around the entire periphery with no apertures, and the side walls (6, 8) being located entirely within and entirely below the base edge (14) in the folded-in transport position.

Description

[0001] FOLDING CONTAINER

[0002] Description

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The disclosure relates to a collapsible container with a base plate and side walls pivotally attached to the base plate, which can be pivoted between a folded transport position and an upright usable position.

[0005] Background of the Revelation

[0006] Collapsible containers / boxes / crates for transporting goods or merchandise are known in the prior art. These boxes conventionally have a base and several foldable or collapsible side walls, which can be pivoted between the unfolded usable position and the folded transport position.

[0007] In their operating position, these collapsible containers can be used to transport goods, such as fruits or vegetables, from a producer to a customer. For convenient loading and thorough cleaning, it is advantageous to keep the side walls in the open operating position. Locking mechanisms for the side walls are known from the prior art. For example, EP 2 431 287 A1 describes a collapsible container with a locking mechanism that causes two side walls to lock together and can be released by means of a release lever. The release lever is mounted on the collapsible container in such a way that it can move vertically along the container and releases the lock when a user moves the release lever over an upper edge of the container.For reuse, the collapsible containers must be transported back to the producer after unloading at the customer's location. It is crucial that the containers, when folded for transport, occupy the smallest possible volume, as this allows for the transport of as many containers as possible in a single return shipment.

[0008] Since collapsible containers are typically used multiple times, they must also possess sufficient stability. To prevent the side walls from buckling in the unfolded position, for example when stacking several filled collapsible containers, stiffening of the side walls is known. For example, WO 2010 / 119 068 A1 shows a collapsible box with collapsible side walls, in which the side walls have spherical, convex wall sections and webs and ribs extending between these wall sections.

[0009] While such reinforcements do improve stability in the unfolded working position, the problem remains that the folded containers can be damaged in the folded transport position due to their minimized volume and the resulting low torsional rigidity.

[0010] Summary of Revelation

[0011] Based on this prior art, the present disclosure aims to eliminate or at least reduce the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide an improved folding container which ensures the smallest possible or minimized volume in the folded transport position while providing sufficient stability in all positions.

[0012] The tasks and objectives with respect to a generic folding container are solved according to the disclosure by the subject matter of claim 1. The folding container is configured according to the disclosure such that the base plate has a closed (except in the case of a hinge geometry), completely surrounding and preferably (except in the case of a stacking geometry) constant height base edge, and the side walls are located completely within and completely below the base edge in the folded transport position.

[0013] The collapsible container as disclosed is preferably a "small container" with a maximum width of 600 mm, a maximum length of 800 mm and a maximum height of 600 mm.

[0014] According to the disclosure, the base plate of the collapsible container has a base rim that extends around its entire circumference. This base rim is closed, meaning it has no openings or penetrations. This means that the base rim has no through-holes that would create a connection between the container's surroundings and its interior. Furthermore, the base rim has a constant height around its entire circumference, so that no depressions or undercuts, nor any raised areas or projections, are formed on the base rim. The constant height of the base rim is maintained even if the base rim has a stacking geometry, i.e., a depression or projection. Accordingly, the base rim is considered to have a constant height even if it has a stacking geometry, such as a stacking projection or a stacking depression, on its upper surface.More precisely, in the container according to the invention, the bottom edge is designed such that its outer edge has the same height everywhere, i.e., along both transverse edges and along both longitudinal edges of the bottom. In other words, an upper edge of the bottom edge, facing away from the base plate, is essentially equidistant from a lower edge of the bottom edge. A bottom edge designed in this way, extending perpendicular to the base surface and running completely around the container, contributes to an increase in the torsional rigidity of the base and the collapsible container as a whole, both in the open operating position and in the folded transport position. A completely continuous edge, i.e., an edge without interruption and without abrupt height differences or jumps, ensures that the base resists torsional stress and does not buckle at any point.The bottom edge is still considered an uninterrupted edge if it has a geometry, e.g., recesses, for hinges.

[0015] The height of the base edge is, as disclosed, chosen such that the side walls do not protrude beyond the base plate or the base edge when the container is folded for transport. This means that the dimensions of the collapsible container in the folded transport position are defined solely by the base plate and the base edge.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments are claimed in the dependent claims and are explained below.

[0017] According to the disclosure, preferably a first pivot axis, about which the at least one first side wall can be pivoted relative to the base plate, and a second pivot axis, about which the at least one second side wall can be pivoted relative to the base plate, can be spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the collapsible container. That is, the pivot axes about which the first and second side walls can be pivoted are formed at different levels in the vertical direction of the collapsible container, so that the first and second side walls can be folded flat on top of each other, and thus the collapsible container can be made particularly flat in the folded transport position. In other words, the volume of the collapsible container can be further reduced in the folded transport position. It can be particularly advantageous if the first pivot axis is arranged below the second pivot axis in the vertical direction of the collapsible container.

[0018] In a preferred embodiment, at least one first side wall can be pivotally hinged directly to the base plate, and at least one second side wall can be pivotally hinged directly to the edge of the base plate. It can be particularly advantageous if at least one first hinge for pivoting the at least one first side wall is arranged directly on the base plate, and at least one second hinge for pivoting the at least one second side wall is arranged directly at the edge of the base plate. That is, the first side wall can preferably be pivoted to the base plate via the first hinge, whereas the second side wall can be pivoted to the edge of the base plate via the second hinge.

[0019] According to the disclosure, at least one first side wall and at least one second side wall can be aligned perpendicular to each other in the upright usable position and abut each other in corner areas of the folding container.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, two first side walls and two second side walls can be arranged on opposite edges of the, preferably rectangular, base plate.

[0021] According to an additional aspect, which may be separately protected, the folding container as disclosed may have a base plate and side walls pivotally hinged to the base plate, which are pivotable between a folded transport position and an upright operating position, wherein the folding container is configured such that at least one side wall in corner areas where two side walls meet in the upright operating position has a reinforcement matrix / stiffening matrix / reinforcement pattern with alternating positive reinforcement projections and negative reinforcement recesses in a vertical and a longitudinal direction of the at least one side wall.

[0022] It may be advantageous if the reinforcement matrix extends along the entire, or at least one, side wall in the vertical direction of the side wall.

[0023] Furthermore, it can be advantageous to have at least two positive reinforcing projections and / or at least two negative reinforcing recesses arranged along the longitudinal direction of at least one side wall, or to have at least one vertical row of alternating positive reinforcing projections and negative reinforcing recesses, and at least one vertical row of offset, alternating positive reinforcing projections and negative reinforcing recesses. The reinforcing matrix leads to improved stability of the collapsible container without the addition of extra material. In other words, the side walls can be stabilized by providing the reinforcing matrix, allowing them to be made with a thinner wall, which in turn reduces the weight of the collapsible container.

[0024] According to an additional aspect, which may be separately protected, the collapsible container as disclosed may have a base plate and side walls pivotally hinged to the base plate, which can be pivoted between a folded transport position and an upright operating position, wherein at least one side wall has at least one arc-shaped positive or negative reinforcing profile, in particular two adjacent positive and negative reinforcing profiles.

[0025] Preferably, the arc-shaped reinforcing profile can extend in a longitudinal direction along the entire length of at least one side wall.

[0026] Furthermore, the arched reinforcing profile can be bent upwards from the base plate in the manner of a vault strut. The apex of the arch can be located in a central section of the side wall, i.e., at the center of the side wall. Particularly preferably, the apex of the arch can also be arranged in the vertical direction of the hinged container directly above the handle opening or recess.

[0027] To further increase the stiffness of at least one side wall, the at least one side wall can have opposing, arc-segment-shaped positive or negative reinforcing geometries, in particular reinforcing ribs or grooves. These can be formed in such a way that they are curved downwards from an upper edge of the side wall. Furthermore, the apex of the arc can advantageously be located in the center of the side wall, in particular directly below the handle opening or recess.According to an advantageous aspect, which may be separately protected, the collapsible container according to the disclosure can have a base plate and side walls pivotally attached to the base plate, which are pivotable between a folded transport position and an erect working position, wherein the collapsible container is configured such that the first and second side walls can be detachably locked together in the working position. The collapsible container according to the disclosure can have a locking mechanism with two spatially separate and differently acting functional sections to release the locking of the first and second side walls, on the one hand by striking the first or second side walls, and on the other hand by manually unlocking the locking mechanism. Typically, the container is manually folded by a user, and the locking mechanism is also manually unlocked.However, the container must also be able to be folded automatically, for example in a car wash. Therefore, the container must also be foldable without manual operation. By providing two geographically separate and differently functioning functional sections, these can be configured independently for manual or automated unlocking, depending on the specific requirements.

[0028] It can be advantageous if the locking mechanism includes a locking element, particularly one made of a single piece of material, arranged on one side wall, which blocks the folding movement of the other side wall from the operating position to the transport position. Alternatively, the locking element can also be a separate component received in a receiving opening in one side wall.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the locking element can be elastically mounted or designed to allow movement in two mutually perpendicular directions, in particular a first direction of movement perpendicular to one side wall and a second direction of movement perpendicular to the other side wall, thus releasing the locking of the side walls in both directions. Preferably, the locking element can comprise a main body section, a locking section, a first spring section, and a second spring section, wherein the first spring section elastically preloads the main body section and the locking section together against the first side wall, and the second spring section elastically preloads the main body section and the locking section relative to each other.It can be advantageous if the second spring section is a curved or U-shaped end section of the locking element adjoining the main body section, which, in the operating position, rests against the inside of the other side wall and yields inwards when a predetermined (impact) force directed from the outside onto the other side wall is exceeded. Furthermore, it can be advantageous if the first spring section pre-tensions the main body section and the locking section outwards and yields when the main body section is pressed from the outside inwards.

[0030] Furthermore, the present problem could be solved by a locking mechanism for locking two adjacent side walls of a collapsible container of the type or disclosure. Such a locking mechanism can have two spatially separate and differently acting functional sections in order to release the locking of the adjacent side walls on the one hand by striking one of the adjacent side walls and on the other hand by manually unlocking the locking mechanism. The locking mechanism can have the properties and configurations listed above and below.

[0031] With the help of such a locking mechanism, the side walls of a collapsible container can be effectively locked together, thus preventing the collapsible container from collapsing unintentionally.

[0032] Brief description of the characters

[0033] The disclosure is explained in more detail below with reference to preferred embodiments and the accompanying figures. Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a collapsible container according to a preferred embodiment in an open, usable position;

[0034] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the folding container according to the preferred embodiment in a folded transport position;

[0035] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a base plate of the collapsible container according to the preferred embodiment;

[0036] Fig. 4 shows a schematic partial sectional view of the folding container according to the preferred embodiment in the folded transport position;

[0037] Fig. 5 shows a perspective detail view of the folding container according to the preferred embodiment in the unfolded usable position;

[0038] Fig. 6 shows a first, side view of the folding container according to the preferred embodiment in the unfolded usable position;

[0039] Fig. 7 shows a second, side view of the folding container according to the preferred embodiment in the unfolded usable position;

[0040] Fig. 8 shows a perspective detail view of the folding container according to the preferred embodiment in the unfolded usable position;

[0041] Fig. 9 shows a schematic partial sectional view of the collapsible container according to the preferred embodiment;

[0042] Fig. 10 shows a detailed view of the folding container according to the preferred embodiment in the unfolded usable position;

[0043] Fig. 11 is a schematic partial sectional view of the collapsible container according to the preferred embodiment; Fig. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative base plate of the collapsible container; and

[0044] Fig. 13 shows a cross-sectional view of the collapsible container with an alternative base plate in the folded transport position.

[0045] The figures are schematic and serve only to aid in understanding the revelation. Identical elements are marked with the same reference symbols.

[0046] Detailed description of preferred embodiments

[0047] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a collapsible container 2 according to a preferred embodiment. The collapsible container 2 is preferably made of plastic, particularly by injection molding. The collapsible container 2 has a rectangular base plate 4, to the edges of which first (short) side walls or end walls 6 and second (long) side walls or longitudinal walls 8 are pivotally attached. The first side walls 6 are arranged at the short edges of the base plate 4, whereas the second side walls 8 are attached to the long edges of the base plate 4.

[0048] As mentioned above, the first side walls 6 and the second side walls 8 are pivotally hinged to the base plate 4, allowing them to pivot between a folded-in transport position and an unfolded (vertical) operating position. In the folded-in transport position, the side walls 6 and 8 lie on top of each other on the base plate 4. That is, the side walls 6 and 8 are arranged parallel to the base plate 4. In the unfolded operating position, the side walls 6 and 8 are aligned perpendicular to the base plate 4 and, together with the base plate 4, define an interior space 10 that can be filled or loaded with goods to be transported.

[0049] To enable the folding container 2 to be carried / grasped in the unfolded operating position, handle openings 12 are formed centrally on the first side walls 6 and on the second side walls 8. In the folding container 2 according to the preferred embodiment, a handle opening 12 is formed on each of the four side walls 6, 8.

[0050] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the collapsible container 2 according to the preferred embodiment in the folded transport position. It can be seen that in the folded transport position, the first side walls 6 and the second side walls 8 are completely enclosed within and, in one vertical direction, completely below a bottom edge 14 of the base plate 4, with the second side walls 8 being folded over the first side walls 6.

[0051] For this purpose, the base plate 4, as shown in Fig. 3, has a closed, fully circumferential, and constant-height bottom edge 14. That is, the base plate 4 has a bottom edge 14 that extends along the four edges of the base plate 4 in the form of a strip without openings. Furthermore, the bottom edge 14 has a constant extent in the vertical direction of the collapsible container 2, so that an upper end edge 16 of the bottom edge 14 is at substantially the same distance from a lower end edge 18 of the bottom edge 14 at every point on the base plate 4. A stacking geometry in the form of stacking ribs is provided on the upper side of the bottom edge 14 along the longitudinal edges of the base plate 4. Nevertheless, the bottom edge 14 is a closed bottom edge that has a constant height all around.

[0052] In Fig. 2, the bottom edge 14 has indentations along its outer edge, e.g. for attaching labels. These indentations do not contradict the definition of the bottom edge 14 as closed, completely continuous and of constant height.

[0053] As mentioned above, the first side walls 6 and the second side walls 8 are pivotally mounted on the base plate 4 and the base edge 14, respectively. For this purpose, at least one first hinge 20 is arranged or formed directly on the base plate 4 for pivoting the first side wall 6. According to the preferred embodiment, four first hinges 20 are formed directly on the base plate 4 for each of the two first side walls 6. The first hinges 20 define a first pivot axis 22 about which the first side wall 6 can be pivoted relative to the base plate 4.

[0054] Since the first side walls 6 are hinged to the base plate 4 via the first hinge 20, the base edge 14 on the short sides is not intended to accommodate the hinges 20, but to increase the torsional stiffness of the base plate 4.

[0055] Furthermore, at least one second hinge 24 is provided for pivotally attaching the at least one second side wall 8. As can be seen in Fig. 3, the at least one second hinge 24 is arranged or formed directly on the bottom edge 14 (i.e., separately from the bottom edge 14 and not as part of the bottom edge 14). For each of the two second side walls 8, four second hinges 24 are provided in the folding container 2 according to the preferred embodiment. The second hinges 24 define a second pivot axis 25 about which the second side wall 8 can be pivoted relative to the base plate 4.

[0056] The base edge 14 on the long sides has two functions. It serves both to accommodate the hinges 24 and to increase the torsional rigidity of the base plate 4.

[0057] As can be seen in Fig. 3, the first pivot axis 22 and the second pivot axis 25 are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the folding container 2. In particular, the first pivot axis 22 is arranged below the second pivot axis 25. That is, the first pivot axis 22 is arranged closer to the base plate 4 than the second pivot axis 25.

[0058] The first side walls 6 are hinged directly to the base plate 4 by means of the first hinges 20, and the second side walls 8 are hinged directly to the bottom edge 14 by means of the second hinges 24. This allows the first side walls 6 and the second side walls 8 to be arranged completely inside the collapsible container 2 and, in the vertical direction, completely below the bottom edge 14 when folded, as shown schematically in Fig. 4. By placing the first hinges 20 directly on the base plate 4, the first pivot axis 22 can be positioned lower than if it were located in the bottom edge 14. If the first pivot axis 20 can be positioned lower, the second pivot axis 25 can also be positioned lower, relatively speaking. Thus, the height of the base plate 4, including the bottom edge 14, can be reduced.

[0059] This allows the height of the folding container 2 in the folded transport position to be determined by the height of the base edge 14. In other words, the hinged connection of the side walls 6, 8 via the hinges 20, 24 as disclosed enables a reduction in the height of the folding container 2 in the folded transport position.

[0060] Due to its closed and surrounding geometry, the bottom edge 14 also ensures sufficient torsional rigidity of the folding container 2 in the folded transport position.

[0061] Fig. 5 shows a detailed view of a corner region of the collapsible container 2 according to the preferred embodiment. It can be seen that the first side wall 6 and the second side wall 8 each have a stiffening matrix 26 in corner / edge regions where they abut each other in the upright operating position. The stiffening matrix 26 is formed from reinforcing projections 28 and reinforcing recesses 30. The reinforcing projections 28 project outwards from the respective side wall 6, 8 as a positive profile, whereas the reinforcing recesses 30 recede inwards from the respective side wall 6, 8 as a negative profile, i.e., into the interior of the container 10.

[0062] As can be seen in Fig. 5, the reinforcing projections 28 and the reinforcing recesses 30 are arranged alternately both in the vertical direction of the hinged container 2 and in the corresponding longitudinal and lateral directions of the side walls 6, 8. That is, in both the vertical and longitudinal directions, each reinforcing projection 28 is followed by a reinforcing recess 30, and so on. The reinforcing matrix 26 is therefore designed in the form of a checkerboard pattern.

[0063] According to the preferred embodiment, the reinforcement matrix 26 extends in the vertical direction of the collapsible container 2 over the entire side walls 6, 8. In the longitudinal direction, two reinforcement recesses 30 and one reinforcement projection 28 are formed on each side wall 6, 8.

[0064] In other words, the reinforcement matrix 26 is formed from the reinforcement projections 28 and the reinforcement recesses 30, which are arranged alternately in rows (horizontal rows) and columns (vertical rows). That is, next to a reinforcement projection 28 (in the vertical and horizontal directions) a reinforcement recess 30 is provided, and vice versa. In the longitudinal direction, three columns of the reinforcement matrix 26 are formed on each of the side walls 6, 8, whereas the reinforcement matrix 26 extends over the entire height of the hinged container 2.

[0065] Figure 6 shows a side view of the collapsible container 2 according to the preferred embodiment, in particular of one of the second side walls 8, whereas Figure 7 shows a side view of one of the first side walls 6. As mentioned above, in the collapsible container 2 according to the preferred embodiment, the first side walls 6 and the second side walls 8 each have a handle opening 12. In addition, the reinforcing matrix 26 is formed in corner regions of the collapsible container 2 on both the first side walls 6 and the second side walls 8.

[0066] To increase the stability of the side walls 6, 8, particularly against buckling when a force is applied in the vertical direction of the collapsible container 2, each of the side walls 6, 8 has at least one positive reinforcing profile 32 and at least one negative reinforcing profile 34. The positive reinforcing profile 32 is designed in the form of a groove, which is open towards the interior of the container 10. The negative reinforcing profile 34 is further designed such that it is open towards an outer surface of the container.

[0067] As can be seen in Figures 6 and 7, the positive reinforcing profile 32 and the negative reinforcing profile 34 are formed directly adjacent to each other on the side walls 6, 8 and extend along the longitudinal direction of the respective side walls 6, 8 over their entire length. Furthermore, the positive reinforcing profile 32 and the negative reinforcing profile 34 are curved, with the reinforcing profiles 32, 34 being bent upwards from the base plate 4 and one apex of the arc being located in a central region of the side walls 6, 8, i.e., in the middle of the side wall. In the case of the hinged container 2, the apex of the curved reinforcing profiles 32, 34 is located, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, directly above the side handle opening 12.Thus, a force acting on the respective side wall 6, 8 in the upright operating position can be transferred via the arcuate reinforcing profiles 32, 34 into the corner regions reinforced by the reinforcing matrix 26, resulting in increased stability of the side walls 6, 8. Furthermore, it can be advantageous if, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the reinforcing projections 28 and reinforcing recesses 30 of the reinforcing matrix 26 in the corner regions approximate the shape of the arcuate reinforcing profiles 32, 34. In other words, the reinforcing projections 28 and reinforcing recesses 30 can be configured as a multitude of arcuate-shaped positive or negative reinforcing profile sections.

[0068] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, arc-segment-shaped, positive reinforcing ribs 36, i.e., projecting onto the outside of the container, are formed on the side walls 6, 8 to further improve their torsional stiffness. These reinforcing ribs 36 can alternatively also be designed as negative reinforcing geometries, for example, reinforcing grooves projecting into the interior of the container 10.

[0069] The reinforcing ribs 36 are arranged in the opposite direction to the reinforcing profiles 32, 34. That is, the reinforcing ribs 36 are bent downwards from the upper edge of the side wall 6, 8 in the vertical direction of the hinged container 2, so that the apex of the bend is located in the middle of the side wall, in particular directly below the handle opening 12. According to the preferred embodiment, it is advantageous that the reinforcing ribs 36 and the reinforcing profiles 32, 34 intersect or overlap.

[0070] To lock the side walls 6, 8 together in the unfolded operating position, a locking mechanism 38 is provided in each of the four corner regions of the folding container 2, as shown in Fig. 8. In the preferred embodiment of the folding container 2, the locking mechanism 38 comprises a locking element 40 as shown in Fig. 9. The locking element 40 is fixedly arranged on the second side wall 8. In particular, the locking element 40 can be integrally formed with the second side wall 8. Alternatively, the locking element 40 can also be received as a separate component in a receiving opening 42 of the second side wall 8.

[0071] As mentioned above, the locking element 40 is arranged on the second side wall 8 in order to block / lock a folding movement of the first side wall 6 from the unfolded operating position to the folded transport position (to the right in Fig. 9).

[0072] For this purpose, the locking element 40 comprises a main body section 44, a first spring section 46, a second spring section 48, and a locking section 50. The first spring section 46 pre-tensions the main body section 44 and the locking section 50 against the second side wall 8. In particular, the first spring section 46 pushes the main body section 44 of the locking element 40 against the second side wall 8, or through the receiving opening 42 of the second side wall 8 towards the outside of the container (upwards in Fig. 9). Accordingly, the first spring section 46 pushes the locking section 50 towards the interior of the container 10, so that the locking section 50 rests against the first side wall 6 in the unfolded operating position, thereby blocking the folding movement into the folded transport position.The second spring section 48, on the other hand, pre-tensions the main body section 44 and the locking section 50 relative to each other in a spring-elastic manner.

[0073] To release the locking mechanism 38, a manual force F1 can be applied from the outside, i.e., from the outside of the container towards the interior of the container 10 (downwards in Fig. 9), to the main body section 44. This force F1 acts against the spring force of the first spring section 46, which allows the locking section 50 to pivot away from the interior of the container 10, thus releasing the folding movement of the first side wall 6.

[0074] Furthermore, the locking mechanism 38 can also be released by applying a force F2 from the outside to the first side wall 6, for example by striking the first side wall 6. This force F2 acts against the spring force of the second spring section 48. The second spring section 48 is thereby compressed, so that the locking section 50 can move towards the main body section 44 (to the right in Fig. 9) in order to enter the receiving opening 42 and thus release a path of movement for the folding movement of the first side wall 6.

[0075] The locking of the first side wall 6 and the second side wall 8 with the locking mechanism 38 can therefore be released on the one hand by driving in the first side wall 6 and on the other hand by manually unlocking the locking mechanism 38.

[0076] Fig. 10 shows a perspective view of the locking mechanism 38 arranged on the container 1. Here, the locking mechanism 38 is in a locking position in which the locking mechanism 38 locks the first side wall 6 with the second side wall 8.

[0077] Fig. 11 shows a cross-sectional view of the locking mechanism 38 in the locked position. In the locked position, the first spring section 46 presses the main body section 44 so that the main body section 44 is aligned parallel with the second side wall 8. A projection on the locking section 50 interacts with a projection on the first side wall 6 that projects towards the center of the container, thus preventing the first side wall 6 from being moved (without external force) towards the bottom plate 4. The first spring section 46 is less complex here than in Fig. 9. More precisely, the first spring section 46 essentially has an L-shaped cross-sectional area.

[0078] When the locking position is released by striking the first side wall 6 towards the center of the container, only the second spring section 48 deforms, whereas the first spring section 46, as shown in Fig. 11, does not move or deform.

[0079] Fig. 12 shows a perspective view of an alternative base plate 4 of the collapsible container 2. In contrast to the collapsible container 2 according to the first embodiment, this collapsible container 2 does not have a stacking geometry at the upper edge of its base rim 14. Along the two short edges of the base rim 14, at least the first hinge 22 for pivoting the first side wall 6 is arranged or formed on the base plate 4. As in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment four first hinges 22 are formed directly on the base plate 4 for each of the two first side walls 6.

[0080] Along the two long edges of the base rim 14, at least one second hinge 24 is provided for attaching the at least one second side wall 8. As can be seen in Fig. 7, the at least one second hinge 24 is arranged or formed directly on the base rim 14. For each of the two second side walls 8, four second hinges 24 are provided in the collapsible container 2 according to the second embodiment. Although the second hinges 24 are positioned directly on the base rim 14, they do not form a section / part / element of the base rim 14. In this case, the base rim 14 does not have a stacking geometry. Recesses 52 are provided in the long outer edge of the base rim 14. These recesses 52 can, for example, accommodate a label. These recesses 52 are not openings, and the base rim 14, even with the recesses 52, is a completely closed base rim.

[0081] Fig. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the collapsible container 2 with an alternative base plate in the folded transport position. It can be seen that the second side wall 8 is folded over the first side wall 6. The first side wall 6 rests, at least partially, on the base plate 4. The second side wall 8 rests (essentially flush) on the first side wall 6. The upper surface of the second side wall 8 lies in the same plane as the upper edge of the base rim 14. In other words, in the folded operating position, no section of the collapsible container 2 protrudes above the upper edge of the base rim 14.

[0082] Furthermore, Fig. 9 shows a stacking rim 54 projecting downwards from the underside of the base plate 4. This stacking rim 54 is offset relative to the outer edge of the base plate 4 towards the center of the base plate 4 such that the stacking rim 54 is positioned further inwards (with respect to the center of the base plate 4) than the base rim 14. A stacking recess 56 is formed on the outer surface or top surface of the second side wall 8 at the same height (as the stacking rim 54) in the vertical direction. When folded, several collapsible containers 2 can be stacked on top of each other. In this case, the stacking rim 54 of an upper collapsible container 2 engages in the stacking recess 56 of a lower collapsible container 2. In this way, it is not necessary for the base rim 14 to have a stacking geometry.

[0083] The stacking rim 54 can also be used to stack several collapsible containers 2 in the open working position, thereby reducing / preventing an upper collapsible container 2 from slipping relative to a lower collapsible container 2. Reference numeral list

[0084] 2 collapsible containers

[0085] 4 Base plate

[0086] 6 first side wall

[0087] 8 second side wall

[0088] 10 Container interior

[0089] 12 Handle opening

[0090] 14 Ground edge

[0091] 16 upper end edge

[0092] 18 lower end edge

[0093] 20 first hinge

[0094] 22 first pivot axis

[0095] 24 second hinge

[0096] 25 second pivot axis

[0097] 26 Gain matrix

[0098] 28 Reinforcement advantage

[0099] 30 Reinforcement rebound

[0100] 32 positive reinforcement profile

[0101] 34 negative gain profile

[0102] 36 reinforcing ribs

[0103] 38 Locking mechanism

[0104] 40 locking element

[0105] 42 Intake opening

[0106] 44 Main body section

[0107] 46 first spring section

[0108] 48 second spring section

[0109] 50 Locking section

[0110] 52 Recess at the bottom edge

[0111] 54 Stack edge

[0112] 56 stack recesses

Claims

Claims 1. Folding container (2) with a base plate (4) and side walls (6, 8) pivotally hinged to the base plate (4), which can be pivoted between a folded transport position and an upright operating position, characterized in that the base plate (4) has a closed, completely circumferential and constant height base edge (14) without openings and the side walls (6, 8) are located completely within the base edge (14) and completely below an upper edge of the base edge (14) in the folded transport position.

2. Folding container (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that a first pivot axis (22), about which at least a first side wall (6) can be pivoted relative to the base plate (4), and a second pivot axis (25), about which at least a second side wall (8) can be pivoted relative to the base plate (4), are spaced apart from each other in the vertical direction of the folding container (2).

3. Folding container (2) according to claim 2, characterized in that the first pivot axis (22) is arranged in the vertical direction of the folding container (2) below the second pivot axis (25).

4. Folding container (2) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the at least one first side wall (6) is pivotally hinged directly to the base plate (4) and the at least one second side wall (8) is pivotally hinged directly to the bottom edge (14).

5. Folding container (2) according to claim 4, characterized in that the at least one first side wall (6) and the at least one second side wall (8) are aligned perpendicular to each other in the upright usable position and abut each other in corner areas of the folding container (2).

6. Folding container (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5, further characterized by two first side walls (6) and two second side walls (8), which are each arranged on opposite edges of the, preferably right-angled, base plate (4).

7. Folding container (2) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 6, characterized in that at least one side wall (6, 8) has in the corner areas, in which two side walls (6, 8) abut each other in the upright usable position, a reinforcement matrix (26) with positive reinforcement projections (28) and negative reinforcement recesses (30) arranged alternately in a vertical direction and a longitudinal direction of the at least one side wall (6, 8), which are located completely below the upper edge of the bottom edge (14) in the folded transport position.

8. Folding container (2) according to claim 7, characterized in that the reinforcement matrix (26) extends in the height direction of the at least one side wall (6, 8) over the entire, at least one side wall (6, 8).

9. Folding container (2) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least two positive reinforcing projections (28) and / or at least two negative reinforcing recesses (30) are arranged in the longitudinal direction of at least one side wall (6, 8).

10. Folding container (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one side wall (6, 8) has at least one arc-shaped positive or negative reinforcing profile (32, 34), in particular two adjacent positive and negative reinforcing profiles (32, 34).

11. Folding container (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that the arc-shaped reinforcing profile (32, 34) extends in a longitudinal direction of the side wall (6, 8) over the entire at least one side wall (6, 8).

12. Folding container (2) according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that the arc-shaped reinforcing profile (32, 34) is bent upwards from the base plate (4) in the manner of an arch strut, wherein preferably an arc apex of the arc-shaped reinforcing profile (32, 34) is arranged in the vertical direction of the folding container directly above a handle opening or recess (12).

13. Folding container (2) according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that the at least one side wall (6, 8) has opposing, arc-segment-shaped positive or negative reinforcement geometries, in particular reinforcement ribs (36) or reinforcement grooves, which are preferably formed in such a way as to be oppositely arranged on the at least one side wall (6, 8) that they are bent downwards from an upper edge of the side wall (6, 8), in particular such that an arc apex of the opposing reinforcement geometries is arranged directly below the handle opening or recess (12).

14. Folding container (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized by a locking mechanism (38) having two locally separate and differently acting functional sections (46, 48) to release the locking of the first and second side walls (6, 8) on the one hand by striking in the first or second side walls and on the other hand by manually unlocking the locking mechanism.

15. Folding container (2) according to claim 14, characterized in that the locking mechanism (38) has a locking element (40) arranged on a side wall (8), in particular a locking element formed in one piece, which blocks the folding movement of the other side wall (6) from the operating position to the transport position, wherein the locking element (40) is elastically spring-mounted or designed in two mutually perpendicular directions of movement, in particular in a first direction of movement perpendicular to one side wall (6) and in a second direction of movement perpendicular to the other side wall (8), and thus releases the locking of the side walls (6, 8) in both the first and the second direction of movement.

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