AU2013292921B2

AU2013292921B2 - Bulk container

Info

Publication number: AU2013292921B2
Application number: AU2013292921A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Yao Chen; Zhichun Ding
Original assignee: China International Marine Containers Group Co Ltd; Nantong CIMC Special Transportation Equipment Manufacture Co Ltd; CIMC Containers Holding Co Ltd
Current assignee: China International Marine Containers Group Co Ltd; Nantong CIMC Special Transportation Equipment Manufacture Co Ltd; CIMC Containers Holding Co Ltd
Priority date: 2012-07-16
Filing date: 2013-06-27
Publication date: 2016-07-07
Anticipated expiration: 2033-06-27
Also published as: AU2013292921A1; CN103538826B; WO2014012421A1; CN103538826A; RU2596956C1; DE112013003547T5; DE112013003547B4

Abstract

A bulk container comprises a box body with an open top, a top plate arranged at the open position of the box body and provided with a top hole and a top cover capable of covering the top hole, a connection rod, two guide rails and at least a pair of roller wheels. The two guide rails are arranged in parallel and respectively located on two opposite sides of the top hole. The connection rod is vertically arranged between the two guide rails and connected with the top cover in rotating mode. Two roller wheels in the pair of roller wheels are respectively connected with two ends of the connection rod. The central axes of the roller wheels are parallel and not overlapped with that of the connection rod, and the two roller wheels can be respectively embedded in the two guide rails movably along the guide rails. The top cover of the bulk container rotates eccentrically, is lifted automatically and is opened in sliding mode. The top cover occupies a small height space when being opened, so that the container reduces labor intensity in operation and is safe and reliable. Further, a rubber strip at the bottom of the top cover is in the loosing state when the top cover slides, abrasion of the rubber strip is avoided, and box maintaining cost is reduced. A limit mechanism can be further arranged to prevent the top cover from sliding to the top hole when the top cover is opened.

Description

BULK CONTAINER

TECHNICAL FIELD

[01] The invention relates to a container, particularly to a bulk container having a top cover on the top thereof.

BACKGROUNDART

[02] A container is a transportation means commonly used in modern logistics industry. According to different types of goods contained in the interior, the container may be a dry container, a bulk container, a liquid container, a refrigerating container and a container for special use, etc. Among them, the bulk container for loading powder or particle goods has a top plate generally provided with a top hole for loading the goods. The top hole is covered with a top cover, which is connected with the top plate at one end by a hinge. When being opened, the top plate is rotated about the hinge as a rotational center. However, the top cover with the structure as mentioned above need to occupy a large height space when being opened, so that some hidden threats are existed. And the entire top cover is required to be lift up and then rotated when the top cover is opened, so that a great effort is consumed.

[03] Any discussion of documents, acts, materials, devices, articles and the like in this specification is included solely for the purpose of providing a context for the present invention. It is not suggested or represented that any of these matters formed part of the prior art base or were common general knowledge in the field relevant to the present invention as it existed in Australia or elsewhere before the priority date of each claim of this application.

[04] Further, it is to be understood that, throughout the description and claims of the specification, the word "comprise" and variations of the work, such as "comprising" and "comprises", is not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[05] The invention provides a bulk container comprising a box body with an open top, a top plate arranged at an opening of the box body and provided with a top hole, and a top cover capable of covering the top hole, the bulk container comprising at least one connection rod, two guide rails, and at least one pair of roller wheels, wherein the two guide rails are arranged in parallel and located on two opposite sides of the top hole, respectively; the connection rod is vertically arranged between the two guide rails and rotatably connected with the top cover; two roller wheels in the pair of roller wheels are connected with two ends of the connection rod, respectively, and have central axes parallel to, but not overlapped with, an axis of the connection rod, so that the connection rod is rotatable around the central axes of the roller wheels so as to drive the top cover to lift to be loosed or descend to be compacted; the two roller wheels are embedded in the two guide rails respectively and are movable along the guide rails, so as to drive the top cover to displace horizontally away from or return to an upward side of the top hole, wherein the bulk container further comprises at least one locking mechanism that is connected between the connection rod and the top plate when the top cover is compacted, the locking mechanism includes a lock head and a lock seat, wherein the lock seat is connected to the top plate, the lock head is connected to the connection rod, and the lock head is engaged with and locked in the lock seat when the top cover is compacted, wherein the bulk container further comprises at least one handle, which is connected with the connection rod, and is rotatable so as to drive the connection rod to rotate around the central axes of the roller wheels, wherein, when the top cover is to be opened, the handle rotates to drive the connection rod to rotate around the central axis of the roller wheel, so that the lock head connected with the connection rod is brought to disengage from the lock seat, and simultaneously the top cover is driven to be lifted to loose from the top hole, and wherein, when the top cover is to be closed, the top cover displaces to the top hole, the handle is rotated reversely to drive the connection rod to rotate reversely around the central axes of the roller wheels, so that the lock head connected with the connection rod is driven to gradually engage with the lock seat, and simultaneously the top cover is driven to gradually descend to compact the outer edge of the top hole.

[06] Various features (including optional features) of the invention are set out below.

[07] The invention therefore concerns a bulk container comprising a box body with an open top, a top plate arranged at an opening of the box body and provided with a top hole, and a top cover capable of covering the top hole, and further comprising at least one connection rod, two guide rails and at least one pair of roller wheels. The two guide rails are arranged in parallel and located on two opposite sides of the top hole, respectively. The connection rod is vertically arranged between the two guide rails and rotatably connected with the top cover. Two roller wheels in the pair of roller wheels are connected with two ends of the connection rod, respectively, and the central axes of the roller wheels are parallel to, but not overlapped with an axis of the connection rod, so that the connection rod is rotatable around the central axes of the roller wheels so as to drive the top cover to lift to be loosed or descend to be compacted; and the two roller wheels can be embedded in the two guide rails respectively and are movable along the guide rails, so as to drive the top cover to displace horizontally away from or return to an upward side of the top hole.

[08] As for the bulk container, the connection rod is connected on the upward side or a lateral side of the top cover.

[09] As for the bulk container, the bulk container further comprises at least one handle, which is connected with the connection rod, and is rotatable so as to drive the connection rod to rotate around the central axes of the roller wheels.

[10] As for the bulk container, the bulk container further comprises at least one buckling mechanism, which is connected between the handle and the top plate when the top cover is compacted.

[11] As for the bulk container, the buckling mechanism includes a buckle body and a hook body, wherein the buckle body is fixedly connected to the top plate, the hook body is hinged at the top plate, the handle is provided with a perforated hole at a position corresponding to the buckle body when the top cover is compacted, and after the top cover is compacted, the hook body rotates to buckle the buckle body that passes through the perforated hole.

[12] As for the bulk container, the bulk container further comprises at least one locking mechanism, which is connected between the connection rod and the top plate when the top cover is compacted.

[13] As for the bulk container, the locking mechanism includes a lock head and a lock seat, wherein the lock seat is connected to the top plate, the lock head is connected to the connection rod, and the lock head is engaged with and locked in the lock seat when the top cover is compacted.

[14] As for the bulk container, the connection rod is connected with one locking mechanism at a position adjacent to each of two ends thereof.

[14A] As for the bulk container, the bulk container further comprises at least one limit mechanism, for stopping the connection rod after the top cover is displaced horizontally to completely leave from the upward side of the top hole.

[14B] As for the bulk container, the limit mechanism includes a limit seat and a stopper hinged at the limit seat. A position where the stopper is hinged with the limit seat is between the center of the stopper and one end of the stopper far away from the top hole. When the stopper is in a free state, the height of an end of the stopper far away from the top hole is higher than the height of the connection rod; when the stopper rotates to a horizontal state, the height of the top of the limit mechanism is lower than the height of the bottom of the connection rod after the top cover is lifted to be loosed.

[14C] The invention has following advantageous effects, amongst others. The top cover of the bulk container is automatically lifted by the eccentric rotation of the connection rod without any labor force. Since the top cover is opened in a sliding mode, the labor intensity in operation is reduced. Since the top cover occupies a smaller space height when being opened, the top cover is avoided from touching high-voltage lines or other obstacles when it is unlocked to be rotated, so that it is safe and reliable. Since a rubber strip at the bottom of the top cover is in the loosing state when the top cover slides, the abrasion of the rubber strip is avoided, and the box maintaining cost is reduced. Further, the limit mechanism is provided to prevent the top cover from sliding to the top hole when the top cover is opened.

[14D] The invention therefore addresses the problems of existing bulk containers, in which the top cover on the top occupies a large height space when being opened, some hidden threats exist, and more effort is required when the top cover is opened.

BRIEF DESORPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[15] FIG. 1 is a top view of the bulk container when the top cover is compacted according to an embodiment of the invention.

[16] FIG. 2 is a partial front view of the bulk container when the top cover is compacted according to an embodiment of the invention.

[17] FIG. 3 is a sectional view along A-A line as shown in FIG. 1.

[18] FIG. 4 is a sectional view along B-B line as shown in FIG. 1.

[19] FIG. 5 is a top view of the bulk container when the top cover is loosed but not left from the upward side of the top hole according to an embodiment of the invention.

[20] FIG. 6 is a partial front view of the bulk container when the top cover is loosed but not left from the upward side of the top hole according to an embodiment of the invention.

[21] FIG. 7 is a sectional view along C-C line as shown in FIG. 5.

[22] FIG. 8 is a top view of the bulk container when the top cover is completely left from the upward side of the top hole according to an embodiment of the invention.

[23] FIG. 9 is a sectional view along the D-D line as shown in FIG. 8.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[24] In order to further describe the principle and structure of the invention, preferable embodiments of the invention will be illustrated in detail by combining with drawings.

[25] As shown in FIG 1 to FIG 3, FIG. 5, FIG 6 and FIG 8, a bulk container of the invention comprises a box body (not shown), a top plate !, at least one top cover 2, two guide rails 3, at least one connection rod 4 and at least one pair of roller wheels 5, and further comprises at least one handle 6, at least one buckling mechanism 7, at least one locking mechanism 8 and at least one limit mechanism 9.

[26] The box body has a structure with an open top.

[27] The top plate 1 is arranged at the opening of the top of the box body, and the top plate 1 is provided with at least one top hole 11.

[28] The top cover 2 may cover the top hole 11 or displace from the top hole 11. The bottom of the top cover 2 may be provided with a rubber strip (not shown) that could press against the edge of the top hole 11.

[29] The two guide rails 3 are arranged in parallel and located on the opposite sides of the top hole 11 respectively.

[30] The connection rod 4 is vertically arranged between the two guide rails 3, and rotatably connected with the top cover 2. The connection rod 4 may be connected to an upward side or a lateral side of the top cover 2. Alternatively, each of the opposite sides of the top cover 2 is connected to one connection rod 4, as shown in figures.

[31] The two roller wheels 5 in the pair of roller wheels 5 are connected to both ends of the connection rod 4 respectively. The central axes of the roller wheels 5 are parallel to, but not overlapped with the axis of the connection rod 4, so that the top cover 2 is lifted to be loose or descended to be compacted when the connection rod 4 rotates around the central axes of the roller wheels 5. The two roller wheels 5 are embedded in the two guide rails 3 respectively and are movable along the guide rails 3, so as to drive the top cover 2 to move horizontally away from or return to the upward si de of the top hole 11.

[32] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the handle 6 may be connected with the connection rod 4 to rotate the connection rod 4 around the central axes of the roller wheels 5. The handle 6 may be connected to the middle portion of the connection rod 4 in order to facilitate the operation.

[33] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the buckling mechanism 7 is connected between the handle 6 and the top plate 1 when the top cover 2 is compacted. The buckling mechanism 7 may include a buckle body 71 fixedly connected to the top plate 1 and a hook body 72 hinged at the top plate 1. The handle 6 is provided with a perforated hole 61 at a position corresponding to the buckle body 71 when the top cover is compacted. The hook body 72 is rotated after the top cover is compacted, so as to buckle the buckle body 71 that passes through the perforated hole 61.

[34] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG 3, FIG, 5, FIG; 7 and FIG 8, the locking mechanism 8 is connected between the connection rod 4 and the top plate 1 when the top cover 2 is compacted. The locking mechanism 8 may include a lock head 81 and a lock seat 82, the lock seat 82 may be connected on the top plate 1, and the lock head 81 may be connected on the connection rod 4, so that the connection rod 4 is rotated to drive the lock head 81 to engage with or disengage from the lock seat 82 while the top cover 2 is driven to be compacted or loosed. A locking mechanism 8 is connected at a position adjacent to each of the two ends of the connection rod 4 respectively. And also, the locking mechanism 8 may not be connected with the connection rod 4 but connected with the top cover 2 by other means, in this w'ay, it is difficult to drive the locking mechanism to be engaged or disengaged when the connection rod 4 rotates, the locking mechanism 8 accordingly is required to be engaged or disengaged separately.

[35] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 4, FIG 5, FIG. 8 and FIG 9, the limit mechanism 9 moves horizontally on the top cover 2 to completely leave from the upward side of the top hole 11, and then stop the connection rod. The limit mechanism 9 may include a limit seat 91 and a stopper 92. The stopper 92 is hinged on the limit seat 91, and the position where the stopper 92 is hinged with the limit seat 91 is between the center of the stopper 92 and the end of the stopper 92 far away from the top hole 11, so that the end of the stopper 92 close to the top hole 11 is hanging under gravity when no force is applied on the stopper 92. When the stopper 92 is in a free state, the height of the end of the stopper 92 far away from the top hole 11 is higher than the height of the connection rod 4. When the stopper 92 is rotated to a horizontal state, the height of the highest point of the top of the limit mechanism 9 is lower than the height of the lowest point of the bottom of the connection rod 4 when the top cover 2 is lifted to be loosed.

[36] As for the bulk container of the invention, w-hen the top cover 2 as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is needed to be opened, the hook body 72 is firstly rotated to be loosed from the buckle body 71; and then the handle 6 (the rotating angle of the handle 6 could reach to 180° ) rotates to drive the connection rod 4 to rotate around the central axis of the roller wheel 5, so that the lock head 81 connected with the connection rod 4 is brought to disengage from the lock seat 82, and simultaneously the top cover 2 is driven to be lifted to loose from the top hole 11. At this moment, the state of the top cover 2 is shown in FIG. 5 and FIG 6. Further, the top cover 2 is pushed horizontally. As the roller wheels 5 is moving along the guide rail 3, the top cover 2 is driven by the connection rod 4 to displace horizontally to completely leave from the upward side of the top hole 11. Furthermore, when the connection rod 4 moves to the position of the limit mechanism 9, the end of the stopper 92 far away from the top hole 11 is pressed down, so that the connection rod 4 displaces horizontally in a direction from the upward side of the stopper 92 to away from the top hole 11. Finally, after the connection rod 4 moves across the position over the stopper 92 completely, the stopper 92 is loosed. The end of the stopper 92 far away from the top hole 11 is lifted to stop on one side of the connection rod 4 facing the top hole 11, so as to avoid the top cover 2 from sliding to the top hole 11. At this moment, the state of the top cover 2 is shown in FIG. 8.

[37] As for the bulk container of the invention, when the top cover 2 as shown in FIG. 8 is needed to be closed, the top cover 2 is firstly pushed to the direction far away from the top hole 11 slightly, so that the connection rod 4 is disengaged from the stopping of the stopper 92. Then, the end of the stopper 92 far away from the top hole 11 is pressed down, so that the connection rod 4 drives the top cover 2 to displace horizontally to the direction close to the top hole 11 while moving across the upward side of the stopper 92. Further, when the top cover 2 displaces to the state of aligning with the top hole 11 as shown in FIG 5 and FIG 6, the handle 6 is rotated reversely to drive the connection rod 4 to rotate reversely around the central axes of the roll wheels 5, so that the lock head 81 connected with the connection rod 4 is driven to gradually engage with the lock seat 82. Simultaneously, the top cover 2 is driven to gradually descend to compact the outer edge of the top hole 11. Finally, when the top cover 2 is compacted, the hook body 72 is buckled on the buckle body 71, so that the compacting and fixing of the top cover 2 is finished. At this moment, the state of the top cover 2 is shown in FIG. 1 and FIG 2.

[38] The top cover of the bulk container is automatically lifted by the eccentric rotation of the connection rod without any labor force. Since the top cover is opened in a sliding mode, the labor intensity in the operation is reduced. Since the top cover occupies a smaller space height when being opened, the top cover is avoided from touching high-voltage lines or other obstacles when it is unlocked to be rotated, so that it is safe and reliable. Since a rubber strip at the bottom of the top cover is in the loosing state when the top cover slides, the abrasion of the rubber strip is avoided, so that the box maintaining cost is reduced. Further, the limit mechanism is provided to prevent the top cover from sliding to the top hole when the top cover is opened.

[39] The above-mentioned are only preferably feasible embodiments of the invention rather than restrict the protection scope of the invention, so all of the equivalent structure alterations based on the description of the invention and the drawings fall within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

The claims defining the invention are as follows:

1. A bulk container comprising a box body with an open top, a top plate arranged at an opening of the box body and provided with a top hole, and a top cover capable of covering the top hole, the bulk container comprising at least one connection rod, two guide rails, and at least one pair of roller wheels, wherein the two guide rails are arranged in parallel and located on two opposite sides of the top hole, respectively; the connection rod is vertically arranged between the two guide rails and rotatably connected with the top cover; two roller wheels in the pair of roller wheels are connected with two ends of the connection rod, respectively, and have central axes parallel to, but not overlapped with, an axis of the connection rod, so that the connection rod is rotatable around the central axes of the roller wheels so as to drive the top cover to lift to be loosed or descend to be compacted; the two roller wheels are embedded in the two guide rails respectively and are movable along the guide rails, so as to drive the top cover to displace horizontally away from or return to an upward side of the top hole, wherein the bulk container further comprises at least one locking mechanism that is connected between the connection rod and the top plate when the top cover is compacted, the locking mechanism includes a lock head and a lock seat, wherein the lock seat is connected to the top plate, the lock head is connected to the connection rod, and the lock head is engaged with and locked in the lock seat when the top cover is compacted, wherein the bulk container further comprises at least one handle, which is connected with the connection rod, and is rotatable so as to drive the connection rod to rotate around the central axes of the roller wheels, wherein, when the top cover is to be opened, the handle rotates to drive the connection rod to rotate around the central axis of the roller wheel, so that the lock head connected with the connection rod is brought to disengage from the lock seat, and simultaneously the top cover is driven to be lifted to loose from the top hole, and wherein, when the top cover is to be closed, the top cover displaces to the top hole, the handle is rotated reversely to drive the connection rod to rotate reversely around the central axes of the roller wheels, so that the lock head connected with the connection rod is driven to gradually engage with the lock seat, and simultaneously the top cover is driven to gradually descend to compact the outer edge of the top hole.
2. The bulk container of claim 1, wherein the connection rod is connected on an upward side or a lateral side of the top cover.
3. The bulk container of any preceding claim, further comprising at least one buckling mechanism that is connected between the handle and the top plate when the top cover is compacted.
4. The bulk container of claim 3, wherein the buckling mechanism includes a buckle body and a hook body, wherein the buckle body is fixedly connected to the top plate, the hook body is hinged at the top plate, the handle is provided with a perforated hole at a position corresponding to the buckle body when the top cover is compacted; after the top cover is compacted, the hook body rotates to buckle the buckle body that passes through the perforated hole.
5. The bulk container of any preceding claim, wherein the connection rod is connected with a locking mechanism at positions adjacent to each of two ends thereof, respectively.
6. The bulk container of any preceding claim, further comprising at least one limit mechanism, for stopping the connection rod after the top cover is displaced horizontally to completely leave from upward side of the top hole.
7. The bulk container of claim 6, wherein the limit mechanism includes a limit seat and a stopper hinged at the limit seat, wherein a position where the stopper is hinged with the limit seat is between a center of the stopper and an end of the stopper far away from the top hole; when the stopper is in a free state, an end of the stopper far away from the top hole is higher than the connection rod; when the stopper rotates to a horizontal state, the highest point of the top of the limit mechanism is lower than the lowest point of the bottom of the connection rod after the top cover is lifted to be loosed.