CA2228541C - Folding container with detachable lockable side walls - Google Patents
Folding container with detachable lockable side walls Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- CA2228541C CA2228541C CA002228541A CA2228541A CA2228541C CA 2228541 C CA2228541 C CA 2228541C CA 002228541 A CA002228541 A CA 002228541A CA 2228541 A CA2228541 A CA 2228541A CA 2228541 C CA2228541 C CA 2228541C
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- snap
- side walls
- container
- side wall
- elements
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
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Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E05—LOCKS; KEYS; WINDOW OR DOOR FITTINGS; SAFES
- E05C—BOLTS OR FASTENING DEVICES FOR WINGS, SPECIALLY FOR DOORS OR WINDOWS
- E05C19/00—Other devices specially designed for securing wings, e.g. with suction cups
- E05C19/06—Other devices specially designed for securing wings, e.g. with suction cups in which the securing part if formed or carried by a spring and moves only by distortion of the spring, e.g. snaps
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
- B65D—CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES
- B65D11/00—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material
- B65D11/18—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected
- B65D11/1833—Containers having bodies formed by interconnecting or uniting two or more rigid, or substantially rigid, components made wholly or mainly of plastics material collapsible, i.e. with walls hinged together or detachably connected whereby all side walls are hingedly connected to the base panel
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Rigid Containers With Two Or More Constituent Elements (AREA)
- Packging For Living Organisms, Food Or Medicinal Products That Are Sensitive To Environmental Conditiond (AREA)
- Packages (AREA)
- Containers Having Bodies Formed In One Piece (AREA)
- Packaging Frangible Articles (AREA)
- Storage Of Fruits Or Vegetables (AREA)
- Cartons (AREA)
Abstract
In a plastic transport container having inwardly folding side walls the side walls are mutually fixed in the erect position by snap-in elements which can be released by mere finger pressure. This finger pressure for releasing the snap-in elements at the same time causes the side walls to fold inward.
Description
FOLDING CONTAINER WITH DETACHABLE LOCKABLE SIDE WALLS
This invention relates to folding containers for fruit and vegetables for example, in particular folding containers whose walls fold inwardly onto the container bottom and are interconnected by snap-in elements in the erect position. Two opposite side walls are first folded inwardly onto the container bottom between the other pair of side walls still standing and this other pair of opposite side walls is then folded in.
For transporting goods of daily life, in particular perishable foods such as fruit, lettuce and the like, it is a well-known procedure to use containers whose side walls can be folded up over the bottom. This on one hand provides sufficient volume for transport, while on the other hand the containers take up accordingly little space during empty transport, i.e. return transport. A great variety of suggestions have been made on how to design a suitable transport container for the abovementioned purposes.
An ever recurring discrepancy in the transport of perishable goods in containers is the relationship between the lightness of the container, which is generally obtained by a perforated bottom and side wall structure, and protection of the contained goods from damage. The main danger here is that the contained goods, e.g. bananas or the like, can be damaged from outside since e.g. in a mixed stack with wooden containers or wooden crates splinters can penetrate through the open structure of the side and bottom walls and pass infix the transported goods, making them unfit for sale.
A further problem of known containers is that it is frequently very difficult to handle the connecting mechanisms for the erect side walls of such containers.
This is a very great problem because these folding containers are predominantly operated by untrained personnel, being in particular also used in private sphere. It is often very difficult to release the side walls from their lock-in position because the actual snap-in mechanism is unknown and no operating instructions are generally provided for such containers. The users of the folding containers therefore hurt themselves particularly when converting the container to the service position or the empty position since the scrape their hands or pinch their fingers. This problem is not to be underestimated because this acceptance of such folding containers depends upon the attitude of users on the market. it is therefore very essential that folding containers, while having a very stable snap-in connection, permit very simple unlocking and conversion of the side walls to the empty position, i.e. the return transport position.
The problem of the invention is to provide a folding container whose folding walls can be easily fixed in the erect position but also very simply released and coverted to the return transport position in which the side walls are folded onto the bottom. Further, damage-free transport of the contained goods should be ensured.
This problem is solved according to the invention by snap-in elements to be released by mere finger pressure provided for the snap-in locking on the first side walls to be folded inwardly, said elements engaging in the snap-in position behind corresponding snap-in projections from the other side walls and being disposed or formed in such a way that upon release of the snap-in elements by finger pressure, the first side walls to be folded inwardly are folded inwardly at the same time.
Accarding to the invention the snap-in locking is effected by snap-in elements which can be released with simple finger pressure; the side walls being converted to the folded position, i.e. folded onto the container bottom, with the same finger pressure operation at the same time as the snap-in elements are released. For this purpose the snap-in elements are equipped with a pressure lever which is preferably adapted to a finger surface, in particular the thumb surface, and is thus immediately recognized optically by the user as a pressure lever and as the actual operating surface for releasing the snap-in element. That is to say, the user will automatically press the lever, thereby simultaneously causing the side walls to fold into each other and consequently ensuring very simple handing of the container. Mere pressure on the lever causes the snap-in element to swivel slightly so that the snap-in part, preferably designed in the form of a snap-in nose, is moved or swivelled away from the opposite snap-in part, e.g. a snap-in projection. Further finger pressure then causes the side wall to be folded inwardly past this snap-in projection.
For this purpose it is expedient if the snap-in elements and thus also the pressure levers are provided in the upper area and on the side edges of the first side walls to be folded inwardly.
It is expedient to give the pressure lever an elongate design and dispose it on one side of the link point of the snap-in element on the side wall, the snap-in part formed as a snap-in nose being located opposite the lever. This results in very good leverage. Further, the snap-in part is disposed on the outside with re-spect to the snap-in projection.
The link point of the snap-in element on the side wall is expediently ap-proximately flush with the inside surface of the side wall, the pressure lever be-ing shifted outward at a distance so as to ensure space for pressing the lever in-ward. The lever is preferably located at a distance of 10 to 15 mm from the inside surface of the side wall, but the lever is preferably still received within the out-side contour of the side wall, it being expedient to have the outside surface of the lever extend flush with the outside surface of the side wall. This rules out all danger of injury and also the interlocking of the containers with other objects. At the same time this arrangement protects the lever and snap-in element from damage. If required, the snap-in element can also be formed as a separate com-ponent so that it can be replaced in case of damage.
In the following a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a plastic folding container in the service position, i.e. with side walls erected vertically from the container bottom, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the folding container shown in Fig. 1 at the onset of conversion of the container to the return transport position in which the side walls are folded onto the container bottom, Fig. 3 shows a partial view of the narrow side wall of a folding container in the basic structure according to Figures 1 and 2, whereby for simplicity's sake only the right half of the narrow side wall is shown, in an outside view, Figures 4 to 9 show partial sections according to the sectional Iines of Fig.
3, Fig. I0 shows a view of the connecting area of a narrow and a long side wall in a schematic representation, Fig. 11 shows a connecting area according to Fig. 10 but showing a section at the level of the snap-in element, Fig. 12 shows the snap-in element for connecting the long and narrow side walls in the erect position, and Fig. 13 a partial section through a side wall of the container, likewise in a schematic representation, to show the opening areas of the side wall, and Fig. 13 shows a sectional view through the container bottom.
The folding container shown in Fig. 1 serves chiefly for. transporting fruit and vegetables and is therefore formed with openings in the side walls and con-tainer bottom. The openings are designed in such a way that the side walls can-not be pierced from outside and the transported goods thereby damaged. Never-theless sufficient ventilation from outside is ensured. The design of these side walls is optional; in case the folding container is intended for transporting other goods one can also use closed side wall formations or partly open side wall for-mations.
According to the representation in Fig. 1 the folding container has two opposite long side walls 1 and two opposite narrow side walls 2 which, in the service position shown, are folded upon in the vertical position with respect to container bottom 3. In this position side walls 1 and 2 are locked together, which is effected by snap-in elements to be described more closely in the following.
Side walls 1 and 2 are connected with container bottom 3 via strap hinges 4. When the folding container is converted to the return transport position in which the four side walls are folded onto the bottom, narrow side walls 2 are first folded onto the bottom according to the shown embodiment and long side walls 1 then folded onto side walls 2 already folded onto the bottom. In other embodiments the long side walls can of course be folded in first and the narrow side walls then folded onto the long side walls already folded in.
In the shown embodiment, side walls 1 and 2 folded open in the vertical position are unlocked in very simple fashion by finger pressure on pressure lev-ers 5 apparent from Fig. 2 which are immediately recognized by the user of the folding container as the corresponding release elements due to their arrange-ment and formation as finger pressure surfaces. Mere finger pressure on levers expediently provided with knobs or furrows or longitudinal grooves on the out-side surface causes the snap-in elements described more closely in the following to be unlocked and opposite narrow side walls 2 to be simultaneously folded onto container bottom 3. This is thus effected with one finger pressure motion with-- c -out additional handling operations, practically automatically upon corresponding purposeful operation of pressure levers 5. Pressure levers 5 are disposed on the narrow side walls in the area of the two side edges at the top.
Fig. 3 indicates more clearly the snap-in element with pressure lever 5 in an enlarged representation, the structure and coordination of the snap-in ele-ments and the connecting area of the narrow and long side walls altogether be-ing indicated in detail by Figures 4 to 9.
In particular Figures 5, 6 and 7 indicate specifically snap-in element 6 used for snap-in locking of the long and narrow side walls, which is formed inte-grally with corresponding narrow side wall 2 in the shown embodiment. Alter-natively the snap-in element can also be formed as a separate component, which in particular permits removal and replacement of a damaged snap-in element.
This embodiment is also optional.
As indicated best by Figures 5 and 6, snap-in element 6 is integrally con-nected with narrow side wall 2 in the area of the inside surface of said wall and extends in this area flush with inside surface 7 of narrow side wall 2. The con-necting area is illustrated as 8 in Fig. 6. Link area 8 serves as a joint for the snap-in element, as to be described in the following. From Iink area 8 cross bar 9 extends outward having disposed on its end both pressure lever 5 and snap-in part 10 formed as a snap-in nose. Snap-in nose 10 protrudes from cross bar 9 toward long side wall 1 while lever 5 extends in the opposite direction. As indi-cated by Figures 5 to 7, in the lock-in position snap-in element 6 engages behind snap-in projection 11 on the long side wall protruding toward narrow side wall 6.
Snap-in projection 11 has run-on ramp 12 over which snap-in part 10 moves when narrow side wall 2 is folded open. When run-on ramp 12 has been covered the snap-in element springing around hinge point 8 snaps behind snap-in pro-jection 11 so as to ensure snap-in locl~ng of side walls 1 and 2.
Pressure lever 5 has sufficient length to permit light operation of the fin-ger in the direction of arrow F to cause snap-in nose 10 to swivel away due to the swivel of cross bar 9 around hinge point 8. As soon as snap-in part 10 is swiveled away from snap-in projection 11 by corresponding operation of lever 5, the fur-ther finger pressure operation causes narrow side wall 2 to fold inward toward bottom 3 past erect long side wall 1. Narrow side wall 2 thus folds automatically upon operation of lever 5 at corresponding finger pressure. Obviously, the length of the lever is dimensioned firstly so that the snap-in element is released upon corresponding leverage and the side wall can secondly be easily folded inward onto the container bottom with this finger pressure. The length of lever 5 is in particular adapted to average thumb size. Since the snap-in parts can be released simply by lightfinger pressure with the described formation and arrangement of the lever, the elements responsible for the snap-in locking can be very rigid and strong, which is important for robustness and service life. Fig. 7 further indi-cates a suitable profiling of the pressure surface of lever 5, here resulting from parallel gaps 13 forming furrows or ribs 14 protruding therebetween. The design of the snap-in element can be seen quite clearly from the section in Figures 5 to 7 so that further descriptions are unnecessary. The design of the connecting area between the narrow side walls and long side walls is also indicated by the sec-tional views in Figures 4, 8 and 9 which show the engagement and stop between the walls. One can see that a very stable hold of side walls 1 and 2 is ensured in the lock-in position.
Finally Fig. 3 shows quite clearly that pressure lever 5 adapted approxi-mately to a thumb pressure surface widens in the area of the snap-in part so as to ensure a sufficient snap-in surface, the snap-in noses extending on both sides.
Due to the central arrangement of lever 5 no tilting is possible and one thus achieves or ensures an immediate snap-in connection and simple release of the snap-in locking. Also, lever 5 does not protrude outward from zhe remaining outside surface of narrow side wall 2 but is received in a corresponding recess flush within the narrow side wall. A further advantage is that due to cross bar 9 lever 5 is located at a distance from actual link point 8, which permits simple and user-friendly operation of the snap-in elements. One can see that the force ex-erted on the lever by the finger for releasing the snap-in elements acts in the di-rection of the fold-in motion of the side walls.
Figures 10 and 11 show the particular ends of the long and narrow side walls in two different sections in a slightly modified embodiment. Fig. 10 makes clear how suitable projections or noses 15 in narrow side wall 2 engage corre-sponding recesses 15 in the long side wall. When noses 15 are in position within recesses 16, the narrow and long side walls assume a defined position relative to each other in the erect position, which is useful both for easily changing the transport container for transport in the storage position and for the stability of the transport container in the transport position with erect side walls.
Fig. 11 shows snap-in element 6 which again has snap-in nose 10 grasping behind corresponding snap-in projection 11 on long side wall I in the snap-in position. Fig. 12 shows snap-in element 6 in detail, a closer description being unnecessary due to the representation. As one can see, snap-in nose 10 is spring-mounted due to link point 8 so that snap-in locking can be released by finger pressure. In Fig. 11 number 12 again designates a slanting surface used for the spring deflection of the snap-in element during erection of the narrow side wall.
The spring force can be adjusted in simple fashion during production by for ex-ample suitable selection of the thicknesses of the bar areas, in particular the area in the area of Iink point 8. As one can see, the snap-in element ensures that the connection of the long and narrow side walls in the erect state can be released by mere pressure on the pressure surface of the lever without any danger of injury and without any need for complicated mechanisms to be activated. Mere finger pressure on the pressure surface of the snap-in element permits the engagement between snap-in nose and snap-in projection to be released and the narrow side wall to be folded inward.
Fig. 1 shows a horizontal projection of the container bottom in an impene-trable formation, whereby the side walls can also be formed accordingly. The upper side of impenetrable bottom or wall formation 20 is formed by profile legs 21a disposed side by side at a small distance and forming a smooth outside sur-face which is easy to clean and conveys an esthetic, quiet external appearance.
Through spaces 22 of adjacent profile legs 21a one can see profile legs 21b dis-posed on the underside of the bottom formation in Figure 13, which shows a section through the bottom formation according to Figure 1. Profile legs 21b are disposed precisely in the area of spaces 22, thereby preventing a look through and the penetration of objects through the wall formation. Spaces 22 are sepa-rated by cross bars which are apparent from Fig. 1. These cross bars intercon-nect profile legs 21a and 21b in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the wall formation. The number of these cross strips is obviously strictly optional.
Figure 13 again shows profile legs 21a and 21b which define the upper and lower superficial extension of the bottom formation and wall formation, two corre-sponding profile legs of the upper side and underside being interconnected by bar 21c. Legs 21a and 21b and bar 21c connecting them thus result in a profile which is shaped in this embodiment as a Z but can also have an I, T or S
shape.
As apparent from Figure 13, the profiles disposed side by side at a small distance result in a structure which admits the passage of ventilation air but no penetra-tion of objects.
This invention relates to folding containers for fruit and vegetables for example, in particular folding containers whose walls fold inwardly onto the container bottom and are interconnected by snap-in elements in the erect position. Two opposite side walls are first folded inwardly onto the container bottom between the other pair of side walls still standing and this other pair of opposite side walls is then folded in.
For transporting goods of daily life, in particular perishable foods such as fruit, lettuce and the like, it is a well-known procedure to use containers whose side walls can be folded up over the bottom. This on one hand provides sufficient volume for transport, while on the other hand the containers take up accordingly little space during empty transport, i.e. return transport. A great variety of suggestions have been made on how to design a suitable transport container for the abovementioned purposes.
An ever recurring discrepancy in the transport of perishable goods in containers is the relationship between the lightness of the container, which is generally obtained by a perforated bottom and side wall structure, and protection of the contained goods from damage. The main danger here is that the contained goods, e.g. bananas or the like, can be damaged from outside since e.g. in a mixed stack with wooden containers or wooden crates splinters can penetrate through the open structure of the side and bottom walls and pass infix the transported goods, making them unfit for sale.
A further problem of known containers is that it is frequently very difficult to handle the connecting mechanisms for the erect side walls of such containers.
This is a very great problem because these folding containers are predominantly operated by untrained personnel, being in particular also used in private sphere. It is often very difficult to release the side walls from their lock-in position because the actual snap-in mechanism is unknown and no operating instructions are generally provided for such containers. The users of the folding containers therefore hurt themselves particularly when converting the container to the service position or the empty position since the scrape their hands or pinch their fingers. This problem is not to be underestimated because this acceptance of such folding containers depends upon the attitude of users on the market. it is therefore very essential that folding containers, while having a very stable snap-in connection, permit very simple unlocking and conversion of the side walls to the empty position, i.e. the return transport position.
The problem of the invention is to provide a folding container whose folding walls can be easily fixed in the erect position but also very simply released and coverted to the return transport position in which the side walls are folded onto the bottom. Further, damage-free transport of the contained goods should be ensured.
This problem is solved according to the invention by snap-in elements to be released by mere finger pressure provided for the snap-in locking on the first side walls to be folded inwardly, said elements engaging in the snap-in position behind corresponding snap-in projections from the other side walls and being disposed or formed in such a way that upon release of the snap-in elements by finger pressure, the first side walls to be folded inwardly are folded inwardly at the same time.
Accarding to the invention the snap-in locking is effected by snap-in elements which can be released with simple finger pressure; the side walls being converted to the folded position, i.e. folded onto the container bottom, with the same finger pressure operation at the same time as the snap-in elements are released. For this purpose the snap-in elements are equipped with a pressure lever which is preferably adapted to a finger surface, in particular the thumb surface, and is thus immediately recognized optically by the user as a pressure lever and as the actual operating surface for releasing the snap-in element. That is to say, the user will automatically press the lever, thereby simultaneously causing the side walls to fold into each other and consequently ensuring very simple handing of the container. Mere pressure on the lever causes the snap-in element to swivel slightly so that the snap-in part, preferably designed in the form of a snap-in nose, is moved or swivelled away from the opposite snap-in part, e.g. a snap-in projection. Further finger pressure then causes the side wall to be folded inwardly past this snap-in projection.
For this purpose it is expedient if the snap-in elements and thus also the pressure levers are provided in the upper area and on the side edges of the first side walls to be folded inwardly.
It is expedient to give the pressure lever an elongate design and dispose it on one side of the link point of the snap-in element on the side wall, the snap-in part formed as a snap-in nose being located opposite the lever. This results in very good leverage. Further, the snap-in part is disposed on the outside with re-spect to the snap-in projection.
The link point of the snap-in element on the side wall is expediently ap-proximately flush with the inside surface of the side wall, the pressure lever be-ing shifted outward at a distance so as to ensure space for pressing the lever in-ward. The lever is preferably located at a distance of 10 to 15 mm from the inside surface of the side wall, but the lever is preferably still received within the out-side contour of the side wall, it being expedient to have the outside surface of the lever extend flush with the outside surface of the side wall. This rules out all danger of injury and also the interlocking of the containers with other objects. At the same time this arrangement protects the lever and snap-in element from damage. If required, the snap-in element can also be formed as a separate com-ponent so that it can be replaced in case of damage.
In the following a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the drawing, in which:
Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a plastic folding container in the service position, i.e. with side walls erected vertically from the container bottom, Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the folding container shown in Fig. 1 at the onset of conversion of the container to the return transport position in which the side walls are folded onto the container bottom, Fig. 3 shows a partial view of the narrow side wall of a folding container in the basic structure according to Figures 1 and 2, whereby for simplicity's sake only the right half of the narrow side wall is shown, in an outside view, Figures 4 to 9 show partial sections according to the sectional Iines of Fig.
3, Fig. I0 shows a view of the connecting area of a narrow and a long side wall in a schematic representation, Fig. 11 shows a connecting area according to Fig. 10 but showing a section at the level of the snap-in element, Fig. 12 shows the snap-in element for connecting the long and narrow side walls in the erect position, and Fig. 13 a partial section through a side wall of the container, likewise in a schematic representation, to show the opening areas of the side wall, and Fig. 13 shows a sectional view through the container bottom.
The folding container shown in Fig. 1 serves chiefly for. transporting fruit and vegetables and is therefore formed with openings in the side walls and con-tainer bottom. The openings are designed in such a way that the side walls can-not be pierced from outside and the transported goods thereby damaged. Never-theless sufficient ventilation from outside is ensured. The design of these side walls is optional; in case the folding container is intended for transporting other goods one can also use closed side wall formations or partly open side wall for-mations.
According to the representation in Fig. 1 the folding container has two opposite long side walls 1 and two opposite narrow side walls 2 which, in the service position shown, are folded upon in the vertical position with respect to container bottom 3. In this position side walls 1 and 2 are locked together, which is effected by snap-in elements to be described more closely in the following.
Side walls 1 and 2 are connected with container bottom 3 via strap hinges 4. When the folding container is converted to the return transport position in which the four side walls are folded onto the bottom, narrow side walls 2 are first folded onto the bottom according to the shown embodiment and long side walls 1 then folded onto side walls 2 already folded onto the bottom. In other embodiments the long side walls can of course be folded in first and the narrow side walls then folded onto the long side walls already folded in.
In the shown embodiment, side walls 1 and 2 folded open in the vertical position are unlocked in very simple fashion by finger pressure on pressure lev-ers 5 apparent from Fig. 2 which are immediately recognized by the user of the folding container as the corresponding release elements due to their arrange-ment and formation as finger pressure surfaces. Mere finger pressure on levers expediently provided with knobs or furrows or longitudinal grooves on the out-side surface causes the snap-in elements described more closely in the following to be unlocked and opposite narrow side walls 2 to be simultaneously folded onto container bottom 3. This is thus effected with one finger pressure motion with-- c -out additional handling operations, practically automatically upon corresponding purposeful operation of pressure levers 5. Pressure levers 5 are disposed on the narrow side walls in the area of the two side edges at the top.
Fig. 3 indicates more clearly the snap-in element with pressure lever 5 in an enlarged representation, the structure and coordination of the snap-in ele-ments and the connecting area of the narrow and long side walls altogether be-ing indicated in detail by Figures 4 to 9.
In particular Figures 5, 6 and 7 indicate specifically snap-in element 6 used for snap-in locking of the long and narrow side walls, which is formed inte-grally with corresponding narrow side wall 2 in the shown embodiment. Alter-natively the snap-in element can also be formed as a separate component, which in particular permits removal and replacement of a damaged snap-in element.
This embodiment is also optional.
As indicated best by Figures 5 and 6, snap-in element 6 is integrally con-nected with narrow side wall 2 in the area of the inside surface of said wall and extends in this area flush with inside surface 7 of narrow side wall 2. The con-necting area is illustrated as 8 in Fig. 6. Link area 8 serves as a joint for the snap-in element, as to be described in the following. From Iink area 8 cross bar 9 extends outward having disposed on its end both pressure lever 5 and snap-in part 10 formed as a snap-in nose. Snap-in nose 10 protrudes from cross bar 9 toward long side wall 1 while lever 5 extends in the opposite direction. As indi-cated by Figures 5 to 7, in the lock-in position snap-in element 6 engages behind snap-in projection 11 on the long side wall protruding toward narrow side wall 6.
Snap-in projection 11 has run-on ramp 12 over which snap-in part 10 moves when narrow side wall 2 is folded open. When run-on ramp 12 has been covered the snap-in element springing around hinge point 8 snaps behind snap-in pro-jection 11 so as to ensure snap-in locl~ng of side walls 1 and 2.
Pressure lever 5 has sufficient length to permit light operation of the fin-ger in the direction of arrow F to cause snap-in nose 10 to swivel away due to the swivel of cross bar 9 around hinge point 8. As soon as snap-in part 10 is swiveled away from snap-in projection 11 by corresponding operation of lever 5, the fur-ther finger pressure operation causes narrow side wall 2 to fold inward toward bottom 3 past erect long side wall 1. Narrow side wall 2 thus folds automatically upon operation of lever 5 at corresponding finger pressure. Obviously, the length of the lever is dimensioned firstly so that the snap-in element is released upon corresponding leverage and the side wall can secondly be easily folded inward onto the container bottom with this finger pressure. The length of lever 5 is in particular adapted to average thumb size. Since the snap-in parts can be released simply by lightfinger pressure with the described formation and arrangement of the lever, the elements responsible for the snap-in locking can be very rigid and strong, which is important for robustness and service life. Fig. 7 further indi-cates a suitable profiling of the pressure surface of lever 5, here resulting from parallel gaps 13 forming furrows or ribs 14 protruding therebetween. The design of the snap-in element can be seen quite clearly from the section in Figures 5 to 7 so that further descriptions are unnecessary. The design of the connecting area between the narrow side walls and long side walls is also indicated by the sec-tional views in Figures 4, 8 and 9 which show the engagement and stop between the walls. One can see that a very stable hold of side walls 1 and 2 is ensured in the lock-in position.
Finally Fig. 3 shows quite clearly that pressure lever 5 adapted approxi-mately to a thumb pressure surface widens in the area of the snap-in part so as to ensure a sufficient snap-in surface, the snap-in noses extending on both sides.
Due to the central arrangement of lever 5 no tilting is possible and one thus achieves or ensures an immediate snap-in connection and simple release of the snap-in locking. Also, lever 5 does not protrude outward from zhe remaining outside surface of narrow side wall 2 but is received in a corresponding recess flush within the narrow side wall. A further advantage is that due to cross bar 9 lever 5 is located at a distance from actual link point 8, which permits simple and user-friendly operation of the snap-in elements. One can see that the force ex-erted on the lever by the finger for releasing the snap-in elements acts in the di-rection of the fold-in motion of the side walls.
Figures 10 and 11 show the particular ends of the long and narrow side walls in two different sections in a slightly modified embodiment. Fig. 10 makes clear how suitable projections or noses 15 in narrow side wall 2 engage corre-sponding recesses 15 in the long side wall. When noses 15 are in position within recesses 16, the narrow and long side walls assume a defined position relative to each other in the erect position, which is useful both for easily changing the transport container for transport in the storage position and for the stability of the transport container in the transport position with erect side walls.
Fig. 11 shows snap-in element 6 which again has snap-in nose 10 grasping behind corresponding snap-in projection 11 on long side wall I in the snap-in position. Fig. 12 shows snap-in element 6 in detail, a closer description being unnecessary due to the representation. As one can see, snap-in nose 10 is spring-mounted due to link point 8 so that snap-in locking can be released by finger pressure. In Fig. 11 number 12 again designates a slanting surface used for the spring deflection of the snap-in element during erection of the narrow side wall.
The spring force can be adjusted in simple fashion during production by for ex-ample suitable selection of the thicknesses of the bar areas, in particular the area in the area of Iink point 8. As one can see, the snap-in element ensures that the connection of the long and narrow side walls in the erect state can be released by mere pressure on the pressure surface of the lever without any danger of injury and without any need for complicated mechanisms to be activated. Mere finger pressure on the pressure surface of the snap-in element permits the engagement between snap-in nose and snap-in projection to be released and the narrow side wall to be folded inward.
Fig. 1 shows a horizontal projection of the container bottom in an impene-trable formation, whereby the side walls can also be formed accordingly. The upper side of impenetrable bottom or wall formation 20 is formed by profile legs 21a disposed side by side at a small distance and forming a smooth outside sur-face which is easy to clean and conveys an esthetic, quiet external appearance.
Through spaces 22 of adjacent profile legs 21a one can see profile legs 21b dis-posed on the underside of the bottom formation in Figure 13, which shows a section through the bottom formation according to Figure 1. Profile legs 21b are disposed precisely in the area of spaces 22, thereby preventing a look through and the penetration of objects through the wall formation. Spaces 22 are sepa-rated by cross bars which are apparent from Fig. 1. These cross bars intercon-nect profile legs 21a and 21b in the direction of the longitudinal extension of the wall formation. The number of these cross strips is obviously strictly optional.
Figure 13 again shows profile legs 21a and 21b which define the upper and lower superficial extension of the bottom formation and wall formation, two corre-sponding profile legs of the upper side and underside being interconnected by bar 21c. Legs 21a and 21b and bar 21c connecting them thus result in a profile which is shaped in this embodiment as a Z but can also have an I, T or S
shape.
As apparent from Figure 13, the profiles disposed side by side at a small distance result in a structure which admits the passage of ventilation air but no penetra-tion of objects.
Claims (9)
1. A folding container made of plastic having inwardly folding side walls adapted to be fixed relative to each other by snap-in locking in the erect position, two opposite side walls first being folded inwardly onto the container bottom between the other pair of side walls still standing and this other pair of opposite side walls then being folded in, snap-in elements to be released by mere finger pressure being provided for the snap-in locking on the first side walls to be folded inwardly, said elements engaging in the snap-in position behind corresponding snap-in projections from the other side walls and being disposed or formed in such a way that upon release of the snap-in elements by finger pressure, the first side walls to be folded inwardly are folded inwardly at the same time.
2. The container of claim 1 in which the snap-in elements are provided in an upper area and on side edges of the first side walls to be folded inwardly.
3. The container of claim 1 or 2 in which the snap-in elements each have a pressure lever jointed on the corresponding side wall such that pressure on the pressure lever causes the snap-in element to move or swivel away from the corresponding snap-in projection and the side wall to fold in.
4. The container of claim 3 in which the pressure lever is of elongate design and disposed on one side of a joint of the pressure lever, and a snap-in part of the snap-in element is located on the other side of the joint.
5. The container of claim 4 in which in the snap-in position, the snap-in part of the snap-in element is located outside the snap-in projection with respect to the interior of the container.
6. The container of claim 5 in which the pressure lever and the snap-in part of the snap-in element are shifted outwardly with respect to the joint.
7. The container of claim 6 in which the joint is disposed on the inside surface of the side wall.
8. The container of claim 6 in which the joint is disposed on a bar protruding outwardly from the joint.
9. The container of any of claims 6 to 8 in which the pressure lever is shifted approximately 10 to 15 mm outwardly with respect to an inside surface of the side wall.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| WOPCT/EP97/00566 | 1997-02-07 | ||
| PCT/EP1997/000566 WO1997029964A1 (en) | 1996-02-12 | 1997-02-07 | Folding container with detachable lockable side walls |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2228541A1 CA2228541A1 (en) | 1998-08-07 |
| CA2228541C true CA2228541C (en) | 2006-04-18 |
Family
ID=8166505
Family Applications (2)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002228541A Expired - Fee Related CA2228541C (en) | 1997-02-07 | 1998-02-04 | Folding container with detachable lockable side walls |
| CA002279856A Expired - Fee Related CA2279856C (en) | 1997-02-07 | 1998-02-06 | Container, in particular for transporting fruits and vegetables |
Family Applications After (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002279856A Expired - Fee Related CA2279856C (en) | 1997-02-07 | 1998-02-06 | Container, in particular for transporting fruits and vegetables |
Country Status (18)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (2) | EP0958177B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JP3805796B2 (en) |
| AT (2) | ATE284817T1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU734498B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9807562A (en) |
| CA (2) | CA2228541C (en) |
| CZ (2) | CZ290012B6 (en) |
| DE (2) | DE59805098D1 (en) |
| DK (2) | DK0958177T3 (en) |
| ES (2) | ES2182272T3 (en) |
| HU (1) | HU228876B1 (en) |
| IL (1) | IL131277A (en) |
| NZ (2) | NZ337406A (en) |
| PL (2) | PL192317B1 (en) |
| PT (2) | PT958177E (en) |
| SI (1) | SI0958177T1 (en) |
| TR (1) | TR199901892T2 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO1998034838A2 (en) |
Families Citing this family (22)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AT411991B (en) * | 1998-11-18 | 2004-08-26 | Steco Logistic Gmbh | CONTAINER MULTIPLE PANELS |
| JP4499869B2 (en) * | 2000-04-10 | 2010-07-07 | 岐阜プラスチック工業株式会社 | Folding container |
| JP2002059925A (en) * | 2000-08-17 | 2002-02-26 | Gifu Plast Ind Co Ltd | Foldable container |
| JP2002120833A (en) * | 2000-10-17 | 2002-04-23 | Gifu Plast Ind Co Ltd | Folding type conveying container |
| US6460717B1 (en) | 2001-08-29 | 2002-10-08 | Rehrig Pacific Company | Inwardly folding container |
| DE10208846B4 (en) * | 2002-03-01 | 2007-10-31 | Schoeller Wavin Systems Services Gmbh | Containers, in particular multi-purpose containers, with hinged side walls |
| AT411589B (en) * | 2002-06-13 | 2004-03-25 | Zelko Johannes | COLLAPSIBLE BOX CONTAINER |
| TR200502815A2 (en) * | 2005-07-19 | 2007-10-22 | Odesa Gel��T�R�Lm�� Pol�Mer Yatirimlari Ve Di� T�Caret A.�. | Lock system for collapsible safes. |
| JP4974296B2 (en) * | 2007-12-10 | 2012-07-11 | 株式会社明治ゴム化成 | Assembled plastic container |
| JP5039904B2 (en) * | 2008-02-29 | 2012-10-03 | イフコ・ジャパン 株式会社 | Assembled plastic container |
| DE102009049186A1 (en) * | 2009-04-15 | 2010-11-04 | Ifco Systems Gmbh | Crate with foldable and self-locking side walls |
| DE102009049184A1 (en) | 2009-04-15 | 2010-11-04 | Ifco Systems Gmbh | Crate with foldable side walls and locking mechanisms with overload protection |
| DE102009049185A1 (en) | 2009-04-15 | 2011-01-05 | Ifco Systems Gmbh | Crate with foldable side walls with stable sidewall structure |
| RS53116B (en) | 2009-04-15 | 2014-06-30 | Ifco Systems Gmbh | Container having folding side wall |
| DE102009049103A1 (en) * | 2009-04-15 | 2010-11-04 | Ifco Systems Gmbh | Crate with foldable and removable outer walls |
| JP5207483B2 (en) * | 2009-06-10 | 2013-06-12 | イフコ・ジャパン 株式会社 | Assembled plastic container |
| JP5081263B2 (en) * | 2010-03-01 | 2012-11-28 | 岐阜プラスチック工業株式会社 | Folding container |
| GB201205243D0 (en) | 2012-03-26 | 2012-05-09 | Kraft Foods R & D Inc | Packaging and method of opening |
| GB2511560B (en) | 2013-03-07 | 2018-11-14 | Mondelez Uk R&D Ltd | Improved Packaging and Method of Forming Packaging |
| GB2511559B (en) | 2013-03-07 | 2018-11-14 | Mondelez Uk R&D Ltd | Improved Packaging and Method of Forming Packaging |
| US10457444B2 (en) | 2016-05-24 | 2019-10-29 | Orbis Corporation | Bulk container with interlocking features |
| FR3118951B1 (en) | 2021-01-19 | 2023-07-28 | Thegreenflux | Collapsible container in particular for transporting fruit and vegetables |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB1529485A (en) * | 1976-08-12 | 1978-10-18 | Worldwide Plastics Dev | Collapsible container |
| US4542924A (en) * | 1983-06-27 | 1985-09-24 | Caterpillar Tractor Co. | Deflectable unitary latch |
| US4960223A (en) * | 1989-07-18 | 1990-10-02 | Chiang Pei Lieh | Box crate container |
| US5094356A (en) * | 1990-11-13 | 1992-03-10 | Buckhorn Material Handling Group, Inc. | Knock down bulk container |
| WO1996011144A1 (en) * | 1994-10-07 | 1996-04-18 | Schoeller International Engineering S.A. | Collapsible plastics container |
| WO1997049613A1 (en) * | 1996-06-24 | 1997-12-31 | Schoeller International Engineering S.A. | Hinge and lock for the side walls of a box-shaped collapsible container |
-
1998
- 1998-02-04 CA CA002228541A patent/CA2228541C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-02-06 PT PT98906933T patent/PT958177E/en unknown
- 1998-02-06 PT PT00117161T patent/PT1060999E/en unknown
- 1998-02-06 HU HU0001585A patent/HU228876B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-02-06 BR BR9807562-4A patent/BR9807562A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-02-06 ES ES98906933T patent/ES2182272T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-02-06 DE DE59805098T patent/DE59805098D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-02-06 CZ CZ1998360A patent/CZ290012B6/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-02-06 PL PL324716A patent/PL192317B1/en unknown
- 1998-02-06 NZ NZ337406A patent/NZ337406A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-02-06 ES ES00117161T patent/ES2233250T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-02-06 DE DE59812397T patent/DE59812397D1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-02-06 AT AT00117161T patent/ATE284817T1/en active
- 1998-02-06 WO PCT/EP1998/000673 patent/WO1998034838A2/en active IP Right Grant
- 1998-02-06 PL PL98335021A patent/PL190038B1/en unknown
- 1998-02-06 IL IL13127798A patent/IL131277A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-02-06 EP EP98906933A patent/EP0958177B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-02-06 SI SI9830142T patent/SI0958177T1/en unknown
- 1998-02-06 EP EP00117161A patent/EP1060999B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-02-06 TR TR1999/01892T patent/TR199901892T2/en unknown
- 1998-02-06 DK DK98906933T patent/DK0958177T3/en active
- 1998-02-06 JP JP53377398A patent/JP3805796B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1998-02-06 NZ NZ508042A patent/NZ508042A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-02-06 AT AT98906933T patent/ATE221837T1/en active
- 1998-02-06 CA CA002279856A patent/CA2279856C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1998-02-06 CZ CZ19992808A patent/CZ295683B6/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1998-02-06 DK DK00117161T patent/DK1060999T3/en active
- 1998-02-06 AU AU62958/98A patent/AU734498B2/en not_active Ceased
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |
Effective date: 20180205 |