EP0598226B1 - Folding container - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a collapsible container which is suitable, on the one hand, for transporting articles and, furthermore, can be used for displaying the article in said container and, by simple and rapid collapsing into a shape which takes up the least possible space, can be used for return transport, the intention being for the constructional and material outlay for the container to remain as low as possible whilst maintaining a sufficient service life. In order to provide such an invention, it is necessary for all the moving parts to be linked to this body and for the container to consist of the integral, sturdy rear wall and the intermediate parts, possibly firmly connected and arranged perpendicular to said rear wall, or attachment parts for the movably arranged parts. <IMAGE>

Description

In today's business life, many goods are made, though not very sensitive or in need of protection, for the mostly wide one Away from the manufacturer to the wholesaler to the retailer elaborately packaged and then from the retailer either unpacked and placed in the presentation or sometimes repacked in addition for this purpose.

Some of these products, especially shoes, falls a relatively large amount of packaging material compared to the packaged goods, and above relatively high fall due to packing and unpacking Personnel costs. For example, the individual Shoes first wrapped in tissue paper or similar, then packed in the individual shoe boxes and these Shoeboxes in mostly 12 units Intermediate carton packed, which then turn into pallets put together and again by shrink film etc. be repackaged.

All of this packaging is about Disposable packaging for a correspondingly high Waste incidence.

In order to at least be able to use the outer packaging several times, were already folding containers with plate-shaped Developed exterior surfaces, such as according to US-A-2 576 750.

To fold this container for the empty and space-saving return transport must, however, be available Intermediate shelves are removed because the container in the Side is folded. The removed intermediate floors must be in an additional room outside of the actual container can be accommodated, and in addition folding in the transverse direction has a destabilizing effect on the unfolded container, his Stability only through the two parts trained bottom and lid folded forward and rear doors.

This means both the placement in the collapsed Condition relatively complex as well as the stability in the opened, but with the front open, as it is necessary for the presentation of goods, not sufficient.

Furthermore, DE 40 24 607 A1 is the closest State of the art a collapsible container is known but with the bottom and lid directly on the back wall are articulated and in both cases with the same Folding direction, namely upwards. Front fronts also shows this container is not. Thus, the container is neither in the open state closed, are still in the collapsed condition apart from the shelves still cover and floor within the perimeter walls.

This problem is also solved by the one known from GB-A-779,715 not foldable container, which is a from above accessible, foldable box with attachable lid acts.

It is therefore the object according to the invention, one to create collapsible container that not only as Transport container, but also for the presentation of the Goods can be used in this container and despite simple and quick conversion and space-saving folded condition both in the opened and in the folded Has a closed exterior.

This task is accomplished with a generic container the characterizing features of claim 1 solved. Beneficial Embodiments result from the subclaims.

The basic idea of the present, foldable container is in that all moving parts on one body are articulated from the one-piece, solid rear wall and possibly firmly connected to it, perpendicular to the rear wall arranged intermediate parts or extension parts for the there are movably arranged parts.

As a result, sufficient stability of the Container in the unfolded, filled and forward open state, i.e. during the presentation.

This stability becomes particularly great when all 4 Edges of the rear wall arranged at right angles and to the front pointing such then all around the rear wall Attachments are available.

By extending the lower, horizontal part of the neck in addition, the stability of the container is especially when folded, narrow, promoted.

Because the intermediate floors on which the goods stored transported and presented, in the transverse direction are continuously formed, however over at least one horizontal, parallel to the rear wall Hinge on the back wall or one with the The rear wall is firmly connected to the horizontal intermediate part the intermediate floors cannot be lost on the one hand go and on the other hand to fold the container with can be folded up in one movement.

If - depending on the requirements according to the dimensioning the goods - the height difference between the floors is smaller must be as the depth of the intermediate floors, the Intermediate floors in depth by at least one transverse one Hinge, in turn, divided by the Rear wall from counted second part of the mezzanine opposite the first can be folded down by at least 180 ° and a possibly existing third part compared to the previous turn up, etc., so that through this dividing hinges the intermediate shelves in the folded Condition in zigzag shape, with the individual Segments standing vertically, lying in front of the back wall come.

When folded down, these shelves rest support strips arranged horizontally on the side walls on, by training at least the last Hinge, i.e. between the intermediate floors and the rear wall, it is ensured that the intermediate floors are not at all can be folded down beyond the horizontal.

For the mutual assignment of the side walls, front parts and the bottom and lid are different Possibilities feasible.

A particularly simple one is over the side walls to attach a vertical hinge to the body, so directly on the back wall or one of the side edge of the rear wall strutting forward, firmly with the vertical intermediate part connected to the rear wall, so that the side walls that are rectangular when unfolded Strive forward to the back wall and support for the intermediate shelves offer when folded can be folded inwards and thus parallel to Lie back wall. The must be between the folded sidewalls and the remaining wall space sufficient for the raised shelves. To swing away the side walls in the open state of the Avoid the container to the outside, creating the intermediate floors would lose their lateral support, they are Side walls either by detachable connecting elements prevented from pivoting outwards relative to the base and lid or through appropriate training of Hinges opposite the body.

The bottom and lid are also hinged to the body, either directly on the back wall or in between fixed, horizontal extension, articulated, so that these parts from the horizontal position, the take them in the opened state of the container, in an inwardly folded vertical position parallel to Rear wall can be folded.

Again, the remaining space between the folded Bottom or lid and the rear wall sufficient for the inclusion of the raised shelves and possibly also the inwardly folded side walls, if in folded state bottom and lid outside of the folded side walls should come to rest.

The front of the container is in the transport state closed by half front fronts. Depending on Sizing the container is this front either divided in the vertical or in the horizontal and accordingly either on the front edges of the side walls or on the front edges of the bottom and lid Hinges hinged.

In any case, the front fronts must be in the transport position, so folded inwards and parallel to the back wall, can be folded outwards by a full 270 ° can, so that they are parallel outside on the side walls or can lie on the bottom and lid, as it is for the Presentation state with open front necessary is.

Even when collapsing the container, i.e. after it has been folded Sidewalls as well as bottom and lid, are the Halves of the front front in turn parallel on the outside bearing parts.

The extension when the container is opened represents the depth of the container, therefore, for the Side walls or bottom and lid should not be larger than that corresponding extension of the front fronts. Therefore recommends a container that is more than is wide to divide the front front vertically and to the Hinging sidewalls, which has the additional advantage that the container in the Presentation state, i.e. with the front and open adjacent sides, can be spent.

In addition, the container should be twice as much be as wide as deep, so that the width of the vertical divided front is not or only slightly larger than the depth of the unfolded sidewall on which it is to lie in the folded state comes to a compact, cuboid shape of a flat cuboid to achieve for the collapsed container.

Another way of assigning side walls, Bottom, lid and front face consists of the front face as a surrounding frame with attached, in the to form vertical split, half doors and this frame of the front at the front edges of both to attach side walls.

Then if these side walls, which in turn at their rear edge articulated to the body or the back wall are another vertical hinge in the middle have, so that the two halves of the side walls after can be folded inside and thus the whole Pull the frame of the front panel inwards as is ensures that the side walls are never in unwanted Way out and thereby the Support for the loaded intermediate floors is lost goes. The disadvantage is that in the middle of the An additional hinge must be present on the side walls, however, this embodiment is also particularly stable.

Bottom and lid can be analogous to the inside of the body be hinged attached.

When dimensioning the container, its width is greater than its height is the reverse order of course, this frame-supported front possible on the bottom and lid, but then safety the maximum vertical side walls no longer available as support for the intermediate floors is.

Figuren 1a bis 1c: Eine Aufsicht auf einen erfindungsgemäßen Behälter in aufgeklapptem geschlossenem (1a), aufgeklapptem geöffnetem (1b) und zusammengeklapptem (1c) Zustand und

Figuren 2a bis 2c: Eine teilgeschnittene Seitendarstellung der analogen Zustände des Behälters.

An embodiment according to the invention is described in more detail below by way of example. Show it:

Figures 1a to 1c: A plan view of a container according to the invention in the opened, closed (1a), opened, opened (1b) and folded (1c) state and

Figures 2a to 2c: A partially sectioned side view of the analog states of the container.

In the figure sequence 1 is an embodiment of the invention Container in a cut open view shown, and roughly the same state images are in the sequence of figures in a partially cut Side view shown.

In Figures a, the container is unfolded and Completely closed outside, the intermediate floors 4 are in the horizontal position, i.e. in the Position in which they could be loaded.

The intermediate floors 4 are in the horizontal in the transverse direction through a joint 17 in a front half 18 and divided a rear half 19, the rear half 19 via a further joint on the horizontal intermediate part 7 is articulated, which is fixed to the rear wall 6 and the side, vertical intermediate parts 14 is connected and therefore this body also gives additional stability.

On the lateral vertical intermediate parts 14 of the body are on the front edges of the side walls 5 over vertical hinge articulated and stand in the figures 1a and 2a at right angles to the rear wall 6.

This allows the intermediate floors 4 with their front Half 18 and their rear half 19 on the inside of the side walls 5 arranged support strips 11 rest.

For this purpose it must be ensured that the Side walls 5 can not swing away laterally by for example the formation of the hinge between the vertical intermediate part 14 and the side walls 5 a contains corresponding swivel angle limitation or a Detachable connection between the side walls 5 and the bottom 12 or the lid 13 is present.

Bottom 12 and lid 13 are horizontal at one top and one below at the upper and lower end edges of the rear wall 6 striving, horizontal extension 15 via a hinge 10 articulated and in the representation of Figures 1a and 2a striving horizontally to the front above or below the Side walls 5 positioned on which they are in this position lie on.

Bottom 12 and cover 13 extend slightly towards the front beyond the side walls 5.

As can also be seen, the front are vertical Edges of the side walls 5 the two half front fronts 16 hinged, the left and right half of each Front of the container in the state of Figures 1a and 2a cover.

To open the container, these front fronts are 16 um the joint 20 is swung open by 90 °, as in FIG. 1b shown in the upper half of the picture, so the interior of the container becomes accessible.

Especially if the container is at the same time Serving presentation containers, these front fronts 16 around hinges 20 not just 90 °, but 270 ° swung open so that they are parallel on the outside unchanged remain side walls 5, as in Figure 1b shown.

When the container is empty and for the empty return transport The intermediate shelves are to be folded up first 4 unfolded backwards by the back half 19 compared to the horizontal intermediate part 7 by 90 ° is folded up and then from the top edge of the rear half 19 arranged hinge 17 the front Halves 18 hang freely, as shown in Figure 2b.

In Figures 1 and 2 are only two such shelves drawn in; usually the total container height be covered with it.

Whether the intermediate floors are divided into just two halves 18 and 19 be divided into parts depends on how much space in the height between the individual mezzanine levels is present in relation to the depth of the desired Intermediate shelves 4.

It should be noted that the lateral, fixed vertical intermediate parts 14 in the depth of the container so are wide enough space for the folded up Intermediate shelves 4 is available.

Because in a next step, the side walls 5 with the front fronts that are already flat on the outside 16 around the vertical hinges to the vertical Intermediate part 14 folded inwards by 90 °, so that the Side walls 5 come to lie parallel to the rear wall, and the raised shelves 4 in the body, that is between Rear wall 6 and folded side walls 5, added and are held, as shown in Figure 1c.

In a final step, the floor will automatically fold 12 and the lid 13 down and up and are thus also vertically in front of the folded ones Partitions 5 and thus parallel to the rear wall 6. Additional Connecting elements, for example by means of lacing or hook, between the free, folded inwards Front edges of the bottom 12 and the lid 13 can be used for Securing the container 1 in the folded state serve.

Claims (9)

1. A collapsible container having

   a body comprising a one-piece fixed rear wall and portions (14, 15) which are fixedly connected thereto and which are arranged perpendicularly to the rear wall, for portions (5, 13) arranged movably there,

   plate-like outer side walls (5) which are of a one-piece configuration in at least the largest spatial dimension, and

   intermediate floor portions (4) in the interior of the container (1), which can be moved into an approximately horizontal position.

   wherein the intermediate floor portions (4) are arranged on the rear wall (6) or a horizontal intermediate portion (7) fixedly connected thereto of the body, in such a way that they can be pivoted upwardly at least into the vertical position,

   the side walls (5) have support shoulders (11) for the intermediate floor portions (4),

   the side walls (5) are pivoted to the body by way of vertical hinges (9) and can be folded inwardly into a position parallel to the rear wall (6), and

   bottom (12) and top (13) are pivoted to the body by way of horizontal hinges (10), and

   the bottom (12) can be folded inwardly into a position parallel to the rear wall (6),

   characterised in that

   the top (13) can also be folded inwardly into a position parallel to the rear wall (6),

   the bottom (12) and the top (13) are pivoted by way of hinges (10) to a horizontal mounting portion (15) which is fixedly connected to the rear wall (5) substantially at a right angle, wherein she mounting portion (15) in depth is of an extent which is greater than the space required by the upwardly folded intermediate floor portions (14) and the horizontal intermediate portion (7),

   wherein the front of the container is closable by front portions (16) which are divided in half and which are pivoted to the rest of the container by way of hinges.
2. A container according to claim 1 characterised in that the side walls (5) are pivoted to a vertical intermediate portion (14) which is fixedly connected to the rear wall (6) substantially at a right angle with respect thereto and the vertical intermediate portion (14) is of a depth which is greater than the space required for the upwardly folded intermediate floor portions (4) and the horizontal intermediate portion (7).
3. A container according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the intermediate floor portions (4) are subdivided into a front half (18) and a rear half (19) by a hinge (17) extending horizontally parallel to the rear wall (6), wherein the front half (18) is foldable downwardly through at least 180° with respect to the rear half (19).
4. A container according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that half front portions (16) which are divided on the vertical are pivoted foldably outwardly through at least 270° by way of hinges (20) to the front edges of the side walls (5).
5. A container according to one of claims 1 to 3 characterised in that approximately half front portions (16) divided on the horizontal are arranged foldably outwardly through at least 270° at the front edges of the bottom (12) and the top (13).
6. A container according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that releasable connections are arranged at the front corners between the side walls (5) and the bottom (12) and the top (13) respectively in the folded-open condition.
7. A container according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the horizontal mounting portion (15) is in depth of an extent which is greater than the intermediate portion (7), the upwardly folded intermediate floor portions (4) and the inwardly folded side walls (5) and front portions (16).
8. A container according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that the front portions (16) which are pivoted to the side walls (5) and the width and the depth of the container (1) are so selected that the resulting depth of the side walls (5) is equal to or is smaller by the thickness of the front portion (16) than the width of the half front portion (16).
9. A container according to one of the preceding claims characterised in that, when the half front portions (16) are arranged on the bottom (12) and the top (13), the depth and height of the container (1) are so selected that the depth of the bottom (12) and the top (13) is equal to or smaller by the thickness of the front portion (16) than the height of the half front portions (16).

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