U.S. patent application number 10/151350 was filed with the patent office on 2003-01-02 for foldable transportation container.
This patent application is currently assigned to Gifu Plastic Kogyo Kabushiki Gaisha. Invention is credited to Murakami, Tetsuya, Yamaguchi, Hidetoshi.
Application Number | 20030000950 10/151350 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 26615403 |
Filed Date | 2003-01-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030000950 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Murakami, Tetsuya ; et
al. |
January 2, 2003 |
Foldable transportation container
Abstract
A foldable transportation container comprises a container body
formed into a box having a rectangular bottom, and a pair of first
side walls and a pair of second side walls provided along the
periphery of the bottom wall, rotating means provided on the lower
ends of the side walls so that the side walls can be folded inward
of the container body, an engagement member provided on the outside
face of the first side wall. Engagement portions are provided on
both ends of each second side wall. The first side walls are folded
onto the upper face of the bottom wall and then the second side
walls are folded onto the first side walls. An operation portion is
provided at the substantial center of each engagement member.
Engagement projections are provided at the ends of each engagement
member. The engagement portions are engaged with the engagement
projections to limit inward rotation of the first side walls. The
operation portions of the engagement members are moved up or down
to release engagement between the engagement projections and the
engagement portions.
Inventors: |
Murakami, Tetsuya;
(Gifu-shi, JP) ; Yamaguchi, Hidetoshi; (Gifu-shi,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Robert D. Buyan
Stout, Uxa, Buyan & Mullins, LLP
4 Venture, Suite 300
Irvine
CA
92618
US
|
Assignee: |
Gifu Plastic Kogyo Kabushiki
Gaisha
9-25, Kanda-machi, Gifu-shi
Gifu-ken
JP
500-8833
|
Family ID: |
26615403 |
Appl. No.: |
10/151350 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2002 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 11/1833
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/6 |
International
Class: |
B65D 006/16; B65D
006/28; B65D 008/14 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
May 21, 2001 |
JP |
2001-150717 |
Jan 10, 2002 |
JP |
2002-003739 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A foldable transportation container comprising: a container body
having a rectangular bottom wall, a pair of first side walls, and a
pair of second side walls, wherein the first and second side walls
are provided along the periphery of the bottom wall; rotating means
provided on the lower ends of the side walls, the rotating means
permits the side walls to be folded inward of the container body,
wherein the first side walls are folded onto the upper face of the
bottom wall and then the second side walls are folded onto the
folded first side walls; engagement members, each of which being
provided on the outer surface of one of the first side walls,
wherein an operation portion is provided on the substantial center
of each the engagement member, and wherein a projection is provided
at each end of each engagement member; and engagement portions
provided on both ends of the second side walls, wherein the
engagement portions are engaged with the engagement projections to
limit rotation of the first side walls inward of the container
body, and wherein the operation portions of the engagement members
are moved up or down to release engagement between the engagement
projections and the engagement portions.
2. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
further comprising biasing means located at the contacting sections
of the first side walls and the engagement projections, wherein the
biasing means biases the engagement projections in predetermined
directions to maintain engagement between the engagement
projections and the engagement portions.
3. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
wherein the engagement projections are disengaged from the
engagement portions by moving down the operation portions.
4. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
wherein each engagement member is constituted by a plurality of
parts, and the parts constituting each engagement member are
connected to one another when attached to the container body.
5. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
wherein each second side wall is provided on its both ends with
limiting boards for limiting the first side walls to rotate
outwardly.
6. The foldable transportation container according to claim 5,
wherein limiting means for limiting outward rotation of the second
side walls is provided at the contacting sections between the
limiting boards and the ends of the first side walls.
7. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
wherein each engagement projection has a slanting face at a portion
that contacts the corresponding engagement portion.
8. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
wherein each engagement portion has a slanting face at a portion
that contacts the corresponding engagement projection.
9. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
wherein a handle portion for holding the container body is provided
near each operation portion, and each operation portion can be
operated with a hand holding the corresponding handle portion.
10. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
wherein each operation portion is provided at the lateral center of
the corresponding first side wall.
11. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
wherein the movement of the operation portions of the engagement
members is limited within a predetermined range.
12. The foldable transportation container according to claim 1,
wherein the container body and the engagement members, are made of
an elastically deformable synthetic resin.
13. A foldable transportation container comprising: a container
body having a rectangular bottom wall, a pair of first side walls,
and a pair of second side walls, wherein the first and second side
walls are provided along the periphery of the bottom wall; rotating
means provided on the lower ends of the side walls, the rotating
means permits the side walls to be folded inward of the container
body, wherein the first side walls are folded onto the upper face
of the bottom wall and then the second side walls are folded onto
the folded first side walls; engagement members, each of which
being provided on the outer surface of one the first side walls,
wherein each engagement member includes a vertical sliding member
and a pair of horizontal sliding members, wherein the vertical
sliding member is vertically slidable, and the horizontal sliding
members are connected with the vertical sliding member and are
horizontally slidable, wherein an operation portion is provided on
the substantial center of each vertical sliding member, and wherein
an engagement projection is provided at the outer end of each
horizontal sliding member; sliding conversion means provided in
connected sections of each vertical sliding member and the
corresponding horizontal sliding members, wherein the sliding
conversion means transmits movement of each vertical sliding member
to the corresponding horizontal sliding members, thereby moving the
horizontal sliding members; and engagement portions provided on
both ends of the second side walls, wherein the engagement portions
are engaged with the engagement projections to limit rotation of
the first side walls inward of the container body, and wherein the
operation portions of the engagement members are moved up or down
to release engagement between the engagement projections and the
engagement portions.
14. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
further comprising biasing means located at the contacting sections
of the first side walls and the engagement projections, wherein the
biasing means biases the engagement projections in predetermined
directions to maintain engagement between the engagement
projections and the engagement portions.
15. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
wherein the sliding conversion means comprises: sliding engagement
holes, which are obliquely formed in the ends of the vertical
sliding members; sliding engagement protrusions, which are the
proximal ends of the horizontal sliding members, wherein the
sliding engagement protrusions are engaged with the sliding
engagement holes; and sliding guide portions for guiding sliding of
the horizontal sliding members.
16. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
wherein the engagement projections are disengaged from the
engagement portions by moving down the operation portions.
17. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
wherein the second side wall is provided on its both ends with
limiting boards for limiting the first side walls to rotate
outwardly.
18. The foldable transportation container according to claim 17,
wherein limiting means for limiting outward rotation of the second
side walls is provided at the contacting sections between the
limiting boards and the ends of the first side walls.
19. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
wherein each engagement projection has a slanting face at a portion
that contacts the corresponding engagement portion.
20. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
wherein the engagement portion has a slanting face at a portion
that contacts the corresponding the engagement projection.
21. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
wherein a handle portion for holding the container body is provided
near each operation portion, and each operation portion can be
operated with a hand holding the corresponding handle portion.
22. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
wherein each operation portion is provided at the lateral center of
the corresponding first side wall.
23. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
wherein the movement of the operation portions of the engagement
members is limited within a predetermined range.
24. The foldable transportation container according to claim 13,
wherein the container body and the engagement members are made of
an elastically deformable synthetic resin.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a foldable transportation
container that is compactly folded to be stored and carried when
not in use, and more specifically to a foldable transportation
container that is easy to fold.
[0002] Conventionally, as foldable transportation containers of
this kind, a foldable container disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open
Utility Model Publication No. Sho 63-117725 is known. This foldable
container has a structure in which wall boards constituting the
respective side walls are attached directly to the four sides of a
rectangular bottom board or to bases formed there, so that the side
walls are inwardly foldable with hinge structures at the lower
sides of the side walls. Further, in this container, in adjacent
sides of the wall boards adjacent to each other, constituting
corners of the side wall, to any one of the sides, stop members
stopped to the other side are provided to mutually limit outward
openings of both of those wall boards. In addition, to one of the
adjacent sides, engagement members engaged with biasing forces with
engagement holes formed in the other side so as to be detachable,
are provided to mutually limit inward rotations of both of those
wall boards. Then, lateral slide-operation of both of the
engagement members is performed against the biasing forces to
release the engagement with the engagement holes, the side walls in
which the engagement members are provided can be inwardly rotated
and thereby the container can easily be folded.
[0003] However, in the conventional foldable container, in addition
to the fact that a pair of left and right engagement members are
provided at distant positions of both ends of the side wall, it was
constructed so that the side wall might be folded by detaching
those two engagement members from the engagement holes at once.
Therefore, when the side wall is folded, the engagement state
between both engagement members and engagement holes must be
released by operating with both hands put on both ends of the side
wall, and only one side wall can be folded once.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a foldable
transportation container constructed so that the folding operation
can be performed still more easily.
[0005] To achieve the above object, one embodiment of the present
invention provides a foldable transportation container. The
container comprises a container body having a rectangular bottom
wall a pair of first side walls, and a pair of second side walls.
The first and second side walls are provided along the periphery of
the bottom wall. The container also includes rotating means,
engagement members, and engagement portions. The rotating means is
provided on the lower ends of the side walls. The rotating means
permits the side walls to be folded inward of the container body.
The first side walls are folded onto the upper face of the bottom
wall and then the second side walls are folded onto the folded
first side walls. Each engagement member is provided on the outer
surface of one of the first side walls. An operation portion is
provided on the substantial center of each the engagement member. A
projection is provided at each end of each engagement member.
Engagement portions are provided on both ends of the second side
walls. The engagement portions are engaged with the engagement
projections to limit rotation of the first side walls inward of the
container body. The operation portions of the engagement members
are moved up or down to release engagement between the engagement
projections and the engagement portions.
[0006] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention will
be apparent from the following description together with drawings
showing an example of principle of the present invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] Characteristic features of the present invention considered
to be novel will be apparent particularly in the appended claims.
The present invention with objects and advantages will be
understood by referring to the description of preferred embodiments
at the present as shown below with reference to accompanying
drawings.
[0008] FIGS. 1(a) and (b) are partially enlarged side views showing
part of the container body of a foldable transportation container
of an embodiment of the present invention;
[0009] FIG. 1(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
1c-1c of FIG. 1(a);
[0010] FIG. 2(a) is a front view showing the container body of the
foldable transportation container;
[0011] FIG. 2(b) is a front sectional view of the foldable
transportation container;
[0012] FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the container body in which a
side wall is folded;
[0013] FIG. 4 is a side view showing the container body a part of
which is cut away;
[0014] FIG. 5 is a side view showing the container body in a folded
state;
[0015] FIG. 6(a) is a side view of a long side wall;
[0016] FIG. 6(b) is a cross-sectional view of the long side
wall;
[0017] FIG. 6(c) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
6c-6c of FIG. 6(a);
[0018] FIG. 7(a) is a front view showing part of a short side
wall;
[0019] FIG. 7(b) is a side view of the short side wall;
[0020] FIG. 8(a) is a front view showing part of an engagement
member;
[0021] FIG. 8(b) is a rear view of the engagement member;
[0022] FIG. 9 is a plan sectional view showing the container body
to which an engagement member is formed to be attached;
[0023] FIGS. 10(a) to 10(c) are front sectional views showing an
operation when the container body of the embodiment is assembled or
folded;
[0024] FIGS. 11(a) and 11(b) are partially enlarged side views
showing part of the container body of a foldable transportation
container according to another embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 12(a) is a partially enlarged side view showing part of
the container body of the foldable transportation container
according to another embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 12(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line
12b-12b of FIG. 12(a);
[0027] FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b) are partially enlarged side views
showing part of the container body of a foldable transportation
container according to another embodiment;
[0028] FIGS. 14(a) and 14(b) are partially enlarged side views
showing part of the container body of a foldable transportation
container according to another embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 15(a) is a front view showing an operation member
constituting an engagement member in another embodiment;
[0030] FIG. 15(b) is a rear view of the operation member of FIG.
15(a);
[0031] FIG. 16(a) is a front view showing one connecting member
constituting an engagement member in another embodiment;
[0032] FIG. 16(b) is a bottom view of the connecting member of FIG.
16(a);
[0033] FIG. 17 is a partially enlarged sectional view showing part
of an engagement member according to another embodiment;
[0034] FIG. 18 is a partially enlarged side view showing part of a
container body according to another embodiment; and
[0035] FIGS. 19(a) and 19(b) are partially enlarged side views
showing part of the container body of a foldable transportation
container according to another embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0036] Hereinafter, embodiments in which this invention is embodied
will be described in detail on the basis of the drawings.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2(a) to FIG. 5, a container body 21
constituting a foldable transportation container is made of a
synthetic resin (polypropylene) into a box with a rectangular
bottom. This container body 21 comprises a rectangular bottom wall
22, a pair of short side walls 23 formed to stand along a pair of
opposing sides of the bottom wall 22, and a pair of long side walls
24 formed to stand along the other opposing sides of the bottom
wall 22. Further, an engagement member 25 made of a synthetic resin
(polypropylene) into a substantially rectangular shape is formed to
be attached to the upper end of the outside face of the short side
wall 23. After a pair of short side walls 23 is folded onto the
upper face of the bottom wall 22, the container body 21 of this
foldable transportation container is constructed so as to be
foldable by folding a pair of long side walls 24 onto the upper
face of the short side wall 23.
[0038] On two opposing sides of the bottom wall 22, supporting
protrusions 31a formed into poles having a rectangular
cross-section are formed to connect pairs of the corners of the
container body 21, and support the short side walls 23 by its upper
end face. On the other sides of the bottom wall 22, supporting
protrusions 31b formed into poles having a substantially
rectangular cross-section are formed to connect pairs of the
corners of the container body 21, and support the long side walls
24 by its upper end face. The height of the supporting protrusions
31a is formed so as to be substantially equal to the thickness of
the short side walls 23. The supporting protrusions 31b are formed
such that their height is substantially equal to the length that
the thickness of the short side walls 23 and the thickness of the
long side walls 24 are added.
[0039] At the inner position of the upper end of each supporting
protrusion 31a or 31b, bearing portions 32 constituting rotating
means are provided at a predetermined interval, and fit a
rotational axis 33 formed at the inner position of the lower end of
the short side walls 23 and the long side walls 24 and constituting
rotating means. By this construction, each of the short side walls
23 and the long side walls 24 can be rotated inside the container
body 21, but it is hard to rotate outside the container body 21.
Further, the lower end faces of the short side walls 23 and long
side walls 24 and the upper end faces of the supporting protrusions
31a and 31b each are constructed by a flat face extending
horizontally, and when the container body 21 is assembled, the
short side walls 23 and the long side walls 24 are easily formed to
stand in a stable state on the supporting protrusions 31a and
31b.
[0040] On the other hand, in the outer sides of the supporting
protrusion 31a, a pair of left and right receiving recesses 35 is
provided. The recesses 35 are substantially rectangular. Besides,
in the center of the upper end of the short side walls 23 and the
long side walls 24, substantially rectangular handle holes 36a and
36b are formed, and it is constructed so as to easily hold the
container body 21.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 7(a) and FIG. 7(b), in both ends of the
short side wall 23, substantially rectangular engagement recesses
41 are provided in the upper positions in the outer side. On the
lower end, the center portion, and the upper end of this engagement
recess 41, a lower portion limiting protrusion 42a, a center
portion limiting protrusion 42b, and an upper portion limiting
protrusion 42c constituting limiting means any of which is formed
into a side face substantially U-shape are formed to protrude so as
to extend outward of the short side wall 23. In the center of the
proximal end of the upper portion limiting protrusion 42c, a first
rectangular hole 43 is formed to extend laterally. Besides, at the
position in the inner side direction position of the first long
hole 43, a second long hole 44 is provided by forming a proximal
end of a side wall rib formed to protrude along the periphery of
the rectangular engagement recess 41.
[0042] On the outside face of the short side wall 23 positioning
inside the second long hole 44, a pair of left and right side wall
protrusions 45 constituting biasing means are formed to protrude
outward. Both side wall protrusions 45 expand toward the upper side
in FIG. 7(a). As shown in FIG. 9, on the outside faces of the short
side walls positioning in both side directions of each side wall
protrusion 45, each pair of sliding engagement projections 46
formed into a plan cross section with a substantially L-shape are
formed to protrude outward. Besides, in the proximal end of the
sliding engagement projection 46, in the molds used when forming
the short side wall 23, a long hole 46a constructed so as to be
able to form the sliding engagement projection 46 by vertical
drawing only by an upper mold and a lower mold is formed to
penetrate.
[0043] As shown in FIG. 6(a) to FIG. 6(c), fold-back portions 50
formed into rectangular plates are formed to protrude so as to
extend in parallel with the short side wall 23 in both ends of the
long side wall 24. On the distal end of this fold-back portion 50,
a limiting board 51 formed into a rectangular plate is formed to
protrude so as to extend in parallel with the short side wall 23,
and when the container body 21 is assembled, it is constructed so
as to be contained in the engagement recess 41 of the short side
wall 23. This limiting board 51 is formed into a board shape which
is thinner than the fold-back portion 50, and when the container
body 21 is assembled, it is constructed so as to prevent the short
side wall 23 from rotating outside the container body 21. Besides,
the end face of the fold-back portion 50 on the side where the
limiting board 51 is provided is constructed so as to be bonded to
the outer edge of the engagement recess 41 of the short side wall
23 when the container body 21 is assembled.
[0044] In the lower end, the center portion, and the upper end of
this limiting board 51, a lower portion limiting hole 52a, a center
portion limiting hole 52b, and an upper portion limiting hole 52c
constituting limiting means any of which is formed into a
rectangular hole. Further, on the back face of the center portion
limiting hole 52b, an engagement frame portion 53 constituting
limiting means formed into a rectangular frame shape along the
periphery of the center portion limiting hole 52b is formed to
protrude so as to extend into the container body 21. When the
container body 21 is assembled, these limiting holes 52a, 52b, and
52c are, constructed so that the limiting protrusions 42a, 42b, and
42c of the short side wall 23 are inserted to engage, and also
constructed so as to stop the long side wall 24 to rotate outside
the container body 21. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, when the
container body 21 is folded, these limiting board 51 and engagement
frame portion 53 are to be contained in the receiving recess 35 of
the supporting protrusion 31a.
[0045] As shown in FIG. 6(b) and FIG. 6(c), the proximal end of the
limiting board 51 is provided with engagement recesses 54 by
forming to recess both ends on the inside faces of the long side
wall 24 into a substantially rectangular shape. On the upper end of
this engagement recess 54, an engagement portion 55 is formed to
hang so as to extend along the inside face of the fold-back portion
50 and extend in parallel with the limiting board 51. A slanting
face 55a formed so as to slant outside the container body 21 nearer
to the distal end is provided at the distal end of the container
body 21 on the inner side of this engagement portion 55.
[0046] As shown in FIG. 1, FIG. 8(a), and FIG. 8(b), the engagement
member 25 made of a synthetic resin into the substantially
rectangular board is formed to be attached so as to be slidable
with a predetermined width vertically along the outside face of the
upper end of the short side wall 23. On both ends of this
engagement member 25, engagement projections 61 formed into a pole
having a rectangular cross-section are formed to protrude so as to
extend outward. On the upper end of the outer sides of these
engagement projections 61, a second slanting face 61a formed so as
to slant inside the container body 21 nearer to the upper end is
provided.
[0047] An operation rib 62 as an operation portion extending
laterally is formed to protrude outward on the lower end center of
the engagement member 25. On the middle portion between this
operation rib 62 and the engagement projection 61, a protruding
portion 63 is provided by protruding the wall face constituting the
engagement member 25 toward an outer side direction into a
rectangular box shape. The back face of this protruding portion 63
is a recessed portion 64 formed to be recessed into a rectangular
shape. Note that this recessed portion 64 is opened on the back
face side and the lower face side. Further, at the proximal
portions on both side faces of the protruding portion 63, a pair of
left and right sliding engagement holes 65 is formed to penetrate
into a long hole shape extending vertically.
[0048] As shown in FIG. 8(a) to FIG. 9, on the center portion of
the recessed portion 64, a biasing projection constituting biasing
means formed into a side face having a shape of downward arrow is
provided on the back face side of the engagement member 25. This
biasing projection 66 is made up of a biasing protrusion 66a formed
into a pole having a rectangular cross-section, and a pair of left
and right biasing boards 66b formed to protrude so as to extend
upward obliquely from the lower ends of both side faces of the
biasing protrusion 66a. In addition to the fact that the proximal
end of the biasing protrusion 66a is formed to protrude from the
wall face of the recessed portion 64, on its distal end, both the
biasing boards 66b are formed to protrude. In addition to that
these biasing boards 66b are formed so as to extend obliquely
upward at an angle of nearly 45.degree. with respect to a
longitudinal direction (a vertical direction), as shown in FIG.
1(b), it is constructed to be predetermined angle elastically
deformable with respect to the biasing protrusion 66a.
[0049] The engagement member 25 constructed as described above is
assembled at a predetermined position of the upper end of the
outside face on the short side wall 23 to be used. In case of
assembling this engagement member 25, first, as shown in FIG. 1(a),
after one engagement projection 61 is inserted in the second long
hole 44 and the first long hole 43 formed in one end of the short
side wall 23, the other engagement projection 61 is inserted in the
second long hole 44 and the first long hole 43 formed in the other
end of the short side wall 23. Next, the engagement member 25 is
pressed toward the outside face of the short side wall 23 in a
state that each sliding engagement hole 65 of the engagement member
25 is made to correspond to the sliding engagement projection 46 of
the short side wall 23. As a result, each sliding engagement
projection 46 is forcedly fitted on the peripheral portion of the
sliding engagement hole 65, and the engagement member 25 is
attached to the outside face of the short side wall 23.
[0050] At this time, the engagement member can be slid vertically
with a predetermined width in a state that each pair of sliding
engagement projections 46 formed on the outside face of the short
side wall 23 is engaged with the peripheral portions of the sliding
engagement holes 65. Further, by bringing each pair of biasing
boards 66b in contact with the upper end of the side wall
protrusion 45 of the short side wall 23, it is always biased
upward. Besides, in case of pressing downward the engagement member
25 to be slid, as shown in FIG. 1(b), both the biasing boards 66b
are constructed so as to be elastically deformed with sliding on
the upper end of the side wall protrusion 45. Further, as shown in
FIG. 3, the distal end of the engagement projection 61 is disposed
at the middle position between the inside face of the long side
wall 24 and the outer edge of the engagement recess 41, and in
addition to the fact that it is constructed so as not to come into
contact with the inside face of the supporting protrusion 31b in
the container body 21 in a folded state, it is constructed so as
not to come into contact with the inside face of the long side wall
24 in the course of assembling.
[0051] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4, in the container body
21 in an assembled state, in addition to the fact that the inside
face of the limiting board 51 of the long side wall 24 is disposed
to be adjacent to or in contact with the outside faces of the
engagement recesses 41 of both ends of the short side wall 23, each
limiting protrusion 42a, 42b, or 42c of the engagement recess 41 is
in a state of being inserted to engage in the limiting hole 52a,
52b, or 52c at the lower portion. Further, as shown in FIG. 1(a),
the engagement projections 61 of both ends of the engagement member
25 are in a state of being inserted in the second long hole 44 and
the first long hole 43 of the short side wall 23 in the order from
the proximal end side. In addition, as shown in FIG. 1(c), the
distal end of the engagement projection 61 is inserted in the
engagement recess 54 of the long side wall 24, and further it is in
a state of being engaged with the engagement portion 55.
[0052] The operation of the above foldable transportation container
will be described below.
[0053] By the way, when the foldable transportation container
constructed as described above is folded, first, the operation rib
62 of the engagement member 25 formed on the upper end of the short
side wall 23 is pressed downward, and in a state that the
engagement member 25 is slid downward on the outside face of the
short side wall 23, the short side wall 23 is rotated inside the
container body 21. At this time, as shown in FIG. 1(b), as the
engagement member 25 is slid downward against the biasing force of
the biasing board 66b, the engagement projection 61 is moved down,
and as shown by an alternate long and two short dashes line in FIG.
1(c), an engagement state between the engagement projection 61 and
the engagement portion 55 of the long side wall 24 is released, and
the short side wall 23 is in a state of being rotatable inside the
container body 21. Incidentally, the engagement member 25 is not
made to be moved down more than a predetermined width in such a
manner that the lower end face of the operation rib 62 is brought
into contact with the upper end of the outside face of the handle
hole 36a.
[0054] Subsequently, by folding the long side wall 24 onto the
upper faces of both the short side walls 23 folded, as shown in
FIG. 3 and FIG. 5, the container body 21 is compactly folded into a
small flat board shape. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the
limiting boards 51 formed to protrude on both ends of the long side
wall 24 are received in the receiving recess 35 of the supporting
protrusion 31a, and the upper end face of the long side wall 24 in
a folded state is disposed at a low position. Further, the
container body 21 of this foldable transportation container can be
vertically piled in a folded state.
[0055] On the other hand, when the foldable transportation
container in the folded state is assembled, after a pair of long
side walls 24 is rotated 90.degree. on the rotational axis 33 to
stand on the upper end face of the supporting protrusion 31b, a
pair of short side walls 23 is similarly rotated to stand on the
upper end face of the supporting protrusion 31a. When the short
side wall 23 is rotated, first, as shown in FIG. 10(a), the distal
ends of limiting protrusions 42b at both center portions formed to
stand on both ends of the short side wall 23 are engaged with the
distal ends of the engagement frame portions 53 formed on the
limiting boards 51 of two adjacent long side walls 24. As a result,
the left and right long side walls 24 adjacent to the short side
wall 23 are in a state of standing in a stable state on the
supporting protrusions 31b, the rotational direction of the short
side wall 23 is determined, and the relative positional relation
between the short side wall 23 and both long side walls 24 is
fixed.
[0056] Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 10(b) and FIG. 10(c), the
limiting protrusion 42b at the center portion is inserted to engage
in the engagement frame portion 53, and the distal ends of the
limiting protrusions 42a at the lower portion of the short side
wall 23 are engaged with the limiting holes 52a at the lower
portion formed in the limiting boards 51 of two adjacent long side
walls 24. Further, the distal ends of the upper portion limiting
protrusions 42c of the short side wall 23 are engaged with the
upper portion limiting holes 52c of the limiting boards 51 of two
adjacent long side walls 24, and the positional relation between
the short side wall 23 and both long side walls 24 is fixed still
more strongly. That is, the rotations outward and inner side
directions of both long side walls 24 in accordance with the
rotation of the short side wall 23 is in a state of being securely
restricted.
[0057] In addition, at this time, the engagement projection 61 of
the engagement member 25 is moved up in accordance with the biasing
force of the biasing means at the same time with the completion of
the contact state with the engagement portion 55, after its second
slanting face 61a is brought into contact with the engagement
portion 55 of the long side wall 24 and after once being moved down
against the biasing means while sliding on the slanting face 55a.
As a result, as shown in FIG. 10(c), the distal end of the
engagement projection 61 is inserted in the engagement recess 54
and in a state of being engaged with the engagement portion 55, and
the short side wall 23 is prevented from rotating inside the
container body 21. Further, since the limiting board 51 of the long
side wall 24 is formed to protrude so as to cover the outside face
of the short side wall 23, the outward rotation of the short side
wall 23 is also limited. Therefore, the short side wall 23 in this
assembled state is limited to rotate in either direction of inward
or outward directions of the container body 21, and fixed to
vertically stand on the upper end face of the supporting protrusion
31a.
[0058] Further, since a pair of left and right long side walls 24
is disposed in a state of being in contact with the outside faces
on both ends of the short side wall 23, the walls are prevented
from rotating inside the container body 21. Further, as shown in
FIG. 4, since the limiting protrusions 42a, 42b, and 42c formed on
both ends of the short side wall 23 are inserted to engage in the
limiting holes 52a, 52b, and 52c, respectively, formed in the
limiting board 51 of the long side wall 24, the rotation of the
long side wall 24 inside the container body 21 is also limited.
Therefore, a pair of long side walls 24 in this assembled state is
limited to rotate in either direction of inward and outward
directions of the container body 21, and fixed to vertically stand
on the upper end face of the supporting protrusion 31b.
[0059] This foldable transportation container is conveyed by
holding the handle hole 36a or 36b formed in the center portion of
a pair of short side walls 23 or long side wall 24, with both
hands. In addition, this foldable transportation container can be
vertically piled in an assembled state, and the container body 21
in the above folded state can also be piled on or under the
container body 21 in the assembled state.
[0060] Effects obtained by the above embodiment will be described
below.
[0061] The foldable transportation container of the above
embodiment comprises the bottom wall 22 formed into a rectangular
board, a pair of short side walls 23 formed to stand along one
opposing sides of the bottom wall 22, and a pair of long side walls
24 formed to stand along the opposing sides of the bottom wall 22.
Further, on the lower end of each of the side walls 23 and 24, the
bearing portion 32 and the rotational axis 33 for folding each side
wall 23 or 24 inside the container body 21 are provided, and after
the short side walls 23 are folded onto the upper face of the
bottom wall 22, by folding the long side walls 24 onto the upper
face of the short side walls 23, the container body 21 is
constructed to be foldable.
[0062] In addition, on the outside face of the short side wall 23,
the operation rib 62 is provided on the center portion and the
engagement member 25 on both ends of which the engagement
projections 61 are formed to stand is formed. Moreover, on both
ends of the long side wall 24, the limiting boards 51 for limiting
the outward rotations of the short side walls 23 are formed to
stand, and further the engagement portions 55 for engaging with the
engagement projections 61 to limit the inward rotations of the
short side walls 23 are provided. Further, the limiting holes 52a,
52b, and 52c and the limiting protrusions 42a, 42b, and 42c for
limiting the outward rotations of the long side walls 24 are
provided in the bonding portions between the limiting boards 51 and
both ends of the short side walls 23. And, by moving down the
operation rib 62 of the engagement member 25, it is constructed so
as to release an engagement state between the engagement projection
61 and the engagement portion 55.
[0063] Therefore, an engagement state between the engagement
projection 61 and the engagement portion 55 can be released by one
touch by pressing downward the operation rib 62 of the engagement
member 25. Thus, the container body 21 in an assembled state can be
folded very easily. In particular, since one short side wall 23 can
be folded onto the upper face of the bottom wall 22 by one touch
with one hand, in comparison with the conventional foldable
container having a construction in which one short side wall is
folded with both hands, the folding operation can be performed
still more easily. Further, even when the container body 21 is
assembled, since the operation for fixing to stand one short side
wall 23 on the supporting protrusion 31a can be performed by one
touch with only one hand, the assembling operation can also be
performed very easily.
[0064] Further, since the operation rib 62 of the engagement member
25 is formed at a position close to the handle hole 36a, even in a
state that both handle holes 36a of the container body 21 in an
assembled state are held with both hands, the operation rib 62 is
operated to be pressed downward using the thumb that can freely be
moved in that state. Further, since the operation rib 62 is
constructed so as to be pressed downward, it is possible to very
effectively apply the pressing force by the thumb to the operation
rib 62 in that state. It should be noted that in this folding
method, even in case of operating to press upward the operation rib
62 with the thumb, although it is almost similarly effective, for
example, in case of operating to press laterally, the pressing
force can not so effectively be applied.
[0065] On the bonding portion between the short side wall 23 and
the engagement member 25, in order to maintain an engagement state
between the engagement projection 61 and the engagement portion 55,
the assembling operation of the container body 21 can be performed
very easily by providing the side wall protrusion 45 and the
biasing projection 66 biasing the engagement projection 61 in a
predetermined direction. That is, by this construction, after a
pair of long side walls 24 is rotated around the rotational axis 33
to stand, it is possible to automatically engage the engagement
projection 61 and the engagement portion 55 by similarly rotating a
pair of short side walls 23 to stand. Further, by virtue of the
side wall protrusion 45 and the biasing projection 66, it is also
possible to easily maintain an assembled state of the container
body 21, and ease to use when the container body 21 is used can
sufficiently be obtained.
[0066] By moving down the operation rib 62, and constructing so as
to release an engagement state between the engagement projection 61
and the engagement portion 55, an erroneous operation when the
container body 21 in an assembled state is conveyed is easily
prevented, and the workability upon conveyance can easily be
enhanced. That is, when the container body 21 in an assembled state
is conveyed, a finger is inserted from the lower side to the upper
side of the handle hole 36a to lift up the container body 21. At
this time, although the possibility that the finger is erroneously
caught by the lower end face of the operation rib 62 is very high,
in the container body 21 of this embodiment, even in the case where
the finger is caught by the lower end face of the operation rib 62,
the shape of the container body 21 is constructed to be maintained
in a state as it is.
[0067] In the contact portion where the engagement projection 61
and the engagement portion are in contact with each other, when the
container body 21 is assembled, the engagement projection 61 can be
engaged easily and smoothly with the engagement portion 55 by
providing the second slanting face 61a on the outside of the
engagement projection 61 (on the outside face side of the container
body 21). Therefore, the assembling operation of the container body
21 can be performed easily and rapidly. Further, in the contact
portion, the assembling operation of the container body 21 can be
performed further easily and rapidly by providing the slanting face
55a on the inside of the engagement portion 55 (on the inside face
side of the container body 21).
[0068] Note that this embodiment can also be implemented by a
modification as follows.
[0069] As shown in FIG. 11(a) and FIG. 11(b), a side wall
protrusion 71 formed into a side face with a lateral C-shape is
formed to protrude on the outside face of the short side wall 23,
and a spring member 72 is disposed in the recessed portion 64 of
the engagement member 25. Note that the upper end of the spring
member 72 is in contact with the lower face on the upper wall of
the recessed portion 64, and the lower end thereof is engaged with
the side wall protrusion 71. Further, the center portion of this
spring member 72 is constructed so as to be elastically deformable
as shown in FIG. 11(b), and always biases upward the engagement
member 25 (the operation rib 62). And, biasing means is constituted
by these side wall protrusion 71 and spring member 72.
[0070] As shown in FIG. 12(a) and FIG. 12(b), in place of forming
the side wall protrusion 45 to protrude on the outside face of the
short side wall 23, a side wall protrusion 73 in the center portion
of which a circular hole or a long hole is formed to penetrate is
formed to protrude, a fixed bar 74 is hung down from the lower face
of the upper wall of the recessed portion 64, and the distal end of
the fixed bar 74 is constructed so as to be inserted in the hole of
the side wall protrusion 73. Further, a coil spring 75 is disposed
around the fixed bar 74, and by constructing so that the upper end
of the coil spring 75 is in contact with the upper wall lower face
of the recessed portion 64, and the lower end is in contact with
the upper face of the side wall protrusion 73, the engagement
member 25 (the operation rib 62) is constructed so as to be always
biased upward. And, biasing means is constituted by these side wall
protrusion 73, fixed bar 74, and coil spring 75.
[0071] As shown in FIG. 13(a) and FIG. 13(b), a side wall
protrusion 76 formed into a lateral cylindrical shape (side face
with a circular shape) is formed to protrude on the outside face of
the short side wall 23, and also the engagement projection 61 of
the engagement member 25 is disposed so as to be in contact with
the side wall protrusion 76. Further, the center portion of the
engagement member 25 (the operation rib 62) is constructed so as to
be always biased upward by making the engagement member 25 of a
synthetic resin which can be elastically deformed with ease. In
addition, the engagement recess 54 is provided at substantially the
same height as the upper end of the upper portion limiting hole
52c, and the engagement portion 55 is formed to protrude so as to
extend upward from the lower end of the engagement recess 54. And,
biasing means is constituted by these engagement projection 61 and
side wall protrusion 76.
[0072] As shown in FIG. 14(a) and FIG. 14(b), the engagement member
25 is constituted by five members molded into separate bodies. That
is, this engagement member 25 comprises an operation bar 77 as an
operation portion and vertical sliding means extending laterally,
and a pair of left and right connection bars 78 constituting
sliding conversion means formed on both ends of the operation bar
77 and extending obliquely (for example, at 45.degree. with respect
to the operation bar 77). Further, on the outer ends of both the
connection bars 78, a pair of left and right engagement projections
61 as horizontal sliding members extending horizontally are
provided. In addition, both ends of the connection bar 78 are
axially attached to one end of the operation bar 77 and the
proximal end of the engagement projection 61 so as to be rotatable
in a vertical plane in parallel with the outside faces of the
respective short side walls 23.
[0073] Further, on back faces of both ends of the operation bar 77
and the back face of the proximal end (inner end) of the engagement
projection 61, a sliding fitting protrusion (not shown)
constituting sliding conversion means formed into a side face
circular shape is formed to protrude, and forcibly fitted in a
sliding fitting projection 79 of a rectangular frame shape
constituting sliding conversion means formed at a corresponding
position on the outside face of the short side wall 23. The sliding
fitting protrusions formed on both ends of the operation bar 77 are
constructed so as to be slidable vertically with a predetermined
width in the sliding fitting projection 79, and the sliding fitting
protrusion formed on the proximal end of the engagement projection
61 is slidable laterally with a predetermined width in the sliding
fitting projection 79. Incidentally, the sliding fitting projection
79 is constructed so as to be molded by vertical drawing only with
an upper mold and a lower mold by a long hole 79a to penetrate in
the short side wall 23, in molds when the short side wall 23 is
molded.
[0074] On the other hand, on the upper and lower faces at the
center portion of the engagement projection 61, a pair of upper and
lower biasing boards 66b extending obliquely upward and obliquely
downward, respectively, are formed to protrude. On the outside
faces of the short side walls 23 at positions corresponding to
these biasing boards 66b, the side wall protrusions 45 are formed
to protrude. The side wall protrusion 45 always biases the
engagement projection 61 outward of the short side wall 23. Both
side wall protrusions 45 expand from the left side toward the right
side of FIG. 14(a). Further, the size of the second long hole 44 is
formed into a size substantially corresponding to the engagement
projection 61.
[0075] Further, by forming the distal end of the engagement portion
55 in the above embodiment to extend to the lower end of the
engagement recess 54, the rectangular engagement recess 54 as an
engagement portion is formed in a side face. As a result, in the
state of FIG. 14(a), the distal end of the engagement projection 61
inserted in the engagement recess 54 is disposed so as to be able
to be in contact with one side face (inside face) of the engagement
portion 55, and the short side wall 23 is prevented from rotating
inside the container body 21.
[0076] In addition, outer side at the distal end of the engagement
projection 61 is preferably constructed so that the second slanting
face 61a formed so as to slant inside the container body 21 nearer
to the distal end may be formed. Moreover, along the edge of the
back face of the engagement portion 55 (the side face on the
container body 21 inner side), the slanting face 55a is preferably
constructed so that it is formed to slant outward the container
body 21 nearer to the end.
[0077] In such a construction, by pressing downward the operation
bar 77, as shown in FIG. 14(b), both engagement projections 61 are
laterally slid toward the inner side direction of the short side
wall 23 through both connection bars 78, and the distal ends of the
engagement projections 61 get out from the interior of the
engagement recess 54. As a result, an engagement state between the
engagement projections 61 and the engagement portion 55 is
released, and the short side wall 23 is folded inside the container
body 21. Therefore, by the above construction, the folding
operation of the container body 21 can be performed very
easily.
[0078] The slanting face 55a or the second slanting face 61a should
not be formed on the engagement portion 55 or the distal end of the
engagement projection 61. Or, the slanting face 55a and the second
slanting face 61a are not formed on the engagement portion 55 and
the distal end of the engagement projection 61.
[0079] The center portion of the engagement member 25 (the
operation rib 62) is constructed so as to be always biased downward
by biasing means. Further, by moving up the operation rib 62, it is
constructed so as to release an engagement state between the
engagement projection 61 and the engagement portion 55.
[0080] The biasing means is omitted, and on the bonding portion
between the engagement member 25 and the short side wall 23,
stopping means for stopping the engagement member 25 at a
predetermined position is provided. Further, by moving up or moving
down the operation rib 62, the container should be constructed such
that an engagement state by the stopping means may be relatively
easily released, and is also constructed such that an engagement
state between the engagement projection 61 and the engagement
portion 55 can be released.
[0081] In the case where such construction is made, when the
container body 21 is assembled, the operation rib 62 is operated
with pressure (lower movement or upper movement) immediately after
the short side wall 23 is stood on the supporting protrusion 31a to
engage the engagement projection 61 and the engagement portion 55,
thereby the container body 21 can easily be assembled. In addition,
an operation for folding the container body 21 can be performed
very easily as in the above embodiment.
[0082] In place of forming the engagement member 25 along the
outside face of the short side wall 23, it is to be formed along
the outside face of the long side wall 24.
[0083] The engagement member 25 is constituted by a plurality of
parts, and when it is attached to the container body 21, it may be
constructed so as to connect the parts integrally. Note that, as
the plurality of parts, for example, the parts may be those wherein
the engagement member 25 of the above embodiment is equally divided
into two or three in a longitudinal direction (a lateral
direction), or among parts where the engagement member 25 of the
above embodiment is equally divided into three in a longitudinal
direction (a lateral direction), two parts positioning right and
left (constituting both ends) and a metallic pipe connecting those
parts may be used to construct the engagement member 25. In case of
constructing the member in this manner, the length of the
engagement projection 61 can be made long.
[0084] Using three parts of an operation member 81 shown in FIG.
15(a) and FIG. 15(b), one connection member 82 shown in FIG. 16(a)
and FIG. 16(b), and the other connection member (not shown), an
engagement member 83 is constructed. Note that after
injection-molding the operation member 81 and a pair of connection
members 82, the engagement member 83 is constructed integrally with
them.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 15(a) and FIG. 15(b), the operation member
81 is made of a synthetic resin into a rectangular. At the lower
end on the outside face of the center portion of this operation
member 81, the operation rib 62 as an operation portion is formed
to extend laterally. Besides, on both ends of the operation member
81, rectangular connection boards 84 are provided. These connection
boards 84 are provided along the outside face of the operation
member 81, and on the inside face (back face or rear face) side,
each pair of engagement tubes 85 formed into a cylindrical shape is
formed to protrude.
[0086] As shown in FIG. 16(a) and FIG. 16(b), one connection member
82 connected to one end of the operation member 81 is made of a
synthetic resin into a pole having a substantially rectangular
cross-section, and further the engagement projection 61 is formed
to protrude on its distal end. On outside face of the proximal end
of this connection member 82, a rectangular connection recess 86 is
formed to a predetermined depth recess, and when it is connected to
one end of the operation member 81 as shown in FIG. 17, it is
constructed so as to receive the connection board 84. In the center
portion of this connection recess 86, a pair of left and right
circular holes 87 is formed to penetrate, and when it is connected
to one end of the operation member 81 as shown in FIG. 17, it is
constructed so as to fit in the corresponding engagement tube
85.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 16(b), in the center portion of the
connection member 82 between the connection recess 86 and the
engagement projection 61, an attachment recess 88 is provided by
forming its outside face to a predetermined depth recess. On the
outside face of the distal end this attachment recess 88, an
attachment projection 89 formed into a triangular pole shape is
formed to protrude. Further, this attachment projection 89 is
formed such that it becomes lower when it is nearer to the distal
end side of the connection member 82.
[0088] In the center portion on the lower end face of the
connection member 82, a lower portion biasing board 90 constituting
biasing means extending obliquely downward toward the distal end of
the connection member 82 is formed to protrude. In addition to the
fact that this biasing board 90 is formed to extend at an angle of
about 30.degree. with respect to the lower end face of the
connection member 82, it is constructed so as to be elastically
deformable. Further, the other connection member connected to the
other end of the operation member 81 is formed into a shape to be
symmetrical in left and right with the above-mentioned one
connection member 82.
[0089] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18, in the short side
wall 23 to which the above engagement member 83 is attached, the
side wall protrusion 45, the sliding engagement projection 46, and
the long hole 46a in the above embodiment are omitted. Further, on
the outer end of the side wall rib in which the second long hole 44
is formed, a rectangular attachment board 91 is provided to extend
in an inner side direction of the short side wall 23. By this
attachment board 91, the side wall rib, and the side wall ribs
vertically adjacent to the rib, and the short side wall 23, a pair
of attachment pockets 92 are formed on the outer side of the upper
end of the short side wall 23. In addition, in the center portion
of the attachment board 91 constituting this attachment pocket 92,
an attachment sliding hole 93 extending vertically in a long hole
shape is formed to penetrate.
[0090] And, when the engagement member 83 is attached to the
outside face of the short side wall 23 of the container body 21, as
shown in FIG. 18, first, the distal end of one connection member 82
is inserted in one attachment pocket 92, the engagement projection
61 is inserted in the first long hole 43 and the second long hole
44, and the attachment projection 89 is inserted to engage in the
attachment sliding hole 93. Next, after the distal end of the other
connection member is inserted in the other attachment pocket 92
likewise, by the operation member 81, the left and right connection
members 82 are connected and fixed. At this time, each pair of
engagement tubes 85 provided on both ends of the operation member
81 is inserted to fit in the circular holes 87 of the connection
members 82, and the connection boards 84 at both ends of the
operation member 81 are received in the connection recesses 86 of
the connection members 82.
[0091] This engagement member 83 is constructed so that a pair of
attachment projections 89 formed to protrude on its both ends
outside face is slid with being guided vertically in the attachment
sliding holes 93 of both ends of the short side wall 23, and it is
capable of moving up and down retaining a predetermined width.
Further, since the distal ends of a pair of lower portion biasing
boards 90 formed to protrude on its both ends lower faces are in
contact with the lower end of the attachment pocket 92 (the upper
face of the side wall rib) constituting biasing means, this
engagement member 83 is always biased upward. And, the container
body 21 of this foldable transportation container can be folded and
assembled in entirely the same manner as the above embodiment.
[0092] In such a construction, since the assembling operation of
parts after injection molding, in particular, since the attaching
operation of the engagement member 83 to the outside face of the
short side wall 23 can easily be performed, the manufacture of the
container body 21 can easily be performed.
[0093] In the engagement member 83 shown in FIG. 15 to FIG. 18, it
is constructed so that one connection member 82 or the other
connection member may be molded integrally with the operation
member 81 (injection molding as one part). In case of constructing
the engagement member in this manner, in addition to the fact that
the manufacture of the container body 21 can easily be performed,
the number of parts constituting the engagement member 83 can
easily be reduced.
[0094] In the foldable transportation container shown in FIG. 15 to
FIG. 18, in place of forming the lower portion biasing boards 90 to
protrude on the lower faces of one connection member 82 and the
other connection member, it may be constructed so that it may be
formed to protrude on the upper face of the side wall rib with
which the distal end of the lower portion biasing board 90 is in
contact.
[0095] As shown in FIG. 19(a) and FIG. 19(b), the engagement member
25 should be constituted by three parts molded into separate
bodies, that is, a vertical sliding member 101, and a pair of left
and right horizontal sliding members 102 provided on both ends of
the vertical sliding member 101. Further, sliding conversion means
for transmitting the vertical sliding of the vertical sliding
member 101 to the horizontal sliding members 102 with converting
into vertical sliding is provided between both ends of the vertical
sliding member 101 and the proximal ends of the horizontal sliding
members 102.
[0096] In addition to the fact that the vertical sliding member 101
is formed into a side face trapezoidal shape (a substantially
rectangular shape), its both edges are formed into a taper shape
narrowing upward. On the outside face of the center portion of this
vertical sliding member 101, the operation rib 62 extending
laterally is formed to protrude, and it is possible to easily press
downward the vertical sliding member 101. In both ends of this
vertical sliding member 101, a pair of left and right sliding
engagement holes 103 constituting sliding conversion means formed
into a long hole shape extending obliquely upward along edges of
the vertical sliding member 101 is formed to penetrate. At the
middle position between the sliding engagement holes 103 and the
operation rib 62, a pair of left and right sliding engagement holes
65 is formed to penetrate into a long hole shape extending
vertically, and engaged with the corresponding sliding engagement
projection 46 formed to protrude on the outside face of the short
side wall 23, and attach the vertical sliding member 101 so as to
be vertically movable along the outside face of the short side wall
23.
[0097] Further, in the center of the lower end of this vertical
sliding member 101, a pair of left and right biasing boards 104
constituting biasing means are formed to protrude. These biasing
boards 104 in a pair are formed to protrude so as to extend
obliquely downward from the center portion of lower face of the
vertical sliding member 101. Further, the lower ends (the distal
ends) of these biasing boards 104 are in contact with the upper
face of a lateral rib 105 constituting biasing means formed to
protrude so as to extend laterally on the outside face of the short
side wall 23, and always biases upward the vertical sliding member
101.
[0098] On the distal end of the horizontal sliding member 102, the
engagement projection 61 formed into a long bar shape extending
horizontally is provided, and inserted to engage so as to be
engageable/disengageable in the engagement recess 54 as an
engagement portion as shown in FIG. 14(a) and FIG. 14(b). On the
proximal end of this horizontal sliding member 102, a board-shaped
portion 111 constituting a sliding guide portion formed into a
substantially rectangular board shape is provided. The upper and
lower end faces of this board-shaped portion 111 are each
constituted by a flat face extending along a horizontal plane. On
one end outer face of this board-shaped portion 111, a circular
protrusion 112 formed into a side face circular shape as a sliding
engagement protrusion constituting sliding conversion means is
formed to protrude so as to extend outward, and inserted to engage
so as to be slidable in the sliding engagement hole 103 of the
vertical sliding member 101.
[0099] Further, in the back faces of the second long holes 44 of
both ends of the short side wall 23, attachment holes 113 formed
into a side face triangular shape are formed by punching, and
constructed so as to be easily attached to the distal end of the
horizontal sliding member 102 (the engagement projection 61) formed
into a separate body to the predetermined position on the outside
face of the short side wall 23. On the other hand, on the outside
faces of the short side walls 23 positioning in both side
directions of the vertical sliding member 101, a pair of left and
right upper portion ribs 114 extending vertically are formed to
protrude. Further, on the back face of the center portion of the
upper portion rib 114, a second attachment hole 115 constituting a
sliding guide portion is provided by forming to penetrate the wall
face of the short side wall 23 into a rectangular hole shape, and
thus it is constructed so as to easily attach the proximal end of
the horizontal sliding member 102 (the board-shaped portion 111) to
the outside face of the short side wall 23.
[0100] Further, the second long hole 44 constitutes a sliding a
guide portion for horizontally sliding the engagement projection 61
of the horizontal sliding member 102. Further, at upper and lower
ends of the upper portion rib 114 in the inner side direction, a
pair of upper and lower stopping ribs 116 constituting a sliding
guide portion formed into a side face L-shape for stopping the
board-shaped portion 111 is formed to protrude such that it extends
outward from the outside face of the short side wall 23 so as to be
horizontally slidable. The lower end face of the stopping rib 116
positioning upward and the upper end face of the stopping rib 116
positioning downward are each constituted by a flat face extending
along a horizontal plane.
[0101] In addition, the outer side of the distal end of the
engagement projection 61 is preferably constructed with the second
slanting face 61a such that it is formed to slant in an inner side
direction of the container body 21 nearer to the distal end. In
addition, along the edge of the back face of the engagement portion
55 (the side face on the inner direction side of the container body
21), the slanting face 55a is preferably formed so as to slant
outward of the container body 21 nearer to the end side.
[0102] By the way, in the container body 21 of this foldable
transportation container, since the distal ends of a pair of left
and right biasing boards 104 provided on the lower end of the
vertical sliding member 101 are in contact with the upper face of
the lateral rib 105, the vertical sliding member 101 is always
biased upward. Further, since a pair of left and right horizontal
sliding members 102 are connected to the vertical sliding member
101 by an engagement relation between the sliding engagement hole
103 and the circular protrusion 112, they are always biased outward
of the short side wall 23 as shown in FIG. 19(a). Therefore, the
distal ends of a pair of left and right engagement projections 61
are inserted to engage in the engagement recess 54 and the short
side wall is not folded inside the container body 21.
[0103] And, this foldable transportation container is slid downward
along the sliding engagement hole 65, by pressing downward the
operation rib 62 shown in FIG. 19(a) against the biasing force of
the biasing board 104, as shown in FIG. 19(b), with the vertical
sliding member 101 pulling the left and right horizontal sliding
members 102. At this time, a pair of left and right horizontal
sliding members 102 slide horizontally in inner side directions of
the short side wall 23 in accordance with the down movement of the
vertical sliding member 101, an engagement state between the distal
end of the engagement projection 61 and the engagement recess 54 is
released, and the short side wall 23 is in a state of being
foldable inside the container body 21. Further, when the container
body 21 is assembled, after a pair of opposing long side walls 24
are placed on the supporting protrusion 31b, the engagement
projection 61 and the engagement portion 55 can semi-automatically
be made to be engaged by placing a pair of opposing short side
walls 23 on the supporting protrusion 31a.
[0104] In the case where the container is constructed as described
above, a pair of left and right engagement projections 61 are
horizontally slid toward inner side directions of the short side
wall 23, and the distal end of the engagement projection 61 is
drawn out from the interior of the engagement recess 54 by moving
down the operation rib 62 (the vertical sliding member 101), as
shown in FIG. 19(b). As a result, an engagement state between the
engagement projection 61 and the engagement portion 55 is released,
and the short side walls 23 are folded inside the container body
21. Therefore, by the above construction, the folding operation of
the container body 21 can be performed very easily.
[0105] The limiting protrusions 42a, 42b, and 42c should be
constructed so as not to be inserted to engage in the limiting
holes 52a, 52b, and 52c. Further, an unillustrated second limiting
board constituting limiting means formed into a rectangular shape
extending vertically and extending in an inner side direction of
the container body 21 is formed to protrude on the distal end of
the limiting board 51, and when the container body 21 is assembled,
it is constructed so as to be in contact with one side walls of the
limiting protrusions 42a, 42b, and 42c. Note that, at this time,
the limiting protrusions 42a, 42b, and 42c need not be formed into
a U-shaped side face, and for example, may be formed into a
rectangular board shape extending outward from the outside face of
the engagement recess 41.
[0106] In such a construction, when the container body 21 is
assembled, the long side wall 24 can easily be limited such that
the container body 21 may not fall outside by bringing the limiting
protrusions 42a, 42b, and 42c into contact with the second limiting
board. In addition, at this time, the construction of the container
body 21 of the foldable transportation container can easily be
simplified.
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