U.S. patent application number 11/527224 was filed with the patent office on 2007-03-29 for storage and transport container.
Invention is credited to Jean-Marc Dubois.
Application Number | 20070068941 11/527224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 37499686 |
Filed Date | 2007-03-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070068941 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Dubois; Jean-Marc |
March 29, 2007 |
Storage and transport container
Abstract
A container for transport and for storage of objects, consisting
of a floor part and two lengthwise and crosswise walls that stand
opposite one another, in each instance, which project vertically
from the floor part, and can be collapsed onto one another about
hinges disposed in the floor region. The hinge of at least one of
the side walls is configured in such a manner that its hinge parts,
which interact with one another, can be separated from one another
and connected with one another, respectively, in a defined position
relative to one another.
Inventors: |
Dubois; Jean-Marc;
(Bremgarten, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
WILLIAM COLLARD;COLLARD & ROE, P.C.
1077 NORTHERN BOULEVARD
ROSLYN
NY
11576
US
|
Family ID: |
37499686 |
Appl. No.: |
11/527224 |
Filed: |
September 26, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/6 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 2519/00587
20130101; B65D 2519/00925 20130101; B65D 2519/00422 20130101; B65D
2519/00333 20130101; B65D 19/18 20130101; B65D 2519/00069 20130101;
B65D 2519/00646 20130101; B65D 2519/00174 20130101; B65D 2519/009
20130101; B65D 2519/00497 20130101; B65D 2519/00034 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
220/006 |
International
Class: |
B65D 6/00 20060101
B65D006/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2005 |
DE |
10 2005 046265.0 |
Claims
1. A large container for transport and for storage of objects,
comprising: a floor part, two lengthwise walls and two crosswise
walls, said lengthwise walls standing opposite one another and said
crosswise walls standing opposite one another, said lengthwise and
crosswise walls projecting vertically from the floor part; at least
one hinges between the floor part and at least one of the walls to
allow the walls to be collapsed onto one another, wherein each
hinge comprises a hinge part on the floor part and a hinge part on
one of the walls, said hinge parts interacting with one another and
adapted to be separated from one another and connected with one
another, respectively, in a defined, almost perpendicular position
relative to one another.
2. A container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge part on the
floor part forms an arc of >180.degree. in cross-section, and
the complementary hinge part on the wall has cylinder-shaped axle
stumps, whose cross-section is complementary to the arc-shaped
cross-section of the hinge part on the floor part.
3. A container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge part on the
floor part is a rectangular hollow profile, having a slot-shaped
opening in a top of said hinge part facing away from the floor, and
wherein the hinge part on the wall is L-shaped in cross-section and
can be introduced or moved out of said opening.
4. A container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge part on the
floor part is formed by a hollow profile that is rectangular in
cross-section, and has a slot-shaped opening in a the top facing
away from the floor, through which opening the hinge part on the
wall can be introduced into the hollow profile, or moved out of it,
and wherein the hinge part on the wall consists of a crosspiece
that proceeds from the lower edge of the side wall, and a bead-like
thickened region disposed on the crosspiece, which thickened region
has a minimal and a maximal diameter, so that the maximal diameter
is greater than a width of the slot, and the minimal diameter is
smaller than a diameter of the slot.
5. A container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge part on the
floor part is formed by a hollow profile that is rectangular in
cross-section, having slot-shaped openings in a top of the floor
hinge part, facing away from the floor, so that each slot-shaped
opening has a region having a lesser diameter and a subsequent
region having a greater diameter, and wherein the hinge part on the
wall has a crosspiece connected with a lower edge of the wall and a
cylinder-shaped widened region disposed on the crosspiece, and
wherein the smaller diameter of the slot-shaped opening corresponds
to a width of the crosspiece, and the region of greater diameter of
the slot-shaped opening corresponds to the cylinder-shaped widened
region.
6. A container according to claim 1, wherein the hinge part on the
floor part has a hollow profile that is rectangular in
cross-section, and has a slot-shaped opening in a top of the hinge
part facing away from the floor, said slot-shaped opening having
edges extending upward and outward in a shape of a funnel, and form
elastic tongues, and wherein the hinge part on the wall consists of
a roller-shaped region connected with the wall by way of a
crosspiece, wherein a diameter of said roller-shaped region is
slightly greater than a width of the slot-like opening.
7. A container according to claim 1, wherein the floor part is
configured as a pallet.
8. A container according to claim 1, wherein the side walls have
partial regions that can be folded down outward, in the direction
of the floor region.
9. A container according to claim 1, further comprising a lid for
closing off the container, both in the assembled and in the
collapsed state.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a large container for transport and
for storage of objects, consisting of a floor part and two
lengthwise and crosswise walls that stand opposite one another,
which project vertically from the floor part, and can be collapsed
onto one another about hinges disposed in the floor region.
[0003] 2. The Prior Art
[0004] Such large containers have floor dimensions of 1.20
m.times.0.80 m, for example. These relatively large dimensions make
it problematic, during unloading of the container, to remove
objects situated at the end of the container facing away from the
removal side, without using aids.
[0005] This problem is not solved, either, by using partial regions
in the side walls that can be collapsed down to the floor region,
as is already known.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention is therefore based on the task of further
developing a large container that is freely accessible from at
least one side, so that the person occupied with unloading the
container can also get into the backmost region.
[0007] The invention comprises a large container in which the hinge
of at least one of the side walls is configured in such a manner
that its hinge parts, which interact with one another, can be
separated from one another and connected with one another,
respectively, in a defined position.
[0008] In this manner, it is possible to completely remove a side
wall, without assembly effort, so that the container becomes freely
accessible from one side.
[0009] To remove this side wall, the locks present in the upper
edge region are released, the side wall is tilted by a slight
angle, and in this position, the hinge part situated on the side
wall is lifted out of the hinge part situated in the floor region.
Insertion of this side wall takes place in the opposite
sequence.
[0010] In a first alternative, the hinge is configured so that the
hinge part disposed in the floor region forms an arc of
>180.degree. in cross-section, and the complementary hinge part,
disposed on the side wall, has cylinder-shaped axle stumps, whose
cross-section is complementary to the arc-shaped cross-section of
the hinge part disposed in the floor region. In this connection,
the axle stumps are circular in cross-section, with a flattened
region. The diameter of the circle is therefore greater than the
arc opening of the hinge part disposed in the floor region, so that
the hinge parts can only be separated from one another in a
position in which the flattened region of the axle stump is
positioned so that the projection of the arc opening has a slightly
greater diameter than the projection of the axle stump.
[0011] In a second embodiment, the hinge part disposed in the floor
region is a rectangular hollow profile. In the top of the hinge
part, facing away from the floor region, a slot-shaped opening is
provided, through which opening the hinge part on the side wall,
which part is L-shaped in cross-section, can be introduced, or
moved out of it, respectively.
[0012] The lengthwise shank of the L is disposed on the underside
of the side wall in the form of a crosspiece, while the crosswise
shank of the L points to the outside of the container. The
dimensions of this crosswise shank are selected so that it can
easily be introduced into the slot-shaped opening, but cannot be
moved out of this slot-shaped opening when the side wall is
vertical.
[0013] In another alternative embodiment of the invention, the
hinge part disposed in the floor region is also formed by a hollow
profile that is rectangular in cross-section. In the top of the
hinge part, facing away from the floor region, a slot-shaped
opening is provided, through which opening the hinge part on the
side wall can be introduced into the hollow profile, or moved out
of it, respectively. The side wall hinge part consists of a
crosspiece that proceeds from the lower edge of the side wall, and
a bead-like thickened region disposed on the crosspiece, which
thickened region has a minimal and a maximal diameter, so that the
maximal diameter is greater than the width of the opening slot, and
the minimal diameter is smaller than the diameter of the opening
slot.
[0014] Similar to the previous embodiment, the projection of the
opening slot is smaller than the maximal diameter of the bead-like
thickened region in the vertical position of the side wall, while
the projection of the opening slot is slightly greater than the
minimal diameter of the bead-like thickened region in the
disassembly position.
[0015] In a further embodiment, the hinge part disposed in the
floor region is formed by a hollow profile that is rectangular in
cross-section. In the top of the hinge part, facing away from the
floor region, slot-shaped openings are provided, in such a manner
that each slot-shaped opening has a region having a lesser width
and a subsequent region having a greater width, and the hinge part
on the side wall has a crosspiece connected with the lower edge of
the side part and a cylinder-shaped widened region disposed on this
crosspiece. The smaller diameter of the slot-shaped opening
corresponds to the width of the crosspiece, and the widened region
of the slot-shaped opening corresponds to the cylinder-shaped
widened region.
[0016] In this connection, the dimensions of this slot geometry are
selected in such a manner that the side wall to be inserted can be
set on laterally within the container tolerances, in such a manner
that the cylinder-shaped widened region is disposed above the
broader region of the slot-shaped opening, can be introduced into
this region, and then can be pushed in the direction of the
narrower opening slot, so that the crosspiece is positioned in the
narrower opening slot.
[0017] Another alternative provides that the hinge part disposed in
the floor region is a hollow profile that is rectangular in
cross-section. In the top of the hinge part, facing away from the
floor region, there is a slot-shaped opening having the edges which
are shaped in approximately a right angle, in funnel shape, upward,
and form elastic tongues. The hinge part on the side wall consists
of a roller-shaped region connected with the side wall by way of a
crosspiece. The diameter of the roller-shaped part is slightly
greater than the projection of the slot-like, funnel-shaped
opening.
[0018] By means of the funnel-shaped and elastic configuration of
the introduction slot, the side wall can be inserted entirely
without problems, or removed from the container composite,
respectively. The roller-shaped region can be engaged into the
floor-side hinge part with very little expenditure of force, or
pulled out of it, respectively.
[0019] The floor part may be configured in a pallet-like manner, so
that the large container according to the invention can easily be
transported or moved by means of forklifts or lifting trucks.
[0020] The container can also be configured so that partial regions
that can be folded down outward, in the direction of the floor
region, are provided in the side walls.
[0021] For the protection of objects packed into the container, and
also for the protection of the collapsed container in and of
itself, the container can be closed off by a lid, both in the
assembled and in the collapsed state.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Other objects and features of the present invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description considered
in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be
understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an
illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the
invention.
[0023] In the drawings, wherein similar reference characters denote
similar elements throughout the several views:
[0024] FIG. 1 shows a large container in the assembled state, in a
perspective view;
[0025] FIG. 2 shows a large container according to FIG. 1, with the
removable side wall folded down;
[0026] FIG. 3 shows a large container according to FIG. 1, with a
disassembled side wall;
[0027] FIG. 4 shows a large container according to FIG. 1, with a
removed side wall;
[0028] FIG. 5 shows a first alternative of a hinge design for the
removable side wall;
[0029] FIGS. 6a to c show a second alternative of the hinge region
of the removable side wall;
[0030] FIGS. 7a to c show a third alternative of the hinge
region;
[0031] FIGS. 8a to c show a fourth alternative of the hinge
region;
[0032] FIGS. 9a to c show a fifth alternative of the hinge
region;
[0033] FIG. 10 shows a large container according to FIG. 1, in the
collapsed state; and
[0034] FIG. 11 shows a cover for use with the container according
to FIG. 1
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0035] Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 to 4 and 10
show a large container made of plastic, generally referred to with
the reference symbol 1. It consists of a floor region 2 and side
walls 3 and 4 that rise vertically from floor region 2. Side walls
3 represent the lengthwise side walls and side walls 4 represent
crosswise side walls.
[0036] Side walls 3 and 4 can be connected with one another in the
upper edge region by means of suitable locking devices 5, which are
known. In the floor region, side walls 3 and 4 are configured so
that they can be collapsed towards one another, into the interior
of the container, by hinges not shown in greater detail. This state
is shown in FIG. 10.
[0037] In the present exemplary embodiment, a pallet-like base 6 is
integrated into floor region 2, so that large container 1 can
easily be moved by a forklift or lifting truck.
[0038] One of the crosswise side walls 4 can be removed from the
container composite, as shown in FIGS. 2 to 4.
[0039] FIG. 2 shows that the upper edge connection to the
lengthwise side walls 3 has been released, and the side wall 4 is
tilted into the interior of the container 1 by a slight angle.
[0040] FIG. 3 shows that the crosswise side wall 4 is separated
from floor region 2, while FIG. 4 shows the state in which
crosswise side wall 4 has been completely removed, and therefore
the interior of container 1 is freely accessible from this
side.
[0041] In side walls 3, 4, partial regions 24 can be folded down to
the outside, in the direction of floor 2.
[0042] The hinge configurations of the removable crosswise side
wall 4 are shown in FIGS. 3 to 9.
[0043] FIG. 5 shows a hinge geometry as is evident from FIGS. 2 and
3.
[0044] Hinge part 7, disposed in floor region 2, is configured like
a bearing shell and has an arc-shaped cross-section, in which the
arc is greater than 180.degree.. Hinge part 8 disposed on crosswise
side wall 4 has axle stumps that are configured to be complementary
to the arc-shaped configuration of hinge part 7. In other words,
here, too, an arc-shaped cross-sectional surface having a flattened
region 9 is provided.
[0045] In the vertical state of the crosswise side wall 4 as shown,
the opening width of the arc opening is less than the diameter of
the arc of the axle stump 8.
[0046] In the state of crosswise side wall 4 shown in FIG. 2, in
which it is tilted into the interior of the container by a slight
angle, flattened region 9 of axle stump 8 stands perpendicular, so
that the axle stump can be pulled out through the arc opening.
[0047] An alternative embodiment of the hinge region is shown in
FIGS. 6a to 6c.
[0048] Here, floor-side hinge part 7 is a rectangular hollow
profile, in the top 10 of which, facing away from the floor, a
slot-shaped opening 11 is provided.
[0049] Hinge part 12 situated on crosswise side wall 4 is
configured in L shape, in such a manner that crosswise shank 13 of
the L approximately agrees with the width of slot-shaped opening
11.
[0050] FIG. 6b shows the state in which the crosswise side wall 4
has been brought into the disassembly position.
[0051] In FIG. 6c, crosswise side wall 4 has been lifted out of
floor-side hinge part 7.
[0052] FIGS. 7a to 7c show a third embodiment of the invention.
Here again, floor-side hinge part 7 is a rectangular hollow profile
having a slot-shaped opening 11 disposed in its top 10.
[0053] In this case, the hinge part disposed on crosswise side wall
4 is a bead-like thickened region 15 molded onto the underside of
crosswise side wall 4 by means of a crosspiece 14, which thickened
region has a minimal and a maximal diameter, in such a manner that
the maximal diameter is greater than the width of the opening slot
11, and the minimal diameter is smaller than the diameter of
opening slot 11. Thus, the bead-like thickened region 15 can easily
be introduced into lower hinge part 7, through slot 11, in a
certain position, and, since the bead-like thickened region has a
slight crosswise inclination, it cannot exit from slot 11 in the
vertical state of crosswise side wall 4.
[0054] Another embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 8a to
8c.
[0055] Here, floor-side hinge part 7 again is a rectangular hollow
profile, in the top 10 of which slot-shaped openings 16 are
provided, which consist, in each instance, of a narrower region 17
and a wider region 18. Cylinder-shaped thickened regions 19 are
disposed on the underside of crosswise wall 4 by way of a
cross-piece; the diameter of these regions approximately
corresponds to the width of region 18, while the width of the
crosspiece approximately corresponds to the width of region 17.
[0056] In FIG. 8a, crosswise side wall 4 is positioned in such a
manner that cylinder-shaped widened regions 19 are disposed
directly above regions 18.
[0057] In FIG. 8b, cylinder-shaped widened regions 19 are dipped
into regions 18, and in FIG. 8c, crosswise side wall 4 is shown in
the assembled position, after crosswise side wall 4 has been pushed
in the direction of narrower slot region 17.
[0058] Another embodiment is shown in FIGS. 9a to 9c, in which
floor-side hinge part 7 again is a rectangular hollow profile.
Again, a slot-shaped opening 11 is provided in top 10 of the
profile, but the edges of the opening are shaped about 90.degree.
upward, and form a funnel-shaped opening 21.
[0059] The hinge part situated on crosswise side wall 4 consists of
a crosspiece-shaped region 22, onto which a roller-shaped region 23
is formed.
[0060] In this connection, the diameter of roller-shaped region 23
is greater than the clear width of opening slot 11.
[0061] The erect ends 20 are configured to be elastic, so that
roller-shaped part 23 can easily be pulled out of floor-side hinge
part 7, or inserted into it, by means of slight pressure or
tension, respectively.
[0062] As shown in FIG. 11, the invention can also include a cover
50 for protecting the contents of container 1. Cover 50 can be
placed on top of the top edges of walls 2-5 to enclose container
1.
[0063] Accordingly, while only a few embodiments of the present
invention have been shown and described, it is obvious that many
changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention.
* * * * *