U.S. patent application number 15/183921 was filed with the patent office on 2017-05-18 for folding container.
This patent application is currently assigned to INPACK GLOBAL CO., LTD.. The applicant listed for this patent is INPACK GLOBAL CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Yeong-Seok PARK.
Application Number | 20170137175 15/183921 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 58691361 |
Filed Date | 2017-05-18 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170137175 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
PARK; Yeong-Seok |
May 18, 2017 |
FOLDING CONTAINER
Abstract
A folding container includes: a bottom frame panel having a
bottom panel, a left support, a right support, a front support, and
a rear support; a left side frame panel and a right side frame
panel each having a first side panel, a first upper outer frame, a
first lower outer frame, and first side outer frames; and a front
frame panel and a rear frame panel each having a second side panel,
a second upper outer frame, a second lower outer frame, and second
side outer frames.
Inventors: |
PARK; Yeong-Seok;
(Changwon-si, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INPACK GLOBAL CO., LTD. |
Gimhae-si |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
INPACK GLOBAL CO., LTD.
Gimhae-si
KR
|
Family ID: |
58691361 |
Appl. No.: |
15/183921 |
Filed: |
June 16, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 25/30 20130101;
B65D 11/1833 20130101; B65D 21/086 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 21/08 20060101
B65D021/08; B65D 25/30 20060101 B65D025/30 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 17, 2015 |
KR |
10-2015-0161429 |
May 11, 2016 |
KR |
10-2016-0057423 |
Claims
1. A folding container, comprising: a bottom frame panel having: a
bottom panel; a left support and a right support erected at left
and right edges of the bottom panel, respectively, and each having
a plurality of side frame panel-coupling portions at upper edges;
and a front support and a rear support erected at front and rear
edges, respectively, and each having a plurality of front/rear
frame panel-coupling portions; a left side frame panel and a right
side frame panel each having: a first side panel; a first upper
outer frame; a first lower outer frame having a plurality of first
support-coupling portions protruding downward and rotatably fitted
in the side frame panel-coupling portions; and first side outer
frames each having a plurality of frame panel-coupling projections,
the frames being disposed at four edges of the first side panel;
and a front frame panel and a rear frame panel each having: a
second side panel; a second upper outer frame; a second lower outer
frame having a plurality of support-coupling portions protruding
downward and rotatably fitted in the front/rear frame
panel-coupling portions; and second side outer frames each having a
plurality of frame panel-coupling holes for fitting the frame
panel-coupling projections, the frames being disposed at four edges
of the second side panel.
2. The folding container of claim 1, wherein the side frame
panel-coupling portion has a pair of first horizontal coupling
projection-holding steps, a pair of first vertical coupling
projection-holding steps, and a pair of coupling projection-holding
grooves, the front/rear frame panel-coupling portion has a pair of
second horizontal coupling projection-holding steps, a pair of
second vertical coupling projection-holding steps, and a pair of
second coupling portion-holding grooves, the first support-coupling
portion has a pair of first support-coupling projections, and the
second support-coupling portion has a pair of second
support-coupling projections.
3. The folding container of claim 2, wherein the front/rear frame
panel-coupling portion further has a support-fixing projection hole
and a coupling portion-supporting projection, and the second
support-coupling portion has a support-fixing projection fitted in
the support-fixing projection hole and a coupling
portion-supporting projection hole for fitting the coupling
portion-supporting projection.
4. The folding container of claim 1, wherein the front support and
the rear support each further have a plurality of front/rear frame
panel-guiding/supporting portions on an upper edge, and the front
frame panel and the rear frame panel each have guiding/supporting
projections that are erected in the front/rear frame
panel-guiding/supporting portions by rotating.
5. The folding container of claim 4, wherein the front/rear frame
panel-guiding/supporting portions each have a guiding/supporting
projection groove, a pair of side extensions, and a guide slope,
and the guiding-supporting projection has a pair of side extensions
extending outward.
6. The folding container of claim 1, wherein the first upper outer
frame has two frame panel-fixing member seats formed in the
horizontal direction therein to correspond to each other, and frame
panel-fixing members for fixing the left side and right side frame
panels to the front and rear frame panels.
7. The folding container of claim 6, wherein the frame panel-fixing
member has a fixing bar, a handle formed at a first end of the
fixing bar, elastic portions formed ahead of the handle, a guide
formed ahead of the elastic portions, a stopper formed ahead of the
guide, and a fixing end at a second end of the fixing bar, the
first side outer frames each have a fixing-end hole, the frame
panel-fixing member seat has frame panel-fixing member grooves, two
ribs having a fixing-bar hole, a handle holder, and a stopper hole,
and the second side outer frame has fixing-end holes for fitting
the fixing ends.
Description
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] The present application claims priority to Korean Patent
Application No. 10-2015-0161429, filed Nov. 17, 2015, and No.
10-2016-0057423, filed May 11, 2016, the entire contents of which
is incorporated herein for all purposes by this reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a folding container and,
more particularly, to a folding container that accommodates
articles or objects with the top open and can be folded to be
stowed or carried when it is not used to accommodate articles or
objects.
[0004] Description of the Related Art
[0005] Recently, packaging boxes for keeping and carrying articles
have been extensively used with an increase in delivery commerce,
and accordingly, a demand for packaging boxes that can be recycled
at a low cost has increased. A folding container has the advantage
that it is possible to reduce costs for storing and keeping the
container by reducing the volume thereof when storing the container
after it is used for keeping and carrying articles.
[0006] As an example of such folding container in the related art,
there are Korean Utility Model No. KR 20-0148319, titled
"Collapsible transport box" and Korean Patent No. KR 10-1265724,
titled "Folding type packing box".
[0007] The prior art documents propose folding boxes composed of a
bottom plate, and front and rear plates and side plates connected
to the edges of the bottom plate. However, it is required to
completely separate or unfold the bottom plate, front and rear
plate, and side plates in order to store the boxes, so a problem
may be caused with the durability of the boxes or the boxes may
break when carrying heavy objects, such as liquids. Further, there
is another problem that it takes many steps and much time to
assemble and dissemble the boxes.
[0008] In order to allow for easy assembly and disassembly and
ensure strength of front and rear plates and side plates by solving
these problems, there have been proposed a "Foldable packaging box
for transporting cargo" in Korean Patent No. 10-1427699 and a
"Reusable packaging box" in Korean Patent Application Publication
No. 10-2013-0119344.
[0009] However, there is still a problem that it is required to
separate bottom plates and side plates in order to restore those
boxes and it is also required to fasten covers and members using
bands.
[0010] The foregoing is intended merely to aid in the understanding
of the background of the present invention, and is not intended to
mean that the present invention falls within the purview of the
related art that is already known to those skilled in the art.
DOCUMENTS OF RELATED ART
[0011] (Patent Document 1) KR 20-0148319 (Y1), "Collapsible
transport box"
[0012] (Patent Document 2) KR 10-1265724 (B1), "Folding type
packing box"
[0013] (Patent Document 3) KR 10-1427699 (B1), "Foldable packaging
box for transporting cargo"
[0014] (Patent Document 4) KR 10-2013-0119344 (A), "Reusable
packaging box"
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] The present invention has been made in an effort to solve
the problems and an object of the present invention is to provide a
folding container that can be easily folded without separating a
bottom plate and side plates to minimize the volume thereof for
storage, and that can be easily and firmly reassembled in a
container shape in order to keep and carry articles.
[0016] Another object of the present invention is to provide a
folding container that is strong enough for resisting various loads
by having strong couplers coupling a bottom plate and side
plates.
[0017] In order to achieve the above object, according to one
aspect of the present invention, there is provided a folding
container that includes: a bottom frame panel having a bottom
panel, a left support and a right support erected at left and right
edges of the bottom panel, respectively, and each having a
plurality of side frame panel-coupling portions at upper edges, and
a front support and a rear support erected at front and rear edges,
respectively, and each having a plurality of front/rear frame
panel-coupling portions; a left side frame panel and a right side
frame panel each having a first side panel, a first upper outer
frame, a first lower outer frame having a plurality of first
support-coupling portions protruding downward and rotatably fitted
in the side frame panel-coupling portions, and first side outer
frames each having a plurality of frame panel-coupling projections,
the frames being disposed at four edges of the first side panel;
and a front frame panel and a rear frame panel each having a second
side panel, a second upper outer frame, a second lower outer frame
having a plurality of support-coupling portions protruding downward
and rotatably fitted in the front/rear frame panel-coupling
portions, and second side outer frames each having a plurality of
frame panel-coupling holes for fitting the frame panel-coupling
projections, the frames being disposed at four edges of the second
side panel.
[0018] The side frame panel-coupling portion may have a pair of
first horizontal coupling projection-holding steps, a pair of first
vertical coupling projection-holding steps, and a pair of coupling
projection-holding grooves, the front/rear frame panel-coupling
portion may have a pair of second horizontal coupling
projection-holding steps, a pair of second vertical coupling
projection-holding steps, and a pair of second coupling
portion-holding grooves, the first support-coupling portion may
have a pair of first support-coupling projections, and the second
support-coupling portion may have a pair of second support-coupling
projections.
[0019] The front/rear frame panel-coupling portion may further have
a support-fixing projection hole and a coupling portion-supporting
projection, and the second support-coupling portion may have a
support-fixing projection fitted in the support-fixing projection
hole and a coupling portion-supporting projection hole for fitting
the coupling portion-supporting projection.
[0020] The front support and the rear support each may further have
a plurality of front/rear frame panel-guiding/supporting portions
on an upper edge, and the front frame panel and the rear frame
panel each may have guiding/supporting projections that are erected
in the front/rear frame panel-guiding/supporting portions by
rotating.
[0021] The front/rear frame panel-guiding/supporting portions each
may have a guiding/supporting projection groove, a pair of side
extensions, and a guide slope, and the guiding-supporting
projection may have a pair of side extensions extending
outward.
[0022] The first upper outer frame may have two frame panel-fixing
member seats formed in the horizontal direction therein to
correspond to each other, and frame panel-fixing members for fixing
the left side and right side frame panels to the front and rear
frame panels.
[0023] The frame panel-fixing member may have a fixing bar, a
handle formed at a first end of the fixing bar, elastic portions
formed ahead of the handle, a guide formed ahead of the elastic
portions, a stopper formed ahead of the guide, and a fixing end at
a second end of the fixing bar, the first side outer frames each
may have a fixing-end hole, the frame panel-fixing member seat may
have frame panel-fixing member grooves, two ribs having a
fixing-bar hole, a handle holder, and a stopper hole, and the
second side outer frame may have fixing-end holes for fitting the
fixing ends.
[0024] According to the folding container of the present invention,
the bottom frame panel and the side frame panel are coupled in a
structure in which they can be rotated for restoring the container
and are difficult to separate, so there is no concern about loss
due to separation and the folding container can be carried and kept
with the minimum volume.
[0025] Further, according to the folding container of the present
invention, it is possible to easily fold or unfold and fix the
front and rear frame panels and the side frame panels with respect
to the bottom frame panel, using the support-coupling portions and
the frame panel-coupling projections that can be rotated.
[0026] Further, according to the folding container of the present
invention, the guiding/supporting projections and the frame
panel-fixing members are additionally provided other than the
support-coupling portions, so they interactively couple and fix the
bottom frame panel, the side frame panels, and the front and rear
frame panels. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the folding
container from breaking or separating even by various external
shocks that are applied when articles are kept of carried.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] The above and other objects, features and other advantages
of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the
following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings, in which:
[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 are exploded and assembled perspective views
of a folding container according to an embodiment of the present
invention, respectively;
[0029] FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective and front views of a side
frame panel that is a main part of a folding container according to
an embodiment of the present invention, respectively;
[0030] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a frame panel-fixing member
that is a main part of a folding container according to an
embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective and front views of front and
rear frame panels that are main parts of a folding container
according to an embodiment of the present invention,
respectively;
[0032] FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a side frame panel-coupling
portion indicated by `A` in FIG. 1;
[0033] FIGS. 9 and 10 are views showing a side frame panel coupled
to the side frame panel-coupling portion shown in FIG. 8 in an
unfolded state and a folded state, respectively;
[0034] FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a front/rear frame
panel-coupling portion indicated by `B` in FIG. 1;
[0035] FIG. 12 is a front/rear frame panel coupled to the
front/rear coupling portion shown in FIG. 11 in an unfolded
state;
[0036] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D' of
FIG. 12;
[0037] FIG. 14 is a front/rear frame panel coupled to the
front/rear coupling portion shown in FIG. 11 in a folded state;
[0038] FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a front/rear frame
panel-guiding/supporting portion indicated by `C` in FIG. 1;
[0039] FIGS. 16 and 17 are respectively a perspective view and a
front view of a guiding/supporting projection guided and supported
in the front/rear frame panel-guiding/supporting portion shown in
FIG. 15;
[0040] FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along line E-E' of
FIG. 17;
[0041] FIGS. 19 and 20 are respectively a perspective view and a
front view showing main parts of a folding container according to
an embodiment of the present invention when elasticity is applied
to elastic portions of a frame panel-fixing member;
[0042] FIGS. 21 and 22 are respectively a perspective view and a
front view showing main parts of a folding container according to
an embodiment of the present invention when elasticity applied to
elastic portions of a frame panel-fixing member is removed and a
front/rear frame panel and a side frame panel are coupled;
[0043] FIG. 23 is view showing a folding container according to an
embodiment of the present invention when a right frame panel is
folded over a bottom frame panel so that volume is reduced to
restore the container;
[0044] FIG. 24 is a view showing a folding container according to
an embodiment of the present invention when a left frame panel is
folded over the right frame panel shown in FIG. 23;
[0045] FIG. 25 is a view showing a folding container according to
an embodiment of the present invention when a front frame panel is
folded over the left frame panel shown in FIG. 24;
[0046] FIG. 26 is a view showing a folding container according to
an embodiment of the present invention when a rear frame panel is
folded over the left frame panel shown in FIG. 25;
[0047] FIG. 27 is a view showing folding containers according to an
embodiment of the present invention that are unfolded and stacked;
and
[0048] FIG. 28 is a view showing folding containers according to an
embodiment of the present invention that are folded and
stacked.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0049] The details for implementing the present invention are
included in the following detailed description and the accompanying
drawings.
[0050] The advantages and features of the present invention, and
methods of achieving them will be clear by referring to the
exemplary embodiments that will be describe hereafter in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the present
invention is not limited to exemplary embodiments disclosed herein
but may be implemented in various different forms. The exemplary
embodiments are provided for making the disclosure of the present
invention thorough and for fully conveying the scope of the present
invention to those skilled in the art. It is to be noted that the
scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims.
[0051] Like reference numerals denote like elements throughout the
descriptions. Following embodiments of the present invention will
be described in detail with reference to perspective views, front
views, enlarge views, state views, and cross-sectional views.
[0052] Hereinafter, the configuration and the use of a folding
container according to an embodiment of the present invention are
described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 28.
[0053] First, the configuration of a folding container according to
an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 1 to 18.
[0054] FIGS. 1 and 2 are exploded and assembled perspective views
of a folding container according to an embodiment of the present
invention, respectively; FIGS. 3 and 4 are perspective and front
views of a side frame panel that is a main part of a folding
container according to an embodiment of the present invention,
respectively; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a frame panel-fixing
member that is a main part of a folding container according to an
embodiment of the present invention; FIGS. 6 and 7 are perspective
and front views of front and rear frame panels that are main parts
of a folding container according to an embodiment of the present
invention, respectively; FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a side frame
panel-coupling portion indicated by `A` in FIG. 1; FIGS. 9 and 10
are views showing a side frame panel coupled to the side frame
panel-coupling portion shown in FIG. 8 in an unfolded state and a
folded state, respectively; FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of a
front/rear frame panel-coupling portion indicated by `B` in FIG. 1;
FIG. 12 is a front/rear frame panel coupled to the front/rear
coupling portion shown in FIG. 11 in an unfolded state; FIG. 13 is
a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D' of FIG. 12; FIG. 14 is
a front/rear frame panel coupled to the front/rear coupling portion
shown in FIG. in a folded state; FIG. 15 is an enlarged view of a
front/rear frame panel-guiding/supporting portion indicated by `C`
in FIG. 1; FIGS. 16 and 17 are respectively a perspective view and
a front view of a guiding/supporting projection guided and
supported in the front/rear frame panel-guiding/supporting portion
shown in FIG. 15; and FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view taken along
line E-E' of FIG. 17.
[0055] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 18, a folding container 1 according
to an embodiment of the present invention, which is a box with the
top open, includes a bottom frame panel 10, a left side frame panel
200, a right side frame panel 201, a front frame panel 300, a rear
frame panel 301, and frame panel fixing-members 500.
[0056] The bottom frame panel 100 includes a bottom panel 110 and
supports 120 vertically protruding form four edges of the bottom
panel 110.
[0057] The bottom panel 110 is a flat plate made of strong
synthetic resin and has holes 112 formed in a specific pattern in
consideration of the design and weight reduction requirements. The
bottom 110 may have frame panel edges that are the same as outer
frames 210, 230, 310, and 330 of left and right side frame panels
200 and 201 and front and rear frame panels 300 and 301, main
support frames 250 and 350, and assistant support frames 255 and
355 in order to enhance strength.
[0058] The supports 120 may be integrally made of synthetic resin
having the same strength as the bottom panel 100 by injection
molding to ensure strength and the ability to support the entire
container. The supports 120 includes a left support 122 and a right
support 124 vertically erected at the left and right edges of the
bottom panel 110 and a front panel 125 and a rear panel 126 erected
at the front and rear edges higher than the left and right supports
122 and 124. The supports 120 make a space that can accommodate the
left and right frame panels 200 and 201 and the front and rear
frame panels 300 and 301 when they are folded on the bottom frame
panel 100. That is, the front and rear supports 125 and 126 are
higher than the left and right supports 122 and 124, and the front
and rear frame panels 300 and 301 can be stably folded over the
left and right frame panels 200 and 201 that are folded first
without interfering with each other.
[0059] Unlike the embodiment of the present invention, it may be
possible to fold the front and rear frame panels 300 and 301 first
over the bottom frame panel 100 and then fold the left and right
frame panels 200 and 201 over the front and rear frame panels 300
and 301 by making the left and right supports 122 and 124 higher
than the front and rear supports 125 and 126.
[0060] The left support 122 and the right support 124, as shown in
FIGS. 1 and 8, have a plurality of side frame panel-coupling
portions 123 arranged with predetermined intervals at the upper
edges.
[0061] The side frame panel-coupling portions 123 each have a pair
of left and right horizontal coupling projection-holding steps
123a, vertical coupling projection-holding steps 123b, and coupling
projection-holding grooves 123c.
[0062] The coupling projection-holding grooves 123c are
orthogonally formed such that predetermined acute angles .theta.1
and .theta.2 are made from the vertical and horizontal directions
of the side frame panel-coupling portion 123.
[0063] A plurality of front/rear frame panel-coupling portions 127
and front/rear frame pane-guiding/supporting portions 128 are
formed with predetermined intervals at the upper edges of the front
support 122 and the rear support 124.
[0064] The front/rear frame panel-coupling portions 127 has, as
shown in FIG. 11, a pair of left and right horizontal coupling
projection-holding steps 127a, vertical coupling projection-holding
steps 127b, and coupling projection-holding grooves 127c, in which
a support-fixing projection hole 127d is formed at the center
portion and a coupling portion-supporting projection 127e is formed
at the upper center portion.
[0065] The coupling projection-holding grooves 127c are also
orthogonally formed such that predetermined acute angles are made
from the vertical and horizontal directions of the front/rear frame
panel-coupling portion 127.
[0066] The front/rear frame pane-guiding/supporting portion 128
has, as shown in FIG. 15, a guiding/supporting projection groove
128a, a pair of left and right side extensions 128b, and a guide
slope 128c.
[0067] As shown in FIGS. 16 to 18, the guiding/supporting
projection grooves 128a are portions where guiding/supporting
projections 380, which are formed with predetermined intervals at
the lower edges of the front frame panel 300 and the rear frame
panel 301, are fitted after sliding on the guide slopes 128c when
the front frame 300 and the rear frame 301 that have been folded
are unfolded. The side extension 128a protruding inward inside the
guiding/supporting projection groove 128a elastically hold side
extensions 382 at both sides of the guiding/supporting projection
380 when the guiding/supporting projection 380 is fitted in the
guiding/supporting projection groove 128a.
[0068] The left side frame panel 200 and the right side frame panel
201, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, each include a side panel 260, and
an upper outer frame 210, a lower outer frame 230, and side outer
frames 240 at four edges of the side panel 260. Further, the left
side frame panel 200 and the right side frame panel 201 each
further have a main support frame 250, which has a longitudinal
support frame 252 and a transverse support frame 254 for enhancing
strength and supporting force, and assistant frames 255
orthogonally connected to the longitudinal support frame 252 and
the transverse support frame 254 inside the outer frames, thereby
more strongly supporting the side panel 260.
[0069] The side panel 260 may be made of strong synthetic resin and
may have holes 262 formed in a specific pattern in consideration of
the design and weight reduction. The frames 210, 230, 240, 250, and
255 may also be integrally made of the same synthetic resin as the
side panel 260 in consideration of easy manufacturing and the
strength.
[0070] The upper outer frame 210 has two frame panel-fixing member
seats 220 that are longitudinally formed.
[0071] The frame panel-fixing member seats 220 each have frame
panel-fixing member grooves 222, two ribs 224 having a fixing-bar
hole 225, a handle holder 226, and a stopper hole 228.
[0072] A plurality of support-coupling portions 270 that protrudes
downward with predetermined intervals is formed on the bottom of
the lower outer frame 230.
[0073] The support-coupling portions 270 each have a pair of
support-coupling projections 272 protruding to both sides in the
longitudinal direction of the lower outer frame 230.
[0074] The support-coupling projection 272 is fitted in the side
frame panel-coupling portion 123 along the coupling
projection-holding grooves 123c orthogonally formed to make the
acute angles .theta.1 and .theta.2 from the vertical and horizontal
directions of the side frame panel-coupling portion 123 such that
it can rotate at a predetermined angle. Accordingly, the
support-coupling projections 272, the left support 122, and the
right support 124 are coupled. Therefore, the side frame panels 200
and 201 can rotate at a predetermined angle with respect to the
bottom panel frame 100, so they can be folded and unfolded, as
shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. Accordingly, when the left side frame
panel 200 and the right side frame panel 201 are folded or unfolded
with respect to the bottom frame panel 100, they are locked by the
vertical coupling projection-holding steps 123b and the left and
right horizontal coupling projection-holding steps 123a, so the
support-coupling projections 272 can be prevented from separating
out of the side frame panel-coupling portions 123.
[0075] The side outer frames 240 have a fixing-end hole 246 formed
at an upper portion in parallel with the side panel 260 and a
plurality of frame panel-coupling projections 242 protruding inward
perpendicular to the side panel 260.
[0076] The front frame panel 300 and the rear frame panel 301, as
shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, each include a front/rear panel 360, and an
upper outer frame 310, a lower outer frame 330, and side outer
frames 340 at four edges of the front/rear panel 360. Further, the
front frame panel 300 and the rear frame panel 301 each further
have a main support frame 352, which has a longitudinal support
frame 354 and a transverse support frame 352 for enhancing strength
and supporting force, and assistant frames 354 orthogonally
connected to the longitudinal support frame 350 and the transverse
support frame 355 inside the outer frames, thereby more strongly
supporting the front/rear panel 360.
[0077] The front/rear panel 360 is made of strong synthetic resin
and has holes 362 formed in a specific pattern in consideration of
the design and weight reduction. The frames 310, 330, 340, 350, and
355 may also be integrally made of the same synthetic resin as the
front/rear panel 360.
[0078] The upper outer frame 310 has a handle hole 390 for easily
carrying the folding container.
[0079] A plurality of support-coupling portions 370 and the
guiding/supporting projections 380 that protrude downward with
predetermined intervals, respectively, are formed on the bottom of
the lower outer frame 330.
[0080] The support-coupling portions 370 each have a pair of
support-coupling projections 372 protruding to both sides in the
longitudinal direction of the lower outer frame 330, a
support-fixing projection 374 protruding rearward, and a coupling
portion-supporting projection hole 376 formed in the rear side.
[0081] The support-coupling projection 372 is fitted in the
front/rear frame panel-coupling portion 127 along the coupling
projection-holding grooves 127c orthogonally formed to make the
acute angles from the vertical and horizontal directions of the
front/rear frame panel-coupling portion 127 such that it can rotate
at a predetermined angle. Accordingly, the support-coupling
portions 370, the front support 125, and the rear support 126 are
coupled. Therefore, the front and rear frame panels 300 and 301 can
rotate at a predetermined angle with respect to the bottom panel
frame 100, so they can be folded and unfolded, as shown in FIGS. 12
to 14. Accordingly, when the front frame panel 300 and the rear
frame panel 301 is folded or unfolded with respect to the bottom
frame panel 100, they are locked by the vertical coupling
projection-holding steps 123b and the left and right horizontal
coupling projection-holding steps 127a, so the support-coupling
projections 372 can be prevented from separating out of the
front/rear frame panel-coupling portions 127.
[0082] The support-fixing projections 374 are fitted in the
support-fixing projection holes 127d when the front frame panel 300
and the rear frame panel 301 are unfolded perpendicularly to the
bottom frame panel 100. The coupling portion-supporting projection
holes 376 retain the coupling portion-supporting projections 127e.
By these two additional fitting mechanisms, the front frame panel
300 and the rear frame panel 301 are more strongly fixed and
supported when they are erected on the front support 125 and the
rear support 126, respectively.
[0083] The side outer frames 340 have a plurality of frame
panel-coupling holes 342 formed with predetermined intervals in
parallel with the front/rear panel 360 to receive the frame
panel-coupling projections 342, and fixing-end holes 345 formed
inward perpendicular to the front/rear panel 360.
[0084] On the other hand, unlike this embodiment, the frame
panel-coupling projections 242 and the frame panel-coupling
projections 342 may be switched, that is, may be formed at the
front and rear frame panels 300 and 301 and the left and right side
frame panels 200 and 201, respectively, which is included in the
scope of the present invention.
[0085] The guiding/supporting protrusions 380 each have side
extensions 382 at both sides. The guiding/supporting protrusions
380 slide on the guide slopes 128c and are fitted into the
front/rear frame panel-guiding/supporting portions 128 when the
front frame panel 300 and the rear frame panel 301 that have been
folded are unfolded, as shown in FIGS. 16 to 18. The side
extensions 128a are elastically fitted between the left and right
extensions 128b extending inward inside the guiding/supporting
projection grooves 128a when the guiding/supporting projection 380
is fitted in the guiding/supporting projection groove 128a
Accordingly, the front frame panel 300 and the rear frame panel 301
can be more strongly fixed and supported vertically on the front
support 125 and the rear support 126 when they are unfolded by the
front/rear frame panel-guiding/supporting portions 128.
[0086] The frame panel-fixing member 500 has a fixing bars 505
having a predetermined length, a handle 510 at a first end of the
fixing bar 505, a pair of elastic portions 520 formed ahead of the
handle 510, a guide 550 formed ahead of the elastic portions 520, a
stopper 530 formed ahead of the guide 550, and a fixing end 540 at
a second end of the fixing bar 505.
[0087] The frame panel-fixing member 500 is inserted in the frame
panel-fixing member seat 220. As for a way of fitting the frame
panel-fixing member 500, the frame panel-fixing member 550 is put
into the frame panel-fixing member groove 222. Next, the fixing end
540 is sequentially put through the fixing-bar holes 225 formed
through the two ribs 240 and then keeps pushed forward until the
stopper 530 is locked to the stopper hole 228. When the front end
of the stopper 530 is locked to the stopper hole 228, the fixing
end 540 protrudes outward through the fixing-end hole 246 and the
guide 550 and the elastic portions are partially inserted in the
fixing-bar holes 225 of the ribs. In this state, the handle 510 is
positioned at a predetermined distance from the handle holder
226.
[0088] The elastic portions 520 protrude up and down on the fixing
bar 505 in an elliptical shape elongated toward the fixing end 540.
When the fixing bar 505 is moved rearward and the handle 510 is
blocked by the handle holder 226 by pulling the handle 510, the
elastic portions 520 are locked to the upper and rear ribs 224
having the fixing-bar hole 225 and, compressed and vertically
expanded, so the elastic portions 520 have elasticity for returning
to the original shape. Accordingly, when the handle 510 is
released, the fixing bar 505 is returned until the stopper 530 is
moved toward and blocked by the stopper hole 228 by the elasticity.
On the other hand, unlike this embodiment, the elastic portions 520
may be straight bars extending at an acute angle with respect to
the fixing end 540 on the upper and lower surfaces of the fixing
bar 505 or may protrude in a circular shape instead of an
elliptical shape.
[0089] The guide 550 guides the fixing bar 505 that is moved
forward and rearward by moving through the fixing-bar holes
225.
[0090] The fixing end 540 is contracted in the fixing-end hole 246
when the fixing bar 505 is moved rearward, and when the fixing bar
505 is moved forward, the fixing end 540 comes out of the
fixing-end hole 246 and is fitted into the fixing-end hole 345.
Accordingly, the side frame panels 200 and 201 and the front and
rear frame panels 300 and 301 are more strongly supported by each
other when they are unfolded.
[0091] The fixing end 540 may be formed not perpendicularly, but
orthogonally to the longitudinal axis of the fixing bar 505 to be
easily fitted into the fixing-end hole 345.
[0092] Hereinafter, the use of the folding container 1 according to
an embodiment of the present invention is described in detail with
reference to FIGS. 19 to 28.
[0093] FIGS. 19 and 20 are respectively a perspective view and a
front view showing main parts of a folding container according to
an embodiment of the present invention when elasticity is applied
to elastic portions of a frame panel-fixing member; FIGS. 21 and 22
are respectively a perspective view and a front view showing main
parts of a folding container according to an embodiment of the
present invention when elasticity applied to elastic portions of a
frame panel-fixing member is removed and a front/rear frame panel
and a side frame panel are coupled; FIG. is view showing a folding
container according to an embodiment of the present invention when
a right frame panel is folded over a bottom frame panel so that
volume is reduced to restore the container; FIG. 24 is a view
showing a folding container according to an embodiment of the
present invention when a left frame panel is folded over the right
frame panel shown in FIG. 23; FIG. 25 is a view showing a folding
container according to an embodiment of the present invention when
a front frame panel is folded over the left frame panel shown in
FIG. 24; FIG. 26 is a view showing a folding container according to
an embodiment of the present invention when a rear frame panel is
folded over the left frame panel shown in FIG. 25; FIG. 27 is a
view showing folding containers according to an embodiment of the
present invention that are unfolded and stacked; and FIG. 28 is a
view showing folding containers according to an embodiment of the
present invention that are folded and stacked.
[0094] In order to open the folding container 1 according to an
embodiment of the present invention, which is folded as shown in
FIG. 26, to keep or carry articles, first, as shown in FIG. 12, a
user erects the front and rear frame panels 300 and 301 on the
front and rear supports 125 and 126 by rotating the
support-coupling portion 370. Next, the user slowly erects the side
frame panels 200 and 201, which are folded as shown in FIGS. 19 and
20, on the left support 122 and the right support 124, as shown in
FIG. 9, by rotating the support-coupling portions 270. In this
process, the user pulls the handles 510 toward each other in the
direction of a dotted arrow using thumbs and index fingers, whereby
the fixing ends 540 are contracted into the fixing-end holes 246.
Thereafter, when the side frame panels 200 and 201 are completely
erected, the frame panel-coupling projections 242 are fitted in the
frame panel-coupling holes 342, so the side frame panels 200 and
201 and the front and rear frame panels 300 and 301 are primarily
fixed in the unfolded state. Next, when the handles 510 are
released, the frame panel-fixing members 500 are moved forward in
the direction of a straight arrow by the elasticity of the elastic
portions 520 and the fixing ends 540 are fitted into the fixing
end-coupling holes 345, so the side frame panels 200 and 201 and
the front and rear frame panels 300 and 301 are secondarily fixed
by additional force in the unfolded state.
[0095] In order to fold the unfolded folding container and reduce
the volume, as the user pulls the handles 510 toward each other,
the fixing ends 540 are contracted into the fixing end holes 246,
so the user sequentially turns and folds the side frame panels 200
and 201 over the bottom frame panel 100, as shown in FIGS. 23 and
24, and then turns and folds the front and rear frame panels 300
and 301 over the folded side frame panels 200 and 201, as shown in
FIGS. 25 and 26.
[0096] On the other hand, folding containers according to an
embodiment of the present invention can be stacked to be stowed in
the unfolded state and the folded state, as shown in FIGS. 27 and
28, so it is possible to conveniently carry and stow the folding
container in a narrow space.
[0097] Although the folding container 1 according to an embodiment
of the present invention has the front/rear frame
panel-guiding/supporting portions 128 and the frame panel-fixing
members 500, they may be selectively removed when the frame
panel-coupling projections 242 and the frame panel-coupling holes
342 are fitted to each other under a predetermined force.
[0098] Although embodiments of the present invention were described
in detail above, the scope of the present invention is not limited
to the embodiments and various changes and modifications from the
spirit of the present invention defined in the following claims by
those skilled in the art are also included in the scope of the
present invention.
[0099] According to the folding container of the present invention,
it is possible to easily and safely carry and keep various articles
and objects to be carried or kept, and when carrying or keeping is
finished, the folding container can be carried or stowed with the
volume reduced. Therefore, the folding container can be extensively
used for keeping various articles and objects.
[0100] Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has
been described for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art
will appreciate that various modifications, additions and
substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and
spirit of the invention as disclosed in the accompanying
claims.
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