U.S. patent application number 17/425651 was filed with the patent office on 2022-03-24 for foldable container including torsion bar module for collapsing side panel.
This patent application is currently assigned to KOREA PALLET POOL CO., LTD. The applicant listed for this patent is KOREA PALLET POOL CO., LTD. Invention is credited to Shin Joon KANG, Nu Ree LEE, Yong Jun LEE, Byong Yoon SUH.
Application Number | 20220089357 17/425651 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000006064889 |
Filed Date | 2022-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20220089357 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
SUH; Byong Yoon ; et
al. |
March 24, 2022 |
FOLDABLE CONTAINER INCLUDING TORSION BAR MODULE FOR COLLAPSING SIDE
PANEL
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to a foldable container including
a torsion bar module, including: first hinges (310) provided at
both outermost ends of the torsion bar module; a plurality of
torsion bars arranged between the first hinges; and a second hinge
(320) and a third hinge (330) inside the first hinges, with which
both ends of the torsion bars are coupled and arranged. The second
hinge (320) includes a second torsion bar mounting member (321) and
a second support member (323), wherein the second torsion bar
mounting member (321) receives the torsion bars to be inserted and
mounted therein from both sides and is coupled to the bottom plate,
and the second support member (323) receives the second torsion bar
mounting member (321) to be relatively rotatably coupled thereto
and is coupled to the side panel, and the third hinge (330)
includes a third torsion bar mounting member (331) and a third
support member (333), wherein the third torsion bar mounting member
(331) receives the torsion bars to be inserted and mounted therein
from both sides and is coupled to the side panel, and the third
support member (333) receives the third torsion bar mounting member
(331) to be relatively rotatably coupled thereto and is coupled to
the bottom plate.
Inventors: |
SUH; Byong Yoon; (Seoul,
KR) ; LEE; Yong Jun; (Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do,
KR) ; KANG; Shin Joon; (Osan-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR)
; LEE; Nu Ree; (Seoul, KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
KOREA PALLET POOL CO., LTD |
Seoul |
|
KR |
|
|
Assignee: |
KOREA PALLET POOL CO., LTD
Seoul
KR
|
Family ID: |
1000006064889 |
Appl. No.: |
17/425651 |
Filed: |
January 8, 2020 |
PCT Filed: |
January 8, 2020 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2020/000320 |
371 Date: |
July 23, 2021 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 88/121 20130101;
B65D 88/522 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 88/12 20060101
B65D088/12; B65D 88/52 20060101 B65D088/52 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jul 9, 2019 |
KR |
10-2019-0082884 |
Claims
1. A foldable container equipped with a torsion bar module for
folding a side panel, the container comprising: a bottom plate; a
top plate; side wall panels including a front panel, a rear panel,
and a side panel provided between the bottom plate and the top
plate, and a torsion bar module (TM) provided at a lower end to
rotate the side panel, wherein the top plate is completely
detachably coupled to the side wall panel, the torsion bar module
comprising: first hinges (310) provided at both outermost ends of
the torsion bar module; a plurality of torsion bars arranged
between the first hinges; and a second hinge (320) and a third
hinge (330) inside the first hinges, with which both ends of the
torsion bars are coupled and arranged, wherein the second hinge
(320) includes a second torsion bar mounting member (321) and a
second support member (323), wherein the second torsion bar
mounting member (321) receives the torsion bars to be inserted and
mounted therein from both sides and is coupled to the bottom plate,
and the second support member (323) receives the second torsion bar
mounting member (321) to be relatively rotatably coupled thereto
and is coupled to the side panel, and the third hinge (330)
includes a third torsion bar mounting member (331) and a third
support member (333), wherein the third torsion bar mounting member
(331) receives the torsion bars to be inserted and mounted therein
from both sides and is coupled to the side panel, and the third
support member (333), receives the third torsion bar mounting
member (331) to be relatively rotatably coupled thereto and is
coupled to the bottom plate.
2. The foldable container according to claim 1, further comprising:
a second upper connecting member (322) that couples the second
support member (323) of the second hinge to the side panel; and a
second lower connecting member (324) that couples the second
torsion bar mounting member (321) of the second hinge to the bottom
plate, wherein the second upper connecting member (322) is rotated
together with the side panel rotated in a folding process, and the
second lower connecting member (324) is coupled to the bottom plate
and not rotated in the folding process.
3. The foldable container according to claim 1, further comprising:
a third lower connecting member (334) that couples the third
support member (333) of the third hinge to the bottom plate; and a
third upper connecting member (332) that couples the third torsion
bar mounting member (331) of the third hinge to the side panel,
wherein the third upper connecting member (332) is rotated together
with the side panel rotated in a folding process, and the third
lower connecting member (334) is coupled to the bottom plate and
not rotated in the folding process.
4. The foldable container according to claim 1, wherein the
plurality of torsion bars are arranged in a line on a same axis
between the first hinges at the both outermost ends.
5. The foldable container according to claim 4, wherein four of the
torsion bars are arranged between the first hinges at the both
outermost ends.
6. The foldable container according to claim 1, wherein the second
hinge and the third hinge are inside the first hinge and
alternately arranged.
Description
BACKGROUND
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a foldable container that
can be folded by use of a torsion bar, and specifically, to a
technology for folding a container in 1/4 in a height direction by
including a torsion bar provided at a lower end of a side wall
panel of the container, and removing a top plate so as to easily
fold the side wall panel, and then re-coupling the top plate, and
more specifically, to a structure of a torsion bar under the side
panel.
Background Art
[0002] In general, a container has a shape of a large box formed of
metal plates and is mainly used for cargo transportation. Such a
container is sized according to a certain standard and is widely
used for its advantage that it not only allows ease of cargo
storage and transport, but also can protect the cargo loaded
therein. Containers are transported individually by dedicated large
cargo vehicles or transported in large quantities by a dedicated
train or a dedicated vessel. However, when transported by the modes
of transport, whether the containers are loaded with cargo or empty
without cargo therein, they occupy the same space of transport.
[0003] Therefore, when the containers without the cargo loaded
therein are transferred to another place or stored in a certain
place, the containers in their fixed volume cause a problem that
they unnecessarily occupy a large volume, thus taking a large
amount of transportation space and transportation costs. In other
words, after the containers loaded with the cargo have transported
the cargo, when they are stored or retrieved in empty state, the
containers with such invariable volume take up a large amount of
space and costs for storage and transportation.
[0004] In particular, when transferring a container using a large
cargo vehicle, since one container is mounted on one cargo vehicle
and transported, transportation efficiency may decrease and
transportation cost may greatly increase. In addition, since the
container occupies a very large amount of space, when several
containers are stacked, there is a risk of an accident due to the
height of the stacked containers.
[0005] In order to improve this, in the related art, a foldable
container that can save stacking space and can be folded for easy
and convenient transportation of empty containers has been
disclosed.
[0006] A foldable container according to the related art has been
disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-1064803, Korean
Patent Publication No. 10-1439073, and Korean Patent Publication
No. 10-1489626. Referring to these, both side plates between the
bottom plate and the roof plate are configured as an upper plate
and a bottom plate, in which the upper plate and the bottom plate,
the upper plate and the roof plate, and the bottom plate and the
bottom plate are pivotally coupled to each other by a plurality of
hinge devices so as to be folded to each other. Such a hinge device
is configured to include hinge blocks provided on each of the
plates folded to each other, and connection blocks for connecting
these hinge blocks, in which the hinge blocks and the connection
blocks are hingedly coupled through hinge pins respectively.
[0007] However, since the foldable container according to the
related art includes, for the hinge device, the hinge blocks
installed on each of the plates to be folded to each other, the
connecting blocks connecting the respective hinge blocks, and the
hinge pins that hingedly couple the respective hinge blocks and the
connecting blocks, there are shortcomings that the entire structure
of the hinge device is complex, heavy, and not easy to manufacture
and mount.
SUMMARY
Technical Problem
[0008] In order to solve the problems of the related art described
above, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a
structure that allows the side walls of a foldable container to be
easily folded by manpower.
[0009] In addition, another object of the present disclosure is to
provide a method of folding a side wall of a container while a top
plate is removed, with a structure for folding a side wall of a
container, in which the method includes placing a torsion bar at a
lower end of a side wall panel and utilizing the torque of the
torsion bar to allow the side wall to be smoothly folded.
Technical Solution
[0010] The present disclosure provides a foldable container
equipped with a torsion bar module for folding a side panel, in
which the container includes: a bottom plate; a top plate; side
wall panels including a front panel, a rear panel, and a side panel
provided between the bottom plate and the top plate, and a torsion
bar module TM provided at a lower end to rotate the side panel, in
which the top plate is completely detachably coupled to the side
wall panel,
[0011] in which the torsion bar module includes: first hinges 310
provided at both outermost ends of the torsion bar module; a
plurality of torsion bars arranged between the first hinges; and a
second hinge 320 and a third hinge 330 inside the first hinges,
with which both ends of the torsion bars are coupled and arranged.
and the second hinge 320 includes a second torsion bar mounting
member 321 and a second support member 323, wherein the second
torsion bar mounting member 321 receives the torsion bars to be
inserted and mounted therein from both sides and is coupled to the
bottom plate, and the second support member 323 receives the second
torsion bar mounting member 321 to be relatively rotatably coupled
thereto and is coupled to the side panel, and the third hinge 330
includes a third torsion bar mounting member 331 and a third
support member 333, wherein the third torsion bar mounting member
331 receives the torsion bars to be inserted and mounted therein
from both sides and is coupled to the side panel, and the third
support member 333 receives the third torsion bar mounting member
331 to be relatively rotatably coupled thereto and is coupled to
the bottom plate.
[0012] The present disclosure further includes a second upper
connecting member 322 that couples the second support member 323 of
the second hinge to the side panel, and a second lower connecting
member 324 that couples the second torsion bar mounting member 321
of the second hinge to the bottom plate, in which the second upper
connecting member 322 is rotated together with the side panel
rotated in a folding process, and the second lower connecting
member 324 is coupled to the bottom plate and not rotated in the
folding process.
[0013] The present disclosure further includes a third lower
connecting member 334 that couples the third support member 333 of
the third hinge to the bottom plate, and a third upper connecting
member 332 that couples the third torsion bar mounting member 331
of the third hinge to the side panel, in which the third upper
connecting member 332 is rotated together with the side panel
rotated in a folding process, and the third lower connecting member
334 is coupled to the bottom plate and not rotated in the folding
process.
[0014] The present disclosure is characterized in that the
plurality of torsion bars are arranged in a line on a same axis
between the first hinges at the both outermost ends, four of the
torsion bars are arranged between the first hinges at the both
outermost ends, and the second hinge and the third hinge are
alternately arranged.
Advantageous Effects
[0015] According to the present disclosure, with the structure
described above, after the top plate of the container is removed
with a forklift, the side wall panel can be easily folded simply by
manpower and the height can be reduced by 1/4 in the folded state
such that four containers can be folded and stacked, and thus the
effects of easy storage and movement of the containers are
provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall appearance of a foldable
container according to the present disclosure.
[0017] FIG. 2 illustrates the foldable container from which a top
plate is removed according to the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a first side panel of the foldable
container being folded according to the present disclosure.
[0019] FIG. 4 illustrates a second side panel of the foldable
container being folded according to the present disclosure.
[0020] FIG. 5 illustrates a front panel of the foldable container
being folded according to the present disclosure.
[0021] FIG. 6 illustrates a rear panel of the foldable container
being folded according to the present disclosure.
[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates the foldable container fully folded
according to the present disclosure.
[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a structure of a torsion bar provided in
a longitudinal direction between a side panel and a bottom plate of
the foldable container according to the present disclosure,
[0024] FIG. 9 is a graph showing the relative magnitudes of a
moment and a torque according to the present disclosure, in which
the moment is generated based on the weights of the first and
second side panels of the foldable container during folding, and
the torque is generated by the torsion bar.
[0025] FIG. 10 illustrates the overall process of folding and
unfolding the foldable container according to the present
disclosure.
[0026] FIG. 11 illustrates a partial lower portion of the bottom
plate of the foldable container according to the present
disclosure.
[0027] FIG. 12 illustrates a rotation support member of the
foldable container according to the present disclosure.
[0028] FIGS. 13 and 14 are explanatory diagrams illustrating the
operating principle of the rotation support member and the torsion
bar of the foldable container according to the present
disclosure.
[0029] FIG. 15 illustrates a torsion bar module supporting the
folding operation of the side panel of the foldable container
according to the present disclosure.
[0030] FIG. 16 is an exploded perspective view of the torsion bar
module of FIG. 15.
[0031] FIGS. 17 to 19 are enlarged views of indicated portions X,
Y, and Z of FIG. 16.
BEST MODE
[0032] FIG. 1 illustrates an overall appearance of a foldable
container according to the present disclosure, in which the side
wall panel of the container is in a vertically unfolded state,
which will be referred to herein as a "stand-up state" or an
"unfolded state" for convenience. FIG. 2 illustrates the foldable
container from which a top plate is removed according to the
present disclosure, FIG. 3 illustrates a first side panel of the
foldable container being folded according to the present
disclosure, FIG. 4 illustrates a second side panel of the foldable
container being folded according to the present disclosure, FIG. 5
illustrates a front panel of the foldable container being folded
according to the present disclosure, FIG. 6 illustrates a rear
panel of the foldable container being folded according to the
present disclosure, and FIG. 7 illustrates the foldable container
fully folded according to the present disclosure, which will be
referred to herein as a "folded state" for convenience. FIG. 8
illustrates a structure of a torsion bar provided in a longitudinal
direction between a side panel and a bottom plate of the foldable
container according to the present disclosure, FIG. 9 is a graph
showing the relative magnitudes of a moment and a torque according
to the present disclosure, in which the moment is generated based
on the weights of the first and second side panels of the foldable
container during folding and the torque is generated by the torsion
bar, and FIG. 10 illustrates the overall process of folding and
unfolding the container. It is designed such that the use of a
forklift is necessary only in the process of removing or lifting
the top plate, while all other operations are possible with human
power. Since the forklift is present anywhere in the field where
containers are loaded or moved, even when there are some operations
that use the forklift, it will not cause any problem in the
efficiency of work.
[0033] [Foldable Container Structure and Folding Method]
[0034] A foldable container of the present disclosure (hereinafter,
it may be referred to as "container") has a bottom plate 110, a top
plate 120 spaced apart above the bottom plate 110, and a side wall
panel 130 vertically installed on a side between the bottom plate
110 and the top plate 120. The side wall panel 130 includes four
vertically-arranged panels, which will be referred to as a front
panel 131, a rear panel 135, a first side panel 137, and a second
side panel 139, respectively. Posts P for bearing the load of the
container in the vertical direction are provided on edges of the
rectangles of the front panel 131 and the rear panel 135,
respectively.
[0035] The feature of the foldable container according to the
present disclosure is that the four side wall panels 130 can be
simply folded by manpower using a torsion bar provided at the lower
end, while the top plate 120 is completely removed using a
forklift. That is, when the side wall panel is folded by the moment
due to its self weight, the torque generated from the twisting
torsion bar applies a rotational force opposite to the moment due
to self weight, thereby allowing the it to be folded smoothly.
[0036] First, a method for folding a container according to the
present disclosure will be described.
[0037] For the container of the present disclosure, the process of
lifting the top plate 120 using a forklift is performed. A
plurality of coupling members 125, to which the forks of the
forklift are inserted and coupled, are provided on the top plate,
that is, on an upper surface of the top plate of the container in a
transverse direction. Hereinafter, the transverse direction of the
container refers to the width direction of the container, and the
longitudinal direction of the container refers to the direction
from the front panel toward the rear panel. In addition, FIG. 2
illustrates the top plate completely lifted up by the forklift
(illustration of the forklift is omitted for convenience of
description). The characteristic of the present disclosure is that
the top plate 120 is first completely separated from the side wall
panel 130 by the forklift, as illustrated in FIG. 2. This is
completely different from the related art where the folding
operation is performed with the top plate remaining attached to the
side wall panel. The top plate removed by the forklift is moved to
the side of the container and positioned.
[0038] Then, the first side panel 137 is folded as illustrated in
FIG. 3, and the second side panel 139 is folded over the first side
panel 137 as illustrated in FIG. 4. According to the present
disclosure, in order to fold the first and second side panels,
first and second torsion bars T1 and T2 are positioned under the
first and second side panels. This will be described with reference
to the detailed illustration in FIG. 8. Since the first side panel
and the second side panel are folded by the same principle as each
other and it is also the same that four of the first and second
torsion bars are arranged along the longitudinal direction of the
container, only the process of folding the second side panel
(simply, "side panel") will be described below as an example.
[0039] Referring to FIG. 8, a torsion bar module TM is illustrated,
which includes a second torsion bar T1 coupled between the bottom
plate 110 and the side panel 139 of the container to provide an
axis of rotation operation of the side panel and also to store an
elastic force when the side panel is rotated. In the description of
FIG. 8, the second torsion bar is also simply referred to as a
torsion bar. The torsion bar module TM includes the torsion bar T1
and a hinge member 300 that fixes the torsion bar. The hinge member
300 is coupled to the bottom plate 110 and the side panel 139,
respectively, and receives the torsion bar T1 inserted and coupled
thereto.
[0040] The foldable container of the present disclosure is
characterized in that the side panel can be easily folded or stood
up by the interaction between the torsion bar and the hinge member,
and the principle of rotating the first side panel, the structure
of the torsion bar module, and the like will be separately
described below in detail.
[0041] FIG. 5 illustrates a front panel of the foldable container
being folded according to the present disclosure, and FIG. 6
illustrates the rear panel of the foldable container being folded
according to the present disclosure.
[0042] According to the present disclosure, in order to fold the
front and rear panels, third and fourth torsion bars T3 and T4 are
positioned under the front and rear panels. Since the third torsion
bar positioned under the front panel and the fourth torsion bar
positioned under the rear panel have the same principle of
operation during rotation, and the third torsion bar and the fourth
torsion bar are the same that two are arranged along the transverse
direction of the container, only the process of folding the rear
panel 135 will be described below as an example. Meanwhile, the
principle of the rotation of the rear panel, the torque of the
fourth torsion bar, and the like will be separately described in
detail in the [Rotation Operation of Rear Panel and Torsion Bar]
provided below.
[0043] FIG. 7 illustrates the top plate 120 is placed by a forklift
onto the top of the container in the fully folded state, which will
be referred to herein as a "folded state" for convenience. In order
to place the top plate 120 in the correct position in the folded
state, in the present disclosure, L-shaped corner support members
150 positioned at four corners of the bottom plate 110 are
adopted.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 6, the corner support members 150 are
L-shaped members formed at the four corners of the bottom plate
110, and have a first support surface 151 and a second support
surface 153 that are perpendicular to each other. The corner
support members 150 serve to support, from the outside, the corner
ends of the posts P of the front panel and the rear panel when the
container is in the unfolded state, and serve to support the four
corners of the top plate 120 placed on the container when the
container is in the folded state.
[0045] [Rotation Operation of Side Panel and Torsion Bar]
[0046] The structure of the torsion bar of FIG. 8 and the graph of
FIG. 9 will be described. The graph of FIG. 9 shows the moment M
generated by the self weight of the container in the process of
changing the rotation angle of the bottom plate 110 from 0.degree.
to 90.degree., and the torsional elastic energy resulting from the
rotation of the first torsion bar, that is, the torsion bar torque
T. In the graph, the horizontal axis represents the rotation angle
of the first side panel of the container, and the vertical axis
represents the torque. Referring to the graph, the relationship of
the moment and the torque according to the angle in the rotation
process is divided into three sections: Section A, Section B, and
Section C.
[0047] Section A is a process of starting the folding operation of
the side wall of the container, and in this section, the torsion
bar torque T is formed to be greater than the moment M generated by
the self weight of the container. This can be achieved by mounting
the first torsion bar T1 that is twisted at a predetermined angle
in a reverse direction in advance, while the first side panel 137
is in the stand-up position. That is, the first torsion bar is
twisted by a predetermined angle (about 7.degree. in the present
disclosure) in advance in the reverse direction to the direction in
which the first torsion bar will be twisted as the first side panel
is rotated (This will be referred to herein as "preliminary torque"
for convenience). The reason for doing this is to allow the first
side panel in the stand-up state to receive torque by the torsion
bar in a reverse direction to the folding direction such that it
can be maintained in a stable stand-up state. That is, this is to
prevent the first side panel 137 from being suddenly rotated and
collapsed from the stand-up state. In this example, for the folding
operation of the first side panel, it is necessary to apply a force
from the outside, and to be specific, the force needs to be applied
up to an angle corresponding to the point X in the graph. In the
present disclosure, by selecting a torsion bar of an appropriate
specification, and the like, the amount of necessary force is
appropriately adjusted so as to allow a rotation up to the X point
by pushing only with human force.
[0048] Section B is a section in which the moment M due to the self
weight of the first side panel is greater than the torsion bar
torque T, and is a section in which the folding operation is
performed by the self weight without requiring a separate external
torque. However, the smaller the difference between the moment M
and the torsion bar torque T in this section (the smaller the size
of the arrow in the B section of the graph), the smoother the first
side panel folds.
[0049] Section C is a process in which the rotation operation of
the first side panel is finished, and in this section, the torsion
bar torque T is slightly larger than the moment M generated by the
self weight. That is, while it requires additional external force
to achieve the fully folded state, because the additional external
force is small, it is sufficient for a human to press the first
side panel from above.
[0050] According to the present disclosure, the torque value of the
torsion bar is appropriately selected in consideration of the
magnitude of the moment value generated by the self weight of the
side wall panel, such that the external power (torque) is required
only at the beginning and the end of the folding operation, and the
size of the required external power is also sufficiently adjustable
by human power.
[0051] According to the present disclosure, even when the top plate
is removed, the first side panel maintains the vertical position in
a self-supporting state due to the preliminary torque of the
torsion bar itself. Then, it requires only a little external force
to rotate it to the X point, after which the rotation operation is
automatically performed by the self weight of the side panel. Then,
it requires a human to apply the external force only in the last
predetermined section of the rotation operation to make the folded
state. In the present disclosure, the points X and Y were
appropriately selected in order to provide the necessary
preliminary torque while reducing Section B, that is, reducing the
size of the arrow.
[0052] [Rotation Operation of Rear Panel and Torsion Bar]
[0053] FIG. 11 illustrates a partial lower portion of the bottom
plate of the foldable container according to the present
disclosure, and illustrates the lower portion adjacent to the rear
panel 135. FIG. 12 illustrates a rotation support member according
to the present disclosure, and FIGS. 13 and 14 are explanatory
diagrams illustrating the operating principle of the rotation
support member and the torsion bar.
[0054] In general, since most of the vertical load of the container
is born by the post (P in FIG. 12) positioned on the side of the
front panel 131 and the rear panel 135, the strength of the front
panel 131 and the rear panel 135 is important, and therefore, the
load they receive is much greater than that of the first and second
side panels. Therefore, in order to enable the rotation operation
of the front panel and the rear panel by human force, the torsion
bar provided for this and its arrangement structure are important.
According to the present disclosure, in order to rotate the front
panel 131 and the rear panel 135, the third and fourth torsion bars
T3 and T4 are provided. Since the front panel 131 and the rear
panel 135 are the same as each other in both the rotation operation
and the principle, the rear panel 135 and the fourth torsion bar T4
will be described below as an example.
[0055] Two of the fourth torsion bars T4 are arranged side by side
on the bottom plate 110 of the container in the transverse
direction, and only one of them is illustrated in FIG. 11. One end
of the fourth torsion bar T4 is coupled by serration to a fixed
coupling part 110b fixed to the frame of the bottom plate 110, and
the other end of the fourth torsion bar is coupled to a rotation
support member 200 while passing through the outer frame of the
bottom plate.
[0056] The rotation support member is an L-shaped member, with one
end being coupled to a post coupling point 220 at the post P spaced
apart from the lower end of the rear panel by a predetermined
distance, and the other end being coupled to the fourth torsion bar
T4 at a bottom plate coupling point 210 located on the side spaced
apart from the end of the bottom plate by a predetermined distance
(it is fixedly coupled using a separate connecting member between
the fourth torsion bar and the other end). The corner of the post P
is supported from the outside by the corner support member 150.
[0057] As described above, the rear panel and the front panel are
subjected to a greater load than the side panel, while the width of
the container in the transverse direction is smaller than the
length in the longitudinal direction, and accordingly, since the
third and fourth torsion bars must have higher torsional torque, in
consideration of the lifespan of the third and fourth torsion bars
and also the load of the front panel and the rear panel, the
present disclosure adopts the L-shaped rotation support member for
their rotation operation.
[0058] Referring to the rotation operation of the rear panel 135,
the rotation operation is performed based on the third torsion bar
located on the side spaced apart from the end of the bottom plate
by a predetermined distance as the reference axis, which is
different from the rotation of the side panel that is performed
based on the axis located immediately thereunder. The rotation
support member has the following roles and functions.
[0059] [Ensuring Stability]
[0060] In the description of the rotation operation of the side
panel, it is described that the first and second torsion bars
twisted by a predetermined angle in advance are mounted to provide
the "preliminary torque" in order to ensure stability (to prevent
the side panel from being suddenly rotated and collapsed from the
stand-up state).
[0061] However, stability is ensured by the rotation support member
200 without requiring the "preliminary torque" to be applied to the
fourth torsion bar T4 involved in the rotation of the rear
panel.
[0062] That is, in FIG. 13, the rear panel is supported by the
corner support member 150 supporting the outer corner of the lower
end thereof, so that the rotation in the direction of the arrow A
is constrained, and further, the rotation in the direction B is
also constrained by the rotation support member 200 and its self
load (that is, in the absence of the rotation support member,
rotation occurs in the direction B). For the side panel, the
preliminary torque is applied to the torsion bar to prevent the
inward folding operation, but for this rear panel, even when the
preliminary torque is not applied to the torsion bar, the rotation
operation is kept from occurring, thereby ensuring stability. In
other words, in order for the rear panel 135 to be rotated inward,
it requires to apply the external force up to the point where the
post coupling point 220 is located directly above the bottom plate
coupling point 210, and therefore, the rear panel is maintained in
a stable state unless the external force is applied (FIG. 14). In
the actual operation of folding the rear panel, the rear panel is
rotated by pushing from the outside by the power of a human by the
angle .theta. shown in FIG. 14. When the rear panel is rotated
beyond the angle shown in FIG. 14, the rear panel is gently folded
by the mutual relationship between the moment M by the self weight
of the rear panel and the torsion bar torque T by the fourth
torsion bar, which has already been described with reference to the
folding operation of the side panel.
[0063] [Ensuring Durability of Torsion Bar]
[0064] Since it is difficult to expect the effect of torsional
elastic energy any more when the twist angle of the torsion bar
exceeds the point where plastic deformation occurs, the torsion bar
should be twisted only at an angle below which plastic deformation
does not occur, and even at an angle at which plastic deformation
does not occur, it is still advantageous to prevent excessive
twisting in consideration of the lifespan.
[0065] It has been described that according to the present
disclosure, stability is ensured by the rotation support member 200
even without the "preliminary torque" applied to the fourth torsion
bar of the container. This has the effect of reducing the amount of
twist of the fourth torsion bar as a result. For example, when a
7.degree. torsion angle is provided in the initial state (side
panel stand-up state) to provide the preliminary torque to the side
panel, in the folded state in which the side panel is completely
rotated by 90.degree., there is the effect that the first and
second torsion bars have a torsion angle of 97.degree..
[0066] Meanwhile, according to the present disclosure, the fourth
torsion bar of the rear panel does not have a preliminary torque
due to the existence of the rotation support member 200, and the
fourth torsion bar is in a state where there is no torsion in the
state illustrated in FIG. 14 (in this state, the post coupling
point 220 is located directly above the bottom plate coupling point
210). In this state, when the rear panel is completely rotated and
folded, the twist angle of the fourth torsion bar is (90-0), and
the maximum twist angle is significantly reduced. This leads to the
effect of increasing the life of the fourth torsion bar.
[0067] The rotation support member is provided equally on the front
panel and the rear panel, and includes a first rotation support
member coupled to the front panel and a second rotation support
member coupled to the rear panel.
[0068] [Structure and Operating Principle of Torsion Bar
Module]
[0069] FIG. 15 illustrates a torsion bar module supporting the
folding operation of the side panel of the foldable container
according to the present disclosure, FIG. 16 is an exploded
perspective view of the torsion bar module of FIG. 15, and FIGS. 17
to 19 are enlarged views of indicated portions X, Y, and Z of FIG.
16.
[0070] The torsion bar module TM is provided on the lower sides of
the first side panel and the second side panel, respectively, and
in the following description, the one provided on the second side
panel 139 will be described as an example. The torsion bar module
TM includes the torsion bar T1 and the hinge member 300 that fixes
the torsion bar. The hinge member 300 is a member into which the
torsion bar T1 is inserted, and it is coupled to the bottom plate
110 and the side panel 139. respectively.
[0071] According to the present disclosure, the hinge member 300
includes first hinges 310 positioned at the outermost sides of the
torsion bar module to receive the torsion bar T1 to be inserted and
mounted therein from either a left side or a right side, and second
hinges 320 and a third hinge 330 positioned in the middle of the
torsion bar module to receive the torsion bar to be inserted and
mounted therein from both sides.
[0072] Referring to FIGS. 15 to 17, the first hinge 310 includes a
first torsion bar mounting member 311 to receive the torsion bar T1
to be inserted and mounted therein from one of the left and right
sides, and a first support member 313 to which the first torsion
bar mounting member 311 is relatively rotatably coupled. A shaft
311a of the first torsion bar mounting member 311 is inserted into
a hole of the first support member 313 so as to be relatively
rotatable therein. In addition, the first torsion bar mounting
member 311 is coupled to a first upper connecting member 312, and
the first support member 313 is coupled to a first lower connecting
member 314. The first upper connecting member 312 is coupled to the
lower end of the side panel 139 rotated during the folding process
to be rotated together, and the first lower connecting member 314
is a member that is coupled to the bottom plate 110 and is not
rotated.
[0073] Referring to FIGS. 15, 16 and 18, the second hinge 320
includes a second torsion bar mounting member 321 to receive the
torsion bar T1 to be inserted and mounted therein from both the
left and right sides, and a second support member 323 to which the
second torsion bar mounting member 321 is relatively rotatably
coupled. A shaft 321a of the second torsion bar mounting member is
inserted into a hole of the second support member 323 so as to be
relatively rotatable therein. In addition, the second support
member 323 is coupled to a second upper connecting member 322, and
the second torsion bar mounting member 321 is coupled to a second
lower connecting member 324. The second upper connecting member 322
is coupled to the lower end of the side panel 139 rotated during
the folding process to be rotated together, and the second lower
connecting member 324 is a member that is coupled to the bottom
plate 110 and is not rotated.
[0074] Referring to FIGS. 15, 16 and 19, the third hinge 330
includes a third torsion bar mounting member 331 to receive the
torsion bar T1 to be inserted and mounted therein from both the
left and right sides, and a third support member 333 to which the
third torsion bar mounting member 331 is relatively rotatably
coupled. A shaft 331a of the third torsion bar mounting member 331
is inserted into a hole of the third support member so as to be
relatively rotatable therein. In addition, the third torsion bar
mounting member 331 is coupled to a third upper connecting member
332, and the third support member 333 is coupled to a third lower
connecting member 334. The third upper connecting member 332 is
coupled to the lower end of the side panel 139 rotated during the
folding process to be rotated together, and the third lower
connecting member 334 is a member that is coupled to the bottom
plate 110 and is not rotated.
[0075] The second hinge 320 and the third hinge 330 have a similar
structure to each other, except the difference that the torsion bar
mounting member on which the torsion bar is mounted is coupled to
the side panel at the second hinge and coupled to the bottom plate
at the third hinge.
[0076] Since serrations are formed at both ends of the torsion bar,
the torsion bar is coupled by serration to the first to third
hinges. In addition, the torsion bar is coupled in a structure such
that, in the process that the side panel of the container is
rotated and folded, one coupling part is rotated and the other
coupling part is not rotated. As a result, the first torsion bar T1
is twisted, accumulating the rotational elastic energy and applying
a rotational force opposite to the direction of the rotational
force of the moment generated by self weight, thereby preventing
the side panel from being suddenly folded by the self weight and
ensuring a smooth folding operation.
[0077] The present disclosure is characterized in that the first to
third hinges are alternately arranged with each other.
Specifically, first, the first hinges 310 are disposed at the
outermost sides of the torsion bar module TM, and the second hinges
32 and the third hinge 330 are mounted in the middle, alternately
between the first hinges on the outermost sides. Referring to FIG.
15, according to the present disclosure, the torsion bar module
includes four torsion bars in a line, and the hinge structure
between the torsion bars has an arrangement structure of "first
hinge 310--second hinge 320--third hinge 330--second hinge
320--first hinge 310". According to the structure of alternate
arrangement as described above, the serration coupling portions of
the torsion bars mounted on both sides of the second hinge are not
rotated during the folding process of the container, and all of the
serration coupling portions of the torsion bars mounted on both
sides of the third hinge are rotated during the container folding
process, and as a result, the manufacturing process is
convenient.
[0078] The first torsion bar mounting member 311, the second
torsion bar mounting member 321, and the third torsion bar mounting
member 331 are coupled to the lower portion of the side panel to be
rotated together with the side panel 139 being rotated during the
folding process of the container. The first support member 313, the
second support member 323, and the third support member 333 are
coupled to the bottom plate 100 and are not rotated during the
container folding process. Therefore, when the container folding is
completed, each of the first to third torsion bar mounting members
is in a state rotated by 90 degrees relative to the first to third
support members, and all of the torsion bars positioned between the
first to third torsion bars are in a state twisted by 90
degrees.
* * * * *