EP0356322A1 - Carrying case provided with a cover having an integral hinge, and process for manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a carrying case comprising a container (2), the lateral walls of which are provided with a peripheral rim (9) and a cover (3) for closing the container, which is mounted in an articulated manner on the latter. According to the invention, the case is manufactured in such a manner that the cover (3), which is made of plastic material moulded in one single piece, comprises an integrated hinge which makes use of the hinge effect of a fine band (16) of material connecting a first part (13) of the cover, which is capable of coming to close the container, to a second part (23), via which the cover (3) comes to fix itself to the rim (9) of the container by its lower face, by means of bosses (19) which penetrate into interacting openings. Tonges (26), which engage under the rim of the container, make it possible to ensure locking when the container is closed. The invention finds application in particular in the manufacture of cases made of plastic material. <IMAGE>

Description

The invention relates to an improved handling case of the type comprising a container closed by a cover which is made in one piece, of plastic material and comprises two parts joined by a strip of material of lesser thickness forming a hinge for the articulation of the cover. , which is fixed to a rim of the tank by one of its said parts.

Of course, many lockers are known today, in particular made of plastic, with a bin fitted with a hinged cover. And among these lockers, those with tray and cover molded in one piece, comprising a thin strip of thin material which forms an integrated hinge by connecting the cover to the tray, have largely proven their usefulness and their quality of manufacture. But in practice, these are exclusively small compartments, the technical complexity of manufacturing increasing as the size of these compartments, thereby decreasing their economic interest.

For larger lockers (storage lockers for automobile parts, lockers for assembly lines, etc.), if a cover is required, it is either hinged mounted on the tank with the addition of an attached hinge, or completely independent of the bin.

Despite everything, the covers "with integrated hinge" having, as we have said, proven their interest, the object of the invention is to adapt such a cover to a relatively large container, while avoiding the use of molds, or more generally of manufacturing units, provided for the production in a single piece of a container with integrated lid.

Such a locker is described in particular in US Pat. No. 4,428,497. However, in this case the cover is fixed to the tank. "Above"; that is to say that the part of the cover by which the latter can be fixed to the rim of the container engages by the face of said rim against which the movable part of the cover comes to apply, in its closed position of the bac.

It is understood that with such an arrangement there is a possibility of violation of the locker by tearing off the cover at the place of its attachment to the tray.

In the context of the invention, such a risk is not acceptable.

Also we have in this case sought to achieve for acceptable manufacturing costs, a rack whose lid is difficult to remove from the tray, while still having an "integrated hinge".

It is in particular for this purpose that the invention provides a handling rack which is characterized in that the part of the cover by which the latter is fixed to the container is associated with said flange by the face of the latter opposite to that against which the cover is applied in its closed position of the tank; such a fixing of the cover by "inversion" of its fixing part very clearly promoting its unbreakable nature.

In addition, the rack of the invention will preferably be such that, the cover being fixed to the tray, its articulation hinge is located in the immediate vicinity of the free edge of the edge of the tray, on the side of the face of this edge against which comes to apply the cover in its closed position of the tray.

Thus, are we going to be able to combine the advantages linked to the use of a cover with an integrated hinge on a large container, the cover in question being in practice tear-away.

A problem which also occurs fairly regularly on many containers is that of the lid locking, once it is in the closed position on the container.

Also, in order to ensure its effective locking, the invention also proposes to equip the movable part of the cover, on at least two of its side edges, with tongues provided with pins capable of coming to engage locally in locking under the edge of the tank.

To obtain a locker of the type which has just been presented and still so as to avoid the problems associated with the production of a plastic locker with a relatively large container fitted with a hinged lid integrated, the invention also proposes a manufacturing process which is characterized in that:
on the one hand, the container is molded in one piece with a peripheral rim which is formed along the free end of its side walls,
- And we also mold separately, also in one piece, the cover by providing, between a first part of this clean cover to come cover substantially the entire opening of the tank and a second part of the same cover for fixing this last in the tank, a bridge of material of smaller thickness compared to that of said first and second parts.

• la Figure 1 est une vue en perspective d'un bac équipé d'un couvercle du type à charnière intégrée monté articulé sur le bac, conformément à l'invention,
• la Figure 2 est une vue en coupe selon la flèche II-II du casier de la Figure 1,
• la Figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon la ligne III-III de la Figure 1, montrant l'un des ergots de verrouillage du couvercle lorsqu'il est dans sa position engagée sous le rebord du bac,
• la Figure 4 est une vue également en coupe d'une variante de réalisation des têtes de bossages pour la fixation du couvercle, et
• les Figures 5, 6 et 7 illustrent, selon une vue en coupe locale, la façon de procéder pour encliqueter les moyens de fixation du couvercle à travers le rebord de l'un des côtés du bac.

The invention will appear more clearly from the description which follows, given with reference to the appended drawings given solely by way of example and in which:

• FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container fitted with a cover of the type with integrated hinge mounted articulated on the container, according to the invention,
• FIG. 2 is a sectional view along arrow II-II of the rack of FIG. 1,
• FIG. 3 is a sectional view along line III-III of FIG. 1, showing one of the locking lugs of the cover when it is in its position engaged under the rim of the container,
• Figure 4 is a sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the boss heads for the fixing the cover, and
• Figures 5, 6 and 7 illustrate, in a local sectional view, how to proceed to snap the fastening means of the cover through the flange of one of the sides of the tank.

If we refer first to Figure 1, we see illustrated a handling bin 1 according to the invention, made of plastic, and comprising a container 2 and a cover 3, hinged mounted on one sides of the tank, this cover can be molded in a material such as polypropylene.

In the example illustrated, the tank 2 which is of rectangular section, but could be of any other polygonal section, comprises a supposedly horizontal bottom, marked 4 in FIG. 2 from which rise 4 vertical side walls two by two contiguous 5, 6, 7 and 8, terminated at their free end by a peripheral rim 9 projecting in this case towards the outside of the tank.

On the outer face of its side walls, the tank is reinforced by horizontal stiffening ribs 10, 11 and vertical 12, 14 arranged in an appropriate manner, depending on the intended use of the rack.

As seen more clearly by the comparison of Figures 1 and 2, the cover 3 is of the type with integrated hinge molding, using the hinge effect obtained by the conformation of a line or a narrow strip 16 of weak thickness forming a bridge of material between a first movable part 13 of the cover (of dimensions such that it can cover the opening 15 of the container) and a second part 23 (of width 1₁ reduced compared to that 1 of the first part) , this second part of the cover having the role of ensuring the fixing of the cover to the tank, as will be seen in more detail below.

For good articulation, the first part 13 and the second part 23 of the cover have, bevelled walls marked respectively 17 and 18 in Figures 6 and 7, and which come into correspondence at the hinge 16.

Of course, once the cover fixed to the tray along one of its side edges, the hinge 16 will then extend parallel to the edge considered of the tray.

For its attachment to the tank, the cover can be provided, as in the embodiment illustrated in the drawings, with a series of bosses or nipples 19 formed on its second part 23 so as to be able to penetrate into orifices 20 (Figure 5 ) formed through the rim 9 of the container along the side which is to receive the cover. To promote their maintenance once engaged, the bosses 19 will preferably end with a head 21 enlarged in the shape of a truncated pyramid with side walls 22 moving towards the free end of the head and the basic transverse dimension, or maximum width 1₂, of each head will then be greater than the transverse dimension or corresponding width 1₃ of the orifices of the tank (Figure 5). The force engagement of the bosses 19 being effected by the "lower" face 9a of the flange 9 opposite to that "upper" 9b against which rests the movable part 13 of the cover, it will be understood that once engaged the bosses will then practically irremovable, except to damage or deteriorate the bin.

Possibly, if the authorized removal of the cover were to be considered for one reason or another, it would then be preferable to provide, as shown in FIG. 4, bosses 19 ′ with slotted head 21 ′ having a groove 31 ′ directed along a direction substantially parallel to the axis of the hinge 16. It would then suffice, both for mounting and for dismounting the bosses to play on the elasticity of the two wings of the heads.

From the study of FIGS. 2 and 6 or 7, it will also be noted that once the bosses 19 (or 19 ′) engaged in their receiving orifices 20, the hinge hinge 16 of the cover will be located in the immediate vicinity of the edge free 9c of the rim, on the side of its "upper" face 9b and, at a distance from the latter equal or very slightly greater than the general thickness e of the cover (see FIGS. 5 and 6).

It will also be noted that in this position, the head 21 (21 ') of the bosses protrudes from the orifices 20.

Also, to allow the movable part 13 of the cover to be folded over the rim of the tank, then ensuring the closing of the latter, openings 25 are formed through the mobile part 13 of the cover, in correspondence with the head of the bosses above, so that they can freely enter the openings 25 in question, in the folded position of the cover on the tray.

So that in this position, the cover can be locked on the tray, thus ensuring closing security, the latter is furthermore provided with elastically deformable tongues 26 provided with lugs 27 suitable for locally engaging in locking under the rim 9 of the tank (face 9a; Figure 3).

In the illustrated embodiment, the tongues 26, for example two in number, protrude substantially perpendicular to the general plane of the movable part of the cover, on each of its lateral edges. For the sake of efficiency, and as shown in FIG. 1, these tabs will preferably be shaped near the "front" edge of the cover opposite to that "rear" at the level of which the articulation takes place (see FIG. 1).

It will be noted that on the cover which has just been presented, an additional characteristic of the invention has also been to adapt its various means, both for fixing and for locking so that they can be included in the overall dimensions everything from the bin.

It is for this purpose that the notches 28 have in particular been formed laterally, in the upper rim 9 of the tank.

As can be clearly understood from the comparative study of FIGS. 1 and 3 (in which FIG. 3 the cover is shown in the closed position, folded over the edge of the tank) the depth e₁ of these notches 28 is substantially equal, or even slightly greater, at the thickness e₂ of the tongues (excluding the pins 27).

As can be seen in Figure 3, if the length l _L of the tabs is greater than the distance d _B between the upper edge of the tank and the nearest horizontal rib 10, another notch 29 would then preferably also be provided locally in this rib, below each of the notches 28, still for the housing without excess thickness of the tongues, that is to say so that the latter penetrate into the notches without protruding laterally.

If we now focus specifically on Figures 5 to 7, we see that the same concern for minimum space has led to conform, along the "rear" side of the rim of the container which receives the cover, a long indentation or cutout, marked 30 in Figure 5, having a depth e₃ substantially equal to, or even slightly greater than, the corresponding thickness e of the second part 23 of the cover, so that the latter can be accommodated in the projection S of the rim 9 (figure 7).

Possibly, in certain particular applications, it might be useful to be able to provide the container with a safety closure, making it possible to detect any unauthorized opening. We can then plan to make provision through the "front" edge of the first part 13 of the cover and, opposite, through the rim 9 of the tank, two passages or eyelets, respectively 32, 33, allowing the establishment of a sealing means, such as a lead wire 34 (see Figures 1 and 2).

With regard to the method of manufacturing the rack of the invention, it will be understood from the structural description which has just been given that despite the provision of an integrated hinged cover, the rack has not been made in one piece. Indeed, taking into account the dimensions of this rack which can be relatively large (for example 600 X 400 X 200 mm., And beyond) the conventional manufacturing techniques by molding in a single piece of the container and its lid n 'could be retained, because resulting in prohibitive manufacturing costs and complexity in the production of molds that are difficult to accept industrially.

Also, we decided to mold apart the cover 3 and the tray 2.

More specifically, provision has been made to mold in a single piece on one side the container 2 with its peripheral rim 9 and, on the other, the cover 3, of course, between the first part 13 and the second part 23 of the latter, the bridge of thin material which forms the hinge 16 of articulation.

After having thus molded the two main elements of the rack, it is understood that it is then sufficient, to make the latter operational, to fix the cover to the tank in the manner indicated in Figures 5 to 7.

As has been clearly shown, the tank being disposed in its normal position of use, with its opening 15 facing upwards, we will first of all present the bosses 19 (or 19 ′) of the cover under the side of the rim in which are formed the holes 20 provided for fixing the cover (Figure 5).

It will then suffice to come "clip" (or force engage) in these orifices, the head 21 (respectively 21 ′) of the bosses, the portion 23a of the second part of the cover which is connected to the hinge 16 then engaging on its thickness e in the notch 30 of the tank (Figure 6).

The cover is then ready for use, its integrated hinge 16 extending substantially parallel slightly above the edge considered of the container, thus allowing easy operation of the cover both in the direction of its opening (Figure 6) and its closure (Figure 7), and this, as we have seen, without any of its fastening means or locking protrudes from the overall dimensions of the tray.

Of course, the invention is not strictly limited to the embodiment which has been described above. It should be clear that one could for example have provided a different arrangement of the locking tabs of the cover and therefore the corresponding indentations of the tray. Also, any polygonal shape other than rectangular could have been retained for the cover and / or the container.

Claims (10)

1. Handling rack comprising a container (2) closed by a cover (3) which is made in one piece, of plastic material and comprises two parts (13, 23) joined by a strip (16) of material of lesser thickness forming a hinge for the articulation of the cover, which is fixed to a flange (9) of the container by one of its said parts (23), characterized in that the part (23) of the cover by which the latter is fixed to the tray comes to associate with said flange (9) by the face of the latter opposite to that against which the cover (3) is applied in its closed position of the tray. 2. Locker according to claim 1 characterized in that the cover (3) being fixed to the tray, its hinge (16) of articulation is located in the immediate vicinity of the free edge of the rim (9) of the tray, on the side of the face of this rim against which the cover is applied in its closed position of the tank (Figure 7). 3. Locker according to claim 1 or claim 2 characterized in that, for fixing the cover to the tank, the corresponding part (23) of this same cover includes bosses (19, 19 ′) suitable for being received in orifices (20) cooperants formed through the rim (9) of the tank, these bosses ending in a head (21, 21 ′) of larger dimensions than those of said orifices (20) of the tank. 4. Locker according to claim 3 characterized in that the bosses (19, 19 'with which the corresponding part (23) of the cover is fitted being engaged in the orifices (20) of the rim of the tank and, said cover (3) being in its closed position of the tank, the head (21, 21 ′) of each of the bosses protrudes from said orifices (20) to enter openings (25) formed in correspondence through the other part (13) of the cover. 5. Locker according to claim 3 or claim 4 characterized in that the head (21 ′) of said bosses (19 ′) is slotted in a direction substantially parallel to the general direction of the hinge (16) of articulation of the cover, so as to facilitate possible removal of the bosses from the orifices (20) of the tank. 6. Locker according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a notch (30) is formed along a part of the rim (9) of the container, this notch receiving a portion (23a) of the part (23 ) of the cover by which the latter is fixed to the tank, so that this part (23) can be housed in the projection of the rim (9). 7. Locker according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movable part (13) of the cover, once the latter is fixed to the container, is fitted on at least two of its side edges with tongues (26) provided lugs (27) suitable for locally engaging in locking under the rim (9) of the container, so as to lock the container with the cover in the closed position of the latter. 8. Locker according to claim 7 characterized in that in the closed position of the cover, the tongues (26) penetrate, at the location of the rim (9) of the container, in notches (28) formed in this same rim on a depth e₁ at least substantially equal to the thickness e₂ of said tabs, outside of their lugs (27). 9. Handling rack according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the eyelets (32, 33) are formed respectively through the peripheral rim (9) of the container and through the cover (3), so that in the closed position of the latter can pass through these eyelets a sealing means, such as a lead wire (34). 10. Method of manufacturing a handling bin comprising a plastic container (2) having a bottom (4) from which rise side walls (5, 6, 7, 8); and a cover (3) also made of plastic for closing the container, characterized in that:
on the one hand, said tank (2) is molded in one piece with a peripheral rim (9) which is formed along the free end of its side walls (5, 6, 7, 8),
- And we also mold separately, also in one piece, the cover (3) by providing, between a first part (13) of this clean cover to come to cover substantially the entire opening (15) of the tank and a second part (23) of the same cover for fixing the latter to the tank, a bridge (16) of material of smaller thickness compared to that of said first and second parts of the cover.

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