EP0415262B1 - Container - Google Patents

Abstract

A rectangular container is made up from a base (11), a cover (12) parallel thereto, two mutually parallel faces (13, 14) and two mutually parallel sides (15, 16). The sides and faces are pivotably secured to the base via pivots parallel to the base so that the container may be collapsed into flat form when being transported empty. To simplify collapsing the container, at least the sides (15, 16) are sub-divided into sections (150, 154; 160, 164) which are hinged together. When the container is collapsed, the side sections (150, 154; 160, 164) are folded together about at least a second axis before they are lowered onto the base.

Description

The invention relates to a container, in particular a container, of essentially cuboid shape, with a base part, with a cover part parallel to the base part and with two substantially parallel end parts and two essentially parallel side parts according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

In this context, "container" is understood not only as a container for the transportation of goods, in particular in ship, truck and rail traffic, but also for cooling, storage and accommodation purposes. A container for accommodation purposes can also contain doors and windows in the side and / or end parts. It can too There are continuous connecting openings in these parts, which allow several containers to be connected to one another in order to create large accommodation spaces.

These are usually large containers, the dimensions of which are generally internationally standardized (e.g. 20 x 8 x 8 ft. = 6.058 x 2.438 x 2.438 m). However, the invention is not restricted to such standardized containers. In principle, it can be used for stable containers where it is important to be able to transport them in a folded empty transport position in addition to the usual position of use.

Containers have a considerable weight because they have to withstand the rough transport and storage operations, as they are usually made of steel. In principle, they represent a considerable problem when transporting on ships, but also on other means of transport, if they are free of loading, i.e. in empty transport, must be transported. It is therefore known (DE-U-86 11 553, DE-A-33 17 221 A1, EP-0 255 194 A2) to design containers, in particular large-capacity containers, in such a way that they can be folded up in the manner of a flat, stable container when empty Parcel can be transported with a small footprint, because they have only a small amount of their original transport volume when empty.

In order to achieve a particularly compact package shape in the empty transport state, which allows several collapsed containers to be accommodated together in a container erected in the normal transport state, it is known from WO-A-86/01788. To divide the side parts of the container into individual side part sections, the hinged flap parts in the manner of Have doors which are designed to be folded flat on top of one another for the empty transport position about upright axes extending at right angles to the base part. The arrangement is such that the side part sections, which are designed in the form of folding doors, are each connected to the bottom part, without being connected, to adjacent corner posts, by means of which the bottom part and the cover part are connected to one another. When the container is transferred to the empty transport position, the flap parts of the side part sections are therefore first folded up inside in a packet-like manner on the front parts before they are folded onto the bottom part with the flap parts hanging thereon.

In the known collapsible containers, either the transfer from the use to the empty transport position or vice versa is not easy enough to be carried out, so that it cannot be carried out easily by untrained personnel, or there must be disadvantages in terms of construction or stability in purchase are taken, which stood in the way of the worldwide spread of these containers despite the existing need.

The object of the invention is to remedy this situation and, starting from the container known from WO-A-86/01788, to create a container of the type mentioned at the outset which is simple to produce and yet stable for the absorption of the respective nominal loads, and without special requirements for the knowledge or skill of the operating personnel can be transferred from the stable use position into a compact empty transport position, in which it forms a uniform, easy-to-use package.

To achieve this object, the container according to the invention has the features of the characterizing part of patent claim 1.

An advantage of the configuration of the container according to the invention is that when the container is in the empty transport position, it only has a volume less than 20% of the original volume during the transport operation of goods. Another advantage is that the container in the empty transport position is also a transport unit that combines all parts of the container, i.e. it is not necessary to ensure that the individual parts of the container are transported separately or that they have to be stowed and stowed during the transport or storage operation. The container is advantageously designed so that up to 5 and more containers can be stacked on top of one another and then only occupy one container volume in its transport position.

As a result of the division of the side parts - and possibly one or both front parts - into sections comprising flap parts, the handling of the container during the transfer from the use or transport position into the empty transport position and vice versa is facilitated because the weight of the parts to be moved individually is smaller as if, for example, entire front parts of the container with side part sections unfolded thereon are to be handled.

The new container can be made of steel, but also of any other suitable stable material, for example it is particularly suitable for the production of aluminum or other light metals. The transfer of the container from the transport position into the empty transport position takes place without any problems by merely separating it from the end parts the side sections, ie their flap parts, have to be folded in the direction of the bottom part essentially at right angles to the bottom part. Aids, such as separate connecting parts between the flap parts and the base part, which can be lost or damaged and also form an uncertainty factor for safe transport operations, are generally not necessary.

In the empty transport position of the container, flap parts of the side part sections of both side parts are stored next to one another on the bottom part, while the remaining flap parts are each lying flat on the aforementioned flap parts. Since the flap parts alternately rest on the base part from the one and the other side part, the associated articulated axis can run directly on the assigned edge of the base part; it does not have to be offset from the base part, which brings with it a significant construction advantage. The flap parts can have the same width or different widths, and the number of flap parts per side section can also be selected according to the respective requirements.

For example, two flap parts can be provided per side part section, but it has proven to be expedient for many applications if at least one of the side part sections is designed to be foldable in three parts. A first and an adjoining second flap part can have essentially the same size, while the third flap part which follows can be of smaller width. However, a different division of the flap part width can also be selected, it also being conceivable that all three flap parts have the same size.

If the third flap part of a three-part side part section is narrower than the two other flap parts, there are sometimes special advantages with regard to the connection of this flap part to the front part or the supporting structure of the container in the corner area.

Otherwise, the container can be designed in such a way that at least one side part section is arranged on at least one end part, each of which has at least one flap part articulated to the bottom part and a hinged flap part hinged to it on the side facing or facing away from the respective end part , which lies flat on the first-mentioned flap part in the empty transport position. Another advantageous division of a side part is characterized in that at least one side part section is arranged on at least one end part, which has at least one flap part articulated to the bottom part and two hinged flap parts hinged to it on the side facing or facing away from the respective end part , which in the empty transport position, folded like an accordion, lie flat on the first-mentioned flap part.

These two described divisions of the side part sections can also be used in combination with one another in a container, for example in such a way that one side part is divided in one type and the other side part in the other type. With regard to a good room layout, it is in any case advantageous if at least one flap part of the one wall part articulated to the bottom part has the same size as an opposing flap part of the opposite side part, so that in the empty transport position from both sides Connect the folding parts folded on the base part to one another without large gaps.

It is also advantageous if the side parts are connected in an articulated manner to the base parts via hinge devices arranged on the side of flap parts and on the longitudinal sides of the base part, which have a high Ensure transport stability, while at the same time, as already explained, the hinge axis need not have any or only a small axis offset with respect to the floor surface.

Finally, it is expedient if in the empty transport position corner regions of the base part or elements arranged in these and connected to the base part are cover-free, so that they are available for connection to the cover part, which can thus be connected directly to the base part. In order to form a transport-safe unit from all container parts for the empty transport, which is held together, as it were, by the base part and the cover part, it is advantageous if the cover part has supports in its corner regions, either alone or together with those arranged on the base part Elements have a height substantially corresponding to the height of the package formed by the side parts and the end parts in the empty transport position, the free ends of the supports resting with their free ends on corresponding free corner regions of the base part or on the elements connected to them. Corresponding locking mechanisms between the supports, which are generally firmly formed on the cover part, and in the free corner areas of the base part - or in the elements connected to them - create a stability of the container in the empty transport position, which is similar to the stability as the container if it is in the transport position as intended.

Finally, it is advantageous that the end parts can be folded around the front side of the base part onto the folded side parts around hinge devices in such a way that the corner regions of the base part are free of cover. Hinge devices are therefore used at this point, which allow not only a rotational movement about the axis of the hinge parts, but also a radial movement of the front parts away from the corresponding axes, in order to ensure that the corner regions are free when the front parts are folded on or towards the base part.

Fig. 1

in perspektivischer Darstellung einen zusammengeklappten erfindungsgemäßen Behälter in der Leertransportstellung,

Fig. 2

eine Darstellung in perspektivischer Darstellung wie Fig. 1, jedoch unter Weglassung des Deckelteils nach Beginn der Aufstellung des Behälters in einer Transportstellung,

Fig. 3

in perspektivischer Darstellung die Leertransportstellung der Seitenteile bzw. dreifach gefalteten Klappen unter Weglassung der Stirnteile und des Deckelteils,

Fig. 4

in perspektivischer Darstellung unter Weglassung der Stirnteile und des Deckelteils in einem weiteren Schritt eine teilweise aufgeklappte Seitenwand des Behälters,

Fig. 5

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Behälters unter Weglassung der Stirnteile und des Deckelteils in einem gegenüber der Darstellung von Fig.4 weiteren Aufstellungsschritt, bei dem beide Seitenteile teilweise in eine Transportstellung aufgeklappt sind,

Fig. 6

in der Seitenansicht einen Behälter im zusammengeklappten Zustand (Leertransportstellung) zur Darstellung der annähernd realistischen Größenverhältnisse,

Fig. 7

in perspektivischer Darstellung einen lediglich schematisch veranschaulichten Container gemäß der Erfindung,

Fig. 8

eine Draufsicht auf den Container nach Fig. 7 bei abgenommenem Deckelteil,

Fig. 9

eine Draufsicht auf den Container nach Fig. 7, in einer Darstellung entsprechend Fig. 8, bei abgenommenem Deckelteil und teilweise eingeklappten Seitenteilen,

Fig.10

eine perspektivische Darstellung des Containers nach Fig. 7, in der Leertransportstellung, bei abgehobenem Deckelteil,

Fig.11

eine Draufsicht auf einen Eckbereich des Containers nach Fig. 7, bei abgenommenem Deckelteil, im Ausschnitt,

Fig.12

in perspektivischer Darstellung eine Scharniereinrichtung des Containers nach Fig. 7, zur gelenkigen Verbindung eines Seitenteilabschnitts mit dem Bodenteil, im Ausschnitt,

Fig. 13, 14

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Scharniereinrichtung in einem Eckbereich des Containers nach Fig. 7, in zwei verschiedenen Stellungen und im Ausschnitt, und

Fig. 15

eine perspektivische Darstellung einer Stütze des Containers nach Fig. 7, im Ausschnitt, im auseinandergenommenen Zustand und in einem anderen Maßstab.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following schematic drawings using two exemplary embodiments. In it show:

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a folded container according to the invention in the empty transport position,

Fig. 2

1 shows a perspective illustration like FIG. 1, but with the cover part omitted after the container has been set up in a transport position,

Fig. 3

a perspective view of the empty transport position of the side parts or triple-folded flaps with the end parts and the cover part omitted,

Fig. 4

in a perspective view, with the end parts and the cover part omitted, in a further step, a partially opened side wall of the container,

Fig. 5

3 shows a perspective illustration of the container, with the front parts and the lid part omitted, in a further installation step compared to the illustration in FIG. 4, in which both side parts are partially opened into a transport position,

Fig. 6

in the side view a container in the folded state (empty transport position) to represent the almost realistic size relationships,

Fig. 7

a perspective view of a merely schematically illustrated container according to the invention,

Fig. 8

7 with the cover part removed,

Fig. 9

7, in a representation corresponding to FIG. 8, with the cover part removed and the side parts partially folded,

Fig. 10

7, in the empty transport position, with the cover part lifted off,

Fig. 11

7 shows a plan view of a corner area of the container according to FIG. 7, with the cover part removed, in the cutout,

Fig. 12

7 shows a perspective view of a hinge device of the container according to FIG. 7 for the articulated connection of a side part section to the bottom part,

13, 14

a perspective view of a hinge device in a corner region of the container of FIG. 7, in two different positions and in the cutout, and

Fig. 15

a perspective view of a support of the container of FIG. 7, in the cutout, in the disassembled state and on a different scale.

The container (container) 10 for transporting goods has in its transport position an essentially cuboid outer structure, which is shown schematically in FIGS. 3 to 5 by the dash-dotted line in connection with the bottom part 11 of the container 10. Containers 10 of this type have, in addition to the base part 11, two essentially parallel end parts 13, 14, two essentially parallel side parts 15, 16 and a cover part 12.

In an empty transport position of the container 10, the side parts 15, 16 lie essentially parallel to the base part and the end parts 13, 14 on them. The cover part 12 is in turn layered on this package, cf. Fig. 1.

The cover part 12 and the end parts 13, 14 are essentially made in one piece with respect to their area sizes, the cover part 12 being able to be removed by lifting the end parts 13, 14, cf. 2. The end parts 13, 14 can be lifted or folded down from the side parts 15, 16 around hinge devices 21, 22, 23, 24 arranged in the region of the end sides 112, 113 of the base part 11, which will be described in more detail below. can be folded into an upright position, cf. Fig. 3.

The side parts 15, 16 are defined by a plurality of side part sections 150, 154; 160, 164 are formed, these side sections in turn each being designed as a three-part flap. In the case of the two flap parts 150, 154 of one side part 15, which point directly to the end faces, ie connect to the end parts 13, 14, the flap parts 151, 152, 153; 155, 145, 157 in the Empty transport position, cf. 1 around the middle flap part 151; 155 folded on top of each other. In the two flap parts 160, 164, which are arranged between the two flap parts 150, 154 facing the end parts 13, 14, the flap parts 161, 162, 164; 165, 166, 167 in the empty transport position accordion-like on top of each other.

In the embodiment of the container 10 shown here, the side parts 15, 16 are connected to the bottom part 11 via hinge devices 17, 18, 19, 20 arranged on the sides 158, 168 of the side parts 15, 16 and on the longitudinal sides 110, 111 of the bottom part 11 , whose hinge axis runs parallel to the bottom part 11.

The first and second flap parts 151, 152; 155, 156; 161, 162; 165, 166 are essentially the same size. The third flap part 153; 157; 163; 167; has a smaller width but the same length as the first and second flap parts, the length or the height of all flap parts being essentially determined by the height of the container 10.

The hinge devices 17, 18 are arranged in the case of the flap parts 150, 154 directly adjoining the end parts 13, 14 on the central flap part 151, 155, while the hinge devices 19, 20 are arranged in the case of the flap parts 150, 154 which face between the end faces 13, 14 160, 164 are arranged on the mutually facing first flap parts 161, 165.

As mentioned above, the end parts 13, 14 can be folded around the end face 112, 113 of the base part 11 onto the folded side parts 15, 16 via hinge devices 21, 22, 23, 24. The hinge devices 21, 22, 23, 24 are designed such that the corner regions 25, 26, 27, 28 of the base part 11 are free of covers when the end parts 13, 14 on the on the bottom part 11 in the empty transport. position lying side part 15, 16 are folded, see. 1, 2 and 6. During folding, the end part side 130, 140 of the end part 13, 14 describes a path 34 which is shown in broken lines in FIG. 6. From this it can be seen that when the end parts 13, 14 are folded down, the corner region 25, 26 27, 28 of the bottom part 11 is free from the end part 13, 14.

The cover part 12 has in its corner regions 29, 30 31, 32 supports 290, 300, 310, 320, the height of which corresponds essentially to the height 33, cf. Fig. 1. The height 33 is determined essentially in accordance with the height of the package formed by the side parts 15, 16 and the end parts 13, 14 in the empty transport position. In the empty transport position, the supports 290, 300, 310, 320 with their free ends 291, 301, 311, 321 rest on corresponding free corner areas 25, 26, 27, 28 of the base part 11, cf. Fig. 6 At the end parts 13, 14 similar to the supports 290, 300, 310, 320 trained supports are arranged, but are not shown separately here. The supports of the end parts 13, 14, not shown separately, take up the corner regions 25, 26, 27, 28 of the base part 11 when the cover part 12 is removed. In the opened state of the container 10, ie in the transport position for receiving goods, the cover part 12 with its supports 290, 300, 310, 320 then stands on the upper ends of the supports of the end parts 13, 14, not shown, which, however, starting from the total height of the container 10 is reduced by approximately the amount of the height of the support 290, 300, 310, 320 of the cover part 12, so that, as desired, the cover part 12 in the transport position is essentially flush with the upper end face 131, 140 of the end part 13 , 14 completes and thus the cuboid structure of the container 10, cf. the dashed line is taken.

Starting from the illustration in FIG. 1, which shows the container 10 in the empty transport position, the cover part 12 is first removed by means of a crane or the like as the only auxiliary means required for transferring the container 10 into a transport position and set aside. The two front parts 13, 14 which are now exposed according to the illustration in FIG. 2 are folded around the end part sides 130, 140 via hinge devices 21, 22, 23, 24 formed thereon into a position perpendicular to the base part 11, cf. Fig. 3. Then the two side parts 15, 16 are transferred to a position perpendicular to the base part 11, by optionally first folding the side part sections 150, 154 around the hinge devices 17, 18, cf. Fig. 4 is also apparent from Fig. 4 how the side portion 154 is in the unfolded state, i.e. the individual flap parts 155, 156, 157 already form a plane, while the side part section 150 from the flap parts 151, 152, 153 is still shown in the folded state.

5 shows the same state as in FIG. 4, but the side part sections 160, 164 of the side part 16 are also folded up, the side part section 160 forming a plane with the flap parts 161, 162, 163 and the second side part section 164 still being folded is in a state in which the flap parts 165, 166, 167 are folded.

After the still folded side part sections 150, 164 of FIG. 5 are still unfolded, the container 10 is still provided with the cover part and all parts 10 of the container are locked together in a suitable manner in such a way that the container 10 is ready to receive transport goods. Folding the container 10 into an empty transport position, cf. Fig. 1, analogous to what has been said above, only in reverse order.

The container shown in FIGS. 7 to 15 basically has the same structure as the container described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. The same parts are therefore provided with the same reference numerals and are not explained again.

The container is built in a so-called frame construction. It has a frame 11a surrounding the base part 11, typically welded together from steel angle profiles, and a corresponding frame 12a surrounding the cover part 12; the two frames 11a, 12a are connected to one another in the corner regions by vertical posts 40, which at the corners of the base part 11 and the cover part 12 carry corner brackets 41 placed on the outside, which serve to protect the corners and on which fastening devices such as eyelets and the like, if applicable. are arranged.

Of the two end parts 13, 14, the end part 13 is formed in one piece and connected to its two adjacent posts 40, while the other end part 14 is divided in two, so that it consists of two doors or flap parts 145, which are preferably of the same size and which to the adjacent posts 40 are hinged about hinges 42 (Fig. 7) about vertical hinge axes. Externally placed, longitudinally displaceable rod closures 43 of known type engage at the end in locking eyelets 44 arranged on the two frames 11a, 12a and thus allow the container to be optionally opened or closed on this end face. Of course, the other end part 13 could also be designed accordingly. If necessary, it is also possible to dispense with dividing one of the end parts 13, 14 in the manner described.

The two side parts 15, 16 are again divided into two side part sections 150, 154 and 160, 164 of the same size in the manner shown in FIGS. 8, 9. The side sections 150, 154 each have two flap parts 151, 152 and 155, 156, of which the flap parts 151 adjoining the front posts 40 are connected in an articulated manner to the bottom part 11 by means of hinge devices 17, 18 with the bottom part 11 are, while the other hinged flap parts 152, 156 are pivotally connected to the respectively assigned flap part 151 and 155 about a vertical hinge axis 15a.

The opposite side part sections 160, 164 are designed to be foldable in three parts. Flap parts of the side part section 160 are designated 161, 162, 163, while the side part section 164 consists of the flap parts 165, 166 and 167. The aforementioned flap parts of each of the side part sections 160, 164 are pivoted to one another about vertical hinge axes 16b. The swivel range is 180 °; if necessary, it can also be larger, for example. 360 °, which also applies to the situation with the pivot axes 15a to the same extent. The two flap parts 161, 165 which are furthest away from the posts 40 and the end faces 13, 14 are connected in an articulated manner to the base part 11 or the frame 11a by hinge devices according to FIG. 12.

As can be seen, for example, from FIG. 9, the flap parts 161, 165 articulated to the base part 11 each have the same width as the flap parts 152, 156 of the opposite side part 15 that can be opened. If, therefore, starting from the position according to FIG. 9 , the folded side part sections 150, 154 and 160, 164 are folded inwards, the flap parts 151, 161, 165, 155 of the said side part sections come to rest flat on the bottom part 11, while the remaining flap parts 152; 162, 163; 166, 167; and 156 are unfolded onto the aforementioned flap parts in the manner shown in FIGS. 9 and 10.

For the rest, the arrangement of the side part 160 is evidently such that the hinged flap parts 162, 163 and 166, 167 extend from the centrally arranged flap parts 161 and 165 articulated to the bottom part 11 towards the end parts 13, 14 extend and in the empty transport position (FIG. 10) on the flap parts 161, 165 are each expanded like an accordion.

Protruding edge strips 44 are formed on the posts 40 in the region of the side parts 15, 16, against which the flap parts 151, 155 or 163, 167 adjoin with the interposition of a pinch seal 45 (FIG. 11). As shown in FIG. 11, in the side part 16, the vertical or second hinge axes 16b are alternately arranged on the inside or the outside of the flap parts 163, 162 or 161 etc., so that when the container is transferred to the empty transport position, Starting from the transport position according to FIG. 11, the hinge axis 16b adjacent to the respective post 40 can initially be pressed somewhat outwards until the assigned flap part 163 or 167 is released from the pinch seal 45 and thus the side section 160 or 64 into the position after Fig. 9 can be folded. Locking devices 16c are located on the flap parts 162, 163 and 166, 167 in the region of the joint axes 16b connecting them to one another arranged, which consist for example of an annular tab and a plug which can be inserted into a corresponding bore in the bottom part and which prevent the side part section 160 or 164 in the region of the flap parts 163, 167 from being pressed outwards by the goods to be transported in the container.

The posts 40 are each divided. They have two end parts 40a, 40b which are connected in the corner regions to the base part 11 or the cover part 12 or the frame 11a or the frame 12a and the function of the supports 290, 300, 310, 320 of the embodiment according to FIGS . 1 to 6 take over. The end parts 40a connected to the bottom part 11 (or the frame 11a) are each pivotably mounted according to FIGS. 13, 14 with the post 40 via a hinge 46 about a pivot axis parallel to the bottom part 11, such that in the empty transport position 10 folded container the end portions 40a have an uncovered end face 47. In the region of the end face 47, each post 40 is connected to its associated end part 40a by a so-called twist lock connection 48 (FIG. 15), which consists of a bolt 49 arranged on the end part 40a and pivotable about a vertical axis and a correspondingly designed recess 50 im Areas of the end face of the post 40 stands. In the locked position, the bolt 49 lies within the recess 50, being rotated so that it engages behind the edges of the recess 50, as can be readily understood from FIG. 15.

The pivoting of the bolt 49 takes place by means of a corresponding tool which can be inserted through an opening 51 in the end part 40a, as is known per se.

Corresponding twistlock connections 48 are also provided between the upper ends of the posts 40 and the upper end parts 40b assigned to them. Otherwise, the length of the two end parts 40a, 40b is dimensioned such that they both correspond to the height 33 of the front and side parts of the container folded into the empty transport position (FIG. 10), as has already been done with reference to the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS 6 has been explained.

In order to transfer the container from the position according to FIG. 1 into the empty transport position according to FIG. 10, the twistlock connections 48 to the upper end parts 40b are first released, whereupon the cover part 12 is lifted off. Now the side parts are folded together according to FIG. 9, whereupon the flap parts 151, 155, 161, 165 articulated to the bottom part 11 are folded down onto the bottom part 11 with the remaining flap parts unfolded on them.

After the loosening of the lower twistlock connections between the lower end parts 40a and the post 40, the end parts 13, 14 are folded inward about the joint axes 46, which results in the position according to FIG. 10.

Subsequently, the cover part 12 with the post end parts 40b arranged thereon is placed on the free end faces 47 of the lower post end parts 40a of the base part 11, so that the folded-in side parts 15, 16 and the end parts 13, 14 stacked thereon are sandwiched between the base part 11 and the Cover part 12 are added. The bars 49 of the lower post end parts 40a engage in the recesses 50 of the upper Post end portions 40b (see FIG. 15). By pivoting the bolts 49, the post end parts 40a, 40b placed one on top of the other at the four corners of the folded container are thus locked in pairs with one another by the associated twistlock connection.

The hinged connection of the flap parts 151, 155 or 161, 165 to the base part or the frame 11a takes place via the hinge devices 17, 18, 19, 20, the basic structure of which is explained with reference to the hinge device 17 in FIG. 12:

Hinge sleeves 17a are arranged on the flap part 151 and the bottom part 11 and are connected to one another in an articulated manner by a hinge pin 17b which forms the hinge axis and which is inserted into the hinge sleeves 17a. The hinge axis runs essentially along the edge of the bottom part 11, so that the flap part 151 can be folded flat on the top of the bottom part 11.

Claims (9)

1. Container, in particular freight container, essentially parallelepipedal in shape, comprising a base section (11), a cover section (12) parallel to said base section, two essentially parallel end face sections (13, 14), which are hinged to said base section to pivot about first pivot axes parallel to said base section, and comprising two essentially parallel side sections (15, 16) divided into side segments 150, 154; 160, 164), which are provided with flap sections (151 - 153, 155 - 157; 161 - 163, 165 - 167) hinged to one another, which may be folded on top of one another about second pivot axes perpendicular to said base section (11) for transporting the container empty, whereby, for transporting empty, the side and end face sections may be folded to lie flat on top of one another in a position essentially parallel to said base section, and in this position, said side and end face sections are safely stowed for transport between the cover sections, which may be stacked on top thereof, and said base section, characterised in that each side segment (150, 154; 160, 164) has at least one flap section (151, 155; 161, 165) hinged to said base section (11); and that for transporting empty, such flap sections (151, 155; 161, 165) of the two opposing side sections are placed alternately next to one another on said base section (11) and for transporting empty, the remaining flap sections (152, 156; 162, 166; 153, 157; 163, 167) of the corresponding side segments are folded thereon.
2. Container according to Claim 1, characterised in that at least one of the side segments (150, 154; 160, 164) may be folded into three parts.
3. Container according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that adjoining at least one end face section (13, 14) at least one side segment (150, 154) is provided, which has at least one flap section (151, 155) hinged to the base section (11) and one folding flap section (152, 156) hinged on the side facing or facing away from the respective end face section, said flap section (152, 156) lying flat on the first-mentioned flap section (151, 155), for transporting empty.
4. Container according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that adjoining at least one end face section (13, 14) at least one side segment (160, 164) is provided, which has at least one flap section hinged to the base section (11) and two folding flap sections (162, 163; 166, 167) hinged on the side facing or facing away from the respective end face section, said flap sections (162, 163; 166, 167) being folded flat in the manner of a concertina on the first-mentioned flap section (161, 165) for transporting empty.
5. Container according to Claims 4 and 5, characterised in that at least one flap section (161, 165) of the one side section (16) hinged to the base section (11) is the same size as an opposing folding flap section (152) of the opposite side section (15).
6. Container according to Claim 4, characterised in that the folding flap sections (162; 166, 167) are different in size.
7. Container according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that the side sections (16) are hinged to the base section (11) by means of hinge units (17 to 20) arranged on sides (158, 168) of flap sections (151, 155; 161, 165) and on the longitudinal sides (110, 111) of the base section (11).
8. Container according to one of the previous claims, characterised in that for transporting empty, corner regions (25 to 28) of the base section (11) or elements (40a) that are arranged therein and connected to said base section (11) are uncovered.
9. Container according to Claim 8, characterised in that the corner regions (29 to 32) of the cover section (12) are provided with struts (290, 300, 310, 320), the height of which, either alone or combined with the elements (40a) arranged on the base section, essentially corresponds to the height (33) of the empty transportation pack formed by the side sections (15, 16) and the end face sections (13, 14), whereby for transporting empty, the free ends (291, 301, 311, 321) of said struts (290, 300, 310, 320) are supported on corresponding free corner regions (114 to 117) of the base section (11) or on the elements (40a) connected thereto.

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