EP1008535B1 - Collapsible container - Google Patents

Abstract

Transport container for loading of ships, railway wagons or heavy goods vehicles comprises walls (1,2,3,4) joined to each other with hinges so that the container can fold together.

Description

The invention relates to a folding transport container for the loading of ships, railway wagons or Lorries, the characteristics of the generic term of the Claim 1 has.

Transport container of the type mentioned serve the Transport of goods or materials. These are essentially a rectangular container containing several Meters long, deep and high. The typical dimensions for a container as used for ships at a few meters. Such a container consists of Stability reasons generally of metal.

Especially with the containers for shipping this is Problem surfaced that many empty containers in Asia and no longer transported back to Europe can be, because the loading capacity of the ships for this not suffice. One reason for this is in particular that an empty container needs space in the same way like a full container. The cost of the return transport are therefore similar to a forward transport.

The problem could be significantly reduced if folding containers are used. One folded container takes a comparatively small volume. It is then on relatively cheap Way possible, such a container in the transported back folded state.

Although various ideas have been developed to which Way a container for the transport of goods and Materials can be built hinged (see beer to US-A-3 799 284 and DE 197 48 637 C). It was found however, that the resulting stability problems are very big. To date, therefore, is generally on the Use of a folding container dispensed.

The object of the invention is to provide a Folding container of the type mentioned, for the practical use is stable enough.

The object of the invention is achieved by a Transport container with the features of claim 1 solved. Advantageous embodiments will be apparent from the Dependent claims.

In the case of the appropriate transport container are the walls pivotally connected to each other so that the container can be folded or folded. In particular, the bottom of the container is with a side longitudinal wall of the container pivotally connected. The wall that forms the container ceiling, is also with the second lateral longitudinal wall pivotally connected. A Front wall of the container is pivotable on one of the two lateral longitudinal walls, on the floor or on the ceiling of the Containers pivotally mounted. In the same way behaves it is with the other end wall. It is essential that do not fold the walls for themselves.

Will the volume spanned by the container considered, the aforementioned lateral walls in this clamped volume are folded into it. The Wall, which forms the ceiling of the container, then becomes moved down. Overall, this results in a significant smaller volume with the same footprint in proportion to the unfolded container.

The walls themselves have no hinges or hinged Fasteners. They are therefore very stable. in the when unfolded, the walls stabilize each other in terms of their relative position to each other. Overall, so is a mechanically stable, hinged Transport container provided. This one has the minimal required number of hinged fasteners. This is a cause of the stability achieved.

Two opposite walls of the container point Guide rails for such container walls, the pivotally connected to these walls. Will the Container folded, the above pivotally mounted walls through the guide rails guided. These guiding devices ensure that the container constructed reproducibly or can be folded.

The Guide means comprises continuous, parallel mutually arranged grooves as a guide rail. each Groove interacts with a guide bar, which on the corresponding end of the guided through the rail wall is appropriate. This way, a simple, reliable and stable guidance system provided.

The guide groove runs continuously, i. over the entire length or width of the relevant container wall. It will be like this avoided that through the guide groove a recess is present, in which fix impurities permanently can. Since the guide groove is continuous, can Impurities easily come out of the groove or be rinsed out.

In the Guide means are one or more wheels Guide bars attached to the guide roller interact. The wheels run in the guide groove. The Leadership is so easy. friction are avoided. The structure of the container or the Folding such is without effort then possible.

There are funds provided to the container a folded state in the established state to move and vice versa. These funds include telescopic devices, which are the two Moving walls with the guide rails so that only the distance between the two walls to each other changes. In particular, the parallel position of the walls each other is maintained during the movement. The one wall is therefore only raised compared to the other or lowered. It is particularly advantageous that forces practically exclusively parallel to the lifting movement or to Absenkbewegung be exercised. The direction of the force So corresponds to the direction of the executed movement of one wall relative to the other.

It has been found that in particular by the aforementioned Direction of the applied forces ensures that the Container reliably folded or assembled can be. Tilts become particularly reliable avoided.

The telescope means (facilities) are especially at the corners of the two walls concerned (eg floor and ceiling). The forces will preferably transferred hydraulically to the required Ensure accuracy of movement. The desired Movement is particularly precise and reliable.

In the assembled state are the aforementioned telescopic moving means, in particular at four parallel edges of the container. Advantageously, then point to the telescopic means delimiting walls recesses, which the telescopic moving means with unfolded container take up. This avoids that the Telescopic moving means in the assembled state of the container protrude and then easily by impact and the like can be damaged.

In the container according to the invention are the Pivoting joints between walls designed so that provided in the swung-in state space when needed is moved into the other walls if necessary become. This is achieved by providing protruding edges on which pivotal connections are attached.

According to the invention Ends of the telescoping means of movement with lever connected pivoting walls. The swiveling Wall is in the assembled state parallel to Telescopic arm of the movement means arranged. The lever is substantially perpendicular to the aforementioned pivotable Wall attached. This measure will ensures that the wall is completely vertical in Relationship to the wall unfolds, at which it pivots is attached when the container is unfolded. The lever is advantageous at the same time part of a Wall recess for receiving the telescopic Movement agent in the unfolded state of the Container.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the invention Locking devices are provided which cover the walls of the container suitable in unfolded or swung out state lock together. The stability of the container in the unfolded state is ensured so on.

The telescopic movement elements are in particular so designed to extend from 0.60 m to 1.80 m. These dimensions are typical of the container in the folded or when set up.

In yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the End walls of the container so pivotally attached that they both after can be folded inside and out. she be folded inside when the container folded up. They are turned outward, though the container is loaded. The loading is then over the front walls of the container.

Fig. 1

eine Seitenansicht eines klappbaren Containers,

Fig. 2

eine Schwenkbare Verbindung zwischen einer seitlichen Längswand und einer schwenkbar hieran befestigten seitlichen Stirnwand,

Fig. 3

Aufsicht auf eine als Boden dienende Containerwand,

Fig. 4

eine Außenansicht einer seitlichen Längswand und

Fig. 5

eine Innenansicht einer seitlichen Längswand.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figures, namely shows

Fig. 1

a side view of a folding container,

Fig. 2

a pivotal connection between a lateral longitudinal wall and a pivotally attached thereto lateral end wall,

Fig. 3

Top view of a container wall serving as a floor,

Fig. 4

an outside view of a lateral longitudinal wall and

Fig. 5

an interior view of a lateral longitudinal wall.

The foldable shown in Fig. 1 Containers, one intended as a floor 1 Wall and a serving as a ceiling 2 wall. With the ceiling 2 is a lateral longitudinal wall. 3 hinged or pivotally connected. With the ground is 1 another lateral longitudinal wall 4 pivotally connected.

The bottom 1 has on one side a protruding edge 5 on. The pivotal connection with the lateral longitudinal wall 4th is attached to this protruding edge 5. The ceiling 2 also has a protruding edge 6, which is the projecting edge 5 diagonally opposite. At the protruding edge 6 is the pivotal connection to lateral longitudinal wall 3 attached. By the two protruding edges remain in the folded state Interspaces necessary for the absorption of lateral Longitudinal walls are provided in the folded state.

On the lateral longitudinal wall 3 is adjacent to pivotable connection acting as a lever protruding edge 7 vertically attached to the outside has. Analogously, in the lateral wall 4 a Lever 8 is provided. A hydraulically operated telescopic motion element 9 is with the free end the lever 7 connected at one end. The connection can also be pivoted to freedom of movement provide. The other end of the telescopic Movement means 9 is pivotally on the ground 1, for example attached. In the same way is a telescopic Movement means 10 with the lever 8 and the ceiling. 2 connected. In total there are four such telescopic ones Moving means provided near the corners of the bottom 1 or the ceiling 2 are attached. Will the telescopic motion elements 9 and 10 apart Drove, so the container works apart. By the Levers 7 and 8 ensures that the lateral Walls 3 and 4 perpendicular in relation to the bottom 1 and the Set up ceiling 2.

Guide devices 11 and 12 are provided by the lateral longitudinal walls during the Be guided movement. Not shown Latches to the walls 3 and 4 in the unfolded Lock condition.

The end walls are not shown in FIG.

Fig. 2 illustrates the pivotal connection between a lateral longitudinal wall 3 and a pivotally thereto attached lateral end wall 13. The end wall 13 may be folded 180 ° about the pivot connection 14. The Swivel connection 14 is at a protruding edge 15th appropriate. By providing the protruding edge 15 Space is provided in the folded state, which is for the inclusion of the lateral end wall 13 in the folded Condition is provided. In Fig. 2 is the unfolded State shown. The end wall 13 is in this way unfolded when the container is in the built state is loaded.

Fig. 3 shows a plan view of the bottom plate 1. Die Base plate 1 has groove-shaped recesses 16 which extend over the entire width of the bottom plate 1. The grooves 16 serve to guide the lateral wall 3. A Guide bar 17, which at the corresponding end of the lateral Longitudinal wall 3 is fixed, has at the free end a or several wheels 18. These wheels 18 roll in the Guide groove 16. The wall 3 is made in this way during the folding or folding of the container out. The groove 16 extends over the entire width of the wall, so that Impurities can be easily removed laterally can.

4 shows an external view of a lateral longitudinal wall 3. This lateral longitudinal wall 3 has recesses 19, for receiving the telescopic movement elements 9 are provided in the unfolded state. It will be like this avoided that the telescopic movement elements in built-up condition of the container protrude and then slightly damaged could become. The ceiling of the recess 19 serves at the same time as a lever 7, which is shown here in supervision.

5 shows an interior view of the lateral longitudinal wall 3. The wall has containers and pivot elements 20 and 21. These can be unfolded or folded out. in the particular are particular containers for water, Medicines and food provided. Furthermore, a Folding bed, a folding chair or a folding table be unfolded. A container with the aforementioned Containers or folding elements are for use in the Disaster. The container is folded up State transported and set up at the scene. There is so very fast an emergency shelter available.

Claims (8)

1. Transport container for the loading of ships, railway carriages or lorries, whose walls (1, 2, 3, 4; 13) are slewably connected to each other such that the container can be collapsed, wherein telescope-like devices (9, 10) are provided for moving the container from a collapsed state into the built-up state and vice versa, characterised in that at least one end of one of the telescope-like moving means (9, 10) is connected with a slewable wall (3, 4) via a lever (7, 8), the lever being mounted essentially perpendicularly on the slewable wall.
2. Container according to claim 1, characterised in that the telescope-like moving means (9, 10) can be operated hydraulically.
3. Container according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that recesses (19) are provided in the walls (3) which receive telescope-like moving means (9, 10) in the unfolded state.
4. Container according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that the inner walls (3) of the container have receptacles that can be folded open for receiving foodstuffs and/or medicaments and/or table boards or boards for reclining (20, 21).
5. Container according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that locking devices are provided which lock the walls (1, 2, 3, 4; 1 3) of the container with each other in the unfolded state.
6. Container according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterised in that the telescope-like moving means (9, 10) can be extended from a length of 0.60 m to a length of 1.80 m.
7. Container according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the end walls are arranged slewably at the container and foldably both towards the inside as well as towards the outside.
8. Container according to one of the claims 1 to 7, characterised in that receptacles and other slewable elements (20, 21) are arranged foldably on the inside of least one of the walls (1 , 2, 3, 4; 13).

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