EP1325870A1

EP1325870A1 - Folding container

Info

Publication number: EP1325870A1
Application number: EP02009518A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andrea Carola
Original assignee: CONSUMER AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT Ltd
Current assignee: CONSUMER AND INDUSTRIAL PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT LTD
Priority date: 2002-04-26
Filing date: 2002-04-26
Publication date: 2003-07-09

Abstract

A Folding Container has side panels associated with short side cylinders fixed to the base and movable between an unassembled condition in which the faces of the panels are parallel to the base plane and an assembled condition in which the panels define a close storage space. When erected, side panels are releasibly retained to side support cylinders. A cover panel (8) is associated to one of the side panels and closes the container.

Description

This invention relates to a folding or collapsible container such as a suitcase, a packing case, a shipping crate or a freight container.
Containers are required for a variety of purposes and, in many circumstances, such as moving possessions between houses or flats, it is necessary for the container to be sufficiently sturdy to protect the container contents from damage when it is moved or accidentally knocked. However, such a container is unlikely to be in constant use, and as a result it would be advantageous if it could be stored in a flat condition when it is not required.
The present invention therefore provides a folding container comprising side panels (2) associated with a base panel (1) and movable between a folded condition in which the faces of the panels are parallel with a common plane and an assembled condition in which the faces of the side panels, together with a cover panel, define a closed storage space (fig.13), wherein the container is releasably retained in the erected condition by side support means engaging adjacent side panels.
The side support means comprise short cylinders (3) fixed at the four corners of the base panel and four upright members (4) either associated to the short side cylinders and bent down when unassembled or demountly received and retained to the firsts. Where the combined height of the two does not exceed the height of the container.
The side panels are pivotally mounted to the short fixed cylinders in conjunction to pivot points. When unfolded to reach an erected position the panels are either rotated up and outwardly (fig.4) or slid out along its horizontal plane (fig.6) and then rotated up and inwardly. Where the choice on how to unfold the panels depends on the use or dimensions of the container. When the rotation is completed the first panels to be unfolded, being on a higher horizontal plane in respect of the others, can be slid down (fig.5) in such a way that the bottom edge of each lays on the base panel.
Detent means (9) may be provided on the external faces of the side panels to receive fastening means or other mechanism for restraining movements of the side panels away from a vertical position and to secure them to the upright members supports. The detent means are preferably disposed near or adjacent to the edges of the side panels.
The cover panel can be pivotally mounted to one of the side panels (fig.8) The cover can be slid from an unassembled position in which it lies parallel to the side panel to a dose position , where it lies on top of the side panels edges, closing the container in the assembled position. Where the sliding movement is guided by two short bars (6) placed at the opposite side of the top edges of the side panel (fig 8,9) in conjunction with pivot points (7). The cover panel can also be detached from the container and adapted on top the container once assembled.
A full understanding of the various aspects of the invention will be gained from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment given by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment in an unassembled condition.
Figure 2 is a top section view of the container shown in Figure 1.
Figure 3 to 7 are side view of the container showing the different steps of assembling.
Figures 8 to 12 show details of the cover panel.
Figures 13 show the assembled container.
The unassembled container illustrated in Figure 1, has metallic or plastic horizontal base (1), folded panels (2 ), four short cylinders fixed at the corner of the base (3), upright members (4) adaptable to the short cylinders or forming one piece with each of these and folded down in the initial position.
The side cylinders are placed at the corner of the base; each of the side panels is of width less than the distance of the two adjacent side cylinders. (fig.2)
With reference to Figures 3 to 8, the container is initially in its folded condition with the panels overlying one another. The upright tubes (4) are either inserted into the short tubules (3) adjacent the corners of the base panel or unfolded one by one in an erected position (fig.3). The tubes project vertically upwards from the base panel. One by one, each side panels ( 2), which is pivotally mounted (5) to the short cylinders (3), is unfolded by rotation into a vertical position (fig.4), slid down so to juxtapose the base panel (fig. 5) , and secured to the upright cylindrical tubules (4). Alternatively , each side panel can be slid out along its horizontal plane first ( fig.6 ), then rotated up and inwardly (fig.7) before being secured in the upright position. Movement of the side panels past the vertical is prevented by contact of the outer faces of the panels with detent means (9). The rectangular cover panel (8) which can be associated with the first of the side panels to be unfolded, is slid from its initial position (fig. 11) to a dosed position (fig.12) to rest upon the side panels edges, where the sliding is guided by bars (6) in conjunction with pivots points (7) . The cover can be as well detached from the container and adapted on top of the container when the container is in the assembled condition (fig.13). A lock or catch may be provided to secure the cover panel in position.
The container is unassembled or folded by reversing the steps described above.
Though other containers in prior art are characterised by some folding mechanism for all the reasons stated and described, the present product is different both in term of the technical features and of the assembling properties and hence is characterised as a new product.
Of course, the skilled man will appreciate that many modifications to the described embodiment are possible. For instance wheels can be adapted to the base; although the panels are preferably formed from metal, they could be formed of plastics or any other suitable material; the container can be suited for different uses and be of different sizes.

Claims

A Folding Container with side panels unfoldable by rotation in an erected position secured to side supports where the container is assembled without the use of tools is know prior art from same applicant ( EP 00300994.1 - Collapsible Container)
A folding container comprising side panels, which can be of equal height, pivotally mounted to four side support cylinders and movable between a folded condition in which the side panels overlie a base panel, and an assembled condition in which the side panels , together with a cover panel, define a dosed storage space; and where the container may be formed of as one unit of combined elements are features which characterise the present invention.
A folding container as claimed in claim 1 in which four short cylinders (fig.1) are fixed at the corners of the base.
A Folding container as is claim 1 in which the width of each side panel is less than the distance between its two adjacent short cylinder (fig.2).
A folding container as in claim 1 and in which four side panels, which can be of equal height, are each mounted through pivot points, to two adjacent short cylinder, and are allowed to rotate in a vertical position as well as to slide along an horizontal plane out or in from its original position (fig. 3 -7).
A folding container as claimed in claim 2 in which side support means comprise upright members (fig. 3), where these upright portion can either form one unit with each of the short corner cylinders fixed to the base and bent down when the container is unassembled, or can be demountly secured in close fitting engagement to the firsts; where the total height of the two members combined will not exceed the height of the side panels .
A container as claimed in Claim 4, in which detent means or other mechanisms are provided on the external faces of the side panels to receive fastening means allowing each panel, when assembled, to be firmed in an erected position to the support cylinders.
A folding container as in Claim 4 wherein each of the first side panels to be unfolded, when erected , is slid down so to juxtapose the base panel (fig.5); it is then releasibly retained in the erected position by means of a fastening mechanism to the upright side members.
A container as in claim 4 wherein the side panels can be first slid out from their unassembled position (fig. 6,7) and then rotated up and inward before being retained as of the steps described in the preceding claims.
A container as claimed in Claim 1 in which a cover panel can be associated with one of the side panels , adapted to lie parallel to the base panel in the folded condition , and to overlie the side panels in the assembled position thereby closing the container.
A folding Container as in claim 9 in which the cover panel can be detached from the container and applied as cover once the container is assembled .
A folding container as claimed in Claim 9 in which the cover panel, if not detached from the container, can be pivotally mounted (fig. 8-12) to one of the side panel and allowed to slide or to rotate to the closed position.
A folding container as in claim 1, in which the base panel , the upright supports, the side panels and the cover panel can be formed as one unit of combined parts.
A container as claimed in claim 1 in which the panels are formed from metal or plastics sheet material.