EP1437306A1 - Locking mechanism of a container - Google Patents

Abstract

The closing mechanism locks the folding side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) in the upright position. It includes a locking bar fitted in one side wall which engages in a recess in the adjacent side wall. The lock (7), which can be pushed against a spring, includes a displacement element which incorporates or operates the locking bar.

Description

The present invention relates to a transport container preferably made of plastic for In particular vegetables and fruits according to the preamble of claims 1 and 9, respectively.

Collapsible transport containers made of preferably plastic become too diverse Transport used because they are both very stable and on the other hand very light and due to the folding function in the empty transport only a small footprint need. In particular, the ease of such transport container is still characterized reinforces that by providing a plurality of reinforcing ribs material can be saved. However, this leads to the disadvantage that in particular the outer surfaces the transport container very rough and provided with many edges and depressions are. In addition to contamination problems, this leads in particular in the area of the bottom plate to the further problem that, especially when used as a transport container for Fruit, z. B. bananas, stacked transport containers transport goods that something has been stacked over the upper edge of the underlying transport container, can be damaged by the edges and reinforcing ribs.

In addition, it is disadvantageous in the present hinged transport containers that the side walls, which are mutually secured by locking elements in the upright position, already can collapse on pressure on the side walls. This is for one thing for a quick and easy handling advantageous, but has the other the Disadvantage of that in improper handling, as in a heavy use In practice, often occurs, the side walls in the upright position not are properly locked, which subsequently during loading and stacking to a collapse the side walls and thus damage to the goods received therein can lead. In addition, the currently used locking and securing elements are often difficult to operate and difficult to arrange on the containers. In addition, there is often here the problem that the locking or securing elements damaged when used improperly can be.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a folding transport container, insensitive to excessive and improper treatment, as for example when overloading the transport container and strong, jerky loads the side walls occurs. In particular, a transport container is to be created, which has a very smooth bottom surface, no ribs and reinforcing webs so as to damage by pressing the reinforcing ribs in the underneath good to avoid the stacked transport container below. simultaneously However, the soil should have sufficient stability to that in the transport container to be able to transport taken goods safely. Another task of present invention is to be seen in that a mutual backup of the hinged Sidewalls should be created in erected condition, easy to operate, so to open and close, and insensitive to pressure or impact stress is. In particular, should also be given an easy handling in the way be that a user can solve or close the securing of the side walls without his Position or to change the position of the transport container.

This object is achieved by a transport container with the features of the claims 1 or 9. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, the transport container has a substantially rectangular base plate on, which formed from a frame and a soil profile arranged therein becomes. On the frame hinged preferably four side walls are arranged between the a folded position where they are lying on the bottom plate, and an erect position in which they are substantially perpendicular to the bottom plate project upwards, can be pivoted. The soil profile points both at the Top and bottom smooth surface without reinforcement ribs or webs on and maintains its stability through several bulges, which provided in the soil profile are, with the bulges by curvature of the soil profile in several directions in space be formed. This results in a three-dimensional soil profile, the by the bulges has sufficient rigidity and also by the thereby possible waiver of reinforcing ribs has a smooth, easy-care surface, the in a stacking of the transport container to no damage of the underneath lying due to the lack of reinforcing ribs in these areas no more stress peaks in the overlay on the underlying cargo more can occur, but rather results in a uniform load distribution.

Preferably, the three-dimensional shape of the soil profile is formed by the Ground profile along the narrow side is bent arcuately upwards while it along the longitudinal side has a waveform. Such a structure has one hand a particularly good strength and also offers manufacturing advantages.

Advantageously, the curvatures are provided on the bottom profile so that between the vaults horizontal floor sections present. This has the advantage that at least sections of horizontal support surfaces for the transported in the transport container Good. In addition, arise through the horizontal floor sections Areas over which a simple connection of the soil profile to the surrounding frame is possible.

Accordingly, it is also advantageous in a stacking edge, preferably on the bottom plate is intended to be in a stack of transport containers in the underlying Intervene transport container, stacking grooves for staggered stacking of the transport container in to provide the area in the horizontal floor sections of the soil profile to the stack edge or adjoin the frame of the bottom plate. In this way arises here an advantageous level and smooth transition from the bottom profile to the frame of the bottom plate.

In a bottom plate with a stacking edge, it is also advantageous, the bulges as Wells in the soil profile provide that they are in the area between the extending upper end of the stacking edge and the lower end of the stacking edge. This offers manufacturing technology has the advantage that starting from horizontal bottom sections, the upper edge of the stack edge can be attached, the soil profile in the edge region always be connected to the stack edge, d. H. So with wells along the Side margins to the bottom of the stack edge.

Preferably, the bottom profile is formed integrally with the frame, which is for example in the production of the bottom plate by plastic injection offers.

To further increase the stiffness of the soil profile, this can also be under prestress be kept in the frame, in such a way that the curvature z. B. arcuate is reinforced upwards by an elastic tension. In this way the load capacity of the soil profile can be increased even further.

According to a second aspect of the invention, the folding transport container has a lock the hinged side walls in the erect position, by a Closing mechanism is provided on adjacent side walls. The locking mechanism includes a closure with a locking latch on one side Side wall is provided, and a latching recess on the adjacent side wall, in which can engage the locking latch. The closure is in this case by a against the Spring force of an elastic element displaceable sliding element formed, which the closure latch comprises or actuated and received substantially in the side wall is. By receiving the closure in a side wall this is more advantageous Protected against damage from external forces. On the other hand, by the bias of the displacement element by an elastic Element or by the force required to move the sliding element is, ensures that an unintentional operation of the shutter mechanism be excluded by a pure pressure or force on the side wall can.

Advantageously, the sliding element is arranged in the side wall so that it both be actuated from the outside of the side wall as well as from the inside can. This is achieved in particular by the fact that the displacement element and thus the Closure is inserted in a closure recess in the side wall, so that the Closure by arranged on both sides of the displacement element recessed grip or a continuous handle opening can be operated from both sides of the side wall. The Both-sided operability of the closure has the advantage that neither the operator his Change location, nor the transport container must be rotated to all To be able to fold in side walls.

In addition, the possibility that the closure in a recess in a side wall can be used, the manufacturing advantage that the closure can be made in one piece from plastic and then simply into the recess in the Sidewall can be clipped.

The closure is in this case preferably in the form of locking elements, the. projections Webs or the like are formed, held in the closure recess of the side wall and / or led. Since the sliding element of the closure in the side wall for actuation the shutter bolt must be moved, the shutter recess must be accordingly be chosen large, so that a displacement of the displacement element is possible. To the bias of the locking bolt or the associated displacement element to effect in a position by the elastic spring element, the displacement element in the side wall arranged so that it over the elastic member with the side wall connected is.

This can preferably be done by a holding plate, which is part of the closure and which is fixed firmly in the side wall. Alternatively, however, the elastic element be arranged directly on the side wall.

By the connection of the displacement element via the elastic element with the side wall the sliding element is held in the position in which the elastic spring element is relaxed. This is preferably the closure position, in which so the locking latch engages in the recess of the adjacent side wall. By this default in the closed position, an unintentional folding of the transport container effectively avoided.

In a preferred embodiment of the closure is a substantially cuboidal Frame body provided as a sliding element, which on both sides at one end having circular recessed grips or a continuous handle opening. The width the frame body or the displacement element is in this case to the thickness of the side wall adapted so that the closure is substantially flush with the inside and / or outside the side wall closes. Preferably, within the frame body is the elastic Element arranged, which advantageously formed substantially as an S-shaped spring is and on the one hand on the opposite side of the gripping recess of the frame body and on the other side of the side wall or the retaining plate of the closure is attached, preferably as a continuation of the side wall in the closure recess located. This is a particularly space-saving embodiment, in which also the Spring element is sufficiently protected by the surrounding frame body. By the S-shaped design of the spring is achieved a particularly long travel, the only one low power consumption conditionally.

At the grip or the handle opening opposite side of the frame body is in a preferred embodiment of the locking latch directly on the displacement element arranged so that directly with the displacement of the displacement element and the Locking bolt is moved.

For opening the closure, ie for releasing the locking of the adjacent side walls, must the sliding element by the user on the engagement in the recessed grip or the handle opening are displaced against the spring force of the elastic member, so that the locking latch out of engagement with the recess of the adjacent Sidewall dissolves. Since preferably a two-sided recessed grip or a continuous Handle opening is provided on the displacement element, the holding plate, which preferably parallel to the surface of the side wall and the displacement of the sliding element is arranged, only over a portion of the displacement element, preferably about two-thirds, so as not to obscure the area of the grip or handle opening.

Fig. 1

eine perspektivische Ansicht eines erfindungsgemäßen Transportbehälters;

Fig. 2

eine perspektivische Draufsicht auf die Bodenplatte eines Transportbehälters;

Fig. 3

eine perspektivische Unteransicht der Bodenplatte eines Transportbehälters;

Fig. 4

eine Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie A-A aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

eine teilweise Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie B-B aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 6

eine teilweise Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie C-C aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 7

eine teilweise Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie D-D aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 8

eine Schnittansicht entlang der Schnittlinie E-E aus Fig. 2;

Fig. 9

eine teilweise Seitenansicht des Transportbehälters mit einem erfindungsgemäßen Verschlußmechanismus;

Fig. 10

a) und b) jeweils eine perspektivische Ansicht des Verschlusses in der Verschlußstellung (a) und der zurückgezogenen Stellung (b) zum Umklappen der Seitenwände; und in

Fig. 11

eine teilweise perspektivische Ansicht einer Seitenwand, in die der Verschluß eingesetzt werden kann.

Further advantages, characteristics and features of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. The drawings show all in a purely schematic manner in

Fig. 1

a perspective view of a transport container according to the invention;

Fig. 2

a perspective top view of the bottom plate of a transport container;

Fig. 3

a bottom perspective view of the bottom plate of a transport container;

Fig. 4

a sectional view taken along section line AA of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5

a partial sectional view taken along section line BB of Fig. 2;

Fig. 6

a partial sectional view along the section line CC of Fig. 2;

Fig. 7

a partial sectional view along the section line DD of Fig. 2;

Fig. 8

a sectional view taken along the section line EE of Fig. 2;

Fig. 9

a partial side view of the transport container with a closure mechanism according to the invention;

Fig. 10

a) and b) are each a perspective view of the closure in the closed position (a) and the retracted position (b) for folding the side walls; and in

Fig. 11

a partial perspective view of a side wall into which the closure can be inserted.

Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a transport container 1, wherein the side walls 3 to 6 are arranged on the bottom plate 2, that they in the direction of the arrows can be folded onto the bottom plate 2. To the position of the side walls 3 to 6 to secure in an upright position are in the embodiment shown on the Side walls 3 and 5 closures 7 are provided, which is a locking of adjacent side walls 3 and 4 or 3 and 6 or 5 and 4 or 5 and 6 allow. On the presentation the hinge elements, the pivoting of the side walls 3 to 6 relative to the bottom plate 2, has been omitted for the sake of simplicity, since here all Known solution options can be provided.

Fig. 2 shows in a perspective view only the bottom plate 2 of the transport container 1, as shown in FIG. 1. The bottom plate 2 consists of a Frame 8 with different high side wall continuations and a bottom profile 9, which is arranged within the frame 8. The bottom profile 9, which has a smooth surface at the top and in particular also at the bottom, is by a variety characterized by buckling 10, which is substantially at the edge along the long sides and in the corner areas are provided. The vaults 10, which reinforce the serve mechanical strength of the bottom profile 9 are in the illustrated embodiment formed by the soil profile 9 a to the longitudinal axis upwards curved shape and one along the longitudinal side provided in particular in the edge regions Waveform has. The overlay, these three-dimensional shapes drove to the vaults 10, which thus curvature not only in one spatial direction, but in have several, at least two spatial directions. The type of vaults 10 is in Fig. 2 represented by the indicated at the edges of the longitudinal axis rectangular surfaces.

It can be seen that between the areas with vaults 10 horizontal floor sections 23 are provided, which extend substantially horizontally and the the areas with vaults 10 separate from each other.

3 shows the bottom plate 2 of FIG. 2 from the bottom, so that here the buckles 10, which can be seen in Fig. 2 as wells, here show up as surveys. FIG. 3 further shows that the bottom plate 2 of the illustrated embodiment, a stacking edge has, which is offset from the outer edge of the bottom plate 2 slightly inward, in order at stacked transport containers 1 in the upper opening portion of the to be able to intervene underneath transport container 1. To a staggered stackability reach the transport container, the stack edge 11 recesses, so-called Stacking grooves 12, which at different distances from each other in the periphery of the stack edge 11 are provided.

As shown in the illustrated embodiment, advantageously correspond to the horizontal floor sections 23 with the stacking grooves 12 to a stable and simple Transition from the stack edge 11 or frame 8 to ensure the bottom profile 9.

FIG. 4 shows a sectional view along the section line A-A from FIG. 2, that is, along a section horizontal bottom portion 23 of the bottom profile 9. Accordingly, in the sectional view the bottom profile 9 shown as a flat and flat surface between the frame 8. Indeed the sectional view also shows that the bottom profile 9 is in the continuation in the Image plane through the vaults 10 provided to the lower edge of the stacking edge 11 deepened. Furthermore, in Fig. 4, a stacking groove 12 a narrow side can be seen.

Fig. 5 shows in a similar representation to Fig. 4 is a partial sectional view in a Area in which is up through the along the narrow side of the bottom profile 9 bent shape of the bottom profile 9 at the edges of the long sides buckles 10th of the soil profile 9 are located. The vault 10 arises here as a depression of the soil profile 9 in the direction of the lower edge of the stack edge 11. Thus, results a direct transition of the lower edge of the stack edge 11 to the bottom profile. 9

A further sectional view in the region of a horizontal bottom section 23 is shown in FIG. 6, which thus substantially corresponds to FIG. 4. However, there is a difference here in that the stacking edge 11 has no stacking groove 12 in this area, so that the bottom profile 9 no longer smoothly merges into the frame 8, as is the case in Fig. 4, but the frame 8 rather has an extension down in the form of the stack edge 11.

A section through the bottom plate 2 along the central longitudinal axis is shown in Fig. 7. Since there is a horizontal bottom portion 23 in this area, here is the Soil profile 9 shown as a flat and flat surface. However, in the depths Continuation of the sectional view very nice the waveform of the soil profile 9 along to recognize the longitudinal axis, along the longitudinal axis to several vaults 10 leads. In addition, Fig. 7 shows the corresponding arrangement of the stacking grooves 12 and the horizontal bottom sections 23 and the arrangement of the executed as depressions Buckling in the areas between the stacking grooves 12.

In the sectional view of Fig. 8, which is a section parallel to the side wall in the vicinity of a Longitudinal side of the bottom plate 2 shows is the wave-shaped curvature of the bottom profile 9, the contributes to a reinforcement of the soil profile 9, to recognize particularly well. outgoing from the central longitudinal axis of the bottom plate 2 decreases the strength of the curvature of the bulges 10 in the direction of the long sides, ie in the direction of the frame 8, more and more to.

Fig. 9 shows a partial side view of the side walls 3 and 4 of the transport container Fig. 1 in an erect position, which is firmly locked by the shutter mechanism 7, 24 are. As shown in FIG. 9, the shutter mechanism 7 comprises 24 a Veschluß 7 with a locking latch 15 on the one side wall 3, wherein the Locking latch 15 engages in a latching recess 24 of the adjacent side wall 4. The closure bar 15 is via an elastic spring element 14, which in the shown Embodiment S-shaped, preset in the closed position. opposite the spring force of the elastic spring element 14, the locking latch 15 of the Closure position, that is removed from the recess 24 of the adjacent side wall 4 be when the sliding element 16 of the closure 7, on which the locking latch 15th is arranged, is moved in the closure recess 18 in the side wall 3. To has the displacement element 16 both on the inside and on the outside of the side wall 3 an engagement recess 13, in which the user engage with a finger can.

The sliding element 16, which is displaceable in the closure recess 18 of the side wall 3 is held in the side wall 3 via a holding plate 19, which in turn is connected via the spring support 17 with the elastic spring element 14.

As better seen in Figs. 10 a) and b), but only the closure alone without Side wall show, the holding plate 19 via locking elements 20 in the closure recess 18 of the side wall 3 attached. Alternatively, however, it would also be conceivable that the retaining plate 19 is integrally formed with the side wall 3, and the sliding member 16 via the spring support 17, for example, by a plug directly to the side wall. 3 is connected.

FIGS. 10 a) and b) illustrate the situation of the closure in the closed position (FIG. 10 a)). and in the unlocked position (FIG. 10b)). In the closed position shown in FIG. 10a). is shown, by the spring force of the elastic spring element 14, the displacement element 16, which consists of a substantially cuboid frame body with a rounding on one side, aligned so that the side in which the lock bar 15th is arranged, substantially flush with the front of the holding plate 19 terminates. In In this state, the elastic spring element 14 is thus in a relieved or almost Relieved condition. To the closure position, wherein the locking latch 15 in the recess 24 engages the adjacent side wall, to solve, the sliding element 16 against the spring force of the elastic spring element 14 in the direction of the arrow, which is indicated in Fig. 10b), moved. In this way, the elastic spring element 14 compressed and is in a stretched state. The operation of the sliding element 16 can be done by the user in that he engages in the Griffinulde 13.

The closure 7 is now in the side wall 3 and in the closure recess 18 of the side wall 3, as shown in Fig. 11, so the locking latch 15th through the latch recess 22 in the side wall 3. By the operation of the sliding element 16, as has been described above, the lock bolt 15 is through the Lock recess 22 pulled so that the locking latch 15 is no longer through the latch recess 22 protrudes. Thus, the side wall 3 in a simple manner opposite the side wall 4 and the side wall 6 are moved.

With reference to Fig. 1, thus, the transport container 1 with simultaneous operation the closures 7 first on the side wall 3 or 5 and then on the other Side wall 5 or 3 are merged so that first the side walls 3 and 5 to be folded inside and then the side walls 4 and 6. Since the closures 7 are accessible according to the invention both on the inside and on the outside, For folding the transport container 1, the operator need neither his stand change the transport container 1 turn. This simplifies the operation considerably.

Since the locking bar 15 wedge-shaped with a contact surface 25 and an inclined surface 26th is formed, in the closed position a safe investment of the closure bolt 15th ensures the locking recess 24, while the inclined surface 26 an unhindered Erecting the side walls allows.

Claims (14)

Transport container, preferably made of plastic, for special vegetables, fruits and the like with a bottom plate (2) and a plurality, preferably four hinged side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) which are circumferentially arranged on the bottom plate (2) and can be folded onto these in which, for the mutual locking of the hinged side walls (2, 3, 4, 5) in the erected position, a locking mechanism (7, 24) is provided on adjacent side walls (3, 4; 3, 6; 5, 4; 5, 6) in which a closure bolt (15) of a closure (7) on one side wall (3, 5) can engage in a latching recess (24) of the adjacent side wall (4, 6), characterized in that the closure (7) engages essentially in the side wall (3,5) received, against the spring force of an elastic element (14) displaceable sliding element (16) which comprises or actuates the locking bolt. Transport container according to claim 1, characterized in that the displacement element (16) from both the outside and the inside of the side wall (3,5) is actuated. Transport container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the closure (7) in a recess (18) in the side wall (3,5) is inserted. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the closure bolt (15) is biased by the spring force of the elastic element (14) in the closed position. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the elastic element (14) on the displacement element (16) is arranged, wherein the displacement element (16) via the elastic element with the side wall (3,5) is connected. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the closure (7) further comprises a holding plate (19) which is arranged stationarily in the side wall (3,5), wherein the holding plate (19) via the elastic element (19). 14) is connected to the displacement element (16). Transport container according to claim 6, characterized in that the holding plate (19) extends only over a part of the displacement element (16), preferably over a range of 2/3 of the displacement element (16). Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the closure (7) terminates substantially flush with the inside and / or outside of the side wall (3,5). Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the locking bolt (15) has a contact surface (25) and an inclined surface (26), wherein the contact surface (25) comes to lie in the closed position in the latching recess (24), so that without actuation of the displacement element (16) a solution of the side walls (3, 4, 5, 6) is not possible, while the inclined surface (26) allows sliding of the closure bolt on the adjacent side wall (3, 4, 5, 6) , Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the closure (7) via latching elements (20, 21) in the form of projections, webs and the like in the closure recess (18) is held and / or guided. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the elastic element (14) is formed by a substantially S-shaped spring. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the displacement element (16) has a two-sided recessed grip (13) or a continuous handle opening. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the displacement element (16) is designed as a substantially rectangular frame body with a preferably one-sided rounding, in its width with the width of the sliding element (16) receiving side wall (3.5 ) corresponds. Transport container according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that the closure (7) is made in one piece from plastic.

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